Who We Are

Journeying with you in the pursuit of Christian discipleship through high adventure camp and retreat ministry.

Our Mission

Our mission is to connect youth and families to Christ. Home to Camp Kateri Tekakwitha and some of the richest Catholic retreat programming in the Midwest, Prairie Star Ranch serves as a ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

We understand how important it is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and as such, Prairie Star Ranch exists to help parishes and communities in that crucial work.

We want to help youth, families, educators, and parishes bring about conversion in the hearts of those we serve, and we do so by guiding our guests to see their story as part of the great Christian narrative of salvation.

Our Story

The year was 2000. Archbishop James Keleher and Msgr. Tom Tank saw that it was time to capture the momentum that had been growing within the Archdiocese for youth ministry. Two years before, Camp Kateri Tekakwitha had been launched as an adventure summer camp in the Archdiocese, and it needed a home in which to grow.

On August 4th, after extensive searching, the Archdiocese purchased 291 acres of beautiful hills, woodland, and prairie that were ripe with possibility. Previously known as Timberlake Ranch, this beautiful facility included two serene lakes, a few large buildings, and stunning landscapes. It was perfect. It just needed some tender love and care!

Our Name

Archbishop Keleher christened the new property Prairie Star Ranch. Borrowed from the title “Mary Star of the Sea,” our name and patroness became “Mary Star of the Prairie.” Archbishop’s hope was that Mary’s powerful patronage would guide youth and families to the love of Christ, her Son, and to the Church, his body.

There was still a great amount of work to be done before Prairie Star Ranch welcomed its first summer camping season. It was amazing – with the generosity of thousands of individual donors, volunteers, and corporate contractors, we began the process of constructing a high adventure summer camp and retreat center that would serve the Archdiocese for the next one-hundred years.

Our Impact

In the decades since the opening of Prairie Star Ranch, our story has blossomed and the ministry has grown by leaps and bounds. Beginning with 15 retreat groups in its first year, the Ranch now hosts hundreds of retreats and events each year. In fact, so much growth occurred that additions to our facilities were needed.

Beginning in 2006, the families and parishes of Northeast Kansas made a capital campaign possible that raised the funds to construct a new dormitory, a giant multipurpose gymnasium, and most importantly the Saint Kateri Chapel.

Serving Dreams

Prairie Star Ranch has become more than just a dream. It has become a servant to the dreams of so many youths, families, and parishes. It is humbling to have become a part of so many lives and stories. So please know that when we say we are grateful to grow as disciples with you and make disciples with you, we mean it.

Please keep Prairie Star Ranch, our benefactors, our guests, and our mission in your prayers, and know that the youth, families, and parishes we serve will ever be in ours.

In humble gratitude,

Gregory Wellnitz, Director of Prairie Star Ranch

Building a Camp for your kids, your family, and your parish.

Prairie Star Ranch is a division of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Who We Are

We are here to journey with you in the pursuit of Christian discipleship through high adventure camp and retreat ministry.

Who We Are

Journeying with you in the pursuit of Christian discipleship through high adventure camp and retreat ministry.

Our mission is to connect youth and families to Christ.

Our Story

Our Name

Our Impact

In the decades years since the opening of Prairie Star Ranch, our story has blossomed and the ministry has grown by leaps and bounds. Beginning with 15 retreat groups in its first year, the Ranch now hosts hundreds of retreats and events each year. In fact, so much growth occurred that additions to our facilities were needed.

Serving Dreams

Please keep Prairie Star Ranch, our benefactors, our guests, and our mission in your prayers, and know that the youth, families, and parishes we serve will ever be in ours.

In humble gratitude,

Gregory Wellnitz, Director of Prairie Star Ranch

Building a Camp for your kids, your family, and your parish.

The Savior Pastoral Center Story

Savior of the World Seminary officially began in 1960 when Archbishop Edward Hunkeler asked the people of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to contribute financially and spiritually to help build the high school seminary in Kansas.

In October 1962, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Darby gave the Archdiocese title to the 100 acre plot on which Savior was built and in 1964 groundbreaking occurred. In September, 1965, the first classes were held with 94 freshmen and sophomore young men.

Starting in the early 1970’s, weekend functions were held at Savior by the Family Life Office and other Archdiocesan offices and Wing B was remodeled to accommodate overnight events.

In 1987, the minor seminary program for the Archdiocese was transferred to Maur Hill Prep in Atchison and the facility was officially renamed Savior Pastoral Center. Renovation continued with the addition of meeting rooms and a small kitchen, followed by construction of new Chancery offices in the former classroom building. During the 1990’s, Savior Pastor Center served as the focal point of spiritual formation and education for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The new millenium began with plans to remodel two major areas, Wing B and the auditorium. With generous funding in the amount of 1.5 million from Archbishop’s Future Full of Hope Campaign, the long-awaited transformation of Archbishop Strecker Suites includes forty (40) two-bed rooms and four (4) one-bed rooms, with private shower/bathroom, carpeting, climate control and a wide range of business services including wireless and high speed Internet access. Guests discover a simple elegance in this area that also has on each level a Board Room, small Meditation Room, Assembly, Kitchenette and Lounge.

