01-25-13 Vol. 34 No. 23

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 23 | january 25, 2013

SISTER ACT

NATIVITY family raise funds TO Bring afghan girl to america | Story by Laurie Ghigliotti

L

EAWOOD — When Katie Kranz returned to her Leawood home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, she had 1,001 stories to tell, said her sister Eileen.

But to only one did she keep coming back: The story of a 14-year-old girl whom the 32-year-old Katie met in a children’s shelter in Kabul.

The story of a girl who had been forced into prostitution by her mother and her brother for three years from the age of seven.

The story of a girl who desired an education, a home, a voice in a country ravaged by poverty, war, and injustice.

The story of Laila.

Laila had been living in a shelter operated by Women for Afghan Women since being rescued from her abusive home by police four years ago.

Katie met her while working with the NATO Rule of Law Field Force in 2011.

Most of the children in the Laila shelter live and attend school there until reunited with their families, according to Katie. But because of the abusive home situation, Laila cannot return

to her family. She also, however, cannot stay at the shelter indefinitely.

When Katie returned home from Afghanistan, she told her sisters Eileen, Meghan and Lisa the story of Laila.

“The more I thought about it and the more Katie talked about it, the more I found my empathy building,” said Eileen. “What if that was me? What if that was my sister? My daughter?”

The sisters, all of whom grew up in Church of the Nativity in Leawood, have not only found the answers to these questions; they >> See “LAILA” on page 5

Internally displaced Afghan children shield themselves from dust picked up by wind at a refugee camp in Kabul. The Women for Afghan Women work to make life better for girls in Afghanistan who have nowhere else to turn.

CNS photo/Omar Sobhani, Reuters

Calling all fish fries

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

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

Looking for recipes

Do you have a favorite meatless soup, sandwich, budget meal or mac-and-cheese recipe you’d like to share with our readers for Lent? Please send your favorite recipe, along with your name and parish, as soon as possible to reporter Jessica Langdon at: jessica@theleaven.com. Or mail them to: Jessica Langdon, The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. An assortment of recipes will appear in upcoming issues of The Leaven and more will be available online at: www.the leaven.com.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | january 25, 2013

Reconnect, rediscover, renew

Life will be victorious

Postcard campaign provides concrete way to oppose mandate

O

n Jan. 11, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that “unborn children are persons with rights that should be protected by law.”

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

sion in the present case is This affirmation of the consistent with the Declararights of unborn children tion of Rights in the Alabama occurred in a case that inConstitution, which states volved two women charged that all men are equally free with chemical endangerment and independent; that they because they had ingested are endowed by their creator illegal drugs during pregnanwith certain inalienable cy. One woman’s baby tested rights; that amongst these positive for cocaine and the are life, liberty and the purother woman’s baby was suit of happiness.” born prematurely and died Just this past Saturday, I shortly after birth as a result participated in the 39th anof “acute methamphetamine nual Snow Ball, which raised intoxica$1.8 million tion.” for Catholic ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ Both Charities in women Northeast Archbishop Joseph F. Nauhad been Kansas. The mann’s radio program on convicted proceeds of KEXS 1090 AM airs at 10 a.m. in lower on Sunday and is repeated at the Snow courts, 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 Ball help p.m. on Thursday. but their provide lawyers some of the appealed, necessary claiming the word, “child” resources enabling Catholic did not apply to a fetus.

Charities to assist annually The Alabama Supreme more than 80,000 individuCourt rejected this arguals, the majority of whom are ment, stating: “The decision not Catholic. of this court today is in According to the Health keeping with the widespread and Human Services (HHS) legal recognition that unborn mandates created by Preschildren are persons with ident Obama’s administrarights that should be protecttion, the fact that Catholic ed by law. Today, the only Charities — like so many major area in which unborn other ministries of our children are denied legal church — assists those in protection is abortion, and need, no matter their creed, that denial is only because of disqualifies it from being the dictates of Roe,” a referconsidered a religiously ence to the Supreme Court exempt organization. Undecision handed down 40 less the courts strike down years ago this past Tuesday the HHS mandates, many that deprived states of the Catholic ministries will no ability to protect unborn longer be able to offer their children from abortion. employees health insurance, The Alabama Supreme or will be forced to change Court also said: “The decidramatically the scope of

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

As part of the observance of the Year of Faith, every member of the Archdiocese is invited to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary in the method originated

by St. Louis de Montfort.

The consecration is ideally to be done on a feast of Mary, preceded by 33 days of prayerful preparation. I suggest that you make this consecration or reconsecration on the feast of the Annunciation, which this year is celebrated on April 8. Therefore, we will begin our 33 days of preparation on March 6. To prepare for the consecration, I encourage you to purchase a copy of “33 Days to Morning Glory” by Father Michael Gaitley, either at your local Catholic bookstore or online.

those whom they serve.

Many Catholic employers have already been confronted by the oppressive nature of the HHS mandates. At the time of the annual renewal of their employee health plan, Catholic employers are facing the dilemma to choose to either no longer provide their employees with health insurance and face government fines or to include coverage for morally offensive abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilizations. Many Catholic and non-Catholic employers are challenging in court the HHS mandates as a violation of their conscience rights.

In response to these two urgent public policy challenges — the defense of innocent human life and the protection of religious liberty and conscience rights — the bishops of the United States are urging Catholics to send postcard messages to U.S. senators and members

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

Member Good Shepherd, Shawnee

Call Ed Toll Free 1-855-543-8632

of Congress. I have informed our pastors that it is my desire for every parish (sometime in February or early March) to participate in this postcard campaign.

The wording on the postcards that you will be invited to sign and send to your two U.S. senators and congressional representative is as follows: “The new Congress should come together to respect life and religious freedom. Please support and strengthen laws that 1) prevent federal funding and promotion of abortion, and 2) protect the rights of conscience in health care.

Government must not force Americans to violate their religious and moral beliefs on respect for life when they provide health care or sponsor or purchase health coverage. As your constituent, I would appreciate a written response telling me how you will vote on these matters.”

With the elections behind us, many people have asked me: What can I do to defend the life of the unborn and to protect religious liberty?

In concert with my brother bishops, my first request has been to fast and pray for the protection of life, liberty and marriage. I encourage all Catholics to resume the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year for these intentions.

For this purpose, I also encourage you to pray the rosary, individually or as a family.

Signing and sending these postcards to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives is another very concrete way that you can do something for the good of our nation. Throughout American history, there have been important and unique challenges to the freedoms and rights that

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

Catholics across archdiocese to celebrate World Marriage Day

calendar archbishop

Naumann Jan. 25 March for Life — Washington, D.C. Support Our Seminarians dinner Jan. 27 Mass in Ross Chapel of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Maryvale graduation Jan. 28 Mass — St. Thomas Aquinas High School Vespers, dinner and meeting with the Pastoral Council Jan. 29 Administrative Team meeting Jan. 30 Mass, Topeka Catholic Schools — Hayden High School, Topeka Kansas Catholic Conference — Topeka Red Mass and dinner with legislators — Topeka Jan. 31 Kansas Catholic Conference Lunch with Knights of Columbus

the founders of this nation fought to acquire for their descendants. Now it is our moment to protect the precious freedoms that have been given to us because of the significant sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Let us not be found wanting in defending what has been purchased for us at such a dear price.

second front page 3

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

By Katie Hyde Special to The Leaven

I

t was a bitterly cold, gray February morning when the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas celebrated World Marriage Day for the first time. Snow flurries whipped around the Cathedral of St. Peter as Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life, prepared to walk into the cathedral. As he looked up at the thick, snow-laden sky, he worried that Mass turnout would be low.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

The cathedral was absolutely packed.

“They came, young and old,” said Deacon Zimmerman. “One couple who had married not that long ago — she wore her wedding dress and he wore his suit. We had a Mass and we celebrated the gift of matrimony. It was a real celebration of the beauty of marriage.”

Since that first celebration four years ago, Catholic couples across the archdiocese have gathered every year on the second Sunday of February to celebrate their commitment to God and to one another.

This year, World Marriage Day will be celebrated at Masses the weekend of Feb. 10. There will also be an archdiocesanwide event with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph on Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of St. Peter at 2:30 p.m., celebrated

by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

In 1985, Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a group that organizes marriage enrichment weekends for couples, began encouraging a celebration of marriage on the second Sunday of February. The day received the apostolic blessing of Pope John Paul II in 1993 and now is celebrated across the United States and in several other countries.

The celebration came to Kansas City four years ago when Deacon Zimmerman and his wife Barbara approached Bishop Robert Finn and requested a Mass to celebrate marriage.

“Barbara and I went to Bishop Finn and said, ‘Look, we have one reason we want to promote this, and that is that couples are not really aware of the importance of their marriage to the church and to the world,’” Deacon Zimmerman said.

According to Deacon Zimmerman, the messages embodied in World Marriage Day come at an important time in history, as many people are losing faith in “the perfect marriage.” World Marriage Day challenges people’s doubts by gathering couples as a testimony to real, loving marriages.

“If you know a couple that has a strong marriage and you see the gentleness and the selflessness, the acts of kindness that they show to one another, the way that they look at each other, the way that they are with one another, you see how much they mean to one another and love one another,” said Deacon Zimmerman.

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

World Marriage Day will be celebrated in the archdiocese on Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan., at 2:30 p.m. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be the celebrant.

“Whether your marriage is just great or things are a bit stale, this retreat is a great opportunity,” he said. “We’ve had some couples married 50 or 60 years, and we have some just married a few World Marriage Day Mass: Join years. Everyone has something to gain Archbishop Joseph Naumann in celfrom it.” ebrating your marriage and renewBrad and Libby DuPont, who both ing your wedding vows on Feb. 10 work as consultants for the archdiat 2:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. ocesan office of marriage and famiPeter. A reception with a short prely life, are one success story of the sentation will follow Mass. program.

“You know, Libby and I thought our “Living in Love” marriage enmarriage was great,” Brad said. “We’d richment retreat: Looking for some married very happily for nine time to be alone with your spouse Deacon Tony Zimmerman, been years. But we learned that our marriage and rediscover your relationship? lead consultant for the Office of could be even better in ways we didn’t Join over 100 couples across the archdiocese that have revitalized Marriage and Family Life imagine.”

Amid the busy lives that so many of their marriages through the archdius lead these days, said Deacon Zimocese’s unique weekend program.

To learn more, visit the website at: “If you’re not married, you say, ‘If I merman, it’s important for couples to www.archkck.org/faith/livinginlove. marry, I hope it’s that way,’ and if you take time to nourish their marriages, even in small ways. are married, you say, ‘Are we that way?

Schedule a Marriage Encounter: “Particularly in this year of the Faith If we’re not, we should be,’” he added.

Join the millions of couples across Initiative, we’ve seen the archbishop In a culture in which fewer and fewer the globe that have reconnected people are choosing to marry, this day at the very beginning urging couples, through Worldwide Marriage Enis a testimony to the happiness and love ‘Do something for your marriage,’” said counter. It hosts weekend getaway Deacon Zimmerman, “because we take that comes out of marriage. programs for couples seeking to im“It gives real hope to the world,” he our marriages very much for granted, prove their marriages. For informaand it’s normal.

What happens is you get said. tion or to schedule a weekend, visit up, you try to get kids off to school, you World Marriage Day is not the the website at: www.wwme.org. only event designed to help Catholics try to get yourself to work, you go crazy all day, you come home, then you’ve strengthen their marriages. got dinner, you’ve got bills, you’ve got The archdiocese has launched several new initiatives recently to help this, you’ve got that, and then the next a week,” he said. “Some diet, some exCatholic couples, including the “Living day you wake up and get back on that ercise, some do all sorts of things. But we need to realize that in marriage, two in Love” marriage enrichment retreat, treadmill.”

He compares working on marriage to people become one body. We need to a weekend program to help couples rediscover their marriages and reconnect working out: Each needs attention, ded- take care of that body in just the same way.” with one another. Over 100 couples have ication, and patience.

“You know, a lot of people are really attended the retreat, according to Dearigorous about working out three times con Zimmerman, with great success.

“

“Whether your marriage is just great or things are a bit stale, this retreat is a great opportunity. . . .

Everyone has something to gain from it.”

Ways to celebrate your marriage

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Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year.

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theleaven.com | january 25, 2013 Rozella

local news 5

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

Red Mass will feature bishops of Kansas

and Virgil Ronnebaum, members of St. Michael Parish, Axtell, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Feb. 9 with a family Mass and dinner followed by open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Building in Axtell.

The couple was married on Feb. 7, 1948, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

Their children and their spouses are: Marilyn Friedrich (deceased); Arlene and Bob West; Gary and Deb Ronnebaum; Deb and Keith Meyer; Sherry and Dave Ronnebaum; Rollie and Mary Jane Ronnebaum; Connie and Jerry Broxterman; and Lynn and Jeana Ronnebaum. They also have 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Photo courtesy of FOCUS

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students drew a large crowd at its new evangelization prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C. A similar event will be held in this area on Feb. 15 at the Downtown Crowne Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.

FOCUS hosts new evangelization breakfast Katie Hyde Special to The Leaven

T

he Fellowship of Catholic University Students is reaching beyond college campuses and into communities across the nation through its first new evangelization prayer breakfast.

As a part of the nationwide new evangelization effort, the fellowship is hosting a breakfast in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 15 at the Downtown Crowne Plaza. The event will begin with a rosary at 6 a.m., followed by Mass concelebrated by Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Bishop Emeritus Raymond Boland. After Mass, participants will share breakfast and attend a short program featuring inspirational talks by the archbishop, archdiocesan vocations director Father Mitchell Zimmerman, and former Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney.

The term ‘new evangelization’ refers to the church’s call to reignite and recall the mission of Catholics to evangelize, according to Rachelle de la Cruz, mission development events coordinator for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

“People have already heard this mission of Jesus Christ and the good news, but they need to remember what it really means,” said de la Cruz.

“He is our God, he is our Savior, he is the way, the truth, and the life that leads to eternal happiness. It is our duty as Catholics to remind people of that relationship with Christ.”

The group challenges college stu-

dents across the nation to examine the meaning and purpose of their lives. After successes on 74 college campuses where it operates, the organization decided to spread its message to a broader base.

“We’re noticing that there is such a broader mission field that we haven’t been able to pay attention to because our mission field is primarily work on college campuses,” said de la Cruz.

“We are starting now going to a small community and introducing our message to people who are part of parishes, part of the Catholic Church, or are leaders in the community. It’s our way of sharing what we’ve seen be fruitful on college campuses. We want to translate our message better into the real world.”

The fellowship is shifting audienc-

“

“The point of the breakfast is not only to introduce people to the mission of the new evangelization, but to help give them the tools and inspiration to do it in their own lives.”

Rachelle de la Cruz, mission development events coordinator for FOCUS

The new evangelization breakfast will be held Feb. 15 at the Downtown Crowne Plaza. Rosary begins at 6 a.m. and Mass begins at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast should end by 9 a.m. All are invited to attend.

Tickets for students cost $15; single tickets cost $35; and a table (nine seats) costs $315. To sign up online, visit: www.focus.org/reach.

es nationwide, hosting these breakfasts in five cities across the country.

According to de la Cruz, the breakfasts will do more than spread the message of the new evangelization.

“The point of the breakfast is not only to introduce people to the mission of the new evangelization, but to help give them the tools and inspiration to do it in their own lives, whether they are the heads of families, in their professional lives, or in their parishes,” said de la Cruz.

Many people shy away from the term “evangelization” without truly understanding its meaning, she said.

“People often disregard evangelization because they’re afraid of organized religion,” said de la Cruz. “This is the idea of relativism: that people don’t want to infringe on others’ beliefs. It’s our jobs to remind people that we’re all part of a family in the church and as people of God. We’re called to return back to our relationship with him. It’s not all about institutions defining our relationship with him. Our mission is ultimately about a relationship with God.”

(Kuckelman)

Jack and Marie (Maggio) Weiss, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 14, 2012. The couple was married on Dec. 14, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church, Cairo, N.Y. They have four children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandsons. A celebration is planned with their family.

Marilyn and Bob Brinker, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 27 with an 11 a.m. Mass at the church.

A family dinner will follow at the Windmill Inn. The couple was married on Jan. 26, 1963. Their children and their spouses are: Mark and Stephanie Brinker, Topeka; Darren and Tina Brinker, Shawnee; and Jason and Linda Brinker, Bloomington, Ill. They also have eight grandchildren.

John and Fran Fangman, members of Annunciation Parish, Fr a n k f o r t , celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 29, 2012.

The couple was married on Dec. 29, 1962, at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca. Their children and their spouses are: Joseph and Carol Fangman, St. Joseph, Mo.; Anthony and Marsha Fangman, Overland Park; Edward and Adrienne Fangman, Grain Valley, Mo.; and Jennifer and Victor Kileo, Gaithersberg, Md. They also have nine grandchildren.

topeka —The bishops of Kansas will celebrate a Mass with the special intention of the well-being of the state and for the wisdom of those exercising its authority at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Mater Dei-Assumption Church here, located at 8th and Jackson.

All four Kansas bishops are scheduled to concelebrate this Red Mass.

Catholics working in government and law are invited to attend.

The Mass is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the website at: www.kscathconf.org/redmass.

Scout earns Eagle

Meghan (left), Eileen, Katie, and Lisa Kranz have pooled their resources in an effort to bring 14-year-old Laila, an Afghan girl forced into prostitution by her family, to the United States.

‘Laila needs a sister. So we’re giving her four’ >> Continued from page 1 have a plan as well.

“Laila needs a sister,” Eileen declared. “So we’re giving her four.”

Katie and her three sisters began a cooperative effort to get Laila out of Afghanistan and into a boarding school in New England where there is Women for Afghan Women support and another young refugee girl in attendance. They hope to bring Laila to the United States this summer so she will be settled before the 2013-2014 school year begins.

All four sisters are passionate about providing Laila with the opportunity to succeed in a safe and healthy environment.

“There really is no avenue for women in Afghanistan without an education and, because of her family situation, she needs to be gotten out of Afghanistan,” said Katie.

“This little girl has no future in Afghanistan.”

Sadly, there are thousands of young girls in situations similar to Laila’s in that country. Access to education is difficult for women, even though Afghan girls are required by law to go to school. Especially in rural areas, girls who go to school often face the threat of violence.

Women for Afghan Women tries to combat this problem, along with other social injustices, by providing

relief services to women in eight provinces in the country and educating children in centers and shelters. The organization also provides support to female immigrants in the United States.

Though Women for Afghan Women draws support from a broad spectrum of people, said Katie, everyone can come together with this goal in mind — to improve the lives of women in an area of the world where women traditionally have little voice.

“Our conflicting views on other issues should not get in the way of us standing together to advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves,” said Katie.

“I believe in Laila’s right to an education, for her to have the same opportunities that I and my sisters and cousins have had,” she added. “That is why I have taken up this cause and why I support the noble work of Women for Afghan Women.”

Although the sisters live in different states now, and Katie is currently stationed in Europe, the sisters each took on a role in the effort to help Laila.

“I began to feel as though this girl was no different from me, and that just because I was born to relative privilege doesn’t give me any more right to live than her,” Eileen said.

“Why should we as women sit

Love for Laila Valentine’s Gala The Kranz sisters will host the Love for Laila Valentine’s Gala at the Overland Park Sheraton on Feb. 15. All proceeds will go directly toward Laila’s education expenses. Some of the items offered for the silent auction that night will be items from Afghanistan. To make a reservation or to donate online, go to: http://sistersfor afghangirls.eventbrite.com.

For more information about Women for Afghan Women, go to the website at: www.womenfor afghanwomen.org.

back and allow ourselves to be powerless?” she continued. “As we get older as a family and are positioned to start making a difference, I wonder what can I do, how can I help everyone get an education and have opportunities?”

“In the words of Mother Teresa, if you can’t feed 100 people, feed one,” said Eileen. “We are starting by saving this one girl.

“If we can save one — give her an education, give her empowerment, give her a life — just think of the ripple effect that has the potential to have.”

OVERLAND PARK — Evan Thomas Engel, a member of Church of the Ascension here and Boy Scout Troop 108 through Midwest Parent Educators, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His Court was Honor was Oct. 27, 2012.

For his Eagle project, Engel constructed and installed a library Evan Engel drop box for the MPE library so that patrons could drop books off when no one was available in the building.

Olathe Scout recognized Olathe — Griffin Wynston Karr, a member of Boy Scout Troop 83 and Prince of Peace Parish here, achieved Eagle Scout rank and was recognized in an Eagle Court of Honor Dec. 30, 2012.

Karr’s Eagle project benefited the local Olathe thrift store, TurnStyles, whose Griffin Karr profits are donated to Catholic Charities. As project manager, Griffin and Scout volunteers planned, designed, and constructed more usable shelf space and created ceiling department signs.

Bowl-A-Thon set for March Kansas City, Kan. — The third annual Lorraine M. Kolich memorial bowl-a-thon is scheduled for March 1 from 5 - 10 p.m., and March 2 from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., at St. John Catholic Club here, located at 414 Barnett.

The event is a fundraiser for improvements at the club. The cost is a donation of $20 for three games. For more information, call the club at (913) 371-9690.

6 local news

theleaven.com | january 25, 2013

Archdiocesan vigilance earns audit compliance kudos

Army chaplain packs Jesus in his rucksack

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

the right direction.

Father Moras asked himself a question new recruits have asked since time immortal: “Oh, my Jesus, what am I getting myself into?”

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — In this age of marketing, every branch of the armed services uses recruiting slogans.

A few you probably remember include: The Marines: “We’re looking for a few good men.”

The Army: “Be all you can be.”

The Navy: “Join the Navy and see the world.”

The Air Force: “Aim High.”

All the aforementioned are great slogans — and all could describe the vocation of Chaplain (Maj.) Leo Moras, now a student at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Father Moras’ vocation has taken him far from his poor childhood in a small village in his native India to a life he could never have imagined on the prairies of Texas, the battlefields of Iraq, Korea’s DMZ and the U.S. Army War College in Leavenworth.

A humble seedbed of faith Father Moras was born in the small village of Bantwal, India, located to the east of the coastal city of Mangalore. The nearest Catholic church was eight miles away, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Nirkan.

“During those days, we used to walk to church,” he said. “Of course, we could not go to Mass every day.”

His parents, like all their neighbors, were farmers. They were very devout, gathering their six children for prayers every morning and evening.

The majority of their neighbors were Hindu, with a few Muslims. Christians were definitely a minority, although the roots of Indian Christianity are said to date back to St. Thomas the Apostle.

As he grew up, he began to consider his future.

“My basic concept was I wanted to serve, I wanted to do good for others,” said Father Moras. “But how do you do good for others? There are so many choices.”

He thought about a lot of things — even being a long-distance bus driver — but his inclinations and circumstances seemed to steer him to the priesthood.

Some of his relatives who were priests, and a great-uncle, who was a bishop, would occasionally visit the family and ask him if he was interested in becoming a priest. His family was a seedbed for vocations, as two of his sisters became nuns.

After graduating from high school in 1980, he entered St. Theresa Minor Seminary in Ajmer, in the state of Rajasthan.

Next, he went to St. Charles Major Seminary in the Diocese of Nagpur, in the state of Maharashtra. Father Moras was ordained a priest on April 18, 1989, for the Diocese of Ajmer.

Survive and thrive

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Father Leo Moras grew up in India but has found a home since 2003 as a Catholic chaplain in the U.S. Army.

Hit the ground running Father Moras immediately launched into a busy routine of ministry and administration.

His first assignment was as an assistant principal and associate pastor of St. Paul Senior Secondary School and St. Theresa Parish in Jodhpur, in the state of Rajasthan.

After two years, he became an associate pastor at Our Lady of Annunciation Parish and simultaneously oversaw the construction of St. Anselm Senior Secondary School and St. Thomas the Apostle church in Mansarovar, in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan. A year later, he became pastor of the parish and principal of the school.

During these first assignments, he also continued his education by earning a master of arts in English literature, a bachelor of education, and an associate degree in Hindi.

The daily grind of long hours and multiple demands took their toll, however.

“I was at a point I couldn’t do it,” said Father Moras. “I needed a little break.”

He needed a change, but his bishop didn’t have a replacement at the time. He was, however, allowed a vacation. Father Moras decided to accept the invitation to visit America, which he received from an American family of Indian origin.

A working vacation extended Father Moras visited the AmericanIndian family that lived in Connecticut.

It just so happened that the family was close to a priest in Lubbock, Texas.

“When I landed at [the family’s home] in Connecticut, [the father] called the priest in Texas and said, ‘The person who showed me places in India has

Kernel of truth In the final hours of June 5, 1944, Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower prepared a statement he hoped he’d never make. In it, he took full and personal responsibility for the failure of the Normandy invasion. We only know of it because one of his aides saved it for posterity.

But it goes to show that as “inevitable” as the Allied victory appears to us today, there was nothing inevitable to the folks living it out in real time. Which helps us understand this weekend’s Gospel from Luke.

In it, Jesus seems to be announcing his identity and his mission to all — at the very beginning of his ministry.

come to visit us,’” said Father Moras.

This priest in Lubbock had health problems and needed a priest to help him out — immediately. He invited Father Moras to come on down to Longhorn country, as his own diocese was unable to help.

So, armed with a sense of adventure and a willingness to help, Father Moras went to Texas. Eventually, with the approval of his own bishop in India and the bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Father Moras became pastor from 1998 to 2003 of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Snyder, Texas.

A change in direction In the pile of mail Father Moras received at the parish — particularly after Sept. 11, 2001 — were recruiting letters from various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Intrigued, he followed up and got the best response from the U.S. Army. He decided to look into the process, with the permission of his bishop in India, the bishop of Lubbock, and endorsement from the Archdiocese for the Military Services in Washington, D.C., although he didn’t really know what he was getting into.

“I didn’t know exactly what sort of life it would be in the Army,” said Father Moras. “I knew absolutely nothing — zero.”

Nevertheless, he wound up signing on the dotted line and was commissioned an army chaplain (captain) on Nov. 14, 2003, and entered active duty on Jan. 4, 2004, at Fort Jackson, S.C. Those first couple of weeks gave him a crash course in military life.

When he saw the bulletin board that called them to “formation” in the parking lot at 0445, he had to ask someone what it meant. He didn’t know what “PT” was, or how to do a pushup or situp. When the officer called “About face,” someone behind him had to physically turn him in

What’s wrong with these people, we can be forgiven for thinking. Why do they not realize that the Son of Man is right there among them when he has just said so? And why, in next Sunday’s installment, do they attack him for doing so?

But how utterly confusing must this have been for them? A man they’ve known since childhood suddenly starts preaching, healing, criticizing the Temple elders, and implying that he is the Messiah. This is blasphemy — punishable, in Jewish law, by death.

I think we often separate, at least mentally, the “ordinary time” of Jesus’ ministry — the years of healings, and parables, and sparring with the Pharisees — from that final

local news 7

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

Eventually, however, Father Moras discovered that he actually thrived in the military environment. After his first assignment to Fort Carson, Colo., he was deployed for the first of two rotations to Iraq. The first deployment was 2005 to 2006, and the second 2007 to 2008.

Because of the shortage of Catholic chaplains in Iraq, he served widely and to a variety of communities — soldiers, contractors and various third-country nationals (some from South Asia). Father Moras had to learn four languages while he was growing up, so his linguistic abilities came in handy.

He went wherever the soldiers went, experienced the dangers and discomfort they experienced — although as a chaplain, he didn’t carry a weapon or fight.

His chapel was in his rucksack, including consecrated hosts and holy oils.

“Jesus is there on my back wherever I move,” he said. “Just imagine going to FOB (forward operating base) after FOB to celebrate Mass. I wasn’t scared to encounter an IED (improvised explosive device) while in a convoy, or [of] something happening to the helicopter during a flight. . . . That is the closest encounter that I can have with Jesus. He is right there with me, so I enjoyed that ministry.”

“Where do you get such opportunity to carry Jesus on your back all the time?” he continued. “That was wonderful. So I was never afraid. It made me happy.”

Back to the books After leaving Iraq, he was assigned to other places, including Korea. He was chosen to take part in the resident Intermediate Level Education Course at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

Father Moras entered the program in July 10 and will complete his studies on June 15, 2013. His area of study is Joint Operations — working with other branches of the U. S. Armed Forces, and even some military personnel from other countries.

As a student, he has no pastoral duties, although he assists as and when he is needed for the Catholic coverage.

The demands on his time are hefty, so he hasn’t had many opportunities to venture far from Leavenworth.

Although he’s not sure where his next assignment or deployment will be, it really doesn’t matter. Wherever he goes, he’ll be needed.

As one of his soldiers once said, “We live by faith every day.”

week of his passion and death. But I think that’s a mistake.

Today’s reading makes clear that, from the very beginning, Jesus’ mission was a dangerous one. Remember, John the Baptist was already in prison for simply proclaiming his faith.

Listen, then, in a new way as we head into Lent. Imagine you are among the crowd, listening to Jesus preach, watching him heal.

You know yourself better than anyone. What would he have to say — or do — for you to follow him?

— A.M.

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The archdiocesan approach in regard to child protection can be summarized in just six words.

“We never let our guard down,” said Father John Riley, archdiocesan chancellor and safe environment coordinator.

The reward for vigilance is that children and youth have Individuals been protected who want to — and the archsign up for a diocese has yet Virtus training again passed ansession can do other audit. so on the arch“Based on diocesan webthe results of site at: www. our recently archkck.org performed onsite audit of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the archdiocese has been found in compliance with all audited articles within the ‘Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’ for the 2011-2012 audit period,” according to a letter sent to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on Dec. 28, 2012, by StoneBridge Business Partners.

StoneBridge is a private auditing firm commissioned by the U.S. bishops to assess compliance by dioceses and eparchies with guidelines first established in June 2002 by the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” also known as the “Dallas Charter.”

Audits are done annually with data audits for two years in a row, followed by an on-site audit every third year. The archdiocese has consistently passed its audits since the charter’s im-

Virtus training

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plementation. “[Archbishop Naumann] made it very clear to me that he places the very highest priority on the safety of children in this archdiocese,” said Father Riley. “Because of his strong commitment to child protection, we have invested significant financial and human resources in making our parishes and schools as safe for children as possible.”

But it is not only the archbishop whose commitment produced this success, but also all those who collaborated with him, said Father Riley.

“We are so grateful for the dedication of our pastors, our school principals, our teachers and catechists, our parents and volunteers, and especially our local or parish-based Virtus coordinators who help Archbishop Naumann carry out this critical responsibility,” he said. “And I think that the very positive findings of the audit firm reflect Archbishop Naumann’s firm commitment to protecting God’s children.”

Auditors usually interview key personnel at the archdiocesan level, check various records retention systems, and visit parishes, schools and other archdiocesan programs. The auditing firm itself chooses the sample for the onsite audits.

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

Virtus training sessions are conducted on an ongoing basis throughout the archdiocese. Anyone having substantial and ongoing contact with minors in church ministry or the schools must

also complete online training bulletins.

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

People who wish to report abuse or concerns should contact the archdiocese or the Kansas Department for Children and Families. Some individuals, like teachers, are mandated reporters. They are required by Kansas law to make reports to the KDCF or law enforcement.

The archdiocese also has an independent review board. When a report of abuse is initially received and is investigated, the board chairman is notified within 24 hours. It is the board’s responsibility to review the case file and review the results of the investigation when completed.

“One of our roles with the independent review board is to review the effectiveness of [archdiocesan] investigations,” said Scott Wasserman, chairman of the board and a Lenexa attorney. “We are so impressed by how effective they are.”

Wasserman is impressed both by the archbishop’s and Father Riley’s respect for the independence of the board and by their openness.

“In our independent assessment, we have great admiration for Archbishop Naumann and his safe environment staff. Because of their good work, children and families can feel safe from

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abuse, and priests can feel safe from slander.”

Who to Call

Any person who believes that a child is being abused or neglected can make a confidential report to the Kansas Department for Children and Families Protection Report Center: (800) 922-5330.

In addition to reporting to the KPRC, please call the archdiocesan confidential report line: (913) 6473051.

You may also call: • Father John Riley, chancellor and safe environment coordinator: (913) 647-0324 • Father Gary Pennings, vicar general: (913) 647-0340 • Father Brian Schieber, vicar general for clergy: (785) 272-5590 or (913) 488-2792 • Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of Catholic schools: (913) 647-0321 • Dr. Dennis Schemmel, victim assistance coordinator: (913) 9092740 • Catholic Charities offers access to community counselors through a staff counseling resource line that is monitored by school counselors.

Callers will receive access to local community counselors throughout the 21-county area of the archdiocese. A direct counselor is available in Emporia through the agency’s Emporia Outreach Office. Call (913) 433-2100 and indicate the need for crisis counseling.

‘We are the Veronicas’

Sisters provide respite, support for ‘granddaughter’ community in city consumed by violence

T

By Katie Hyde • Special to the Leaven

orreón, Mexico — Walking through the streets of Torreón, it was hard for visitors not to see the signs of violence all around them. Three giant, black SUVs with darkly tinted windows rolled through the streets, one after another. Armed, masked men leaned out of windows and sat atop the vehicles, pointing AK-47 assault rifles at civilians.

It was not always like this in Torreón, a city in the state of Coahuila, Mexico.

Five years ago, the community was safe and vibrant.

Children laughed and played soccer in the street. Elderly couples felt safe walking to church. Music blared so loudly on the weekends it was hard to fall asleep.

But the streets are empty now.

And Torreón is held hostage by Mexico’s ongoing drug wars, which have led to a 16-fold increase in murders in the city.

Once, Torreón was a thriving economic center.

Now, it is hell on earth.

“It’s a ghost town,” explained Sister Anne Shepard, prioress of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, who visited Torreón last November. She and Sisters Loretta McGuire and Barbara McCracken, also of the Atchison motherhouse, traveled to Torreón to provide a little respite and support to the seven Benedictine Sisters of Pan de Vida Monastery living and ministering there.

During their stay, the Pan de Vida Sisters shared their stories of driveby shootings, decapitated victims hanging from overpasses, and bodies dumped into dry riverbeds.

The Zetas cartel, notorious for being one of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels, holds an immense influence over the city and its inhabitants. Violent clashes for turf and power with its biggest rival — the Sinaloa cartel — have left thousands dead.

Despite promises from President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto and former President Felipe Calderón to combat the cartels, according to Sister Barbara, violence against innocents continues.

“It seems most households have been touched,” she observed upon her return. “If not by losing a family member or having them ‘disappeared,’

photo courtesy of the Benedictine Sisters of atchison

Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, works with translator Rosalía Harper (in blue) to lead a class in Torreón, Mexico. Sister Barbara, along with Sister Loretta McGuire and Sister Anne Shepard traveled to Torreón last November to provide respite and support to the seven Benedictine Sisters of Pan de Vida Monastery living and ministering there.

[then by] shootouts witnessed and dead bodies they have seen that leave them traumatized.”

Sister Anne compares the suffering of the citizens of Torreón to the scourging of Jesus.

“The people in Torreón are being scourged right now,” she said. “They are whipped by having their kids disappear, having their own children killing other children, having neighbors disappear, having neighbors turning on neighbors, being gunned down in the neighborhood for no reason.”

A light in the darkness Sister Patricia Henry, OSB, saw Torreón for the first time on a cold, dusty evening in 1993.

Someday this neighborhood may become familiar to me, she said to herself.

I will know the people and it will feel like home to me.

But when will that day ever come?

Though she doesn’t know the exact moment when Torreón became home, Sister Patricia knows that today, she would do just about anything for the people of her community.

“I can’t say when it happened, but it did. And now, 20 years later, even in the midst of the violence that racks our city, this is our home, and these are our people, and we will stay with them through thick and thin,” she said.

And it has become very thin indeed. More than 60,000 have died and 1.6 million people have been displaced since 2006 in this country gripped by violence.

The Pan de Vida Monastery was founded 20 years ago when six Benedictine Sisters from the motherhouse in Mexico City — itself founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison — dug into the dry soil of northern Mexico and planted roots.

Two of those founding Sisters were Sister Patricia, who is now the prioress of Pan de Vida, and her sister, Sister Michele Henry. Both women attended grade school and high school at St. Joseph in Shawnee, and attended college at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison.

“We came to form a monastery in a low-income, working-class neighborhood — to live, pray, and work with our neighbors and focus especially on the development of women,” said Sister Patricia.

Twenty years later, the Sisters are still doing just that.

The seven members of Pan de Vida Monastery work tirelessly — teaching catechism, facilitating workshops with women from different parts of the diocese, and meeting the needs of the community.

The monastery’s principal mission has been running El Centro de Desarrollo Integral de las Mujeres Santa Escolástica — St. Scholastica Center for the Integral Development of Women — or CEDIMSE. The center works to combat many symptoms of social injustice in the region, including the feminization of poverty, single motherhood, rejection of the rights of women, education disparity between men and women, and gender-based violence.

The Sisters do everything from teaching computer skills to educating workers on labor laws in Mexico to reaching out to victims of domestic abuse.

“I think we have been able to participate in some small way with

CNS photo/Alejandro Bringas, Reuters

Mexican police stand near the body of a man gunned down in a drug-related crime. Organized crime and drug-related violence have claimed more than 60,000 lives in Mexico since 2006. The streets of Torreón have been hit particularly hard as the Zetas cartel has unleashed a reign of terror on the city. peace-building in our area because our activities flow from community prayer,” explained Sister Patricia. “As we share the word, people also talk about their daily lives, the violence they have experienced, the support they have received from the community, the need for forgiveness, etc.”

The Sisters especially reach out to youth in an attempt to keep them away from drugs and violence, hosting fiestas on weekends to keep them off the streets.

Their presence in the neighborhood not only directly benefits hundreds; it also provides a sense of safety to the community.

“The [townspeople] know the Sisters and they respect the Sisters,” said Sister Anne. “They would protect us if we were with the Sisters. And here they are, half our size.”

Though the threat of violence against them is serious, the Mexican Sisters are tireless in their work, according to Sister Loretta.

“It was heart-wrenching to hear these Sisters — committed to staying where they are, committed to peace, committed to the prayer life they have, and committed to one another and to the people there,” she said.

‘We are the Veronicas’ Many of the Sisters of Pan de Vida have witnessed the violence in Torreón firsthand. They’ve seen people shot and killed across the street from their own house. One Sister was once caught in a crossfire of bullets while riding on a bus.

These encounters take their toll

both physically and emotionally, draining the women. So when the Benedictines of Atchison traveled to Torreón, it was with the hope that they could care for the caregivers, in a sense — provide relief and hope to the Torreón Sisters, and to the wider community there.

“We are the Veronicas,” said Sister Anne. “Our job is to hold the cloth.

What else can you do except be with them in this suffering? Because it’s awful. It’s just awful.”

“You don’t know what you can do, but you can let people cry,” she continued. “You can wipe their faces. You can give comfort anyway you can give comfort.”

One form of comfort came by way of a retreat for the nuns of Pan de Vida, addressing topics ranging from the power of forgiveness to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Each visiting Sister was able to translate her own professional work into a relevant message to the women of Torreón.

Due to her background in peace education, Sister Anne spoke on the ability of women to end violent situations, drawing on historical examples all over the world. According to her, women who are empowered to stand up and demand change have the ability to end violence.

“Women have made a difference in the world in being leaders of peace,” she said. “Women — they’re the ones who have said, ‘This is enough.’”

Sister Loretta, whose background is in grief counseling, addressed the symptoms of trauma, specifically the symptoms of PTSD. According to her, when communication between God,

self, and others is disrupted, isolation can lead to trauma. Therefore, Sister Loretta encouraged the women of Torreón to stay in community.

“We’ve got to empower the women to claim their own inner strength to continue to build communities,” said Sister Anne.

Sister Barbara, who works at the Keeler’s Women Center in Kansas City, Kan., and whose background is in education and peace, incorporated messages of self-care into her talk.

“I think [CEDIMSE and Keeler Women’s Center] are both a point of refuge for people who live with too much stress, anxiety, and commotion in their lives,” said Sister Barbara.

“Women need to find a place of peace and acceptance and safety.”

Their efforts, said the Pan de Vida prioress, were both appreciated and successful.

“The greatest gift the Sisters brought was their capacity to listen to our stories — both within the monastery and at our center,” said Sister Patricia.

Even amid the stories of violence and grief, the 10 Sisters shared many a laugh, a few at the expense of the Benedictines from Atchison, who were teased about being the “grandmothers” of the Torreón Sisters, since Pan De Vida Monastery is the daughter house of the Mexico City monastery, which is itself the daughter house of the Atchison monastery. “‘How can you call me grandmother? Four of you are older than me!’” asked Sister Anne with a laugh.

But it was all in good fun.

“I know they do it on purpose just

to get my goat,” she said, “but, literally, there is a connection to them that is very close.”

The visiting Sisters also threw a party for the community that included a local mariachi band.

“It was amazing to see,” said Sister Anne. “After a heavy day like that, they were all dancing.

“Everyone was dancing. They just grabbed people and brought them up to the dance floor, even some of the elderly.”

The Sisters agreed that they were not the only visitors to Pan de Vita during their stay — Christ was with them always.

“I remember when I was telling people goodbye, I would hug them and put my hand on their heart, and then on my own heart, and say, ‘We are one,’” said Sister Loretta. “And it’s true. We are one.”

As the American Sisters took their leave, they also made a promise: They would tell the story of Torreón to anyone who would listen, and they would never forget what they’d witnessed there.

Now, back at their respective ministries in Kansas, the nuns live in the light of their solidarity with the women of Pan de Vida.

And they urge everyone to join them, and their sisters in Torreón, in working tirelessly for nonviolent solutions to the problems that plague the poor of Mexico — and, indeed, the world.

“When they’re hurting,” Sister Ann said simply, “we’re hurting.

“Because we’re all part of the body of Christ.”

local news 11

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

Annual appeal helps Catholic couples nurture their marriage

L

ast year, more than 950 couples in the archdiocese began their steps toward Christian marriage and a sacramental life together with guidance from the office of marriage and family life — nearly 2,000 men and women discerning God’s vocation for them.

Some would say it is more difficult to make this choice today than ever.

Sixteen percent of young people claim no religious affiliation, which is the highest in decades. Those coming of age in the 1990s — the “Millennials” — have more permissive views on sexuality. The corrosive effects of pornography and exposure to cultural messages contrary to Catholic teaching make it difficult to choose and live a chaste lifestyle faithfully.

“We realize the challenges couples are up against. It makes Christian marriage seem an almost impossible idea,” said Deacon Tony Zimmerman, director of the office of marriage and family life for the archdiocese. “We take time with couples and show them examples of the holiness and happiness that comes with a strong marriage filled with faithfulness and joy.”

This year, during the archdiocesan Faith Initiative, large numbers of couples are learning about their faith through the Living in Love retreats.

Participation by married couples has increased 700 percent.

Brad and Libby DuPont actively

The office of marriage and family life helps couples live a Christian marriage through various programs such as marriage preparation, pornography counseling, natural family planning and more.

The office is supported through the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. support engaged couples preparing for marriage by mentoring them.

“We meet couples where they are. It is important to be realistic, find beauty

in their love, and help them learn how to live faithfully — both to their spouse and to the teachings of the church,” said Libby.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 9:00 a.m.

“The church asks couples to be courageous, to embrace the amazing fullness of God’s beautiful plan for married couples,” added Brad. “My wife and I try to be witnesses to this joy.

When we are successful, couples are ‘caught’ not ‘taught,’ and they soon become hungry for more.”

The office of marriage and family life is supported through the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal. Hundreds of couples receive the great gift of grace through mentors for engaged couples.

Education on natural family planning opens the eyes of so many to a healthy choice and effective means to plan a family. Individuals struggling with pornography are offered a path toward freedom from addiction. Families that have suffered the loss of a child are given counseling through the grief they experience. Couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary are invited to celebrate at the annual Mass with the archbishop. Your gift to the Call to Share appeal helps make all of this possible.

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For persons buried or entombed from Oct. 16, 2012, through Jan. 14 at one of our Catholic Cemeteries in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties MT CALVARY – KC KS Juanita J. Aguilar Josephine T. Bartkoski Rosalie M. Bartkoski John O. Batliner Ana M. Belanic Ruth A. Bradish Dolores J. Bramlett Joan M. Brulja Elizabeth J. Christy Juanita M. Collins Roy S. Crabtree Bernadine K. Debrick Ann M. DeMarco George M. Feden Tomasa S. Frias Mary P. Gosserand Kathleen Gunja Irene J. Heeter John P. Jones John J. Kolich Sr. Larry J. Krouse Thomas L. Lynch Sr. Eddie Aguilar Mendoza Mary F. Taylor Messier Matthew Moravac Jr. Genesis Ann Morris Thomas R. Penny Anne M. Purduski Brian P. Quinn Anna M. Ross Charles W. Ruckh Dorothy J. Schwab Frank J. Sosinski John J. Spehar Veronika Sudac Robert E. Sullivan Filomena M. Trzok Otto M. Verbanic, Jr. Joseph R. Wieliczka Donald L. Wright Joseph Zaragoza RESURRECTION Roger W. Aberer Mary C. Allen Jerry L. Andrew Louise M. Barr

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Irene K. Miller Thomas H. Miller Peter Mooney Everett L. Moore Anthony J. Navickas Rosemary Olberding Anthony D. O’Keefe Margaret E. MorganPevehouse P. Dean Potter Delbert E. Powell Dorothy M. Proffitt Jacob Ivan Hernandez Ramirez Elizabeth J. Riley Ida J. Roderique George Lawrence Romero Jean A. Rose David E. Rosinski Kathleen Saunders Henry W. Scherzer Albert T. Shanks Marcia L. Sheeley Wanda R. Sitek Margaret Mary Bernadette Stroh Huanbo Tang Morris L. Taylor William R. Venable Jr. Edward J. Walaszek Sophie M. Walaszek Rosemary Watson Maria Josephina Weaver

Thomas R. Webb Shewaye A. Wendmu Clarence V. Wendte Kyra Faith Spencer Williams Richard N. Wilms ST JOSEPH Mary Ann Buckley Lillie Geenens Shirley Howells Regina M. John Darrell G. Lancaster Jerry Lispi John L. Schmiedeler ST JOHN – LENEXA Mary E. Anderson Anna Seelbach Larry G. Verhaeghe

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12 classifieds Employment School principal – Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a dynamic, experienced Catholic school principal for the 2013-2014 academic year who embraces the Catholic faith and possesses spiritual leadership skills blended with strong instructional leadership and managerial skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills. Spanish language skills also would be helpful. In addition, experience with current best practices (MTSS, PBS, DI, Common Core) in schools is expected. Our Lady of Unity School serves 131 students in grades K-8, and employs 10 teachers.

Principal applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold (or be eligible for) an administrative license from the Kansas State Department of Education. Interested individuals should complete the principal application available online at: www.archkckcs.org. Applications are due by Feb. 1. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Executive director - The St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center is seeking an executive director to lead its fund development programs and manage the related processes for the center. The executive director is responsible for raising funds for the ministry and programs at the center, which serves the University of Kansas community. Applicants must be practicing Catholics and have a bachelor’s degree. The right candidate will have executive level leadership experience, polished marketing and presentation skills and be very organized. Applicants will have experience in planning and forecasting, work as a team player, and must have a fluid, flexible communication style in order to communicate effectively and compassionately with all socioeconomic strata. They must be computer-literate, familiar with grant writing and have social media expertise. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume to: dev@st-lawrence.org.

Application deadline is Feb. 28.

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Substitute teacher - Holy Trinity Catholic School in Paola is seeking a long-term substitute for 3rd grade for the 2012-13 school year, beginning late March. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application available on the website at: www.archkckcs.org and email/mail a letter of interest and resume to Principal, Josh Cavender, at: mrcavenderhts@gmail.com or call (913) 294-3286 for more information.

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

Bookkeeper - Growing professional office seeks high-volume bookkeeper. Duties include processing vendor invoices and paying bills. QuickBooks and Excel proficiency is required. Must be adept at multi-tasking. Send resume to: UPS Store, 12120 State Line Road #374, Leawood, KS 66209.

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Tutoring - Available for K-12th grades and test preps available. For more information, please call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or send an email to: Klmamuric@yahoo. com.

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

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

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

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

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www. bankruptcylawinkansascity.com.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri. Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

for sale For sale - Cremation for two beneath a granite memorial bench at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Reasonably priced. Opening and closing included in price. Call Marilyn at (913) 299-0183 for further details.

For sale - 1997 Ford Taurus, 4-door, pw/pl, AC; good dependable vehicle, mechanic-owned; $1,500. 1988 BMW 635 CSI, AC, leather, sunroof, 2-door, pw/pl, black; mechanic-owned; $2,000. Call (913) 599-5928.

For sale - 4 side-by-side cemetery plots in the Garden of the Gods at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Valued at $2,000 apiece. Asking $7,000 or best offer. Contact Don at (913) 422-7227.

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

For sale - 2 internment spaces at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens (Apostles Garden). Currently selling for $2,995 apiece, asking $2,300 apiece. Call (913) 626-0990.

For sale - 2 side-by-side individual full body crypts (#30 and #32) in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Queen of Heaven Court, Level “D.” Current selling price at this level would be $12,000, asking $9,000. Must sell. Contact Cathy M. to make an offer at (913) 485-7076.

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

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.

DENNISBILT CUSTOM WOODWORKING Kitchen and Bath Specialists Reface or Brand-New 20 years experience (913) 850-3956 / www.dennisbilt.com House painting - Interior and exterior; wall paper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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

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

Roof repairs - Over 25 years experience on all types of residential roofing. Fair pricing, excellent references; no job too small! Call Mark at Rector Roofing & Repair: (913) 957-3682 or email to: rectorroofing@gmail.com.

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

KC blinds and design - (913) 488-7605. Blinds, shutters, draperies, fabric, pillows, bedding, valances and cushions. Visit the website at: KCBlindsanddesign.com Ugly tile? Nasty grout? - Bella Bath Surrounds offers a revolutionary bath system with the look of granite at half the price! No grout. No sealing. Installs in a day.

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

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

Cleanup Leaf Removal. Tree/Shrub Trimming Aftin Lawn And Landscape Free Estimates/ Insured/ Refs Local Parishioner (913) 620-6063 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

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

Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998 Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

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

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 visit our website at: www.benefitsof home.com.

Have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease? Inquire about our fresh, unique approach to care. ComfortCare Homes, a local, family-owned care option, opened its first home in 2005. We have now grown to four homes located in Overland Park and Leawood. All of our homes are located minutes from highways I-35 or I-435, allowing easy access from anywhere in the Kansas City metropolitan area including Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Liberty and Olathe. To learn more or take a tour, call Courtney Minter at (913) 609-1891 or visit the website at: www.ComfortCareKC.com.

Two semi-retired nurses - Ready and willing to help you keep your loved one in their home. We have many years experience in geriatrics, Alzheimer’s and diabetic care. We are available to take your loved one to the dentist, doctor, or hairdresser or grocery shopping. We will do meal preparation and set up medication cassettes for your elderly parent. Please call (913) 710-5412 or (913) 226-5385. References given upon request.

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

Call (913) 579-5276.

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

REAL ESTATE Country living at its best - Beautiful 2,000-squarefeet, 2-story, 3 BR, 2 BA with detached finished 26-by40-foot garage on 7 acres. One mile from Winchester on paved road. $188,000. Call (785) 224-9838.

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

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

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

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

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to buy *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

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

calendar 13

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

January The Couple to Couple League of KC is hosting a wine and cheese reception on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish in the Jubilee Room, 1357 N.E. 42nd Terr., Kansas City, Mo. Dino Durando, the director of the office of family life of the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, and his wife Cathy will present on the gift that NFP has to offer our world in these challenging times for marriage. Reservations are required by Jan. 18 to Bill and Margie Stump at (816) 436-7145 or send an email to: wpalcher7@gmail.com. The cost to attend is a suggested donation of $10.

26

Church of the Holy Cross, Overland Park, will host its annual “Celebration” auction. There will be silent auction rooms, dinner and dancing, as well as a live auction featuring getaways, collegiate football tickets, a 2012-2013 KU men’s team signed basketball and more. For tickets, contact Alicia Cordova by sending an email to: celebration @holycrosscatholicschool.com.

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

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

The SociaLIGHTS from Christ the King Parish, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan., are sponsoring their annual chili cook-off and dinner on Jan. 26 after the 5:30 p.m.

Mass. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best chili. The cost is $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under.

Sacred Heart Church’s 12th annual bingo fundraiser to help send the youths of the parish to Prairie Star Ranch this summer will be held Jan. 26 at the parish center, located at Hwy. 24/40 and W. Washington St., Tonganoxie. Food will be available for sale starting at 5:45 p.m.; bingo will begin at 7 p.m. Cards cost $10 each.

A Daughters of Isabella meeting will be held on Jan. 27 at Mater Dei-Assumption Church, Topeka, with a covered-dish luncheon at noon, followed by a business meeting at 1 p.m.

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St. Ann’s Altar Society of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, 411 Pioneer St., Seneca, will host a pancake breakfast on Jan. 27. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee will be served from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. The cost is a freewill donation.

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

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The bishops of Kansas will celebrate a Mass with the special intention of the well-being of the state and for the wisdom of those exercising its authority at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Mater Dei-Assumption Church, 8th and Jackson, Topeka. All four Kansas bishops are scheduled to concelebrate this 2013 Kansas Red Mass. The Mass is open to the public. For more information, visit the website at: www.kscath conf.org/redmass.

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Donnelly College is presenting a course focusing on the four apostolic constitutions produced by the Second Vatican ecumenical council on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:20 p.m. through May 8. The course is one credit hour or can be taken for audit. Call (913) 621-8700 for more information.

February The Knights of Columbus, Council, No. 11917 of Sacred Heart Church, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a Texas Hold ’em tournament and chili dinner at 6 p.m. on Feb. 2. The cost is a suggested donation of $30. For more information, call (913) 631-0735.

2

Our Lady and St. Rose Parish will host a seafood dinner and Mardi Gras dance on Feb. 2, at the Blessed Sacrament Family Center, 2215 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The dinner will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the dance at 8 p.m. A silent auction will be held throughout the evening.

The cost to attend is $12 for the dinner, and $15 for the dance.

St. Patrick Parish, 94th and State Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is hosting a spaghetti dinner to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary on Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults; $3 for children. Carryouts are available. There will also be a variety booth.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call (913) 371-3423.

3

St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, will host a Soup-R-Bowl Sunday lunch from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Feb. 3. Homemade chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soups will be served with relish and pie. Cost is a freewill donation.

Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge, Kansas City, Kan., will host its 17th annual music, movement and meditation concert at 2 p.m. on Feb. 3. It features Bharathnatyam, the oldest art form of classical Indian dance performed in sacred temples, and “The Word,” proclaimed by The Motet Singers. For more information, visit the website at: www.sanctuaryofhope.org.

The cost is a freewill donation.

A viewing of “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women – the Moral Challenge of the 21st Century” will be held at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The PBS video was filmed in 10 countries around the world and deals with human slavery, gender-based violence, rape, maternal mortality, lack of access to education, and many other issues. Roxanne

5

Hutton will lead the discussion on six Tuesdays, from Feb. 5 – March 12, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

Love and Logic: Discipline Solutions for Toddlers to Teens, a two-part series, will be offered on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave, Kansas City, Kan. Call (913) 906-8990. Presented by Nona Boyd and offered in partnership with the Wyandot Center, there is no cost to attend.

6

The Leavenworth Cancer Support Group will meet on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Mother Xavier Ross Room at Saint John Hospital, 3500 S. 4th St., Leavenworth. The support group informs and encourages persons dealing with all types of cancers, as well as their friends, families and those who have completed treatments. For more information on the group, call Shelly Hafner at (913) 596-3354, or send an email to: shelly.hafner@providence-health.org or duceyK@StMary.edu.

7

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

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

9

The Curé of Ars Singles will host their annual Mardi Gras dance on Feb. 9 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The cost to attend is $15 at the door, which includes meat hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and drinks.

Parking is behind the school. Call (913) 631-6873 for more information.

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

Holy Family Church will hold its annual Valentine’s Day dance on Feb. 9 from 7 - 10:30 p.m. at Monsignor Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan. Music will be provided by The Don Lipovac Orchestra.

Brisket sandwiches, baked beans, and potato chips will be available for purchase at the dance. The cost to attend is $12 per person. For tickets, call Richard Schutte at (913) 669-3677; JoAnn Lipovac at (913) 299-2792; or Mike Waliczek at (913) 3421785. The dance is sponsored by the Holy Name Society.

Father Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, will lead a

discussion on “the prayer that changes everything” on Feb. 9 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at Rockhurst University. Father Mark is the featured speaker for the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City Winter Prayer Workshop. The cost is $40 per person, which covers all materials. Scholarships are available. To register, go to the website at: www.ignatiancenterkc.org and click on “The Prayer That Changes Everything,” or call (816) 235-5115, ext. 212.

The registration deadline is Feb. 1.

St. Bede Parish, Kelly, will host its annual pancake breakfast on Feb. 10. Pancakes, sausage, and eggs will be served from 7 a.m. 12:30 p.m. The cost is a freewill donation.

10

St. Mary - St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. will host sweetheart bingo, an afternoon of bingo and fun, at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 in Bishop Forst Hall. The cost to attend is $5, which includes a bingo card, desserts, popcorn and coffee. For more information, contact Carol Shomin at (913) 897-4833 or the rectory office at (913) 371-1408.

The annual Frank Ladek memorial bowling tournament will be held three consecutive Sundays — Feb. 10, 17 and 24 — at St. John Catholic Club, 414 Barnett, Kansas City, Kan. Two sessions will be held each Sunday, at noon and 3 p.m. The cost to bowl is $15. The first place prize is $600.

For reservations, call (913) 371-9690.

A Lenten journey through grief, facilitated by Mary Fran Zeller, BCC, will be presented at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on six Tuesdays, Feb. 12 - March 19, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. Participants will explore and reflect on the stages of grief in the context of Christ’s own journey of suffering, death and resurrection. Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

12

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Feb. 16. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

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The Marillac Center, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, will offer its Lenten “Linger Over Coffee” series on four consecutive Tuesdays, Feb. 19 - March 12, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. Staff of the retreat and spirituality center of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth will facilitate the sessions based on the book, “The Cup of Our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth,” by Joyce Rupp. The cost to attend is a freewill offering. For more information, call (913) 758-6552 or send an email to: retreats@scls.org.

19

The Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is looking for volunteers. If you have a passion to work with women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy, a volunteer information night will be held Feb. 21 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. To reserve a spot, call Brittany at (913) 287-8287 by Feb. 20.

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14 commentary

theleaven.com | january 25, 2013

ordained to serve

mark my words Scripture Readings third WEEK OF ordinary time Jan. 27 third SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Neh 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 1 Cor 12: 12-30 Lk 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21 Jan. 28 Thomas Aquinas, priest, doctor of the church Heb 9: 15, 24-28 Ps 98: 1-6 Mk 3: 22-30 Jan. 29 Tuesday Heb 10: 1-10 Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10-11 Mk 3: 31-35 Jan. 30 Wednesday Heb 10: 11-18 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 4: 1-20 Jan. 31 John Bosco, priest Heb 10: 19-25 Ps 24: 1-4b, 5-6 Mk 4: 21-25 Feb. 1 Friday Heb 10: 32-39 Ps 37: 3-6, 23-24, 39-40 Mk 4: 26-34 Feb. 2 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Mal 3: 1-4 Ps 24: 7-10 Heb 2: 14-18 Lk 2: 22-40

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commentary 15

january 25, 2013 | theleaven.com

It’s time to revisit an ancient art

ver the past few weeks, I’ve celebrated funeral Masses for two women who died in their 90s — one was a parishioner; the other was an aunt. Among the positive qualities that both possessed is something that’s rapidly disappearing from our world: the art of visiting.

Consider the following story: One morning a man was having breakfast with his daughters: Kristen, who was six years old, and Madison, 4.

He was feeling guilty about not spending much time with them.

“You know that I love you both very much, don’t you?” the father said. “Well, it’s not always important the quantity of time we spend together, as it is the quality of that time.”

Both girls stared at him blankly, not understanding anything that he’d said.

The dad explained, “Quantity means how much time we spend together, and quality means how good the times are that we’re together.

Now, which would you rather have?”

Without missing a beat, Kristen piped up, “Quality time . . . and lots of it!”

(Adapted from a story in

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

“Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion,” edited by Craig Brian Larson and Drew Zahn.)

Isn’t that what all of us really want and need? Sadly, though, spending time together is a vanishing commodity. And it’s not only the quality time that’s missing; often the quantity isn’t there either.

An easy place to start reversing that trend is by rediscovering that art of visiting.

Begin with the elderly — not only are they great teachers of how to visit, they are also those most welcoming (and in need) of visitors.

Since people are sometimes leery of striking up conversations with perfect strangers, hone your visiting skills by reconnecting with

elderly relatives. These winter months can be particularly lonely, as cold and inclement weather may prevent them from venturing outside.

The following are some pointers that I’ve found helpful during my visits to the shut-ins in the parish: • Call and set up a good time to come over. You don’t want to just drop in and discover that the person has a doctor’s appointment that day or that a visiting nurse or physical therapist is there to work with them. Setting up an appointment is not only respectful and practical; it also gives the person something to look forward to during the week.

• Don’t come empty-handed. Bring a bulletin from church, a favorite treat or a book of large-print word search puzzles with you. It doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. Often the more practical an item is, the more it is appreciated.

• Speak slowly and distinctly. This is particularly important if, as one of my shut-ins once said, “I don’t hear so good anymore.”

• Be patient. In the course of your visit, you might hear some stories repeated.

Realize that the world of the elderly has often shrunk to

the confines of their home and that new experiences are few and far between (unless it’s an ache or pain).

• Shut off your cellphone or put it on vibrate. It is OK, however, to bring the phone out and show the person you’re visiting pictures on there of the family or of a vacation.

• Don’t be in a hurry to leave. Definitely don’t begin a visit with, “I can only stay a few minutes!”

• In the course of the visit, ask if there’s anything that the person needs. It might be as simple as reaching for something on a top shelf or reading a letter to them that they received or writing a response.

• Promise to come back again . . . and then do!

Future visits might include bringing a younger child or a well-behaved pet along with you. It’s also a lot of fun to look at old photos and ask questions about the people pictured there, the occasion, what the world was like then, etc.

As you become more adept at the art of visiting, a curious thing will happen: Time will seem to fly by, leaving both visitor and “visitee” happy, enriched . . . and eager for lots more.

In the beginning

Because of exile, Jews came to emphasize Scripture

W

hen people who are not Catholic attend a Catholic Mass, they often notice that we Catholics frequently change our physical position during the ceremony. We do not remain seated throughout, but sometimes kneel, sometimes bow, sometimes stand. We are constantly on the move. It is Catholic calisthenics.

For example, we stand during the reading of the Gospel, to show our respect for the words of Christ and our willingness to act upon them.

In doing that, we reflect the action of the congregation assembled to hear the book of the law read to them, as it is described in Sunday’s first reading: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10.

They also stand up as Ezra the scribe begins reading to

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. them: “He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people — and as he opened it, all the people rose.”

At this particular point in the history of Israel, people have returned from exile in Babylon. They will involve themselves in the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed.

They will also rebuild the

Temple, which had suffered a similar fate.

Before the exile, the people were accustomed to worshiping in the Temple, above all, offering sacrifices there. But during the exile, that was not possible. Instead, their worship focused upon the reading of Scripture.

That focus continued after their return from exile.

It formed the core of the synagogue service. It contributed to their high regard for the Scriptures, which we see demonstrated in the reading from Nehemiah. That reading tells us that “all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.” That means that they listened about six hours, because “he read out of the book from daybreak till midday.”

When the Gospel is being read to us, it should similarly command our attention.

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC I’ve always preferred the carrot to the stick. In other words, I’m more motivated by a reward than the threat of a “beating.”

Over the past few months, I’ve given you ideas for how to make your life happier (and less crowded) and the world a better place.

And you’ve probably done almost none of these practical items because you, like me, don’t draw a whole lot of satisfaction simply from doing what needs to be done. You need a reward, right?

This week’s “task” is a pleasant one. Make a list — or three —

After all, it is Christ who is speaking to us. He is present in his words, just as he is present through his body and blood in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The reading of the Gospel deserves a similar reverence. That is why we stand during its reading. That is why the priest or deacon reading the Gospel book kisses it after concluding the reading. That is why the Gospel book is often highly decorated, to show its great dignity in bringing us the Word of God. After all, we would not use a Styrofoam cup to hold the consecrated wine, the blood of Christ. Why would we use cheap, disposable sheets of paper to bring us the words of Christ? After all, he tells us: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63).

of rewards for yourself: One list can consist of 15-minute rewards (do a crossword puzzle or call a friend); one should contain two-tothree-hour rewards (catch a movie); and one can include daylong rewards (take a daytrip).

Then fit a reward to a task. The harder the project, the bigger the reward. Having that carrot dangling in front may be all it takes for you to “stick” with a task!

— M.G.

I

Discern your vocation, whatever it may be

remember talking with a graduate student who shared with me that for quite some time he considered the priesthood.

But then he said, “After much prayer and discernment, I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have a vocation. So I got married and started a family.”

We know what this student meant. When we say “vocation,” we’re usually referring to specific callings to the ordained priesthood or consecrated religious life.

Yet, as much as we esteem priests and religious Brothers and Sisters, they’re

Leon Suprenant Leon Suprenant is the pastoral associate for administration in the office of the permanent diaconate. He also blogs at: www.archkck.org/blog. not the only ones with a “vocation” in the church.

“Vocation” comes from the Latin verb “vocare,” which means “to call.”

Through the sacraments of initiation, all Christians without exception are called to holiness and to participation in the church’s outreach to the world. All of us, then, have a vocation!

Many, for example, are called to the beautiful vocation of Christian marriage.

But what about the diaconate?

Some men — single and married — receive the more specific call to the diaconate, through which they’re ordained for Christian service.

But how do I know if God is calling me to the diaconate? The gradual discovery of a vocation to the diaconate, as is the case with any vocation in the church, takes place through prayer and discernment.

A vocation traces its beginnings to one’s ongoing dialogue with God. On the personal level, men considering the diaconate ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father’s will for them, not

only through times of personal and liturgical prayer, but also in and through daily lives given over to God and neighbor.

As the overwhelming majority of applicants to the diaconate are married, discernment must involve one’s spouse and immediate family. How well do they understand the diaconate and its impact on family life?

What are their concerns?

How would the diaconate affect the couple’s vocation to marriage?

Any vocation to ministry must involve the church.

Ultimately, it is the local church, under the leadership of the archbishop, that calls forth men to the diaconate. The discernment of a diaconal vocation is continually tested throughout the

formation process.

While every diaconal vocation is unique, there are some common “signs” of such a vocation, including daily prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, knowledge of the Catholic faith, and love for the church. The most distinctive sign, however, is the “heart of a deacon,” often expressed in service to one’s family, parish, and local community.

The most important thing, however, is to recognize that Christ has a special plan for each one of us. During this Year of Faith, let us redouble our commitment to seek the Lord’s will for our own lives, and to pray that we may respond generously.

Word of life

W

Tune it this Lent for special lecture series

e rarely watch anything on over-the-air television anymore.

If you stop by our house and we are watching something on TV, more than likely we are watching a show on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or something that was recorded earlier on the DVR. Well, the world of live stream is coming to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas during the Year of Faith.

The Year of Faith commemorates the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council and this lecture series is designed to introduce Catholics to the key documents

matt karr Matt Karr is the lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of adults. and themes of the council.

The lectures will each be one hour in length and will run on four consecutive Tuesday evenings in Lent, beginning Feb. 19.

Our keynote presenters are Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher and Father John Melnick, SSA, from Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan. Both Archbishop Keleher and Father John are

energetic presenters and great teachers.

The lecture schedule is as follows: Archbishop Keleher — Feb. 19, 7-8 p.m. — “Lumen Gentium” Father John — Feb. 26, 7-8 p.m. — “Sacrosanctum Concilium” Father John — March 5, 7-8 p.m. — “Gaudium et Spes” Archbishop Keleher — March 12, 7-8 p.m. — “Dei Verbum” This lecture series is a great way for Catholics to learn more about the Second Vatican Council during the Year of Faith. It is also a great opportunity to grow closer to Jesus during the season of Lent.

It is important to Archbishop Joseph Naumann that all Catholics in the

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

archdiocese have an opportunity to participate in this exciting lecture series.

Therefore, we are offering three different ways to participate: 1. Attend the lecture series in person at Holy Spirit Church in Overland Park by registering online at: www. archkck.org/vatican 2. Attend the lecture series at a live stream group location.

Those locations are as follows: • Immaculata High School – Leavenworth • Most Pure Heart of Mary – Topeka • Mother Teresa – Topeka • St. Joseph – Shawnee • Sacred Heart – Emporia • St. Dominic – Holton 3. Watch the lecture series via live stream at home.

For the first time ever, we

will have an event available for live stream within the comforts of your own home! Visit the archdiocesan digital media center at: resources.archkck.org and create a login in advance. Log in and watch the lecture series at: resources. archkck.org/live at the above specified times.

If you are interested in attending the lecture series either in person, at a live group streaming location, or by watching in you own home, then visit our website: www.archkck.org/faith for more details.

What a great opportunity we will have this Lent.

I hope that you can “tune in” to learn more about the Catholic Church during the Year of Faith.

16 local news

theleaven.com | january 25, 2013

Take a trip back in time

Kansas City Ukesters to honor veterans with WWI ukulele tribute

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Even before the Beatles took the world by storm, a young Ken Kelly had picked up the guitar and was imitating the likes of Buddy Holly.

Today, the musically inclined Father Ken Kelly, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Mission, is still strumming, but his instrument of choice is an unexpectWhat is it? A ed one: the group of people of ukulele. all ages and all exWith his perience levels who fingers allove to play the ukuready atlele. tuned to When and where do they meet? The playing group meets from the guitar, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. he quickon the second Monly picked day of each month up the at St. Pius X Parish, chords as 55th and Woodson, he learned Mission. The doors to play open at 6 p.m. on the simthe north side of the pler, fourbuilding. stringed For more informaukulele. tion, visit the Kansas He has City Ukesters’ webfound comsite at: www.kcuke. pany in com.

140 others across the Kansas City area — from grade-school students to folks in their 80s — who strum along with him as part of the Kansas City Ukesters.

Father Kelly and a few others launched the ukulele group in 2006.

“And very soon it bloomed,” said Father Kelly.

Now the group gathers on the second Monday evening of each month in a large meeting area at St. Pius X Parish.

“There’s a smaller group of us that go out and play gigs,” said Father Kelly.

They’ve played everywhere from nursing homes to parish auctions to Johnson County Community College to the Liberty Memorial in downtown Kansas City, Mo. While plenty of instruments require amplifiers and other big equipment for shows, the light, portable ukulele doesn’t require any of that. On the other hand, it doesn’t make much noise, so you don’t often find them in huge venues.

But the acoustics at Liberty Memorial have proven to be perfect for this instrument.

Father Kelly is excited to join other members of the Kansas City Ukesters at another event there this February,

Interested in becoming a Ukester?

Photo courtesy of Father Ken Kelly

Father Ken Kelly and the Kansas City Ukesters will perform hits of World War I at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the World War I Museum Auditorium at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. The pictured Ukesters are: (back row, from left) Steve Mathews, Mike Walker, and Mike Kelly; (middle row) Chuck Wilson, Cynthia Van Roden, Father Ken Kelly, Shayron Liquie, and David Firman; (front row) Rick Sullivan and Nancy Howell. and he hopes to draw a full house for the free performance honoring veterans.

Musical history Members of the group will perform “The Great Ukulele Hits of World War I” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the museum auditorium at the Liberty Memorial.

Singalong sheets will be available so the audience can join in, and people can even bring their own ukuleles and strum along, said Father Kelly.

The Ukesters’ performance is part of a larger special exhibition at the museum called “Harmonies on the Home Front,” which explores the unifying force music had during the World War I era, both in the United States and overseas. The exhibit includes sheet music covers, lyrics, recordings, pictures and music.

Museum admission covers the cost for those who would like to explore the exhibition, but the Kansas City Ukesters’ performance itself is free to the public.

Ukuleles were really emerging on the music scene at that point in history, and bringing the Ukesters back to celebrate music of that time just seemed natural as the museum planned the exhibition.

“They were one we thought of right away,” said Denise Rendina, vice president of marketing for the National World War I Museum.

She attended a previous performance by the Ukesters there and loved

Home improvement

Share some old-fashioned quiet time The information age has brought a new level of closeness to couples — with laptops and cellphones we can stay connected all day.

But the same devices that keep us in touch can distract

‘The Great Ukulele Hits of World War I’ What: A singalong performance by the Kansas City Ukesters When: 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 Where: World War I Museum Auditorium at Liberty Memorial (100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, Mo.) Cost: Admission to the performance itself is free Additional information: Singalong sheets will be provided

the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere the group created.

“It was really a delight to have them perform,” she said. “World War I obviously is a very serious subject, and we take it seriously. But music is a good way to introduce people who might not be familiar with history to that history.”

And the audience participation that the Ukesters invited — and which will be encouraged this time, as well — added to the energy.

“They invited the audience to sing along, and people just went wild for it,” she said.

People will recognize some of the songs — like “Over There” — right away, she said.

Father Kelly expects the group to play about 15 songs and said some of the other hits from that time include “K-K-K-Katy,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Mademoiselle from Armen-

us from one another; being connected isn’t the same as being together.

An old-fashioned level of closeness may be the perfect solution. Tonight, why not try turning off the electronic flow and sharing some quiet time with your spouse?

When is the last time you went for a walk around the neighborhood, drove to the park to watch a sunset, or did some hand-holding and window-shopping at the mall?

tieres” and “By the Light of the Silvery Moon.”

The Ukesters’ music hits a patriotic chord, but is just one piece of the music that accompanied that era, he added.

Rendina hopes people who come for the performance will take advantage of the opportunity to explore the museum. Those four years helped shape the way people are today, she noted.

And Father Kelly hopes it will also pique some interest in playing the ukulele.

“People can come out and listen to us play, and if they’re interested, maybe they can come join the group,” he said.

Ukulele invitation The group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at St. Pius X and members are happy to help newcomers. All people need is themselves and their ukuleles — which they can buy used for a few dollars and new for not much more than that — and the group will help them get started.

Sessions start with easier songs with two chords and move on to more challenging music.

Several ukulele groups have spun off of the Kansas City group in both Kansas and Missouri.

“People just love doing this,” said Father Kelly.

Instead of sharing the news of the day, why not share the silence for a change? Make a pot of tea or open a bottle of wine and find a quiet spot where you can do nothing with each other.

Slow down and recharge together — you may find a whole new level of closeness in the quiet.

—J.R.E.