03-09-12 Vol. 33 No. 30

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 33, NO. 30 MARCH 9, 2012

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Steve Crisman (left) makes ready to receive fried fish from Bob Vasquez, while Grand Knight Dean Horst tends a cooker. The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 15026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in LaCygne, donated the proceeds from their March 2 fish fry to the Prairie Valley Buffaloes, who are raising funds to attend the Special Olympics state basketball tournament in Hays March 15-17.

Knights fry ’em for the team

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By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

ACYGNE — The annual fish fry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish here would have caused Norman Rockwell to break out his brushes.

That March 2 was a clear, mild, almost spring evening. Members of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 15026, were tending seven furiously boiling cookers in a little wooden garage across the parking lot from the brick church (dedicated in 1982).

Meanwhile, a few ladies and a gaggle of teen volunteers in yellow shirts bustled about in the social hall, located in the church basement. The teens mixed tea and made lemonade,

laid out dinnerware, and carefully cut and deployed a regiment of sliced pie.

This whole evening was for them, because the Knights were donating the profits to the teens’ basketball team.

The yellow team shirt bore the initials of their school — Prairie Valley High School of Linn County — and the school logo: a buffalo skull. These teens were not, however, on the teams that filled the gym during the regular season.

On the wall was a big, green poster with the words “Good Luck,” the mixed-gender team members’ names, and the words “Special Olympics.”

On the back of the teens’ shirts was the slogan: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

These were the Level Four teens with developmental disabilities from See “KNIGHTS” on page 4

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Prairie Valley Buffaloes team members — (from left) Stacy Peek, Melissa Johnson, Jennifer Smail, Jessica Lewis and Rickie Fishburn-Miller — are excited about going to the state tournament.

2 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Trip to Rome a chance to share successes, challenges of archdiocese

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s this week’s Leaven arrives in your home, I am in Rome with the bishops of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska making our “ad limina apostolorum” (“to the thresholds of the apostles”) pilgrimage/visit.

children to attend a Catholic school — is a challenge. Despite our best efforts, the overall enrollment in Catholic schools has declined since 2004.

Our “ad limina” report also includes many encouraging facts. Since the Every five years or so, each diocreport for 2004, the number of semiesan bishop must submit to the Holy narians has increased, the permanent Father a written report on the life of diaconate has been established, two the church in his diocese. The Amerireligious orders of women (the Francan bishops were one of the last groups ciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George to make an “ad limina” visit during and the Little Sisters of the Lamb) have the papacy of Pope John Paul II. In established a convent here. Actually, November 2004, when I was coadjutor since the report was submitted, a third archbishop, I accompanied Archbishop community has made a new foundaKeleher for my most recent “ad limina” tion (the Poor of Jesus Christ) in the visit. archdiocese.

The church is a little bit behind on Also since the last “ad limina” these visits because of the transfer of report, a new Catholic high school — governance from St. James Academy Pope John Paul II to opened in Lenexa.

‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ — Pope Benedict XVI. The Holy Family It takes a while for a programming notes School of Faith was new pope and those founded and began Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s who assist him to be offering adult educaradio program on KEXS 1090 AM prepared to receive tion and faith formaairs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is the bishops and their tion, particularly to repeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday diocesan reports. and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. the faculties of our The archdiocesan Catholic schools. report that I submitOne of the most sigted to the Holy Father was 80 pages nificant enrichments of the life of the in length and compared the life of the church is that the faculties of all our church in northeast Kansas today to Catholic secondary and elementary what it was like in 2004. I am grateful schools receive regular and systematic to Father John Riley, our chancellor, faith formation. I believe that this has who with the assistance of many on better equipped the entire faculty to our archdiocesan staff, assembled the fulfill their responsibility to help form “ad limina” report. I had to write a their students in the faith. report about my own ministry, as well The number of parishes offering as provide a general assessment of the Christ Renews His Parish retreats has state of the church in northeast Kansas increased significantly. Many other and a forecast for its future. parishes offer the Light of the World It was a helpful exercise to review retreats. The number of parishes ofwhat has transpired in the archdiocese fering Catholic Bible studies has also in the past seven years. Indeed, we increased. Several parishes offer men have many challenges. the opportunity to participate in the Though not as bad as in other parts That Man is You program, as well as of the United States, there has been a several parishes provide faith enrichsignificant decline during the last 40 ment groups for women, such as years in the percentage of Catholics Endow or Women of Grace. More than who participate every week in the Suna thousand people, in addition to our day Eucharist. The number of couples Catholic school teachers, participate in seeking to marry in the church has deSchool of Faith adult faith formation clined, while the number cohabitating classes. The archdiocese has become a has increased. Welcoming, attending satellite campus for the Maryvale Into the pastoral needs, and tapping into stitute from England which offers masthe many gifts and virtues of a growing ter’s degrees in catechetics, as well as a Hispanic population are some of the certification program for catechists. most significant pastoral challenges The expansion of the presence of and opportunities. the Apostles of the Interior Life in the Attempting to keep Catholic educaarchdiocese with the establishment tion accessible financially — as well as of their house in Holy Spirit Parish in motivating those with the resources to Overland Park has been a great blessmake the sacrifice necessary for their ing. The Spiritual Mentorship Program

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

March 9 Meeting — Congregation for Clergy Possible audience with Holy Father Mass — St. Mary Major Meeting — Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization March 10 Meeting — Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life Possible audience with Holy Father March 11 Mass — Casa Santa Maria March 12 Mass — St. Peter’s Basilica (tomb of Blessed John Paul II) Meeting — Congregation for Divine Worship Possible audience with Holy Father Meeting — Pontifical Council for Family March 13 Meeting — Congregation for Catholic Education Meeting — Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Mass — St. John Lateran Meeting — Pontifical Council for the Laity March 18 Mass, vespers and dinner with the Apostles of the Interior Life in Rome March 20 Presbyteral Council

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

March 10 Anointing Mass — Curé of Ars, Leawood March 11 Confirmation — St. Catherine, Emporia March 13 Confirmation — Christ the King, Topeka March 14 Mass and dinner — Federal prison March 17 8:30 a.m. Pro-Life Mass — Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Kansas City, Kan. March 18 Mass — Federal prison Mass — Disciplinary barracks March 19 Confirmation — St. Ann, Prairie Village

Meeting — Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

Leaven photos by Susan McSpadden

Donald Bloodgood signs the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election on Feb. 26 at St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kan. With Bloodgood are Sister Marilyn Schieber, OSB, and his sponsor, James Jursch, a member of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kan.

Hundreds continue journey toward Catholicism

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

that they have developed is making a positive impact in the archdiocese by helping participants to deepen and grow in their own prayer life as they prepare to assist others in the development of a rich interior life.

Hispanic ministry has also expanded in the archdiocese, with Spanishlanguage Masses being offered at several additional parishes. Our Hispanic ministry office assists parishes with a significant Hispanic population, not only to offer Spanish-language Masses, but also faith formation programs for parents and children.

The name “ad limina apostolorum” reveals that the most important element of these pilgrimages is for the bishops to pray at the thresholds of the tombs of the great apostles — Peter and Paul. On Wednesday (March 7), we celebrated Mass near the tomb of St. Peter. On Thursday (March 8), I had the privilege of being the principal celebrant for the Eucharist near the tomb of St. Paul. At both tombs, the other bishops and I prayed that the same zeal

and dedication, that characterized the ministry of Peter and Paul will also be evident in our pastoral work.

In effect, we are challenged to pray for the grace to be martyrs for Jesus and our Catholic faith. The word “martyr” literally means “witness.” Those whom the church venerates as martyrs gave the ultimate witness by shedding their blood rather than betray or deny their faith. Whether any of us will be called to die a martyr’s death, we are all being invited to pour out all of our lives in love for Jesus Christ and his people.

Despite our significant challenges in the archdiocese, preparing for the “ad limina” visit has been an opportunity for me to step back and simply be amazed at how the Holy Spirit has been very active in the archdiocese. I have communicated to our Holy Father your love and affection for him, as well as your prayers for God’s continued blessing for the pope. Please know that I carry each of you and your intentions in my prayers during these days of pilgrimage.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — These weeks of Lent are an important time in the life of the church. But they are particularly special to the hundreds of people preparing to enter the church at Easter.

With celebrations of the Rite of Election on Feb. 26 and March 4, they have reached two of three major milestones along their path to Catholicism, explained Michael Podrebarac, archdiocesan consultant for liturgy.

RCIA classes started in the fall for both catechumens — people preparing to be baptized and enter the church— and candidates — those who have been baptized in a Christian religion and are now seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

This year, there are a total of 154 catechumens and 287 candidates for full communion in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The first milestone for both groups came at the start of Advent, when they were welcomed into either the order of catechumens or of candidates.

The Rite of Election, which took place at three different churches in different

regions of the archdiocese, was the second significant step. On Feb. 26, catechumens signed their names in the Book of the Elect in the presence of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann — some at the 3 p.m. liturgy at St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan., and others at the 7 p.m. rite at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee.

Those in the Topeka area celebrated the Rite of Election on March 4 at Christ the King Parish in Topeka.

The signatures are kept with the archdiocese as a record of those seeking baptism during the year.

Candidates also attend the Rite of the Elect celebrations to declare their intentions to be in full communion with the church.

“It’s a major step in the process to becoming Catholic,” said Podrebarac, adding that it gives individuals entering the church the chance to see themselves in a context that is much larger than their local parishes.

The third major milestone in this journey is just a few weeks away —the Easter Vigil.

It is there that both catechumens and candidates will receive the sacraments of initiation and officially become Catholics.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrates the Rite of Election ceremony on Feb. 26 at St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kan. Later that day, the archbishop celebrated another Rite of Election at Sacred Heart Church in Shawnee.

The final Rite of Election was held March 4 at Christ the King Church in Topeka.

