01-29-10 Vol. 31 No. 24

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 24 january 29, 2010

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

From left to right, Immaculata students Ashley O’Neil, Jessica Budke, and Bridget O’Neil were among the 2,000 who participated in the annual March for Life held in downtown Topeka.

On the march Area Catholics stand up for life in the state capital

By Marc and Julie Anderson

T

Special to The Leaven

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

Jake Kresin, an eighth-grader at Most Pure Heart of Mary Grade School in Topeka was among 650 local Catholic school students who participated in the activities.

A cardinal is coming

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna, will make a visit to the archdiocese Jan. 30-31.

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OPEKA — Some 2,000 Kansans braved chilly temperatures on Jan. 22 to participate in a walk sponsored

by Kansans for Life to mark the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. The walk wound its way through downtown Topeka, stopping at the Kansas Judicial Center, headquarters of the state Supreme Court, where a rally took place.

The rally included prayers by various clergy members including David Epps, pastor of River of God Christian Fellowship in Topeka, and Father Robert Conroy, MC, currently associate pastor of

Fish fry notice

Our Lady Guadalupe Parish in Topeka. Also featured were talks by members of both chambers of the Kansas Legislature, including Rep. Lance Kinzer and Sen. Tim Huelskamp.

In addition, Vickie Tiahrt, the wife of U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, made a brief appearance.

Kansans for Life’s executive director Mary Kay Culp and development director David Gittrich also addressed the crowd.

Near the end of the rally, crisis pregnancy workers from across the state were introduced, and donations of diapers, clothes and other items were accepted. Both Culp and Gittrich told the gathered youth to get to know the crisis pregnancy centers in their hometowns, so that if they or their friends ever found themselves in a crisis pregnancy,

Because of space constraints, The Leaven will no longer list Lenten fish fries in the calendar each issue during Lent. However, a full page of archdiocesan fish fries will appear — all ready to be clipped and saved — in the Feb. 12 edition of The Leaven. Fish fry notices should be e-mailed to: todd@ theleaven.com. The deadline is Feb. 5. Keep notices to less than 50 words.

Making it modest

A new bridal shop in the archdiocese specializes in modest wedding dresses for bridesto-be.

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they would know where to obtain assistance.

Prior to the walk and rally, some 1,700 Catholics from across the state — including the entire 500-member student body of Hayden High School in Topeka and 150 eighth-graders from the capital city’s five Catholic grade schools — participated in a regional Mass to pray for an end to abortion.

Celebrated by Father Brian Schieber, pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka, the Mass was held at the Topeka Performing Arts Center and was concelebrated by 13 other priests from the region, other parts of the archdiocese and other Kansas dioceses.

Father Bill Bruning, pastor of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka and a 15-year member of Priests for Life, gave the homily.

2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Close friend of the pope to speak in Atchison

A

t our Priests’ Council meeting this past week, our pastors were overjoyed and amazed at the generosity of their parishioners in response to the appeal to assist the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Your donations go to Catholic Relief Services, the organization established by the Catholic Church in the United States to help bring the love of Jesus to victims of international disasters, as well as to attend to the basic needs of food, shelter and health care for the poor in the poorest nations of the world. Catholic Relief Services, thanks to you, already had 300 staff members working in Haiti, helping improve the lives of the people of the poorest of nations in the Western Hemisphere. On behalf of the people of Haiti, thank you for your generosity.

I continue to be amazed at the goodness and generosity of the people of the Archdiocese and Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. At the same time, I am just as grateful for the remarkable way in which the Lord continues to bless abundantly our Archdiocese.

One event that illustrates God’s remarkable blessing to our local church is the visit this weekend of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the archbishop of Vienna, Austria. His Eminence, Cardinal Schönborn, is one of the most respected bishops in the world. Before becoming a bishop, the late Pope John Paul II appointed then Father Schönborn, to be the editing secretary for the pontifical commission charged with drafting “The Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Cardinal Schönborn was a student of Pope Benedict XVI when the Holy Father was a theology professor at Regensburg, Germany. He remains a close friend and collaborator with Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Schönborn is coming to the Archdiocese because of his friendship with the Little Sisters of the Lamb, who made their first foundation in the Unit-

ed States here in Kansas City, Kan., just one and a half years ago. Two weeks ago, The Leaven did a front page article about the Little Sisters of the Lamb and the monastery that they are striving to build at the site of the former St. Benedict Church in Kansas City, Kan. Cardinal Schönborn became a friend of Little Sister Marie, the foundress of the Community of the Lamb, when they both were theology students in Paris in the late 1960s.

When the Little Sisters of the Lamb arrived in Kansas City in the spring of 2008, Cardinal Schönborn called me to thank me for inviting the Little Sisters to the Archdiocese and he assured me that they would be a great blessing to our community. The cardinal told me he hoped to be able to come and visit the Little Sisters in Kansas City some day. When Cardinal Schönborn is in Rome, he often stays at the convent of the Little Sisters of the Lamb, relishing the opportunity to share in the simplicity and prayerfulness of their lives.

The Little Sisters of the Lamb also have a convent in Vienna, where the cardinal visits regularly to celebrate Mass and pray with the Sisters. I did not know, until recently, some of the Little Sisters, who had been serving in the Vienna convent, are among the Little Sisters now serving in Kansas City. I hope the cardinal does not hold this against me!

Cardinal Schönborn, during his brief visit to Kansas City, agreed to celebrate a noon Mass on Jan. 31 and give a 2:30 p.m. lecture at Benedictine College in Atchison that is open to the public.

The Little Sisters of the Lamb will lead the singing at the Mass in St. Benedict Abbey Church. Cardinal Schönborn’s lecture is entitled: “Benedict XVI, Regensburg, and the Controversy of Creation and Evolution.”

This past year, Cardinal Schönborn was one of the presenters for an inter-

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com

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national retreat for priests sponsored by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy as part of the celebration of this special year for priests. On Sunday evening, Cardinal Schönborn will preside and preach at a vespers service for our priests and priests of surrounding dioceses.

I believe, because of the generosity, goodness and faithfulness of the people of the Archdiocese, the Lord is spiritually blessing us in so many ways.

We are so blessed to have: 1) a record number (at least for recent years) of 27 seminarians; 2) in addition to women’s religious communities that have served for many years (Sisters of Charity, Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, the Ursuline Sisters, the Sisters, Servants of Mary, etc.), three new communities have come in recent years (the Apostles of the Interior Life, the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George and now the Little Sisters of the Lamb); and 3) many remarkable faith formation opportunities for our laity, such as Benedictine College’s School of Faith classes, Christ Renews His Parish retreats, the Light of the World retreats, That Man Is You program, Men of Valor and Women of Virtue conferences, the Men Under Construction conference, Cursillo, the National Catholic Youth Conference, Prairie Star Ranch and its many camp programs, to name only a few.

I hope many of you will be able to come to Atchison on Sunday to participate in Mass celebrated by Cardinal Schönborn and/or to attend his afternoon lecture. It will be a unique and special opportunity for the people of the Archdiocese to hear from one of the great intellects and great pastors of the Catholic Church. We give thanks to God’s providence for bringing the Little Sisters of the Lamb to our Archdiocese.

We are blessed by their prayerful and joyful witness of following Jesus with such purity and passion. We are blessed twice by the opportunity to meet their beloved friend, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

The Scriptures tell us that God will not be outdone in generosity. Cardinal Schönborn’s visit is just one more manifestation of this truth for our Archdiocese.

Archbishop Naumann’s

weekly calendar Jan. 29

Lunch meeting with leaders of Maryvale Institute Support Our Seminarians benefit dinner and auction

Jan. 30-31

Cardinal Schönborn from Vienna, Austria, visits

Jan. 31

Mass with Cardinal Schönborn — Benedictine College, Atchison Vespers, reception, dinner with Cardinal Schönborn and bishops and priests of the archdiocese and surrounding dioceses

Feb. 1

Mass for Catholic schools of Topeka — Hayden High

Feb. 1-2

Kansas Catholic Conference — Topeka

Feb. 2

Vespers and reception for consecrated religious men and women — Savior Pastoral Center

Feb. 3

Finance Council meeting

Feb. 4

Bless and commission Friends of Project Rachel

Feb. 5

Mass, concelebrate and preach, commemorating the canonization of St. Jeanne Jugan, Little Sisters of the Poor — Cathedral, Kansas City, Mo.

Feb. 6

Lunch and commissioning of catechists — Savior Pastoral Center

Feb. 6-7

Pastoral visit — St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

Feb. 7

Mass and Confirmation — U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth Mass — Federal prison

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

Cardinal Schönborn to visit archdiocese

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If he were the subject of a question on the game show “Jeopardy!,” the category would be “Rising Stars.”

He’s one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals.

He was the editing secretary of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

He even made some commentators’ short list for pope during the last conclave.

And he’s coming to the archdiocese at the end of this month.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the cardinal archPublic is invited bishop of to the following Vienna events: since 1995 • Noon Mass on and presiJan. 31 at the dent of the abbey church of Austrian St. Benedict’s bishops’ Abbey, Atchison conference, will • 2:30 p.m. visit the lecture at Benearchdiodictine student cese from union Jan. 30 to 31. “ This will be a special grace and blessing for our archdiocese and especially for our priests during this Year for Priests,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

Cardinal Schönborn has not only gained international prominence for his work as the editing secretary of the catechism, but also because he has become a leading voice on some of the great issues facing the church. He has spoken about evolution and creation and has promoted the “re-evangelization” of Europe and the reform of Catholic higher education.

The main purpose of the cardinal’s journey here is for him to pay a call to a relatively new religious community, the Little Sisters of the Lamb. One year ago, the community founded a monastery in the former St. Benedict Parish rectory in Kansas City, Kan. Cardinal Schönborn is a personal friend of Little Sister Marie, the foundress of the community. He has had the community under his oversight and care since June 1996.

The Community of the Lamb has a Dominican charism, and Cardinal Schönborn is also a Dominican.

The cardinal will arrive in the Kansas City area late Jan. 30 to visit the monastery. The next day, Jan. 31, he will travel to Benedictine College and St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. There, he will be the main celebrant at a noon Mass at the abbey church. At 2:30 p.m., he will deliver a lecture called “Pope Benedict, Regensburg, and the Controversy of Creation and Evolution” in the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium in the student union.

Both the Mass and the lecture at Benedictine are open to the public.

