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www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 13 october 30, 2009
o headstone marked the final resting places of Helen and Mary Pine, or Bernice and Benjamin Hackensmith. For almost a century, the two sets of siblings lay, nearly forgotten, in their Elmwood Cemetery graves . . . until history club students at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park chose to honor their memories by restoring their graves. The group calls itself the Graveyard SHIFT, an acronym for Students Helping Identify and Find Tombstones. This is the second year the history club has headed to this cemetery in Kansas City, Mo., to lend a hand. “The first year they did raking, and some of those leaves had been there a long time. They were like compost,” said Judy Wollenziehn, librarian at Miege and the adult leader for the students. But this year Graveyard SHIFT members decided they wanted to go one step further and raise funds to purchase tombstones for some of the unmarked graves they uncovered in the cemetery. By working at the Irish Fest in September, the teens managed to raise $350 for their cause. That was enough for Bruce Mathews, board member of the Elmwood Cemetery Society, to pay for two headstones. But he thought of a way to double the impact — as well as relate the project even more closely to the Bishop Miege teens. The graves he selected for new headstones were in the children’s section — those of Helen and Mary Pine and Bernice and Benjamin Hackensmith. Since each set of siblings was buried together, each headstone could memorialize both children. And the Miege workers, he thought, might find special meaning in honoring the memory of children who had gone, so very long ago, to unmarked graves.
Graveyard
SHIFT Story and photos by Joyce Mitchell
Helen Pine died of measles in 1910 at 18 months; Mary died at birth in 1911. Bernice Hackensmith died in 1911 at age 16, and her brother Benjamin died at 5 months in 1913. In order to set the tombstones, the students first dug six-inch holes for the two markers, then filled the holes with gravel and set the tombstones. Meanwhile, other SHIFT workers raked debris away from other headstones and reset those that had sunk or become lopsided over the years.
S
Clockwise from bottom left, Matthew Stark, Ben Allen and Daniel Carr level a new grave marker at Elmwood Cemetery.
enior John Bickers, who’s been a genealogy buff since the fourth grade, even researched the Pine and Hackensmith children by combing Missouri birth and death records and census records. His search for Bernice in the 1910 census has been fruitless thus far, he said, although that’s not unusual, since few records exist for children who died a century ago. A brother of the Pine siblings was killed in a motorcycle crash at 17, Mathews told the students, and was buried in another section of the cemetery. Details of his death appeared in newspaper articles at the time. Bickers also went in search of the children’s parents’ names. When he’s gathered everything he can, the group will submit the information about the four children to www.findagrave. com, an online database of cemetery listings. Mathews has compiled family histories for many of those buried at Elmwood and already has some details about the Pine family. But he knows half the fun of the project for the students, will be Bickers and his classmates uncovering a lot of those particulars for themselves. The students are also recording interviews for an
Turn to “group” on page 7
16
Do you know this man?
Tell us your favorite story about Father Kent O’Connor. But keep it short (100 words) and send it to: anita@theleaven.com
Armageddon theory
global zero
Ann Suellentrop’s goal is to rid the world of nuclear weapons, and she’s walking the walk to make that happen.
8-9
A local band is getting its big break playing before a crowd of thousands at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Kansas City, Mo. , in November.
2 ARCHBISHOP
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS
I
Pro-life media campaign always a cherished dream
n September 1984, I was appointed, by Archbishop John May, the priest coordinator of the St. Louis archdiocesan pro-life committee.
I spent a good portion of my first year attempting to make an assessment of what needed to be done to improve the implementation in St. Louis of the Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities that had been promulgated by, what was then, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. I had read in a book on leadership strategies that one should write down a list of necessary goals to reach your desired objectives, even if they seemed extraordinarily ambitious and perhaps unrealistic. Around this time, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, the former New York abortionist who was one of the founders of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), had experienced a pro-life conversion. He had produced a high-quality video, entitled “The Silent Scream,” that depicted a sonogram of a suction abortion. Nathanson was convinced that if the American public saw this video, a sufficient number would be moved to demand a restoration of legal protection for the unborn. Nathanson initially was confident that he could get “The Silent Scream” telecast by PBS or by one of the major networks. After all, it was a scientific explanation of abortion. Just as now, it was not uncommon to see every type of gory surgery possible shown on television. However, Nathanson was wrong.
The media blackout on accurate information about the reality of abortion was absolute. Though the media felt an obligation to show the terrible consequences of war and every other human tragedy, they had determined Americans should not see the reality of abortion. Accurate images of abortion were considered too upsetting or offensive for viewers who are regularly exposed to the most inhumane violence in so-called television dramas. With the assistance of local Right to Life groups, movie theaters were rented in many major communities for a public showing of “The Silent Scream” with a lecture by Nathanson explaining the reasons for his own pro-life conversion. One of the purposes of these public screenings was to create a news story that local television stations would pick up and, in the process, disseminate some of the information contained in “The Silent Scream.” Nathanson’s efforts definitely had an impact, but he was never able, as he had hoped, to reach the vast majority of Americans with his message. One of the officers of our pro-life committee pleaded with me to initiate an effort to raise money to purchase an adequate amount of commercial television time to do effective mass media pro-life education. I knew that he was correct. However, I had no idea
how we could possibly raise minimally the hundreds of thousands dollars that would be necessary to finance such an ad campaign, in addition to everything that we were already doing to help fund abortion alternatives, etc. Nevertheless, I included on my written list of goals (in this case, more accurately, a dream): To create and fund a well-researched and professionally produced pro-life media ad campaign. Periodically, I would look at my list of goals. I was encouraged because I could recognize progress in many areas. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, we had been able to expand abortion alternatives, begin a Project Rachel postabortion healing and reconciliation ministry, pass state pro-life legislation, start a pro-life youth group, etc. However, with regard to my educational goal for a pro-life mass media ad campaign, I was completely frustrated. Each passing year, we seemed no closer to achieving this goal than when I first wrote it on my list. I had spoken to Archbishop May about the possibility of trying to raise funds for such a pro-life media effort. With the other archdiocesan fundraising commitments, the archbishop was not supportive of another major initiative. With my current responsibilities, I understand completely why he responded in this way. I continued to pray, but without much confidence or hope. I prayed: “Lord, if you want this to happen, you are going to have to do something because I have no clue how to advance this goal!” I am sure God was amused by my prayer. The Lord must have particularly smiled at the pride implicit in my prayer, assuming the apparent progress in the other areas of the
pro-life apostolate was somehow the result of my efforts. In the late ’80s, the Missouri Legislature passed a pro-life bill that resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court case. Abortion proponents were frightened by our legislative successes. As a result, they organized a successful campaign to collect a sufficient number of signatures to place on a state ballot a so-called “right of privacy” amendment to the Missouri Constitution. Our opponents appeared to have unlimited resources to wage a media campaign for the passage of this amendment. If they succeeded, our ability to limit even funding of abortion would be compromised. Moreover, even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion would remain legal in Missouri. I wondered if God was listening to my prayers. Not only had we made no progress in developing a mass media pro-life education campaign, but now our opponents were poised to do a media blitz promoting legalized abortion under the guise of privacy. I considered removing the mass media ad campaign goal from my list so as not to be reminded of “my failure.” In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the necessity of persistence in our prayer. I persisted, but without much hope in my prayer. Perhaps you can identify with my experience. Maybe there is some good you desire for your spiritual welfare or for the welfare of your family. You have prayed about it for what seems a long time and you wonder if God is truly listening. Stay tuned next week to learn how, I believe, God responded to my weak and frustrated prayer.
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Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com
Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com
Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com
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Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.
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THE LEAVEN • October 30, 2009
SECOND FRONT PAGE 3
Pope establishes structure for Anglicans uniting with Rome By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage, said U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada. The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said a new apostolic constitution would establish “personal ordinariates” — similar to dioceses — to oversee the pastoral care of those who want to bring elements of their Anglican identity into the Catholic Church with them. Anglican priests who are married may be ordained Catholic priests, but married Anglican bishops will not be able to function as Catholic bishops in keeping with the long-standing Catholic and Orthodox tradition of ordaining only unmarried clergy as bishops, Cardinal Levada said. The cardinal announced the new arrangement at a press conference Oct. 20 at the Vatican. He said the pope’s apostolic constitution and norms for implementing it were undergoing final revisions and would be published in a couple of weeks. In establishing the new jurisdictions, Pope Benedict is responding to “many requests” submitted by individual Anglicans and by Anglican groups — including “20 to 30 bishops” — asking to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, the cardinal said. At the same time, Cardinal Levada said the new provision does not weaken the commitment of the Vatican to promoting Christian unity, but is a recognition that many Anglicans share the Catholic faith and that Anglicans have a spiritual and liturgical life worth preserving. “It has always been the principal aim — the principal aim — to achieve the full, visible unity” of the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion, the cardinal said. But given recent changes within many Anglican provinces with the ordination of women priests and bishops and the acceptance of homosexuality in some areas, the prospect of full unity “seemed to recede,” he said. The church recognizes and welcomes those Anglicans who fully share the Catholic faith, agree with the Catholic view that only men can be ordained priests and recognize the role of the bishop of Rome — the pope — as the sign and guarantor of church unity, he said. At a press conference in London Oct. 20, Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Communion, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, issued a joint statement saying the new provisions are a recognition of “the substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality between the Catholic Church and the Anglican tradition.” “Without the dialogues of the past 40 years, this recognition would not have been possible, nor would hopes for full visible unity have been nurtured,” the two leaders said. Archbishop Williams told reporters that some members of the Church of England are uneasy about positions their church is taking, yet they would not want to become Roman Catholic.
