CULTIVATING LIFE
Archdiocesan schools help Nativity House beautify
By Kathryn White
Special
to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. —
Students from Bishop Ward High School here and St. James Academy in Lenexa worked together on April 1 to make Galatians 25’s “Fruits of the Spirit” a reality. Together, they spent the day cleaning brush, moving mulch and prepping the property at Nativity House, a pregnancy center for unwed mothers, to be ready to plant trees for a giving grove orchard in Kansas City, Kansas.
Nativity House provides faith-based shelter, education and hope for pregnant adult women who experience homelessness. Bishop Ward president Jay Dunlap attended the service project with his students.
“Ms. Carrie Lally teaches our environmental sciences class,” said Dunlap. “She loves to have the kids doing environmentally oriented hands-on projects. This is a perfect fit both to serve and to do something that’s beautifying and protecting the environment here.”
The services Nativity House offers its residents are extensive.
“We can help them with job placement and job training,” explained Sarah Crouch, a case worker who helps at the two-story home. “If they need their GED, we can help them to earn their GED or even high school diploma. We just come alongside and we provide everything that they need.
“The women can stay here, rent-free and utility-free, up to a year after delivering their baby.”
Nativity House can house up to three moms and their babies; they also help moms who don’t live in the home but still need support through mentorship, education, spiritual development, counseling and career development, at no cost to the mother.
Deacon Kevin Cummings, from Curé
of Ars Parish in Leawood, serves the community and believes in what Nativity House is doing for birth mothers.
And birth fathers.
“We’re preparing mothers to have their babies and keep them, so they don’t go into social service or are taken away from these mothers,” he said. “We’re also [preparing] fathers. Dad’s influence on a child’s life is important.”
Why an orchard? In the middle of Wyandotte County?
“Our orchard will be a 12-treed orchard, explained Matt Loehr, CEO of Marian Ministries of Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri. “It will have primarily pear trees, and a couple of peach trees.”
“The ‘Giving Grove’ brings people from the community together,” he continued. “The moms from the home work the orchard to keep it up. High school groups, Scout troops, public School of Religion groups come and help spread mulch.”
Loehr wears many hats at Nativity House.
“I lead group therapy and individual therapy. I take out the trash and work in the yard,” he said. A clinical social worker by training, Loehr also holds a Ph.D. in human development and family studies.
It won’t just be the moms who will benefit from the orchard. Bishop Ward’s environmental science class lent a hand for an additional reason.
“I think it is important to plant an orchard at the Nativity House to help the biodiversity around the area,” said Tirso Torres Vina, who attends Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, and is a sophomore in the class.
“It would have more benefits than disadvantages,” he said. “The best part of the service trip for me was knowing that my class and I were helping out single and pregnant women in need.”
For more information, visit: www. nativityhousekc.org.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
Sophomores Bryce Tyler (left) and Ryan Guess spent the day at Nativity House helping move mulch as a part of their environmental science class at Bishop Ward. The project will culminate in an orchard of pear and peach trees.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
From left, Bishop Ward High School sophomore Jose Ortiz Mejia, president Jay Dunlap and sophomore Isabella Delgado worked to not only help prepare Nativity House’s orchard, but also to beautify the neighborhood.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
St. James Academy freshman Clare Conrad works with senior Allison Mark to clear leaves in order for orchard trees to be planted at Nativity House — a pregnancy center for unwed mothers.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
Freshman Patrick Fitzgerald tears out dead branches from the property at Nativity House during St. James Academy’s serve day.
Restructuring
Growing up, my family was very active in the Catholic Church. We went to Mass every Sunday, and I was in Catholic education most of my life, but the idea of being a priest never dawned on me. I was not one of those kids who knew from an early age that he was called to serve as a priest. I was planning on marriage, having a family, and becoming a doctor. That plan carried me to the University of Dallas, where, at the end of my pre-med curriculum, quite suddenly and out of nowhere, I got the call, not through some mystical vision, but in the mail following an extraordinary retreat.
When I received my MCAT scores, I had exceeded what I needed for medical school, and I didn’t feel happy. That was the moment I realized something deeper was at work. If I have one complaint, it’s that the Lord waited until then to call me to a vocation in the priesthood — it would have saved me a lot of grueling studies in physical chemistry if he had called me sooner!
At the time, I was a biochemistry major who was too introverted to even read at Mass, for heaven’s sake. I told myself, “If you are going to be a priest you should at least try lectoring.”
During my debut at the ambo in the University’s Chapel of the Incarnation, I was so nervous I felt sick. With some of my professors and fellow students present, I feared making a mistake. I remember thinking, “How am I ever going to do this?” Well, God provides.
One evening before
a Saturday Vigil Mass, while all this was swirling in my head, I watched lay volunteers setting up the altar while the musicians and choir practiced, and it struck me: I could devote myself to serving people like this — people committed to the faith and to the church.
Raised at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita, I saw firsthand the power of Msgr. Tom McGread’s “Stewardship Way of Life.” By applying Vatican II teachings in real time, he invited the laity to use their unique charisms for the mission of the church. It was apparent to me, even in my youth, that the more he entrusted people with genuine responsibility, the more they felt inspired to step up and follow his lead.
The role of bishops and priests is to ensure that the church instituted by Christ remains unified and faithful to apostolic tradition, but this unity requires working in concert with the laity. Because the church is the structured Body of Christ, our unity requires authority — authority that is meant to serve, not dominate. This creates a culture of co-responsibility
where clergy and laity respect each other’s distinct but complementary roles. While bishops are called to deeply understand the needs of their people, the laity have the right and duty to speak up with courage, prudence, and respect. When both groups collaborate in this way, the church is alive and flourishing.
This is the purpose of synodality: It is not the capitulation of the clergy to allow everything by vote, but co-responsibility defined as mutual respect for our differing roles in the church. It’s about listening in order to grow in the way we function as the church. This is the dream and the vision — to take delight in one another’s vocation!
I am deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the Beatitudes from the Heartland series and the Listening from the Heart sessions. In June, we will launch an archdiocesan-wide survey. I strongly encourage you to participate. Your feedback, along with the anonymous input from our listening sessions, will be compiled by the Pastoral and Presbyteral Councils to shape our Renewal from the Heartland pastoral planning process. Once the data is compiled, we will share the survey results and general feedback
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publicly with the community. This initial phase of implementing a more synodal church will help us set the spiritual direction and mission-driven goals of our parishes, discerning what God is calling us to do. We will then embark on a pastoral plan to bring those goals to life. Developing the practice of synodal discernment and strategic planning will ensure we listen to the Holy Spirit as we serve our communities with aligned goals and responsible stewardship.
Based on pastor feedback collected from a Chancery Discernment Survey done earlier this year, as well as input from the Presbyteral Council, it became abundantly clear that a shift was needed in the structure of the chancery to prioritize service over programming. Rather than offering existing initiatives to be implemented by each parish, our new Parish Evangelization Services (PES) will partner and collaborate with parishes and deaneries to shift from a “top-down” model to a supportive framework that exists to increase the capacity and strength of our parishes, schools, and ministries.
PES encompasses the ministries of Charity and Mercy, which include outreach to the deaf and special needs communities, underserved populations, and Prison Ministry; Evangelization and Catholic Formation for Adult and Children’s Catechesis; Human Dignity supporting the Pro-Life, Social Justice, Foster Care, and Project Rachel/Gabriel Project initiatives; Liturgical and Sacramental Life; and Marriage and Family Life.
ARCHBISHOP MCKNIGHT
May 9
Donnelly College commencement ceremonies — Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas
Confirmation Mass — Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park
May 10
Teaching a class for deacon candidates and Mass — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kansas
May 17
Confirmation Mass — St. Pius X Church, Mission
May 19
Presbyteral Council meeting — chancery
Holy Hour and dinner for those to be ordained — archbishop’s residence
ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS
NAUMANN
May 12
Confirmation Mass — St. Patrick Church, Kansas City, Kansas
May 13
Confirmation Mass — All Saints, Kansas City, Kansas
May 15
Benedictine Baccalaureate Mass — St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison
May 16 KU School of Medicine graduation Mass — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas
To better serve our archdiocese’s diverse ethnic community, we have transitioned from a standalone Hispanic Ministry to an integrated model, embedding multilingual services across all chancery departments. Having a service model for our chancery allows us to put more of our resources, personnel and otherwise, into administrative services that our parishes need. We are presently planning ways in which we can increase our capacity to help with accounting, human resources, and parish communications.
While these changes were not driven by
financial hardship, they reflect the archdiocese’s responsibility to steward wisely the resources entrusted to the church and ensure they are effectively directed towards the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. Our ultimate goal is to empower every parish to be more than a place for weekly worship; it must be a sanctuary of mercy and a center of charity. We want all of our parishes to be places where love meets action in meaningful ways for all who seek the Lord. By integrating your voices, we move forward together in this vital renewal!
Peace Corps experience opens world to JoCo native
By Jeanne Gorman Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Daniel Petracek’s journey from Kansas to Kenya took a little longer than anticipated, but his commitment to serve in the Peace Corps never wavered.
Petracek’s extended journey started at Prince of Peace School in Olathe, where — along with the faithful example of his parents — the seeds of his faith were sown.
After Prince of Peace, Petracek moved on to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. Although he does not recall thinking about the Peace Corps while at Aquinas, he does vividly recall that everything at the school was calculated to encourage students to do some type of volunteering — to be of service. This need to serve was reinforced in a Catholic social justice course he took at Aquinas, “which set a foundation of wanting to serve others,” he said.
So although he didn’t specifically think about the Peace Corps then, Petracek did start thinking about what he could do to serve others.
After graduating from Aquinas in 2016, Petracek attended the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 2020. While there, Petracek began thinking seriously about joining the Peace Corps. However, his plan to enter the Peace Corps right after graduation was derailed by Covid. When things
calmed down, he applied again in 2024. He believes his desire to serve others “was placed in his heart by God,” even if he didn’t initially realize it.
Petracek had three prime reasons for choosing the Peace Corps:
• The 27-month commitment interested him, as it gave him time to get to know a new culture. In fact, in the first year, he was just figuring things out, while in the second year, he learned how to make a real impact.
• Joining the Peace Corps would get him out of his comfort zone, and he could branch out more in a different country and culture, which he said has
been “eye-opening.”
• The Peace Corps would challenge him and help him grow as a person.
Petracek applied to go wherever assigned by the Peace Corps. He was sent to Kenya and that has proven a good fit.
