About Immaculate Conception · Loose Creek, Missouri
Immaculate Conception Parish is a Catholic community in Loose Creek, Missouri (Osage County), part of the Diocese of Jefferson City. Founded in 1835 by Jesuit missionary Fr. Ferdinand Helias, the parish traces its roots to an 1845 log church and was formally established in 1848. The present church was completed in 1877 and the parish school, served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame since 1891, remains a cornerstone of parish life. Today the parish is pastored by Fr. Anthony Rinaldo and worships in English with daily and weekend Masses, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust network of ministries and parish organizations.
- Established
- 1835
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony (Tony) Rinaldo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a historic small-town parish with daily and weekend Masses, a thriving parish school staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and a tight web of ministries and organizations for every age and stage. Newcomers are welcomed into a community that still gathers for Eucharistic Adoration, a monthly Catholic Men's Group, women's ministry, RCIA, and a much-loved annual parish picnic with fried chicken, German pot roast, and raffles that fill the town. If you want a parish that knows your name and supports your family in faith from cradle to grave, this is a place to call home.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- First Friday after 8:30 a.m. Exposition and before 7:00 p.m. Benediction
- By appointment with Fr. Tony
Adoration times
- First Friday Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition at 8:30 a.m. and Benediction at 7:00 p.m.
- Monthly Eucharistic Adoration days (e.g., first Thursday 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
About Immaculate Conception Parish
Immaculate Conception Parish (Loose Creek, Missouri) is a Catholic community of the Diocese of Jefferson City serving the faithful of Osage County. The parish's mission is described as being followers of Jesus in faith, knowledge, and service. The parish office is at 121 County Road 402 (Mailing: PO Box 8, Loose Creek, MO 65054) and can be reached at 573-897-2922 or [email protected]. Visitors are invited to attend daily or weekend Mass, sign up for ministries, or join one of the parish organizations.
- Parish office: 121 County Rd. 402, Loose Creek, MO 65054
- Mailing: PO Box 8, Loose Creek, MO 65054
- Parish phone: 573-897-2922
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Diocese of Jefferson City
History of the Parish
The mission that became Immaculate Conception was begun in 1835 by Fr. Ferdinand Helias, S.J. A log church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception was built in 1845; the parish was formally established in 1848; and construction on the present church began in 1868, with completion in 1877. A parish school was founded in 1852. From 1874 to 1891 the parish was served by the Sisters of Precious Blood; the School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in 1891 and have served ever since. A monument to the original parishioners (with their names and home towns) was dedicated in 1992, and the parish celebrated its 175th anniversary in October 2021.
- 1835: Mission founded by Fr. Ferdinand Helias, S.J.
- 1845: Log church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
- 1848: Parish formally established
- 1852: IC school established
- 1868: Construction begins on the present church
- 1874–1891: Sisters of Precious Blood serve the parish
- 1877: Present church completed
- 1880: First purpose-built Catholic school building
- 1884: Current rectory built
- 1891: School Sisters of Notre Dame arrive
- 1923–1928: New school building constructed
- 1952: Current convent built
- 1966: Kitchen and middle floor added to the school
- 1992: Memorial monument to original parishioners dedicated
- 2013–2015: Third floor added to the Catholic school
- 2021: 175th anniversary celebration
Pastoral Care
Immaculate Conception is currently pastored by Fr. Anthony (Tony) Rinaldo, who became pastor in 2020 and led the parish's 175th anniversary celebration in 2021. He can be reached through the rectory and at [email protected]. Confessions outside the regular schedule can be arranged by appointment with Fr. Tony.
- Fr. Anthony Rinaldo — Pastor (2020–present)
- Parish Secretary & Bulletin Editor: Ms. Jackie Bax
- Fr. Tony's email: [email protected]
- Rectory phone: 573-897-2922
Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School has been part of the parish since 1852 and has been continuously served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame since 1891. The current school building (147 County Road 402, phone 573-897-3516, email [email protected]) was built in 1923–1928, with a kitchen and middle floor added in 1966 and a third floor added in 2013–2015. The school serves grades K–8 with a mission 'to be followers of Jesus in faith, knowledge, and service.' Office hours during the school year are 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; summer hours are Wednesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Principal: Mrs. Courtney Pleus
- Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Rita Stieferman
- Secretary: Ms. Jackie Bax
- School Cook: Mrs. Geri Fick
- Head Cook: Mrs. Hailey Deeken
- Facilities Administrator: Mr. Dennis Kremer
- Teachers include Mrs. Natalie Byrd (5th Grade), Mrs. Alaina Borgmeyer, Mrs. Debby Jaegers (1st Grade), Ms. Kaitlyn Borgmeyer (2nd & 3rd Grade), Mrs. Ashely Isenberg (4th Grade), Mrs. Barbara Backes (Grades K–4 Art), Mrs. Lisa Reinke (K–4 Computers, K–8 Music, 5–8 Art), Ms. Danielle Plassmeyer (7th Grade homeroom, 6–8 Religion & Science), Ms. Cassidy Roling (8th Grade homeroom, 6–8 Reading & Social Studies), Mrs. Anne Nelson (6th Grade homeroom, 6–8 Math & Writing), Mr. Dustin Cox (K–8 PE, 5–8 Computers)
- Scrip (gift-card fundraising) Committee contacts: Julie Smith (Coordinator, 573-690-9531), Lisa Kremer, Julie Jaegers, Abby Carwile, Cindy Kliethermes, Jessica Voss, Kathy Muenks, Kimberly Hentges, Jackie Bax — [email protected]
Parish Ministries
The parish's ministries page invites parishioners to serve the parish and faith community. Ministries span the sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation Preparation), formation (RCIA, Parish School of Religion, Christ Renews His Parish), care for the sick and homebound, and parish life (Funeral Luncheon). Liturgical roles such as choir and Mass ministries are listed under Liturgical Resources.
