THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 39, NO. 24 | FEBRUARY 2, 2018
YOU GO, GIRL
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Bishop Miege senior Ruby Rios helps, from left, sixth-graders Fiona FitzGerald and Lillie Switzer from St. Elizabeth School in Kansas City, Missouri, work on the group’s digital breakout project during a Girls Who Code club meeting. Rios launched the local branch of the coding club that meets weekly at Miege in Roeland Park.
Miege teen launches coding club for girls By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
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OELAND PARK — Bishop Miege senior Ruby Rios treasures the empty wine bottle that represents all the amazing accomplishments she’s attained in the past four years. “I’m just so honored,” she said. Rios, a parishioner at St. Peter Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, was recently named one of Kansas City’s Ink magazine “30 under 30” — the youngest person ever to be included on the list. “One of the awards they give you is a bottle of wine,” she explained. “It’s engraved with your name and the ‘30-under-30’ logo.
“Everybody else got full wine bottles, but mine had to be empty because I’m a minor.” If Rios’ past is any indication, she’s a minor with a major future ahead.
A girl who codes Rios’ journey to notoriety began when she joined the Bishop Miege robotics club as a freshman. “I decided to take a course [at a Johnson County junior college] so I could learn some programming skills that I could use for my robotics team,” she said. Unfamiliar with the campus, Rios arrived late to her first class — and walked into a room full of only men. The instructor looked at the young girl in her high school uniform and said, “You’re in the wrong classroom.”
Rios asked, “Is this the class in coding?” “Yes,” said the instructor. “Then I’m in the right place,” Rios replied and took her seat. The course was so demanding that by the end of the semester, out of 30 students, only seven were left. Rios was one of them. “It was a really challenging class,” she said. “I got an A in it, and I’m pretty sure not everybody did.” The experience taught her two things — first, that she is good at coding, and second, that most girls don’t believe they could be. “There’s nothing that prevented me from doing any better or worse than those guys,” said Rios of her experience. “It was me showing up, putting in the time and being willing to make mistakes that allowed me to suc-
ceed,” she added. Rios walked away from that class with a determination to make sure other girls realized they’re capable of doing the same thing. Rios proceeded with the intent to pursue that goal with a vengeance — and the results have been nothing short of extraordinary. She has taught computer camps through KC STEM Alliance and worked with the organization to launch a local Girls Who Code club. (STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) She co-founded a group called KC STEMinists, which has received sponsorship from the U.N. Foundation’s Girl Up campaign. When Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai came to Kansas City, >> See “DEAR” on page 6
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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ecently, I had the opportunity to share my approach to leadership with a class at Benedictine College in Atchison. The following are 10 principles that I use to guide my leadership responsibilities as archbishop. None of these principles are original to me. All of them are derived from the Gospel. As my staff can verify, I am not always successful with their implementation. They are presented in reverse order of importance. 10. Discover joy in your work: Even very difficult and demanding work does not have to be a drudgery. A great amount of personal satisfaction can be experienced in doing a project to the best of one’s ability. It is crucial to recognize sources for humor even in the midst of very serious projects. A good leader sets the tone for the work environment. Without diminishing attention to high standards for the quality of the work, a good leader creates an environment where individuals enjoy being part of a team. 9. Be not afraid to make mistakes: Recently, I heard a very successful business executive share that she was taught by her father not to be afraid of failure, but to fear not learning from mistakes.
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Ten ways to try to lead like Jesus led
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Each night at dinner, her father asked her and her siblings what failures they had experienced during the day. His children got the message that if they never failed, then they were not challenging themselves by taking risks to learn new skills. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the mistakes of the apostles as great teachable moments for all the disciples. 8. Own responsibility for failures: When the results were not what were desired, do not blame other members of the team for the failure, but accept responsibility as the leader for the poor outcome. Defend the members of your team and do not throw them under the bus to deflect criticism of your own leadership. 7. Be not afraid to challenge and coach members of your team:
Part of the responsibility of leadership is guiding other members of the team. A leader has to be willing sometimes to speak some hard truths when an individual is impeding the success of the entire team. Avoid embarrassing a team member publicly. The principle Jesus gives his disciples regarding fraternal correction is applicable here. Speak to the individual privately about the difficulties with the quality of their performance or the negative impact of their attitude. Coach them by giving them examples of how they can improve. 6. Praise and compliment team members for accomplishments: The good leader never misses an opportunity to draw attention to the accomplishments of a member of his team. Mark Twain once quipped that he could live an entire month on a good compliment. Recognizing the achievement of your team and
individual members is one of the best ways to foster positive morale. 5. Emphasize the importance of the role of each member of the team: It is important to help each member realize the importance of their particular responsibility in the overall success of the team. Good leaders are able to create an environment where individuals do not perceive their co-workers as competitors, but instead understand they have a stake in helping each other succeed. 4. Develop a mutually shared vision: A good leader has a vision for where he hopes to lead members of his team. Allowing other members of the team to contribute to the shaping of the vision increases their commitment to its success. 3. Set the tone and work ethic: When other members of the team recognize that the leader is not asking anything from them that he does not require from himself, they are motivated to attempt to match the leader’s efforts. Delegate and empower members of your team to be responsible for helping achieve the vision. 2. Servant leadership: Jesus gave his most powerful teaching on leadership on Holy Thursday when he washed the feet of the apostles. Of course, this was not
ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Feb. 2 “Made for More” event — Hayden High School, Topeka Feb. 3 Kansas Catholic College Students Conference — Pittsburg State University Feb. 4-5 Kenrick-Glennon Seminary visit — St. Louis Feb. 6 Ordination of Bishopelect Shawn McKnight — Jefferson City, Missouri Feb. 8 Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference call
just an empty gesture on his part. The apostles had experienced throughout their time with Our Lord his personal concern for them and their well-being. Nothing motivates a team more than a leader who demonstrates respect for individual team members and concern for their welfare. 1. Before leading, you must be willing to be led: In the Gospel, Jesus is constantly stealing away from the disciples to spend time in prayer with his heavenly Father. A good leader must be a man or woman of prayer, who seeks first of all to understand God’s will
Kansans For Life dinner — Ritz-Charles, Overland Park Feb. 9 White Mass — Christ the King, Kansas City, Missouri Feb. 11 World Marriage Day Mass — Ascension, Overland Park
ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Feb. 3-4 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Feb. 10-11 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida
before attempting to lead others. I attempt to follow these principles in my own leadership responsibilities as the archbishop. The execution on my part is very imperfect. However, it helps to have principles to guide me. It is consoling, as a Christian with leadership responsibilities, to know that God can take our humble and imperfect efforts and draw forth much greater good than we could hope or imagine. When in doubt, strive to do what Jesus would do!
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SPOTLIGHT ON SEMINARIANS
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Master of ceremonies Kathy Quinn interviews Kansas City-St. Joseph seminarian Aaron Hooper at the 25th annual Support Our Seminarians benefit dinner. The proceeds from the evening go to support young men in formation for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri.
Support Our Seminarians celebrates its 25th year By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sixtytwo seminarians took the stage Friday night to a standing ovation at the 25th annual Support Our Seminarians (SOS) benefit dinner held in Union Station here. The evening, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Queen of the Americas, began with cocktails and a silent auction including art, statues and rosaries depicting Our Lady. As guests bid on items, seminarians were busy selling and bagging up baked goods made by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri. The cinnamon bread sold out within an hour. But that was the only disappointment of the evening. As guests took their seats for dinner, Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB, chancellor of Conception Abbey, thanked them for their support of the future of the priesthood, and led everyone in singing “Holy God We Praise Thy Name.” Bishop James V. Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph said grace and introduced the evening’s program, saying “how great it is to bring Catholics together from both sides of the state line.”
Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President: Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann
There’s still time to give The mission of SOS is to support both spiritually and materially young men in formation for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Conception Seminary College. To make a donation, visit the website at: www.supportourseminarians. com/give/
He also thanked those who spent so much time making the event successful. Event chairs David and Emily Lopez, members of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, took the stage with their children. In his remarks, David Lopez talked about his father, who recently died, and his deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He found it noteworthy that this year’s SOS was dedicated to her. “I don’t believe in coincidence,” he said. “I believe in God’s providence.” Fellow Curé of Ars parishioner Kathy Quinn, an Emmy award-winning journalist with FOX 4 News, was this year’s master of ceremonies. Raised in the Catholic school system in Kansas City, Missouri, Quinn recalled her own parents’ devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“They owned a restaurant,” she said. “And they always had a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe in their restaurant.” Quinn talked about her gratitude for her own pastor, Father Richard Storey, and others. “That’s why we’re here tonight,” she said. “We’re here for the priests of tomorrow.” As guests filled out donor cards, Father Jerry Arano-Ponce, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka, took the stage. Father Arano-Ponce, a native of Mexico, has had a lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary and received his first calling to the priesthood when his family visited the Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. He recounted the appearance of Our Lady to Juan Diego, saying, “She showed us that [Jesus] is a human God, the one true God, born of a woman. “She proved that we can go to Jesus through Mary.” Father Arano-Ponce acknowledged the 62 seminarians from both dioceses in formation today, and asked the audience to pray for them. The highlight of the evening came when the seminarians took the stage, where they were interviewed by Quinn. Msgr. Michael Mullen, co-director of seminarians for the archdiocese, then spoke to the young men, giving
Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org
Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org
Reporter, Social Media Editor Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org
Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Father Jerry Arano-Ponce talks to the audience about Our Lady of Guadalupe to whom the evening was dedicated. them this simple advice for their future. “Pray hard, study well and be nice to each other,” he said. The proceeds from the evening went to support young men in formation for the priesthood in the archdiocese, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri..
Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.
