1 11 19 Vol. 40 No. 21

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 40, NO. 21 | JANUARY 11, 2019

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Stripped of all its liturgical furnishings, the old St. Paul Church in Olathe looks bare as Father Michael Hermes, pastor, address parishioners about the procession to the new church.

Father Hermes leads a procession of parishioners from the old St. Paul Church at the former location of 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr. to its new location at 21650 W. 115th Terr. in Olathe.

The Knights of Columbus lead the procession along a busy stretch of road in Olathe in the 22-degree weather. The procession took just under two hours.

Parish ‘on the move’ comes home

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

O

LATHE — As a procession of parishioners led by pastor Father Michael Hermes journeyed to the new site of St. Paul Parish here, Sonya Swinehart waited in the foyer of the new building and mused.

“It reminds me of the story of Moses,” she said, “when he led his people to the promised land. As he led his people, our pastor is leading parishioners to our new church and a new era.”

On Dec. 29, 2018, Swinehart joined her fellow parishioners in turning a new page in the story of St. Paul Church, the oldest Catholic parish in Johnson County — and perhaps its most relocated.

The celebration began in the former church at 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., where parishioners had worshiped since 1962. The holy water fonts were full, but the interior was stripped of its liturgical furnishings, except for the pews. Faint shadows of the large sanctuary crucifix and Stations of the Cross could still be seen on the walls.

Some parishioners looked sad.

Others chatted excitedly. All were dressed warmly for the four-and-a-halfmile eucharistic procession that would take them to the new St. Paul School and Church at 21650 W. 115th Terr.

Marion and Susan Dome even came home early from a Christmas trip to western Kansas so they could participate.

“It is kind of strange in some ways, since there is so much of our past and our memories of so many things that have happened here,” Marion said as he looked around the interior laid bare.

“I have mixed emotions,” he added.

“I’m happy we’re making progress to

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads eucharistic adoration at the new St. Paul Parish location. Until a church is built, the parish will worship in a multipurpose room within the parish school. the new parish. It’s always challenging to say goodbye to places of your past.”

“I was baptized in this church,” said Susan. “It’s surreal to see everything removed, but it’s exciting that we have a new beginning in the new [site].

“It’s sad to see everything stripped and gone, but we know we have a new, exciting beginning somewhere else.”

After Father Hermes quieted the crowd, he gave procession instructions in English and Spanish. He returned to the back where he vested and brought the Eucharist in a monstrance to a simple table with lighted candles.

WIND POWER

Benedictine College and the Sisters of Charity will receive wind-powered energy starting in 2020.

Page 3

There he was joined by Father Gianantonio Baggio, CS, and Deacon Mike Moffitt.

After eucharistic adoration and music, he processed out with acolytes and a fourth-degree Knights of Columbus honor guard, followed by all the people. The Olathe Police Department gave them an escort, and they were accompanied by a pickup truck that played music from speakers strapped down in the back. It was 22 degrees under low, gray skies.

The procession began sometime shortly after 9 a.m. and arrived at the

WINTER DRIVE

St. Patrick Parish responds to food shortage with a winter food drive.

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new site at 10:55 a.m. There, they were greeted by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who presided over eucharistic adoration and blessed the new St. Paul School.

It was the decision of the parish to first build a school for phase one, and then build a church and gymnasium for phase two, which will begin when phase one loans are fully paid off.

Until the new church is built, the parish will worship in a multipurpose room that can be subdivided in up to >> See “ST. PAUL” on page 5

PERSECUTED

The journeys of some World Youth Day participants will be longer — and more dangerous — than most.

Pages 8-9

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

2

Bishop’s retreat offered opportunity for encounter, renewal

U

sually, I begin the first days of the new calendar year on retreat with the bishops from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.

This year, I begin on retreat with all the bishops of the United States.

Pope Francis requested that all the U.S. bishops spend significant time together in prayer in order: 1) to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in responding to the recent scandals; and 2) to strengthen the unity of the bishops.

While Pope Francis was unable to be with us in person, the Holy Father sent the Capuchin Friar Rainero Cantalamessa, who has served as the preacher to the papal household for almost 40 years under three different popes.

Father Cantalamessa’s conferences provided brief reflections on the insights of the action of the Holy Spirit in the lives of disciples as described in the ancient hymn, “Veni Creator Spiritus.” The majority of his talks were devoted to the formation Jesus gave to the original apostles and how it was applicable to their successors,

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN the bishops.

The heart of the apostles’ formation was staying with Jesus, being with Our Lord. During the years of the apostles accompanying Jesus in his ministry, Our Lord sought to help the apostles to see as God sees, as opposed to how the world sees.

This is clear in Our Lord’s teaching as epitomized in the beatitudes.

Jesus’ teaching on what is needed for joy is quite contrary to the wisdom of the world.

This contrast is also revealed in Our Lord’s formation on leadership.

The apostles argue over

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who is most important, while Jesus counsels that the one who leads must serve, must be a slave to those entrusted to their care.

Father Cantalamessa reminded us the one responsibility that a bishop cannot delegate is his prayer life, his relationship with Jesus. It is only through our companionship with Our Lord that we begin to see as God sees, not as the world sees.

The second phase of the apostles’ formation was being sent by Jesus to preach the good news, to proclaim the kingdom of God is at hand. We can only do this effectively by being empowered by the Holy Spirit. For this to happen, we must turn the reins of our hearts, the control of our lives, over

to God. Some in the secular media portrayed these days of retreat as a strategizing session by the bishops to come up with a game plan to restore our credibility that has been harmed by the scandals.

They seem to view these days as a time devoted to developing a public relations strategy to restore our reputation with our people. This

Baptisms for children of larger families To show his personal support for those couples open to raising larger families, Archbishop Naumann has offered to celebrate the baptism of the third or greater child of any family interested. Please contact your parish office for more information.

Additional information is also available from the archdiocesan office for liturgy and sacramental life at (913) 647-0330 or by email at: liturgy@ archkck.org.

most certainly was not the purpose of these days of retreat.

The retreat was an opportunity to encounter the living Jesus again and to be transformed by this experience. It was a time for me and my brother bishops to invite the Holy Spirit to rekindle the fire of his love in our hearts by pondering the word of God and encountering the living Jesus in the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation.

On the solemnity of the Epiphany, Father Cantalamessa prayed that like the Magi, we would be transformed by our encounter with Jesus to fulfill better our responsibilities as the successors of the apostles with the wisdom of God, not the wisdom of the world.

Please continue to pray for me that the Holy Spirit will help me to become more and more a servant leader modeled after the example of Jesus Christ.

Hopefully, sharing these insights gained from the retreat are helpful to you also as you strive to live as a disciple of Jesus in the unique circumstances of your life.

Archbishop Naumann Jan. 12 Mass and blessing of Holy Trinity Mausoleum — Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka iCare healing Mass — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park Jan. 13 Spiritual Mentorship graduation Mass — Savior Pastoral Center Jan. 14-15 Visit — KenrickGlennon Seminary, St. Louis Jan. 16 March for Life Mass — Savior Pastoral Center Jan. 17-18 March for Life — Washington Jan. 19 Catholic Charities Snow Ball Jan. 20 Baptism of third or more children — Cathedral

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JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

3

WINDS OF CHANGE

Sisters of Charity, Benedictine College to invest in wind energy

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Starting in 2020, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) and Benedictine College in Atchison will join more than a dozen other institutions in receiving clean wind-powered energy from the future Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center in Nemaha County through Westar Energy’s Renewables Direct program.

Benedictine and the SCLs both were approached by Ed Broxterman, their contact with Westar, about joining the initiative.

“It looked pretty good, so we seized on it,” said Keith Taylor, director of facilities for the SCLs. Benedictine CFO Ron Olinger agreed.

“The fact that it’s sustainable energy is important to the college,” said Olinger. “That, in addition to what appears to be the opportunity to save some money, was a driving factor in our decision to join the initiative.”

How it works Until Renewables Direct, wind energy was accessible mainly to large corporations. These corporations stake a claim on a given wind farm’s energy production through using a new financial tool called a virtual power purchase agreement.

This agreement allows a company to buy power directly from a wind farm at a fixed cost. The company then sells the electricity to a regional electrical grid at the market price for that day.

If the market price is less than the fixed cost the company pays the wind farm, the company loses money. If the market price is higher, it gains money.

Another draw for corporations to virtual power purchase agreements is that they directly contribute to the construction of new

Starting in 2020, Benedictine College in Atchison, left, and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, right, will receive clean wind-powered energy from the future Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center. wind farms, which offset dependency on fossil fuels.

According to Kansas City attorney Alan Anderson, about half of the wind farms that are built in the U.S. are because of virtual power purchase agreements.

Westar noticed large corporations’ savings and contributions to clean energy through virtual power purchase agreements and wanted to offer smaller institutions a similar opportunity.

Renewables Direct was the result. “[On a traditional electrical bill,] there’s an energy (fuel) tariff that occurs and is variable,” said Taylor.

But because wind is the fuel producing the energy at the wind farm, and it’s free, the fuel tariff disappears when an institution joins the Renewables Direct program. In the fuel tariff’s place is a fixed, renewable fee.

For the SCLs and Benedictine alike, that fee will remain fixed until 2020. Both institutions expect to save money over time.

“I think we have the potential to save eight to ten thousand dollars a year in the long run,” said Taylor.

“But that’s not the main reason we’re doing this.”

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

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

More than saving money “We are thinking of it as an investment with deep ecological value,” said Therese Horvat, the communications director for the SCLs. “[The Sisters’] actions are where their beliefs are.”

For the SCLs, conservation has always been a part of their history. And sustainability efforts have naturally followed.

From educating the community to environmental consciousness, using cloth napkins to recycling and composting, the Sisters are deeply committed to caring for the earth for future generations and as a means of glorifying God. Every six years, the SCLs hold a national chapter meeting in which they create and enact a directional statement to live as a focus for the following six years.

“Part of [the 2010 and 2016 directional statements are] recognizing the sacredness of earth and all creation and helping to work on that,” said Sister Eileen Haynes, the community councilor for the SCLs. “[Environmental consciousness] often tends to escape [Catholics],” she added, “because historically that understanding has not been a key spoken part of who we are as a church.”

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

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That is, at least, not until Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home” was released. “[Creation] is a gift God has given us,” said Sister Eileen. “Therefore, it’s our responsibility in a sense to love it, to take care of it. “’Laudato Si’ has helped me to see God’s presence where I had not known it before.”

