About Holy Family · Shell Knob, Missouri
Holy Family Catholic Church is a small but active Roman Catholic parish serving the Shell Knob community on the shores of Table Rock Lake in Barry County, Missouri. Established as a mission by Bishop Bernard F. Law on December 22, 1978, it is part of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau and is pastorally led by Fr. Bill (Very Rev. William M.) Hodgson. The parish — sometimes called 'the parish the lake built' — is largely made up of retirees who moved into the area, and it is known for its warm ecumenical spirit, particularly its annual Valentine Luncheon that invites women from local Protestant churches.
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Very Rev. William M. (Fr. Bill) Hodgson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
Holy Family offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — weekday and Sunday Mass, Thursday adoration, and Sunday confessions — in an intimate, family-sized community along Table Rock Lake. Parishioners actively serve one another through the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Men's Club, and Parish Council of Catholic Women, and the parish is widely respected in the region for its ecumenical hospitality, most visibly through its annual Valentine Luncheon open to all area churches. It's an ideal home for retirees, snowbirds, and lake-country families looking for a smaller, close-knit parish where faith and fellowship go hand in hand.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday at 8:00 am
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday following the 9:00 am Mass
Parish History
Holy Family Catholic Church in Shell Knob was established as a mission by Bishop Bernard F. Law on December 22, 1978, making it one of the newer parishes in southern Missouri. Before that, the small Catholic population of the Shell Knob area had to travel to St. Edward in Cassville or across the state line to St. Ann's in Berryville, Arkansas. As the community grew, pastors from SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Pulaskifield and then Sacred Heart Parish in Verona began serving the mission. The diocese formally established it as a parish, and in the early 2000s the congregation expanded its worship facilities, dedicating the new church on April 13, 2004.
- Established December 22, 1978 by Bishop Bernard F. Law
- Originally attended from St. Edward (Cassville) and St. Ann's (Berryville, AR)
- New church dedicated April 13, 2004
- Nicknamed 'the parish the lake built'
Pastor: Fr. Bill Hodgson
The parish is shepherded by Very Rev. William M. 'Fr. Bill' Hodgson. He was born in Illinois about 80 miles north of St. Louis, came to Missouri in 1970 to attend College of the Ozarks, and entered the seminary for the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau. He was ordained in 1979 and has served parishes across the diocese for more than 40 years, while remaining active in the Cursillo movement for 39 of those years. He previously served St. Edward's from 1992–1996 when it was joined with Sts. Peter and Paul in Pulaskifield. He comes from a musical family and plays several instruments as a hobby.
- Ordained 1979, Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau
- College of the Ozarks alumnus (class of 1970)
- Longtime Cursillo movement participant (39 years)
- Previously served St. Edward's, 1992–1996
Parish Mission & Community Life
The parish mission statement reads: 'The Roman Catholic Parish of Holy Family, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gathers together in the presence of God to worship, pray, promote, and maintain the mission of Jesus Christ in the Shell Knob Community through liturgical, educational, social, and service activities.' True to that vision, Holy Family is widely recognized in the region for its ecumenical hospitality — most visibly through the annual Valentine Luncheon that draws women from area Protestant churches for fellowship, and through bake sales on Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends.
- Parish Mission Statement: worship, prayer, education, and service in Shell Knob
- Annual Valentine Luncheon for ladies of all local area churches
- Bake Sales on Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends
- Active collaboration with the local ecumenical Alliance of Churches
Parish Organizations
A vibrant network of lay organizations supports the parish's life and mission. The Parish Council and Parish Finance Council assist Fr. Bill in governance and stewardship, while the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) unites the women of the parish for social, educational, religious, and service work. The Men's Club handles maintenance and fellowship, and the Knights of Columbus (with their Ladies Auxiliary) run many of the parish's signature fundraisers.
