On the weekend of October 14-15th, we begin our 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Giving in Love.” This year’s theme highlights the communion which helps us carry out God’s mission together, impacting so many lives, including our own.
Supporting the ACA, helps provide the necessary resources that are so important for the Church to grow, and to accompany others into life in Jesus Christ. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal today.
To give a gift or make a pledge to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) go online and visit: www.kcsjcatholic.org.
Also, while there, please take the opportunity to listen to this year’s ACA audio message.
VOL. 3 | ISSUE 6
Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.
Publisher
Ashlie Hand
Editor Christy Gruenbaum
Assistant editor
Jenny Pomicter
Graphic designer
To submit story ideas and news, send emails to hand@diocesekcsj.org
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through its food pantries, job training and placement programs, utility assistance and other social services.
32 Fall festival season
www.FAITHcatholic.com
Catholic Key (ISSN 2769-2353, USPS 024-190) is a membership publication of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, published bimonthly (Feb/ Mar, Apr/May, Jun/Jul, Aug/ Sep, Oct/Nov, Dec/Jan) by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, The Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, MO 64105. Periodicals Postage
Paid at Kansas City, MO and at additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Key, The Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, MO 64105. ©2022 Catholic Key, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
ON THE COVER:
Mitch and Shannon Benjamin with their five children are thriving in Catholic school thanks to the MOScholars Program. Photo by Ashlie Hand.
COVER STORY
Building a community of bright futures | Karen Ridder
With five children, the cost of sending them all to Catholic school seemed out of reach for Mitch and Shannon Benjamin. The new taxcredit-based Missouri Scholars (MOScholars) program has changed that reality. This year, their four sons and daughter, grades K to 11, are attending Catholic schools — and thriving.
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Every day is Thanksgiving Day | Bishop James Johnston
To give thanks is fundamental to Christian life. Gratitude is a necessary ingredient for joy and mental and spiritual health.
Come Home to Communion | Eucharistic pilgrimage | Ashlie Hand
During this parish year of the National Eucharistic Revival, there are many ways to increase your devotion to the Eucharist, including a new Eucharistic pilgrimage in our diocese.
Sacred music — an art of community | Bob Sandford
All who sing their Faith, openhearted and in the Spirit, know how the Lord can lay claim to their hearts in song.
There are lots of great ways to support parishes in our diocese while enjoying crisp fall weather, fellowship and community through festivals, potlucks and more this season.
33 Holiday gift guide
Support Catholic-owned small businesses this holiday season with our list of select shops, services and restaurants to round out your holiday giving and celebrations.
En Espanol
22 Construir una comunidad de futuros brillantes |
Karen Ridder
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To Serve and Lift | Blessed, joyful and grateful | Susan Walker
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House of God | Our Lady of Sorrows | Ashlie Hand and Cory Thomason
Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its church, built on community and the beauty of the sacraments received by generations of Catholics.
Multiple research studies note gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.
28 Bishop Sullivan Center is assisting those in need | Marty Denzer
Bishop Sullivan Center has a reputation for aiding the poor
Mitch y Shannon Benjamin tienen la oportunidad de darle a sus niños una educación Católica gracias al nuevo programa de Becarios de Missouri. Este año, sus cuatro hijos y su hija, de Kindergarten a 11o grado, asisten a escuelas Católicas y están prosperando.
26 En el Camino | Cada día es día de Acción de Gracias | Obispo Johnston
The autumn months foreshadow the annual celebration of Thanksgiving Day, a vestige of America’s religious founding which still resonates within the hearts of most people, even the irreligious.
To give thanks is fundamental to Christian life. The inspired Scriptures confirm this repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments. Likewise, the center of Catholic worship and life is the Eucharist, taken from the Greek word for thanksgiving. The altar is not only a place for the salvific sacrifice of Christ on the cross to be made present, but also a table of communion for those in the Mystical Body of Christ — a thanksgiving table for God’s family to receive the “living bread” of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Gratitude is a necessary ingredient for joy and, I would suggest, mental and spiritual health. Something most helpful is to follow the admonition of Saint Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians, to be thankful in all circumstances. In fact, he notes that it is “God’s will” that we be thankful in all circumstances. Admittedly, it is much easier to be thankful in the best of circumstances. For example, when we learn that cancer is in remission; when a child is born in good health; when we get a promotion at work.
There are many wonderful things that happen in life which merit our gratitude to God. Add to these the many other blessings we might also count: our very existence from God and being alive; our parents and grandparents and countless other ancestors who made our lives possible; the many good people in our lives now; our religion and the gift of faith and the hope it brings; God’s mercy and patience; Jesus, and the salvation he won for us; God’s family that is the Church; and so much more. Gratitude is due for all these things and, as a matter of justice, we owe it to God.
But Saint Paul says that we should be thankful in all the other situations we find ourselves in — when the cancer is not in remission, when we lose a loved one to an accident, when we don’t get the promotion. These are times when we are disappointed and even in grief, perhaps wondering why God allows
tragedy. How is it possible to be thankful then too? Certainly, one might not feel like being grateful in the midst of suffering, which means it must be a deliberate choice.
Perhaps a familiar expression can give some insight into not only how to give thanks in all circumstances, but, also, why. We all know the expression, “that’s icing on the cake,” and that it means that one already possesses something wonderful, by itself, and anything more
just adds to what one already has.
As Christians, we can be thankful in all circumstances because we are “in Christ Jesus,” and we belong to God (the cake). In the end, that is all that matters.
Once we realize, as Saint Paul said, that our lives are “now hidden with Christ
in God,” (Col 3:3) everything else — the good, the bad, and the ugly — can only be seen in that light (as just icing).
Perhaps another way to put it is that Jesus is everything, and if I have him, I have everything. If I possess everything but him, I have nothing. Saint
(1 Thes 5:18)
Paul knew this wisdom, which is why he gave thanks in all circumstances without exception, even in prison and on the way to execution.
When you have Jesus, and live in holy communion with him, every day is Thanksgiving Day.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Q What is an example of a practical way you’ve shared your faith with those at work?
Will Nulton was born into a Catholic family, baptized and raised at St. Peter’s Parish and School in Kansas City. He never left the Faith like the demographics say many young people have. However, despite always professing the Faith and attending Mass regularly, Will admits he failed for many years to integrate his Faith into his entire life, often living quite hypocritically. Having developed his prayer life and becoming a husband and father, he now feels that his relationship with Christ is in its proper place at the center of his life, impacting his entire identity and all his activities, even as he does continually fall short. He finds himself thankful for the grace God has given him, loving him unconditionally despite his unfaithfulness.
A: I am a member of our parish boxing club at St. Peter’s. We meet early in the morning for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, then head down to our space in the church basement for training and sparring. I’ve invited some colleagues, and there are now four Husch Blackwell attorneys that attend consistently. It’s been a great opportunity to grow in friendship and virtue in a faith environment. And it’s been quite an experience to pray together, hit each other, then join a client meeting together all in the same morning.
Q Is there a Bible verse, Scripture story, prayer, spiritual item or quote that you carry with you?
A: I often think of a quote by Servant of God Dorothy Day — “We should live in such a way that our lives wouldn’t make much sense if the Gospel were not true.” This is such a challenge to me, as I am drawn constantly to choosing the easier or more comfortable path. But Christ’s life is a demand, and the Gospel is a high bar. I hope I can live the type of life Dorothy Day urges us to live.
Q
Is your Catholic Faith part of your professional identity, either publicly or privately? How is it expressed during the work day or in the professional setting?
A: I can’t separate my Catholic Faith from any aspect of my identity, professional or otherwise. By simply showing that faith is a big part of my life and also living joyfully, I believe my colleagues and clients come to see that my faith is the very reason for the joy they see. And hopefully, in seeking that joy for themselves, they grow closer to Christ. There are also practical signs of my faith that can be a means for evangelization — my crucifix in my office or my image of Saint Thomas More. Even the
photos of my four young children have led to wonderful conversations at work about trusting in God’s providence.
Q What are some practical ways that you incorporate prayer into your work day?
If not during the work day, when do you find time for prayer?
