04-22-11 Vol. 32 No. 36

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 32, No. 36 april 22, 2011

Our Savior bursts forth from his tomb, breaking the bonds of death and restoring life to the world. May the truth of the resurrection of Jesus encourage you this Easter season and always, as we together wait for his coming in glory.

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+Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

+ James P. Keleher Archbishop Emeritus of Kansas City in Kansas

2 archbishop

THE LEAVEN • April 22, 2011

THE LEAVEN • April 22, 2011

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

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Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar

April 22 3 p.m. Good Friday service — Cathedral

When Pilate rebukes Jesus for not replying and queries: “Do you not know that I have the power to release you and the power to crucify you?” Jesus dismisses Pilate’s claim of power with the statement: “You would have no As I alluded to last week, in Matpower over me whatever unless it were thew, Mark and Luke, we see Jesus in given you from above.” his humanity struggling with what lays Even on the cross, Jesus dembefore him and asking the Father, if onstrates a remarkable control and possible, to remove this cup from him. composure by the concern he continYet, even in requesting the removal of ues to manifest for those around him. the chalice of suffering, Jesus surrenIt is indeed very moving to see Jesus ders himself ultimately to the will of at this darkest moment focused on the the Father. needs of others as he entrusts both the John’s Passion narrative, compared beloved disciple — John — and his to the other Gospels, gives a very difbeloved mother — Mary — into each ferent — but at the same time compleother’s care. mentary — theological perspective on Jesus, after proclaiming, “It is the events of Good Friday. John depicts finished,” then, in the Gospel’s words, the absolute freedom with which Jesus “bowed his head, and delivered over embraces the will of the Father. his spirit.” Nothing — not even life For instance, when the Jewish auitself — was taken from him. His life is thorities come to apfreely given. prehend him, we see The message of ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ John’s Passion is the soldiers and police fully armed, but clear: Jesus, the Son programming notes helpless in the presof God, our redeemer, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s ence of Jesus. Our willingly enters radio program on KEXS 1090 AM Lord does not permit completely into our airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is them to arrest him human condition — repeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday until he has guaranembracing our sufand 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. teed that his disciples fering and submitting will not be harmed. himself to death, even In John’s Passion, we see Peter with death on the cross. From the profound a mixture of courage and foolishness gift of himself, his absolute fidelity strike a blow to defend Jesus for which to the will of the Father, his uncomJesus orders him to sheath his sword promising faithfulness to the truth and questions: “Am I not to drink the — even though it would result in his cup the Father has given me?” passion and death — from this most We see Jesus not at all intimidated terrible of tragedies, the greatest good at his interrogation. When Jesus is would emerge, and the church itself questioned about his teaching, he was born. John’s Gospel describes the points out how he has always taught in blood and water flowing from the side public and in full view of the authoriof Jesus — symbols of the sacramental ties. One of the guards strikes Jesus for life of the church. supposedly showing disrespect to the Jesus, with faith and love, completes high priest, to which Jesus responds: the mission that the Father has given to “If I said anything wrong produce the him, regardless of the human conseevidence, but if I spoke the truth why quences. It is this total fidelity to the hit me?” will of the Father that would effect the When Jesus is brought before Pilate, liberation from the consequences of sin we see that it is Pilate who is unraveland death for all who place faith in the ing, desperately looking for a way One crucified. Jesus took the cross — out. Jesus, on the other hand, speaks the symbol in his time of humiliation, serenely about his kingdom not being of torture, of defeat, of death — and by of this world and proclaiming his sole his faith and love transformed it into a mission has been to testify to the truth. sign of glory, of love, of victory, of life.

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Villa St. Francis

Priests Personnel meeting

April 23 8 p.m. Easter Vigil — Cathedral April 24 11 a.m. Easter Mass — Cathedral

Finance Council meeting

April 26 Feasibility Study task force meeting

May 5 Mass — Bishop Miege High School

Confirmation — Prince of Peace, Olathe

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

April 27 Interview with EWTN Catholic Radio telethon Vespers and dinner for newer priests — Archbishop’s residence April 28 Confirmation — Prince of Peace, Olathe April 30 Opening prayer for Saints for Life walk — St. Thomas Aquinas High School May 1 Mass, — Benedictine College, RCIA Presentation on Divine Mercy and Holy Hour — Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka May 3 Administrative Team meeting Thus, when in our prayer we ascend to Calvary, we contemplate the tragedy of sin’s consequences symbolized by the cross. We recognize the seductive power of sin to masquerade as good when, in the Passion narrative, we encounter Caiaphas’ rationalization that it is better for one man to die for the nation. We see sin’s ability to use human fear to foster betrayal of love and friendship in the flight of the apostles and in the betrayal by Peter.

We witness the cowardice of Pilate in his willingness to condemn an innocent man, rather than face down a hysterical mob. We see the fickle nature of the human heart and how evil loves a crowd as the people, who just days before hailed Jesus with palm branches, call now for his crucifixion.

The crucified Jesus did not banish suffering and death from the human condition. However, Calvary does offer us the key to find meaning, strength and hope in the midst of our suffering.

Laws end ‘anything goes’ for abortion industry

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park May 4 Mass and breakfast at residence with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)

May 9 Catholic Charities golf tournament luncheon Confirmation — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

April 22 Good Friday service — Cathedral April 23 Easter Vigil — Curé of Ars, Leawood April 24 Easter Mass with the Sisters, Servants May 1 Confirmation — Florida In its treatment of the sacrament of the sick, the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Christian suffering from illness as one “consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior’s redemptive passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.”

May our commemoration of the Lord’s passion during the Triduum grant us a better understanding of the meaning of suffering in our own life!

May what Pope John Paul II described as the “law of the gift,” as exemplified

by Jesus on Calvary, inspire and motivate us to embrace whatever sacrifices may be required from us to make the love of Jesus real and tangible to others. The key to experiencing the abundant life promised by Jesus to his disciples is to live this “law of the gift”: to strive to give our life away as freely as Jesus gave his life on Calvary.

By Joe Bollig

Affiliated with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

Haskell Catholics celebrate 25th anniversary

Leaven staff

TOPEKA — Once Kansas was known as the nation’s “anything goes” capital of late-term abortions. That’s all over now. The Kansas abortion industry is now leashed, if not muzzled.

After more than a decade of determined efforts by pro-life activists and legislators, Gov. Sam Brownback signed two historic pro-life bills into law on April 12.

“Make no mistake, under these two bills, abortion will continue in Kansas,” said Michael Schuttloffel, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference, “but we won’t be some sort of outlier sideshow anymore. To the contrary, we will be a model of state-level pro-life legislation. Maybe the [abortion] industry will simply decide it would be easier to do business somewhere else.”

The two bills are the Abortion Reporting Accuracy and Parental Rights Act, HB 2035, and the Fetal Pain and Late-Term Abortion Act, HB 2218.

The signings ended a long, dark chapter in Kansas history, said Schuttloffel.

“For years, Kansas had been known as the place to get the kinds of abortions that could not be had in other states — no questions asked, anything goes, late-term abortions of fully viable unborn children,” he said.

“With these two bills now law, that will never be the case again,” he continued. “No one will be able to do in Kansas what Dr. [George] Tiller did for so many years. It’s over.”

Kansas has had strong pro-life bills on the books since the late 1990s, but they were ignored by Kansas abortionists, who were protected by powerful political patrons, he said.

Although the bills did not pass with veto-proof majorities, they went to a pro-life governor.

“Then, with the election last fall and the passage of these bills, suddenly it was over — poof, done,” said Schuttloffel.

There is an important lesson to be learned from this, said Archbishop

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

Photo courtesy of the Topeka Capital Journal

Gov. Sam Brownback signs two historic pro-life bills into law on April 12 at the state Capitol in Topeka. The two bills are the Abortion Reporting Accuracy and Parental Rights Act, and the Fetal Pain and Late-Term Abortion Act. Joseph F. Naumann, who was at the signing ceremony.

“I think the very fact [that the bills] were signed into law says elections really do matter, and to get a [pro-life] law passed you need a pro-life legislature and a pro-life governor,” he said.

The significance of the bills is that some children’s lives will be saved, and that Kansas is no longer a center for late-term abortions. The new laws correct certain weaknesses in earlier laws.

“Prior [laws] required only notification of just one parent,” said Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan consultant for pro-life ministry.

“Now, the law requires consent from both parents for a minor to get an abortion,” he continued. “So, it really puts parental rights where they belong. Parents should have a strong influence over the decision of a minor seeking an abortion. Hopefully, they would dissuade her from doing so.”

The laws had a beneficial effect even before they were enacted, said Kelsey. Nebraska passed a similar fetal pain law before Kansas, and now a notorious late-term abortionist has moved his practice to Maryland.

He also believes the laws will put a damper on efforts to open new abortion clinics in Wichita.

“So let’s hope late-term abortions do not occur again in Kansas,” said Kelsey.

These victories do not mean the pro-life battle is over, said Schuttloffel.

When the Legislature reconvenes at the end of April, it will consider a critical clinic licensing bill, a bill to prevent insurance companies from including abortions as part of their standard coverage, a bill to prevent state employees from paying abortions with pretax health care flexible spending accounts, and a bill to cut Planned Parenthood funding. “[Clinic licensing] has been passed twice by majorities and been vetoed twice by Governor [Kathleen] Sebelius,” said Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life. “It won’t be vetoed, but there will be opposition, and the opposition has three extra weeks to cook something up. We hope things will go smoothly.”

