Live Deeply….. Love Profoundly…… Give Freely….. April Volunteer Training Opportunities for Kansas City Hospice & Solace house – Grief support group facilitators needed to work with children, teens and adults at Solace House. Training is offered on two consecutive Saturdays: April 4 at hospice House & April 11, 2009 at Solace House. Stay with a patient while the caregiver takes a break or spend time conversing, reading aloud, helping with light household chores or be a supportive presence during the patient’s final hours. Special skills by attorneys, beauticians, massage therapists and notaries are always helpful. Be matched with a patient and family in your neighborhood after completing the 3 –day training: April 20, 22 & 29 at the SE Branch of the KCMO Public Library. Assist at Kansa City Hospice House by delivering meals, arrange flowers, greet visitors and comfort patients. Hospice House is holding training: April 25, at Kansas City Hospice House, KCMO. For more information about becoming a volunteer or to register for training, contact Kathy Fetters at (816) 276-2640.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius – What Do They Have for Me? – On Sunday evening, March 29, at 7:15 PM, in Mabee Theater, on the Rockhurst University campus, The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City (
www.ignatiancenterkc.org) will sponsor a talk by Sister Marie Schwan, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille. She will answer the question, “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius – What Do They Have for Me?” And she will do so in a way that speaks to those both familiar and unfamiliar with the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
A teacher by profession, a longtime spiritual guide and retreat director, as well as an author or co-author of numerous books on prayer, including Prayer with Ignatius of Loyola, Sr. Schwan will discuss how, amid the breakdown of economic, social and religious structures, the Spiritual Exercises offer support and guidance for walking with integrity amid the chaos. As she provides an overview of the Exercises, she will also point out proven and effective ways of adapting the Exercise to daily life and highlight the benefits for those who would serve God and others. (The talk is FREE, though donations will be gratefully accepted.)
For reservations, please call Joseph Cirincione at (816) 501-4109 and leave your name and the number of people in your party.
St. Mary’s High School is now enrolling student for the 2009/2010 school year. If you are interested in attending St. Mary’s next year, visit our website www.stmhs.org, to attain the paperwork. For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact the Advancement Office at (816) 252-8733. St. Mary’s High School… a place to belong, achieve and excel.
National Catholic Youth Conference Returns in November. Wherever 20,000 Youth Are Gathered, We Need 1,000 Volunteers.
From urban center and across the rural landscape some 20,000 Catholic youth are planning to come to Kansas City for November 19 to November 21. The National Catholic youth Conference (NCYC) is an exciting three-day experience of prayer, community, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers and their adult chaperones. For an exceptional conference, organizers are issuing the call for more that 1,000 committed adults to serve in a variety of roles.
*This is not a sign-up for parish group chaperones. Organizers are asking for people to serve as ushers or runners, in registration or hospitality, at merchandise kiosks, or to assist with liturgies.
*Volunteers must live within the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph or the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
*Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and agree to a background screening.
To complete an online application for volunteers, please visit
www.kcsjyouth.org and click on the “Christ Reigns” graphic.
How to Teach Your Teen or Pre-Teen About Love – Trying to explain the meaning of real love to teenagers is no easy task in today’s world. Parents, Get Real! Os a message of hope for parents who sometimes struggle to find the right words. The speaker, Patty Schneier, is a spunky mother of teens from St. Louis. She offers practical suggestions to help parents discuss love, sex, and the many counterfeits that teens face. Most of all, Patty encourages parents – regardless of their own past mistakes – to “get real” with their teens and instill in them the desire only for the “real thing”: true authentic love!
This talk is open to all parents and is strongly recommended for parents to teens and pre-teens – specifically those in grades 4-12. The talk is 7-8:30 PM. The event is FREE and includes dessert. Be sure to RSVP at least one day in advance (816-714-2375 or
nordhus@diocesekcsj.org). The same presentation (“Parents: Get Real! Talk To Your Teens About Love”) is offered in to locations for your convenience: March 23
rd at St. Pius X High School (Main Gym, 1500 NE 42
nd Terrace, KCMO, 64116) and March 24
th at Archbishop O’Hara High School (Auditorium, 9001 James A. Reed Road, KCMO, 64138). Sponsored by the Diocesan Respect Life Office.
Pipe Organ Encounter, June 21-26 for teenagers to discover The King of Instruments. Open to ages 13-19 who have studied piano to the level of playing a two-part invention by Bach or similar level. Early registration payable by April 1. Scholarship assistance available or perhaps your parish would want to sponsor a budding musician. Visit
www.kcago.com Pipe Organ Encounter to download a brochure. Students will be housed at UMKC, have daily organ lessons and practice, attend recitals, workshops, hymn sing, organ factory, ,field trips, organ crawl.
Blessing to One Another Exhibit Open February 3
rd at Union Station – The Blessing to One Another Exhibit celebrates the life of Pope John Paul II and his relationship with the Jewish people. Presented in four parts, the exhibit includes photos, video footage, documents and artifacts celebrating the pope’s extraordinary contributions to relations between the Catholic Church and Jewish faiths. Plan to make a historic walk through the life of this beloved pope. For more information, please visit
www.avila.edu/blessing.
Traditional Blessing of Easter Foods – you are invited to bring a basket of food for your Easter celebration for a traditional blessing. Saturday, April 11, 2PM, St. Cyril Church, Chicago & Claremont Avenue, Sugar Creek. Further information: Fr. Schuele, 252-9564.
