01 13 17 Vol. 38 No. 21

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 38, NO. 21 | JANUARY 13, 2017

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS STORY AND PHOTOS BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

Holy Trinity, Lenexa, parishioner Marsha Holland tells the story behind one of the crosses she’s created over the years. Holland started the unusual hobby when her mother-in-law left her some pieces of jewelry Holland knew she would never wear. So she fashioned them into a cross for display — and has gone on to make many more with amazing results.

L

ENEXA — An act of love, born of tragedy, and turned into success — that’s a formula God likes to work with.

Marsha Holland, a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, knows it well.

When her mother-in-law died five years ago, Marsha and her husband, Deacon Stuart Holland, were saddened by the loss.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 1

Mary Holland was an active Catholic who encouraged her son in his vocation to the diaconate and died just a few months after his ordination.

She left behind a legacy of love and faith.

She also left behind a legacy of jewelry — every piece a keepsake from a time, a place, an occasion, filled with memories.

“But it wasn’t something I would wear,” said Marsha. “I’m not a big jewelry person.

“I wanted to keep it, but I also wanted to do something meaningful with it.”

Marsha loved crosses; she’d collected them for years and they hung on walls throughout her house.

So she decided to make a cross from her mother-in-law’s jewelry.

She found a framework at a craft store and lovingly attached pieces of jewelry to it.

When her husband saw the result, he was amazed.

“My mother was a person of faith,” he said. “Having her jewelry attached to a cross just reminds me of that.

“I look at it and it always recalls extraordinary memories of her.”

Marsha loved the process of turn-

ing the jewelry into a piece of art so much that she made crosses for each of her children.

And she’s been making them ever since.

At first, she used jewelry, buttons and beads she picked up at garage sales or garnered from friends.

“It was just a relaxing thing to do,” she said. “I’m not a TV watcher, so it was a fun project to work on in the evenings.”

Even though the jewelry wasn’t personal to Marsha, it became personal as >> See “CROSSES” on page 5

1/10/17 3:38 PM

F

2

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

We all have a stake in helping marriage flourish

or the past 30-plus years, I have spent most New Year’s Eves with two married couples. In 1975, three of the four were young adult members in my first parochial assignment.

I had the privilege to assist both of these couples with their marriage preparation. I celebrated their nuptial Masses and witnessed their wedding vows. I have celebrated with them the births of their children. I have celebrated baptisms, confirmations, anniversaries, weddings and — more recently — the births of their grandchildren. We have been friends now for more than 40 years.

They certainly would not claim to have the perfect marriages or the perfect families. However, I can say unequivocally that it has been a grace for me personally and for my priesthood to share in the goodness of their marriages and their families.

This coming year in the archdiocese, as part of the implementation of our 10-year mutually shared vision, there will be special emphasis on the importance of marriage, parenthood and family life. Family is the foundation of our communities, our society, our nation and our church. Marriage is the foundation of family life.

In a sense, everything in a culture depends on the health of marriage and family life.

Sadly, our American society is very confused about marriage and its meaning. Part of this cultural confusion is the result of the popular

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN myth that marriage is exclusively about the happiness of the couple.

We have lost sight of the importance of healthy marriages for the health of society.

Part of this diminished cultural respect for the importance of marriage is the de-emphasis of the positive impact of healthy marriages on the welfare of children.

The social science data is overwhelming in its affirmation that children who grow up in a home with their biological father and mother have a much better chance of flourishing in school, in their professional and work lives, in their personal lives, and in having their own successful marriage.

For the most part, our culture is silent about these realities in part because so many marriages do not endure for a lifetime and we do not want to offend or add to the pain of those who have experienced a divorce. Similarly, because so many children today do not grow up in homes with their biological parents, we do not want

them to feel like they are doomed to a life of failure.

As I have mentioned before, I grew up in a single-parent home. I have nothing but the highest regard for single parents who are incredible examples of heroic love for their children. As a church and a society, we need to do more to assist, support and encourage single parents.

That being said, we cannot be silent about the importance of marriage nor can we fail to do everything possible as a church to help married couples not only survive, but thrive, in a culture that has become increasingly negative about marriage. There is simply too much at stake.

One of the reasons for the high failure rate of marriages is mistaken notions about its purpose and nature that result in false expectations which in turn lead to disappointment and discouragement. The cultural ideal of marriage is that a couple remains on a perpetual romantic high. This, of course, is impossible.

Another flawed understanding about marriage is that openness to children is optional, rather than essential to

marriage. Of course, not every couple will be able to have children, but every marriage is called to be fruitful. Our culture promotes the idea that marriage is fundamentally about the happiness (which is often equated with high levels of pleasure) of the individuals.

Christian marriage is about happiness, but happiness as described in the Beatitudes. Happiness is not about satisfying our own wants and desires. In fact, a married life or single life with this focus will end in emptiness, not happiness.

Christian marriage is all about seeking the immediate and eternal good of your spouse and a willingness to set aside your own personal wants and desires in the pursuit of what is best for your spouse. While this understanding of marriage requires sacrifice and a high level of self-discipline, it is the pathway to the highest levels of enduring happiness and authentic joy.

Similarly, parenthood requires an even greater level of generosity and self-sacrifice. Sadly, many in our culture today look upon children as a means to fulfilling parents’ wants and desires, rather than recognizing children as a blessing who fulfill their parents by drawing forth from them a greater capacity for generosity and love.

It is my hope that one of the fruits of this year will be for us as a church to better serve adults and children who have been affected by divorce. We will be striving to empower parents, whether they

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Jan. 14 Mercy and Truth Medical Mission and Birthing Center tour

Jan. 19 Vespers and dinner with priests ordained in the last five years Jan. 21 Catholic Charities Snow Ball

Spiritual mentorship Mass and dinner — Savior Pastoral Center

Jan. 22 Pastoral visit — Prince of Peace, Olathe

Jan. 15 Baptism of third or more children — Cathedral

Jan. 23 Topeka Rally for Life Mass and procession

World Day of Migrants Mass — St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 17 Priests Personnel meeting Administrative Team meeting Annual high school administrators Mass and dinner Jan. 18 Presbyteral Council meeting

“Shepherd’s Voice” recording

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Jan. 14 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Jan. 15 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Jan. 21 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Jan. 22 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida

Clergy open house

are married or single, to become more effective teachers of their children of the Gospel and the Christian life.

In reality, there are no perfect marriages or perfect families, because every spouse and every parent is a flawed human being.

However, marriage is intended by God to be the closest reflection of his love in the world. A couple’s striving to love each other unconditionally and forever mirrors God’s love.

If you are married, I invite you to pray this

year asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten you how you can be a better husband or a better wife.

For those of us who are not married, I ask that we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us how we can better support and encourage married couples as they strive to live their vocation of heroic love.

Healthy marriages and healthy families make for a better, more joyful and peaceful world. We all have a stake in helping marriages flourish in our church and society.

Concrete Work

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

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

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

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 2

1/10/17 3:38 PM

3

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

IMMACULATA HIGH SCHOOL TO CLOSE

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

LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

L

EAVENWORTH — For nearly a century, Immaculata Catholic High School here has served thousands of students, providing them the guidance and opportunities only a Catholic secondary education can provide.

The unique impact the school has had on the Leavenworth community makes the reality of its current situation even harder to swallow.

Immaculata will close after this semester.

“You never want to close a school, especially when the community did work so hard [to keep it open],” said Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of archdiocesan Catholic schools.

But with enrollment at 66 students and relentless financial struggles, there was no other choice, she said.

The board of trustees of the Leavenworth Regional Catholic School System announced Jan. 4 that it will recommend to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann to close the school, grades 9-12, effective June 2.

Xavier Catholic School, which serves preschool-sixth grade, will remain open.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students currently at Immaculata will move to Xavier next year, as it will offer preschool-eighth grade.

The decision is the result of low enrollment, rising costs and aging infrastructure, Rolly Dessert, chair of the Leavenworth Regional Catholic School System, told IMAC families in a letter posted to the school’s website Jan. 4.

“We are at a crossroads with problems growing beyond our ability to solve,” Dessert wrote.

“Despite the best efforts of our current dedicated leaders, the demand for Catholic education in our region continues to decline as evidenced by a lack of growth in our enrollment, particularly at Immaculata,” he continued.

For the past few years, the IMAC community has been defined by its bold fight to keep the school alive despite its daunting challenges and continuous setbacks.

Efforts to keep the school open included setting up scholarship funds, collecting major gifts from big donors, and improving the Immaculata facility, said Dessert.

The spirit of the IMAC community was particularly showcased during its April 2015 Spring Appeal, when Immaculata faced the very real possibility of closing due to major enrollment decline and financial issues.

In two weeks, the IMAC community

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

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 3

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann prepares to celebrate a Catholic Schools Week Mass in 2015.

The Immaculata volleyball team played its final game in 2016, losing to eventual state champion Centralia in three sets.

raised over $800,000 and enrolled 75 students, said Dessert.

But the burst of growth was only temporary, and the issues the school was experiencing were not out of the blue.

Immaculata’s struggles date back to 1980, when enrollment began its decline from 285 to 200 in 1999. It experienced another significant drop from 120 in 2012 to 66 this year.

The familiar problems of the past are ultimately forcing the school to close this time around.

“Despite our enrollment efforts and the superior academic product provided to our children every day, families made the choice to attend schools with better

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

facilities, more sports and academic offerings, and larger circles for their students,” said Dessert.

“Furthermore, the aging demographics in Leavenworth, and an increasingly secular society, have worked completely counter to our enrollment initiatives,” he added.