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Parents, local professionals help enrich learning at St. Agnes By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
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OELAND PARK — Wednesday mornings at St. Agnes School here look more like a miniature workplace than an elementary school. Students across the middle school hallway are sewing, building, acting and learning more about the subjects they’re passionate about. Thanks to the school’s STREAM program — STREAM stands for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math — its students can now translate what they learn in the traditional classroom into real-world skills — whether it be designing a bobsled or learning about local government. The space in which some of this new learning can now take place is called a makerspace — in St. Agnes’ case, an entire room newly dedicated to handson learning. “I want to broaden [students’] experiences of what opportunities are available for them and [encourage them] to continue to dream and search for what God has planned for them,” said principal Jane Sullivan. “They are our future,” she continued, “and we want them to be strong and faith-filled leaders for our community.” The new makerspace doesn’t look or feel like the traditional schoolroom. And that’s on purpose. “It is designed to be a space to look and feel different than the regular classroom,” said Sullivan. And the space is an addition to the STREAM program, which is offered throughout the year for fifth- through eighth-grade students. St. Agnes has already had success with this type of learning, which brings in parent volunteers and local professionals each week to implement a project pertaining to one of the STREAM courses.
Donald and Donna (Blackwell) Kill, m e m bers of St. Philip Neri Parish, Osawatomie, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Feb. 10 with family. The couple was married on Feb. 14, 1953, at St. Joseph Church, Shawnee. Their children are: Debbie Hudson, Doug Kill and Denise Donaldson. They also have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. Ruth and Chester Wenger, members of St. Leo Parish, Horton, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Feb. 4 with family. The couple was married on Feb. 4, 1948, at St. Joseph Church, Everest, by Father W.J. Goldman. Their children are: Katherine Scott, Horton; Frances Ramirez, Lebo; David Wenger, Atchison; and Charla Bailey, Sequin, Texas. They also have 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY
From left, Valeria Martinez-Mena and Jordan Ortiz, fifth-graders at St. Agnes School in Roeland Park, participate in a healthy living course led by teacher Josie Milligan. The course is part of the school’s STREAM program, which gives students hands-on learning experiences in a variety of subjects. “That’s one of the things that’s great about this program,” said Jo Greene, a chemical engineer at Bayer’s Crop Science division who helped with an engineering session at the school. “The kids have chosen to be in here,” she said. “They’re all very engaged; they’re wanting to learn.” The students receive a brochure at the beginning of the semester and have five to eight classes to choose from. They rank their choices and are guaranteed to get into one of their top three. “They get to choose their passion and their love,” said Gena Schleimer, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher and STREAM coordinator. “The kids need to know the ‘why,’” she said. “When we grew up, we were just given skills and didn’t really learn the ‘why’ until we got to college.” This type of learning gives students a much better sense of what kind of
Rozella (Kuckelman) and Virgil Ronnebaum, members of St. Michael Parish, Axtell, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Feb. 10. The couple was married on Feb. 7, 1948, at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville. Their children are: Marilyn Friedrich (deceased), Arlene West (deceased), Gary Ronnebaum, Debra Meyer, Sherry Ronnebaum, Rolan Ronnebaum, Connie Broxterman and Lynn Ronnebaum. They also have 18 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. They will celebrate with a dinner and open house on Feb. 10 at St. Michael Church hall, Axtell. Regina and Patrick Fagan, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 10. The couple was married on Feb. 10, 1968, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Topeka. Their children are: Mark, John and Paul. They also have four grandchildren.
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“THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT’S GREAT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM. THE KIDS HAVE CHOSEN TO BE IN HERE. THEY’RE ALL VERY ENGAGED; THEY’RE WANTING TO LEARN.” jobs are out there, said Schleimer. “It’s giving them that leg up to help them make a really good, thoughtful decision for future careers,” she said. Each session tends to last five or 10 weeks and includes an introduction, a
Nancy (Miller) and Patrick Moran, members of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 3 with family. The couple was married on Feb. 3, 1968, at St. Joseph Church, Leavenworth, by Father Valentine Boyle, O.Carm. Their children are Robert Moran, Clay Center; and Ray Moran, Topeka. They also have four grandchildren. Adam and Dragica Novosel, members of St. John the Baptist Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 20. The couple was married on Jan. 20, 1968, at St. Elias Church, Lipnik, Croatia. They will celebrate with a family cruise at a later date. Their children are Irena Logan and Kathy Trehey. They also have four grandchildren.
project and a final presentation. Current sessions include a babysitting certification course, an acting class led by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and a youth ambassador course that brings students together with city employees of Roeland Park. “To get the professionals to come in is huge,” said Sullivan. “That’s what I love about it.” Teachers like Shannon Reel, who teaches fifth grade, are also involved. Reel’s current course teaches students how to make bobsleds. “Our theme for the session is Olympics because with the Olympics coming up, the kids are very excited,” said Reel. The students are able to work together to come up with ideas on how to make their bobsled as fast as possible. “We talked about how designers don’t just sit in a box and think to themselves,” said Reel. “You have to talk and look and see what other people are doing.” Working together and implementing the skills taught in the traditional classroom is what the program is all about, said Schleimer. “Our engagement in our core classrooms has gone up a tremendous amount,” she said. Between the students’ eagerness and the steady influx of volunteers, Sullivan is confident the advantages of the STREAM program and makerspace will serve the students both now and in the future. “I think it helps the students to see and be introduced to setting goals for themselves,” said Sullivan. “I want them to fall in love with learning and help them to have the tools to take on any challenge,” she added.
Larry and Catherine (Foltz) Crotts, m e m be rs of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Burlington, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 3. The couple was married on Feb. 3, 1968, at Holy Angels Church, Garnett. Their children are: Janet Payne, Lana Bahr and Dana Hess, all of Burlington. They also have seven grandchildren. They will celebrate with family on their anniversary, followed by a family vacation this summer.
ANNIVERSARY submissions submissions ANNIVERSARY POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. They are for parishioners in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas DEADLINE: eight days before the desired publication date. WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or email: todd. habiger@theleaven.org.
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‘Fidget’ quilts soothe, engage patients with dementia By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven
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RAIRIE VILLAGE — It wasn’t too long ago that fidget spinners were all the rage for school-aged kids. But at St. Ann Church here, there’s another kind of fidget product of more lasting interest — the fidget quilt. Fidget quilts are actually small in size and are designed to provide sensory feedback for individuals suffering from dementia. Each fidget quilt is handcrafted by a talented group of women at St. Ann’s and is filled with a variety of items that make fidgeting fun. The group’s newest inventory features quilts with objects like plastic measuring spoons, keys, silk and textured ribbons and fabrics, plastic toys, buttons and more. Jo Ann Palmer, a Kansas City transplant and an eightyear member of St. Ann’s is one of the group’s five original organizers. “We saw an ad from a local senior living center about making fidget quilts, so a group of us met with the facility and began making our first batch,” Palmer said. “Fidget quilts are a relatively new idea, although Pinterest is full of images and ‘chatter’ about them.” According to Leawood-based American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), dementia is not a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that often occurs in older people. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The condition makes it hard for people to remember, learn and communicate. It may cause changes in mood and personality. Fidgeting is a common behavior among individuals diagnosed with dementia. The project was a perfect fit for Palmer, who moved from California
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MIKE MCCABE
Young Scarlett Harris looks over the designs and patterns at the fidget quilt show-and-tell at St. Ann Church in Prairie Village. Fidget quilts are small in size and are designed to provide sensory feedback for individuals suffering from dementia. and volunteered around her work schedule as an administrative assistant for a hospital. Also, it gave her a chance to return to her hobby of sewing. When her husband passed away and she traveled to Kansas City to visit her son and daughter-in-law, she fell in love with the area and now enjoys the camaraderie of the dozen or so women who meet monthly to plan the fidget quilts. “It was a God thing,” Palmer said of her move. “This is why I’m supposed to be here.” The group began meeting in June and has donated approximately 30 fidget quilts to area senior living residences. The price of fidget quilts online generally starts at $40 apiece. Although the meetings help keep them organized, most of the volunteers’ work is done at home. All of the women have sewing experience, as well as yards and yards of fabric and
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“PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEMENTIA WANT A SENSORYTYPE ITEM THAT SOOTHES THEM. THEY’LL FIDGET WITH WHATEVER THEY HAVE. “
accessories they are always happy to contribute. What they don’t have, they receive in donations, the need for which is spread by word of mouth. While not every fidget quilt features a theme, some women choose to incorporate one. St. Ann parishioner Rosemary
Ahnen knew one dementia patient who used to fidget with a tissue. The woman would make the same motion over and over again, pushing the tissue back and forth. Ahnen finally realized the woman was “sewing.” In honor of the woman, Ahnen made a special fidget quilt that featured zippers, spools of thread, and soft material. She used her embroidery machine to give it even more texture. Texture is important when designing a good fidget quilt, Palmer said. It has to be the right mix of sensory objects. However, it must also be washable and safe so seniors cannot injure themselves. “People who have dementia want a sensory-type item that soothes them. They’ll fidget with whatever they have,” Palmer said. Fellow quilter Nancy Nowatzke’s mom passed away after battling dementia. Her brother is currently battling a form of dementia in a local senior living center. She has watched him undergo many changes and believes the fidget quilt will help him as his dementia progresses. While the group’s mission is to serve individuals diagnosed with dementia, the women also gather twice a year to serve a much younger audience. That’s when the women make baby blankets for those in need. Carrying on the group’s mission for all ages will continue to take resources. And while Palmer said she has enough fabric and scraps at her apartment to fill a third bedroom, she encourages donations of all kinds. It makes the quilts fun and interesting, she said, and provides a much-needed activity for a population of seniors dealing with the effects of dementia. For more information on the fidget quilt project, contact Jo Ann Palmer by email at: joanpalmer0@gmail.com.
