05-01-09 Vol. 30 No. 35

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 30, NO. 35 MAY 1, 2009

JAYHAWKER EVANGELIZATION Red Tuesday changes the way KU students think about their faith

BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD AWRENCE — On a recent Tuesday, University of Kansas freshman Leann Tracy was racing across campus so as not to be late for her art class. As she blazed down the sidewalk in a flash of red, no one could miss the large block letters on the back of her shirt that spelled out “Ask me why I’m Catholic.”

Tracy wears the shirt every Tuesday. When asked why, her answer is unequivocal: “Because it’s starting a revolution!”

And she’s right. KU is indeed undergoing a revolution of sorts – Catholic students are taking their message to the streets.

In this, a formidably secular environment, Catholic students find their faith challenged on all sorts of fronts. But now there is a sanctuary, a home base, where they can turn for answers to the many questions college classes — and even college life — give rise to.

It’s the Red Tuesday table hosted by the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, and it’s changing the way KU students think about faith, God, salvation, their world, their future and Catholicism.

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Turn to RED TUESDAY on page 8

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

While overseeing the Catholic Campus Center’s table at KU’s Wesco Beach, director of formation Matt Kemnitz fields a question from freshman Jonathan Shoulta.

Between classes, freshman John Esfeld stops by Wesco Beach to touch base with Kemnitz and get information on upcoming events at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center.

CHASING THE MIRAGE

COME ONE, COME ALL Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann invites everyone to the solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 14 at St. Agnes in Roeland Park.

COVERED IN PRAYER

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St. Matthew Parish in Topeka is covering sick people in prayer by giving them a prayer blanket.

3

The president has lifted the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, an action that could have long-reaching ethical consequences.

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2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Source of late pope’s strength and energy is available to us

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ecently, I had the opportunity to participate in the first Communion liturgy for my great-niece Grace. It was beautiful to witness the excitement of Grace and her classmates for the privilege of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

Grace’s enthusiasm for receiving her first holy Communion was an example of the “eucharistic amazement” that Pope John Paul II desired to rekindle within the entire Catholic community.

I just completed presiding at Holy Hours of eucharistic adoration in each of our Catholic high schools. In my homily for these Holy Hours, I recalled Archbishop Justin Rigali’s response ten years ago to a question at a news conference after Pope John Paul II’s historic pastoral visit to St. Louis.

The pope had come to St. Louis from Mexico, where he had spent several days preaching and teaching about the church in America. The Holy Father was in St. Louis less than 48 hours. During that time, he presided at a youth rally with more than 20,000 young people; he celebrated Mass with more than 100,000 people; he led an interfaith and ecumenical prayer service in the cathedral basilica with leaders of other faith communities; he met with the president; he interceded successfully with the governor of Missouri to commute the sentence of a man on death row; and he prayed over some patients from a local Catholic children’s hospital.

The press wondered: How does this

old, sick man do all of this?

Archbishop Rigali had worked closely with Pope John Paul II for almost 20 years in the Vatican. He had traveled with the pope on many of his pastoral visits and knew the late pope quite well.

With a twinkle in his eye, the archbishop said the pope had a secret source of power. You could see the reporters got quite interested at this point. Perhaps, they thought the archbishop was going to announce a papal endorsement for some energy drink.

Archbishop Rigali related that in the morning, after the one night the pope had spent at the archbishop’s residence, our late Holy Father rose early to pray.

He spent one hour and 40 minutes kneeling in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the archbishop’s chapel.

This was the pope’s practice every day, no matter where he was in the world. It was from praying before the Eucharist that Pope John Paul derived his incredible energy.

One of the first things that Pope John Paul II did after his election as the Successor of St. Peter, was to renew the Corpus Christi procession in Rome. In 1998, I was fortunate enough to be in Rome for the solemnity of Corpus Christi. Even though it was difficult for the Holy Father to walk, he dropped to his knees in adoration before the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

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that Pope John Paul II derived from the Eucharist are available to all of us. Jesus makes himself uniquely and powerfully present for all of us in the Blessed Sacrament.

When I was an auxiliary bishop in St. Louis, I became acquainted with a very successful businessman. By the time we first met, he was already in his 80s. I was seated with him at a banquet at which he and one of his sons were honored for all that they had done to help disadvantaged youth in the community.

He told me about a life-changing experience he had almost 50 years earlier.

At the time, he and his wife had five young children. He owned his company which employed a couple hundred people. He felt completely overwhelmed with his responsibilities. He was concerned about his ability to be the good and loving husband and father that his wife and children needed and deserved.

He was concerned about his business, realizing that not only his family, but all of the families of his employees, were relying upon his leadership of the company. He felt the burden of so many lives depending on his decisions.

In retrospect, he described himself as on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

In his desperation, he found himself kneeling in church one morning praying before the Blessed Sacrament. He felt inspired at that moment to surrender his life to Jesus. By the simple act of faith, of entrusting his marriage, his family and his business to the Lord, he felt a tremendous weight being lifted from his heart.

Nothing about the externals of his life had changed. Yet, he had changed.

He understood that he was not alone.

He received a confidence that everything was going to be all right. He did not have any new answers to some of the pressing business and family deci-

sions that previously had felt so overwhelming. Yet, he experienced a tremendous peace. He was no longer paralyzed by fear and worry.

Each one of us needs to have a close personal friendship with Jesus — nourished frequently by receiving holy Communion, as well as adoring the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.

When we manifest faith in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we will experience an abiding peace, receive a remarkable energy and find more and more reasons to rejoice each and every day.

On Sunday, June 14, the solemnity of Corpus Christi, our Archdiocese is cosponsoring with the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese a eucharistic procession. The event will begin at 1 p.m. with an hour of eucharistic adoration at St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park.

For those who wish to receive the sacrament of penance, several confessors will be available. At 2 p.m., the Blessed Sacrament will be carried in procession to Bishop Miege High School, where we will conclude with Benediction.

I encourage all of our recent first communicants to attend, if they wish, attired in their first Communion dress or suit. I also urge all those recently confirmed or preparing for confirmation to attend as an opportunity to give public witness to their love for Jesus in the Eucharist.

I hope that many will take advantage of this special opportunity to make a positive, public demonstration of our love for Jesus, for his church, and for the sacrament of his body and blood. May we allow the Lord to use this Corpus Christi as a time to renew within our hearts the gift of eucharistic amazement!

Blanketed by prayer Handmade covers comfort physically, spiritually

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

St. Matthew parishioner Mary Jo Swietek prays as she stitches up her latest prayer blanket.

By MARC and JULIE ANDERSON Special to The Leaven OPEKA — Parishioners of St. Matthew Parish in southeast Topeka have found a way to literally blanket people in prayer — and are now working hard to spread the warmth.

When parishioner Sue Carson attended a funeral some years back in Great Bend, she noticed a relative of the deceased holding a small blanket, about a square yard in size. When she questioned her cousin about it, Carson was told the blanket was known as a prayer blanket.

The idea had come from a church in Texas that makes and distributes the blankets to those in need — particularly those desiring physical, emotional or spiritual healing in hospitals and nursing homes. The church also sent blankets to soldiers stationed overseas in war-torn areas such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

The more Carson learned about prayer blanket ministry, the more she was intrigued by the idea and convinced she needed to start a similar ministry at her own parish. So, she designed a flier for the parish’s weekly bulletin, which contained a phone number and an invitation to an informational meeting.

Although only about 10 attended that first meeting, Carson received many subsequent phone calls from people expressing interest, and the idea just grew from there.

The concept of a prayer blanket is simple in nature, said Carson. The blanket should be roughly a square yard in size.

“It’s a nice size,” she said. “It’s large enough, yet it doesn’t impede anyone at the hospital.”

The blanket can be quilted or crocheted, batted or non-batted. But in the process of crafting it, the parishioner making the blanket prays for the healing of the person who will eventually receive the blanket. Some people will pray the rosary; others, Hail Marys or Our Fathers.

The offering of those prayers, according to both Carson and Dale Rose, the ministry’s current coordinator, is the most important aspect of the ministry.

“Prayer is the most important part,” Rose said. “We pray for healing and, of course, we pray for the Lord’s will in everything we do. Since we don’t know who will eventually receive the blan-

T

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

Iris Hannika, a member of St. Matthew Parish in Topeka, receives a prayer blanket while a patient at St. Francis Hospital. The blanket was made and prayed over by a St. Matthew parishioner and then blessed during a healing Mass at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish. ket, we also pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in who should receive the blankets.”

On months with five Thursdays, the finished prayer blankets, usually between 60 to 100 in number, are collected and taken to a healing Mass, where the blankets are prayed over again and blessed with holy water by a priest prior to their distribution.

Afterward, another parishioner, Barb McCauley, rolls the blankets and ties a ribbon around each, attaching a card that begins with the words, “You are covered in prayer.”

The card explains that the blanket was made and prayed over by a St. Matthew parishioner and later blessed during a healing Mass.

McCauley, who is usually the one to distribute the blankets as she makes hospital visits, also gives people another tri-fold card that contains words of encouragement and a few prayers, as well as contact information for the parish.

