THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 38, NO. 28 | MARCH 3, 2017
JOINT STATEMENT OF THE KANSAS BISHOPS ON REFUGEES AND IMMIGRATION
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KANSAS BISHOPS URGE LEADERS TO ‘HEAR THE CRY OF THE POOR’
n recent years, our nation has experienced painful acts of violence and terrorism. Following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, it has become clear that there are those outside as well as inside our borders who wish to harm us. Indeed, the majority of terrorist acts perpetrated in the United States have been home-grown. This recent history clearly reveals a pressing need to protect our citizens. It is an important responsibility of our president and government leaders to protect the safety of the American people. It is reasonable for the new administration to conduct a review of the current refugee vetting procedures, especially from nations where domestic unrest and instability make it difficult to conduct reliable background checks. However, our response to past and present evils must also strive to be consistent with our deeply cherished American values of welcoming refugees and immigrants that is part of the very fabric of our history and national identity. While recognizing how essential it is that prudent measures are taken to protect the safety of American citizens,
we cannot remain indifferent to the plight of refugees, many of them children, who are fleeing from war-torn nations, drug cartels, warlords who build up child armies, and other horrific conditions.
Even a temporary suspension of our refugee programs may place many innocent lives at risk. This is why it is incumbent upon the administration to put in place as soon as possible an improved vetting process that protects the safety of American citizens while at the same time being compassionate and generous in welcoming refugees from the very places where their lives are most at risk. With regard to our immigration policies, there is broad consensus that undocumented immigrants who are members of gangs, involved with drug cartels and/or violent criminals should be deported. However,
it is not true or just to characterize the majority of undocumented immigrants as violent criminals. The mass deportation of the vast majority of undocumented immigrants, who work hard and contribute positively to American society, will result in chaos and unrest in our communities as well as a human rights nightmare with families torn apart, children separated from parents and young people expelled from the only nation they have known. We support measures that secure our borders, stop the flow of illegal drugs and protect the safety of American citizens. We also applaud efforts to reform immigration laws to better serve citizens and immigrants alike. At the same time, we call upon the president to make clear, as recent statements seem to imply, that it is not his intention to increase deportations of undocumented im-
migrants who are hardworking and have not committed serious crimes.
We urge the president and Congress to exercise their leadership, in addition to securing our borders, to develop generous and prudent immigration laws and policies that are as accommodating as possible to the individuals who wish to earn citizenship or to work legally in our country. We are eager to assist the administration with the resettlement of refugees and the welcoming of immigrants. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, reflects the concern of a great many bishops in our nation in his statement that “our Christian mission is clear — we are called to hear the cry of the poor and we are called to open our doors to the stranger who knocks, and to seek the face of Christ who comes to us in the immigrant and refugee.”
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend John B. Brungardt Bishop of Dodge City
Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger Bishop of Salina
Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme Bishop of Wichita
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
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Fasting can be a very powerful — and positive — Lenten discipline
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ent is a season when we experience the solidarity of the entire church supporting us as we each attempt to grow in holiness. Sometimes, the practice of giving up something for Lent, such as sweets, alcohol, television, video games, etc., is perceived as a “negative” approach to Lent in contrast to performing acts of charity for others. I have heard people declare that they are not giving up anything for Lent but, rather, they are doing all positive things. While I understand the sentiment and agree that we must be careful not to turn Lent into an exercise where we are seeking to perfect ourselves through self-discipline, it is erroneous to view various forms of fasting or self-denial as “negative” practices. In reality, fasting can be an extremely powerful form of prayer. In Chapter 9 of St. Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is able to heal a boy that his apostles had failed to help. When the disciples ask Jesus why they were unable to heal the child, Jesus observes that this kind of demon can only be cast out through “prayer and fasting” (9:29 RSV). Fasting can be a powerful form of intercessory prayer for us and others. Fasting also is a means to gain freedom from addictions or dependencies. Fasting empowers us to remove the idols, the false gods, that have become more important to us than our relationship with God. Recently, I visited our seminarians attending St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. One of
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN the unique features of the program at St. John Vianney Seminary is that before beginning theological or philosophical studies, seminarians must participate in what is labeled a “spirituality year.” The entire year is devoted to helping these future priests develop a vibrant prayer life. During the spirituality year, the men attend lectures; however, they are not required to write term papers or take exams. They are given the opportunity to read and ponder Catholic spiritual classics. They study the masters of the Catholic spiritual tradition for their own self-enrichment. During the spirituality year, the men are also required to participate in an immersion experience during which they serve the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. During the course of the year, the seminarians participate in several retreats and the entire experience culminates with a 30-day Ignatian retreat. The spirituality year participants also engage in a technology fast during which they
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can only access the internet for a few hours on Saturday. For many at the beginning of the year, they consider this a Herculean task. But as the year progresses, they discover they are less distracted in prayer and better able to engage in much more fruitful and significant conversations with their classmates. Fasting has the capacity to allow us to experience a greater level of authentic freedom, liberating us from dependencies on material things, while creating opportunities to grow in virtues that enable us to serve others. It also creates an environment where we develop a greater capacity for friendship. An essential for a grace-filled and fruitful Lent is receiving the sacrament of reconciliation. It is through this sacrament that we experience the merciful love of Jesus in a most profound and personal way. A sincere and devout sacramental confession has the power to be life-changing. The sacrament of reconciliation is also all about freedom. This sacrament has a unique power to unburden us from the weight of our sins. Through our experience of sacramental confession, we are better equipped
to bring God’s mercy to others. Once again this Lent, the opportunity for confession will be available in most of our churches every Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. Please take advantage of these Wednesday nights as well as the other opportunities for the sacrament of reconciliation. The Catholic understanding of freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want as long as we do not hurt other people in some obvious way. From the Catholic perspective, freedom is not doing what we prefer but, rather, choosing the noble and the good. In addition to our practices of self-renunciations helping us develop the habits of virtue, our experience of God’s merciful and unconditional love through the sacrament of reconciliation empowers and inspires us to bring God’s mercy to others. While a fruitful Lent will involve acts of self-renunciation, Lent is not primarily about giving up pleasurable things but, rather, about developing the virtues that will help us realize the freedom and the joy that results from loving others. Lent is all about freedom and joy. May our Lenten commitments this year liberate us from being enslaved by false gods, help us grow in virtue and enable us to experience the merciful love of Jesus in a new and more complete way! May Lent help us to be better equipped to bring the merciful and unconditional love of Jesus to others!
ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN
March 25 Parish Benchmark workshop talk
March 4 Interviews with deacon candidates
Pastoral visit — Sacred Heart, Baileyville, and St. Mary, St. Benedict
Men Under Construction — Ascension, Overland Park
March 26 Pastoral visit — St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence
March 5 Rite of Election — Christ the King, Topeka Rite of Election — Savior Pastoral Center March 6 Confirmation — St. Matthew, Topeka March 7 Eucharistic adoration — Bishop Ward High School Priests Personnel meeting Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas board meeting — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kansas Rite of Election — Church of the Nativity, Leawood March 8 Interviews with deacon candidates Ethics Council meeting — Chancery March 9 Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference call
March 3 Mass and confessions — Little Monastery, Kansas City, Kansas March 4 Men Under Construction — Ascension, Overland Park St. James Academy auction March 5 Confirmation — Nativity, Leawood March 6-9 Bishops’ retreat — Portland, Oregon March 10 Confirmation — St. Pius X, Mission March 11 Anointing Mass — Curé of Ars, Leawood March 12 Mass — Federal prison camp
March 10-17 Seminary visit — Pontifical North American College, Rome
March 16 Confirmation — St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence
March 20-22 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting — Washington, D.C.
March 19 Confirmation — Curé of Ars, Leawood
March 23 Confirmation — Divine Mercy, Gardner
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Confirmation — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea
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Baptism of third or more children — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas
March 21 Mass — Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park
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From left, Todd Miller, biology teacher at Maur Hill - Mount Academy in Atchison, checks on the progress of plants in the school’s new greenhouse with students Christian Glielmi and Blake Mispagel. Miller and his botany class started everything from seed in order to avoid diseases from outside bacteria.
