Sporting KC’s Jacob Bartlett and KC Current’s Haley Hopkins ground their identity in Christ on and off the pitch
The magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
June/July 2026 VOL. 6 | ISSUE 4
Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. PUBLISHER
Ashlie Hand EDITOR
COVER STORY
The soul of “the beautiful game” | Karen Ridder
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Faith at Work | Pam Kramer, CEO, KC2026 | Ashlie Hand
Pam Kramer was born and raised Catholic in Jefferson City and attended Catholic schools from grade school to college. Today, she serves as the CEO of KC2026, the nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and delivering host city duties for FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City.
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From the pitch to the pew | Quinn McCullough
20 To Serve and Lift | Youth volunteerism is more than a game | Jennifer Pestinger
While the World Cup matches will capture headlines, there’s a more lasting story worth telling off the pitch — one not of competition, but in community. It’s the story of how young people, through acts of service, have the power to bring people together.
Janna Stellwag GRAPHIC DESIGNER
To submit story ideas and news, send emails to hand@diocesekcsj.org
On the cover: Haley Hopkins, forward for the Kansas City Current professional women’s soccer team, inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City.
Photo by Michael Hogan.
Ashlie Hand leads the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph.
Professional soccer player Haley Hopkins has been with the Kansas City Current since early 2025. Midfielder Jacob Bartlett made his professional debut with Sporting KC that same year. Faith life plays an important role for both players on and off the field, keeping them grounded and helping them find ways to build a full life. While a professional soccer player’s schedule is hectic, fast-paced and pressured — creating many challenges for living a strong faith life — it also comes with unique opportunities to honor God with their talents and a public platform.
4 On the Way: A Church prepares for “Soccer City” | Bishop James Johnston
Over a few amazing weeks, Kansas City will become “Soccer City” and our community, including our Catholic Church, will get to practice Christian charity and hospitality for a national and international guest list.
Karen Ridder is a Catholic journalist, wife and mother of four in Liberty.
As pastor of St. John Francis Regis Parish, Father Emmanuel López has turned to soccer as a tool for ministry across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The St. Regis Cup was born to attract families.
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Big noise in a small town | Allison Vrooman
Father Kevin Drew, pastor of St. Ann Parish in Plattsburg and Excelsior Springs, maintains his love of competitive soccer from his youth and college years in his vocation to the priesthood.
16 A world-class mission | Ashlie Hand
Coaching one of the most popular high school sports in the US is a big responsibility. Coaching soccer at a Catholic high school takes on an even higher purpose.
Allison Vrooman is the communications specialist for the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph.
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Welcoming the world, serving the neighborhood | Marty Denzer
Redemptorist Social Services staff and volunteers are excited to welcome the world to KC this summer, extending hospitality and community through faith.
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Before there were fields | Leyden Rovelo-Krull
Long before Kansas City had a place on the global soccer stage, its Hispanic Catholic players had something far more important: a parish.
En Español
26 En el Camino | La Iglesia se prepara para la “Ciudad del Fútbol” | Por Obispo Johnston
Marty Denzer is a long-time writer in residence for the Catholic Key.
Sara Kraft is a freelance writer in St. Joseph.
A Church prepares for ‘SOCCER CITY’
From the Bishop Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
ON ONE OF MY FIRST TRIPS ABROAD DECADES AGO, I REMEMBER WALKING THROUGH A LOVELY COBBLESTONE PIAZZA IN ITALY AND SEEING SOME LITTLE BOYS RUNNING AROUND AND KICK-PASSING A BALL BACK AND FORTH WITH EXCITEMENT — A SOCCER GAME HAD BROKEN OUT. A FRIEND OF MINE OBSERVED ON THAT OCCASION THAT SOCCER IS THE MOST POPULAR SPORT IN THE WORLD BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST ACCESSIBLE SPORT IN THE WORLD. IT DOESN’T REQUIRE A LOT OF MONEY OR EQUIPMENT. ALL YOU NEED IS A BALL. AND AS THE LITTLE BOYS DEMONSTRATED, ONCE YOU HAVE THE BALL, SOCCER CAN BE PLAYED ANYWHERE.
CITY’
Americans, and residents in and around Kansas City in particular, are about to experience how important and popular soccer is to the world with the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM. It is a time to appreciate the positive impact that sports can have in bringing people together and bridging divides. Over a few amazing weeks, Kansas City will become “Soccer City” and our community, including our Catholic Church, will get to practice Christian charity and hospitality for a national and international guest list.
The Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph has partnered with our neighbors to the west in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to make sure we present a unified front to all who will be visiting for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM Kansas City. Our initiative, OneKC Catholic, will remind visitors of the universality of our Catholic Faith. Indeed, the Church is the initiative of God in the world to unite the human race and bridge all divides, far transcending what sports can do. There truly is “no place like home,” as we gather for the Sacrifice of the Mass and share the Eucharist. No matter where we
are in the world, we are home in the Church. A large focus will be on welcoming to our parishes our brothers and sisters who will visit from other places.
Getting more specific, the Church will practice charity and hospitality in four primary ways:
Welcoming & Wayfinding: Strategically placed parish hubs will offer water, rest and multilingual assistance to fans and travelers.
Spiritual Outreach: Offering extended hours in select parishes for prayer, beautiful liturgies and multilingual Mass schedules to accommodate international visitors.
Safe Harbor: Coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking and ensure vulnerable populations are supported and protected with the great influx of people.
The “OneKC Catholic” Presence: a visible and friendly presence of volunteers and signage that expresses our Catholic Church as a primary pillar of Kansas City’s welcoming spirit.
Each of these will be ways we “welcome the stranger” (Mt 25:35) and express the love of Christ in tangible ways as Kansas City, for a few amazing weeks, becomes Soccer City.
There’s no place like home
Regional Catholic community comes together under the OneKC Catholic banner
By Ashlie Hand Logo and graphics by Michael Hogan
When an estimated 650,000 visitors are expected in your city over the course of four summer weeks, would you see an opportunity or a headache?
As Catholics, we are called to welcome the stranger and extend Christian hospitality to all who knock at our door. So, when visitors arrive for the world’s largest and most popular sporting event, it is just as important to serve their spiritual needs as it is to make sure they know where to find the best barbecue.
The Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas serve the entire collection of communities that make up the Kansas City region, also affectionately referred to as “OneKC.” Extending a unified Catholic welcome just makes sense when most visitors aren’t even aware that there is a stateline running through our city.
Adopting the OneKC brand for our Catholic community connects us to the broader civic efforts around a unified story for visitors, new residents and businesses coming to Kansas City. The expression of hospitality, communion and charity goes well beyond this summer’s sporting events and will continue for years to come.
You can find the OneKC Catholic effort expressed through billboards along major highways in Kansas City through mid-July, as well as an online presence at onekccatholic.org and on Facebook and Instagram. Banners and yard signs at parishes across the most populated areas of our dioceses are welcoming visitors in a unified expression of Catholic hospitality, as well.
Our universal Catholic Faith, practiced through the sacrifice of the Mass, in confession and Eucharistic adoration, gives us a unique opportunity to remind our brothers and sisters in Christ they have a home in our Catholic churches. And as we know well, “There’s no place like home.”
