05-14-10 Vol. 31 No. 38

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 38 may 14, 2010

Cash kids for the

R

OELAND PARK — Some people donate items to a charity garage sale.

Tom and Pat Allegri, on the other hand, have donat-

ed the sale.

The benefit will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 21 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 22 at 4440 Bell in Kansas City, Mo. For sale will be much of what the Allegries have accumulated over a lifetime — toys, office chairs, desks, fine designer clothes, lanterns, couches, rugs, baskets, books, and other items.

All the items for sale in the garage, and a few in the house, have been donated by the couple to raise funds for the revived St. Agnes Parish youth ministry.

members of the parish since 1964, Times are tough. This ministry rehave never lived at the house on Bell ally needs the cash.

“For me, this is absolutely huge,” Street.

“We purchased it way back in the said Erika Deniger-Hagman, St. Agnes late 1970s, and I was godirector of youth minising to turn it into a shop try. “I’ve been trying and — kind of a design shop,” trying, racking my brain Story by said Pat. “But then my to think of ways to fundJoe Bollig husband went into priraise for our ministry. vate practice as a physical “And here we have Photos by therapist and my career a couple say, ‘Here you path changed as well. go.’”

Susan I began to work for his “All the money we McSpadden company.” raise will go directly to In the meantime, both provide a ministry for Tom and Pat became acthe kids,” Deniger-Hagtive in the parish, and all seven of their man continued, “whether it’s scholarships for retreats or for basic events we children went to St. Agnes School. have that will get the kids interested Pat was on the school board and and bring them in, so we can teach even served a board president. She was them about living their faith on a daily also a member of the parish council, basis.”

Turn to “youth” on page 4 Tom and Pat Allegri, who have been

From left, youth group member Zach Fiskin, volunteer Jeremy Ruzich, youth group member Isaac Chicoine and youth group leader Erika DenigerHagman had fun sifting through boxes of National Geographic magazines in preparation for a garage sale. The oldest they found was an issue from 1913.

Youth group member Nathalie Hauser can’t resist paging through one of the books she is cleaning in preparation for a garage sale benefitting the St. Agnes youth group.

2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • may 14, 2010

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Pioneer priests set bar high for presbyterate

R

ecently, our priests gathered to honor their brother priests who are celebrating special anniversaries this year. It is always an inspiring event as we focus on the remarkable zeal and dedication of the priests of our Archdiocese. Often, as I visit parishes, people beg me not to transfer their priest. This love for the priests of the Of course, Father Miege became a Archdiocese is well earned. great bishop who impressed his dedicaThe priests of the Archdiocese of tion, zeal and humility on the presbyterKansas City in Kansas are part of a huate that he formed. man chain of heroic priests that stretchBishop Miege invited others to come es back to our first bishop, Jean-Baptiste and join him in serving the people in Miege. In July 1850, Father Miege the Territory East of the Rockies. At — a French Jesuit serving at St. Louis first, the mission was primarily a minUniversity — received a decree from istry to the Native Americans. With the Pope Pius IX appointing him bishop of 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act opening the the newly formed Vicariate Apostolic of territory to homesteaders, the pastoral the Indian Territory East of the Rockies. needs of the vicariate Father Miege ignored and expandthis letter, assuming ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ changed ed dramatically. confidently that it was programming notes Father Henry a prank perpetrated Lemke, Father by his Jesuit confreres.

The archbishop’s radio program Augustine Wirth When he realized on KEXS 1090 AM in May includes: and Casimir Seitz — that it was authentic, Benedictines from he noted that the May 16 – Eucharistic adoration and the Corpus Christi event, supPennsylvania — came documents spoke of ported by the archdiocese and the to assist with the his nomination as Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, spiritual care of the bishop. After prayer to be held this year at the Oratory people of northeast and reflection, he of Old St. Patrick, 806 Cherry, KanKansas. Father Wirth wrote back to the apsas City, Mo., on June 6. founded St. Benedict’s propriate authorities Abbey in Atchison. in Rome declining the May 23 – Evangelization is the Casimir Seitz was the appointment because topic with guest Matt Karr, of the first to be ordained a of his unworthiness. office of evangelization and Cathpriest in the territory Father Miege wrote olic formation for adults. that would eventually to his brother Urban, May 30 – Memorial Day weekend become the Archdiowho was a priest in with guests Father Jim Ludwikoski cese of Kansas City in Europe, informing and Father Peter Jaramillo, priests Kansas. him that “he just of the archdiocese who have In a letter by Father missed being named a served as military chaplains.

Wirth, we receive a bishop.” He was cerglimpse of the chaltain his brother would The program airs at 10 a.m. on lenges faced by the be amused by this Sunday and is repeated at 8:30 laypeople and priests: whole episode. Father a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. on “With an entire Miege wrote: “I firmly Thursday. chapel in a traveling trust that they will bag, which is tossed leave me in peace in on a horse’s back, the priest wanders this matter. I would a thousand times from one station to another, the family rather return to Europe than accept this table serving as an altar. . . . The houses dignity. I have enough difficulty keeping in which people live do not deserve that myself out of trouble when I have only name; they are ordinarily of one room, myself to guide, what would it be if I sixteen square feet, that also serves as had to guide others?” the kitchen. In this room there are one Father Miege was shocked when he or two beds, a table and a stove, so the was informed that the Holy Father had room is already full, and here in the expressed his formal and absolute wish midst of a crowd the priest must also that he accept this appointment. Bishopsleep, which is very unpleasant. The elect Miege wrote his brother again: houses are so badly built that the wind “Truly I did not come to America for this whistles in from all sides, so that it is a kind of tribulation, and if I had been able wonder that the people do not get sick to suspect the slightest possibility of it, I and die.” would never have left a country where I And we think our times are tough! was better known and as a consequence In 1864, Father Anton Kuhls came to sheltered from this heavy burden.”

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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Kansas, being only the fourth priest to serve Catholics in Wyandotte County.

He lived in absolute poverty, sleeping at night on the sacristy floor of the original St. Mary Church.

Franciscan Father Joseph Perrier was the first to serve Catholics in Emporia, Hartford and Olpe. Father Perrier purchased two dollars worth of lumber and ten cents worth of nails in order to build the first altar in Emporia in his hotel room above a restaurant, where the tiny Catholic community would gather for Mass.

Jesuit Father Ponziglione accompanied Bishop Miege to Kansas, serving both Native Americans and white settlers. In two years, he established twelve churches which he would regularly visit to celebrate Mass.

Father Theodore Heimann, Bishop Miege’s vicar general, joined the Carmelite Fathers who were given the care of St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth — the first permanent foundation of the Carmelites in America. Father Heimann would eventually build a large church and Carmelite monastery in Scipio, even founding a college there.

In 1863, Father Sebastian Favre was pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence. He was hosting Bishop Miege for confirmation when the infamous Joseph Quantrill and his pro-slavery militia made their notorious raid on Lawrence. Father Favre and Bishop Miege saved the lives of a Quaker minister and his wife, hiding the minister by wrapping him in an old rug in the basement while his wife posed as Father Favre’s housekeeper.

These brave, courageous priests laid the foundation for the presbyterate of the Archdiocese. They would be followed by more remarkable priests like Father Francis Hayden, who for a time served four Kansas counties on horseback. Eventually, he became pastor of Assumption Parish in Topeka, founding a high school that would eventually bear his name.

More recently, the Archdiocese was blest with the examples of Monsignors Heliodore Mejak, Joseph Biehler and Arthur Trumpeter who, while living into their late 80s or 90s, continued to serve their people faithfully. Msgr. Mejak is believed to be the longest-serving active pastor at a particular parish in the world, serving as pastor of Holy Family Parish from 1944 to 2007 — 63 years.

In this year for priests, we gratefully remember the remarkable heritage of our presbyterate. Even more, we pray with gratitude for the priests who currently serve the Archdiocese with such passion, zeal and talent. May the Lord

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

May 14 Baccalaureate Mass — Benedictine College May 15 Donnelly College graduation May 16 Mass and administer ministry of acolyte to Michael Rebout — Cathedral of St. Peter Vespers — Little Sisters of the Lamb Mass and dinner for 25th anniversary of Holy Spirit School May 17 Presbyteral Council meeting Finance Council May 18 St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center meeting May 19 Donnelly College board meeting May 21 “The Catholic Way” radio taping Vespers and dinner for diaconate candidates — Holy Spirit, Overland Park May 22 Diaconate ordination of Nick Blaha, Michael Peterson and Barry Clayton — Holy Spirit, Overland Park May 23 Pentecost, archdiocesan confirmation of adults — Holy Angels, Basehor, 3 p.m.

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

May 14 St. James graduation Mass May 16 Mass — Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. May 22 Diaconate ordination of Nick Blaha, Michael Peterson and Barry Clayton — Holy Spirit, Overland Park May 23 Pentecost, archdiocesan confirmation of adults — Holy Angels, Basehor, 3 p.m.

always give them joy as they strive to lay down their lives daily in love for their people, seeking to become more and more shepherds after the heart of Jesus!

Photo courtesy of the Topeka Capital Journal

Connie Alcala (left) and Rachel Galvan Sangalang perform in Mariachi Estrella, one of the first all-female mariachi bands in the United States. The band is the focus of a new documentary. The Topeka-based band broke musical ground before tragedy struck.

Before their time Documentary shares legacy of Topeka mariachi band

By Marc and Julie Anderson Special to The Leaven

TOPEKA — It’s a story of music and faith, of fun and friendship. It’s a story of seven women finding their place in the world, and a story of tragedy and loss.

It’s the story of Mariachi Estrella, one of the first all-female mariachi bands in the United States. Nearly 30 years later, their story lives on through a new documentary.

Although Christ the King parishioner Peter Jasso grew up on the other side of Topeka, he often danced at the annual Fiesta Mexicana, a fundraiser for what was then Our Lady of Guadalupe School. He frequently heard tales of Mariachi Estrella. The band’s story appealed to him, he said, perhaps due to his personal ties to the parish, his sense of a good story line, or a little of both.

Mariachi Estrella, while only officially a band for roughly a year, left an indelible mark on the parish, the Hispanic community and the mariachi music scene.

In the late 1970s, Teresa Cuevas, Connie Alcala, Isabel Gonzales, Rachel Galvan Sangalang, Linda Scurlock, Dolores Carmona and Dolores Galvan joined together to form Mariachi Estrella. The irony is the group never planned it.

“My sister Connie and I played with a men’s choir for about two years,” said Gonzales. The pair’s musical training was limited — a few guitar lessons for Gonzales and a few piano lessons for Alcala.

Eventually, the sisters formed their own group, more in the mariachi style, meaning the music was lively and upbeat, and featured instruments such as the guitar, guitarron and vihuela.

At the same time, Cuevas used to play every Sunday at the 8 a.m. Mass.

