07-18-08 Vol. 30 No. 2

NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS

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VOL. 30, NO. 2 JULY 18, 2008

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC Playing the pianos are: (left to right) Sister Peg Johnson; Sister Barbara Wieseler; Sister Dominique Long (directing); Sister Gloria Solomon; Sister Mary Vincentia Maronick (standing); and Sister Mary Depner.

Wrapping up their 150th jubilee celebration, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth put on a concert for the ages

STORY BY KARA HANSEN PHOTOS BY SUSAN MCSPADDEN

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EAVENWORTH — The Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth are wrapping up their yearlong 150th jubilee celebration with a bang.

A bang of piano keys, that is.

The 150th jubilee celebration was held July 46 at t he Sisters of Char ity mot herhouse in Leavenworth. The event, organized around the jubilee theme of “From Founding to Future,” was attended by over 400 invited guests, including Sisters, associates, family, and friends. Weekend activities included prayer, Mass, an arts and crafts exhibit, and several presentations.

See “Sisters” on page 16

LET’S DANCE

Sister Bonnie Bochle, SCL, performs a dance routine to the music of “Singing in the Rain.”

SPIRIT OF GIVING The Catholic community in Eskridge has

VIRTUAL PILGRIMS So you couldn’t make the trip to World

donated its church, which has been closed since 2004, to the Gateway to the Flint Hills Coalition PRIDE Boosters for use as a community center.

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Youth Day in Austrailia? Thanks to the online site, www.mycatholicvoice.com, you can practically be there by making a virtual pilgrimage.

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LOCAL NEWS

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ANNIVERSARIES Ruth (Willkomm) and Gary Ellis, members of St. Theresa Parish in Perry, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19 with a buffet reception for family and friends. They will receive a blessing on July 20 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The couple was married on July 19, 1958, at St. Theresa Parish, Perry, by Father John Quigley.

Their children and their spouses are: Theresa King and Jerry Bollig; Debbie and Danny Bolden; Kimberly and Scott Urie; Jay Ellis; Robert Ellis; and Joshua and Torrie Ellis. They also have seven grandchildren.

Bill and Ginny (Pierce) Chais, members of Ascension P a r i s h , Overland Park, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 5. The couple was married on July 5, 1958, at All Souls Church, Overland, Mo. They celebrated with a Mass and activities planned by their children.

Their children are: Bill Jr. (deceased), Jeanne, Joan, Patti, Steve and Ann. They also have 13 grandchildren.

David and Shirley (Seck) Orr, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Paola, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19. The couple was married on July 19, 1958, at Holy Trinity. They will receive a blessing at the 8 a.m. Mass on July 20, followed by an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity School, 601 E. Chippewa, Paola. The event will be hosted by their children and their spouses: Michael and JoyBeth Orr, Leawood; Mark and Lori Orr, Olathe; and Steve and Shirley Kohlenberg, Paola. They also have five grandchildren.

Sandy (Baker) and John Lilla, members of Holy S p i r i t Parish, Overland Park, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 9. The couple was married on July 9, 1958, at Broadway Methodist Church in Kansas City, Mo. Their children and their spouses are: Sharon Lilla Seaver and husband David, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; and John Baker Lilla and wife Deb, Lenexa. They also have three grandchildren.

THE LEAVEN • JULY 18, 2008

JULY 18, 2008

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SECOND FRONT PAGE

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A way to say, ‘Thank you, Father!’

By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Every priest appreciates a little thank-you now and then, but he might appreciate a gas card or a GPS system even more.

Fortunately, those are just two of the items that priests from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph might receive at the 18th annual Priests and Seminarians Appreciation Day, to be held on Sept. 15 at the Leawood South Country Club.

Corporate sponsors are Robert E. Miller Insurance Agency, Sioux Chief Manufacturing, and Don Kincaid.

“It’s a great event and a great way to say ‘thank you’ to our clergy,” said John Muehlberger, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee. He and his wife Joanie are serving as the archdiocese’s co-chairs of the event.

