01-13-12 Vol. 33 No. 21

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 33, NO. 21 JANUARY 13, 2012

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Building a youth group, one bierock at a time

By Jessica Langdon

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Leaven staff

OUISBURG — The recipe is fairly straightforward, but it takes time and attention to make it turn out just right.

Start with a handful of kids. (Add as many as you wish as you go along.)

Fold in ample opportunity to serve others.

Stir in support from the community, families and parish leaders.

Sprinkle in as much music, laughter and friendship as you like.

Simmer it in faith and keep things cooking.

That, in a nutshell, has been the recipe for success for the youth group at Immaculate Conception Parish in Louisburg.

Plenty of people remember times when there wasn’t anything at all for the youth of the parish; others recall a group that tried to get off the ground, but just kind of faded away.

Now, they seem to have found a recipe for success.

Youth ministers started out with just a handful of teens about three years ago. Since then, the group has taken on a life of its own.

Yet when you try to pin down exactly which ingredient breathed such a spark into this active youth group, you likely won’t be able boil it down to just one thing.

Growing and serving together For one thing, they all get along, and you can see that the moment you meet them.

“It’s really great coming to youth group because you know your friends are there,” said Lindsey Allen. “You know you’re going to have a fun time and learn about God and just grow with each other.”

“It’s a great thing to have all these people come together that share your faith and to help the community out,” said Katelyn Waldron. “I love it.”

One of the group’s first major undertakings brought together parishes from across the Southern Region of the archdiocese for a day of serving the community of Louisburg. They rolled up their sleeves and tackled projects from weeding to helping residents clean their yards.

Then in 2011, the Louisburg group traveled twice to Joplin, Mo., to help in the aftermath of the devastating EF5 tornado that ripped through the city in May. The group plans to return to Joplin.

“It was just like one giant family go-

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Kallie O’Keefe (left), Natalie Moore and Kirstin Lowry, all members of the youth group at Immaculate Conception Parish in Louisburg, assemble bags of bierocks. This fundraiser received enormous support, with parishioners donating extra money so people in need could have some of the popular German meat-filled pastries. ing down there and spreading our faith and love to the people,” Katelyn said.

“We’re all just a big family that loves God,” agreed youth group member Bill Strange.

Natalie Moore and Kallie O’Keefe, freshmen in high school, are among the younger members of the group.

Age doesn’t make a difference here, though.

“Over the years that we’ve been together, we’ve just become really close,” said Natalie. “We know a lot of things about each other.”

From regular meetings to trips to the Kansas City area to help in a food pantry during the summer, they’re together a lot.

“It makes us feel really good on the inside to know that we’re helping out people that aren’t as fortunate,” said Kallie.

“We just like having fun and helping people at the same time,” agreed Bailee Moylan, who is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in La Cygne.

She got to know Louisburg youth group members through a confirmation retreat. She liked the way the group operated, so she joined it.

“We just all get along really well and we try to make a difference,” she said.

See “YOUTH” on page 5

Bierocks (16 – 18 sandwiches) Filling: 2 pounds ground beef 1 cup sauerkraut (drained) 1 small head cabbage, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 8 ounces grated cheddar or American cheese (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Brown hamburger and onion over medium heat in a large stockpot; season with salt and pepper and drain. Remove from heat. Add cabbage, cheese and sauerkraut. Stir until cheese has melted and cabbage is slightly wilted. Cool mixture.

Bread dough Dissolve 2 packages yeast in ½ cup warm water; let sit for 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl combine and mix well:

1½ cups hot water ½ cup powdered milk

1 tablespoon salt ½ cup shortening

½ cup sugar 3½ cups flour Add yeast mixture and one egg to the dough and beat for five minutes. Work an additional 2½ cups flour into the dough and knead for 10 minutes. Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled in bulk. Divide dough in half and roll out each half into a large, thin rectangle. Cut rectangle into 4-inch squares. Using a large ice cream scooper, place a scoop of meat mixture in the center of each square. Bring corners up and seal edges; place on greased cookie sheet, seam side down and flatten to about 2-inch thickness. Brush tops with melted butter and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. May be individually wrapped, frozen and reheated. For an easier version, try using prepared frozen bread dough from the grocery store. Excellent for Super Bowl parties!

2 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

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Prepare yourself properly before attending Mass

ast week, I wrote about deepening our love and the love of our children for the church by increasing our love for Sunday Mass.

early each week, rather than timing Specifically, I wrote about the imour arrival to coincide with the last portance of reflecting on the Sunday verse of the opening hymn. readings sometime during the previous Our churches should be places of week in order that we will be better reverent silence, not noisy auditoriums prepared to hear what God wants to of casual conversation. It is great to say to us through the Eucharist. visit with friends and neighbors in the Two people go to the same concert. gathering space, the vestibule, or outOne, who has no knowledge of music, side of church. However, once we enter has never played an instrument, and into church, we should be silent, so as never previously listened to a parnot to disturb others who are praying. ticular genre of music, may fall asleep Our focus once inside or want to leave at church should be intermission. Another ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ on God and not on person at the very whom else do I know same performance, programming notes in the congregation. who has listened to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s The few moments this music before radio program on KEXS 1090 AM we have before Mass, and perhaps even airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is we should reflect on has attempted to repeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday the BBGS (Blessings, play the music being and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Burdens, Graces and performed, will be Sins) of our lives. disappointed that Preparing ourselves prayerfully before the concert is over so quickly and will Mass begins will allow us to enter into leave the symphony hall inspired and the celebration and be able better to exhilarated.

Similarly, in order to take full advan- receive what Jesus desires to give to us.

So, for example, if we have reflected tage of what Jesus is offering us in the upon our sins of the past week — the Eucharist each week, we must prepare things that we did and the things that ourselves to be able to receive the we failed to do — when the priest inmiracle that is made present to us. We vites us: “Let us acknowledge our sins must know the basic elements of the and so prepare ourselves to celebrate Mass and how we are invited to enter the sacred mysteries,” we will know into them. exactly for what sins we need to ask In addition to meditating on the God’s mercy. readings before coming to Sunday If at the heart of the Eucharist is the Mass, we also need to prepare ourevent of our redemption — Calvary selves by pondering: 1) what people, — being made present to us, then we experiences, opportunities and maneed to be aware of our sins. In other terial things do I desire to give God words, we need to be conscious of why thanks; 2) for what sins do I need to we need a redeemer and what we need seek mercy; 3) what sufferings and him to redeem us from. burdens do I need to surrender to the Similarly, when the celebrant invites Lord; and 4) what graces do I need to us: “Let us pray,” we should be aware ask for in order to meet the challenges of the specific graces that we need at of the coming week. this moment. At each Mass, we should If we have identified before Mass the have specific intentions, special graces BBGS (Blessings, Burdens, Graces and for which we wish to petition God. We Sins) of our life, then we will be much should also be consciously carrying in better prepared to enter into the entire our hearts the people who have asked Mass. We should try to arrive for Mass

us to pray for them. The priest pauses after this invitation to prayer precisely to allow us the time to mention to the Lord our own intentions.

As mentioned last week, having already prayed over the readings, when we hear the word of God proclaimed at the liturgy, our hearts will be well disposed to receive God’s special message for us. We will not be distracted by just attempting to make sense of what was read, but will be open to how the Holy Spirit is instructing us to apply these Scriptures to the particular circumstances of our lives.

At the preparation of the gifts, we will be ready to unite with the bread and wine the activities of the past week that we wish to offer to God as our personal gift to him. Similarly, during the eucharistic prayer, when Calvary becomes present to us, we will be prepared to unite our suffering and sacrifices with his perfect sacrifice.