A: As soon as I get into my office each morning, I turn to my image of Saint Thomas More and my crucifix and recite a prayer with Thomas (the patron saint of lawyers), asking his intercession to serve my clients ably and diligently throughout the day, and to be a source of courage and joy for my family.
Q
What is your go-to Catholic/Christian/faith-based podcast, app, radio program or station?
A: Two wonderful local priests record their homilies on a weekly basis and publish them on their podcasts. Father Nick Blaha’s is called the “Father Nick Blaha Homily Cast.” And Father Andrew Mattingly’s is called “Padre’s Points.” I would also recommend “Desert Streaming” (by my friend Marco Casanova), the “Rosary Podcast” and anything by Bishop Barron/Word on Fire.
Will is a member of St. Peter’s Parish in Kansas City with his wife and four children.
The significance of gratitude is often overlooked in Christian spirituality. We talk with God about problems and challenges, asking for what we need or help with tough times. Once a prayer is answered, we quickly zoom off to the next big issue. But how often do we pause to just thank God for the good things we already have and the prayers already answered?
You might wonder, does God even need our gratitude? After all, he’s the almighty Creator. He can take care of himself. But here’s a twist — what if he actually wants it? Look at the story in Luke 17:11-19: Jesus heals 10 lepers, but only one — shockingly, a Samaritan — comes back to say thanks. Jesus doesn’t scold the others for not returning, but he’s happy when one does. It’s a subtle yet potent message about gratitude.
The call to gratitude runs deep in Scripture. Pope Saint John Paul II said the whole biblical spirituality of praise is rooted in gratitude. Throughout the Psalms and the Gospels, you can see the transformative power of gratitude. In Psalm 116, David extols God for rescuing him from death’s brink. He ponders how he can repay God for such immense kindness and concludes, “I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” (Ps 116:17-18) Sometimes, we wrongly assume God seeks grand gestures and monumental sacrifices to prove our love. However, God primarily seeks our appreciation, praise and thanksgiving. Gratitude, it turns out, is the most fitting gift for God’s immeasurable kindness and mercy.
Psalm 116 references a “thank offering,” an Old Testament sacrifice that foreshadows the Eucharistic Sacrifice in the New Testament. Indeed, “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification.” (1360)
So, at the heart of our Catholic Faith stands the Eucharist, a sacrament of thanksgiving. This is the profound significance gratitude holds. It shows that gratitude should infuse not only our Mass experience but also our lives beyond. The Eucharist transcends church walls, influencing every facet of our existence. It reminds us that our lives are a true act of spiritual worship, and gratitude is at the heart of that worship.
In Catholic spirituality, gratitude stands as a potent yet often underestimated force. By embracing gratitude, we reshape our prayers, strengthen our divine connection, and become faith agents in the world. Just as the Eucharist perpetually offers thanks, our lives too can embody gratitude — a testament to the transformative strength of acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon us.
“The Eucharist transcends church walls, influencing every facet of our existence. It reminds us that our lives are a true act of spiritual worship, and gratitude is at the heart of that worship.”
BY ASHLIE HAND PHOTOS BY CORY THOMASON
Our Lady of Sorrows recently marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its church, built on community and the beauty of the sacraments received by generations of Catholics. Opened in 1890, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish relocated twice — from its original location on Southwest Boulevard to the site where Union Station stands today — before moving to its current location at 2552 Gillham Road in Kansas City, which was dedicated on Sept. 16, 1923.
Visit catholickey.org to read more from our visit with Father Leonard Gicheru, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, and Jim Hardy, a third-generation parishioner who attended Our Lady of Sorrows as a child, and take a video tour of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.
The painting inside the arch above the altar depicts angels and a dove representing the Holy Spirit. Aside from a minor restoration in the 1950s, the paintings are largely untouched and are believed to be the last remaining artwork by local artist Dante Cosentino.
A beloved legend at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, credited to Father Thomas Wiederholt, is that the gold crown hanging over the high altar was the inspiration for the naming of Crown Center, located just half a mile from the church.
“The church reflects a renaissance spirit in the use of classic columns and open arcades in both its towers and facade entrance. The church also features a basic cruciform floor plan revealed in the transept extension with the rose window.”
(This Far by Faith, Vol. I)
The stained-glass windows along the sides of the worship space stand out in their simplicity and use of purple tones, evoking the spirit of sorrow and reverence synonymous with the parish’s patron. The colors become more vibrant as the sun moves across the sky into the afternoon.
“Combining brick and stone became a practical and decorative adaptation of the Italianate Romanesque churches. Our Lady of Sorrows was built of dark red hydraulic pressed brick and trimmed in Carthage stone.” (This Far by Faith, Vol. I)
The cornerstone for Our Lady of Sorrows, put in place one year before the church was formally dedicated, is said to contain a rosary placed there by the son of the neighborhood grocer whose family were longtime parishioners of Our Lady of Sorrows.
By Christy Gruenbaum
The St. Joseph’s Guild at Our Lady of the Presentation in Lee’s Summit can almost hear a sigh of relief when a grieving family walks into the funeral lunch after Mass for their loved one. After an emotionally taxing morning, a tough time filled with lots of decisions, conversations and, often, little sleep, the smell of barbecue meatballs, cheesy potato casseroles, barbecue green beans and desserts is quite comforting.
More comforting is having a place lovingly prepared where the family can visit with extended family and friends. A place to slow down for a few moments, enjoy some nourishment and rest. Yes, nourishment comes in the form of delicious food, but families are also nourished spiritually. They are surrounded by prayerful, senior members of the parish, many who have experienced loss and grief, too. They know how important it is to accompany families during a difficult time. The guild
More comforting is having a place lovingly prepared where the family can visit with extended family and friends. A place to slow down for a few moments, enjoy some nourishment and rest.”
members are there for hours preparing, serving and cleaning because they consider it an act of love, showing mercy like Jesus in spiritual and corporal works of mercy (Comfort the sorrowful. Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty.).They are there because they know what a blessing the funeral lunch ministry is to families. They feel called to serve the parish and enjoy the fellowship when serving together.
Last year, the St. Joseph Guild served 1,200 people. This year, as of August, they have already served 1,100 people. Hosting a lunch for anywhere from 25 to 125 people takes a lot of planning and is truly a team effort. After the guild is notified that there will be a lunch, the menu is planned. A sign up list is created and volunteers are asked to donate items, bake and bring dishes and volunteer to set up, serve and clean up. There are usually about 20 people involved in each lunch from start to finish. The entire process, from doing inventory to clean up, can be a long day, too. Recently the guild created separate shifts to make it easier on those who cannot be on their feet for six or seven hours straight. The menu varies depending on the season and can include everything from soups to main entrées, casseroles, fruit trays, veggie trays and desserts. They always serve meatballs, which happens to be pastor Father Tom Holder’s favorite item.
The funeral lunch ministry is just one of many ways the St. Joseph Guild supports the parish throughout the year. Guild members help when baked goods are needed at parish events, they launder the purificators and altar cloths, take care of Mary’s Garden and the landscaping around the Blessed Mother statue. The guild helps clean the church before Easter and Christmas and financially supports parish projects, such as the purchase of a stained-glass window honoring Saint Joseph. They have helped fund the professional cleaning of the stained-glass windows and support some community organizations. The guild also donates 60 dozen eggs twice a month to Lee’s Summit Social Services.
What a comfort for all parishioners and the entire community to know the St. Joseph Guild at Presentation is there ready to serve (and has been since the 1950s); dedicated volunteers who share the Catholic Faith and the call to serve one another in Christ’s name.
