By Sara Kraft | Photo by Michael Hogan

“I see all kinds of people. They are homeless, broken or hungry,” stated Bill Carr, volunteer at Cathedral of St. Joseph Food Pantry. “There is no way I couldn’t be here to help.”

Bill, 78, volunteers at least three times a week at the Cathedral pantry. The pantry was founded in the 1980s as a parish outreach program. Bill has been volunteering there for around 10 years. He saw an ad in the Cathedral bulletin and answered the call. At first, he started helping one day a week. Then it moved to two, and now he is working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when the pantry is open. “I really love what I am doing, so look what happened,” Bill stated.

Dubbed “Captain Reliable,” Bill arrives an hour before the pantry opens at 9:30 a.m. Bill and other volunteers make sure the lights are on and the furnace or air conditioning is at a comfortable temperature. The volunteers get coordinated and ready to serve. Each day before opening, they pray and thank God for giving them the mission of feeding the hungry.

“It’s a tough chore,” Bill stated. “We are working really hard to take care of these people.” In 2025, the pantry averaged 54 families a day, with a total of 25,425 neighbors served. Some days, when the pantry closes at 11 a.m., there are still 20 people waiting outside for food. However, they don’t leave empty-handed. Bill quips, “We are working an hour of overtime for the same pay.”

While the pantry does receive assistance from government sources and Second Harvest, there are many individual businesses and parishioners at the Cathedral and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish that donate. Bill also picks up donations from Second Harvest and other local businesses in his truck.

Over the years, Bill has seen so many touching stories. One grandmother was very frail and still raising her grandchildren well into her 80s. Because their mother wasn’t able, she was raising 13-, 7-, and 5-year-olds. “Another woman is probably just as needy as any person who comes to our pantry, but she works at the pantry three days a week,” Bill stated.

“We take care of them the best we can and put it in God’s hands,” Bill stated. “We do the best we can to make everyone feel welcome.”

When asked how long he intends to keep volunteering, Bill stated, “God has blessed me with good health, and I am going to help as long as I can.”

For more information about the Cathedral Pantry, call 816-232-7763. To find a food pantry near you, visit Harvesters at harvesters.org or Second Harvest at shcfb.org.

The post Volunteer Spotlight | ‘Captain Reliable’s’ mission  appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Allison Vrooman | Photos by Christy Gruenbaum

The newly renovated St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit was blessed and dedicated by Bishop James Johnston on January 24, 2026. Parishioners faced the winter storm to witness the blessing and to worship in the new space for the first time, filling the church to standing room only.

For over 20 years, the parish was worshipping in a multipurpose building that had a tabernacle, a temporary altar and foldable chairs that doubled as seats for fish fries and other events. During those years, the surrounding neighborhoods filled with vibrant, young families, yet the parish was seeing decreasing parishioner numbers. Shortly after Father Adam Haake was assigned as pastor to the parish in the summer of 2023, he formed a partnership with St. Michael the Archangel High School and began using their chapel for parish Masses. The chapel has pews, kneelers and an altar – it looks like a church. Suddenly, more families started attending Mass.

Seeing the longing families had for a traditional church experience, Fr. Haake proposed that the parish look at their multipurpose building with fresh eyes and use the money that they had fundraised to build a beautiful church within it. Construction began in March 2025 and, while finishing touches are still occurring, the space was open for use 10 months later.

“This new church is the result of much prayer and sacrifice,” Bishop Johnston said in his homily at the Dedication Mass. “The prayer was needed to discern what was best for St. Margaret to forge a solid and sustainable future. The sacrifice was needed to make it a reality.”

He continued by thanking the many people who had a hand in the project, beginning with the people of the parish. “I first want to thank you, the parishioners—those who have persevered from the beginnings of this parish, and the many of you who are more recent who have enthusiastically become a part of this parish community.”

Patrick Padley, parishioner and member of the stewardship committee, shared, “The bishop’s pastoral heart in his homily was truly beautiful. To reference the founding, all the history and the struggle, just to acknowledge that… I think it was really healing for some people.”