Pam Kramer was born and raised Catholic in Jefferson City and attended Catholic schools from grade school (Immaculate Conception) to high school (Helias Catholic) and college (Benedictine College). Today, she serves as the CEO of KC2026, the nonprofit organization overseeing strategy and delivering host city duties for FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City, which has planned, constructed and implemented all aspects of Kansas City’s largest sports and fan engagement event in the region’s history.
Q: Is your Catholic Faith part of your professional identity, either publicly or privately? How is it expressed during the work day or in the professional setting?
A: I think everyone who knows me knows that I am Catholic. It’s part of my identity, which can’t really be separated into parts. I hope that it is evident in the respect and care I have for people, regardless of their faith traditions, in demonstrating fairness and integrity, and in trying to use whatever gifts and talents I’ve been given to serve others. I’ve been particularly touched by the response from young professionals. At Christmas, one staff member gave me holy water from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion; on my birthday, another gave me a St. Sebastian medal. St. Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes. Both assured me of their prayers.
Q: How do you express your faith in a professional setting?
Q: What are some practical ways that you incorporate prayer into your work day?
A: I start and end every day with prayer. In the morning, that typically means reflecting on the daily readings before I begin my routine, and then calling to mind the intentions people have asked me to pray for. I also pray each day for a safe and successful FIFA World Cup 2026TM experience for travelers and residents.
In the evening, I end the day with the Hallow app. That usually includes some Hallow content, followed by the Examen and a sleep meditation. I recently completed the Saints in Seven Days series on St. Carlo Acutis. It was encouraging to learn about a modern saint, living in an age of constant distraction, who still found a way to seek holiness.
VISIT | onekccatholic.org CONNECT | OneKC Catholic on Facebook and Instagram SUPPORT | Make a donation at onekccatholic.org
A: I wear a Miraculous Medal every day. Sometimes, I forget it’s there. I’ve been touched by the number of people — media, young professionals, colleagues — who remark on it, and it often sparks a connection about faith. It’s a great reminder that many Catholics are seeking that connection and shared faith.
During the work day, I always pray before lunch. In more difficult moments, I remind myself that God has placed me in this moment, and I offer simple, short prayers such as “Come, Holy Spirit” or “Jesus, I trust in you.”
Q: Is there a Bible verse, scripture story, prayer, spiritual item or quote that you carry with you?
A: The Memorare is my favorite prayer. The words are powerful and serve as a strong reminder that Mary understands all of our human joy and pain.
By Ashlie Hand
Although my two daughters are now grown, I still pray this favorite prayer for them — and now for my son-in-law and granddaughter as well:
“Holy Mary, Mother of God and Mother of all the faithful, I place my child under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate my child, body and soul. Take her under your care and keep her always. Protect her in her infancy and keep her sound in body and mind. Guard her youth and keep her heart pure, her thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect her always through life, in her joys and sorrows, in her dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to her. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration she becomes, in a special way, your child as well as mine. Guard her and keep her as your very own. Amen.”
Q: Do you have a favorite saint or religious figure who you turn to in facing challenges at work?
A: There are many saints who have walked with me through different chapters and challenges in my life. My mom, who is 90, still begins her day with Mass and ends it with the Rosary, and she modeled early on how important a relationship with Mary is. I find great solace in Mary’s companionship, particularly in my vocation as a wife and mom.
I am also drawn to St. Thérèse of Lisieux — her simple prayers, words and actions that come from the heart, without trying to be anything she’s not. I have turned to her often over the years.
Photo by Michael Hogan
Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, considers her Catholic Faith the core of her identity as a professional and a community leader.
From the PITCH to the PEW
By Quinn McCullough
FOR FATHER EMMANUEL LÓPEZ, THE "BEAUTIFUL GAME" IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST FILLING HIGHLIGHT REELS — IT IS ABOUT FILLING THE PEWS AND BUILDING A DEEPER FAITH COMMUNITY WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY–ST. JOSEPH.
Photos submitted by Father Emmanuel López
Father Emmanuel López, pastor of St. John Francis Regis Parish in Kansas City and founder of the Regis Cup soccer tournament.
As pastor of St. John Francis Regis Parish, López has turned to soccer as a primary tool for ministry across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The initiative, known as the St. Regis Cup, was born of a shared challenge: while the parish offered year-round Bible studies, it struggled to attract families.
“Evangelization was the inspiration of the soccer tournament,” López said. “I was looking for a way to attract families to receive the Bible classes we offer ... and because I love soccer, I decided to give it a try as the pivot point for sharing our faith.”
Since its debut in the summer of 2022, the tournament has evolved into a diocesan-wide event. The elimination-bracket competition features men’s and women’s divisions for players as young as 7, along with adult categories for those 18 and older.
The strategy has bridged the gap between the pulpit and the pitch, bringing together clergy and laity in a way few traditional programs have.
“The St. Regis soccer tournament has taken us to the next level of communion as we, the priests and the laity, come together on the field as one team,” López said. “It is a
The impact is measurable.
López noted an increase in family participation in religious education and a notable rise in Mass attendance.
The tournament has even expanded beyond the local diocese to include at least two parishes from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
In just a few years, the event has become a defining characteristic of the parish’s identity in the wider community.
“If you ask people about St. Regis, they would probably not know the name of the priest, but for sure they would tell you about the soccer tournament,” López said.
The tournament is now a staple of the local summer calendar, drawing families from across the region for fellowship that extends beyond the final whistle. López attributes the success to the need for people to grow in their faith and in communion with each other, describing the event as a "bridge of love" for the region.
“The Holy Spirit is working through the St. Regis Cup soccer tournament,” López said. “I encourage all families to join this summer. We have a place for every member of the family — even the pets.”
Big noise in a small town
By Allison Vrooman | Photos by Michael Hogan
IIn the small town of Quincy, Illinois, the sport of soccer was booming. The 1950 World Cup American team was composed of many players from St. Louis, a historic soccer hub that was down the Mississippi River from Quincy. Influenced by the radiating success of St. Louis, Quincy became a pipeline for talent. Father Kevin Drew, pastor of St. Ann Parish in Excelsior Springs and St. Ann Parish in Plattsburg, was one of these talents.
Father Drew grew up attending soccer camps and playing in leagues led by coaches and star players from Quincy College. “We had all these big soccer stars from St. Louis playing at Quincy College. They won multiple national championships. From very early on, Quincy, my small town, was above the curve with soccer,” he shared.
Because the sport was still relatively new when Father Drew was in high school, there was no division between big and small schools. His small school would travel to Chicago to compete against the city schools and did well. Father Drew noted that four of his
teammates went on to play professionally.
Father Drew worked hard as a midfield player. Rather than attending Quincy College or a smaller college, he was determined to make it in Division 1 athletics. “I wanted to prove I could go play Division 1 … I was kind of a big noise in a small town,” he said. He attended Northern Illinois University on an athletic scholarship.
Alongside a soccer town, Quincy was a Catholic town. There were eight Catholic elementary and high schools for the 40,000-person population. Father Drew was involved in Catholic Youth Organization and was a frequent altar server, often getting called for weddings and funerals. He had two uncles who were priests but he only saw them at reunions. “They would show up wearing their clerics. They were always set apart, but they were approachable and good men,” he
reflected. That sparked the idea of a vocation to the priesthood.
