by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Shawn McKnight has big dreams for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“A desire I have is that my parishes be recognized centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy — I would love to see it,” he said.
“It’s the first step of evangelization,” he continued. “We don’t begin with convincing people about all sorts of our dogmas and doctrines. It’s their encounter of mercy.”
Archbishop McKnight hopes people will come to “see their local parish as a place to get help, whether material — the corporal works of mercy — or the spiritual.”
The archbishop shared his vision during the biennial archdiocesan convocation on Oct. 7 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
His message for the local church came just two days before Pope Leo XIV released his apostolic exhortation “Dilexi te” (“I Have Loved You”).
Pope Leo’s exhortation focused on walking with the poor, which the archbishop said is more than simply alleviating material suffering.
“It includes that,” he said, “but it’s much more than that, because the spiritual poverty is what touches everyone.
“And the ability of the church to be responsive to the needs of the poor — however you define that — is where we should be focused.”
Community of leaders
The theme of the convocation, selected by Archbishop McKnight, was “On Fire with the Holy Spirit: A Synodal and Evangelizing Church.”
More than 350 people attended, including priests, religious, parish staff and organizational leaders from around the archdiocese.
“The convocation brings together a diverse assortment of religious and lay leaders that serve our local church in leading our shared mission of living the joy of the Gospel,” said Emily Lopez, lead consultant for adult evangelization.
It’s typically held every other year.
Deacon Dana Nearmyer, director of evangelization, called it “the best family reunion ever.”
“This is a tidal wave of leaders in this room,” he said.
The day included keynote talks from Archbishop McKnight and Helen Osman, consultant and pastoral communications specialist, who spoke on “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”
She explained synodality as “the path along which the people of God walk together.”
“Listening is seen as an openness to being welcoming,” said Osman. “We’re beginning to realize that just because we say we’re welcoming or we’re willing to listen to people, that doesn’t really mean we’re doing it.”
Osman expressed how important listening is to Archbishop McKnight, and the convocation put that idea into practice as attendees participated in small group discussions.
A QR code on their name badges also permitted participants to share feedback on the keynote talks and submit questions to a panel for questions and answers.
Facilitated by archdiocesan communications director Marissa Easter, the panel featured Archbishop McKnight; Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for clergy and pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas; Father Anthony Saiki, chancellor and promoter of justice and rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas; and Osman.
Attendees were curious about how synodality can work in a way that unites rather than divides; how parish leadership can foster a culture where all voices are heard; and what parish staff or volunteers can do to foster unity and live out synodality in everyday parish life.
“There are practical things that a parish does all the time that deeply affect the people who are there and the people that we’re trying to serve,” said Osman.
She believes a broader consultation on decisions like Mass times, for example, rather than a mandate from the pastor, is a good first step.
“That’s not changing anything big,” she said. “But it’s changing something huge in how you’re saying we are welcoming people.”
Heart for listening
At the core of the archbishop’s vision is a heart for listening and a desire for co-responsibility among all Catholics.
He described the ideal relationship between clergy and laity as a partnership, where authority is respected but charismatic gifts of the faithful are also utilized to fulfill the church’s mission.
“Not all of us have the same gifts, same roles, same status, even within the church,” he said.
“There is a role for everyone,” he added, and the Holy Spirit works through all the faithful — not just the pope, bishops, priests and deacons.
The archbishop said synodality isn’t about deciding if the church retains its apostolic authority but evaluates how that authority is exercised.
He also emphasized that everyone — not only Catholics — who live within a parish’s boundaries are part of the mission field.
This will require a change of mindset “for the church to become a place where people see us as a place to go when they’re thirsty on their life journey, and they need an oasis to come and get healing and get help,” he said.
Moving forward, the archbishop plans to hear from the clergy and laypeople in each deanery of the archdiocese through three concurrent virtual meetings.
But there will be other ways in which he will utilize his synodal team to cultivate synodality in the archdiocese, especially in finding ways to help address struggling parishes’ needs and to engage young adults in the life and mission of the church.
Renewed in mission
“I was very happy with the recent archdiocesan convocation,” said Father Keith Chadwick, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.
He appreciated hearing the archbishop’s vision for parishes.
“Each of us are called by the Lord to put into practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy taught by the Lord,” said Father Chadwick.
“As a pastor, it was a great opportunity for me and the staff of Christ the King to be present and have conversations with representatives of the whole archdiocese,” he added.
Deacon Tom Greer, annual giving manager for the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development who also serves at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, was excited to hear from Archbishop McKnight.
“I liked the message that we make the church a safe place emotionally, physically and spiritually for all people,” said Deacon Greer. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can fulfill the archbishop’s vision.”
Shannen Freeman, missionary at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg and a parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish in Ottawa, valued how the archbishop’s desire for a listening church was exhibited in the convocation’s breakout groups.
“It was cool to hear the reminder that priests and religious aren’t the only ones that are meant to live a life of holiness and to share the Gospel,” she said.
“The laity have such a vital role in that,” she continued, “and the only way we can really live out that role is if we live out our baptismal call, as the archbishop was talking about.”
To view more photos from the convocation, click here.