Men’s group honors their own with special funeral tradition By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
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EAWOOD — A line from Shakespeare’s play “Henry V” says, in its most essential form, what the Men of Nativity Honor Guard is all about: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.” The Men of Nativity at Church of the Nativity Parish in Leawood has been a vital men’s group since its founding in 1989. And since then, men of the parish have formed special bonds, according to Bill Oades, one of the group’s co-founders. But it wasn’t until 2012 that they found a way to honor their brothers when one of them died. “Mike Nolte came up with the idea to honor our deceased with an honor guard,” said Oades. They formed the Men of Nativity Honor Guard that same year. Any member of the men’s group can be a member of the Honor Guard. They have no meetings or activities other than this: to gather and honor a brother and comfort his family at the time of his funeral. Since they first formed up for Fred Heid in 2012, the honor guard has attended the funerals of 12 of the men’s
PHOTO BY JOHN CAUFIELD
Members of the Men of Nativity Honor Guard greet the family of Perry Selfridge following his funeral last November. group’s members. What they do is fairly simple, said Mike Bartkoski, a member of Men of Nativity for 10 years. When someone in the group dies, any one of the honor guard members who can possibly make it attends the funeral. There, said Bartkoski, and some-
times accompanied by their wives, they sit as a group until the priest is ready to do the final commendation. At that time, the men rise, go to the center aisle of the church and line the aisle facing inward. They place their right hands over their hearts as the casket, family, priest and acolytes pass. Sometimes, they line up to form
a corridor from the church door to the hearse. There is no requirement to have a certain number of honor guard members present. Usually, however, between 20 and 50 men show up. They have a dress code, but do not strictly adhere to it. “We ask they wear dark suits and white shirts,” said Bartkoski. “We get pretty close to that. Most guys — not everyone — has a dark suit.” They will also wear special black ribbons with gold lettering made for the occasion and worn on their lapels. The lettering has the name of the deceased, birth and death dates, and a poem: “No man is an island. No man walks alone. We all need each other, to bring our brothers home.” As far as Oades and Bartkoski know, no other parish in the archdiocese has an honor guard for members of a men’s group, other than the Knights of Columbus. Families seem to appreciate the gesture. “When we’re standing there lining the aisle and the family comes by, it’s moving to them that we’re honoring their husband and father,” said Bartkoski. “It’s important for the family to see that their deceased meant something very significant to a group of men,” he added.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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‘Dear God, please let these boys listen . . .’
TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus
>> Continued from page 1
All you holy men and women Pray for us! As Catholics, we are blessed by the intercession of our heavenly advocates. This year, consider celebrating your child’s patron saint’s feast day: • Research traditions and customs and do your best to experience them. Many cultures are rich in tradition when it comes to feast days. ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 • Make the day special. Go to Mass and ask for a blessing. Let your child choose dinner for the family. • Give your child a special religious gift. — Jennie Punswick,
School of Faith
Rios was chosen to participate in a roundtable discussion about women in technology and global issues. At that meeting, she caught the attention of Cerner Corporation and was invited to be a cybersecurity intern through its Cerner Scholars program. She was one of 20 American girls chosen to spend two-and-ahalf weeks in Malawi, Africa, at a Women in Science STEAM Camp, empowering high school girls to explore science and technology fields, as well as art and design. This month, Rios will travel to North Carolina to receive the 2018 National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. And, of course, there’s that empty wine bottle.
Breaking into the boy’s club
WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE
CHURCH OF THE WEEK
Holy Spirit, Overland Park Address: 11300 W. 103rd, 66214 Phone: (913) 492-7318 Pastor: Father Richard Halvorson Mass times: Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Website: hscatholic.org MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TOUR of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org.
WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE
TEAM OF THE WEEK SWIMMING
Hayden
Rios fell in love with computers when she was 10 and went to an allgirls computer programming camp sponsored by the KC STEM Alliance. “It was basically a one-week camp where I learned about app development, surrounded by girls,” she said. “And that was such a positive experience for me.” Wanting to learn more, Rios attended the camp again the following summer. This time it was coed. “I was the only girl,” she said. “That’s when I realized there was a disparity between men and women and STEM roles. “I thought then that it was going to get better. I realized at the college course that it doesn’t necessarily.” Rios knew her confidence in computers began with the all-girl camp. So, when Martha McCabe, executive director of the KC STEM Alliance, invited her to assist with all-girl coding camps, she jumped at the chance. “She stood out as a leader at the camp even as a participant,” said McCabe of Rios. “She was so friendly and always willing to help another team if they were struggling with figuring out the coding. “You know how you’re always looking for a student that can help if you need an extra set of hands — Ruby immediately made it very clear that she was the person.” At the conclusion of the summer
L Topeka’s Hayden High School boys swim team was in action Jan. 25 in Topeka. Leaven photographer Lori Wood Habiger captured the action. Check out her photos on The Leaven’s Facebook page.
EAVENWORTH — Sister Lillian Maguire, 83, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 64 years, died on Dec. 18 at the motherhouse here. Sister Lillian was a gifted and dedicated teacher and principal, and a pioneer in the introduction of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in parishes. She was born on May 1, 1934, in Butte, Montana, the oldest of four daughters of Robert and Margaret (“Sis”) (Kendrigan) Maguire. She grew up in an Irish-Catholic community with her
camps, participants and their parents approached Rios asking where they could go next. “That got me into Girls Who Code,” she said. Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit working to close the gender gap in STEM fields. With the help of the KC STEM Alliance and the support of Bishop Miege, Rios started a local club that’s now in its second year. It meets at Bishop Miege, but is open to any local students in 6th through 12th grade. “It is every week and it goes for two hours — it’s a big commitment,” said Bishop Miege math and computer instructor Joan Gladbach, the club sponsor. “We’ve had between 10 and 15 girls over the last two years. “I feel like the girls are learning and doing things outside their comfort zone. And we actually have some boys in it now.” “I help with the club a lot,” said Rios. “But Mrs. Gladbach is the force behind it.” Gladbach would argue that point. “Ruby’s the facilitator of the students,” she said. “I’m there as support. “She’s got a wide range of knowledge about computing and programming, so she’s invaluable.”
Faith and school support Rios believes every opportunity in her life is a springboard to the next, and God is in charge of the plan. “God has worked in my life in so many wonderful ways,” she said. “He’s been there every step of the way, helping everything connect in my life. “My faith has been challenged by technology, especially in the beginning. Being the only girl in the room, I had to pray a lot. “I was, like, ‘Dear God, please let these boys listen to one of my ideas before I go insane.’” Meeting Yousafzai, she said, was life-changing. “Seeing someone who is only slightly older than you who made such a huge impact, and having them tell you that you can make that same impact — that’s empowering,” she said. McCabe remembers watching Rios during that event. “It resonated with her, watching Malala speak,” she said. “I think the
message was: It’s great to have all these opportunities. But the thing you can benefit the most from, and provide benefit to, is in your own community, your own backyard. “And I think Ruby has been a shining light for that.” To a large degree, Ruby credits Bishop Miege for her accomplishments. She knew about its robotic club through an older brother who went there, and she was further impressed by the high school’s commitment to technology. “What drew me into Miege,” she said, “is recognizing that they were working toward improving STEM education more than the other schools I’d seen, even compared to the public schools.” “People look at our football team and our basketball team and our amazing sports accomplishments and think that’s what Miege has to offer. “But last year, we got to semifinals with our robot in robotics, and we just started Project Lead the Way last year. That’s incredible.” Through Project Lead the Way, Rios has taken engineering and advanced computer science classes. “[Miege has] allowed me to have the internship opportunity,” she said. “They’ve allowed me to bring a Girls Who Code club into the school. “They’ve gone above and beyond in helping me to have those opportunities and succeed in ways I never thought I could.”
Dancing into the future When Rios needs a break from the grind of her technology-filled life, she dances. “I’ve been tap dancing since I was three,” she said. “It’s a passion of mine.” Though she no longer competes, Rios still dances for at least three hours a week. “I have a blast,” she said. “Tap dancing has been a big part of my life because I need exercise of some sort. “With everything I do, it’s sometimes difficult to not be stressed. And so, tap dancing is my outlet for stress.” Whether dancing or computing, Rios has a bright future ahead. She’s just completed her college applications, and is waiting to make a decision about where she’ll shine her light next. “It’s another thing where I’m trusting God,” she said. “We’ll just have to see.”
Sister Lillian Maguire, SCL family always close to the Sisters. She attended Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, for a year and then entered the SCL community on Aug. 21, 1953. She professed vows as Sister Robert Mary on Aug. 22, 1955, and later returned to the name Lillian. Sister Lillian loved teaching and fostered teacher creativity. She taught for 11 years and served as principal for 11 years at schools in Kansas, Missouri, Montana and Wyoming. In 1977, she transitioned to pastoral ministry coordinating the RCIA program for several parishes in Kansas
City, Missouri. As part of a team, she developed a workbook to guide restoration of this rite in the church. She furthered her own knowledge by earning a master’s in theological studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Evangelization and adult education remained her focus in the diocesan Pastoral Life and Ministry Center, Kansas City, Missouri, and in parishes. Sister Lillian returned to Montana in 1991 and served in similar ministries. In 2006, she joined the Sisters’ retreat center team in Leavenworth. Her final active ministry took her home to Butte.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
Witnessing God’s abundant love by caring for local families
T
he Villa St. Francis Catholic Care Center in Olathe gives hope to families, and families give back to the Villa! When a parent or family member is no longer able to live on their own, their loved ones face difficult decisions. Add to that the cost for care, and sometimes the burden can be too great, or even impossible. The Villa offers compassionate care for those with limited financial resources. With 170 beds, it is one of the largest Medicaid providers in the state. This Catholic nonprofit skilled nursing community is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The Villa is a unique place, with a long history of care. In its first 50 years, St. Joseph Care Center, as it was known, fulfilled Pope John Paul II’s proclamation: “When the sick, the aged or the dying are abandoned in loneliness, we will stand up and proclaim that they are worthy of love, care and respect.” This tradition of love, care and respect continues
today, offered without regard to the residents’ creed, race or ability to pay. The Medical Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of St. Ann are the anchor of the Villa. Their daily sacrifices and loving care inspire the staff, volunteers, families of the residents and, of course, the residents themselves. Mass is the highlight of every day. Families and friends of the residents are drawn into the life of Jesus, both in the Eucharist and through his caring presence at the Villa, truly supporting the mission to make disciples for Jesus. The annual Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal helps support Villa St. Francis — not only financially, but also by spreading the word and witness about this remarkable place. It is part of the mission of the Catholic community in northeast Kansas to give witness to the tenderness and love of Jesus. The Villa is a clear indication of God’s abundant love. The strong spiritual life and loving
PANKEY FOUNDATION REPAIR
LEAVEN FILE PHOTO
Villa St. Francis, Olathe, has a long history of providing physical and spiritual care to the elderly.
presence provided by the Sisters, the excellent, five-star quality care, and the generous support of people in our parishes through the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal combine to create this “miracle of mercy.”