Father Drew completed college and worked in Chicago for a few years before following some of his siblings to Kansas City. He played soccer almost every week until he was 32 years old.
On his way to lunch one weekday in Kansas City, he stumbled across Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish. He was amazed by the number of people there for confession and daily Mass. He joined for daily Mass and kept returning again. Through routine participation in the sacraments, the mentorship of Msgr. William Blacet, and the unceasing prayers by his mother, Father Drew entered the seminary at age 40. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2012.
“My mom never quit praying for me. I didn't stand a chance!” he shared.
Today, Father Drew keeps his love for the sport alive by joining soccer games at recess and watching the local teams’ matches.
Photo submitted by Father Kevin Drew.
Getty
Illustrations/filo
Photo submitted by Father Kevin Drew.
League of FAITH
Kansas City's Catholic Challenge Sports builds faith and community through competition
By Sara Kraft
Photos by Michael Hogan
“WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A SPORTS LEAGUE,” EXPLAINS CATHOLIC CHALLENGE SPORTS BOARD PRESIDENT JOSEPH HILBORN. CATHOLIC CHALLENGE SPORTS (CCS) IS A SPORTS-BASED APOSTOLATE WHOSE MISSION IS TO DRAW ADULTS IN THEIR 20S AND 30S INTO A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND FOSTER COMMUNITY THROUGH ATHLETIC COMPETITION IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO AREA.
Founded in 2007, the league currently offers six eight-week league sports, including dodgeball, kickball, softball, soccer, sand volleyball and flag football. Those unable to commit to an eight-week league can sign up as a substitute. Additionally, CCS offers a weekly running club as well as bowling, cornhole, field day, wiffle ball and indoor volleyball as one-day events. Last year, there were 1,243 participants in league sports and one day events. Athletes aged 18-45 are welcomed to participate regardless of skill level and are
assigned a team based upon a draft system. CCS also holds several social events a year for the entire league.
“CCS does not view sports as its own end. How well you play is secondary to your relationship with Christ and community with each other,” explained CCS athlete Jacob Knott. Jacob has been involved with CCS since fall 2025 and is looking forward to being a team captain for softball this year. “Frankly, it does not matter how good you are at sports. The range of abilities is all over, from men and women who have never played in a league before to former collegiate athletes. It makes for a wonderful range of abilities you don’t see in most other leagues.”
CCS also encourages participants to get further involved in parent organization City on a Hill, a grassroots young adult Catholic community in Kansas City. City on a Hill’s mission is to be the community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints.
“It’s been huge to have a community of faith that has allowed me to build my own faith. CCS has allowed me to be around people that inspire me to live life more fruitfully and allows me to build community,” Joseph added.
CCS leagues purposely invite participants into deeper relationship with God and other athletes. Each league has a social services project. This can include volunteering at Harvesters food bank or TurnStyles Thrift, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. They have also hosted soap drives for the less fortunate. Each league also has an adoration night which athletes are invited to attend. Finally, each team captain is encouraged to hold a social during the season for their team.
Joseph encourages young adults to get involved. “Sign up and play the sports and meet new people,” he stated.
LEARN MORE For more information, visit https://www.kansascityonahill.org/ccs.
The soul of ‘the beautiful game’
Sporting KC’s Jacob Bartlett and KC Current’s Haley Hopkins ground their identity in Christ on and off the pitch
By Karen Ridder | Photos by Michael Hogan
As all eyes turn to the soccer pitch this summer in Kansas City, look for God’s design in action. Faith life plays an important role for many players on and off the field, keeping them grounded and helping them find ways to build a full life. While a professional soccer player’s schedule is hectic, fast paced, and pressured — creating many challenges for living a strong faith life — it also comes with unique opportunities for players to honor God with their talents and a public platform.
Professional soccer player Haley Hopkins has been with the KC Current since early 2025. The forward also serves as the president of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Players Association. As a lifelong practicing Catholic, Hopkins says her faith life is a very important part of her career as a player.
Having faith has given her the confidence to know who she is beyond the pressures of the game.
“I’m a child of God. No matter what ends up happening, I’m where I’m supposed to be and playing for someone bigger than myself,” said Hopkins.
Kansas City Current forward, Haley Hopkins, says her faith life is a very important part of her career.
Sporting KC midfielder Jacob Bartlett (no. 16 in dark blue) says his faith adds meaning to his ability to play professional soccer.
Hopkins grew up in California attending Catholic schools from pre-K through high school. She played soccer at Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia before getting drafted by the North Carolina Courage. She says the life of a professional soccer player can be one of extremes. It has a lot of demands and challenges. A lot of things compete for attention.
“Being a professional athlete can be very competitive and hectic. Having my faith and being a woman of faith is one of the most grounding aspects of my life,” said Hopkins.
Sporting KC midfielder Jacob Bartlett is another Catholic player in Kansas City who says his faith adds meaning to his ability to play professionally.
While Bartlett made his professional debut with Sporting KC in 2025, he had been playing under the banner for years. Bartlett grew up in Overland Park. He went to grade school at Church of the Ascension Parish and went to high school at St. Thomas Aquinas before earning a scholarship to play soccer for Notre Dame. His faith is something that inspires him to do his best.
“For me it’s everything. I would never have the opportunity with out Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I’m blessed to be able to represent my family and my city. I would never have had this opportunity without the Lord,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett says he plays because he loves the game and he loves to play for the people who got him here (Sporting KC), but he feels a big part of his game is realized through his Catholic faith.
“A lot of my confidence, my love of the game, and my want to play is largely due to my faith. There’s no better thing than to serve the Lord. I try to do that to the best of my ability through soccer,” said Bartlett.
Keeping focused on identity and building confidence in identity as a child of Christ is a key focus for the faith leaders who serve both men’s and women’s professional soccer players across the country. Both Hopkins and Bartlett credit their team chaplain with helping keep them connected to the Faith and grow in their knowledge of Jesus.
Sporting KC midfielder, Jacob Bartlett, finds peace at his home parish in Overland Park, Kansas.
The Pro-Soccer Chaplains Association (PSCA) provides a faith foundation for professional players across the country. With a goal to offer spiritual care to players, the chaplains provide a variety of opportunities for players of many faiths to remember who they are first — children of God. That is accomplished with walks, coffee, prayer, phone calls, Bible studies and assisting in finding places of worship.
PSCA Co-chair Lori Krueger is a Kansas City resident who helped create the chaplain network for professional soccer in 2013. She currently serves as chaplain for the U.S. Women’s National Team, as well as the KC Current. She says a lot of these young athletes find themselves in a position where it feels like everyone wants something from them. They are trying to be good teammates, good representatives of their sport and stand for their faith at the same time. Her goal is to help the players flourish in this chapter of their young lives and remember who they are beyond their performance on the field.
“I want them to be filled with joy, possibility and the inspired experience of knowing the depth of God’s great love for them,” said Krueger.
Joy as a fuel source is a key theme for Krueger. She believes it helps the athletes remember soccer as a way to express who God created them to be. Faith gives players freedom and helps them learn to assess wisely how God wants them to react in each of the unique circumstances coming their way as professional athletes.
One of the regular ways players are invited to interact with the chaplain is through pre-game chapel services. These short services bring together members of both opposing teams before they face off on the field. Hopkins says the gatherings help calm her nerves before a game and help her see her opponents in a different light.
