At the northwest corner of 75th Street and Main Street in Kansas City's Waldo neighborhood, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish known for its worship, Catholic education and long record of practical service. Founded in 1917, it has grown from a storefront parish into a church, school and neighborhood network centered on celebrating the sacred liturgy and Sacraments.
St. Elizabeth's mission calls the community to personal holiness, spreading the Word of God, and generosity and compassion toward all people. Its ministries bring those aims into Catholic schooling, food and utility assistance, visits to homebound neighbors, grief care, mental wellness, respect for human life, care of creation and solidarity with communities in El Salvador.
Forty-One Catholics Begin a Parish in Waldo
In summer 1917, 41 Catholics gathered at Hale H. Cook School and asked Bishop Thomas Lillis to start a parish in Waldo. Father Edward J. Hayes celebrated the first Mass for the new St. Elizabeth Parish on September 9 in a rented storefront. He began preparing a church in 1919, and its exterior was completed in 1922. The interior remained unfurnished for 13 years while plaster, pews, woodwork, altars, Stations of the Cross, confessionals, an organ and stained glass were added. At the April 22, 1935 dedication, the parish had 265 families. Two stone towers, including one with bells, completed the first church.
The drive for Catholic education began almost with the parish. Two Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet started elementary instruction in two small rooms at the back of the original church. The school opened in 1922 with 52 students and a first graduating class of seven. Work began on the stone school building in April 1927, a second floor was added in 1934, and the building was dedicated in April 1935. The sisters later lived near the church and then in a larger convent completed in 1957. That building became the Parish Ministry Center in 1977.
As Waldo and St. Elizabeth grew, the original church became too small. Masses, weddings and other celebrations moved to Memorial Hall for 19 months while the present church was built, and the new sanctuary was dedicated on September 21, 1961. A capital campaign begun in 1999 refurbished the church and added a Baptismal pool and Eucharistic Chapel. Its school addition moved classrooms out of the church basement, which became Seton Hall. After the parish marked 100 years in 2017, another campaign added an elevator, renovated sacristies and the Reconciliation Room, created a Narthex gathering space, and built an Early Childhood Center on the rectory site. These changes brought the school children and early childhood facilities to the same side of Main Street as the church.
Saturday Vigil, Sunday Assembly and School Mass
Weekend Mass is celebrated at 4:30 PM on Saturday as the vigil and at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM on Sunday. Tuesday through Friday have a 7:00 AM Mass, and the school community also gathers for Wednesday Mass at 8:30 AM during the school year. The parish places the Eucharist at the center of its life, from the Saturday vigil to the Wednesday school Mass.
Its primary purpose is to celebrate the sacred liturgy and Sacraments. At Eucharistic celebrations, Gift Bearers bring forward the bread, wine and the assembly's contributions for the church and for people who are poor. Greeters welcome worshippers with reverence and friendliness, Readers proclaim the Word of God, and Ushers prepare the church and gather the collection.
Reconciliation is offered Saturday at 3:30 PM and at other times by appointment. During the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass from September through May, Breaking Open the Word gathers children in grades K through 2 for an age appropriate celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. Trained volunteers lead the sessions while the rest of the family takes part in the same Mass.
Children Prepare for Sacraments at School or in the Parish
St. Elizabeth Catholic School provides a Catholic education from kindergarten through grade 8, supported by parish tithing and open to parish and neighborhood children. Children in grades 1 through 8 who do not attend the school can join the Parish School of Religion. Parents teach at home each week with a textbook approved by the Diocese, then meet once a month with their children for support, prayer and a group lesson. Family meetings typically take place from 8:45 to 9:45 AM in Seton Hall.
Sacramental preparation involves the whole family. Second graders at the school receive preparation in the curriculum, while children in the Parish School of Religion follow the same preparation for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation. First Eucharist is celebrated in spring and First Reconciliation in fall. Confirmation preparation is part of sixth grade at the school or is offered through the Parish School of Religion for grades 6 through 8.
For Baptism, parents of children from newborn through age 6 attend a class with Deacon Mike McLean. Children ages 7 through 18 receive classes suited to their age, while adults prepare through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Couples planning a wedding are asked to begin preparation and reserve the church 8 to 12 months ahead; parishioners being married in another church may also complete their preparation at St. Elizabeth. The parish arranges Anointing of the Sick for illness, surgery or frailty and coordinates funeral liturgies that can include a Vigil, rosary, visitation, Mass of Christian Burial and graveside service.
Cantors and the Community Choir Lead the Assembly
Cantors assist the assembly in hymns and acclamations, and they receive monthly training. The Community Choir sings primarily at the 10:00 AM Sunday Liturgy and rehearses on Tuesday evenings. Its members bring backgrounds ranging from no formal music training to master's degrees. The parish also has a guitar ensemble and handbells.
Music is joined by a broad set of liturgical roles. Boys and girls train as Altar Servers at the end of fifth grade. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, trained and commissioned by the Diocese, distribute the Body of Christ and Precious Blood at Liturgy. Eucharist Ministers also bring Communion to homebound and nursing home residents each weekend.