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7
Catholic schools build a Administrators view education from both sides now
K
By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Take a look at a public school classroom and a Catholic school classroom of the same grade. At first glance, you might not see many differences. Both have the usual things you’d expect in a school: desks and chairs, SMART Boards or whiteboards, colorful art or projects on bulletin boards, textbooks and other instructional resources. Take a closer look, however, and you’d see that the Catholic school classroom has more “stuff.” There is a crucifix on the wall, pictures of Jesus and the saints, Bible verses written out on posters or pinned to bulletin boards, Bibles and catechisms, rosaries and other items related to the Catholic faith. A Catholic education is to be valued not just because of all the “extra stuff” in the classroom, but also the unseen things they represent — faith, values and a Christian worldview. Catholic education prepares both the mind and the soul for the world and eternity, which is why Catholics all over the nation have been celebrating Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28-Feb. 3. Many educators and administrators in archdiocesan schools can appreciate what Catholic schools offer because they’ve spent time in both religious and secular schools. Two of the administrators in archdiocesan schools who’ve spent time in both kinds of schools are Mike Riley, principal of St. Ann School in Prairie Village, and Jessica Rolston, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at St. James Academy in Lenexa.
MIKE RILEY
M
ike Riley is a native of Baltimore and his wife Ellen is from Topeka. Today, he’s an administrator at St. Ann School in Prairie Village, and Ellen is an art teacher at Resurrection School in Kansas City, Kansas. They moved from St. Petersburg, Florida, to be closer to Ellen’s side of their family. Mike Riley taught for three years at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, and then at an excellent public high school. “I loved the experience,” said Riley. “The difficulty was I wasn’t able to talk about how my faith impacts my life. Many students knew I was Catholic without me saying it, through my actions and from [Scripture quotes] behind my desk and a crucifix.” He experienced culture shock for the first couple of years. He missed being able to lead his class in prayer and to share his Catholic faith. “[Faith] was key [at Miege in] building classroom community and relationships,” he said. He decided to return to Catholic education and received an offer to become an administrator at St. Ann School. “Our kids are faith-filled leaders,” said Riley. “They are joyfully and intentionally looking for ways they can live out their faith and make a difference in our school, our parish and the greater community. Their faith formation is strong, and it began at home.”
Mike Riley, above, and Jessica Rolston, right, have both worked for secular schools. Both love the opportunity to bring faith into the classroom. Administrators and teachers are promoting a culture in the school that promotes growing in the Catholic faith and achieving academic excellence. In Catholic schools, the students, staff and administrators can pray freely, go to weekly Mass together and engage in works of charity. And not only do the students have faith formation, but the teachers do as well. Riley is grateful that he and 10 St. Ann teachers were given the opportunity to go to Israel through the Holy Family School of Faith. It was “life-changing,” he said. “I love what I do, every day,” said Riley. “We go to the all-school Mass on Friday morning as a community, and that’s part of my workday.”
JESSICA ROLSTON
J
essica Rolston is a veteran educator, spending most of her 17-year career in public schools. For the past two years, however, she has been the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at St. James Academy in Lenexa. Her husband Kevin is a physical education teacher in the Kansas City, Kansas, public school system. Despite many commonalities with public schools, Catholic schools can offer the Christian faith — and that makes all the difference. The major contrast, she said, is that the Catholic faith is not only “the center of who we are [but] what we are to achieve in our school — to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ and try to get each other to heaven,” said Rolston. “[That’s] our
number one goal — with the other things that make a school fall in line.” At St. James Academy, teachers and students have the opportunity to go to daily Mass; pray alone or with others; talk openly about the Catholic faith; and in terms of witness and instruction, integrate their faith into all parts of the curriculum and put their faith into action. “On a personal level, I get to have faith formation for myself,” she said. “Not only do we help students in their faith formation, but I get to participate in things such as School of Faith. We can’t help students grow in faith if we don’t grow ourselves. You couldn’t practice your faith in [public] schools.” The students go on retreats at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg, take theology classes as part of the curriculum, and participate in various activities led by the campus ministry team. “We just had some students go to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.,” said Rolston. “It was really exciting that they could be a part of something that big.” “We do a lot of things other schools
do as far as learning different things,” she continued, “but we do it through the Catholic worldview and talk about moral issues and how they interact with our faith. “You can’t have those discussions, necessarily, in a public school classroom.” A Catholic education is not just about building a good foundation for this life, but to build on that foundation in order to achieve a greater goal. “We have great public schools surrounding us, but the difference that sets us apart is where our foundation lies,” said Rolston. “It lies in the teachings of Jesus Christ. “Other schools do service, but our service is directed toward a greater goal — developing a relationship with Christ as we serve others.” “We hope that when our students leave St. James Academy,” she added, “that they will take that strong foundation of their faith and spread the good news. “While public schools do a lot of great things, our foundation is where our faith lies, and who we are.”
firm foundation of faith Archdiocesan education by the numbers
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Total teachers
1,118 Catholic teachers
91%
36
Elementary schools
26
preschools (affiliated with elementary schools)
TUITION
Non-Catholic teachers
6
9%
high schools
Teaching degrees
SMARTS
Bachelor’s
58% Master’s
41% Average elementary tuition
$3,567
98.5%
Average secondary tuition
College bound
$9,454
Doctorate
Graduation rate
1%
98%
ENROLLMENT Enrollment by gender
14,308 total enrollment
7,180
1,040
Male
Enrollment by religion
7,128
94%
Female
Catholic
Preschool
9,763
Enrollment by region
Elementary
3,505 Secondary
9,165 629 1,653 1,735 346 780 Johnson County
Lawrence
Topeka
Wyandotte/ Leavenworth
Southern
Northern
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
NATION
Brownback confirmed as ambassador
W
ASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Catholic, to be the new U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in the U.S. Department of State. Nominated to the post in July by President Donald Trump, Brownback was confirmed Jan. 24. The Senate vote was 49-49 and Vice President Mike Pence cast the tiebreaking vote. On Jan. 25, Brownback announced he will resign the office of governor Jan. 31. “It has been a great honor to serve Kansans as their governor since 2011 and prior to that as U.S. senator and congressman,” Brownback wrote in a letter to Kansas Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach in Topeka. “As a lifelong Kansan, I have been privileged to serve and represent my fellow citizens for most of my adult life.” He said he looks forward to continuing his public service in a new role. “Wherever my duties may take me, my Kansas values and experience will always travel with me,” he said. Thomas Farr, president of the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, welcomed the Senate’s confirmation of the Republican governor for the post. “Ambassador Brownback’s deep experience, and his commitment to religious freedom for all people, will help ensure American leadership in the vital work of reducing global religious persecution,” Farr said in a statement. “We believe he will make U.S. religious freedom policy an integral part of America’s national security strategy.” He noted “a host of daunting challenges and threats to stability and security” that will face the new ambassador. “Rising levels of global religious
CNS PHOTO/JOSHUA ROBERTS, REUTERS
persecution are being fueled by violent religious extremism, oppressive government policies, and aggressively anti-religious secularism,” Farr stated. “Millions are suffering terrible depredations as a result. Nations and economies are being destabilized by the absence of religious freedom.” He called Brownback “the right choice to lead U.S. policy in addressing this global crisis.” “In his 16 years as a congressman and U.S. senator, Brownback built a reputation as a steadfast advocate for religious freedom,” he said. “He was one of the key supporters of the landmark International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which established in law the promotion of religious freedom as an element of U.S. foreign policy. The act also created the ambassadorship Brownback now holds.” Brownback, 62, was elected the 46th governor of Kansas in
November 2010 and took office in January 2011. He won re-election in November 2016. Before that, he served in the U.S. Senate after winning a special election in 1996 for the seat previously held by Bob Dole, who was the Republican presidential candidate that year. Brownback won the following two regular elections for Senate, serving until 2011. He ran for U.S. president in 2008 but ended his campaign before the primaries; he endorsed Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who eventually won the GOP presidential nomination. In 2000, Brownback and Congressman Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, led the effort to enact the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. President Bill Clinton signed the legislation into law in October 2000. Before serving in the Senate, Brownback was elected to the U.S. House in 1994.
