05-15-15 Vol. 36 No. 37

THELEAVEN.COM | VOL. 36, NO. 37 | MAY 15, 2015

Luis (far left), Jaime, Angel and Reina gather water near their home in Honduras. Reina’s life was thrown into chaos when her husband Luis died in a motorcycle crash. Thanks to Randy and Pam Brown, who sponsor Luis and Angel through Unbound, Reina was able to survive the tough times. She has since married Jaime.

‘GOD PUT US TOGETHER’

By Elizabeth Alex Special to The Leaven

R

eina and her husband Luis were young and happy, despite the harsh life they lived.

Poverty is just part of life in Honduras. Work is scarce. Education is not guaranteed. People who cannot afford food simply don’t eat.

But Reina and Luis dreamed of a bright future. They worked hard, loved each other, their 5–year-old son Luis and the new baby that was on the way.

Reina’s tough life became almost unbearable when Luis was killed in a motorcycle crash.

Luis had been a day laborer.

The small income they had died with him. Following his death, Reina, who was 21 years old and four months pregnant, had a hard time securing enough food for her little family; covering the school fees and providing supplies for her growing little boy was even harder.

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“Without his dad, it was hard to even buy a pair of shoes,” Reina said.

She was also depressed. But life in extreme poverty allows for little

time to process grief.

“I missed their father,” Reina recalled. “He was very responsible.

He always tried to give the best.”

But Reina discovered she wasn’t

Luis and Angel are sponsored by the family of Randy and Pam Brown in Stilwell, through Unbound. That assistance became life-changing when their father was killed.

truly alone. Outside of her parents and siblings in Honduras, she had friends in an unlikely place — Stilwell.

“It was like God put us together,” said Pam Brown.

The two moms’ lives are quite different. Nothing about their homes, their incomes or opportunities is the same. But the common bond of motherhood seemed to bridge all differences.

“I’m really kind of blown away,” said Pam. “Thinking about her children and a mother’s love and her loss and her desire to do her very, very best by her children.”

Pam, her husband Dr. Randy Brown and their kids — Alex, Evan Will and Anna — already sponsored young Luis through Unbound, a Kansas City, Kansas-based humanitarian organization that was founded by lay Catholics in 1981. The Browns were inspired by a visiting priest saying Mass at their parish, Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

“We just felt this call to say yes,” >> See “SPONSORSHIP” on page 6

6/8/15 2:53 PM

2 ARCHBISHOP

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Our church’s story needs to be told — and we all need to tell it!

F

or as long as I serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, when the publication dates coincide, I will be writing columns both for the readers of The Leaven in northeast Kansas and the subscribers to The Catholic Key in northwest Missouri.

Hopefully, you will find it interesting to hear what is happening on both sides of State Line Road.

When I did media interviews with all the Kansas City metro major news outlets a few weeks ago, one reporter asked if I was concerned about how the Catholic Church was on the decline. She asked: “Aren’t donations decreasing, the pews emptying, and the youth fleeing?”

I responded initially by acknowledging that the church faces great challenges, especially in Western Europe and in an increasingly secularized United States. Nonetheless, worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia, the church is growing dramatically.

Even here in the United States, vocations to the priesthood are increasing.

The fact that 13 young men — nine in Missouri and four in Kansas — will be ordained in the KC metro area to the priesthood during the next six weeks is amazing.

As far as financial support for the church, I confessed that I was not familiar with the data for Kansas City-St. Joseph, but in Kansas our annual archdiocesan campaign has doubled in a 10-year period.

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ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Income for most parishes has also grown significantly during that time.

With regard to young people, I told her about the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) that began in 1998 at Benedictine College in Atchison with four “missionaries” — recent college graduates who committed to giving two years of their life to evangelize college students. Seventeen years later, FOCUS has 400 missionaries on 100 college campuses.

The first annual conference for FOCUS was held at Lake Perry with less than 50 students and missionaries in attendance.

In January of this year, FOCUS held its national SEEK Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, at the largest hotel in the country outside of Las Vegas. The almost 10,000 students and FOCUS missionaries were more than enthusiastic about their Catholic faith.

I wish this reporter could have seen these young adults joyfully participating in Mass, devoutly kneeling in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and lined up by the thousands for the sacrament of reconciliation on a Saturday night.

I told the reporter if my impression of the Catholic Church was based on what her station and other secular news outlets reported about

the church, I would share her pessimism. I invited her to follow me around for a day and witness all the good that is happening in our parishes, schools and charitable ministries.

Recently, a man who was not Catholic, nor even Christian, shared with me his experience of the Catholic Church. He had just in the last year relocated to the Kansas City area. Previously, he had lived in Atlanta.

Both he and his wife had serious medical conditions that almost bankrupted them. In the midst of their health woes, their house burnt down and their insurance company attempted to deny their claims. He said there were two groups that saved them during this nightmare — the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Catholic hospital. The man said, “I want to help you tell that story. People need to know what the Catholic Church is doing every day.”

About a month ago, a man approached me who was in danger of being evicted from his home and his place of business. Again, catastrophic health issues largely had placed him in this precarious situation. He was a practicing Christian, but his church was not able to help. Friends encouraged him to contact Catholic Charities. I was able to connect him with a Catholic Charities caseworker. When I saw him three weeks later, he could not thank me enough for what the Catholic Church had done for him.

Does the Catholic Church in the United States today have great challenges?

Absolutely! Is the church dying? No way!

I am not surprised by the

CALENDAR ARCHBISHOP

NAUMANN May 15 Baccalaureate Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison May 17 Pastoral visit — St. Francis de Sales, Lansing Baptism of third or more child — Savior Pastoral Center.

Kansas City, Kansas May 18 “Shepherd’s Voice” recording

candidates for priesthood ordination — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Blessing of marriage — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood May 23 Priestly ordination of Jonathan Dizon, Daniel Morris, Matthew Nagle and Daniel Stover — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood May 24 Adult confirmation — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

ARCHBISHOP

Finance Council meeting

KELEHER

Pastoral Council meeting, vespers and dinner — Savior Pastoral Center

May 17 Mass — Federal camp, Leavenworth

May 19 Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas board meeting — Savior Pastoral Center

May 19 Confirmation — Blessed Sacrament, Kansas City, Kansas

May 20 Presbyteral Council meeting

Holy Hour and dinner with Deacons Jonathan Dizon, Dan Morris, Matthew Nagle and Daniel Stover May 21-22 Kansas Catholic Conference board meeting — Topeka May 22 Holy Hour and dinner for seminarians and families of

media’s frequent negative reporting about the church.

Their business is to get people to read newspapers or to watch television news.

Sadly, controversy succeeds in gaining readership or viewership.

Ultimately, we cannot control how the media chooses to report about the Catholic Church.

However, we can control

May 23 Priestly ordination of Jonathan Dizon, Daniel Morris, Matthew Nagle and Daniel Stover — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood May 24 Mass — Federal camp, Leavenworth Adult confirmation — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

the content and tone of the conversations about the church in our homes, on the parish parking lots, in our workplace, in the bleachers and over the backyard fences.

There is so much good happening in the Catholic community every day. It is a story that needs to be told.

We all have a responsibility to tell it.

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SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

MAY 15, 2015 | THELEAVEN.COM

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Alice Brandt, left, and Lauren McFarlane, fifth-graders at St. Agnes School in Roeland Park, drop off a donation at the Catholic Charities bin on the parish grounds.

Charity bins help increase donations

By Carolyn Kaberline Special to The Leaven

O

VERLAND PARK — Catholic Charities here recently decided that if the donations wouldn’t come to them, they’d go to the donations!

The result has been a new program that placed donation bins at several Johnson County parishes. With the help of these bins, TurnStyles — operated by Catholic Charities — has seen an increase in both the number of donations and the quality.

“We came up with the idea as part of a brainstorming session to address why many of our parishioners were taking their donations to other thrift stores,” said Ken Williams, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

“One of the more prevalent reasons given was convenience,” he said. “The clothing bin idea is primarily an attempt to make it as convenient as possible for parishioners to donate their clothing and household goods to Catholic Charities.”

“After deciding to purchase the first four bins, Ryan Forshee, our facilities manager, found them on eBay at a great price,” said Ernie Boehner, director of Catholic Action.

Once the bins arrived, they were

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

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painted and branded for use by Catholic Charities.

McLeod noted that Forshee was also able to find a body shop that would paint the bins at a “great rate.”

“I then worked with our marketing department to tweak our messaging for the bins,” he added, “and they made the arrangement with our signage company to make the designs come to fruition.”

The first bin was placed at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park in early January, followed by the remaining three at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood, Holy Trinity in Lenexa and Prince of Peace in Olathe.

Three more have since been purchased and placed at St. Ann Church in Prairie Village and St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park. Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood will get one in June.

McLeod noted that the location of the bins at the parishes varies.

“We have to be careful where they are placed,” he said, adding that the placement has to work for each parish, with most located in the parking lots. “Although placement is huge, even more important is the marketing and communication with the parishes that the bins are available. Parish buy-in is huge for us, and we need to make sure that . . . parishioners know [the bins] are available.”

So far, everything seems to have worked well.

“Reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Chris Arth, parish administrator at St. Michael. “Several parishioners have commented about how convenient it is to use the bins over driving to either TurnStyles location. We are blessed as a community to have both TurnStyles locations relatively close to us, but it is still probably a 45-minute round trip.” “[But] to be able to drop off a bag of clothing or shoes on the way to church or school takes no time at all,” Arth continued. “The bins have been overflowing on several occasions, which indicates to me they are certainly getting used. And Catholic Charities has been very responsive in getting right out to empty them if they are full.”