Or as we echo the words of the centurion — “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed” — we will be keenly aware of what needs to be healed in our souls.

As we approach the reception of holy Communion, we will be fully conscious of whom we are about to receive and we will be fervently inviting Our Lord to come anew into our hearts.

During the precious moments after receiving Communion, we will have our own litany of thanksgiving to pray.

We will also, at this most intimate time with Jesus, be prepared to ask for the special graces that we most need at this moment of our lives. When we leave Mass, we will embark on a mission to bring the Jesus that we have received to all those we will encounter in the coming week.

This internal participation in each element of the eucharistic celebration is what the church means by full and active participation of each member of the congregation. It is this spiritual participation that is so much more important than the fervor of our oral responses or the quality of our singing.

When we understand all that is being offered to us at each and every celebration of the Eucharist and prepare ourselves to take full advantage of it, then it is completely impossible to be

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

Jan. 13 Mass — St. James Academy Mass, vespers and talk for Spiritual Mentorship program of the Apostles of the Interior Life Jan. 14 “The Catholic Way” radio taping Catholic Charities Snowball Jan. 15 7th anniversary as archbishop Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Jan. 17 Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting Vespers and dinner with newer priests — archbishop’s residence Jan. 18 Presbyteral Council meeting Jan. 19 Conference call — Religious Alliance Against Pornography Jan. 20-30 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Archbishop Keleher’s

Team eBay: Mission accomplished The offshoot of Catholic Charities reaches $100,000 in sales

By Jill Ragar Esfeld

Flag donated items for Team eBay

Special to The Leaven

OVERLAND PARK — Team eBay has reached a milestone: $100,000 in sales.

It’s a goal set five years ago by members of the team, an offshoot of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ TurnStyles thrift store.

But they never expected to accomplish it so quickly.

“The year 2011 has been an extraordinarily strong year,” said team leader Ron Behm. “It’s the strongest eBay sales/fundraising year since the concept started in 2006.”

What the accomplishment means to Catholic Charities is more aid for struggling families in northeast Kansas.

“The money goes towards helping individuals with rent, utilities and food assistance,” said Catholic Charities chief operations officer Jennifer Ehart.

“It can certainly help any of our programs,” she added, “but I think primarily people who are in emergency situations and families that are trying to stabilize are helped by this.”

One hundred percent of Team eBay’s profit goes to the charity, because this outstanding sales team is 100 percent volunteer.

“We have the best volunteers anyone can imagine,” said Ehart. “They are self-reliant, they are faithful, and they are kind.”

“And they’re always focused on how

If you feel an item is of higher value for eBay or for craigslist Kansas City, flag the item with a note to alert volunteer sorters at TurnStyles.

Some best sellers: • Antiques and collectibles • Anything with the name Harley Davidson on it • Sports memorabilia • Designer handbags • Silver serving pieces • Train sets (the older, the better) • Musical instruments • Anything new in its original box Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Volunteer Patrick Urnise, left, discusses the value of donated furs with eBay team leader Ron Behm. The money raised from the eBay store goes to Catholic Charities.

Buy from TurnStyles eBay If you want to see all the items TurnStyles eBay has listed for sale, go to the website at: www.shopturnstyles.com (click “eBay” on the left sidebar).

Buyers pay for items through PayPal, and funds go into TurnStyles accounting to support the programs offered by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

they can build fellowship together so we can help others,” she continued. “I love that about them.”

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Lawrence (785) 865-0006

See “TEAM” on page 7

bored at Mass, no matter the quality of the externals of the celebration.

Nor can we depart from Mass without a more profound love for the church, who despite the many weaknesses and failures of its members, remains the beloved bride of Jesus who makes her spouse present to us in this most powerful and profound way.

Surrounded by volunteers from the TurnStyles eBay team, team leader Ron Behm displays an oversized check representing the first $100,000 raised for Catholic Charities through eBay.

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

Raise & Level

Topeka (785) 246-0128

eBay teams. Each volunteer commits to four hours a week.

St. Joseph parishioner Cathy Robinson, who celebrated her one-year anniversary with the team this month, said there’s plenty of help learning the process of making a profit on eBay. “At first, it was hard; there are a lot of steps to it,” she explained. “It takes practice, it takes patience. But Ron pairs a seasoned veteran with novices, and now I’m pretty comfortable.”

Holy Trinity, Lenexa, parishioner Joe Russell agreed.

Jan. 14-15 Mass — St. Sebastian, Fla.

MUD JACKING v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses

These volunteers will be the first to tell you their compensation comes from the fun, camaraderie and shared excitement when a $3 item is pulled off the thrift store shelf and sold online at a huge profit.

“It’s fun,” said Tom White, a parishioner of Holy Spirit in Overland Park who has been with the team since 2006. “You learn something new all the time about the stuff you’re selling. It’s also fun working with other people.”

Currently, there are 21 members divided into seven three-member

weekly calendar

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

Summer camp registration right around the corner

By Jessica Langdon

Key dates for 2012 Camp Tekakwitha

Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Families planning to sign up for sessions at Camp Tekakwitha might want to mark some key dates on their calendars — they’re fast approaching!

Registration for the popular camp sessions is just a few weeks away.

For the first time, registration is spread out over three separate dates — and according to age group — for the sessions at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg.

“Parents have suggested that the past couple of years,” said Deacon Dana Nearmyer, archdiocesan consultant for evangelization and the Catholic formation of youth. The measure is designed to offer improved customer service.

Parents should sign their kids up for the summer sessions based on the grade they will enter in the fall.

Opening dates for registration are as follows: • Camp Tekakwitha and X-Treme for campers who will be in high school — Jan. 31 • Camp Tekakwitha for campers entering 7th/8th grades — Feb. 7 • Camp Kateri for campers entering 5th/6th grades — Feb. 14.

Online registration starts at 9 a.m. on each of the above dates. A registration link will be available then on the archdiocesan website at: www.arch kck.org.

Online registration is encouraged, but mail-in registration is accepted.

Mailed forms may be postmarked beginning on the opening dates of registration for the corresponding age group (not before!).

The sessions for high school kids generally fill up rapidly, Deacon Nearmyer noted. Space doesn’t tend to be quite as much an issue for the sessions for younger campers.

Jan. 20 – Scholarship applications should be turned in Jan. 31 — Registration opens at 9 a.m. for campers in high school Feb. 7 — Registration opens at 9 a.m. for campers in grades 7/8 Feb. 14 — Registration opens at 9 a.m. for campers in grades 5/6

Camp sessions:

Camp Kateri, Grades 5/6 ($230) Term 1 — May 30-June 1 Term 2 — June 18-20 Term 3 — June 21-23 Term 4 — July 23-25 Camp Tekakwitha, Grades 7/8 ($370) Term 1 — June 4-9 Term 2 — June 25-30 Term 3 — July 6-11 Term 4 — July 16-21 Camp Tekakwitha, Grades 9-12 ($380) June 11-16 Tekakwitha X-Treme, Grades 9-12 ($430) July 27-Aug. 4 Family Camp (Free for children under 2; $125 for everyone 2 and older) July 13-15

Registration for summer camps at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg is coming up soon. Online registration begins at 9 a.m. on Jan. 31 for high schoolers; Feb. 7 for 7th- and 8th-graders; and Feb. 14 for 5th- and 6th-graders.

Camp sessions combine climbing, swimming, sports, group games, outdoor camping — plus much more — with prayer, sacraments and many other opportunities to grow in faith.

“Over Christmas, kids were telling me they really started praying at camp,” said Deacon Nearmyer, “and they continued through the fall semester, and it had really made a difference in their lives.”

Families that had user names and passwords for registration last year will be able to use those again, and reminder emails will soon be sent to those families.

