Festival of Lights
The National Shrine of Mary
176 Marian Dr., Laurie, Missouri
Ongoing until Jan. 5
From 5 – 10 p.m.
Join us for one of the longest-running Christmas light displays. The event features a live Nativity, children’s crafts, refreshments, carolers, St. Nicholas and a bonfire. Hot cocoa and candy canes are offered each Friday. For more information, send an email to: mothersshrine.com.
Olde World Christmas
Strawberry Hill Museum
720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Saturdays and Sundays thru Jan. 12
From noon – 3 p.m.
Come experience an Olde World Christmas at the museum. Go online to: Strawberryhillmuseum.org for tickets and a list of other holiday events.
Guided Meditation: ‘Christmas Birthing’
Sophia Spirituality Center
751 S. 8th St., Atchison (or by Zoom)
Dec. 4 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join us (on-site or by Zoom) for a prayerful journey reflecting on the birth of the Messiah and the experiences of those at the manger. Discover how our relationship with Christ calls us to bring new life and growth into all areas of our lives. What changes or growth are birthing in you? You can attend in-person or by Zoom. The cost is $15.
Advent Silent Retreat
Christ’s Peace House of Prayer
22131 Meagher Rd., Easton
Dec. 6 – 8
The retreat will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 and end on Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord this Advent as we explore the essence and promise of the Advent season and gain a new understanding of the coming of Christ. There will be conferences, spiritual direction, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $180 single/$270 couple or single guest rooms $110 (meals included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: ChristsPeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.
Bereavement Meeting
Curé of Ars Parish
9405 Mission Rd., Leawood
Dec. 7 after the 8 a.m. Mass
The bereavement ministry will have a grief support meeting after Mass. Father Richard Storey will speak on “Spirituality and Grief.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.
Advent Morning of Reflection: ‘Journey with Joseph’
Church of the Nativity
3800 West 119th St., Leawood
Dec. 7 from 9 – 11:30 a.m.
An Ignatian morning of reflection, led by Joe Snyder and Lori Stevens, will prepare you to more fully receive the Advent and Christmas seasons. The morning will include reflections, personal prayer and spiritual conversation to prepare you to experience the fullness of the upcoming liturgical seasons. The morning will begin with light breakfast snacks and coffee.
Advent Reflection: Questions for the Season
Precious Blood Renewal Center
2120 St. Gaspar Way, Liberty, MO
Dec. 7 from 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 10 from 6:30 – 8 a.m.
In-person or Zoom options are available. Father Timothy Armbruster, CPPS, will offer reflections on the stories of Zachariah, Mary and Elizabeth in Luke’s Gospel and will weave our stories with theirs, asking their questions of ourselves: “How will we know this is so?” and “Who am I that God calls me?” Register today online at: programs@pbrenewalcenter.org.
St. Nicholas Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo Night
St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish
615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 7 at 5 p.m.
St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish is hosting a dinner and bingo night. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for a child. At the door tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for a child. Tickets include dinner, two drink tickets (one ticket for a child), two bingo cards (one for a child). Advance tickets are on sale until Dec. 2. The parish is also hosting an online auction from now until Dec. 8 which features a donation from Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas of one burial plot at any of their cemeteries and several additional items. The link to the online auction will be posted on Facebook and the parish website at: smsakck.com. Call the parish office at (913) 371-1408 or send an email to: smsakck@gmail.com for all the details.
Called to Love Again Advent Healing Service
Holy Spirit Parish
11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park
Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.
Often, the most hurtful wounds are the ones you can’t see. If you are suffering from emotional pain, join us for an evening of eucharistic adoration, confession and a healing talk by Father Justin Hamilton. Send an email to: katie@thecall2love for more information.
Breakfast with the Knights
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St., Gardner
Dec. 8 from 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Breakfast will include eggs, sausage and gravy, pancakes and drinks. Join us for great food and fellowship. The cost is $6 for those over the age of 13 and free for ages 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving through the year.
Popcorn with The Pope
St. Pius X Parish (Glowacki Room)
5500 Woodson, Mission
Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
Come join us for the movie “A Christmas Carol.” Popcorn is available for snacks. Everyone is welcome. See a great movie and your friends for a fun afternoon.
Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy
Donnelly College
618 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Parish
2203 Parallel Ave., Kansa City, Kansas
Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
Prince of Peace Parish
16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe
Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Chesterton Academy
500 W. 40th St., Kansas City, MO
Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle (Spanish)
409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Learn about groundbreaking discoveries about the history and culture of the indigenous people of the Americas that prepared them for the largest conversion in history. Register online at: ctkkcks.org/prophecy.
