04-19-13 Vol. 34 No. 33

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 33 | april 19, 2013

Photo by Rox Stec

Students at Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison bless the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison during an assembly on March 21 at the school. The Sisters are celebrating their 150th anniversary in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas with a year’s worth of celebrations.

A

TCHISON — A cleareyed assessment at the time might have concluded that, perhaps, the seven Benedictine Sisters didn’t choose the best time to come here. And maybe they shouldn’t have come at all.

The Benedictines, however, walked by faith and not by sight, and so they came to Kansas.

They traveled hundreds of miles from Minnesota to Atchison by train and riverboat, while the country was at war, to establish a new foundation in a nine-year-old town that was literally on the edge of the frontier.

It was a different culture from what they knew. Atchison was nothing like the predominantly German Catholic communities they had formerly served.

The Benedictines crossed the Missouri River by ferry and landed at the Atchison wharf late on Nov.

Mission: incredible Benedictine Sisters celebrate 150 years Story by Joe Bollig 11, 1863. There, the wharf master passed along the rumor that antiCatholic thugs wanted to burn them out of their new home that night.

But they had friends in town, too. Benedictine monks established a priory here in 1857, and a school

for boys. The lay carpenters from the priory built a sturdy, two-story brick home and school for the Sisters before their arrival, located at Second and Division streets.

That first night, the two carpenters doubled as sentries, patrolling

the perimeter of the building with lanterns, keeping watch over the Sisters until dawn’s first light.

Not long after their arrival, the local newspaper published anonymous denunciations of the Sisters, prompting replies by someone called “Imprimatur.” At one point, the mayor and other prominent citizens were at the point of asking the Benedictine Sisters to leave town. “[People’s opinions of the Sisters] were very mixed those first years,” said Sister Judith Sutera, OSB, director of communications and public relations for the Benedictine Sisters.

It was the Sisters’ actions that won the day.

“They won people over by simply showing the quality of what they were doing and by just being a presence,” she said. “They helped >> See “yearlong” on page 8

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | April 19, 2013

‘Shepherd in combat boots’

Life will be victorious

State sanction of same-sex unions holds hidden dangers

O

ne of the most thoughtful and insightful reflections about a

Catholic understanding of same-sex attraction is a chapter in “Breaking Through — Catholic Women Speak for Themselves,” edited by Helen Alvare. In the chapter entitled: “Who Am I? Psychology, Faith and Same-Sex Attraction,” Michelle A. Cretella, a medical doctor, attempts to integrate her scientific understanding of the sources and nature of same-sex attraction with our Catholic moral understanding. From the beginning of the article, Dr. Cretella recommends that humility is necessary in seeking to understand both the scientific data and moral teaching.

One of the first points that Dr. Cretella makes regarding the Catholic moral analysis is that chastity, not heterosexuality, is “the virtue to which God calls every human being.” Her point is simply that experiencing opposite-sex attractions is not a virtue, nor is experiencing same-sex attractions a sin. Individuals with opposite-sex attractions and same-sex attractions can sin by violating the virtue of chastity — namely, by engaging in sexual intimacy outside of the covenant of permanent and faithful love between one man and one woman.

Moreover, married couples can sin against chastity by utilizing contraception within marriage or by treating their spouse as an object of lust to satisfy their own desire for pleasure, rather than giving themselves in love to each other.

Dr. Cretella strives to be very precise scientifically in her terminology. For instance, she does not use the term sexual orientation, as this implies to many “a defined identity equivalent to the identities male and female.”

She clarifies this point by stating: “Yet, unlike one’s biological sex, there is no scientific marker or medical or psychological test that distinguishes same-sex-attracted individuals from those opposite-sex-attracted.”

Dr. Cretella admits as a young doctor in the early

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Correction I apologize for quoting in last week’s column an earlier version of the Catechism. Below is the current and revised text for paragraph 2358 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. The inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christian, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.” [2358]

1990s, she believed that samesex attraction was “innate and immutable,” which brought her to the moral conclusion that homosexual behavior was not a mortal sin. Dr. Cretella said in medical school she was led to believe it had been scientifically proven that same-sex attraction was biologically determined, leading her to formulate the following moral analysis: 1) If some people are born with same-sex attraction, then God made them that way.

2) If God made them that way, how can there be something sinful or intrinsically disordered about acting on those attractions.

3) If same-sex attraction is in a person’s nature, then he or she cannot change.

4) We are supposed to be true to our nature, so those with same-sex attraction should embrace those attractions.

5) Attempting to change a person’s same-sex attraction is attempting to alter their

nature, and that would be harmful.

6) If others cannot accept a person’s gay identity, then they are rejecting that person, because gay is who that person is.

7) Therefore, those who cannot accept a person’s gay identity are uneducated, hateful, and/or bigoted.

Dr. Cretella’s moral analysis is fairly representative of the reasoning used to support the recognition by the state of same-sex unions. In addition to her understanding of the science, Dr. Cretella had several friends and colleagues whom she admired and who identified themselves as gay.

As a result, Dr. Cretella states: “Ultimately, my belief that science proved people are born gay, together with these anecdotal experiences, led to my rejection of the church’s teaching on homosexuality for the first six years of my medical career.”

What triggered Dr. Cretella to reconsider her scientific and moral analysis of this issue was one of her patients informing her that another doctor had given him a brochure about a local chapter of Courage, a ministry of the Catholic Church offering support to Catholics experiencing same-sex attractions who desire to live a chaste lifestyle in accordance with Catholic teaching. Dr. Cretella was “dismayed” that one of her medical colleagues would promote an organization that attempted to persuade people to deny a part of their identity.

Dr. Cretella confronted her colleague with her concerns.

She wondered how someone apparently very intelligent could be so “unscientific and cruel.” Her fellow doctor gently, but firmly, challenged Dr. Cretella’s assumptions.

Her colleague told Dr. Cretella that they had both been misled in medical school and she invited Dr. Cretella to examine the research.

Her medical colleague, who was the mother of two and married 25 years, also shared her own personal history — namely, that from ages four to eighteen she had experienced same-sex attractions.

Dr. Cretella accepted the challenge of her colleague to examine the research. She discovered what her colleague had told her was absolute-

ly correct. The studies that Dr. Cretella had been led to believe proved a homosexual orientation was innate did no such thing. What Dr. Cretella found out from reading the research and studying the psychosexual literature was that both heterosexual attraction and homosexual attraction are linked to “gender identification.” Heterosexuality and homosexuality appeared “to be learned over a period of time as a response to a variety of environmental factors and unique experiences.”

If medical doctors are confused about what science actually reveals about the origins of same-sex attractions, it is not surprising that the general public also is largely misinformed. Some may argue: What differences does it make if same-sex attraction is not genetically determined?

One of the reasons this matters is because, similar to Dr. Cretella’s medical colleague who experienced same-sex attraction as a child and during her formative years, individuals can change what seems to them to be their sexual orientation.

It also reveals one of the real dangers of the state sanctioning same-sex unions as marriage and teaching in our schools homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle.

Many young people in their formative years experience a certain level of confusion regarding their sexual identity and orientation. Those who experience same-sex attraction and experience normal challenges in developing friendships with the opposite sex can be drawn into a homosexual lifestyle that threatens not only their spiritual and moral health, but also their physical health.

With regard to the transmission of AIDS, it was politically incorrect to draw attention to the reality that homosexual activity placed a person at much greater risk than heterosexual activity.

Not surprisingly, because it involves using parts of the human anatomy for purposes for which they were not designed, homosexual activity poses other health risks.

The question can be posed: Even if science has not yet discovered a genetic link to same-sex attraction, what if such a link is discovered tomorrow? Does that change

calendar archbishop

Naumann April 19 Region IX Stewardship Conference April 20 Pro-Life Mass — Sts. Cyril & Methodius, Kansas City, Kan. Mass and Rite of Blessing of a Child in the Womb — Holy Spirit, Overland Park April 21 Scout Mass — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. April 22-23 Jesus Caritas bishops’ prayer group

April 23 Confirmation — Holy Trinity, Lenexa April 24 Spring radiothon for Catholic Radio — Catholic Center in Kansas City, Mo. Confirmation — Prince of Peace, Olathe April 25 Confirmation — Prince of Peace, Olathe April 26-27 Pope Paul VI Institute seminar — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kan.

archbishop

keleher April 20 “Catholic Way” taping April 21 Federal prison Mass April 23 Confirmation — Holy Trinity, Lenexa April 25 Confirmation — Christ the King, Kansas City, Kan.

the moral equation?

Not really! Although Dr. Cretella’s moral analysis appears quite compelling, there are actually several other flaws, besides her erroneous scientific premise.

Next week, I will discuss some of these other logical flaws, as well as why the procreation and formation of children is so important in considering the definition of marriage.

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

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

second front page 3

april 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

He ‘wielded the mightiest weapon of all’

n Kansan awarded Medal of Honor for Korean service

By Joseph Austin Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor on April 11 to famed Korean War chaplain Father Emil Kapaun, presenting it to the priest’s nephew, Ray Kapaun, nearly 22,604 days after his uncle’s death in a prisoner of war camp.

“He should have got it a long time ago,” Joe Ramirez, a war veteran, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from Houston. He was baptized by Father Kapaun on July 19, 1950, the day after their regiment had landed in Korea.

“He deserves about three or four of them,” another soldier-friend of the priest, Herbert Miller, told CNS. Father Kapaun was born on Holy Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on April 20, 1916, to two hardworking parents in a little farmhouse in Kansas. He grew up an ordinary child in ordinary times, but God was calling him to something greater.

“Now, one remembers little things about him which were not significant then, but which might have let you know what sort of man he would be when the going was difficult,” Father Edward Malone, a Benedictine priest and professor, is quoted as saying in a 1954 biography of the priest written by Father Arthur Tonne.

When he walked into a room, Father Kapaun seemed to light up the room, fellow soldier Mike Dowe said in an April 4 interview in Rosslyn, Va. Dowe retired as an Army colonel in 1970 and today is chief scientist at New Mexico-based Raytheon Ktech.

He spoke to CNS while he was in the Washington area on business.

Shortly after the Korean War ended — an armistice was signed July 27, 1953 — Dowe wrote about Father Kapaun in a Saturday Evening Post article in January 1954.

“By his very presence, somehow, he could turn a stinking, louse-ridden mud hut, for a little while, into a cathedral,” he wrote. Yet, he added, there was nothing “ethereal about him, nothing soft or unctuous or holier-than-thou.”

In the interview with CNS, Dowe said the priest used ordinary GI slang to communicate with the troops, and loved to talk about his mother’s good cooking.

Deployed to the Korean War, Father Kapaun spent almost a year ministering to the soldiers on the front lines.

When he was not dodging bullets to drag wounded back to the aid stations, the priest would “drop in a shallow hole besides a nervous rifleman, crack a joke or two, hand him a peach, (and) say a little prayer with him,” Dowe wrote in 1954.

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

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

W

CNS photo/courtesy U.S. Army medic Raymond Skeehan

U.S. Army chaplain Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, who died May 23, 1951, in a North Korean prisoner of war camp, is pictured celebrating Mass from the hood of a jeep Oct. 7, 1950, in South Korea.