To receive updates on pending legislation and action alerts, go to the Kansas Catholic Conference Web site at: www.kscathconf.org.

What’s in the bills?

The Abortion Reporting Accuracy and Parental Rights Act includes provisions for: • Required reporting of suspected child abuse, including sexual.

• Strengthened record-keeping and reporting requirements.

• Documentation of the specific medical condition constituting “a substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” if a pregnancy was not terminated.

• Required written consent of minors and both parents or legal guardian before an abortion is performed.

• Prohibition of abortions when the unborn child is viable unless strict criteria are met.

• Prohibition of partial-birth abortions unless strict criteria are met.

• Change of reference from “fetus” to “unborn child.”

• Insertion of the term and definition of “human being.”

• The offering of information before an abortion, including a right to

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‘It’s over’

Nothing was taken from Jesus on Calvary; it was freely given

n Good Friday, the church in its liturgy invites us to reflect on St. John’s account of the Passion. St. John — more than any of the other Gospel accounts — makes clear that Jesus willingly accepts the cross.

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

view ultrasound images, listen to the unborn child’s heartbeat, and other material that includes the statement, “abortion terminates the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.”

Fetal Pain and Late-Term Abortion Act includes provisions for: • The definition of “bodily function” to exclude mental or emotional functions.

• Abortions to be done only by a physician who has received documental referrals from an unaffiliated physician.

• Documentation of the specific medical condition requiring an abortion.

• Documentation of the unborn child’s gestational age.

• Maintenance of abortion records.

• Civil action by the father, parents or custodial guardian.

• Prohibition of abortions after 22 weeks except for certain circumstances.

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Kara Hansen kara@theleaven.com

LAWRENCE — Sunday afternoon lunch with the family is a great Catholic tradition that many enjoy.

But seldom is the family as extended as one in Lawrence, which has drawn together its members from all over the nation for Sunday lunches for 25 years.

Never mind that they’re not all linked by blood or marriage.

Instead, they’re united by faith, love and culture — the family of the Catholic Campus Center at Haskell Indian Nations University.

“Yes, we call each other family,” said Kathy Redbird, a White Mountain Apache, married to a Haskell employee.

“That’s exactly what it feels like.”

On April 9, the Haskell Center family reunited again for Sunday Mass, a lunch, and a commemoration of a very important event — the 25th anniversary of the founding of the center at 23rd and Haskell Avenue, on April 23, 1986.

The main celebrant and homilist was Father Charles Polifka, OFM Cap., provincial of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of Mid-America. The concelebrant was Father Duane Reinert, OFM Cap., center director.

“So, today is a day to look back and be grateful,” said Father Charles, “for God’s presence and challenges, for Archbishop [Ignatius J.] Strecker’s encouragement and love for the Native American community, for the many volunteers over the years who have labored so hard — even in the midst of frustrations — because they believed in this place and this community.”

Roots of the ministry Catholics at Haskell were under the care of Jesuit priests from the theologate at St. Marys, remembered Jerry Tuckwin, a Prairie Band Potawatomi, and retired Haskell faculty member and alumnus. They would come to Haskell on a Wednesday night and stay until Sunday, interacting with the students.

But after the Jesuits left St. Marys, pastoral care of Haskell Catholics was taken up by priests at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence. The ministry faced a number of challenges, one of which was difficulty in finding a place to celebrate Mass. “[Archbishop Strecker] had a soft spot in his heart for Native Americans and he wanted a ministry built around Native American ministry at Haskell. And his vision would reach out to Topeka and [the Potawatomi] reservation as well,” said Father Duane. “Archbishop Strecker’s

Turn to “Ministry’” on page 4

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • April 22, 2011

THE LEAVEN • april 22, 2011

Ministry to Native Americans at Haskell is a ministry of presence The center provides that sense of home and security that worried parents want for their students.

“When students first arrive at Haskell, their parents always seek out the Catholic church,” said Redbird.

“We tell the students to come back for a home-made meal. They’re so far away from home and some want a homecooked meal, and a quiet place to study.

“I have relatives from Arizona who send their kids to Haskell, and they get scared because they’re so far away. [My relatives] say, ‘Kathy will take care of you.’ I search them out and make sure they go to church. I’m their surrogate Mom.”

Continued from page 3 vision was for a comprehensive Native American ministry, and Haskell was the logical place to do that.”

To be truly effective, however, the Catholic ministry at Haskell needed a home. Archbishop Strecker realized this, said Father Al Rockers, thenWant to see more pastor of St. photos from the John the Evan25th anniversary gelist, and now Mass of Catholic of Holy Angels Campus Center Parish in Baseat Haskell Indian hor.

Nations University?

“ArchbishVisit us online at: op Strecker www.theleaven. approached com, or become a me one day fan of The Leaven and said, ‘Why on Facebook. not look for a site for a campus ministry?’” said Father Rockers.

Father Rockers and the Tuckwins, who were involved in Catholic ministry to Haskell students at the time, helped explore locations. One day Archbishop Strecker came along for a ride.

“Archbishop Strecker sat next to me and we pulled into the driveway of the current location,” said Terry Tuckwin, Jerry’s wife.

“I said I thought it was a good location,” she continued. “He asked, ‘What are they asking?’ I said it was not for sale. ‘Why are we looking?’ he said. And I told him, ‘Everyone has their price.’

After an interminable moment, he said, ‘Let’s make them an offer.’”

Growing a family The ministry began to attract students, faculty, and Native Americans who lived in Lawrence but were unaffiliated with Haskell. Many people’s work made a lasting impact on the development of the ministry, including that of Lisa and Don Krug. “[The Krugs] were a tremendous help with the supervision of the center, tutoring, student services, and in countless other ways,” said Father John Cousins, OFM Cap., in a July 10, 1987, Leaven article. “Having a married couple as campus ministers was, in itself, a service that contributed greatly to making the students comfortable in their contacts with the center.”

Pastoral care of the center passed from St. John the Evangelist Parish to

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios

Growing in faith and life Father Charles Polifka, OFM Cap., provincial of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of MidAmerica (standing), was the main celebrant and homilist for the 25th anniversary Mass at the Catholic Campus Center at Haskell Indian Nations University. The concelebrant was Father Duane Reinert, OFM Cap., center director and chaplain (seated, at left).

Father Duane and Monica Olivera, the center director, stand outside the campus center following the 25th anniversary Mass.

Leaven photos by Al Davis

the Capuchin Franciscans soon after the center opened.

Archbishop Strecker had been talking with Father Charles Chaput, thenprovincial of the Capuchin Franciscans (before he became archbishop of Denver) about staffing the Haskell ministry before the center opened. The Capuchins agreed and have been there since 1986.

What helps build the family feeling of a center primarily dedicated to college-age students is the presence of many active families in the community.

Some Haskell students have children.

Jean Finch, a member of the permanent community, has taught the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for about 12 years to all ages.

“Everybody relates to everybody,” she said. “We take care of each other. It doesn’t matter what the age is. We all work together. The older children take care of the younger children. The adults surround them.”

Jeff Mahan, a Kansas Kickapoo originally from East Moline, Ill., said the

center can be a refuge for students who feel pangs of homesickness and struggle to adapt. Mahan and his wife now help with the Sunday lunches. “[I like] the closeness, the tightness, the sense of almost being family,” said Mahan, a 2008 Haskell graduate and now a teacher at St. Matthew School in Topeka.

“I think the center is a place, from my experience, where you can try to be a practicing Catholic,” he continued. “A college student can sometimes get into conflict, so the Catholic center is a refuge and a way to get away from what happens on every college campus you find. . . . [It’s] a place to pray, play cards, watch TV, [and] talk about religion.”

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The center sends a message through its ministries and its highly visible location across the street from the Haskell campus.

“Our main mission is a mission of presence to our Native American community,” said Monica Olivera, the center director.

The center exists primarily to spiritually feed Haskell students, by offering the sacraments and building a community of faith, she said.

“The main importance is that we, as church, are present for the Native American young people,” she said.

But it does more than that. Olivera is trying to promote personal enrichment by establishing a center garden and offering classes.

“What we’re trying to do is provide different classes, like Spanish,” she said. “One reason I did this was because the students requested it. The university does not provide Spanish classes.

My future goals are to provide classes in parenting, art and music.”

The center’s programs seem to be effective.

“I am thankful that the Catholic center provides a place to go [for] Mass and . . . to come and participate in other activities, such as the Spanish classes, retreats, trips and special celebrations,” said Brenda Garcia, from the Tohono O’odham Nation, and a senior in the American Indian Studies program.

Twenty-five years has seen a lot of change at the center, and the future will bring more. But through it all, Haskell students know that, as long as the center is there, they’ve got a family that cares.

LOCAL NEWS 5

Walking the talk

New mission program puts teens to work in their own backyard

By Kara Hansen

Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If you think mission work translates into a lot of travel and a foreign country, think again.

A new program for teens is starting up here in the archdiocese where mission work can be done practically in one’s own backyard.

The Prayer and Action program originated in the Salina Diocese several years ago, out of the desire of two seminarians there to create a low-cost opportuPrayer and nity for youth to Actions sessions do mission work • June 26-July 1 locally.