In a Jan. 4 press release, Dessert applauded the families who have rallied around the school despite its problems.

“You feel terrible for the families who stayed the course regardless of what happened,” said O’Hara.

“We wish there were more families who were willing to do that,” she said.

But the influence Immaculata has

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

had on the Leavenworth community for nearly 100 years will not go unnoticed.

“I think [Immaculata] has had a magnificent tradition and has had a key role in the community,” said O’Hara.

“It’s been a part of Leavenworth that everybody thought would be able to continue,” she added. “The people there describe it as truly being a family.”

The LRCSS board empathizes with families who are struggling with the news.

“I imagine that the closure of Immaculata will cause many people to be saddened by the loss,” said Dessert.

“Perhaps it will cause people to reflect on the value of Catholic education to families and the community,” he continued.

A bit of trust will go a long way during this experience, O’Hara believes.

“It’s difficult to see past today when you don’t know what tomorrow looks like,” she said.

But she is reminded of a passage from the Book of Isaiah: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (49:16).

“Even though you don’t know what’s ahead,” said O’Hara, “you have to trust that God’s going to take care of you.”

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.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

L

4

Couple dedicated to service of God and country

ANSING — Retired Col. John Twohig and his wife Deborah have been named honorary chairs of the 2017 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. John and Debbie have dedicated their lives in service to God, their family and their country.

The couple met while John was attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. They married in 1974 and spent the next three decades serving their country as a military family while raising their four children. The Twohigs moved to Army bases around the world, but there was always one constant in their life — their faith.

“We were very active in the parishes on the bases where we were stationed,” Debbie said. “No matter where we were in the world, when we attended Mass, we knew we were home.”

From an early age, both John and Debbie understood the importance of supporting the church with their time and financial resources. Their parents were faithful Catholics who quietly supported their local parish in simple, yet powerful ways.

“Debbie’s father was an electrician who worked 50 or 60 hours a week,” John recalled. “After work, he would take me to the Knights of Columbus meeting to paint classrooms at the parish school.

His example of service always stood out to me.”

The Twohigs have shared that same spirit of generosity with their children — Wesley, Shannon, Lauren and Brigid — three of whom also have served in the U.S. armed forces. Since their children were young, Debbie and John instilled in them the value of their Catholic faith and the need to serve others.

“We always reminded our children that we do not come first,” Debbie explained. “We have other priorities — our faith, our family, our nation. The Army helped reinforce these values in our family.”

John and Debbie have been members of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing for more than eight years. Debbie is an

John and Deborah Twohig have been named honorary chairs of the 2017 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. active member of the Legion of Mary, prays for and visits the sick, and teaches religious education to young people in the parish. John serves on the parish fundraising committee, is an adult altar assistant and eucharistic minister, and is a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus.

“St. Francis Parish is such a strong community,” said John. “As we became more involved, we realized how many

people rely on the services and ministries provided by the archdiocese. We wanted to help however we could.”

The Twohigs’ desire to serve others in their community led them to participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

“While not all of us can work as missionaries, we can support the life and ministry of the church through

the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal,” Debbie said. “It is an opportunity to serve others in a direct and meaningful way.”

Each year, tens of thousands of people throughout the archdiocese participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

Their generous support strengthens our Catholic schools and educational programs, outreach services, formation of clergy and seminarians, and pastoral work in parishes. Donations to the appeal help fund more than 42 different programs, apostolates and ministries, serving more than 180,000 people throughout northeast Kansas.

In recognition of their years of faithful service and support, John and Debbie have been asked to serve as the honorary chairs for the 2017 appeal. The couple is grateful to be part of a strong community of faith in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“What we have here in the archdiocese is rare,” John says. “From the faith and leadership of Archbishop Naumann to our priests who care so much about those they serve, to the dedicated, hard-working people in our parishes — this is such a vibrant Catholic community.”

The Twohigs encourage everyone to participate in the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. “We all have been blessed in so many ways,” Debbie said. “The appeal is one opportunity to share those blessings with others.

“Even if you can only give a little, you will make a big difference in the life of someone in need. And anyone can offer their prayers.”

As Sisters model aging, friendships form with USM students

By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

L

EAVENWORTH — Extreme gratitude, deep admiration and profound hope were the sentiments most often expressed at this year’s annual rose ceremony on Dec. 15 as Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and University of Saint Mary students shared experiences gleaned from the “Aging” psychology course.

Nancy King, Ph.D., psychology program co-director, began this course 19 years ago to introduce students to the physical, cognitive and psychological dimensions of aging. She said that a few years into the course, she realized that Sisters retired and living at the SCL motherhouse next door to the Leavenworth university would be valuable assets to the program.

That belief was borne out in remarks students made as they identified their regular encounters with the Sisters through the class. Among life lessons students said they had learned from the SCLs were: • Live life to its full potential.

• Be thankful for everything you have.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 4

Sister Marianna Bauder, SCL (left), received roses from students with whom she interacted through the “Aging” psychology course offered by the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth. Visiting with Sister Marianna are Kealee Rains (center) and Domenic DeFiore.

• It’s OK to change your mind.

• As you age, have fun with it.

• Develop a relationship with God. • Aging is not a bad thing.

“I learned about aging without ever talking about it,” said one student. And

several others said while they didn’t know what to expect from their initial contacts with the Sisters, in the end, they made friendships that will last long past their college days.

The students appreciated that the

Sisters cared about what the students had to say and what they were doing.

“I learned a lot about life in general — about simplicity,” said one student.

“I always left our meetings feeling peaceful.”

The Sisters likewise enjoyed their encounters with the students.

“We always had a good time,” said Sister Marie Carmel Dunning. “It was regular conversation with a deeper meaning about it.”

Sister Mary Arthel Cline agreed.

“We had deep and meaningful conversations about faith, family and everyday life as we walked the campus and talked,” she said.

“The world is going to be a much better place because of these young people,” concluded Sister Anne Callahan.

USM offers the “Aging” psychology course each fall semester for three credit hours. Throughout the semester, visits with Sisters are built into the syllabus and supplement classroom instruction. One or two students are paired with each Sister of Charity. A ceremony culminates the course with students presenting roses to their respective Sisters and expressing appreciation.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

5

It’s never too late to man up for your family

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

O

VERLAND PARK — Call them “men of a certain age.”

They are retired or close to it. They have adult children and maybe grandchildren. Their parenting responsibilities are over, so they’ve hung up the holster, so to speak.

Not so fast, said Dan Spencer, a member of Ascension Parish in Overland Park. Their work is far from over.

Increasingly, “men of a certain age” are undergoing a shift in thinking about their later years. Spencer calls it “Fatherhood 2.0,” or how to be a patriarch.

This past fall, Spencer led several men in a one-day retreat called “Patriarchs.”

“We asked [them] what was their great cause in their life going forward, their purpose or mission in the latter part of their lives,” said Spencer. “It’s more than just carrying their wife’s purse, playing golf and meeting guys for breakfast. There has to be a reason God allows them to stay on earth.”

That reason — or mission — is to impact the family God has given them.

These men are responsible for passing on the faith, leaving a spiritual legacy-

“

“THE MOST COMMON COMMENT MEN MAKE [AT EVENTS LIKE ‘PATRIARCHS’] IS: ‘I THINK IT MUST BE TOO LATE. I DIDN’T DO ENOUGH.’ MY ANSWER TO THEM IS: ‘IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.’” Dan Spencer

and building the kingdom of God by being a patriarch.

Unfortunately, the word “patriarch” has been redefined to mean something quite negative in the secular culture.

Patriarchy, in some circles, is a sort of overbearing and oppressive brutishness.

“The true definition of a patriarchy is servant leadership,” said Spencer.

Many men feel deep guilt because they invested a lot of time and effort into their careers and other pursuits when they were young men, and either relied on their spouses to manage their

children’s religious upbringing, or outsourced their formation to schools, pastors and religious education programs.

Spencer offered six ways an older Catholic man can be an effective patriarch for his children and grandchildren.

One: Commitment. Examine your own life in the faith. Have you been an active, faithful mentor and modeler of the faith? If not, this must change. You can’t give what you don’t have.

Two: Prayer. Cultivate a serious and consistent prayer life, and do it now. Be a spiritual intercessor for your family.

Three: Take the long view. You have received the Catholic faith through a long line of other faithful Christians. It will require time and patience for you to do the same.

Four: Don’t be “bossy.” A patriarch isn’t overbearing and doesn’t browbeat his family with an “I’m in charge” mentality. A patriarch is a servant-leader who has humility, courage and magnanimity. It’s not about control. You don’t have control — but you do have influence.

Five: Embrace “Fatherhood 2.0.” It’s not that lunch and golf with the buddies is bad, but patriarchs need to use their resources wisely to prepare their children and grandchildren for eterni-

ty. This may require their time, their experience and even their money (i.e., paying for a Marriage Encounter weekend for a young couple.)

Six: Get help from the matriarch.

Women can play a tremendous role in partnering with their husbands and helping them be the spiritual leaders God calls them to be. The matriarch’s support, strength, nurturing, ideas, correction and input can make a man an effective patriarch.

Men often make two mistakes, said Spencer. The first is believing that their past defines their future.

“The most common comment men make [at events like ‘Patriarchs’] is: ‘I think it must be too late. I didn’t do enough,’” said Spencer. “My answer to them is: ‘It’s never too late.’”

The second mistake is to join the CIA — become complacent, indifferent or apathetic.

“You must be engaged,” said Spencer. “This has to be written on your heart and soul, and you must desire to give up yourself in service to your family. Fortunately, this can be easier when you are older.”