CNS photo Owen Sweeney III, Catholic Review
Sister Catherine Grace Bowen, left, Sister Mary Joan Walker, Mother Christina Christie and Sister Hannah Smith, All Saints’ Sisters of the Poor, exchange the sign of peace during their reception into the Catholic Church Sept. 3 in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The former Episcopal nuns cited unity and orthodoxy as their primary reasons for choosing to become Catholic. Pope Benedict XVI has established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with Catholic Church, while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage. “This will not resolve their challenges, and we in the Church of England have to continue to engage with that,” he said. Cardinal Levada told reporters he met personally Oct. 19 with Archbishop Williams, who had been told about the new arrangement a month earlier. In a letter to top Anglican leaders, Archbishop Williams said, “In the light of recent discussions with senior officials in the Vatican, I can say that this new possibility is in no sense at all intended to undermine existing relations between our two communions or to be an act of proselytism or aggression. It is described as simply a response to specific inquiries from certain Anglican groups and individuals wishing to find their future within the Roman Catholic Church.” “For those who wish to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church in the near future, this announcement will clarify possible options, and we wish them God’s strength and guidance in their discernment,” the Anglican leader said. Cardinal Levada also said Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, had been informed about the pope’s decision. Asked Oct. 15 about the possible entrance of groups of former Anglicans into the Catholic Church, Cardinal Kasper said, “We are not fishing in the Anglican lake; proselytism is not the policy of the Catholic Church. But if there are people who, obeying their consciences, want to become Catholic, we cannot shut the door.” U.S. Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and former undersecretary of the doctrinal congregation, spoke at the press conference with Cardinal Levada. “We have been praying for unity for 40 years. We find now that the prayers we have had are being answered in a way that we did not anticipate. So the
Holy Spirit is at work here and the Holy See cannot not respond,” the archbishop said. In 1993, the Catholic bishops of England and Wales asked the Vatican not to implement special structures for former Anglicans in their country, saying that the formation of Anglican-identity Catholic parishes would only further fracture the Christian community and would make the eventual unity of the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion more difficult. Participants in the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue also have expressed concern in the past that the movement of Catholics to the Anglican Communion is making the Anglican Communion more liberal, while the movement of Anglicans to the Catholic Church is making the Catholic community more conservative. Archbishop Di Noia said, “The ecumenical movement has changed. There has been a tremendous shift” in the prospects for full, complete union. Many Anglicans already consider themselves to be Catholic, Archbishop Di Noia said, and the pope’s new initiative will make “explicit the bond that is already implicit.” In 1980, the Vatican made a special pastoral provision for members of the Episcopal Church, the U.S. province of the Anglican Communion, who wanted to become Catholic after the Episcopalians began ordaining women priests. The provision included permission for entire parishes of former Episcopalians to use elements of their liturgy in the Catholic Mass. Archbishop Di Noia said only a handful of parishes took advantage of that special permission, and the Vatican approved “The Book of Divine Worship” for their liturgical use in 2003. But he said many of those now seeking communion with Rome wanted a stronger affirmation of their Anglican heritage and a guarantee that it would continue to have a place in the Catholic Church, which is why the pope ordered
the establishment of personal ordinariates. The number of ordinariates and their headquarters will be determined by the number of Anglicans seeking full communion, Cardinal Levada said. The head of each ordinariate will be a former Anglican clergyman, who will not necessarily be ordained a Catholic bishop. New priests for the ordinariates will study in seminaries with other Catholic seminarians, but an ordinariate can “establish a house of formation to address the particular needs of formation in the Anglican patrimony,” Cardinal Levada said. In general, married Anglican priests and bishops who become Catholic will be ordained Catholic priests, as will married Anglican seminarians, he said. But an unmarried man ordained a Catholic priest will not be permitted to marry, and the pope’s apostolic constitution will state a clear preference for a celibate clergy, Archbishop Di Noia said. Cardinal Levada told reporters that he realizes “for some people it seems to be a problem” that the Vatican is allowing married former Anglicans to be ordained Catholic priests, but will not allow Catholic priests who have left to marry to return to ministry. “They are two different circumstances,” the cardinal said. Respecting “the authenticity of the call to service” of Anglican clergy who were married when they came to the decision to become Catholic is different from the case of “a Catholic who knowingly commits to a celibate priesthood and then decides for different reasons to leave the priesthood for married life.” “I do not think it is an insurmountable problem,” Cardinal Levada said, adding that the church needs to educate Catholics that the dispensation for former Anglican clergy is an exception and that the church continues to uphold the virtue of celibacy.
4 LOCAL NEWS
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
Leibham wins teaching award
Leaven photo by Marc Anderson
From left, master of ceremonies Msgr. Gary Applegate, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, and Father Marianand Mendem, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Waverly, prepare for the blessing and dedication of the new parish hall in at St. Joseph.
Parish dedicates new hall — sans squirrels By Marc and Julie Anderson
Special to The Leaven
WAVERLY — There wasn’t a squirrel in sight on Oct. 3 when Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blessed and dedicated the new parish hall at St. Joseph Parish here. And that was a pretty good thing, too, because you just know there’s going to be trouble when the squirrels muscle their way in, as they did in Waverly two years ago. The then-existing hall, a 100-yearold former one-room schoolhouse, had been moved to the parish site in 1955 from eight miles outside of town. Parishioners added a kitchen and the structure served them well for more than 50 years. By 2007, however, the building had deteriorated badly. The last straw came when a squirrel infestation threatened major damage. Clearly, something had to be done. That May, the parish sought permission from the archdiocese to build a new parish hall. The archdio-
cese gave them the green light with one proviso: Raise sufficient funds. The cost: $90,000. Some had their doubts. “I was being a doubting Thomas,” said Lisa Litch, president of the parish council, in her remarks at the ceremony. “[This project] has renewed my faith in God.” She always knew the parish was a close-knit community, Litch said, but she didn’t truly understand the meaning of the phrase until this project was launched. Help for the project came from across the town of Waverly (population 700). Donations of money came from not only St. Joseph parishioners, but also from non-Catholics. Waverly residents also contributed time and labor to the construction of the 1,728-square-foot facility. In his remarks, Archbishop Naumann praised the parishioners for their hard work and dedication to the life of their faith community. He also discussed the importance of blessing the facility.
“Whenever we build a building as a parish community, we always bless it,” he said. The reason, he continued, is because the building will contain the presence of the people of God, who will gather to celebrate many moments in the life of the community. In doing so, the gathering place will be used to strengthen the bonds of faith and love that unite the parish. The archbishop’s sentiments were echoed by the pastor, Father Marianand Mendem. “Your great commitment, your love, your concern, is the cause of all this,” said Father Mendem, also pastor of St. Patrick in Emerald, St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, and St. Teresa in Westphalia. “This is a very loving parish,” said Julia Plank, 89, the first parishioner to enter the new hall. Although she couldn’t help build it, she watched every step of the construction. “You cannot run a parish without a fellowship hall,” she said.
Wichita — Karla Leibham, associate superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, has been named a 2009 M. Claradine Johnson Award winner. The award was presented to her at the Kansas North Central Association fall conference on Oct. 6. This is the 10th year the award has been given; the first year recipient is the Karla Leibham namesake of the award. M. Claradine Johnson served as the state director of the Kansas North Central Association when the organization moved from the model focused on inputs to the outcomes model more focused on student performance. The criteria used for selection included: • history of work with NCA • leadership within the school, district, and/or state • educational excellence and/or innovation. During her career as an educator, Leibham has been both a public and Catholic school teacher and principal. She has always been known as a highenergy, extremely knowledgeable and skilled, warm individual. She has served on the Assessment Advisory Council and the Curriculum Coordinators Committee for the Kansas State Department of Education. She has also served for more than 20 years as a counselor. Most recently, she has been the associate director the KAY Leadership summer camps, sponsored by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Leibham is known for her exuberant personality, but also for her educational creativity and innovation. She works with schools across the archdiocese to help them with accreditation. She has conducted hundreds of workshops for faculties on topics such as instructional plans, data analysis, and school improvement. Schools consistently give her high evaluations, and teachers often comment that Leibham presents things in a way that makes them much easier to understand.
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THE LEAVEN • octoBER 30, 2009
LOCAL NEWS 5
Foundation works for ‘long-term cultural change’ By Marc and Julie Anderson
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s not every day a celebrity is on hand to help launch a charity’s media campaign. But that’s exactly what happened Oct. 24 when Fred Thompson appeared as the featured guest at the Vitae Caring Foundation’s pro-life benefit dinner. Approximately 650 attended the annual fundraiser held at the downtown Marriott in Kansas City, Mo. The event has a 14-year tradition in the Kansas City area and raises money to help the foundation fulfill its mission “to encourage a greater respect for human life and reduce the number of abortions by using mass media education for long-term cultural change.” Starting at a backyard barbecue in the early 1990s in Jefferson City, Mo., with just 50 people, the Vitae Caring Foundation has grown by leaps and bounds, raising $60 million to date. Now it boasts approximately 40,000 donors and supporters. On average, 80 percent or 80 cents out of every dollar has gone directly to program. Organizers for this year’s benefit said that $250,000 was collected at the dinner; with follow-up, the foundation hopes to reach its goal of $400,000 in donations. This year’s benefit coincided with the launch of the latest mass media effort in the Greater Kansas City area. The Callfor-Help campaign — aimed at assisting women who are facing unplanned pregnancies to connect with pregnancy care centers for free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, confidential options counseling sessions and other services — began the week just prior to the annual fundraiser with the placement of the first of 90 billboards. Between now and December, funds generated from the dinner will help place 90 more throughout the Kansas City area. The name of the Vitae Caring Foundation never appears on the billboards. Instead, they feature the phone numbers of pregnancy care centers. Targeted at women ages 18 to 34, the billboards are strategically placed on traffic routes women would typical use to reach abortion clinics. Similar campaigns in other cities have resulted in significant declines in the number of abortions. For example, in New York City, Vitae ran an integrated media campaign in 2008 that saved nearly 1,200 babies from abortion. A four-week bus advertising campaign in
Leaven photo by Marc Anderson
Former actor, senator and presidential candidate Fred Thompson was the featured speaker at the Vitae Caring Foundation’s pro-life benefit dinner on Oct. 24. The foundation’s goal is “to encourage a greater respect for human life and reduce the number of abortions by using mass media education.” the Washington, D.C. area earlier this year generated more than 750 phone calls to the pregnancy care centers. Vitae reports at least 60 babies were saved from abortion as a direct result of the campaign. In her remarks, Anne Carmichael, vice-president for the Western Region, said the importance of informing women about abortion alternatives cannot be stressed enough. “Basically, we need to get there first with the message that there are options,” Carmichael said, adding later that the abortion industry is extremely aggressive in how it targets young women. But Carmichael also said she is already encouraged about the Kansas City campaign’s effects. Within the first week and with just a few billboards in place, 15 phone calls have already been made to pregnancy care centers. Of
those 15 calls, three women are scheduled for ultrasounds and one woman has decided to keep her baby. “It’s thrilling to see how quickly results are occurring,” Carmichael said, adding that while media campaigns are important in reducing the number of abortions, it’s also important to pray for those facing unplanned pregnancies. “Please pray for those women who are in the balance,” she said. In his remarks, Thompson, perhaps best known for his role as Arthur Branch, the New York City district attorney in NBC’s hit television series “Law and Order,” discussed his eight-year stint in the U.S. Senate, his television career and the role of government in society today. Mostly however, his remarks centered on various pro-life issues facing the nation today, including the current debate over health care reform. He lik-
ened the debate about the sanctity of life to the civil rights struggle of the 1960s and told those in attendance that the sanctity of life is “the civil rights issue of our day.” Not all doom and gloom though, Thompson also marveled at the number of people gathered in support of the Vitae Foundation’s work and said the sheer number indicated that many people already know what’s right and are giving of themselves and making progress on important issues such as abortion. He joked about leaving his Senate post for “the realism and sincerity of Hollywood” and recalled how in one episode of “Law and Order” he pointed at a copy of the Constitution and asked for someone to show him where a right of privacy existed in the document. “They’re still looking,” he quipped.