Those involved in the ministry said

they’ve witnessed some amazing events as a result of people receiving the blankets. Mary Jo Swietek, who has been involved with the ministry for several years, said she believes the prayers associated with a blanket her husband received helped him make a rapid recovery from the surgery he had a little more than a year ago.

“He was supposed to spend five days in intensive care and 10 days in the hospital,” she said. “Barb McCauley took him a blanket 20 minutes after he arrived in intensive care and laid it across the foot of the bed.

Within five days, my husband was at home.

“The doctors said they never saw anything like it. I firmly believe the prayers associated with the blanket helped him to recover more quickly.”

Another parishioner who has witnessed the effects of the ministry firsthand is Mary Ann Bechtold.

Bechtold, who has been involved with making blankets since the ministry began seven or eight years ago,

said she enjoys making new quilt patterns. One time, she found a particular pattern that she “just fell in love with” and really didn’t want to share the pattern or the blanket she had made using the pattern.

Nevertheless, she turned it over to the ministry. She was later surprised and gratified to learn it was her own mother who had received the blanket while in the hospital.

Some 25 to 35 people are involved in making and distributing the blankets. Over the years, an estimated 2,000 of them have been distributed to parishioners, Catholics from other parishes, Christians from other churches within the city, and even to parishioners’ families and friends living as far away as Maryland and California. One batch of prayer blankets even included a few quilt blocks blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. “They go everywhere,” Rose said.

“People are always grateful to have them. It brings you to tears.”

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Continued from page 1

Weakened restrictions called part of ‘incremental strategy’ | By Joe Bollig fter President Barack Obama lifted the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research on March 8, pro-life advocates waited for the other shoe to drop.

They didn’t have to wait long. In yet another lateFriday-afternoon announcement April 17, the National Institutes of Health released its draft guidelines for embryonic stem-cell research (ESCR).

A

The church wants cures

CNS illustration/Emily Thompson

Pro-lifers fear that President Barack Obama’s lifting of the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research will further promote an insensitivity to the taking of life — whether by the abortion of a fetus (above) or the destruction of an embryo. One feared consequence of the executive order is a pulling away of public funding from ethical adult stem-cell research. how versatile [they] are — a reality that some scientists and politicians still refuse to acknowledge, despite the growing clinical evidence.”

Chasing the mirage For years, proponents of ESCR have tantalized the public with talk about potential cures that are close, but just beyond reach — much like a dying man chasing a mirage across the desert.

“There has been a huge misperception in the public forum that numerous embryonic stem-cell therapies are waiting in the wings, ready to treat people,” said Morris. “This, however, is simply not the case.”

After more than 25 years, researchers have yet to treat even animals with embryonic stem cells (ESC) or to overcome three big, technical problems: difficulties

in control, transplant rejection, and tumor formation.

The bottom line is that despite years of research in several countries, this unethical research hasn’t produced one single cure or treatment for humans, said Morris.

Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration has given permission to the Geron Corporation to conduct the first embryonic stem-cell trials on human patients in the United States.

“It appears that the FDA is fasttracking this research, bypassing several levels of basic research protocols for work in humans,” said Morris. “Geron is being allowed to move directly from rodent studies to human patients. . . .

Typically, more levels of higher animal trials are required before permission for phase I research is usually granted.”

Turn to ADULT on page 5

Does the church oppose stem-cell research for cures?

Not at all, said John Morris, an associate professor at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. The church wants cures, but not at any price.

“The Catholic Church opposes embryonic stem-cell research because it always results in the destruction of a living, developing human being,” he said. “Thus, the church is simply remaining consistent with its longstanding defense of human dignity from conception to natural death.”

According to “The Gift of Life” (“Donum Vitae”), a 1987 instruction issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: “The human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception; and therefore from that same moment his rights as a person must be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life” (Part I).

This position was strongly echoed throughout the papacy of John Paul II, who added in “The Gospel of Life” (“Evangelium Vitae,” 1995): “Nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being, whether a fetus or an embryo, an infant or an adult, an old person, or one suffering from an incurable disease, or a person who is dying” (no. 57).

“However, there is another category of stem cells — adult stem cells,” said Morris.

“These can be found throughout the body in bone marrow, blood, and even fat. Adult stem cells can also be found in umbilical cords, in umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid.”

The term “adult” can be confusing here because it makes us think of grown-ups, he explained. But the term in this case has nothing to do with age and simply indicates that these are stem cells that have matured somewhat as compared with their embryonic counterparts.

“The important point is that adult stem cells can be harvested and collected without any harm to the donor and so there is no ethical controversy with their use,” said Morris.

In this light, the Catholic Church supports adult stem-cell research, provided all of the other ethical norms of research are met (i.e., no one is coerced to do the research, informed consent is obtained, etc.).

“Morally, there is no choice here,” said Morris. “But even on scientific and technical grounds, the best choice is with adult stem-cell research because it is outpacing research with embryonic stem cells.”

A more promising path Periodically, stories about another major advance in stem-cell research will be trumpeted in the media. Often, one has to read deeply into the story — or between the lines — to learn that these involve adult stem-cell research (ASCR), not ESCR. “One study used adult stem-cells collected from liposuctioned fat,” said Morris. “Other studies have shown that you can harvest ACS directly from blood.”

“More recently, researchers have discovered a ‘cardiac’ stem cell which they believe will be even more effective for heart therapy, given that stem cells are derived from the heart muscle itself,” he continued. “In addition, tremendous progress is being made with umbilical cord blood stem cells, which have opened up brand new avenues of research and treatment.”

Don’t say the “C” word When President Obama signed the executive order on March 8, many news outlets reported that he was against human cloning. Actually, he said he was against “reproductive” cloning.

“Because of the widespread opposition to human cloning, supporters of embryonic stem-cell research have taken to making a distinction between what they call ‘cloning for reproduction’ and ‘cloning for research,’” said Morris.

The difference between “reproductive” versus “therapeutic” (or cloning for research) is merely intent. With the former, the embryo would be implanted in a woman so a baby could be born. With the latter, the embryo would be destroyed for its stem cells.

Proponents of ESCR use these terms because most people are against human cloning. They also try to confuse people about somatic cell nuclear transfer, which is just the technical name for a cloning process.

Why the deception? Because if there is going to be extensive ESC research, there has to be cloning.

“The main reason for this is that cloning a person will give you genetically matched stem cells, so there should not be any tissue rejection if these cells are transplanted back into the patient who was cloned,” said Morris. “Under Obama’s decision, using embryos produced through cloning would be allowed. The only hindrance is the DickeyWicker Amendment.”

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that any impediment would be a blow to scientific freedom.

“But there are limits to what we, as a society, ought to do,” said Morris. “And the fact is that this science crosses ethical boundaries, so we cannot leave it solely up to the scientists.”

“We must all be involved in the debate over whether or not we want to allow or even be forced by this executive order,” he added, “to financially support the destruction of nascent human life, regardless of our goal.”

And there are other motivations for ESCR besides noble scientific discovery and compassionate care for sufferers: money.

“With embryonic stem-cell research, since the stem cells are derived from developing embryos, the stem-cell lines they hope to develop would be patentable and therefore would become the property of the researcher or doctor,” said Morris. “Plus, researchers will also be able to patent all of the techniques that would be required to make these cells safe.”

Where do we go from here?

Here’s what Catholics can do about ESCR, said Morris: • Remain faithful to our commitment

Web sites Not all about the science Advocates of ESCR justify their research by saying no scientific avenue should be unexplored in the quest to relieve human suffering. They also claim unplanned pregnancy? decisions to make?

Fiat Voluntas Tua

5

Adult stem-cell successes underreported, overlooked

Chasing the mirage

Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities, criticized these guidelines for marking “a new chapter in divorcing biomedical research from its necessary ethical foundation.”

Although the draft guidelines do not offer as much latitude as pro-embryonic stem-cell research advocates want, prolife advocates worry that the guidelines are “part of an incremental strategy intended to desensitize the public to the concept of killing human embryos for research,” according to a National Rightto-Life press release.

Their fears seem to be confirmed by James F. Battey Jr., vice chairman of the NIH stem-cell task force, who said that the president’s March 8 order includes periodic updates to the guidelines.

What happens next, however, may depend on what Congress does, said John Morris, an associate professor at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. Morris is a special adviser on stem-cell research to Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

“The [1996] Dickey-Wicker Amendment may limit the scope of [President Barack] Obama’s action because it prohibits the use of federal money for research that destroys human embryos,” said Morris, a member of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park.

The amendment, however, must be renewed, he said. If it isn’t, the executive order would force taxpayers to support the production and destruction of embryos for stem-cell research.

“What is more likely is that this executive order will pull public funding away from ethical adult stem-cell research,” said Morris. “New avenues for research with adult stem cells are opening up all the time as we come to understand just

LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Replace pressure and panic with thoughtful, and rational reflection. A confidential, caring friend is waiting for your call.

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• Do No Harm: The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics: www.stemcellresearch.org • National Right to Life: www.nrlc.org • National Institutes of Health: www.stemcells.nih.gov/policy/guidelines.asp • U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/stemcell/index.shtml

Concrete Work

to the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. But this does not mean that we are insensitive to the suffering of those around us.

