11-19-10 Vol. 32 No. 16

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 32, NO. 16 NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Leaven photo by Todd Habiger

Chancery employees Stacy Niedbalski (front) and Susan Harrington get into the spirit of the season with the help of checker Gloria White, as they unload a basket full of staples and personal hygiene items always needed at food pantries and emergency assistance centers.

Shopping for Thanksgiving?

Add a few items for the growing number of hungry

By Joe Bollig

Always needed

Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Do you think you don’t know anyone who is hungry?

Think again.

The next time you’re at church, look around you. The odds are that one in eight of those around you go hungry. Look at the kids on a school playground. The odds for them are one in five.

These numbers may seem surprising for most people, but this is what her organization has seen, said Ellen Feldhausen, director of communications for Harvesters, the Community Food Network.

“What this means is that everyone knows someone who may be at risk from hunger,” said Feldhausen.

“We may not realize it, [the hungry] may not talk about it, but we all know someone,” she continued. “The people [Harvesters] is helping to feed are our neighbors. They are people we work with, or go to Mass with. They almost Turn to “HUNGER” on page 4

Leaven photo by Todd Habiger

Many stores, like this Queen’s Price Chopper in Bonner Springs, provide easy ways to give directly to Harvesters International, as well.

• Canned meats • Canned fruits and vegetables • Soups • Crackers • Jellies and jams • Cereals • Boxed dinners • Mixes (biscuits, pancakes, cakes) • Dried/dehydrated items (powdered milk, dried fruits, nuts, etc.)

• Toilet paper • Toothpaste and toothbrushes • Baby items (diapers, wipes, formula, food) • Feminine hygiene products • Soap/shampoo/ deodorants • Laundry detergent/ fabric softeners • Home cleaning supplies

2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

AGAINST ALL ODDS

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

T

Life in this world is to prepare us for eternal life

he month of November begins with the solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day).

given 10 years of life in this world or These feasts invite us to remember 100 — in comparison to eternity, it is a in prayer those who have died. On very brief portion of our existence. Life All Saints Day we give thanks for the in this world is to prepare us for eternal legions of saints who have gone before life. We are foolish, indeed, if we live in us, providing us with an inspiring exsuch a way that we ignore the inevitaample of living our Catholic faith with bility of our death. We need to recogfidelity and heroism. nize that the choices we make in this On All Souls Day, we remember world are important because they have the many true disciples of Jesus who eternal consequences. have died and are destined for heaven, It is only natural that at some level but in God’s merciful love are in the we “fear death,” in that it requires us to process of being leave behind friends purified of imperfecand family as well as tions so that they ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ all else that is familwill be capable of iar. Yet, if we believe programming notes enjoying the fullness in the resurrection Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s of life that Our Lord of Jesus and that radio program on KEXS 1090 AM has gained for them. through the waters airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is The Catechism of of baptism we have repeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday the Catholic Church been given a share in and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. provides the followhis life — eternal life ing succinct descrip— we no longer view tion of this ancient belief: “All who death as an enemy robbing us of exisdie in God’s grace and friendship, but tence, but rather the doorway admitstill imperfectly purified, are indeed ting us to the fullness of life with God. assured of their eternal salvation; but If we have spent our life in this world after death they undergo purification, cultivating our friendship with Jesus, so as to achieve the holiness necessary then, as sad as it is to leave behind to enter the joy of heaven.” (no. 1030) those we love and cherish in this world, Purgatory is a beautiful element of we will have developed a genuine longour Catholic faith. It is an acknowledging to be with Our Lord and the saints. ment that God’s mercy for us reaches The advances in medicine in the last beyond the grave. God desires to purify 50 years have extended both life expecour hearts — not to punish us, but to tancy and enhanced the quality of life prepare us to be able to experience the for Americans. Still, death is inevitable. abundant life he desires for us. PurgaMany will reach a moment when meditory is an expression of the mercy of cine can no longer heal them.

God, removing from us our lingering Last week, I wrote about the moral vices and, at the same time, increasobligation to provide everyone, even ing the capacity of our hearts to enjoy if they are seriously debilitated, with heaven. the basic necessities of life — e.g., food In our prayers for the dead, God and water. This is part of basic comfort allows us to love, in a meaningful way, care. those who have died. In prayer we can On the other hand, there is no accompany them during this process moral obligation to continue medical of purification and, in God’s economy, therapies that have little or no hope somehow we are able to lighten their of benefiting us. There comes a time, burden. for many of us, when we must face the Both All Saints Day and All Souls reality that no medication, no surgery Day remind us of our own mortality. and no therapy are able to heal us. Our They remind us — whether we are final months or weeks in this world

are best spent not continuing medical treatments that are futile, because their side effects can actually impede us from spending our final days fully present as possible to God and the people we love.

The term “hospice” and the word “hospitality” both are derived from the same Latin root. During medieval times, a hospice was a place of shelter and rest, usually provided by a religious community, for weary travelers.

Even today there are “hospices” in Europe and the Holy Land that provide lodging for pilgrims.

In recent years, hospice has taken on a new meaning. It is the holistic (physical, emotional, and spiritual) care for an individual who is approaching death. Hospice care provides a “place” of shelter, comfort and rest for a person who is near the end of life’s journey in this world. Hospice provides care not only to the dying patient, but also spiritual and emotional support to family members who are struggling with the imminent death of a loved one.

The purpose of authentic hospice care is not to hasten death. In fact, there are studies that indicate hospice patients live longer than those with comparable conditions who choose other care options. Hospice care attempts to preserve the dignity of the dying by providing them with care that surrounds the patient with love, manages pain, provides the maximum physical comfort, calms fears, fosters communication with loved ones, and integrates faith and prayer into every dimension of the person’s environment.

However, it is important for Catholics to be assured that hospice providers respect and adhere to Catholic moral principles. For families living in the Kansas City metro area, the option for Catholic hospice is available through Catholic Community Hospice, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. As an archdiocesan ministry, the staff embraces the church’s ethical teachings and works in close collaboration with the patient’s physician and parish priest.

Catholic Community Hospice serves people of all faiths and provides each person and his or her family with a team of professionals that support them through the joys and sorrows experienced at the end of life. The staff of

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S WEEKLY CALENDAR Nov. 19-20 Wedding in St. Louis Nov. 21 Archbishop’s Call to Share Crosier Mass Mass — Sacred Heart, Mound City, with presentation of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award Nov. 22 Presbyteral Council meeting Steering Committee for Southern Region Mass and dinner — John Paul II Convent (Franciscans of the Martyr St. George) Nov. 23 Administrative Team meeting Mass — St. James Academy, Lenexa Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas meeting Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Mass for chancery and pastoral center staff Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27 7 p.m. Vigil for Nascent Human Life — Mater Dei-Holy Name Church, Topeka Nov. 28 Truth Illuminated (pro-life youth group)

Our Lady of Unity School named CEF School of Excellence

By Jill Ragar Esfeld

Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A few weeks ago, each teacher at Our Lady of Unity School here got a mysterious envelope.

Inside was a large star with a letter on it.

Along with their students, they were called to meet in the church, where they were asked to together figure out how the stars could be combined to form a sentence.

When the puzzle was solved, students and teachers alike erupted in cheers, for the stars spelled out: “Congratulations.

Our Lady of Unity is the CEF School of Excellence for 2010.”

“We had to put all the stars together because we worked as a team to make this effort happen,” said principal Karen Davis. “It was very exciting.”

When Our Lady of Unity pastor Father Kent O’Connor learned his parish school had been selected by the Catholic Education Foundation to receive the Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann School of Excellence Award, he wasn’t at all surprised.

You see, from the time he arrived at Our Lady of Unity, Davis had been telling him with confidence that they would win.

Against the odds

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER’S WEEKLY CALENDAR Nov. 2 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 27 Confirmation — Lansing prison 7 p.m. Vigil for Nascent Human Life — St. Joseph, Shawnee

Catholic Community Hospice is made up of professionally competent men and women of great faith and compassion who see their work as a ministry.

There is no better way to leave this world than in an environment where all the comforts of our Catholic faith are available to us and we are surrounded by the people we love.

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

As a matter of fact, being named the School of Excellence was a goal set by Davis before her school was even eligible to apply for the award.

“One of our requirements [for the award] is making AYP, which is Adequate Yearly Progress as established by the state of Kansas,” explained CEF executive director Michael Morrisey.

For the previous two years, Our Lady of Unity School had not met the AYP benchmark scores on assessment tests, so it wasn’t eligible to apply.

“Our mission was to raise our students’ test scores and really work toward receiving this award,” said Davis. “But being eligible to apply for it was basically our first goal.”

The school had a bigger challenge than most in meeting that goal. Out of its 144 students, a majority comes from underprivileged circumstances, and 96 are identified as English-language learners.

“Seventy-six percent of their population participates in the government free or reduced [-price] lunch program,” said Morrisey. “This tells us the home lives their students come from are probably bare-bones. So the kids that are at Our Lady of Unity have to work much harder.”

“In many cases, English is a second language for these kids,” he added. “In many ways, it makes their progress, their receiving this award, even more remarkable.”

Our Lady of Unity works closely with the Turner School District, which pro-

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

Students at Our Lady of Unity School in Kansas City, Kan., surround Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann during his recent tour of the school. Our Lady of Unity was named the 2010 School of Excellence by the Catholic Education Foundation. vides the English Language Learner (ELL) services for students.

In addition, to improve test scores, the school implemented what Davis called a multitiered support system.

“We worked closely as a staff and focused on what was happening in the classroom,” she explained. “We identified what weaknesses every child had and then how, with the staff and resources we have on hand, we could address those weaknesses and improve student learning.”

The object was to concentrate on students who needed extra support in reading and math.

“We figured out a way for them to get small group or one-on-one instruction,” said Davis. “We’ve just been very creative in our scheduling and planning and figuring out who we could use to help us reach this goal.”

The school also received a gift of software from the Turner School District called SuccessMaker, which focuses on math and reading skills and aligns with Kansas state standards.

“It finds out what the child is missing in their learning and then helps fill in the gaps,” explained Davis.

About CEF Founded in 1997, CEF was established to assist under-resourced Catholic schools in the archdiocese in their efforts to provide a highquality, Catholic education to any child, regardless of his or her family’s economic position.

For more information on the Catholic Education Foundation, next year’s Gaudeamus dinner, or to find out how you can make a donation, visit the Web site at: www.cefks.org.

When the spring 2010 test scores came in, it was clear the school had reached its goal . . . and how. Students successfully made AYP with a 23.4 percent increase in reading and a 17.9 percent increase in math.

“Karen worked very hard over the year to make this goal come true,” said Father O’Connor. “Here is someone who sets her mind on a goal and has the wherewithal to finish.”

Faith and charity Something else Davis sets her mind to is making sure faith is always at the heart of academic efforts.

“I think what we’re equally proud of, as far as they’re concerned, is they tie the catholicity piece to the academics,” said Morrisey. “Catholicity was probably the foundation that helped them get where they needed to.”

Our Lady of Unity students go to Mass twice a week and pray the rosary as a school once a month.

Currently, the entire staff and faculty are participating in an intensive study of the theology of the body through Benedictine’s School of Faith program.

“Then the teachers do an excellent job of infusing our faith into everything they do throughout the day with the students,” added Davis. “It’s very much a part of who we are and what sets us apart from the public school system.”

Another important factor in the success of the school is the strong support of the parents and church community. The school’s active PTO is always looking for ways to help out and be supportive of what’s happening in the classrooms.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of this determined school is its generosity.

“A lot of these families are folks that

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Kara Hansen kara@theleaven.com

are living in poverty; let’s say it the way it is,” said Morrisey. “Yet they still have the mindset to help others, and they’ve done a great job in that respect, too.”

Indeed, Our Lady of Unity students give what they can to an offertory at Mass each Friday.

“That money goes back to different organizations,” said Davis. “We sponsor a food kitchen, and we’ll get coloring books and crayons and give them to KU Med Center.”

The school also has a student council that plans different service projects. Last year, they did a canned food drive and a mitten and glove drive.

Our Lady of Unity’s success has been dearly earned and well-deserved, and Davis doesn’t hesitate to acknowledge the CEF scholarship program, which supports a majority of her students, for helping them reach their goals.

“Every child deserves a great education,” she said. “And we have worked really hard to provide that for Our Lady of Unity community.

“We also have great parents that are very supportive of what we’re doing and a fantastic teaching staff, and a pastor who supports everything the school does.”

Father O’Connor agreed, but added recognition and thanks to his predecessor.

“It should be said that Father Michael Hermes played a huge part in getting this school on track,” he said. “He did all the hard work; I’m simply reaping the benefits.”

And Father O’Connor feels greatly blessed for the community he’s inherited.

