About St. Brendan · Mexico, Missouri
St. Brendan Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Mexico, Missouri, belonging to the Diocese of Jefferson City and serving the people of Mexico and the surrounding Audrain County area. With roots stretching back to 1857 and a parish church built in 1878, St. Brendan is the spiritual home to about 450 families and runs an attached Catholic school educating more than 170 students from pre-school through eighth grade. The parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish, a daily Eucharistic adoration chapel, an active Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a wide range of faith-formation and service ministries for all ages. Its mission statement — 'Disciples who Praise God, Spread the Gospel, and Serve Others' — frames a community that traces its identity to Irish missionary roots in mid-Missouri.
- Established
- 1857
- Patron
- St. Brendan the Navigator
- Rector
- Rev. David J. Veit
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
St. Brendan is a multigenerational Catholic community in Mexico, Missouri that pairs traditional devotional life — daily Mass, a 24/7 adoration chapel, weekly Confession — with robust formation for every age through PSR, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA (RCIA), youth group, Bible study, and the Lectio League. The parish also runs its own pre-K through 8th-grade school, has an active Knights of Columbus council and St. Vincent de Paul conference serving local neighbors, and offers a Spanish-language Mass each Saturday, making it a welcoming home for English- and Spanish-speaking families across Audrain County.
Mass times at St. Brendan
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:45–5:45 p.m.
- Thursday 7:40–7:55 a.m.
- Saturday 4:00–5:15 p.m.
- Sunday 8:15–8:45 a.m.
Adoration times
- Tuesday 3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. in the Church (Benediction at 5:50 p.m.; Mass and re-exposition in Chapel after Mass, approx. 6:35 p.m.)
- Adoration Chapel open 24/7 — door code available from the parish office
Parish History
Catholic life in Mexico, Missouri began on October 27, 1857, when Irish immigrant priest Father John Joseph Hogan said Mass at the home of Thomas Fagan. Father Hogan made periodic visits from his headquarters in Chillicothe and, shortly after the Civil War, was arrested for refusing a Union Loyalty Oath — a case the Circuit Court of Adair County dismissed as a violation of religious freedom. In October 1874 Father Cornelius O'Leary established a priest's residence in Mexico and raised money from Irish railroad workers for a church, which was built in 1878 and placed under the patronage of St. Brendan the Navigator. The parish now serves about 450 families and supports a Catholic school of more than 170 students, praying 'with the Lord's blessing' to continue this mission for another 150 years.
- 1857 — First Mass celebrated by Father John J. Hogan
- 1874 — Father Cornelius O'Leary establishes a priest's residence in Mexico
- 1878 — Parish church built and placed under the patronage of St. Brendan the Navigator
- Today — 450 families, pre-K–8th grade school with 170+ students
Parish Staff
St. Brendan is currently served by Pastor Father David J. Veit and two permanent deacons, Deacon Lou Leonatti and Deacon James Farnell. The lay staff supports parish operations, sacred music, building maintenance, finance, and the parish office.
- Pastor — Rev. David J. Veit ([email protected])
- Deacon — Lou Leonatti ([email protected])
- Deacon — James Farnell ([email protected])
- Director of Sacred Music — Mr. Ted Brauker
- Director of Maintenance — Mrs. Kelly Cosby
- Bookkeeper — Mrs. Beth Feger ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary — Mr. Mark McGuire ([email protected]) / Mrs. Kathryn Coulson
Parish Councils
Following canon law, St. Brendan maintains a Finance Council, a Pastoral Council, a Stewardship Council, and a School Advisory Council to assist the pastor in administering parish goods and mission.
- Pastoral Council — Frank Giuseffi
- Finance Council — Jason Dowell (members include Deacon James Farnell, Pat Teague, Jean Ann Mechlin, Barb Wilson, Brian Unger, Mike Sharpe, Kenny Brinker, Kathy Coulson, Beth Feger)
- Stewardship Council — Mark McGuire
- School Advisory Council — Amanda Seute
Sacraments
St. Brendan prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. The parish notes that 'sacraments and sacramentals may be celebrated in English or Spanish as requested' and that 'special accommodations or assistance can be arranged.' Couples are asked to contact Fr. Veit at least six months before their desired wedding date.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Penance and First Holy Communion — through PSR
- Confirmation — Bishop Ralph O'Donnell visits annually; ongoing preparation
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — contact Fr. Veit directly (hospitals and nursing homes do not notify the parish)
- Weddings — contact Fr. Veit at least 6 months in advance
- OCIA / RCIA — for those becoming Catholic
St. Brendan Catholic School
St. Brendan Catholic School is an integral ministry of the parish, educating more than 170 students from pre-school through eighth grade at 620 S. Clark St., Mexico, MO 65265 (phone 573-581-2443). The school does not charge tuition for active parishioners; like all Catholic grade schools in the Diocese of Jefferson City, it operates as a mission of the whole parish, supported primarily by regular Sunday tithing. The school's philosophy emphasizes Catholic identity, academic excellence, and the formation of each child as a child of God.