Stan Nill, parish life director at Holy Trinity, agreed.

“It seems our parishioners have responded in a positive way,” he said.

“We are beginning to see such bins all over town from various agencies, so for those who support Catholic Charities and TurnStyles, we are happy that we are offered this quick and easy opportunity to donate as well.”

While the bins are currently emptied by Catholic Charities staff members twice a week, Boehner said the goal is to recruit volunteers from each parish that would be willing to collect the donations and drop them

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica.langdon@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie.holthaus@theleaven.org

off at TurnStyles. He added that the most common items donated to date have been women’s clothes, especially blouses.

“While we certainly need and welcome all donated items, we have a great need for children’s clothing,” he said.

Based on his experience in the thrift store industry, McLeod said, “If you have great clothing and a great price, you will be successful in the industry.

With clothing being the draw, then you have the opportunity to draw guests in to shop for other items as well. With this program in place, we have been able to increase our clothing donations for both our locations, and we have seen a significant increase in the quality of the clothing donations as well.”

“It’s important to note that 100 percent of the proceeds from TurnStyles are used to serve the poor,” said Williams, “so increasing the quantity and quality of donations is critical to our ability to serve more of those in need.”

“This has been a collaborative effort between many parts of the organization,” said McLeod, “and it has been a blessing to see us all come together for the betterment of TurnStyles, which, in turn, strengthens our organization’s ability to live our mission to animate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

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

For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

6/8/15 2:53 PM

4 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

Archbishop ordains monk to priesthood for St. Benedict’s Abbey

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

FATHER SIMON BAKER

T

welve years ago, if you had asked Rick and Terri Baker who in their family had a religious vocation, the answer would have been easy.

It was their oldest son Luke who entered St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison in 2003.

Meanwhile, their youngest son Carl was starting college life at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.

He was going to study physics, play soccer and meet girls.

“He is a very personable person,” said Terri. “He’s good-looking, and charming, and athletic, and smart. He’s got everything. And all this time I’m thinking, ‘OK, he’s going to get married, and that’s the girl he’s going to marry, and that’s what his kids are going to look like.’”

But the God of surprises had other ideas.

As things turned out, Luke found his true vocation in the married life and Carl entered St. Benedict’s Abbey.

He professed his first vows on Aug. 15, 2009, receiving the name Simon, and made solemn vows on Aug. 4, 2012. He was ordained Father Simon by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on April 25.

• Parents: Rick and Therese “Terri” Baker • Born: Nov. 7, 1984 • Favorite saint: St. Teresa of Avila • Favorite devotion: rosary • Book now reading: The memoirs of Cardinal Ratzinger • Favorite food: pizza, with as many toppings as possible • Favorite childhood toy: A boomerang • Favorite place: the roof of the monastery. The views are stunning.

• Best job I ever had: worked for a moving company • Worst job I ever had: restaurant busboy • If I couldn’t be a priest, I’d: be a whitewater rafting guide in the summers, a snowboarding guide in the winters, and live in a tent and eat wild edibles for nourishment.

• You didn’t know: I am an Eagle Scout, from Troop 865 in Independence, Missouri • Why I want to be a priest: to be an integral part of the adventure of holiness in the lives of others • Why I want to be a monk: to do God’s will, not my own. Obedience guarantees me that.

• Qualities I admire in other monks and priests: wisdom, the ability to embrace humility, love for the Eucharist, love for the mission and the people of God • Best advice I’ve received: Mind the [monastic] scapular when closing the car door.

When God became the distraction Father Simon — baptized Carl Simon Baker — is one of five children of Rick and Therese “Terri” Baker. He grew up in Independence, Missouri, and the family belonged to St. Regis Parish in Kansas City, and then St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, also in Independence.

Growing up, Father Simon was “all boy,” said Rick.

“He was just a fanatic about sports,” said Rick. “If it was a ball and could be picked up, thrown or kicked — he picked it up, threw it and kicked it.”

Father Simon went through Catholic grade schools, then graduated from Archbishop O’Hara High School in 2003.

His thoughts about the priesthood while growing up were few and fleeting.

“I had been asked by a couple of folks, maybe a teacher or coach, if I was interested in the priesthood,” said Father Simon. “I sang in the choir and served at Mass, so I was familiar enough with what I thought a priest was. I liked helping people, and I thought, ‘Yeah, I think I can see myself doing that.’

“And then a pretty girl would walk by and I’d get distracted. If I ever thought about it for any length of time, it was not a serious notion.”

When he got to Rockhurst University, however, he found that pretty girls weren’t the only distraction.

The first of two major challenges was the notion he encountered that science can explain all things and denies God. “It is said about philosophy that a little philosophy makes a person an atheist, whereas a lot of philosophy makes a person a Christian,” said Father Simon.

“So it is with the physical sciences. A little science makes one think the material world is self-sufficient and that God is superfluous.

“A lot of science, however, makes one appreciate the incredible hand-

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Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann prays over Father Simon Baker during his ordination ceremony on April 24 at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. iwork of our beautiful Creator,” he continued. “In my early college years, I only had a little science and a little philosophy. Now, I see the whole picture and marvel at his artistry.”

The second challenge was college life.

“I was playing college sports. And while I wasn’t crazy, I was caught up in some of the things college athletics has a notorious reputation for,” said Father Simon. “More than anything, I was caught up in that crowd.”

Making the great escape Looking to occasionally get away from the noise of that life, Father Simon began to visit his brother Luke at St. Benedict’s Abbey, sometimes staying for a couple of days.

“He and I would have long conversations about God and faith and heaven,” said Father Simon. “A light was shone on all of my studies and my life.

And all of a sudden, things began making sense.”

St. Benedict’s Abbey became very special to him.

“When I came up to visit Luke, I found a lot of peace and prayer in the monastery,” said Father Simon. “Everything was so rightly ordered. Everything made sense. I felt a peace with God’s call. I came up there to the monastery, and everyone was living good and holy lives. It was kind of liberating.”

His mother also gave him a book

about the life of Christ. He tore through that book and then several others.

“As I was reading them, Jesus became not just a concept or a historical figure way in the past, but a real person — someone I could really follow, especially in the Eucharist,” said Father Simon.

“In the Eucharist, Christ is no less present here today than he was 2,000 years ago,” he said. “He just doesn’t walk and talk the same. So, all of a sudden, it was. ‘Hey, I can really follow my desire of leaving everything and following Christ.’”

As Luke discerned his true vocation was outside of the monastery in married life, his brother began to discern that his vocation might be inside.

Quietly, telling hardly anyone except Luke, he came to the realization that he had a vocation to religious life and the priesthood.

But there were many options: Diocesan or order priest? And which order?

How would he choose?

Luke gave him some good advice: If God is calling you to a particular place in life, he will do the groundwork for you to get you to that place.

Nobody saw that one coming And that was exactly what happened.

“What really attracted me was the [monastic] vow of obedience,” said

Father Simon. “I’m interested in doing all kinds of things — being a military chaplain, hospital chaplain, chaplain to Sisters, campus minister. Monks at the monastery do, or have done, all those things.”

The vow of obedience, he said, is a guarantee he’s doing God’s will.

Naturally, when he told his parents, they were surprised, but pleased.

“I didn’t see that coming,” said Terri.

Nor did Abbot James — then the prior and vocations director.

“I called [Abbot James] and said, ‘I’d like to have an application to become a monk,’” said Father Simon. “I never told him anything. He never expected me. I’d never been on a vocation visit. I had just come up to see Luke.

“It was a complete surprise to him, and he said, ‘Oh, oh, OK, why don’t you come up for a vocation visit first?’ I said, ‘OK,’ but in my mind I’m thinking, ‘Nope, I’m joining and going to make solemn vows and become a priest.’ I was already in.”

Father Simon entered the monastery in August 2008. He’d taken the first step and became a postulant.

It was exactly what he’d been hoping it would be.

“The main thing that has kept me here is the beauty of the community and the life of prayer I’ve discovered here,” said Father Simon. “Prayer is the key to the whole thing.”

So far, there haven’t been a lot of surprises. He knew about monastery life long before he began to think about a vocation. There’s a lot to like about being a monk. “[The American Benedictines] really hold tight to both the contemplative and active aspects of religious life,” said Father Simon. “It’s not all one or the other.

So for me, the monastery life is the best of all worlds. It’s not perfect, but, done well, it’s the best of all worlds.”

6/8/15 2:53 PM

LOCAL NEWS 5

MAY 15, 2015 | THELEAVEN.COM

Crochet for cancer

By Heather Nelson Special to The Leaven

S

HAWNEE — Meah Copeland slowly and carefully guided the crochet hook as she finished the last chain.

She examined her creation — a small hat. Meah smiled; the six-hour process was worth it. She had never done this before.

In her 14 years of life, Meah, an eighth-grader at St. Joseph School in Shawnee, has learned to overcome any obstacle.

Mark and Melinda Copeland adopted Meah from China when she was nearly 8 years old. Meah did not speak English and lacked formal schooling. She also has a craniofacial disorder that impacts her hearing and has required several surgeries.

“She’s done amazingly well,” Melinda said. “She’s transformed so much, and it has a lot to do with a Catholic environment.”

After learning to crochet, Meah decided to use her new skill to aid cancer patients for her Girl Scout Silver Award.

“My dad had cancer and passed away three years ago,” Meah said. “I dedicated this [project] to him.”

