01 05 18 Vol. 39 No. 20

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 39, NO. 20 | JANUARY 5, 2018

2017 YEAR in

REVIEW

By JOE BOLLIG

/ PAGES 3-6

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Holy Spirit: Make ‘missionary disciples’ of all of us

lessed Elena Guerra, an Italian religious who lived from 18351914, devoted her life to the education of girls.

For that purpose, she founded the Oblates of the Holy Spirit. As the name of the order indicates, Blessed Elena also had a deep reverence for the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. In addition to her work in education, she also sought to promote devotion to the Holy Spirit.

Blessed Elena wrote 12 letters to Pope Leo XIII encouraging the Holy Father to renew devotion to the Holy Spirit throughout the Catholic Church.

Partially in response to her prompting, Pope Leo promulgated an encyclical, “Divinium Illud Munus,” in 1897, asking Catholic bishops throughout the world to promote devotion to the Holy Spirit and specifically requesting the praying of a novena to the Holy Spirit at the beginning of the 20th century.

On Jan. 1, 1901, Pope Leo sang the “Veni Creator Spiritus” (“Come Holy Spirit”) in front of the famous Holy Spirit window in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome asking for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. At this same time in Topeka, at Bethel College and Bible School, a group of students had been praying to receive the Holy Spirit in a manner similar to that described in the Acts of the Apostles.

On the very same day that Pope Leo in Rome was praying for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church, one of the Bethel College students, Agnes Ozman, had a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit’s presence that, in part,

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN manifested itself by her praying in tongues.

Over the next few days, several other students had similar experiences. These events at “Stone’s Folly” in Topeka are considered by many as the beginning of the Protestant Pentecostal and charismatic movement.

This past October in Kansas City, Missouri, there was an international gathering of Catholic and Protestant leaders of the charismatic renewal. The event was called Kairos 2017 and it was held here to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a major gathering of Catholic and Protestant charismatics in Kansas City.

Dr. Mary Healy, a professor in sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit, was one of the participants at the Kairos event.

In her presentation, Healy noted with interest that some have postulated the first observable answer to Pope Leo’s prayer in Rome occurred in Topeka at a Protestant Bible college.

In speculating why God might have chosen to respond to Pope Leo’s prayer in this way, Healy

recalled that the Holy Father had received a very tepid response from Catholic bishops around the world regarding his request for a vigorous promotion of devotion to Holy Spirit.

She hypothesized that the Catholic Church at that time was not prepared to welcome a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Many date the beginning of the Catholic charismatic renewal to a 1967 retreat at Duchesne University in Pittsburgh.

While it is fascinating to reflect on the local connections to the beginning and the development of the charismatic renewal in the Christian world, I want us to do more in the archdiocese than just recall this history. I am asking our priests, deacons, religious and laity during 2018 to pray for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Catholic community in northeast Kansas.

Specifically, I am asking everyone to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts to create within the archdiocese and all of our parishes and ministries a culture of evangelization. At the same time, I ask that we beg the Holy Spirit to help each of us become, what Pope Francis terms, “missionary disciples”!

A culture of evangelization means for our parishes, institutions and ministries to become less

O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

by Cardinal Mercier

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you.

Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.

Tell me what I should do; give me your orders.

I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me.

Let me only know your will. Amen.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Jan. 13 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.

Jan. 14 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen

May 20, I will be encouraging individuals and parishes to pray a Holy Spirit novena, begging the Holy Spirit to rekindle the fire of his love here in northeast Kansas.

For now, I ask each member of the archdiocese during the coming year to consider praying daily, or as frequently as possible, one of the prayers to the Holy Spirit found above. I ask that you pray for the Holy Spirit to help us in our efforts to build a culture of evangelization and to help each of us become more and more mission-

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Prayer to the Holy Spirit

focused on merely maintaining the status quo and more and more dedicated to sharing the truth, beauty and goodness of our Catholic faith with others.

With a large number of nonpracticing Catholics and an even larger number of individuals who claim no religious affiliation, those of us blessed with the joy that only Jesus and life in his church can bring to our hearts have an obligation to share the gift of our faith with others.

In preparation for the solemnity of Pentecost on

Jan. 4-11 Region IX bishops’ retreat

Jan. 13 Spiritual mentorship Mass and dinner — Savior Pastoral Center

ary disciples.

Finally, the former Bethel College site in Topeka is today Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish campus.

The foundation to Most Pure Heart of Mary rectory is all that remains of the Bethel College buildings. After many years of planning, Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish is preparing to build a new rectory. Father Greg Hammes, the pastor, wants to construct a eucharistic adoration chapel on the site of the current rectory.

If this actually happens, I think it will please both the Holy Spirit and Pope Leo XIII.

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2017 YEAR IN REVIEW

YEAR in REVIEW

By

JOE

BOLLIG

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — What theme could we assign to this year? Maybe we can call it: “The Year of Storms.”

The first full year of a new presidential administration was marked with continuous political “sturm und drang” (in German, “storm and stress”).

Hurricanes caused extensive damage — but thankfully, no mass casualties — in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

There was war — again — in the Middle East and terrorist attacks, not to mention mass shootings at a concert and a small country church in the United States.

Need we mention North Korea, with its nuclear bombs and missile activities? We’d rather not, but we must.

And yet, the concluding year in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was, for the most part, very positive.

• The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive order was rescinded, but the bishops of Kansas spoke out forcefully for immigrants and

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migrants and Congress is still expected to take up the matter of the “Dreamers” soon.

• There was an ordination “boom” this year, with three men ordained transitional deacons, three men ordained priests, and 17 men ordained permanent deacons.

• Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann hosted listening sessions to prepare for the Oct. 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young people, faith and vocational discernment.”

• And the archdiocese celebrated the centenary of the last apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.

There were sad occurrences, too, such as the closing of Immaculata High School in Leavenworth and the death of Father Jerry Spencer.

This was also a year for looking forward. The archbishop revised the goals of the 10-year mutually shared vision, and the archdiocese laid the foundations of a new evangelization effort, during the archdiocesan biennial convocation, to make all Catholics “missionary disciples.”

So, before we close the door on the old year, let’s take a look back at the people and events that comprised the life of the archdiocese in 2017.

JANUARY

• The annual Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas fundraiser Snow Ball was held on Jan. 21 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

• Benedictine College in Atchison moved its graduate education programs from Roe Boulevard to Mission Road, near St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park.

• Retired Col. John Twohig and Deborah Twohig, members of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, were named honorary chairpersons of the 2017 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

• Pam Riordan, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park, was appointed archdiocesan consultant for children’s catechesis.

• On Jan. 4, the board of trustees of the Leavenworth Regional Catholic School System announced that it would recommend to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann that Immaculata High School in Leavenworth be closed because of an inability to increase enrollment.

• Archdiocesan Catholics joined tens of thousands of other pro-life Americans for the annual March for Life on Jan. 27 in Washington, D.C. Others attended the March for Life in Topeka.

Archbishop Naumann celebrated a pro-life Mass in Topeka with the other Kansas bishops and several priests. A march to the state Capitol was held after the Mass.

• The annual Support Our Seminarians benefit dinner was held on Jan. 27 at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

• Archbishop Naumann traveled on Jan. 30 to Immaculata High School in Leavenworth for a Q&A session with students before the school’s closing.

FEBRUARY • The former convent at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lawrence, was moved to a new location on Feb. 1.

Construction of a new gymnasium and offices began at the convent’s former location.

• The Leaven joined about 45 other publications made available to blind and visually impaired persons through the Audio-Reader Network, based in Lawrence.

• Michael and Patty Morrisey worked with Archbishop Naumann and archdiocesan schools superintendent Kathy O’Hara to establish a pilot sustainability program at eight schools.

• Cardinal Raymond Burke was the main celebrant and homilist at the annual White Mass celebrated on Feb. 11 at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood. The Mass was sponsored by the Sts. Cosmas and Damian Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.

MARCH • The four Catholic bishops of Kansas — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Bishop John B. Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City, Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Diocese of Salina and Bishop Carl A. Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita — published a joint statement on immigration and refugees on March 3.

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

• Benedictine College and St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison hosted a month-and-ahalf-long exhibition of 25 archival prints and a full-scale replica of the seven-volume, handwritten and illuminated St. John’s Bible.

• Lawrence Knights of Columbus cleared brush and debris from the historic Catholic cemetery in the former settlement of Franklin, located on the east side of Lawrence.

• More than 300 volunteers gathered at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood for a food packing party on March 25 to benefit food-insecure families.

The operation was led by local organization Something to Eat.

Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org

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Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

• Sister Constance Phelps, community director of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, was elected as one of two new U.S. delegates to the International Union of Superiors General.

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

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JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

YEAR IN REVIEW

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APRIL • LIFE Runners from all over the country met in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on April 9. They ended their run with a Palm Sunday Mass celebrated

by Archbishop Naumann at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Christopher Rziha, a senior at Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison, organized an April 8 benefit concert to provide funds to aid refugees in war-torn Syria.

• Archbishop Naumann and members of the archdiocesan evangelization team hosted listening sessions on April 19 at the St. Lawrence Center in Lawrence, and on April 27 at St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park. The sessions were in preparation for the October 2018 Synod of Bishops on “Young people, faith and vocational discernment.”

• The “Living in Truth” women’s conference was held on April 22 at Ascension Parish in Overland Park.

• The University of St. Mary in Leavenworth received a “2017 Best Value School Award” by University Research & Review.

• Five Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph in Kentucky, formerly of the Paola convent, celebrated their jubilees of religious profession: Sister Mildred Katzer, Sister Martina Rockers, Sister Pat Lynch, Sister Helen Smith and Sister Emerentia Wiesner.

MAY • Archbishop Naumann blessed and dedicated a new altar on May 13 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea held its annual “Running with the Cows” fundraising half-marathon and 5K run on May 13.

• El Centro of Topeka expanded services to immigrants.

Executive director Lalo Munoz has been granted authority to function as an attorney in immigration matters through the U.S. Justice Department’s Recognition and Accreditation Program.

• Amy Joyce, a member of St. Benedict Parish in Bendena and a fifth-grade teacher at St. Benedict School in Atchison, led her family in a mission to help farmers and ranchers near Ashland who were affected by wildfires.

She was joined by her children Sam, Abby, Emma and Wade. A group of friends, most from St. Joseph of the Valley in rural Leavenworth County, hauled hay to the affected farmers and ranchers.

• St. Mary Parish in Hartford celebrated the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima with a statue of Mary from Portugal on May 13.

• Benedictine College in Atchison was recommended in the 2017-18 edition of “The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College,” by The Cardinal Newman Society.

• Archbishop Naumann, after consultation with the Presbyteral Council and with the recommendation of the archdiocesan youth ministry, asked archdiocesan pastors to begin the process of transitioning their parish’s Girl Scout troops to American Heritage Girls troops.

• Deacon Michael J. Guastello and Deacon Daniel Coronado were ordained priests by Archbishop Naumann on May 27 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Justin Hamilton and Viet Nguyen were ordained transitional deacons on May 20

by Archbishop Naumann at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• The Community of the Lamb led a walking pilgrimage May 20-21 beginning in Kansas City, Kansas, and ending at the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Memorial Park near Centerville.

• In recognition of her work promoting social justice and peace causes, Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, was given the Charles E. Bebb Peace Merit Award by PeaceWorks of Kansas City.

JUNE • After 104 years of service to the community, Immaculata High School in Leavenworth graduated its final senior class and closed its doors for good on June 2.

• The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas softball team won against the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph team 18-17 in the annual Pitching for Priests softball game on June 2.

• Archbishop Naumann presided at the blessing and groundbreaking on June 3 of the new monastery for the Little Brothers of the Lamb in Kansas City, Kansas.

• The archdiocese’s second cohort of 17 permanent deacons was ordained by Archbishop Naumann on June 3 at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe.

• The annual archdiocesan Corpus Christi procession on June 18 to and from Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City, Kansas, led

by Archbishop Naumann, featured the Brazilian custom of making a “tapete” — a colorful carpet of sawdust in various designs — on a portion of the route.

• The archdiocesan newspaper The Leaven won 13 Catholic Press Association awards — and a second place Knights of Columbus Father Michael J. McGivney Award for Distinguished Journalism — at the annual Catholic Media Convention in Quebec, Canada, June 20-24.

• On June 30, Ascension School, Overland Park, principal Becky Wright donated a kidney to Becca Northcott, the school’s former Spanish teacher.

JULY • An archdiocesan delegation of 22 people, including Archbishop Naumann, joined others for a convocation of Catholic leaders held July 1-4 in Orlando, Florida.

• Archbishop Naumann spoke at the 22nd biennial national convention of the Junior Knights and Junior Daughters of the Knights of Peter Claver on July 9 in Kansas City, Missouri.

• The archdiocese launched a respite care program for children with special needs with the help of a grant from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

• Advancing one of the three “super objectives” of the archdiocesan 10year mutually shared vision — strengthening marriages — the Joyful Marriage Project was launched by the archdiocesan family life office.

• Father Anthony Ouellette, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, was elected chairperson of the steering committee for the Association of Archdiocesan Liaisons to the Charismatic Renewal at the association’s annual convention, held July 20-23 in Pittsburgh.

• St. Ann Parish in Effingham celebrated its 150th anniversary on July 29.

• The archdiocese hosted a four-day Totus Tuus camp at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park for children with special needs.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

YEAR IN REVIEW

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AUGUST • Approximately 125 Catholic ZoTung — an ethnic group from Myanmar (Burma) — gathered for a daylong conference on Aug. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• The Kelly Youth Rally celebrated its 20th anniversary on Aug. 19.

• Archbishop Naumann led 30 archdiocesan seminarians to Catholic sites in western Kansas and Colorado as part of the annual seminarians’ pilgrimage, Aug. 7-11.

• The Rural Youth Summer Tour “stopped” in Seneca on Aug. 12, in Garnett on Aug. 13 and in Horton on Aug.20.

• Archbishop Naumann led a Holy Hour during the grand opening of the Gratia Plena House of Discernment on Aug. 20 at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa. The house supports women discerning a vocation to religious life.

• The first students were welcomed on Aug. 23 into the new preschool at Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, a refurbished former convent.

• Benedictine College in Atchison and many other archdiocesan schools and agencies hosted viewings of the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

SEPTEMBER • Undocumented persons who were brought to the United States as children, called “Dreamers,” contended with doubt and insecurity when President Donald Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive order on Sept. 5.

• Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, held its SHINE celebration and fundraising event on Sept. 28 at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

• Father Meinrad Miller and Abbot James Albers, both from St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, went to Oklahoma City for the beatification of their relative, Father Stanley Rother, on Sept. 23.

• Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, was the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass commemorating the 150th anniversary and renovation of St. John Oratory in Doniphan on Sept. 17.

• El Centro, Inc., of Kansas City, Kansas, honored one of its founders, Richard Ruiz, by renaming its building after him in a ceremony on Sept. 14.

• Archbishop Naumann and priests of the archdiocese attended the annual convocation and continuing education workshop held Sept.

25-28 at Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at the 75th anniversary on Sept. 10 of the dedication of Sacred Heart Church and the Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Mound City. He also presented parishioner Michael Martin with the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at a Koinonia Mass on Sept.

10 in Troy, a tradition started by Father Francis Bakyor three years ago. The celebration brought together St. Charles Parish in Troy, St. Benedict Parish in Bendena, St. Joseph Parish in Wathena and St. Francis Africans Catholic Community in Kansas City, Missouri.

• The Ladies of Charity of the United States held their 400th anniversary celebration Sept. 7-9 at the Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri.

• Carter Zielinski was ordained a transitional deacon on Sept. 28 in Rome.

• Father Greg Hammes, Father Nathan Haverland and Father Scott Wallisch traveled to Berlin to run in a marathon on Sept. 24.

• More than 60 artists and craftspeople participated in the Stone’s Folly art festival, held Sept. 29-30, to benefit Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka.

• Archbishop Naumann was homilist at the joint CatholicLutheran commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation on Sept. 29 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri.

OCTOBER • The Catholic Youth Formation Program at Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia held a Family Fatima Day on Oct. 1 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the last apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal.

• Deacon Dana Nearmyer, secretary of the archdiocesan evangelization division, was master of ceremonies for a portion of Kairos 2017, an ecumenical charismatic unity and revival conference held Oct. 24-26 in Grandview, Missouri. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo spoke at the event.

• The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and the Catholic Fine Arts Council of the archdiocese hosted its first-ever Regional Christian Arts Competition on Oct. 17 at Savior Pastoral Center.

• “Living as Missionary Disciples” was the theme of the biennial Archdiocesan Convocation of Parish Ministries, held Oct. 13 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass in celebration of the centenary of the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima on Oct. 13 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park.

• A traveling first-class relic of St. John Paul II was on display at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish and Holy Cross Parish, both in Overland Park, on Oct. 19.