• July 10- July 15 “The program • July 17- July 22 has proved extremely popular with the participants and, for a number of years, our archdiocese has sent groups to Salina,” said Bill Scholl, archdiocesan consultant for the social justice office. “Due to the powerful witness of our teens who have encountered Christ through this program, Archbishop Naumann has requested that we explore bringing Prayer and Action to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.”

Three one-week mission trips will take place in June and July in Emporia as part of the pilot program of Prayer and Action in the archdiocese. The program is a joint effort by the office for social justice and the vocations office.

“I have seen the fruits of Prayer and Action in the youth from the archdiocese who have returned from the program,” said Father Mitchel Zimmerman, archdiocesan vocation director.

“When prayer is connected to handson service of neighbors, when prayer is put into action, then prayer takes a much deeper root in the hearts of young people longing to serve. It is their confirmational grace, the gifts of the Spirit, being put into real action.”

“I’m excited for the new opportunity for our seminarians to take ownership of a ministry to youth in the archdiocese that is peculiarly theirs,” he continued, “and for the chance to do missionary service close to home, and to present a mission experience that is sensible and affordable.”

Sara Batenhorst, youth minister at

Leawood’s St. Michael the Archangel youths (from left) Joe Rolleston, Sarah Specht and Brooke Crites paint a house for a woman in need in the Salina Diocese as part of Prayer and Action three years ago. The program will be making its debut in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas this summer with groups making a mission trip to Emporia.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood, first learned of the Prayer and Action program three years ago while making a last-minute attempt to accommodate a large number of teens that wanted to go on a mission trip.

“To be honest, I had pretty low expectations about the week,” said Batenhorst.

“I had just taken a group to San Antonio where we worked in soup kitchens and inner-city day camps, so I was not too excited about spending my week in Hays doing landscaping and painting houses.”

Within a few short hours, however, Batenhorst could see the program was better than she had expected — much better.

“I became very impressed with the program and the staff,” said Batenhorst.

“Everything was laid back and relaxed, but well-organized. You could tell that the staff had a passion for what they were doing and for connecting with the kids.

The evening program was great and wellplanned; it was fun and forming.”

Batenhorst said Prayer and Action was authentically Catholic, with daily Mass, a daily rosary, and prayer at morning and night built into the programming. The sacrament of reconciliation and an evening talk each night on a different Catholic teaching were also included.

“Over the years, I have participated in two different national Catholic mission trip programs and none of them have even come close to being as Catholic as Prayer and Action,” said Batenhorst.

“None of them have had the impact that P&A has had on my kids. I love that they come away from a week not only full of love for Christ, but also with a newfound love and understanding of serving others and giving of themselves.”

Best of all, said Batenhorst, is the impact Prayer and Action has on kids long after their weeklong stint is over.

“To this day, my kids still talk about the seminarians they met and the impact they had on them,” she said. “For my kids to see a young guy studying to be a

priest, but also being fun and interesting and outgoing — that is irreplaceable.

“I have had [a couple of] students who have attended Prayer and Action and then a different mission trip program. I pulled them both aside after the week with the other program and asked them which week was better.

“They both said Prayer and Action,” Batenhorst said. “The changes this program has made in my kids is remarkable.

Next to Camp Tekakwitha, I think this has the opportunity to become the best formation experience we can offer the youth in our archdiocese.”

The program will be led by Catholic young adults, including archdiocesan seminarians. Youth will stay at Sacred Heart Church in Emporia. The cost is $100 per individual, with $10 requested as a deposit at the time of registration. To register or for more information, visit the Prayer and Action Web site at: http://www.wix. com/prayerandactionkc/missiontrip, or call Batenhorst at (913) 402-3945.

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • april 22, 2011

Everyone’s Polish for a day KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It doesn’t matter who you are; one day a year, you can be Polish.

That day would be Polski Day, May 7, at All Saints Parish, 8th and Vermont streets, in Kansas City, Kan. Polski Day is when people of Polish ancestry gather to celebrate Polish culture and to commemorate the signing of the Polish Constitution on May 3, 1791.

The big draw is, of course, the Polish food: kielbasa and sauerkraut, pierogi and galambki (cabbage rolls). The cooks are preparing about 1,300 galambki, 2,400 pierogi, 400 pounds of kielbasa and 240 pounds of sauerkraut.

The festivities begin with a noon Polski parade that starts at 18th and Central, moves east to Vermont Street, and then south to the church at 8th and Vermont.

Polish food will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the All Saints Church hall.

A Polka Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m.

Entertainment will include: the Ed Grisnik Band from noon to 4 p.m.; Don Lipovac from 1 to 7 p.m.; and the Hrvastki Obicaj tamburitza ensemble from 4 to 7 p.m.

All proceeds will be used to benefit All Saints Parish, which includes the former St. Joseph-St. Benedict Church.

Golf classic set for May 9 The 30th annual golf classic to benefit the

Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas will be held on May 9 at Lake Quivira Country Club. For more information, go to the Web site at: www.catholic charitiesks.org.

Francis “Fritz” and Rita (Altenhofen) Holthaus, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on April 24 anniversaries with a Mass of thanksgiving and a family dinner. The couple was married on April 23, 1946, at the church. Their children and their spouses are: Betty and Mike Haug, Seneca; David and Jean Holthaus, Topeka; Bonnie (deceased) and Steve Tevis, Normal, Ill.; Max and Amy Holthaus, Salina; Jane and David Groff, Topeka; Jeff and Julie Holthaus, Douglass; and Bill and Joan (deceased) Holthaus, Topeka. They also have 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to: 703 Castle St., Seneca KS 66538.

Jim and Darlene (Hofer) Barry, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 6. The couple was married on May 6, 1961, at Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa. Their children and their spouses are: Darla and John Ohmes, Shawnee; Dan and Carol Barry, Leawood; and David and Jenifer Barry, Shawnee.

They also have 10 grandchildren. They will celebrate with a trip to Florida with friends and a dinner for relatives in June at Caenen Castle, Shawnee.

Wallace and Nadine Birk, members of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Burlington, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the church on March 13. The couple was married on March 16, 1951. Their children and their spouses are: Doug and Marcia Birk, Burlington; Glen and Debbie Isch, Gridley; Jeff and Gwen Birk, Gridley; Danny and Debbie Birk, Gridley; Brian Birk, Topeka; and Jeff and Patti Beyer, Burlington. They also have 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Cards may be send to: 872 Dobbin RDSW, Gridley KS 66852.

Anniversary policy

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

Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date. Announcements must be typed. They are for parishioners of Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, or for those who have been resided in the archdiocese for a significant period of time. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@theleaven.com. If you would like your photo returned to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Two earn Gold Awards SHAWNEE — Rebecca Thornton and Alyne Roemerman, members of St. Joseph Parish here, were presented with the Girl Scout Gold Award during the annual Honors Ceremony on March 26. The Gold Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Girl Scouts of the United Rebecca Thornton States of America.

For her Gold Award project, Thornton was involved in “Warmth for the Holidays.”

She collected stocking caps, gloves, and scarves. She also organized and coordinated an ice-skating party for area Girl Alyne Roemerman Scout troops where donations of hats, gloves, and scarves were collected. Additionally, she held a donation collection at St. James Academy in Lenexa.

All the clothing was then donated to Catholic Charities.

For her Gold Award project, Roemerman focused on “The Book Mobile” for the McDanield Early Childhood Center in Bonner Springs. She designed and constructed a portable, rolling set of book shelves for the education center and then stocked the shelves with age-appropriate books for the children. She was able to collect a supply of books through donations and book drives. Roemerman also set up a library card system for the books and decorated tote bags for the children to carry the books home.

Celebrate Our Religious Enthusiastically

“Blisters for Sisters” 3rd Annual C.O.R.E. Walk-a-Thon Saturday, May 7, 2011 Nativity (119th and Mission Rd.) Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Walk: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Mass: 10:00 a.m.

Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sponsored by: The Serra Clubs of Kansas and Missouri www.blistersforsisters.org

K E AT I N G Mud Jacking

Serving NE Kansas Since 1976

FOUNDATION REPAIR

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing FREE ESTIMATES v Steel Underpinning

MUD JACKING

Kansas City (913) 262-9352

All Are Welcome: Young, Old, In-Between . . .

Families, Friends, Fellow Parishioners Just complete the preregistration form below and mail it along with your check to: Beth Tilling, 13023 S. Pratt, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 Make Check payable to: The Serra Club, Memo: Blisters for Sisters Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________________________________________ St._______________ Zip_________________________

Raise & Level v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses

Locally Owned & Operated

Come Join in the Fun and Bring Someone with You.

Phone _________________________________________________ e-mail____________________________________________________ Preregistration includes: T-shirt, walk and lunch with the Sisters.

Piers Driven to Load-Bearing Strata or Bedrock

Lawrence Topeka (785) 865-0006 (785) 246-0128

Suggested Donations: $10.00 per person 22 or under (Students, please come even if you can’t make a donation) $25.00 per adult $50.00 per family (2 or more) Each participant in the walk (adult or child) needs to be preregistered. You can make additional copies of this or you can obtain extra copies from our website.

Remember your recently deceased loved one by attending a Memorial Mass Saturday, May 7, 20119 a.m.

Holy Redeemer Chapel, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 126th & Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES 913-371-4040 Wyandotte County Mt. Calvary, Kansas City, Kan. St. John, Kansas City, Kan. Gate of Heaven, Kansas City, Kan. Johnson County Resurrection, Lenexa, Kan. St. Joseph, Shawnee, Kan. St. John, Lenexa, Kan. Mt. Calvary, Olathe, Kan.