Celebrating Mass for Eagles, Patriots a joy for priests By Matthew Davis Catholic News Service
S
T. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Catholic coaches and players of the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have clear game plans for making Sunday Mass in the midst of prepping for big games each week. Msgr. Mike Foley and Father Tom Barcellona celebrate Mass for the respective Super Bowl-bound teams they serve. “I have great respect for these men. They work really hard,” Msgr. Foley told The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He made the comments in advance of the Feb. 4 game in U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Msgr. Foley, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, received a call from the Patriots’ hotel one morning in 1990 to celebrate Mass for the team’s Catholic coaches and players, and he has done it ever since. He’s not the team’s official Catholic chaplain, however; they don’t have one. “I see it as just trying to serve,” said Msgr. Foley, pastor of St. Luke the
Pro-life leaders decry failure to pass 20-week abortion ban
W The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Catholic, as the new U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
Evangelist in Westborough. Father Barcellona has served as the Eagles’ Catholic chaplain since 2004, the last season the team went to the Super Bowl. In addition to Mass, he offers pastoral guidance and sacramental preparation for players and coaches alike. He also attends practices and home games. A priest of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, Father Barcellona said serving the team has been an enjoyable experience. His main assignment is at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, made up of Assumption Church in Galloway and St. Nicholas Church in Egg Harbor City. The parish is almost 60 miles away from the Eagles’ headquarters in Philadelphia. He’s happy to make the drive, as he sees the ministry’s necessity for the coaches and players engaged in the NFL’s demands, including substantial time away from family. “During the season, they pretty much live, breathe and eat football,” Father Barcellona said of the players and coaches. He also helps provide priests for visiting teams across the NFL through his role on the board for Catholic Athletes for Christ. The nationwide
ministry works with athletes of all levels to live the Catholic faith. Although he normally doesn’t attend road games, Father Barcellona was hoping to come to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl, as he attended the Eagles’ previous Super Bowl in February 2005. The Eagles also faced the Patriots in that game, falling 24-21. Msgr. Foley hasn’t been to any of the Patriots’ previous eight Super Bowl appearances in the past 21 years, and he won’t attend this year’s game in Minneapolis. However, he has enjoyed the team’s success and the opportunity to see a bright side of a sometimes scandal-marked team. “My experience of the Patriots has been extremely positive,” he said. Besides the Eagles’ teamwork, Father Barcellona has appreciated the Christian witness among a significant number of players, Catholic or not. That includes quarterback Nick Foles crediting God in a post-game interview after the Eagles’ Jan. 21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC title game. “It’s a family setup,” Father Barcellona said of the Eagles.
10
ASHINGTON (CNS) — Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York decried the Senate’s failure to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, and called on senators to “rethink” their stance on late-term abortions. The cardinal, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called the vote “appalling” in a statement released late Jan. 29. “The Senate’s rejection of this common-sense legislation is radically out of step with most Americans,” the statement added. Although the bill received 51 votes, under Senate rules it needed 60 votes to end debate and move to a final vote. Three Democrats joined 48 Republicans in supporting the measure. The final vote was 51-46. Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Joe Donnelly of Indiana supported the bill, while Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted against it. Several senators who opposed the bill said it was unconstitutional during debate on the floor before the vote. The House of Representatives passed the same bill Oct. 3. President Donald Trump said he would have signed the measure if it had passed both houses of Congress. The legislation would have punished doctors who perform an abortion after 20 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is threatened. Physicians could face up to five years in prison. Women seeking abortions would not be penalized under the bill. The bill is based on the finding that an unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks of development. Similar laws are on the books in 17 states and three more states ban abortion after 20 weeks for other reasons. “The United States is currently one of only seven countries that allows abortions beyond 20 weeks,” Cardinal Dolan said, naming Canada, China, Netherlands, North Korea, Singapore and Vietnam as the other six. Pro-life advocates echoed the cardinal’s disappointment in the vote. “Americans should be outraged that pro-abortion Senate Democrats refuse to protect unborn babies who can feel pain,” Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement. “We will keep coming back to the Senate again and again until it passes this bill,” she said. Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, criticized senators who voted against the bill for “believing the excruciating killings should continue.” He said in a statement that senators “voted against the wishes of the American public, against science, and most importantly, against the human rights of innocent babies. Every senator who voted to defeat this human rights legislation deserves to feel the pain of defeat at the ballot box,” he said.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
WORLD
11
Lord’s Prayer: Germans stick with wording; Italians to change By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
R
OME (CNS) — After special study, the German bishops’ conference decided to stick with the traditional wording in the Lord’s Prayer while the Italian bishops’ conference has decided to change the words of the prayer in their translation of the Roman Missal. The decisions come after the French bishops decided that beginning early December last year, French Catholics would change the line, “Lead us not into temptation,” to the equivalent of “do not let us enter into temptation.” French-speaking Catholics in Benin and Belgium began using the new translation at Pentecost last June. The common Spanish translation already is “no nos dejes caer en la tentacion” or “do not let us fall into temptation.” The issue got wide attention after Pope Francis discussed the line, “And lead us not into temptation,” with Father Marco Pozza, a Catholic prison chaplain, Dec. 6, as part of a television series on the Lord’s Prayer. Pope Francis said the Italian and English translations of the “Our Father” can give believers the wrong impression that God can and does lead people into temptation. He told Father Pozza, “I’m the one who falls. But it’s not [God] who pushes me into temptation to see how I fall. No, a father does not do this. A father helps us up immediately.” “The one who leads us into temptation is Satan,” the pope said. “That’s Satan’s job.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in its discussion of the Lord’s Prayer, says, “Our sins result from our consenting to temptation; we therefore ask our Father not to ‘lead’ us into temptation. It is difficult to translate the Greek verb used by a single English word: The Greek means both ‘do not allow us to enter into temptation’ and ‘do not let us yield to temptation.’” The New American Bible, revised edition, is the basis for the Lectionary
CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING
In this 2016 file photo, priests pray the Lord’s Prayer as Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Priests in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. used at English-language Masses in the United States; the petition from the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke is translated as: “do not subject us to the final test.” The German bishops’ conference announced Jan. 25 that after in-depth study, it would keep the line, “And lead us not into temptation,” unchanged, particularly to use the same wording as most Catholics and most other Christian denominations. But, it added, it would like to see more done in offering the faithful a clear and fuller explanation and discussion of the prayer’s meaning. The line in the prayer, the bishops’ committee said, is not about persuading God to not tempt the faithful, but
rather it is a recognition of one’s own weakness and one’s trust in God’s guidance — that he does not lead people to make the wrong choice. However, when the Italian bishops’ conference adopted a new translation of the Bible in 2008, they chose “do not abandon us in temptation” for the Lord’s Prayer both in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. The Lectionary also contains the change and received Vatican approval. The conference has now called for an extraordinary assembly of bishops to meet Nov. 12-14 to discuss and approve the third edition of the missal, which would use the changed wording of the Lord’s Prayer for Mass and other
liturgical rites. Cardinal Giuseppe Betori of Florence, a noted biblicist, said study of the prayer had begun in 1988. The problem, he told the newspaper Avvenire Dec. 10, was the Italian verb (“indurre”) that had been used “is not equivalent to the Latin ‘inducere’ or the Greek.” The Latin and Greek terms suggest a form of concession — letting something enter, he said, while the Italian verb “is coercive,” with English equivalents such as: “induce,” “inspire” or “persuade.” Standard versions of the prayer are translated from the Latin, which was translated from the New Testament in Greek.
Irish government to hold referendum on right to life By Michael Kelly Catholic News Service
D
UBLIN (CNS) — The Irish government announced it will hold a referendum in late May asking citizens whether they want to retain or delete the constitutional article that provides for the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child “with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother.” If passed, the vote would allow parliament to legislate for abortion. Health Minister Simon Harris has said in this case he would bring forward a proposal to permit abortion on request up to eight weeks’ gestation. But Ireland’s leading pro-life advocacy group has warned that any dilution to the country’s constitutional protection for the unborn will inevitably lead to abortion on demand. Commenting after the government’s Jan. 29 announcement, Ruth Cullen, Pro Life Campaign spokeswoman, said, “It is a very sad and serious moment for our country. “The government brought forward a proposal that for the first time in
our history would withdraw basic human rights from a group of vulnerable, defenseless individuals instead of strengthening their constitutional protections,” she said. She added that the government cannot disguise how its proposal is solely about stripping unborn babies of all meaningful legal protections. “The right to life is an inalienable right. It’s not something that can be conferred or withheld by the state at its pleasure. The Eighth Amendment acknowledges this basic right to life; it doesn’t claim to be its initiator — merely its protector,” she said. The language in question was added to the Irish Constitution in 1983 as an amendment and became Article 40.3.3. Cullen predicted that in the coming weeks, it will become clear that the government’s proposal would lead to abortion on demand if passed in the referendum. “As people come to realize this, I have every confidence they will vote to retain the Eighth Amendment with a renewed commitment to building a more welcoming society for expectant mothers and their unborn babies,” she said.
CNS PHOTO/CLODAGH KILCOYNE, REUTERS
Health Minister Simon Harris speaks Jan. 29 after Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced that the government will hold a referendum on liberalizing abortion laws at the end of May. The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference announced Jan. 29 that it would start circulating a weekly newsletter to parishes and religious communities
ahead of the vote. According to a note from the Catholic Communications Office, the newsletter, Choose Life 2018, “promotes the church’s position on unborn human life and encourages family discussion on this important subject.” Parishes have been encouraged to distribute the newsletter with their weekly bulletin. In a pastoral letter read at all Masses at the weekend, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin warned that any move to liberalize abortion laws would pave the way for euthanasia. The bishop claimed removing the Eighth Amendment would pave the way for euthanasia in Ireland, and that this was “the final frontier. If we cross it, there will be no easy way back.” Abortion is available in Ireland in limited circumstances under a controversial 2013 law that saw tense parliamentary debates and the resignation of several legislators who refused to back the change. Abortions are permitted when there is judged to be a substantial risk to the life of the mother, including when a woman says the continuation of the pregnancy leads to suicidal thoughts.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after-school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, and cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Pastoral associate for justice and life – St. Francis Xavier Jesuit Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, is seeking a pastoral associate for justice and life. This person must have an understanding of Catholic social teaching and Jesuit core values; demonstrate the ability to create, market and conduct programs about Catholic social teaching and Jesuit core values; and be able to organize others to fulfill the church’s mission of justice to societal needs. A bachelor’s degree is required, higher-level coursework or its equivalent in theology or social work is preferred. Competence with social media and the ability to learn and teach new software are helpful, as well as the ability to creatively use print and electronic media in a variety of formats. Financial skills such as balancing a checkbook and following a budget are a must. The ability to carry up to 30 pounds up and down stairs is needed. Must also be available for limited travel. Applications are due Feb. 28. Full job description available online at: sfx-kc.org. Email cover letter, resume, and professional and one personal reference to: search@sfx-kc.org. Teacher openings - Bishop Miege High School has openings for math, AP biology and physics teachers for the 2018-19 school year. Send a letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com. Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, round- trip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Campaign coordinator – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a full-time campaign coordinator with the expectation that the position will last approximately 18 months or longer. This position is temporary and benefit-eligible. Duties include: providing support to the campaign executive director and campaign team; coordinating the collection and processing of weekly reports; reporting and handling queries from Raiser’s Edge; data entry; and various other campaign tasks. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have one to three years’ experience in an office environment; nonprofit experience; and college degree preferred. A complete job description, application and benefit information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck. org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Campaign Coordinator Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@archkck.org. This position will remain open until filled. Groundskeeping position - $30K - Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit; experience operating construction equipment would be a plus. Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Matt Wirtz at (913) 371-4040 or you may send a resume online to: svallejo@cathcemks.org.