Be a patriarch, said Spencer, and you will be amazed how God can heal broken relationships and open up ways to bring grandchildren into the faith.

Crosses represent both family and faith to recipients >> Continued from page 1 she placed it on the cross.

“I would wonder where this piece came from, what they wore it with, what they did,” she said.

Every cross includes religious medals and small crosses tucked among the jewels.

“I do get a spiritual sense out of it,” she said. “I know it’s going to touch somebody’s heart, so I always try to put a little piece of Catholicism with it.”

Longtime friend Nina Walton was amazed when she first saw the creations.

“I was overwhelmed,” she said. “I never knew someone could do that with jewelry — they’re so unique and she has such a talent.

“Yet she’s so humble about what she does.”

So humble, in fact, it took encouragement from friends to convince Marsha to put her crosses in an arts and crafts sale.

They were a resounding success.

Now, people are eager to entrust Marsha with treasures that have sat hidden in the backs of closets so she can turn them into keepsakes for display.

“They are so inspirational,” said Cathy Herigon. “She’s so creative with them.”

Herigon and a group of fellow parishioners from Holy Trinity, including Sister Mary Lex Smith, SCL, had played pinochle together for 30 years.

When Sister Mary Lex was leaving the group to move to New Orleans, each member gave Marsha a special piece of jewelry.

“Marsha made a cross for her out of our jewelry,” said Herigon. “So we could share our lives with her.

“It was just wonderful to see Sister’s face light up when she got it.”

Mary Kolich is so taken with Marsha’s work that she’s collecting jewelry for a special ancestor cross.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 5

If you have jewelry, beads or buttons and would like to commission a cross from Marsha Holland, you can contact her by email at: marshaann holland@gmail.com.

“My mom has passed,” she said.

“And my mother-in-law died before I knew her. So I’ve accumulated jewelry.

“I think it would be so cool to do a mixture of it all and know that cross represents the strong women in my past.”

“To have somebody ask you to make something,” said Marsha, “because it’s really going to touch their lives — that makes it even more fun and exciting.”

Deacon Holland sees his wife as an inspiration and an example of someone who has found a way to use God’s gifts for his glory.

“That’s the whole point of who we are as baptized Christians — to share what God has given us with others,” he said. “Beauty is beauty, whether it’s in words or art, in music, or in creating crosses.

“All of those are in some fashion an expression of the divine.”

The Hollands recently suffered another tragedy when a nephew died this past Thanksgiving.

“His mother was at the house,” said Marsha. “And she actually gave me a piece of jewelry he had given her this last year for Mother’s Day. “I am in the process of making her a cross featuring that piece of jewelry.”

Marsha finds peace in knowing she can create a loving memory for this grieving mother.

“It makes me feel special that I can do something that somebody is going to remember this person by,” she said.

“When she makes a cross,” added her husband, “it’s a pouring out of her love for her God and love of others.

“That’s what she puts into these.”

In loving memory of her mother-in-law, Marsha Holland made an ornamental cross out of the jewelry she left to her children. It was the beginning of a creative avocation that has touched many lives.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus

6

•

The Precious Treasure

R

emember the promises you made to one another on your wedding day and the dream of the life you would share? That dream, your passion for each other and the grace God offers are a precious treasure not to be buried but celebrated!

• Go online to: www. joyfulmarriageproject.com.

• Commit to an enrichment to safeguard and celebrate that treasure.

ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 • Renew your commitment and receive a blessing at the World Marriage Day Mass, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.

— Deacon Tony Zimmerman

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

CHURCH OF THE WEEK

COURTESY OF ST. MARY’S SEMINARY, PHOTOS BY LARRY CANNE

Moira Murphy speaks on the topic of discipleship, pastoral councils and pastoral staff at a workshop designed for new pastors at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. In the back row, from left, are: Father Larry Bowers, pastor of St. Patrick parishes, Osage City and Scranton; Father Adam Wilczak, pastor of Holy Angels Parish, Garnett, and St. John Parish, Greeley; and Father Nathan Haverland, pastor of St. Gregory Parish, Marysville.

THE MISSING SEMESTER New pastors receive practical advice on leading at a new level

St. Boniface, Scipio Address: 32292 N.E. Norton Road, Garnett, KS 66032 Phone: (785) 835-6273 Pastor: Father Gerald Williams, O.Carm.

Mass time: Sunday, 9 a.m.

Website: https://stbonifacesttherese.com MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TOUR of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Bishop Ward girls basketball Head coach: Carrie Lally Record: 3-4 Next game: Jan. 23 at Harmon High School

ONLINE

• VIDEO REPORT: To learn more about Bishop Ward’s girls basketball team, see Todd Habiger’s Team of the Week report.

• PHOTOS: Check out Doug Hesse’s photo gallery from the Ward-Turner game on Jan. 6.

All this and more can be found online at: www.theleaven.org.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 6

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

B

ALTIMORE — The work of a Catholic pastor is never done.

Running a parish requires a wide range of skills and a huge bank of knowledge that aren’t taught in the seminary.

And even those young priests who have the chance to spend years as an associate to a veteran pastor find themselves too soon out on their own, where the buck stops with them.

Fortunately, that’s where continuing formation programs come in.

“We want to do our best to help provide resources to our new pastors,” said Father Brian Schieber, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood and vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“In the seminary, a lot of times we don’t receive training in human resources and administration,” he said.

“Those are topics that are taken up by the [continuing formation] workshops,” he added, “to help the priests understand how to manage a staff and how to be an effective leader and administrator of a parish.”

One such workshop that was designed for newer pastors was held last November at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore.

“As a first-time pastor, it is helpful to learn about the various aspects of parish life that need to

“

“WE WANT TO DO OUR BEST TO HELP PROVIDE RESOURCES TO OUR NEW PASTORS. IN THE SEMINARY, A LOT OF TIMES WE DON’T RECEIVE TRAINING IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATION. Father Brian Schieber, vicar for clergy be addressed,” said Father Larry Bowers, pastor of St. Patrick parishes in Osage City and Scranton, who attended the training.

“I learned about many areas of shepherding a parish that require leadership and prioritizing skills, and how important it is to collaborate with staff and volunteers in ministry,” he said.

Father Bowers said the workshop gave him a fresh understanding of all that goes into managing a parish.

“I have new awareness of how the different aspects of a parish can and should be interrelated in order to help us mature as Christ’s disciples,” he said.

Father Nathan Haverland, pastor of St. Gregory in Marysville, also attended the training and found it enlightening.

“There’s a lot of things that are not taught in the seminary, for good reasons, because they’re just not needed at the time,” said Father Haverland. “So this is a good time for them to fill you in on those things that you need to know that you were never taught.”

Topics covered in the training included: pastoring more than one church; parish staffs and personnel management; the canonical role of the pastor; stewardship; parish finances; and stress in ministry.

The priests from the archdiocese who attended were appointed pastors last July, said Father Schieber, so they had each been in their role for about four months when the training took place.

“They’re starting to get their feet wet and maybe questions are beginning to surface about how they handle issues,” he said.

As St. Gregory prepares to break ground on a new church building in the coming months, receiving additional formation was particularly helpful for Father Haverland.

“I came back with a lot of great ideas of how to help my parish — and a lot more work to do,” he said with a laugh.

But for these priests, the extra work is worth it.

“We want to be good pastors and be good stewards of the resources and flock that have been entrusted to us,” said Father Haverland. “So I think it’s important that we’re the best shepherds we can be.”

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

7

Charities annual fundraiser comes home to Kansas

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

O

VERLAND PARK — It might be the largest annual fundraising event for the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas. And it is certainly one of the metro areas most successful social events.

But organizers say the annual Snow Ball reception/dinner/dance is more than that. It’s about faith, community and the people Catholic Charities serves on a daily basis throughout the 21 counties of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“Snow Ball is a ministry,” said John Campbell. “At the end of the day, Snow Ball is a ministry.”

Campbell and his wife Mary serve as this year’s patron committee chairs.

In that capacity, they help to raise approximately $2 million to aid Catholic Charities staff and network of volunteers in providing “unconditional love and necessary help to people of all faiths by stabilizing and strengthening individuals and families in need.”

And the couple invites anyone and everyone to join them in this ministry of outreach to the disadvantaged of the community.

This year’s Snow Ball will be held Jan. 21 and will include a reception, dinner and dancing from 6 p.m. to midnight. In recent years, the event has been held on the Missouri side of Kansas City.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 7

From left, honorary Snow Ball presidents are: Pat Wilkerson, Rich Teahan and (far right) Don Foley.

This year’s Snow Ball presidents are Jay and Lynn Reardon.

But according to Kerry Gentry Hart- $100,000 or more.

Sometimes people are hesitant to nett, director of events and community engagement for Catholic Charities, this make a gift, the Campbells said, because they are afraid it year’s Snow Ball will also won’t make a difference. be “a coming home party,” “Every donation matas the event will be held To purchase a Snow ters and we can use it, at the Overland Park ConBall ticket or make period,” said John Campvention Center. a gift, go online to: bell, adding that CathIn actual practice, while catholiccharities olic Charities staff and the Snow Ball event is a snowball.org or call volunteers are excellent fundraiser, the vast major(913) 433-2046. stewards of the dollars. ity of the funds — approxHe said he’s heard countimately 75 percent — are less stories of how one dollar has been raised in the form of patron gifts in the stretched or leveraged into almost $10. months, weeks and days leading up to The vast majority of gifts fall in the the dinner/dance and range from $25 to

range of $25 to $100. However, according to Jay and Lynn Reardon, this year’s Snow Ball presidents, when you multiply $100 or even $25 by hundreds, if not thousands of people, the numbers add up quickly and can serve a multitude of people in need.