“It brings a sense of peace when you see who comes to chapel and also believes in God. Though you don’t know the other players on a personal level, you have found common ground,” said Hopkins.
For Bartlett, meeting with the team chaplain on a regular basis is a big part of keeping his faith on track. “We talk about how my faith can improve and how it can grow closer to God. It may not be the major things I do, but I want to continue to add to and show my faith and help it grow in community where I can use my platform to showcase it,” said Barlett.
“For me it’s everything. I would never have the opportunity without Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I’m blessed to be able to represent my family and my city. I would never have had this opportunity without the Lord.”
Lori Krueger, co-chair of The Pro-Soccer Chaplains Association (PSCA).
A world-class MISSION
Local coaches use soccer to foster faith and service
By Ashlie Hand | Photos by Michael Hogan
As of the 2024-25 school year, there were more than 875,000 high school soccer participants in the U.S., making it one of the most popular high school sports in the country. (National Federation of State High School Associations) National data also shows a strong presence of Catholic high schools in state and national rankings. In the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph, soccer teams at St. Pius X High School, Bishop LeBlond High School and Rockhurst High School have consistently performed at a high level for decades.
A MISSION
The newest high school in the diocese, St. Michael the Archangel High School (SMA) in Lee’s Summit, opened in 2017 and built its soccer program off the legacy teams at its predecessor, Archbishop O’Hara High School.
The current head coach of girls soccer at SMA, Rob Puttoff, has coached a total of 15 seasons for the Guardians. He started his coaching career with the boys team in 2017, then joined the girls team as the assistant coach a few years later. For the 2025-2026 school year, the SMA boys had 38 participants, and the girls had 45 players.
“I’m proud that the girls have made it to the Final Four in the state two of the last five years, taking second and fourth, and the boys took second place in the state in 2024,” he said.
In addition to the state championship games, accolades and rankings, Rob is intentional about incorporating faith and devotion into his approach to coaching. The teams pray together before every practice and on game days and attend Mass together every Tuesday morning and when traveling out of town.
“As the season progresses, I encourage player volunteers to lead the prayer … It is amazing to see these young men and women leading their coaches and teammates in prayer.”
One of the teams’ favorite weekends is traveling to Springfield Catholic for the annual MO Catholic Soccer Showcase that includes other Catholic high schools from Springfield, Jefferson City and St. Louis.
“The teams all attend Mass together, have a pregame
St. Michael the Archangel High School soccer coach Rob Puttoff is intentional about incorporating faith and devotion into his coaching.
Joy Pinkleman is assistant coach for the girl’s soccer team at Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph.
meal together and really just all come together for a great weekend of faith, family and competition,” said Rob.
Since summer of 2022, Joy Pinkelman has served as the assistant coach for girls soccer at Bishop LeBlond High School.
“After a slow start to the season, and after some hard conversations, the girls have come out with more fire and determination. I’m most proud of the fact that we have had two rematches with opponents that beat us early on in the season and our girls have won in both instances.”
This year’s team is 31 players strong, and Joy added that she is impressed by the small high school’s ability to maintain the size of its girls soccer team.
“At the core, we are a group of girls who want to experience a positive high school athletic team experience with a winning record to show for our efforts. As coaches, we are teaching most of our players the fundamentals as freshmen in high school … by their junior and senior seasons a lot of these
athletes are holding their own at the varsity level because of their heart and desire.”
Like Rob, Joy also prioritizes integrating the coach’s and players’ shared faith into their program. As a team, the girls join hands before every game to pray the Hail Mary, petition the saints to look out for the team and end every prayer circle with: “Let us have Jesus in our hearts forever.”
“I firmly believe a coach who cares about their athletes will always win in the ways that truly matter. You will find me praying on the sidelines every time one of our athletes goes down, and before every practice and
game for the safety of ‘my girls’ to be free of injuries. Prayers for patience and understanding are frequently sent up as well.”
As our community welcomes teams and fans for the most popular sporting event in the world with this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026TM , these high school coaches see an opportunity to reinforce our faith through community outreach and service.
“Catholicism is a prevalent religion in organized soccer so first and foremost in Mass we welcome visitors with kindness, smiles and open arms.”
Rob agrees. “The (FIFA) World Cup (2026TM) in KC
creates a unique opportunity to present faith not as something separate from athletics, but as one of the forces that gives sports meaning: discipline, humility, sacrifice, unity, perseverance and service.”
While Joy will be catching the games at home with her family, Rob hopes to attend a match or two and is looking forward to volunteering with many of his players during Futbol Fridays in downtown Lee’s Summit on June 19. This free event invites everyone to come together, participate in games and other activities, while watching World Cup games on the big screen at Green Street Market. Learn more at lsgoal26.org.
Vince Armilio, head soccer coach at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City.
More than a game
How youth volunteerism brings us together
By Jennifer Pestinger, event manager, Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph
As the FIFA World Cup 2026TM arrives, excitement is everywhere across Kansas City. Our city welcomes visitors from around the world — different languages and cultures coming together. It’s a moment that reminds us just how connected our world truly is.
While the matches will capture headlines, there’s a more lasting story worth telling off the pitch — one not of competition but in community. It’s the story of how young people, through acts of service, have the power to bring people together.
At Catholic Charities of Kansas City–St. Joseph, we see this every day.
Volunteerism, especially among youth, is one of the most powerful ways to build connection. In a world that often feels divided or fast-paced, service invites us to slow down and notice one another. It creates space to connect — to see the worth in every person, no matter where they’re from.
That’s something the FIFA World Cup 2026TM reflects. Fans from rival nations may cheer for different teams, but they stand shoulder to shoulder, united in a shared ex-
perience. In many ways, youth volunteerism has the same spirit. It brings together people who might not otherwise cross paths and gives them a common purpose.
For young people, this kind of experience is especially meaningful.
There is a natural energy and openness in youth wanting to belong, to make an impact, to be part of something bigger. Volunteerism taps into that. It doesn’t just offer something to do, but someone to become.
When a teenager spends an afternoon serving a meal, organizing donations or simply showing up for someone in need, something shifts. They begin to see the world differently. People are no longer strangers, they are neighbors. Needs are no longer abstract; they are personal. And service becomes something joyful, something that forms who they are.
This spirit of ongoing, faith-filled service is at the heart of the Our Lady of Hope Service Society.
The Our Lady of Hope Service Society is a community of young people connected through Catholic Charities who are committed to living lives of faith, service and leadership. Many are recognized by the society through participation in the annual Hope Ball as debutantes and gentlemen — an experience that showcases not only their accomplishments, but their commitment to serving others.
But the Hope Ball is just the beginning. Through the Our Lady of Hope Service Society, youth are invited to continue that journey- growing in their faith, forming meaningful friendships and engaging in service opportunities that connect them more deeply to the needs of our community. It transforms what could be a one-time moment into a lasting mission.
In many ways, the Service Society reflects the very spirit we see on the world stage during the World Cup: unity across cultures, shared purpose and a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself.
Rockhurst High School students volunteer at the market at Serve and Lift Center
Young people involved in the Our Lady of Hope Service Society become ambassadors of hope. They show up not just as volunteers, but as leaders — bringing compassion, energy and faith into every space they enter.