Parents can find more information about the sessions, camp dates, requirements and the registration process by visiting the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org.

Under the Ministries & Offices tab, click on Youth Formation & Activities.

Once there, click on the Camp Tekakwitha tab.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha — On the way to sainthood

CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha is seen in this painting that portrays her contemplating the cross and which hangs behind the altar in St. Peter’s Chapel at the national shrine named after her in Fonda, N.Y.

People with ties to Camp Tekakwitha have a new reason to celebrate.

Last December, Pope Benedict XVI approved the miracle needed for Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, for whom the camp is named, to be elevated to sainthood.

A canonization date had not yet been announced, but some in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are watching developments and considering a pilgrimage.

Kateri Tekakwitha was a natural choice more than a decade ago when it came time to name the youth camp.

“She’s phenomenal at being a role model for kids who come from turbulent situations,” said Deacon Dana Nearmyer, archdiocesan consultant for evangelization and the Catholic formation of youth. He and his wife Deborah have for years been directors of the camp.

Young people might come from a wonderful family, but still face any number of struggles in today’s world, he explained.

Kateri Tekakwitha also faced a difficult path, but didn’t complain.

According to “An Hour with Kateri Tekakwitha” by Margaret R. Bunson, Tekakwitha, a name that means “she who puts all things in order,” was born in 1656 in what today is New York.

Her father was a war chief. Her mother was an Algonquin Christian, who was taken captive during a raid on her village. Through marriage, she became a member of the Mohawk nation. She would whisper to young Tekakwitha the hymns she had learned in her youth.

Smallpox struck in 1660, records Bunson, claiming both of Tekakwitha’s parents and her infant brother.

The illness scarred the young girl’s face and left her partially blind.

Her father’s brother — who became the new war chief — and his wife then took her in.

Although young warriors sought her attention as she grew up, she wasn’t interested in marriage.

When Jesuit missionaries arrived at the settlements, writes Bunson, Tekakwitha shared her memories of her mother’s faith and asked to be baptized.

She endured ridicule and other forms of persecution from her community as she delved deeper into her faith, but she was baptized in 1676, taking the Christian name Kateri, for St. Catherine of Siena.

Despite continued abuse, Kateri Tekakwitha stayed true to her faith and eventually left for a mission near Montreal, Canada, in 1677. In 1679, she took a vow of virginity.

The following year, according to Bunson, she became ill. She died in 1680 at age 24. It is said her scars disappeared when she died.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will be the first Native American from North America to be canonized a saint.

There have been many prayers for her canonization and there is a lot of devotion to her, Deacon Nearmyer said, noting that people say she has helped them get to know Jesus better.

He has learned that many young people are taking “Kateri Tekakwitha” as their confirmation names.

“She was a woman who exhibited great holiness at a young age,” he said.

LOCAL NEWS 5

Youth group finds the ingredients for success Continued from page 1

The right ingredients Bailee worked alongside her friends at Immaculate Conception on a Saturday in early November last year.

The always-busy group that week was making 1,500 bierocks as a fundraiser.

Sales of the meat-filled German pastries would help fund serCheck out the vice projects bierock produc— such as fution line and see ture trips to the Immaculate Joplin — and Conception Parish the group’s youth group in annual trip to action by visitthe Steubening The Leaven’s ville youth website at: www. conference in theleaven.com.

St. Louis.

Connor Waldron, president of the youth group, can’t wait to go back for his third trip to the Steubenville conference.

“The music is amazing,” he said.

In fact, music from the summer conference became the soundtrack for this daylong bierock-making party.

Youth group leader Linda Roberts contributed a family recipe. Because the bierocks were such a hit at the parish the first time the group made them, it expanded the operation this time, using a new convection oven to its capacity to fill the orders that flowed in.

A lot of the group’s members point to Roberts as someone who really got things stirring for the youth in Louisburg.

“She makes everything exciting, so it’s fun to come to youth group now,” said Ali Dover.

Jacob Dow, 19, has graduated from high school, but returns to help the youth group now as a sponsor. He has been a member of this parish his whole life and has seen the youth group basically start from scratch and really take

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Members of the youth group at Immaculate Conception Parish in Louisburg take a break from the bierock assembly line Nov. 5 for an update on the fundraiser’s progress. This group has grown in three years from a few members to a large group that is active in the community year-round. Service, fellowship, faith and fun are all part of the experience. off. It is a “newer and better and more involved youth group,” which is something that was needed, he said.

These young people are getting started on their lives, he explained, and they are learning a lot about how to serve others and get involved in their community through volunteer work.

Fostering faith Roberts quickly passes the credit for the strides the youth have made on to the kids themselves.

“They’re wonderful kids,” she said.

“They have been so supportive of everything we’ve ever done, and they’ve been thirsty to know the Lord.”

Her granddaughter Kirstin Lowry is part of the group now and loves to see so many people enjoying it. The lessons in faith have real-life applications.

“I really love going to the meetings because you get to talk about everything that’s going on and what you need to fix,” said Kirstin.

Roberts was proud to see them all

hard at work making bierocks, and she believes activities like this bring the group even closer.

“It helps us with our faith,” she said.

“It helps us learn how to work together, how to love each other, and respect, and also give.”

Lots of support And, Roberts said, the support of Msgr. Robert Bergman, pastor of Immaculate Conception, has been priceless.

Since his arrival at the parish, he has done a lot to inspire the youth’s energy.

“The kids were needing something, wanting something,” said Roberts. “He has been in total, 125 percent support of our youth, as well as everyone in our parish.”

The pastor was there bright and early on this November Saturday as the volunteers browned beef, chopped cabbage, stirred in cheese, and assembled the bierocks.

Plenty of parents also pitched in.

Adult volunteer Mary Jo Shelton has

driven this group on bus trips to different activities, and she was there working away in the kitchen to help with this project.

“I think it got a whole lot bigger than we thought it was going to get, and I think it’s awesome — I truly do,” she said. She wanted to see the food turn out to be a success, just as the recipe for building this youth group has been.

“I just think that they’re so hardworking and so outgoing and so involved,” said Shelton.

And no one took a moment of this day for granted.

“We don’t have to be here doing this, but we do it because we want to do it and because we have a lot of fun with each other,” said Ali. “It’s awesome that we have this many kids who come out of the kindness of their hearts because we want to, so I think that’s the coolest thing.”

Katelyn sees this as a big, happy group living life as Jesus called them to.

“We’re a good group of kids,” she said. “We’re just normal people trying to do good things in the community.”

Archdiocese found in compliance with safe environment policies

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A cheerful look may bring joy to the heart, according to the Book of Proverbs (15:30), but two little words will do the trick for Father John Riley: “in compliance.”

Early last December the archdiocese received word that it was in compliance with safe environment and youth protection policies for the 2010-2011 audit period. The audit was conducted by StoneBridge Business Partners, a firm based in Rochester, N.Y. “This is a compliance, or data, audit,” said Father Riley, archdiocesan chancellor and safe environment coordinator.

“We are in compliance with our own policies as far as record keeping, data collection and procedures.”

The compliance audit is done annually to meet guidelines first established in 2002 by the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The archdiocese’s program has consistently passed its audits since its inception.

“This is important, because an outside, objective organization comes in to check whether or not we are complying with our own policies,” he continued, “and collecting the information and data our policy requires us to collect.”

Every third year, the archdiocese consents to an on-site audit, which takes

Virtus training Individuals who want to sign up for a Virtus training session can do so on the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org. about a week. The archdiocese will undergo an on-site audit this year. “[The auditors] usually interview key personnel at the archdiocesan level, checking various records retention systems, and also make visits to parishes, schools and other archdiocesan programs,” said Father Riley.

