09-11-09 Vol. 31 No. 6 by The Leaven

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 6 september 11, 2009

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Health Care Reform A Joint Pastoral Statement of

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop Robert W. Finn Health care reform joint pastoral statement: summary points

ear Faithful of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and of the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph, To his credit, President Barack Obama has made it a major priority for his administration to address the current flaws in our nation’s health care policies. In fairness, members of both political parties for some time have recognized significant problems in the current methods of providing health care. As Catholics, we are proud of the Church’s health care contribution to the world. Indeed, the hospital was originally an innovation of the Catholic faithful responding to our Lord’s call to care for the sick, “For I was . . . ill and you cared for me” (Mt 25: 35-36). This tradition continues today in America, where currently one in four hospitals is run by a Catholic agency. We have listened to current debate with great attention and write now to contribute our part to ensure that this reform be an authentic reform taking full consideration of the dignity of the human person. Some symptoms of the inadequacy of our present health care

Bishop Robert W. Finn

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

polices are: • There are many people — typically cited as 47 million — without medical insurance. • The cost of health insurance continues to rise, with medical spending in the United States at $2.2 trillion in 2007, constituting 17 percent of the gross domestic product, and predicted to double within 10 years. (Source: Office of Public Affairs, 2008: http:// www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealth ExpendData/downloads/proj2008. pdf). • The Medicare Trust Fund is predicted to be insolvent by 2019. • Mandated health insurance benefits for full-time workers have created an incentive for companies

to hire part-time rather than fulltime employees. • Similarly, the much higher cost to employers for family health coverage, as compared to individual coverage, places job candidates with many dependents at a disadvantage in a competitive market. • Individuals with pre-existing conditions who most need medical care are often denied the means to acquire it. There are also perceived strengths of our current system: • Most Americans like the medical care services available to them. Our country, in some ways, is the envy of people from countries with socialized systems of medical care. • It is important to remember that 85 percent of citizens in the United States do have insurance. Forty percent of the uninsured are between 19-34 years old. (Source: Current Population Survey 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplement). A 2007 study by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and Uninsured found that 11 million of those without insurance were eligible for Medicaid or

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Health care reform is needed and President Obama is to be applauded for making this a major priority for the nation. Despite the many flaws with the status quo, change itself does not guarantee improvement. The state of health care in our nation could worsen if we diminish the current protections for the sanctity of human life; coerce Americans to fund abortion; negate or weaken protection of conscience rights for doctors, nurses, hospitals and health care systems; create a scenario where health care will be rationed based on some arbitrary assessment of the quality of life. Catholics, in evaluating various health care reform proposals, should apply four principles of the Catholic social teaching: 1) Subsidiarity: respect for the inherent dignity and freedom of the individual by never doing for others what they can do for themselves, and thus enabling individuals to have the most possible discretion in the affairs of their lives. 2) Sanctity of human life: respect for the sacredness of every human life and the dignity of the human person — no matter stage of development, age, or physical or mental condition. • The right of every individual to have access to health care as well as the other necessities for sustaining and caring for human life. • The responsibility of each individual to take proper care of his or her health and a duty to exercise virtue (e.g., diligence, prudence, etc.) in acquiring health care for oneself and one’s family. 3) Promotion of the common good: an obligation to be concerned not just about our own welfare and the welfare of our family, but the welfare of each and every member of society. 4) Solidarity: the special claim the poor and vulnerable have on our concern, desiring for them the same access to quality health care as we want for our own families.

2 LOCAL NEWS Bill and Rosalee Richmond, members of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5 with a special dinner with their family. The couple was married on Anniversaries Sept. 5, 1959, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Kansas City, Mo. Their children are: Debbie, Carolyn, Janette, Loretta, Mary and Bill. They also have 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Cletus and Ann (Lierz) Haverkamp, members of St. Patrick Parish, Corning, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 20 with a 10 a.m. Mass of thanksgiving at the church. A family dinner will follow at the Corning Community Center and an open house for all their relatives and friends will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. The couple was married at Annunciation Church in Frankfort on Sept. 20, 1949. Their children and their spouses are: Danny and Connie Haverkamp, and Monica and Mike Shaughnessy, all of Silver Lake; Mary Ann and Harold Brokamp, Dorothy and Harry Taylor, Cleta Haverkamp, Gary and Diane Haverkamp, Vernon and Sue Haverkamp, and Sharon Haverkamp, all of Corning; and Galen Haverkamp, Topeka. They also have 26 grandchildren and 29 greatgrandchildren.

THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

THE LEAVEN • September 11, 2009

Linda (Wehmeier) and John McGrath, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 12 with a dinner and dance hosted by their children. The couple was married on Sept. 19, 1959, at St. Dominic Church in Holton. Their children and their spouses are: Greg and Anne-Mary McGrath; Steve and Tracy McGrath; Jennifer and Phil Vlasity; and Andrea and Jeff Onnen. They also have six grandchildren.

Pope’s ambassador encourages Christians to visit the Holy Land By Steve Johnson

Special to The Leaven

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The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date. Announcements must be typed. They are for parishioners of Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Please include the following Information: • The couple’s names; their parish; the date they were married; church and city where they were married; what they are doing to celebrate; date of the celebration; names of children (if desired); number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; photo. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@theleaven.com. If you would like your photo returned to you, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Father Francis Hund, pastor at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, and concelebrant Father Gilbert Aranha, visiting from India, welcomed the students and faculty back to the parish school during the first all-school Mass of the new academic year. During the special outdoor Mass, held on the school grounds, the students were reminded of the theme for the school year: “Discovering and Sharing Our Gifts.” Above, Nativity fourth-grader Thomas Gates assists Father Hund (right) and Father Aranha during the homily as Nativity students were encouraged to spend time during the coming school year to discover and share the gifts that God has given them.

First ‘Music in the Liturgy’ workshop a success

Conception, Mo. — More than 30 participants from eight dioceses traveled to Conception Abbey here in order to take part in the first “Music in the Liturgy” workshop from Aug. 10-13. Presenters included world-renowned liturgist and musician, Abbot Marcel Rooney; renowned biblical theologian, Abbot Gregory Polan; accomplished musician and composer, Father Timothy

Schoen; and seminary professor of liturgy, Father Daniel Merz. Many topics were examined, including the new Conception Abbey Psalter (the translation of the psalms that will soon be used in all liturgies); eucharistic theology and spirituality; and several practical sessions on the singing of antiphons, chant, and serving as a cantor.

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TCHISON — He has traveled the world for the past 40 years as a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See. He could have spoken on a myriad of subjects, but Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the pope’s personal representative to the United States, was compelled to speak about the Holy Land. “While the Holy Land remains a region of conflict — there where God revealed his love for humanity — it will be difficult to have peace around the world,” he said. The archbishop delivered the keynote address at the academic convocation held on the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison on Sept. 1. Prior to the convocation, he concelebrated the opening all-school Mass with Archbishop Joseph Naumann in St. Benedict’s Abbey Church. Archbishop Naumann also joined him on the convocation dais, along with Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas CitySt. Joseph, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Bishop Michael Owen Jackels of Wichita, Auxiliary Bishop Denis Madden of Baltimore, Bishop Herbert Hermes of the Prelacy of Cristalandia, Brazil, Abbot Barnabas Senecal of St. Benedict’s Abbey, and prioress Sister Anne Shepard of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery. Archbishop Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, serves as the Vatican diplomatic representative to both the nation’s Catholic Church and the civil government. Because he previously served as the apostolic nuncio to Israel (from 1998 to 2004, including the historic 2000 visit of Pope John Paul II to the region), Archbishop Sambi addressed what he considers to be the critical problem there: Christians, already an extremely small minority in the Holy Land, are continuing to leave the region. “The Holy Land is not a foreign land for us [Christians],” he said. “The Holy Land is a privileged place where the mystery of salvation unfolded. For Christians, it is the land of the patriarchs and the prophets, as well as that of Jesus Christ and the apostles and the birthplace of the church.” Archbishop Sambi said the holy places are “like the fifth Gospel.” They establish that Jesus is not a ghost or a legend, but is history. “They help us to understand that human redemption by the work of Jesus Christ is not a legend, but a historical event,” he said. “It occurred in a precise moment of human history — during the reign of Tiberius — in precise circumstances — during the Roman occupation — that the word of God became flesh and entered human history as the Savior of the world.” Archbishop Sambi spoke of the Cenacle, the room where the Last Supper was held, as well as sites like Nazareth, Bethlehem, Calvary, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. These places, he said, each deliver their own message and help Christians better understand their faith.

Photo by Laura Wadle

Archbishop Pietro Sambi (with crosier), the apostolic nuncio to the United States, is joined by abbots, bishops and archbishops in giving the final blessing at an all-school Mass on the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison on Sept. 1. “I have not found another place in the world where I felt God was so close as when I knelt in the Grotto of the Nativity,” he said of the site in Bethlehem. In reference to Calvary, he said, “Looking at the place where the cross was planted, I really did think of how much God, in Jesus Christ, truly loves us — that from there flows a river of mercy and forgiveness.” In the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, he said, “One can almost hear the voice of the angel speaking to those women who went to the tomb on the morning of Easter Sunday: ‘I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said he would do.’” In the Cenacle, “the place of the first Pentecost,” he said, “through the Holy Spirit, we are united with the church of every time in every place.” He said Christ desires unity among all his disciples. “The spirit of unity is a sign that the Holy Spirit guides us,” the archbishop said. He acknowledged that both Jews and Muslims should have access to those sites in the Holy Land revered by their faith traditions, but he said much of the conflict is based on territorial disputes. “We Christians do not ask for land,” he said. “We ask for respect — respect for the holy Christian places, as well as for those areas that are sacred to the Jews and to the Muslims. We ask for respect for the small Christian community. We ask that Christians from all over the world may have the right to participate in pilgrimages to the Holy Land in a safe and respected manner.” Archbishop Sambi said he is not concerned about the holy places themselves, but about the ability of Christians to maintain their connection with them. He said the continuing violence in the Holy Land and the lack of any concrete prospect for peace are creating a situation in which Christian pilgrims are afraid to

