About St. Joachim · Madera, California
St. Joachim Catholic Church is a historic parish in downtown Madera, California, in the Diocese of Fresno. The parish traces its roots to 1881, when the first Catholic church in Madera was built on land and lumber donated by the Madera Flume and Trading Company, making it the oldest Catholic worship site in the city. Since the 1930s St. Joachim has been served by the Oblates of St. Joseph (O.S.J.), an Italian-founded religious congregation whose U.S. charism includes strong parish and youth ministry. Today the parish serves more than five thousand families, runs St. Joachim School (founded 1927), and ministers to two mission churches — St. Anne Chapel in Raymond-Knowles and St. Agnes Mission Church — while fundraising for a new larger worship space called Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Joachim
- Rector
- Fr. Mariusz Beczek, O.S.J. (Pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
St. Joachim offers one of the most extensive Catholic parish lives in the Madera area — multiple Sunday Masses (six total when mission churches are counted), daily Mass Monday through Saturday, weekday Eucharistic Adoration from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM, and regular confession times on Wednesdays and Saturdays. A large and active lay faithful — more than five thousand families — support dozens of ministries, from OCIA (formerly RCIA) and CCD religious education to youth ministry, quinces, altar servers, lectors, Communion ministers, bereavement, the St. Marello Bookstore, and the Holy Family Table. The parish is also home to St. Joachim School (Pre-K through 8th grade, with the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception on staff) and extends sacramental and migrant ministry through its mission churches at St. Anne (Raymond) and St. Agnes. For families and individuals looking for a parish with deep local roots, a bilingual English/Spanish liturgical life, the spiritual care of the Oblates of St. Joseph, and a real vision for the future (the Holy Trinity Catholic Church capital campaign), St. Joachim is a welcoming home.
Mass times at St. Joachim
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- St. Anne Chapel (Raymond): 30 minutes before Mass when time permits
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Chapel): 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday
History of St. Joachim Parish
St. Joachim traces its origins to 1881, when Madera's first house of worship — a Catholic church — was built on land and lumber donated by the Madera Flume and Trading Company. Its first pastor, Father Valentin Aguilera, had erected the first Catholic church in Madera County at Borden two years earlier. Over the following century the parish grew alongside the city, building a school in 1927 and a new cathedral-style church in 1959 that remains in use today. The Oblates of St. Joseph have served St. Joachim since the 1930s, and the parish now reaches more than five thousand families through its main church, two mission churches, a school, and a wide range of lay ministries.
- 1881 — first St. Joachim church built in Madera; Father Valentin Aguilera, first pastor
- 1927 — St. Joachim School established
- 1930s — Oblates of St. Joseph arrive to staff the parish
- 1948 — new school built on 4th Street (replacing Griffin Hall)
- 1958/1959 — current cathedral-style church completed
- 1962 — St. Anne Chapel blessed on Easter Sunday (April 7, 1962)
- 1951 — St. Agnes Mission Church dedicated on land donated by the Moreno family
- 1989 — kindergarten wing added at the school
- 1995 — science lab; 1996 — administration offices
- December 2007 — new first-through-eighth-grade classrooms completed
- Today — capital campaign underway for the new Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Joachim is staffed by the Oblates of St. Joseph (O.S.J.), whose U.S. provinces entrust several priests to the parish. The current pastor is Fr. Mariusz Beczek, O.S.J., supported by associate pastors Fr. Stephen Spencer, O.S.J. and Fr. 'Rockie' Baiju Thareparambil, O.S.J., with Fr. Larry Toschi, O.S.J. and Fr. James Catalano, O.S.J. in residence, and Fr. Jose Batista, O.S.J. also serving. Two permanent deacons — Deacon Enrique Medina and Deacon Ramiro Flores — assist in ministry.
- Fr. Mariusz Beczek, O.S.J. — Pastor (ext. 203)
- Fr. Stephen Spencer, O.S.J. — Associate Pastor (ext. 204)
- Fr. 'Rockie' Baiju Thareparambil, O.S.J. — Associate Pastor (ext. 205)
- Fr. Larry Toschi, O.S.J. — Priest in Residence (ext. 242)
- Fr. James Catalano, O.S.J. — Priest in Residence
- Fr. Jose Batista, O.S.J.
- Deacon Enrique Medina — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Ramiro Flores — Permanent Deacon
Rectory, Religious Education & Youth Ministry Staff
Day-to-day parish operations are run by an administrative manager, office supervisor, bookkeeper, and parish secretaries, while religious education (CCD) and youth ministry each have their own coordinators and receptionists. The wedding and bereavement coordinator (Paola A.) serves both engagements. A maintenance and custodial team keeps the large campus — church, school, bookstore, and halls — running smoothly.