Photo by Martin S. Fuentes

The three surviving members of the original Mariachi Estrella De Topeka — (from left) Rachel Galvan Sangalang, Isabel Gonzales, and Teresa Cuevas — are shown here at the dedication of Mariachi Divina, a memorial to the four members of the band who were killed on July 17, 1981, when a skywalk collapsed in the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Mo. A convert to Catholicism, she felt called to use her talent for God. As both a child and teenager, she had played in school bands and orchestras. Divorced with young children, the music called to her as a means of maintaining her closeness to God. “You have to have a good understanding of who God is,” said Cuevas.

“God is in my heart and my mind. Every day, I keep close to him, and he keeps close to me.”

Gonzales, Alcala and Cuevas were eventually joined by the other women, including Scurlock, who, while not a parishioner, helped to round out the sound with her trumpet. The seven soon discovered their own sound and learned all they could about mariachi

“Their contributions to music history should be recognized. The appeal is greater than just our borders. It touches on gender issues and cultural themes, while simultaneously speaking to the very basic emotions of the human condition.”

Marlo Angell, independent film maker

music, even studying at a mariachi music institute in California.

Ed Gonzales, brother of Carmona and a fellow parishioner, took the group under his wing, helping with rehearsals and costumes. Eventually, the group performed at parish events like the Fiesta Mexicana and other Midwestern venues.

“I think they loved mariachi music,” Cuevas said of the other women. “I just see them playing, and I remember how we sounded. I thought we were pretty good.”

That opinion was shared by record label executives. The group was on the verge of a record deal when tragedy struck.

On July 15, 1981, the band entertained crowds at the Fiesta Mexicana in Topeka. Tragically, just two days later, while the band was at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Kansas City, Mo., to perform at a corporate event for the Fuller Brush Co., the hotel’s skyways collapsed, killing Alcala, Carmona, Galvan and Scurlock.

More than 25 years later, it was the legacy of the all-female group that led independent filmmakers Jasso and his wife, Marlo Angell, to delve more deeply into the band’s story.

Raised in the community, Jasso could recall the broad outline of the tragedy, but soon found his knowledge only scratched the surface.

“If you start searching on the Internet for Mariachi Estrella, you will come up with dozens of hits,” he said.

“The musical genre of mariachi was very much a part of the culture in the sense that people listened to it, knew the songs, played recordings, etc.,” said Jasso. “And there were individuals that played these types of songs on a more ad hoc basis or as part of pickup bands, trios, or specially-created orchestras at the fiesta.

Turn to “Mariachi” on page 4

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • may 14, 2010

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

Mariachi group broke barriers Continued from page 3

Leaven photo by Chris Vaughn

Rosary for life

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop Robert Finn (holding microphone) lead a rosary in front of an Overland Park abortion clinic on May 8.

This is the fourth year LifeFront, an organization that offers sidewalk counseling in front of local abortion centers during operating hours, has organized a rosary in front of the clinic. More that 400 people joined the bishops for the rosary.

Graduate requested single gift: to meet her birth mother Continued from page 16 asked to meet her birth mother as a high school graduation present. That bottle provided the crucial link.

Rhonda and her husband met her.

This summer, the young woman — who had been raised in a very loving home as an only child — will meet her brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces.

The principal, teachers, and others came up to Rhonda at the graduation

and thanked her for giving life to such a wonderful young woman.

“I feel that I made a very negative situation into something positive,” said Rhonda. “It was painful. It was the most difficult thing. I can’t imagine going through anything more difficult.

“But what’s positive about abortion?

I made a couple happy — this is their only child. I have people who loved me and cared for me, and prayed for me every day, and I didn’t even know them!

“Don’t tell me that didn’t affect me.”

Mother’s Day is Rhonda’s favorite day of the year. There’s nothing more beautiful to her than seeing her family gathered in her living room for that special occasion. They’re her legacy.

“I told my children at one time something big and wonderful is going to happen to us,” said Rhonda. “We don’t know what it is, but it will happen, because no good deed goes unrewarded with God.”

Youth group to benefit from couple’s generosity Continued from page 1 the choir and the Altar Society. She was a room mother in the school. Tom was involved in CYO sports and the parish council. Both were lectors and served as eucharistic ministers.

Together, they cooked and delivered meals to senior citizens and the homeless. There was Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and a bunch of other things they can’t even remember — so much. They also took in four nephews and nieces when Tom’s sister died in 1982.

In all that time, they kept the house.

When the kids began to grow up and needed a place to establish themselves as young adults, the Allegries set them up in the house on Bell Street.

They intend to continue using the house this way for their 20 grandchildren, but they accumulated a lot of stuff they didn’t need in the process. And it just so happened that their need to cull coincided with the youth ministry’s need.

“I was talking to someone at St. Agnes, and they thought it would be a re-

701 North 94th Street * Kansas City, Kansas 66112 * (913) 334-3366 Funeral Home * Cemetery * Cremation Services

ally good idea to help the youth group by holding a garage sale.

“So I just donated everything I had,” Pat said simply.

Deniger-Hagman and youth ministry volunteers, who have been sorting and tagging the items, are grateful for this very generous donation.

“The fact that this couple has given all this stuff is amazing,” said DenigerHagman. “They’ve just totally become unattached to these things and are giving it away to us so freely. It’s completely humbling.”

“What Mariachi Estrella brought to the community was a well-organized, consistent, local group that mirrored professional bands across the country and in Mexico,” he said.

Now, nearly 30 years after the appearance of Mariach Estrella, at least five or six organized mariachi groups perform throughout the city. Also, hundreds of women throughout the world have since joined the mariachi music scene, a scene traditionally reserved to men.

In fact, Angell said, the barriers surmounted by Mariachi Estrella are part of its legacy.

“Their contributions to music history should be recognized,” he said. “I feel this story is integral to the history of [the] Oakland [area of the city] and to Topeka, of course.

“But the appeal is greater than just our borders,” Angell continued. “It touches on gender issues and cultural themes, while simultaneously speaking to the very basic emotions of the human condition.

“There is love, loss, even a sense of rebirth when you get to see just how their music lives on through all the people their lives have touched.”

Even the filmmakers themselves were touched by the magic of the group’s music.

“One of our goals from the beginning,” said Angell, “was to have the film feel like a song itself, with the different movements and crescendos of emotions that you go through.

“I would listen to the ebb and flow of Mariachi Estrella’s songs that were recorded by KTWU as inspiration while I edited the images together, because I wanted to have that spirit of the music in the flow of the film.”

The film debuted March 20 at Washburn University in Topeka. A second screening is planned for June 4-5 at the Lawrence Arts Center. Due to national and international inquiries, the couple plans to take the documentary on the film festival circuit.

In the meantime though, Jasso and Angel said they were honored that surviving band members were pleased with the film.

“This is a very, very beautiful video,” Isabel Gonzales said. “It’s a gift not just to us and to the community, but also to history.”

Powerful speakers headline Catholic Education Foundation fundraiser

By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For one afternoon this June, the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) is giving new meaning to its acronym.

Career, Education and Faith will be the focus on June 24 when three outstanding speakers come together to inform, motivate and inspire women of all ages at the first CEF Inspiring Women luncheon.

“CEF has assembled a remarkable trio of speakers for their luncheon,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann. “I am certain that the program will be both informative and inspiring.”

The luncheon will feature Linda Zarda Cook, the retired executive director of Royal Dutch Shell; Angela Perez Baraquio, a Catholic school teacher who is the first Asian-American to be crowned Miss America; and Immaculée Ilibagiza, a devout Catholic who survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide. (See sidebar for more information on these speakers).

“I’m really excited about Linda Zarda Cook,” said Patty Morrisey, director of development for CEF. “She brings the local flavor, and she’s just a remarkable person — a great role model for students in our archdiocese.”

“And Angela actually has taught in inner-city schools and knows the need there, so her message is going to be tremendous,” she added. “And I think the most well-known speaker is Immaculée. She is just very inspiring.”

Joan Wells, a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood, is CEO of The Wellington Group, an event-planning company that has helped CEF over the last several years develop new concepts and events to reach its intended target audiences.

“The ultimate goal [is] to raise awareness and then generate more scholarships for kids in need,” said Wells. “It was our objective to find

a lineup that would appeal to a really wide range of women. All these women have some kind of a story that we can learn from, take with us as we leave that day and reflect back upon.”

Getting women involved in CEF is the main goal of the luncheon.

Archbishop Naumann voiced his support for the effort, saying he sees CEF as a natural fit for women in the archdiocese.

“I think women are particularly attracted to the mission of the Catholic Education Foundation because of their love for children,” he said. “The concern of women for the well-being of all children makes them natural partners in the efforts of CEF to provide Catholic educational opportunities for all children.”

Although the foundation has always welcomed women to its events, this is the first time it has designed a program specifically with women in mind.

“We have a new group called The Futures, which is for younger people in the archdiocese,” explained Patty Morrisey. “And last year we had a breakfast that was kind of sports-related, so that appealed to men.

“So we thought it’s the women’s turn, and we tried to find something they would be interested in.”

Michael Morrisey, the executive director of CEF, agreed “The one audience that we want to

Inspiring Women 2010 luncheon CEF is hosting the Inspiring Women 2010 luncheon on June 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center. Featured speakers are: • Linda Zarda Cook, retired executive director, Royal Dutch Shell • Angela Perez Baraquio, teacher and first Asian-American crowned Miss America • Immaculée Ilibagiza, 1994 Rwandan genocide survivor There will be an optional Q&A session with the three speakers following the luncheon.

Seating is limited.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the CEF Web site at: www.cefks.org.

Proceeds from the luncheon will be used to provide scholarships for children in need.

get more involved is women — women business owners, stay-at-homemoms, and also younger women that we hope will be a part of CEF as time goes forward,” he said.

“And we think this luncheon will appeal to that group. But it’s open to guys and gals,” he added. “Anyone can come.”

The Wellington Group worked with CEF to develop the concept for the luncheon.

“Our idea was to really look at the diversity of women in the archdiocese and to develop a luncheon that would appeal to everyone,” said Wells. “I have my own middle school daughters who are attending, I have career friends who are attending, and I have stay-at-home-mom friends that are attending.”

Inspiring Women really begins the evening before the luncheon with an invitation-only event for sponsor-level supporters. They will have an opportunity to enjoy appetizers and beverages while mingling with the three speakers and other guests.

Space is limited for the event, but sponsorships are still available.

Luncheon guests will also have a chance to talk with the speakers.

Single tickets for the luncheon went on sale May 1. So far, according to the Morriseys, sales have been “off the charts.”

“Our goal was 350 people,” said Patty Morrisey. “But I think we’re going to go way over that. We’re probably going to have to expand to another room because it’s been so popular, and we’ve made arrangements for that.”