• Educate our communities about the differences between embryonic and adult stem-cell research.

• Inform others about the successes of adult stem-cell research, which the church supports. There are no ethical problems with adult stem-cell research.

It is only embryonic stem-cell research, which has shown very little real promise, that the church opposes.

• Remind other members of society, including those in the scientific community, that there are limits to what we should do — the end does not justify the means.

“Even if embryonic stem-cell research were to show some success someday, it would still be unethical,” said Morris.

“We simply cannot kill one innocent human life to try to save another. In this light, Catholics need to continue to be consistent and courageous supporters of the culture of life.”

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6 LOCAL NEWS Rob Cashman, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 194 and St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Cashman’s Eagle project was the building of a brick patio at Ray Marsh Elementary School in EAGLE SCOUTS Shawnee.

Sean Thomas Diarmuid Kane, a member of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan., recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

As his Eagle service project, Kane prepared project plans that included installation of shelving units at TurnStyles, Catholic Charities’ thrift store in Overland Park.

Jacob Dale Kirmer, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 26 sponsored by Mater Dei Church in Topeka, received his Eagle Scout Award on March 8.

His Eagle project involved building benches, balance beams, and a tetherball pole for the First Christian Child Care Center. Kirmer also coordinated the replacing of shredded tire pieces on the playground and sand in sandboxes.

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Governor vetoes abortion bill, but override sought

By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff TOPEKA — Pro-life advocates hope that enough votes can be found to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a crucial lateterm abortion bill.

Sebelius waited until the last minute on April 23 to veto House Substitute for Senate Bill 218.

The bill passed both houses of the Kansas Legislature on April 3, but was enrolled and presented to the governor on April 13.

Among its provisions, the bill would require the doctor performing the abortion to note a specific diagnosis and condition, rather than simply restate current law that “a condition constituting a substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” existed for the mother.

In 1998, the Kansas Legislature passed a law banning late-term abortions on viable fetuses, with only one exception: to prevent the death or substantial and irreversible bodily dam-

age to the mother. The courts have interpreted this health exception to include mental health.

“It is not the role of the governor to act as judge and jury and issue vague claims that this bill is not constitutional,” said Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, who criticized the governor’s veto message.

“This bill was thoughtfully drafted as a mirror image of the federal ban upheld in the April 2007 U.S. Supreme Court’s Gonzales v.

Carhart decision.”

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment report of abortion statistics for 2008, no late-term abortions were done to prevent the patient’s death or for a medical emergency. It reported that 192 were done to “prevent substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.”

The number of post-viability abortions rose 14 percent in Kansas last year, said Kansans for Life.

Poetry will be springboard for retreat in Leavenworth LEAVENWORTH — Does poetry nourish your spirit? Do you yearn for time and space to pray with images and to express your own images and insights through writing? Consider attending the Poetry Retreat, June 18-25, at Marillac Center, 4200 S. 4th St., here.

Sister Mary O’Connor, a Sister of Mercy, will facilitate the retreat. Sister Mary has given workshops on women mystics and, in recent years, has given poetry retreats in Ireland and New Zealand. Sister Mary has an MFA in creative writing and a Ph.D. in English literature and has taught at the university level since 1977.

This retreat will allow participants to enjoy the images and insights of established and contemporary poets, including the poetry of the psalms, and also to engage their own creativity in written expression. Reading, discussing poetry and poems, and writing will be essential parts of each day, along with conferring with the director for support. There will be time and opportunity for Mass, meditation and relaxation in the peaceful setting surrounding Marillac Center. Focused on the holiness of everyday things, the retreat is also geared to be a springboard to continuing practice.

The retreat fee, room and board for the six days is $360. For commuters, the cost is $200. Scholarships are available. For more information, call (913) 758-6552 or send an e-mail to: retreats@scls.org.

Leonard and Clara (Deters) Krogman, members of St. Mary Parish, St. Benedict, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 3, with a Mass of thanksgiving. A dinner for family and guests and an open house ANNIVERSARIES from 1:30 to 3 p.m. will follow at the Windmill Inn in Seneca. The couple was married on May 4, 1949, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Hosting the celebration will be their daughter, Janice Koch, Axtell, and her husband Carl. They are the parents of three children; sons Jimmy and Bill are deceased. The couple has four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ann (Taphorn) and Al Nemec, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on May 9, at the Holiday Inn, 605 S.W. Fairlawn Rd., Topeka. The couple was married on May 9, 1959, at St. Gregory Church in Marysville. Their children and their spouses are: Tony and Deb Nemec, Overland Park; Barbara and Mark Dominguez, Topeka; and Beth and Kelly Grimes, Fort Worth, Texas.

They also have six grandchildren.

Vic and Hanni Milazzo, members of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Topeka, marked their 50th wedding anniversary on March 30.

The couple was married in Neu Ulm, Germany, on March 30, 1959. They celebrated with their children and their families during the 4 p.m. Mass on April 25, followed by a weekend at the Barn Bed and Breakfast in Valley Falls. Their children and their spouses are: Christine and Mike Zeller, Hutchinson; Mike and Natalie Milazzo, Ozark, Mo.; Patti and Mike Koerner, Tustin, Calif.; Rita and Rick Wilson, Westmoreland; and Heidi and Clay Culbert, Sitka, Alaska.

John and Rose Lacy, members of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 3 at the 5 p.m. Mass, followed by a family celebration. Their children and their spouses are: Vernon Lacy, Westwood; Robert Lacy, De Soto; Peggy and Steve Sitler, Kansas City, Kan.; Patty and Tim Katzer, Gardner; Jerry and Sharon Lacy, Plano, Texas; and Regina and Jeff Stone, Overland Park. They also have 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The couple was married on April 30, 1949, at St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan.

Anne and Joe Steinbock, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving on May 9 at Assumption Church in Topeka, where they were married on May 9, 1959.

Mass will be at 6 p.m., followed by a reception and dance at the Ramada Inn in Topeka. They request no gifts. Their children are: Jeffrey Steinbock (deceased); Jay Steinbock, Overland Park; and Joely Murray, Clayton, N.C. LeRoy and Gladys Deters, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Baileyville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 9 with a 4 p.m.

Mass of thanksgiving at the church.

After Mass, there will be a dinner with family and guests, followed by an open dance at the Centralia Community Center. The couple was married at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca, on May 23, 1959. The celebration will be hosted by their children and their spouses: Tim and Nancy Deters, Baileyville; Roger and Deb Deters, Centralia; Randy and Laurie Deters, Lincoln, Neb.; Russell Deters, Centralia; Tammy and Darren Holthaus, Seneca; and Julie and Dean Sudbeck, Seneca. They also have 17 grandchildren.

LOCAL NEWS ‘Blisters for Sisters’ walk to honor women religious KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Residents from throughout Greater Kansas City are invited to participate in Blisters for Sisters, the third annual walk to recognize women in religious communities serving the area.

The event is set for May 2, with registration at 7:30 a.m., followed by the walk at 8:30 a.m. at Visitation Church, 52nd and Main, here.

The Serra Clubs of Greater Kansas City host the walk as one of their C.O.R.E.—Celebrate Our Religious Enthusiastically — events.

The round trip walk has marked distances of 1.4, 2.4 and 3.4 miles. Sisters are guests of the Serra Club. The registration fees for participants are $10 for 22 years of age and younger; $25 for adults; and $35 for a family of two or more members.

The registration fee entitles each walker to a T-shirt and free lunch. Mass at Visitation Parish will follow the walk at 10 a.m.; lunch is at 11 a.m.

The registration form and other information are available at the Web site: www.Blisters ForSisters.org.

Were you married in 1959?

Archdiocesan 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Cathedral of St. Peter June 7, 2009, 2:00 pm Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann invites couples celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2009 to a Golden Anniversary Mass in their Honor with Reception following To receive your invitation from Archbishop Naumann, please call the Family Life Office at 913-647-0345

Sacred Heart to St. Johns and Back

We will be camping out Friday night at Sacred Heart in Kansas City, Kan., then walking down to St. John in Argentine then back. Friday night festivities include outdoor games, live music and fellowship with friends and family.

This will be a great opportunity for a family/high school reunion.

There are three packages: Camping package - $30 includes two meals and t-shirt Breakfast package - $20 includes one meal and t-shirt Just walkin’ – Free will offering will be appreciated.

All proceeds will go to the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center and the organ transplant unit at KU Medical Center.

For more info – www.melhughes.com or Doug Conner

913-963-9096

7

Red Tuesday gives Catholics an opportunity to evangelize

“

“Probably the first week or two I was kind of hesitant and just kind of standing off to the side, while [others] were talking to lots of people. But as it’s gone on, more and more, it’s natural to answer questions.”

— Danny Noonan, KU graduate student

Continued from page 1

themselves polytheists; another asked how, if extraterrestrial life was found to exist, Catholics would account for its creation; and freshman Kristan Smith approached the table with a question she’d When outreach and evangelization cobeen contemplating since Easter break. ordinator Jennifer Meitl joined the St. “When the firstborn Lawrence Catholic sons were struck dead in Campus Center last July, those families that had she was charged with GET YOUR OWN not shared the Passover getting the center out RED SHIRT meal and sprinkled onto the campus and inblood on the doorposts, creasing awareness of how come the pharaoh the Catholic presence at St. Lawrence Center is was not killed?” she the university. raising funds for its stu“I thought to besaid.

