by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
SHAWNEE — Father Joseph Asante received the surprise of a lifetime ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Shawnee, where he’s served as associate pastor since Aug. 31, 2025, gifted him and pastor Father Jaime Zarse tickets to see Ghana, Father Asante’s home team, take on Croatia on June 27 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field.
When Father Zarse told Father Asante the news, “I started jumping,” said Father Asante.
“We can’t believe it,” said Father Zarse.
“When a parish falls in love with her priest, we have discovered that the faithful are so generous,” he said. “The Lord truly cannot be outdone in generosity, and we’ve experienced this in many ways.”
Love of the game
Father Asante, who’s from the Archdiocese of Kumasi, was home in Ghana when Argentina defeated France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.
Around that time, he had a dream he was in the United States watching Ghana (nicknamed the Black Stars) compete in the 2026 World Cup in person.
“It was a shocking surprise,” said Father Asante of his dream now coming true.
Both a player and fan of the game, he’s seen the Black Stars play on their home turf many times.
But watching them on the largest stage in the world will be even more thrilling.
And his companion to Philadelphia couldn’t be more fitting.
Father Zarse grew up playing competitively in club soccer, at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park and in the Division I Big East Conference for Marquette University in Milwaukee.
“I would say that my entire identity for several years of my life was caught up with this game,” said Father Zarse.
He spent countless hours training, traveling and competing. In the process, he learned a lot about life.
“For example, what it means to be part of a team,” said Father Zarse. “And, as a center midfielder, how to put the needs of the team before your own personal accolades.
“Typically, everyone else will be getting credit [for a win], but the joy of the center midfielder is being a team player. And as long as the team is victorious, that’s what gives the center midfielder joy.”
A priceless gift
Knowing both priests’ heart for soccer is what inspired the donor and his wife (who asked to remain anonymous for this article) to purchase them the World Cup tickets.
“Each World Cup team was allocated a small number of tickets to each game to sell to their fans,” he said. “It look a lot of digging, but I finally found a website where you could submit a request to buy tickets directly.
“The fact that Father Joseph was a Ghana citizen, huge fan of the Black Stars and Catholic priest pushed our request over the top, and we were awarded the right to buy two tickets almost immediately.”
The donor also set the priests up with a Catholic parish across the street from Philadelphia’s stadium, where they’ll be able to stay free of charge while they’re in town for the game.
The chance to make it all come together was fulfilling for the couple.
“We are just blessed to have such wonderful priests at Sacred Heart,” he said. “They do so much for our parish and community and seem to never take a break, so giving them this opportunity was the least we could do.”
Home sweet home
Father Asante, who had never been to the United States before he arrived in Kansas last year, is amazed at the gesture.
It’s one of many ways he’s experienced hospitality since he arrived.
“The heart of the people — they are hospitable,” he said. “This is the true Kansas spirit.
“If I only ever know this whole land — Kansas — and no other place in the world, I would be happy. I love it.”
Father Asante began feeling the love from Sacred Heart even before he came to the parish.
“Our parish completely fell in love with Father Joseph Asante,” said Father Zarse, “because we prayed for him for at least six months before he got here.”
The parish recited a special prayer for Father Asante before each Sunday Mass.
“So, by the time he finally arrived here at the parish, everyone’s heart was wide open,” said Father Zarse. “It was beautiful.”
One of Sacred Heart’s staff members sent Father Asante the prayer while he was still in Ghana.
“I printed it out and showed it to my archbishop,” said Father Asante. “And the monumental statement he made [was], ‘I’ve been a priest for 37 years, I’ve traveled as a bishop and no parish has done what they are doing for you for me.’”
Father Zarse said it wasn’t difficult for Sacred Heart to embrace Father Asante once he arrived.
He’s “the most joyful priest” the pastor has ever met, and he’s “larger than life.”
“We say that he has stolen the heart of the parish,” he said.
Now the priests, whose shared enthusiasm for their favorite sport and their Catholic faith is palpable, are now gearing up for all this summer will have to offer.
“We’ll be ready for the sites and the sounds of the World Cup,” said Father Zarse.
Indeed Fr. Joseph Asante is a lovely priest.
He mentored some of us to become priests and he has been a good example for us.
We all love him
God bless you Moira. So impressive!