About Christ the Savior · Brewer, Missouri
Christ the Savior is a small Catholic parish in Brewer, Missouri, one of six parishes that together form the North Perry County Catholic Parishes collaborative in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. It serves a rural area in northern Perry County, just north of Perryville, and is pastored by a Vincentian priest (Congregation of the Mission) rooted in the same missionary tradition that brought the Vincentians to Perry County in 1818. The parish community gathers weekly for Sunday Mass followed by fellowship, and is supported by the shared ministries of the larger North Perry County Catholic Parishes network.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Christ the Savior (Jesus Christ, under the title of Savior)
- Rector
- Reverend Joseph Geders, C.M.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Christ the Savior offers a small, close-knit rural Catholic community in the heart of Perry County where families can worship together and put down roots. Members benefit from the broader resources of the North Perry County Catholic Parishes collaborative — including Eucharistic Adoration, an active PSR (Parish School of Religion) program, RCIA, Youth Group, Ladies of Charity food pantry, and the parish picnic traditions — while Christ the Savior itself provides a personal, single weekly Sunday Mass at 8:00 am, preceded by a community Rosary.
Mass times at Christ the Savior
Weekly Mass schedule
Becoming a Member
Anyone interested in joining Christ the Savior Parish is invited to call the Parish Center at 573-547-4300. An online Membership Form is also available through the parish website (svdepaul.org) to make registration faster and easier.
- Phone registration: 573-547-4300 (Parish Center)
- Online Membership Form available on the parish website
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation for Christ the Savior parishioners is coordinated through the collaborative North Perry County Catholic Parishes. Baptisms require a prep class for first-time parents and are scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 11:30 am at St. Vincent de Paul. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared in 2nd grade, and Confirmation in 8th grade, both through the Parish School of Religion. Reconciliation (confession) is heard after the 8:00 am daily Mass at St. Vincent de Paul and on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:10 pm. Please contact the Parish Office for marriage preparation, anointing of the sick, and communion visits to the homebound.
- Baptism (prep class required; celebrated 1st & 3rd Sundays at 11:30 am)
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade)
- Marriage (contact Parish Office)
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Homebound
- Reconciliation after 8:00 am daily Mass and Saturdays 3:30–4:10 pm
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The collaborative's PSR program provides continuous Catholic education for children in grades 1–8 who do not attend Catholic school. Using the "Alive in Christ" textbook series, the program combines discussion, prayer, activities, and sacramental preparation to build a personal faith journey. PSR meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:20 pm at St. Vincent Elementary School.
- Grades 1–8 (Wed. evenings, 6:00–7:20 pm, St. Vincent Elementary School)
- Uses the "Alive in Christ" series
- Sacramental preparation embedded in 2nd grade (First Reconciliation/First Eucharist) and 8th grade (Confirmation)
RCIA — Christian Initiation of Adults
Adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a year-long process of education, prayer, and formation that culminates in the reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Weekly meetings begin the first Wednesday of September. Volunteers are needed to prepare refreshments, serve as substitute sponsors, or share their faith.
- Weekly meetings begin the first Wednesday of September
- Rites celebrated throughout the year
- Initiation at the Easter Vigil
Youth Group
The parish youth group is open to all 7th-through-12th-grade students of the collaborative. Through song, prayer, activities, meditation, and sharing, young parishioners build the foundation of their faith together. The 7th and 8th graders meet Sundays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, and the 9th through 12th graders meet Sundays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, in the youth group room at the Parish Center.
- 7th–8th grade: Sundays 1:00–2:00 pm
- 9th–12th grade: Sundays 3:00–4:00 pm
- Meets in the Parish Center youth room
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical roles are filled by commissioned parishioners of the North Perry County Catholic Parishes. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist the presider at Mass and may also bring Communion to the sick and homebound. Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings at weekday, weekend, and special celebrations. Altar Servers (5th grade and above) assist the presider at weekday, weekend, Holy Day, wedding, and funeral Masses. Ushers greet parishioners, take up the collection, assist with communion, and help maintain the church for the next Mass. The Sacristan prepares the sacred vessels, books, bread, and wine for liturgy.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Mass and Homebound/Hospital)
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (5th grade and above)
- Sacristans
- Ushers
Music Ministry
The collaborative's Music Ministry supports weekend liturgies with adult and summer choirs. Volunteers are welcomed to share their musical gifts in supporting the parish worship.
- Adult choir
- Summer choir
Outreach & Social Ministry
The North Perry County Catholic Parishes share a strong Vincentian commitment to serving those in material and spiritual need. Outreach efforts are coordinated across the six parishes and supported by individual parish ministries.
Ladies of Charity & Food Pantry
The Ladies of Charity help the poor and needy of the parish and county with both bodily and spiritual nourishment. The Food Pantry is located at 1001 Rosati Court, Perryville, and is open Monday mornings from 8:30 to 11:00 am and Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. The Ladies prepare Christmas food baskets and are funded by Thanksgiving Mass collections, the Poor Box, and donations throughout the year. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of September through May at 1:00 pm.
- Food Pantry: 1001 Rosati Court
- Mon. 8:30–11:00 am; Thurs. 5:00–6:30 pm
- Christmas food baskets
- Meetings: 3rd Thursday, Sept.–May, 1:00 pm
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus council active in the collaborative supports local charitable causes, including fundraising for the Perry County Sheltered Workshop and pro-life efforts.
- Charitable fundraising (e.g., Perry County Sheltered Workshop)
- Pro-life support
Jail Ministry
The Jail Ministry provides a Catholic spiritual presence to inmates of the Perry County Jail and to their families.
- Spiritual support for inmates and families at Perry County Jail
Pro-Life Action Group
Parishioners advocate for vulnerable populations from conception to natural death through the Pro-Life Action Group of the North Perry County Catholic Parishes.
Grief Support
A Grief Support Ministry accompanies parishioners and members of the wider community through the experience of loss. Contact the Parish Office for current meeting times.
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
Christ the Savior Parish shares pastoral leadership across the North Perry County Catholic Parishes collaborative and is currently served by a Vincentian (Congregation of the Mission) priest.
- Pastor: Reverend Joseph Geders, C.M.
- Pastoral staff and parish offices reachable through the Parish Center at 573-547-4300
Parish Boundaries & Geography
The Archdiocese of St. Louis formally defined Christ the Savior's parish boundaries effective June 1, 1983. The territory covers a large, predominantly rural area: from the intersection of Perry County Roads 900 and 906, west to Brushey Creek Road in Ste. Genevieve County, north along Brushey Creek and Saline Creek Roads to Cave Road, east on Highway NN to PCR 828 and Highway 61, north to PCR 910, east to PCR 932, and northeast to the Mississippi River at the eastern end of Kaskaskia Island — then south along the extension of PCR 948 and Highway M back to the starting point.
- Boundaries effective June 1, 1983
- Spans parts of Perry County and eastern Ste. Genevieve County
- Northern boundary reaches the Mississippi River at Kaskaskia Island