- Administrative Manager: Maria Vasquez (ext. 206)
- Office Supervisor: Flora L. (ext. 236)
- Bookkeeper: Rubi R. (ext. 201)
- Parish Secretaries: Vanessa M. (ext. 200), Veronica M. (ext. 202)
- Religious Education Coordinator (ext. 220); Receptionists: Marybel M. (ext. 221), Emanuel N.
- Parish Ministries Coordinator (Youth Ministry): Lucia G. (ext. 234/240)
- Wedding & Bereavement Coordinator: Paola A. (ext. 240 / 559-479-8231)
- Maintenance: Leandro P.; Head Custodian: Pepe S.; Custodians: Trenton H., Manuel T., Alejandro V.
- St. Joachim School office: (559) 674-7628 — https://sjoachimschool.org
Parish Ministries & Groups
St. Joachim describes itself as having a 'very active parish life' where 'people of many walks of life gather every day' for ministry. The parish website lists a wide and diverse range of lay apostolates and devotions, including youth ministry, liturgical ministries, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), CCD, the Bereavement Ministry, the Holy Family Table outreach, and the St. Marello Bookstore.
- Youth Ministry — youth groups, Quinceañera preparation
- Liturgical Ministries — Altar Servers, Communion Ministers, Lectors
- OCIA Program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- CCD / Religious Education (Office hours Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM; 559-674-5833)
- Adult Sacrament Ministry — Adult Confirmation (English: Margaret Esparza; Spanish: Dcn. Enrique Medina)
- Bereavement Ministry
- Holy Family Table (food / fundraising outreach)
- St. Marello Bookstore — religious articles and gifts
- Migrant Ministry (St. Agnes Mission)
- Marriage preparation — Wedding Coordinator Paola A.
- Bautismo / Primera Comunión / Confirmación / Quinceañera
- Holy Spouses Hall rentals; Hall Rentals office
- Marellian Pathways; Prayers for Mass resources
Sacraments at St. Joachim
The parish website lays out preparation pathways for all seven Catholic sacraments, with both English- and Spanish-speaking contacts for adult initiation. Sacramental preparation is supported by the OCIA program, the CCD religious-education office, the wedding and bereavement coordinator, and the migrant ministry at St. Agnes.
- Baptism (Bautismo)
- Confirmation — including Adult Confirmation (English: Margaret Esparza; Spanish: Dcn. Enrique Medina)
- First Holy Communion (Primera Comunión)
- Reconciliation / Confession (Wednesday evening, Saturday morning)
- Holy Matrimony (Wedding Coordinator: Paola A., 559-479-8231)
- Anointing of the Sick (Unción de los Enfermos)
- Holy Orders — Priesthood and Permanent Diaconate (Diaconado Permanente)
- Quinceañera
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
St. Joachim Catholic School
St. Joachim School was established in 1927 and has served the greater Madera community ever since. After decades of growth — Griffin Hall as the original school building, then a new school on 4th Street in 1948, followed by a kindergarten wing (1989), science lab (1995) and administration offices (1996) — the campus today includes a gymnasium, social hall, computer lab, and preschool. In December 2007 a full replacement of the first-through-eighth-grade classrooms was completed, equipped with the technology needed to maintain the school's high academic standards. The school is located directly across the street from the church and is served by the Oblates of St. Joseph (whose particular charism is youth ministry) and the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who provide an invaluable witness to the consecrated life.
- Founded 1927
- Pre-K through 8th grade
- Modern classrooms completed December 2007
- Sisters of the Immaculate Conception on school staff
- Supported by the Oblates of St. Joseph
- School office: (559) 674-7628 — sjoachimschool.org
Mission Churches: St. Anne Chapel (Raymond-Knowles)
St. Anne Chapel began as the Knowles School, constructed of native granite stone in 1920 by Architect Henry F. Starbuck of Fresno for the Knowles School District. After the Raymond and Knowles districts consolidated in 1942, the school closed; in 1959 Raymond Granite Company president John Alexander contacted Herb and Mrs. Bucheneau, who donated the property in 1961 to the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. Remodeled and renamed St. Anne's Chapel, it was blessed on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1962, by Reverend Mario Buttini, pastor, assisted by Fathers John Grossi, Albert Marzani, and Lupe Sanchez. Sunday Mass has been celebrated there since September 23, 1962.
- Address: 36483 Road 606, Knowles-Raymond, CA 93653
- Sunday Mass: 9:00 AM
- Reconciliation: 30 minutes before Mass when time permits
- Holy Day Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM when a priest is available
- Contact: St. Joachim Rectory (559) 673-3290
- Built of native granite (1920 Knowles School, architect Henry F. Starbuck of Fresno)
Mission Churches: St. Agnes Mission Church
The structure now known as St. Agnes was originally built as a classroom and auditorium by the Ripperdan School District in 1913. It was relocated in 1948 to an acre of land donated by Mr. Tony Moreno to the Diocese of Fresno in honor of his wife Agnes before her death. With community help it was repaired and dedicated to St. Agnes on June 10, 1951. After St. Joachim's new church was completed in 1958, the pews, windows and Stations of the Cross from the old church were installed at St. Agnes. In 1968 the Moreno family donated another three-quarters acre, and in 1973 a C.O.P.E.-funded building was added for religious education and community use. Today St. Agnes is a hub of sacramental preparation for the migrant community throughout Madera.