Center director Father dent programming by come a pharaoh, you Steve Beseau had heard selling the “Ask me why had to be firstborn.” of a program at Texas I’m Catholic” red shirts Usually about half A&M University where for $15 each. If you’d like the questions concern students wore T-shirts to help the center by purfaith in general; the oththat invited others to chasing a shirt, contact er half are questions “Ask a Catholic a Nancy Krische at (785) specifically about Question.”

843-0357.

Catholicism.

“I brought the idea to Some are tougher [the staff for discusthan others — like the sion],” he said. “I thought it was a very non-threatening way of evangelization, one from a Muslim student trying to understand how a human Mary can be the and I liked that.” mother of God. Others are far less chalThe center staff liked it, too, but decidlenging, like the student who walked up ed to tweak the question in order to proand said simply, “I’ve got a question for vide more opportunity for personal witness. They then had bright red T-shirts Catholics: What’s your favorite candy bar?” printed up, with the center’s logo on the The questioners are as diverse as their front and “Ask me why I’m Catholic” on questions, ranging from devout Catholics the back. to cynical atheists, and include students Meitl then arranged for the campus and professors alike. Even the hot dog center to host a table each Tuesday at Wesco Beach, a centrally located area on vendor occasionally comes over to diacampus, and word soon spread that logue for a while.

Catholic students should wear red on Tuesdays. The second day of the school week quickly became known on campus as “Red Tuesday.”

“We asked all the students to wear red The table is manned by a combination and keep us in their prayers,” said Meitl, of St. Lawrence staff and Catholic stu“so they would be in solidarity with us, dents attending catechetical theology even if they were unable to stop by the classes at the center. Several Sisters, table.” members of the Apostles of the Interior For those unfamiliar with the campus, Life, regularly join the group, and someWesco Beach is a traditional news hub for times even priests are available to stop by KU students. Messages promoting differand answer a few questions as well. ent events and ideas are scrawled in col“One thing we try to focus on at St. orful chalk on every inch of the sidewalk.

Lawrence,” said Matt Kemnitz, director Clubs and organization are permitted to of formation at the St. Lawrence Catholic set up tables to promote their agenda, Campus Center, “is that we’re all togethand students tend to gather in droves be- er on the same mission and unified. tween classes — so much so that a hot “The Sisters are seasoned evangelists dog vendor can make a decent living and fan out around the table approachthere. ing students in the crowd. The rest of the Now, every Tuesday, in the middle of it staff answer questions when needed, but all, Catholics dressed in every shade of often stand back and let the students take red — from pink to dark maroon — are the lead.” fielding questions about morality, abor“You want to be a witness [yourself],” tion, euthanasia, stem-cell research, con- added Kemnitz, “but your job is to help traception, the Trinity, homosexuality, form [the students], build them up and purgatory and salvation — just to name a equip them. I think the witness of the stufew. dents is more powerful than getting the In one 10-minute span, a young atheist fully comprehensive answer.” asked why Catholics do not consider “That’s why we have our catechetical

An open invitation

Living the lesson

Above, Catholic freshmen Katie O’Blenes and Jason Bryant have an animated discussion about their faith.

The Apostles of the Interior Life Sisters dedicate themselves to evangelization. Sister Loredana Mazzei, who often participates in the Red Tuesday program, explains some of the precepts of the Catholic faith to a Muslim student who stopped by the St. Lawrence Center table. classes here,” added Father Beseau. “The students are coming in and they don’t know their faith when they get here. So we have these classes where they can learn their faith, and they’re able to put that into practice immediately.”

Initially, the students are usually reluctant to try to answer questions.

“Probably the first week or two I was kind of hesitant and just kind of standing off to the side, while Matt or Jennifer were talking to lots of people,” said Danny Noonan, a graduate student who tries to join the table every Tuesday. “But as it’s gone on, more and more, it’s natural to answer questions.”

Meitl and Kemnitz also try to emphasize to the students the role God plays in their evangelization efforts.

“It’s not about us showing our knowledge,” explained Kemnitz. “God works through us and we try to make sure we’re humble in that fact and know that we are just instruments for the greater plan that he laid out and called us to be active in.”

Building community By any measure, Red Tuesday has been a phenomenal success. Thirsty for knowledge, college students are sometimes finding their classes are leaving them with more questions than answers.

students who are Catholic stopping by.

An open invitation to dialogue in the So the community building is huge.” heart of campus is, well, a godsend.

“You can socialize with people you “We’re really amazed at the amount of know who are involved with the St. discussion of religion on a secular camLawrence Center and meet new people as pus,” said Father Beseau. “It’s brought well,” said Noonan. “There are people into classes all the time. What’s even who come up who didn’t even realize more amazing is how misunderstood the Catholic Church is. And it’s not even a there was a Catholic center on campus.” difference of opinion — it’s just factually wrong what these professors are literally pontificating on in the classroom.”

“One afternoon a student had just gotFather Beseau said Red Tuesday’s sucten out of a philosophy class and was just cess has far exceeded his expectations. It dejected,” recalled Kemnitz. “He told me has satisfied the goal of his philosophy professor bringing visibility to the had just explained how St. Lawrence Center. there’s no God, and noLEARN MORE But it has also proven a body disagreed with him. great teaching and “I said, ‘Hey, do you sharing tool and has If you would like to want to grab some lunch built community among learn more about the St. quick?’ So I took him to Catholic students who Lawrence Catholic lunch and was able to be are growing in faith as Campus Center at the there for him at a pivotal they witness to others.

University of Kansas, visit moment.”

“Campus ministry its Web site at: www.st“KU is often a place of on a secular campus is lawrence.org. darkness,” said Tracy, probably one of the “and I think St. Lawrence best-kept secrets in the Center has a glimpse of church,” he said.

“This is where 90 perwhat is light. To be able to take that out cent of our future parents, teachers, and of the center every Tuesday and share it priests are coming through. with other people is incredible.”

“There are still a lot of young people Catholics are not only sharing the light out there that haven’t turned against the with students of different faiths, but also with each other — to a degree that has faith as much as they never learned it or experienced it. This is an opportunity for surprised the center staff.

“Fellowship and community building us to invite people to come back or to for the Catholics is something we didn’t learn more.”

The St. Lawrence Center seems to see happening to this great degree,” said Kemnitz. “I did not expect our Catholics have hit on the perfect formula for bringto hang out there, as many and as long as ing God’s message to the college campus.

“I look around KU and it’s a colorful they are. I thought they might stop by for a little bit, but now it has become a little campus — the trees are all bright and full of color,” said Tracy. sanctuary.”

“But definitely the brightest color on “We get maybe three to five students Tuesdays is red,” she concluded. “It’s who aren’t Catholic at our table every beautiful.” week,” said Meitl. “But we get 20 to 25

The brightest color

“One thing we try to focus on at St. Lawrence is that we’re all together on the same mission and unified. The Sisters are seasoned evangelists and fan out around the table approaching students in the crowd.

The rest of the staff answer questions when needed, but often stand back and let the students take the lead.”

— Matt Kemnitz, director of formation at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center

“We’re really amazed at the amount of discussion of religion on a secular campus.

It’s brought into classes all the time. What’s even more amazing is how misunderstood the Catholic Church is.”

— Father Beseau, director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center

“

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Cutting US poverty rate in half by 2020 vital for country ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) — Father Larry Snyder admits it’s a daunting challenge: starting work on cutting the U.S. poverrate in half by BRIEFLY ty 2020 at a time when thousands of Americans are drowning in debt and organizations that serve the poor are straining to meet their clients’ needs. Not only is Catholic Charities USA, which Father Snyder heads, committed to the goal, but he and the organization are convinced that it’s vital for the country. On April 20 Catholic Charities hosted the first of 10 summits to be held at sites across the nation in 2009 and 2010 to give social service providers, health care providers, educational leaders and others an opportunity to discuss the needs of the poor in their communities. Catholic Charities plans to use the information to craft anti-poverty legislation that it will propose to Congress next year. “Our plan is simple,” Father Snyder told more than 100 people gathered at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. “Earlier in our history, Msgr. [John] O’Grady joined with the Roosevelt administration in crafting the New Deal and the largest anti-poverty program in our nation's history: Social Security. It is time for the New Deal of our time.”

Bishop Robert J. Carlson named archbishop of St. Louis WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Robert J. Carlson of Saginaw, Mich., as the new archbishop of St. Louis. The appointment was announced April 21 in Washington by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Carlson succeeds Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, who was named prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature at the Vatican last June. The date of his installation in St. Louis was still to be announced.

Bishop Robert J. Hermann, a St. Louis auxiliary who is archdiocesan administrator, called Archbishop Carlson “a very energetic, articulate, warm and gifted pastor and administrator. He thinks and works with the church he loves, and will continue to build upon the legacy of his predecessors here in St. Louis.”