Fossil-fuel free Starting in 2020, the SCLs electrical consumption will rely completely on renewable energy sources — a combination of their own solar panels and the Soldier Creek Wind Energy Center.

“It’s very refreshing to see their efforts [toward sustainability],” said Taylor. “In my previous positions, [sustainability] wasn’t as much of a commitment as it is here. It goes all the way through the community.”

For the Sisters, the best part of participating in the Renewables Direct program is taking another step in being better stewards of God’s creation.

“It means we get to leave using coal and oil, which automatically brings us to a space of respecting and caring for the earth,” said Sister Eileen. “I think it’s exciting!”

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 $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

4

New website tackles tough topic of clerical sex abuse

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on the current clerical sex abuse crisis, or about the many ways in which the archdiocese works to be both transparent and proactive in the care of the faithful. (See his columns in The Leaven Aug. 31, Oct. 5 and Nov. 23.)

But now he’s coming to parishioners face to face — at least virtually — and to those who visit the new Response in Crisis website (responseincrisis.arch kck.org), launched Nov. 30 by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The site serves as a resource for those with questions or comments about the archdiocese’s response to allegations of sexual abuse, as well providing information on how to report abuse.

The website, said Tim Chik, the director of Savior Pastoral Center and digital media for the archdiocese, was developed to support — on a digital platform — the “archbishop’s ongoing attention to this matter.”

Bill Graveman, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie, found the site very valuable. He visited it shortly after it launched, hoping to find answers to some of his questions concerning the abuse crisis.

“I found it both informative and helpful,” said Graveman. “I think it’s critical that the scandal [of abuse] in the church be addressed in this open and transparent way.”

The Response in Crisis site features a series of video addresses from Archbishop Naumann in which he renews his personal commitment to victims of abuse as well as accountability as a bishop.

Visitors to the site have the opportunity to learn about the care and outreach offered to victims, the archdiocesan Independent Review Board, the archdiocese’s safe environment policies, the formation of seminarians and the accountability of bishops. They can also

The new Response in Crisis website (responseincrisis.archkck.org), launched Nov. 30 by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, serves as a resource for those with questions or comments about the archdiocese’s response to allegations of sexual abuse, as well providing information on how to report abuse. view financial reports there, participate in a survey and report abuse.

“I think this sunlight will help,” said Graveman, “and the opportunity for people to misunderstand and make up their own facts will be lessened by the fact that we are not only transparent in this archdiocese, but also proactive and are giving people an opportunity and a means to comment and discuss.”

Graveman particularly found useful the information about the archdiocesan Independent Review Board and the backgrounds of the people who compose it.

“Everything we can do to stimulate transparency with not only our parishioners and Catholics in the archdiocese

but also with non-Catholics and those thinking about joining the church would be very helpful,” he said.

In December, the archdiocesan Facebook page featured the Response in Crisis site in a series of sponsored posts in the hopes of reaching members of the archdiocese who are active on social media.

“It’s our way of being proactive and not being quiet about what has been done, what is being done and what will be done to be transparent,” said Chik.

The posts have reached as many as 25,000 people, said Chik, which is markedly higher than standard archdiocesan posts.

“Not everything [in response to the site] is positive, of course,” said Chik.

But for Graveman, the release of the Response in Crisis site has filled him with gratitude.

“I am so thankful we have an archbishop who is acting proactively and being assertive,” said Graveman, “who is putting information out there and is being transparent.

“It cuts all of that confusion and misunderstanding out. I think it’s very forward-looking and I’m grateful for his leadership.”

Visit the website at: Responseincrisis. archkck.org to learn more.

International students shine at Atchison academy event

By Erin Hunninghake Special to The Leaven

A

TCHISON — In a country where the topic of foreigners is complicated, Maur Hill - Mount Academy (MH-MA) here is continuing a tradition that was designed to bridge those very divides.

MH-MA, an international, Catholic boarding school that is currently home to students from 14 different countries, is not new to diverse cultures. In fact, its diversity is something frequently celebrated.

The most notable of these celebrations, however, is International Day, when MH-MA’s international students prepare exhibits featuring their native culture. Some booths offer food and drinks from the students’ homelands, while others demonstrate their cultural dances, games and arts.

International Day is open to the Atchison community, as well as surrounding schools. The purpose is to educate others on the different cultures represented at MH-MA, as well as to give the international students a chance to bring their home a little closer.

MH-MA’s English as a Second Language

From left, Kate Chang, Kanin Aso, Michael Zhang, Eunice Zhou and Jiwon Yoon perform a native South Korean dance at Maur Hill-Mount Academy’s International Day in Atchison. teacher Addrianne Raplinger will be the first to tell anyone how rare it is to find xenophobia in the halls of MH-MA. But she also knows the importance of addressing the country’s current climate.

Raplinger said xenophobia is a common topic of conversation in her classroom that she does not shy away from.

“Some of our international students were definitely worried about our new administration, so we kept that conversation open,” she said. “They’re very aware.”

“Our school is very unique,” added Raplinger. “The climate here is nothing like our country’s in regards to international people.”

Jiwon Yoon of South Korea is new to MH-MA this year and said that although she was nervous starting out, her teachers and classmates helped her get acclimated to her new surroundings.

“Most of the people seem to like international people,” Yoon said. “They think most of them are cool, according to some American people.

“This school has many international students, so it seems like they respect the diversity of students.”

At her first International Day as an MH-MA Raven, Yoon contributed the popular Korean food, tteok-bok-ggi, which is made out of rice cakes and traditional Korean spicy sauce.

“I made it for the first time in my life,” she said, “so it was also a good chance for me to try to make our country’s food.”

Yoon agreed with Raplinger on the importance International Day holds for education and inclusion.

“It is a good opportunity to get to know where students are from and to learn a little bit about the culture of different countries,” Yoon said. “You can make foreigner friends and experience many different foods and fun games through International Day.”

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Food drives like St. Patrick’s critical to pantries

By Bob Hart Special to The Leaven

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas provides food assistance for thousands of families and individuals each year.

But the cold winter months bring with them a chill of another kind: reduced donations. At times, the cupboard is quite literally bare.

Judy Hightower, who volunteers with Catholic Charities each Friday, noticed a serious decline in food available for those in need and decided to take action. She brought her worries to the social concerns committee at her home parish of St. Patrick in Kansas City, Kansas.

“I took photos, and there was nothing on the shelf but the commodities (toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.),” Hightower said. “So I went to a meeting of the committee and told them what I knew. I asked if they would like to help. Next thing I knew, they were setting up this whole thing.”

Despite the parish school and School of Religion having just conducted a successful Thanksgiving drive to collect canned goods, the people of St. Pat’s decided to take on another drive, with short notice, as an Advent corporal works of mercy project.

Parishioner Katie Macke, who cochairs the social concerns committee with her husband Carroll, said the decision was easy.

“It fit so well with the Advent season, and we’ll be doing it again during Lent,” she said. “Instead of giving something up, why not give something?”

Empty sacks were passed out after Mass just two weeks prior to the drive, held the weekend of Dec. 15.

Parishioners were told of the need for cereal, oatmeal, canned goods, peanut butter and jelly, pancake mix and other nonperishables.

“We were overwhelmed with the response we got,” Katie said. “There were pickups pulling up filled with

St. Paul Parish processes to new home >> Continued from page 1

PHOTO BY PAULA FROST

Volunteers from Catholic Charities load up donations from St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, on Dec. 15. cases of canned goods.”

Paula Frost, who chaired the drive, said, “We had hoped it would be successful, and it was. We want people to know about the good things going on at St. Pat’s.”

Drives at the parish level are an important part of the Catholic Charities mission, according to Denise Ogilvie, vice president of outreach and grants management.

“Although the economy is doing well, there remains roughly 15 percent of the population living below the poverty level,” Ogilvie said, “and food pantries are one way people can stretch their budget further “Having access to healthy food through our food pantries can keep a family stable, because it allows them

to shift their food budget and use it for other necessities like utilities or rent.”

Ogilvie said Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas operates eight food pantries in the 21-county area and provides food assistance to 21,000 individuals each month.

“At Catholic Charities, we strive to live out the corporal works of mercy — to feed the hungry and to offer help, hospitality and hope to all who enter our doors,” she said.

“Parish food drives are essential to helping us keep our food pantries stocked with canned and boxed items,” she continued, “allowing Catholic Charities to spend money on fresh food options like milk and produce.”

Archbishop to bless new mausoleum in Topeka

T

OPEKA — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will bless the new Holy Trinity Mausoleum in Mount Calvary Cemetery here on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. The blessing will precede Mass in the new mausoleum, located on the south side of the cemetery, at 801 S.W. Westchester Rd. The building features hand-crafted stained-glass windows in the chapel and throughout the facility. It offers 572 crypts, both interior and exterior to the building; 200 glass-front niches; and 100 marblefront niches for cremated remains.

The 2,500-square-foot building also houses convenient office space where individuals and families can meet with Catholic Cemeteries staff for both preneed and at-need arrangements.

The chapel is now available for committal services for persons being entombed in the mausoleum and for ground burials during inclement weather. Family members will have secure, keypad entry to the mausoleum.

5

The new Holy Trinity Mausoleum in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, will be blessed by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas manages and operates Mount Calvary Cemetery. For more information about the new mausoleum or

other services, call (785) 272-0820 or send an email to: information@cath cemks.org.

six areas by curtain-like dividers. The area of the altar, along with about onefourth of the chairs, will be closed off during school hours. The balance of the large room will be used as a cafeteria and meeting space.

For weekend Masses, the multipurpose area can seat 800 people.

In a brief homily, Archbishop Naumann said it was a great delight to be there and, as he was telling some people earlier, “St. Paul is a parish on the move, physically and . . . spiritually,” much like their sainted namesake.

“To relocate a parish is more difficult than to start a parish,” said the archbishop. “I commend Father Michael Hermes on his leadership in uniting this community to be able to do this, and all of you for all the sacrifices, all the efforts, you made to make this a reality.”

In his concluding remarks, given in English and Spanish, Father Hermes thanked many who had a particular role in the establishment of the new parish campus.

“This is the best parish,” he said.

“It’s faith-filled, vibrant, diverse, joyfilled. It’s wonderful. Thank you for what you’ve done and contributed so we could be here today in our brandnew building.”