“We have an excellent school, an excellent principal, and an excellent teaching staff,” he said. “I already knew it.

“I’m so happy that they were recognized by the wider community as being, in fact, excellent.”

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

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Hunger as big a problem in America’s ‘breadbasket’ as anywhere

LIVING FAITH AT WORK

Continued from page 1 certainly are our children’s or grandchildren’s classmates.”

Harvesters is a regional food bank that provides items to other organizations in a 26-countywide area of northwest Missouri and northeastern Kansas.

Sixteen of those counties are in Kansas. “[Harvesters] is feeding as many as 66,000 people a week in our service areas, across our network,” said Feldhausen. “More than one-third of the people we serve are children.”

The situation isn’t going to get better anytime soon, she said. More than two years of a bad economy has produced greater hunger and food insecurity in more households.

“We’re seeing increasing numbers,” said Feldhausen. “Our agencies are seeing a 40 percent increase, consistent over two years since the recession started.”

“While some economic projections predict some things starting to improve, Students at St. Paul School in Olathe showed the spirit of serving those in need during their fall all that I’m reading talk about a jobless food drive “Give Food-Give Thanks.” Students brought in 1,268 items to benefit the food pantry at recovery,” she continued. “No one is Catholic Charities. seeing the job rate improving signifihausen and LaClair. Food insecurity its Emergency Assistance Centers, said cantly.

James Cianciaruso, director of family “That tells us people will continue to does not mean that a person or family is always hungry. Rather, there may be stabilization. need food assistance.”

“We see a large number of persons Hunger in America is often associat- times when they run out of food beed with homelessness, but it shouldn’t cause of low wages or an unexpected coming to our pantries to access the basic necessities, which are primarily be, said Barbara LaClair, chairperson of expense, like a vehicle or home furnace food-related,” said Cianciaruso. “We’re the Kansas Food Security Task Force, an repair. Many of these people live paycheck to paycheck. talking about hunger, but you have to organization of state and private agen“Many of the families [Harvesters] take into consideration such things as cies that address hunger. Hunger is a serve are not destitute or homeless,” toiletries and other things for the wellbigger, largely invisible, problem in sosaid Feldhausen. being of a person.” ciety.

“At some point Last fiscal year (July 2009 to June “People don’t during the month, 2010), Catholic Charities saw a total talk about it openthey run out of of about 33,000 unduplicated persons ly, for one thing,” money, and food who were served with emergency assaid LaClair. “Peobecomes the thing sistance requests. But in just the first ple think, because they can’t afford. four months of this fiscal year (since Kansas is an agriForty percent of July), Catholic Charities has seen cultural state, that the people Har15,535 unduplicated persons seeking we don’t have the vesters serve live in assistance. problems of hunhouseholds where Catholic Charities has also seen an ger and poverty at least one person increase in the number of people’s firstsome big cities extime use of its pantries. This will likely perience.

That’s Ellen Feldhausen, director is working.”

Hunger and continue. just not true. Hunof communications for Harvesters food insecurity are “That in and of itself tells us we have ger is just as much part of a deeper some newer clients in need, and it isn’t a a problem in Kanproblem, said LaClair representation of chronic poverty,” said sas as in any place in the nation.”

“We know that the majority of [those Cianciaruso. “This is more of a safety According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, the Kansas food facing food insecurity] are working net for persons in need for a shorter insecurity rate is 13.8 percent of the families not able to pay all the bills,” period of time. Absolutely, the issue of population, and the child food insecu- she said. “They have tough choices to jobs is a serious situation right now. . . . make for rent, utilities, transportation My expectations are that we’re going to rity rate is 20.6 percent, said LaClair. see some higher volumes probably for Food security is access to enough and medical costs.”

Catholic Charities of Northeastern the next 12 to 18 months.” food for all members of a family to have If there is a bright spot anywhere a healthy lifestyle, according to Feld- Kansas is also seeing more people at

“[Harvesters] is feeding as many as 66,000 people a week in our service areas, across our network. More than one-third of the people we serve are children.”

”

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How to help There are many things people can do to help the hungry.

Poverty is a multifaceted monster, said James Cianciaruso, director of family stability at Catholic Charities. Poverty and hunger go hand in hand, so anything that can be done to address need will have an impact on hunger.

Financial contributions to help with rent, utilities or transportation are very helpful. Catholic Charities also accepts checks to buy food.

Many parishes and schools have food drives, but individuals are always welcome to donate food at Emergency Assistance Centers.

The centers couldn’t function without volunteers, so they’re always welcome. To volunteer at Catholic Charities, call Mary Kay Drees at (913) 433-2080. For more ways to contribute or to volunteer, go to the Web site at: www.catholic charitiesks.org.

Volunteers and cash donations are always welcome at Harvesters, too. To volunteer, access its Web site at: www.harvesters.org, or call tollfree (877) 353-6639. Harvesters has a virtual food drive called “CheckOut Hunger, where coupons can be bought at several grocery chains.

Many smaller communities that do not have a Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center often have pantries operated by the local ministerial alliance. For these, check with your pastor. in this dark situation, it’s that the parishes and schools of the archdiocese — where Catholic Charities gets the vast majority of its food and toiletries — are extremely generous, he said.

When people donate food and other items to Catholic Charities, they are feeding more than the body.

“What we do at Catholic Charities comes from a foundation of faith,” said Cianciaruso. “We have this opportunity to put our faith into action. What we hope for, when a person comes to our pantry or Emergency Assistance Center, is that they have a sense of hope when they leave and that they are treated with dignity, respect and love.

“It’s not just food we’re giving out.”

Archbishop Naumann speaks to Catholic Business Network

By Jill Ragar Esfeld

Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — “The first way you’re called to evangelize,” Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann told members of the Catholic Business Network at a breakfast meeting Nov. 9, “is by the way you live your life.

“Lead heroic lives of faith and love,” he instructed them, so that others would be inspired to ask “What gives this person peace and hope?”

The archbishop opened his keynote by directly addressing one of the organization’s founders, Dan Spencer, saying he was “glad to experience some of the fruits of our discussions.”

Spencer had come to the archbishop just over two years ago for help in getting the Catholic Business Network started. The group has seen marked growth in membership and sponsorship since then.

One of the visions of the faith-based group is evangelization, and this was at the heart of the archbishop’s message as he encouraged his audience to spread the Gospel by living it.

He illustrated his point by drawing on anecdotal references to people who didn’t hesitate to show their Catholicism at work, such as baseball player Mike Sweeney.

The archbishop talked about his own family in St. Louis and the admiration he had for the faith-based work ethic of his grandfather and father.

The archbishop told his audience to treat every individual with honesty, integrity and respect, relying on the great gift of the Catholic faith for energy and inner strength.

We are called not to impose our values on others, he explained, but to share them, with human dignity always at the core of those values.

“People are more important than

Member of Holy Trinity Parish

Heart of America Catholic Business Network The mission of the Catholic Business Network is to be a catalyst in exhorting, promoting and facilitating financial opportunity, spiritual growth and moral courage for both Catholic individuals and organizations serving the workplace.

Membership in the Heart of America Catholic Business Network is open to all practicing Catholics in the region who are involved in serving the workplace.

For more information, visit the Web site at: www.catholic businessnetwork.net.

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann told the audience at the Catholic Business Network breakfast to treat every individual with honesty, integrity and respect, relying on the great gift of the Catholic faith for energy and inner strength. profits,” he said.

Ernie and Susan Straub were a case in point, he noted. The couple was honored at this year’s Catholic Education Foundation dinner. Though it took some sacrifice, the Straub family held their company together through the recession without laying off a single employee.

The archbishop also emphasized the importance of blending work with

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marriage and family, saying “strong marriage is the foundation of family.”

He said the light of faith is shown by the priority a person places on relationships outside of work.

“If we don’t have strong families, culture and society will deteriorate,” he said.

The archbishop assured his listeners that by living their Catholic faith with integrity at work, they will spark

opportunities for co-workers to ask, “What makes you the kind of man or woman you are?”

This, in turn, will open up an opportunity for others to know Jesus Christ.

Our purpose, said the archbishop is for “happiness built on holiness.”

He told the businessmen and women that the strength to live our faith at work comes from nourishing ourselves with all the Catholic Church has to offer.

The most important sources for that nourishment, he said, are to be found in the reception of the Eucharist and by participating in eucharistic adoration; in making time for daily prayer; and in availing ourselves of the sacrament of reconciliation, which he called one of the great tools God had given us for holiness.

“Catholic faith,” he said, “is not about self-perfection.

“It’s about transformation.”

