02-21-14 Vol. 35 No. 27

theleaven.com | vol. 35, no. 27 | february 21, 2014

Robostag

Left, Tim Moore, a senior at Bishop Miege, measures his next move on the team’s robot. Robotics combines math, science, engineering, technology and teamwork in a one-of-a-kind experience.

gives new meaning to a team ‘building’ experience Story by Jessica Langdon

R

OELAND PARK — Don’t let the cute names fool you.

Bishop Miege High School’s robotics team named a few key pieces of its latest creation after characters from the movie “Monsters, Inc.” — but this is no child’s play.

“We’re very professional,” said senior Tim Moore, the team’s shop foreman. “This is kind of how a small business operates.”

After all, the FIRST Robotics Competition is serious business, and close to 50 Miege students have made a monster time commitment

Below, Nick Soptic, a sophomore at Miege, considers how best to get this year’s robot to grab and shoot a ball.

Leaven photo by Joe mcsorley

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

to this team.

Entire shifts of students, coaches and mentors have devoted hours of brainpower, physical labor and trial-and-error experimentation to the building of a great robot. They have met every day after school and on Saturdays since early January.

That’s when the renowned FIRST competition announced this year’s robot requirements.

FIRST — an acronym for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” — is the international youth organization that sponsors the annual robotics competi-

tion. Referred to as “the varsity sport for the mind,” simply participating in FIRST — i.e., creating a robot that can perform the tasks required to compete that year — pushes students to hone their math and science skills well beyond the classroom.

With limited resources, and this year — because of the snow — even more limited time, local teams are gearing up to test their robots’ mettle March 13-15 in the Greater Kansas City Regional at the Metropolitan Community College - Business and Technology Campus in Kansas City, Mo. The announcement in January

Follow the action Learn more about Stag Robotics by visiting the Miege website at: www.bishopmiege.com.

Click on Stag Robotics under the Academics header.

launched six weeks of intense effort to build a bot that can hold its own in a game that pits an alliance of three robots against another threesome. >> Story continues on page 8

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | february 21, 2014

THE WRITE STUFF

Life will be victorious

HB2453 is designed to protect everyone’s religious freedom

T

he Catholic Church considers ridicule and disrespectful speech and/ or actions toward individuals with a homosexual orientation to be sinful.

We believe that each and every human being — no matter their sexual orientation or even if they commit behavior we judge to be immoral — must be treated with the respect and dignity owed to someone who is created in the divine image and is of such worth in God’s eyes that Jesus gave his life on Calvary.

The recent passage by the Kansas House of Representatives of the Religious Freedom Act (HB2453) has created a media uproar. The house sponsor of the bill and members who voted in favor of the Religious Freedom Act have been subjected to being labeled bigots, homophobes, and hate-mongers by national gay activists.

The secular press ignores the irony that the only ones spewing hate are the opponents of the bill. Gay activists either have not read the bill or they are purposefully attempting to mislead the general public about what HB2453 actually does and what it does not do.

For example, opponents of the bill have claimed that its intent was to promote broad discrimination against those with a homosexual orientation, suggesting that the bill would permit restaurants and other businesses to refuse to serve gays. This is simply not true. The law’s

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann protections are only triggered in situations related to a marriage or related to the celebration of the marriage.

Why is the Kansas Legislature even considering a Religious Freedom Act? Because the federal courts, much like they did on the abortion issue 40 years ago, are poised to strike down all state constitutional provisions and statutes that prohibit the recognition of so-called same-sex marriage.

Even though the citizens of Kansas less than 10 years ago by an overwhelming margin passed a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as being between one man and one woman, the federal judiciary appears to be prepared to deny the validity and authority of any state regulation on the subject of same-sex marriage. It is in this context that the Religious Freedom Act HB2453 attempts to protect religious institutions and individuals from being coerced into participating in same-sex ceremonies.

Is the Kansas Legislature overreacting? Unfortunately not! With regard to religious institutions, there are states where Catholic Charities no longer has the ability to provide adoption and foster care services, because they will only place adoptive children with a married mother and father and not with same-sex couples as

required by government policy. With regard to small business owners, there are several precedents in other states where Christian florists, photographers, and bakers have been investigated and even fined by the government for declining to provide services for samesex marriage ceremonies, despite the business owners deeply held religious objections to same-sex marriage.

It is important to note that these businesses were not refusing to provide normal services to customers that they may have suspected or known to have a homosexual orientation.

Their specific objection was to being hired to service or participate in a same-sex marriage ceremony and/ or reception. Nor was it the case that the same-sex couples in question did not have plenty of other vendors that were more than eager to serve them.

These were cases where same-sex couples insisted that a particular business be coerced to provide services, even though it violated their deeply held religious and moral beliefs.

The bill is written to protect everyone’s religious freedom, not just those who have moral objections to same-sex marriages.

If a business objected to participating in a Catholic wedding, we do not believe our laws or courts should coerce them to do so. We do not believe the state should force anyone to violate their deeply held religious beliefs, unless it is absolutely necessary for the common good and there are no other viable options.

The gay activists have become masterful at bullying legislatures, universities and other institutions regarding their agenda. With

a complicit secular media, they are able to assume the mantle of victimhood, even though they are the ones attempting to coerce others to violate their religious convictions. It is not enough for the courts to permit same-sex couples to co-opt the term marriage, but they want to force everyone to participate and approve.

On the other hand, the sponsors and co-sponsors of the Kansas Religious Freedom Act have been crystal clear about their intent. They have expressed openness to proposals of language that clarify the objectives of the bill. They are eager and willing to work with anyone who wants to help the bill achieve its purpose to protect religious institutions and individuals from being forced to violate their conscience as it pertains to same-sex marriage.

The architects and supporters of HB2453 welcome amendments or even an alternative bill by the Senate that will clarify the narrow scope of the bill.

It has been said that you should not watch the making of sausage or laws.

Neither is a pretty process.

Still, thoughtful and respectful debate will help produce the best protections for religious liberty and conscience rights.

Please write or email your state representative and thank those who voted in favor of HB2453 for their efforts to protect religious freedom and ask those who voted against to support future efforts to protect religious freedom and conscience rights. Please write or email your state senator to express your concern about the courts striking down the current constitutional protection of marriage and encourage them

calendar archbishop

Naumann Feb. 23 Junior high youth rally Mass — Prairie Star Ranch Feb. 24 Finance Council meeting Pastoral Council vespers, meeting and dinner — Savior Pastoral Center Feb. 25 Project Rachel conference — Washington, D.C. Feb. 26 5th-Grade Vocation Day — Prince of Peace, Olathe Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas board meeting

archbishop

keleher Feb. 24-26 Bishops’ meeting — Portland, Ore.

to pass legislation that will afford the maximum protection to religious freedom and conscience rights for Kansans.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please consult the Kansas Catholic Conference website at: http://www. kscathconf.org or call (785) 227-9247.

We must make certain that our legislators hear not only the voices of the gay rights activists, but also the many Kansans who want religious liberty and conscience rights protected.

second front page 3

february 21, 2014 | theleaven.com

Or how a Catholic mom found her vocation in the Catholic press

I

Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com t’s impossible to talk about my journey to The Leaven without giving credit to the saints who got me here — St. Francis de Sales and St. Anne.

I first encountered St. Francis in high school when I picked up a little devotional called “Golden Counsels.” In it, I discovered he is the patron of writers.

That caught my interest, because I’d already pegged my future in writing.

I had a natural knack for the English language. Grammar made sense to me.

And my Irish roots gave me a talent for storytelling.

From an early age, I knew I could write about anything.

And so St. Francis became one of my intercessors.

He joined St. Anne, whom I’d found in grade school when I was scouring saint books in preparation for confirmation.

She was listed as the patron of “women in love and women in labor.” I had a feeling she would come in handy someday.

My two patrons carried a heavy load.

I talked to them constantly about all my little dreams and heartaches.

I reminded them during daily novena prayers that I counted on them for a career and life partner. Nine days, nine weeks, nine years; I was diligent in my petitions.

When it came time for college, I considered a degree in journalism.

But Missouri State offered a writing degree . . . and also offered me generous financial aid. I felt that must be my sign from St Francis.

I was right.

When I graduated with a strong background in technical and instructional writing, I had no trouble getting work.

The world was on the cusp of the information age, and I had the skills to simplify, explain, or sell anything.

Divine intervention As I began establishing myself in the writing field, St. Anne then came through on her front.

She sent me Jerry, my husband, with a clear sign he was her choice for me. On our first date, when small talk drifted to birthdays, I discovered he was born on July 26.

That’s the feast of St. Anne.

I went home that night and wrote a letter to a girlfriend telling her I was going to marry him. A year-and-a-half later, on our wedding day, she gave the letter back to me.