As in the past, the event will feature a morning and afternoon of golf. This year, however, it will also include poker and gin rummy tournaments for those who don’t play golf. A barbecue and awards dinner will follow.

“Our main function is to build a bridge between the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, for the laity and clergy participating in this event,” said Muehlberger.

“This is all to show appreciation for our priests who do so much for us,” said Robert E. Miller. “We owe them a lot.

This is their day.”

Last year approximately 400 people took part in the event, he said, and support and participation by parishioners from both sides of the state line are needed to make it a success again this year.

Individual golfers may play for $150, and card players for $50. The cost of sponsoring a priest or seminarian for golf is $150, or $50 for cards. Black suit sponsorships are $300, and priest gift pack sponsorships are $100, $250, or $500.

Event sponsorships are available as well. They range in cost from $300 for a fee/hole sponsorship to $7,500 for an event patron.

“The dinner is free for all sponsors,” said Miller.

Proceeds from the event will be shared equally between the two dioceses and a gift will be given to Conception Seminary, which educates seminarians from Kansas and Missouri, said Muehlberger. More than $100,000 in donations will be distributed at the benefit.

All priests in attendance at any portion of the event will receive gifts and be automatically entered in a drawing to win prizes of trips, clerical suits, or gift packs of items ranging from GPS systems to gas cards to MP3 players.

Seminarians will receive $250 cash.

For information on how to sponsor or register, call Shelly Kelly at (913) 5223352 or Bob Miller at (816) 665-3333.

Payment and registration information can be sent to: Bob Miller, 18th Annual Golf Classic, 118 W. 119th St., Kansas City, MO 64145.

Father John Riley, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in St. Marys, officially donated St. John Church in Eskridge to PRIDE.

Sandra Williams, chairperson of the Gateway to the Flint Hills Coalition PRIDE Boosters, a citizen-based approach to improving the quality of life in Kansas communities, received the keys to the church in Eskridge.

State Sen. Laura Kelly, of northern Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties, addresses those gathered for the donation ceremony.

IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE Catholic community in Eskridge gives its closed church to the community

By JAMES TAYLOR Special to The Leaven

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SKRIDGE — Generosity has been a hallmark of St. John Vianney Church here since its inception, and its official closing in 2004 hasn’t changed that.

On June 28, in fact, parishioners proved the charity of the Catholics of Eskridge larger than any building, and their living faith far from spent.

On that day at an open house held in the former St. John Vianney hall, Father John Riley, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in St. Marys, officially donated the church building for use by another organization as a community center.

Father Riley turned over possession of the church building — still officially owned by its parishioners — to Sandra Williams, chairperson of the Gateway to the Flint Hills Coalition PRIDE Boosters, or Coalition PRIDE, with a ceremonial handing over of the keys. The organization is part of the statewide PRIDE program — a citizen-based approach to improve the quality of life in Kansas communities — and coordinated by Kansas State University, Manhattan.

A lively Saturday morning crowd of former parishioners, townspeople and area guests was present for the presentation, some willing to talk about the bittersweet tone to the occasion.

“It is a glad and sad occasion for us,” said Benetta Foster, longtime parishioner and Eskridge resident, her gray eyes briefly filling

with tears. But she quickly mustered a smile and added that she hoped that turning it into a community center

would benefit all involved.

The sentiments she expressed — both pain at the loss of the church and plea-

sure at the new use it would be put to — were repeated many times throughout the day.

Even the first speaker on the program, Sandra Williams of Coalition PRIDE, touched on it immediately.

“Having the church gone is hard. This is a bittersweet occasion,” she said, “but I want to thank everyone who has made this a glad occasion. It has truly been a grass-roots effort to maintain this congregation and community.”

Father Riley, in his remarks, spoke of the many who would benefit from St. John Vianney parishioners’ sacrifice.

“We hate to see a church closed; it’s not a happy day,” he said. “But as Christians, we are a sacrificing people, as Christ gave his life for us.

This is like the people of Eskridge — to open this community center is a sacrificial giving, offering the property to the community to make sure this keeps going for many years, that the many Masses, weddings, baptisms and funerals here will not be forgotten in this passage from parish to community center.”

