02-08-13 Vol. 34 No. 25

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 25 | february 8, 2013

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

From left, St. Thomas Aquinas students Tyler Clement, Ben Gartland and Brian Gier process into the all-school Mass Jan. 28. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated Mass with the Johnson County priests to commemorate Catholic Schools Week at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park.

C

atholic Schools Week took on a “Love It, Learn It, Live It” flavor this year as more than 15,000 Catholic school children marked

the week (Jan. 28 to Feb. 1) with a variety of activities, including the special liturgies pictured here. Look for the “Celebrating Catholic Schools” logo throughout this issue for stories related to Catholic Schools Week; for more photos, see page 16.

Lenten Dinners

Due to our extensive Catholic Schools Week coverage, the Lenten dinner clip-and-save will not appear until next week’s edition. It will be available online, however, at: www.theleaven.com, or call the respective parish office with your questions.

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Father Pete O’Sullivan, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, chats with a student of the Topeka Region at the Catholic Schools Week Mass at Hayden High School on Jan. 30.

Lenten regulations

All Catholics 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, and all Fridays of Lent. Catholics 18 to 59 years of age are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday — a fast consisting of one normal meal and two lesser meals, with no eating in between. It is also recommended that Catholics find opportunities throughout the Lenten season to complement their fasts with prayer, reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist, and positive works of charity.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013

Lawrence grade school ‘like none other’

Life will be victorious

Let Apostles lead you into closer relationship with Christ

S

everal years ago, after I had come to the Archdiocese of Kansas City, a friend sent me a CD of the testimony of a woman from St. Louis,

who had a powerful conversion experience that motivated her to embrace fully the church’s teaching on human sexuality. Her name is Patty Schneier.

Patty was a devoted wife and mother. She went to Mass every Sunday. She was active in her parish, serving as a cantor and a leader in the music ministry. From external appearances, Patty was a model Catholic.

A little over 10 years ago, she attended a mission in her parish that was given by the Apostles of the Interior Life.

That mission for Patty proved to be life-changing. Her website provides the following description of the impact of the Apostles of the Interior Life upon her: “The Sisters of the Apostles of the Interior Life inspired Patty to search for holiness, to read sacred Scripture every day, and to grow in her relationship with Christ.”

Even though Patty was by all appearances a very good Catholic, there was an important dimension of her life where she failed to live the church’s teaching.

Patty and her husband used contraception. This part of her life Patty had refused to surrender to Jesus and trust in God’s love for her.

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann The mission that the Apostles of the Interior Life gave was not focused on the theology of the body or the church’s teaching on human sexuality. It was directed to helping participants to encounter Jesus by developing a much richer and deeper life of prayer.

For Patty, this new encounter with Jesus and enriched prayer life resulted in a greater openness to God’s will in every aspect of her life. Patty simply could no longer ignore the discrepancy between what the church taught and her use of contraception. After much prayer, she spoke to her husband about the internal conflict she was experiencing because of their use of contraception in their marriage.

Patty was motivated to become more knowledgeable about Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body. She wanted to know not only what the church taught about sexuality, but why. Eventually, she would be mentored by Christopher West, who has made it his life’s work to help people understand the theology of the body. Patty and her husband began practicing faithfully the church’s teaching regarding marital chastity.

Patty was invited to give

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

by St. Louis de Montfort.

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

her testimony of the conversion in her life that resulted from her participation in that mission. She has exceptional communication skills. As they say, the rest is history.

Some CDs of her testimony began circulating. Soon she was being invited to give talks all over the Midwest and beyond. Bishop Paul Zipfel — the former bishop of Bismarck, N.D. — sent a copy of Patty’s CD to every family in his diocese.

As part of our Year of Faith initiative, the Apostles of the Interior Life are offering missions throughout the Archdiocese. If there is just one extra activity you are going to do during the Year of Faith to strengthen your prayer life, I

encourage you to participate in one of these missions.

If you have wondered what Pope Benedict means when he says that our Catholic faith is primarily about an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, make one of these missions. If you hear others talk about a personal relationship with Jesus and wish you had such a friendship with Our Lord, then come to a mission.

The following is a schedule of the missions being offered in the Archdiocese through the spring of this year: • St. Benedict, Atchison: Feb. 11 and 12 • Christ the King, Topeka: Feb. 18 and 19 • Divine Mercy, Gardner: Feb. 18 and 20 • Sacred Heart, Emporia: Feb. 25 and 27 • St. Michael, Leawood: Feb. 25 and 26 • Holy Trinity, Lenexa: Feb. 26 and 27 • Holy Family, Kansas City, Kan. : March 5 and 6 • Sacred Heart-St. Casimir, Leavenworth: March 5 and 6 • Annunciation, Frankfort: March 11 and 13 • Prince of Peace, Olathe: April 16 and 18 • Sacred Heart, Sabetha: April 16 and 18 We are so fortunate to have the Apostles of the Interior Life serving in our Archdiocese. Take advantage of this special opportunity and bring a family member or friend with you. It could deepen your relationship with Jesus in ways that you cannot even imagine. It could change your life forever.

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calendar archbishop

Naumann Feb. 9 White Mass for Catholic Medical Association — Church of the Nativity, Leawood Feb. 10 Mass and luncheon for Benedictine Sisters’ 150th anniversary — Mount St. Scholastica Chapel, Atchison Mass for World Marriage Day with Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan.

Feb. 11-12 Jesus Caritas meeting — Bishops’ prayer group in Wichita Feb. 12 Confirmation — Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Topeka

Feb. 13 Mass — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. Ash Wednesday Mass — Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan. Finance Council meeting — Savior Pastoral Center Feb. 14 Confirmation — Sacred Heart-St. Joseph, Topeka

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n Expansion and unique classes prepare students for success

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

L

AWRENCE — Third-graders at St. John the Evangelist School here barely had time to shake off the space dust from their tour of the solar system before it was time to study a more earthly matter: Spanish.

The students were still posing for pictures for their upcoming solar system play when Spanish teacher Claudia Olea arrived for their language lesson.

Since every student in the school takes Spanish — and this year the school didn’t have space for a specific Spanish classroom — Olea travels from room to room.

But next year, all of that — and much more — will change at St. John, thanks to a $2.1 million expansion.

Principal Pat Newton enjoys a view of the construction from her office window and happily invites students in to check out the progress. Several grades watched crews pour concrete, and everyone eagerly anticipates its opening in the fall.

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

St. John the Evangelist fourth-graders Trenton Snyder (far left), Michael Williams and Joey Wood watch as visiting artist Jessica Dunn demonstrates the clay project they are about to start.

Room to grow

and see what’s happening today,” he said.

When that day comes, the new structure will house a much larger library on the ground level and the current classroom-sized library will become the permanent Spanish room.

The new building will feature a multipurpose room, which will provide a more permanent address to middle school religion teacher/parish youth director Jennifer Meitl Conrad, who for now hauls a backpack between a few locations.

In that room she will both teach religion classes and hold parish youth activities.

The new room’s kitchen will also be perfect for parish needs such as funeral dinners.

Upstairs, four new classrooms, including a science lab and music room, will open.

All of this couldn’t come at a better time.

St. John, which for years taught students only through sixth grade, opened to seventh-graders last fall.

It will have its first class of eighth-graders in many decades this fall — a move that fits with recent restructuring in Lawrence public schools.

The expansion, supported by pledges from parishioners, will provide room for everyone.

“I’m just excited about what we’re building here — and what has been built here,” said pastor Father John Schmeidler, OFM Cap. Kids here don’t trudge into school reluctantly.

“They’re running in to get to class

Hands-on learning

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second front page 3

february 8, 2013 | theleaven.com

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

A lot happens on any given day.

“One of the things I love is there’s so much hands-on learning,” said Olea, who is also mother to a seventh-grader and a third-grader at St. John.

In one room, visiting artist Jessica Dunn wove lessons about unity and recycling into a clay project for fourth-graders.

Intermediate/middle school science teacher Kel Catterton gives students a taste of modern science.

“We took cotton swabs and put them on different parts of our tongues to see where we could taste bitter, sweet, sour and salty,” explained fifth-grader Katie Williams.

And middle school students dissected frogs.

It all takes place in a regular classroom now, but the new science lab will be “the real deal,” said Newton.

“I’m very, very excited about the science lab,” added Catterton. “It’s going to be as good as any one of the high school science labs.”

The new space will put robotics, engineering and other topics within their reach.

