Human Rights Month

When: December

December marks Human Rights Month. We encourage parishes and schools to highlight topics such as:

Criminal and Restorative Justice

Death Penalty

Economic Justice

Education

Human Trafficking

Immigration & Refugees

Mental Health

Non-Violence

Racism

Religious Freedom & Conscience Protection

Stewardship of Creation & Rural Life

Find resources on all of these topics and more at https://www.lifeandjusticekcsj.org/

You can view the video above for a preview of Human Rights Month social media posts.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

When: December 8th

Join us in prayer to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our diocese. May she continue to guide us in our pursuit of Life and Justice:

“O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession.

O most holy mother, receive my prayers as I present them to God. (state your intentions here)

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, you intercede for us with your Son. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.” (Prayer source: amm.org)

Rosary for Immigrants

When: Friday, December 12th, 12:00 p.m.

Where: Washington Square Park across from the immigration court, 2345 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Join a bi-state Rosary for Immigrants as we peacefully pray a multilingual rosary for the end to indiscriminate and inhumane deportations of non-violent migrants and refugees. The rosary will take place on Friday, December 12th, 12:00 p.m. at Washington Square Park. Signs will be provided. Please visit https://www.lifeandjusticekcsj.org/rosary-for-immigrants for more information.

Parking: Please use the ample street parking available on Grand Blvd. Meters are available along the street. Parking garages for Crown Center are located further south.

These rosaries will become regularly occurring. Please continue to check the Life & Justice website for more information.

Bl. Sára Salkaházi

When: December 27th

Bl. Sára Salkaházi was a Hungarian Catholic religious sister of German descent. But first she was a tomboy, independent, almost atheist, journalist. Her religious order, the Sisters of Social Service, reluctantly accepted her, and she went to work organizing various Catholic women’s working groups. As World War II began, she began smuggling Jewish refugees and harboring them in Budapest; Bl. Sára directly aided at least 100 people, while hundreds more were sheltered in the building. She offered herself as a sacrifice in a private pledge in the presence of her superior. That sacrifice would come to pass in 1944 after the shelter was betrayed. Bl. Sara and the rest of the prisoners were shot and tossed into the Danube River; her body was never recovered. We look to Bl. Sára as an example of outstanding courage and perseverance in the face of unjust governance and racism.

Life & Justice Grant Applications Due

When: December 31st

Is your non-profit or one you know starting a new project or expanding an existing project?

Does that project address public policy, education, empowerment, or pastoral care?

Do members of the community served by the non-profit have a majority voice in the project or build leadership skills?

Does the project directly address injustice toward the dignity of the person or the sanctity of human life?

Then your non-profit may be eligible for the 2025 Life & Justice Grant! Applications for the 2025 grant are due December 31st, 2025. Learn more and apply now at the button below.

National March for Life

When: January 23, 2026

Is your parish or school putting together a trip and want to open it up to others in the community to join? Contact us and we'll help spread the word!

Does your parish or school want to organize a trip but need organizational help and Washington D.C. information? Click the button below for help on planning your trip!

70% Tax Credit for Contributions to Pregnancy Resource Centers

Application Due: January 27, 2026

Did you know? Your charitable donation to an eligible pregnancy resource center can also get you a 70% tax credit! For taxpayers to claim tax credits on their 2025 income tax returns, your application must be turned in to your pregnancy resource center of choice by January 27th, 2026!⁣

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For a video explaining the process, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z02oXvxQZr0

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For a list of eligible pregnancy resource centers, visit https://dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pdf/qualified-pregnancy-resource-centers.pdf. Eligible PRCs in our diocese include:



Birthright of Carrollton

Birthright of Chillicothe

Birthright of Greater Kansas City

Birthright of Nevada

Birthright of St. Joseph

Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Golden Valley Door of Hope, Clinton

Liberty Women's Clinic

Life Options Green Hills, Trenton

New Beginnings, Warrensburg

Parkville Women's Clinic

Pregnancy Resource Clinic of St. Joseph

Resource Health (multiple locations)

The Source Medical Clinic, Maryville

Mark Your Calendars: Midwest March for Life

When: April 30, 2026

You're Invited!

We're going on a pilgrimage!

Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 30th, for a diocesan day bus trip to Jefferson City, MO, to participate in the 2026 Midwest March for Life. There we will participate in continued prayer and civic rallying for our local respect life efforts.

This bus trip will be an excellent opportunity to engage in civil demonstration, enjoy fellowship, and save on gas for your trip to Jefferson City. Win, win, win!



Questions? Email Deb Sheppard at sheppard@diocesekcsj.org.