Some people might not be able to make a monetary gift. Both couples said there are still ways to get involved in the overall ministry of the Snow Ball and Catholic Charities. People can volunteer their time to assist refugees in their resettlement efforts. Seniors can serve as foster grandparents, and still others can visit homebound seniors.

“Their efforts and commitment are more important than what Jay and I are doing now,” said Lynn Reardon in discussing the role of Catholic Charities’ volunteers.

If someone’s busy schedule does not allow him or her the time to volunteer, said Mary Campbell, there’s still something extremely powerful he or she can do.

“Even if someone doesn’t have time or money, they have prayers. We’re very fortunate as Catholics, and we can pray and ask. God does many wonderful things for us,” she said.

For both the Campbells and the Reardons, Snow Ball is a celebration — one at which everyone can come together for a shared cause and celebrate the work done by committed volunteers every day.

“There’s happiness in giving,” said Mary Campbell. “We’re givers, and we’re trying to make the world a better place.”

1/10/17 3:38 PM

NEW PRO-LIFE DIRECTOR HARN

Young adult outreach receives warm

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Allison Donohue concocted the perfect formula to draw a large number of young adults to a pro-life event.

Dynamic speakers, a chance to socialize with other young adults from the Kansas City area and a vibrant atmosphere, she imagined, would do the trick.

“I think people, especially young adults, are interested in [the pro-life movement],” said Donohue, pro-life consultant for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“We just write them off a lot of times,” she added.

So, Donohue organized an event at the KC Wine Co. in Olathe similar to a Theology on Tap night, where young adults gather at either a local bar or restaurant to hear a Catholic speaker and for a Q&A session on the faith.

Members of Project Gabriel, the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic and the City on a Hill for Life group (a young adult pro-life group out of Kansas City, Missouri) were all on hand to answer questions and provide sign-up opportunities for those interested in volunteering in some pro-life capacity.

Father Andrew Mattingly of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was the main speaker, and Donohue followed, both concluding the event with a Q&A session.

Around 100 young adults attended.

“I enjoyed the social part of getting to mingle with people,” said Alexis Childs, one of those attending. “I also enjoyed getting to visit several booths that had information about pro-life organizations around town and ways to get involved.

“I learned information that I was not aware of regarding pro-life initiatives around my city.”

“It’s encouraging to gather with other people my own age to see that my generation cares and wants to make a difference,” she added.

The event was part of a larger effort by the pro-life office to reach out to younger generations and help them become more active.

Included in that undertaking were the annual eighth-grade pro-life forums, one at St. Matthew School in Topeka and the other at Nativity School in Leawood.

The forums included a talk by Father Jaime Zarse, associate pastor of Christ the King in Topeka, music by Mikey Needleman and talks by two other guest speakers.

For John Michael Gyllenborg, an eighth-grader at Curé of Ars School in Leawood, listening to the guest speakers and how they have been affected by abortion was his favorite part of the day.

“I think pro-life events are crucial for kids my age to attend and experience,” he said. “Because the sooner we understand that life is a major gift from God, the sooner we will see that taking the gift of life from an innocent, conceived child living inside his or her mother really hurts not only the mother and her child, but the future of all of us.”

“Without abortion,” he added, “there would be so many more amazing kids out changing the world.”

The students participated in an activity

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 8

in which bracelets of different colors were randomly distributed. Those that received the color white were asked to stay seated, a visual symbol of those who have been aborted.

Olivia Overlease, another eighth-grader from Curé, was deeply moved by this activity.

“Some of my extremely close friends had a white bracelet and stayed sitting,” she said. “It was hard to imagine what life would be like without these people.”

The forum gave the students a fresh perspective on the impact abortion has on those involved — both directly and indirectly.

“My favorite part of the forum was when we really thought about how the pro-life movement could affect our world,” said Overlease.

Jared Herzet, a middle-school science teacher at Curé, was inspired by the impact the forum had on his students.

“Some of [the students] could not stop talking about all the statistics that we learned about that day,” he said.

“There were a few that were just silent as we left and drove back to the school, and you could tell they were spiritually affected by the day and were praying,” he continued.

Above, Allison Donohue, pro-life consultant for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, addresses the participants at a pro-life wine event.

The event addressed many pro-life issues in a casual setting.

Right, members of Project Gabriel, the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic and the City on a Hill for Life group were all on hand to answer questions and provide sign-up opportunities for those interested in volunteering in some pro-life capacity.

Herzet believes informing students about the significance of abortion should be done sooner rather than later.

“They need to know what and who to pray for when learning about and being confronted with this information,” he said.

“I hope they really saw how every decision they make can significantly impact their life in one way or another,” he concluded.

For volunteer opportunities or information about the efforts of the archdiocesan pro-life office, contact Allison Donohue by email at: adonohue@archkck.org or by calling (913) 647-0350.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

ARNESSES NEXT-GEN PASSION

warm welcome

The Servants of St. Gianna pro-life youth group started up recently at Maur Hill-Mount Academy High School in Atchison. Members include, from left: Fiona Mulholland, Dorothy Hoopes, Christopher Rziha, Benjamin Hoopes, Alexander Newton, John Newman (chaperone and Spanish teacher at MH-MA), Linus Wood, Julia Fassero, Emma Buhman-Wiggs, Anna Jirak, Clare Newbolds and Paige Rioux (chaperone and youth ministry coordinator for St. Benedict Parish, Atchison).

High schoolers turn prayer warriors for the unborn

By Erin Hunninghake Special to The Leaven

A

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 9

TCHISON — In a time when politics, war, prejudice and greed seem to dominate the headlines, one small youth group here is working to make a positive impact on a 43-year-old struggle.

A couple years ago, Maur Hill-Mount Academy senior and Atchison native Christopher Rziha witnessed the passion his generation had for the pro-life movement — but he also observed a lack of direction.

His peers, he thought, needed an organization through which to funnel their energy and advocacy. So, he considered starting a pro-life youth group.

“I thought of it [in the] spring of my junior year,” said Rziha. “I started talking with Dorothy Hoopes, a junior here at Maur Hill -[Mount Academy]. For awhile, it didn’t really go anywhere.”

But a chance encounter on a hike finally gave Rziha the inspiration he needed to get the group going.

Rziha participated in the Father Emil Kapaun pilgrimage last summer, which is a 60-mile walk from Wichita to Pilsen, with the intention of sainthood for Father Kapaun.

During the walk, Rziha met a youth minister from Pittsburg, who was also the mother of a miracle recipient of Father Kapaun. He ran the idea of the group by her, which she responded to with enthusiastic support and encouragement.

“She encouraged me to stay in contact with her and to get the group up and running,” said Rziha. “She was very influential in giving me the affirmation to start the group. I got home and started to get ahold of people and got things going pretty quickly.”

The Servants of St. Gianna pro-life youth group was thus born. The group meets monthly with a focus on spiritual adoption. Each member spiritually adopts a child in danger of abortion for nine months, praying and sacrificing for him or her. After month nine, the group will offer up their children before Mary at a Mass and will then have the choice to adopt a new child.

“I found it helps to refocus on the fight against abortion on a daily level when you have a child you’re praying

for,” said Rziha. “It gives you a sense of accountability, because you’re praying to save this specific child from abortion.”

Rziha said the ultimate goal for the group is to ensure their spiritually adopted children are born safely.

The group also invites keynote speakers to their meetings, like the Sisters of Life. There are different events, games and an action-aspect added.

“Every month, we have some sort of action,” said Rziha. “Whether that’s praying at the Life Chain or praying in front of Planned Parenthood in Kansas City.”

The group got a rare chance to see the results of their efforts recently when Rziha received an email about a woman in Topeka who was planning on having an abortion. The group quickly headed to Mary’s Grotto at Benedictine College and began praying for the woman’s conversion of heart.

“We got word a week later that she canceled the abortion,” said Rziha. “That was pretty amazing.”

The group currently has around 22 members, with the majority being Maur Hill-Mount Academy students, as well as a couple of local home-school students.

“We’re from different classes, different friend groups,” said Rziha. “This is something they find they have in common. Something they are passionate about that they weren’t sure what they could do about, but this gives them something they can do to help end abortion.

“Something more personal.”

The fight to end abortion is nothing new, but Rziha thinks he and the other Servants of St. Gianna can come at it from a new angle.

“My generation seems to be more passionately against [abortion] than generations before us,” he said. “I think this comes with science discovering more and more about the beauty and complexity of the human body and how early life starts.”

Rziha plans to attend either Benedictine College or the University of Dallas next year and will be taking his pro-life passion with him.

“I think, God willing, this spreads,” he said. “It will allow the message to reach others and draw more people into the movement.”

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

‘Dark past’ an asset in ministry to addicts

By Denis Grasska Catholic News Service

S

AN DIEGO (CNS) — By any measure, Scott Weeman seems contented.

All of the pieces of his life seem to have fallen into place.

The 31-year-old is a newlywed, married in September to his wife, Jacqueline. He enjoys the love of his family and a supportive community of friends. He has found fulfillment in a rewarding ministry. And he recently finished his first book, which will be published in late 2017.

What a difference five years makes.

Flashback to Oct. 9, 2011, when Weeman had hit bottom and, in a long-distance call to his parents and a few remaining close friends, admitted that he needed help.

He had gone through “nine years of darkness,” enslaved by an alcohol and drug addiction that damaged some of his closest relationships, cost him a full-tuition college scholarship and resulted in two driving under the influence charges and several underage drinking citations. Even after making the decision to sober up, he doubted whether he would ever be able to make up all the years he had wasted.