- Parish Council — consultative body assisting the pastor
- Parish Finance Council — assists pastor with financial duties
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW) — meets 2nd Tuesday, 9:30 am, Sept–May
- Men's Club — meets 1st Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Parish Hall
- Knights of Columbus Council 13975 (est. Feb. 14, 2006)
- Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary
Knights of Columbus Council 13975
Holy Family Council 13975 of the Knights of Columbus was established on February 14, 2006, and currently has 33 members plus a Ladies Auxiliary. The Council upholds the principles of Charity, Unity, and Fraternity through fundraisers such as Lenten Fish Fries, periodic spaghetti dinners, occasional raffles, and the October Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (a tootsie-roll distribution supporting agencies that serve that population).
- Founded February 14, 2006
- Approximately 33 members plus Ladies Auxiliary
- Lenten Fish Fries and spaghetti dinners
- October Tootsie Roll Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
- Supports Special Olympics of Missouri, Agape House, American Wheelchair Mission, Coats for Kids, Religious Vocations, and the Meet Life Campaign
Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus
Open to wives, mothers, and daughters of Knights in good standing, the Ladies Auxiliary #13975 supports the Knights' social, fundraising, and charitable activities — including the Fish Fries and the Drive for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Independently, the Auxiliary donates annually to organizations such as Convoy for Hope, the Shell Knob Library, the Central Crossing Senior Center, and the Alliance of Churches, and it organizes Fifth Sunday Breakfast outings and the annual Christmas party for Knights and their Ladies.
- Membership open to wives, mothers, and daughters of Knights
- Assists Fish Fries, Coats for Kids, and Developmental Disabilities Drive
- Donates to Convoy for Hope, Shell Knob Library, Central Crossing Senior Center
- Hosts Fifth Sunday Breakfast outings and annual Christmas party
Men's Club
The Men's Club is open to all men of the parish. Members meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall and prepare a parish breakfast on the second Sunday of each month from September through May. The Club contributes spiritually, socially, physically (maintenance and repairs to parish property), financially, and through charity, with part of its revenue supporting parish and community projects.
- Meetings: 1st Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Parish Hall
- Monthly breakfast: 2nd Sunday, Sept–May
- No meetings or breakfasts in June, July, or August
- Handles maintenance and repair of church property
Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)
The PCCW unites all women of Holy Family Parish in social, educational, and religious activities, assisting the pastor with both material and spiritual projects for the good of the parish and the wider Shell Knob community. Regular meetings are held September through May on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall.
- Meetings: 2nd Tuesday, 9:30 am, Parish Hall (Sept–May)
- Hosts the annual Valentine Luncheon for area church women
- Coordinates Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day Bake Sales
- Annual donations to local entities, diocesan programs, and parish activities
Safe Environment & Diocese
Holy Family Parish is part of the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, which covers 39 counties, 66 parishes, 19 missions, and 2 chapels across 25,719 square miles of southern Missouri. The parish complies with diocesan safe-environment policies and procedures, including the U.S. Bishops' 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.' The program Protecting God's Children – Teaching Touching Safety (commonly 'Virtus') is used; children in grades K–12 participate in two safety lessons per year. Employees and volunteers who regularly work with minors receive training and background screening and agree to the diocesan Code of Conduct.
- Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau — 39 counties, 25,719 sq mi
- 66 parishes, 19 missions, and 2 chapels across the diocese
- Uses the 'Virtus' / Protecting God's Children program
- Missouri Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The Parish Office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The mailing address is P.O. Box 229, Shell Knob, MO 65747, with the physical church located at 24036 Farm Road 1255. The parish can be reached by phone at (417) 858-2518 or by email at [email protected], and the official website is holyfamilyskmo.org.
- Address: 24036 Farm Road 1255, Shell Knob, MO 65747
- Mailing: P.O. Box 229, Shell Knob, MO 65747
- Phone: (417) 858-2518
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holyfamilyskmo.org
- Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 am–4:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bill (William M.) Hodgsoncurrent
Born in Illinois about 80 miles north of St. Louis; came to Missouri in 1970 to attend College of the Ozarks; entered seminary for the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau; ordained in 1979. Has served various parishes across the diocese and worked with the Cursillo movement for 39 of his 40 years as a priest. Served St. Edward's once previously from 1992–1996 when it was joined with Sts. Peter and Paul in Pulaskifield.