The Leaven

01/15/2025

A major milestone for the deaf community was celebrated Dec. 15, 2024, as archdiocesan leaders gathered with the deaf community at St. Paul Catholic Church to mark 50 years of deaf ministry in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. 🥳

Read about the impact deaf ministry has had here in northeast Kansas. ⬇️

“Anniversaries invite us to pause and give thanks.”

01/14/2025

Amid a snowy morning in January, a resident of Santa Marta wrote this delightful reflection about the warmth of Santa Marta and the dedication of its staff. 🌨️

❄️ A Snowy Morning at Santa Marta ❄️

This morning, I awoke to the soft glow of a snowy landscape outside my window. For a moment, I sat quietly, watching the peaceful scene and appreciating the simple beauty of it all.

Wrapped in the warmth of my room, my thoughts turned to gratitude. Living here at Santa Marta means I no longer worry about the usual winter challenges — no shoveling the driveway or sidewalks, no frantic efforts to keep pipes from freezing, and no fretting over snow accumulation on the roof. Those worries are a thing of the past, a distant memory of the days when winter storms brought more stress than wonder. Here, I can simply enjoy the snow without the usual burdens of homeownership.

Feeling content, I decided to head down to Della Terra for breakfast. To my surprise and delight, I found a delicious continental spread waiting for me. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the air, inviting me to indulge in the cozy warmth of the dining area. I marveled at how everything was perfectly set up despite the snowy conditions outside. How did anyone even manage to get here, let alone prepare such a wonderful breakfast?

As it turned out, Estephanie had arranged for some of our servers to stay overnight to ensure we had breakfast in the morning. Hannah, Lauren, Abby and Elvis all volunteered to help. After serving dinner the night before, they retreated to the guest rooms, changing into their pajamas for a cozy night.

At only 9 p.m., it felt too early to sleep, so they decided to explore Santa Marta. Their first stop was the library where they browsed through the books, appreciating the quiet ambiance. Next, they headed to the media room, but the idea of watching a movie seemed daunting with the early morning looming ahead. They wandered to the pool, enjoying the warmth and mourning the fact they hadn’t brought swimsuits, which left them unable to swim. Finally, they ended up at the ping pong table where they played a lively match that Hannah won.

Before heading to bed, they treated themselves to a midnight snack of ice cream, relishing the sweet treat before retreating to their rooms. Settling in with “The Hunger Games” on the TV, they eventually drifted off to sleep, having set alarms to wake up early. Despite two of them sleeping through their alarms, they managed to rise and prepare for the morning rush.

Downstairs, Josh had already started on the breakfast preparations. The wonderful aroma of eggs, bacon, hash browns, fresh fruit, and yogurt wafted through the air. We were all surprised and deeply grateful to find a hot breakfast waiting for us, complete with steaming cups of coffee.

As we enjoyed our meal, the servers shared their overnight adventures. They promised that next time they would come better prepared — with swimsuits, games and plans to make the most of the media room. A huge thank-you to our incredible dining team for going above and beyond to create such a memorable snowy morning at Santa Marta.

01/13/2025

On Jan. 7, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann marked the 20th anniversary of his appointment to ministry here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. As he awaits the naming of his successor (he submitted his resignation to Pope Francis at the traditional age of 75 last June), he continues to serve.

In appreciation of his ministry, many area Catholics are looking for ways to say thank you. Now there’s a way. The archbishop has specifically asked for prayers and donations to the Little Brothers of the Lamb for St. Joseph House, a guest house for visitors to the community. 🙏

The house will be built adjacent to the monastery of the Little Brothers and one block down the street from the Little Sisters monastery. Its first guest will be Archbishop Naumann.

Read more! 👇

“The people here are honored by it.”

01/13/2025

This past year, Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish took on construction projects at both of the parish's churches. At St. Casimir, the Education Center was completely renovated rather than demolished. At Sacred Heart, a new ramp was put in to make entering into church accessible for all parishioners.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blessed both the Education Center and ramp on Nov. 24. 🙏

Read about the renovations and the difference they're making for life at the parish. ⬇️

“It shows a priority of your faith and your love for God.”

01/13/2025

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year, also known as a Holy Year, when Catholics have the opportunity to receive special graces. 🙏

To kick off Jubilee Year 2025 in northeast Kansas, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann opened the Holy Door to the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas on Dec. 29 before celebrating Mass.

Guided by the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” archdiocesan leaders believe this Jubilee Year will provide multiple opportunities for Catholics to grow in faith and service to others.

Continue reading about the opportunities this Jubilee Year brings. 👇

With Jubilee Year 2025 underway, that moment for Catholics is now.