Monsignor Roy William
“Bill” Caldwell
Sept. 5, 1941 - Dec. 3, 2022
Sister Helen Flemington, CSJ
Sept. 30, 1943 - Dec. 27, 2022
Sister Marian Neimann, CSJ
April 4, 1930 - Jan. 1, 2023
Deacon Tony Zimmerman
Oct. 26, 1951 - Feb. 18, 2023
Sister Mary Susan Huppe, OSB
Oct. 23, 1937 - March 6, 2023
Rev. Mario Moscaritolo
March 6, 1937 - March 20, 2023
Rev. Frank Kriski, CSSR
Aug. 30, 1936 - April 5, 2023
Rev. John McCormack
June 4, 1932 - April 7, 2023
Monsignor John Leitner
August 22, 1929 - April 12, 2023
Rev. Donald Grabner, OSB
Nov. 4, 1928 - April 17, 2023
Sister Marietta Crahan, OSB
June 10, 1930 - May 22, 2023
Rev. Ernie Gauthier
July 8, 1937 – May 26, 2023
Rev. Richard Cleary, OSB
July 31, 1929 - July 21, 2023
Sister Delores Kincaide, SL
Dec. 29, 1929 - July 30, 2023
Sister Leona Bax
April 24, 1939 - Aug. 2, 2023
Rev. Reginald Sander, OSB
Oct. 23, 1935 - Sept. 9, 2023
If we have missed a diocesan priest or a religious order priest or sister who spent time in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph who died in December 2022 or later, please let us know so we may add them to this 2023 list on catholickey.org.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
“Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.”
— Psalm 73:26— Traditional prayer from the Rite of Christian Burial
The MOScholars program offers the Benjamin family the opportunity to place all five of their children in Catholic school
Mitch and Shannon Benjamin are getting the chance to give their kids a Catholic education thanks to a new scholarship program in Missouri. The couple had always thought a faith-based education would be good for their children. With five children, though, the cost of that opportunity seemed out of reach. The new tax-credit-based Missouri Scholars (MOScholars) program has changed that reality. This year, their four sons and daughter, grades K to 11, are attending Catholic schools.
The Benjamins grew up in a small town. While Shannon attended a Catholic school in her early elementary years, both graduated from the same K-12 public school in their hometown.
The couple moved to the Kansas City area about 15 years ago, choosing their current public school district because it had a good reputation.
“We were excited because everyone really liked the schools. We really liked it, too,” said Shannon.
The elementary schools were fine for the family, but as the boys began to age up into middle school and high school, the couple saw changes they didn’t like. The schools were much bigger — particularly the local high school. It is the largest in the state, with about 2,500 students. The Benjamins quickly felt like their older kids were getting lost in the shuffle — flying under the radar — and not getting their best experience.
Learn more about MOScholars at brightfuturesfund.org
“The student-teacher relationship was just very generic. The feeling like you could have a personal relationship with teachers and have them know who your kids were just kind of went away,” said Shannon.
The size may have been OK, if it was not for the fact that the older children also seemed to grow unsettled. The couple saw their boys drawing in and drawing apart from the family at home.
“When they went from middle school and got into high school, there was just a disconnect,” said Mitch.
In 2022, Mitch saw an email about a new program offered in the state of Missouri which allowed families to take advantage of scholarship money to send their kids to private schools. The money comes from tax-credits reserved through individual state income taxes. Families can receive nearly $6,500 toward tuition per child. The money can also be used for other educational expenses like tutoring, testing, extracurricular activities, afterschool programs and education.
While students with Individualized Education Plans and low-income families have priority, the income limitations
extend to 200 percent of the federal free and reduced-price lunch income eligibility level. When they applied, the Benjamins were not sure their children would qualify, but they decided to try it anyway and filled out the applications.
They also took the step of faith to enroll their three middle children in the parish school.
“The principal was just encouraging us to enroll the kids and start out the school year there. It was nerve-wracking because we had not heard back,” said Shannon.
They finally got confirmation of eligibility in October of 2022 for their three middle children: Grant (8th), Greyson (6th) and Gibson (3rd). This year, they
were able to extend the enrollment to their oldest son, Graden, who is in 11th grade, and their daughter Delilah, who started kindergarten. The family is guaranteed continued funding as long as the program continues. They do not have to reapply for each child yearly.
Mitch and Shannon say they are happy with the change educationally for their children. The curriculum at the parish school is more challenging than the public school’s. The grading scale is stricter. They feel like their kids are called to greater personal responsibility. The backpacks are full of books, pens and paper, instead of digital devices. All of it has been more reminiscent of how Mitch and Shannon both grew up and experienced school.
The kids are also learning about the Catholic Faith in a new, more robust way. They get to go to Mass twice a week during school and their knowledge is growing rapidly.
“I’m still blown away. I considered myself to be pretty knowledgeable about my religion, but they will come home and tell me stuff that I never heard before,” said Shannon.
Mitch says he could tell a difference at the high school for Graden from the very beginning as well. The new high school only has about 450 students and feels more personable to him. Teachers also seemed to have a sense of purpose behind their curriculum he had not seen before.
“They are invested in the fact that they are teaching young adults, not just subject matter, but life skills,” said Mitch.
The Benjamins say the bigger sense of community they have in the smaller school — which is also their parish — has extended into their home life. Their four younger children can all go to the same school.
“They are coming back together, not isolated from each other. They are definitely more aware of each other and involved in their school life. There’s a more peaceful camaraderie in our home,” said Mitch.
Did you know you can direct up to HALF of your annual state income taxes to be used for scholarships for children to attend Catholic schools — at no cost to you?
STEP 1: GO TO THE BRIGHT FUTURES FUND WEBSITE
Visit brightfuturesfund.org/moscholars_taxcredits and click “Reserve your tax credits here.”
STEP 2: ESTIMATE YOUR TAX LIABILITY
Base it on what you paid last year. Fill out all fields for the MOScholars Tax Credit Reservation System.
STEP 3:
CHOOSE BRIGHT FUTURES FUND FROM THE EAO LIST Select Bright Futures Fund from the Educational Assistance Organization dropdown menu.
STEP 4: RESERVE YOUR TAX CREDIT AMOUNT
You will receive a 100 percent tax credit for 50 percent of your tax obligation. You will receive an email from the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office. Print and save your confirmation number.
STEP 5: WRITE A CHECK TO THE BRIGHT FUTURES FUND
Write a check to the Bright Futures Fund before December 20 for the amount of tax credits reserved. Mail your check to:
Bright Futures Fund
P.O. Box 419037
Kansas City, MO 64141 Phone: 816.714.2338
After verification from the state, you will receive an email receipt. Include the receipt and a MO-TC form with your state income tax filing. For the current MO-TC form, visit dor.mo.gov/forms and search MO-TC
From Sept. 9, 2023-May 4, 2024
The Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph invites you to visit our Eucharistic pilgrimage sites:
Our Lady of the Presentation Parish
Site of 5th Annual Eucharistic Congress
130 NW Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO Visit olpls.org for Mass times
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
Celebrating 100 years
2552 Gilham Rd., Kansas City, MO Visit oloskc.org for Mass times
Holy Rosary Parish
610 S. 4th St., Clinton, MO
Blessed Carlo Acutis relic tour
Oct. 6 @ 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Oct. 7 @ 8:30 a.m. - Noon
St. Ann Parish
Celebrating 135 years on Dec. 18, 2023
700 W. Maple St., Plattsburg, MO Visit stannplattsburg.org for Mass times
St. Mary Parish
Celebrating 200 years through Aug. 15, 2024
600 N. Liberty, Independence, MO
Visit stmaryparish.org for details
St. Thomas More Parish
Fresh Fire 2023
11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO Visit stmkc.com for details
Divine Mercy Park
3800 NE Davidson Road, Kansas City, MO
Cathedral of St. Joseph
519 N. 10th St., St. Joseph, MO
Permanent first-class relic from Blessed Carlo Acutis
Visit cathedralsj.org for details.
Download your passport at beholdkc.org and print at home. Visit pilgrimage sites anytime before May 4, 2024. Collect a sticker from at least five stops along the pilgrimage route — or challenge yourself to visit all eight. Bring your passport to the BEHOLD KC event on May 4, 2024, for a free commemorative gift blessed by Bishop James Johnston.
The story goes that Saint Cecilia, on the day of her wedding to Valerian, with a marriage song still singing in her heart, proclaimed herself bride of Jesus. All who sing their Faith, open-hearted and in the Spirit, know how the Lord can lay claim to their hearts in song.
By Bob SandfordOn the occasion of the Nov. 22 feast day of the patron of musicians, Saint Cecilia, I offer something of the claim God makes on the hearts of music ministers through song.
I have witnessed this at least three times. At choir rehearsal, everybody seemed irritable. When the singers talked, they grumbled. And when they sang, they sounded like soloists all singing more or less at the same time. We forgot to pray. So we prayed and we sang and we sounded like a choir again — many voices, many colors of sound, many singing as one and many praying as one.
