02-15-13 Vol. 34 No. 26

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 26 | february 15, 2013

stepPing

down

Historic announcement received with equal mix of surprise, admiration . . . and anticipation

Photo by Stefano Spaziani

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013

Citing declining health, pope steps down

Life will be victorious

Church entrusted to bishops, popes ‘only for a season’

W

ith everyone else, I was stunned by Pope Benedict’s announcement of his retirement at the end of this month. Consistent with his actions throughout his papacy, he reached this decision after much prayer and with the decisive criteria being what is best for the church.

Even at 22 years the pope’s junior, and carrying much less responsibility, I can understand Pope Benedict’s desire to retire. He accepted the responsibility of shepherding the universal church at a time when most people would be already long retired. Even with his advanced years and his natural desire to be relieved of his responsibilities, I know that if the Holy Father thought his continuation as pope was best for the church, he would not have chosen to resign.

His papacy has been full of surprises and, in that sense his resignation will be just one more. It reveals again the pope’s beautiful humility.

There is a temptation for all of us, no matter the level of our responsibility, to think the world will not go on without us. For those of us who serve in church leadership, we must remind ourselves that it is not “our church.” The Lord entrusts popes and bishops with important responsibilities, but only for a season.

We will be digesting for years the full impact of Pope Benedict’s papacy. The Holy Father has had a tremendous impact on the ongoing renew-

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann 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.

al of the church. The Holy Father’s three-volume work, entitled “Jesus of Nazareth,” will influence the directions of Catholic biblical scholarship for many years. I remember hearing Scott Hahn, himself a biblical scholar, remark after the publication of the first volume of “Jesus of Nazareth” that this work by the Holy

Father would impact Catholic biblical study in much the same way that the theology of the body influenced moral theology.

Similarly, Pope Benedict’s emphasis on the beautiful and reverent celebration of the liturgy will guide the celebration for the sacraments for generations to come. The Holy Father took great care to remind the church that the liturgical reform of Vatican II can only be properly understood as in continuity with the pre-Vatican II Mass, rather than a rupture from the liturgical tradition.

Perhaps Pope Benedict’s greatest gifts have been his ability to communicate profound truths with remarkable clarity. I am particularly grateful for the theme found throughout his teaching during the past eight years that the essential foundation of our Catholic faith is an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Our Holy Father has invited us frequently to strive to enter more deeply into the personal friendship Jesus desires to have with each of us.

Our Holy Father has also written and spoken often about the joy that is the natural fruit of our Catholic faith. Our awareness of God’s personal love for us provides us with a capacity for joy even in times of loss and suffering.

Please pray for the Holy Father as he completes his service as pope. Pray that the Lord will bless him abundantly in the years ahead. Pray also for the Holy Spirit to

Join Us for the 17th Annual

Healing Mass & Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 10 a.m. on March 2, 2013 at Curé of Ars, 94th and Mission Rd., Leawood, KS

Celebrant will be Bishop Robert Finn Homilist will be Archbishop Emeritus James Keleher The anointing of the sick in both dioceses will be administered to Catholics whose health is seriously impaired by illness or old age. All are invited to participate. The ceremony will follow the Lourdes pilgrimage format.

Among those who may be anointed, the ritual mentions, in particular: • Those undergoing a surgery whenever serious illness is the reason • Elderly people when they have become noticabley weakened even if no serious illness is present • Sick children if they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by the sacrament We are asking those who wish to receive the sacrament at Mass, to register by mail using the form below, or call 913-649-3260 and leave your name.

Name cards are made for those receiving the sacrament.

Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

calendar archbishop

Naumann Feb. 15 Fellowship of Catholic University Students new evangelization Mass, rosary and prayer breakfast — Crown Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 16 Men Under Construction adoration — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park Feb. 17 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Feb. 18 Confirmation for parishes of Resurrection School — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. Feb. 19 Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting Confirmation—St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kan. Feb. 20 Adoration and Benediction — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park Feb. 21 Kenrick board meeting — St. Louis

guide the College of Cardinals as they prepare to select the next pope.

The new Holy Father will be the seventh of my lifetime. Each of the previous six popes have brought extraordinary gifts to the church. As much as I am sad that Pope Benedict’s service as the successor of Peter is coming

Feb. 22 Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy Immigration forum — KU School of Law, Lawrence

archbishop

keleher Feb. 15 Fellowship of Catholic University Students new evangelization Mass, rosary and prayer breakfast — Crown Plaza, Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 16 “Catholic Way” taping Confirmation — St. Francis de Sales, Lansing Feb. 17 Disciplinary barracks Mass Federal prison Mass Feb. 19 Faith Initiative lecture— Holy Spirit, Overland Park Feb. 20 Penance service — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Feb. 21 Confirmation — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park

to an end, I am excited about whom the Holy Spirit will raise up to lead the church in the coming years. I am confident that, like his predecessors, the new pope will be a wonderful gift to the church.

Come Holy Spirit, come and enlighten the church in selecting the next Peter for the church!

By Carol Glatz and Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

Text of Pope Benedict’s resignation announcement

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of the month after an eight-year pontificate.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” the pope told cardinals gathered for an ordinary public consistory to approve the canonization of new saints.

Pope Benedict, who was elected in April 2005, will be the first pope to resign in more than 600 years.

He told the cardinals, “In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told journalists at a briefing that the pope’s decision was not prompted by any medical illness, but was due to a natural “decline of strength” associated with old age.

Even though the announcement had caught almost everybody by surprise, it was not a snap decision, but rather one that “had matured over the past few months,” Father Lombardi said.

The pope made his announcement in Latin from a pre-written text during a morning ordinary public consistory where a large number of cardinals were present.

When he delivered his announcement, the pope seemed very “composed, concentrated” and read “in a solemn manner” in keeping with the importance of what he was saying, Father Lombardi said.

Fulfilling the canonical requirement, Pope Benedict solemnly declared to the cardinals, “Well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of St. Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new supreme pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.”

It is up to the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to make preparations for a conclave to elect a new pope.

Father Lombardi said after the pope steps down, he will move to the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome. He will stay there until the renovation is completed of a cloister, set up by Blessed John Paul II, which

Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Parish __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please mail the form to: Order of Malta, P.O. Box 7270, KCMO 64113

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february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

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

CNS photo/Paul Haring

Aides assist Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrates Mass marking the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and World Day for Consecrated Life in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in this Feb. 2 file photo.

The pope announced Feb. 11 that he will resign at the end of the month citing a “decline in strength.” is located inside the Vatican Gardens, he said.

The pope will then live in the cloister, called the Mater Ecclesia monastery, and dedicate his time to prayer and reflection, the Vatican spokesman said.

It was likely the pope would keep writing, he added, since the pope has mentioned many times that he has wanted to spend more time dedicated to study and prayer.

When asked if there would be any confusion over leadership or a schism were a possibility, Father Lombardi said he believes the pope “had no fear of this” happening because he clearly demonstrated his desire to step down and no longer be pope or retain any papal authority.

“I think in no way is there any risk of confusion or division” in this respect, he said.

The pope, who is past the age allowed a cardinal to vote for a new pope, will obviously not be part of the conclave that will convene to elect his successor, he added.

He is not likely to play any role in the “interregnum” or time between

popes because “there is no role for a predecessor pope” during this period, the priest said.

The Jesuit priest said a “sede vacante” usually lasts less than a month, and that it was more than likely a new pope would be elected in time to lead the full schedule of Holy Week and Easter liturgies.

Cardinal Sodano, who was one of the many cardinals present during the pope’s announcement, addressed the pope, telling him the news left them with “a sense of loss, almost completely incredulous.”

However, it was obvious that his decision was based on a “great affection” for the well-being of the church, the cardinal said.

Father Lombardi said being a pope today is “much more fast-moving, more demanding” than it was in the past with an almost nonstop full schedule of public and private events and liturgical celebrations.

When asked why the pope chose Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, as the day to announce his stepping down, Father Lombardi said most likely the date was a coincidence, and that

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Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

Dear brothers, I have convoked you to this consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of St. Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which, in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of St. Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new supreme pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the holy church to the care of our supreme pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the cardinal fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new supreme pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the holy church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican, Feb. 11, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI

the pope instead chose an event — the ordinary public consistory — where a large number of cardinals would be present.

“The pope chose this significant occasion with the gathered cardinals” as the best moment to announce his plans, the Vatican spokesman said.

When asked whether the pope had any medical illnesses or bouts of depression that may have prompted his resignation, Father Lombardi said the pope was “absolutely not” depressed >> See “Pope” on page 7

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Kansans in Rome witness church history n seminarians find rome confused and saddened

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The United States didn’t yet exist the last time a Catholic pope stepped down, a fact that awes archdiocesan seminarian Luke Doyle.

Doyle and Agustin Martinez, both seminarians in their first year of theology for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, are studying in Rome.

Despite their location, neither of them — like most of the world — had any inkling Feb. 11 was going to bring news that would put them at the heart of history in the making.

“I don’t think any of us wake up in the morning wondering if the pope will resign today,” Doyle said, noting that shock is the first thing he felt.