MT CALVARY – KC KS Jesse Aguirre Michel T. Berard Joseph R. Boczek Ethel Brockman Helen E. Jeselnik Mary C. Kierl Steven P. Kilgore Lorraine M. Kolich Raul Leyva Sr. Julia E. Lopez Mary Jo Louth Jennie J. Love Luis Madrigal Sr. John M. Marquez Janet Maslak Thomas P. McKiernan Marie C. Novak Jose G. Paez Jon K. Pulley II Frank P. Rahija Anna M. Rehorich Leona C. Seaman Jeanette M. Slanina Nevaeh Sofya Smith Juanita Spaur Anthony Urkevich Barbara R. Westervelt Mary C. Yadrich

Terry E. Gruenewald Donnell M. Hait Lillian R. Heiling Jeanette G. Heimer Margaret M. Kennedy Robert L. Kirkland Stephen J. Klusman Betty L. Lescard Helen Lichtenauer Charles P. Lorsbach Donald F. Lyon San V. Mai Elizabeth R. Mann Charles Earl McBarton V Helen E. Means Paul E. Newhouse James W. Neville Sr. Roberto Nuno Russell D. O’Leary Edward K. Phelan Mary E. Roberts Delores R. Rynard Charles W. Schleicher Gerard E. Schmidt Jean L. Schmitz Allen H. Theno John M. Watson Grovner L. Willer III Robert L. Yoksh

RESURRECTION Marjorie D. Alford Ralph E. Allen Dorothy H. Amoneno Mary L. Bartkoski Caroline F.S. Betzler Bertha Bollig Lois A. Crimmins Margaret D. Dalton Michael P. Daly Thomas R. Evans Mary C. Flynn Edwina M. Fritz

ST JOSEPH Geraldine E. Drake MT CALVARY – OLATHE Rosa Cosme Gloria G. Hausen GATE OF HEAVEN Connie J. Cortright Joseph R. Draskovich Matthew Scott Fladung Frances E. Saragusa Norma J. Schlicht

Faith on Display ‘Last Supper’ looms larger than life for Church of Nativity middle schoolers

L

By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven

EAWOOD — When Church of the Nativity parishioners came to Mass on Palm Sunday here, many of them did a double take. Upon entering the church, they glimpsed an amazing scene: a life-size reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.”

“You kind of startle as you turn the corner because they do have that sort of human presence,” said Church of the Nativity School art teacher Todd Peterson.

“You have to stop and take another look.”

The sculpture is a source of pride for Peterson’s middle school students, who have had a very personal walk with Jesus this year as they re-created, in exacting detail, his last meal on earth.

The inspiration The idea for the project came from principal Maureen Huppe.

“When I was principal at another school years ago, I had an art teacher that did this,” she explained. “And it was such a neat thing.

“So I asked [Todd] about it, and this is the project he chose to do with our seventh- and eighth-graders.”

The inspiration for the model came from Peterson’s own viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s original artwork.

“I went to Milan a couple of years ago and I saw the actual painting,” he said.

“I thought it would be great to do a Last Supper and it might as well be based on da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper.’”

Peterson has taught a Renaissance unit to middle school students for several years now. He usually incorporates several different projects into the unit, teaching the

Nativity School seventh-grader Megan Ryan adds detail to Thomas the Apostle.

roughed in the faces and then turned the cutouts over to the students, who were divided into groups of four or five. Each group concentrated on a particular character.

Students built the figures into three dimensions, using papier-mâché.

“It was messy,” commented Alex.

Messy indeed, but students enjoyed the process “It was something new, something different, something they hadn’t done a lot of before,” said Peterson. “So they were pretty keen on it.

“And they got to work in a group. They enjoy working in groups.”

“I thought it was good to work with people because when you’re older, you’re going to have to do it,” said seventh-grader Caroline Embree. “And I thought all the people in my group were good.”

“It was really fun to paint and draw them,” said seventh-grader Abigail Seitz.

“I did James the Major, and I did all his features.”

“I thought it was fun because you got to learn what the disciples looked like and what they were doing during the supper,” added seventh-grader Sam Wilkerson.

The finish

At Palm Sunday Mass on April 17, altar servers and parishioners alike at Church of the Nativity Parish in Leawood processed past a life-size reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” The project was created by seventh- and eighth-graders at Nativity School under the guidance of art teacher Todd Peterson. kids to do everything from paint in fresco, to use egg tempera, and sculpt clay.

“So I thought it would be great to just kind of encapsulate it all in one project,” he said.

In the “Last Supper,” da Vinci captures the moment after Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him before sunrise.

As they created their sculpture, students studied the original painting, the artist and period in which he worked “We learned a lot about the painting, where it is, who is in it. And what happened,” said seventh-grader Charlie Weiler.

“And so it’s kind of a sneaky way of learning about [the Renaissance],” said

”

“And so it’s kind of a sneaky way of learning about [the Renaissance]. Instead of opening a book and reading about it, they actually get to see the painting and study more about it.”

Todd Peterson, art teacher at Church of the Nativity School

Peterson. “Instead of opening a book and reading about it, they actually get to see the painting and study more about it.”

The challenge The goal of the project was to take the moment depicted in the “Last Supper” and bring it to life — not an easy task, considering the deteriorating condition of the original painting.

Da Vinci tried using new materials to create the “Last Supper.” Instead of using tempera on wet plaster, the traditional method of fresco painting, for example, he painted on a dry, sealed surface.

The technique allowed him to paint in

Nativity School seventh-graders (from left, foreground) Daniel Henry, Jake Enenbach, and Kyle Welch put a coat of paint on one of the figures. greater detail, but it wasn’t durable. The painted plaster began to flake off the wall almost immediately.

“So the problem was, the painting we were working from was sort of flaking off the wall,” explained Peterson. “So it’s kind of hard to get good references.”

That’s where the students brought their detective skills to bear, figuring out what the artist meant each of the disci-

ples to look like.

“I thought it was exciting because we got to know what the disciples were like in the picture,” said seventh-grader Alex Blake.

“The painting was, like, crumbling,” he added. “So we were trying to make it so everybody else can see what it really is.”

Peterson began the process with a cardboard-base cutout of each figure. He

The young artists were remarkably successful in capturing the look of the original. The finished sculptures were painted with acrylic, some water tempera and a gloss seal.

When Huppe saw the completed work, she was amazed.

“The way [Todd] actually had them look at that art piece and try to get them to get everything right — the way the heads are tilted, the way their arms are placed,” she said, “he got them to know exactly how to replicate what they saw.

“I don’t know how he did it, but he did it and it looks really great.”

Seventh-grader Abigail Seitz agreed.

“I had no idea what it was going to look like,” she said. “I just tried to go on his direction and see how it turned out.

“And it actually turned out pretty good.”

Peterson gave all the credit to his students.

“They’ve done a fantastic job!” he said.

The finished sculptures were positioned at a table exactly as they are seated in the painting. The artwork was first displayed in school and then moved to the church for Palm Sunday and Easter.

“When you see it all put together it’s,

Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” was commissioned by Duke Lodovico Sforza, da Vinci’s patron, for the refectory (dining hall) of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, Italy.

He began working on it in 1495 and finished in 1498.

The 15-by-29-ft. masterpiece is considered the greatest example of one-point perspective ever created.

The lines of perspective in the painting meet in Christ’s face, emphasizing him as the central figure.

Because of the new techniques da Vinci used to paint the “Last Supper,” the artwork began to deteriorate almost immediately.

Between 1978 and 1999, an effort was made to reverse the damage caused by time, dirt, pollution and previous restoration attempts and to permanently stabilize the painting.

The results of the restoration were unveiled on May 28, 1999.

The painting today is open for viewing by the general public. like, ‘Wow, this is really big and really cool!’” said Huppe.

The goal at Church of the Nativity School is to incorporate Catholic faith into every part of the curriculum.

“Because that’s what separates us,” said Huppe. “That’s what makes us different.”

She’s pleased that Peterson has been so successful in combining art lessons with lessons in faith.

“Art is so richly a part of out faith,” she said. “And to start getting these kids learning art thorough the Catholic faith — that’s what we should be doing.”

Peterson concurred.

“I hope they’ve learned something about the Last Supper. And not just the painting itself, but the whole event and the importance of that to their faith,” said Peterson.

Students hope the lesson will transfer to everyone who sees their artwork.

“It will not just strengthen my faith,” said Sam, “but it will strengthen others because they’ll learn when they walk by it.

“It will make the Last Supper more real to them.”

“I think our work paid off because they looked really good,” said Abigail. “And I’m excited for everyone to see them.”

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Assistant principal/athletic director - Bishop Miege High School is seeking applications for an assistant principal/athletic director for the 2011-12 school year. Send letter and resume to: Mariann Jaksa, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Shawnee Mission KS 66205 or send, via e-mail, to: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com.

Teachers - St. James Academy, a Catholic high school in Lenexa with nearly 700 students in grades 9 - 12, is seeking to hire for the following positions: math teacher, physics/chemistry teacher, and a part-time art teacher. Candidates should be faith-filled, practicing Catholics. Interested individuals may complete the application available on the Web site at: www.sjakeepingfaith.org. If you are qualified to teach in the state of Kansas, you must also fill out the archdiocesan application available at: www.archkckcs.org. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of formal application, but may be submitted as additional information. Application deadline is May 1. For information, contact Theresa Lyons at (913) 254-4200 or send an e-mail to her at: tlyons@sjakeepingfaith.org. Mail application materials to: Mrs. Theresa Lyons, St. James Academy, 24505 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa KS 66227.

