07-16-10 Vol. 32 No. 2

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 32, No. 2 July 16, 2010

From Kansas to Haiti . . .

Goooooal!

Connecting with Haitian youth, one kick at a time

See story on page 6

Photo by Susan McSpadden

2 Local News

THE LEAVEN • JULY 16, 2010

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

Local Catholics support vocations overseas

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

By Kara Hansen

July 16 “The Catholic Way” radio taping

Leaven staff

Leawood — Father Benjamin Shahzad has a problem many would love to have: He has so many young men applying for the seminary he has to turn some away.

The rector of St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Karachi, Pakistan, has filled his current seminary building with five bedrooms to a maximum capacity of 24 seminarians — up from the eight who were there when Father Shahzad was first appointed rector six years ago.

With financial help and spiritual support from parishioners at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, Father Shahzad is realizing his dream of a new, larger seminary with enough space to accommodate 45-50 seminarians.

“Our people have responded well in the past and we have practically built the new seminary ourselves,” said Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars. “We want to do the best we can for them.”

Each summer, Father Shahzad spends time at Curé of Ars. He lives in the rectory, celebrates Masses, and attends parish functions. He also shares the progress and goals of the seminary in Pakistan, updating parishioners on how their support is being used.

“Pakistan is an anti-Christian

Hayden wins Class 4A All-Sports championship TOPEKA — Hayden High School here earned the Class 4A All-Sports championship for the second year in a row with a total of 59.5 points. St. James Academy in Lenexa was second with 41 points.

The scores were announced by CatchItKansas.com and determined by awarding eight points for a state championship in each sport, seven points for a second place, six for a third on down to one for eighth place.

Hayden won a state championship in girls golf, second-place finishes in football and volleyball, as well as a third-place finish in girls tennis and a fourth-place in girls cross country.

July 17 8 a.m. pro-life Mass and procession/ rosary to abortion clinic — Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, Kansas City, Kan. July 22 Candidacy Mass for Apostles of the Interior Life preparing for ordination Prayer service, dinner and concluding ceremony for priests completing Good Leaders-Good Shepherds Program July 24 T-Bones game with archdiocesan staff; throw out the first pitch

Father Benjamin Shahzad talks with a worker about the progress of the new St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Karachi, Pakistan. The seminary is being built with financial help and spiritual support from parishioners at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood. place and can be very hostile toward Christians,” said Msgr. McGlinn. “If something happens in the world that is contrary to Islam, there is often a backlash of violence toward Christians. The fact that there are so many young men wanting to become Catholic priests in this environment really says something, and they deserve all the attention and help we can give them.”

Now, Father Shahzad is requesting support to furnish the nearly completed seminary building with neces-

sities. Items include chairs, tables, cupboards and classroom items, as well as other necessities.

In response, Curé of Ars is hosting a Christmas party in July in the parish vestibule after Masses the weekend of July 24 and 25. There, parishioners and visitors will have the opportunity to review the list of needs at the seminary and assist by becoming an “angel for Karachi.”

For more information, call the Curé of Ars rectory at (913) 649-1337.

Sister Catherine Louise Lebhart, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Catherine Louise Lebhart (formerly Sister Frederic Marie), 91, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, died June 13 at the Sisters of Charity motherhouse here.

Catherine Louise Lebhart was born on March 28, 1919, in Laramie, Wyo., one of five children of Frederic and Sydney George Lebhart. She joined the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Sept. 8, 1937, and, as Sister Frederic Marie, made her profession of vows on June 18, 1939. She later returned to the use of her baptismal name.

Sister Catherine Louise received bach-

elor’s and master’s degrees in education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth.

She spent most of her life as a teacher or principal of elementary parochial schools throughout the Western and Midwestern states. She also spent several years as director of the Arts and Crafts Center at the motherhouse.

At DePaul Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyo., she served as a receptionist in the wellness program; as a clerk in the archives; as assistant director of public relations; and as director of volunteers.

In 1996, she returned to Leavenworth and did volunteer work at the Catholic Charities office before she retired to Ross Hall in 2005. She was an avid baseball fan and rarely relaxed without a piece of crochet work or knitting in her hands.

July 25 Masses and installation of Father Chris Rossman as pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Mayetta, and St. Dominic, Holton

July 26 Meeting with Conception Seminary officials and vocation team Mass and dinner — X-treme Camp, Prairie Star Ranch, Williamsburg July 30 Mass for national Cursillo — St. Francis Xavier, Kansas City, Mo. July 31 Mass and installation of Father Robert Conroy as pastor of Holy Cross, Overland Park

Salina to host popular speaker on theology of the body SALINA — Christopher West, author, theologian, and considered by many to be an international authority on Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body, will be here for an evening banquet talk on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Quality Inn. West will then conduct an all-day conference, “God, Sex and the Meaning of Life,” at St. Mary Queen of Universe Church on Sept. 11 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The conference is an introduction to Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the theology of the body.

For more information or to register online, see the Web site at: http://salina diocese.org/family-life, or call (785) 8278746, ext. 41.

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SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

‘There’s a love and tradition here that you cannot buy’ St. Joseph Parish in Olpe celebrates its 125th anniversary

O

Story and photos by Marc and Julie Anderson

LPE — Home from Houston for a visit, Deacon Dale Steffes had the perfect answer for anyone who posed the question, “Where are you from?”

“Heaven,” he’d say. “After all, there’s no place better than Olpe, right?”

Deacon Steffes was one of more than 600 people, including current and former parishioners, who gathered June 27 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish. Mass was celebrated by former parishioner Father Francis Wendling, OFM; current pastor Father Anthony Williams and former pastors, Father Tim Haberkorn and Father Berard Doerger, OFM, were concelebrants.

Around 400 people attended the Mass, with an additional 200-300 participating in a daylong celebration that included a pulled-pork potluck dinner, games, concessions, bingo, and musical entertainment.

A highlight of the Mass was the recognition of Elizabeth Bechtel, 103, and Megan Barnhart, six months, as the oldest and youngest parishioners, respectively.

Other parishioners recalled happy moments spent within the parish.

Mike and Beth Skalsky, who carried down the gifts during the offertory procession with their four children, said they cannot imagine a better parish for their family.

“It’s a special parish,” Mike Skalsky said. “There’s a level of faith and commitment here that you won’t find anywhere else.”

Parishioner Marie Haag said it’s been exciting to watch her grandchildren become part of the loving community of the parish.

“There’s a love and tradition here that you cannot buy. It’s been ingrained in people and handed down through the generations of families who have helped build this parish community,” Haag said.

Former parishioner Rosella Nuessen Hight and her husband Jim traveled from Bella Vista, Ark. Brother Mike Haag took time from his ministry in Zuni, N.M., to come for the celebration.

As he reflected on the parish’s history in his homily, Father Wendling also spoke of a future filled with great hope.

“While our hearts are filled with gratitude to almighty God for his many blessings, we are equally filled with hope as we look to the future,” he said.

“We believe beautiful young women

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Former parishioner Father Francis Wendling, OFM, (center) celebrated Mass at the 125th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe. Joining him at the altar were: (from left) former parishioner Deacon Dale Steffes; former pastor Father Tim Haberkorn; pastor Father Anthony Williams; and former pastor Father Berard Doerger, OFM.

Richard and Janet Haag look through historical books and pictures that were on display to mark the occasion.

“It’s a special parish.

There’s a level of faith and commitment here that you won’t find anywhere else.”

”

Mike Skalsky, St. Joseph, Olpe, parishioner

are going to fall in love with handsome young men and celebrate their love in the sacrament of matrimony in this church. Young couples will give birth to babies and they will be baptized here and become members of the church and temples of the Holy Spirit.”

Father Wendling also spoke of the number of religious vocations that have arisen from within the parish.

“Forty-some Sisters have joined the convent from this parish in the last 125 years,” he said, “and they are praying for us daily.

“One diocesan priest,” he added “five religious priests and one religious Brother are with us in prayer.”

St. Joseph Parish: Then and Now Located 10 miles south of Emporia, Olpe has a population of around 500, mostly of German descent. In 1885, this farming community received its first permanent pastor, Father Alexius Centner.

That same spring, parishioners decided to build a church.

To raise funds, parishioners held a threeday fair, the proceeds of which were used to build a 20-by-50-foot church, finished on Aug. 6, 1885. By 1892, the church was enlarged with the additions of a choir loft, church tower and additional seating areas.

In 1905, under Father Samuel Gelting, OFM, plans began in earnest for another church, one that would serve the needs of the growing Catholic population. The original plans called for a stone church, and an acre of land was purchased from Mary Westfall, seven miles west of Olpe. The land would provide the necessary rock for the church, but the distance proved too much and plans stalled for a while.

Under the leadership of Father Peter Alcantara Welling, OFM, plans for the church were revived, and in 1908, parishioners agreed to build the foundation out of rock while the church would be built of brick. Dedicated on Oct. 15, 1911, the church structure still stands and serves the needs of the current 225 parish families.

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Kara Hansen kara@theleaven.com

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 7211570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • July 16, 2010

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

Live and in 3-D

New group supports Catholics in the workplace

By Kara Hansen Leaven staff

Kansas City, Kan. — They saw the need for a Catholic business group.

But they had no idea how great that need was.

“We thought if we could get a couple dozen people once a month, that would be great,” said Dan Spencer, executive director of the Heart of America Catholic Business Network.

“The first meeting we didn’t know if anyone would show up,” he continued.

“So I had my wife and adult children there just in case!”

Spencer need not have worried. The first meeting, held in October 2008, started things off with a bang. Seventyfive businessmen and women showed up — all of whom had heard of the event strictly through word-of-mouth and friend-of-a-friend connections.

“We have had a great response, and there seems to be an interest in learning more and growing in faith and work,” said Spencer, a parishioner at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

The Heart of America Catholic Business Network is the brainchild of Spencer; Church of the Nativity, Leawood, parishioner Michael Shirley; and Jim O’Laughlin, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Kansas City, Mo. “I was [already] involved with men’s ministry and had noticed a lot of men’s challenges revolved around their work, because they didn’t know to integrate their faith within the workplace,” said Spencer.

