Here is the latest news for the week of the TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, August 24, 2025.
HERE IS THE 2025-2026 ANNUAL BUDGET FOR ST. JAMES. TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW IT AND EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS TO DAN NASH AT FINANCE@STJKC.ORG. Budget Summary (For those who had trouble viewing the attachment, click HERE to view)
PARISH SYNOD MEETING THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 24th
We will have the Synod Meeting after mass in Marion Hall. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate our parish anniversary after Mass and then please make your way to Marion Hall on the lower level for our Synod Meeting.
WE WELCOME ANYONE WHO CAN ATTEND SUNDAY MASS AT ST. JAMES AT 10:00 A.M. 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: https://stjkc.org/sundays-at-st-james.
FR. DON FARNAN HAS A WONDERFUL WEEKLY PODCAST THAT ADDRESSES important issues of the day and how they intersect with our faith. The attached podcast is EXCELLENT! I encourage everyone to take the time to listen to this wonderful program.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2240850/episodes/17713518
ATTENDANCE UPDATE
ST. JAMES’ COMMUNITY GARDEN UPDATE:
The garden is waiting for the cooler days of September to really produce. The Garden Gang took advantage of this down time and pruned the blackberries last Saturday. We will be gathering this Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm to prepare veggies for distribution at the St. James Anniversary Celebration.
Produce ready to be harvested include the following:
East Garden
Tomatoes
Eggplants
Peppers
South Garden
Bed 1 – Dill
Bed 8 – Kale
Bed 15 – Swiss Chard
Raspberries by Troost39’s back door.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE ST JAMES WEBSITE REGULARLY At www.StJKC.org and provide feedback or ideas for posts. Please email your ideas to website@stjkc.org.
DON’T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET!!!!!
Several handmade cedar baskets are still available for purchase. We won’t put all our eggs in one basket, we promise.
One basket a month will be raffled off. Tickets are $1.00 and available this Sunday. Drawing happens on August 31st.
Come take a peek at this month’s basket. See you Sunday!
NOURISH YOUR SPIRIT BEFORE MASS. Take a few moments to read and reflect on this Sunday’s readings. Let them speak to your heart and prepare you to enter more deeply into the celebration of the Eucharist.
National Catholic Reporter quotes a recent past member of St. James, Sr. Michele Morek, in the article “UNANIMA, Prominent Sister-Led Coalition at United Nations, to End Its Ministry”
Check out the article at the link below.
📚 LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ? St. James has a collection of faith-based books (reviewed by Denise Simeone and Biagio Mazza) that didn’t make the cut for the rectory library—but might be perfect for your shelf. Browse the back tables in church and take what speaks to you. 🖼️And if your walls are feeling bare, check out the framed pictures nearby. They are also free to a good home!
MANOS AMIGAS UPDATE: We are excited to announce that VBS returned to Anapra. Manos Amigas held a one-week VBS the first week of August as a test to see if they were ready for VBS again after Covid. The answer is a resounding YES! It was a new experience for the younger kids. The older kids have fond memories of VBS and were happy to serve as helpers. Click HERE for photos. There was a lot of joy, learning, and full hearts.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING AND CLIMATE JUSTICE: Extreme weather conditions are the new norm in many areas of the world, including the U.S. This can put immigrants and undocumented laborers at grave risk. Catholic Social Teaching tells us that the dignity of work, the rights of workers, care for creation, and the imperative to care for the poor and vulnerable— must all be taken into account in addressing this crisis. Click HERE for more info and for solutions to this crisis.
MIGRANT FARMWORKERS ASSISTANCE FUND FUNDRAISER Saturday, August 23 4 pm — 8 pm Chipotle’s at 6920 Mission Road Prairie Village, KS Take a break from cooking dinner and support our migrant friends. A portion of all sales goes to the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund. Invite others to join you. Together, we make a difference!
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH’S EMBRACE JUSTICE MINISTRY UPDATES Members of EmbRace Justice Ministry and The Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) Subcommittee at St. Francis Xavier parish, invite you to support our migrant neighbors with several actions. Mark your calendars for the following events: August 26, St. Francis Xavier Monthly Witness 4:30 – 5:30pm: Join us for our monthly witness to support issues related to immigrants and other social justice issues, followed by a brief prayer service. Signs will be provided. Optional: Pray in the church if the heat is too much for you. September 30, Witness on Troost, 4:30 – 5:30 pm: St. Francis Xavier Monthly Witness will be joined by others invited to stand up for social justice issues along Troost Ave.
DIOCESE SEPTEMBER PRAYER INTENTIONS
Bishop Johnston: For the desperate people of Gaza and for an end to the conflict there and the gift of a lasting and just peace.
Holy Father: Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
Check Out Precious Blood Renewal Center
Their events page features many retreat opportunities. “Renewal Center offers hospitality and facilities to anyone who seeks some time away from their everyday responsibilities and a place to rejuvenate. “
https://www.pbrenewalcenter.org/events/
MARILLAC RETREAT AND SPIRITUALITY CENTER
This Autumn, Marillac has several retreats planned. Check them out and sign up on the website.
- September, Sister Susan Chase will lead a 6 session focus titled “The Spirituality of Trees” to celebrate the Season of Creation.
- Father Kevin Cullen will lead a Good Conversation session titled “Enjoying Our Pilgrimage” on September 11th, and Sister Mary Pat Johnson will lead a look into “The Transformative Power of Prayer” September 12-14.
- October 9th Sister Judith Jackson will lead a gathering titled “Letting Mary matter: Lessons in Compassion and Contemplation”.
- The Fall Retreat will be October 13-18 led by Scripture Scholar Kathy Coffey, titled “The Genius of Jesus, The World of Women”.
- Directed individual retreats are offered the last week of October into the first of November.
- And we’ll enjoy the Christmas season with “Linger Over Coffee”, pondering the Christmas Story through Scripture, art, poetry, and music. These will be December 2nd, 9th, and 16th.
Go to www.scls.org/marillac-center/retreats/ for more info and to sign up.
SHREDDING AND RECYCLING EVENT
Time to gather your old documents and collect your old electronic equipment and bring them to the Urban Ranger Corp’s shredding event to be held on Saturday, September 6th , from 9 a.m. to Noon. Shredding will be done in the parking lot behind St. Elizabeth’s Parish at 75th and Main.
Entrance to the parking lot is off 74th Street. Participants should head north on Main, turn West onto 74th Street (the only way you can turn) and then follow directions given by Rangers and Staff. The only charges are $40 for Tube TV’s, $45 for console style and rear projection TV’s and $25 for all monitors. However, the rangers you’ll meet will be happy to accept any donation you’d like to give. All proceeds from this event support the programs and services we offer our young men. A list of what is accepted can be found at the www.urckc.org and is also attached if you’d like to print some copies or include in your communications.