There is hope in this sound. This is us living Jesus’ call to be one as he and the Father
are one. Music ministers deliberately cultivate the soil from which this miracle of communal prayer springs, not to keep it for themselves, for then it would wither and die, but to invite and encourage all into the song. Ours is a mustard seed ministry rooted in a necessity of the heart: we simply must share this.
The practice of our art has taught us that when we offer even the smallest seed, we are giving ourselves to the care of something alive and beautiful that, by some miracle of our shared humanity, infused with divinity, is far greater than the sum of the parts.
Music ministers desire this miracle in all its potency. Like a force of divine nature, this desire draws us together and binds us and calls us to
invite others to add to this precious gift. This is our conviction born of experience: once you have heard the sound of an entire congregation singing as one, your heart will remember and sing to you its desire for that taste of heaven again and again until that day when we will sing together with the angels and the saints at the foot of God’s throne.
Music ministers are anointed into a lifelong vocation when that heavenbound sound leaves its indelible mark on our souls. To the music minister, there is no more beautiful sound than the sound of a congregation at worship.
This reflection is based on a book in progress, Meeting God in Song: How Music Opens Us to the Sacred.
Are you looking for a wonderful Catholic retirement comm St. Anthony’s Senior Living 1000 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131
Are you looking for a wonderful Catholic retirement community to call home? St. Anthony’s Senior Living 1000 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131
Are you looking for a wonderful Catholic retirement community to call home? St. Anthony’s Senior Living 1000 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131
Are you looking for a wonderful Catholic retirement community to call home? St. Anthony’s Senior Living 1000 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131
Come check out ALL we have to offer! Schedule your private tour TODAY!
Come check out ALL we have to offer! Schedule your private tour TODAY!
Are you looking for a wonderful Catholic retirement community to call home? St. Anthony’s Senior Living 1000 E. 68th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131
Come check out ALL we have to offer! Schedule your private tour TODAY!
Come check out ALL we have to offer! Schedule your private tour TODAY!
Come check out ALL we have to offer!
Along time ago, in a Kansas City suburb not so far away, I was part of a large class of high school graduates. In the decades since, we have scattered far and wide. I’ve stayed connected with a few — mostly via social media. We’re not close in the sense of sending emails, sharing family and work stories or even exchanging Christmas cards — but more like posting and reacting to the general “stuff of life” posts about joys and sorrows, beauty encountered or experiences of sadness. It’s easy to scroll past most of the posts, but one former classmate always gains my attention each week. On Sundays, he posts a reminder to himself and to all of us to rest, worship and be grateful. It’s a simple message: “Happy Gratitude Sunday, y’all!” “Getting my worship and gratitude on.” “Take your moment of rest and gratitude, friends.” His posts are a welcome reminder, and I find myself checking social media on Sunday morning looking for his encouragement.
He has captured something essential about gratitude: it’s certainly not reserved for the spectacular moments in our lives. Rather, it’s inherent in our day to day living. The word “gratitude” comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness or gratefulness. In some ways, gratitude encompasses all these interpretations. It’s how we describe recognizing and celebrating the goodness in our lives.
There have been multiple research studies published noting gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps us relish good experiences, deal with adversity, engender positive emotions and build strong relationships.
This doesn’t require us to become naïve and ignore the challenges we face in life or diminish the difficult situations we might be living through. Joy — and things to be grateful for — doesn’t always have to come in extraordinary events. Moments in our ordinary, workaday lives can fly by, but the minutes of our days are the building blocks of our entire lives. Each experience matters.
The first step in practicing gratitude involves tuning into everyday experiences we could feel thankful for — like a good cup of coffee, a beautiful sunset or the laughter of our
As part of our professional development and support for our staff at Catholic Charities, we offer sessions on trauma informed care of others and self-care — so staff who work daily with people in crisis are able to continue this often difficult work. One of the tools we have offered is the practice of mindfulness. We sat down with Catholic Charities’ Director of Finance, Ken Bevers, who has invested time developing his own personal mindfulness habits and helped facilitate our staff’s access to learning the techniques involved.
We can be grateful for things in our past that have brought us to today such as past blessings and good memories. We can be grateful for the present, such as moments of joy that happened today, the feeling of accomplishment in completing a task or an interaction with a friend or co-worker. And we can be grateful for the future, maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude.”
children. Second, we can learn to interpret our daily experiences as more of a gift. For example, someone in the store helps us in a way that isn’t transactional, or another driver lets us into traffic when they didn’t have to.
We can be grateful for things in our past that have brought us to today such as past blessings and good memories. We can be grateful for the present, such as moments of joy that happened today, the feeling of accomplishment in completing a task or an interaction with a friend or co-worker. And we can be grateful for the future, maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude.
Staff at Catholic Charities who work directly with individuals and families in need witness the overwhelming gratitude that swells up as we can help alleviate a crisis, feed their children and help them find and maintain shelter. Our staff who work with volunteers, donors and stakeholders also witness the joy and gratitude individuals, organizations and families feel when they are part of the mission to serve and lift God’s people.
Our faith tells us God cares for each of us and wants the best for every one of us. In this Thanksgiving season, may the moments of joy and gratitude in our lives be celebrated.
What’s been your experience of the intersection of mindfulness and gratitude?
Everyone is familiar with some kind of gratitude exercise — mindfulness can be another tool to allow us to return to gratitude a little quicker. It’s paying attention without purpose in the present moment. Just notice what is happening. That can help navigate through our days and find a sense of gratitude. There is power in just noticing and moving back to purposeful awareness.
What are the benefits you have found in a practice of mindfulness?
My experience has been that there is a softness to gratitude and connecting back to God in the present moment. There’s a hardness to fear and the distance from the Divine. Mindfulness is anchored in “where we are” physically and emotionally. We naturally want to escape at times because our situation might be painful, but ignoring the situation doesn’t alleviate the pain. When we talk about fear and hardness in our lives, we are prone to react. However, if we can be open and even curious about understanding what’s going on in our lives, we can more fully engage and not go with our first impulse. When we react to the things that happen throughout the day, we don’t really think about it. We just know we don’t like it. When we slow down and are curious to understand fully and respond, we feel better about being in that space and can make better choices.
It’s small, simple steps. Practice responding how we want (rather than reacting) is a real opportunity. We aren’t trying to do things perfectly. Seeking grace and humility and self-compassion in how we respond. Through practice of how we want to be, we can get to the point where reactions are fewer. And even if we do react in the moment, self-compassion can bring us back to where we want to be. Look for tools to deal with our present moment: pray, connect with a friend, go for a walk, be in nature.
We’re all struggling and doing what we can. When we think of Christ as the way, the truth and the life, we’re seeking Christ in the present moment. I find a sense of peace and stillness that comes from that. Our minds are focused on the next thing to “do,” but we can’t be whole without coming back to the present moment. We need to remember that our lives are not waiting for us in the future — our lives are here where we are today. Deep down, we are striving for hope right now. When we find Christ in the present moment, that is how we find the hope we long for.
Por Karen Ridder
El Programa de Becarios de MO le ofrece a la familia
Benjamin la oportunidad de inscribir a sus cinco hijos en la escuela Católica.
Mitch y Shannon Benjamin tienen la oportunidad de darle a sus niños una educación Católica gracias al nuevo programa de Becarios de Missouri. La pareja siempre había pensado que una educación basada en la fe podría ser buena para sus niños. Con cinco niños, el costo de esa oportunidad parecía fuera de su alcance. El nuevo programa de Becarios de Missouri basado en créditos fiscales cambió esa realidad. Este año, sus cuatro hijos y su hija, de Kindergarten a 11o grado, asisten a escuelas Católicas.
Los Benjamin crecieron en una ciudad pequeña. Si bien Shannon estudió sus primeros años de primaria en una Escuela Católica, ambos se graduaron en la misma escuela pública de K al 12o de su ciudad natal.
La pareja se mudó al área de Kansas City hace unos quince años, y escogieron su distrito escolar público por su buena reputación.
“Estábamos emocionados porque a todos les gustaban realmente las escuelas. A nosotros también nos gustaban realmente” dijo Shannon.