Photo by Laura Wadle

Archbishop Sambi delivers the keynote address at the academic convocation held on the campus of Benedictine College Sept. 1. go to the sacred places, and the local Christian population is moving away. “I am truly concerned about the future of the Christian community [in the Holy Land],” he said. In addition to the violence, unemployment, economic problems, and a lack of housing are also contributing to the problem, driving young Christians out of the area. On top of that, he said, there are only 13 Christian churches in the Holy Land, and only six Catholic churches. The Christian community makes up only 2 percent of the region’s population, and it is shrinking. “The bishops of the Holy Land have written recently that if nothing is done to stop the alarming exodus of our Christians from the Holy Land, then, within 50 years, Christianity will disappear in the very land where Christ founded the church,” he said. He recommended several courses of action. First, he said, Catholics must pray for the local Christian population, asking the Holy Spirit to give them strength. Second, he said they must encour-

age pilgrimages to the Holy Land. “The pilgrimage enriches not only the one who makes such a journey,” he said, “but it also contributes morally and materially to the local Christian community. “In the Holy Land, Christians suffer from a minority complex. When they see many pilgrims, they are encouraged by their presence and they are able to see themselves as belonging to a large community of universal dimension. If so many people come to the Holy Land from such distant regions of the world, then it is precious to remain in the Holy Land.” Finally, he said, Catholics and nonCatholics alike must all work to find a lasting peace in the region. This, he said, would be the greatest help for all people of the area. “I am of the idea that God has given a mission to the Holy Land,” Archbishop Sambi concluded. “The mission that he has given to the Holy Land is a mission of love, a mission of brotherhood, and a mission of peace.”

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THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

THE LEAVEN • SEPTERMBER 11, 2009

Church teaching provides clear guidelines for effective reform Continued from page 1 SCHIP but were not enrolled. Those eligible but not enrolled include 74 percent of children who are uninsured. (Source: Characteristics of the Uninsured: Who Is Eligible for Public Coverage and Who Needs Help Affording Coverage?) • The competitive nature of our private sector system is an incentive to positive innovation and the development of advanced technology. Medical doctors and research scientists are esteemed. Doctors and other scientists immigrate to our country because of the better compensation given to those who provide quality medical care or produce successful research. • Medicare and Medicaid, while they have their limitations, provide an important safety net for many of the elderly, the poor and the disabled.

tion in this pastoral reflection to identify and explain the most important principles for evaluating health care reform proposals. No Catholic in good conscience can disregard these fundamental moral principles, although there can and likely will be vigorous debate about their proper application.

I. The Principle of Subsidiarity: Preamble to the Work of Reform

A Renewal Built on Principles

This notion, that health care ought to be determined at the lowest level rather than at the higher strata of society, has been promoted by the Church as “subsidiarity.” Subsidiarity is that principle by which we respect the inherent dignity and freedom of the individual by never doing for others what they can do for themselves, and thus enabling individuals to have the most possible discretion in the affairs of their lives. (See: Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 185ff.; Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1883.) The writings of recent popes have warned that the neglect of subsidiarity can lead to an excessive centralization of human services, which in turn leads to excessive costs and loss of personal responsibility and quality of care. Pope John Paul II wrote: “By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies and an inordinate increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending” (Pope John Paul II, “Centesimus Annus,” no. 48).

We claim no expertise in economics or the complexities of modern medical science. However, effective health care policies must be built on a foundation of proper moral principles. The needed change in health care must therefore flow from certain principles that protect the fundamental life and dignity of the human person and the societal principles of justice, which are best safeguarded when such vital needs are provided for in a context of human love and reason, and when the delivery of care is determined at the lowest reasonable level. The rich tradition of Catholic social and moral teaching should guide our evaluation of the many and varied proposals for health care reform. It is our inten-

And Pope Benedict writes: “The State which would provide everything, absorbing everything into itself, would ultimately become a mere bureaucracy incapable of guaranteeing the very thing which the suffering person — every person — needs: namely, loving personal concern. We do not need a State which regulates and controls everything, but a State which, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, generously acknowledges and supports initiatives arising from the different social forces and combines spontaneity with closeness to those in need. . . . In the end, the claim that just social structures would make works of charity superfluous masks a materialist conception of man: the

What Must We Do? The justified reaction to the significant defects in our current health care policies is to say, “Something must be done.” Many believe: “We have to change health care in America.” Despite the many flaws with our current policies, change itself does not guarantee improvement. Many of the proposals which have been promoted would diminish the protection of human life and dignity and shift our health care costs and delivery to a centralized government bureaucracy. Centralization carries the risk of a loss of personal responsibility, reduction in personalized care for the sick and an expanded bureaucracy that in the end leads to higher costs.

mistaken notion that man can live ‘by bread alone’ (Mt 4:4; cf. Dt 8:3) — a conviction that demeans man and ultimately disregards all that is specifically human” (Pope Benedict XVI, “Deus Caritas Est,” no. 28). While subsidiarity is vital to the structure of justice, we can see from what the popes say that it rests on a more fundamental principal, the unchanging dignity of the person. The belief in the innate value of human life and the transcendent dignity of the human person must be the primordial driving force of reform efforts.

II. Principle of the Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Driving Force for Care, and Constitutive Ground of Human Justice A. Exclusion of Abortion and Protection of Conscience Rights Recent cautionary notes have been sounded by Cardinal Justin Rigali, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Murphy of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Social Development, against the inclusion of abortion in a revised health care plan. At the same time, they have warned against the endangerment or loss of conscience rights protection for individual health care workers or private health care institutions. A huge resource of professionals and institutions dedicated to care of the sick could find themselves excluded, by legislation, after health care reform, if they failed to provide services which are destructive of human life and which are radically counter to their conscience and institutional mission. The loss of Catholic hospitals and health care providers, which currently do more to provide pro bono services to the poor and the marginalized than their for-profit counterparts, would be a tremendous blow to the already strained health care system in our country. It is imperative that any health care reform package must keep intact our current public polices protecting taxpayers from being coerced to fund abortions. It is inadequate to propose legislation that is silent on this morally crucial matter. Given the penchant of our courts over the past 35 years to claim unarticulated rights in our Constitution, the explicit exclusion of so-called “abortion services” from

coverage is essential. Similarly, health care reform legislation must clearly articulate the rights of conscience for individuals and institutions. B. Exclude Mandated End of Life Counseling for Elderly and Disabled Some proposals for government reform have referenced end of life counseling for the elderly or disabled. An Aug. 3, 2009, statement of the National Association of Pro-Life Nurses on Health Care Legislation, in addition to calling for the exclusion of mandates for abortion, the protection of abortion funding prohibitions, and the assurance of conscience rights, insists that the mandating of end of life consultation for anyone regardless of age or condition would place undue pressure on the individual or guardian to opt for measures to end life and would send the message that they are no longer of value to society. The nurses’ statement concludes: “We believe those lives and all lives are valuable and to be respected and cared for to the best of our abilities. Care must be provided for any human being in need of care regardless of disability or level of function or dependence on others in accordance with the 1999 Supreme Court Decision in Olmstead v. L.C.” (www.nursesforlife. org/napnstatement.pdf). Recently, Bishop Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, commented on the dangers inherent in the establishment of a health care monopoly, drawing a comparison to the experience of HMO plans in our country, where individuals entrusted with keeping the cost of health care at a minimum may refuse to authorize helpful or necessary treatment for their clients. (See Bishop Walker Nickless’ column in The Catholic Globe, Aug. 13, 2009.) C. The “Right to Acquisition of Health Care” in the Teaching of the Church The “Right to Health Care” as taught by the Church is a companion to the fundamental right to life, and rights to other necessities, among them food, clothing, and shelter. It may be best understood as a “Right to Acquire the Means of Procuring for One’s Self and One’s Family these goods, and concomitantly, a duty to exercise virtue (diligence, thrift, charity) in every aspect of their acquisition and discharge.

Reform must protect individual choice and encourage preventive care Continued from page 4 This language of rights, coupled with duties toward those who ‘through no fault of their own’ are unable to work, is present throughout papal teaching, and only reinforces the idea that, in its proper perspective, the goal is to live and to work and ‘to be looked after’ only in the event of real necessity.” (Source: Catholic Medical Association, 2004 document, Health Care in America; bold and italics our own) The right of every individual to access health care does not necessarily suppose an obligation on the part of the government to provide it. Yet in our American culture, Catholic teaching about the “right” to health care is sometimes confused with the structures of “entitlement.” The teaching of the Universal Church has never been to suggest a government socialization of medical services. Rather, the Church has asserted the rights of every individual to have access to those things most necessary for sustaining and caring for human life, while at the same time insisting on the personal responsibility of each individual to care properly for his or her own health. Indeed, part of the crisis in today’s system stems from various misappropriations within health care insurance systems of exorbitant elective treatments, or the tendencies to regard health care services paid for by insurance as “free,” and to take advantage of services that happen to be available under the insurance plan. Such practices may arguably cripple the ability of small companies to provide necessary opportunities to their employees and significantly increase the cost of health care for everyone.

When the individual has a personal, monetary stake or a financial obligation to pay even a portion of the cost of medical care, prudence comes to bear — with greater consistency — on such decisions, and unnecessary costs are minimized. Valuing the right of individuals to have a direct say in their care favors a reform which, reflecting subsidiarity, places responsibility at the lowest level. E. Obligation of Prudent Preventative Care All individuals, including those who receive assistance for health care, might be given incentives for good preventative practices: proper diet, moderate exercise, and moderation of tobacco and alcohol use. As Bishop Nickless reminds us in his statement: “The gift of life comes only from God, and to spurn that gift by seriously mistreating our own health is morally wrong.” Some categories of positive preventative health care, however, may not easily be procured apart from medical intervention. Prenatal and neonatal care are particularly crucial and should be given priority in any reform. Because of the unique vulnerability of the unborn and newly born child, such services ought to be provided regardless of ability to pay. In addition to the primordial Principle of the Life and Dignity of the Human Person delivered in a way which respects subsidiarity, we might look briefly at two other principles which promote justice in the consideration of health care.

