by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A special opportunity to reflect on how the spirituality and vision of St. Teresa of Kolkata ties into the three pillars of Lent will be offered by a priest who knew her.
Father Robert Conroy, a Missionary of Charity, will offer a series of reflections and homilies that will tie the three pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting and almsgiving — into how St. Teresa saw Jesus in the faces of the poor, and how we can, too.
The archdiocesan office of evangelization invited Father Robert to the archdiocese. The reflections, in English and Spanish, will last about 90 minutes.
“[St. Teresa] served the poor in the works of mercy that we are called to do as Catholics,” said Karla Melgar, consultant for evangelization.
“Especially during this time of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to reflect on how to tie the pillars of Lent to serving the poor,” she continued. “St. Teresa was very strong on serving the poor. By hearing Father Robert’s experiences with St. Teresa, we can have a better Lent this year.”
Father Robert is vicar general of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers in Tijuana, Mexico. He was born in Minneapolis but raised in Topeka.
While he was studying in Rome as an archdiocesan seminarian, he was inspired to join the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, the male branch of the order founded by St. Teresa of Kolkata. She was at his ordination on Jan. 28, 1989, in Tijuana.
He returned to the archdiocese briefly to serve at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka and Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park from 2009-2011. He then returned to the Missionaries of Charity Fathers in 2011.
Father Robert Conroy’s schedule of reflections
March 25 at Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park
• 4 p.m. Mass
• 5 p.m. Reflection (English)
• 7:30 p.m. Reflection (Spanish)
March 26 at St. Paul Parish in Olathe
• 8 a.m. Mass (English)
• 10 a.m. Mass (English)
• 12:30 p.m. Mass (Spanish)
March 27 and March 28 at St. Paul Parish in Olathe
• 6 p.m. Reflection (English)
• 7:30 p.m. Reflection (Spanish)
March 29 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kansas City, Kansas
• 7 p.m. Reflection (Spanish)
March 30 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka
• 5 p.m. Reflection (English)
• 7 p.m. Reflection (Spanish)
March 31 at Sacred Heart Parish in Kansas City, Kansas
• 7 p.m. Reflection (Spanish)