In his recollection of the chaplain, Miller told CNS: “He didn’t stop to ask if I was Baptist or what. He just did his job.”

One day, during the thick of the fighting, Miller was charged with the task of leading a platoon back to headquarters. About halfway there, they were overwhelmed by a huge swarm of enemy soldiers.

“It was dark . . . but I saw a grenade and I couldn’t get away from it,” he said.

The grenade exploded and seriously wounded him. Lying on the ground, he looked up just as a North Korean soldier pointed a pistol between his eyes, ready to execute him on the spot.

“The first time I saw [Father Kapaun] is when he come across that road to pick me up,” said Miller.

Captured almost immediately, the two were sent on a death march to a North Korean POW camp. The priest carried Miller about 30 miles through 20-40 below-zero temperatures, saving his life.

“He didn’t have to be a POW, but he stayed back” to take care of the wounded, Ramirez told CNS. On the march, “leadership was manifest by example,” said Dowe, who first met Father Kapaun as he helped him carry a stretcher.

After the long and arduous death march, the soldiers were only faced with more insurmountable conditions in the filth and despair of the POW camp.

“When you’re in such a hopeless situation . . . the will to live means everything,” Dowe explained. “One night you give up and you’re gone in 24 hours.”

Father Kapaun not only instilled in the men a will to live, but also a loyalty

to their country and to their principles.

“The Chinese hated him because they thought he had too much influence on the young guys,” said Ramirez.

In his article, Dowe wrote: “Above all, he urged them not to fall for the lying doctrines the Reds were trying to pound into our heads.”

The priest would go cabin to cabin, stopping in for a few moments to talk and pray with the wounded and dying prisoners.

“He would slip in the door, [pass] a pipe around, kneel down say a prayer for everybody not only Catholic but . . . whatever you were . . . [and] then he’d say, ‘Keep your chin up, boys, because we’re going to come out of here,’” Miller told CNS. Father Kapaun helped wash the clothes of the dying, brought water to the thirsty, cleaned and picked maggots or lice out of the wounds of those who could not do it themselves, and boiled water in a little piece of metal he had found so the prisoners could drink it and not get dysentery.

Sometimes he would even sneak into the warehouse to steal food for the starving men, explained Dowe.

With men falling sick all around him, Father Kapaun eventually got a blood clot that led to pneumonia and fever. However, he recovered from the illness just long enough for the North Koreans to whisk him off to their death house, where he passed away.

Dowe remembers the moment when they took him away. “We all said, ‘Hey! He’s getting better’ . . . but the soldiers came in with bayonets. Father said, ‘Hey, don’t fight!’” and then turning to Dowe, he said, “Mike, I’m going where I always wanted to go.”

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

ASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic Korean War chaplain who selflessly pulled wounded men from enemy fire and helped his fellow prisoners of war keep a sense of hope was honored posthumously with the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor, in an April 11 White House ceremony.

In paying tribute to Father Emil J. Kapaun, an Army captain, President Barack Obama told multiple stories of the “shepherd in combat boots” from Kansas who voluntarily stayed behind with the wounded to face certain capture, rather than evacuate when his division was overrun at Unsan, Korea, in November 1950.

“This is the valor we honor today — an American soldier who didn’t fire a gun, but who wielded the mightiest weapon of all, a love for his brothers so pure that he was willing to die so that they might live,” said Obama.

Father Kapaun received the Bronze Star before his capture and the Distinguished Service Cross after he died.

Within the Catholic Church, he has an active cause for sainthood, having been recognized by the Vatican as a “servant of God,” a first step in the investigation of someone who is being considered for sainthood.

Some of Father Kapaun’s fellow prisoners, who walked out of their prison camp carrying a crucifix they’d fashioned to honor their deceased chaplain, were in attendance at the ceremony. The medal, given to members of the armed forces for distinguished gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in active service, was presented to Ray Kapaun, a nephew of the priest, who never knew his uncle.

In attendance was Herb Miller, who, as a sergeant in 1951, was injured when a grenade exploded near him. As Obama told the story, a Chinese soldier was about to execute Miller, when Father Kapaun stepped in to stop him.

The priest then carried Miller and assisted other wounded prisoners on a lengthy march to a prison camp at Pyoktong.

Father Kapaun’s actions that day are what was being recognized with the Medal of Honor, Obama said, but he continued with stories of the priest’s selfless actions in the prison camp — helping smuggle in more food; giving away his clothes to freezing men; fashioning pots to boil water to battle dysentery; praying with the men in their huts; celebrating Easter Mass.

Suffering from an assortment of ailments, Father Kapaun died in that prison camp in Pyoktong on May 23, 1951.

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

Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

4 local news

theleaven.com | april 19, 2013

Carrying Sunday into the workweek n Panelists share how they live faith in the workplace

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

Upcoming sessions Overland Park

When: 5:30 p.m. on May 1 Where: St. Thomas Aquinas High School Theater

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — As chief financial officer for the Kansas City Chiefs, Dan Crumb constantly works with figures in the financial sense.

But other key figures — from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to the saints — factor just as importantly into his days.

“Everything I do has a faith-based component to it,” said Crumb, a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

Crumb will share his experiences of applying faith to his career on May 1 as a panelist at an archdiocesan “Living My Faith in the Workplace” discussion at St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s theater in Overland Park.

The session, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will also feature Terry Dunn, president and CEO of J.E. Dunn Construction; retired command sergeant major and businessman Dutch tenBroek; and retired teacher Juanita Lange.

Then, on May 15 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka — also at 5:30 p.m. — another panel discussion will feature Melissa Colbern, a physician and founder of Mary’s Choices pregnancy center; John Ginzel, an officer with Kansas Joint Headquarters; funeral home owner Donna Mathena-Menke; and pharmacy owner Dan Sutherland.

Ginzel, a parishioner of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church in Topeka, sees the panel as an extension of his participation in a men’s group at his parish.

Its members evangelize, walk together in faith, and address the question facing many people when it comes to work and family life: “How do you handle the day-to-day grind?”

New Orleans. He credits his Jesuit education with his perspective.

“We’re taught to do everything for the greater glory of God,” he said. “I incorporate that into my work, as well.”

That means everything from praying before key projects, to asking for God’s guidance in big and small matters, to thanking God when things go well.

Before Crumb arrived in Kansas City, he leaned heavily on his faith as he worked to bring back his business after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Ginzel, on the other hand, is the father of six, whom he and his wife are home schooling. Ginzel finds it vital to strike a balance between work and family. That has meant passing up some opportunities for promotion.

“I’m going to stand before the Lord and I’m going to have to give an account of my relationship with my wife and my kids,” he said. “The money’s not important. I’m not taking it with me.”

He loves to engage others in discussions about faith, and a quote from Pope Pius XII emphasizes to him the role laypeople have in helping each other grow: “Deep thought to ponder is this — that the salvation of many depends on the actions of a few.”

Moderator: Jan Lewis, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

Panelists include:

Dan Crumb, chief financial officer of the Kansas City Chiefs

Terry Dunn, president and CEO of J.E. Dunn Construction

Juanita Lange, retired teacher

Dutch tenBroek, retired command sergeant major/ businessman

Topeka

When: 5:30 p.m. on May 15 Where: Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish

‘This is how Christ would be . . . ’

Moderator: Michael Schuttloffel, director of the Kansas Catholic Conference

Panelists include:

Living the faith The panel programs are the result of the “Live It” portion of the archdiocesan faith initiative, entitled “Faith: Love It, Learn It, Live It.” The sessions reach out to people in the work world, aiming to help them apply Catholic teachings to their own professions.

Organizers selected panelists from a variety of career fields.

“First of all, they’re good Catholics,” said Ernie Boehner, director of Catholic Action with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Boehner heads up the “Live It” committee.

“Second of all,” he said, “they’re successful in their field.”

The first session took place in Emporia, and attendees heard from wildlife biologist Tim Menard; physician Kim-

Melissa Colbern, physician and founder of Mary’s Choices center

John Ginzel, officer with Kansas Joint Headquarters

Donna MathenaMenke, funeral home owner

Dan Sutherland, pharmacy owner

To register, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/workplace.

berly Schmid; teacher Dorothy Wilson; and Emporia City Manager Matt Zimmerman.

“My main message was that we can live our faith in any workplace with simple acts of kindness, just as St. Thérèse did,” said Wilson, a member of St. Mary Parish in Hartford.

“I do this as a teacher by giving a child my full attention when interacting with them,” she added.

She also looks beyond today to see

the people her students will be in the future.

“I tell my fifth-graders this: ‘That’s what it’s all about — helping each other out,’” she said. “When you help someone out, you have done so much for them, but you are really doing so, so much for yourself, too.”

Many people entering the work world are just realizing how interwoven their whole lives can be with their professional lives, said Crumb, a native of

Laypeople have their own call to holiness, said Bill Scholl, archdiocesan consultant for social justice.

“Being a faithful Catholic is not just going to Mass every Sunday, but bringing that Sunday into the rest of your week,” he said. “The Sunday is to strengthen and energize us and prepare us spiritually to go and bring Christ to the world and transform the world.”

Scholl believes that many Catholics — even if they aren’t familiar with all the principles of Catholic social teaching — are practicing them in their professions, including seeing the dignity in every person because they are made in the image of God. “Certainly, if you’re a politician, that can be some big things, where you’re pursuing a just law or trying to reform unjust laws,” he said. “When people see us, they should see Christ and say, ‘If Christ was a dentist, this is how Christ would be a dentist.’ ‘If Christ was a gardener, this is how Christ would be a gardener.’”

The panel presentations, he says, are an opportunity to see how other Catholics live their faith.

Crumb hopes to see a large turnout; he believes faith is a primary foundation in personal and professional life.

“This is going to be the compass that’s going to guide you throughout your career,” he said.

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR

MUD JACKING

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Raise & Level

Lawrence (785) 865-0006

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses Topeka (785) 246-0128

local news 5

april 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

Symposium nurtures dialogue on new evangelization

By Laurie Ghigliotti Special to The Leaven

A

TCHISON — “This symposium comes just in the nick of time,” said Tom Hoopes in his opening remarks at Benedictine College’s Institute for Missionary Activity’s Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization April 5-6.

“Attacks on religious freedom have reached a fever pitch,” he added.

Hoopes, director of the college’s Gregorian Institute, was addressing over 200 participants gathered to discuss the symposium’s theme, “Building a Culture of Freedom.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was among the presenters. He was joined by participants, presenters and keynote speakers from as far away as Wisconsin, Texas and Washington, D.C. The archbishop celebrated Saturday’s vigil Mass for symposium participants in the Our Lady of Guadalupe chapel at St. Benedict’s Abbey.

David Trotter, director of the Institute for Missionary Activity, noted that for over four decades, the popes have called Catholics to join in a new evangelization.

“The idea [for the symposium] is to create an interdisciplinary dialogue between professors, college students and professionals to gain more insight on how to carry out the new evangelization in all aspects of life,” he said.

“The symposium combines academics with best practices in the field — the idea is that professors can better inform those in the field academically, and those in the field can better inform professors on what is being effective and successful in the new evangelization.”

The symposium’s schedule permitted attendees to choose from among dozens of presentations, including ones on the HHS mandate, end-of-life issues, jurisprudence, education, literature, theology, evangelization, bioethics, social media, marriage and family life, public policy and American politics.