D. The Right to Make Health Care Decisions for Self and Family

II. Principle of the Obligation to the Common Good: Why We Must Act

Following both the notions of subsidiarity mentioned above and the sense of the life and dignity of every human person, it is vital to preserve, on the part of individuals and their families, the right to make well-informed decisions concerning their care. This is why some system of vouchers — at least on a theoretical level — is worthy of consideration. Allowing persons who through no fault of their own are unable to work, to have some means to acquire health care brings with it a greater sense of responsibility and ownership which, in a more centralized system, may be more vulnerable to abusive tendencies.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of the obligation to promote the common good as “the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and easily” (no. 1906). It is very clear that, respectful of this principle, we must find some way to provide a safety net for people in need without diminishing personal responsibility or creating an inordinately bureaucratic structure which will be vulnerable to financial abuse, be crippling to our national economy, and remove the sense of humanity from the work of healing and helping the sick.

The Church clearly advocates authentic reform which addresses this obligation, while respecting the fundamental dignity of persons and not undermining the stability of future generations. Both of us in our family histories have had experiences that make us keenly aware of the necessity for society to provide a safety net to families who suffer catastrophic losses. Yet, these safety nets are not intended to create permanent dependency for individuals or families upon the State, but rather to provide them with the opportunity to regain control of their own lives and their own destiny. Closely tied to the Principle of the Obligation of the Common Good is the Principle of Solidarity.

III. The Principle of Solidarity: The Way We Measure Our Love The principle of human solidarity is a particular application — on the level of society — of Christ’s command to love your neighbor as yourself. It might also be seen, in other terms, as the application of the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” Solidarity is our sense of “connectedness” to each other person and moves us to want for them what we would want for ourselves and our most dear loved ones. In regard to health care this might require us to examine any proposal in terms of what it provides — and how — to the most vulnerable in our society. Dr. Donald P. Condit in his helpful treatment of the principle of solidarity in “Prescription for Health Care Reform” reminds us of the proverb attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” For example, legislation that excludes legal immigrants from receiving health care benefits violates the principle of solidarity, is unjust and is not prudent. In evaluating health care reform proposals perhaps we ought to ask ourselves whether the poor would have access to the kind and quality of health care that you and I would deem necessary for our families. Is there a way by which the poor, too, can assume more responsibility for their own health care decisions in such manner as reflects their innate human dignity and is protective of their physical and spiritual well being?

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Conclusion: We Cannot Be Passive These last two principles: Solidarity and the Promotion of the Common Good cause us to say that we cannot be passive concerning health care policy in our country. There is important work to be done, but “change” for change’s sake; change which expands the reach of government beyond its competence would do more harm than good. Change which loses sight of man’s transcendent dignity or the irreplaceable value of human life; change which could diminish the role of those in need as agents of their own care is not truly human progress at all. A hasty or unprincipled change could cause us, in fact, to lose some of the significant benefits that Americans now enjoy, while creating a future tax burden which is both unjust and unsustainable. We urge the president, Congress, and other elected and appointed leaders to develop prescriptions for reforming health care which are built on objective truths: that all people in every stage of human life count for something; that if we violate our core beliefs we are not aiding people in need, but instead devaluing their human integrity and that of us all. We call upon our Catholic faithful, and all people of good will, to hold our elected officials accountable in these important deliberations and let them know clearly our support for those who, with prudence and wisdom, will protect the right to life, maintain freedom of conscience, and nurture the sense of solidarity that drives us to work hard, to pray, and to act charitably for the good of all. We place this effort under the maternal protection of our Blessed Mother, Mary, who was entrusted, with Joseph in the home at Nazareth, with the care of the child Jesus. We ask Our Lord Jesus Christ to extend his light and his mercy to our nation’s efforts, so that every person will come to know his healing consolation as divine physician.

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

Most Reverend Robert W. Finn

Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph August 22, 2009 Memorial of the Queenship of Mary

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THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

THE LEAVEN • September 11, 2009

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s September Calendar 1

Breakfast, Mass and conference with Archbishop Sambi, papal nuncio — Benedictine College, Atchison

Meet with seminarians — Mundelein Seminary

Mundelein Seminary board meeting

Meeting — executive committee of Presbyteral Council

Mundelein opening Mass

Mass and dinner with Lawrence Serrans — St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence

Mass for women’s retreat, Apostles of the Interior Life — Savior Pastoral Center

Meeting with leadership of Knights of the Holy Sepulcher The Catholic Way radio taping

Mass and blessing of new mausoleum — Resurrection Cemetery Masses and installation of Father Bala Miriyala for Sacred Heart, Sabetha; St. Augustine, Fidelity; and St. James, Wetmore, with a groundbreaking for a new church at St. James

Masses and installation of Father Brandon Farrar — Assumption, Edgerton, and Annunciation, Baldwin City

Mass and blessing of Mary’s Grotto — Benedictine College

Bishop Miege auction dinner

Mass and installation of Father Bill Fisher — Sacred Heart, Ottawa

17-20

Knights of the Holy Sepulcher convention — St. Louis

Kansas City, Kan./Kansas City, Mo., joint priest appreciation dinner

Presbyteral Council meeting Mass and dinner with Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George

Pastors’ workshop

Mass of the Innocents — Savior Pastoral Center

Mass — Donnelly College convocation, Cathedral of St. Peter

Blessing of new building — St. Matthew, Topeka

Confirmation — Sacred Heart, Paxico, and Holy Family, Alma, at Paxico

Mass and installation of Father Keith Lunsford — St. Ann, Prairie Village

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee meeting — Washington, D.C.

Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting

Baptism — Church of the Nativity, Leawood Donnelly College scholarship dinner

Mass — 150th anniversary of St. Mary Parish, St. Benedict

Donnelly College board meetings

Project Andrew — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka

Sept.28-Oct.1

USCCB Marriage and Family Committee — conference call

‘Heads Up’ offers hope and help By Kara Hansen Leaven staff

PAOLA — It’s bad enough to have a traumatic brain injury, but it’s even worse to face it without help. That was the case for Roxanne Bollin, who was diagnosed with TBI in 2005. When she went looking for local resources in Miami County, she couldn’t find any. Bollin was disabled at age 50 and she struggled with many of the symptoms accompanying TBI — memory loss, loss of gross and fine motor skills, speech impediments, and a loss of vocabulary, math skills, and comprehension. Bollin’s previous education and successful professional career no longer meant much. She could not even drive a car anymore — a true hardship in a rural area. Although she sought further medical and rehabilitative help, each medical professional required a large prepayment that Bollin could not afford. Even the state of Kansas’ SRS program required a large packet of paperwork — confusing and difficult for her to comprehend — to be completed before she could be considered eligible for assistance. “With no help or support, feeling degraded and stripped of all dignity,

I became very angry,” said Bollin, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Paola. “Those first two years were a nightmare.” But a small act of kindness began to turn things around for Bollin. “I began to see that other survivors of TBI were experiencing the same struggles as I,” said Bollin. “A fellow parish member, Jeanne Woolsey, came up to me and asked me about my TBI and how I was handling the daily changes and challenges. We met, and the rest is history.” Both women knew of the struggles involved with TBI — for survivors and for their families and caregivers. Together the two created a brain injury support group, called Heads Up, in March 2007. “Our major goal is our mission statement: to provide an informal environment with caring people who truly understand TBI issues and challenges; to share information, provide support and encouragement to those with TBI and their families,” said Bollin. Support groups are facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker who has an area of expertise in head injuries. The group meets monthly in the basement of Holy Trinity Church from 7- 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month.

Priests’ workshop at Conception Abbey

Archbishop James P. Keleher’s September Calendar 8-9

Ethical Review Board

Mass — St. James Academy

Teach class — Mundelein Seminary

Confirmation — Immaculate Conception, St. Marys

18-19

Knights of the Holy Sepulcher — St. Louis

Kansas City, Kan./Kansas City, Mo., joint priest appreciation dinner

Teach class — Mundelein Seminary

M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Summer Months: Sat. 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Mass — 50th anniversary of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood

Prison Mass Confirmation — Holy Family, Eudora

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Although Father Rick Halvorson has only been pastor at Holy Trinity for a few months, he has already seen the tremendous amount of support provided by Heads Up to the community. And he is more than happy the group uses space at Holy Trinity to accomplish its work. “There seem to be lots of accidents and head injuries in rural areas especially, and survivors and their families have many needs,” said Father Halvorson. “I really see this as a giving back to the community — our tithing, in a sense.” Though local Catholics have been instrumental in the planning and creation of the group, it is open to anyone whose life is touched by TBI. Those who attend come from Ottawa, Olathe, Gardner, LaCygne, Osawatomie, Spring Hill, Louisburg and Paola. “It’s been a great thing; we’re like family,” said Paul Davis, a Holy Trinity parishioner and Heads Up participant. “It’s a comforting feeling to talk to someone else about how memory loss affects me and to know they understand. It’s an amazing, comforting feeling to know you’re not alone.” Approximately 50 people currently attend monthly meetings. Davis estimated half of those are TBI survivors and the other half are caregivers to

someone with TBI. Though TBIs are not as commonly discussed in mainstream society, Davis said there are more TBIs treated in the United States each year — 1.4 million — than HIV, cancer, and multiple sclerosis combined. And the Heads Up members want to help as many of that number as they can. For the third year in a row, they are hosting a charity event called On Your Mark, a race/walk to benefit TBI survivors. Named in honor of Mark Orr, one of the group’s TBI survivors, the event features a 5K and a 3K run/walk, a kiddie run, and a senior walk — along with a moonwalk, face painting, silent auction, bake sale, food, and visits from local emergency response teams. On Your Mark will be held at the Paola High School Track Stadium on Sept. 19 with registration starting at 8 a.m. The cost of $20 per person for adults or $15 for a child includes a Tshirt. Sponsors are also welcome. Proceeds will go to hospitals, the Mayo Clinic, and in assistance to survivors who need to move into handicapped-accessible housing. For more information, visit the Heads Up Web site at: www.headsuponline.org.

saw in him the most,” said Maura. “There were a few tasks he used to be able to finish in a shorter time.” Rick also took to heart the example of his father, who lived a joyful life despite the pain and suffering that came with Parkinson’s disease. “His dad handled it beautifully, with a sense of humor,” said Maura.