Simultaneously, Shirley and O’Laughlin had been discussing the need for more support within the Kansas City area for Catholic businessmen and women.

Shirley got in touch with Spencer, and the trio together began brainstorming, planning and organizing. The three chose a format similar to one followed by many chambers of commerce, and the Heart of America Catholic Business Network was born.

The group’s mission is to “be a catalyst in exhorting, promoting and facilitating financial opportunity, spiritual growth and moral courage for both Catholic individuals and organizations serving the workplace.”

Morning meetings are held monthly; they start at 7 a.m. and last 90 minutes.

They include a speaker, information from Spencer, and an invitation to anyone who is unemployed to briefly share his or her professional background. All those in attendance have a chance to socialize briefly before and after the meeting.

“There’s discussion about witnessing and spirituality in the workplace, as well as encouragement to do business with other Catholics,” said Shirley.

Evening events, scheduled after regular business hours, are generally more networking in nature.

“We’re using Avila College [in Kansas City, Mo.] for breakfast meetings, with

LOCAL NEWS 5

Knights of Columbus help the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic obtain a 3-D sonogram machine

By Kara Hansen Leaven staff

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

The Heart of America Catholic Business Network’s mission is to “be a catalyst in exhorting, promoting and facilitating financial opportunity, spiritual growth and moral courage for both Catholic individuals and organizations serving the workplace.” Above, Dave Mehrer (left) of AXA Advisors and a member of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, talks with Jeff Olsen, owner of Pass the Torch, Inc.

“We have something unique we feel is appreciated and has a high value in the marketplace. It’s a really positive environment, where people feel comfortable talking about their faith and business.”

”

Michael Shirley Church of the Nativity parishioner

different business sponsors for the after-hours events,” said Shirley. “It’s been nice to go to different members’ businesses and see what they are like.”

Though the evening and morning meetings each have different goals, they serve a variety of needs within the Catholic business sector.

“The breakfast meetings are more formal, with the speaker, whereas the after-hours events are more casual and focused on networking opportunities,” said Spencer. “I think the different formats we have appeal to people.”

So far, the meetings have been averaging between 80 and 100 people each month, with total membership standing at 200.

“We have something unique we feel is appreciated and has a high value in the marketplace,” said Shirley. “It’s a really positive environment, where people feel comfortable talking about their faith and business.”

One of the most immediately productive things to come out of the meetings has been help for the currently unemployed to find work. Shirley estimated that 20 to 25 people have found employment through networking at the meetings.

“At the meetings we invite Catholic men and women who are out of work to stand and give a brief, one-minute resume,” said Spencer. “It was something we added almost as an afterthought, but it’s turned into one of the most popular things. It’s Catholics helping Catholics find work.”

Since a variety of people within the business community are attending the meetings, they offer members the opportunity to discover, and utilize services from one another’s businesses.

“If someone needs an attorney, a plumber, a printer, we encourage them to do business with other Catholics who provide those services,” said Shirley.

Though the three are thrilled about the connections taking place in the Catholic business community, the goal of integrating one’s faith in the workplace remains primary.

“We’re bringing in some great speak-

ers, plus people are finding jobs and companies are finding workers,” said O’Laughlin. “Still, the business-tobusiness connection is not the priority.

The goal is more to help people operate as Catholic businessmen and women according to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

The Heart of America Catholic Business Network received canonical approval as a private association of the lay faithful in January of this year. It is recognized by the archdiocese and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Plans are in place for the network to grow and expand within the Kansas City area. The group has grown entirely by word-of-mouth thus far, with approximately six to 12 new people at each event, said Shirley.

“We have 200 members and another 100 people who are not members but have come to the meetings,” said Shirley.

“We’re very committed to establishing a chapter north of the river [in Kansas City, Mo.] and making this something for the Greater Kansas City area.”

O’Laughlin agreed.

“Most Catholic business people don’t know we exist,” he said. “We’re really hoping to expand and grow in Kansas City.”

For more information on how to get involved, visit the Heart of America Catholic Business Network Web site at: www.catholicbusinessnetwork.net.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It was only a matter of time before the sonogram machine at Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic here broke down.

The machine had certainly paid its dues with thousands of sonograms and several repairs in its 17 years, as the equipment had come to the clinic second-hand when staff began providing sonograms in 2008.

As luck — or more accurately, providence — would have it, a brand-new 3-D sonogram machine was practically waiting in the wings.

“This is the most phenomenal gift we could have been given,” said Donna Kelsey, executive director of Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic. “It’s an amazing tool, and we are so blessed the Knights of Columbus picked us.”

Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic was hand-selected by the Knights of Columbus for a program in which the Knights assist crisis pregnancy centers in obtaining an ultrasound machine. If state-level Knights raise half the funds for a sonogram machine to be used at a crisis pregnancy center, the supreme (national) office will match it.

Several Knights toured Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic last November, and Kelsey said the clinic learned it was selected from among several other centers in January. From there the fundraising began.

“We sent out letters to 261 Knights of Columbus councils and they just really came through,” said Francis Drouhard, immediate past state deputy for the Knights of Columbus. “The councils were very generous, and many individuals donated as well.”

Drouhard said Knights of Columbus councils from all over the state made donations, and the response was immediate.

The fundraising letter was sent out to local councils in mid-February and their half of the money was raised by May. Having the new machine was a blessing in more ways than one, said Kelsey.

It would have taken considerable time to raise funds for a new machine — time that many women facing crisis pregnancies do not have.

“You can do the work we do without a sonogram machine, but having it makes our work so much more effective,” she said. “Being able to see their babies makes such a huge difference in their lives, and it’s very crucial to every client that comes in. We could not function without it.”

Pregnant women who come into the clinic for help are now seeing life inside them in incredible detail. The 3-D sonogram machine picks up such subtleties as arm and leg buds in the earliest weeks of pregnancy, ringlets of hair, and the heart pumping blood in a baby’s body.

“The first day we had the machine we did a sonogram, and you could see the ripples in the amniotic fluid from

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blesses the new 3-D sonogram machine at the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic on June 29.

the baby breathing,” said Kelsey. “You can see parts of the baby’s body so early and in such crisp detail. You just want to reach in and grab that baby and hug it.”

Staff at the clinic performed eight sonograms the first day the new machine was in use.

“Women are often in tears and in awe when they see their baby for the first time,” said Kelsey. “It’s unbelievable to know what their baby looks like before they are born.”

With the new equipment, a client will not only be able to see their unborn baby via ultrasound — they will also be able to take home a DVD with pictures.

It’s that type of experience, said Kelsey,

The 13th Annual Parish Dinner for St. Philippine Duchesne (Latin Mass Community) Sept. 11 starting at 6:30 p.m.

Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee KS

D

inner features guest speaker Dr. Jack Cashill. His talk will focus on his new book, “Popes and Bankers,” a compelling story of the true nature and origins of the modern economy and how it can be fixed. Dr. Cashill is the executive editor of Ingram’s Magazine, and is a noted author and award winning documentary producer.

Tickets cost $30 each; $240 for a table of eight.

For information, e-mail John Watkins at: watkinsjv@gmail.com or call (785) 331-8232.

that can often create a turning point for a pregnant woman who comes in considering an abortion.

And that is exactly what the Knights of Columbus members are hoping for in helping the clinic acquire an ultrasound machine.

“We as the Knights of Columbus are really glad to be a small part of saving lives of children and babies,” said Drouhard. “The real workers are the individuals inside the pregnancy clinics, and we are glad to be able to help them do this important work.”

Clinic staff members are also hoping the ultrasound machine has an impact beyond just their clinic. Kelsey said

they hope to work with other clinics and centers that do not have access to ultrasound equipment. They are also considering the possibility of a mobile unit that could go to other clinics or even college campuses.

“We want to be able to work together so clients at other clinics can see the wonder of their child,” said Kelsey.

Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic began in 2006 as an initiative of Archbishop Joseph Naumann. The clinic serves people of all faiths and backgrounds. For more information, visit the clinic’s donor Web site at: www.babiesatrisk.org, or the client Web site at: www.wyandotte pregnancyclinic.org.

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6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

Holy Spirit students give Haiti the gift of soccer

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Bigger than the Super Bowl, bigger than the World Series, and even bigger than the Olympics — Spain is the winner in the 2010 soccer World Cup. But there are other soccer champions, too. Take the kids who live in the little community of Limenade in northern Haiti, for example.

This fall, the Haitian youngsters will be able to play like champions, thanks to a gift of soccer balls from the graduates of Holy Spirit School in Overland Park.

This past spring the 55-member graduating class of Holy Spirit eighthgraders decided to take a different approach to the traditional class gift.

Rather than give something to the school, they decided to look beyond the school walls to someone in need.

In the news at that time were the devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti. So the soon-to-be graduates starting thinking of sending something to the kids in Haiti — Bibles, perhaps.

Bill Scholl, consultant for the archdiocesan office of social justice, learned of the eighth-graders’ project and mentioned it to Pat Devine, a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park.

Devine, a probation officer, is studying for a graduate certificate program in Promoting Community Health and Development through the University of Kansas. He takes trips to Haiti as part of the program, where he works with an interfaith effort called “Sonje Ayiti,” Haitian Creole for “Remember Haiti.”

“I said, ‘They could really use something simple — like soccer balls,’” said Devine. “Bill Scholl said, ‘Great! I’ll get back to you.’”

Scholl put Devine in touch with Rachel Hunt, one of a group of Holy Spirit parents helping the students with the class gift.

And very soon, a lot of new soccer balls and pumps were Haiti-bound. The pumps are important, because the balls will be deflated in order to save space

Leaven photo by Susan McSpadden

Representatives from Holy Spirit School’s graduating eighth-grade class delivered their class gift — soccer balls — to Bill Scholl, consultant for the archdiocesan office of social justice to be sent to Haiti and distributed to children there. They are, clockwise from top: Lauren Hunt, Mary Catherine DiGiacinto, Caroline Bourquin, Kyle DeLuca, Sarah Brekke, Thomas Martin, Natalie Campbell, and Bailee Coffer. during shipping.

