by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — “From day one, he told me that he really wanted to support Hispanic ministry,” said Father Pat Murphy, CS.
It didn’t take long for Father Pat to realize Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann didn’t just talk the talk.
“I think one of the great examples is that early on in his time in Kansas City, he decided to go to Mexico and learn some Spanish,” said Father Pat. “That was a great symbolic gesture on his part.”
The archbishop spent around a month in Mexico, immersing himself in the culture and learning the language.
“And when he came back, he would work with a tutor,” said Father Pat, “especially when he would have to give a talk in Spanish.”
The archbishop’s dedication inspired Father Pat, a Scalabrinian priest who was the animator for Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas from 2003-13.
When Father Pat arrived in the archdiocese just a year before Archbishop Naumann, there were five parishes with Hispanic ministry, and when he left, there were 10.
Now, 12 parishes have active Hispanic ministry thanks to the support of the archbishop.
Meeting the need
During his years as archbishop, the landscape in the archdiocese changed significantly, with many more Hispanic families living in northeast Kansas, as well as individuals who were born or grew up here and are bilingual.
Archbishop Naumann adapted by leaning on the team of people around him.
Father Pat was tasked with organizing formation programs for leadership and building up infrastructure to better reach out to Hispanics.
He was also added to the archdiocesan personnel board by Archbishop Naumann.
“And he would always ask at the meetings, ‘How does this decision affect Hispanic ministry?’” said Father Pat.
“He’d always try to find the resources that we needed to develop the ministry,” he continued. “I always felt if there was a problem, I could go talk to him.
“If he had a situation that needed handling, he could talk to me.”
In 2021, a new position — episcopal vicar for ministry to Hispanics — was created in the archdiocese.
Father Michael Hermes, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Olathe, held the role until the beginning of 2025, when it was taken over by Father Oswaldo Sandoval, pastor of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.
And in recent years, the archdiocese has worked to integrate Hispanic ministry into all areas of archdiocesan outreach.
It’s added Spanish-speakers to multiple chancery offices, including the evangelization office and the office of marriage and family life, as well as ReachKCK, a youth outreach ministry in Wyandotte County.
“Today, several offices offer evangelization programs, preparation of families and marriages, formation of young people and preparation of quinceñeras,” said Father Ramiro Sanchez Chan, CS, director of the archdiocesan office of Hispanic ministry since 2021.
“And this step, with some that will come in the future, will make a Hispanic ministry more alive,” he added.
Another significant move occurred in 2023, when the archbishop handed over leadership of Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park, a predominantly Hispanic parish with parishioners from multiple nationalities, to the Scalabrinians.
Father Abner Ables, CS, is the current pastor, and Father Marcos Lopez, CS, is the associate pastor.
“Archbishop Naumann was very enthusiastic about giving us the opportunity to serve in the parish of the Holy Cross,” said Father Ramiro.
“He has always been aware of our work in the parish,” he said, “and at the same time, he has also been aware of our well-being as missionaries.”
Memorable moment
Father Pat has fond memories of his time working with Archbishop Naumann, particularly his sense of humor.
During confirmation Masses at predominantly Hispanic parishes, the archbishop would often say a few words in English and ask Father Pat to translate.
“And so, I would translate it in my own little way,” said Father Pat. “[The] archbishop is kind of stoic, so he says things in a very dry way.
“And I would juice it up a bit, and people would laugh. After about three times, he said, ‘I didn’t know I was so funny in Spanish.’”
Eventually, the archbishop said, “I’m going to say a few words in English, and Father Pat will interpret my words.”
“He had a very good spirit about it,” said Father Pat.
Heart of a shepherd
Father Ramiro has appreciated the archbishop’s approachability and genuine heart for the people he serves.
“In addition to his openness and his willingness for Hispanic ministry,” said Father Ramiro, “I believe that Archbishop Naumann’s legacy has been that of a pastor who cares for his flock.”
He sees the archbishop’s legacy as that of a leader and someone who walked alongside his people to ensure they were well taken care of.
“It is the legacy of a great archbishop,” said Father Ramiro, “not only because of his physical height, but also because of the great size of his heart as a bishop who has known how to carry out with love and commitment the work that the Lord has entrusted to him.
“[He is] an example to follow of a servant of Christ who has known how to win the affection of his archdiocese and serve it.”
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