“It afforded me a unique opportunity to be able to meet a whole different community and incorporate into it — which is scary but fulfilling,” he said.
Certainly, the Kenyan community he was assigned to serve has benefited greatly from Petracek’s presence as well. He teaches math and physics in a public high school. Usually there are 45-60 students in his classes — boys
and girls. Most have a good work ethic. He speaks English when teaching, but has learned some Swahili, the native tongue, as well as a few words of the local dialect. About 20% of his students go on to university. During his time there, he recognized a serious need for laboratory equipment to complement their learning and then raised the funds for the needed lab equipment.
Petracek said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Peace Corps. It’s enabled him to better understand how a vast number of people in the world live compared to Johnson County, Kansas.
But he’s also observed that “cultural differences may be very great. But at the same time, that has helped me to see the humanity in everyone and how we’re all made in God’s likeness.”
Although challenging, Petracek continues to practice his Catholic faith while in Kenya, albeit under circumstances very different from here. There are very large (geographically speaking) parishes and too few priests to minister to everyone. The sole church is too far away to attend for most people.
Accordingly, satellite sites are staffed by a deacon or lay minister, who conducts a prayer service in the weeks no priest visits. But sadly, then, there is no Eucharist.
Petracek will complete his service in Kenya in November of this year and is not certain where his journey will take him after that.
Regardless, he said, he’s been blessed by his service in the Peace Corps.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL PETRACEK
Daniel Petracek, a product of Prince of Peace School, Olathe, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park, teaches math to students at a public school in Kenya where he serves as a member of the Peace Corps.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL PETRACEK
Life is simple for Daniel Petracek in the Peace Corps. Here, he washes his laundry by hand. Petracek is glad he was able to get out of his comfort zone and experience life and culture in a different country.
Business Network founders pass the baton to new leadership
By Kathryn White Special to The Leaven
OVERLAND PARK — It was 6:45 a.m., and the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon on what seemed like a typical Kansas morning. When most of Kansas City was just starting to rise and brew their first cup of coffee, over 200 business men and women, dressed and ready to start their day, poured into Fiorella’s Event Space here. Not for a wedding or other event. This was the Catholic Business Network, and the largest attendance in nearly two decades.
The Catholic Business Network is, as its motto declares: “Where faith and business meet.” It is a recognized and approved Catholic lay apostolate that serves both the Kansas and Missouri Catholic community.
The network was started by Michael Shirley, a businessman and a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, who was seeking community and wanting to support other Catholic businesses. But when he and co-founder Dan Spencer scoured the Midwest for a group of business professionals who gathered, as Catholics, to support one another, they couldn’t find a model to replicate.
So they decided to create it. Out of that effort was born the Catholic Business Network (CBN), which recently celebrated its 18th birthday.
“We wanted to keep [The Catholic Business Network] simple,” said Shirley. “[We would] gather, invite well-spoken speakers, and break bread together.”
The group met quarterly, typically averaging 30-50 participants, alternating meetings at Nativity or St. Michael the Archangel, also in Leawood. Shirley doesn’t take credit for the organization.
“I may be founder, but it has been blessed by the Holy Spirit,” he said.
When the Catholic Business Network was in its infancy, a member had two children in Catholic school and had been out of work for two years. He asked if he could share his elevator pitch to the group. Soon afterwards, he landed a job.
Soon, CBN became a place where Catholics could share resumes and network with other Catholic business leaders. It also was a place for evangelization. Through invitation and great speakers, the number of Catholic “reverts” grew as well.
“We have had roughly 75 members to my knowledge join the church or come back to the church,” said Shirley.
“That’s something I’m really proud of.”
After almost 20 years, however, both Spencer and Shirley decided to pass the baton at the April 14 breakfast to a new generation of leadership led by Kelly Kearney and the CBN’s Steering Committee. Archbishop Shawn McKnight gave the keynote at the event, and addressed both generations of leadership on the topic “Synodality in the workplace.”
“To live our faith is to have others with us, right? Sometimes to keep us on track, sometimes for us to help others,” opened Archbishop McKnight. “But it’s important that we band together because this faith that we profess as Catholics is not something we live or can live alone. It’s only in and through the network relationships that we know as the church.”
“After being ordained,” the archbishop continued, “I have never asked for any assignment. It’s always been a thing of mission. And that’s what’s important, to persevere in your own life as a Catholic, to have a firm sense of mission.”
The mission of the Catholic Business Network is to form Catholic business leaders in Kansas City who lead with faith, build meaningful community and bring the Gospel into their work. Through transformational speakers,
small group connections and genuine hospitality, the network seeks to create space for growth both spiritually and professionally.
Archbishop McKnight also addressed the topic of living as a Catholic business person.
“If people know you’re Catholic, if you’re an upright person, you’re transparent, you’re accountable, you have good character, that helps the mission of the church,” he said. “When we are not, it hurts the mission of the church.
“So, it’s very significant of the role that you have to play in the life and mission of the church.“
Kearney, a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, found the archbishop’s message a timely one as the leadership was in transition, and the network was charting a new course.
“There’s such a hunger for community, and many of us that are in the business world want to work for mission-driven organizations,” explained Kearney. “If you’re navigating the business world across all ages and stages of your career journey, we want you to know this to be a place of belonging. Our hope is to expand our engagement across all parishes for as many as we can within our Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and also [the] Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.”
Blake Nearmyer, also on the steering committee, agreed.
“There’s a generational gap on who
we brought in,” he said. “So, I think one of my goals specifically is to bring in some younger folks so that they can really get the benefit of what this offers.
“There’s so much wisdom in this room. [It] goes beyond what happens at the meetings. There is a grand vision here — more of an actual network, a living, breathing network where people can tap into each other for business, for job opportunities.”
“We hope the Catholic community leans into itself when it needs things,” Nearmyer concluded.
Attending for the first time, Holy Trinity, Lenexa, parishioner Sarah Streitwieser was impressed by the event.
“I walked away wishing I’d attended sooner,” she said. “Archbishop McKnight spoke beautifully on synodality, calling us to hear, see and serve our clients and coworkers rather than treating them transactionally. The whole event impressed me: thoughtfully organized, rich with conversation and full of a wonderful mix of ages and experiences. I even spotted people I know from my professional life who I had no idea shared my faith. As a first-timer, I left inspired — and already looking forward to the next CBN event.”
Joan Wells, a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel, is also serving on the Catholic Business Network’s steering committee. She believed Archbishop McKnight’s reflection was a good reminder about how to lead.
“It will help me in the workplace to remember to always seek the Holy Spirit,” she said, “and the people that are put in my path and the people that I have the opportunity to work with all over the world.”
Co-founder Dan Spencer closed out his time with the Catholic Business Network by reflecting on his 18-plus years of this special ministry.
“I will be forever in [Bishop Robert Finn and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s] debt for their guidance, spiritual direction and their support. Archbishop Emeritus Naumann always insisted on being focused and committed to faithfulness to the church’s teaching. I took that as a personal pledge to the trust he extended to us.”
For more information about the Catholic Business Network, upcoming meetings and its new website, contact Kelly Kearney at: kellyk@cornerstonekc.com.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE Kelly Kearney, a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, leads the Catholic Business Network’s steering committee.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
Archbishop Shawn McKnight speaks on “Synodality in the workplace” at the April 14 meeting of the Catholic Business Network at Fiorella’s Event Space in Overland Park. The mission of the organization is to form Catholic business leaders in Kansas City who lead with faith, build meaningful community and bring the Gospel into their work.
Casey Connealy, Holy Trinity honored at Deo Gratias awards
By John Sorce Special to The Leaven
LENEXA — It was fitting that the host of the 2026 Deo Gratias awards was also one of its award winners.
Holy Trinity, along with Casey Connealy, were honored at the Deo Gratias celebration at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa on March 26.
Deo Gratias means “Thanks be to God” in Latin.
Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight at the church before dinner was held at the Father Quigley Faith Formation Center across the street.
“It is important that we reflect on why we do the work we do and take time to give thanks for our many, many blessings,” said Derek Lyssy, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, in his remarks. “It is with joy that we build up the financial resources for the church and her ministries to strengthen Christ’s church on earth.”
Lyssy then spoke about a few of the foundation’s highlights from the last year.
The foundation has continued to broaden its reach over the last fiscal year, now stewarding 262 funds totaling over $158 million in assets.
“This is a testament to the generosity and trust of our donors,” Lyssy said. “Thank you to each of you who make this mission possible.”
Casey Connealy was honored with the Deo Gratias Distinguished Catholic Individual Award.
An estate planning attorney, husband, father and devoted Catholic, Connealy has impacted the church community through his presentations on planned giving, serving on the finance council at Holy Trinity Parish and volunteering with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program there and
at his children’s schools.
“Through the Catholic Foundation, Casey has helped hundreds of families understand how faith and finances can work hand in hand,” Lyssy said. “Those who attend his presentations often leave saying, ‘This is the first time it all made sense.’ Casey, in turn, says that it is that moment of clarity, the transformation from anxiety to peace, is what keeps him going.
“Through his faith, service and witness, Casey Connealy exemplifies the spirit of stewardship that sustains the church today and strengthens it for tomorrow.”
The next award was then presented to the event’s host as Holy Trinity was awarded with the Deo Gratias Distinguished Catholic Organization Award.
The parish’s foresight in legacy planning and stewardship has set them apart as a true model for the archdiocese.
With a forward-looking vision rooted in gratitude, the parish has made legacy giving a priority and, in doing so, they have helped parishioners see how their faith and values can endure far beyond their lifetimes.
The parish also regularly hosts gift-planning workshops, giving families a welcoming place to learn about wills, trusts, charitable gift annuities and other tools that align faith with financial planning.
“The story of Holy Trinity Parish is a story of gratitude — Deo Gratias, ‘Thanks be to God,’” Lyssy said. “It is a story of parishioners who understand that their lives and blessings are gifts meant to be shared. And it is a story of leadership that has inspired a community to look beyond the present and invest in the future of the church.
“Thank you to Holy Trinity Catholic Parish for the impact you make on your community and the archdiocese.”
Fellin Lecture highlights synod and women in the church
ATCHISON — Kim Daniels, J.D., a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication who served in the 2021-24 Synod on Synodality as an expert participant and as the coordinator of one of the 10 major synod study groups, offered a look at the synodal process and Pope Leo XIV’s continuation and deepening of that process.
Her talk, “Pope Leo, Synodality and Women’s Leadership in a Global Church,” was this year’s Fellin Lecture on April 26. The Fellin Endowment Fund sponsors the lecture series, presented each year by the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery to support the liberal arts orientation of Benedictine College in Atchison.
