About St. John Francis Regis · Kansas City, Missouri
St. John Francis Regis is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph, located at 8941 James A Reed Road in southeast Kansas City, Missouri. A bilingual (English/Spanish) community led by Fr. Emmanuel López with deacons Ken Albers and Richard Gross and the Missionary Sisters of the Poor (MSP) serving Hispanic Ministry, the parish proclaims its mission as 'Loving Christ, Loving Others.' Canonically established July 1, 1964 by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing from territories belonging to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Catherine of Siena parishes, St. Regis worshiped for its first years in a 'Paint Shop Cathedral' in Loma Vista Shopping Center before dedicating its church and school in 1966, dedicating the current worship space in 1997, and absorbing Our Lady of Lourdes–Raytown in February 2022. The parish shares its patron with the diocese itself: St. John Francis Regis is co-patron (along with St. Joseph) of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. John Francis Regis (co-patron of the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph)
- Rector
- Fr. Emmanuel López
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph
Why belong here
St. John Francis Regis offers a true bilingual Catholic home in southeast Kansas City, with two Spanish Masses each weekend and on Tuesday evenings alongside English Masses daily Tuesday through Friday. A fully-developed parish school (Regis Academy & Early Childhood Center) and parish school of religion sit alongside ministries organized around the four pillars of stewardship—Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service—including Scripture Study on Thursdays, Faith Formation on Tuesdays, a music ministry that welcomes cantors, singers, and instrumentalists, a Food Pantry, Respect Life ministry, and Knights of Columbus-style scouting and parish council work. The pastor and two deacons, supported by Missionary Sisters of the Poor (MSP) for Hispanic Ministry, extend an explicit welcome to first-time visitors, non-Catholic Christians, and Catholics returning to communion after time away.
Mass times at St. John Francis Regis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (with Adoration and Benediction)
- Saturday 2:00 pm (before the 3:00 pm Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Confession and Benediction
- Friday 9:45 am – 1:50 pm — when school is in session
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. John Francis Regis describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.' The parish's formal mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the local community in word, deed, and truth. In his welcome message Fr. Emmanuel López extends an explicit invitation to first-time visitors, non-Catholic Christians, and Catholics returning to communion after time away, pointing readers toward RCIA and 'returning Catholic' resources on the parish site. The site's tagline — 'Loving Christ, Loving Others' — frames the parish's evangelizing identity.
- Tagline: 'Loving Christ, Loving Others'
- Mission: 'To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth.'
- Fr. Emmanuel López's welcome letter invites all visitors — Catholic, other Christian, or seeker
Parish History
St. John Francis Regis Parish was canonically established July 1, 1964 by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing from territories belonging to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Catherine of Siena parishes. Rev. Raymond Jackson was assigned as the first pastor. While a permanent building was under construction, Masses were celebrated in what parishioners lovingly called the 'Paint Shop Cathedral' in the Loma Vista Shopping Center. Groundbreaking took place on March 20, 1965, the first Mass in the new complex was June 26, 1966, and the church and school were formally dedicated on November 6, 1966. By the fall of 1971 the parish school and the parish school of religion each had about 400 students. A new, larger church was dedicated on May 25, 1997. On January 13, 2022, Bishop James V. Johnston decreed that nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Raytown (founded 1948) be amalgamated into St. John Francis Regis effective at the close of the day February 6, 2022. The two churches were just 2.6 miles apart, and the merger was meant to strengthen evangelization and sacramental life across southeast Jackson County. The combined parish retained the name St. John Francis Regis and remains in Deanery V of the diocese. The historic Lourdes-St. Regis Credit Union, which had carried both parishes' names since Lourdes families moved into Regis territory, continues under that shared identity.