But in retrospect, I’m convinced St. Francis also had his fingers in the clay when Jerry was formed so perfectly for me.

For the first time in my life, I was counseled by someone who respected

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

Leaven photo by John Esfeld

Holy Trinity, Lenexa, parishioner Jill Esfeld has been a professional writer since graduating from Missouri State with a writing degree. But it wasn’t until she began reporting for The Leaven 10 years ago that she discovered her vocation in the Catholic press. my writing talent — not for the money it made, but for the happiness it could bring me.

Catholic school had taught us both that talent alone wasn’t all God gave us.

We had a purpose, too. And when we found that purpose, it would bring us joy.

I’ve always kept a quote from Cardinal John Henry Newman framed in my office. It says: “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.”

I was a very successful writer, but I didn’t see myself providing God a definite service. And that bothered me.

I didn’t find a lot of soul satisfaction in writing about how to lay fiber optic cable or operate a computerized cash register.

And by the time we had two children underfoot, it became very difficult to keep up the pace this kind of writing demanded.

My husband sensed my dissatisfaction and encouraged me to find an endeavor that would make me happy and fulfill my desire to serve God. He believed his purpose was supporting me in answering that call. And he did so with great patience as I quit writing and took up painting, another talent I’d honed in college.

Purpose-driven My devotion to Mary inspired me

to paint Madonnas. With my meager income from selling my art, I started a children’s program at a homeless shelter.

I further supplemented it by working in the library at my children’s Catholic school.

For eight years, I served the poor this way and felt that surely I was doing God’s work at last. But I still wasn’t satisfied.

I missed writing — not the income, but the process. I missed becoming an instant expert on something and being able to explain it to others.

I wanted to do God’s work, but I wanted to write as well.

I asked my saints to help me find a way to do both. And that’s when I discovered The Leaven was looking for a freelance writer.

It seemed a perfect answer to my prayers. And so I sent in my resume and a published portfolio sure to impress the editor.

Indeed it did. I got a call back saying, regrettably, the small nonprofit probably couldn’t afford me.

I had to admit there was a time in my past when that would have been true.

But I realized in that moment that all these years I thought I was searching for my purpose, I was really learning to let go of income as a symbol of my value as a writer.

I wanted to write for God, and I had

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

a wonderful husband who was willing to support me in that. I told The Leaven they could certainly afford me.

Saint Francis is the patron saint of writers and also the patron of the Catholic press. I believe that’s where he was leading me all along.

Faith personified I’ve been freelancing for The Leaven for a decade now. In that time, I have been privileged to bring the story of Catholic faith to life as it is lived out by many amazing people in our archdiocese.

It’s still hard for some people to understand why I would turn away from lucrative freelance opportunities to work for a nonprofit.

I think Catholic Press Month is a perfect time to explain that.

Those of us on The Leaven staff don’t work here because we can’t get jobs in the secular media. We choose to work for the Catholic Church because it is our vocation to present news through the prism of our Catholic faith.

We want our readers to be able to see important issues and events from a Catholic perspective.

And through stories that highlight the people of our own archdiocese, we want to show that the truth of the Gospel is here, walking among us.

How can you put a price tag on that?

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

Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

4 local news

theleaven.com | february 21, 2014

Catholic education runs in family’s blood

Lawrence woman takes historic step at campus center

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

L

O

VERLAND PARK — Some people consider cost. Others, academics.

But Susan and Nick Schilling, parishioners of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, knew what their first priority in choosing schools for their five children would be: faith.

“You decide what you believe is the most important thing you give your children in the life that they have with you as a family,” said Susan, and you go from there.

All five of their children — 27-yearold Katherine, 26-year-old Patrick, 22-year-old Nicholas Jr., 20-year-old Megan and 16-year-old Christopher — have attended Catholic grade and high schools.

Katherine, Nicholas and Megan even followed in their parents’ footsteps and attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Patrick, who walked on to play football at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, was active in his faith in college.

And Susan loves the fact that Christopher, now a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, can lift weights for football in the morning, attend Mass with his friends, and then head off to class.

AWRENCE — When Karen Lombardi’s mother predicted that the fallen-away Catholic was destined to become a nun, Lomabardi thought she was crazy.

All Lombardi had done was enroll in a local Bible college to earn a Bible study certificate. And although she had been raised Catholic, “I thought it was very funny because I wasn’t Catholic and wasn’t going to a Catholic school [at the time],” said Lombardi.

Lombardi had left the church her sophomore year at Juniata College in Pennsylvania, where she was “challenged a lot by questions I didn’t know the answer to,” she said.

The poor catechesis of her upbringing left her unable to answer these questions and susceptible to the attractions of other Christian churches. Lombardi left the Catholic faith and began a sojourn through a succession of Protestant and Reformed denominations.

N o w , about a decade later, Lombardi is once again Visit the website of a practicing the U.S. Association Catholic and of Consecrated Virworks as gins at: consecrated student life virgins.org. coordinator at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence.

And although she didn’t become a nun, as her mother predicted, Lombardi has entered a vocation that shares many commonalities with the vowed life of a woman religious.

During a Mass on Feb. 2 at the St. Lawrence Center, Lombardi was received by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann into the life of a consecrated virgin.

for more information

Planning and sacrifice The Schillings know that Catholic schools aren’t available to everyone.

Susan fears, however, that it’s money, and not geography, that dictates some families’ decisions.

But she encourages families to at least look into Catholic education, even if they think at first it is out of their financial reach.

“Don’t assume that it’s beyond your means if you haven’t talked to those people who are running the schools,” she said.

And if you know it’s your priority from the outset, she believes, families can map out a plan in advance.

“I really think it’s about realizing that every little thing you do adds up,” she said.

Susan runs a life-coaching business called Inspired Lifetime, and she shares the same message with students charting their academic and career paths.

But on the family level, for the Schillings, it has meant taking the kids to the movies only as a rare treat and saving dinners out to celebrate birthdays.

They sought to avoid extravagance in big things and small.

Family vacations meant road trips.

The kids not only didn’t always get what they wanted when they wanted it — they didn’t ask for everything.

Susan feels that one financial advan-

LOCAL NEWS 5

february 21, 2014 | theleaven.com

Photo courtesy of the Schilling family

Susan and Nick Schilling, parishioners of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, put all five of their children through Catholic grade and high schools. Pictured above are: , (back row, from left) Christopher, Patrick, Nick, and Nicholas Jr.; (front row, from left) Katherine, Susan and Megan. tage to Catholic schools is there is not a constant demand for the latest designer clothes, backpacks, or electronics.

“Our schools really allow the students the freedom to not feel that they’re defined by what they personally own,” said Susan.

Valuing Catholic education In the process of all this, said Susan, the children have acted as partners in their education and developed confidence to lead.

“Although it was a sacrifice for my parents to send me to Catholic schools, I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else,” said Megan, who graduated from Aquinas in 2012 and is now a sophomore at Notre Dame.

“In high school, and college especially, I am grateful for an education rooted in Catholic social teaching and a strong faith community,” she said.

Her interest in Catholic education will extend beyond graduation.

“I hope to eventually work in Catholic education and send my children to

“

Although it was a sacrifice for my parents to send me to Catholic schools, I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else.”

Megan Schilling, a 2012 Aquinas graduate, now a sophomore at Notre Dame

Catholic schools,” she said.

Susan sees in the schools a tremendous influence on students by teachers and administrators.

And she’s experienced firsthand how a network of families that share a common faith can support one another in raising children in an environment that benefits Catholic and non-Catholic students alike.

Countless people — even many she hadn’t met — from her children’s schools offered meals, friendship and

prayers when she fell hiking in 2008 and was severely injured.

‘Blessed with examples’ It’s just one of many examples of what the schools do every day, she believes.

Nicholas, a senior at Notre Dame, agrees.

“Certainly, reflecting on my education calls to mind a number of memories: caring teachers, formative friendships and intellectual endeavors,” he said. “However, what stands out most is that, throughout my educational experience, I have been blessed with examples and lessons on how to behave, how to treat people, and how to be a person who could be trusted and could trust others.”

That’s exactly what Susan hopes for.

“I’ve always told my children, ‘If someone comes to me and tells me that you’re an exceptional athlete, that you’re such a great student, but they cannot also tell me that you are a person of faith, kindness and compassion,’” she said, “’then I’ve failed.’”

Because of space constraints, The Leaven does not list Lenten fish fries in the calendar during Lent. However, a full page of archdiocesan fish fries will appear — all ready to be clipped and saved — in the Feb. 28 edition of The Leaven. Fish fry notices should be emailed to: todd@theleaven.com. The deadline is Feb. 24. Keep notices to less than 40 words. Please do not include full menus.

