About Holy Family · Hannibal, Missouri
Holy Family Catholic Church is the consolidated Catholic parish of Hannibal, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. It was formed from the merger of Immaculate Conception, Blessed Sacrament, and St. Mary's parishes and also welcomes descendants of the closed St. Joseph (New London) and Holy Cross (Ilasco) parishes. The parish operates Holy Family Catholic School (PreK-8) and runs the typical Catholic life of weekend and daily Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the sacraments, RCIA, youth ministry, and a large network of parish ministries and small faith groups. The parish's formal mission statement, printed weekly in its bulletin, reads: 'Holy Family Faith Community is called to live out the mission of Jesus. Empowered by God through Baptism and centered in the Eucharist, we strive to proclaim the good news of salvation, build community, serve the needs of others, celebrate our faith, and welcome all in one spirit of Christ.'
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Fr. Greg Meystrik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a full Catholic life in one place: weekend and daily Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with open hours throughout the week, a robust sacrament preparation program (Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick), a PreK-8 parish school, active youth ministry and PSR, and a wide variety of parish ministries and small groups. It is the spiritual home of a multi-generational Catholic community in the Hannibal area, with strong outreach to the homebound through a parish nurse, a 55+ van for those who need a ride to Mass, and ministry to nursing homes. Newcomers are welcomed with open arms through the parish's 'Become a Member' process and a 'Welcome Weekend' ministry.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
- By appointment / upon request
Adoration times
- Holy Family has open weekly Eucharistic Adoration hours (published in the weekly parish bulletin). Listed open hours include: Thursday 7:00 a.m., 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.; Sunday 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 1:00 p.m. Additional hours are scheduled and listed in the current bulletin.
History of Holy Family Parish
Holy Family traces its roots to 1680, when Fr. Louis Hennepin, a French Franciscan, celebrated the first known Mass at Bay de Charles and planted the first cross of schist in the area. The modern parish dates to 1845, when the pioneer missionary Fr. Cusack visited the small group of Hannibal Catholics the same year the city was incorporated. The first resident priest, Fr. John O'Hanlon, arrived in 1848 and traveled a vast upper Mississippi mission by horseback, sharing Hannibal with St. Paul's in Ralls County and Palmyra in Marion County. Hannibal's first brick Catholic church was built in 1854 at Church and Sixth Streets and dedicated April 24, 1855; that building still stands, though it no longer belongs to the parish. In 1880 the parish purchased the larger former Congregationalist church at Sixth and Lyon Streets, which became Immaculate Conception. The parish observed its 175th anniversary in 2020.
- 1680 — Fr. Louis Hennepin, OFM, celebrates Mass at Bay de Charles
- 1845 — Fr. Cusack visits Hannibal Catholics; parish founded
- 1848 — Fr. John O'Hanlon becomes first resident priest
- 1854 — First brick church built at Church and Sixth Streets
- 1880 — Immaculate Conception Church acquired (former Congregationalist building)
- 1919 — Incarnate Word (later Blessed Sacrament) built at 2100 Broadway under Fr. T.C. Fox
- 1954 — St. Mary's Church built at 1111 Broadway
- Mergers produce 'Hannibal Catholic Church,' then 'Holy Family Catholic Church'
- 2020 — 175th anniversary of Catholic faith in Hannibal celebrated
Merged and Companion Parishes
Holy Family is the spiritual home of a community whose roots reach into five historic Hannibal-area parishes. Immaculate Conception, Blessed Sacrament (formerly Incarnate Word), and St. Mary's are the three predecessor parishes that merged directly into Holy Family. Two additional parishes — St. Joseph in New London (south of Hannibal on Highway 61) and Holy Cross in Ilasco (on Highway 79) — have closed, but their descendants are welcomed at Holy Family. Holy Cross still maintains a chapel and a historical preservation society and was founded in 1915.
- Immaculate Conception
- Blessed Sacrament (originally Incarnate Word, founded 1919)
- St. Mary's (founded 1954)
- St. Joseph, New London (closed)
- Holy Cross, Ilasco (closed; chapel and historical preservation society remain)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Greg Meystrik, Pastor, with a full lay staff supporting parish operations, faith formation, the parish school, music, communications, facilities, and pastoral care. Deacon Troy Egbert served the parish in 2022. Parish bulletins in early 2022 also list Sr. Mary Essner, SSND, as Pastoral Minister. The current communications director is Lauren Mulheron, who manages the website and Facebook pages.