“In a divided world, the synod is a model for how to respond to disagreement,” said Daniels, noting that we should step back and consider how remarkable the process was.
“The Catholic Church, this centuries-old, global, multicultural, multilingual institution of 1.4 billion people,” said Daniels, “came together over three years to listen to each other, to face our deepest challenges head on, and to work to renew our church for the next generation.
“A diverse group, women and men, bishops and lay people, with plenty of human frailties on full display, managed to arrive at a broadly agreed upon set of steps toward reform and renewal — things like transparency, accountability, making sure that professional lay people have involvement, meaning people who bring professional skills like finance and human resources to manage the church.
“It’s a model for the world of how to
work through differences together.”
A mother of six, she noted that the synod also illustrated the importance of women’s roles in the church and in passing the faith along to future generations.
“The synod made it clear that women’s fuller participation in the life and leadership of the church is not a side issue,” Daniels said. “It is central to the church’s mission, to its credibility and to its capacity to serve the common good.”
She said that when the theologians gathered in 2022 to analyze the results of the local listening processes,
it became clear that the question of women’s participation had persistently surfaced across different contexts, cultures and regions.
“This was not about new roles or new ministries, but simply what is already existing in canon law right now,” she said. “Synod Study Group 5, based on the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, took up the question of women’s participation as its mandate.”
Daniels said their report states that a growing number of women across all age groups and global regions no longer feel at home in the church.
She noted that bringing women back
to the church was important for evangelization, “since women are so often, as we know, the life blood of parishes and those who most often transmit the faith to the next generation.”
“This is where the patience of the synodal process meets the urgency of our moment,” Daniels said. “Study Group 5 has now offered a concrete framework addressing the issue, and [Pope] Leo’s early governance signals that he intends to move forward. What remains is implementation in dioceses, ministries and institutions throughout the church of increased use of canonical opportunities already available to women.”
Daniels said that the synod showed how truly global the Catholic Church is, with only 6% of the world’s Catholics living in the United States. So global issues may look different than how Americans see things. For instance, she said many Catholic parishes around the world are facing issues with poverty and a lack of women in the workforce in general.
“The most frequently proposed actions were broader access to leadership and decision-making roles, as well as increased formation — theological formation, leadership formation, pastoral formation,” she said. “Global women’s voices also urgently focused on the conditions of women in society, on poverty, on violence, on trafficking, on war, and on the church’s duty to respond.”
When asked if she was discouraged at all, she said she was not. She said the synod showed that a bright future for the church was not a utopian dream, but very humanly possible.
“I am hopeful,” she said. “I am very, very hopeful.”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Casey Connealy was honored with the Deo Gratias Distinguished Catholic Individual Award by Archbishop Shawn McKnight and Derek Lyssy, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas.
PHOTO BY ISABELLA WILCOX
Mount St. Scholastica prioress Sister Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, left, poses with speaker Kim Daniels, J.D., a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication. Daniels delievered the April 26 Fellin Lecture entitled “Pope Leo, Synodality and Women’s Leadership in a Global Church.”
Archdiocesan couple leads international marriage ministry
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
That sentiment resonates deeply with Paul and Tracy Satterfield, members of Holy Spirit Parish here, who are helping bring hope and healing to marriages around the globe.
Both work full-time jobs, but in the evenings and on weekends they devote themselves to Retrouvaille, a Catholic peer ministry for struggling marriages whose name means “rebirth.”
Less than five months into their roles as international coordinators, the Satterfields are already living out that mission in ways they never imagined. In a single week, they may speak with couples or ministry leaders in England, Denmark or Zimbabwe. Another week could involve Canada, Italy or South Africa.
They answer questions about starting communities in Belize, Guatemala or Portugal, while also supporting existing teams across 124 communities worldwide.
At the heart of it all is a simple desire: to help save marriages. It’s a mission born of their own story.
In 2012, the Satterfields were on the brink of divorce when a judge encouraged them to try one last time.
They attended a Retrouvaille weekend and continued with its follow-up sessions. Slowly, through grace and perseverance, healing began.
In time, they felt called to share with others what they had rediscovered — not just a restored relationship, but the joy of God’s plan for marriage.
That call led them into deeper service.
In 2023, while in Africa, they were unexpectedly named deputy international coordinators. For two years, they prepared for the role by shadowing their predecessors in the position, John and Donna Bigler of Palmdale, California.
At the beginning of this year, they stepped into their new role. Father Mark Mason of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City now serves with them, offering spiritual guidance.
“Evenings and every night, we’re doing something related to Retrouvaille,” Tracy said.
Paul and Tracy Satterfield, members of Holy Spirit Parish In Overland Park, are pictured here on the rooftop of St. Peter’s Basilica. The couple serves as the international coordinators for Retrouvaille. In November 2025, prior to assuming their roles as international coordinators in January, the two traveled to Rome to speak at a Retrouvaille European Gathering. While there, they met with Father Francesco Panizzolo, who serves on the Rest of World Expansion International Board for Retrouvaille. The priest took the two for a private tour.
The work is steady and often unseen.
“It takes a lot of hours, a lot of heart, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” Paul said.
Much of their ministry is rooted in simple, faithful connection.
“We get to meet people,” Paul said. “People will call us and say, ‘How do we get a hold of this?’ or ‘How do we find this?’”
For him, those moments of encounter are a grace.
“We take the time to answer or return their calls promptly and build that relationship,” he said.
Sometimes, the path forward begins with a small step of faith. When the couple wanted to reach more church leaders, Paul wasn’t sure how to begin.
“I said, ‘We need to find a way to get a hold of more church leaders,’” he recalled.
Tracy offered a simple suggestion: “Why don’t we just call the Vatican and ask?”
To his surprise, doors began to open.
“People start picking up the phone. They do. They answer,” Paul said. “It kind of bends your mind when you’re working with people that have those titles and they
take your call.”
Their work has also opened their eyes to the beauty — and challenges — of different cultures. Tracy recently spoke at the Catholic African Women’s Conference, where many women shared that they sometimes feel out of place in the United States.
“They thought Americans do not have problems,” Tracy said.
By sharing her own story, she helped bridge that gap.
“I shared some of my family of origin stories, and they’re like, ‘Wow, we had no idea that you guys had that problem,’” she said. “We’re just culturally different because we don’t share our problems very easily.”
“That’s an American problem,” Paul added.
The couple has also seen how modern pressures, especially social media, can weigh on marriages.
“People are afraid to get help for their marriage,” Paul said, pointing to the pressure to maintain a “perfect image we have on Facebook.”
Behind those images, however, reality
can be very different.
“We get couples all the time talking about how social media has really hurt them,” Tracy said, noting how even small online interactions can create insecurity and distrust.
Social media can make it seem as if everyone else is happy. But many couples, Paul said, are quietly struggling.
“Many couples pretend to be happy but have not shared the same bed for years,” he said.
He pointed to a recent survey showing that one in five active Catholic couples is struggling, yet many hesitate to seek help out of fear of appearing less than perfect.
“Part of our role is trying to help influence the culture of change,” Paul said.
Retrouvaille has been offering that help for nearly 50 years. While it once served more than 6,000 couples annually, participation dropped to about 1,800 in 2023. This year, however, communities are on track to serve approximately 2,400 couples — a hopeful sign of renewal.
Still, challenges remain. One of the biggest is awareness. Many long-established communities are hesitant to embrace new ways of reaching people, even as more individuals spend significant time online.
Communities willing to adapt, Paul said, are beginning to see new life.
Part of the Satterfields’ role is to walk with those communities, offering guidance not only in outreach, but also in working with bishops, priests and deacons — helping them see how this ministry strengthens both marriages and the life of the church.
“When a couple gets divorced, they lose the family,” Paul said. “When you lose the family, you lose the sacraments, and within one generation, you lose God.”
Retrouvaille offers something many pastors, despite their dedication, simply cannot: time.
“Priests do not have 60 to 70 hours to spend with one couple, but we do,” Paul said. “And it’s free.”
His invitation to clergy is simple and heartfelt.
“We just say, ‘Send them to us.’”
For more information about Retrouvaille, including an upcoming weekend in Kansas City in June, visit: helpourmar riage.org.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL AND TRACY SATTERFIELD
Church music: A changing and challenging soundscape
LEAWOOD — Curé of Ars Parish here hosted a concert by nationally-known composer and liturgical musician Tony Alonso on April 24.
Archbishop Shawn McKnight offered the welcome and opening prayer for the event, which was sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM).
It also included a morning reflection on the vocation of music ministers on April 25.
Theresa Vitt, music director at St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth and NPM board chair on the Kansas side, believed those who attended were exposed to music strong in Catholic teaching.
The program represented “the diverse realities of our contemporary culture,” she said, and by embracing multicultural and bilingual music, helped attendees “become more aware that the Catholic Church is a worldwide church.”
Ellen Tuttle, director of music at Curé, was thrilled at how the event went.
“Tony presented a fantastic concert,” she said, “and the morning reflection for music ministers was very inspirational and on point regarding music in today’s church.”
To view more photos from the concert, visit us on Facebook: @theleaven kc.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Nationally-known composer and liturgical musician Tony Alonso hosted a concert at Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood, on April 24, followed by a morning reflection on the vocation of music ministers on April 25.
Physician called anew at Lourdes
By Jan Dixon
Special to The Leaven
BASEHOR — Dr. Michael Skoch of Holy Angels Parish here believes he has experienced one of the most peaceful places on earth.
Lourdes, a small town nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains of southwestern France, is one of the most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Known for the 1858 apparitions of the Virgin Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous at the Massabielle Grotto, it has long been associated with healing and hope.
“The peacefulness of the sanctuary surpasses anything that has to do with the size or location of the community,” said Skoch, who recently spent Holy Week there serving with the Lourdes North American Volunteers program.
Service is nothing new to him. A family physician for more than 35 years, Skoch has also served as an ethics consultant for Catholic Community Health in the archdiocese. His recent trip marked his fourth time volunteering in Lourdes.
His work there is simple, yet deeply meaningful: being
present to the needs of pilgrims, assisting those with limited mobility and responding to whatever situations arise throughout the day. Alongside these responsibilities, volunteers are also given time for personal prayer.
One of the most profound aspects of his service has been assisting in the private spring water baths.
“Quite similar to my career in a medical office, you quickly become privy to some very private moments,” he said. “In this case, spiritual moments.”