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

Harveyville seeks to rebuild after tornado sured the people of Harveyville they’re not going through this alone.

“There’s a lot of people thinking about them and praying for them and wanting to help,” said Father

By Jessica Langdon Warsnak.

He hoped the residents of HarLeaven staff veyville, which has about the same population as Reading, will carry HARVEYVILLE — Lives changed in minutes for the people of Har- comfort from that support in their hearts and minds as they start to veyville. heal.

“What they had a few days ago, As Reever worked in Harveyville, they no longer have,” said Jami she met people who were basically Reever, executive director of the United Way of the Flint Hills. “I met shellshocked. The tornado came with little warning and was gone in a family today who lost a loved one in this tornado, and that has left me a matter of minutes.

But as Reever talked, she was with a heavy heart.” walking by the home of 53-year-old Reever, a parishioner of Sacred Richard Slade and his wife. The torHeart Church in Emporia, arrived nado had blown it right off its founin Harveyville soon after the storm.

She could see all around her the de- dation that night, causing injuries that claimed Slade’s life. struction the EF2 tornado left in its Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback wake on Feb. 28. visited Harveyville on March 1, “To see these houses that have where he talked just been comwith Slade’s fampletely deily and others afstroyed is overfected by the torwhelming,” nado. said Reever.

Talk, said She was Reever, is very there to try to important to the help restore a Jami Reever, executive director of the recovery process. sense of normalcy to the United Way of the Flint Hills She and other volunteers spend people who a lot of their time call the city of a doing just that with the people few hundred home.

An outpouring of support, in- they meet. It’s important, and often cluding hundreds of volunteers, fol- therapeutic, for people to tell their stories. lowed the tornado.

“We put the forms down and we Harveyville had help from many sit down on the front porch and we areas, including some that were no stranger to the devastation a torna- talk,” she said.

From her experience with Readdo can wreak.

Sacred Heart Parish in Empo- ing, she knows the people of Harria — which isn’t far from Reading, veyville will have difficult months ahead of them. where a violent tornado struck on People will need strength as they May 22, 2011 — took up a collection the weekend of March 3-4 to move ahead.

And the needs won’t go away afhelp the Harveyville community. ter the initial cleanup; they go on Sacred Heart pastor Father Rich for a long time.

Warsnak acknowledged things can “Sometimes people don’t know be a mess in the beginning, but as-

Local organizations pledge to help community after the disaster

I hope we don’t forget about these people and what they might need down the road,”

”

they’ve lost something until three months after a disaster,” said Reever. They might open a drawer and only then realize their scissors are gone, she said.

“And I hope we don’t forget about these people and what they might need down the road,” she added.

Father Warsnak didn’t know how much the collection for Harveyville would net, but he planned to send the funds to Father Anthony Oullette, who is the pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Osage City and St. Patrick Parish in Scranton. Scranton isn’t far from Harveyville, and the parish serves parishioners from the town.

“Whatever funds we raise, we’ll give it over to Father Anthony, and he can assist folks who need it there in Harveyville,” said Father Warsnak.

He recalled the outpouring of generosity from parishes throughout the archdiocese when Reading was struck.

In Reading’s case, a long-term committee was set up to help the community, which included representatives of Sacred Heart, the United Methodist Church, the United Way and others.

Many of the homes hit in Reading had been paid off long ago, and the owners didn’t have insurance. The funds helped people who might have had no other way to pay for something as simple as a mattress.

Because Sacred Heart witnessed such generosity from across the archdiocese when the call came to assist Reading, now it is extending what help it can to the people of Harveyville.

“We have an opportunity to help this community,” Father Warsnak said.

And he assured the residents of Harveyville that, although it takes time, things do get better.

“Have the resolve to rebuild what needs rebuilding,” he said.

Knights help Special Olympians Continued from page 1 several surrounding communities.

They attend Prairie Valley High as part of a regional learning cooperative.

The fish fry was being held to raise funds so they could attend the Special Olympics Kansas State Basketball and Cheerleading Tournament from March 15-17 in Hays.

Before the crowd of diners showed up, two of the team members, Melissa Johnson and Jessica Lewis, offered to do the team cheer: “Excited for a basket/We’re moving down the floor/We are the mighty Buffaloes/And now we’re gonna score! Yah!” The score — as well as the win-loss record — are rather unimportant. Team members just like to play, explained Eric Reese, 17.

“It’s really a lot of fun,” he said. “I was a good rebounder at Leavenworth; I was on fire at rebounds. Once, I made a bounce shot in.”

None of the players is Catholic, but that was rather unimportant as well.

Typical small-town spirit is alive here, and the many interlocking ties easily cross denominational lines.

“I’ve seen pastors from three other churches here tonight,” said Knight Fred Obermeier later in the evening. A lot of their congregants were there, too.

The team connected with the Knights thanks to Laree Christiansen, a paraprofessional at Prairie View and a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes. She brings the students to the church to clean it as part of a work-study program, said Cheryl Kratzberg, team coach, as well as a Level Four teacher and member of St. John Parish in Greeley. While on such a trip, Christiansen visited with a Knight about the team’s need to raise funds for the tournament.

“They have a good attitude and they like to play,” said Kratzberg. “We have a couple of tall guys on our team who are rebounders, and we’re in it for the fun.

It doesn’t matter if we win or lose.”

The Knights gave the team $188 and decided to donate the proceeds from their next fish fry. It was a good evening. In the first hour, they raised $450.

By evening’s end, the Knights took in $1,231.68. That 68 cents was very important, said Dean Horst, the council’s Grand Knight.

“One of the players insisted on paying for his own meal,” he said. “I think the 68 cents was all he had.”

“Our hope is to create opportunities of a lifetime for them,” said Chris Kleidosty, USD 362 superintendent, a Knight and member of Our Lady of Lourdes.

“And it’s also about providing teaming activities, where the kids learn to get along with other kids and compete, and to be good sports — life skills.”

“It’s providing something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” he continued. “The Special Olympic games are really important for them, where those kids are in the limelight.”

Obama inflexible; Cardinal Dolan warns of ‘tough times’

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

Despite the failure of a bill that would have provided conscience rights protection, the U.S. bishops said they would continue to fight for religious freedom and conscience.

On March 1, the U.S. Senate voted 51 to 48 against the “ReFocus on spect for Rights of Conscience Act,” HHS mandate which had as its main sponsor Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. The U.S. bishops strongly supported the act.

The legislation, also known as “the Blunt Amendment,” was attached to an important highway bill. It would have greatly strengthened conscience rights in the Department of Health and Human Resources contraception, sterilization and abortifacient mandate announced on Jan. 20.

There are 24 Catholic U.S. senators. Of those, 13 voted against the Blunt Amendment, and 11 voted in favor. The vote was largely according to party lines, although three Democrats voted for the legislation, and one Republican voted against.

“The need to defend citizens’ rights of conscience is the most critical issue before our country right now,” said Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, Conn. He is chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“We will continue our strong defense of conscience rights through all available legal means. Religious freedom is at the heart of democracy and rooted in the dignity of every human person,” he said. “We will not rest until the protection of conscience rights is restored and the First Amendment is returned to its place of respect in the Bill of Rights.”

On the following day, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, sent a letter to his fellow bishops.

In his letter, Cardinal Dolan said President Obama’s announcement on Feb. 10 “solved little and complicated a lot.” The president invited the bishops to “work out the wrinkles” with him, and the bishops accepted, but were confronted with something else.

“The White House press secretary said the mandates are [an accomplished and irreversible deed]. . . . The White House notified Congress that the dreaded mandates are now published in the Federal Registry ‘without change,’” wrote Cardinal Dolan.

The cardinal further wrote that at a recent meeting between USCCB and Obama administration staff, the USCCB staff asked directly if the mandates would be revised or the exemption would be broadened, and the White House staff members said these were not negotiable.

Cardinal Dolan advised the bishops to prepare for tough times.

“Some, like America magazine, want us to cave in and stop fighting, saying this is simply a policy issue; some want us to close everything down rather than comply,” wrote the cardinal. “Some, like Bishop Robert Lynch wisely noted, wonder whether we might have to engage in civil disobedience and risk steep fines; some worry that we’ll have to face a decision between two ethically repugnant choices: subsidizing immoral services or no longer offering insurance coverage, a road none of us wants to travel.”

Cardinal Dolan said in the coming weeks the USCCB would provide additional resources for the bishops to aid the faithful with advocacy, prayer and education.

LOCAL NEWS 5

‘Welcome home’

Priests: Confession initiative reaps results

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Richard Storey, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park, believes Wednesdays this Lent are about coming home.

For it is from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays that parishes across the archdiocese are making available an additional opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

Father Storey views that as “another way for God to say, ‘Welcome home’ and our church family to say, ‘Welcome back.’”

This is the second year for such an initiative in the archdiocese, and people have responded, say the priests who have sat in the confessional during those times.

“Offer it, and they will come,” said Father Storey.

Strong turnout “I thought it was really convenient,” said Father Mike Hawken, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee. “I saw a lot of people stopping by after they had gotten off work.”

Archdiocesan chancellor Father John Riley took his turn in the confessional at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, where he is in residence, and was impressed by the turnout.

He was kept there until 9 p.m. at least once, he said, but he didn’t mind.

He was happy to see such interest.

He encouraged pastors to find ways to make confession even more available on a regular basis throughout the year.

Getting the word out Promotion is the key in getting people to the sacrament, said Father Riley.

So this year, like last, radio spots feature Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s voice on a wide range of radio stations calling Catholics to confession.

The radio spots are brief, said Father Riley, but they are all over, covering every genre from country to rock.

Several people told Father Hawken in 2011 that the radio reminders caught their attention.

“It was really an invitation to come home to the sacrament,” Father Hawken said. “And by coming home, I think that a lot of people who hadn’t been for a long time really felt invited and encouraged in a very positive way to come to the sacrament.”