High school principal - Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in the academic and spiritual formation of students, as well as in the recruitment, development and retention of high caliber Catholic faculty and staff. The principal must be current regarding best practices in Catholic education and be able to lead a diverse community in continually striving for greatness. Proficiency in speaking Spanish is preferred. Bishop Ward has approximately 292 students in 9th through 12th grades and employs 33 teachers. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics, understand the mission of Catholic schools, and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs. org and send resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org . Deadline for applications is Fri., Feb. 16. Office manager, tribunal office – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking an experienced office manager for a full-time position. This position has a canonical responsibility to authenticate acts of all annulment cases processed in the archdiocese. The office manager supervises a staff of two and oversees all office procedures, ensuring that cases receive timely attention and proceed according to the dictates of the law and the mandates of the judges. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have a minimum of five years’ experience managing and supervising. Requires college degree; prefer canon law degree or related experience. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should send cover letter, resume, application and pastor’s letter of support via email to: jobs@archkck.org; or mail to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Office Manager - Tribunal Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Submission deadline is Feb. 28. Director of advancement - Bishop Miege High School is seeking a full-time director of advancement. This position works under the direction of the high school president and the president of the foundation implementing capital campaign strategies, major gifts, annual giving, and community-wide fundraising and is also responsible for communications, alumni relations and management of the development office staff. Candidate is expected to uphold the mission of Bishop Miege High School and promote the school in the most positive way possible. The desired candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years’ professional experience in education fundraising, marketing, business, public relations, communications or related field. Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are required, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team is essential. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and a faithful steward in their parish. Send letter of interest, resume and references to: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com. Do you enjoy driving? - The Kansas City Transportation Group is looking for chauffeurs to drive our guests to events, airport, dinner, etc. Business is growing and we are in need of workers with flexible hours, those who are retired, etc. Great pay and benefits. Send resume to: jkalbert@kctg.com or in person at Carey, 1300 Lydia Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106.
SERVICES Life Simplified - Professional organizing for home and business in the greater Kansas City are. New Year Special! Receive a 15% discount in January (2 hr. minimum). We organize tools to toys, garages to attics. Pre- and post-moving support for upsizing or downsizing. We advise on what to keep, donate, recycle or toss and offer personalized strategies on keeping organized. Supportive, confidential and non-judgmental. Call (913) 725-8151 or email: info@lifesimplified.biz; or go online to: www. lifesimplified.biz. Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr. com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer. com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
Tutoring - Voice, piano and guitar available. Instructor teaches in a fun and meaningful context. For more information, call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or send an email to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com. Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/ unload, and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammer moving.com. Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176
HOME IMPROVEMENT 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. HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125. NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs. Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson. (913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hot mail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa. Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063 Helping Hand Handy Man - Semi-retired handyman can help with your ‘to do list,’ small and medium projects around your house. Also electrical; ceiling fans, light fixtures, outlet and switches. Most deck and shed repairs, power washing restaining and painting. No yard work. Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe. Call Mark Coleman at (913) 526-4490. Father-and-son home exteriors and remodeling - Celebrating my 15th year in The Leaven as a small business owner! We do decks, siding, windows, doors, tile work, floors, wood rot, and interior and exterior painting. We can remodel bathrooms, kitchens or basements. We also reface cabinets and redo pesky popcorn ceilings. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230. Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118. Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com. Handyman/Remodeler - Quality service with references. Kitchens, baths, tile, painting, garage doors and openers, decks and wood rot repair. Call Jeff at (913) 915-4738.
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EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM.
FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Double mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. St. John Corridor, tier A, crypt 6. Asking $10,000. Call Janet at (913) 522-0489.
WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. Wanted to Buy Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee
REAL ESTATE Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it? We buy it all at once in as-is condition. Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com. For sale - Two-story, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home with an open, spacious kitchen, two fireplaces and a finished lower level. Located at 12842 Wedd in Overland Park. Call Lorie Wilson, Reece Nichols, at (816) 805-2588.
For sale - Estate home in gated community. 1.5-story traditional main level with open lower level walkout and many windows. Lot backs to field, pond and woods. Dream home for your family! For info: Luke Laser at RE-MAX Best Associates, (217) 317-1684, or Lukelaser@gmail. com. Listed under appraisal. Meticulously maintained by current owners — JoCo parishioners for 26 years. Bring offers! 8401 Maplewood Lane, Lenexa, KS 66215.
CAREGIVING Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary. Medication support - Need help filling weekly pill boxes? Need daily medication reminders? We can provide these services in your home with daily or weekly visits. Call to learn about our exciting new medication solutions that allow you to continue living safely at home. Call Home Connect Health at (913) 627- 9222. Just like family - Two independent ladies willing to care for your loved ones in their home. Flexible nights, days, weekends. Payment depends on services rendered. Call Kara at (913) 343-1602. Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
CALENDAR SOUP - R - BOWL SUNDAY LUNCH St. Mary Parish 9208 Main St., St. Benedict Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
There will be homemade chili, chicken noodle soup, vegetable beef soup, relishes and pie. The suggested donation is a freewill offering. All are welcome.
SISTERS, SERVANTS OF MARY ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER St. Patrick Parish Center 9400 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The cost for a meal is $10 for adults; $5 for kids under the age of 10. There will also be variety booths and a raffle. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more information, call (913) 371-3423. Carryout orders (warm and ready to serve) are available for your Super Bowl party.
‘RESOLVE, RENEW, REJOICE’ WOMEN’S RETREAT 2018 Christ the King Parish 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Feb. 10 at 8 a.m.
This retreat is designed to encourage Catholic women to renew themselves and become closer to God through “prayer, fellowship and spiritual guidance.” Beginning with Mass, the retreat also includes a keynote presentation by Judy Hehr, lunch and a charitable activity. The cost of tickets is $20 and two 24-packs of crayons per woman. Purchase tickets online at: ctktopeka.org or at the door. For more information, call (785) 273-0710 or go online to: ctktopeka.org.
WHITE MASS Christ the King Parish 8510 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Feb. 10 from 4 - 7 p.m.
All health care professionals are invited to Mass celebrated by Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. and homilist Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann in the church hall. Reserve your ticket for complimentary hors d’oeuvres that will follow. No ticket is necessary if you are planning to attend Mass only. Go to the website at: Eventbrite.com and scroll down to Search events or categories. Then put in KC KMA White Mass to register and get tickets.
NEW EVANGELIZATION PARISH MISSION Holy Trinity Parish 13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa Feb. 5 - 8 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Join Deacon Ralph Poyo as he provides sound, practical and motivational teaching that will help us understand what we do as Catholics as well as lead us to the transforming power of a viable, life-giving and faith-centered relationship with Christ.
EMBRACE: ENRICHING MANY BY REACHING ALL IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION St. Joseph School 11505 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Feb. 5 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
The evening will begin with social time followed by a program on sensory development and fine motor skills. This program teaches parents and teachers how to help children learn through sensory play and improve fine motor skills. All are welcome. Learn more by visiting the website at: www.embraceks.org or call (913) 362-7223.
‘PRAYING WITH PICTURES: CONTEMPLATIVE SEEING, CONTEMPLATIVE WALKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This day will include discussion of photography as a spiritual practice and of the symbols and images that remind us of God’s presence. Bring the camera you generally use, from phone to DSLR. This is not a class on technique, but an opportunity to explore awareness, connection and contemplation in photography. The fee is $50 ($10 deposit). To register, go online to: sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.
‘HOLY WOMEN: ST. SCHOLASTICA, WOMAN OF PEACE’ Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 8 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Learn about St. Scholastica, twin of St. Benedict and co-founder of the Benedictine order.
TACO BINGO Holy Angels Parish (Father Quinlan Hall) 15440 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m.
The cost for dinner is a freewill donation, and $5 for bingo cards. This event will help support our sponsored seminarians.
OPEN HOUSE Padre Pio Academy 5901 Flint, Shawnee Feb. 11 from 3 - 5 p.m.
Padre Pio Academy is hosting an open house for anyone interested in learning more about the school. Find out what makes it the best kept secret in Kansas City.
MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION St. Benedict School Commons 201 Division St., Atchison Feb. 11 at 11 a.m.
The cost for dinner is: $8 for adults; $4 for kids ages 4 - 10; kids ages 3 and under eat for free. There will be jambalaya, maque choux, pizza, king cakes and beignets. There will also be live and silent auctions, games, crafts and face painting.
WOMEN’S DAY OF LENTEN PRAYER Cathedral of St. Peter 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 17 from 8:30 a.m. - noon
The retreat will begin with registration and a continental breakfast in the parish hall and conclude with Mass at 11:30 a.m. in the church. Susan Carroll will present a Lenten reflection, “Come Follow Me.” The cost for this retreat, sponsored by the Altar Society of the Cathedral of St. Peter, is $15. For additional information, call Diane Hentges at (913) 708-5323 or send an email to: dkhentges0503@gmail.com.
DIVORCED: CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN Church of the Ascension (St. Luke Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7 p.m.
SWEETHEART DANCE St Mary-St. Anthony Parish (basement) 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 10 from 6 - 10:30 p.m.
