01-11-13 Vol. 34 No. 21

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 21 | january 11, 2013

St. Benedict’s Abbey elects new abbot n Abbot James Albers praises influence of family, monastic community

What is an abbatial election?

By Vaughn Kohler Special to The Leaven

A

TCHISON — When James Albers was a boy in Bendena, his parents would often point to his longtime parish pastor, Benedictine Father Augustine Rottering, as a shining example of the joyous experience of religious life.

“My mom and dad would often say ‘Look at Father Augustine,’” he said. “‘Doesn’t he look happy being a monk and priest?’”

Years later, when Albers entered the monastery, he was the youngest member of the St. Benedict’s Abbey community — and Father Augustine was the oldest.

“On my first day in the monastery, he pulled me aside,” he recalled. “He said, ‘I’ve been praying for this for a long time.’”

Now, Father Augustine has reason to be prouder still. On Dec. 28, 2012, the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison elected Father James Robert Albers, OSB, their ninth abbot.

If you asked Abbot James how he came to that position, he would be quick to say he has accomplished nothing on his own. God brought him to that place in his life because of the love and support of others.

“I owe so much to my family,” he said, “not just my biological family, but also my confreres at St. Benedict’s Abbey.”

Abbot James was born in Ost, a small town west of Wichita, but grew up northwest of Atchison in Bendena, where his family belonged to St. Benedict Parish. He graduated from Midway-Denton High School in 1990 and Benedictine College in 1994. He entered the novitiate at St. Benedict’s Abbey in December 1995 and made his first profession on Dec. 8, 1996.

Three years later, he made his solemn >> See “New” on page 5

Photo by JD Benning

An abbatial election is a democratic process in which the monastic community gathers to cast ballots to elect a new abbot, the spiritual father of the community.

To prepare for the election, monks pray for discernment, read to become more acquainted with the process, and dedicate their prayers to God’s blessing on the election. In addition, a committee is appointed to oversee the process, and presenters from outside the abbey are invited to address the community on questions like “What kind of elector should a monk be?” or “What kind of electee should the future abbot be?”

The actual election is a twoday process. It begins with prayer; confirmation of the officials of the election and voting members; the naming of proxies for those absent; roll call; the taking of oaths; and the naming of candidates.

On the evening of the first day, there is a nominating ballot. Each monk may name two candidates by secret ballot. No candidate is allowed to campaign for votes.

The community discusses each nominated candidate to see who, they believe, has the qualities necessary to lead the abbey.

On the second day, after the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the official voting process begins. Once the man is elected, the choice is left to him whether or not to take on the role. It is not forced upon anyone.

After he accepts and the election is confirmed, he is immediately the new abbot. The community goes to the church for a thanksgiving service.

Abbot James will receive the liturgical abbatial blessing from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on March 17.

Father James Albers was elected as the ninth abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison on Dec. 28, 2012. He succeeds Abbot Barnabas Senecal who served in that role for 16 years.

Calling all fish fries

Because of space constraints, The Leaven does not list Lenten fish fries in the calendar during Lent. However, a full page of archdiocesan fish fries will appear — all ready to be clipped and saved — in the Feb. 8 edition of The Leaven.

Fish fry notices should be emailed to: todd@theleaven.com. The deadline is Jan. 29. Keep notices to less than 40 words. Please do not include full menus.

The Leaven 01-11-13.indd 1

8 Dealing with debt

As you start the new year, here are some tips on how to get out of debt.

16 handle with care

This Alzheimer’s ministry is named volunteer group of the year.

1/9/13 10:57 AM

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

Life will be victorious

Join archbishop in consecrating yourself to Jesus through Mary

“I

t was the end of the first semester of my freshman year in college. Earlier that semester, a friend had given me

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

a copy of St. Louis de Montfort’s book, “True Devotion to Mary.” When I saw the words on the back cover, declaring that it presents a short, easy, secure, and perfect way to become a saint, I was sold. I thought to myself, ‘Hey, this is the kind of way I need!’”

Father Michael E. Gaitley makes this confession in the introduction to his book, entitled “Thirty-Three Days to Morning Glory.” Father Gaitley is a member of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, founded by St. Louis de Montfort, who originated the method for total consecration to Jesus through Mary.

St. Louis de Montfort was a gifted and energetic preacher. He spent a good portion of his priestly ministry giving parish missions.

God used his talents as a preacher to inspire a renewal of faith in the hearts of many who had grown tepid in the practice of their Catholicism.

St. Louis de Montfort, by his preaching, motivated many to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary.

St. Louis de Montfort authored what has become a classic on Marian spirituality, “True Devotion to Mary.” In this book, St. Louis predicted that his manuscript would disappear for many years, but eventually

would be rediscovered and become an inspiration to an army of great saints. Both of these prophecies proved to be true.

The unpublished manuscript for “True Devotion to Mary” was lost for more than 100 years. Though he only lived 43 years (1673-1716) and was just a priest for 16 years, St. Louis de Montfort’s writings powerfully influenced several popes, e.g., Leo XIII, Pius X, Pius XII, and John Paul II. Blessed John Paul described his reading of “True Devotion to Mary” as a turning point in his life.

The importance of the influence of St. Louis de Montfort on Pope John Paul II was evidenced by the fact that the pope’s motto, “Totus Tuus” — “Totally Yours” — was inspired by “True Devotion to Mary.”

St. Louis was convinced that Mary’s role, as the spiritual mother of all the disciples of Jesus, was to help her children to become saints. St. Louis knew that Mary always leads others to her son Jesus.

Thus, St. Louis mapped out a method for individuals to develop a close spiritual relationship with Mary. The total consecration proposed

by St. Louis de Montfort is to Jesus, but through Mary.

St. Louis de Montfort developed a 33-day retreat to

prepare a person spiritually to make this total consecration to Jesus through his mother. Father Gaitley adapted St. Louis de Montfort’s methodology in an effort to make it more accessible to Catholics today. For the 33day self-administered retreat, Father Gaitley provides daily meditations drawn not only from St. Louis de Montfort, but also from St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Paul II. This past summer, the Apostles of the Interior Life invited me to use Father Gaitley’s book to prepare to make the total consecration to Jesus through Mary on Aug. 22, the feast of the Queenship of Mary. St. Louis de Montfort recommended, if possible, that the consecration be made on a Marian feast.

As part of the Year of Faith, I am inviting Catholics throughout the Archdiocese to join me in making or renewing this total consecration to Jesus through Mary. The feast I propose for the day of consecration is the Annunciation, which is celebrated this year on Mon., April 8. Normally, the solemnity of the Annunciation is observed on March 25, precisely nine months before Christmas. However, this year, March 25 is the Monday of Holy Week. Thus, the feast is transferred to the first day after the celebration of the Octave of Easter. Our 33 days of prayerful preparation will, therefore, begin on Wed., March 6.

Father Gaitley entitled his book, “Thirty-Three Days to Morning Glory,” because he is convinced

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that the total consecration to Jesus through Mary is a life-changing experience. Indeed, this Marian consecration can bring us to a whole new level in our spiritual life. Recently, some friends from St. Louis wrote to tell me what a powerful impact Father Gaitley’s book and the total consecration to Jesus through Mary had upon their lives.

To join me in these 33 days of prayer, you will need to acquire a copy of Father Gaitley’s book. While it can easily be ordered online, I encourage you to patronize one of our local Catholic bookstores: Trinity House, 7287 W. 97th St., Overland Park, (913) 652-0080; Soul Supply and Hardware, 704 Cherokee St., Leavenworth, (913) 682-6868; Touch of Heaven, 119 S.E. 18th St., Topeka, (785) 232-2543; Lumena Books, 2201 W. 25th St., Suite G, Lawrence, (785) 842-1338; or The I. Donnelly Company, 6601 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo., (816) 3632823. These days, it is good in general to support small businesses, but particularly to patronize these or other specifically Catholic enterprises.

If you have never had a very strong Marian devotion before, this will be a wonderful opportunity to develop a beautiful friendship with Our Blessed Mother. If devotion to Mary is already an important part of your spiritual life, this will be an opportunity to renew and deepen friendship with Our Lady.

I will be making this renewal of my own total consecration to Jesus through Mary for the intention for

calendar archbishop

Naumann Jan. 11 Mass for Apostles of the Interior Life Spiritual Mentorship Program Jan. 12 St. Philippine Duchesne Latin Mass Community church blessing Jan. 13 Mass and pastoral visit — Holy Trinity, Lenexa Jan. 15 Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting Vespers and dinner with recently ordained priests — archbishop’s residence

Jan. 16 Presbyteral Council meeting Open house for clergy Jan. 19 “Catholic Way” taping Catholic Charities Snow Ball

Our Lord’s continued blessing upon the Faith Initiative in the Archdiocese. I encourage you also to select a personal intention for your Marian consecration. I am convinced that the total consecration to Jesus through Mary is one of the best ways in which we can love, learn and live our Catholic faith during this special Year of Faith.

Lawsuits advance against contraceptive mandate

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — A growing list of injunctions granted and the certainty of continuing court challenges greet the first anniversary of President Barack Obama’s announcement of the contraceptive mandate.

Currently, there are 43 lawsuits challenging the mandate, with 110 plaintiffs represented in those lawsuits. Some of the lawsuits are by nonprofit religious institutions, and some are by for-profit businesses.

The mandate, which was announced on Jan. 20, 2012, was written by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

The mandate requires nearly all private insurance plans to include coverage of a variety of preventive services for women — including all Federal Drug Administrationapproved contraceptive drugs and devices, surgical sterilizations and abortion-inducing drugs.

All health plans, except those that are “grandfathered” or fall under a very narrow exemption for religious employers, must cover these preventive services without co-pays or cost sharing.