Las escuelas primarias fueron buenas para la familia, pero a medida que los niños crecieron y entraron en la escuela media y secundaria, la pareja vio cambios que no les gustaron. Las escuelas eran mucho más grandes, en especial la escuela secundaria local. Es la más grande del estado con cerca de 2.500 estudiantes. Los Benjamin rápidamente sintieron que sus niños mayores estaban perdidos en la confusión — pasando desapercibidos — y no tenían la mejor experiencia.
por el hecho de que los niños mayores también parecían sentirse inquietos. La pareja observó como sus niños en la casa se acercaban y se alejaban de la familia.
“Cuando pasaron de la escuela media a la secundaria simplemente se desconectaron” dijo Mitch.
Aprenda más acerca del programa de Becarios MO en brightfuturesfund.org
En el 2022, Mitch vio un correo electrónico acerca de un nuevo programa que se ofrece en el estado de Missouri que les permite a las familias aprovechar el dinero de las becas para enviar a sus hijos a escuelas privadas. El dinero brinda oportunidades de crédito fiscal para personas que quieren hacer donativos. Las familias pueden recibir casi 6500$ para la matrícula escolar por niño. El dinero también puede utilizarse para otros gastos educativos, como tutoría, pruebas, actividades extracurriculares, programas y educación posteriores al horario escolar.
También hicieron un acto de fe inscribiendo a sus tres niños del medio en la escuela parroquial.
“El director nos animó a inscribir a los niños y a que comenzaran allí el año escolar. Fue muy estresante porque no habíamos tenido respuesta”, dijo Shannon.
“La relación estudiante-profesor era simplemente muy genérica. La sensación de que podías tener una relación personal con los maestros y hacerles saber quiénes eran tus hijos simplemente desapareció”, dijo Shannon.
El tamaño hubiera estado bien, si no fuera
Si bien los estudiantes con Planes de Educación Individualizados y las familias de bajos ingresos tienen prioridad, las limitaciones de ingresos se extienden a 200% del nivel federal de elegibilidad para el almuerzo gratis y de precio rebajado. Los Benjamin no estaban seguros de que sus niños pudiesen calificar al aplicar esos criterios, pero decidieron intentarlo de todas maneras y llenaron las solicitudes.
Finalmente, en octubre de 2022 la familia recibió la confirmación de la elegibilidad para sus tres niños del medio, Grant (8o), Greyson (6 o) y Gibson (3 o). En este año pudieron extender la inscripción para su hijo mayor — Graden, que está en 11o grado, y para su hija menor Delilah, que comenzó en Kindergarten. La familia tiene garantizado el financiamiento mientras el programa continue. No tienen que hacer la solicitud nuevamente para cada niño todos los años.
Mitch y Shannon dicen que se sienten felices con el cambio educativo de sus niños. El currículo de la escuela parroquial es más retador que el de la escuela pública. La escala de evaluación es más estricta. Sienten que se requiere de sus niños una mayor responsabilidad personal. Los morrales están llenos de libros, plumas y papeles en lugar de dispositivos
digitales. Todo eso tiene más reminiscencia con la forma en la que Mitch y Shannon crecieron y experimentaron la escuela.
Los niños también aprenden acerca de la fe Católica de una manera nueva, más sólida. Asisten dos veces a la semana a Misa durante el horario escolar y su conocimiento está aumentando rápidamente.
“Todavía me siento impresionada. Considero que tengo un buen conocimiento acerca de mi religión, pero aun así me sorprenden. Vienen a casa y me dicen cosas que nunca había escuchado antes”, dijo Shannon.
Mitch también expresó que pudo apreciar la diferencia de Graden en la escuela secundaria desde el mismo inicio. Tiene que ver con el tamaño de la escuela. La nueva escuela secundaria solo tiene alrededor de 450 estudiantes y él la siente más agradable. Los profesores también parecen tener un sentido de propósito detrás de sus planes de estudio que él no había visto antes.
“Ellos están conscientes del hecho de que están enseñando a jóvenes adultos, no solo una asignatura, sino habilidades para la vida”.
Los Benjamin dijeron que el mayor sentido de comunidad que tienen en la escuela más pequeña — que también es su parroquia — se ha extendido a su vida en el hogar. Sus cuatro niños más pequeños pueden ir todos a la misma escuela.
Están volviendo a estar juntos, no aislados unos de otros. Definitivamente están más conscientes de los demás e involucrados en su vida en la escuela. Hay una camaradería más pacífica en nuestra casa”, dijo Mitch.
¿Sabe usted que puede dedicar hasta la MITAD de sus impuestos estatales sobre la renta anuales para proveer de becas a los niños que asisten a las escuelas Católicas sin costo para usted?
PASO 1:
VISITE EL SITIO WEB BRIGHt FUTURES FUND (FUNDACIÓN FUTUROS BRILLANTES)
Visite brightfuturesfund.org/moscholars_taxcredits y de un clic en “Reserve your tax credits here”
PASO 2:
ESTIME SU RESPONSABILIDAD TRIBUTARIA
Tome como base lo que pagó en el último año. Llene todos los campos del Sistema de Reservación de Crédito Fiscal.
PASO 3:
SELECCIONE “BRIGHt FUTURES FUND” DE LA LISTA EAO
Seleccione Bright Futures Fund de la lista desplegable Educational Assistance Organization (Organizaciones de Asistencia Educativa)
PASO 4:
RESERVE LA CANTIDAD DE CRÉDITO FISCAL
Recibirá un 100% de crédito fiscal por el 50% de su obligación fiscal. Recibirá un correo electrónico de la Oficina del Tesoro del Estado de Missouri. imprímalo y guarde su número de confirmación.
PASO 5:
ESCRIBA UN CHEQUE A BRIGHT FUTURES FUND
Escriba un cheque a Bright Futures Fund antes del 20 de diciembre por la cantidad del crédito fiscal reservado. Envíe su cheque a:
Bright Futures Fund
P.O. Box 419037
Kansas City, MO 64141
Teléfono: 816.714.2338
Después que el estado lo verifique recibirá un recibo por correo electrónico. Incluya el recibo y el formulario MO-TC a su declaración de impuesto sobre la renta estatal. Para el formulario actualizado MOTC visite dor.mo.gov/forms y busque MO-TC
Los meses de otoño presagian la celebración anual del Día de Acción de Gracias, un vestigio de la fundación religiosa de Estados Unidos que todavía resuena en el corazón de la mayoría de la gente, aún de los no religiosos.
Dar gracias es fundamental para la vida cristiana. Las Sagradas Escrituras confirman eso repetidamente tanto en el Antiguo como en el Nuevo Testamento. De la misma manera, el centro de adoración y vida católica es la Eucaristía, que viene de la palabra griega para dar gracias. El altar no es solamente un lugar para hacer presente el sacrificio salvador de Cristo en la cruz, sino también una mesa de comunión para aquellos en el Cuerpo Místico de Cristo -una mesa de agradecimiento para la que la familia de Dios reciba el “pan vivo” del Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo. La gratitud es un ingrediente necesario para la alegría y, podría sugerir, para
la salud mental y espiritual. Algo de más ayuda es seguir el consejo de San Pablo en su primera carta a los Tesalonicenses, de dar gracias en todas las circunstancias. De hecho, el hace notar que es “la voluntad de Dios” que nosotros demos gracias en todas las circunstancias. Por supuesto, es mucho más fácil ser agradecidos en las mejores circunstancias. Por ejemplo, cuando nos enteramos de que el cáncer está en remisión; cuando un niño nace en buena salud; cuando tenemos un ascenso en el trabajo.
Hay muchas cosas maravillosas que suceden en la vida que merecen nuestra gratitud a Dios. También podemos añadir las muchas otras bendiciones que podemos contar: nuestra propia existencia proveniente de Dios y el estar vivos; nuestros padres, abuelos y otros incontables antepasados que hicieron posibles nuestras vidas; las muchas buenas personas actualmente en nuestras vidas; nuestra religión y el don de la fe, y la esperanza que eso conlleva; la misericordia y la paciencia de Dios; Jesús, y la salvación que ganó para nosotros; la familia de Dios que es la Iglesia, y mucho más. Debemos agradecer por todas esas cosas que, en justicia, le debemos a Dios.