6 LOCAL NEWS
THE LEAVEN • october 23, 2009
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s November Calendar 1
Installation of Father Kent O’Connor as pastor of Our Lady of Unity Parish at Sacred Heart Church, Kansas City, Kan.
2
Mass — Bishop Ward High School
3
Confirmation — Annunciation, Baldwin, and Assumption, Edgerton
4
Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas meeting
5
Year for Priests day of recollection — Curé of Ars, Leawood
6
St. Martin of Tours Mass and reception
9
Finance Council meeting
10
Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting Vespers, dinner with the Apostles of the Interior Life
19
11
National Committee for the Human Life Amendment meeting
Confirmation — Sts. Peter & Paul, Seneca
12
20
Meeting with Father Scott Reilly, territorial director for the Legionaries of Christ
Eucharistic procession — National Catholic Youth Conference, Kansas City, Mo.
21
The Catholic Way radio taping
Dinner with youth ministry benefactors
Mass and dinner with Knights of Holy Sepulcher — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park
Closing Mass, NCYC
14
22
To Baltimore for U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meetings
Mass — Sacred Heart, Mound City, with presentation of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award
15
USCCB Pro-Life Committee meeting
Presbyteral Council meeting
USCCB Life and Dignity of the Human Person bishops working group meeting
Mass — St. James Academy, Lenexa
Archbishops Call to Share Crosier Mass
9 a.m. St. Peregrine Mass — Holy Spirit, Overland Park
23
24
16-19
Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas meeting
16
25
USCCB general meetings
Thanksgiving Mass for chancery and pastoral center staff
Region IX bishops meeting
Archbishop James P. Keleher’s November Calendar 5
14
19
15
21
16-19
26
To Baltimore for U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meetings
Teach class — Mundelein Seminary
8-11
National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate conference — San Antonio
12
Teach class — Mundelein Seminary
USCCB Basilica of Immaculate Conception meeting USCCB general meetings
Want to help someone heal from an abortion? Call Toll Free 888-246-1504
Mass for 50th anniversary of Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 8 a.m. pro-life Mass — Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Kansas City, Kan. Thanksgiving Day
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THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
LOCAL NEWS 7
Group preserves the memory of those long since gone Continued from page 1 Army veterans history project, said junior Helen Stanley, club vice president. When completed, the videos will be sent on to the Library of Congress so that future generations might learn how their ancestors served their country. Many in the group have a strong interest in genealogy, but their activities don’t all have a historical theme, said Miege graduate Becca Carr. Last year, the students adopted a woman with multiple sclerosis and completed yardwork for her. They also help out with Christmas in October and Project Uplift. “We started really expanding beyond findagrave.com,” Carr said. Carr was president of the group last year. Now that her brother is an active member, she couldn’t resist stopping by Elmwood to see the new headstones. From the handful it started with six years ago, Wollenziehn said, the Graveyard SHIFT has grown to about 60 people. The service projects, in particular, she said, have helped unify the group. “When they do stuff together, they bond,” Wollenziehn said. “The friendships they develop are lifelong in many cases.”
The Graveyard SHIFT prepares to set one of the stones. Pictured from left are: John Bickers, Zach Fiskin, Judy Wollenziehn, Helen Stanley, and Matt Stanley. Working in the background at left is Ben Allen.
The Path to Ze
S
Story by Jill Ragar Esfeld
HAWNEE — Good Shepherd parishioner Ann Suellentrop loves the number zero. To her, it is the most important number in the world. And she truly believes, with God’s grace, the world
can reach the number zero in her lifetime – global zero, that is; total nuclear disarmament. Suellentrop’s dreams may be global, but her focus is local. She is a member of Physicians for Social Responsibility and a board member of PeaceWorks Kansas City, the metro area’s leading voice against the nuclear arms race. An Avila University alumna, Suellentrop’s work as an anti-nuclear activist has been so successful — and her example of living the Catholic call to social justice has been so inspiring — that this October she received the university’s Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing her “extraordinary contributions to the greater community served by Avila University.” Benedictine Sister Barbara McCracken, assistant director of the Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kan., has been involved in peace and justice issues in the area for more than 30 years and has often worked with Suellentrop. She knows her to be a fearless advocate for many causes. “She’s willing to take the necessary risks to work for justice for all people,” Sister Barbara said. “She has a global vision as well as a national concern about people, health issues, justice for workers — the list goes on and on.
“Her leadership is quite outstanding. She puts a lot of time and energy into organizing, and she works a full-time job, and also volunteers for us here at the Keeler Women’s Center.”
JustFaith Suellentrop said her calling to social justice was clear from before the day she was born. “My dad became a Sierra Club member when I was in the womb,” she said. “And I’ve always loved anything with social justice, because I grew up in the ’60s.” Born in Colwich, Suellentrop was the oldest of seven children in a devout Catholic family. She graduated from Avila in Kansas City, Mo., with a nursing degree and went on to get her master’s in nursing at KU Medical Center. She’s worked in many aspects of the profession and now provides education and care as a mother/baby nurse. Her commitment to social justice deepened five years ago when she helped bring the JustFaith program to Good
International peace walk towards a nuclear-free future Feb. 11 – May 1, 2010 FootPrints for Peace is inviting all anti-nuclear activists and people who care about the future to join in a walk from the Y-12 Nuclear Research Facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn., to the United Nations in New York for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Join the walk for a day, a week or the entire way. If you are unable to join in the walk, there are other ways you can lend support. For more information or to sign the petition that FootPrints for Peace will deliver to the United Nations, visit the Web site at: www. footprintsforpeace.net.
Shepherd Parish in Shawnee. “JustFaith made me very proud to be a Catholic,” she said. “It really brought [social justice work] to the next level for me. “And it gave me the nuts and bolts and small group support to go ahead and step out.” Always creative at heart, Suellentrop recently earned a bachelor’s degree in photo video and computer art from the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Mo. She’s hoping those skills will help her further promote the cause that’s closest to her heart: anti-nuclear activism. As part of her volunteer work with PeaceWorks, Suellentrop manages the Kansas City Plant Awareness Project to raise consciousness of issues involving the federal complex located at Bannister and Troost in Kansas City, Mo.
The plant began building nonnuclear components for nuclear weapons in 1949 under the management of Bendix Corporation and has maintained that role under successive companies. Now operated by Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies under the National Nuclear Security Administration, the facility makes 85 percent of the nonnuclear components for the nation’s nuclear weapons.
Just cause Suellentrop’s project opposes an ordinance that calls for the decommissioning of the Bannister plant and the building of a new nuclear weapons component plant on land just north of the old Richards-Gebaur Airport at Missouri 150 and Botts Road. In solidarity with other PeaceWork volunteers, Suellentrop has a long list of concerns, including cleanup of contamination in the area around the old plant. “Back in the day, no one really worried about [toxic chemicals],” she said. “They were worried about production, so they dumped a lot of chemicals there, and it’s in a flood plain right by the Blue River. “It will take $278 million to clean it up, but they’ve done the minimum right now.” With the world moving toward nuclear disarmament and President Barack Obama declaring that a world free of nuclear weapons is a long-term national goal, Suellentrop wonders why taxpayer money would be used to build another nuclear weapons plant. “They call it complex transformation or complex modernization,” she said. “And it sounds really good — we could use some modernization. But it’s just an
ero
excuse for making more, and so-called better, nuclear weapons.” “Do we need that?” she asked. “How many times do we want to blow up the earth?” Donna Constantineau, a member of Holy Family Parish in Kansas City, Kan., and a licensed professional counselor at the Keeler Women’s Center, met Suellentrop five years ago doing volunteer work through the Holy Family Catholic Worker Community in Kansas City, Mo. Constantineau originally headed up the PeaceWork’s project. Since she’s passed the reins to Suellentrop, she’s been amazed at the progress that’s been made under Suellentrop’s guidance and leadership. “It started out being a pretty small movement and now I would say it’s a regional movement with her on the project,” Constantineau said. “She’s a great network person. She knows a lot of people in the Kansas City area and has really used all of her networks and resources.” Constantineau sees nuclear disarmament as one of the most critical pro-life issues facing Catholics today. “We’re talking about the annihilation of all human life,” she said. Sister Barbara agreed, relating antinuclear activism to Gospel teaching. “To me this is a real key way to live out the Gospel message of Jesus: to promote nonviolence, to promote the end of nuclear weapons, to support our president who is trying to do that globally,” she said.