While he is at Benedictine College, Cardinal Schönborn will be presented with the college’s highest honor, the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict, for his leadership in the

Turn to “benedictine” on page 4

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, OP • Archbishop of Vienna • Cardinal-Priest of the Gesù Divin Lavoratore • Bishop of Austria for the faithful of Byzantine Rite Age: 65, born Jan. 22, 1945.

Family: Is the second son of Count Hugo Damian von Schönborn and Baroness Eleonore Ottilie Hilda Maria von Doblhoff. He has two brothers and one sister. Several members of his old and distinguished family have held important positions in the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

Education: He studied theology at Le Saulchoir; philosophy and psychology at the University of Vienna; Slavic and Byzantine Christianity at the Sorbonne; and theology at the Catholic Institute of Paris. He

obtained a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in theology in Paris, and later studied in Regensburg under Father Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal: He has been a cardinal since Feb. 21, 1989, and participated in the 2005 conclave. At 65, he is one of the youngest of the 113 cardinal electors. He will remain eligible to vote in any future conclaves that begin before his 80th birthday on Jan. 22, 2025.

Curial memberships: - Doctrine of the Faith, Oriental Churches (congregations) - Culture (council) - Cultural Heritage of the Church (commission) - Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops Sources: www.catholic-hierarchy.com and www.catholic-pages.com

4 LOCAL NEWS

Appointment Rev. John A. Riley, chancellor, reports the following assignments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann: Rev. Richard J. McDonald, returning from further studies, is appointed pastor of St. Joseph-St. Lawrence, Easton. Assignment is effective Feb. 5.

Brother Robert Heiman, OSB ATCHISON — Brother Robert Heiman, 72, a monk who for his entire life worked the soil and became a steward of the land, died Jan. 14.

He professed his monastic vows July 11, 1957.

Brother Robert earned much affection and respect from his community over the years for his knowledge of agriculture and his love for the people who live close to the land.

He was born to Edward and Bertha (Lierz) Heiman on Obituary Nov. 3, 1937, in Seneca, and grew up on a family farm at St. Benedict, northwest of there. He came to St. Benedict’s Abbey as a postulant in 1955 and at once began work on the abbey farmlands. In the late 1960s, he took charge of the Missouri River bottomland acreage of the abbey, today known as Benedictine Bottoms, a Missouri River fish and wildlife reclamation project.

Brother Robert also became a licensed amateur radio operator at about this time, providing an important communications link between the abbey and its foundation in Brazil. A short time later, he was assigned to missionary work at the priory in Mineiros, Brazil – Mosteiro São José.

From 1971 to 1978 Brother Robert distinguished himself when he was placed in charge of much of the priory’s farming operation. He tended the priory’s dairy herd on a large circular pasture, keeping the grasses green through a continual cycle of tilling and reseeding.

In 2008, he was able to return to Brazil, 30 years after he left, accompanying Abbot Barnabas Senecal on his annual trip to visit the community there.

Upon his return to Atchison in 1978, Brother Robert was appointed assistant novice master. He continued to work on abbey farmland and in its gardens for the remainder of his life.

THE LEAVEN • January 29, 2010

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

Benedictine invites cardinal to speak Continued from page 3 church — and especially for his work on the catechism.

When the cardinal advised Archbishop Naumann that he would be visiting the archdiocese and would be willing to give a lecture while he was in the Kansas City area, the archbishop suggested Benedictine College.

“Archbishop Naumann contacted me and asked if we would be willing to host the cardinal on our campus for a lecture, and we immediately told the archbishop that we would be honored,” said Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College. “We have never had a sitting cardinal visit our campus, so this is a first.”

After the lecture, the cardinal will travel to Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. There, he will preside and preach at a vespers service for the priests of the archdiocese.

Priests and bishops from Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri have been invited to the vespers and to the reception and dinner that follow.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Austria, talks with Pope Benedict XVI during the pope’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters

Cardinal Schönborn biographical milestones • 1945: Born on Jan. 22 in Skalken Castle in Bohemia (Czech Republic) to Count Hugo Damian von Schönborn and Baroness Eleonore Ottilie Hilda Maria von Doblhoff.

• 1945: With his family, fled Austria in September.

• 1963: Joined the Dominicans in Walberberg, Germany, at 18.

• 1970: Ordained a priest on Dec. 27.

• 1971: Received his licentiate in theology in Paris.

• 1973-1975: Appointed chaplain at the University of Graz, Austria.

• 1974: Received a doctorate in theology.

• 1975-1991: Professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

• 1980-1984: Member of the Swiss Commission for dialogue between Catholics and Protestants.

• 1980-1987: Member of the Catholic-Orthodox commission for dialogue.

• 1980-1991: Member of the theological commission of the Swiss bishops’ conference.

• 1980-Present: Member of the International Commission of Theologians.

• 1984: Member of the “Pro Oriente” foundation.

• 1987-1992: Secretary of the commission that drafted the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

• 1991: Appointed auxiliary bishop of Vienna at 46 on July 11 by Pope John Paul II. • 1995: Appointed coadjutor bishop of Vienna at 50 on April 13 by Pope John Paul II. On Sept. 14, he became archbishop of Vienna.

• 1998: Elevated to cardinal at 53 on Feb. 21 by Pope John Paul II. • 1998: Became president of the Austrian bishops’ conference.

• 2005: Was the sixth-youngest member of the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. Sources: www.cardinalSchönborn.com, and www.catholic-hierarchy.org

Bishop testifies against death penalty

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

TOPEKA — The Catholic Church added its voice to others seeking to repeal capital punishment in Kansas during a three-day hearing Jan. 19 to 21 at the state Capitol.

On Jan. 19, Bishop Michael O. Jackels of the Diocese of Wichita gave testimony of the church’s teaching about the death penalty before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In his testimony, Bishop Jackels — speaking for the Kansas Catholic Conference — said that the Catholic Church recognizes the duty of the state to protect citizens.

“The church also teaches that the death penalty should not be imposed if there are other ways to guarantee public order and the safety of citizens,” he said.

There were attempts to repeal the state’s death penalty law in 2009. Although a bill went to the full Senate, it wasn’t voted upon because of questions regarding consequences if it became law, said Michael Schuttloffel, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference.

This year, the Senate is taking the lead with Senate Bill 375, which was scheduled for a vote on Friday, Jan. 29, on whether to send it out of committee to the Senate floor for a vote.

“As far as its chances are, it’s hard to say,” said Schuttloffel. “Last year, we never had a final vote in the Senate, where people had to go on the record up or down, so we really don’t know.”

“It’s a very challenging issue for people,” he continued. “There are a lot of people really on the fence who are genuinely conflicted — Catholic legislators who are really torn. So, it’s difficult to know [the legislation’s prospects]. No one has a solid head count.”

The bill’s prospects will be especially challenging this year, because it is also an election year.

“This is one of those issues that can try a politician’s courage in an election year, because it’s easy to demagogue the issue,” said Schuttloffel. “It’s easy to get hit over the head [with this] during an election year. And last year just getting it out of committee was by the skin of our teeth — one vote.”

Kansas reinstated the death penalty in 1994, becoming the 35th state to have capital punishment on the books. The state has not executed anyone since June 22, 1965.

Life issues 5

Participants at march urged to keep up efforts

By Carol Zimmermann

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Despite overcast skies, the mood at the Jan. 22 annual March for Life in Washington was decidedly upbeat as speaker after speaker urged the crowd to keep up their efforts in the pro-life arena.

Several speakers told the tens of thousands at a rally on the National Mall — bundled in winter gear and holding aloft placards with pro-life messages or banners identifying where they were from — that they were now in the majority and would continue to make inroads in society and in government policies.

Although the rally’s opening prayer asked God to grant the march participants “the courage to be a voice for the voiceless,” this group hardly seemed to be lacking bravery. They showed stamina by simply showing up in vast numbers — many as repeat marchers — despite calls for sleet and freezing rain, which never materialized.

A statement posted on the March for Life Web site afterward did not give a count but said the size of the crowd for this year’s rally and the march that followed it “far exceeded” last year’s number. In 2009, the organization estimated the crowd to be 100,000.

The U.S. Park Police, which has responsibility for the Mall, and the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia have not given official crowd counts for any demonstration since about 1995.

During the rally, a glance at the banners across the mall showed that the participants included people from Texas, Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts. The relatively subdued crowd cheered enthusiastically when speakers stressed that abortion should never have been part of health care reform legislation before Congress or when speakers criticized President Barack Obama’s support for legal abortion.

Nellie Gray, president of the March for Life Education & Defense Fund — the group that organizes the march — told participants that their presence at the 37th annual march represented a “whole new surge” for

CNS photo/Leslie E. Kossoff-Nordby

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, addresses the crowd, along with other bishops, during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall in Washington Jan. 22. It was the 37th March for Life marking the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. the pro-life movement to not only continue to educate government officials about the immorality of abortion but to also show a united front.

Those involved in the fight against abortion, she said, are not just working to change laws but are also giving support for pregnant women and women who have had abortions.

Several speakers on the podium with Gray highlighted the pro-life movement’s outreach efforts and urged participants to support prolife doctors and pharmacists and to let members of their community know about the available pregnancy centers or post-abortion counseling programs.

With the U.S. Capitol in the background, 23 Catholic bishops and 21 members of Congress joined pro-life leaders on the rally’s stage.

Among the bishops were Cardinals Daniel N. DiNardo of GalvestonHouston, Texas, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. Several of the lawmakers were Catholic including: U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.; Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who is co-chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus; and Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, R-La. Cao led the group in a pro-life

cheer and then urged them to “speak loudly for leaders to understand we are pro-life.”

He encouraged the participants to keep up their efforts, stressing that the “fight will be long and hard” and that young people, who made up a large percentage of march attendees, would need to see the efforts through.

Brownback told the crowd that “for the first time you live in a majority pro-life country” referring to recently released Gallup poll results showing 51 percent of American to be pro-life on the abortion issue and 42 percent of Americans as prochoice.

After the rally, participants walked to the Supreme Court, then many planned to meet with their representatives to lobby for antiabortion measures. The marchers talked with one another, sang and prayed as they made their way down Constitution Avenue.

As marchers were lining up in the street, Father Paul Hrezo, spiritual director for the college seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, said it was important to be at this event “to be counted with others and give witness to what we believe.”

