Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Story

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church traces its origins to August 14, 1981, when the founding Mass was celebrated at a temporary location at 4730 Frederick Boulevard. Within three years the parish had grown from 75 to more than 300 families, and on September 16, 1984, Bishop John J. Sullivan dedicated the permanent church on Frederick Boulevard with Monsignor Emmet Summers and Father William E. Daly as con-celebrants. By the early 1990s the parish was again outgrowing its space; under Monsignor Robert Murphy the facility was more than doubled, with the expansion dedicated in the fall of 1996. The parish describes itself today as 'once again a growing faith community' of more than 750 families, sustained by a four-fold mission: leading others to Jesus Christ, embracing the sacraments, encouraging a life of prayer, and nurturing ongoing conversion.

• Founded August 14, 1981 — first Mass on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary
• Temporary site: 4730 Frederick Boulevard
• Permanent church dedicated September 16, 1984 by Bishop John J. Sullivan
• Expansion dedicated Fall 1996 under Monsignor Robert Murphy
• Parish census: 75 families (1981) → 300+ families (1984) → 750+ families today

Mission Statement

The parish states its mission plainly on its website: 'Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church leads others to Jesus Christ, promotes and embraces the sacraments, encourages a life of prayer, and nurtures ongoing conversion.' A complementary description frames the parish as a 'warm, welcoming and prayerful Catholic Community that aspires to love and serve God,' embracing the poor, the suffering and the lost, providing Christian education for all, and celebrating life as a gift from God.

Sacred Heart of Jesus School of Faith

The Sacred Heart of Jesus School of Faith is the parish's umbrella for lifelong faith formation. It encompasses religious education for children, adult faith formation, and the RCIA / OCIA process for those preparing to become Catholic. The parish emphasizes ongoing conversion as one of its four mission pillars, and the School of Faith is the primary vehicle for that work.

• Children's Faith Formation / Religious Education
• Adult Faith Formation (referenced in parish ministries)
• RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
• Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)

Parish Ministries & Service

The parish maintains a robust slate of service ministries. Our Lady's Guild unites the women of the parish for spiritual and physical support of the community; the Knights of Columbus Council 12011 meets on the second Wednesday of each month and supports the parish through charitable fundraising and parish event support. A Parish (Pastoral) Council assists the pastor and advises on parish policy.

• Our Lady's Guild — meets 1st Tuesday at 11:00 AM
• Knights of Columbus Council 12011 — meets 2nd Wednesday
• Parish Council (Pastoral Council)
• Environment Committee (seasonal church decor)
• Altar Linen Care
• Church Cleaning (Saturday mornings)
• Parish Hall Clean-Up after Sunday doughnuts
• Maintenance (All Trades)
• Landscaping & Lawn Crew

Pastoral Care & Outreach

Volunteers extend the parish's ministry beyond its walls through a suite of pastoral-care outreach programs. Extraordinary Ministers bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, and other volunteers visit the elderly, those in hospitals, and parishioners in nursing homes. A transportation ministry provides rides to Mass and to medical appointments, and a Prison Ministry connects with local correctional facilities.

• Visit the Sick, Elderly and Homebound
• Visit Sick in Hospitals
• Visit Nursing Home Patients
• Communion to the Sick (Extraordinary Ministers)
• Transportation to Holy Mass and medical appointments
• Prison Ministry outreach

Youth Ministry

The parish employs a Director of Youth Ministry as part of its staff, supporting faith formation and accompaniment for the young people of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

• Director of Youth Ministry (parish staff position; x1507)
• Kelly Douglas has served in this role ([email protected])

Become a Parishioner

Newcomers to the parish are welcomed through a formal registration process. Once a family or individual registers, the parish mails a packet of extensive information about parish life, ministries, and the Sacraments. The parish also provides a Message from the Bishop and ongoing Spiritual Resources on the website, and the parish calendar lists upcoming events.

• Parish registration available through the website
• New parishioner information packet mailed after registration
• Calendar of Events published on olog.org
• Message from the Bishop & Spiritual Resources linked on the homepage

Visit, Directions & Contact

Our Lady of Guadalupe is located at 4503 Frederick Boulevard, Saint Joseph, MO 64506. From I-29, drivers take exit 47 (Frederick Avenue) east a half mile to Leonard Road, turn left on Leonard, and then right into the parking lot. Parish office hours are Monday – Thursday 8:45 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 8:45 AM – Noon. After-hours sacramental emergencies are handled through the parish emergency line.

• Address: 4503 Frederick Blvd., Saint Joseph, MO 64506
• Phone: (816) 232-2847
• Fax: (816) 232-0269
• Parish office hours: Mon–Thu 8:45 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:45 AM–Noon
• Emergency line (after 5 PM): (816) 261-2948
• I-29 exit 47 (Frederick Ave), east ½ mile to Leonard, then right to parking lot