"Give me your heart." (Proverbs 23:26)

Dear friends in Christ, we meditate on the Sacred Heart of Jesus along with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who recently issued the encyclical: “HE LOVED US," which contemplates the love of our Savior. We chose this as the motto for our fundraiser, but also to help us focus on what really matters as we do vocation ministry this year. 

This is our inaugural newsletter for Vocation Ministry teams. We plan to publish it quarterly, and we wanted to start out with what really matters. Receiving the love and truth of God and then sharing it with the world. Your ministry tangibly and beautifully is a participation in this great mission. 

"Give me your heart" can be understood in a number of ways. God the Father asks Jesus to give him his heart as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world. We can understand it as Jesus giving us his love, his heart, out of compassion for our waywardness. Finally, we can hear these words, "give me your heart," addressed to us. God wants us! He wants our love!

God wants young people to consider giving their hearts to Jesus. He wants them to consider giving their lives over to him in a radical way, to witness to the Wedding of the Lamb at the end of time for which we are all made. 

Your support makes this possible. Your prayers and gifts for our seminarians and discerners ensure that a new generation will rise up to continue the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus. Vocations Ministry teams are so important for the life of our diocese, and you are truly trailblazers in this effort. You, dear friends, give your hearts to Christ in this way. Thank you!

Father Rueb

UPCOMING EVENTS

To get the most up to date info, sign up for the Vocations Office email list for Discerners or Vocations Promoters.

4th Annual St. John Vianney Happy Hour for Vocations

By Allison Vrooman | Photos by Michael Hogan

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes keep to my ways.” – Proverbs 23:26

“Give me your heart” was the theme for the 4th annual St. John Vianney Happy Hour fundraiser to support seminarian education. Hosted by the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph Office of Priestly Vocations, the event was held at the Bishop Hogan Center at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Kansas City on February 24.

Seminarians, priests, family members and donors mingled over drinks and appetizers leading up to the program. Fr. Nathan Rueb, Director of the Office of Priestly Vocations, began by sharing his gratitude for everyone in attendance and all who had a hand in making the event possible. There was a round of applause after each group he mentioned, but the loudest and longest applause erupted as he thanked the parents of the seminarians.

“They are the reason,” Fr. Rueb said. He added that nothing would be possible without “their generosity to raise a family like the Church intends and the sacrifice of handing their sons over to the Church.”

Fr. Rueb thanked the Serra Clubs and the Knights of Columbus for their significant support of vocations. He also mentioned the new Vocation Ministry Teams that have recently rolled out in many parishes and have seen great success in supporting vocations in the diocese.

Speaking on the theme of the event, Fr. Rueb said, “’Give me your heart’ can be understood in a number of ways. God the Father asks Jesus to give him his heart as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world.” He goes on to say that we can also hear these words addressed to us. “God wants us! He wants our love!” Similarly, “God wants young people to consider giving their hearts to Jesus.” He encouraged the attendees to pray that the Sacred Heart would transform the hearts of the discerning young men.

Watch a video of the seminarians’ take on the meaning of the event theme, here.

Bishop Johnston took the microphone next. He emphasized that the world needs priests and encouraged praying everyday for priests, seminarians and those discerning a religious vocation.

The seminarians from Conception Seminary College made a video to explain how they have been positively impacted by their time at the seminary and to express gratitude for those who have supported them.

Speaking of the generosity of prayer, support, money and time that has been given, seminarian Xavier Schmidt said, “I am very aware of how indebted I am to you.”



Watch their thank you video here.

The event ended with the Salve Regina sung by the seminarians, followed by a blessing from Bishop Johnston. Currently, eight young men have requested an application to join the existing 19 in the new school year.

Please pray for the seminarians in the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph as they continue to discern God’s call. If you feel drawn to support them in their priestly education, find the link to the event donation site here.

View full photo gallery at catholickey.org.

DISCERNMENT EVENTS

April 12, 2025:  Mass at 8:00 am at Coronation Catholic Church in Grandview, followed by a delicious brunch.

"Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jusus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.' But Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' Philip said to him, "Come and see.'" - John 1:45-46

Hang out with dynamic priests, eat a delicious free meal, pray in a transformative way, and open your heart to what will really fulfill you ... following Jesus' will in your life!

Called By Name Sunday

The weekend of February 8 and 9 began the Called by Name Sunday initiative. The first of its kind in the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, it was an opportunity for the faithful to actively participate in the future of the Church.

During the weekend, all priests throughout the diocese were asked to share their vocation story as part of the homily. Parishioners were then encouraged to nominate a young person they think might be called to a religious vocation. This included a calling to be a priest or a religious sister or brother.



A link to submit nominations remained open until March 15. Each nominee received a letter from Bishop Johnston, commending them for living the Christian life in an exemplary way and gently inviting them to begin formally discerning their calling. They also received helpful information and resources to do so.