A historic first “She’s not the only consecrated virgin living in the archdiocese, but she’s the first woman in recent history — possibly ever — consecrated in the archdiocese,” said Father John Riley, archdiocesan chancellor, who assisted Lombardi on her journey.

“We have no other record of a virgin being consecrated in the archdiocese,” he continued. “Certainly, she is the first Archbishop Naumann has consecrated.”

The consecration of a virgin is one of the oldest sacramentals in the history of the church. The most notable consecrated virgin is the Blessed Mother herself, and there are accounts of several consecrated virgins in early church history.

Despite the sacramental’s antiquity, canon law doesn’t have much to say about consecrated virgins, said Father Riley. A great deal of discretion is left to the consecrating bishop.

Much more — six paragraphs — is said about consecrated virgins in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A consecrated virgin is a woman who has “decided with the Church’s approval to live in [a state] of virginity ‘for the sake of the kingdom of heaven’” (922).

Further, consecrated virgins “are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church . . . [and] constituted a transcendent sign of the Church’s love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come” (923).

Above, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann presents Karen Lombardi with a veil at a ceremony consecrating her a virgin.

Right, Lombardi lies prostrate before the altar at her consecrating ceremony.

That is why the consecrated virgin, considered a spouse of Christ, wears a wedding dress and veil for the consecration rite. It is considered a lifelong, permanent vocation.

Unlike women religious, consecrated virgins don’t live in community or according to a rule, wear a habit, or have a title like “Sister.” Nor are they restricted to one or more kinds of ministries.

Consecrated virgins appear like any unmarried woman living and working in the world. They are, however, required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, receive the sacraments and live a life of prayer. Usually, consecrated virgins offer some service to the church according to whatever talent or spiritual gift they possess.

Back to the future Lombardi’s journey back to the church, and to her vocation as a consecrated virgin, began after she came to Lawrence in 2006 to study for a doctorate at the University of Kansas.

She found an evangelical Protestant church there that she liked and she felt generally fulfilled — except that her spiritual life seemed inadequate.

“In January of 2007, I decided I needed help with my spiritual life, so I Googled spiritual direction in Lawrence, Kansas, and I found the Apostles of the Interior Life,” said Lombardi.

Eventually, she was accepted for spiritual direction by Sister Elena Morcelli, AVI, and they began to meet. Lombardi didn’t think her Protestant faith would be challenged.

“I thought I’ve been out of the church for 10 years, [the Sisters] aren’t going to tell me something about Catholicism that I haven’t already thought about and dismissed,” she said. “I felt like I know Catholicism, I know my Protestant faith, I’m good where I am, I just need help with my prayer.”

Those 20 to 30 minutes of daily prayer with the Scriptures required by her spir-

itual director, however, began to move Lombardi. And it wasn’t long before Sister Elena challenged her about belief in the Eucharist.

“The Lord really started to speak to me in different ways,” said Lombardi. “If the Catholic Church is right about the Eucharist, then I’ve chosen fellowship with my friends over fellowship with God.” Her relationship with God grew stronger, especially with participation in eucharistic adoration, with which she previously had been unfamiliar. She also studied what John Calvin, who left the Catholic Church in 1530 to found Calvinistic theology, wrote about the Eucharist.

One objection after another fell, like dominoes. At the end of February 2008, she decided to return to the Catholic Church.

“I was already fully initiated into the Catholic Church, so I didn’t have to go through RCIA,” said Lombardi.

She went to the sacrament of reconciliation during a Kansas Catholic College Student Convention and received the Eucharist for the first time as a returning Catholic at a Mass there celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

In her freshman year of college, before she left the church, she had briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a nun.

“Once I came back to the church, it hit me that this was a possibility again,” said Lombardi. “That scared me. I brought it to my spiritual director. I said I just came back to the Catholic Church and I can’t

deal with it right now.”

Lombardi began to discern vocations to marriage and to religious life, but neither seemed to fit her. Then, she learned about consecrated virgins, and found information on the web site of the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins.

“I said, ‘OK, Lord, my answer is ‘yes’ to whatever you’re asking me, whatever it is,’” she said.

She sent a letter to Archbishop Naumann on Feb. 2, 2011. She underwent spiritual formation assisted by the archbishop and Father Riley, and under the direction of the Apostles of the Interior Life.

Her ultimate choice of vocation came as no surprise to Father Steve Beseau, director and chaplain of the St. Lawrence Center.

“It’s a supernatural calling, but it’s also a natural fit for her,” he said. “Her vocation is a real gift for her, the St. Lawrence Center and the entire church. Karen has always been committed to seeking God’s will in her life, and she’s always wanted to find her place in the church.”

Family and other friends supported her decision as well.

“Overall, [I received] a lot more positive reactions than I would have expected,” she said. “I think I expected having to defend or explain it more. It was a long process, and that helped. . . . It made sense to them — [it reflected] the direction my life had been going for a while.”

6 Local news

theleaven.com | february 21, 2014

Local News 7

february 21, 2014 | theleaven.com

Taking NFP’s message worldwide

Joe and Roberta Baumchen, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Marys, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on March 1 with a family dinner. The couple was married on Feb. 27, 1954, at Immaculate Conception Church. Their children and their spouses are: Kathy and Dave Brunin; Bill and Terri Baumchen; Brenda and Martin Channel; Sharon and Dan Heim; Beth and David Ronnebaum, Karen Baumchen (deceased); Marilee and Jeff (deceased) Valentine; and Dan and Lynet Baumchen.

They also have 20 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

n Father Matthew Habiger travels to Hong kong to promote natural family planning

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — When it comes to spreading the word of God’s plan for marriage and family, you’ve got to take every opportunity and go any distance.

And so when Father Matthew Habiger, OSB, had the opportunity to go to Hong Kong for 11 days in January, he packed his bags.

Father Matthew has been God’s indefatigable road warrior for life since he became a member of Human Life International in 1990 and eventually its president and chairman of the board.

“I’ve worked in over 55 countries promoting all the life issues,” said Father Matthew, a monk of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. “I know what jet lag is.”

In 2003, he began working full time for Natural Family Planning Outreach, which is dedicated to countering the contraceptive and sterilization mentality of modern culture.

The opportunity to go to Hong Kong came at the invitation of John and Yrene Lewis, NFP teachers now living there.

John, who is a private pilot, and his wife Yrene formerly lived in Wichita.

When he led the Diocese of Wichita, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted asked the Lewises to promote NFP among Hispanic Catholics.

“They’re great Catholics, and they saw a wonderful opportunity for promoting stronger marriages through NFP in Hong Kong, which is a very unusual part of the world,” said Father Matthew.

This was not Father Matthew’s first time in China. In 1999, he took part in a conference in South Korea, flew on to mainland China to visit Benedictine nuns at work in a hospital, and then on to Hong Kong.

Father Matthew received help for his latest visit to Hong Kong, from Jan. 9 to 21, from the Lewis family and the Hong Kong Catholic Marriage Adviso-

Twice Blessed

UPDATE — Leaven readers first met Holy Trinity, Lenexa, parishioners Amy and Dustin Eichler in an article called “Twice Blessed” in the Oct.25, 2013, issue after the two had discovered they were to be first-time parents to twins. Pictured above are Mary Elizabeth (left) and Monica Anne (right), born on Jan. 9. Both weighed more than five pounds at birth and were 18 inches long. Amy and the girls are home now and doing well. The couple wanted readers to know they very much appreciate all the prayers and support the family received from them.

Don and Lou Sole, members of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Feb. 26. The couple was married on Feb. 26, 1949, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Kansas City, Mo. Their children and their spouses are: Craig Sole, Overland Park; Brian Sole, Aspen, Colo.; Eric and Tanta Sole, Barcelona, Spain; and Kim and Tim Grantham, Leawood. They also have four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family is planning a dinner celebration at Benton House, their new residence, in Prairie Village.

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; They are for parishioners of Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, or for those who have resided in the archdiocese for a significant period of time. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@ theleaven.com.

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking Photo courtesy of Father Matthew Habiger

Father Matthew Habiger, OSB, promotes the virtues of natural family planning during a recent trip to Hong Kong. Father Habiger works full time for Natural Family Planning Outreach, which is dedicated to countering the contraceptive and sterilization mentality of modern culture.

“

[John and Yrene Lewis are] great Catholics, and they saw a wonderful opportunity for promoting stronger marriages through NFP in Hong Kong, which is a very unusual part of the world.”

Father Matthew Habiger, OSB ry Council.

He celebrated Mass and preached one Sunday at the cathedral there and said a weekday Mass at nearby St. Joseph Parish. He gave presentations throughout the week to permanent deacons, NFP teachers, Catholic doc-

tors and other medical personnel, and parish leaders. The next weekend, Father Matthew preached at three Masses at the Epiphany Parish center. The Lewises also gave their personal testimony after the Masses and at a conference.

“I would say [I received a] very positive reception all the way through,” said Father Matthew. “Everywhere, especially after Mass when you’d meet people, they were quite receptive and open to what I was trying to say.”

Although mainland China is famous for heavy-handed population control efforts, there are glimmers of hope.

“In mainland China there are 50,000 teachers of NFP, because the Chinese government invited Dr. John and Evelyn Billings from Australia to come to China and teach NFP,” he said. “They were trying to soften the brutality of the ‘one-child-only’ policy.”

Hong Kong has the lowest fertility rate in the world, only 1.1 babies per woman. The contraception usage rate there is very high at 75 percent, but it’s

higher still in China — at 84 percent, according to Father Matthew.

Christians comprise only 12 percent of Hong Kong ‘s population of more than seven million people. Protestants outnumber Catholics 4-to-3. A large number of Catholics are Filipinos who came to Hong Kong for employment.

Faithful Catholics who practice and promote NFP can make a great contribution to all of China, believes Father Matthew.

“The Catholic faith stresses the basics of humanity — a deep relationship with God, integral human fulfillment, strong marriages, healthy and happy families, education, health care, productivity, patriotism and culture,” Father Matthew wrote in a post-trip reflection.

“Perhaps the greatest contribution Catholics can make in Hong Kong is to foster all these qualities, especially strong marriages and healthy families open to the gift of life,” he continued.

“The Chinese people naturally respond to these values.”

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Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Leaven photo by Joe McSorley

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Leaven photo by Joe Mcsorley

Andrew Groene, a teacher and one of the Stag Robotics coaches, tests how a draft of the team’s robot might work with a ball it will have to pass among other robots in this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition.

Captain of the robotics team Xavier Hernandez, left foreground, and Max Anderson, right foreground, fine-tune the inner workings of the robot as Micheal Heinzman and Mallory Fellows look on. “We solve problems” is a motto this team takes to heart raising funds, during build season and on competition day.

Sophomore Nick Soptic, mentor Robert Setterburg, who has helped this robotics team since its inception, and coach Andrew Groene talk through design ideas. Setterburg thought figuring out ways for the robot to cooperate with others posed the greatest challenge this year.

Sophomore Victoria Gomerdinger gets to work during one of two daily after-school shifts for the robotics team in February. The team put in six hours of work each weeknight and full days on Saturdays.

Some students dedicated 15-20 hours a week to robotics this winter.

and they were out in the garage kind of tinkering around on stuff,” he said.

Instead, computer-aided design helps the team map out plans, and members keep detailed logs of the parts that go into a creation.

Senior programmers pair up with sophomores to train future leaders.

Students shadow other talented students to build skills.

And alumni keep an active hand in current students’ endeavors, sharing their educational and professional expertise.

Alumni Tim Mourlam, Billy Hendricks and Victoria Amor — all 2007 Miege graduates — are working with this year’s team.

And if you’re looking for a typical “robotics kid,” Anderson assures that doesn’t exist.

“It’s one of the widest varieties of kids you’re going to see,” he said.

Athletes, artists, musicians, kids who do debate and forensics — it runs the gamut.

“We have so many people who are doing crazy amounts of other things,” said Brianna Wallace, a junior and the team’s science officer. “Some people are really involved with choir and musicals.

They do all that but they make time to be here, too.”

The girls hold their own with the guys, said Wallace, but she’d love to see even more join their ranks.

“We try really hard to get everybody involved and everybody learning and being a part of what we’re doing,” she said.

A perfect example? The night Nolan Gray, a member of the robotics team and backup quarterback, had his first varsity football start — and a win.

“As part of our fundraising efforts [for the robotics program], we clean up the stadium after every football game,” said Anderson. “So [that night], we’re up in the stands cleaning up, and I turn around — and here’s Nolan in his street clothes cleaning up the stadium.

“That’s just the kind of kid he is. We’ve got great kids.”

Daniel Becker, a senior who transferred to Miege as a sophomore, certainly found that to be true.

As soon as he wrapped up his last final at his previous school, he visited Miege’s shop, met leaders of the robotics team, and pitched in on cleanup.

said Anderson.

No one talked.

“We got it all together as best as we could and sent it back out on the floor,” he said. “I walked over to stand with the students who were there and all I told them was, ‘Say a little prayer because I don’t know if we got this put together right.’”

The buzzer sounded and the student driver hit the joysticks.

“It moved, and we all started cheering,” said Anderson.

>> Continued from page 1 Early in the design phase, the Miege students dubbed this year’s robot “Boo” because a piece of plywood they used resembled the little girl’s door in the movie.

The robot must hurl a ball (nicknamed “Mike Wazowski” after the round monster character) into a high goal and lob it into a low goal.

And the driver’s station from which students will remotely guide the robot’s movements in competition became “Sulley,” after the burly blue monster.

The 2014 competition adds a plot twist that distinguishes this game from previous ones.

In the aptly named “Aerial Assist” game, teams will reap big rewards by cooperating and passing the ball among all robots within their alliances.

“If you don’t cooperate with each other, you’re not going to go anywhere,” said Miege science teacher Scott Anderson.

Anderson, along with fellow teacher Andrew Groene, coaches the robotics team.

Although the team had to weigh the best ways to make their robot grab and shoot the ball — and work well with others — it’s safe to say the students themselves have the latter down to a science.

A program is born When Dr. Joe Passantino, president of Miege, sees students working side by side on a robot today, he can’t help but picture many of those same kids someday completing projects at engineering firms.

“Our robotics program is a great opportunity for our students to have a hands-on experience that promotes the building of science, engineering and technology skills,” he said. “The whole process, from design to the actual competition, requires a great deal of teamwork and problem-solving — both lifelong skills.”

It’s impossible to replicate this experience in any one classroom, he believes.

The birth of Miege’s robotics team dates back to 2007.

Even Anderson didn’t grasp the magnitude of what he was agreeing to when Dan Ritter, a longtime friend and fellow track coach, approached him with the idea.

“We didn’t know how to build a robot,” said Anderson. “It was a lot bigger Daniel Becker, a senior at Miege, had never picked up a tool before he joined Stag Robotics. A member of the build team, he now has his sights set on a career in engineering.

Leaven photo by joe mcsorley

deal than we’d planned on.”

The 15 seniors and four freshmen of that first team logged many a late night to construct a working robot out of the pieces FIRST sent them and other odds and ends they dug up.

The product of all their labors couldn’t necessarily do much, but it was sturdy and it ran well, and a skilled driver operated the controls.

With that — and another team deciding they’d rather have Miege as an ally in the tournament than go against Stag Robotics — Miege claimed an exhilarating rookie regional win in Kansas City, Mo. That qualified the team for nationals.

“We went to Atlanta that year,” said Anderson, “and the students got all fired up — ‘Oh, this is a great program!’

“And the rest is history.”

Wide variety Today, Stag Robotics boasts about 45 active members — male and female — spanning all grade levels.

And it looks nothing like Moore envisioned back when he first heard of such a team as an eighth-grader.

“Honestly, the image in my head was a couple kids going over to someone’s house,

“So before I ever stepped into Miege’s halls as a student, I was part of the Miege robotics team,” said Becker, who is on the build team and is first officer, right hand to captain and senior Xavier Hernandez.

Becker has met his best friends on this team — and, believe it or not, he had never picked up a tool before robotics.

“It’s just been a huge, huge step in my life because it’s also solidified the idea that I want to be an engineer,” he said.

‘Kaleidoscope’ of robots Moore likes the idea that this problemsolving team creates a fun experience now but, down the road, the FIRST name will grab attention on resumes and applications.

“It’s a global thing, so people all around the globe do the exact same game we’re doing,” he said. “And it’s amazing, because when you go to competition, it’s a kaleidoscope of different robots. There’s no one way to do things, so it’s a great, kind of cool, eye-opening experience.”

All the kids know better than to get too attached to their robots, however.

“Our robots don’t live very long,” confessed Coach Anderson.

Even the first robot that went to nationals met a quick demise.

“The very next year, we had to cannibalize it to make our next robot,” said Anderson.

Nothing compares to watching this competition among schools from across the Midwest unfold, said Passantino.

“The problem-solving that goes on between rounds would be similar to repairs in the pits at a NASCAR race — pressure-packed, as they try to make the needed modifications to the robot before the next round,” he said.

Anderson recalls one such heart-pounding moment.

The robot’s transmission seized up, a problem that required a couple hours to fix — but the robot had to return to the field in 30 minutes.