• Archbishop Naumann presided at a groundbreaking and blessing on Oct. 8 at the new site of the future St. Paul Church and School, located at 115th Terrace and Lone Elm Road in Olathe.

• Lamar Hunt Jr. and Rita Hunt were honored at the 27th annual National Catholic Education Association Seton Awards Gala on Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C.

• The Catholic Education Foundation’s annual Gaudeamus fundraising dinner was held on Oct. 21 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

• Members of Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee went on a oneday blitz vocations pilgrimage to Catholic sites in St. Louis on Oct. 28.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Patrick Parish in Scranton, as well as the 100th anniversary of the church, on Oct. 22.

• Preschoolers at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa packed supplies to help students at a hurricane-ravaged school in Houston, and Christ the King Early Education Center, Topeka, hosted an art auction to raise funds for Catholic Charities hurricane relief efforts.

YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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NOVEMBER • The Sisters, Servants of Mary celebrated the 100th anniversary of their order’s foundation in Kansas City, Kansas, with liturgies and special events in November.

• The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas hosted its annual Deo Gratias appreciation dinner on Nov. 2 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

The honorees this year were the William H. Dunn family and Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth.

• Father John Pilcher, pastor of Mater Dei Parish in Topeka, presided at a Nov. 5 blessing and groundbreaking for a new parish hall to be built near the Holy Name Church campus.

• Archbishop Naumann was elected chairmanelect of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities on Nov. 14 at the bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.

• Deacon Justin Hamilton was ordained a priest by Archbishop Naumann on Nov. 3 at Christ the King Parish in Topeka.

• Archbishop Naumann concelebrated a Red Mass for the legal profession on Nov. 3 at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Kansas City, Missouri. Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore was the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass, which was sponsored by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Catholic Bar Association and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Kansas City.

• Father Mathew Francis, pastor of the combined parish of St. Lawrence in Easton and St. Joseph of the Valley in rural Leavenworth County, became an American citizen on Nov. 17 at the U.S. District Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.

• The archdiocese sent 466 youths and adult chaperones to the biennial National Catholic Youth Conference, Nov. 16-19, in Indianapolis.

• Father Jeremiah Lee Spencer, long-serving chaplain at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, died on Nov. 30.

• Betsy Meunier became the new director of the Marian Mantle Group, an archdiocesan prayer and support ministry for those whose loved ones have left the Catholic faith.

• Approximately 45 archdiocesan parishes and other Catholic ministries and organizations participated in the national #iGiveCatholic crowdfunding campaign on Nov. 28.

DECEMBER • The archdiocesan office of marriage and family life hosted a conference on Spousal and Family Prayer at Prince of Peace in Olathe on Dec. 2.

• A Quo Vadis retreat was held on Dec. 23 for young men discerning a possible call to attend the seminary and explore a vocation to the priesthood.

• The Serra Clubs hosted the annual parents and seminarians Mass and luncheon at Sacred Heart Church in Shawnee on Dec. 29.

• “One Thing Remains,” an evening of worship, was held on Dec. 30 at St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.

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LOCAL NEWS

LET THERE BE LIGHT Holy flame finds its way to Meriden, Perry parishes

By Carolyn Kaberline Special to The Leaven

P

ERRY — St. Aloysius Church in Meriden and St. Theresa Church here found light — always a symbol of Christmas — even more so this year as they received a candle whose flame had been lit at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The flame’s trip to Kansas began when “one of my sister Jamie’s Scout leaders heard about it,” said Joe Winebrenner, 18, a member of Boy Scout Troop 59 in Lawrence. “I thought it was a great idea.”

After Joe and Jamie and their grandfather Douglas, all of Ozawkie, made the necessary arrangements, the flame arrived in Meriden on Dec. 17 and was presented to Father Jim Moster, OFM Cap., pastor of both parishes. It was then taken on to Perry by Father Jim on Dec. 19.

“The flame arrived in a lantern in a pail with sand in the bottom,” said Father Jim. “It was also in a sevenday light, which was transferred to us as a gift in a pillar light placed in a glass chimney.”

Although the history of the flame can be traced back to lamps kept burning at the Grotto of the Nativity for over a thousand years, the transportation of the flame around the world is relatively new.

According to the Peace Light website, for the past 24 years, “a child from upper Austria has lit two blast-proof miners’ lamps from the grotto flame. The miners’ lamps are then carried on an Austrian Airlines jet from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Vienna, Austria, from where the Peace Light is distributed at a Service of Dedication to Scout delegations from across Europe, who take it back with a message of peace to their own countries.”

Since 2004, Austrian Airlines has also flown lamps containing the Peace Light to New York City, where Scout leaders light lanterns and then spread out across the United States to share the message of peace that it represents.

“A gentleman from Jamie’s crew, Peter Houston, had a friend in New York who drove it to Colombia, Missouri, where Peter met him,” said Douglas Winebrenner, adding that Austrian Airlines charges nothing for its services. “Peter mentioned the Peace Light at a crew meeting and said he would have it at the next crew meeting. He also brought it to the Scout troop his son was in, and to roundtable, a monthly gathering of Scout leaders from the area.”

“Parishioners at both places seemed to be touched when it was explained as a special gift,” said Father Jim. “A goodly number took the flame to their homes.”

One person who took the flame home was Dr. Theresa King of Perry.

“I was so excited to have something from where Jesus was born,” said King, a member of St. Theresa. “I’ve had it sitting on the table

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Rita I. (Noll) and Richard A. Farmer, members of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 4. The couple was married on Jan. 4, 1958, at Corpus Christi Church, Mooney Creek. Their children are: Dianne Hall, Michael Farmer and Mark Farmer. They also have six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Barbara and Patrick Higgins, members of Holy Angels Parish, B a s e h o r, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 30. The couple was married on Dec. 28, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament Church, Kansas City, Kansas. Their children are: Kerry Higgins and Heidi Hill. They also have five grandchildren.

Elizabeth (Bahm) and William Bond, members of Mater Dei Parish, To p e k a , will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Jan. 10 with family. The couple was married on Jan. 10, 1953, at Assumption Church, Topeka. Their children are: Pam Bond, Craig Bond, Kim Swain and Shawn Bond.

They also have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A candle whose flame had been lit at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem made its way to St. Aloysius Church in Meriden and St. Theresa Church in Perry.

“

“I LOOKED AT IT ON THE ALTAR AT CHRISTMAS EVE MASS — AND I CAN’T REALLY DESCRIBE IT — BUT JUST BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF THAT LIT CANDLE WAS A PROFOUND FEELING. IT MADE CHRISTMAS EVE MASS EXTRA SPECIAL.”

all week, and I’m thinking of lighting another candle to keep it going longer.”

“I have never heard of anything like it. I liked how it spread,” she continued. “I looked at it on the altar at Christmas Eve Mass — and I can’t really describe it — but just being in the presence of that lit candle was a profound feeling. It made Christmas Eve Mass extra special.”

Josh Ellis, also a member of St. Theresa, said his kids enjoyed taking

part in the tradition.

“My son, who is a Scout, was glad to have it going over the holidays and getting it home safely.

We’ve had it on the kitchen table and talked about it as a family,” Ellis said. “We talked about how hard it must have been to get it here and how many lives it passed through on its way here.”

“I believe that the Peace Candle has been significant in the thoughts and hopes of the people, given the conditions in the world these days,” said Father Jim. The “Christ the Light” theme, he said, has “perhaps touched many in ways they may not have realized before.”

And he believes the flame will probably be preserved in both parishes for the year in some form.

“At present it is a part of the manger scene in both places,” he said. “We talked about preserving it in the sanctuary light in one place.”

Although the flame arrived for Christmas, Joe Winebrenner was quick to point out that “it’s really not seasonal. The whole point is to keep the light going for a whole year.”

Marvin and Marylyn (Golba) Cansler, m e m bers of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 12. The couple married on Jan. 12, 1968, at St. Joseph Church, Shawnee.

Their children are: Kimberly Barber, Lenexa; and Kellie Arndt, Sheridan, Wyoming. They also have seven grandchildren. They will celebrate by going on a Mediterranean cruise.

Dobroslawa (Thomas) and Jerzy Grzymata-Busse, members of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lawrence, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 1 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Adalbert, Gniezno, Poland. The couple was married on July 1, 1967, at St. Martin Church, Szubin, Poland.

Their children are: Anna Grzymata-Busse, Witold Grzymata-Busse and Jan GrzymataBusse. They also have 10 grandchildren.

Carol and Richard Bristow, members of St. Pius X Parish, Mission, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 6.