“The sample for the on-site audit is chosen by the auditing firm itself,” he continued. “We don’t tell them which parishes we’d like them to see. [The auditors] randomly select parishes, and we don’t know what their selection criteria are. They go to these sites and interview key personnel.”

The archdiocesan safe environment program has three main components: the Virtus training program, the child protection policy, and the reporting requirement.

Virtus training sessions are conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the archdiocese for anyone having substantial and ongoing contact with minors in church ministry or the schools. They must also complete periodic online training bulletins.

Volunteers, archdiocesan clergy and

employees also have to undergo a criminal background check conducted by an outside agency. No one will be hired to work at parishes or other places in the archdiocese unless they undertake Virtus training, submit to a background check, and sign an agreement to read and abide by the archdiocesan child protection, sexual harassment, and code of conduct policies.

People who wish to report abuse or concerns can contact the archdiocese or the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Some individuals, like teachers, are mandated reporters. They are required to make reports to SRS or law enforcement.

The archdiocese also has an independent review board. When a report of abuse is made and is being investigated, it is the board’s responsibility to look at the case and review the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.

“I should say that we’re very happy with the [audit] results,” said Father Riley. “The archbishop is happy, and we are very thankful for all those people — especially the Virtus coordinators, volunteers and staff in parishes and schools — who are dong their job to keep our kids safe.”

Despite having passed several audits, the archdiocese is not resting on its laurels.

“We can never let our guard down,” said Father Riley. “Our policies and pro-

Who to call Anyone who believes that a child is being abused or neglected can make a confidential report to the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) at (800) 922-5330.

In addition to reporting to the SRS, call the archdiocesan confidential report line at (913) 647-3051.

You may also call: • Father John Riley, chancellor and safe environment coordinator: (913) 647-0324 • Father Gary Pennings, vicar general: (913) 647-0340 • Father Brian Schieber, vicar general for clergy: (785) 272-5590 or (913) 488-2792 • Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of Catholic schools: (913) 647-0321 • Dr. Dennis Schemmel, victim assistance coordinator: (913) 909-2740 • Catholic Charities offers crisis and stabilization counseling in the Kansas City metro area, Topeka, Leavenworth and Emporia. You can reach Catholic Charities by calling (913) 433-2100.

cedures are under constant review, and we make corrections and enhancements to our policies and procedures when needed.”

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

Stewardship calls each of us to give gratefully Lesle M. Knop

Editor’s note: A series of articles written by recipients of funding from the Archbishop’s Call to Share will be published in The Leaven over the next few weeks. For more information about the many ways your gifts benefit your brothers and sisters in Christ, visit the website at: www.calltoshare.org.

Special to The Leaven

M

y parents were Catholic as were my grandparents and their parents. I am fortunate to have been given the gift of my faith and the many blessings that the Lord has provided.

My husband is a convert. Seeing the church through his eyes has given me an even greater appreciation for the depth and breadth of our Catholic traditions and the inspired wisdom of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

My love for Jesus grows greater each day because I am surrounded and supported by a community of faith-filled believers.

As the executive director of the office of stewardship and development for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, with the leadership of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, I hope to encourage you to pray about what the Lord has given you and, when you wonder when you should give thanks, to realize that now might be a good time.

Stewardship, as we have learned in our maturity as Catholics, is a “disciple’s response,” a way to show gratitude for our many blessings. I feel it is our obligation as children of God to show this expression of our grateful hearts by giving to support our beautiful mother, the church.

Financial stewardship allows parishes to provide excellent liturgies, Catholic education, youth ministries, evangelical outreach, compassion to those less fortunate, and more. In these challenging economic times, tithing is very impor-

Team eBay finds the auction a thrill

“Stewardship, as we have learned in our maturity as Catholics, is a ‘disciple’s response,’ a way to show gratitude for our many blessings.”

”

tant. The average gift made to our parishes last year was approximately $840 per household or about $70 per month.

I am confident that most of our families can examine their priorities and give from the first fruits to what is clearly the most important need in our society.

As we embark on an effort to renew the church in northeast Kansas, I ask everyone to prayerfully consider in-

creasing your pledge to your parish by a meaningful amount. Your stewardship is demonstrated also by getting involved with various liturgical and ministerial activities within your parish that allow for learning, growing in your faith and friendships with other Catholics. You will also meet a lot of wonderful, caring people as well. If you are not a volunteer, call the parish office to learn about the many opportunities for giving back.

As St. Francis of Assisi says in his beautiful prayer, it is in giving that we receive.

If you hear a stewardship messages this year from your priest and if you receive a pledge card in support of your parish, I ask that you return the card as soon as possible so that your parish can plan how to better meet its obligations for the coming year.

When you receive a pledge card for the Archbishop’s Call to Share, which

funds more than 42 important ministries of the church in northeast Kansas that benefit each and every parish in our archdiocese, I ask that you please give generously. Last year, the average gift in support of the Archbishop’s Call to Share was $242 per family. Thirtyfive percent of all parish households stepped up to support the local church.

I pray for those who can and should do better, and for those generous families who continue to give despite their own hardships.

Our support of our parishes and our local church is a demonstration of faith.

My ancestors who struggled against religious persecution and endured hardship on the plains of Kansas helped to establish parishes, where people came together in faith communities. As a fifth generation Kansan, I am humbled that my Kansas ancestors, homesteading on the plains, were blessed by a priest traveling on horseback, when weather permitted, to celebrate Mass.

They gave because of their great faith from their meagerness. I have confidence that we can do much more from our abundance through and with the grace of God.

Continued from page 1 “I’d worked on computers a little bit before,” he said, “but I had never worked on eBay, and they taught me how to do it. I enjoy it very much now.”

The ability to keystroke and a little Internet experience are Volunteers the only requirements needed for this job.

Do you have “We don’t keyboarding skills require voland a basic ununteers to derstanding of the have exInternet? perience That’s all it with eBay,” takes to become explained a member of the Behm. “And TurnStyles eBay we say this team. is going to If you’re interbe a win-win ested in joining situation. this fun group “If you and learning how come and to sell on eBay, commit to contact Mary Kay give us four Drees by calling hours a week, (913) 433-2080, or we will comsend an email to: mit to making mdrees@catholic you a genius charitiesks.org. at selling on eBay.” Steve Armbruster, associate director of store operations for Catholic Charities, believes an important component of the team’s success is volunteers who are constantly on the lookout for salable items.

“When [items] come into the donation bay, that’s our first gathering point,” he said. “And we have kind of a running list of anything that might be salable on eBay.” “The second place is at our sorting area, where we’ve got a team of volunteers who look through bags and boxes,” he continued. “Then the eBay team goes through the store to see if there’s anything on the shelf we might have missed.”

Over the past five years, the team has had the good fortune of selling and mailing items to individuals in all 50 states and 29 different countries.

“In November, for the first time, we sold a coat to somebody in Russia,” said Behm.

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Cathy Robinson, who recently celebrated her one year anniversary with the eBay team, shows team leader Ron Behm an evening dress she’s listing for sale on TurnStyles eBay. “I found an Elna sewing machine in the thrift shop for $10,” added Russell. “I put it on eBay, and it went to Tasmania for 365 bucks.”

Behm also sold a vintage accordion to a buyer in Switzerland.

“And believe me,” he said, “I know nothing about accordions.”

The volunteers agree the fun of the job comes from that kind of experience.

“The thrill of it is you list it,” said Behm. “And then every day you click on your listings to see if you’re getting any bids or questions.

“When you see that there are people bidding on it, it’s exciting to watch.”

Now Behm has a new goal of getting nine more volunteers on the eBay team. That will give him ten three-

member teams listing items every week.

