Immaculate Conception

About Immaculate Conception Parish

Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic parish in Union, Missouri, the seat of Franklin County, and a community of about 11,000 supported by farming, manufacturing, and small businesses. The parish describes itself as diverse in its economic and social makeup, but united by a strong spirit of charity and a willingness to lend a hand. It is common to see multiple generations of the same family at Mass, and many young adults return to the area to raise their own families. The parish's three pillars of Catholic education are its parish school, its Parish School of Religion (PSR), and a strong community of homeschool families. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and lives out a mission of fervent prayer, inspired worship, sound teaching, and sharing faith with those in physical and spiritual need, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Parish History

The parish was dedicated on December 26, 1866 as St. Mary's Church, beginning with just 12 families who had purchased a former Presbyterian building at High and Church streets for $200. In 1870 the Jesuits from Washington, Missouri took charge of the parish, and in 1894 the Franciscans from Clover Bottom assumed responsibility. A cornerstone for a new stone church was laid on June 30, 1901, and the building was rededicated to Mary under the title Immaculate Conception. The parish school opened in 1902, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Lafayette, Indiana arrived in 1905 to teach in the church basement. The Archdiocese of St. Louis took responsibility for the parish in 1948, and the current church was completed in 1953. A new Parish Center — with gymnasium, stage, concession stand, and restrooms — was built in 1995 and dedicated by Bishop Paul Zipfel in September 1996.

• 1866 — Parish founded as St. Mary's Church, Union, MO (12 families)
• 1870 — Jesuits of Washington, MO take charge
• 1894 — Franciscans of Clover Bottom take charge
• 1901 — Cornerstone laid for new stone church; rededicated Immaculate Conception
• 1902 — Parish school opens with 30 students and first teacher Miss Emma Reymer
• 1905 — Sisters of St. Francis of Lafayette, IN arrive to teach
• 1914 — Fr. Bernard Zehnle, O.F.M. installed as pastor
• 1916 — Dedicated school building opened (still in use)
• 1948 — Archdiocese of St. Louis assumes responsibility for the parish
• 1953 — Current church building completed
• 1955 — Fr. Raymond Schuermann installed as pastor
• 1962 — School addition with four classrooms, cafeteria/gym, offices
• 1996 — Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Paul Zipfel

Mass and Sacraments

The parish celebrates daily Mass Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. in St. Joseph Chapel (Tuesday) and the main church, with a Saturday Vigil at 4:15 p.m. and two Sunday Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Confessions are heard Saturday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. before the Vigil Mass. Tuesday is a special day of prayer at the parish, with both an 8:00 a.m. Mass in St. Joseph Chapel and Eucharistic Adoration running from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. in that same chapel. Sacramental inquiries (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage) are handled through the Parish Office.

• Weekday Mass: Tuesday 8:00 a.m. (Chapel); Wed–Fri 8:00 a.m.
• First Saturday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday Vigil: 4:15 p.m.
• Sunday: 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
• Confessions: Saturday 3:15–4:00 p.m.
• Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (St. Joseph Chapel, 5 N Washington Ave, rear entrance)

Devotions and Prayer Life

Daily Mass is described as 'the life-source of our parish's commitment to the community.' Around that, the parish maintains a rich devotional life: the Rosary is prayed daily, Perpetual Help Devotions are observed, and various Novenas are offered throughout the year. During Advent, the parish gathers for special Prayer and Reflection on the Sundays of Advent. School children also pray together multiple times during the school day, fostering devotion to and invocation of the Blessed Mother's intercession.

• Daily Rosary
• Perpetual Help Devotions
• Novenas
• Advent Prayer and Reflection on the Sundays of Advent
• School-day prayers and Marian devotions

Clergy and Parish Staff

Immaculate Conception is led by Pastor Rev. Peter M. Blake, with Senior Associate Pastor Fr. Chuck (Charles) Tichacek. Deacon Keith Henderson serves as Permanent Deacon, and Deacon Jerry Becker — Immaculate Conception's first Permanent Deacon, ordained in 2003 — continues in retired service to the parish. Janelle Gildehaus serves as Youth Minister and Director of Religious Education; she is herself an alumna of the parish (Kindergarten through 8th grade) and a former classroom teacher at the school for 20 years before answering a call into youth ministry. Kathy Arens is the parish Business Manager, working with her husband Bob, a lifelong parishioner.

