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Praise and Graze events are held on Wednesday evenings for a series of 4-weeks. We gather at 6:00 PM in the parish hall for a short session of prayer and a hymn— “praise” followed by dinner— “graze” at 6:15 PM.
At 6:45 PM, participants are welcome to attend the faith formation session which could include a guest speaker, Bible study, or break-out groups. Topics cover everything from witness testimonies to internet safety to Catholic family life to prayer and spirituality.
Meals are typically catered and guests can stay for as much (or as little) of the evening as they’d like. Children are welcome to attend, and childcare is provided during the “faith formation” portion of the evening. Please check the calendar for additional details on each evening’s specific schedule/event(s).
Registration is required for dinner. Donations can be made online or at the door. Click the buttons below to register or donate now.Fall Series - October 2021
Oct 6: Dr. David Smithson - Introduction to the Parable of White Fang
Dr. Smithson is a QHR-Wea parishioner, a Kansas City-based rehabilitation medicine physician, husband, and father. He is a local speaker on faith-related topics and is a life-long dog lover and dog owner. During the pandemic, Dr.Smithson was inspired to write the book, The Parable of White Fang, which uniquely compares a dog raised in the wild, gradually becoming a tamed, loving member of a human household, with a human being, gradually growing in holiness and becoming a loving member of God’s house. On Oct 6, Dr. Smithson will read excerpts of his book and lead us in meditation and discussion enlightened by this classic adventure story with Catholic symbolism.
Oct 13: Dr. Teresa Elder - Busy Families: How to Bring Faith Alive Easily!
As a Catholic speaker, she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and insights on faith, family, health, and leadership. She brings nearly 30 years of professional experience in healthcare, business, and education to her presentations. She and her husband have been married for 29 years and are blessed with three amazing children. Dr. Elder will share tips and strategies for busy people who want to bring faith more alive in our families.
Oct 20: Maureen McGrath - Eucharistic Miracles & Blessed Carlos Acutis
Maureen McGrath is a Catholic educator and Confirmation catechist with a contagious love for the Eucharist and Blessed Carlo Acutis. Maureen will share with us how Bl. Carlo Acutis, the youngest contemporary person to be beatified on Oct 10, 2020, has deepened her devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Bl. Carlo was a typical young computer whiz kid in Italy who also had an intense devotion to the Eucharist and fascination with Eucharistic miracles that he shared with the world!
Oct 27: Curtis Keddy - Rescue Mission: Sent by Christ to Save the World
Curtis’ session will focus on how we can accomplish the mission given to us at our baptism and remind us that as Catholics we are sent by Christ to save the world! Curtis Keddy was born in Canada, raised in Hong Kong by his Protestant missionary parents, and received his higher education in the United States. After graduating with a BA in Biblical Studies in 2002 from Biola University in California, he worked as a Director of Music at an Evangelical church in Hong Kong where, while preparing a class on the liturgy, he was unexpectedly led to the Catholic Church.Returning to California, he became Catholic in 2007 and, after working as a Fine Arts teacher at a K-8 school for a number of years, became the Director of Faith Formation at his parish in Yorba Linda, CA. In 2017 he received his MA in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University and relocated with his family to Kansas in order to help in the creation of a new parish, St. John Paul II in Olathe, where he served as Director of Liturgy and Formation until 2021.
He now lives in Gardner with his wife Amy and their four children and is currently in formation to become a permanent deacon in our Archdiocese.