“What’s funny is that . . . I thought that my life was over at the young age of 26 . . . and that really the rest of my life would be playing catch-up,” he said.

But, as it turned out, that wasn’t the case at all.

“God has awoken me to believe . . . that I can use my dark past as a great asset to help others,” said Weeman, founder of the nonprofit organization Catholic in Recovery.

Started in spring 2015 as nothing more than a blog, it received its nonprofit status in April. The organization’s roots can be traced back to a discovery that Weeman made shortly after embracing sobriety, when he began attending meetings for recovering alcoholics and simultaneously getting more actively involved in the church.

He said he found that the spiritual principles that were the foundation of

S

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 10

Woman killed by gunman at Florida airport was parish stalwart

A both the church and addiction recovery programs “were really the same tenets.”

Catholic in Recovery offers addiction recovery resources within the context of Catholic spirituality and “the life-giving sacraments of the church,” he explained.

The organization has collaborated with parishes and schools, enabling them to improve their outreach to those struggling with any form of addiction, whether alcohol, drugs, pornography, sex, gambling or food.

Growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, Weeman was 17 when he had his first drink. He soon began taking drugs, beginning with marijuana.

After moving to New York City for college, he transitioned from social drinking and recreational drug use to addiction. He was using alcohol or drugs — “usually both” — on a daily basis, and he found himself needing more and harder drugs, including cocaine, to reach the same high. He even began selling marijuana.

In 2010, Weeman moved to San Diego. He was still drinking excessively and using drugs at the time, but sobriety was just around the corner.

“By the grace of God, about a year later, I had reached my bottom, lost practically everything that I had, minus some close friendships that I had back home [and] the uncondi-

tional love of my family, and called for help,” he said.

After that long-distance phone call, Weeman entered a substance abuse recovery program and also got involved with the young adult community at St. Brigid Parish in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego.

Though it has taken time, Weeman has rebuilt his life. He has repaired many of the relationships that were damaged by his addiction. After several semesters at a local community college, where he worked to improve his grades, he was accepted into Point Loma Nazarene University and is set to graduate in May. Weeman remembers being told five years ago that “the key component” in his own recovery would be to take “the great gift” of freedom and hope that he had received and to share it with others. He still believes that, and that’s what he hopes to accomplish through Catholic in Recovery.

By ministering to those still in the throes of addiction or in the process of recovery, Weeman said, he is constantly reminded of the darkness he experienced and through which he passed.

“One of the gifts is that I never lose sight of what it was like and that helps bring a lot of gratitude into my daily life.”

Infant safe after being abandoned at cathedral

T. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — A newborn child found on the doorstep of the Cathedral of St. Paul was in good health and being cared for by local children’s services officials.

Nathan Leonhardt, a custodian at the cathedral, discovered the child Jan. 4 as he was locking the building about 6 p.m. following evening Mass. The baby was left in a plastic laundry basket between the exterior and interior doors of a church entrance.

Leonhardt and Father John Ubel, cathedral rector, cared for the infant boy in the church sacristy until emergency responders arrived. The priest said he baptized the child while waiting for police and an ambulance to arrive.

Father Ubel said he hopes the boy, whom he christened Nathan John, will be adopted by a Catholic family. He finds it significant that the baby was left at a Catholic parish. The baby was placed in the care of Ramsey County

10

Child Protective Services.

Police are not pursuing the case as a criminal matter, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, St. Paul police spokesman. Minnesota law allows a mother to leave a newborn in a safe place within seven days of birth, such as a hospital or urgent care clinic, without having to answer any questions. However, a church is not classified as one of those safe places.

Father Ubel believes, however, that the baby was left at the cathedral because the mother knew her son would be safe and cared for with the parish’s help.

When he first saw the basket with a blanket on top, Leonhardt thought someone had left laundry on the steps to the church foyer. He then heard a noise from the basket and thought it might be a puppy. When he removed the blanket, he saw the baby’s face.

“I was speechless,” he said. “I froze for what seemed to be 10 seconds, but it was probably more.”

He said the infant appeared to be recently born because he was still covered in blood and mucus and had not been washed. The umbilical cord was cut and clamped with a binder clip.

Father Ubel said he is grateful that the mother chose not to abort the baby.

His is also proud of Leonhardt’s quick actions.

“The fact that this child was left off at a Catholic church is not an insignificant detail to me,” Father Ubel said.

“Absent any other information forthcoming, I think it’s important that this child be given up for adoption, and there would be many willing Catholic couples who would welcome this child into their home.”

Like Father Ubel, Leonhardt also hopes the baby can go to a good home.

“They picked a good spot to drop him off,” said Leonhardt, 26, a parishioner of St. Patrick Church in suburban Inver Grove Heights. “It’s a church. We love children.”

TLANTA (CNS) — Olga Woltering, a bedrock member of her parish and the Atlanta Cursillo movement and beloved to her family and many friends, was among five people killed in the Jan. 6 shooting at a Florida airport.

Woltering, 84, was leaving for a cruise with her husband, Ralph, to celebrate his birthday and were flying through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when a gunman started shooting people in a baggage claim area. Ralph Woltering was not injured.

Esteban Santiago, a 26-year-old Army veteran, is charged in connection with the incident. In adOlga Woltering dition to the five people who were killed, six were injured.

The Wolterings, who are great-grandparents, have been active members of Transfiguration Church in suburban Marietta for nearly 40 years, according to the parish.

“Olga was one of the most joyful, loving, caring and committed people I have ever met,” Father Fernando Molina-Restrepo, Transfiguration pastor, said in a statement.

“This is a horrible tragedy for everyone here at Transfiguration, especially because Olga was so loved,” the statement said. “May God give consolation to all of the victims of this tragedy and may God give eternal rest to those who died. Especially to our beloved Olga.”

The statement noted that the couple always sat in the front row at 5 p.m.

Mass and had been members since 1978. Ralph Woltering is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Olga Woltering met her husband in her native England when he served in the Army there, according to Sister Margaret McAnoy, a member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and spiritual director of the Atlanta Cursillo movement. They have been married more than 60 years.

“They were still obviously so much in love. They just demonstrated the sacrament of marriage,” Sister Margaret said.

Sister Margaret recalled how Olga Woltering would tell stories during the Cursillo weekends that would both entertain the group and offer spiritual insight. She had “a wonderful presence,” Sister Margaret said.

“I was never around Olga when she was not smiling and joyful. She always had a positive attitude,” said Glenn Zipfel, who serves on the Atlanta Cursillo leadership team.

Sister Margaret explained how receiving the news of the tragedy was devastating.

“I burst into tears. You couldn’t wrap your head around it,” she said.

The Wolterings had flown to Florida a day early for their cruise because snow was predicted in Atlanta.

“I don’t know why God called her home at this moment,” Sister Margaret said. “If anybody walked into heaven, she did.”

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

Aleppo friar says learn about Syria, keep an open mind

By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service

W CNS PHOTO/NATHALIE BRASIL, EPA

Relatives of prisoners who were victims of a recent prison riot bury their loved ones during a Jan. 4 funeral in Manaus, Brazil. Father Valdir Joao Silveira, national coordinator of the Brazilian bishops’ prison ministry, calls the prison system “a factory of torture that creates monsters.”

Priest: Brazil’s prison system a ‘factory of torture’

By Lise Alves Catholic News Service

S

AO PAULO (CNS) — The more than 100 deaths of inmates since the beginning of the year in Brazilian prisons does not come as a surprise to Father Valdir Joao Silveira, national coordinator of the Brazilian bishops’ prison ministry.

“Prison is a place of death and torture,” in Brazil, said Father Silveira.

“It is a factory of torture that creates monsters,” he told Catholic News Service before leaving for a trip to the Amazon region to meet with family members of inmates at prisons in the state of Amazonas.

Father Silveira said if the prisons had animals instead of inmates, there would be international animal protection agencies campaigning against the cruelty and pressuring local, state and federal governments in Brazil for change. “What we need is international attention to this question, to force authorities to take action,” he said.

Fifty-six inmates died in a 17-hour riot at Compaj prison in Manaus Jan. 1-2; many were decapitated and butchered. Authorities say the riot grew out of a dispute between rival gangs vying for control of drug routes and prisons.

During 2015, Father Silveira said he visited that prison three times.

He said conditions were some of the worst that he had ever seen, with inmates needing medical attention and basic necessities such as food and hygiene products.

“If a family member cannot provide for them their basic needs, they go without,” said Father Silveira.

On Jan. 6, 33 inmates were killed in a similar uprising, this time in the agricultural penitentiary of Roraima.

Since then, an additional four deaths were registered in another prison in the state of Amazonas and two in the state of Piaui.

“No need to be a psychic,” said the priest of the latest riots that have Brazil’s federal government extremely concerned. “What happened at

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 11

“

“PRISONS ARE LIKE TIME BOMBS, EXPLODING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND, UNLESS DRASTIC CHANGES ARE MADE NOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE.”

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Syrians don’t want to leave their homeland, they want a safe place to live in peace, said a Franciscan friar from Aleppo, Syria, who spoke on Jan. 5 with the Archdiocese of Washington’s Holy Land Committee.

Franciscan Brother George Jamal, who is originally from Aleppo, said even though the situation in his homeland is complicated, it is important to learn about it and if people feel inclined to do something, they can learn about the different aid groups in the region to see how to best help.

By some estimates, 5 million Syrians have left the country since the country’s conflict began in 2011. That includes some members of Brother Jamal’s family.

“My family, too, wants to be back after the war is finished,” he said during the informal meeting aimed at learning more about region. “It is home.”