What’s next after divorce/annulment? Join us for a formation series on the gift of self, which helps us fulfill the call to love again. Various topics will be discussed. Visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ giftofself143 or send an email to: calledto love143@gmail.com.
This dance is sponsored by the GermanAmerican Edelweiss Society. The cost of admission is $20 and includes dinner, drinks and dancing to The Willie Kirst Band. Families are welcome. Raffles will be held. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, call Patty Orth at (913) 371-2468.
F.I.R.E. RETREAT FOR MEN Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg Feb. 10 - 11
This retreat will strengthen men in their walk with Jesus in an active, outdoor, masculine experience. Any Catholic man ages 18 and up, regardless of where he is in his faith journey, is welcome. For more information, pictures, videos or to register, visit the website at: www.fire-retreats.org and click on “Register.”
‘RENEWING YOUR SOUL THROUGH PRAYER AND FASTING’ Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Feb. 10 and 11
This retreat begins at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10 and concludes at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11. There will be four or five talks, daily eucharistic adoration, time for confession before 5 p.m. Mass at the local parish and time for private prayer, spiritual direction, spiritual reading and walks in the woods. The cost for overnight guests is $85 per person; $125 per couple. All meals are included. To register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@christspeace.com.
SOUP LUNCHEON Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish (Formation Room) 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka Feb. 11 from 1 - 3 p.m.
The Christian widow and widowers organization will host a soup luncheon. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 233-7350.
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and a registration form, send an email to Marceta Reilly at: marcetar@gmail.com or call (785) 608-8899.
‘LIVING IN TRUTH’ - CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE Church of the Ascension 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Prepare your heart for a meaningful Lenten journey. Get practical advice for discovering your unique gifts, your capacity for love and the Father’s unique design for you. Register online at: livingintruthkc.com or mail a $25 check with the name and address of attendees to: KCCWC, c/o Linda Spencer, 11706 Hadley, Overland Park, KS 66210.
‘REST STOPS FOR WOMEN’ Marillac Center (located on the grounds of the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity) 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Feb. 24 from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This is a one-day retreat designed to help participants pay attention to the road signs in life and give themselves permission to take “rest stops.” The donation for the retreat is $40 per person and includes lunch. Scholarships are available. To register or for more information, send an email to: retreats@scls.org or call (913) 758-6552. The registration deadline is Feb. 17. Visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org.
RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Feb. 24 from 4 - 8 p.m.
Respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families who have a child with a disability. The program is designed for children ages 6 - 18. For exceptions to the age range, contact Tom Racunas at (913) 647-3054 or send an email to: tracunas@ archkck.org. For questions about the program, call Tom or Audrey Amor at (816) 7391197 or send an email to: aamor@sjakeep ingfaith.org. Volunteers are needed to be a respite buddy to a child with a disability. To register a child for the program or to volunteer, go online to: www.archkck.org/special needs and complete the online form.
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Precious Blood Renewal Center 2130 St. Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri March 2 - 4 ‘VICE, VIRTUE AND SIN’ Mater Dei - Holy Name Church 1114 S.W. 10th St., Topeka Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
This is a weekend away for those who are widowed, separated and divorced — those who are suffering the loss of a love relationship and feel left out by their church and uneasy around married friends. This weekend offers an opportunity to focus on an experience of positive growth and turn the pain of loss into a new beginning. For more information, visit the website at: beginningexperience.org; send an email to: register.bekc@gmail.com; or call Lori at (913) 980-2026.
CATHOLIC SCOUTING RETREAT Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg Feb. 17 - 18
FEBRUARY BINGO St. Mary - St. Anthony Parish (Bishop Forst Hall) 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
Dave Staples from the Holy Family School of Faith will be giving a talk called “Vice, Virtue & Sin.” The talk will be given in the church immediately after the 5 p.m. Mass. A reception will follow the talk. The suggestion donation is a freewill offering.
This annual retreat, “IGNITE,” for all Scouts and American Heritage Girls will begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 17 and end at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18. The cost to attend is $25 per person and includes the program, reconciliation, Mass, overnight stay, dinner and breakfast. For more information and to RSVP, call Mike Schopper at (913) 226-8345 or send an email to: mgschopper@aol.com.
WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT St. Francis Xavier Parish 301 E. James, Mayetta Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
If you are looking for a way to make this Lent special and you feel spiritually dry, come to this one-day women’s Lenten retreat designed by women, for women. The suggested donation is $30. For more information
Admission is $5 and will include a bingo card, desserts, popcorn and coffee. Beer and soda will be available for purchase. For more information, call Carol Shomin at (913) 8974833 or the parish office at (913) 371-1408. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
CALENDAR POLICY DEADLINE: eight days before the desired publication date WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: calendar; or send an email to: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
COMMENTARY FIFTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Feb. 4 FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jb 7: 1-4, 6-7 Ps 147: 1-6 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23 Mk 1: 29-39 Feb. 5 Agatha, virgin, martyr 1 Kgs 8: 1-7, 9-13 Ps 132: 6-10 Mk 6: 53-56 Feb. 6 Paul Miki and companions, martyrs 1 Kgs 8: 22-23, 27-30 Ps 84: 3-5, 10-11 Mk 7: 1-13 Feb. 7 Wednesday 1 Kgs 10: 1-10 Ps 37: 5-6, 30-31, 39-40 Mk 7: 14-23 Feb. 8 Jerome Emiliani; Josephine Bakhita, virgin 1 Kgs 11: 4-13 Ps 106: 3-4, 35-37, 40 Mk 7: 24-30 Feb. 9 Friday 1 Kgs 11: 29-32; 12: 19 Ps 81: 10-15 Mk 7: 31-37 Feb. 10 Scholastica, virgin 1 Kgs 12: 26-32; 13: 33-34 Ps 106: 6-7, 19-22 Mk 8: 1-10
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D
o you ever feel like you’re living a movie? The one I’m in is named after the day that this issue of The Leaven comes out: “Groundhog Day.” This 1993 comedy stars Bill Murray as the hapless weatherman Phil Connors. He’s sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the Groundhog Day festivities, but a blizzard keeps him stuck in the small town. When he wakes up the next morning, it’s Groundhog Day all over again . . . and again . . . and again. When people ask what it’s like to work on The Leaven, it reminds me of “Groundhog Day.” Just when you’ve got one paper done, another is there waiting to be fed. That leads me to lament every week, “Hey, didn’t we just do this?!?” Greek mythology, too, conveys the same idea. You might recall the story of Sisyphus, the king of Ephyra, who fancied himself cleverer than Zeus, the king of the gods. As punish-
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veryone is looking for you.” When I was a child, we used to play hide and go seek. We could come up with some pretty amazing places to conceal ourselves. At the same time, we set limits on how far out we could go. For example, we might require that any hiding spots had to be within our own yard. We did not want to wander too far from home. In Sunday’s Gospel, Mk 1:29-39, Simon and a few other disciples find Jesus. He has been praying in a deserted place to escape the crowd. People are looking for Jesus because he had healed many who were sick the day before. But Jesus tells the disciples: “Let us go on to the nearby villages
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I’m pretty sure we just did this MARK MY WORDS
FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
ment, Zeus condemned the poor sap to roll a huge boulder up a steep hill. Whenever Sisyphus would reach the top, however, the boulder would roll back down to the bottom, forcing him for all eternity to repeat this process. (I feel his pain.) But maybe the Gospel of John best captures the newspaper experience: “When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived” (16:21a).
OK, you might ask at this point: If putting out The Leaven is such a pain, why do you keep doing it? Well, let’s return to that above passage from John and finish it: “But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (16:22b). The end of deadline day brings a tremendous sense of accomplishment. It’s great to proclaim: “Let’s put this baby to bed!” It’s also exciting to see the finished product — all the amazing things that are happening in the archdiocese — and to know that there are still more
stories to be shared. Ultimately, our Leaven work is not as repetitive as “Groundhog Day” or as hopeless as Sisyphus’ fate. It’s really like John describes: giving birth to what was not there before. Now, I can’t honestly say that I “no longer remember the pain,” but there certainly is joy in this job. For example, look at this text that came before Christmas: “Merry Christmas Eve!! I’m sure you’re busy, but had to share. My Mom has your old Christmas articles out today for our Christmas as per tradition. We love reading them!! Hope you have a great Christmas Eve and Christmas!” The text came with a picture of a kitchen counter, filled with my columns. And there’s unexpected encouragement we get as well, like this letter from Holden, Louisiana, dated Jan. 4: “Hi! I’m enclosing a $21 money order for a year’s subscription to The Leaven. I received a copy in a box I received as a gift; it was used for stuffing. I pieced it
together and was so, so glad I saw your address. Please start my subscription soon . . . for it has so, so much valuable and interesting stories. Hope to hear from y’all real soon.” I’d like to thank not only this new subscriber, but also whoever sent that present, using Leaven stuffing, to Louisiana. Now that’s creative evangelization! It’s comments like these that keep all of us here at The Leaven happily plugging along. As we celebrate this Catholic Press Month, we thank you for letting us into your homes each week. Know that each paper is a labor of love that we’re proud to deliver to you. Please keep us in your prayers and let us hear from you every now and then — with compliments, suggestions, complaints or just to say hello. And don’t forget to send us your story ideas. After all, we have another paper to fill . . . and another . . . and another . . .