Sin embargo, San Pablo dice que debemos agradecer en todas las otras situaciones en las que nos encontramos — cuando el cáncer no está en remisión, cuando perdemos un ser querido en un accidente, cuando no obtenemos el ascenso. En esos momentos cuando nos sentimos decepcionados y aun afligidos, quizás preguntándonos porque Dios
permitió esa tragedia. ¿Cómo es posible también agradecer en esos momentos? Ciertamente, uno podría no sentirse agradecido en el medio del sufrimiento, lo que quiere decir que el agradecimiento debe ser una escogencia deliberada.
Quizás una expresión familiar puede darnos una idea no solamente sobre cómo dar gracias en todas las circunstancias, sino también, de por qué. Todos conocemos la expresión “esa es la guinda del pastel”, que significa que uno ya posee algo maravilloso en sí
mismo, y algo más solo añade a lo que ya tenemos.
Como cristianos, podemos agradecer en todas las circunstancias porque estamos “en Cristo Jesús”, y pertenecemos a Dios (el pastel), y al final, eso es todo lo que importa. Una vez que nos damos cuenta, como San Pablo dice, que nues-
tras vidas están “ahora escondidas con Cristo en Dios”, (Colosenses 3:3), todo lo demás- lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo- solo puede ser visto de ese modo (como solo la guinda).
Quizás otra forma de expresarlo es que Jesús es todo, que, si lo tenemos a Él, lo tenemos todo. Si lo poseemos todo,
(1 Tesalonicenses 5:18)
pero no lo tenemos a Él, no tenemos nada. San Pablo conocía esa sabiduría, es por eso por lo que dio gracias en todas las circunstancias sin excepción, aún en prisión y en el camino a la ejecución.
Cuando tienes a Jesús, y vives en santa comunión con Él, cada dia es Dia de Acción de Gracias.
“Den gracias en todo, porque esa es la voluntad de Dios para ustedes en Cristo Jesús”
The line of people, young and old, stretched from the door of Bishop Sullivan Center’s One City Café to the sidewalk on Troost Avenue, as they waited patiently in the muggy heat for the door to open. Inside, the café was busy as volunteers received last-minute instructions and the chef, cooks and servers made sure all was ready.
Opening time. As people walked in, they were greeted with smiles and offered help with food trays and drinks. The café, bright with colorful paintings, was soon buzzing with conversation and laughter as people enjoyed their meal in the air conditioning.
Bishop Sullivan Center has two locations — 6435 E. Truman Road and 3936 Troost Ave. — and a reputation for aiding the poor through its food pantries, job training and placement programs, utility assistance and other social services. One City Café, so named to bridge the old Troost racial divide and serve east and west, grew out of the St. James Parish soup kitchen.
Agency Director Michelle Carlstedt has worked for Bishop Sullivan Center since 2021. She worked for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK) and met some of the Bishop
Sullivan Center Employment Services staff, who were providing services in one of their buildings.
“I was impressed with their employment program and their staff members,” she said. That propelled her to apply to Bishop Sullivan Center when the director position opened.
“I started in October 2021. I’m still here because I feel called to serve here,” Carlstedt said. “I am very impressed by the loyalty of our staff and volunteers to those we serve. Many have been here for over a decade. I have seen them go above and beyond — listening to stories and offering comfort and working with other social service agencies in our area to provide assistance and help.”
Mary Vincent is one of those volunteers. She is ready with a smile, and sometimes a joke, to help diners juggle their tray, get a drink or silverware and
stay and talk for a minute or two. She knows many diners by name. Vincent is a listener above all, and sometimes that’s all that’s needed, just someone to really listen.
Volunteer groups hail from local businesses, parishes, high schools and colleges. Many return to One City Café, the food pantry and employment, financial and rent and utilities programs to help however they can.
Carlstedt also spoke of “the many individual donors supporting our mission. I recently received a check from a woman who had passed away. In her final days, she had asked her son to put it in the mail. I hear from donors every week — those who send $10 cash in an envelope and those who’ve supported us for decades. They want to do their part to serve the poor. It’s very humbling.”
By Marty Denzer Photos courtesy Bishop Sullivan CenterThose served by the café also “want to do their part,” Carlstedt said. “Time and again, I have seen those we serve … help one another — share food, carry trays, clean tables and even do the dishes. That is my favorite thing.”
Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14:7), giving us countless opportunities to help.
In marriage, gratitude is an essential virtue in the central dynamic of married love: the gift of self in which each spouse gives their life as a gift to the other and receives that gift in return. Without gratefulness, the gift cannot be received properly. Ungratefulness can breed resentment and bitterness.
of gratitude — all of which can be developed through intentional practice.
In addition to intensity, the facets of gratitude are frequency, span and density. Frequency is defined as feeling grateful several times a day. Span refers to the number of life circumstances that a person feels grateful for at a given time. Density is the number of people to whom one feels grateful for a single positive outcome or circumstance.
There are several research-backed practices that individuals and married people can use to increase all four facets of gratitude. Parents can also introduce these to children.
Daily practice of the “three good things” exercise studied by Martin Seligman and others showed 94 percent relief from people described as “severely depressed” to “mildly to moderately depressed” within about two weeks of practicing this simple activity. To do this, one takes stock of their day and identifies three good things, describing why they were good gifts and expressing gratitude. This can be included as part of the traditional Catholic practice of making an examination of conscience each evening by identifying sins and expressing contrition for them and also identifying specific blessings received from God.
Dino Durando
is the Director of the Office of Domestic Church and Discipleship and the Office of Marriage and Family for the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph. He and his wife Cathy have been married (almost) 25 years and have 10 children and one grandchild.
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
-1 Chronicles 16:34
There is more to gratitude than simply saying thank you. A higher expression of gratitude involves a sense of wonder and awe at the nature of existence, the goodness of God, the beauty of his creation and responding to this in the way we live. This sense of wonder in the ordinary was well expressed by the 20th century Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton in a letter he wrote to his fiancée, Frances. After apologizing for an ink stain on the page, he quipped, “I like the Cyclostyle ink, it is so inky. I do not think there is anyone who takes quite such fierce pleasure in things being themselves as I do.” Finding pleasure in things (or people) for what they are, even when they don’t perform perfectly, is a form of gratitude closely aligned with authentic love. Elsewhere in this letter, he professed this kind of love to Frances. When this kind of gratitude is expressed to one’s spouse, they come to know how they are appreciated for who they are, and not merely for what they do.
In the past, research approached gratitude with a monolithic view that focused on measuring it simply in terms of intensity; people are more or less grateful, and that’s it. In recent years, though, researchers have identified three additional facets
In his book Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Robert Emmon describes research showing “that people who have higher levels of gratitude are much more likely to fast regularly than those who score lower on a standard measurement of gratitude.” According to science, the discipline of fasting, when done with proper disposition, is not a rejection of happiness. Paradoxically, it actually leads to increased happiness.
Some other helpful practices are writing a gratitude letter with regular frequency (weekly or monthly). Keeping a gratitude journal daily can help one focus on specific aspects of life and facets of gratitude. Emmon proposes assigning specific themes to each day of the week:
• Monday — gifts we received from others and ways to respond to them.
• Tuesday — recall a good that is going to end soon and acknowledge gratitude for it.
• Wednesday — the absence of a blessing or the ramifications if a blessing we have didn’t happen.
• Thursday — to whom we are grateful and for what.
• Friday — write down times when something bad turned into something good.
Intentional gratitude leads to increased happiness and can deepen our relationship with God, our spouse and within our family.
My daughter likes to talk about her fourth birthday.
She recently turned nine.
“I remember my FOURTH birthday. That was the BEST birthday,” she’ll say.
Generally, I respond with something like, “What about the other birthdays? Don’t you remember when we did this? Or that? Remember when you got that thing? Wasn’t that great?”
She is not convinced.
“Oh, but my fourth birthday. That was the best,” she insists.
I don’t remember anything particularly special about that day. I think I just made a cake and invited the neighbor kids to come and eat it with us. That’s often my go-to for birthdays.
This went on for a while until it occurred to me to ask her WHY year four was so great.
“The cake.”
“The cake?”