Bishop Johnston also highlighted the theme of the new church, calling it “Johannine.” “That means that it reflects the theology and imagery of St. John’s Gospel and the other New Testament Scriptures attributed to John,” he said. Words from the Prologue of John’s Gospel, “Et verbum caro factum est” (“And the Word became flesh”), are printed above the apse and altar. The victorious Lamb and the Book with the seven seals and the seven stars from the Book of Revelation are painted in the apse above the sanctuary. A mosaic representation of the Vine and Branches from Jesus’ discourse in John’s Gospel sits behind the tabernacle. “All of these,” Bishop Johnston noted, “point our minds and hearts to the Incarnate Word, the Son of God come to us in the flesh, Jesus Christ.”

There are also nods to their patroness, St. Margaret of Scotland, including Scottish symbols and hints of her title “Pearl of Scotland.”

Among many other notable features of the new church, Fr. Haake highlighted the Stations of the Cross set that was brought over from Europe and had survived two world wars. Similarly, the tabernacle was acquired and restored from another church that had burnt down.

In the first few weekends since the church opened again, there has been an influx of people attending Mass. Whether it be a curiosity to see the new space or a desire to make the parish home, Fr. Haake shared, “We hope to be a place where people can encounter Jesus – not only in the sacraments, but in a church that lends itself to beauty.”

“With our humble loaves and fishes we’ve given to God, look what he is starting to do, and He will continue to do in this area,” Padley said. “[The diocese] reinvesting in the community means a lot to me as a parishioner. What a gift it is to our community!”

Padley mentioned that he has seen a renewal in the spiritual lives of his fellow parishioners. They now have a welcoming space to host adoration nights, bible studies and parish events. Previously, many of these activities took a halt or occurred in parishioners’ homes.

The bible verse from Lamentations 3:25 sums up Fr. Haake’s feelings on the completed project. “The Lord is good to those who trust in Him, to the one that seeks Him.” The perseverance and trust in the Lord of the parishioners over the past 20 years has been met by God’s unfathomable blessing.

“This beautiful new church is a blessing,” Bishop Johnston said as he finished his homily. “I believe it’s the foundation that this parish needs to flourish into the future… Let us now set this new church apart for the sacred worship of Almighty God— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—in Spirit and truth.”

The post A community renewed appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Karen Ridder

“Mom, what’s my special?” 

He was joking — kind of, but I knew immediately what this third child of mine was asking. He was wondering if the place he’s finding in the world is anything special, distinctive, different or cool. How will he know it? How will he find it?  

I understand. We all ask this kind of question from time to time. Why am I here? What is my strength? What makes me unique? God, why did you even bother to make me?  

In that moment, my son was asking me to be his mirror.  

THAT’s a big responsibility. 

I find, if I’m going to answer these questions well for my kids, I need to get solid on the answers for myself first. What’s MY special? Good question — and a lifelong journey of discovery … BUT kids grow up quickly and generally need more practical approaches from their parents in these matters. So, here are some thoughts I’ve found helpful in considering not only for myself, but also for my kids, this great mystery:  

First, “special” isn’t generally as individual as we believe it to be. We are special because we are part of a whole. God says we are “… a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Pt 2:9) That’s pretty special. 

Second, our “special” is surprisingly more about who we are and who we become, rather than what we do or what we are interested in. This is the virtue over vice challenge. God wants to know, “Are you growing as a person?” That’s his standard for special. 

Third, be aware your “special” usually doesn’t feel that special to you. The strengths you have to offer the world often don’t seem like that big of a deal — not because they aren’t special, but because they fit you. Being fully yourself is the goal, and it feels great. It’s like God saying, “Wow, look at that one. THAT one is special!” 

As a parent, it IS important to have at least SOME answers when our child comes to us with a question like this. Truly, we don’t know God’s full plan for their lives, but we ARE the ones who, for right now, are more likely to understand them and know them better than anyone else. One day, they will grow to know themselves better, but until they find that maturity — YOU get to be the mirror.  