The total campus consists of 20 acres, which was donated to the archdiocese by the Leonard McKinzie family in 2001 during the Future Full of Hope campaign.

The school, which includes the parish office, is 49,000 square feet.

The total cost of phase one was $10.1 million. The architect was HTK Architects in Topeka, and the general contractor was Straub Construction Company, Inc., of Shawnee.

The groundbreaking was on Oct. 8, 2017, and completion is scheduled for Feb. 3, although the building was suitable for occupation on Dec. 29, 2018.

Classes began on Jan. 10.

The school has 24 classrooms. The lower level has preschool and kindergarten through fourth grades. The upper level has fifth through eighth grades, as well as music, art and meeting rooms. In addition to the multipurpose room that serves as a cafeteria, the school also has a full kitchen, school offices and media room/library.

Amenities at the school include a spacious teachers’ lounge and two ground-floor classrooms that are also storm shelters that can accommodate 450 persons. The school also has an elevator. The current enrollment of the school is 200 but can accommodate up to 400.

The parish is looking forward to more growth. The parish already has 2,460 registered families and there are 800 families living now within the new parish boundaries who are currently registered with other parishes.

Correction In the Dec. 21 issue of The Leaven, the article “St. Agnes School honored with philanthropy award” ran without a byline.

The article was written by Jan Dixon. The Leaven regrets the omission.

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FAMILY LIFE

J

6

Look for these 10 pockets of prayer this new year

anuary dawns, fresh and clean.

The beginning of a new year.

Although Advent is technically our new year in the church, January offers another jump-start — a chance to change and a renewed resolve to eat better, exercise more or waste less time online.

Making time for prayer is a common resolution. We might try to read more Scripture, make a Holy Hour each week or start praying the rosary.

But what if we looked for small moments each day — in the midst of what we’re already doing — to turn to God? Here are 10 pockets of prayer to dig into for the new year. Times and places where we can meet God between work and home, kids and commute, chores and rest.

Try one and see where it leads.

• Pray when you wake up. Start each day with the sign of the cross, or pray the words of Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Rise 10 minutes before the kids get up and sit with a cup of coffee to center yourself in prayer.

LAURA KELLY FANUCCI Fanucci is a mother, writer and director of a project on vocation at the Collegeville Institute in Collegeville, Minnesota. She is the author of several books, and blogs at: www.motheringspirit.com.

Let the word of God be the first thing your eyes see each morning.

• Bless your spouse.

Say a prayer together before you each begin your daily work. Or light two candles while you’re getting ready in the morning: one to remember your spouse’s calling and one to pray for your own. Recall your marriage vows as you say “I do” for a new day.

• Pray while washing.

Let the warm water of your shower (or the baby’s bath) remind you of baptism: your belovedness before God.

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• Bless before school.

When you hug or kiss your kids goodbye, add a quick prayer to your morning routine. At the school door, bus stop, day care drop-off or kitchen table, pray for each one of your children in turn. Give thanks for teachers, staff and coaches, too.

• Pray while cleaning.

While doing laundry, pray for each person in your family as you fold his or her clothes. While scrubbing dishes or sweeping floors, ask God to make clean what has been darkened by sin in your life. No task is too small to be made holy by prayer.

• Recharge on your lunch break.

Read the day’s Gospel while you eat. Try midday prayer from the monastic tradition (available online).

Or simply pray the Our Father with your table grace, to give thanks for “daily bread” with your

noon meal.

• Maximize waiting.

Time in the car need not be spent idling. While waiting to pick up kids, read or listen to the daily readings with an app on your phone. Remember you only need 10 fingers to

pray a decade of the rosary. Let waiting become a spiritual practice.

• Take a coffee break.

Sit in silence for a few moments in the middle of your day. Turn off the radio and commute in quiet. Let five minutes refuel your relationship with God. • Give thanks while cooking. While grocery shopping or making dinner, pray for farm workers, truckers and all whose hands

brought food to your table. Remember those who are often forgotten while you do work that is often overlooked.

• End the day with God. Try a short Ignatian “examen” to reflect on your day through the lens of faith. Notice where you saw God, ask forgiveness for moments of sin and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you tomorrow.

Let this new year bring small moments of powerful prayer.

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS “If you don’t get involved, you will never get anything out of it.”

Seneca couple honored to serve as Call to Share chairs

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on and Julie Stratham celebrate their faith by living it every day.

Married 41 years ago, they are third-generation members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, where they raised their three children.

Whether organizing the church picnic or serving as president of the Altar Society, Julie was always ready to raise her hand, and give her heart, as a volunteer.

Over the years, Don served on the parish council, school council and building committee for the new school and the church renovation.

“The parish has given back to us far more than we have given to the parish,” said Don. “When we lost our son to cancer in 2007, the outpouring of prayers and support was a miracle in our lives.”

“We grew in our faith, becoming even closer to Jesus,” added Julie.

In their own quiet way, Don and Julie believe in making sure those around them are always loved, never alone.

Stewardship and service

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Don and Julie Stratham, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, are this year’s chairs for the Archbishop’s Call to Share.

Always loved.

Never alone Don and Julie were first asked to make a sacrificial gift as members of the Crosier

Society 20 years ago. They have faithfully contributed ever since.

“When we were first married, we set a goal of giving 10 percent of our income to charity. It wasn’t always

easy, but we always made the effort,” said Don. “Our parents and grandparents were great role models for us in faith, prayer and stewardship,” explained Julie.

The Strathams contribute to their parish, the archdiocese and their community with their prayers, actions and financial resources. From supporting faith formation through Catholic education to prayer groups devoted to Our Lady, they are a living example of service and sacrifice in their own family to their children and their 10 grandchildren.

They are honored, they say, to serve as chairs for the 2019 Archbishop’s Call to Share.

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hat do a seminarian, an unborn baby and an elderly person with a disability have in common? The Archbishop’s Call to Share! All three and many more are impacted by each gift to the annual appeal.

“What we get from Call to Share really helps us provide faith formation for the deaf community in Kansas City.

It is a great opportunity for them to be a part of the church. I want to make sure that they know that they are always loved and that they are known as children of God.” – Katie Locus, deaf ministry

“I love this work because we are answering Jesus’ call — we are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the lonely and the sick. In eight food pantries, we serve more than 22,000 people each year, all supported by Call to Share.”

– Denise Ogilvie, Catholic Charities, Hope Food Distribution

“Because of Call to Share, Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is able to provide the resources and personnel to meet the needs of the young women and families we serve every day.”

– Donna Kelsey, Wyandotte Pregnancy Center

“If it weren’t for Call to Share, I can truly say I may not be a priest. I could not afford to go to [the] seminary without the generosity of the people.

We are able to focus on our education and being formed as priests with few worries.”

– Father Viet Nguygen

“My life would be very different without the Teens Encounter Christ retreat. You just never know which opportunity is going to be the one that changes a teenager’s life, which, in turn, could change the diocese or the entire church.”

– Mandy Carlton, youth office

“We have a lot of families who, because of their child with a disability, feel isolated or unwelcome. We want to change that — we want parishes to be welcoming and hospitable and fully include everyone within their parish.

Call to Share is helping make our ministry of mercy possible.”

– Tom Racunas, special-needs ministry

The Archbishop’s Call to Share makes many of the programs and ministries of the archdiocese possible, and enlivens parishes and schools as vibrant places of grace and mercy. The support of so many throughout our archdiocese helps ensure that people in need are always loved and never alone.

7

Pakistani Christians From persecuted to Panama

By Olivia Martin

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A N S A S CITY, Kan. — “It may be quite dangerous for me if you publish the article with my name,” said the 24-year-old Catholic man from the Punjabi region of Pakistan, who will be referred to as Samuel Sadiq.

While this may sound like a script from an espionage film, it’s nothing more than a daily precaution for Sadiq.

And it’s not because he’s party to international espionage. It’s because he’s Christian.

For the protection of those interviewed, all other names appearing in this article have been changed as well.

“Sometimes, when I tell Western people about the Pakistani Christians’ situation, it’s very hard to them to believe,” said Sadiq. “The Western media is sort of biased against the anti-Christian sentiment. They won’t even talk about the Christians who are suffering in Muslim countries.”

In Pakistan, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities are greatly discriminated against.

According to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan American fact tank, the top 10 countries in the world where Christians most suffer persecution are Islamic states, with Pakistan ranked fourth. “[As] we have canon law in the Catholic Church, the Muslims have Sharia law,” said Sadiq.

And Sharia law requires everyone who lives in an Islamic state to adhere to that law.

“Sometimes, the Muslims falsely accuse Christians of committing blasphemy so that they can punish us or have their own personal agendas [fulfilled],” said Sadiq.

He pointed to one of the few examples of Christian persecution in the name of blasphemy that broke through to be reported by Western media: the case of Asia Bibi.

In 2009, Bibi — a poor, illiterate farm worker and a Christian — drank water from the same glass as the Muslim

CNS PHOTO/RAHAT DAR, EPA

A Pakistani woman prays during Mass in early April in Lahore. According to Pew Research Center, the top 10 countries in the world where Christians most suffer persecution are Islamic states, with Pakistan ranked fourth. workers. She was accused of blasphemy, arrested and sentenced to death by hanging in 2010. In October 2018, she was acquitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for insufficient evidence.

“This is just one example,” said Sadiq. “It’s extremely difficult to be Christian here.”

Christ comes through the concrete Sadiq was born into a devout Catholic family and baptized a Catholic a few days after his birth.

“When I would wake up [as a child], I would hear my mom muttering Hail Marys, praying the rosary early in the morning,” he said.

From a young age, Sadiq was educated in a convent school in Jhelum run by Irish Presentation Sisters.

“I studied in a Catholic school for almost 10 years,” he said. “At that time, I didn’t know that it was going to be really helpful, but I’m really thankful to the Irish nuns that they forced us to speak in English.”

Sadiq said his education and fluency in English has opened the world to him, including his current medical studies.

“If it were not for the Catholic Church, I wouldn’t be as educated as I am now,” he said.

“I owe everything to the Catholic Church.”

This gift of language and education has led Sadiq to be an advocate for fellow

persecuted Christians — and has brought him many unexpected graces.

In March 2014, Sadiq posted on the Facebook page of International Christian Concern, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for and assists persecuted Christians. Canadian Eileen Stevens read his post and reached out to him, beginning a friendship that endures today.

“My new life was given to me by Eileen,” said Sadiq. “She has been extremely and exceptionally great to me.”

