About Sts. Joachim and Ann · Saint Charles, Missouri
Sts. Joachim and Ann is a Roman Catholic parish located at 4112 McClay Road in St. Charles, Missouri, part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish worshiping community is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ and emphasizes spiritual and educational growth, calling forth and sharing gifts in service to the community and the Kingdom of God. It offers Mass in English every day of the week, with three Sunday Masses, two daily Masses Monday through Friday, and a Saturday Vigil, alongside Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday confessions. The parish also operates a co-educational Catholic school (Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade, founded 1981) and sponsors the Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service, a tri-county social-services nonprofit that grew from five volunteers in 1981 into a major provider of food, housing, and family services for the region.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- Sts. Joachim and Ann (Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Father Chuck Barthel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Sts. Joachim and Ann offers the rhythms of a full sacramental life — daily Mass, two long blocks of Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesday 9 AM–6:30 PM and overnight Saturday 6 PM through Sunday 7 AM), and Saturday confessions — that make daily discipleship practical. The parish pairs that liturgical life with strong formation through its Parish School of Religion, Family Catechesis, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and a year-round RCIA process for adults. Parishioners also have a direct hand in outreach through the parish-affiliated Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service, which runs food, housing, and family-support programs across the tri-county area. A vibrant Music Ministry (with cantors, choirs, and a recorded CD catalog) and a co-educational Catholic school serving Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade round out a community that prides itself on worship, formation, and service.
Mass times at Sts. Joachim and Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Saturday 6:00 PM (during Adoration)
- Sunday 2:00 PM (during Adoration)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday 6:00 PM through Sunday 7:00 AM (overnight)
Welcome & Parish Identity
Sts. Joachim and Ann describes itself as a worshiping community whose foundation is the teaching of Jesus Christ. The parish mission statement, published on the Archdiocese of St. Louis parish page, reads: 'We, the Parish Family of Sts. Joachim and Ann, a worshiping community, have as our foundation the teachings of Jesus Christ. Through spiritual and educational growth, we find it our joy and responsibility to call forth and share our gifts. We compassionately support the ministries which build up our community and the Kingdom of God.' The parish is named for the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Saints Joachim and Anne — whose joint feast is celebrated on July 26.
History & Heritage
The parish and its associated school both date to 1981, the same year that Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service was founded as a small volunteer effort to help neighbors in poverty. Over four decades, the Care Service has grown into a multi-program nonprofit with dozens of staff and hundreds of volunteers, while the parish has built a full liturgical life (daily Mass, perpetual-style Adoration, Saturday confessions), a parish school, a Parish School of Religion, and a Music Ministry that has released three CDs.
- Parish and school founded: 1981
- Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service founded: July 1981 (five volunteers, $500)
- Three parish music CDs recorded: 2013, 2015, 2019
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by Pastor Father Chuck Barthel, with Father James L. Gahan and Father James Benz retired in residence. Four permanent deacons — Deacon Vince Baker, Deacon Bill Scarry, Deacon Tim Schultz, and Deacon Phillip Uro — minister alongside them. Lay staff include Tim Goedeke (Facilities Manager), Mrs. Tammy Lyons, Rose Wieschhaus (Director of Faith Formation), Kathy Mueller, Dana Puckett (Safe Environment Coordinator), and parish/school bookkeepers.
- Pastor: Father Chuck Barthel
- Retired in Residence: Father James L. Gahan; Father James Benz
- Deacons: Deacon Vince Baker, Deacon Bill Scarry, Deacon Tim Schultz, Deacon Phillip Uro
- Director of Faith Formation: Rose Wieschhaus
- Music Director: Marcia Higgins
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Dana Puckett
- Facilities Manager: Tim Goedeke
Faith Formation & Religious Education (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves children in grades K-8 who attend public school or are home-schooled; families must be registered members and provide baptismal certificates for new children. Sacramental preparation is offered for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist (2nd grade) and Confirmation (8th grade, using Ascension Press's Chosen program), with the requirement that a child must have attended the prior year of religious instruction to enter sacramental prep. A monthly Family Catechesis program allows families to attend 9:30 AM Mass together before their formation session, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers a Montessori-based, multi-age alternative (Level 1 ages 3–6 on Tuesdays 4–6 PM; Levels 2–3 on Thursdays 4:30–6:30 PM).