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6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • January 29, 2010

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

Medicaid cuts leave Villa seeking help

By Kara Hansen Leaven staff

T

School office stewards its ACTS gift responsibly

he Archbishop’s Call to Share is important and necessary for the well-being of our archdiocese. It is an opportunity for individuals to join with their parish faith communities in supporting the work of Christ in the larger church in northeast Kansas.

The school office of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is among the recipients of funds provided by the generous donors to the Archbishop’s Call to Share. Among the ways that the Catholic schools office offers support and service to the 44 schools of the archdiocese are as follows: • Catholic identity: In addition to other services, a mission team (comprised of priests, principals, and teachers from across the archdiocese) led by the school office has produced two documents — “Passing on the Faith and a teacher companion document — for schools to consider when trying to enhance both the Catholic culture in the schools and the formation of teachers.

A third document for parents will be published this academic year.

• Strategic/Development planning: The school office provides workshops to mostly elementary schools and also participated in the planning processes led by Meitler Consultants.

The office also assists smaller schools in completing planning processes. Approximately 40 schools have been engaged in important long-range planning.

• Legal counsel: The school office assists principals nearly daily with legal questions.

• Finances and budgeting: The school office provides budgeting assis-

The Archbishop’s Call to Share helps fund the archdiocesan Catholic schools office, which in turn provides support to the 44 schools of the archdiocese. tance to principals so that schools can operate with the highest quality at the most reasonable expense.

• Curriculum and assessment: More than 27 school faculties have been trained in data-driven instructional planning, including training in the Multi-Tier System of Supports for students. In addition, workshops are offered to assist teachers with best practices in teaching students who are English language learners. Also, the curriculum that is used by all schools in the archdiocese is reviewed and revised by committees that are facilitated by the school office staff who strive to infuse Catholicity into every outcome/ cluster of outcomes in every subject

area at every grade level. As these lessons are completed, they are added to the school office Web site.

• School accreditation and teacher licensure: Workshops are offered each year for the schools that are due for accreditation visits. This year, there will be at least 12 schools participating. In addition, the Professional Development Council that assists teachers in maintaining licensure by the Kansas State Department of Education is facilitated by the Catholic schools office.

• Principal/teacher recruiting: Preliminary interviews of potential principal and teacher candidates are conducted; staff attends university and college teacher interview days and

maintains a database of openings and candidates for archdiocesan schools to access.

• Special education: Perfect Wings staff conducts staff training and student observations at the request of principals. This year, more than 700 faculty members were trained or participated in in-service programs on topics concerning how to best serve children with special needs. In addition, more than 50 students were observed. The school office facilitates the Special Education Committee, which is comprised of teachers and administrators from schools throughout the archdiocese; publishes a Perfect Wings newsletter on topics of interest for schools; and meets with various public school staffs to stay current with services and procedures necessary for our students to receive services from them.

“God has given each one of us gifts, graces, talents and abilities which are to be shared responsibly and wisely with others. Faithful stewardship is more than occasional acts of charity and service. It is a way of life, a commitment to giving of our time, talent and treasure in thanksgiving for all the blessings we have received,” said Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of archdiocesan schools.

“The office of Catholic schools stewards responsibly the ACTS funds that have been made available to help fulfill our mission. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the resources to offer the best service possible to our schools so that the schools, in turn, can concentrate on their core mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ!”

Olathe — Nursing home administrators across the state know all too well the adage: “You can’t get something out of nothing.”

Faced with increasing cuts to their Medicaid reimbursement, facilities like Villa St. Francis in Olathe are scrambling to make up for the deficits.

“Basically, we’ve experienced two blows to our budget that make it increasingly difficult to sustain our mission of serving ‘the frail elderly, with special concern for the poor,’” said John May, administrator/CEO of Villa St. Francis.

Major blows to Medicaid funding in the Kansas state budget are causing some hardships for the skilled nursing facility, which is sponsored by the archdiocese and currently serves 155 residents.

The 2009 Kansas Legislature froze 2010 nursing home Medicaid rates based on the average costs those facilities incurred during the years between 2005 and 2007. That translated into an expected reduction of $253,000 in Medicaid reimbursement for Villa St. Francis in 2010.

To make matters worse, additional legislative action led to a 10 percent cut to Medicaid rates in 2010. Villa St. Francis is expecting that action to result in losing an additional $437,583 for care provided to its residents. The outlook

“There’s a growing and increasingly unrealistic gap between what it costs to care for residents and what Medicaid pays.”

John May, administrator/CEO of Villa St. Francis in Olathe does not look much better for 2011, said May, when another five percent cut is expected.

“The state is expecting us to provide care in 2010 at rates of what it cost us to provide the same levels of care three to five years ago — and then reduced by another 10 percent,” said May. “There’s a growing and increasingly unrealistic gap between what it costs to care for residents and what Medicaid pays.”

With the current poor economy and stock market volatility, charitable donations are also down.

May said it was a challenge to maintain the same quality level of care for Villa residents on such a reduced budget, but it’s one the facility was striving to meet.

“We remain strongly committed to continuous quality improvement and to providing a compassionate, comfortable, and caring environment,” said May.

Still, with over half the residents at Villa St. Francis relying on Medicaid to pay for their care, the facility expects to take a $700,000 revenue loss this year.

Villa St. Francis has a $10 million annual budget.

Administrators at Villa St. Francis have taken steps to deal with the cuts they are experiencing. Since the majority of the budget is made up of salaries and benefits, wages are frozen for 2010 for the 210 staff members employed there. Employee benefits were also modified. May also said Villa St. Francis would be adopting other operating efficiencies to increase its cost savings.

May encouraged families and friends of Villa St. Francis to contact their legislators to reverse the Medicaid cuts.

“The Villa has a legacy of more than 65 years of service,” said May. “We are hopeful that our friends and supporters will speak up on behalf of the Villa and our mission, and that legislators will understand and hear our urgent request to reverse the Medicaid cuts for the benefit of the frail elderly we serve.”

To learn more about Villa St. Francis, visit its Web site at www.villasf. org, or call (913) 829-5201. For names and contact information of legislators, visit the Web site at: http://www. kslegislature.org/redistricting.html.

Additional reporting provided by Therese Horvat.

LOCAL NEWS 7 Frank and Colette (Schmitz) Peel, members of St. Stanislaus Parish in Rossville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception on Feb. 6. from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dekat Hall, 701 Main St., Rossville. Friends and relatives are invited.

They request no The event will Anniversaries gifts. be hosted by their sons and their spouses: Gary and Richelle Peel, Kent, Wash.; Don Peel, Silver Lake; Kevin and Margo Peel, Dannenfel, Germany; John and Argentina Peel, Olathe; and Ron and Erin Peel, Lenexa. They also have 10 grandchildren.

The couple was married on Feb. 13, 1960, at St. Mary Church, St. Benedict. They were married by Father Edward Schmitz, OSB, the great-uncle of Colette.

Anniversary policy

The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date.

Announcements must be typed. Please include the following Information: • The couple’s names; parish; date they were married; church and city they were married; what they are doing to celebrate; date of the celebration; names of children (if desired); number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; photo.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@ theleaven.com.

Marriage and the Eucharist Celebrating Servant-Love Bishop Robert W. Finn Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

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invite married and engaged couples for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the gift of sacramental marriage, and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Sunday Feb. 14, 2010 Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. followed by a reception featuring national Catholic speaker Damon Owens Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 416 W. 12th Street Kansas City, Mo. 64105 Children are welcome!

For further information, please call MO Family Life Office: 816.756.1850, x 553 KS Family Life Office: 913.721.1570, x 145

4 tips on picking a dress for a Catholic wedding

7 things to keep in mind when shopping for a wedding dress

• Look for a dress you can kneel and sit in comfortably.

• Ensure the dress has a nice back, since the bride will have her back to the rest of the church and congregation for a significant amount of time.

• Scale the dress to the church. Large churches with long aisles need a long train on a dress and a longer veil, while a shorter veil and train would be more appropriate for a smaller church with a shorter aisle.

• Be sure the dress has nice coverage appropriate to being married in a church (e.g., no cleavage, reasonable neckline).

• Buy from a reputable store. “With the current economy, a lot of bridal shops are going out of business,” said Mease. “It’s important to buy from one that’s reputable and here to stay.”

• Find out in advance when your ordered dress will be available.

“We like to get in our dresses two months before the wedding,” said Mease. “Some stores will not get their dresses in until the week of the wedding, which makes getting alterations done difficult.”

• Buy from a store that offers in-house alterations. “You want someone who can give you a good fit and who knows your vision for your dress before they alter it,” said Mease.

• Buy from a designer’s authorized dealer.

“Some stores will say they can get any dress from any designer, and they can’t,” said Mease.

• Never put down more than a 50 percent deposit on a dress.

• Beware the “today and today only” deals that can often lead to pressuring a bride into buying a dress that’s a good deal, but might not be exactly what she wants. “Brides want to buy a dress because they love it and it’s ‘the dress,’ not because of the pressure for a sale price,” said Mease.

• Do not shop in groups of friends.

Mease said this was perhaps her most important piece of advice for brides-to-be, as groups of friends can often sway a bride to a trendier look — or one the bride was not originally considering.

“We’ve found it’s really best for brides to shop with their mothers, maybe their grandmothers or fathers or even sisters,” she said. “They are the ones with the bride’s best interests at heart.

Plus, shopping with the mother creates shared fond memories to look back on for both mom and daughter.”

Finding a quality wedding dress • Classic, timeless styling is important to consider when picking a dress.

“You want to be able to look back on your wedding pictures in 20 years and think it was beautiful,” said Laura Mease, owner of Laura’s Couture Collection in Shawnee. “Your dress might also be something to keep in case a daughter wants to wear it for her wedding someday.”

• Look for the style best suited to you, not the model in an advertisement.

• “Work with someone who can provide you with feedback on what’s going to work best for you,” said Mease.

• Consider the comfort level of a dress, since a bride is generally in her dress for most of the day.

• Note the construction and fabric of the gown.

• “Quality silks look nicer and richer,” said Mease. “You also want to look at the fit of a dress on a particular bride.”

Specially designed detachable cap sleeves added onto strapless dresses are a popular option for providing more coverage for the bride. “That way a bride has a look that’s appropriate in church but she can still have the look she wants at the reception,” Laura Mease said.

Carrying dresses that are both fashionable and modest — or dresses that can be made more modest — is a priority for Laura Mease (left), owner of the bridal shop, Laura’s Couture Collection. “Our look is generally more simple; it’s not influenced by pageantry,” said Mease.