Stevens’ generosity continues to fuel Sadiq’s success: It is she who is sponsoring his postgraduate studies in medical radiology technology, encourages his purchase of Catholic books through her Amazon account and, most importantly, treats him like family.

“If there is any person I love most after Christ and his holy Mother, it’s my Eileen mother,” said Sadiq. “She never lets me lack anything. She’s not even Catholic, but she wants me to be as devout as possible . . . and answer the people who ask me questions about the Christian faith.”

The reality of discrimination Despite the desire to remain in Pakistan and improve the situation for Christians, Sadiq can’t deny his desire to find refuge elsewhere.

“Sometimes, I feel really sorry I was born in this country,” he said. “When anything

A Pakistani Christian purchases a rosary Dec. 18 ahead of Christmas in Karachi, these, approximately half are Catholic. happens in the Western countries, [Muslims] retaliate by attacking us. They think, ‘The West is Christian. So if we attack the Christians in our country, it means in some way we are attacking the West.’”

Sadiq has applied for a Canadian visa four times — and even with Stevens willing to sponsor him, each application has been denied.

“I don’t know why they would refuse Christians,” he said. “It may sound strange but, when the Muslims apply, they get the visas in a matter of days. I personally know Muslims who have applied for the visa with bogus, fake documents and still ended up getting visas.”

Despite the dire situation of Christians in Pakistan, Sadiq and his friends find life fiercely worth living.

“Catholics in Pakistan are despised, we are discriminated against and are victims of many bombings and fires in our churches,” said Zacchaeus Masih, 27, of Jhelum.

“Despite all of these troubles and persecutions, we are faithful to our Catholic faith,” he added. “We would rather die than reject our faith. Our faith is something worth dying for.”

Michael Ilyas, 29, also from Jhelum, agreed.

For Ilyas, even his Christian first name has been a source of discrimination.

“I once went for an interview at a restaurant, and . . . I mentioned my name,” he said.

“The first question [the manager] asked me was, ‘Are you a Christian?’ Upon getting the affirmative answer, he refused me right away.”

Through the grace of a great faith, Ilyas said he refuses to convert to Islam though many attempts have been made to convert him.

“The Catholic Church has been faithful to me my entire life, and I am determined to remain faithful to the church,” he said. “Being a Catholic in Pakistan is in itself a testimony.

“I am grateful to the Lord that I am Catholic.”

Hoping against hope Now that it is 2019, young people around the world are preparing to journey from all over the world to Panama City for the 16th World Youth Day, Jan. 22-27.

Sadiq has only once left Pakistan — to attend World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, in 2016.

And he can’t wait to be part of WYD again.

“When I arrived to Poland, it was actually quite funny because it was a sort of cultural shock,” he said. “I was really shy at that time. I was not confident but, as soon as

Leaven reporter excited for World Youth Day volunteer opportunity

K

CNS PHOTO/SHAZAIB AKBER, EPA

, Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan was estimated at 2.5 million in 2005, or 1.6% of the population. Of

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

A street musician performs as World Youth Day volunteers pose in Colon, Panama. Volunteers from San Jose Parish are: (in back) Miguel Pinilla, Joan Berrio, Yarlene Allen and Yitzhak Gonzalez; (in front) Neyci Romero and Yeison Sanchez.

World Youth Day 2019 will be celebrated Jan. 22-27 in Panama City.

I went to Poland — I was just there for 15 days — [it] rejuvenated me and gave me new life.

“I’ve been extremely confident since. I owe everything to [WYD in] Poland.”

Sadiq said his confidence grew so much during that time that, while attending WYD, he accepted an invitation made by Dominican monks to speak about the persecution of

Christians in Pakistan.

“The church was jampacked,” said Sadiq, “and I couldn’t believe myself. Is that really [me], who is so shy, talking to a jam-packed church?”

Sadiq is joined by eight others who are trying to go to WYD 2019 in Panama and share in the witness of faith made by the thousands of youth there — and for the

chance to share their experience living Christianity in Pakistan with others.

But the way hasn’t been as smooth as they had hoped.

“All eight of us got visas to Panama,” Sadiq explained, “but now the difficulty is transit visas.”

Because there are no direct flights from Pakistan to Panama, the group must apply for transit visas that will allow

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It was hardly a month after I started working at The Leaven when the possibility of my going to World Youth Day in Panama arose.

I had experienced a WYD before in 2011 in Madrid, and I knew that, if I were to go to Panama, I wanted to belong to it as more than a pilgrim.

I wanted to help make it happen.

I applied to be a volunteer and heard back a few weeks later that I’d been assigned as a reporter.

The work began right away.

My first assignment was this piece (see story to the left) on the experience of Pakistani Christians who are attempting to attend WYD 2019 in Panama.

Writing about the situation of Christians in Pakistan seemed daunting to me at first. I’d never met a Pakistani Christian and knew very little about the hardships they face living in an Islamic state.

My project manager in Panama gave me one contact as a starting point: Samuel Sadiq.

And that set us both on a journey.

Speaking to Sadiq, someone with firsthand experience of extreme religious persecution, is difficult to deBy OLIVIA MARTIN scribe — it was astounding.

We had to speak over WhatsApp, olivia.martin@theleaven.org a texting and internet voice-calling app, because calls made within it are encrypted and untraceable.

From Kansas City where I enjoy so many freedoms, I couldn’t imagine living with the very real fear of having my calls bugged, being refused work, or being shunned, denied refuge and political and social status because of my religion.

Sadiq is exactly my age — I couldn’t help but reflect on the vast differences in our freedoms, experiences, worldviews and situations.

To me, more striking than the shock and horror of true accounts of mistreatment and hardship was Sadiq’s calm sense of consistent gratitude before the reality of what he’s been given.

Sadiq grew up poor, even by Pakistani standards. But he stressed to me that the faith and community with other Christians was everything for him.

Christianity, for him, is absolutely worth living and dying for.

Those are not just words to him.

He is well aware that it is an actual price he might have to pay.

Still, as I listened to Sadiq, I kept asking myself, “How can he say these things about the faith in the face of the near impossibility to live it in Pakistan? Is it possible for us in the States with all our freedoms to have this same intensity of faith?”

As work on the article progressed, I realized something had been escaping my notice in my own daily life that Sadiq unknowingly helped me perceive.

It became clear to me in listening to his account in his own words, and the tone of them in his own voice, that Sadiq knows Christ is a person who is present, who is with him in Pakistan despite its profoundly lamentable political and social situation.

The church, though injured, is paradoxically thriving in Pakistan because what Christ said is true: He is present.

And if Christ is present, that means he’s here with me, with the same immediacy, care and attention in Kansas City — or wherever I may be.

It also became clear to me that the point of the articles I write and my attending World Youth Day is to witness to others this fact of Christ alive and present everywhere.

This realization has revitalized my gratitude for my profession.

This article exemplifies the joy of the journalist: giving the silenced a voice.

Working on this article has been a great mercy to me. It has allowed me to perceive again that my faith is a gift. What a privilege it is to live in a nation that allows me to live it!

I can’t wait to see what Christ has in store for all of us in Panama.

And I pray I have the opportunity to meet Sadiq there.

Pray for us, and keep your eye out in The Leaven for more stories from WYD 2019.

them to make a stopover in the United States.

Sadiq anxiously awaits his interview with the U.S. embassy in early January with the hopes of securing his transit visa.

“The Pakistani passport is the second least powerful passport in the world,” he said, “so no country wants to give us the visa. I’m just waiting for

God to open a door.”

But whether the group is able to attend WYD or not, they will continue living their faith intensely with the hope of one day being able to live it without persecution.

“Despite the persecutions, we are so strong and devout,” Sadiq said. “Our faith is worth dying for.”

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

Dog comforts kids in emergency room

By Katie Scott Catholic News Service

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ORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Wrangler doesn’t have an MD and he can’t write prescriptions, but he works hard to help children who are injured or ill and often scared.

The Labrador is the first full-time facility dog at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Southwest Portland, and his task is to offer comfort to patients in the children’s emergency room.

“Kids come into the ER because of something [their] mom and dad can’t fix, and that’s very scary,” said child life specialist Teddie Garland, Wrangler’s handler. “They’re getting blood drawn, vitals taken, maybe they need stiches.” They also may be in pain.

“It’s a high-stress environment that kids don’t have any control over,” Garland said.

Enter the calm, cream-colored pup who wears an official hospital ID badge, knows the command “snuggle” and loves children.

“Kids and teens are his favorite people,” said Garland. “If he hears a kid crying, he wants to go help.”

One day a child with a laceration on his knee was having an especially hard time. Garland said to the patient, “I can tell you’re really scared right now.”

The boy replied, “I think I’m going to die.”

Immediately, Wrangler leaned in toward the boy, gave him a nudge and looked up at him with his big brown eyes, as if to say, “You’re going to be OK.” “There’s no command for that,” said Garland. “He reads a room and his intuition often trumps mine.”

Studies and observation show the physical and psychological benefits of

10

Police investigate swastika vandalism

B CNS PHOTO/COURTESY PROVIDENCE HEALTH AND SERVICES

Chase Stansbury pets Wrangler at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore., in this undated photo. The Labrador is the first full-time facility dog at the medical center, and his task is to offer comfort to patients in the children’s emergency room. animals. In the presence of a dog such as Wrangler, blood pressure and heart rate can drop. “Within 12 minutes of petting a dog, the body releases oxytocin,” said Garland. Sometimes called the “love hormone,” oxytocin plays a role in bonding and people’s sense of well-being.

Wrangler’s presence also helps children feel less out of control.

Sitting in her office at St. Vincent, dog bed and water bowl nearby, Garland told the story of a 6-year-old boy who was recently admitted to the ER for a psychiatric issue.

“It was tough on him to be cooped up in a room and being told he couldn’t leave,” she recalled. Garland had the boy teach Wrangler a new command and take him for a walk around the room.

“Rather than feeling like everything was done to him, he got to feel like he was the expert at something,” she said.

Children often open up to the mellow Labrador, telling him concerns they haven’t shared with hospital staff.

“He does so many things that we human caregivers are not able to do,” said Garland. “He’s not judging them; he loves unconditionally.”

Wrangler comes from 50 generations of service dogs and was bred and trained in Hawaii by the nonprofit Assistance Dogs Northwest. Training sessions begin when puppies are 8 weeks old.