Every classroom already boasts interactive SMART Boards — all thanks to donations.

Eyes on the future Middle school students are exposed to many ideas through “exploratory

classes,” explained Newton.

Father Mike Scully, OFM Cap., teaches a class on the Bible and also guides students to discover Christian meaning in rock music.

Students explore languages such as Mandarin, Latin, French and German, learn about foods, and engage in debate and theater.

Kasey Fewins, who pulls doubleduty teaching kindergartners and working with middle school students on theater, taught the older group in January about projecting their voices.

They can use skills like projection and articulation in any setting, from reading in church to interacting with others, she said.

Newton’s husband Bob, producer/ engineer for the University of Kansas football and basketball radio broadcasts, even teaches kids how to operate a high-tech soundboard for their productions.

Middle school students also visit residents at Presbyterian Manor, a continuing care senior living community nearby.

“Our master schedule is like none other,” said Newton.

Father John loves watching the students mature from grade to grade.

They are living examples of the Capuchin charism of welcoming everyone, he said.

The school is hopefully laying a strong foundation of faith that will guide and inspire them, he said, as well as giving them the education they will need in the fields they choose in the future.

“Faith becomes ingrained in everything that they do,” he said.

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

fun facts about St. John School 1. Because the school formerly

stopped at sixth grade, lockers are a new phenomenon. Full-sized lockers line the halls in well-researched shades of vermilion, gold, and blue, and students decorate with “locker bling” — from photos to a chandelier that actually lights up.

2.

In addition to the standard uniform, students may choose bright school T-shirts with St. John’s logo.

Middle school students get their own design — and are the only ones who wear the eagle mascot design — and also may wear red school hoodies.

3.

No overflowing trash cans here.

St. John has been seeking “Kansas Green School” designation and, in the process, has received grants for exciting projects. A studentdesigned logo appears on a greenschool T-shirt.

4.

As popular as the SMART Boards are in all the grades, preschoolers perhaps use them more than anyone, principal Pat Newton said. It’s second nature for them.

5.

Newton has spent her entire professional career at St. John, beginning as a teacher and then becoming its principal. She taught many of the moms and dads of students enrolled in school today!

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

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4 local news

n Inaugural ‘A Taste of KCK’ benefits Resurrection School

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013

Taste the tradition

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — A soldout evening drew 250 people to Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral here to taste international cuisine and support the school.

But it was two eighth-graders who brought everyone to their feet.

The students received standing ovations when they shared their experiences at the first “A Taste of KCK” on Jan. 26.

Eighth-grader Maria Goreti Chapa asked the crowd to imagine moving not only to a different school in a different neighborhood in another state, but also into a new country with a new language.

“I did that — and trust me, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Goreti, recalling the mixed emotions she felt starting fifth grade.

Her family had just moved from Mexico, seeking a safer life.

Her fears that kids would judge her and that she would be the only one who didn’t speak English quickly faded into friendships and acceptance at Resurrection.

There, she quickly seized new educational opportunities and grew in her faith.

“At RCS, they treated me like I had attended from the time the school opened,” she said.

While the building has served as a school since the 1950s, Resurrection only opened as a consolidated school in 2007, combining three Catholic schools: All Saints, Cathedral of St. Peter and St. John the Baptist/ Holy Family and serving children of five parishes.

Since then, it has won the Catholic Education Foundation School of Excellence Award twice.

“In our school, about 60 percent of our kids are English-language learners,” said principal Lynda Higgins.

The fundraiser planning committee took its cue from that.

The fundraiser would celebrate the rich diversity of cultures and backgrounds within the school’s Kansas City, Kan., neighborhood.

Food and family The theme chosen for “A Taste of KCK” was a bow to both the faith tradition of the school and the ethnic tradition of the neighborhood: “One faith; many traditions. One meal; many cuisines. Come hungry; leave blessed.”

Local restaurants, home cooks and

Ann Connor was the inaugural recipient of the Resurrection Legacy Award, celebrating people who have made significant contributions to the school.

Connor’s legacy honored

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

A crowd of 250 dined on a veritable feast of ethnic food at Resurrection School’s inaugural “A Taste of KCK” benefit. The cuisine was a nod to the school’s and neighborhood’s ethnic diversity.

Resurrection families put on a veritable feast.

Greeted by accordion music, a mariachi band and a jazz ensemble, diners sampled Polish sausage, golamki (cabbage rolls), sauerkraut, Croatian potato salad, Italian sausage, meatballs in marinara, pasta, enchiladas and more.

Everyone at Cathedral parishioner Julie Johnson’s table savored the pork tamales, which volunteers prepared at the school.

Johnson attended St. Peter Cathedral School and her daughter Maggie graduated from there in 2004, so the building tour, dinner and program felt like a homecoming.

“It’s with family, and that includes all the new families that are here,” said Johnson.

“The families, they all have the same values. They’re all very family-oriented.

They all care about their faith. And really what binds us together is that common belief and that common faith and community.”

Susanne Mahoney cherishes the diversity this school and community offer her daughters, fifth-grader Molly and third-grader Meg. Like the fact that one of Meg’s favorite foods is now the Croatian meat-andcabbage dish, sarma. Meg tasted it at a social at St. John the Baptist last fall,

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which she attended thanks to her Croatian friend.

“And this is coming from a very Irish family,” Johnson interjected with a smile.

Opening doors Resurrection eighth-grader Lidija Begic was born in Bosnia and soon moved to Croatia.

Her parents knew they could give her a better life outside the war-devastated region, however, she told the crowd.

Her family settled in Kansas City, Kan., where Lidija first attended St. John the Baptist School.

“School was tough on me because I didn’t really understand English. I only spoke Croatian to my parents,” she said.

“But I gradually learned English and taught my parents some words.”

She was devastated when she learned her beloved small school was closing.

But then her family toured Resurrection.

“Resurrection has opened so many doors for me in the past six years,” Lidija said. “I got to experience going to food kitchens, spelling bees, band, speeches, helping city hall, sports and so much more.”

It has strengthened her faith and helped her discover her true self, she said.

As archdiocesan associate superintendent of schools and principal of Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City Kan., Ann Connor no longer spends every day at Resurrection School, where she served as principal for four years.

But as the first principal of the combined school, her influence remains.

“There is no part of Resurrection that has not been touched by Ann’s passion for quality faith-based education, and the faculty remains grateful for her continued involvement in supporting our students and teachers,” read the program for “A Taste of KCK.” Connor was honored at the event as the inaugural recipient of the Resurrection Legacy Award, celebrating people who have made significant contributions to the school’s mission.

Connor, a longtime teacher and administrator in Catholic schools, became Resurrection’s first principal in 2007.

“In this position, she gracefully patched together the stories of three KCK Catholic schools in a consolidation process and consistently exhibited superior organization, visionary thinking, and servant leadership,” the program continued.

Connor points to teachers, students, families, pastors and many others who were instrumental in bringing this school to life.

She hopes continued support will allow many children to receive a Catholic education.

“Great things are happening at Resurrection,” she said.

Many great leaders have emerged from Catholic schools, said guest speaker Mayor Joe Reardon of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Reardon, a Bishop Ward High School graduate, said Catholic education develops critical thinkers.

“They don’t only learn the fundamentals of what it means to be educated, but they learn about their place in the world through their faith,” he said.

local news 5

february 8, 2013 | theleaven.com

ACT prep program helps Miege kids score big

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com

For more information on Bishop Miege High School and its ACT prep program, visit the website at: www. bishopmiege.com. Click on “Academics,” then “ACT Prep Program.”

R

OELAND PARK — When it comes to ACT scores, Bishop Miege High School here has an impressive senior class.

Fifteen percent scored 30 and above on the college assessment test.

And three seniors — Russsell Gray and Andy Slettehaugh of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee and Daniel Mitchell of St. Agnes in Roeland Park — scored only one point away from a perfect 36.

What’s their secret? What expensive ACT workshop did these students attend? What hefty prep manual did they labor through?

“I didn’t do anything,” said Gray.

“On my own, not a whole lot,” said Mitchell.

“I didn’t really do much either,” added Slettehaugh. “I just relied on what I learned at Miege.”

Fortunately for these students, and many others who scored well on the college assessment test this year, what they learned at Bishop Miege was enough.

It’s all in the numbers President Joe Passantino is proud of the high scores, but even prouder of the progress these students have made.

“I’ve raised my ACT score by 10 points since beginning high school,” said Slettehaugh.