The project, “Make Your MARK on Cancer,” benefits adult cancer patients undergoing chemo treatments. Meah built a website to teach others how to crochet a chemotherapy hat, make a CARE package, and contact a hospital to donate to. Meah will donate 50 hats, all her own work, to the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

Meah, a presenter at the state council’s competition, drew more than a little attention for her work.

“When a few people came to my table, they were amazed at what I’d done,” Meah said. “I crocheted 50 hats and made a website — they were just shocked.”

Leonard and Margaret (Foster) Masilionis, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 21. The couple was married on May 21, 1955, at Holy Name Church, Topeka.

Their children are: Mary Sullivan, Kathleen Bales, Robert Masilionis, Matthew Masilionis, Daniel Masilionis, Vincent Masilionis and Brian Masilionis. They also have 18 grandchildren. They will celebrate with family in Leawood.

Alvin and Margaret (Hesse) Zeller, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on May 24. The couple was married on May 21, 1945, at Sacred Heart.

The couple will have an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at the parish hall on May 24. Their children are: Jacqueline McCormick, Martha Jane Schnitker, Kenneth Zeller, Sylvia Nott, Elizabeth Beard, Patricia Maginley, Michael Zeller, Paul Zeller, Ann Robertson and Rob Zeller. They also have 28 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

NEW ANNIVERSARY POLICY

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Meah Copeland, an eighth-grader at St. Joseph School in Shawnee, crochets a chemotherapy hat for cancer patients.

Sue Carter, principal of St. Joseph, said that Meah’s outreach is characteristic of her desire to serve — and her ability to overcome all obstacles to do so.

“Meah is a friend to everybody,” Carter said. “She’s one of the hard-

est workers — she never gives up.”

If there’s ever a need, said Carter, Meah recognizes it — and her compassion for others is contagious.

Meah said that she just hopes her project inspires others to assist and serve as she has.

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

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

Include the following Information: • The couple’s names, their parish, the date they were married, church and city where they were married, what they are doing to celebrate, date of the celebration, names of children (no spouses please), number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: todd.habiger@ theleaven.org.

Sponsorship stabilize families living in unstable countries >> Continued from page 1 Pam said. “It wasn’t much more complicated than that.”

When they heard Reina lost her husband, the Browns offered to sponsor the new baby, Angel, too. The extra money made the difference financially and gave Reina comfort during those dark days.

“It felt so nice to have a support for me and my children,” said Reina, tears running down her cheeks.

“It does my heart good to know that she is able to protect her kids from further suffering,” Pam said.

The Brown family knows they are helping. But Pam says appreciation goes both ways.

“What strikes me is how little it takes for us to help and how much it helps them,” she said. “[Reina’s] humility to receive and allowing us to do something . . . I think is an honor and a privilege for me to be a part of it.”

While the entire Brown family is

Leaven 05-15-15.indd 5

The Brown family has been supportive of Reina and her kids. Their 12-year-old daughter Anna (center) has a special passion for Honduras. supportive of Reina and her kids, Pam says her 12-year old daughter Anna has a passion for her friends in Honduras.

“She has a real heart for this,” Pam explained. “It broadens her perspective about what real need is. It makes her heart grow for love of others. Who can’t use that?”

Reina sees the Browns and the local staff of Unbound as a gift to her children. They are especially appreciated during these desperate times that have many Honduran families selling everything they own to pay strangers to smuggle their children into the United States.

“Thank God we have Unbound in our lives so we don’t have that need to send our children to the border,” she said.

Now 27, Reina has remarried. She and her husband Jaime have added 2-year-old daughter Daniela to the family.

Life is looking up for Reina, though nothing in this part of the world is ever easy.

Jaime is a mason, but goes months without work. During those times, he hauls firewood from the mountains to

For more information on how Unbound sponsorship works around the world, go online to: www.unbound.org.

sell on the street.

Luis, now 10, will tell you exactly how his mom helps the family.

“Sometimes we don’t have food,” he said. “That’s when my mom goes to do laundry.”

Despite the difficult life most Hondurans face, Reina is moving ahead with life. She has healthy children, a loving husband and she hopes to get an education for herself and become a teacher.

Reina says she will always be grateful for her friends from Unbound in Stilwell.

“That support gave me strength,” she said with a smile as she looked at her sons. “I want one day for them to say, ‘I lost my father, but my mother did her best for us. My mother was there for me.’”

6/8/15 2:53 PM

6 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

A party worth waiting for: Parishes plan first-ever reunion

By Heather Nelson Special to The Leaven

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. —For the first time in its 91-year history, Our Lady & St. Rose Church here will host a reunion for its parishioners.

Three parishes — Our Lady Of Perpetual Help, St. Rose of Lima, and Our Lady & St. Rose — invite past members of the churches and schools to attend the reunion on Aug. 14–16.

Barbara Bailey, pastoral associate at Our Lady & St. Rose, said that the reunion was the result of a seed sown at the National Black Catholic Congress she attended three years ago.

“This reunion will be like a homecoming,” Bailey said. “We want to bring back people to show them what’s going on in the parish.”

The church organized several fundraising events for the reunion, Bailey said, to keep the cost at a minimum for those who wish to attend.

The Our Lady & St. Rose gospel choir, which performs an annual fall concert, will host an encore performance May 17 at 4 p.m., comprised of

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the choir’s most popular numbers. Admission is free, but there will be a collection for those who wish to donate.

Parishioners also organized basket raffles and compiled a cookbook, which sells for $12 and includes 200 recipes from over 50 parishioners.

They have sold 250 cookbooks so far.

The reunion weekend will begin with a social gathering at Blessed Sacrament Family Center Aug. 14.

The carnival at Our Lady & St. Rose will be the following afternoon. Later in the evening, a banquet and program will be hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kansas City, Kansas. The reunion will end with a breakfast after Mass on Sunday morning.

Bailey said she hopes the reunion encourages past parishioners to stay involved with the community.

“We want people to come back and visit,” Bailey said. “And we want people to know we still care about those who have passed through these three churches.”

To register for the event, go online to: ourladyandsaintrose.org; to buy a cookbook or for other information, contact Bailey at (913) 321-1958.

Giving to religious retirement fund reaches all-time high

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of the truisms we’ve heard before is that “money talks.”

In the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the monies collected for the Retirement Fund for Religious say, “We love our retired religious!”

Giving by parishioners hit a record in 2014, when the archdiocese contributed its highest amount — $112,601. Over the last 26 years parishioners have given a total of $1,205,055.

The collection for the fund is taken up annually in December in the archdiocese. Last year, it was on Dec. 14, and this year it will be on Dec. 13.

“We are humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support shown by the people of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, particularly the record amount contributed in 2014,” said Sister Janice Bader, CPPS, executive director of the National Religious Retirement Office.

“Yet, despite this support, many religious communities continue to lack the resources sufficient to fund retirement and elder care,” Sister Janice continued.

“As we look to the future, our mission is to use the generous donations to the Retirement Fund for Religious to assist as many communities as possible in bolstering and stabilizing their retirement accounts.”

Three religious communities in the archdiocese currently receive funds: the

Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, the Benedictine monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison and the Sisters, Servants of Mary in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Ursuline Sisters of Paola used to receive funds until they merged with the Ursuline Sisters of Maple Mount in Kentucky. The merged order is now adequately funded and does not need assistance from the Retirement Fund for Religious.

“The Retirement Fund for Religious has been a very important support to the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica,” said Sister Anne Shepard, OSB, prioress.

“As the people my age and older know, [our] Sisters never had much set aside for retirement,” she continued. “We were too busy reaching out and starting new schools in the rural areas and the inner city. Often, Sisters received compensation by way of donated food. We were grateful for the generosity of the parents and parishioners.”

The retirement fund provided professional consultants to assist the Benedictine Sisters in their strategic planning.

“We heeded the advice we received and now have one of the best nursing facilities in the area, a retirement fund and monastery grounds that we care for after we scaled back,” said Sister Anne. “With their help, we were able to talk about sensitive issues of land and finances as a community.”

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LOCAL NEWS 7

MAY 15, 2015 | THELEAVEN.COM

Devotion leads to doughnuts for Topeka parish tion, it started after German artist Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted an image of Mary based on a meditation written by St. Irenaeus.

OPEKA — How do you celeIn the meditation, St. Irenaeus made brate paying off a major debt? a comparison between Eve and Mary, For one parish, the answer saying, “Eve, by her disobedience, tied was simple. It served doughthe knot of disgrace for the human race; nut holes after all the Masses on April 26 whereas, Mary, by her obedience, undid to celebrate “getting out of the hole.” it.”

In February 2014, that same parish The image features Mary with a string was looking for ways to reduce a debt of knots in her hands. One by of some $250,000 left over from an adone, she unties each knot dition to the parish’s grade school as it passes through several years prior. Father Greg her hands. AccordHammes had become the pasing to the devotion, tor of Most Pure Heart of the knots repreMary Parish in southwest sent the problems Topeka only eight months and challenges for before. which no solutions “I don’t enjoy talking seem possible, inabout money,” Father cluding the knots Hammes said, adding he of discord within speaks only once each families, the knots year about money when he of addictions, and presents the parish’s annuthe knots of soal financial report. Yet, he cietal ills such as realized the severity of the wars. parish’s financial situation.

According to So, Father Hammes inFather Hammes, vited parishioners to parhis own spirituticipate in a mini-campaign al director, Sister known as the “500 for $500.”

While donations came in, A novena to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, Susan Pieper of both large and small, it was at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish the Apostles of not until he took an unusual seemed to be the catalyst for wiping the Interior Life, mentioned the deapproach to debt manage- out the parish’s debt. votion to him one day. Because he knew ment — that of turning to the Blessed very little about it, he looked it up. ShortMother — that donations really took off. ly thereafter, he used the novena prayer In September 2014, Father Hammes as the opening prayer at a pastoral couninvited the parish to participate in a novecil meeting. na to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. Known “I’ve always had a devotion to Mary, as Pope Francis’ favorite Marian devo-

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

T

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and I really like this one,” said Father Hammes, adding he often reflects on how young children, when they cannot figure out how to get a knot out of their shoelace, often take their shoes or march themselves to their mothers for help.

“When we can’t do it, we just have to entrust it to Mary, our heavenly mother,” he said.

After presenting the novena to the parish, Father Hammes and parishioners started noticing a marked change in the parish itself. “A lot of people got excited,” he said.

Representing just one family of many, Tom Doyle said turning to the Blessed Mother was the most natural thing in the world for the parish to do.

“Mary is our patroness, so who else would we turn to in our time of need but our mother?” Doyle said, adding that he noticed an immediate difference in both his own family and in his parish family. “[The debt] was always there, and I don’t know why, but suddenly, it became doable,” said Doyle. “The burden seemed easier. . . . Suddenly, people were saying, ‘This is our parish. This is our debt. This is our responsibility.’”

Donations of varying amounts came in at a quicker rate than before.

“It kept building up little by little,” said Doyle, adding people said it was miraculous.

In 14 months, the debt that had seemed so insurmountable was retired.

For Father Hammes, the real key was quite simple: prayer.

“God has been and continues to be generous,” said Father Hammes, “but he is especially generous when we pray.”

Parish years will now pay off >> Continued from page 16 project was over, he quit the firm and entered the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary), near Chicago, in 2009. He was ordained a deacon on May 17, 2014, by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood.

Those years of working in parish leadership have paid off.

“Deacon Morris is very mature and has a deep love for the church and her people,” said Father Scott Wallisch, director of the archdiocesan vocations office. “His love for the Lord is apparent in his deep prayer life and his willingness to go out of his way to serve God and his people.”

Now Deacon Morris is looking forward to fulfilling his call.

“I look forward to entering deeper into the mystery of the love of God as it’s revealed in the lives of those I am called to serve,” he said.

“Coming to know God is not an intellectual assent. It is a lived, intimate experience over the course of your life,” he continued. “It’s like peeling an onion — it’ll make you cry at times — but it’s different layers, and facets, and sides, and you’ll never exhaust what it means to say God is love.

“But if you’re open to it, you enter more into that mystery of what it means.”

6/8/15 2:53 PM

HOLY COW!

Annual Running With the Cows race moooooves school forward Story and photos by

JESSICA LANGDON

W

jessica.langdon@theleaven.org

EA — People in and around here really know how to make things mooooove.

The Running With the Cows race started as a fundraiser for Queen of the Holy Rosary School in Wea — and it benefits the school in a big way.

But in a few short years, dedicated organizers and volunteers have steered it into something that draws people from near and far.

The run promises lots of fun, starting with its flier art, which features a Holstein cow in running shoes.

Participants in the half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) range from “world class runners to strollers and little tykes,” said Gwen Schreiner,

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one of the race coordinators for Running With the Cows.

In fact, it’s one of three big-name races — along with Rock the Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, and the Garmin Marathon in Olathe — that make up the Heartland 39.3 Series, giving runners an opportunity to complete three half marathons in two states within five weeks and receive a medal for the series.

Runners and walkers turned out by the thousands the morning of May 9 for Running With the Cows, which is in its sixth year.

Everyone who finished received a commemorative cowbell.

Community feel “I think our race is special because the people who’ve never been there before all comment they’ve never seen a community that’s so welcoming and so pas-

Cows abound at this event — including a visitor from Chick-Fil-A. Businesses, organizations, groups and individuals come together to make Running With the Cows fun and successful. sionate about the event,” said Schreiner.

It’s been fun coming up with every possible cow pun they can think of — and everyone from adults in Holsteinspotted leg warmers to babies in full cow costumes get into it.

The race is the brainchild of school parent Liz Meek, a runner herself, and organizers have worked hard to keep the runners coming back.

Some runners told organizers they’d never been thanked for coming to a race before, and others even expressed interest in sending their kids to the school after seeing the community in action.

Supporters rang cowbells at the start/finish line and along the route.

“It’s been great for our kids to see volunteers in action and see fitness being promoted,” said Schreiner, who attributes the success of the event to one thing: “It’s just blessed.”

Even the rain that had been predicted for much of the area didn’t materialize — not that it would have

kept many participants away.

‘A common cause’ Father Larry Albertson, pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary in Wea, blessed the runners before the race, and schoolchildren sang the national anthem.

Area Catholic high school students and others greeted runners along the way, handing out water and treats as they passed by.

“I love the community participation,” said Jan Petet, a parishioner of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka. “I mean, you walk in there and you feel like you’re part of this big family. And you’re looking at all these faces and you’re, like, ‘I don’t know you, but I’m sure we’re related just because we’re all here for a common cause.’”

6/8/15 2:53 PM

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Father Larry Albertson, pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea, blesses the runners before the half marathon.

Petet’s daughter Cristal Barnes ran the half marathon, while Petet, her oldest daughter and her granddaughter walked the 5K route.

Proceeds from the run benefit the school as well as Catholic Relief Services. And for the past couple of years, the race has also given people a chance to support the seminarians — make that “semoonarians” for this event — through donations.

Priests and seminarians were also invited to participate, and several took the organizers up on it, including Petet’s pastor, Father Greg Hammes, of Most Pure Heart of Mary.

Providing opportunities Father Nathan Haverland, associate pastor at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, Father Edward Ahn, AVI, associate pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, Father Charles Vreeland, FSSP, a chaplain for the Latin Mass Community in Maple Hill, Father Quentin Schmitz, associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee and chaplain at St. James Academy in Lenexa, and Father Scott Wallisch, vocation director for the archdiocese, all signed on for the 5K. Seminarians Viet Nguyen, Doug Leikam and Ben Rogers, along with Aidan Werth and

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“

I LOVE THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. I MEAN, YOU WALK IN THERE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE PART OF THIS BIG FAMILY.”

Jan Petet, a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka

Arturo Hernandez, who will begin seminary formation in the fall, all registered to run as well.

The event drew a huge crowd, made up of many with no connections to the school or the parish at all — and some with deep ties.

Ali Hartter walked the 5K with her husband, mom and daughters, and loves to see so many people coming out year after year to support the event — and the cause.

And that’s for good rea-

The St. James Academy drumline helped runners and walkers get off to a great beat. Stationed within the first mile, the drumline kept up a constant show as the participants ran and strolled by. son: She teaches fifth grade at Queen of the Holy Rosary School. Knowing this is a main fundraiser for the school makes it all the more special.

“It’s a great atmosphere. It is just so fun,” she said. “It really just pumps you up, and everyone’s excited. It’s just a really great day — the hospitality, volunteers, food. Every detail is planned.”

“We actually feed, like, 5,000 people that day,” said Schreiner. “Nobody leaves hungry.”

The post-race buffet is a mix of everything. Some are parishioners’ specialties, but area restaurants all haul in treats to fill the tables.

Parishioners Ray and Julie Seefeldt — who are launching a pasta business called

Magdalena Pasta — ladled out for the runners bowlfuls of homemade pasta (regular and buckwheat) topped with pulled pork and grapes.

“People like it,” said Ray Seefeldt.

“They’re very curious. And then once they try it, they really love it because of the mix of flavors.”

And it’s all part of a much larger cause.

“This is really a big deal for our school,” said Hartter. “It’s so important to the kids, the teachers — everyone involved in the school — because this is what sustains us and really keeps us running so we can give the best educational opportunities to the students.”

6/8/15 2:53 PM

10 WORLD

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

Castro says pope is so impressive he might start praying again

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — After spending close to an hour with Pope Francis, Cuban President Raul Castro told reporters he is so impressed by what the pope does and says that he might start praying and could even return to the church.

“I had a very agreeable meeting this morning with Pope Francis. He is a Jesuit, as you well know. I am, too, in a certain sense because I was always in Jesuit schools,” Castro told reporters May 10.

“When the pope comes to Cuba in September, I promise to go to all his Masses and will do so happily,” the president told reporters at a news conference he held later in the day with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Castro said he left his meeting with the pope “very much struck by his wisdom, his humility and all the virtues that we all know he has.”

“I read all the speeches of the pope,” Castro said, and he told reporters that he already had told Renzi, “if the pope continues to speak this way, sooner or later I could start praying again and return to the Catholic Church. I’m not kidding. I’m a communist, (a member) of the Cuban Communist Party. The party has never admitted believers.”

Today, he said, the country allows people to hold important positions even if they are not members of the party. “It’s a step forward,” he said, although many of the reforms he would like to make are still being implemented.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said that during their private meeting in a studio of the Vatican audience hall, Castro thanked Pope Francis for “the active role he played in improving relations between Cuba and the United States of America.”

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CNS PHOTO/GREGORIO BORGIA, REUTERS POOL

Pope Francis talks with Cuban President Raul Castro during a private audience at the Vatican May 10.

In December, Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama announced that their nations were working toward re-establishing official diplomatic relations. Both leaders credited Pope Francis with helping to secure the deal through his letter-writing and by hosting a secret meeting at the Vatican between Cuban and U.S. representatives last fall.

Castro also relayed to the pope the expectations of the Cuban people for his upcoming trip to the nation and outlined how the preparations were going, Father Lombardi said.

During the traditional exchange of gifts, Castro gave Pope Francis a commemorative medal featuring Havana’s cathedral and, in honor of Pope Francis’ concern for migrants, a contemporary painting of a cross made up of migrants’ boats with a migrant kneeling before it in prayer.

The Cuban artist known as Kcho, who made the painting, was present at the audience and told Pope

Pope to visit Cuba The Cuban bishops’ conference announced that Pope Francis will visit the island Sept. 19-Sept. 22.

An advisory posted on the bishops’ conference Facebook page May 11 said the visit will begin in Havana. Other events under consideration include a visit to the city of Holguin, in eastern Cuba, as well as a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba, and the nearby city of Santiago de Cuba, the second-largest city on the island.

Francis he was inspired by the pope’s expressions of concern for the thousands of migrants who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea seeking security and a better life in Europe.

Court orders removal of JPII statue

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — A French court has told authorities in Ploermel, France, to remove the small town’s statue of St. John Paul II on claims the statue’s placement in a public square violated the separation of church and state.

While the court said the statue’s location and size are “ostentatious” in nature, the main issue was not with the image of the pope, but rather, the public display of the statue under a cross, according to a May 6 Vatican Radio report.

The administrative court of Rennes declared that the monument violates French laws concerning the separation of church and state and the constitutional principle of “laicite,” which is the absence of government interfering in religious matters and of religious involvement in government affairs.

The bronze statue, which stands 29 feet tall, displays St. John Paul praying

Preach personal responsibility for peace, Vatican official says

under an arch that supports a cross, and reads “Do not be afraid,” the late pope’s famous words from his papal inauguration in 1978.

Ploermel Mayor Patrick Le Diffon said he will appeal the court order because “it wasn’t for the man of the church, but for the man of state that the monument was dedicated in a public square.”

When the statue was unveiled in 2006, the mayor at the time, Paul Anselin, said that St. John Paul was “a giant of the 20th century who participated in the fall of the Iron Curtain.”

Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, who made the statue, said he will not approve of changes to any part of the monument, including removal of the cross.

The recent order is the latest example of court-ordered or legal restrictions on the public expression of religious faith in France.

One of the most controversial was a

government ban in 2004 on the wearing of Islamic head scarves and other religious garb in public schools. While the law’s aim was to aid Muslim integration into French society, critics, including many Christian leaders, said it infringed on the freedom of religious expression.

During a visit to France in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI called for a new chapter of church-state cooperation, saying modern society greatly needs the inspiration of the Gospel.

He said it was right to “insist on the distinction between the political realm and that of religion in order to preserve both the religious freedom of citizens and the responsibility of the state toward them.”

At the same time, he said, society must become more aware of “the irreplaceable role of religion” in forming consciences and instilling values.

OME (CNS) — Religious believers and, especially, religious leaders need to make an “examination of conscience” about how well they promote the values of their faith that are essential to building a culture of peace, said the Vatican’s foreign minister.

With some 84 percent of the world’s population identifying themselves as members of a religion, faith has a huge role to play in promoting peace, said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher.

The archbishop spoke May 11 at a conference that was part of a six-day study abroad program for 28 students from England’s Cambridge Muslim College and the Center for Islamic Theology at Germany’s Tubingen University. The program was hosted by the Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, an international and interreligious residence for lay students at pontifical universities in Rome.

“We rightly recall the horrors of war lest we forget the senseless slaughter, lest we forget that it could easily happen again,” the archbishop told the students, who were joined by a dozen ambassadors to the Holy See. Remembering the wars and the mistakes of the past, Archbishop Gallagher said, is particularly important so that “present and future generations may be spared the heartache of war.”

The act of remembrance, he said, “is a crucial part of creating a culture of peace.

To put it in religious terms, it is an examination of conscience so that humanity’s sins might not be repeated.”

Neither Archbishop Gallagher nor the other panelists speaking at the May 11 event denied that religions have sparked or added fuel to the wars in the past. But the archbishop insisted that such a use of faith to foment conflict was an abuse of the most fundamental teachings of all major religions, particularly Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

In addition, he said, believing in the “inevitability of war” actually contributes to destroying a culture of peace because it frees individuals, as well as their leaders, from accepting personal responsibility to contribute to peace through respect and dialogue within their families, their communities and their nations.

However, the archbishop said, it is clear that “religion can be manipulated and it is to justify extremism and violence.”

Religious leaders and all believers, he said, have an obligation to preach and teach those basic values that proclaim God as creator of all men and women deserving of respect and of peace as a reflection of the order God wills for the world.

Creating a culture of peace “begins with each of us,” Archbishop Gallagher said. History shows that “the personal witness and prayer of individual members of faith communities can be transformative,” promoting reconciliation and forgiveness.

For Christians, he said, Christ’s peace is “a gift meant to transform our lives so that we may in turn be bearers of that peace in the world in which we live so that it, too, may be transformed by the gift of peace.”

Nigel Baker, the British ambassador to the Holy See, and Annette Schavan, the German ambassador to the Holy See, also addressed the gathering, focusing especially on the importance of education, including religious education, in creating a culture of peace.

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12 CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Appeal coordinator - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking an individual with administrative experience in managing fundraising appeals. The position is essential to the successful operation of the archdiocese’s annual appeal and reports to the executive director of stewardship and development. Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing; have experience working in a fundraising environment; be proficient at data input and analysis; and demonstrate effective communication skills, written and verbal. Position requires a bachelor’s degree and minimum of two years experience in a fundraising environment, preferably experience utilizing Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge database. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck. org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application by May 18 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Appeal Coordinator Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send by email to: jobs@archkck.org.

Accountant - All Saints Parish and Resurrection School are seeking an accountant to work with both locations.

This is a full-time position, scheduled for 30 hours per week. This position is responsible for all accounting functions, including day-to-day processing and operations; preparing annual financial statements and periodic reporting for board and committee meetings; recording transactions; and payroll related functions. Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing; high degree of accuracy and attention to details; and the ability to work independently and under time constraints. Position requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting or closely related field with a minimum three to five years’ experience. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application by May 22 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Accountant Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send by email to: jobs@archkck.org.

Customer service specialist - Wellington is searching for a customer service specialist that interacts with clients and delivers best-practice customer service, via the phone and online. S/he must possess an energetic, customerfocused demeanor and be willing to go the extra mile in solving challenges and meeting client requests whenever possible. In addition, the customer service specialist will assist account management teams with a variety of tasks that require excellent organization and problem-solving skills. Please apply online at: https://ciims.cindexinc.com/ job/68ef81. $15 per hour.

Director of religious education - Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, is seeking a director of religious education.

This position involves approximately 30 hours a week.

This person will develop and coordinate catechetical and sacramental preparation programs for elementary school children (grades K-6) and their families from diverse backgrounds, including our Hispanic population. The director must be a practicing Catholic and registered in a parish.

Skills in applied theology, sacraments, Scripture, prayer, catechetical methods, education, communication and administration are needed. A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields is preferred. Should have three to five years of experience with a diverse community as a catechist, program coordinator or school teacher. Ability to speak, read and write in English and Spanish is preferred but not required. The ability to use computers and other communication technology is necessary. Virtus training is required. For more information or to submit a resume, send an email to: mstubbs@holycrossopks.org. Deadline for resume submission is May 26.

Nurses - Villa St. Francis in Olathe needs to fill multiple positions in our nursing department. We are looking for hard-working, enthusiastic individuals to join our flourishing team. We have openings for LPNs and CNAs. If you are interested, apply in person or send your resume by email to: jesse@villasf.org.

Technician - Small office is seeking a full-time service technician. A qualified candidate must be mechanically inclined. Electrical knowledge a plus. This individual would possess the ability to troubleshoot, must have the ability for overnight travel, up to 50%. This position has parttime/full-time availability. Transportation required. Send your resume by email to: contactus@sheerinscientific. com.

Food service director - St. Agnes School, Roeland Park, is in search of a food service director for the school cafeteria. The food service director oversees the operation of the food service program, is an authorized representative of St. Agnes School to the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) and is responsible for compliance of St. Agnes School with state and federal regulations and requirements related to the food service program. The director will serve as the head cook and supervisor of all kitchen operations. Ideal candidate would have experience in child nutrition program, institutional food preparations and/or kitchen management. The position is a year-round position. Director would prepare food for early education program through 8th grade during school year and food preparation over summer months for summer child care program. Full job description can be found on our website at: www.stagneskc.org by clicking on the “contact us” button and look for “job openings.” Resumes can be sent by email to the attention of the business manager at: gomez.mike@stagneskc.org.

Groundskeeper - Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position. Hours are

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THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015 Mon. - Sat. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit, and experience with operating construction equipment would be a plus. Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Sharon Vallejo at (913) 371-4040 or send your resume by email to: svallejo@cathcemks.org.

Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 825-1921.

Assistant to the principal - St. Patrick School, Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking an assistant to the principal. This individual oversees the daily operations of the office, answers phones and mail correspondence, prepares deposits, coordinates daily attendance and substitute teachers and serves as point of contact for students, staff, parents and outside contacts. The ideal candidate will have excellent time management and detail-oriented skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office and a desire to serve families.

Excellent bilingual skills (Spanish/English) in both written and oral communication required. A high school diploma is required, college degree preferred; along with three to five years experience with administrative support. Interested individuals should send a cover letter, resume and application to: Kathy Rhodes, St. Patrick’s School, 1066 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112, or send an email to: krhodes@ archkckcs.org. The submission deadline is June 30.