Among his most memorable experiences was assisting a pilgrim who had never been baptized and was carrying significant spiritual burdens. Unable to walk, the man was gently lowered into the bath on a stretcher. When he emerged from the water, he suddenly declared, “I have to be baptized.”
Soon after, the pilgrim was baptized at the sanctuary, marking a powerful moment of transformation that left a lasting impression on Skoch.
Many who journey to Lourdes arrive with great physical or spiritual needs, often relying entirely on the help of others. Witnessing
their faith, determination and perseverance has deeply impacted him.
“I realize how weak my efforts have been at times,” Skoch said. “It’s a real sense of encouragement that I get from helping the people that we serve.”
The Lourdes North American Volunteers program is rooted in the example of St. Bernadette, with a mission to serve the sick, the suffering, and those most in need. Volunteers from all walks of life are invited to participate, assisting pilgrims in a variety of ways — from pushing wheelchairs to helping with meals or simply being present to those in need.
For Skoch, the work is both humbling and essential. He encourages others to consider serving, emphasizing that the only requirement is a willingness to help.
Each evening in Lourdes, thousands gather for the candlelight rosary procession.
“The visual and auditory experience of seeing 10,000 to 15,000 people processing and reciting the rosary in several different languages is a very moving experience,” he said.
As he looks to the future, Skoch plans to continue a lifetime of service, remaining open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He hopes to return once again to Lourdes, where his own faith has been both deepened and renewed.
In the shadow of the Pyrenees, amid candlelight and quiet prayer, Skoch encountered more than a place — he encountered a calling. And it is one he carries forward, wherever the next opportunity to serve may lead.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL SKOCH
Dr. Michael Skoch of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, is pictured above with Sister Tatum McWhirter, AVI, in October 2024 during a pilgrimage with Lourdes volunteers. Both of them serve with the organization.
‘Miracle Doctor’
of Lourdes retires after 17 years, insisting miracles aren’t his job
By Caroline De Sury OSV News
LOURDES, France (OSV News) — Alessandro de Franciscis is anything but an ordinary doctor.
For the past 17 years, the 70-year-old Italian American physician has headed the Office of Medical Observations at the Lourdes Sanctuary in France. As he retired on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11, the entire congregation — including bishops — burst into applause at Mass for the feast day. He was succeeded in April by Italian surgeon Giada Monami, who previously practiced in Venice.
De Franciscis studied medicine and pediatrics in Italian Naples before continuing his education in the United States at the Harvard School of Public Health, where he earned a master’s of science in epidemiology in 1985.
In 2009, he became the first non-French permanent physician at the Lourdes Sanctuary and president of the Lourdes Medical Bureau, which investigates cases of reported cures among pilgrims.
“The medical and scientific verification of cures has been fundamental in Lourdes since the Virgin’s apparitions to Bernadette,” de Franciscis told OSV News. “As early as 1858, there were reports of supposed miracles. The first cures were recognized as miracles in 1862 by the bishop of Tarbes” — Lourdes was under his jurisdiction — “on the very day he officially recognized the apparitions.”
In 1883, Dr. Dunot de Saint Maclou of Normandy settled in Lourdes at the bishop’s request to serve as its permanent physician.
“He was the one who founded the Lourdes Medical Bureau,” de Franciscis said. “Lourdes attracted a great many people, and people should not be allowed to claim they had been ‘miraculously cured’ without a rigorous medical verification.”
Since then, a succession of physicians has served in the role. De Franciscis was the 15th. He often emphasizes that “miracles do not exist in medicine.”
“Our role as doctors is solely to determine whether a person has been cured, and whether that cure is unexplained given the current state of scientific knowledge,” he explained. “We do not deal with miracles. That is not our field.”
According to de Franciscis, tens of thousands of people have reported being healed since 1883, including nearly 1,500 since his arrival in 2009. “Very few have been followed by a full investigation,” he said. “Most of them had undergone medical treatment, about a third of them for cancer, which could explain
Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, outgoing director of the Office of Medical Observations at the Lourdes Sanctuary in France, is
the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Italian American physician, 70, who has headed the medical office for the past 17
successor is Italian surgeon Giada Monami, walking on de Franciscis’ left side. She will be the first woman to head the
A clergyman carries a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament during a procession in front of the Basilica of the Rosary in Lourdes, France, during the Oct. 2-4, 2025, “Rosary Pilgrimage,” organized by the Dominican order since 1908.
their recovery. We conduct indepth investigations into about 30 of the 100 cases we receive on average each year.”
In such cases, the process is lengthy and collaborative. “The criteria are very strict,” de Franciscis explained. “They were established by Cardinal [Lorenzo] Lambertini, future Pope [Benedict XIV], in 1734, with a view to recognizing miracles in Rome for beatifications or canonizations. They have been updated since then but remain relevant.”
Lourdes’ outgoing chief doctor explained to OSV News that “the illness must have been the subject of a precise and clear diagnosis, and it must have a severe prognosis. The return to health must be
sudden, instantaneous, complete and lasting over time. It cannot be a temporary remission.”
“The cured patient must also agree to undergo a whole series of examinations, the results of which we analyze scrupulously,” de Franciscis said. “Then, if the cure appears to be genuinely unexplained, I convene a meeting of the members of the bureau, with the person presumed to be healed, and the bureau issues an initial ‘certificate of cure.’”
“After that,” he added, “I present the cases of healing to the International Medical Committee of Lourdes at its annual meeting.”
Established in 1947, this
committee is composed of some 30 researchers from medical universities around the world, including several Americans.
“Its members must vote by a two-thirds majority for a cure to be recognized as ‘unexplained given the current state of medical scientific knowledge,’” de Franciscis clarified.
Then, it is up to the church to judge whether a miracle has occurred or not. “The bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes may forward the case file to the bishop of the diocese where the cured person resides, who will in turn conduct an investigation to decide whether a miracle has occurred or not,” de Franciscis explained.
“Lourdes is full of stories of
healing,” David Torchala, director of communications at the sanctuary, told OSV News. “But there are cases of cures that are recognized as medically unexplained, which the bishops do not declare to be miracles. In addition to the findings of medical research, they take into account the personal testimony of the person involved, who will then be sent out on a mission to share their story. This will change their life.”
“Out of the approximately 8,000 cases of healing recorded since 1858, only 72 cases have been recognized as miraculous by the church,” de Franciscis pointed out. “There have been five since I started serving here in Lourdes.”
The last miracles recognized by the church involved a French nun, Sister Bernadette Moriau, who was cured in 2008 — the miracle was recognized in 2018. In 2024, the cure of the British soldier John Traynor was recognized.
Seriously wounded during World War I, he was cured in Lourdes in 1923. His cure had been officially recognized by the Medical Bureau in 1926, but the news was not conveyed to the bishop of his diocese until nearly a century later.
Finally, in April 2025, the cure of an Italian woman, Antonia Raco, was announced. She suffered from primary lateral sclerosis and found herself suddenly cured in 2009 after a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
According to Torchala, “Doctor de Franciscis often joked that he was the most useless physician in the world, because people would come knocking on his door to tell him, ‘Doctor, I am cured.’”
OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY LOURDES SANCTUARY
pictured at the sanctuary Feb. 11,
years, retired on the feast day. His
medical office in the shrine’s history.
OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY LOURDES SHRINE
Msgr. Robert Coll, creator of Rice Bowl, dies at 95
By Gina Christian OSV News
NAPLES, Fla. (OSV News)
— The priest who created Rice Bowl — which became Catholic Relief Services’ annual Lenten program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for humanitarian aid — has died at age 95.
Msgr. Robert J. Coll, a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, died April 20 in Naples, Florida, according to an April 24 obituary published by Florida Catholic, the Venice diocesan news outlet.
He had relocated to the Diocese of Venice in 1999, and had for the past 25 years assisted at St. John the Evangelist Parish and St. Agnes Parish, both in Naples.
Over the past five decades, Rice Bowl has raised “nearly $350 million for poverty and hunger alleviation programs around the world and here at home,” said CRS president and CEO Sean Callahan in an April 27 statement on Msgr. Coll’s death.
Callahan expressed “deep sorrow” over the loss of Msgr. Coll, describing him as “a visionary priest whose legacy of faith and service will endure for generations through CRS Rice Bowl.”
“We give thanks for a priest whose life was a gift poured out in service,” Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of Allentown told OSV News in an April 28 statement,
noting the priest’s “legacy in the Diocese of Allentown will endure through the countless lives touched by his compassion, leadership, and unwavering faith.”
Rice Bowl — to which participants contribute from funds saved through fasting or preparing meatless meals — benefits millions in more than 100 countries.
Of each year’s collection, 75% supports
humanitarian programs operated by CRS, the official relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The remaining 25% assists local efforts to eradicate hunger.
The outreach began with a Lenten project Msgr. Coll launched while he was pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Allentown — and ultimately led the Pennsylvania-born priest across the world, bringing him face-to-face with
the most impoverished.
In a 2021 interview with CatholicPhilly, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Msgr. Coll recalled that “the idea was simple.”
“I have food, my brother has no food, so I will give him some of my food,” said Msgr. Coll.
He recalled in the interview that he had encouraged his parishioners to “eat a truncated meal, maybe soup and a sandwich, and take the difference between that and what you would have spent as a kind of symbolic” form of aid.
The donations would then be deposited at the parish, separate from the general collection.
News of Rice Bowl spread to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where the 41st International Eucharistic Congress was set to take place in 1976.
Philadelphia Cardinal John J. Krol and CRS soon endorsed Rice Bowl, and by 1976, at least 118 U.S. Catholic dioceses had raised over $5.1 million.
The iconic cardboard box, a Lenten fixture in U.S. Catholic households, became Msgr. Coll’s ticket to the devastated communities he’d sought to help.
Msgr. Coll told OSV News that he believed “the satisfaction [of Rice Bowl] comes from the fact that the people understood what you were trying to do.
“In other words, if there were grave problems in the world, to ignore them would itself be unacceptable as a Catholic and as a Christian,” he said.
OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA/AL AND CAMILLE ST. PIERRE
Msgr. Robert Coll, creator of the Rice Bowl Lenten initiative, speaks with youth during a Catholic Relief Services mission to African nations in this undated photo. Msgr. Coll died April 20 at the age of 95 in Naples, Florida.
Lord of the Dance meets Shepherd of the Flock
By Courtney Mares OSV News
ROME (OSV News) — Irish dance superstar Michael Flatley stepped into the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV April 29, leaving the “Lord of the Dance” creator reflective on how faith and footwork are gifts from God.
