Stay Up-to-Date on Immigration Policy and Church Teaching

The first 90 days of the new presidential administration have included a flurry of activity and executive orders. As policies continue to shift, we urge you to stay updated by following the USCCB/Migration and Refugee Services. To assist at a local level, please consider contacting VIA Immigration & Refugee Ministry, a pastoral program of the Office of Life & Justice, by contacting Raiza Guevara, guevara@diocesekcsj.org, 816.756.1850x521. 

Reminder: 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 (see contact information above).

Join us for a Holy Hour presided by Bishop Johnston on Thursday, March 13th, from 6pm-7pm, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 309 Benton Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64124. During this Holy Hour, we will lift our prayers and show our solidarity and care for our immigrant and refugee brothers and sisters.

40 Days for Life Spring Campaign

When: Wednesday, March 5th-Sunday, April 13th

Where: Center for Women's Health, 4840 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66211

Parish groups are invited to sign up for vigil hours with 40 Days for Life at Center for Women’s Health, 4840 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS, 66211. Parishes and individuals can sign up for 40 Days for Life vigil hours at 40daysforlife.com/en/overlandpark.

Vigil opportunities may soon be coming to Missouri abortion provider locations. Please stay tuned to how to become involved with sidewalk prayer and counseling opportunities at https://www.lifeandjusticekcsj.org/40-days-for-life.

Blessing of Seeds

When: Thursday, March 6th, 12:15pm Mass

Where: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105

In the tradition of Ember and Rogation Days, we the Church seek God's protection on fields, gardens, and crops. We also seek God's blessings on gardeners, farmers, and all growers.

The Blessing Service on this flyer can also be used in parish formation efforts with children or youth in sacramental preparation, in households, religious communities, or small faith groups.

At the Blessing of Seeds at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on March 6th, seeds can be brough in person or sent with someone ahead of time. Especially invited are gardeners, farmers, growers, and all who work with plants or seeds.

Stewardship of Creation Book Study: To Heights and Unto Depths by Fr. John Nepil

When: March 11th, March 25th, April 8th, and April 22nd (may be more dates to follow)

Where: March 11th and April 8th: Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N 10th St., St. Joseph, MO 64501; March 25th and April 22nd: Chancery Glennon Room, 20 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64105

Zoom option available each time! Get link at www.lifeandjusticekcsj.org/stewardship-of-creation

All are invited to join in a Lenten and Easter book study featuring To Heights and Unto Depths by Fr. John Nepil, priest-theologian, mountaineer, and co-host of the Catholic Stuff You Should Know podcast. To accommodate participants across the diocese, this book study will take place in-person in St. Joseph AND Kansas City, plus a Zoom option.

About the book: Spanning nearly 500 miles across the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Trail is an epic, arduous route through some of America’s most breathtaking natural grandeur. In the summer of 2022, Fr. John Nepil set out to traverse the entire trail as a “thru-hike” with a trio of companions, accompanied along the way by an eclectic rotating cast of priests and young people. This memoir, which is simultaneously a theological reflection on life, Christianity, and the mountains themselves, is the fruit of that pilgrimage.

Order your book copy at Ignatius Press.

50 Years of CRS Rice Bowl!

This year marks 50 years of CRS Rice Bowl! Join us in celebrating by sharing the impact of Rice Bowl all Lent long. Share with us how you, your family, and your parish are celebrating!

Tag @lifejusticekcsj with your pictures of your Rice Bowl activities on social media. You can also email us your parish and family activities and pictures at lifeandjustice@diocesekcsj.org.

Feast of St. Joseph and 1-Year Anniversary of Diocesan Laudato Si' Action Plan

When: Wednesday, March 19th

St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, is one of our diocesan co-patrons. We know St. Joseph was a loving and meek husband of Mary. We can infer that real tenderness and devotion existed between the two, and that Joseph took great care of his family.



On March 19^th, 2024, the feast of St. Joseph, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph committed to a one-year Laudato Si’ Action Plan. This plan involved exploring ways to live sustainably, uphold the dignity of workers, and build in liturgical prayer practices remembering our role as stewards of God’s creation. Stay tuned for our next year’s commitment and what we can all do together to responsibly care for God’s creation!

Healing Retreats: Two Options

When: Friday, April 25th-Sunday, April 27th

Over the weekend of April 25th-27th, there are two options of post-abortion healing retreats.

Rachel’s Vineyard: Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release, and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. Contact rvkcmo@gmail.com, 816.679.4973



Found & Woven: The power-packed, focus retreat allows time to advance the healing journey. Scripture, music, drama and creative expression are utilized in groups and individual time to assist in the process of dismantling all the walls that keeps the abortion-wounded in bondage. Contact info@foundandwoven.com, 816.847.2911

Some prefer to attend healing retreats outside of their area. Consider also the Holy Family Hope & Healing Ministry Retreat for women, men and couples wounded by abortion. A trained and compassionate team, including a priest and licensed counselor, will gently lead participants through the critical steps of healing after abortion and help retreatants encounter the merciful love of Jesus Christ, the Divine Physician. This retreat will take place Friday, March 21st-Sunday, March 23rd in St. Louis, MO. Contact cynthiahaehnel@archstl.org, 314.778-0628. Read more here.

Save the Date: Midwest March for Life

When: Thursday, May 1st, 2025

Where: Jefferson City, MO

DEADLINE to Register: April 1st, 2025

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.