Atchison school makes dream greenhouse a reality By Erin Hunninghake Special to The Leaven
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TCHISON — What started out as an “in your wildest dreams” idea, has now grown into a real tool for hands-on-learning and community outreach at Maur Hill Mount Academy here. Thanks to an inspirational seminar two years ago, the idea for an on-campus greenhouse was planted in the mind of MH-MA biology teacher Todd Miller. With the guidance and support of the Mount St. Scholastica Sisters and the MH-MA administration, Miller and his students got to work. MH-MA’s greenhouse is named after internationally renowned Kenyan environmental political activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Maathai was a 1964 graduate of Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College), and the name was suggested by the Sisters of the Mount participating in the project. Turning the greenhouse into a reality was not an easy task, but one that Miller and his class were ready to run down at full speed. The students wrote grant proposals, made presentations
Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President: Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann
and planned fundraisers. They received the majority of their funding from Cargill in the form of a $40,000 grant, as well as $20,000 from individuals in the Atchison community and $25,000 from MH-MA. “Everything fell together nicely,” said Miller. “The timing was right and there was just so much support.” By the middle of October, the students were finally getting their hands dirty in their very own greenhouse — the only one in Atchison County. “We were excited to get started and just really hit the ground running,” said Miller. The Wangari Maathai Greenhouse sits on MH-MA’s property in the empty lot below the main administration building. As people drive up to campus from K-7, the impressive structure immediately catches the eye. The inside, however, is even more impressive, with plants reaching as tall as the ceiling and rows of vegetables stretching from one side to the other. “We had an idea of what we wanted to plant right away,” said Miller. “We decided on cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers — they’re the easiest to grow and what people like the best.” Miller and his botany class started everything from seed in order to
avoid diseases from outside bacteria. Once the vegetables were planted, they moved on to ornamentals, planting almost 400 pots. They also added 40 hanging baskets, which they hope to use for future flower sales. “The kids are getting a lot of experience,” Miller said. “They went from knowing nothing to now being able to really apply their knowledge.” The current botany class is made up of eight students, twice the size of last year’s class. Miller said the botany class has been introducing students to a whole new world, opening them up to subjects they might not have been exposed to before. “Some of them have really shown an interest and might even pursue something in this area,” he said. The class has also opened an avenue for learning self-discipline, problem solving, communication and research skills. Future plans will allow the students to try their hand at the business end of botany. Once spring rolls around, Miller is hoping to open the doors of the Wangari Maathai Greenhouse to sell flowers and vegetables on Saturdays. “This will be a great opportunity for
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students to manage money, to budget, learn about cost analysis and break evens,” Miller said. Adding to the educational benefit is the community outreach aspect. Miller and his students are looking forward to the day that they have enough produce to make their first donation to a local food bank. “We have a lot of opportunities to collaborate with the community, so we’re excited about getting more involved through donations and fundraising events,” he said. One of those fundraising events will be the school’s second annual walkathon on April 1. The walk will begin on MH-MA’s campus, travel through Jackson Park and Riverview Drive and end up back on MH-MA’s campus. More details on the event will be announced closer to the date. After a successful first year, Miller continues to be optimistic about the future of the Wangari Maathai Greenhouse. “There continues to be a lot of support from our (MH-MA) community, as well as Atchison,” he said. “There’s wonderful opportunities to grow, but right now, we’re where we should be.”
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College students SEEK out life changing conference By Karen Bonar Special to The Leaven
in 2015 and introduced her to Father Schmitz’s podcasts. “I listen to his podcast every week,” Keiter said. “During the conference, I ran into him in the hallway and freaked out.” During one of his Keynote talks, Father Schmitz compared SEEK to a greenhouse. “A greenhouse is where they grow the plants inside so they can be uprooted and planted in other environments,” Keiter said of the speech. “He said this conference is like a greenhouse, but you’re not meant to live in a greenhouse. He said we were meant to be rooted in the real world and share our faith with everyone.” She also enjoyed Leah Darrow, a former model who speaks about modesty, dignity, mercy, chastity and conversion. Waldeck said he enjoyed Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput’s talk about building bridges toward other people as a means of evangelization, while Straub said speakers Scott Hahn and Sister Bethany Madonna resonated with her. Maureen Graham, a junior at K-State, said she enjoyed speaker Audrey Assad, the daughter of a Syrian refugee and a speaker, producer and songwriter/musician. Graham said women waited in line for two hours to hear Assad speak. “All these women wanted to hear her story of truth and the healing and forgiveness found through Christ and the church,” Graham said. “She wasn’t scared to share things that were very real and that people don’t often like to talk about. “I learned that no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, there’s healing that comes.”
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — “Lord let my heart be open to whatever you desire — to whatever doors you want to open in my life.” Rebekah Straub prayed this before attending SEEK2017 in San Antonio. Little did she, a sophomore at Benedictine College in Atchison, know the change that would come following the biennial conference, which was hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students Jan. 3 to 7. After a week of listening to dynamic speakers, Straub returned home to Shawnee. When classes resumed at Benedictine, Straub said she was sitting in class the first day of the semester and struggled to pay attention. “I was thinking, ‘Lord is this really your great plan? Is this the great glory you have made me for?’” she said. Up until that time, she planned to major in communications and minor in theology because she wasn’t sure she could handle the academic rigors of the theology program. “In that moment, I said, ‘Lord, if you want me to do this, you are in control and you’re going to have to do it for me,’” Straub said. And, pushing her fears aside, she changed her major to evangelization. “I think that was the first time I had the trust in the Lord that if he’s calling me to do something, he will give me the grace, knowledge and motivation that I need,” Straub said. “It was the first time that I truly trusted that if he’s placing this desire and love for him in my heart, he will give me the tools I need to live and share it,” she added. “When I doubt myself, I’m doubting the Lord’s ability to work through me.” Straub was one of 350 students from Benedictine and one of more than 12,000 college students from across the country who attended the conference. An additional 550 FOCUS missionaries, hundreds of men and women religious and other FOCUS alumni brought the conference numbers to nearly 13,000. Audry Salvador, a FOCUS missionary at Benedictine College, said that is natural to reevaluate one’s spiritual journey after experiencing something like SEEK. “After SEEK, people have the courage and trust to renew the calling and following of God,” Salvador said. “It can be a change in personal life, or even a change of major. It’s not uncommon for people to reexamine how they’re following Christ.” Father Scott Wallisch is the director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He lives in Lawrence, is involved in the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas and makes monthly trips to Benedictine College. In order to spend more time with a variety of youth from the archdiocese, he opted to ride with the students from Kansas State University to SEEK. “As grueling as the bus rides can be, it’s a good time to get to know the students,” said Father Wallisch. “It’s easy to mill around and get to know them, and they can get to know you, too. As vocation director, it’s important to establish yourself as someone they’re comfortable coming and talking to.” Aaron Waldeck, a senior at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, was
Moving forward PHOTO COURTESY OF SEEK2017
Mark Hart, executive vice president of Life Teen International, speaks to the crowd of more than 12,000 at the SEEK2017 conference in San Antonio. among 130 students from the St. Lawrence Center who attended SEEK. Graduating in May from KU with a degree in classical languages, Waldeck will enter Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis in August for the archdiocese. He attended SEEK in 2015 when it was in Nashville, Tennessee, and said his entire college experience with the St. Lawrence Center aided his vocational discernment. “Both times I’ve gone to SEEK were amazing times to witness and see firsthand the importance of the priesthood,” he said. “One of my favorite parts about the conference is the long processions in Mass where you have all of the seminarians, deacons, priests and bishops walk in. Every time I would see those processions, I had a strong desire to be involved in them.”
Inspiring speakers But the conference was more than processions. The lineup for the conference included nearly three dozen Catholic speakers from around the country. Julia Keiter, a junior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, attended SEEK for the first time. One of about
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“AFTER SEEK, PEOPLE HAVE THE COURAGE AND TRUST TO RENEW THE CALLING AND FOLLOWING OF GOD. IT CAN BE A CHANGE IN PERSONAL LIFE, OR EVEN A CHANGE OF MAJOR. IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR PEOPLE TO REEXAMINE HOW THEY’RE FOLLOWING CHRIST.” Audry Salvador, FOCUS missionary at Benedictine College in Atchison 180 students from K-State who attended, she said she was looking forward to hearing Father Mike Schmitz, the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Keiter said several friends attended
Graham said students from K-State who attended SEEK are now encouraging others to join them in attending daily Mass. And in her personal life, Graham said she has taken a serious look at her daily prayer life. “Now that I have so many tools from the conference, I am seeing what I am doing and what I can change to be holier and a more devout Catholic every day,” she said. One area Waldeck said he’s long understood is the importance of centering one’s life around prayer. “I often struggled with making a specific time to pray,” he said. “I learned that instead of building prayer around my schedule, I need to work on building my schedule around prayer. “Prayer is the cornerstone, rather than me trying to fit it in.” Salvador said taking 350 students to SEEK was a blessing. As a missionary, she hopes to continue to build on the opportunities for encountering Christ. “We’re trying to boost Bible study and retreat sign-ups,” she said. “We are working on different activities to help students take what they experienced [here at this conference] and put it into action. “This isn’t intended to be a one-time event. The real win is when they take what they learned and turn it into a living relationship with Christ.” Karen Bonar is the editor of The Register in the Diocese of Salina.
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
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Solar provides safe alternative to African families Ugandan priest with archdiocesan ties gathers support for lights
Help provide light to the poor You can save a life and the planet by helping replace crude kerosene lamps with solar lamps in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, Africa is inundated with low-quality solar lamps. Sun24 is a reputable nonprofit that donates quality, warrantied lights through the Catholic dioceses there. But it needs help fundraising to purchase lamps. If your parish has a twin parish in Africa, funds can be directed to that church. For more information, contact Kevin McKlean through the Sun24 website at: https://sun24. solar.
