Kansas City Catholic leaders expecting thousands for Behold KC event this weekend

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thousands of worshipers are expected to ascend on the north lawn outside the World War I Museum and Memorial Saturday. It’s set to go on rain or shine across from Union Station.

The event is called Behold KC . Catholic leaders said they’re are expecting 8,000-10,000 people to show up for the historic Eucharistic Celebration.

“People from across the Kansas city metro area to just come and share and worship,” Consultant in Charge of Adult Evangelization Emily Lopez said.

Lopez is with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. They’re partnering with the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph to put on the historic Eucharistic celebration on the North lawn outside the WWI Museum and Memorial.

Communications Director with the Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph Ashlie Hand said it’s the first major outdoor Eucharistic adoration event at Liberty Memorial since 1941, more than 80 years ago.

“For Catholics, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. It’s what’s unique about what we believe. We believe that Jesus Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist,” Hand said. “We also want to offer the opportunity to people who maybe don’t yet believe to come and have a Eucharistic experience with thousands of your closest friends.”

Hand said 3,800 people have registered for the event online. They’re expecting double that amount of people to show.

The fun and joining of faith start with live music, with local church choirs and nationally recognized musical talent.

“We have choirs and personal witness, and we just have praise and worship,” Lopez said. “It’s just an opportunity to give great praise to God in this place, this gift of this city and the people that we’re here with.”

Confession will also be on hand. More than 65 priests will be there.

Then, the rosary, Holy Mass, with Bishop Johnston and Archbishop Naumann.

Lopez said they started planning this two years ago.

She said will be the first big event in the same area since the Chiefs Victory Parade, where one person died, and several were shot and injured. They’ll have security.

Lopez believes this event will bring healing.

“This is such an awesome opportunity because God has anointed this place, like we really believe that he has brought us here to help bring healing to this place,” Lopez said, “to help represent this as a beautiful place where we can have fun in celebration and create memories that are sustainable in building relationships with each other.”

They said Catholic and Christian leaders will also say a prayer over the city.

“We certainly welcome those who are not catholic to join us. and to have a beautiful experience with us,” Hand said.

Food trucks and porta potties will be on site.

Hand encourages people to bring their own chairs and blankets. People can also bring their own coolers with non-alcoholic beverages.

“We know the grounds are going to be a little wet. So, you might want to throw in a tarp, as well,” Hand said. “But we are expecting the event itself to be dry.”

Hand said with heavy rain the last week, the grass parking lot outside the WWI Museum and Memorial will be closed to parking.

“We are asking folks to find alternative parking options because parking will be pretty limited on site,” Hand said.

Working for you, here are a few options:

• People can park along Kessler Rd., according to Lopez. She said they’re going to block off that street to traffic.
• There’s also crown center and Union Station, but you’ll have to pay.
• Parking is free inside the Catholic Center’s garage, near 9th and Baltimore. Then, Hand said people can take the KC Street Car to Union Station and walk up the hill.

The event is Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Find more information, including parking, click here .

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