Like all CEF events, the luncheon’s goal is to raise awareness of the CEF mission and also to raise funds for scholarships.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to see and hear these three speakers,” said Patty Morrisey. “But it’s also a wonderful opportunity to do some good for the kids in our archdiocese.”

“These are kids who don’t have the best alternatives when it comes to public schools, and so, for them, it’s far more critical,” said Wells. “Catholic school is not just a lifestyle choice; it’s a life-changing choice.

“Now’s the time for women to get together, grab a friend, and go purchase tickets online.”

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LOCAL NEWS 5 Inspiring Women 2010 speakers Immaculée Ilibagiza’s life changed forever during the Rwanda genocide in 1994.

Ilibagiza survived the massacre by hiding in a local pastor’s small bathroom with seven other women. They stayed cramped together in silence for three months. Ilibagiza had her father’s rosary and maintained her faith and sanity through constant prayer. She lost most of her family and friends, but went on to forgive her persecutors and to tell her story and share her message of faith, hope and forgiveness.

A Hawaii-born Filipina, Angela Perez Baraquio made history as the first AsianAmerican and teacher to be crowned Miss America. While holding the title in 2001, she traveled more than 20,000 miles a month on national speaking tours promoting “Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers.” Baraquio is currently a Catholic school teacher in California.

Her story is an inspirational journey of making dreams come true.

In 2002, Fortune magazine named Linda Zarda Cook the 11th most powerful businesswoman in the world. She retired in 2009 from Royal Dutch Shell, where she was a member of the executive committee and board of directors. Born in Shawnee, she attended St. Joseph Grade School and High School. She joined Shell in 1980, after graduating with a degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Kansas. A mother of three, Zarda managed to successfully balance her career and home life, succeeding in business without compromising her principles.

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

THE LEAVEN • may 14, 2010

Scout earns Eagle Brendan O’Connor has earned the highest advancement award in the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout. O’Connor is a member of Troop 218 and Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

O’Connor’s service project involved leading a team of Scouts and adults in the design and construction of rolling planters for the residents of Villa St. Francis retirement home in Olathe.

Tapestries on display

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Jubilarians Priests of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and religious orders serving here were honored for their years of ministry during a Mass in

honor of priest jubilarians on May 5 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. Priests celebrating their 50th anniversary were: (left to right) Father Albert Hauser, OSB; Father Robert Pflumm; Father Earl Meyer, OFM Cap.; Msgr. Raymond Burger; Father Blaine Schultz, OSB; Father Thomas Kearns; and Father Bruce Swift, OSB. Not pictured are Bishop Herbert Hermes, OSB, and Father Carrol Thorne, CP. The nine 50-year jubliarians have given a combined 450 years of priestly service. Celebrating their 40th anniversaries at the Mass were Father Thomas Dolezal and Father Ronald Livojevich. Celebrating their 30th anniversaries were Father William Porter; Father Michael Zoellner, OSB; Father Gerard Williams, O. Carm.; and Father Patrick Murphy, CS. All totalled, the 15 priests honored at the Mass have given 650 years of priestly ministry. The main celebrant at the Mass was Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., here, will present a display of silk tapestries from the National Silk Art Museum of Weston, Mo. John Pottie, curator of the National Silk Art Museum, has agreed to display a number of these exquisite works of art during Strawberry Hill Museum’s art event scheduled from May 1 to July 25.

The silk tapestry process was pioneered by Joseph-Marie-Jacquard (1752 -1834). He used punch cards to control patterns on a special loom. His silk pictures interlace warp and woof so that the reverse is the exact negative of the original. Pottie has collected silk tapestries for 26 years and has examples from Impressionism, Romanticism, Classicism, Expressionism, Mannerism and Rococo.

Strawberry Hill Museum is open on weekends from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7.

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Hank Sr. and Betty Ann (Bender) Hagedorn, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 20. The couple was married on May 20, 1950, at Guardian Church, Anniversaries Angels Kansas City, Mo. Their children and their spouses are: Henry and Alice Hagedorn, Lincoln, Neb.; Janice and Joe Hoytal, Topeka; Larry and Cindy Hagedorn, Andover; and Doris and Mike Schroeger, Shawnee. They also have 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The couple will be honored with an open house hosted by their family on May 15.

Robert D. and Betty Jean (Knight) Pierron, members of St. Joseph of the Valley Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 17. The couple was married on May 17, 1950, at Sacred Heart Church, Leavenworth. Their children and their spouses are: Charlene and Larry Zink, Leavenworth; Sharon and Steve Amburn, Tulsa, Okla.; Linda and John Bradford, Easton; Judy and Curtis Moppin, Platte City, Mo.; Rob and Jessica Pierron, Easton; Beth Houser, Olathe; and Kelly and Dana Dunn, Lansing. They also have 14 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren. A family celebration will be held in Weston, Mo., on May 22.

Irene (VanGoethem) and Dean Kehoe, members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 14. The couple was married at Sacred Heart Church, Gardner. Their children and their spouses are: Terry and Yvonne Kehoe-Meier; Dan and Yvette Fitzmaurice; Brian and Peggy Rees; and Larry Kehoe.

They also have eight grandchildren.

Dorothy (Boos) and William O’Mara, members of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish in Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 15. The couple was married on May 14, 1960, at St. Joseph Church in Topeka. A family celebration with a Mass and reception will take place May 15 at Sacred Heart Church. Their children and spouses are: Patrick O’Mara; Michael and Ronda O’Mara; Kevin and Julie O’Mara; Angela and John Tompkins; Daniel and Denise O’Mara; William B. O’Mara; Christine and Howard Hogan; and Jean and Justin Bogart. They also have 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Anniversary policy

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

LOCAL NEWS 7

Sister Mary Kathleen Stefani, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Mary Kathleen Stefani, 84, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, died May 1 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. Betty Lou Stefani was born on Sept.

15, 1925, in Butte, Mont., one of four daughters of Daniel and Catherine Malloy Stefani. She attended Holy Savior Grade School and Girls Central High School in Butte.

Following her older sister, Sister Daniel, Betty Lou entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Aug. 14, 1945, and, as Sister Mary Kathleen, made her profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1947.

Sister Mary Kathleen received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s in secondary educationphysics from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, and a master’s in chemistry from Notre Dame University.

She pursued further study at Fordham University, the University of Washing-

ton, Gonzaga University, and St. Louis University.

A marvelous teacher and administrator, Sister Mary Kathleen spent a year each at Annunciation Grade School in Denver and Kate Fratt Memorial School in Billings, Mont., before beginning a 30-year stint at the secondary level. She taught at Bishop Ward and Hayden high schools in Kansas, and in Montana at Billings Central Catholic High School and Girls Central and Butte Central high schools, where she served as principal.

In 1980, Sister Mary Kathleen was elected to the leadership team of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as First Councilor. In 1986, she was elected community director and served in this capacity for two terms, until 1998.

Sister Mary Kathleen then moved to Topeka, where she served as assistant to the director of Marian Clinic before returning to Leavenworth to serve as assistant to the motherhouse administrator from 2002 until her death.

During that time, she also volunteered part time at St. Vincent Clinic, Leavenworth.

Local Catholics honored for volunteer work KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The United Way of Wyandotte County recently honored JoAnne Gilstrap, a member of St. Patrick Parish here as a Volunteer of the Year. She represented Duchesne Clinic, a partner agency with the United Way of Wyandotte County.

The organization also honored Ruth Schukman-Dakotas and Dan Dakotas for

their work at Shalom House, a program of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

The Dakotas are members of Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee.

Another honoree was Patrick Murphy, a member of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. He was recognized for his work with CASA of Wyandotte & Johnson Counties.

Building better disciples How do we get faith-filled Catholic school students?

By starting with a faith-filled faculty Story and photos by Joe Bollig

Success and identity

Archdiocesan superintendent Kathy O’Hara looks on as principal Ann Connor tells how the faculty faith formation program has brought her teachers together as a true faith community, as well as made them more effective witnesses of the faith to their students. Her advice to other schools is to be open to the new program and be ready to try its approach.

The mission and identity of Catholic schools have long been a concern of Kathy O’Hara, archdiocesan superintendent.

“Since I’ve been at the chancery, the archdiocesan school office has been involved in trying to enhance the Catholic identity and culture of our schools,” said O’Hara.

More than five years ago, the archdiocesan school office began to study what it meant to be a successful Catholic school in the three areas of curriculum, environment and personnel.

The first two were easy. But the third wasn’t. A new approach was needed.

“We created a mission team to look at what it means to be a Catholic school,” said O’Hara. “At the same time, we determined we needed to do a better job with the theological formation of our teachers. St. James Academy in Lenexa [opened] and they asked if they could take a different approach to faculty faith development.”

All the while this was happening, other ideas and influences were coming from the archdiocesan school office, the St. Lawrence Center, the Holy Family School of Faith, the Benedictine Institute for Religious Studies, and various principals.

Mike Scherschligt, executive director of the School of Faith, offered to help Archbishop Naumann in his vision of making better disciples.

Scherschligt helped St. James build a program for faculty that included not only academic formation, but also prayer and community formation. After refining the program through trial and error, he offered it to a couple of pilot schools three years ago. By fall 2009, there were 18 archdiocesan schools in the Holy Family School of Faith faculty formation program.

A paradigm shift

Mike Scherschligt, executive director of the School of Faith, leads the Bishop Miege faculty in a faculty formation session.

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It’s probably the biggest question we can ask ourselves about Catholic education: How do we measure the success of our Catholic schools?

Is it top-notch academics? Successful sports teams? A high graduation rate? The number and amount of scholarships won by graduates?

All those things are important and good, said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. We ought to have them — and frequently do.

But they’re not the bottom line.

The ultimate purpose lies elsewhere, said the archbishop.

“To me, those aren’t the measures of success for Catholic schools,” he said. “To me, the key thing is that every student — when they com-

plete their Catholic school education — that they have a relationship with Jesus Christ.” “[They must have] a friendship with Jesus Christ,” he continued, “that will sustain them for a lifetime — a love for the church and an understanding of all that’s offered to them in the sacramental life of the church to nurture that friendship.”

The opposite is the definition of failure, he said, no matter how high the grades are or how many games are won.

So this is the million-dollar question: How do we form Catholic school students to become great disciples of Christ?

The answer? Help their teachers to become great disciples of Christ.

The new faculty formation program is a radical departure from what went before.

“What we used to do prior to the School of Faith was to hold certain classes regarding the faith at various locations, and the teachers would sign up for the classes,” said O’Hara.

“Sometimes a principal would arrange to have a class offered so all the teachers could take it,” she continued, “but the emphasis was on individual learning, not trying to develop the faculty as a community of faith.”

Also, the emphasis of these classes was on the teachers learning things for direct, practical application in the classroom.