Flatley, star of the internationally acclaimed shows “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance,” was accompanied by his wife and son when he met the American pope at the end of the general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
“It was an incredible honor to meet His Holiness,” Flatley said after the encounter. “I am so moved. I didn’t think I’d ever have that opportunity.
“I had to kiss his ring before we finished the conversation because it meant so much to me. He blessed my rosary beads and I’ll cherish them forever.”
In an interview with OSV News after the papal audience, Flatley spoke about his Catholic faith, the joy of dance and his recent battle with cancer.
The 67-year-old, who retired from dancing a decade ago, grew up in an Irish Catholic community on the South Side of Chicago and connected with the 70-yearold pope over their shared Chicago roots.
“I said, ‘You know, I was born not far from you on the South Side of Chicago,’” said Flatley. “And he lit up!”
Like the pope’s parish, Flatley’s childhood Chicago parish has since closed its doors. Flatley attended the Catholic Parish of Little Flower of Mary and Brother Rice High School before going on to become the first American to win the World Irish Dancing Championships at age 17.
“My parents were hard-working Irish Catholic people. And we went to Mass every Sunday and we worked every day, just the way we were brought up,” he said.
“It’s my honor and my joy to carry on their traditions and spread as much joy as I can,” he added.
From humble roots, working in construction in Chicago with his Irish immigrant father, Flatley went on to set the Guinness World Record by becoming the highest paid dancer, earning $1.6 million
a week at his show’s peak, dancing before millions of people and outselling some of the biggest rock bands in the world.
“Jesus Christ gave me every opportunity to become a great dancer and to travel the world and meet the world leaders,” Flatley said, “but my greatest day was today, meeting the Holy Father and God’s representative on earth.”
Flatley gained international recognition after his performance in Eurovision 1994 with what would go on to become the cast of “Riverdance.” His performances inspired audiences around the globe and transformed traditional Irish dance, massively increasing its popularity and recognition in popular culture outside of Ireland.
The performer attributes his professional success directly to his faith. “It was through the grace of God, and it was his
guidance that took me off of the streets and out of construction and onto the stage,” he said.
Flatley described Pope Leo as very warm and attentive, adding that he noticed Pope Leo has “a great capacity to hear what you’re saying, to actually listen.”
“I told him how proud we all are of him and the great things that he is doing to stop the wars,” he said. “I just had to thank him.”
Flatley, who now splits his time between Ireland, where he holds citizenship, and Monaco, extended a personal invitation to the pope. “I took the liberty of inviting him to Ireland on behalf of the Irish people,” he said.
The Irish dancer spoke at length about the role of faith in both his career and in his health challenges. Recalling the
moment he had to undergo surgery for cancer, he described praying with his nurses moments before going under anesthetic.
“I surrender my life every day to the Lord,” Flatley said. “The Lord decides all those things, and for us to think we’re in control is just ridiculous. My faith has played a huge part. It always has done. And it always will do.”
For young artists, aspiring dancers, or anyone trying to follow a dream, Flatley’s advice is to “follow what’s inside your heart.”
“What’s inside in your heart was put there by God,” he said. “If you follow what’s in your heart and you follow that dream, and you’re willing to work hard for that dream, you can have anything in the world. Nothing is impossible. Nothing.”
OSV NEWS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
Michael Flatley, star of the internationally acclaimed Irish dance shows “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance,” greets Pope Leo XIV at the end of the pope’s general audience on April 29 at St. Peter’s Square. Flatley, like the pope, is a Chicago native.
EMPLOYMENT
Chancellor and promoter of justice - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a chancellor and promoter of justice. This position supports the mission of the archdiocese through the application of canonical principles across its various functions, including the development and implementation of sound canonical procedures, as well as providing guidance and responses on behalf of the archbishop and other archdiocesan entities. This position is full-time and benefits-eligible. To apply, please visit: archkck.org, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “Employment Opportunities.”
Executive director - The Kansas Catholic Conference is seeking to hire an executive director. The position serves as the voice of the Catholic bishops of Kansas in the area of public policy, provides strategic oversight and leadership and works closely with lawmakers, providing a Catholic perspective on proposed legislation primarily focused on promoting the common good by upholding the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, protection of religious freedom and advancing the well-being of families and communities. The position is full-time, and a bachelor’s degree in political science, theology, religious studies or journalism is required. To apply, please visit: archkck.org, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “Employment Opportunities.”
Accountant III - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for an accountant in the shared business services department at the chancery. The accountant III supports parishes and other entity functions assisting with monthly accounting processing, accounts payable, payroll and reconciling balance sheet accounts. This position is full-time and will average 40 hours per week. This role is primarily onsite at the chancery office, with occasional work performed at parishes or schools as needed. To apply, please visit: archkck.org, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “Employment Opportunities.”
Facilities maintenance/landscaper - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking to hire a facilities maintenance/landscaper for the Savior Pastoral Center. This position will assist with a variety of custodial, maintenance and landscaping tasks. The position is part-time, seasonal, primarily in spring and summer, averaging 20-25 hours per week. Experience with similar duties and responsibilities is helpful. To apply, please visit: archkck.org, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “Employment Opportunities.”
Business manager - St. Francis de Sales Church in Lansing is looking for a part-time business manager. The business manager is a steward of the physical, financial and personnel resources. The ideal candidate should have a college degree and/or equivalent business experience. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic. Full job description provided to candidates. Some evening and weekend work required. For more information, email: businessmanager@stfrancislansing.org or call the office at (913) 727-3742.
Catholic elementary school principal - Sacred Heart School in Emporia is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for Catholic education. The principal will continue the school’s tradition of forming disciples, pursuing academic excellence and spiritual growth. The principal will lead by example and inspire a team of dedicated faculty and staff. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact Vince Cascone at: vcascone@archkckcs.org.
Facility manager - St. Paul Parish and School in Olathe are seeking a dedicated full-time facility manager to oversee the care and operation of its campus, including the church, school, rectory and outdoor spaces. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for maintaining a safe, welcoming, clean and well-functioning environment for parishioners, students, staff and visitors. The ideal candidate will manage daily maintenance operations, coordinate vendors, supervise custodial staff and plan both short- and long-term facility improvements — all while working collaboratively with parish and school leadership. If you are organized, proactive and take pride in maintaining high-quality spaces, this is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact in a vibrant community. Interested candidates should email resumes to Amy Moritz, director of parish operations, at: amoritz@spcatholic.org.
Director of liturgy and sacred music - The St. Lawrence Center seeks a full-time director to lead an authentically Catholic, vibrant and reverent liturgical life at the University of Kansas. This role oversees the planning and execution of all liturgies in fidelity to the Roman Rite and GIRM, establishes a cohesive liturgical vision and teaches Catholic liturgy through ongoing student formation. Responsibilities include forming and mentoring student liturgical ministers; recruiting, training and directing student singers, musicians and choirs; preparing worship aids; and collaborating with clergy and staff to integrate liturgy into the center’s evangelizing mission. Qualifications: practicing Catholic, degree in liturgy, theology or organ, experience in liturgical ministry, organ and conducting skills required. Evenings, weekends and major liturgical seasons required. Apply to Matt Kemnitz, chief operating officer, at: mkemnitz@kucatholic.org.
Bookkeeper - St. Francis de Sales Church in Lansing is looking for a part-time bookkeeper. The ideal candidate should have an associate’s degree, or equivalent business experience. Must have a working knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Office applications. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic. Full job description provided to candidates. For more information, email: businessmanager@stfrancislansing.org or call the office at (913) 727-3742.
Facilities manager - Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park is seeking a dependable and skilled facilities manager to oversee the care, maintenance and stewardship of parish buildings and grounds. This role is essential in ensuring that all facilities remain safe, clean and welcoming, supporting the sacred liturgical life of the church and the many ministries of the parish community. Responsibilities include general maintenance and preventative care of buildings and property, monitoring key systems such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical, and ensuring all spaces are prepared for Masses, sacraments and parish events. The facilities manager will also assist with coordinating vendors, contractors and volunteers. Qualified candidates will have 2-5 years of experience in facilities management or a related field, along with a working knowledge of building systems and general repair practices. This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical tasks such as standing, walking, bending and climbing. Strong organizational, communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with parish staff and clergy. A respect for the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church is required. Apply at: www.queenoftheholyrosary.org.
Stewardship and development coordinator - St. Joseph Church in Shawnee is seeking a full-time stewardship and development coordinator to promote a culture of generosity and support the parish mission. Responsibilities include donor relations, fundraising campaigns, volunteer coordination and major campus events. Candidates should have experience in development, fundraising or ministry, along with strong organizational and communication skills. To learn more or apply, visit: https://church.stjoeshawnee.org/news/714-now-hiring-2.
Catholic financial planners - The Knights of Columbus Mahon Agency has openings throughout all of NE Kansas and western Missouri, including Kansas City, Topeka, Holton, Wamego, Lawrence, Gardner, Liberty and Chillicothe. We have much to offer professional, disciplined and determined men who would like to share needed life insurance, disability income, longterm care and annuity products with other Catholics. This is a full-time position with excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. It’s an exciting career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or someone you know. For more information, contact John Mahon at (785) 4088800, or john.mahon@kofc.org.
Social worker/care manager - Part time (24 hrs/wk). At Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic in Overland Park, we believe in unexpected care — the kind that shows up with compassion, insight and love when someone needs it most. If you’re someone who thrives in a busy, meaningful environment — the kind of work that makes a tangible difference — this may be the opportunity you’ve been praying for. We’re currently seeking LBSW or LMSW to join our team. In this role, you’ll provide direct psychosocial support, education and care coordination for patients navigating pregnancy- related decisions and life circumstances. Working within an environment rooted in excellence, dignity and compassion, you’ll walk alongside women and families with empathy, clarity and professionalism. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring each client receives accurate information, emotional support, appropriate referrals and individualized care planning, while collaborating closely with the clinical team to support holistic patient care. Your impact matters. Whether you’re meeting one-on-one with a client, facilitating education or coordinating resources, your presence will help create moments of hope, stability and empowerment — one meaningful interaction at a time. Key responsibilities: Determine the nature of client’s situation through interviews, observations, questionnaires and on-site visits assessing medical, psychological, emotional, familial and social needs. Educate clients on available resources, options and next steps. Coordinate referrals and community services to support client needs. Collaborate with medical and support staff to ensure integrated, compassionate care. Maintain a peaceful, professional and welcoming environment. Uphold the values and mission of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic in every interaction. A bit about you: You’re an LBSW or LMSW in good standing. You’re organized, empathetic and steady in emotionally sensitive situations. You’re passionate about walking with women and families through tender, life-changing moments. You’re a person of faith who leads with humility, integrity and compassion. If you are interested in this position, please send resume and cover letter to: AndreaC@twolineskc.com.