After Father Riley handed the keys to Williams amid hearty applause, she announced that no time was being wasted in fulfilling the center’s mission of community service.

“We are working to get a grant to convert the basement to a storm shelter for the community, and also planning a day-care center.

Please let us know what services you think of for your community — we are wide open to ideas.”

St. John Vianney Church in Eskridge was donated to the Gateway to the Flint Hills Coalition PRIDE Boosters who will convert it into a community center.

LOCAL NEWS

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• JULY 18, 2008

JULY 18, 2008

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Father Ben Shehzad has plenty of willing young men ready to become priests, but no place to put them

Seven steps of a virtual pilgrimage

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Even if you aren’t physically attending World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia, you can still be a part of all the excitement.

Thanks to the Catholic Online resource MyCatholicVoice, you can become a “virtual pilgrim” to what is literally the greatest Catholic youth event in the world.

MyCatholicVoice (www.mycatholic voice.com) is a free, online, multimedia Catholic resource that was launched this year to give Catholics a way to connect with other Catholics, share resources and their faith, and explore Catholic topics via the Internet.

To access the Web site, go to www.mycatholicvoice.com, scroll down, and click on “Be a Virtual Pilgrim on MyCatholicVoice,” on the left side of the page.

“We’re a new media Internet site, which is a combination of iTunes for Catholics, YouTube for Catholics, and a social networking site,” said Fred Fosnacht, a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe and the site’s founder.

For the World Youth Day events, MyCatholicVoice teamed up with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Australian embassy to create a “virtual pilgrimage” for people who want to plug into the great things happening at WYD 2008, but are unable to attend in person.

Visitors to the site will be able to experience World Youth Day through the eyes, ears, and commentary of two dozen high-school and college-age “youth reporters,” who will be roaming the event with digital Flip video cameras.

The young reporters will document the activities both visually, through their videos, and verbally through blogs, which, for the Web-challenged, are diary-type written entries posted to a Web site.

But there will be a lot more to the virtual pilgrimage than just these reports, said Fosnacht.

In addition to the “feet-on-the-street” coverage by the reporters, the World Youth Day 2008 Web site will feature music, clips from some of the speakers, online discussions, and lots of downloadable material — including free ringtones.

And more is being added, said Fosnacht.

“There isn’t anything else out there like this for the church,” said Fosnacht.

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Archbishop Everest Pinto of the Archdiocese of Karachi in Pakistan shares with Leawood’s Curé of Ars parishioners the great impact their assistance has made on Karachi’s minor seminary.

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EAWOOD —Imagine there being so many young men interested in studying for the priesthood that some of the potential seminarians have to be turned away.

That is exactly the problem facing the Archdiocese of Karachi in Pakistan.

Since 2005, Father Ben Shehzad has been dealing with that embarrassment of riches as rector of St. Pius X Seminary in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial capital.

But before Father Ben became the rector at St. Pius X, he was a familiar face around Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood. Since 2003, when he started working on an advanced theology degree in Rome, Father Ben had come to Curé of Ars each summer to help out with pastoral duties.

Once he finished his degree, Father Ben was offered a full scholarship to begin work on a doctorate — but his archdiocese needed him more. When he returned to Pakistan, he was named rector of St. Pius X Seminary, one of only four minor (or preparatory) seminaries in the country.

“I remember being really upset when Ben was not able to take advantage of that opportunity [to undertake doctoral work],” said Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars. “But he

started as rector of St. Pius X, there was very humble and obedient to his bishop, and now I see that decision were only nine seminarians; now there are 21. Several who wanted to join in was exactly right. If the church is to have a future in Karachi, they must the past year had to be turned away because of lack of space at the small semhave a minor seminary.” inary.

Though less common these days in This year, six seminarians moved on the United States, a minor seminary is to major seminary and are important in a country like scheduled to be ordained in Pakistan. The basic educaFor more inthree years. tional foundation it provides formation or “We have three more years is important to students asto help out St. until their ordination, but afpiring to undertake theologiPius X ter that there will be subsecal studies in a major semiSeminary in quent ordinations each year,” nary.