The mandate is “one of the greatest attacks on religious liberty that we have seen in a lifetime,” said Emily Hardman, communications director and an attorney with the Becket Fund, a nonprofit religious liberty law firm based in Washington, D.C. In a response to a storm of protest, on Feb. 10, 2012, President Obama announced an accommodation for religious institutions (such as colleges and hospitals) that were not grandfathered or did not meet the narrow religious exemptions.

The accommodation was that the religious institution’s insurance companies would pay for the objectionable services. Also, religious employers who were not grandfathered and did not meet the exemption criteria were granted a one-year “safe harbor,” delaying enforcement of the mandate.

The Obama administration also made statements about the possibility of future, possible accommodations.

“The harbor is neither safe nor is it a harbor, because [the entities] are still subject to the mandate through private lawsuits,” said Hardman.

“They still have to make budgeting decisions way in advance to comply, and so there are a number of things impacting them now.”

Thanks to the so-called “safe harbor,” a number of lawsuits have been dismissed, because the courts said the cases were not “ripe” since the Obama administration promised to consider future, possible accommodations. This is what happened to the challenge by the Diocese of Peoria and the University of Notre Dame.

There was, however, a significant

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

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january 11, 2013 | theleaven.com

CNS photo/Theresa Laurence, Tennessee Register

Dominican Sister Mary Diana Dreger, a physician, sees a patient at St. Thomas Family Health Center South in Nashville, Tenn., in this file photo.

The Health and Human Services contraceptive mandate requires all employers, including most Catholic employers, to provide employees with free health insurance coverage of contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, and sterilization even if the employer is morally opposed to doing so. Although the Obama administration has announced an accommodation for religious institutions such as hospitals, the Catholic Health Association rejected the administration’s accommodation for religious employers. The CHA said the suggestion to have insurers pick up the costs would be “unduly cumbersome” and “unlikely to adequately meet the religious liberty concerns.”

“The First Amendment does not require citizens to accept assurances from the government that, if the government later determines it has made a misstep, it will take ameliorative action.” victory achieved with lawsuits filed

by Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, N.C., and Wheaton College in Illinois. “[These lawsuits] were dismissed at the trial court level for that very reason,” said Hardman. “The courts said, ‘You’ve been promised an accommodation, hold off and come back later if they don’t actually accommodate you.’”

“The District of Columbia Court of Appeals reinstated our cases and . . . held the administration’s feet to the fire,” she continued. “[The court] said, ‘You must give us a status report every 60 days on the new rule; you must issue something by March; and the final rule must be in place by August.’”

Another significant victory was

when the U. S. District Court allowed the Archdiocese of New York to proceed with its lawsuit despite the “safe harbor” and the Obama administration’s promise to consider future accommodations.

“The First Amendment does not require citizens to accept assurances from the government that, if the government later determines it has made a misstep, it will take ameliorative action. There is no ‘Trust us, changes are coming’ clause in the Constitution,” wrote Judge Brian Cogan.

There are no “safe harbors” for private, for-profit firms, and many Catholic businesspersons who object to the mandate face the prospect of violating their religious beliefs or incurring huge fines.

Although the mandate took effect in August 2012, new insurance plan years for many of these firms began this Jan. 1. That is why several lawsuits were filed before that date.

According to the Becket Fund, there have been 12 rulings regarding lawsuits by for-profit firms against the mandate. Nine firms had their injunctions granted, and three were denied.

One of those firms whose lawsuit was denied at the circuit court level was Hobby Lobby, which is now subject to penalties of $1.3 million per day.

Hobby Lobby will appeal the ruling, and its future prospects are good.

That’s because of a ruling by a different circuit court in a similar case, which found that the mandate violates

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

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the business owner’s religious liberty.

“We’re building toward a vindication of our First Amendment rights in court and the consciences of all Americans would be protected,” said Hardman.

In a letter to Catholic business owners on Dec. 18, 2012, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann outlined some options they could take.

One option is that Catholic employers could discontinue health care coverage, but this would present moral and practical problems, and still leave them subject to fines beginning in 2014. Another option is temporary compliance joined with legal opposition.

“I would propose that you consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the HHS mandate, asking to be relieved of the requirements of the mandate on the basis that it violates your conscience rights and the free exercise of your religious beliefs,” wrote the archbishop.

The archbishop also recommended that if businesspersons go this route, that they seek assistance from the Becket Fund and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

“The government’s actions have created a real moral dilemma for conscientious Catholic and non-Catholic employers alike,” the archbishop wrote.

“All Americans should be concerned about these mandates and should work so that our nation’s heritage of religious liberty is protected.”

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. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year.

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4 local news

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

Taking a stand for life

n Pharmacists say rosary bolstered faith, courage

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

S

T. MARYS — It had been weighing on the hearts of Dan and Mary Sutherland for years: Should we stop selling contraceptives?

To do so could cause a lot of trouble.

The Sutherlands are small business owners, not activists.

“How could we do that?” Dan recalls thinking. “We’d be jeopardizing our livelihood. And is it our place to thrust this upon our public?”

The Sutherlands, both pharmacists and members of Christ the King Parish in Topeka, have owned a pharmacy in St. Marys since 2004.

Their dual mission has always been to care for their family — and their customers. And that was what they thought they were doing.

But that persistent doubt kept coming back, and they wondered if they really could reconcile their Catholic faith with selling contraceptives.

“We compartmentalized our lives,” explained Dan. “We regularly attended Mass, sent the kids to Catholic school, and followed natural family planning in our personal lives. But in our business life, our pharmacy was dispensing contraceptives.”

“As pharmacists, it was so troubling,” said Mary. “We both knew that all contraceptives could be abortifacients.”

The Sutherlands might have continued to straddle the fence if they had not received motivation from an unexpected source — their daily family rosaries.

In 2007, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph cosponsored a living rosary rally in Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo. As part of that effort, families were encouraged to pray the rosary together for the success of the living rosary rally. The rosary had played a part in the conversion of Dan, who had been raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran, but became a Catholic in 2003.

“It really just has helped us with so many graces and has brought Christ and his church to the center of our married life and our family life,” said Mary.

Soon, the Sutherlands discovered that the strength and unity that grew out of their bolstered prayer life helped them address their inner conflict.

“Before we began praying the rosary, occasionally the thought [of their contraceptive dilemma] would come into my mind, and honestly I’d push it out fast,” said Mary.

“It was a threat to our livelihood,” said Dan. “It was fear. What would [discontinuing the sale of contraceptives] do to our business, our livelihood, our professional lives — if we say we’re not going to do that?”

Would they alienate their customers? Would there be legal ramifica-

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Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

A deeper commitment to their faith, thanks in large part to praying the rosary as a family and eucharistic adoration, led Dan and Mary Sutherland to take a big step. They decided to make their pharmacy part of the culture of life by not selling contraceptives. tions? They’d already taken several steps to make theirs a “pro-life pharmacy.” Wasn’t that enough?

The Sutherlands decided no, it wasn’t.

“Doing the will of God, whatever that was, became more important to both of us — regardless of the cost,” said Mary.

The Sutherlands took a big step forward in 2011 when they contacted the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

“When we talked to [staff bioethicist] Father Alfred Cioffi, we told him, ‘Here we are. This is our business. What do we do?’” said Dan. “We thought we’d get a ‘do this’ and ‘don’t do this’ answer. We didn’t get that at all.”

Rather than an easy, black-andwhite answer, Father Cioffi walked them through the issues and the church’s teachings, to help them form their own consciences.

Father Cioffi gave them six steps for discernment. The last was to find out if Kansas has conscience protection laws in place for pharmacists in their situation. Their progress was halted again in January 2012 when they discovered that Kansas had enacted only very limited conscience protection laws.

“That was a huge thing for Dan, because he’s the primary breadwinner for the family,” said Mary. “What do we do now?”

They continued to pray and trust that God would show them the way.

Then, only a month later, Mary received an email from a friend, who knew nothing of their struggle.

The email was from Kansans for

Life. They urgently needed medical professionals to testify at a hearing before the Kansas House Judiciary Committee for expanding conscience protection for Kansas pharmacists, nurses and doctors.

They’d told God they’d do whatever he asked, said the Sutherlands. So this came like a tap on the shoulder.

How could they say no?

“We’re thinking this is part of the answer to our prayers, and Kathy Ostrowski [of Kansans for Life] said to me jubilantly, ‘You’re an answer to our prayers,’” said Dan. “I sat down that night, said a prayer to the Holy Spirit, and typed out my testimony.”

His testimony, and that of many others, contributed to the passing of the Healthcare Rights of Conscience Law in Kansas. It was signed by Gov. Sam Brownback in June 2012.

The Sutherlands then explained in letters to customers that they were making a business decision not to sell contraceptives. On July 1, the St. Marys Pharmacy truly became a part of the culture of life.

July 1 came and went — and nothing much happened.

“I had two our three people ask me,” said Dan. But for the Sutherlands’ faith life and consciences, the impact has been tremendous.

“We had to come to a point in our lives where we could say, ‘What if we lost our house and business because of this decision?’” said Dan. “And we got to the point where we could say, ‘It’ll all be OK. If we do lose it all, so be it. But we’re living according to our faith life,” he added.

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january 11, 2013 | theleaven.com

Sister Mary Corita Conlan, SCL topeka — Sister Mary Corita Conlan, 85, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, died on Jan. 1 in her convent home here.

Sister Mary Corita was born on May 12, 1927, in Butte, Mont. Her parents, Leo H. and Marguerite Lundgren Conlan, named their only child Lona Lee. She attended Lincoln, St. Patrick, and McKinley grade schools, and graduated from Girls’ CenSister Mary Corita tral High School Conlan in Butte.