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Priest not surprised by Internet sensation’s singing

Parish works to reduce its carbon footprint

By SIMON CALDWELL Catholic News Service

By DENNIS SADOWSKI Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The parishioners at Presentation Parish in Stockton, Calif., are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint.

From recycling and distributing 2,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to promoting biking and walking to Mass on Sundays and conserving water as much as possible, the parish’s environmental justice ministry has made caring for God’s creation a priority in parish life. “[We] encourage people to think about the environmental impacts of the actions they do and pray about it,” said Deacon Scott Johnson, a member of the parish.

Moving beyond the parish, Deacon Johnson told Catholic News Service that parishioners were influential in helping pass a 2006 bill that mandated statewide reductions in greenhouse gases, which accumulate in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

The parish’s three-year effort followed in the footsteps of Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, who convened religious, business, education and environmental leaders in 2005 to discuss the community’s responsibility to the environment and to act on climate change. Since then a diocesanwide effort has placed Stockton in the forefront of the faith-based environmental justice movement nationwide.

The actions in the Stockton Diocese fall in line with the goals of the Catholic Climate Covenant introduced on April 22, Earth Day, by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. Catholics were invited to take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor, which offers a series of steps that people can follow to reduce their impact on the environment.

CNS photo/Bob Roller

OLD BARN STANDS NEAR RECONSTRUCTED CATHOLIC CHAPEL — An original tobacco barn is seen near the reconstruction of a 1667 brick chapel in St. Mary’s City, Md., in the Chesapeake Bay region. A notable team of historians, archaeologists, architects, archivists and others have worked to recreate St. John’s Chapel, known to be the first brick Catholic church in the English colonies and a landmark for religious freedom.

Philly Catholics give support to Italy’s earthquake victims

By GEORGE GREGORY Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Cardinal Justin Rigali celebrated an April 19 Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul here remembering earthquake victims in Abruzzo, Italy.

The Philadelphia cardinal delivered his homily in both English and Italian to a congregation that included numerous Italian representatives and dignitaries, as well as family and friends of people living in the earthquake zone.

The cardinal said the Mass offered an opportunity to “pray for the many victims of the earthquake in Italy and to express our desire to be of one mind and one heart . . . in showing solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters who are suffering so greatly.”

The earthquake, registering a magnitude of between 5.8 and 6.3 on the Richter scale, hit the city and province of L’Aquila April 6.

It was followed by hundreds of

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tremors, including a handful of powerful aftershocks that caused more buildings to crumble and claimed more lives, putting the total death toll at nearly 300.

More than 1,000 people were injured and about 28,000 were left homeless.

Cardinal Rigali urged those present to pray that God will grant eternal life to those who perished and to sustain those in sorrow and with uncertain futures.

Giovanni Castellaneta, Italian ambassador to the United States, and Amato Berardi, a member of the Italian Parliament, attended the Mass and spoke to the congregation.

“Thank you for your generosity and good will for your brothers and sisters in Italy,” said Berardi, who has dual citizenship in Italy and in the United States and is a member of St. Albert the Great Parish in Huntingdon Valley.

Berardi was in Rome at the time of the earthquake and felt the tremor. He remained in Italy and visited the site on Easter. Like many of those gathered for the Mass, Berardi has family in the region.

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LONDON (CNS) — The audience snickered and the judges of “Britain’s Got Talent” either rolled their eyes or allowed their blank expressions to betray their bemused skepticism as the awkward-looking middle-aged woman told them she wanted to be as famous as the popular British actress and singer Elaine Paige.

Then Susan Boyle began to sing, and they were spellbound and shocked by the beauty of her voice and rose to their feet in applause.

But Father Basil Clark, who watched the show on television at his home in Broxburn, Scotland, was not surprised.

He has seen the situation unfold many times before, having regularly accompanied Boyle, 47, on the annual Legion of Mary pilgrimage to the Marian shrine in Knock, Ireland.

“When I watched the judges’ faces it reminded me of what I was like when I first saw Susan singing — absolutely blown away by the quality of the singing and by that fantastic voice,” said Father Clark, dean of West Lothian, the district that covers Boyle’s home village of Blackburn.

“Anyone who sees her for the first time behaves the same way. I have never heard her sing badly, though she might lose the words if the stress gets too much,” he told Catholic News Service in an April 16 telephone interview.

Boyle first appeared before judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the ITV1 sister show of “America’s Got Talent”; it was broadcast April 11.

Her fame spread on the Internet, and in just five days she had attracted more than 15 million YouTube viewings of her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream,” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

Part of Boyle’s attraction is that she appears to be such an unlikely candidate for stardom. She said on TV that she has “never been kissed” and has

lived alone with her cat since her mother died in 2007.

According to British media, she has learning disabilities as a result of being starved of oxygen at birth. She is unemployed and, as a churchgoing Catholic, her social life revolves around her family and her parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. She also enjoys karaoke in her local pub.

Father Clark Susan Boyle said, “When she gets up to sing it can either be wonderful or you can get the unpredictable eccentric behavior, but it is to do with the fact that she has learning difficulties.”

“In a sense, there is a beautiful voice trapped in this damaged body,” he said.

“It is an absolute contrast. There she was on television acting very peculiarly and the audience was expecting peculiar things to happen and then a voice of an angel comes out — and that’s Susan.”

Father Clark said that local people who knew Boyle, the youngest of nine children of a family descended from Irish migrants, were “enormously proud of her and wish her the best but they are aware of the risks she is running,” adding that her behavior has previously drawn cruel taunts from children.

“People are slightly worried about what might happen after this bout of fame,” he explained.

“I am quite worried for her,” he added. “I think it’s great at one level. It might just be the thing that will make her, but she is a very vulnerable person and it could be quite difficult.

“It is a great opportunity for her and as far as I am concerned she should make the best of it, and if it lasts, it lasts, and if it doesn’t, then it’s still more than almost any one of us will ever achieve,” he added. “It is important in sustaining her and making sure this is all a very, very beneficial experience.”

Irish parishes see increase in numbers due to recession

By MICHAEL KELLY Catholic News Service DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) — Many Irish parishes have reported an increase in Mass attendance in recent months, with some parishes reporting increases of up to 30 percent.

Bishop Joseph Duffy of Clogher, Northern Ireland, said it is not just the older people who are attending Mass in greater numbers.

“There are a lot of people with young families who have been absent from the church who are now returning,” Bishop Duffy said.

“It’s been happening for a little while now — people are seeing the need for deeper values, for moral values that lead on to a search for spiritual values; people are certainly searching for something deeper,” he said.

After a period of unprecedented economic growth, Ireland’s economy has been in dire straits in recent months. In a work force of 2 million, approximately 1,000 people lose their jobs every day.

“People are experiencing deep crisis for the first time in their lives,” Bishop Duffy said. “The pace of this economic collapse has been so swift, I think it is causing people to stop and search; this naturally finds a home in coming back to church.”

In County Donegal, in Ireland, Father William Peoples said there were “much bigger crowds than recent years. On Easter Sunday, we had a 30 percent increase, but it’s been noticeable over the last few months.

“The recession certainly has something to do with it,” he said. “I suppose we have walked down the road of the Celtic Tiger for many years; we get fed up of a materialistic world and desire more.”

WORLD

Catholics, Muslims hope pope’s trip sparks relations AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) — For some Muslim and Catholic analysts, the papal visit to Jordan May BRIEFLY 8-11 could spark a renewal of interreligious relations. “He’s coming after Sept.

11, after the American invasion of Iraq — so many things have changed in the area (Middle East),” said Farouq Jarar, acting director of the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Amman.

“Understanding among Muslims and Christians is much more important now than at any time before.” The institute, founded in 1980, is an international organization that uses research and conferences to help clarify misconceptions about Islam and to spread the true image of Islam today. Jarar said he hopes the pope's visit will be “a new start, a new bridge for better understanding, better coexistence, more respect and more acceptance.” Following his visit to Jordan, Pope Benedict will travel to Jerusalem May 11.

Jarar also expressed hope that the pope “will help in pushing the peace process toward achieving peace in the area and settling the conflict and availing all those concerned of their lawful, legitimate rights.”

Conference exploited for extremist remarks, says Vatican VATICAN CITY (CNS) — An international conference dedicated to combating racism unfortunately was used as a platform for taking “extreme and offensive political positions the Holy See deplores and rejects,” said the chief Vatican representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva. The Durban Review Conference was meant to be an “occasion to set aside mutual difference and mistrust; reject once more any theory of racial or ethnic superiority; and renew the international community’s commitment to the elimination of all expressions of racism,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi. While the work of the April 20-24 conference took a step forward in combating racism, it “has unfortunately been used to utter extreme and offensive political positions,” which do not contribute to dialogue, “provoke unacceptable conflicts, and in no way can be approved or shared,” he told conference participants in Geneva April 22.

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Residential remodeling - Deck construction, interior remodeling, basement finishing, painting, etc.

Licensed and insured residential contractor and Prince of Peace parishioner with 13 years of experience and excellent references. Call Nathan at (913) 208-6130.

Deck Works - Decks; pergolas; ramps; fences; screened porches; licensed and insured; references available; 15+ years of experience. Serving Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte counties. Call for a free estimate. (913) 432-DECK(3325).

Home improvements - Decks and driveways, new and tear-out. Basements finished. Most construction work — start to finish. Reasonable rates; licensed and insured. Call Mike at (913) 592-2333.

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009 Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat (913) 963-9896.

Damaged sheetrock repaired – WyCo and JoCo areas. Ceilings, painted or textured. 25 yrs. experience; insured and reliable. Call (913) 631-5241.

Organizing & handyman services - Basements, garages, attics and shop spaces organized! Your items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished!

Wall repair, interior painting, tile work, handicap bars and ramps. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, view my Web site at: www. swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115.

T im th e H and yma n - Insured; free estimates.

Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County. Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

Beat the recession, prices will never be lower!

Home additions, kitchens, baths, basements, roofs and fences. Green construction options. Repeat clientele.

References available. Licensed and insured. Call Ralph Miller at (913) 927-0267.

Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

Cu st om- kit ch en count ert op s - Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days. Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member.

Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 9625058.

ST A ( Su r e T hi ng A l w ay s ) Ho me Re p ai r Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates.

Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

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

■ VACATION

Va cati on condo - Marco Island, Fla. 2 BR, 2 BA. Perfect weather! To view, visit the Web site at: www.marcocondoforrent.com, or call (913) 544-1288.

Lake of the Ozarks rental - Osage Beach, milliondollar view, fully furnished; 2 BR, 2 BA; sleeps six. No smoking, no pets. For rates and online photos, call Steve or Sheryl Roederer at (913) 244-2022.

Summer vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps six. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec center w/pool, fishing, golf, hiking, rafting, close to nat’l park. $100/night; $600/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 3855589.

■ REAL ESTATE

Topeka - Historic Potwin homes for sale under $200K. Your choice of an already gorgeous home with a pool and custom kitchen, or an enormous home with huge potential. Call Helen Crow, Kirk & Cobb, Inc., Realtors, at (785) 272-5555 or view at: www.HelenCrow.com.

For sale - Across Quivira from golf course, 12008 Earnshaw, Overland Park, in Stratford Place. 50-plus community; no stairs; 2 BR; 2 full baths; fireplace, maintenance provided. Everything new! For a showing, call Connie at (913) 642-7349.

For sale - Beautiful 4 BR, two-story home with twocar garage on a corner lot in St. Paul, Kan. Also selling a 16-acre building site. Will divide into 3-acre tracts.

Located on Hwy. 47 in St. Paul, Kan. For information, call Jerry Church, Burchwood Realty, at (620) 724-8627.

Lake house for sale – Beautiful and private Lake Kahola, less than two hours from the KC area. Only 10 miles off I-35 at the Emporia exit. This home sleeps 10+ with a 2-car garage, plus a private boat ramp and dock.

Located at the water’s edge on a quiet cove with great neighbors. Call Cy at (316) 262-0888.

■ FOR RENT Home for rent - Modern, 2 BR, 1-1/2 BA home with attached garage near 83rd and Antioch in Overland Park. Many recent updates and amenities, including pool and exercise room; also trash, lawn and snow care. Appliances stay. One-year lease. No pets or smokers. Call Catherine at (913) 972-8852.

Furnished apartment - 1 BR, 1 BA with garage. $650 per month; utilities included. One-year lease.

8419 W. 72nd Terr., Overland Park. Near Queen of the Holy Rosary Church. Call (913) 825-2587.

Living at its best on a budget! - 1 BR apt., with rent based on income; all utilities paid; no voucher needed.

Section 8 assistance. Great location, only 5-10 minutes from The Legends in Kansas City, Kan. Edwardsville Court Apartments Highrise, 531 S. 4th St., Edwardsville.

Call (913) 441-6007. EHO. Handicap accessible.

KU parents - Condo for rent in Lawrence. 3 BR, 2 BA, beautifully decorated. Short drive to campus and the bus route. Available in August 2009 or could add sublease for summer. Call (913) 814-0574.

Apartment for rent – 1 BR, 1 BA. $495 per month, includes utilities. One-year lease. 10911 W. 59th Terr., Shawnee. Near St. Joseph Parish. View at: www. shawnee-rentals.com, or call (913) 649-7596.

W e s t S h a w n e e - Very nice, 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA, duplex/townhome. High ceilings with an open twostory floor plan, an unfinished basement, a two-car garage, and a first-floor laundry room. Located on a cul-de-sac. Mowing and snow removal provided. 7111 McCoy. $1195/mo. No pets. (913) 526-5989.

■ CHILD CARE

Nanny - Notre Dame de Sion graduate and K-State sophomore looking for summer position as a nanny.

Ascension parishioner, flexible hours, have own transportation. Nine years experience with kids up to age 12, and lots of fun! Call Annie Davis at (913) 669-4222 or email her at: ladavis8@ksu.edu.

■ MISCELLANEOUS

Your personal organic garden - Earth-friendly mowing and garden nanny services. We build raised garden beds with all-organic material; untreated wood, organic soil, and non-genetically engineered seeds. We are turning back the time with a reel mower; reduce the emission of fossil fuel. We keep your gardens in tiptop shape while you are working overtime or out of town. Call Janet at (913) 485-5850 or visit the Web site at: www.glohealthy.com.

■ FOR SALE

Bulk mu lch for sa le - No load too large or too small. Prices start at $28/cu. yd., plus a $50 per load delivery fee. For details, call (913) 631-7217 or visit the Web site at: www.mokanmulch.com.

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) 393-2042.

■ WANTED TO BUY

*** BUYING *** Coins — Sterling — Watches I buy coins, old watches, sterling silverware, postcards, photographs, military items, political campaign pins, Zippo lighters, fountain pens, toys, slot machines, old signs & tins, quilts, Indian rugs, beadwork, baskets, pottery and 22-gauge rifles. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to Buy *** Antique and vintage costume jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

■ ENTERTAINMENT

Disc jockey - For your wedding, kolos, nightclubs, corporate parties, teenage celebrations, holiday parties, sock-hops, ethnic, birthdays, holiday parties, hiphop/rap, golden oldies. Member of St. Therese Parish, KCMO. Call Zepster’s A to Z Party DJ’s at (816) 741-4777.

May 2

The Serra Clubs of Kansas City will host their annual “Blisters for Sisters” walk-a-thon on May 2 at Visitation Church, 52nd and Main, Kansas City, Mo. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Mass will be celebrated after the walk at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at 11 a.m. To preregister, visit the Web site at: www.blistersforsisters.org.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will host their quarterly meeting from noon - 2:30 p.m. on May 2 in the front room at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence. All women of the archdiocese are invited to attend.

Immaculate Conception Parish, 5th and Kiowa, Leavenworth, will host a Cinco de Mayo fundraising celebration on May 2. Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m., followed by authentic Mexican food prepared by our Hispanic community. There will be a mariachi band, children’s games, raffle items and a Mexican cantina. The cost is $8 for adults; $3 for children.

Tickets will be sold after weekend Masses.

For information, call the parish office at (913) 682-3953.

Mater Dei Parish and School, 10th and Clay, Topeka, will host its annual spring fling and carnival beginning at 11 a.m. on May 2. There will be rides, games, great food, a beer garden and a dance.

Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. For information or advance tickets, contact Tim and Monika McCaffrey at (785) 478-4187 or Kevin Schmidt at (785) 408-5736.

Sponsorships are still available.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Inner Healing: Freedom through Reconciliation,” presented by Sister Constance Krstolic, OSB, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on May 2. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151.

1-3

St. Ann School, 7421 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, will host a plant sale fundraiser from 1 - 4 p.m. on May 1; from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. on May 2; and from 9 a.m. 1 p.m. on May 3 in the parish parking lot.

Rain or shine! We will have everything you need to make your corner of the world beautiful — from bagged mulch and potting soil to yard bags. Our quality is high and our prices are reasonable.

from noon to 5 p.m. on May 3 with adult and children’s games, a cakewalk, face painting, raffle items, food and more.

3

Mary Health of the Sick Women’s Guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will hold a meeting following the 9 a.m.

Mass on May 3. The Mass and meeting will be at the convent, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Anyone interested in joining the guild is invited to attend.

The Singles of Nativity, for all singles 35 and older, welcomes newcomers to its weekly Bible study on Sundays at 9 a.m. in the Nativity conference room, 119th & Mission Rd., Leawood, followed by 10:30 a.m. Mass. This is a great opportunity for fellowship, prayer, and reflection. On May 3, we will begin a new SONday Bible Study format starting with a history of the early church, including Luke and Acts. Randall Stevenson will facilitate the discussion on Scripture and its relevance to current issues affecting our lives. For information, send an e-mail to Tom or Mike at: spiritual @son-ministry.org.

The Catholic Education Foundation will host “Treasurefest” from 3 - 7 p.m. on May 3 at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Mo. Join an afternoon of family fun, including performances and art displays by students who represent the talents of all 45 archdiocesan Catholic schools. There will be a special performance by Kansas City’s renowned jazz artist Ron Gutierrez, followed by a Catholic rock band performance by The Thirsting from Vancouver, Wash. Tickets cost $10 each or $25 for a family four-pack. For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Web site at: www.cefgiftofeducation.com.