Sales counselor - Don’t just get a job, start a rewarding career! McGilley Memorial Chapels has been serving Kansas City since 1899 with eight metro area locations. We currently have career opportunities for motivated sales professionals who are serviceminded, energetic and ambitious. Experience in the funeral home or cemetery industry is helpful but not necessary. We provide an excellent structured training program and we offer a full benefits package, flexible hours and advancement opportunities.

For additional information or to submit your resume, contact Shelly at: shelly.weatherford@sci-us.com.

Writer - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is currently taking applications for a full-time entrylevel position as a feature writer for The Leaven.

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field and photography skills preferred. Web, social media, or video background a plus. Applicants must be practicing Catholics, available for occasional night and weekend work, and able to travel for assignments within the archdiocese. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s Web site at: www. archkck.org/employment. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume, application AND at least three writing samples to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Feature Writer Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send, via e-mail, to: kthomas@archkck.org Applicants with samples of photography (three to five digital images only) may submit, via e-mail, to same e-mail address. Application deadline is April 15.

Principal - Pauline Memorial Catholic School, Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colo., is seeking a principal to provide visionary leadership to advance its Catholic identity, academic excellence, and faithbased community spirit. Qualified applicants must: be a Catholic in good standing; have 3 years of experience teaching pre – 8th grade, preferably in Catholic schools; have a master’s degree in education or demonstrate continuing progress toward attaining Colorado certification in less than two years from date of hire. For complete job posting, visit the Web site at: www.ucsppr.org/JobOpportunities.aspx. For information, send an e-mail to Lisa Smid at: lisa@diocs.org.

Half-time youth minister – We are seeking an enthusiastic youth minister to plan, enhance and support youth activities for our jr. and sr. high youth ministry programs. The youth minister would also help coordinate our confirmation program for grades 7 - 8. Applicants must truly love working with youth and enjoy practicing and sharing our faith. Computer, organizational and interpersonal skills are required.

Salary commensurate with education and experience. Send resume, via e-mail, to Pat Shultz at: pats@ corpuschristilks.org.

Work from home - Telephone appointment setting for Medicare insurance agent. Typically from 3 - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Must have unlimited calling plan.

Contact Bill, Senior Market Advisors of KC, at (913) 636-7686.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City area.

This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

THE LEAVEN • APRIL 22, 2011 Sales - The ideal candidate must have excellent lead follow-up and qualification skills and good organization, written, verbal and computer communication skills. The right person will have earned $75,000 in commission sales. Experience in the building, insurance or construction trade is helpful. Call Terry at (913) 980-3559 or send an e-mail to him at: moyer26@earthlink.net.

Providers needed for children with autism - In Atchison, Olathe and Roeland Park. Full or part time. Training required. $8 - 15/hr. If interested, call Melissa at (913) 417-7061 or send an e-mail to her at: melissacline@ibt-inc.org.

Administrative assistant - Sacred Heart of Jesus School, Shawnee, is seeking a full-time administrative assistant for our front office. Submit resume and cover letter, via e-mail, to: nick.antista@shoj.org.

Appeal specialist – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking an individual with administrative experience in managing fundraising appeals.

The position is essential to the successful operation of the archdiocese’s annual appeal and reports to the executive director of stewardship and development.

Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing; have experience working in a fundraising environment; be proficient at data input and analysis; and demonstrate effective communication skills, written and verbal. Position requires a bachelor’s degree and minimum of one year experience in a fundraising environment, preferably one utilizing the Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge database. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocesan Web site at: www.arch kck.org/employment. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application by April 29 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Appeal Specialist Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109 or send, via e-mail, to: kthomas@archkck.org.

Services Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor.

Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

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

THE LEAVEN • APRIL 22, 2011

Caregiving Caregiver - Retired nurse with over 30 yrs. experience is looking for full-time clients. Days, nights, weekends. Excellent references and reasonable rates.

Metro KC area. Call (913) 579-5276.

Looking for high quality home care? Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned and based in Lenexa. Call Benefits of Home-Senior Care at (913) 422-1591 or visit our Web site at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

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

Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work.

Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

Tim the handyman - Small jobs are my specialty! Faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, handrails, window screen repair, bush trimming and garden tilling. Free estimates. JoCo only. Call (913) 859-0471.

Wood treatment and refinishing - We strip, refinish and treat woodwork. Restoration of pews, altars, stairways, cabinets, desks, paneling and more.

Work in churches, homes and businesses. Insured and guaranteed. Family owned. Call (816) 241-1900.

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

Housecleaning - I love what I do . . . and you can love it, too! Cleaning; 20 + yrs experience. South Johnson County. Excellent references. Call (913) 548-8702.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned hand mopping and more. A thorough and consistent job every time.

References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. I have a few openings. Call Sharon at (816) 3220006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

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

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

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

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

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 e-mail to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com.

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

Lawn mowing and landscaping - Mowing starting at $25. Also offering power washing, dirt work, drainage solutions, tree trimming, mulching and all other landscape work. Call (816) 509-0224.

Lawn Care Mowing * spring cleanups * fertilizing Free estimates. Insured, excellent references Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Medical supplies and equipment - Home from the hospital and needing supplies and equipment? KC Home Medical Supply has what you need. Come see our retail store, or call Ed at (913) 385-2020.

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

(913) 709-8401.

Father and son team looking for outside work - Painting, wood rot repair, decks, fences, retaining walls, concrete — you name it, we can do it all for a fair price! We do inside work as well. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998

Home Improvement Vacation

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.

Foley’s Lawn Care Mowing, aeration & overseeding Landscape maintenance Spring & Fall cleanups, gutter cleaning Residential & commercial (913) 825-4353 Proudly serving Johnson County for 10+ years www.foleyslawncare.com

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean . . . we do it all! For a free consultation, call your professional organizing handyman, Kevin Hogan, M Ed, today at (913) 271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the Web site at: www.koatindustries.com.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean!

Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

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 Clutter problems? Embarrassing garage, basement, attic or any room? Let me help you get organized! Items sorted, grouped, boxed and labeled; areas clean when finished. Great references and insured. Twenty years experience! Handyman repairs also available. To view “before” and “after” pictures, visit my Web site at: www.swalms.com. Tillar Swalm (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) 579-1835. E-mail: smokeycabin@ hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

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

For sale - Waterfront cabin on Lake Wabaunsee.

The lake is 40 minutes SW of Topeka, or 30 minutes SE of Manhattan. Fully furnished; will sleep six comfortably. Has a deck with hot tub and two docks for fishing and swimming, plus one cover for a boat or pontoon. For information, call Chris at (785) 556-9788 or (785) 456-8892 or send an e-mail to: cmcdona1@ amfam.com.

Summer cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA. Beautiful views of the Continental Divide. $95/ night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the Web site at: www.tillmancabin.com.

Attention, seniors: April and May special - 4 nights and 5 days; $165 per couple, $330 total. 2 BR, 2 BA condo with all the comforts of home with brandnew furniture, right on the lake with a million dollar view of the main channel. Good Mon. – Fri. Ask about the great Branson-style show. Call your friends and reserve your special week. Steve and Sheryl Roederer, (913) 244-2022.

For Rent Overland Park - Nice, 2 BR, 1-1/2 BA duplex with a one-car garage. Appliances and local pool/ amenities included. For an appointment to view, call (913) 383-1343.

Want to rent - St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, family needs to rent a 3 - 4 bedroom home. Children attend St. Ann School and Bishop Miege High School.

Call (816) 863-3430.

For rent – 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in Shawnee near Nieman Rd. and Johnson Dr. $520/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. For a virtual tour, visit the Web site at: www.shawnee-rentals.com. Call (913) 649-7596.

Lenexa duplex - 3 BR, 1-1/2 BA, fireplace, hardwood floors, dine-in kitchen and deck. One-year lease. $825 per month. For an appointment, call (913) 768-6447.

Room for rent – Furnished bedroom/house to share with owner and mother. Good area in Kansas City, Kan. Prefer older or retired woman. Must love cats and dogs. Utilities and cable provided. Large yard and covered deck. Recently remodeled. $500/ month. Call Marilyn at (816) 507-9678.

Real Estate Kansas City, Kan. - 9228 Minnesota Ave. 3 BR, 2 BA, two-car garage, brick ranch-style home. New carpet, kitchen countertops, ceiling fans and light fixtures. Newer roof and A/C. Finished bsmnt. Quiet location on one acre. Walking distance to St. Patrick Parish/School. Call the Kornspan Group, Re/Max Premier, at (913) 871-4148. To view, visit the Web site at: www.KCRealEstateReport.com.

Land for sale – Farmland, timber, excellent deer and turkey hunting. 120 acres in Jefferson County. For information, visit the Web site at: www.

KansasLandBrokers.com or call Kansas Land Brokers LLC at 1 (800) 557-9151.

Overland Park townhome FSBO - Two-story, 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA. Assumable FHA loan. Little or no money down. Call (913) 909-0757.

Classified ads continued on page 13

Continued from page 12 Roeland Park - 3720 W. 52nd Place in Fairway Manor subdivision. 3 BR, 1-1/2 BA, two-car garage, ranch-style home with new roof, newer HVAC and stainless appliances. New interior and exterior paint.

Meticulously maintained. Charming and move-in ready! One block west of St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School. Open Sundays from 1 - 4 p.m. Call Janenne Elton, Reece & Nichols, at (913) 677-6300 or e-mail her at: JElton@ReeceAndNichols.com.

Lakefront home - In Bear Lake community, 15225 161st St. (just west of Bonner Springs off K-32 in Leavenworth County.) 3 BR, 3-1/2 BA, four garage spaces, screened-in porch, wrap-around deck, 4.7acre lot, finished walk-out basement, magnificent views of 57-acre lake and a wildlife preserve. Convenient to Holy Angels, Basehor, and Sacred Heart, Shawnee. $497,500. FSBO by appointment, call (913) 624-4601.

Misc.

Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation of a vehicle helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally wise way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call 1 (866) 430-9499 or visit the Web site at: www.cars4kckids.com.

For Sale Max’s Rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – baptism, first Communion, confirmation and graduation. Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too.

Repairs also. Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 839-3106.

Two burial plots – Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Kan. Lot 34C; spaces 3 & 4 in the Garden of Valor. Retail $2595 each; will sell for $1500 each. Call George at (913) 724- 3891.

For sale - Two cemetery plots in the Assumption Garden at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. $1300 each. Price from cemetery is $1525 each. Call (785) 749-1668.

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.

Childcare Summer nanny available - Member of Holy Trinity Parish, graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, college senior is seeking summer employment as a nanny. I have reliable transportation and can tutor in all areas including French. Contact Annie at (913) 488-5789 or send an e-mail to her at: harak@rhodes.edu.

Need some help this summer? I will plan fun summer activities for your children: going to the pool, crafts, and outdoor activtities. Summer is a perfect time for playing and learning. I have babysat for the past seven years and worked with a variety of ages. I have dependable transportation and have excellent refrences. Call Shannan at (913) 575-4774 for additional information!

Summer care available - Licensed day care; 123rd and Blackbob, Olathe. One opening for a school- aged little girl playmate for my 7-year-old daughter, Mon. - Fri. $125/ week includes lunch, snack, scheduled time for keeping up with their school curriculum, trips to Deanna Rose, Leaping Lizards etc. CPR certified, smoke free. Your child would be one of only four total in my care. Call Bonnie at (913) 780-0543.

Wanted to buy Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic.

Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269

April

25

A Runnin’ Revs fun night will be held on April 25 at Hayden High School, 401 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka.

Area priests and seminarians will challenge eighth-grade and high school boys from local Catholic schools for a fun game of basketball. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Expect biased calls and lots of fun.

Donations will be accepted to benefit seminarians. For information, call (913) 647-0303.

27

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host “When a Family Changes – Dealing with Separation and Divorce,” an educational program from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on April 27. This program will offer information on how women can protect themselves and their children legally and financially. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

28

The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a potluck supper at 5 p.m. on April 28 in the Formation Room at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka. For information, call Doris Patterson at (785) 272-0055.

The Direction for Our Times prayer group will pray the Luminous mysteries of the rosary at 6:30 p.m. on April 28 and on every fourth Thursday of the month at Holy Cross Church, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park. For information, call Colette at (913) 341-9682 or visit the Web site at: www.directionforourtimes.com.

Rockhurst University Library Guild’s Annual Critique Luncheon, benefiting the school’s library, will be held on April 28 at the Carriage Club, 5301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. The guest speaker will be Giles Fowler, award-winning author of “Deaths on Pleasant Street,” a non-fiction book describing the suspicious deaths of three members of the prominent Swope family of Independence, Mo. The cost is $30.

For reservations, contact Deanna at (816) 501-4375.

A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 28 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Dennis Wait will preside; fellowship follows.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host “Pasta Power,” a nutrition presentation offered in partnership with K-State Extension Services, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on April 28. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

The PTO of St. Joseph School, Shawnee, will host a walk-a-thon to promote physical fitness on April 28.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit various school projects and scholarships for eighth-graders to attend Catholic high school. To make a donation, contact Teresa Hartman at (913) 706-3601 or send an e-mail to her at: mhartman@everestkc.net.

29

Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a free multicultural festival from 2 - 10

CALENDAR 13

p.m. on April 29. There will be a variety of live musical and dance performances, ethnic food sampling, and vendors selling unique, handmade items. For information, visit the Web site at: donnelly. edu/mcfest.

The archdiocesan House of Prayer, 22019 Meagher Rd., Easton, will host a Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour from 3 - 4 p.m. on May 1. For information or directions, call Kristen at (913) 7738255.

30 Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, will host a Divine Mercy Holy Hour at 12:30 p.m. on May 1. All children are invited to participate in a flower procession. Flowers will be provided.

its annual Paths to Peace presentation from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on April 30.

Lunch will be provided. Freewill offerings will be accepted. For information or to RSVP, call Julie at (913) 321-4673.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold its spring business meeting at 9:30 a.m. on April 30 in the rectory of Sacred Heart Parish, 122 E. Warren, Gardner. For information, call Susan at (913) 367-2227 or visit the Web site at: http://sites.google.com/ site/accwkck.

The Curé of Ars Singles will host a spring fling dance from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. on April 30 in the school cafeteria, located at 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood.

The cost of $15 (payable at the door) includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. For information, call (913) 631-6873.

St. Joseph-St. Lawrence Church will host a spring fling celebration on April 30 in the St. Lawrence Parish hall, Easton. A Mexican dinner will be served from 4 - 7 p.m., followed by bingo at 7 p.m.

The Altar Society of Holy Family Church, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual taco dinner and bingo night on April 30 at Mejak Hall.

The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m., and bingo will begin at 7:30 p.m. The cost of $15 includes dinner, bingo and beverages. For information or to purchase tickets, call Sandy at (913) 492-2612 or Bernadette at (816) 891-7247. Dessert donations will be appreciated. This is an adult only event.

Holy Trinity Parish, 400 S. East St., Paola, will host a benefit auction with a Kentucky Derby theme, “Run for the Roses,” on April 30 at the Miami County Fairgrounds. The doors will open at 5 p.m. There will be live and silent auctions and a dinner. Ladies are welcome to wear hats. Tickets cost $20 per person or $180 per table of 10. For information or to purchase tickets, call (913) 294-3286.

The PTO of St. Paul School, 920 W. Honeysuckle, Olathe, will sponsor its annual carnival and vendor fair from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on April 30. There will be a flower and plant sale from 8 a.m.

- 6:30 p.m. For information, call (913) 764-0619.

1

May

Christ the King Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a Divine Mercy Sunday celebration at 3 p.m. on May 1. Refreshments will follow.

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka, will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with the sacrament of reconciliation from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.; a presentation by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at 2 p.m.; and a Holy Hour at 3 p.m. For information, call (785) 246-1338 or (785) 246-1295.

3

The Atchison Region Serra Club will meet from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on May 3 in the Atchison Catholic Elementary School (ACES) chapel, 201 Division St., Atchison. The meeting will begin with a Mass for vocations. For information, call Tim or Susan at (913) 367-2227.

7

Internationally renowned Catholic musician Michael John Poirier will perform a benefit concert for Padre Pio Academy at 7 p.m. on May 7 in the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. A social hour will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets cost: $20 for adults; $5 for students; $50 maximum for families. To purchase tickets, call the school at (913) 268-3155 or visit the Web site at: www.padrepio academy.org.

Join the 27th annual Polski Day celebration on May 7. The parade will begin at noon at 18th and Central, Kansas City, Kan. There will be Polish food, entertainment and festivities from noon 7 p.m. A special Polish Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. at All Saints Church, 229 S. 8th St. All proceeds will benefit the church. For information, visit the Web site at: www.polskiday.com, or call Cathy Kolenda Smith at (913) 721-0081.

Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Honor Thy Mother” from 9 - 11:30 a.m. on May 7 at the Reardon Center, 525 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Prepaid reservations are due by May 1. For information or to RSVP, call (913) 321-4673.

The cost is $20 per person. There will be a full breakfast and Mariachi Artesano serenade.

Join LifeFront at 9 a.m. on May 7 across from the Planned Parenthood office, 4401 W. 109th St., Overland Park, as Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads a rosary on behalf of unborn babies and their mothers. Park in the large lot on the northeast corner of 109th St. Last year there were more cars than parking, so carpool if possible.

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers will host their annual walk for life at 8:30 a.m. on May 7 in the Cook Center at MidAmerica Nazarene University. To register, visit the Web site at: http:// aapcwalk4life2011.org.

9

The 30th annual golf classic to benefit the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas will be held on May 9, beginning at 11 a.m., at Lake Quivira Country Club.