In February 1949, she joined the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. After professing her vows on Feb. 14, 1951, Sister Mary Corita began her teaching career at Cathedral School in Kansas City, Kan. In the fall of 1951, she began teaching at Assumption School in Topeka. She also taught at Sacred Heart and Most Pure Heart of Mary schools in Topeka, Immaculate Conception School in St. Marys, St. Rose of Lima School in Kansas City, Kan., St. Mary School in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and was principal at Sacred Heart School in Leavenworth before returning to Assumption Grade School, now called Mater Dei, in 1967.

Sister Mary Corita was principal at Assumption until she retired in 2006.

For four months in 2008, she was the administrator of Sacred Heart School, Emporia, and St. Joseph School in Olpe.

She earned a master’s degree in elementary school administration from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth.

As well as being a skilled educator and administrator, Sister Corita was a gifted musician and directed choirs in Topeka since 1952.

She began taking violin lessons at age five and claimed that the beauty of music was a gift that started with the “squeaking and squawking” of the violin.

She began taking piano lessons from Sister Rose Cecilia Sillers when she was a freshman at Girls’ Central. She has written that her relationship with Sister Rose Cecilia was part of the divine providence that guided her.

“It was her influence, friendship, patience, and kindness that proved to be the catalyst for me to attend Saint Mary College and enter the community,” Sister Corita said.

In addition to her love of children and strong belief in Catholic education, Sister Mary Corita reached out to the disadvantaged. She was tireless in distributing money, clothing and food to the poor, and was involved with and administered the sandwich ministry at Mater Dei Parish until her death.

Youth choir seeking applicants

Q & A with the new abbot Kansas Monks magazine editor Vaughn Kohler had a few questions for the newly elected abbot:

Q.

What lesson(s) have you learned from your predecessor that you hope to carry with you as you serve as the new abbot?

A.

Abbot Barnabas’ greatest gift to our community was his compassion. What I see in him is someone who listens and who avoids a hasty response, so to allow the virtue of wisdom to descend.

Q.

Is there any counsel from sacred Scripture or the Rule of St. Benedict that comes to your mind right now? If so, what is it?

Photo by JD Benning

Brother Leven Harton (left) and Father Gabriel Landis look on as Father Marion Charboneau signs the document confirming the election of Father James Albers as abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison.

New abbot’s ties to abbey go back a century >> Continued from page 1 profession on Oct. 2, 1999.

After having studied at the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome from 1997-2000, he was ordained to the priesthood in July 2000. Following his ordination, he did a pastoral year at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca and served as alumni director at Benedictine College from 2000 until his appointment as prior of the St. Benedict’s Abbey community in July 2002.

Abbot James believes his path from small-town Catholic boy to monk, priest and now abbot of the institution that co-founded Benedictine College and Maur Hill-Mount Academy is owed, firstly, to the influence of his family. Robert (Bob) and Elizabeth (Betty) Albers raised five children and gently encouraged each one of them to consider the religious life.

“Whenever my parents talked to me

about what I wanted to do in life, they always mentioned a vocation to the religious life,” said Abbot James. “They wanted all of their children to know that a vocation to the religious life was as viable as any other option.”

The Albers family has ties to the Benedictine monks reaching back more than 150 years. As Abbot James’ family has influenced him, the monks have influenced his family.

“There are so many connections between my family and the Benedictines,” said Abbot James. “It is impossible to name all those who have greatly impacted us.”

In addition to Father Augustine, for example, “Father Meinrad Miller invited me to come to a weekend retreat in 1995 and encouraged me to discern my vocation,” said Abbot James. “And my predecessor, Abbot Barnabas Senecal, gave me a great example of compassion.”

“All of my brother monks have served and supported me in so many different ways,” he said. “My hope and prayer is to faithfully serve them as a spiritual father.”

As he begins his tenure, Abbot James is humbled by the demands of the position.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I am a little scared by the responsibilities that are ahead of me,” he said. “I am very much counting on the prayers of many people and the support of my confreres.”

At the same time, he moves forward with resolve.

“In the Rule [of St. Benedict], the abbot is responsible for the souls of his brothers — to challenge the strong and to give the weak nothing to run from.

We are on a journey together toward salvation, and my responsibility is my brothers.”

A.

St. Benedict uses the Gospel of John in the prologue to the Rule, charging the monk to “run while you have the light of life.”

We each have been given that light through our baptism and, for the monks in our monastic profession, I ask myself: How am I running this race and allowing the light of Christ to guide me?

That understanding of Christ as light offers to me a sense of guidance and protection.

Q.

Do you have anything special to say to the communities at Benedictine College, Maur Hill-Mount Academy and your sister institution, Mount St. Scholastica?

A.

I just ask for their prayers and offer mine. I look forward to the journey together with them, as well as working with those in our other apostolates in the archdiocese and Brazil.

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The National Catholic Youth Choir is seeking high school students to audition for the 2013 camp and multistate concert tour. Applications are due March 18.

Catholic students entering grades 1012 in the fall of 2013 are eligible to try out. The camp and tour are June 17 - July 2 at Saint John’s Abbey and University, Collegeville, Minn. The cost of $900 includes meals, lodging and tour expenses. Scholarships are available. Apply online at: www.CatholicYouthChoir.org.

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6 local news

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

SOS benefit promises the Miraculous

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The annual Support Our Seminarians benefit dinner has always been a top Catholic social affair with a purpose.

This year, it’s also a family affair with a purpose.

The event co-chair couples — Michael and Patti McInerney, and Jack and Mimi Nagle — have a special connection.

Michael and Mimi are siblings, and Jack and Patty are in-laws.

But it doesn’t end there.

Jack and Mimi Nagle are the parents of Matthew Nagle, in his second year of theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

Michael and Patti McInerney are not only the seminarian’s aunt and uncle — they’re his godparents as well.

Both couples belong to Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood. Both were recruited to be co-chair couples by mutual friends Pat and Louise Meyers.

“It’s been fun,” said Mimi Nagle.

“Fortunately, we all get along well, so it’s been fun and easy to do. We already know each other, and we’ve been together for other things, so we’re able to bat ideas back and forth.”

Already having that level of famil-

iarity means no one is afraid to say, “That’s a crummy idea,” without offending each other, said Nagle.

This year, SOS will be held on Jan. 25 at the Muehleback Hotel, located at 12th and Wyandotte in Kansas City, Mo. Funds raised at the event benefit seminarians from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Conception Seminary College, Conception, Mo. The SOS benefit dinner has been updated slightly for its 20th anniversary run, said Martha Hodes, the SOS executive director and treasurer.

Beginning this year, each event will be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under a different title, this year being Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. There will be a display about the Miraculous Medal, and Father Mike Mulhearn, CM, will be there to enroll anyone who wishes to join in the Miraculous Medal Society. Everyone who attends will receive a medal.

Another change is that the live auction has been replaced by a program featuring two speakers — Msgr. William Blacet from Missouri, and Father Rick Storey, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and a market featuring donated items and baked goods made by the

Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey. Although there will not be a live auction, there will be a small VIP silent auction for six items and a raffle for a mink garment.

After the dinner, both Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop Robert Finn will speak briefly, followed by Msgr. Blacet and Father Storey. The program will be followed by socializing with clergy and seminarians, wrapping up by 10 p.m. or so.

“Last year, people stayed around later while Father Mulhearn played the piano,” said Hodes.

Slightly over 600 persons attended last year, but Hodes hopes that even more will attend this year. As a sign of her optimism, she’s prepared to distribute an additional 200 Miraculous Medals with prayers.

Tickets are $150 per individual, or $1,500 for a table of 10. Donors are encouraged to give at three levels: $5,000 for guardian angel; $10,000 for angel; and $15,000 for archangel.

Over the past 19 years, the SOS has raised $2,845,727. Last year, the net was roughly $135,000.

The SOS events were begun at an absolute low point for vocations for the two dioceses and the seminary.

Slowly, through a lot of prayer and hard work, the numbers have steadily risen.

Today, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has 30 men in the seminary, and the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph has 25 men in discernment and formation.

As the numbers have risen, so, too, has the need to pay for their education.

“This is a great cause,” said Michael McInerney. “Higher education costs a lot of money. I know, because I have kids in college. Seminarians have five or six years of studies, and that’s expensive.”

Matthew Nagle is proud of what his parents and aunt and uncle are doing with SOS. “I’m really grateful for the SOS in general,” said the seminarian. “Without financial support, I think it would be hard for a lot of guys to go to [the] seminary.”

“I hear that, at other seminaries, they ask [the students] to take out loans,” he continued. “[The prospect of debt] can be a real deterrent for a guy if he’s not sure about his vocation. The fact that our seminarians don’t have to worry about this is really big.”

If you would like to attend the 20th annual SOS, contact Hodes at (913) 207-9893, or by email at: mmmh66@ sbcglobal.net. Or contact Mimi Nagle by email at: naglejb@yahoo.com.

Local Catholics help with immediate, long-term needs after disasters

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — When the call comes to help people affected by disaster, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas respond generously.

To date, the archdiocese has collected $86,084.15 for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

When the powerful storm developed in late October 2012, it first struck a number of nations outside the United States, including several in the Caribbean, before moving north and devastating states along the East Coast.

New Jersey and New York were among the states hardest hit.

Parishes nationwide — including those within the archdiocese — took up special collections soon after the hurricane hit.

Catholic Charities USA is handling the funds to help victims of the storm in the eastern United States.

Catholic Relief Services has been helping those in other countries.

Sandy delivered a powerful blow

to Haiti, where more than 50 people died and homes and crops were lost.

It was the second major natural disaster to hit Haiti within three years.

An earthquake in January 2010 resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and widespread devastation.

The archdiocese reached out to help then, as well.

Parishes took up a collection for Haiti in January 2010, and, to date, the archdiocese has collected $611,660.23.