“We’re bringing our students along at a greater rate than other schools,” said Passantino. “And we can prove it with data.”

Indeed, Bishop Miege is possibly the only school in the area able to show statistically how it can help students progress toward college readiness as evaluated by the ACT. Its data is the product of the Cambridge ACT Prep Program, which has been part of the school’s curriculum for almost 10 years.

The Cambridge program was selected because administrators wanted to be able to measure academic growth from the time students entered Bishop Miege until they graduated — and then compare that growth to a national norm.

“We were looking for some sort of assessment we could use to measure the effectiveness of our academic program — a value-added approach,” said Passantino.

All Bishop Miege students take an ACT test in the fall and spring of each year. In August, freshmen are given the Plan, a pre-ACT test, and other grades take retired ACT tests provided by Cambridge.

In April, all grades take a different ACT exam.

Cambridge crunches the numbers and the data is used to measure the academic growth individually per student, by course, and by classroom.

Teachers use the information to tar-

Leaven photo by Jill RagAr Esfeld

Three Bishop Miege seniors scored a near-perfect 35 on their ACT college assessment tests: from left, Andy Slettehaugh, Daniel Mitchell, and Russsell Grey. get areas of their instruction that need improvement.

The prep program enables skills and strategies for each area of the ACT subtests — English, math, reading and science — to be integrated into the school’s curriculum.

Data-driven “It’s called data-driven instruction,” explained math teacher Clara George.

“We analyze selected data Cambridge provides to us.

“We set goals for our departments and individual goals for our courses — annually, because you have different kids every year.”

Two to three times a month, teachers integrate ACT-based lessons into their curriculum to reinforce and hone skills.

The concepts tested on the ACT are the same concepts taught at Bishop Miege, but teachers take into account the way the ACT will test for that knowledge According to George, it hasn’t changed the way she teaches.

“I still explain the quadratic functions the way I always have,” she said. “But in the back of my mind I always have to remember, ‘How are they going to be asked about this?’

“So I go to our ACT prep materials and I find how they will be asked to show their mastery of this skill. And we’ll do a practice.”

According to students, these practices also add something in terms of difficulty.

“I think the practices are harder than the ACT,” said Mitchell. “So when you get to the ACT, it’s easier than what you’ve prepared for.

“So you’re, like, ‘I’ve got this, I can do this.’”

Practice makes perfect Bishop Miege also has an interactive test preparation computer lab with timed exams and practice available to students.

“The tests you take on there are a lot harder than the actual ACT,” said Gray.

“They made the real one seem a lot easier.”

George isn’t surprised.

“It is nothing for them to come back and say, ‘Oh, Mrs. George, I was really prepared for that test. I knew what they were asking, I wasn’t afraid,’” she said.

Students said they couldn’t imagine going into the test without knowing what to expect.

“I knew exactly what the questions were going to be like and what the order was going to be,” said Gray. “I felt like that calmed me down a little bit.”

Students will have taken at least five retired tests by their junior year and seven by the time they’re seniors.

After some key testing dates, when teachers know a lot of students have taken the test, they’ll conduct an informal evaluation.

“We ask, ‘What were you ready for?

What weren’t you ready for?’” said George. “We learn a lot. And we’re starting to see patterns.”

“It’s been a big investment of resources — mainly human resources,” said Passantino of the program. “The teachers have really made it successful.

“We were hopeful it would work, we had faith, and it just really has paid off!”

Payoff The Cambridge ACT Prep Program has been so successful that administrators and faculty were invited to do a presentation about it at the National Catholic Education Association’s 2010 convention.

“Being recognized nationally was nice,” said Passantino. “I think it also helped us realize how unique the program is.”

What’s unique is the data.

Other high schools may boast an impressive ACT average, but that single statistic doesn’t tell anything about the school’s level of instruction. It doesn’t indicate where students started out, how much they’ve improved, or how that compares to the national average.

Bishop Miege can demonstrate the quality of its instruction by measuring student growth, and then seeing how that growth compares with a national norm.

“Fifty percent of our kids scored above the top of the range,” said Passantino. “That’s not determined by where the class comes in — it’s determined by where we take them.”

“Our pitch is this,” he added. “How much can we help your child? We can demonstrate how much we can help them.

“And I don’t know any other school around that has that value-added approach to assessment.”

That data translates to opportunity and value for students looking at colleges. One or two points on the ACT can make a difference in thousands of dollars in scholarships.

And Bishop Miege families don’t have to hire private tutors or buy into expensive ACT workshops to help students gain those extra points.

“Our scholarship average per student is very high,” said Passantino. “And it’s almost doubled since the ACT prep program started.”

More than numbers Slettehaugh, Gray and Mitchell are all thinking about engineering as a career and are looking at colleges across the map.

Each is grateful for the ACT prep program. But that’s not the only reason they’re happy they chose Bishop Miege.

“You get a good chance to play sports here,” said Slettehaugh. “I’d never really played soccer and I started out playing just for fun.

“And this year I was on the team that won the state championship.”

“Overall, it’s just a great atmosphere,” added Mitchell. “All the teachers invest their time and effort in helping you.”

Gray agreed that Bishop Miege seems to have it all.

“They have enough activities for everyone to get involved,” he said. “And academically, it’s the norm for everybody to try really hard.

“So a combination of everything that’s good about a school is here at Miege.”

6 local news

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013 Donald and Donna (Blackwell) Kill, members of St. Philip Neri Parish, Osawatomie, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 14. The couple was married on Feb. 14, 1953, at St. Joseph Church, Shawnee. To celebrate, the family is asking relatives and friends to send cards to them at: 28249 Crescent Hill Road, Paola, KS 66071-4478. Their children and their spouses are: Debbie and Rick Hudson, Paola; Douglas Kill, Kansas City, Mo.; Denise and Scott Donaldson, Hardtner; and David Kill, deceased.

They also have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

CNS photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec

The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seen in Washington in this file photo. The department Feb. 1 issued revised regulations related to the contraception mandate and religious concerns under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The U.S. bishops are currently considering the new revision of the proposed mandate.

Bishops consider proposed revision

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is still considering how to respond to a notice of possible changes to exemptions for coverage of abortifacients and contraceptives in the Affordable Care Act. On Feb. 1, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a proposal that would affect health coverage regulations under the preventative services for women portion of the ACA, which has become known as the contraceptive mandate.

Beginning on that date, the proposed rules are open to a 60-day period of public comment, ending on April 8.

“Today [Feb. 1], the administration issued proposed regulations regarding the HHS mandate,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York,

president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “We welcome the opportunity to study the proposed regulations closely. We look forward to issuing a more detailed statement later.”

According to a press release issued by HHS, the proposed rules “lay out how non-profit religious organizations, such as non-profit religious hospitals or institutions of higher education, that object to contraception on religious grounds, can receive an accommodation that provides their enrollees separate contraceptive coverage, and with no copays, but at no cost to the religious organizations.”

The proposed rules would eliminate an earlier three-part criteria that defined a religious employer, relying instead on a definition of religious employer according to an Internal Revenue Code that would include churches, other houses of worship, and their affiliated organizations.

Correction

Olathe Scout earns Eagle OLATHE — Jack Alexander Joseph Herbic, a member of Prince of Peace Parish here and Boy Scout Troop 240, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He received his rank at an Eagle Court of Honor held on

Nov. 17, 2012.

For his Eagle project, Herbic planned and implemented a large landscaping project at Prince of Peace Church. A fundraiser was held to assist with the cost.

Those who are employed by exempt religious entities will still receive contraceptive coverage, although not from their employer.

Employees covered under group health plans would receive contraceptive coverage from the insurer.

The insurer would pay for the costs through savings from “improvements in women’s health and fewer childbirths,” according to the HHS. Employees of exempted organizations who are covered under selfinsured plans would also receive contraceptive coverage from insurers at no cost. The cost of coverage to the insurer and costs to the third-party administrator of the exempt entity’s plan would be “offset by adjustments in federally-facilitated exchange user fees that insurers pay,” according to the HHS. The new, proposed rules specify that no exemption will be given to “for-profit, secular” employers.

Jack Herbic

Kernel of truth This coming Sunday, I want you to listen up. Because unless you attend daily Mass, it’s possible you haven’t heard this weekend’s second reading in quite some time.

Year after year, we hear of the disciples encountering the risen Christ — sometimes on the road to Emmaus and in the breaking of the bread, but always with poor old doubting Thomas and in the upper room on Pentecost.

