About St. Canera · Neosho, Missouri
St. Canera Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Neosho, Missouri, perched on a hilltop at the corner of South Wood and Hill Streets and belonging to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The parish was founded by Irish, German, Swiss, and eastern U.S. Catholic immigrants and was dedicated on May 23, 1889 by Bishop John Hogan, who named it for a sixth-century Irish saint. Today St. Canera serves a diverse congregation with weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a parish school of religion (PSR), Knights of Columbus, a Hispanic Committee, Guadalupana and Emaús groups, a youth group, RCIA, and a parish council — and it livestreams its Sunday Mass on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- Saint Canera (sixth-century Irish saint, patroness of Irish sailors)
- Rector
- Rev. Charles (Chaz) Dunn
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Why belong here
St. Canera is a warm, bilingual parish family rooted in more than 135 years of Catholic tradition on a hilltop overlooking Neosho. Whether you prefer worship in English or Spanish, you'll find a place here — with weekday Masses in the chapel, a Sunday 8 AM Mass that is livestreamed on Facebook, and a rich calendar of devotions including Rosario Guadalupano, Grupo de Oración, Emaús women's group, and seasonal Eucharistic Adoration. The parish also invests deeply in the next generation through PSR, RCIA, a youth group, and Knights of Columbus service, making it an inviting community for families, young adults, and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Canera
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15–4:45 PM
- Sunday 7:30–7:45 AM
- By appointment (call the Parish Office at 417-451-3411)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held periodically (e.g., 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the chapel); check the parish bulletin for upcoming dates
Welcome & Mission
St. Canera opens its doors with the simple greeting, 'Peace to Those Who Enter Here.' The parish family sees its mission as working together — and with the larger community — to know, love, and serve God. Grounded in Scripture, the sacraments, and Roman Catholic tradition, parishioners seek to recognize their dependence on God, grow spiritually, become images of Christ, educate adults, assist in educating children, and share their faith with and welcome others. The parish's bilingual character is visible from the moment you arrive, and newcomers are warmly received in either English or Spanish.
- St. Canera Mission Statement published on the homepage
- Bilingual welcome covering English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners
History of St. Canera Parish
The Catholic presence in Neosho began in 1871 when the Atlantic and Pacific Railway deeded a half-block of hilltop ground on South Wood and Hill Streets to Archbishop Peter R. Kenrick of St. Louis. Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and the eastern United States began gathering for Mass, served at first by missionaries from Pierce City who traveled by foot, horseback, or carriage. Construction of the original 30-by-50-foot stone church began in 1876, stalled when funds ran out, and was completed in 1884 under Fr. Dennis Kelly at a cost of $800. Bishop John Hogan dedicated and named the church on May 23, 1889, after a sixth-century Irish saint. St. Canera has continued to serve southwest Missouri Catholics in the same hilltop location for more than 135 years.
- 1871 — Land on South Wood and Hill Streets deeded to Archbishop Kenrick
- 1876 — Foundation excavated; native stone laid by pioneer Catholics
- 1883 — Construction resumed under Fr. Dennis Kelly of Sarcoxie Prairie
- 1884 — Original 30×50 ft. church completed at a cost of $800
- 1885 — Fr. James Wood appointed first resident priest; Seneca mission attached
- May 23, 1889 — Church dedicated by Bishop John Hogan and named for a sixth-century Irish saint
The Patron Saint
Saint Canera is the patroness of Irish sailors and a sixth-century Irish saint. Parish artwork depicts her seated in a boat holding an oil lamp — a symbol of wisdom and virginity — with a monastery on an island in the background where she sought spiritual rest. She was refused entrance to the island but was given Eucharist just before she died. The shamrock in her iconography speaks to her Irish ancestry. Her intercession has been part of the parish's identity since Bishop Hogan chose her name in 1889.
Parish Staff
St. Canera is currently shepherded by a pastor and parochial vicar, with lay staff and a network of ministry coordinators supporting parish life. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:30 PM, with inquiries directed to [email protected].