Nationwide, after a call from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help Haiti that same January, Catholics gave more than $85 million to the cause in one weekend.

CRS received 60 percent of those funds for humanitarian work, including proving food, water, medical help and temporary housing, according to the USCCB. The USCCB decided the other 40 percent would help fund reconstruction of the infrastructure of the Catholic Church in Haiti.

The bishops in the United States have partnered with the church in Haiti and in many other parts of the world on those efforts to rebuild in such a way as to withstand future disasters.

Kernel of truth Ever see what happens when you add Mentos to a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke?

Well, that’s what happened to the faith when the last major player in the first generation of Christianity hits the stage: explosion.

There is no scriptural reference to Paul falling from his horse. But everything else appears in multiple passages — the bright light, the voice, the conversion. Paul’s subsequent missionary activities spread the Gospel so far and so well that he remains one of the most important figures in the history of the western world still today.

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The collaboration resulted in the Partnership for Church Reconstruction, and its construction unit began operating in late 2011. Since then, more than 100 project applications have been submitted.

The USCCB’s Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America has approved more than $10 million in grants to fund 15 projects, with more than 90 percent of those awards granted in 2012.

Some of the construction unit’s projects, such as the reconstructed St. Francis of Assisi Church in Grand Goave, are almost complete, while

When you hear from Paul in upcoming weeks, keep in mind that this man, whose words are so familiar to you, never knew Jesus in the flesh. He converted a year or two after the Resurrection; he helped persecute the first martyr, St. Stephen.

So how did a persecutor of Christians become the faith’s leading proponent? Paul appears to be the first person to encounter Christ after the ascension. But unlike all of those who saw Christ after the resurrection — on the road to Emmaus, in the Upper Room — Paul does not “see” Jesus in a physical form. Instead, he has a vision so powerful, so authoritative, that he repents of his persecutions and accepts the mission he’d been given directly by Christ

others, such as Sacré-Coeur Church in Port-au-Prince, are in the design stage.

Streets and homes damaged during Hurricane Sandy are seen Nov. 10 in Ortley Beach, N.J., after the hurricane made landfall Oct. 29 in the state.

CNS photo/Tim Larsen, governor’s office handout via Reuters

— to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Paul’s vision is important for reasons beyond his own mission. It establishes that even those who did not know Jesus in the flesh can still encounter him personally. It is through these kinds of encounters that saints down through the ages have come to know the Lord.

More importantly, we see in the reactions of the Twelve that they, who did know Jesus in the flesh, accept the authority of Paul’s vision. No longer would legitimate authority, or “knowing” Christ, be limited to the generation that lived when he lived.

Christ was now for the ages.

— A.M.

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Falling off your own fiscal cliff?

DOUBLE DOWN ON DEBT FOR A HAPPIER NEW YEAR

A

By Anita McSorley

poster used to adorn my office.

It pictured a ship at sea, sinking slowly beneath the waves.

The caption read: Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to

others.

I am here today to serve as a warning to you. And to invite you, as the new year begins, to learn from my mistakes.

This article is for folks with debt.

No, I don’t mean you’re poor. In fact, you’re probably not.

You’re probably a middle-class American who at some point started spending more than you’re making.

It might be for a sad reason: Perhaps you’re spending like you’re a two-income family, when at the moment you’re not.

It might be for a happy reason: Maybe your daughter got into the college of her dreams — and your nightmares.

Regardless of whether it’s for a good or a bad reason, you’ve got to get out of debt — for your financial, psychological, and spiritual health.

Financial How this will help your financial health is self-evident. But I will explain it anyway.

First, you will stop having to pay a high percentage of your hard-earned money to other people, simply for the privilege of using their money. (In earlier centuries, this practice was so vilified it was called usury and was outlawed by the Catholic Church.)

Secondly, the money you have now freed up can be used to make you more financially secure — able to weather a major car repair or even a brief period of unemployment — without having to pay money in order to borrow money from other people again.

Thirdly, it will increase your credit score, so you will be a more desirable “risk” to the lenders offering the lowest rates on items — like houses and cars — that you pretty much have to go into debt for.

Finally, the extra money can now be used to build long-term security, through both emergency and retirement savings.

Psychological There is nothing as stressful to the human body as to feel totally out of control. You can’t sleep at night if you’re busy juggling payment schedules, mentally robbing Peter to pay Paul.

But that’s nothing compared to the emotional stress it creates. Ever put off paying something down or saving for retirement “just until the kids are launched” then wind up practically wishing their childhood away because you’ve grown so panicked by your lack of savings and your growing debt that you can’t wait until they’re grown?

If you can’t name the approximate

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balances on your family’s credit cards off the top of your head; if you’re paying double-digit interest on ANYTHING AT ALL in this time of low-interest rates; or if you’ve ever decided against a car repair or a doctor’s visit because of the cost, your debt is affecting your mental health — and your common sense!

Spiritual I’m no theologian. But if you spend more than you make buying things you don’t need, I’m guessing you’re trying to fill empty spaces that even a big-screen TV or the latest Uggs just won’t fill.

Whether it’s to keep the kids happy or to keep up with the Joneses, the price you’re paying is too high.

Nor is it really who you are. Think back to the happiest period in your own life — the time when you were at the greatest peace with yourself and your place in the world. Did it have anything to do with the material possessions you had at the time? Of course not.

How about the people you admire most in life? Do you admire them for their wealth? Or did they model for you something more important?

Finally, there’s no getting away from the fact that we can’t go to church every Sunday and hear the Gospel message that we’re supposed to be spreading, walk out the door for a week of personal consumption that rivals Imelda Marcos, and then be surprised that we’re not getting much out of Mass.

Where to start?

Any faithful follower of Dave Ramsey or similar TV or radio financial gurus can stop reading now, because you’ve heard this a hundred times before.

But if you have not, or if for some reason this is hitting you at a time when you’re open to the message when you weren’t before, read on. What follows is a step-by-step process by which you can get your debt — and your life — back under control.

1. Start off by recording every single cent you spend in the month in which you start. Make this a family project if you can — but a nonthreatening one.

You’re not looking at cutting right now.

You’re just trying to identify where your money is going. You’ll decide later — hopefully as a family — whether you still want to keep it going there.

2. Next, go through every bill you received this month and confirm that it’s accurate. With active credit card accounts, in particular, check for add-ons — $1.99 a month here, $3.99 a month there — for various “insurances” or “services.” Then call and cancel those services unless you have an overriding reason for keeping them. Also note how the various credit cards are being used — are you charging only major purchases? Online purchases? Or is gas and fast food being charged to the card as well?

3. For now, set the grocery, cable, utility and other bills aside. Take your various credit cards in hand, and record the name of each credit card. Right next to

it, record the balance owed and the interest rate you’re being charged.

4. Next, get on the phone. Call every single credit card company with a balance. Explain that you are consolidating your bills and might be transferring balances as you prepare to pay them off faster. Ask them whether you are currently receiving the very lowest interest rate you qualify for. Also ask what your credit limit is and if they have any promotional offers for balance transfers.

(Accept an increase in your credit limit only if you are very, very certain you are serious about paying everything off, or you will only be compounding your problem.) This can be complicated and even discouraging, but persevere. It is one of the most important steps in the process.

Here’s the goal. Ideally, you’re going to transfer all of your credit card debt, or as much of it as possible, to the card(s) with the lowest interest rate(s). You will pay a transfer fee (probably 2-5%), but if you’re successful, you’ll transfer debt with an 18%-plus interest rate to a card(s) with 18 months of something like a 3.99% interest rate. You can usually do this over the phone, once you’ve decided on the creditor to use. Then you’re going to stop using the other cards. Yes, really.

And you’re going to have a very austere

There is nothing as stressful to the human body as to feel totally out of control. You can’t sleep at night if you’re . . . mentally robbing Peter to pay Paul.

— and busy — 18 months.

5. OK. Your first mission is accomplished. You’re no longer hemorrhaging money in the form of high interest rates.

It’s time to take a look at what you’re spending. Group your expenses into categories — housing, utilities, insurance, groceries, gas, car payments, car maintenance, household, clothing, medical, and investment/savings, for a start — but add tuition, lessons, etc., when appropriate. What you’re trying to do is identify where your money is going.

6. For purposes of this article, we’ll assume that certain costs are pretty fixed — although if your situation is serious

enough, even downsizing housing or cars should be considered. So we’ll leave housing and car payments alone — and shop insurances, trim the utility bill, and compare gas station prices later. Now carefully examine the categories you can do something about. How much are you paying for your cable package? Your cell phone plan? Your groceries? How about clothing and household supplies?

Kids’ sports programs and equipment?

Entertainment? And finally, the dreaded dining out/fast-food bill. Shocked? Well, at least you know where all your money is going now.

7. The next step is up to you. If you successfully transferred most or all of your debt to cards with low-interest rates for a specific amount of time, take the total amount owed, divide it by the number of months you have to pay it off at the low interest rate, and you’re left with the amount you need to come up with each month. Since you’ve probably rolled several smaller bills into one, you’ll free up some money from not having to make those individual payments. But you probably still have cuts to make — some of which will be painful. And you might have to get creative.

Do you really need your landline? How about a lot of shared minutes when your kids only use text anyway? Can you do without cable? Can the kids take their lunches instead of buy them at school?

And what about the fast-food bill? Some families might decide to outlaw the drive-thru until the goal is reached; others might decide to make the most of all the dollar menus now available and limit their purchases to that.

8. The important point is that you all agree that the goal is a worthy one and the time is now. If you’re like me, it will be harder to institute changes that affect the kids than yourself. By the time the draconian measures came along at our house, however, my kids were old enough to understand that they’d really rather take their lunches to school now than have Mom come live with them in her old age (which no doubt seemed to them only a few years off).

