Good day, St. James Community. Here is the latest for the week of June 8th, 2025.
Wear your Pentecost red or something that depicts flames for Mass on Sunday.
OUR PARISH SYNODAL DIRECTOR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED!!!!!!!
The Transition Team is pleased to announce that our recommendation for the Synodal Parish Director is Pat Marrin. Pat has been a member of St. James for over 24 years and is very familiar with what a Synodal Parish should look like. Besides being a member of the Transition Team, he has taught theology at all levels of education and has extensive pastoral experience.
After affirming our decision during a meeting with the diocesan HR representative, Pat is finishing up some onboarding requirements and plans to begin serving us on a part-time basis (average 29 hours a week or less) in mid-June. We are conducting discussions about hiring another part-time person to assist Pat in his duties.
We plan to have Pat speak at the Synod Meeting on June 15, outlining his vision for St. James and the role of parishioners in that vision. At the conclusion of his presentation to the community, we will have a discernment and confirmation by the synod.
The Transition Team wants to thank St. James for your prayers, patience and support through this process. We are excited about our next steps in the process of becoming a more synodal parish. Please continue to pray for our parish.
We welcome anyone who can attend Sunday Mass at St. JAMES AT 10:00 A.M. Our celebrant is Fr. Garry Richmeier. Considering that many parishioners are still experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 virus and other infections, if you plan to join us in person, we recommend wearing a mask if you exhibit symptoms or are immunocompromised.
We continue to live stream our 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, reaching out to parishioners and friends who can’t attend in person. Here is the link to the live stream on our Facebook page for St. James Midtown, KC. A recording of the live-streamed Mass can also be accessed at https://stjkc.org/sundays-at-st-james.
JAMES IS SEEKING ONE OR TWO INDIVIDUALS TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPOSING AND DESIGNING THE PARISH BULLETIN AND THE FRIDAY EMAIL. If you have questions or are interested, please get in touch with Bill Cordaro at Bulletin@StJKC.org.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE ST JAMES WEBSITE REGULARLY at www.StJKC.org and provide feedback or ideas for posts. Please send your ideas to website@stjkc.org.
MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ AND REFLECT ON THE READINGS BEFORE MASS. READINGS for next Sunday, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday, June 15, 2025.
First Reading – Proverbs 8:22-31: This passage personifies divine wisdom as an eternal, creative force that existed before all things, working joyfully alongside God in establishing and delighting in creation and humanity.
Reflection Question: In what ways does understanding wisdom as a co-creative force with God reshape your perception of the natural world and your creative potential?
Second Reading – Romans 5:1-5: Because we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, we experience peace with God, gain secure access to His grace, and can find hope and character strength even through our afflictions, knowing that His love is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Question: How might recognizing that our suffering can cultivate endurance, character, and hope influence the way you face life’s challenges?
Gospel – John 16:12-15: Jesus explains that although He has much more to reveal than the disciples can comprehend now, the promised Spirit of truth will eventually guide them to a complete understanding by declaring all that belongs to Him and glorifying His divine authority.
Reflection Question: How can I open my heart to the slowly unfolding guidance of the Spirit, trusting that even when more profound truths seem beyond my grasp, they are revealed in perfect time?
FAITH FORMATION INSERT (see below) THIS WEEK IS A SUMMARY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY.
https://files.cdn.thinkific.com/file_uploads/297590/attachments/3dd/82d/e39/B_W.pdf
Fr. Don Farnan has a wonderful weekly podcast that addresses important issues of the day and how they intersect with our faith. Check it out and subscribe. https://uponthisrockpodcast.buzzsprout.com/.
PARISH MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY
In partnership with Catholic Charities, parishes launched parish-based mental health ministries. Parishes continue to have events and groups. All are welcome. To stay up- to-date about current events, https://catholiccharities-kcsj.org/mentalhealthministry/ and scroll down to view the calendar.
Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty MO has some wonderful offerings, some including our very own Fr. Garry Richmeier and Fr. Mark Miller. Go to https://www.pbrenewalcenter.org/ for more information.