St. Lucy Day Celebration
Precious Blood Renewal Center
2120 St. Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri
Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. – noon
Prepare for Christmas by sharing stories, songs and poems while planting wheat. Join us for a traditional celebration of St. Lucy Day. If you are not familiar with this ancient tradition as part of your Christmas rituals, join us and learn more about it. Register online at: https://www.pbrenewalcenter.org.
St. Patrick Pancake Breakfast
St. Patrick Parish (center)
1066 N. 94th St.,Kansas City, Kansas
Dec. 15 from 8 – 11:30 a.m.
Come and see Santa in the parish center. There will be all-you-can-eat pancakes. Breakfast includes pancakes, an assortment of sausage, scrambled eggs and biscuits and gravy. The cost is a freewill offering.
The Living Nativity
Douglas County Fairgrounds (community indoor arena)
1030 Harper St., Lawrence
Dec. 15 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Come celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be live animals, music and more. This is a free event. Donations are welcome.
The Canto Chorale
Conception Abbey
37174 State Highway VV, Conception, Missouri
Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.
Save the date for this performance of “This is Christmas” at the abbey. Enjoy free admission and join us afterward for a reception in the St. Joseph dining room.
Encounter City-Wide Healing Services
December 15 at 3 p.m. – Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park
March 30 at 2 p.m. – Pope St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson, Mission
June 8 at 6 p.m. – St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Are you in need of prayer for physical healing – chronic conditions, broken bones, pain, cancer? Encounter School of Ministry is hosting four upcoming healing services. We have an expectation and faith for Jesus to work physical healing miracles on these nights. The night will consist of a time of worship, Gospel presentation on healing, corporate prayer for healing, and individual prayer for healing. We encourage anyone in need of physical healing to come as well as anyone wanting to encounter manifestations of God’s presence. This is an open event – no cost or registration. Jesus still heals today and desires to demonstrate the truth of the Gospel through healing.
Rosary Rally
St. Philippine Duchesne Church
5035 Rainbow Blvd., Mission Woods
Dec. 15 from 3 – 4:15 p.m.
Join us as we pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.
Heartache to Healing
Church of the Ascension
9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park
Dec. 15 at 4:50 p.m.
Heartache to Healing is a social support group for those widowed early in life. Come join us in the narthex for 5 p.m. Sunday Mass. After Mass, join us downstairs in the St. John room for some visiting, eating and drinking, and playing games. Please bring a snack and/or drink to share while we visit and play board/card games. Your emailed RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary, to Laura at: khaeus1@hotmail.com, or Damon at: damon452@yahoo.com.
Encounter Regional Conference
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
416 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO
Jan. 16-18
Ignite your faith and encounter God’s transformative power at the Encounter Regional Conference! Join us for a powerful three-day experience. Expect to be convicted by powerful teachings, empowered by the Holy Spirit and healed through prayer. Connect with a vibrant Catholic community and be transformed by encountering God. Imagine feeling the fire of faith rekindled and experiencing a deeper connection with God. Register today at EncounterMinistries.us/KC! Don’t miss out, God will be moving!
Snow Ball
Overland Park Convention Center
6000 College Blvd., Leawood
Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.
Support Catholic Charities’ mission of providing help, hope and hospitality to the most vulnerable. Ninety-one cents of every dollar raised through Snow Ball supports Catholic Charities’ 30-plus life-changing programs. This black-tie event includes a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner and dancing to music by The Crossroad Sound. There is no fundraising — just celebrating — the night of the event. To purchase a ticket, table or make a gift, visit the website at: snowballgala.org. For more information, call (913) 433-2068.
Divorce Support Group ‘Healing the Divorced Heart’
St. Michael the Archangel (Gabriel Room)
14251 Nall Ave., Leawood
1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
We who have experienced divorce understand, as perhaps few others can. We too were sad, lonely, scared and angry, but we have found that with God, time and the support of others, healing is possible. For more information, visit the website at: www.stmichaelcp.org/divorce-support.
Knitting & Crocheting Group
Keeler Women’s Center
759 Vermont Ave. (Suite 100 – B)
Mondays from 2 – 4 p.m.
Come to knit or learn to knit. No experience necessary. All materials are provided. To sign up, call (913) 689-9375 or (913) 708-0268 (in Spanish/Español).
Calendar Submissions
Deadline: Noon, Thursday, eight days before the desired publication date.
Send submissions to: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.