Father Anthony Williams, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe, saw good results during Lent 2011 and offered the same opportunity during the four Wednesdays of Advent.

“Adults took greater advantage of these times to reconcile their lives with God,” said Father Williams.

CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz

The Lenten penance initiative reflects Archbishop Naumann’s desire that the faithful have increased opportunities to receive God’s generous gift of grace through this sacrament. As was done last year, confessions are heard at each parish from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, all during Lent.

From guilt to forgiveness Father Storey acknowledged that some anxiety can accompany this step.

However, as with any conflict, “The minute you can just say, ‘I’m sorry,’ it pushes a whole new life upon you,” he said. “You start, and you have shame and guilt. And that shame and guilt is turned to forgiveness.”

Fear is a reason many people give for not going to confession.

Father Hawken found that confession aids and welcoming priests helped put people at ease.

“The priest will help you,” he said.

Just say it’s been a while and you don’t know where to start.

“My response is always, ‘Well, let me say, first of all, how happy I am you’re here,’” said Father Riley.

Getting there is more than half the battle, he said.

As for the rest?

“Don’t worry, we’ll walk through,” said Father Riley. “It’s easy.”

And you can take resources — a printed copy of the act of contrition, for example — in with you.

Easing worries Father Riley believes people experience such healing, forgiveness and mercy that, once they decide to go, they wonder why they waited so long.

He reminded people there are two ways to confess — face to face and behind a screen.

And priests don’t think about the things people confess afterward, so that doesn’t need to be a worry, Father Storey said.

“It’s forgiven, it’s forgotten,” he said.

What priests do remember is that someone has been forgiven and been able to come home.

God knew people would need forgiveness, he said, pointing out that three of the seven sacraments — baptism, confession and anointing of the sick — are about forgiveness of sins.

Confession resources Parishes are offering confession from 6 to 7 p.m. each Wednesday of Lent. In areas where the priest serves multiple parishes, contact the parish office for the location.

Resources, including a guide and examinations of conscience for adults and children, can be found on the archdiocesan website at: www. archkck.org.

They can be printed and taken into the confessional.

A healing experience

Part of Lenten experience

“This Lenten penance initiative reflects Archbishop Naumann’s encouragement of, and desire for, the faithful to take advantage of God’s free offer of grace given in this powerful sacrament,” said Father Williams.

He is reminded of the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta expressing that the greatest poverty in the Western world is not about material things, but poverty of the soul.

“The Lenten penance initiative,” Father Williams continued, “is an invitation to the faithful people of God that they can rest only in the mercy and grace that comes from God.”

Father Hawken makes confession part of his own Lent every year.

“I realize in my own life that confession is good for the soul,” he said.

People who went last year for the first time in a while said it was the best Lent they had had in years.

This initiative isn’t about numbers, said Father Storey, but about helping even one soul get to heaven.

Father Riley believes, as does the church, in frequent confession and hopes this initiative will spark that.

“Just come,” he urged.

“Set aside the Wednesday you’re going to come right now,” Father Hawken said. “Schedule it.”

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012 Armand and Rosanna Charbonneau, members of St. Gregory Parish, Marysville, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a special dinner and Mass with their family.

The couple was married on March 13, 1952, at St. ANNIVERSARY Joseph Church in St. Joseph. Their children and their spouses are: Jerome and Mindy Charbonneau, Waterville; Audrey and Randy Pfizenmaier, Morganville; Mark and Theresa Charbonneau, Clay Center; Denise and Jim Long, Downs; Dennis and Laurie Charbonneau, Emporia; and Lori and Gary Crownover, Marysville. They also have 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

They had a rip-roarin’ God time WILLIAMSBURG — The fun was only the half of it, because the good times were mixed with God times.

More than 640 sixth, seventh- and eighth-grade students from across the archdiocese attended the junior high youth rally on Feb. 26 at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg.

The daylong event featured rallies with music in a large structure called “the Hanger,” followed by breakout sessions led by other youths and young adults.

The event was fun with a serious purpose — to challenge young people to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ, said Deacon Dana Nearmyer, lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

Much of the fun was provided by The Mikey Needleman Band and the acoustical humor rock duo Popple.

The theme of the day was taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (2:20).

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Emcee of the rally portion of the junior high event, Michael Sherrin (center) of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood, called up a volunteer to assist with the liturgy and gave final instructions. The celebrant was Father Gary Pennings, moderator of the curia and vicar general for the archdiocese.

Dan Harms (above, left) makes a dramatic strum on his guitar while his partner, Kyle Heimann, puts on some glasses “to look more intellectual.” The comic rock musicians from Indiana call themselves “Popple.”

More volunteers (left) were called to the stage to participate in an icebreaking activity designed to show how we read the expressions of others. Each volunteer was given a sugar packet, but the contents of one packet was refilled with salt. At the signal, each volunteer ate the contents of their packet, and they and the audience learned who got the salt.

Photos by Joe McSorley

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LOCAL NEWS 7 Sister Perpetua McGrath, SCL

Sacred Heart Church in Topeka will begin offering a monthly pro-life Mass on March 28.

Topeka parish to offer pro-life Mass TOPEKA — A monthly Marian Mass for former pilgrims has broadened its mission and is now dedicated to the sanctity of life and an end to abortion.

The former pilgrims have gathered for a Marian Mass in Topeka for more than 20 years, said Patty Hurley, one of the organizers.

“We decided, now that Kansas City [Kansas] has a monthly pro-life Mass, that we would do this,” said Hurley.

Father Tom Hesse, a retired priest who lives in Topeka, has volunteered

to celebrate the Mass on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

The next Mass, accompanied by devotions, will be at Sacred Heart Church, 312 N. Freeman Ave., on the evening of March 28: • Evening prayer begins at 6 p.m., along with the sacrament of reconciliation and a rosary.

• Mass is at 7 p.m.

• Eucharistic adoration follows Mass, concluding with Benediction.

• A social hour will be held after Benediction.

LEAVENWORTH — Sister Perpetua McGrath, 89, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, died on Feb. 27 at the motherhouse here.

Dorothy Jean McGrath was born on Jan. 23, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo., one of two children of James “Casey” and Norine Waters McGrath.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and St. Sister Perpetua Mary College, LeavMcGrath enworth. Dorothy entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Sept.

1, 1940, and, as Sister Perpetua, made her profession of vows on March 2, 1942.

For 30 years, Sister Perpetua taught and/or was principal in elementary schools in Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Next, she served as the school supervisor and education consultant for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and later as the director of religious personnel for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

In 1984, Sister Perpetua started work at Exempla-St. Joseph Hospital in Denver where she worked in patient services and the pastoral care department.

She returned to the motherhouse in 2001 and retired to Ross Hall in 2010.

A PEACEFUL GOODBYE

Catholic Community Hospice Catholic Community Hospice is a ministry of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and provides nursing, spiritual and emotional care for those with life-limiting illnesses.

Funds raised by hospice’s services go to support Catholic Charities’ other programs, including Emergency Assistance and Refugee and Migrant Services.

For more information, visit the following websites: www.catholic communityhospice.com or www. catholic charitiesks.org.

Catholic Community Hospice gave boys the support they needed — when they needed it most

A

“The chaplain was amazing,” said Ryan. “He got here around six and he stayed with us until they came and took my dad’s body.”

“He played music, and my dad liked the music,” said Tyler. “I definitely felt like God was watching over us.

“It helped my dad out, but it helped us out as well — inside.”

By Jill Ragar Esfeld

s a medical social worker with Catholic Community Hospice, Karen McGuinn had gotten tough calls before.

But the one she got from case manager and nurse Andrea Clark last November was particularly worrisome.

“She said there were these two young boys, and they were trying to plan a funeral,” recalled McGuinn. “And they just really weren’t sure what to do.

“I came, and it was kind of a train wreck. But we got things resolved.”

After his experience with Catholic Community Hospice, Ryan Kruskamp calls its workers “the people in the trenches.”

His younger brother Tyler agrees.

“Me and my brother, we have never been in a situation like this before,” he said. “They knew what to do, and they helped us through the hard times.

“They helped us out a lot.”

Into the trenches Larry Kruskamp moved with his son Tyler to Kansas City, Kan., because he suffered from hepatitis C and doctors told him his best chance for a liver transplant was through the University of Kansas Medical Center.

But last August, Kruskamp fell while cutting tree branches. An emergencyroom x-ray to check for broken ribs showed something far more ominous — a six-centimeter tumor in his liver.

Kruskamp’s first concern was for his 17-year-old son, whose mother was deceased.

He also had an older son from a previous marriage, Ryan, living and working in Colorado.

Kruskamp called Ryan right away.

“I was in Denver, and he called me around my birthday, September 2,” recalled Ryan. “I told him that if things took a turn for the worse, he didn’t need to worry about Tyler — I would be there for him.”

Ryan made plans to come to Kansas City immediately, but got a return ticket for a month later.

“At the time, I didn’t really know how bad it was,” he said. “But I was thinking maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.”

He never made that return flight.

Initially, Ryan and his dad were

hopeful. They even made a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

“We were willing to do clinical trials, basically anything anyone wanted to try,” said Ryan. “He was willing to go down fighting.

“But in the end, there was nothing they could do.”

The hospice choice In the beginning, Kruskamp was completely against hospice.

“I think he kind of looked at it as giving up,” said Ryan.

For the sake of his sons, Kruskamp changed his mind. But with more than 60 hospices in the area, the selection process alone was daunting.

“I think one thing a lot of people don’t understand is they think there’s one hospice,” said McGuinn. “But really they do have a choice. “ Though Christian, the family didn’t have a specific religious affiliation. But Kruskamp felt he wanted a faith-based program.

“He said, growing up, on his father’s side, they were Catholic,” Ryan explained. “Having this come on so quickly, he kind of expressed to me a couple of times he regretted that he hadn’t been more practicing.”

In the end, the family chose Catholic Community Hospice, a ministry of

Going on

Tyler (left) and Ryan Kruskamp display a photo of their father Larry, who died of cancer last fall. Larry chose Catholic Community Hospice because of its faith component, and his sons found in the agency the support system they so desperately needed during their darkest hours.

“My dad wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else but at home. They don’t encourage you to die; it’s just a system of support the entire time.”

” Ryan Kruskamp

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. It’s the only Catholic hospice in the area, but serves people of all faiths.

“Right now, about 60 percent of our patients are Catholic and about 40 percent are non-Catholic,” said director Tiffany James.

The nonprofit ministry uses an interdisciplinary team approach to patient care, assigning to every patient a nurse, a home-health aide, a chaplain and a social worker.

“Every 14 days, [the team] meets with our medical director to review the patient’s plan of care to see if it’s still effective,” said James.

Because Catholic Community

Hospice has a low patient-to-nurse ratio, the service is very personal.

And Kruskamp’s sons found it was quite the opposite of giving up.

“My dad wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else but at home,” said Ryan. “They don’t encourage you to die; it’s just a system of support the entire time.”

Teamwork “Basically, it starts out always with the patient,” said Clark. “You find out what his immediate needs are.

“In this case, [Kruskamp] had a lot of pain management issues. We did a lot of symptom control and taught the family how to take care of the patient.”

The second priority, said Clark, is to make the most of the time that’s left.

“My goal is totally different from a nurse in a different field,” she said.

“For me, I try to make every day something special.”

“She was great; she was awesome,” said Ryan of Clark. “Anything that we wanted to try to help our father with the cancer — vitamins or nutrition — she was on board.

“My dad always brightened up when she showed up.”

Despite his sons’ efforts to prolong his life, Kruskamp succumbed to his cancer more quickly than expected.

And the family was caught off-guard.

But, fortunately, their hospice team was not.

“We really didn’t have all the affairs in order,” said Ryan. “Our nurse, she was, like, ‘You guys have to do this.’

“I think she could see things were kind of taking a turn for the worse.”

That’s when McGuinn got her call, and she came right away.

“When I got there,” she said, “Larry appeared to be very near actively dying. A couple of his siblings were there, but they were leaving to go back to Ohio.”

The boys were left alone with only their hospice team for support.

“I know Ryan was having a tough time,” said McGuinn. “It was a pretty emotional day.”

McGuinn’s responsibility on the team is to support the patient’s family emotionally, help them with paperwork and funeral arrangements, and inform them of bereavement services.

“If I can make a difficult situation a

little less difficult, a little easier to go through for the family, then I’ve accomplished my purpose,” she said.

On her initial visit, she was able to get Kruskamp awake and coherent enough to appoint Ryan his power of attorney. When the call from the nurse came in, she returned and stayed with Ryan as he went through paperwork and signed documents with a lawyer.

Kruskamp had said he wanted to be buried in a family plot in his hometown in Ohio. Because McGuinn realized that, when the end came, the boys would have no way of knowing how to have the body transported or arrange the funeral, she connected Ryan with funeral advocate Brian O’Laughlin,

“My goal is totally different from a nurse in a different field. For me, I try to make every day something special.”

”

Andrea Clark, Catholic Community Hospice nurse

who often works with Catholic Community Hospice to help families with such arrangements.

“I remember Brian telling me, ‘You’re going to be kind of out of it, discombobulated,’” said Ryan. “‘Just give us a call and we’ll handle everything.’

“It’s true; you’re just kind of out of your mind when you lose someone.”

The final hours “Somebody told me along the way that God gave us tears as a coping mechanism,” said McGuinn. “And so I encourage people to use those.”

As their father was dying, Ryan and Tyler took full advantage of the tears God gave them and were grateful they had chosen the Catholic hospice program.

“It was just another source of comfort for my father,” said Ryan. “One of the worst parts of dying for him was the fear, the sadness.

“I think the faith aspect of hospice addresses that directly.”

And it was chaplain Brother Daryl Charron who stayed with the family through it all.

With the help of O’Laughlin, the boys buried their father in Ohio in early December.

They’re now back in Kansas City together, shouldering the heavy burden of organizing and managing all that he left behind.

Ryan won’t be making that return trip to Denver for a while.

“As long as Tyler says he wants me here, I’ll stay,” he said.

Tyler, a wrestler for Turner High School in Kansas City, Kan., missed much of his season this year, but still managed to win fourth place at the state tournament — a goal his father always wanted to see him achieve.

“Before my match, I asked him to help me,” said Tyler. “He always wanted me to be the best.”

Ryan, too, has seen an answer to a prayer.

“I prayed a bunch through this whole ordeal,” he said. “And my father not making it, at first I had that kneejerk reaction that my prayers weren’t answered.”

But then he reflected on how serenely his father had died.

“He really just kind of stopped breathing,” he said. “It was the most peaceful thing you could imagine.

“My prayers could have been answered in any millions of ways that I can’t really imagine. And they were answered in that my dad died peacefully.”

After nine years with Catholic Community Hospice, McGuinn knows exactly what he means.

“Deaths that I’ve been present for, which is quite a few — they’re usually very peaceful, calm,” she said. “There’s almost a good feeling.

“They’re being released from their pain and suffering here and going off to a better place.”

That, said Clark, is what being a Catholic Community Hospice worker is all about.

“You really get your satisfaction when you look at the whole picture,” she said. “And you know you made it happen that someone could die peacefully in the midst of their family, and with dignity.

“The way they wanted to die.”

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

Ohio community mourns ‘senseless tragedy’ at school CHARDON, Ohio (CNS) — Wearing Chardon High School colors of red and black and carrying candles and red flowers, more than 3,000 people from Chardon and neighboring communities gathered inside and outside of St. Mary Catholic Church for an evening vigil Feb. 28 to pray with and comfort one another after the tragic shooting at the high school.

Five students were shot Feb. 27 when a teenager opened fire around 7:40 a.m. in the cafeteria at Chardon High School in the Cleveland suburbs. The shooting victims were rushed to the hospital, where Daniel Parmertor, 16, a St. Mary parishioner, was declared dead. Russell King Jr., 17, was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. Feb. 28, and Demetrius Hewlin, 16, died later that day. Demetrius’ mother, Phyllis, is a member of St. Mary Parish. Nick Walczak, 17, remained hospitalized in serious condition March 1. The fifth victim, Joy Rickers, 18, was in another part of the school when she was shot; she was released from the hospital Feb. 28. The alleged shooter, identified by his family as 17-year-old T.J. Lane, was chased from the school and arrested a short time later. He was being held in jail as a juvenile, and formal charges against him were to be filed by March 1.

St. Mary Church is across the street from Chardon Middle School and Chardon High School, and its pastor, Father Daniel Redmond, said the church has remained open and welcoming to anyone who wants to pray or talk to counselors. He said youths from the parish’s LifeTeen group also had gathered for prayer.

Campuses tackling issues of alcohol abuse, binge drinking DETROIT (CNS) — Catholic colleges and universities across the country are working to address the issue of risky drinking practices, promote responsible alcohol behavior and help counsel students identified with drinking trouble. “The fact of the matter is young people drink, and people under 21 drink, and with the college lifestyle, I don’t think that will change anytime soon,” said Justin Hummer, assistant director of Heads UP Research Lab at Loyola Marymount University here. “It’s part of the recognition that abstinence programs fail regularly, so we’re trying to meet students where they are, not being judgmental and confrontational,” he said. “We try to engage them in a way you can deliver information that might be helpful in terms of how they make decisions. That’s key in a lot of ways.”

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

Catholics asked to help Holy Land Christians

Omaha opens cause of Boys Town founder

By Lisa Maxson

Catholic News Service OMAHA, Neb. (CNS) — It started in 1917 with a rented house, five boys who needed a home in Omaha and a Catholic priest determined to help troubled and abandoned youths throughout the city.

Now, Boys Town helps more than 1.6 million people each year through its main campus of group homes, churches, a grade school and high school, post office and bank, as well as a national research hospital in Omaha, a national hotline, and other services and locations around the country.

And the priest who started it all — Father Edward Flanagan — might someday be named a saint.

The process toward canonization began Feb. 27 with Archbishop George J. Lucas — surrounded by more than 200 people with dozens of cameras flashing — placing a notice on the doors of St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

The notice, which is a centuries-old church tradition, alerts the public to the opening of Father Flanagan’s sainthood cause. It also invites people to share their thoughts with a tribunal that is being formed to review the priest’s life and works.

The process toward possible canonization continues with a March 17 Mass at Immaculate Conception Church at Boys Town — where Father Flanagan’s body is laid to rest — with Archbishop Lucas, Father Steven Boes, executive director of Boys Town, and other Catholic officials participating.

Father Flanagan will be named a “servant of God” at the Mass. In addition, the archbishop will install the religious officials and experts who will form the tribunal investigating Father Flanagan’s work and reputation. Tribunal members will interview people who come forward as witnesses of Father Flanagan’s virtue.

If there is a declaration of the priest’s heroic virtues, the church will give him the title “venerable.”

The second step is beatification, after which he is called “blessed.” The third step is sainthood. At various steps in the canonization process, evidence of alleged miracles is presented to church authorities. In general, two miracles need to be accepted by the church as having occurred through the intercession of the prospective saint.

If Father Flanagan is canonized, he would be the first person declared a saint whose ministry was based in the

By Cindy Wooden

Catholic News Service

CNS photo/Vatican Secret Archives

SIGNATURE OF GALILEO IN VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES —The signature of astronomer Galileo Galilei from the records of his trial is seen on a document in the Vatican Secret Archives. It is among the items being displayed in the exhibit “Lux in Arcana,” which runs until Sept. 9 at Rome’s Capitoline Museum.