Another coach later described the scene to Anderson.

“He said there were just like six sets of hands rapidly flying over this thing and everybody else just kind of backed away,”

“The problemsolving that goes on between rounds would be similar to repairs in the pits at a NASCAR race — pressure-packed as they try to make the needed modifications to the robot before the next round.”

Prayer and problem-solving The team doesn’t lean on prayer only during those make-or-break moments.

“We pray before everything we do,” said Anderson.

At the start of a shift, Moore prayed that everyone would use their unique talents to the best of their ability. And when the team first moved into its current location on north campus, a student had a crucifix blessed for it.

The academic and life lessons that team members are learning are endless.

As Moore said, this team operates like a business in many ways. Its own marketing team spreads the word about robotics. The Robostag mascot shares robotics spirit at school events.

A grant from the Kauffman Foundation funded the team for the first year, with lesser amounts coming in for a few years after that. But Miege had to prepare to stand on its own, said Anderson.

So keeping with its motto of “We solve problems,” the team figured out ways to afford the competition registrations and other expenses.

They work concessions for Catholic Youth Organization events.

They installed most of the school’s SMART Boards to help keep dollars inside Miege, instead of paying someone outside to do the work.

“If we can build robots, we can install SMART boards,” explained Anderson.

Several team members serve as disc jockeys at school dances.

But as the robotics students learn to carry out serious responsibilities, they learn something else as well: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

In fact, one of Passantino’s most cherished robotics memories stems from the team’s willingness to try something new with an old tradition — and a messy miscalculation.

“There’s been a lot of successes to the

Real-world connections Once someone has felt the force field that is this robotics team, it’s hard to pull away.

Just ask Robert Setterburg, whose son Adam was the driver the very first year.

“That got me started, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Setterburg, an architect who works with the team, as he helped figure out the shooter on the eighth robot he has worked on.

He loves the fact that robotics allows students’ hands and minds to work together, especially in the absence today of classes like shop.

“You see all the parts on the tables — they’re just littered with ideas and we’re trying to find the best one,” he said.

Alumni also return to help out.

Some — like Victoria Amor, Tim Mourlam and Billy Hendricks — live in town and work jobs in the field. As the team’s mentors, they share their professional perspectives.

More recent alums are still in college. But fortunately, they are still usually home for winter break when the FIRST competition announces the annual game, so past team members help get the current team rolling.

Dr. Joe Passantino, Miege president, finds the contributions from alumni one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

“You can’t have a better testimony than that — of what it does for young people — to want to come back and volunteer their time,” he said.

robotics program,” he said. “But my favorite moment was not a success.”

Instead of launching the traditional T-shirts or even hot dogs from a device they built themselves, someone a few years ago came up with something new to launch during halftime of a Stags basketball game: Twinkies.

“It just disintegrated into all kinds of pieces all over the floor,” said Passantino with a laugh.

Cleanup on the court prolonged halftime.

“And that was the last Twinkie launch,” said Passantino.

But it was nowhere near the last adventure of this team of intrepid inventors.

“It does so much for our students. It’s really a great program,” said Passantino.

“I think there are leadership skills and a self-confidence that come from working together and solving problems.”

12 classifieds Employment Administrative assistant - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a full-time administrative assistant for the office of stewardship and development. This position provides administrative support for a busy office and supports the CFNEK board. The position requires three years minimum administrative experience in a multifaceted setting; exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal; proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; meeting planning experience; and ease and proficiency with telephone communication. Prefer experience with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge database. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/employment. Qualified individuals should send an email to: jobs@archkck.org with cover letter, resume, and application by Feb. 25. May also be mailed to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Stewardship - Admin. Assistant, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

Principal - Seeking dynamic Catholic school principal at Ascension Catholic Grade School, Overland Park, who embraces the Catholic faith and possesses spiritual leadership skills blended with strong instructional leadership and managerial skills. Ascension School serves 597 students in grades K - 8 and employs 47 faculty and staff members in grades K - 8.

The school is looking for an excellent communicator who can build upon the strong Catholic identity and academic programming that is a hallmark of the school. Principal applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold, or be eligible for, an administrative license from the Kansas state Department of Education. Interested individuals should complete the principal application available online at: www.archkckcs. org. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570 or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Youth ministry director - Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, is seeking a full-time director of youth/young adult ministry and liturgical ministry coordinator. General responsibilities include: providing vision and coordination for the parish’s efforts in ministry to 6th- through 12th-graders, and to the parish’s college-age and young adult populations. In addition, this position is responsible for training, coordinating and overseeing all liturgical ministries in the parish. Bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry or related field is preferred. Position requires availability to work evenings and weekends, and proficiency in social media technology, PowerPoint and Excel. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. Complete job description can be found on the parish website at: www.cccparish.org. Interested individuals may email a cover letter and resume to: debbiek@cccparish. org. Interviews will begin in early March.

Database manager - Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is seeking an individual to manage databases on a part-time basis.

This position supports and maintains all agency database information. Providing reports for financial, donor, client and fundraising information. Ensures consistent outcome reporting to meet the needs of the agency. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of new features and functionalities; works closely with executive director, fundraising, and database developer to implement custom reports and queries as needed for reporting purposes and for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of data entry; periodically audits database structure to ensure it is serving its purposes related to capturing and reporting data. Perform other duties as assigned. Please send resume by email to: dkelsey@wpcnetwork.org.

Resident housemother - Nativity House KC has an immediate opening for resident housemother. This is a fulltime position. She must be a practicing Catholic, at least a high school graduate, have a valid driver’s license, practical experience in working with teens and young adults and willing to help young women with crisis pregnancies.

She must be a model for constructive and healthy living — spiritually, physically, financially, and mentally. This is an in-residence position and the compensation package includes both financial and in-kind components. Nonresidential part-time positions are also being considered.

Please send an email with resume to Barbara Belcher at: barbarab@nativityhousekc.org or via post at Nativity House KC, P.O. Box 4124, Kansas City, KS 66104.

Parish administrator - A northeast Johnson County parish is looking for a committed Catholic who will work 20-25 hours a week as a parish administrator/business manager.

Must have computer skills, be a team player, and work well with volunteers and parish staff. Duties also include ability to administer financial affairs of the parish, oversee parish grounds and maintenance of facilities, and create and oversee budgets. Must be able to multitask, be organized with attention to detail, with strong communication skills, both verbally and with the written word. Qualified, interested candidates may send resumes to: St. Agnes Church, 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park, KS 66205, Attention: Teresa Youngstrom.

Program director - Catholic Early Childhood Montessori seeking a program director with both Montessori experience (and/or early childhood) and administrative gifts. Full-time position in a deeply Catholic environment. Please send resume by email to: ourladysmontessori@sbcglobal.net.

theleaven.com | FEBRUARY 21, 2014 Because your life matters - Our mission is to help people like you live a healthier lifestyle as well as have the opportunity to enhance your life financially. If you have a passion for health and wellness, serving others and working from home, send an email to: ernie.honas@ gmail.com or call (785) 375-5697 or (913) 938-4078.

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer.com. We moved! Come check out our new office in Lenexa.

Bookkeeper - Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is seeking an individual to provide bookkeeping services on a part-time basis. QuickBooks for Non-Profits is the accounting system being used and experience is helpful. The bookkeeper will be responsible for managing and providing support for all financial information. This position will manage accounts payable, bank reconciliations, general ledger activity, help in grant reporting, and financial reports to executive director and treasurer. Please send resume by email to: dkelsey@ wpcnetwork.org.

Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 4854307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry.

School cook - St. Matthew School, Topeka, is currently seeking a qualified individual to serve as a cook to work approximately five hours per morning/early afternoon. The successful candidate will be an independent worker who will assist the food service director by preparing meals that are compliant with state and federal regulations and completing light paperwork. Excellent personal hygiene is a must. Experience in a commercial kitchen setting and Virtus training are required, and a practicing Catholic is preferred. Please send resume and references to Melea Huston, SMCS food service director, by email at: hustonm@saintmatthews.org.

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

Need your home cleaned? I have referrals and have been cleaning for many years. I am in St. Joseph Parish and my son goes to St. James Academy. Please call Marcia for a free estimate at (913) 707-7166.

Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, decks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning.

Call (913) 526-1844.

Golf coach - Bishop Miege High School has an immediate opening for a boys golf coach for the spring season. For more information, call Mike Hubka at (913) 262-2701, ext. 224, or send an email to: mhubka@bishopmiege.com.

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

General office work - Local businessman, Leawood address, is in need of part-time secretarial general office work. Experience required. 10 - 20 hours per week as necessary. Call Mr. Murphy with interest in salary requirements at (913) 696-1034.

MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222.

Marketing assistant - The Thomas Angier Agency with Farmers Insurance is looking for highly motivated employees to work part time making contact with potential customers and scheduling appointments for sales personnel within the agency. This position offers the potential for growth within the agency to a full-time position with a base pay and bonuses to individuals who can excel in this role. The Thomas Angier Farmers Insurance Agency is an expanding agency and is looking for personable employees to win over potential new customers! College degree or associate’s degree is not required, but highly desired for this role. We will provide training and tools for the right candidate who can demonstrate their skills. We are located in south Kansas City near I-435 and Holmes Road. $11 - $13 per hour plus bonuses.

Good communication skills required. Hours for this position are primarily afternoons and evenings. Please contact John R. Smith at (913) 563-9974 or send an email with resume to: tangier@farmersagent.com.

Financial representatives - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Lawrence, Topeka and the Seneca - Sabetha area. Ideal for a determined, high energy, high expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income.

We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview by sending an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org, by phone at (785) 408-8806 or at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612.

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

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.Green SolutionsKC.com.

Getoutofdebtlawyer.com - Get out from under debt, and save money! Credit cards, medical bills, foreclosures! Win creditor lawsuits! Dispute your credit report! Bankruptcy!

Call attorney Laura Simpson at (913) 248-9400.

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

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

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

Home Improvement 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 SPRING IS ACTUALLY COMING BEFORE WE KNOW IT! HOUSE PAINTING Call today to get a free estimate on your home. Inside or out, decks, kitchens and bathrooms. Basement refinishing and design also! Improve what you have today to enjoy it tomorrow. Insured/tons of references and a local parish member. Call Frankie at (913) 209-9926.

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.

Home improvements - Thank you to all my customers for being patient as I underwent a life-saving liver transplant. If there is new work or warranty work, please don’t hesitate to call. We do windows, siding, doors, decks, exterior painting and wood rot. There is no job too big or too small. Call Joshua Doherty at (913) 709-7230.

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.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel!

Johnson county area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

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.

Heating and cooling repair and replacement - Call Joe with JB Design and Service. Licensed and insured with 20 years experience. Member of Divine Mercy Parish. Call Joe at (913) 915-6887.

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling.

Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

ALL THINGS WOOD ROT Windows and fiber cement siding.

New windows, decks, basement remodel or kitchen update. Insured and only the best crews.

Serving Johnson and Wyandotte for over 2 decades.

Call Frankie to set up a free estimate today at (913) 209-9926.

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

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

Caregiving - RN would like to assist you or your loved one with private duty care, respite care, or companion.

Dependable, insured, excellent references. Reasonable rates. Johnson County. No overnights or live-in care. Call (913) 710-5412.

Caregiving - Caring, responsible 43-year-old Catholic woman looking to care for your loved one. 15 years experience. Excellent references. I treat my clients with care, respect and love, and find working in this field very rewarding. Flexible hours available, and nights and weekends. If interested, please call Kara at (913) 909-6659.

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 www.benefitsofhome.com.

VACATION Colorado vacation - Winter Park; 2 BR, 1 BA, furnished.

Mountain biking, golf, hiking, and fishing. $125 per night or $700 per week. Call (816) 392-0686.

Irish eyes are smiling when you journey to Ireland with an Irishman! – Complete tour of the entire Emerald Isle, April 30 - May 13. Call Gerry at (913) 648-1560.

REAL ESTATE Wanted to buy - Houses that need an upgrade or are very old that you’re having difficulty selling or are in need of selling quickly. I can pay cash within 20 days. Please call Mark Edmondson at (913) 980-4905. Holy Trinity Parish member.

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.

wanted to buy Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware.

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Antiques wanted - Old canning jars, pop bottles, pharmaceutical bottles, old boxes of ammunition, old cash register. Call (913) 593-7507.

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.

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FEBRUARY 21, 2014 | theleaven.com

February The Holy Cross 8th-grade class will host a family fun night, taco buffet, bingo games and raffle prizes on Feb. 21 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the school gymnasium, 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park. The cost to attend is: $5 in advance; $7 at the door; $3 for children ages 4 - 10; and free for children under the age of 4.

21

A trivia night fundraiser, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council 1913, will be held Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul Parish center, Olathe. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Knights prolife efforts in Kansas. The cost to attend is $100 for a table of eight or $12.50 per person. The event will also include raffles, door prizes and prizes for the top teams.

For more information and reservations, call Chris Dieterman at (913) 780-6428.

22

Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee, is happy to host Father Jim Sichko — the “voice of laughter, storytelling, and praise” — for a parish family mission on four nights, Feb. 23 26. Check-in will be held nightly beginning at 6 p.m., with the presentation from 6:30 - 8 p.m. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. Father Sichko is the pastor of St. Mark Church in Richmond, Ky. For more information or to register, visit the Sacred Heart Parish website at: www.shoj.org/ parish_mission.asp.

23

The Daughters of Isabella will host an 83rd birthday celebration at noon on Feb. 23 at Rossiter Hall, Assumption Church, 8th & Jackson, Topeka. A business meeting will follow at 1 p.m.

A presentation by Virgil Dechant will be held Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Church of the Nativity, Leawood. Dechant is a Nativity parishioner who served as the 12th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, the largest Catholic family fraternal service organization in the world, from January 1977 through September 2000. Don’t miss the intimate stories of his audiences and encounters with the likes of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa. He

will also relate some of the programs and achievements of the Knights of Columbus.

His rare and historic collections and memorabilia will be on display in the parish hall after his presentation in the church, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood.

Marriage for Keeps, an outreach of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, will be offering a workshop at its north Johnson County office. Marriage for Keeps offers education, support and resources for couples seeking to improve their marriage and strengthen their family. The workshops teach couples to communicate more effectively, reduce conflict, connect emotionally and learn to better meet each other’s needs. Classes begin Feb. 24 and run eight consecutive Mondays through April 14, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling (913) 621-5775, ext.

1105, or by sending an email to Donna at: dmills@catholiccharitiesks.org.

24

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning will be held Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 208 of St. John the Evangelist School, 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence. The cost to attend is a reasonable course fee. 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.

26

A preparation for Lent retreat for women will be presented by Renee Bhatia at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on Feb. 26 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. A light supper will be held from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call (913) 906-8990 or register online at: www.keelerwomenscenter.org. There is no cost to attend.

A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Father Burak Room at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

27

March Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Parish will host a German Fasching Mardi Gras celebration on March 1 at Sacred Heart Church hall, Topeka. The evening includes a German Mass beginning at 4 p.m., followed by an authentic German buffet, a dance featuring the Ed Grisnik Polka Band, a silent auction, drawings on $1,000 and three handmade quilts. A cash bar will be available during the evening. The cost to attend is an advance ticket purchase of $25 per person; or $225 for a reserved table of eight. Tickets will be sold until Feb. 25 and may be purchased by calling (786) 234-3338 or (785) 232-2863.

1

Father Richard McAlear will give a presentation, entitled “There is a Hunger for God’s Mercy,” on March 1 from 1 - 3 p.m. and March 2 following Mass at St. Matthew Parish, Topeka. For more information, call (785) 862-9738 or visit Father McAlear’s website at: www.frmac.org.

The Curé of Ars Singles will host their annual Mardi Gras dance on March 1 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The cost to attend is $15 at the door, which includes meat hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. For more information, call (913) 631-6873.

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, will host its annual dinner party event on March 1 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. The theme is: “Happy Days at the Happy Days Diner.” There will be special guests and a variety of music from the ’50s and ’60s. The cost to attend is $15 for dinner, entertainment and bar drinks. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Patty at (913) 3844644.

A Mardi Gras benefit dance will be held March 1 from 7 - 11 p.m. at Holy Cross School, 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park.

Appetizers, wine, beer, sangria, soft drinks and water will be served. The cost to attend is $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

Mail check to Julie at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102,

attn: Mardi Gras Dance. All proceeds will benefit Sanctuary of Hope Retreat and Prayer Center.

Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center will host a Lenten retreat conducted by Father Dennis Wait on March 1. Registration and a light breakfast will begin at 7:45 a.m. The day will consist of talks, personal meditation, prayer time, reconciliation and Mass. Lunch will be served at noon. The cost to attend is $30.

For more information, send an email to: julie@sanctuaryofhope.org or call (913) 321-4673.

St. Mary Parish, Purcell, will host a spaghetti luncheon on March 2 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

2

Solemn vespers and Benediction will be held March 2 at 4 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 143rd and Nall, Leawood. Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony will be sung by resident archdiocesan choir Sursum Corda. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 1 p.m.