But do you remember hearing that between Pentecost and the Ascension, Jesus actually appears to — count them — 500 people?

Now think on that for a moment. 500! I’m not saying

In last week’s coverage of the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., The Leaven inadvertently left out Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., and St. James Academy in Lenexa as schools that took buses to the march. The Leaven regrets the error.

the dozen or so folks we hear about every year are not reliable witnesses. Just the opposite.

But to these old ears, there’s a big difference between appearing to your own disciples in privacy, and appearing publicly to 500 — some of whom have known you your whole life. It explains so much!

In our terms, Galilee is not a large area. And some estimate Nazareth’s population at the time of Jesus at only 400. In short, 500 people in those days was a lot of people!

No wonder this little Jesus movement doesn’t get stomped out before it really gets off the ground! No wonder no one’s really worried about recording details for future generations.

James and Kathleen Green, members of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 29, 2012, with a family Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Mo., followed by dinner. The couple was married on Dec. 29, 1962, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park. They have seven children and 19 grandchildren.

A magnificEnt seven

The Leaven profiles seven Catholic educators who are making a difference

T

here are few finer examples of folks taking to heart the message of the Faith Initiative here in the archdiocese than our Catholic school teachers and administrators.

So it is appropriate that “Faith: Love It, Learn It, Live It”

became the theme of this year’s Catholic Schools Week,

Stories by

Sheila Myers

Jan.27-Feb. 2.

Join us in the following pages for quick trip around the

archdiocese, where you’ll meet some dedicated professionals who have devoted their careers to bringing kids to Christ — and couldn’t be happier.

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

I

Alita (Clark) and Max Kennedy, members of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 9.

The couple was married on Feb. 9, 1963, at Assumption Church, Topeka. They will celebrate with a family dinner. Their children and their spouses are: Patrick and Elizabeth Kennedy, O’Fallon, Ill.; and Mark and Susan Kennedy, Wichita. They also have five grandchildren.

Patricia and Walter Coker, members of St. Matthew Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16 with a Mass and dinner with family and friends at the church. The couple was married on Feb. 16, 1963, at Immaculate Conception Church, Valley Falls. Their children and their spouses are: Greg Coker; Paula and David Auten; and Mark Coker (deceased). They also have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Here’s a guy who promised his followers — many the outcasts of their own society — the unimaginable: life after death. Who, after several years of ministry, is crucified, dies, and then . . . BAM. He’s back and walking among them again. I’m tempted to say — as my teenagers might — how cool is that?

The moral of the story? Make me boss of the Sunday readings, of course, so I can make sure we hear this reading as often as we need to.

Barring that, I guess, we all need to listen up this Sunday.

And ask ourselves, well: “How cool is that?”

— A.M.

Spirit of service

n 2011, a nervous college grad left family and friends behind in Arlington, Va., and arrived in the Midwest.

Celia Fox had accepted a service assignment through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to teach at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan. “My first day of school was the first day for the kids,” said Fox. “But I embraced it and learned as I went.”

Although the first few months were scary — and Fox still experiences periods of homesickness — she can’t imagine being anyplace else.

School: Bishop “It’s totally, 100 Ward High School, percent where God Kansas City, Kan. Position: Theology wants me to be,” she teacher and camsaid. “I fell in love pus ministry team with the school, I member love the mission Inspiration: St. here, and I love the Ignatius Loyola people I work with.”

An admirer of Jesuit spirituality, Fox draws inspiration from St. Ignatius Loyola.

“I like the Jesuit idea of finding God in all things,” she said.

Fox originally planned to return to Virginia at the end of her assignment, but she grew attached to the school and its diverse, hard-working students.

“They are just so appreciative to be in a caring school like this,” said Fox. “The teachers here are very concerned for all the students, and we really watch out for them.

It’s a caring community. You can tell that as soon as you come into the building.”

When Ward president Father Michael Hermes offered Fox a permanent position, she took him up on the offer. She now teaches theology and works with the campus ministry team. She loves that Bishop Ward is a Christ-centered community committed to nurturing the mind, body and soul of its students.

“I think I’d have a hard time working in a school where I wasn’t allowed to talk about my faith or my students’ faith,” she said.

Coming from a “privileged” background, Fox believes God is calling her to give back.

She doesn’t feel her background keeps her from relating to her students.

“All [of my students] have goals and dreams,” she said. “They want families.

They want to be working in jobs. They want to be able to support their families. . . . I know they have these hopes for their future. It makes me very hopeful for them, too.”

Celia Fox

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

W

A great joy in his heart

ith his everpresent sense of humor, it’s no surprise Eric White draws inspiration from St. Philip Neri, who is known for showing the humorous side of holiness.

“Every day is a gift from God and I believe he wants us to enjoy it,” White said.

When students at Most Pure Heart of Mary come to his office during the day, instead of serious discipline, White works on lifting their spirits.

“I try to discuss the situation in a prayerful context with them so the kids can go back to their classroom and have a ‘better’ rest of the day,” he said.

He tries to act as if Christ is right there beside him.

“If we aren’t modeling what we teach, then we are teaching something else,” said White.

Now in his third year as principal of Most Pure Heart School, White

wants to help students utilize their God-given gifts to “grow the young church.”

Although White went to public schools growing up, he did attend CCD classes and remembers staying up late so his grandmother could teach him prayers.

After college, he worked in a grocery store at night and was a substitute teacher during the day until he finally took a full-time job teaching seventh- and eighth-graders at Holy Trinity School in Paola.

He went on to become principal of Holy Trinity for 10 years. But when his youngest son was born visually impaired, White and his wife decided to move to Topeka and Most Pure Heart of Mary School.

“Considering where [my son’s] needs — and our family’s — might best be met was very much a large part of that discernment process,” said White.

Evan, 6, will start kindergarten next year and receive special services through Topeka public schools.

Eric White

School: Most Pure Heart of Mary School, Topeka Position: Principal Inspiration: St. Philip Neri and various pastors he has known

What Evan lacks in visual ability, he makes up for in charisma.

“He thinks he’s an 11-year-old football player,” said White. “I don’t think his exceptionality is going to slow him down a whole lot.”

As the principal of a Catholic school, White sees his biggest challenge as stretching resources to keep a Catholic education affordable and academically competitive. “[Faith] is why our families and parishes invest in our schools,” White said. “But we also have to compete with public schools in academics. We can’t perform lower in the academic area because we provide the faith. Parents look at that.”

Leaven photo by katie Hyde

“L

ead Me, Lord” is Diane Leibsch’s favorite hymn.

She sang it every day for a month before accepting the position as principal of Atchison Catholic Elementary Schools (ACES) in 2010.

“It was a real soul-searching experience for me before I said, ‘OK, I’ll give it a try,’” she said.

Leibsch had already retired after 32 years teaching middle grades in Atchison public schools, but empty-nest syndrome and a desire for change led her to take a position teaching primary grades in Nortonville.

“I learned more in those four years I was there than ever before,” said Leibsch.

When the principal position opened up at ACES, her peers encouraged her to apply, but Leibsch doubted her abilities.

After a month of discernment and prayer — and singing “Lead Me, Lord” during her round-trip

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

J

Wonder at God’s handiwork

ohn Tompkins left a 30-year career in engineering business development to become a physics teacher. Now, his students are his clients.

“Imagine going to work on Monday, and you need to see 105 clients and make sure every one of their needs is taken care of,” he said. “My goal is that every student gets individualized instruction based on their learning style.”

It’s a tall order, but Tompkins must be doing something right.

He recently learned that 99 percent of Aquinas students met the state standards in science.

While the results are affirming, Tompkins encourages his students to avoid getting caught

I

f Lisa McSwain’s life story were made into a movie, it would be a tear-jerker.

She lost her siblings and her parents, and two of her three children were born very ill. Yet, she looks back on her life and considers herself lucky.

“All these things happened, but I’ve had all these good people around me,” said McSwain.

“God counteracted every bad thing with a good thing.”

McSwain’s heartache and loss began in high school, when her older sister was killed in a car accident. But she doesn’t let it define her. Instead, her faith has pulled her through.

“The best thing is to turn it over and then stand back and try to see where God wants you to go,” she said.

She feels God’s hand has been in her life since the beginning, when she was adopted into a German Catholic home in Colwich through Catholic Social Services, though her

up in the race for points and awards, and instead focus on the love of knowledge.

“As you know, we live in a points-based society,” said Tompkins. “If you go for the love of knowledge, the points will come.”