Thank you

to the Crosier Society members who give generously and graciously

to the 2010 Archbishop’s Call to Share.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. Abbey, Mr. and Mrs. Chris N. Abel, Mr. and Mrs. John Abel, Mr. George Abel, Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Adams II, Mrs. Ramona B. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Agnew, Dr. and Mrs. Pablo Aguayo, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd L. Akins, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Albers, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Allenworth, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allinder, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Alsup, Dr. and Dr. Jeffrey R. Althoff, Dr. Raymond A. Amoury, Mr. and Mrs. Darrin Andersen, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley E. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Andrisevic, Mr. and Mrs. Deron A. Anliker, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Armel, Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher G. Arth, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Arth, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Ascher, Sr., Col. and Mrs. Robert A. Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ault, Mr. and Mrs. David Ayers, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Ayers, Mr. Todd Bachamp, Dr. and Dr. Jay T. Backstrom, Dr. and Mrs. Randal Bagby, Mr. and Mrs. Carle Baker, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baker, Mrs. Rita A. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. John Balling, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Baltuska, Mr. and Mrs. John Balzer, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Banker, Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Barber, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Barnthouse, Dr. and Mrs. Theron Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard M. Bartek, Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Barth III, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Barthol, Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Bartkoski, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Jim Basgall, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bastasch, Mrs. Mary G. Batten, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Bauer, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bauman, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bayliss, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beaman, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Beattie, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan E. Beck, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Bedke, Mr. and Mrs. William Behm, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Beier, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Benjamin, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bens, Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Beran, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Berg, Ms. Barbara Berg, Mr. Ken F. Bergeron, Dr. and Mrs. James J. Bergin, Monsignor Robert N. Bergman, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bergwell, Mr. Charles J. Berkel, Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Bermond, Dr. Bernita Berntsen, Mr. and Mrs. Guy A. Berry, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Berwanger, Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Bianchino, Mr. and Mrs. Brett L. Bibler, Mr. Patrick Bickers and Ms. Diane Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Bickimer, Mr. and Mrs. Martin C. Bicknell, Mr. Greg Bierbaum, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Biesemeyer, Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Biggins, Mr. and Mrs. William Biggins, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William P. Biggins, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Ben Biller, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip C. Bird, Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Bisang, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Blackshire, Mr. and Mrs. John Blaha, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Blaufuss, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Blonigen, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Bockwinkel, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Boddicker, Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Boeding, Miss Barbara K. Boehm, Mr. and Mrs. William Bokath, Mr. Ronald M. Bonesteel, Mr. and Mrs. A L Bontrager, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Book, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Boster, Mr. and Mrs. Don Botts, Mr. Eli Boucher, Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Boushka, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Boyd, Jr., Ms. Rose Mary Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence R. Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. Rich Boynton, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Bozich, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk C. Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brazeal, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Brazen, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John W. Breeden, Mr. and Mrs. John Brinker, Ms. Ruth Brito, Dr. and Mrs. Randall L. Brown, Dr. and Mrs. Richard P. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Brown, Mrs. Jeanie Brown, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Browne, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Kevin G. Brox, Mr. and Dr. Larry Broxterman, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. E. Bruegger, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Brueske, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Buccero, Mr. and Mrs. David R. Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Buckner, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Buehler, Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Buessing, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony L. Bunker, Mr. and Mrs. David Burger, Mr. Thomas J. Burke, Mr. and Mrs. Randy L. Burrell, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan D. Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Busch, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Buschow, Dr. and Mrs. William D. Buser, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Butch, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Butcher, Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Buyle, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bybee, Mr. and Mrs. John Byerley, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Byers, Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Byrd, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Caffrey, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Calini, Dr. and Mrs. Paul J. Camarata, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Camerlinck, Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Campin, Dr. and Mrs. Ramon V. Canent, Mr. and Mrs. Phil K. Cansler, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Canton, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cantrell, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Caprio, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Carhart, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Carmody, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Carnelia, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Arden E. Carr, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Carrasco, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Carrubba, Mr. James D. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cartwright, Dr. and Mrs. Pierre Castera, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Cates, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Cattanach, Mr. and Mrs. Bill P. Charcut, Mrs. Anne S. Chasnoff, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cheek, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Chenoweth, Mr. and Mrs. Pat L. Chilen, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Chirpich, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Chudy, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Churchman, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cillessen, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clark, Jr., Mrs. Julia Clark, Mr. and Dr. John Clary, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Clary, Ms. Julia W. Cleary, Mrs. Beverly Clemens, Dr. and Mrs. Don J. Clement, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. John Cline, Dr. and Mrs. Keith Clough, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin R. Clouse, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Clune, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Clune, Mr. and Mrs. David Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. James Coffelt, Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Colbern, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon M. Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Scott R. Collins, Mrs. Rosemary B. Combs, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Conaghan, Mr. and Mrs. Marc D. Conklin, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Conley, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Connealy, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Connealy, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Connelly, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Cook, Mrs. Jean M. Cooney, Mr. Dean P. Coons and Ms. Cynthia Hughes-Coons, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Cope, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Copeland, Mr. and Mrs. Chad M. Cordell, Mr. and Mrs. Clint Cordry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Cordry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Cotter, Ms. Carol A. Coyle, Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Crabtree, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Crawford II, Mr. and Mrs. Marc Crawford, Mr. John Crawford, Mr. and Mrs. David Cresswell, Mrs. Mary K. Cresto, Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Cronin III, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Cross, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Crowley, Mr. Robert A. Cunningham, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Sean A. Cupp, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Czinege, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Dahm, Mr. and Mrs. David R. Daly, Mr. and Mrs. Jason M. Dana, Mr. Paul G. Danaher, Mr. Dao Dang, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Danielson, Mrs. Estella Danner, Ms. Margaret Daugherty, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. James Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davoren, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Dawson, Mr. and Mrs. John De Rossi, Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Dean, Mrs. Kathy Dechand, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil C. Dechant, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Decker, Mr. and Mrs. David G. Dehaemers, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Gary M. Del Nero, Mrs. Kathy Delaney, Dr. and Mrs. Lynn I. Demarco, Mr. and Mrs. David DeMint, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Dervin, Mrs. Jeanne A. Dervin, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Desett, Mr. and Mrs. Rolland A. Dessert, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Devocelle, Ms. Joanne L. Devore, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Dickinson, Ms. Eleanor J. Dideles, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher D. Dierks, Mrs. Wilma Dillman, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry M. Dimon, Ms. Linda F. Dinsmore, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Disidore, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Disilvestro, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dobski, Ms. Kathleen L. Doherty, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Dollard, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Donahue, Mr. and Mrs. John Case Dorman, Mr. John Downey and Ms. Shannan Seely, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Christoher P. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin A. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Kurt R. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Draftz, Mr. Ryan Dreiling, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dreyer, Mr. and Mrs. Linus A. Drouhard, Mr. and Mrs. D. Bernard Dugan, Ms. Bernice T. Duletski, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dunham, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dunleavy, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunn, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunn, Sr., Mr. Kevin A. Dunn, Mrs. Caron B. Dunnivan, Dr. and Mrs. Carlyle M. Dunshee II, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Durkin, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Dvorak, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Easterday, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ebert, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Eckert, Ms. Cindy Eckert, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Ecklund, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Edmondson, Donna Egan, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Egan, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Ehart, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Eisenbarth, Mr. and Mrs. Joel W. Ekis, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Elder, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Eliason, Dr. and Mrs. Craig E. Elson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim England, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Englert, Dr. and Mrs. O. Keith Enlow, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Ernst, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Erpelding, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Errante, Ms. Nancy Erwin, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Euston, Mr. Richard A. Everist, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Faherty, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Fallon, Dr. Anthony Fangman and Mrs. Marsha Dannenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Fanska, Mr. and Dr. Mark F. Farley, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Farrant, Dr. and Mrs. John M. Feehan, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Fehr, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Feldkamp, Mr. and Mrs. James P. Fern, Mr. and Mrs. Dean F. Ferrell, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ferris, Mr. Tony Fey, Mrs. Mary D. Fields, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Findley, Mr. James Finnegan, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fiorella, Miss Nancy M. Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. Craig F. Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert W. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fitzgerald, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Fitzgerald, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis L. Fitzhugh, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fitzpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome F. Fladung, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Flanigan, Jr., Ms. Cheryl Flood, Dr. and Mrs. John C. Flucke, Mrs. Mary K. Fogarty, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Foley, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foote, Dr. and Mrs. John D. Foret, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Forlenza, Ms. Jill Forrest, Dr. and Mrs. Gregory M. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Franchett, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Frank, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Franko, Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Frankovic, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Freund, Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Fritschie, Mr. and Mrs. Dan A. Froelich, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Froeschl, Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Frost, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Frye, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Furman, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Gaffney, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Gagnon, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Gaigals, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Gallagher, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Galligani, Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Gangel, Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Gangel, Mr. and Mrs. David Garnett, Mrs. Roseann Gartner, Mr. and Mrs. David Gast, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gast, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Gast, Mr. and Mrs. David D. Gatchell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gatschet, Ms. Sandra Gautt, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Gegg, Dr. and Mrs. James Geitz, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Gentile, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Geris, Mr. and Mrs. Crosby L. Gernon, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gerstenkorn, Mr. and Mrs. Dan G. Gibson, Mrs. Harriet D. Gibson, Ms. Kristy A. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Gideon, Mr. and Mrs. John Gillcrist, Mr. and Mrs. Brian C. Gillespie, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald G. Gillette, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ginn, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ginzel, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Girard, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Gleeson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Glick, Jr., Mr. James E. Glick, Mr. and Mrs. Ted A. Glickley, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gochis, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Godsey, Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Golba, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Goode, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Goodell, Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Goodwin, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond C. Gorman, Ms. Jeanne Gorman, Mr. and Mrs. Paul N. Gorup, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Goscha, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Gound, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Gowan, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Grabar, Dr. and Mrs. J. Aaron Grantham, Ms. Joyce Grashoff, Mr. and Mrs. John Grasse, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Grasso, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Graves, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. David Greb, Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Green, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Green, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Green, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Gregor, Mr. and Mrs. Larry A. Gress, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Griffin, Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Grisolano, Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Grote, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grunden, Mrs. Melissa S. Grzymala-Busse and Mr. Witek Grzymala-Busse, Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Guetterman, Ms. Diana Guilfoyle, Mr. William M. Guilfoyle, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Gunter, Mr. David F. Gunter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gurera, Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Haake, Mrs. Kathleen Haas, Mrs. Mary Jane Habig, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hackleman, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory T. Hadel, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Haeusser, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hagedorn, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Hageman, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Hagen III, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth V. Hager, Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hail, Mr. Ross Halsey, Ms. Paula Hambleton, Mr. and Mrs. Roman Hamerski, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Hammerschmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Hanrahan, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hansen II, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Harrigan, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Harrington, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. John Hartley, Mrs. Patricia Hartwich, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Haverkamp, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Haverty, Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Haverty, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haynes, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Hays, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Heap, Ms. Diane D. Hebert, Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Heeney, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene C. Hegarty, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hegarty, Mr. Ben P. Heideman, Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Heim, Dr. and Mrs. Brian J. Heimes, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Heinen, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald W. Heinen, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Heinerikson, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Heintz, Dr. and Mrs. J. Anthony Heit, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heller, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Hendricks, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Henke, Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Henke, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff E. Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Hensler II, Mr. and Mrs. Normand P. Heon, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Herbic, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry E. Herigon, Mrs. Elinor C. Hermansen, Mr. and Dr. Joel Hermes, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip T. Hernandez, Ms. Ellen Herrmann, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Heschmeyer, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Hess, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hess, Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Hetley, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Hicks, Mr. Roger High, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Hilboldt, Mr. Jeffrey Hill, Ms. Shirley M. Hill, Mr. Herman Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Hiltibidal, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hirt, Dr. Roman Hiszczynskyj, Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Hoff, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence P. Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Tracey Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin T. Hogan, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Hogerty II, Dr. and Mrs. C R Holbrook III, Mr. and Mrs. Rod Holcomb, Mr. and Mrs. Isidro Holguin, Mr. and Mrs. R. Keith Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Holland, Mr. and Mrs. Hal L. Holmquist, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Holtgraves, Mr. and Mrs. James V. Holtgraves, Mr. and Mrs. Jason A. Holthaus, Mr. Shawn Holthaus, Mrs. Mary P. Holthouse, Mr. John Taylor and Ms. Tish Holub, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Honeycutt, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hoopes, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hoover, Dr. and Mrs. Brian G. Hornung, Ms. Therese M. Horvat, Mr. and Mrs. William Houlehan, Mr. and Mrs. Dave H. House, Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Houtteman, Mrs. Mary K. Howa, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Howell, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Howell, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Hoytal, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Vance P. Hubbell, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis G. Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Randy K. Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Huebner, Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Huerter, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hummell, Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Humphreys, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hunt, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Huppe III, Mr. and Mrs. Jay S. Hurtig, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hutchings, Mr. and Mrs. Don E. Huxtable, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford W. Illig, Dr. and Dr. Jerry C. Immethun, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ismert, Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Jablonski, Mr. and Mrs. Keegan M. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Jackson, Mr. Steve E. Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Jacquinot, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jacquinot, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Jaeger, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jansen, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Janssen, Ms. Anita Javorski, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Jaworski, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory H. Jecker, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jenicke, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Jennison, Mr. and Mrs. Benedict M. Jilka, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jirak, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly D. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Johnson, Ms. Cheryl Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry C. Jones, Mrs. Theresa Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Joseph, Dr. and Mrs. Bernard O. Judy, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jurcyk, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Jury, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kahm, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kaminsky, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Kane, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Kane, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kane, Mrs. Carol E. Kane, Ms. Bonnie L. Kangas, Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Kaplan, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Kastens, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Kaufman, Mrs. Jane C. Kealing, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Keenan, Ms. Amy S. Keenan, Most Reverend James P. Keleher, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keller, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay R. Keller, Mrs. Barbara Keller, Mr. and Mrs. Tim S. Kellerman, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Kelley, Mrs. Mary Kellner, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Kelsey, Mr. and Mrs. John Kendrick, Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Kern, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kerr, Mr. Timothy J. Kerschen, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ketelle, Mr. and Mrs. James P. Ketter, Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Ketter, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Kiesling, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Kilbride, Mr. and Mrs. R Gary Kilkenny, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. King, Mr. and Mrs. John Kinskey, Mr. Kevin Kippes, Mr. and Mrs. Chad Kirby, Mr. and Mrs. Brian N. Kirk, Dr. and Dr. Jimmie Kirkland, Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kirkpatrick, Dr. and Mrs. Theodore L. Kitowski, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin G. Kleeb, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Kleekamp, Mr. and Mrs. Pat P. Klein, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Klein, Mr. Thomas Klein, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur C. Klemm, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Eric Klingele, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene G. Klingele, Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Knoll, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Knop, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Knopke, Mrs. Marieann R. Koehler, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Koenig, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Kolich, Dr. Judith A. Kooser, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kopel, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Koranda, Ms. Ann Kosorog, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin E. Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. Greg M. Kratofil, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Krebs, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Krim, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William J. Krondak, Mr. and Mrs. John Kubicki, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kuckelman, Mr. and Mrs. William Kuharich, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Kuhn, Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Kuklenski, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley R. Kwapiszeski, Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Labarge, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lafferty, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lagoski, Mr. and Mrs. George Lahood, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald F. Lamberti, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lambrechts, Mr. and Mrs. David Lamott, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Lamping, Dr. Steven LaNasa, Mr. and Mrs. Russell E. Lane, Ms. Jean Langkop, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Larkin, Mrs. Florence M. Larkin, Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Lasnier, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Laufenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lavery, Mr. and Mrs. Mel Lavery, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Lavin, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Laws, Mrs. Diana L. Layes, Mrs. Sheryl Leavey, Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Ledom, Dr. and Mrs. Pedro L. Legaspi, Ms. Grace Legaspi, Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Leibbrandt, Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Leibham, Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Leins, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Leis, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lemkuhl, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Lenzen, Ms. Stephanie Letourneau and Mr. Michael Domer, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Levell, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Leyden, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Liberty, Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Liebergen, Mr. Chris M. Likens, Ms. Marlene R. Link, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Lipp, Mr. and Mrs. H. Jan Lippincott, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lippoli, Ms. Diane M. Little, Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Litzen, Mr. and Mrs. John Lively, Ms. Karen Lombardi, Dr. and Mrs. Paul D. Loney, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Long, Mr. and Mrs. David Long, Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Long, Mr. and Mrs. George M. Long, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Long, Ms. Jana M. Long, Ms. Phyllis L. Lord, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Loughman, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lowry, Mr. and Mr. Robert W. Loyd, Father James E. Ludwikoski, Father Keith Lunsford, Mr. and Mrs. Myron K. Lutz, Mr. Shane Lutz, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Lyssy, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll B. Macke, Ms. Jane A. Macke, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Madas, Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Madden, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Madden, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Madrid, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Madsen, Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Magana, Mrs. Katharine Magee, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Mahon, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin C. Maimer, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Majerle, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Manley, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Manning, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry Mantel, Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Manza, Mr. and Mrs. Gary March, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mareski, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Maring, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Marino, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Marquardt, Mr. and Mrs. Brad A. Martens, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Martin, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Martin, Mr. Raymond L. Martin, Mr. Thomas M. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Martucci, Mr. and Mrs. Brent C. Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Matt, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Matteuzzi, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent G. Mattione, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Maurer, Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Mauro, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Maxwell III, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mayer, Mr. Jerry Mayne, Dr. and Mrs. Kevin P. Mays, Mr. and Mrs. Marco Mazzella, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. McAnany, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. McAnarney, Mrs. Laura Mae McAntee, Mr. and Mrs. James J. McAuliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. McAvoy, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. McBride, Mrs. Ellen T. McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus McCarty, Mr. Richard McCormack, Ms. Sheila M. McDole, Mr. and Mrs. William McDowell, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McEnerney, Mr. and Mrs. William P. McEvoy, Mr. and Mrs. Mike R. McGinley, Monsignor Charles D. McGlinn, Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. McGlinn, Ms. Julie A. McGrath, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. McGrew, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McGroder, Mr. and Mrs. Brad McIlnay, Mr. and Mrs. Joe F. McIlvaine, Mr. and Mrs. David J. McInerny, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome E. McKenna, Mr. and Mrs. David McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. John McKernan, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard B. McKinzie, Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. McKinzie, Mr. and Mrs. Terry McNerney, Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. McNulty, Mr. Kevin McPartland, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. McQuaid, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Medved, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Meert, Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Mehrer, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Meier, Ms. Kathy Melton and Mr. Greg Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Menghini, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menghini, Mr. and Mrs. Dan W. Mercer III, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Merwald, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Mettee, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meunier, Mr. and Mrs. Blake Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Meyers, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald P. Micek, Dr. and Mrs. Mike E. Michel, Mr. Paul Mies, Mr. Larry C. Mikesic, Mr. and Mrs. James Miley, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Miller, Mr. and Mrs. David Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Terry K. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Will A. Miller, Mr. Kent Miller, Sr., Mr. Vic Miller, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Milliard, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Mills, Ms. Carla K. Mills, Dr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Alex C. Mitchell III, Mr. Charles A. Mitchem, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Mitsdarfer, Ms. Donna J. Mogel, Mr. and Mrs. Tibor G. Mohacsi, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Monello, Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Monson, Dr. and Mrs. Scott A. Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Moore, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Morris, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Morrisey, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Morrissey, Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Morrissey, Mr. and Mrs. Alan D. Mosher, Mr. Chester Moyer, Mr. and Mrs. Luke J. Moylan, Major and Mrs. John J. Mroszczak, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Muckenthaler, Dr. and Dr. Gregory F. Muehlebach, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mueller, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Mulder, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Mulinazzi, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mulvenon, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kevin Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Reed F. Murphy III, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent L. Murphy, Mr. James K. Murphy, Ms. Angela Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Murphy-Beach, Dr. and Mrs. George H. Myers, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Myers, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Myers, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Nease II, Mr. and Mrs. Jason T. Neff, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Nelson, Mr. Lorry R. Nelson, Ms. Linda Nelson, Dr. Gary L. Nesslein and Dr. Susan Nesslein, Dr. and Mrs. Fred S. Neuer, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Neuman, Mr. Jim Neville, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Newcomer, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Newcomer, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Newell, Mr. and Mrs. Travis S. Newkirk, Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Newman, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Dan Newmaster, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Newport, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry C. Ney, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Nicholson, Mr. Marvin J. Niehues, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Nielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Van Nine, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Nitchals, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard T. Noonan, Mr. Francis Noonan, Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Nordstrom, Mr. and Mrs. Brad K. Norman, Mr. Daniel Norman, Mr. and Mrs. Gale E. Norris, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nuti, Mr. and Mrs. Troy A. Oberle, Mrs. Priscilla Obert, Ms. Michele L. Obert, Mr. Michael J. O’Connell and Dr. Sara A. Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. James D. O’Connor, Mr. and Mrs. R. Michael O’Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Oddo, Mr. and Mrs. John J. O’Donnell, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Adrian O’Hara, Mr. Andrew O’Hara and Mrs. Kathleen Roche, Mr. James and Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. O’Keefe, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Oliver, Mrs. Deidre Oliver, Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Olsen, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin O’Malley, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas R. Ondick, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard V. O’Neill, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O’Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. O’Neill, Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. O’Neill, Ms. Virginia O’Neill, Ms. Catherine Ormsby, Mr. Robert B. O’Rourke, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Osborn, Mrs. Frances C. Oshman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Otto, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Overbay, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Overman, Dr. and Mrs. David B. Owens, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Paden, Mr. Kenneth R. Pakula, Mr. Jerome Paluka, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paris, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Park, Mr. Dave Parker, Mrs. Teresa Parson, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Patterson, Ms. Cynthia E. Patton, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Pavlyak, Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Peal, Mrs. Dorothy E. Pearl, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene S. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Pedrotti, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Pelfrey, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Pemberton, Mr. Edward Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard F. Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Kendal A. Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrie, Mr. Robert J. Petsche, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Pettus, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pflumm, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pflumm, Mrs. Mary Jo Pflumm, Ms. Cynthia Pflumm Watts, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Phalen, Dr. and Dr. Alan Phillips, Mrs. Ruth Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pickert, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Pickert, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Pickert, Mr. and Mrs. David J. Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Piernick, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pikus, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Pinsky, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Pitzl, Mr. Timothy Plank, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pokorny, Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Polise, Mr. and Mrs. Satish Ponnuru, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Pope, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Poro, Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Poskin, Dr. and Mrs. Abraham K. Poulose, M.D., Dr. K. Paul Poulose and Dr. Queeny Poulose, Mr. David Power, Mr. William and Dr. Catherine Powers, Mrs. Carol L. Pozzolungo, Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick T. Pribyl, Mr. and Mrs. John Price, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Pryor, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Pudenz, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Purinton, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk F. Putman, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pyle, Mr. Charles G. Pyle and Dr. Margaret Yoakum-Pyle, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Quigley, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Raab, Mark and Mary Ramos, Dr. and Mrs. Mark R. Rasmussen, Mr. and Mrs. Leo T. Rasmussen, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin D. Reasoner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rebori, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rebout, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Redmond, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Reeb, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Regier, Dr. and Mrs. John S. Reifschneider, Mr. John M. Reilly and Dr. L.G. Reilly, Mrs. Barbara K. Reinhard, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Reintjes, Mr. and Mrs. Dick G. Renneke, Mr. and Mrs. Greg A. Renyer, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Renyer, Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Reschke, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Respeliers, Dr. and Mrs. Gregory C. Reuter, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Reuter, Mr. and Mrs. Micheal Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Reynoldson, Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rezac, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Rhoades, Mr. and Mrs. Murray L. Rhodes, Ms. Donna M. Rice, Dr. and Mrs. Miguel Rico, Ms. Melinda Ridgway, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Riedel, Ms. Louise D. Rieke, Mr. and Mrs. Ted L. Riesinger, Father Patric Riley, Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Rinella, Mr. and Mrs. Jean W. Rioux, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ritchie, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Roatch, Mr. and Mrs. James Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rockford, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Roettger, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Rogge, Mrs. Rita C. Rome, Mr. Leonard J. Ronnebaum, Mr. and Mrs. William K. Rork, Mrs. Mary Anna Ross, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Roth, Mr. and Mrs. Florian Rothbrust, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Roush, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Rousselo, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Rowley, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Ruby, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Rudkin, Mr. and Mrs. Dan A. Rundle, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rus, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Russell, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Rutter, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ruyle, Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Sahlfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Samayoa, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sand, Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. David L. Sapenoff, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Saunders, Mr. and Mrs. Kent P. Saylor, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scaduto, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Scanlon, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Schaefer, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Schaefer, Mrs. Vida Mae Schell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schellhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Scherer, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Scherer, Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Schermerhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Scherschligt, Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Scheve, Mr. and Mrs. George V. Schieber, Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Schieber, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schieber, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Schiefelbein, Dr. Rodney J. Schieffer, Mr. Hal W. Schierts, Ms. Andrea M. Schiffelbein, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schlader, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Schloegel, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmader, Mr. and Mrs. James Schmank, Mr. and Mrs. Kirby Schmelzle, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew X. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Schmidt, Mr. Rodney Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Corey Schmidtberger, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schmitz, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Todd C. Schneider, Mr. Charles F. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Jon E. Schnieders, Dr. and Mrs. Donald F. Scholz, Mr. James L. Schramm, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Mike Schreck, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schreiner, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Schroder, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Schroer, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schuele, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schugart, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Schugel, Mr. and Mrs. David Schukai, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schulte, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Schulte, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schwaller, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Schwartz III, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory E. Schwerdt, Mrs. Bernadine Schwerdt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Schwermann, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schwind, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Scott, Mrs. Brenda Scruggs, Ms. Kim Seafer, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin M. Sechi, Mr. Jeffrey A. Seib and Ms. Kelly Ashton, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Seitzer, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sexton, Mr. and Dr. Don Shankman, Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Shea, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sheeran, Mr. and Ms. David Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Shell, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shirley, Mr. Brent Shriver, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Shriwise, Mr. and Mrs. William Sichko, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Sieben, Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Sieve, Jr., Miss Patricia K. Simecka, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Sims, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Sims, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sinclair, Mr. Anthony Skabialka, Mr. and Mrs. Greg J. Skoch, Mr. and Mrs. John Slater, Ms. Mary J. Slatten, Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Slaven, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Sleypen, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Sloan, Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Smagiel, Mr. and Mrs. Greg L. Smart, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Donny Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Duane R. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Smith, Mr. Robert D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Smoots, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck E. Smrt, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sneed, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Snider, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Snow, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Snyder, Mrs. Ruth M. Sobek, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Spachek, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spaedy, Mr. and Mrs. Mike P. Spahalski, Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Spalitto, Mrs. Martha K. Spence, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Spenceri, Mrs. Patricia M. Spridgen, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Staab, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Staab, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Stalp, Mr. and Mrs. Jon Stanfield, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stanley, Dr. and Mrs. Robert T. Stein, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell D. Steiner, Mr. Roger W. Steiner, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Sterbenz, Mr. and Mrs. Doug R. Sterbenz, Mrs. Mary T. Stewart, Ms. Stephanie A. Stewart, Dr. and Dr. Michael C. Stiles, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Stine, Mr. Sherman J. Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Stolinski, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Stolz, Father Richard Storey, Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Strain, Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Strathman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Strathman, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Straub III, Mr. and Mrs. Philip I. Straub, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Straub, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Strausbaugh, Mr. Charles Strauss, Mr. and Mrs. Larry M. Strecker, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Streitman, Mr. Ron L. Stricker, Mr. Gary Strothman, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Stukel, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph A. Stupar, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Stuppy, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Stutzman, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suarez, Mr. Stanley S. Subelka, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sudbeck, Mr. Tim J. Suellentrop, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sullivan, Mr. Richard J. Sulzen, Ms. Darlene Summerour, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Terrance M. Super, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Suprenant, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Surbaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suther, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Sutherland, Mr. and Mrs. David J. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Svoboda, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Swan, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Sweeney, Mr. and Mrs. James Sweet, Mr. and Mrs. Doug E. Switzer, Dr. Rita R. Tablante, Mr. and Mrs. Chris F. Talarico, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tanner, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Tappan, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Taylor, Mrs. Georgianna Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Dan R. Teahan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Teahan, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Tedder, Mr. and Mrs. William Textor, Mrs. Maxine G. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Thill, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Thomas, Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Thompson, Mr. John M. Thompson, Ms. Kristen Thomson, Ms. Margot A. Thornhill, Ms. Patricia D. Tierney, Mr. and Mrs. Donald K. Tillett, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Timmons, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Timpe, Mr. Rob C. Tinker, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Bill E. Tinkler, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Titus, Mr. and Mrs. John Todor, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Tomlin, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Torres, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Totta, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Tracy, Mr. and Mrs. William Trenkle, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William D. Trimble, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Troester, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Trum, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Tunink, Mr. and Mrs. George L. Tupa, Mrs. Bea Turner, Mr. and Mrs. David Tuttle, Mr. and Mrs. John Twohig, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Tyson, Ms. Rosemarie Tyson, Dr. Kahdi Udobi, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Ure, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Van Buren, Ms. Bridget R. Van Gotten, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Vance, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Vance, Dr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Vander Velde, Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Vanwalleghem, Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Varraveto, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Vega, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Venable, Mr. William R. Venable, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Gerardo G. Vergara, Mrs. Peggy Verschelden, Ms. Patricia M. Verschelden, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck A. Verville, Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Vielhauer, Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Villegas, Mr. and Mrs. John Virgo, Mr. and Mrs. Eric S. Vogel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Vohs, Father Jerry Volz, Dr. and Mrs. Jim T. Voorhees, D.D.S., Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Voran, Dr. and Mrs. Craig L. Vosburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Vyhanek, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T. Wagstaff, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wahl, Mr. and Mrs. John Wahlmeier, Mr. Ed L. Walden, Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Walker, Mrs. Joann L. Walker and Mr. Max Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Walter, Dr. and Mrs. Dean Walton, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Walton, Mrs. Sylvia A. Wapp, Miss Victoria K. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Waris, Mr. Michael Waris, Father Richard J. Warsnak, Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Warsnak, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Waters, Col. (ret) and Mrs. William J. Weafer, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Weaver, Mrs. Joann Weaver, Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Sam L. Weems, Ms. Melinda S. Wehrle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Weinrich, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Weiss, Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Weixelman, Mr. and Mrs. John Welch, Mr. Tim Wenger, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wesonig, Mr. Thomas Westerman, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Whaley, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Whitacre, Dr. and Mrs. Jim Whitaker, Dr. and Mrs. Stephen H. White, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick B. White, Mr. and Mrs. William B. White, Mrs. Esther White, Mr. and Mrs. Don Whitlock, Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Rodney E. Wichtendahl, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wiedeman, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Wiedeman, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Wierzbicki, Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Wietharn, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Wilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory A. Wilcox, Mr. Patrick A. Wilkerson, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Willcott, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Williams, Mr. Robert J. Willis, Mrs. Frances Willis, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wilson, Ms. Cynthia L. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher M. Winger, Mr. Kevin J. Winkley, Mr. Christopher Winter, Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Winterman, Mrs. Anne Winterman, Mr. and Mrs. Brett Wobker, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wodtke, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wohler, Mr. and Mrs. Brad P. Wohletz, Dr. and Mrs. J. Ambrose Wolf, Mrs. Martha Wolf-Holland, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wolters, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wonderlich, Mr. and Mrs. Chip Wood, Mr. and Mrs. John Wood, Ms. Cathy Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce M. Woolverton, Mr. John Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Wurtenberger, Mrs. Juanita Wymore, Mr. and Mrs. Dale H. Wytock, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Yanez, Mrs. Sarah Ye, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Yoksh, Mr. and Mrs. John Yorke, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Zancanelli, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Zapf, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard A. Zarda, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Zarda, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Zarse, Miss Sharon Zawada, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Zeit, Mr. Wayne Zetzman, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene L. Zieha, Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Zielinski, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Zimmerman, Mr. Sherman B. Zimmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Zweig, Anonymous, Blessed Seelos Fund, CN Asset Management, LCC, Korean Catholic Community, Medical Sisters of St. Joseph, St. John-Mary Vianney Latin Mass Community, St. Philippine Duchesne Latin Mass Community