CNS photo/courtesy of Boys Town

FATHER FLANAGAN SPEAKS TO YOUNG MEN AT BOYS TOWN — Father Edward Flanagan is surrounded by young men in his office at Boys Town in Omaha, Neb., in this 1942 photo. He is at the desk made for him by some boys at the home in the mid-1930s. Father Flanagan founded Boys Town in 1917, devoting his life to the care of troubled and abandoned boys. The Archdiocese of Omaha has begun an investigation into the priest’s life opening the first phase in the rigorous process toward sainthood.

Archdiocese of Omaha.

The process could take years to complete — or even decades, said Omar Gutierrez, director of the archdiocesan office of missions and justice and the tribunal notary. In some cases, causes for sainthood are never completed because of a lack of witnesses, funds or volunteers, or major gaps in the historical timeline for the person, he said.

But Gutierrez and others involved in Father Flanagan’s cause said they believe the process could move relatively quickly because officials at Boys Town have organized easily-accessible records on the late priest’s life.

The groundwork for Father Flanagan’s sainthood cause began 13 years ago when several Boys Town alumni formed a group to build devotion to the priest and teach people about his life and mission as a mentor and protector of youth.

The Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion has been holding monthly prayer meetings at Father Flanagan’s tomb, speaking about him publicly, coordinating prayer groups in Ireland, Father Flanagan’s native land, and leading pilgrimages to Boys Town that reflect on his life and virtue.

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The Irish priest devoted his life to the care of troubled and abandoned boys in Omaha, and he worked to ensure a safe place for those who needed his help.

Father Flanagan also struggled with respiratory and other health issues throughout his life, and those difficulties almost prevented him from becoming a priest. Shortly after his ordination in Austria in 1912, he moved to what was then the Omaha Diocese to be near his brother, Father P.A. Flanagan, and his sister, Nellie. He was assistant pastor of St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill and St. Patrick Parish in Omaha before opening his home for boys in downtown Omaha.

Despite opposition from some in the community, he took in boys of all races and religions. He believed love, education, training and faith would help each of them become responsible citizens, and his mission took him all over the United States and around the world.

He died of a heart attack in 1948 at age 61, while on a mission in Berlin.

Ten years earlier, Father Flanagan’s work was recognized and made into a 1938 movie, “Boys Town,” which starred Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney and won Tracy an Oscar for best actor.

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Vatican Secret Archives marks 400th anniversary with exhibit ROME (CNS) — Working with the city of Rome, the Vatican Secret Archives is celebrating its 400th anniversary with an exhibit designed to shed light not only on its holdings, but on some of the myth and mystery surrounding its collection of millions of documents.

“Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Reveals Itself” opened at Rome’s Capitoline Museum Feb. 29 and is scheduled to remain open until Sept.

9.

Vatican archives’ officials and exhibit curators said about a hundred original documents are being displayed outside the Vatican for the first time.

The secret — or, more accurately, “private” — archives were founded by Pope Paul V in 1612. Since 1881, they have been opened to scholars conducting research.

The documents in the exhibit include the “Privilegium Ottonianum,” signed

by Pope John XII and Emperor Otto I in 962, establishing the Papal States; the letter that members of the English Parliament wrote to Pope Clement VII in 1530 asking him to annul the marriage of King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon; selections of documents from 1616 to 1633 related to the trial of Galileo

Galilei; a letter written on silk in 1650 from Empress Helena Wang of China to Pope Innocent X; and a letter on birch bark from the Ojibwe people of Grassy Lake, Ontario, written to Pope Leo XIII in 1887.

The exhibit also includes some fragments collected behind St. Peter’s Basilica from an Allied bomb that fell nearby in 1943, and the report of a Vatican policeman who was on duty that night.

In the preface to the exhibit catalogue, Cardinal Raffaele Farina, archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, said the exhibit would introduce visitors to the archives’ “service to the church and to culture, carried out over four centuries with a tireless work of safekeeping, cataloging and care” using the most advanced technology available.

Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the archives, told Vatican Radio that the documents in the exhibit were selected to give people an idea of the historical range of the archives’ holdings, the diversity of materials preserved and the global reach of the Vatican’s interests and concerns.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Tension, hostility and even violence are the “daily bread” of many of the Christian communities living in the biblical lands of the Middle East, said Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches.

In a letter to bishops around the world, Cardinal Sandri asked for widespread participation in the annual collection on behalf of Christians in the Holy Land. The Vatican released the cardinal’s letter March 1.

The collection, coordinated by the Congregation for Eastern Churches, is taken up during Good Friday services in many dioceses.

Cardinal Sandri said Good Friday is a special time to remember Mideast Christians’ needs, which “are bound up with the sufferings of the entire Middle East. For the disciples of Christ, hostility is often the daily bread that nourishes the faith.”

Proceeds of the collection are distributed to Latin and Eastern Catholic bishops, parishes, schools and projects in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Egypt.

While the focus is on Catholic pastoral work in the region, he said, the church also offers social services to the needy, whether or not they are Catholic.

“In this way fraternity, which can overcome division and discrimination, increases and gives renewed impetus to ecumenical dialogue and interreligious collaboration,” he said.

Cardinal Sandri noted the ongoing high rates of Christian emigration from the Holy Land as families seek futures free from the threat of violence.

At the same time, those who stay need help not only in maintaining their families, but also in preparing for a better future, he said. The region’s Christians need “support now for schools, medical assistance, critical housing [and] meeting places.”

WORLD 11

Building democracy harder than toppling dictators VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Muslims and Christians throughout North Africa and the Middle East recognize that “building a democracy is more difficult than destroying a dictatorship,” but they are committed to realizing their dream, said one of the leaders of change in Tunisia. Rashid Ghannushi, known as the intellectual leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda Movement, now the key party in the coalition governing Tunisia, was one of the speakers at a conference in Rome Feb. 29 on the Arab Spring movement. The conference, sponsored by the Sant’Egidio Community, a Rome-based lay movement, brought together Christian and Muslim religious and political leaders from around the Mediterranean to discuss the prodemocracy movement and, especially, its impact on Christian-Muslim relations.

Conference participants were welcomed

by Sant’Egidio’s founder, Andrea Riccardi, who now serves as Italy’s minister for international cooperation. Ghannushi said many Westerners have had prejudices about the way Muslims see their faith and politics going together, as if Islam and democracy are diametrically opposed. He said Muslims want to be able to do what Riccardi has done: be a religious believer who lets his faith inform his political activity. Under the dictatorships, “order was maintained through repression,” so the new democracies must make concerted efforts to build social cohesion and involve all citizens in the life of the country.

Archbishop urges Nigerians to keep nation united ABUJA, Nigeria (CNS) — Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja challenged Nigerians to do everything possible to keep their nation united and to resist any attempts to divide it along narrow religious lines. “We live in a nation where everyone is supposed to be free to profess whatever faith he or she decides to follow,” Archbishop Onaiyekan said in his homily at the opening Mass of the Nigerian bishops’ plenary Feb. 26.

He commended Nigerians for achieving a measure of success in nation-building despite what he called “occasional appearances to the contrary.” However, he said, recent troubles in Nigeria — armed revolt, economic disparity and corruption — had inflicted spiritual damage to the nation, making it difficult to live together as children of God. He also urged Nigeria’s leadership to live up to its responsibility by restoring and maintaining security in the land and by bringing opposing forces together for dialogue and reconciliation.

Trinity Travel presents three pilgrimages June 8 – 19

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Pilgrimage to Poland and Prague

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Administrative assistant – The Tribunal Office of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a part-time assistant, 30 hours per week. Duties include data entry, transcription, filing, scanning and mailing correspondence. Position encounters a variety of confidential information, necessitating discretion at all times. Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic; have good communication skills, both written and verbal; demonstrated attention to detail; strong computer aptitude with knowledge of Excel; and 3 - 5 years administrative experience. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocesan website at: www. archkck.org/employment. Interested individuals may mail cover letter, resume, and application by March 23 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Tribunal Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City KS 66109, or send, via email, to: kthomas@archkck.org.

Receptionist - Advice & Aid Pregnancy Centers is seeking to fill a part-time receptionist position immediately. Responsibilities include: answering and directing incoming calls; greeting clients and visitors; ensuring atmosphere is welcoming and inviting; and providing administrative assistance as needed. Applicant must be a pro-life advocate and fully agree with AAPC’s vision, mission, and statement of faith.

Applicant must be organized, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and be proficient in Microsoft Office programs. Twenty hours per week, working primarily at the Shawnee site, with one day in Overland Park. For consideration, send a cover letter and resume, via email, to Brenda at: office@ adviceandaid.com.

Part-time driver - Medical transportation company is seeking a dependable, friendly, part-time driver. No CDL needed. For information, call Gary at (913) 927-0047 or send an email to him at: gary@ ridefreedomtransit.com.

Music teacher - Nativity Parish School, Leawood, is seeking a full-time music teacher for the 2012 - 13 school year. Nativity is an accredited K - 8 school with nearly 500 students. Candidates must be faith-filled, practicing Catholics willing to be part of enhancing our music at weekly all-school Masses and qualified to work in the state of Kansas. Applicants may download and complete the employment application via the archdiocesan website at: www.archkckcs.org.

Mail application, letter and resume to: Dr. Maureen Huppe, Principal, 3700 W. 119 St., Leawood KS 66209 or send, via e-mail, to: mhuppe@kcnativity.org.

Medical practice office manager - Single physician practice is seeking an experienced medical practice office manager who has: excellent computer skills; the ability to interact professionally with insurance adjusters, case managers and patients; and the ability to do in-office billing. Email resume and salary requirements to: Cynrn04@aol.com.

Client service technician - Love interacting with people and being part of a team? Have a passion to serve others and enjoy the benefits of some physical work? If you answered yes, join one of the most respected, progressive service companies in Kansas City. Make top industry pay and be appreciated for a job well done. Bock’s Steam Star is accepting applications for two positions. $10 - $40K. Call (913) 438-7767 or visit the website at: www.steamstar.net.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City, Topeka and Atchison areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012 Montessori teacher - Seeking a motivated Montessori teacher for age 7 - 12 class in Eudora. Catechesis of Good Shepherd is part of curriculum. Position open now or in fall. Call (785) 691- 5356.

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

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

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape - Your one-stop location for all of your landscape and irrigation needs. Landscape and irrigation design and installation; lawn and irrigation maintenance services; cleanup and grading. Receive $100 credit toward any landscape/ irrigation service with the mention of this ad. Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com or call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661.

Spring yard cleanup Leaf removal; tree and shrub trimming Free estimates; references. Local parishioner Insured, licensed and bonded Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Mowing & lawn care - Catholic young man with small mowing business is looking to add clients. Mowing, trimming, and blowing. Reliable and dependable.

Saving for college. Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park. Serving northern JoCo area. Call Collin at (913) 648-5903.

Quilted Memories LLC - New store now open in downtown Overland Park! Machine quilting.

Custom-designed memory quilts using your T-shirts and/or photos. Personalized items for sororities, weddings, graduates and more. We also offer quilting classes and studio/machine rental. Call (913) 6492704. For samples of our work, visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

Tutoring available - For students in grades K 12. For information, call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or send an email to her at: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

Caregiving Retired nurse, housekeeper/companion/ elder care - With over 25 years experience is willing to do hospice and in-home care for your loved one.

Days/nights/weekends. Will consider outside the metro area or a live-in position as well. Rates negotiable. Call (913) 579-5276.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

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 and based in Lenexa. Call Benefits of Home-Senior Care at (913) 422-1591 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012 Exceptional caregiver - Kansas City CNA certified home care provider available immediately, full or part time. If someone you love needs assistance that you can trust 100 percent, call Pam at (913) 944-1093.

Excellent references available.

Home Improvement Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Master electrician - Licensed in Missouri and Kansas. 35 years experience in residential and commercial electrical needs. Call Rick, L & M Electric, at (913) 362-1501 or (816) 781-1501.

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

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

(913) 709-8401.

Interior and exterior painting and wallpaper removal - 30-plus years experience. Quality work; excellent references; reasonable rates. Senior discount. Member of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Tile work - Ceramic tile installation/repairs; kitchen or bathrooms; custom showers and flooring projects. 20 years exp.; insured. Free estimates. Call Frank Womack, In Line Flooring, at (913) 485-0745, or send an email to: inlineflooringkc@gmail.com.

Affordable cabinetry - Are you ready for new cabinets in your kitchen or bath? Our large selection ranges from raised panel to Shaker style with dovetail drawers. We offer many finishes, too! For an estimate, call Wright Cabinets at (913) 850-3956.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface.

Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Custom cabinets & woodworking - 20 years experience creating quality woodworking, design, and detail for all your custom cabinetry and furniture needs. Competitive rates; references available. Serving the KC Metro area. Call Dennis at (913) 850-3956.

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.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998 Get a jump on your home repairs! - I specialize in painting, wood rot, decks, fences, windows, doors, siding, stucco, landscaping, drainage issues, and concrete. Fully insured. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call Josh Doherty (913) 709-7230.

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

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizing handyman. For a free consultation, call today (913)271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the website at: www.koatindustries.com.

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, garage, attic, shop — any room organized! Items taken to donation sites, trash is bagged, and areas are clean and neat when job is complete. To view before-andafter pictures, visit the website at: www.swalms.com.

Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Brick mason - Installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, and concrete.

17 years of residential and commercial experience.

Small and large jobs accepted. Free quotes in the KC metro area. Call Jim or John at (913) 485-4307.

Masonry construction - Division 4 Masonry, Inc. 25 years experience; licensed and insured. Brick, block and synthetic stone; repairs; outdoor living; and new construction. Residential and commercial.

Call Tom at (913) 927-6203 or send an email to him at: tomdivision4masonry@gmail.com.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

For Sale For sale – Double-depth crypt in the Faith Lawn area of Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. Call Ken Christian at (816) 918-4075.

Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

Child Care Olathe - Small, in-home child care has full- and part-time openings for ages newborn to three years.

Member of Prince of Peace Parish. Located near 146th and Blackbob. Call Katie at (913) 768-9514.

Wanted to Buy Antiques wanted Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Miscellaneous Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally wise way to recycle your vehicle.

Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call 1 (866) 430-9499 or visit the website at: www.cars4kckids.com.

To purchase a classified ad

Send an email to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $17.50 for five lines or less; additional lines cost $1.50. Please include your billing address and the number of weeks you would like your ad to run. All ads will appear on the website at no additional cost.

Concrete Work

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

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

9

March

St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson Ave., Mission, will host the Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. on March 9 and on every Friday evening during Lent. A soup supper will be served prior to the service. For information, call the church office at (913) 432-4855.

10

Members of the Mary Health of the Sick Guild will host a retreat day beginning at 10 a.m. on March 10 at the Sisters, Servants of Mary convent, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. The day will include a talk by Father Andrew Strobl, silent adoration, Stations of the Cross, praying the rosary, the sacrament of reconciliation and Mass at 3:30 p.m. Guild members are asked to bring their own sack lunch. The Sisters will provide beverages.

Prince of Peace Church, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will host a trivia night at 6 p.m. on March 10. The cost of $25 per person includes soft drinks, beer and wine. Teams of six may register together, or individuals will be placed on a team.

Proceeds will benefit the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf. For information or to RSVP, call Brian Riegel at (913) 383-3535.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will host a Lenten retreat from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on March 10 at Mater Dei-Assumption Church, 204 S.W. 8th St., Topeka. For information or to RSVP, contact Susan Draftz at (913) 674-6172.

The Altar Society of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan., will host a women’s Lenten day of reflection on March 10. Sister Loredana Mazzei, a member of the community of the Apostles of the Interior Life, will present “Prayer in All Seasons of a Woman’s Life.” The day will begin with Mass at 8:15 a.m. and conclude at noon.

The cost of $10 includes a continental breakfast. For information, contact Patty McKiernan at (913) 281-2918.

11 Immaculate Conception Church, Leavenworth, will host its an-

nual corned beef and cabbage dinner from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on March 11 in Kinzler Hall at St. Joseph Church, 306 N. Broadway. The cost is $10 for adults. A children’s hot dog meal will be available for $3. Carryouts will also be available.

For information, call (913) 682-3953.

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will offer a special enrichment program for married couples, entitled “Married and Loving It (Most of the Time),” from 2 - 5:30 p.m. on March 11 in the parish hall. Learn how to focus on the strengths of your marriage, how to communicate better and how to increase the passion in your marriage. For information or to register, call Becky Bartkoski at (785) 336-9933, Tarese Hammes at (785) 3362480 or the parish office at (785) 3362128.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2332, will host a corned beef and cabbage dinner at 11:30 a.m. on March 11 at their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr., during the Shawnee St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will also be chili, hot dogs, hamburgers and concessions available in front of the hall along the parade route.

A Fatima rosary rally will be held at 3 p.m. on March 11 at St. John the Baptist Church, 708 N. 4th St., Kansas City,

Kan. Join in praying the rosary, followed

by Benediction and enrollment in the brown scapular.

St. Patrick Parish, Corning, will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m.

- 1 p.m. on March 11 in the Corning Community Center. A freewill offering will be collected. There will also be a country store and raffles.

St. Patrick Church, Emerald, will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on March 11. Dinner will include corned beef and cabbage, an alternate meat, Irish soda bread, and homemade pies. Freewill donations will be accepted. There will also be several raffles.

13

Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will offer “Jerusalem to Glory,” a Lenten mini-series, from 7 - 8 p.m. on March 13 and every Thursday evening throughout Lent in the church sanctuary. School of Faith theologian, Mike Scherschligt, will take you on a journey designed to draw you closer to Jesus.

The program is free and open to all.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Theatre 101: Staging a New You,” a six-session class from 1 - 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning March 13. If you have always wanted to try acting but never had the chance, this series is for you! Build self-confidence, find joy, and create good energy through poetry, movement, creative writing, and theater improvisations. Free; for women only. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the website at: www.mountosb. org/kwc.

14 The Serra Club of Kansas City, Kan., will host a lunch and pre-

sentation at noon on March 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota Ave. John Jurcyk will present “The Trial of Jesus from a Lawyer’s Perspective.”

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity, will offer “Common¢ents Home Ownership” from 6 - 9 p.m. on March 14.

Topics will include budget and money management, credit, large purchases, landscaping basics, home repair, and insurance. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required.

For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the website at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

15

The Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, will host Lenten reflections and faith sharing on March 15 and every Thursday evening during Lent. The sessions will be held from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Room. Handouts will be provided for the following week’s readings and reflections. For information, send an email to Randall Stevenson at: Gaelwynn@yahoo. com.

A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 15 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Peter Jaramillo will preside. Fellowship will follow in the Father Burak Room. For information, call (913) 649-2026.

15-16

Our Lady’s Montessori School, 3020 S. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will offer a safe sitter course for young students ages 11 - 13 from 1 - 4:30

p.m. on March 15 - 16. The cost is $25.

For information or to register, call (913) 403-9550 or send an email to: ourladys montessori@sbcglobal.net.

17

The Holy Rosary Sodality of All Saints Parish, 809 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual chicken dinner from 5 - 7 p.m. on March 17 in the parish hall. The cost is $9 for adults; $4 for children. For information or to purchase tickets, call Pat Waliczek at (913) 371-4728.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on March 17 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. For information, call (913) 6492026.

18

The Cathedral of St. Peter, 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual St. Joseph Table and spaghetti dinner on March 18. The table will be blessed after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Homemade baked items, wine, fruit baskets and religious items from the table will be available for purchase. The spaghetti dinner will be served from 11 a.m.

- 2 p.m. Freewill donations will be accepted. Proceeds will be donated to local food pantries. For information, contact Patty McKiernan at (913) 281-2918.

2

1 The Committee of Young Patrons (CYP) will host a networking event from 4 - 6 p.m. on March 21 at Lockton Companies, 444 W. 47th St., Suite 900, Kansas City, Mo. There will be a panel discussion with civic-minded businessmen and women in the community, including Peggy Dunn, Lamar Hunt Jr., Nelson Newcomer and more. CYP is a group of 20- to 40-somethings supporting the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. We encourage a donation of five cans of food per attendee.

For more information or to RSVP, call (913) 433-2046 or visit the website at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org/cyp.

22

The Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, will host Lenten reflections and faith sharing on March 22 and every Thursday evening during Lent. The sessions will be held from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Room. Handouts will be provided for the following week’s readings and reflections. For information, send an email to Randall Stevenson at: Gaelwynn@yahoo. com.

24

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a classic rock dance from 7 - 11 p.m. on March 24 in their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr. The suggested donation of $5 includes sausage sandwiches, chips, pretzels and a live band. Beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds from this adults-only event will benefit area seminarians and priests. For information, call Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173.

Join the Altar Society women of Holy Family Church at 10 a.m. on March 24 at Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio Ave., Kansas City, Kan., for a strudel-making class.

Learn how to make apple strudel, cheese strudel or any-flavor-you-want strudel.

A suggested donation of $10 and a bag of Jonathan apples are appreciated. A continental breakfast will be provided.

To RSVP, call Sandy Cannon at (913) 4922612; Marcia Wolf at (816) 454-1378; or the church office at (9130 371-1561. The

CALENDAR 13

registration deadline is March 21 and space is limited.

Training for new respite volunteers will be held from 9 - 9:30 a.m. on March 24 in the Education Center (CSJ Room) at St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Respite is a rewarding ministry giving companionship and care to those who are homebound, while allowing their caregiver some much-needed time away.

Men and women are needed to become volunteers. Respite is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW), and trained volunteers are insured against liability. Volunteers serve in their own parish. For information or to RSVP, call Pat Scheibel at (913) 8976589.

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, Easton, will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on March 24. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day attendance options are available, with the noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. For information, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@ shantivanam.com.

26

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., will offer a volunteer information meeting from 7 - 9 p.m. on March 26 at 11031 W. 75th Terr., Shawnee. For information or to RSVP, contact Mary Newcomer at (913) 9620200 or send an email to: volunteer@ adviceandaid.com.

Misc.

Save April 28 to celebrate an allclasses reunion in honor of the 50th anniversary of Curé of Ars Grade School, Leawood. There will be a special vigil Mass, followed by a celebration. Alumni are asked to send an email with name, graduation year, current address, phone and email information to: alumni@cure ofars.com. If you know other Curé of Ars graduates, share this information with them and ask them to help spread the word.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a one-day retreat, entitled “Elizabeth of the Trinity, Everyday Mystic,” presented by Sister Sheila Carroll, OSB, from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on March 24. Spend a day learning more about this contemporary of Therese of Lisieux. Elizabeth of the Trinity was an “everyday mystic” who held that nothing is trivial and the ordinary is sacred.

The cost is $50; advance deposit is $10.

For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the website at: www. mountosb.org/sophia.html.

A support group for women dealing with any type of addiction, at any stage of recovery, will meet from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Website at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

Calendar submissions:

Are due at noon on Wednesday, nine days prior to the requested publication date. Email submissions are preferred, send to: jennifer@theleaven.com or mail to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City KS 66109.

14 COMMENTARY

Catholic Press Association Award Winner

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

QUOTE WEEK

OF THE

“I realize in my own life that confession is good for the soul.”

Father Mike Hawken, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee

See story on page 5

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

W

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

MARK MY WORDS

MAKING SENSE OUT OF BIOETHICS

Looking for a bargain-basement God?

Marriage calls for ‘radical personal openness’ to God’s plan

ow, I’ve been indulging in way too much surebut this Lent.

No, that’s not a typo. I’m not referring to sherbet, that delightfully light and frozen dessert. I’m talking about rationalization, hair-splitting, cornercutting behavior. It always seems to happen about two weeks into Lent, when it dawns on me how tough some of the disciplines I’ve undertaken really are. Let me give you some examples: Last Saturday night I was out having pizza, and the KU-Texas game was being shown on one of the big screen TVs. I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from it . . . and I’d already gawked at the end of the North Carolina-Duke battle. Earlier that day, I watched a TV program that I’d recorded on the DVR. So, what’s the big deal?

Well, one of my Lenten resolutions is to watch one hour of TV a day. Period.

Because I’d already used up that time with the taped program, I should not have been watching any basketball.

And that’s when the surebuts started.

Inside my head was this conversation: Hey, Mark, didn’t you say just one hour of TV a day during Lent?

Well, sure . . . but “peeking regularly” at a basketball game is not really “watching” TV, is it? And, after all, I meant that one hour to apply to what I watched at home, not when something “happened” to be on TV somewhere else, like at a restaurant.

A day later, my mind said: Hey, Mark, what are you doing with that bunch of grapes in your hand? Didn’t

you say that you weren’t going to eat in between meals?

Well, sure . . . but I meant that I wasn’t going to eat unhealthy snacks.

Obviously, grapes (and raisins and nuts and air-popped popcorn) don’t count.

Later, my mind said: Hey, Mark, why are you wasting time with that game on your computer? Didn’t you say that you were going to make time to pray more?

Well, sure . . . but I need to relax my mind for an hour or so first before I can give God the proper attention that those 15 minutes of prayer demand.

Days later, my mind said: Hey, Mark, you skipped a meal at Wendy’s, shouldn’t that money go into your Rice Bowl?

Well, sure . . . but I didn’t mean that I’d put the whole combo meal price in.

I would have only ordered off the 99cent menu, so a couple of bucks should cover it.

Finally, my heart said: Hey, Mark, how serious are you about Lent and growing closer to God? At this point, the words of author Wilbur Rees came rushing at me: “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want

enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Almighty in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.”

That quote, more often than not, probably describes the attitude of a lot of us. The massive crowds in church on Ash Wednesday never materialize for Lenten services the very next Wednesday. We seem to want a God that we can control, one made in our image and likeness . . . and not the other way around. We want a God that we can carry around in a paper sack to be brought out when needed. We desire a God of miracles and blessings, not one who asks us to serve and sacrifice. Do we honestly want to be holier? Sure . . . but just not this Lent.

If you’re afflicted with the surebuts, don’t throw in the towel. Instead, grab hold of your Lenten resolutions once again (or compose some now) and recommit yourself to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We can be so much better than we give ourselves credit for: more compassionate, forgiving, generous, helpful, and attentive to others . . . if we just give God an honest chance to work with and through us.

Don’t settle for a bargain-basement God or a cheap Lent. Imagine standing at the gates of heaven one day and asking, “Lord, don’t you want to let me in?”

He might just reply, “Sure . . . but it’s the $3 seats for you!”

A

few years ago, I spoke with a young man preparing to get married.

His aunt told him that she thought he and his fiancee were too financially strapped to have a child, and that it wouldn’t be fair to bring up a baby in poverty.

Keenly aware of his joblessness and his minuscule bank account, he concluded she was probably right.

The young man and his fiancee were ready to tie the knot in a few months and they expected that she would be at the infertile phase of her cycle around the time of their honeymoon, so they would be able to consummate the marriage while avoiding bringing a child into the world. They agreed they would use natural family planning (NFP) after that to avoid a pregnancy. A few years later, when they felt financially secure, he told me, they would have their first child. He admitted, however, that he was conflicted about whether they were really being “open to life” in their marriage if they were going into it with this kind of forethought and intention of avoiding children.

In marriage, it can certainly be chal-

lenging to harmonize spousal love with the responsible transmission of life.

Janet Smith and Christopher Kaczor, in an illuminating passage from one of their recent books, acknowledge this challenge and point to the need for a “spirit of generosity” when it comes to procreation: “Pope John Paul II spoke of ‘responsible parenthood,’ in which a couple uses practical wisdom, prayer and a spirit of generosity in determining how many children they should have.

Some Catholics believe that the church permits the use of NFP only for reasons that verge on the truly desperate, such as a situation where a pregnancy would threaten a woman’s life or a family is living in dire poverty. Magisterial documents, however, state that spouses may have physical, psychological, economic or social reasons for needing to limit family size, using several different adjectives to describe those reasons: One can have ‘just’ reasons, ‘worthy’ reasons, ‘defensible’ reasons, ‘serious’ reasons and ‘weighty’ reasons. In short, the magisterium teaches that spouses must have unselfish reasons for using

NFP and limiting their family size.”

At times, then, our justifications for avoiding a pregnancy may merit further reflection and scrutiny on our part.

When it comes to “poverty,” for example, would our poverty, in the true sense of the word, mean that the child would be malnourished and without warm clothing, or would it simply mean that he or she would forego some of the latest hi-tech gadgets that other children in the neighborhood might be enjoying?

I recall what a father of seven children on a tight budget once told me in a conversation: “Honestly, there’s always room around the table for one more, and with ‘hand-me-down’ clothing we always manage. And my goodness, isn’t it a momentous thing to receive that trust of preparing another soul for an eternal destiny with God?” His wife pointed out how the older children ended up helping with raising the younger ones, lessening the burdens on Mom and Dad, and turning it into a “team effort.”

The ancient Christian teaching on the two-fold purpose of marriage — namely, the “procreation and education of children” and the “mutual help and sanctification of the spouses” — accurately summarizes the inner order of marriage. As the future John Paul II wrote in his great 1960 book “Love and Responsibility,” radical personal openness to both of these purposes is essential to the success and meaning of any marriage.

Concrete Work

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

IN THE BEGINNING

THIRD WEEK OF LENT March 11 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Ex 20: 1-17; Ps 19: 8-11; 1 Cor 1: 22-25; Jn 2: 13-25 March 12 2 Kgs 5: 1-15b; Pss 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4; Lk 4: 24-30 March 13 Tuesday Dn 3: 25, 34-43; Ps 25: 4bc-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9; Mt 18: 21-35 March 14 Wednesday Dt 4: 1, 5-9; Ps 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5: 17-19 March 15 Thursday Jer 7: 23-28; Ps 95: 1-2, 6-9; Lk 11: 14-23 March 16 Friday Hos 14: 2-10; Ps 81: 6c-11b, 14, 17; Mk 12: 28-34 March 17 Patrick, bishop Hos 6: 1-6; Ps 51: 3-4, 18-21b; Lk 18: 9-14

COMMENTARY 15

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

New covenant written on the hearts of the faithful

T

exting is gaining in popularity. It goes a step beyond email, but still sends a written message.

In that, this most modern means of communication can trace its roots back THIRD SUNDAY thousands of years.

OF LENT The written word Ex 20: 1-17 has been with us a long time and looks as though it will remain with us still.

At the same time, the modes of writing have changed considerably over the years. Five thousand years ago, the Sumerians relied upon clay tablets for writing. They would press a stylus into the soft, wet clay to form the desired characters. The clay tablet then dried in the sun, to leave an extremely durable record of the message.

The Babylonians and Assyrians also adopted this system of writing, called cuneiform. On the other hand, the Hebrews preferred parchment and papyrus as a writing surface, with ink as the writing medium.

However, in Sunday’s first reading — Ex 20:1-17 — we receive a written message which is described as originally delivered through none of these

methods. Instead, God writes the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets, a writing medium far more lasting than papyrus or parchment scrolls or clay tablets (Ex 24:12).

Although rare, stone sometimes appeared as a writing surface in the ancient world. Public buildings and monuments would bear inscriptions chiseled in stone. Even now, we attempt to make messages permanent by inscribing them on stone. Gravestones give a good example of that. We want them to last forever.

A desire for permanence also lies behind the choice of stone tablets for the Ten Commandments. As part of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, these Ten Commandments also need to last forever. Parchment and papyrus can burn, clay tablets can dissolve in water, but stone tablets can endure forever.

However, when the people of Israel break their covenant with God by worshipping the golden calf, Moses in

anger breaks the stone tablets. They have not proven so permanent after all (Ex 32:19).

If parchment or papyrus or clay or stone will not work, what will?

Later, one of the prophets will propose a different writing surface: “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts” (Jer 31: 33). The prophet is suggesting that only by internalizing the message can we ensure that it will remain effective.

St. Paul places a similar importance on the role of the Spirit in spreading God’s message: “You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all . . . written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh” (2 Cor 3:2, 3b). The new covenant that God establishes with us through Jesus Christ is not meant to be written on stone tablets, but on our hearts. That way, it can last forever.

During this season of Lent, we trace that covenant upon our hearts once again, in order to renew it.

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Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

Gregg Amos

www.amosfamily.com

We should never enter into marriage with active opposition to the very ends for which it exists. If a couple is preparing to embark upon marriage with the immediate intention of avoiding offspring (even if they are using morally acceptable means such as NFP), they perhaps ought to consider delaying the exchange of their vows until they have resolved the various impediments — whether financial, career-related, or personal — that are leading them to be closed to the idea of having children.

I recall hearing about another family that had six children. They didn’t have two nickels to rub together. After the father came down with mental illness, the mother had to support the family single-handedly. A clear-thinking woman with an unflinching faith, now elderly and reflecting on her past, she memorably remarked to her neighbor: “I’ve never seen the Lord send a child without also sending a lunch pail.”

God, who is the very source of the immortal souls of our children, is a provident God who invites us to examine the heart of our marriages. He invites us to entrust ourselves to him, so that we might be courageous and authentically open to the gift of life he sends us in the midst of the marital embrace.

Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the director of education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MARCH 9, 2012

Holy Family Altar Society kneads to carry on tradition

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Julia Poje McGeeney mixed, kneaded and rolled — and ended up with more than a delicious meal.

Learning to make struklji — a Slovenian dumpling-like dish — was almost like a trip back to the days she spent cooking with her grandmother.

“It was wonderful to be in the kitchen with her,” she said.

McGeeney, a member of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, ate struklji, often filled with sauerkraut or cottage cheese, as a child.

The meatless dish was especially popular during Lent.

McGeeney signed up as soon as she learned the Altar Society of Holy Family Parish in Kansas City, Kan. — her father’s home parish — was offering a struklji class in January.

She couldn’t wait to learn how to make a dish with ties to her past. Now she can both serve it up and pass it on to future generations.

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Holy Family Altar Society president Marcia Wolf demonstrates to attendees how to roll struklji during a class on Jan. 28.

Keeping traditions alive The women of Holy Family’s Altar Society have a similar idea for this parish — to preserve its history, while building on it for the future.

“There’s so much history around here — and beautiful history,” said Altar Society vice president Sandy Cannon.

But like many smaller churches, this parish on Strawberry Hill has a long list of needs, including upgrades to its aging kitchen.

In addition to holding fundraisers and encouraging past parishioners to come for Mass, members thought offering classes like this could build on the parish’s rich Slovenian traditions and strengthen community.

Although both Cannon and Altar Society president Marcia Wolf belong to other parishes, they consider Holy Family home.

“Once you’re a member here, you’re never not a member,” said Cannon.

They had requests for these lessons.

“They said, ‘Let’s have some classes to teach us how to make struklji, strudel and potica,’” Cannon said.

They started with struklji because it’s a Lenten dish.

Variations The “students” on this Saturday in late January first mixed shortening into dry ingredients.

Keep cooking The Holy Family Altar Society will list future class offerings in the calendar section of The Leaven.

The next one is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 24 in Mejak Hall and will teach participants how to make strudel. The women suggest a donation of $10 and a bag of Jonathan apples.

Class size is limited, and the registration deadline is March 21.

Also, the society has a cookbook for sale for those interested in more Slovenian recipes.

To register for the course or to buy a cookbook, contact Marcia Wolf at (816) 454-1378, Sandy Cannon at (913) 492-2612, or the parish office at (913) 371-1561.

Mary Viscek’s struklji INGREDIENTS Dough: 3-4 cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup lukewarm water 1 tablespoon Crisco

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Julia Poje McGeeney (left), a parishioner of Church of the Nativity in Leawood, gets some help stretching her struklji dough from Holy Family Altar Society vice president Sandy Cannon.

Wolf explained that not every family makes this dish the same way.

Wolf learned this version, filled with scrambled eggs and caraway seeds, from her husband’s grandmother, Mary Viscek.

Holy Family parishioner Daria Taylor, on the other hand, is more familiar with a Croatian recipe with oil in the dough, plus a filling of onion, bacon grease and garlic. It was served most often with pork roast — but not during Lent!

Patrick Horton, a member of Holy Family Parish and Viscek’s greatgrandson, found the first step more an art than a science, however, and had to add water to his dough several times to get the right consistency.

“The hardest part was kneading the dough,” he said. “It was quite the exercise.”

His great-grandmother had stopped cooking by Horton’s childhood, so this was his first time to make — or even taste — struklji.

Sampling and sharing People came from near and far to learn the techniques.

Theresa Macek-Moody, a member of Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner, signed up with her brother Joe Macek, of Holy Trinity Parish in Paola, and her sister-in-law Lucille Macek of St.

Joseph Parish in Shawnee.

Lucille Macek had never heard of struklji before and enjoyed learning, especially alongside several familiar faces.

Macek-Moody and her brother were more familiar with this dish.

“Our mom used to make it,” said Macek-Moody, describing a sweet version with cinnamon, eggs and sugar.

“I always wanted to try to make it and never had on my own,” said Joe Macek. He planned to try it at home — with a modification.

“I’m going to use the KitchenAid,” he said.

‘Food of our heritage’ Horton uses several of his grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s recipes.

“It’s really fun just to keep the family traditions alive,” he said. “Our generation doesn’t cook as much and, when we do, it’s not Slovenian recipes.”

“I loved it,” said Jacqueline Buncic, a member of Our Lady & St. Rose Parish in Kansas City, Kan. Her family made a lot of Slovenian dishes.

“This is a food of our heritage,” said Susan Robards, a member of Church of the Nativity. “My mother (St. John the Baptist parishioner Kathy Zunick) was a young girl the last time she remembers her mother making it.”

Filling: 1 stick butter, melted 4 very soft scrambled eggs (or sauerkraut, dry cottage cheese, potato) Caraway seeds Salt and pepper to taste Directions Cut Crisco into flour and salt.

Add water and knead until soft and smooth. Cover and rest dough for two hours.

Roll out dough very, very thin and cover with one stick warm, melted butter, stretching dough as thin as possible. Cover with filling. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and caraway seeds.

Roll up jellyroll fashion, starting with long side, pulling lengthwise to make thinner. Cut in 2- or 3-inch pieces with a thick plate. Using a plate instead of a knife crimps the edges and seals in the filling.

Drop pieces into boiling water and cook 40 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon. Drain, cool, and brown in melted butter.

Serve two or three pieces as a main Lenten course, along with creamed peas or tossed salad.

The women attended the class together.

Taylor loved the idea because it’s important to carry on traditions in any nationality.

“We need to get our children involved,” she said. “If I don’t teach my kids and my grandkids, these things are going to die.”