Keynote lecturers included Bishop Robert C. Morlino, bishop of Madison, Wis.; Dr. Jonathan Reyes, executive director for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development; and Curtis Martin, president and founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students and consulter to the Pontifical Council for the Promoting of the New Evangelization.

The symposium began Friday evening with Bishop Morlino’s keynote lecture on bioethics in today’s climate of shifting definitions and rapidly advancing technology that distracts society from central truths such as the sanctity of life.

Bishop Morlino spoke about the difficulties of effectively communicating the church’s position on controversial topics like same-sex marriage, contraception and reproductive technology,

Photo by Gabriella Miller

Benedictine College students Michela Brooks, left, and Rachel Wemhoff, listen to a speaker at Benedictine College’s Institute for Missionary Activity’s Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization. The two-day event, included Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Bishop Robert C. Morlino, bishop of Madison, Wis.; Dr. Jonathan Reyes, executive director for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development; and Curtis Martin, president and founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. and end-of-life issues.

He suggested that appealing to the human desire for beauty could be key to solving the communication difficulties when the church and its members get shut out of the dialogue.

“The world doesn’t want to hear about truth or moral goodness,” Bishop Morlino said. “But maybe beauty has a chance.”

“Beauty needs to be explored as a vehicle for evangelization,” he added.

Beauty and freedom are tied together, the bishop said. “Freedom is accountable to . . . the beauty of the creative plan of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — also known as natural law.”

The seemingly unsolvable cases in which the possibilities of advancing technologies clash with Catholic teaching are, the bishop stated, a product of relativism and a forgetfulness of beauty and of the fact that human beings are a unity of body and soul.

In-vitro fertilization is a case in point.

“Technology has become lord and master,” said Bishop Morlino. “If we can do it, we must. [However], technology’s lack of concern for the beauty of the ecology of human nature is where the problems come from.”

From this arise dilemmas like the plight of frozen embryos, the fate of which wind up being decided by the courts.

“The problem of frozen embryos is not a question for a court of law,” said Bishop Morlino. “God has already answered that.”

Bishop Morlino extended the idea

of beauty into the area of politics as well, where decisions are made about what can be done with technological advances.

“In the absence of beauty, people vote to satisfy their instincts,” he said.

The end result is government officials who ignore or have forgotten the reality of the beauty in natural law.

“We do bioethics because we want to keep beautiful the beauty of human nature,” the bishop said.

Curtis Martin, president and founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, presented his paper “Freedom and the Evangelical Imperative” as the Saturday morning keynote.

In his lecture, he spoke about the obstacles to evangelization and the steps needed to overcome them.

“Our greatest impediment is us,” said Martin.

A lack of training and the fact that we, as Catholics, do not experience our faith as good news are two impediments to evangelization, said Martin.

“Lay Catholics have been on the receiving end [but, until now,] have never been called on to give,” he noted.

“The harvest is ripe,” said Martin.

“What we are lacking are workers.”

Martin also made a distinction between evangelization and catechesis.

“Catechesis feeds a desire to know,” Martin said. Evangelization, however, is a call for conversion, which precedes the desire to know. Attempting to catechize people who have not been evangelized is counterproductive. People must be seen as children of God first, Martin said. Evangelization is not just

trying to get them to behave.

Archbishop Naumann, in his homily, spoke about the need for evangelization by laypeople in every age.

“None of us is given the faith to keep it to ourselves,” he said. “We are all sent in mission. Our mission is to go and make disciples.”

He also acknowledged the difficulties.

“Our task is to make disciples in a society that has tired of Jesus,” said Archbishop Naumann.

Jonathan Reyes brought the symposium to a close with his thoughts on evangelizing in this moment in history in a way that addresses the poverty of the West, a hunger for love and for God. Citing the fascination of the media for Pope Francis, Reyes spoke about the opportunity that has made itself apparent.

“There’s something authentic that they’re looking for and they see it in Pope Francis,” he said.

Reiterating Martin’s observation that one has to earn the right to be heard, Reyes said that Pope Francis has done just that in his care for the poor and vulnerable as a bishop and now as pope.

“There’s a consensus that you look out for other people,” Reyes said. “Pope Francis brings witness to that, and the world is curious about it.

“Our witness — done right, in the service to the poor and vulnerable — could be one of the keys to unlocking evangelization in an amazing way,” he concluded.

6 local news

theleaven.com | april 19, 2013

Pastor uses website to evangelize and share music project

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Time is running out

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Kent O’Connor has someone he’d like you to meet.

And he’ll handle the intro-

ductions.

All you have to do to get to know Jesus through Father O’Connor is kickstart the meeting with a few keystrokes and a couple clicks of the mouse.

Music has always been a passion of the Topeka native.

Now, through a music project on the Kickstarter website, the pastor of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kan., hopes to deliver God to people in a way that will click with them.

He has taken his work on his latest project — a forthcoming 11-track CD entitled “Jesus” — online for the Easter season.

“What I want people to do when they hear my music is to say, ‘Huh, I’ve never quite thought about it like that before,’ or ‘I’ve never thought about Jesus in that way before, and I’d like to think about that some more. I’d like to take that into prayer,’” said Father O’Connor.

The music can be found online by searching “Fr. Kent O’Connor” at: www.kickstarter.com.

Then, if visitors to the site like what they read in his reflections and hear in samples of his songs, they can pledge to help back the album production financially.

But there’s a bit of a catch.

All or nothing Kickstarter is what Father O’Connor describes as a “crowd-funding” endeavor, in which people who visit the site help promote the artists in their efforts.

And the artists — like Father O’Connor — have to reach their goals within

Again, you can listen to some samples of songs that will appear on Father O’Connor’s upcoming “Jesus” album by visiting the Kickstarter website at: www.kickstarter.com.

Just search for “Fr. Kent O’Connor.”

The site offers a number of different pledging options. But remember, there are only 30 days left to help Father O’Connor reach his goal.

You can also find more information about Father O’Connor and his music online at his website: www. frkent.com.

A screen shot from www.kickstarter.com shows the number of backers and money raised for Father Kent O’Connor’s “Jesus” album as of April 15. a certain amount of time.

If they meet or exceed their goal by the deadline, the backers’ credit cards are charged (payments are handled through Amazon) and the artists get the funding once the campaign ends.

If not?

“I don’t get anything,” said Father O’Connor.

As much as he’d like to hit his goal of $4,000 in pledges by May 19 — Pentecost — to help offset the costs of CD production, he wants even more to have people join him in his spiritual journey through the Easter season.

“It’s a method of evangelization for me,” he said.

Some people experience a sort of “spiritual downer” after Lent ends, and Father O’Connor sees this project as a spiritual boost to keep people traveling on a path with Jesus through Pentecost.

Pilgrimage to Italy and Medjugorje October 14-30 Paid only by check or money order 30 people - $2,790; 20 people - $3,087 Air only May be on credit card.

Kansas City - Rome and Rome - split

Porzumcola

triretreat@att.net

Price includes: accommodations in hotels in Italy. Private home in medjugorje. Full breakfast and dinners. Porterage service where provided. Private motor coach.

Tour managers from Italian Dream Holidays, (Simona and Aldo) and Dragan Zovko in Medjugorje. Five guided city tours in Italy. Headsets and entrance fees.

“I would be happy if you would simply walk with me over the course of these 50 days as I talk about this person I know named Jesus,” he tells visitors to the site.

His ultimate goal for both the album, which he expects to be available in August, and for the Kickstarter project is to offer a “better understanding of who Jesus is.”

Music and faith “Jesus” will be Father O’Connor’s third album. He wrote most of the songs himself, and sings and plays the piano, guitar, harmonica and ukulele on the album. He describes his musical style as a mix of folk, pop and rock.

A couple of weeks into his Kickstarter project, more than 30 backers

had already pledged nearly $3,000.

Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, was one of the contributors.

Although unfamiliar with Kickstarter when an email alerted him to Father O’Connor’s project, he was more than familiar with the latter’s talent — Father O’Connor had spent four years as his associate pastor at Curé when he was first ordained.

So Msgr. McGlinn visited the Kickstarter page just before Divine Mercy Sunday and liked the sample he heard related to the feast.

“It’s sort of a homily in music and very uplifting,” he said.

Father O’Connor is working with producer David C. Smith at Icon Studio Productions on the album.

“My goal of $4,000 does not cover the cost of the album by a long shot,” he said. “However, it seemed to me like an attainable goal, and it would be a significant help to cover the costs of the album.”

And if he exceeds it?

“If I go over my goal, rest assured that all money will be used for this album and for supporting my music ministry,” he promised. “I won’t use it to buy vestments or anything.”

local news 7

april 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

CEF Futures event supports art and education

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Boulevard Brewery in the heart of downtown Kansas City was the site of CEF Futures’ First Thursday Art Event — a sold-out fundraiser that brought together over 230 young professionals.

The diverse group had one goal in mind: to support Catholic education and the futures of young people in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas by raising funds for the Catholic Education Foundation.

The group gathered on the brewery’s third floor, which opens out onto a balcony overlooking the Kansas City skyline.

The venue was perfect for sampling some of the brewery’s best products and strolling through the display of artwork by local professional artists and future artists from schools supported by CEF. Guests bid on the professional work in a silent auction and bought raffle tickets for a chance to take home one of the student works.

Dinner featured an expansive taco and salsa bar — and, for dessert, gourmet cupcakes.

The evening of art was accompanied by the music of solo guitarist Jeff Jenkins.

Futures’ chairs Derrick and Holly Teeter, from Holy Trinity Parish in

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

In addition to professional artwork, the First Thursday art display featured the works of future artists from schools supported by CEF. Guests placed silent bids on the professional artwork and bought raffle tickets for a chance to take home one of the student works.

Lenexa, were very pleased with the evening turnout.

“We sold out as far as attendance and did very well as far as generating money for scholarships,” said Derrick Teeter. “So it was a home run.

“We were pushing people out the door when it was time for cleanup — so that’s always a good sign.”

The event raised more than $13,000 to benefit CEF’s scholarship program.

ABOUT CEF FUTURES

CEF Futures is a group of young professionals committed to promoting the mission of CEF. The group is already planning another event for this fall.

For more information, visit the website at: www.cefks.org and click on the link to CEF Futures.

Capuchin Franciscan’s elect new leader VICTORIA — Capuchin Franciscan priests and brothers from Kansas, Colorado, California and Rome, gathered recently to elect new leadership.

Father Christopher Popravak, 66, provincial vicar and director of postulants in Denver, will lead the Capuchin Province of Mid-America for the next three years, replacing Father Charles Polifka.

Assisting Father Christopher will be Father Popravak Father John Cousins of Colorado Springs, Colo., provincial vicar. Fathers David Songy and John Lager, Denver, and Father Jeff Ernst, Victoria, will serve as provincial councilors.

Born in Lodi, N.J., Father Christopher entered the Capuchin order in New Jersey in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in Hays in 1974.

His first eight years as a priest were spent in parishes in Denver, Hays, and Thornton, Colo. Since then he has served 24 years in helping to form young men in the process of becoming Capuchins.