That can be hard — especially when struggling with a difficult child or one who makes decisions that anger us and acts in ways we don’t understand. At these times, I’ve found it useful to ask God for help to see my children more clearly. He can and will give you a vision of your child’s “special” — if you ask. He’ll show you ways in which even difficult parts of their personality are part of the design.   

Then next time your child asks you to be the mirror, you can make sure what they see reflected in your eyes is truly something special.   

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By Marty Denzer and Ashlie Hand

Established in 1983 as the Central City School Fund, the diocesan program providing scholarships for Catholic education today is known as the Bright Futures Fund. As of 2025, the Bright Futures Fund has assisted more than 30,000 kids in attending Catholic grade schools through needs-based tuition assistance and general operating funds.

Bright Futures Fund directly supports three diocesan Catholic schools — Holy Cross School, founded in 1910; Our Lady of Hope School, originally Guardian Angels School, also founded in 1910 and called Our Lady of the Angels before becoming  Our Lady of Hope in 2016; and Our Lady’s Montessori School, founded in 2002 and now located near St. Therese Little Flower Church — that are all located in the urban core.

Holy Cross and Our Lady of Hope, while located next to a parish church, do not receive financial support from the parish and are 100 percent dependent on the Bright Futures Fund. Our Lady’s Montessori School receives a portion of their operating budget from the Bright Futures Fund, and other funding models are being explored to support Catholic schools in our diocese with varying funding needs. 

Support for the Bright Futures Fund comes primarily from three annual fundraisers: the Bishop’s Golf Classic and the School Bell Breakfast. Together, these events make it possible for the legacy schools to continue to educate every student who walks through their doors. 

A 2010 study out of Notre Dame University found strong evidence that Catholic elementary schools are important generators of social capital and are a stabilizing force in urban neighborhoods.

In his remarks at the 2025 School Bell Breakfast, Bishop James Johnston said, “When every child has access to a Catholic education, the surrounding neighborhoods and the broader city are stronger, more stable and safer … Our Bright Futures schools are so important today; as important as they’ve ever been.” 

In 2022, Bright Futures Fund became the facilitator, or Educational Assistance Organization (EAO), for the MOScholars Program. MOScholars offers Missouri taxpayers the chance to direct a portion of the state income taxes they owe to a fund that provides scholarships to families sending their children to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph and the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau. Other EAOs facilitate scholarships in other areas of the state.  

Patti Long, executive director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, which currently manages the Bright Futures Fund, said, “In addition to the three legacy schools, every Catholic school in our diocese has benefitted from Bright Futures Fund’s stewardship of the MOScholars program. Our role as the state’s largest EAO has made it possible for nearly 2,000 more children to attend Catholic school.” 

She added, “The cost to educate a single student in our Bright Futures schools is approximately $7,500 per year, yet the value of shaping young minds and hearts in the Faith is immeasurable.”

Learn more and become a Bright Futures Fund ambassador at brightfuturesfund.org. 

The post Legacy of hope  appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Allison Vrooman | Photo by Michael Hogan

Where did you first learn about the Catholic Faith and what sparked your conversion?

I was baptized Lutheran as a baby and sent to a Methodist preschool by my mom. My dad’s side was agnostic or Southern Baptist for the most part. My mom decided to send me to Catholic school for kindergarten, and I attended Catholic schools through college.

My middle school years were the hardest years of my childhood by far. My parents were on the brink of divorce, my oldest brother was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, and I was exposed to many things that a child is not ready to experience. With the chaos and uncertainty of my life at home, I took refuge in faith through my school. I loved going to mass, enjoyed our prayer time, and looked forward to religion class.

I knew I needed God in my life, so I pursued the opportunity to become Catholic. I was received into the Church at an all-school mass during my 8th-grade year.

What role did Catholic education play in your life?

Catholic education was the catalyst for my conversion and all the amazing fruit that has followed, so I can’t overstate its importance in my life. I was on a path of repeating the same mistakes most of the men in my family had made. I could have easily ended up in prison, creating broken homes, and living a life that created misery for myself and others.

