By Kathy Feist
St. John Francis Regis Parish at 8941 James A Reed Rd. will celebrate the grand opening of its annual Bible Museum on Saturday, June 15, at 9am. The elaborate museum displays built by parishioners will run from Saturday, June 15, through Sunday, June 23, and features an immersive experience.
This 8,500-square-foot exhibit will feature 10 different rooms themed around “The Holy Mother of God.” Rooms will include larger-than-life scenes from the Bible and Catholic Church history, from the creation of man and woman in Genesis to Mary’s impact on Christians today.
For the past four years, St. Regis parishioners have converted the church’s big hall, often used for gatherings, into a heavily constructed museum.
“It’s just astounding,” says museum spokesperson and parishioner Connie Wood. “We have talented people in the parish who work hard every year on this.” Groups construct different rooms in much the same way as a house, according to Wood. Each room’s exhibit tells a different story.
The ten stories–or rooms–this year are:
- The Election of Israel and Mary,
- Old Testament Figures and Prophecies of Mary,
- Mary in the New Testament: “The Annunciation and Visitation”,
- Mary’s Life from the Birth of Jesus,
- The Mother of God,
- Mary’s Perpetual Virginity,
- Mary’s Cooperation in the Redemption,
- Mary’s Spiritual Maternity, Mediation, and Queenship,
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Brings Christ to the Americas,
- Mary and the Eucharist.
Previously themes included “The Holy Land” and “The Holy Eucharist.”
The grand opening and blessing of the museum will be Saturday, June 15, at 9 am. The museum is free and open to the public. No registration or tickets are needed. The museum is open Saturday, June 15 from 9 am to 10 pm; Sunday, June 16 from 8 am to 8 pm; Monday, June 17- Friday, June 21 from 9 am to 9 pm (with a special presentation at 7 pm); Saturday, June 22 from 8 am to 10 pm; and Sunday, June 23 from 8 am to 8 pm.
Guided tours in English and Spanish are available throughout the day, and visitors are welcome to do a self-guided tour at any time. The museum will also include a café serving lunch and dinner and a gift shop offering Bible-based souvenirs.
After June 23, Kansas City’s Bible Museum will be torn down, reappearing next year with a new Biblical theme.