GARDEN UPDATE: The Garden Gang is grateful for another week without having to water. Join us this Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 am as we put up trellises, mulch, and do some garden maintenance. Veggies ready for picking include the following:
Bed 1 – Mustard and Turnips
Bed 8 – Kale
Bed 10 – Radishes, leaf lettuce, and beets
Bed 15 – Arugula and Swiss Chard
REDEMPTORIST– PRESENTATION ON BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER On Monday, June 9 at 7:00 pm, Redemptorist will host Fr. Don Wolf, a priest from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, who will speak about Blessed Stanley Rother. Fr. Rother was martyred in 1981 in Guatemala where he was serving as a missionary in Santiago Atitlan. In 2015, the Vatican formally recognized him as a martyr. He was beatified in 2017 in Oklahoma City. Blessed Stanley Rother is the first martyr from the United States and the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified. Fr. Wolf is a cousin to Blessed Stanley Rother and will speak in the Garden Room at Redemptorist.
54th ANNUAL NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE CONFERENCE, JUNE 20-21 The National Right to Life Conference is a two-day event of learning, inspiration, and fellowship. Whether you are a seasoned activist, a new volunteer, a student passionate about life, or want to learn how to make a difference, this conference is for you. The conference will feature more than 12 breakout sessions and six general sessions. Marriott Kansas City Overland Park, 10800 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66210. Register at https://nrlconvention.com.
WHEN THE LIGHT FINDS US: FROM A LIFE SENTENCE TO A LIFE TRANSFORMED June 23, 6-8 pm, Rockhurst University, Magis Activity Center, 5311 Tracy, Kansas City, MO. Judy Henderson spent 36 years in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Hear Judy’s story in her own words. It is a story of unwavering hope and strength. Judy is now a member of the Missouri Catholic Charities team. To RSVP to this event, click HERE.
A Pilgrimage Along the Civil Rights Trail, October 19-25, 2025. Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City is sponsoring a trip to famous sites in our nation’s civil rights history across the South. The cost is $990. This includes transportation (via a chartered 55-passenger bus with a driver), six nights in mid-range motels (accommodating two people per room), admission to sites, a light breakfast each day (served at the motel), and four additional meals. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Scott Grotewold at w.sgrotewold@gmail.com. For more information or to register, visit https://www.trinitykc.org/civilrights.
RESPECT LIFE ACTION GUIDE FOR FATHER’S DAY FROM USCCB. Fatherhood has its origins in God, who chose to reveal Himself to us as Our Father, sending his only Son for the sake of our salvation. Fathers, therefore, have a special role “in revealing and in reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God” (Familiaris consortio 25). Father’s Day is an appropriate time to recall the essential role of fathers in the life of the family and in building a culture of life. It is also an opportunity to highlight spiritual fatherhood, which all men are called to embrace. OUR LADY OF HOPE
OUR LADY OF HOPE SOCIETY HONOREE (DEBUTANTE/GENTLEMAN) NOMINATIONS is open for 2025! Catholic Charities of Kansas City–St. Joseph invites you to nominate a high school junior or senior student who is living out the Catholic Faith. Criteria required for consideration include: adherence to Catholic social teaching, including tenets of the Catholic Church and acts of charity (service hours). To nominate, fill out the nomination form. Nominations close August 31.
Saturday, June 14th
Oppose Trump’s Military Parade
Say NO Thrones, NO Crowns, NO Kings
10:00am – 11:00am Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th and Lackman, Lenexa, KS
11:00am – 1:00am 7131 W 135th Street (in front of Staples), Overland Park, KS
12:00noon – 3:00pm Plaza Fountain (in Mill Creek Park) 47th & Mill Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO
See https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/ for other demonstrations and information
A Presentation on the Ugandan Martyrs
Sister Rose Thumitho, from the Diocese of Jinja, Uganda, will be in Kansas City on Sunday, June 8th, 2:00 p.m. at The Catholic Center (O’Hara Room) to give a presentation on the Ugandan Martyrs. The Ugandan Martyrs feast day is June 3rd. All are invited to this presentation. Parking available in parking garage between The Catholic Center and the McCownGordon building. With questions on attending and parking, please call 816-714-2367.
Who are the Ugandan Martyrs?
Don’t know anything about the Ugandan Martyrs? Start with this litany (and join us on Sunday!).