Thanks to my experience at Catholic schools, I am a proud husband, father, and servant of Jesus Christ. I am able to impact thousands of people per year through my testimony and lessons learned via podcasting, speaking, and the work I do full time at Hallow.

Why did you agree to be a guest speaker at this year’s Bright Futures Fund School Bell Breakfast?

The simple answer is:  Bishop Johnston asked me to do it. As a former Army Infantry Officer, I believe heavily in the chain of command. While I know the structure of the Army and the Church differ significantly, I do feel a healthy sense of obligation to do whatever I can to help our Bishop to fulfill his mission to shepherd our Diocese to the best of his ability. I think most young men yearn to be challenged and personally invited to step up, so I was eager to answer the call.

What excites me, though, is the ability to have an impact on the Catholic schools in my local community. My mother, who at times was a single mother, worked multiple jobs to put me through Catholic school. Many other kids don’t have that opportunity.

How many lives could be changed through the generosity of others who support Catholic schools? How many kids like me slip through the cracks because of a lack of financial resources? It’s an honor and a privilege to hopefully help reduce that number.

What is the vision for your ministry, Seeking Excellence?

Seeking Excellence exists to help young people, especially young men, fulfill their God-given potential in life. My mission is to provide them with the purpose, formation, and motivation needed to thrive in the key areas of their lives. I teach a holistic approach to success, focused on pursuing excellence in mind, body, spirit, finances, and in one’s work and relationships.

My vision is to impact millions of young men through social media, books, podcasts, and in-person events over the next three decades of my life. Young men are desperately searching for answers. I hope that Seeking Excellence provides them with the truth, beauty, and goodness that life with God offers.

Was there a particular moment in your life that led you to the work you are doing today?

I wouldn’t say there is a singular moment, but perhaps a singular question: how do I become a saint? For me, sainthood is synonymous with greatness. And I’ve always had a burning desire to be great.

In my view, we lack clarity on exactly what that looks like, especially for lay people in the 21st century. Most of our favorite saints were either priests or religious sisters. Many of our favorite lay saints never faced the unique challenges we deal with in our modern age of technology and endless information.

We can benefit immensely from emulating the virtue and reading the wisdom from these saints, but we are still left with a number of important yet unanswered questions. This is what inspired my work with Seeking Excellence. I sought to answer this question and have tried my best to share everything I am learning along the way.

If there was one piece of advice you would give someone who is seeking to fulfill their life’s potential, what would it be?

My number one piece of advice is that you have to take responsibility for your own life. We live in an age that praises victim mentality, entitlement, and shirking our duties for the sake of our own happiness.

Taking responsibility for your life, as a Christian, is a beautiful balance. We don’t have to rely on ourselves for the strength and grace to turn our life around or fulfill our potential. We rely on God for that. But we do have to own the ways in which we are preventing the fulfillment of God’s plan for our life, because it’s the only way to implement change.

From the moment of our conception, God has a plan for sainthood for us. We just have to commit our lives to cooperating with that plan to the best of our ability.

Where can the readers find your work?

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@seekingexcellence_

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-crankfield/

Online Community/Support my work – https://seekingexcellence.locals.com/

Hear more from Nathan in an insightful conversation with Bishop James Johnston at the 17th annual Bright Futures Fund School Bell Breakfast on Thursday, April 23 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Visit brightfuturesfund.org for details and registration. 

Enter for a chance to win two tickets in the Founder’s Suite at Kansas City Stadium during this summer’s most in-demand sporting event. Visit brightfuturesfund.org for details.

The post Formed by Catholic education, driven to seek excellence appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Allison Vrooman | Photo by Michael Hogan

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this time, the diocese, parishes and schools reinforce their commitment to protecting children and fostering safe environments. However, support and prevention efforts are perpetual, just as is support for those harmed by clergy sexual abuse.

As part of the diocesan mutually shared vision, One Family: Restored in Christ – Equipped for Mission, Journey to Bethany was formed. With the goal of “Healing our Family,” Journey to Bethany has been a center for resources and support for survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

Michael Gomez began his role as executive director of Journey to Bethany in September of 2025. With a background in parish ministry, he feels drawn to serve individuals and families on a personal level and was seeking another opportunity to do so.