9. Next, once you’ve cut all you can cut, look for ways to increase your income as well. I’m always surprised by people who are drowning in debt, but wouldn’t think of getting a part-time job. Think how much faster you can pay down your debt if you’re cutting expenses and increasing your income at the same time!

10. Finally, if you’ve stuck with me this far, you now know this stuff is not rocket science. But it can be complicated. And it’s not something most of us were taught in school or learn on the job. For that reason, you need to find your Beth. Some folks, like archdiocesan director of accounting Beth Coleman, just get this stuff. As easily as proofreader catches a typo, they catch money mistakes — it’s the language they speak. Now I’m not saying you should call Beth with all of your financial questions. But I am saying that everybody like me needs somebody like Beth. So find your Beth, and every time you are preparing to make a major financial decision, ask him or her what would be the wisest choice. Then comes the hard part. LISTEN TO THEM.

If you do nothing else . . .

1. Dial it down.

Contact your local energy company and ask if it is running any promotions.

Some are installing free thermostats in exchange for the ability to adjust that thermostat by two degrees in times of excessive usage. You, in turn, get a thermostat that you can program to automatically raise or lower the temperature in your home, enabling you to save energy day or night.

2. Start a nest egg.

Run, don’t walk to your company’s accounting office. Fill out the requisite paperwork to have a small amount of your paycheck directly deposited to an account other than your main checking account. Start with $25 or $50 if you must, but set up the deduction, then forget about it. You’ve just started your emergency savings account.

3. Trash the ads.

Christmas is over. And the good news is you can now trash everything but the grocery ads. If you actually need something — like kneepads for your basketball star or rock salt for your driveway — you don’t need an ad to tell you where to find them. Missing the “sale” price on a necessary purchase won’t cost you nearly as much as purchasing stuff just because it’s on sale.

4. Shop generic.

Stick with your Jif peanut butter if you must or your favorite pop. But like generic medications, most generic dry goods, paper goods, etc., are cheaper than name brands, and you’ll never know the difference. Start with just one product. Add one per week, returning to your name brand favorite if a family member actually notices the difference. Soon, you’ll be netting a little grocery savings without ever feeling the pinch.

5. Shop used.

I’m one of those people who is afraid to die — without having read all the good books in the world. Fortunately, I’ve discovered that even books not available at my library are available used online — often for only a penny plus shipping and handling. Sure I miss that new book smell — but I don’t miss the $24.95 hardcover price tag. Leaven freelancer Jill Esfeld, meanwhile, has furnished two kids’ apartments in style entirely from thrift stores. Unless you specifically need something new, consider shopping used and, when you do, award yourself points to be redeemed on something new at a later date.

6. Ask.

If you’ve missed a payment, are reconsidering switching service providers, or just want something cheaper, always, always ask. First, most credit card companies will waive the fee on a tardy payment if the rest of the year’s payments were on time — but only if you ask. Phone, cable, and Internet companies are operating in a fiercely competitive environment. If you tell them too much of your budget is going to your cable bill, they’ll probably find a way to make it less. Finally, local retailers are far more open to negotiation than most people realize. Shop during off hours, ask for a manager and offer a reduced price for a display model. All they can say is no.

7. Keep a list.

A wish list, that is. If you love to shop online and think it will be a hard habit to break, use Amazon’s wish list or the shopping cart at various retail sites to “save” your purchases — before purchasing them. Revisit them for an entire week before making your purchase. By the end of the week, you might have discovered you’ve moved on to a new heart’s desire.

8. Keep receipts.

I’m sure neither brick-and-mortar nor online stores would appreciate this recommendation. But oftentimes we purchase in a fit of self-indulgence and repent at our leisure. Instead, keep your receipts, and be careful to order online only when shipping is free. That way, you can return the items and turn your buyer’s remorse back into cold hard cash. It’s not the ideal way to save money — but it sure beats keeping a lot of stuff you don’t need.

9. Switch shoppers.

This one takes some effort, but can yield some serious savings. If someone in your family is more able to stick to the shopping list than your regular shopper, trade out tasks for a month and see if it makes a difference. It’s not generally what’s on your list that breaks the bank, but all the great “deals” you spot making your way in and out of today’s superstores. Fortunately, some shoppers seem genetically indisposed to notice them. They’re usually called men.

10. Learn to cook.

Consumer debt just hit a historic high. And the average American eats fast food four-to-five times a week. Think there’s a connection? Fortunately, thanks to websites like allrecipes.com, it’s easier than ever to learn to cook. Start with a $15 crock pot and a cheap cut of beef. The savings you’ll realize eating at home will astound you.

1/9/13 10:57 AM

10 local news

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

“Today . . . there is a need for stronger ecclesial commitment to evangelization in order to rediscover the joy of believing and the enthusiasm for communicating the faith. Faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy.

Nation

D

Pledge your support in this Year of Faith

mation about the appeal in January.

Pledges and gifts may be returned to the parish using the envelope provided. Additional information is available at: www.calltoshare.org. Online pledges are accepted as well. Please prayerfully consider how your family might be able to increase your gift this year.

Who benefits?

Each year, parishioners are invited to make a sacrificial gift to support the Archbishop’s Call to Share.

“Many people come to the archdiocese for assistance with their heartbreaks and fears — a death in the family, marriage problems, addictions, loss of work, grief over an abortion, and every imaginable pain,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. “They also come to celebrate their happiness and hope — baptism, marriage, graduation and many other moments of joy — and

CNS photo/courtesy Jan Fallo

“[People] come to celebrate their happiness and hope — baptism, marriage, graduation and many other moments of joy — and we are here for them because so many people generously support this annual appeal,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. we are here for them because so many people generously support this annual appeal.”

It is at these important moments in the lives of our families and neighbors — those we know and those we will never meet in this life — that we joyful-

ly offer care and comfort, wisdom and understanding, knowledge and peace.

How to give Each household will receive infor-

Leo and Linda Burton, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 5. They were married on Jan. 5, 1963, at St. Margaret Mary Church in Wichita.

Their children and their spouses are: Debbie and Chris Seymour, Shawnee; Mike and Cathy Burton, Marietta, Ga.; and Chris and Alayne Burton, Shawnee.

They also have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pro-life movement strengthens its resolve

— Pope Benedict XVI, “The Door of Faith,” No. 7

uring the Year of Faith, the Holy Father asks for a renewed commitment to evangelization. The annual Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal provides the resources to proclaim the Gospel and helps meet the material and spiritual needs of others. Catholics in northeastern Kansas are becoming re-energized with a love for the faith.

It is our faith, as Christians — our joy of believing — that creates a sphere of happiness, enthusiasm, serenity and peace. This joy gives force and vigor to our actions.

news briefs 11

january 11, 2013 | theleaven.com

The Crosier Society The Crosier Society members support the Archbishop’s Call to Share by pledging one percent of their annual income (self-reporting) or $1000 as a patron. These sacrificial gifts are recognized by the archbishop at a special Mass and reception each November.

Presently, over 1,500 households contribute at this level.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Forty years after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortions, the pro-life movement hasn’t stepped back in its resolve to see the decision reversed. Each year near Jan. 22, the day of the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions on abortion, tens of thousands of protesters march in Washington and San Francisco and also take part in local events across the country hoping to change abortion laws. This year will be no exception.

The annual March for Life in Washington will take place Friday Jan. 25 — instead of Jan. 22 — to accommodate participants because the anniversary date is the day after public ceremonies for the presidential inauguration, which would have made it difficult to secure enough hotel rooms for the thousands expected to descend on the nation’s capital. Jeanne Monahan, the new president of the March for Life Education & Defense Fund, which organizes and runs the rally and march each year in Washington, told Catholic News Service that hotels reserved for march participants filled a month earlier than usual, serving as just one indication that this year’s event will draw record crowds. She said she expects a bigger turnout this year because of the “huge pro-life loss during the election” and the “somber reality” of the 40-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decisions.

Budget deal still leaves U.S. at the edge of the cliff WASHINGTON (CNS) — The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 — and 2013, considering when the House of Representatives passed it — will be known as much by what it doesn’t include as what it does include. The legislation, among other things, puts off until March 1 all of the elements that could have been part of a “grand bargain” on budget and deficit issues to avert the so-called fiscal cliff but were cast aside in the interest of nailing down a last-minute deal. “We’re glad they were able to come together and we didn’t go over the cliff, but we’re still at the edge of the cliff,” said Kathy Saile, the U.S. bishops’ director of domestic social development. The call, she added, is for “Congress and the [Obama] administration and both parties — particularly leadership — but both parties to work together with the White House.” As for the March 1 deadline, “we’ll have to wait and see,” Saile said before quickly correcting herself: “Not wait and see, because we’re going to be active in that.” It does remain to be seen, she added, whether the next deadline brings forth a comprehensive accord or “just another temporary extension.” The bishops’

Suzy

CNS photo/Ulises Rodriguez, Reuters

Members of street gangs take part in a cleaning effort to remove graffiti during an event organized by the church in San Salvador Jan. 4. In March, in a deal backed by the Catholic Church, rival gangs called for a truce as the Central American country confronts a plague of violent crime, according to a statement issued by the gangs. interests in the upcoming round of budget negotiations? “We’re worried that the only thing left are the cuts, and they’re being pitted up against the debt limit,” Saile told Catholic News Service Jan. 3. “We have to be sure we have a circle of protection that helps poor and hungry people at home and around the world.”

world

SSPX head says Vatican sent mixed messages ROME (CNS) — The head of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X said he has been receiving mixed messages from the Vatican for years over if and how the group might be brought back into full communion with the church. Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the society, claimed that top Vatican officials told him not to be discouraged by official statements from the Vatican, because they did not reflect Pope Benedict XVI’s true feelings. The Vatican press office declined to comment Jan. 4 on the claims. According to an audio recording posted on YouTube Dec. 30, the bishop gave a nearly two-hour talk Dec. 28 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in New Hamburg, Ontario. He spoke about the society’s three years of discussions with the Vatican over the society’s future and explained how he interpreted behind-thescenes communications about the talks.

