by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For the first time ever in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, laypeople participated in a deanery meeting held Feb. 3.
The archdiocesan-wide nature of it was also a first, and was made possible through Zoom, which gathered hundreds of people together through a livestream video.
Both illustrate Archbishop Shawn McKnight’s willingness to try new ways to get wide input and participation in his pastoral planning process, “A Renewal from the Heartland.”
“The idea is that we work at this together,” he said during the meeting, “but allow for proper adaptation according to the local needs.
“It is very important that in all that we do, we constantly look for opportunities to collaborate and to cooperate with one another, especially when it’s concerning the mission of the parish.”
Collaborative effort
The archdiocese has eight deaneries (see sidebar), and participants representing parishes from each one gathered in person at a designated central location in their respective deaneries. Because of its size, the Johnson County Deanery was divided between a “southern” and a “northern” location.
They were linked by Zoom with the other deaneries, the archbishop and his synodal team, which consists of Father Mike Hawken, vicar general and moderator of the curia; Denise Mills; Deacon Jim Mullin; and Helen Osman.
Typically, the meetings are only for clergy, who discuss local church matters. But this time, lay representatives of parish pastoral, finance, school advisory and stewardship councils, as well as parish staff involved in other leadership roles and principals of parish schools, were included.
Archbishop McKnight hopes to utilize this format in a few meetings per year, particularly when subject matters require the laity’s consultation.
Two more are already scheduled for Sept. 15 and Nov. 10.
Marco San Juan, a parishioner of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, attended the Wyandotte County Deanery meeting at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas.
He echoed the archbishop’s desire for greater lay involvement in the church’s mission.
“I hope to see the community of laypeople involved in parish service grow significantly in the near future, slowly but steadily, and positively helping to bring God closer to those who are seeking him and who, until now, have not had the opportunity,” he said.
Key leadership
The first order of business was for Archbishop McKnight and his synodal team to introduce the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality in the archdiocese, as requested by Pope Leo XIV.
The team also shared with the deaneries their vision, in consultation with the archdiocesan pastoral council and presbyteral council, for “A Renewal from the Heartland.” (See the article in the Jan. 9 issue of The Leaven for more details. It can be accessed online at: theleaven.org; go first to the “Extras” tab, then “Archives” and then “Regular Issues.”)
The information was particularly valuable to the laity, many of whom will be responsible for facilitating two upcoming Heartland opportunities.
The first is Beatitudes from the Heartland, a small-group, faith-sharing series this Lent.
“It’s pretty amazing to know that over 15,000 copies of this [Beatitudes] booklet have already been ordered,” Father Hawken told the deaneries, and more people are expected to participate through the electronic version available on the Heartland website.
The second opportunity is Listening from the Heart, synodal listening sessions that will take place after Easter.
Innovative approach
Father Matt Nagle, dean of the Topeka Deanery and pastor of Mater Dei Parish in Topeka, saw the value in connecting the deaneries — laity included — with a big picture item like the pastoral planning process on the table.
“I thought the format was pretty innovative and helped keep people keyed in better than if we all just logged on to our computers individually,” said Father Nagle.
“One of the things I liked about this format was the archbishop being able to communicate directly to us all at once,” he added. “I appreciate the outside-the-box thinking that went into that.”
Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, dean of the Atchison Deanery and pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, also found it valuable.
“One of the things I appreciated about it is that it wasn’t me conveying [the planning process] to the priests of the deanery, who then were conveying it to those who were leading it in their parishes,” he said. “That becomes a little bit of a telephone game.
“It was nice to have everyone hear the same message.”
Invited to listen
Bernadette Myers, director of parish faith formation at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, attended the Southern Johnson County Deanery meeting at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.
She left excited about the Beatitudes series and listening sessions.
“I love small groups,” said Myers. “We learn so much from each other, and I think it challenges us.
“The way to make disciples is definitely listening and developing trust.”
Each deanery will host two to seven listening sessions depending on their size, said Mills. The sessions will consist of groups of eight to 10 people, with one volunteer facilitator per group, who will be trained ahead of time.
“In these listening sessions, questions will be posed and [responses] will be recorded and that information collected so that it can be put into the pastoral planning,” said Deacon Mullin.
The questions asked will be: “What has your experience been with the Catholic Church?” and “What is the Holy Spirit calling us to be?”
Participants, who are asked to attend just one session, won’t be allowed to respond to what their fellow group members share but are asked to simply listen.
“I like the idea of having a listening session, of being able to just listen to people without having to defend the church,” said Marjorie Pretz of St. Philip Neri Parish in Osawatomie, who attended the Southern Deanery meeting at Sacred Heart Parish in Ottawa.
“We’re just simply listening to see what other people’s needs are, what their take is on it,” she continued. “And I think it’s going to be great.”
Casting a wide net
The clergy and laity were encouraged to reach far and wide — even inviting non-Catholics — to participate in the listening sessions, and to host at least one in a local community setting.
“We want to engage all generations, all demographics from all corners of your parishes so that we can learn how the church can best serve them,” said Mills.
Father Nagle sees the value in this approach.
“We want to cast as big a net as possible,” he said. “At the end of the day, everything we do is about salvation of souls.
“I think this approach of we want to listen to them, we want to know where they’re coming from and how we can best serve them is unique, and I’m hopeful it’ll bear a lot of good fruit.”
Pamela Wheeler, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish in Ottawa, is hopeful for the impact this style of evangelization can have.
“I would love to go out and talk to people, listen [and] actually try to bring more people into the parish,” she said.
Parishioners will have the chance to share even more input with Archbishop McKnight and his synodal team through a survey in June.
Once information from the listening sessions and survey is collected, themes will be identified, and the deaneries will be included in discussions on how to respond to key needs.
To learn more about “A Renewal from the Heartland” and for updates on the process, visit the website at: archkck.org/renewal-heartland.
