Church of the Annunciation

About Church of the Annunciation

Church of the Annunciation is a Catholic parish in Kearney, Missouri, within the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The parish serves Kearney, Holt, and surrounding rural communities in Clay County with a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses, sacramental preparation, faith formation for children and adults, and active outreach to local senior-living communities. The parish is led by Fr. Ravindranath Jose Talari (Fr. Ravi) and is supported by a small pastoral staff and many lay volunteers.

History of the Parish

Catholics have been worshiping in the Kearney area since at least 1881, when they were served from parishes in Liberty. Through the late 19th and 20th centuries, the Catholics of Kearney and nearby Holt organized as the 'Kearney-Holt Catholic Community.' In 1983, Bishop John J. Sullivan of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph formally established them as a parish and named it 'Church of the Annunciation.' A formal 'Entrustment to Our Lady' was celebrated on March 31, 1984, and on January 19, 1986, Bishop Sullivan consecrated the newly-built church on North Jefferson Street. The parish's first pastor was Fr. Ken Criqui. Subsequent pastors and administrators have included Fr. Al Ebach, CPPS, Fr. Bill Fox (associate pastor), and Fr. Terrell Finnell (parish administrator). In January 2021, the parish community gathered to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the church dedication.

• 1881: Earliest recorded Catholic worship in Kearney, served from Liberty
• Pre-1983: Catholics organized as the 'Kearney-Holt Catholic Community'
• 1983: Bishop Sullivan establishes the parish and names it 'Church of the Annunciation'
• March 31, 1984: Formal 'Entrustment to Our Lady' celebrated
• January 19, 1986: Bishop John J. Sullivan consecrates the new church on North Jefferson Street
• January 19, 2021: 35th anniversary of the church dedication celebrated with a special Mass

Pastoral Staff

The parish is served by a pastor and a small lay staff responsible for music, liturgy, faith formation, and parish business operations. Staff members are listed on the parish's Contact page and can be reached by email or through the parish office at 816-628-5030.

• Pastor: Reverend Ravindranath Jose Talari (Fr. Ravi) – [email protected]
• Office Manager / Bookkeeper: Amy Coffer – [email protected]
• Director of Music and Liturgy: Ellen Schmitz – [email protected]
• Music Minister contact: Mary Baehr – [email protected]
• Faith Formation Coordinator: parish office – [email protected]
• Liturgical Ministries contact: Ellen Schmitz – [email protected]

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and provides preparation programs for each. Parents are encouraged to contact the parish office during pregnancy to register for baptism preparation. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically celebrated in 2nd grade after one year of religious education. Marriage preparation must begin at least nine months in advance. The Anointing of the Sick and inquiries about Holy Orders are handled by calling the parish office.

• Baptism – parent preparation session; celebrated during/after Sunday Mass or Saturday Vigil
• First Reconciliation and First Communion – typically 2nd grade after one year of PSR
• Confirmation – preparation through PSR (contact Ellen Schmitz)
• Reconciliation – Saturdays 4:00-4:30pm, First Saturdays 8:30am, or by appointment
• Marriage – begin preparation at least 9 months in advance (call 816-628-5030 Ext. 3)
• Anointing of the Sick – call 816-628-5030 Ext. 3 when needed
• Holy Orders / Religious Life – call the parish office
• OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Children from Pre-K through post-Confirmation are served by the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which offers grade-specific class times on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Confirmation preparation begins in 6th grade and continues through 9th grade, and a separate track is available for students in 7th grade and above who have already been confirmed. Adult faith formation includes OCIA, an adult study offered on Wednesdays at 6:30pm during Lent, and a free parish subscription to FORMED.org, which provides thousands of Catholic books, audio talks, movies, and study programs on demand.

• Children's Liturgy of the Word (Pre-K ages) – most Sundays during 10:00am Mass
• K-1 PSR: Sundays 9:00-9:50am or Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm
• Grade 2 PSR: Sunday morning 9:00-9:50am
• Grades 3-5 PSR: Sundays 9:00-9:50am and/or Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm
• Grades 6-9 Confirmation Prep: Sundays 9:00-9:50am
• Grades 7+ Post-Confirmation: Sundays 9:00-9:50am
• Adult Study: Wednesdays 6:30pm during Lent
• FORMED.org digital faith formation (free for parishioners)

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners serve the Church's worship as Music Ministers and in other liturgical roles at Mass. Those interested in joining the music ministry are asked to contact Mary Baehr; those interested in other liturgical roles (such as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, or altar servers) are asked to contact Ellen Schmitz, the Director of Music and Liturgy.

• Music Ministers – contact Mary Baehr, [email protected]
• Other Liturgical Ministers – contact Ellen Schmitz, [email protected]
• Director of Music and Liturgy: Ellen Schmitz, [email protected]

Knights of Columbus

The parish has a local council of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal service organization. Men 18 and older are encouraged to join. The Knights support the parish through works of charity, faith, and service to the broader community.

• Open to men 18 and older
• Part of the worldwide Knights of Columbus fraternal and charitable organization

Annunciation Community Center

The Annunciation Community Center (ACC) is a 6,000-square-foot hall located at 705 N Jefferson Street, next to the church. The ACC is available to rent for weddings, parties, business events, and other gatherings. Rental inquiries can be directed to the Office Manager, Amy Coffer, at [email protected] or by calling the parish office at 816-628-5030.

• 6,000 sq. ft. hall/venue
• Available for weddings, parties, and business events
• Address: 705 N Jefferson St, Kearney, MO 64060
• Inquiries: [email protected] or 816-628-5030

Outreach and Electronic Giving

Beyond its parish campus, the parish extends its ministry to local senior-living communities with monthly Masses at Oak Pointe and Westbrook on the first Thursday of each month. The parish also offers electronic giving through Vanco, allowing parishioners to make one-time or recurring donations online.

• Monthly Mass at Oak Pointe: 11:00am on 1st Thursdays
• Monthly Mass at Westbrook: 1:00pm on 1st Thursdays
• Electronic Giving through Vanco (link available on parish website)