The school’s namesake promoted that love of knowledge and Tompkins takes every opportunity to share the saint’s philosophy with his students, peppering his classroom with St. Thomas Aquinas’ quotes.

Ponder this one: “Wonder is the desire of knowledge.”

The Catholic Church has a rich history with science through the saints and, as a Catholic school science teacher, Tompkins shares that histo-

ry with his students.

“When we study motion, we can talk about Galileo and what took place with the discovery of how the planets move,” Tompkins said.

Besides Galileo, there’s St. Thomas’ teacher, St. Albert the Great, the patron saint of natural sciences. And Tompkins notes that several dozen craters on the moon were named for Jesuit priests.

Tompkins collaborates with his engineering contacts at Kansas State and Rockhurst University to make sure his course work is relevant to the real world and to ensure his students will be successful if they decide to pursue a career in the sciences.

Strength in adversity birth mother wasn’t Catholic.

After her sister’s death in high school, McSwain attended Kansas Newman College (Newman University) in Wichita. It was there that Sister Thomasine Stoecklein, ASC, declared that McSwain would be a teacher.

“I said, ‘I am?’ and [Sister Thomasine] said, ‘Yes, you are!’”

“I never looked back,” said McSwain.

The next two decades brought McSwain great joy and great pain. The two sons who were born ill had miraculous recoveries. But her father and her other sister both died from cancer. McSwain’s mother passed away three years ago.

“All that heartache took a toll on [Mom],” she said.

But McSwain is not completely alone. She has a grandchild and she has formed a good relationship with her birth mother.

Lisa McSwain

School: Sacred Heart School, Ottawa Position: Kindergarten teacher Inspiration: St. Jude; Sister Thomasine Stoecklein, ASC, her professor at Kansas Newman College, Wichita

“I can’t make any sense out of my life and all the things that have happened if I don’t believe that God’s hand is in it and that he’s in charge,” McSwain said.

Now in her second year at Sacred Heart, she tells her kindergarten students that God doesn’t promise life will be easy. But with his help, we can endure anything.

“I really stress with the kids how much God loves us, and he shows us that [love] everywhere we look,” she said. “We talk about these tools and the people God gives us to keep us on the path to heaven.”

Trust in God

John Tompkins

School: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park Position: Physics teacher Inspiration: St. Thomas Aquinas

It helps that the school’s mission statement says nothing about points or awards. Rather, the school’s mission is to help students realize their spiritual, physical, social and intellectual potential guided by Catholic values. “‘Potential’ is a physics word,” he said. “It means the capacity to do work, or energy.

I reflect every day on whether our classroom community is working in those four areas.”

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

G

Enthusiasm for life

od gave Mark Huppe a boundless zest for life.

The 59-yearold St. James Academy assistant principal and athletic director survives on just five hours of sleep each night. He rises before dawn, exercises and attends Mass.

“I’ve never had a problem with motivation,” he said.

As a young boy growing up in Mission, he rose early Sunday mornings to attend 6:30 Mass at St. Pius X Church . . . without his parents.

Huppe has enjoyed every school where he’s worked during his 35-year career in Catholic education. But he’s happiest sharing his love of life and faith with kids as a coach.

“Some of the best religious testimonials that I’ve ever experienced have taken place on a basketball court, in a locker room, on a football field or a baseball field,”

Huppe said. “Because you see student athletes in a different realm.”

Sports combined with faith can provide great life lessons for kids.

“Usually, you can handle a defeat or a big victory a lot better in the context of your Catholic faith and with the big picture of why we’re here on earth,” he said.

Prayer before and after a game or practice helps student athletes stay focused on what’s important, said Huppe. After all, success isn’t defined by what’s on the scoreboard. But the excessive pressure put on student athletes today makes it difficult for them to remember that.

Huppe takes every advantage to help students put things in perspective with faith. He also stresses attitude, effort and teamwork.

“There’s just a closeness and a bonding a lot of teams can get,” he said. “It’s always an overwhelming feeling

Mark Huppe

School: St. James Academy, Lenexa Position: Assistant principal and athletic director Inspiration: St. Francis of Assisi, his Rockhurst High School basketball coaches

when you see young people grow in their faith and have success on the athletic field.”

Even though Huppe and his wife Maureen have worked in Catholic schools their entire careers and sent all seven of their children through Catholic grade and high schools, he never gets tired of talking about his faith.

“I think the big picture of me working for the church and being able to talk openly about my faith,” he said, “to talk openly about [the] Catholic worldview, is a big part of why I enjoy coming to work every day.”

I

commute to Nortonville — she realized God was leading her to ACES all along.

“That’s why he sent me to Nortonville,” she said, “to get that primary experience so that I would really understand K-8 development.”

Leibsch is no stranger to Catholic education. She attended Benedictine College in Atchison, and her three children attended ACES before going on to Catholic high schools.

“I was committed to their Catholic education and to Catholic education in the community,” said Leibsch. “I always said that I wanted to give back and I really thought I would return to teach at ACES.” Leibsch often taps the network of resources she developed after nearly 40 years in public schools.

“That was my selling point when I was interviewed,” she said. “I know the whole community, and I really feel like I know who my best contacts are as I

Diane Leibsch

School: Atchison Catholic Elementary Schools Position: Principal Inspiration: Mother Teresa; Benedictine Sisters

need things. And it has paid off very well.”

Though she misses classroom teaching, she still has “teachable moments” with her students.

She said the biggest advantage of the Catholic school environment is the ability to pray openly with students and staff.

The only time she prayed with her students in public school was on 9/11.

“But here, we do it all the time,” said Leibsch. “When students come in for a behavioral conference, I will often ask them to pray with me, especially when they’re leaving the conference.

We’ll take the opportunity to allow God to help us make better choices.”

Search for truth

n 2009, Andrew Straub was on his hands and knees crawling through two feet of snow up an Austrian mountain, exhausted and too proud to turn back, when he had an epiphany.

“I wanted to be a teacher,” said Straub. At the time, he was a student majoring in business at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.

Straub’s discovery came about the same time he decided to rejoin the Catholic Church.

Baptized and confirmed a Catholic, Straub and his entire family left the faith when Straub was in middle school. He attended Maranatha Academy, a nondenominational Christian school in Shawnee.

His parents rejoined the church, but it took Andrew a little longer. A class on Catholic marriage and the church’s stand on contraception and abortion convinced him.

“The thought was planted in my head that if the Protestants were wrong about this, what else were they wrong about?” he said.

Straub’s faith journey as a teenager helps him understand

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

Andrew Straub

School: Xavier Elementary School, Leavenworth Position: 7th- and 8th-grade religion, social studies and math teacher Inspiration: St. Joseph

the questions his middle school students at Xavier Elementary School in Leavenworth have about their faith.

Some of his students are faith-filled Catholics, some are agnostics or Protestant, and a few are “waiting for the day they

get their car keys and are out of the house so they can do whatever they want.”

It’s an age of both blossoming and independence, that’s for sure.

“They are beginning to think about their faith,” said Straub, “so it’s exciting. It’s a good time for them to learn theology.”

His eighth-grade students are learning about the saints to help them pick a namesake for confirmation.

“When we started out, a lot of them picked silly names without a lot of reason,” he said. “But now, almost all of them picked a saint because of what that saint did and how it inspired them.”

Besides theology, Straub teaches social studies and math.

He has fun teaching social studies, but he considers his most important role to be getting students excited about their faith.

“A lot of the questions students ask are the questions I asked,” Straub said. “Why do Catholics do this? It just didn’t make sense. They’d sound crazy.

“But if you spend some time trying to learn your faith, you’ll end up loving it.”

10 local news

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013

Faith fuels Catholic schools in the archdiocese n ACTS helps schools fund scholarships, emergency assistance

D

uring the current Year of Faith, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann has encouraged everyone to renew his or her personal life of faith. For many Catholics, this faith was a gift given through Catholic education. The daily exercise of prayers at school, with the encouragement and example of teachers, has borne much fruit in our families, which have passed their Catholic faith from generation to generation.

Today, in 38 Catholic elementary schools and seven Catholic high schools throughout northeast Kansas, our children will meet Jesus Christ in ways not possible without these schools. Students learn how to be joyfully Catholic, while achieving at high academic levels.

The annual Archbishop’s Call to Share helps our parishes keep Catholic education accessible and affordable.

Schools are continuing to advance new technologies and improved academics and programs to meet the social and emotional needs of all students.