- Pastor — Rev. Charles (Chaz) Dunn
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Rabinson Kulandai Samy, HGN (Fr. Rabin)
- Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper — Emily Lile (417-451-3411, [email protected])
Parish Organizations & Ministries
A wide range of parish organizations give parishioners of every age and language community a way to belong. The Parish Council guides parish governance, the PCCW serves the women's fellowship and service mission, the Knights of Columbus anchors men's spirituality and outreach, and the Hispanic Committee, Guadalupana Committee, Grupo de Oración, and Emaús women's group steward Spanish-language and culturally-rooted ministries. Faith formation for children and adults alike is supported through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), RCIA, and the Youth Group.
- Parish Council — Jessica Wiest, Chairperson
- PCCW (Parish Council of Catholic Women) — Diane Strouss, President
- Knights of Columbus — George Busteed, Grand Knight
- Hispanic Committee — Martha Hernandez, Coordinator
- Guadalupana Committee — Lupita Carrillo, Coordinator
- Emaús (Women's Group) — Marisol Aviles, Coordinator
- Grupo de Oración — Vilma Vasquez, Coordinator
- Youth Group — Kevin Linehan, Director
- Music Director — Vickie Barnes
- Children's Liturgy (Spanish Mass) — Rose Heaser
- Safety Team — Mike Eads
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Canera takes seriously its call 'to educate adults and assist in educating children.' The Parish School of Religion (PSR) gathers children for catechesis on Sundays from 9:30 to 10:45 AM, and RCIA welcomes adults journeying toward full initiation into the Catholic Church, with sessions held on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM in the Second Grade Classroom.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — Rita Garnett, DRE — Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM
- RCIA — contact Kevin Linehan at 417-451-0003 — Tuesday evenings at 7 PM
Spanish-Language & Hispanic Ministries
Hispanic and Spanish-speaking parishioners make up a vibrant part of St. Canera's family. A weekly Saturday evening Mass in Spanish anchors the community, supported by Rosario Guadalupano on Friday evenings, a Grupo de Oración with rosary, praise, preaching, and visits to the sick on Sundays, a Saturday morning Bible study in Spanish (Estudio Bíblico en Español) in the Parish Hall, and a Sunday-evening Emaús women's group in the church basement. Children's Liturgy is offered at the Spanish Mass, and the Guadalupana and Hispanic Committees coordinate devotions and outreach.
- Spanish Vigil Mass — Saturday 7:00 PM
- Rosario Guadalupano — every Friday at 7 PM in the church
- Grupo de Oración — Sundays, rosary at 12 PM, praise/preaching at 12:30 PM
- Estudio Bíblico en Español — Saturdays 10–11 AM, Parish Hall
- Emaús Mujeres — Sundays 5:30 PM, church basement
- Children's Liturgy at the Spanish Mass — Rose Heaser
Visiting St. Canera
St. Canera sits prominently on a hilltop at the corner of South Wood and Hill Streets in Neosho, Missouri, and is easy to reach from several directions. Whether you are coming from Business I-49, Highway 86 east, or Highway 60, the parish office provides turn-by-turn directions. The parish mailing address is 504 S. Washington St., Neosho, MO 64850, and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 4:30 PM.
- Church address: 507 S. Wood St., Neosho, MO 64850
- Mailing address: 504 S. Washington St., Neosho, MO 64850
- Phone: (417) 451-3411
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:30 PM
- GPS: N36° 51.855', W094° 22.127'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Henry Hugh O'Reilly1876–
Missionary priest from Pierce City who served the Neosho mission in its earliest years, traveling by foot, horseback, or carriage.
- Fr. John Hennes1878–
Missionary priest from Pierce City who succeeded Fr. O'Reilly in serving southwest Missouri missions including Neosho.
- Fr. Dennis Kelly1883–
Pastor of Sarcoxie Prairie who directed the construction of the original 30-by-50-foot stone church, completed in 1884.
- Fr. James Wood1885–
First resident priest of the Neosho parish; completed interior furnishings and also served the Seneca mission as missionary priest.