Jesus calls us to embrace the world THE GOSPEL TRUTH
FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.
that I may preach there also.” Jesus wants to expand the range of his operations. Consequently, the Gospel relates: “So he went into their synagogues, preaching and
POPE FRANCIS
driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” Eventually, he will also go to Jerusalem, where he will be crucified. But his work will not end there. His disciples will continue his mission, taking it to the ends of the earth. During his ministry, it would sometimes appear as though Jesus wished to confine it more nearly, to only the people of Israel. For example, when
Governments, private entities and church communities have an obligation to be transparent to protect their people and land from the scourge of corruption, Pope Francis said. Addressing Peruvian government authorities and members of the country’s diplomatic corps Jan. 19, the pope said corruption is an often “subtle form of environmental degradation that increasingly contaminates the whole system of life.” “How much evil is done to our Latin American people and the democracies of this continent by this social ‘virus,’ a phenomenon
Jesus sends out disciples, he instructs them “to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mk 6:8). This lack of provisions would necessarily keep the disciples close to home. Similarly, when Jesus encounters the Syrophoenician woman, he brushes off her request for help by telling her: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs” (Mk 7:27b). In his reply, the children correspond to the people of Israel. The dogs correspond to the Syrophoenicians. Despite these moments in which Jesus appears to restrict his ministry to his own people, to familiar territory, he eventually moves far beyond his original bounds. His ministry is for the whole world.
This outward movement perhaps reaches its high point at the moment of his death. The Roman centurion guarding him proclaims: “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mk 15:39). The one who recognizes Jesus’ true nature is a Gentile. Sometimes, we can become cliquish in our groups. We do not want to accept the outsider. That holds true for parishes and parish groups. To that point, the word “parochial” means both “pertaining to a parish” and also “of very limited or narrow scope or outlook.” That’s straight from the dictionary. In contrast, the example of Jesus encourages us to go beyond our boundaries, to expand our range, to embrace the world.
that infects everything, with the greatest harm being done to the poor and mother earth,” the pope said. Pope Francis returned to Lima after visiting the southeastern city of Puerto Maldonado. The pope was headed to the Government Palace when a tire of the Fiat 500 he rode in snagged against a road marker, causing a flat. The pope was immediately escorted to another vehicle for the rest of the drive to the presidential palace. — CNS
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
COMMENTARY
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Becoming fully inclusive begins with a conversion
ave you seen the movie “Wonder”? It is, well, a wonderful
movie. (Spoiler alert!): The story is about a boy named Auggie (August) who has Treacher Collins syndrome. After being homeschooled for six years, Auggie enters middle school and must learn to deal with isolation and bullying. Most students avoid or ignore him. A few are downright cruel to him. However, Auggie emerges as a bright, funny and kind young man after two students release their own ego and begin a conversation with him. That is all it took — someone reaching out,
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REACHING OUT
TOM RACUNAS Tom Racunas is the lead consultant for the archdiocesan special-needs ministry. He can be reached by email at: tracunas@archkck.org.
a conversation. They recognize Auggie’s gifts and become friends. As people of faith, as
missionary disciples, we have a responsibility to help each other facilitate opportunities for a relationship with Christ. The “each other” is not just our immediate family or our friends. It is all of us. If we are truly a parish family, we are called to live this way. We are called to recognize Christ in each
other. We are called to recognize each other’s gifts. We are called to nurture relationships with each other in order to fully have a relationship with Christ. We are called to be a fully inclusive community. What prevents us from answering the call? When the “each other” is a person with a disability, it is primarily fear — fear of the disability, fear of the unknown. Just like with Auggie, most of us would never think of being cruel. But how easy it is to ignore or avoid and think, “Glad it’s not me.” Many people with disabilities in our parishes are not like Auggie. Their disability often goes beyond the physical. We have members
of our community who are unable to communicate, present significant behavior problems and have cognitive disabilities that impact their ability to understand and interact. These challenges make seeing these individuals’ gifts difficult and demand a great deal of patience, flexibility, tolerance and compassion. How can a parish become a fully inclusive community? Like with Auggie, it begins with a conversation. Part of the “how” will be addressing the fears — identifying and appreciating that fears exist. Next, would be to become more informed about the needs of ALL parishioners and family members and identifying potential barriers
to inclusion. The “Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities”in 1978 states: “Integration into the Christian community may require nothing more than issuing an invitation and pursuing it. For others, full participation can only come about if the church exerts itself to devise innovative programs and techniques” (14). It will take effort! The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (www.ncpd.org) has information that expands this idea. Awareness programs, supports and resources are available by contacting the archdiocesan special-needs ministry office.
How can you celebrate Valentine’s Day on Ash Wednesday?
f you are married, your usual celebration of Valentine’s Day consisting of a steak dinner with wine and desserts or maybe even a box of chocolates will not go well on a day of fast and abstinence. DON’T WORRY; I have a suggestion. Bring your beloved husband or wife to the Church of the Ascension on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. to be a part of the annual World Marriage Day celebration. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, and Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph will be the homilist. The idea of an annual
FAMILY MATTERS
DEACON TONY ZIMMERMAN Deacon Tony Zimmerman is the lead archdiocesan consultant for the office of marriage and family life.
celebration of marriage began in 1981 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That
year, the mayor, the governor and the bishop together proclaimed St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day.” The idea was so successful that the Worldwide Marriage Encounter leadership adopted the concept proposing an annual celebration of “World Marriage Day”
on the second Sunday of the month of February. By 1982, 43 state governors adopted this yearly celebration. In 1993, St. John Paul II imparted his apostolic blessing on World Marriage Day. Since that time, this celebration has continued to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions. What does this Mass and celebration offer to you? First, it is a time to remember; you will have the opportunity to renew publicly the commitment you made to each other on your wedding day — whether one year or 60 years ago. You will be able to, once again, turn toward
one another, hold hands and gaze into each other’s eyes and recall and remember the feelings you experienced on your wedding day. You will renew your commitment in the midst of many other married couples, surrounded, as St. Paul would say, “by such a great cloud of witnesses.” It helps all to see that we are not alone as we strive to live out this lifestyle of self-giving love each day. We support one another. You will celebrate in a way so superior to any dinner or other Valentine’s Day remembrance: You will celebrate in the presence of Jesus in the word and in his most precious body
and blood. Once again, you will receive a blessing calling down God’s graces to support you in your life’s work to get one another and your children to heaven. Lastly, you, by your witness, will help the world to believe that marriage is a joy-filled way of life. Young people today wonder if such a way of life is possible. Some wonder, “Why even get married?” They need your witness. Recently, one couple married 59 years, proclaimed, with tears: “We are a sacrament!” They suddenly became aware of their importance. Come, celebrate your sacrament.
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LOCAL NEWS
FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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‘It was hard. It was challenging. It was beautiful.’ By Erin Hunninghake Special to The Leaven
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TCHISON — Many wonder why those who have so little seem to be the richest. Phil Baniewicz and Sarah Wise may have found the answer during their most recent trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This enlightening mission trip to Haiti marked the second for Wise but the fourth in the last six years for Baniewicz, president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison. It all started back in 2011 when Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Haiti reached out to Life Teen, a Catholic youth organization, which Baniewicz helped to found and was the former president of. Bishop Dumas asked the group to consider establishing a base in Port-au-Prince in an effort to evangelize the youth of Haiti. This request stemmed from Bishop Dumas’ friendship with St. John Paul II, who frequently discussed the importance of youth evangelization. Life Teen heeded Bishop Dumas’ call and founded the Haitian base, where it continues to staff full-time missionaries as well as visiting volunteers. Baniewicz started volunteering in Haiti after being invited by the current Life Teen president a few years ago. One reason he continues to return, however, is for his own children and the students of Maur Hill-Mount Academy, where he’s been president since 2010. “I know the impact mission trips like this have on young people,” Baniewicz said. “Deep conversion happens many of the times.” “Not just a temporary high,” he continued, “but it can change the course of their life because of what they encounter.” Wise, a math teacher at Maur Hill-Mount Academy, saw the difference the trip made on her students as well, and felt it in her own life. But as life-changing as her first mission trip to Haiti was for Wise, she was confident she wouldn’t return another year. It soon became apparent that God had other plans. “I really felt God saying I should go back,” Wise said. “I went into the school chapel and heard God saying, ‘You can pick up anything and go.’ “And so I did.” The main task the team tackled this trip was rebuilding a chapel near the Life Teen base, which included a new altar built by Baniewicz and two of his closest friends. Wise found herself humbled by the whole experience, in particular, when she saw two Haitian girls cleaning the chapel floors on their hands and knees, using only sand paper and buckets of water. She felt moved to join them in the task. “I was so humbled to be on my hands and knees serving the Lord,” she said. “It was like being Jesus in that moment. And that’s their everyday life. “It was hard. It was challenging. It was beautiful.” While they share the same Catholic faith as the Haitians they worked with, Baniewicz and Wise both found noticeable differences in the form of praise and worship. “They’re a much more vibrant people. They are much more expressive,” Baniewicz said. “At Mass, they sing as loud as they can, and it’s beautiful. They get overwhelmed with the love and the Holy Spirit. They’ll raise their hands and dance because they’re just feeling the love of God.” “We’re more reserved in America when it comes to church,” he said. “Whenever I come back, it makes me think that we need to evaluate the way we worship God here. “Maybe we need to allow the Holy Spirit to come alive in us more.” Wise shared Baniewicz’s sentiments. “They have genuine joy and openness. They are not afraid to share their love, where as we like to hold it in,” Wise said. “They have nothing — and yet they have everything.” Baniewicz also credits this authentic joy to the lack of distractions in Haiti as opposed to in the States. “They don’t have the money we have, so they find joy in more simple things in life,” he said. “Here in America, we keep wanting more and more, but we just become more and more miserable. In Haiti, you see people with nothing and yet they’re joyful because they enjoy the present moment.” Because of the transformations he has witnessed over the years, Baniewicz highly encourages everyone to step outside of their comfort zones and experience how being on mission can be a positive force in the world. “We get caught up in our own lives,” he said, “so when you experience a different culture and different struggles in the world, I think you realize why we need God, why we need to care for each other more, and why we as Catholic Christians have a responsibility to spread the Gospel and take care of others.”
Atchison’s Maur Hill-Mount Academy president Phil Baniewicz and math teacher Sarah Wise recently returned from a mission trip to Haiti. Baniewicz, who has made several mission trips to Haiti before said, “They have genuine joy and openness. They are not afraid to share their love.”