With those numbers, he believes the next $100,000 will come very quickly.

“In the sales game, the more items you offer, the more opportunity you have to sell,” he said. “And that’s our goal.”

The volunteers also agree that the greatest reward comes from knowing all their efforts support a good cause.

“The beauty of this is this is Christ in love and action,” said Ehart. “The eBay team is an example of how good Christians come together and they work together in a mission.

“They’re focused on how to help a charity so that we can help others. So it’s great fellowshipping for them; it’s a great chance to model Christ.”

What Else is going on at TurnStyles?

• TurnStyles’ new antique mall booths – TurnStyles volunteers are now selling antiques and collectibles at two malls: Booth 24 at Mission Road Antique Mall, 4101 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village; and Booth 967 at The Ridge Antiques and Collectibles, 7410 Nieman Road, Shawnee.

• TurnStyles needs clothing donations – TurnStyles is very low on donations of clothing and is asking for the community to donate items to support a great cause. For drop-off locations and times, visit the website at: www. shopturnstyles.com.

• Shoe Kansas City 2011 – Catholic Charities Northeast Kansas is teaming with Elite Feet to collect shoes for people in need. Shoes can be brought to either TurnStyles location: 9750 W. 87th, Overland Park, or 1703 Mur-Len, Olathe.

LOCAL NEWS 7 Timothy “Gene” and Mary Ruth (Cunningham) Finan, members of St. Columbkille Parish in Blaine, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 12 at their home. The couple was married on Jan. 12, 1952, at ANNIVERSARIES St. Michael Parish in Wheaton. Their children are: Gerald “Jerry” Finan and Marilyn Maddox, both of Kansas City; Laura Finan, of Lawrence; and Amy Gallagher, of Manhattan. They also have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Paul and Dianne Heinen, members of Immaculate Conception Parish in Valley Falls, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at the KSB Community Hall, 414 Broadway, Valley Falls.

The couple requests no gifts. They were married on Jan. 20, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Church in Valley Falls. They have four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Louis and Pat Harrington, members of St. Columbkille Parish in Blaine, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Dec. 30, 2011.

Their children and their spouses are: Ann and Tom Nease; Jim and Karen Harrington; and Ruth and Tim Minges. They also have six grandchildren (three are deceased) and three great-grandchildren. The couple celebrated by receiving a marriage blessing from Father Pat Sullivan at Mass. A family reception at their home followed Mass.

Announcement Father John A. Riley, chancellor, announces the following: David B. Imming, age 72, formerly a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, recently petitioned the Holy See and was granted a laicization for the good of the church. He now lives the life of a lay Catholic in St. Marys, Kansas. A civil action alleging inappropriate conduct with minors in Oklahoma was dismissed in the District Court of Oklahoma County in January 2010.

“Let us show you the many options available when you prearrange your funeral services.”

FUNERAL HOME • CREMATORY • MEMORIAL CHAPELS 10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66203 Telephone 913-631-5566 Fax 913-631-2236 1/12

Gregg Amos

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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

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Principal - Holy Trinity Elementary School, Paola, is seeking a principal. Holy Trinity serves 141 students, taught by 14 teachers. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic and hold an administrative license from the Kansas State Department of Education, or be eligible to receive one. Candidates should complete the principal application available on the website at: www.archkckcs.org. Application deadline is Feb. 3. For information, call Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, archdiocesan superintendent, at (913) 721-1570 or send an email to her at: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Hospice chaplain - Full-time (40 hours/week) salaried position. Requirements include: a minimum of two years hospice experience; completion of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, or the willingness to obtain; graduation from an accredited seminary or school of theology. To download an application, visit the website at: www.catholiccharitiesks.iappicants. com/application.php. (EEO) Associate superintendent of Catholic schools - For the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The ideal candidate will have the knowledge, skills, and theological depth and experience to provide leadership and vision in the areas of Catholic identity, curriculum and technology integration. Candidates who are interested in making a difference in Catholic education, hold an advanced degree in education, professional credentials in educational administration and have a minimum of five years experience as a Catholic school administrator, are encouraged to call Christine Ostrom at (816) 756-1850, ext. 277. To apply online, visit the website at: http://jobs.diocese-kcsj. org/?cid=4&lid=118. Application deadline is Feb. 1.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City, Topeka and Atchison areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Job Seeking Bookkeeper/office manager - Seeking a parttime or full-time position as a bookkeeper or a clerical position in the Johnson County area. 30 years experience. Member of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan. For a resume, contact Nancy at (913) 788-3563 or send an email to: powellna2001@yahoo.com.

Services Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

Machine quilting by Lyn - I also do T-shirt, photo, and memorial quilts. Official Hobbs distributor. Located in Overland Park. Call Lyn at (913) 492-8877.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

Theresa’s Tutoring - Tutoring of all ages. 28 years of experience. References provided. Call (913) 271-5891.

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012 Fire & water damage restoration - Framing, insulation, painting, tile and mold treatment. Lead safe certified; fully insured. Serving Wyandotte and Johnson counties for 22 years. Call Jerry at (913) 631-5241.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload, and in-home moving.

No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mikehammermoving@aol.com.

QuickBooks® for small business - Setup, customization and maintenance; quarterly and/or yearly accounting; support to your CPA, balance monthly statements, profit and expense tracking. Free consultations! Call Ann Evans Consulting LLC at (913) 4069778.

Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

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

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

CNA home health care professional - Provides excellent service and personal assistance for seniors and the homebound. Over 20 years experience. Excellent references and reasonable rates. Let me reduce your stress by helping you keep your loved one comfortably at home. Call Rosalyn at (816) 830-7455.

Private senior care - Registered nurse offering medical and nonmedical services. Keeping seniors at home and independent. Call (913) 522-4938 or send an email to: jcseniorcare@gmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.

Certified CNA - Looking to give the very best nursing care to your loved one in the privacy of their own home. Experience with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Excellent references; background check welcome. Full time; daytime preferred. Johnson and Wyandotte County areas. (913) 999-4340.

Housekeeper/companion/elder care - Retired nurse with over 25 years experience is seeking a fulltime care position. Days/nights/weekends. Will consider outside the metro area or a live-in position as well. Rates negotiable. Call (913) 579-5276.

Home Improvement STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@ hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

CALENDAR 13

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012 Master electrician - Licensed in Missouri and Kansas. 35 years experience in residential and commercial electrical needs. Call Rick, L & M Electric, at (913) 362-1501 or (816) 781-1501.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

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

Tile work - Ceramic tile installation/repairs; kitchen or bathrooms; custom showers and flooring projects. 20 years exp.; insured. Free estimates. Call Frank Womack, In Line Flooring, at (913) 485-0745, or send an email to: inlineflooringkc@gmail.com.

Helping Hand Handy Man - Home maintenance, upgrades and chores available by the hour. Special rate for senior and single-parent households. Electrical, painting, wood refinishing, wood rot repair, deck repair, yardwork, small to medium tree trimming, gutter cleaning, shelving and organizing. Most home problems and needs solved. Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe. Call Mark Coleman at (913) 526-4490.

Roofing insurance specialist - Free estimates; repairs if needed. Hail/wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call Rob (913) 206-4524.

Heating and air conditioning - Serving Johnson, Wyandotte and northern Miami counties. Seasonal tune-ups, full system replacements, and everything in between. 20 years experience. Call Jon at (913) 850-3376.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998 Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, - Quality products, 20 years experience, references. Call (913) 206-4524.

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.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson county area. Call for a free quote.

(913) 709-8401.