Wrangler was trained for 18 months and mastered 90 commands. Training includes generalized instruction and specialized commands, like “snuggle,” based on where the dog will work.

RIDGEPORT, Conn. (CNS) — Police are investigating vandalism at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport where someone painted a swastika on the cathedral doors.

Police discovered the vandalism the morning of Jan. 4. No arrests had been reported in the vandalism as of midday Jan. 7.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, who has been on a seven-day retreat with the rest of the U.S. bishops in Mundelein, Illinois, said he only learned of the incident the afternoon of Jan. 5.

In a statement issued later that day, Bishop Caggiano said: “I am appalled and outraged by this act of vandalism against the mother church of our diocese and this brazen and disgusting display of anti-Semitism, which is morally abhorrent and an affront to our Catholic faith.”

He added, “I am deeply disturbed and outraged that someone would violate the sanctity of our church.”

Bishop Caggiano also reached out to Jews in the Bridgeport area. “My thoughts and prayers are with our Jewish brothers and sisters in the city of Bridgeport and beyond,” he said. “We stand with you and condemn every form of anti-Semitism, racism, and bigotry wherever it may be found.”

The bishop added, “To use a clearly anti-Semitic symbol is participating in unspeakable evil. I know I speak for everyone at the cathedral parish and the diocese as we condemn the act, we condemn what it signifies, and we hope the perpetrator will be found.”

Young adults embrace opportunity to deepen their faith

By John Shaughnessy Catholic News Service

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NDIANAPOLIS (CNS) — Tears filled Missy Brassie’s eyes as she talked about the most emotional part of the five-day SEEK2019 conference involving more than 17,000 young adult Catholics from around the world.

It happened the evening of Jan. 5 in a massive ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center during the conference established to give participants the opportunity to deepen their encounter with Jesus.

“All of these people coming together for eucharistic adoration is the best part of the conference,” said Brassie, 31, a Denver resident who returned to

Indianapolis, her hometown, for the gathering sponsored by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, known as FOCUS. “Surrounded by thousands of their peers during adoration, they feel that they’re not alone in their faith, and they feel that they’re personally spoken to by the Lord,” she told The Criterion, newspaper of the Indianapolis Archdiocese.

“People say that everyone around them disappears. It’s just Jesus and that person in that moment.”

Other attendees were pleased to share their faith and return to their daily lives with a renewed sense of inspiration and awe in God. Nigerian Timi Soyoola, 20, couldn’t pass up the invitation to attend.

“I was coming on a flight from Pitts-

burgh to Indianapolis after visiting my uncle, and a lady was talking to me about this conference,” said Soyoola, a senior pre-med student at Indiana University in Kokomo. “It’s a new year, and I wanted to try something new. I wanted to learn more about my faith.”

It didn’t matter to Soyoola that she didn’t know anyone else at the conference.

“Jesus is the person I depend on,” she said, her eyes and her smile lighting up. “When you come to a new country, you don’t know anyone. He’s the one I depend on. He’s the most important person in my life.”

The opportunity to deepen their faith drew Josh and Katie Fatzinger from their home in Flagstaff, Arizona. The young married couple arrived at the conference

with their 1-year-old daughter, Ellie, and other family members. Katie is expecting the couple’s second child in February.

“I’m here with my mother, my wife, one of my sisters and three of my brothers,” said Josh, 27. “I’m from a big Catholic family, one of 14. I encouraged my younger brothers to come because it was a great experience for me when I came in 2013. It’s a great place to encounter a lot of people, and we’re all here to encounter Christ.”

Standing by Ellie’s stroller, Katie looked around the crowd at the convention center and noted, “There’s all the hope you see and all the excitement. It’s very uplifting. It’s really powerful to celebrate the sacraments and be with that many people praising God. I’m waiting to see how he can impact their lives.”

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

Indonesian archbishop urges Catholics to ditch plastic bags

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AKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) — Months after Indonesia’s military was summoned to unclog Jakarta Bay, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo has joined a chorus of disapproval of the nation’s growing plastic waste problem by calling parishioners to action.

Ucanews.com reported that, through a video message shown across all parishes nationwide Jan. 5-6, the prelate appealed to all Catholics to reduce their use of plastic and plastic bags due to their harmful impact on the environment.

The news comes as other countries in Asia are starting to waken to the threat posed by mountains of plastic left at refuse dumps or dumped at sea.

Thailand has also embarked on a conservation campaign with retailers now charging for the use of plastic bags on certain days of the months.

China, Thailand and Indonesia are considered the continent’s top three offenders in terms of poor waste management.

About 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans every year, the U.N. Environment Programme said in December.

Indonesia deals with about 64 million tons of plastic a year, 3.2 million tons of which end up in the ocean, environmental groups say.

About 11 percent of the total is produced in Jakarta, making the city the capital of Indonesia’s waste woes.

Those figures put the country

CNS PHOTO/BEAWIHARTA, REUTERS

A woman carries plastic bags while browsing in 2015 at a vegetable market in Jakarta, Indonesia. Months after Indonesia’s military was summoned to unclog Jakarta Bay, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo joined a chorus of disapproval of the nation’s growing plastic waste problem by calling parishioners to action. second only to China in global terms.

China contributed 8.8 million tons of plastic waste in 2018.

“We are very concerned because our country is becoming the world’s second-largest producer of plastic waste,” Archbishop Suharyo said.

Archbishop Suharyo cited the case of a beached whale that died on Nov. 19 in South East Sulawesi province. A postmortem found its stomach was stuffed full of nearly six kilograms of plastic.

Thailand can boast similar tragedies, ucanews.com reported.

Some 80 pieces of plastic garbage weighing more than 17 pounds were pulled from the stomach of a pilot whale last June after authorities spent five days trying to save its life. Before it died, the animal spat out five plastic bags in a last-gasp effort to avoid suffocating, Reuters reported.

Plastics are broken down into small particles that can make their way into drinking water, seafood and salt,

Archbishop Suharyo said, thus posing a threat to both nature and local populations.

Pope Francis drew attention to the importance of protecting the environment in his June 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’.”

Archbishop Suharyo urged Catholics to embrace the pope’s invitation to care for the environment and asked producers to gradually stop using Styrofoam in their food packaging.

Jakarta produces at least 2.5 million tons of waste each year, 357,000 tons of which is plastic waste, according to Rahmawati, head of the Jakarta’s waste management division.

The administration made a commitment in 2017 to reduce marine plastic by 70 percent by the end of 2025, she said. Environmental groups responded by saying the plan was “doomed to fail.”

That same year, the central government launched its “Indonesia Free Waste 2020” campaign. It began with a trial policy of instructing retailers to charge customers 200 rupiahs (less than 1 American cent) for each plastic bag used.

Some local governments in Indonesia have followed suit with more environmentally friendly messages.

Last April, for example, the mayor of Surabaya in East Java said bus passengers could enjoy a free ride on the city’s public transportation system for every 18 plastic bottles or bags they collected.

Irish bishops urge Catholics to ‘resist’ country’s new abortion law

By Michael Kelly Catholic News Service

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UBLIN (CNS) — The primate of All-Ireland insisted that the country’s new abortion law that took effect Jan. 1 has “no moral force” and it “must be resisted” by Catholics.

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland, who also is president of the Irish bishops’ conference, said in a message to mark the legislation that the new law “in good conscience cannot be supported.”

“In a May 22 referendum, voters opted by a margin of 2-1 to lift the country’s constitutional protection of the right to life of unborn children. The new law will permit abortion on demand up to 12 weeks’ gestation. It also will permit abortion up to 24 weeks on unspecified grounds for the health of the mother, and up to birth where the child is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition that means he or she may not live long after birth,” he said.

Archbishop Martin urged Catholics to “continue to call and work diligently for its limitation, amendment and repeal.”

A small group of demonstrators

CNS PHOTO/CLODAGH KILCOYNE, REUTERS

A message about abortion is seen in Dublin, Ireland, May 27, 2018. The primate of All-Ireland insisted that the country’s new abortion law that took effect Jan. 1 has “no moral force” and it “must be resisted” by Catholics. gathered for a symbolic protest outside the Irish parliament in Dublin Jan. 2. Ruth Cullen, spokeswoman for the Pro-Life Campaign, said that the protest stressed that the campaign to overturn the law continues.

“The pro-life movement is deeply

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saddened at what has happened to our country and about the loss of life that will inevitably result from this unjust law,” she told those gathered.

“We will fight on peacefully but ceaselessly to expose the lies that were told during the referendum campaign

and we look forward to a brighter day at some point in the future when unborn babies in Ireland will once again be welcomed in life and protected in law,” Cullen said.

Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin told Massgoers in his New Year message that Catholic politicians who had advocated for abortion had “chosen a position which is clearly out of communion with the church.

“There is no point in pretending otherwise,” he said.

Elsewhere, Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick appealed to politicians to ensure that women experiencing a crisis pregnancy do not feel that abortion is their only option.

“Regardless of what way anyone voted and the reasons people had for voting as they did, it now behooves all to do our part to make sure that abortion is not the default response that characterizes people in Ireland when crisis pregnancies arise,” the bishop said.

“As a society, we need to recognize that while legislation now provides for abortion, it is not primarily what we want. Our moral compass must steer us in an entirely different direction. We must think of the possibilities of life and the love it brings,” he continued.

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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EMPLOYMENT Drivers - Ready for the summers off? Join our school transportation division and live like a kid again! Our drivers have the opportunity to serve our community and still get those precious summer breaks. Assisted Transportation seeks caring and reliable drivers to transport K - 12 students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in our minivans. CDL not required. $12 per hour. Retirees encouraged to apply. Learn more or apply online at: assistedtransportation.com or call (913) 262-5190 for more information. EOE.

Career opportunity – Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri metro areas. This is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual, who desires to serve others yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families, and will provide excellent benefits and training. This is a full-time position. For more information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, General Agent, 1275 S.W. Topeka Blvd.; Topeka KS 66612; call (785) 4088806; or send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

DRIVERS NEEDED Seeking caring and reliable drivers. Work up to 40 hours per week. Transport elderly and disabled individuals to and from medical appointments.

CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply.

Competitive wages and benefits. EOE. Learn more or apply online at: www.assistedtransportation.com (913) 262-5190

Parish secretary - Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2203 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a parish secretary to work 20 - 25 hours a week. The desired candidate will have the ability to work in a diverse faith-filled setting and be bilingual in English and Spanish. Experience in Excel, Word, Publisher and database management is needed. Call the parish office at (913) 321-1958 or send an email to: blessedsacramentkck@gmail.com for a job description and application.