Gomez shared that, as he is only a handful of months into the new position, at times he feels like “a babe in the woods.”

However, he said, “To me, this is a double positive as each day can often feel like your first day. First, your eyes and heart are often filled with amazement at the work you get to perform every day. Second, the fulfillment that comes in having the opportunity to work closely with not only those that support us with their time, talent or treasure, but the survivors themselves. To hear their stories of being a victim, or knowing a victim, the path their lives have taken, and hearing what Journey to Bethany means to them. These shared times are precious.”

Gomez’s hope for the future of Journey to Bethany is to continue the good work that the organization has done and to become widely known across the diocese. He shared, “I want Journey to Bethany to be known as a caring organization for those who at times feel forgotten. I would like Journey to Bethany to be part of the reason that brings survivors back into God’s house.”

“We are here to help in every way that we possibly can. We have helped survivors make ends meet in tough financial times. We help to listen with empathy and love in how survivors are coping each day. Being able to be present and listen is often seen as an invaluable gift.”

Journey to Bethany, along with the diocesan Office of Child and Youth protection, are hosting the annual Day of Prayer in Atonement for those harmed by sexual abuse on April 27. Bishop James Johnston will celebrate Mass at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Kansas City. All are invited to attend.

To learn more about Journey to Bethany, find resources and contact information, visit journeytobethany.org.

The post Listening, healing, restoring appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Ashley Everett, Director of Marketing & Communications, Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph | Photos by Steve Hagelman

If you stand in our market long enough, just a moment or two, you can feel it. 

A mother’s quiet relief as she picks up ingredients she knows her children will eat. A teenager helping an elderly neighbor reach a top shelf item. A volunteer straightening produce with the same tenderness I use when I pack my own kids’ lunch boxes.

It’s subtle. It’s holy. It’s where love shows up.

April is Volunteer Awareness Month, and as a Catholic mom working inside the mission of Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph, I see every day how volunteers are the heartbeat of this ministry. They don’t just hand out food; they restore dignity, calm anxious spirits and remind our neighbors that they matter.

Food as love 

One of the clearest places this love takes shape is our self-choice market. Families shop for what they need, choosing foods that fit their cultures, health needs and family preferences.

Volunteers make this possible. They greet families with a smile. They guide neighbors through the aisles. They organize shelves and fresh produce, ensuring the environment is clean, safe and welcoming. 

While tasks vary, the message in every interaction is beautifully consistent: you are worthy of dignity. You are welcome here. You are not alone.

Next gen

The young people are showing up with hearts ready to serve! Eagle Scouts have completed thoughtful projects this year: raised garden beds, benches in a park setting, landscaping and even a little library book box. As an Eagle Scout mom myself, I’m moved by their willingness to choose service over convenience.

Catholic school students across the diocese are also contributing in beautiful, practical ways: cleaning eyeglasses for our free clinics, sorting Christmas gifts, preparing for veteran events and assisting wherever extra hands are needed. These aren’t just service hours; they’re sacred glimpses of the Holy Spirit alive in us, together doing the good works God has called us to do.

Our Lady of Hope Service Society

Again, this year, we were especially blessed to recognize the remarkable Our Lady of Hope Service Society Debutantes and Gentlemen. These high school juniors and seniors were presented to Bishop Johnston, honored not for their poise and presence, but for their commitment to faith-centered service and leadership in their communities.

To be considered for this distinction, each student must demonstrate:

• Catholic identity
• Lived commitment to the Faith, character and moral leadership
• Adherence to Catholic social teaching
• Actively practicing principles such as the dignity of the human person, solidarity and preferential love for the poor
• Acts of charity
• 20 service hours with Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph

These young men and women participate at the Serve & Lift Center, at community events and in behind-the-scenes roles that support our mission. They’ve sorted gifts, prepared meal kits for our St. Joseph office and helped create welcoming spaces for our neighbors.

