If you have any questions, please contact Paula Holmquist in the parish office at (816) 363-2320 #120 or e-mail her at pholmquist@stpeterskc.org.

We know you all are anxious to hear how Fr. Steve is doing. We just heard from his sister that he is out of his 3-1/2 hour surgery, and it went very well. The surgeon took out Fr. Steve’s colon and the operation went smoothly. He will be in the hospital for 3-5 days, and then recuperating at his brother’s home in Clinton. Fr. Steve has requested no visitors; he needs his rest! If you’d like to send him a note, please bring it to the parish office, and we’ll see that he gets it. As his sister said, “Thank the Lord!”

I’d sincerely like to thank you for the blessings, prayers, and support which you have offered me the last couple of weeks. My surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday, and I’ll be recovering at my brother’s home in Clinton, expecting to return to St. Peter’s on July 2. During the month of July, I’ll continue my recuperation and have limited duties until I’m restored to full health. If you’d like to fill me in on what I’m missing at the parish, drop your letter of with Ruth Davis in the parish office, and she’ll forward it to me with my mail.

My staff will be stepping up to help handle my administrative duties while I’m gone. I’m truly grateful for their support, especially Fr. McCaffery’s. He will be assuming my pastoral duties here at St. Peter’s, during the weeks leading up to his new assignment as Parochial Administrator at St. John Francis Regis Parish, beginning July 1.

I hope your summer is off to a good start, and I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

God Bless,
Fr. Steve Cook

Join us for an afternoon of  ”old fashioned new traditions” on June 23.
Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be provided, along with water and lemonade.
We’ll keep the kids (and ourselves) cool with water balloons and games in the shade.

Please CLICK HERE to sign up – so we know how much food to buy, and so we know what kind of dish you plan to bring.

If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Lori and Jeff Miller. If you have other questions, call (816-363-7051, ext. 127) or email

Karen Conley in the parish office.

I have some news I need to tell you and three requests to make of you.

Many of you know that throughout my adult life I have dealt with a medical condition that has been diagnosed as either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A recent exam has revealed that I need to have my colon removed. This procedure will be extensive and my post-surgical recovery will be lengthy. My operation is currently scheduled for June 4. I expect to be in the hospital for a few days, and I will spend the first three weeks of post –operative recovery in Clinton at the home of my brother, Jim. As you can imagine, this news raises many personal and practical issues. I ask you all for your prayers, your patience and your understanding.

First, I am a man of faith, and I believe in the power of prayer. I ask that you include me in your prayer list.

Second, I ask for your patience. My surgery and recovery will require me to be away from the parish for many weeks and to be on a reduced schedule for a few more weeks after I return. During this time there will be sacraments I cannot preside at, as well as events and meetings I cannot attend. I am sorry for the inconvenience this will create. My thanks to all who will step up to keep the parish running smoothly. Father McCaffery and I will work to make sure that all scheduled sacraments are covered. I am especially grateful for Father McCaffery’s willingness to take on this sudden increase in duties, even as he prepares to assume his new position as Parochial Administrator of St. John Francis Regis.

Third, I ask for your understanding as I come to terms with this personal situation. Although this is a very public announcement, my preference is to handle this in the most private way possible. Please know that I am grateful for your prayers and expressions of support, even if I avoid frequent conversations about this topic.

As I know more about the particulars of my recovery once I return to the parish, I will not hesitate to ask for your help. Thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless you,
Fr. Steve Cook