Steady on Story by Kara Hansen | Photos by Elaina Cochran

Faith journey

Rick Peterson, far right, made the trip to World Youth Day in Sydney with his daughter Jessica, pictured above carrying the American flag. He attended World Youth Day in Rome in 2000 with daughter Julia.

Rick Peterson joins other pilgrims in prayer at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. While there, he also prayed at the tomb of Mother Mary MacKillop — with startling results.

uried right in the middle of the Mass each week is the familiar, comforting — yet challenging — prayer, the Our Father. The Lord’s Prayer is right at the heart of Rick Peterson’s story, too. “Thy will be done” was on his

mind as he knelt at the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop, asking to leave behind the symptoms of his Parkinson’s disease, once and for all.

And it was in holding daughter Jessica’s hand two

days later, as the words of the prayer first uttered by Jesus came tumbling out, that someone else first realized that Rick’s prayers had been answered.

A firm resolve It was not a great surprise when Rick received his original diagnosis of early onset Parkinson’s at age 39 in 1999. Parkinson’s disease ran in Rick’s family; his father died in 1995 after a battle with the illness. Doctors were not able to give the Peterson family much hope, as there is no cure for Parkinson’s. Rick was enrolled in two different studies through the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., and Yale University in New Haven, Conn., but physicians could do little more. Rick experienced many of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, including fatigue, tremors in his right hand and arm, and muscle cramping. Stress seemed to worsen Rick’s tremors, bringing them on more frequently and with greater severity than when he was not stressed. Rick and his wife Maura, a nurse, knew the tremors would spread and worsen over time. It was merely a waiting game.

“Rick seemed to progress quickly at first and then his symptoms plateaued for the next six years after his diagnosis,” said Maura. “About a year or two before World Youth Day [2008], we noticed his symptoms slowly progressing again. I knew as the Parkinson’s progressed I would be able to care for him, but there was also a fear of what was in store for us in the future.” Still, the couple was determined the disease would not define them or their family. “We just figured this is something God has picked for us to deal with, so we’re going to deal with it the best we can,” said Rick. “My prayer, like that of my dad, was to handle and accept it graciously.” So they did. Rick continued his work as an electrician, and he and Maura continued raising their five children. When they had to make changes to accommodate Rick’s symptoms — which included nearly constant tremors in his right hand and forearm — they did. “It never really altered Rick’s ability to do daily activities, but fatigue is what I

For Rick, continuing on with his life as best he could meant continuing to practice his Catholic faith, ardently and often. The Petersons had long been involved in various aspects of their faith — from personal prayer to attending retreats, mission trips and helping with youth ministry at their parish. “Both my parents are very dedicated and very strong in their faith,” said daughter Jessica, 24. “They were youth ministers for 20 years and we were surrounded by the Catholic faith as we grew up, along with the youth they were ministering [to]. It was more than just going to Mass on Sundays.” When the opportunity to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, came up in 2008, Rick jumped at the chance. He had attended the event in 2000 in Rome with daughter Julia and wanted a chance to go with Jessica this time. As a WYD veteran, he knew that World Youth Days were as much of a pilgrimage as they were an event. Therefore, preparing for the journey would be an important part of the experience. Rick began online research of the World Youth Day schedule, theme, and selected patron saints for the event. It didn’t take long before he developed a special interest in one saint in particular. “I noticed a link for Blessed Mary MacKillop, one of the patron saints of World Youth Day 2008,” said Rick. There was something about the beatified Catholic nun that Rick found inspiring. Though she was well-known in her native Australia and highly praised by Pope Benedict XVI, most Americans — including Rick — knew nothing about her. “I started reading about her life and then found myself looking for the prayer opportunities at her shrine,” said Rick. “I figured that it would not hurt to ask for guidance from someone who had traveled the area around Sydney, that we might have a safe and wonderful pilgrimage for our whole group.” In fact, figuring it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Rick purchased tickets to visit her shrine in Sydney before even leaving the United States. He also found that the theme of World Youth Day 2008 — “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses ” (Acts 1:8) — touched him in a special way. So in preparation for the trip, he began praying specifically to the Holy Spirit — something he hadn’t done in years. As he began excitedly sharing plans for the trip with friends and co-workers, they asked Rick the one question he had not even allowed to cross his mind: Are you going to ask for healing from Parkinson’s disease? “I only said, ‘I will just have to wait and see what happens when I get there,’” said Rick.

Australia bound On Friday, July 18, many of the World Youth Day attendees — officially called pilgrims — participated in the living Stations of the Cross. The stress of the 15hour flight, colder winter air, and lack of sleep seemed to have caught up to Rick, and the tremors in his hand and arm were

as bad as they had ever been. “He was having a lot of problems buttoning his shirt sleeve,” said fellow pilgrim Kelsey Waetzig, a 17-year-old parishioner of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka. “His hand was shaking and he couldn’t control it long enough to button the sleeve. “He was really upset because he had never had to ask for help before.” Finally, with his cuff fastened with Waetzig’s help, Rick, Jessica and six other WYD participants from the archdiocese were ready to visit Blessed Mary MacKillop’s shrine for the evening prayer vigil. Once there, Rick joined in the scheduled evening prayer, then had some time to pray alone at the shrine. By that point, there was no doubt in Rick’s mind what he wanted to pray for. “We were invited to spend time at Mary’s tomb,” explained Rick. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been in deeper prayer — it was like I was the only one there. “I said, ‘Mary, I’m asking you to pray with me. Lord, I’ve asked Mary to pray with me and I’d like nothing more than to leave the Parkinson’s and tremors buried in the soil beside Mary. Yet only if it is your will.” As he got up to leave, Rick paused at the shrine’s gate and added a final request: that the tremors would also stay away. Then he offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the outcome of his pilgrimage, whatever it might be. It wasn’t until he was visiting with fellow pilgrims on the train ride home 20 minutes later that Rick looked down and was startled to see what he had not seen in nine years: his hand and arm — perfectly still. Rick’s sleep was restless that night. He woke nearly every 10 minutes, every time checking his arm to see whether the tremors had returned, and offering a prayer of thanksgiving when he saw that they had not. During both the long walk to Randwick Raceway for Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and the camp-out that followed, Rick’s arm continued to be tremor-free, even though the walking, lack of sleep and cold temperatures had always made his tremors far worse in the past. Saturday came and went — and still no tremors. On Sunday, during the papal Mass, Rick could no longer keep it to himself. As she gripped her father’s hand after the Lord’s Prayer at Mass, Jessica was struck by a stillness that had not been there for a long time. “At first, I thought it was the peace of being at Mass when I noticed his hand wasn’t shaking,” said Jessica. “Then my dad looked at me and started crying as he told me about his prayer.” Jessica could hardly take it in. “I started crying; I was shocked,” she said. “You hear about miracles, but to have it happen to my own dad is amazing.” Word spread quickly among the archdiocesan WYD attendees. “He came up to me and told me the next day about what happened,” said Waetzig. “I was amazed, and thought it was awesome to be a part of it.” Elaina Cochran, the freelance photographer that covered World Youth Day for The Leaven, had noticed Rick’s tremors on the flight over and her photographer’s eye was drawn back to his arm over and over again after the tremors stopped. “I was really excited for him,” said Cochran. “Even as we were packing our gear and on our way back, his arm no longer had any shaking whatsoever. “His faith healed him.” Rick and Jessica returned to Blessed Mary MacKillop’s shrine on Monday to share the news with the Sisters of St. Joseph, who maintain the shrine. There, Rick began the paperwork that documented that he had received what is called a “favor” through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop. It is possible

that, should the cessation of Rick’s symptoms prove permanent and after much time and painstaking investigation, the account of his experience will help in the canonization process for Blessed Mary MacKillop. Calling home to share the news with Maura presented an unexpected challenge. “When Rick called to tell me the news, I was working as a charge nurse and couldn’t talk at the time,” said Maura. She literally had to stop her husband in midstream “and ask him to call after my shift, to allow me to focus on my patients. “The news was overwhelming.” Even after hearing the news from Rick later that day, Maura found it still took awhile for it to fully sink in. “To go from a husband who had a lifechanging illness — thinking this illness would eventually disable him — to the illness no longer being a part of our future seemed unrealistic and hard to comprehend,” said Maura. It was six more days before Rick and Jessica flew the 15 hours back to Kansas City. As members of their family made their way to the airport to pick the two up, a series of little accidents transpired. First, Maura was in a small car accident on her way to the airport. Then Rick’s mom hurt her foot and daughter Julia reinjured her shoulder as the two entered the airport. The series of events would normally have caused Rick so much stress his arm and hand would have been trembling violently. And that was Maura’s first thought. “I called him and said, ‘All I want to know is if your hand is tremoring right now,” she said, “because we could not have put much more stress in your life.” It was not. Nor is it now, more than a year later.

Healed by faith “There are some health professionals that are not willing to jump in and say this is a favor or healing,” said Maura, “but now we’re in the 14th month with no symptoms. And not only that, but the symptoms have not even hinted. That’s where I’m in awe.” The neurologist treating Rick for Parkinson’s disease has not seen any symptoms in the past year, either. Because Parkinson’s disease is a symptoms-only diagnosis — in other words, there are no tests to conclusively diagnose someone with the disease — Rick’s physician cannot say for certain he ever had Parkinson’s disease. “Anytime these symptoms get better for any reasons, it’s a good thing,” said the neurologist, who asked to have his name withheld. The Petersons agree. “A year ago we would not have even begun to hope for that,” said Maura. “To think of a whole year symptom-free is beyond our hopes.” And if the symptoms return? “I would hope that my prayer on that day would be no different than one of acceptance and continuing to witness to God’s good works,” said Rick. “If this lasts two days, two weeks, for the rest of my life — it’s a gift no matter what,” he added simply. And perhaps it’s that complete acceptance of God’s will in his life that is the most extraordinary part of Rick’s story. “One of the greatest witnesses to Rick’s faith was the prayer he prayed at Mary MacKillop’s site,” said Maura. “I have always had a tremendous respect for people who can say, ‘Your will be done, not mine’ — and mean it. “That quote really sums up Rick’s faith path.”