American kids often take simple

things, like soccer balls, for granted, said a student.

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But there’s no chance of that with Haitian youngsters. Even if the nearest Toys“R”Us were not 700 miles away in Miami, they have no money for toys. Often, a Haitian soccer ball is just a wad of trash.

But the Holy Spirit students did manage to work a bit of their original idea into their final gift. Each inscribed his or her favorite Scripture verse on a soccer ball — both personalizing and spiritualizing their gift.

“I chose [as my verse] 1 Cor 13:13: ‘So faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love,’” said recent graduate Sarah Brekke.

“I hope [this gift] will mean that they have something of their own and that they learn more about God and love him and have faith in him.”

Other students said they participated in the gift project because they were grateful for all the good things they have and wanted to respond with generosity to those who have little. Others see it as a gesture of promise.

“We hope this will be a sign of hope,” said graduate Mary Catherine DiGiacinto.

“It’s not just big-name organizations who donate, but average people, too, who want to reach out to [the Haitians] and make their lives better.”

And if the Haitian kids don’t understand the loftier aspects of their intentions, said graduate Thomas Martin, that’s OK, too.

Devine will return to Haiti in October or November. He’ll take with him for Limenade all the balls (and pumps) donated by the Holy Spirit graduates, where they’ll be given to families with children, orphanages, and a community center.

“There isn’t much in the way of any organized activities [for kids in Haiti],” said Devine. “There aren’t many coaches or athletic fields.

“But if you give a kid a ball, no matter what, teams form.”

“And then they have teamwork and sportsmanship,” he continued. “People come together to cheer on the neighborhood team.

“It’s a very simple way of community building.”

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LOCAL NEWS 7 Ed and Viola (Rottinghaus) Tangeman, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 25. The couple was married on Jan. 30, 1960, at the church. Their anniversaries children and their spouses are: Pat and Vince Hess; Cathy and Mark Ebers; Jay and Lisa Tangeman; Jean and Kevin Nordine; Jim and Danita Tangeman; and Dean and Holly Tangeman. They also have 23 grandchildren.

The couple will celebrate with a Mass at 11 a.m., followed by a dinner for the family at the parish center. A reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the parish center.

Watts up Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop Robert Finn blessed three Catholic Radio transmitters and pushed the button to upgrade the station’s signal to 8420 watts on June 24. The Catholic Radio Network is a nonprofit lay apostolate that operates Catholic radio stations in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. Catholic Radio Network started its first station on May 18, 2004, with Catholic Radio 1090 AM, serving the Kansas City area.

Sue and Vincent Knecht, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 2. The couple was married at Immaculate Conception Church, Louisburg.

Family and friends celebrated with a dinner at Cascone’s Italian Restaurant on June 25. Their children and their spouses are: Stephen and Roberta Knecht, and Lisa and Gregg Mays, all of Overland Park.

They also have four grandchildren.

What they’re saying about Father Mitchel My two middle school boys came home raving about this new, young, cool priest who actually came out to the field during recess to play football with the boys. The boys were won over by the fact that Father Mitchel could throw a mean pass and also run the ball. Parents and schoolchildren at St. Michael’s are proud of Father Mitchel’s accomplishments in the archdiocese in a few short years.

Steve and Christine Black Drew, Matthew, Kara I had the pleasure to have Father Mitchel as my associate for three years; because of that association, I know him as most intuitive. He is an avid Royals and Jayhawk fan.

He is intellectual, well-organized, an avid reader and loves crossword puzzles. When it comes to ministry, he can look at the whole picture, is most loyal, and a team player! He has a deep prayer life, loves liturgy and our church. He has a great sense of humor, is a holy gentleman, most genuine, and one of the kindest people I know. I feel fortunate to have him as a friend.

Father Bill Porter pastor, St. Michael the Archangel When my first child was receiving his first holy Eucharist at St. Michael the Archangel, Father Mitchel gave the homily. I’ll never forget how he asked all of the children what their favorite restaurant was. As they answered one by one, he said “Yes, that is a good one, but do you know what the best meal you will ever have is? Coming to church and receiving the Body of Christ — from now on that will be the best meal you have ever had!”

Lisa Stoothoff Father Mitch leads a massive acrosscampus capture-the-flag game on stop day eve at KU every year, and there hasn’t been a winner for the last three years. This year, Father, dressed in his usual all-black attire to mask himself as we play at night, slid into some bushes close to the flag and waited for 30 minutes before the coast was clear. For the first time in three years, Father ran out of the bushes and captured the white T-shirt we call “flag” and won the game!

Meghan McCormick On the second time my son Miller went to reconciliation, he kept switching lines. When he finally got to the altar, Father Mitchel greeted him and shook his hand. After about 10 seconds, I could see Father Mitchel and Miller both laughing very hard. After coming back to the pew and doing his penance, I asked Miller why they were laughing and he said, “I told Father Mitchel it was hard to get in his line but I needed to go to him because he did such a good job of getting me clean last time!” Father Mitchel has done such a terrific job of helping my children see the sacrament of reconciliation as a gift instead of something fearful.

Maureen Hogan Father Mitchel was so great during my late husband’s illness and death. He came to our home and gave us special blessings which we really needed and appreciated. He was a real rock during the funeral preparations and gave an amazing homily during the funeral and even made us laugh! He had a very special way of speaking to the congregation — no notes — just came down from the pulpit and talked about Jesus and life and the world and it made so much sense! I miss hearing him speak, but I know he is doing a great job in Lawrence and being a wonderful asset to the Catholic Church.

Linda Fanning Lambie

Is this the face of the new ‘counterculture’?

C

Vocations director and sports nut goes against the tide with a faith-filled life

Father Mitch was with our parish as a seminarian. That first summer he was “recruited” by our vacation Bible school director for one of the roles in the skits at the beginning of each day. Well, the role was that of a sheriff, complete with a black cowboy hat and a shiny badge. The kids just loved it when he would enter that gymnasium and yell “Yeeee-haww” every morning.

Cathy Rayl

By Bob Hart The parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Parish were blessed to have Father Mitchel Zimmerman assigned to us after his ordination. During his short tenure with us, he definitely made an impact and was very instrumental in our capital campaign. Father Mitchel is a confident young priest that delivers a very good homily that makes you think and reflect. But most of all, he shows with every breath how much he enjoys his life as a priest. His smile, positive attitude, and love of his vocation serve as an inspiration to all who know or meet him.

Jim and Corky Hyatt

all him a rebel. With a cause.

“In this society, in this age, it’s really a countercultural decision to become a priest,” said Father Mitchel Zimmerman. “The priesthood makes people uncomfortable, but in a good way. It gets them thinking about their faith, as they wonder, ‘Can he really be just a regular guy?’”

Make no mistake: Father Mitchel is a regular guy. He feels no need to tone down his upbeat, outgoing personality, nor his sports fanatic ways, in order to appear more somber.

“People want to be led to God in a very human way,” he said. “If you’re going to be a witness for Christ, he’s going to use your own personality and your own gifts to do that.”

Priests, he pointed out, deal with the same internal struggles — doubt, feelings of inadequacy, fear of the unknown — as everyone else. As vocations director for the archdiocese, it is Father Mitchel’s job to help young people recognize their potential for a calling to the priesthood or religious life. Conversely, he wants them to see in him . . . well, a regular guy, albeit one who’s made peace with many of his youthful struggles.

“I desire what God desires,” he said matter-of-factly. “No more battles.”

Formative years Born in Hoxie, in the Salina diocese, Mitchel Zimmerman was the second of six children — five boys and a girl.

His father was a diesel mechanic who owned his own shop and gas station. His mother, who passed away in 2001, was a homemaker accustomed to helping out the family business in countless ways.

Faith and service to the church were deeply integrated into the Zimmerman family life.

“I was always comfortable around the church,” Father Mitchel recalled. “My family’s faith was as strong as any I’ve ever encountered.”

Although he said his family “saw it coming” with regard to his priestly vocation, “they encouraged by example more than word.”

Still, the decision took some time.

After graduation from Hoxie High, he enrolled at the University of Kansas as a pre-med human biology major.

“The first time I recognized Mitchel’s involvement was when he was a freshman, singing in the choir,” recalled Msgr. Vince Krische, director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at KU at the time. “He was in a fraternity, and a lot of the guys would sleep in on Sunday mornings. But he never did. He was always at Mass.”

Mitchel completed his degree at KU, but opted out of medical school. Instead, he began doing development work full time for the St. Lawrence Center.

“He was wonderful at the job — very successful,” Msgr. Krische said. “He was trying to figure out his vocation in life, and the priesthood was sort of off-andon for a while. When he finally came to

I was chaperone on the St. Thomas Aquinas junior mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, in 2006.

We stayed in El Paso. Texas, and traveled daily over the border to Juarez. Father Mitch was on the trip. The last day coming back we all put gas in our vans except Father Mitch. He said he had enough. (God would get him back across the border?) Well, of course, he didn’t make it. Ran out in the line at the border crossing. God does many wonderful acts, but when the gas gauge says empty? Many goodhearted “jabs” were heard that night at dinner.

The students took a photo of Father Mitch with the gas can putting gas in the van.

Gene Nelson

E-vangelization Father Mitchel maintains an online blog (frmitchel.blogspot.com), in which he discusses matters of faith. Following is an excerpt, which was also used as part of an Easter Vigil homily: “We have lived in an age of skepticism for decades, but in the last decade in particular, it is more likely for a person to lose religion instead of finding it. . . . The fastest growing segment within the sociology of religion is the segment of people who do not claim any religious affiliation at all. The non-religious have grown from 8 to 15% of the United States population in just 10 years, and they are now the second largest denomination. . . .