Director of youth ministry - St. Ann Catholic Church, Prairie Village, is looking for a dynamic and faithful director of youth ministry. This is a full-time position and responsibilities include outreach to all high school and junior high in the parish boundaries (Catholic and non-Catholic/non-Christian alike) as well as planning, directing and running all daily meetings, Bible studies, service and social events. Applicants should be able to clearly and passionately articulate their vision of leading youth closer to Jesus Christ and his church by living, modeling and preaching the new evangelization.

Candidate must be a practicing Catholic and have previous experience in Catholic youth ministry. Competitive applicants should have a degree in theology, religious studies, youth ministry or related field. The ability to work with social media and technology is also desired.

Competitive benefits and salary. Equal opportunity employer. Visit the website at: www.stannpv.org. Please send cover letter and resume by email to Shaw Leach at: sleach@stannpv.org.

Custodial - St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, has an opening for summer help to do painting, yard work and cleaning.

40 hours per week. Great summer job for college students. Call (913) 631-5983.

Young people’s minister - St. Gregory Parish, Maryville, Missouri, a 900+ family community, is seeking a full-time person to lead our middle school and high school youth programs as well as develop a program for single and married young adults to assist them in their faith journey. Salary is commensurate with experience and diocesan scale.

Submit your resume and three references to Father Martin DeMeulenaere, OSB, pastor, by email to: frmartinosb@ gmail.com no later than June 1.

Teachers - The Goddard School, 21820 W. 115th Terr., Olathe, is looking for qualified lead teachers and assistant teachers — both full- and part-time positions available. Infant lead teacher, full time; assistant teacher, full-time floating position; preschool teacher, full and part time. In our warm, loving atmosphere our highly qualified teachers support the healthy development of children from 6 weeks to 6 years. Our teachers write and implement their own lesson plans based on our FLEX program, Goddard developmental guidelines and our monthly school theme. Lead teachers also complete other duties such as electronic daily attendance reports, progress reports and parent conferences. The hands-on efforts of the school owner and directors allow our teachers to focus on their children, their lesson plans and teaching to ensure a fun-filled day of learning.

Full-time benefits include competitive pay, paid time off, opportunities for professional development and career growth, and a great working environment. Qualified candidates must meet or exceed Kansas regulations, have strong communication skills and desire to learn and implement the Goddard School programs. Lead teachers should have an early childhood education degree or a CDA or a degree in a related field with an emphasis in early childhood education. Prior experience in a child care setting is preferred. Please specify for which position you are applying. To apply, forward your resume by email to: olathe2ks@goddardschools.com, attention Mandy Ellis, director.

Teachers - St. Ann Young Child Center, Prairie Village, is seeking to fill the following positions: Three-year-olds full-time lead preschool teacher: must have a degree in early childhood or elementary education; Part-time teacher’s aide for preschool classrooms and lunch duty: varied times; Afterschool extended-care program teacher: Mon. - Fri. from 3 - 6 p.m. Must be at least 21 years of age; Afterschool aide: Mon. - Thurs. from 3 - 5:30 p.m.

Must be self-motivated and be at least 16 years of age.

All of the above positions must enjoy working with children. For more information, call Tati at (913) 362-4660.

Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children, and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent

communication, cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance.

Opportunities for advancement are available as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, round- trip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to chris@specialbeginningsonline. com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa KS 66215.

Handbell choir director - Talented handbell choir seeks paid director for weekly rehearsals and monthly Masses at Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa. View the job description online at: www.htlenexa.org/music-ministries. Position begins July 1. Contact Dr. Chloë Stodt at (913) 895-0682 or send an email to: cstodt@htlenexa.org.

SERVICES Complete plumbing and bath Master plumber for your entire home. Painting, tile install, bath remodeling. Onyx Collection Distributor.

Serving Johnson County for 20 years.

Member Ascension Parish; call Mike at (913) 488-4930.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

Custodial services - 25 years experience. Offices, schools, day care buildings and more. Experience in carpets and flooring. Serving Kansas City, Kansas, Shawnee, Lenexa, Overland Park and Merriam. Please call (913) 669-2327 or (913) 206-2680.

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

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

TORNADO SHELTERS Certified for F5 tornado, meets all FEMA requirements 1/4” steel, wheelchair accessible Absolute access and elevator Call Dan Weddle at (913) 851-8790 Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr. com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer. com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.

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

Professional window cleaning - Residential only. Insured and bonded. Over 40 years experience. Free estimates. Contact Gene Jackson at (913) 593-1495.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees.

Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional.

Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

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

Call (913) 227-4902.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson County area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

NELSON CREATIONS L.L.C. Home remodeling, design/build, kitchens, baths, all interior and exterior work. Family owned and operated; over 25 years experience. Licensed and insured; commercial and residential. Kirk and Diane Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net Local handyman and lawn care - Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing,doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish.

Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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

Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

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

Last year was a great year, thank you to all my customers! Spring is around the corner and we do decks, windows, doors, house painting (interior and exterior), wood rot, deck staining and siding. You name it, we can do it. No job too big or small, just give us a call. Insured.

Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Get the job done right the first time Kansas City’s Premier Services Decks and fences Power washing, staining and preserving Call for a FREE estimate Brian (913) 952-5965, Holy Trinity parishioner Jim (913) 257-1729, Holy Spirit parishioner Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Lawn/Landscaping - Mowing, mulch, dirt work, sod, tree trimming, landscape rock, gutter cleaning, and power washing. Mention this ad for special pricing. Call (816) 509-0224.

DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

Windows - Doors - Decks – Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and you’ll be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Swalms Organizing - Downsizing - Clean Out Service.

Reduce clutter - Any space organized. Shelving built on site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp, insured. Call Tillar: (913) 375-9115. WWW.SWALMS ORGANIZING.COM. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391 Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com

REAL ESTATE Wanted to buy - I NEED HOUSES! I buy them as is, with no repairs. You can even leave behind what you don’t want. We buy houses that need foundation or roof repair. All sales are cash with no strings attached. Please call Mark Edmondson at (913) 980-4905. Holy Trinity Parish member. >> Classifieds continue on page 13

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CALENDAR 13

MAY 15, 2015 | THELEAVEN.COM

May The rural communities of the archdiocese will be blessed and celebrated at Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton, on St. Isidore’s feast day, May 15. Mass will be at noon, followed by a blessing on the families, farms and businesses of the rural community. A simple meal will follow, with time for visiting and touring the grounds. If you are unable to attend, send us the names of your family, farm and business for the blessing. If you plan on attending, RSVP by calling (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@christs peace.com.

15

Immaculata Hall of Fame Celebration, honoring Msgr. Charles McGlinn and Frank Mazeitis, will be held May 16. Mass begins at 4:30 p.m. in Annunciation Chapel, followed by a dinner and the program at St. Joseph Dining Hall at the University of Saint Mary, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth. RSVP by May 1. For more information, visit the website at: www.leavenworthcatholicschools.org or call the development office at (913) 6827801.

16

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka, will host its “SummerFest 5K Fun Run/Walk – Off Road” on May 16. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. at the Hayden High School track, 401 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka. For more information or to print a registration form, visit the website at: www.mphm.com/summer fest/home; to register online, visit: www. active.com.

A gourd prayer bowl workshop will be held May 23 from 9:30 a.m.

- 4 p.m. at Sophia Spirituality Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison.

Gourd art is an earth-friendly art, working with the forms provided by the natural world. Participant will learn to use various tools and techniques of the art. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit Sophia Spirituality Center’s website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

23

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will host its annual Sum22-23 merFest on May 22-23 on the parish grounds, 3601 S.W. 17th St. The hours are 4 - 11 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. There will be carnival games and prizes, inflatables, mechanical rides, barbecue, Saturday night chicken dinner, an evening beer garden, local food vendors, a garden emporium, a used book sale, bingo, paint therapy and entertainment on the main stage. Visit the website for more information at: www. mphm.com/summerfest/home or call the parish office at (785) 272-5590.

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton, will 23-24 host a retreat on the Holy Spirit, “Fire in the Soul,” on Pentecost weekend, May 23 - 24. The retreat will have a number of talks, eucharistic adoration, Mass at the local parish, communal prayer and time for reflection, private prayer, spiritual reading and walking. If you are interested, send an email to: info@ christspeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

“Mary Fest,” on May 31. Mass will be at noon, followed by a procession to the outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the recitation of the glorious mysteries. A simple meal with time for visiting and touring will follow. If interested in attending, send an email to: info@christs peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

The annual charismatic Pentecost Mass will be held May 24 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 5500 Woodson Rd., Mission. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

Join the Ladies of Charity of Metropolitan Kansas City at the 46th Symphony Designers Showhouse for a tour of the home, box lunch, boutique and raffle on June 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The cost to attend is $30. Beneficiaries include the Duchesne Clinic, Seton Center and Villa St. Francis. To register, mail your $30 reservation to Christy Towle, 11415 Manor Rd., Leawood, KS 66211. Reservations are due by May 25. For more information, call Marnie Robinette at (913) 451-2484.

24

Do you know someone in need of minor home repairs, yard work or just a good clean out of a basement or garage?

Catholic HEART (Helping Everyone Attain Repairs Today) will be in Kansas City July 13 - 16. Catholic HEART provides a team of willing hearts and hands to come to your aid. We can supply the tools, the labor and some materials. Requests for assistance must be submitted before June 1. For information, call Scott See at (913) 208-4610; Ernie Boehner at (913) 433-2085; or Rick Cheek at (913) 284-1725.

Holy Spirit Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will host its 14th annual parish garage sale on May 28 - 29 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on May 30 from 8 a.m. noon. Proceeds will go to Catholic education and youth ministry programs at Holy Spirit. To learn more and for a sneak peek at items for sale, visit the website at: www.hscatholicgaragesale.weebly.com.

28

The annual Hispanic young adult conference, “Chosen By Love Eph. 1: 4-10,” will be held May 29 from 6 - 11 p.m. at the Catholic Center, 20 W. 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri, and on May 30 from 8 a.m.

- 7 p.m. at Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, send an email to Edith Montes at: emontes@diocesekcsj.org; call (816) 482-6906 or (816) 756-2350; or visit the website at: http://ministerio. diocese-kcsj.org.

29

Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Parish, Topeka, will host a “Brat Trot” 5K run/walk on May 30, starting at 8 a.m. The cost to attend is $25. Register online at: www. active.com/topeka-ks/running/distancerunning-races/4th-annual-brat-trot-2015.

31

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton, will hold its second annual celebration of Our Blessed Mother,

June 1

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., need volunteers, including bilingual volunteers, and will be offering a volunteer informational meeting on June 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. at 11644 W. 75th St., Shawnee.

For more information on volunteering in this ministry or to RSVP, contact Mary Newcomer at (913) 962-0200 or send an email to: volunteer@adviceandaid. com.

The Kansas City Catholic home school conference will be held 5-6 June 5 - 6 at St. Paul Church, 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe.

Early bird preregistration lasts until May 15. For more information, visit the website at: http://kccatholichomeschooler. org.

St. Joseph Church, 306 N. Broadway, Leavenworth, will host its 14th annual Germanfest on June 6. A German Mass begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by a traditional German dinner from 5:30 - 8 p.m.

The cost to attend is $10 for adults; $4 for children. There will also be a beer garden, German silent auction, a raffle and outdoor music by the Festhaus Musikanten Polka Band from 6 - 9 p.m.

For more information, call the parish office at (913) 682-3953 or visit the website at: www.icsj.org.

6

Sacred Heart - St. Joseph Parish, 312 N.E. Freeman, Topeka, 6-7 will host a Germanfest on June 6 - 7. There will be authentic German food, games, bingo, booths, auctions and drawings for prizes. For more information, visit the website at: www. sacredheartstjosephcatholic.org.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Leaven 05-15-15.indd 13

MUD JACKING

CAREGIVING Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted.

We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence.

Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.benefitsofhome.com.

Live-in companion/caregiver - 15 years experience providing quality care that includes assisting with bathing and dressing, personal hygiene, cooking, light housework, dispensing medications, keeping doctor appointments, running errands and basically doing everything to keep you happy, healthy and at home. Excellent references available. Call Mary at (913) 526-6235.

Caregiver - Retired nurse, recertified CMA, CNA, cosmetology background, Swedish massage background. Available 24/7. $25 per hour, 4-hour minimum. Call (913) 283-7733.

Day care openings - Infant to preschool age. Mon. - Fri. 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Reasonable rates. Easy access to I-635, I-35 and I-70. Fenced yard. Excellent references. Many years of experience. Call Sandy at (913) 927-1309.

Caregiver - Private caregiver. Licenses in Missouri and Kansas. Would love to care for your loved one. 25 years experience. Excellent references. Available to do 24-hour care if needed. 6-hour minimum. Call (816) 517-9986.

Caregiver - CNA home health care specialist provides TLC in the comfort of the client’s residence. Available 24 hours or part-time. Affordable, excellent references, 25 years seasoned experience, nonsmoker. Call (816) 806-8104.

Caregiver - 45 year old female. Lots of caregiving experience. Flexible hours. Excellent references. Please call Kara at (913) 909-6659.

Caregiver - Caregiver with over 20 years experience wants to care for your loved ones. Energetic, strong and fun, can provide care and transportation for male or female. Excellent references. Call Vivian at (913) 292-4829.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

VACATION Great Colorado Getaway! - Completely furnished threestory condo, sleeps 10. 3 BR, Wi-Fi, all cooking facilities, satellite, deck with gorgeous views! Hunting, fishing, hiking, train rides through the mountains and much more! For rates and reservations, visit the website at: www.cucharavacation rentals.com, then Aspen Valley Lookout.

Branson getaway - Walk-in condo on Pointe Royale Golf Course. Sleeps six. Close to lakes and entertainment.

Fully furnished. Pool and hot tub available. No cleaning fee. Nightly rates. Wi-Fi available. Discounts available.

Call (913) 515-3044.

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

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

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Antiques wanted Coca-Cola items and old signs.

Indian rugs, turquoise jewelry.

Old wrist and pocket watches, postcards and photographs.

Check your attic or basements for treasures.

Call Chris at (913) 593-7507.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware.

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

MISCELLANEOUS

Raise & Level

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses Lawrence (785) 865-0006

>> Continued from page 12 For sale or rent - Pinebrook condo, 7428 W. 102nd Ct., Overland Park. Beautiful big living and dining room. 1 BR, 1 BA, sunroom, eat-in kitchen. Almost everything is new. Furnished. Heat and hot water included. Lots of storage space, walk-in closet. No smoking or pets. $75,000 for sale, or $850 rent per month. Call Mrs. Booker at (913) 341-8273.

Topeka (785) 246-0128

Our Lady of Hope. Catholics with an Anglican and Methodist heritage. Formal and friendly. Visitors welcome. Mass Saturdays at 4 p.m., St. Therese Little Flower, 5814 Euclid, Kansas City, Mo. Fulfills Sunday obligation. Father Ernie Davis. Dr. Bruce Prince-Joseph, organist. For more information, send an email to: frernie3@gmail.com or call (816) 729-6776.

6/8/15 2:53 PM

14 COMMENTARY SCRIPTURE READINGS

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

MARK MY WORDS

SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER May 17 THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD Acts 1: 1-11 Ps 47: 2-3, 6-9 Eph 1: 17-23 Mk 16: 15-20 May 18 John I, pope, martyr Acts 19: 1-8 Ps 68: 2-5d, 6-7b Jn 16: 29-33 May 19 Tuesday Acts 20: 17-27 Ps 68: 10-11, 20-21 Jn 17: 1-11a May 20 Bernardine of Siena, priest Acts 20: 28-38 Ps 68: 29-30, 33-36b Jn 17: 11b-19 May 21 Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs Acts 22: 30; 23: 6-11 Ps 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-11 Jn 17: 20-26 May 22 Rita of Cascia, religious Acts 25: 13b-21 Ps 103: 1-2, 11-12, 19-20b Jn 21: 15-19 May 23 Saturday Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31 Ps 11: 4-5, 7 Jn 21: 20-25

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STORY IDEAS anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org CALENDAR NOTICES julie.holthaus@theleaven.org ANNIVERSARY NOTICES todd.habiger@theleaven.org EAGLE SCOUTS todd.habiger@theleaven.org ADVERTISING julie.holthaus@theleaven.org

W

This idea is flat-out fun

hy doesn’t Pope Francis wear those red shoes?

This question puzzled some people after he was first elected. The answer is actually quite simple. In fact, I have it displayed on the inside door of my office at The Leaven. It’s explained in a three-panel cartoon, called “Francis,” by Patrick J. Marrin.

Panel one shows one of Pope Francis’ staff offering him the red shoes. Panel two shows the pope wearing the shoes under his cassock. Panel three shows Pope Francis, after clicking the heels of said shoes, standing with a surprised look on his face in front of a sign that says: Welcome to Kansas.

Now, we all know that if Pope Francis ever set foot here in the Sunflower State, he’d never want to leave. So, rather than risk that happening, I’m guessing the pope’s staff has hidden those red shoes from him!

Personally, I wish that they’d let him have those shoes and that he’d click those heels. To be honest, it’s disappointing that the pope won’t be visiting us in the Heartland in his upcoming

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. trip to the United States this September. Like many foreign visitors to our country, he’ll only get to see the East Coast cities of Philadelphia, New York and Washington. While I’m sure there are nice folks there, they can’t hope to compete with the Heartland when it comes to faith, friendliness, hospitality . . . and barbecue.

All is not lost, however.

There’s still a way to get Pope Francis here, courtesy of Catholic Extension. In case you’re not familiar with it, Catholic Extension is a “papal society that makes visible the power of faith in America’s most marginalized communities by strategically investing in people, infrastructure and ministries.” Founded in 1905, Catholic Extension “has distributed more than $1.2

the pope, glue some cardboard to the back and start taking pictures with him.

Finally, post those photos to: #FlatFrancis. If you’re not on social media, email your photos to: socialmedia@ catholicextension.org.

According to the Extension website, by the end of April, more than 500 photos from 43 states were received from bishops, priests, religious, deacons and kids in Catholic schools. Flat Francis has been taken on service trips, retreats, field trips and family vacations. He’s also been a part of numerous Catholic celebrations.

Let’s flood that Catholic Extension site with so many Flat Francis photos from Kansans that he might consider squeezing in a visit here someday. And while you’re sending in those photos to Extension, send a copy to The Leaven at: todd. habiger@theleaven.org. We’ll round them up throughout the summer and put some in the paper prior to the pope’s U.S. trip.

Oh, by the way, if you don’t have access to the Internet, I’ll be happy to send you your very own Francis . . . for a “flat” fee, of course!