This summer, Catholic Charities will provide many service opportunities for high school youth in our area. These opportunities will offer our young volunteers the chance to get involved and complete the 20 hours of Catholic Charities volunteer service needed to be nominated into the next class of Our Lady of Hope Service Society.
Opportunities like this matter. They create entry points for young people to say “yes” to service in a way that feels approachable, social, and impactful. And often, these are the first experiences that spark a lifelong commitment to giving back.
In our Catholic faith, we are called not just to believe, but to act — to love in ways that are visible and real. Youth volunteerism is one of the most powerful ways to live out that call. And in a global moment like the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, that witness matters.
When the world comes to Kansas City, it’s an opportunity to reflect on who we are as a community. What do we want others to experience here? What kind of city do we want to be known as?
The answer isn’t found only in our stadiums — it’s found in our people. It’s found in young people who choose to serve, in communities that prioritize connection over division, and it’s found in movements like the Our Lady of Hope Society that invest in the next generation.
The FIFA World Cup 2026TM will come and go. The crowds will go home, and the spotlight will move on. But the impact of service, the relationships built, the faith strengthened, and the lives touched will remain. For the young people of Kansas City, this is more than a moment. It’s an invitation. An invitation to lead. An invitation to serve. An invitation to be part of something greater than themselves. An invitation to be a source of hope in our community.
And that is something worth celebrating.
Looking ahead at Catholic Charities of Kansas City–St. Joseph:
2027 Hope Ball Debutante and Gentleman nominations are open now!
Incoming Catholic sophomores, juniors or seniors
Deadline for service hour competition and nomination is Sept. 1, 2026. catholiccharitiesball.org/nominate
Hannah’s House open now!
A confidential, supportive living environment for pregnant women considering adoption.
Hannahshousekc.org
Local students creating blessing bags for those in need.
St. John LaLande students volunteer to support our Children and Family Services program.
Local students creating blessing bags for those in need.
Our daily bread
Your ultimate Catholic dining guide
Locals and visitors can find a wide variety of restaurants owned and operated by Catholic families in our diocese — where will you dine today? Find links to restaurant websites and even more area Catholicowned restaurants and caterers at catholickey.org .
NORTH OF THE RIVER
h The Craic on Main — 12 Main St., Parkville
h K-Tacos & More — 10 Main St., Parkville
h Dominic’s Casual Italian — 6209 NW 63rd Terrace, Kansas City
h Pizza Shoppe — 7687 NW Prairie View Rd., Kansas City
h KC Sushi — 7753 NW Prairie View Rd., Kansas City
h Trezo Mare Restaurant & Lounge — 4105 N. Mulberry Dr, Kansas City
h Cascone’s — 3737 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City
h Hawg Jaw Que & Brew — 900 Swift St., North Kansas City
h BB Banh Mi — 5219 Chouteau Trafficway, Kansas City
h Giovanni’s Italian Deli & Pasta — 6100 N. Antioch Rd., Kansas City
h Summit Grill — 501 NE 70th St., Gladstone
h The Italian Sausage Company — 7319 N. Oak Trafficway, Gladstone
h Kate’s Kitchen — 8002 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City
h Third Street Social — 410 NW Legacy Dr., Kansas City
h Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop — 10406 NE Cookingham Dr., Suite 102, Kansas City
h The Landing Eatery & Pub — 1189 W. Kansas St., Liberty
h Jose Pepper’s — 217 S. Stewart Rd., Liberty
DOWNTOWN AND AROUND
h Johnny C’s Deli & Pasta — 7012 Universal Ave., Kansas City
h Garozzo’s Downtown — 526 Harrison St., Kansas City
h Vietnam Café — 522 Campbell St., Kansas City
h Le Fou Frog — 400 E. 5th St., Kansas City
h The Farmhouse — 300 Delaware St., Kansas City
h Minsky’s Pizza — 427 Main St., Kansas City
h Blue Line Hockey Bar — 529 Walnut St., Kansas City
h Anthony’s Restaurant & Lounge — 701 Grand Blvd., Kansas City
h The Quaff Sports Bar and Grill — 1010 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City
h Anton’s — 1610 Main St., Kansas City
h Los Alamos Cocina — 1667 Summit St., Kansas City
h Manny’s Mexican Restaurant — 207 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City
h Jack Stack BBQ Freight House — 101 W. 22nd St., Kansas City
h Tacos El Gallo — 806 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City
h Teocali Mexican Restaurant & Cantina — 2512 Holmes St., Kansas City
h Browne’s Irish Marketplace — 3300 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City
h Artego Pizza — 900 W 39th St., Kansas City,
h Paris Banh Mi — 1106 Westport Rd., Kansas City
h Rudy’s Tenampa Taqueria — 1611 Westport Rd., Kansas City
h Cupini’s — 1809 Westport Rd., Suite 200, Kansas City
h Jack Stack BBQ Plaza — 4747 Wyandotte St., Kansas City
h Aixois — 251 E 55th St., Kansas City
h Bella Napoli — 6229 Brookside Blvd,, Kansas City
h Charlie Hooper’s Brookside Bar & Grille — 12 W. 63rd St., Kansas City
SOUTH AND EAST KANSAS CITY
h Governor Stumpy’s Grill House — 321 E Gregory Blvd., Kansas City
h Jovito’s Italian Café & Deli — 7408 Wornall Rd., Kansas City
h Waldo Pizza — 7433 Broadway St., Kansas City
h Summit Grill — 520 W. 75th St., Kansas City
h Lew’s Grill & Bar — 7539 Wornall Rd., Kansas City
h B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ — 1205 E, 85th St., Kansas City
h Southside Bar & Grille — 1144 103rd St., Kansas City
h Jasper’s Italian Restaurant — 1201 103rd St., Kansas City
h Marco Polo’s Italian Market — 1201 103rd St., Kansas City
h Dos de Oros — 13029 Holmes Rd., Kansas City
h Sand Trap Bar & Grill — 13037 Holmes Rd., Kansas City
h Fiesta Azteca — 6640 Raytown Rd., Raytown
h V’s Italiano Ristorante — 10819 E. US Hwy 40, Independence
h Tequileros Mexican Restaurant — 1208 W US Hwy 24, Independence
h BD’s Mongolian Grill — 19750 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence
h Summit Grill — 4835 NE Lakewood Way, Lee's Summit
h Jack Stack BBQ — 1840 NW Chipman Rd., Lee's Summit
h Peral Tavern — 1672 NW Chipman Rd., Lee's Summit
h Llywelyn’s Pub — 301 SE Douglas St., Lee's Summit
h Neighborhood Café — 104 SE 3rd St., Lee's Summit
h Third Street Social — 123 SE 3rd St., Lee's Summit
h El Tucan Authentic Mexican Cuisine — 625 NW Mock Ave., #B, Blue Springs
h Zarda Bar-B-Q — 214 NW Highway 7, Blue Springs
The jersey of honor
By Father Leonard Gicheru
As the FIFA World Cup 2026TM comes to Kansas City, the global game offers more than competition, it also opens a window into culture, identity and spirituality. For those attentive to the deeper currents of the game, soccer becomes a reflection of the human soul in motion.