“To join the church today, or to renew our baptismal promises, is actually to go against the tide. There is no doubt about that. Even as Christians are still the majority, and some 2/3 of Americans will attend a church service today to celebrate the resurrection, professing faith in the resurrection of Jesus is not the latest craze like Hannah Montana. It is not like becoming a fan of chocolate chip cookies on Facebook, which I did last week.”

my office one morning to tell me he’d made the decision, I said, ‘You’re creating work for me. Now I have to hire your replacement!’ But I was thrilled for him.

I knew he would be a wonderful priest.”

Despite years of back-and-forth “Should I or shouldn’t I?” with regard to the priesthood, Father Mitchel said the final decision was peaceful and simple.

“The more I looked at the priesthood,” he said, “the more I knew that’s what Jesus wanted for me.”

He was ordained in 2004.

The sporting life Through his professional assignments — first as associate pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, and chaplain at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park — and, since 2007, as archdiocesan vocations director and associate director of the St. Lawrence Center — Father Mitchel has striven each day to live up to the “priest job description” of his own creation: “To be happy wherever you are, for as long as you’re there.”

One way he keeps the happiness going is by indulging his passion for sports.

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Father Mitchel Zimmerman

Any sports.

“If there’s a game going on, I’m in,” he said.

He’s played basketball with his “Runnin’ Revs” teammates since 1999 (“I’m the most selfish player they’ve ever had. . . . I love to shoot!”) and recently went to South Africa with newly ordained Father Scott Wallisch to take in some World Cup soccer, up close.

Not that all sports are created equal; Father Mitchel admits to a special fondness for the Kansas City Royals and anything KU-related.

“I have KU football season tickets and I get there as much as my priestly schedule allows,” he said. “I’m at about 15 Royals games every summer.”

Asked if he’s a fair-weather fan, Father Mitchel said of the Royals: “If it’s

possible, I love them more when they’re not winning.

“I’m disappointed, like any fan, but I still love them. . . . I grew up listening to [Royals announcers] Denny [Matthews] and Fred [White] on the radio. I knew George Brett’s stats. I was pretty nerdy.”

To keep in shape, the formerly nerdy 36-year-old does regular cardiovascular workouts, lifts weights and plays golf.

How does he find the time, with church offices and campus center demands, not to mention a constant schedule of visits with youth groups and parish ministries?

“I’m up very early for prayers and devotions,” he said. “I like to sit quietly and let God plan my day for me. Somehow, it all gets done.”

Photos clockwise from top: Father Mitchel Zimmerman demonstrates his basketball skills on the court at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. Father Mitchel is a regular for the Runnin’ Revs, a team of priests and seminarians that plays basketball against area all-star grade and high school teams.

Father Mitchel hangs with some other American fans at the World Cup in South Africa. Father Mitchel saw the American squad advance past the first round of the tournament as well as its loss to Ghana which eliminated the U.S. team from World Cup competition.

Father Mitchel proudly displays his World Cup tickets — tickets that took him almost two years to get.

Current assignment and duties: Archdiocesan vocations director and associate director of St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, University of Kansas Number of years ordained: 6 Hometown and parish: St. Frances Cabrini — Hoxie My favorite food is: pizza My favorite book to recommend is: “Story of a Soul,” by St. Thérèse of Lisieux The last good movie or video I saw was: “The Blind Side” As a child, my favorite toy was: my sports equipment The most important lesson the priesthood has taught me is: Trust in God above all things The thing that’s surprised me most about life as a priest is: How Jesus does everything if you let him It would surprise people to learn that I: cannot do a jigsaw puzzle Favorite TV show: SportsCenter Favorite Web site: espn.com Favorite band or musician: Palestrina Dream vacation: Royals beating the Yankees in Yankee Stadium Worst job I’ve ever had: working hogs Best job I’ve ever had: being a priest If I had a church history time machine, I’d: go to John Paul II’s election as pope (past) or his canonization as a saint (future)

My wife Valerie and I first met Mitchel when he was working at the St. Lawrence Center. We were immediately drawn to him because of his love for the Catholic Church, and his passion for the Royals and Jayhawks.

We consider Father Mitchel a part of our family. He’s celebrated a Mass in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary, he married our oldest son Joe and his wife Leigh, and we’ve been on trips to Texas and Italy with him. He is a blessing to our family and to the Catholic Church.

Vince Burke It was Father Mitchel’s homily to us at St. Michael’s when he was still a seminarian that I remember. What he did not say was impressive. No pietistic platitudes came out. What he did say was he still had not made up his mind.

He was still struggling with this life of being a priest. His honesty, his forthrightness and his ability to share with us who he was and what he was about, left me with a lasting impression. He demonstrated the qualities of a young man that could be one of God’s choices to serve and minister to God’s people. He ultimately chose well. God had found a winner for all of us.

Bob Stoddart When my family joined St. Michael’s, the first Mass we attended was one Father Mitchel concelebrated with Father Bill Porter. This was in the stretch run of the capital campaign for our new church and, after being members at several other parishes in Johnson County over the last 20 years, this was not a new homily for us. What made this different was the rapport that Father Mitchel and Father Bill had. The homily was loaded with gentle chiding and camaraderie that filled the church with smiles and laughter. After Mass, I mentioned to my wife that “those two were like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis up there.”

However, it was not an act, since their friendship continues today. The love, care, and encouragement that Father Mitchel showed to his congregation, along with Father Bill, are the pillars that SMA will always stand on.

Craig and Misty Norris

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • July 16, 2010

Nebraska town’s immigration law has no clear end WASHINGTON (CNS) — When residents of Fremont, Neb., voted June 21 to bar undocumented immigrants from renting housing or getting jobs in their city, they stepped onto a path that other U.S. towns have already blazed, with legal and political results that remain unclear years later. One thing that is clear, however, is that similar ordinances have been costly, both financially and to relationships within the communities.

Fremont’s voter initiative, approved by a vote of 3,900 to 2,900, will require people to get a permit from the city to rent property.

The permit application requires proof of legal U.S. residency for anyone who says they are not a U.S. citizen. Those unable to prove their legal status would lose their occupancy permits and would be subject to a daily fine of $100 if they don’t vacate the property, according to an analysis by Jim Cunningham, director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, published in the Catholic Voice, newspaper of the Omaha Archdiocese. The law also will require employers in the city to verify job applicants’ immigration status. Businesses that fail to comply would be “tried at a public hearing before the City Council,” the law says. Lawsuits challenging the ordinance are already being prepared and the city has opened a legal defense fund to cover expected costs estimated at anywhere from $270,000 to more than $5 million, reported the local newspaper, the Fremont Tribune.

Individuals’ charitable giving down in ’09, but upswing seen WASHINGTON (CNS) — Charitable giving dropped about 5 percent in 2009, representing a total decrease of $11.2 billion, according to a new study from the Boston College Center on Wealth and Philanthropy.

The two researchers heading up the study, Paul Schervish, 64, and John J. Havens, 69, gathered the data through a new system called the Individual Giving Model, or IGM, developed by the center. The model, first tested in 2009, measures how the most recent level of economic resources affects the average level of household giving. Some of these resources include price and market indices, income, value of assets and net worth. Still, Schervish and Havens have a positive outlook for giving this year, as the first two quarters have shown an increase in philanthropy. “We are projecting forward: The economy is coming back, the value of housing is coming back, and we might see the stock market soar back to an all-time high,” Havens said in a interview with Catholic News Service.

THE LEAVEN • July 16, 2010

Court won’t review case on Vatican liability

Revised Vatican norms to cover sex abuse

By Patricia Zapor

Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court has left standing a lower court ruling that will allow an Oregon man to try to hold the Vatican financially responsible for his sexual abuse by a priest, if he can persuade the court that the priest was an employee of the Vatican.

By declining to take Holy See v. John Doe, the court June 28 left intact the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said because of the way Oregon law defines employment, the Vatican is not protected under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act from potential liability for the actions of a priest who Doe, the unidentified plaintiff, said sexually abused him in the 1960s.

The case will now go back to U.S. District Court, where Doe’s attorneys will attempt to prove that the late Andrew Ronan, a former Servite priest who was laicized in 1966, was a Vatican employee at the time the events took place.

In order for the District Court to have ruled that the case could move forward, a lower standard of having adequately “pleaded” a connection between Ronan and the Vatican had to be met. Before the issue of liability of the Holy See can be addressed, Doe’s attorneys will have to persuade the court under a higher standard “proving” that Ronan was a Vatican employee.

The Oregon case involves the efforts of Doe to get compensation from the Vatican for sexual abuse he said was committed by Ronan when he was assigned to St. Albert’s Parish in Portland, Ore. Ronan admitted to abusing boys in the Archdiocese of Armagh, Ireland, and while assigned at St. Philip’s High School in Chicago, before he was posted to Portland. Ronan died in 1992.

When the case returns to the District Court, Doe must first prove that Ronan was an employee of the Holy See. Should that standard be met, the case will hinge on proving that the Vatican is liable for Doe’s abuse by ignoring Ronan’s history of abusing minors and moving him from place to place.

By John Thavis

Catholic News Service

CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

STATUE OF BLESSED KATERI TEKAKWITHA — A statue of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha stands on the grounds of the national shrine dedicated to the Indian maiden in Fonda, N.Y., July 4. Native American Catholics continue to hope and pray that the 17th-century Algonquin-Mohawk woman will became the first Native American Catholic saint. Her feast was July 14.

Cycling team raises awareness to issue of poverty

By Jessica Pall

Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Jesuit Father Matthew Ruhl is cycling across America with a team of 11 to bring awareness to the issue of poverty and help combat it.

The Cycling for Change team is riding 5,052 miles from Cape Flattery, Wash., to Key West, Fla., to promote Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty, a plan to cut poverty in half by 2020.

“Father Matt has three passions — the poor, cycling and the Catholic Church.

