by Jill Ragar Esfeld
jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Jan. 7, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann marked the 20th anniversary of his appointment to ministry here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. As he awaits the naming of his successor (he submitted his resignation to Pope Francis at the traditional age of 75 last June), he continues to serve.
In appreciation of his ministry — and especially for his dedication to his chosen episcopal motto “Vitae Victoria Erit” (“Life will be Victorious”) — many area Catholics are looking for ways to say thank you.
Now there’s a way. The archbishop has specifically asked for prayers and donations to the Little Brothers of the Lamb for St. Joseph House, a guest house for visitors to the community.
The house will be built adjacent to the monastery of the Little Brothers and one block down the street from the Little Sisters monastery.
It will be an important addition to what is fondly referred to as the Village of the Lamb.
Its first guest will be Archbishop Naumann.
“Please pray that Our Lord, his mother and St. Joseph will bless this effort,” said the archbishop. “I am counting on my patron, St. Joseph —worker and carpenter — to supervise this project.”
The Community of the Lamb was first established in the United States at the request of Archbishop Naumann.
The Little Brothers and Sisters have ministered to underprivileged people in the inner city of Kansas City, Kansas, for 16 years, always dreaming of building a guest house to accommodate visiting friends and family.
“It had never been planned,” explained Little Brother David. “And then, we had dinner with the archbishop in June.
“It was a long dinner — we had lots of different topics. And at some point, he’s the one who said, ‘I had an idea, a proposition, something I wanted to talk to you about.’”
“So, it was he who very humbly asked us if we thought it would be possible for him to retire here,” he said. “And we were all very surprised and very humbled because it’s thanks to him we were able to come to this diocese.”
The archbishop’s first concern was that the house be simple.
“He came as a beggar,” said Little Brother François-Xavier. “He was very concerned that it would not be too expensive. It’s one floor, no basement.”
“At first, we said we wanted to have a guest room for his guests,” said Little Sister Marie-Jeanne. “But it was almost doubling the price and he said, ‘It’s too expensive; you don’t have to do that. We’ll build a simple house.’”
While residing at St. Joseph House, the archbishop hopes to be able to assist the new archbishop and to be able to help priests by celebrating Masses in parishes.
“What’s really on his heart is he cares a lot for his priests,” said Little Sister Hallel. “And so he would love to be able to [substitute for] some priests so that they can have a time of retreat, a time of vacation.
“So, it’s not like he’s retiring to be on retreat all by himself. He really wants to be of service.”
The Community of the Lamb envisions the archbishop becoming a beacon of hope within the neighborhood.
“Those who we encounter, it will be so much easier for them to see this pastor, this father,” said Little Sister Hallel. “I’m thinking of the people in the neighborhood who are far from the church.
“I’m excited to see how his fatherly presence extends to those we know and encounter in the neighborhood.”
Little Sister Hallel shared that the community recently had a dinner with Hispanic friends and told them of the plan for the archbishop to live in the Village of the Lamb.
“You could see they were very touched,” she said. “He’s coming to us; he wants to be with us. He wants to stay here and be part of this neighborhood.
“The people here are honored by it.”
Little Sister Marie-Jeanne believes the archbishop’s choice for retirement sends an important message.
“To see an archbishop choosing the simplicity of life,” she said, “is in itself a beautiful witness for the church in our very affluent society.
“It is also a message of the Gospel and an imitation of Jesus.”
The archbishop looks forward to participating in the liturgical life of the Community of the Lamb and continuing to serve the archdiocese he has grown to love.
“Once I am no longer able to live at St. Joseph House,” he said, “it will serve as the guest house for the Little Brothers and Sisters.”
The Little Brothers have raised half of the $375,000 needed for construction and hope to raise the remainder by the scheduled groundbreaking on March 19 — the feast of St. Joseph.
“The archbishop has been a part of so many people’s lives in the archdiocese,” said Little Sister Hallel. “This is one way, yes, to thank him for that, but also to say we want your presence to continue here.”
How to help
To donate, checks can be sent to:
Little Brothers of the Lamb
921 Homer Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Or donations may be made online at: https://communityofthelamb.org/help-the-little-brothers