Adult Faith Formation Takes Many Forms
Adult Faith Formation offers topical series, Bible studies, presentations, prayer, spiritual development and service opportunities in person and online. Small Faith Groups bring together 8 to 12 adult parishioners who regularly pray, learn, share and serve. Each group chooses its schedule, meeting place and content, using Zoom or meeting in person. Groups may study Scripture, books, church documents, prayer forms or other materials.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is structured around weekly classes from September through May. The process examines the history of Catholicism, Revelation, Tradition, the Bible, the Trinity and the seven Sacraments. It also considers modern issues, prayer, worship and service. Rites mark the journey, beginning with the Rite of Welcome during Advent and continuing through the Rite of Sending, Rite of Election and Scrutinies during Lent. Candidates and already baptized members celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, followed by a period of deepening in the faith.
Journey: New Life in Christ retreats offer a free day and a half of fellowship, prayer, talks and the Sacraments for men and women. Comfort in the Word brings together people who are grieving so they can listen, share stories and pray with one another. The group generally meets once a month in the church Narthex or through Zoom and also sponsors an annual Memorial Service and Mass in November.
Food, Utility Assistance and Care for Homebound Neighbors
St. Elizabeth Social Services and its St. Vincent de Paul Volunteers assist people in need within the parish boundaries. The ministry operates a food pantry, assists with food drives and utility assistance, and organizes Christmas gifts through the Christmas Stars adoption program. Nonperishable food can be placed in donation bins near the church doors or in the collection tub outside the parish office.
Caring Visitors members make calls and weekly visits to homebound or sick people. Funeral Luncheon Team members prepare food, serve it and clean up for grieving families. These ministries extend the parish's care beyond the celebration of the Sacraments and into the ordinary work of supporting neighbors.
Established in partnership with Catholic Charities in May 2023, the Mental Health Ministry seeks to break stigma surrounding mental wellness and become a more inclusive community. Its three areas of focus are educational events on mental health, information about local counselors and other helpful contacts, and small groups for people who struggle with mental health issues as well as their friends, family members and caregivers.
El Salvador, Earth Care and Justice
The El Salvador Ministry promotes solidarity between St. Elizabeth and the sister communities of Romero Community and Palo Grande/Suchitoto. Youth scholarships and formation are the centerpiece of this relationship. The parish and the Center for Interchange and Solidarity have also delivered baritones, trumpets, a saxophone, cymbals and drums to students at the school in Cantón Las Flores, Tonacatepeque, giving them instruments for creative work and confidence through the arts.
Earth Care Organization, known as ECO STE, teaches and practices ecological sustainability. It encourages care for God's natural and social creation, responds to people who are disproportionately affected by climate change, and seeks to help St. Elizabeth become a more environmentally mindful community for present and future generations.
EmbRace Justice addresses racism through education, self awareness, understanding, solidarity and advocacy for racial justice. Its work with Westport Showers provides a monthly hot breakfast, showers, clothing and toiletries to neighbors experiencing homelessness. The ministry also partners with Community Praise Worship and World Outreach Center to challenge racial and social stigmas through shared events, mutual welcome and relationships between the congregations.
Respect Life Ministry affirms the God given dignity of every person from conception to natural death. Through prayer, education and action, it promotes the Catholic Church's teachings on abortion, capital punishment, suicide and assisted suicide. The parish prays a Rosary for Life each month, collects needed items for maternity homes and supports mothers through seasonal giving drives.
Families, Young Adults and Shared Tables
Mothers of Young Children serves mothers who are expecting or have children under age 6. Evening meetings and daytime playdates help women at a similar stage of family life build friendship and faith together. Slainte, whose Gaelic name means cheers, offers social, service and spiritual activities for parishioners ages 21 to 40, as well as older adults who want to participate.
St. Elizabeth has Girl Scout troops from kindergarten through grade 8, Cub Scout Pack 150 and Scouts BSA Troop 150. Pietra Fitness for Women combines movement, strength, prayer and meditation, while chair classes designed for seniors or people who prefer not to exercise on the floor generally meet on Tuesday mornings.
- Cardlarks plays party bridge on one Saturday each month from September through May in Seton Hall. Scores accumulate through the year, and a final dinner recognizes the players while raising money for Social Services.
- All Are Welcome, formerly Dinner for Eight, gathers for seasonal meals, holiday parties and occasional shared dishes brought by guests. Its gatherings are open to everyone and are designed to help parishioners eat, pray and become better acquainted.
- Msgr. Peter R. Kennedy Council 14163 of the Knights of Columbus serves both the parish and surrounding community through volunteer work, financial assistance and parish events.
- Trivia Night is an annual adult gathering in which teams of eight answer questions together and bring their own food and drink. Past proceeds have supported families in need, scholarships, parish and school needs, Social Services and the El Salvador Ministry.
Smoking 'n Waldo is a large parish barbecue contest built around family, friendship, music and partnership with the Waldo community rather than fundraising. Friday has an adult atmosphere, while Saturday welcomes families with food, music and children's activities. The contest reflects St. Elizabeth's ability to bring neighborhood relationships into the life of the parish.
Stewardship for the Parish's Second Century
St. Elizabeth grounds stewardship in the words, “Do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with your God,” from Micah 6:8b. Faith filled tithing pledges support caring teachers, compassionate paraprofessionals, teaching technology, parish staff, monthly expenses and maintenance. The parish also accepts planned gifts including bequests, mutual fund shares, securities, life insurance and charitable gift annuities. Electronic giving is available through online giving.
The parish's history links the sanctuary on 75th Street with classrooms, family formation and service to Waldo and El Salvador, and those ministries continue at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.