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean . . . we do it all! For a free consultation, call your professional organizing handyman, Kevin Hogan, M.Ed., today at (913) 271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the website at: www.koatindustries.com.

to donation sites, trash is bagged, and areas are clean and neat when job is complete. To view before-andafter pictures, visit the website at: www.swalms.com.

Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface.

Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Vacation Breckenridge, Colo. - 2 BR, 2 BA condo; sleeps 8. Roomy, first-floor unit with washer/dryer, gas fireplace, ski closet, Wi-Fi, cable and covered parking. One block to slopes; two blocks to downtown; 30 steps to hot tubs. For discounted pricing and availability, call (816) 392-2730.

Child Care Nanny - Members of Nativity Parish, Leawood, are seeking a nanny for the 2012 summer to care for their two daughters, ages 5 and 7. Full time; Mon. - Fri., from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Must have a reliable car to transport children to and from camps and other out of the home activities. References required. Call (913) 226-4681.

Jan.

14 Sacred Heart Church’s 11th annual bingo fundraiser to help send

the youth of the parish to Prairie Star Ranch this summer will be held Jan. 14 at the parish center, located at Hwy. 24/40 and W. Washington St., Tonganoxie. Food will be available for sale starting at 5:45 p.m.; bingo will begin at 7 p.m.

15

Prince of Peace Church, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will host a parents of teens workshop, presented by the REAP Team, a retreat ministry of the archdiocese of St. Louis, from 1:30 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 in the parish hall.

Parents of middle and high school students are invited to learn about the teen culture, the pressures they face, and how to help teens keep their faith. A freewill offering will be collected. For information, send an email to Polly Holmes at: pholmes@princeofpeace.info.

20 & 25

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

Wanted to Buy Cash for your antiques - Coins, watches, silverware, old rifles and shotguns, pocket knives, old military items, Zippo lighters, duck decoys, antique toys, old signs, old pine or primitive furniture. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269. *** Want to buy *** Antique or vintage jewelry Single pieces or entire estate Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at St. Paul Parish, 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe, and at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 at St. John the Evangelist School, 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence. A reasonable course fee is charged. For information or to register, call Christine or David Downey at (913) 837-3182; the Coupleto-Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558; or visit the website at: www. cclkc.org.

21

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a dance from 7 - 11 p.m. on Jan. 21 in their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr. The band Riptide will perform music from the ’60s and ’70s.

The suggested donation of $5 includes Polish sausage, chips and snacks. Drinks

will be available for purchase. Adults only; 21 years and older. For information or to make a group reservation, call Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173 or Gary VandeBerghe at (913) 226-4407.

St. Francis de Sales Parish, 900 Ida St., Lansing, will host a mini-retreat from 10 a.m. - noon on Jan. 21, led by Father John Graden, OSFS. Lunch will be provided. Freewill offerings will be appreciated.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Jan. 21 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room.

The topic will be: “Challenges in the New Year.” For information, call (913) 6492026.

St. Agnes Parish, 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park, will host a day of recollection from 9 a.m. - noon on Jan. 21.

The mini-retreat will include praying the rosary, Mass, a presentation by Father Harry Schneider, a continental breakfast, and Benediction. All are welcome to attend. There is no charge; freewill donations will be accepted.

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will hold their annual basketball freethrow contest on Jan. 21 in the small gym at St. Joseph Parish, 11525 Johnson Dr. Boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 14 should arrive by 8:30 a.m. and bring a copy of their birth certificate and parental permission form. There is no entry fee. High school athletes are advised to check with their coach regarding eligibility. Plaques will be awarded.

For information, call Robin Mika at (913) 268-9934.

The Curé of Ars Singles will host a winter fantasy dance from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 in the school cafeteria located at 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood.

The cost of $15, payable at the door, includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine,

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.

To purchase a classified ad

Send an email to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $17.50 for five lines or less; additional lines cost $1.50. All print ads appear on website at no additional charge. Maximum ad size is 25 lines.

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

701 North 94th Street * Kansas City, Kansas 66112 * (913) 334-3366 Funeral Home * Cemetery * Cremation Services

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, garage, attic, shop — any room organized! Items taken

W

e have the newest and nicest funeral home in Wyandotte County, right across the street from St. Patrick’s Church. Personalize a Funeral, Cemetery or Memorial Service all from one office, instead of driving all over town making plans. We even accept many pre-arranged plans from other funeral homes. To receive a free Personal Planning Guide, call or stop in today.

beer, soda, and bottled water. For information, call (913) 631-6873.

22

The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will host a covered dish luncheon at noon on Jan. 22 at Rossiter Hall, 204 S.W. 8th, Topeka.

A rosary for sick and deceased members and a business meeting will follow.

25

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Give Beauty Back To God,” presented by Sister Thomasita Homan, OSB, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Jan. 25. How does one give beauty back to God, source of all beauty? Come and ponder this question as you visit beauty in Scripture, creation, literature, art and daily life. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the website at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

26

Join the Direction for Our Times prayer group in praying the luminous mysteries of the rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Holy Cross Church, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park.

For information, call Colette Morrissey at (913) 341-9682 or visit the website at: www.directionforourtimes.org.

28 The Altar Society at Holy Family Church, Kansas City, Kan., will

offer a struklji making class at 10 a.m. on Jan. 28 at the social club, 513 Ohio Ave. Participants will learn how to make this traditional Slovenian dish and enjoy a salad luncheon. To RSVP, call Marcia Wolf at (816) 454-1378, Sandy Sachen Cannon at (913) 396-1564, or the parish office at (913) 371-1561. A donation of $10 to cover the cost of supplies and lunch is appreciated.

Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, will host its annual celebration “Bettin’ on the Future” on Jan. 28 in the parish activities center, 8101 W. 95th St. The doors will open at 5 p.m. The cost

is $60 per person. For information or to purchase tickets, call Melissa Nielsen at (913) 962-5852 or send an email to her at: nielsen@everestkc.net.

The school council of Holy Family School, Topeka, will host a homecoming dinner, dance and silent auction on Jan. 28. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m., followed by an Italian dinner and dancing from 7 - 11 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person. For information or to purchase tickets, call Debi Meier at (785) 640-4662. Limited child care will be available.

29

The students and alumni of Prince of Peace Parish, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will host their annual “Give and Get” coat and shoe exchange from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Jan. 29 in the St. Luke Room (next to the school cafeteria).

A huge selection of gently used coats, shoes, hats, scarves, mittens, blankets and more will be available to all members of the community. Donations will be accepted through Jan. 28 in the church gathering area.

Misc.

Rediscover your marriage! The Retrouvaille program offers the opportunity to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship. The next Retrouvaille weekend is Feb. 17 - 19. For confidential information or to register, call 1 (800) 470-2230 or visit the website at: www.retrouvaille.org.

Healing from pornography? Monthly theology of the body groups and weekly recovery groups are available for men and women. For information, visit the Website at: LoveIsFaithful.com, or call Sam Meier, MA, LPC, at (913) 6470378.

14 COMMENTARY

Catholic Press Association Award Winner

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

QUOTE WEEK

OF THE

“We have the best volunteers anyone can imagine. They are self-reliant, they are faithful, and they are kind.”