Their presence at the Hope Ball was not only ceremonial, it was a celebration of our Catholic identity being carried to the next generation of leaders who are choosing compassion, dignity and mercy as their way of life.

An invitation

Our volunteers come from every walk of life: parishioners, retirees, young, old, Scouts, students, professional groups, families. They are ordinary people offering extraordinary love. 

If you’ve felt a quiet pull to “do something,” consider this your invitation.

You don’t have to fix the whole world. Just show up. Offer your hands. Bring your heart. 

God will do the rest.

Email us at volunteers@ccharities.com to get started. 

Are you a professional looking for a meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility or volunteer opportunity?
Email: LRobertson@ccharities.com.

Get involved on our website: catholiccharities-kcsj.org/volunteer/

What’s ahead at Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph:

• Volunteer Mass and Brunch – April 23

• Driving for Hope Golf Tournament – June 8 at Paradise Pointe Outlaw & Posse Golf Courses catholiccharities-kcsj.org/drivingforhope

The post To serve and lift | Where love shows up appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Sara Kraft | Photo by Michael Hogan

“Saint Francis of Assisi teaches us that no matter how much money, education or stability you have, you still need God,” explained Sister Colette Jaros, OSF, member of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Holy Eucharist in Independence.

Saint Francis died 800 years ago. In honor of this significant anniversary, Pope Leo XIV has declared a special Jubilee Year. The jubilee runs from Jan. 10, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027.

“The purpose of a Jubilee Year is to develop spirituality in the Christian faithful,” explained Father Paul Turner, director of the Office of Divine Worship. A jubilee is a special time of mercy in which God pours out grace from the storehouse of his Church as a gift to those who perform particular acts of devotion. The Jubilee Year dedicated to Saint Francis is an indication that the Holy Father believes we can learn and grow in our faith from the life and practice of Saint Francis.

As part of the jubilee celebrations, Pope Leo has granted a plenary indulgence for the faithful who visit a Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated or connected to Saint Francis as a pilgrimage. This includes the Chapel of Holy Eucharist in Independence, Mo. The usual conditions for obtaining an indulgence are required.

As a son of a wealthy merchant, Saint Francis abandoned his fortune to found the Franciscan order. He is well known for his love of seeing God in creation, poverty and of animals. Sister Colette recommends using this Jubilee Year to show gratitude for all we have received through Saint Francis. There are multiple ways to celebrate in your homes.

“Recognizing and praying with Franciscan prayers is an excellent way to celebrate the jubilee,” encouraged SisterColette. “Pray the Angelus. Learn about the Franciscan Crown Rosary and try praying it. Make a big deal of your Nativity scene in Advent. Sing the Canticle of the Creatures in one of its modern formats, like ‘All Creatures of our God and King’or ‘The Canticle of the Sun.’”

Additionally, the Cathedral of St. Joseph has a devotional area for the year near a statue of
Saint Francis on loan from the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist. Franciscan prayers will be available.

Celebrating the anniversaries of Saint Francis’ death on Oct. 3 and his feast day on Oct. 4 are also great ways to honor his life. Many parishes will hold blessings of animals.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will have a joint blessing of animals the weekend of Oct. 3-4. All are invited to bring animals. 

The post Jubilee Year of Saint Francis appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Marty Denzer | Photo by Michael Hogan

Seven Sisters Apostolate, founded in 2010 by a Catholic woman in St. Paul, Minnesota, is dedicated to intercessory prayer for parish pastors. 

Janette Howe was inspired by the generous service of her pastor, Father Joseph Johnson, in attending to parish duties while caring for his parishioners’ needs and mentoring her seminarian son. Janette felt called to pray specifically for him, so one day during prayer, her heart heard, “Seven Sisters.” Several minutes passed, then she clearly heard those words again. She sat, eyes closed, waiting in stillness before the Blessed Sacrament. After a while, she sensed that the Lord wanted her to invite six other women of the parish to commit to offering one Holy Hour weekly for Father Johnson. 