- Grades: Pre-School through 8th Grade
- Address: 620 S. Clark St., Mexico, MO 65265
- Phone: (573) 581-2443
- Principal: Mrs. Theresa Farnell ([email protected])
- School Secretary: Mrs. Tarah Tollner ([email protected])
- Active parishioners attend tuition-free as part of parish mission
Faith Formation for Children
Children who do not attend St. Brendan School receive religious education through the Parish School of Religion (PSR/CCD), which meets about one hour on most Sunday mornings at around 10:15 a.m. The program supports parents as the primary teachers of the faith and helps prepare children for First Penance and First Holy Communion. St. Brendan also hosts Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for younger children.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR/CCD)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth Group
Adult Faith Formation
Adults at St. Brendan have several ongoing formation opportunities, including a Monday-evening Bible Study in the Parish Hall (currently studying Galatians), the Lectio League meeting Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Office (currently viewing 'Lectio: Salvation' with discussion), and OCIA — the parish's process for adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation.
- Bible Study — Mondays 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall
- Lectio League — Thursdays 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Office
- OCIA (RCIA) — Becoming Catholic
- Catholicism 101 introduction for adults
Homeschooling Community
St. Brendan supports an active community of Catholic homeschooling families in Mexico and the surrounding area, with regular co-op meetings and activities throughout the year. Parents support one another as the primary educators of their children, and Fr. David Veit serves as a parish contact for families interested in joining or learning more.
- Active Catholic homeschool co-op in Mexico, MO
- Contact: Fr. David Veit at the parish office
Service, Outreach, and Charity
St. Brendan lives out its mission through a robust set of ministries that care for parishioners and neighbors. The parish hosts three signature annual events — a Christmas Day community dinner serving hundreds, an annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on March 17, and a summer Parish Barbecue — and runs ongoing outreach including meal delivery to a local senior center, a baby bottle campaign supporting Missouri pregnancy-resource centers, and a homebound ministry that brings the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass.
- Christmas Day community dinner (December 25)
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner (March 17)
- Parish Barbecue (summer)
- Senior Center Meal Delivery
- Pro-Life Across America Baby Bottle Campaign
- Homebound Ministry
- Hospital Visits
- Funeral Dinners / Bereavement Committee
- Buildings & Grounds Committee
Knights of Columbus
St. Brendan has its own Knights of Columbus council (mexicokc.org), part of the world's largest Catholic fraternal charitable organization founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1882. Today the Knights have 1.8 million members across more than 14,000 councils in 14 countries, donating over $150 million and millions of volunteer hours annually to charity, Catholic education, and the defense of the Faith.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Brendan's St. Vincent de Paul Society is a lay Catholic apostolate that, at this parish, focuses specifically on providing beds for community members who would otherwise go without. Assistance and volunteer inquiries go through the parish office.
- Focus: providing beds to neighbors in need
- Contact: parish office at (573) 581-4720 or [email protected]
Ladies of St. Brendan
The Ladies of St. Brendan is a parish women's group that supports the life of the parish through fellowship, service, and fundraising.
Stewardship at St. Brendan
St. Brendan organizes parish life around the four pillars of stewardship — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service — inviting every baptized parishioner to share time, talent, and treasure. The Stewardship Council, chaired by Mark McGuire, coordinates the annual Stewardship Renewal and links parishioners to ministries and service opportunities. St. Brendan School is funded primarily through regular Sunday tithing, reflecting the parish's belief that the school is a ministry of the whole community, offered tuition-free to active parishioners.
- Four pillars: Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, Service
- Stewardship Council — Mark McGuire
- Stewardship Renewal Time & Talent Form
- Stewardship Renewal Tithing Commitment Form
Becoming a Member or Catholic
Whether you are new to town, a Catholic returning to active practice, or someone exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, St. Brendan welcomes you. Visitors are invited to call the parish office to arrange a visit or simply join a Sunday Mass and meet parishioners. Those interested in becoming Catholic go through the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Parishioner Registration Form (for Catholics new to the parish)
- RCIA / OCIA — for those interested in learning about or becoming Catholic
- Welcome: 'Whether you are new to town, Catholic but haven't been active in a while, or not Catholic but interested in our parish, St. Brendan welcomes you.'
Contact and Visit
The parish office is located at 615 S. Washington St., Mexico, MO 65265, and is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed Mondays). The parish can be reached by phone at (573) 581-4720, with email for the pastor at [email protected] and for the parish office at [email protected]. The school office is at 620 S. Clark St., phone (573) 581-2443. The parish also maintains an active Facebook presence at facebook.com/stbrendanchurch/.
- Parish Office: 615 S. Washington St., Mexico, MO 65265 — (573) 581-4720 — office hours Tue–Fri 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Parish office email: [email protected]
- School: 620 S. Clark St., Mexico, MO 65265 — (573) 581-2443
- Facebook: facebook.com/stbrendanchurch/