Certainly there was learning, and teachers did benefit, but the old paradigm did not offer ongoing formation or community.

“That continued conversion process that needs to occur in each person just doesn’t happen,” said Scherschligt. “We just don’t work on that once a semester or once a year. It has to be an ongoing process for everybody. So, the first step was to move this formation from infrequent to regular, consistent, ongoing formation.”

The old approach primarily offered classes, but the new approach offers this and more.

“These are much more than classes,” said Scherschligt. “There is an intellectual and catechetical piece, but [it offers] a deeper training in prayer and the interior life.”

Erick White, principal of Holy Trinity School in Paola, talks about his faculty’s experience of growing in faith and community through the Holy Family School of Faith’s faculty formation program. The program is intended to deepen the faith lives of faculty, staff and administrators.

The teachers used to take classes as individuals; now, they undergo training together with the faculty formation program.

“Each faculty is taken as a group,” said Scherschlight, “and one of the goals is to help them to grow in a greater friendship and as a community, because their unity with each other will enable them to be more successful in their mission.”

How it works The School of Faith sends instructors to each participating school to help the principal, staff and faculty complete 30 hours of formation in an academic year.

During these 30 hours, typically divided into 15 hours per semester, the faculty and staff receive four kinds of religious formation, referred to as “pillars.”

The first pillar is intellectual formation, done by studying the Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the theology of the body, and Catholic moral principles, social doctrine, and virtues.

The second pillar is interior formation, which focuses on developing a deep relationship with Christ through prayer.

The third pillar is community and friendships, which is accomplished by forming closer bonds, or relationships, in the faculty.

The fourth pillar is apostolate, where this faith is witnessed and handed on to the students in every way that faculty and staff encounter the students.

The faculty formation takes place in a retreat setting and often involves the participants having a meal together, small group discussion, and prayer.

Some schools have full days; others have half-days and spread the remaining hours out over the semester.

St. Joseph School in Shawnee has participated in the program for two years. This year, school administrators chose to divide its hours into two full days, supplemented by half-days.

“This is deepening our sense of community and helping us to develop

a more faith-filled interior life that we can share with our students,” said Sue Carter, principal at St. Joseph.

“I think it has really impacted [faculty],” she continued. “This time in the School of Faith is for us. It’s not about what we can take back to the classroom, although that’s a side benefit. It’s about growing and becoming more faithful ourselves, which, in turn, enriches what we do in the classroom.”

Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral in Kansas City, Kan., is finishing its third year in the program.

The faculty there spend a half-day in formation every month.

“We have a portion of time we spend learning about some aspect of our faith,” said Ann Connor, principal. “It might be on salvation history, the New Testament, or the saints. And then we roll into prayer time, and we learn different types of prayer that we can take into our own personal life.”

Connor has noticed that the formation is having an impact on the way her teachers pray. They used to stick to the rote, traditional prayers. Now, their prayer with God is more conversational.

“They are listening more and being more open to what God is telling them,” said Connor.

Participation is required, but faith formation is something the teachers look forward to. The greatest challenge the school has encountered was figuring out the best time for the formation.

“The initial challenge was time — figuring out what worked out best for our teachers, and when they would be most open and productive to what the program is designed for,” said Connor.

“Once we got that figured out, the next [challenge] was that not everyone is at the same level in their faith life,” she continued. “We make sure everyone is comfortable with the program and able to share in the way they feel the most comfortable.”

From what she has observed, the program is delivering what it promised.

“Our staff has come together as a faith community in the way they deal

with students, parents and each other,” said Connor.

Atchison Catholic School is also completing its second year in the program.

“The biggest challenge was getting the teachers to ‘buy into’ the program — understanding why we were doing it and how it was going to help us,” said principal Rick Weber.

But the benefits of the program are readily apparent.

“The biggest benefit I see is that our teachers in the class are asking deeper questions,” he said. “These are questions they may not feel comfortable asking their pastor, but they feel comfortable asking an instructor.”

Looking ahead Scherschligt and his instructors will continue to fine-tune the program, even as they are making plans to expand.

On April 16, the archdiocesan school office and the School of Faith held a presentation for 32 schools at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. Scherschligt is hoping the 32 will sign on for the next academic year.

He hopes that within two years, this new model of faculty faith formation will be rolled out in all 44 archdiocesan primary and secondary schools.

“There’s an old saying,” he said.

“You can’t pass on what you don’t have.”

Ultimately, the success of the program will not be the number of schools that are participating — although that is important. The bottom line for success is teachers bringing the Catholic faith to their students.

“If there is commitment [by teachers] to take on a way of life as a disciple of Christ,” said Scherschligt, “and if they are committed to ongoing growth in a deeper life in prayer, in virtue, and in relationships with those they work with, then we will have created a culture in our schools where the students can pursue discipleship.”

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

Jewish group honors Cardinal Kasper with award WASHINGTON (CNS) — Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, received the American Jewish Committee’s Isaiah Interreligious Award April 30 at the closing session of the AJC’s annual meeting in Washington.

The award, honoring extraordinary achievement in interreligious affairs, was given to the cardinal because of his “long-standing commitment to Jewish-Catholic dialogue and leadership in advancing understanding between the two faiths,” the AJC said in a news release. Rabbi David Rosen, AJC’s international director of interreligious affairs, presented the award. “Cardinal Kasper has made some of the most far-reaching statements regarding the Catholic Church and Judaism, has firmly opposed attempts to proselytize Jews and has been a champion in the struggle against anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism,” Rabbi Rosen said. The cardinal said he was “deeply moved by this high distinction” and expressed gratitude “as a German, as a Catholic theologian and as president of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Jews” for the honor.

“I am deeply grateful that I have been able to contribute to making a difference in relations between our two communities and to the healing process of the deep wounds inherited from the past,” Cardinal Kasper added.

West Virginia bishop devotes pastoral letter to mine safety WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) — In the second pastoral letter of his episcopacy, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston called attention to mine safety in West Virginia. In his letter, “On My Holy Mountain,” released at a news conference April 30 at diocesan offices in Wheeling, the bishop noted mine disasters in West Virginia — the Monongah Mine disaster of 1907 that killed 362 people, the Sago Mine disaster of 2006 that killed 13 miners and the April 5 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in Montcoal that killed 29 miners. “West Virginia’s coal helps to supply over half of our nation’s energy,” Bishop Bransfield said in the letter. “A good deal of our state’s coal is exported to help other nations improve their economies and further their development. These are facts of which we can be extremely proud. We can also reasonably expect that miner safety be a higher priority than coal production.

The disaster at the Upper Big Branch Mine raises concerns about the conditions within the coal mines across our state and the atmosphere existing in the coal industry’s corporate culture.” This is a time of transition in the coal fields, the bishop said, and it is certain that the nation will need West Virginia’s coal for years to come.

Finance reform hampered by politics

Immigrant church must lead the way on reform

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

By Beth Griffin

Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) — Catholic leaders and universities should “come out of the shadows” and take a significant role in educating those who are ambivalent or undecided about the issue of comprehensive immigration reform, according to Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles.

“We are an immigrant church ourselves since the founding days of the republic,” the cardinal said in a May 3 presentation at Fordham University in New York.

“The immigrant experience is our own,” he added. “We should be front and center in leading the charge for immigration reform not only because it is a matter of justice, but also because it is part of our identity as a church.”

Cardinal Mahony said Christ himself “was an itinerant preacher with no place to lay his head” and “a refugee who fled the terror of Herod.”

“When we welcome the newcomer, we welcome him,” he said. “We need to do more to ensure that we do not become a nation that treats those who look foreign as suspect and to be investigated, even arrested, merely on the basis of their appearance.”

Cardinal Mahony, a member of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, said immigration reform had been “drifting off the legislative agenda into the fog of uncertainty and inaction” until April 23, when the governor of Arizona signed a sweeping immigration bill aimed at identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal immigrants.

Cardinal Mahony said the extreme polarization of the immigration debate is “toxic to our system.” He urged bipartisan support for federal immigration legislation that could be signed by President Barack Obama “sooner rather than later.”

“A central feature of reform should be to bring the 12 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows and offer them a secure path to legal status,” he said. “In return, these immigrants would learn English, pay a fine and work for several years before earning the right to receive permanent legal status.”

CNS photo/Tom Costanza, Clarion Herald

PASTOR LEADS FISHERMEN IN PRAYER — Father John Arnone, pastor of St. Bernard Church, leads a group of fishermen in prayer May 1 at the Breton Sound Marina in Hopedale, La. The marina has been used as a staging area for workers trying to set up protective booms in the advance of a massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.

Church helps fishing community face its latest challenge

By Peter Finney Jr. Catholic News Service

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — Inside St. Bernard Church May 2, parishioners whose lives depend on the fishing industry and who endured and overcame the battering of Hurricane Katrina five years ago had a difficult time focusing on Father John Arnone’s homily.

Their minds shifted to the video of South Louisiana crude oil spewing from a ruptured British Petroleum pipeline a mile deep in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Gospel account from John was about the necessity of Christians proving their love of God by loving their neighbor. Or, as Father Arnone told his congregation, “by putting words into action” and gathering together in times of peril and challenge.

In the pews, several women sobbed.

“The spill has really affected them,” Father Arnone said. “We spoke about the oil leak and about how we had been through Katrina, and we said we could face this challenge as well. We have to love one another by putting our words into action.”

In the hours before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the images of an advancing monster storm gave people the opportunity to prepare and evacuate, but it also heightened their anxiety. In the

same way, the images of the BP disaster and the monster oil spill have triggered unwanted flashbacks for people whose Katrina scar tissue remains raw.

“It just staggers me,” said Tony Fernandez, the former chief criminal deputy sheriff of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office and chairman of the pastoral council of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Chalmette. “Today we are crying out, ‘Why us, Lord?’”

Fernandez, who operates the marina and figures to be heavily impacted by the oil spill, said the church must help hard-working people who cannot protect themselves.

“It’s a case of ‘here we go again,’” Fernandez said. “It’s been one catastrophic event after another. But our focus is not so much on our sorrow, but it’s on what we can do for others. I’ll take a hit on this, but not nearly as much as those who are calling me. It’s like the widow’s mite. I may lose more, but the little some other people will lose will be so much greater in their lives. My heart goes out to them.”

That’s where Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans comes in. The oil spill has the potential of severely impacting 300 fishing families in St. Bernard Parish and another 1,000 in Plaquemines.

In Louisiana, civil jurisdictions similar to counties are called parishes.

CNS photo/Debbie Hill

TEEN TIES KNOT DURING TEAM-BUILDING ACTIVITY — Reem Sada, 19, of East Jerusalem ties a knot to stake a tent in the ground during a team-building activity at a CRS-sponsored camp near Beit Sahour, West Bank, May 5. The camp is aimed at instilling young Palestinians with leadership qualities and nonviolence skills.

