The Leaven

09/29/2025

"The Catholic Church has a rich history of engaging in civic activity on behalf of 'the common good.' The role of the church is also that of properly forming each person’s conscience, then providing authentic information to better help each Catholic fulfill their obligation to engage in faithful citizenship.

With that brief background, here is an overview of what Kansas Catholics should know about what’s happening in the world of politics and policy."

Read Chuck Weber's latest. ⬇️

by Chuck Weber Pope Leo recently addressed and encouraged elected officials from around the world to “infuse the earthly society with the values of God’s kingdom” in order to allow for “authentic human flourishing.” Few Catholics probably think of elected officials as channels of “human ...

09/29/2025

Today is the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. 🙏

Prayer to St. Michael: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, o prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

📷: St. Michael's Parish - Axtell, KS

09/29/2025

Pope Leo XIV announced he will proclaim St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the church Nov. 1 during the Jubilee of the World of Education.

St. Newman was born in London Feb. 21, 1801.

09/28/2025

“There has been a tragic event in my family,” read the November 2022 GoFundMe entry. “My grandchildren lost their mother in a car accident in 2020.

“Now, their dad passed away tonight due to complications from a severe asthma attack.”

Thus began the journey of Marilyn Lynch, a successful Kansas City actress with an extensive body of theater work, who had just turned 72 and was ready to enjoy a life of leisure.

Lynch had sold her large family home because she wanted something she could “have clean in an hour and go out feet first.”

“So, I bought the smallest thing I could find,” she said.

When her son-in-law died, he left behind four children — Michael, 13; Jason, 11; Genevieve, 9; and Alaina, 7 — and she took them in.

Continue reading how a group of Church of the Nativity, Leawood, parishioners transformed Lynch's home to accommodate her grandchildren. 👇

Read their story: https://theleaven.org/catholics-reach-out-to-grandma-in-need/

09/28/2025

"An Evening of Hope," the first fundraiser in the history of Cor Christi Catholic Center at Washburn University. The center has served Catholic students attending Washburn since 1948.

The evening will be held Oct. 18 and starts with 5 p.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight at Mater Dei-Holy Name in Topeka. The gala will be held at the Mater Dei Event Center and includes a social hour, dinner and a program.

“It has given me that spiritual guidance necessary to really succeed in law school.”

09/28/2025

Today is National Good Neighbor Day.

"We’re living in a time of rampant loneliness. Celebrating Good Neighbor Day could be the beginning of a cure for this national 'ailment.' Having it on a Sunday this year should make it easier to set time aside. Chatting with fellow parishioners after Mass in the back of church or in the parking lot is a great place to start. Or perhaps inviting neighbors over to watch the Chiefs. Or maybe just making time to learn the names of your neighbors!"

Read Father Mark's latest. 👇

Let’s resolve to be good neighbors — not just for one day but every day — to humans, animals and all of God’s creation.

09/27/2025

Churches of ArchKCK: Holy Name of Jesus in Kansas City, Kansas 🙏

Holy Name of Jesus is a lovely old stone church on Southwest Boulevard. Its colorful stained glass windows are particularly stunning, as well as the arches that add a beautiful design element to the space. A pair of triptych murals created by local artist Mattie Karr and added to the church in 2024 offer an additional pop of color and beauty to the space.

Have you visited Holy Name?

*Please note that some of our churches have had updates since this series of photos was captured.

09/27/2025

On Oct. 1 from 7 to 8 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will host a Silver Rose prayer service at Holy Trinity.

“The ceremony is a pilgrimage that started in 1960 in Mexico honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe,” explained Ken Kleekamp, a Holy Trinity parishioner and a district deputy for the Knights.

“It promotes the respect of life through prayer services and community involvement.”

There are only eight silver roses in the world, and the Knights who carry them make perpetual pilgrimage — from Canada to every U.S. state, Puerto Rico and ending at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Read more: https://theleaven.org/silver-rose-prayer-service-kicks-off-respect-life-month/

09/27/2025

Congratulations to these two couples, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries today! 🥳

Paulette (Prockish) and Richard Bellinder, members of St. Joseph's, were married on Sept. 27, 1975, at St. Joseph, Flush, by Father J.E. Biehler.

Karin and Marvin Sobba, members of Cure of Ars, were married on Sept. 27, 1975, at St. Joseph.

09/27/2025

Father Barry Clayton, Nancy and Dave Kronoshek and Becca Schroeder all took part in the Holy Family School of Faith Catholic Spiritual Mentorship program. Read about their experiences: https://theleaven.org/participants-find-the-road-less-traveled-worth-the-journey/

09/26/2025

Archbishop Shawn McKnight, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann and priests of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas have been at the annual priests’ convocation this week. See anyone you know? 👀

09/26/2025

Over the summer, three members of Xavier's class of 2025 — Stella Bray and Celia Smith, students at St. James Academy, and Matthew Hood, a student at Maur Hill-Mount Academy — spearheaded a rosary garden on the school’s campus as their community service project. 🙏

The graduates then returned on Sept. 12 for a blessing by Father Glenn Snow, O. Carm., of Immaculate Conception - St. Joseph Parish, as well as to lead a rosary.

Read the full story: https://theleaven.org/alumni-return-to-xavier-for-rosary-garden-blessing/

📷: Jay Soldner

Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS