The Rhodes Ahead
November 7, 2025
From Mrs. Rhodes
This week was vocations week. We try to talk about a primary vocation and a secondary vocation, The primary one is the state that we live our lives. Our secondary vocation is that career or work we do to live. This week, our students are learning that our primary vocation — priesthood, religious life, marriage, and single life — is a beautiful response to God’s call. We’re taking time to pray for open hearts, to listen deeply, and to thank God for the priests, sisters, and faithful married couples who inspire us each day.
Encourage your children to ask, “God, what do You want me to do with my life?” — and to listen for His loving answer.
I know one of the things that I will miss after this interim year is teaching the 8th grade careers class. I am so passionate about them learning about all the secondary vocations or careers that they can chose in their lives. Along with exploring our interests, skills and motivations, we have guest speakers tell their story to the class, including how they live their faith with their daily work.
Usually at some point we watch a Fr. Mike Schmidt’s youtube video on work. The youtube description says, “It’s all too common for us to think of our work as either the thing that gives us our identity, or something to be avoided at all cost, or some unhealthy combination of those two misleading philosophies. In this video, Fr. Mike aims to bring inspiration to our everyday jobs by showing us how our labor can be a way to share in God’s nature. By striving to look past humanity’s brokenness and sin, we can move beyond seeing work as a burden, and see how every act of work has dignity.” This reminds us that all jobs are valuable and that God created work for us.
Ultimately, we will be happiest when we are following God’s will.Blessings,
Kathy
Parish Opportunities
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
We are thrilled to share that the Mission Investment campaign has just surpassed $5 million - thank you for your generous support!
If you haven’t made your pledge yet, please consider joining us as a Partner on Mission by pledging online, mailing back your pledge card, or placing it in the offertory basket this Sunday. Questions? Please contact Beth Bucklin at beth.bucklin@shoj.org.
UPDATES
Foundation Stone Results: The results for the quarter are in! Click here to see the results from the Foundation Stones Survey.
New Mass & Confessions Times: We’re excited to share that beginning December 4, we’ll be adding a weekly Thursday evening Mass and Confession time! Confessions will be available at 5 PM, followed by Mass at 6 PM!
EVENTS
Remembrance Mass: We gather to honor and remember those we have lost with a “Remembrance Mass.” The Mass will be celebrated tomorrow, at 8:05 a.m for those family members that have passed away within the past year. Register here.
Encounter Conference: The conference is two-days at SHoJ to teach, impart and activate Christians to be a more effective minister of Jesus' healing in the world. It is Friday, November 14 (6-9pm) and November 15 (8am-9:30pm.) You are free to attend as much of the conference as you wish. No meals will be included, but there will be mealtime breaks. Find more information and registration here.
Healing Service: On November 15th at 6:30 PM there will be an Encounter Healing Service here at Sacred Heart. The service is completely FREE - you won't want to miss this powerful opportunity for healing!
Family Advent Workshop: Bring the whole family to the Family Advent Workshop on Sunday, November 16, from 1:30–3:00 PM in the MPC! Enjoy an afternoon of Advent story time, crafts, treats, and fellowship while discovering simple ways to celebrate the season at home. Sign-up here.
Breakfast with Santa: It’s that magical time of year again—Santa is coming to Sacred Heart! Join us Saturday, December 6, from 8:00–11:00 a.m in the MPC. Enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by the Knights of Columbus, plus crafts, games, and a visit with Santa! RSVP spots here.
- Volunteer sign-up (teens welcome) here.
- Sponsored by Knights of Colombus and Mother's Circle.
MINISTRY
Angel Tree 2025: Angel Tree 2025 is here. As in years past gift items for various agencies, schools, and nursing facilities will be available using an online sign-up as well as limited number of gifts on the tree. There will also be donation envelopes on the tree if you would rather donate than shop. The return dates are 11/29/2025-11/30/2025 and 12/06/2025-12/07/2025. Please help those in need feel the presence of Jesus during this celebration of His birth by signing up here.
Holy Hour & Happy Hour: Young Adults - 21-39 ARE invited to attend Confession and Adoration on Wednesday, November 19 from 6:00-7:00. Then after the group will head to happy hour at a nearby restaurant. No need to register.
Thanksgiving Pie Donation: Help spread the sweetness of Thanksgiving! Sacred Heart will once again provide 60 non-refrigerated pies for the 32nd Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Bonner Springs. Deliver the pies to Beth Meghini’s house on Tuesday, Nov. 25 (after 3 p.m.) or Wednesday, Nov. 26 (by noon). Sign-up here.
SHOJ Rosary Ministry
St. Benedict Rosary Prayer Group will meet on the little playground at 3:06 each Wednesday to pray The Rosary (or at least part of it) for SHOJ school. All are welcome, even littles can come play while you pray. Please join us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic school
Email: kathy.rhodes@shoj.org
Website: school.SHOJ.com
Location: 21801 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 9134225520
Facebook: facebook.com/SacredHeartCatholicSchool