MINISTRY on the move

From the warm and welcoming space of downtown Kansas City’s Donnelly Hall, Morning Glory Ministries (MGM) served meals; provided clothing, hygiene items and camp supplies; and helped procure identification documents to assist with housing, employment and government aid applications for more than a decade. The ministry united people from various backgrounds and circumstances, allowing them to eat and enjoy fellowship in a faith-rich, non-judgmental space where they feel safe and loved.

By Bridget Locke

But similar to the fragrant coffee that percolates in the early mornings for their guests, earlier this year, change was brewing.

As a part of the “Building Glory” capital campaign to build a new parish center for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, MGM’s meal services ministry relocated from 11th and Broadway to a new site: the lower level of the Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, Missouri. Meals are served five days per week, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Emergency services will continue to be provided at the Cathedral.

When contemplating the next move for MGM, Bishop Johnston received confirmation that relocating would be positive for the community it serves and for the neighborhood he calls home.

“Through prayer, I received inspiration that the Catholic Center would be a very fitting place. I consider it my home and my neighborhood,” he said. “It is our duty and our privilege to serve those in need in our neighborhood.”

In preparation for the move, work began in January 2023 to update the Catholic Center’s kitchen and dining facilities. Following an official blessing ceremony by Bishop Johnston in May, MGM served its first meal out of The Eagle’s Wings Café, named for the bronze eagle perched at the entrance of the building.

For John Kraus, MGM’s director, the move has been extremely positive. Now, the guests can get out of the elements to wait. The food preparation and cooking areas are expanded, and there is now a walk-in refrigerator and freezer and a dedicated dishwashing room.

“Our guests love the new location,” Kraus said. “Several asked, ‘Is this really for us?’ They gush about the meals, our volunteers and the addition of security guards, which adds to the peaceful atmosphere. They are in awe of the devotion of our church.”

Daily guest totals — 110 per day — are slightly lower than in their previous location, but they continue to increase as word spreads about where they’ve moved. For those who haven’t yet found their way back, Kraus and staff ask around, then do their best to remove obstacles for guests.

“Ricky’s wheelchair batteries weren’t strong enough to get further from a bus stop, so we purchased new ones for his chair,” Kraus said about a regular guest whom he hadn’t seen. “He has come every day since. I saw Richard downtown and asked why he hadn’t come to breakfast.

He couldn’t find it, so we walked there together and discussed bus routes,” Kraus continued. “He was at breakfast today.”

Charity is an integral part of the mission of the Catholic Church, especially to the poor, as described in Matthew 25. And, who better to confirm the impact of the work of the mission than those profoundly affected by the ministry?

Eddie, whose teenage daughter recently passed away, was searching for meaning in a community. He found it by dining with MGM for an hour a day with fellow guests, staff and volunteers.

“Your work saves lives,” he told MGM and volunteers, overcome with gratitude. “You save lives.”