Has sulfatase activity toward para-nitrophenyl sulfate, which is increased in presence of calcium ion. an aryl sulfate + H2O = a phenol + H(+) + sulfate Binds 1 Ca(2+) ion per subunit. The conversion to 3-oxoalanine (also known as C-formylglycine, FGly), of a serine or cysteine residue in prokaryotes and of a cysteine residue in eukaryotes, is critical for catalytic activity (By similarity). This conversion can be carried out in vitro by AnSME under anaerobic conditions. Belongs to the sulfatase family.