Nativity of Mary School is hosting their 8
th Annual Auction on Saturday, March 28
th. This year’s theme is “Welcome Aboard.” There are many fabulous things that will be up for bid at both the silent and live auction. Ticket prices are $25/single, $40/couple, or $175/table of 8. Cocktails and silent auction begin at 5PM, dinner begins at 6PM, and the live auction begins at 8PM. There will also be a 42inch TV raffled off with chances only $10/ticket. Please join us for this fun-filled event as out PTO raises funds to support the school. Call the school at (816) 353-0284 or email
nativitypto@nativityofmary.org for more information or to order your tickets.
RCIA directed retreat – Spend Palm Sunday weekend (Saturday & Sunday, April 4th & 5th) with the monks of Conception Abbey and the seminarians of Conception Seminary College. Retreat sessions help bring together the entire RCIA experience. A special session on Reconciliation will help prepare those receiving the sacrament for the first time. A candlelit service on Saturday night will include priests available foe celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sunday morning, participants will learn the ancient monastic prayer practice of Lectio Divina as they meditate on the gospel for Sunday. Then they will join the monastic community in the Palm Sunday procession into the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. (Suggested donation for the weekend: $75 per person)
Mystagogy Sunday – New Catholics, their families and RCIA teams are invited to join monks and seminarians for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (Sunday, April 26th) at the Abbey. Celebrate the joyous Eucharist, have lunch and a tour, and enjoy a presentation for the adults while the youth have special supervised activities. The day concludes with a reception, fellowship and a blessing at 4PM. (Suggested donation, including lunch: $15 for adults; children under 12 free)
Leadership Camp for 6th through 8th Grade Girls – June 17-19 on the campus of Sister of Charity of Leavenworth in Leavenworth, KS. The camp is co-hosted by Sisters of Charity Leavenworth and the Benedictine Sisters. It is an opportunity to enhance leadership skills of the participants, enhance their spiritual lives, and introduce them to sisters. Registration deadline: May 29. Registration fee is $145 and includes room & board, meals and camp activities. Scholarships available. To register, email Sister Sharon Smith or call (913) 758-6522.
Lettering the Word Retreat – Friday, April 17th to Sunday, April 19th. This calligraphy retreat for beginners will explore lettering as a means of lectio divina – That slow and careful pondering on the Word of God which is so central to the Christian life. Abbot Gregory will open the retreat with a reflection on the significance of the Word in our daily lives. Br. Michael will then introduce the retreatants to a simple foundational hand based on a 10th century Carolingian script that was widely in transcribing the Bible. Emphasis will move from learning the basics of lettering to the use of writing as a means of prayerful reflection. No previous experience required. Calligraphic markers, exemplars and paper will be provided. There will be time celebrate the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours with ,monastic community, as well as time for reflection, practice and walks through the beautiful Abbey grounds in springtime. (Suggested donation for lodging, meals, conferences and supplies: $140 single, $215 double accommodations)
Easter Day of Reflection for Women – Wednesday, May 6th. Enjoy a spring day at the Abbey reflecting on the Easter mystery! Coffee and a conference at 9:30 AM begin the day. Quiet time, the Eucharist with the monks and seminarians, and lunch follows. A conference at 2:30 concludes the day. Presenters: Karen Ceckowski and Fr. Patrick. (Suggested donation, including lunch: $20 per person)
Golden Wedding Celebration – A Mass honoring all couples in the diocese celebrating 50 years of marriage in the year 2009 will be celebrated by Bishop Finn at 3pm on Sunday, June 7th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The liturgy will be followed with a dessert reception. This celebration will include all couple who have celebrated or will be celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. If you were married in 1959, please call the parish office (816-796-6877) this week so that you can be acknowledged even if you are unable to attend the event.
ST. JOSEPH TABLE’S -
St. John LaLande, Sunday, March 15th, 11 AM to 6PM in the Parish Center, 805 NW R.D. Mize Road, in Blue Springs, MO.
St. Mark’s, Sunday, March 15th, 11 AM to 4PM at 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, Mo
St. Joseph the Worker, Saturday, March 21st from 6PM to 8PM and Sunday, March 22nd from 11AM to 2PM, at 2200 N. Blue Mills Road, Independence, MO
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
Bookkeeper needed at St. Patrick’s Parish they are seeking an experienced bookkeeper to maintain parish & school accounts. This person must be proficient in Quickbooks, Excel & Word.. Please send Resumes to Tom Nickel, Business Manager, St. Peter’s Church, 815 E. Meyer Blvd. KCMO 64131.
Education Site Director; St. Anthony’s Parish and Swope Corridor Renaissance are looking for a site director for eight week summer school and enrichment program to be located at St. Anthony Parish. The position will start in June. The director will provide overall leadership, direction & oversight for teachers, counselors & students. Please forward you resume to Stucinski@diocesekcsj.org.
Part-time Youth Minister (10-15 hours/week) wanted for Holy Trinity and Twelve Apostles Parishes in Weston and Platte City, MO. This position involves ministering primarily to high school age youth to educate them in the Catholic Faith and facilitate social and service activites in a Catholic setting. Interested parties may contact Fr. Charles Rowe at (816) 640-2206 or e-mail resume to pastor2holytrinity@kc.rr.com.
