Monsignor John Edward Leitner

A native Kansas Citian born in 1929, John Leitner grew up in St. Peter’s Parish, where he was baptized, and later received the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. While attending St. Peter’s School, John became acquainted with an older student, Billy Baum, later familiar to local Catholics as Cardinal William Baum.

He had become friends with Father Patrick Hanley, assistant at St. Peter’s and, during his senior year at Hogan, “Father Pat” asked him if he might be interested in the priesthood. “He took me to St. John’s Seminary, then at 72nd just east of Paseo”, he recalled. “That was it, just what I wanted. St. John’s is where I went after Hogan.”

He studied three years at St. John’s, the usual two plus an extra year of Latin. From there, he matriculated at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, earning degrees in philosophy and Theology. He was ordained by Archbishop Edwin O’Hara in 1955 at St. Peter’s Church.

Father Leitner’s first assignment was at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, then considered a rural parish in Hickman Mills. A new brick church was completed during his first year. In May of his second year at St. Catherine’s, the F-5 tornado known as the Ruskin Heights tornado tore through the neighborhood. Eighty-five parish families lost everything. The church hall was turned into a kitchen, serving up to 2,000 people daily. It was also a drop-off point for clothing, furniture and monetary donations.

Assigned to St. Therese Little Flower parish in 1960, he took up his parish duties with alacrity. Monsignor Michael McAuliffe, then St. Therese pastor (later Bishop of Jefferson City), “shepherded an excellent parish,” Msgr. Leitner said. He also recalled designing a temporary altar for the church, facing the congregation, in the first years after Vatican II as parishes absorbed the changes it brought about.

In 1967, he was assigned to pastor St. Mary’s in Higginsville. The church’s sanctuary was redone under Father Leitner’s guidance. He also served as administrator of St. Boniface Mission in Corder. In 1971, he was assigned to Holy Cross Parish in Kansas City.

In 1977, he was scheduled to fly to Europe. His widowed mother was a concern, as she needed help with many daily activities. He was deeply saddened when she unexpectedly died shortly before he was to leave, but also relieved of the worry.

The next year he became pastor of St. John LaLande Parish in Blue Springs. “It was a younger crowd there,” he said, grinning, “and I broke in several associates — Fathers Phil Egan, Joe Powers and Msgr. Richard Dierkes, the pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral who died a few years ago (2008).”

In 1986, Father Leitner was appointed pastor of St. Gregory Barbarigo in Maryville. He was to spend 10 years at the parish, in charge of the church and school, supervising a gymnasium addition, and enjoying the work. He retired in 2004 from St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Independence. He moved into Villa Ventura in June, 2004 where he celebrated Mass at 4 p.m., Saturdays, fulfilling the Sunday obligation, in the activity room at Villa Ventura, and at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Holy days, in the chapel. He also lead the Rosary on Thursday mornings, communal and occasional personal penance services, and a communal Anointing of the Sick and Elderly each July for the residents.

He was one of 10 priests surprised in 2006, when Bishop Robert Finn announced that they would henceforth be called Monsignor. The Vatican decree signed by Pope Benedict XVI marked the first time since 1968 that priests of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese were so honored. Msgr. Leitner was named an honorary Chaplain to his Holiness, one of the three ranks of Monsignors.

Msgr. Leitner is preceded in death by his parents John & Anna Leitner; his two sisters Anna Mae Bittner & Frances Leitner; his niece Mary Fobes; his nephew Thomas Bittner; and great nephew David Fobes. His surviving relatives are his nephew Charles Bittner (Judy); his niece Catherine Indzers (Val); nephew Stephen Bittner; and surviving spouse of Thomas, June Wilson-Bittner; as well as two great nephews, four great nieces; two great-great nephews, six great-great nieces, two great-great-great nephews and one great-great-great niece.

A Rosary will be prayed for Msgr. Leitner on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 701 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64131. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. The committal service will be at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.