by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of Msgr. Mike Mullen’s favorite aphorisms is simple: “Vocations come from the heart of the family.” So it is no wonder that an event to be held (partially) in his honor would emphasize families.
A Mass and vocations dinner for families will be held starting at 5 p.m. on Jan. 27 at St. Joseph Parish, located at 11311 Johnson Dr. in Shawnee.
There will be Mass, followed by a social time with cocktails, a spaghetti dinner, a short video and a presentation by Msgr. Mullen.
This is a free event, but space is limited to the first 140 people who RSVP by Jan. 20. (See information below.)
“Msgr. Mullen will talk about all the kinds of vocations people have, whether as single, married, religious, diaconal or priestly,” said John Caton, one of the event’s organizers.
The event is sponsored by the trustees for the Msgr. Tom Culhane/Msgr. Mike Mullen Endowment, as well as the Knights of Columbus from St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas; St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village; and St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.
“We want to continue to support vocations in all walks of life, as well as continue to remember the love and support Msgr. Culhane and Msgr. Mullen had, and continue to have, for seminarians and for their own priestly ministries,” said Caton, who is on the endowment board.
The Msgr. Tom Culhane/Msgr. Mike Mullen Endowment was established in 2007 to provide a legacy, tribute and support for seminarians as well as cultivating and supporting Catholic vocations.
Each Christmas, every archdiocesan seminarian receives a gift from the interest earned by the endowment. This year, the 27 archdiocesan seminarians received $150 to help them with their personal expenses.
This is not a fundraising event, but those who wish to give to the endowment are welcome to do so. Checks should be made out to the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas with “Culhane/Mullen Endowment” on the memo line.
The checks should be mailed to: Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK), 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.
To reserve a seat at the dinner, send an RSVP to Gary Brown by calling (913) 633-2128 or by sending an email to: gary.w.brown1267@gmail.com.
The deadline is Jan. 20.