Director of facilities - St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, is seeking a full-time director of facilities to oversee and manage our parish campus. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the effective operation, maintenance, and safety of our 20-acre campus, which includes seven buildings, a football field, a track, and related facilities. A successful candidate should be Catholic, with strong relationship skills and the ability to work in a collaborative setting. Interested applicants should submit a resume to: mthomas@stjoeshawnee. org or call (913) 248-4562 for more information.
Administrative assistant - St. Therese Church in North Kansas City, Missouri, is seeking a full-time administrative assistant to provide comprehensive secretarial and office support to the parish staff. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail and a welcoming, service-oriented approach reflecting a spirit of hospitality and Christian charity. This position is full-time with benefits and averages 35 hours a week. For more information and to apply, visit: https://kcsjcatholic.org/start/job-openings.
Development director - Cor Christi Catholic Center in Topeka is seeking to hire a full-time development director under the supervision of the center director. Responsibilities include: developing, coordinating and executing fundraising events, engaging and cultivating relations with current and prospective donors and maintaining donor records. Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, communication or marketing with event planning or equivalent experience. Three years experience preferred. Full job description is online at: www.wucatholic.org/employment-opportunities. To apply, send cover letter, your resume and three references to Jessica Hammer at: director@wucatholic. org. Subject line: Development Director.
Sales reps - Invictus Roofing and Solar Company serving the Kansas City Metro is seeking to hire 3-4 sales reps this spring. Looking for motivated people who want to grow and excel in project management: with a strong element of sales and competitive commission-based pay. Little to no experience required - job training and field training handled in-house. Please call Brian at (913) 302-8361 or Nick at (913) 680-7862. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parishioner.
Investigator - The archdiocesan office of ministerial standards is seeking to hire an investigator. This position will utilize pertinent interviewing, surveillance and desktop research abilities to fully investigate reported events in areas such as sexual abuse, financial impropriety, serious workplace misconduct and canonical concerns. An associate’s degree or higher is required as well as extensive experience with conducting complex investigations, ideally related to abuse/neglect, human services, law enforcement or compliance. For more information or to apply, please visit “Employment Opportunities” on the archdiocesan website: archkck.org.
Youth minister - Prince of Peace Church in Olathe is looking for a part-time, dynamic, faith-filled leader passionate about inspiring teens and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. Work with a volunteer team to lead weekly youth nights and walk alongside students as they prepare for confirmation. If you or someone you know feels called to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people, we’d love to hear from you! Send a resume to April Bailey, director of faith formation, at: abailey@popolathe.org.
Director of ministerial standards - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for a director of ministerial standards. This position safeguards the integrity of the church’s ministry by ensuring that all allegations of misconduct are received, assessed and investigated with professionalism, objectivity and in compliance with civil and ecclesiastical law. The director provides strategic and operational leadership for the office of ministerial standards, including hiring, training and supervising staff; establishing investigative protocols and workflows; and developing standardized forms, templates, policies and procedures. Please visit “Employment Opportunities” on the archdiocesan website for more information or to apply: archkck.org.
Caregivers needed - Daughters & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.
Mission and development coordinator - Santa Marta, a premier Catholic life plan community in Olathe, is seeking a mission and development coordinator to advance our mission of service, compassion, and stewardship. This role leads meaningful service initiatives, volunteer engagement and fundraising efforts that strengthen connections among residents, families, associates and the wider community. Ideal candidates bring strong relationship-building skills, fundraising experience and a passion for serving older adults. Bachelor’s degree required; Catholic preferred. Visit: santamartaretirement.com, click “Careers,” then “View job postings” for more information or to apply.
CGS catechists - Church of the Nativity and Nativity School in Leawood are seeking trained Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechists to lead levels 1, 2 and 3 in our parish/school atrium. Candidates interested in full- or part-time employment are encouraged to email Catie Klocke, director of religious education, at: cklocke@kcnativity.org for more information.
Middle school math teacher - Holy Spirit School in Overland Park is seeking a certified middle school math teacher for the 2026-27 school year. The ideal candidate will support our mission of academic excellence and Catholic formation while engaging students in a rigorous and supportive math program. Interested candidates should submit a resume to Dr. Maureen Huppe: mhuppe@hscatholic.org.
Part-time kitchen assistant - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a part-time kitchen assistant, 8 to 15 hours a week. Duties will include prepping food, serving food, setting up/breaking down food service line and garden bar, cleaning and washing dishes. Any candidate hired will need to pass a criminal background check and attend Virtus training as conditions of employment. Applicants should email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.
Teachers - Nativity Parish School (Leawood) is seeking full-time teachers for the 2026-27 school year: full/part-time paraprofessionals, full-time middle school paraprofessional, Spanish teacher, and full-time school counselor. Interested applicants should email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kc nativity.org.
Small equipment cleaning/repair - A locally owned family business is currently seeking part-time candidates to provide cleaning and repair services on microscopes. Expenses paid, work done in the field and each day is different! No previous experience necessary, on-the-job training provided. Needs to be detail-oriented team player, with good time management and customer service skills. Some travel with the team is required. Please contact us at: techneeded23@gmail.com or call (913) 631-3000.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Haus to Home Remodeling - Transform your space with affordable remodeling done right. Bathrooms, basements and everything in between-crafted with honesty and quality. Family-owned with free estimates. Haustohomekc.com | Cole (913) 544-7352.
Father and Son Home Remodeling - We specialize in kitchen/bathroom and basement remodeling, from start to finish. We also do decks, covered decks, porches, sun-rooms and room additions! If you’re not sure we do it, just call. From my family to yours, thank you for supporting my small business. To contact me, call (913) 709-7230 and ask for Josh.
SERVICES
Footprints Floors Family-owned and operated. St. Paul parishioners. Hardwood, tile, stone, vinyl and more Call for free estimate: (913) 372-3007 Footprintsfloors.com/kansas-city.
Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
Joe’s Decks & More Deck and fence repair, mowing and handyman services Member of St. Joseph in Shawnee (913) 449-9848
Bill Dean Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling, Electrical, and Plumbing Furnace, AC and Water Heater Install and Service wmdean14@hotmail.com, billdeanmechanical.com JoCo lic. # 2026-0008446, text or call (913) 724-3294
Popcorn ceiling texture removal Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience. Interior painting specialist. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.
Jack Harrison Heating & Air Conditioning - Proudly serving Johnson County, Kansas, parts of KCK and KCMO, we’re your trusted local experts in residential and light commercial HVAC. Whether you need a repair, seasonal tuneup or full system replacement, we’ve got you covered — with honest advice, quality work and friendly service. We’re a family-owned and operated company, rooted in the community as members of St. Paul Parish in Olathe. Call Jack Harrison Heating & Air today at (913) 308-3131 or visit: www. JackHarrisonAir.com to schedule online. Let our family take care of yours!
Two men and a brush - Refresh, repaint, renew your home with painting you can trust! Call for a free estimate on your house, deck or fence! Call John at (402) 763-7244.
Sacred Heart Counseling - Are you looking for mental health care that aligns with the Catholic faith? We have offices in Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee & Atchison. Book online at SacredHeartCounselingKC. com, in person or telehealth.
Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.
Rios Painting - Transforming your home one paint coat at a time. Over 20 years of residential and commercial interior and exterior painting. Reliable, professional, and affordable. Insured. Call or text Ramiro today for a free estimate! (913) 579-5016.
A and X Cleaning Service - Keeping local businesses clean and healthy. Eco-friendly green cleaning products are used. Our hands-on approach ensures reliable service, consistent quality and attention to detail in every space we clean. Contact us for a free consultation at: anxcleaningllc@gmail.com.
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ICARE MINISTRIES MASSES
Queen of the Holy Rosary
7023 W 71st St., Overland Park
May 9 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
iCare Ministries offers twice a month Masses for those with special needs. Candidates will receive their first sacraments at the 4 p.m. Mass. Visit: icare-ministries. org or call (913)-228-2551 for more info.
LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE #503
Assumption Church
204 S.W. 8th St., Topeka
May 9 at 10 a.m.
Join for the May Crowning, followed by a short meeting. If anyone knows of a member or family member of Daughters of Isabella in need of prayers, call Shirley: (785) 554-3028.
RUNNING WITH THE COWS RACE
Holy Rosary Wea School
22705 Metcalf Ave., Bucyrus
May 9 at 7:45 a.m.
Running with the Cows is a half marathon and 5K school fundraiser in rural Bucyrus, just 30 minutes south of Kansas City. Fully supported course, fantastic volunteers and post-race festivities distinguish this event from all others! Proceeds from the race directly benefit students, classrooms and programs that help form the next generation in faith and learning. Learn more and register at: www.cow.run.
BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St., Gardner
May 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
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GARAGE DOOR REPAIR EXPERTS
New Garage Doors & Openers
A Total Door, Inc. Since ’83. Leaven Discount buffy@atotaldoor.com or (913) 236-6440 www.atotaldoor.com
TOTAL HOME REPAIR
All aspects of interior home repairs. Retired master plumber. Professional interior painting, general repairs, tile work. Handyman services. Lifetime of experience. Army veteran. Ascension parishioner. (913) 488-4930
MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 927-4347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com.
Double A’s Lawn Service
Mowing, Mulch, Gutters, Leaf Cleanup, Debris Removal & Brush Trimming Free Estimates & Insured Alex Spoerre (913) 488-5195
The breakfast will include eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and drinks. Join us for great fellowship. $6 for those over the age of 13; free for ages 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving throughout the year.
ROSARY RALLY
Holy Spirit Church
1300 W 103rd St., Overland Park
May 10 from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
Please join us to honor our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries followed by Benediction and the opportunity to enroll in the brown scapular. Learn more at: rosaryrallieskc.org.
KCYCP EXECUTIVE SPEAKER SERIES
Thompson Barn 11184 Lackman Rd., Lenexa
May 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Young Catholic Professionals is a nonprofit organization designed for Catholic professionals in their 20s and 30s to help them grow in their field and use their work to serve God. Join YCP members to learn from Larry Ryan of Ryan Lawn and Tree. Larry will share his unique perspective on business, leadership and living an authentic Catholic life. Register at: youngcatholic professionals.org/chapter/kansas-city.
ST. ISIDORE MASS AND BLESSING
Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton
May 15 at 10 a.m.
Join us as we honor St. Isidore the Farmer on his feast day. Participants are
REAL ESTATE
Paul O’Toole – Real Estate Agent (KS & MO) Weichert Realtors – Welch & Company (913) 489-1229 (mobile) | (913) 647-5700 (office)
We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer, (913) 599-5000.
CAREGIVING
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.
FOR SALE
For sale - Two plots in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, KCK. Located in S.W. area, sec 11, lot 12, spaces 7 & 8. Price is $2,000 each. Contact Charles at (913) 669-1809.
invited to bring seeds and soil in a small, decorated basket to place at the altar for a special blessing. The celebration will conclude with lunch. A freewill offering will be accepted to support the mission of the center. To RSVP, email: info@christs peace. com or call (913) 773-8255.
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP
Holy Spirit Church
11300 103rd St., Overland Park 3rd Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
From ‘Called To Love Again’: Divorce isn’t the end of your story. Join us for formation and community to prepare you for what is next. Make new friends and get tips for healing and hope. Questions to: katie@ thecall2love.com.
CATHOLIC CHALLENGE
SOCCER SIGN UP
St. Thomas Aquinas 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park
May 16
All young adults are welcome to join us for faith, community and sports. Soccer will be an eight-week season — May 30 to July 25 with one rainout week. Cost is $45/person. Sign ups close May 16. Sign ups and other information can be found at: www.kansascityonahill.org/CCS.
WIDOWED WOMEN OF FAITH LUNCH
Perkins Restaurant (back room) 1720 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka 3rd Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us for lunch and companionship. No RSVP needed. Invite others. Questions? Email: Widowed WomenofFaith@ gmail.com or call Julie at (913) 558-0191.
For sale - One plot located at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, KS. Section 11, lot 94, space 2. The value is $2595, plus a $250 conveyance fee. Space can only do a flat memorial. Contact Trini at (913) 2319923.
For sale - Resurrection Cemetery double lawn crypt. Faith lawn, section B, lot 12, plots 2A and 2B. Includes lots, vaults and markers. Original selling price is $12,752. Asking $7,500. Call (913) 649-6571.
For sale - Plot for sale at the Mount Calvary Cemetery lot, west in the Rossiter addition. Located in Topeka. $2000. Contact Vickie Cartwright at (785) 383-9453.
For sale - Two cemetery plots. Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens. Garden of Valor. Lot #37. Section D. Spaces 4A and 4B. Containing two interment spaces. Asking price is $4,500. Email: klhall_1964@yahoo. com or call (913) 370-1776.
Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC.)
For sale - 2 casket crypt for sale: St. John’s Corridor mausoleum at Gate of Heaven. Tier A, crypt 6, valued $15,885. Asking $10,250 (includes transfer fee). Contact Kristen (913) 645-3428.
TAXES TO GENEROSITY
Indian Hills Country Club 6847 Tomahawk Rd., Mission Hills May 28 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Make the most of your charitable giving while making a lasting difference. Join the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) and the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) for a luncheon and seminar on tax-advantaged charitable giving strategies. Register at: www.cfnek.org/ events or by contacting Michela Marquez at: mmarquez@archkck.org.
SILENT RETREAT
Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton May 29 to May 31
Rest in the church’s central mystery: one God in three divine persons. Guided by the theology of the Trinity and the spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, this silent retreat invites you to dwell interiorly with the God who makes his home within you. Cabins/ courtyard rooms are: $180 single/$270 couple or single guest rooms: $110 (meals included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form at: ChristsPeace.com or call: (913) 773-8255.
BINGO NIGHT
Sacred Heart Church
2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas 2nd Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Sacred Hearts Knights of Columbus will be hosting bingo for cash prizes. Refreshments will be sold. For more information, call Kevin at (913) 207-0900.
WANTED TO BUY
$$Paying Cash$$ - Antique Furniture, crocks, tin and cast iron toys, old tools, glassware, American coins, jewelry. Most anything old. Please call Patricia at (913) 515-2950. A member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa. WANTED TO BUY - PAYING CASH Antiques & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad items, sterling, OLD holiday/toys & more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393 St. Joseph, Shawnee. Wanted to buy Do you have a spare car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905. CASH PAID FOR COIN COLLECTIONS! Silver dollar coins, half-dollars, quarters, dimes, old pennies. Cash in hand. Also paying cash for old paper currency. Cash in that old dusty box of coins! Call Kirk (913) 213-9843. Member of Holy Trinity Parish. Please sell to local people.
Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.
SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER
May 10
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17
Ps 66: 1-7, 16, 20
1 Pt 3: 15-18
Jn14: 15-21
May 11
Monday
Acts 16: 11-15
Ps 149: 1b-6a, 9b
Jn 15: 26 — 16: 4a
May 12
Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs; Pancras, martyr
Acts 16: 22-24
Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8
Jn 16: 5-11
May 13
Our Lady of Fatima
Acts 17: 15, 22 — 18: 1
Ps 148: 1-2, 11-14
Jn 16: 12-15
May 14
MATTHIAS, APOSTLE
Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26
Ps 113: 1-8
Jn 15: 9-17
May 15
Isidore
Acts 18: 9-18
Ps 47: 2-7
Jn 16: 20-23
May 16
Saturday
Acts 18: 23-28
Ps 47: 2-3, 8-10
Jn 1: 23b-28
VINCENT STRAMBI 1745-1824
Vincent joined the Passionists as a priest in 1768. Over three decades, he served as a leader of the congregation, ultimately as provincial. In 1801, he became bishop of Macerata in central Italy. Vincent reformed the diocese by caring for his priests. He built a seminary, staffed it with gifted teachers and taught there himself. Vincent also fostered a renewal of worship in his churches. In 1808, he refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon and was forced into exile. But when Napoleon abdicated in 1814, Vincent returned to Macerata. In the final decade of his life, he personally turned an Austrian army away from the province and cared for people suffering from famine and a typhoid epidemic, all while continuing his reforms.
Pope Leo’s prayer intention for May: ‘That everyone might have food’
By Courtney Mares OSV News
ROME (OSV News) — Pope
Leo XIV has dedicated his prayer intention for the month of May to one of humanity’s most persistent challenges: hunger.
In a video message released on April 30 by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the pope called on Catholics worldwide to confront the problem of food insecurity with both prayer and concrete action.
“Today we recognize with sorrow that millions of brothers and sisters continue to suffer from hunger, while so many goods are wasted at our tables,” the pope said in the video, recorded inside the Church of San Pellegrino in Vatican City.
At least 318 million people are expected to face food crisis conditions or worse this year, according to the World Food Program’s 2026 Global Outlook.
Palestinians receive food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City July 28, 2025, amid a hunger crisis. In a video message released April 30, 2026, by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the pope called on Catholics worldwide to confront the problem of food insecurity with both prayer and concrete action.
The ongoing war in the Middle East could push an additional 45 million people into severe hunger before mid-year. In 2025, two famines were recorded in parts of Gaza and Sudan.
At the same time, the U.N. Environment Program reports that more than 1 billion
How do we witness
As we near the end of the Easter season, we find ourselves hearing this week about someone who isn’t even there. That would be, of course, the Holy Spirit.
He’s just offstage, lurking in the shadows — predicted, mentioned, alluded to, talked about. He’ll be here soon enough. John the Baptist once told people to prepare for the Messiah; the church right now is telling us to prepare for the Spirit.
What is coming is something momentous, with roaring wind and tongues of fire and the fearless proclamation of the faith in the streets of Jerusalem. The church is about to be born. The third person of the Trinity is about to make his entrance; a new chapter will begin.
In the first reading, from Acts, we hear of prayers offered for the people of Samaria “that they might receive the
Deacon Greg Kandra is an award-winning author and journalist, and creator of the blog “The Deacon’s Bench.” He serves in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York.
Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them.”
In the letter from Peter, the author concludes about Jesus: “Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.”
And in the Gospel, we have a flashback, continuing a segment of John that we’ve been hearing over the last couple of weeks, with Jesus speaking to his
tons of food are wasted globally every year, a contrast the pope addressed directly in his message.
Pope Leo called for a shift away from what he described as “the logic of selfish consumption” and toward “a culture of solidarity,” urging Catholic communities to take
up practical measures including food banks, awareness campaigns and simpler, more responsible lifestyles.
“May our communities promote concrete gestures,” the pope said, adding that believers should approach every meal with gratitude, consume simply and
“share with joy” in the knowledge that the fruits of the earth are “destined for all, not just a few.”
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, also known as the Apostleship of Prayer, releases a prayer intention from the pope each month as part of its mission to unite Catholics in prayer for the church’s global concerns.
Father Cristóbal Fones, director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, said the intention is a deeply personal concern for the pope.
“This intention comes from the pope’s heart. It pains him deeply that so many people in the world cannot access something as essential and human as food,” Father Fones said. “This is why he is asking everyone not to remain indifferent but to take decisive action, first with prayer, then with concrete gestures of solidarity.”
Christ’s love to a broken world?
apostles in The Last Supper Discourse. Here, he is heard promising them that “I will not leave you orphans,” reassuring his followers that he will send “another Advocate” — and that Advocate, of course, was (and is) the Holy Spirit.
But there’s more going on here. As the world awaits the arrival of the Holy Spirit, the church this week has one more message to convey. It cuts to the very heart of John’s Gospel — something profound, fundamental and challenging.
As Jesus gets ready to finish his earthly mission, he has this important closing thought. That is, quite simply, love.
Everything — all that he has said, taught, lived, sacrificed — it all comes down to love. If anyone was wondering, this is what it’s all been about.
This Sunday, you can’t miss it. Love is mentioned in one way or another no less than
five times in this brief passage.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” Jesus said. “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”
If anyone had any doubts about what Jesus was trying to say, just listen to his last message before his death. It’s all there.
And it’s fitting that we’re hearing it now, as Easter draws to a close; it becomes a kind of capstone to what we have been hearing since Holy Week.
Think of the readings we’ve encountered since Easter Sunday from the first Resurrection appearances of Jesus to his journey on the road to Emmaus and his teachings about the shepherd and his sheep. We’ve heard accounts from the Acts of the Apostles of the first Christians beginning
to pray together and preach. We’ve seen how the seeds of the Christian faith were planted, watered, nurtured, cared for.
