Holy Rosary
Catholic Church
Served by the Scalabrinian
missionaries since 1890
911 E. Missouri Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri
Welcome to Holy Rosary Parish Community
Welcome to Holy Rosary Church where you will enjoy an exquisite taste of Italian spirituality. Colorful stained glass windows, 26 statues of Mary and the saints, and the richness of marble altars and memorial plaques place you in an Italian spiritual environment.
When the parish was founded in 1890, the Holy Rosary neighborhood was solidly Italian. The second and third generations of those Italian immigrants grew up, married and moved out of the area, often with their parents. Their move made room for new migrants, first Cubans, and then Vietnamese.
Between 1950 and 1960, most of the Italian parishes staffed by the Scalabrini Missionaries across the United States became multicultural and multinational. The Missionary goal of the Scalabrini Community originally was for the Italian migrants and their descendants. The mission was extended to include migrants of all nationalities. It was a turning point and a re-birth for the Missionaries.
A Vietnamese priest lived at the parish rectory from 1981 to 1991. He provided all religious and pastoral services to the Vietnamese community. In June 1991, the diocese established a Vietnamese parish and the Vietnamese priest became the pastor of that new parish.
The religious services in Vietnamese were discontinued at Holy Rosary. But the Vietnamese people living in the neighborhood and surrounding areas attending Holy Rosary still participate in our services. They are a vital part of our family community, and they are welcome. The weekly bulletin has a section in Vietnamese. Since the 2004 Advent season, the gospel in Vietnamese is read on Sundays and on weekday masses.
We invite you to join us. Please feel free to take a look at our weekly bulletin and join us for mass. We've included our mass schedule for your convenience. Please join us!
Fr. Joseph Vicentini, cs
From the Pastor's Desk
Reflection on the third Sunday in ordinary Time: January 22, 2012
The Jonah Complex
The prophet Jonah is sent by God to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, Israel's worst enemy. This superpower conquered Israel and other neighboring countries, demanded annual taxes and other benefits and punishes defiance severely. God hears Israel's prayer for liberation and sends the prophet with an ultimatum: "Ninive has 40 days to repent and change its ways or it will be destroyed."
Jonah refused to go to Ninive. He wants the city destroyed. Jonah takes a cruise to Spain and we know the rest of the story: a violent storm in the sea, Jonah is thrown into the sea, is swallowed by a whale, thrown on the shore 3 days later and then he returns home.
God approaches Jonah once again and this time Jonah obeys God and goes to Ninive. He crossed the huge city proclaiming God's threat. The Ninivites believe God's message and they repent and God does not punish them. Jonah is very angry with God and said, "You made me look like a fool, and what is worse you looked like a fool . . . You threaten to destroy them and then do nothing." Jonah is ashamed to face his people, goes in seclusion and prays to God to let him die. God tells Jonah, "The Ninivites are my people and I care for them. If I have to destroy all the people who do wrong, I would be left alone into this world".
Jonah is not a Christian; he never heard Jesus' command, "love your enemies".
"The Jonah complex" seems to be common even among Christians at all levels in society; people cannot forgive real or imaginary enemies, they want revenge, retaliation and destruction. The Jonah complex causes a lot of trouble in society, from family feuds to international wars, besides spiritual and emotional sufferings to the people unable to forgive. We pray to God who is loving and forgiving; we are God's children and we need to show God's image in our behavior.
Everyone is welcome to join us at Holy Rosary for religious and social events.
Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Schedule for Sunday Masses
Saturday, 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Holy Days and Feast Days, please consult the weekly bulletin for dates and times.
Confessions
Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anytime by appointment.