By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’” counseled Catholics to join as a global community in protecting the earth. Subtitled “On Care For Our Common Home,” the document explained how those in developed nations have a moral responsibility to help those most impacted by environmental degradation, the poorest of the poor. Kevin McKlean, president of Sun24, a nonprofit based in Florida, has found a way to heed that plea by partnering with the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa to distribute solar lights to families without electricity. And he’s reaching out to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to join his effort. The concept of Sun24 came about after McKlean contacted a microfinance nonprofit he worked with in Uganda to offer them a donation of LED lights. “I’m an environmentalist,” he said. “So I contacted the president of that organization thinking that they still were using incandescent lights. “She told me they did not, in fact, even have electricity.” That got McLean researching. He found that 1.3 billion people worldwide are without electricity, and half of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. Crude kerosene lamps are the main source of lighting in these areas, and McKlean was appalled at the health hazards associated with the lamps, as well as their disastrous impact on the environment. Father Emmanuel Tamale, former pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Emporia, is well aware of the problem. In 2006, Sacred Heart Parish established a sister-parish relationship with Father Tamale’s home parish, Our Lady of Fatima in Mubende, Uganda. Father Tamale now resides in the Kiyinda-Mityana diocesan headquarters, about 50 miles southeast of Mubende. But on a recent visit to the archdiocese, he talked about the poor of Africa and their desperate need for solar lamps. “In my diocese, few homes have electricity,” he said. “Traditionally, we use kerosene lamps, which cause hazards and fires.
A girl from the sub-Saharan region in Africa does her homework by a solar lamp made possible by Sun24, a not-for-profit company in Florida and Father Emmanuel Tamale, a Ugandan priest who formerly served at Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia. “The kerosene lamps give off a lot of fumes and a lot of soot, which cause lung disease and headaches. “And sometimes the children even swallow the kerosene.” Worldwide, one million people die every year from fires related to fuel lamps. Drinking kerosene is by far the leading cause of child poisoning in the developing world. “There are so many reasons to get rid of these,” said McKlean. Kerosene is also expensive for the subsistence farmers who use the lamps. “You have to understand,” said Father Tamale, “the cost of kerosene in Uganda is about 75 cents, and the income of our people is about $6 a month. “So, that is a big expense on the part of a family.” Added to the human hardship caused
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by kerosene lamps is their negative impact on the environment. Fuel lamps emit black carbon, which is now known to cause more climate damage than methane. In fact, it is second only to CO2 in the damage it causes. McKlean found a simple solution to this huge problem in solar lamps. “By replacing one kerosene lamp with a solar lamp, we can reduce 1.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent,” McLean said. He offered this comparison. “In two years (the lifespan of a solar light), one crude kerosene lamp damages the climate as much as driving 4,250 miles in a typical American car.” At a cost of about $5 each, small solar lamps are a healthy, cost-efficient alternative to fuel lamps, and they provide better light. But Sun24 needed a method for get-
ting the solar lights to families in need. McKlean found the perfect distribution partner in the Catholic Church. “The Catholic Church has an incredible infrastructure in Africa,” he explained. “Parishes are extremely spread out, so they have outstations. “There can be 15 or 20 outstations [per parish] and they can be very remote. The parish priest doesn’t get out there every Sunday. “So they put their catechists to great use.” Father Tamale called the parish catechists the “right hand of the priest.” “We have a parish, like Sacred Heart,” he explained, “but it has many outstations. So the catechists are the ones who go to those outstations.” The distribution process for Sun24 relies on this structure. “We donate the lights to the diocese,” explained McKlean. “The diocese distributes the lights to the parish priests, who then distribute them to the catechists. “They know their communities. So through this structure, we were able to get right down to the very poorest of poor.” McKlean also appreciates the Catholic philosophy of “need, not creed.” “Importantly, the Catholic Church is very good about not only providing benefits to its members,” he said That philosophy played out when Sun24 donated 1,000 lights to Father Tamale’s diocese. “The mission is based on the model of one-plus-one,” said Father Tamale. “An individual is given two [solar lamps], one for the Catholic family and the other is a gift to give to a non-Catholic family. “And this has even created relationships and opportunities for evangelizing. “The Sun24 solar lights are a great blessing.”
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
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WORKERS thein VINEYARD
TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus
Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving
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small table with a cross and a statue of Mary prominently placed in the area where your family gathers during the evening can be a reminder to focus on prayer as family during Lent. Daily, as a family: • Pray the rosary • Allow (and guide if ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 needed) each child to lead a decade of the rosary • Spend a moment to meditate on each mystery • Lift up friends or family who need prayer. — Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant for the archdiocesan family life office
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CHURCH OF THE WEEK
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG
Katie Frandsen, a member of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, volunteers at Welcome Central in Leavenworth. She finds the experience gives her great joy.
Happiness is this volunteer’s motivation By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org
St. Philip Neri, Osawatomie Address: 500 Parker Ave. Phone: (913) 755-2652 Pastor: Father Shawn Tunink Mass times: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:45 a.m. Email: stunick@gmail.com Website: http://www.stphilipnerioz.org MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TOUR of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org
WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Maur Hill-Mount Academy girls basketball
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EAVENWORTH — If you ask Katie Frandsen why she volunteers for Sister Vickie Perkins at Welcome Central here, she’ll tell you her motivation is selfish. “Because it makes me happy,” she says. “When I go home on Tuesday, I feel like it’s been a good day. “I’ve helped some people and, in some way, they’ve helped me, too.” Frandsen, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales, Lansing, is also part of the Friendly Visitors program with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. She was familiar with Welcome Central through Catholic Charities and felt a calling to volunteer there when she saw an ad in her church bulletin. “Sometimes, if you’re a believer, it’s not a coincidence,” she said about the ad. “I think it’s easy to think, ‘That’s interesting, I’ll call and see about that,’ without realizing that’s really God speaking to you.” A psychiatric nurse who retired in 2011, Frandsen felt her background suited her to work at the center where clients often deal with mental illness. “I called and it was arranged that I could volunteer on Tuesdays,” she said. “Working with Sister [Vickie] is a piece of amazement in itself.” Sister Vickie is coordinator of
Welcome Central, an outreach ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in collaboration with area churches. Opened in downtown Leavenworth two years ago, the ministry is staffed by volunteers who help the poor connect with social services, fill out forms needed for those services and secure transportation. “It’s basically a day center,” explained Frandsen. “People come for support and fellowship. “When they come in, we do an intake form and they may need help with housing, rent or landlords. They may be having trouble finding food or getting enough food. “It may be they need a birth certificate or they need to file for disability.” The primary task of the volunteers at Welcome Central is to help those in need find the right resources. They also provide transportation so those resources can be accessed. “There are people who drive; there are people who do the dispatching,” said Frandsen, who is a favored dispatcher among the drivers. “People call in and we’ll kind of book a ride,” she said. “We’ll get their name and where they’re going and a telephone number. “Our drivers — a lot of them are retired Sisters — get them where they’re going. Then they’ll call and say they’re ready to go home, and we arrange that.
“It’s kind of a science and an art to get that done.” As a dispatcher, Frandsen also schedules showers for people at a nearby community center and hands out laundry assistance bags put together by her parish youth group. Each bag contains a laundry pod, a dryer sheet and enough quarters for a wash and dry. “That’s very practical,” she said. “And I’m so proud of our youth group every time I give that stuff out.” In essence, Frandsen does a little bit of everything at Welcome Central, but the most satisfying aspect of her volunteer work is simply being present for those in need. “I feel like if I can talk to somebody and make their day better because I’ve been pleasant, or I remembered their name, or I’ve had a cup of coffee with them,” she said, “that can ease a burden. “That human touch of giving someone your full attention for a few minutes — that may be all you can do, but it’s something. “If you’re able to understand that and be present, that’s a merciful thing.” And that act of mercy is what brings happiness to Frandsen at Welcome Central. “It’s really an amazing place,” she said. “People are helped there every Tuesday that I’m there. “It’s really nice to be just a small part of that.”
Head coach: Brad Kunecke Record: 9-8
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• VIDEO REPORT: To learn more about Maur HillMount Academy girls basketball, see Todd Habiger’s Team of the Week report. • PHOTOS: Check out Lori Wood Habiger’s photo gallery from the Maur Hill-McLouth game on Feb. 14. All this and more can be found online at: www.theleaven.org.
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Goldenberg Duo highlights March 7 concert
EAVENWORTH — The University of Saint Mary here will present the brother and sister duo of violinist Susan Goldenberg and pianist William Goldenberg at 12:10 p.m. on March 7 in the Mead Hall Walnut Room on USM’s campus, located at 4100 S. 4th St. The performance is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Susan Goldenberg has been a member of the first
violin section of the Kansas City Symphony for 36 years, while William Goldenberg is a distinguished professor and chair of piano at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The Goldenberg Duo has performed thousands of concerts around the world — most recently in Iberia, Italy and France this past summer. The duo’s program at Saint Mary will include works by Schubert, Bridge, Debussy and Gershwin.
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
Author shares secrets of ‘powerhouse’ parish vocations ministries By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
K
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Perhaps there is no “silver bullet” answer to the question: “How do we encourage more vocations in the church?” But Rhonda Gruenewald — a wife, mother and convert from Texas — seems to have come up with something that’s pretty close. Gruenewald has written “Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry.” It’s about how any parish can (and should) establish a vocations ministry. The author will present a three-hour workshop drawing from her book from 6-9 p.m. on March 10 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas. This is not just another book about increasing vocations, said Father Scott Wallisch, archdiocesan vocations director. “The point of these vocations ministries is to establish a group of people in each parish to do things in the parish to build a culture of vocations,” he said. “It’s not just from the top down. It’s on a very local scale.” Both Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Father Wallisch are so
excited by the potential in this approach that every pastor in the archdiocese has been asked to send a delegation to the workshop. The beauty of this approach is that it empowers the laity and supports pastors — without loading upon them another responsibility. The only thing a pastor has to do is find the lay leadership and send them to the workshop. “I’m not looking to give our priests one more thing to do,” said Father Wallisch. “As good as our culture of vocations is in the archdiocese, I think we can do much better.” Currently, between 10 and 15 parishes have vocations committees. The Serra Clubs are strong supporters of vocations efforts, as is the archdiocesan vocations office. The vocations ministries designed by Gruenewald do not replace these established entities and activities, but rather complement them. And the fact that they are not “committees” is significant. “When you think of a committee, people often think of a group of people that get together to make decisions,” said Father Wallisch. “Whereas with a ministry, people understand they are gathering as a way of serving their brothers and sisters in Christ by organizing initiatives
that can promote vocations, encourage discernment of vocations, support existing vocations and create a culture of vocations in a parish. “Although the difference seems just a matter of two words, it’s more likely to be effective, engaging and proactive if it is a ministry rather than a committee.” Some of the questions Gruenewald will address include: • What is a vocations ministry? • Why does each parish need a vocations ministry? • What are the goals of a vocations ministry? • What does a healthy ministry look like? • What kind of activities should it do? • What “phases” will the ministry go through? • How will the ministry be sustained? “I think this approach will be much more effective,” said Father Wallisch. “A lot of people can come to this event and be inspired to go back to their parishes with concrete things they can do, and stepby-step ways of creating these ministries.” There is no cost to attend and the event is open to the public, but workshop participants are encouraged to register at the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org. Interested persons may also contact Melanie Savner in the archdiocesan vocations office for more information by calling (913) 647-0303.
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Richard and Sharon Khoury, members of Church of the Nativity, Leawood, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 28 with Mass, followed by a limo ride and a family dinner. This summer, they will also celebrate their anniversary on a Disney Cruise with their children and grandchildren. The couple was married on Jan. 28, 1967, at St. Ann Church, Prairie Village. Their children are: Elaina Boudreau, Rick Khoury and Peggy Bennett. They also have five grandchildren. Mathias Joseph and Arthena Christina Massoth, members of St. Joseph of the Valley Parish, rural Leavenworth, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary first on March 2 with a family dinner and then with a Mass on March 4. The couple was married at St. Patrick Church, Chanute, by Father Peter Finnegan. Their children are: Cynthia Ann McMurtrey, Angela Maria Conrad, Rebecca Lea Leos and Mathias David Massoth. They also have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices. • Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.
DON’T LET ILLNESS GET YOU DOWN BY RITA E. PIRO
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ood health is undeniably one of our greatest blessings from God. Be it minor aches and pains, an annoying chronic condition or a debilitating illness, health issues are welcomed by no one. How we deal with our bodily ills — whether with a joyful heart or a crushed spirit — can be far more an important factor in the successful management of our health than any medicine, therapy or physician could ever be. This was all brought home to me one night last year when I was whisked away to a hospital after suddenly becoming seriously ill. During the next several months of treatment for a previously undetected health issue, I found great support in my faith, secure in the knowledge that no matter what course my health would take, Jesus would be at my side through it all. So often when we pray during poor health, we ask only to be made well again. During the course of my treatment, I encountered numerous opportunities, both positive and negative, that actually served to strengthen my relationship with God and God’s people. Here are five ways that can help you maintain a joyful heart in the midst of medical challenges.
1
Turn to God
No matter the nature of the health issue facing us, shock and disbelief at our diagnosis are often our first reactions. We might ask ourselves, "How did this happen?" "Could it have been found sooner?" And, of course, the ubiquitous "Why me?" When coming face to face with your diagnosis, resist the common reaction of turning away from God, especially in anger. God is also saddened by your illness. God already knows that the road ahead of you will, at times, be a difficult one. Realize, however, that God is ready to carry you along this journey. Be open to God’s comforting embrace. As I lay in the emergency room that night, tethered to a host of machines that beeped and buzzed with my every breath, my prayer was not “Jesus, I know that you will save me,” but, “Jesus, I know that you will stay with me.” Thankfully, he did both.
2
Give yourself a break
We are often quick to blame ourselves for our health problems. Some thoughts that might race through our minds are: I should have stopped smoking. Did I really need to drink so much? Why didn’t I exercise like the doctor told me? While we may speak of the importance of forgiv-
ing others, we often forget to forgive ourselves. Give yourself the gift of reconciliation. Recognize your past mistakes, wipe the slate clean and ask for God’s help in adopting whatever measures are necessary to improve or control your health situation. By showing yourself the same amount of compassion that Jesus shows us, you will be honoring both the life and the body that God has given you.
3
Always be thankful
Though appointments, tests and procedures may seem annoying at best, offer prayers of gratitude for the incredible knowledge and abilities with which God has gifted our physicians, nurses, technicians and all other health care workers. The nurse who makes certain you are comfortable, the doctor who successfully completes your surgery, the pharmacist who puts your prescriptions in order, the receptionist who works you into the doctor’s busy schedule: They are today’s co-ministers of Jesus.
4
Step up your faith
Frequent attendance at Mass, reception of the Eucharist and prayer are tried-and-true ways to find solace through our faith. But do not hesitate to seek out new ways of increasing your faith experience. A powerful way of maintaining a joyful heart through illness is to involve yourself with a local community of consecrated religious, be they male or female. As a teacher for 25 years at a Catholic high school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, I have been fortunate to be able to share in the mission and charism of this particular community of women religious. There are numerous communities that you might contact, such as the Franciscans, the Benedictines, the
Mercies, the Jesuits and many others. Most have programs for lay associates and co-ministers that allow you to take part in their sponsored ministries, special events, prayer groups or meetings. If you cannot physically connect with a community, you probably can electronically. Nearly all religious communities maintain interactive websites that allow followers to join in prayer, petition, readings, videos, live chats, streaming liturgies and prayer services, commentaries and more. By involving yourself with a community, you will not only add a new dimension to your own faith experience, but also draw continual comfort and support. You might even find that your presence and contributions are providing the same comfort and support to others whom you are touching with your life. Don’t forget that you may also connect electronically with all the major Catholic shrines around the world. Can’t get to Lourdes, Lisieux, Assisi or the Vatican? Simply go online to find their live services, presentations, prayers and soothing images.
5
Always pray
Prayer should be at the center of our existence, no matter where we are on our life’s journey. A favorite of many in need is the beloved Serenity Prayer, which may provide just the right combination of acceptance, strength and hope needed during any trial: God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. This article appeared originally in St. Anthony Messenger and is reproduced with permission of Franciscan Media. Rita E. Piro is the author of many articles and books. She is on the faculty at The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, New York.
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
10
Wrestler never backed down from a challenge >> Continued from page 16 deserves everything he gets.”
The learning years Lautt admits to being a little overwhelmed and lacking confidence his freshman year at St. James. “Everyone was so much more mature than me,” he said. Despite those struggles, Lautt finished sixth at state as a freshman. The best, however, was yet to come. As a sophomore, Lautt won his first state championship, in the 160-pound division. “My sophomore year was my first [championship], which was special,” Lautt said. “I pinned him in the first period, which was cool.” His junior year, however, Lautt looked for a new challenge. He got that by moving up to 170 pounds, putting him in direct competition with Maize High School’s Brett Moon, the defending 6A state champion, whose
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ONCEPTION, Mo. — Father Aidan McSorley, OSB, 76, a monk of Conception Abbey here, died on Feb. 20 at the Monarch Rehab Behavioral Health Center in Cameron, Missouri. He was buried in the abbey cemetery after a Mass of Christian Burial on Feb. 24. Father Aidan had been a resident of the abbey’s Saint Stephen’s Health Center since 2012. Despite long-term health challenges, Father Aidan continued to work as a library assistant and curator of rare books. He moved to the Cameron facility on Feb. 11 due to increasing health concerns.
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school had dropped to 5A. “Clay has always stepped up to wrestle the best kids he could,” said Medina. “Wrestling Brett Moon at state last year — Brett had won 96 straight matches, hadn’t been taken down in two years — Clay saw it as a challenge.” Lautt ended Moon’s win streak with a 3-1 victory in the finals of the state tournament. “That was one of the top moments of my wrestling career,” Lautt said. “I wanted that so bad. He beat me twice before in some controversial matches. I could have bumped up in weight and maybe had an easier bracket, but I was pretty determined that I wanted to beat him.”
Looking to excel In Lautt’s four years at St. James in Lenexa, Medina has found him to be a sponge for information. “Clay’s a learner, he’s a listener, he pays attention. He’s very coachable,” Medina said.
In the summer of 2016, Lautt got some international experience by wrestling Greco-Roman style for the United States in the 2016 Cadet World Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, Russia. “Clay didn’t feel like he was a Greco wrestler where you can’t touch the legs — it’s more upper body,” said Medina. “But he wanted to learn that style.” “That was one of the best experiences of my life,” Lautt said. “The environment is so . . . different. Everyone is there representing their country. It was very intense.” Next year, Lautt will attend the University of North Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. But as he looks to the future, Lautt can’t help but pause to acknowledge the St. James community who helped him in so many ways to grow and mature. “I’d like to thank all the people and teachers for helping me be a better person,” Lautt said. “And Coach Medina for helping me be a better wrestler.”
Father Aidan McSorley, OSB Father Aidan was born Francis William McSorley on July 9, 1941, the son of Francis and Helen (Bergman) McSorley. Frank, as he was known, attended Blessed Sacrament School in Kansas City, Kansas, from which he graduated in 1955. After spending a year at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, he entered Saint John’s Minor Seminary in Elkhorn, Nebraska, which was staffed and operated by the monks of Conception Abbey’s daughter house, which became Mount Michael Abbey. After graduation from the seminary in 1959, he entered Conception Seminary. He
entered the novitiate at Conception Abbey in 1961. He made his profession of first monastic vows in 1962, at which time he took the name Aidan. Father Aidan continued his studies and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1964. He also took up theological studies. In 1966, Father Aidan began graduate studies in library science at Rosary College at River Forest, Illinois. He continued his studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. A year after earning a master of arts in theology in 1969 at Conception Seminary, he received a master of science degree. He was ordained to the priesthood on Nov. 28, 1969. Father Aidan became an assistant in the
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Conception Abbey library in 1966 and then served as head librarian from 1982 to 1996. He earned a third master’s degree in 1978, when he completed the Christian Spirituality program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to his work in the abbey library, Father Aidan served as a chaplain, confessor and spiritual adviser, monastery barber, curator of the abbey stamp collection, bell-ringer, intentionarius and sacristan. He also was assistant pastor from 1988 to 2002 at St. Joseph Ukrainian-Byzantine Rite Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was pastor from 2002 to 2012 at St. Joseph Parish in Parnell, Missouri. He also served as a summer chaplain in 1988 at Domus Pacis in Fatima, Portugal.
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
NATION
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Chicago Catholic college’s basketball chaplain? A 97-year-old nun
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HICAGO (CNS) — Religious and clergy alike do their part to help the Ramblers’ men’s basketball team at Loyola University Chicago. The team’s chaplain since 1994 has been Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is now 97 years old. She also is the newest member of Loyola’s sports hall of fame. She was inducted Jan. 21. Sister Jean has become a fixture on campus, even getting her own bobblehead day before a game in appreciation for her service. She keeps an office in the Student Center where her door is always open, and she lives in a dorm with 400 undergraduate students, where she also serves as their chaplain. She leads the team in a pregame prayer. A writer for ESPN who listened in before one game characterized it as a mix of prayer, scouting report and motivational speech. She begins each prayer with the phrase “Good and gracious God.” “I love every one of them,” she told the Chicago Catholic, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “I talk about the game to them and then they go out and play.” In addition to the team, Sister Jean also leads the entire crowd in a prayer before tip-off. The 5-foot nun can be seen at every home game of the men’s team. She’s most often decked out in Loyola gear and wearing her trademark maroon Nike tennis shoes with gold laces that have “Sister” stitched onto the heel of her left shoe and “Jean” stitched on the heel of her right shoe. Born in San Francisco in 1919, Sister Jean played six-on-six girls’ basketball in high school. Returning to California after entering the convent in Iowa — she joined the order in 1937 when she was 18 — she taught elementary school and volunteered as a coach in public schools in Los Angeles when she was teaching in that city. She coached everything from girls’ basketball, volleyball and softball to Ping-Pong and the yo-yo. She told ESPN she had her girls’ team play against the boys to “toughen” them. Two of Bob Hope’s children were Sister Jean’s students, and the children of Frank Sinatra and John Wayne also attended the school, she said. In 1961, Sister Jean took a teaching job at Mundelein College, the women’s college that prepared its students to teach, which was located next to Loyola in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. She remembers when, two years later, the Loyola Ramblers beat the University of Cincinnati in the NCAA men’s basketball
CNS PHOTO/KAREN CALLAWAY, CHICAGO CATHOLIC
Longtime chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team and campus icon, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 97, greets players after a game Feb. 12. She is the newest member of the school’s sports hall of fame. championship game. “That night, another nun and I watched it on a TV about this big,” she told ESPN, depicting a television roughly the size of a toaster. “It was a [tape] delay thing. Of course, we didn’t have cellphones, so nobody told us we won the game.” Mundelein merged with Loyola in 1991, and she moved along with it. In 1994, Sister Jean became chaplain of the men’s basketball team. She has missed only two home games since then. Sister Jean gets healthy cheers from the home crowd when her name is announced over the public address system. And during the game, she cheers at the good moments and winces at the bad. Before home games, Sister Jean waits for the team and sits on a bench near the entrance to the court where the players come in. Students stop by to say hello.
Referees come over to hug her. During games she sits up behind the home bench intently watching the action. After games she emails each player pointing out what they did well and what they can work on. When Loyola Coach Porter Moser took the job in 2011, one of the first people he heard from was Sister Jean, who gave him a scouting report of all the players. Off the court, she reviews the stats of Loyola’s next opponents online and confers with the players and the coach. One testament to her longevity is that Sister Jean is now on her fifth coach. She recalled the time when she was near the scorer’s table as the opposing coach approached to submit his starting lineup. “Oh, do you want me to do your lineup for you?” Sister Jean asked. The coach agreed. She provided the jersey
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numbers for four of the players the coach had planned to submit, then turned back to him and said, “The fifth one’s on you.” Loyola’s Jesuits also have their role to play with the basketball program. On Feb. 20, two days before the last home game of the season — known on campus as the Jesuit Jam — several priests unveiled a new video made to the tune of Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem.” Called “Jesu-Lit,” the video features not only Sister Jean but also Loyola’s president, Jo Ann Rooney. It can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/jpfemf9. It was created by Jesuit Father Michael Martinez, who goes by the moniker “Miami Mike” in the video. The video might have worked. Loyola beat Drake — the university, not the hiphop star — 80-65 on Feb. 22.
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CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Web manager – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is accepting applications for a full-time web manager. Duties include managing and maintaining internal websites and managing the digital media center. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Position requires bachelor’s degree in related field, and the candidate must have past experience in web design and management. Knowledge of Blackbaud Net Community a plus. A complete job description and required application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Webmaster, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@archkck.org. Principal - St. Ann’s Elementary school in Carthage, Missouri has an open position for principal. Requirements: active catholic with a passion fro Catholic education; Missouri (or other) educator certification; master’s in education administration (or in progress) and administrative experience, especially in Catholic school, preferred. Send resume with three professional references to: Father J. Friedel, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 812 Pearl Ave., Joplin, MO 64801. Bookkeeper position – Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas has an immediate opening for a full-time bookkeeper position. The bookkeeper will assist with month-end closing activities, balance-sheet account reconciliations, account analysis, a/p, a/r, as well as manage the external audit of financial statements. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, two years’ related experience and excellent communication skills. Qualified individuals should email resume to: svallejo@cathcemks.org or mail to: Catholic Cemeteries, Attn: Sharon Vallejo, PO Box 2327, Kansas City, KS 66110. Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, and cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans. Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: AssistedTransportation.com. EEO.
Cafeteria/catering manager - Bishop Miege High School is accepting applications for the 2017-18 school year for a cafeteria/catering manager to supervise the preparation of daily breakfast and lunch during the school day, as well as catered events throughout the school year. Qualified applicants should have experience in menu preparation, supply management, financial accounting, as well as strong organizational, supervision and personal skills. Email letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com. Office help - Optometrist in need of part-time office help. 10 - 12 hours per week, Lenexa. Email resume to: drloughman@gmail.com or fax to (913) 307-0535. Teachers - St. James Academy is seeking several teachers for the 2017-18 school year. The ideal candidates will be practicing Catholics with a passion for evangelization and discipleship who are licensed and experienced in their content areas. Current openings include physical education and Spanish teachers, as well as a campus minister. Interested candidates should apply to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas at: www.archkckcs. org. Send resumes and cover letters to the principal, Dr. Shane Rapp, at: srapp@sjakeepingfaith.org. Volunteers needed - Want to make a difference? The Human rights office prison ministry program at the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is looking for volunteers to help with projects at the Catholic Center located at 20 W. 9th St. in Kansas City, Missouri. Grab a friend, you pick the hour and days. Free coffee and parking, nice people. You will be touching lives every day! For more information, call program coordinator Laurie at (816) 714-2364 or volunteer Mark Henke at (913) 909-1019. Principal - St. Peter’s Middle School/McAuley Catholic High School in Joplin, Missouri, is looking for a principal. Requirements: active Catholic with a passion for Catholic education; Missouri (or other) educator certification. Master’s in education administration (or in progress) and administrative experience, especially in Catholic schools, preferred. Send resume with three professional references to Georgiana L. McGriff, director, Joplin area Catholic schools at: gmcgriff@jacss.org.
Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, roundtrip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Physical education instructor and head football coach - Sacred Heart Jr.-Sr. High School in Salina is now accepting applications for a strength and conditioning/ physical education instructor and head football coach for the 2017-18 school year. Sacred Heart School serves approximately 200 students in grades 7 - 12. A competitive salary and benefit package with a matching 401(k) is being offered. Teachers committed to excellence in education and the development of a Christian spirit within the Catholic faith community are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send a letter of application and resume to: John Krajicek, Principal, Sacred Heart High School, 234 E. Cloud, Salina, KS 67401 or send an email to: john@sacredheartknights.org. Office manager/bookkeeper - Small family-owned manufacturing company in Shawnee is seeking an individual to manage day-to-day office needs including reception, a/p, a/r, payroll and bank reconciliation. Prior office experience, knowledge of general ledgers, great customer service skills and computer proficiency included. Office applications preferred. Full range of benefits included; health and 401(k). Contact Andrea at (913) 441-4120 or email resume to: info@c-rmfg.com to apply. Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 8251921. Basketball coach - St. James Academy is seeking a head girls basketball coach and cheer and dance coaches for the 2017-18 season. The ideal candidates will be practicing Catholics with a passion for evangelization and discipleship with experience coaching at the high school or college level. Interested candidates should email resumes and cover letters to the activities and athletic director, Mr. Mark Huppe, at: mhuppe@ sjakeepingfaith.org. Assistant to ReachKCK coordinator - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is accepting applications for a part-time administrative position in the ReachKCK youth ministry outreach of the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. This position is approximately 15 hours per week. Duties include supporting youth programs and events, creating publicity materials, data entry, managing social media and handling various logistics. Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have a minimum of three years’ work experience, including at least one year of administrative experience. Knowledge of youth ministry in an urban setting and Spanish preferred. A complete job description and required application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Youth Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@arch kck.org. Groundskeeping position - $30K. Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position, hours Monday through Saturday. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit and experience operating construction equipment would be a plus. Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Matt Wirtz at (913) 371-4040 or you may email a resume to: svallejo@cathcemks.org. Administrative help - Small, growing business is looking for dependable, trustworthy and upbeat person to help with answering customer calls, shipping packages and general inventory management. Experience with Mac computer, UPS WorldShip, QuickBooks helpful, but will train right person. Overland Park-based with fun, casual environment. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 - 5 p.m., or possible full time; $12 per hour during training. No benefits. To apply, email resume to: orders@roarpostalsupplies.com. Sales associate - Kansas City Home Medical Supply, a locally owed multilocation medical supply company, is seeking a retail store sales associate. Part-time and full-time positions available in Overland Park and Lee’s Summit. Candidate must enjoy working with the elderly, be enthusiastic and outgoing with great customer service skills. Candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team and be open to in-house training of safe and appropriate product usage. Computer literate with attention to detail a must. Open to community education in the future a plus. Send resume to: info@kchomemed.com.
SERVICES Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr. com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer. com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.
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Handyman/remodeler - Quality service with references. Kitchens, baths, tile, painting, garage doors and openers, decks and wood rot repair. Call Jeff at (913) 915-4738. HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com
Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting. Hedge trimming, mulch, leaf removal. Fully insured and free estimates. John Rodman (913) 548-3002
NELSON CREATIONS L.L.C. Home remodeling, design/build, kitchens, baths, all interior and exterior work. Family owned and operated; over 25 years experience. Licensed and insured; commercial and residential. Kirk and Diane Nelson. (913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net
Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload, and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammermoving.com.
STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.
Tupperware lady - Can help you with orders, parties, warranties and any questions you may have. Call Susy at (913) 706-9422 or send an email to: SusyRtupperware @gmail.com or order directly at: susyrodriguez. my.tuppperware.com.
Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
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 Doll dresses - First Communion dress sets for 18” or American Girl dolls. Includes dress, veil, shoes, tights and cross necklace. Full line of doll clothes and accessories in south Johnson County. Call Patty at (913) 3459498.
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!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 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. Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service – Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118. DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time. Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did. Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com 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: dan deeconst@aol.com. Helping Hand Handy Man - Semiretired handyman can help with your “to-do list.” Small and medium projects around your house. Also electrical; ceiling fans, light fixtures, outlet and switches. Most deck and shed repairs, power washing, restaining and painting. No yard work. Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe. Call Mark Coleman at (913) 526-4490. Thank you for another great year - Through your support, my family has been blessed and my business has grown. We do windows, trim, siding, doors, decks, interior and exterior painting, wood rot, bathroom renovations, tile and sheetrock. If you need work done around your home, we can do it. Josh (913) 709-7230.
Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.
CAREGIVING 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. Senior care and helper - I am a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Virginia and the University of Mary. I am also a husband and father of two young children. I enjoy working with, learning from and exchanging stories with the senior population and America’s Greatest Generation. This may include, but not be limited to, nursing care, grocery shopping, yard work, medical appointments, companionship and helping around the home. Parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish. Call Matt at (913) 721-6543 to set up a no-obligation meeting to see if we are a good fit for one another. Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.
FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC)
WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. Wanted to buy - I’m Mark Edmondson, a local parishioner at Holy Trinity, and I buy and sell houses in any condition. If you have a house “situation,” call me. I might have a solution for you. (913) 980-4905. 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
ROOMMATE Roommate wanted - Catholic lady seeking roommate to share furnished apartment: 2/bedrm-2/bath at the Legends in Kansas City, Kansas. Access to pool, gym, clubhouse and theater suite. Secured building. Facility requires security check. Call (913) 745-6674.
PILGRIMAGE Fatima/Medjugorje pilgrimage - Celebrate the 100th anniversary of apparitions in Fatima with a pilgrimage to Fatima and Medjugorje. Oct. 25 to Nov. 9, 2017. Call Grace at (913) 449-1806 for details. (Dates subject to change.)
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
CALENDAR BOOK SIGNING Trinity House 6731 W. 119th St., Overland Park March 4 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The book, “Moving Mountains,” is an inspiring, true story of Terri Kern, her faith-filled will to live and her family’s journey through suffering to joy. Join authors Terri and Mike Kern for a book signing.
POLKA DANCE Knights of Columbus Hall 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
The entry fee is $10 and includes hours of fun and dancing. The money raised has gone to the priests and seminarians for the last 30 years. For more information, call Dan Nicks at (913) 406-8717.
ST. JOSEPH TABLE AND PASTA DINNER St. Joseph Parish (McDevitt Hall) 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee March 5 - Table blessing at 8:30 a.m. Viewing from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The suggested cost to attend is a freewill donation. A variety of items will be featured for purchase. Proceeds will benefit the needy in the parish and the Shawnee community. For more information, call Christine Marion at (913) 268-6677.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. Patrick Parish 6606 Atlantic St., Corning March 5 from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Breakfast will be served, and there will also be a country store and a raffle.
RUNNIN’ REVS Bishop Miege High School (gym) 5041 Reinhardt Rd., Roeland Park March 6 at 7 p.m.
Priests and seminarians (the Revs) will challenge 8th-grade and high school youth from Catholic schools in a fun and competitive basketball game. Donations and a silent auction will benefit seminarians. For more information, go online to the website at: kckvocations.com.
‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’ Holy Trinity School (gym) 13600 W. 92nd St., Lenexa March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.
Join the 7th- and 8th-grade students as they sing and dance their way through the 1920s in 20 countries to bring people together and challenge poverty in new and innovative ways. The cost of tickets is $5.
LENTEN RETREAT: ‘LIVING INTO THE QUESTIONS’ Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas March 8 from 5:30 - 9 p.m.
The Gospels contain multiple questions posed by Jesus. Jesus calls us to ponder the questions, to live into the question. Come and listen to what Jesus might be asking you. There will be prayer, discussion and reflection time.
BISHOP WARD SCHOLARSHIP DINNER Bishop Ward High School 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas March 5 from 4:30 - 8 p.m.
The Spirit of Bishop Ward scholarship dinner is a new event to benefit the student scholarship fund, which ensures that all students, regardless of income, have access to a quality Catholic education. Toby Cook, from the Kansas City Royals, will be the keynote speaker. There will also be a Hall of Fame induction ceremony. For more information, call Stephanie Wagner at (913) 371-6901, or visit the website at: wardhigh.org/spiritof bishopward.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN Most Pure Heart of Mary (Formation Room) 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka March 9 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE SPEECH Queen of the Holy Rosary 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park March 5 at 2 p.m.
Dr. Melissa Colbern will tell of her personal efforts to aid women in their struggles to avoid abortion. She has stayed strong in her profession amid adverse influences in society. She will give in-depth information on aborifacients, as well as natural family planning.
Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. will be the celebrant with the Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher as homilist in a Mass to administer the sacrament of the sick to Catholics of both dioceses. The Mass and anointing of the sick will be comparable to that done in Lourdes, France. Those wishing to receive the sacrament of the sick are asked to preregister by sending your name and correct spelling to: maltakansascity@gmail.com or call (816) 974-3908.
The day begins with Mass at 8 a.m. at Assumption Church. A breakfast at 8 a.m. and a 5K run will follow. Go to the website at: www.irish festfunrun.com for more information. There will be a parade at noon with Irish music, entertainment, games, Irish food, beverages and fun. For a complete schedule of events go to the website at: www.materdeiirishfest.com.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF BLESSED OSCAR ROMERO St. Sabina Parish 700 Trevis, Belton, Missouri March 11 at 6 p.m.
Father Angel Renderos, who is a co-founder of the Bishop Romero Association, will preside at Mass. A fiesta will follow the Mass. This event is sponsored by the Benedictines, Good Shepherd Parish and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. For more information, call Kris Larkey at (816) 331-4713.
There will be a dinner of corned beef and cabbage, homemade pies and more. There will also be raffle prizes and traditional Irish music. The suggested donation is $10.
The dinner and bingo will be hosted by the Holy Family Altar Society. Dinner will be served from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:30 p.m. The $15 donation includes one bingo card, one taco dinner and all the cold beverages you can drink until the games end. No one under the age of 21 admitted. For tickets, call Sandy Sachen Cannon at (913) 396-1564 or Cathy Schneider at the church office at (913) 371-1561.
HEALING MASS Curé of Ars Parish (Father Burak Room) 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER/DANCE St. Paul Parish (gym) 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe March 18 from 6 - 10 p.m.
There will be a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, rolls and dessert. Beer and wine will be available. BYOB welcome. The cost for tickets is $15 each. Ages 21 and over only. Proceeds will be donated to the Knights of Columbus for vocations. For more information, call Chris or Vicki Dieterman at (913) 780-6428.
ST. PATRICK’S DANCE Church of the Nativity Parish (hall) 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood March 18 from 7 - 11 p.m.
The dance is sponsored by the Singles of Nativity. The cost for tickets is $20 at the door and includes food, drinks and DJ. For more information, call Maria at (913) 314-9844 or go the website at: www.son-ministry.org.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER St. Patrick Parish, Emerald 33721 N.W. Crawford Rd., Williamsburg March 12 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
TACO DINNER AND SALAMI BINGO Holy Family Parish (Msgr. Mejak Hall) 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kansas March 11 at 5:30 p.m.
prayer experience that requires no drawing skills. Through centering, one taps a source of praying from within our own innate, undiscovered creativity. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6173 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspirituality center.org.
MATER DEI IRISH FEST AND 5K RUN Assumption Church 204 S.W. 8th Ave., Topeka March 11 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Meet with financial advisers who will explain the Able Act and share their guidance on how to establish a special-needs trust. For further information or if you have questions, call Tom Racunas, lead consultant of the archdiocesan special-needs ministry, at (913) 647-3055 or send an email to: tracunas @archkck.org.
SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON St. Mary Parish 446 Hwy. 137, Lancaster March 5 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
There will be a spaghetti luncheon sponsored by the St. Mary Altar Society. The suggested donation is a freewill offering.
HEALING MASS AND ANOINTING OF THE SICK Curé of Ars Parish 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood March 11 at 10 a.m.
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CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish 711 N. 5th St., Leavenworth March 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The cost for dinner is $10 for adults and $3 for kids. Carryouts will be available. There will also be a $1000 cash raffle, a silent auction, and spirits and Irish coffee.
‘GROWING A MANDALA THROUGH CONTEMPLATION’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison March 15 from 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Drawing a mandala is a form of creative
MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Parish 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood March 18 at 8 a.m.
There will be a memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones followed by a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “The Many Shades of Grief.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.
LINGER OVER COFFEE Marillac Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth March 7 - April 4 (Tuesdays) mornings 10:30 a.m. - noon
Marillac Center staff will host a series of sessions dedicated to reflecting, sharing and praying with the question: “Who is Jesus?” Come to one session or to all the sessions. The suggested donation is a freewill offering. For more information, call (913) 758-6552.
CALENDAR POLICY
Calendar notices are due eight days before the publication date. Because of space considerations, notices may only run two weeks before the event. Send notices to: beth.blankenship@ theleaven.org.
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
COMMENTARY FIRST WEEK OF LENT March 5 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Gn 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7 Ps 51: 3-6, 12-13, 17 Rom 5: 12-19 Mt 4: 1-11 March 6 Monday Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mt 25: 31-46 March 7 Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs Is 55: 10-11 Ps 34: 4-7, 16-19 Mt 6: 7-15 March 8 John of God, religious Jon 3: 1-10 Ps 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Lk 11: 29-32 March 9 Frances of Rome, religious Est C: 12, 14-16, 23-25 Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8 Mt 7: 7-12 March 10 Friday Ez 18: 21-28 Ps 130: 1-8 Mt 5: 20-26 March 11 Saturday Dt 26: 16-19 Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 7-8 Mt 5: 43-48
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C
Hey, let’s all lighten up this Lent
lick . . . click . . . click. We do this all day without a second thought. We flip a switch and our bedroom light goes on; another starts the coffee maker. We grab our cellphones and tablets that have been recharging overnight and hit the TV remote to catch the day’s weather. We open the refrigerator to grab milk or juice and some butter for the bread that we just popped into the toaster. We boot up the computer to check our email or catch up on Facebook. Before leaving for work, we may even start some laundry or plug in the slow cooker. Electricity is something that we take for granted. We only take notice of it when a storm knocks out the power. Even then, we’re such creatures of habit that we still find ourselves flicking the light switch — to no avail, of course — to help us find the flashlight that’s buried in the junk drawer. How different would our lives be without electricity? For some idea, read the story on page 5 of this issue. Kevin McKlean, the president of a nonprofit in Florida,
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MARK MY WORDS
FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
called an organization in Uganda one day to offer some LED lights to replace what he presumed were the inefficient incandescent bulbs that the people were using. Imagine his surprise when his Ugandan contact informed McKlean “they did not, in fact, even have electricity.” It boggles the mind, doesn’t it? How, in 2017, can some 1.3 billion people around the world still not have electricity? Happily, McKlean’s company, Sun24, has a solution: solar lamps. And he’s using the Catholic Church to distribute
them — to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Not only are these safer, brighter and cheaper by far than the kerosene lamps most people in poorer countries use. But the solar lamps are having a positive effect on both the environment and the students, who now have double the study time available to them. We’re now a couple of days into Lent. In this season, we’re asked to become more conscious of things, like our sinfulness and destructive habits. But it’s also an opportunity to grow in awareness of our world and how we can positively influence it. In contrast to the many stories about athletes behaving badly, listen to Bob Greene, a former columnist for the Chicago Tribune, share
what he witnessed one cold night after a Chicago Bulls game. Superstar Michael Jordan headed through a large crowd of fans toward his car. As he opened the car door, Jordan saw a youngster in a wheelchair some 20 feet away. The boy’s neck was bent at an unnatural angle; his eyes could not look directly forward. Jordan walked over to the boy and knelt beside him. The youngster was so excited that he began to rise out of the wheelchair. Jordan comforted him, talked softly and put his arm around the boy’s frail shoulder. The boy’s father tried to snap a picture, but the camera didn’t work. Jordan noticed. Without being asked, he continued to kneel at the boy’s side until the father was able to take the picture. Only then did he return to his car. The boy’s eyes were glimmering with tears of joy. His dad was already replaying the moment with his son. If nothing good ever happens again for that little boy, he will always know that on one night Michael Jordan cared enough to include him in his world. (From Greene’s story, found in Father Brian Cavanaugh’s
“More Sower’s Seeds: Second Planting.”) As Michael Jordan showed, it doesn’t take much to make someone’s life better: Just be aware — notice — and then take some positive action. In addition to the Rice Bowl, I’m adding another discipline this Lent: In light (pun intended) of my new awareness about the lack of electricity in so much of the world, I’m going to be especially conscious of not leaving lights on when they’re not in use. Secondly, I’m going to make a contribution to Sun24. As little as $8 will help two families receive solar lamps. A goal of Lent is to make us more aware. This little prayer can serve as a great reminder: “Jesus, help my eyes to see/All the good you send to me./Jesus, help my ears to hear/Calls for help from far and near./ Jesus, help my feet to go/In the way that you will show./Jesus, help my hands to do/All things loving, kind and true./ Jesus, may I helpful be/ Growing every day like Thee. Amen. During Lent, I’m gonna help people see the light. How about you?