Jennifer Ehart, Catholic Charities chief operations officer See story on page 3

SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

A

Jan. 17 Anthony, abbot 1 Sm 16: 1-13; Ps 89: 20-22, 27-28; Mk 2: 23-28 Jan. 18 Wednesday 1 Sm 17: 32-33, 37, 40-51; Ps 144: 1-2, 9-10; Mk 3: 1-6 Jan. 19 Thursday 1 Sm 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7; Ps 56: 2-3, 9-14; Mk 3: 7-12 Jan. 20 Fabian, pope, martyr; Sebastian, martyr 1 Sm 24: 3-21; Ps 57: 2-4, 6, 11; Mk 3: 13-19 Jan. 21 Agnes, virgin, martyr 2 Sm 1: 1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Ps 80: 2-3, 5-7; Mk 3: 20-21

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

MAKING SENSE OUT OF BIOETHICS

Regain your balance in the new year

Children, even less than ‘perfect’ ones, need unconditional love

astronomer didn’t: Find balance in life. Although these travelers from the East noticed and followed the special star — one of the “mysteries of heaven” — their attention came down to earth once they saw the Christ Child. Not only did they prostrate themselves and do homage to this special child, but they also were thoughtful enough to present gifts to him. Maybe we refer to the Magi as “wise men” because they had this balance in their lives: They appreciated the wonders of the heavens, but did not neglect the things of this earth.

And isn’t that what all of God’s people are called to do? Although we direct our attention to heaven through our celebration of the sacraments and our personal prayer, its intention is never to exclude awareness of things here on earth. In fact, the closer we come to God, the more we notice our world. Not only do we see with the eyes of faith the many blessings that God showers on us, but we become conscious as well of the needs of all God’s children and how we can respond to them. For the Christian, a balanced life means a lived faith.

To incorporate some of the wisdom of the Magi in our lives this year, why not bring a little bit of heaven down to earth? A tradition on, or near, Epiphany is to bless our homes. This is done very simply by taking a piece of chalk and marking the lintel (the beam above the front door) with the following: 20 + C + M + B + 12.

Obviously, the “split” 2012 refers to the new year, and we ask that God bless us from the beginning of this year to its end. The C, M and B stand for the traditional names given to the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Those initials can also stand for the first letters in the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat,” which means “Christ bless this house.” As the wise men found Christ, so may all who come into our homes experience Christ in the welcome and hospitality they receive.

We can also imitate the Magi by giving gifts to one another, by using their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh as models.

Gold is precious and valuable. In this coming year, we can make an effort to respond financially to one charity each month.

Frankincense was sweet smelling and, in ancient times, seen as a help to ease depression. In 2012, we might concentrate on being sweeter and more patient to others and look for opportunities to bring hope and light by a smile or an encouraging word to those mired in the “blahs.”

Finally, myrrh was used as a medicinal herb. We are called to be healers, perhaps by forgiving others, asking for forgiveness, or having the courage to be a peacemaker or to work for justice for the wronged and oppressed.

How often should we give these gifts to others? Well, a hint is contained in “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

(Epiphany, you know, is the 12th day.)

I’m told that if you add up all of the gifts mentioned in that song, it comes to 364.

In other words, we should be a gift to others just about every day of the year.

May God bless us in 2012, helping us to balance our reflection on the mysteries of heaven with daily, compassionate action here on earth.

God speaks to all who are willing to listen

f a tree falls in the forest, does it make any sound if there is no one to hear it? Similarly, if no one is listening to what God has to say, does that mean that God has not been speaking?

Sunday’s first reading — 1 Sm 3: 3b-10, 19 — describes Samuel’s call to serve God as a prophet. It explores the question of what it means to listen to God. Only a young SECOND SUNDAY IN boy, Samuel has ORDINARY TIME been working 1 Sm 3: 3b-10, 19 at the temple as a kind of apprentice. That is why he is sleeping inside the temple when God calls to him. Because of his occupation, one would assume that Samuel would be somewhat familiar with God. But our reading tells us: “At that time, Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet.”

In that respect, Samuel was not alone. The verse shortly before the reading tells us: “During the time young Samuel was minister to the Lord under Eli, a revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent” (1 Sm 3:1).

The text does not offer any explana-

tion for this state of affairs. At the same time, the text is highly critical of the current religious leadership under the priest Eli and his sons. They have been abusing their office by profiteering and engaging in sexual immorality (1 Sm 2:12-17, 22). They had ignored what God had been telling them through the law, the Torah. Why should God send them any special revelation?

Fittingly enough, the first message that God entrusts to Samuel, which we do not hear in our reading, concerns God’s displeasure with Eli’s family and how God plans to punish them. That suggests that the dearth of religious visions results from the failure of the religious leadership, rather than any unwillingness on God’s part to communicate.

In other words, God may have been attempting to speak to many other peo-

O

nce I met a woman who had worked for years in fashion and modeling. Unsurprisingly, she was strikingly attractive.

She was accompanied by her teenage daughter who, by contrast, was rather unremarkable to look at, maybe even a plain Jane.

After spending time with them, I began to sense that the mother, whose life had largely revolved around her appearance, seemed to look down on her daughter, perhaps unconsciously, because of her average appearance.

Her daughter seemed aware of this lack of maternal acceptance, and seemed troubled and uncomfortable as she tried to compensate and please her mom in other ways.

The girl’s situation was a strong reminder to me of how important it is for every child to experience unconditional acceptance from their parents if they are to grow and mature in a healthy way. Unconditional love profoundly and beautifully molds us as human beings.

A growing number of parents in our society, however, no longer seem to hold to this key notion of uncondition-

ally accepting their own children. If parents are told by doctors that their children might be born with physical or mental disabilities, many parents today will reject them and even yield to the temptation to end their lives through direct abortion.

I was recently discussing the Special Olympics with the father of a boy who has Down syndrome. He remarked that when he takes his son to the local chapter, there seem to be reduced numbers of new children participating each year. He wondered if this could be due to the expanded targeting of Down syndrome children through prenatal testing and abortion.

Most unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome, in fact, are never allowed to be born. Data from the United Kingdom indicate that between 1989 and 2006 approximately 92 percent of women chose to terminate a pregnancy with a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, while in the United States, several published studies suggest the figure may be somewhere between 87 and 98 percent. A great many Down syndrome children, indeed, never see the light of day.

In the face of these harsh data, the

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IN THE BEGINNING

I

COMMENTARY 15

MARK MY WORDS

esop has a fable about an astronomer who went out each night to observe the stars.

One evening, as he wandered on the edge of town, the astronomer fell into a well. A neighbor heard his loud cries of anguish and rushed to his rescue. He found the poor astronomer bruised and sore.

“Why do such terrible things happen to me?” wailed the astronomer.

“Good friend,” the neighbor replied, “rather than placing all your attention on the mysteries of heaven, perhaps you ought to pay a little more attention to things here on earth.” (Adapted from “Stories for the Gathering,” by William R. White.)

Well, with the celebration of Epiphany this past weekend and the baptism of the Lord on Monday, the Christmas season is officially closed out. I hate to let Christmas go. I enjoy all the nostalgia, the classic movies, and the jovial atmosphere. I especially relish the lights that shine brightly in the darkness from decorated Christmas trees and homes.

They are a comfort in this darkest time of the year. Those lights seem to bring some warmth to the winter frigidness.

I’m saddened when the decorations are packed up and the lights extinguished. (I suppose that’s why I still have my tabletop Christmas tree out, with its multicolored, fiber-optic, blinking lights.)

Although not officially recognized by liturgists in the church, these next few weeks constitute not Ordinary Time for me, but “Blah Time,” followed by the equally “festive” season of Lent. Kinda makes you just want to stay in bed, doesn’t it?

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why we celebrate Epiphany, to give us a boost as we prepare to endure the rigors of winter. One of the lessons of the Magi is to do something that Aesop’s

Jan. 15 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Sm 3: 3b-10, 19; Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6: 13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1: 35-42 Jan. 16 Monday 1 Sm 15: 16-23; Ps 50: 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23; Mk 2: 18-22

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

ple before Samuel. The difference lies in that Samuel was willing to listen.

Samuel is open to a message from God, first of all, because he is open, period. He initially believes that the priest Eli is calling him. Samuel has not been focusing upon God and screening everyone else out. On the contrary, he is open to everyone.