Their children are: Anne Slusher, Joseph Bristow, Michael Bristow and Thomas Bristow.

They also have six grandchildren.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

YEAR IN REVIEW

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

Death sentences on the decline

Cardinal Law, whose legacy was marred by scandal, dies

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — While much of the focus has been on the Supreme Court, state legislatures, governors and juries in the ongoing fight to abolish capital punishment in the United States, the head of the Death Penalty Information Center suggested that counties may be key.

It’s county prosecutors, most of them elected by voters, who decide whether to pursue a death sentence for murders and other crimes, said Robert Dunham, the center’s executive director.

“Riverside County [California], Clark County, Nevada, and Maricopa County in Arizona, imposed 12 [death] sentences, 31 percent of the entire national total,” Dunham said. “But for those three outlier counties, 2017 would have been the second consecutive low for death penalties in the United States.”

Harris County, Texas, which includes America’s fourth-largest city, Houston, neither imposed a death sentence nor executed anyone this year for the first time since 1974. This made native Houstonian Karen Clifton, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, another anti-death penalty group, quite happy.

Clifton credited the change to a newly elected district attorney who has “found other means to handle the cases,” including sentences of life without parole.

“Clifton said she and retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of GalvestonHouston paid a visit to the new D.A. over Thanksgiving to see what support they could provide.

“And Philadelphia, which in 2013 ranked third in its death row [cases], imposing an average of one death sentence every other year, just elected a prosecutor who won’t use it,” Dunham told Catholic News Service.

These changes show the death penalty is “not driven by the severity of the crime, it’s driven by the arbitrary lottery of where a homicide occurs. And who the local prosecutor is,” he added.

“Even if the death penalty is imposed less and less, it is not being imposed in a

V CNS PHOTO/JASON REED, REUTERS

Protesters calling for an end to the death penalty unfurl a banner in late March outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. more focused way against crimes that are the worst of the worst. The cases are still as arbitrary as they were in the past.”

The Catholic Mobilizing Network launched the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty. Clifton said it has garnered 15,000 signatures. Those who sign the pledge are then invited to join the network’s Mercy in Action campaign. “If they do that, they get a monthly email that tells them who’s going to be executed, and an action plan [to prevent the death sentence from being carried out]: letters to the warden, to the board of parole, to the governor.

“We can metrically count 20 of the stays” to the interventions of pledge signers,” Clifton said — more than half the 39 stays granted in 2017. “It’s saving lives, it’s helping people, it’s calling attention that Catholics are against this.”

Nationwide, 39 death sentences were issued in 2017, the second lowest number since 1972, and 23 executions were carried out, up from 20 last year but still the second-lowest number since 1991, according to the Death Penalty Information Center’s 2017 report, issued Dec. 14.

Four people who had been on death row were exonerated, bringing the

number to 160 since 1973. “The many exonerees, and realizing who we are executing, has helped put a face on the death penalty,” Clifton said in a Dec. 13 email to CNS. “Juries are going for life [in prison] when given the option,” Clifton added.

Florida changed its law to require a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty; previously, only a majority of the jury had to recommend a death sentence. Alabama lawmakers also repealed a bill that allowed for judges to override a jury’s life sentence and order capital punishment instead.

“As the drugs have resulted in so many botched executions, people are coming to realize there is just not a good way to kill people,” Clifton said. The Death Penalty Information Center’s report noted how Nevada and Nebraska this year permitted the use of the opioid prescription drug fentanyl to be used in executions.

“It’s certainly ironic that at the same time that states are saying that fentanyl is dangerous and unsafe and poses a significant public health hazard, that we’re seeing states arguing that it is safe and effective for use in executions,” Dunham said.

ACA repeal effort highlights health care tug-of-war

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — While efforts by congressional Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act over the first half of 2017 dominated the headlines on the health care stage, there were other issues that also merited attention.

House Republicans passed a repeal-and-replace bill on their second try in 2017 after the first bill never made it to a vote as provisions were seen as too draconian and would throw some 24 million people out of the health insurance pool over the next decade. The Senate tried passing its own version under a budget-reconciliation rubric that would have allowed a bill to pass with only 50 Senate votes in a chamber held by the GOP 52-48. But those efforts failed, after some GOP senators followed through with a “no” vote after saying they could not support passage of the measure.

U.S. bishops — primarily Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida,

chair of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development — had repeatedly urged fixes to the various bills, but warned that the overall packages were unacceptable.

The latest bid to repeal the individual mandate in the ACA, popularly known as Obamacare, came as part of the Republicans’ tax overhaul bill. The reform measure was headed Dec. 20 to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature after lawmakers in the House and Senate debated and voted on a compromise bill. It passed with Republican votes only.

Because of all the computations over who wins and loses in such a tax bill, the individual mandate received less attention, but estimates gauged 13 million fewer Americans will have health insurance with the mandate gone.

Sign-ups for the health insurance exchanges in late 2017 outpaced the previous year’s performance, despite the public service campaign to encourage sign-ups being pulled; the funding cut for “navigators” to guide people through what can be a complex and confusing process; and fears that the

10

repeal-replace hubbub would deter people from enrolling — or even considering getting insurance.

Debate over Obamacare has been going on since what is now the ACA was first introduced in Congress in 2009, passed by both chambers March 21, 2010, and signed into law two days later. Lost in that debate has been the expiration Sept. 30 of the federally funded Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Congress didn’t nix CHIP, but neither did it reauthorize the program. An estimated 9 million American children are enrolled. Their parents have too much income to be eligible for Medicare, but not enough to afford health insurance.

When the program was first authorized in 1997, 15 percent of U.S. kids had no access to health care. As of 2016, that figure had sunk to 4.8 percent. Six jurisdictions said they would run out of money for CHIP by the end of 2017, and six more states said they would shut their CHIP programs by the end of the year even if money was still left.

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Bernard F. Law, who had been one of the United States’ most powerful and respected bishops until his legacy was blemished by the devastating sexual abuse of minors by priests in his Archdiocese of Boston, died early Dec. 20 in Rome at the age of 86.

Before the abuse scandal forced his resignation in 2002, Cardinal Law had been a leading church spokesman on issues ranging from civil rights to international justice, from abortion to poverty, from Catholic-Jewish relations and ecumenism to war and peace.

Bernard FranCardinal Bernard Law cis Law was born on Nov. 4, 1931, in Torreon, Mexico, where his father, a career Air Force officer, was then stationed. He attended schools in New York, Florida, Georgia, and Barranquilla, Colombia, and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

He graduated from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before entering St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana, in 1953. He later studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio.

He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson (now Jackson), Mississippi, in 1961. A civil rights activist, he joined the Mississippi Leadership Conference and Mississippi Human Relations Council. He received death threats for his strong editorial positions on civil rights in the Mississippi Register.

In 1973 Blessed Paul VI named him bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He made headlines in 1975 when, amid an influx of Vietnamese refugees arriving in the United States, he arranged to resettle in his diocese all 166 refugee members of the Vietnamese religious order, Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix.

St. John Paul II made him archbishop of Boston in January 1984 and the following year made him a cardinal.

The collapse of Cardinal Law’s authority and status began in January 2002 with the criminal trial of serial child molester John Geoghan and the court-ordered release of archdiocesan files on Geoghan to the media. Geoghan had been allowed to stay in active ministry for three decades before he was finally removed and subsequently laicized.

A series of investigative reports on the issue by the Boston Globe made national headlines and other newspapers and television news teams across the nation began investigating how their local dioceses dealt with abusive priests.

At the time of his resignation from the Boston Archdiocese, Cardinal Law was 71 years old and, as a cardinal since 1985, the senior member of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. His resignation did not affect his standing as an active cardinal. He retained membership on several Vatican congregations and, before he turned 80, he entered the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

YEAR IN REVIEW

11

Nuclear threat raises tensions worldwide

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — The ratcheting up of North Korea’s missile testing, and fears that it also is advancing in its quest to launch a nuclear weapon, has gotten the attention of virtually everyone within range of any North Korean-fired missile and leaders worldwide, including Pope Francis.

On the Dec. 2 flight from Bangladesh to Rome following his visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Pope Francis said St. John Paul II’s U.N. address from 1982 may be out of date.

St. John Paul had told the U.N. general assembly that deterrence could be judged morally acceptable as a way of ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

At that time, the Cold War still raged, and deterrence was the norm.

“What has changed?” Pope Francis asked on the flight. “The irrationality has changed.”

The pope added his position is open to debate, but “I’m convinced that we are at the limit of licitly having and using nuclear weapons.”

