About Annunciation · California, Missouri
Annunciation Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in California, Missouri, in the southwest Moniteau Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Founded in 1857 through the missionary work of Jesuit Fr. Ferdinand Helias, the parish grew from Irish and German families who settled near the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and today serves roughly 300 families. Under the current pastor, Reverend Fr. Anthony Viviano, the parish offers a bilingual weekend schedule (English and Spanish), a Parish School of Religion, Totus Tuus and Totus Tuus summer programs, RCIA, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach such as a Mobile Food Pantry and Angel Tree.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Fr. Anthony Viviano
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Annunciation is a bilingual parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side, with a Spanish Mass each Sunday and Hispanic ministry coordinated by Dc. Enrique Castro. Faith formation runs from PSR and sacramental preparation through Confirmation, with summer Totus Tuus for children and Adult Theology for grown Catholics. Outreach is a strong suit — a Mobile Food Pantry feeds neighbors, the Angel Tree brings Christmas gifts to families in need, and the Funeral Luncheon and Santa's Workshop knit the parish together across generations.
Mass times at Annunciation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 PM (and upon request)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (times published on parish ministries page; contact parish office)
About Annunciation Catholic Church
Annunciation is a Roman Catholic parish in the small town of California, Missouri, set in the rolling Moniteau County countryside southwest of Jefferson City. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Jefferson City and the Southwest (Moniteau) Deanery. From a handful of founding families in 1857, the parish has grown to roughly 300 families and continues to welcome new members today.
- Diocese: Diocese of Jefferson City
- Deanery: Southwest / Moniteau
- Parish families: ~300
- Patron: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
History of the Parish
Annunciation Parish traces its origins to the missionary efforts of Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ. In 1857, with the building of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, many Irish families settled near California, and together with a few German families, a congregation was formed. A parish school was established in 1889; both church and school were destroyed by fire in 1900. The church was rebuilt, and the school was rebuilt but burned again in 1982 and was not replaced. The present church was built after ground-breaking on March 25, 1984 (the Feast of the Annunciation) and was dedicated by Bishop McAuliffe on June 23, 1985 — five months after the death of pastor Fr. Donald Green. Assumption Church in Cedron (built 1838, closed 1993) was also part of the parish.
- Founded 1857 by Fr. Ferdinand Helias, SJ
- Parish school established 1889
- 1900 fire destroyed church and school
- 1982 school fire; not rebuilt
- New church dedicated June 23, 1985
- Assumption Church, Cedron (1838–1993) once part of parish
Pastoral Care & Staff
Annunciation is served by Pastor Rev. Fr. Anthony Viviano, two deacons, and a small lay staff. Dc. Bob Reinkemeyer serves the parish, and Dc. Enrique Castro serves as Coordinator of Hispanic Pastoral Ministries. Gloria Heinen is Director of Religious Education, Pauline Forck is Parish Secretary, and Mrs. Lisa Anderson serves as Bookkeeper.
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Viviano — Pastor
- Dc. Bob Reinkemeyer — Deacon
- Dc. Enrique Castro — Deacon / Coordinator of Hispanic Pastoral Ministries
- Gloria Heinen — Director of Religious Education
- Pauline Forck — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Lisa Anderson — Bookkeeper
Parish Life — Faith, Service, Fellowship
The parish describes itself as 'a community of love and service' that bears witness to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Parish Life pages invite parishioners to become members, join ministries, or serve on parish organizations. The parish vision statement: 'We, the family of Annunciation Parish desire to build a community of love and service to our community and those in need as we bear witness to the teaching of Jesus Christ.'