- Address: 7308 Hwy 145, Madera, CA 93637
- Sacramental preparation for the migrant community across Madera
- Catechetical courses in preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Migrant Ministry contacts: Lucy Gomez (559-479-8231), Karina Hernandez (559-232-9807)
- Contact: St. Joachim Rectory (559) 673-3290
The Oblates of St. Joseph at St. Joachim
The Oblates of St. Joseph (O.S.J.) are a religious congregation founded by St. Joseph Marello (1844–95), an Italian priest who later became Bishop of Acqui in Northern Italy. Marello's community, originally known as the Company of St. Joseph, began with four candidates in 1878 and encouraged its members to imitate the virtues and qualities of St. Joseph while serving the elderly, handicapped and orphaned. The community came to California in 1931 and has staffed St. Joachim Parish since the 1930s. The Oblates are known locally for their seven-acre Shrine of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz, and they maintain a strong community and family life at each house — including Madera, where they live together and share preaching, teaching, and ministry. Youth ministry is a particular O.S.J. charism, which is why their support of St. Joachim School is especially cherished.
- Founded by St. Joseph Marello in 1878 (Italy)
- Came to California in 1931
- Staffing St. Joachim since the 1930s
- About 30 priests in the U.S.
- Local Shrine of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz (Mass, confession, private prayer)
- Particular charism: youth ministry and pastoral availability to local bishops
Building Holy Trinity Catholic Church — Capital Campaign
Because the 1959 church can no longer comfortably hold the parish's more than five thousand families, St. Joachim is in the middle of a major capital campaign to build a new, larger church on or near the campus: Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Parishioners are invited to take part in a 33-month sacrificial pledge campaign, and an 8-minute slideshow is available to experience the proposed church's art and architecture. A Capital Campaign Team is available after each Mass to share a brochure and pledge card and to answer questions, in both English and Spanish.
- Goal: build a new, larger church for the 5,000+ family parish
- 33-month sacrificial pledge model
- 8-minute slideshow available on the parish website
- Capital Campaign Team available after each Mass
- Bilingual (English / Spanish) information and sign-up
- Pastor's letter on the campaign: 'Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it' (Psalm 127:1)
Parish Bulletin, Bookstore & Outreach
St. Joachim publishes a regular weekly parish bulletin available online (with a rolling archive by month), so parishioners can stay connected to events, ministries, and homilies even when traveling. The on-site St. Marello Bookstore, named for the founder of the Oblates, offers a variety of religious items. The Holy Family Table is the parish's food and fundraising outreach, with a volunteer team of parishioners leading collections and distribution.
- Online parish bulletin with monthly archive (current through March 2026)
- St. Marello Bookstore — Manager: Jennifer V. (559-662-0682); Lead Sales Associate: Nellie U.
- Holy Family Table — President: Angie M. (559-706-3046); Fundraising: Betty S. (559-674-5239); Administrative: Maria Vasquez (ext. 206); Associate: Jesse Perez (559-474-9001)
- Faith Resources / Online Parish links listed in the bulletin and on the website
- Harvest Festival and Church Tour events (mentioned in parish events)
- Volunteer / '¿Deseas Voluntariado?' opportunities through the Diocese of Fresno
Plan Your Visit
St. Joachim welcomes visitors and newcomers to its central Madera campus at 401 W. 5th Street, directly across the street from St. Joachim School. The current church has a cry room for families with small children, multiple weekend Masses to choose from, and an extensive Eucharistic Adoration chapel open five days a week. The rectory office is open Tuesday–Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Monday 1:00–5:00 PM. The parish is part of the Diocese of Fresno (Bishop Joseph V. Brennan) and is served by the Oblates of St. Joseph.
- Address: 401 W. 5th Street, Madera, CA 93637
- Phone: (559) 673-3290; Fax: (559) 673-6471
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.sjoachim.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Fresno (Bishop Joseph V. Brennan)
- Cry room available in the current church
- Office hours: Mon 1–5 PM; Tue–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Valentin Aguilera1881 (founding pastor)
First pastor; had erected the first Catholic church in Madera County at Borden in 1879.
- Reverend Mario Buttini1962
Pastor at the time St. Anne Chapel was blessed on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1962.
- Fr. John Warburton, O.S.J.
Previous pastor (per California Catholic Daily); led capital-campaign-era vision for the new Holy Trinity Catholic Church; oversaw the restoration of the exterior St. Joachim mosaic.
- Fr. Mariusz Beczek, O.S.J.Current
Current pastor, listed on the parish staff page.