By combining these things, he hopes to bring attention to the 40 million people living in poverty in America,” said Kathie Conwell, communications and marketing manager for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo. As of July 6, Father Ruhl, who is pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kansas City, and his team were in Fort Collins, Colo., and headed to Denver; they have covered more than 2,000 miles of their 5,052mile ride. They began May 29 and were scheduled to end the journey Sept. 5.

“So far so good,” Father Ruhl told CNS in a recent phone interview after riding approximately 70 miles that day.

Team members, who range in age from

24 to 80, average 65 miles per day. The volunteer cycling team is a group of lawyers, doctors, social workers, photographers and retirees, all of whom are dedicated to addressing the issue of poverty.

“People talk about the poor as a depressed people,” Father Ruhl said, “but the ones we have met are not depressed at all. In fact, we have seen a great deal of hope and realized that they are not naturally despondent.”

Catholic Charities and the local parishes in the towns where the team stops organize events for them to attend. Father Ruhl gives a talk, and afterward he and the team engage the communities in conversation to talk about local solutions for ending poverty. Father Ruhl also addresses individuals in his presentations and urges them to make their own commitment to combat this issue.

The group also has been engaged in various service opportunities on their trek so far; in Denver the cyclists planned to serve a pancake breakfast for 400 people; and in Kansas City in midJuly they were scheduled to help at a social service fair.

“Everyone we meet has been very supportive of us and our cause,” Father Ruhl said. “People generally agree with the premise that fighting poverty needs to be a greater priority.”

CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters

POPE WAVES DURING ANGELUS — Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads his Angelus prayer at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 11.

Vatican budgets see red, due to renovations and weak economy

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Major renovations, infrastructure upgrades and a sluggish global economy left the Vatican City State budget in the red; however, donations to the pope were up from recent years.

The 2009 fiscal period marked the third year in a row that Vatican expenses outpaced revenues.

The budget of Vatican City State, which includes the Vatican Museums and post office, ended 2009 with a deficit of $9.8 million, the Vatican said in notes on the budgets released July 10.

The separate budget of the Holy See, which includes the offices of the Roman Curia, finished 2009 with a registered deficit of more than $5.15 million.

The figures were released in early July after a three-day meeting of a council of cardinals charged with reviewing the Vatican budgets.

In explaining the city-state’s deficit, the council’s press statement mentioned that the Vatican Museums had opened

new exhibition spaces and had extended visiting hours, which means the payroll grew. Vatican City is also launching a major overhaul of its telecommunications infrastructure in which a highspeed fiber optic network will be installed over some 250 miles.

Building, maintenance and restoration work on the colonnade in St. Peter’s Square and on the major basilicas required substantial expenditures, the release said. In addition, “the costs sustained for security inside Vatican City State” and for the major renovation of the Vatican Library, which should open in September, added to the deficit, it said.

The budget of the Holy See saw $319.6 million in outlays and $314.4 million in revenues including $62.8 million from the Institute for the Works of Religion, otherwise known as the Vatican bank.

Among expenditures for the Holy See, the most substantial item is the wages of its 2,762 employees. Vatican City State covered the payroll of 1,891 people last year and about 4,587 former employees received pensions from the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican is preparing to update the 2001 norms that deal with priestly sex abuse of minors, in effect codifying practices that have been in place for several years.

At the same time, it will include the “attempted ordination of women” among the list of most serious crimes against church law, or “delicta graviora,” sources said.

Sexual abuse of a minor by a priest was added to the classification of “delicta graviora” in 2001. At that time the Vatican established norms to govern the handling of such cases.

The revisions of those norms have been in the pipeline for some time and were expected to be published in mid-July, Vatican sources said. While the changes are not “earthshaking,” they will ultimately strengthen the church’s efforts to identify and discipline priests who abuse minors, the sources said.

The revisions will be published with ample documentation and will be accompanied by a glossary of church law terms, aimed at helping nonexperts understand the complex rules and procedures that the Vatican has in place for dealing with sex abuse allegations.

The revisions also make it clear that use of child pornography would fall under the category of clerical sexual abuse of minors. In 2009, the Vatican determined that any instance of a priest downloading child pornography from the Internet would be a form of serious abuse that a bishop must report to the doctrinal congregation, which oversees cases of sexual abuse.

In addition, the revisions will make clear that abuse of mentally disabled adults will be considered equivalent to abuse of minors. In the law on the sexual abuse of minors, the term “minors” will include “persons who suffer from permanent mental disability,” sources said.

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World 11

Cardinal says Cuba will release 52 political prisoners HAVANA (CNS) — Following a July 7 meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro, Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana said the release of 52 political prisoners is under way and will continue over the next four months. An announcement on the cardinal’s Web site said the process leading to the release began with a May 19 meeting with Castro by Cardinal Ortega and Archbishop Dionisio Garcia Ibanez of Santiago, president of the Cuban bishops’ conference. Catholics can “take some holy pride that the bishops of Cuba were in this mediation,” Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski told Catholic News Service.

He called it a “significant turn of events” that church leaders were able to engage with Cuban officials and said it bodes well not only for the Catholic Church in Cuba, but also for the “continued development of civil society.” Although none of the prisoners to be released was named in the cardinal’s announcement, it said one had already been released and another 12 had been transferred to prisons closer to their homes.

Poland’s new president gets mixed reviews from bishops WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Polish bishops have given a mixed reception to their country’s new president, Bronislaw Komorowski, a 58-year-old Catholic father of five and former seminary history teacher.

“I see him as a man of ideas with many personal qualities, a person of dialogue who can also listen — I think this election serves Poland well,” said Archbishop Henryk Muszynski of Gniezno. “I’m also pleased with the manners shown when the results were announced. I see clear progress over what happened previously and a good sign for the future when it comes to the style of exercising government in a democratic country,” he said. In a presidential runoff July 4, Komorowski garnered 52.6 percent of the vote, while his conservative challenger, former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, got 47.4 percent. Komorowski said that the election, which saw a national turnout of less than 55 percent, had marked a break from “factionalism and hunting for special benefits” and a move toward a “quest for what unites.” However, another senior prelate said he feared the victory of a candidate from a party already in government risked “not just a party monopoly, but also a monopoly of haughtiness and disdain,” and would strengthen “the diktat of the big cities, with their power, business and media.”

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Dodge City Cathedral Parish - Is accepting applications for a full-time youth minister for a large, multicultural parish. Applicant must be in full communion with the church and be able to work flexible hours.

Fluency in Spanish is preferred. Salary negotiable depending upon experience and training. Submit resume to: Mrs. Maria Musick, Search Committee, P.O. Box 1912, Dodge City, KS 67801. You can also visit the Web site at: www.dodgecitycathedral.com.

Part-time sales support associate - For Wellington Promotions, a promotional product/corporate gift company. Mon. - Fri., from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Promotional product experience preferred. Sales support role from proposals to client and vendor interaction to order management. Candidates should be comfortable with a variety of computer programs and be willing to learn new software. Submit resume, via e-mail, to Linsey Koshlap at: lkoshlap@wellingtonpromotions.com.

Music director - For St. John LaLande Church, Blue Springs, Mo. Essential responsibilities include: establish music liturgy for weekend, holy day, special liturgy, and funeral and wedding Masses; direct and accompany on piano/organ cantors and choirs (vocal, bell, etc.) during Masses; coordinate musician rehearsals; cultivate music ministry within the parish. Requirements: strong organ and piano skills; excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills; strong knowledge of Catholic liturgy and liturgical music. Preference given to candidates with experience leading volunteer musicians. Salary commensurate with experience. Submit cover letter, resume, and references, via e-mail, to: mverstraete@ stjohnlalande.com.

In-home day care assistant - Full time, Aug. 9 - 19, Mon. - Fri., from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; part time, beginning Aug. 20, Mon. - Fri., from 3 - 5 p.m. Potential for extra hours when school is not in session. Candidates need to work well with elementary age children and be able to assist with homework after school. The person must be reliable, drug free and have transportation. Requirements include: infant and adult CPR training; first aid training; TB test; 20 observation hours at a licensed day care; health assessment; KBI background check. Interested applicants may send a resume, via e-mail, to: atozdaycare@kc.rr.com.

Director of institutional advancement - For Thomas More Prep-Marian High School and Holy Family Elementary. Both schools are located in Hays, Kan., are affiliated with the Salina diocese, and have a large alumni base across the United States. Responsibilities include: managing the annual, capital and endowment campaigns; special projects; planned giving; special events; and assisting in the establishment of active alumni chapters and development events. Candidates should have development or sales experience; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and demonstrated leadership. Experience in development at the high school, university, nonprofit, or corporate level is preferred. Salary contingent on experience; benefit package offered. Applicants may submit a letter of interest, resume, and references to: Director of Institutional Advancement Search Committee, TMP-Marian High School/Holy Family Elementary, P.O. Box 1754, Hays, KS 67601. Letter of intent applications may be faxed to (785) 628-2022.

Director of communications and planning The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a superior Catholic communicator. The director manages and facilitates all official communications and serves as public information officer. Responsibilities include: developing and implementing a communications plan across all mediums, including the Web; serving as public information officer; establishing relationships with media outlets; and providing public relations services to the parishes of the archdiocese. The director also coordinates regional and archdiocesan pastoral planning efforts and assists parishes and institutions with their pastoral plans. Requires exceptional communication skills, including a firm grasp of electronic media; direct or related experience in data analysis for planning purposes; and demonstrated successful relationship management. Prefer candidates with experience in pastoral planning for Catholic parishes and dioceses. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the Web site at: www.archkck.org (click on the human resources tab). Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume, and application by July 23 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Communications Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send, via e-mail, to: kthomas@archkck.org.

Child care providers - St. Ann Young Child Center, Prairie Village, is interviewing for child care providers during school hours and from 3 - 6 p.m. for its afterschool program. Starting pay is $10 per hour, with benefits. Call Tati at (913) 541-0687.

Part time - Historical event site is seeking a person to help with laundry and linen setup on Mondays and as needed. Call (816) 531-3111.