Zero-bound As she works tirelessly to free the world from the shadow of nuclear weap-
Ann Suellentrop, manager of the Kansas City Plant Awareness Project, submitted a statement to a court reporter at a Missouri Department of Transportation hearing about a $28.9 million road project to improve the interchange near the proposed site of the new Kansas City plant. ons, Suellentrop is mollified by the sense that she’s having a significant impact. “We are definitely making headway, we most certainly are,” she said. “We had at least 60 people speaking out at one hearing [in opposition to the new plant] and 40 at another. It was great. They had T-shirts, they had banners. “One girl brought her guitar and sang a [Bob] Dylan song. One guy read a poem.” An alumni information card brought Suellentrop’s work to the attention of Avila University. She filled out the card, hoping the information might bring a little awareness to her cause. It worked. The information sparked the interest of administrators, who researched the activist and were amazed at what they found. There was little doubt she deserved to be recognized. Suellentrop said she was honored by the award and proud of her alma mater. “I’m absolutely amazed and so proud of Avila,” she said. “That they would honor this kind of social justice issue says a lot.” Suellentrop’s next goal is to participate in the International Peace Walk taking place next year (see sidebar on previous page). And she hopes to get many more members of the archdiocese involved in promoting the goal of Global Zero. “[President] Obama can’t do it all by himself,” she said. “He’s got to have mass numbers of people pushing for it. And I think this award shows that what one person does really matters — we can really change the world.” Ann Suellentrop (second from the right) protests in front of the federal complex located at Bannister and Troost in Kansas City, Mo. The facility makes 85 percent of the nonnuclear components for the nation’s nuclear weapons.
Global Zero The Global Zero initiative is an international, nonpartisan effort formed in response to the growing threats of proliferation and nuclear terrorism and dedicated to achieving the phased, verified elimination of all nuclear weapons. Global Zero is spearheaded by a group of more than 100 leaders worldwide, including many who have worked at senior levels with issues of national security, such as former heads of state, former foreign ministers, former defense ministers, former national security advisors, and more than 20 former top military commanders. The Global Zero Summit, from Feb. 2-4, 2010, will convene 250 international leaders. To learn more about Global Zero, visit the Web site at: www.globalzero.org.
The Catholic Church and Global Zero On July 29, in Omaha, Neb., Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore, formerly the prelate for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, gave a speech on nuclear weapons, entitled “Nuclear Weapons and Moral Questions: The Path to Zero.” The following is an excerpt from Archbishop O’Brien’s speech: “Now some will argue that a world without nuclear weapons is a dangerous, utopian dream. They will assert that it can never be. They raise valid questions about the new risks that might arise as the world moves toward zero. Will moving toward zero increase the strategic value of even a small number of nuclear weapons and make it harder to stop proliferation? Will there be an incentive to move to counter-population deterrence, despite moral objections, because there are insufficient numbers for counterforce deterrence? These questions deserve creative and concrete solutions — solutions that can only be crafted by committed policy makers, experts and scientists. “Religious leaders, prominent officials, and other people of goodwill who support a nuclear-weapons-free world are not naive about the task ahead. They know the path will be difficult and will require determined political leadership, strong public support, and the dedicated skills of many capable leaders and technical experts. But difficult is not impossible.” The text of the entire speech can be found at the following link: www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/nuclearzero.shtml
Learn more about PeaceWorks Kansas City PeaceWorks Kansas City is the metro area’s leading voice against the nuclear arms race and home of the Kansas City Plant Awareness Project, opposing the plan to build a new facility for manufacturing nuclear weapon components. For more information, visit the Web site at: www.PeaceWorks.org or call (816) 561-1181.
10 NATION
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
Suicide has long-lasting, far-flung effects on others WASHINGTON (CNS) — Suicide has long-lasting and traumatic effects that go far beyond the person who dies, as an Oct. 20 Web-based discussion among a priest, a bereavement counselor and a psychiatrist showed. Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, said the “soul-scarring experience” of the suicide of a 22-year-old neighbor when he was 14 is “the reason I am a priest today.” Claire Woodruff, religious education coordinator in the Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., and the facilitator of a Suicide Bereavement Support group, spoke about the suicide 14 years ago of her husband of nearly 23 years, Ken, whose “battle with clinical depression was short but very, very intense.” Dr. Thomas Welch, a Portland psychiatrist who moderated the discussion, said teens, young adults and elderly white men are most likely to die by suicide, although “the demographics are changing” and the suicide rate is increasing among middle-aged women. The three were participating in a Webinar on suicide prevention and pastoral supports, sponsored by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability’s Council on Mental Illness and other groups. They were joined in the interactive session by people at more than 100 sites around the country.
Nurses plan strike against West Coast Catholic hospitals WASHINGTON (CNS) — Thousands of registered nurses at three Catholic hospital systems in California and Nevada are planning a one-day strike Oct. 30 to protest stalled contract talks and what they said are the hospitals’ lax safety standards in dealing with the H1N1 flu. Working under several extensions since contracts expired June 30, more than 10,000 members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee have called the 24-hour strike against nearly three dozen hospitals. They also plan to conduct informational picketing at several others in an effort to force hospital administrators to adopt strict guidelines to limit the spread of what is popularly known as the swine flu. Representatives of the three hospital systems expressed dismay at the nurses’ decision to strike, with one hospital spokeswoman calling it “ill-considered.” “We’re getting ready [to strike],” Lorna Grundeman, a registered nurse at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, Calif., and a member of the union’s bargaining committee. The nurses are planning to set up picket lines at hospitals operated by Catholic Healthcare West, St. Joseph Health System and the Daughters of Charity Health System.
Mass planned for Archbishop Sheen’s cause for sainthood WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (CNS) — A special evening Mass to pray for the sainthood cause of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is to be celebrated at a Catholic church in the Richmond Diocese Nov. 10. Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation in Peoria, Ill., is expected to be present for the Mass at St. Bede Church in Williamsburg, along with other foundation members and a Sheen family member. The archbishop was a prolific writer and gifted orator who became television’s first religious broadcaster. Born in El Paso, Ill., in the Diocese of Peoria, he was ordained a priest of that diocese. He eventually left his central Illinois roots and became known nationwide as the host of pioneering radio and television programs, including “The Catholic Hour” and “Life Is Worth Living.” The latter was a television series that aired from 1951 to 1957 and attracted an estimated 30 million weekly viewers. The Vatican opened the archbishop’s sainthood cause Sept. 14, 2003, bestowing on him the title servant of God. In February 2008 the Peoria Diocese marked the end of five years of preliminary research into Archbishop Sheen’s life and virtues. Documents including studies of Archbishop Sheen’s many writings as well as testimonies of witnesses who knew him were boxed, notarized, sealed and delivered to the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The process leading to canonization involves three major steps: First is the declaration of a person’s heroic virtues, after which the church declares the person Venerable. Second is beatification, after which he or she is called Blessed. Third is canonization, or the declaration of sainthood. In general, two miracles must be accepted by the church as having occurred through the intercession of the prospective saint; one must occur before beatification, and the other after beatification.
CNS photo/Paul Haring
HAWAIIAN PRIEST CARRIES RELIC OF ST. DAMIEN — Father Alapaki Kim, a native Hawaiian, carries a relic of St. Damien de Veuster during the entrance procession of a special Mass for pilgrims from Hawaii at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Oct. 12. Hundreds of pilgrims from Hawaii concluded their pilgrimage to attend St. Damien’s canonization with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu. The relic returned to Hawaii on Oct. 17.
Hundreds fill Detroit cathedral to venerate St. Damien relic By Jared Field
Catholic News Service DETROIT (CNS) — Hundreds filled the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament here Oct. 13 for the reception of the relic of St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai, the 19th-century Belgian missionary who ministered to people with leprosy in Hawaii before dying of the disease. The relic, a piece of his left heel bone, came to Detroit from Rome, where the pope canonized the priest Oct. 11. After Detroit, the relic was taken to San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., and returned to Hawaii Oct. 17. It was to tour the islands before being permanently placed in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, where St. Damien was ordained as a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It was knowing about the Christlike sacrifice of Hawaii’s first saint that compelled so many to venerate the relic during the evening vespers service at the Detroit cathedral. “He cared for people that were the outcasts, the people that no one else wanted to deal with. . . . It takes someone special to be able to live among them and accept them just as they are,” said Jerry Vandecandelaere, a member
of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Ann Arbor. Pat Haight, of St. Isidore Church in Macomb Township, traveled to Molokai nearly a decade ago and wanted to again pay her respects. “I just have a special feeling for him,” she said. “He was just a very humble man who gave up everything for the people he served.” Cathedral rector Msgr. Michael LeFevre, who presided over the evening vespers service, said that many were drawn to the humble Belgian priest simply for his gift of touch. “St. Damien cared enough to touch people,” he said. “He cared enough to reach into people’s lives, even as those lives faded away. When everyone else would say ‘don’t touch,’ he would touch. “We pray that we never lose that sacred touch that Damien teaches us, a touch that reaches around the world.” Father Lane Akiona spoke of St. Damien as an inspiration to the generations who will now know him as a saint. A member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Father Lane escorted the relic from the canonization ceremony in Rome. He was born on the island of Molokai and is pastor of St. Augustine Church in Waikiki, Hawaii.
Villa St. Francis
16600 W. 126th Street • Olathe, Kansas 66062 Phone: (913) 829-5201 Fax: (913) 829-5399 Daily Mass in the Chapel at 10 a.m. • Medicare and Kansas Medicaid certified • 24 - hour nursing care • Dementia/Alzheimer’s unit • Physical, occupational and speech therapist on staff/ Rapid recovery • Nutritious Home cooked meals • Private and Semi Private rooms • Beauty and Barber Shop • 24 hour snacks Affiliated with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
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.
