01-23-09 Vol. 30 No. 22

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 30, NO. 22 JANUARY 23, 2009

HOLY NAME CELEBRATES 100

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Father Jerry Spencer (right), pastor of Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kan., concelebrates with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at a Mass marking the 100th anniversary of the church.

picture of Holy Name Church that is nearly identical to the present structure, except for “two tall, steeply roofed towers with ornate belfries,” according to a 2001 parish history.

Clearly, the original plans called for two taller Romanesque belfries, not tery. the two existing squat, peaked roofs.

Namely, what happened to the towDid the pastor back then, ers?

Father Anthony Dornseifer, try Construction of the limeStory by to hustle the project along by stone, Romanesque church beJOE cutting out the towers? Did the gan when the cornerstone was BOLLIG parish run out of money? Or laid on May 2, 1909. The finwas it simply a matter of indiished church was dedicated on vidual taste?

June 2, 1912.

Surviving records don’t give a clue.

And here’s where the mystery The shape of the towers was of no comes in. concern to parishioners, however, An article in the German-language when they celebrated the feast day of newspaper “Amerika,” published in St. the Holy Name of Jesus on Jan. 3, and Louis, contained an article about “Die then the centennial of the church the neue Kirche zum hl. Namen in next day. Father Jerry Spencer, the Rosedale” on the occasion of its dedication.

The article was accompanied by a Turn to HOLY NAME on page 6

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Members of Holy Name Church here celebrated the 100th anniversary of their parish on Jan. 4 with an enduring mys-

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Yogi McGill recites the Lord’s Prayer as she holds the hand of her mother, Connie Aguilar. The two Holy Name parishioners were among the many celebrating the 100th anniversary of the church.

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8-9

FIGHTING FOCA

STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION

The U.S. bishops are launching a campaign to fight the Freedom of Choice Act that would legalize abortion on demand.

Liz and Don Arth always made the first payment out of their budget to God. For 55 years that has served them well.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Because of space constraints, The Leaven will no longer list Lenten fish fries in the calendar each issue during Lent. However, a full page of archdiocesan fish fries will appear — all ready to be clipped and saved — in the Feb. 20 edition of The Leaven. Fish fry notices should be e-mailed to: todd@theleaven.com. The deadline is Feb. 8.

ARCHBISHOP

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THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

E

ach year, the annual liturgical commemoration of the Holy Innocents (Dec. 28) shocks me anew.

It was horrible enough that Herod was prepared to murder a baby whom he perceived to be a threat to him.

When he could not identify the specific child who posed this threat, Herod took inhumanity to a new level by ordering his henchmen to kill all the male children under the age of two in the vicinity of Bethlehem.

Killing innocent children strikes us as barbaric. It is hard to understand the coldness in Herod’s heart in ordering the massacre of babies and toddlers. Herod’s willingness to destroy defenseless children and inflict inconceivable pain upon their parents and families in order to eliminate a supposed threat to his self-interest reveals an uncontrolled selfishness that most of us appropriately find repulsive.

January 22 marked the somber commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade and Doe v.

Bolton decisions that, in effect, struck down every existing state prohibition and restriction on abortion. These infamous decisions have resulted in the deaths of almost 50 million American children. The sheer magnitude of the numbers makes this a tragedy beyond comparison in American history.

Legalized abortion has inflicted a terrible scar on the soul of the United States.

One of the tragic ironies of this state-sanctioned killing of innocent preborn children is that it occurred at a time when scientific and technological advancements were giving us windows into the womb, providing us with more and more compelling evidence about the beginning of human life. The fertilization of the female ovum by the male

sperm initiates a new human life with a genetic code distinct from both of his or her parents. This new human being only needs time and nourishment to be able to advance through all the normal stages of early human development, preparing the child for life outside the womb.

What motivated the Supreme Court in 1973 to accept Justice Blackmun’s gratuitous claim that there was no medical consensus regarding when human life begins? Perhaps, an even more telling question is: What has prevented Americans these past 36 years from insisting that their elected representatives correct the Supreme Court’s mistaken prohibition of the right of states to protect innocent human life?

Our Constitution purposefully made it difficult to undo a decision by our highest court. Either the court has to reverse itself or the arduous task of amending the Constitution has to be successfully undertaken. A constitutional amendment requires super majorities in both the Congress and 75 percent of state Legislatures. Yet, to correct such an egregious error, why have we failed to do whatever was necessary?

The 1973 decisions of our court coincided with the so-called sexual revolution. In truth, the legalization of abortion and the resultant killing of unborn children in staggering numbers were part of the collateral damage of a war against traditional Christian morals.

Contradicting the predictions made by advocates of contraception, the

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number of “unwanted pregnancies” increased as contraceptives became more available and their use more prevalent. The redefinition of the meaning of sexual intimacy, attempting to uncouple it from part of its essence — the power, privilege and responsibility of participating in the creation of new human life — had enormous unintended consequences.

Denying the truth that sexual intimacy can only be authentic in the marital covenant where a new human life can best be welcomed and cared for, many Americans wanted a means to dispose of what amounted to inconvenient lives. Abortion was accepted as the necessary back-up for failed contraception.

During this same period, the “entertainment industry” became a powerful influence on shaping cultural morals.

Through movies, television, music and eventually the Internet, Americans, particularly young people, were bombarded with messages that the primary purpose of sexual intimacy was the experience of intense personal pleasure.

The traditional Christian understanding, that the complete gift of oneself physically to another is only honest when it represents the complete gift of oneself to the other in every dimension of life as expressed in the permanent and exclusive commitment of the marriage vows, was abandoned by many.

The identification of a young person as a virgin, once a term of honor and virtue, now makes her or him a target for mockery and derision. In this sexually permissive environment, despite the promotion and availability of contraceptives, pregnancies occur at an alarming rate to couples who feel themselves completely unprepared for the responsibility of parenthood.

When their financial, educational, social and/or career plans were threatened by a child, young men were schooled that the responsible thing for them to do was to offer to help pay for the destruction of their child. Herod

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could be the poster boy for this ethic of male selfishness. Similarly, young women have been counseled to go against their natural maternal instincts, placing their hopes and ambitions first by authorizing the abortions of their children.

In such a hostile environment, heroically pro-life Americans have labored to provide the maximum protection permitted by our courts. They have worked hard to try to change the composition of the court. Many believe that today we are within one vote of a Supreme Court majority restoring the authority of states to protect innocent human life.

After our most recent elections, these modest but important pro-life gains have been placed in jeopardy.

The new administration and the leadership of the new Congress have signaled an eagerness to pass and sign into law the so-called Freedom of Choice Act that would invalidate informed consent and parental notification statutes, bans on taxpayer-funded abortions, as well as conscience rights protections for doctors, nurses and health care institutions.

In your parish this weekend or sometime soon, you should be given the opportunity to sign postcards for your two U.S. senators and your representative in Congress, urging them to prevent the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act and any other effort to eliminate current protections for unborn children.

The people in Herod’s time did not have any ability to dissuade their king from ordering a massacre of the innocents. In contrast, our leaders are elected and serve at our pleasure. We have the ability to influence and affect their decisions.

We cannot go back in history and save the children massacred at Bethlehem. However, we can do something to try to limit the massacre of the innocents in our own time.

By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Here’s a forecast you can depend on: Washington, D.C., will be inundated by a blizzard around Jan. 25.

Snowplows, however, won’t be needed.

A postcard blizzard of epic proportions is poised to rain down on the new 111th U.S. Congress as part of a nationwide effort to fight passage of the Freedom of Choice Act. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and across the nation will take part in a “Fight FOCA Postcard Campaign” after or during Masses on the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25.

Parishioners will be urged to show their opposition to FOCA by signing the postcards, which will be sent to their U.S. senators and U.S. representatives. The message on the card asks that legislators oppose this radical, pro-abortion legislation.

The postcard campaign is cosponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment.

“This campaign is needed because of the incoming pro-abortion Congress and president, who has stated strong desires for pro-abortion legislation and executive orders,” said Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan consultant for pro-life ministry.

“There is some concern whether [FOCA] will be passed all at once or incrementally,” he continued, “but the bishops want this postcard campaign regardless of which way [FOCA] goes.”

Early indications are that this campaign has struck a popular chord, said Kelsey.

“The U.S. bishops sent out an email [to diocesan pro-life directors] saying they have been inundated with requests for postcards,” said Kelsey. “They’ve received requests for millions and millions of postcards, so it’s going to be a great campaign.”

The U.S. bishops are pulling out all the stops because FOCA is the most far-reaching piece of pro-abortion legislation in the history of the United States.

FOCA would go far beyond the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v.

Bolton decisions of 1973, and for the first time would make abortion not merely legal, but a federal entitlement that the U.S. government would have to fund, promote and protect.

Catholic individuals and institutions would be compelled by FOCA to support pro-abortion activities and policies. Decades of pro-life progress on the state and federal level would be swept away. The ability to regulate or limit abortion would disappear.

Pro-life advocates have worked hard for decades to have all kinds of incremental legislation passed to regulate and restrict abortion, said Kelsey. All this is threatened by FOCA, which would even make procedures such as partial-birth abortion legal.

“

[FOCA] will provide government funding for abortion, and it will do many other things — such as removing conscienceprotection clauses for medical immunity, as well as forcing Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.

“

Help stop the modern-day massacre of the innocents

Catholics forecast anti-FOCA postcard blizzard

Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan pro-life consultant

“It will provide government funding for abortion,” he said, “and it will do many other things — such as removing conscience-protection clauses for medical immunity, as well as forcing Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.”

According to the USCCB Office of General Counsel, FOCA would have an impact in four broad areas.

First, under FOCA, abortion would be considered to be a fundamental right. Second, FOCA provides that government may not

“deny or interfere” with the abortion decision. Third, the act provides that government may not “discriminate” against the right to an abortion in “the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.” Finally, FOCA creates a cause of action for anyone aggrieved by a violation of the act, thus resolving any question of standing.

“It is very important that we let our senators and representatives know that we are opposed to any legislation that advances abortion,” said Kelsey. “We want to stand strong for life. We don’t want them to remove current restrictions [on abortion].”

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

‘Little job’ turns into life’s work for insurance director

By KARA HANSEN Leaven staff KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When Donna Harrity was first hired to help with insurance for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in 1974, she was told it would be a little job.

That “little job” turned into more than 30 years as the director of group insurance and retirement for the archdiocese. During that time, she has facilitated the delivery of benefits to employees spanning the archdiocese, and now numbering some 2,700.

“When I was first hired, we provided health insurance, some retirement coverage and tax shelter,” said Harrity.

“That has expanded over the years to [include] health, dental, and vision coverage, expanded life insurance, and full retirement coverage for all employees.”

Throughout these years, Harrity has been responsible for overseeing staff changes around the archdiocese, negotiating insurance contracts, and staying abreast of federal insurance requirements.

“Donna is tremendously knowledgeable about her job and she has always amazed me with the questions she can answer about insurance and federal laws,” said Cathy Bohon, secretary to the chief financial officer and to the real estate and construction consultant of the archdiocese.

The nature of insurance work, explained Harrity, is such that she works with employees at pivotal moments of their lives.

“I help people with any concerns they might have,” said Harrity, “but we’re especially involved at the good and bad times of their lives — marriages, births, and deaths.”

Just as the services her office has provided have grown, so, too, has the population she’s served. When Harrity first started her position 34 years ago, the chancery was located at 2220 Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kan., and consisted of approximately 20 em-

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

After 34 years of working for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Donna Harrity, director of group insurance and retirement, will retire on Jan. 30. ployees, mostly priests and nuns.

Harrity’s first office was literally a closet with a sink intact.

“Back then there were very few women working for the archdiocese and it was a much smaller environment,” she said. “Both the building and [number of] people have grown tremendously, and now there are many dedicated laypeople working for the archdiocese.”

Many in the archdiocese count Harrity as one of those dedicated laypeople.

“Donna was one of the first people I met when I came here 24 years ago,” said Bohon. “She is so friendly and tries to be fair and inclusive to everyone.”

That quality has been beneficial in Harrity’s role in explaining and navigating benefits for archdiocesan employees, particularly priests.

“Donna has always been so responsive to the needs of our priests,” said Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood and vicar for personnel for the archdiocese. “Many of our priests have had multiple health issues requiring complicated procedures. She is always patient and willing to go the extra mile for them.”

Msgr. McGlinn said Harrity was particularly helpful in navigating the specific needs of new priests, priests who are transferred to a different parish, foreign-born priests, and priests who are retiring from parish work.

“There’s really no problem too big [that] she cannot solve, and she has such a sense of humor and bright spirit about her,” said Msgr. McGlinn.

“Donna’s truly an institution here at the archdiocese.”

Jerry Mayne, chief financial officer for the archdiocese, agreed.

“Many of our priests do not pay a single bill until they call Donna first,” he said.

After her official retirement on Jan. 30, Harrity will stay on with the archdiocese in a consultant role to assist with the transition of her position in the group insurance office. The new position will be less than 20 hours a week and will continue indefinitely until a smooth transition is completed, said Harrity.

Though she will miss her work and the people she has worked with, Harrity is looking forward to spending her retirement traveling, reading and celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband Joe in June.

“I’ve been blessed to meet some very dedicated clergy and lay employees serving in parishes and schools over the years,” said Harrity.

The feeling seems to be mutual for the staff she will soon be leaving.

“Donna is the greatest resource we have available here. She knows the insurance and retirement plans like no one else because she created them,” said Mayne. “She will be dearly missed.”

Faith History Quiz 1. This author of Don Quixote fought in the battle of

12. Cardinal Newman said of this bishop of Alexandria,

A. Monks

Lepanto.

whose steadfastness in defense of the orthodox faith greatly helped combat Arianism: “A principal instrument after the Apostles by which the sacred truths of Christianity have been secured and conveyed to the world.”

B. Baptism

2. This man was St. John Bosco’s favorite saint.

3. He was the father of John the Baptist.

4. He was the first apostle to see the risen Christ.

5. This pope placed England under papal interdiction because of King John's misdeeds and interference in church affairs.

13. Classical learning and civilization was preserved in the Dark Ages primarily by the labor of these individuals.

C. Pius IX D. St. Francis de Sales E. Great Jubilee F. Consoler G. Religious freedom

14. This Greek title of the Virgin Mary means “God-bearer.”

15. This allows the baptized to be forgiven of their sins.

16. Dignitatis Humanae, one of the most controversial doc-

H. St. Athanasius I. Theotokos J. Innocent III

6.The meaning of Paraclete.

7. The patron saint for a happy death.

8. An estimated one million pilgrims visited Rome during

to France in the fourth century.

the year 1300 for this spiritual event, the first of its kind celebrated by the church.

18. As the Roman Empire weakened in the West and the

O. Sacrament of Penance

Roman government became increasingly ineffective, these clerics had to assume more secular tasks.

P. Bishops

9. Chief sacrament for the forgiveness of sins.

10. This saintly king of Hungary’s wife was Gisela, sister of

K. Holy Spirit

uments of the Second Vatican Council, deals with this topic.

L. St. Martin of Tours

17. This bishop played a major role in bringing Christianity

M. Peter N. Miguel Cervantes

Q. Cathedra

19. This longest reigning pope in history wrote the Syllabus

the Emperor Saint Henry II.

of Errors and witnessed the dissolution of the Papal States.

11. Latinized form of Greek for chair.

20. He has spoken through the prophets.

R. Zechariah S. St. Joseph T. St. Stephen

LOCAL NEWS

5

Opportunities offered for Year of St. Paul indulgences Can’t make it to Rome? No problem.

Those unable to visit Rome during the Year of St. Paul can also receive the plenary indulgence by going to confesKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The pews sion, receiving Communion, and praymight be a little more crowded at St. ing for the pope’s intentions. They Paul Parish in Olathe and at Sts. Peter must also be detached from sin and deand Paul Parish in Seneca voutly take part in some for Masses this weekend. public liturgy, On Jan. 24 and 25, the Quick facts or eventcelebration, in honor of St. Paul church celebrates the • There are two the opening and closing on feast of the Conversion of kinds of induldays of the Pauline Year, as St. Paul, and archdiocegences, partial and well as other days and san Catholics have the opplenary. A partial inplaces designated by the loportunity to receive a pledulgence removes cal bishop. nary indulgence offered part of the temporal That’s where this upcomto the faithful in compunishment due for ing weekend comes in. memoration of the Year sins. A plenary inArchbishop Joseph F. of St. Paul. dulgence removes Naumann has designated Last year, Pope all of it. This punishthe feast of the Conversion Benedict XVI declared ment may come in St. Paul, celebrated on of that the church would this life in the form Jan. 24 and 25, as an occahave a special jubilee year of various suffersion on which the plenary in— from June 28, 2008, to ings, or in the next dulgence may be obtained.

June 29, 2009 — in honor life, in purgatory.

Although each pastor is of St. Paul the Apostle. As What we don’t get to decide whether to free in other jubilee years, the rid of here, we sufcelebrate that Sunday as the Holy Father stipulated fer there.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Source: Catholic Online at that the faithful may rewww.catholic.org Time or as the feast of the ceive a plenary indulConversion of St. Paul, at gence by meeting certain two pastors will be facilitating the least requirements. special indulgence: the pastors of Sts. The requirements of the indulgence can be met, for example, by making a Peter and Paul in Seneca and St. Paul pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Paul Parish in Olathe.

“We will offer confessions a half Outside the Walls, in Rome.

By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff

The Year of Paul offer unique opportunities for plenary indulgences. hour prior to each Mass, because part of the plenary indulgence is the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation,” said Father John Torres, pastor of St. Paul Parish.

Masses at the Olathe parish are at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. (in Spanish), and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

“For us here, the Conversion of St. Paul is an opportunity to think about what it means to undergo conversion,” said Father Torres. “It’s not something done on our part one time. It’s an invitation to undergo conversion every day.”

The Masses at the Seneca parish will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and at 7, 9, and 11 on Sunday morning.

Confessions will be heard from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

“This is a great opportunity to bring some attention to our sinfulness and to understand our relationship to God,” said Father Mike Koller, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul. “We look at the life of St. Paul and the challenges he faced as Christ worked through him. The example of St. Paul’s life invites us to ask ourselves if we are willing to allow Christ to work through us in our daily lives.”

Can’t make it to Rome, Seneca or Olathe? Again, no problem.

Those who are confined to their homes due to illness or any other restrictive reason are able to receive the indulgence if they maintain a spirit of detachment from sin and intend to fulfill the usual conditions as soon as possible, as well as spiritually unite themselves to a jubilee celebration in honor of St. Paul.

Holy Name celebrates the church’s centennial Continued from page 1 pastor, used “creative scheduling” so the centennial date and the feast day could be observed on the same weekend.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist of the Jan. 4 centennial Mass, with Father Spencer as concelebrant. The Mass was followed by a lunch in the school hall.

A video of the parish’s history was played during the lunch.

A 2001 parish history records that the origin of Holy Name began when an Irish settler, Richard Fitzgerald, purchased land in the Turkey Creek Valley from Big Knife, a member of the Wyandot tribe.

Fitzgerald built a log cabin on a plot located northwest of the present church, between Turkey Creek and the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad tracks. Fitzgerald’s land was surrounded by trees, hazel brush, and wild roses, the latter providing the name for the future community of Rosedale.

Fitzgerald survived the “Bleeding Kansas” era and the Civil War. Immigrants began to populate the area, and his cabin became the site of the first Mass in the community, celebrated in 1874, by Father Anton Kuhls, pastor of St. Mary Church in Kansas City, Kan. As the community of Rosedale grad-

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Father Jerry Spencer, pastor of Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kan., says a few words at the end of the Mass celebrating the 100th anniversary of the church. ually industrialized, the rural character of the area began to fall away. A woodframe church dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus was built in 1876 and operated as a mission of St. Joseph Parish in Gum Springs — now known as Shawnee. Little Holy Name Mission was the third Catholic church in Wyandotte County.

“We had a mix of people,” said Father Spencer. “There were Germans, Irish, Belgians and Hungarians from the late 1800s on, and through the years we had a mix of other peoples, including African-Americans and Orientals.”

Rosedale was eventually incorporated by the city of Kansas City, Kan., and

the church continued to grow as more diverse peoples moved to this neighborhood. By 1912, a significant number of Mexican immigrants had settled there. Today, the parish is largely Hispanic.

The community has been defined, in large part, by the influx of Hispanic families and the decline of the railroads, once the lifeblood of the area.

The 1970s and 1980s were a period of particular decline.

But the scrappy immigrant parish never gave up, even as businesses closed and the neighborhood changed.

Energetic pastors led efforts to keep the parish vital.

One of those pastors was Father Spencer, who has led the 350-family parish since July 22, 1986. In addition to his pastoral work, he is a hospital chaplain at the nearby University of Kansas Medical Center.

“As far as the future of Holy Name, it’s hard to say with all the changes in Wyandotte County,” said Father Spencer.

“We’ve been a part of the Wyandotte County Pastoral Planning process. And at one time it was suggested that our school merge with Our Lady of Unity,” he said, “but that’s not practical at this time.

“Just now, we’re staying put and holding forth.”

Answers: 1-n, 2-d, 3-r, 4-m, 5-j, 6-f, 7-s, 8-e, 9-b, 10-t, 11-q, 12-h, 13-a, 14-i, 15-0, 16-g, 17-l, 18-p, 19-c, 20-k

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009 Albert and Nancy Quastler, members of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Jan. 28.

They have four children: John Quastler, Kansas City, Mo.; Mary Chenovick, Helena, ANNIVERSARY Mont.; Cathy Ford, Lenexa; and Gene Quastler (deceased). The couple also has seven grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. They will celebrate with their family and have a Mass in their honor in February at St. Ann.

Father Francis de la Vega, OAR

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

IN THE FOLD

During a vespers service that was followed by a small reception, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads a blessing upon Father Arul Carasala (at left in pew), Father Marianand Mendem and Father Peter Jaramillo. Although all three have served in the archdiocese for some time — Father Jaramillo for many years — the process of incardination formally attaches them to the archdiocese.

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NEWBURY PARK, Calif. — Father Francis “Frank” de la Vega, a priest of the Order of Augustinian Recollects Omaha, Neb., naOBITUARY and tive, died on Jan. 1, at Mary Health of the Sick Convalescent Hospital here.

He was 89 years old.

Father Frank was born in Omaha on June 16, 1919. He was a longtime resident of the order’s St. Augustine Monastery in Kansas City, Kan. He taught philosophy at Kansas City’s Providence School of Nursing from 1949-1951 and at Donnelly College from 1972-73.

LIFE of GIVING

A

Meet Don and Liz Arth, the honorary chairpersons for the Archbishop’s Call to Share and can attest to the generosity God has shown them in return for their charity.

“If you live a lifetime of stewardship, it all evens out,” said Chris. “My dad worked for the military — he was a government employee, essentially — and he never had a huge salary. But they had nine kids, and every one of us went to college. And they’ve had a very comfortable life.”

LATHE — “Just do it.”

That’s the advice of Olathe’s Prince of Peace parishioners Don and Liz Arth, honorary chairpersons for the 2009 Archbishop’s Call to Share (ACTS).

The couple said that the family has always considered its donations to church and charity to be Story and photo By the first payments out of its budget. The Arths Jill Ragar Esfeld recommend others do the same.

“First thing back to God,” Don explained. “You put your donation in the first thing and plan on that each month – not to see if you’re able to, but to just do it.”

It wasn’t always easy for the Arth family to “just do it.” Married 55 years ago, the couple brought up nine children on a military salary. For 30 years, Don was an Air Force pilot for heavy airplanes, at one point flying reconnaissance missions in Vietnam. Liz stayed home with the children. It’s arguable who had the tougher job.

As a military family, the Arths moved often, adding to their family at each location. Their first three children were born at McConnell Air Force Base outside Wichita.

The second three were born in Great Falls, Mont.; the last three arrived while they were stationed in Bermuda.

“They always called us the big kids, middle kids and little kids,” recalled son Chris Arth, parish administrator for St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

Chris is still considered one of the “little kids,” though he has five children of his own.

The Catholic Church was always an anchor for this mobile family. Each time they moved to a new location, they joined a parish and got involved. Through their Catholic community, they were able to quickly establish friendships and support groups.

“We just thought it was normal,” said Chris. “It’s just how we were raised — living the life of being active in the church was just the norm.

“One of my earliest memories in my childhood is going to Holy Family Church

in Abilene, Texas, with my dad,” he recalled. “I must have been five; and he was painting four-square lines on the school playground. So, from a very early age, I was ingrained with this idea of service to the church. And for me, it’s developed beyond just a parishioner to a profession.”

A permanent home After Don’s retirement from the Air Force in 1980, the family settled in Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, where Don and Liz continued their spirit of charity.

“At the military bases we used to teach baptism classes,” said Don. “When we got to Prince of Peace, we did that for five years. That way we met a lot of people, especially young people, and also I think we gave a little advice on parenting.”

The core of their parenting message, said Liz, was simple.

“You can’t sit down and tell [children] anything,” she said. “You have to show them. I think if they can see what you hold dear, they pick up on that.”

The couple has lived its own counsel.

For years, Don and Liz have shared an hour of eucharistic adoration each week.

Don was on the parish council when Prince of Peace built its church; Liz served on the social concerns committee and as the parish coordinator for St. Mary’s Food Kitchen. It’s said she’s served more than 10,000 meals.

“Well, over the years it probably has been that many,” she admitted. “We fed an

awful lot of people.”

Beyond volunteering at her church, Chris said his mother volunteered for years running the gift shop at the Olathe Medical Center and as a hospice worker.

“I also remember them sending money every month to a young man in the seminary,” he said. “I believe his father had been killed. Money is just another part of time and talent.”

It’s a part the Arths consider equally important to volunteering, though they’re reluctant to own up to their monetary giving. Instead, they talk about what they call “paying it back.”

“A thing I like to stress is that at our age now, we can give more than when we had nine kids and all,” explained Don. “We had a hard time, and somebody carried us dur-

ing that period. We gave all we could, but I’m sure we didn’t give enough to pay the tuition on all our kids. And now, we kind of feel like it’s our time to give our share — to pay back.”

Many blessings The Arths are quick to point out what God has given them in return for their giving.

“We feel so blessed,” said Liz, and Don agreed, recalling his military days in particular.

“When I was flying over all those years, I had so many close calls — a split second one way or the other and I would have been dead,” he said.

Don and Liz Arth, honorary chairpersons for the 2009 Archbishop’s Call to Share, have made a strong commitment to stewardship during their 55 years of marriage.

“I remember one time in Vietnam. I was flying over an area there. We were midaltitude and all of a sudden a stick of bombs came down from a B-52 above us. I flew right through those bombs all around the aircraft, and none of them hit me.”

“You know somebody was praying for me,” Don concluded. “God had something else in mind, so he made them miss.”

“He wasn’t finished with you yet,” said Liz. Their children are witnesses to the many blessings this couple has received

When asked why they’ve lived a life of stewardship, the Arths are matter-of-fact in their reply.

“That’s the way we were brought up,” said Don, a former altar boy and seminary student. “In my family, for instance, my mother was one of 10 children, and five of her sisters were nuns. That was just part of life, being very active in the Catholic religion.”

“It just seemed like the thing to do, to be a part of your parish and help do the work,” added Liz. “You know, somebody has to do it.”

Chris said stewardship is so integral to his parents’ life, they’re hardly aware of it.

“I was standing in the commons [at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park] one day,” he said, “and they have bricks there with donors’ names on them.

And I looked up and saw my parents’ names on a brick. None of us went to school there.

“I asked my mom about it and she said, ‘Oh, yes, I completely forgot about that.’

“My parents have forgotten about more of their giving than most people have done in their lives.”

The humble attitude of this very generous couple is well illustrated by their reaction to being named this year’s honorary chairpersons of the Archbishop’s Call to Share.

“We were very surprised,” said Liz. “I thought, ‘Have you got the right person?’” added Don. “Mom and Dad are not big money folks,” said Chris. “They’ve been singled out for living a lifetime of stewardship.

They didn’t ask for the recognition, but they’re certainly due it.”

Don summed up the rationale behind this couple’s generosity with a philosophy he borrowed from a friend, but has always followed: The only money you can take with you in the next world is what you give away to church and charities in this world.

“I think if more people could really understand that, then the church would have so much money, we wouldn’t know what to do with it,” he said.

“It’s a high honor to have this title,” he added. “We feel blessed that we’re able to do it and to allow people to see what can be done.”

“

A thing I like to stress is that at our age now, we can give more than when we had nine kids and all. . . . We kind of feel like it’s our time to give our share — to pay back.

“

A family’s anchor

Humility in action

Don Arth

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

Cardinal George outlines bishops’ concerns to Obama WASHINGTON (CNS) — The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has pledged that he and his fellow prelates will with the inwork BRIEFLY coming administration of Barack Obama and the 111th Congress to “advance the common good and defend the life and dignity of all, especially the vulnerable and poor.” In a Jan. 13 letter to the president-elect, Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George offered a broad outline of policy priorities that concern the U.S. bishops, ranging from economic recovery that covers all segments of society to protecting the lives of the “most vulnerable and voiceless members of the human family,” especially unborn children. A corresponding letter was sent to Vice Presidentelect Joseph Biden and each member of Congress. Cardinal George reminded Obama that the bishops approach public policy as pastors and teachers and that the moral principles that guide them have been developed through their experience in caring for people in need.

Gallup finds two-thirds see religion’s influence on decline WASHINGTON (CNS) — Two-thirds of Americans see religion as having a declining influence on U.S. society, marking one of the lowest ratings in the five decades since the Gallup Poll first began asking the question. The 67 percent of U.S. adults who said “religion as a whole” was losing its influence on American life in a poll released Dec. 23 was exceeded only by the 75 percent who saw a declining influence in 1970, at the height of the Vietnam War, and the 69 percent who saw such a decline in 1994, during the first term of President Bill Clinton. “After a long period of doubt about the influence of religion during the Vietnam War era — from 1965 through 1975 — a December 1976 Gallup Poll found nearly as many Americans saying religion was increasing in influence, as disagreed (44 percent vs. 45 percent),” said a report on the survey by Lydia Saad, Gallup Poll senior editor. The high point for those who said religion was increasing its influence came in December 2001, three months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, when 71 percent of Americans saw a rise in religion’s influence.

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

Catholics must endure chilly Masses in China

Web page examines link of poverty and racism

By DENNIS SADOWSKI Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — As part of its continuing nationwide campaign to cut poverty in half by 2020, Catholic Charities USA is ramping up efforts to help people understand the ties between poverty and racism.

The Alexandria, Va.-based agency is utilizing the Internet, prayer and a study guide to help Catholics open meaningful discussions on how better to address the needs of the poor, especially in minority communities, and take action to reduce the incidence of poverty locally.

Precious Blood Father Clarence Williams, senior director of racial equality and diversity initiatives at Catholic Charities USA, said Catholics must begin to understand the depth of poverty and take significant steps to alleviate it across racial lines.

“We’re showing how blacks are overrepresented in the poor,” Father Williams explained. “We’re trying to reach those who think they have no affinity for the poor because they don’t know them.”

Building on its 2008 paper, “Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good,” Catholic Charities introduced a section on its Web site Jan. 15 that will help parishes, prayer groups and study circles open the conversation about race and poverty.

Called “E Pluribus Unum,” the online resource offers discussion points, prayer and Scripture readings that parallel the eight sections in the paper.

Topics covered include racism and the challenge to Christian faith, the reality of economic privilege and confronting racism to eliminate poverty.

Introduced on the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the section can be accessed from the agency’s main Web site at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

Catholic Charities officials and representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also took their message to Capitol Hill Jan. 15.

CNS/ Karen Callaway, Catholic New World

MAN PREPARES TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD — Attilio Donahue prepares to distribute food from the pantry for clients at the Catholic Charities office in South Holland, Ill., in 2008. Catholic Charities and other nonprofit agencies have undertaken new ways of fundraising to overcome the effects of the recession.

Nonprofits embark on new ways to raise funds

By DENNIS SADOWSKI Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The new faces coming through the doors at Catholic Urban Programs in East St. Louis, Ill., tell Joseph Hubbard it’s bad out there.

People in their 40s, 50s and 60s — those who held working-class jobs that kept the economy going — are showing up for food, clothing and help with paying the heating bill in greater numbers than ever for the program, which is operated by the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. While the program has been carrying out the corporal works of mercy for 37 years, Hubbard and his staff are scrambling to meet new and growing needs.

“This is the worst economy since Herbert Hoover. We went through the recession in the 1970s and the ‘80s and this is the worst,” said Hubbard, who founded Catholic Urban Programs in 1971 and has been working with East St. Louis’ poor for nearly 47 years.

Despite the ballooning need, the program has seen cuts in funding from traditionally reliable sources such as religious communities and foundations.

“I am proud to continue the legacy of service my grandfather and father began in 1946.”

Hubbard said he has had to spend more time raising funds from new benefactors, including a broader, more diverse group of individual donors.

The program’s experience parallels those of organizations across the country as foundations and religious communities have reduced or even eliminated grants and gifts to long-standing programs. With financial portfolio losses ranging from 30 percent to 60 percent in 2008, many funding agencies have been forced to scale back their giving programs to protect their own financial future.

“It’ll be a tight year for [funding agencies,]” said Frank J. Butler, president of the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, or FADICA, an association of 50 private foundations and charitable agencies. “They’re all trying to live up to the commitments they’ve made. They’re struggling like the average person would.”

Butler said local nonprofit agencies will face more competition from each other for funding and that they will be required more than ever to demonstrate they “have the very best practices in the way they operate.”

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Gaza war shows need for better protection of civilians

By JOHN THAVIS Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Vatican official said the denial of humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip demonstrates the urgent need for greater protection of civilians during conflicts.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican representative to the United Nations, made the remarks Jan. 14 during a U.N. Security Council debate on civilian protection during war. The archbishop’s U.N. office released his comments Jan. 14.

The day after he spoke, the United Nations was forced to suspend its humanitarian operations in the city of Gaza when Israel shelled the U.N. headquarters there, injuring three workers and setting a blaze that destroyed relief materials.

Other international aid agencies have found it difficult or impossible to deliver humanitarian assistance since the Israeli offensive began Dec. 27.

More than 1,000 Palestinians, including several hundred civilians, have died in the conflict; as of Jan. 15, 13 Israelis had died, three of them civilians killed by Hamas rockets.

Archbishop Migliore said that “overwhelming mistreatment of civilians” occurs in too many parts of the world.

He said civilians are being deliberately targeted as a means for achieving political or military gains.

“It is sadly clear that political and military designs supersede basic respect for the dignity and rights of persons and communities, when methods or armaments are used without taking all reasonable measures to avoid civilians; when women and children are used as a shield for combatants; when humanitarian access is denied in the Gaza Strip; when people are displaced and villages destroyed in Darfur (Sudan); and when we see sexual violence devastating the lives of women and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said.

The archbishop said humanitarian access, the special protection of children and women, and disarmament were the “three vital pillars” for providing better protection to civilians. In order to enforce the existing mechanisms designed to safeguard noncombatants, he said, the United Nations needs to hold member states accountable for their actions.

11

Zimbabwe health care fails due to rights violations WASHINGTON (CNS) — Zimbabwe’s health care system, once a model for southern Africa, has BRIEFLY collapsed because of the government’s egregious, systematic human rights violations, said a human rights report. The report by the nonprofit, independent group Physicians for Human Rights said Zimbabwe’s doctors do not have viable salaries and most public hospitals have closed. At the same time, Zimbabweans are suffering from a cholera epidemic, increasing maternal mortality, and cases of malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis and anthrax, said the report, released in mid-January by the Massachusettsbased organization. The ‘findings add to the growing evidence that [President] Robert Mugabe and his regime may well be guilty of crimes against humanity,” said the report, “Health in Ruins: A Manmade Disaster in Zimbabwe.” The crisis is due to the “malfeasance of the Mugabe regime and the systematic violation of a wide range of human rights, including the right to participate in government and in free elections and egregious failure to respect, protect and fulfill the right to health,” said the report.

Spanish judge to investigate 1989 murder of Jesuits MADRID, Spain (CNS) — A Spanish judge has decided to open an investigation into the case of 14 members of the Salvadoran army accused of involvement in killing six Jesuit priests and two of their employees in 1989, during El Salvador's civil war. High Court Judge Eloy Velasco also decided not to try former Salvadoran President Alfredo Cristiani, accused of concealment of the crime, because of insufficient evidence.

Last November, the Spanish Association for Human Rights and the San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability filed a lawsuit against the military officers and Cristiani based on the Spanish legal principle of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity.

In 1991 a Salvadoran court convicted two of the 14 accused army members of murder and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. Both were sentenced to 30 years in prison, but were released when the parliament approved a law granting them amnesty in 1993, one year after the war ended. Velasco’s decision was announced Jan. 13, nearly 20 years after the Nov. 16, 1989, massacre at Central American University in San Salvador.

Vince O’Halloran

vohallor@amfam.com

FUNERAL HOMES • CREMATORY • MEMORIAL CHAPELS LEGACY CENTER • ACTIVITY CENTER

CNS photo/Erik de Castro, Reuters

U.S. SOLDIER HANDS GIRL NEW SHOES — A U.S. soldier with the 926th Engineer Brigade hands new tennis shoes to a girl during the reopening of Al-Magreib al-Araby primary school in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 15.

ZHENGDING, China (CNS) — Catholics in Hebei province most likely will have to endure windy, chilly conditions for the upcoming lunar new year Masses, a priest said.

A priest identified only as Father Joseph of the Zhengding Diocese told the Asian church news agency UCA News that he expects the Masses for the evening of Jan. 25 and the start of the Year of the Ox Jan. 26 to be similar to or even chillier than the Christmas Masses.

The priest, a member of the Catholic community not registered with the government, recalled that during the Christmas midnight Mass 900 people huddled in the open ground, shivering in temperatures of 45 F, without the wind chill. He described mothers holding babies they had wrapped in warm blankets.

Many Catholics had to try not to let the Communion hosts slip from their stiff, numb hands, he said.

UCA News said Father Joseph, in his late 30s, serves as the parish priest for 10 villages in a rural area of the northern diocese, based near Hebei’s capital, Shijiazhuang. There is no church building in the area, and the three prayer venues can accommodate about 200 people each.

On Sundays, the priest rides his motorcycle to celebrate Mass in some of the 10 villages within the parish boundaries. For weekly Masses, Catholics gather either at someone’s home or one of the prayer venues.

However, for major church celebrations, such as Christmas and the lunar new year, parishioners gather on an open plot of land.

As restrictions on church buildings have relaxed recently, Father Joseph has taken it upon himself to design a church for his parish. He hopes to raise enough funds to start construction this year.

Father Joseph said a church building also would rouse the interest of nonbelievers and prompt them to find out more about Catholicism.

WORLD

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12 CLASSIFIEDS ■ EMPLOYMENT Immaculata High School - Is accepting applications for a full-time biology/health teacher for the 2009-10 school year. Contact Mike Connelly at (913) 682-3900, send an e-mail to him at: mconnelly@ archkckcs.org, or send resume to: Immaculata High School, 600 Shawnee, Leavenworth, KS 66048.

P r i n c i p a l - St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gladstone, Mo., established in 1999 and currently enrolling 265 students, seeks an enthusiastic and visionary principal to guide our preschool — 8th grade program. The ideal candidate will have a strong ability to communicate well with staff, students and parents; possess marketing and recruitment skills; and have a collaborative leadership style. The qualified candidate must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the church; have a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience; possess a master’s degree in education, administration or a related field; and have an administrative certificate from the state of Missouri (or the ability to obtain one). Applications are available by contacting the school office at (816) 756-1858, ext. 274, or by visiting the Web site at: www.diocese-kcsj.org/schools.

Opt i ca l t ech/ vi sion t herap is t - Looking for a mechanically inclined person with good dexterity.

Optical experience preferred; training available. We will also train you as a vision therapist to work primarily with children. 4 days/week; no benefits.

Start at $8-12/hr., depending on experience. E-mail resume to Dr. Bazin at: bbazin@visiondevelopment. com. For more information, visit the Web site at: www.visiondevelop.com.

Fa ci li t y ma n age r - St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, is seeking a professional, detailoriented individual to manage our existing education facility and new church to be dedicated June.

The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of facilities management of the parish campus, including janitorial, maintenance, purchasing, and staff management. Three to five years of facility management experience required. This is a permanent, full time position and includes the archdiocesan benefits package. For a complete job description and contact information, visit the Web site at: www.stmichaelcp.org.

O r g a n i s t / m u s i c d i r e c t o r - Christ the King Parish, Fort Smith, AK, is seeking a full-time director of music ministries. The successful candidate will teach music in our pre-K thru 6th grade school as well as oversee our church choirs. Competitive salary, benefits, and retirement. Bachelor's degree required. E-mail resume, references, and inquiries

by Feb. 28, to Father Tom Elliott at: FatherT@ FatherT.com.

■ SERVICES

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

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009 * All lawn services * snow removal * hauling * Save up to 25% on your 2009 lawn care by booking early. Call now for a free estimate. Family owned by local parishioners. Licensed, bonded and insured.

References available. Call (913) 620-6063.

Cleaning lady - Honest and dependable service.

Can schedule for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits. Reasonable rates. Call Sandy at (913) 788 -7676 or (913) 956 -1626.

Ma chi n e qu i l ti n g - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor.

Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

P r e s e r v e y o u r m e m o r i e s b y t e l l i n g y ou r l i f e story! I can type your memoirs from handwritten or recorded notes. Also provide secretarial services. Call All About Words at (913) 438-5922.

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

Granite, Cambria and Silestone countertops See our new showroom at 5820 Barton, in the heart of beautiful downtown Shawnee. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Mountain Movers Inc. - Big or small, we move it all. Insured movers specializing in antiques. Call Dennis Higgins, owner, at (913) 285-3399.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 4220610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

Do you need help caring for an elderly family member? Contact Benefits of Home – Senior Care and let our social work expert help you build a plan of care. We provide assistance with homemaker and personal care services, in the comfort of your home.

To speak with our social worker, contact Benefits of Home at (913) 422-1591.

Are interest rates crimping your income? If you want a better return on your money, consider a gift annuity with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Effective interest rates can be higher than 10 percent. You may designate your parish or another Catholic organization to receive the remainder gift. For a free consultation, call the foundation at (913) 647-0365 or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek. org.

House painting - Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates.

References. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

■ HOME IMPROVEMENT

Cu stom-ki tchen countertops - Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days.

Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 8988685 or (913) 962-5058.

Damaged sheetrock repaired – WyCo and JoCo areas. Ceilings, painted or textured. 25 yrs. experience; insured and reliable. Call (913) 631-5241.

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009 S T A ( Su r e T h i n g A l w a y s ) H o m e Re p a i r Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

T im th e H a nd y ma n - Insured; free estimates.

Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County.

Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

Organizing & handyman services - Basements, garages, attics and shop spaces organized! Your items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Wall repair, interior painting, tile work, handicap bars and ramps. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, view my Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat (913) 9639896.

■ REAL ESTATE Beautiful Leawood home for sale - 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA. 11909 Manor Rd. Close to Nativity School and Church. Call Sue Bernica, Coldwell Banker Advantage, at (913) 620-3144.

Av e Ma ri a , F lor i d a - Luxurious, 2350 sq. ft., 2 BR+ den home in a prestigious, gated, golf community. Large pool/spa, plantation shutters, plus many recent upgrades and magnificent views. Call Jerry at (239) 784-5381, or take a virtual tour at: www.circlepix.com/P2AUKD.

■ MISCELLANEOUS Teacup Yorkie for adoption - I want to give up my lovely baby to someone who has feelings and will take good care of her. If you are interested, contact via e-mail at: marcoskelvin38@g-mail.com.

■ WANTED TO BUY *** BUYING *** Coins — Sterling — Watches I buy coins, old watches, sterling silverware, postcards, photographs, military items, political campaign pins, Zippo lighters, fountain pens, toys, slot machines, old signs & tins, quilts, Indian rugs, beadwork, baskets, pottery and 22-gauge rifles.

(913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376.

Jan.

on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, beginning Jan. 26, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 621-8749.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2332, will host a 10-point pitch tournament at 1 p.m. on Jan. 25 in their hall located at 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. The cost of $15 per person includes food; beverages will be available.

This will be a double elimination pairs’ event. If you do not have a partner, you will be paired with one. For information, contact Tom Zarda at (913) 908-5051, or send an e-mail to him at: z1556@ aol.com.

A career transition support group will meet from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Kauffman Foundation, 4801 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Kansas City Star columnist Diane Stafford will be the guest speaker. Reservations are not required.

25

The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will host a covered dish luncheon and business meeting at noon on Jan. 25 at Rossiter Hall, 204 S.W. 8th St., Topeka.

The Lt. William T. Fitzsimons Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Assembly No. 280, will host a Salisbury steak dinner from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Jan. 25 in the Father Davern Hall at Christ the King Church, 53rd and Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $6 for adults; children eat free. Proceeds will benefit the memorial chalice and seminarian funds.

*** Wanted to Buy *** Antique and vintage costume jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

■ FOR RENT

A p a r t m e n t f o r r e n t – 1 BR, 1 BA. $505 per month, includes utilities. One-year lease. 10911 W. 59th Terr., Shawnee. Near St. Joseph Parish. View at: www.shawnee-rentals.com, or call (913) 6497596.

■ VACATION

■ ENTERTAINMENT Disc jockey - For your wedding, kolos, nightclubs, corporate parties, teenage celebrations, holiday parties, sock-hops, ethnic, birthdays, holiday parties, hip-hop/rap, golden oldies. Member of St. Therese Parish, KCMO. Call Zepster’s A to Z Party DJ’s at (816) 741-4777.

Ski week (2/28 - 3/6) – Condo in Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 2 BA condo with kitchen; sleeps six. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center on complex. Inn at Silver Creek. $500 per week. (913) 649-7596.

Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 6423027. For pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin. forcadeassociates.com.

Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

Vacation rental - 3 BR, 2 BA condo in south Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Overlooks canals, boats, back bay.

Two blocks to beach and golf course. Available two wks to a month. View at: www.ftmyersvacations. net.

Hibiscus Point, unit 521, or call Coldwell Banker rentals at (239) 463-3151 or owner at (239) 498-6376.

TO PURCHASE A CLASSIFIED Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven. com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $16 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50. Classified ads will also be posted online at The Leaven’s Web site: www.the leaven.com.

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PORTABLE RESTROOM

▲ St. Mary – St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host bingo at 2 p.m. on Jan. 25. The cost of $5 includes a bingo card, desserts, popcorn, and coffee and tea. Beer and soda will be available for purchase. For information, contact Carol Shomin at (913) 897-4833.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the church office, at Teresa’s Hair Salon at 508 N. 6th St., or at the door.

St. Paul School, 920 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe, will host an open house and pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. - noon on Jan. 25. All are invited to see the benefits and accomplishments that the school has to offer. For information, visit the Web site at: www.stpaulsolathe.com.

26

SKIP (Special Kids, Informed Parents) is a group for parents of children with any type of disability or special need. We meet at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month in the community room at the Seneca Public Library, Seneca. Future meetings are scheduled for Jan. 26, Feb. 23, Mar. 23, Apr. 27 and May 27.

If you are a woman who is, has been, or will be a caregiver for an older adult in your life, join a caregiver’s support group, which will offer information about resources and services to reduce stress.

The group will meet from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

| Weddings | Corporate Events | Fairs | | Carnivals | Sporting Events | Emergency Needs

28

Join the Singles of Nativity for happy hour beginning at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28 at Trolley’s Bar & Grille, 9100 W. 135th St., Overland Park. Look for the yellow balloon and our greeters who will be at the table until 7:30 p.m. Questions? Send an e-mail to: social@son-ministry.org.

“Cleaning and De-Cluttering — the Basics” will be offered on Jan. 28 from 1 2:30 p.m. at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 6218749.

flection entitled, “Christ For Today’s Women.”

The Ladies of Assumption of Assumption Parish, Edgerton, will host a chili supper and bingo on Jan. 31. The evening will begin with a 5 p.m. Mass, followed by supper and bingo. A $5 donation is requested. For information, contact Jean Norris at (913) 893-6630 or Laura McCarthy at (913) 882-9750.

The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City is offering a prayer workshop from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the Finucane Jesuit Center at Rockhurst University (located in the basement of Greenlease Library at 52nd & Troost, Kansas City, Mo.). This workshop will explore some of the pathways to God that St. Ignatius of Loyola discovered. The cost of $30 includes lunch. Financial assistance is available. To register or for information, contact Father James Blumeyer, SJ, at (816) 523-5115, ext. 214, or send an e-mail to him at: jblumeyer@sfx-kc.org; or contact Joe Cirincione at (816) 501-4109, or send an e-mail to him at: jcirincione@sfxkc.org. The application deadline is Jan. 29.

31

The Family Ties ministry (families tied together through adoption and infertility) of Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee, will host a trivia night on Jan. 31 in the church community center.

Tickets cost $12.50 per person; $100 for a table of eight. The doors open at 6 p.m.; the game begins at 7 p.m. For tickets or information, send an e-mail to Sarah at: fourhawkeyes@kc.rr.com.

Tom Jacobs, a former Benedictine monk, retreat facilitator, recording artist and storyteller, will offer a mini-retreat on contemplative prayer meditation from the Judeo-Christian tradition from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 31 in the Rose Room at St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Daily practice of this prayer enhances relationships, renews energy, creates flexibility for forgiveness, and deepens union with Christ. To register for the mini-retreat, call Jacobs at (816) 619-3499. The cost is $25 per person.

A “Winter Wonderland” singles dance will be held from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 in the cafeteria of Curé of Ars School, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The cost of $15 includes snacks, beer, wine, and soda.

The Johnson County Unos will gather for the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Jan. 31 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission.

Dinner will follow at Perkins Restaurant, 11200 W. 87th St., Lenexa.

The ACCW (Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women) will host its quarterly council meeting from noon - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Most Pure Heart of Mary, 3601 S.W. 17th, Topeka. All women of the archdiocese are invited.

Father Richard McDonald will offer a re-

Feb. 1

St. Mary Church, St. Benedict, will host its annual soup supper on Feb. 1.

Serving begins at 4:30 p.m. The menu includes chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soups, and relishes and pie. A freewill offering will be collected. Proceeds will be used to provide support, education, and advocacy for families living with disabilities.

A spaghetti dinner to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary is scheduled from 11 a. m. - 4 p.m. on Feb. 1 at St. Patrick Parish center, 94th and State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. A suggested donation of $8 for adults and $3 for children under 10 is appreciated. There will also be a variety booth, a raffle and a bake sale. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

For information, call (913) 371-3423.

St. Joseph Parish, 3rd and Van Buren, Topeka, will host exposition, Benediction and a Divine Mercy Holy Hour at 3 p.m. on Feb. 1. Fellowship will follow. For information, call (785) 2461338 or (785) 271-8010.

3

“Love and Logic – Who’s in Control of the House?” A free, three-part parenting series will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 3, at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 621-8749 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

Offered in partnership with the Wyandot Center.

5&6

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, and the social justice office of the archdiocese invite you to attend the 11th annual Guilfoil

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Justice Day from 6:30 - 9 p.m. on Feb. 5, and from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The topic is “Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery: Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.” All sessions are free; however, donations are appreciated.

No registration is necessary. For information, call Sister Gabriel Kocour at (913) 360-6200 or send an e-mail to her at: GKocour@gmail.com.

6

The Johnson County Unos will hold their monthly meeting and potluck dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission. Bring meat casseroles, salads, vegetables or desserts — enough to feed 8 — or $5 to pay for your meal.

7

Mary Kay Whitacre will facilitate a retreat, entitled “The Lord’s Prayer: A Retreat for RCIA Groups,” from 8:15 a.m. 4 p.m. on Feb. 7 at The Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison. The cost is $50 per person; $40 per person for groups of eight or more. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6173.

Misc.

Make a new year’s resolution to get out of debt! Find out how following Catholic Church teaching helps you with your budget and finances. “7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free,” a completely Catholic faith and finances course created by Veritas Financial Ministries, will help individuals and couples set financial priorities based on solid Catholic teachings. Small groups are led by local volunteers and last eight weeks. Groups are forming now in Topeka, Lenexa, Shawnee Mission, and Atchison. For information or to register, contact Gary Pratt at (913) 647-0365, or send an e-mail to him at: gpratt@ archkck.org.

It’s not too late to make a new year’s resolution to grow more deeply in love with y our spouse! The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be held from Feb. 13 - 15. For information or to register, call (913) 469-8453, or visit the Web site at: www.neksme.org.

Divorced? Widowed? Beginning Experience Weekend gently helps people move through their loss to a new beginning in their lives. The next weekend for the Kansas City area will be Feb. 27 - March 1.

For information or for registration material, call John at (913) 219-3465 in Kansas City, Sue at (785) 331-2216 in Lawrence, or visit the Web site at: www.beginningexperience. org.

■ Calendar items must be received nine days before the publication date. E-mail submissions are preferred; send to: jennifer@the leaven. com.

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14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 23, 2009

¿QUE PASA? — IN HISPANIC MINISTRY

MARK MY WORDS

Editor REVEREND MARK GOLDASICH, STL frmark@theleaven.com Managing Editor ANITA McSORLEY anita@theleaven.com Senior Reporter JOE BOLLIG joe@theleaven.com Production Manager TODD HABIGER todd@theleaven.com Advertising Representative JENNIFER SIEBES jennifer@theleaven.com Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com Circulation sub@theleaven.com Intern Seán T.D. Kane

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) 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) 7215276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

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SCRIPTURE READINGS THIRD WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Jan. 25 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jon 3: 1-5, 10; Ps 25: 4-9; 1 Cor 7: 29-31; Mk 1: 14-20 Jan. 26 Timothy and Titus, bishops 2 Tm 1: 1-8; Ps 96: 1-3, 7-8a, 10; Mk 3: 22-30 Jan. 27 Angela Merici, virgin Heb 10: 1-10; Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10-11; Mk 3: 31-35 Jan. 28 Thomas Aquinas, priest, doctor of the church Heb 10: 11-18; Ps 110: 1-4; Mk 4: 1-20 Jan. 29 Thursday Heb 10: 19-25; Ps 24: 1-4ab, 5-6; Mk 4: 21-25 Jan. 30 Friday Heb 10: 32-39; Ps 37: 3-6, 23-24, 39-40; Mk 4: 26-34 Jan. 31 John Bosco, priest Heb 11: 1-2, 8-19; (Ps) Lk 1: 69-75; Mk 4: 35-41

Small faith communities touch Hispanic faithful

Where are you living in 2009?

President MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

W

ords are funny things.

This past Advent, while preparing a homily, I came across an interesting linguistic tidbit that intrigued me. It had to do with the word Bethlehem and how, over time, it became corrupted and came to mean something totally different.

Here’s what happened: Back in 1247, a hospital was founded in England and given the name St. Mary of Bethlehem. For many years it provided healing and care to patients. But then in 1447, the mission of the hospital changed and it was turned into an insane asylum.

Care for those afflicted with mental illnesses was much different in those days. Apparently, anyone who ventured anywhere near the institution was shocked by the noise, despair and confusion that issued from the place.

Because of this, the name of the institution changed, due to people’s contracting and corrupting one word. The place was no longer known as St. Mary of Bethlehem, but became known simply as Bedlam. (Adapted from an entry in Anthony Castle’s “A Treasury of Quips, Quotes & Anecdotes for Preachers and Teachers.”)

So, how’s your year of 2009 so far?

Is it more Bethlehem or Bedlam?

Bethlehem is formed from two smaller Hebrew words — beit and lechem — and literally means “house of bread.” For me, that makes it a place

of shelter, nourishment, and safety.

Just as bread is referred to as the staff of life, so Bethlehem — the house of bread — should be a place where life is nourished.

Throughout the season of Advent, I challenged myself to make those days more like Bethlehem than Bedlam for people that I met. I’ve tried to continue that personal challenge into the new year. What I’ve discovered is it’s harder than I imagined.

Sadly, I find myself more often in Bedlam than Bethlehem. For example, it seems much easier for me to be judgmental rather than understanding. It’s often more in my nature to pontificate on issues rather than listen. It’s more likely that I’ll be loud and demanding rather than quietly patient.

But though my life is frequently Bedlam, still my heart desires Bethlehem. That’s why I’ve resolved in this new year to change things.

Whenever I feel that insane pace of the world closing in, I take a moment to whisper, “Bethlehem.” Simply calling that word to mind has an effect: It slows me down long enough to think — about my actions, my words, my at-

titude, my rushing around.

Our lives do not have to be Bedlam — a noisy, insane rat race. Bethlehem is out there — if we look for it and give ourselves the chance to journey there.

Wherever there is healing, wherever there is peace, wherever there is safety, wherever there is nourishment and shelter, there is Bethlehem.

Yes, it takes effort to visit Bethlehem regularly, but the trip is worth it. Look for Bethlehem in a quiet, empty church after the last Mass on Sunday; in leisurely meals with good friends; in donating treasures and talents to those in need; in listening patiently to the concerns and worries of others; in rosaries prayed while driving; in peals of laughter and in a cascade of tears; in brief e-mails and lengthy handwritten letters; in the pages of Scripture and spiritual books; in newspaper articles and novels; in plays, movies and works of art; in gently falling snow and in warm, sunny days.

In fact, the desire itself to find peace and comfort in life is already a taste of Bethlehem. Treat yourself to a few quiet moments after reading this to ponder where you have seen Bethlehem recently. Savor the memories and thank God for them.

And then recommit yourself to journey each day — and to lead others with you — to the true “house of bread,” to the place where Jesus, our Bread of Life, is to be found.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

Are you waiting or building the kingdom — or both?

R

emember the feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families? It lasted for years. Religious controversies can also continue over a long period of time.

God wills it so. It envisions the kingdom of God as imposed from on high, For decades, a dispute has raged in a sudden cataclysmic event. The over a sentence in Sunday’s Gospel popular “Left Behind” novel series rereading, Mk 1:14-20: “The kingdom of flects this interpretation of the coming God is at hand.” The sentence has two of the kingdom of God. Rather than possible meanings. Either the becoming engaged in building kingdom of God comes into up the kingdom of God, we THIRD WEEK being because individual huwait for it to happen.

OF ORDINARY man beings acknowledge the The problem that we enTIME supremacy of God’s will in counter with this dispute — Mk 1: 14-20 their lives and agree to place and the reason that it has conthemselves under God’s rule, tinued for so long — is that or, God — through superior we can find support for both force and power — imposes that rule interpretations in the New Testament. upon the world.

Advocates for one position or the other The first interpretation focuses on will focus on their favorite passages in the conversion of the human heart. It the New Testament. But the opposing examines how we respond to God in side can always point to other passages our lives. It envisions the kingdom of to back up their own arguments. And God as being built from the grass roots so the debate goes on and on. up. We are actively involved in the forFor example, in Sunday’s Gospel, mation of that kingdom. immediately after we hear the summaThe second interpretation, on the ry of Jesus’ preaching — “This is the other hand, focuses instead upon time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God’s transcendence and omnipoGod is at hand. Repent, and believe in tence. The kingdom of God will come, the Gospel” — Jesus calls Simon and whether we want it or not, because Andrew to follow him as his disciples.

COMMENTARY 15

That call includes a call to share in Jesus’ ministry: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark’s Gospel couples Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom with a call to collaborate with him in building up the kingdom.

That suggests that it favors the first interpretation mentioned about the coming of the kingdom of God: that it involves conversion of the human heart.

On the other hand, we can also find evidence in Mark’s Gospel to support the second interpretation: that the kingdom of God will result primarily from God’s action. Consider, for example, the passage which looks forward to the end of the world: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky” (Mk 13: 26-27).

In the final analysis, perhaps it is not a question of either/or. Perhaps both interpretations are correct. Just as Mark’s Gospel includes both approaches to the kingdom, perhaps we should also. We transform our hearts to accommodate the kingdom there, while we await the glorious arrival of the kingdom on earth.

Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

I

n my last column I promised that in the near future I would be sharing with our readers what has been going on in Hispanic ministry to promote evangelization among the Spanishspeaking.

I am happy to announce that things are going well as people’s lives are being changed one by one through a step-by-step process of evangelization.

The process we have been using since February 2006 is called SINE, which stands for Systematic Integral New Evangelization. I believe SINE is a lifechanging experience for both the individual as well as for the local parish.

For example, three years ago, I went

to give a short four-week course at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka and less than 15 people attended. This past week we started another fourweek course and over 50 people showed up.

What happened? At Guadalupe, we now have over 60 people living in evangelization communities that meet for prayer, catechesis and faith sharing on a weekly basis. The majority of these people were present at last week’s formation program, and that leads me to believe people have been evangelized and they are now on fire

to know the Lord.

Here is our step-by-step evangelization recipe for changing people’s lives: 1) Weekend Evangelization Retreat — this offers people a real encounter with Jesus.

2) Discipleship course — a sevensession course on learning what it means to follow Jesus.

3) Discipleship retreat — a one-day retreat that invites people to commit to the Lord.

4) Formation of communities — people are invited to live in communities of 10-12 which meet weekly for prayer and faith sharing.

5) Formation — we offer monthly formation sessions in the different sectors of our archdiocese.

6) Community gatherings — every three months we gather all community members for fellowship at one of the parishes.

7) Mission — once a year we send the community members to do door-

to-door visits in one of the sectors.

8) Pastoral visits — members are also encouraged to do personal visits with family and friends.

9) Retreat preparation — we do three to four retreats a year, so people are being trained in each sector to organize the next retreat.

10) Youth retreats — we will soon offer our second retreat for youth, which is organized by a team of young people.

We currently have 18 small evangelization communities in the three sectors (Wyandotte County, Johnson County and Topeka), and so the number of people gathering together on a weekly basis for community life is now approaching about 200. In conclusion, I believe our evangelization process is working here in the archdiocese and people’s lives are truly being touched.

Father Pat Murphy is the archdiocesan animator for the office of Hispanic ministry.

CEF CENTERED

Boiling the ocean one scholarship at a time

M

aking Catholic education a reality for all who seek it is like trying to “boil the ocean.”

Realistically, it can’t be done. Idealistically, that’s what the Catholic Education Foundation is striving to do.

Thanks to the generosity of over 400 donors, the CEF is helping a record 1,055 kids with scholarships to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

If not for CEF, Catholic education would be beyond the reach of many of

these children.

I had the privilege of meeting the parents of some of these students recently at a special dinner at Archbishop Naumann’s home. In no uncertain terms, a Catholic education for their children is a priority for each of these families. They truly understand the importance of the concept of teaching the whole child, of a family-learning atmosphere, of a safe school environment for

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their children, and of the academic excellence provided by our Catholic institutions. Numerous times they thanked us for the assistance our foundation was providing. We thanked them for their commitment to their kids and to Catholic schools.

Many people in today’s world take Catholic education for granted. These parents don’t! Because of current economic conditions, the “ocean of need” has now grown larger. There are more single moms working two to three jobs, more dads laid off and looking for a way to put food on the table, more families living on unemployment, and more families struggling to just make ends meet. During difficult times, the need for help is increased. Yet through all this, these parents are doing whatever it takes to keep their kids in a

school that gives them hope — hope that their children will be able to further their education and break the current cycle of poverty. This hope comes from our Catholic schools.

Our economic conditions will improve with time. As time moves forward, the cost of a Catholic education is going to increase. As a result, the need for more scholarship assistance will increase as well.

Providing scholarships for children in need is a daunting task, but one that assists in shaping the future of the Catholic Church. Through the fiery compassion and warm hearts of our donors, CEF will boil that “ocean of need” — one scholarship at a time!

Michael Morrisey is the director of the Catholic Education Foundation.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 16, 2009

Giving back Bishop Miege students use their winter break to travel to Texas and repair some of the damage done by Hurricane Ike.

▲ Clockwise from left, Bishop Miege High School students Sierra Porter, Laura Skaggs, Gabrielle Gendvil, Erin Hauber, and Christine Anjard enjoy a little break from a hard day’s work in Bridge City, Texas, helping repair some of the damage caused by Hurricane Ike. National Relief Network arranges trips for groups to areas in need of disaster recovery. This is Miege’s 11th mission trip with NRN.

▲ Laura Skaggs (left) and Erin Hauber put their newly acquired skills to work cutting a piece of sheetrock.

▲

▲ Miege students on the mission trip to Texas work together to hang sheetrock in a house. Pictured are: (back row from left) Laura Skaggs and Jackie Swofford; (front row from left) Connor Terrill, Devin Zvosec, Lauren Price and Beau Ramirez.

During their lunch break, students listened to church recovery project leader Brother Henry Ainsworth share stories of Hurricane Ike and the ongoing recovery efforts.

Photos by RICK PETERSON