Who was Blessed Mary MacKillop? (1842-1909) Mary MacKillop was born on Jan. 15, 1842, in Australia, the oldest of eight children. By the time she was 16, she was working as a teacher and a governess in order to help support her family. But in 1866, she met a priest whose parish territory encompassed 22,000 square miles. He encouraged her to open a Catholic school. She did so in an old stable in Penola, in order to serve the children of the outback. St. Joseph was selected as the school’s patron. Soon other women came to join Mary, and the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph was formed. The work of the new order soon spread to other areas of the outback and to various cities of Australia, where the Sisters provided a Catholic education to students and formed the first Catholic school system in the country. Mary also founded orphanages, homes to care for the homeless and destitute, and refuges for former prisoners and prostitutes who wanted a new start in life. By 1873, there were over 120 women in the order, working in 44 schools and four charitable institutions. Mary suffered from poor health throughout most of her life and quietly faced opposition to her order from both outside and within the church. At age 29, she was excommunicated from the Catholic Church for a period of five months, due to a miscommunication with her bishop. After she was reinstated, Mary sought and received papal approval for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Mary died in 1909, but her order has continued to grow. It now totals some 1200 Sisters, who serve primarily in Australia and New Zealand.

The road to sainthood There are four steps to a deceased Catholic being named a saint. First, a local bishop must examine the candidate’s life and writings for confirmation of heroic virtue. The information obtained by the bishop is then sent on to the Vatican. Next, a panel comprised of theologians and the cardinals of the Congregation for Cause of Saints evaluates the candidate’s life. If the candidate passes this rigorous stage, he or she may then be considered for beatification, which enables a person to be honored by a particular group or region. To become beatified — and therefore called “blessed” — it must be shown that the candidate was responsible for interceding in a posthumous miracle. Reported miracles are scrutinized closely by several levels of investigators and eventually declared by a decree. If the candidate died a martyr, his or her martyrdom is enough for beatification without a miracle. After becoming “blessed,” a candidate can be declared a saint — or canonized — by the church once there is evidence of a second posthumous miracle. Blessed Mary MacKillop is currently beatified, and her cause for sainthood can be moved forward by another documented miracle.

THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

LOCAL NEWS 11

Donnelly College welcomes Augustinian priest to campus

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Donnelly College here kicks off the fall semester by welcoming Father John Melnick, SSA, to its campus as the director of campus ministry and religious studies instructor. A native of Nova Scotia, Canada, Father John comes to Donnelly by way of Freeland, Pa., where he served as pastor of four Catholic parishes. He came to Kansas City with a group of fellow Augustinian priests from different provinces and jurisdictions who are establishing a new community house here. After meeting with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann to discuss his reassignment, Father John stressed his interest in trying something new. Archbishop Naumann informed Father John about Donnelly’s unique history and its growing need for a Catholic priest on campus. Intrigued by the challenge, Father John went straight to work visiting with faculty, staff and students to learn about their hopes for a strong campus ministry program. “Though new to Kansas City and to Donnelly, he has already generated enthusiasm on campus,” said Steve LaNasa, president of Donnelly. “Father Melnick brings a wealth of experience to Donnelly, having served as faculty in the seminary and in several pastoral positions, and it’s obvious that he’s a true collaborator. That experience — coupled with his commitment to Hispanic outreach — will help Donnelly estab-

About Donnelly

Donnelly College, located in the heart of Kansas City, Kan., is an independent, coeducational, Catholic institution founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison and sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The college was established in 1949 to meet the needs of urban immigrants and the working class, with special focus on “those who might not otherwise be served.” Today, Donnelly continues that tradition by providing access to an affordable education within a culture that promotes student success and by serving as the region’s only federally designated Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution.

Photo courtesy of Donnelly College

Father John Melnick, SSA, is the new director of campus ministry and religious studies instructor at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan. lish a program that meets the campus ministry needs of all of our students.” Father John is excited by the variety of faiths represented by Donnelly students. Though a Catholic institution with 41 percent Catholic students, the college serves international and local students from many diverse faith backgrounds. “I speak from Catholic tradition, but I recognize the need to relate my beliefs into something students from all denominations can relate to,” said Father John. “God — no matter what you call

A Day of Boundless Joy

“God Our Hope”

him/her/it — is present all around us,” he continued. “Human beings, by our very nature, are spiritual. We are forever looking to move beyond ourselves. “The journey becomes more colorful, more remarkable, when people of different backgrounds come together with a shared interest. When we seek something together, it’s always bigger and better than what it would be going at it alone.” Leaders of the community were excited to have another Augustinian minister on campus and to further the

college’s relationship with that order. In the 1970s, there were many Augustinian priests stationed in Kansas City. The college’s third president, Father John Oldfield, was an Augustinian, as well as alumnus Father Peter Jaramillo, class of 1975, who went on to become a priest within that order. Father Peter now serves as pastor of Holy Family and St. Mary/St. Anthony parishes in Kansas City, Kan. Beyond his religious and instructional duties, Father John enjoys watching classic films and listening to jazz music. He also loves the theater and Broadway, collects fountain pens for fun, and is fascinated with American Civil War stories. Father John’s presence has brought not only a new face, but also a fresh, joyful spirit to Donnelly’s growing campus.

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Associate consultant - For the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking an experienced and skilled leader to assist in providing a creative approach to catechesis and youth ministry throughout northeast Kansas. The selected individual must be an active practicing Catholic who supports the magisterium of the church and is ready to assist parishes in supporting and developing vibrant and inspiring youth formation opportunities. Primary contacts will be pastors, directors of religious education and coordinators of youth ministry. This position will work closely with the lead consultant in the office and other members of the evangelization and Catholic formation team to complete work objectives. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with members of the archdiocesan curia, priests, parishioners, boards, staffs, and volunteers to develop and implement catechetical plans; inspire and motivate all constituents to work on established goals; conduct public speaking and educational opportunities for parishioners, employees and constituents of the church; and provide Christ-centered leadership to archdiocesan parishes. For a complete list of qualifications, visit the archdiocesan Web site at: www. archkck.org, click on the link to chancery offices, then on the human resources tab. The archdiocese offers a generous benefit package and competitive salary. For immediate consideration, forward your resume and cover letter to Kathleen Thomas, director of human resources, at: kthomas@archkck.org. The submission deadline is Sept. 25. St. Joseph Early Education Center, Shawnee - Is seeking a full-time lead teacher in our 3- and 4-year-olds classroom, and a lead teacher for our before- and after-school care program. Must be at least 18 years old and qualified to be a lead teacher in the state of KS. To apply, call Nancy at (913) 631-0004. Help wanted - COBRAGuard is a nationally recognized leader in COBRA administration. We are expanding our business and are seeking qualified individuals to help with our tremendous growth. If you are looking for an opportunity with a growing firm, make sure you apply with us. We have openings in our call center, sales, IT, and accounting departments. To apply, visit the Web site at: www.cobraguard.net (follow the jobs link), or send an e-mail to: HR@ COBRAGuard.net. EOE.

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Home Improvement

Professional college essay service - High quality writing grabs attention and yields results. Threeperson review team will edit your scholarship and college application essays. We provide feedback and suggest improvements to craft a persuasive essay. Fall review slots fill quickly. Contact Denise at (816) 520-1642, or send an e-mail to her at: collegeessay @me.com.

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 Roofing - Will honor insurance companies’ proposals. 20 years experience. Call (913) 341-7584 (office) or (913) 206-4524 (cell).

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

Tutoring - K - 12 tutoring available in various subjects, especially study skills, test prep., French and Spanish. Tutor customizes lessons in a fun and a meaningful way. For information, call (913) 206-2151 or send an e-mail to: MamuricK@hawks.rockhurst. edu.

THE LEAVEN • SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

THE LEAVEN • September 11, 2009

Increase your income – Interest rates are low, but a gift annuity with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas often pays effective rates of over 10 percent for the rest of your life. Your gift benefits your parish or another Catholic organization of your choice in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. You may even get a tax deduction. Call (913) 647-0365 for more information.

Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336. Brown’s Carpet - Installation and repair carpeting; vinyl and wood installation. Free estimates. 10 years experience. Serving the KC metro area. Call (913) 231-4961. 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. House painting - Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates. References. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776. 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. Custom-kitchen countertops - Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days. Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Organizing & handyman services - Basements, garages, attics and shop spaces organized! Your items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Wall repair, interior painting, tile work, handicap bars and ramps. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, view my Web site at: www. swalms. com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115. Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Real Estate Leawood home for sale - 3331 W. 92nd Terr. 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA, huge family room, beautiful hardwood floors and a large yard. Within walking distance of Curé of Ars Parish. Call David, ReMax Premier, at (816) 591-3186, or visit the Web site at: www.costelloreal estate.com. Kansas land - Have land to sell? Marisa Morgan Dallman, owner-broker, Kansas Land Brokers, LLC. Call (913) 915-9151 or visit the Web site at: www. KansasLandBrokers.com. Lake house – Beautiful and private Lake Kahola, less than 2 hours from the KC area. Only 10 miles off I-35 at Emporia exit. This home sleeps 10+ with a 2-car garage, plus a private boat ramp and dock. Located at the water’s edge on a quiet cove. Call Cy at (316) 262-0888.

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

Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. – True companion mausoleum for sale. Holy Redeemer wall; tier B. Beautiful location. Valued at $7000; asking $5500. Includes transfer fee. Call (816) 842-2883.

Child care Parent’s Day Out - Holy Trinity Early Education Center, Lenexa, has openings for 2-1/2-year-olds. The program is offered Tues., Wed., or Thurs., from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. For information or to schedule a visit, call (913) 492-7380. Attention parents of 2- through 5-year-olds - St. Agnes Child Care has current full- and part-time openings available now! Give us a call or come visit to see what we have to offer for your child. We are located on the backside of the lower level of St. Agnes School, 5130 Mission Rd., Roeland Park. For information, contact Neona Russ at (913) 262-1689.