- Fr. Greg Meystrik — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Troy Egbert — (listed 2022)
- Patty Miller — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Renee Fisher — Parish Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Terra Murphy — DRE / Youth Minister ([email protected], 573-795-0571)
- Sara Hooley — Holy Family School Principal ([email protected])
- Amelia Johnson — Holy Family School Secretary ([email protected])
- Linda St. Juliana — Music Ministry ([email protected], 406-4887)
- Jamie Hoover — Facilities & Maintenance ([email protected], 314-681-6187)
- Lauren Mulheron — Communications / Website / Facebook ([email protected])
- Beth Anderson — Parish Nurse ([email protected], 573-795-5828)
Parish Mission and Identity
The parish prints a formal mission statement in every weekly bulletin: 'Holy Family Faith Community is called to live out the mission of Jesus. Empowered by God through Baptism and centered in the Eucharist, we strive to proclaim the good news of salvation, build community, serve the needs of others, celebrate our faith, and welcome all in one spirit of Christ.' The parish's name itself reflects its identity as a 'holy family' formed by the merger of multiple former Hannibal-area Catholic communities, and the school embraces the motto, 'Holy Family, it's not just our name. It's who we are!'
- Mission statement printed in every weekly bulletin
- Name 'Holy Family' reflects the merger of multiple historic Hannibal-area parishes
- School motto: 'Holy Family, it's not just our name. It's who we are!'
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Holy Family is offered both in the parish school and through a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program. PSR classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Holy Family School, with registration handled through the parish office. The DRE/Youth Minister, Terra Murphy, coordinates PSR, Confirmation Preparation, Baptism Preparation, and the youth ministry programs. Adult faith formation is offered through the RCIA/OCIA process, the parish's subscription to FORMED.org (described on the parish website as 'The Catholic Netflix'), and an active calendar of small faith-sharing groups and Bible studies.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Wednesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. at Holy Family School
- RCIA / OCIA — for adults entering the Catholic Church; class times and locations published in the bulletin
- Confirmation Preparation
- Baptism Preparation
- First Eucharist preparation
- FORMED.org subscription for parishioners
Holy Family Catholic School (PreK-8)
Holy Family Catholic School is a PreK-8 parish school located at 1113 Broadway, Hannibal, MO 63401, sharing the building with the historic (1925) McCooey High School. According to U.S. News, the school serves roughly 146 students with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. The school offers a full-day Pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds as well as a half-day option (8:00–11:00 a.m.), and an academic program organized into Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), and Middle School (6-8) departments. Middle school 8th-graders can take Algebra, and 7th-8th graders can participate in sports with the Hannibal Public Schools. Registration for the current school year is open PreK-8; contact Principal Sara Hooley at 573-221-0456 or [email protected]. The Home & School Organization (H&S), made up of parents, teachers, and staff, supports the school through the annual Holy Family School Auction, the Charleston Wrap sale, the HFS Shamrock Scramble golf tournament, teacher appreciation week, the school picnic, and Catholic Schools Week events. The school and parish schools have a long shared history: Hannibal once had two Catholic elementary schools — Blessed Sacrament at 2100 Broadway and St. Mary-Immaculate Conception School in the McCooey building — which merged into today's Holy Family School.
- PreK-8 Catholic school at 1113 Broadway, Hannibal
- Phone: 573-221-0456
- Principal: Sara Hooley
- Approximately 146 students, 12:1 student-teacher ratio
- Departments: PreK, Primary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8)
- 8th-grade Algebra; 7th–8th grade sports with Hannibal Public Schools
- Home & School Organization runs the annual Auction and Shamrock Scramble golf tournament
Youth Ministry
Holy Family's youth ministry is led by DRE/Youth Minister Terra Murphy and meets on Sunday evenings in the Youth Room. Middle School Youth Group meets 5:00–6:15 p.m. and High School Youth Group meets 6:30–8:00 p.m. The youth ministry hosts an annual Online Youth Bake Sale on Valentine's weekend, participates in Catholic Schools Week (a skating party at Scotties is listed in the bulletin), and supports the Souper Bowl of Caring food drive each Super Bowl weekend. PSR students also collect $1 donations for the Good Neighbor Program (GNP) during the Souper Bowl of Caring.
- MS Youth Group — Sundays 5:00–6:15 p.m., Youth Room
- HS Youth Group — Sundays 6:30–8:00 p.m., Youth Room
- Annual Online Youth Bake Sale (Valentine's weekend)
- Catholic Schools Week activities (e.g., skating party at Scotties)
- Souper Bowl of Caring food drive for the Good Neighbor Program
Parish Ministries, Small Groups, and Outreach
Beyond the sacraments and faith formation, Holy Family runs a wide network of lay ministries, small groups, and outreach programs designed to meet parishioners across the life span. The Pastoral Parish Council advises the pastor on parish decisions; the Finance Council and Stewardship Council support parish operations; the Home & School organization supports the school. The parish's 'Ministries' page lists Funeral Luncheon, RCIA, Nursing Home Visitation, PSR, Baptism Preparation, Christ Renews His Parish, Confirmation Preparation, Eucharistic Adoration, and Marriage Preparation as core ministries. Multiple ongoing small groups meet weekly: men's and women's Bible studies (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri), a Women's Book Study, a Fight Club Men's Ministry on Wednesday nights, a Women's Cursillo group on Thursdays, a Friendship Quilters group on Wednesdays, and Women's Welcome groups that meet monthly. The parish also hosts 12-step and bereavement ministries, including an AA 11th Step Open Meditation Meeting on Thursdays and a Cancer & Caregivers Support Meeting on Mondays.