S

A market for modesty

HAWNEE — Many women dream of the day they’ll become a bride.

Laura Mease, on the other hand, dreamed of the day she’d own a bridal shop.

She even told Marty — the man who would eventually make her his bride — that very thing on the day they met.

But Mease’s road to opening that bridal shop was a little unconventional, to say the least. She was, by training, a certified public accountant —who had gone back to law school to become a corporate attorney.

But in 1993, the parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Shawnee finally saw her dream come true, and Laura’s Couture Collection became a reality. She even found a way to utilize her previous training.

“Having that strong business background has been really helpful in running the business side of the bridal shop,” said Mease.

Patti Gehring, a wedding consultant who often works with Mease, agreed.

“Laura is a very ethical and honest businesswoman, and I’ve found her to have extremely fair business practices,” said Gehring, who belongs to Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

“Plus, the work Laura and her husband do — it’s much more than just a sale to them. They really develop a relationship with the bride that lasts after the wedding.”

Mease was certainly no stranger to the wedding industry. She worked for a bridal shop growing up in Michigan, which she says gave her a taste for how she wanted to run a serviceoriented business. She tries to meet one-onone with each of her brides in order to get a good idea of each one’s vision for her wedding.

That element of service is not lost on her customers.

Story by Kara Hansen PhotOs by Elaina Cochran “From the moment I first called on the phone to set up an appointment to going to the shop and working with the same people each time, it’s been just a wonderful experience,” said Shannon Lindemuth, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Topeka. “Walking in the door for the first time, I felt so welcome and extremely comfortable, and you don’t always find that with these stores.”

Lindemuth said she particularly appreciated the style of dresses carried at Laura’s Couture Collection — something Mease prides herself on.

“The dresses she carries,” said the 28-yearold Lindemuth, who is marrying fiancé Adam Peyton in October, “are extremely appropriate for Catholic weddings.

“They are very simple and beautiful, very modern and yet traditional at the same time.

You see a lot of wedding dresses out there that aren’t nearly as classy as the ones at Laura’s.”

With an estimated 80 percent of her clientele marrying in the Catholic Church, Mease purposefully tries to carry dresses that are tasteful and modest while being fashionable at the same time.

“We want everything the bride is wearing to be appropriate for the setting, but we also want to go off the look they are wanting,” said Mease. “If what a bride says she wants really isn’t something appropriate for a wedding in a Catholic church, then we try to find the middle ground.”

Mease said modest wedding gowns were basically a nonissue when she first opened her

shop 17 years ago. In recent years, that has changed tremendously.

“In the past eight years, we have seen strapless dresses come into style and necklines have plunged,” said Mease, who works with approximately 20 brides in a given week. “The first time I saw a strapless dress at a trunk show, I did not buy it and was hoping it was just a passing trend. It’s not; it’s proven to be a very popular look and one we carry because we have to stay in business.”

Mease said the Internet has also made an impact on the wedding industry, as brides-tobe are viewing a multitude of dresses online with styles becoming more and more edgy.

“Brides see a lot of styles that are really not appropriate, but they get used to that being the norm,” she said. “The red carpet and pageants are really dictating the brides’ look more and more.”

To offset the modesty concerns inherent with strapless dresses and necklines, Mease works with brides-to-be on adapting their dresses as needed. Accessories such as jackets, wraps, veils, modesty pieces and gloves can all help provide coverage, said Mease.

She said her seamstresses can even design cap sleeves that snap in and are detachable for strapless dresses. Laura’s Couture Collection also does its own alterations, so each bride can have a good, close fit at the neckline to prevent any gapping.

“We like to have as many choices of necklines and sleeve options as possible, but a lot of our brides really gravitate towards the strapless design,” said Mease. “A lot of the extras we encourage address the current styles and the issues that come with them. You can adapt these dresses without sacrificing fashion.”

Gehring professionally endorses Laura’s

Couture Collection — in part because of the style of dresses carried there.

“Laura is known for her customer service and that really sets her apart from the other shops, plus she offers a variety of dresses and modest gowns as well,” said Gehring. “Other places offer great fashion but they’re not necessarily thinking about how it will look in a house of God.” Upon finding out a bride is marrying in a Catholic church, Mease says she will first ask if the parish where a bride-to-be is getting married has any guidelines or rules on style of dress at weddings. If the parish does, she will guide the bride toward dresses that are a good fit.

Where her brides are marrying is important to Mease, who said Catholic weddings are set apart from nonreligious and even Protestant weddings.

“We have many brides come in who are not Catholic but are getting married in the Catholic Church,” said Mease. She works hard to explain to them how a Catholic wedding is “different from [weddings of] other denominations because it’s a sacrament and because Jesus is present in the tabernacle.”

Most of the time, Mease said the brides she encounters are aware of the concerns about modest wedding gowns being worn in a Catholic wedding. When needed, she uses a standard litmus test to help a bride-to-be measure the modesty of a gown she is interested in buying.

“I will ask, ‘Would you wear this dress if the pope was marrying you?’” asks Mease.

“Most of the time the answer is no,” she said.

“It’s a simple way to remind the girl there will be a priest present at their wedding,” she added, “and the dress should be appropriate to being married in a church.”

Mease makes it a point to carry dresses with necklines that keep from being too low-cut, and staff in her store provide custom alterations tailored to the bride. “We want to make sure there is a good fit on the neckline to keep any gapping from happening,” said Mease.

Detachable lace sleeves are another option available for brides seeking more coverage on their gown. “You can adapt these dresses without sacrificing on fashion,” said Mease.

Mease said long veils are yet another way to provide brides with more coverage, while being very fashionable.

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • January 29, 2010

Father’s quest to save children leads to movie WASHINGTON (CNS) — When Wall Street Journal reporter Geeta Anand met John Crowley and his family in 2001 she felt a certain kinship. Anand’s daughters were close in age to two of the Crowleys’ three children. And the Crowley family, like Anand, is Catholic. But Megan and Patrick Crowley, the younger children of John and Aileen Crowley, had a rare illness called Pompe disease that was slowly killing them. The story of John Crowley’s obsession with finding a treatment that would keep his sick children alive became a series of articles in The Wall Street Journal and, in 2004, a book called “The Cure.” A movie based on the story, called “Extraordinary Measures,” premiered nationwide Jan. 22. The book details the path that led John Crowley to give up a lucrative job in the pharmaceutical industry to establish a foundation and his own biotech company dedicated to isolating the enzyme that could reverse some of the effects of Pompe disease. Crowley worked with several researchers who were making progress toward finding a treatment for Pompe disease and raised millions of dollars to move the research forward. In the movie, Harrison Ford as the eccentric Robert Stonehill represents a composite of those scientists.

Cruise line cuts use of priests aboard its ships WASHINGTON (CNS) — Celebrity Cruise Lines has cut the use of priests to give ministerial service on board its ships to only major feasts. Previously, Celebrity had been one of a handful of cruise companies to allow a priest to board any of its excursions. The change, announced in December, took effect Jan. 4. The short notice left some priests in dry-dock, as they had purchased round-trip airline tickets to a port of call to board the cruise ship and had no other business in the port city. One priest said Celebrity had not offered refunds. Celebrity’s decision also punches a sizable hole in the budget allocation of the Apostleship of the Sea to schedule priests to serve on ships. Lisa Webster, a customer service representative, said in a Jan. 12 memo to CNS that “out of respect for our guests of all religious faiths,” priests, Protestant ministers and rabbis would be furnished only for “the major high holy holidays of each respective faith.”

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

Military chaplains meet at Vatican to study PTSD

Catholics still see hope for health reform

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The election of Republican Scott Brown to fill the U.S. Senate seat held since 1962 by Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts does not mean Catholic leaders will abandon efforts to achieve muchneeded health reform.

That was the message from the president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association and the director of the Office of Domestic Social Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops the day after Brown, a state senator in Massachusetts, defeated state Attorney General Martha Coakley, 52 percent to 47 percent, in a special election Jan. 19.

Once Brown is seated in the Senate, Democrats will lose the 60-seat supermajority that had allowed them to cut off GOP filibustering on health reform legislation. Brown has said he would vote against the current Senate health reform plan.

“The important thing to remember is that even if they throw the bills away and abandon the effort to achieve health reform, that still leaves a lot of people hurting,” said Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who is the CHA’s top executive.

“The bishops are not abandoning the health reform effort,” said Kathy Saile of the USCCB. “But it clearly needs to be done in a different way [than the current bills] and we are very much interested in being a part of that conversation.”

“The bishops have consistently said health reform is both a moral imperative and a national priority,” she said.

“That is still the case.”

Saile said the “most helpful” step at this point would be to “take a deep breath, take a step back and remember why we started the health reform process — because 50 million people in the United States don’t have health insurance and access to health care.”

By Cindy Wooden

Catholic News Service

CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

CNS photo/Eliana Aponte, Reuters

ARCHBISHOP GREETS RABBI — Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York greets Rabbi Jonathan Waxman of Congregation Beth-El in Massapequa, N.Y., before a luncheon for Jewish and Catholic leaders at the archbishop’s residence in New York Jan. 17. Archbishop Dolan scheduled the social gathering to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Rome’s main synagogue.

RELATIVE OF ARCHBISHOP MOURNS DURING FUNERAL — A Haitian relative of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot cries during his funeral at the ruins of the Catholic cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23. Hundreds of people gathered at the wrecked Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption to honor the archbishop and other victims killed in the catastrophic Jan. 12 earthquake.

New York archbishop hosts rabbis at his residence

Amid cathedral rubble, Haitians celebrate funerals

By Beth Griffin

Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — As Pope Benedict XVI visited Rome’s main synagogue Jan. 17, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York hosted a kosher buffet luncheon for 14 Jewish leaders at his residence.

Archbishop Dolan said, “You can never exaggerate the importance of hospitality.”

Describing the invitation to Catholic News Service, he said, “Hospitality is a high virtue for my Jewish brothers and sisters.

Hospitality is a big virtue for Christians.”

“Jewish Scripture tells us that Abraham entertained God without knowing it because he was so gracious to guests,” the archbishop continued, “so I figured, look, the chief rabbi of Rome, Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, is offering hospitality to the bishop of Rome, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, so darn it, why don’t I offer hospitality to my Jewish colleagues?”

In his remarks before the meal, Archbishop Dolan said those present at the lunch could “rightfully share in the pride of the day,” which he said was

“a witness to our common desire for friendship and understanding.”