In Jerusalem, study tours help Jews learn about ‘the other’

By Judith Sudilovsky

Catholic News Service

JERUSALEM (CNS) — University student Liraz Meir looked in slight amazement at the familiar stone walls of the Armenian Quarter.

“I come to the Old City so often. I have passed these walls so many times in my life and I never went inside,” mused Meir, 27, who with some 20 other Israelis was on a study tour that included a visit to the Armenian Quarter and a Christian monastery.

Like most Israelis, she said, she had lumped together all the “others” who live behind the walls as one political entity of Palestinians and had not considered their diversity.

She said that while most Israeli Jews — even people like her, who believe dialogue is important — hurry past the walls of the Armenian Quarter on their way to the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall, they never stop to consider the people who live there.

Following a spate of spitting incidents against Christians in the Old City — mostly Armenians because of their proximity to the Jewish Quarter — three groups active in interreligious dialogue organized special study tours in late April and early May to familiarize Israe-

lis not only with the physical presence of the Christians in the city, but also with the issues and challenges they face as a minority within the Jewish state.

“Since we are here at Mt. Zion in close proximity to the Jewish Quarter, we have often become targets of some indignities by extremist right-wing Orthodox Jews, who spit on us quite often,” said Armenian Orthodox Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, who has himself been spit at about 50 times this year.

Debbie Weisman — a founding member of Jerusalem’s largely English-speaking Yedidya congregation, one of the organizers of the study tour — said she had been appalled to hear about the spitting incidents.

“The phenomenon of spitting is disgusting and points to a deeper issue of how Jews [in Israel] relate to ‘the other,’” she said. “We have a responsibility in terms of how everybody is treated [in Israel] and this is unacceptable. I came to learn and hear about the problems.

We need to reach out to the other.”

Andrea Katz said the Yedidya congregation hoped to organize a concrete show of solidarity for the Christian community.

She said members were considering having a Jewish presence in the quarter during Armenian processions so the Jews could express opposition to the spitting.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Regulation of the financial industry is hampered by the political pressure the financial institutions put on governments and politicians, said a Harvard law professor and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

“The regulatory process is captured by the political interests of the people who are supposed to be regulated,” said Mary Ann Glendon, president of Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

“There are all kinds of pressure on the shaping of regulations, so there’s the problem of the political will to reform,” she said during a Vatican news conference May 5.

Glendon spoke at the end of the academy’s four-day plenary session, which focused on the theme, “Crisis in a Global Economy: Re-planning the Journey.”

The academy invited economists, lawyers, theologians and social scientists to look at the causes of the current economic crisis, its impact on individuals and nations, the relationship between ethics and economics, and ideas for promoting economic recovery and preventing a similar financial meltdown in the future.

In a written summary of the proceedings, Glendon said some speakers noted how much of the world economy has shifted from being based on the real production of goods “to an economy dominated by speculative activities driven by greed.”

Pope John Paul II’s 1991 social encyclical, “Centesimus Annus” (“The Hundredth Year”), warned people that “the creative energies of the market have to be tamed and disciplined within a moral and juridical framework,” she said during the news conference.

Unfortunately, she said, no one has come up with a way to “construct a juridical framework that permits the enormous wealth-creating possibilities of the market to operate and yet corrects for the enormous destructive capability of the market.”

Finance regulation “is a real art and science that no one has mastered,” not even the world’s brightest economists, she added.

“We are proud to be a locally owned family funeral home serving our community.”

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Archdiocesan 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Cathedral of St. Peter June 27, 2010, 2:00 pm Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann invites

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world 11

Nagasaki archbishop says nuclear arms never justified NEW YORK (CNS) — Speaking at two U.N.-related events May 4, the archbishop of Nagasaki, Japan, called the existence of nuclear weapons “intrinsically evil” and said “there is no reason whatsoever to justify this deadly weapon.” Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, who as an unborn child survived the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bomb that decimated his city at the end of World War II, brought his impassioned plea for nuclear disarmament and the abolition of all war to the events at a chapel overlooking the headquarters of the United Nations.

Archbishop Takami was born seven months after the bomb killed 60,000 people in his hometown, including his grandmother, two aunts and an uncle.

He addressed U.N. representatives, members of Catholic organizations and university students in the Tillman Chapel at the Church Center for the United Nations. The archbishop’s visit coincided with the May 3-28 international review of the U.N. nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

“Even one nuclear weapon should not be tolerated,” he said. As Archbishop Takami spoke, a scorched wooden bust of Mary with hollow eyes rested behind him on the altar. It is an image known as Mary the Hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivor. He carried it with him from Japan.

Shroud of Turin ‘icon’ of Christ’s solidarity with humanity TURIN, Italy (CNS) — The Shroud of Turin is an icon of “the most radical solidarity”: Christ sharing the loneliest moment of human existence by lying in a tomb, Pope Benedict XVI said after he knelt in silent prayer before the linen cloth. The pope did not discuss the authenticity of the shroud as the cloth used to wrap the dead body of Jesus, but he said it clearly “is a burial cloth that wrapped the body of a man who was crucified in a way corresponding completely to what the Gospels tell us of Jesus.” Pope Benedict paid a daylong visit to Turin May 2, celebrating an outdoor Mass, venerating the shroud in Turin’s cathedral, meeting with young people and visiting the sick. During his evening visit to the exposition of the shroud, which is on public display until May 23, the 83-year-old pope said that while he has seen it before, this time there was a special “intensity, perhaps because the passing of years has made me more sensitive to the message of this extraordinary icon.”

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Prince of Peace Early Education Center - Is seeking an afternoon teacher’s assistant from 3 - 6 p.m.; experience preferred; must be 18 or older. Also seeking full-time teachers to work with 2- and 4-year-olds; competitive salary with benefits package. CDA or degree required; experience a must. Call Amanda Khemraj at (913) 829-2728.

Principal - Padre Pio Academy, a K - 8 Catholic grade school in Shawnee, seeks qualified applicants that are loyal to the magisterium of the Catholic Church. The academy is seeking a principal who will be responsible for all aspects of management and administration of the school and report to the board of directors. For detailed information about the school, visit the Web site at: www.padrepioacademy.org.

Interested candidates may call (913) 268-3155.

Combined 1st- and 2nd-grade teacher - Applicant needs to be loyal to the magisterium of the Catholic Church, organized, and able to engage young children in a variety of subjects. Experience preferred but not required. For detailed information about the school, visit the Web site at: www.padrepioacademy.org. Interested candidates may call (913) 268-3155.

Director - St. Matthew Parish, Topeka, is seeking to fill the position of preschool/child care center director. Join the excitement of our new facility, capable of being licensed for 60 children. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, elementary education or a related field preferred but not required. Position manages full- time child care, preschool, after school care and summer camp for preschool and schoolage children. Submit letter and resume by May 26 to: Father Jerry Volz, St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 S.E. Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605.

St. Gabriel Parish, Kansas City, Mo. - Seeks an enthusiastic leader for our family-friendly early learning center to guide our six-week through pre-K program. The qualified candidate will be an active, practicing Catholic in good standing with the church; have a bachelor’s degree in early education or related field with a minimum of 12 hours in the field of early childhood; and have at least three years experience in a supervised child care classroom setting, with one year in a supervisory position. The director will have skills in marketing, personnel management and budgeting. Familiarity with NAEYC accreditation is a must. The ability to work with both children and adults in an active learning environment and maintain staff development in accordance with diocesan and state standards is also necessary. Applications are available by contacting (816) 756-1858, ext. 274, or by visiting the Web site at: http://jobs.diocesekcsj.org/jobs.

Director of worship - St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Independence, Mo., is seeking candidates for this full-time position. Responsibilities include: liturgy and event planning; recruitment, formation and coordination of all liturgical ministries; and the direction of a well-established, versatile music program. Qualifications needed: BA/BS in liturgical music, music education or pastoral studies; knowledgeable and experienced in liturgy; piano and organ skills are essential, handbell experience preferred. Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements, via e-mail, to: careersstmarksparish@yahoo.com.

Bilingual parish secretary - Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a parish secretary. This position requires superior organizational and communication skills as well as some knowledge in basic bookkeeping, computing, and office management. This person must have a friendly and approachable demeanor, and fluency in both Spanish and English is a requirement. Qualified applicants may apply in person at 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan.; call (913) 677-4621; or send a resume to Father Kent O’Connor, via email, to: oluparishkck@gmail.com.

Organist/music director - Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a part-time organist/music director for the churches of Sacred Heart and St. John the Evangelist.

Responsibilities include playing at two to three Masses per weekend, rehearsing as necessary with cantors, and coordinating the music minister schedule. Organ is a must; piano is a plus. The ability to speak Spanish and coordinate the Spanish Masses is also a plus. An interest/ability to build a successful, comprehensive music program for the parish is ideal. Qualified candidates may contact Father Kent O’Connor at (913) 677-4621 or send an e-mail to: oluparishkck@gmail.com.

Executive director – The Johnson and Wyandotte counties Catholic Youth Organization is seeking a faith-filled proven leader and administrator to become the executive director. Responsibilities include providing strategic and energetic leadership for all grade school and high school athletic program offerings. In addition, the new director must be skilled in financial management and strategic planning and development. Candidates must be registered and active in their parish community. For a complete job description, application, and benefit information, visit the Web site at: www. cyojwa.org. Applicants should send cover letter, resume, pastor letter of reference, and application by May 21, to: JWACYO Executive Board, c/o Human Resources, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109 or send, via e-mail, to: kthomas@archkck.org.

THE LEAVEN • MAY 14, 2010 Spanish teacher – Bishop Ward High School is seeking a full-time Spanish teacher. Applicant must be licensed. Mail resume to Mr. Dennis Dorr, Bishop Ward High School, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102.

Director - The office of evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Des Moines has an immediate opening for a director to provide leadership, vision, and advocacy for the development and implementation of catechetical leadership formation. Responsibilities include oversight of education and formation programs for volunteers and career/professional catechetical ministers, children, youth and adults of the parishes and schools of the diocese. Strong presentation, training and administration skills and background are necessary for this role. This position requires a master’s degree (or currently pursuing) in theology, pastoral studies, religious education or a related field and extensive catechetical experience in a parish or diocesan position. This is a full-time position with benefits. Travel required. This position is based out of the Pastoral Center in Des Moines. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: Human Resources, Diocese of Des Moines, 601 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309-2501; fax to (515) 237-5070; or send, via e-mail, to: hr@dmdiocese.org.

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 information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Part-time bowling machine mechanic - St. John’s Catholic Club, Kansas City, Kan., is looking for someone to maintain a six-lane house in the church’s men’s club. All late model 1960s Brunswick equipment. Call Kenny at (913) 7889758.