Roommate Adult roommate wanted - To share smoke-free, 5-bedroom home with single mom, two teenage boys, and family pets. Access to laundry, kitchen, plus two bedrooms provided. Area of 91st and Lackman. Call Cherie at (913) 832-5603.

Wanted to buy *** BUYING *** Coins — Sterling — Watches I buy coins, old watches, sterling silverware, postcards, photographs, military items, political campaign pins, Zippo lighters, fountain pens, toys, slot machines, old signs & tins, quilts, Indian rugs, beadwork, baskets, pottery and 22-gauge rifles. 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. *** Wanted to Buy *** Antique and vintage costume jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

Vacation

Entertainment

Palm Desert, Calif. - Condo for rent for Nov. and Dec. 2009 and Jan. 2010. Furnished 3 BR, 3 BA, on executive golf course with a mountain view. Swimming pool is two doors away. Golf available. Close to main shopping area. Call Judy at (913) 381-3063.

“Remember When” Oldies But Goodies Dance Party - Saturday, Sept. 12 at Finnigan’s, 503 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Mo. (in the ballroom next to the AMF Pro Bowl.) Social hour begins at 7 p.m. followed by dancing from 8 - 11:30 p.m. Zepster will be the DJ at this dance featuring music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. $10 at the door; cash bar. For information, call (816) 292-2848 or visit the Web site at: www. zepster.com/dances.asp.

Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 6423027. To view pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin. forcadeassociates.com. Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589. Vacation condo - Marco Island, Fla. 2 BR, 2 BA. Perfect weather! To view, visit the Web site at: www. marcocondoforrent.com, or call (913) 544-1288.

For sale Real estate note for sale - $50K first mortgage, to pay 7%; secured by $135K home. Call (913) 660-0595 for a recorded message.

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

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. Classified ads will also be posted online at The Leaven’s Web site: www. theleaven.com.

Sept.

“Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day,” an auction and fundraiser to benefit the Colleen Conway Holloway scholarship fund at Notre Dame de Sion, will be held from 6 - 11 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the high school gymnasium. For information or tickets, call (816) 942-3282. Queen of the Holy Rosary - Wea Parish, 227th and Metcalf, Bucyrus, will host “Anchor’s A-Wea,” a nautical-themed auction, beginning at 5 p.m. on Sept. 12. Tickets cost $25 per person; $200 for a table of eight. For information or to order tickets, visit the Web site at: www.hr auction.org. The Immaculata Booster Club will host a steak or hamburger dinner from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Leavenworth. The cost is $20 for steak; $10 for hamburger. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the development office, 320 Broadway; at Immaculata High School, 600 Shawnee; or you may call Lisa at (913) 683-3934.

12-13

Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church, 2014 N.W. 46th St., Topeka, will host its annual Holy Smokin’ Jamboree on the parish grounds during the weekend of Sept. 12-13. There will be a 5K run/walk, a pancake feed, car show, bingo, concessions, family games, sports tournaments, a raffle, a silent auction and a barbecue dinner (Sunday only). For information, contact the parish office at (785) 286-2188.

Holy Spirit Catholic School, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will have a 25th anniversary celebration on Sept. 13, beginning with Mass at 6:30 p.m. All alumni are invited to attend. Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, will celebrate its feast day on Sept. 13 with Mass at 11 a.m., followed by a parish festival featuring ethnic foods, carnival games, children’s crafts, inflatables and bingo. For information, contact the parish office at (913) 381-2755. All are invited to join St. Matthew Parish, 2700 S.E. Virginia Ave., Topeka, along with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann for the dedication and blessing of the new grand entrance, parish hall and early learning center at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13. Refreshments and social time will follow. St. Joseph Parish, 705 Spring Garden, Atchison, will host a brisket dinner and bazaar on Sept. 13 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $3.50 for children. There will also be craft booths, bingo children’s games and more. For carryout dinners or delivery, call (913) 367-4535.

13-17

All Saints Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a parish mission from Sept. 13- 17. Redemptorist missionaries will be presenting a five-evening spiritual renewal focusing on the Bible, the crucifix, the paschal candle, the bread, and the altar. The first three evening presentations will be held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill St., Kansas City, Kan.; the last two evening presentations will be held at St. Joseph Church, 811 Vermont St., Kansas City, Kan.

Immaculate Conception Church, Louisburg, will host its 2009 golf classic on Sept. 14 at Metcalf Ridge Golf Club in Louisburg. The cost is $100 per player; $400 per foursome. For information or to register, call (913) 837-2496.

An education and support group for those dealing with diabetes will be held on Sept. 14 (and every second Monday of the month) from 1 - 2:30 p.m. at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

A caregiver’s support group, designed to assist women who are providing oversight or care for senior citizens or loved ones with disabilities, will meet from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Sept. 15 and every third Tuesday of the month at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc. No-cost screening for breast and cervical cancer will be offered for women with no health insurance from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc. Join the Singles of Nativity for dinner and a movie night at Town Center on Sept. 15. We will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. at Panera Bread Co. For information, send an e-mail to: social@son-ministry.org.

15 & 22

“Blended Families – Parenting the Children of Others,” a twopart parenting program, will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 and 22 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

A program for women who are looking for an entry-level job, entitled “Would You Hire You?,” will be held from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sept. 16 (lunch included) at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc. Reservations are required.

A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Tom Kearns will preside; fellowship follows. Master gardener Lynn Loughary will present “Bulbs Bring Beautiful Blooms” from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

St. Joseph Parish, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, will host its annual fall festival on Sept. 18. A fried chicken dinner will be served from 5 - 7 p.m. in McDevitt Hall. There will also be bingo, a “Guitar Hero” contest, Wii and Xbox competitions, mouse races, a dance, raffles and more. For information, call Mike or Tandy Reichmeier at (913) 492-3356 or Joe and Leslie Mika at (913) 248-9906. A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning begins on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Parish, 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe, and on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish, 11822 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Mo. A reasonable course fee charged. For information, call Christine or David Downey at (913) 837-3182 or the Couple-to-Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558, or visit the Web site at: www.cclkc.org. “The Gospel According to Broadway,” featuring baritone Richard Preis, will be performed at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the John J. Sullivan Banquet Hall at Our

CALENDAR 13

Lady of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist) Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10; reservations are recommended. For information or reservations, call Karen Engebretson at (816) 225-1499 or send an e-mail to her at: karen.engebretson@gmail.com.

Our Lady of Unity School, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual carnival from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. For information, contact the school at (913) 262-7022.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Sept. 19 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 “From I to We to Me.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

Enrich you life, enrich your love, and enrich your marriage by spending time with your spouse and learning the tools to a great marriage! The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held from Sept. 25-27. For information or to register, call (913) 469-8453 in the Kansas City metro area, (785) 843-9274 in Lawrence, (785) 357-5000 in Topeka, or visit the Web site at: www.neksme.org.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its quarterly meeting from noon - 3 p.m. on Sept. 19 at St. Patrick Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan. All women of the archdiocese are invited to attend. For information, contact Terry Beth Lewerenz at (913) 491-5149 or send an email to her at: tlewerenz@kc.rr.com. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Society at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, will host a taco dinner from 1 - 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the Carl Zawacki Parish Hall. The cost is $6 for adults; $3 for children. St. Joseph Church, Flush, will host a hog roast, silent and live auctions, a quilt raffle and more at 5 p.m. on Sept. 19. The cost for dinner is $6 for adults; $2.50 for children. Proceeds will benefit the parish’s accessibility project. The Cathedral of St. Peter, 422 N. 14th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its fall festival from 5 - 9 p.m. on Sept. 19. Join in this evening of family fun to raise funds for the cathedral.

Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Church, 3rd and Van Buren, Topeka, will host its annual autumn fest from noon 5 p.m. on Sept. 20. There will be German food and music, concessions, a beer garden, bingo, a cakewalk, raffles, children’s games and more. St. Therese Church, Richmond, will host its annual parish dinner from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sept. 20. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 10 and under. There will also be a raffle and a country store. The Knights of Columbus, Marian Council No. 3768, at Christ the King Parish, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a pancakes-and-more breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in Davern Hall. A freewill offering will be accepted. St. Joseph Parish, Lillis, will host its fall festival on Sept. 20. A brisket dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 5 - 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Games and raffles will follow.

The Serra clubs of Kansas City will sponsor the 18th annual priest and seminarian appreciation day at Leawood South Country Club, Leawood, on Sept. 21. For information or to register, call Shelley Kelly at (913) 522-3352 or Bob Miller at (816) 942-0017.

23 - 10/1

A novena to St. Therese will be prayed at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., nightly at 6:45 p.m. from Sept. 23 Oct. 1. For information, call (913) 206-7232.

Donnelly College will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Sept. 24 with a convocation day Mass at 10 a.m. on Sept. 24 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 422 N. 14th St., Kansas City, Kan. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be the celebrant. All are invited to lunch on the Donnelly campus following Mass.

25-27

The Singles of Nativity will host an evening of miniature golf at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Smiley’s, 10195 Monticello Terr., Lenexa. For information, send an e-mail to: social@son-ministry.org.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will host “Project Andrew: A Vocation Evening for Young Men” for all young men between the ages of 15 - 22 on Sept. 27 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 1800 S.W. Stone, Topeka. Young men will have the opportunity to pray, listen, and discuss how Christ personally calls men to be priests. Dinner will be provided; a parallel program will be provided for parents who wish to attend in support of their sons. For information or to register, visit the archdiocesan vocations office Web site at: www.kckvocations.com; send an e-mail to: vocation@archkck.org; or contact your pastor to register as soon as possible.