He said the chief rabbi’s invitation and the pope’s acceptance of it were “two sides of the same coin, namely the friendship that began with the gracious and reconciling touch of [Pope] John Paul II of blessed memory.” He said the friendship has extended itself between both communities in many parts of the world.

Archbishop Dolan candidly acknowledged past difficulties between Catholics and Jews and said there would be future struggles. He said, “Our past treatment of the Jewish community in Rome has at times been far less than just and at times given scandal to many.”

But, he said “a commitment to bettering our relationship remains a religious duty to which we are mutually obliged.”

“The good will we share in this effort has provided us with the resilience we often need in working our way through whatever questions arise on the journey we share,” he said. “That commitment takes its strength from the God who prompts our hearts to undertake them and who never fails to nurture the projects he inspires.”

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CNS) — Amid the rubble of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Haitians celebrated the lives of the archbishop and vicar general of Port-au-Prince, both of whom were killed in the country’s earthquake.

Church officials — including some from the United States — joined ordinary Haitians Jan. 23 for the funerals of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, who died when the impact of the Jan. 12 quake hurled him from a balcony, and Msgr. Charles Benoit, the vicar general whose body was pulled from the cathedral debris.

They were among more than 150,000 Haitians killed in the magnitude 7 quake; U.N. officials have said the final death toll might never be known.

Archbishop Louis Kebreau of CapHaitien, president of the Haitian bishops’ conference, celebrated the funeral Mass, and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lafontant of Port-au-Prince delivered the homily.

Haiti President Rene Preval was among those in attendance.

New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who represented the U.S. bishops at the Mass, read a message on behalf of Chicago Cardinal Francis E.

George, U.S. bishops’ conference president. Cardinal George’s message to the Haitians was contained in a letter addressed to Archbishop Kebreau.

“The church in the United States stands with you,” he said.

“In the United States, our televisions, computers and newspapers have been filled with images of your unspeakable pain, suffering and loss,” he told them.

“Each hour we see the faces of the widows and orphans and all of those who have lost family and friends and all of their life’s possessions.”

He said the U.S. church was committed to “doing everything we can so that you may rebuild and renew and begin again your lives of faith and family and service to Haiti.”

Archbishop Dolan also serves as chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services.

Archbishop Miot’s body was one of the first recovered after the earthquake.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, papal nuncio to Haiti, asked that it be taken to the coastal city of St. Marc because there was no electricity in Port-au-Prince. Local clergy asked that the archbishop’s funeral be at the cathedral.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Like chaplains in the U.S. military around the world, a group of Catholic chaplains meeting at the Vatican spent a full day studying how to provide pastoral and spiritual care to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, brought 40 U.S. Catholic chaplains, who are on active military duty, to the Vatican Jan. 19-21 to discuss what’s going on in the archdiocese, learn more about responding to post-traumatic stress disorder and discuss preparations for using the new Mass translations.

Archbishop Broglio said sessions of the annual archdiocesan priests’ convocation are always scheduled in five different cities around the world; this year, one was held at the Vatican. Unless he is deployed with troops on a military mission, each chaplain is expected to attend one of the sessions, the archbishop said.

Archbishop Broglio said that posttraumatic stress disorder is “a major problem for men and women in the armed services and for our own chaplains, who are deployed multiple times.”

The key speaker at the Rome meeting was Jesuit Father Richard Curry, founder and artistic director of the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped and founder of the Writers’ Program for Wounded Warriors. The program helps veterans write dramatic monologues in order to tell their stories and help begin the healing process.

“He is doing tremendous work,” the archbishop said, and has been “immensely successful” in using drama as therapy for members of the military recovering from the trauma of combat.

world 11

Stay or go: Christians in Mideast battle tough choices VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A recent preparatory document for an October Synod of Bishops for the Middle East made a forceful appeal to the Christian minority there to resist emigration and to openly give witness to the Gospel values of hope, joy, justice and forgiveness in their native communities. But like most commandments — that’s easier said than done. The synod outline said a strong faith would provide the courage for enduring the violence, persecution, prejudice and poverty that Christians in the Middle East often face today. It’s a drama that has already changed the Christian landscape in the region, according to church experts. “To stay today in Iraq, you need to have a very profound conviction of the value of your faith” and a strong sense that the Christian presence is important for the country, said Father Leon Lemmens, secretary-general of the Vatican coordinating body of church funding agencies for Eastern Catholic churches. Msgr. Robert L. Stern, secretary-general of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, said that when Christians feel threatened or that they don’t belong, “you need a heroic sense of commitment on that occasion to say, ‘I’m going to stay and I’m going to give witness.’”

Pope asks priests to get online, spread the Gospel VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a message embracing the evangelizing potential of digital media, Pope Benedict XVI asked priests around the world to use Web sites, videos and blogs as tools of pastoral ministry. “The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more St. Paul’s exclamation: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel,’” the pope said in his message for the 2010 celebration of World Communications Day. “Priests stand at the threshold of a new era: As new technologies create deeper forms of relationship across greater distances, they are called to respond pastorally by putting the media ever more effectively at the service of the Word,” he said. The pope said that while priests should not abandon traditional methods of pastoral interaction, they cannot afford to pass up the opportunities offered by digital media. He said “the recent, explosive growth and greater social impact of these media make them all the more important for a fruitful priestly ministry.”

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment President - The members of the board of trustees of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison, are seeking a faithfilled, proven leader to become the president of MH-MA, a Catholic, international, college preparatory, day and residency high school in the Atchison County pastoral region of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Maur Hill – Mount Academy is a coeducational, comprehensive high school with 178 students enrolled and 50 staff employed.

The school, accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and the AdvancEd international accreditation agency, offers a full complement of activities. MH-MA prides itself in educating young men and women in the Benedictine tradition — prayer, work, and love. The new president will be expected to be a person of great faith, a registered and active member of his or her parish, in order to lead the school’s faith initiatives. In addition, the new president must be skilled in financial management, strategic planning, and development. Interested individuals should send cover letter, resume, and pastor letter of reference, by Jan. 29, to: Jonathan Mize, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Maur Hill – Mount Academy, c/o Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

E-mail documents may be sent to: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Principal - Holy Trinity Elementary School, Lenexa, is seeking a dynamic, experienced Catholic school principal for the 2010 - 2011 academic year who embraces the Catholic faith and possesses spiritual leadership skills blended with strong instructional leadership and managerial skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills. Holy Trinity serves 698 students and employs a strong staff of 38 teachers in grades K - 8, and is looking for an excellent communicator who can maintain and build upon the strong Catholic identity and academic programming that is a hallmark of the school. In order to be successful at this effort, the principal will need to have an energetic and creative approach to engaging the entire Holy Trinity community. Principal applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold an administrative license from the Kansas State Department of Education. Interested individuals should complete the principal application available on the Web site at: www.archkckcs. org. Applications are due by Feb. 4. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570 or send an e-mail to her at: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Principal - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Raytown, Mo., seeks an enthusiastic and visionary Catholic school principal to guide our PreK - 8th grade program. Our Lady of Lourdes School was established in 1951 and currently enrolls 137 students. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong and faithful Catholic administrative background.

The qualities for this position require the candidate to demonstrate a strong ability to communicate well with staff, students, and parents; possess marketing and recruitment skills; and display a collaborative leadership style to lead others in the mission of the church. The qualified candidate must be an active practicing Catholic in good standing with the church; with a minimum of 3 years teaching experience; a master’s degree in education, administration or a related field; and an administrative certificate from the state of Missouri, or the ability to obtain one. For information or application materials, contact the Catholic Schools Office at (816) 756-1858, ext. 274, or visit the Web site at: http://jobs. diocese-kcsj.org/jobs/.

Rockhurst High School - A Jesuit college preparatory school in Kansas City, Mo., is seeking to fill two full-time teaching positions for: chemistry and/or chemistry/biology and English for the 2010 - 2011 school year. For an application, visit the Web site at: www.rockhursths.edu. Interested applicants should submit their application, resume, and credentials to: Mr. Larry Ruby, Principal, 9301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114. Rockhurst is an EEOE. Director of liturgy and worship - St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, a faith family of 1600-plus families, desires a team-building, baptismal-call inviter as director of liturgy and worship (DLW) for overall responsibility of coordinating and implementing the liturgical experiences of our parish and school. Our DLW will invite, train and facilitate/supervise the roles of the various liturgical ministries; extend leadership and direction to all church choirs, cantors and instrumentalists; and assist engaged couples in planning the marriage liturgy and grieving families for funeral liturgies. Keyboardists preferred. Start date negotiable. Salary commensurate with experience and diocesan scale. Mail resume to: Director of Liturgy and Worship, attn.

Father Ken Riley, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 900 N.E. Shady Lane Dr., Kansas City, MO 64118.

St. Joseph Early Education Center - Has a position open for a full-time toddler teacher and a full-time infant teacher. Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet lead teacher qualifications for the state of Kansas. Interested candidates may call (913) 631-0004 for application instructions, or send your resume, via e-mail, to: nwacker@archkckcs.org.

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 29, 2009 Part-time overnight sleep staff positions - New Alliance Services, Inc., is seeking to fill two positions: One will work 2 nights/wk.; the other will work 3 nights/wk. to care for three female mentally retarded and developmentally disabled clients in their Overland Park home. Choice of evenings, Sun. - Thurs. from 6 p.m. - 7 a.m. Great opportunity for a college student or if you’re looking to supplement your income. Call Amy at (913) 221-9158.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City and Emporia areas.

This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, highexpectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-thanaverage income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For more information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Services Counseling - Confidential and affordable individual, marriage and family counseling and outpatient substance abuse treatment. JB Strong, MA, LCPC, AAPS (913) 722-1118.

Housecleaning - I have years of experience cleaning houses. Honest and dependable. Reasonsable rates; excellent references. Fairway/Prairie Village areas. Call (913) 677-7042.

Mamuric Studios - Is accepting students for tutoring for 2010. Tutor is currently working on her MEd. at Rockhurst University and has experience with students in the K - 12 grades as well as college level. Tutor also specializes in test preps, study skills, French, Spanish, and music. Sessions are customized to fit the student’s needs and are fun and meaningful in context. For information, send an e-mail to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com or call (913) 206-2151.

Tree service - Pruning ornamental trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Brad Grabs, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 244-5838. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@ kc.rr.com.

