The Shepherd's Voice

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Brian Westbrook, Executive Director of Coalition Life about the lies and misinformation surrounding a petition initiative to put a state constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot in Missouri. A coalition of Missouri abortion-rights organizations has launched an effort to put a constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot to legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability.   Soon you will likely encounter paid signature gatherers in public places in Missouri asking you to sign a pro-abortion initiative petition. The ballot summary is very deceptive claiming to protect women’s health and “reproductive health care.”  However, this initiative petition will put in the Missouri constitution a “right” to dangerous late-term abortions with taxpayer money without parental consent for minors and without the oversight of health agencies to protect the health of Missouri women.  

Archbishop Naumann sits down with Matt Kemnitz (Chief Mission Officer) & Deacon Joe Allen (Hospice Chaplain) for Catholic Community Health to discuss the his recent decision to make ERD's particular law for Catholic institutions in Northeast Kansas and why it's important to share them with all healthcare givers. They also reflect upon Catholic Hospice and how blessed the KC metro community is to have a hospice provider that knows and follows the ERD's for the best care for patients and their loved ones.    

Archbishop Naumann interviews Deacon Dana Nearmyer, Lead Consultant for Evangelization and Ashlie Hand, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph about the upcoming, historic BeholdKC event. Come together for a historic Eucharistic celebration and BEHOLD the true presence of our Lord Jesus Christ! This free, public outdoor event is a gathering of the "one holy catholic and apostolic Church," from the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and will be the largest Eucharistic adoration opportunity in our city in more than 80 years. The gathering happens the evening of Saturday, May 4 the on the north lawn at the National World War I Museum and Memorial across from Union Station in Kansas City.

Archbishop Naumann interviews Deacon Tim Donohue, CRS Diocesan Director for Archdiocese of Boston and a CRS Global Fellow. They dialogue about how  often when we listen to news of all the conflicts and disasters in the world, it can be overwhelming and we can feel quite powerless.  But as Catholics, we are not powerless to help, especially during Lent all our parishes have passed out these little cardboard Rice Bowls that have the power to save lives.  If there is a disaster or a war, you can be sure the CRS staff are nearby; already implementing a well thought out well networked plan to help.

Archbishop Naumann talks to Rachel Clark, Community Sponsorship Coordinator, for the Catholic Charities' Refugee Resettlement program. Since around 1975 when the Archdiocese started helping resettle refugees from the Vietnam conflict Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas has developed into one of the largest resettlement sites in Kansas, with most refugees coming from Southeast Asia's Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Their Refugee Resettlement Services offer programs and services designed to provide social and emotional support to refugees including English language classes, citizenship preparation, case management, employment support and more.  They have many great ways for people to live out their discipleship of Jesus through the works of mercy by volunteering.  

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Curtis Keddy, Deacon Candidate and Associate Director of Formation with the Office of Permanent Diaconate about how the Lord called him and the mystery of this Holy Order of service.

Each Lent, the Archbishop runs commercials to encourage Catholics to experience the healing power of the sacrament of reconciliation.  So in addition to their normal schedules, our priests make confessions available Wednesday nights from 6-7 pm at the churches of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.   These are the 30 second spots  in English that will run this year on local radio stations and streaming services. We have also recorded one in Spanish that will air on Spanish speaking stations.

Archbishop dialogues with Toby Cook and Jason Davis about being a man in the Church and the upcoming Men Under Construction retreat. Saturday February 17th at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. Tickets are on sale at menunderconstruction.org. In Kansas City we are blessed to have a one-day men’s conference that usually happens the first Saturday of Lent where hundreds of men from across the Kansas City metro for meet for a day of spiritual renewal and fellowship.  They always feature outstanding Catholic speakers, mass and a chance to go the confession (plus they feed you well). This will be the 27thconference and will happened Saturday February 17th at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. Tickets are on sale at menunderconstruction.org.  