THE LEAVEN • JULY 16, 2010 Part-time position - Beginning Aug. 24. Mon. - Fri. from approximately 3 - 7 p.m., assisting two female mentally retarded and developmentally disabled clients in their Overland Park home. Great for a college student or someone seeking to supplement their income! Female applicants only. Call Amy at (913) 221-9158.

Office assistant - Full-time position available.

Customer service preferred. Must have good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Good computer skills a must. Starting pay is $9 per hour. Call Nikki at (913) 438-7767.

Development director - Hayden High School, Topeka, is accepting applications for the position of development director. Candidates must possess training and experience in all aspects of development, including relationships with alumni, identification of potential donors, and coordination of fundraising activities. Applicants should have personal and professional characteristics consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church. To submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Rick Strecker at (785) 272-5210 or send, via e-mail, to: streckerr@haydenhigh.org.

Sales counselor - Don’t just get a job, start a rewarding career! Chapel-Hill Butler Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens currently has career opportunities for motivated sales professionals who are service minded, energetic and ambitious. Experience in the funeral home or cemetery industry is helpful but not necessary.

We provide an excellent structured training program and we offer a full benefits package, flexible hours and advancement opportunities. For additional information or to submit your resume, send an e-mail to Shelly at: shelly.weatherford@sci-us.com.

Judicial vicar - The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph seeks a degreed priest (JCD or JCL) to work full time as judicial vicar of the diocese. Duties include: administration of the marriage tribunal; assisting the bishop on canonical matters; advising the bishop on personnel issues; preparing and managing the budget for the tribunal; representing the bishop as appropriate; and working collaboratively with other diocesan offices. Serving as a judge in first instance is also expected. Applicant must be in good standing and must have the endorsement of his ordinary or major religious superior. Experience in church leadership, as pastor or other leadership role, as well as familiarity with tribunal procedure is expected. Proficiency in Spanish is helpful. Applicants may contact Msgr. Robert Murphy, vicar general, at (816) 756-1850 or via e-mail at: murphy@ diocesekcsj.org; or Msgr. Bradley Offutt, chancellor, at (816) 756-1850 or via e-mail at: offutt@diocesekcsj.org.

Executive director of the diocesan education fund - The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is currently accepting applications for a new position of executive director of the diocesan Catholic school education fund.

This position will be responsible for formulating strategy and objectives; developing sound plans for fundraising activities; overseeing the implementation of a development plan; and evaluating performance toward goals.

The executive director will build a new program utilizing major gifts, annual fund development, grant making, special events, capital funding initiatives and endowments. Qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree in development/fundraising, nonprofit administration, business, marketing/public relations, or related fields or equivalent experience. Minimum five or more years experience in fund development. For a complete job description, visit our Web site at: www. diocese-kcsj.org. Submit resume, via e-mail, to: moss@ diocesekcsj.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.

Half-time youth minister - We are seeking an enthusiastic youth minister to plan, enhance and support youth activities for our Jr. and Sr. high youth ministry programs. The youth minister would also help coordinate our confirmation program for grades 7 - 8. Applicants must truly love working with youth and enjoy practicing and sharing our faith. Computer, organizational and interpersonal skills are required. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Send resume, via e-mail, to Pat Shultz at: pats@corpuschristilks.org.

Director of religious education – Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, seeks a dynamic and gifted person for the part-time position DRE for our parish community of 1,200 families. Those seeking this position should be self-starters with experience and an ability to work with a team for RCIA and a parish staff. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Submit resume, via e-mail, to: pats@corpuschristilks.org.

THE LEAVEN • JULY 16, 2010 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) 788-9758.

Services I love what I do. . . and you can love it to! - House cleaning. 20-plus years experience. Excellent references. Johnson County area. Call (913) 548-8702.

Learn Spanish now! - From an experienced and native teacher. Any age, any level. First class/evaluation is free! $10 per hour discount if you enroll in July and Aug. For information, send an e-mail to: Spanish4uNow@ yahoo.com.

Math lessons/tutoring - By a Kansas City, Kan., public school teacher. Middle and high school students.

For information, send an e-mail to: Math4UNow@yahoo. com.

Do you intend to leave a Catholic charity in your will? What are you waiting for? The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas helps people with charitable intent to put their instructions into place.

We help stretch your gift further and last longer for the people you love and the causes you care about. For a free, confidential consultation call (913) 647-0365 or for free estate planning information, visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

Counseling - Topeka area. Child and adolescent, individual, marriage and family therapy. Ken Zweig, LSCSW, Shunga Creek Mental Health. Call (785) 969-5308.

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.

Lawn Mowing Senior and referral discounts.

Insured and bonded.

Local parishioner. Free estimates.

Call (913) 620-6063.

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.

Caregiving Caregiver - 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 part time 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 Get organized! Let me help you tackle the attic, basement, garage or any other area or your home or business that needs work! Items sorted and boxed, areas clean when finished. Great references & insured. 20 years experience! For pictures, visit my Web site at: WWW. SWALMS.COM. Tillar Swalm (913) 375-9115.

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

Interior and exterior painting and wallpaper removal - 30-plus years experience. Quality work; excellent references; reasonable rates. Senior discount. Member of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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

Painting, exterior and interior, drywall projects, powerwashing, rotted window sills repaired - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 341-7584.

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.

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.

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.

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) 5791835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

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.

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.

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.

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

Real Estate Super ranch home - 316 W. 116th St., KCMO. Wonderful Verona Hills subdivision. Everything on one level. 3 BR, 2 BA, formal living and dining rooms, eat-in kitchen with new granite countertops, slate tile backsplash, cooktop, sink and faucet. Family room with beautiful wood floors.

New carpet. Full, dry basement. Nice-sized lot. Call Cathy Schmidt, KW Realty, at (913) 322-5101 or send an e-mail to: cathyschmidt@kw.com.

Maintenance provided townhomes!

New construction and resale properties.

Peaceful, laid-back living in Basehor. $135,400 - $169,800. Low HOA dues.

Call Scott at ERA Manning at (913) 269-4269.

Take a virtual tour at: www.postlets.com/res/3957640.

Commercial building for sale or lease - 8500 sq. ft. office and warehouse. West Shawnee location with great highway access. Large fenced-in storage lot. Ideal for contractor, repair facility or manufacturer. For information, call (816) 536-3059.

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.

Vacation Lake of the Ozarks rental - Osage Beach, milliondollar 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.

Family fun in South Dakota - Summer special on day guide rate! Three people for the price of two from July 1 - Sept. 30. 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.major leagueadventures.com.

Vacation condo for rent - Marco Island, Fla. 2 BR, 2 BA; perfect weather. View pictures at: www.marco condoforrent.com or call (913) 544-1288.

Misc.

Unique French and African products - Antiques, crucifixes, soap, and art. Marché Français offers products from southwestern France and from refugees in Morocco. The sale of batik wall hangings from the Ivory Coast, handcrafted in beautiful rich colors, supports a single mother who sells her art to provide for her family. Items are located in Overland Park. Shop online at: www.marchefrancaisonline.com.

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.

For sale 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.

Childcare El Centro’s Academy for Children - A duallanguage (English/Spanish), all day, early education program for children 2 ½ - 5 years. Your child will develop social, emotional, language and motor skills in a safe, nurturing environment. Nationally accredited and licensed facility. Centrally located between 18th St. Expressway and I-635 in Kansas City, Kan. For information, call (913) 677-1115 or visit the Web site at: www.el centroinc.com.

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.

Antique/Vintage Costume Jewelry ***Wanted to Buy*** * Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

For Rent

Entertainment

For rent – 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in Shawnee near Nieman Rd. and Johnson Dr. $500/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. For a virtual tour, visit the Web site at: www.shawnee-rentals.com. Call (913) 6497596.

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.

Lawrence home for rent - 3 BR, 2 BA, ranch-style home with a two-car garage, fenced backyard, furnished kitchen and laundry facilities. No smokers and no pets!

1603 Irving Court. $1000/month plus utilities. Call (913) 829-5393.

To purchase a classified ad: Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $16 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50.

July 17

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate the monthly archdiocesan pro-life Mass at 8 a.m. on Jul. 17 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., followed by a rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing; Benediction concludes services at 9:45 a.m.

St. Veronica Lodge, KSKJ American Slovenian Catholic Union, will host a polka dance featuring the Don Lipovac Orchestra from 7 - 11 p.m. on July 17. The cost is $12. Proceeds will benefit the Society of St. Augustine Brother Tom Akers scholarship fund. Food and beverages will be available. For reservations, contact Chuck at (913) 631-2748 or Julie at (913) 268-7640.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on July 17 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: “This Thing Called Grief.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

“Designing a Balanced Life,” an interactive workshop to enhance your career, relationships and spiritual path, will be offered from 9 a.m. - noon on July 17 in the Kelleher Room at St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Preregistration is required. The cost is $50. For information or to register, call John at (816) 931-9972 or send an e-mail to: john@gordonandgordon law. com.

18 St. Augustine Church, Fidelity, will host its annual picnic on July 18

St. Ann Parish, Effingham, will host its annual barbecue pork and fired chicken dinner on July 24. Serving begins at 4 p.m. The cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 5 - 10; children four and under eat free. There will be bingo at 4:30 p.m. and a live auction at 7 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a dance from 9 p.m. - midnight.

- 2 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the parish school, 934 S.W. Clay, Topeka. The cost is $25 per couple and includes lunch and all materials. Child care is available for an additional fee of $5 per child. Registration fee can be mailed to the parish office. For information, call Kevin and Karen Mead at (785) 266-7573 or Ralph and Jan Lewis at (913) 400-7173.

25 “Managing, Navigating and Surviving the Emotions of Grief,” a work-

St. James Parish, Wetmore, will host a hog roast in the parish hall from 5 - 8 p.m. on Aug. 7. A freewill donation will be collected. There will be raffle items, a beer garden, live music and an auction at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to the building fund for the new church.

shop sponsored by the bereavement ministry of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, and presented by Mary Vorsten, MA, LCPC, will be held from 1 - 3 p.m. on July 25 in the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at Johnson Dr. and King, Shawnee.