It was about noon in Rome, and he was outside walking after class when two men pulled him aside and talked to him in broken Italian.

Their message just didn’t sink in, and Doyle thought at first, “My Italian is failing me because I think they’re telling me the pope has resigned.”

As he made his way through the streets, though, the reality hit.

Likewise, Martinez, who started hearing the news as he prepared for a noon Mass, thought it was a hoax until he checked for himself.

“At the Mass, the only thing I was

keeping in my mind was him and praying for him and the cardinals,” said Martinez.

He has seized many opportunities in Rome to see Pope Benedict, whom he admires, but was also moved by his presence in 2011 during a pilgrimage seminarians made to Spain for World Youth Day. “He was just a great witness of faith and sanctity,” said Martinez.

He knows many issues within the church and the world must weigh heavily on the pope, and he has noticed his physical strength wane as his age catches up to him — the very reasons the pope cited for his decision in his announcement.

Despite any physical weaknesses, though, the pope’s action demonstrated greatness in other ways.

“That humility made me admire him even more,” said Martinez.

Historical moment Doyle’s sadness at seeing the pope go soon gave way to a sense of gratefulness for what God has given him, the time the Holy Father spent leading the church and the opportunity to represent Kansas in Rome at this time.

“I’m humbled I’m here in the Eternal City taking in everything as it happens,” Doyle said.

The city itself seemed somewhat confused and upset the day the news broke.

“There’s still a lot of surprise and confusion and, at some level, I would say a degree of not wanting to accept it yet,” Martinez said.

It was hard even for the seminarians to fully accept it.

“People were teary and even crying out there in [St. Peter’s] Square,” Martinez added.

Both men made their way to the square that day.

On a normal day, Doyle said the media presence there is limited to the Eternal World Television Network and maybe one or two Italian journalists.

But not on Feb. 11.

“It was amazing to see not just EWTN and a couple of Italian journalists, but CNN, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times — all sorts of journalists and television stations from all over the world just trickle in,” said Doyle.

He visited with more than a dozen English-speaking people who were visiting as pilgrims. Many came out of the church and didn’t know what was happening, so Doyle shared the news and what it meant.

He prayed with them, asking for guidance for the Holy Father and for those involved in the process to determine a successor.

A humble, holy man Benedictine College sophomore Natalie Bunker stayed in Rome Jan. 30Feb. 7 before moving nearly three hours north to Florence, Italy, to study this semester.

She was moved by the peace and comfort she felt hearing Pope Benedict’s words during a papal audience in Rome on Feb. 6.

So she and her classmates were shocked to get out of class a few days

Resignation demonstrates humility, says Archbishop Naumann n Archbishop saw papal responsibilities take its toll during last visit

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Luke Doyle

Agustin Martinez

later and hear the news of his resignation, because they never imagined it could happen.

But she also understands.

“His decision is one I fully respect because I believe it takes a humble man to give up such a powerful role,” she said. “His decision was selfless; he resigned because he felt too weak to fulfill his duty. It is tragic to hear Pope Benedict is stepping down, but I trust in God and I know something great will come of this.”

Doyle has often leaned on a quote from Pope Benedict as he discerned his own path in life, and those words came to mind after he heard the news.

“The world promises you comfort,” Pope Benedict said. “But you are not made for comfort. You are made for greatness.”

That has inspired Doyle to be the best, holiest version of himself he can be.

“The Holy Father is a brilliant man, a very spiritual man, a very holy man, and has a very gifted mind,” he said. “I have learned a great deal from his example of humility. It’s kind of brought to a climax today.”

Professor finds inspiration in pope’s demonstration of ‘humility’

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

A

TCHISON — Recovering from the flu, Matthew Ramage checked his email from the comfort of home before deciding whether he’d head to Benedictine College here to teach on Feb. 11 — when he read a message that made the decision for him.

The email asked Ramage, an assistant professor of theology at the college, to do some media interviews about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. “I thought, ‘Is this a joke?’” said Ramage of the news from Rome that broke early that morning in the United States.

“I didn’t see it coming any more than many of the bishops and cardinals,” he said.

Having studied under one of Pope Benedict’s students, Ramage feels both a personal and professional connection to this pope.

“I’m like an intellectual grandson of his,” he said, and he credits Pope Benedict XVI’s influence with helping him grow in faith.

Ramage teaches courses at Benedictine delving into the theology and general thought of Pope Benedict XVI. His own dissertation and a forthcoming book relate to this pope’s biblical interpretation.

So when he saw the email requesting his insight into the pope’s surprising announcement on Feb. 11, he immediately looked online and, sure enough, discovered its full text.

“

“You see the greatest act of humility by a reigning pope that perhaps you could see.”

Matthew Ramage, assistant professor of theology at Benedictine The announcement cited 85-year-old Pope Benedict’s age and lack of strength to continue to minister as pope.

Great humility Seeing it was real, Ramage headed to the college, where he and his students spent the first 10 minutes talking about the announcement.

Everyone already knew, but that didn’t diminish the astonishment.

Ramage fielded questions like, “Is that even possible?” and “Can he do that?”

The answer, he told them, is yes, a pope can do that, even though the last time it happened was nearly 600 years ago when Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415.

Many people might have expected Pope Benedict XVI to remain in office through frailties and declining health until death, as his predecessor Pope John Paul II did. But the papacy doesn’t require that path.

“As long as you’re not going against anything in the Catholic Church, there’s room for different approaches,” said Ramage, adding that this doesn’t necessarily set a precedent or dictate what a future pope might do.

Ramage had several opportunities to see Pope Benedict, including this past fall when he went to Rome with several Benedictine students, who were studying abroad, for the canonizations of saints, including Kateri Tekakwitha.

Ramage, who has attended several liturgies with Pope Benedict, could tell that the pope’s health had declined between 2006 and 2012.

The pope’s decision to step down on Feb. 28 touched the professor.

“You see the greatest act of humility by a reigning pope that perhaps you could see,” Ramage said.

Pope Benedict had to know many people wouldn’t understand and some would second-guess this action, but he was still willing to take that step, he said.

“He’s a man of conviction, and he’s willing to act on it because he knows it’s right,” said Ramage. “He did this because he thinks sincerely this move is going to be a great thing for the church, and it’s God’s will.”

Looking ahead Sure, there is certainly time and room for shock, sadness and even mourning, Ramage told his students. But this is also a time for hope in the church.

While Pope Benedict XVI likely won’t be remembered for his charisma like Pope John Paul II — a man still be-

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february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

loved in Italy — he leaves a significant legacy, Ramage believes.

“He’s going to go down as one of the most brilliant minds in church history, I think,” he said. “In part, he’ll be remembered for his desire to put Catholics back in touch with the person of Jesus Christ.”

He pointed to Pope Benedict’s threepart “Jesus of Nazareth” book series and other writings. This pope recognized that humans in today’s world struggle with difficult issues, and he demonstrated a “synthesis of ancient and modern thought.”

“As a theologian, it shows me the path for how to do theology well, for how to bring people into a relationship with God, to more clearly announce the Gospel in the world,” said Ramage, “because he shows us how to tackle modern issues with courage and with the strength of the church’s constant tradition and modern thought.”

Pope Benedict provided inspiration to Ramage and offered answers he hadn’t found elsewhere.

He knows he will feel a lost connection when Pope Benedict steps down but, at the same time, Ramage looks forward with hope to the future, built on the foundation Pope Benedict has helped put in place.

“Any time you have a pope change, you have a new movement of the Holy Spirit in the church,” said Ramage. “The Catholic Church has a constant tradition that doesn’t change. The beautiful thing is that each pope has his own charism.

“We’re going to see a new conclave with a new pope who has new ideas about the evangelization of the world.”

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pope Benedict XVI had been widely seen as a caretaker pope — just like Pope John XXIII, who launched the Second Vatican Council.

On Feb. 11, the Vaticanologists relearned a lesson: The most surprising things can come from so-called “caretakers.”

The announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign by the end of the month caught most by surprise. The last pontiff to do so was Gregory XII, in 1415.

“I think when something hasn’t happened in 600 years, it’s a surprise,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. “Were there hints? Sure, there were hints.

Were there rumors? Yes, there were rumors. But there were similar rumors during Pope John Paul II’s papacy as well.”

Perhaps one hint came on April 29, 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI visited the tomb of St. Celestine V, located in a church that had been damaged by an earthquake. Without explanation, he left his pallium (a woolen stole symbolizing his authority) on the late pope’s tomb. The next year, Pope Benedict prayed before the relics of St. Celestine, who abdicated the papal throne in 1294.

In 2010, Pope Benedict talked with a German journalist about the duty and obligation of a pope to resign when he

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano

Pope Benedict XVI greets Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann during a March 9, 2012, meeting with bishops from Nebraska and Kansas on their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican. could no longer fulfill the obligations and duties of that ministry.

The last time, Archbishop Naumann saw the pope was last March during an “ad limina” visit to Rome.

“At that time he looked tired,” said Archbishop Naumann. “He was keeping an incredible schedule with the ‘ad limina’ visits and was preparing to go to Cuba. But, having said that, he was still very engaged. In the conversation I and other bishops had with him, you could see that carrying [the papal] responsibilities were taking a toll on his strength, but still he was very much on top of what was happening with the church in the United States and the rest of the world.”

Up until the announcement, said Archbishop Naumann, “He continued to keep a very full schedule and has, to

my mind, continued to be an incredibly effective and wise teacher for the universal church.”

Although speculation has run rampant in the secular press, the obvious reason for why this and why now is simple: It was the right thing at the right time.

“Pope Benedict has always evaluated issues in terms of what’s best for the church,” said Archbishop Naumann.

“It’s clear from his statement that, after prayer and reflection, he has come to the conclusion that it’s best for the church for him to step aside and allow for the Holy Spirit to raise up a new successor for Peter.”

The papal resignation naturally brings to mind comparisons between Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict.

They were, however, different men

facing different circumstances, said the archbishop. The Holy Spirit guided both to do the right thing. While Pope John Paul II taught us something about living and dying, Pope Benedict has taught us about humility.

“I think this reflects his humility,” said Archbishop Naumann. “He appreciates that many of us who have authority or responsibility in the church only have that for a season.”

“The universal church has gone on for 2,000 years, and the church in the archdiocese has gone on for 150 years, so no one individual is essential,” the archbishop continued. “It’s part of the lesson we can see here — that as fruitful and important as his ministry has been, he’s judged it to be the time to let someone else carry those responsibilities.”

Although he served a far shorter time than Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict left a tremendous legacy during his eight-year papacy.

“I think the church will be digesting [the question of his legacy] for a while,” said Archbishop Naumann.

One thing for sure: Pope Benedict was a worthy successor.

“We didn’t lose any IQ points between Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict,” he said.

A few things that come to the archbishop’s mind in regard to the papal legacy include liturgical reform, a spirituality that focuses on an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, and the pope’s three-volume reflection on the Gospels and the life of Jesus.

“He will influence Catholic biblical scholarship for years to come,” said Archbishop Naumann. “He not only gave us insights into Jesus, but also what authentic biblical scholarship should provide for the church.”

Archbishop emeritus applauds Pope Benedict XVI’s decision n Archbishop sees resignation as a wonderful precedent

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher has no doubt Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to step down took many Catholics by surprise.

But after reflecting on it, he believes the pope made a wise decision for himself and the church.

“I was really happy for him,” said Archbishop Keleher. “He is such a hard-working man, and he knows at his age that he can’t do that anymore.”

Now 81 — a few years younger than 85-year-old Pope Benedict — Archbishop Keleher has kept his own plate full since he retired from his active duties at the helm of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in 2005.

As archbishop emeritus, he still celebrates Masses, takes an active role in prison ministry and celebrates many confirmations within the archdiocese.

“When I see Archbishop [Joseph F.] Naumann and all that he does, I know that I feel I could not do that anymore,” Archbishop Keleher said.

“I do a lot,” he added, “but it’s not the daily burden of running an archdiocese.”

Day-to-day demands on a diocesan level are taxing, and that only multi-

‘God bless him’

plies in the case of a pope, who not only serves as the bishop of Rome, but as the pastor of the entire Catholic Church, he said.

“He’s a spiritual guide to millions of people,” Archbishop Keleher continued. “No tragedy occurs that he has not been advised of.”

He’s also an international figure with “an exhaustive amount of meetings.”

‘Remarkable ministry’ Still, many expect a pope to continue serving long past the age when a local bishop retires.

“Until Vatican II, bishops never stepped down unless they had a serious illness or death itself took them,” said Archbishop Keleher. “But now, it’s common. Reaching 75, every bishop is expected to offer his resignation, and the pope will accept it usually within a year or two.”

While local bishops now tend to retire at ages 75-77, popes might serve into their 80s and beyond, and the question has been whether that should be the case, or whether they might follow the path laid out for bishops.

Archbishop Keleher believes Pope Benedict helped answer that question and views his decision to leave on Feb. 28 as a “wonderful precedent” that can guide others in the future.

Archbishop Keleher, who was preparing to celebrate a 6 a.m. Mass in Florida on Feb. 11 when a friend called with news of the announcement, knows

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher, 81, younger than Pope Benedict XVI, believes the pope made a wise decision by stepping down. the pope made his decision for the good of the church when he felt he could not carry out his duties as effectively as he should.

“He has carried out a remarkable ministry for close to eight years,” said Archbishop Keleher. “We think a president who does eight years or two terms does a lot, and that is what this man has done at a very advanced age. He not only deserves to step down, but when he does so, he does so as our pope, whom we believe firmly is Peter’s successor.”

Archbishop Keleher last saw the pope about a year and a half ago.

He got to know Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger years before he became Pope Benedict through his “ad limina” visits to Pope John Paul II every five years.

During those visits, Archbishop Keleher and other bishops visited the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, led by then-prefect Cardinal Ratzinger.

“He was so nice to chat with us, to answer any questions, no matter how difficult they might be,” he said.

While highly intelligent, holy and prayerful, Pope Benedict has a good feel for what it means to be human, Archbishop Keleher believes.

He will watch with interest the upcoming conclave.

And although many questions remain about who will be the successor and how Pope Benedict will spend his days, Archbishop Keleher has no doubt he will remain a spiritual guide and inspiration.

“He has a very profound message of God’s love for all of humanity, and he has broadcast that message all over the world,” said Archbishop Keleher. “And I know even in retirement, which he seeks to be a time of prayer and reflection, he will continue to be a wonderful inspiration to the church as well as to the world.

“God bless him.”

6 local news

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013

local news 7

february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

Practice of justice must be animated by faith, says bishop

Archbishop disappointed in HHS proposal

n State officials urged to reflect Divine Will at Red Mass in Topeka

n ‘in some ways this is worse than where we were before’

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

T

OPEKA — Governor Sam Brownback, state legislators and members of the courts heard an inspiring message about law, justice and the way both reflect the divine will at the annual Kansas Red Mass on Jan. 30.

The Mass was celebrated at Mater Dei-Assumption Parish in Topeka, located across the street from the Kansas state Capitol.

For the past two years, the bishops of Kansas have celebrated a Mass — called a Red Mass — for the special intention of the well-being of the state and for guidance of Catholics working in government and the law. It is sponsored and organized by the Kansas Catholic Conference.

The tradition of the Red Mass began in medieval Europe and is associated with the judicial and legal community.

The color red became associated with the tradition because of the red vestments worn by the celebrants, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, and for the red judicial and academic robes worn by judges and other court officials.

Red Masses are celebrated in many parts of the world, but the highest profile Red Mass in the United States occurs annually in Washington, D.C., when the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new session in October.

The more recent tradition of the Kansas Red Mass grew out of visits to Topeka by the Kansas bishops. The bishops would have a meal with office holders for fellowship and encouragement.

“We thought that it would be a very good idea to have a Mass that we could invite legislators to, and make it a Red Mass, formally dedicated for the intention of our Catholic legislators,” said Michael M. Schuttloffel, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. “[The bishops] pray for them in their very important work [and] encourage them to remember their faith

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann gives the final blessing at the Red Mass on Jan. 30 at Mater Dei-Assumption Parish in Topeka. Pictured above with the archbishop are, from left, Deacon Chris Seago, of Mater Dei Parish, Topeka; Bishop John Brungardt, from the Diocese of Dodge City; and Bishop Edward Weisenburger of the Diocese of Salina. The Red Mass is celebrated for the well-being of the state and for guidance of Catholics working in government and the law. of our nation or state, trying to circumther Steve Heina, director of evangeand apply Catholic moral principles to vent the nonestablishment clause,” lization for the Diocese of Salina; and their profession,” he continued. “We said Bishop Weisenburger. “My belief Msgr. James Hake, the vicar general of don’t check our faith at the door when is far from that.” the Diocese of Salina. Bishop Michael we leave in the morning. . . . It’s part of He rejected the way “faith” is deJackels was not able to attend. everything that we do.” fined by the world — something that Deacon Chris Seago, from Mater In his homily, Bishop Edward can be separated from the rest of life Dei Parish in Topeka, and Deacon Ray Weisenburger, of the Diocese of Salina, and relegated to its edge, something Delgado, from Our Lady of Guadalupe said that justice is no easy task. The warm and fuzzy to be occasionally Parish in Topeka, assisted the celebishop, who has a degree in canon law, trotted out. brants. Msgr. Gary Applegate of the talked about the Latin root words that “If you have indeed come to faith in archdiocese was master of ceremonies. refer to divine law and man-made law. the Trinitarian God whom we worship, Before the final blessing and dismiss“I must point out that while there is and in whom — we believe — gives al, Archbishop Naumann pointed out a distinction [between divine and manthat life meaning,” he continued, “then the vigil candles that had been placed made law], this distinction does not what I mean is that your practice of on the side altars, symbolizing prayers mean that human-made laws are sevjustice needs to be animated by cerfor Catholics in government: the goverered from the divine will,” said Bishop tain basic principles that I suspect are nor, lieutenant governor, members of Weisenburger. “Quite the contrary. We shared by most people of good will and the Legislature and the judiciary. hope and pray that our laws — even the some faith.”

“We hope, as the church, to provide most civil or basic — reflect in some Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann spiritual nourishment to you,” said way the divine will.” of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Archbishop Naumann.

Faith, he said, must guide them in Kansas was the main celebrant of the Following the Mass, a reception was their practice of justice.

Mass. Concelebrating were Bishop held in the offices of the Kansas Cath“First, I am not, by any means, imWeisenburger; Bishop John Brungardt, olic Conference, located in the former plying that you need to impose our from the Diocese of Dodge City; Farectory next to the church.

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — After a year of tinkering, the Obama administration issued its promised proposal to address religious liberty concerns raised by part of the Affordable Care Act. The verdict on the Feb. 1 notice of possible changes for the preventive services for women part of the ACA — known as the contraceptive mandate — is in.

Thanks for the effort, but no deal, say the U.S. bishops.

The new accommodation has at least three big problems, according to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

First, it has a narrow understanding of religious ministry. Second, it compels ministries to fund and facilitate morally illicit services. And third, it totally disregards the conscience rights of business owners.

“I don’t think it’s a serious effort on the administration’s part to respond to our concerns about religious liberty,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

“To me, it’s very, very disappointing that, after a year, this is what the administration would propose.”

Beyond the three cited by Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop Naumann has a few more.

“I think the fundamental concern is that the administration continues to treat pregnancy and fertility as diseases that need to be prevented when they are healthy conditions,” said Archbishop Naumann.

“And it continues to make free contraception the most important objective in terms of their proposal for health coverage,” he added. “They

want to provide these services free of charge, when essential medical services won’t be free of charge without co-pays — and they still want to force some religious entities to be complicit in the provision of these, and they still want to define what is authentically religious and what isn’t.”

And the Obama administration is still unclear on how self-funded programs, like that of the archdiocese, would be not be forced to fund abortifacients and contraceptives.

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which opened a 60-day comment period, is merely an effort to appear responsive to religious liberty concerns without really having effect, said the archbishop.

This can be seen in the administration’s proposal to eliminate three of the criteria of the four-part test used to determine what is an exempt religious entity.

“I think what they did was eliminate what was most difficult for them to defend in court and in the arena of public opinion,” said the archbishop.

“But by their own admission,” he continued, “by keeping the fourth criteria, it would still deny an exemption to the religious ministries when all [the] criteria were in place. The practical effect is negligible.”

The new, proposed accommodation is unclear about the exempt status of some ministries.

“The administration actually took away . . . one of the ways we were hoping an exempt organization like the archdiocese, by bringing these other ministries under our health care plan, could be exempt as well,” said Archbishop Naumann. “That clearly has been taken off the board by the administration. So, in some ways this is worse than where we were before.”

The new accommodation offered by the Obama administration offers two changes.

One, it would take away the fourpart test of defining a religious entity

that would be exempt from the contraception mandate.

Two, it would provide contraceptive coverage for persons who are part of those nonprofit religious entities that do not qualify for the exemption, and without the institutions having to provide the coverage. Instead, the insurance company would pay for it. And how would the insurance company pay for it? From the savings that would come from prevented pregnancies.

“Insurance companies have always charged for these services in the past,” said the archbishop. “They didn’t evidently understand this fiction the administration is putting forward — that if we abort children through abortifacient drugs and give people contraception that it’s really saving. In fact, we know there are some health consequences created by contraception.”

One question is this: Would the church drop its opposition if only the concerns of the institutional church — and not for-profit businesses — were met?

“Absolutely not,” said Archbishop Naumann, “and that is a huge deficiency in this proposal. It does nothing for the individual Catholic employer and employee.”

Currently, the archdiocese is participating in a nationwide Life and Liberty postcard campaign sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The bishops have called upon Catholics, in addition to participating in this postcard campaign, to intensify their efforts in prayer and fasting,” said Archbishop Naumann.

“We’ve asked people to embrace again, if they have not already, abstinence from meat on Fridays for the intentions of the protection of religious liberty and of human life,” he continued. “We encourage parishes to have monthly Holy Hours and families to pray rosaries. Naturally, much of our effort is mobilizing prayer for these intentions.”

Catholics urged to flood congressional mailroom

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Catholics across the archdiocese are joining a nationwide postcard campaign to urge Congress to respect life and protect religious liberty.

In a column published in the Jan. 25 issue of The Leaven, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann wrote about the many Catholic employers now having to act on whether they will comply with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contraception mandate or not.

The mandate would force them to provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilizations — all of which the church teaches are morally objectionable. Thus, many are challenging the HHS mandate in the courts as a violation of their conscience rights.

“The bishops of the United States are urging Catholics to send post cards to U.S. senators and members of Congress,” the archbishop said.

“I have informed our pastors that it is my desire for every parish, sometime in February or March, to participate in this postcard campaign.”

The precise way each parish will conduct its campaign will vary, said Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan pro-life office consultant. Some parishes may gather the cards, while others might ask parishioners to take them home and mail them individually.

Postcard campaigns in the past have been very successful, he said.

“We don’t have the Freedom of Choice Act because of the FOCA postcard campaign the USCCB conducted,” said Kelsey.

Those with questions about the campaign may contact Kelsey at (913) 647-0350, or by email at: pro life@archkck.org.

Pope to continue to serve through life of prayer >> Continued from page 3 and possessed a remarkable “spiritual serenity” and composure despite the many difficult moments he has had to face as pope.

The Vatican spokesman also said he was not aware of any medical illness that would have caused the pope to step down, rather it was due to a “normal” deterioration of physical and mental strength that comes with old age.

The pope has increasingly had trouble walking in the past year, often using a cane and always being assisted getting up and down steps. However, the Vatican has never released medical information that would make it appear the pope suffers from anything other than joint pain connected to his age.

The option of a pope to resign is explicitly written into the Code of Canon Law. It says a pope may step down, but stipulates that the decision must be made freely and “duly manifested.” No one needs to formally accept a pope’s resignation for it to be valid.

The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

Pope Benedict had long said it would be appropriate for a pope to resign for the good of the church if the pontiff

CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope in 600 years to resign from the papacy. The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415. felt he were unable to physically bear the burden of the papacy.

In his book-length interview, “The Light of the World,” with German journalist Peter Seewald, the pope said, “If a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically and spiritually capable of handling the

duties of his office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

The pope told the author that it was important, however, that the pope “must not run away” and “must stand fast and endure” any difficult situations that are facing the church. For that rea-

son, he was not thinking of resigning in 2010 — the year the interviews were conducted.

“One can resign at a peaceful moment or when one simply cannot go on,” the pope had said.

Before ending his remarks during the consistory, Pope Benedict told the cardinals: “I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects.

And now, let us entrust the holy church to the care of our supreme pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the cardinal fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new supreme pontiff.”

The pope said, “I wish to also devotedly serve the holy church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”

Father Lombardi said he felt “great admiration” for the pope’s “great courage” and “freedom of spirit” in making this decision. The spokesman said it shows the pope is not only fully aware of the great responsibilities involved in leading the universal church, but his hopes that “the ministry of the church be carried out the best way” possible.

World leaders stunned by papal resignation

Period of transition known as ‘interregnum begins when popes resignation is official

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

V

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he planned to resign Feb. 28 stunned and shocked religious and political leaders around the world.

From Africa to Europe, Asia and Latin America, Catholic leaders offered warm words of praise and pledged to pray for the 85-year-old pontiff’s health. They pointed to Pope Benedict’s love of the church as a key factor leading to his resignation.

“Only a great love for Jesus Christ, for his church and great humility can lead someone to take such a step,” said Havana Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino.

At the same time, European political leaders recalled the pope for his humble nature and held up his work to unite the people of the world.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland, said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of the pope’s decision Feb. 11.

“I know that his decision will have been considered most carefully and that it has come after much prayer and reflection,” Cardinal O’Brien said.

He offered prayers from the Scottish church for Pope Benedict “at this time of deterioration in his health as he recognizes his incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to him.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said the pope’s announcement “has shocked and surprised everyone.”

“Yet, on reflection, I am sure that many will recognize it to be a decision of great courage and characteristic clarity of mind and action,” Archbishop Nichols said.

“The Holy Father recognizes the challenges facing the church and that ‘strength of mind and body are necessary’ for his tasks of governing the church and proclaiming the Gospel.

“I salute his courage and his decision,” he added.

Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, commended Pope Benedict for shaping the church with his “clear theology” in an effort to overcome “the danger of Europe forgetting its Christian roots and eventually losing its soul.”

The pope’s theological contributions will serve to inspire the Catholic Church throughout Europe and help build the church around the world, he said.

Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury said he learned of Pope Benedict’s resignation with a “heavy heart but complete understanding.” He offered thanks for the pope’s priestly life “utterly dedicated in word and deed, in prayer

Photo by Stefano Spaziani

World leaders reacted with surprise to the news of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation. Many praised his ability to explain, teach and uphold Catholic doctrines and traditions. and in costly service to following Christ.”

“He has laid before us something of the meaning of the Petrine ministry of building up the people of God to full maturity,” Archbishop Welby said.

The Anglican archbishop credited the pope for his “witness to the universal scope of the Gospel and a messenger of hope at a time when Christian faith is being called into question.” He cited Pope Benedict’s teaching and writing for bringing a “remarkable and creative theological mind to bear on the issues of the day.”

“We who belong to other Christian families gladly acknowledge the importance of this witness and join with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in thanking God for the inspiration and challenge of Pope Benedict’s ministry,” Archbishop Welby added.

In Turkey, Msgr. Louis Pelatre, apostolic vicar of Istanbul, expressed surprise at Pope Benedict’s decision, telling Catholic News Service “no one expected this,

even those very close to him. But we pray and go forward.”

“It was his personal decision. No one can influence him. We are no longer in a world where one can stay in the same position if he no longer feels he is no longer capable of fulfilling his duties. He was very tired. We know that and we saw that,” Msgr. Pelatre said.

Like their counterparts elsewhere, African church leaders said they were shocked by the papal announcement. Nigerian leaders in particular commended Pope Benedict for being “on the side of truth.”

Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna, Nigeria, called Pope Benedict’s papacy “remarkable” because of his ability to explain, teach and uphold Catholic doctrines and traditions.

“He [was able] to stand and defend them come rain or shine and has continue to uphold them as laid down by the founding fathers of the church,” the archbishop said.

In Latin America, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, said his first reaction to the pope’s announcement was one of “understanding, considering his frail health.”

“This is a tireless job, and he dedicates all his time to the church. It is a decision of faith,” Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga said.

He told media in the Honduran capital that many of his fellow cardinals had wondered about Pope Benedict’s health.

“Although we didn’t know about this, we were thinking ‘How much longer can he be the head of the church?’” the cardinal said.

A representative of the Mexican bishops’ conference was surprised by the announcement despite recognizing Pope Benedict’s declining health.

“I thought at first, ‘This isn’t true,’” said Auxiliary Bishop Eugenio Lira Rugarcia of Puebla, secretary-general of the conference.

During an afternoon news conference,

Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega of Guadalajara said during an afternoon news conference Feb. 11 that during the transition to Pope Benedict’s successor the church will continue to be guided by God. “The church won’t be left in the lurch,” the cardinal said.

“As Pope Benedict XVI has said, we are in God’s hands, which are the best hands,” he added.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, first among equal of Orthodox leaders, expressed sadness over Pope Benedict’s resignation, but credited him for leaving “an indelible mark on the life and history of the Catholic Church, sealed not only by his brief reign but also by his great contribution as a theologian.”

AsiaNews reported that the patriarch credited the pope for being a “faithful servant of the sacred cause of union of us all.”

In hindsight, Pope Benedict’s resignation seems almost predictable

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — As much as he astonished the world when he announced his resignation Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI’s decision seems almost predictable in hindsight. Given his previous statements on the subject and his recent signs of aging, one might say that people should have seen it coming.

The real mystery now is not why Pope Benedict chose to step down, it is how

this almost-unprecedented action will affect the papacy and the church.

In 2010, Pope Benedict told the German journalist Peter Seewald that “if a pope clearly realizes that he is no longer physically, psychologically, and spiritually capable of handling the duties of office, then he has a right and, under some circumstances, also an obligation to resign.”

The signs of fatigue and difficulty walking that have struck most papal observers in recent months led him to conclude, as he told an assembly of

cardinals two days before Ash Wednesday, that “strength of mind and body . . . has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

Many people today associate unexpected resignations with scandal or crisis. In the immediate aftermath of Pope Benedict’s announcement, there was predictable speculation that he might be stepping down under pressure of some grave problem in the church, perhaps one yet to be revealed.

But if Pope Benedict declined to resign at the height of the controversy over clerical sex abuse in late winter and early spring of 2010, when some accused him of personally mishandling cases of pedophile priests in Germany and the U.S., it is hard to imagine what sort of crisis he might deem disturbing enough to resign over now.

As he told Seewald later that same year: “When the danger is great one must not run away. For that reason, now is certainly not the time to resign. Precisely at a time like this one must stand fast and

endure the difficult situation. That is my view. One can resign at a peaceful moment or when one simply cannot go on.

But one must not run away from danger and say that someone else should do it.”

Pope Benedict may have judged the eve of Lent a particularly good moment to announce his resignation since, as the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters at a briefing shortly afterward, the timing practically ensures that the church will have a new pope by Easter.

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI is a first for the church in centuries, it also leads to a complicated period of transition that ends in the election of a new pope.

Regulated by ancient traditions and recent rules, the period between popes — known by the Latin term “interregnum” — will begin exactly at 8 p.m.

Rome time Feb. 28, a date and time Pope Benedict stipulated in a declaration he made Feb. 11 for when the See of Rome and the See of St. Peter will be vacant.

Normally the interregnum begins with a pope’s death and is followed by a period of mourning.

This time the pope will resign from his ministry and spend a short Cardinal Tarcisio Ber- period of prayer tone, chamberlain and reflection at of the Holy Roman the papal sumChurch, will adminis- mer villa in Castel ter the goods and tem- Gandolfo, south poral rights of the Holy of Rome, before See until the election moving to a monof a new pope. astery at the Vatican.

The rules governing the interregnum are matters of church law, not dogma.

The apostolic constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis” confirms that as long as the Holy Cardinal Angelo So- See is vacant, the dano is charged with universal church making preparations is governed by for a conclave to elect the College of Cardinals, which a new pope. cannot, however, make decisions normally reserved to the pope. Such matters must be postponed until the new pope is elected.

Until there is a pope, the Roman Curia — the Vatican’s network of administrative offices — loses most of its cardinal supervisors and cannot handle any new business.

The College of Cardinals is to deal solely with “ordinary business and matters which cannot be postponed.” At present, there are 209 cardinals, and all of them are asked to meet in Rome to help administer the transition period.

The College of Cardinals does this through two structures: a general congregation, in which all the cardinals are to meet daily; and a particular four-member congregation, consisting of the chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and a rotating team of three cardinal assistants.

Only those cardinals under age 80 will be eligible to vote in the coming conclave. Cardinals who are age 80 or over by the time the conclave starts are excluded from the closed-door proceedings. There will be 117 cardinal-electors when the “sede vacante” begins Feb. 28;

by March 5, that number will be 116.

As chamberlain, Cardinal Bertone is to administer the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See until the election of a new pope.

Meanwhile, the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano,

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters

The eyes of the world will once again be on the Sistine Chapel as the College of Cardinals gather sometime in March to choose a new pope. is charged with making preparations for a conclave to elect a new pope, and the cardinals must set the time for the conclave to start.

The word conclave comes from Latin, meaning literally “with key,” and reflects the previous tradition of locking the cardinals in an area where they would spend day and night until the new pope’s election.

On the day set for entry into the conclave, the cardinal-electors assemble in St. Peter’s Basilica to attend morning Mass. In the afternoon, they walk in procession to the Sistine Chapel, located just to the north of St. Peter’s.

The voting may begin that afternoon with one ballot; on following days, normally two ballots are held in the morning and two in the afternoon.

A pope is elected when he obtains a two-thirds majority, reflecting a change Pope Benedict established in 2007 that effectively undid a more flexible procedure introduced by Blessed John Paul.

According to the new rule, the two-thirds-majority rule cannot be set aside even when cardinal-electors are at an impasse.

If the cardinals are deadlocked after 13 days, the cardinals pause for a day of prayer, reflection and dialogue, then move to runoff ballots between the two leading candidates. A papal election will continue to require a majority of two-thirds of the voting cardinals.

All voting is secret, in writing, on paper ballots, which are deposited in a receptacle by each elector, then counted.

Ballots are taken to any cardinals residing at the Domus Sanctae Marthae but who are too sick to come to the Sistine Chapel.

After each morning and afternoon round of voting, the ballots are burned.

By tradition but not by rule, they are burned with special chemicals to produce the black smoke signifying an inconclusive vote, or white smoke if a new pope was elected. Due to confusion in the past as people in St. Peter’s Square tried to determine what color smoke was coming out of the Sistine Chapel smokestack, the basilica’s bell is also rung to confirm a successful election.

Once a new pope has been elected, he is asked if he accepts the office — he is encouraged but not bound to do so by the current rules — and is asked to choose a name.

Traditionally, the senior member of the cardinal deacons — currently Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, 69 — announces the successful election results from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. After the new pope has donned papal robes, he proceeds to the balcony, where he greets the public and offers his first blessing.

At a time designated by the pope, usually a few days later, he officially opens his ministry with an investiture Mass at St. Peter’s. The new pope is no longer crowned with a papal tiara, but receives a pallium, or stole, in recognition of his authority.

10 local news Patricia and Charles Franklin, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 12. The couple was married on Feb. 12, 1963, at St. Patrick Church, Kansas City, Kan. Their children and their spouses are: Charles and Diana Franklin, Kansas City, Mo.; Robert and Rebekah Franklin, Silver Lake; and Angela and Jeff Welsh, Silver Lake. They also have five grandsons.

Joy and Joe Urich, members of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23 with a family lunch and blessing at the church.

The couple was married on Feb. 23, 1963, at St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan. Their children and their spouses are: Joe and Sari Urich; Tony and Amy Urich; and Greg and Julie Burk. They also have seven grandchildren.

Mike and Janice (Morse) Macek, members of St. Pius X Parish, Mission, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 14. The couple was married on Feb. 14, 1953, at St. Patrick Church, North Kansas City, Mo. They have seven children, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013 Janis and Jerry Masters, members of Church of the Nativity, Leawood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 23. The couple was married on Feb. 23, 1963, at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn. Their children and their spouses are: Brian and Lori Masters, Balsam Lake, Wis.; Bruce Masters, Olathe; and Marie and Bob Pollock, Leawood. They also have two grandchildren.

Marlene (Sudbeck) and Ferdinand Deters, members of St. Mary Parish, St. Benedict, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. with Mass at the church followed by a dinner, reception, and open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the parish hall. The couple was married Feb. 22, 1963, at St. Mary Church, St. Benedict. Their children and their spouses are: Michael and Beth Deters, Baileyville; Alan Deters, Baileyville; Richard and Jackie Deters, Seneca; and Linda and Brent Lortscher, Bern. They also have five grandchildren and one stepgranddaughter.

Anniversary policy

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@theleaven.com.

local news 11

february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

Annual appeal helps church strengthen the culture of life n promoting a culture of life made possible

by Call to Share

T

he archdiocesan pro-life office in Kansas City, Kan., provides a pathway for all people to demonstrate their faith and defend human life. For more than 10 years, they have been providing services to those suffering as well as opportunities for the faithful to actively participate in creating a culture of life.

The Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal provides education, pastoral care, information about public policy and opportunities for prayer to people in northeast Kansas.

Pro-life education programs within parishes and schools are essential to teaching respect for human life to people of all ages. Each year more than 2,000 eighth-graders throughout the archdiocese participate in a pro-life forum. During the sessions, they learn about and have the opportunity to discuss issues ranging from contraception to abortion and euthanasia. Additional education outreach includes presentations to parish groups about the recent Heath and Human Services mandate and other current issues.

The office helps to organize and support pastoral care advocacy available throughout northeast Kansas for women and men whose lives have been

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The Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic offers free sonograms to mothers-to-be. Funds from the Archbishop’s Call to Share go toward many pro-life causes in the archdiocese. affected by abortion. The Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic offers free pregnancy testing, confidential counseling and support for fathers. Post-abortive healing ministries are also available: Project Rachel for women and Project Joseph for men.

The public policy outreach includes collaborating with the Kansas Catholic Conference on pro-life legislation and promoting ethical, non-embryonic stem-cell research. Currently, the archdiocesan pro-life office is coordinating the northeast Kansas portion of a na-

Our Mission

Our mission is to form consciences to recognize the incomparable and inviolable worth of every human being; to respect, protect, love and serve life; and to activate a great campaign in support of life and build a new culture of life, as directed by the Gospel of life.

tionwide postcard campaign. The goal is to encourage families and households

to send a message to senators and representatives and encourage them to continue their support of pro-life policies and initiatives.

Prayer is the most important part of the office’s ministry. A monthly pro-life Mass is held on the third Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church (44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan.); all are invited to attend. Immediately following Mass is a peaceful, prayerful procession to a nearby abortion clinic. Other events throughout the year include support for the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and prayer services in Kansas on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

“We are so grateful to the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal,” said pro-life consultant Ron Kelsey.

“Funding for our office comes directly from the appeal,” he added. “The donors’ generosity, combined with the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of participants in our community, are weaving a strong culture of life.”

Concrete Work

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

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013 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.

Home Improvement

Live-in caregiving - Full time with release. Room, board and salary. Call (913) 579-5276.

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.

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.

All commercial and residential mowing.

Services also include powerwashing, gutter cleaning, foundation dirt, retaining walls and spring seeding.

Call (816) 509-0224.

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.

Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

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.

Brack Home Repair - Call Dan when you need it done!

Carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, wood-rot and much more. No project too big or small.

For free estimate, call (913) 219-5388 or visit the Website at: brackhomerepairkc.com. Insured; senior discount available. Philippians 4:13.

Ugly tile? Nasty grout? - Bella Bath Surrounds offers a revolutionary bath system with the look of granite at half the price! No grout. No sealing. Installs in a day.

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

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.

SPOTLESS CLEANING - Residential housecleaning services as well as commercial & builders. Leave your cleaning to me so your time will be free. Detailed! Thorough!

Dependable! Outstanding references available.

Southern JoCo area call 913.957.8189.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

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

First Communion dress sets for 18” or American Girl dolls. Includes dress, veil, tights, shoes and cross necklace. Full line of doll clothes and accessories in south Johnson County. For an appointment, call Patty at (913) 345-9498.

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.

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.

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

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 Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed.

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

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.

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 OBO. Please call (913) 461-9307.

For sale - 2 - 3BR, 1.5BA ranch on full basement in Ottawa.

1-car garage. Fenced. Move-in ready. $99,950. Visit the website at: http://www.bettybirzer.com or call (785) 4185701. Reece & Nichols TNC. (785) 242-3182.

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 & wristwatches; 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

calendar 13

february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

February 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.

16

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. Fullor half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

Rev. Tom Hesse will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass on Feb. 16.

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 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.

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.

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 N.W. 46th St., Topeka. Chili, potato and broccoli soups with cinnamon rolls will be served. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. Proceeds will benefit the Mother Teresa Widow’s Fund.

17

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.

19

Statistics indicate that one in four residents of Wyandotte County reads and writes below the fifthgrade level. Keeler Women’s Center is partnering with Literacy KC to offer an information session for people who would like to volunteer to be literacy tutors. Tutors meet with one student twice a week for 90 minutes. Literacy KC provides training and materials for tutors as well as assessment and materials for students. An information session will be held

20

at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on Feb. 20 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call (913) 906-8990.

A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Father Burak room at Cure’ of Ars, 9401 Mission, Leawood. Father Al Rockers will preside. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

21

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.

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.

22

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2332, will host a classic rock dance party from 7 - 11 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Shawnee. Riptide will be performing classic rock, soul and blues from the ’60s and ’70s. The cost is a $5 donation.

Adults only. For more information, contact Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173 or Gary Van DeBerghe at (913) 226-4407.

23

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.

24

The Daughters of Isabella will meet at 1 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Rossiter Hall at Assumption Church, 8th and Jackson, Topeka. Nickel bingo will follow the meeting.

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Spending Wisely While Living on a Budget” on Feb. 25 from 1:30 - 3 p.m., presented by Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. To register, call (913) 906-8990.

25

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.

27

A Lenten presentation of the face of mercy will be given by Michael McGlinn at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27. It is a one-hour renewal through story, song and prayer. There is no cost to attend.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning begins at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 at St. John the Evangelist School, 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence. Online registration is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org. For more information, call Shannon or John Rasmussen at (785) 749-1015 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558.

The regular luncheon meeting for the Serra Club of Kansas City, Kan., will be held at noon on Feb. 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Father Brandon Farrar will be the guest speaker.

Gluten-free eating, a nutrition presentation offered in partnership with K-State Extension Services, will be offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on Feb. 28 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. For more information, call (913) 9068990.

28

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.

1

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, is hosting a fundraiser for the Honor Flight Network of Kansas City on March 2 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by Harvest Moon. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. Honor Flights fly local veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect on the war memorials.

2

St. Joseph Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, will celebrate its 21st annual St. Joseph Table and pasta dinner on March 3 in McDevitt Hall. Home-baked breads, cookies, pies and cakes, candies, fruit, wine, floral arrangements, and religious articles may be purchased from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. A pasta dinner will be served from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Freewill donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the needy in the parish community. For more information, contact Christine Marion at (913) 2686677.

3

Boy Scout Troop 394 will host a pancake breakfast on March 3 from 7 a.m. - noon at the social hall of Good Shepherd Parish, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee. The cost to attend is $5. Presale tickets will be available at Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart parishes, Shawnee, after Masses on Feb. 23 - 24.

The St. Mary Altar Society, Purcell, will host a spaghetti luncheon from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. on March 3. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and drinks will be served.

The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

St. Patrick Parish, Corning, will host a pancake breakfast at the Corning Community Center on March 3 from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pancakes, sausage and eggs will be served. A country store with hand-crafted items and baked goods will be available.

The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

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.

4

St. Aloysius Church, 615 Wyandotte, Meriden, is hosting a soup supper and silent auction to benefit Paula Korber DeBacker on March 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Homemade chili, and chicken noodle and broccoli cheese soups will be served with relishes and dessert. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

9

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

14 commentary

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013

inside Catholic Charities

mark my words Scripture Readings first WEEK OF lent Feb. 17 first SUNDAY of lent Dt 26: 4-10 Ps 91: 1-2, 10-15 Rom 10: 8-13 Lk 4: 1-13 Feb. 18 Monday Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mt 25: 31-46 Feb. 19 Tuesday Is 55: 10-11 Ps 34: 4-7, 16-19 Mt 6: 7-15 Feb. 20 Wednesday Jon 3: 1-10 Ps 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Lk 11: 29-32 Feb. 21 Peter Damian, bishop, doctor of the church Est C: 12, 14-16, 23-25 Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8 Mt 7: 7-12 Feb. 22 THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE 1 Pt 5: 1-4 Ps 23: 1-6 Mt 16: 13-19 Feb. 23 Polycarp, bishop Dt 26: 16-19 Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 7-8 Mt 5: 43-48

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commentary 15

february 15, 2013 | theleaven.com

Don’t end up wondering where Lent went

L

et me start by saying that I was not at all surprised by Pope Benedict’s announcement of his resignation on Monday.

He hinted that something might be up during our recent chat on the phone. We’ve been talking for a few years now on Sundays, about every other week. We visited about this week’s Leaven and he suggested that I “might” want to reconsider the front page story and hold it open for a little bit of Vatican news. When I laughed, all he said was, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

OK, if you believed anything in that above paragraph, then you must be new to this column! I’ve never in my life chatted with the pope and would probably die of fright if I ever received a call from him. Since everyone — and their brother or sister — expressed shock and surprise at the pope’s announcement, I decided to say something different just to get your attention. And, for the record, I was as stunned as everyone else.

By now, you’ve probably read or heard many comments on the pope’s resignation — words more eloquent and interesting than anything that I’d have to say here.

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

So, I’m not going to comment. Instead, I’ll begin with an image that maybe the pope would ask us to reflect upon: Ever heard of tree-skiing?

Apparently, some skiers love the risk of skiing the undisturbed powder lying in a stand of aspen or spruce trees. The key is, obviously, not to hit the trees.

In Outside magazine, writer and skier Tim Etchells explains: Even more so than in deep snow or moguls, what you focus your eyes on becomes critical in the woods. Look at the spaces between the trees — the exits where you hope to be traveling. “Don’t stare at what you don’t want to hit,” says [extreme-skiing world champion Kim] Reichelm matter-of-fact-

ly. (From “Visions for Life,” in “Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion,” by Craig Brian Larson and Drew Zahn.)

So, why might the pope suggest this image to us? I think that he would gently remind us to focus on what is most important in these days.

As interesting and newsy as we’ll all find the resignation and the coming conclave, those are the “trees” — not what we should stare at.

Please don’t forget, Benedict might counsel, that it’s the season of Lent. Focus on it and the renewal it offers.

It’s so easy, isn’t it, to lose our focus nowadays? Probably most Catholics made it to church on Ash Wednesday and resolved to make Lent a holy time. But the next day was Valentine’s Day. Did you keep your Lenten resolutions that day (perhaps to give up chocolate or alcohol) or did you give yourself a free pass? Will you find time to pray more . . . or will March Madness derail you? Will you make financial sacrifices to assist those in need . . . or will a Spring Break trip eat up those funds?

I bring these things up not to make anyone feel guilty, but to highlight how many distractions are in our lives, obstacles

to our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

And the resignation of the pope (with all its questions and interesting consequences) and the upcoming conclave can act as yet one more distraction, albeit a “religious” one.

This Lent, it will be more of a challenge than usual to keep our spiritual focus. Given these important happenings in the church, we may be tempted to sacrifice time with the Scriptures or in spiritual reading in order to follow the latest Vatican news or the seemingly endless commentary that will come with it.

We may be tempted to spend hours speculating on who the new pope will be, instead of spending time volunteering at a fish fry or in a literacy program or in helping an elderly neighbor.

Let’s leave the electing of the pope up to the cardinals.

Instead, let’s spend our valuable time on what we can do something about: growing in holiness through our Lenten disciplines.

By all means, don’t be uninterested in the happenings of our church in these days.

But don’t focus exclusively on them. Otherwise, you run the risk of missing the season for the trees.

In the beginning

‘Hand of God’ metaphor replaced by reality of the cross

A

multitude of statues often fills the typical Catholic church.

We Catholics like to encounter the sacred through our senses. Images of the saints and other holy figures bring us closer to the Divine.

In contrast, the ancient Israelite religion discouraged the making of images, especially religious ones. It rejected the example of neighboring peoples, who made images of their gods for use in worship. The Israelite religion condemned this practice as idolatry.

The God of Israel had no body, but was pure spirit. How could anyone make an image of that? So, the prohibition against images reinforced the understanding of God’s nature as spirit, as well as avoided the mistakes of the pagan cults.

While the Israelite religion avoided any imagery of

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.

God, at times metaphorical language would ascribe body parts to God, albeit on an incomplete basis. We hear a good example of that in Sunday’s first reading, Dt 26:4-10: “He brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand and outstretched arm.” This phrase, “his strong hand and outstretched arm,” reoccurs several times in the Book of Deuteronomy (4:34, 5:15, 7:19, 11:2, and 26:8).

Similarly, the phrase “the hand of God” appears frequently in the Old Testament.

A few times, the Old Testament mentions “the mouth of the Lord,” but only rarely. For the most part, the Bible draws upon the image of an arm or, in its shortened version, a hand. If we were to take this literally, we would arrive at the bizarre image of God as a disembodied human arm.

Traditional Christian iconography, in fact, has sometimes pictured God in that way. A fresco or painting will show God as an arm protruding from a cloud. It is a visual rendering of this metaphor so commonly found in the Bible.

And what does the metaphor mean? If God does not possess actual body parts, what does the “hand of God” mean?

The phrase “strong hand and outstretched arm” points

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC So, what do you call a pope who resigns?

No, this isn’t the start of a silly joke. It’s a serious question. Will Pope Benedict XVI be called Pontifex Maximus Emeritus? Will he go back to being Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger? Will he be “the one formerly known as Benedict”?

Will he have an official role when the new pope is installed?

Just how savvy are you about how someone gets to be pope?

How many votes does it take to be elected? If elected, are you

to the action of God in our world, which frequently appears as strong and decisive.

That action is further described in our reading as “with terrifying power, with signs and wonders.” Specifically, “with his strong hand and outstretched arm,” God has liberated the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and has brought them into the Promised Land. With its frequent repetition of that phrase, the Book of Deuteronomy is focusing upon that redeeming action.

As a parallel to that, during the season of Lent, we focus upon the redeeming action of God through Jesus Christ.

Instead of the metaphor of the “hand of God,” we hold up the cross as the image that points to that saving reality. Through the cross, the strength and power of God are revealed most clearly.

required to say “yes”?

Many Catholics, as well as those who are not, have lots of questions since we’ve not had a pope resign in . . . how many years?

Use these next few weeks to bone up on your Catholic Church history and traditions. Turn first to our coverage here in The Leaven, but also hit websites from the U.S. bishops (www.usccb.org) and Catholic News Service (www.catholicnews.com) for reliable information.

One last question: Could you be the next pope?

— M.G.

Charities director calls us to be culturally competent

“G

od created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them” (Gn 1:27).

Black, White, Hispanic or Asian. Republican or Democrat. Christian, Muslim, Jew or Atheist. Straight or Gay. Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. We are living in a country that is daily divided by the labels that we assign to one another. We are encouraged to be “culturally competent” and to embrace “diversity,” and yet the focus is

Jan lewis Jan Lewis is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

always on our differences, not on our commonalities.

This issue of cultural competency is one that we have been struggling with at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas — specifically, how can we hold on to our identity as a faith-based organization while at the same time serving people who

come from many different socioeconomic, ethnic, faithbased and value-set backgrounds. We are committed to being both “Catholic” and “catholic”; which is ultimately what we believe will make us culturally competent.

The word “catholic” means universal — including or concerning all humankind.

As a Catholic organization, we are called by our faith to believe that all people are created in the image of God and possess a special dignity and a source of common origin. From this common origin, we are therefore one human race that, without excluding the rich variety of persons, cultures, and peoples, sees all men and women as our brothers and sisters.

As one human race, we are tied together as one body — what causes injury or injustice to one becomes an injury or injustice to all.

This principle of solidarity requires us to work across our perceived differences to seek that which is mutually good and beneficial.

The word “charity” means love. We believe that love is a universal value that crosses all cultures. Therefore, in becoming an organization that is culturally competent, proficient and inclusive, we will seek to serve others — and each other — in a manner that reflects the human dignity of the person in front of us by embracing them with unconditional love.

This love, uniquely revealed

and modeled by Jesus Christ, is manifested through actions that are patient, kind, faithfilled, joyful, self-controlled and grounded in truth. We will not respond with actions or behaviors that are jealous, arrogant, rude, stubborn, irritable or resentful. We will bear with our brothers and sisters, enduring with them their trials and striving to inspire in them hope for tomorrow.

In a world that is intent on focusing on the differences, we can be both countercultural and culturally competent by focusing on the things that unite us. We are all one. There is no “us” and “them.” If we want to be culturally competent, we need to put aside judgment and simply love one another.

family matters

I

Let Lent be a time to grow in your sensitivity to others

t will soon be one year since my father-in-law John passed away.

