February 2025 Newsletter


In this edition you will find:


Bishop Johnston Responds to Executive Orders

Black History Month

White Mass: Mass for Blessings upon Health Care Professionals: February 8th

Project Rachel Retreat: February 8th

CRS Rice Bowl and Lent

VIA Immigration Ministry Asylum Clinics

Midwest March for Life: May 1st

MCC Corner

Volunteer Opportunities

In the News

Other Calendar Items

Bishop Johnston Responds to Executive Orders


Bishop Johnston released his statement in response to some of the recent executive orders. You can read the statement in English here and in Spanish here.


VIA Immigration and Refugee Ministry, a pastoral program of the Office of Life & Justice, offers emergency planning aide and asylum assistance. Contact Raiza Guevara at guevara@diocesekcsj.org, 816.756.1850 extension 521.

Recursos de Planificación de Emergencia / Emergency Planning Resources

Black History Month


Black History Month gives all of us a chance to reflect on the strength and grace of Black Americans through the century. We all benefit from the gifts of law, culture, and innovations from the Black community.

Prayer: Through devotion to Our Lady of Kibeho, we have the Seven Sorrows Chaplet. Visit https://7sorrowsrosaries.com/pages/seven-sorrows-rosary to learn how to pray this spiritually rich prayer.

Action: Make a visit to one of our local museums to learn more about the impact of the Black community on the foundations and culture of our area.

Almsgiving: The National Black Catholic Congress strengthens our local Black Catholic community with resources and annual events. Learn how you can support their mission at https://nbccongress.org/support-black-catholic-ministry/.


The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family takes place on February 2nd. A prayer resource from the National Black Catholic Congress can be downloaded here.



White Mass: Mass for Blessings upon Health Care Professionals

When: Saturday, February 8th, 10:30 a.m.

Where: St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 14251 Nall Ave, Leawood, KS 66223



Health care professionals and their families are invited to join the 2025 White Mass on Saturday, February 8th, at 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS 66223. The White Mass, so named by the color worn by those in the healing profession of medicine, gathers health care professionals under the patronage of St. Luke to ask God’s blessing upon the doctor, nurse, and caregiver alike. Questions and RSVP, contact secretary@catholicmedkc.org.


Project Rachel Retreat

When: Saturday, February 8th, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where: Kansas City, KS (exact location given upon registration)


Individuals affected by abortion are invited to the Project Rachel retreat on Saturday, February 8th, from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Cost is free; continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Location disclosed to registered participants. Register by emailing projectrachelkc@archkck.org or call or text 913.621.2199. Please RSVP by February 6th.


CRS Rice Bowl and Lent


Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowls have started to mail out! If you or your parish are still needing some, please visit https://www.crsricebowl.org/. There you can also find ideas to enhance Rice Bowl participation, including the Lenten calendar, the 2025 featured meals, and other activities. Local questions regarding Rice Bowl can be directed to Chelsea Voboril, voboril@diocesekcsj.org, 816.714.2375.


VIA Immigration Ministry Asylum Clinics


VIA Immigration Ministry is hosting quarterly asylum clinics. Individuals interested in attending to receive asylum assistance may inquire and schedule a time with Raiza Guevara at guevara@diocesekcsj.org, 816.756.1850 extension 521.


Save the Date: Midwest March for Life

When: Thursday, May 1st, 2025

Where: Jefferson City, MO


You're Invited!

We're going on a pilgrimage!

Register now here


Please plan to join us on Thursday, May 1st, for a diocesan day bus trip to Jefferson City, MO, to participate in the 2025 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.


MCC Corner


The new 2025 Missouri legislative session started on January 8, 2025. Hundreds of bills have been filed for what will surely be a busy legislative season. Stay tuned to Missouri Catholic Conference as they share their updates and positions.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOcatholic


Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mocatholic/


Website:

https://mocatholic.org/


Volunteer Opportunities


Many volunteer positions are available within our office programs and with our community partners. Highlighted today are just four:


Join our planning team four our Midwest March for Life bus trip


Volunteer in a number of ways with Firm Foundation Ministries, outreaching to men and women reintegrating into the community after incarceration


Grow the mission at Birthright St. Joseph


Invite The Stop Trafficking Project for a presentation at your school


For these and more volunteer opportunities, please visit www.lifeandjusticekcsj.org/volunteer or call 816-714-2375.



In the News


Where do you encounter Life and Justice in the news and broader world? Here are some headlines to watch related to Life and Justice issues:


Abortion:

The Ethics of Abortion Statistics


Adoption/Fostering:

Lawmakers try again to stop Missouri from seizing benefits owed to foster kids


Contraception/Birth Control:

Emergency contraception pill could be an alternative to mifepristone for abortions study suggests


Criminal and Restorative Justice:

Bringing Jubilee Hope Behind Bars: Prison Ministers Provide Life-Changing Work of Mercy


Death Penalty:

Trump targets Supreme Court precedents in new death penalty order


Economic Justice:

Kansas Citians are sleeping outside in freezing weather. In their own words, here's why


Education:

Private school charters, home schooling and open enrollment: Missouri bills to watch in 2025


Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide:

The Pursuit of Death on Psychiatric Grounds


Fetal Development:

[Iowa] Lawmakers reprise bill requiring fetal development curriculum for grades 1 through 12


Human Trafficking:

At Haitian-Dominican border, shelter protects children vulnerable to human trafficking


Immigration & Refugees:

Attorney Kansas City DACA recipient react to President Trump's immigration orders


Mental Health:

Missourians waiting in jail for court-ordered mental health care reaches all-time high


Non-Violence:

There is no such thing as good nuclear proliferation


Post-Abortion:

Women who regret their abortions speak up at March for Life


Racial Harmony:

Study shows historic redlining--a form of structural racism--affects survival in young people with cancer


Religious Freedom/Conscience Protection:

How To for Engaging a Contentious Culture: What Catholicism Has to Say


Reproductive Technology:

The Christian Family, In Vitro Fertilization, and Heroic Witness to True Love


Stem Cell Research/Human Cloning:

The Era of Organoids: Disease Modeling, Developmental Research, and Drug Response Prediction


Stewardship of Creation:

Salvadoran cardinal urges 'resistance' to metal mining as matter of life and death

Other Calendar Items


Did you know that on our social media we share awareness topics saint feasts and ways to pray about them, take action, and support local groups which address the topics? Here are some examples of some upcoming "awareness" topics and saints:


Month of February: National Weddings Month

February 2nd: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

February 2nd: World Wetlands Day

February 6th: St. Paul Miki and Companions

February 8th: St. Jerome

February 11th: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 15th: Susan B. Anthony Day

February 22nd: St. Margaret of Cortona and Chair of St. Peter


Keep watching our social media to see how we address these topics and more!