The Crosier Society includes all individuals and families who respond by gifting one-percent of their annual income or at least $1,000 to the Archbishop’s Call to Share in a given year. We regret any errors or omissions.

LOCAL NEWS 7

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010 Margaret V. (Rieke) and Donald W. Peters, members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Nov. 21 with family. The couple was married at St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee ANNIVERSARIES on Nov. 21, 1940.

Their children and their spouses are: Donna and Bob Nicholas, St. Louis; Janice and Tom Hughes, Easton, Md.; Susan and John Paul, St. Louis; Dennis and Connie Peters, Shawnee; and Joyce and Ron Schleppegrell, Los Angeles. They also have five grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

J.C. and Mary Lou (Stuke) Brown, members of the Annunciation Parish, Baldwin, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Nov. 25 with a family dinner at St. Ann’s Hall.

The couple was married Nov. 29, 1950, at St. James Church, Wetmore, by Father Germaine Kuckleman. Their children and their spouses are: Dan and Sheryl Brown, Laura and Greg Torneden, and Rob and Michelle Brown, all of Overbrook; Joe Brown, Beaumont, Texas; David and Twilla Brown, and Mark and Sherri Brown, Baldwin; and Anthony and Susie Brown, Eudora. They also have 25 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth (Banks) and Donald Weick, members of Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27 with family and friends. The couple was married on Nov. 26, 1960, at St. Augustine Church, Fidelity. Their children and their spouses are: Janet Huggins; Sheila and John Gonzales; Charlotte and Thorsten Bogner; Dan and Susie Weick; David Weick; and Kathy and John Belt. They also have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Rita (Koelzer) and Bernard “Bunny” Darveaux, members of St. Dominic Parish, Holton, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 21. The couple was married on Nov. 21, 1950, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Falls City, Neb. Their children and their spouses are: Gerald and Lori Darveaux, Valley Falls; Cynthia and Gary Schwindt, Perry; William and Terri Darveaux, Holton; Cathryn and Andy Lauer, Meriden; and Bernard “BJ” Darveaux Jr., Holton.

They also have 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A family dinner and card shower are planned. Cards may be sent to: 22491 K-16 Hwy., Holton KS 66436.

WORLDWIDE VIGIL FOR

NASCENT HUMAN LIFE SAT., NOV. 27 2010 @ 7 P.M. Pope Benedict calls for unprecedented prayer event Join Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at Mater Dei - Holy Name Church 1114 SW 10th Ave, Topeka

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher at St. Joseph Church 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee

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I

By Steven J. Rolfes

t seems as though every possible stage of life and situation has a patron saint. First, we have the professions. Bus drivers may have a Saint Christopher medal on their key chain, while police officers may wear a medallion of Saint Michael the Archangel. Funeral directors are watched over by Saint Dismas, bartenders by Saint Amand, shoemakers by Saint Crispin . . . even clowns have a patron in Saint Genesius!

Certain diseases and unfortunate circumstances also have those we can call on for strength. Everything from leprosy (Saint Lazarus) to obsession (Saint Quirinus) has a special heavenly benefactor. Even the ordeal of growing up has the beloved Saint Nicholas.

Many of these holy offices were assigned way back in the Middle Ages and are somewhat behind the times. Modern life — fast-paced and often bewildering — presents a whole new set of challenges. Thus in my opinion, it’s time to update this list a bit, to expand the offices to include the challenges faced

by Christians in today’s world. After all, with more than six thousand canonized saints, certainly a few of them should have some spare time on their hands!

Nothing is as frustrating as a weekend trip to the mall, endlessly circling the parking lot like a hungry buzzard, searching for that perfect spot near the door. Then at long last, someone gets into a car to leave a cherished space, and you sit there with your signal on, waiting helplessly while the person starts the car, buckles the seat belt, adjusts the GPS, tunes in the radio, and apparently runs a complete diagnostic exam of the engine.

Whom should we call on to help us through this ordeal? I’d suggest Saint Benedict Joseph Labre. This curious eighteenth-century French saint was said to be able to bilocate and even float in the air — both very good tactical advantages while prowling the mall parking lot.

He wandered about Europe, so he would also know a few things about being lost and frustrated. However, he was well-known for giving all of his possessions to the poor, even his meager bits of food. His real lesson to us as we search for a convenient parking space is simply to let someone else have it — perhaps an elderly person or someone with small children.

M

Photo illustration by Todd Habiger

any of us have to deal with computers and the myriad of tiny demons these infernal engines produce on a daily basis. We suffer everything from messages informing us how lucky we are to win some fabulous prize to the machine’s freezing, crashing, or acquiring more viruses than Pas-

St. Joseph dealt with many trying circumstances in his lifetime, as patron saint of parenting surely he can help us deal with many parenting trials such as chaperoning a field trip or coaching Little League.

This is where a screen displays one constant image for a glacial epoch while a coordinator drones on in a voice like Ben Stein on tranquilizers.

Rather than whisper to the person next to you, “There’s a blunt object over there.

Would you please be so kind as to put me out of my misery?” perhaps we should call upon someone to help us in our time of desperation.

How about Saint Simeon Stylites? He tried to reach God by subjecting himself to pain and hardship, including retreating to the Syrian desert and living for years on top of a pillar. Just be careful not to follow his example too closely and try to escape by climbing the flagpole in front of the building. It won’t work — eventually they’ll find you.

W

hen it comes to parenting, few ordeals can test one’s sanity like chaperoning a grade-school field trip — a task roughly equivalent to herding ferrets. Or how about the joy of dealing with other parents as a Little League coach? Your Saturday mornings will then consist of being informed in a voice that could address the multitudes

Photo illustration by Todd Habiger

teur’s laboratory. Certainly we should have a heavenly guide to discourage us from rebooting with a hammer!

Believe it or not, such a saint already exists. Although Saint Isidore of Seville lived in the sixth century and never saw a computer, he was quite learned and resourceful enough to communicate the word of God to others and convert the barbarian Visigoths. By 1999, the church decided that anyone who could do that could certainly handle computer pop-ups.

Another unfortunate circumstance for which many of us twenty-first–century Christians beg for heavenly intercession is that insidious modern device of torture known as the PowerPoint presentation.

that you are in dire need of a seeing-eye dog for not recognizing a child’s innate athletic ability.

Rather than reach for one of the bats, call on good old Saint Joseph. He dealt with everything from a rather rushed marriage, his wife’s giving birth in a garage, losing his child in a crowd, right up to being transferred to another city courtesy of King Herod. Somehow he got through it all without losing his patience, and I have no doubt he will help us do the same.

One particularly stressful test of my faith and patience is the weekly journey to the discount chain for groceries and the other necessities of modern living. You know the one I’m talking

about. Here we’re treated to a Richard Simmons’ workout, pushing a cart with wobbly wheels up and down endless aisles, accentuated by seeing some very interesting people, outrageously dressed and acting as though they will be summoned back to the mother ship at any moment. Others are disciplining their children in a manner that indicates they have watched way too much professional wrestling.

All of this, however, is only the matinee. The real test of one’s sanity is the checkout line. Daring to step into the express lane, we now have to perform intricate calculus problems to determine if four bags of chips count as one or four items. It doesn’t matter; the person just ahead of us (the one with the overflowing cart and the screaming child) is obviously using some esoteric economic formula to determine her fifteen items. Then just as it becomes our turn to be greeted by the dour lady with the personality of a sleep-deprived Doberman, the lane next to us opens, and the customers behind us stream into that line. Thus we are reminded of the biblical passage, “The first will be last, and the last will be first.”

To keep our shredded sanity and patience, how about calling on Saint Leo the Great? After all, if he could persuade Attila the Hun not to invade Western Europe, he could certainly help us deal with this situation.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest aggravations today is the cell phone.

People drive in the most interesting ways while they talk, text, or calculate a moon shot.

We should call on Saint Goar, a German hermit from the sixth century. He was so distracted by thoughts of God that he once tried to hang his cloak on a sunbeam. This is a perfect description of the attention span of anyone talking on a cell phone!

One might question how saints who lived their lives in ancient or medieval times could be of assistance to us in this very modern world. The problems and challenges we face today are not really so different from those faced by our ancestors. Can you imagine the sights you would have seen in the marketplace of ancient Rome? People are still people, whether living during the reign of Charlemagne or riding the bus with us today.

People still face the same aggravations and deal with the same temptations and frailties — only the toys have changed.

To face these modern challenges, we should look to holy men and women who faced similar obstacles and strive to follow their examples of piety and faith. They are more than willing to give us a helping hand. All we have to do is ask.

From the November 2010 issue of Liguorian magazine. Reprinted with permission of Liguorian magazine (www. liguorian.org).

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Catholic policy agenda unchanged by election results BALTIMORE (CNS) — Despite the “endless, endless commercials” during the 2010 political cycle, “you didn’t hear much about the poor and vulnerable,” said John Carr, executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development. “Nobody talked about them — Democratic or Republican,” said Carr, who participated with two others in a panel discussion about Catholic policy priorities following the Nov. 2 election. Nevertheless, the Catholic public policy agenda in the lame-duck Congress that will complete its work this year and in the 112th Congress that convenes in January will remain focused on the poor, the unborn, the immigrant and other vulnerable populations, the panelists told participants Nov. 5 in the Eastern regional convention of the Catholic Press Association in Baltimore. Along with Maria Odom, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, known as CLINIC, and Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, Carr looked forward after the election, saying that campaign rhetoric or the results in terms of parties are not the Catholic Church’s focus. “Our focus is the least of these,” he said. “And that is not the focus of Washington no matter who is in charge.” Carr said that during the coming debate on tax policy, “there will be a huge argument on how people at the top get taxed.”