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Jason Davis and Toby Cook about the upcoming 10th annual  FIRE men's retreat Feb 10-11, 2024   "FIRE: Be Strong. We aim to build Catholic men to help build the Domestic Church. Men walking, playing, praying and building together on the path to stronger families, stronger business leadership, stronger communities. Join us for the 10th FIRE Retreat under the stars at Prairie Star Ranch."

Archbishop Naumann talks with Abbey Foard, associate director of Desert Stream about how this ministry develops SAFE HEALING COMMUNITIES for the local church to help people who are sexually and relationally hurting.  They talk about the LGBTQ agenda, the damage it does and how the Church compassionately, yet, truthfully accompanies those who experience these issues. Desert Stream/Living Waters Ministries provides help for Christians struggling with sexual and relational problems.  Their help is based on the biblical foundation of compassion, integrity, and dependence on God.

Archbishop Naumann interviews Craig Soto and Kimberly Flores about the healing they received at the Life Giving Wounds and how they are now helping lead the upcoming January 2024 LGW Retreat here in Kansas City. The Life-Giving Wounds retreat is a unique opportunity for young adults (18+) and adults with divorced or separated parents to reflect intentionally on the wounds caused by their family’s breakdown, together with others who know this pain and knowledgeable, compassionate retreat leaders. With the help of God, retreat attendees learn to see how their life-draining wounds can become a life-giving mission of love for themselves, their relationships, and others.   The Next local retreat will be here in Kansas City on weekend of January 12th to the 14th, Starting on a Friday evening and ending Sunday Afternoon.  

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Dan Spencer founder of Legacy of Faith, a ministry that equips Catholic Grandparents to be a positive spiritual influence in their grandchildren's lives and help future generations remain faithful to Christ and His Church. Archbishop shares some of his family history while reflecting upon the role his grandparents played in his faith journey, and the two share some real practical advice on how grandparents can be harmoniously engaged in the Faith lives of their grandchildren.

Archbishop Naumann interviews Fr. William Slattery, Ph.D about his book: Heroism and Genius: How Catholic Priests Helped Build-and Can Help Rebuild-Western Civilization.    

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Brian Westbrook founder and executive director of Coalition Life, a leader in sidewalk counseling whose mission is to end abortion peacefully and prayerfully. 

Archbishop Nauamann dialogues with Vince Eimer about how his monastic background informs the caretaking of the Christ's Peace House of Prayer.   Everyone should take time for God by making a retreat, and so the archdiocese helps to make it possible with this wonderful place.

Archbishop Naumann reflects upon the Black Catholic experience by dialoguing with Barbara Bailey, Jonathan Goering and Andre Randle who were members of the Archdiocesan delegation to the National Black Catholic Congress along with Deacon Bill Scholl. They are all members of Our Lady & St. Rose parish which has the distinction of being a national parish which features African American spirituality. They reflect upon the heroic witness of African American Catholics who have had to forgive much in order to persevere in the sacramental life and how being a Black Catholic Christian is way more common than many Americans might think.  The National Black Catholic Congress convenes a gathering every five years. Each one renews and develops their mission with a Pastoral Plan to equip the Church in American to evangelize and enhance the spiritual and physical well being of African Americans as full members the Church and society.  This year the Congress XIII happened in National Harbor Maryland in the DC area with the theme of “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive”

Archbishop Naumann debriefs with fellow pilgrims, AJ Hastings and Yariet Reyes-Guizar about their recent experiences at World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal.  Rick Cheek, consultant for the Office of Evangelization and Catholic Formation for Youth, who lead the youth on the trip also joins the conversation.    

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Brad and Libby Dupont of the Marriage and Family Life  ministry  about the 3 Pillars of a Joyful Marriage and some of the tips and techniques for couples to live out happily God's calling for them in their marriage.  

Archbishop Naumann dialogues with Phillip Cosby the State Director for the American Family Association of Kansas and Missouri about Phil's recent arrival into full communion with the Catholic Church, and how Jesus's words, "For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" 6:55 in the Gospel of John compelled him. They also discuss Phil's longtime activism against the porn industry's  unfettered access to children and the challenges and joys of following Jesus when he calls you to engage in public policy struggles for justice.