13

Has a Catholic school pastor helped, encouraged, or inspired you while attending a Catholic school? We would love to hear about it! The Catholic Education Foundation will be honoring archdiocesan Catholic school pastors at the annual CEF Gaudeamus dinner on Oct. 8. Send your stories no later than May 13, via e-mail, to Patty Morrisey at: pmorrisey@archkck.org.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • april 22, 2011

THE LEAVEN • april 22, 2011

Mark my words

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Octave of Easter April 24 Easter Sunday: The resurrection of the lord Acts 10: 34a, 37-43; Ps 118: 1-2, 16-17; 1 Cor 5: 6b-8; Jn 20: 1-9 April 25 Monday in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 2: 14, 22-33; Ps 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-11; Mt 28: 8-15 April 26 TUESDAY in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 2: 36-41; Ps 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20: 11-18 April 27 WEDNESDAY in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 3: 1-10; Ps 105: 1-4, 6-9; Lk 24: 13-35 April 28 THURSDAY in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 3: 11-26; Ps 8: 2ab, 5-9; Lk 24: 35-48 April 29 FRIDAY in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 4: 1-12; Ps 118: 1-2, 4, 22-27a; Jn 21: 1-14 April 30 Saturday in the OCTAVE of Easter Acts 4: 13-21; Ps 118: 1, 14-15, 16-21; Mk 16: 9-15 May 1 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER OR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY Acts 2: 42-47; Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Pt 1: 3-9; Jn 20: 19-31 May 2 Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the church Acts 4: 23-31; Ps 2: 1-9; Jn 3: 1-8 May 3 PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES 1 Cor 15: 1-8; Ps 19: 2-5; Jn 14: 6-14 May 4 Wednesday Acts 5: 17-26; Ps 34: 2-9; Jn 3: 16-21 May 5 Thursday Acts 5: 27-33; Ps 34: 2, 9, 17-20; Jn 3: 31-36 May 6 Friday Acts 5: 34-42; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6: 1-15 May 7 Saturday Acts 6: 1-7; Ps 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19; Jn 6: 16-21

S

inside catholic charities

You have got to be kidding me

ome stories, like the following, bring tears to your eyes: One day a young man was shopping in a supermarket when he noticed an elderly lady who seemed to be following him. Whatever aisle he turned down, she turned down. Whenever he stopped, she stopped. He also had the distinct impression that she was staring at him.

As the man reached the checkout, sure enough, the lady was right there.

Politely, he motioned for the woman to go ahead of him.

Turning around, the elderly lady said, “I hope I haven’t made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look so much like my late son.”

Touched, the young man said, “Oh, no, that’s OK.” “I know that it’s silly,” continued the lady, “but could I ask you to do something for me? Could you call out, ‘Goodbye, Mom,’ as I leave the store? It would make me feel so happy.”

The young man was glad to oblige.

After the lady went through the checkout and was on her way out of the store, he called out, “Goodbye, Mom!” The lady turned back, smiled and waved.

The young man’s heart swelled, seeing that his small gesture had brought such joy into someone’s life. As he went to pay for his groceries, the clerk said, “That comes to $121.87.”

“Why so much?” said the young man.

“I only have five items.”

The clerk replied, “Yeah, I know, but your mother said you’d be paying for her things, too!”

OK, OK, so those tears that I spoke of at the beginning of this column? Well, they’re tears of laughter. And they’re something I hope you’ll have plenty of throughout the seven weeks of the Easter season.

I recently came across a phrase that I really like: risus paschalis. It’s Latin for “Easter laughter.” Although some trace this expression back to St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 385), the Catholic Encyclopedia says that it refers to a “strange custom” that was common in 15th-century Bavaria. Apparently, priests would use funny stories in their homilies on Easter to get their parishioners to laugh. Then a moral was drawn from the story. As time went on, though, abuses crept into the practice, prompting Pope Clement X (1670-1675) to prohibit the “risus paschalis.”

It’s too bad those abuses occurred, because joy and laughter should be a big part of the Easter season. After all, in the Resurrection, death was defeated; it didn’t have the final word. And we believe that Jesus’ resurrection is something that we already share in, though not yet completely. How can we not be joyful?

Unfortunately, many people today are weighed down by their own sinfulness and by the multiple tragedies that they see daily recounted in the news: wars, injustice, natural disasters, murders, poverty, hunger and disease. As Christians — people of the Resurrection — we’re called to usher in hope where there is despair, light where there is darkness, and joy where there is sorrow.

One way to do that is to resurrect, so to speak, a healthy “risus paschalis.”

Hopefully, our Lenten disciplines have

made us holier, more willing and able to bring God’s joy and healing to the world. Our good practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving should not end now that Easter is here. The only thing that should change is our motivation for doing them.

As I look back on this past Lent, there were some bright spots, but I’ve also fallen short in other areas, especially with my “Lenten Tasks” bucket. I gathered up “to do” items that I’d been procrastinating on and wrote them down, one per small piece of paper. I’d intended to pick one out of the bucket each day of Lent and do what was written there. As of this morning, let’s just say that there are still a lot of papers “to do.” Knowing that these are things that will bring a smile to the face of another — a “risus paschalis”— I’ve renamed the bucket “Easter Tasks” and intend to have it emptied by the time Pentecost rolls around on June 12, the end of the season of Easter.

One of the things many people mentioned in the sacrament of reconciliation this Lent was how impatient they are.

Because our schedules are so packed with commitments, there’s no time left to renew our spirits; we’ve forgotten how to appreciate and enjoy life. In short, we’ve forgotten how to laugh.

If this describes you, open your heart this Easter season to some “Easter laughter,” the new life of the risen Jesus.

Start by trying something different — a new recipe, an alternate route home, a fresh radio station or genre of book — to reawaken feelings of peace and joy.

Take pleasure in moments when things go right: when computers don’t crash, when your kids actually do what you ask them to, when you catch people doing good.

Let’s all rediscover a wholesome “risus paschalis” — even if we get fooled by an elderly lady at the supermarket.

second thoughts on the second reading

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Paschal sacrifice brings death, then new life

hat menu are you planning for your Easter dinner?

In our family, we would usually eat ham, but in many cultures lamb is traditionally served. The second choice reinforces the strong link between the Christian feast of Easter and the Jewish feast of Passover.

The Seder meal, an elaborate and ceremonial event, begins the sevenday-long feast Easter Sunday: of Passover. In The Resurrection his First Letter to of the Lord the Corinthians, 1 Cor 5: 6b-8 St. Paul refers to the two principal dishes on the menu for the Seder meal: roasted lamb and unleavened bread.

The lamb figures so prominently that the name for the feast doubles as the name also for the lamb itself. Our Lectionary reading translates it as “paschal lamb,” but other translations have sometimes rendered it as “Passover.”

The Scriptures instructed that the lamb be roasted, not stewed or fried, and its bones not be broken (Ex 12:9).

That specification reflects the origins of the feast, when the nomadic Hebrews would gather around a campfire to celebrate the springtime births of livestock, the renewal of their herds. Roast-

ing was the simplest way to prepare the meat, since it did not require any pots or pans.

In the earliest days of Israel’s history, the slaughter of the lambs took place at home. But by the time of St. Paul, the location for the slaughter had shifted to the temple in Jerusalem. It was no longer simply looked upon as a household chore necessary for the preparation of a meal, but rather as a religious sacrifice.

The various New Testament writings link Jesus’ death to the feast of Passover, but they disagree slightly in the details. For example, the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke present the Last Supper the evening before Jesus died as a Seder meal.

That means that the lambs for the Seder meal would have already been slaughtered that afternoon. In contrast, John’s Gospel insists that Jesus died the day before Passover, exactly when the

commentary 15

lambs for the Seder meal were being sacrificed in the Temple. According to John, then, Jesus himself dies as a sacrificial lamb, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29).

When St. Paul calls Jesus “our paschal lamb,” it suggests that he might agree with John’s chronology concerning Jesus’ death. It certainly shows that St. Paul viewed Jesus’ death as a sacrifice.

But both John and St. Paul go a step further in recognizing Jesus’ death as a sacrifice. While the slaughter of the paschal lambs was considered a sacrifice, it was not looked upon as a sacrifice which took away sin. There were other sacrifices that could fulfill that function, but not this particular one.

In contrast, Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” By his sacrifice, he brings us God’s mercy and forgiveness. That is why St. Paul adds, “Therefore, let us celebrate the feast.” By his sacrifice, Jesus has brought us the new life of God’s grace.

Father Mike Stubbs is the senior parochial vicar of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

“M

Refugees: a way to welcome Christ in the stranger

y name is Zawadi Daniel and I was born in Burundi.” Burundi is a nation located adjacent to Rwanda in central Africa.

“In Burundi, the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups were fighting, killing each other, and it wasn’t safe for me and my family,” said Daniel.

Racial tensions between the Hutus and the Tutsis developed over a century of unequal treatment during a period of colonization. Eventually, the situation erupted into violence in 1959.

“I left Burundi in 1972 with my parents. I was a little girl,” said Daniel.

“We relocated to Tanzania and lived in temporary shelter there.”

The violence hit the world stage in

1994, when over a period of 100 days, nearly 800,000 Rwandans were massacred. In Burundi, similar horrors were carried out, with 150,000 killed over several years. Hundreds of thousands fled their countries and sought refuge in Tanzania.

“I lived in different places — an apartment, a tent in a refugee camp, with friends from 1972 until 2007 — when I came to America to escape the violence,” she added.

Each year, the president of the United States authorizes the admission of a certain number of refugees into the

country. This determination is based on a consultative process between Congress, the president and various federal agencies. In recent years, the United States has accepted between 50,000 to 75,000 refugees per year. Resettling refugees provides an extraordinary opportunity for Catholics to take an active part in “welcoming Christ in the face of a stranger.”

Daniel was one of the lucky ones.

She lived. And after 35 years in exile, she was resettled by the U.S. government working through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and was given the chance of a new life right here in Kansas. She cares for a young niece and nephew, ages 10 and 13, and is working to support her little family through Catholic Charities’ New Roots for Refugees program.

