About St. Joseph · Waconia, Minnesota
St. Joseph Catholic Community is a historic parish in downtown Waconia, Minnesota, founded in 1859 within a year of Minnesota statehood. The parish runs a parish school (continuous since 1860, making it one of the oldest in the state), a faith formation program for all ages, a vibrant youth ministry, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation), small groups, and an extensive outreach mission. Worship is celebrated in a Romanesque-style church originally built by Franciscans, with its 150-foot steeple a landmark of downtown Waconia. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and is pastored by Fr. Stan Mader with Deacons Greg Miller and Bruce Richards.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- St. Joseph (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Stan Mader
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a downtown Waconia parish with deep roots — founded in 1859 — and a reputation for reverent but warm liturgy, intergenerational community, and robust faith formation from preschool through adult OCIA. With a 165-consecutive-year parish school, an active youth group (Grades 6–12), small groups for all ages, and outreach ministries that feed the poor, clothe the naked, and support the sick and imprisoned, the parish offers a tangible way to live the Gospel beyond Sunday Mass. As Fr. Stan Mader writes: "We hope to make the city better on Monday by carrying out what we experience on Sunday."
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Monday: 5:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Our Story & History
St. Joseph Catholic Community traces its origins to 1859, with the very first Mass celebrated in the Sam Schmitt home two miles southeast of Waconia. A log church was soon built on what is now the front lawn of the rectory, then replaced by a brick church as the congregation grew. The present Romanesque-style church was built by the Franciscans and remains the spiritual and architectural heart of downtown Waconia. The parish school has operated continuously since 1860, making it one of the oldest parish schools in Minnesota.
- 1859 — Parish established; first Mass in Sam Schmitt home
- 1860 — Log church built on what is now the rectory lawn; school opens
- Brick church built on the southeast corner of present property
- Romanesque-style church built by the Franciscans (steeple 150 ft, church ~160 ft long, 72 ft at transepts)
- 1980s — major interior renovation: gold-leaf repainting, loft opened for choir, new pews, statue restoration, Stations of the Cross updated
- Narthex added with Fairmont Art Glass stained-glass windows
- 2000 — decision to build new Education Center
- September 22, 2002 — 55,000 sq ft Education Center dedicated
Faith & Architecture of the Church
The Romanesque-style church was designed by the Franciscans and remains much as it was originally built. The sanctuary is rich in Franciscan iconography: on the high altar stand St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony; St. Joseph, the parish patron, presides high above the reredos. Side altars house St. Louis and St. Aloysius, the Immaculate Conception, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Rose of Lima, and an Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with a sorrowful Pieta by the side door.
- Romanesque architecture with classical lines
- 150-foot steeple — downtown Waconia landmark
- High altar: St. Francis, St. Anthony, and parish patron St. Joseph
- Sacred Heart altar: St. Louis, St. Aloysius, Infant Jesus of Prague
- Blessed Mother's altar: Immaculate Conception, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Rose of Lima, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon
- Pieta near the side door
- Fairmont Art Glass (MN) stained-glass windows in the Narthex
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children (OCIA) is the parish's process for adults and children over age seven who wish to enter the Catholic Church, complete their initiation, or discern full communion. Weekly sessions run September through May, and participants may join at any time. The journey culminates in the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Open to unbaptized adults and children age 7+
- Open to adults and children baptized in another Christian tradition
- Open to baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and/or First Eucharist
- Weekly sessions with Scripture study, prayer, and discussion
- Opportunities to serve as sponsors, hospitality ministers, prayer companions, or catechists
- Contact: (952) 442-3702 (Director of Adult Faith Formation & Cemetery)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Joseph supports children, teens, and families as they grow in faith at every stage of life. Programming spans early childhood through high school, including two-year Confirmation preparation for grades 9–10 and a dynamic youth group for grades 6–12. Registration for the 2026–2027 year opens March 1. Adult faith formation and small groups round out a lifelong-learning approach to discipleship.
- Faith Formation for Grades K–5 (Julie Loscheider, 952-442-3703)
- Youth Group for Grades 6–12 — meets one Sunday a month after 10:30 AM Mass
- Confirmation Preparation — two-year process for grades 9–10, Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM
- Adult Faith Formation (Chris Parker, 952-442-3702)
- Small Groups for community engagement and spiritual growth
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School has educated students continuously since 1860, currently in its 165+ consecutive year. Originally a one-room log school built by the St. Joseph Society, it was replaced by a two-room school in 1880 (staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of New Castle, WI), then by a third building in 1908. The Sisters of Christian Charity took over in 1888 and taught until 1982; the first lay teachers joined in 1955. Today the school is a STEM-focused K–8 program housed in the 55,000-square-foot Education Center dedicated in 2002.
- 1860 — One-room log school built by the St. Joseph Society
- 1880 — Two-room school with living quarters for the Sisters of St. Francis of New Castle, WI
- 1888 — Sisters of Christian Charity take over teaching (enrollment 105)
- 1908 — Third school building constructed
- 1955 — First lay teachers join the parish school
- 1956 — Additional classrooms and gymnasium added to 1908 building
- 1982 — Last year of Religious Sisters teaching at St. Joseph
- September 22, 2002 — New 55,000 sq ft Education Center dedicated (gym, cafeteria/commons, technology center, media center, art and science rooms, preschool, 19 classrooms)
- Currently K–8 with capacity for two sections per grade
- Smart Lab and STEM focus
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Joseph is pastored by Fr. Stan Mader and served by two permanent deacons. The parish staff coordinates faith formation for all ages, music, finances, communications, safe environment, and facilities, while a separate school staff (under Head of School Deacon Bruce Richards) runs the parish school.
- Fr. Stan Mader — Pastor
- Deacon Greg Miller
- Deacon Bruce Richards — Permanent Deacon & Head of School
- Amy Gallus — Principal & Middle School Math
- Julie Loscheider — Faith Formation (Grades K–5)
- Kirstin Bularzik — Youth Formation (Grades 6–12)
- Chris Parker — Director of Adult Faith Formation & Cemetery
- Elizabeth Hoffmann — Parish Office Coordinator & Director of Music
- Peg Schmaltz — Pastoral Care
- Rhonda Eurich — Administrator
- Rachel Provence — Parish Financial Manager
- Sarah Richards — Communications & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Kyle Whittaker — Facilities Manager
Outreach & Parish Life
As Fr. Stan Mader writes, the parish encourages members to "make the city better on Monday by carrying out what we experience on Sunday." Outreach ministries actively feed the poor, clothe the naked, and support the sick and imprisoned — viewing each act as a way of reaching out to Jesus. Parish Life ministries cultivate community and fellowship for members of all ages.
- Outreach ministries: feeding the poor, clothing the naked, supporting the sick and imprisoned
- Parish Life ministries and events
- Small Groups for spiritual growth and community
- Hospitality and Prayer ministries supporting OCIA candidates
Sacraments
The parish celebrates and prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments, with particular attention to lifelong faith formation. OCIA welcomes adults and children seeking full initiation; Confirmation is a two-year process for high-school-age teens, with adult options available through OCIA.
- Baptism — preparation through the parish office
- Confirmation — two-year process for grades 9–10 (and adult pathway through OCIA)
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation — faith formation preparation
- Marriage — preparation via parish office
- OCIA for unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or Catholics completing initiation