School office manager - Holy Spirit School is currently seeking a full-time temporary school office manager due to an upcoming maternity leave. This position would begin in January 2019. Hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. This position requires an extremely organized, friendly, flexible face/voice for our school office.

The office manager provides complex and confidential administrative and clerical support for the principal and the school office; conveys information regarding school functions and procedures; ensures efficient operation of support functions; coordinates projects and site activities; and handles any and all other duties as assigned. A college degree is preferred, along with a good working knowledge of Excel, Word and strong keyboarding skills.

Virtus training is required. If interested, submit your resume and cover letter to: mwatson@hscatholic.org.

Holy Spirit extended day care assistant - Do you enjoy spending time with children? Holy Spirit School is seeking an enthusiastic person to be an assistant in our after-school care program. This well-established program runs from 3 - 5:45 p.m. each school day for our K - 8th grade students. We are looking for a responsible and creative person who enjoys working with children. The ability to communicate clearly with children, colleagues, and parents is most important in order to foster positive relationships. Applicant must attend a Virtus training and be at least 16 years old. If you are interested, contact Eileen Colling at (913) 492-2582 or send an email to: ecolling@hscatholic.org for more information.

School enrollment specialist - St Patrick School at 1066 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan., has an immediate opening for a school enrollment specialist in the school office. Duties include: confidential administrative support; oversight of all enrollment; tuition and payment plans; maintaining student records; employee attendance; reporting; phones; assist students; and other duties as assigned by the principal. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. year-round; some summer flexibility. This position reports to the principal and is full time and benefit-eligible. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: AKERNAN@stpat rickkck.eduk12.net and FTORRES@stpatrickkck.eduk12. net.

Caregiver needed - In-home personal caregiver needed for our mother located in Kansas City, Kan. No experience necessary. Training will be provided. Clean, friendly environment. Pet- and smoke-free home. No lifting required. Day shifts available. Pay is $10.31/hour. Text or call Marie at (913) 620-1421, if interested.

Catholic elementary school principal – St. Benedict Elementary School in Atchison is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual and instructional leadership, as well as advancement in Catholic schools, for the 2019-20 school year. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics; understand the mission of Catholic schools; and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and mail resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or email to: kohara@arch kckcs.org. Deadline for applications is Jan. 25.

Assistant to ReachKCK coordinator – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is accepting applications for a part-time position in the ReachKCK youth ministry outreach in Wyandotte County. Duties include: supporting youth programs and events through handling of logistical details; data entry; creating publicity materials; managing social media; and facilities oversight. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have at least office work experience. Knowledge of youth ministry and Spanish- speaking strongly preferred.

A complete job description and required application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck. org/jobs. Interested individuals should email cover letter, resume and application to: jobs@archkck.org. Position open until filled.

Resource center teacher - Holy Spirit School is seeking a part-time teacher in our resource center, Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This candidate’s primary function is teaching K – 6th-grade small groups reading and math instruction and will also take on other duties as assigned. A college degree is required and a Kansas teaching certification is preferred. Virtus training is required. If interested, submit resume and cover letter to: mwatson@hscatholic.org.

Data entry position - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for a temporary data entry position. This individual will assist the campaign office for the capital campaign. The position would be two to three days per week beginning late January with approximate end date in May or June. Requires reliability, collaborative demeanor and demonstrated data entry skills. Qualified individuals should email cover letter, resume and application (available on the archdiocesan website at: archkck.org) to: jobs@archkck.org, title: Data Entry. Position open until filled.

Business manager/accountant – St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a business manager/accountant. This position manages all financial aspects of the parish and school. Duties include: payroll; deposits; accounts payable; reconciling bank accounts; monthly and annual reporting; budgeting; oversight of HR issues; and other financial duties. The ideal candidate is a Catholic in good standing, minimum five years’ accounting experience, effective communication skills, experience with Quickbooks Pro and a bachelor’s degree; CPA preferred. See the archdiocesan website at: jobs@archkck. org for a complete job description, application and benefits information. Submit a cover letter, resume and application by Dec. 31 via email to: jobs@archkck.org.

WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS - COME SEE WHY YOU WANT TO WORK HERE! - The Goddard School Olathe Northwest is looking for dynamic, energetic, professional teachers to add to our faculty. The Goddard School is a premiere preschool where children from 6 weeks to 6 years are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a nurturing environment, lovingly guided by our highly skilled, professional teachers. Our staff is comprised of loving and dedicated teachers who understand each child’s needs. They are highly qualified childhood educators who use their creativity and the Goddard developmental guidelines as the basis for unique lesson plans that are brought to life in a fun and imaginative way. Education and experience are required for lead teachers. We offer training and mentoring for assistant teachers with little or no experience. We are hiring for the following positions: full-time preschool teacher; full-time toddler teacher; school-age teacher from 3 - 6 p.m.; and an assistant teacher for multiple classrooms.

Executive director - Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is currently seeking a full-time executive director to provide Christ-centered leadership for our clinic that has been open 12-plus years. The director will be under the supervision of the governing board and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the clinic, including: community networking; marketing; employee leadership and fiscal oversight. If you feel called to lead this ministry that is changing lives and saving lives, email your resume to: Dkelsey@wpcnetwork.org.

Director of Hispanic ministry - The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has an opening for a full-time director of Hispanic ministry. This position promotes the full participation and integration of Hispanics in the life of the church, and will collaborate with other chancery offices to provide consultation, expertise and support to parishes, schools and other apostolates. An undergraduate degree in theology or related field is required; graduate degree is preferred. A minimum five years in Hispanic ministry or related field, with fluency (written and verbal) in Spanish and English, is also required. The diocese offers a comprehensive benefits program with generous paid time off and a defined benefit pension plan. Go online to: //kcsjcatholic.org/start/job-opening/ to apply.

Sales position – Do you have sales experience? Are you well networked in the local community? J.S. Paluch Company, national publisher of church bulletins, has full- and part-time positions available. Excellent earning potential; medical benefits; 401(k); life and AD&D insurance available; excellent commission; compensation program. Interested? Call Kay Leane at (800) 621-5197, ext. 2823, or email resume to: Recruiting@jspaluch.com.

Social media specialist - The marketing team at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking a full-time social media specialist. This position is ideal for a recent graduate with 1 - 2 years of experience with existing social platforms and emerging social channels. The

social media specialist works closely with the director of marketing to develop robust, integrated social media strategies that continue to build awareness and drive engagement for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

In addition, this position will provide general support to the marketing team; assist with copywriting, graphic design, photography and videography. To apply, go online to: catholiccharitiesks.applicantpool.com/jobs.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

Ceilings only - Renew your old, yellowed ceilings with a fresh coat of white ceiling paint! No mess! Dependable, has 25 years of experience. 10% discount for seniors.

Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835.

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

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

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

DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

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.

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

Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured.

Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson.

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

SERVICES Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002 Tutoring - K - 12 tutor has 10-plus years of experience.

Tutors in various subjects. For more information, email Kathleen at: Klmamuric@yahoo.com or call/text (913) 206-2151.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits.

Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemacedisability.com.

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The litter guy - Litter is unsightly and can decrease property value, degrade water quality and impact wildlife and the environment. Let The Litter Guy clean up litter in your community, roadways, commercial and residential areas. For a free quote, call (913) 220-0445 or email: thelitterguy@gmail.com.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered.

Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks!

Certified coach: kathioppold.8toyouridealweight.com.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Quilted memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop Nolting Longarm machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, neckties, etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

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

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 Clutter getting you down? - Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin of all trades” your professional organizer and “Honey-do” specialist. Call or email me today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055 or KOATorganizing@ gmail.com. Insured. References.

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

Caregiver - CNA has many years of experience with elderly and dementia patients. Will do meal prep, doctor appointments, errands, medication setup and companionship. Call Johnna at (816) 786-1093.

Just like family - Let us care for your loved ones in their homes. Two ladies with over 50 years experience.

Looking for night shift coverage, some days. Great price, great references. Both experienced with hospice care.

Call Ophelia at (913) 579-7276 or Kara at (913) 343-1602.

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

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

Senior CNA - Has extensive nursing training. Will do private care, Johnson County area. Available Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (913) 701-6381. Fee negotiable.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) New Christmas carol - Written by Mark Downey, sung

by Theresa Bertels from Immaculate Conception, St. Marys, Kansas. Listen online at: Soundcloud.com or purchase download at: beatstars.com; type: In a Manger Bare. Email: soundtech50@yahoo.com for CD purchase. >> Classifieds continue on page 13

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR BREATHE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Jan. 12 from 4 - 8 p.m.

BREATHE respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families who have a loved one with a disability age 5 years or older. If you have any questions, contact Tom Racunas, lead consultant of the specialneeds ministry, at (913) 647-3054 or by email at: tracunas@archkck.org. To register a loved one for the program or to volunteer, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/specialneeds and complete the online form.

BINGO NIGHT Sacred Heart Parish 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.

Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus will be hosting bingo. There will be cash prizes, and concessions will be sold. For more information, call (913) 850-3348.

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 13 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. Benediction will follow, as well as an opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For more information, visit the website at: www. rosaryrallieskc.org.

PROJECT CHRYSALIS Church of the Ascension (St. Luke’s Room) 9500 W. 127th St., Overland Park Jan. 14 from 7 - 8:15 p.m.

Project Chrysalis is a Catholic ministry designed to help parents who have lost a child to find hope through sacred Scripture and community in a time of transformation. The group is open to parents who have lost a child or grandparents who have lost a grandchild.

Immediate family members are also invited to attend. For more information, call Ken or Patty Billinger at (913) 634-4210; send an email to: kbillinger@archkck.org; go online to: www.hopeinscripture.com; or see the Facebook page: @projectchrysaliskc.

INQUIRY SESSION FOR SOULJOURNERS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION PROGRAM Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Jan. 17 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Souljourners is a three-year spiritual formation program for the training of spiritual directors. If you are experiencing a call to spiritual renewal and, at the same time, wanting to learn the skills of discernment and deep listening to God, yourself and others, we invite you to attend an inquiry session. There will be time for prayer and reflection on your call, an introduction to the Souljourners program, an explanation of a spiritual direction session, and time for questions and answers.

Call (913) 360-6173 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE Washington, D.C. Jan. 17 - 20

Young adults and adults (ages 21 and older) are invited to attend the national March for Life.

There is an archdiocesan group attending Jan. 17 - 20. Visit the archdiocesan website for details at: www.archkck.org/march4lifeadult. For more information, contact Emily Lopez at (913) 647-0323, or by email at: elopez@archkck.org.

EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT The Foundry Event Center 400 S.W. 33rd St., Topeka Jan. 19 from 6 - 11 p.m.

Holy Family School is hosting its annual Extravaganza to celebrate and support the school.

The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. Holy Family students will be highlighted throughout the evening. Go online to the website at: holyfamilytopeka.net and scroll

down to the Extravaganza icon to purchase sponsorships and tickets to the benefit event.

MUSIC BINGO Sacred Heart School (multipurpose center) 21801 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Jan. 19 from 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of dinner and music bingo (adults only). The cost is $15 per person and includes pizza, salad and drink. BYOB. If you love belting out your favorite songs and playing bingo, you will love this event!

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Parish 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood Jan. 19 at 8 a.m.

There will be a memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones, followed by a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room The topic will be: “New Beginnings.” For more information, Call (913) 649-2026.

HOLY TRINITY MAUSOLEUM OPEN HOUSE Mount Calvary Cemetery 801 S.W. Westchester Rd., Topeka Jan. 20 from 1 - 4 p.m.

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas is announcing the opening of this new mausoleum.

Everyone is welcome to our open house to see the beautiful new building. For further information or to schedule a personal tour, contact Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 344-7527 or go online to: www.cathcemks.org.

GIVE ’N’ GET COAT AND SHOE EXCHANGE Prince of Peace School (Marian Room) 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe Jan. 21 from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The 26th annual “Support our Seminarians” dinner is dedicated to Our Lady of Ephesus.

This event benefits seminarians from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese and Conception Seminary College. There will be great food, socializing and speakers. The reservation price is $175 per person. To make reservations, go online to: mmmhsos512@gmail.com. To donate to the marketplace or silent auction, contact Mary Quinn at (816) 665-0380 or by email at: marydeeq@aol.com. Check out the new website at: www.supportourseminarians.com.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING COURSE Topeka Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged and online registration is required at: www.ccli.org. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 for more information, including the class location and the availability of self-paced, online classes. Learn more about the NFP class at: nfptopeka.blogspot.com.

RETROUVAILLE Kansas City Jan. 25 - 27

Sometimes the distance between a husband and wife can seem so wide that it cannot be repaired. Retrouvaille is a marriage program designed to bring couples closer together. Take the time and conscious effort to learn about your spouse. For more information and to register, call (800) 470-2230 or visit the website at: helpourmarriage.org.

THE JOY OF MUSIC Visitation Parish 5141 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 27 at 3 p.m.

Over 2000 items have been collected to be given away for FREE. Find your new size and style. Coats, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, purses and blankets would love new owners.

The concert, hosted by Visitation Parish, is a sacred and classical chamber music concert benefiting Our Lady’s Montessori School, located in Kansas City, Kansas (www.olmskc. org). Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call Laurel Sharpe at (816) 289-7344.

IGNITE YOUTH RALLY AND LOCAL MARCH FOR LIFE Topeka Performing Arts Center 214 S.E. 8th St., Topeka Jan. 22 at 9 a.m.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Jan. 27 at 12:30 p.m.

Events begin at 9 a.m. and Mass will be held at 11:15 a.m., celebrated by Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Brungardt. There will be a march to the Kansas Capitol steps and a Kansans for Life rally following Mass. Wichita Adore Ministries will provide music and entertainment. The keynote address will be given by David Scotten from “I Lived on Parker Avenue.” Go online to: www.archkck.org/ignite to register; contact the pro-life office at (913) 647-3059; send an email to: prolife@archkck.org for more information.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS Divine Mercy Parish (Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.

Learn how money doesn’t have to be stressful with a Financial Peace University class. Get out of debt, win with money. This nine-week class will help you take control of your money, plan for your future and transform your life. Content can be viewed online if you miss a class.

To enroll, email the parish office at: secretary@ divinemercyks.org. Material cost is $90.

POSTPARTUM NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS Class begins Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist School 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence

For more information about this class or other self-paced online classes, call Shannon or John Rasmussen at (785) 749-1015. Online registration is required at: www.ccli.org.

‘SUPPORT OUR SEMINARIANS’ Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 25 from 5:30 - 10 p.m.

The afternoon will begin with a rosary, followed by a business meeting and a social. If anyone knows of a member or family in need of the circle’s prayers, call Theresa Smith-Lawton at (785) 640-1403. If you are interested in or would like more information about the Daughters of Isabella, call Cindy Keen at (785) 228-9063.

CHILI & BINGO FAMILY DINNER ‘SUNDAY DINNER AT OUR HOUSE’ Church of the Ascension (parish hall) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Jan. 27 from 6 - 8 p.m.

The Ascension Knights of Columbus will be hosting this dinner, complete with live bingo.

The cost is $9.50 for adults ages 12 and over; $5.50 for kids 5 - 11; and kids 4 and under eat for free. The cost of the meal includes chili (red or white), cornbread, hot dogs and libations (for a donation). Three bingo cards are included with the cost of the meal. Net proceeds go to support various Ascension and community charities.

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>> Continued from page 12 For sale - Two adjoining plots at Mount Olivet Cemetery in the Crucifixion area, close to the road. Original cost $1825 per lot. Will sell both lots for $2500 or separately for $1250 each. Call Lesley at (913) 908-2162.

For sale - Two side-by-side crypts; tier B, 13 and 15, located in the St. Joseph Chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery, the only two left in the chapel. Call (913) 269-6176 for pricing.

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

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

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

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good.

Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

I NEED HOUSES! - We are members of Holy Trinity Parish and we pay cash for any real estate without any realtor commissions or fees. We buy houses in any condition, including bad foundations. If you would like an easy, no-hassle sale at a fair price, please call me. We have 15 years of experience.

Mark Edmondson, (913) 980-4905.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473.

Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate.

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

PILGRIMAGE Retreat and pilgrimage - There will be a retreat given by Father Sudac and a pilgrimage to Medjugorje from March 20 - April 3, 2019. The cost is $3100 per person. For more information, call Grace at (913) 449-1806 or send an email to: mgracelegaspi@gmail.com.

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

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GOING TO BRANSON CHECK OUT www.bransonlocalbusinesses.com Help support Local Businesses In Branson visitus@bransonlocalbusinesses.com

SETON CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATION Longview Mansion 1200 S.W. Longview Park Dr., Lee’s Summit, Missouri Jan. 30 from 6 - 9 p.m.

Come join in this joyful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Seton Center. The cost for a ticket is $150. For more information, call Michelle Biondo at (816) 581-4722 or send an email to: mbiondo@setonkc.org. To register, go online to: www.setonkc.org, click on “Events,” then “Click here for more information and to register.”

Call or text 913-621-2199

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Advice like this never gets old

FIRST WEEK OF 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: 21-28 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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“T

he greatest bit of advice I ever received,” said comedian Ricky Gervais, was: ‘Don’t worry, no one else knows what they’re doing either.’”

Well, Pope Francis would disagree. As proof, he’d direct the comedian to his new book, “Sharing the Wisdom of Time.”

An editors’ note at the beginning of the book explains: “Pope Francis had previously responded to children’s questions in person and in the book ‘Dear Francis.’ In a new project, his focus turned to the grandparents, mothers, fathers, widows, widowers and single individuals who have known decades of joy and sorrow, loss and change. Pope Francis views elders as reservoirs of wisdom and historical memory and believes their insights will offer future generations much-needed understanding and direction.”

Apparently, there are people, from over 30 countries, who really do know what they’re doing, and their stories are gathered in this stunning 176-page book, filled with pictures of the elders — as well as their age,

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MARK MY WORDS

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

country and occupation.

These wise folks impart advice on five areas: work, struggle, love, death and hope.

Pope Francis introduces each section and often responds to the interviewee.

In the Work section, readers can meet 95-year-old Leah Chase, an American chef and the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” who deals with criticism like this: “You don’t buckle, because that’s what life’s all about, darlin’. . . . If you’re criticized, look at it. Then correct it, if you can and move on. . . . You don’t stop when people criti-

cize you. You keep going, and you do better every time.”

One story in the Struggle section comes from Ann Garnett, 72, from the United Kingdom who, in wrestling with the end of her 43-year marriage, was feeling a complex mix of feelings, chiefly resentment.

An old Jesuit offered this advice: “Nurse your resentment. Nurse it like a candle flame, and when you are ready, you blow it out.”

It took three years, but eventually she had a conversation with her ex and “something shifted. . . . A few days later, I was startled to realize that I had blown out the flame of my resentment without even noticing I was doing it.”

One of the more unusual stories in the Love section is that of Father

Angel Garcia Rodriguez, an 80-year-old Spanish priest who has a 13-yearold son!

OK, the son is adopted, but still.

He says: “I think being a parent is the most dangerous and, at the same time, the most wonderful thing. The poorer and the most powerful in this world, the youngest and the oldest, we all need to be loved. . . . Love makes you suffer, but it always gives you a result more valuable than the suffering. . . .

“Sometimes, you have to suffer to be able to experience joy. You have to value love with all its pain and suffering. Because love is all that matters.”

Margaret McKinnon, an 84-year-old great-grandmother from Australia, is one featured in the section on Death.

She reflects on her husband’s death in his mid-50s, right before the wedding of one of their children: “I think we all have times of feeling I can’t cope with this. But you do.

“Otherwise, you are just a pain in the neck for everybody else. Enjoy your life, value the time you had with your family and friends, and just get on with it.”

It’s so refreshing that

the last section of the book is entitled Hope.

One of the more touching stories comes from Basil Brave Heart, an 84-yearold spiritual elder of the Lakota people who shares an even older wisdom: “There’s a lot of medicine that my grandmother taught me. We use the word ‘medicine’ to mean ‘a way to live,’ and one way is forgiveness.”

That forgiveness was expansive, stretching even to the soldiers who once massacred 300 Lakota at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

In this short column, I can’t do justice to this incredible volume, published by Loyola Press.

It will make you cry, ponder, be grateful and then ponder some more.

The $29.95 cost of the book is nothing compared to the priceless wisdom it imparts.

I’ll close with the words of Kay Thuerk, an 85-year-old cancer survivor from the States, who said: “Well, I do think [God] is with me. I think he’s got his arm around me. And I think he will always be there. . . .

