About Mary Immaculate · Kirksville, Missouri
Mary Immaculate is a Roman Catholic parish in Kirksville, Missouri, in the Diocese of Jefferson City. The parish is rooted in a mission established in the late 1860s from St. Mary's Church in Adair, and grew into an organized parish in the fall of 1888 under Irish-born circuit-riding priest Fr. John O'Shea. Today it serves as a vibrant, diverse Catholic community in northeast Missouri, with a parish school, the Mission of Saint Rose of Lima in Novinger, and a Newman Center ministry serving Truman State University students. The parish's stated mission is to help all who worship there to become better disciples of Jesus Christ through beautiful worship, formation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Msgr. Makarewicz (currently on medical leave; Fr. Joseph Luzindana serving as Parochial Administrator in his absence)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
Mary Immaculate offers a complete Catholic life in northeast Missouri: weekend Mass in Kirksville and at its mission Saint Rose of Lima in Novinger, weekday Masses, Friday confession, and Thursday and Friday Eucharistic Adoration closing with Benediction. Parishioners can enroll children in the parish school (offered tuition-free to member families) and in the Parish School of Religion, send students to Totus Tuus summer catechesis, prepare for marriage with a six-month process, and bring unbaptized adults into the Church through RCIA. The parish extends its reach to Truman State University students through Deacon Chris Korte at the Catholic Newman Center, supports the Pantry for Adair County with monthly drive-through drop-offs, and welcomes involvement in liturgical, faith formation, and service ministries for every season of life.
Mass times at Mary Immaculate
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
- Friday 4:30 PM (most Fridays)
- By appointment — call the parish office at 660-665-2466
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (during the academic year)
- Friday after 7:00 AM Mass until 5:30 PM, closing with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Parish History
Mary Immaculate Church in Kirksville began as a mission of St. Mary's Church of Adair, which was itself the offspring of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edina, Missouri. By 1869 or 1870 a church had been built, pastored by Franciscan Fr. James S. Ryan. The mission was taken over in 1880 by Fr. John O'Shea, an Irish-born circuit rider from County Limerick who would ride horseback to Kirksville to say Mass in the home of Dr. Edward S. Quinn (916 E. McPherson, still standing). O'Shea organized the Kirksville Catholics into a parish in 1888; the first baptism recorded for the parish was Catherine Muldoon, on August 23, 1876, Fr. John Daly officiating. Through the twentieth century a procession of pastors — Barrett, Yehle, Bestgen, Buchanan, Flanagan, Dolan, Prenger, Maher, Shortt, Cordes, and now Msgr. Makarewicz — built the parish school, convent, and rectory complex on E. Washington Street and ordained the parish's first four permanent deacons in 1995.
- Mission origins: Adair → Kirksville (1869–1870), Fr. James S. Ryan, OFM
- Parish organized: fall 1888 by Fr. John O'Shea
- First baptism: Catherine Muldoon, August 23, 1876
- Pioneer Mass site: home of Dr. E. S. Quinn, 916 E. McPherson
- First four permanent deacons ordained: 1995 (Capuano, Chaplin, McEvoy, Ream, OFS)
- Fr. Chris Cordes installed as pastor: summer 2008
Parish School
Mary Immaculate Catholic School (712 E Washington St.) is offered tuition-free to families registered in Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose parishes. The school shares the parish's accessible parking and ramp entrance at the back of the school building. The school principal is James Hendler, and the building also hosts PSR (Parish School of Religion) classes on Wednesday evenings. Call 660-665-1006 or email [email protected] for school inquiries.
- Address: 712 E Washington St., Kirksville, MO 63501
- Phone: 660-665-1006
- Principal: James Hendler
- Tuition-free for registered Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose families
- Website: www.miparishschool.org
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Mary Immaculate runs from early childhood through adult. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) meets Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM in the parish school for ages 4 through 8th grade, under Coordinator Chris Koch. Confirmation preparation is coordinated by Principal James Hendler. The Totus Tuus summer program brings college-age teams of seminarians and young adults to run a week-long catechetical program for grades 1–12. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is offered for ages 4 through First Grade during the 9:00 Sunday Mass (not currently meeting). Two ongoing adult study groups gather in the parish center.
- PSR: Ages 4 through 8th grade, Wednesdays 6:30 PM
- PSR Coordinator: Chris Koch
- Totus Tuus: week-long summer catechetical program for grades 1–12
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW): Ages 4 to First Grade, 9:00 Sunday Mass
- Confirmation preparation: Contact James Hendler
- Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study: 4:00–5:15 PM in the parish center (Gospel of Matthew)
- Dominican Adventure study group: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, parish center
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
Adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic but uncatechized are welcomed through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The formation process runs over several months alongside other inquirers, parishioners, and parish staff. RCIA sessions are generally held on Wednesday evenings in the parish center; contact Msgr. Makarewicz via the parish office, or Deacon Chris Korte, for more information.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Generally Wednesday evenings in the parish center
- Contact: Msgr. Makarewicz via parish office; Deacon Chris Korte
Sacraments
Mary Immaculate prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments in accordance with the Diocese of Jefferson City's policies. Parents and godparents attend a Baptism Preparation class with Deacon Dave Ream, OFS. First Reconciliation is celebrated for second-grade students mid-November at a 1:00 PM Sunday Communal Penance Service using the Pfluam Sacrament Program. Confirmation is prepared through the parish school. Couples seeking marriage must contact the pastor or parochial administrator at least six months in advance (minimum four), complete a FOCCUS assessment, attend Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter, and meet diocesan requirements about Catholic registration, Confirmation, and any prior marital bonds (which must be cleared through the Matrimonial Tribunal). Sacramental emergencies are handled at 660-280-4666.