4

Holy Spirit Parish, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will honor St. Peregrine’s feast day with a 6 p.m. Mass, followed by devotions. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of those who are suffering from cancer and HIV/AIDS.

5 & 12

“Parenting: What to do instead of spanking,” a two-part series, will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on May 5 and 12 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

2-3

Father Mitchel Zimmerman, archdiocesan vocation director, will lead a Venite et Videte vocation retreat for young men in grades 6 - 8 on May 2-3. The retreat includes prayer, talks, sports and recreation. The retreat will be at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan. The cost of $25 includes lodging and meals. For information or to register, visit the Web site at: www.kck vocations.com.

St. Pius X, Mission, will host its annual spring fling fundraiser on the parish grounds. On May 2, a fried chicken dinner will be served from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall, followed by a game night. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, or a family for $30 (children under 3 are free). Supervision and games will be provided for kids. The festivities will continue

7

The Altar Society of Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2215 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan., will host a card party, bingo and luncheon with door prizes and a raffle from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on May 7 in the family center cafeteria. The cost is $5.

9

St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo., will host its annual Lily Ball at 6 p.m. on May 9 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park.

For information, contact Sally Wilson at (816) 943-2766.

Holy Trinity Parish, Paola, will honor the Ursuline Sisters with a Mass of

thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m. on May 9. A potluck dinner will follow in the school.

Meat and drinks will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share and tableware.

All are welcome to join in the farewell celebration and to wish the Ursuline Sisters well before their journey to Maple Mount, Ky. The Social Club at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a taco dinner from 2 6 p.m. on May 9 in the parish hall. The cost is $5.50 for adults; $2.50 for children under 12.

CALENDAR

Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan. The cost of $25 includes lodging and meals. For information or to register, visit the Web site at: www.kckvocations.com.

20

“Professional Etiquette through Life Skills” will be presented by Deb Foster from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on May 20 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mount osb.org/kwc.

June

11

Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas will host its 28th annual golf classic on May 11 at Shawnee Golf and Country Club. Registration and lunch is at 11 a.m., followed by a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. A live auction, awards and dinner will follow that evening. The cost is $500 per player or $2,000 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information or to register, contact Leslie Strube at (913) 433-2035, send an e-mail to her at: lstrube@ catholiccharitiesks.org, or visit the Web site at: www.catholiccharities ks.org.

“Understanding Diabetes,” a threepart program offered in partnership with Providence Diabetes Center and presented

by Ruth Noel, RN, BSN, CDE, will be held from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on May 11, 18 and June 1 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mount osb.org/kwc.

13

Kristie Martin of Quiet Sole Reflexology will be doing reflexology at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. To schedule a free, one-hour appointment, call (913) 906-8990.

14

Bishop Emeritus Raymond Boland, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, will present “St. Bernadette, Saint of Lourdes,” from 1 - 3 p.m. on May 14 as part of the Holy Women series at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

The FertilityCare Center of Kansas City will host a seminar on the Creighton Model Fertility System and NaPro technology (natural procreative technology) at 7 p.m. on May 14 at St. Joseph Medical Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For information or to register, call (816) 847-1919 or visit the Web site at: www.fertilitycarekc.com.

17

The Knights of Columbus, Marian Council No. 3768 at Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a pancakes-and-more breakfast from 8:30 - 11 a.m. on May 17 in Davern Hall. A freewill offering will be collected.

Proceeds will benefit the 4H Club.

18-19

Father Mitchel Zimmerman, archdiocesan vocation director, will lead a Venite et Videte vocation retreat for college-age men on May 18 19. The retreat includes prayer, talks, sports and recreation. The retreat will be at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel

13

1

St. Thomas Aquinas High School will host its 22nd annual Mirocke Golf Classic on June 1 at Milburn Country Club.

Individuals and groups must be registered

by May 22. For information, visit the Web site at: www.stasaints.net/mirockegolf or call (913) 319-2425.

Misc.

The Singles of Nativity will gather for round-robin-style tennis from 2:30 - 4 p.m. at the Indian Creek Recreational Center, 103rd St. and Marty, Overland Park, on Sundays throughout the spring.

Beginners are welcome; there is room for everyone. We may go out for a light dinner afterwards, because the idea is to share friendship. For information, send an email to Nancy Driscoll at: ndriscoll1@kc.rr.com.

High school Boy Scouts interested in earning the Pope Pius XII religious emblem this summer should call Terry Malnar at (913) 814-0460 or send an email to: malnar@everestkc.net.

Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Roeland Park, will host youth basketball clinics for students entering 4th - 8th grade this summer. The girls clinic will be held from June 22 - 25.

The boys clinic will be held from June 29 July 2. Both clinics will run from 9 a.m. 3 p.m. and will be held at the school.

Miege will also host the Little Stags Clinic for boys and girls entering grades K - 3 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on June 15 - 18. For information or registration forms, contact Dolly Foley at (913) 495-9559 or visit the Web site at: www.bishopmiege.com.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park, will offer summer camps for boys and girls in K - 8th grade. Many opportunities to participate in both sports and non-sports activities will be available, including: baseball, basketball, cake decorating, cheerleading/ dance, cross country, football, sewing, soccer, softball, youth speed and agility, and wrestling. For information, call Michelle at (913) 319-2416 or visit the Web Site at: www.aquinascommunity.com/ summercamps.html.

For those struggling with an addiction to pornography, Sam Meier, MA, LPC, provides counseling and men’s groups for sexual integrity. Call (913) 647-0378, or send an e-mail to: mhmg@archkck. org.

Women, contact Beth Meier for information on groups for spouses and loved ones at (913) 647-0379, or send an e-mail to: bmeier@ archkck.org. Support is confidential and from a Catholic perspective.

To listen to live testimonials, visit the Web site at; www.archkck.org/myhouse.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Disciples respond in all places, all times

President MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

T

he death of my friend’s father led to a new understanding of a disciple’s response — our call to greater stewardship.

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Managing Editor ANITA McSORLEY anita@theleaven.com Senior Reporter JOE BOLLIG joe@theleaven.com

When someone tells me about the power of prayer and someone’s witness of their love for Jesus Christ, I want to shout from the rooftop in praise to our Father in heaven. When I witness acts of kindness, mercy, compassion and gentleness in this crazy, mixed-up world, I marvel at the power of the Holy Spirit. These acts inspire me and renew my hope in God to transform our world one heart at a time.

This was evident in the story my friend told me recently after a cup of coffee at “Fourbucks.”

My friend is not Catholic and neither is her mother. Her father was

Production Manager TODD HABIGER todd@theleaven.com Advertising Representative JENNIFER SIEBES jennifer@theleaven.com Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com Circulation sub@theleaven.com

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

D

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 7215276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish.

Subscriptions $18/ year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

Shepherd metaphor rooted in pastoral life

SCRIPTURE READINGS

May 4 Monday Acts 11: 1-18; Pss 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4; Jn 10: 1-10 May 5 Tuesday Acts 11: 19-26; Ps 87: 1-7; Jn 10: 22-30 May 6 Wednesday Acts 12:24 — 13:5a; Ps 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8; Jn 12: 44-50 May 7 Thursday Acts 13: 13-25; Ps 89: 2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13: 16-20 May 8 Friday Acts 13: 26-33; Ps 2: 6-11; Jn 14: 1-6 May 9 Saturday Acts 13: 44-52; Ps 98: 1-4; Jn 14: 7-14

“A Living Faith” is the theme of our new stewardship Web site that you can visit either through the archdiocesan Web site at: www.archkck.org, or directly at: www. stewardshiparchkck.org.

stewardship, we learn that prayer is one of the first steps in our life of Christian stewardship. It costs nothing but time to focus our thoughts on the power and glory of God and to give of ourselves out of love. When we leave Mass, we are blessed and commanded to go to love and serve the Lord.

The woman at the cemetery is my idea of a loving, faithful, generous Christian steward. She demonstrated perfectly “a disciple’s response.”

Lesle Knop is the executive director of stewardship and development. You can e-mail Lesle at: lknop@archkck.org.

A place where everybody knows his name

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

May 3 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 4: 8-12; Ps 118: 1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 Jn 3: 1-2; Jn 10: 11-18

Catholic, however. At his death, her mother honored her husband with the rite of Christian burial and had his body buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa. Not long afterward, her mother was invited to attend a special Mass for the families of those recently buried at the cemetery.

“Mom wasn’t sure when to stand or when to sit,” she said, “and at the sign of peace, the woman sitting next to her gave her a great big hug and wouldn’t let go.

“She whispered in my mother’s ear that after Mass she wanted to talk to her.”

After Mass, the stranger asked her mother why she was there. The widow told the stranger about her husband’s death, and the stranger said, “Let’s walk over to his grave and pray together for your husband, for God’s mercy, and for you.”

“She prayed the nicest prayer with my mother and really brought her a lot of comfort,” my friend said.

The next time her mother visited the gravesite, the stranger was again at her husband’s grave, praying.

And it happened again a few weeks later.

“Why would this woman, who didn’t even know my mother or my father, spend time to pray for him and for our family?” my friend asked. “My mother says she is her new guardian angel.”

Why would anyone give of themselves in this way? Love for a perfect stranger.