Machine quilting by Lyn - I also do T-shirt, photo, and memorial quilts. Official Hobbs distributor. Located in Overland Park. Call Lyn at (913) 492-8877.

Retired nurse - Will provide child or elder care, do housecleaning, run errands, and provide transportation to/ from appts. Reasonable rates, excellent references. Years of experience with seniors. Call Pam at (913) 579-5276.

Do you intend to leave a Catholic charity in your will? The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas helps people with charitable intent to put their instructions into place. We help stretch your gift further and last longer for the people you love and the causes you care about. For a free, confidential consultation call (913) 647-0365 or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org.

Do you or your parents need help at home? - For as little as $60 per week, Benefits of Home-Senior Care can provide assistance with personal care, shopping and many other daily needs. For details, visit our Web site at: benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Caregiving - Mature lady experienced with elderly care will care for your loved one in their home. Good references, reliable transportation, well qualified. Available any time. Honest and dependable. Leawood, OP and Prairie Village areas. Call Flora at (816) 322-9956, mobile, or (816) 921-8223, home.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Sara or Gary.

Caregiving – I am caring and compassionate and will provide companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, errand running, transportation and more for your loved one. Trustworthy, honest, dependable and experienced. References available. Days/nights/wknds. JoCo and WyCo areas. Call Sharon at (816) 645-5359.

Computer repair / virus and spyware removal / PC upgrades - Microsoft certified; 10 yrs. experience.

Member of Sacred Heart Parish. Call Matt at (816) 876-6619 or send an e-mail to: mattcomputerfix@gmail.com.

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 29, 2010 Voice lessons and cantor training - Call Nancy M. Kennedy at (816) 943-6339.

Real Estate

Home Improvement

Villa For Sale – Maintenance-provided ranch home with 2 BR and 2 BA, and a sunroom located in Shawnee at Town & Country Villas. $209,900. www.VillasKC.com.

Call Marisa with Kansas Land Brokers at (913) 915-9151.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Woodbright - A very affordable alternative to refinishing, refacing or replacing stained cabinets and woodwork.

The average kitchen only costs $500. 18 years experience.

Call Woodbright at (913) 940-3020.

Everything plumbing - Leaks, faucets, toilets, sinks, disposals, repairs and replacements. Over 20 years experience. Fully licensed. Service anytime – days/nights/wknds.

Contact Mike at (913) 488-4930. Member of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park.

Brack Home Repair - “Call Dan when you need it done.” I do all types of home repair. Carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, wood-rot and more. No project too big or small. Senior discount and insured. Free estimates. Call (913) 219-5388 or visit my Web site at: www. brackhomerepair.com. Philippians 4:13.

Swalms Organizing Service - Basements, garages, attics, and shop spaces organized! Items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Clean out services also available. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, visit the Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

Bath, kitchen and basement remodels -Quality work; reasonable prices. 25 yrs. experience. Free estimates.

JoCo area. Call Ralph at (913) 707-9589.

Brown’s Carpet - Installation and repair carpeting; vinyl and wood installation. Free estimates. 10 years experience. Serving the KC metro area. Call (913) 231-4961.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation * Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Tim the Handyman - Insured; free estimates. Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County. Call Tim at (913) 8590471.

For Rent Living at its best on a budget! - 1 BR apt., with rent based on income; all utilities paid; no voucher needed. Section 8 assistance. Great location, only 5-10 minutes from The Legends in Kansas City, Kan. Edwardsville Court Apartments Highrise, 531 S. 4th St., Edwardsville. Call (913) 441-6007.

EHO. Handicap accessible.

For rent (option to purchase) - 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA, master BR with BA. Home includes laundry room with w/d, dishwasher, stove, new microwave, new refrigerator, one-car attached garage, sheltered porch, fireplace, and additional storage space. The complex features a pool, playground area, and picnic area. Great location, just off of 119th St. Near major hwys. and shopping. Rent and HOA dues $1200/ mo.; utilities not included. Call (785) 840-7233.

Vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 642-3027. To view pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin.forcadeassociates.com.

Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps 6.

Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

Westwood home for sale - Charming Tudor on cul-de-sac. 3 BR, with updated kitchen and bath. Close to St. Agnes Parish and School and Our Lady of the Angels Parish. 4733 Booth, Westwood. $185,000! For information, call (816) 456-5330 or visit the Keller Williams Web site at: www.kw.com.

Childcare Nanny - 12-plus years experience. Looking for part- or full daytime hours. Good references. KC metro area. I have taken care of many younger children. Reliable transportation. Call Janeen at (913) 384-2120.

For sale Are you interested in healthier and safer products for your family, as well as helping the environment and saving money? Consider switching stores. Contact Lori at (913) 645-9420 or send an e-mail to her at: lannmc@ live.com. Member of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Yardware business for sale - St. Elizabeth and St. Monica couple selling assets of yardware business. Funds go to church remodeling project. Selling $4K in cement molds for $1500. Entire assets for $2500. For details, contact Mike at (785) 556-0210 or send an e-mail to: mtmini@ sbcglobal.net.

For sale – 1960s Ethan Allen dining table, 6 chairs and hutch. Birch and maple woods in a nutmeg color. Best offer.

Items located in Olathe. Call Jim at (913) 782- 3787.

Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 393-2042.

Wanted to buy ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic.

Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269 Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Miscellaneous Want a healthy and good lifestyle? Come join us for a very exciting adventure. For information, call (913) 3424027.

Freedom from pornography - Men’s group and counseling; call Sam Meier, MA, LPC, at (913) 647-0378. Women’s group; call Beth Meier, MA, at (913) 647-0379. Visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com.

Entertainment Disc jockey - For your wedding, kolos, nightclubs, corporate parties, teenage celebrations, holiday parties, sockhops, ethnic, birthdays, holiday parties, hip-hop/rap, golden oldies. Member of St. Therese Parish, KCMO. Call Zepster’s A to Z Party DJ’s at (816) 741-4777.

30

Jan.

The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City will sponsor a one-day workshop, entitled “Your Path to a Loving Relationship with God,” presented by Father Vern Heinsz, SJ, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Finucane Center on the Rockhurst University campus. The cost is $35 per person. For information, visit the Web site at: www.ignatiancenterkc.org. To register, by Jan. 22, call (816) 523-5115 ext. 212, or send an e-mail to: khodel@ignatiancenterkc.org.

Join the Singles of Nativity for happy hour and bowling on Jan. 30. We will gather at 6 p.m. at Tequila Harry’s, College Blvd. and Quivira, Overland Park, followed by bowling at AMF Center, Alt. 69 and College Blvd., Overland Park. For information, send an email to: social@son-ministry.org.

“The Art, Prayer and Practice of Meditation,” a meditation workshop facilitated by Tom Jacobs, will be offered from 9 a.m. - noon on Jan. 30 at St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. The practice of meditation heals past wounds, hurtful memories, and pent-up fears and gives participants a spiritual practice that enhances how they see God’s presence in themselves and in others. Preregistration is necessary.

For information or to register, call Jacobs at (816) 619-3499 or send an e-mail to him at: tbjacobs@earthlink.net0.

Get set for a fun-filled night of trivia competition! St. Thomas Aquinas High School alumni, parents, staff, alumni parents and friends are invited to trivia night on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the auxiliary gym. The cost is $15 per person. Register via the Web site at: www.stasaints.net. Reservations are required by Jan. 22. Bring your own beverage, appetizers or snacks to share. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated team table, trivia winner and runner-up teams. Individuals and groups are welcome. For information, call Beth Hartung at (913) 208-3321 or send an e-mail to her at: bethhartung@sbcglobal. net. Volunteer are needed, too!

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a day of reflection for RCIA candidates and catechumens from 8:15 a.m. 4 p.m. on Jan. 30. The focus of the day will be on deepening one’s understanding of the commitment implied when praying the Lord’s Prayer. Mary Kay Whitacre will be the presenter. She has served in RCIA ministry for 25 years and is currently the RCIA coordinator at St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Mo. Registration is limited. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

The Center for Spirit at Work will host “Spirituality in a World of Downsizing,” a oneday retreat for anyone interested in exploring the loss and diminishment and rebirth of a soul. The retreat will be held from 9:30 a.m.

- 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Diastole Center, located at 25th and Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. The cost of $30 includes lunch. For information or to register by Jan. 25, call Sister Donna Ryan at (816) 753-7170 or visit the Web site at: www.centerforspiritatwork.org.

2

Feb. “Becoming A Love and Logic Parent,”

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

a six-week parenting program, will be offered from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 2, in the community room at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. The $75 registration fee covers one or both parents and the workbook. The registration deadline Jan. 29. Babysitting will be available for $3 per session. To register, mail a check (payable to the Church of the Ascension) to the Family Life Coordinator at the above address. For information, call Michele Gress at (913) 681-3348, ext. 142, or send an e-mail to her at: mgress@kcascension.org.

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Feb. 7. All prospective students, families, and community residents are invited. Faculty and staff will be available to discuss the curriculum and answer enrollment questions. Holy Spirit serves students in pre-K – 8th grade. For information, call (913) 492-2582 or visit the Web site at: www. hsschool.net.

St. Mary Church, St. Benedict, will host its annual soup lunch from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Feb. 7. The menu will include chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soups, relishes and pies. A freewill offering will be collected.

A monthly book club for women will be held at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Feb. 2 and every first Tuesday of the month. This month’s discussion will focus on the book “The Year the Colored Sisters Came to Town” by Jacqueline Guidry. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org.

6

The Militia of Immaculata will meet from 10:30 a.m. - noon on Feb. 6 and on every first Saturday of the month at the Redemptorist Social Service Center, 207 W. Linwood, Kansas City, Mo. For information, call Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0208.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will hold its quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. and annual retreat from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 in O’Connor Hall at Most Pure Heart of Mary, 1800 S.W. Stone, Topeka. All women of the archdiocese are invited to attend. For information, contact Susan Draftz at (913) 367-2227 or send an e-mail to her at: sdraftz@prolifeamerica.com.

Couples who are passionate about enriching marriages in northeast Kansas are invited to join the area leaders of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter in a day of prayer and planning on Feb. 6 at St. Francis de Sales Parish hall, 900 Ida St., Lansing. The day will begin with the noon prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, followed by lunch (bring your own) and the planning session.

The Mothers of Young Children of Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host their annual Valentine Family Fest from 3 - 5 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the school cafeteria. There will be refreshments, crafts, games and a concert by kid-friendly Mr. Stinky Feet!