Apparently speaking without a text, he also called the Jewish people “enemies of the church,” saying Jewish leaders’ support of the Second Vatican Council “shows that Vatican II is their thing, not the church’s.”

German bishops criticize country’s arms industry BERLIN (CNS) — Germany’s Catholic bishops criticized the country’s growing arms industry and urged greater commitment to settling the world’s armed conflicts. The message was included in a 24page bishops’ conference brochure for the Jan. 1 World Day of Peace. “Peace isn’t just a job for politicians,” said the conference president, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg. “It must shake us awake when we realize arms exports are such a flourishing business, as military and paramilitary demands increase,” he said. “Images from the world’s conflict zones show how far we are from peaceful coexistence.”

Archbishop Zollitsch said 2012 had witnessed “worldwide terrorism, devastating wars in Africa and escalating conflict in the Middle East.” He said economic globalization required a “further development of international order,” which took account of “the global common good as a horizon for local actions. Although world peace is generally recognized as a political goal, it often lacks the necessary commitment of power, especially when entrenched economic interests and ideological blindness fuel warlike confrontation,” he said.

“Every individual can and must contribute to a more peaceful world, benevolently embracing families, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces. Where conflicts erupt, every means should be used to help them de-escalate.” As demands from the German army decreased, German arms exports increased and now account for three-quarters of national arms production.

(Waeckerle)

and Gregg Svoboda, members of St. Michael the Archa n g e l Parish, Leawood, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 5. The couple was married on Jan. 5, 1963, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina. The couple celebrated with family at Christmas and with a Mass at St. Michael. Their children and their spouses are: David Svoboda, Kansas City, Mo.; Brian and Jill Svoboda, Wesley Chapel, Fla.; and Ruthie and Steve Basile, Olathe. They also have three grandchildren.

Anniversary policy

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

• They are for parishioners of Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, or for those who have resided in the archdiocese for a significant period.

Include the following Information: • The couple’s names • their parish • the date they were married • church and city where they were married • what they are doing to celebrate • date of the celebration • names of children (if desired) • number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Photo specifications: • Emailed photos need to be 200 dpi.

• Mailed photos can be any size.

• If you would like your photo returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@ theleaven.com.

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The Leaven 01-11-13.indd 10-11

1/9/13 10:57 AM

12 classifieds Employment Service representative - Do you love to help people solve problems? Great listener? Enjoy challenges, problem solving, and making things better? Enjoy working in an office? Do you bank, buy, read, and transact much of your life online? If you know the answer to all of these questions is yes, we want to meet you! We have part-time hours available: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and full-time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon-Fri. Administrative experience a plus. Send your resume and tell us how your background and passion relate to what we’re doing to: HR@ COBRAGuard.net.

Director of youth ministry - Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock, Ark., is looking for a full-time director of youth (7th-12th) and young adult ministry. Candidates must be Catholics in good standing with the church and preferably have a bachelor’s degree. Please email your resume to Father Tom Elliott at: FatherT@FatherT.com by Feb. 28.

Staff accountant needed - Small family office located in south Johnson County seeking FT accountant/bookkeeper. Assist with monthly financial statement preparation, bill paying and budgeting. QuickBooks and Excel knowledge a plus. Send resume to: UPS Store, 12120 State Line Road #374, Leawood, KS 66209.

Services MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient.

To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services (913) 627-9222

Need a ride? Where do you need to go? I can get you to your doctor’s appointment, hairdresser or shopping. Maybe you aren’t driving anymore or just prefer a chauffeur, I’ll get you there. I can also run errands, pick up your prescriptions or groceries. Johnson County only. Call (913) 469-6211 or (816) 8060564 to discuss your needs.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri. Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

Cleanup and grading services It’s time to repair your lawn. 20% discount on lawn renovations with mention of this ad.

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

Housecleaning - I love what I do and you can love it, too! 20-plus years experience. Excellent references.

Southern JoCo area. Call (913) 548-8702.

Quilted Memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop is open in downtown Overland Park! Machine quilting services. Custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, etc. We specialize in memorial quilts – wrapping you in your cherished memories. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704.

To see samples, visit the website at: www.quilted memoriesllc.com.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time.

References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013 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: mikehammermoving@aol.com.

Let’s lose weight together! - Mary Sheridan, LMSW, Sacred Heart of Jesus parishioner, is hosting a “Waging War on Weight” class at the Shawnee Civic Center in Shawnee starting Feb. 13. This extraordinary class offers mindfulness training, cognitive behavior skills, hypnotherapy, and so much more! We are addressing the entire mind, body, and spirit! Only $75 for five weeks. So . . . what do you have to lose? Find out why we overeat and learn lifelong skills to fight the battle. Please join us for lots of fun and great support!

For more information, email Mary at: MSheridan@ InsightfulLiving.org, or to sign up, call Shawnee Civic Center at (913) 631-5200.

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. bankruptcylawinkansascity.com.

Home Improvement xDENNISBILT CUSTOM WOODWORKING Kitchen and Bath Specialists Reface or Brand-New 20 years experience (913) 850-3956 / www.dennisbilt.com Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizing handyman. For a free consultation, call today (913)271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the website at: www.koatindustries.com.

Swalms Organizing Service - Reducing Clutter Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized! Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged. For before and after photos, visit: www.swalmsorganizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Ugly tile? Nasty grout? - Bella Bath Surrounds offers a revolutionary bath system with the look of granite at half the price! No grout. No sealing. Installs in a day.

Member of St. Joseph, Shawnee. Call (913) 269-7757 or visit: www.bellabathsurrounds.com.

Helping Hand Handy Man - Home maintenance upgrades and chores available by the hour. Special rate for senior and single-parent households. Electrical, painting, wood refinishing, deck repair, yardwork, small to medium tree trimming, gutter cleaning, shelving and organizing. Most home problems and needs solved.

Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe. Call Mark Coleman at (913) 526-4490.

Get a jump on your home repairs! - I specialize in painting, wood rot, decks, fences, windows, doors, siding, stucco, landscaping, drainage issues, and concrete. Fully insured. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call Josh Doherty (913) 709-7230.

Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, desks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning. Call (913) 526-1844.

Brick mason - Available year-round; installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience. Free quote – KC metro area – small and large jobs accepted. Call (913) 485-4307. Yes, we renovate kitchen/bathroom cabinets and install new floor tile.

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.

Fall Cleanup Leaf Removal. Tree/Shrub Trimming Aftin Lawn And Landscape Free Estimates/ Insured/ Refs Local Parishioner (913) 620-6063 Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

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

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) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com.

Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and tile work Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 206-4524.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998 Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson county area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

House painting - Interior and exterior; wall paper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Caregiving Experienced, Compassionate Caregiver — Available to work throughout the Kansas City Metro area.

Available all shifts and weekends. With over 10 years of service, I provide compassionate personal caregiver services to you or your family member. Please call me to discuss your individual needs and how I can assist you. Trinity Caregiving (816)337-7493 info@trinity caregiving.com Compassion - Trust - Quality Care Have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease? Inquire about our fresh, unique approach to care. At ComfortCare Homes of Kansas City, we provide a calm, stressfree and well-structured home environment for five to eight residents living with Alzheimer’s disease. A ComfortCare home is not “homelike” but rather it is a real home in a real neighborhood — there are no signs in the yard, no restaurant-style dining and no long, impersonal halls lined with patients. To tour and learn more, call Courtney Minter at (913) 609-1891 or visit the website at: www. ComfortCareKC.com.

Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned and based in Lenexa. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care at (913) 422-1591 or visit our website at: www.benefits ofhome.com.

Retired nurse - With 20-plus years of caregiving experience is seeking to care for an individual and their home on a full-time basis. Will consider live-in. I will provide caregiving, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, errands, etc. My goal is to keep your loved one in their home. Reasonable rates (will negotiate salary) and excellent references. Willing to relocate.

Call (913) 579-5276.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

CNA – Would you like to keep your senior loved one in the comfort of their own home? Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Compassionate, nurturing, attentive home health care professional provides quality service and personal assistance for over 20 years. Available anytime. Live-in optional. Non-smoker. Excellent references and reasonable rates. Call Rosalyn at (816) 830-7455.

vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $115/ night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www.tillmancabin.com.

Colorado ski vacation - Winter Park. 2 BR, sleeps 6.

Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. Bus to ski area. $135/night; $800/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

for sale Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

For sale - 2 side-by-side individual crypts (#30 and #32) in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Queen of Heaven Court, Level “D.” Current selling price at this level would be $12,000, asking $11,000. Must sell. Contact Cathy M. to make an offer at (913) 485-7076.

Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation.

Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs. Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 400-3236.

wanted to buy Antiques wanted I buy old pocket & wrist watches; sets of silverware; souvenir spoons; advertising signs; coins; and Native American turquoise jewelry, arrowheads & rugs. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

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

Wanted to buy - Lionel Trains. Call (913) 485-6700 *** Wanted to buy *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

ENTERTAINMENT DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function. Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 548-6765 or visit the website at: www.djirishman.com.

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january 11, 2013 | theleaven.com

January The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University symphony orchestra will present a program of opera overtures and dances at 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood. Admission to the performance is free.

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St. Ann Boy Scouts will host a pancake breakfast on Jan. 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the St. Ann School cafeteria, 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village. Allyou-can-eat pancakes and sausage with coffee and orange juice. The cost is $15 for families; $5 for adults.

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St. Mary’s Parish, Hartford, will host a beef and noodle dinner on Jan. 13 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Neosho Rapids Grade School. There will be a drawing for prizes. The cost to attend is $7 for adults; $4 for children ages 10 and under.

