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What's Happening
Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit
St. Francis is hosting the Vatican-approved international Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit, designed and created by Blessed Carlo Acutis, from Sept 27 to Sept 30.
Novena of Divine Mercy for Souls in Despair
During National Suicide Awareness Week, September 7th to 15th, join together in our church or at home for a special Novena, praying especially for souls in despair and those contemplating suicide.
Churches of Kansas Bus Tour
Father Jarrod is hosting a Kansas Catholic Bus Tour in October and our parishioners are being offered early registration!
Faith Formation
Father's Focus
Novena of Divine Mercy for Souls in Despair
September 7th through 15th. Weekdays after 8:00 a.m. Mass. Sunday, September 8th and 15th after 3 p.m. Divine Mercy Hour.
The Way of Light
Dear parish family, this letter attributed to Saint Barnabas was written around 130 AD. It shows the enduring value of our Catholic identity, both in morality and in spirituality...
Return to Your Parish Family
Recently I had a conversation with a new family sending their children to school here. I want to share a part of that conversation with you as it is important to the Stewardship Way of Life.
Part 15: An Ideal Parish is Universal
I know that many of you, like me, can remember a time when maps were on paper. And, perhaps, you also remember being frustrated when the actual road you needed was on the fold of the map! But now maps have moved to smartphones and tablets and are actual satellite images of the land. Nowadays any person can look up any place in the world and have a relatively recent satellite image of that place.
Part 14: An Ideal Parish Shares
"Mine! Mine! Mine!" How often did we yell that when we were children? Perhaps it was "my" toy, or "my" room, or "my" cloths, or "my" iPod (…or CD… or cassette… or 8-track - depending on your age, ha!). And I wish I could say that it is only young people who are so concerned with "mine!" As adults we argue over "my" stapler, "my" property, "my" office, or "my" duty. Sometimes the little kid in each of us comes out when something of "mine" is threatened. And this only means that we need to learn to share.
Part 13: An Ideal Parish Fosters Vocations
“Come out, Come out, from wherever you are!” I remember yelling that as a kid playing hide-and-seek. What a fun game that was! Whether you were “it,” or you were the one hiding, I think hide-and-seek was an early exercise of mental espionage. I mean, the game itself is a mental exercise of out-guessing one’s opponent: “He thinks I’ll hide here… so I’m going to hide over there;” or “He usually hides in this place… so I’m going to look in a new place.”
Part 12: An Ideal Parish is Ministerial
There are very few things that are as nice as good service. Like waiters or waitresses that provide the perfect balance of conversation and attention, neither too wordy nor too distant. Or a department store attendant who recognizes your confused look and gently offers help, takes you to the right spot, and makes sure your questions are answered. Or like a computer technician who recognizes the frustration in your voice, asks truly pertinent questions, and leads you through troubleshooting until your problem is resolved.
Part 11: An Ideal Parish is Youth Filled
I remember hearing about Ponce de Leon searching for the fountain of youth: a magical water source capable of reversing the aging process. Alas, never did he find it, nor does it seem that such a fountain exists. Yet now-a-days it seems that people search for their own fountain of youth through beauty products, weight loss programs, or even medical procedures
Hour of Mercy
Nearly one hundred years ago, the Church was blessed with the devotion to the Divine Mercy, first promoted by St. Faustina Kowalska. Flowing from the Divine Mercy came the new devotional, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which, prayed on rosary beads, begs for Jesus’ sorrowful passion to pour mercy onto those for whom it is prayed.
Morality Matters
A Gift of Self - Church's View on Organ Donation
I still remember the day so clearly. Chase came home from school wearing a camo shirt with a crucifix on it. He was a seventh grader. Something seemed very wrong. I kept him in the car until he finally spoke up. From the lips of a junior high boy, he said he knew his life's calling, to sacrifice his life for others through military service. His demeanor was due to concern that we wouldn't be okay with that calling and gift of self.
Sources of Morality
Morality is deeply rooted in what has been divinely revealed and handed down through tradition. These sources are not merely human constructs but are grounded in the very nature of God and His interaction with humanity. At the heart of human morality is Divine Revelation. This revelation is the very Word of God communicated to humanity; through this revelation, God makes known His will, His nature, and His expectations for human conduct.
Relativism Ruins Relationships
We can point to many modern issues or problems, such as the attack on families, culture, and the Church today. I would propose that one can argue that relativism is the greatest evil of modernity. But you do not have to take my word for it.
St. Michael's Lent, Fasting, and Digitial Media
Our Church has a wealth of traditions that help the faithful ascend to moral virtue and combat the vices that distract us from the ultimate goal, union with Christ in the beatific vision. One such tradition quickly approaching is "Saint Michael's Lent," a nonobligatory devotion that began in the 13th Century.
A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops issued this publication in 2000, noting that our response is a “moral test for our nation and a challenge for our Church.” Over two decades later, this moral test and challenge remain imperative and are worth reflecting on as Catholics seek answers in a culture of moral decline.
Hospitality and Our Borders: A Reflection on the Border Crisis
Recently my family and I were blessed to go on a pilgrimage to Mexico City to see Our Lady of Guadalupe. One of the highlights of our time there was being able to spend some time with an organization called "Hope for the Poor", whose ministry centers around helping the homeless by giving them food and shelter as well as avenues to healing, intervention, and Catholic teaching. In our brief time there, we were able to enter a bit of their world.
The Catholic Church's Position on Immigration Reform
With the presidential election cycle already in progress with the airing of the first Presidential Debate, Catholic American's must bring to mind their Catholic morality as it applies to some of the most pressing issues of our time. In doing so, one will be equipped to make a knowledgeable decision in the ballot booth. Please consider these excerpts from a USCCB article on immigration reform.
Plant A Seed of Kindness - An Instructional Response to the "Pride" Community
At the closing of "Pride Month," let us take a moment to consider a few things. First, always defy the stereotype that people think you are. To modern American culture, anything less than the total enthusiastic celebration of all things "pride" suggests one is filled with hatred and bigotry. So, in response, never, ever act like the stereotype they think you are. We can improve so much of life through one simple rule: be kind.
Understanding Spiritual Joy Through the Example of St. John the Baptist
In June, we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist who is patron saint of JOY! It’s often a battle to hold on to joy amidst the trials and crosses of life in our world today. True joy, however, is not a fleeting feeling or emotion, but a spiritual fruit of the Holy Spirit that arises out of God’s grace and being mindful of and working against the things that rob us of that joy. Be on the lookout for the 7 thieves of joy, or the seven deadly sins.