Services Golf lessons that last! All ages, all skill levels. Individual or group lessons; reasonable rates; certified teaching professional. Member of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park.

Call Mike at (816) 522-3847. Virtus trained. To play better golf today . . . call Mike.

Long term care insurance - Plans are designed to help you protect your assets. Most people do not want to be a burden when they need care. I am a broker representing numerous carriers. Give me a call and I can help determine if the insurance is right for you. Mark Durkin CLTC, (913) 2054871.

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.

Lawn Mowing Senior and referral discounts.

Insured and bonded.

Local parishioner. Free estimates.

Call (913) 620-6063.

Tree service - Pruning 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.

Plake’s Tree Service - Dead wooding, removals, stump grinding, thinning, firewood. 30 years experience. Free estimates. Call Gregg at (816) 591-7409 or Larry at (913) 4220544.

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.

Two-mom housecleaning team - Let us help you reclaim your weekend! Experienced, trustworthy, insured and bonded. Affordable rates. References available. Call Patty at (913) 940-9231 or Susan at (913) 642-6757. Visit our Web site at: www.wix.com/twomoms/pshomecleaning.

Housecleaning - I will clean your house the old fashioned way – hand mopping, etc. 20+ years experience, excellent references, free estimates. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006.

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.

Counseling - Confidential and affordable individual, marriage and family counseling and outpatient substance abuse treatment. Call JB Strong, MA, LCPC, AAPS (913) 7221118 or visit: www.outpatientalcohol drugtreatment.com.

THE LEAVEN • MAY 14, 2010 Have you considered starting a donor-advised fund or family foundation? The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas can help. We assist people with giving plans from trusts to gift annuities. If you are trying to stretch your philanthropy dollars further, contact the Catholic Foundation for ideas and guidance. For a confidential meeting, call (913) 647-0365 or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org.

Caregiving Caregiving - Everyone deserves the BesCare for their loved ones at an affordable price. We provide hourly, daily, weekly, or around-the-clock care including weekends and holidays. You can count on BesCare. Call (913) 638-5385.

Caregiver - Mature Catholic woman with over 25 years experience is available to care for your loved one in their home. I have spent the past four years exclusively caring for one client. Call (913) 579-8914.

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: benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

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.

Home Improvement The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured!

Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

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.

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.

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) 859-0471.

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.

Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel!

Johnson county area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

Father-and-son team - These guys can do it all — exterior painting, decks, fences, retaining walls, metal buildings, patios, porches, and driveways, We can do your job for a reasonable price! Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Masonry work – Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

College Works painting - A licensed, bonded, and insured exterior painting company. If you are considering having any painting done this summer, schedule a free estimate by calling Matt Gasper at (913) 244-1786 or send an e-mail to: mgasper1@ku.edu. Also, ask how you can receive 10% discount. Member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.

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 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.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998

Mountain cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA. View of continental divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $95/night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin. forcadeassociates.com.

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.

Kawai piano - Upright. Beautiful walnut finish, excellent quality, like new. Great for home, church or school. $2800. Contact Melanie at (913) 707-6963.

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

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.

Homeowners - New laws require all contractors to be lead-based certified. Protect your family’s health. We are a licensed, insured, lead-based-certified contractor. If you are seeking an honest, courteous, dependable contractor, call In-Land Construction Services LLC at (913) 238-1630.

For Rent Condo - Updated, 1 BR Overland Park condo available June 15. Washer, dryer and carport. Pool in complex. Water and trash paid. Nonsmoking, mature individual or couple. $695/month. Call (913) 381-9392.

Duplex - Spacious 2 BR, 1-1/2 BA duplex in Overland Park. Includes all appliances, lawn service, trash and neighborhood ammenities. Call (913) 383-1343.

Duplex – 3208 N. 68th St., Kansas City, Kan. Recently remodeled 2 BR, 1 BA duplex with a single-car garage and laundry facilities, located in Christ the King Parish, is available for rent. No pets. $600 per month. Call (913) 334-0124.

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.

Real Estate FSBO - Custom-built, French Normandy design two-story home with 2400 sq. ft. 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA, LR, DR, double-wall construction, Gerard steel roof, tile entry, Anderson windows, first floor crown moldings, family room has tongueand-groove ash, paver fireplace with bookshelves on each side. Custom walnut kitchen cabinets, two-plus car garage.

Property has park-like yard. Located in Prince of Peace Parish at 1331 S. Winterbrooke Dr. $269,000. Call (913) 782-3862.

Kansas Land - Buy or Sell 1 (800) 557-9151 www.KansasLandBrokers.com Tomahawk Creek Condominiums at Town Center Square, Leawood - Luxury living at a bargain price! 1 BR, 1 BA; cheaper than rent, plus all the amenities of condo living. $100,000; 3-1/2% down, plus potential $8,000 tax credit.

Call Rosemary, Masters GMAC, at (913) 661-9744.

Home for sale - 5717 W. 69th St., Overland Park. MLS 1657735. Exceptional home on .5-acre lot! Custom floor plan.

First-floor master with updated bath. Vaulted ceilings in sunroom, hearthroom off kitchen, 900’ wrap-around deck, flagstone patio, finished lower level, and many energy efficient features. All for $440,000. Near Queen of Holy Rosary and St. Ann Parish. Open on May 16 from 1 - 4 p.m. Call Charlotte White, Prudential KC, at (913) 522-6819.

Vacation Lake of the Ozarks rental - Osage Beach; million-dollar view; fully furnished; 2 BR, 2 BA; sleeps six. No smoking, no pets. For special rates or pictures, call Steve or Sheryl Roederer at (913) 244-2022.

Relax at the lake - Great lake house on the Gravois arm of the Lake of the Ozarks. 2 BR, 2 BA, screened-in porch on gently sloped lake lot with a great view, and a two-well dock. Monthly rentals $1600. For information or to view pictures, call Pam Brulez at (913) 764-9480 or send an e-mail to: pkbrulez@gmail.com.

Family fun in South Dakota - Enjoy a family or group fishing vacation in Pierre, S.D., with former KC Royals pitcher, Tom Bruno. Tom’s guide service, Major League Adventures, will provide your party with a world-class fishing experience and memories to last a lifetime. For information, call (970) 214-2891 or visit the Web site at: www.majorleagueadventures.com.

Summer vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec center w/pool, fishing, golf, hiking, rafting, close to nat’l park. $100/night; $600/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

May

For sale

Childcare Summer nanny - 21-year-old college student available from late May to beginning of August. Seven years experience with kids. CPR certified. $12 - 15/hr. Call (913) 909-4017 or send an e-mail to: megalleg013@hotmail.com.

Licensed Parents’ Day Out program - For special-needs children, ages one year to kindergarten. I am a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park. I have many years of experience in the field and excellent references. Call Mary Catherine at (913) 709-5884.

Misc.

Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need.

Your tax-deductible donation of a vehicle helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally responsible way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call 1 (866) 430-9499 or visit the Web site at: www. cars4kckids.com.

Ma’s Country Antique Mall, Basehor - Booth space available. In business for over 15 years. We buy antiques.

Call (913) 724-3799.

Bulk mulch for sale - $40 /cubic yd. delivered; $65/ cubic yd. delivered and spread; three yard minimum. Will deliver within 20 miles of our address. Call Joe Keehn at (913) 631-7217.

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.

Entertainment DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function. Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 548-6765 or visit the Web site at: www.djirishman.com.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963

15

Lighthouse will host a Walk for Life at 10 a.m. on May 15 at MidAmerica Nazarene College, 2030 E. College Way, Olathe. For information or to register, contact Stacey Stark at (816) 3612233 or visit the Web site at: www.light housekc.org.

The Daughters of Isabella will host their fifth annual women’s day of reflection from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on May 15 in the Quigley Center at Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa. Father Michael Mulhearn, a dynamic Vincentian priest, will celebrate Mass at 8 a.m., followed by a presentation on “Death, Judgment, Limbo, Purgatory, Hell and Heaven: When We’re Done Here.”

Get out of the city and come run with the cows! Queen of the Holy RosaryWea, 22705 Metcalf, Bucyrus, will sponsor a kids run, 5K and half marathon on May 15. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Catholic Relief Services. For information or to register, visit the Web site at: www.runningwiththecows.com.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on May 15 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “The Serenity Prayer.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

16

The Little Sisters of the Lamb, who will celebrate their second anniversary of living and praying in the archdiocese, will host an open house on the grounds of the future Little Monastery, 36 S. Boeke St., Kansas City, Kan., on May 16. Vespers will begin at 4 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share. The Little Sisters will present “Theater of the Gospel” at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to join in this celebration.

Mary Health of the Sick women’s guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will meet in the convent, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., following the 9 a.m. Mass on May 16.

Holy Spirit School, 11300 W. 103rd, Overland Park, will celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 16 with a 6:30 p.m.

Mass, followed by a reception.

22-23

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Lectio Divina,” a retreat on the ancient art of prayerful reading, presented by Sister Micaela Randolph, OSB, from 10 a.m. on May 22 until 2 p.m. on May 23. The weekend will include sharing, silence, solitude and reflection. The cost is $100.

Registration is due on May 10. For information or to register, call (913) 360-

6151 or visit Sophia Center’s Web site at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

24

St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, will host its annual golf tournament at Deer Creek Golf Club, 7000 W. 133rd St., Overland Park, on May 24. The cost of $125 per golfer includes greens fees, cart, beverages and dinner. This year’s theme is Hawaiian, so colorful apparel is encouraged. The Knights of Columbus of the parish offer a challenge to other councils. For information or to register, call Tom Cavaliere at (913) 402-3900 or send an e-mail to him at: grandknight@kofcstmichael.org.

26

A program, entitled “Managing Stress in a Stressful World,” will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on May 26 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb. org/kwc.

27

“Eating Out – Not Filling up,” a nutrition presentation, will be offered from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on May 27 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

June 2-4

Holy Spirit Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will host a parish-wide garage sale from 8 a.m. 6 p.m. on June 2 - 4, and from 8 a.m.

- noon on June 5. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity, Santa Gertrudis Parish in Honduras, Uplift, and Alexandra’s House for terminally ill infants.

7-10

Good Shepherd Parish, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, will host an icon workshop from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on June 7 - 10. For information, call Lisa Cummings at (913) 221-5928 or visit the parish Web site at: www.goodshepherd shawnee.org.

11

Sacred Heart Church, Gardner, will host a golf tournament at 1 p.m. on June 11 at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course, 2001 E. Santa Fe, Gardner. Proceeds will benefit the building fund for a new parish center. The cost is $125 per player or $500 per foursome. The registration deadline is May 24. For information or to register, call the parish office at (913) 856-7781 or send an e-mail to: Larry@ shgks.com.