Tickets cost $5 per person; $20 per family.

Donations of diapers, wipes and formula for the children of St. Benedict’s Children’s Center will be collected.

7

A spaghetti dinner to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary, a group of women religious with a nursing ministry, will be held from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Feb. 7 at St. Patrick Parish center, 94th and State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $8 for adults; $3 for children. There will also be a variety booth.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. For information, call (913) 371-3423.

Holy Spirit School, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will hold an open house from

call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

26-28

Stress in Your Marriage?

Retrouvaille is a program for married couples that feel bored, disillusioned, frustrated, or angry in their marriage. Some couples experience coldness, while others experience conflict in their relationship. Most don’t know how to change the situation or even communicate with their spouse about it. Retrouvaille can help! For confidential information to register for the upcoming program beginning with a weekend on Feb. 26 - 28, call 1 (800) 470-2230 or visit the Web site at: www. retrouvaille.org.

Misc.

5-6

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Return to the Land of Your Soul,” a retreat by Sister Marcia Ziska, OSB, focusing on the journey home to the true self, from 5 p.m. on Feb. 5 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 6. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151, or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/sophia.html.

CALENDAR 13

8

The Knights of Columbus of St. Ann Parish, 7241 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, will host a blood drive from 1:30 - 7 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the parish hall. To make an appointment, call the Community Blood Center at (816) 898-5967 or visit the Web site at: www. savealifenow.org. Use ‘stanncatholic’ as the sponsor code.

13

St. Francis de Sales Parish, 900 Ida St., Lansing, will host a Mardi Gras dinner dance from 6:30 - 11 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the parish hall. Dinner will be catered by Cedar Ridge; live music will be provided by Don Spain and band. Tickets cost $50 ($35 is a tax-deductible donation). Free babysitting is provided with reservation. For information or tickets, call the parish office, by Feb. 5, at (913) 727-3742.

The Veterans of Foreign War, Post 10552 of Shawnee, will host their annual chili bowl supper from 5 - 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the Knights of Columbus Hall, 11221 Johnson Dr. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children.

19-21

Divorced? Widowed? Beginning Experience Weekend gently helps people move through their loss to a new beginning in their lives. The next weekend for the Kansas City area will be Feb. 19 - 21 at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge, Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call John at (913) 219-3465 in Kansas City, Sue at (785) 331-2216 in Lawrence, Michelle at (785) 4783481 in Topeka, or visit the Web site at: www. beginningexperience.org.

20

The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City will offer a Lenten guided prayer program beginning Feb. 20. Participants pray daily with selected Scripture, then meet weekly with a prayer guide to review the prayer. Space is limited; application deadline is Feb. 8. The cost is $20; scholarships are available. For information, call (816) 523-5115, ext. 214; visit the Web site at: www. ignatiancenterkc.org; or send an e-mail to: jblumeyer@sfx-kc.org.

23-24

A centering prayer retreat, conducted by Sister Micaela Randolph, OSB, will be offered at the Sophia Center from 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 to 2 p.m. on Feb. 24.

Centering prayer is a method of silent prayer which prepares us to receive God’s gift of contemplative prayer. It is a prayer of trust and surrender that involves place, posture, word and silence. For information or to register,

A Holy Land pilgrimage in the footsteps of Jesus, is planned for June 1 - 14. Spiritual director Father Jorge Ramirez will lead participants on a tour through Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, Mount Tabor and Cairo in celebration of the great mysteries of Jesus’ life. The cost is $3295 per person/double occupancy; $445 single supplement. The Cairo extension costs $795 per person/double occupancy.

Space is limited. A reservation and $400 deposit are due by Feb. 15. For information, call Pilar at (913) 341-7779.

The Apostles of the Interior Life, along with spiritual director Father Steve Sotiroff, will host a spiritual pilgrimage to Italy from June 11 - 21. Cities to be visited include: Rome, Orvieto, Assisi, Siena, Florence, and Loreto. The cost of $2799 (double occupancy) includes airfare, hotels, daily breakfast and dinner, and sightseeing tours. Optional trip insurance is available for $185. Registration and deposit is due by March 1. For information or to book a reservation, contact Adriatic Pilgrimages at 1 (800) 262-1718 or visit the Web site at: www.adriatrictours.com.

There are 14 men in the My House men’s groups that have broken free from pornography for over one year! Also, the My House women’s group is available for wives and loved ones who are healing from the effects of their loved one’s struggles. For more information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com.

The Serra Club invites all men of the archdiocese to pray with them to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Meetings are held at noon on every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information, contact Jim Conrad at (913) 432-4162, John Muehlberger at (913) 441-5061, or Bill Peters at (913) 8946967.

The Singles of Nativity, for all singles 35 and better, welcomes newcomers to its weekly Bible study on Sundays at 9 a.m. in the Nativity conference room, 119th & Mission Rd., Leawood, followed by 10:30 a.m. Mass.

For information, send an e-mail to Randall Stevenson at: gaelwynn@yahoo.com.

Mary, Health of the Sick Guild has published a new cookbook to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The cookbook contains over 350 recipes, including ones submitted by the Sisters themselves. The cost is $12 (plus $2 for postage). Make checks payable to the Sisters, Servants of Mary and send to: 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City KS 66102. Cookbooks may also be purchased at the motherhouse at the above address. For information, contact Barbara Butler at (913) 362-0723 or the convent at (913) 371-3423.

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

14 COMMENTARY

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003

Quote Week

of the

“Archbishop Naumann contacted me and asked if we would be willing to host Cardinal Schonbörn on our campus for a lecture, and we immediately told the archbishop that we would be honored. We have never had a sitting cardinal visit our campus, so this is a first.”

Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College

See story on page 3

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

J

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

Mark my words

vocation corner

Have you heard the good word?

No superpowers, no shortcuts

esuit Father Richard Leonard tells this little tale about nine-year-old Joey who was asked one day about what he’d learned in religion class.

“Well, Mom,” said Joey, “our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”

“Now, Joey, is that really what you teacher taught you?” his mother asked.

“Well, no, Mom,” replied Joey, “but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!” (Found in Father Richard’s book, “Preaching to the Converted.”)

Sometimes I wonder about the role of the Bible in the prayer lives of Catholics. How many people in the congregation on a typical Sunday morning are like Joey, not believing the Scriptures because they really don’t understand them?

The month of February is filled with celebrations — Black History Month, Candlemas, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Ash Wednesday. It’s also Catholic Press Month. In addition to encouraging people to be faithful readers of Catholic publications, like The Leaven of course, it’s also an excellent time to steer people toward the Catholic book par excellence: the Bible.

Last weekend’s first reading featured Ezra reading and interpreting the book of the law to the people. Presumably, the vast majority of people at that time were illiterate; the only way they could

approach the Scriptures was by hearing them read aloud. And it was said the people “listened attentively.”

On a typical Sunday, how attentively do you listen to God’s Word? After Mass, could you name which biblical books the readings that day came from? What value and importance do you place on the Liturgy of the Word at Mass?

I did a sneaky thing at last weekend’s Masses. I asked the lector to read the shorter version of the second reading, where St. Paul describes the body of Christ. During my homily, I talked about the place and importance of the Scriptures at Mass. Then I asked a simple question: “How many of you, when the lector did the shorter version of the second reading, said, ‘Woohoo!

That should cut a little time off of Mass today!’” Let’s just say that there was plenty of nervous laughter and sheepish grins all around.

One reason people may not value the Scriptures is that they simply don’t understand them or don’t know exactly how to use them in prayer. Catholic Press Month would be a great time to begin an exploration and study of the Scriptures.

In my column about Christmas gift books, I mentioned one by a former classmate of mine, Stephen Binz, entitled “Conversing with God in Scripture: A Contemporary Approach

to Lectio Divina” (Ijamsville, Md.: The Word Among Us Press, 2008; 150 pgs.; $11.95). It’s a short, very accessible, well-written and practical introduction on how to make the Bible a vital part of our prayer life. Binz explains the stages of “lectio divina” or “sacred reading.”

Essentially, he reminds us that God has begun a conversation with us through the Bible, and we are called to enter into and continue that conversation.

If you want to try out a very bare bones version of lectio divina, follow these steps: 1. Read the coming Sunday’s Gospel before attending Mass. It’s listed, for example, in the box in Father Mike Stubbs’ column below. (If you don’t own a Bible, this month would be a perfect time to get one.) Take your time reading the passage.

2. Read Father Stubbs’ commentary to dig deeper into the reading.

3. Spend a few moments talking to God about this passage. What are you feeling? What questions do you have?

What images come to mind?

4. Stop talking — really — and sit quietly in the presence of God. (This is very hard to do.)

5. Think about how you can put this Scripture passage into practice in your daily life.

The people of the Bible, for the most part, could not read, but were attentive listeners. We’re just the opposite: We can read, but we’re not so good at listening, especially when it comes to God’s word. The practice of lectio divina — reading, pondering, praying, contemplating and living God’s word — can move us from the skepticism of little Joey to a humble and informed belief.

Try it. I think you’ll like it.

the gospel truth Scripture Readings fourth week of ordinary time Jan. 31 fourth Sunday in ordinary time Jer 1: 4-5, 17-19; Ps 71: 1-6, 15, 17; 1 Cor 12:31 — 13:13; Lk 4: 21-30 Feb. 1 Monday 2 Sm 15: 13-14, 30; 16: 5-13; Ps 3: 2-7; Mk 5: 1-20 Feb. 2 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Mal 3: 1-4; Ps 24: 7-10; Heb 2: 14-18; Lk 2: 22-40 Feb. 3 Blaise, bishop, martyr; Ansgar, bishop 2 Sm 24: 2, 9-17; Ps 32: 1-2, 5-7; Mk 6: 1-6 Feb. 4 Thursday 1 Kgs 2: 1-4, 10-12; (Ps) 1 Chr 29: 10-12; Mk 6: 7-13 Feb. 5 Agatha, virgin, martyr Sir 47: 2-11; Ps 18: 31, 47, 50-51; Mk 6: 14:-29 Feb. 6 Paul Miki, martyr, and his companions, martyrs 1 Kgs 3: 4-13; Ps 119: 9-14; Mk 6: 30-34

commentary 15

Luke’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ role as prophet

“I

had a relative who was able to predict the exact time of his death, down to the minute and hour.”

“That’s amazing! What was he, a prophet?”