Recently, the Syrian government retook control of Aleppo after months of heavy fighting with rebel groups. It had been the largest city in the country before the conflict. Last year, Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, said the conflict has left 400,000 deaths in its wake and millions of people displaced as they have left to find safety in other countries.

Brother Jamal said some of his friends had died in the conflict and one of his family homes was destroyed. When he visited a few years ago, after being away while studying, he said he felt “like a stranger” in his homeland. Aleppo has more checkpoints, more destruction, but even in conflict, people find a way to hold on to whatever stability might be available, he said in an interview with Catholic News Service.

Christians are still carrying on with celebrations and customs, he said, and sometimes he still is able to see part of normal life through his friends’ posts on social media, the way any other 26-yearold keeps up with friends. But he said he has a feeling that what he knew of his city of Aleppo only exists now in his memory.

“I lost my past,” he said. “I have my past in my memory.”

As he studies elsewhere and awaits ordination, Brother Jamal still dreams of one day returning home and helping the youth of Syria and those who have faced the decision to leave.

When members of the committee asked what would be the best path for the country and best way to help, he encouraged them to keep open minds about the situation, which is hard to compare to other conflicts, to pray, to send material help but also to consider the right situation for the people of Syria that can “help people to stay, not to get out.” Even those who leave want to return home, he said, but they’re looking for peace and safety.

Archbishop Sergio Eduardo Castriani Compaj has been happening in Brazil for a long time, in prisons in Maranhao, Rio Grande do Norte, Rondonia, Roraima and Parana. And it tends to worsen and intensify throughout the country.”

Archbishop Sergio Eduardo Castriani of Manaus had even harsher words to say about Brazil’s prison system. In a statement released about the massacre at the city’s penitentiary, the archbishop noted that it is the function of the state to take care of the physical integrity of each detainee and emphasized “that the prison system does not rehabilitate the citizen . . . it offers the school of crime instead of offering occupational activities to inmates.”

The archbishop said church officials had been visiting prison inmates for 40 years. He said the main flaw in Brazil’s prison system is the lack of public policies for the resocialization of inmates into society.

Father Silveira agreed. He told CNS until structural changes are made to relieve the overcrowding in Brazilian prisons and provide humane conditions in which inmates can serve out their time, these violent riots will continue.

“Prisons are like time bombs, exploding throughout the country and, unless drastic changes are made now, we will continue to see this type of violence,” said Father Silveira.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Legatus chapter starter - Responsibilities include identifying and meeting with Kansas City’s Catholic businessmen and women and having them join the local Legatus chapter. The ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic with strong communication and organizational skills and not currently working full time. There is a base pay for orientation, followed by regular pay on commission. This is a local, parttime position with a two-to-three-month time frame. There is a possibility of remaining in the role and transferring to a long-term role with hourly pay. Send an email to Carmen Tate at: ctate@legatus.org or call her at (575) 973-7278.

Marriage tribunal auditor - The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is seeking a full-time marriage tribunal auditor who will administratively process marriage cases under the direction of the judicial vicar and the tribunal director. The qualified candidate will be an active, practicing Catholic in full communion with the church. The candidate must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, including interviewing, telephone, verbal and written communication capacities.

Required skills also include proficiency in Microsoft Office, organization and attention to detail. The preferred candidate will have previous tribunal experience and fluency in Spanish.

A canon law degree or certification is also preferred but not required. To apply, go to the website at: careers.hireology. com/careers/96674/application?

Principal - St. Andrew the Apostle Parish seeks a principal committed to Catholic education with strong leadership, communication and motivational skills. St. Andrew School is a parish school serving approximately 290 pre-K – 8th-grade students with a staff of 30. St. Andrew is located in suburban Kansas City, Mo., north of the river. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic, should have a master’s degree in educational administration, teaching experience and preferably three years’ administrative experience. This position leads school programs that ensure not only academic excellence but also the spiritual, moral, physical and emotional development of the school community. This person is supervised by the pastor of the parish and the assigned superintendent of schools. Job responsibilities: Ensure quality of Catholic religious instruction of students at all levels through the Catechism of the Catholic Church; promote Catholic community with parents, student, faculty and staff; applies a Catholic educational vision to the daily activities of the school; implements, identifies and monitors annual goals and strategies to ensure quality of academic program; works with parish to ensure financial processes for the school and maintenance; recruits, interviews, selects and provides orientation for school staff; works with parish to provide marketing and development for the school. To apply, go to the website at: careers.hireology.com/thecatholicdioceseofkansas

citystjoseph/94371/description.

Teachers and assistant teacher - The Goddard School in Olathe is seeking a preschool teacher, a pre-kindergarten teacher and a toddler teacher - all full-time positions - as well as an assistant teacher for multiple classrooms. Lead and assistant teachers work together. Daily responsibilities are: developing lesson plans; meeting the individual needs of the children; communicating with parents; participation in staff and training meetings; designing appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and development level of the children in the classroom; interacting with the children to support play, exploration and learning; presenting expectations that are appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level; plan and implement activities that develop self-esteem and social skills; communicate appropriately and professionally with parents and fellow staff; building teamwork; use assessment tools; and commit to continuing education. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to: olathe2ks@goddardschools.com.

Part-time help - Fast-paced, home-based business is looking for a dependable, trustworthy self-starter who enjoys challenging work to help with answering customer calls, shipping packages and general inventory management. Experience with Mac computers, UPS WorldShip and QuickBooks is helpful, but will train the right person. Overland Park-based with fun, casual environment. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 - 5 p.m. or possible full time; benefits not available. To apply, send resume to: orders@ roalpostalsupplies.com.

Now hiring warehouse workers - Vistar Kansas City is looking for hard-working individuals to join our team. We are hiring night warehouse order selectors and weekend warehouse order selectors starting at $14/hour, plus incentives, with earnings up to $23.50 based on performance and accuracy. If interested, email your resume to: veronica.hernandez@pfgc.com or call Veronica at (816) 746-4401, ext. 28313. Work hours: Sunday 2 p.m.

– job completed and Monday through Thursday 4 p.m.

– job completed or Friday noon - midnight, Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and either Tuesday or Wednesday from 4 p.m. until job completed. Benefits: Health care insurance, paid vacation and holiday pay, air-conditioned warehouse and opportunities to move up within the company. Location: 4825 N.W. 41st St., Suite 100, Riverside, MO 64150.

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 12

Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, round- trip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

School counseling consultant - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is looking for a part-time school counseling consultant for the Corpus Christi Catholic School in Lawrence. EEO For complete job description and to apply go to: catholiccharitiesks.org/jobs.

Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans. Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: AssistedTransportaion.com. EEO.

Executive administrator - The Ladies of Charity of the United States of America (LCUSA), based in Kansas City, Mo., is seeking an executive administrator. The candidate should be a Catholic who reflects Vincentian spirituality, understands issues of poverty and social justice, has knowledge of Catholic social teaching and the structure of the Catholic Church. This position requires an associate’s degree in management or a comparative discipline and/or five years’ experience in administration. It requires excellent oral and written communication skills and computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Access and Excel. This is a multifaceted position. The candidate must be a self-starter, able to manage several projects simultaneously, as well as attend to the detail of inventory and budget. The candidate must also be able to relate well to others, as the job necessitates daily interaction with Ladies of Charity nationwide and with the board of LCUSA. Some supervisory skills are needed for a volunteer staff. Prior work in development and fundraising would be a plus. This is a full-time, salaried “exempt” position available immediately. For a full job description, visit the website at: aic.ladiesofcharity.us>Who We Are. Email cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: president@ladiesofcharity.us.

Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education.

Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, and cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Accounts payable/payroll accountant - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening in the chancery accounting office for a full-time accounts payable/payroll accountant. The position is responsible for processing approved invoices utilizing the DocuWare software and accounting system. This position is also responsible for payroll for the chancery staff. One to three years of accounts payable and payroll experience required, accounting degree preferred. Candidate must have strong computing skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite; must demonstrate strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and accuracy. A complete job description and application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Accounts Payable/Payroll, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@archkck.org.

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

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

Client experience coordinator – Wellington, a fullservice event management and marketing company, is looking for a Client Experience Coordinator to assist with the production of extraordinary events for clients of all sizes. The CEC frequently acts as the face of the company, being the first person to greet guests and direct client, partner and vendor phone calls. They are a personable, structured and disciplined individual who is able to handle high-pressure situations. Because they juggle numerous projects and tasks at any one time, the CEC must have the ability to multitask and complete a variety of tasks quickly — without sacrificing accuracy and attention to detail. Applicants may apply online at: www.wellingtonexperience.com/careers.

Customer service/warehouse – Watts Up, a lighting distributor serving the Midwest region for over 30 years, is looking for a full-time customer sales/service professional to join our fun and highly motivated team of employees in assisting our front counter customers and helping maintain the warehouse. Applicants must be self-motivated problem solvers. Requires ability to be physically active all day, including lifting up to 50 lbs. Must have basic math and strong verbal and people skills. Some lighting/electrical experience preferred.

Duties: Provide consultative sales advice to customers, primarily at front counter as well as over the phone; assist in managing warehouse; and pulling orders for delivery. Full time. Medical benefits. 401(k) with match. Immense pride in brightening homes and offices across the city. Retirees welcome to apply. jen.smith@ wattsuplighting.com.

Career opportunity - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Emporia and Topeka area. 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. This is a full-time position.

Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612 or call (785) 408-8806. You can also send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 825-1921.

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

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting.

Hedge trimming, mulch, leaf removal.

Fully insured and free estimates.

John Rodman (913) 548-3002 Nanny - Deanna Lyon, Catholic nanny, available for fulltime care; Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call (785) 217-5110 or send an email to: annaed87@yahoo.com.