11-13

Enrich your life, enrich your love, and enrich your marriage by spending time with your spouse and

CALENDAR 13

learning the tools to a great marriage!

The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be held from June 11 - 13 in Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 469-8453 in the Kansas City metro area, (785) 843-9274 in Lawrence, (785) 357-5000 in Topeka, or visit the Web site at: www.neksme. org.

Misc.

The annual Mel Hughes Campout and 5K Walk for Life will be held on June 4 - 5 at Dolan Field, Kansas City, Kan., from June 4 - 5. Campers may arrive after noon on June 4. The walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. on June 5. Proceeds from this event will benefit the transplant unit at KU Medical Center and the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic. For information or to register, call Doug Conner at (913) 963-9095 or visit the Web site at: www.melhughes.com.

The 2010 Kansas City Conference for Catholic Homeschoolers will be held June 4 - 5 at St. James Academy, 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa. There will be great speakers, presentations, vendors and exhibitors. For information and registration materials, visit the Web site at: www.kccatholichomeschooler. org.

The Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will sponsor its Inspiring Women 2010 luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on June 24 at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. Presentations will be given by three women whose faith and education inspired their amazing success. For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Web site at: www.inspiringwomen2010luncheon. com.

Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Roeland Park, will offer summer basketball clinics. The girls clinic will be held on June 21 - 24; the boys clinic will be from June 28 - July 1. Both clinics are for students entering grades 4 - 8 and are from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

There will also be a Little Stags clinic for children entering grades K - 3 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. on June 14 - 17. For information or to register, call Dolly Foley at (913) 495-9559 or visit the Web site at: www.bishopmiege.com.

Notre Dame de Sion will host allgirls soccer camps this summer. The first session is for 2nd- to 5th-graders and will be held from 9 - 11 a.m. on July 12 - 15. The second session is for 6th- to 8th-graders and will be held from 9 - 11 a.m. on July 19 - 22. For information or to register, send an e-mail to Matt Darby at: mdarby@rockhursths.edu or visit the Web site at: www.sionstorm.com.

Villa St. Francis

planning?

Creative Planning, managing over $1.3 billion in assets.

Financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, charitable giving Mark Henke JD, (913) 742-7209 henke@thinkingbeyond.com

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

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

“I feel that I made a very negative situation into something positive.

It was painful. It was the most difficult thing.

I can’t imagine going through anything more difficult.

See story on page 16

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

“L

THE LEAVEN • May 14, 2010

Mark my words

¿QUé PASA? — IN HISPANIC MINISTRY

Look for the power of the unseen hand

The bad and good news on immigration

ord, just help me get the names right!”

Every now and then, I’ll get a Saturday like the one I had this past week. I had a funeral in the morning, a wedding in the afternoon, confessions, Saturday evening Mass, and then a baptism afterwards. It was a nonstop blur of activity. One of my fears was that at some point I’d mix up the names: maybe call the bride by the name of the woman who had died or perhaps use the groom’s name for the little boy being baptized.

As far as I can tell, I kept everything straight. I attribute that minor miracle to the power of the unseen hand.

That image comes from this story about a famous artist by the name of Hubert von Herkomer, who was born in 1849 in the Black Forest region of Germany. As his reputation grew, he moved to London and built a studio there. Eventually, he sent for his aging father to come and live with him.

The older Herkomer, who had been a simple woodchopper, enjoyed creating things out of clay. He learned to make beautiful bowls and vases — things of which he was very proud. So the father and son went into business together as artisans.

As the years progressed, though, the father’s abilities deteriorated. At the end of the day, he would go upstairs to bed with a heavy heart, sad because he sensed that his work was now inferior.

The younger Herkomer knew what his father was feeling. Therefore, each night after his father was safely upstairs and asleep, he would sneak downstairs and take the pieces of clay that his father had left. Gently,

he would correct the defects and the faults.

When the father came downstairs in the morning, he would hold up the pieces to the sunlight and closely examine them. Soon a smile would light up his face as he’d say, “Look! I can still do it as well as I ever did!” (Adapted from a story found in “Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes” by Robert J. Morgan.)

Whenever I’m facing a busy day of ministry, I try to remember the “power of the unseen hand.” As much as I’d like to do something perfectly, I know that will never be the case. All I can do is give it my best shot and trust that God, like the artist Herkomer, will take my imperfect efforts and shape them into real works of art.

The famous Protestant preacher Charles Spurgeon stated it well: “Don’t hold back because you cannot preach in St. Paul’s; be content to talk to one or two in a cottage; very good wheat grows in little fields. You may cook in small pots as well as in big ones. Little pigeons can carry great messages.

Even a little dog can bark at a thief, and wake up the master and save the house. . . . Do what you do right, thoroughly, pray over it heartily, and leave the result to God.” The church asks us to use these days from the ascension of the Lord until

Pentecost as a time to open our hearts wider to receive the Holy Spirit. Maybe we should consider referring to Pentecost, not by its Greek name, but as the feast of the power of the unseen hand.

Sadly, most of us hold back when it comes to our faith, especially in living it out in the world. Perhaps we feel that our meager efforts won’t make any real difference or maybe we simply don’t want to get involved and end up sacrificing time and resources that we’d rather spend on ourselves.

What would happen, though, if we consistently and deliberately put our faith into action? No doubt we would experience that “new earth” that is spoken about in the Book of Revelation. As proof, I point to the example of the apostles in the early days of the church. From their small, imperfect and sometimes hesitant efforts, the unseen hand of God — the Holy Spirit — produced amazing results, far beyond anything they could have imagined.

Here we are, 2000 years later, still hearing the good news that they first preached.

In these pre-Pentecost days, make time to spend with God. Ask that the unique gifts that you have been given may become clearer to you. Pray for the courage to unleash those gifts in your family, your parish, your work, and your neighborhood. Extend a helping hand, take time to listen to another, give someone a reason to smile, bring comfort to the one who is hurting.

True, these efforts, and maybe even our motivation, will not be perfect, but don’t hold back. Let’s offer what we can . . . and let God’s unseen hand do the rest.

Scripture Readings Easter season

the gospel truth

May 16 the ascension of the lord Acts 1: 1-11; Ps 47: 2-3, 6-9; Eph 1: 17-23; Lk 24: 46-53

Jesus leaves final instructions to all disciples

May 17 Monday Acts 19: 1-8; Ps 68: 2-3b, 4-5acd, 6-7b; Jn 16: 29-33 May 18 John I, pope, martyr Acts 20: 17-27; Ps 68: 10-11, 20-21; Jn 17: 1-11a May 19 Wednesday Acts 20: 28-38; Ps 68: 29-30, 33-36b; Jn 17: 11b-19 May 20 Bernardine of Siena, priest Acts 22: 30; 23: 6-11; Ps 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17: 20-26 May 21 Christopher Magallanes, priest, martyr, and his companions, martyrs Acts 25: 13b-21; Ps 103: 1-2, 11-12, 19-20b; Jn 21: 15-19 May 22 Rita of Cascia, religious Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31; Ps 11: 4-5, 7; Jn 21: 20-25

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commentary 15

his time of year we often witness departures of various kinds.

Students graduate from school to the next step in their lives. Families move out of town to a new city. Young couples get married to start a new life together, often away from family and are witnesses of this.” The disciples are friends. And, as Christians, we also reentrusted with the task of preaching flect upon the departure of Jesus from repentance. his disciples, commemorated in the Compare this instruction with the feast of the ascension, which always one we hear in Mk 16:15: “Go into all takes place during this time of the year. the world and preach the As we celebrate the feast Gospel to the whole creof the ascension, we often THE ASCENSION ation.” Or also consider Mt focus upon Jesus’ leaving OF THE LORD 28:19-20: “Go therefore and us, his absence from us. We Lk 24: 46-53 make disciples of all nations, imagine the dramatic scene baptizing them in the name of Jesus’ rising up into the of the Father and of the Son heavens. At the same time, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them it is worthwhile to pay attention to the to observe all that I have commanded parting words of Jesus to his disciples you.” All three instruct the disciples to — words also intended for us. Those reach out beyond themselves. words instruct the disciples on what On the other hand, John’s Gospel they should do in Jesus’ absence. lacks an Ascension story, as such.

This Sunday, we hear the version of Nonetheless, there still is a scene the Ascension found in Lk 24:46-53. where Jesus appears one last time to The instruction comes across somethe disciples, which we heard only a what indirect, but clear: “Repentance few Sundays ago on April 18. During for the forgiveness of sins would be that encounter, Jesus gives guidance to preached in his name to all the naSimon Peter: “Feed my sheep.” Since tions, beginning from Jerusalem. You

Peter represents all the disciples, we can hear those words addressed to all the disciples, and indirectly to us as well, and not limited to Peter.

It is significant that in all these final appearances of Jesus to the disciples, he instructs them how they should act once he is gone. The specifics vary. In the three synoptic gospels, the instruction calls the disciples to reach out beyond themselves: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel; go therefore and make disciples of all nations; repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all the nations.”

In contrast, in the scene from John’s Gospel, the instruction focuses upon the Christian community. That reflects the tendency of John’s Gospel toward an inward direction, which could isolate the Christian community from the world. But all the instructions are compatible with one another. One will compensate for the gaps left by another. Together, they express the wishes of the risen Christ for his disciples, including us.

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

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t’s back. What, you ask? I am talking about the topic of immigration, which has been back in the news recently.

Consequently, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share with you what I see as the “bad news” and the “good news” about immigration.

In summary, the “bad news” can be summed by Bishop John Wester of Utah, who as the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration stated on April 27: “On behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I join with the bishops in Arizona in strongly opposing the enactment and implementation of Arizona SB 1070. This new law, although

limited to the state of Arizona, could have an impact throughout the nation, in terms of how members of our immigrant communities are both perceived and treated.

“Our national leaders must educate the American public on the need to reform and show courage in making it happen. Until immigration reform is passed, other states will attempt to create and enforce immigration law with harsh and ineffective consequences.”

I would like to think that the politi-

cians were listening, because on April 29 Bishop Wester shared the following “good news” regarding the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform: “The U.S. Catholic bishops have consistently spoken out on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform and have urged its enactment. Today’s introduction of an immigration framework in the U.S. Senate is an important first step in the process of achieving the enactment of a comprehensive measure. We urge members of both parties to begin a process toward introducing and enacting bipartisan legislation that affirms the role of law and basic human rights.”

This issue can no longer wait and should not be politicized or held hostage to ideology. Our immigration system is badly broken and is in need of immediate repair.

I encourage our readers to go to the Web site of the U.S. Catholic bishops and read these statements on immigration so that you can be fully informed about what our bishops are teaching us with regard to immigration.

Yes, it is a complicated issue. But I think the bottom line is quite simple: What we have been doing is not working and we need to find a new way.

