As we prepare for World Youth Day, please send us your intentions

Do Whatever He Tells You

This is one of my favorite quotes from St. John Paul II from World Youth Day in 1993. While I was not in attendance, I have heard many vocation stories that have come from that experience. That time of pilgrimage confirmed many young men’s and women’s vocations.

In July of this year, the archdiocese will be taking 90 pilgrims to

Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day 2023. We will not be alone; there will be hundreds of thousands — if not a couple million — from all over the world. It will be a time of prayer and discernment for many, but also a time of gathering with the bigger church on an international platform.

In Toronto in 2002, the last international WYD at which he was present, St. John Paul II told the 800,000 pilgrims who gathered with him, “When, back in 1985, I wanted to start the World Youth Days, I imagined a powerful moment in which the young people of the world could meet Christ, who is eternally young, and could learn from him how to be bearers of the Gospel to other young people.”

That was my first World Youth Day. It was such a powerful experience for me and for everyone there. My very first time ever seeing Pope John Paul II brought what I call “Holy Ghost bumps” to my whole body, as well as tears to my eyes. I could feel my heart pounding within my chest at the incredible opportunity I had been given.

The evening and morning of the vigil brought a lot of rain. I remember sitting under a poncho with our other group leader wondering why we were there sitting in the mud and muck.

As Pope John Paul II arrived, I witnessed what I would call a miracle of the sun similar to Fatima, as the wind and sun dried out the grounds on which we were sleeping. That was the Holy Spirit at work, putting to rest all the doubt I had about why we were there.

St. John Paul II left an incredible legacy for the young people with his institution of World Youth Day.

Pope Benedict XVI continued and Pope Francis continues this gathering. As many of us in the archdiocese prepare for this amazing pilgrimage, I ask you to keep us, and World Youth Day, wrapped in prayer. We do not want to go empty-handed either. Please send us your intentions and we will pray for them during our pilgrimage. Send intentions online to: youth2@archkck.org.

Refusing to abandon moms and babies to abortion industry

Laws are like sausages — better not to see them being made. Having spent many an hour in the cutting room of our family’s custom butcher business, this analogy is hard to accept.

As the 2023 Kansas legislative session lurches forward, key issues and divisions are coming into greater focus.

Our Lady of Fatima visionary Sister Lucia dos Santos said: “The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and the family.” We witness this collision firsthand in the corrosive anti-family agenda being imposed upon Kansans and are

Church And State

girls and women. This ensures fairness and safety for all participants. It is not, in any way, “hate” or an attack on anybody.

is the protection of the health, safety and privacy of individuals in areas like athletics; prisons or other detention facilities; domestic violence centers; sexual assault crisis centers; and more.

In these and other debates surrounding human sexuality, our challenge is maintaining charity in the face of vicious lies. We should acknowledge and pray for the suffering many are experiencing due to their sexual confusion.

of women seeking an abortion. The dangerous abortion pill protocol is now being dispensed in greater numbers via telemedicine. This hurts women and destroys human life.

The legislative response by the Kansas Catholic Conference is this: We will not abandon moms and babies to the abortion industry. If Kansans cannot protect women and their preborn babies legally, we redirect our efforts.

are performed on women from Missouri.)

Proposals to incentivize more private donations to PRCs (SB96) and the creation of the Kansas Alternatives to Abortion Program (HB2429) are two legislative steps being taken to offer women true choice when facing an unplanned pregnancy.

compelled to respond.

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (HB 2238) ensures biological girls and women would only compete in athletics against other

Another measure supported by the Kansas Catholic Conference is the Women’s Bill of Rights (SB 180). The bill places into law the clear distinction between the sexes. The objective

As predicted, defeat of the “Value Them Both” amendment is ushering in a dark new era. Kansas is growing as an abortion destination of the Midwest. Abortion clinics statewide are reporting record numbers

Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) on the front lines of the struggle for life deserve our support. Missouri dedicates more than $8 million a year toward direct support of PRCs.

(Unsettling truth: Half of all Kansas abortions

The abortion industry and their allies in the secular press are working hard to create a false narrative painting PRCs as “fake clinics” — or worse. I invite you to learn more about PRCs online at: www.HelpingKansas Women.org.

St. Joseph, defender of the Holy Family, pray for us!