Miami meeting fosters unity among Cuban Catholics MIAMI (CNS) — Their experiences over the past 51 years may be different, but the Cuban Catholic Church is one and the Cuban people are one, regardless of which side of the Florida Straits they live in. That was the message being repeated Nov. 8-11 as a delegation of clergy, religious and laity from Cuba took part in a four-day meeting with a delegation of clergy, religious and laity from the Cuban diaspora. Those meetings have been going on since 1997, said Bishop Arturo Gonzalez of Santa Clara, Cuba, who as head of the Cuban bishops’ Commission on Human Mobility and Commission on the Family, led the 15-member delegation to the United States. Bishop Gonzalez stressed that the annual meetings are aimed at “discovering the ties that bind” Cuban Catholics in every part of the world. Quoting from the Gospel of John, “that all may be one,” he expressed the hope that Cubans, regardless of where they live, “may be united in what is essential. We want to share our experiences . . . our worries and our hopes . . . to see how we can support one another,” he said.

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Corruption, waste, prolong poverty in Africa

‘Redouble efforts’ to protect Iraqis, says cardinal WASHINGTON (CNS) — The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged the U.S. government to “redouble its efforts to assist Iraqis” in providing safety for its citizens, especially religious minorities.

“To meet its moral obligations to the Iraqi people, it is critically important that the United States take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks,” said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago in a Nov. 9 letter to U.S. President Barack Obama.

Reminding Obama that the U.S. bishops had expressed “grave moral questions” before the U.S.-led combat began in Iraq and had warned of the “unpredictable consequences” of that action, Cardinal George said, “The decimation of the Christian community in Iraq and the continuing violence that threatens all Iraqis are among those tragic consequences.”

Although the U.S. bishops welcome the end of U.S. combat in Iraq, Cardinal George said, the United States “has so far failed in helping Iraqis to develop the political will needed to deploy effective strategies to protect the lives of all citizens.”

“Having invaded Iraq, our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves,” he added.

The cardinal outlined a series of steps that, “at a minimum,” the United States and the international community must help Iraq to achieve: • “Enable the Iraqi government to function for the common good of all Iraqis.

• “Build the capacity of Iraq’s military and police to provide security for all citizens, including minorities.

• “Improve the judicial system and rule of law.

• “Promote reconciliation and the protection of human rights, especially religious freedom.

• “Rebuild Iraq’s shattered economy so that Iraqis can support their families.

• “Assist refugees and internally displaced Iraqis.”

By Francis Njuguna

Catholic News Service

CNS photo/Bob Roller

CNS photo/Paul Haring

STUDENT PUSHES YOUNG DISABLED MAN — Peter Mulholland, a seventh-grader at St. John the Evangelist School in Silver Spring, Md., pushes Christian Renfro during a Nov. 1 walkathon to benefit St. Joseph’s House in Silver Spring, Md.

CHOIR SINGS BEFORE POPE’S GENERAL AUDIENCE — Members of an Italian choir sing before Pope Benedict XVI’s general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Nov. 10.

Death of newborn son turns job into ministry for couple

Pope offers step-by-step guide on how ‘lectio divina’ works

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

SILVER SPRING, Md. (CNS) — It started out as just a job.

But in the 27 years since Dan and Cubby LaHood started St. Joseph’s House to provide day care and respite care for children with disabilities, it has become their life’s work, a ministry that pays tribute to their son Francis, who was born with multiple birth defects and lived only a few minutes.

Back in 1983, Cubby LaHood, a special education teacher, was looking for a job she could do at home when she was pregnant with her first child. A friend with a disabled child called to ask if she could look after her son for a weekend.

Before she knew it, Cubby was taking care of seven babies with severe disabilities, in addition to her own son Joe. “When somebody heard there was someone out there willing to care for disabled children in a respite setting, the phone rang and it rang and rang and rang and rang,” said Dan LaHood. “And the more we got to know the people, the more we saw the need.”

Today, the LaHoods care for as many as eight children every weekday in their modest home in a Maryland suburb of Washington. Once or twice a month, they also provide respite care on the weekends.

The work involves the entire LaHood family, although Joe, a graduate of Providence College, recently moved to New York, where he teaches at a Catholic school in Harlem. Daughter Mary Frances attends the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, while youngest son John is at St. John the Evangelist School near the house.

But Francis, who died in 1988, has a presence at the home too. He is the reason that what was once merely “social work” became an apostolate, leading the LaHoods to take vows as members of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta’s Lay Missionaries of Charity.

“It became real to us through the short life and death of our son, who had he lived would be handicapped much like . . .,” said Dan LaHood, gesturing to the children in wheelchairs around him.

After Francis died, Dan left his job in the health care industry and joined Cubby in her work.

Asked how his life at St. Joseph’s House has changed him, Dan LaHood talks about improving his faith life and becoming more kind and patient.

“I’ve learned when you love someone you see them with new eyes — not secular eyes but the eyes of service,” he said.

“And it really does make you happy,” he added. “Maybe that’s the biggest change. I’m happy now in a way I never could have imagined.”

Villa St. Francis

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In his postsynodal document on the Word of God, Pope Benedict XVI urged all Christians to get to know the sacred Scriptures better.

He gave a few suggestions that included having a Bible in every home and engaging in a more attentive, prayerful listening to Gospel readings.

The pope paid particular attention to the importance and efficacy of “lectio divina,” a form of prayerful meditation on the word of God, and he offered a step-by-step guide on the practice.

The post-synodal apostolic exhortation, “Verbum Domini” (“The Word of the Lord”), was released Nov. 11.

The pope said the first step is to open with a reading (“lectio”) of a text, “which leads to a desire to understand its true context: What does the biblical text say in itself?”

Understanding what the text is trying to say is important so as to move beyond one’s own notions and ideas, he said.

“Next comes meditation (‘meditatio’), which asks: What does the biblical text say to us?” the pope wrote.

Christians both as individuals and as a community need to let themselves be

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“moved and challenged” by what the sacred text is telling them, he wrote.

“Following this comes prayer (‘oratio’), which asks the question: what do we say to the Lord in response to his word?” wrote the pope.

Prayer is critical for hearts and minds to be transformed, he wrote.

“Finally, ‘lectio divina’ concludes with contemplation (‘contemplatio’), during which we take up, as a gift from God, his own way of seeing and judging reality, and ask ourselves what conversion of mind, heart and life is the Lord asking of us?” he wrote.

God asks everyone not to conform themselves to the world, but to be transformed by conversion, he wrote.

Contemplation and reflection let the mind consider reality as God sees it and help foster within oneself “the mind of Christ,” the papal document said.

“The process of ‘lectio divina’ is not concluded until it arrives at action (‘actio’), which moves the believer to make his or her life a gift for others in charity,” said the pope.

The pope said in his document that the monastic tradition of “lectio divina” is “truly capable of opening up to the faithful the treasures of God’s word, but also of bringing about an encounter with Christ, the living word of God.”

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNS) — The archbishop of Burkina Faso questioned why poverty persists across Africa despite an abundance of natural resources during the opening session of a conference for African theologians.

“In some of the African countries endowed with, say gold, uranium and diamonds, people were hard hit by poverty, while school and health facilities continued to lack,” Archbishop Anselme Sanon of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, said in a Nov. 8 address to more than 200 theologians.

The conference looked at the church’s role in reinventing Africa, as well as ethics, ecclesiology and evangelization.

Although the African continent can cite some success stories in development and eradication of dire poverty in the five decades since the end of colonial rule, most countries continued to face serious challenges in overcoming hunger, providing adequate health care and educating their people, he said.

Archbishop Sanon was saddened to see the continued exploitation of the continent’s natural resources in the face of dire human needs.

Prior to the wave of independence that washed across Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, “our economic saboteurs were colonialists,” the archbishop said.

He charged that “some of our new leaders have continued to undertake the same bad mission.”

Archbishop Sanon attributed current difficulties to corruption and the mismanagement of natural resources by political leaders.

“If 50 years of the Africa’s independence is not good enough today, surely we must work hard so that come another 50 years, we shall have a better story to tell,” he said.

The church can play a role in overturning corruption and exploitation by stressing its social teaching, he added.

WORLD 11

Parish to dedicate what it says is largest statue of Christ WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — A parish in western Poland will dedicate what it says is the world’s largest statue of Christ in what a local church spokesman said is a “show of devotion” by local Catholics.

“We’re treating this monument as a sign of faith — an external manifestation that religious belief is still alive here,” said Father Andrzej Sapieha, spokesman for Poland’s Zielona Gora-Gorzow Diocese. “While we are called to live a Christian life, faith also demands material proofs through the figures and crosses adorning our churches.

This statue very much reflects this logic,” he told Catholic News Service Nov. 8. The reinforced-concrete statue, more than 35 feet taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Christ of Peace statue in Cochabamba, Bolivia, will be dedicated in late November at Divine Mercy Parish in Swiebodzin, 20 miles from the border with Germany. Father Sapieha said the statue was a local initiative, “but there’s been great interest in this project among the faithful everywhere.” “The fact that the biggest Christ figure in the world is being set up here shows the strength of Polish belief and will encourage Catholics to have trust in Christ and renew their faith,” he added.

Women held in Irish laundries should be compensated DUBLIN (CNS) — The Irish government has asked the country’s attorney general to consider a report by the Irish Human Rights Commission that calls for compensating women and girls held in the so-called Magdalene laundries run by 10 religious orders.

Former inmates of the laundries, also known as Magdalene asylums, presented their case to the commission because they were not entitled to the same compensation given to former residents of churchmanaged orphanages and youth facilities despite often suffering the same hardship and neglect highlighted in the Ryan Report published in 2009. The report exposed decades of child abuse and neglect in churchrun residential institutions. The laundries housed young women and girls who had become pregnant outside of marriage.

Most were placed in them by their families.

Such asylums were not uniquely Irish or Catholic, and versions of them operated in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada and the United States. In Ireland, the laundries also were used to detain girls accused of petty crimes. The laundries operated in independent Ireland from the 1920s until 1996. Observers estimated that about 200 former Magdalene inmates survive.

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Requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in theology, youth ministry or related field; master’s degree preferred. Background in camping, youth ministry, or religious education preferred. The individual must also be an active and practicing member of his/her parish. A complete job description and application are available on the archdiocese’s Web site at: www.archkck.org (click on the “Human Resources” tab).

Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume, and application by Nov. 23 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Camp Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send, via e-mail, to: kthomas@arch kck.org.

Youth minister - Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, is seeking a youth minister. This position will lead our junior and senior high youth in developing their faith through the four pillars of discipleship: hospitality, spirituality, formation and service. This person must be a faith-filled practicing member of his/her parish and eager to work with young people. Send a resume and cover letter to: Most Pure Heart of Mary Search Committee, 1800 S.W. Stone Ave., Topeka KS 66604.

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THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

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LeafGuard, attached garage with extended driveway, newer roof, extra insulation, new windows, furnace and AC with programmable thermostat, appliances. $115,000. Visit: www.fsbo-kc.com, id 6018.

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

Ottawa home - 3 BR, 3 BA ranch. Full fin. walkout bsmt. Across from country club. Easy access to I-35. Next to park. $149,950. MLS#1692987. Call Betty Birzer, Reece & Nichols, at (785) 418-5701 or (785) 229-8890 or visit: www.betty birzer.com.

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: smokey cabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Westwood home FSBO - 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA ranch.

Low utilities; well-insulated; dry, partially fin. bsmt.; lots of storage; fenced backyard; hardwood floors.

SME school district; near St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School. $169,500. Call (913) 432-2287.

Masonry work – Quality, new or repair work.

Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

Olathe home - Cozy up to a beautiful floor-toceiling, wood-burning, brick fireplace! 3 BR, 1-1/2 BA, finished lower level, two-car garage, raised ranch with wonderfully landscaped front yard. All new paint inside and out; new flooring and carpet; newer roof; new HVAC and dishwasher; new kitchen cabinets and countertops. Appliances stay — including washer and dryer. Large decks, fenced yard, shed and private backyard that backs to woods. Walk to schools.

Shopping minutes away. Seller is motivated; move in tomorrow! Best price in Olathe at $144,950. Located at 714 E. 125th Terr. Call (913) 825-4040 or send an e-mail to: becky@divateam.com.

Kansas City, Kan. FSBO - 2 BR, 2 BA home in excellent condition in maintenance-free Parkway Village retirement community (55+ years old). Located on a cul-de-sac near 83rd and Parallel, Kansas City, Kan. Near Providence Hospital and St. Patrick Parish.

Washer, dryer, refrigerator and stove all remain. Call Joyce at (913) 422-4137.

Wanted to buy Lionel trains – Any condition. Call Donald at (913) 485-6700.

Antique/Vintage Costume Jewelry ***Wanted to Buy*** * Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic.

Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269 Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Entertainment DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function.

Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 548-6765 or visit the Web site at: www.djirishman.com.

