Ministering to the Poor in Kansas City
Redemptorist Social Services Center staff
In the heart of Kansas City, the Redemptorists of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish continue to joyfully live out the mission of witnessing and proclaiming the Plentiful Redemption of Jesus to the poor and most abandoned. This witnessing is deeply rooted in the prayer and communal experience of the priests and brothers which overflows into their mission, and fuels a wide range of pastoral ministries. The Redemptorists celebrate the Eucharist daily with God’s people; bring Christ’s mercy and peace to all who seek healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; provide pastoral care to the sick; walk with youth and young adults as they navigate life and faith; offer a compassionate presence to refugees and migrant families; and serve the poor and those in need through outreach programs.
Some some statistics at a glance: from May of 2024 until May of 2025, the parish has had 51 Baptisms, 36 First Communions, 27 Confirmations, 17 funerals, 70 marriages, and ten quinceañeras. Redemptorists at Our Lady of Perpetual Help also provide pastoral care to Children’s Mercy Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Truman University Hospital, St. Luke’s Nursing Home, and St. Luke’s Hospice House. In addition, Confreres celebrate two Masses every weekday, each followed by at least half an hour of confessions. The parish has also recreated its entire Religious Education and OCIA processes. Now, children have classes on Sunday mornings from 10:30 am until 12:00 noon with 19 trained Catechists. The parish has also started a Young Adult Group, a Teen Group, a Ladies Group, and a monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast; while its Knights of Columbus Round Table has grown so much that there is now a Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus as well.
In addition, Fr. Don Willard, C.Ss.R., serves on the Board of Directors of Cristo Rey Kansas City High School which this year graduated 48 students. They received a Catholic education as well as relevant work experience. The job placement program allows students who ordinarily could not afford Catholic high school tuition to obtain an outstanding education. The experience also teaches them responsibility, integrity, professionalism and discipline. Currently the program is on track to have over 60 students enrolled in the new freshman class. The working partnership between Christo Rey and the Redemptorists has flourished while truly meeting the needs of the poor and the most abandoned.
Hope in Action
The staff at at the Redemptorist Social Services Center also sees the face of need while witnessing to the power of compassion every day. As economic pressures grow for families and individuals across Kansas City, the Redemptorists in Kansas City remain deeply committed to meeting those needs with dignity, respect and love. Each week, the Center serves over 1,500 individuals through a wide range of essential services. The weekday food pantry supports more than 400 families, and the daily lunch program ensures over 120 homeless men, women, and children are nourished and cared for. On Wednesday and Friday evenings, a mobile food distribution program reaches nearly 700 families across Jackson and Clay counties—providing vital support for working families and seniors facing impossible choices between paying for rent, food, or medicine.