
by Joshua Ruoff
In the Gospels, Jesus reminds us that he did not come to be served but to serve, setting an example that we are called to live lives of service to others.
Additionally, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that when we do serve others, we are serving him.
We are approaching the start of the 2025 Archbishop’s Call to Share campaign. When discerning how the Lord is calling you to tithe and sacrifice so that his church has the resources it needs to serve northeast Kansas, I encourage you to also discern how the Lord is calling you to serve his church of northeast Kansas by being his hands and feet to those in need.
The special-needs ministry of the archdiocese offers a monthly respite care evening for families caring for individuals with special needs and their siblings. Being a caregiver is a 24/7 job; being a caregiver of someone with special needs requires even more sacrifice and commitment.
Imagine how helpful it is for these caregivers to be allowed a few hours of respite. It also gives individuals with special needs and their siblings a night of fun and community.
This ministry known as BREATHE has been offered in the archdiocese since 2018, but due to the pandemic was suspended until last year. We have spent the last year trying to rebuild the volunteer and participant numbers and it has been a slow process.
This beautiful ministry requires the help of volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their time and spend an evening with our participants and their siblings playing games, singing songs, doing arts and crafts — it is a night full of fun.
Respite nights are offered once a month at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park from 4-7 p.m. Dinner is provided. No experience is required to be a volunteer. Volunteers ages 14 and up are encouraged to sign up and help be the gentle and kind love of God for those that we serve.
Visit the special-needs ministry website for more information. For future dates and any questions, contact Josh Ruoff by email at: jruoff@archkck.org or call (913) 647-3054.
The new year is a great time to assess your life and your priorities and to start over. Start over by committing yourself to listening to the call of the Lord to live a life of service — service to him and to his church.
In this year of mission, let’s band together as the church of northeast Kansas and choose to begin our mission — the mission of changing the world by bringing the love of God to all we encounter.