- Pastoral Parish Council, Finance Council, Stewardship Council
- Funeral Luncheon, Nursing Home Visitation
- Christ Renews His Parish
- Multiple Bible studies (men's and women's)
- Friendship Quilters, Fight Club Men's Ministry, Women's Cursillo
- AA 11th Step Open Meditation Meeting (Thursdays)
- Cancer & Caregivers Support Meeting (Mondays)
Parish Nurse and Outreach to the Sick and Homebound
A distinctive feature of Holy Family is its Parish Nurse ministry, led by Beth Anderson ([email protected], 573-795-5828). The parish bulletin specifically invites anyone in need of a visit from the parish nurse to contact Beth. The parish also offers a Prayer Circle (prayer requests to Shelly Lowe at [email protected]), a 55+ VAN ride service (David Murry, 573-501-2765) for parishioners aged 55 and older, and ministry to the sick, including hospital visits from Fr. Greg and Anointing of the Sick celebrated privately at home, in church, or in the hospital. Nursing Home Masses are celebrated on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays and a 55+ Club Mass on the 2nd Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Center.
- Parish Nurse: Beth Anderson (573-795-5828)
- Prayer Circle: Shelly Lowe ([email protected])
- 55+ VAN: David Murry (573-501-2765)
- Anointing of the Sick at home, church, or hospital
- Nursing Home Masses: 1st, 3rd, 4th Wednesday
- 55+ Club Mass: 2nd Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., Parish Center
Becoming a Member and Getting Involved
The parish makes it easy to register and to plug into ministry. Newcomers are encouraged to stop by the parish office at 218 S. Maple Avenue to say hello and pick up a hard copy of the registration forms. The parish also has a 'Welcome Weekend' ministry ('Transforming lives in one weekend') and a Time & Talent form so new parishioners can indicate their interests in parish ministries and organizations. The 'Parish Life' section of the website links to Parish Organizations, Pastoral Parish Council, Liturgical Resources, Parish Ministries, Welcome Weekend, and FORMED.org.
- Parish office at 218 S. Maple Avenue for in-person registration
- Time & Talent form to indicate ministry interests
- Welcome Weekend ministry for new parishioners
- Links to Parish Organizations, Pastoral Parish Council, Liturgical Resources, and FORMED.org
Pastoral Parish Council
The Pastoral Parish Council is an elected advisory body that shares in parish decision-making with the pastor. The Council's published membership includes Fr. Greg (Pastor), Lisa Allen (President), Debbie Morawitz (Vice President), Nancy Hays (Secretary), Kara Viorel (Finance Council Representative), Sara Hooley (School Board President), Colleen Closser (Stewardship Council President), and members Natalie Astorino, Hal Benedict, George Kerkemeyer, and Ken Zielinski. Council members are elected by the parish and serve terms established by the pastor.
- Pastor: Fr. Greg
- President: Lisa Allen
- Vice President: Debbie Morawitz
- Secretary: Nancy Hays
- Finance Council Representative: Kara Viorel
- School Board President: Sara Hooley
- Stewardship Council President: Colleen Closser
- Members: Natalie Astorino, Hal Benedict, George Kerkemeyer, Ken Zielinski
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Louis Hennepin, OFM1680
French Franciscan who celebrated the first known Mass at Bay de Charles and planted the first cross of schist.
- Fr. Cusack1845
Pioneer missionary who visited the small group of Hannibal Catholics the year Hannibal was incorporated.
- Fr. John O'Hanlon1848–
First Catholic priest to reside in Hannibal; described his vast upper Mississippi missionary district in his book Life and Scenery in Missouri.
- Fr. T.C. Fox1919
Had the vision to build a second Catholic church (Incarnate Word, later Blessed Sacrament) at 2100 Broadway.
- Fr. Matthew Flatley2022
Listed as pastor in early 2022 bulletins; also worked with Sr. Mary Essner, SSND, as Pastoral Minister.
- Fr. Alex Gabriel2022
Listed as pastor in mid-to-late 2022 bulletins.
- Fr. Greg Meystrik2024–present
Current pastor; listed in 2024 and 2026 bulletins; email [email protected].