About Immaculate Conception · Brookfield, Missouri
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is a small, family-oriented parish in rural Brookfield, Missouri, in the north-central part of the state. Founded on December 20, 1859—the same year the town was incorporated—the parish has served generations of Catholic families, many descended from the Irish railroad workers who originally settled the area. Today it is part of the Diocese of Jefferson City and shares its parochial administrator with the neighboring parishes of Marceline, Mendon, and Indian Grove. Worship, faith formation, and outreach are coordinated by a small staff supported by Sister Mary Rost, SSND, who has ministered at the parish since 2018.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. C. Paschal Ihediohamma (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a small-town Catholic parish where generations of the same families worship alongside newcomers, creating a true 'family of families.' Despite sharing one priest with three other area parishes, it offers a full sacramental life—daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, RCIA, and Eucharistic Adoration—as well as ministries for youth (PSR), young adults (Caritas), and adults (study groups). Members are known for their works of charity and mercy, including active participation in the Ministers of Linn County to help local families in need.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30–8:50 AM
- Communal Reconciliation Service with several priests available during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- First Wednesday of the month, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
About Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church describes itself as 'a small church in rural north-central Missouri founded over 150 years ago, founded on faith and sustained by tradition.' The parish family is connected by multi-generational ties and long-time friendships, and newcomers are warmly welcomed into a worshipping community that aims 'to proclaim Christ, to be community, to serve, to celebrate.' The parish shares its priest with three other area churches and is supported in day-to-day ministry by Sister Mary Rost, SSND.
- Small, family-oriented parish in rural north-central Missouri
- Sharing priest with Marceline, Mendon, and Indian Grove
- Parish mission: 'To proclaim Christ…to be community…to serve…to celebrate'
- Active in Ministers of Linn County charity network
History
The parish was founded on December 20, 1859, the year Brookfield was incorporated, to serve Irish Catholic railroad workers and their families. Its founding pastor, Rev. J.J. Hogan, would later become Bishop of St. Joseph and then Bishop of Kansas City, Missouri. In its 145+ years, the parish has been guided by 17 pastors and several teaching religious communities. For nearly 20 years the day-to-day pastoral life has been led by religious women titled Parish Life Collaborators; Sister Mary Rost, SSND, served in that role from July 2018 to July 2024 and now serves as Pastoral Associate.
- Founded December 20, 1859
- First pastor: Rev. J.J. Hogan (later Bishop of St. Joseph and Kansas City)
- 17 pastors across its history
- Sister Mary Rost, SSND, served as Parish Life Collaborator 2018–2024, now Pastoral Associate
- Parish history drawn from 'Proclaiming the Good News in the Heart of Missouri' by Loretta Pastva, SND
Stations of the Cross and Lenten Devotions
During Lent, the parish adjusts its weekly rhythm to include Stations of the Cross on Wednesday evenings, replacing the usual morning Mass schedule.
- Stations of the Cross — every Wednesday during Lent at 5:00 PM
- Wednesday Mass during Lent — 5:30 PM (no morning Mass)
Parish Staff
A small but committed staff leads the parish. The Parochial Administrator is shared with three other area parishes, while a School Sister of Notre Dame serves as Pastoral Associate and oversees faith formation. Lay staff handle administration and maintenance.
- Rev. C. Paschal Ihediohamma — Parochial Administrator
- Sister Mary Rost, SSND — Pastoral Associate
- Mrs. Betty Arp — Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper
- Mr. Daniel Wattenbarger — Janitorial / Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Immaculate Conception offers faith-formation opportunities for every age. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is open to preschool through 12th grade and uses the Augustine Institute's 'Word of Life' program, which weaves together Salvation history, Christian anthropology, virtue and character formation, and discipleship. Caritas is a youth group for the confirmed that focuses on continued learning and service. Adults participate in study groups and may enter the Church through RCIA.
- PSR — preschool through grade 12, 'Word of Life' curriculum (Augustine Institute)
- First Communion and First Reconciliation preparation in 2nd grade PSR
- Confirmation preparation every other year in 7th/8th grade
- RCIA / OCIA for adults — Sacraments of Initiation normally received on Holy Saturday
- Caritas youth ministry for the confirmed
- Adult study groups
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Parents are asked to contact the parish office to begin Baptism preparation, and at least one godparent must be a confirmed Catholic. First Communion preparation is integrated into the 2nd-grade PSR year. Marriage preparation includes Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter plus mentoring by a married couple from the parish (Tyler and Emily Gordon).
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation
- Confirmation
- Holy Matrimony
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA
Outreach & Charity
The parish lives out its mission 'to serve' through participation in the ecumenical Ministers of Linn County, which supports local families in need through fundraisers and direct service. The parish also runs family-focused formation for building the 'domestic church.'
- Ministers of Linn County — ecumenical charity serving the local poor
- Fundraisers and direct service to neighbors in need
- IC Family / Domestic Church formation
Parish Life & Community
Immaculate Conception is a multi-generational community where families who have attended for generations worship alongside newcomers. The parish regularly shares its life through a weekly bulletin posted on its website, and members stay connected via Facebook.
- Weekly bulletin published online
- Facebook group: 'Immaculate Conception Family Faith'
- Family Rosary and liturgical-season traditions encouraged
- Hospitality and fellowship for visitors and new parishioners
Becoming a Member
Anyone interested in joining the parish family is invited to contact the rectory office at 660-258-2507 to visit with Sister Mary Rost, SSND. A short registration form is used to add new members to the parish roster.
- Call the rectory: 660-258-2507
- Visit with Sister Mary Rost, SSND, Pastoral Associate
- Complete a short registration form
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J.J. Hogan1859 (founding pastor)
First pastor of Immaculate Conception. Later became Bishop of St. Joseph and then Bishop of Kansas City, Missouri.