Nativity Good News

We speak with Mark Hannifan about Sun Partners International. We discuss Sun Partners work providing solar energy to those that need it most around the world.

Sun Partners International: https://www.sunpartners.org/

Nativity: www.kcnativity.org

We speak with Denny Dennihan about WeCare KC Homeless. WeCare KC Homeless is a street outreach ministry that serves the Southern KC Metro. We discuss the homeless, the corporal works of mercy, and Nativity outreach.

WeCare KC Homeless: https://www.wecare-kchomeless.com/

Nativity: https://www.kcnativity.org/

We speak with Marin Brown and Anthony Sabatino about the Core Team at Nativity. The core team is a group of young adults that lead small group discussion and present once a semester at youth group on Sunday Nights. We discuss the core team, ghosts, and why you should get involved in parish life.

Youth group website: https://www.kcnativity.org/youthgroup

Instagram: @nativity.youth.group

Meghan's email: mascher@kcnativity.org

We speak with Nancy Grasse about the Guatemala Mission Trips starting back up at Nativity. We speak about the trips and the impact they have on both the people that go on them as well as the people served. 

The next trip is June 17-24, 2023 and the cost is $1,500. (The trip cost would include flight, transportation from Guatemala City to San Andres and back, cost for materials for our projects, rooms, and meals.)

Link: https://www.kcnativity.org/guatemala

We speak with Brad Grabs and Karen Camarata about The Learning Club. We speak about the importance of unlikely friendships, getting out of the Johnson County bubble, and the event that led to Brad founding The Learning Club. 

The Learning Club helps under-served children realize their full potential through one-on-one tutoring and mentoring as well as enriching activities designed to advance their academic achievement, social development, and leadership skills. ​Located in the core of Kansas City, Kansas, they serve children and youth through in-school, after-school, and summer programs. ​

The Learning Club website: https://www.learningclubkck.org/ 

For more information or to contact Karen, reach out to msanem@kcnativity.org

We speak with Susan Vogliardo, Dana Mullin, and Cindy Thesing about the women's retreat Journey to Joy. We speak about how and why they started the retreat, what the retreat is, and why it's important. This years Journey to Joy is happening on January 28th! Find out more information and register here: https://www.kcnativity.org/journey

We speak with Harold Bradley about F.I.R.E. Ministries men's retreats. We discuss what F.I.R.E. retreats are as well as why Harold has been impacted by them. 

Website: https://www.fire-ministries-retreat.org/

We speak with Fr. Sudeep Kodigandla, the new Associate Pastor at Nativity! We spoke about Father Sudeep's story, as well as what he is looking forward to during his time at Nativity.

We speak to Jane Vega Carson, who is in charge of the adult gift department of the Johnson County Christmas Bureau. We speak about the JCCB and the joy of serving others.

The mission of the JCCB is to provide warmth and support, during the winter holiday season, to low-income Johnson County, Kansas families, increase awareness and understanding of poverty in Johnson County, Kansas, and give neighbors an outlet to help neighbors.

Jane's email: carsonvega@gmail.com

Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/NJ7TUSGJF1Z2?ref_=wl_share

JCCB Website: https://jccb.org/

We speak with Angela Kopp, a middle school science teacher at Nativity Parish School. She has started a composting initiative at the school, and is preparing a video for masses during our fifth weekend of Respect Life Month highlighting Care for Creation.

We speak with Susie Boster, who started the Foster Care Ministry here at Nativity, and Cathy Anderson, who is a member of a care team. We discuss the huge need for Foster Care, the many ways to get involved, and the respite care night coming up at Nativity. 

To learn more about Foster Care at Nativity, go to kcnativity.org/foster-care-ministry, or email nativityfostercare@gmail.com. 

We spoke to Noelle Gushard and Chris Sain, two new Catholics who went through RCIA last year, and Mary Lambrechts, our RCIA Director. We discussed Noelle and Chris's story, what RCIA is like, and how Nativity has been a great place to enter the Catholic Church. 

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process used by Catholic parishes to welcome and prepare adults who are interested in becoming Catholic or exploring whether the Catholic faith is for them. It is a journey of faith in community, during which information about the Catholic faith is shared and the drawing of one’s heart closer to God are joined to help the person live a fuller Christian life.

RCIA at Nativity is every Sunday starting September 11! Click here for more information: https://www.kcnativity.org/becoming-catholic-rcia

We speak with Dawn Grabs, who is running the Called and Gifted program this fall at Nativity. We discuss the program, charisms, and how God wants to work in your life. The Called and Gifted Discernment process is a tool to help Christians discern the presence of charisms (spiritual gifts) in their lives. Charisms are special abilities given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit to enable them to accomplish things for God above and beyond their natural abilities.

To learn more about Called and Gifted, go here: https://www.kcnativity.org/called-and-gifted

We speak to Leslie Chalmers, Grace Becker, and Susan Vogliardo, the founders of Starfish Ministry. We discuss the ministry, it's inspiration, and how to follow nudges from the Holy Spirit. Starfish Ministry is a non-profit that works to pair volunteer mentors with single mothers and their families.

If you would like to be added to the Starfish email list, please contact Susan Vogliardo at suesues6@hotmail.com.

We speak to Kathy Cook, Nativity parishioner and long-time religious education teacher, as well as Suzy Meinzenbach, our religious education director, about the importance of religious education. We also discuss the joys that come with teaching a class and the dedication of families whose kids are involved in this ministry.

To sign up to be a catechist this year, contact Suzy Meinzenbach at smeinzenbach@kcnativity.org, 913-338-4367, or go to https://www.kcnativity.org/religious-education-1. 

We speak to Dr. Dan Towle, Nativity parishioner and founder of the Tiny Lives Foundation. We discuss Dr. Towle's story, the founding of the foundation, and God's providence.

The Tiny Lives Foundation (TTLF) is a network of communities and individuals in North America dedicated to supporting the life-saving work of TTL, a non-profit organization based in Mokhotlong, Lesotho. By raising funds, spreading awareness, and providing technical support, TTLF empowers their Basotho partners to continue to provide smart and sustainable local responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Lesotho. They serve as the voice of TTL in North America, sharing the message about the high-impact care that is saving lives, one child at a time.

Visit their website here: https://www.thetinylivesfoundation.org/who-we-are/touching-tiny-lives-foundation/