According to the apostolate’s history, Janette approached Father Johnson with her experience. He suggested reaching out to seven women in seven churches — a total of 49 women. In June 2011, the first groups of Seven Sisters made one-year commitments to the Holy Hours under Janette’s guidance. She became the first “anchoress,” as the parish coordinators are titled. 

The mission of the apostolate is the strengthening of the Church by supporting her priests through prayer. 

Conversations with other women and social media led to the apostolate’s growth. Now, 15 years later, Seven Sisters has nearly 6,000 groups in 36 countries across six continents.There are currently nine groups praying for Pope Leo XIV. Elijah’s Helpers groups pray for priests in crisis.

Judy Koster, a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gladstone, serves as the coordinator for the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, as well as assisting in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, as they don’t currently have a coordinator. She said the apostolate is approaching 30 groups in this diocese.

The coordinator registers the groups, schedules the members and their chosen Holy Hour day, advises them about any special priestly intentions and prays for them. 

In each parish with a Seven Sisters group, seven women pray a Holy Hour in front of the tabernacle — one woman for each day of the week — for the pastor or parochial vicar. Each day of the week, three women in this diocese pray a Holy Hour for the bishop. There are also groups praying for several diocesan Catholic high school chaplains. 

The Seven Sisters groups have inspired men in their parishes to join in the effort to strengthen the church through strengthening their pastor, priests and bishop. Each member of a Fasting Brothers group chooses a day of the week, with the exception of Sundays, to fast in various ways, for instance, not watching television, taking over household chores or watching the kids while mom is praying her Holy Hour.

Without fanfare, the Seven Sisters strive to support priests in prayer, thereby strengthening the Church and their own personal faith, as the weekly Holy Hour brings joy.

Those interested in starting a Seven Sisters Apostolate group may contact sevensistersapostolate.org.

The post Seven Sisters Apostolate keeps parish pastors in prayer appeared first on The Catholic Key.

By Karen Ridder | Photos by Michael Hogan

Accountability. Consistency. Compassion. These three words represent an untold story of the Catholic Church’s response to child abuse in the last two decades. It’s getting results and healing hearts.

It’s a story revealed, not only in data but in programs using compassion and education as a way to carry out two of Christ’s most important missions: protecting children and meeting the deepest needs of people.

Culture of prevention

It has been more than 20 years since the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) first presented the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The document created standards for how sexual abuse allegations involving minors and priests or deacons should be handled across the country.

Adopted in 2002, the document has served as a guide since then for change and accountability. With three previous updates and a fourth review underway this year, efforts have changed and evolved over time, but the results are real. A culture of prevention and an attitude of accountability dominate the current Catholic Church in the United States from the ground up.

Bishop James Johnston says he has seen dramatic changes with regard to consistency and safe environments in the 17 years he has served as a bishop.

“There is a night and day difference between where we were, and where we are now. The Church places great resources and attention on forming everyone in the community to make this a priority and everyone has a role,” said Bishop Johnston.

Training has been a key element in changing the culture — not only with volunteers at the parish level and educators in schools, but also for all clergy.

The USCCB Charter recognizes “the entire Catholic community in this country has suffered because of (the child sexual abuse) scandal and its consequences.” (p. 4) That includes the vast majority of Catholic priests who in honorably seeking to live out their mission have had to face an added “air of suspicion” over their ministry from the general public. One goal of the document was to renew confidence in the integrity of the vocation of the priesthood so people would be able to view priests again as people who give “life of service to others after the example of Christ.”

As such, the document has changed the formation of seminarians and younger priests. They now expect these standards as normal and expected — something Bishop Johnston believes will continue to have a tremendous positive influence going forward.

“This document has truly impacted the culture in the Church in some of the most profound ways I’ve seen in the history of our church,” said Bishop Johnston.

Changes include clear policies to respond promptly to any allegations of sexual abuse against a minor. This includes review boards and procedures for how to handle clerics accused. Every diocese is also called upon to adhere to any civil laws involved.

The Catholic Church in the United States has become a high reliability organization with clear goals to protect children. The “high reliability” ideal came from places like hospitals, the military and the travel industry, which regularly succeed in maintaining safe environments despite high-risk situations. Bishop Johnston points out the plan also sets goals central to the message of the Gospel.