In 1997, Father Christopher earned a doctorate in historical theology. He has taught at St. Louis University in St. Louis and in Franciscan schools in Kent, England, and Modena, Italy.

Father Christopher has also served in the leadership of local Capuchin fraternities in Colorado and Missouri for a total of 24 years, and as a member of the provincial leadership team for the past six years.

W

“

e cannot measure the contributions of the Benedictine Sisters solely by the number of years they have served here in northeast Kansas — and beyond. Instead, we need to acknowledge the generations of children they have taught, the hospitality they have always extended, and their commitment to the disadvantaged.

Through God’s grace, the Sisters have shared generously of their kaleidoscope of talents — and for this, we are very grateful.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

T

here is no more important mission that we Catholics have than to pass on the faith to succeeding generations. The Benedictine Sisters of Atchison by their example, teaching skills, and life of monastic prayer have done so with love for 150 years.

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher

F

ar more Sisters than I have room to mention here have served as models to me — of Benedictine scholarship, leadership and authentic witness. But it is the ones of my childhood I feel compelled to mention by name — Sister Mauricita Schieber and Sister Celinda Medina.

At a time when the world was run by men, these woman and other Sisters like them educated generations of young women to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Women of my generation sailed into their futures with the wind of the Sisters at their back.

Anita McSorley, Managing editor, The Leaven

F

rom their humble beginnings in Atchison 150 years ago, the Benedictine Sisters have grown into a marvelous expression of Benedictine community and spirituality within northeast Kansas.

Through their special dedication to Catholic education on all levels, they have touched the lives and enriched the faith of so many young people. They have a wonderful legacy of service in education and so many other ministries expressing their commitment to Christ and his church.

Msgr. Thomas Tank Pastor, Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, Kan.

T

he Benedictine Sisters of Atchison have been family to many, educating, nurturing and worshiping with men and women of all ages in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and numerous other dioceses of the Midwest. . . . For all of their individual and corporate service, lovingly given, we join the chorus of praise that arises on this occasion of their celebrating 150 years of stability, obedience and conversion of life as Benedictine Sisters of Atchison.

May their love continue to strengthen each of us as they share with us their faith, hope and charity, exercised in the Benedictine tradition of work and prayer.

Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison

T

he Benedictine Sisters are a living testament to the power of welcoming all — no matter their circumstances — and striving to meet their needs. Their impact and legacy continues to affect the lives of those they serve and those who are privileged to witness their works.

Steven M. LaNasa, President, Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kan.

W

e have been blessed over many years to have the benefit of the Sisters’ ministry here at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. They are a beautiful witness to prayer at work, and their presence brings peace and hope to our staff and to the brothers and sisters in need who find themselves at our door.

Jan Lewis, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas

Yearlong celebration honors Sisters’ work

>> Continued from page 1

the poor and prayed every day. They were good neighbors.”

Of the first seven Sisters, only five stayed. It may not have looked like much at the time, but, from the perspective of the community’s 150-year anniversary, it’s clear now that the faith of those pioneering Benedictine Sisters has been vindicated.

They did indeed choose the right time and the right place. Their faith was not misplaced.

“

T

he Sisters have engaged in so many positive works and thus have influenced the lives of thousands of individuals who themselves impacted our society.

Their legacy is lived out each day in the lives of many who share their faith and charity with the church and those who come in need.

Abbot James Albers, OSB St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison

Living an ancient tradition This is a time of celebration for the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, which they call “With Grateful Hearts — 150 Years of Presence.”

Just one day wouldn’t be enough to express their gratitude to all those who have helped, supFor information ported and about upcoming worked with events in the Benethem over the dictine Sisters’ years. So, to year of sesquicencelebrate the tennial celebration, 150th annivergo to their website sary of their at www.mountosb. founding, the o r g /a b o u t / 1 5 0 B enedictine years-of-presence Sisters have and scroll down scheduled a to the Calendar of year’s worth Events. of events, which began on Nov. 11, 2012, and will conclude on Nov. 17, 2013.

“We chose the theme of gratitude and ‘With Grateful Hearts’ because we’re so grateful for the blessings that we have, that are in our past and in our present, and it’s that gratitude that will take us into the future,” said Sister Ann Shepard, OSB, prioress since 2005.

“That’s why the schedule is so full,” she continued. “There are so many people for whom we are grateful — who have walked with us in our prayer, our ministry our community — our families and friends, and our donors.”

The logo of the sesquicentennial features a lantern, recalling those protective lanterns the priory carpenters carried that first night the Benedictine Sisters arrived.

The reason why the Benedictine Sisters came to Atchison was quite simple: to establish a new monastery and educate young girls.

They are, however, drawing on a very old tradition that can be traced back from the Atchison wharf to the convent at St. Cloud, Minn., founded in 1857; to the convent at St. Marys, Pa., founded in 1852; and even further back to St. Walburga Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria, founded in 1035.

It goes back even farther than St. Walburga, back nearly 1,500 years to St. Benedict himself and his monastery at Monte Cassino, in Italy.

While St. Benedict was the abbot of the men’s community at Monte Cassino, his sister St. Scholastica was leader of a women’s community five miles away at Plombariola. Thus, the two saints established a pattern of mutual support.

The Benedictine Sisters came to Atchison because the Benedictine men were here. Like at Monte Cassino and

W

e at Benedictine College are proud to be associated with the Mount, one of our founding institutions.

The Sisters came to the American frontier in the midst of the Civil War and have guided our youth for 150 years. To commemorate this special anniversary, the college this year instituted the Mother Evangelista Kremmeter Professorship of Benedictine Traditions and Values. It will enshrine the kind of faith and service that has made the Mount extraordinary.

Stephen D. Minnis President, Benedictine College, Atchison

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Sister Anne Shepard, OSB, is the prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison. Sister Anne is a native of Washington, D.C., who didn’t have any contact with the Benedictine Sisters until her arrival at Mount St. Scholastica College in 1963. “The college Sisters were personable, bright and fun. And I thought, given the prayer and community, this would be the fit,” she said.

Upcoming event

Photo by Rox Stec

Sister Anne Shepard (right), prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison, blesses the monument outside Atchison Catholic Elementary School which marks the original site of St. Scholastica Academy. Assisting Sister Anne is Sister Barbara Smith.

Plombariola, two Benedictine communities established separate but nearby foundations. The monks of St. Benedict Priory (later abbey) educated the boys, and the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica educated the girls.

Faith and challenges The history of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica is dynamic — full of change. And it was never easy.

In the 1860s, the Benedictine Sisters’ immediate challenge was the establishment of their convent and school, and being accepted by the community.

And keeping food on their own table, of course — the Sisters were desperately poor, using packing crates for furniture.

As the school grew, so did the monastery, even in face of hardship brought by the Panic of 1873 (a depression), which lasted until 1879. In her centennial history of the Benedictine Sisters, “The Meaning of the Mountain,” Sister Mary Faith Schuster, OSB, noted: “While the convent . . . never knew violence or starvation, it knew extreme poverty, over-crowdedness, and the work of daily sacrifice.”

Sisters and students pose on the porch of the first building on the current campus in the late 1800s.

Sister Mary Faith also records how a novice once asked why the founding prioress, Mother Evangelista Kremmeter (serving from 1863 to 1884) was crying. She was told, “Because there is not enough for the Sisters to eat.”

During those years, the prioress wrote many letters begging for assistance to donors throughout the United States and in Germany, including King Ludwig of Bavaria. Fortunately, the responses were generous.

The Benedictine Sisters took a big step forward when they established their first mission outside of Atchison, sending Sisters to live and teach in Seneca.

By the end of their first 100 years, the Benedictine Sisters would have educational missions in six states: 56 in Kansas, 20 in Missouri, 11 in Nebraska, nine in Iowa, 12 in Colorado, and 10 in California.

They also established “daughter” houses in Mexico City; Glendora, Calif.; and Colorado Springs, Colo. Today, the Benedictine Sisters have a dependent priory in Mineiros, Brazil.

The early years of the 20th century were a time of growth in the number of Sisters and in their educational ministries. The academy grew, and Mount St. Scholastica College was opened in the 1920s. In order to meet college accreditation standards, several of the teaching Sisters earned the first advanced degrees in the history of the monastery.

American society changed dramatically in the 20th century as it experienced two world wars and a decade-long economic depression. The Benedictine Sisters, never isolated from the larger society, were affected by it all. The last 50 years brought perhaps the greatest challenges and opportunities for the Benedictine Sisters, many arising from within the church itself, and the Second Vatican Council.

The latest 50 years Benedictine prioress Sister Anne Shepard became a Benedictine Sister just at the close of the Second Vatican Council — an exciting time for both the universal church and the Atchison community.

Sister Anne, a native of Washington D.C., didn’t have any contact with the Benedictine Sisters before her arrival at Mount St. Scholastica College in 1963.

“When I came to Mount St. Scholastica, I said [to myself], if I’m going to join a community, this is the one I’m going to join,” she said.

“I loved the liturgies,” she continued.

“The college Sisters were personable, bright and fun. And I thought, given the prayer and community, this would be the fit, even though it was a small town compared to Washington, D.C.” The prioress at the time was Mother Mary Austin Schirmer, who served from 1966 to 1976.

“Mother Mary Austin led us through those years of renewal, keeping the community united and focused, and with a vision and charism that was a real gift to the community and the church at large in our area,” said Sister Anne.

These past 50 years have shown that the community has a great resilience and ability to change, said Sister Anne.

Changes at the college and the rural communities they had served, in particular, but also in the broader community, led to a re-visioning of the mission of the Sisters. Collectively, the Sisters had to answer an important question.

“How do we reshape our community when the campus no longer housed the major educational institutions of the college and the academy?” said Sister Anne.

“Those were major challenges for energy and creative use of resources,” she continued. And they required the input of a body of women who ranged from the youngest novice to those who had led those institutions for decades. But the challenges were eventually addressed, and the community forged ahead.

“We’ve come through this marvelously well, I think,” she said.

The dawn of the new century saw

the Sisters beginning to turn their focus away from traditional education and to expand, instead, into a diverse range of ministries. At the same time, they’ve continued to be faithful to their core purpose.

“Our primary concern is prayer and community,” said Sister Judith. “The most important thing we do is prayer.

We are not an apostolic community; we are a monastic community. We were not founded to do a particular work.”

So today, the Benedictine Sisters distinguish between a number of smaller programs and what they consider their sponsored ministries.

Their sponsored ministries, to which the community has some sort of formal commitment in terms of financial or personnel support, include Maur Hill/Mount Academy and Benedictine College in Atchison, Donnelly College and Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kan., and the Sophia Spirituality Center, Atchison.

But individual Sisters also work in ministries based on their own particular gifts and abilities. One Sister works as a doctor in a small hospital. Several others work in health care and social services. A number of Sisters give spiritual direction, while others teach at various levels of education.

The Sisters do all these things, however, in the same spirit that led them to come to Kansas so many years ago — in the spirit of Benedictine community, hospitality and prayer.

“The important things don’t change,” confirmed Sister Judith. “What matters is that the Benedictine life has been around for 1,500 years. This past 150 years has been a drop in the bucket.”

Keep calm and carry on The milestone anniversary gives the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica a chance to celebrate their past.

But they’re looking forward to their future, too.