Overland Park area.

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.

EVERFIT fitness community - We provide a variety of classes designed to make fitness fun while challenging you to a higher level of performance. Classes include boxing, cycling, HIIT, weights, PiYo, TRX, our signature EverFit Tri, and more. EverFitKC.com. Save 10% with this ad or Promo Code LEAVEN. Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

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 kev@koatindustries. com. Insured. References.

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, Installation and maintenance.

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

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661

12

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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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) 252-1391 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 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 and lawn care – Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing, doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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: dan deeconst@aol.com.

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

Thank you for another great year - Through your support, my family has been blessed and my business has grown. We do windows, trim, siding, doors, decks, interior and exterior painting, wood rot, bathroom renovations, tile and sheetrock. If you need work done around your home, we can do it. Josh (913) 709-7230.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com NELSON CREATIONS L.L.C. Home remodeling, design/build, kitchens, baths, all interior and exterior work. Family owned and operated; over 25 years experience. Licensed and insured; commercial and residential. Kirk and Diane Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net 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 at (913) 709-8401.

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.

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.

>> Classifieds continue on page 13

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR ‘NEW HOPE FOR DEPRESSION’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Hear about the value of deepening spiritual practices to find new hope and discover one’s own path to the God of grace and compassion. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6173 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will commemorate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees with a Mass that reflects — through different languages and musical styles — the breadth of the universal church.

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.

‘BENEDICT’S VISION: WORK MADE HOLY’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Jan. 15 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

‘ABOUT A CROWN OF ROSES’ MUSICAL PERFORMANCE Church of the Nativity 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.

Using James Collinson’s poem “The Child Jesus” as its foundation, the classical vocal quartet Ignea Strata explores musical offerings to the Infant Jesus and to Mary. Performing music from the medieval era to the latest contemporary repertoire, Ignea Strata offers a fresh perspective on old favorites and presents new and previously unheard music from composers ancient and modern.

All are welcome; the concert is free.

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES MASS St. Patrick Parish 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 15 at 5 p.m.

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

This once-a-month series, geared for young professional women, focuses on the wisdom of St. Benedict and his Rule. Participants read and discuss the book “St. Benedict’s Guide to Improving Your Work Life: Workplace as Worthplace,” by Michael Rock. For more information or to register, go to the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter. org or call (913) 360-6173

‘AWAKENING THE DREAMER: CHANGING THE DREAM’ Precious Blood Renewal Center 2130 St. Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Join us for the viewing of the film “Awakening the Dreamer: Changing the Dream,” a documentary about runaway prosperity and consumerism, followed by discussion.

The suggested donation is $10. Register to attend with Kathy Keary at (816) 803-6413 or by email at: keary@sbcglobal.net.

DISCERNMENT RETREAT FOR WOMEN Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m. - Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

Single women between the ages of 18 and 30 are invited to participate in an overnight discernment experience. There will be opportunities to grow in community and friendship, develop a deeper understanding of how God is speaking to you and meet some of the consecrated women who are serving the church today. For more information or to register, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/ranch; contact the retreat

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 13

MUD JACKING Raise & Level

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses Lawrence (785) 865-0006

Topeka (785) 246-0128

team at: psrministry@archkck.org; or call (785) 746-5693.

‘THE FOUR SIGNS’ Holy Trinity Parish 13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa Jan. 20 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Dr. Allen Hunt will be giving a talk based on Mathew Kelly’s book “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.” The cost to attend is $25 per person and includes all the event materials. It is suggested that attendees arrive 30 minutes ahead of time to check in, collect their materials and find a seat. Tickets can be purchased at Holy Trinity or online by visiting the website at: DyanamicCatholic. com/Lenexa or call (604) 531-5739 for more information.

‘THE JOY OF MUSIC’ Visitation Parish 5141 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 29 at 3 p.m.

13

>> Continued from page 12

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, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.benefitsofhome.com.

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.

FOR SALE

This sacred chamber music program includes pieces by Carlo Sampietro, Dieterich Buxtehude and Felix Mendelssohn. The suggested donation is $25 per family. The event benefits Our Lady’s Montessori School.

RETROUVAILLE Savior Pastoral Center 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 17 - 19

Retrouvaille is a marriage program dedicated to helping couples grow closer and develop a stronger bond. The program is designed to help couples bridge the distance that has grown between them. For more information about this program for couples, contact the registration team at (800) 4702230 or visit the website at: www.helpour marriage.com.

CREATION HEALTH Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Thursdays, Jan. 12 - March 2, 2:30 - 4 p.m.

Be your best in 2017: Find new energy, peace and good health! Ann Suellentrop is the facilitator in partnership with Shawnee Mission Health.

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 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 - I’m Mark Edmondson, a local parishioner at Holy Trinity, and I buy and sell houses in any condition. If you have a house “situation,” call me. I might have a solution for you. (913) 980-4905.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware.

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

TRAVEL Travel to Washington, D.C. - Everyone deserves an educational and fun visit to our nation’s capital. We specialize in individual and group trips to Washington, D.C. Call Ward Cook at (816) 210-3276 for a customized trip tor yourself or your group. Ward Cook, travel consultant at Under the Dome Travel.

Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas • Catholic Bequests

• Donor Advised Funds

• Gift Annuities

• Named Scholarship Funds

• Endowments

• Memorial Funds

Remember a gift to the church in your will

(913) 647-0325 CFNEK@archkck.org www.cfnek.org

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY SECOND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Jan. 15 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 49: 3, 5-6 Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-10 1 Cor 1: 1-3 Jn 1: 29-34 Jan. 16 Monday Heb 5: 1-10 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 2: 18-22 Jan. 17 Anthony, abbot Heb 6: 10-20 Ps 111: 1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c Mk 2: 23-28 Jan. 18 Wednesday Heb 7: 1-3, 15-17 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 3: 1-6 Jan. 19 Thursday Heb 7:25 – 8:6 Ps 40: 7-10, 17 Mk 3: 7-12 Jan. 20 Fabian, pope, martyr; Sebastian, martyr Heb 8: 6-13 Ps 85: 8, 10-14 Mk 3: 13-19 Jan. 21 Agnes, virgin, martyr Heb 9: 2-3, 11-14 Ps 47: 2-3, 6-9 Mk 3: 20-21

ONLINE

www.theleaven.org

FACEBOOK

www.facebook.com/ theleavenkc

TWITTER

@theleavenkc

INSTAGRAM theleavenkc

S

Here’s a perfect way to start 2017

heldon Cohen.

Wow, what a guy!

I’m sure that you’ve heard plenty about Sheldon, but just in case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the scoop: A man once walked to 5th Ave. and 42nd St. in New York City during a downpour. Somehow, he managed to flag down a cab immediately. As he jumped into the taxi, the cabbie said, “Perfect timing. You’re just like Sheldon.”

“Who?” said the passenger.

“Sheldon Cohen. Now, there’s a guy who did everything right,” said the cabbie. “Like my cab being vacant during a rainstorm. It would have happened like that for Sheldon every single time.”

“Well, no one is perfect,” said the passenger.

“There are always a few clouds over everybody.”

“Not Sheldon,” replied the cabbie. “He was a terrific athlete. He could have gone on the pro tour in tennis or golf. He sang like an opera baritone and danced like a Broadway star. He was handsome and sophisticated, more than George Clooney. He had a better physique than Schwartzenegger in his prime.”

“And another thing:

“B

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.

Sheldon somehow knew exactly how to make women happy,” the cabbie continued. “And he had a memory like a computer — could remember everybody’s birthday!

He knew all about wine and which fork to eat with. Heck, he could fix anything, too! Not like me! I change a fuse and the whole neighborhood blacks out!”

“Incredible,” said the passenger. “No wonder you remember him!”

“Well,” admitted the cabbie, “I never actually met Sheldon.”

“Then how do you know so much about him?” asked the passenger.

“After he died,” sighed the cabbie, “I married his wife.”

Uh-oh. Sometimes our memories don’t quite match reality. Before we take Sheldon’s wife to task, however, we’ve got to admit that we often do the same thing when we recall the “good ole days.” Remember? When summertime weather was always pleasant, there were always friends to play with, and we never fought or skinned our knees or did anything that would get us into trouble.

And remember those carefree days of college? There were never tedious required classes, demanding course loads, mind-boggling exams or endless papers. Yeah, right!

The more time that goes by, in fact, the more “selective” it seems our memories become.

There is, however, a great solution to keeping

things real. The advice comes from the Gospel of Luke that we heard on New Year’s Day where it said: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (2:19).

Taking time to reflect truly does make life richer and more honest. That’s probably what drives so many newspapers and magazines at the end of each year to do a “look back.” It not only puts the past year to rest, but helps keep things real — by recalling both the joys and the sorrows, the successes and the failures.

Several years ago, one of my parishioners gave me a sheet of paper that I’ve used each January since. Entitled “New Year’s Eve Reflection,” it consists of questions to close out an old year and welcome in the new.

Even though New Year’s Eve has passed, these questions are valuable to ponder in this still fresh 2017. I’d recommend writing down your answers in order to have a lasting peek at your life in this present time. Here are the questions: 1. What were the memorable events of this past year that captured your attention? In your home and family? In your work? In your community?

2. Who were the significant people in your life?

3. What sources instructed or challenged your heart and mind?

4. Did you have recurring questions you struggled with during the year?

What were they? Any answers? What questions are you still facing in this new year?

5. In what areas of your life did you grow?

Were these areas related to your joy or your pain?

6. What are your regrets? How would you do things differently? What did you learn?

7. What service did you give to others that was the most meaningful?

Receive from others?

8. What images come to mind for your relationship with God at this point in your life?

9. Do you have a verse, image, word or poem to guide you in the new year?

10. What is it you wish for? How you would answer Jesus’ questions: “What are you looking for?” and “What do you want me to do for you?”

Take some quiet time — it’s there, but you might have to be creative to find it — to consider your life in light of these questions.

Naturally, you won’t be able to answer them perfectly. Just do your best.

After all, you’re no Sheldon Cohen!

Context helps us understand power of Jesus

ehold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

These words, which we hear so frequently before we receive holy Communion, may suggest to us the image of an innocent and tender creature, meek and mild.

But that is not what John the Baptist intends when he proclaims them in Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jn 1:29-34.

Lambs were frequently the animal of sacrifice in the Temple of Jerusalem. By calling Jesus “the Lamb of God,” John was anticipating Jesus’ death on the cross, the sacrifice that would take away the sin of the world.

POPE FRANCIS

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

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

Beyond this description of Jesus as a sacrificial animal, the title of Lamb of God also points

Stand up and protect children from exploitation, slaughter and abuse, which includes committing to a policy of “zero tolerance” of sexual abuse by clergy, Pope Francis told the world’s bishops. Wake up to what is happening to so many of today’s innocents and be moved by their plight and the cries of their mothers to do everything to protect

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 14

14

to Jesus as a powerful adversary of evil. This understanding of the Lamb of God is further amplified in Rv 5:6: “Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes.”

In Near Eastern cul-

ture, the horn represented great strength. The number seven stands for fullness or completion. Taken literally, the image of a lamb with seven horns would look bizarre. But, symbolically, it means a lamb that is almighty.

Similarly, the seven eyes mean that the lamb is all-seeing. The Book of Revelation is proclaiming the Lamb of God, who is all-powerful and all-seeing. This is no meek lamb, but an immensely powerful ram.

As the Lamb of God, Jesus has defeated the forces of evil by his death on the cross. And just as important, he is risen from the dead.

Jesus’ resurrection is signaled in the passage from Revelation by the mention that the lamb is

life, helping it “be born and grow,” he said in a letter sent to bishops commemorating the feast of the Holy Innocents, Dec. 28. The Vatican press office published the letter and translations from the original Italian Jan. 2.

Just as King Herod’s men slaughtered young children of Bethlehem in his “unbridled thirst for power,” there are plenty of new Herods today — gang members, criminal networks and “merchants of death” — “who devour

“standing in the midst of the throne,” even though it “seemed to have been slain.” In the Greek language, the language in which the New Testament was written, the word “rise” or “resurrect” literally means “to stand again.” This is a clear reference to Jesus’ resurrection.

John the Baptist is proclaiming Jesus as the powerful adversary of evil, who will take away the sin of the world by his death on the cross.

The priest who echoes those words is similarly pointing to Jesus as the one who will save us by his sacrifice on the cross.

We come into contact with that saving sacrifice with the Lamb of God when we receive holy Communion.

the innocence of our children” through slave labor, prostitution and exploitation, he said.

Wars and forced immigration also strip children of their innocence, joy and dignity, he added. The prophet Jeremiah was aware of this “sobbing and loud lamentation” and knew that Rachel was “weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled since they were no more.”

— CNS

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

INTERFAITH

15

Catholic-Muslim dialogue supports Islamic American communities

By James Martone Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — An emerging Catholic dialogue with Muslims aims to show public support for Islamic American communities.

The dialogue stems from concerns expressed by U.S. bishops in the wake of “a serious uptick in violence against American Muslims . . . to make sure that they are sensitive to what is going on in the [Muslim] communities,” said Anthony Cirelli, associate director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The dialogue, underway since last February, will build on three already existing regional Catholic-Muslim dialogues, also overseen by the secretariat. Those gatherings have involved Muslim and Christian scholars and religious leaders and have focused largely on academic discussions and comparisons of their respective religious texts, Cirelli said.

The regional dialogues — mid-Atlantic, Midwest and West Coast — have been effective in creating a better understanding among Muslim and Catholic leaders on a theological level, Cirelli explained. The national dialogue also will help Muslim leaders to better advocate for current concerns . . .

“While our meetings will still have as a central component the all-import-

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 15

CNS PHOTO/KAREN CALLAWAY/CATHOLIC NEW WORLD

Chicago Archbishop Blase J. Cupich visits with a couple during a Catholic-Muslim dinner in Bridgeview, Ill. ant theological conversation, right now there is an urgency to engage more in a kind of advocacy and policy in support of the Muslim community,” Cirelli told Catholic News Service.

Cirelli cited statistics documenting a higher number of anti-Muslim activities nationwide as well as a recent study

by The Bridge Initiative, a Georgetown

University research project on Islamophobia, showing that Catholics who regularly obtained information from Catholic media were more likely to unfavorably view Muslims than those who did not.

“The bishops’ priority at the moment is to listen to [Muslims’] concerns, their fears, their needs . . . and so

discern how we as Catholics can help them achieve their goals of full participation in their communities,” Cirelli said.

He said Muslim counterparts to the dialogue were still being identified.

“At this point in our nation’s history, we, the bishops, are mainly concerned with listening to and, when appropriate, coming to stand with our Muslim colleagues in their own difficult work of addressing the fears of ordinary Americans with respect to Muslims as well as their work in trying to change the negative narrative surrounding Muslims in our popular media,” Cirelli said.

The creation of the dialogue was motivated by the call of “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relations with non-Christian religions.

“As the national conversation around Islam grows increasingly fraught, coarse and driven by fear and often willful misinformation, the Catholic Church must help to model real dialogue and goodwill,” Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of Springfield, Massachusetts, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said at the time the dialogue started in February.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago was designated as the dialogue’s Catholic chairman and assumed the position Jan. 1, Cirelli said.

1/10/17 3:38 PM

JANUARY 13, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

HEALING THE HURT

Youth ministry expert offers help for ‘Hurt’ youths

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The book “Hurt 2.0” by Chap Clark was one of the best things Deacon Dana Nearmyer ever read.

But it also made him angry — at least at first.

“I found the book incredibly infuriating, because it challenged what I was doing as a parent,” said Deacon Nearmyer, secretary of the archdiocesan evangelization division.

“I had to rethink a number of my parental practices, and I thought I had raised really high-functioning, good kids.”

Parents, teachers, religious educators, pastors, youth ministers and others who work with and care about adolescents will now have the opportunity to learn from Clark in person at two mid-January presentations in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The first presentation will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 at St. James Academy, 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa.

This free event is open to the public. No RSVP is necessary.

The second presentation will be held on the morning of Jan. 19. Although this presentation is primarily for archdiocesan leaders and ministers, others will be admitted if space is available. This, too, is free, but requires an RSVP to Annie Clement either online at: youthadmin@archkck.org, or by calling (913) 647-0373.

“Hurt 2.0” is an update of the first “Hurt” book Clark published in 2004.

Today, Clark is associate provost for strategic projects and professor and chair of the youth, family and culture department in the School of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

In the early 2000s, Clark became a substitute teacher at a Los Angeles high school as part of a research project on the state of contemporary adolescence. What he discovered was shocking, which led to the writing of “Hurt.”

But why a revision? Clark states his reason in the preface of “Hurt 2.0”:

Chap Clark, author of the book “Hurt 2.0,” which deals with adolescent pain, will give a presentation on Jan. 18 at St. James Academy, Lenexa. The event is free and open to the public.

“In the first edition, I barely realized the implications of what ‘Hurt’ had discovered and presented. The reason for ‘Hurt 2.0’ is that those who control and define the systems and structures charged with nurturing and training up our young (and especially those who have the power associated with them) are either igno-

rant of how destructive life is for today’s adolescents or unwilling to take the wide array of indicators seriously.”

Deacon Nearmyer considered the findings Clark put in his book so profound that he made it the basis of a class he teaches as an adjunct professor at Benedictine College in Atchison.

A significant number of adolescents experience deep depression and alienation, said Deacon Nearmyer. Who they are would surprise parents and other adults.

“I’ve worked with hundreds and know of thousands of teenagers who externally are extremely successful, but fight terrible depression and

even suicidal tendencies — that would not consider themselves successful even though they have amazing GPAs, incredible academic and sports accomplishments, and are seemingly incredibly popular,” said Nearmyer.

Parents and other adults may not understand how much the situation has changed since their youth.

“There are two things,” said Clark, that have led to this. “One is the rise of social complexity, and the second is the lack of social capital — meaning, there are not enough adults present in their lives to help them navigate the complexity.”

Parents think they’re helping their kids by giving them opportunities, but giving opportunities is not the same as giving them “us,” said Clark.

Kids desperately want and need engagement with caring adults, especially their parents. When they don’t get it, they retreat to a sort of “world beneath.”

Although the topic is serious, Clark will approach it with gentleness and humor.

It will be honest, but without judgment. The point of the presentations is to help parents and adults see their adolescents with new eyes and equip them with the tools to help them navigate through the troubled waters of emerging adulthood.

Preserve Your Family’s Wealth!

KEVIN L. PETRACEK, ATTORNEY JD, LL.M.-Taxation, CPA, CFP® Parman & Easterday

Estate Planning · Wills · Trusts · Probate · Elder Law (4th Degree K of C Member)

Call for a Free Initial Consultation 10740 Nall Avenue, Suite 160, Overland Park, KS 66211 (913) 385-9400 · www.parmanlaw.com Also Serving Topeka, Lawrence, Emporia and Neighboring Communities

Leaven 01-13-17.indd 16

1/10/17 3:38 PM