In the world’s most beloved sport, few symbols carry as much weight as the number ten jersey. It is more than a number stitched onto fabric — it is a mantle of creativity, leadership and responsibility. For many, that legacy begins with Pelé, a Black Catholic whose life and career elevated not only the game of soccer but also the spiritual imagination of millions.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Brazil, Pelé rose from poverty through discipline, perseverance and extraordinary talent. Yet what set him apart
was not merely his skill, but his leadership in the game. Rooted in his Catholic upbringing, he embodied gratitude, humility and joy. He stepped onto the field with a quiet awareness that his gifts were not self-made but entrusted to him.
Within Black Catholic spirituality, Pelé stands as a powerful witness. His journey mirrors a broader story — of a people who have transformed suffering into strength, and Faith into vibrant expression. There is a sacred rhythm in that tradition: a resil-
ience that endures, a joy that persists, and a creativity that echoes the image of a Creator God. Pelé’s game carried that rhythm.
The number 10 he made iconic did not remain his alone. It became a calling passed forward. Players like Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi have worn it with distinction. Each generation reinterprets the role, but the essence remains: the number 10 is not simply because it guarantees greatness, but because it demands character.
As Catholics, we, too, have been entrusted with something greater than ourselves. In baptism, we receive our own “jersey of honor.” We are sent into the world not to dominate, but to serve; not to seek recognition, but to reflect God’s glory in how we live, love, and lead.
Pelé’s life reminds us that true greatness is never self-contained. It flows outward. It lifts others. It points beyond itself. In a world often driven by ego and competition, his witness calls us back to something sacred: to live with faith, to act with integrity and to leave behind a legacy that speaks not only of talent but of God’s kingdom.
Father Leonard
pastor of St. Monica Parish and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and chaplain to the Black Catholic Implementation Team.
The perfect pregame
St. Bernadette Parish welcomes fans of faith
By Ashlie Hand
JUST ABOUT TWO MILES SOUTH OF TRUMAN SPORTS COMPLEX, HOME TO ARROWHEAD AND THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND KAUFFMAN STADIUM WHERE THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS PLAY, SITS ST. BERNADETTE PARISH, A SMALL, CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT IN THE EARLY 1960S, ABOUT 10 YEARS BEFORE THE STADIUMS.
St. Bernadette parishioners are already well conditioned to the accommodations needed to avoid fan traffic during Chiefs games which regularly fall on Saturday and Sunday, and to a lesser extent, game days for the Kansas City Royals. But as Arrowhead, renamed Kansas City Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM Kansas City, becomes host to six soccer games this summer, St. Bernadette is in a less familiar position.
“Looks like we might have a few new visitors but we really don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Father Bryan Amthor, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish. “It will be a little more activity than what we’re used to during the summer months.”
There is an air of excitement around what the FIFA World Cup 2026TM will mean for Kansas City. For our Catholic churches, there is a curiosity and hopefulness around how Catholic visitors will choose to engage with their faith while in our community.
Father Amthor and his staff are ready to welcome all visitors, with signage placed strategically along Blue Ridge Cutoff which feeds directly into Stadium Drive, as well as special welcome messages in the parish bulletins and invitations to visitors to consider supporting the parish with a financial gift.
St. Bernadette is open for confessions Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 8-8:20 a.m. as well as 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays. The parish offers Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday from 9-10 a.m.
“Sunday confessions are less common, so we expect that might be a popular option for visitors or fans who need the sacrament prior to our regular Sunday Mass,” Father Amthor added.
There are three Saturday evening FIFA World Cup 2026TM Kansas City games scheduled in June and July and a tournament bus stop just three-fourths of a mile from St. Bernadette. With a regular Saturday evening Mass at 4:30 p.m., fans will have an ideal opportunity to worship on their way to the game.
“We’ll make sure everyone feels welcome, try to help in any way we can, and help them get acclimated,” Father Amthor said.
La Iglesia se prepara para la “ CIUDAD DEL
“FUI
FORASTERO Y USTEDES ME RECIBIERON EN SU CASA.”
MATEO 25:35
En uno de mis primeros viajes al extranjero, hace décadas, recuerdo haber paseado por una preciosa plaza empedrada en Italia y ver a unos niños corriendo y pasándose la pelota con entusiasmo: ¡había empezado un partido de fútbol! Un amigo me comentó entonces que el fútbol es el deporte más popular del mundo porque es el más accesible. No requiere mucho dinero ni equipo. Solo necesitas una pelota. Y como demostraron aquellos niños, una vez que tienes la pelota, puedes jugar al fútbol en cualquier sitio.
Los estadounidenses, y en particular los residentes de Kansas City y sus alrededores, están a punto de experimentar la importancia y la popularidad del fútbol a nivel mundial con la llegada de la FIFA World Cup 2026TM. Es un momento para apreciar el impacto positivo que el deporte puede tener al unir a las personas y superar las diferencias. Durante unas semanas memorables, Kansas City se convertirá en la “Ciudad del Fútbol” y nuestra
FÚTBOL”
comunidad, incluyendo nuestra Iglesia Católica, tendrá la oportunidad de practicar la caridad y la hospitalidad cristianas hacia invitados nacionales e internacionales.
La Diócesis de Kansas City-St. Joseph se ha asociado con nuestros vecinos del oeste en la Arquidiócesis de Kansas City en Kansas para asegurar que presentemos un frente unido a todos los que nos visiten para la FIFA World Cup 2026 TM Kansas City. Nuestra iniciativa, “OneKC Catholic,” recordará a los visitantes la universalidad de nuestra fe católica. En efecto, la Iglesia es la
iniciativa de Dios en el mundo para unir a la humanidad y superar todas las divisiones, trascendiendo lo que el deporte puede lograr. Verdaderamente, “no hay lugar como el hogar” al reunirnos para el Sacrificio de la Misa y compartir la Eucaristía. En cualquier rincón del mundo, la Iglesia es nuestro hogar. Nos centraremos en acoger calurosamente a nuestros hermanos y hermanas visitantes en nuestras parroquias.
Específicamente, la Iglesia practicará la caridad y la hospitalidad en cuatro acciones principales:
El obispo James V. Johnston, Jr. es el séptimo obispo de la Diócesis de Kansas City–St. Joseph en el camino
Del Obispo
Bienvenida y orientación: Centros parroquiales estratégicamente ubicados ofrecerán agua, descanso y asistencia multilingüe a los aficionados y viajeros.
Programa de extensión espiritual: Parroquias seleccionadas ampliarán sus horarios para momentos de oración, hermosas liturgias y misas multilingües para acoger a visitantes internacionales.
Refugio seguro: Habrá esfuerzos coordinados para combatir la trata de personas y garantizar que las poblaciones vulnerables reciban apoyo y protección ante la gran afluencia de personas.
La presencia “OneKC Catholic”: una presencia visible y amigable de voluntarios y señalización que expresa que nuestra Iglesia Católica es un pilar fundamental del espíritu acogedor de Kansas City.
Cada una de estas iniciativas será una forma de “acoger al forastero” (Mt 25:35) y expresar el amor de Cristo de maneras tangibles, mientras Kansas City, durante unas semanas increíbles, se convierte en la Ciudad del Fútbol.
VISITE onekccatholic.org para más información.