At a Vatican conference in early November, Pope Francis said today with nuclear weapons, “the threat of their use as well as their very possession is to be firmly condemned.” He later explained to journalists that the increased sophistication of the weapons means “you risk the destruction of humanity, or a great part of humanity.”

Pope Francis urged religious leaders from South Korea to dedicate their words and actions to building peace and harmony.

“We are called to be heralds of peace, proclaiming and embodying a nonviolent style, a style of peace, with words clearly different from the narrative of fear and with gestures opposed to the rhetoric of hatred,” the pope said Sept. 2, the day before North Korea detonated what it said was a hydrogen bomb. By mid-December, North Korea had conducted six nuclear tests under-

CNS PHOTO/KCNA VIA REUTERS

North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-15 is seen in this undated photo. ground. Since February, it has fired off 23 missiles.

The pope told South Korean faith leaders that progress on the path to peace is made “not just by raising our voices but by rolling up our sleeves, to sow the hope of a future in which humanity becomes more human, a future which heeds the cry of so many who reject war and implore greater harmony between individuals and communities, between peoples and states.”

Pope Francis’ view has been echoed by others at the Vatican.

Continuing education by the church about the danger nuclear weapons pose is needed if the goal of total nuclear disarmament is to be achieved, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, an official in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said Sept. 26 at Georgetown University.

Average people, including Catholics in the pew, hold the key to eventual disarmament, Archbishop Tomasi added. He said it is vital for people to learn about the issues surrounding

nuclear weapons and press their governments about the threats to security such armaments pose and how their possession and upkeep redirects billions of dollars in funding away from human needs.

The Vatican also has shared its concern regarding North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and regarding the tensions North Korea’s actions have caused with the United States.

“The rising tensions over North Korea’s growing nuclear program are of special urgency,” Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, said Sept. 20 at a U.N. conference on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

“The threat or use of military force has no place in countering proliferation,” he said, “and the threat or use of nuclear weapons in countering nuclear proliferation is deplorable.”

Vatican City State was one of 50 nations to sign the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but one of only three to ratify it. Fifty

countries must both sign and ratify it before the treaty would take effect 90 days later.

The treaty bans efforts to develop, produce, test, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

None of the signatories were countries already in possession of nuclear weapons, including the United States.

Dialogue is the way to reduce tensions in the “hair-trigger” nuclear crisis between the United States and North Korea, said Chuck Hagel, a former U.S. defense secretary, Republican senator from Nebraska and Vietnam War veteran during a Nov. 2 Georgetown University forum on the issue.

“If you keep it at a confrontational level, United States versus North Korea, and keep the rhetoric hot, you know where that’s going to go,” Hagel said.

“If you bring in others, that insulates the heat,” he added. “The most successful agreements that have been reached since World War II are multiparty agreements.” Hagel called for “diplomacy at the most basic level, of coming down and saying, ‘What do you want?’”

“The threat of violence from the North Korean regime cannot be ignored, but the prospect of catastrophic death and destruction from military action must prompt the United States to work with others in the international community for a diplomatic solution based on dialogue,” Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, said in an October letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

“The agreement with Iran is critical for progress in nuclear nonproliferation and has implications for the deeply troubling prospect of a nuclear-armed North Korea,” Bishop Cantu wrote.

On Dec. 12, Tillerson issued a statement saying the U.S. was willing to hold talks with North Korea “without preconditions,” but a day later Trump’s press secretary said the White House’s position is that talks would be pointless if North Korea continues to threaten other countries.

In Rome and abroad, pope urges unity, care for poor

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis spent much of 2017 preaching and teaching about the need to value differences rather than fear them, and he adopted legislation that would allow more room for diversity within the Catholic Church.

In his frequent comments about migration and on most of his foreign trips, the pope also tried to convince political, civic and religious leaders that being welcoming, respecting differences and being willing to listen to another’s point of view and experience actually enrich a society.

From his trips to Egypt, where anti-Christian violence has sorely tried Christian-Muslim relations, to Colombia, which is recovering from a civil war, and most recently to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Pope Francis tried to convince people that peaceful coexistence and even unity do not require the erasing of all differences. In fact, during his trip to the two Asian nations, he defined as “ideological and cultural colonization” the political and social pressures to homogenize society.

“The unity we share and celebrate is born of diversity,” he told the bishops of Myanmar Nov. 29. “Never forget this —

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, attend an ecumenical prayer service at St. Peter Church in Cairo April 28. The pope spent much of 2017 preaching and teaching about the need to value differences rather than fear them. it is born of diversity! It values people’s differences as a source of mutual enrichment and growth. It invites people to come together in a culture of encounter and solidarity.”

While Pope Francis used large public Masses, his early morning Mass homilies and his Wednesday general audience talks to reach thousands of Catholics with his message, 2017 gave him an opportu-

nity for face-to-face meetings with many world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

He welcomed Trump to the Vatican May 24 for a visit described in the official statement as “cordial.” Common ground was found on the issues of protecting the unborn and defending religious freedom.

But they also discussed their different positions on climate change and on the obligation to assist migrants and refugees.

Just a few days after he met the pope, Trump announced the U.S. was pulling out of the U.N. Paris agreement on climate change, an agreement the Vatican had urged him to uphold.

Pope Francis also spent months urging the international community to ensure the new U.N. global compacts on migration and on refugees would support programs to help the poor stay in their countries rather than migrate and would open safe and legal immigration pathways for people fleeing extreme poverty and conflict.

Citing U.S. sovereignty, the Trump administration announced Dec. 3 that he was pulling the U.S. out of negotiations on the global compact on migration.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after-school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, and cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education.

Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Director of Human Resources – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a director of human resources. This job is challenging and fun! The archdiocese provides shared services for 120 organizations and 5,000 employees. Shared services include benefits administration, workers’ compensation, retirement plans and a standardized payroll process. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic in good standing and an active and faithful steward in his or her parish. Applicant should have experience in general human resources policies and processes: client employee services and support; compliance; human resource systems and data management; employee benefit management and administration; work injury, leave management and related processes; record-keeping and records management; and employee and employer communications. This position manages a staff of three professionals, is the chief human resources consultant to parishes, schools and other archdiocesan organizations, and manages all human resource functions at the chancery. The successful candidate will have strong operational experience in human resources, be able to take the initiative on innovation and process improvement, and have excellent people skills. For a complete job description and to complete the job application, go online to: archkck.org/ jobs. Also send a cover letter, letter of recommendation from your pastor and resume to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, attn.: Carla Mills, Chief Financial Officer, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109; or email to: cmills@archkck.org with subject line HR Director. Application deadline is Jan. 31.

Vistar of Kansas City, a division of Performance Food Group “Wholesale Candy, Snack, and Beverage Specialist” VISTAR KANSAS CITY – NOW HIRING: Warehouse Order Selectors – ***Starting Pay $17.00/hr. + Incentives*** Day Shift Reach Forklift Operators ***Starting Pay $18.00/hr.*** Class A CDL Delivery Driver ***Starting Pay $23.00/hr.*** To apply: Online: http://bit.ly/2f8ySfa and search for jobs in: Riverside, MO For more information, contact HR via: Email: veronica.hernandez@pfgc.com Phone: (816) 746-4401, ext. 28313 Faith Formation Leader - St. Bernard Catholic Church in Wamego is a growing parish and vibrant community. St. Bernard is seeking applicants for a faith formation leader. This position is a key pastoral leadership and formation role that requires collaboration with the pastor, staff members, volunteers and parishioners to provide Catholic education for the parish’s needs.

Qualifications for the ideal applicant are: practicing Catholic; bachelor’s degree in theology, philosophy, catechesis or similar academic discipline (degree preferred but not required); some experience in teaching/ leading young children, teens and/or RCIA; along with leadership and supervisory experience in a Catholic parish setting. Applicant should be motivated and effective in communication and be knowledgeable of current media and technology. Some travel is required.

A complete job description can be requested by email from: stbernardfaithformation@gmail.com. Send resume by email to: stbernardfaithformation@gmail. com or mail to: 17665 Old Post Rd., Wamego, KS 66547.

Superintendent of Catholic schools - The Diocese of Lincoln has 26 Catholic elementary schools, six Catholic high schools and 7,754 students. The superintendent oversees the diocesan education office, develops policy recommendations to assist the bishop in governing the operations of Catholic schools, supports school administrators in the exercise of their duties, assists pastors and priest teachers in their education apostolate, and visits the diocesan schools regularly. The superintendent leads initiatives to assess the ministry of Catholic education in the Diocese of Lincoln, and plans for continued success and growth of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lincoln. The superintendent oversees school curricula; provides opportunities for continuing formation and leadership development for Catholic school leaders; assists in the recruitment and hiring of school leadership staff; serves as a liaison with public entities and community stakeholders; promotes effective communication within and about Catholic schools; and encourages and facilitates faithful Catholic formation of students and staff. Visit the website for application information at: www.lincolndiocese.org/ school-employment/10239-lincoln-diocese-superintendent-of-schools. Applications are due by Jan. 26.