“We see the needs around us,” said Sister Judith. “We see the signs of the times. We see the struggles — whether it’s financial struggle or struggle in the church or the culture.

“We use a lot of creativity and determination. . . . And we continue to do what we do, to be relevant, and to find ways to help the people we need to help — and help ourselves keep going.”

That seems to be a part of the Benedictine tradition as well — that keep on keepin’ on.

“That’s part of our pioneer foundation,” Sister Judith concluded proudly.

“It’s been part of the community’s culture from the arrival of the first Sisters.”

Yes, the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison still walk by faith, not by sight.

But they’ve found their path lit, down through the years, by lanterns held by the communities they’ve served.

There is, indeed, much to celebrate.

T

o go from the warm, supportive atmosphere of home to grade school at Christ the King, there to be educated by the Sisters of the Benedictine order, was simply to pass seamlessly from one safety net into another.

The Sisters provided a unified front to the student, half scholastic and half spiritual.

I’m not certain that I knew what to expect from them; they, on the other hand, were very certain in their minds what they expected of me. Smart, savvy, kind, consistent in goals and tactics, I don’t know how I could have found a better grade school education.

I met up with the order again as a young adult at Donnelly, at the time rated as one of the ten best junior colleges in the nation (a profile they are not far short of even today).

The passion for education, scholastic rigor, the arts, and especially a commitment to the rules of life — how to seek to be a good person — were everywhere in that building on Sandusky. And again, a unified vision, and again, seamless with the Catholic life. Sister Scholastica was in particular an inspiration, finding promise in this student, telling this student out loud that she found promise in this student, and then standing back and saying, in effect, “I think it’s time for you to fulfill that promise . . . don’t you?”

Lawrence S. McGurn Assistant Vice President, Market Research and Communications, Donnelly alum

M

aur Hill-Mount Academy owes a debt of gratitude to our beloved Sisters. Along with their “brother” monks, they have done more to impact Catholic education in northeast Kansas than any other group. They have changed lives not only through education, but through ministry to youth. Even today, their continued support and presence at the high school is a testament to their legacy. Dear Sisters, you are truly loved!

Phil Baniewicz, President, Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison

I Photo by Rox Stec

Sister Seraphine Tucker points out someone to Terry Mills in the Benedictine Sisters’ community photograph during a tour of the Sisters’ monastery as part of the Atchison Days celebration. In addition to tours, a choir performed and there was a picnic lunch.

congratulate the Benedictine Sisters of Atchison for the religious, educational, and apostolic leadership they have given in our archdiocese for 150 years. I have had the privilege to collaborate with the Benedictine Sisters as educators in several schools and settings, among them, Savior of the World faculty, at Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Bishop Ward, and St. Joseph, Nortonville, and Sacred Heart, Ottawa, elementary schools, in our superintendent’s office and as part of the Institute for Religious Studies.

I am grateful for their witness to monastic life, to the Liturgy of the Hours, and to the traditional welcoming Benedictine hospitality. Congratulations to the Sisters who beautifully radiate church.

Msgr. Michael Mullen, Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan., and co-director of seminarians

10 local news

theleaven.com | april 19, 2013

Master of metaphor

Father Michael Thomas Santa, OSB ATCHISON — Father Michael Thomas Santa, a monk of St. Benedict’s Abbey here, died on March 10, surrounded by confreres and family.

Thomas Michael Santa was born on Dec. 17, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Michael T. and Anne Rochey Santa.

He attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and ImmaculaFather Michael ta High School Thomas Santa in Leavenworth, graduating from high school in 1948.

After graduating from St. Benedict’s College in 1952 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy, he entered Kenrick Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Shortly after completing his theology studies, he was ordained an archdiocesan priest on March 17, 1956, by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan. From there, he went on to study at the University of Dayton (Ohio), Emporia State University, and Kansas State University, earning a Master of Science in educational administration in 1965 and a doctorate in education curriculum and instruction in 2001.

After 28 years as an archdiocesan priest, he entered St. Benedict’s Ab-

DeLeon Furniture

Furniture, upholstering and restoration 1142 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, Kan. 66102 (913) 342-9446

bey, receiving the monastic name Michael. He professed first vows on Sept.

15, 1984, and solemn vows on Oct. 24, 1987.

For the first four years of his priesthood, 1956-1960, Father Santa served as associate pastor of Assumption Parish in Topeka and Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kan. He also served as instructor of religion at Donnelly College and chaplain for the University of Kansas Medical Center, both in Kansas City, Kan. For the next 30 years, he mainly held teaching and educational administrative positions, performing his duties with distinction. From 1960-1979, he was the principal and a religion teacher at Hayden High School in Topeka. From 1984-1996, he was instructor of education at Benedictine College in Atchison.

He was also a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

For his faithful and distinguished service throughout his life, Benedictine College conferred upon Father Michael the Kansas Monk Award in 1981.

Throughout his years of ministry, he also served a stint as pastor of Assumption Parish in Topeka as well as St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.

Father Michael served the monastic community as the prior from 19932002. He also helped with formation work, serving as the novice master and junior master.

Pope francis 11

april 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

Pope Francis can weave a vivid tale

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

The new Curé of Ars Eagle Scouts are: (from left) Reed Meagher, Bryan Melland, Harry Tornquist, Carl Nelson, Sage Mason, David Kindscher, and Mason Henshaw.

Curé Scouts earn Eagle rank LEAWOOD — On Feb. 17, a Court of Honor was held at Curé of Ars Church here to celebrate seven members of Troop 395 who recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout. They are: Reed Meagher, Bryan Melland, Harry Tornquist, Carl Nelson, Sage Mason, David Kindscher, and Mason Henshaw.

Below are listed their Eagle projects: Meagher, a senior at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, re-shelved and repaired closets for the boys at the Gillis Center in Kansas City, Mo. Melland, a junior at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Mo., built composting bins for Operation Breakthough in Kansas City, Mo. Tornquist, a senior at Bishop Miege, painted a classroom and expanded a garden for the Sisters at Christ the King

Franciscan Convent.

Nelson, a senior at Rockhurst, created games for the special education room at Brookwood Elementary School in Leawood.

Mason, a senior at Rockhurst, worked at Brookwood Elementary School, making games for children with disabilities and making additional shelving for a classroom there.

Kindscher, a senior at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, placed 50 stepping stones around the track at St. Thomas More School in Kansas City, Mo., to resemble a rosary.

Henshaw, a freshman at Johnson County Community College, rehabbed the physical fitness track at the Gillis Center.

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Metaphors are used extensively in the Bible and they pop up just as often in Pope Francis’ talks and teachings.

Some of his most vivid allegories as pope included his urging the world’s priests to be “shepherds living with the smell of sheep” by bringing Christ to people far from the faith; and his telling cardinals that all Catholic elders need to share with the young their insight and wisdom, which are like “fine wine that gets better with age.”

Metaphors did not come to Pope Francis with the papacy. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he used similar figures of speech to get simple, yet powerful, ideas across to his listeners.

The following are some metaphors that appear in the book, “Pope Francis: Conversations with Jorge Bergoglio.”

The book, by Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti, is a series of interviews originally published in 2010 under the title “El Jesuita” (“The Jesuit”).

The book is currently unavailable in English.

• Priests and the stink of sheep: The future pope said, “A church that limits itself to just carrying out administrative duties, caring for its tiny flock, is a church that in the long run will get sick. The pastor who isolates himself is not a true pastor of sheep, but a ‘hairdresser’ for sheep who spends his time putting curlers on them instead of going to look for others.”

He said the situation today is the mirror opposite of the biblical parable of the shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find the one that is lost. “Today we have one in the pen and 99 we need to go looking for.”

• The need to mature in life like fine wine: The future pope tells a story of being in an airport and seeing an older, very well-known, successful businessman waiting at baggage claim. He said it’s common to see young people be impatient, but it came as a surprise to see an older gentleman get “infuriated because his bag was late.”

“It made me sad to see a person who wasn’t able to enjoy the wisdom of old

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope Francis greets the crowd gathered outside the Basilica of St. John Lateran as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the basilica in Rome April 7. age. Instead of improving [with age] like a fine wine, he had gone sour like a wine gone bad.”

• Knowing how to let children grow and go is like flying a kite: The future pope tells a story of flying kites in his neighborhood when he was a child.

“There’d come the moment when the kite would begin making a ‘figure 8’ and begin falling. In order to keep that from happening, you mustn’t pull the string. The kids who knew more than us would scream, ‘Give it some slack, it’s wobbling!’”

“Flying a kite resembles the approach you need to take regarding a person’s growth: sometimes you need to give them some slack because they are ‘wavering.’ In other words, it is necessary to give them time. We have to be able to set limits at the right moment, but other times we need to know how to look the other way and be like the father of the parable (the Prodigal Son) who lets his son move out and squander his fortune so that he learns from experience.”

• People need to learn from the “shipwreck culture” and salvage the past to build the future: “The shipwrecked castaway faces the challenge of survival with creativity,” he said.

“He needs to begin building a hut

using the boards from the sunken ship, together with new things found on the island he’s washed up on.”

“In every new era, one can apply the image of the shipwreck because there are things that we no longer need, temporary things, and [eternal] values that get expressed in another way.”

• Pain versus resentment: “Resentment is like a full house with lots of people crammed inside so they can’t see the sky, while pain is like a city in which there are still lots of people, but at least you can see the sky. In other words, pain is open to prayer, tenderness, the company of a friend and thousands of things that offer dignity. That’s why pain is a healthier situation” than resentment.

• Optimism versus hope: “It’s best to not confuse optimism with hope.

Optimism is a psychological attitude toward life. Hope goes further. It is an anchor that one hurls toward the future, it’s what lets you pull on the line and reach what you’re aiming for” and head in “the right direction.” Hope is also theological: “God is there, too.”

• God’s patience is “comfortable and sweet like a summer’s night.”

• Death, who is “eager,” knocks daily; “I run from it, but it smiles at me inviting me to accept it.”

Pope names panel of cardinals to advise on Vatican reform

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Amid rising concerns about corruption and mismanagement in the central administration of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis named an international panel of cardinals to advise him on the latest reform of the Vatican bureaucracy.

The Vatican Secretariat of State announced April 13 that the pope had established the group — which includes Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley and Sydney Cardinal George Pell — to “advise him in the government of the universal church and to study a plan for revising the apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia, ‘Pastor Bonus.’”

“Pastor Bonus,” published in 1988, was the last major set of changes in the Roman Curia, the church’s central administration at the Vatican. It was

Pope: Catholics still need to enact teachings of Vatican II

largely an effort at streamlining by reassigning responsibilities among various offices, rather than an extensive reform.

Complaints about the shortcomings of Vatican governance increased markedly during 2012 following the “VatiLeaks” of confidential correspondence providing evidence of corruption and mismanagement in various offices of the Holy See and Vatican City State. That affair prompted a detailed internal report, which Pope Benedict XVI designated exclusively for the eyes of his successor.

The College of Cardinals extensively discussed the problems in meetings preceding the conclave that elected Pope Francis last month. According to the April 13 Vatican statement, the suggestion for an advisory panel on reform arose during those meetings.

Only one member of the new panel

is a full-time Vatican official: Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State. All of the others currently serve as diocesan bishops.