Sacramentals for the Catholic home
FIVE SUGGESTIONS
HOLY WATER
A reminder of our baptism, we can bless ourselves with holy water in the house. It protects against evil, strengthens our resolve during temptation and reminds us of God’s grace in our lives. Use this powerful sacramental to bless yourself and your children, or even sprinkle throughout the house. Holy water may be obtained from your local parish, or by asking a priest to bless some for you.
CRUCIFIX
Stepping into a home, we can tell something about its occupants through the environment and décor. We can assess if the person living there is a minimalist or maximalist, a book worm, an avid cook or sports enthusiast. Just as our homes reflect our personalities and interests, so, too, can they reflect our faith through the placement of sacramentals.
But what exactly is a sacramental? The Code of Canon Law describes them as “sacred signs, by which effects, especially spiritual effects, are signified in some imitation of the sacraments and are obtained through the intercession of the Church.” (Code of Canon Law 1166) In other words, sacramentals are holy objects or actions which give us grace. Hence, they are described as “signs” because we can physically see or touch them, or carry out an action (perform the sacramental, such as making the sign of the cross). Sacramentals transform everyday items into an encounter with God’s grace, bringing the holy into the ordinary moments of our lives.
Perhaps you are familiar with some sacramentals already — a rosary, crucifix, or medal, holy water, genuflecting or making the sign of the cross. When bringing new (physical) sacramentals into your home, be sure to have them blessed by a priest or deacon at your local parish.
As Christians, we follow a crucified Savior. In fact, the early Church held the cross — normally, a sign of oppression and defeat — as a sign of victory. And so, the Church encourages us to have a crucifix in our homes. The crucifix reminds us of God’s unconditional love and invites us to offer our lives and work to God, in union with his sacrifice on the cross. And in times of difficulties, it reminds us to surrender our burdens to the God who bore them for us.
Cintorino holds a degree in theology. Her writings have appeared in several publications including Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Our Sunday Visitor and the National Catholic Register.
BROWN SCAPULAR
In 1251, Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, prior of the Carmelite order, and gave him a scapular — a piece of fabric worn around the neck. The scapular was a sign of being under the “yoke” of Christ (see Mt 11:30) and dedicated to his service. Though at first only used as part of the Carmelite habit, over time a small version emerged for the lay faithful to wear. By wearing this we claim Mary as our mother and place ourselves under her maternal care and intercession. There is even a special rite — called investiture or enrollment — that you can celebrate as you take up wearing the brown scapular. Ask your local pastor to celebrate it with you!
ROSARY
Having a rosary in a prominent place in our homes encourages us to keep Christ and his mother at the center of our lives. Holding our hand as we move from bead to bead, Mary guides us through her Son’s mysteries, allowing us to see his life through her eyes.
SACRED IMAGE
We adorn our homes with images of loved ones to easily recall them, so why not have a statue or sacred image to remember Christ, Our Blessed Mother or some of the saints? Seeing their images helps us remember we are part of a heavenly family and inspires us to seek their friendship throughout the day. Find some beautiful works of sacred art for your home that will encourage you to pray and reflect.
Maria
THE VILLAGE
By Karen Ridder
I looked down at the yellow legal pad of paper. On it, I had scribbled a list of phone numbers. I kept thinking of names to add, just in case the kids needed them handy: the next-door neighbor, a couple of my besties, the mom from Scouts, my sister, another mom from the track team … The list was long but not exhaustive.
“There it is,” I thought. “My village.”
It had been hard won.
A generation ago, former first lady and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton wrote a book titled “It Takes a Village (to raise a child).” It was a call to community responsibility for our children.
The idea hit home, because it taps into a key parenting truth: You are not supposed to do this alone.
God hardwired an example of this living into the story of his people. Just imagine for a moment the family compound that held the future tribes of Israel. Jesse’s village had 12 kids, four mothers and one husband. Relationships didn’t always go well. The family had favoritism, jealousy, scandal, loss. But it also had forgiveness, redemption and renewal. That’s the way God built his people. It is going to be the same for us.
The lifestyle of a villager tends to run counter to our culture. It requires living interdependently, in community. It takes vulnerability. It takes gen -
erosity. It takes humility. It takes patience and a great deal of love in practice. Don’t be surprised if this isn’t easy.
I imagine many of us would say we have a loose community, at best, to accompany our journey of parenting. We often don’t live near our families of origin. We may have moved a few times. Neighbors are strangers. We are tired, a lot. We feel alienated from our former selves. So does everyone else. It’s not an easy spot to build the kind of relationships that can sustain the “love in practice” I just listed above.
For me, village life wasn’t easy or immediate. I had to learn how to have it. That took time. It took building things where nothing existed before. It took constant maintenance of the folds. The
village is always changing, too. Friends move or drift away, family dynamics shift, you have to be willing to keep reaching out and reimagining for the reality to ever work.
Holy Scripture extolls us to try. The whole Bible tells a story of what it takes to create village life. From those Israelites I mentioned earlier, who really lived in villages, to the churches of the New Testament which more resemble our opportunity today. God says, “Embrace each other. Forgive each other. Lean on each other. Ask for help. You really aren’t supposed to do this alone.”
Writing that list of numbers felt good and right. It meant I had few worries about going away on a short trip with my husband. I knew the kids would be fine because our village is thriving. You can find yours, too. Start today.
world neighborhood Welcoming the world, serving the neighborhood
Redemptorist Parish gears up for summer’s biggest sporting event while honoring a 30-year legacy of youth athletics
By Marty Denzer | Photos courtesy of Redemptorist Social Services
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in midtown Kansas City is known as Redemptorist Parish, as it is run by priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorist Fathers. Father Don Willard, pastor, said the parish is only a 15-minute walk to and from the National WWI Museum and Memorial where the FIFA Fan FestivalTM Kansas City will host concerts, food vendors, fan lounges and tournament games on the big screen and serve as the hub for buses carrying fans across the entire two-state metro area.
Because of its close proximity, Father Willard said a large sign welcoming visitors will stand in the church’s front yard, facing Broadway. The plan is to offer overflow parking in the church lots so soccer fans can walk to the festival or catch the streetcar at Armour Boulevard and Main Street, a block away.
Scotland-born Dave McCaw also coaches for Redemptorist Social Services’ athletic program. He walks side-by-side with young athletes as they learn how to play, empowering them to learn to play new sports.
Just before the tournament began, Redemptorist Social Services hosted a “One World, One Game” themed soccer camp for kids ages 4-12. Social Services Director Julie McCaw said, “We’ve seen how the neighborhood kids and their parents enjoy being involved. The kids become a community and parish families become their extended families.”
The soccer camp is part of the
Redemptorist Social Services
Youth Athletics Program, created by Manuel “Rabbit” Hernandez, a long-time coach, athletic director and fundraiser.
A member of Guardian Angels Parish near Westport, Rabbit (who received the nickname as a youth due to his size and speed) recalled his father coaching his brothers and him in baseball and softball. When his father had a sudden
The kids become a community and parish families become their extended families.”
heart attack, Rabbit took over. He said it’s his father’s legacy that he has coached youth sports for nearly 30 years. Helping youth play sports also helps them stay in school, he said.
He has also enabled families to afford athletic and equipment fees through his work for KC Unidos Federal Credit Union. He acknowledged that many families served by Redemptorist Social Services are financially unable to pay the fees. Rabbit arranged that if parents open an account with the credit union, they will pay the fees and deposit $5 in the account as a spur toward saving.