Nov. 19-20

The Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, will host its annual marketplace

from 7 - 10 p.m. on Nov. 19 and from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the parish hall. Vendors from the community will offer a variety of products — ranging from jewelry, handbags and accessories to health and beauty products, gourmet foods and children’s books and toys. Enjoy early Christmas shopping!

Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., followed by a rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing; Benediction concludes services at 9:45 a.m.

Blessed Sacrament

28

19

20 The eighth-grade class of St. Patrick Parish, 1086 N. 94th St.,

Kansas City, Kan., will sponsor a craft fair from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the parish hall. For information, call the church office at (913) 299-3370.

The Knights of Columbus of Wheaton and Onaga will host a soup day on Nov. 20 at the Wheaton Community Center from 4 - 8 p.m. A freewill donation will be collected.

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a polka dance, featuring the Brian McCarty ensemble, at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 at their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr. The cost of $10 includes beverages and sauerkraut and sausage sandwiches. For information or to reserve a table, contact Dan Nicks at (913) 631-4933.

There will be an Irish hooley benefit — featuring Brigid’s Cross, Eddie Delahunt, Rob Gavin and more musicians — from 7:30 - 11 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the Lenexa Community Center, 92nd and Pflumm, Overland Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. Beverage and food will be available for purchase. The cost is $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Tickets are available at Browne’s Irish Market, Sheehan’s Irish Imports, or Eddie Delahunt’s Café.

All proceeds will benefit the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Rugby Club. For information, call (913) 731-9945 or (913) 438-9222.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 10834 of St. Francis de Sales Parish, 900 Ida St., Lansing, will host a parish garage sale from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the parish basement. Items may be donated after Mass or during the week prior to the sale by contacting the church office at (913) 727-3742. Proceeds will benefit the kitchen fund.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Nov. 20 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room.

The topic will be: “Lessons From Lincoln on Grieving.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

Father Tom Hesse will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass at 8 a.m. on Nov. 20 at Sts. Cyril and

Parishioners of the former St. John the Divine Church, Kansas City, Kan., are planning a reunion in 2011. The reunion committee will host a taco dinner from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Monchies, 1350 S. 26th St., Kansas City, Kan. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! For information or to join the committee, call Bea Ramirez at (913) 831-0731.

Shop for the holidays and support Keeler Women’s Center from 1 - 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Ten Thousand Villages, 7947 Santa Fe, Overland Park, where 15% of all sales will be donated to help the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica fulfill their mission of empowering women in the urban core of Kansas City, Kan., through education, advocacy, and personal and spiritual development.

The eighth-grade class at Holy Cross School, 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park, will host a Friday family fun night

on Nov. 19 in Pflumm Hall. A taco dinner will be served from 5 - 7 p.m., followed by bingo from 7 - 9 p.m. The cost for dinner is $7; $3 for children ages 4 to 10 years. Bingo is 50¢ a game. For information, call Cathy Buchanan at (913) 579-2385 or Marcia Wassenburg (913) 649-7634.

show and bierock sale from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 27. Frozen bierocks will be available to take home.

21

Blessed Sacrament Church, 2215 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host a fall dinner, bingo and bazaar raffles on Nov. 21 in the family center/ cafeteria. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 1 - 3 p.m., followed by bingo and bazaar raffles from 3 - 6 p.m. Meal tickets cost $8 for adults; $5 for children. Bazaar raffle tickets cost $1 each or six for $5.

The Men’s Society of St. Casimir Church, 719 Pennsylvania Ave., Leavenworth, will host its annual golumbki dinner from noon - 3 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the parish hall. Tickets cost $8 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under.

For information, call the parish office at (913) 772-2424. Meatloaf will also be served; carryouts are available.

Do you have high ideals? Are you willing to make a difference in the world?

The Sisters, Servants of Mary invite young women to come and have a personal encounter with Christ from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 at their motherhouse, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. For information, contact Sister Lucero at (913) 371-3423 or send an email to her at: vocservantsmkc@yahoo. com.

1

Dec.

An Advent retreat for women, presented by Benedictine Sister Bridget Dickason, entitled “Advent: A Season to Prepare Our Hearts,” will be offered from 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Would You Hire You?” from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. on Dec. 1. Deb Foster will lead a crash course for job seekers that will incorporate job readiness and life skills for women who are looking for an entry-level job or who are experiencing difficulty in keeping a job. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb. org/kwc.

Madrigal dinner

The support group of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School, 530 E. 4th Ave., Garnett, will host its annual craft

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

The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., will offer photos and visits with St. Nicholas from 1 - 4 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the West Room.

Share milk and cookies while enjoying a coloring project focused on religious traditions of the season. For information, call (913) 371-3264.

5

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a pancakes-and-more breakfast from 7:30 a.m. - noon on Dec. 5 in their hall, 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Freewill donations will be accepted. Bring your camera because Santa Claus will greet the children! For information, call (913) 492-3356.

8

A new Toastmasters group is being established in Kansas City, Kan. A meeting will be held from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Eisenhower Center, 2901 N. 72nd St. For information, visit the Web site at: http://kck.freetoasthost.org.

Misc.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 10834, of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing, will host a raffle to raise funds for the future parish kitchen. Speedway Auto Group, Lansing, has donated a Vespa Piaggio FLY 150 scooter. Tickets will be available after all Masses for a suggested donation of $5 each or six for $25. The drawing will be held following the 10:15 Mass on Dec. 19.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer free haircuts to women preparing for an

interview or seeking employment. To schedule an appointment with a licensed beautician, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

A support group for women dealing with any type of addiction, at any stage

Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 9068990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

Healing from pornography? Monthly theology of the body groups and weekly recovery groups are available for men and women. For information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com, or call Sam Meier at (913) 647-0378.

27

An all-city Christian singles dance will be held from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 27 in the parish hall at Holy Trinity Church, 92nd and Pflumm, Lenexa. The cost is $15 at the door. Zepster the DJ will provide music. Beer, wine, bottled water and snacks will be provided.

ter Marcia Ziska, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. The cost is $50. Registration by Nov. 20 is appreciated. For more information

of recovery, will meet from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Keeler Women’s

The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will have a memorial Mass for deceased members at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Mater Dei- Assumption Parish, 204 S.W. 8th, Topeka.

A business meeting and fellowship will follow in Rossiter Hall.

The worldwide vigil celebration for all nascent (early) human life will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 27.

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher will celebrate the vigil for the Kansas City area at St. Joseph Church, 5901 Flint, Shawnee. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate the vigil for the Topeka area at Mater Dei-Holy Name Church, 1114 S.W. 10th St., Topeka.

CALENDAR 13

3-5

The choir students of St. James Academy, 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa, will host their annual madrigal dinner at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 - 5.

Prepare to be transported back to medieval times to enjoy an evening of dinner, Christmas music and theater. For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Web site at: www.sjakeepingfaith.org.

4

The Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Qualities of a Healthy Spirituality,” presented by Benedictine Sis-

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

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

Calendar items must be received nine days before the publication date. E-mail submissions are preferred; send to: jennifer@theleaven.

14 COMMENTARY

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

QUOTE WEEK

OF THE

“People think, because Kansas is an agricultural state, that we don’t have the problems of hunger and poverty some big cities experience. That’s just not true. Hunger is just as much a problem in Kansas as in any place in the nation.”

Barbara LaClair, chairperson of the Kansas Food Security Task Force See story on page 1

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Nov. 21 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING 2 Sm 5: 1-3; Ps 122: 1-5; Col 1: 12-20; Lk 23: 35-43 Nov. 22 Cecilia, virgin, martyr Rv 14: 1-3, 4b-5; Ps 24: 1b-4b, 5-6; Lk 21: 1-4 Nov. 23 Clement I, pope, martyr; Columban, abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, priest, martyr Rv 14: 14-19; Ps 96: 10-13; Lk 21: 5-11 Nov. 24 Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and his companions, martyrs Rv 15: 1-4; Ps 98: 1-3b, 7-9; Lk 21: 12-19 Nov. 25 Thanksgiving Day Sir 50: 22-24; Ps 138: 1-5; 1 Cor 1: 3-9; Lk 17: 11-19 Nov. 26 Friday Rv 20: 1-4, 11 — 21:2; Ps 84: 3-6a, 8a; Lk 21: 29-33 Nov. 27 Saturday Rv 22: 1-7; Ps 95: 1-7b; Lk 21: 34-36

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

“H

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

MARK MY WORDS

WORD OF LIFE

Find time . . . and the rest is easy

Give thanks to the gift of faith — and learn more

oly cow, I can’t believe that it’s Thanksgiving already! Where has this year gone?”

For the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing many variations on this theme. We live in a speeded-up world with unrelenting demands. Time is a precious and scarce commodity, particularly during the season of Advent, which begins on Thanksgiving weekend.

I feel guilty every Advent. While I want to experience quiet prayer to prepare my mind, heart and soul for a deeper coming of Christ at Christmas, there are extra confessions to hear, gifts to buy and wrap, cards to send, and concerts and shows and parties to attend — all in addition to regular duties. Advent passes in an incredible blur and, more often than not, I find myself welcoming Jesus on Christmas with a lot less joy and a lot more stress than I feel I should have. And I suspect I’m not alone in this.

Perhaps this year, doing a little thinking in this week before Advent (with a calendar sitting in front of us) can help clarify what we hope to accomplish in these days and when we can realistically get these things done.

I always do better with a guide and, because I don’t “do Advent” very successfully, I’m actually going to rely on two guides — both from right here in the archdiocese — to keep me on an even keel and provide me with a rhythm to keep things humming along. Each guide has compiled detailed Advent instructions in book form, so you don’t have to add “travel to visit guide” to your already bulging “to-do” list.

The first guide is one of my favorites: Father Ed Hays. I’m embarrassed to say that his booklet — “Meeting Christ at Broadway & Bethlehem: Day by Day Through Advent” — actually came out last year . . . but I was too busy and preoccupied to read it. (See how I don’t do Advent well?)

Father Hays helps us navigate this “confusing” season. On the one hand, there’s Bethlehem: the four-week Advent

season of “preparation with prayer, repentance and quiet contemplation.”

On the other hand, there’s Broadway: the world around us “aglow with glitzy yuletide glamour and decorated in tinsel-lighted Christmas trees.” How we can make our way in these contradictory worlds — “one longing for Christ’s coming and the other already joyously celebrating its arrival” — is the focus of the book. Each day’s one-page entry has a short meditation, a practical task to bring some Advent joy to the day, and a brief closing prayer.

Father Hays offers a refreshing vision of Advent, where we do yearn “for the coming of the reign of God-among-us, while at the same time reveling in the joyful reality of that Kingdom already present here and now in our everyday lives.” Yes, Broadway and Bethlehem will intersect; Father Hays teaches us to appreciate both without guilt and live Advent with prophetic joy. By the way, at just $2.25 a copy, it won’t even dent your holiday budget.

A second helpful guide — one that takes readers from Advent through Epiphany — is written by Benedictine Sister Judith Sutera, of Atchison’s Mount St. Scholastica Monastery. Entitled “Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from St. Benedict” (Liguori Publications, 2010; $10.99), this work highlights that saint’s belief “that most of our earthly existence does not occur in ecstatic moments of divine enlightenment, but in the ordinary moments of daily life. If we can be aware of the presence of God in each of these moments and do each small thing with holy attentiveness, then we will be able to attain great insight for the whole of life.”

Each entry in the book starts with a selection from the writings of St. Benedict (or about him), followed by a brief Scripture passage, a prayer and then an “Advent action.” These actions make the prayer and meditation spring to life. For example, Sister Judith invites readers on various days to pray for people who annoy us and who we find hard to welcome; to remember those who are sick and unable to participate in the festivities of this time of year; to make some extra food when doing holiday recipes to donate to a program that serves the poor; or to reconnect with someone we’ve “neglected or from whom you have been distanced.”

I especially like Sister Judith’s idea of using this book as part of our night prayer. She includes a format that can be used by individuals or groups. Reading the next day’s meditation the night before can not only calm our heart and soul but give our mind the opportunity to dream creatively about how to pursue the next day’s Advent action.

Finally, because time — or a lack of it — is what we’re concerned about in this holiday season, I invite you to join me in pondering — then acting on — the following wise words from an anonymous source: Take time to think — it is the source of power.

Take time to play — it is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read — it is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to pray — it is the greatest power on earth.

Take time to love and be loved — it is a God-given privilege.

Take time to be friendly — it is the road to happiness.

Take time to laugh — it is the music of the soul.

Take time to give — it is too short a day to be selfish.

Take time to work — it is the price of success.

Find time — and the rest is easy!

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

I

COMMENTARY 15

T

he holiday season is just around the corner. I know this because at least one radio station has already switched over its format to Christmas carols and songs.

