About St. John Neumann · Eagan, Minnesota
St. John Neumann Catholic Church is a growing Roman Catholic parish in Eagan, Minnesota, part of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Established in 1977 and named for the Bohemian-born bishop and educator who had just been canonized by Pope Paul VI that same year, the parish has grown into a community of more than 4,000 families that gathers for daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide range of formation, youth, and outreach ministries. From its current home on Pilot Knob Road, the parish describes its mission as forming disciples who know Jesus' love and live an active sacramental and service-oriented Catholic life.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R. (Bishop of Philadelphia, canonized June 19, 1977)
- Rector
- Fr. Tony O'Neill
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. John Neumann is a vibrant, multi-generational parish of more than 4,000 families that offers multiple daily Masses, a robust weekly Eucharistic Adoration schedule, and clear paths for faith formation at every age — from Sunday School for preschoolers through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), youth ministry, confirmation preparation, and adult Bible study. Its active Justice and Charity Committee, men's group, family programming, and outreach to local food shelves and the homeless flow directly from the parish's stated mission to live out an 'active sacramental life of loving Jesus Christ and serving others.' Add in the parish podcast 'This Eucharistic Life' and the Synod-driven focus on Sunday as 'the Family Day,' and SJN offers newcomers a parish that is both worship-centered and outward-facing.
Mass times at St. John Neumann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Tuesday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Wednesday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Friday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- Monday Adoration: 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Tuesday Adoration: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday Adoration: 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday Adoration: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Friday Adoration: 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Parish History & Story
St. John Neumann Catholic Church was established in 1977 and named for St. John Neumann, the Bohemian-born Redemptorist who became Bishop of Philadelphia and built the first diocesan school system in the United States. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on June 19, 1977 — just two weeks before this parish held its very first Mass on July 9, 1977. That first Mass was celebrated outdoors at the old Eagan Post Office on the corner of Lexington and Lone Oak Road and drew about 1,000 people. Six months later, with no church building yet, roughly 300 worshippers gathered for Christmas Eve Mass in a barn on a nearby Eagan farm in temperatures 8 degrees below zero. In March 1978 the parish moved into its present site on Pilot Knob Road, and the first Mass in the current church was celebrated on June 15, 1980, attended by about 800 people. Within five years membership tripled to 951 families. The parish expanded through the 1980s and 1990s, adding an education board (founded 1979), vacation Bible school, additional clergy, building renovations, and the parish's longstanding focus on social justice, formally designated in 1988. By its 30th anniversary in 2007 the parish had grown to more than 4,000 families, and it continues to grow today as a fixture of Catholic life in Eagan.
- Founded July 9, 1977 (two weeks after St. John Neumann's canonization)
- First Christmas Mass held in a barn at −8°F
- First Mass in present church: June 15, 1980
- 30th anniversary (2007): more than 4,000 families
- Social justice designated a parish focus in 1988
Patron: St. John Neumann
The parish is named for St. John Neumann (March 28, 1811 – January 5, 1860), a Redemptorist priest and the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia. Born in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), he emigrated to the United States, learned many languages to hear confessions of new immigrants, and grew the Catholic parochial school system from one school in Philadelphia at his arrival to about 200 by the end of his episcopate — the first diocesan school system in the country. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI on June 19, 1977, and is venerated as patron of teachers, educators, sick children, and immigrants. His feast day is January 5.
- Canonized June 19, 1977
- Patron of teachers, educators, sick children, and immigrants
- Memorial feast day: January 5
Faith Formation for All Ages
The parish's stated formation mission is 'forming disciples of all ages who know Jesus' love and enthusiastically live our Catholic Christian life.' Formation is structured by age group, with a single phone line (651-209-8589) for general Faith Formation questions and dedicated staff for each stage.