Karachi, said Archbishop Pinto.

The future of the Catholic contact Curé Parishioners at Curé have Church in the Archdiocese of of Ars Parish been supporting the seminary Karachi looked much bleaker at (913) 649since Father Ben took over in in terms of vocations just a 1337.

2005. short time ago. Only four “When Ben came back to priests have been ordained help here in the summer after his first for the Archdiocese of Karachi since year as rector, the conditions at the 1991.

It is estimated that there is only one seminary sounded awful — food was priest for every 12,000 Catholics in the poor, there was not much space, and he had very little staff. He asked us for largely Muslim city of Karachi. The avhelp and we’ve been supporting him erage age of active priests in the archdiocese is 80, said Karachi archbishop ever since,” said Msgr. McGlinn.

Several parishioners participate in a Everest Pinto during a June 30 visit to sponsorship program, through which Curé parishioners. they provide sustained support to a “Our parishes are expanding in popspecific seminarian at St. Pius X. Other ulation and size, but there are no donations have assisted the seminary priests to serve them,” said Archbishop with everything from teacher salaries Pinto. to food.

Things are starting to look up, how“Before Curé got involved, several ever. Four years ago, when Father Ben

of our meals a day were just rice. Now our students have meat, a fruit or a vegetable with our meals. We are also able to have more teachers and provide a better education,” said Father Ben. As the population of the fourbedroom seminary swelled to 21 students this year, plans have been made to erect a new building for St. Pius X — one that can more comfortably house the current number of seminarians and provide room to grow. The original idea was actually born of a conversation between Father Ben and Msgr.

McGlinn last summer.

“Ben was telling me how there were more and more students wanting to come to seminary, but there was no room for them,” said Msgr. McGlinn. “I said, ‘Why don’t you build a new seminary?’”

The idea took off. In April, ground was broken on a new site for the seminary. The new space will have room to accommodate 40 to 50 students with more living space, areas for recreation, and classroom space — all of which are sorely lacking in the current seminary.

The building budget of the new seminary is $500,000, with a significant amount of support coming from parishioners of Curé. Half the funding is already in place.

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THE LEAVEN

• JULY 18, 2008

JULY 18, 2008

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Sister in law: Vocation call changes student’s life

By JOE BOLLIG Leaven staff KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When it comes to vocations, little things mean a lot. Just ask Stephanie To. Stephanie To (pronounced “toe”) really didn’t have a clear idea of what religious life was like when she was growing up as a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka. She knew individual priests, of course, and understood their role in parish life, but nuns remained pretty much a mystery.

One Sunday, when she was in the seventh grade, a visiting priest gave a homily about vocations while she was serving Mass. The celebrant, associate pastor Father Bill Bruning, leaned over and said to To, “I think you’d make a good Sister.”

Right. Whatever.

“I didn’t know what to say to him,” To said. “Besides, it was during the middle of Mass.”

And she didn’t think one bit about it for years. That small, offhand comment, however, was like the planting of a seed — but one that would not bear fruit for many years.

To graduated from Topeka West High School in 2001, and earned her undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, with the intention of entering law school at St. Louis University.

And then the dormant seed began to sprout.

“I was home for the summer between undergraduate and law school, and the Gospel reading [at Mass one day] was from Matthew — ‘the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,’” she said. “I joked with my friends that priests are always talking about vocations to the priesthood, but for the first time I got the sense that God was talking to me — that he wanted me to do something about it.”

To at first tried to shrug the feeling off, but every time she went to Mass, it seemed that something — a reading, a prayer, anything — seemed to speak directly to her and the possibility of pursuing a vocation as a religious.

The timing was most inconvenient, but the thought wouldn’t go away. To consulted a priest, who encouraged her to go on with her plans to attend

Are you ready to vote?

STEPHANIE TO

Age: 25 Born: Topeka Parish: Most Pure Heart of Mary Parents: Dominic and Marina Siblings: One H i g h S c h o o l : Topeka West, 2001 College: Washington University in St. Louis; University of St. Louis.

Order she’ll join: Sisters of Life

Photo courtesy of Stephanie To

Sister Brigid Ancilla Marie, a Sister of Life, and Stephanie To participate in the annual March for Life event in Washington, D.C. law school, since as yet she didn’t have any clear idea of what else God was calling her to do.

“I came back to St. Louis and prayed about it some more,” To said.

“Through prayer, it became clear that [to pursue religious life] was what God was asking of me.”

She proceeded to visit several different convents, but none seemed a good fit until a friend told her about the Sisters of Life, an order that was founded in New York City in 1991 by the late Cardinal John O’Connor, archbishop of New York. The order is both active and contemplative.

In addition to the traditional vow of poverty, chastity and obedience, the Sisters of Life take a fourth vow — to protect and enhance the dignity and sacredness of every human life. They support pregnant women in need and women dealing with post-abortion issues.

“Over spring break of my first year of law school [in 2006], I went to New York to visit the Sisters,” To said.

“Their life just reflected where I saw my own prayer life going and what I saw Christ leading me to.”

Rather than leaving law school and joining immediately, however, To continued her studies, believing that it was what Christ was asking of her at that time. The decision to stay in school was not her only struggle.

“I knew some Sisters, but I never understood what it was about their life that I couldn’t also do as a married layperson,” she said. “I love kids and would love to have a family of my own.

I thought I could serve the church and still have a family.”

“But when I visited the Sisters and saw their prayer and community life, it really opened up my eyes,” she added.

“It was a struggle, and when I went on a retreat, I talked to a priest who told unplanned pregnancy? decisions to make?

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me to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for stability of heart. That was the turning point, I think.”

To applied to the Sisters of Life, and she was accepted. She will not, however, enter the novitiate anytime soon.

The reason is money. The Sisters, who take a vow of poverty, cannot afford to take responsibility for To’s $50,000 college debt.

“I’ve been trying to raise funds by talking to the Knights of Columbus and pro-life groups around here,” she said.

In the meantime, she’s studying for the bar exam and is looking for a job to pay off her student loans.

While her former classmates are beginning to climb the ladder of their careers, To is preparing to lay down her life for Christ.

“This really appeals to me,” she said.

“I’ve been pretty strongly pro-life all my life, and I’m really just asking Jesus to show me the way he wants me to go.”

For more information about the Sisters of Life, visit their Web site at: www.sistersoflife.org. Those wishing to contact To directly can send her an email at: stephanieto@gmail.com.

According to the USCCB, more than 50 million eligible Americans are not registered to vote. As a result, the bishops are encouraging parishes to conduct voter registration drives. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has prepared voter registration kits for individuals who want to conduct this effort at their parish.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The November general election is only a few months away, and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wants to know: Are you ready to vote?

If you’re not, you are not alone. According to the USCCB, more than 50 million eligible Americans are not registered to vote. You might be one of them.

That’s why the USCCB is making a renewed effort to encourage Catholics to conduct voter registration drives at their parishes.

“This is not something new,” said Ron Kelsey, archdiocesan pro-life consultant. “The church has encouraged parishes to conduct voter registration drives for years.”

In their document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” the bishops teach that “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”

“The church does not get involved in recommending political parties or candidates,” Kelsey continued, “but it certainly can and should be involved in encouraging citizens to vote, and to give moral guidance on legislative issues.”

To aid potential voters, the archdiocesan pro-life office has prepared voter registration kits for individuals who want to conduct this effort at their parish. For information about the kits or how to obtain one, contact Kelsey at (913) 647-0350; send an e-mail to: prolife@archkck.org; or mail to: Ron Kelsey, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City KS 66109.

Talks about ‘Faithful Citizenship’ The archdiocesan pro-life office and office for social justice have teamed up to present talks in parishes about how Catholics can participate in the political process.

Bill Scholl of the social justice office and Ron Kelsey of the pro-life office are available to visit any parish wishing to host a presentation about the Kansas bishops’ “Moral Principles for Catholic Voters” and the USCCB’s “Faithful Citizenship” campaign.

A copy of the “Moral Principles” can be found at the Kansas Catholic Conference Web site at: www.kscathconf.org. The U.S. bishops’ campaign material can be found at: www. faithfulcitizenship.org.

To schedule a talk or for more information, contact Scholl at (913) 647-0317, or by e-mail at: socialjustice@archkck.org; or Kelsey at (913) 647-0350, or by e-mail at: prolife@ archkck.org.

. sale now CD is on t s e t la ierrez’s Ron Gut

Curé parishioner Ron Gutierrez releases new CD LEAWOOD — Nationally known local singer-songwriter Ron Gutierrez has recently released an album, “Hymns in the Key of Jazz – Live.”

Gutierrez, a parishioner at Curé of Ars in Leawood, recorded the CD on Oct. 26, 2007, at his parish.

Music on the CD includes Catholic favorites, such as “Be Not Afraid” and “Here I Am, Lord,” performed in a contemporary jazz/Gospel style. Besides performances by Gutierrez’s wife Aggie and daughter Shyann, the CD also features an all-star collection of Kansas City’s jazz community.

“You will recognize every song, but with a great new twist,” said Gutierrez.

The album, which is being considered for a Unity Award nomination, is available for purchase at Trinity House in Overland Park, Soul Supply and Hardware in Leavenworth, and Touch of Heaven in Topeka. The cost is $15.

The CD can be purchased online at: www.rongutierrez.com or www.cd baby.com/cd/rongutierrez. It can also be downloaded digitally at: www. digitalstations.com/rongutierrez.com.

Gutierrez’s next concert will be held on Dec. 5 at Curé of Ars Parish.

Maur Hill-Mount Academy to host auction ATCHISON — Maur Hill-Mount Academy here, located at 1000 Green St., will host an auction July 27, beginning at 10 a.m.

A sale bill listing all items to be auctioned is available on the school’s Web site at: www.mh-ma.com.

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On June 8, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann hosted more than 100 couples for a golden wedding anniversary Mass at the cathedral. But these 50-year veterans of marital bliss are practically newlyweds compared to some in the archdiocese.

Meet Marge and Jack Gladbach, Eugene and Jean Messing, and Ray and Mimi Wiggins. Though they’re happy to share what’s worked for them, even a combined 180 years of marital bliss still finds them taking it . . .

Jean and Eugene Messing

T

More than 100 couples gathered at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan., for the annual archdiocesan golden wedding anniversary Mass on June 8.

‘One day at a time’ STORY AND PHOTOS

BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

en years before the Gladbachs tied their knot, in the little town of Hastings, Neb., Eugene Messing was working for the J.C. Penney Company when his future bride, Jean, joined the staff.

She was a pretty, petite brunette with an infectious smile that hasn’t faded with time. Eugene insists it was love at first sight.

“As a matter of fact,” he said, “when she came to work there, I said to the other guys, ‘She’s mine; you leave her alone.’”

Eugene was smart to trust his intuition.

On May 11 of this year, the Messings celebrated 60 years together.

One of the happiest days of his life, said Eugene, and one that relieved his parents’ mind greatly, came six months into their relationship.

“Jean came to me and asked if she could join the Catholic Church,” he said.

After practicing their faith together over the last 60 years, the Messings believe that a shared faith is the most important ingredient in their happy marriage.

“Having one faith in a family is very important,” said Eugene. “Every Sunday we go to church together, and we’ve been doing adoration together for four years.”

The couple has belonged to Saint Pius X Parish in Mission, Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, and currently belongs to Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

They have three grown children — each seven years apart. But the age difference hasn’t prevented a strong family bond. The

A summary of marital advice from our three couples: • Be committed to your vows.

• Share the same faith and practice it together.

• Respect one another’s independence.

• Develop and foster a sense of humor.

• Share household and family responsibilities.

• Always be honest.

Jean and Eugene Messing believe shared faith is an important part of their 60-year marriage. They share an adoration hour each week at Church of the Nativity, Leawood.

• Always be patient.

challenges of raising their children and the pride in each child’s accomplishments are other ingredients in the glue that holds this family together.

“They’ve made us very proud and we’re all very close,” said Eugene. “Every holiday we get together. That’s very important — family staying together and celebrating.”

In recent years, Jean has suffered from dementia, becoming more dependent on

• Confide in one anoth-

Eugene for both practical care and emotional support. But even that development has only made the couple’s bond grow stronger.

“It’s a struggle,” said Eugene. “But I don’t mind doing it, because that’s why we get married — so we can take care of each other in life.”

“It’s true love,” he added, “When we said, ‘I do,’ that meant forever.”

er.

• Don’t be selfish.

• Never hold on to anger.

• Value and foster time with family.

• Stay out of debt.

Mimi and Ray Wiggins

A Marge and Jack Gladbach consider a sense of humor an important ingredient in the success of their 50-year marriage.

Marge and Jack Gladbach

W

hen you have nine children, sharing becomes a way of life.

When you, your spouse and those nine children share a 924-square-foot home, you’d better have a sense of humor to go along with it.

Marge and Jack Gladbach, who are among those celebrating their golden anniversary this year, met in college.

After three semesters in the Benedictine seminary, Jack Gladbach knew the monastic life wasn’t calling his name. Then one evening he met Mount St. Scholastica student Marge Schumacker, and the decision was sealed.

The couple started their life together in an idyllic setting. Jack was in the Navy and the couple spent their first two years in Hawaii, where he was deployed 17 days and then home 17 days.

“Everybody used to joke that that was the perfect setup for a happy marriage,” said Jack.

“Of course, we had two children within that length of time, so that should tell you something,” added Marge.

When his stint in the Navy ended, Jack moved his family to Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa. There they moved into a small house — now fondly referred to as the “cracker box” — and added seven more children to their brood.

Family members generally managed to get along by respecting one another’s independence and by sharing the work that is part and parcel of life in a big family.

“I washed and changed a lot of diapers,” said Jack. “And I always tried to instill in the children that they have respect for their mother and help her.”

Jack helped with cooking and cleaning, while Marge did her share of mowing the lawn and worked part time to ensure all nine

children attended Catholic schools.

And she encouraged the children to rely on their father.

“The first word I taught the children was ‘dada’ versus ‘mama,’” she confessed.

Eventually, the family moved to a bigger home in St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park, where the couple still lives today.

When asked how they navigated 50 years and nine children, Marge had a simple answer.

“One day at a time,” she declared.

“Tell the rest of it,” prompted Jack. “What have you considered several times instead of divorce?”

“Oh . . . murder,” Marge confessed with a laugh, followed with these sage words of advice.

“You have to have a sense of humor.”

On a more serious note, the Gladbachs agree, all you really need to know about marriage can be found in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. And they try to live that passage every day.

t the height of the Depression in the late 1930s, dancing was a popular pastime in Maryville, Mo., and a dance hall was where college student Ray Wiggins met his future wife, Mimi.

“She had a twin sister,” Ray likes to joke. “It was hard to choose between them.”

But Mimi claims he never had a choice.

And Ray must have ended up with the right twin, because he and Mimi have been married now for 70 years.

Ray wasn’t a Catholic when he married Mimi. But he soon converted and, like the other couples, the Wigginses believe a shared faith is a key to their happy marriage — that, combined with the sense of commitment more prevalent among Catholics 70 years ago.

Ray still remembers his first meeting with a priest before his wedding.

“He said, ‘You know when you get married to a Catholic, it’s forever,’” Ray recalled. “And I said, ‘Forever?’ And he said ‘Till death do you part.’

“And I said, ‘Well how about 50 years or forever — whichever comes first?’

“Well, not many people lived long enough back then to be married 50 years,” Ray continued, “so the priest answered, ‘I guess that would be good enough.’”

The most difficult time in the their marriage should have been at the beginning, when they were poor and struggling through the final years of the Depression.

