Saint Ann

Parish History

Saint Ann Catholic Church in Warsaw, Missouri, was born from Bishop Edwin V. O'Hara's vision of placing a Catholic church in every county of his diocese. The diocese purchased a lot on February 10, 1944, for $600 from Walter J. Button, and a 30-by-60-foot wooden-frame church was built in 1945 at the corner of Jackson and Bolivar streets with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Catholic Extension Society of America. Bishop O'Hara dedicated the church on March 3, 1946; Father Urban Landoll, C.PP.S., said the first Mass there a month later, and the building — heated by a wood stove and known for years as 'The Sheep Shed' — served a founding congregation of eight men, twelve women, and five children. The full parish history, compiled by Loretta Pastva, SND, is published on the Diocese of Jefferson City website.

Clergy, Staff, and Pastoral Council

Fr. Benjamin (Ben) Nwosu, a missionary priest of the Diocese of Okigwe, Nigeria, serves as pastor and can be reached at the rectory (660-438-5870) or [email protected]. Parish life is supported by Secretary Diane Downing (660-438-3844, [email protected]), Bookkeeper Jerri Mockus, Religious Education Coordinator Brenda Porter, Parish Council President Kevin Ricke, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight David Grimes, Ladies Auxiliary Regina Mackenberg, Altar & Rosary Society president Shirley Smith, and RCIA coordinator Lisa Kelley (660-281-0199). The Parish Council, chaired by Mary Kemna with Leonard Vest as Vice President and Deena Maxwell as Secretary, organizes work in four commissions: Administration/Finance, Christian Education, Social Concerns, and Worship & Spiritual Development.

• Pastor – Fr. Benjamin Nwosu
• Deacon – Christopher Wick (Sedalia, MO)
• Parish Secretary – Diane Downing
• Bookkeeper – Jerri Mockus
• Religious Education – Brenda Porter ([email protected], 417-912-5822)
• RCIA – Lisa Kelley (660-281-0199)
• Parish Council President – Mary Kemna

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at St. Ann centers on Sunday religion classes held right after 8:30 AM Mass in the children's classroom, with registration forms available on the children's table. Brenda Porter ([email protected]) and Kathy Esbri coordinate the program, and the parish publishes 'The Kids' Bulletin' each week with activities tied to the Sunday readings. First Communion preparation is arranged through Brenda Porter, and the RCIA program — led by Lisa Kelley — welcomes adults who are unbaptized, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist, or simply curious about the Catholic faith. The parish also hosts 'Faith and Fun Hour' on the first Sunday of the month after Mass and donuts, where youth gather to make crafts and build friendships.

• Sunday School for children after 8:30 AM Mass
• First Communion preparation (contact Brenda Porter)
• RCIA for adults (contact Lisa Kelley)
• Faith and Fun Hour – 1st Sunday of the month
• Kids' Bulletin distributed weekly

Liturgical Ministries

St. Ann depends on an active bench of lay liturgical ministers. Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, and Altar Servers serve at Mass, with monthly schedules posted on the parish website. The parish is specifically recruiting additional Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for daily Mass and the Homebound Ministry, which brings Communion to parishioners who cannot attend in person. Shirley Smith leads the Altar & Rosary Society, and the parish council's Worship & Spiritual Development Commission (Carolyn Foster, Regina Mackenberg, Shirley Smith, Leslie Dickerson) coordinates spiritual life across the parish grouping.

• Eucharistic Ministers (with Homebound Ministry)
• Lectors
• Greeters
• Altar Servers
• Altar & Rosary Society (Shirley Smith)

Parish Organizations and Outreach

Outside of liturgy, St. Ann sustains a strong network of parish organizations. The Knights of Columbus Jay Harris Council #8620, led by Grand Knight David Grimes, is active in fundraisers (including the Warsaw BBQ festival) and parish projects. The Ladies Auxiliary, led by Regina Mackenberg, supports parish events alongside the Altar & Rosary Society. Newer ministries launched during the 2024 Stewardship Drive include the St. Monica Ministry (prayers for those who have drifted from the Catholic faith; meets at 4:30 PM every 3rd Thursday) and a Grief Support Group. The parish also supports Catholic Relief Services and participates in the Diocese of Jefferson City's safe-environment and abuse-prevention programs.

• Knights of Columbus (Jay Harris Council #8620)
• Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary
• Altar & Rosary Society
• St. Monica Ministry (prayers for those who have fallen away)
• Grief Support Group
• Catholic Relief Services outreach

Parish Pastoral Plan

The St. Ann Parish Council has adopted a written pastoral plan focused on three areas: stewardship, co-responsibility, and parishes as centers of charity and mercy. Key activities include re-establishing CCD classes for youth and adult continuing-education programs (especially during Advent and Lent), improving parish communications through FlockNotes and a stronger online presence, and implementing an annual Time & Talent sign-up process to involve parishioners of all ages — including a Youth Mass — and to commission new liturgical ministers while refreshing veteran ones.

• Activity 1 – Communications: FlockNotes, website, local media outreach
• Activity 2 – Annual Time & Talent sign-up; commission new ministers; Youth Mass
• Activity 3 – Re-establish youth CCD and adult education programs

Sacraments

St. Ann celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged by calling the parish office (660-438-3844). First Communion preparation is coordinated by Brenda Porter ([email protected] / 417-912-5822). Confirmation is typically conferred during episcopal visitations — as at the 2021 75th anniversary when Bishop W. Shawn McKnight confirmed three parishioners. The RCIA team prepares unbaptized adults and baptized Catholics to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at Easter, meeting in a small-group setting where questions and faith stories are shared. Confession is heard Sundays 8:00–8:15 AM and Fridays after 8:30 AM Mass, or by appointment.

• Baptism – contact parish office
• First Communion – contact Brenda Porter
• Confirmation – during episcopal visitations
• Marriage – contact parish office
• Anointing of the Sick – by appointment
• RCIA – contact Lisa Kelley (660-281-0199)
• Confession – Sunday 8:00–8:15 AM, Friday after Mass, or by appointment

Associated Parishes and Deanery

St. Ann is grouped with two mission parishes to share priestly ministry across rural central Missouri. Ss. Peter & Paul in Cole Camp is led by parish contact Kristi Craig (secretary, 660-438-3952, [email protected]) with Parish Council President David Ulm. St. Bernadette in Hermitage is staffed by office bookkeeper Ron Carter (417-745-6361, [email protected]). St. Ann belongs to the Southwest Deanery of the Diocese of Jefferson City, in Benton County.

• Ss. Peter & Paul – Cole Camp (Saturday confession on request)
• St. Bernadette – Hermitage (Saturday 4:00 PM Mass)
• Diocese of Jefferson City – Southwest Deanery

Visiting and Getting Involved

Visitors are warmly welcomed to celebrate Mass with St. Ann at any of its six weekly liturgies. The parish office at 30455 W Dam Access Road is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and the lobby bulletin boards share community announcements, travel opportunities, and seminars. To become involved, parishioners can sign up for the annual Time & Talent drive, contact any ministry leader listed in the downloadable Ministry Leaders & Contact Info PDF on the parish website, or simply stay after Mass for Faith and Fun Hour, donuts, and fellowship.

• Parish office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Lobby bulletin boards for community notices
• Annual Time & Talent sign-up
• Mass Intentions – $10 stipend, openings available