Misc. The Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Peace Council No. 9856 at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host its second annual golf outing on Oct. 19 at St. Andrew’s Golf Course, 11099 W. 135th St., Overland Park. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. tee-off. The cost is $100 per person. The entry deadline is Oct. 2 and there are only 72 spots available, so register early by visiting the Web site at: www.kofccureofars. org. For information, call Bill Carlsen at (913) 207-7326 or send an e-mail to him at: bill.s.carlsen@sprint.com. A cancer prayer group gathers every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. For information, call Ginger at (816) 942-8850. Pure Fashion, a seven-month model training program for teen girls, teaches girls to live the virtues of modesty and purity. The program includes presentations on real beauty, etiquette, how to sit, walk and talk with confidence and dignity and a chance to model at the April fashion show in trendy and cute fashions that send a message of self-respect. For enrollment information, visit the Web site at: www. purefashion.com; call Becky Dieterman at (816) 333-0623; or send an e-mail to her at: beckydieterman@aol.com. Holy Family Parish, Eudora, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Oct. 10 11. We’re searching for former parishioners, pictures and artifacts — basically, anyone or anything to be part of this celebration. If you are a former parishioner or know someone who was, contact Janet Campbell at (785) 542-2412 or send an e-mail to: bseiwald@sbcglobal.net. For information, visit the Web site at: www.holyfamily eudora.com.

14 COMMENTARY

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

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

Quote Week

of the

“The human tragedies and the absurdity of war remain in people’s memories. Let us ask God that the spirit of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation pervades the hearts of all people.” Pope Benedict XVI speaking to pilgrims attending his Sept. 2 general audience. The German-born pope recalled that Sept. 1 marked the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II.

THE LEAVEN • September 11, 2009

THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

Mark my words

as the church prays

Ready for some trash talk?

Even stragglers are seeking the Lord ‘with a sincere heart’

he high schools and colleges have started their seasons; the pros are about to officially kick off theirs. Yes, football is definitely in the air and that means it’s time for some trash talk — time to be thinking blue, yellow and white!

To clear up any confusion, maybe I should redo that last sentence: Now that football season is underway, it’s time for trash bag talk — time to be thinking how many rolls of blue, yellow and white bags I need to buy to support this annual fall fundraiser in many of our local parochial schools. Mind you, these are not your ordinary trash bags. These are “Catholic school” bags — heavy plastic, heavy duty, and just plain heavy to carry when you order a couple of cases of them as I do each year. The blue ones are huge —you could probably fit a Smart car in each one of them; I’m still using up a roll of these that I bought five years ago. My favorites are the yellow “mid size” and the white “kitchen” bags, so I usually stick with these. And by the way, the two cases are not all for me; I divvy them up between family and friends. This year, though, I’m going to leave a couple of bags in a couple of places — not to use, but as a reminder of this

little story, which a parishioner of mine sent me: One day a man hopped into a taxi and took off for the airport. As they were driving along in the right lane, a car suddenly pulled out of a parking space in front of the cab. The taxi driver alertly slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the other car by just a few inches. The other driver whipped his head around when he heard the screeching brakes, honked his horn, and started yelling at the taxi. The cab driver reacted by smiling and waving at the guy. Seeing this, the passenger in the cab asked, “Why’d you just do that? Why were you so friendly? That jerk almost ruined your car and sent us both to the hospital!” The cabbie peered over his shoulder and said, “Let me tell you about what I call the ‘garbage truck rule of life.’ “Many people are like garbage trucks: They run around full of garbage — full of frustration, full of anger, full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you.” “Don’t take it personally,” the cab driver continued. “Just smile, wave, wish them well, pray for them, and

move on. Whatever you do, don’t pick up their garbage and spread it to other people at work or at home. Don’t ever let the garbage trucks take over your day.” (Adapted from a story in an email; original source is unknown.) My parishioner added this little comment: “This is a great story. Too bad it’s not that easy to live.” Well, that’s why I’m going to place a couple of empty trash bags in my home and office: to remind me and to challenge me. Probably all of us at some point have picked up the garbage that others have dumped. We’ve allowed them to transform a perfectly good day or mood into something that, quite frankly, stinks. How much wiser to imitate that cabbie: Be pleasant and move on. Those empty trash bags, though, will also serve as a challenge to me. I have to admit that, honestly, I’m often the “dumper,” not the “dumpee.” How many times, because of frustration, disappointment or anger, have I dumped garbage on others? I’ll be praying for God’s grace and strength to not let negative things so pile up on me that I spill them into the lives of others. My parishioner is definitely right. Living the “garbage truck rule of life” is not that easy. It’s a huge task. Let’s at least begin by putting the garbage of our lives in its proper place and not dump it on others. That being said, I wonder if it’s too late to order some of those big, blue bags.

Scripture Readings

the gospel truth

TWENTy-fourth WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

Jesus predicts passion, calls disciples to sacrifice

Sept. 13 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 50: 5-9a; Ps 116: 1-6, 8-9; Jas 2: 14-18; Mk 8: 27-35 Sept. 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS Nm 21: 4b-9; Ps 78: 1-2, 34-38; Phil 2: 6-11; Jn 3: 13-17 Sept. 15 Our Lady of Sorrows 1 Tm 3: 1-13; Ps 101: 1-3, 5-6; Jn 19: 25-27 Sept. 16 Cornelius, pope, martyr; and Cyprian, bishop, martyr 1 Tm 3: 14-16; Ps 111: 1-6; Lk 7: 31-35 Sept. 17 Robert Bellarmine, bishop, doctor 1 Tm 4: 12-16; Ps 111: 7-10; Lk 7: 36-50 Sept. 18 Friday 1 Tm 6: 2c-12; Ps 49: 6-10, 17-20; Lk 8: 1-3 Sept. 19 Januarius, bishop, martyr 1 Tm 6: 13-16; Ps 100: 1b-5; Lk 8: 4-15

COMMENTARY 15

“S

urgeon General’s Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and may complicate pregnancy.”

“The mystery of the kingdom of God This warning on cigarette packages has been granted to you. But to those appears in fine print, barely noticeoutside everything comes in parables, able. It is easy to ignore. Similarly, it so that ‘they may look and see but not is easy to ignore the stewardess as she perceive, and hear and listen but not explains the safety procedures and understand, in order that emergency exits before a Twenty-fourth Sunday they may not be converted commercial airliner takes in Ordinary Time and be forgiven’” (Mk 4:11off on its flight. Many of the Mk 8: 27-35 12). Jesus appears to be passengers have heard it so deliberately hiding things. often, they do not bother to Similarly, whenever the subject of glance up. Jesus’ identity as Messiah has entered It is easy to ignore a warning. That into the discussion, Jesus has skirted is why Jesus makes a special effort to the issue. He directed the disciples engage the attention of his audience in toward secrecy. That is the case in SunSunday’s Gospel reading, Mk 8:27-35. day’s Gospel reading when the topic He wishes to warn them about the comes up. “Then he warned them not heavy demands of discipleship. If they to tell anyone about him.” are to follow him, it will not be easy. On the other hand, Jesus takes a He wants them to know what they are completely different approach imgetting into. mediately after saying this. He reOn other occasions, Jesus has veals another important aspect of his veiled his words with mystery. When identity with uncharacteristic openhe told the crowds his parables, they ness: “He began to teach them that the often did not understand. When the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be disciples complain about the baffling rejected by the elders, the chief priests nature of his parables, Jesus answers:

and the scribes, and be killed and rise after three days. He spoke this openly.” Jesus does not restrict this newfound openness to his disciples. He extends it also to the crowds: “He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.’” Notice that Jesus’ instruction on discipleship is linked to his own identity as the suffering servant of God. Just as Jesus must suffer and die, his disciples must also share in the cross. The announcement about Jesus’ eventual suffering and death allows that instruction. Otherwise, it would make no sense. The proclamation about his own suffering and death naturally leads to what will be required of the disciples. Jesus makes three predictions of his passion in Mark’s Gospel. We hear the first of those on Sunday. Each prediction is accompanied by an instruction on discipleship. Those instructions seek to make clear what is involved in following Jesus. They are warnings — not meant to discourage us, but to fully inform us about the commitment we are making as disciples of Jesus Christ. Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

those “ Remember who take part in

this offering, those here present and all your people, and all who seek you with a sincere heart.”

I’ve always loved these words from Eucharistic Prayer 4, because they remind us that the church offers each Mass for every person of good will, wherever they may be. The church’s affection stretches beyond those with whom we worship and even beyond those of whom we are aware or can imagine. The church’s affection is universal, because our Lord’s affection is universal. That’s why the church is called catholic. I contrast those words above with something a friend of mine once said.

“I really like going to Mass on All Souls Day,” she said, “because it’s not a holy day of obligation, you don’t get anything like ashes or palms, and so you know that everyone there really wants to be there.” I understood what she was saying. But well-intentioned though she was, she was wrong. And I tried to gently respond. “Yes, I think I know what you mean,” I said. “But I myself have come to the conclusion that, in our culture — so stuck on the idea of absolute indi-

vidual freedom — anyone who shows up for Mass does so because, in some way, they do really want to be there.” That includes those in the last pew of the “last chance” Mass on Sunday; those whose responses are mumbled; those who arrive late and leave early; and those there merely out of obligation. Believe it or not, they really do want to be there. Their reasons may not be the bestformed or the most complete. Like all of us, they have need for improvement. But they do want to be there. If they didn’t, they simply wouldn’t have bothered. Most of us, at some point, have found ourselves at Mass distracted, uninterested, bored, or merely obedient. And yet we were there. We joined what statistics tell us is the 40 percent or so of Catholics in our nation who will be in church on any given Sunday,

including those who attend weekly, those who go only once or twice a month, and those who only go once or twice a year. We were there. The Mass was offered for us. We, though feebly, took part in that offering. Scripture reminds us that the first Mass also had a few distracted participants. This Sunday’s liturgy will likely be the same. Hopefully, there will be no Judases among us! But there will be Johns, and Peters, and Thomases. Christ can again build on that, just as he did before. And so the church prays that the strong will grow stronger, that the tepid will become fervent, and that all those “with a sincere heart” will receive and benefit from the church’s affection. Michael Podrebarac is the archdiocesan consultant for the liturgy office.