It is only because of that openness that Samuel is able to listen to God and to serve God as a prophet: “Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.”

The question then arises: Does Samuel become a great prophet primarily because God has chosen to speak to him? Or, is it because Samuel has listened, that he becomes a great prophet? Similarly, we can ask ourselves: Has God spoken to me? Or, have I stopped and taken the time to listen?

Isn’t God really attempting to communicate to us all, but only a few have bothered to listen?

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

importance of explicitly repudiating the eugenic mindset that has taken hold in our society cannot be overstated. No child is perfect, but every child is precious. We need to act as a people “set apart” in our attitude to the begetting of children who may be disabled.

Historically, Catholics have always stood apart in this way.

Practically, this means overturning our culturally conditioned attitudes toward “imperfect” children, and accepting every child without preconditions.

We must push back against the almost ubiquitous pressure that counsels us to ensure that our children are born without defects.

Bioethicist Luke Gormally argues it this way: “In part, these pressures are the natural temptation to avoid the burdens of care for the handicapped. . . . In part, however, they are the pressures of cultural attitudes, assimilated by many Christians, towards the child.”

He continues: “For many, it has become merely quaint to think of each child as a unique gift of God; children are more like planned acquisitions in our culture, acquisitions which should fit into our expectations about how our lives should go, about the ease and enjoyments that should characterize our lifestyle. A child who might threaten our ease may, if he or she is viewed as an acquisition, be thought of as a replaceable acquisition. And indeed genetic counselors will tell parents: You can terminate this pregnancy and try again for a ‘normal child.’”

A husband and wife are called to

give themselves to each other completely and unreservedly, and to accept each other unconditionally in the marital embrace. Every child of theirs, whether entering the world with a handicap or not, is an expression and fruit of themselves and their acceptance of each other. To reject their own progeny because of a disability is to reject each other on some level. To deny life to their own flesh and blood is also to reject an infinite gift from the Giver of gifts and to arrogate to themselves a ruthless power over life. Meanwhile, the unconditional acceptance of a child as a gift of God flows from the true and unconditional acceptance of each other as husband and wife, even with all their spousal faults and defects.

As Gormally concludes: “Truly unreserved self-giving carries with it a commitment to unreserved acceptance of the fruit of that self-giving. The dignity of the child is only adequately recognized in the acceptance and cherishing of him just as he is.”

We do well continually to realign our thinking, so we can come to see how our children, whether “perfect” or not, are treasures and never possessions; they are gifts, and never acquisitions. They are blessings to be safeguarded and nurtured in the embrace of unconditional parental acceptance.

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

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 13, 2012

Five things to say and do to promote pro-life

By Woodeene Koenig-Bricker

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s a board member and chairman of the largest pregnancy support and pro-life center in my county, I had plenty of occasions to see firsthand what worked and what didn’t when it came to spreading the pro-life message to the general public.

If you are on the front lines, of course, dealing with women in distress and trying to convince them not to have an abortion, different approaches are needed.

Most of us, however, aren’t usually in that situation. Instead, we find ourselves trying to promote the pro-life message among friends, coworkers and colleagues, where an unwanted pregnancy is more an abstraction than a reality.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions to promote pro-life values more persuasively.

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Emphasize the power of “no!”

1 2

Today’s young women have never known a world in which abortion wasn’t an option.

That means that everyone capable of having a baby normally (no 60-year-old mothers) came of reproductive age when abortion was legal.

In the organization of which I was a part, we learned that the best way to bring down abortion rates, especially among younger women, was to get them to consider the consequences of having sex. Since we were (and still are) an abstinence-based organization, contraception was never discussed.

Instead, our counselors in the middle and high schools talked about how a few minutes of potential pleasure could impact an entire life. No scare tactics or moralization — just asking kids to stop and think about their actions. In addition, we gave them permission to say “no.”

Our culture assumes everyone is going to have sex. Letting kids — and even those in their 20s and 30s — know that “no” is an option can make a real difference.

After all, if they aren’t having sex, there aren’t going to be unplanned pregnancies, and abortion will no longer be needed.

Keep the conversation an actual conversation You will definitely alienate those who are adamantly pro-choice and turn off those who are moderately so if you come at the topic with moral guns blazing.

If someone talks about a woman’s right to choose, don’t let your strong convictions provoke you into a personal attack.

Instead, gently offer the suggestion that continuing a pregnancy and giving the child up for adoption is also a choice. If the conversation becomes too intense, simply say, “We have different opinions on this, and I can see yours are as strong as mine. Perhaps it’s better if we change the subject for now, but maybe we can discuss it again later.”

For many, making such a statement feels like backing down or giving up. But no one was ever won over to the pro-life position by heated and intense arguing. Better to have planted a seed than to try to grow the entire tree in a day.

Know your facts If you are going to try to argue the pro-life position based on science, make sure that you are up-to-date on the most current scientific research.

I’ve learned that because pro-lifers are so intent on convincing people that life begins at conception, they tend to ignore some of the science that is actually very effective in converting pro-choice advocates to their position.

For instance, a recent study indicated that fetuses under six months don’t process pain in the same way as a full-term infant. When this fact was brought up in a recent discussion, one of the pro-lifers immediately used the 1984 film “The Silent Scream” to prove that fetuses do feel pain.

The fact is, that scientific study didn’t actually contradict the film. It simply said that the brains of young fetuses don’t respond in the same way to pain as those of older infants — not that they don’t feel it.

So a more appropriate response might have been, “That’s interesting. But it still means that the unborn are experiencing sensations we would recognize as pain.”

THREE THINGS NOT TO DO 1. Don’t make everything about abortion all the time I know well the argument that promoting life is the most important thing, because without life there is nothing. But not every conversation has to focus on pro-life. It’s really OK to talk about the weather or a sporting event or a TV show and not try to find some pro-life angle. Trying to work the topic into unrelated conversations is one of the easiest ways to turn off others to your position.

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Realize being pro-life takes faith Not everyone is going to be convinced that a fertilized egg at the moment of conception is identical in value, rights and protection as a onemonth-old infant, no matter what you say.

This is tough when you are passionate about pro-life. But it’s also an important consideration when you are trying to get people to listen to your arguments. They have to be ready. It takes faith and a belief in an immortal soul and in a loving God to fully embrace the pro-life position.

Sometimes, it is necessary to help a person come to know and understand God before he or she is capable of valuing life from conception to natural death.

If you encounter someone like that, consider that perhaps your role is not to convince them to become pro-life, but to help them come to faith.

5

Remember, this isn’t all your fight Sometimes I’ve encountered pro-life advocates who act as if they had to do this all alone. Remember, the Author of Life is more concerned about life than you can ever be. Yes, you have to do your part, but accept your limitations and trust that in the end God’s truth will prevail.

2. Don’t lump together all those who are pro-choice Most pro-lifers aren’t in favor of killing abortion doctors and don’t want to be thought of as part of that fringe group. In the same way, not all pro-choice individuals believe in abortion at all times for all reasons.

Very often, someone who is pro-choice has a deeply emotional reason for his or her position — a daughter who was raped and had an abortion, for instance. They therefore defend abortion in cases of rape even if, deep down, they believe that abortion is taking a human life.

See if you have some ground for common agreement before you assume antagonism.

3. Don’t focus exclusively on Roe v. Wade Remember that if Roe v. Wade is repealed, it won’t automatically mean abortion will vanish. What will happen is that individual states will have the right to decide if abortion is legal within their boundaries. So some states will ban abortion, but others will continue to permit it.

The only way to guarantee that abortion will end is to change hearts, not legislation.