My wife’s parents moved back to Pennsylvania early in our marriage. During the months preceding his passing, Barbara and I had the blessing of being able to spend time with her parents and help as we could, as his health declined.

Barbara’s parents have always been great models of lives of faith and prayer for the family. However, one time of prayer with them during one of those visits

Deacon Tony Zimmerman Deacon Tony Zimmerman is the lead archdiocesan consultant for the office of marriage and family life. still inspires me. Mealtime always began with the prayer, “Bless us, O Lord.”

This time, after finishing the usual prayer, John continued by lifting up certain family members in prayer, asking

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God for the help or healing that they most needed. This addition to the pre-meal grace, seeking God’s grace and assistance for others, was a part of every meal blessing during that visit, and I am sure continued after we departed.

What touched me the most was that John’s own health was not great. He received kidney dialysis three times a week, which left him weak and tired after the treatments. Yet, I don’t recall prayer that focused on him or his physical trials, just on the needs of others.

His example of prayer, and focus on the needs of others, inspired me as a hus-

band, father, grandfather and deacon. I, perhaps like you, get caught up in the fast pace of life. When I am on this treadmill of busyness, I am often blind to the needs of others and I miss the chance to lift up others in so simple but powerful a way.

This holy season of Lent that we are about to begin gives us the chance to reexamine our prayer lives. Consider a time of daily family prayer (before meals, before leaving for school, work or at bedtime) where we are sure to specifically lift up in prayer those we know — family or friends who need God’s graces or healing.

This very simple act

will help sensitize us to being aware of the needs of others we love or come into contact with each day. From there, God’s grace will open our eyes to simple acts of love that are there for the doing that we might have missed.

More importantly, as parents or grandparents (or favorite aunt or uncle), we may inspire our children, young and old, to a deeper life of prayer and concern for the needs of others. Our homes will then begin to experience that great peace that comes from trusting our lives and needs to our loving Father.

16 local news St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, will host a Lenten shrimp dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 1 in the cafeteria off the north-side parking lot. Cost is: $15 for adults; $5 for children 10 and under.

St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host Lenten fish dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Prices range from $6 to $9 for adults and family rates.

St. Joseph Parish, Nortonville, will host Lenten fish dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Cost is: $9 for ages 11 and up; $5 for ages 4-10; ages 3 and under are free.

For carryouts, call (913) 8863510.

St. Michael the Archangel, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, and Knights of Columbus, Council No. 12577, will be hosting their annual Lenten fish fries from 4:45-6:45 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Cost is $8 ($11 for salmon); $35 max for immediate family.

Knights of Columbus, Council No. 900, will host Lenten dinners from 4:30 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) at the council hall, 205 S. 4th St., Leavenworth. For more information, call (913) 250-5258.

Sacred Heart Parish, 21801 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, will host Lenten fish fries from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). For more information, see the website at: www.shoj.org/events.asp.

The Church of the Nativity Knights of Columbus will host Lenten fish fries from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) at the parish hall, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. Cost is: $10 for adults ($5 extra for shrimp); $5 for children ages 5-12; children 4 and under are free. Family price is: $35 for fish; $50 for shrimp.

Knights Council No. 10407, of Divine Mercy Parish, Gardner, will be holding an all-you-can eat fish fry every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) from 5-7 p.m. at the parish center, 122 E. Warren, Gardner.

Sacred Heart Knights, Council No. 11917, will host an all-you-can eat fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 1 at Sacred Heart Church hall, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kan. Cost is: $8 for adults; $7 for seniors; and $6 for children under 12.

theleaven.com | february 15, 2013 St. Agnes Knights of Columbus, John Roe Council No. 3020, will host Lenten fish fries from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the school’s Ram’s Café, 5130 Mission Rd., Roeland Park. A Mexican Lenten dinner will be served on March 8.

St. Ann Parish, Hiawatha, and the Knights of Columbus in Hiawatha will host Lenten fish fries on Feb. 22, March 8 and 22 at the St. Ann Parish hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for children.

St. Dominic Parish, 416 Ohio Ave., Holton, will have its fish dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 22, March 8 and 22. Cost is a freewill offering.

The Marysville Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1777, will have Lenten fish fries from 5-7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the St. Gregory Parish hall.

St. Paul Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1913, Olathe, will host Lenten dinners from 5 to 7:10 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the St. Paul gym. Cost is $8 for adults; $5 for children ages 6-12.

Holy Name Parish Knights of Columbus, Council No. 11735, will host Lenten dinners from 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the school cafeteria, 1001 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kan. Cheese pizza and carryouts are also available.

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will host Lenten fish dinners from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in O’Connor Hall every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Suggested donation is: $8 for ages 11 and older; $5 for ages 4-10; ages 3 and under are free; maximum $30 per family. For carryouts, call (785) 272-5590 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

The Greeley council of the Knights of Columbus will serve fish dinners from 5:30-8 p.m. on Feb. 22, March 8 and 22 at St. John’s Hall, Greeley. Cost is $9 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under.

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The Garnett Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1368, will be hosting Lenten fish fries, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Knights hall on Feb. 15, March 1 and 15.

Cost is $9 for adults; $4 for children age 12 and under.

The CYO of Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host fish fries, beginning at 5 p.m., on Feb. 15, March 1 and 15. Cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children under 12.

Dessert and beverage are included.

Holy Cross Knights of Columbus, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, will host fish dinners on March 15 and 22, beginning at 5 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Catholic Charities.

The Cathedral Knights of Columbus will be hosting Lenten fish dinners on Feb. 15, Feb. 22, and March 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Parish center.

Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, will host its Lenten family fish fries from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the basement of Assumption Church in Topeka. Cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 6-12; children under 5 are free. Carryout dinners are available.

The annual fish fry sponsored by the Wheaton-Onaga Knights of Columbus, Council No. 3185, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Onaga Community Center, 100 Union Pacific Dr. Cost is a freewill donation.

St. Francis Xavier Parish, 1st and James, Mayetta, will have its fish dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 15, March 1 and 15.

Cost is a freewill offering.

Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, will host Lenten dinners from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in the lower level. Cost is: $9 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-11; children 4 and under are free.

St Patrick Parish, Osage City, will host a shrimp and fried and baked fish dinner from 5:45 p.m. until the food is gone on March 22 at St. Brigid Hall, 309 S. Sixth St., Osage City. Cost is $15 in advance; $17 at the door.

There will be a fish and shrimp dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Sacred Heart Church Hall, 312 N.E. Freeman Ave., Topeka. Cost is $8 for adults; $3.50 for children 12 and under. Carryouts are available by calling (785) 234-6727.

The Knights of Columbus of Sacred Heart, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host fish dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Cost is: $8 for adults; $7.50 for seniors (60+); $3 for children ages 5-12.

Spiced shrimp and fish dinners will be served March 1 and 22.

Cost is: $13 for adults; $12.50 for seniors; and $6 for children.

There will be shrimp dinners served from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Cost is $13 for adults ($1 discount for seniors); cheese pizza for kids, $1.

For more information, call Mike Reichmeier at (913) 927-5558.

Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus in Shawnee will serve baked tilapia and fried catfish from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Cost is: $8.50 for adults; $7.50 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 5-11; 4 and under are free; $25 max for immediate family.

Cheese pizza is also available.

There will be a cod dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 8 in the Curé of Ars School cafeteria, 9403 Mission Rd., Leawood.

Suggested donation is $12 for adults; $5 for children under 5.

Advance registration is required.

Sign up after Masses Feb. 23 and 24 and March 2 and 3.

Paola Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1149, will host its annual fish and shrimp fries from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) at Holy Trinity School, 601 E. Chippewa, Paola. Cost is: $13 for adults (shrimp and fish); $10 for adults (fish); $5 for children ages 5-12; children under 5 are free; maximum price for immediate family is $30.

St. Theresa Parish, 310 Oak St., Perry, will host a fish fry from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 22. Meal includes two fish choices. Cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 12 and under. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus, funds will go toward a new parish center.

Holy Trinity, Lenexa, Knights will host a shrimp dinner from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the parish center on March 8. Advance tickets are: $14 for adults; $5 for children; $8 for adults for cheese pizza only.

Tickets can be purchased after all Masses on Feb. 23 and 24, and March 2 and 3. For more information, call (913) 768-7766.

The Didde Catholic Campus Center, 1415 Merchant St., Emporia, will have its annual fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 15. Funds help to support various activities and scholarships for Emporia State University students.

Holy Spirit Parish Knights of Columbus, Council No. 11661, is sponsoring all-you-can-eat seafood dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday) in St. Elizabeth’s Hall, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park. Cost is: $14 for adults (shrimp and fish); $9 for adults (fish); $4 for children ages 4 to 10; $1 for children under 4.

Knights of Columbus, Council No. 7909, of Prince of Peace Parish, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will be serving tilapia, catfish and shrimp, along with cheese pizza for kids, from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent (except for Good Friday). Cost is: $9 for adults (fish); $14 for adults (shrimp); $8 for children ages 5 to 12; children ages 4 and under are free (except for pizza, which is $4).

Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park, will host fish dinners from 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent, except Good Friday.