Would you? Would I? As we grow in our understanding of

FROM THE SUPER

Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003

FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

15

SIMPLY STEWARDSHIP

MARK MY WORDS

Editor REVEREND MARK GOLDASICH, STL frmark@theleaven.com

COMMENTARY

P

et owners will usually keep track of their cats and dogs by means of tags around the neck.

Ordinarily, city ordinance will require this identification.

his distinctive call. The sheep would recognize their own shepherd’s call and follow him.

For larger livestock, such as beef That practice provides the backcattle, the owners will often brand the ground for this Sunday’s Gospel readhide or maybe staple a tag ing, Jn 10:11-18: “I am the to the ear. good shepherd, and I know FOURTH SUNDAY OF Those are modern mine and mine know me, EASTER methods of keeping track just as the Father knows me Jn 10: 11-18 of animals. But how was it and I know the Father; and done centuries ago, at the I will lay down my life for time of Jesus? the sheep.”

This was an important issue, espeThe sheep know the good shepherd cially for shepherds. They would often because they recognize his call. They join forces in tending their flocks at know the sound of his voice. They do night. One shepherd would keep not recognize him by sight, because watch, while the other shepherds they cannot see him. But that is not a slept. They would take turns guarding barrier: “Blessed are those who have the sheep. That describes the situation not seen and have believed.” of the shepherds outside Bethlehem During his life on earth, Jesus called who hear the angels announce the individuals to follow him. They rebirth of Jesus: “In that same region sponded and became his disciples. there were shepherds pasturing their Through the time they spent with flock and taking turns watching over it Jesus, they grew to know and love by night” (Lk 2:8). him. That is why the good shepherd When it was time for the shepherds says, “I know mine and mine know to separate out their flocks, perhaps to me.” shear them for wool or to take them to In following Jesus, the disciples remarket, each shepherd would call out sist the suggestions of Jesus’ enemies

to turn away from him. The Gospel reading compares those enemies to a wolf, who wishes to catch and scatter the sheep.

After Jesus’ lifetime, during the period of the early church when the Gospel of John was being written, other disciples were sometimes attracted to false shepherds, who operated with not the best of motives and who sought to lead the people away from the teachings of Christ. The Gospel compares those false shepherds to the hired man, who does not protect the sheep.

The Gospel reading reflects the idea that this happened in some cases. The Gospel also exhibits hope that those disciples who have strayed will return: “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

The one shepherd is, of course, the good shepherd, who guides, feeds and protects his flock. Our Gospel reading describes the work of that good shepherd, beginning during the lifetime of the earthly Jesus and continuing through the early church up to our own time. He never stops watching over us, because he is the good shepherd.

Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

ear friends of Catholic schools,

Not long ago, I received cards from young students in our schools. I was impressed with both the sophistication and clarity of their thoughts about attending a Catholic school. One eighthgrader wrote: “Being able to be in a Catholic school is great for me because I love to learn about God.” Another student wrote: “I am so glad . . . the schools [think] faith first. That brings all of us closer to God and … Jesus Christ.”

A third eighth-grade student from another school wrote a beautiful letter expressing why she wants to continue her education in a Catholic high school: “I have been in Catholic education

for nine years, and I desire to continue through high school. I have been on a journey of self discovery, especially concerning my faith life. I have been told for as long as I can remember that Jesus loves me and died for me to save me from my sins. However, recently, I have begun to ask questions of more depth; I am fearful of not being able to continue fully exploring these answers. I feel that attending [a Catholic

high school] would be invaluable in allowing me to discuss my faith with other students who share the same values. . . .

By attending [a Catholic high school] I believe my spirituality will be strengthened and provide me with opportunities to express my faith more fully.”

Yet another student commented to his parents after he visited a Catholic elementary school, “I like it here. The students seem more like me.” When his parents asked him what he meant, he said, “I don’t know. . . . I think their faith seems important to them.” This remark was from a student who enjoyed the public school he had been attending and had not asked to go to a Catholic school.

What is gratifying to me about these students’ thoughts is that they clearly understand the essence of Catholic

schools — faith — and they see the difference and the importance of Catholic schools’ freedom to focus on the faith.

In addition, and perhaps more critical, these students recognize this difference in the hallways of the schools, and they like that difference!

Sometimes, I think we, as parents, underestimate the negative influences in society on our children. We think that the values we provide for them at home will protect them from the secularism they encounter. The words of these students tell me they need and want more. Catholic schools are, indeed, your child’s future — now and forever! ¡Vaya con Dios!

Kathy O’Hara is the superintendent of archdiocesan schools.

VOCATION CORNER

Faith in the divine initiative — the pope says what?

E

ach year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter the church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

To mark this year’s May 3 day of prayer, our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI issued his annual message for our catchesis and prayer. This year’s message is entitled “Faith in the divine initiative — the human response.” The statement can be accessed via our archdiocesan vocations Web site at: www.kckvocations.com.

Usually as vocation director, I try to keep things simple. The name of my blog, where I share homilies and commentary on vocations, Catholic news, and, of course, my beloved Royals is:

“Do whatever he tells you!” (Jn 2:5).

This passage is Mary’s request of the waiters at the wedding feast of Cana, that they should do whatever Jesus tells them to do. We know the result of the waiters’ heeding of Mary’s request is Jesus’ first miracle, the changing of water into wine, a mystery that the late Pope John Paul II proposed for our meditation as the second luminous mystery of the rosary. My choosing of this simple name for my blog makes it

apparent that I like to keep things simple for men and women in the archdiocese considering religious vocations.

We should be more obedient to the will of God. Specifically, if Jesus asks us to do something, we should be obedient to his will, for he will never deceive us or lead us away from happiness. We should, as simply as possible, “do whatever he tells us!”

Pope Benedict knows, however, that the real problem with answering our vocations is not a lack of obedience; it is a lack of prayer that keeps us from hearing Jesus’ voice clearly! The Holy Father reminded us during his apostolic journey to the United States last year that if our young people know how to pray, they will be able to hear the voice of Jesus calling them, and we can trust them to obey that voice. In fact, if our young people really learn

how to pray, there is no way that we could stop them from becoming priests and Sisters!

Although I’m always looking for shortcuts to more vocations for the archdiocese, the pope has provided a beautiful meditation for all of us that calls for our prayerful meditation. It takes time and effort to hear and answer a vocation. The pope challenges us to give the Lord this time and attention in prayer.

I ask all young people of the archdiocese, and their parents, to find a copy of this year’s meditation and to spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament meditating as deeply as you can on this year’s theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations!

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • MAY 1, 2009

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s May calendar 2-3

9

Knights of Columbus convention — Lawrence

3

9:30 a.m. — Praying of rosary outside Planned Parenthood, sponsored by LifeFront

Mass, Ursuline celebration — St. Agnes, Roeland Park

10

4 Relevant Radio interview Executive Committee of Presbyteral Council meeting Confirmation — All Saints, Kansas City, Kan. Administrative Team meeting Priests Personnel meeting Confirmation — All Saints, Kansas City, Kan.

6 Archdiocesan Fine Arts Council meeting Jubilee Mass and luncheon

Baptism —St. Louis

11 Catholic Charities golf tournament Confirmation — Good Shepherd, Shawnee

12 Finance Council meeting Mass and reception for Catholic Charities benefactors

13 Donnelly College board meeting

14-15 Mundelein Seminary board meeting

15

Confirmation — Curé of Ars, Leawood

Benedictine College Baccalaureate Mass

7 -8

16

Kansas Catholic Conference meeting — Topeka

Diaconate ordination of Scott Wallisch — St. Joseph, Shawnee

Donnelly College graduation

17 Youth Mass — Holy Spirit, Overland Park

18

School of Faith fundraiser

22 Vespers — Holy Trinity, Lenexa

23

Presbyteral Council meeting

Priestly ordinations of Matthew Schiffelbein, Andrew Strobl and Patrick Sullivan

Prayer service for benefactors of Bishop Ward High School

25-28

19 Blessing of new additions — Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center meeting Support Our Seminarians auction dinner

20 Knights of the Holy Sepulcher Mass and lunch

Pilgrimage with seminarians to cathedrals and shrines in St. Paul, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis.

28 Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas board meeting

30 Ordain Benedictines — Jeremy Heppler and Gregory Dulmes Mass, 150th anniversary — St. Mary, Purcell

Holy Hour and dinner with ordination candidates

31

21

Pentecost, archdiocesan confirmation of adults

U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Marriage and Family Life Committee meeting — Chicago

Archbishop James P. Keleher’s May calendar 3

10

21

Prison Mass

The Catholic Way radio taping

15

26-27

Jubilee Mass

Confirmation —St. MarySt. Anthony, Kansas City, Kan.

Bishops’ prayer group — Lafayette, Ind.

Confirmation — Sacred Heart, Shawnee

18

30

Confirmation — Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka

Mass , Mother of Miracles — Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

Mass, 175th anniversary of Indianapolis Archdiocese

6

8 Graduation — St. James Academy

20

9

Knights of the Holy Sepulcher Mass and lunch

Confirmation — Church of the Nativity, Leawood

31 Mass — Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington. D.C.

M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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