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
Palestinians thrilled at upcoming beatification By Judith Sudilovsky
Catholic News Service
CNS photo/Jon Nazca, Reuters
WOMAN VISITS CEMETERY — A woman visits the cemetery of Casabermeja, a village near Malaga, Spain. All Souls’ Day, the commemoration of all the faithful who have died, is Nov. 2.
Catholic-Orthodox dialogue discusses role of papacy By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the midst of a protest by a small number of Orthodox monks and faithful, the official Catholic-Orthodox dialogue commission met in Cyprus Oct. 16-23. The meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church focused on a key factor in the ongoing division between Catholic and Orthodox: the role of the pope as bishop of Rome. The protesters — who were arrested Oct. 20, the third day of their demonstration — claimed that the ongoing dialogue between the two churches was aimed at getting the Orthodox to submit to papal authority. According to a statement released by the dialogue commission Oct. 23, the commission’s Orthodox members discussed “the negative reactions to the dialogue by certain Orthodox circles and unanimously considered them as totally unfounded and unacceptable, providing false and misleading information.” The Orthodox delegates “reaffirmed that the dialogue continues with the decision of all the Orthodox churches and is pursued with faithfulness to the truth and the tradition of the church,” said the statement released in Cyprus and at the Vatican.
At the Catholic Mass Oct. 17, Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and head of the Catholic delegation, “stressed that the spirit of humility and love should prevail in the work” of the commission. Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, host of the meeting, said all the Orthodox churches are committed to a dialogue that holds firmly to the teachings of the ecumenical councils and the Fathers of the Church of the first 1,000 years of Christianity. The joint sessions of the dialogue focused on discussing a draft report, “The Role of the Bishop of Rome in the Communion of the Church in the First Millennium.” After discussing and amending the text, the commission decided to finalize it next September during a meeting in Vienna, Austria, the statement said. The current round of the dialogue has been looking at questions related to the exercise of authority in the church. The authority and decision-making structure of the Catholic Church today, particularly the role of the papacy, is much more centralized than any structure in the Orthodox churches. While the Orthodox recognize the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople as the “first among equals,” he has no direct authority over any of the individual Orthodox churches. In addition, the Orthodox patriarchs exercise their authority together with their synods of bishops.
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JERUSALEM (CNS) — The Palestinian students of the Rosary Sisters’ High School in East Jerusalem’s Beit Hanina neighborhood are eagerly and prayerfully awaiting the beatification of one of their own. Sister Soultaneh Maria Ghattas, founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary of Jerusalem, will be beatified Nov. 22 in Nazareth, Israel. Born in Jerusalem in 1843, she founded the first and still the only Palestinian women’s religious congregation. She was given the name Marie Alphonsine when she entered religious life. “Mother Marie Alphonsine is Palestinian and she is from here, so we feel like she is connected to us, and we feel more connected to her,” said 16-year-old Tala Zananiri, whose cousin is one of the girls involved in the miracle that cleared the way for the nun’s beatification. Her cousin, Natalie Zananiri, a former student of the high school, was among the five girls rescued from a collapsed septic tank six years ago. The girl’s mother had prayed to Mother Marie Alphonsine earlier in the morning asking her to protect her daughter, and the rescue was credited to the late nun’s intercession. Mother Marie Alphonsine was given credit for a similar miracle in 1885. Serving with her order in Jaffa, in what is now Israel, she threw her large rosary to a young girl who had fallen into a deep cistern filled with water and invoked Mary to help the girl. Rescuers saved the girl. She will be the second local Catholic to be beatified. The first was Carmelite Sister Mariam Bawardi, a member of the Melkite Catholic Church from the northern Israeli village of Ibillin, who was beatified in 1983. Mother Marie Alphonsine served in cities, towns and villages throughout the Holy Land until 1917 when she moved to Ein Kerem — today a part of Jerusalem — where she lived a life devoted to prayer. She spent the last years of her life in Ein Kerem, dying March 25, 1927.
Concrete Work
Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish
Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555
world 11
Political unrest drags down Honduran economy COPAN RUINAS, Honduras (CNS) — Oscar Garcia used to sell 100 pounds of tomatoes every day in the municipal market of this colonial town near the Guatemalan border. Since the June 28 ouster of President Manuel Zeyala, Garcia sells just 40 pounds of tomatoes and has to moonlight as a hotel security guard to support his family. “I’m working day and night and it’s barely enough,” said Garcia, the father of four. “There are people here starving to death because of the political crisis.” The June 28 coup plunged Honduras into a political crisis, but also deepened longstanding economic problems in one of the hemisphere’s poorest countries. Over the past four months, exports have diminished, citizens have reduced their spending and international development aid has been suspended. The suspended aid included $11 million from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corp. for transportation projects and funds from Venezuela that were expected to exceed the more than $200 million the South American country delivered in 2008. The tourism industry also has taken a hit as curfews, protests in the national capital, Tegucigalpa, and travel advisories from foreign governments have dissuaded many visitors from traveling to the Maya ruins near Copan Ruinas and the diving hot spots off the Bay Islands.
Dialogue, negotiations must replace war, say synod bishops VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Dialogue and negotiations must replace weapons and war, said an appeal from the Synod of Bishops for Africa. “With dialogue, undertaken in mutual respect and peace, all problems can be solved. War, instead, makes everything more difficult and tempts [people] to turn their brothers and sisters into enemies to be defeated,” it said. The appeal was sent as a letter to the presidents of the bishops’ conferences of Sudan, Uganda, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. It was written on behalf of the synod by Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, and by the co-presidents of the synod for Africa: Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr of Dakar, Senegal, and Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, South Africa. The Vatican released the letter Oct. 20. In the letter, the bishops lamented the persistent war throughout Africa’s Great Lakes region and the violence, killings and forced displacement of people who must seek refuge “in extremely perilous conditions.”
12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Director of communications - Responsible for the production of various publications, which include writing, editing, and layout with design software. The position also holds the responsibility of Web site management and media communications. Bachelor’s from college or university in graphic design or related field; and/or minimum of two to three years related experience in print design and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Energetic, self-starting and creative thinker with proven leadership skills; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work cooperatively and strategically with all levels of professional, technical and school teacher/staff. Must have a working knowledge of pre-press requirements and ability to work with outside vendor requirements; excellent written and communication skills; advanced computer skills required using PC format and graphic software such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Two years experience in print design required. Competitive salary and benefit package based upon experience. Please send cover letter, resume, and references to Susan Tremonti, Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Drive, Shawnee Mission, KS 66205 or send an e-mail to: stremonti@ bishopmiege.com.
Customer service/phone sales/marketing
- Local printing company is seeking applicants with computer skills, an outgoing personality, great phone etiquette and the ability to up-sell. Full or part time with a minimum of 30 hours. For immediate consideration, e-mail resume to: print@bestgraphicsinc.com. Principal - Rockhurst High School is accepting
applications for the position of principal to assume duties on July 1, 2010. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Roman Catholic; have experience of, and a demonstrated commitment to, the principles of Jesuit education; have successful administrative experience; and have a master’s degree or equivalent. Both religious and laypersons are welcome to apply. The principal will report directly to the president and together they will be the primary collaborators in the administration of the school. Additional information is available on the Web site at: www.rockhursths.edu. Send letter stating personal interest, comprehensive résumé, and list of references by Dec. 1 to: Mr. Michael Wickenhauser, Chair, Principal Search Committee, Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114-3299; or send, via e-mail, to: mwickenh@rockhursths.edu.
THE LEAVEN • October 30, 2009 Swalms Organizing Service - Basements, garages, attics, and shop spaces organized! Items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Clean out services also available. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, visit the Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115. Math tutor - Shawnee Mission and JCCC instructor available for math tutoring for both high school and college students. Call Ryan at (913) 271-0849. References available. Foley’s Lawn Care Lawn mowing Fall cleanups & gutter cleaning www.foleyslawncare.com (913) 825-4353 Serving Johnson County Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also,
quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.
Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable
rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.
Granite, Cambria and Silestone countertops See our new showroom at 5820 Barton, in the heart of beautiful downtown Shawnee. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058. Clutter getting you down? Our professional aesthetic organizing and handyman services can help. We organize and clean up homes, businesses, cars, computers — you name it! We also provide minor fixes and installations, trash/charity haul off, trash removal from abandoned homes or housing units, and we promise to leave you with a smile on your face. Visit our Web site at: www.koatindustries. com. Licensed and insured; references available. Call Kevin at (913) 271-5055. Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com. Leaf Removal & Fall Yard Clean ups Tree Services. Gutter Clean outs. Licensed/Bond/Ins/Refs Free estimates (913) 620-6063
St. Joseph Early Education Center - Has full-time positions available for qualified individuals in the 3- and 4-yr-olds room and the infants/toddlers room, and parttime positions in the after-school care program. Applicants must be 18 or over. For information, call Nancy at (913) 631-0004.
Tree service - Pruning ornamental trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Brad Grabs, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 244-5838. www.GreenSolutionsKC. com.
Bookkeeper/payroll/accounts receivable - The ABBGROUP is seeking part-time employees for the above categories. We offer an attractive salary, plus benefits. Applicants should be computer literate, efficient and dedicated. No age discrimination. For information, send an e-mail to: abbgroup00@gmail.com.
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Andrea, Sara or Gary.
Work from home! - Immediate openings for experienced full- and part-time medical transcriptionists with growing company. Must have own computer, access to Internet, knowledge of MS Word, medical terminology and be able to type 70 words per minute. Competitive pay. Send resume to: mbsimplystated@ aol.com. 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.
Services Do you want your house deep-down clean? Charmaine provides excellent service that you can count on. Years of experience in satisfying customers. Greater metro area. Call Charmaine at (913) 972-7900. Home Care Services - We provide care management, medication administration, transportation, companionship, shopping and other needs to the elderly and disabled at home. Reasonable rates. Full time or part time. Days/nights/weekends. Call Pamerick Home Health Care and speak with Mimi at (913) 488-5993.