For information, call Ruth Barter at (913) 631-6528.

26-30

Catholic soccer camps for children ages 7 - 17 will be offered from July 26 - 30 at the at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. For information or to register, visit the Web site at: www.CatholicSoccerCamps.com or call (913) 549-4871.

28

St. Joseph Church, Flush, will host its annual picnic on July 28 in the parish hall. A chicken dinner will be served from 5 - 8 p.m. Concessions will be available on the church grounds.

30

Sacred Heart, Gardner, will sponsor a children’s sale to raise funds for the new parish center from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on July 30; from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on July 31; and from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Aug. 1. The sale will be held in the current parish center, located at 130 E. Warren St. For information or to consign or donate items, send an e-mail to Melissa McGill at: mmcgill@kc.rr.com.

in the church hall. A family-style chicken and ham dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 10 and under. There will be a cakewalk, bingo, a quilt raffle and more.

The pro-life committee of St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, will host the Kansas City area premiere showing of “Blood Money, the Business of Abortion,” a documentary movie that exposes the dark side of the abortion industry, at 2 p.m. on July 18 in the Bishop Miege High School auditorium, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Roeland Park. The cost is $10 for adults; $5 for students. All proceeds will benefit the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic’s mobile sonogram unit.

The Knights of Columbus, Unity Council No. 709, will host an International breakfast from 8 - 11 a.m. on July 18 in the parish hall of St. John the Evangelist Church, 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $7 per person; children under five eat free.

24

A healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses, will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on July 24 at Holy Spirit Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick will be offered for all who are able to receive it. There will also be special devotions and a blessing with a first-class relic of St. Peregrine. Gift packets containing a third-class relic will be available. For information, contact the parish office at (913) 492-7318 or Marge Hattrup at (913) 492-7682.

CALENDAR 13

1

Aug.

St. Casimir Church, 917 Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, will host its annual roast beef dinner on Aug. 1 from noon until 3:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under. Carryouts will be available.

6

The CYO of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual golf tournament on Aug. 6 at Painted Hills Golf Course, Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $75 per person or $300 per foursome for registrations received by July 28. After the deadline, the cost is $80 per person.

For information, contact Bryan Barnhardt at (913) 238-2143.

7

“The Mystery in Mary Reveals the Mystery in Us,” a one-day retreat presented by Ann O’Donnell of the Kolbe MIssionaries, will be offered from 10 a.m.

- 3 p.m. on Aug. 7 in the parish hall at Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. Brown bag lunches will be available for $5. A freewill offering will be collected to cover retreat costs. For information or to register, contact Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0209 or send an e-mail to her at: Queenofpeace27@yahoo.com.

Married and loving it, most of the time! Join Worldwide Marriage Encounter and Mater Dei Parish for this great half-day enrichment program designed to refresh your relationship from 9 a.m.

20-22

Divorced? Widowed?

Beginning Experience Weekend gently helps people move through their loss to a new beginning in their lives. The next weekend for the Kansas City area will be Aug. 20-22. For information or for registration material, send an e-mail to: BEWeekendKC@hotmail.com; call John at (913) 219-3465 in Kansas City; Sue at (785) 331-2216 in Lawrence; Michelle (785) 478-3481 in Topeka; or visit the Web site at: www.beginningexperience.org.

29

St. Augustine Parish, Fidelity, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Aug. 29 with a 9 a.m. Mass. There will be a dinner at noon. A freewill offering will be taken up. For information or to RSVP for the dinner, contact Lois Bindel by July 14 at (785) 467-3817.

Misc.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a centering prayer retreat, presented by Sister Michaela Randolph, OSB, from 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 until 2 p.m. on Aug. 4. Centering prayer is a deep prayer of trust and surrender involving place, posture, word and silence. The cost is $100. Registration deadline is July 25.

For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org (click on the Sophia Center link).

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a silent directed retreat from 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 to 1 p.m. on Aug. 15. Come away to the quiet of a monastic setting and experience the sacred through personal prayer and daily meetings with a spiritual director. The cost is $350; advance deposit of $50 is due with registration forms by Aug. 3. For information, or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org (click on the Sophia Center link).

El Centro, Inc., will offer classes in home improvements, including electrical, HVAC maintenance, windows and doors, siding and gutters, insulation and airflow, drywall and painting. The classes are free and open to the public. All classes are held at 650 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Participants are asked to preregister.

For dates and times of classes, call (913) 677-0100.

Calendar items must be received nine days before the publication date.

E-mail submissions are preferred; send to: jennifer@theleaven.com. Submissions may be mailed to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

THE LEAVEN • july 16, 2010

Mark my words

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

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

Scripture Readings sixteenth WEEK IN ordinary time July 18 sixTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Gn 18: 1-10a; Ps 15: 2-5; Col 1: 24-28; Lk 10: 38-42 July 19 Monday Mi 6: 1-4, 6-8; Ps 50: 5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 12: 38-42 July 20 Apollinaris, bishop, martyr Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20; Ps 85: 2-8; Mt 12: 46-50 July 21 Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, doctor Jer 1: 1, 4-10; Ps 71: 1-4a, 5-6b, 15, 17; Mt 13: 1-9 July 22 Mary Magdalene Jer 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36: 6-7b, 8-11; Jn 20: 1-2, 11-18 July 23 Bridget of Sweden, religious Jer 3: 14-17; (Ps) Jer 31: 10-12d, 13; Mt 13: 18-23

M

I owe an apology to those who knew me “way back when,” especially my cousins and classmates. This is difficult for me to say, but I didn’t trust you when it came to my toys. Whenever you came over to play at my house, I was meticulous in hiding all the “good stuff.”

Childhood friends never got to see my fleet of pristine Matchbox cars, many in their original boxes; several intact Pez dispensers, filled with that chalky tasting candy; a couple of plastic eggs with clean Silly Putty; and several boxes of Colorforms, with all those little vinyl cutouts neatly resting in their proper places in the tray they came in. I suspect it was because I was an only child, but my toys were important and special to me and I took good care of them.

No doubt all these childhood flashbacks were triggered after watching the movie, “Toy Story 3,” that came out a few weeks ago. It was a nostalgic and touching film. I could relate to Andy, the boy in the movie. Even though he’s heading off to college, he can’t quite part with the toys of his childhood. Those playthings were not just inanimate objects to him; they were special. Those toys kept him company and opened up whole new imaginative worlds for him.

They couldn’t just be tossed into the garbage. And if they were going to be donated, the toys had to go to a good home

July 25 sevenTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Gn 18: 20-32; Ps 138: 1-3, 6-8; Col 2: 12-14; Lk 11: 1-13 July 26 Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Jer 13: 1-11; (Ps) Dn 32: 18-21; Mt 13: 31-35 July 27 Tuesday Jer 14: 17-22; Ps 79: 8-9, 11, 13; Mt 13: 36-43 July 28 Wednesday Jer 15: 10, 16-21; Ps 59: 2-4, 10-11, 17-18; Mt 13: 44-46 July 29 Martha Jer 18: 1-6; Ps 146: 1b-6b; Jn 11: 19-27 July 30 Peter Chrysologus, bishop, doctor Jer 26: 1-9; Ps 69: 5, 8-10, 14; Mt 13: 54-58 July 31 Ignatius of Loyola, priest Jer 26: 11-16, 24; Ps 69: 15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 14: 1-12

— one where they would be treasured, played with and treated with care.

After “Toy Story 3,” I dug out a favorite escapist book from my shelves, called “Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood,” by David Hoffman (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1996; 107 pgs.). In the book’s introduction, the author says it well: “As kids, toys were our center and our solace. It isn’t hard to understand why; no matter how little we were, with toys, we were in control. We may have been too young to cross the street alone, but alone in our bedrooms or dens, we could be the parent, make a million or rule entire worlds.”

So, why all this talk of toys? You can blame the recent graduates of Holy Spirit School in Overland Park. Check out their story on page 6 of this issue. I smiled when I read about the graduation gift their class purchased. First of all, it was commendable that these kids wanted to do something beyond their school walls, to help people in Haiti who continue to suffer six months after the devastating earthquake that hit that country. But who would imagine that their gift to Haiti would be soccer balls?

Obviously, there are many people working in Haiti to care for the more immediate needs of the people for shelter, food, water and medical care.

And others are looking further down the

line to begin the long process of rebuilding. These things should and must be done. But the gift of those soccer balls will do a world of good as well. Toys remind us that we humans are more than our work, more than our practical or serious sides. The unthinkable horrors that Haitian children have seen need to be healed. They need an escape, both mentally and physically. The Holy Spirit eighth-graders’ gift will do that.

It will help those traumatized kids to laugh a little, to concentrate on scoring goals rather than worrying about their next meal. It will bring them together for support, conversation and friendship.

Those kids deserve a break. Granted, soccer balls are not going to solve the complex issues facing Haiti. But they will help a number of that nation’s kids to bounce back.

What were the toys that shaped your childhood? Why were they important?

When was the last time you played? If you’re running on empty or zooming from one commitment to another, it’s time to become “childlike” again. So, break out your Mr. Potato Head, Slinky, Play-Doh, Barbie doll, crayons, Legos, View Master, or Lincoln Logs. Unpack The Game of Life, Monopoly, or Yahtzee and invite some neighbors or friends over. Then enjoy what it feels like to be driven by fun, not by the clock.

In fact, I think I’ll pull out a few of my Matchbox cars, just to see what kind of shape they’re in. Oh, by the way, if you’re thinking of stopping by, don’t forget to call first. That will give me time to put some things away. (Sorry. Old habits die hard.)

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s radio program on KEXS 1090 AM in July includes: July 18: Freedom from Pornography: Archbishop Naumann discusses the As for Me and My House initiative with his guest Sam Meier, who manages this archdiocesan program to protect and heal Catholics and their families from pornography’s destructive influence.

