Invitation to Eucharistic Revival this Christmas

Like the angels and shepherds on the night of the Son of God's birth, we can adore him. But unlike the angels and shepherds, we are privileged also to receive him as our food. Food, in the very words of Jesus, “for a man to eat and never die.” (Jn 6:50) Christ is quite literally our “living bread.”

Read more from Bishop Johnston's On the Way column in the current issue of Catholic Key magazine.

Learn more ways you can experience the National Eucharistic Revival in our diocese: kcsjcatholic.org/comehome

Catholic Key | December/January issue now available

It's time to curl up with the latest issue of Catholic Key magazine, now available online and in print. In this issue:

• A very special mother and son who have a shared devotion to pass on the faith as Catholic educators.
• Seasonal commentary from Father Greg Haskamp and Mother Maria Stella, CJD.
• Two parishioners at Our Lady of the Presentation Parish celebrating more than 100 years of life, faith and fun.
• The reason skipping Mass is a mortal sin.
• The practice of couple prayer for a stronger marriage.

Happy reading! Read the digital edition now.

Stained glass detail from Immaculate Conception Parish, Montrose. "Presentation of Mary" depicts the time when Mary was presented by her mother and father, Anne and Joachim, to the High Priest who received her into the temple. Mary remained there praying and working as a virgin of the temple until she turned 16. Photo by Cory Thomason.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 is a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, as well as the patron feast day for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

"There's a popular idea that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus' conception by the Virgin Mary. It doesn't [that is the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord]. Instead, it refers to the special way in which the Virgin Mary herself was conceived. This conception was not virginal. (That is, she had a human father as well as a human mother.) But it was special and unique in another way." Read more from National Catholic Register.

Read more about the history of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception including a timeline from National Today.

Check your parish Mass schedule or consider attending Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (12:15 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.) or the Cathedral of St. Joseph (8 a.m.).

House of God | A photo essay: Dive into the architecture and symbolism inside Immaculate Conception Parish, Montrose at catholickey.org.

Advent resources

Advent Reflections video series | Conception Abbey

Daily Mass readings, video and written reflections for the season on Advent from the monks of Conception Abbey.

Watch now

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception | Advent video series

Father Paul Turner offers daily reflections adapted from his book, "Daybreaks: Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas."

Watch now

December Prayer Intentions

Pope Francis: We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.

Bishop Johnston: Please pray for diplomats, mediators, and all those who work to be agents of peace and reconciliation in our world.

Annual Catholic Appeal | Make your pledge today

This essential funding impacts every parishioner and parish in the 27 counties that make up our diocese. By supporting the ACA, your gift will help in this continued work we do together today but also to prepare for our future. God has given us many blessings. Let us join together as one family and walk together in faith through acts of love as disciples of Our Lord.

Learn more and make your 2023 pledge. 

Now Hiring | Office of Child and Youth Protection



Do you have a passion for ensuring the protection of children and youth in our diocese? If you are organized, compassionate and have a heart to serve, consider applying for the open position of Administrative Assistant to the Office of Child & Youth Protection. Learn more.

Join survivors and those who care for them in praying the Rosary for Healing from abuse.

Tuesday, December 13 | 6:30 pm | Zoom

Let us know you are coming and send us your prayer intentions.

RSVP and Prayer Intentions

City Lights Gala: Celebrate and support City on a Hill young adult apostolate | December 10, 2022

City on a Hill invites you to attend the most festive evening of the year: The 6th Annual City Lights Gala, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. The celebration begins with Mass at 4:00 p.m. celebrated by Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Johnston at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Westport. The celebration continues in the historic West Bottoms at the Oliver Building, where there will be dinner, drinks, live music, comedy, and inspiration. Tickets are $100, and will go fast, so purchase yours soon.

Purchase tickets 

City on a Hill is a community and apostolate serving 2,000+ young adults throughout the Kansas City metro area, seeking to inspire and form them to actively pursue sainthood in their everyday lives. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine celebrating 100 years in KC

On Dec. 12, 2022, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine will celebrate its centennial. Beginning at 5 a.m., La Mananitas, the “Birthday Song to Our Lady,” will be performed, followed by the Sacred Heart Matachines Dancers and Mass at 6 a.m., with Bishop James Johnston presiding. 

Maintained by the Shrine Association of Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Parish, so named in 1993, the Shrine and its grotto are used for special events, weddings and religious ceremonies dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Read more at catholickey.org.

Join the St. Mary’s choir for an evening of hymns and prayer in preparing for the coming of our Savior. Following the Advent Lessons and Carols, all are invited to join us for a catered dinner and silent and live auctions. Reservations for the dinner are $35 each, or $200 for a table (seating 8).

Among this year’s auction items will be Limited Edition prints of some of the chapel artwork, slate pool table, a daVinci Grand Junction Tandem Bike (valued +$3,000), Chiefs and Royals memorabilia and many other items. A more detailed list can be accessed through our website: saintmarysparish.org

Please visit our website or contact the parish office for tickets: (816) 252-0121; [email protected]

Statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Sacred Heart Parish, Warrensburg. Photo from Catholic Key archives.

Parish Solemnities | December 1 - 11

Church Titles

St. Francis Xavier, KC (Dec. 3)

St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph (Dec. 3)

Parish Dedications

St. Bridget, Pleasant Hill (December 5)

St. Patrick, St. Joseph (December 7)

Sacred Heart, Warrensburg (December 9)

Upcoming Events

Serra Club of Southeast Kansas City Advent scripture study

Join us for a joyful scripture study of the week's readings leading up to Christmas.

Every Friday | 7-7:40 pm

Zoom meeting link

Contact Yvonne Teeple, [email protected], 913-271-1222

Serra Club of Southeast Kansas City Weekly Rosary

Every Monday | 7 - 7:40 p.m.

Zoom

Contact Yvonne Teeple, [email protected], 913-271-1222

Cursillo Ultreya | Dec. 8, 7 p.m.

St Robert Bellarmine Parish

Blue Springs, MO

Join us at 6 p.m. for the celebration of Mass for the Immaculate Conception

Bilingual Mass celebrating Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe | Dec. 12, 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Trenton

Fr. Bill Fox, celebrant and Deacon Benjamin Fenlon, speaker

Learn more

Living Waters | Jan. 23 - May 22 | 7 - 9:30 p.m.

St. Thomas More Parish, 11822 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, 64131

For more information, contact [email protected] or call 816.683.1839. Download informational flyer.