by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
LEAWOOD — Relics of three of the most prominent figures in the Catholic Church will soon have a permanent home at Church of the Nativity here.
“Our parish has been entrusted with the relics of three remarkable witnesses to Christ: St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Michael McGivney,” said Father Jerry Volz, pastor of Nativity.
“This gift is especially meaningful because these three holy people lived in our own time,” he continued, “and each witnessed Christ in a different way — through courageous leadership, loving service, priesthood, family and parish life.”
The relics were on display in a reliquary during a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight at Nativity on Aug. 13, the feast of Blessed McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.
Father Volz and Father Mike Hawken, vicar general and moderator of the curia and former Nativity pastor, concelebrated. Father Brent Stull, associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, was the master of ceremonies. Deacon Jim Mullin assisted.
“For us Catholics, it’s very meaningful to have literal relics — pieces of those who lived such sanctified lives [and] great examples of the beatitudes,” said Archbishop McKnight during his homily.
“What strikes me with each of the three saints is the example of strong leadership,” he continued, “which our church and our world so desperately need — authentic, genuine leadership.”
The Mass included a Knights of Columbus honor guard and was followed by the opportunity to venerate the relics and a reception.
Mementos provided by parishioner Karen Thompson, the daughter of Virgil Dechant, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from 1977 to 2000, were available for viewing.
“He would eventually have over 70 personal visits with now-St. John Paul II,” said Father Volz.
A permanent cabinet for the relics within a wall of Nativity’s adoration chapel will be crafted by Ian Byrne, lead singer of the Irish band The Elders.
Father Volz expects the project to be complete by 2027, and when it is, the relics will be available for public veneration.
Joe Falco, a member of the Nativity Knights, is excited to have a piece of Blessed McGivney at his parish.
“All the Knights in Kansas City will have a place to come,” said Falco. “It’ll be in our chapel, and we can sit there and have some quiet time and thank him for all that he’s done.”
Father Volz hopes the relics will inspire those who visit Nativity.
“Their presence at Nativity will be a tangible reminder of the communion of saints and of our own call to holiness,” he said.
“The saints remind us that holiness is not reserved for another time, another place or another kind of person,” he added. “The same Christ who called them calls each of us.”
More to come
The relics are expected to be on permanent display by 2027. The Leaven will publish an article when they are available to venerate.
