Rooted in Faith: The Heart Behind the Mission
Six months ago, when Kyle stepped into the role of Director of Mission at St. Thomas More Parish, he didn't arrive with a checklist of changes or a blueprint to reinvent the parish overnight. He arrived with a simple goal: to listen. He sat with parishioners whose roots at St. Thomas More stretch back decades, parents who once walked their own children through the halls of our school and now watch a new generation of grandchildren do the very same. He listened to adults who recently found their way to our parish, searching for a Catholic community where they could belong. He heard stories of celebrations, struggles, hopes, and concerns. Only after listening did he begin to lead.
For some, the changes introduced over the past several months have felt significant. Change often does. What can be difficult to see from the outside, however, is the prayer, discernment, and intentionality behind every decision. None of these changes have been made casually. Every conversation, every adjustment, every new process has been rooted in one question: " How can we better help our parish family grow as faithful Catholics who know, love, and serve Jesus Christ? That question has guided Kyle throughout his entire ministry. Born and raised in the Kansas City area, Kyle's passion for the Catholic Church has taken him across a variety of ministries.
After earning his degree from Kansas State University, he served as a parish youth minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawnee and Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe. He later accompanied college students as a campus minister at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas, helping young adults encounter Christ during one of the most formative seasons of their lives. In 2024, he was appointed Consultant for Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, where he led diocesan-wide youth initiatives and developed new systems to strengthen and support parish youth ministers. Those experiences shaped not only his leadership, but also his conviction that the Catholic Church flourishes when relationships come before programs.
That philosophy continues to define his work today. It is why he speaks often about investing in young people before they reach the age of 13 when many begin to drift away from their faith. It is also why he believes every ministry, whether it serves children, teens, parents, adults, seniors, or newcomers should ultimately help people grow as disciples. As Director of Mission, much of his work happens behind the scenes. He works closely with the Leadership team to translate the parish's vision into everyday ministry. His goal isn't simply to keep ministries running; it's to ensure they are helping people move from knowing about Christ to becoming active disciples who know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.
In many ways, his work is less about creating something new and more about helping every ministry rediscover its purpose. That kind of leadership isn't always comfortable. Healthy growth often requires pruning. It requires asking difficult questions, evaluating long-standing habits, and being willing to adjust so that the mission remains at the center of everything we do. While change can sometimes feel unsettling, it is worth remembering that every modification has been prayed over. Every decision has been discussed.
Every step has been taken with the hope of strengthening St. Thomas More for generations to come. The roots of a healthy tree grow deep long before anyone notices new growth above the ground. As we continue our Rooted in Faith journey together, perhaps the invitation isn't simply to notice what has changed but to trust the heart behind why those changes are being made. Because when our roots are firmly planted in Christ, every decision, every ministry, and every step forward becomes an opportunity to help more people encounter Him. And that is a mission worth growing together.
