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Serra IGNITE! program launches in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

A crowd of about forty folks representing fifteen parishes attended the kick-off program of the Serra IGNITE! program in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The event was held at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City. Read on for details!

About forty folks from fifteen different parishes gathered at Savior Pastoral Center on Saturday, March 28, 2026, for the kick-off training program for the Serra IGNITE! program. The objective of Serra IGNITE! is to facilitate the development of Parish Vocations Ministries at the parish level throughout the archdiocese for the purpose of fostering new vocations, affirm existing vocations, and increase personal holiness. The Serra IGNITE! program launched in the archdiocese at the request of Archbishop Shawn McKnight.

John Caton (photo left, delivering opening remarks), VP Vocations for the Serra Club of Johnson County, was instrumental in pulling together the workshop. In his opening remarks, he extended gratitude to Kelly Kmiecik, Vocation Office Assistant, for her work in tending to compiling materials, arranging meeting space and catering services, and filling myriad other roles in making the day possible. 

In a recent letter to pastors around the archdiocese, Vocations Director, Fr. Dan Morris, touted the Serra Ignite program as a means of fostering vocations. In his letter, Fr. Morris stated, "According to the 2024 (Center of Applied Research in the Apostolate) CARA report, 89% of seminarians reported being encouraged to consider the priesthood by someone in their life (most frequently by their parish priest), 75% went to Eucharistic Adoration on a regular basis, 71% served as altar servers, 51% participated in parish youth group before entering the seminary."

The event began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Timothy Skoch (photo right), Associate Vocations Director, at 8:30 AM. 

The workshop was presented by two tenured Serrans from the Archdiocese of Omaha, Greg Schwietz and Mark Bonkiewicz, under the umbrella of the United States Council of Serra International. Both men have guided similar workshops for other dioceses around the country. The presentation focused on forming, maintaining, and sustaining Parish Vocations Ministries with Serra SPARK Tools.

Of note is the fact that the Serra USA Council serves a consultor to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and a collaborator with the National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors (NCDVD). The Serra Promotion And Resource Kit (SPARK) was built by the Serra USA Council in concert with both the USCCB and the NCDVD, and serves as a valuable resource for anyone involved in vocation work. All tools can be tailored to meet specific parish needs.

Tools available to parish vocations ministries through Serra Spark are grouped into Affirmation Tools, Awareness Tools, Invitation/Encouragement Tools, and Prayer Tools.

Examples of Affirmation Tools include Priesthood Sunday - Serra SPARK and Annual Events Supporting Vocations - Serra SPARK.

Awareness Tools, aimed at building a positive culture of vocations, include the Traveling Chalice / Crucifix - Serra SPARK and Maintaining a Parish Vocations Ministry - Serra SPARK. 

Invitation/Encouragement Tools help the laity who may or may not have indicated a desire for a vocation in the church, who have shown dedication to church service and manifest a love for the faith. Examples of these tools include Called by Name - Serra SPARK and Altar Server Awards - Serra SPARK.

Finally, Prayer Tools encourage family and communal prayer activities in the parish while acknowledging our dependence on God as we "ask the Master of the Harvest to send out laborers." Examples of Prayer Tools include Homebound Vocations Ministry - Serra SPARK and Rosaries for Vocations - Serra SPARK, which the Serra Club of Johnson County hosts every Sunday night via Zoom.

The presenting team indentified the Serra SPARK Seven Greats among the array of tools discussed. These "Seven Greats" are:

At his homily during Mass, Fr. Timothy spoke about his experience at having been adopted by a couple early in his seminary experience, only to be appointed Parochial Vicar at their parish (St. Patrick in KCK) upon his priestly ordination, then having the privilege to assist spiritually and practically in the husband's dying process nearly ten years after the "adoption" process occurred. 

In driving home an understanding of the reason for forming a Parish Vocation Ministry, the presenters related an important quote from the Code of Canon Law:

The duty of fostering vocations rests with the entire Christian community so that the needs of the sacred ministry in the universal Church are provided for sufficiently. This duty especially binds Christian families, educators, and in a special way, priests, particular pastors." (Canon 233.1)

In addition, the speakers offered a sample mission statement for a Parish Vocation Ministry:

The Parish Vocation Ministry assists the parish community in planiting, feeding, and encouraging religious vocations in their midst.

The event closed with a Holy Hour for Vocations that began at 3:15 PM, led by Deacon Will Sutherland.

If you have interest in forming a Parish Vocation Ministry, contact us. We will get you connected!

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