- Baptism: class with Deacon Dave Ream, OFS; godparent suitability form required
- First Reconciliation: Pfluam Program; mid-November Communal Penance Service
- Confirmation: Contact James Hendler
- Matrimony: 6-month notice; FOCCUS; Pre-Cana/Engaged Encounter; Tribunal if prior bonds
- Anointing / Sacramental Emergencies: 660-280-4666
Truman Catholic Newman Center
Mary Immaculate ministers to Truman State University students through the Catholic Newman Center, directed by Deacon Chris Korte ([email protected]). The 11:00 AM Sunday Mass moves to the Newman Center when Truman is in session, and additional Wednesday evening Masses at 8:00 PM are offered at the Newman Center during the academic year, giving students a place to worship and form community in northeast Missouri.
- Director: Deacon Chris Korte
- Email: infonewmantruman.org
- Sunday 11:00 AM Mass at Newman Center during Truman session
- Wednesday 8:00 PM Mass at Newman Center during academic year
Service and Outreach
Outreach is woven into parish life. Mary Immaculate hosts a monthly no-contact Drive-Through Drop-Off for the Pantry for Adair County, in which parishioners pull up in front of the church and volunteers collect donations directly from the trunk of the vehicle. The parish also operates a Cemetery Board, a Finance Council that advises the pastor on financial matters, and a Local Benevolence ministry handling requests for emergency motel lodging and rent. The parish offers pastoral visits to the homebound.
- Pantry for Adair County — monthly no-contact Drive-Through Drop-Off (Contacts: Debi Boughton, Janie Theobald)
- Cemetery Board (Contact: Paula Brawner)
- Finance Council — advisory to pastor/administrator
- Local Benevolence — emergency motel lodging and rent assistance
- Visits to the homebound
Staff and Leadership
The parish is currently in a season of transition: the pastor Msgr. Makarewicz is on medical leave, and Fr. Joseph Luzindana has been welcomed to the parish as Parochial Administrator. Two permanent deacons assist the pastor: Deacon Dave Ream, OFS (Assistant to the Pastor; Baptism preparation) and Deacon Chris Korte (Assistant to the Pastor; PSR Coordinator; Director of the Newman Center). The lay staff includes Lynn Carter, OFS (Secretary and VIRTUS/Safe Environment Coordinator); Nicole Berkus (Bookkeeper); Betty Cox (Secretary); James Hendler (Principal); and Chris Koch (PSR Coordinator).
- Fr. Joseph Luzindana — Parochial Administrator
- Msgr. Makarewicz — Pastor (on medical leave)
- Deacon Dave Ream, OFS — Assistant to the Pastor
- Deacon Chris Korte — Assistant to the Pastor; PSR Coordinator; Newman Center Director
- James Hendler — Principal, Mary Immaculate School
- Lynn Carter, OFS — Secretary; VIRTUS/Safe Environment Coordinator
- Nicole Berkus — Bookkeeper
- Betty Cox — Secretary
- Chris Koch — PSR Coordinator
Visit, Contact, and Practical Information
The parish office is at 716 E. Washington St., Kirksville, MO 63501, open Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (call ahead over the noon hour). Fridays the office is closed to the public but staff are often present; phone or email ahead. Accessible parking and a ramp entrance into the church are available at the back of the school, accessed through the alley that opens next to the old rectory garage on New St. just south of Washington St. Sacramental emergencies are handled at 660-280-4666.
- Parish address: 716 E. Washington St., Kirksville, MO 63501
- Parish office: 660-665-2466; Sacramental emergencies: 660-280-4666
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (call ahead at noon); Fri closed to public
- Accessible parking/ramp: back of school via alley off New St., south of Washington St.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John O'Shea (mission founder)1888 (approx.) onward
Irish-born missionary from County Limerick; circuit rider who pastored from Adair for 26 years and organized the Kirksville Catholics.
- Fr. James S. Ryan, OFM1869–1870 (first Kirksville mission); returned later
Franciscan who first pastored the Kirksville mission; would return later.
- Fr. Patrick J. Barrettfrom May 1935
Born May 25, 1903, County Kerry; ordained June 6, 1926, St. Louis; declared parish debt-free Jan. 8, 1939.
- Rev. Fred J. Yehlefrom August 1958
Celebrated silver jubilee of priesthood at Mary Immaculate, April 28, 1963.
- Rev. Jerome Bestgen1966
Earlier served at St. Mary of the Angels, Wien (1958–63).
- Rev. John Buchanan1968
- Rev. Michael FlanaganJuly 1972 – July 1982
Later Monsignor; went on to Immaculate Conception, Jefferson City, then Our Lady of Lourdes, Columbia.
- Rev. Tom Dolanfrom 1982
- Rev. John Prenger1990–
Would later leave the priesthood for marriage and fatherhood.
- Rev. John Prenger (continuing); Rev. Bill Kottenstette; Rev. Kevin Clohessy1992
Fr. Bill Kottenstette and Fr. Kevin Clohessy served as associate pastors; Fr. Kevin went on to pastor St. Francis Xavier, Taos, then executive director of the American Red Cross in Boone County, MO.
- Rev. Dr. Tom Capuano; Rev. Mark Chaplin; Rev. Tim McEvoy; Rev. Dr. David Ream, O.F.S.ordained 1995
The parish's first four permanent deacons.
- Rev. David Maher1997
Pastor; left to become pastor at St. Francis Xavier parish, Taos.
- Rev. Patrick Shortt2000
Came from St. Pius X, Moberly.
- Fr. Chris Cordesfrom summer 2008
Returned to Kirksville, where he had spent his college years, as pastor.
- Msgr. Makarewiczpresent
Currently on medical leave; Fr. Joseph Luzindana is serving as Parochial Administrator during his absence.