Scriptures can serve us just as they served Jesus
n the sometimes acrimonious debates of the past between Catholics and Protestants, apologists would frequently seek to buttress their arguments by quoting from Scripture. These snippets of Scripture were ordinarily taken out of context. They are called “proof texts.” Nowadays, a more comprehensive approach is usually taken in interpreting Scripture. “The text must be interpreted with attention to the unity of the whole of Scripture”(“Verbum Domini,” postsynodal apostolic exhortation of Benedict XVI, 34). In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Mt 4:1-11, Jesus and the devil engage in a battle of words. They hurl Scripture quotations at each other as
POPE FRANCIS
THE GOSPEL TRUTH
FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.
weapons to attack the other. Since Jesus’ first words to the devil emphasize the importance
People who pretend to be Christians publicly, but follow their own selfish passions privately, destroy themselves and cause scandal to those around them, said Pope Francis. Jesus is severe with those who “lead double lives,” because they cause others to see Christianity in a bad light, the pope said Feb. 23 during morning Mass in the chapel
of Scripture, it makes sense for them to resort to Scripture in this way: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Then, the debate begins. The devil responds with a Scripture quotation of his own, as he challenges Jesus to throw himself down from the Temple: “For
it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Since the devil himself can quote Scripture, that shows us that the use of Scripture in itself does not settle all arguments, contrary to the claims of the fundamentalists. Scripture must be used in a manner that fits in with its original intent. That means that we avoid manipulating it. Instead, we allow it to guide us. The exchange of Scripture quotations by Jesus and the devil may remind us of the practice of proof texts. In the case of the devil, that may not surprise us. But what about Jesus? How does he fit in? In his use
of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. “So many Catholics are like this and they scandalize. How many times have we heard — all of us, in our neighborhood and in other places — ‘But to be a Catholic like that one, it would be better to be an atheist.’ That is the scandal. It destroys you, it throws you down,” he said. The pope focused his homily on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Mark (9:41-50) in which Jesus gives a
of Scripture, does he remain faithful to the purpose of the Scriptures? Jesus was guided by the Spirit into the desert, the place where the devil would tempt him. This was the same Spirit that had originally inspired the Scriptures. The Spirit would also guide Jesus in his use of the Scriptures in combating the devil. The same Spirit can guide us as well, especially if we, too, spend time in fasting and prayer, like Jesus. That is why we are entering this season of Lent. The Scriptures can serve us in our battle against temptation, in our fight against the evil that might lurk in our souls, just as they served Jesus.
warning about anyone who “causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin.” Some people who go to Mass and belong to church groups still fail to live a Christian life, the pope said. “This happens every day; all you have to do is watch the news or read the newspapers. There are so many scandals in the newspapers and a lot of publicity on scandals. And these scandals destroy.” — CNS
MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
COMMENTARY
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Camp builds Christian community that reaches beyond battlefield
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n my position as executive director of our CYO, I have the blessing of witnessing many amazing things each year. From feats of athletic accomplishment to times of pure joy, each season is filled with moments that demonstrate the wonderful gift youth sports can be in our families. I know I speak for our parents and coaches when I say that watching our children participate in CYO sports and events can be a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved. We hope this is especially true for our children. While I don’t pick favorites when it comes to our CYO programs,
THE SPORTS APOLOGIST
PETER J. PISCITELLO Peter J. Piscitello is the executive director of the archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization. He can be reached at: pete@cyojwa.org.
one three-day event often does come to mind when I’m asked to summarize the CYO
experience we hope to provide. Each of the past few summers, we have been privileged to host Mike Sweeney’s Catholic Baseball Camp of Kansas City, providing our local children a unique opportunity to grow in faith and skill while having the time of
their lives. For three days each summer, kids from across the country (and Canada!) descend on the sun-splashed fields of Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee. They come to meet their heroes and play baseball, but often leave with a profound experience that deepens their faith and improves their skills. Like all our ministries, the camp is centered on Christ. Each day begins with Mass and ends with confession. Speakers throughout the day are focused on stories of faith, and the camp builds a Christian community that extends beyond the outfield fences that mark field boundaries.
The faith carries through to morning drills, where kids learn directly from former major league baseball players and have the opportunity to work with former Royal Mike Sweeney, whose leadership and strong Catholic faith is the guiding force behind the camp. Meals, live music and additional baseball instruction and games fill the day with lasting memories and tangible joy. This year’s camp will open on July 17 with a Mass celebrated by our own Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and go through July 19. We invite you to watch a video, learn more and register online at: www. catholicbaseballcamp.
org. The camp is open to boys ages 8-16. It includes a special night at the Kansas City Royals game on July 18 and more fun surprises. When done correctly, youth sports can provide so many blessings in the development of our children. We work to ensure all our CYO programs provide a formation in faith while developing the skills of young athletes. We hope that all children and families are rewarded through their participation. The Catholic Baseball Camp of Kansas City is one unique way we’re able to provide this opportunity for children. I hope to see you there!
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MARCH 3, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
16
THREE-PEAT
St. James Academy’s Clay Lautt wins third straight class 5A wrestling state title By Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org
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ARK CITY — Clay Lautt’s senior wrestling highlight video will be short. Very short. That’s because the St. James Academy student almost always pins his opponents before even a minute has elapsed. He marched through preliminary rounds of the Kansas 5A state wrestling tournament, barely breaking a sweat until he came to the championship match Feb. 25 in Park City. Lautt became the 182-pound champ — his third wrestling championship in as many years — after a high-point decision battle against Wyatt Hendrickson of Newton High School. “My goal coming into the tournament was to not have a decision against anybody,” Lautt said immediately after his championship victory. After his muscular, scratched up arm was raised in victory, Lautt took a moment to sit quietly on his coach’s chair to catch his breath — a much different sight than the fist-pumping, adrenaline-fueled post-match celebration of his two-time champion teammate Sammy Cokeley (see sidebar) who had just won at 160 pounds. Lautt came close to his no-decision goal. His first two matches came to quick ends with pins in 45 and 40 seconds. His semifinal match resulted in a pin at 1 minute and 28 seconds. The championship match didn’t go as easily, however, giving him an unaccustomed test. “I knew I could dictate how the match went so I tried to go out there quick and hopefully break him, but he kept coming,” Lautt said. Lautt was in control for the majority of the match but couldn’t come up with a quick pin. His lack of long matches almost came back to haunt him. “I got a little bit tired. I haven’t had many full matches so I’m probably not in the shape I should be,” he said. “It
LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER
Lenexa's St. James Academy senior Clay Lautt controls the action in his 182-pound state championship wrestling match. Lautt won a 17-9 decision to claim his third state championship in as many years. got a little dicey at the end.” But he prevailed, winning 17-9 on points.
The making of a champion With his broad shoulders, muscular arms and lean frame, Lautt looks like he’s been chiseled from stone — the result of years of discipline and training. “You can’t just work in practice; you have to watch videos, work out, lift weights, eat right and run,” he said.
For more photos and video from the Kansas Class 5A wresting tournament, including championship victories by St. James’ Clay Lautt and Sammy Cokeley, as well as St. Thomas Aquinas’ Bret Minor, go online to: www.theleaven.org.
It’s something Lautt has been doing since he was 5 years old. “It’s just become the normal thing,” Lautt said. “It’s been a routine going to
practice and working hard. I’ve fallen in love with that grind. I feel that’s what makes me get better. I love practicing. I love working hard.” And that’s year-round. For championship wrestlers, there is no off-season. “The kids that are state champions are wrestling year-round,” Lautt said. St. James wrestling coach Mike Medina agreed. “Clay got where he is by wrestling all year long,” said Medina. “In the offseason, he goes to the local training center and gets work in. He wrestles the best kids in the nation he can. He >> See “WRESTLER” on page 10
Cokeley wins second state wrestling title in dramatic fashion By Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org
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ARK CITY — Call him the ice man. St. James Academy senior Sammy Cokeley became a twotime state wrestling champion on Feb. 25 at the Hartman Arena here with a dramatic last-second victory over Goddard High School’s Kendall Frame. After falling into a quick 1-0 hole, Cokeley never lost his composure and battled back to tie the match at 1-1. With seconds remaining in regulation, he made his move. “I got him into a position he didn’t like — double underhooks — stepped in with my hip, took him over, got in a scramble. I ended up on top. I won,” Cokeley said. The win set off a fist-pumping victory celebration that ended with a huge embrace from equally excited teammate Clay Lautt. “Seeing him happy makes me happy,”
said Lautt. “We both work for the same goal every single day of the year.” St. James Academy wrestling coach Mike Medina couldn’t be happier for Cokeley, who put the team over his own personal goals early in his career. “His freshman year, Sammy wrestled up two weight classes. He took a thumping for the team,” Medina said. “He wanted to help out, fill a slot and help us win a state championship.” It worked, as St. James Academy won the Class 5A state team championship in 2014. Medina said Cokeley has a unique wrestling style that gives other wrestlers fits. Using a more defensive style, Cokeley is able to counter his opponents’ offense with great effectiveness. “Sammy has a style that you can’t quite teach, you just have to adjust. And his shot defense, you just don’t see it every day,” Medina said. “He can wrestle with anyone in the nation.”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER
St. James Academy senior wrestler Sammy Cokeley battles Goddard High School’s Kendall Frame in the Kansas Class 5A 160-pound state championship match Feb. 25 at the Hartman Arena in Park City. Cokeley secured his second straight state championship with a 3-1 win.