Renewal from the Heartland
An Update
In 2026, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas launched a pastoral planning process called Renewal from the Heartland. The process began with a Lenten small group series called Beatitudes from the Heartland. The four-part series provided participants with an opportunity to reflect on the Scriptures and the writings of the Church fathers, particularly the documents of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Francis, and Pope Leo XIV, regarding baptized Catholics’ responsibilities within their parishes and other ecclesial communities.
- Please share a story about your experience with the Church that has shaped you.
- What is the Holy Spirit asking of us?
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“May our parishes be centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy … may the church become known as a place to go when people are thirsty, are afflicted, are broken-hearted, are poor, in their life journey, and they need an oasis for healing and help.” - Archbishop Shawn McKnight
Rooted in our church’s teachings and our renewed spirituality of synodality, Renewal from the Heartland will encourage clergy, religious and laity to recognize their proper responsibilities in building communion and engaging in the mission of the Church.
Parishioner involvement is essential! We begin in Lent by meeting in small groups to share faith, using a program created for our archdiocese called Beatitudes from the Heartland.
Together, we’ll explore the Beatitudes and uncover what it means to live as a Catholic in today’s world, here in the heartland. This is your chance to grow spiritually and help transform our parishes into centers of charity and sanctuaries of mercy.
“The Lord’s appeal to show mercy to the poor culminates in the great parable of the last judgment (cf. Mt 25:31-46), which can serve as a vivid illustration of the Beatitude of the merciful. In that parable, the Lord offers us the key to our fulfillment in life; indeed, ‘if we seek the holiness pleasing to God’s eyes, this text offers us one clear criterion on which we will be judged.’ The clear and forceful words of the Gospel must be put into practice ‘without any ‘ifs or buts’ that could lessen their force. Our Lord made it very clear that holiness cannot be understood or lived apart from these demands.’”
Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate
Renewal from the Heartland Events
Lent 2026 | Beatitudes from the Heartland: a small group faith-sharing program held in every parish |
Feb. 3, 2026 | Deanery meetings of parish leadership (video link below) |
April 13-25, 2026 | Listening with the Heart: listening sessions throughout the archdiocese. |
June 1-22, 2026 | Online survey |
Sept. 12, 2026 | Archdiocesan-wide gathering of pastors and parish pastoral council representatives |
Sept. 15, 2026 | Deanery meetings of parish leadership |
Nov. 10, 2026 | Deanery meetings of parish leadership |
Archdiocesan Synodal Team
Resources
Holy See: Pathways for the Implementation of the Synod on Synodality
Pope Leo XVI: Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You)
Pope Francis: Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel)
Second Vatican Council: Lumen Gentium (Light of Nations)
Below is a recording of the February 3 Deanery meeting.
The below are recordings of each speaking session from the Archdiocese Convocation which took place on October 7, 2025.