Karen Ridder
“Yes, the cake. It was so large and beautiful and yummy.”
Really? Wow. No. It can’t be.
I DO remember the cake. It was decidedly NOT great — fit more for the Netflix baking failure show “Nailed It” than any kind of core memory for my beautiful daughter. The pretty cake I tried to make ended up a melty looking blob. It did TASTE good, but it looked far from what I envisioned.
And evidently, my failure became her perfect moment.
This is important to remember about parenting. We want to get things “right” for our children. The perfect party, team, clothes, activity — you name it. We have a view of what “The Best” for our kids will look like and go after that.
BUT we really have no idea how they will receive it. Will it be a treasured memory? Or simply another moment that floats on by?
Our version of “great and special” often doesn’t line up with their reality. We may envision a “perfection” that is actually far from their needs. As nice as it would be, we don’t get to dictate what memories they will carry past tomorrow. Which ones will they smile about for years to come?
Which ones will they cringe about? It’s not up to us.
The fabulous tea party birthday I created last year? It was OK.
The cake that didn’t turn out right? Best day ever.
God is always trying to tell us this kind of thing is true. Jesus was not what everyone was expecting. Many thought he was far from good enough. What he offered us was so much messier than anyone envisioned.
His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Is 55:8)
Yes, we should try our best, but no matter how badly we want to control our parenting outcomes, we can’t. A child’s sanctification comes in a perfectly designed way to include parental imperfection. We simply have to do our best and be willing to hand it all over to God.
is a parishioner at St. James Parish in Liberty and a convert to the Catholic Faith. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has written for numerous publications in the Kansas City area. Karen and her husband Jeff have three sons and a daughter.
God is the creator of good. Not us.
And don’t lose hope. He will take that “messy cake” of our efforts and turn them into perfect childhood memories.
“Our version of ‘great and special’ often times doesn’t line up with their reality. We may envision a ‘perfection’ that is actually far from their needs.”
I’ve always heard about the Steubenville Conference, but this summer I attended for the first time. The Catholic Youth Conference is for high school students. The weekend consisted of talks from speakers, worship, discussion sessions, Mass, prayers and more.
I’ve grown up Catholic, however in the past year I feel like I’ve gotten closer to creating my full relationship with God on my own terms.
The theme was “refuge,” and they highlighted that Jesus is the answer and you need to take refuge in him. One message they gave that really stuck with me was that your life won’t feel complete without Jesus. Nothing will go “according to plan” until you follow God’s plan. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you need to turn to Jesus and lay all your burdens and anxieties down because he will calm you and make everything fall into place.
One of my favorite sessions was when they talked about the importance of having sisters in Christ. We did an activity where we got in a small group and shared something we were insecure about, wanted relief over or just
something we were struggling with, then prayed over each other. Wow, this was a highlight for me. I was overwhelmed with the amount of love I felt at that moment. It was really out of my comfort zone opening up like that, yet felt amazing knowing people were supporting my faith journey, rooting for me and watching over me. Just as God does everyday!
Adoration was one of the most beautiful, breathtaking and out-of-body experiences I’ve ever had. This was the moment when I truly realized Jesus died for me and loves me for me. As the monstrance was making its way around the stadium, I was overwhelmed with my emotions. I was sobbing as I saw Jesus Christ right in front of me. I’ve never felt such joy, sadness, relief, clarity, love and so much more in one moment. Physically laying your body down to him because he saved you is something I will never forget.
This whole experience was eye-opening as to how much God loves me and how I can learn to take refuge in him.
The song that ended the weekend that I want to end this with is, “Hello Peace, Hello Joy, Hello Love. Hello Strength, Hello Hope, it’s a New Horizon.”
OCT. 14-NOV. 30
Serenade to Our Lady of Peace
Oct. 14| 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Our Lady of Peace Parish, 1001 Bennington Ave., Kansas City
Food, music, live entertainment, traditional folkloric dances, games and raffles.
St. Peter’s Fall Fest
Oct. 14 | 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Legacy Parking Lot, 815 E. Meyer Blvd.
Kansas City
Free family event with food trucks, pumpkin painting, games, face painting and music.
St. Gregory Barbarigo
Fall Festival
Oct. 15 | 5:30 p.m.
333 S. Davis St., Maryville
Fire pits, s’mores, food, pumpkins to paint, fun and games.
Immaculate Conception
3rd Annual Fall Festival
Oct. 15 | noon-4 p.m.
Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church, Dibbins Hall, 107 N. 18th St., Lexington
Chili supper, fall festivities, 50/50 raffle, games, chili contest ($5 entry fee) and dessert auction. Free admission;
donations accepted.
Proceeds go to donor brick walkway and benches for Marian garden.
All Saints Trunk or Treat
Oct. 27 | 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, 4503 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph
132nd Annual St. Mary’s Fall Festival
Nov. 4 | 5 p.m.-8 p.m. St. Mary Parish, 1606 N. 2nd St., St. Joseph
Live and silent auctions, country store, Altar Society booth, games for the kids, raffles, beer and the best chili cooked by the Knights of Columbus you’ll ever taste.
Proceeds go to “Save our belltower” fund.
2nd Annual Pastor’s Dinner and Award Ceremony
Nov. 4 | 5 p.m.
Armacost Museum, 4200 E. 135 St., Grandview
Hosted by Coronation of Our Lady Parish
Social hour, catered dinner, desserts and adult beverages.
Proceeds will be used to update the gymnasium, kitchen and plumbing.
Contact the Parish office at 816.761.8811.
By Marty Denzer’Tis the season for giving. For many, that means holiday gifts for family and friends.
Small Business Saturday, on Nov. 25 this year, offers opportunities to buy local and support small merchants, restaurants and services. Consider rounding out your holiday gifts this year by purchasing from Catholic-owned small businesses in our diocese. (FYI, some of the gift cards to restaurants are available online at www.giftly.com). Happy shopping, dining and gifting!
BROWNE’S IRISH MARKETPLACE AND DELI
3300 Pennsylvania Ave. | 816.561.0030
www.brownesirishmarket.com
Irish grocery goods, apparel and accessories, Irish pottery, kitchen and homewares and, of course, Irish whiskey.
PRYDE’S KITCHEN & NECESSITIES
115 Westport Road | 816.531.5588
www.prydeskitchen.com.
Kitchenware and gourmet ingredients aimed at bringing family and friends together over shared meals and a love for food. Gift wrapping complimentary with purchase and gift cards are available.
MARCO POLO’S SELECTIONS
336 W. 75th St. | 816.832.8467
www.marcopoloselections.com
Free wine tastings by reservation. Wine prices by the bottle run $13 to $35. Gift cards are available. For more information, email nriley@marcopoloselections.com.
CORDA CANDLES
www.cordacandles.com
Purchase online and in select locations, including I. Donnelly and Company; Missouri Bluffs Boutique,
Weston; and St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Gladstone. Handcrafted, coconut wax candles featuring unique scents inspired by the saints and the Catholic Faith.
Simply Glow
222W. Gregory Blvd., Suite 330 | 816.678.5171
www.simplyglowkc.com
Book appointments online for facials, hair, makeup and skincare products, or call Lisa, 816.678.5171. Gift cards available.
Mike’s Wine & Spirits
1110 Westport Road | 816.561.3500 and 8447 Wornall Road | 816.363.3964
www.mikeskc.com
I. Donnelly Company, Inc.
6601 Troost Ave. | 816.363.2828
https://www.idonnelly.com
Catholic family business for four generations, opened in 1922. Church furniture, sacred vessels and vestments and a 5,000-sq.-ft. showroom with thousands of devotional gifts from around the world, 17,000 book titles and Bibles for any sacramental occasion or gifting.
Brookside Ceramics
329 E. Gregory Blvd. | 816.522.7729
www.brookideceramics.com
Choose and paint your own ceramic statues, figurines, boxes, dinnerware and more. Glazed and fired in the store's kiln, ready for pick up in 7-10 days. Prices vary.
Everyday Produce
7300 Wornall Rd. Open Easter weekend to Halloween, fresh vegetables and fruit, jams and jellies, honey, plants and flower baskets for home or gifts.