- 1964 — Parish canonically established (Bishop Charles H. Helmsing); Fr. Raymond Jackson first pastor
- 1964–1966 — 'Paint Shop Cathedral' in Loma Vista Shopping Center
- March 20, 1965 — Groundbreaking
- June 26, 1966 — First Mass in new complex
- November 6, 1966 — Church & school dedicated
- Fall 1971 — School & SOR each ~400 students
- May 25, 1997 — Current church dedicated
- February 6, 2022 — Our Lady of Lourdes–Raytown amalgamated into St. John Francis Regis (decree January 13, 2022, Bishop James V. Johnston)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Emmanuel López as Pastor. Two deacons serve the community: Dcn. Ken Albers focuses on Marriage Preparation in English, and Dcn. Richard Gross supports Faith Formation. Esmeralda Lopez coordinates Pastoral Care and Hispanic Ministry, and the Missionary Sisters of the Poor (MSP) serve alongside her in Pastoral Ministry and Hispanic Ministry. The parish office is led by Colleen Melchior (Parish Office Manager), maintenance is handled by Roger Cashman, and Rachel Samson serves as Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation. The school/academy side is led by Principal & Early Childhood Center Director Robin Fisher, with Jessica Cruz as School Secretary. Earlier pastoral history is visible in the parish bulletin archive, including Fr. Sean McCaffery, who is listed as pastor in the bulletin of January 3, 2021.
- Pastor: Fr. Emmanuel López
- Deacon Ken Albers — Marriage Preparation (English)
- Deacon Richard Gross — Faith Formation
- Esmeralda Lopez — Pastoral Care & Hispanic Ministry
- MSP Missionaries — Pastoral Ministry & Hispanic Ministry
- Colleen Melchior — Parish Office Manager
- Rachel Samson — Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation
- Roger Cashman — Maintenance
- Robin Fisher — Principal & Early Childhood Center Director (Academy)
- Jessica Cruz — School Secretary
- Earlier pastor (per January 3, 2021 bulletin): Fr. Sean McCaffery
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
The parish offers a rich bilingual schedule. The Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 3:00 pm in English. Sundays feature 8:30 am and 10:30 am English Masses, plus a 12:30 pm Spanish Kids' Mass on the second Sunday of the month and a 5:00 pm Spanish Mass each Sunday. Tuesday through Friday a daily 8:30 am English Mass is offered, with a 7:00 pm Spanish Mass added on Tuesdays. Confessions are heard Wednesday 6:00–7:00 pm (alongside Adoration and Benediction), Saturday at 2:00 pm before the Vigil Mass, or by appointment. Eucharistic Adoration is Wednesday 6:00–7:00 pm with Confession and Benediction, and Friday 9:45 am – 1:50 pm when school is in session.
- Sat Vigil 3:00 pm (English)
- Sun 8:30 am, 10:30 am (English); 12:30 pm (2nd Sunday, Spanish Kids' Mass); 5:00 pm (Spanish)
- Tue–Fri 8:30 am (English); Tue 7:00 pm (Spanish)
- Confessions: Wed 6–7 pm, Sat 2 pm, or by appointment
- Adoration: Wed 6–7 pm with Confession & Benediction; Fri 9:45 am – 1:50 pm when school is in session
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Rachel Samson directs the parish's Religious Education and Faith Formation programs. The School of Religion (SOR) is the parish's formal catechetical program, with Diane Banks as a key contact. Scripture Study meets on Thursdays at 9:00 am, reflecting on the upcoming Sunday readings, and Faith Formation sessions are held every Tuesday at 9:00 am; both are open to newcomers year-round under the coordination of Glen Ernstmann. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is offered for those inquiring into the Catholic faith or returning to it, with Deacon Richard Gross as a key contact.
- Director of Religious Education & Faith Formation: Rachel Samson
- School of Religion (SOR)
- Scripture Study: Thursdays at 9:00 am (Glen Ernstmann)
- Faith Formation: Tuesdays at 9:00 am (Glen Ernstmann)
- RCIA — under Deacon Richard Gross
St. Regis Academy & Early Childhood Center
St. Regis Academy shares a campus and identity with the parish, offering an 'authentically Catholic Liberal Arts education in the heart of Kansas City.' Its mission, as stated in the school's materials, is to provide 'a Catholic Classical Liberal Arts Education centered on Christ' that cultivates a student's natural desire for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, preparing scholars 'to think critically, reason logically, articulate clearly, and engage others persuasively.' The school includes an Early Childhood Center directed by Principal Robin Fisher. The school opened in 1966, was dedicated alongside the church on November 6, 1966, and by 1971 enrolled roughly 400 students in grades as part of a combined parish school and school of religion.