Do you or your parents need help at home? - For as little as $60 per week, Benefits of HomeSenior Care can provide assistance with personal care, shopping and many other daily needs. For details, visit our Web site at: benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591. Have you considered starting a donoradvised fund or family foundation? The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas can help. We assist people with giving plans from trusts to gift annuities. If you are trying to stretch your philanthropy dollars further, contact the Catholic Foundation for ideas and guidance. For a confidential meeting, call (913) 647-0365 or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org.
Home Improvement The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Insured and serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655. STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.
Wells Custom Remodeling, LLC Andy Hadel (816) 807-3733 ***Free estimates for referencing this ad***
Vacation
Bath, kitchen and basement remodels -Quality work; reasonable prices. 25 yrs. experience. Free estimates. JoCo area. Call Ralph at (913) 707-9589.
Hawaii condo/vacation home wanted - For Christmas break 2009. Maui, Oahu or Kauai. Affordable, clean, comfortable, and near/on the beach. Needs to sleep 4. Send pricing, location and pictures, via e-mail, to: mandjvaca@yahoo.com.
Woodbright - A very affordable alternative to refinishing, refacing or replacing stained cabinets and woodwork. The average kitchen only costs $500. 18 years experience. Call Woodbright at (913) 940-3020.
Sunny and 80 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2 BR, 2 BA beachfront condo. Fully equipped, sleeps 6. Great location; close to everything. $125/night. Call (816) 8357994, or send an e-mail to: kelgang@aol.com.
Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts! Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing. Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998
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.
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. Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896. Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336. 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. Brown’s Carpet - Installation and repair carpeting; vinyl and wood installation. Free estimates. 10 years experience. Serving the KC metro area. Call (913) 231-4961. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation * Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376
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. All-brick Shawnee ranch home - 3 BR, 2 BA, double-car garage, double fireplace. Call Ken for details at (913) 484-6942.
Real Estate Leawood building lot - 144th and Kenneth Rd., Leawood. Buy direct from the builder! Call (913) 2694400. 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.
Wanted Small apartment or room to rent - Retired nurse is seeking modest living accommodations in the JoCo area. Call Pam at (913) 579- 5276.
Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.
Childcare Nanny - 12-plus years of experience. Looking for part- or full-time day hours. Good references. KC metro area. I have taken care of many younger children and I have reliable transportation. Call Janeen at (913) 3842120.
For sale Piano - Baldwin Acrosonic (88 keys) spinet with bench. Lenexa. $425. Or best offer. Call (913) 850-9790.
Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 393-2042. Bulk mulch - $35 per cu. yd. delivered (within our delivery area with a 2-yard minimum order) OR $70 per cu. yd. delivered and spread. Contact Joe Keehn at (913) 631-7217 or (913) 449-9848 or visit the Web site at: www.mokanmulch.com.
Wanted to buy ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269 Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to Buy *** Antique and vintage costume jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179
Miscellaneous Co-Occurring Distractions, Inc. - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that covers the hunter’s share of processing fees in exchange for the meat which is then donated to approved area food pantries and affiliated charities. Hunters must confirm in advance their deer-processing request by contacting Father Ernie Gauthier at (816) 8090077 or send an e-mail to him at: locopope@ locopope. com. Tax deductible monetary donations of any amount are appreciated and can be mailed to: Father Ernie Gauthier, P.O. Box 2275, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Do you have bank CDs, retirement accounts, or other investments not returning 7 - 9% safely? We buy houses and we need private investors. Local real estate; safe return. To listen to a 24-hour recorded message, call (913) 660-0595.
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.
THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 30, 2009
31
Oct.
The Singles of Nativity will host their annual Halloween dance from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the parish hall of the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. The cost is $10 for members; $15 for guests. For information, send an e-mail to: social@son-ministry.org. The University of Saint Mary, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, will offer “Trick or Treat Off the Streets” from 7 – 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the two campus residence halls, located on the north side of campus. USM students will be in costume and distribute treats to trick-or-treaters. Parents or guardians must accompany all children, and participants must provide their own bags for carrying candy. Holy Family Club, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., will host a Halloween dance from 7 – 11 p.m. on Oct. 31, featuring The Don Lipovac Orchestra. The cost is $12 per person. A sarma casserole or Polish sausage sandwich with sauerkraut meal will be served for $5. Children are welcome! For tickets, call Richard Schutte at (913) 724-2388 (home), (913) 669-3677 (cell), or purchase at the door. Wear your costume! Our Lady & St. Rose Parish will host a chili dinner from noon – 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 in the cafeteria at the Blessed Sacrament Family Center, 2215 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Beef or turkey chili or two chili dogs plus dessert will be served for a $6 donation.
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Nov.
Holy Trinity Parish, 601 E. Chippewa, Paola, will host its fall bazaar on Nov. 1. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 10 and under. There will also be bingo, a cakewalk, a country store, children’s games and raffles. St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park, will host an open house from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 1. All students in grades 6 - 8 are welcome to tour the school, learn about academic programs and activities, and meet administrators, faculty and coaches. Discover what’s so special about being a Saint! The Altar Society of St. Leo Parish, 1340 1st Ave. E., Horton, will host its annual chili and soup dinner from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the newly renovated church center. There will be a cakewalk, a raffle, a silent auction, door prizes and games for all ages. Carryouts will be available. Call (785) 4863311. The Altar Society of St. John the Evangelist Parish, 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual smothered steak dinner from noon - 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the church dining room. The cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children 10 and under. Carryouts will be available. There will also be a raffle and a boutique. Mater Dei Parish will hold its fall bazaar from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Holy Name Church, 10th and Clay, Topeka. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will also be a raffle, a craft show, games and more. St. Benedict Parish, Bendena, will host its annual turkey and dressing dinner from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 1. There will also be a raffle for a hand-stitched quilt, a country store, and homemade baked goods and
crafts for sale. Carryouts will be available at the rectory garage. The Leavenworth region of the ACCW will hold its quarterly meeting and potluck luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 in the Leintz Community Room located at 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth. Remember to bring cards and stamps, pennies for priests and items for ditty bags. For information, call (913) 682-8899.
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The Kansas City charismatic community will host a Mass and healing service, reconciliation, and a presentation by internationally known evangelist Alan Ames at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 at St. John LaLande, Blue Springs, Mo., and at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 at St. Elizabeth Parish, Kansas City, Mo.
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Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Roeland Park, invites all eighth-grade students to spend the day at Miege from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Nov. 4. Take interactive tours of the school and check out some great music and theater performances. RSVP by Nov. 2 by calling Patti Marnett at (913) 262-2701, ext. 226, or send an e-mail to her at: pmarnett@bishopmiege.com.
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The eighth-grade class of St. Agnes will host a bingo night on Nov. 6 at the school, located at 5130 Mission Rd., Roeland Park. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with bingo from 7 - 10 p.m. Advance tickets cost $5 and will be sold after all Masses on Oct. 24 - 25 and Oct. 31 - Nov. 1. Tickets at the door will cost $7. Prizes are gift cards to various merchants. This evening is a graduation fundraiser. The Johnson County Unos will hold their monthly meeting and potluck dinner at 5 p.m. on Nov. 6 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission. Bring meat casseroles, salads, vegetables or desserts — enough to feed 8 — or $5 to pay for your meal. Entertainment will follow dinner and the brief meeting. The Ladies of Charity of Metropolitan Kansas City will host their annual boutique from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Nov. 6, and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th St., Overland Park. Boutique tickets are $5 per person; no reservation is necessary. The luncheon is $30 per person and includes boutique admission; the opening night gala reception is $35 per person and includes boutique admission. Proceeds will benefit Duchesne Clinic, Seton Center and Villa St. Francis. For reservations or information, call Joyce Murphy at (913) 897-3844. The high school youth groups of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish, Leavenworth, will host their annual art auction on Nov. 6 in Miege Hall at Immaculate Conception Church, 5th and Kiowa St., Leavenworth. Preview hour will be at 7 p.m., followed by the live auction at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance; $10 at the door. Wine, cheese and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Proceeds will benefit the youth group. For information or tickets, call the parish office at (913) 682-3953.
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The Hayden High School theater department will present the Thornton Wilder classic “Our Town” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 7 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the VA Medical Center auditorium, 21st and Gage, Topeka. General admission tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, visit the Web site at: www.haydentheater.org or call (785) 422-0391.
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The Militia of Immaculata, Ave Maria Village, will host a mini retreat, featuring Father Patrick Greenough, national president of the MI for the United States and Canada, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Redemptorist Church Senior Center, 207 W. Linwood, Kansas City, Mo. The cost of $35 includes
lunch. For information or to register, call Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0208 or send an e-mail to her at: christinerossi@rocketmail. com. Good Shepherd Parish, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, will host its 22nd annual fiesta in honor of the twinning relationship with its sister community, El Buen Pastor in El Salvador, after the 5 p.m. Mass on Nov. 7 in the parish hall. Two visitors from the sister community will be in attendance. The cost is $7 per person, in advance; $8 at the door. Children 5 and under eat free. Dinner will include fajitas, tacos, rice and beans, homemade tortillas and sopapillas. There will be musical entertainment and piñatas. For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Web site at: www.goodshepherdshawnee.org. The Catholic Women’s Organization of Holy Angels Parish, 154th and Leavenworth Rd., Basehor, will host its annual craft fair from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 7 in Father Quinlan Hall. Twenty-five booths will feature a multitude of items; refreshments will be available. There is no admission fee. For information, contact Annie Clark at (913) 724-2212. Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center will host its fourth annual Hope Benefit, featuring dinner, dancing and an auction, on Nov. 7 at the Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $65 per person. For information or tickets, call (913) 321-4673 or visit the Web site at: www.hopebenefit.org. The Knights of Columbus of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will host a casino night and Texas hold’em tournament from 6 – 10 p.m. on Nov. 7 in the Sister Mary Thomas Hall. The cost of $10 per person includes food and beverages. For information, call Tommy Negrete at (913) 636-2773 or Bob Davis at (913) 782-0135. Proceeds will benefit the parish improvement fund. The executive board of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will meet at 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 7 in Ottawa. All women interested in the future of the ACCW are invited. For information, contact Susan Draftz at (913) 367-2227 or send an e-mail to her at: sdraftz@prolifeamerica.com. The Mother Teresa Circle will host a friendship tea at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 at Holy Cross School, 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park. The featured speaker, Donna Basic, will discuss “The Meaning of Self-Esteem in Women.” Tickets cost $10 per person. For information or to RSVP, call Maxine at (913) 383-2014 or Donna at (913) 402-6843. St. Joseph of the Valley Church, N. 207th St, Leavenworth, will host a chili hot dog supper following the 5 p.m. Mass on Nov. 7 in the church hall. There will also be a raffle and bingo. Freewill offerings will be collected.