The program airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is repeated at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Money literacy program offered “All My Money” is a seven-week series that teaches women basic money literacy.

It will be offered on Tuesdays, Aug. 3 – Sept. 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The number of participants is limited.

Women who attend all sessions will receive $100 to open or add to a savings account.

Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

Inspiring women Linda Zarda Cook (center) responds to a question at a Q-and-A session following the Inspiring Women luncheon on June 24 at the Overland Park Convention Center, hosted by the Catholic Education Foundation. Cook, from Shawnee, is the retired CEO of Royal Dutch Shell. She was named the 11th most powerful businesswoman by Fortune magazine. Joining Cook were the other two featured speakers at the luncheon, Angela Perez Baraquio (left), Miss America 2001 and the first Asian and first teacher named Miss America, and Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor. The luncheon had 567 attendees — 90 percent of them women — and raised more than $108,000 for CEF scholarships. A patron party for sponsors was held the night before at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills to meet the three speakers.

the gospel truth

July 24 Sharbel Makhluf, priest Jer 7: 1-11; Ps 84: 3-6a, 8a, 11; Mt 13: 24-30 seventeenth WEEK IN ordinary time

‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ programming notes

It’s no fun to be always on the run

aybe it’s just the heat, but for some reason I feel a pressing need to come clean about something from my childhood.

O

Jesus’s gentle reproach challenges us, too

nce, I was asked to read the will after I had presided at the funeral of the deceased. As an outsider, I would appear not to favor any of the warring factions staking a also mentions that Martha and Mary are good friends of Jesus, along with claim to the inheritance.

Lazarus their brother: “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus very I immediately became much” (Jn 11:5).

This information puts the wary. What was I incident in Luke’s Gospel getting into? sixTEENTH SUNDAY IN into a different light. Jesus

An outsider entering into ORDINARY TIME does not show up at the a domestic dispute treads Lk 10: 38-42 house of Martha and Mary on dangerous ground. Is as an outsider, albeit an that what is happening in honored guest. He is a close Sunday’s Gospel reading, Lk 10:38-42? friend — practically a member of Jesus is visiting two sisters, Martha the family. It is in the context of that and Mary. Martha, who has borne relationship that Martha makes her the brunt of the work of hospitality, request. asks Jesus to intervene: “Lord, do you Because of that relationship, Martha not care that my sister has left me by feels confident enough to approach myself to do the serving? Tell her to Jesus with this issue. If he had been help me.” simply a famous person whom they We should note that Luke describes were receiving into their home, she the location where this takes place simmight have hesitated to bother Jesus ply as “a village.” On the other hand, with this personal concern. But he was the Gospel of John more specifically more. He was their friend. identifies the village where Martha and As much as we might admire Martha Mary live as Bethany, a town just outfor her freedom in approaching Jesus, side of Jerusalem. The Gospel of John we must take stock of Jesus’ reply and

compare her to her sister Mary: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Martha, in contrast to Mary, has allowed the duties of hospitality to take over, leaving her no opportunity to spend time with her guest. Martha’s life is out of balance. She has focused so much attention on hospitality that she has neglected the guest. That is why Jesus criticizes her — not that she has done wrong, but that she has slighted the greater good.

The criticism that Jesus directs at Martha can also speak to our busy lives. The responsibilities of family and work can easily overwhelm us. We believe that there is no time left to spend with the Lord. But, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “If you are too busy for prayer, you are too busy.”

Jesus’ gentle reproach toward Martha challenges us to examine our lives, to see how Jesus fits in. Does he appear as a much honored guest that we fawn over, but do not spend much time with? Or, is he our close friend, at whose feet we sit to listen to his words?

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

Local news 15

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Center seeks volunteers The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave, Kansas City, Kan., is seeking volunteers to assist women who want to learn to speak English or to read and write. Training and materials are provided. Contact Sister Carol Ann Petersen, OSB, at (913) 906-8990.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • July 16, 2010

Top chef

Eighteen-year-old Kealan O’Boyle led his team to a national cooking championship that helped change his and his teammates’ lives forever A look at the winners

By Kara Hansen

I

Leaven staff

t may not have been “Iron Chef America,” but winning a national culinary competition was a dream come true for Kealan O’Boyle.

O’Boyle’s roots in cooking started with classic American cuisine in his own kitchen.

“I would usually make pancakes from scratch on weekends and, as a kid, Kealan always liked to get in there and try adding different things like allspice, blueberries, or bananas,” recalled Kealan’s father, Dan O’Boyle. “He was always experimenting and wanting to try new things.”

O’Boyle’s repertoire expanded to bigger and better things as he grew older.

O’Boyle started working at a neighbor’s restaurant at 15 years of age, where he learned the basics of cooking and developed a strong interest in the culinary field. A graduate of Olathe Northwest, O’Boyle participated in the Olathe school district’s culinary program during his junior and senior years of high school.

“That’s when I first got involved with cooking competitively,” said O’Boyle, 18, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee.

Making it to the national competition required O’Boyle — the team leader— and his three partners to win at the state level in Kansas. They first decided on a menu, approved by their instructor, and began practicing it over and over until they reached near-perfection.

Once the team surpassed the 17 other schools at the state competition, it moved onto the National ProStart Invitational. ProStart is known as a program preparing students for a culinary career.

As luck would have it, the competition site for 2010 was practically in O’Boyle’s backyard — Overland Park.

“Last year it was in San Diego and this year it was held in Kansas City,” said O’Boyle. “It was really nice to have family close by, and we had a huge support group there. The best part about the competition was getting to have it in our hometown.”

To say the competition, held May 2, created some stress for O’Boyle and his team would be an understatement. The quartet had to prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes under the watchful eyes of 14 judges.

“We had two eight-foot tables and two [butane] burner stoves to work with for our meal,” said O’Boyle. “There was no refrigerator, so we had to use dry ice for the appetizer and two buckets of ice for the rest.”

Moreover, O’Boyle and his teammates drew the last cooking spot of the day.

“We were the last team to start cooking and it was stressful because everyone else had finished, but they were still in the room watching us,” said O’Boyle.

“Plus we had the judges right in front of us, and there were certified master chefs, college instructors, leading business chefs — all there constantly watching us.”

But O’Boyle and his team rose to the occasion. They prepared a meal that was far beyond most teenagers’ cooking abilities and more in line with what one might find prepared by a professional chef. The appetizer was pan-seared yellow fin tuna on an avocado marble with

The dessert made by O’Boyle and his team for competition: a white chocolate morello cherry Bavarian with a trio of poppy macerated berries, on a chocolate painted plate with a crisp sugar tuile.

The entrée that brought home first place at the state and national competitions: Pan-roasted pork ballotine stuffed with pecans, spinach and apple with Parmesan couscous, fresh apple slaw, chateau zucchini and a savory apple demi-glace.

Photos courtesy of Daniel O’Boyle

Kealan O’Boyle prepares a dish at the Kansas ProStart culinary competition. O’Boyle and his team from the Olathe school district won the Kansas competition and earned the opportunity to compete at the National ProStart Invitational, where they placed first out of 39 teams. tomato gremolata, Belgian endive, arugula and crisp vermicelli.

The entrée was pan-roasted pork ballotine stuffed with pecans, spinach and apple with Parmesan couscous, fresh apple slaw, chateau zucchini and a savory apple demi-glace. To finish off the meal, dessert was a white chocolate morello cherry Bavarian with a trio of poppy macerated berries on a chocolate painted plate with a crisp sugar tuile.

Once they were finished, O’Boyle and his teammates did not have to wait long to hear what the judges thought of their dishes, which were judged on flavor, profile, color balance, and taste.

“The only bad thing the judges had to say was that one of us needed to hem our pants,” said O’Boyle with a laugh. “They couldn’t think of anything bad to say about our food.”

He and his teammates received their first-place honors later at an awards dinner.

“It was pretty intense because we saw teams from 39 states make their dishes,” said Dan O’Boyle, who, along with Kealan’s mom Liz, watched the competition unfold. “I really thought Oregon and California had it, so when they named Oregon in fifth place, we knew Kealan did well. It was extremely exciting — we were jumping up and down and screaming.”

O’Boyle said he was excited about winning such a prestigious competition,

but even more thrilled with the doors it opened for teammates.

“We were each given $170,000 in scholarship money and offered a full ride to Le Cordon Bleu (a culinary arts school),” said O’Boyle. “My teammates are not financially well-off, and the other senior on the team was planning to go to junior college, even though she wanted to pursue a bachelor’s in culinary arts.

Now she is going to be able to do that.

It’s been a life-changing experience for all of us.”

O’Boyle plans to pursue a degree in culinary arts at the New England Culinary Institute, which has produced notable alumni like Alton Brown of Food Network fame. O’Boyle also has hopes of one day studying cooking in France and Italy.

“It’s been my dream to go to the New England Culinary Institute,” said O’Boyle. “All the instructors are so passionate about what they are doing and you’re able to do three internships there when other programs only offer one.”

O’Boyle has long-term plans of becoming a professional chef or restaurant owner and is leaning toward French cooking as his specialty. Regardless of where he goes in the culinary field, O’Boyle sees his faith as always playing a role in what he does.

“I really enjoy the hospitality part of the food industry and find joy in serving people food they can enjoy and enjoy

For the competition appetizer, O’Boyle and his team prepared pan-seared yellow fin tuna on an avocado marble with tomato gremolata, Belgian endive, arugula and crisp vermicelli. looking at,” said O’Boyle.

Faith and food are the perfect combination for O’Boyle, as they both are known for bringing people — and especially families — together.

“I think faith has brought our family together more than other families I’ve seen who don’t practice any kind of faith together,” said O’Boyle.

As one might imagine, Dan and Liz are proud parents. Dan, who has a culinary and entrepreneur background, knows firsthand some of the challenges that might await Kealan as he pursues his dream.

“Kealan knows the restaurant life can be a hard one with long hours and lots of hard work,” said Dan. “But Kealan has a strong faith in God and he will depend or lean on God when times are tough.”