by J.D. Benning
Special to The Leaven
OVERLAND PARK — It can be easy to forget about the most vulnerable in our society: the elderly, infirm, sick and dying.
But Catholic Community Health, along with a record-breaking crowd of over 480 people, came together to celebrate and support the great work being done at the health care ministries in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas at the second annual Fall Ball.
Opening the evening with a video about “What Makes Catholic Healthcare ‘Catholic’?,” the work of the staff and volunteers of Catholic Community Health was highlighted throughout the night.
“We’re the only Catholic hospice service in the Kansas City metro, serving in both Kansas and Missouri, and our hospice and Villa St. Francis recently achieved a CMS five-star rating. So it was really important to me that we highlight our talented staff,” said Brad Heidrick, CCH CEO. “I cannot properly express how impressed I am each day with the hard work and dedication that makes our ministries possible; it is incredible.”
Along with celebrating the work of CCH, the Fall Ball honored Dr. Marie Hilliard, Father Tad Pacholczyk and the permanent deacons of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas with the Sanctity of Life Award, which Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was on hand to present.
Hilliard commended Catholic Community Health for its ministry.
“People who are living this witness at the bedside are the unsung heroes of [CCH],” she said. “Catholic Community Health is a gift to this community. The ministry is one of carrying Christ’s healing touch into the many different areas that [CCH] serves, all while being faithful to the ‘Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.’ CCH is not only unique; it is indispensable to the community.”
Father Pacholczyk, a renowned Catholic ethicist, encouraged everyone present, particularly those that work in health care, to forge a strong relationship with Christ.
“Catholic health care can look like another job or path to profitability. In fact, it is a special endeavor to accompany God’s faithful along that road of sickness and vulnerability,” he said. “The closer we are to Christ, the greater the power that can flow through us as we bring those healing graces to [our] patients.”
Father Scott Wallisch, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, served as co-master of ceremonies with longtime CCH board member Brett Parise. Father Wallisch took a few minutes out of the program to remember his associate pastor, Father Travis Mecum, who passed away in March. Father Mecum spent his final hours with Catholic Community Hospice, which was a great comfort to Father Wallisch.
“I wish I had been there with him in his final moments, but knowing that he was surrounded by the Sisters [at Our Lady of Grace Hospice House] brought me great peace,” he said. “It’s a blessing to know that we have these Sisters here to care for our loved ones in their final hours.”
Anchoring the honorees were the permanent deacons of the archdiocese. Surrounded by more than 20 of his deacon brothers, Deacon Leon Suprenant, director of the permanent diaconate in the archdiocese, accepted the award.
“During our formation, we go through an internship with Catholic Community Hospice, and this partnership has enabled us to become better icons of Christ the Servant,” he said. “Deacons are sent into the world to be beacons of mercy, heralds of the Gospel and envoys of compassion; thank you for honoring the diaconate!”
Catholic Community Health announced that the organization had received a $50,000 matching gift challenge to support the ministries of home care, Villa St. Francis and hospice. The assembled guests were up to the challenge and helped CCH reach this goal.
“It is great to see such generosity,” said CCH chief mission officer Matt Kemnitz. “The Fall Ball is just one of the many ways to invest in this mission financially as we continue to invite others to join us to care for those who cannot afford to care for themselves.”
CCH is still accepting online donations toward the Christ in Action fund at: catholiccommunityhealth.org/challenge and announced its third annual Fall Ball will celebrate the work of Dr. Tim Gray of the Augustine Institute and FORMED.org on Oct. 4, 2025, at Fiorella’s Event Center in Overland Park.
