St. Mary Church will hold its annual renewal mission, featuring Father Oscar Lukefahr, for its parishioners and all interested members of the community from Feb. 24 to March 4.

The priest will lead the mission focusing on the theme of “Jesus’ Best Idea – The Mass.” The purpose of the mission is to encourage greater understanding and appreciation of the Mass, with a special focus on communicating how it can put each person in closer personal contact with Jesus.

He will preach at weekend Masses Feb. 24 and 25.

The mission is organized so the same session is offered twice a day on Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The 11 a.m. session is followed by Mass at noon, and then lunch; the 7 p.m. session is preceded by supper at 6 p.m. in the parish hall.

Father Lukefahr is a Vincentian priest who lives in Perryville, Mo. Ordained in 1966, he taught in seminaries and high schools for six years, then served as a parish priest for 19 years. Currently he gives parish missions and retreats, celebrates weekend liturgies, and teaches religious education classes. This is the third time he has led a parish mission at St. Mary’s.

He is the author of seven books, including “We Believe, A Survey of the Catholic Faith”; “The Search for Happiness, A Catholic Guide to the Bible”; and “Christ’s Mother and Ours.” His most recent book is “We Worship: A Guide to the Catholic Mass.”

In his missions he uses humor and examples from daily life to explain the Mass and Communion. The mission is free and intended for all ages—adults, teens and children, Catholics and non-Catholics. In particular, inactive Catholics are invited to take another look at the Mass. Father Lukefahr said, “This is Christ’s invitation to you to return home.”