Friends and former parishioners of Father William Fisher are invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Jan. 13 at Sacred Heart Church, 408 S. Cedar, Ottawa. Mass at 11 a.m. will be followed by a reception.

The Social Concerns Committee of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, is sponsoring a movie and discussion on Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. in the St. Luke/Mark Room in the parish hall. The movie is called “Black Gold” and deals with the unjust conditions in which coffee is produced.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, will sponsor a 12week Light Weigh Bible study weight-loss program on Mondays, starting Jan. 14, from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the website at: lightweigh.com; contact Christi White at (913) 322-6097; or send an email to: christi white@christiwhite.com.

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Burak Room at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

Kan., on Jan. 23. Father Mike Hawken, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, will be the guest speaker.

436-7145 or send an email to: wpalcher7@ gmail.com. The cost to attend is a suggested donation of $10.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning will begin on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Parish, 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Online preregistration is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning during the postpartum period will be held Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist School, 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence.

Contact Shannon or John Rasmussen at (785) 749-1015 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information on all CCL classes in the metro area. Online preregistration for the class is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org.

St. Philippine Duchesne Knights of Columbus, Assembly No. 2260, are hosting a winter formal from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Holy Trinity Parish, 9150 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa. Knights of any degree or any council/assembly are invited.

The cost is $15 per person, which includes food and drink. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Art Ercolani at (913) 764-3190 or send an email to: artsue23@sbcglobal.net.

St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, will host a morning of reflection, featuring a presentation “Pilgrimage of Faith: How to live a faithfilled life in this crazy world!” on Jan. 19.

Mass is at 9 a.m., followed by breakfast and the presentation in the parish center.

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A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Jan. 19 at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood.

Following the Mass, the bereavement ministry will have a monthly support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Looking Ahead to the New Year.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Jan. 19. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning will begin on Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information.

Online preregistration is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org.

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Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will present Commoncents Home Ownership Workshop in partnership with Heartland Habitat for Humanity on Jan. 16. Topics include budgeting and money management, credit, large purchases, landscaping basics, home repair and insurance. A light supper is provided at 5:30 p.m. and the program is from 6 – 9 p.m. Reservations are required. Men and women are welcome. No children. There is no cost to attend.

The Sophia Center, Atchison, will host a “lectio divina” retreat from 10 a.m. on Jan. 22 through 2 p.m. on Jan. 23. Learn about and practice this ancient art of prayerful reading. This retreat will be conducted by Sister Micaela Randolph, OSB, a member of the Sophia Center staff. The cost is $100.

For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit Sophia Center’s website at: www.mountosb.org/ministries/sophia-spirituality-center.

A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be on Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Father

The regular noon luncheon meeting for the Serra KCK Club will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota Ave., Kansas City,

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Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

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Stair lifts & More We’ll lift you up!

Scooter/bath/wheelchair/pool Free consults. Leaven discounts!

Member Good Shepherd, Shawnee

Call Ed Toll Free 1-855-543-8632

Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host a “prayer shawl” afternoon of reflection from 2 - 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. The time will include sharing, information, reflective prayer, and light refreshments. Learn how to begin a prayer shawl ministry in your parish or area. Care and the ability, or willingness to learn, to knit or crochet combine into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Facilitators include Pat Callaghan and Sister Antonella Bayer, CSJ. The cost is a suggested donation of $20. To register, send an email to: julie@ sanctuaryofhope.org, or call (913) 3214673.

The 20th annual Support Our Seminarians benefit dinner is dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and is scheduled for Jan. 25. The event benefits seminarians from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Conception Seminary College.

SOS will be held at the Muehlebach Hotel, 12th and Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. The cost is $150 per person for tables of 10 people. To reserve your place, or an entire table, or to donate to the marketplace or VIP silent auction, contact Martha Hodes at (913) 207-9893 or send an email to: mmmh66@sbcglobal.net.

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St. Francis Xavier Church, 52nd and Troost, Kansas City, Mo., will host “Resting in God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer” on Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The cost is $20. To register, email: mccormally @sfx-kc.org.

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The Couple to Couple League of KC is hosting a wine and cheese reception on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish in the Jubilee Room, 1357 N.E. 42nd Terr., Kansas City, Mo. Dino Durando, the director of the office of family life of the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, and his wife Cathy will present on the gift that NFP has to offer our world in these challenging times for marriage. Reservations are required by Jan. 18 to Bill and Margie Stump at (816)

TOUCH OF HEAVEN

Catholic Store 119 SE 18th Topeka, KS (785) 232-2543 Hrs. T-F - 10 a.m. 5:30; Sat. 9 a.m. to noon

The SociaLIGHTS from Christ the King Parish, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan., are sponsoring their annual chili cook-off and dinner on Jan. 26 after the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best chili. The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under.

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., is in need of volunteers, and will be offering a volunteer informational meeting on Jan. 29 from 7 - 9 p.m. The meeting will be held at 11644 W. 75th St., Shawnee. For more information on volunteering in this ministry or to RSVP, contact Mary Newcomer at (913) 962-0200 or send an email to: volunteer@adviceandaid.com.

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February The Daughters of Isabella of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will host their fifth annual Valentine’s dinner, dance and silent auction on Feb. 9. A silent auction begins at 6 p.m., and a buffet dinner starts at 7 p.m. in the Quigley Center, 9201 Summit, Lenexa. Seating is limited. Prepaid admissions only. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age. Cocktail attire is expected.

Reservations are $32.50 per person. The reservation deadline is Jan. 28. Mail reservations to: Janet Sherman, 10444 Garnett, Overland Park, KS 66214. For more information, contact Louise at (913) 661-1720 or send an email to: lalloydks@yahoo. com.

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A trivia night fundraiser, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1913 of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, will be held Feb. 9 in the parish center. The event will begin at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Knights of Columbus pro-life efforts in the state of Kansas. Cost is $100 for a table of eight or $12.50 per person. The event will also include raffles, door prizes and prizes for the top teams. Contact Chris Dieterman at (913) 780-6428 for details and reservations.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com unplanned pregnancy? decisions to make?

Replace pressure and panic with thoughtful, and rational reflection. A confidential, caring friend is waiting for your call.

Topeka- (785) 234-0701 Leavenworth- (913) 682-2700 Kansas City-(816)444-7090 Emporia- (620) 342-8600

irthright

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or call 24 hrs. toll free 1-800-550-4900

1/9/13 10:57 AM

14 commentary

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

mark my words

Something to ‘thank’ about in 2013

Scripture Readings FIRST WEEK IN ordinary time Jan. 13 the baptism of the lord Is 42: 1-4, 6-7 Ps 29: 1a, 2, 3ac-4, 3b, 9b-10 Acts 10: 34-38 Lk 3: 15-16, 21-22 Jan. 14 Monday Heb 1: 1-6 Ps 97: 1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9 Mk 1: 14-20 Jan. 15 Tuesday Heb 2: 5-12 Ps 8: 2a, 5-9 Mk 1: 21b-28 Jan. 16 Wednesday Heb 2: 14-18 Ps 105: 1-4, 6-9 Mk 1: 29-39 Jan. 17 Anthony, abbot Heb 3: 7-14 Ps 95: 6-11 Mk 1: 40-45 Jan. 18 Friday Heb 4: 1-5, 11 Ps 78: 3, 4bc, 6c-8 Mk 2: 1-12 Jan. 19 Saturday Heb 4: 12-16 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mk 2: 13-17

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The Leaven 01-11-13.indd 14-15

“H

ere, I know you like this!”

With those words, the waitress scooped another spoonful of delicious pasta onto my plate during a rehearsal dinner.

Someone at the table commented, “Wow, you sure are her favorite.” That certainly seemed to be true, as not only did she make sure I had plenty to eat, but my iced tea and water glasses never ran dry.

Afterwards, I popped over to the serving station to say “thanks” and discovered why the service to me had been not just wonderful, but exceptional. It stemmed from the ending to the prayer that I said before we ate: “Lord, we thank you for the food we will share, for those who have prepared it and for all who serve it to us.”

The waitress thanked me for praying for the workers who are often forgotten and taken for granted. I left the restaurant that night determined to be even more vocal in my gratitude to others.

Of course, this isn’t a novel idea. In fact, Jan. 11 is known as International Thank-You Day. It’s believed the celebration was estab-

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. lished in 1994 by Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith.

“Life is too short, and we do not [adequately] appreciate the people who have given us so much to be thankful for,” she said. “I feel there is a great need for [the day] since we really must return to a simpler, softer and safer time.”

January 11 was chosen because its numerals — 1/11 — “automatically make you think of yourself and the various other number-one folks in your life,” said Koopersmith.

I’m humbled when I think about all the people who have made my life richer and all those I depend on each day, usually unknowingly, to make my life run smoothly.

Each morning, for example, I rely on “someone” to make sure that there is electricity coming into my house so that my lights and coffee maker function. Someone else ensures that there’s water for showering and drinking. Others grow the coffee that I use, process it, and get it to the store. Yet another someone made the cup that I pour the coffee in . . . well, you get the idea. How blessed we are and how truly we rely on each other.

So many times our lives are filled primarily with worries — some important, like the fiscal cliff; others not so much, like the sorry season the Chiefs had this year. Becoming more grateful people can change our perspective and our mood significantly, as it’s impossible to be worried and thankful at the same time.

What better way to start this new year than by celebrating International ThankYou Day? And even if your Leaven doesn’t arrive on the day itself, who cares? Dedicate yourself to making 2013 an International Thank-You Year.