The group’s coordinator is Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, who is also president of Caritas Internationalis, a Vatican-based umbrella organization for national Catholic charities around the globe.

The other members are Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, retired archbishop of Santiago, Chile; Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, India; Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany; and Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Congo.

They will meet for the first time from Oct. 1-3, the Vatican statement said, but are “currently in contact” with Pope Francis.

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — While some Catholics would like to undo the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, others basically are trying to build a monument to it rather than fully live its teachings, Pope Francis said.

In his homily April 16 at an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis said Christians must struggle with the temptation to tame the Holy Spirit.

“To speak plainly: The Holy Spirit annoys us,” he said. The Spirit “moves us, makes us walk, pushes the church to move forward.”

But, too often, he said, Catholics are like the Apostle Peter on the mountaintop when Jesus is transfigured. They, like Peter, say, “Oh, how nice it is to be here all together,” but “don’t bother us.”

“We want the Holy Spirit to sleep,” he said. “We want to domesticate the Holy Spirit, and that just won’t do because he is God and he is that breeze that comes and goes, and you don’t know from where.”

The Holy Spirit is God’s strength, the pope said. The Holy Spirit “gives us consolation and the strength to move forward,” and the moving forward part is what can be a bother.

People think it’s better to be comfortable, but that is not what the fire of the Holy Spirit brings, Pope Francis said.

While Catholics today may be more comfortable speaking about the Holy Spirit than they were 50 years ago, it doesn’t mean the temptation to tame the Spirit has diminished, he said.

Pope Francis said reactions to the Second Vatican Council are a prime example.

“The council was a beautiful work of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

“But after 50 years, have we done everything the Holy Spirit in the council told us to do?”

The pope asked if Catholics have opened themselves to “that continuity of the church’s growth” that the council signified. The answer, he said, is “no.”

Catholics seemed willing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the council’s opening in 1962, he said, but they want to do so by “building a monument” rather than by changing anything.

At the same time, Pope Francis said, “there are voices saying we should go back. This is called being hard-headed, this is called wanting to domesticate the Holy Spirit, this is called becoming ‘foolish and slow of heart,’” like the disappointed disciples on the road to Emmaus.

The same phenomenon can be at work in Christians’ personal lives, he said. “The Holy Spirit pushes us” to live the Gospel more seriously, but resistance is often one’s reply.

12 classifieds Employment Youth minister - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a dynamic individual for a new position in urban youth ministry. The Wyandotte County youth outreach coordinator will assist with the creation and implementation of programs, as well as develop training for those serving the evangelization, youth ministry and catechesis efforts in Wyandotte County. The ideal candidate will be committed to Catholic teaching, knowledgeable of theology and catechesis, and possess leadership skills with a track record of innovation and collaboration. This position requires fluent bilingual abilities in English and Spanish, a bachelor’s degree, preferably in youth ministry, theology or related field; master’s degree preferred. Also requires minimum five years of program management experience relatable to the position. For a full job description, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested candidates must submit the following: a cover letter expressing your desire to serve the church in this position; resume; letter of support from your pastor; and a completed application form (available on the Web page) to: jobs@archkck.org, or by mail to, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Human Resources - Urban Youth Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

Submission deadline is April 30.

Part-time development coordinator - St. Ann Parish is seeking a self-motivated individual to coordinate all development activities for the school and church, including: directing the establishment of an annual fund for the school, preparing materials to update parishioners on the status of the ongoing capital campaign and building project, and working with the endowment committee to promote planned gifts. The individual will also be responsible for coordinating the annual stewardship and Archbishop’s Call to Share appeals. The job is estimated to be a 20-to-25-hour-per-week position. Applicants should have 5-8 years of demonstrated success in the development field and possess excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Individuals interested in the position should email their resume with cover letter to: bschafer@stannpv.org.

Principal - Thomas More Prep-Marian Junior/Senior High School, Hays, is seeking a principal to begin July 1. Qualifications include demonstrating commitment to the development of Christian spirit and a Catholic community of faith within the school environment. The qualified applicant also needs to have current Kansas administrative certification and must be a faith-filled and practicing Catholic. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Deadline is April 30. Send resume to Father Daryl Olmstead, Thomas More Prep-Marian, 1701 Hall St., Hays, KS 67601.

Bookkeeper/office assistant - Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., is seeking a part-time, 20 hours a week, flexible schedule bookkeeper/office assistant responsible for the bookkeeping and donor relationship program and processes. The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria: committed Christian and pro-life advocate; full agreement with statement of faith and principles; 2-3 years experience in a bookkeeping position for a small company (nonprofit experience a plus); experience with all basic bookkeeping tasks: A/R, A/P, GL, and reconciliations; 2-3 years experience using QuickBooks and all aspects of accounting; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Office Outlook; proficient in CRM databases (DonorPro preferred); well-organized, with an ability to prioritize multiple projects and have a system for following up on pending issues. May be required to work some evenings and weekends. Must be willing to travel and work between two AAPC locations in Johnson County.

Communication skills, written and verbal, are expected. Experience working in Christian ministry is a plus. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., is a faith-based, 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Overland Park with an additional office in Shawnee. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers has been in operation since 1983 with the objective of providing emotional, practical and spiritual support to women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Qualified applicants may submit cover letter, resume and salary expectations by sending an email to: director@adviceandaid.com.

Only applicants meeting the above qualifications will be considered. No phone calls or employment agencies. EOC. Executive director - Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., is seeking an executive director to lead the organization. The executive director reports to the board of directors and collaborates with it to fulfill its governance function. The executive director is responsible for the consistent achievement of Advice and Aid’s mission, vision, and financial objective.

In addition, the executive director plays a leadership role in implementing the strategic goals of the organization. The executive director is responsible for conducting himself with the utmost integrity and for seeking God’s will and direction for the organization. The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria: committed Christian and pro-life advocate; full agreement with statement of faith and principles; bachelor’s degree (preferred); experience in a leadership role involving managing a team, managing a budget, and communicating with constituents; experience in a position of leadership in a nonprofit Christian organization (preferred); dynamic and visionary leader with demonstrated ability to motivate and mentor a team in a sometimes stressful environment; strong written and verbal communication skills; and experience and comfort in public speaking and presentations are essential.

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., is a faith-based, 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Overland Park with an additional office in Shawnee. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers has been in operation since 1983 with the objective of providing emotional, practical and spiritual support to women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy. Qualified applicants may submit cover letter, resume and salary expectations by sending an email to Bethany Beaver at: aapc_application@icloud.com. Only applicants meeting the above qualifications will be considered. No phone calls or employment agencies. EOC.

theleaven.com | APRIL 19, 2013 Are you ready to make a difference? Do you have a heart for the poor? Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, a Kansas City-based sponsorship ministry, is seeking an outreach call representative to contact Catholic parishes.

Position requires good telephone and data-base skills, along with basic familiarity of Catholic culture. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Outbound call center/sales/fundraising experience a plus. Range $11/$13 hour DOE. Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: CFCA HR, 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, Kan. or email in PDF or Word format to: hr@cfcausa.org. For more information regarding this position, visit the website at: http://www.hopeforafamily.org/ EmploymentOpportunities.html.

Graphic designer and media relations director - St. James Academy seeks a candidate to prepare visual presentations by designing art and copy layout. Must be comfortable with multimedia initiatives and navigating the Mac environment and related design software. College degree required, professional experience a plus, including public relations. Catholic candidate preferred. See the complete job description and application details by visiting the website at: http://www.sjakeepingfaith.org/about-us/employment.

Co-teacher - Prince of Peace Early Education Center, Olathe, is in need of a co-teacher to work in our 3-year-olds classroom (Mon. - Fri., 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) and an afternoon teacher to work in our 2 1/2-year-olds classroom ( Mon. Fri., 2:30 - 6 p.m.). Contact Amanda at (913) 829-2728.

Director of music and liturgy - Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Shawnee, is currently seeking a full-time director of music and liturgy to coordinate and lead the parish’s music ministry, which includes several choirs and plans liturgies for all Masses. Bachelor’s degree in music or liturgy or related field is required, and at least 3-5 years of related work experience is preferred. Ability to play both organ and piano is required, along with the ability to sing and lead song. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Email resume along with cover letter and salary requirements to: julie.krause@shoj.org.

Teachers - Bishop Miege High School has teacher openings for the 2013-14 school year for family and consumer science, Spanish, social studies (with an emphasis in AP U.S. history/U.S. government) and part-time instrumental music - high school drumline/grade school band. Email letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@ bishopmiege.com.

Principal - St. John LaLande Parish seeks a principal committed to Catholic education with strong leadership, communication and motivational skills. St. John LaLande is a parish school serving approximately 300 pre-K to 8th-grade students with a staff of 30. St. John LaLande Parish is located in suburban Kansas City, Mo. Candidate must be a practicing Catholic, have a master’s degree in educational administration, teaching experience and preferably three years administrative experience. Applications may be made to the Catholic schools office on the website at: http://jobs. diocese-kcsj.org/?cid=4&lid=118. All applications must be received by May 3.

Principal - St James Parish School in St. Joseph, Mo., seeks a principal committed to Catholic education with strong leadership, communication and motivational skills. St. James is a parish school serving approximately 200 pre-K to 8th-grade students with a staff of approximately 15. The qualified candidate must be an active practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church (magisterium), have a master’s degree in educational administration, teaching experience and preferably three years administrative experience. Applications may be made to the Catholic schools office on the website at: http://jobs.diocese-kcsj. org/?cid=4&lid=118. All applications must be received by April 26.

Services Lawn Mowing Spring Cleanups/Landscaping Local Parishoner Insured/References Free Estimates Call Tony (913) 620-6063 Lawn mowing - Mowing, weedeating, cleanup afterwards, and reasonable pricing. Members of St. Joseph Parish and alumni of St. Thomas Aquinas. Call Bryan at (913) 636-3927.

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

Call (913) 227-4902.

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.

Lawn mowing - Catholic young man with small mowing business saving for college wants to add clients.

Mowing, trimming, blowing and leaf clean up. Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary. Serving northeast Johnson County. Call Collin at (913) 648-5903 for an estimate.

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

Heating and cooling repair and replacement.

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

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

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222.

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

All your lawn and landscaping needs.

Commercial/residential mowing. Spring seeding. New planting and shrub trimming. Powerwashing, gutter cleaning, foundation dirt, retaining walls, and sprinkler repair. (816) 509-0224 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

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

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.bankruptcylawin kansascity.com.

Rodman Lawn Care - Mowing, leaf removal, mulch and more. Call John Rodman, member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, at (913) 548-3002 or send an email to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 Swalms Organizing Service - Reducing Clutter - Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized! Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged. For before and after photos, visit: www. swalmsorganizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

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

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed.

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

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.

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.

Ceiling, wall crack and water stain repair Ceilings retextured or painted. Interior painting, no mess! Serving Kansas City, Kan., and the Johnson County area for 23 years. Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

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

Caregiving Caregiving - Catholic woman with 30 years experience is available to care for your loved one in their home.

Spent the past 3 years exclusively caring for one client.

Excellent references available. Prefer part time. Call (913) 579-8914.

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, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome. com.

vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $115/ night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www.tillmancabin.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Home repair help available through Catholic Heart.

