Wichita, Kansas

Dear Serra Club Metro-

As you have noticed, I am writing you this letter from an address in Spain. This year is a special year for me, as I have had a chance to join the formation program in Reus with other junior sisters from different countries. I didn't expect that I could join this program, but God has made all things possible. And I thank God for His endless love upon my journey.

     This program is organized for all junior sisters who prepare themselves for perpetual vows. I am so happy to meet and haver a wonderful experience with other sisters from different parts of the world. We come together to share the same charisms, sharing our stories of faith. It inspires me and helps me to deepen my love for God, too. I would like to take this great opportunity to learn and prepare myself for the next mission, which will be entrusted to me.

     How beautiful that you set time for prayer and reflections, especially this Lenten season. Nowadays, it is so very important to spend our time spending our personal growth and relationship with the Lord. The more we get closer to Him. Since it is the year of the Jubilee, pilgrimages are being scheduled. This is a year of grace, we hope we can catch up.

      I think I wrote a lot about my experience. Thank you, once again, for being my sponsor, showing great kindness and generosity, as I also feel the support. I am sorry for my grammar of my English, which somehow, maybe makes it difficult for you to understand my writing. May the Lord continue to grant you the graces you need in life. And may Mother Mary intercede for us. Please continue to pray for me. Once again, thank you. God bless you always.

Lihn

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, and named Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, Missouri, as his successor.

The resignation and appointment were announced by the Vatican on April 8.

     Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was installed as the fourth archbishop and the 11th bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City on Jan. 15, 2005. The St. Louis native was ordained a priest in 1975 and made an auxiliary bishop of his hometown in 1997.

       The archbishop has championed pro-life causes, including his own vigorous opposition of the death penalty as a son robbed of his father by murder. Archbishop Naumann previously served as chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He adopted as his episcopal motto, “Vitae Victoria Erit” (“Life will be victorious”).

On June 4, 2024, he turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope.

         Archbishop McKnight, 56, has headed the Diocese of Jefferson City since February 2018, when he was ordained bishop. He was executive director of the Office for Clergy and Consecrated Life of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops between 2010 and 2015.

         At an April 8 press conference hosted by the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Archbishop McKnight said the call he had received from apostolic nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre informing him of his appointment was “a graced moment” — one that renewed “my sense of being on mission, like many who have come before me.”

         He also said the archdiocese “has been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I got the call,” especially amid the April 3 shooting death of archdiocesan priest Father Arul Carasala.

“In this moment of sorrow, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity Archbishop Naumann and I had earlier today in his residence’s chapel to celebrate together, just the two of us, a Mass for the clergy and faithful of our beloved archdiocese, and for the soul of our brother, Father Arul,” said Archbishop McKnight.

      He also thanked the faithful of the Diocese of Jefferson City, saying, “You are my first diocese as a bishop, and always will be. I’m grateful for the ways you helped to form me into the bishop that I am today.”

      In an April 8 statement posted by the Diocese of Jefferson City, the archbishop said “that bond will always hold a special place in my heart. I am thankful for your trust, your prayers, and your dedication to living out the Gospel in your communities.”

As he prepares to transition to Kansas City, Archbishop McKnight said to his Jefferson City flock, “I am confident that God’s providence will continue to guide and bless you in the days ahead. You will always remain in my heart and in my prayers.”