Missouri Bluffs Boutique
512 Main St., Weston | 816.640.2770
www.missouribluffs.com
Women’s eclectic, artisan clothing, footwear and accessories. Corda Candles and other unique Catholic faith-inspired gifts are also available. Gift cards are available.
The Celtic Ranch and The Whiskey Snug 404 Main St., Weston | 816.640.2881
www.celticranch.com
Traditional Irish menswear, Celtic women’s wear, accessories, jewelry and gifts and the Midwest region’s largest selection of Irish whiskeys, single-malt scotch, unusual bourbons, ryes and international spirits. Gift cards available.
Garozzo’s Ristorante
526 Harrison | 816.221.2455
www.garozzos.com
Family-owned and operated since 1989, and home of their signature dish, Chicken Spiedini. Gift cards available.
Jasper’s Ristorante and Marco Polo’s Market
1201 W. 103rd St. | 816.941.6600
www.jasperskc.com
For reservations or more information, email jordon@ jasperskc.com. Award-winning, family-owned Italian restaurant and market, a Kansas City staple since 1954. Gift cards available.
Governor Stumpy’s Grill House
321 E. Gregory | 816.444.2252
www.governorstumpys.com
Neighborhood bar and grill since 1997.Gift cards available.
Charlie Hoopers Brookside
Bar and Grill
12 W. 63rd St. | 816.361.8841
www.charliehoopers.com
In Brookside for 40 years. Gift cards available. Lews Grille and Bar, The Well, The Brooksider Sportsbar and Grill and Charlie Hooper’s Bar and Grille are all owned by the Lewellen brothers.
Heirloom Bakery
401 E. 63rd St. | 816.492.7259
https://www.heirloomkc.com
Homestyle, community-oriented eatery; food made from scratch, using local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. Gift cards available through www.treatgiftcards.com.
Cascone’s Italian Ristorante
5733 N. Oak Trafficway 816.454.7977
www.cascones.com
Family-owned and -operated since 1954; Italian meals served amid vintage décor and red leather booths. Gift cards available online.
The Craic on Main 12 Main St., Parkville | 816.599.4012
www.craiconmain.com
Recently reopened, serving hearty, traditional Irish food and beverages.
Anthony’s Kansas City 711 Grand Blvd. | 816.221.4088
www.kcanthonysongrand.com
Old school-style, traditional Italian food served in a cozy setting since 1978. Gift cards available.
Tin Kitchen Southern Smokehouse Restaurant 509 Main St., Weston | 816.640.0100
www.tinkitchen.com
Barbecue restaurant in historic Weston building featuring pecanwood, slow pit-smoked meats.
Marek’s Catering & Delicatessen 308 Illinois Ave. | 816.238.1257
See us on Facebook, St. Joe News Press and KQ2 award-winning local restaurant.
Barbosa’s Mexican Restaurant 4804 Frederick Ave. 816.232.0221
www.barbosasstjoe.com
Authentic Mexican dishes served since 1960.
Kurzweil Butcher Shop and BBQ Restaurant 2817 Cantrell Road, Harrisonville 816.380.5996
www.kurzweilscountrymeats.com
Founded in 1995 by the three Kurzweil brothers. Still familyowned and -operated, the restaurant serves lunch.
Heroes Restaurant and Pub 107 W. Pine St., Warrensburg 660.747.3162
www.heroeswarrensburg.com
Since 1981, we have been serving homemade burgers voted best in town.
Find many more merchants and restaurants at catholickey.org
As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice. ( Open Wide Our
On a warm spring evening last April 13, Bishop James V. Johnston stood at a podium in St. Monica’s Ferguson Hall and reminded an attentive crowd of the historical significance of that very date. “Sixty years ago, tonight,” he began, “Martin Luther King, Jr., sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama, and began writing a letter.”
By Lorraine GordonBishop Johnston’s inspiring introductory words aptly acknowledged the important role that faith plays in believers’ obligation to address racial injustice, for that historic letter was addressed not to the Ku Klux Klan nor the White Citizens’ Council, but to fellow clergy members who were critical of King’s activism and reluctant to follow King’s moral compass.
Sixty years later, that famous letter articulates the principled exhortations that, when coupled with the 2018 USCCB’s Open Wide Our Hearts: A Pastoral Letter against Racism, have formed the foundation for Kansas City Catholics Addressing Racism (KCCAR), an intentional effort among Kansas City parishioners to address the sin of racism as an ethical imperative of our Catholic Faith.
KCCAR has begun actualizing its mission by organizing evening gatherings, alternately at St. Monica and Visitation, in which hospitality and respect characterize the dynamic among parishioners committed to engaging in Continuing Conversations about Racism and our Faith. Candor among attendees is encouraged, and uniformity of opinion is not expected. Angela Curry, St. Monica parishioner and KCCAR member, reassures participants, “Our wish is to have open and
honest conversations among people who don’t necessarily agree.” The momentum established by these successive sharings has provided another important benefit which Teresa Albright, Visitation pastoral minister and KCCAR member, highlights: “The ongoing nature of these conversations allows us to build relationships that will allow us to give a Catholic response to racial crises in real time.” One very critical concern identified early on was the demoralizing impact of recurring church and school closings on Kansas City’s East Side. This testimony prompted KCCAR research that revealed stunning losses for the Black Catholic community and underscored the urgency of saving any existing predominantly Black Catholic institutions in our diocese. KCCAR broached this concern in its first conversation with Bishop Johnston, during which he listened intently and reassured KCCAR members that he sympathized with their concerns and was actively addressing this issue.
Other priorities that the Conversation meetings have identified as pressing include the desire for inclusion of diverse voices among those most able to wield influence, bias training and Just Faith programming. Bishop Johnston is currently taking such requests under prayerful consideration.
As a purposefully organized and spiritually motivated initiative, we are committed to raising Kansas City Black Catholic voices and emphasizing the need for ALL Kansas City Catholics to appreciate the enrichment that enduring Black Catholic traditions have added to our Catholic faith and worship.
In order to redress our fellow Catholics’ diminishment, we dedicate our efforts to creating opportunities for constructive conversations that address the consequences of racism, to generating action plans designed to restore the vitality that has sustained the urban Black Catholic community for decades and to earnestly encourage our Catholic leadership and larger Catholic community to be urgently engaged in this revitalization.
KCCAR earnestly invites more diocesan parishes to join the parishioners from Visitation, St. Monica, St. Elizabeth, St. Francis Xavier (KC) and St. James (KC) in this important work. Future action plans will respond to events affecting the Black Catholic community.
Ramonda Doakes, St. Monica parishioner and KCCAR member, returning from the National Black Catholic Congress, also hopes there are opportunities to celebrate what Blessed Thea Bowman has identified as Black Catholics’ contributions to the entire Church: “my traditions, my culture, my African American song and dance, and gesture and movement and teaching and preaching and healing ... [our] gifts to the Church.” (Sister Thea Bowman, “Address to USCCB,” USCCB, June 1989)
Most importantly, KCCAR prays that KC Catholics join in this Spirit-led journey “to seek meaningful opportunities that deepen understanding, foster reconciliation, and publicly witness the Church’s commitment to ending racism.” (OWOH)
Read more about the inspiration and motivations that led to the creation of KCCAR at catholickey.org To join our mailing list and receive more information and updates, email KCCAR at kansascitycatholicsaddressingracism@gmail.com.
Friday, October 20
10.20.2023 Conception SeminaryCollege
Join us for a one-day online fundraising challenge!
Receive video updates and testimonials from Conception.
Connect with us for prayer throughout the day.
Conception Seminary College is proud to serve our home diocese in the formation of these 11 seminarians and many upstanding alumni throughout our history. Will you join us for a Day of Giving in support of our work and their discernment to serve the diocese?
Will you say yes to supporting the 11 seminarians of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph? Learn more at www.conception.edu/pfp
The Catholic Mass sets itself apart from other Christian worship services through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Though many Protestant gatherings feature a “Lord’s Supper,” the Mass contrasts virtually all Protestant sects through the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence of the Holy Eucharist. Throughout the Church’s 2000-year history, the Real Presence of Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the forms of bread and wine has remained a constant teaching. With the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress just around the corner, now is an excellent time to reacquaint oneself with the Church Fathers’ writings on the Eucharist.
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