Schools take advantage of professional development programs for faculty members, which include follow-up visits, and principals receive assistance with business and enrollment manage-

Leaven file photo by Lori Wood Habiger

Today, in 38 Catholic elementary schools and seven Catholic high schools throughout northeast Kansas, children will meet Jesus Christ in ways not possible without these schools. The Archbishop’s Call to Share helps keep Catholic education accessible and affordable. ment.

“We teach teachers strategies that have been proven to have a positive impact,” notes superintendent Kathy O’Hara.

In addition to our schools, new programs of adult formation and evangelization are inspiring new participation in parish life. The School of Faith is one example of how anyone can find the answers to questions or doubts about

believing. It helps individuals, couples and families mature in their faith and find the true joy of believing.

The Archbishop’s Call to Share sustains a reserve fund for emergencies. If a parish or school is faced with a true emergency and does not have sufficient resources, it can apply for a grant to meet these unexpected, emergency expenses.

O’Hara notes, “Our most com-

mon issues involve roofs, boilers and plumbing.”

The appeal supports scholarships for high school students and Catholic college tuition assistance for select colleges in the archdiocese. Each high school receives funds for need-based scholarships for students. Applications are considered based on family need, any unusual family or medical expenses, and a third-party tuition aid analysis.

Faith support programs continue into the college years as well: Students attending public universities can continue to actively practice their faith when away at school through campus ministries supported through the Archbishop’s Call to Share.

As superintendent, O’Hara is grateful and says, “Thanks to the generosity of so many, Catholic schools throughout northeast Kansas can continue to implement unique initiatives, maintain academic excellence and strengthen the faith of our students and their families.”

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12 classifieds Employment Executive director - The St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center is seeking an executive director to lead its fund development programs and manage the related processes for the center. The executive director is responsible for raising funds for the ministry and programs at the center, which serves the University of Kansas community. Applicants must be practicing Catholics and have a bachelor’s degree. The right candidate will have executive level leadership experience, polished marketing and presentation skills and be very organized. Applicants will have experience in planning and forecasting, work as a team player, and must have a fluid, flexible communication style in order to communicate effectively and compassionately with all socioeconomic strata. They must be computer-literate, familiar with grant writing and have social media expertise. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume to: dev@st-lawrence.org. Application deadline is Feb. 28.

School-level technology integration specialist - Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking an individual to assist faculty, staff, and students with using technology to enhance teaching and learning. Duties include: collaborating with content teachers, supporting teachers in creating technology-enhanced lessons, teaching up-to-date applications to students and teachers, assisting teachers by using technology to promote the faith. Teacher applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold a teaching license, with the appropriate endorsements for the position from the Kansas State Department of Education. Interested individuals should complete the teacher application available online at: www. archkckcs.org. Applications are due by Feb. 22. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org.

School leadership position - Seeking strong academic leader with building level leadership experience, preferably at both the elementary and secondary levels. Must possess skill in implementing best academic and student support practices (e.g., MTSS, DI, SWPBS). Must be a joyful, spiritual leader. Principal applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold (or be eligible for) an administrative license from the Kansas State Department of Education.

Interested individuals should complete the principal application available online at: www.archkckcs.org. Applications are due by Feb. 22. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org.

School principal - St. Charles Borromeo Parish seeks a principal committed to Catholic education with strong leadership, communication, and motivational skills. St. Charles School is a parish school serving approximately 310 pre-K to 8th-grade students with a staff of 40. St. Charles is located in suburban Kansas City, Mo., north of the river. Candidate must be a practicing Catholic, have a master’s degree in educational administration, teaching experience and preferably three years administrative experience. Applications may be made to the Catholic schools office on the website at: http://jobs.diocese-kcsj. org/?cid=4&lid=118. All applications must be received by March 1.

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

Community outreach assistant - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is looking for a dynamic person for the role of community outreach assistant. This is a new position created to support the development of new parish and community partnerships through parish social ministry and community engagement. This position will also support the effective utilization of volunteers. In this position, you would travel throughout our 21-county service area attending community/parish events, making presentations, and engaging others in our mission. To apply, go to the website at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org. Deadline for applications is Feb. 23.

Administrative coordinator - Event production and marketing communications company seeks an administrative coordinator to assist on many different programs, working with both account management and sales teams. Must have excellent communication skills and strong computer skills. Should be a multitasker, as the responsibilities include proposal support, vendor research, administrative tasks, event planning assistance, and customer service. Pay is $15 per hour; 30 - 40 hours per week. Please email your resume and three references to: solutions@ thewellingtongroup.com.

Part-time janitor - Curé of Ars School in Leawood is hiring a part-time janitor. Individual must be experienced and self-motivated. References required. For more information, contact the school office at (913) 648-2620.

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

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013 Director of youth ministry - Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock, Ark., is looking for a full-time director of youth (7th-12th) and young adult ministry. Candidates must be Catholics in good standing with the church and preferably have a bachelor’s degree. Please email your resume to Father Tom Elliott at: FatherT@FatherT.com by Feb. 28.

Driver - The Mission Project, a not-for-profit organization, is seeking a van driver to provide transportation to and from work. Based in Mission. $10 per hour; 10 - 20 hours per week. Excellent driving record and references required. Call George at (913) 642-0585.

Preschool teaching aide - Sacred Heart Preschool is looking for a preschool teaching aide to assist in our 3-year-old and 4-year-old half-day preschool programs.

Would consider two part-time (2 or 3 days a week) or one full-time position. Must have experience working with young children. An associate’s degree in early childhood is a plus. Please submit resume and your preference of full time or part time to: megan.dusselier@shoj.org by Feb. 13.

Receptionist - Park Meadows Senior Living is looking for a part-time receptionist on Thursdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Experience with receptionist duties required, and experience with seniors helpful. Stop by and fill out an application at 5901 W. 107th St., Overland Park, KS 66207.

Maintenance assistance - 170-bed nonprofit Catholic long-term care facility seeking maintenance assistance with at least 3 years of experience. Some HVAC and plumbing experience preferred. Will train the right candidate. EOE. Villa St Francis, 16600 W. 126th St., Olathe, 66062, or fax resume to (913) 829-5399.

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

GreenSolutionsKC.com.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri. Quilted Memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop is open in downtown Overland Park! Machine quilting services. Custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, etc. We specialize in memorial quilts – wrapping you in your cherished memories. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. To see samples, visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

Housecleaning - I love what I do and you can love it, too!

20-plus years experience. Excellent references. Southern JoCo area. Call (913) 548-8702.

MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient.

To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services (913) 627-9222 Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

CLUTTER GETTING YOU DOWN? Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizer and “HONEY-DO-LIST” specialist. Call today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055. Insured. References. Visit our website at: www.KOATINDUSTRIES.com.

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

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

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Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

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

for sale For sale - 2 adjacent burial plots at Resurrection Cemetery in Ascension Garden. $3600 includes transfer fee. Call (660) 888-3977.

For sale - 2 side-by-side individual full body crypts (#30 & #32) in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Kansas City, Kan., Queen of Heaven Court, Level “D.” Current selling price at this level would be $12,000, reduced to $7,500. Must sell.

Contact Cathy M. to make an offer at (913) 485-7076.

Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation. Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs.

Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park.

Call (913) 400-3236.

For sale - Tandem mausoleum crypt at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Garden of Faith, exterior north mausoleum, tier 85, level F. Very nice outdoor garden setting. These crypts are valued at $8,000. Will accept best offer. Member of Holy Trinity Parish. (913) 541-8961.

Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment.

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

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

Spring is here! I do decks, fences, siding, windows, doors, roofing, exterior house painting and can cover all your landscaping needs. I bid and do the work, and am fully insured. Serving the Leaven parishioners for 12 years. Call Joshua Doherty at (913)-709-7230.

House painting - Interior and exterior; wall paper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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

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.

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

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

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

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 KC blinds and design - (913) 488-7605. Blinds, shutters, draperies, fabric, pillows, bedding, valances and cushions. Visit the website at: KCBlindsanddesign.com.

Brick mason - Available year-round; installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience.

Free quote – KC metro area – small and large jobs accepted. Call (913) 485-4307. Yes, we renovate kitchen/ bathroom cabinets and install new floor tile.

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

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed.

Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

February

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

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

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

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998

Caregiving Caregiving - Catholic woman with 30 years experience is available to care for your loved one in their home. Spent the past 3 years exclusively caring for one client. Excellent references available. Prefer part time. Call (913) 579-8914.

Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help.

Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

Have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease? Inquire about our fresh, unique approach to care. At ComfortCare Homes of Kansas City, we provide a calm, stress-free and well-structured home environment for five to eight residents living with Alzheimer’s disease. A ComfortCare home is not “homelike” but rather it is a real home in a real neighborhood — there are no signs in the yard, no restaurant-style dining and no long, impersonal halls lined with patients. To tour and learn more, call Courtney Minter at (913) 609-1891 or visit the website at: www.Comfort CareKC.com.

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

References given upon request.

REAL ESTATE For sale by owner - 2-story, 4BR, 2BA, 2-car garage, deck, hardwood floors, FP, newer HVAC, roof and more. Near St. Peter’s, Bishop Ward and public schools. $109,950. Please call (913) 461-9307.

ENTERTAINMENT DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function. Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 5486765 or visit the website at: www.djirishman.com.

vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck.

Close to points of interest and activities. $115/night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www. tillmancabin.com.

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

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to buy *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

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

Buying a classified ad

Cost to advertise is: $17.50 for five lines or less; $1.50 each additional line; Email: julie@ theleaven.com; Phone: (913) 647-0327

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february 8, 2013 | theleaven.com

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St. Peter Cathedral, Kansas City, Kan., will host a Mardi Gras party in the parish center, with a chili dinner and fixings, hot dogs and desserts from 5 - 7 p.m. on Feb. 9. Bingo with cash prizes and raffles will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Following bingo, the “Fairfax Four” will play music for enjoyment and dancing. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. The event is sponsored by the Fall Festival, the Knights of Columbus and the women of the Altar Society.

Mater Dei Parish will host its annual casino night on Feb 9. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and play time will run from 7 until 10 p.m. Adults only. There will be a variety of casino games and door prizes throughout the night. Food, drinks, and adult beverages will be available. The event will be located at Rossiter Hall, Assumption Church, 8th and Jackson St., Topeka. For more information, call Regina McCarthy at (785) 224-0350.

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

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

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

The Divas of Holy Name Parish, 1001 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kan., are sponsoring the Ragin’ Sweet and Spicy Fest on Feb. 9 from 6 - 9 p.m. The fest is a chili, soup and dessert cook-off, with a 13-and-under division. Entries for judging will be accepted from 4 - 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Hot dogs, chips, drinks and plenty of tastings are available. For more information, call Sharon Staab at (913) 631-1138.

Holy Family Church will hold its annual Valentine’s Day dance on Feb. 9 from 7 - 10:30 p.m. at Monsignor Mejak Hall,

513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan. Music will be provided by The Don Lipovac Orchestra.

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

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

The registration deadline is Feb. 1.

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

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

The Fatima Rosary Rally will be held at 3 p.m. on Feb. 10 at St. Joseph Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Participants will pray 15 decades of the rosary, Benediction and have enrollment in the brown scapular.

The annual Frank Ladek memorial bowling tournament will be held three consecutive Sundays — Feb. 10, 17 and 24 — at St. John Catholic Club, 414 Barnett, Kansas City, Kan. Two sessions will be held each Sunday, at noon and 3 p.m. The cost to bowl is $15. The first place prize is $600. For reservations, call (913) 3719690.

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

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St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park, will present “Alice in Wonderland” at 2 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 16. Tickets are available on the website at: www. seatyourself.biz/stasaints.

15

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Feb. 16. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per partic-

16

ipant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

in the Father Burak room at Cure’ of Ars, 9401 Mission, Leawood. Father Al Rockers will preside. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

The Brian McCarty Polka Band will play from 7:30 - 11 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $10, which includes sausage, sauerkraut and pretzels. Drinks will be available. For more information, contact Dan Nicks at (913) 406-8717 or Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173.

Christ the King School, 3027 N. 54th, Kansas City, Kan., will host its 10th annual auction on Feb. 22 at the National Guard Armory, 18th and Ridge, Kansas City, Kan. The auction includes live and silent items, dinner and dancing. Must be at least 21 years of age. For more information or tickets, call BreAnnne Hernandez at (913) 302-5117.

Rev. Tom Hesse will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass on Jan. 19.

Mass is at 8 a.m. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan. Immediately following Mass is a rosary procession to the abortion clinic approximately four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing. Benediction concludes services by 9:45 am.

The Mary Health of the Sick Guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will hold its first meeting of the year following the 9 a.m.

Mass on Feb. 24. The Mass and meeting will take place at the convent, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Anyone interested in joining the guild is invited to attend.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Feb. 16 at Curé of Ars, 9401 Mission, Leawood. Following the Mass, the bereavement ministry will have its monthly support meeting in the Father Burak Room. Grief counselor Mark Fenton will speak. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

Father Tom Hesse will celebrate Mass and devotions for the sanctity of human life on Feb. 27 at Sacred Heart Church, 312 N.E. Freeman Ave., Topeka. Confessions will be heard from 6:15 - 7 p.m. Mass will begin at 7 p.m. with a talk on the subject of life, the Blessed Mother, or the church. The prayer time concludes with eucharistic adoration and Benediction. All are welcome. This event occurs every fourth Wednesday evening of the month, excluding March.

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The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 534 will host the third annual Don Akin memorial soup supper on Feb. 17 from 3 - 6 p.m. at Mother Teresa Church, 2014 NW 46th St., Topeka. Chili, potato and broccoli soups with cinnamon rolls will be served.

The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

Proceeds to benefit the Mother Teresa Widow’s Fund.

A class in using the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning during the postpartum period will take place at 3 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062, or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Online registration is required on the website at: www.ccli.org.

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

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

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A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

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March Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, will host a soup and salad dinner at 5 p.m. on March 1, followed by a musical on the Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. The performance is presented by Visitation Church. For more information, contact Margi Foley at (913) 381-8145.

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A Runnin’ Revs Fun Night will be held on March 4 at Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt, Roeland Park. Area priests and seminarians will challenge 8th-grade and high school youth from Catholic schools in a fun game of basketball. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted to benefit seminarians. For more information, visit the website at: kckvocations.com.

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Calendar submissions

• Due nine days prior to publication date • email: calendar@theleaven.com • Mail to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: calendar

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com

14 commentary

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013

cef centered

mark my words Scripture Readings fifth WEEK OF ordinary time Feb. 10 fifth SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 6: 1-2a, 3-8 Ps 138: 1-5, 7-8 1 Cor 15: 1-11 Lk 5: 1-11 Feb. 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Gn 1: 1-19 Ps 104: 1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35c Mk 6: 53-56 Feb. 12 Tuesday Gn 1:20 – 2:4a Ps 8: 4-9 Mk 7: 1-13 Feb. 13 ASH WEDNESDAY Jl 2: 12-18 Ps 51: 3-6a, 12-14, 17 2 Cor 5:20 – 6:2 Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18 Feb. 14 Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishops Dt 30: 15-20 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 9: 22-25 Feb. 15 Friday Is 58: 1-9a Ps 51: 3-6a, 18-19 Mt 9: 14-15 Feb. 16 Saturday Is 58: 9b-14 Ps 86: 1-6 Lk 5: 27-32

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H

ear that knocking?

I don’t mean to alarm you, but it’s the season of Lent . . . and it’s at your door . . . already. Are you ready for it?

I recently came across a story from Danny Cox, a former jet fighter pilot. He told about the difficulties experienced by early pilots when ejecting from jet fighters, which were obviously much faster than propeller planes. When ejecting, a pilot had to push a button, clear the plane, and then roll forward out of the seat so the parachute could open.

The problem was that some pilots, in these much faster planes, would keep a grip on the seat, and the parachute would remain trapped between the seat and the pilot’s back.

Eventually, some engineers came up with a solution. They created a two-inch webbed strap and attached one end to the front edge of the seat, under the pilot, and the other end to an electronic take-up reel behind the headrest. A couple of seconds after a pilot ejected, the electronic reel would immediately take up the slack in the strap and force the pilot out of his seat, thereby freeing the parachute! (Adapt-

Wanna change? Try 1-1-1 Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. ed from “What Provokes Change,” found in “Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion,” by Craig Brian Larson and Drew Zahn.)

In my spiritual life, I often feel like a pilot in the original design of the jet fighter. I’m clinging to the seat for dear life — the seat of my sins, my old habits, my laziness, and my comfort. In short, I’m afraid to change, to let go. The season of Lent is like the new seat design: It’s something that forces us out of our present place in life and launches us to where we need to be.

If you feel you need a push to get started this Lent, don’t dial 9-1-1 or even 4-1-1. Instead, think “1-1-1.” It’s an idea from an online post by Greg Erlandson, the president and

publisher of Our Sunday Visitor. And he borrowed the idea from Father James Shafer, his pastor in Fort Wayne, Ind. Father Shafer’s Lenten formula is concise: One Sin, One Add, One Give Up. Since many try to tackle too much during Lent (and often end up “punting” a few weeks — or even days — later), his simple formula is worth pondering.

Father Shafer suggests focusing on just one sin during Lent and doing something practical to eliminate it or at least lessen its hold.

Next, he suggests adding one thing as a Lenten discipline: read the Bible more, attend Stations of the Cross, go to confession, or volunteer your time.

Finally, Father Shafer suggests giving up just one thing.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

I’m using two books this Lent to help me incorporate the “1-1-1” plan.

The first is “Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with My Pen,” by Rachel F. Hackenberg (Paraclete Press, 2011; $15.99). Each “day” of the book begins with a prayer, has a short passage of Scripture, and proposes some questions to get your creative spiritual juices flowing to

help you compose a prayer on your own. To my thinking, all Lenten disciplines need to start here, with prayer.

The second book is “Simplifying the Soul: Lenten Practices to Renew Your Spirit,” by Paula Huston (Ave Maria Press, 2011; $14.95).

Each of the 40 days of Lent has a little story to begin, a meditation, and then a practical item to accomplish.

Huston must have a listening device in my home because Ash Wednesday’s task is: Clear out a junk drawer or closet. She has other challenging tasks all through the season, like: spend a day without email or your cellphone, or fast from sugar, alcohol or fat for a day.

I anticipate a challenging, but focused Lent this year. How about you? This weekend, spend some time looking at your heart and your life and see what needs adjusting. Use this Lent as a time of conversion, to change your life for the better. Let Christ launch you out of your comfort zone into a new and deeper Christian life.

I’m actually looking forward to Lent this year, thanks to the plan of Father Shafer. I owe him “1-1-1.”

In the beginning

I

commentary 15

february 8, 2013 | theleaven.com

Isaiah’s encounter changes history of Israel

f you saw smoke billowing out of your house, you most probably would feel concerned.

Smoke is a sign of fire. You usually don’t want that in your house, unless it involves puffs of smoke rising out of the chimney.

On the other hand, you would expect to see smoke in the Temple at Jerusalem during the time of the prophet Isaiah. Sacrifices were constantly being offered there. That means that they were burnt on the altar.

In fact, the word “holocaust” derives from Greek words meaning “burnt offering.”

Besides the cattle and sheep and doves being sacrificed in the Temple, a large amount of incense was also offered every day as part of the evening sacrifice. All

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. that burning produced a lot of smoke. That may explain why Sunday’s first reading — Is 6:1-2a, 3-8 — says about the Temple: “and the house was filled with smoke.”

Here, the word “house” means “house of God.” At the same time, the smoke in the Temple would have suggested more than just a byproduct of the large

numbers of animals being burnt. It would also have suggested the presence of God. After all, smoke in the Old Testament often indicated God’s presence. When Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai in the desert, smoke signaled God’s presence: “Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the Lord came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently” (Ex 19:18).

When the people of Israel travel through the desert for 40 years, a cloud of smoke travels with them to indicate God’s presence: “In the daytime the cloud of the Lord was seen over the Dwelling; whereas at night, fire was

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC Have you ever gone shopping and suddenly noticed something that you needed even though it wasn’t on your list? And how many times when you returned home with this particular item did you find that you already had one — or more — of this product that you’d forgotten all about?

Probably most of us suffer from “stuff overload.” The season of Lent can help restore some balance to our life and surroundings.

One of the traditional Lenten practices is to “give up” something.

seen in the cloud by the whole house of Israel in all the stages of their journey” (Ex 40:38).

In the Bible, smoke is not only a sign of fire. It is also a sign of God’s presence.

The smoke not only points to God’s presence but, at the same time, it also hides it, since it is more difficult to see through the cloud of smoke.

Sunday’s reading describes Isaiah’s encounter with God in the Temple.

As a result of that encounter, God calls Isaiah to be his prophet. This dramatic event will change Isaiah’s life forever, as well as radically impact the history of Israel. Isaiah’s words responding to God’s call provide a model for us all: “Here I am, send me!”

I’d suggest that we give up, as much as possible, buying anything new during Lent and also give up some of our “overload” to those in need.

May this upcoming Lenten season direct our attention “up,” as in “use up” those forgotten things. And, if you can’t do that, then “pack up” as much of that stuff as possible and get it out of your home and your mind.

Refill that newly empty space with things that truly count: time with God, with family and with friends.

— M.G.

I

Be proud of the remarkable work you make possible

need to let you know upfront that this is one of my more serious articles . . . seriously!

This article is written to all of our Catholic Education Foundation supporters.

Thank you for changing the lives of thousands of children that need your help. You are helping make a difference not just for these students, but for their families and the communities they live in. We hear from CEF parents almost daily, thanking us for providing scholarships for their chil-

Michael morrisey Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org. dren. Further, they provide insight on why it is important to have their kids in our Catholic schools.

For example, they pray with their classmates, they learn about Jesus, the teachers care, our schools provide a safe learning en-

vironment, they receive the sacraments, etc. It is truly remarkable work that you make possible.

Just as we have an obligation to the children we serve, we also have an obligation to you, our donors. Without your support, it would be impossible to change lives each and every day through Catholic education. We want you to be assured that your dollars are being well spent. Additionally, we want to demonstrate our belief that changing lives through Catholic education is a passion shared by many other individuals just like you.

When you entrust your resources to our foundation, we make a commitment to you that this money will

benefit the most students possible, currently 1,248 to be exact. One way we look at this is by what percent of dollars raised go directly to providing scholarships for children in need. The benchmark recommended by many is 60 percent goes to the program; at CEF, it is 100 percent. You ask: “How can that be?”

The archdiocese covers our overhead expenses. It is important to the CEF board that every dollar possible be used to help less fortunate families and children. That is why our board members serve.

It has been written that over 98 percent of Catholic high school seniors go on to higher education. That

number includes your CEF kids. However, I suggest to you that if your support was not available, over 80 percent of the CEF students would not be attending one of our grade schools or high school.

So, you should be proud!

Please know that you are assisting in positively changing the lives of children who come from less fortunate backgrounds. You are helping shape the future of our Catholic Church as well as our often challenging society.

Simply put, you are helping kids that need help. Your caring about our CEF families is much appreciated.

That is pretty cool stuff — seriously!

16 local news

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Joe Heidesch, music director at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, directs the Aquinas choir at the allschool Mass on Jan. 28 at the high school to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

theleaven.com | february 8, 2013

Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger

Photo by Rox Stec

s The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica visited Atchison Catholic Elementary School on Jan. 29 during Catholic Schools Week in this, the 150th year of their monastery’s founding. Second-grader Kylie Green thanks Sister Janelle Maes, OSB, for her years of service. s

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated Mass on Feb. 1 at Holy Trinity School in Paola, concluding a week’s worth of Catholic Schools Week activities. From left, fifth-grader Emi Zeller, first-grader Jayden Kubec, and fifth-grader Brianna Ball enjoy a moment of prayer. t First-grader Nathan Brune sure looks the part as he dressed up for “pioneer days” at Holy Trinity School in Lenexa which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. “Pioneer days” was part of the school’s Catholic Schools Week activities.

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

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Hayden High School saw students from all over the Topeka Region descend on the school Jan. 30 for a regional school Mass with Archbishop Naumann.

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Home improvement

Fight with clear focus on the present Often when we argue with our partners, we go back in time and revive disputes that have long been laid to rest.

Or we project into the future and argue about problems that may never occur.

Both approaches are only good for escalating tension.

But that’s easy to see in the calm light of reason, but hard to remember in the heat of an argument.

The best way to control the moment, and keep your mind focused on the present problem, is by staying focused physically.

Pause during your discussion and take deep breaths to keep yourself calm. Make a concerted effort to notice what’s happening right in front of you: Be conscious of your partner’s body language and tone of voice.

Leaven photo by Julie holthaus

Repeat what you hear your partner saying, so you can be sure you understand. If the discussion starts to delve into the past or future, gently bring it back to the problem you’re currently facing.

As a couple trying to resolve a problem or dispute, the first step toward success is realizing the only moment we can truly control is the moment we’re in right now.

—J.R.E.