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Confirmation Preparation
- Marriage Preparation
- Baptism Preparation
- Nursing Home Visitation
- Funeral Luncheon
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Christ Renews His Parish
Parish Organizations
Beyond the ministries, Immaculate Conception has parish organizations that bring parishioners together in faith, fellowship and service — including men's, women's, senior, and family groups, as well as groups that care for the parish cemetery and maintain the parish's sewing tradition.
- Catholic Men's Ministry — Greg Muenks, 573-601-6494, [email protected] — monthly Bible study, book studies, and prayer
- Women's Ministry — Sharla Buthod, 573-291-3224, [email protected]
- Homebound Ministry — Sister Bernita Wasinger, SSND, (573) 690-4432
- Cemetery Board
- Senior Citizens group
- Sewing group
Parish Picnic & Community Events
The Immaculate Conception Parish Picnic is one of the highlights of the parish and Osage County year, typically held in mid-June. The event features a German-food menu (fried chicken, German pot roast, bratwurst, German potato salad, kraut & beans, green beans, cole slaw), carry-out service, drive-thru, live music, beer garden, raffle, bingo, quilt auction, and kids' games. Major anniversaries — like the 175th in 2021 — are marked with full-day celebrations including a parade down County Road 402, a cemetery 'Voices from the Past' tour, history talks (Dr. Gary Kremer of the State Historical Society of Missouri presented at the 175th), colonial games, a one-room-school replica, music by bands such as the Osage Angels, Osage Travelers, and Point 08, and a closing Mass celebrated by Fr. Anthony R. Rinaldo.
- Annual Parish Picnic (mid-June) — German food, live music, raffle, bingo, quilt auction, kids' games
- 175th Anniversary Celebration (Oct. 9, 2021) — parade, cemetery tour, Gary Kremer history talk, colonial games, live music
- Coffee Bar fellowship after Sunday Masses
Sacraments
Immaculate Conception celebrates the seven sacraments. Baptism, Marriage, and Confirmation each have dedicated preparation programs. The parish offers RCIA for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for grade-school-age faith formation. The Homebound / Nursing Home Visitation ministry brings Holy Communion to those who can no longer attend Mass, and the parish also assists with funeral luncheons.
- Baptism — Baptism Preparation
- Confirmation — Confirmation Preparation
- Eucharist — daily and weekend Masses; School Masses open to all
- Penance (Confession) — Saturday 3:15–3:45 p.m. and First Friday; by appointment with Fr. Tony
- Anointing of the Sick / Visitation of the Homebound — Sister Bernita Wasinger, SSND
- Holy Orders — vocational support through prayer and discernment
- Matrimony — Marriage Preparation; contact parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Henry Meinkmann, Missionary1838
Missionary in the Loose Creek area
- Fr. Ferdinand Helias, S.J., Missionary1838–1848
Founded the Loose Creek mission in 1835; Jesuit missionary who also gave his name to Helias Catholic High School
- Fr. I. P. Buschots, S.J.1849–1865
Pastor
- Fr. W. Niedercorn, S.J.1865–1871
Pastor
- Fr. Von Haza Raditz, S.J.1871–1881
Pastor
- Fr. W. Niedercorn, S.J.1881–1883
Pastor (second term)
- Fr. P. A. Krier, S.J.1881–1885
Pastor
- Fr. John Gruender1885–1909
Pastor; assisted by Fr. Julius Reichmann (1890)
- Fr. John B. Bachmeier1909–1917
Pastor
- Fr. Henry G. Kuper1917–1941
Pastor
- Fr. Theon Schoen1941–1948
Pastor
- Very Rev. Msgr. John S. Moser1948–1951
Pastor
- Fr. Ray Weis1951–1958
Pastor
- Fr. A. J. Hoegen1958–1968
Pastor
- Fr. Henry Figge / Fr. Thomas Dolan / Fr. Dan Tarleton / Fr. Frank Simoni1968–1970
Team of priests serving the parish
- Fr. Patrick O'Gara1970
Pastor
- Fr. Kevin Gormley1970–1977
Pastor
- Fr. John Buchanan1977–1983
Pastor
- Fr. William Flanagan1983–1990
Pastor
- Fr. Richard Cronin1990–1999
Pastor
- Fr. Gregory Meystrik1999–2003
Pastor
- Fr. Joseph S. Corel2003–2006
Pastor
- Fr. Charles Pardee2006–2009
Pastor
- Fr. Roberto Ike2009–2010
Pastor
- Fr. Don Antweiler2010–2015
Pastor
- Fr. Louis M. Nelen2015–2018
Pastor
- Fr. Callistus C. Okoroji2018–2020
Pastor
- Fr. Anthony Rinaldo2020–present
Current pastor; led the 175th anniversary celebration in 2021