Teacher openings - Bishop Miege High School has teacher openings for math, AP biology and physics for the 2018-19 school year. Send letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com.

Preschool director - St. Michael the Archangel School in Leawood is seeking applicants for our preschool director position. The preschool director is responsible for overall leadership, administration and educational components of the preschool program. The day-to-day operations of the preschool will be carried out in accordance with state licensing regulations, developmentally appropriate practices and principles of sound Catholic education. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: administration, staff development, program development and miscellaneous duties as assigned. The preschool director must be a practicing Catholic. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in early childhood education. The director must have prior teaching and director level experience. Must be able to meet the state requirements for director of a 100+ child preschool. Must be self-directed, have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and demonstrate a solid understanding of the importance of the relationships between the child, teacher, family and school environment. This is a full-time, salaried position and is eligible for the archdiocesan benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability, flexible spending accounts and 401(k) plan. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Complete job description, application and benefits information are available online at: www. stmichaelcp.org/employment-opportunities. Send cover letter and resume to: St. Michael Catholic Parish, Attn.

Patty Pearch, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS 66223 or send by email to: patty.pearch@stmichaelcp.org.

Do you enjoy driving? - The Kansas City Transportation Group is looking for chauffeurs to drive our guests to events, airport, dinner, etc. Business is growing and we are in need of workers with flexible hours, those who are retired, etc. Great pay and benefits. Send resume to: jkalbert@kctg.com or in person at Carey, 1300 Lydia Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van.

CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children.

Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading.

Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, roundtrip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Elementary school principal - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking an individual with skill in spiritual, academic and advancement, particularly in the area of enrollment management leadership for the 2018-19 school year. Applicants must be practicing Catholics, understand the mission of Catholic schools and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and mail resume and credentials to: Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org. The deadline for application is Jan. 12.

Groundskeeping position - $30K - Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position. Hours are Monday through Saturday. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit; experience operating construction equipment would be a plus.

Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Matt Wirtz at (913) 371-4040 or you may send a resume online to: svallejo@cathcem ks.org.

Social media specialist - Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas is looking for a permanent part-time position to be filled for the social media management efforts of this important ministry. The right person for this position will work from home 10 - 15 hours per week, and be well versed in the implementation of most social media platforms currently available. Initial development and monitoring priorities will include Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc. The ability to stay abreast of social media platforms as they emerge and solid communication skills with the ability to interface with all department heads within our organization (weekly if needed) when requested is a must. Biweekly meetings at our offices may be needed initially to jump-start our efforts and in the training of staff to utilize and perfect the use of these important communication tools. Email resume to: dvanthullenar@cathcemks.org.

SERVICES Tutoring - Sessions are customized to fit student’s needs. Single sessions or packages available. Tutor has 15 years experience in K - 12 subjects, French, Spanish, piano and voice. Call/text Kathleen at (913) 244-3655 or send an email to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

Pastoral and clinical counselor - Living in this world of violence, many people have witnessed or been victims of it. I offer therapy for those who have been victims of trauma or post-traumatic stress using a safe therapy called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). I also treat depression and anxiety disorders, existential turmoil and life transitions. Sliding scale fee. Call Donna at (913) 602-1415.

Speech and language services - For all children and adults. Located minutes from the Legends and Providence Medical Center. Now accepting new clients. Most insurance accepted. Call Communication Station at (913) 703-4037.

Senior hairstyling - Haircuts, perms, roller sets.

Savvy Salon, 5910 W. 59th Terrace Mission, KS, one block south of Johnson Dr. $5 off any service on 1st visit. Bonnie (816) 769-8511 Life Simplified - Professional organizing for home and business in the Greater Kansas City area. New Year Special! Receive a 15% discount in January (2 hr. minimum).

We organize tools to toys, garages to attics. Pre- and post-moving support for upsizing or downsizing. We advise on what to keep, donate, recycle or toss and offer personalized strategies on keeping organized. Supportive, confidential and nonjudgmental. Call (913) 725-8151 or email: info@lifesimplified.biz; or go online to: www. lifesimplified.biz.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr. com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer. com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload, and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammermoving.com.

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

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

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835.

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dan deeconst@aol.com.

Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Two cemetery plots at Mt. Calvary in Kansas City, Kansas. Located in section 5, lot 79, spaces 1 and 2. $1500 each. Call Jan at (913) 645-1649.

FOR RENT For rent - House recently remodeled. Entry level BR, large loft BR, kitchen with dishwasher, basement garage with opener. Large yard; quiet, secure neighborhood.

No smoking, no pets. References required. Call (913) 238-2470. Serious interest only. Shawnee Sacred Heart member, owner.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to Buy Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

REAL ESTATE Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it?

We buy it all at once in as-is condition.

Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com.

CAREGIVING Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

Just like family - Two independent ladies willing to care for your loved ones in their home. Flexible nights, days, weekends. Payment depends on services rendered. Call Kara at (913) 909-6659.

Handyman/Remodeler - Quality service with references. Kitchens, baths, tile, painting, garage doors and openers, decks and wood rot repair. Call Jeff at (913) 915-4738.

Nursing assistant/companion/household duties Retired nurse, available evenings, weekends, days or nights. 30 years’ experience. Recent references. Call (913) 579-5276.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs.

Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured.

Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

Medication support - Need help filling weekly pill boxes? Need daily medication reminders? We can provide these services in your home with daily or weekly visits. Call to learn about our exciting new medication solutions that allow you to continue living safely at home. Call Home Connect Health at (913) 627- 9222.

Father-and-son home exteriors and remodeling - Celebrating my 15th year in The Leaven as a small business owner! We do decks, siding, windows, doors, tile work, floors, wood rot, and interior and exterior painting.

We can remodel bathrooms, kitchens or basements. We also reface cabinets and redo pesky popcorn ceilings.

Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176

MISCELLANEOUS Wanted - Information on the family whose last name is Johnson that may have purchased six cemetery grave sites at St. Benedict Church in Bendena, Kansas, in the year 1990. If you have any information, call Eddie Burke at (785) 359-6701.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR NATIVITY DISPLAY St. Patrick Parish (basement) 302 Boyle St., Scranton Jan. 7 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Members and friends of St. Patrick Parish will share and view many Nativity sets.

There will be different sizes, numbers of pieces and varied artistic interpretations of the Nativity. Freewill donations are appreciated. Money collected will go to the St. Patrick building repair fund.

We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. Benediction will follow, as well as an opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular.

For more information, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

MASS OF THANKSGIVING Sacred Heart Parish 126 S. Cedar St., Ottawa Jan. 14 at 11 a.m.

Friends and former parishioners of Father William G. Fisher are invited to a Mass of thanksgiving for his 25th anniversary of ordination.

A lunch in the parish center will follow the Mass. If you plan to attend the lunch, RSVP to: jjonson66@live.com or call (785) 242-3384

by Jan. 7. Cards may be sent to Father Fisher at: 408 S. Cedar St., Ottawa, KS 66067.

POTLUCK LUNCHEON Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish (Formation Room) 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka Jan. 7 from 1 - 3 p.m.

The Christian widow and widowers organization will host the luncheon. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 233-7350.

TAKE-A-LOOK THURSDAY Holy Spirit School 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park Jan. 11 from 9 - 11 a.m.

Come join us for information, tours of the school and refreshments. Choose a learning environment that is welcoming and Christ-centered. For more information, call Anita Pauls at (913) 492-2582 or send an email to: apauls@hscatholic.org.

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 14 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

COPING WITH LIFE ALONE St. John Francis Regis Church 8941 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 14 - Feb. 25 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Come join other young women who are open to the joy of totally following God’s will for their lives. Women between the ages of 18 and 30 are invited to participate, with opportunities to grow in community and friendship, develop a deeper understanding of discernment and meet some of the consecrated women who are joyfully serving the church today. Register online at: www. archkck.org/ranch or contact the retreat team by email at: psrministry@archkck.org, or call (785) 746-5693.

CHILI AND BINGO Church of the Ascension 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Jan. 21 from 6 - 8 p.m.