“No, he was a criminal, executed by Jesus points out incidents from their the state.” lives that suggest an outreach to the Sometimes we think of a prophet as gentiles. He does this to justify his own a person who can foretell the future. outreach to the marginalized in his soWhile there’s an element of that in the ciety — the poor, women, Samaritans. prophets of the Bible, that does not The townspeople take this as a rebuke tell the full story about them. In the to their own insider mentality. They Bible, a prophet is a person become infuriated and try to through whom God speaks. lynch him. But somehow, he fourth SUNDAY IN Often their message points to mysteriously escapes.

ORDINARY TIME the future, a warning about We can look upon Jesus’ Lk 4: 21-30 future calamity, a promise of challenge to the townspeofuture salvation. But always, ple and their violent reaction the prophet speaks on behalf of God. as a kind of prophecy that anticipates Luke’s Gospel, in particular, dethe whole of his ministry. Jesus will scribes Jesus as following in the line continually challenge his society to of the prophets. This Sunday’s Gospel reach out to those on the margins. His reading, Lk 4:21-30, reinforces Jesus’ prophetic stance will ultimately lead image as a prophet. to another violent reaction: his death First of all, Jesus implicitly identifies on the cross. But once again, Jesus will himself as a prophet by citing the saymysteriously escape the bonds of death ing: “No prophet is accepted in his own by means of his resurrection. native place.” Then he associates himIf Jesus’ challenge to the people of self with two prominent prophets from Nazareth and their violent reaction the Old Testament: Elijah and Elisha. foreshadow the rest of his ministry,

it only makes sense that this incident occur at the beginning of that ministry.

It happens that way in Luke’s Gospel, but not in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.

In their Gospels, the incident in the Nazareth synagogue takes place toward the end of Jesus’ ministry (Mt 13:53-58; Mk 6:1-6).

While their versions include Jesus’ saying about a prophet not being accepted in his own native place, they omit the material about Elijah and Elisha and the attempted lynching. In their Gospels, the reaction of the townspeople amounts to a lack of faith, rather than the violent rejection in Luke’s Gospel. The incident at the Nazareth synagogue fits into their Gospels in a different way than in Luke’s.

In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, the incident does not serve to foretell the rest of Jesus’ ministry. It does not emphasize Jesus’ role as a prophet to the strong extent we see in Luke.

Each Gospel adapts the story to suit its own needs. And Luke wants to emphasize Jesus as the one anointed to proclaim good news to the poor. That is the message that God wants Jesus to bring.

Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

A

popular icebreaker with youth calls for everyone to share what superpower they most desire to possess: invisibility; X-ray vision; the ability to fly. Kids can get pretty creative, too, making up new superpowers as the icebreaker goes along.

A vocation director needs one superpower in particular — the infallible discernment of God’s will for others. But I have yet to meet a vocation director who has this superpower, this particular gift of the Holy Spirit.

I suggest vocations to young people in our archdiocese all the time. I try to help them recognize and follow the signs the Lord is giving them. Yet I can never know for sure what God’s will is for a particular person. I do not have this superpower. I am a vocation director, who ultimately does not direct anyone’s vocation, but points them toward the Lord Jesus himself, who is the real vocation director for each one of us.

Even if Archbishop Naumann had

the superpower of infallible discernment of God’s will for others to give me, after two-plus years in the vocation office, I have to say I might turn the gift down.

Having superpowers and the ability to take shortcuts would be great, don’t get me wrong. But so is the adventure of looking for clues and making ourselves more ready interiorly for whatever it is that God is calling us to.

A lot of people want to receive their vocation like Mary did, from the angel Gabriel himself, but the reality is that we are not like Mary. We are neither fully ready nor open. It is quite a journey for most of us to become like Mary — ready for the visit of an angel.

I could save a lot of time — and a lot of work — if I could look over a sea of our young people and be able to tell

right away who is called to be a priest or a Sister. Yet it is also a great joy to accompany our young people as their faith and generosity are stretched by their search for God’s will.

Many of our young people express exasperation at not having the superpower of knowing God’s will for them exactly. I tell them that receiving their vocation from God is always going to involve a leap of faith . . . and it should.

Our vocation is never something that we can capture or control. God’s will goes ahead of us, drawing out the very best of our faith, hope and love.

In the area of vocations, it is better for us to do things the hard way: no superpowers, no shortcuts.

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

¿QUé PASA? — IN HISPANIC MINISTRY

True love waits

T

he title of the column for this month is much more than just a trite romantic phrase.

Rather, it represents a movement that was started in 1994 by Father Alex Peloso, a Scalabrinian priest working with the Hispanic community in Chicago.

Father Alex was in his late 70s when he had the inspiration to found a Catholic movement that would confront the chastity challenge that was wreaking havoc in the lives of so many Hispanic teens. This moment of inspiration led

him to form a team of leaders that worked on putting together a program that would effectively teach Hispanic teens the value of the virtue of chastity and, in fact, that true love waits.

I am delighted to share this bit of history with our readers because on the weekend of Feb. 12 -14, the True Love movement, which is based out of Chicago, will be coming to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. On that weekend, about 50-55 young people will be attending the initial retreat offered by the movement.

This retreat will be given by a team of 10 who will come here to do the True Love Waits retreat weekend.

Because the candidates for the first retreat in the Kansas City area are all members of small evangelization communities, this guarantees us an easy way to offer the necessary follow-up to the retreat.

What we hope to accomplish can be summed up by the objectives of the True Love Waits initiative: 1. To help participants have a deeper respect for their sexuality while coming to a better understanding of the virtue of chastity.

2. To raise consciousness in the participants about the commitment of chastity implied in the sacrament of baptism.

3. To teach the virtue of chastity in a dynamic and fun-filled way in the context of the Christian community.

4. To provide all of the participants with information about Catholic teachings regarding contraception, as well as the positive benefits obtained from a life of chastity.

5. To support and teach parents about how they may dialogue with their children about these themes that are so important to their lives.

Now, of course, we do not pretend that one weekend retreat can solve all the issues concerning the challenges of chastity. But, on the other hand, we cannot afford to sit back and do nothing.

Therefore, we have decided to begin this initiative and, as the saying goes, the longest journey begins with the first step. Please pray for us as we begin this journey.

Father Pat Murphy is the archdiocesan animator for the office of Hispanic ministry.

Candlemas - A Sign of Hope Women’s Retreat

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

February 6, 2010 O’Connor Hall Most Pure Heart of Mary 1800 S.W. Stone, Topeka, KS

M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Summer Months: Sat. 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

10 - 10:15 Registration 10:15 Candlemas Prayer Service 11:15 A Sign of Hope by Vickie Broxterman 12:00 Lunch 12:45 Has Someone You Love Left the Church? by Mary Ann Gardner For more information, contact Susan Draftz or to make reservations, send your check for $10 (by Feb. 2, please) made payable to the ACCW to: Susan Draftz, President 806 N. 4th ST., Atchison, KS 66002 913-367-2227 sdraftz@prolifeamerica.com

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16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • january 29, 2010

Gee, mom, I want to go to Catholic summer camp Prairie Star Ranch is gearing up for registration for all camps Story by Joe Bollig | Photos by Susan McSpadden

T

here is one word that will never be associated with the camps at Prairie Star Ranch: bored.

But kids do find these yearly church camps fun, challenging, inspirational, prayerful, friendly, and exhausting. And if you land in the wrong plants or forget the bug spray — itchy.

The chance of getting bored at Prairie Star in Williamsburg is so slim because each camp offers a whole host of outdoor activities — horseback riding, high-ropes climbing, canoeing, hiking, orienteering, rock climbing, rappelling, basketball, soccer, swimming, mountain biking, mountain boarding, tent camping, softball and social activities.

More importantly, each camp experience is grounded in the ranch’s primary purpose: to bring campers closer to Christ.

The kids are offered opportunities daily to explore their faith, to worship alongside other faith-filled youths, and at least once each camp, to participate in Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.

This year, Prairie Star Ranch is offering four camps: • Camp Kateri, three-day camps for kids entering fifth and sixth grades, with sessions offered June 1-3, 4-6, 28-30, and July 6-8. Cost: $230.

• Camp Tekakwitha, six-day camps for kids entering seventh and eighth grades, with sessions offered June 7-12, 14-19, July 10-15, and 19-24. Cost: $370.

• Tekakwitha and X-treme, six- and nine-day camps, respectively; with Tekakwitha, June 21-26, cost: $380; and Xtreme, July 26-Aug. 3, cost: $430.

• Family Camp, a three-day camp, July 16-18, with children age two and under free (no babysitting provided); and $215 for participants two and older.

The time for registration is rapidly approaching, and some camps and terms fill up rather quickly. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Online registration for campers in grades 5 and 6 begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 8.

• Online registration for campers in grades 7 through 12 begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 1.

Registrations postmarked and/or received prior to Feb. 1 for campers in grades 7 through 12, and prior to Feb. 8 for campers in grades 5 and 6, will be returned. No handdelivered registrations will be accepted.

Campers who register online will receive instant confirmation; those who apply by mail will receive confirmation or a wait list letter three weeks after registration. Final balances are due May 15.

Youth residential scholarships are available. For scholarship information, send an e-mail to: jenniferarchkck@sunflower. com.

Registrations will not be accepted without a completed health form, photocopy of health insurance card, wallet-size photo of the camper, and a nonrefundable and nontransferable deposit of $100.

To register, go to the Web site at: www. archkck.org and follow the registration instructions.

If you have registration questions, you may call the camp info line at (913) 6473054, or send an e-mail to: jenniferarch kck@sunflower.com.

For questions about camp policies and activities, call Shawn Madden at (785) 746-5693, or send an e-mail to: Prairie StarRanch@gmail.com.

Wait at least 48 hours for your call to be returned before calling again. To download forms and brochures, go to the Web site at: www.archkck.org.

For information about Family Camp, contact Dana Nearmyer at (913) 6457-0331, or send an e-mail to: youth@archkck.org.

Archery

swimming

high ropes Villa St. Francis

16600 W. 126th Street • Olathe, Kansas 66062 Phone: (913) 829-5201 Fax: (913) 829-5399 Daily Mass in the Chapel at 10 a.m.

• Medicare and Kansas Medicaid certified • 24 - hour nursing care • Dementia/Alzheimer’s unit • Physical, occupational and speech therapist on staff/ Rapid recovery • Nutritious Home cooked meals • Private and Semi Private rooms • Beauty and Barber Shop • 24 hour snacks Affiliated with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas