07 05 19 Vol. 41 No. 1

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 41, NO. 1 | JULY 5, 2019

KNIGHT SHIFT

Knights of Columbus retire old uniform for a more modern look

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By Ellie Melero @eleanor_melero

EAVENWORTH — They say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

And for many Knights of Columbus, that’s too true.

On July 1, the colorful capes and feathery hats, or “chapeaus,” that have become associated with the fourth-degree Knights will be a thing of the past as the worldwide order adopts a new uniform.

In 2017, the supreme council of the Knights decided to modernize the look after 79 years of the old regalia, which included a ceremonial cape and chapeau, a tuxedo, white gloves and a sword. The supreme council decided to change the uniform in an effort to attract younger men to the order.

The new uniform consists of blue blazers with the fourth-degree emblem, dark gray slacks, blue ties and black berets. Members will still wear the ceremonial swords, and gloves are still worn when handling the swords.

The old regalia was supposed to be phased out in 2018, but the deadline to switch to the new uniforms was extended one year because of the backlog of orders for the new uniform.

Difficult transition Father Dan Gardner, the former Kansas state chaplain for the Knights, said the new uniforms have been received reluctantly in some places. Knights who wore the old regalia liked being able to stand out in a crowd — and older members don’t want to have to buy a new uniform.

“The one that they’re phasing out, that was pretty much a standout,” said Father Gardner. “People would know you everywhere, wearing that kind of outfit and everything. This [new uniform] is more subtle, much more subtle.”

Color Corps coordinator Robert Hall of Immaculate Council 900 in Leavenworth isn’t looking forward to the change for two reasons.

Hall said that before July 1, he can organize 40 men for a color guard for a funeral or visit from the archbishop. But after July 1, he’ll be able to organize only seven. This is partly because the new uniforms are tailored to each member.

In the past, Hall has been able to loan chapeaus and capes to men who want to be in the Color Corps who haven’t bought the regalia yet but who own tuxedos.

But they won’t be able to do that with the new uniforms.

Hall’s other reason is that members who have the old regalia don’t want to buy the new uniform.

“There’s this history with [the old uniform],” said Hall. “People recognize it. You can walk down the street, they say, ‘Knights of Columbus.’ With the new uniform, it’s just too modern, too military, if you will.”

The new uniforms are also more expensive than the old regalia, and many Knights feel the change came out of the blue.

Father Gardner says the uniform change is the result of research done by the supreme council to determine why more men don’t join the fourth degree. Apparently, many men thought all fourth-degree Knights have to wear the uniform, and they disliked the old regalia.

In reality, only members of the Color Corps wear the uniforms — and joining the Color Corps is optional.

“In discussing that, they tested out a couple of options,” said Father Gardner, “and so, they changed the >> See “UNIFORM” on page 4

PHOTOS BY

JAY SOLDNER

Andy Gilner, a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus from Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie, models both the old (left) and new uniforms of the Knights. As of July 1, the old uniforms have been retired in favor of a more modern look.

“THERE’S THIS HISTORY WITH [THE OLD UNIFORM]. PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IT. YOU CAN WALK DOWN THE STREET, THEY SAY, ‘KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.’” Robert Hall of Immaculate Council 900 in Leavenworth

“I ENJOY [THE NEW UNIFORM].

YOU DON’T HAVE THAT MUCH TO CARRY WITH YOU. ALL YOU REALLY HAVE TO CARRY IS YOUR SWORD AND BERET.” Tim Lednicky of Immaculate Council 900 in Leavenworth

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Call to the priesthood delayed but not denied J.D. Benning Special to The Leaven

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TCHISON — How long are you willing to follow your dreams? How long does it take a prayer to be answered?

For Father Luke Turner, his childhood dream of becoming a priest came true much later than his sixthgrade self ever would have expected.

His mother, Thorene Turner, never stopped praying, however. And her prayers have finally been answered.

On June 29, on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, she watched her son being ordained to the priesthood at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison.

“This day has been a long time coming,” Thorene said as she addressed the crowd following the ordination, “a day that I have never stopped praying for. I’m so proud of my son and know that he is going to be a great priest!”

“As a kid, we always had the Catholic Digest,” Father Luke shared on a recent episode of MonkCast, St. Benedict’s Abbey’s podcast. “So I started writing to the religious orders that were listed in the back, just to gather information as a kid would do.”

“I had this wild dream to be a missionary in Africa,” he continued.

While those dreams may be slightly different than those of your run-of-themill 12-year-old, the young Jeff Turner had made up his mind early.

“I enrolled in Savior of the World Seminary (in Kansas City, Kansas) with the intention of becoming a priest, but I wasn’t quite sure where I would land.

My mom used to put me on a bus to visit [St. Benedict’s], and I was always greeted by Father Regis (Hickey) and took part in monastic prayer,” Father Luke recalls.

“My interest grew, and after graduation, I came to Benedictine College as an ‘abbey student’ — taking courses, living in the dorms, and praying with the monks,” he added. “I entered the novitiate in 1981, but felt like I needed to experience the world. So I left for what I thought would be a couple of years, but the time was never quite right to return to the abbey.”

For the next 30 years, he pursued

PHOTO BY JD BENNING

Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, California, ordains Luke Turner a priest of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison on June 29. Bishop Vann is a longtime friend of Father Turner. a career in business, starting at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri.

He eventually wound up as senior vice president for MasterCard and, in this international role, traveled the world working in the payments industry.

Working hard, he didn’t always have much of a prayer life.

“What prayer life?” Father Luke joked. “I was always working, and I didn’t always make time for prayer.

As soon as you achieve in your career, your attention turns to the next thing: the next salary, the next title, the next goal.”

When he was stationed in Dallas, he felt called to give back. Working in

Latin America, he had become fluent in Spanish; through his parish, Turner sought to help immigrants in need in the area.

“Our pastor had a policy that all the volunteers had to do a weekly Holy Hour,” he said. “I agreed, but it was in those Holy Hours that God was calling me back to the abbey and, ultimately, the priesthood.”

Thorene and her son visited the abbey in 2008 for the first time since he had left.

“I saw a spark in him,” Thorene recalls. “There was something in him that felt at home at the abbey.”

In 2011, Turner left his career behind

‘Unplanned’ actress to headline fundraiser for pregnancy resource centers

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

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VERLAND PARK – Unplanned.

That’s the word used by women to describe the situation they find themselves in when they are young, unmarried and expecting a child. It’s a situation with which actress Ashley Bratcher is familiar. After all, she, too, faced an unplanned pregnancy of her own.

Bratcher, who has appeared in other films such as “90 Minutes in Heaven” and “War Room,” most recently starred as Abby Johnson in “Unplanned,” the true story of Johnson’s conversion from abortion clinic volunteer and eventual director to pro-life activist.

Now Bratcher will speak at the annual “Evening for Life,” a fundraising

and walk with them through the decibanquet for both the Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic and the Olathe Pregnancy sions they must make during what can Clinic to be held at the Overland Park be a very challenging time.” That is something Bratcher can easily Convention Center on Sept. 5 identify with. from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

During the filming of “UnThe evening will feature a planned,” Bratcher learned social hour, dinner and a proshe was almost aborted, gram during which Bratcher but her mother walked will speak about her pro-life convictions, her own unexout of the abortion clinic and never looked back. Alpected pregnancy and her though she was shocked and involvement in the film. Banquet attendees will also learn overwhelmed by the news, more about the clinics’ work, Bratcher said it convinced her hear remarks from Archbishthat one of the reasons God Ashley Bratcher op Joseph F. Naumann and placed her on earth was to tell meet some of the mothers and chil- Johnson’s story and to help encourage dren who have benefited from the other women facing unplanned pregclinics. nancies.

Both the Wyandotte PregnanFor more information or to make cy Clinic and the Olathe Pregnancy reservations for the banquet, go online Clinic exist to “support women with to: www.babiesatrisk.org. unplanned or unwanted pregnancies

to become a monk. After completing seminary studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, he was ordained to the priesthood by his longtime friend, Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange, California.

To begin his priestly ministry, Abbot James Albers has assigned Father Luke to serve as the director of campus ministry at Benedictine College.

“I am overjoyed at being ordained and am excited to serve the students of Benedictine College!” he said.

For more about Father Luke, check out the abbey’s website at: Kansas monks.org.

Archbishop Naumann July 5 Pitching for Priests game — T-Bones Stadium, Kansas City, Kansas July 11 Johnson County Serra Club’s annual seminarian Mass and barbecue July 14 Installation of Father Daniel Coronado — St. Joseph, Olpe Baptism of third or more child — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas July 15 Keeler Women’s Center blessing “Shepherd’s Voice” recording July 24 Johnson County RCIA coordinators Mass and commissioning — Holy Trinity, Lenexa

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY OLIVIA MARTIN

Jo Thornley Cox, left, coordinator of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gladstone, Missouri, explains the work of preparing the altar to Sister Mary of Holy Hope, SOLT, during a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training session at Our Lady’s Montessori School on June 13 in Kansas City, Kansas. CGS catechists learn to introduce children to Jesus by following the promptings of the Holy Spirit working in the child.

THROUGH A CHILD’S EYES

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd teachers learn about Jesus through the child

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It was completely silent.

About 20 women were sitting cross-legged on the floor, their attention on only one thing: a miniature altar.

In fact, it was child-size.

This was the scene as the June 13 training of catechists for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) began at Our Lady’s Montessori School in Kansas City, Kansas. The training occurred June 12-15 and 17-19; it was the first of two levels of training required to teach CGS to 3through 6-year-olds as a certified catechist.

And it’s not your average training. “[We teach] the teacher to follow the child,” said Diane Olsen, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa and formation leader for the Level I CGS training. “The teacher is never telling them what to do.”

What? A teacher follows a 3-year-old?

Exactly.

Born from the Montessori education

method, CGS “shows dignity to the child at their own level of understanding and waits until they are ready for the full message,” said Jenny Wallace, director of Our Lady’s Montessori School.

In the course of CGS, children learn the names, uses and placements of various child-size liturgical items and how to remain silent and respectful in a sacred space. A very tactile learning method, children in CGS learn to complete liturgical tasks or “works,” including setting up the altar for Mass, spontaneous prayer and the parables of Jesus.

Their motions and words are deliberate, and the “atrium” — the classroom — is perpetually quiet.

But most importantly, they are introduced to the “Good Shepherd.”

Catechists receive their own instruction on the importance of the Good Shepherd as well, especially how his love is perceivable in their lives. They, in turn, introduce the figure of the Good Shepherd to the child.

It’s an unexpected introduction.

“They won’t ever say Jesus is the Good Shepherd,” said Wallace. “They hope as the children progress they will President

Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

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

have an ‘aha!’ moment that the Good Shepherd is Jesus . . . that they come to that realization on their own.”

Amy Riscoe, a St. Michael the Archangel parishioner in Leawood, was impressed by the respect for the child’s freedom that the CGS method enacts.

“It kind of contradicts what we’ve learned [about] a teacher and child relationship,” she said. “You’re letting the child do and learn for himself — and you’re there really just as a resource for them.”

Olivia Wieger, also a St. Michael parishioner, agreed. “[This] forms the child’s relationship with Jesus rather than just teaching them about something as a subject,” she said.

“You’re just somebody who is introducing two people.”

New and experienced CGS catechists alike stress that CGS training is just as much for them as it is for the child.

“Going through this program was such a retreat experience for me,” said Wallace. “I would do the training even if I . . . wasn’t interested in becoming a CGS

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Reporter Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Social Media Editor Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Learn more For information on upcoming Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training sessions, visit the website at: cgsksmo.org/courses/19-20.

To find a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, visit the website at: cgsksmo.org/findatrium.

teacher. “It’s just about learning about Jesus through the child’s eyes.”

For Olsen, CGS was a wholly unique method for encountering her Catholic faith.

“I never heard anyone talk to me about my faith in [this] way before I went to my first CGS formation,” she said. “[Maria] Montessori said the ideal civilization of love would be when adults and children can look at each other as each having something to . . . offer the other that will make both better.”

And CGS is beginning to make that dream a reality.

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 $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Uniform change draws mixed reviews from Knights >> Continued from page 1

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Constitutional attorney Eddie Greim, discusses the federal Equality Act at the Rally for Religious Freedom June 30 at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. Behind Greim, from left, are: executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference Chuck Weber; Mary Kay Culp of Kansans for Life (obscured); legal scholar Elizabeth Kirk; and Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas.

Rally celebrates religious freedom

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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VERLAND PARK — Like many parish festivals, there was fun and food at Ascension Parish here on June 30, but the purpose couldn’t have been more serious.

Catholics from throughout Johnson County and beyond gathered in the broiling heat for the Rally for Religious Freedom.

“We are celebrating the fact that we live in a country where we can do this openly and freely,” said Msgr.

Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, and master of ceremonies, before introducing various speakers.

“There are so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who can’t,” he added, “and we pray with them and for them at this moment. But ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ — Luke 12:48 — and we keep that in mind as we exercise our freedom fully as faithful Catholic citizens.”

The day began with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who was main celebrant

and homilist. He spoke of current threats to religious liberty that have arisen in society and various levels of government.

“This past week the bishops of the United States have invited all American Catholics to observe and celebrate Religious Freedom Week,” said the archbishop. “As we celebrate the birth of our nation on July 4, the church reminds us that religious freedom and conscience rights are among the cornerstones of our Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

“Sadly, in recent years, we have witnessed efforts to diminish the cultural understanding of religious freedom.”

That freedom, said Archbishop Naumann, includes not only the right to worship as we choose, but also the ability to live out our religious values in the public square.

After the Mass, event-goers were treated to a free lunch and an opportunity to listen to four speakers give brief presentations.

The speakers included legal scholar Elizabeth Kirk, who gave a primer on the various contemporary threats to religious liberty; president of the area Federalist Society and constitutional attorney Eddie

Greim, who talked about the federal Equality Act; executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference Chuck Weber, who talked about the Kansas Adoption Protection Act; and Mary Kay Culp, who advocated for amending the Kansas Constitution to counter a recent abortion rights ruling issued by the Kansas Supreme Court.

The rally was part of Religious Freedom Week, a national campaign by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It began in 2012 as the Fortnight for Freedom, and the first rally was sponsored by the Kansas Catholic Conference in Topeka. There was also one parish-sponsored rally at Curé of Ars, Leawood, in 2017.

“Religious Freedom Week is a time for the church in the United States to pray, reflect and act on religious liberty here in the U.S., but also abroad,” said Bill Scholl, archdiocesan social justice consultant.

“This is national and international.”

This year’s rally was sponsored by a coalition consisting of grassroots groups Faithful Citizens and FIAT (Faith In Action Team), Ascension Parish and the archdiocesan social justice and pro-life offices.

look of the uniform in order to be more attractive to the younger members.”

Hall doesn’t believe new uniforms will help them recruit new members to the fourth degree.

In fact, the change has lost Council 900 two members already — and has left younger members underwhelmed.

Gabriel Mesa, the youngest member of the fourth degree at Immaculate Council 900, has never worn the old regalia, but said he always liked it. In fact, it was part of what attracted him to the Knights.

And he has no plans to buy the new uniform.

“There’s a lot to be said about the tradition of the old uniform,” said Mesa.

“And there’s a lot to be said about how it presents the order itself.”

Mesa said he thinks changing the uniform was the wrong way to go about recruiting. If the Knights are really serious about recruiting younger members, he thinks they should be looking for methods of better outreach to college age men and men in their mid-20s to 30s.

Roll out the welcome mat For Tim Lednicky, however, the new uniform is a welcome change.

“I enjoy it,” he said. “You don’t have that much to carry with you when you go to an event. All you really have to carry is your sword and beret, so I can get ready quicker.”

He likes the new uniform so much, in fact, he plans to wear it forever. Literally.

“It’s a nice imported suit,” said Lednicky, “and I plan to get buried in it.”

Lednicky said he understands why people don’t want to let go of the history associated with the regalia, but he also thinks people need to remember the Knights didn’t always wear it.

The fourth-degree uniform underwent many changes between 1900 and the 1940s before the Knights settled on the regalia.

Immaculate Council 900 is not the only council facing reluctance from some of its members regarding the uniform change, but on July 1 all councils were to retire the old regalia or face consequences from the supreme office.

Biking for Babies rolling into Lawrence

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — They’re trying to renew the culture of life in America one pedal stroke at a time, and they’re going to be in Lawrence on July 10.

Better yet, you’re invited to meet, greet and eat with them.

The not-for-profit group Biking for Babies is traveling more than 2,500 miles to increase awareness of the 3,000 pregnancy resource centers all over the country, raise financial and spiritual supports for these centers, and train

pro-life missionaries.

Four groups of cyclists and support team members, 34 in all, are traveling across the nation during the first two weeks of July to meet in St. Louis on July 13.

The northern group is starting from Green Bay, Wisconsin; the eastern from Columbus, Ohio; the southern from Tylertown, Mississippi; and the western — the one stopping at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center — is starting from Holly, Colorado.

“We believe that [pregnancy resource centers] are the answer to building a culture of life in our country,” said Nikki Biese, executive director of Biking

for Babies.

“We share their stories with the world,” she continued, “by igniting the pro-life generation of young adults through our national ride.”

The Biking for Babies cyclists and support team members will attend 5:15 p.m. Mass on July 10 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center. There will be a dinner after the Mass, hosted by the center.

All are invited to attend the Mass and dinner, but are requested to RSVP through the Biking for Babies Facebook page. Go to the left-hand side of the page and click on “Events.” Next, under the heading “Upcoming Events,”

scroll down to and click “Western Route Lawrence, KS Stop, KU Catholics” for July 10.

People can also use the Biking for Babies Facebook page to purchase tickets for the July 15 Celebration of Life event in St. Louis.

The riders and support members raise funds for the centers by asking for mileage sponsorships for their journey.

All monies raised go to the centers.

To help, go to the website at: biking forbabies.com/give, or mail a check to: Biking for Babies, PO Box 644, Saint Charles, MO 63302.

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Leaven wins 11 awards from ‘Sunshine City’

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

THE WINNERS

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — If you want sunshine, the place to go in Florida is St. Petersburg. It’s known as “Sunshine City,” averaging 361 days of catching rays a year.

Recently, the Gulf Coast city was also “sunny” in another way for The Leaven. The newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas won 11 Catholic Press Association awards at the annual Catholic Media Conference, held June 18-21 in St. Petersburg.

For photography and writing, The Leaven brought back three first-place awards, three second-place awards, one third-place award, and four honorable mentions.

The diversity of the award winners is a story in itself, demonstrating how The Leaven draws from a variety of people to put together a publication that tells the stories of the life of the church in northeast Kansas. Those recognized included veterans and newcomers, staffers and freelancers, photographers and writers.

And besides winning the awards, the St. Petersburg conference was notable for one other thing. The Leaven’s very own production manager, Todd Habiger, presented a workshop on design.

Seizing silver and bronze First Place

Best Writing on a National or International Event — “Refugees’ plight serves as a reminder of the Holy Family”

by Katie Hyde

Second Place

Third Place

Best Reporting on Children and Teens — “You Go, Girl”

by Jill Ragar Esfeld

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Best Headline — “HabitForming” by Anita McSorley

Best Multiple Picture Package — Sports “Just Add Water” by Jay Soldner

Second Place

herself snagged a first-place award for Best Headline with “Habit-Forming: Ursuline Sister crafts miniature habits, accessories for dolls.”

“Headlines are challenging — most of the time,” said McSorley. “But this headline for the story on Sister Mildred Katzer, OSU, wrote itself. When paired with the charming photograph by freelance reporter Steve Buckner,

First Place

Second Place

Best Personality Profile — “Topeka pianist doesn’t let injury define him” by Marc and Julie Anderson

Garnering the gold of first place Katie Hyde’s first-place Best Writing on a National or International Event, titled “Refugees’ plight serves as a reminder of the Holy Family,” arose out of an invitation to join a team of volunteers at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas.

“Usually, we at The Leaven serve up the phrase ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ with a hearty helping of sarcasm,” said Anita McSorley, managing editor, “but former intern Katie Hyde is truly that gift.

“Katie has for several years now been working closely with asylum seekers and hopes to go to law school soon.

When she was invited to help prepare detained asylum seekers held in Texas for their interviews, she called me first.”

The result was a powerful story that is no less timely today than it was when it was written.

“I encourage everyone to read Katie’s story,” said McSorley.

The managing editor

hard on it every week, and they do a great job of displaying my work,” said Hesse.

“This assignment was difficult because the team and the mom were very emotional and sometimes in a situation like this people don’t want you to intrude,” he continued. “But being a [photojournalist] gives you skills to be present while not interrupting. . . . The trick was getting everything in the shot to make it what it is.”

Best Feature Writing — Weekly Diocesan Newspaper “Schooled in Faith” by Jill Ragar Esfeld

it made a front page that still brings a smile to my face.”

Sadly, Sister Mildred died on May 19 at age 100, as reported in The Leaven.

“I couldn’t be happier that she is taking this one final bow from the pages of The Leaven,” said McSorley.

Longtime freelance photographer Doug Hesse won a firstplace Best Photo Story for his emotionally wrenching shot

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of the boys basketball team at Christ the King School in Kansas City, Kansas, presenting the retired jersey of a deceased teammate to his mother on the court. It accompanied the story “Gone but not forgotten.”

“I’ve been photographing for The Leaven for over 25 years and it’s always nice when I win something for the paper — everyone works so

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Married freelancing duo Marc and Julie Anderson of Topeka used their enterprise to find a parish organist/pianist and write the secondplace winning story and photograph for Best Personality Profile titled “Topeka pianist doesn’t let injury define him.”

“We were standing in . . .

St. Patrick Church in Scranton after a Mass,” said Julie Anderson. “Someone mentioned we should meet the organist.

We’d be surprised, the parishioner said, to see the organist’s hands.”

Michael Flax, a member of Christ the King Parish in Topeka, lost most of the fingers on his right hand when he was 9 years old. Nevertheless, he learned to play piano.

“As for the photo, I wanted to emphasize Michael’s joyful personality but, at the same time, show his hands so readers could see his musical technique,” said Marc Anderson.

“Even though we interviewed him in our parish hall . . . Julie and I both knew we needed to visit his home, as that was the only way I could take pictures of him playing his precious piano, the one he learned to play on as a child.”

Freelance photographer Jay Soldner also snagged a second-place Best Multiple Picture Package — Sports for his center spread montage of swimmers from four Catholic high schools in “Just Add Water.” And one impressed judge commented, “Kudos to the photographer on getting names!”

And he didn’t even get soaked.

Rounding out the freelancerdominated second-place category was Jill Ragar Esfeld, who took silver in Best Reporting on a Special Age Group — Children and Teens Younger than 18, with “You Go, Girl.” The “go girl” is Bishop Miege High School senior Ruby Rios, who was named one of the metropolitan area’s “30-under-30” >> See “FREELANCERS” on page 7

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FAMILY LIFE

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The works of God are made visible by ordinary people

ate Bowler has been on a media blitz since publishing her second book “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved.”

I’ve been tuning in to as many appearances as I can, including interviews, podcasts and her recent TED Talk, which reached one million views in record time.

In addition to being a wife and mother, Kate is associate professor of the history of Christianity in North America at Duke University’s Divinity School.

Kate has spent her adult life as a scholar of the prosperity gospel, a uniquely American phenomenon. Her first book tackles this strain of theological thought.

Crudely summarized, it’s built around the idea that God rewards good, faithful, hardworking people with an abundance of material blessings, including health and wealth. In other words, you reap what you sow.

Her latest book is more personal.

At age 35, Kate was diagnosed, somewhat out of the blue, with Stage IV cancer. In her TED Talk, she speaks

ELISE ITALIANO URENECK Elise Italiano Ureneck is the associate director of the Center for the Church in the 21st Century at Boston College.

about the moment the doctors gave her the news. Instinctually, she responded, “But I have a son.” Mothers of young children shouldn’t get terminal diagnoses. Bad things should not happen to good people.

Before being diagnosed, Kate described herself as a mere observer of the prosperity gospel, not someone who subscribed to it. I also like to think that I’ve sidestepped this line of thought when it comes to my faith.

After all, Jesus disavows the very notion

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with the story of the blind man in John’s Gospel. The disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus replies, “Neither he nor his parents sinned.”

Despite knowing that story, I find it hard not to be shaped by our national ethos: that if you’re a good, hardworking person, good things should happen to you.

Two-and-a-half years ago, my mom called to tell me that she had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. My response was similar to Kate’s: My mom is a kind and generous woman with a steadfast faith in the Lord.

Our family strives to be hardworking and generous. How was this God’s path for her? How was this our fate?

One of the first things I did after getting the news was to call a priest who has been a loyal counselor.

Both of his parents had succumbed to cruel diseases. His words were simple. He said, “There will be people along this journey who will surprise you with their compassion and kindness. Pay attention

so you don’t miss those moments.”

That has been my experience. I’ve watched nurses and health care professionals make a personal investment in my mom and our family.

Complete strangers have sent messages pledging their prayers. Extended family members have become indispensable. Co-workers have moved mountains to accommodate appointments and last-minute needs.

Kate shared this revelation: “In a time in which I should have felt abandoned by God, I was not reduced to

ashes. I felt like I was floating on the love and prayers of those around me.”

But she also shares that she knew there’d be a time when those feelings of love would fade. Her friends assured her that the feelings would “leave an imprint,” which would make the dark times easier to endure. Three years later, she’s found this to be true.

Death is a strict teacher. Its rules are unflinching and it doesn’t care what you think about fairness. But life is also a teacher with lessons of its own.

Jesus tells the disciples that the man was born blind “so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” In some instances, this means miraculous healing. But in many cases, the works of God are made visible through selfless acts on the part of caregivers and loved ones . . . and the patient’s humble decision to accept that kindness.

I’m not certain that everything happens for an intelligible reason.

But with faith, I am willing to wager that it all might happen out of love and for love.

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JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

7

KCMO filmmaker treats two topics through local lens

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Catholic film writer and producer Michael McGlinn released two films on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart on June 28 to inspire and impact Christians.

One deals with the hot-button issue of immigration. The other is about the always-relevant struggle of finding one’s vocation and purpose in life.

“Immigrants in the Heartland: Who Are We Following?” is a 44-minute feature-length documentary that focuses on how five dioceses grapple with the issue of immigration “legal and illegal, documented and undocumented,” said McGlinn, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.

“We went to each of the five dioceses to see how they are getting along with this issue, and how it’s impacting the faithful,” he said.

The co-directors of this film are McGlinn and John Altman.

The five dioceses are the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Diocese of Wichita, the Diocese of Dodge

Catholic film writer and producer Michael McGlinn released two films on June 28. “Ascent: The invitation that changed his life” is a short film about prayer and friendship. “Immigrants in the Heartland: Who Are We Following?” deals with immigration and details how five dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, are dealing with the issue.

City and the Archdiocese of Denver.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and the ordinaries of each diocese make an

appearance in the film “Our film is actually borrowing the backdrop of immigration — which is

a stormy issue and always has been — as an example of how we navigate through those types of issues when they arrive in our lives,” said McGlinn.

It’s a Christocentric film that looks at how we deal with issues in a way that is pleasing to God. The second film is “Ascent: The invitation that changed his life.”

The 23-minute short film is a story of prayer, friendship and making good choices. Its primary audience is young men, to make them aware that, of the many choices they can make for their lives, one choice might be a call to the priesthood.

The actors in this film include three Kansas City, Missouri, clerics: Father Gabriel Lickteig, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; Father Richard Rocha, pastor of St. Bellarmine Parish; and Msgr. William J. Blacet, a retired priest.

These films aren’t in local theaters, but can be viewed or purchased online.

“People will be able to purchase DVDs, download the films or rent them,” said McGlinn. “Most people will probably stream them online.”

To see “Ascent,” go to: Ascentmovie. com; to see “Immigration,” go to: Whoare wefollowing.org.

Freelancers, former reporter post honors as well >> Continued from page 5 for launching a computer coding club for grade school girls.

“I was impressed by her willingness to share her knowledge with others,” said Esfeld. “She was outstanding in her personality as well as her intellect, and I knew then that her story would be a good one.”

Esfeld also captured the The Leaven’s sole third-place win in the category of Best Feature Writing — Weekly Diocesan Paper, with “Schooled in Faith.” This story told how pilgrims reacted when their guide, Jack Hallis, collapsed while visiting Nazareth in Israel.

“I love stories that show the hand of God in what some might call a coincidence,” said Esfeld. “Katie Cummings wasn’t supposed to be on the School of Faith trip that had Jack Hallis as its guide.

“By coincidence, a space became available to her. When Jack had a heart attack, Katie, who is a cardiac nurse, was able to save his life. I thought it was important to focus on the fact that the group of pilgrims prayed the rosary as Katie gave Jack CPR, and continued to pray through his recovery.”

Honorable mentions duly noted Freelancer Esfeld, having won silver and bronze, also picked up an honorable mention in Best Reporting on a Special Age Group — Senior Citizens with her story “Tea Party.”

It told how a group of women would get together twice a month for tea and talk parties in the memory care unit of Santa Marta retirement community in Olathe.

“I loved visiting with the ladies in the memory care unit at Santa Marta for their afternoon tea,” said Esfeld.

“Barbara Chamblin, who hosts the teas, has found a beautiful way to help these women bond with each other and re-

Honorable Mention

Best Reporting on Senior Citizens — “Tea Party” by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Honorable Mention

Best Feature Writing — “Defying the Odds” by Moira Cullings

capture the past. I think The Leaven has an important role in showing the unique ways our Catholic community serves one another, and this story did just that.”

Even a former Leaven reporter scored an honorable mention in Best Feature Writing — Weekly Diocesan Newspaper. Moira Cullings, who is now with the Denver Catholic, was recognized for her story “Defying the Odds,” about Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, the subject of the documentary “Big Sonia.”

“I was honored to win an award for my story about Sonia Warshawski, who survived three concentration camps during the Holocaust,” said Cullings.

“When I heard Sonia and her daughter Regina speak at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood last year, I was deeply inspired not only by her life story, but also by her powerful message. She has been through unfathomable trauma and yet is so full of hope, strength and tenacity.”

Staffer Olivia Martin won her first Catholic Press Association awards, two honorable mentions, for a sports

Honorable Mention

Best Sports Journalism — “The Ironman” by Olivia Martin

story and a personality profile.

The first, “Just Do It,” was an inspirational story about St. James Academy senior Zoe Schierts, a cross-country runner who competed despite cerebral palsy and multiple surgeries. This was entered under Best Personality Profile — Weekly Diocesan Paper.

The second, “The Ironman,” was about St. James Academy teacher Tyler Supalla, who competes in the physically and mentally demanding Ironman races. This was in the category Best Sports Journalism — Sports Feature or Column.

“The best part about writing is the serendipitous uncovering of many stories within one story,” she said. “That is exactly what happened in these two pieces.

“The ‘Ironman’ piece proved to be the most effortless article I’ve ever written — Tyler Supalla is a good friend of mine and it was almost too easy to hunt down sources that had interesting and true things to say about his endeavor. And telling Zoe’s story was incredibly impactful for me. Every single time I’ve gone on a run since

Honorable Mention

Best Personality Profile — “Just Do It” by Olivia Martin

writing that article, I think of Zoe — especially when I’m about to give up and walk. I’ve even started praying the rosary aloud with a friend while we run.”

Rounding out the haul from St. Petersburg was the invitation to Leaven designer and production manager Todd Habiger to teach a workshop on design.

“My presentation was ‘Bringing words and photos to life through design,’” said Habiger. “Over the years, The Leaven has been recognized for its strong design and I was happy to share my ideas.”

“I tried to give practical design tips on usage that attendees could take home and implement,” he continued. “I stressed usage of photos as well as pull quotes, information boxes, typography and infographics.

Although nervous at the beginning of his presentation, Habiger admits he was glad to have been asked.

“It was an honor to present a workshop on design to my colleagues,” he said.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Eight parishioners of St. Paul Parish in Olathe have priest siblings

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — When Misti Grady and her extended family get together for a weeklong summer vacation at a lake, they never have to worry about missing Sunday Mass.

That’s because of her brother Gale.

Make that Father Gale Hammerschmidt, a priest of the Diocese of Salina. He brings the Mass to them — and a lot more.

Having a brother who is a priest has its advantages.

Grady, a member of St. Paul Parish in Olathe, counts herself fortunate to have a brother who is a priest. But she’s not the only one.

By unusual coincidence, eight St. Paul parishioners have brothers who are priests. One has a brother who is a bishop. An additional parishioner has a brother who is a seminarian.

Bishops and vocations directors often say that a priestly vocation begins in the domestic church — the home. The family usually plays a big role in laying the groundwork of a future priestly vocation.

But the support isn’t all one way.

Priests offer support in many ways to their families, from offering the sacraments at important moments in family members’ lives, to lending a sympathetic ear or timely advice.

A vocation to the priesthood doesn’t mean giving up family. To the contrary, ordination intensifies that family connection.

Cathryn Radiel remembered how her oldest brother — Father Francis Hund, above, minister to priests and senior associate at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe — used to “play Mass” when he was a kid.

Growing a vocation in the family Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix credits his faithful family as the foundation of his spiritual life.

“The biggest blessing for our family was the faithful love of my mom and dad,” said Bishop Olmsted, brother of Monica Anderson.

“That remained true after I became a priest and remains true today,” he continued. “Their spiritual leadership was expressed in fidelity to the day-today work of bearing with one another, forgiving one another, encouraging one another and praying for one another, and hoping that for all of us children.

“This is where we children first experienced the love of God and where we still do. Of course, my two brothers and three sisters have also had a great impact on my life, especially in the ways they have faced suffering and sorrow with courage and prayer, and the many joys we have shared together.”

While growing up in Topeka, Mary Loya always knew her older brother, Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, would be a priest.

“My mother prayed as a young girl that her firstborn would be offered to God as a priest,” said Loya, “and she was granted that blessing.

“My brother used to pray to [the] Our Lady of Guadalupe statue in our home every morning before school. He knew as a young boy he wanted to be a priest. He was the first one to leave home, being the oldest, and entered the seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, at age 18.”

Father Peter learned that his mother had dedicated him to God only after he’d been ordained for 10 years. Despite his parents’ strong desire for a vocation in the family, he’d never felt they were forcing him in that direction.

“My family has always been a support to me in my journey to the priesthood,” said Father Peter, pastor of three parishes in Kansas City, Kansas, and a retired colonel of the Kansas National Guard.

“I’ve never been pressured,” he said.

“My father always said whatever you decide to do in life, do it well. He was most respectful about whatever vocation a person had. If they gave their best, he felt, God would bless them.”

By contrast, no one in Father Hammerschmidt’s family had any idea he was considering this option.

“I don’t think we ever realized he had a calling to the priesthood,” said Grady. “He was a Catholic school teacher and coach, and he loved it. He had gone on some mission trips and it was after one of those he came home

Msgr. Bernie Schmitz, a priest from the Archdiocese of Denver, has a large number of siblings. Pictur Bernie Schmitz, Peggy Schmitz, Denise LaHue, Ron LaHue and Sherri Schmitz; (sitting) James Iagulli, and talked to all of us individually to see what we thought about him going to seminary. We were all supportive.”

Renee Schmit remembered early vocation signals from her brother, Father Stan Schmit, now pastor of two parishes in Howells, Nebraska.

“He was in the sixth or seventh grade,” she said, “in art class with Sister Cecilia Polt. While others were making vases, bowls and ashtrays, he made a clay chalice. Some of his classmates laughed at him when he told them he was going to be a priest. When he brought it home to show Mom and Dad, he told them it was a chalice and he was going to use it at his ordination.”

It was used at his ordination — as a table centerpiece with a shellacked loaf of bread.

Cathryn Radiel remembered how her oldest brother — Father Francis Hund, minister to priests and senior associate at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe — used to “play Mass” when he was a kid and even visited Savior of the World Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. Ultimately, however, he went to Paxico’s high school.

“Toward the end of his senior year at Benedictine College, Francis let everyone know that he planned to study to be a priest,” said Radiel. “Francis didn’t talk about it through his high school and college years. I’m not sure if anyone was ‘surprised.’ We were all very excited for him. As a family, we prayed for vocations every day. My parents were very, very pleased that at least one of their children had a vocation [to the priesthood].”

A priest in the family One of the blessings of having a priest in the family is that they bring

the sacraments to them at important moments in their lives, said Radiel.

“Francis is called upon at every family gathering — holy days, family gatherings, weddings, baptisms, funerals, home blessings and graduations,” she said.

“And by ‘family’ I mean not only nieces and nephews and cousins,” she added, “but family friends and friends from Paxico. We all tend to call on Francis for advice during difficult times in our lives. He is a great listener and offers great spiritual and emotional support.”

Patrice Walker also found this to be true of her brother, Msgr. Bernie Schmitz. He’s a pastor and vicar for clergy for the Archdiocese of Denver.

“My brother has had a tremendous impact on the family’s spiritual health,” said Walker. “The first question is always: ‘Will Bernie be able to come?’ whenever there is a baptism, wedding or funeral.

“But aside from the big spiritual events, his constant love and presence is always felt in our family.”

Grady said that her brother, Father Hammerschmidt, also serves as a role model for the family.

“Those of us who don’t live in the same town always listen to his homilies online, which has been amazing,” said Grady. “I love it that my kids have such a wonderful relationship with him. They see him as a fun uncle and then can see him in his leadership role in the church.

“All my kids have received a sacrament from him, which has been awesome.”

The “family priest” is also someone to go to for answers, said Renee Schmit, about her brother Father Stan Schmit.

“When we are together, we ask his

red from left are: (back row) Patrice Walker, Wayne Walker, John Schroeder, Jeanne Schroeder, Msgr.

Mary Jo Iagulli, Jim Iagulli and Jerry Schmitz.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted had the honor of marrying his sister Monica to Scott Anderson at St. Malachy Church in Beattie in 1981.

“A family that is close and dedicated to God in the good times will find him in the hard times,” said Father Peter.

“It’s the family that has been strong in the faith, and we each mutually have all worked together to be there for each other.

“They look to me to be there, but I look to them as my strength.”

Family is forever

Mary Loya, left, always knew her older brother, Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, would be a priest.

Father Jaramillo was also a chaplain in the Kansas National Guard. Here they stand together at a ceremony in which he retired from active duty. opinion to help us understand the changes happening in the church,” said Schmit. “Some of the siblings’ friends ask questions about the faith, and we would ask him about their questions, too.”

Apparently, priestly expertise can be transferable.

“I heard from a teacher about a nephew in the second grade,” said Father Hammerschmidt. “[In] a small discussion with some other boys in the classroom, he put forth himself as an expert on a religious question because his uncle is a priest.”

Father Peter has been there for all

the great family celebrations, large and small, said Loya.

“He is big on family gatherings around the table,” she said. “He loves family meals for celebrations and just being together with each other, talking and joking, and sharing his life with all of us. He celebrates the Mass with my parents at their home as they’ve gotten older.”

Just as importantly, Father Peter has also been there to offer support during family tragedies — the deaths of two brothers, and of aunts who died during the Hyatt Regency Kansas City walkway collapse in 1981.

Family members sometimes worry, at least at first, that the priest in their family will be so busy that he won’t have time for them.

And priests are busy — and keeping that balance between the parish family and the birth family can be difficult. That’s why priests value so highly the times when they can be with their “first” family.

But on the whole, both priests and their families discover that ordination doesn’t take the new priest away from them, though he might share his life with them in new ways.

Father Hammerschmidt sometimes enlists his family to reassure prospective seminarians, for example.

“I’m also the co-vocations director for the Diocese of Salina,” he said. “On occasion, when we have prospective seminarians whose parents are questioning that calling, my mom and dad will have dinner with the prospective seminarian’s parents, and tell them what it’s like to be parents of a priest.”

His family always pitches in to help him move when he receives a new assignment from his bishop, and all sorts of nephews and nieces participate in his Prayer and Action mission programs.

Conversely, priests often turn to

their families for respite from work and a chance to relate with the people who know them best.

“They see me as a son and a brother,” said Father Peter. “With my family, I can be who I need to be with the people who are closest to me. There’s nothing that I need to do but be myself. I find going home on a Monday afternoon a place I can relax, watch a KU basketball game and not have to worry about problems.”

That respite is especially needed now when the church is in crisis, said Patrice Walker, whose brother is Msgr. Schmitz of St. Joseph Parish in Denver.

“I know my brother had significant challenges during several years as the vicar for priests in Denver, and other assignments,” said Walker.

“He had to find big shoulders to carry the weight,” she added. “There wasn’t much I could do then and not much he could talk about. That is when the prayers for him seemed most important.”

There comes a time for most priests when they must leave active ministry and retire. During this time, as at all times during their vocational discernment and ministry, family support is important.

Radiel and her husband are already planning ahead.

“One of my dreams was to have Father Francis live with us when he retires,” she said. “I asked him about 10 years ago if he might be interested in the possibility someday. He said, ‘Yes — possibly.’

“Last spring, when Chris and I bought a lot [near St. Paul Parish in Olathe] and were beginning to design our house, we needed to know if Father Francis wanted us to incorporate a space for him into our plan. We were delighted when he said yes!”

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

10

USCCB decries immigration policies that led to deaths

By Rhina Guidos Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Leadership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in an op-ed cast blame on government policies for recent child deaths near the U.S.Mexico border.

In a June 30 op-ed published by The Hill newspaper in Washington, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, USCCB president and vice president, respectively, and Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the Committee on Migration, called attention to the recent deaths of a Salvadoran father and daughter who drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande River near McAllen, Texas, in late June, as well as the deaths of other children who died while in immigration authorities’ custody in 2019 and 2018.

“We mourn the deaths of 23-monthold Angie Valeria and her father, Oscar Martinez, who died on Monday while fleeing El Salvador in search of safety in the United States,” the bishops wrote.

“This young family embarked on a journey of over 1,400 miles, through some of the most dangerous parts of the world, which ended with a father paying the ultimate price — his life — to keep his daughter from harm’s way.

Angie was still scared after she was left safely on the river bank and she jumped back in the water to be with her dad, her security.

“Unfortunately, the deaths of Angie and her father are not the first we have seen during this ongoing humanitarian crisis.”

They named 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin, of Guatemala, who died from sepsis while in the custody of U.S. immigration officials in December and said that “countless others, all precious children of God, do not make it to the border, finding their final resting place somewhere along a journey that began with hope but quickly turned into despair.”

The last week of June proved to be a deadly one near the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition to the drowning of the Salvadoran father and daughter, authorities also found the bodies of four migrants — a woman in her 20s believed to be the mother of three children, whose bodies were found near her on federal U.S. land, also near McAllen. Authorities don’t yet know their identities or how they died.

“These deaths are occurring because the United States is closing off access to asylum protection through policies and enforcement that send the clear and strong signal that you are not welcome,” the op-ed said.

Earlier in the year, some U.S. bishops had warned that policies put in place as a deterrent would have deadly

CNS PHOTO/LOREN ELLIOTT, REUTERS

A photo of Salvadoran migrant Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his 23-month-old daughter, Valeria, is seen at a vigil for them in Brownsville, Texas, June 30, 2019. They drowned June 24 in the Rio Grande while trying to reach the United States.

“

“FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT SUMMER, ASYLUM-SEEKERS, MOST OF THEM CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A STALEMATED POLITICAL BATTLE AS THEY ENDURE THE BRUNT OF LIFE-ALTERING SCENARIOS AND POOR CONDITIONS.” consequences, either by forcing immigrants to stay in dangerous border cities in Mexico such as Ciudad Juarez and Matamoros or forcing them out of ports-of-entry and toward the unrelenting desert to try to gain entry.

Closing doors to those seeking refuge in the past led to a shameful chapter in U.S. history, the bishops said.

“As a nation, we must learn the harsh lessons from our past about closing doors to U.S. asylum. One of the more unfortunate chapters of our great nation’s history was our experience during World War II, when we turned away the S.S. St. Louis, a ship carrying nearly 1,000 Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany,” the op-ed said.

“In the aftermath of that experience and that war, the United States helped lead the world in establishing international protocols to ensure that refugees fleeing persecution in their country of nationality or habitual residence would receive protection when they present themselves at another country’s borders.”

Those protocols became part of U.S. refugee and asylum law and created laws long embraced by a wide political array of presidents and lawmakers, the op-ed said. However, the country is taking a different turn.

“Sadly, the current administration recently announced that over the next week, it will conduct a series of broad enforcement actions to round up thousands of Angie’s and her father’s countrymen, as well as other Central American families, who managed to make it to safety inside the United States,” the bishops said.

“The announced goal is to detain and then deport them, consigning them to a frightening and uncertain fate in the country from which they fled. The president has suggested that his administration will refrain from engaging in this unfortunate enforcement action only if Congress repeals the asylum protections that it helped lead the world to establish.”

But immigrants from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador take on the journey fleeing gang violence, corrupt governments and poverty because there is no other recourse, the bishops said, and the result of actions that try

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to keep them from entering what they believe is a safe place have turned traumatic and deadly, particularly for children.

“For the second straight summer, asylum-seekers, most of them children and families, are caught in the middle of a stalemated political battle as they endure the brunt of life-altering scenarios and poor conditions,” they wrote.

“Last year, as part of the zerotolerance policy implemented to slow the migration of people to our country and deny them the right to seek the protection of asylum, we saw heartbreaking scenes of children being ripped away from their parents,” they continued. “This year, many are forced to remain in Mexico as they risk dangers on the border to await their uncertain future. Those who are able to cross the border are put in facilities with reported conditions that are substandard for a facility run by the United States government.”

Congress and the administration must find a solution that encompasses comprehensive immigration that includes immediate humanitarian relief, they said.

“We recognize the right of nations to control their borders and provide safety for citizens. We also believe that, in the best of our nation’s traditions, it is within our capability as a nation to honor the humanity and basic needs of migrants in a way that does not compromise our nation’s security,” they said.

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JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION/WORLD

11

Archbishop Sheen’s sainthood cause is reopened

By Tom Dermody Catholic News Service

P

EORIA, Ill. (CNS) — As a small group of witnesses silently looked on, the mortal remains of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen were interred at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria late in the afternoon of June 27, completing a transfer from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York that began early that morning.

Peoria Bishop Daniel R. Jenky was among those present as the casket arrived by hearse at the cathedral where Archbishop Sheen was ordained a priest nearly a century ago.

The bishop blessed with holy water a container holding the casket as it was carried up the cathedral steps by nine seminarians and again after it was placed in a new tomb at a side altar dedicated to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Earlier in the day, Bishop Jenky announced that the sainthood cause for the famed preacher, media pioneer, author and missionary had resumed after being suspended for five years pending the resolution of a legal dispute over the location of Archbishop Sheen’s remains.

The Peoria Diocese opened Archbishop Sheen’s cause for canonization in 2002. His heroic virtue and life of sanctity were recognized in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, who granted him the title “Venerable.”

Since his death Dec. 9, 1979, at age 84, Archbishop Sheen had been interred in a basement crypt under the main altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Diocese of Peoria officials are hopeful that Pope Francis will soon receive evidence of an alleged miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession.

Already approved by medical experts and theological advisers to the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes, it involves the healing in 2010 of a newborn infant who was without vital signs for more than 60 minutes.

Authentication of the miracle by

CNS PHOTO/JENNIFER WILLEMS, THE CATHOLIC POST

Seminarians of the Diocese of Peoria, Ill., carry the container with the remains of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen from the hearse to the steps of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria June 27. Archbishop Sheen’s remains were transferred from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City to the Peoria cathedral.

Pope Francis could then lead him to call for Archbishop Sheen’s beatification.

Bishop Jenky encouraged prayers for Archbishop Sheen’s cause and expressed the hope that a beatification ceremony could be scheduled in Peoria during the 100th anniversary year of Archbishop Sheen’s priestly ordination. Archbishop Sheen was ordained Sept. 20, 1919.

Present at both the disinterment of her uncle’s remains in New York and their arrival at the cathedral in Peoria was Joan Sheen Cunningham, Archbishop Sheen’s closest living relative who petitioned the New York court system for the transfer in 2016.

Efforts by the New York Archdiocese and the trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to block the transfer ended when the New York Court of Appeals rejected their final appeal June 7. The archdiocese has since cooperated with

the Diocese of Peoria in ensuring the transfer followed both civil law and church law.

Among the church law requirements was that the transfer be done without any solemnity. It was not publicized in advance, and no liturgical ceremony or public gathering took place during the transfer. However, after the diocesan interment Bishop Jenky led the small group of priests, women religious and officials present in a song to Mary.

“Let us conclude as I know Fulton Sheen would want us to,” said Bishop Jenky as he began to sing the “Salve Regina.”

“I thought everything done here was perfect, just perfect,” Cunningham said afterward. “Very reverent. I know my uncle would like it, and I’m sure he’s sleeping very peacefully.”

While Cunningham and her son, Paul — who also was present — both

live in New York, she noted Archbishop Sheen “has a tremendous amount of family” in his native Peoria area who are pleased at the return of his remains and the effort the Diocese of Peoria has made to that end.

While the events surrounding the transfer were kept private and discreet, the public was invited to visit the tomb starting June 28.

Patricia Gibson, chancellor of the Diocese of Peoria, was the official witness of the disinterment and transfer of the remains.

After working for 18 years with Bishop Jenky on the archbishop’s cause, “it was a great privilege and honor to be present and witness the transfer of Archbishop Sheen’s remains to his home cathedral in Peoria where he served Mass as a youth and was ordained a priest 100 years ago,” Gibson said in a statement.

Pope gives relics of St. Peter to Orthodox patriarch

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — In what Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople described as a “brave and bold” gesture, Pope Francis gave the patriarch a famous reliquary containing bone fragments believed to belong to St. Peter.

The only time the bronze reliquary has been displayed publicly was in November 2013, when Pope Francis had it present for public veneration as he celebrated the closing Mass for the Year of Faith, opened by Pope Benedict XVI. The bronze case contains nine of the bone fragments discovered during excavations of the necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica that began in the 1940s.

In the 1960s, archaeologist Margherita Guarducci published a paper asserting that she had found St. Peter’s bones near the site identified as his tomb.

While no pope has ever declared the bones to be authentic, St. Paul VI announced in 1968 that the “relics” of St. Peter had been “identified in a way which we can hold to be convincing.”

Pope Paul took nine of the bone

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople prays before a reliquary containing bone shards that are believed to belong to St. Peter June 30, 2019, in Istanbul, Turkey. Pope Francis gave the reliquary, commissioned by St. Paul VI, to the patriarch. fragments, commissioned the bronze reliquary, and kept the relics in his private chapel in the papal apartments.

Pope Francis removed them from the chapel June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Patriarch Bartholomew had sent a delegation led by Archbishop Job of Telmessos to the Vatican for the feast day celebrations. After the solemn Mass, Pope Francis and Archbishop Job went down to St. Peter’s tomb

under the high altar to pray.

Then, the archbishop recounted, Pope Francis asked him to wait for him because he had a gift for his “brother” Patriarch Bartholomew. The pope came back and led the archbishop to his little blue Ford Focus and they were driven to the Apostolic Palace.

They entered the chapel of the old papal apartment, where Pope Francis chose not to live, and “the pope took the reliquary that his predecessor Paul VI had placed in the little chapel and offered it to his guest,” according to Vatican News.

“For us, this was an extraordinary and unexpected event that we could not have hoped for,” Vatican News quoted the archbishop as saying.

At a ceremony June 30 to receive the relics and venerate them, Patriarch Bartholomew said, “Pope Francis made this grand, fraternal and historic gesture” of giving the Orthodox fragments of the relics of St. Peter.

“I was deeply moved,” the patriarch said, according to the news published on the patriarchate’s Facebook page along with 15 photos. “It was a brave and bold initiative of Pope Francis.”

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans.

Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: Assisted Transportation.com. EEO. Music teacher - Sacred Heart School in Ottawa has a part-time music teacher position open for the 2019-20 school year. If interested, please contact Lisa Blaes at: lblaes@sacredheartottawa.eduk12.net.

Holy Spirit extended day care position - Do you enjoy spending time with children? Holy Spirit Catholic School is seeking an enthusiastic person to be the group leader in our after-school care program. This well-established program runs from 3-5:45 p.m. each school day. We are looking for a responsible, organized and creative person.

Applicant should have knowledge of child development and be able to implement age-appropriate activities. The ability to communicate clearly with children, colleagues and parents is most important in order to foster positive relationships. Applicant must attend a Virtus training and be at least 18 years old. If you are interested, contact Eileen Colling at (913) 492-2582 or online at: ecolling@ hscatholic.org for more information.

Archdiocesan legal counsel - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a qualified attorney to serve as general counsel for the archdiocese. Applicants must hold a license to practice law in the state of Kansas. The ideal applicant would be an experienced attorney with employment, real estate/construction, education and general practice preferred. Some knowledge of canon law would also be helpful. The archdiocese will entertain options with the successful applicant for serving either as in-house general counsel with salary, benefits and office space provided or to be contracted as an outside general counsel. Interested individuals should submit a resume with a thorough professional work history, as well as other professional experience, to the office of human resources at: jobs@archkck.org.

Early childhood position - Wonderful opportunity for adults interested in working with young children. Catholic preschool seeks caring individuals to work with children in our infant - 3-year-olds preschool classes.

Positions are full time. Great working conditions and immediate benefits. Call Patricia at (913) 248-4588 to inquire and set up interview.

Part-time positions - St. Joseph Early Education is looking to fill part-time positions of 15-20 hours per weekly, M-F. No weekends, no nights. Fun atmosphere with infants, toddlers and preschool-age children. Like fulltime? Ask about availability. Call Patricia at (913) 2484588 for more information.

Caregivers - Daughters & Company is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to ambulatory seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide light housekeeping/ light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. A CNA background is helpful, though not mandatory. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Pat or Murray at (913) 341-2500, or contact Gary at (913) 787-4123 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Toddler/preschool teachers - Little Saint/Saint Thomas Aquinas is seeking toddler/preschool teachers beginning in August. Full- or part-time positions available.

Approximate hours are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. If interested, call Jeanne at (913) 940-4781.

Database assistant - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas has an immediate opening for a database assistant. This role will successfully promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as guided by Catholic social teachings and provide strategic database support while overseeing more than 95,000 records. This position requires a high level of strategic thinking and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. The majority of time will be spent entering and acknowledging gifts and its customer records management system (CRM). For more information, visit the website at: catholiccharitiesks.org.

Music teacher - Holy Rosary Wea School is seeking a music teacher for the 2019-20 school year. Interested applicants should apply at: www.archkckcs.org and should email a resume to: info@qhrwea.org.

STREAM teacher - St. Ann in Prairie Village is seeking a full-time kindergarten through eighth-grade STREAM teacher for the 2019-20 school year. The STREAM teacher will be responsible for collaborating with classroom teachers to design lessons, provide professional development and create an engaging STREAM experience that actively engages and motivates students. Experience with STREAM, classroom teaching and professional development is preferred. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application process online at: www.archkckcs.org and email a resume to principal Liz Minks at: lminks@stannpv.org.

Social science teacher - St. Patrick School is seeking a social science teacher (grades 5 - 8) for the 2019-20 school year. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application process at: www.archkckcs.org. For more information, contact Tim Conrad at: tconrad@ stpatrickkck.eduk12.net.

Parish development consultant - Do you have sales experience? Are you well-networked in the local community? J.S. Paluch, a national publisher of church bulletins, has a full-time position to sell advertising space and service parishes. Base salary plus generous commission.

BC/BS health insurance, plus other competitive benefits.

Send resume by email to: Recruiting@jspaluch.com.

Music teacher - St. Patrick School is seeking a music teacher for grades K - 8 for the 2019-20 school year.

Interested applicants should complete the teacher application process at: www.archkckcs.org. For more information, contact Tim Conrad at: tconrad@stpatrickkck. eduk12.net.

Sixth-grade teacher - St. Ann in Prairie Village is seeking a sixth-grade teacher for the 2019-20 school year.

In addition to having a sixth-grade homeroom, this teacher will be responsible for teaching both fifth- and sixth-grade social studies as well as sixth-grade reading. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application online at: www.archkckcs.org and email a resume to principal Liz Minks at: lminks@stannpv.org.

Community assistants - L’Arche Heartland of Overland Park serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in day program support services and in residential services. We are seeking assistants who are looking for a unique opportunity in a faith-based organization. We are in immediate need of day service assistants to work in our day program serving 30 adults.

We have a recycling program and community activities.

Our core members participate in distributing for Meals on Wheels and Rise Against Hunger. They also attend community events such as the library, movies, bowling and going to parks. We also have a need for live-in and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.

Board members - Santa Marta, Johnson County’s premier life care community sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is actively seeking board members for the term beginning January 2020. The board meets during the business day six times a year, and each board member also serves on a committee that meets six to 12 times a year. We are seeking applicants who have experience serving on a not-for-profit board, have a concern for our senior citizens and who have a background in health care, business management, law, finance, etc., to serve a four-year term with the option to extend for a second four-year term. Those who wish to be considered for appointment to the board are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, resume or details of relevant experience, and home parish to Heidi Abeln at: habeln@santamartaretirement.com by July 31. Include your phone number and mailing address. If you have any questions, Heidi can be reached at (913) 323-7106. Additional information about Santa Marta can be viewed at: www.santamartaretirement.com.

Director of religious education - Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka is seeking a full-time director of religious education who is passionate about catechesis and the new evangelization. Primary responsibilities involve the coordination, promotion and implementation of youth and adult religious education; sacramental preparation; and RCIA for the parish. There will be both day and evening working hours required, as well as occasional weekend hours. This person must be a faith-filled Catholic in good standing with the church; have excellent communication skills; good computer skills; and be highly organized. Send a resume and cover letter to Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish Search Committee, 1800 SW Stone Ave, Topeka, KS 66604 or to: parish@mphm.com by July 8.

Youth minister - St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood is seeking a youth minister. As a member of the Christian formation and evangelization (CF&E) department, our youth ministers are the pastor’s delegates responsible for the planning, organization and implementation of evangelization and formation of the middle school and high school youth of the parish. The successful candidate for this position must manage the financial resources and volunteers available to them to create new and maintain existing programs to form in each youth a missionary disciple. The ideal candidate will have an active spiritual life, be willing to share with others and be able to adapt their spirituality to meet the youth where they are in their faith journey. This is a permanent, full-time position and includes the archdiocesan benefits package. Salary will be commensurate with experience. For more information and a complete job description, go online to: www.stmichaelcp.org and click on “Our Parish/Employment Opportunities.”

Extended care aide: Nativity Day School in Leawood is seeking an extended care aide. Responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with the supervision and care of students. Will assist with homework, snack and playtime. A perfect job for a high school or college student.

Must be at least 16 years of age. The hours are 3:10 - 5:30 p.m., M-F during the upcoming school year. Contact Jami Huderski by email at: jami.huderski@kcnativity.org, or call (913) 338-4330, ext. 1609.

Director of development and marketing - Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral is seeking a talented and ambitious individual to serve as its director of development and marketing. This is a part-time position in which the director reports to the principal and works in collaboration with the board of trustees.

Responsibilities for this position include overseeing and growing two annual established fundraisers; grant writing; maintaining and expanding individual and business donor relationships to include a planned gifts strategy; and developing and executing a school marketing and social media plan. The ideal candidate will have for-profit and not-for-profit experience. A track record of sales and marketing success is preferred. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume to Lynda Higgins at: Lhiggins@rcskck.org.​ Music director - Mother Teresa Parish in Topeka is seeking a part-time music director. Duties and responsibilities include: coordinating repertoire for all liturgies with the pastor; coordinate the purchase, maintenance and distribution of liturgical music resources, music licenses and instruments; recruit, train and supervise choir members and other musicians for all liturgies; direct rehearsals and provide on-going training for cantors, ensembles and individual musicians; prepare music ministry schedules and budget; attend meetings relevant to the position; and other duties as needed. Position qualifications: high degree of proficiency with a principal instrument capable of providing musical leadership during liturgies, preferably keyboard or piano; ability to lead and train musicians in music theory and application; general knowledge of Microsoft Office and general office equipment needed to complete job tasks; active member of the Catholic Church. Submit resume to: Mother Teresa Catholic Church, Attn: Mary, 2014 N.W. 46th St., Topeka, KS 66618.

Lead preschool teacher - St. Patrick Early Education Center in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking a lead preschool teacher. Responsibilities include: planning lessons; preparing a classroom; assessing student performance; infusing spiritual activities into lessons; and supervising up to 12 students Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., August May. The lead teacher must also attend all staff meetings and communicate with parents on each student’s progress.

The applicant must be a practicing Catholic; have prior early childhood teaching experience; be able to meet KDHE state requirements; and have an AA, BA, or BS degree in early education, early childhood or related field. Interested individuals should send a resume to: Jobs@stpatrickkck.eduk12.net. For a complete job description, send an email to Patty Dickinson at: pdickinson@stpatrickkck.eduk12.net. The application deadline is July 12.

Aftercare lead teacher - St. Patrick Early Education Center in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking an aftercare lead teacher. Responsibilities include: planning lessons; preparing a classroom; assessing student performance; and infusing spiritual activities into lessons. The teacher will supervise up to 12 students Monday - Friday from 3 - 6 p.m., August - May. The lead teacher will also need to attend other school functions and events as necessary. The applicant must be a practicing Catholic; have prior early childhood teaching experience; be able to meet KDHE state requirements; and have prior experience working with young children in a child care setting.

Interested individuals should send a resume to: Jobs@ stpatrickkck.eduk12.net. For a complete job description, contact Patty Dickinson at: pdickinson@stpatrickkkck. eduk12.net. The application deadline is July 12.

School nurse - St. Ann School in Prairie Village is seeking a full-time school nurse for the 2019-20 school year.

The applicant needs to be a registered nurse with basic life support training and hold current Kansas license.

Interested applicants should email a resume and cover letter to principal Liz Minks at: lminks@stannpv.org.

Assistant beginning preschool teacher - Nativity Day School in Leawood is seeking an assistant beginning preschool teacher. Responsibilities include: engaging children in activities and play that stimulate their development; assist them with activities of daily life; appropriately supervise children while keeping them safe at all times; and work in collaboration with the classroom lead teacher. Competitive salary. The hours are M-F from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Qualified candidates will have previous licensed day care experience. Contact Jami Huderski by email at: jami.huderski@kcnativity.org, or call (913) 3384330 ext. 1609.

Communications director - The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) are currently seeking a communications director. This position is responsible for maintaining and coordinating a comprehensive communications program to support the mission, philosophy and positive image of the SCLs and facilitate the flow of information within the organization and to its various publics. The successful candidate will possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or similar field and at least five years’ experience in a lead communications role. This position requires proficiency working in a Windows environment, desktop publishing and website content management. Awareness of the unique role of a religious community, coupled with some knowledge of the SCL mission, and understanding of the culture of Catholicism are preferred. If you possess the desired qualifications and would like to work for a truly wonderful and outstanding religious community, please email a cover letter with salary requirements and your resume to: recruiting@scls.org.

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RCIA teacher - St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood is seeking an RCIA teacher. As a member of the Christian formation and evangelization (CF&E) department, this position will work under and with the director of CF&E to organize a calendar, obtain materials for the year and journey through all phases of the RCIA year. The successful candidate for this position must be organized, detailed and prepared to meet people from various backgrounds where they are. This person must present the Catholic faith with clarity. The ideal candidate should have an active spiritual life they are willing to share with others. This is a year-round, part-time position. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

For additional details and a complete job description, go to: www.stmichaelcp.org and click on “Our Parish/ Employment Opportunities.”

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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 be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.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!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 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.

Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patio’s) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913)927-4118.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace amped, 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.

Sheetrock repaired - We can repair your ceilings and walls and can retexture with popcorn or knockdown ceilings. We can repaint old yellowed ceiling. Interior painting for 24 years with no mess!! Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

Popcorn ceiling removal - Renew your ceiling and walls with a fresh coat of paint. Replace drywall or plaster repaired with no mess!! 25 years experience. Call anytime.

Jerry (913) 206-1144.

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.

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) 579-1835.

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs.

Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured.

Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

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>> Classifieds continue on page 15

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR PRAYER AND FASTING RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton July 12 - 14

The retreat begins on July 12 at 6 p.m. and ends on July 14. There will be perpetual adoration (sign up for slots, especially at night), prayer from the Divine Office, the rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet and silent prayer. Fasting will consist of bread and water. The cost is $150 for individuals; $225 for couples; and $80 for those who choose the small rooms.

To register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@christspeace.com.

LOOK TO THE SAINTS AND ANGELS FOR INSPIRATION Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison July 17 from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This workshop offers an opportunity to explore a meditative form of prayer through the making of sacred art. Participants will create a small illuminated painting to take home. A donation of $50 includes materials and lunch.

Register by July 7. Register online at: sophia@ mountosb.org or by calling (913) 360-6173.

This program is for children ages 6 - 14 years of age with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed. The fee is $40 per child. The registration deadline is July 8. For more information, contact the office of special needs by email at: tracunas@archkck.org or call (913) 647-7487. To register, go online to: www.archkck.org/specialneeds.

What’s next after divorce/annulment? Join us for a formation series on the gift of self, which helps us fulfill the call to love again. Various topics will be discussed. Visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/giftofself143 or send an email to: called tolove143@gmail.com.

Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus will host bingo. There will be cash prizes, and concessions will be sold. For more information, call (913) 850-3348.

SACRED HEART CHURCH PICNIC Sacred Heart Parish 357 3rd St., Baileyville July 13 at 5 p.m. (Mass at 4 p.m.)

CARD PARTY AND LUNCHEON Holy Cross Parish 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park July 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Roast beef and ham dinners will be served.

The cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children under 10. Takeout meals are available. There will be fun and games for everyone. The auction will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Come shop early for great Christmas gifts.

There will be craft and direct sales vendors.

If you would like more information or are interested in having a booth, contact Melissa at (785) 272-2999 or send an email to: Ctkeec.melissa@gmail.com.

TOTUS TUUS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS St. Joseph Parish 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee July 22 - 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

DIVORCED: CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN Church of the Ascension (St. Luke Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park 2nd and 4th Sundays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

BINGO NIGHT Sacred Heart Parish 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas July 13 at 7 p.m.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY CRAFT AND VENDOR SHOW Christ the King School (gym) 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka July 13 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

‘SPIRITUAL ENERGY’ Church of the Nativity 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood July 20 at 8:15 a.m. (Mass) 9:15 a.m. (meeting)

St. Benedict Circle is hosting the card (or game of your choice) party. The cost to attend is $12. Men are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, call LuAnn at (913) 888-5534 or Judy at (913) 732-2435.

Come reflect on and share the topic of “Spiritual Energy” in the tradition of Salesian spirituality with the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales after Mass in the Magi Room. To attend, send an email to Ruth Owens at: rowens4853@ gmail.com. For additional information, visit the website at: www.sfdsassociation.org.

A chicken/ham dinner will be served family style. The cost is: $10 for adults; $5 for ages 4 - 10; and free for kids 3 and under. There will be chances to win a quilt and other donated prizes, a cakewalk, bingo, card games, a ring toss and much more. There will also be a lunch stand with grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and more.

Enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and all the fixings. The cost is: $6 for adults; $3 for kids 6 - 12; and kids 5 and under eat for free.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING COURSE Overland Park July 21 at 2 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged and online registration is required at: www. live-the-love.org. Send an email to Alison or Allen Greenlief at: aagreenlief@gmail.com for more information, including the availability of self-paced, online classes.

Immaculée Ilibagiza is a Rwandan genocide survivor who speaks to groups about her faith saving her while hiding from killers outside her home. The cost for tickets is $57. To register, go online to: www.immaculee.com and type “Retreat in Topeka, Kansas” in the search box.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING COURSE Topeka July 27 at 4 p.m.

MATTHEW KELLY’S ‘PASSION AND PURPOSE’ EVENT Holy Spirit Parish 1800 S.W. 150 Hwy., Lee’s Summit, Missouri Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.

There will be a memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones followed by a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Looking at Grief Through Verse.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

CHURCH PICNIC St. Augustine Parish, Fidelity 1948 Acorn Rd., Sabetha July 21 at 4:30 p.m.

IMMACULÉE ILIBAGIZA Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka Aug. 23 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged and online registration is required at: www.ccli. org. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 for more information, including the class location and the availability of selfpaced, online classes. Learn more about this NFP class offered by the Couple to Couple League at: nfptopeka.blogspot.com.

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Parish 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood July 20 at 8 a.m.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST Divine Mercy Parish (Christian Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner July 14 from 8 - 10 a.m.

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Dynamic Catholic will present Matthew Kelly’s “Passion and Purpose” event. Tickets can be purchased at: DynamicCatholic.com/ KansasCity or by calling (859) 980-7900.

MARIAN PRAYER GROUP SPEAKER Sacred Heart Church 312 N.E. Freeman, Topeka July 24 at 6:30 p.m.

The Marian prayer group will host a special guest speaker at its July meeting. Steve Faulkner, a child of Protestant missionaries, recently appeared on EWTN to tell the story of his journey to the Catholic faith. He has also written two books on Catholic missionary priests.

‘SUMMER SIPS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS’ Boulevard Brewery 2534 Madison Ave., Kansas City, Missouri July 28 from 5 - 8 p.m.

This is a benefit for the students at Resurrection School. Tickets are $50 per person and includes appetizers, beer, wine and a souvenir pint glass. Tickets on sale at: www. rcskck.org or mail your check to: 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, KS 66102.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Keeler Women’s Center 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Caring for a loved one is very difficult, and support helps. Join others in similar situations. There is no charge to attend. Donations are welcome. For more information go online to: www.keelerwomenscenter.org.

THURSDAY EVENING PRAYER Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Enliven your faith and grow in your relationship with the Lord as you pray with the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel. Come early and discover the beauty and tranquility of our grounds. For more information, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@christs peace.com.

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

JULY 5 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY FOURTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME July 7 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 66: 10-14c Ps 66: 1-7, 16, 20 Gal 6: 14-18 Lk 10: 1-12, 17-20 July 8 Monday Gn 28: 10-22a Ps 91: 1-4, 14-15ab Mt 9: 18-26 July 9 Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and companions, martyrs Gn 32: 23-33 Ps 17: 1b-3, 6-7, 8b, 15 Mt 9: 32-38 July 10 Wednesday Gn 41: 55-57; 42: 5-7a, 17-24a Ps 33: 2-3, 10-11, 18-19 Mt 10: 1-7 July 11 Benedict, abbot Gn 44: 18-21, 23b-29; 45: 1-5 Ps 105: 16-21 Mt 10: 7-15 July 12 Friday Gn 46: 1-7, 28-30 Ps 37: 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40 Mt 10: 16-23 July 13 Henry Gn 49: 29-32; 50: 15-26a Ps 105: 1-4, 6-7 Mt 10: 24-33 FIFTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME July 14 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dt 30: 10-14 Ps 69: 14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37 Ps 19: 8-11 Col 1: 15-20 Lk 10: 25-37 July 15 Bonaventure, bishop, doctor of the church Ex 1: 8-14, 22 Ps 124: 1b-8 Mt 10: 34 – 11: 1 July 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ex 2: 1-15a Ps 69: 3, 14, 30-31, 33-34 Mt 11: 20-24 July 17 Wednesday Ex 3: 1-6, 9-12 Ps 103: 1b-4, 6-7 Mt 11: 25-27 July 18 Camillus de Lellis, priest Ex 3: 13-20 Ps 105: 1, 5, 8-9, 24-27 Mt 11: 28-30 July 19 Friday Ex 11:10 – 12:14 Ps 116: 12-13, 15-18 Mt 12: 1-8 July 20 Apollinaris, bishop, martyr Ex 12: 37-42 Ps 136: 1, 23-24, 10-15 Mt 12: 14-21

I

have a confession to make: I have a girlfriend.

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I can’t describe how much joy it brings me to see her and bask in her enthusiastic and undivided attention.

One of the popular buzz phrases now is: Does it spark joy? That question is asked by the bubbly Japanese organizer and TV personality

T

Let’s make these sparks fly MARK MY WORDS

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.

Marie Kondo in her book “Spark Joy.” In helping people to “tidy up” their homes, she encourages her clients to hold each possession — one at a time — in both hands and “pay close attention to how your body responds when you do this. When something sparks joy, you should feel a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising. . . .

Keep only those things that bring you joy.”

I don’t know about

you, but I think that the world could use a good spark of joy. It’s sad that we haven’t changed much since the days of St. Paul, who warned in last Sunday’s second reading: “But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another” (Gal 5:15).

But how do we go about sparking joy? Although Marie Kondo is onto something regarding our possessions, I wouldn’t start there.

Instead, I’d suggest we look for ways to spark joy in our dayto-day living, starting with our own heart.

Venita Hampton Wright, in “Simple Acts of Moving Forward: 60

Suggestions for Getting Unstuck,” devotes the last section of her book to joy.

Her suggestions are wonderful ways to free ourselves from the muck of hopelessness, division and nastiness and move forward into a life of joyfulness, compassion and gratitude.

Here are some of her recommendations for rediscovering joy: • Sing a song. Don’t just listen to music, belt out a song and, even better, dance along with it.

• Celebrate yourself when you’ve done a great job at something.

Raise a toast to a job well done.

• Play in the dirt. Do some gardening, sit on the grass in a park or take a nature hike.

Reconnect with the ground you walk upon and rely on.

• Enjoy some tasty, good food. Forget about the calories for this one meal.

• Laugh out loud. If you need a start, search YouTube for “guy with homemade firework.”

Lastly, find joy in your faith. All too often

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our experience mirrors that of this little story: One Sunday morning, little Alex stared at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of his parish. The 7-year-old had been gazing at it for some time, so Father McGhee walked up, stood beside the boy and said, “Good morning, Alex.”

“Good morning, Father,” the kid replied, and, focusing on the plaque, asked, “What is this?”

“Well, all of these people have died in the service,” said the priest.

After standing together quietly for some time, Alex whispered, “Which service? The 8 or 10:30?” (Adapted from “1001 Illustrations That Connect,” edited

by Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof) If your recent experiences of prayer or faith have been a little deadly, I’d love to give you some hints on how to rediscover joy there.

Unfortunately, I don’t have time now, because I hear my girl Zelda calling!

From destruction can arise a glorious rebirth

he Old City of Jerusalem looks incredibly exotic and ancient. A stone wall surrounds it.

Merchants hawk their wares in its colorful bazaar.

It helps us to imagine Jerusalem as it was when Jesus walked its streets. But it is not the same. That city was demolished when the Romans squelched the Jewish Revolt in the year 70. The current city was built centuries later on its ruins.

And even the city that Jesus knew was not the original. An earlier city had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. The Jerusalem that Jesus knew had been built on its ruins.

The history of Jerusalem tells a story of

IN THE BEGINNING

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

repeated instances of destruction and rebirth.

Sunday’s first reading, Is 66:10-14c, speaks appropriately to this experience.

POPE FRANCIS

The reading refers to the sorrow of the city’s inhabitants at its destruction at the hands of the Babylonians: “All you who were mourning over her!”

Instead, the reading encourages the city’s inhabitants to look to its rebirth: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her.”

The economy will

Catholic doctors have a mission to show God’s compassionate love to those who are suffering and to defend life at all stages, Pope Francis said.

While progress has been made in treating patients, medical professionals always must “remember that healing means respecting the gift of life from the beginning to the end,” the pope said June 22 during a meeting with members of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.

“We are not the owners: Life is entrusted to us,

boom, because God “will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.”

The increased income of its inhabitants will lead to their improved health, so that their bodies shall “flourish like the grass.” (In our modern idiom, we would say that they would grow like weeds.)

Following a common conceit, the reading personifies the city of Jerusalem as a woman.

Its inhabitants are her children. As such, the reading offers them the wish: “That you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!”

The destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. and hopes for its rebirth

inspired this reading.

But subsequent devastations of the city have made its words applicable to following generations as well.

Those words testify to a loving God who cares for us, no matter what might happen.

Faith in that God enabled the inhabitants of Jerusalem to look beyond their trials to a better day. Inhabitants of cities other than Jerusalem that have suffered destruction can also relate to the reading’s promises.

Think of cities in war-torn countries. In fact, those who have experienced destruction in many other ways — a wrecked marriage, health destroyed by disease, financial ruin — can similarly find hope in these words.

and doctors are its servants,” he said. “Your mission is at the same time a witness of humanity, a privileged way of making people see, of making them feel that God our father takes care of every single person, without distinction.”

Members of the association were in Rome to celebrate the organization’s consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Noting that the first Christian communities presented Jesus as a physician, the pope said that Christ’s primary mission was to be close to the sick and the suffering, especially those “who were despised and marginalized” because of their conditions.

— CNS

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Father Haverland honored by Benedictine

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TCHISON — Benedictine College here announced that Father Nathan Haverland, pastor at St. Gregory Parish in Marysville, is the Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient for 2019.

The award recognizes alumni who are under 35 years old, have distinguished themselves in their community and profession, and who support the values promoted at Benedictine College.

“Benedictine College didn’t just change my life, it defined who I would become,” Father Haverland said. “It showed me how to greet everyone as Christ and live in work and prayer.”

“I kind of took my first leap of faith going to this small, Catholic college that I didn’t know anything about,” he continued. “I knew nothing about the church, knew nothing about the college, didn’t know a single soul there.”

Harold and Deidre (Swoboda) Michael, members of St. Stanislaus Parish, Rossville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception on July 14 in Dekat Hall, hosted by daughter Megan Walters.

The couple was married on July 19, 1969, by Father Raymond Davern at the Church of the Assumption in Topeka.

George and Susan (Kladuson) Young, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 14 with a party for family and friends at the Grand Street Cafe hosted by their children.

The couple was married on July 5, 1969, at St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas, by Msgr. John Horvat. Their children are Kerri Elstun and Cole Young. They have one grandson.

Debbie (Murawski) and Danny Hupp, members of Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 21. The couple was married on June 21, 1969, at St. Joseph Church, Leavenworth by Father Valentine Boyle. Their children are: Danny Jr., Christina and Carmen. They also have 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Father Nathan Haverland accepts the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for 2019 from Benedictine College president Steve Minnis.

He was baptized at Benedictine College as a junior. He graduated in 2005 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2013. He offered his first Mass after ordination at St. Benedict Church, Atchison.

Eugene and Marietta (Holthaus) Dalinghaus, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Baileyville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 6 with their family.

The couple was married on July 5, 1969, at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville. Their children are: Tracy Broxterman, Randy Dalinghaus, Dan Dalinghaus and Lisa Holthaus. They also have 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mark and Peggy Ernzen, members of Holy Angels Parish, B a s e h o r, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 12.

The couple was married on July 12, 1969, at Sacred Heart Church, Leavenworth.

Their children are: Jason, Justin, Chad and Jared. They also have 12 grandchildren.

Paulette (Dohrman) and John Simecka, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Marys, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 11.

The couple was married on July 11, 1969, at Immaculate Conception.

Their children are: Jason Simecka, Topeka; and Julie Biswell, Rossville. They also have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They will celebrate with a family dinner after returning from an Alaskan cruise.

JULY 5, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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A MOMENT TO BREATHE

Special-needs ministry offers support, respite to caregivers

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

Want to volunteer?

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ONGANOXIE — Mindy and Blake Fortune get a chance to BREATHE once a month — literally and figuratively. The Olathe couple, who are members of Sacred Heart Parish here, look forward to a visit from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas-sponsored respite program, known as BREATHE, each month.

An acronym for Bessette Respite Embracing Action Toward Holy Encounters, BREATHE gives families raising children with special needs a night off from the demands of caring for their physical and intellectual disabilities.

The Fortunes have three children with autism — twin 9-year-old sons and a 7-year-old daughter. Ranging from severe for the boys to high functioning for their daughter, Mindy says it can be difficult to take all three to the grocery story, eat out or do other activities other families take for granted.

“The boys are nonverbal and require a lot more self-care, although they have come a long way. It is unbelievably difficult raising one child with autism, so when you have three children on the spectrum, life can be unbearable,” said Mindy. ”We are blessed to have family support, as well as friends that help us,” she continued. “However, there are times where family and friends are not available, or we don’t want to burn them out.

“Having a guaranteed one night per month that we know we will get a fourhour break is priceless.”

Always in search of a respite program for their family, the Fortunes discovered BREATHE and began sending their children to it a little more than a year ago. Most programs of this nature are offered through other faiths.

The archdiocese started BREATHE in 2017. It’s held at Holy Cross School in Overland Park from 4 to 8 p.m. on a Saturday once a month. The remainder of this year’s schedule can be found on the archdiocesan website at: archkck. org/specialneeds.

“BREATHE is the first we have found that is in our own faith. To have this available in the Catholic Church is priceless,” Mindy said.

Tom Racunas, the lead consultant for the archdiocese’s special-needs ministry, said BREATHE is designed to give parents a break from caregiving in a Catholic environment. Specifically, BREATHE was launched in response to a request from Catholic families who told Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann that one of the things they wanted most from a special-needs ministry was a respite care program — particularly a Catholic program.

“We send an evaluation form after most BREATHE events and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Racunas said. “Families have told us in a number of ways that they trust us and know their child will be wellcared for and that they will have had a good time.”

Each BREATHE night includes dinner (and grace before the meal), a prayer service that includes a Scripture reading, petitions and songs. For Mindy,

BREATHE needs additional volunteers. Just four hours a month provides tremendous relief to parents in need. To find out more, go online to: www.archkck.org/specialneeds and click on the link to register.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OFFICE

Amanda Hogan, center, a BREATHE supervisor, talks with Lori Gonterwitz and Max Rirard before a BREATHE-sponsored dinner and prayer service.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OFFICE

Matthew Deggendorf, a BREATHE volunteer, spends some time on the playground with Jacob Sparks. BREATHE events are held once a month at Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park.

“

“SINCE WE STARTED BREATHE, WE ACTUALLY GO OUT ONCE A MONTH AND TOTALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESPITE, THE QUIET, AND THE CHANCE TO RECHARGE.” it’s a dream come true.

“Tom and I had a conversation after the first night attending BREATHE,” she said, “and he said, ‘Now we can get the kids started on their sacraments.’”

“I started to cry,” added Mindy, “because I never thought it would be possible because of their disabilities. It has opened up a new window of possibilities for my kids. And for that, we are extremely grateful.”

Nancy Tjaden, a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood, is mom to 16-year-old Luke. Luke has severe, low-functioning autism. She and her husband Greg rarely get a

night out together.

“Luke is pretty severe and has sporadic aggression, so we can’t really leave him alone with anyone,” Nancy said. “We do have helpers for Luke, but we don’t leave them alone with Luke.

“We have an older child, Harry, 17, and we take turns going to his events so that one of us can be with Luke all of the time.

“Since we started BREATHE, we actually go out once a month and totally look forward to the respite, the quiet and the chance to recharge.”

Even as the Tjadens are receiving this critical relief, they are taking no time giving back.

“Our older son volunteers to help at BREATHE for another child with special needs,” said Nancy.

BREATHE volunteers make all the difference in the world, according to Nancy and other families who send their children to the program.

“It was amazing to us how quickly the volunteers embraced Luke and knew how to handle him,” said Nancy.

“Luke smiles every time we pull into the parking lot.

“Usually, he does not want to be left anywhere.”

But BREATHE is different.

“He feels comfortable and always behaves well for the volunteers,” said Nancy. “I am not sure they can totally understand how awesome they are and how much this night once a month means to us and our marriage.”

Many volunteers are aware of the gift they are giving to families of children with special needs. Erin Hampel, a 38-year-old volunteer and member of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, said the feedback she gets from parents is “pure gratitude.” Hampel has been volunteering for almost two years.

At first, Hampel said, the experience was a little overwhelming.

However, she was quick to point out that Racunas and his support team provide excellent training before and after each event and have nurses on staff to address and help with medical needs.

The team also takes copious notes from parents during drop-off.

From there, it’s an evening of free play (outside or in), art projects, music therapy, dinner and the occasional special guest: including firefighters and Santa.

Shawnee brothers Ian and Mason Kelly regularly volunteer. They have a cousin who has special needs. And while volunteering began as a way to earn community service hours for school, the brothers continue to engage on a deeper level.

“The thing that keeps me coming back are the kids,” said 16-year-old Mason, a student at St. James Academy, Lenexa. “The kids are very fun to interact with and it also gives the kids’ parents free time. That just makes me feel good that I made someone’s day.”

“If I had to give someone advice about volunteering,” added Mason, “I would tell them to do it because it is fun and a very good opportunity to get experience with kids. It is a very impactful experience on you and the participants.”

Eighteen-year-old Ian, an incoming freshman at Kansas City Kansas Community College in the fall, echoed his brother’s sentiments.

“One piece of encouragement I would give to others is that BREATHE is all about fun and not about work,” Ian said.

Parents generally spend the monthly break catching up on errands or with one another at dinner. It does wonders for their relationship, but it does even more for their children.

“Luke has fun playing in the gym, having dinner, going to the sensory room, doing art projects and having prayer time,” said Nancy.

But mostly, he likes the people because they are so loving and accept Luke for who he is.

“They always treat him like he is,” she said, “a special guest — a star.”