IN THE BEGINNING

Driving force of the Spirit blew early church forward

B

efore the Second Vatican Council, those wishing to join the Catholic Church would attend instructions.

These were classes supplying information about the church and its teachings, its beliefs and practices.

We might suppose that is also what Jesus is doing for the apostles during the 40 day period from his resurrection to his ascension.

Sunday’s first reading tells us: “I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:1-11).

After all, the apostles constitute the very first members of the church. They number 12, the same as the tribes of Israel, since Jesus plans to lay the foundations for the new people of God. Significantly, though, the

POPE FRANCIS

FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. word translated as “instructions” means “commands” or “orders.” It does not mean information or knowledge but, rather, orders for what the apostles are supposed to do. The reading goes on to provide an example: “While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for ‘the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the

When the church has a problem to solve or a big decision to make, the Holy Spirit works by helping people discuss the issues openly and frankly, not by fomenting gossip and backroom deals, Pope Francis said. “In a church where people always argue and there are factions, and brothers and sisters betray each other, the Spirit is not there,” he said in his homily May

Leaven 05-15-15.indd 14

billion to provide funding and resources to dioceses and parishes that cannot support themselves.”

While all of that is well and good, you’re probably wondering how all of that ties into Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the States. Well, Catholic Extension started a social media campaign right before Holy Week. I’ll let Father Jack Wall, its president, elaborate: “We’re thrilled to launch this campaign to welcome the Holy Father to the U.S. and show him not only the face of American Catholicism but also the excitement surrounding our faith. We hope people will participate as a way to share their enthusiasm for our pope while, at the same time, spread awareness about the mission of Catholic Extension, which works to build up the Catholic faith in the poorest communities of the U.S. — something that Pope Francis has called all of us to do.”

So, what is the campaign exactly? Take it from me, it’s a lot of fun. It’s called #FlatFrancis and is simple to do. Extension is encouraging people to take a photo with Flat Francis; there’s a downloadable PDF at: FlatFrancis. org. Cut out the image of

Holy Spirit.’”

The apostles wait nine days in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the first novena. In doing that, they have carried out the aforementioned command. But now, they look forward to fulfilling an even more difficult assignment: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The instructions that Jesus gives the apostles details how they are to exercise their role as his witnesses.

To help them accomplish this, they “will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

Significantly, the same Spirit that will empower them also was involved in their receiving instructions from Jesus earlier on. The text says: “giving instructions through the Holy Spirit.”

8. “The Spirit is the one who brings something new, who moves the situation forward, who creates new areas, who creates the wisdom that Jesus promised” and who creates “harmonious unity among everyone,” he said, according to Vatican Radio. The pope talked about the day’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles in which the Council of Jerusalem met to solve a dispute concerning whether Gentiles converting to Christianity had to observe all

Somehow, the Holy Spirit is at work in the process of Jesus giving the apostles these instructions. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is the force driving Jesus in giving the instructions, the authority which backs the instructions and compels them to be obeyed.

We might remember the importance of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry: “Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil” (Lk 4:1-2a).

The Holy Spirit, which played such an important role at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, will likewise play a major part at the beginning of the apostles’ ministry. Once again, the Holy Spirit will be the driving force, the one giving instructions.

the laws of Moses as the Jewish Christians did. “How do they solve the problem?” the pope asked. “They get together and each one gives his judgment, gives his opinion. They argue about it, but like brothers and not like enemies. Christian harmony is not “a simple act of goodwill, but is fruit of the Holy Spirit,” he said, asking that the church stay faithful to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

— CNS

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16 LOCAL NEWS

THELEAVEN.COM | MAY 15, 2015

WAY OF THE CROWN

Walk through Kauffman Stadium leads Morris down a new path

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Dan Morris was one of the designers of the Royals Hall of Fame at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, and he was proud of

his work.

Even so, he was thinking about making a big decision, one that would make this hall of fame design job his last.

“I was walking around [Kaufmann] before the [2009] season opened with the director of the hall of fame, who also was Catholic,” he said. “It was an empty stadium and most of the renovations, except for the hall of fame, were done. Things turned out really well; they looked pretty good.

“I remember looking to center field where the new, giant scoreboard is, with the crown on top. God placed this question on my heart, ‘Who is your king?’”

The career he’d chosen as a museum and sports display designer was fulfilling, but to continue on that professional path would prevent him from answering God’s call to discern the priesthood.

There was only one answer he could give: “Christ was my king and I had to say ‘yes’ to his call.”

Later, his boss looked at his resignation letter and said, “Well, there’s not much of a counteroffer I can make to this.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will ordain Deacon Morris and three other men to the priesthood at 10:30 a.m. on May 23 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

Deacon Morris, 40, was born in Topeka. His parents — Gary and Linda (Boos) Morris — were key to his formation as a Catholic. The family went to Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, Topeka.

Although his father is a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, he supported having the children raised in the Catholic faith.

“I learned so much from my dad about what it means to be a Christian and live a Christian life, and to be a man of sacrifice through hard work and selflessness,” said Deacon Morris.

His mother, too, was a powerful influence, “unwavering in teaching and living out the Catholic faith, [and] strong in her witness through her involvement at [the parish] in religious education, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and a lector among other things,” he continued.

Atypical of most men who discern the priesthood, Deacon Morris was not an altar server as a boy (being somewhat of an introvert), but he had an early fascination with those men in black.

“I felt the call to the priesthood at age 6 or 7,” said Deacon Morris. “We always used to sit in the first five or six pews of the church. I remember the priest and looking at him, realizing that the priest stood for someone more than himself and he was a leader for the people. . . . I knew I wanted to be like that guy.”

After he graduated from Seaman High School in 1993, he went to Emporia State University for two years, then transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

He was always a Mass-goer, even into college. But he admits he hadn’t taken much responsibility for his faith.

Two important things happened to

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While visiting an orphanage in Jerusalem, Deacon Dan Morris shows a little girl the photos he has taken.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

DANIEL LEE MORRIS Age: 40 Born at: Topeka Raised: Topeka Parents: Gary and Linda Morris (deceased, 1999); stepmother Alta Morris.

Siblings: Denise Morris; stepsiblings, Ann Kelly, Randy Rhoades Current home parish: Sacred HeartSt. Joseph, Topeka Favorite TV/online show: Royals or Jayhawks games Favorite social networking tool: Facebook Breviary: old school dead tree or high tech digital (and why)?: Old school dead tree, because the sacred page just feels a lot more sacred.

Favorite musical genre or group/person: Josh Garrels My brush with a person famous/infamous: Pope Francis Favorite saint: John the Evangelist Favorite Bible passage/book (and why): John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” Because knowing God is what salvation is all about.

Book(s) now reading: “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand; “The Lord,” by Romano Guardini Favorite food: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-BQue; Chipotle

turn his mind back to the priesthood and a deeper faith after he graduated in 1998.

One was that his mother died in 1999, after being struck by a car.

“Her funeral was very powerful for me,” said Deacon Morris. “I met people and learned more about her at her funeral than I ever would have if she were alive today. They shared stories like: ‘This is

But never feed me: olives and beets Favorite childhood toy: a basketball Favorite place in the world: Sea of Galilee Best job I’ve had: museum and hall of fame designer Worst job I’ve had: weeding the garden and painting the same fence every summer growing up!

Hobbies/things I like to do: golf, design, read, attend Royals games.

If I were loading the ark, I’d be sure to bring: scented candles What I’d talk about if Pope Francis called me: Jesus Christ Qualities I admire in priests I know: humility, prayerfulness, being easy to relate to Best advice I’ve received: Always remember, you don’t know what you don’t know.

My advice to anyone seeking his or her vocation: Allow yourself to fall in love with Jesus Christ.

What I’m looking forward to as a priest: encountering the grace of God at work in and through the lives of those I’m called to serve.

High school: Seaman High School, Topeka, class of 1993 Any other higher education: University of Kansas (bachelor’s in graphic design, 1998) Seminary: Mundelein Seminary (M.Div., 2015)

how your mom walked the journey of faith with me when I was at my lowest point.’ Through the lens of my mother’s life, I asked myself, ‘What is my life all about?’”

He also learned something that surprised him.

“I had some of my mom’s closest friends tell me that she shared with them, at different points in my life, that she saw

me as someone who might be called to the priesthood,” said Deacon Morris.

“She never shared that with me.”

The second important thing occurred while he was dating a young woman who asked him, “Why do you believe in God?” She had become agnostic while in college after her fiance died.

“I felt that God was calling me to be a witness to this woman,” he said. “I had never had anyone ask me directly why I believed in my faith.”

The answer he gave her was, he felt, inadequate. Worse still, he realized his words didn’t match his life.

These two events led him to read books about the Catholic faith, lead a more sacramental life and pester his pastor with questions.

“I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with the church and Jesus Christ,” he said.

After graduation, he had gone to work for a sports architecture firm in Kansas City, Missouri, and became a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish. There, he became involved in a number of ministries. He had a sense he was being prepared for something — what, he wasn’t sure.

“Over the course of those eight years . . . I realized that my love, my passion, my fulfillment was in the work I was doing with and for the church,” he said. “I was surrounding myself with faithful, young Catholics who were helping me grow in virtue. I was falling in love with Jesus and his church.”

Deacon Morris’ desire to explore a vocation to the priesthood grew until he knew he had to make a decision. He loved Immaculate Conception Parish, but Kansas was home to him.

He contacted then-vocations director for the archdiocese, Father Mitchel Zimmerman. After the Royals Hall of Fame >> See “PARISH” on page 7

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