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Bishop Ward High School, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host an open house from 1 – 3 p.m. on Nov. 8. Come learn about Bishop Ward’s strong Catholic, collegeprep tradition and its unique academic and spiritual programs. For information, visit the Web site at: www.wardhigh.org, or contact the admissions office at (913) 371-6901. St. Ann Church, Effingham, will host a ham and beans and chicken noodle dinner at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 8 in the parish center. There will also be a country store and bingo. Carryouts will be available by calling (913) 833-2268. Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), a Kansas City-based international nonprofit organization, will host a concert of music by Kansas City musician Barclay Martin at 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Yardley Hall on the campus of Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. Admission is free; however, seating is limited. For reservations, call the box office at (913) 469-4445. St. Patrick Church, Corning, will host its annual soup luncheon from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
CALENDAR 13
at the Corning Community Center. The menu will include chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soup, sandwiches, and homemade pies. There will also be card games, bingo and children’s games, followed by an auction at 2:30 p.m. St. Mary Church, St. Benedict, will host its annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Nov. 8. A freewill offering will be collected. Everyone is welcome! All public and home-schooled Catholic eighth-graders and parents are invited to a pro-life forum on Nov. 8, beginning with Mass at 5 p.m., at the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. A pizza dinner will follow in the parish hall. The forum will be from 6:45 - 9 p.m. To RSVP or for information, contact Courtney Williams at (913) 642-1730, or Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan pro-life consultant, at (913) 647-0530. The Knights of Columbus, Marian Council No. 3768, of Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a pancakes-andmore breakfast from 8:30 - 11 a.m. on Nov. 8 in Davern Hall. A freewill offering will be collected. Proceeds will benefit the RCIA and CCD programs of the parish.
Misc. There will be a Divine Mercy day of recollection, featuring professor Ted Sri and Father Bill Bruning, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 17th and Stone, Topeka. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; Mass at 7:55 a.m. The cost is: $20 per person, with lunch; $15, without lunch. You must be preregistered to attend. To register, mail check, by Nov. 8, to: Topeka Divine Mercy Apostolate, 5940 N.W. Westbrooke Dr., Topeka, KS 66617. Project Rachel is offering weekly support groups throughout October in the KC metro area for those hurting from an abortion. Registration is required. For information, call Patricia at (913) 621-2199 or 1 (888) 246-1504. All calls are strictly confidential. The Catholic school nurses in Catholic schools in Johnson, Wyandotte, and Miami counties are seeking licensed Kansas nurses and lay volunteers to help with the H1N1 flu shot clinics in their schools. We are working with the Johnson County Health Department in this endeavor and would greatly appreciate your help. If you can volunteer, please call your local Catholic school nurse. There are 13 men in the My House men’s groups that have been free from pornography for over one year! Also, the My House women’s group is available for wives and loved ones who are healing from the effects of their loved one’s struggles. For more information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com.
Calendar items must be received nine days before the publication date. Email submissions are preferred; send to: jennifer@theleaven.com. Submissions may be mailed to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Submissions will not be taken over the phone.
14 COMMENTARY
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
Mark my words
Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003
Quote Week
of the
“They call it complex transformation or complex modernization. And it sounds really good — we could use some modernization. But it’s just an excuse for making more and so-called better nuclear weapons. Do we need that? How many times do we want to blow up the earth?” Ann Suellentrop, Good Shephard parishioner See story on pages 8-9
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‘Yup, there’s a saint for that!’
ell, the usual cast of characters showed up: Michael, Elizabeth, Joseph, Francis and Sebastian. But they were joined this time around by a whole slew of relatively unknowns: Thekla, Gertrude, Faustina, Apollonia, Isidore, and Madeleine.
You’ve probably guessed by now that the people named above are all saints and they were some of the confirmation names chosen by the 43 kids confirmed at my parish this past Saturday night by Archbishop Emeritus Keleher. Although I had at least a passing knowledge of most of these saints chosen, there were a few that threw me a curve. (Yes, Thekla was definitely one of those!) As we get ready to celebrate All Saints Day at Masses this weekend, I suggest that we dedicate this month of November to rediscovering the saints. After all, the church presents them to us as models of faith for us to follow. Most of us, though, know little more than a few saints, and then it’s probably just their names and some very general facts about them. For example, what about the two listings of saints in Eucharistic Prayer 1? Take out a piece of paper and a pen and write down all that you know about “Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian.” When you’re finished with that, tell me about those saints mentioned a little later in that same eucharistic prayer: “Matthais, Barn-
abas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecelia, Anastasia.” Uh-oh. I’ll bet there’s a lot of blank space on your paper, isn’t there? That’s exactly why I’m proposing November as a time to get to know at least one saint a little better. A good starting point might be to Google the name of a saint that you’re interested in. From that initial introduction online, you can discover books and articles that will transform that saint into a living, breathing human being for you. Or check out the daily Mass readings that are listed in the column to the left. On many days, you’ll see a name listed there. That’s the saint of the day. Reading about the saint will usually give you some hint as to why this particular date was chosen for his or her feast day. Because this month is chock-full of feast days, you can get to know quite a few saints using this simple method. Another way to get acquainted with holy women and men is to examine patron saints of professions or conditions. The tagline for iPhone commercials is: “There’s an app for that.” We Catholics might rephrase that to read: “There’s a saint for that!” There are saints for dentists, lawyers, writers, beekeepers, tanners, bakers, actors, athletes, and sailors, and there are saints to help with life’s struggles — headaches, cancer, eye diseases, lost items, mental anguish, etc.
I’ve already picked out an “almost” saint to study. His name is Solanus Casey (1870-1957), a Capuchin priest who has been declared “venerable” by the church — one of the initial steps to being declared a saint. He’s the first man born in the United States to be given this designation. The title from a book about him intrigued me, ”Thank God Ahead of Time” (Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press; 2009; 282 pgs.; $16.95). It comes from Father Solanus’ writings: “Therefore we should thank [God] frequently for, not only the blessings of the past and present, but thank him ahead of time for whatever he foresees is pleasing to him that we suffer.” Now, that’s trust in God! I look forward to learning from author Michael Crosby, OFM Cap., how Father Solanus became “a Christ-figure for many people.” Perhaps the best way to celebrate the month of November, though, is to live out our faith as the saints did. My mom’s neighbor Patty handed me a little piece of paper several months ago that she said inspires her. It’s a quick reminder of how to grow in holiness each day. Although I don’t know whom to credit for this, I’m grateful to pass on its wisdom: “Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful; patient when it was difficult to be patient; and because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still, and kept silent when they wanted to talk, and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all. It was quite simple and always will be.” I’m tempted to say that it isn’t so simple and it’s impossible to live this way. But then there is that whole company of saints to prove me wrong.
the gospel truth Scripture Readings Thirty-first WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Nov. 1 all saints Rv 7: 2-4, 9-14; Ps 24: 1-4ab, 5-6; 1 Jn 3: 1-3; Mt 5: 1-12a Nov. 2 THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS) Wis 3: 1-9; Ps 23: 1-6; Rom 5: 5-11; Jn 6: 37-40 Nov. 3 Martin de Porres, religious Rom 12: 5-16a; Ps 131: 1-3; Lk 14: 15-24 Nov. 4 Charles Borromeo, bishop Rom 13: 8-10; Ps 112: 1-2, 4-5, 9; Lk 14: 25-33 Nov. 5 Thursday Rom 14: 7-12; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Lk 15: 1-10 Nov. 6 Friday Rom 15: 14-21; Ps 98: 1-4; Lk 16: 1-8 Nov. 7 Saturday Rom 16: 3-9, 16, 22-27; Ps 145: 2-5, 10-11; Lk 16: 9-15
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Beatitudes open Jesus’ blessings to all of us
uring the 19th century, some metallic gold leaves were discovered in Asia Minor through an archaeological dig.