Today you can find Daniel working a small plot of land on an urban farm in Kansas City, Kan., where she grows

vegetables which are sold at local area farmers’ markets.

“In Tanzania, I grew sweet potatoes, corn, eggplant, amaranth, and peanuts,” said Daniel. “In the United States, my favorite vegetables to grow and sell are lettuce, spinach and amaranth. I love farming and growing healthy vegetables for my customers.”

If you would like to meet Daniel, you can find her and her table of fresh produce at the Overland Park Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and the Northeast Farmers’ Market on Fridays.

She is one of 17 “farmers,” all survivors of similar atrocities and persecution, working hard to put the past behind them and fresh food on their — and your — table. For more information, visit the Catholic Charities Web site at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org.

Jan Lewis is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

Do whatever He tells you

T

Youth consultant finds event planning yields impressive fruit

hese are some of the things I’ve heard from our students: “It’s going to be hard to write everything I learned in the past week. . . . It’s always been easy for me to write about how much my friends mean to me, or how I feel in love, but it has never been easy for me to write about my faith.

I’ve always been afraid to talk about God, afraid of what people will think.

I hope to overcome this difficulty and tell you about what I learned this week and how it has hopefully changed my life. The relationships I’ve been in, the friends I’ve chosen, and the choices I’ve made in the past couple of years have not always reflected the kind of person I wanted to be. Through reconciliation, I was able to put the mistakes I had

made into the past, and to start all over again. It’s amazing to me that that was all that was keeping me from God this whole time.” (Elizabeth, St. Bernard Parish, Wamego, at Catholic Heart Work Camp) “I cannot explain to you the amazement I felt this weekend. I went back to school today, talking to my counselor about how much I enjoyed everything and how much of an eye-opener it was to hear not only Catholics but every other religion believe in the same

thing. I’m so excited for next year now, and the years to come if they (the politicians) don’t hear us. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to go, because it was truly amazing, and I wish I could explain my whole experience, but I would seriously make you read this for hours then! Thank you.”

(Emily, Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan., at March for Life) Sometimes it feels like I’m just an event planner in the archdiocesan youth office. I go from one event to the other, doing my best to bring the truth of God to as many young people as I can. Then, when I get comments like the ones above from young people, it makes it all worthwhile.

Doing what we do doesn’t just happen overnight. There’s a lot of prayer and discernment that goes with it.

I like what one parent said to me a

couple weeks ago: “Thank you for not watering down what you do.”

With Camp Kateri Tekakwitha, TEC, Prayer and Action, Pro-Life Boot Camp, March for Life, and junior and senior high rallies, our young people have a variety of choices to help them grow in their faith. Pick any of these to help your son or daughter connect to the Catholic faith and meet other young Catholics from around the archdiocese.

Two years ago, Christ truly did reign in Kansas City at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). Once again, our archdiocese will be sending young people to Indianapolis for NCYC 2011 to “Called to Glory” from Nov. 17-19.

Contact your youth minister or the youth office for more information.

Rick Cheek is the associate consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

¿QUé PASA? — IN HISPANIC MINISTRY

Archdiocesan ‘encuentro’ sets priorities for future Hispanic ministry

T

he 2010 census recently stated that in the geographic area of our archdiocese there are over 100,000 people identifying themselves as “Hispanic.”

It was with this challenging number in mind that we gathered together on March 26-27 to celebrate Encuentro 2011. The word “encuentro” literally means “encounter.”

When we use this word in Hispanic ministry, we invoke the memory of the Encuentro process started by the U.S. bishops in 1972 where they called together the Hispanic community in the United States to “See – Act – Judge” in terms of organizing a national plan for Hispanic ministry.

In the past 39 years, many different dioceses organized their own encuentro and, in fact, here in Kansas City, there was one held about 10 years ago in order to organize the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry.

Consequently, it was with this process in mind that about a year ago we began to make plans for Encuentro 2011 with a dual purpose: a) to evaluate the past eight years; and b) to plan the future of Hispanic ministry.

The process of preparing the Encuentro 2011 involved a series of 11 pre-encuentro meetings in the parishes

where we currently have Hispanic ministry. In these meetings we had an opportunity to listen to about 440 people who expressed their dreams for the future. In each of the pre-encuentro meetings the pastors were present to hear the voices of their people.

During the encuentro weekend, we heard two presentations: 1) “A Review of the Historical Memory of Hispanic Ministry in the USA,” by Miguel Arias of Loyola Press; and 2) “The Mission of the Archdiocese and How It Connects with the Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry,” that I gave.

After receiving this input, the 150 delegates, which included 20 young people, were asked to work in parish groups to do three things: 1) To See — to share about what is happening in their parishes; 2) To Judge — what is working well and what needs to be changed; 3) To Act — to establish some action steps for both their parish and

the archdiocesan office of Hispanic ministry.

At the end of the weekend, each parish was asked to share with the entire group three key priorities that we can work on during the next year. There was an enormous amount of enthusiasm generated with this process.

Some of the key words coming out were: Faith Formation – Communication – Unity – Hispanic Youth – Pastoral Planning.

We finished the weekend with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Naumann, and all participants were commissioned to go home and meet with their pastors. We have a follow-up meeting scheduled for June 3 when we will further discuss our plan of action for the future.

Father Pat Murphy, CS, is the archdiocesan animator for the office of Hispanic ministry.

16 local news

THE LEAVEN • april 22, 2011

Big Bash

Lawrence school breaks out the sledgehammers to fight hunger

By Jane Graves

Special to The Leaven

s Father John Schmeidler, OFM Cap., pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, flanked on the left by principal Pat Newton, prepares to try his best to “Bash Out Hunger.” Sixth-grade students at St. John sponsored the program on April 13, asking 4th- through 6th-grade students for canned goods in exchange for a chance to smash a donated car with a sledge hammer.

Taylor Morstorf, a fourth-grader at St. John, takes her turn at bashing the car.

s

LAWRENCE — Start out small and dream big.

That was the message delivered loud and clear to students St. John the Evangelist School in Lawrence on April 13 as the upper grade students chanted, “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Bash out hunger!”

Jennifer Meitl, youth director for the parish, explained what all the shouting was about.

“I always, in college, I had these big dreams,” she said. “I was going to establish these huge programs that would change the world; [programs] that would change millions of lives.”

She said she came to realize that it was not just the big programs and gestures that made a difference, but also the small ones.

“I hope that [from this activity] the students understand that they can do something right here, right now, where they live,” added Meitl.

So, sixth-graders, while learning about the corporal works of mercy and how to address social injustice, discussed among themselves how the worldwide problem of hunger could be addressed locally.

They then charged their fellow students at the school to donate canned goods to a local food pantry. In exchange, fourth- through sixth-graders got a chance to smash sledgehammers into a donated wrecked car (with all glass and fluids removed), on which sixth-graders had painted with the words: hunger, poverty, injustice, sadness, hate and death.

“We fed some of the 13 million kids [in the United States] that went to bed hungry by giving them cans through the food drive,” explained Emily Walthall, a sixth-grader at St. John. “It felt good to bash out the hunger and the hate and the portion that we made go away with what we did.”

She said organizing and participating in the “Bash Out Hunger” event “made me feel really good about myself, and about our school, and about the things that we can do. . . . We can help.”

“Even if it’s a small thing,” she added, “we can help, no matter what.”

“Poverty, hunger — we need to bash that out,” said Father John Schmeidler, OFM Cap., pastor of St. John Parish. “It’s not acceptable. It’s something that we need to take responsibility for.”

The car, he explained, served as both an illustrative activity for the children and a conversation point for the classroom.

“Grade school kids always need symbols and they need signs and they need to see something physical,” said Father

John. “It’s just a fun way of them being able to see something that needs to be battled against.”

“It helps them to know that their faith is something to be acted upon, you know,” said Meitl.

“So what better way than swinging at a car and hitting it?” she added wryly.

“It’s an action.”

Aidan Rothrock, a sixth-grader at St. John, understood the symbolism.

“A lot of kids go to sleep hungry at night, and it’s just really terrible. And

so we’re bashing out hunger — in both the metaphorical sense and the literal sense.”

Helping those hungry kids, he said, felt “excruciatingly good.”

All that smashing was a hit with other students, too. Erica Nissan, a fourthgrader at St. John, clutched her prize from the “hunger bash”: a neon yellow painted hubcap, which fell off after her sixth hit.

How did it feel to be one of the students able to break a hubcap off?

“Awesome! I love this!” Erica yelled, jumping up and down.

She said she was looking forward her mom’s reaction.

“It’s probably going to be hilarious,” she said. “I hope she lets me keep it!”

Aidan’s summation of the “Bash Out Hunger” experience said a lot for the longterm success of the St. John experiment.

“I’ll probably remember this day for the rest of my life,” he said.

Witnessing just how much just her small school accomplished in a single event, sixth-grader Anastasia Wilds, like her youth minister before her, couldn’t help but dream big.

“Maybe it is possible to bash out hunger and all the bad things in this world,” she said.

“I think that maybe that if we work all together hard enough,” she concluded, “maybe one day there might even be no kids that have to go to bed hungry or know injustice.”

ERA Manning & Associates, Inc. 9870 Quivira Rd. Lenexa, KS 66215 Office: (913) 754-3106 Residence: (913) 492-8649 E-Mail: don@dkmayerteam.com Web Site: www.dkmayerteam.com Don & Kathy Mayer

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