Do unto others

ine…Eleven: Has it been eight years already? If you were old enough to remember 2001, you remember. You remember where you were, who you were with, the smells and sounds when you first heard the news or saw the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

Thinking about that day and the days that followed brings back moments that are hard to communicate. There were moments of horror and heroics that surpass words; all congealed into a gestalt which cannot be defined,

9/11 solidarity: Then and now

only described. For a time, we all palpably felt our connectedness as one human family. This awareness defines, better than a thousand lectures or a hundred pages of the written word, the Catholic concept of solidarity. Solidarity, the social principle that we as humans are intrinsically connected and mutually responsible to each other and the good of all, did not need to be enumerated to the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, strangers who came together to save the lives of strangers on the ground. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the

Church quotes the late Pope John Paul II on the practice of solidarity: “One’s neighbor must therefore be loved, even if an enemy, with the same love with which the Lord loves him or her; and for that person’s sake one must be ready for sacrifice, even the ultimate one: to lay down one’s life for the brethren” (no. 196). I doubt any of the firemen who ran in while others ran out, perhaps with the exception of Father Mychal Judge, had ever read that statement. They didn’t need to; they just knew it and they lived it. Without being asked, people from all over the world just started giving. They gave blood, they gave money, and they gave time — many sacrificing their health for the pious, yet gruesome, task of salvaging and burying the dead. While it was an American tragedy, it was also a global tragedy. The whole human family felt the pain and, in so doing, came together. This is much like

when a family member suffers an untimely death, and the rest of the family comes together. All of a sudden, you forget an uncle’s penchant for inappropriate remarks or the cousin’s slight of a few weddings back. The loss puts reality into focus, and the family feels its connectedness. If you remember that time, you remember the connectedness of the human family. Eight years later, the human family’s connectedness can be hard to realize at times: Wars linger on and start. Countries exploit immigrants. Short-term local economic interests trump sound conservation of the Earth. And the culture of death gains greater footholds in courts and institutions. Much about 9/11 needs be remembered . . . our solidarity, most of all. Bill Scholl is the archdiocesan consultant for social justice. You can e-mail Bill at: socialjustice@archkck.org.

family matters

From our earliest days, there is often purpose to our suffering

hildren are a gift from God. They are a blessing of life and love. It is ours to love and protect them, to teach them about the good and gracious God who created them.

But often, when we are not looking, they teach us about God’s love. On a recent visit to the doctor, it was discovered that 16-month-old Baby Patrick needed to undergo a small medical procedure. While the doctor’s expertise was needed to ensure that he would be protected from future health risks, pain would be inevitable. Our granddaughter Beth accepted her own pain as she watched her son’s suffering.

And then it happened: Baby Patrick’s tears began to flow and the cries rang in unison with the droplets of water that fell upon his mother’s shoulder. As she held him closely, she gently patted his back and softly spoke the reassuring words, “I know, I know.” She shared in his pain. When Dad, Patrick, came home, he embraced his beloved son and showered him with “daddy love.” In the comfort of his daddy’s strength, he felt secure and safe.

It is extremely difficult, as a parent, to watch our children suffer from bodily pain or the hurt brewing in their heart. Yet we know and understand that the struggle presently being experienced has the power to create a stronger self and to develop compassion for others in pain. We hold them closely, comforting them and lavishly covering them with our love. While our children may not understand why the pain was inflicted on them, we know that the quality of their life has been strengthened and that their future health of body, mind or spirit has been fortified. It was shortly after the office visit that Beth was holding Baby Patrick and he began patting her back and saying “I knooow, I knoow.” The inflection in his words was most sorrowful as he gave love to his mom in the way he had

received it. As I look back at the hurts that were part of my life — be they physical or heart-wrenching — I think of the great lesson Baby Patrick has taught me. I do not fully understand my times of hurt or suffering. But I do now see that, in some instances, I have been allowed to see the hurt come full circle — sometimes ending in joy, sometimes in returning back to God those who had gifted my life. I then see more clearly the growth that came from the suffering. I have been embraced by a loving God that understood my suffering and called me to unite it with the suffering of his son. My heart can almost hear the whispers: “I know, I know.” Jacki Corrigan is the archdiocesan consultant for the office of family life.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • september 11, 2009

A life hanging by an ‘if’

Paramedics impressed by calm response By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of the biggest words in the world is “if.” And if you don’t believe it, ask Leon Roberts. Thursday, July 16, was filled with a lot of huge “ifs” for Roberts: If he had driven away from his meeting. If he had been alone. If the right people with the right skills hadn’t been there. If the right equipment hadn’t been at hand. If there had been panic and indecision. If things hadn’t played out the way they did, that Thursday would have been a very bad day for Roberts — probably his last. The day began like any other day for Roberts, consultant for real estate and construction for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. One item on his schedule that day was a meeting with a subcontractor at St. James Academy in Lenexa, to talk about some work that needed to be done. It didn’t take long. “I had actually left the building, but I turned around and came back because I needed some more information from the subcontractor,” said Roberts. Roberts went to the main office and chatted briefly with Colin Lynch, a member of St. Peter Parish in Kansas City, Mo., and an acoustical ceiling contractor with E. J. Cody Co. of Kansas City, Mo. “I shook his hand and said, ‘Let me give you my business card,’” said Lynch. “I turned to take it out of my notebook, pulled it out and handed it to him.” Without warning, Roberts suddenly collapsed. Immediately, a prior conversation came to Lynch’s mind. Another contractor had casually mentioned to Lynch that Roberts had a history of heart illness. Normally, Lynch didn’t carry his cell phone into meetings, but he happened to have it in his pocket that day and he immediately called 911. At that same moment, Sandy Warford, director of communications for St. James Academy, was walking through the front entrance with her eight-yearold daughter Adelle. She was there to do some work while her son Grant attended an agility clinic at the school. “I saw two men shaking hands, and thought, ‘I wonder who they are?’ and just as I began to open the door, I noticed one of the men fell to the ground while the other man still had his hand extended,” said Warford. Warford ran into the main office and threw down everything she was carrying. She yelled at Lynch to call 911, which he was already doing. Warford noticed the man on the floor was unresponsive. Several things registered at a glance: The man had hit his head on the edge of a window while falling. He was wearing a wedding ring and a button-down shirt with the name of a local architecture firm. Warford’s husband is an architect. “Oh, no,” she thought to herself. “Architect down.” When Warford ripped Roberts’ shirt open, she noticed he had a surgical scar on his chest. She had taken CPR training years ago while in college and also

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Only a little over a month since his near-fatal atrial fibrillation, Leon Roberts trained in the same techniques that saved his life. New methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of AEDs, or automatic external defibrillators, are saving lives. remembered a few tips from a recent morning TV show. So as Lynch relayed questions and instructions to her from the 911 operator, Warford started chest compressions. Meanwhile, when her daughter started to cry, Warford yelled some instructions of her own. “Pray, Adelle! Say your Hail Marys!” Since it was summer, the school was practically empty. There was, however, a meeting underway on the other side of the school in a second-floor room. Jody Maddox, a St. James theology teacher, was at the meeting. Her son, grade-school-aged Jack Maddox, was downstairs near the front doors. He saw everything and ran upstairs to tell his mother. “[Jack] whispered to his mother that someone was having a heart attack,” said Colleen Kolich, head of the St. James English department and assistant girls basketball coach. While some stayed with the students attending the meeting, Kolich and Debbie Nearmyer, assistant principal and director of Catholic faith formation, ran down the stairs toward the main office.

On the way, Kolich grabbed an AED — an automated external defibrillator. Kolich had never used one before, but learned about them when Johnson County Med-Act held a training session on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AEDs at the school last year. Lynch remained on the phone with the 911 operator, while Warford continued chest compressions. Kolich opened the AED, turned it on, and followed instructions to administer a shock. By this time, Roberts’ breathing was agonal — which really isn’t breathing at all. As the trio worked, a Johnson County Med-Act ambulance and a Lenexa Fire Department engine from Station 3 arrived. When the paramedics and firemen carried Roberts away, nearly everyone went to the chapel to pray. Nearmyer, however, jumped into the ambulance. Patti Roberts, Leon Roberts’ wife, was driving north on U.S. 69 in Overland Park when she got the call about her husband. As a co-worker struggled to tell her what happened, Patti Roberts pulled off the road. “She said Leon collapsed and wasn’t

breathing, and they were taking him to the hospital, but she didn’t know where,” said Patti. It just so happened that the ambulance took Leon to Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and Patti was almost at the exit that led right to it. “I went to the emergency room and asked for him, and they said he wasn’t there,” said Patti. “And then the battery on my cell phone started to die, and I couldn’t pull up the numbers for our kids.” The ambulance arrived, and there was Nearmyer. She comforted Patti and helped her retrieve her children’s phone numbers. “Debbie [Nearmyer] was such a help to me at the hospital until my kids came,” said Patti. “Without Debbie, it would have been really bad, because I couldn’t talk to my kids. I couldn’t get their numbers out of my cell phone.” As for Leon, he doesn’t remember a thing about his collapse. He didn’t know he’d been defibrillated three times. Consciousness gradually began to return to him the following day. He later learned he actually experienced an atrial fibrillation — when the heart muscles stop making coordinated contractions and instead begin to quiver. Doctors installed a pacemaker in his chest. Apparently, he had been in a precarious state for some time and didn’t know it. It wasn’t until he heard the actual 911 recording during a CPR and AED class he recently took that Roberts fully understood how profound a thing it was that Lynch, Warford and Kolich accomplished. “I think they did a marvelous job, since I’m standing upright,” said Roberts. “The fact they did something is greatly appreciated. The fact that they had faith in their skills and the courage to do this for another person is quite amazing.” “I was absolutely dumbfounded by the sense of calm that occurred between all the parties,” he continued. “There was truly a sense of calm and peacefulness in that call.” Jeff Johnson, a division chief with Johnson County Med-Act and a member of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, said the trio of Lynch, Warford, and Kolich handled the situation as well as anyone possibly could. “I trained the St. James staff last year, and the one thing I really impressed on them was to stay calm,” said Johnson. “In talking with the Med-Act medical director, Doctor Lester Richardson and the crew, that was probably the one thing that impressed them the most when they arrived on scene.” Roberts has had an opportunity to thank some of his helpers, but he’ll have another opportunity when the school holds an assembly soon to honor all those involved. “The experience brings into sharper focus the value of the gifts God gives you — of family, friends and talent,” Roberts said. Patti sees God’s hand in every part of what happened. “God just took care of [Leon] from the minute he left his truck and the lady came in the door — everything,” she said. “God has given me my husband back, more than once.”