- Sunday School (Preschool age 3 through Kindergarten) — Theresa Burdick, 651-209-8972
- Elementary & Family Formation, Grades K–5; First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation — Claire Dzurik, 651-209-8586
- Middle & High School Formation, Grades 6–12; Confirmation Preparation; Youth Groups — Greg Montana, 651-209-8585
- Adult Faith Formation, Bible Study, OCIA — Pat Howard, 651-209-8587
- General Faith Formation inquiries — Tonya Brost, 651-209-8589
OCIA & Sacraments
St. John Neumann runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults seeking to become Catholic, coordinated through Pat Howard and the Adult Faith Formation team. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is integrated into the graded Faith Formation program. Men discerning Holy Orders — either to the diaconate or the priesthood — are invited to reach out directly to Fr. Tony O'Neill or Fr. Ryan Sustacek.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion for Grade K–5 students
- Confirmation Preparation for Grades 6–12
- Holy Orders discernment with Fr. Tony O'Neill or Fr. Ryan Sustacek
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is staffed by a pastor, a parochial vicar, and a Faith Formation team. Fr. Tony O'Neill, originally from Glasgow, Scotland, was ordained in 2011, served with the Servants of the Word, and has prior parish assignments at Our Lady of the Lake in Mound and Immaculate Conception in Watertown before coming to St. John Neumann. Fr. Ryan Sustacek serves as Parochial Vicar and also fields inquiries from men discerning Holy Orders.
- Pastor: Fr. Tony O'Neill — from Glasgow, Scotland; ordained 2011; formerly with Servants of the Word; prior assignments at Our Lady of the Lake, Mound, and Immaculate Conception, Watertown
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Ryan Sustacek
Men's Ministry & Adult Groups
The SJN Men's Group meets monthly with a simple rhythm: 8:00 AM Mass, a light breakfast in the Social Hall, and a presentation and discussion wrapping up with prayer by 10:00 AM. Adult faith formation also includes Bible study on 'The Bible and the Church Fathers.'
- SJN Men's Group — meets monthly; contact Pat Howard, 651-209-8587
- Bible Study: 'The Bible and the Church Fathers'
Justice, Charity & Outreach
Outreach has been a formal focus of St. John Neumann since 1988. The parish Justice and Charity Committee has hosted a multi-year Catholic Social Teaching speakers series opened to the wider community — running from October through May, with each evening including a talk in the church, Q&A, and small-group discussion. Parishioners are active in stocking local food shelves, serving meals to the homeless, and providing Christmas gifts for people in need. Additional outreach includes a St. Vincent de Paul presence and an annual Fair Trade Sale.
- Justice and Charity Committee (catholic social teaching series)
- Local food shelf support
- Serving meals to the homeless
- Christmas gift drives
- St. Vincent de Paul outreach
- Annual Fair Trade Sale
This Eucharistic Life Podcast
The parish produces a podcast called 'This Eucharistic Life,' hosted by Fr. Tony O'Neill and youth minister Greg Montana. Topics center on the Catholic faith, the Eucharist, and parish life, and the podcast is open to listeners beyond the SJN community.
- Hosted by Fr. Tony O'Neill and Greg Montana
- Open to listeners beyond the parish
Synod & Parish Mission
St. John Neumann identifies its parish mission as calling members 'to an active sacramental life of loving Jesus Christ and serving others through our generosity, prayerful worship, dedication to formation, and commitment to justice.' During the current Synod implementation phase the parish is focusing on three priorities: honoring Sunday as the Lord's Day and the Family Day (including hosting a Teaching Mass), facilitating parish-wide conversation about liturgy and the Eucharist, and practicing 'radical hospitality' for newcomers and guests.
- Parish mission: active sacramental life, worship, formation, justice
- Synod focus 1: Sunday as the Lord's Day and Family Day
- Synod focus 2: Parish-wide conversation about liturgy and the Eucharist
- Synod focus 3: Radical hospitality for guests
Visiting & Contact
St. John Neumann Catholic Church is at 4030 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122-1814. The parish office phone is 651-454-2079, with separate extensions for clergy and formation staff. Mass and Confession schedules, plus contact emails and the parish calendar of events, are kept current at sjn.org.
- Address: 4030 Pilot Knob Rd, Eagan, MN 55122-1814
- Parish phone: 651-454-2079
- Faith Formation inquiries: 651-209-8589
- Fr. Tony O'Neill: 651-209-8580
- Fr. Ryan Sustacek: 651-209-8581
- Website: sjn.org