But before the Christmas shopping season kicks into full gear, we have the opportunity to celebrate one of my favorite holidays of the year — Thanksgiving.

I love to get together with friends and family and have a sit-down meal without work to be done or other places to be. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for the gifts of friends, family, food, and, of course, football. It is an

It is no wonder that he weaves a hymn of joy filled with so many seemingly impossible combinations of the attributes of Jesus that we can hardly get our minds around them.

God the Father sends his beloved Son to us for our redemption. This OUR LORD JESUS son, Jesus, was pres- CHRIST THE KING ent before all that is, Lk 23: 35-43 yet he is the firstborn of all creation.

“In him,” Paul says, “were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible.”

From our modern perspective we know that means the entire universe, an uncountable myriad of galaxies of bewilderingly beautiful shape and extent.

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together,” Paul continues.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Luke 23:42b

“He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Is it any wonder that we celebrate this solemnity of Christ the King?

That a book for writers of fiction made the bold statement that all good fiction has at its center a Christ-figure, someone who sacrifices himself for others or the greater good? That we honor saints and martyrs who imitate this creative sacrifice for us and for all?

Christ the creator, Christ the redeemer, Christ the king.

Yet how did humanity treat him when he was among us?

Unlike David, who, in the Samuel passage for this weekend, was made king of Israel (literally, “the God ruled”), we crucified him that he might in time become our ruler because God established him, through one more aspect of the mystery that is our redemption, as the head of the body, the church.

Whether you are near Kansas City or far away, busy with life or children, working full time or not, this program of study is possible for you! Even if you have been away from school a long time, the Maryvale courses will help you begin to study and really learn the Catholic faith at a new level.

To learn more about either course or to sign up, contact Kimberly Rode at (913) 721-1570, ext. 124; by e-mail at: ecat2@archkck.org; or visit the Web site at: www.archkckecat.org.

I invite you to seriously consider giving time this year to study of the faith at our Maryvale Kansas Center. Our courses begin in January.

God bless you and have a great Thanksgiving!

Matt Karr is the consultant for the office of evangelization and catechesis. He can be reached by e-mail at: ecat@archkck.org.

VOCATION CORNER

A

Make the vocation office’s phones ring

nybody offering good jobs today is inundated with phone calls and resumes. The exception is the vocation office.

Of course, we’re busy, but we say in the vocation office that only one out of every 1,000 phone calls or e-mails is from a young man who wants to go into the seminary. The rest are about something else.

We are busy, trying to broadcast as loudly and deeply as possible the need for discernment of the priesthood, but progress is slow. Last year we gave out 14 applications and accepted six new seminarians from those who made it through the process. This is a pretty

low number, given the pool of potential applicants, and the scholarship packages and incomparable job security we offer.

We not only have jobs, we have the best jobs. Priesthood continues to rank highest among all professions in job satisfaction, with over 90 percent of priests happy with what they do. Even though our priests are overwhelmed, they are not burned out, and we experience less than three percent attrition

per year in the priesthood. Neither marriage nor any other job can come close to this.

With so many people needing jobs, why do we not have more applicants? I think you know the answer: People misunderstand celibacy. Guys are scared to death of celibacy. It takes an extraordinarily strong relationship with Jesus to hear the Lord say, “Do not be afraid” to stand in relationship with the world exactly as he did, without wife or children.

Jesus wants to give this spiritual gift to many men, but it is a hard gift to receive and to unwrap. We are afraid of sacrifice and loneliness. Yet we have to trust that the Lord will not abandon any man who makes this sacrifice out of love for him and the church.

Our church wisely asks its young men to consider closely the chaste and sacrificial love that Christ himself has for humanity, and to ask him personally for the gift of celibacy, before they are ordained as priests to act and speak in his person. Despite prejudices and misunderstandings regarding celibacy, we are not going to eliminate this valuable discernment just to make the phones ring.

Instead of requiring less, let us encourage our young men more, and pray and sacrifice for them more, and invite them to serve the church with singleness and purity of heart as its celibate priests. We can do it!

Make those phones ring!

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

CHURCH AND STATE

Even Paul can’t explain mystery of Jesus

n the Colossians reading, the apostle Paul attempts to capture the mystery of Jesus’ redemption.

opportunity to slow down from the busyness of modern life and share our time and appreciation of the gifts we do have.

One of the most precious gifts we have as Catholics is our faith in Jesus Christ. This season is a great opportunity to show our thanks for the precious gift of our faith. Faith, like many of the treasured gifts, can grow in our life as we dedicate our time to learning that faith and handing it on to others.

How many of us feel like we could

grow in understanding of our Catholic faith? How many of us would like to share our faith with others but feel ill-equipped to answer questions others may have? How many of us have children, grandchildren, family, or friends to hand the faith on to? Well, perhaps this is the time to consider showing our gratitude to the Lord for our faith by dedicating a bit of our time to learning more about it!

One such opportunity is through the Maryvale Kansas Center. The Maryvale Center is a ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas that allows working adults in the archdiocese to study the faith and learn how to hand it on to others. We currently have two courses of study which combine the best of traditional and distance learning methods — a Certificate in Catechesis course and the Evangelization and Ministry to the Sick course.

T

Most important rights are the most vulnerable

hose with their fingers on the pulse of popular culture might be inclined to believe that personal freedom has never been more robust than it is in 2010 America.

After all, with high art like “Desperate Housewives” and “Jersey Shore” on the entertainment menu, it is fair to say that we are not exactly living in an era of great restriction on self-expression.

Or are we? Freedom of conscience is proving to be a far different matter than the freedom to exhibit bad taste.

For those still lulled by a sense of complacency regarding religious liberty, a recent court case should serve as the canary in the coal mine.

On June 28, in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, the Supreme Court

ruled 5-4 that the University of California’s Hastings College of Law could deny recognition to the Christian Legal Society (CLS), because CLS bylaws requiring fidelity to Christian beliefs have the effect of excluding students who practice and advocate a homosexual lifestyle from holding voting or leadership positions.

This stunning decision is hardly an outlier. Earlier this year, Congress and the president approved a health care reform bill that does not prevent government agencies from discriminating against health care providers that decline involvement in abortion.

This comes on the heels of an Obama administration proposal to rescind conscience protection regulations for pro-life medical personnel.

Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that the decision by Belmont Abbey, a Catholic college in North Carolina, to not provide contraceptives in its health plan was discriminatory.

And on it goes.

In September, while standing in the very hall where Thomas More was sentenced to death in 1535 for opposing King Henry VIII’s split with the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict warned of “a failure to appreciate not only the rights of believers to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, but also the legitimate role of religion in the public square.”

How is it that, in a time of freedoms unimaginable in More’s day, the right of religious people to be full participants in public life is teetering on the

precipice? Perhaps because some rights are more fundamental, and thus more threatening to the ruling class, than others.

Foreign policy experts once promised that the dramatically increased economic freedoms in China in the decade after Tiananmen Square would inevitably be accompanied by political freedom. That has not happened.

Instead, some now wonder if this formula is the new model for 21st-century authoritarianism.

The democracies of the western world have begun to experiment with their own adaptation of compartmentalized freedom. The right to rent “Hot Tub Time Machine” is not in jeopardy.

The right to adhere to orthodox Christian beliefs while working in academia, medicine, and elsewhere very much is.

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

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Archbishops Dolan, Kurtz elected USCCB president, vice president

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien Catholic News Service

BALTIMORE (CNS) — In a series of close votes, the U.S. bishops elected Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York to head the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the next three years and chose Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., as vice president.

By selecting Archbishop Dolan from a field of 10 candidates that included Archbishop Joseph Bishop Gerald F. E. Kurtz of Louis- Kicanas of Tucson, ville, Ky., is the new Ariz., USCCB vice vice president of president, the bishops diverged from the USCCB. the usual practice of electing the USCCB vice president as president.

Because a USCCB vice president cannot serve for two consecutive terms under conference rules, Bishop Kicanas was not eligible to run for vice president.

Archbishop Dolan succeeded Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago as USCCB president at the close of the bishops’ fall general assembly on Nov. 18 in Baltimore.

The change in the USCCB leadership took just a matter of minutes, thanks to electronic voting. In the first ballot for the presidential election, Bishop Kicanas had a clear lead over Archbishop Dolan, 104 to 84. On the second ballot, Archbishop Dolan pulled ahead of Bishop Kicanas, 118-111. Even so, neither prelate had acquired the majority needed for election.

In a runoff after the other eight candidates for the presidency had been eliminated, Archbishop Dolan won 128 to 111.

For the vice presidency, Archbishop Kurtz, the current USCCB treasurer, had a slim lead but not a majority on the first ballot. On the second ballot, he widened his lead — but again, not by enough to claim a majority. On the third ballot against Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop Kurtz won with 141 votes to 97.

Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va., was elected treasurer. While he was not supposed to start until next year, he’ll start right away instead with the election of Archbishop Kurtz to the vice presidency.

The election of Archbishop Dolan marks the first time since the bishops’ conference was reorganized in 1966 following the Second Vatican Council reforms that a sitting vice president who sought the presidency did not win the election. In two elections, circumstances dictated that the vice president did not rise to lead the conference.

In 1974, Coadjutor Archbishop Leo C. Byrne of St. Paul and Minneapolis, vice president since 1971, died less than a month before his term ended.

Three years later, Cardinal John J. Carberry of St. Louis as vice president declined to run for the top spot because he was 73 years old and was due to retire before he could complete a threeyear term as president.

CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier

New York Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan lets 3-year-old Matthew Hayes borrow his skull cap, called a zucchetto, during a visit to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y.

New USCCB president likes being on the front lines NEW YORK (CNS) — Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York is a man familiar with the inner workings of the Catholic Church but once described himself as “a sort of fish-fry and bingo guy” who preferred being “in the field . . . on the front lines . . . with the folks.”

The gregarious prelate was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 16, the second day of the bishops’ fall general meeting in Baltimore. He began serving his three-year term at the close of the meeting Nov. 18, succeeding Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George.

Since being installed as head of the New York Archdiocese in April 2009, Archbishop Dolan has announced a strategic plan to close underperforming archdiocesan elementary schools and change the traditional parish governance model, addressed the growing controversy over plans to build an Islamic community center and mosque a few blocks from ground zero, and urged Catholics to make Mass the center of each Sunday.

At a February 2009 news conference in New York after the announcement of his appointment to the city, the archbishop said, “The vitality of this great archdiocese is in its parishes.”

“The priests are on the front lines,” he said. “I am their servant. You can count on me to help them.”

“I look forward to being with the priests,” he added. “That’s not a chore; that’s a choice.”

Archbishop Dolan, 60, has been serving as chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency. With his election as president, he will have to step down as chairman and will appoint his successor. He is co-chair and moderator of Jewish affairs for the USCCB. Before his appointment to New York, he was archbishop of Milwaukee for seven years.

Although the New York archdiocesan strategic plan is designed to reduce a growing deficit by closing underperforming schools, Archbishop Dolan has repeatedly pledged that there will be a seat in a Catholic school for any child who wants it. He called the new archdiocesan plan “the

beginning of a recovery of confidence in the school system.”

The plan will channel funds from the sale or rental of shuttered properties to an education fund.

As controversy grew over plans to build an Islamic community center and mosque a few blocks from ground zero in New York, the archbishop worked with Jewish and Muslim religious leaders to identify clerics and laypeople to invite to interreligious discussions to work out conflicts as they occur.

“I’m afraid we have maybe not been as energetic with fostering relations with our Islamic brothers and sisters,” he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, adding “our coming together is not to say we can settle the mosque site issue,”’ but “the wider issue of church, Jewish, Islamic tensions.”

Earlier this year, Archbishop Dolan issued his first pastoral since being named to head the New York Archdiocese. In it, he urged Catholics to make Mass the center of their Sunday, saying the observance of the Lord’s day is essential for the church, “the vibrancy of our faith” and the “clarity of our Catholic identity.”

In March, as allegations of clergy sexual abuse in Europe, particularly Germany, made news, he told New York Catholics that the “tidal wave of headlines” about the abuse and new stories about an old case in Wisconsin have “knocked us to our knees once again.”

“Anytime this horror, vicious sin and nauseating crime is reported, as it needs to be, victims and their families are wounded again, the vast majority of faithful priests bow their heads in shame anew, and sincere Catholics experience another dose of shock, sorrow and even anger,” he said at the end of Palm Sunday Mass March 28.

He also defended Pope Benedict XVI against claims by some, including the media, that he had not done enough to address the abuse situation.

“What deepens the sadness now is the unrelenting insinuations against the Holy Father himself, as certain sources seem frenzied to implicate the man who, perhaps more than anyone else, has been the leader in purification, reform and renewal that the church so needs,” he said.