But this week, we are reminded that all of that is connected by this unbreakable bond: love. Love between Jesus and his Father, love for the Lord, love for Christ’s teachings, love for his commandments and love for one another among the community of believers.
And the question we need to carry in our hearts is: How do we show that love? How do we live it? How do we witness Christ’s love in a broken, divided, often lonely and unhappy world?
How do we continue what the apostles began?
With Easter fading into the background, and our lives returning to “ordinary time,” we are reminded once more this week that the way we live our faith needs to be anything but ordinary.
DEACON GREG KANDRA
OSV NEWS PHOTO/KHAMIS AL-RIFI, REUTERS
Ask yourself this Pentecost what the Spirit might do through you
An open letter to all who have been confirmed.
Dear confirmands, Pentecost Sunday is just around the corner, and Pentecost marks the very source of the sacrament of confirmation.
AS THE CHURCH PRAYS
You all know, of course, that in this sacrament, you were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, knowledge, and understanding; right counsel and fortitude; pious reverence, and that awe and wonder of God that we call fear of the Lord. It was accomplished by ancient words and a thumbprint of olive oil upon your brow. Very efficient, and altogether graceful. Please don’t ever forget what you have
received. And if you have forgotten, take this Pentecost to reclaim and remember just what you received.
In the beginning, God spoke his Word upon the opening chaos, and order came about. That breath of God’s word is the Holy Spirit.
Behind the scenes: How the Catholic Foundation serves the archdiocese
Recently, I had the joy of watching my daughter receive her first Communion.
It was a beautiful moment that reminded me how faith is passed from one generation to the next. Moments like these are made possible by the sacrifices and generosity of those who came before us.
Because of these sacrifices, children today can encounter Christ in the sacraments and begin a lifelong relationship with him. I am deeply grateful, and it is what inspires our work at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas.
Much of what we do happens behind the scenes, but it is essential to sustaining the church. We help turn generosity into lasting support for the church by connecting individuals and families with meaningful ways to give. Each gift, whether given today or planned for the future, becomes part of something greater and more enduring.
One of the most important ways we do this is through endowments. These permanent funds are invested to provide steady, long-term support for parishes, schools, and ministries. Rather than being spent all at once,
FACILITATING CATHOLIC GIVING
God spoke to the patriarchs and prophets in a way they could hear and understand. The Holy Spirit did this, and these same patriarchs and prophets, by the same Spirit, were then able to proclaim God’s word exactly as he wanted it.
Even back then, the Spirit of the Lord was considered so permanent an anointing, that even though David was pursued by King Saul who wanted to kill him, he himself would not bring harm to his king, because Saul had been anointed by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit came upon a young, betrothed virgin,
whose name was Mary, and she conceived the incarnate Son of the Living God.
That same Holy Spirit anointed the Son of Mary, and of God, at his baptism, and led him into the desert to fast for 40 days.
The Holy Spirit was poured upon the apostles at Pentecost, and they who were once weak and afraid became mighty and brave, fearing not even death as they proclaimed the Gospel to the world, a proclamation that for almost 2000 years has been preserved by their successors and made manifest by all who have been reborn by
water and the Spirit. You have participated in Pentecost. You have received the fullness of that same Holy Spirit whose power and might brought forth the church and has sustained it ever since. Your Pentecost was the day you were confirmed. You received not a little piece of the Spirit, but the entirety of his creative splendor and force and strength.
Ask yourself this question: If the Holy Spirit did all these things, then what might he just wish to do through me? He will do whatever you let Him do.
they generate reliable income year after year, creating a strong and dependable financial foundation.
We also manage donor-advised funds, which offer a flexible and simple way to give. Donors contribute, receive an immediate tax benefit, and recommend grants over time. For many families, this becomes a way to stay actively involved in their charitable giving and pass those values on to the next generation.
Supporting Catholic education is another key part of our work. Through scholarship funds, we help open doors for students and strengthen the future of the church, creating opportunities that can shape lives for years to come.
We also partner with parishes, schools, and ministries to strengthen their longterm sustainability, helping ensure the church remains vibrant for generations.
Since our founding, we have distributed more than $110 million in grants to Catholic ministries and other charitable causes. This growing legacy reflects the generosity of faithful donors across our community and the impact of thoughtful, faith-driven giving.
When I think back to my daughter’s first Communion, I am reminded that these moments are a gift. Together, we can help ensure future generations experience the same grace. If this mission speaks to you, I invite you to reach out and learn how you can make a lasting impact. Contact us at: cfnek@ archkck.org or call (913) 647-3062.
DEREK LYSSY
Derek Lyssy is the executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas.
MICHAEL PODREBARAC
Michael Podrebarac is an archdiocesan generalist for parish evangelization services.
IN GOD’S TIME
Deacon Robert Rooney follows a vocation
By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On paper, it would seem like Deacon Robert Gerard Rooney has already accomplished a life’s dream.
He spent 30 years enjoying a flourishing law career.
But a different vocational path nagged at him throughout that time — one that is now coming to fruition.
“There’s a healthy dose of struggling with my own worthiness to do this,” said Deacon Rooney.
“My prayer is that however [God] wants to use me, I’m open to that and I’ll be a willing vehicle to serve in whatever capacity I’m asked to serve,” he said.
Deacon Rooney, 60, was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann on May 17, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas.
He and two other men will be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Shawn McKnight on May 23 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka.
Family life
Rooney was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Don and Marie Rooney, the third of five children.
He grew up with his older brothers John and Don, who are now priests, and his younger brother Joe. The Rooneys’ firstborn child, Mary Rose, died soon after birth.
The family moved to a farm near Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Bucyrus when Rooney was in fourth grade. He attended Bucyrus Elementary School (now closed), Louisburg Middle School and Louisburg High School.
Growing up, his father worked as a CPA, and he and his brothers helped around the farm.
“I look back and think what a great way it was to grow up,” said Rooney, “because not only were we in nature all the time, but it taught us responsibility at a young age.”
Powerful encounter
Rooney attended the University of Dallas, where he studied politics and political philosophy.
His experience studying abroad in Rome during his sophomore year and an encounter he had with Pope John Paul II sparked his interest in the priesthood.
“There was a holiness and a peace like I’d never seen in anybody’s face before,” said Deacon Rooney of the now-saint.
Another time, while attending a Pentecost Vigil Mass celebrated by the pope, he watched after the recessional as he made his way back to the altar where the Missionaries of Charity were.
“Out steps Mother Teresa,” recalled Deacon Rooney. “She knelt down in front of him, and he blessed her. And then he helped her up, and he knelt down, and she blessed him.
“The place had cleared out, and here I am being able to witness this beautiful moment — arguably two of the most im-
that never let go
portant saints of our time.
“It was a beautiful time.”
Driven to serve
Rooney wasn’t ready to commit to the seminary while in college and instead went to law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., after graduation.
He began practicing law in 1992 and had a successful career as a litigator and trial lawyer.
The first part of his career, he worked in medical malpractice litigation. The remainder was focused on environmental law and toxic tort defense litigation.
Rooney started seminary studies after his first year of law school but decided to step away.
“I felt called to help people,” said Deacon Rooney. “I felt called to do a lot of the things that a priest does, but not necessarily those things that only a priest can do.”
He entered seminary again in 2004 but was asked to take time away due to concerns about his uncertainty.
His plan was to be gone for a year. But not long after he returned home, his father had the first of a series of strokes, and he needed to care for both of his parents.
“The year away turned into 14 years away,” said Deacon Rooney.
Getting to know Deacon Robert Gerard Rooney
Age: 60
Birthday: Sept. 28, 1965
Born/raised: Born in Kansas City, Missouri. Mostly raised on the family farm near Bucyrus (4th grade on)
Parish I grew up in: Our parish in the country was Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Bucyrus.
Parents: Don and Marie Rooney
Siblings: John, Don and Joe Rooney (Mom and Dad’s oldest child, Mary Rose, died soon after birth)
Education: Louisburg High School; University of Dallas; Georgetown University Law Center; Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary Favorite food: Changes with the day. I love a good hamburger with blue cheese, bacon and mushrooms.
The quality I admire most in people is deep faith, stability, intelligence and kindness.
Aside from Christ and his mother, the biblical character I most want to know more about is St. Joseph, John the Apostle or St. Paul.
My favorite Scripture passage is: “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. . . .”
My favorite place I’ve traveled is Rome.
If you were making a movie of your life, who would play you and why? Matt Damon. Good actor. He’d be believable as a lawyer and priest. And he often plays characters struggling with bigger questions.
It was the support of Archbishop Naumann that ultimately brought Rooney back on the path to priesthood.
Fulfilling the call
Archbishop Naumann encouraged Rooney to attend Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, which is for seminarians 30 years and older. He entered in 2022.
Deacon Rooney sees the value his own professional experience will bring to his priestly ministry.
“Some of [my] cases were so big that they would’ve shut companies down,” he said. “It’s a different type of empathy, but you empathize because there may be thousands of people who get affected.”
His advice for men and women of any age who feel called to religious life is to speak with their parish priest and vocations director.
“Discernment isn’t supposed to happen on your own,” said Deacon Rooney. “It’s not supposed to be decided before you talk to the vocations director. It’s his job to help people get some certainty in their decision.”
He looks forward to the new ways he’ll serve as a priest.
“I have a real, deep appreciation for the sacrament of reconciliation — that it’s where people in pain meet God,” he said. “And what an amazing role the
I deal with failure by learning from it and trying to approach similar future questions from a different perspective.
When I wind up with free time and have no plans, I usually: read, walk, bike, hike. Do something with a friend.
My all-time favorite movie: Could change with the day. “Roman Holiday” is a good one.
If I have an important decision to make, I start by considering the pros and cons of the alternatives. Hidden talent(s): If I answer this, it/ they won’t be hidden.
The one thing I’ve always wanted to do but never tried: I enjoy the idea of sailing and would have enjoyed taking it up seriously.
If I hadn’t felt called to become a priest, my dream job would have been: I loved being a lawyer. I would probably have continued doing that.
priest is asked to have in that place.” Deacon Rooney hopes to remind the people he’ll encounter that they’re made in the image of God.
“If I could help people see who they are and how much they’re loved and what that means for their own dignity and the dignity of everybody around them,” he said, “that’d be pretty awesome.”
LEAVEN FILE PHOTO BY MARY KATE KRAUSE
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann performs the ritual of the laying on of hands on Bob Rooney during the Mass in which Rooney was made a transitional deacon on May 17, 2025.