- Become A Member
- Parish Ministries
- Parish Organizations
- Liturgical Resources
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Annunciation Parish does not operate a parish school; neighboring Catholic schools St. Andrew Catholic School and St. Martin Catholic School are a short drive away. Faith formation for parish youth and adults is offered through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), Faith in Motion, Confirmation preparation, Totus Tuus, and Adult Faith Enrichment, under Director of Religious Education Gloria Heinen.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Faith in Motion
- Confirmation preparation
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Adult Faith Enrichment
- St. Andrew Catholic School (neighboring)
- St. Martin Catholic School (neighboring)
Parish Ministries
Parish ministries serve parish events, programs, and the wider community. They include ongoing formation, corporal works of mercy, and seasonal outreach. Volunteers can sign up through the parish office at (573) 796-4842.
- Mobile Food Pantry
- Adult Theology
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Funeral Luncheon
- Angel Tree
- Totus Tuus
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Santa's Workshop
Liturgical Resources & Worship
The Worship and Spiritual Development Commission enhances the spiritual life of Annunciation Parish according to the liturgical norms of the Roman Catholic Church. The Liturgy Committee organizes Masses, devotions, and liturgical ministries including Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, offertory families, ushers, lectors, greeters, and seasonal celebrations. Sacred Music is described as a vital component of the Holy Mass, with talented organists and choral groups singing throughout the year; children are encouraged to join the choir.
- Liturgy Committee
- Lectors
- Offertory Families
- Greeters & Ushers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Sacred Music / Choir
Parish Organizations & Committees
Committees and commissions carry out the parish's mission in the community. The Pastoral Parish Council is elected by the parish and shares in the pastor's decision-making process; other bodies handle worship, vocations, long-range planning, stewardship, buildings, and finance. Fraternal and devotional groups include the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies' Sodality.
- Pastoral Parish Council
- Worship & Spiritual Development Commission
- Liturgy Committee
- Vocations Committee
- Long Range Planning Committee
- Stewardship Committee
- Building and Grounds
- Finance Council
- Ladies' Sodality
- Knights of Columbus
Pastoral Parish Council Members
The council is an elected advisory body sharing in parish decision-making with the pastor. Support personnel include the two deacons and the Director of Religious Education. Bylaws are available for download from the parish website.
- President: Evelyn Jobe
- Vice President: Randy Cain
- Secretary: Josh Frank
- Guadalupe Aguero
- Bernie Bestgen
- Lance Johnston
- Jayna Marriott
- Support: Dcn Enrique Castro, Dcn Bob Reinkemeyer, Gloria Heinen
Contact, Office Hours & Location
The parish office is at 310 S. Mill Street, California, MO 65018 (mailing address PO Box 204, California, MO 65018). Phone: 573-796-4842. Email: [email protected]. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The Diocese of Jefferson City Chancery can be reached at (573) 635-9127.
- Street: 310 S. Mill Street, California, MO 65018
- Mailing: PO Box 204, California, MO 65018
- Phone: 573-796-4842
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Parish Bulletin
The parish posts regular bulletins (e.g., 'Parish Bulletin May 31, 2026') on the website for parishioners to keep up with announcements, Mass intentions, and parish news.
- Latest bulletins posted under the Parish Bulletins page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Vivianocurrent
Current Pastor
- Rev. Gabriel Alexander
- Rev. Tony Rinaldo
- Rev. Fred Elskamp
- Rev. Henry Reichert
- Rev. Greg Higley
- Rev. Francis G. Gillgannon
- Rev. Patrick Daly
- Rev. Donald F. Green
Led building of present church; died January 23, 1985, five months before the new church was dedicated June 23, 1985
- Rev. Don McKenna
- Rev. Robert Keating
- Rev. Leonard Sylvester Misey
- Rev. Raphael O'Mally
- Rev. Blaise Scheffer
- Rev. Ingentio
- Rev. Jerome Bestgen
- Rev. Peter Brendan O'Rourke
- Rev. James Patrick Owens
- Rev. Francis Joseph Dillon
- Rev. James John Ahern
- Rev. Daniel Stynes Larkin
- Rev. Myles Jennings
- Rev. John J. Lyons
- Rev. McCordle
- Rev. John Joseph Downey
- Rev. Peter J. Kilkenny
- Rev. Patrick J. Downey