The Ascension Knights of Columbus will be hosting this event. The cost to attend is: $9.50 for adults, age 12 and over; $5 for kids, ages 5 - 11; and kids 4 and under eat free. Included with the cost of the meal are three bingo cards. Additional cards may be purchased for $1 each. Net proceeds support various Ascension and community charities.

Come for the morning or for the day. Spend time in silence. Walk our beautiful grounds.

Visit our St. Scholastica Chapel or find a comfortable nook at Sophia Center. Coffee is provided. Bring a sack lunch and spend the day. Reservations are required. The suggested donation is a freewill offering. Register online at: www.mountosb.org.

WOMEN’S DISCERNMENT RETREAT Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg Jan. 19 and 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Jan. 27 from 4 - 8 p.m.

Respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families who have a child with a disability. The program is designed for children ages 6 - 18. For exceptions to the age range, contact Tom Racunas at (913) 647-3054 or send an email to: tracunas@ archkck.org. For questions about the program, call Tom or Audrey Amor at (816) 7391197 or send an email to: aamor@sjakeep ingfaith.org. Volunteers are needed to be a respite buddy to a child with a disability. To register a child for the program or to volunteer, go online to: www.archkck.org/special needs and complete the online form.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE 503 Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Jan. 28 at 12:30 p.m.

There will be a rosary, followed by a business meeting. A social will follow. If you know of a member or their family member in distress, sick or in need of the circle’s prayers, contact Theresa Smith-Lawton at (785) 6401403. If you are interested in or would like more information about the Daughters of Isabella, call Marilyn Unrein at (785) 2308448 or Cindy Keen at (785) 228-9863.

This is a grief support program that meets on Sunday each week for seven weeks. The program helps those who have lost a love relationship — due to death, divorce or separation — move through the experience of grief and loss into a future with renewed hope.

COFFEE AND SILENCE Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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GIVE ’N’ GET COAT AND SHOE EXCHANGE Prince of Peace School (Marian Room) 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe Jan. 21 from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Last year, over 2000 winter apparel items were given away or exchanged. All are welcome to come receive free winter coats, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets and purses or to bring in your old items and exchange them for newer ones. The Marian Room is located next to the school office by the circle drive.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas By appointment

Spiritual direction helps us notice God’s action in our daily lives. We become more conscious of God’s presence and love. Appointments are for one hour, once a month, scheduled at the convenience of the director and the directee. Call the center at (913) 906-8990 to schedule an appointment.

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Calendar notices are due eight days before the publication date. Send notices to: beth. blankenship@theleaven.org.

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JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Jan. 7 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Is 60: 1-6 Ps 72: 2, 7-8, 10-13 Eph 3: 2-3a, 5-6 Mt 2: 1-12 Jan. 8 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Is 42: 1-4, 6-7 Ps 29: 1a, 2, 3ac-4, 3b, 9b-10 Mk 1: 7-11 Jan. 9 Tuesday 1 Sm 1: 9-20 (Ps) 1 Sm 2: 1, 4-8 Mk 1: 21-28 Jan. 10 Wednesday 1 Sm 3: 1-10, 19-20 Ps 40: 2-5, 7-10 Mk 1: 29-39 Jan. 11 Thursday 1 Sm 4: 1-11 Ps 44: 10-11, 14-15, 25-26 Mk 1: 40-45 Jan. 12 Friday 1 Sm 8: 4-7, 10-22a Ps 89: 16-19 Mk 2: 1-12 Jan. 13 Hilary, bishop, doctor of the church 1 Sm 9: 1-4, 17-19; 10: 1a Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mk 2: 13-17

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“G

ood win, but good is no longer good enough.”

This was the New Year’s Day front-page headline of the Kansas City Star. It referred to the Chiefs’ 27-24 victory over the Denver Broncos the day before.

When I read that headline, I wanted to call the Star and say, “You know, it actually is good enough!” A win’s a win, whether it’s by 3 points or 30, whether it’s a thing of beauty or ugly as sin.

It got me to thinking that in our world today, we’re no longer satisfied with good enough. In other words, good enough isn’t good enough anymore. It’s as if we’re on a quest for perfection in all things and become disappointed and out of sorts when we get anything less (and that’s 99.9 percent of the time).

This attitude is something that’s guaranteed to rob a person of peace of mind. It encourages us to focus on all that’s missing, rather than seeing all the positive

I

14

Is this column good enough?

MARK MY WORDS

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.

things that are there.

Perhaps rediscovering a sense of “good enough” can bring some much-needed peace to our restless hearts as we begin a brand-new year. Many people hesitate to make New Year’s resolutions because they’re certain that they’ll not be perfect at achieving them. And they’re right.

But the point of resolutions is to make us better, not perfect, people. Let me give you an example. Last year, I made a resolution to get

in better physical shape in 2017. To keep me honest, I joined a gym near the church offices and hired a personal trainer. I signed up to meet him two times a week for three months.

Although I missed several sessions in February, I kept going back, even after those absences.

Well, I’m happy to report that I just finished an entire year at the gym with that personal trainer. Even though I wasn’t perfect in my twice-a-week goal every week, I did hit at least 45 of 52 weeks. That’s 90 sessions of exercise that I never would have done if I’d given up at my first miss. I feel good about that, both physically and emotionally.

And, yes, I’ve signed

up for another year.

I learned two lessons in all this. One is illustrated in this little story: One day, a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone, but he couldn’t budge it. His father watched his son’s efforts.

Finally, he said to his son, “Are you using all your strength?”

Exasperated, the kid replied, “Yes, I am!”

“No, you’re not,” said the father calmly. “You haven’t asked me to help you.” (Found in “More Sower’s Seeds: Second Planting,” by Brian Cavanaugh, TOR.) If I’m going to be successful with resolutions, I need the assistance of someone else, like a personal trainer, to keep me accountable and motivated. The same might be true for you. Find a “resolution buddy” this year and see if it doesn’t make a difference as you try to improve your life.

The second lesson I learned came from a book by Amanda Sullivan called “Organized Enough.” I was attracted to the book by the “enough” in the title.

Her system uses the acronym FLOW and, for

me, the first letter was worth the price of the book.

Sullivan begins by noting that the letter “F” stands for “Forgive yourself.” She writes: “The first step is forgiving yourself; you are human, and you don’t need to be perfect.” When I’d miss a session at the gym, I forgave myself and then picked up where I left off.

As we move through this first month of 2018, why not make a resolution or two about what will make you a better person this year.

If you’ve failed miserably at keeping resolutions in the past — believe me, I hear you — please try again.

Don’t waste time trying to make perfect resolutions; make some that are good enough.

And don’t give up if you don’t keep them perfectly. Instead, congratulate yourself when you do them good enough.

After all, as the Chiefs will tell you, a win’s a win, even if it isn’t perfect!

Even as a newborn, Jesus posed a threat

have noticed that little babies often attract attention in church, even when they are not screaming their heads off.

People like to see their innocence, their cute faces smiling, to hear their gurgling. For parents, it may remind them of their own children when they were at that age.

For those who were never parents, the sight may fill a gap in their lives. In any case, newborn babies often attract attention.

In Matthew’s Gospel, which we hear this Sunday, Magi from the far-off East come to worship the newborn king of the Jews (2:112). The Magi are not Jews, but Gentiles.

Matthew’s Gospel is making the point that the newborn king will govern not only the

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

Jewish people, but also all the nations of the earth. Matthew’s Gospel emphasizes the universality of Jesus’ mission.

It is for all people.

The royal gifts that

POPE FRANCIS

the Magi bring underline the kingly nature of the newborn child. They allude to the passage from the Book of Isaiah that we hear as the first reading of Sunday’s Mass: “All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense” (60: 6b).

Since the same passage mentions kings coming to Jerusalem to worship, guided by God’s light — “Nations shall walk by your light

In an increasingly complex world of unprecedented scientific and technological challenges, theologians must communicate what is essential about life and help Christians proclaim God’s merciful, saving grace, Pope Francis told a group of Italian theologians.

The theologians’ task requires being “faithful and anchored” to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and continuing the council’s focus on the church “letting itself be enriched by the perennial newness of Christ’s Gospel,” he said. Speaking Dec. 29

and kings by your shining radiance” ((60:3) — the Magi who visit the newborn Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel are often also identified as kings, even though Matthew’s Gospel makes no such claim. It is content to identify them as Magi, and leave it at that.

It is significant that Jesus has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David. That is appropriate, since David was the greatest king of the Jews, up until then. It makes sense for the new king to be born there.

When King Herod hears the news that there is another king in town, this greatly upsets him. In response to this perceived threat to his power, Herod will order the slaughter of all the boys 2 years old or younger. The Holy Family will flee into

Egypt to escape his cruelty.

