Decree of Appointment: Focus on Content Writing at The Leaven Catholic Newspaper

Archdiocese of Kansas Announces Key Pastoral Appointments

Kansas City, Kansas – The catholic Archdiocese has revealed a series of crucial leadership changes, effective October 31, 2025, impacting pastoral care across several parishes in the region. These appointments, decreed on September 17, 2025, aim to ensure continued spiritual guidance and administrative effectiveness within the Archdiocese.

New Pastors Appointed

The Very Reverend Colin Haganey, V.F., previously serving as pastor of St. Francis Xavier, st. joseph, st. Patrick, and St. Teresa of Avila, will assume the role of pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emporia, Kansas. He will also continue his duties as Dean of the Southern Deanery.

Moreover, the Very Reverend Gerald Volz, VF, formerly pastor of Corpus Christi in Lawrence, Kansas, and Dean of the Lawrence Deanery, has been appointed as the new pastor of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Kansas.

Reverend Carter Zielinski, who previously led Sacred Heart Catholic church in Emporia, Kansas, will now serve as the pastor of corpus Christi Catholic Parish, while simultaneously pursuing further studies in Canon Law.

Administrative Leadership Changes

Reverend George Rhodes is transitioning from his role as parochial Vicar of Most pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, kansas, and chaplain of Cor Christi Catholic Center at Washburn University, to become the Parochial Administrator of St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and St. Teresa of avila.

Reverend Theodulus Worth will move from his residence at prince of Peace in Olathe, Kansas, to serve as Parochial Vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas.

The Very Reverend John Riley has been appointed as Parochial Administrator of Curé of Ars in Leawood, Kansas, with his role commencing immediately.

Publication and Implementation

These appointments will be formally published on the Archdiocese’s official website and will appear in the next edition of The Leaven. The changes will be implemented beginning on October 31, 2025, marking a significant shift in leadership for these key parishes.

Did You Know? The role of a Dean within the Catholic Church involves providing leadership and coordination among the parishes in a particular geographic area, ensuring alignment with diocesan policies and goals.

Name	Previous Role	New Role	Location
Colin Haganey, V.F.	Pastor (Multiple Parishes)	Pastor	Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, KS
Gerald Volz, VF	Pastor & Dean	Pastor	Church of the Nativity, Leawood, KS
carter Zielinski	Pastor	Pastor	Corpus Christi Catholic Parish
George Rhodes	Parochial vicar & Chaplain	Parochial Administrator	Multiple Parishes
theodulus Worth	Residence	Parochial Vicar	Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka, KS
John Riley	N/A	Parochial Administrator	Curé of Ars, Leawood, KS

Understanding Catholic Church Leadership Roles

The Catholic Church has a hierarchical structure with distinct roles designed to ensure effective governance and pastoral care. Pastors are responsible for the spiritual well-being of their congregations,while deans provide regional oversight to multiple parishes.Parochial Administrators manage parishes during transitions, and Parochial Vicars assist Pastors in their duties. These roles,rooted in centuries of tradition,are essential to the functioning of the Church. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, approximately 66.8 million Catholics are served by this structure across the country (data as of 2024).

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Pastor’s primary responsibility? A Pastor’s main role is to provide spiritual leadership and guidance to the parishioners within their assigned church.
• What does a Dean do within the Archdiocese? A Dean oversees a specific geographic grouping of parishes, facilitating dialog and coordination.
• What is the difference between a Pastor and a Parochial Administrator? A Pastor has a permanent assignment, while a Parochial Administrator typically serves during a transitional period.
• What does it mean to study Canon Law? Canon Law is the body of laws and regulations governing the Catholic Church, and further studies allow for expertise in church governance.
• How are these appointments made? Appointments are made by the Archdiocese after considering the needs of the parishes and consulting with a priests personnel board.
• Where can I find more details about these appointments? The Archdiocese website and The Leaven publication will provide further details.
• What is the meaning of October 31st in relation to these changes? October 31st is the date on which these new appointments officially take effect.

What are your thoughts on these changes within the Archdiocese? Do you believe these new appointments will strengthen community ties?

How does a content writer’s understanding of Catholic theology influence their approach to news reporting at The Leaven?

Understanding The Leaven & Its Content Needs

The Leaven, the Catholic newspaper serving the Archdiocese of kansas City-Saint Joseph, operates within a unique content landscape. Unlike purely secular news outlets, The Leaven requires content writers who understand and respect Catholic theology, traditions, and current events through a faith-based lens. This demands a specific skillset beyond standard journalism or content creation. Successful Catholic journalism requires sensitivity, accuracy, and a commitment to conveying the Church’s message effectively. The newspaper covers a broad range of topics, from parish news and archdiocesan events to in-depth features on faith, social justice, and the lives of Catholics in the region.

The Role of a Content Writer at The Leaven

A content writer for The Leaven isn’t simply reporting facts; they are storytelling with purpose. The decree of appointment for this role emphasizes a focus on crafting engaging, informative, and spiritually enriching content. Key responsibilities include:

* News Reporting: Covering local Catholic news, including parish events, school activities, and archdiocesan announcements. This requires strong news writing skills and the ability to interview sources effectively.

* Feature Writing: Developing longer-form articles that explore topics of faith, spirituality, and Catholic life. This often involves in-depth research and compelling narrative storytelling.

* Digital Content Creation: Producing content for The Leaven’s website and social media channels, including articles, blog posts, videos, and graphics.Digital marketing and SEO best practices are increasingly critically important.

* Editorial Support: Assisting with editing, proofreading, and fact-checking content.

* Adherence to Style Guidelines: Maintaining consistency in tone, style, and formatting, following The Leaven’s established editorial guidelines. Understanding AP style is frequently enough beneficial.

Essential Skills for Catholic Content Creation

Beyond general writing proficiency, several skills are crucial for success as a content writer at The Leaven:

* Deep Understanding of catholic Theology: A solid grasp of Catholic doctrine, scripture, and tradition is paramount. This isn’t about proselytizing, but about accurately representing the faith.

* Extraordinary Writing & Editing Skills: Clarity, conciseness, and grammatical accuracy are non-negotiable. The ability to adapt writing style to different audiences is also important.

* Interviewing & research Skills: Gathering details from diverse sources and conducting insightful interviews are essential for producing compelling content.

* Digital Literacy: Proficiency in content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, social media platforms, and basic image/video editing tools is highly valuable. Content management is a core function.

* Sensitivity & Discretion: Handling sensitive topics with respect and maintaining confidentiality are crucial when dealing with personal stories and Church matters.

* SEO Knowledge: Understanding search engine optimization (SEO) principles to increase the visibility of online content.Keyword research related to Catholic news, religious articles, and faith-based content is vital.

Content Formats & Strategies for The Leaven

The Leaven utilizes a variety of content formats to reach its audience. A successful content writer will be comfortable working across these platforms:

* Print Articles: The traditional format, requiring concise and impactful writing.

* Website Articles: Longer-form content with opportunities for SEO optimization and multimedia integration.

* Blog Posts: Shorter, more informal pieces that address current events or offer personal reflections.

* Social Media Updates: Engaging posts that drive traffic to the website and promote The Leaven’s content. Utilizing relevant hashtags is key.

* Video Content: Interviews, event coverage, and short documentaries that bring stories to life.

* Photo Essays: Visually compelling stories that capture the essence of Catholic life.

SEO considerations for The Leaven’s Content

Optimizing content for search engines is vital for expanding The Leaven’s reach. Key strategies include:

* Keyword Research: Identifying relevant keywords that people are searching for, such as “kansas City Catholic news,” “archdiocese events,” “Catholic schools,” and “religious education.”