“This is rooted in basic Christianity. Jesus used some of his harshest language around those who would harm children or little ones and the innocent. Those entrusted with authority must use their authority to serve and I think the charter is connected to the gospel in this way,” said Bishop Johnston.

The Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph uses a multi-pronged approach involving standards and expectations for those involved in ministry and well-designed responses to allegations of incidents.

Destiny Jackson is the current director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the diocese. She says having clear expectations was a relief when she came on the job 18 months ago.

“It really is the guide of everything that we do. It leads our policies and our procedures. It’s our manual — referenced in every part of our work especially when we are speaking to people who might be challenged by a procedure. We reference the charter and the commitments we made,” said Jackson.

Jackson has been instrumental in broadening the answer to the call to help victims/survivors heal. This holistic approach recognizes many victims/survivors are disconnected from the Catholic Church. In many situations, Catholic resources are not the first choice for healing.

“Trauma impacts each of us in a very different way. Sometimes, we forget a lot of people won’t feel like they can receive support in the environment where they have been hurt. That doesn’t mean there isn’t help available. We try to connect them to that help,” said Jackson.

Those connections include partnering with non-Catholic and even non-sectarian community social services to link victims to counseling or other services that might help.

Jackson says a lot of people are surprised her office offers this kind of a bridge to services. She has seen it open doors for healing in a new way — not only for survivors, but for their families as well.

Bishop Johnston says recognizing the pain the greater community experiences when a child is hurt by a clergy member is a very important part of the story, too.

“When someone is wounded, then other people who love them and are part of their life are also impacted, and the local church is also impacted,” said Bishop Johnston.

Jackson’s office has answered this concern by doing more outreach in schools, sharing information about resources, and the important cultural changes happening in the Church at the school and parish level. Jackson’s office also conducts audits to make sure people are comfortable and understand the expected standards.

“We have to make sure safe-guarding and Safe Environment are at the forefront of everyone’s brains and it doesn’t feel like a checklist,” said Jackson.

Results are real

Research shows all of these efforts initiated by the USCCB Charter are having a measurable impact within the Catholic community in this country.

Reported allegations of the sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon have dropped dramatically in the last five years*. From 2020 to 2024, the U.S. experienced a nearly 80 percent reduction in reported instances. In 2020, the total number of allegations received throughout the country was 4,250. In 2024, (the last year for reported data) that number dropped to 902. Only 26 of those allegations involved current-year minors. (The Offices of Child and Youth Protection often take information from adults reporting offenses that happened decades ago. The greatest majority of substantiated offenses occurred in the 1960s to 1990s.)

That massive reduction is in stark contrast to national research following all child sexual abuse in the country. For instance, a 2024 study put out by the National Children’s Advocacy Center estimated 10 percent to 17 percent of all school-age children in the United States will face an incident of sexual abuse at some point at the hands of a teacher/staff member or coach at school. It’s a number believed to be growing.

*CARA Survey of Allegations and Costs for U.S. Catholic Dioceses, Eparchies, and Religious Communities of Men by Jonathon L. Wiggins, Ph.D. and Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D.

For those who still feel alienated and uncertain about the diocese’s response and the safety for children in our parishes, Bishop Johnston quotes Saint Teresa of Calcutta: “Come and see.”

They should come and see for themselves what the changes feel like.

“It’s not to say we’ll ever be totally perfect, because we are made up of human beings and there will always be sin in the world, but everyone is now on the same page in regard to the culture in our church and our schools. This is a way of life,” said Bishop Johnston. 

On April 27, the Diocese is marking a day of Prayer in Atonement for those Harmed by Sexual Abuse. Participate by wearing blue in support of survivors and attending daily Mass at a local parish, or at 12:15 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO 64105.

PRAYER FOR HEALING VICTIMS OF ABUSE

God of endless love,

ever caring, ever strong,

always present, always just:

You gave your only Son

to save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind, and spirit

by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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