- Monday PSR weekly classes: 6:15–7:30 PM, mid-August through May
- 8th Grade Confirmation: Sundays twice monthly, 10:45 AM–12:00 PM
- Family Catechesis: monthly Sundays, 10:45 AM–12:15 PM
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Level 1 (ages 3–6) Tuesdays 4–6 PM; Levels 2 & 3 Thursdays 4:30–6:30 PM
- Contact: Rose Wieschhaus, [email protected], 636-926-0021
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their sacraments are invited to explore the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The parish notes that 'Many people who take time to learn about the teachings of the Church soon discover that they really don't have the objections they thought they had' and encourages prospective inquirers to schedule a meeting with one of the priests or deacons.
- Contact Deacon Tim or Father Chuck Barthel via the parish office
- Parish life opportunities: Parish Picnic, Lenten Fish Fry, Bible Studies
Music & Liturgy
The Liturgical Music Ministry serves as cantors, instrumentalists, accompanists, and choir members for Sunday worship, the Seasons and Feasts, funerals, baptisms, weddings, and other services. Its stated mission is to lead the assembly to 'full, active and conscious participation' in the liturgical life of the parish. Cantors are available for weddings, a Resurrection Choir sings at funeral Masses, and combined ensembles sing for Christmas, the Triduum, and Easter.
- Music Director: Marcia Higgins
- Recorded CDs: 'A New and Glorious Morn' (2019 Christmas), 'Mother of Mercy' (2015), 'I Will Bless and Sing' (2013)
- Virtual Choir recordings released in 2020
- Featured guest musician: Dr. Tim Wheeler (on 'Mother of Mercy')
Evangelization & Outreach
The Evangelization Ministries seek to preach the Gospel both inside the parish community and beyond it — reaching out to those in need, assisting those returning to the Church, and offering themselves to Christ's saving mission. Parish life includes a Parish Picnic, a Lenten Fish Fry, and Bible Studies that invite non-Catholics to engage with the faith and the community.
- Parish Picnic
- Lenten Fish Fry
- Bible Studies
- Outreach to those returning to the Church
Sts. Joachim & Ann Care Service
Founded in July 1981 with five volunteers and $500, the Care Service is the parish's affiliated nonprofit social-services agency. Today it is a primary provider of programs for individuals, families, and children in the tri-county area of St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren counties who earn at or below 50% of the state median income. The agency is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and runs a Street Outreach Program that has moved 125 individuals off the streets in five years, a Housing program (rent/mortgage/utility assistance, home repairs, emergency shelter), a Food Pantry, a Children & Family Development program (which served 520 adults and 605 children in 230 families in 2024), and a Christmas Adopt-A-Family program.
- Founded: July 1981
- Founding members included Father Robert Leibrecht
- Executive Director: Pam Struckhoff (as of 40th anniversary in 2021)
- Programs: Food Pantry, Street Outreach, Housing Assistance, Children & Family Development, Christmas Adopt-A-Family
- Service area: St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren counties
- Accredited by the Council on Accreditation
- Contact (parish campus address): 4116 McClay Road, St. Charles, MO 63304 — 636-441-1302 — jacares.org
Sts. Joachim & Ann Catholic School
Founded in 1981 alongside the parish, Sts. Joachim & Ann Catholic School is a co-educational Catholic parochial school serving students in Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school shares the parish campus at 4112 McClay Road. Its mission is described as 'children of faith, wonder, and service,' embracing God's love 'one child at a time.'
- Grades: Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Year Founded: 1981
- Campus: 10 acres
- Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic, Archdiocese of St. Louis
Youth Ministry
Sts. Joachim and Ann does not currently host an on-campus youth ministry. Instead, teens and middle-schoolers are referred to youth ministry programs at neighboring parishes, including St. Joseph Cottleville, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Cletus, Immaculate Conception of Dardenne (ICD), and Assumption O'Fallon (which offers a Life Teen Mass at 5:30 PM Sunday and Life Night 6:30–8:30 PM in the parish center).
- No on-campus youth ministry offered
- Referral parishes: St. Joseph (Cottleville), SEAS, St. Cletus, ICD, Assumption O'Fallon
Visit, Register & Contact
New parishioners are always welcome. Registration can be completed by calling the Parish Office at 636-441-7503 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a lunch break 12:00–12:45 PM) or by submitting a request form online to receive a welcome packet by mail.
- Address: 4112 McClay Road, St. Charles, MO 63304
- Phone: (636) 441-7503
- Fax: (636) 441-6574
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:45 PM)
- Bulletin deadline: Tuesdays at noon (items to [email protected])