In the meantime the question remains: What do we do with those who are already here illegally? It pains me to say it, but the answer for me is found in the very popular WWJD — that’s right, “What would Jesus do?”

I think we know what he would do, and we are called to do the same.

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

church and state

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What’s the matter with Kansas?

ome Americans of the coastal variety are wont to regard the portion of the country stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains as nothing more than “flyover country,” a vast expanse of undifferentiated prairiedom.

Appearances of sameness, however, can be deceiving. Just ask LeRoy Carhart, the notorious Nebraska abortionist who is currently contemplating a move to Kansas. He understands, all too well, that while states such as Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma may look alike from 30,000 feet, they are very different places indeed.

On April 14, Nebraska Gov. Dave

Heineman signed the nation’s strongest abortion law, banning abortions past 20 weeks. The very next day, Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson vetoed legislation strengthening reporting requirements — yes, reporting requirements — for abortions performed past 22 weeks.

Whereas the Kansas Senate was unable to attain the 2/3 vote necessary for a veto override, Nebraska’s Legislature passed its far stricter legislation with an overwhelming majority of 44-5.

Legislators in Nebraska were motivated by a desire to avoid becoming what Kansas has long been: the lateterm abortion capital of the country.

This should be a cause for embarrass-

ment for our state’s political leadership. Instead, the governor’s veto, and the Senate’s failure to override that veto, has sent the message to the LeRoy Carharts of the world that Kansas remains open for business — their business. Is a relocation package next in the offing?

Meanwhile, Oklahoma has passed a rigorous new ultrasound law aimed at ensuring that women are fully informed before deciding to have an abortion. By requiring an abortionist to describe to the mother the physical details of what it is that the abortion will be destroying, Oklahoma is essentially ensuring that standard practice for every other medical procedure is now applied to abortion. Organizations that claim to support women’s rights are, predictably, incensed that women will be provided with complete information about a medical procedure they are about to undergo. What an outrage!

But between Oklahoma and Ne-

braska lies Kansas, where pro-life legislation usually cannot even obtain a Senate hearing. In Kansas, Planned Parenthood continues to receive taxpayer funding, compliments of the governor’s veto of a pro-life legislator’s budget amendment last spring, while the state’s crisis pregnancy program, largely administered through Catholic Charities, has been completely defunded (by the governor).

The question has been asked before: What’s the matter with Kansas? The answer, according to the most extreme elements of the abortion industry, is a resounding “nothing.” Come November, however, the voters will have the opportunity to rescind once and for all Kansas’ standing invitation to abortionists that have been made to feel unwanted elsewhere. Kansas’ days as an island for misfit toys of the very lowest order are numbered.

Michael Schuttloffel is the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference.

vocation corner

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Grandparents teach about vocations

y mom’s parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 10. Wow! 60 years!

It’s one thing to read about other couples in the newspaper. It is quite another to celebrate their anniversary Mass as their grandson.

Without them, I would have never received the life that I so much enjoy.

Without them, I don’t know how my faith in the Lord’s resurrection would have been passed down to me. Even with them, the chances of my bring a priest were improbable at best.

Without them, next to impossible!

I’m so grateful for my grandparents.

Of course, there is a little intimidation preaching to family. I’m the only priest in the family, and a young one at best. So thankfully, I didn’t have to audition to be the homilist and celebrant of the 60th wedding anniversary Mass.

I know most families don’t have any priests in them whatsoever. No son, or grandson, is a prophet in his own family, but as you can imagine, the faithfulness of my grandparents did most of the preaching. I didn’t need to

produce any faith of my own. I just had to highlight theirs.

The extraordinary fruitfulness of my grandparents’ 60 years was a beautiful witness to their many children and grandchildren. How can our lives possibly be as fruitful as theirs? It was a question for all of us!

My grandparents did things the “right way.” They never cut any corners. They were Catholic through and through, and the grace they received in the sacrament of marriage 60 years ago has produced fruit that will remain forever (Jn 15:16).

My grandparents would be the first to tell you that they were far from perfect, but they did remain faithful.

Emotions were high throughout the day as we thanked God for their love on which we all have fed.

At the reception, my grandpa thanked me for saying the Mass for their

60th. I blushed, knowing that I had received from him more than I could ever repay. After losing my mom to cancer while I was in the seminary, I remember like it was yesterday what it was like to give Communion to my grandparents on the day of my ordination. Then Grandpa said something to me that I’m certain will remain with me forever. He told me that he and grandma didn’t want all the attention a 60th anniversary would bring, but because they had a grandson who was a faithful and happy priest, they knew they had to bring everyone together for a Mass and celebration!

I’m sure he just wanted me to feel good about my decision to be a priest.

If so, well done, Grandpa! I’m the happiest and most fortunate priest in the world!

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • may 14, 2010

The ‘yes’ that gives life

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Story by Joe Bollig

ay is the month for mothers — not only because of the secular holiday of Mother’s Day, but because it’s also the month of our Blessed Mother.

Not only is the Virgin Mary the mother of Christ, she is the mother of the church and our mother as well.

Her fiat — or answer of “yes” to the angel Gabriel at the annunciation — is a model for all Christians who seek to surrender to the will of God. The Blessed Virgin’s “yes” also means a lot to mothers who have given their babies up for adoption.

These are the stories of two women, both pregnant at difficult times in their lives, who leaned on their faith, mustered their courage, and chose life for their babies. Their names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Jillian’s story

It was 1968 — an exciting time in Jillian’s life. She was a young woman in her 20s, finally on her own, in an exciting town — Washington, D.C. She had a little apartment and, although her job as a typist at an insurance company didn’t pay much, it was a start. She was looking forward to the future.

Then one night, as she was coming home late, a man raped her. Jillian was in the hospital for two days.

“They wanted to do a D and C, just in case I was pregnant, and I said, ‘No, I didn’t want to do that,” said Jillian.

“I didn’t think I’d be pregnant.”

But eight weeks later, she discovered she was. She was very frightened — and her options were limited.

Abortion wasn’t legal in 1968, but there were doctors who would do it for “mental health” reasons.

Jillian, who was raised in a strong Catholic family, couldn’t bring herself to do it.

“Back then, if you weren’t married, you didn’t have children,” she said. “[If you did], people looked at you as if you were an evil person.”

People who lived in the same apartment building urged her to have an abortion.

“You shouldn’t have it, because you were raped,” they said. “You don’t know what the baby’s mental state will be. You don’t know if it will be normal.”

“I talked to someone eventually

about abortion, and finally I said, ‘No doctor, I can’t do it,’” said Jillian. “I think that was my Catholic upbringing.”

Fortunately, Jillian’s sister and brother-in-law lived nearby. They had adopted two children from Catholic Charities and they said they’d take care of her all through her pregnancy. They urged her to consider the adoption option.

“At first, I thought maybe I could keep it, but my sister told me the baby would be better with two parents,” said Jillian.

“I knew that, emotionally, I was not capable of supporting and taking care of a child,” she continued. “I didn’t make enough money. I made minimum wage — just enough to pay for food, rent, utilities, and that was about it.”

So, the decision was made and, from the time she was about three months pregnant, Jillian began to prepare herself to give up the baby.

“I told myself every day that this baby was a gift to somebody,” she said.

On Feb. 25, 1969, Jillian gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She named her “Mary.”

“I held her,” said Jillian. “I counted all her fingers and toes.

She had lots of dark hair and blue

eyes. She was the prettiest little thing I ever saw.”

Almost immediately, however, representatives of Catholic Charities came and took Mary away. She was adopted within days.

“It was hard,” said Jillian, “but it wasn’t that hard, because I’d prepared myself mentally that this was what I was going to do.”

Jillian never saw Mary again and doesn’t have any idea where she lives.

Mary would be 41 now — possibly with a family of her own.

“I wonder about her once in a while,” said Jillian. “I think about her.

I have children and grandchildren, and I hope she’s given her parents the same joy.”

“Someone told me I could trace her, but why?” asked Jillian. “Her parents who adopted her love her and cared for her. I don’t see why I should put them through it.”

“I think of Mary as a wonderful gift,” she concluded. “I hope [her adoptive parents] think of her the same way.”

Rhonda’s story

Rhonda had her suspicions, but she didn’t really know she was pregnant until she went for her yearly checkup at a family planning clinic.

Rhonda was 35 years old, divorced, and struggling to make ends meet as a single mother raising two of her four children. She went to the family planning clinic because she didn’t have much money. “[The counselor at the clinic] talked about two minutes about adoption and a half-hour about abortion,” said Rhonda.

Rhonda was in shock.

She kept saying, “I’m pregnant?” and the clinic counselor would say, “Yes, you are,” and then would rattle on, not paying any attention to Rhonda, not asking her one question about anything, certain the next step was an abortion clinic in Wichita.

Abortion didn’t even enter Rhonda’s mind. She never considered it to be an option.

Rhonda told the father the next day and he wanted nothing to do with her “problem.” Worse, the next day, she was fired from her job for reasons unrelated to her pregnancy.

“I was already frazzled,” said Rhonda. “Thank goodness for unemployment [benefits]. I wouldn’t have been good at any job. I said, ‘This baby is my priority.’”

Rhonda used to argue with herself out loud when she was alone in her house. “I can’t give this baby up,” she would tell herself, and she’d even shout, “NO!” But the thought of adoption kept coming back to her.

“I know it was my guardian angel,” said Rhonda. “I was being spoken to.”

When Rhonda told her children about her pregnancy, her oldest daughter told her she could get used to the idea of another little brother or sister. But Rhonda told her not to.

She’d decided to put the baby up for adoption.

Rhonda found a lawyer in Joplin, Mo., who would help her find an adoptive couple, but she wanted some control over the process. She wanted to interview and choose the adoptive couple. She didn’t want the baby to be put through the state’s system.

“We’ve never done that before,” he told her when she met with him.

“Thank you for your time,” said Rhonda and got up to leave.

“Wait,” said the lawyer. “I said we’ve never done it that way before.

I didn’t say we wouldn’t.”

Rhonda interviewed five couples, and eventually chose one that had adopted a baby and kept it for seven days, until the biological mother changed her mind and took the baby back. They were devastated.

“I told the couple that this baby is a gift through me, not to me,” said Rhonda.

Rhonda gave birth to a baby girl on Good Friday 1991, just after she turned 36.

“I had some advantages over the teen moms,” said Rhonda. “I knew what was going on. I held and fed her, and soaked up as much time as possible. I couldn’t get enough of her.

I named her Gabriel Ann.” Rhonda gave Gabriel Ann to the couple, but that wasn’t the end of the story, thanks to a mistake in the hospital pharmacy.

Rhonda’s name was included on a prescription bottle, which the adoptive father kept. That bottle came in handy years later when Gabriel Ann — now with a different name — Turn to “Graduate” on page 4