The auditorium, now renamed Archbishop Keleher Conference Center, is equipped with carpeting, state of the art lighting and technology, offers Wireless and internet accessibility and a wide range of portable electronic equipment. The Conference Center seats 350 guests and accommodates smaller groups when partitions are in place.

On September 6, 2006, Archbishop Joseph Naumann blessed the newly remodeled Archbishop Strecker Suites and Archbishop Keleher Conference Center, saying that these improvements will support the ministry of the church for years into the future as “a center of catechetical formation and spiritual reflection.

Today, the Center’s services and hospitality extend beyond the people in the Archdiocese. We extend a warm welcome to the not-for-profit community and private businesses throughout the local area and Midwest, provided their purpose is consistent with our mission and environment.

Reserve your space today.

Please fill out the form, so we can learn more about you and your needs.

Savior Pastoral Center

12601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66109 | (913) 721-1097

Page Design by Lee McMahon.

Savior Pastoral Center

12601 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66109 | (913) 721-1097

Page Design by Lee McMahon.

ReachKCK is a youth outreach ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Its mission is to reach out to high school aged teens specifically within Wyandotte County in Kansas City, Kansas. ReachKCK is an invitation to be a part of a community that encourages you to develop your talents AND your faith. It’s all about discovering your deepest desires and who you were created to be!

ReachKCK is blessed to have a youth space located at Blessed Sacrament parish campus: 2215 Parallel Avenue Kansas City, KS 66104. We’ve got music workshops, art classes, open gyms, open mic nights, and game nights happening all the time in that space! We also connect teens with awesome opportunities to go camping, to youth conferences, and to local retreats and youth events. Every once in awhile you might find Tricia at a local high school or community fair as well. Be sure to check the What’s Happening page for dates and times of youth ministry and activities!

We are always growing, so over the next several months look out for more opportunities. Please check back often to see activities and events added to our calendar!

To stay even MORE up to date, and to see in-the-moment pictures search for ReachKCK on Facebook & Twitter & Instagram

About Us

We serve and support parishes in facilitating opportunities for a relationship with Christ by ensuring the fullest participation possible in the Catholic faith for all parishioners regardless of ability.

Josh Ruoff

Lead Consultant, Special Needs Ministry

email: jruoff@archkck.orgg
phone: (913) 647-3054

Melissa Joerger

Administrative Assistant for the Special Needs Office

913.721.1570
mjoerger@archkck.org

Josh became the Lead Consultant for the Special Needs Ministry in August of 2021. Josh graduated from Washburn University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in social work. He then finished his Master’s degree in social work in 2019 also from Washburn University. He began his professional career working in home health for the elderly as a mental health case manager at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown providing mental health resources and emotional support for individuals who were isolated in their homes. He also was able to lead a small group for men, providing them opportunities to socialize.

Josh’s passion for assisting individuals with special needs comes from his own personal experiences. He was born with spina bifida causing paralysis in both legs below the knee, requiring him to use a wheelchair. He has been fortunate enough to remain totally independent. He has participated in boy scouts where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2016. He has participated in adaptive sports and has also participated as a camper and a staff member at camps for individuals with spina bifida. Josh has participated in numerous church activities including World Youth Day, the National Catholic Youth Conference, Steubenville, Teens Encounter Christ and Catholic Heart Work Camp.

Josh is a firm believer that individuals with disabilities were created by God to show how He can do marvelous deeds through ALL his creation. Josh will work to make the Special Needs Ministry a place where everyone is welcome and everyone will be allowed to share their God given gifts, and bring glory to His kingdom to the best of their ability.

You can reach Josh by phone at 913.647.3054 or by email at jruoff@archkck.org

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

The Vicariate Apostolic of the Indian Territory was established July 19, 1850. The Diocese of Leavenworth was established May 22, 1877. The See was transferred to Kansas City in Kansas on May 10, 1947. It was created an Archdiocese August 9, 1952.

The Archdiocese is comprised of the following 21 counties: Anderson, Atchison, Brown, Coffey, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Lyon, Marshall, Miami, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Wyandotte. It covers 12,524 square miles.

The total population is 1,339,351; the Catholic population is 183,441. In the 21 counties, 8 pastoral regions have been established: Atchison, Johnson County, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Nemaha-Marshall, Southern, Topeka and Wyandotte County.