They date back to the time of Christ. Each leaf had a saying in Greek inBenz offers many other examples of scribed on it. For example, one read: sayings from the Mediterranean world, “Happy and blessed are you, you will from both pagan and Jewish sources, become god rather than human.” which begin with the words, “Blessed Evidently, the leaves were placed in are you,” to show that this was a very the hand or near the mouth of a corpse common way of speaking at the time of when it was prepared for burial. The Jesus. It was natural for Jesus to avail dead so favored had been initiated into himself of that expression. the Orphic mystery cult. The We hear those beatitudes inscriptions on the leaves SOLEMNITY OF of Jesus proclaimed to us in ALL SAINTS were intended to serve as a this Sunday’s Gospel readpassword for the deceased Mt 5: 1-12a ing, Mt 5:1-12a. Hopefully, into the afterlife. The words we can find ourselves in at themselves, and the fact that least some of those beatitudes. In that they were inscribed upon imperishable way, we also can feel encouraged by gold, gave the initiates hope in the face them. Perhaps we should inscribe their of death: that they would not perish, words upon our hearts, so that we can but instead enjoy eternal happiness. take them with us as a password into Hans Dieter Benz mentions these the next life, much as those buried with golden leaves in his book, “The Sermon the golden leaves had intended with on the Mount,” to provide some backthem. ground on those sayings of Jesus called On Sunday, we celebrate the sothe beatitudes. He is not suggesting lemnity of All Saints. We honor those that Jesus was directly influenced by fellow Christians who were outstanding the inscriptions on the golden leaves.
in their holiness. At the same time, we recognize that we also have been called to holiness. That call becomes explicit in the beatitudes of Jesus. They are meant as an encouragement, but also a challenge. They promise future glory and happiness, while at the same time give us strength to follow Jesus and to take up our cross. We should note that the beatitudes of Jesus, unlike the golden leaves, do not rely upon initiation into a cult as a guarantee of future happiness. The beatitudes of Jesus do not require membership in any group or organization. Instead, they open up the blessings of Jesus to broad categories of humanity: the poor in spirit, they who mourn, the meek, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, peacemakers, those who are persecuted. Those categories can include all kinds of people, from different backgrounds. The beatitudes challenge us to examine ourselves, to see if we fit into any of those categories. Only then can we feel any comfort from the beatitudes. Only then can we expect to be blessed. Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009 Bob and Bonnie Campbell, members of St. Casimir Parish in Leavenworth, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 31. The couple was married at St. Joseph Church in Leavenworth. Their children Anniversaries are: Bob and Allison Campbell; David and Stephanie Campbell; Michael Campbell; Tom and Katie Campbell; and Kathleen and Andrew Peltzer. They also have 13 grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to a celebration at the Riverfront Community Center in Leavenworth from 1:30-4 p.m. on Oct. 31. Barbara “Kayda” (Beckenhauer) and Greg Vitt, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 1 with a Mass at the church, followed by a dinner at the parish center. Everyone is invited to an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the parish hall. The couple was married on Nov. 21, 1959, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Colorado Springs, Colo. Their children and their spouses are: Chris and Michelle Vitt; Joe and Kim Vitt; Dave and Davina Vitt; and Gary and Elaine Graber.
Remember your recently deceased loved one by attending a Memorial Mass Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 9 a.m. Holy Redeemer Chapel, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 126th & Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS
CATHOLIC CEMETERIES 913-371-4040 Wyandotte County Mt. Calvary, Kansas City, Kan. St. John, Kansas City, Kan. Gate of Heaven, Kansas City, Kan. Johnson County Resurrection, Lenexa, Kan. St. Joseph, Shawnee, Kan. St. John, Lenexa, Kan. Mt. Calvary, Olathe, Kan.
Barbara (Smith) and Ernest Peterson, members of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving on Nov. 8. The couple was married on Nov. 7, 1959, at St. Pius X Church in Mission. Their children and their spouses are: Jon and Glenna Peterson, Pat and Krista Peterson, Anna and Donald Friend, and Amy and Ed Stork. They also have eight grandchildren.
Anniversary policy
The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date. Announcements must be typed. 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.
MT CALVARY – KC KS Anna Balint Betty L. Barcus Anne C. Clements Stephanie Czyzweski Helen L. Day Dorothy Dora Mary H. Gedminas Josephine J. Golub John C. Helvey Jr. William T. Hinkle Ivan Jimenez Eileen V. Johnson Barbara Moseley Loretta Nick Jane M. Nowak Marion G. Novo-Gradac Estephany Portillo-Oliva Rudolf R. Rodriguez Marie M. Serafin George E. Smith John G. Strick Jr. Elaine R. Tearney Harold L. Thomas Juan Vasquez Sr. RESURRECTION Bertha M. Adams Steven R. Anderson Teresa Barker Desiree M. Backstrom Velma M. Bogina Joanne T. Brown Martha R. Brown Esther Brownsberger Kathleen A. Burdolski Nancy E. Burton Anne E. Centner Elizabeth P. Claerhout Javier Colunga Alice M. Conner Joseph F. Dalton Helen L. Day Charles A. DeCalo Sue Emery Fr. William A. Finnerty Bob Fitzpatrick
Agnes G. Gallagher Beulah F. Gerdes Diana R. Hanson Elma M. Hess John F. Hill James E. Jackson Cristina B. Kerr Donald E. Kirkpatrick Illanni Lopez Margaret E. Lust George E. Marx Susan Masterson Geneva R. McKernan Evelyn R. Meyn Harry E. Meyn Thomas E. Murphy III Linda C. O’Connor Redding G. Oglesby Jorge Palazuelos John Patchen Donald J. Perkins Sally J. Reilly Anna J. Maloney-Reyner Loren F. Rodgers Jr. George F. Scheier Dale Schowengerdt Mary Zuniga-Shanks Michael S. Sopko Kelly L. Toplikar Irene J. Waniel Donald W. Wendt James F. Werner Ethel K. Wesselmann Helen M. White Martin K. Zacher Leonard C. Zarda ST JOSEPH Rosemary Goshorn Ruth O. Muroka GATE OF HEAVEN Ronald P. Anthony Richard R. Dority Sr. Richard E. Mulich Bee Thao
COMMENTARY 15
Military chaplain, pastor to be featured speaker on Veterans Day at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa LENEXA — Father Peter Jaramillo, a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and a military chaplain, will be the guest speaker at the annual Veterans Day observance on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira Rd., here. Veterans, family members and friends are invited to attend Father Jaramillo the flag-raising ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at the cemetery. Father Jaramillo, pastor of St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish and Holy Family Parish in Kansas City, Kan., currently serves as brigade chaplain with the 69th Troop Command, Topeka. Father Jaramillo was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April. He has served 14 years with the Kansas Army National Guard. He was deployed with the 2nd of 137th Infantry of KSARNG 2006-2006 Op-
eration Iraqi Freedom. The American Legion Band will provide a patriotic musical prelude to the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. The brief ceremony will include the flag-raising, patriotic music, a salute to veterans, a 21-gun salute and playing of taps. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7397 will be the color guard. Small flags will be available for gravesite decorations. The Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery features monuments and flags representing the five branches of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Marines. Family and friends can remember and honor veterans by arranging to have their names engraved on the granite walls adjoining the monuments. Adjacent to the memorial is a section dedicated for the burial of veterans and their spouses. For more information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 371-4040; send an e-mail to: information@ catholiccemeterieskc.org; or visit the Web site at: www.catholiccemeteries kc.org.
Correction Due to incorrect information supplied to The Leaven, the young woman in the photo with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann for the cover story, “Jewel
of the Archdiocese,” of the Oct. 16 issue was not properly identified in the caption. Her name is Hannah Lee, not Heather Lee as listed in the issue.
16 LOCAL NEWS
THE LEAVEN • october 30, 2009
Armageddon Theory Local band to play before its biggest crowd ever at NCYC
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By Kara Hansen
hen the National Catholic Youth Conference convenes next month in Kansas City, Mo., teens from across the country will be treated to some homegrown talent. With an estimated 20,000 teens attending the convention, the local band Armageddon Theory will undoubtedly be performing for the largest audience they have ever seen. “We’ve never been in front of that many people for anything,” said Patrick Scahill, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee who plays lead guitar in the band. “”I think it will be incredible.” Fellow band member Jack McCabe agreed. “When Patrick told me we were going to be playing at NCYC, I didn’t believe it at first,” said McCabe, bass player for Armageddon Theory. “The opportunity to play at the Sprint Center doesn’t come to teen bands very often.” Scahill formed the band a year and a half ago with fellow Rockhurst High School juniors Gabe Mateski, Grant LaTerza, Kevin Oyler, and sophomore Jack McCabe. “I started playing guitar in seventh grade and thought it was fun to play with other guys, so I was interested in g e t ting a band together,” said Scahill. The teens get together for practice at least weekly — more, if their schedules allow — which is no small feat between the conflicting schedules of four teen boys active with homework, different sports, and other extracurriculars. “It doesn’t leave me a lot of free time but I enjoy all the things I do, so it’s not a burden,” said Scahill. The band’s musical style ranges from alternative to hard rock, following the lead of bands like Green Day, Nickelback, and Seether. Oyler writes the lyrics for all their songs. “Once I write about three lines for a song, the rest of it comes pretty easily after that,” he said. “Song topics usually have to do with pain in the world when we don’t need it, and coming together to fight against the wrong things we do.” The name “Armageddon Theory” was suggested by LaTerza, and the band members agreed the name seemed to fit with their style of music. Though the band is not labeled as a Christian group, the teens see their faith playing out in some of their songs as well as in the choices they make together. “We’re not necessarily a Christian band, but we all have the basis of faith, and that comes out in our music,” said Scahill. “I think we can express faith in a way kids understand more,” said Oyler, a member of Our Lady of the Presentation Parish in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and lead vocalist for the band. “Music is a medium kids get and it’s a way for them to understand faith in their own way.” Armageddon Theory will have a 20-minute set at NCYC on Nov. 21 at 3:30 p.m. “We’re hoping after NCYC to have more of a following and to book some other places,” said Scahill. “My hope is for our band to become bigger.” For now, the five teens are just enjoying the ride. When the guys get together to practice at Scahill’s house once a week, mom Ann Marie Scahill says it’s easy to see they are having a good time playing music together. “I have the privilege of opening my home to these guys once a week and it’s just great to hear them downstairs — laughing, joking and having a great time,” she said. Scahill’s dad, Mike, said he could see the positive benefits of the band, too. “So much of Catholicism is about getting together and praising God, and I can see the guys growing in that,” he said.
“I think we can express faith in a way kids understand more. Music is a medium kids get and it’s a way for them to understand faith in their own way.”
The face of Armageddon
The band Armageddon Theory is comprised of: Patrick Scahill on lead guitar (top photo); Kevin Oyler on vocals (second photo); Jack McCabe (left) on bass guitar and Gabe Mateski (right) on rhythm guitar (third photo); and Grant LaTerza on drums (bottom photo).
Photos by Elaina Cochran