Are you in the Kansas City, Kan., or Kansas City, Mo., area? Are you in need of some minor home repairs? Or just some general cleanup around home, or do you know of someone in need who may not see this article? Catholic HEART (Helping Everyone Attain Repairs Today) will be in your area, July 15 - 18. Catholic Heart provides the labor and some materials such as paint, tools, and wood.

Requests for assistance must be submitted by June 14.

If you miss the deadline, please send in your request anyway. Visit our website at: https://www.archkck.org/ ministries--offices/ecat-youth/ecat-youth---catholic-heart-work--camp for more information and to fill out the work order forms. For information, call Ernest Boehner at (913) 433-2085, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, or Rick Cheek in the youth office at (913) 284-1725.

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

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

calendar 13

April 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

April A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on April 20 at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission, Leawood. Following the Mass, the bereavement ministry will have its monthly support meeting in the Father Burak Room. Grief counselor Barry Pennington will speak. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

20

The Knights of Columbus of Holy Spirit Parish, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will host its third annual Texas Hold ’em poker tournament on April 20. Activities start at 6 p.m. and the first hand will be dealt at 6:30 p.m. Early registration is $30 or $35 at the door. Sponsorships and rebuys are available, and there will be prizes for the final table as well as a raffle. No experience is necessary and free lessons will be offered. For more information, visit the website at: www.kofc11661.org.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate the new Rite for the Blessing of the Child in the Womb with a 4 p.m. Mass on April 20 at Holy Spirit Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park. This new rite was crafted to support parents awaiting the birth of their child, to encourage parish prayers for the precious gift of the child in the womb, and to foster respect for human life within society. Mass will include a special blessing for unborn children and their parents. Parents with their unborn child will be invited to come forward during Mass to receive this special blessing from Archbishop Naumann.

Easter season is the perfect time to bring new life into your marriage by learning natural family planning. Classes in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning are offered at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., beginning on April 21 at 1 p.m. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Registration is required on the website at: www.ccli.org.

21

Singles Of Nativity hosts tennis matches each Sunday at 2 p.m. at Tomahawk Creek Courts, near 103rd and Metcalf, Overland Park. Singles of all skill levels and from all parishes are welcome. For more information, contact Robert Dyer by sending an email to: dyervision@ sbcglobal.net.

Hope to Shalom Walk will be held from 1 - 3 p.m. on April 21. Join Father Dennis Wait and others to pray for an end to violence on a three-mile walk, beginning at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kan-

sas City, Kan. The walk will end at Shalom House in prayer with the men at the shelter. Transportation will be provided to return to Sanctuary of Hope. For more information, send an email to: julie@sanctuary ofhope.org.

Annunciation Parish, Frankfort, will host a fundraiser luncheon and country store on April 21. A fried chicken dinner with all the fixings will be served from 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. The cost is $9 for adults; $4 for children ages 10 and under. Takeout meals will be available by calling on April 21 to the Cigna Center at (785) 292-4351 or the parish office during the morning at (785) 292-4462.

The Knights of Columbus and Serra Club members of Holy Cross Church, Overland Park, are sponsoring a Holy Hour of prayer for vocations. The church is in need of priests and religious who will be Christ’s servants in the many capacities that have evolved over the years. The Holy Hour begins at 7 p.m. on April 22. Refreshments will be served following the prayer service.

22

“Planned Overs: Cooking Once, Eating Twice,” a nutrition presentation by Pat Callaghan, master food volunteer with K-State Extension Services, will be offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on April 25 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. For more information or to register, call (913) 906-8990.

25

The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a potluck dinner at 5 p.m. on April 25 in the Formation Room at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 3601 S.W. Stone, Topeka. There is no cost to attend. A speaker from Blassingame Home Care will discuss senior services. For more information, call (785) 272-0055.

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School music department will 26-27 present its annual “Parade of Stars” dinner theater on April 26 - 27. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. on both nights, with dinner served to you by the “stars” of the evening. For tickets and reservations, visit the website at: www. stasaints.net/choir; call Joe Heidesch at (913) 319-2455; or send an email to: jheidesch@stasaints. The cost to attend is $25 per person. Dinner reservations are required.

The world-renowned Pope Paul VI Institute is conducting two seminars on women’s reproductive health care. The first on April 26 is designed for clergy and medical professionals. The second seminar on April 27 is designed for the general public.

These seminars will present authentic, objective, and scientific approaches to wom-

en’s reproductive health as compared to the dominant approach used as the standard today. Details and online registration can be found at: www.prolifekc.com or contact the archdiocesan pro-life office at (913) 647-0350 or by email at: prolife@ archkck.org. Advance registration through April 24 is $15 and includes lunch.

Our Lady of Unity Church and School will host its inaugural car, truck and cycle show on April 27 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Unity Church, 2646 S. 34th, Kansas City, Kan. Each car, truck and cycle entry is $20. There will be food booths and assorted vendors. There is no cost to attend.

Contact Sherry at (913) 207-0900.

27

New respite volunteer training will be on April 27 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Health Center, 1000 Carondelet Dr., Kansas City, Mo. Respite is a rewarding ministry giving companionship and care to homebound persons, while allowing their caregiver some much needed time away. Men and women are needed to become volunteers. Volunteers serve in their own parish. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Pat Scheibel at (913) 897-6589.

St. Patrick Church Green Club will host a Texas Hold’em tournament on April 27 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 1066 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan. The cost to attend is a suggested donation of $50 per person. Food, snacks and beverages provided. This is an age 21 and over event. For more information, contact Chuck Pyle at (913) 299-3370 or Fritz Vertz at (913) 5150621.

The Cure’ of Ars Singles will host its annual spring fling dance on April 27 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria at 9401 Mission Road, Leawood. The cost to attend is $15 at the door. For more information, call (913) 631-6873.

A chili-tasting contest, dinner and Texas Hold ’em will be held at St. Pius X Church on April 27. The tasting will begin at 5:45 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $5 for adults and free for children age 6 and under. A $20 buy-in for Texas Hold ’em begins at 7:15 p.m. Beginners are also welcome. Child care and fun activities will be provided. Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to register, contact Steve Abels at (913) 579-2025.

The St. Joseph Spring Festival will be held on April 28 at St. Joseph School, 307 Iowa St., Olpe.

The dinner and children’s games will be held from 3 - 6:30 p.m. Bingo begins at 6:45 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Ham, roast beef and the fixings

28

will be served. The cost is $8 for adults; $3 for children age 10 and under. Carryout meals will be available. Raffle tickets may be purchased from any St. Joseph School student, the Chicken House in Olpe, or on the day of the festival.

St. Casimir Altar Society, Leavenworth, will host the ACCW quarterly luncheon and meeting of the Leavenworth Region on April 28 at 12:30 p.m. at the educational center, 719 Pennsylvania Ave., Leavenworth. Peggy Chism will give a presentation on her experiences with the ditty bag project for the Job Corps in Manhattan. Bring a covered dish, used cards, used stamps, items for the ditty bags, and pennies for the seminarians in the archdiocese. For more information, send an email to Judy Brose at: brosej2002@ yahoo.com, or call (913) 773-8334.

May Seton Center’s annual “Swingin’ at the Stack” event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on May 1 at Fiorella’s Private Catering, 13641 Holmes, Martin City, Mo. The theme of the event is Hawaiian. The cost to attend is $80 per person; tables of 10 for $800. For more information, contact Julie at (816) 581-4722 or send an email to: jcogley@setonkc.org.

1

Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, will celebrate first Saturday Mass and devotions in honor of Our Blessed Mother on May 4. The rosary will be prayed at 7:05 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m. A breakfast prepared by the Knights of Columbus and a presentation will follow. The celebrant and presenter will be Father Anthony Viviano from the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo. Father Viviano is a graduate of Benedictine University, and his topic will be “My Journey to the Priesthood at Age 49.” All are welcome.

4

The Ladies of Charity will host a private showing of this year’s Designer Showhouse on May 6 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The historic home is at 1032 W. 55th St., Kansas City, Mo. The home is known as the Bent-Ward House, located east of Ward Parkway, and is one of the most prominent houses in the history of Kansas City. Lunch is included. The event benefits nonprofit groups for the underprivileged and uninsured, including Duchesne Clinic, Seton Center and Villa St. Francis. For more information, contact Laura at (913) 766-1119. For reservations, send a $30 check by April 29 to Sandy Mayer, 11640 W. 143rd Terr., Olathe, KS 66062.

6

14 commentary

theleaven.com | april 19, 2013

Church and State

mark my words Scripture Readings fourth WEEK OF EASTER April 21 fourth SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 13: 14, 43-52 Ps 100: 1-2, 3, 5 Rv 7: 9, 14b-17 Jn 10: 27-30 April 22 Monday Acts 11: 1-18 Pss 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4 Jn 10: 1-10 April 23 George, martyr; Adalbert, bishop, martyr Acts 11: 19-26 Ps 87: 1-7 Jn 10: 22-30 April 24 Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr Acts 12:24 – 13:5a Ps 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8 Jn 12: 44-50 April 25 MARK, EVANGELIST 1 Pt 5: 5b-14 Ps 89: 2-3, 6-7, 16-17 Mk 16: 15-20 April 26 Friday Acts 13: 26-33 Ps 2: 6-11 Jn 14: 1-6 April 27 Saturday Acts 13: 44-52 Ps 98: 1-4 Jn 14: 7-14

Find The Leaven in these places Online

www.theleaven.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com/ theleavenkc

Twitter @theleavenkc

YouTube

www.youtube.com/ user/theleavenkc

Who to contact about . . .

Story ideas anita@theleaven.com Calendar notices calendar@theleaven.com Anniversary notices todd@theleaven.com Eagle Scouts todd@theleaven.com Advertising julie@theleaven.com

F

I laughed while my mom cried

or all those people who made my mom cry this past week, all I can say is “thanks a lot.”

Whoa, I just reread that opening and, if you don’t know exactly what I’m talking about, you might get the wrong impression. Yes, my mom was crying this past week and, yes, people made her do that, but everything was good. No, actually, it was fantastic. You see, my mom celebrated her 95th birthday on April 12 and was literally overcome by all the people who remembered her.

You might recall that Mom moved into an assisted living apartment about a month ago. She handled that move with great grace and determination. A big part of her heart, however, will always be on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kan. She was excited early last week to get a few birthday cards. Then, she got a few more the next day. And they just kept coming . . . as did, she said, “the tears of happiness.” She was on cloud nine. She heard from fellow

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. parishioners at St. John the Baptist, from her “neighborhood church” friends at Holy Family, from relatives, from my parishioners at Sacred Heart, from her wonderful longtime neighbors, and from others too numerous to count.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a birthday cake. She had three! And then there were flowers, candy, ice cream and even a glittery crown. Oh, yes, and a good number of visitors, too. She shed so many tears that I’m surprised she’s not dehydrated.

I was fortunate to read those heartfelt words in the cards. The printed senti-

ments, however, paled to the handwritten notes inside.

Heck, they even brought tears to my eyes. I felt so grateful for these thoughtful people.

The cards also made me feel guilty. Seeing how much joy those birthday greetings brought to Mom made me kick myself for all the opportunities I’ve squandered over the years to drop a note to people on their special days.