• Rev. Peter M. Blake — Pastor (Fr. Pete)
• Rev. Charles (Chuck) Tichacek — Senior Associate Pastor
• Deacon Keith Henderson — Permanent Deacon
• Deacon Jerry Becker — Retired, first Permanent Deacon of IC (ordained 2003)
• Janelle Gildehaus — Youth Minister / DRE
• Kathy Arens — Business Manager

Immaculate Conception Catholic School

Immaculate Conception Catholic School is a Preschool through 8th-grade parish school with an accredited pre-school program and a strong Catholic identity. The school's mission describes its community as enriched by tradition and rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, growing together in faith, love, knowledge of Christ, and service to God, the Church, the community, and the world. The school seeks to provide a safe, secure Christian environment where students grow spiritually, physically, emotionally, and intellectually, where parents are supported as the first teachers of their children, and where every student is empowered to reach full academic potential. Today the school enrolls 207 students drawn from about 160 families, including students from neighboring parishes such as St. Joseph in Neier and Holy Family in Port Hudson.

• Preschool through 8th grade
• Accredited pre-school program
• 207 students from approximately 160 families
• Five alumni currently on faculty; ten teachers total
• Tuition assistance available through the SCRIP program
• Original 1916 school building still in use (preschool, kindergarten, 1st, 4th, 5th, music)

Religious Education and RCIA

Faith formation at Immaculate Conception happens in three complementary ways: the parish school, the Parish School of Religion (PSR), and a robust community of homeschool families. The PSR program provides religious education and Sacramental preparation for elementary students in grades K–8 who attend non-Catholic schools or are homeschooled, with parish catechists working closely with families. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the parish's process for initiating adults into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion, with the local parish community serving as both catechists and models of Christian faith.

• Parish School of Religion (PSR) for K–8
• RCIA for adult initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion)
• Active homeschool community within the parish

Youth Ministry

Immaculate Conception's Youth Ministry program is designed for students in 6th through 8th grade. It meets weekly for Faith Formation, with a mission to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today, to present the Good News to others, and to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. The program is led by Youth Minister and DRE Janelle Gildehaus, who came to the role after 20 years of teaching in the parish school. Inquiries can be directed to the Parish Office at 636-583-4495.

• Grades 6–8
• Weekly Faith Formation meetings
• Contact: 636-583-4495

Parish Ministries and Outreach

Immaculate Conception is a stewardship-minded parish where parishioners give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides utility assistance to those in need throughout the year. The parish school and fellow parishioners regularly collect money and food for the local food bank in Union. The SCRIP Gift Card program is an ongoing fundraiser in which everyday gift-card purchases at local and national vendors return a percentage to the school; families may apply that percentage toward tuition at Immaculate Conception Day School, the PSR program, or St. Francis Borgia High School, or donate it back to the schools' operating budget.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society — utility assistance
• Food and monetary collections for the Union food bank
• SCRIP Gift Card fundraising program
• Time-and-talent stewardship to keep operating costs low

Parish Identity and Mission

As stated on the Archdiocese of St. Louis parish page, Immaculate Conception's mission is to be the body of Christ in its local community of Union, Missouri — to live fully the Gospel with faith, hope, and charity, through fervent prayer, inspired worship, sound teaching, and sharing faith with those in physical and spiritual need. Guided by the Holy Spirit and following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the parish commits itself to building the Kingdom of God in its midst as responsible stewards of all it has received from the past, with a commitment and dedication for the future.

• Mission: to be Christ's body in Union, MO
• Pillars: fervent prayer, inspired worship, sound teaching, charity
• Patron model: the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Immaculate Conception