The Women of St. Ignatius, Fort Leavenworth, will hold their Lenten retreat, entitled “The Passion of Christ,” on March 6 from 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. at Fort Leavenworth Frontier Chapel, 625 Thomas Ave., Leavenworth. The speaker will be Cherie Bowe from the School of Faith. The cost to attend is a donation of $25, which includes a light breakfast and lunch, Mass, confession, eucharistic adoration, and child care on site. For more information, call Beth Manning at (913) 954-8234 or (913) 2329887 or send an email to: bethmanning 88@yahoo.com.

6

The Cathedral of St. Peter Altar Society will host a women’s Lenten day of reflection on March 8.

Sister Mary Cecile (Cele) Breen, a member of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, will present “Lenten Reflection — Sermon on the Mount.” The day will begin at 8:15 a.m. with Mass and will conclude at noon. The cost to attend is $10, which includes a continental breakfast.

For registration information, call Terri Schneweis at (913) 558-8285 or send an email to: teschne046@yahoo.com.

8

A Runnin’ Revs Fun Night will be held at Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Rd., Roeland Park, on March 10. Area priests and seminarians will challenge 8th-grade and high school youth from Catholic schools in a fun and competitive game of basketball. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted to benefit seminarians, and a Camp Tekakwitha spot will be auctioned. For more information, visit the website at: kckvocations.com.

10

An Irish celebration will be held March 15 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 606 S. Elm, Louisburg. A corned beef and Irish stew dinner will be served, and entertainment will be provided by Michael O’Laughlin of Irish Roots Cafe. The cost to attend is $10 for adults; $5 for children. There will also be a silent auction and a quilt auction.

15

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14 commentary Scripture Readings

theleaven.com | february 21, 2014

Feb. 23 seventh sunday in ordinary time Lv 19: 1-2, 17-18 Ps 103: 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 1 Cor 3: 16-23 Mt 5: 38-48 Feb. 24 Monday Jas 3: 13-18 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mt 9: 14-29 Feb. 25 Tuesday Jas 4: 1-10 Ps 55: 7-11, 23 Mk 9: 30-37 Feb. 26 Wednesday Jas 4: 13-17 Ps 49: 2-3, 6-11 Mk 9: 38-40 Feb. 27 Thursday Jas 5: 1-6 Ps 49: 14-20 Mk 9: 41-50 Feb. 28 Friday Jas 5: 9-12 Ps 103: 1-4, 8-9, 11-12 Mk 10: 1-12 March 1 Saturday Jas 5: 13-20 Ps 141: 1-3, 8 Mk 10: 13-16

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as the church prays

mark my words

seventh week of ordinary time

F

Joy is ‘fun-damental’ to our faith

ebruary 22.

Now that’s a fathers’ day.

There’s something for everyone to celebrate.

Many will readily recognize that date as George Washington’s birthday, the founding father of our country. On Feb. 22, Catholics celebrate the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, originally commemorated by the Christians of Rome to honor their “founding father,” or first bishop. Today, the “chair” is a symbol of the pope’s role as pastor of the whole church.

There is, however, one more celebration on Feb. 22 that, sadly, many seemingly observe by their attitude and outlook on life and the world: It’s the birthday of Albert Schopenhauer, the “founding father” of pessimism. Schopenhauer was a philosopher, born in Danzig in 1788. It’s entirely possible that his personal life was the source of his pessimism. It’s said that he had no friends, never married and didn’t speak to his mother for about the last 20 years of her

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. life. Gee, it’s depressing just reading that last sentence.

To combat falling into such a grim assessment of life, I’ve been starting every morning with a tune by Pharrell Williams, which I first heard in the movie, “Despicable Me 2.” It’s bouncy and hypnotic. I not only give in to the song’s invitation to “clap along” but can’t help but get up and dance. The song is fittingly called “Happy” and has over 65 million hits on YouTube.

The video is great.

Instead of the usual svelte professional dancers, the song features regular people — young and old, men and women, fit and not so fit — dancing with abandon, letting the music move them.

Williams sings, “Clap along if you feel like hap-

piness is the truth. . . . Clap along if you know what happiness is to you.” What’s neat, too, is that many places throughout the world — Berlin, Paris, Hong Kong, Tunisia and even Cakovec, Croatia — have posted videos of their citizens rocking out to “Happy.” It gives a whole, new, positive perspective on the world!

In fact, it would not surprise me at all to hear someday that Pope Francis has invited Pharrell Williams to a private audience at the Vatican. From the beginning of his pontificate, Francis has reminded Christians that we cannot give in to pessimism.

The day after his election, he reminded the cardinals that “a capacity to radiate hope is part of the Gospel mandate for followers of Christ,” according to John Allen Jr., in “10 Things Pope Francis Wants You to Know.”

It’s significant, too, that the pope’s recent apostolic exhortation was entitled “The Joy of the Gospel.” Our faith should not be seen as a burden, a bore, a duty or a chore. In one of my favorite passages in the document, Pope Francis writes: “One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism which

turns us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, ‘sourpusses’” (85). And who in their right mind wants to follow, let alone listen to, a sourpuss?

As this is still Catholic Press Month, why not pick up a copy of “The Joy of the Gospel” and read it for yourself? Although you can find an electronic version at: www.vatican.va, I still believe the best way to savor it is in print. You can get a copy on the U.S. bishops’ website at: ww.usccbpublishing.org or at a Catholic bookstore. It’s 152 pages long, so you might want to save it for Lenten reading and savoring.

Just for fun, imagine what it would be like for sessions of Congress or meetings at the United Nations to open with “Happy.” Wouldn’t it maybe change the tone of our discussions if we all felt free to clap and dance without embarrassment before getting down to business?

Heck, maybe even the bishops of the United States could consider opening their next big meeting with the song. That would be something to see. You know, I bet Pope Francis would be pretty “Happy” with that.

In the beginning

God shows us how to forgive, but not condone

S

ometimes, people will confuse forgiving an offense with condoning it.

When the person committing the offense accepts responsibility and says, “I’m sorry,” the person who was hurt will sometimes then say, “That’s OK. It’s all right.”

But that is incorrect. It is not all right. If it were, then it would be permissible for the person to continue to commit the offense. That is true, whether it is the case of physical or sexual abuse in a family, bullying at school, or injuries on a much lesser scale. It is wrong for us to enable the offense to go on, even if we

commentary 15

february 21, 2014 | theleaven.com

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. are the victim.

Instead, it is our responsibility to prevent evil whenever we can, whether the evil is directed at another person or at ourselves. That means that at times, we reprove another person. In doing so, we are showing love for that person. That is why one of the traditional works of mercy is: “Admonish the sinner.” Besides this work of

Pope francis An invitation to attend Pope Francis’ early morning Mass is a hot ticket in Rome, but the pope said the Mass — in his residence or anywhere else — isn’t an event, but a time for entering into the mystery of God. “Maybe someone would say, ‘Oh, I must get to Mass at Sanctae Marthae because the

mercy directed toward the sinner, there are two others which pertain to this topic: “Bearing wrongs patiently” and “Forgiving injuries.”

Together, they should arrive at a certain balance.

Sunday’s first reading — Lev 19:1-2, 17-18 — instructs us: “Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him.”

What sin does the text have in mind? If we scold someone, that action may make us feel superior to that person. We might take a certain pleasure in that person’s discomfort, schadenfreude at their predicament.

Leviticus calls us to avoid that approach.

Leviticus places this caution about reproving our neighbor in the context of not hating them, but,

pope’s morning Mass is on the Rome tourist itinerary,’” he said, according to a report by Vatican Radio.

Addressing those gathered for the Mass Feb. 10, he said, “All of you come here, all of us gather here to enter into a mystery, which is the liturgy. It is God’s time, it is God’s space, it is God’s cloud that envelops us all.” Throughout history, God has spoken to his people in different ways: through prophets, priests

instead, loving them: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Conversely, “You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.”

This passage also forms part of Leviticus called “the Holiness Code,” a list of commandments directed toward the people of Israel so that they might “be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

We arrive at holiness by imitating God, who is all holy.

God forgives sin, while not condoning it. On the contrary, God does all that is possible to prevent it. That is why Leviticus calls us to do the same.

If you wish to know how God deals with us, look at how God instructs us to deal with one another.

and the Scriptures, the pope said. But the Bible also tells of special moments, “theophanies,” when God is present in a more direct way. The Mass is one of those occasions when the Lord is present, Pope Francis said. The Mass isn’t a social occasion or even “a prayer meeting. It’s something else. In the liturgy, God is present.”

— CNS

Every Mass is beautiful, despite human limitations

S

everal days ago, Pope Francis reminded those present for Mass at his residence that the

sacred liturgy is not merely a gathering for prayer or a mere social activity but, rather, a genuine theophany — an actual visitation by God to his people.

“The presence of the Lord is real, very real,” the Holy Father stressed.

His comments caused me to pause and ask if this is how we really see things.

As consultant for liturgy for the archdiocese, I receive a good deal of correspon-

Michael Podrebarac Michael Podrebarac is the archdiocesan consultant for the liturgy office dence regarding the liturgical life of our parishes.

While most of it is constructive, virtually all of it is concerned with matters of rubrics (whether or not the rites were done “correctly”) or aesthetics (such as the kind or quality of music sung).

Such issues are important in their own right, to be sure. The liturgical norms exist to assist the clergy and lay faithful in celebrating according to the church’s liturgical mind. And liturgical artistry should never draw our attention away from the liturgical action.

But a narrow focus on vestments, gestures, artistic concerns and even liturgical forms risks pulling us away from the core of what the sacred liturgy really is: the visitation of God to his people, a true and genuine theophany.

In the Mass, the mystery of God is communicated through visible signs. These signs have meaning and importance. But even in a

“perfect” celebration of the liturgy (however one might define that), it is the very presence of God that should capture and possess the imagination and participation of each worshiper.

The Mass, the pope said, “is a real commemoration, in other words, a theophany; God draws close and is with us, and we share in the mystery of Redemption.”

The very essence of the sacraments is Our Lord’s desire to be as intimately present to us as possible, doing for us today the same things he did for those with whom he lived while he was present on earth in the flesh.

The Mass is not a mere representation, but a theophany — one in which

God is pleased to enter into earthly time, and in which we are pleased to enter into heavenly time. The signs and symbols of the earthly liturgy may assist us in this exchange of time, but are no substitute for experiencing the very mystery of God’s presence, in which we are called to participate. In this sense, every Mass is beautiful, despite human limitations.

Let us take time at each Mass to prayerfully collect ourselves before the Lord, to commit ourselves to participate in the divine action through the sacramental rites, and to consciously receive — in word and sacrament — the visitation of God to his people.

Called to Discipleship

Learn to create what Pope Francis calls a ‘culture of encounter’

O

ne of my favorite nicknames is “First Called.”

In the seminary, I was one of many men in my class named Andrew. We all shared that nickname in honor of St. Andrew the Apostle who is the Protocletus (the “First Called”).

In the Gospel of John, Andrew encounters Jesus after John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (Jn 1:35-37). Thankfully, Andrew immediately shares this encounter: “He first found his own brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ Then he brought him to Jesus” (Jn 1:41-42). It

Father Andrew Strobl Father Andrew Strobl is the archdiocesan director of evangelization. was through the personal testimony of Andrew that his brother Simon came to follow Jesus Christ.

Andrew was the “first called,” not the “first and only called.” Jesus desired Simon to be his disciple and he used the personal testi-

mony of Andrew to make the invitation.

A sincere personal testimony acts as a personal invitation. By hearing about another person’s encounter with Jesus, we are invited to have our own encounter with Jesus. Our own encounter will lead to our own testimony that can be shared with someone else, so the process of evangelization can continue one testimony at a time. Pope Francis refers to this process as a “culture of encounter.”

The Gospel of John describes another culture of encounter born when a Samaritan woman meets Jesus at a well. After she encounters Jesus, she shares her personal testimony with her

community to great effect: “Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman” (Jn 4:39).

This led to Jesus staying in her town and encountering the people himself. As a result, a culture of encounter was established: “Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world’” (Jn 4:41-42).

In order to encourage a more vibrant culture of encounter in northeast Kansas, the archdiocesan office of evangelization is offering

a Lenten series, entitled “Sharing Your Personal Testimony.” We have asked three disciples of Jesus Christ, fervent to share with others, ways to prepare an effective personal testimony and seek out opportunities to share it.

Olivia Stear will share at Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park on March 11.

Renee Winkel will share at Christ the King Parish in Topeka on March 18. Michael Shirley will share at Savior of the World Pastoral Center on March 25. All sessions will be at 7 p.m. You can attend in person or through a live stream online.

More information can be found online at: www.arch kck.org/evangelization.

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16 Pope Francis

theleaven.com | february 21, 2014

Pope to engaged couples:

After ‘I do,’ comes ‘may I, thank you, sorry’

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Greeting thousands of engaged couples on the feast of St. Valentine, Pope Francis told them not to be afraid of building a permanent and loving relationship in a culture where everything is disposable and fleeting.

The secrets to a loving and lasting union, he said, include treating each other with respect, kindness and gratitude, and never letting daily struggles and squabbles sabotage making peace and saying, “I’m sorry.”

“The perfect family doesn’t exist, nor is there a perfect husband or a perfect wife, and let’s not talk about the perfect mother-in-law!” he said to laughter and applause.

“It’s just us sinners,” he said.

But “if we learn to say we’re sorry and ask forgiveness, the marriage will last.”

After a week of heavy rains, bright sunshine warmed St. Peter’s Square and the 30,000 people who gathered for an audience Feb. 14 dedicated to couples completing their marriage preparation courses and planning to be married in the church this year.

The initiative, “The Joy of ‘Yes’ Forever,” was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The council president, Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, is a former bishop of Terni and successor to St. Valentine — the third-century martyred bishop of Terni.

The archbishop told the pope that the young couples in the square were evidence of how many people do want to “go against the tide” by having a love that lasts forever and is blessed by God. Engaged couples attending the audience received a small white pillow with Pope Francis’ signature and his papal crest; the cushion has two satin ribbons for securing wedding rings during the marriage ceremony.

Three of the couples shared with the pope their thoughts and concerns about living a Christian marriage and asked for his advice.

While the pope confessed he had the questions in advance and wrote out his answers, that didn’t stop him from straying from the text to give further emphasis and examples.

“Living together is an art, a patient, beautiful and amazing journey” that “doesn’t end when you’ve won over each others’ hearts,” he said. Rather “that’s exactly when it begins!”

A healthy family life, he said,

CNS photo/Paul Haring

An engaged couple wait for the start of Pope Francis’ Valentine Day audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Feb. 14.

Pope Francis holds a rose and chocolates thrown by a person in the crowd as he arrives for an audience for engaged couples in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Feb. 14. absolutely requires frequent use of three phrases: “May I? Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

People need to be more attentive to how they treat each other, he said. They must trade in their heavy “mountain boots” for greater delicacy when walking into someone else’s life.

Love isn’t tough or aggressive, he said, it’s courteous and kind, and in a world that is “often violent and aggressive, we need much more courtesy.”

CNS photo/Paul Haring

Couples also need the strength to recognize when they’ve done wrong and ask forgiveness. The “instinct” to accuse someone else “is at the heart of so many disasters,” starting with Adam, who ate

the forbidden fruit. When God asked him if he did it, the pope said, Adam immediately passes the blame saying, “’Uh, no, it was that one over there who gave it to me!’ Accusing the other to get out of saying ‘I’m sorry’

and ‘Pardon me.’”

Obviously, couples will make mistakes and fight, but “never, never, never end the day without making peace,” the pope said.

An eloquent speech isn’t necessary, he said, but things must be set right because if they aren’t, the bad feelings inside will become “cold and hard and it will be more difficult to make peace” as time goes on.

Many people can’t imagine or are afraid of a love and marriage that lasts forever because they think love is an emotional-physical feeling or state-ofbeing, he said. But “love is a relationship, it’s something that grows.”

The relationship needs to be taken care of every day, “entrusting yourselves to the Lord Jesus in a life that becomes a daily spiritual journey, made step by step, tiny steps” toward greater maturity and spiritual growth, he said.

Like his miracle of multiplying the loaves, Jesus will do the same “also for you,” he said, “multiplying your love and giving it to you good and fresh every day.”

The pope also urged couples to keep their wedding ceremonies low-key, focusing more on Christ than on the dress, decorations and photographers.

A Christian marriage is a celebration, but it must highlight “what’s really important,” and “the true reason for your joy: the blessing of your love by the Lord.”

Manuela Franchini, 29, and Armando Perasole, 30, who are getting married Dec. 12, attended the event. They moved from Naples to Milan for work, and told Catholic News Service that economic and political problems in Italy make it “really hard for families. But with the church there is more hope in being able to make it.”

Robert Duncan, who is a multimedia journalist at the Catholic News Service Rome bureau, and his fiancee, Constance Daggett, were one of the handful of couples chosen to speak about their journeys of faith and love, and to meet the pope.

The two 25-year-olds became Catholics as adults and Duncan said, “The fact that we’re able to begin our marriage in the presence of the pope is a culmination of a process that has been the story of our love.”

Giovanna, an Italian woman at the event with her fiance, said they find inspiration and a model for a happy marriage in two friends of theirs who have been married for many years.

“They look at each other with the same kind of love they had the day they first met,” she said.