From the very beginning of his life, then, the newborn king of the Jews poses a threat to the prevailing power structure.

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus will oppose the religious and political authorities. This opposition will reach its climax when Jesus stands before Pilate, who will condemn him to death because he claims to be the king of the Jews.

This constant theme in Matthew’s Gospel challenges the disciples of Jesus to also take a stand. Will they acknowledge him as king, even when that brings them into conflict with worldly powers? Will they join with the Magi in worshiping him as Lord?

at the Vatican to members of the Italian Theological Association, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary, the pope said theologians and other church workers must always refer back to Vatican II where the church recognized its responsibility to “proclaim the Gospel in a new way.”

Such a task is done not by changing the message, but by communicating the perennial message with “faithful creativity” to a world experiencing rapid transformations, he said.

— CNS

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

T

15

Doping athletes cheat not only the system, but themselves

he use of performanceenhancing drugs by professional athletes not only leads to serious challenges in maintaining a level playing field in competitive sports but also raises broader ethical issues and concerns.

Some of these concerns were highlighted in 2015 when the former world No. 1 tennis star Maria Sharapova was banned from competitive play for two years by the International Tennis Federation after she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. The Court of Arbitration for Sport subsequently reduced her sentence to 15 months. Meldonium, an over-the-counter Latvian drug known to dilate blood vessels and increase the flow of blood, may contribute to improving an athlete’s physical endurance.

Her case was made more complicated by her claim that she was taking the drug for

MAKING SENSE OF BIOETHICS

FATHER TAD PACHOLCZYK Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, and serves as the director of education at the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

health reasons, a claim viewed with skepticism among other athletes and ultimately rejected by the Independent Tribunal appointed by the ITF to review the case.

Former British Olympic sprinter and world champion bronze medalist Craig Pickering

described the real pressure that top athletes can face: “I would bet my life savings that Sharapova was taking this medication because of its purported performance enhancing effects. . . . Athletes are always going to push the boundaries in order to have a chance at success. That is what happens when you introduce competition.”

In competitive athletics, the supposition is that competitors are beginning on a par with each other, which means that no one has an “unfair” or “unjust” advantage over anoth-

er going into the competition. At the starting line, they arrive as equals in the sense that they arrive with whatever they were endowed with at birth, and whatever they may have managed to become through practice, hard work and discipline.

Cheating through doping involves an attempt to step outside these rules and suppositions and play a different game, one that circumvents or removes the “on a par” assumption without revealing the fact. In this sense, cheating through doping is wrong because it is a form of lying, a form of presenting one’s initial endowment as if it were “natural” and the result of athletic discipline, even though it really may not be so at all.

Several of Sharapova’s opponents expressed frustration at what they took to be a further injustice — namely, that in April 2017, she was given a wild card re-entry into

World Tennis Association tournament play in Germany. They insisted that she should, at a minimum, have to work her way back up from whatever her ranking had declined to after more than a year of tournament inactivity.

Some commentators have noted how event organizers typically like to include big name draws like Sharapova in their lineups, and former No. 1 player Caroline Wozniacki opined that, “obviously the rules are twisted and turned in favor of who wants to do what.” Others have expressed concerns about corporate sponsors and advertisers continuing to promote high-profile sports personalities after they have been suspended for doping, individuals who may already be among the wealthiest athletes in the world.

It seems fair to conclude that doping constitutes a form of cheating not only of one’s competitors, but also one’s fans, oneself

and the integrity of the sporting activity itself.

Through an honest pursuit of the athletic crown, meanwhile, we encounter the possibility of transcending who we are in limited, but important, ways. The self-directed training and preparation of the athlete helps develop and hone a host of important personal qualities: strength, coordination, endurance, drive, agility, discipline, quickness, vigilance, cleverness, vision and daring.

This draws us toward an authentic perfecting of our bodies, our character and ourselves — an inwardly directed order and discipline that arises from deep within — and forms us in such a way that we reach beyond where we ever thought we could reach. And through that personal stretching and growth, we come to experience a true measure of human fulfillment.

That’s something that doping athletes sadly cheat themselves from fully experiencing.

JANUARY 5, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Marcus Kain is the new executive director of the Catholic Youth Organization of Wyandotte and Johnson counties. He assumed his position on Dec. 15.

New CYO executive director looks forward to new challenge

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Loving God and paying it forward — that’s what Joseph Kain taught his son Marcus.

Those lessons — and his father’s legacy — set Kain on a path that would lead him to become the new executive director of the Catholic Youth Organization of Wyandotte and Johnson counties.

Kain, 39, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park, was selected on Dec. 1 by a hiring committee of CYO board members and archdiocesan officials. He assumed his position on Dec. 15.

Kain succeeds Joe Piscitello, who was CYO executive director from 2010 to 2017.

Kain, a 1997 graduate of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, earned a bachelor’s in accounting and finance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

But one of the most formative influences on his life, his father, was lost suddenly to the family three years ago, on July 27, 2014.

“My mother Carol got a phone call from the chaplain at the Swedish American Hospital in Denver,” said Kain.

The chaplain told them Joseph Kain had been involved in an accident on a mountain road, and doctors were trying to save him.

“She told me and my brother to go up to the [Holy Spirit] eucharistic adoration chapel to pray,” he con-

“

“WE FELT MARCUS HAD THE BEST LEADERSHIP ABILITY — NOT ONLY IN THE SPORTS ASPECT, BUT THE MINISTRY ASPECT AS WELL.”

tinued. “We didn’t know how serious the accident was — just that Dad was in surgery. We talked with the priest and prayed with him and some people there.”

When they got home, they received the news that Joseph Kain had died from his injuries.

At the time, Kain was working at a “green” manufacturing firm using recycled plastic and helping his father, who had a wealth-management business. The plan was always that Marcus would take it over someday.

It fell upon Kain to attend to his father’s business, even while he dealt with his grief.

“It caused me to evaluate my purpose in life”, said Kain, “how I went about my life and what the Lord had in store for me.”

“So I thought for the next several years about how I could best glorify God,” he added. “[The time] helped me to evaluate myself — to see if what I was doing was truly in line with God’s will, doing things that bore fruit and paid forward

to help others in need,” he continued.

“My dad and mom always did that.”

And during that time, Kain was involved in a number of activities that involved faith and philanthropy.

“I took [Dad’s] baton in a lot of ways,” said Kain.

Kain began going to local high schools, Catholic and public, to give motivational talks to students on topics ranging from mentoring, college choices and developing good habits, to business startups and ethics in marketing.

He got involved with Children International, Junior Achievement, Solace House and the Catholic Education Foundation Futures board.

He founded “Grieving Young Adults,” a bereavement support group for young adults ages 18 to 40.

And, since he grew up participating in a variety of sports, ranging from soccer and golf to basketball, it was only natural that he remained involved in that as well.

Kain served as an assistant golf coach at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, assistant girls varsity soccer coach at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park and coached at the club level as well.

Finally, Kain was involved in the Catholic Challenge Sports ministry for young adults in the Greater Kansas City area, serving on the board from 2007 to 2010, when he was the board’s president.

The opportunity to lead CYO came out of the blue to him while he was volunteering at the Mike Sweeney Baseball Camp this past summer and learned the position would be open.

“I thought to myself that I’d throw

my name in for consideration,” he said.

“God wouldn’t have placed this on my heart if he didn’t want me to see if this was a part of his plan or not.

“So . . . I went in with the [thought] in mind, [that] if God opens this door, he will make it abundantly clear. I will continue to pray and discern and see if it’s going to happen. If it doesn’t, I’ll stay the course and see whatever plans he has in store for my life.”

The selection committee, which included Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, was very pleased with Kain.

“We felt Marcus had the best leadership ability — not only in the sports aspect, but the ministry aspect as well,” said Jim Lynch, chairman of the CYO executive board. “We don’t want CYO to be just a sports program. [CYO] is also a youth ministry program. As our motto says, ‘Leading youth to Christ through sports.’

“We were looking for someone who would not only be a good leader in sports,” Lynch added, “but also a minister to youth.”

Lynch particularly liked Kain’s enthusiasm and willingness to explore new opportunities.

Kain, in turn, can’t wait to do just that.

“We are called to help others develop a personal relationship with Christ and to lead a holy lifestyle,” said Kain.

So what better way for him to do that than in a field he’s familiar with — sports — serving a population he’s passionate about — youth?

He’s looking forward, Kain said, to “helping put them on a good path to have a relationship with Christ for the rest of their lives.”