What is his impetus to continue coaching? He said that often after graduation from high school, or college, the young adults visit and thank him. That makes his day, he said.
Hernandez shared coaching responsibilities with Eli Durante, a Brazilian native, who played as a
forward in Brazil and, for several matches, played on an opposing team against world-famous forward Pelé.
Dave McCaw, originally from Scotland, also coaches soccer for Redemptorist Social Services’ athletic program.
McCaw’s enthusiasm for coaching youth soccer is unmistakable, even over the phone. He briefly reminisced about playing in Scotland as a young man before coming to the United States.
He spoke about teaching and coaching children as the dedicated coaching staff and volunteer assistants walk side-by-side with them as they learn how to play. Their one-on-one interaction with the kids empowers them to learn to play new sports.
The Social Services staff and volunteers are excited to welcome the world to KC this summer, extending hospitality and community through faith.
The Redemptorist Social Services Youth Athletics Program was created by Manuel “Rabbit” Hernandez (left), a long-time coach, athletic director and fundraiser. He’s pictured with coaches Jimmy Reyes (center) and Mike Hernandez (right).
Before there were fields How the Church helped build Kansas City’s soccer soul
By Leyden Rovelo-Krull
LONG BEFORE KANSAS
CITY HAD A PLACE ON THE GLOBAL SOCCER STAGE, ITS HISPANIC CATHOLIC PLAYERS HAD SOMETHING FAR MORE IMPORTANT: A PARISH.
Before stadiums and organized leagues, there were families arriving in a new country searching for stability, and somewhere to belong. Often, that place was the Catholic church.
For many Latino immigrants in Kansas City, parish life became the center of everything: spiritual, social and cultural. It was where people prayed, where they socialized, where they shared news from home and where they began to build community in an unfamiliar place.
It was within that life together that soccer found its place. There were no formal leagues or marked fields. There were simply people who loved the game and needed a way to gather. The parish became the natural place for that to happen.
In an emailed interview, Cris Medina, whose father, Agustín “Chino” Medina, helped shape Kansas City’s early soccer scene, reflected on how those connections formed within parish life. His father, he said, “(M)et other Mexican immigrants … who had formed in the 1950s the Guadalupe Soccer team in conjunction with Our Lady of Guadalupe Church … founders included local parishioners and an assistant Augustinian priest.”
But this was more than parish games. Teams traveled and played against Polish, German and other immigrant teams in different cities. Soccer functioned as a shared language across cultures and created connections among these groups.
Many of these communities, particularly Irish, Polish and Italian immigrants, came from deeply Catholic traditions, and while not every team was explicitly tied to the Church, that shared foundation often shaped how community life took root.
As Medina explained, “Fútbol … has been a magnet for Latino immigrants … an activity to bond with other immigrants in the early years.”
In many ways, soccer revealed the kind of communities from which it came.
The Catholic Church, by her nature, is universal, gathering people from every “nation and tongue” into one body. In Kansas City, that reality was lived out in the intercultural games. Different customs and stories met on the field, forming something new without losing what made each team special.
Soccer crossed boundaries, created friendships and gave families something to gather around.
For Medina’s family, those gatherings followed a familiar rhythm. “Most games were played on Sundays. Our family would get up early and go to Mass … prepare a picnic lunch … then go to the park for the games and stay afterward to socialize with the players and their families.” No one planned it. It simply unfolded that way, as life in the Church often does.
Over time, what began in and around parish life slowly became part of the city itself.
But the roots of that story remain.
Today, Hispanic parishes around Kansas City carry forward the legacy with friendly inter-parish games. The families may be different, but the mission to welcome and form community continues.
Reflecting on how far the game has come, Medina noted that earlier generations would scarcely have imagined what lies ahead. “If our father was alive today, he would be ecstatic … that Kansas City would be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.”
As Kansas City welcomes the world, it is worth remembering that the city’s soccer story did not begin in stadiums. It began in small, faithful communities, where people were building lives and finding one another.
Before there were fields, there was a parish. And in that parish, a game became something more, a sign of unity, a reflection of home, and a quiet expression of what it means to be one body.
Leyden Rovelo-Krull is director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry.
Agustin “Chino” Medina and his teammates from the Guadalupe Soccer team, formed in Kansas City in the 1950s.
Cris Medina
A JUNE SOLEMNITY CELEBRATING GOD’S LOVE FOR US
April showers bring May flowers, the saying might go, but June is the month for roses! During June, I always look forward to visiting our town’s rose garden, where countless varieties of roses burst into bloom, wowing onlookers with their delicate beauty. It’s probably why the birth flower (the botanical equivalent to birthstones) for June is also the rose.
Traditionally, roses have been a symbol of love. Yellow roses are for friendship, pink for joy and appreciation, and red roses are given to those who have a special place in one’s heart.
June may be the month of roses – but it’s also marked by another symbol of love on June 12: the Sacred Heart. Devotion to Christ’s Sacred Heart goes back centuries, and the Sacred Heart has become a central image of God’s love for humanity. In every depiction of the Sacred Heart, Jesus’ heart is engulfed by flames of his love for humanity. Jesus’ heart is also surrounded by a crown of thorns – not from a rose bush, but likely, that of the Ziziphus spina-christi tree – a sign of his willingness to embrace suffering out of love for us.
With the nation’s 250th birthday celebration looming on the horizon (July 4, 2026), our bishops are consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this month. Consecrating the U.S. to Jesus’ Sacred Heart represents our Catholic affirmation of a truth at the center of who we are as a nation – that all persons are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the same inalienable rights. For us Catholics, human dignity
is not determined by laws or one’s government, but by Divine love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Sacred Heart is the symbol of Jesus’ love for “all human beings without exception .” ( Glossary, emphasis added) If we are all loved without exception, then we all have equal dignity, worth and rights as human beings.
In this season of roses, hearts and reminders of Divine love, we’re proposing a familiar Valentine’s Day concoction, popular for its rich red color: Red Velvet Cake! May this decadent dessert remind us to keep love at the center of our hearts and our lives.
by Rachel Espinoza, Senior Editor, FAITH Catholic
Red Velvet Cake
CAKE INGREDIENTS
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ¾ tsp. salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 2 1/8 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ tsp. distilled white vinegar
• 2-3 Tbsp. red food coloring gel
• 1 cup buttermilk
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
• 16 oz. block cream cheese, room temp
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch salt
INSTRUCTIONS
• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease two 8” or 9” cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper circles.
• In medium bowl, sift flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt. Set aside.
• In standing mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium until fluffy, 3-4 min.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Beat in oil. Add eggs, mixing well between each one. Add vanilla and vinegar, beat until combined.
• Add food coloring until desired color is reached. With mixer on low, add half dry ingredients, beat just until combined. Add buttermilk, then rest of dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool cakes in pan until easy to handle. Remove, cool completely on wire rack. Remove liners.
• Frosting: use electric mixer to beat butter, cream cheese on medium-high until smooth. Add sugar in 2 additions, beating well after each. Add vanilla and salt, beat until smooth and fluffy.
• To assemble, set one layer on plate, flat side up (slice rounded top to flatten if necessary).
• Evenly spread thick layer of frosting over cake to edge. Top with second cake layer, rounded side up. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
Photography and styling by
Shane
Edward Photography
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