Food Bank Day

When: September 5th (Annually 1st Friday in September)

Food Bank Day falls on the first Friday in September. It is a great opportunity to give food to your local parish or community food bank collection!

Prayer: At the end of Mass, the original Latin ending phrase was “Ite, missa est.” While it does mean that the Mass is ended, it is also a call for the faithful to go forth to live the mission of the Church and the Eucharist. How do you bring the graces of Sunday and daily Mass into the broken world?

Action: Check with your local food bank to see what their current greatest needs are, or stock them up with the next upcoming seasonal goods. Some common needed non-perishables include cereal, canned chicken, beans, and toiletries. Consider getting easy-to-open cans…not everyone may have can openers to use.

Almsgiving: Many of our local parishes have their own food banks or collect for larger food banks. Please give generously!

Upcoming Abortion Healing Retreats

Ready to embark on your journey of healing from past abortion(s)? Please consider the following:

Project Joseph (Men's Retreat): September 6, 2025

Contact: projectrachelkc@archkck.org, 913-621-2199

Rachel's Vineyard: October 17-19, 2025

Contact: rvkcmo@gmail.com, 816-679-4973

World Suicide Prevention Day

When: September 10th

Content Warning: suicide. Please call 988 for immediate mental health crisis assistance.

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World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th gives us the opportunity to hold important conversations and create better systems of support.

Prayer: The recent Synod on Synodality was a process of listening and dialogue. It helped raise awareness of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit. When you focus on listening with a prayerful and discerning heart, how does that make room for the Holy Spirit in conversation? How does it help you to then wisely respond? Can you use the principles of synodality when approaching others who may be struggling in your own life?

Action: If you are having a conversation with someone you suspect may be in a suicidal crisis, be open, honest, and direct. Research shows that talking openly to someone about suicide does not increase their risk of suicide. Encourage help-seeking behavior and professional support. Consider your own mental health support in the process.

Almsgiving: The Towel of Veronica Apostolate was founded in honor of Fr. Evan Harkins to pray for priests who lose close loved ones. Contact and support the apostolate at www.towelofveronica.com.

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children

When: Sunday, September 13th, 11:00 a.m.

Where: Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 12600 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66109

Join us with our friends in the Archdiocese in praying for the rest and remembrance of aborted children. The prayer service will begin in the chapel and process to the Memorial for Unborn Victims of Violence.

Green Mass

When: Sunday, September 21st, 11am Mass

Where: St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64116

Please plan to join us on Sunday, September 21st at the 11am Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church for the annual area-wide Green Mass. The Green Mass especially gathers those who work in/are interested in environmental sustainability (farmers, gardeners, other horticulturalists, environmental scientists, etc.) and anyone who cares for our Common Home, planet Earth! Reception to follow Mass.

Fall 2025 Campaign 40 Days for Life

When: September 24th-November 2nd

Where: 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.

Respect Life Month

When: October

October marks Respect Life Month. Parishes and schools can find resources at https://www.respectlife.org/respect-life-month. We encourage parishes and schools to highlight topics such as:

Abortion

Adoption

Contraception/Birth Control

Death Penalty

Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide

Fetal Development

Mental Health

Non-Violence

Post-Abortion Healing

Reproductive Technology

Stem Cell Research/Human Cloning

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

Next Scheduled Missouri Execution of Lance Shockley

When: October 14th

"Regarding the death penalty, the first and foremost aspect of the Church’s teaching is the belief in the inherent dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Our Catechism states that this dignity “is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes.” As such, the death penalty is “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” (Catholic Catechism 2267)." (Catholic Mobilizing Network)

Lance Shockley is scheduled to be executed on October 14th. Please contact Governor Kehoe and urge him to do everything in his power to stop Lance Shockley's execution. Stay tuned to www.madpmo.org for message prompts to write and send. Local churches and organizations will host prayer opportunities for the evening of the execution; please contact the Office of Life & Justice at voboril@diocesekcsj.org or 816-714-2375 to learn more.

Sign the petition below for the clemency campaign.