- Principal & Early Childhood Center Director: Robin Fisher
- School Secretary: Jessica Cruz (816-763-5837)
- Vision: 'By the Grace of God, St. Regis Academy seeks to be a locally recognized leader in graduating young men and women who are spiritually and academically prepared for a lifetime of discipleship.'
- Originally dedicated November 6, 1966; ~400 students by 1971
Ministries & Stewardship
All parish groups are organized under four pillars of stewardship — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service — and are called 'Ministries' to reflect the parish's baptismal call to discipleship. Music Ministry welcomes cantors, singers, instrumentalists, and accompanists (both piano and organ are available) for weekend Masses, with Diane Banks as the contact. Liturgical Ministers serve as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, and altar servers. The Worship Council fosters meaningful liturgical and prayer life across all ages. The Parish Council, Hospitality, and Funeral ministries round out parish life, while outreach is expressed through the Food Pantry, Respect Life ministry (under the pastor), Marriage Preparation with Deacon Ken Albers, Scouting, and 'Feed Your Faith' small-group opportunities.
- Four Pillars: Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, Service
- Music Ministry & Cantor (Director: Diane Banks)
- Liturgical Ministers (lectors, EMHCs, ushers, altar servers)
- Worship Council
- Parish Council
- Funeral Ministry
- Food Pantry
- Respect Life (Fr. Emmanuel)
- Marriage Preparation (Deacon Ken Albers)
- Knights of Columbus / Scouting
- Feed Your Faith
- Hospitality
- Hispanic Ministry (Esmeralda Lopez; MSP Missionaries)
Outreach & Community Life
The parish extends its evangelization beyond the church walls through its Food Pantry and Respect Life ministry, both directly under the pastor's supervision. Pastoral Care is coordinated by Esmeralda Lopez, with the MSP Missionaries assisting in both Pastoral Ministry and Hispanic Ministry. Marriage Preparation in English is arranged through Deacon Ken Albers. The combined Regis-Lourdes community (since the February 2022 amalgamation) continues the work that both parishes began separately: ministering to the post-World War II neighborhoods of southeast Jackson County — Hickman Mills, Laurel Heights, and Raytown — with bilingual services and sacramental life shared across the greater deanery.
- Food Pantry
- Respect Life
- Pastoral Care
- Hispanic Ministry (bilingual)
- Marriage Preparation (English)
- Combined-with-Our Lady of Lourdes service area: Hickman Mills, Laurel Heights, Raytown
Visit, Contact & Giving
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (816) 761-1608 or by email at [email protected]. The office is located at 8941 James A Reed Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64138. Online Giving is offered through the parish website. The Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph also lists the parish, including its bilingual Mass schedule (Saturday 3:00 pm; Sunday 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 5:00 pm Spanish; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 am with Tuesday 7:00 pm in Spanish) as well as the standard diocesan contact line (816-756-1850 / 800-235-xxxx).
- Address: 8941 James A Reed Road, Kansas City, MO 64138
- Parish Phone: (816) 761-1608
- Email: [email protected]
- Online Giving available via website
- Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph listings confirm the schedule and contact info
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Raymond Jackson1964–
First pastor appointed by Bishop Charles H. Helmsing when the parish was canonically established July 1, 1964.
- Fr. Sean McCafferyc. 2020–2021
Listed as pastor in the parish bulletin dated January 3, 2021; oversaw the parish through the February 2022 amalgamation with Our Lady of Lourdes–Raytown.
- Fr. Emmanuel López
Current pastor, named on the parish website 'About / DISCOVER' page; oversees the combined Regis-Lourdes parish community.