At the very least, make a list today of a dozen people — one for each month —

that you’d like to thank. Then set a specific day, maybe the 1st or the 11th, to actually do it. Think, too, beyond just family and friends. Have you ever thanked your postal carrier, the garbage man or the person who delivers your morning newspaper? Ever expressed appreciation to the person who rounds up the shopping carts in the parking lot, the one who bags your groceries, or the employee who stacks the fruits and vegetables at the store? Ever thank the choir at your parish, the lector, the decorator of the sanctuary, the janitor, or the ushers?

And for those good folks who have died, ever visit their graves to say a prayer or leave some flowers?

As you can see, this gratitude thing can keep us so busy that we won’t have much time in 2013 to fret or complain. So, no matter how you say it — hvala, danke, gracias, ni wega, merci, mahalo, takk or arigato — or how you express it — in person, by email, in a handwritten note, by phone — say it often and with all your heart.

And, by the way, thanks to each of you for reading this column!

In the beginning

P

Messiah brings justice in an unexpected way

opular culture often characterizes the courts and the law enforcement system as ineffective. Crime and chaos rule in the streets. But fear not! Someone is coming to the rescue, whether it is Batman, Superman, or some other comic book figure.

That superhero will establish justice on earth.

The person presented in Sunday’s first reading — Is 42:1-4, 6-7 — appears to fit that description. It is the servant of the Lord, who predicts about him that “he shall bring forth justice to the nations.” That prediction is repeated only a few verses later: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”

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

We should remember that “the nations” refers to the gentiles, the peoples outside of Israel. Similarly, the coastlands that will receive the teaching of the Lord’s servant are inhabited by the gentiles. They live on the shores of the Mediterranean. In other words, the Lord’s servant will bring justice to the gentiles, not to Israel. That is not necessary, since Israel already has

God’s justice.

Israel already knows God’s will, that is to say, justice, which has been revealed to Israel, above all through the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. The prophets have reinforced those teachings and explained them to the people.

But the gentiles lack the Torah — in fact, the whole Bible. That is where the Lord’s servant mentioned in our reading steps in.

The Lord’s servant will bring justice to the nations by instructing them about God’s will. That is the teaching referred to where the reading says: “the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”

The Hebrew word translated here as “teaching” is “Torah.” That word not only refers to the first five books of the Bible, but also can mean “teaching” or “law.”

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC Growing up, a broom and a bottle cap doubled as a “baseball bat and ball.” A plastic lid from a coffee can was a Frisbee. And the coffee can became a receptacle for house keys, assorted tools or multiple nuts, bolts, nails and screws. Years ago, you “made do” and got creative with the things that you already had on hand.

Perhaps that can be a goal for the new year: to buy as little new as possible and instead to repurpose items. There are many books to help you think creatively, like “869 New Uses for Old Things,” by

The Lord’s servant will not impose justice through strong-arm tactics, but through very gentle means.

That gentleness lies behind the images of a bruised reed and a smoldering wick in the verse: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench.”

The Lord’s servant, the Messiah, will bring justice to the world by means of his teachings. That is the prediction made in our reading and what we see happening through Jesus Christ. He was known as a teacher and was often addressed as such in the Gospels, which recorded his sayings and parables.

Through them, Jesus Christ continues to bring justice to the world, to make known God’s will for us.

Real Simple magazine.

For example, sprinkle a handful of salt over a broken egg to make cleanup easier. Or use rubber bands to create patterns on Easter eggs before dipping them in dye. Or use a coffee filter to protect hands from a drippy Popsicle by pushing the sticks through its middle.

Let’s be responsible stewards of our possessions by making them work as hard for us as we do to acquire them.

— M.G.

1/9/13 10:57 AM

16 local news

theleaven.com | january 11, 2013

Ministry named volunteer group of the year

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com

Often, the volunteer prays with the resident while family is traveling to get to the bedside.

But that’s not always the case.

“Often, there’s the situation where no one is coming,” said Volmer. “We stay with that person, pray with them.

And even in the different phases of consciousness, we believe that they know someone is with them.”

Volunteers bring a Bible, prayer cards and soothing music. They make sure the resident never feels alone.

“Sometimes they’ll wrap their fingers around my hand and give me a little squeeze,” said Volmer. “And in that moment, you know they know you’re there.”

Volunteers are called for the Butterflies Program several times a month.

“Some months we might get three or four calls,” said Volmer. “Some months we might get a couple.

“And then we go every day until that person passes away.”

S

HAWNEE — Good Shepherd parishioner Penny Volmer was surprised when she heard her parish ministry was named Life Care Centers of America’s Volunteer Group of the Year.

After all, it’s a national award presented to one group out of thousands at more than 200 care facilities nationwide “So many volunteers do so much to help,” she said. “Why would our group be singled out?”

But then she thought about the Butterflies-Are-Free Program.

And she understood.

Caring Ministry Butterflies-are-Free is an offshoot of a ministry started by Good Shepherd parishioners many years ago at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center in Overland Park.

Every Friday, volunteers with the Good Shepherd Caring Ministry lead residents in a rosary prayer service and distribute the Eucharist.

Once a month, they assist at Mass.

“A handful of parishioners provide music and singing,” said Volmer, who has headed the ministry for the last two years.

More than 40 residents attend the Mass on a regular basis.

Megan Foland, recreation director at Garden Terrace, said the group does much more than pray with the residents. They also bring homemade treats and distribute handmade prayer shawls.

“This group is the most considerate and loving group of people I have ever encountered,” she said.

The motivation for the ministry is “love of God and love of neighbor,” according to Dawn Malis who assists Volmer and traveled to Cleveland with her to accept the award.

“There is a special connection between the residents, staff and volunteers,” she said. “All work together for the good of the residents.”

Bernadine Asher, who’s been with the ministry for 20 years, recalled one of her first experiences at Garden Terrace, when resident Howard Singler asked if he could become Catholic.

“I was given the commission to instruct Howard,” she said. “And in the months that followed, in his lucid moments, he would tell me of his life.

“I talked to Howard about Jesus’ love for him and slowly went through the Apostles’ Creed, line by line.”

Howard was baptized in his wheelchair at a Mass at Garden Terrace with all the residents as witnesses.

“He was smiling all the time,” said Asher. “He died shortly afterward.”

Joy and prayer Good Shepherd pastor Father Jim Ludwikoski sees the ministry as accent-

The gratitude is mine

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Before the monthly Mass begins at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center in Overland Park, Dawn Malis, a member of the Good Shepherd Parish Caring Ministry, hands out music sheets to residents who want to join in singing with the volunteers. ing the joy of elderly.

“We have the honor of serving them,” he said. “We learn about their wonderful lives, their lives of service and their lives of involvement in the church.

“And we celebrate that on a monthly basis at this Mass.”

Malis has experienced that joy and considers it a privilege to witness the residents’ devotion.

“Often a family member is with their loved one at our weekly prayer service,” she said. “Day after day, week after week, they sit together.

“What a beautiful testament to love and devotion. It inspires me to be grateful for my family and to value my time with them.”

Shortly after Volmer began heading the ministry, she noticed there were times when people were sick and couldn’t come to the Mass.

“We got to know the residents and recognized when they were missing,” she said. “We would stop by and visit and pray with them.”

Gradually, through that process of praying with people when they were sick, the group decided to start an endof-life care program.

“The facility was in the process of

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The Leaven 01-11-13.indd 16

creating an end-of-life care ministry of its own,” said Volmer. “Working together with the staff, we were able to join in from the prayer side of it.”

Now, when a resident is in the final stages of life, Garden Terrace calls Volmer, who reacts as she would if a close family member needed her.

“I usually try to drop everything and go,” she said. “Or I call a handful of volunteers that do the same — we go to them, we pray with them.”

Butterflies are free When that time comes, a large butterfly is placed outside the resident’s door indicating this person is in the final stages of life.

“The staff knows when that butterfly goes up, this is a room where they should be respectful, walk quietly,” said Volmer.

“In the Butterfly Program,” said Malis, “We help prepare and comfort the members of Christ’s mystical body who are headed homeward.

“The chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed for the dying to prepare the soul to meet Jesus.”

good? Studies have found that these same chemicals are released in people viewing your smile. If you want a happy spouse, try smiling more. Even a fake smile has the power to spread joy because your brain can’t distinguish between fake and real. It simply gets the message from the facial expressions and provides the matching

Sometimes those who are dying, through the years of shared prayer services and Masses, are close to the hearts of volunteers.

Malis recalled recently praying for such a person.

“It was my privilege to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet for Toni today in the presence of her family,” she said.

“Dear Toni passed around 12 a.m.; God called her home and I am sure she rests next to his sacred heart.

“She taught me many life lessons over the years and how to die peacefully, while trusting in the Lord.”

The Butterflies-Are-Free Program set Good Shepherd apart from other care ministries to earn them this national award.

Volmer said she and Malis were humbled to receive the volunteer award on behalf of Good Shepherd’s Caring Ministry.

“The group award is a wonderful acknowledgment of the many people who have devoted years to this ministry,” she said. “The volunteers who quietly love, care for and minister to the often-forgotten.

“As Christ’s disciples, they are his hands and feet here on earth.”

Father Ludwikoski is proud of his parishioners and grateful that they are able to celebrate life at every stage.

“Life is special at all ages,” he said.

“So it is wonderful that we can accent both sides and everywhere in between.”

Volunteer Ellen McAndrews remembered when she was first training for the Garden Terrace ministry, and someone cautioned her that she may not receive a lot of gratitude from the patients.

“She may have meant we would not receive the traditional thank you,” she said. “But I see gratitude in each resident’s eyes when I place the host on his or her tongue, or smile when I reach out and hold a hand.

“The real gratitude is mine.”

emotion. And a glance in the mirror is all the research you need to discover a smile makes you more attractive.

That’s because the muscles that work to make you smile also lift your face, making it appear younger. So put that smile to work — for you and your spouse.

—J.R.E.

1/9/13 10:57 AM