“He better be, or he’s in trouble!”

Lord, you’ve been warned.

Role of ‘God’s servant’ radically expanded by Isaiah

he first time that I saw the ocean was when I was about 9 years old. After all, we lived in Kansas, a long way from the coast.

We had traveled over to California to visit relatives. I still remember standing on the beach outside Los Angeles, looking at what seemed to me to be the edge of the world.

The ancient Israelites also did not travel much, especially not by sea.

Consequently, they considered the coastlands on the Mediterranean to be the edge of the earth.

That is the meaning that lies behind their mention in Sunday’s first reading — Is 42:1-4, 6-7 — for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The

IN THE BEGINNING

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

reading looks forward to God’s servant, who will accomplish wonderful things.

That is why it tells us: “The coastlands will wait for his teaching.”

These words express the confidence that God will extend salvation beyond the confines of the people of Israel, even unto the ends of the earth. The coastlands represent those ends.

This idea of universal salvation appears in two other spots in the read-

ing: “He shall bring forth justice to the nations.”

(The word translated here as “nations” can also be translated as “gentiles.”)

The other place occurs later in the reading, where God is addressing the servant: “I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations.”

This mission assigned to God’s servant represents a radical departure from earlier approaches. God is understood no longer exclusively as the protector of the people of Israel but, rather, as the God of all peoples, of the entire earth.

That is why we view this prophecy as applying to Jesus Christ. We believe that he was born to save all humanity.

That is why his

teachings have spread throughout the whole world. That is why the church has taken root in every country.

Through Jesus Christ, God desires to bring forth justice to the nations, so that they will live according to God’s will.

God wishes to open the eyes of the blind to see the truth of God’s word. God wishes to bring out prisoners from confinement, that is to say, to release us from the bondage of sin.

God wishes to accomplish all these things through Jesus Christ, God’s servant.

At the moment of Jesus’ baptism, he is revealed as God’s Son, as God’s servant. Through him, the promises and hopes of old will be fulfilled.

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POPE FRANCIS

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Christians are not better than other people, but they do know that God is their father and they are called “to reflect a ray of his goodness in this world thirsting for goodness, waiting for good news,” Pope Francis said.

Leading his first general audience of 2019, the pope continued a series of talks he has been giving about the Lord’s Prayer. But he also welcomed

artists from CirCuba, the national circus of Cuba, who were performing in Rome over the holidays. One of the performers even had a very willing pope help him with his act by balancing a spinning ball on his finger.

At the end of the audience Jan. 2, the pope praised the performers for their hard work and for the way they lift people’s spirits with their shows. In his main audience talk, Pope Francis explained how the Gospel of Matthew presents the Lord’s Prayer as part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which also includes the Eight Beatitudes.

— CNS

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS Charles

and

Socorro (Flores) Estevez, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, celebrated their 60th wedding a n n i ve r s a r y on Dec. 27.

The couple married on Dec. 27, 1958, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Their children are: Mario Estevez, Overland Park; and Regina Estevez-Garcia, Lenexa. They also have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Judy (Hurlbert) a n d David Weeks, members of H o l y Spirit Parish, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 13 with a family gathering, followed by a trip to the Galapagos. The couple was married on Jan 13, 1969, at Fort DeRussy Chapel in Honolulu.

Their children are Judson Weeks and Matthew Weeks. They also have five

grandchildren.

Dennis and Cindy (Chytil) Gamber, members of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. Mass followed by a reception at the Olathe Community Center with family and friends. The couple was married on Jan. 4, 1969, at St. Bernard Church, Omaha, Nebraska.

Their children are: Patrick Gamber, Diana Murphy, Michael Gamber, David Gamber, Elizabeth Moore, Rebecca Presswood and Sarah Hargadine. They also have 12 grandchildren and one great-grandsubmissions daughter. submissio

ANNIVERSARY ANNIVERSARY

POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices.

They are for parishioners in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas DEADLINE: eight days before the desired publication date.

WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or email: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

A

Sister Mary Blaise Cillessen, OSB

TCHISON — Sister Mary Blaise Cillessen, 92, a Benedictine Sister of Mount St. Scholastica here, died Dec. 30 at the monastery.

Sister Mary Blaise was born in Coffeyville on March 21, 1926, to George and Mary Ellen (McNulty) Cillessen. She made her monastic profession at Mount St. Scholastica in 1946. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Mount St. Scholastica College and her master’s from DePaul University School of Music, Chicago.

After teaching in elementary schools for 16 years, she served as music instructor at Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas; Mount St. Scho-

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lastica College, Atchison; and Savior of the World Seminary, Kansas City, Kansas. She later served as director of development and director of alumni and community relations at Donnelly.

After a period of caring for her disabled sister, she became registrar and associate dean at Benedictine College, Atchison. She was active in civic organizations, serving a term as president of the Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce and in positions with Zonta International.

Retiring from college administration in 2009, she joined the staff of the Mount Conservatory of Music, Atchison.

Sister Rose Helen Burger, CSJ

ICHITA — Sister Rose Helen Burger, a Sister of St. Joseph in Wichita, died Dec. 22 at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis here.

Margaret Helen Burger was born Jan. 17, 1930, in Kansas City, Kansas, the sixth of 14 children born to Julius Anthony and Mary Elizabeth (Haines) Burger.

She received her elementary education at St. Thomas the Apostle School, Kansas City, Kansas, and the first three years of her secondary education at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1946, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wichita, where she finished high school. She received an elementary teacher

certificate in June of 1947. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, in 1959 and with a master’s in education from Notre Dame University in 1965.

In the summer of 1967, she took a nurse aide course and worked 10 summers as a nurse aide at Marian Hall, a retirement home for the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Upon retiring from teaching in 1992, she earned an Activity Leader certificate and was activity director at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, for many years.

Upon returning to Wichita, she served as an assistant to the activity director at Marian Hall until her recent illness claimed her life.

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

THE MASS Not a spectator event

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CNS PHOTO/DAVE CRENSHAW, EASTERN OKLAHOMA CATHOLIC

Mass is not meant to be a pageant or a performance. Mass-goers should be active participants, through both their responses and their singing. Preparing for Mass by reviewing the Scripture readings in advance is one way to participate more intentionally.

By David Gibson Catholic News Service

T

he action on the field during a particularly exciting football game often locks spectators in its grip.

With minutes to go and everything hanging in the balance, spectators hold their breath, jump up and down or even pray. The moment consumes them.

Similarly, some films move viewers to laughter or tears. Perhaps they identify with the profound anguish or desperate plight of a character in the story.

A game and a film both can cause viewers to feel caught up in actions unfolding before their very eyes.

These largely remain the actions of others, nonetheless. Spectators remain a step removed from the action and its outcome.

The Second Vatican Council raised the issue of spectatorship in its 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (“Sacrosanctum Concilium”). The council’s footprint undoubtedly is noticed most often today through this document’s impact because it involves the celebration of the Mass and sacraments, so recognizably part of the lives of Catholics.

It is difficult to define with precision what a “spectator” is. But the council insisted forcefully that Catholics are not present as “silent spectators” during the Sunday Mass or celebrations of other sacraments.

Catholics should be prepared to “take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing” — to collaborate fully and with devotion in the liturgy, the constitution asserted (SC, 48).

I call attention to this whenever I teach the class in my parish that prepares parents for the upcoming baptism of an infant or young child. A reason parents are asked to attend this class is so that they will not approach their child’s baptism as spectators but will be present to “take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing.”

If the council hoped believers would not assume the posture of “silent spectators” during sacramental celebrations, does that imply that they should be spectators of some other kind, noisy or incessantly vocal, for example? It implied, in the council’s words, that they should participate both “internally and externally” in the liturgy (SC, 19).

Today, worshipers participate in the

CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

An extraordinary minister distributes Communion at Mass. While all worshipers participate in the Mass through verbal responses and singing, some also cantor, proclaim the Scripture readings, distribute Communion, act as greeters or ushers and in other ways contribute to the worship service.

THE CATHOLIC MASS ANNIVERSARY submissions Need help explaining the Mass to a child, visitor or Protestant friend? Join The Leaven in this new series on how to understand why we do what we do when we gather each week to worship.

Mass through verbal responses and singing. They listen in an active, focused way to the biblical readings, and they participate through prayer that is spoken aloud with others and prayer that is quietly personal. Some participate by proclaiming the Scripture readings, distributing Communion and in roles meant to assure that newcomers and others feel welcome.

Catholics do not tend to think in our times that they are present only to observe what is done by the priest, the altar servers or the choir, for example.

Yes, Catholics do not remain silently quiet throughout the Mass, as they might have done in the distant past.

This teaching of the council has taken root.

Active, informed and collabora-

tive participation in the institutions and associations that fulfill roles in people’s lives is a sign of our times.

Twenty-first-century citizens are not surprised to be invited to contribute not only their best thinking but their energies and talents to achieving the goals of communities that are intimate parts of their lives.

If the Second Vatican Council in certain ways reflected this cultural sign of the times, its call for full liturgical participation nonetheless was based upon the basic purposes of liturgical worship.

“Fully conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations” is actually “demanded by the very nature of liturgy,” the council’s liturgy constitution noted. It explained that “such participation by the Christian people . . . is their right and duty by reason of their baptism” (SC, 14).

People born long after the council may wonder why the liturgy constitution thought it necessary to accent the importance of participation in the entire Mass, including the Liturgy of the Word in which the biblical readings are proclaimed and the homily is heard. Few Catholics today would question the value of this part of the liturgy.

After all, the church experienced

an explosion of interest in Scripture during the decades after the council.

Scripture seminars often became a mainstay of parish life, and the Bible was accorded a key role in Catholic spirituality.

“The two parts which, in a certain sense, go to make up the Mass, namely the Liturgy of the Word and the eucharistic liturgy, are so closely connected with each other that they form but one single act of worship,” the liturgy constitution commented (SC, 56).

Vatican II also fostered liturgical participation through its emphasis on holiness as a goal for all, not just for some. “All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status are called to the fullness of the Christian life,” the council affirmed in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium,” 40).

Jesus, it pointed out, “preached holiness of life to each and every one of his disciples of every condition.”

Exploring the life of holiness, many now looked more and more to the liturgy as, in the words of the liturgy constitution, “the primary and indispensable source from which . . . to derive the true Christian spirit” (SC, 14).