01/12/2025

In his latest column, Deacon Dana Nearmyer shares ways the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is helping Catholics be missionary disciples, strengthen marriages and families and be pilgrims of hope in this 2025 Jubilee Year.

Holy doors in Rome and a pilgrimage to our own cathedral are wonderful ways to receive indulgences.

01/12/2025

We always enjoy seeing photos of Catholic weddings from years past. The first is from Aloysius and Linda Funk’s wedding at Holy Name Church in Topeka (now Mater Dei Catholic Church), in 1968. The second is from the 1938 wedding of Al’s parents, Frank and Agnes, at St. Patrick Church in Atchison. Al’s four grandparents, with many other parishioners, are buried in the cemetery there. 🙏

Thank you to Al of St. Joseph Catholic Church for sharing these photos with us!

01/11/2025

The Serra Clubs of Topeka, Atchison, Johnson County and Kansas City, Kansas, honored Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann for his leadership, commitment and spiritual direction of the organizations during a noon luncheon at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Dec. 11, 2024.

Over 100 members attended and presented him with a letter of commendation and contributions to the Heart-to-Heart Scholarship Fund. The fund, which grew out of the archbishop’s goals for the archdiocese, helps offset the financial burden for a young man or woman answering a vocational call to the priesthood or consecrated life.

Read the full story: https://theleaven.org/serra-clubs-honor-archbishops-dedication/

📷: Jay Soldner

01/11/2025

"One thing this inclement weather did was slow me — and apparently much of the state of Kansas — down. We were prevented from leaving the comfort of our homes and doing our usual rushing around from one activity to another.

That’s how I often think of prayer: It slows down the frenetic pace of our lives and gives us the opportunity to ponder. A favorite style of prayer for me is 'visio divina,' or 'holy looking.' It helps me stop and notice what I so often overlook."

It helps me stop and notice what I so often overlook.

01/11/2025

A Life-Giving Wounds retreat will be held from Jan. 17-19 at Savior Pastoral Center. Anyone age 18 and older whose parents are divorced, separated or were never married are invited to attend.

“This ministry in no way seeks to shame parents for getting divorced,” said Brad DuPont, “but simply recognizes the need for healing in their children. When these wounds can be addressed and open to [the] healing love of Jesus, he can turn that suffering into a great good for the church.”

Read more about the retreat and other opportunities at the link below.

“When the love that created you no longer exists, it creates a lot of struggles in how you face the world.”

01/10/2025

Take a look back at the African Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on Nov. 3 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church Olathe for the third anniversary of the African Catholic Community of Kansas (ACCK). The liturgy featured a blend of African cultures through music, dancing, colorful traditional clothing and other aspects unique to the African Mass.

The ACCK gathers for Mass on the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m. at Prince of Peace. 🙏

📷: Doug Hesse

01/10/2025

Congratulations to Charley and Terri Kilgore, members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today! 🥳 The couple was married on Jan. 10, 1975, at St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park by Father Tony Lickteig.

01/10/2025

"If every member of the archdiocese chose to Walk with One, think about the difference this would make in the lives of individuals and in the life of the church. If much has been given to us, much will be expected from us. There is no greater joy than being an instrument to lead someone to a deeper friendship with Jesus." -Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

How could God be in what appears as no more than a simple piece of unleavened bread?

01/09/2025

We are saddened to share the news that Father Earl Dekat passed away early this morning. Please join us in prayer for Father Dekat and for the comfort of his loved ones during this time.

We will post his funeral arrangements here when finalized.

01/09/2025

"CEF is establishing a new scholarship fund to honor Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann that will support 'working poor' families. This will be a great gift for some families in the very near future.

Catholic Education Foundation - Kansas's scholarships typically support families who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. To qualify for free lunch, family household income must be 130% of the federal poverty rate or lower. Families that total 185% of poverty qualify for reduced lunches.

The new Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Legacy Scholarship will enable CEF to expand scholarships to families who don’t qualify for federal assistance but cannot afford tuition. This will allow CEF to expand its scholarships to families who have household incomes reaching up to 300% of the federal poverty rate, also known as 'working poor.'"

This fund will help those families who don’t qualify for federal assistance but simply can’t afford tuition.

01/08/2025

In her latest column, Debra Niesen encourages readers to attend the IGNITE for Life and the Kansas Mass & March for Life on Jan. 29 in Topeka.

Pro-Life Office Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

I hope you are resting in the true peace and joy that the birth of Our Savior brings.

01/08/2025

On Dec. 12, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. 🙏 Father Daniel Coronado, pastor, concelebrated.

📷: Jay Soldner