Good day, St. James Community. Here is the latest news for the week of June 1, 2025.
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 friends and parishioners 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.
If you weren’t able to join us for our May 4th parish-wide Synod meeting, here is the web address to watch the video.
https://www.facebook.com/stjamesmidtown/videos/23869564052667186/
WE ENCOURAGE TO VISIT THE ST JAMES WEBSITE REGULARLY at www.StJKC.org and send feedback or ideas for posts to website@stjkc.org.
MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ AND REFLECT ON THE READINGS BEFORE MASS. READINGS for Ascension Sunday, June 1, 2025
First Reading – Acts 1:1-11: In this passage, Jesus recounts His post-resurrection appearances, instructs His apostles to remain in Jerusalem for the promised empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and ascends into heaven with the assurance that He will return in the same way.
Reflection Question: How does the promise of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of Jesus’ return inspire you to embrace your own role as a witness in daily life?
Second Reading – Ephesians 1:17-23: God bestows a Spirit of wisdom and revelation to enlighten believers’ hearts, enabling them to grasp the hope of their calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the surpassing power displayed in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation as the head of the church.
Reflection Question: How does understanding the depth of Christ’s exalted authority and the transformative power available to you through divine wisdom inspire your daily walk of faith?
Gospel – Luke 24:46-53: Jesus prays that God bestows a Spirit of wisdom and revelation to enlighten believers’ hearts, enabling them to grasp the hope of their calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the surpassing power displayed in Christ’s resurrection and exaltation as the head of the church.
Reflection Question: How does understanding the depth of Christ’s exalted authority and the transformative power available to you through divine wisdom inspire your daily walk of faith?
FAITH FORMATION INSERT THIS WEEK IS A SUMMARY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD SUNDAY.
https://files.cdn.thinkific.com/file_uploads/297590/attachments/722/511/e31/B_W.pdf
JAMES’S PARKING LOT HOURS: St. James’s parking lot has a gate that is closed when not in use. On Sundays, the gate opens at around 9 am and remains open until 1 pm, after which it closes and is locked. We kindly request that everyone remove their cars from the lot by 1 pm on Sundays. If you need the lot past 1 pm on Sundays, contact the parish staff. Thank you for your cooperation.
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/
THE BULLETIN, FRIDAY EMAILS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS AT MASS
For the size of our parish, St. James has a lot going on. Getting information into the hands of the people is very important. We have three vehicles to communicate with parishioners: the bulletin, Friday email, and announcements at Mass. Parishioners are invited to send announcements and other items for the bulletin and Friday emails to Bulletin@StJKC.org no later than midnight on Mondays. To have an announcement at Mass, your information must be sent to dianeew72@gmail.com no later than noon on Saturdays. All announcements will be edited for conciseness. Thank you for your cooperation.
Our regular HARVESTERS volunteer day this month is Tuesday, June 3 from 6-8 pm. Looking forward to seeing everyone! Harvesters is located at 3801 Topping Ave. Volunteers just be 8 years old or older. All volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and masks. Consider bringing 1 canned or other non-perishable food item. Please contact/text Barbara Schepers at 816-810-8809 if you plan to be there.
ST JAMES’S GARDEN UPDATE. If you are hungry for the taste of fresh garlic, come pick some garlic scapes. Scapes are the eel-like reproductive part of garlic that is removed to force the plant to focus on growing the bulbs. The Garden Gang is gathering May 31 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to plant sweet potatoes, peppers, and more. Veggies ready to harvest include:
- Bed 1 – Mustard and Turnips
- Bed 7 and 11 – Garlic Scapes
- Bed 8 – Kale
- Bed 10 – Radishes and Leaf Lettuce
- Bed 14 – Head lettuce
- Bed 15 – Arugula
- East Garden – Garlic Scapes
The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) is a non-profit organization working to reduce violence in the KC area. Their mission states: Transforming individual and community conflict from harm to healing, upholding human dignity through restorative processes. The Center has many very valuable workshops and classes throughout the year. Check out their offerings at CCRKC.org. Sr. Rose McLarney is the past Board Chair, and Bill Cordaro currently sits on the board. Ask them for more information.
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, go to https://catholiccharities-kcsj.org/mentalhealthministry/ and scroll down to view the calendar.
CATHEDRAL SUMMER FEST AND AUCTION, JUNE 8
Bishop Johnston invites the entire diocese to support the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Proceeds will support varied ministries, especially contributions to an active diocesan liturgical life. For more information, https://www.kcgolddome.org/news-articles/416-gold-dome-summer-fest.
PRECIOUS BLOOD RENEWAL CENTER in Liberty MO offers many events and resources, some by our very own Fr. Garry Richmeier and Fr. Mark Miller. For information, click on https://www.pbrenewalcenter.org/
A MESSAGE FROM JUSTFAITH
Since 2017, there have been more than 500,000 visitors to the Social Justice Resource Center website. We provide a wide variety of facts and figures on specific social issues as well as thousands of free resources including films, publications, links to other organizations, prayers, quotes, principles of social justice, key dates throughout the year, action ideas, Diocesan office contact information and biographies of famous people who have worked for social justice.
To learn more, click here.
REDEMPTORIST PRESENTATION ON BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER
On Monday, June 9 at 7:00 pm, Redemptorist Parish 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, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO.
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, KCMO. 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.
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.
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.
GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY, JUNE 6
In 2022, the USCCB wrote a letter to Congress stating: “We urge all members of Congress to reflect on the compassion all of you undoubtedly feel in light of these tragic events and be moved to action because of it. There is something deeply wrong with a culture where these acts of violence are increasingly common. There must be dialogue followed by concrete action to bring about a broader social renewal that addresses all aspects of the crisis, including mental health, the state of families, the valuation of life, the influence of entertainment and gaming industries, bullying, and the availability of firearms. Among the many steps toward addressing this endemic of violence is the passage of reasonable gun control measures” (Letter to Congress on Gun Violence, June 3, 2022). On National Gun Violence Awareness Today, we stand with the bishops in pro-life solidarity for an end to violence and for common sense reforms.
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 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.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT AT ST MARK PEACE AND HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH. St Stephen’s Jubilation Choir presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00pm Location: St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church, 3800 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO.
Jubilation is a church youth choir consisting of 40 seventh through twelfth grade students from Bloomington, MN. Each summer, they tour a new area of the country performing “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” This year marks their 36th tour and the choir’s 48th year in existence now under the direction of Ashlie Keith. Jubilation has a strong tradition at St. Stephen Lutheran Church and some of its members began singing at church at the age of 3. Each year our congregation watches as new youth take on lead roles and add new twists to the show. Past tours have taken them to over 43 states, Canada, and parts of Europe. Each year they return with wonderful stories and life experiences.
Bill Cordaro