Isn’t it funny how important the little things are in life? They often make the most lasting impact. Mom has already mentioned that she’ll be thumbing through the cards over the next few weeks in order to savor them all over again. And I’m certain that the tears will reappear as well.

This Easter season is a particularly appropriate time to bring a little joy and light into someone’s life. As we see new life erupting up all around us — in the green grass and the blossoming Bradford pear trees and flowers — let them be a reminder to “spring” into action and beautify another

person’s day.

I know just where I’m going to start. I have a slew of Easter cards that I intended to send out. Frankly, I never get to them since the days before Easter are a little busy for a priest. Well, this year I fully intend to send those cards out . . . with a little modification. Where it says, “Happy Easter,” I’m adding the word “Season.”

That covers me until May 19, the feast of Pentecost and the official end of the season of Easter.

Sitting in your desk drawers may be unsent Easter, birthday, get well, sympathy or even Christmas cards.

Dig them out. Go ahead, if you must, and use one sentence to bash yourself: “I’m sorry this is so late.” Then pen a few other sentences capturing a little of your life or expressing an appropriate sentiment. Believe me, you’ll feel virtuous for sending it (finally!) and I can just about guarantee a smile on the recipient’s face.

Unless, of course, it’s my mom. She’ll just let loose another flood of those happy tears.

In the beginning

A

commentary 15

april 19, 2013 | theleaven.com

Paul’s work with the Gentiles paid off quickly

s a preacher, I am always watching for reactions to my homilies. Does the congregation chuckle at a humorous comment?

Does a puzzled look spread over their faces as I attempt to explain a difficult point?

Worse yet, does anyone yawn, as a subtle hint that I have gone on too long?

What is their reaction?

Sunday’s first reading — Acts 13:14, 43-52 — shows a mixed reaction to Paul and Barnabas’ preaching about Jesus in Antioch in Pisidia, a city in Asia Minor. On one hand, many of the Jews who hear them in the synagogue are drawn to their message: “Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas.” On the other hand, there are other Jews

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. who reject Paul’s new teaching: “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.” This negative reaction on the part of some of the Jews prompts Paul to focus his efforts on the Gentiles, who have also heard his message and are favorably impressed by it.

Those Gentiles will eventu-

ally assume a major role in this new faith.

Christianity began as a movement within Judaism.

But it quickly lost its Jewish character, to the point that it was eventually viewed as an entirely different religion.

How exactly that happened to a certain degree remains a mystery. Perhaps the new Christian faith filled a spiritual vacuum in the Gentiles which was lacking among most of the Jews.

In any case, in the early days of Christianity, there were adherents of the new faith both of Jewish origin and of Gentile origin. The differences between the two backgrounds led to many of the disputes in the early church. Should converts from paganism be required to be circumcised? Should Christians keep kosher?

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC “If you’ve got to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.”

In other words, “do the worst first.” This time-management tidbit says tackle first the most distasteful item on your to-do list each day and everything else will then seem easier.

That principle is great, but not when you apply it to everything.

For example, I have plenty of magazine clutter. I really enjoy magazines and subscribe to a fair number and wide variety — spiritual, computer, newsweeklies, pop culture and general interest.

These are the questions which rocked the early Christian world.

The destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 also might partly explain the loss of Jewishness in early Christianity. That city had served as the focal point for Jewish Christians — their stronghold, so to speak.

But when the Roman army destroyed the city, the Jewish Christian community was left in shambles.

Christians of Gentile origin, who lived elsewhere in the Roman empire, then came to the forefront. Paul’s work among them paid off. The Gentile Christians assumed the mantle of leadership for the church. The new faith would spread throughout Europe. Eventually, Christianity would become a major world religion.

My problem is, for some reason that may be a holdover from my student days, I don’t go to the articles that interest me first.

Instead, I begin at the front (the ugliest frog) and tediously page my way through. Not only do the magazines pile up, but I rarely have time to get to the “good stuff.” This week, out go all but two copies of each magazine . . . and then I’m only reading the articles that interest me.

I’d say it’s about time that I eat the dessert before the Brussels sprouts!

— M.G.

High court poised to decide on Marriage Act “The judiciary . . . will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution.”

— Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 78

A

las, not quite.

The Founding Fathers, formed by deep study of history’s various attempts at free societies — John Adams was reading Cicero’s “Orations” at 14 instead of staring at Facebook — established a system of government still in place 224 years later. Yet they could not foresee all.

Today, the judiciary is very dangerous indeed, for our robed, unelected guardians have decided that Americans and their elected

Michael schuttloffel Michael Schuttloffel is the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. officials are not fit to decide many of the most consequential issues of our time.

Forty years after the U.S. Supreme Court declared that Congress and the states do not possess the power to forbid the killing of unborn children, the court stands on the verge of what some

are calling a potential “Roe v. Wade for marriage.” The Supreme Court will soon decide whether the people of California have the right to amend their state constitution in favor of marriage as it has been understood for all of human history, and whether the federal Defense of Marriage Act is constitutional.

Not receiving as much attention is the fact that the Kansas Supreme Court is more than holding its own in terms of judicial activism run amok. In February, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that, despite the fact that she has no biological connection to the two children in question, a woman from a broken-off same-sex relationship has full parental

rights, contrary to the wishes of the biological mother.

That ruling is already being cited by a Topeka woman who also wants to assert parental rights over a child she has no biological connection to, but who she had agreed to “co-parent” with her former, same-sex partner (despite the breakup, they are co-parenting and foster parenting a total of eight children). The father, who answered a craigslist ad seeking sperm, heroically wants only to be free of any obligation to the child he helped create.

If you are disturbed by these proceedings, the culture holds you in contempt.

Each day, from the comfort of their television studios

and editorial board rooms, self-imagined freedom riders congratulate themselves for their labors in the vineyard of “civil rights.”

Fighting for civil rights is a much less daunting endeavor now that it does not involve having dogs sicced on you or hoses turned on you, and instead, means going on talk shows with oversized coffee mugs to scoff at opponents of samesex marriage.

If you believe that every child deserves a mother and a father, and that this obligation trumps the total sexual freedom of adults, the culture has ruled against you.

Soon, the highest court in the land may, too.

vocations corner

W

Each pope brings his unique gifts as ‘il Papa’

ith the election of our new Holy Father Francis, I’ve been thinking, of course, about his impact on priestly vocations.

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

There are generations of priests that line up, more or less, with the pope who was in office when they went into the seminary or were ordained. I have no hesitation, and am quite proud actually, to call myself a John Paul II priest. Monsignor Vince

Krische introduced me to that pope’s thought and piety when I was at KU. I was at his World Youth Day in Denver in 1993, and I met him personally at the World Youth Day in Paris in 1997. My priestly vocation was driven in many

father Mitchel zimmerman

ways by wanting to be as much like Pope John Paul II as I could be. I will die a John Paul II priest.

Other priests in our archdiocese identify themselves with popes past.

There was a charism to John XXIII, for example, that I will never know except through the priests in our archdiocese who knew and loved him. There are priests who will die trying to bring the charism of John XXIII into the church. Everyone falls in love with “il Papa.”

The pope especially brings a certain way of living the priesthood to light and cannot fail to have an impact on new priestly vocations.

The men signing up for seminary today have been impacted in their formative years less by John Paul II and more by Benedict XVI. It is evident in their piety and in their zeal for a personal relationship with Christ guided by a deep meditation on Scripture and mystery. Benedict XVI brought his own unique gifts to the papacy, and priestly vocations have been motivated by genuine affection for our most recent Holy Father. I will miss him, as I have missed John Paul II every day that he has been gone. Our seminarians will miss him.

Yet this should not

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

dampen our enthusiasm for Pope Francis. He has made quite a splash, immediately making Christian charity more visible to the faithful.

I have no doubt that he will bring to the seminary and to the priesthood men who are greatly inspired by his fearless simplicity and zeal for being close to the poor.

The diocesan priesthood is rich in charisms, and we should all be excited for the charisms the pope will inspire in the priesthood.

We have all begun to fall in love with our new “Papa.”

May God use our new Holy Father to inspire many new and holy vocations to the priesthood in our church.

16 Nation

theleaven.com | april 19, 2013

‘Horrific day in Boston’

Boston cardinal says all feel ‘deep sorrow’ for victims of explosions

By Christopher S. Pineo Catholic News Service

B

OSTON (CNS) — Within hours of two explosions taking place near the finish line of the Boston Marathon April 15, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley sent a message of prayer and support for those injured, their loved ones and those who experienced the trauma of the tragedy.

“The Archdiocese of Boston joins all people of good will in expressing deep sorrow following the senseless acts of violence perpetrated at the Boston Marathon today,” he said.

Close to 3 p.m., the Boston Police Department reported that officers had responded to two large explosions along the Boston Marathon route that left three people dead, including an 8-year-old boy, and more than 140 wounded.

“The citizens of the city of Boston and the commonwealth of Massachusetts are blessed by the bravery and heroism of many, particularly the men and women of the police and fire departments and emergency services who responded within moments of these tragic events,” the cardinal said.

Many expressed fear the explosions, which were seconds apart, were carried out by terrorists, and AP reported that federal officials were treating the bombings as an act of terrorism.

As of early April 16, no one had yet stepped forward to claim responsibility for the act, which took place on Patriot’s Day, a civic holiday in Massachusetts that commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution.

Cardinal O’Malley commended the leadership efforts of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and the city’s police commissioner, Ed Davis. “[They] are providing the leadership that will see us through this most difficult time and ensure that proper procedures are followed to protect the public safety,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

The cardinal also commended those who rushed to help at the scene of the tragedy.

“In the midst of the darkness of this tragedy we turn to the light of Jesus Christ, the light that was evident in the lives of people who immediately turned to help those in need today,” he said.

Cardinal O’Malley promised the Catholic Church’s support for other faith communities, promoting a message of hope in response to the tragedy.

“We stand in solidarity with our ecumenical and interfaith colleagues in the commitment to witness the greater power of good in our society and to work together for healing,” the cardinal said.

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, as president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, urged all “to pray for the souls of those killed, the healing of those injured and the restoration of peace for all of us unsettled by the bombings at a world renowned sporting event.”

“Our special prayers are with the Archdiocese of Boston and the people there who are working in the aftermath of this crisis to address those wounded in so many ways by these events,” he added in a statement issued a few

CNS photo/Dan Lampariello, exclusive to Reuters

Runners head to finish line of the Boston Marathon as an explosion erupts nearby April 15. Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the marathon, killing at least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, and injuring more than 140. hours after the explosions.

The “tragic end” to the marathon “reminds us all that evil exists and that life is fragile,” Cardinal Dolan said.

“The growing culture of violence in our world and even in our country calls for both wise security measures by government officials and an examination by all of us to see what we can

personally do to enhance peace and respect for one another in our world,” he said.

In Boston, archdiocesan spokesman Terrence C. Donilon said the pastor at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, Father James DiPerri, was to offer a special eucharistic Holy Hour with the rosary for the Boston bomb-

ing victims at Our Lady’s Parish in Waltham.

Massachusetts’ governor also called for prayer in a statement issued after the explosions.

“This is a horrific day in Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured,” Patrick said.