But Mimi and Ray enjoyed even those years.

“We were poor, but we didn’t know it,” said Ray.

• Always remember special occasions (anniversaries, birthdays).

• Read 1 Cor 13: 4-8 and live it every day.

Formula for everlasting love Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.

Mimi and Ray Wiggins celebrated 70 years of marriage this past April.

“Everybody was in the same boat because nobody had any money,” explained Mimi. “We were all doing fun inexpensive things together — card games and that sort of thing.”

Eventually, however, the couple was able to indulge their common interest in golf, travel and collecting antiques. It wasn’t until they’d been married 20 years that they had their only child, Sally. And even that momentous occasion resulted in only one small change in their relationship – Mimi gave up golf.

Because Ray worked for the Illinois Central Railroad, the Wigginses moved nine times during their married life, settling at last in Holy Cross Parish in

Overland Park, where they raised their daughter.

Now 93 and 94 respectively, Mimi and Ray have exchanged their home and treasure-trove of collectible antiques for a modest apartment at Lakeview Village in Lenexa. Reflecting on 70 years together, their formula for a happy marriage is very simple.

“We just enjoyed life and went along with things that happened,” Mimi said.

“Back then, people had the idea that if you got married, you stayed married. You didn’t throw it away.”

“But I threaten her every now and then,” Ray teased. “You know, we used up the 50 years.”

It is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Cor. 13: 4-8

LOCAL NEWS

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THE LEAVEN

•

JULY 18, 2008

Lenexa Scouts earn Eagles

Leawood Scouts earn Eagles

LENEXA — Three members of Holy Trinity Boy Scout Troop No. 181 have here achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest advancement award in the Boy Scouts.

Corey Dean planted more than Corey Dean 2,000 native grass plants to help prevent the destruction of the stream bank due to erosion for the city of Olathe at Arrowhead Park.

Ben Loughman built a bench and landscaped and Ben Loughman repaved an area in the Holy Trinity School parking lot to enhance the recess area for teachers and students.

Jonathan Smith salvaged and rebuilt an enclosing fence for the anJonathan Smith tiques section of Catholic Charities TurnStyles Thrift Store in Overland Park.

LEAWOOD — Justin Sinclair, Mike Barber, and Ryan Kelly, members of Boy Scout Troop No. 333 and St. Michael the Archangel Parish here, have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Sinclair’s service project involved several reJustin Sinclair modeling and construction projects for The Bridge Home in Kansas City, Mo. Barber’s service project was the construction and mounting of 24 wren/chickadee nesting boxes, as Mike Barber part of a conservation project at Ironwood Park in Leawood.

Kelly ’s service project, also at Ironwood Park, included the construction and mounting of bat houses and movRyan Kelly ing a bat population away from the climbing towers within the park.

ALL EAGLES

Troop No. 396 of Nativity Parish in Leawood recently held a Court of Honor and awarded 10 of its Scouts the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. They are: (front row, from left) Tim Caffrey, Anthony Brown, Joe Holland, Mark Bolton, and Michael Varraveto; (back row, from left) Robert Keenan, Garrett Waeckerle, Thomas McCord, Michael Bangert, and Bret Raybould.

Horton Scout earns Eagle HORTON — Melbien Anthony Cipat Tinio, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 112 and a parishioner at St. Leo here, has received the Eagle Scout Award.

Tinio designed and built a flagMelbien Tinio pole at the Horton Soccer Fields for his Eagle project.

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HOLY SPIRIT EAGLES

Will Michels, Max Mancillas, and Kalim Kazmi recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout in Holy Spirit Boy Scout Troop No. 265. Will and Max are parishioners of Holy Spirit in Overland Park.

Their Eagle Court of Honor was held at Holy Spirit on April 20.

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JULY 18, 2008

•

St. Paul inspires Protestant and Catholic dialogue The 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul has inspired two theologians to take their private dialogue to the public starting July 25.

Stephen Rives, the pastor of Eastside Church of the Cross in Louisburg, had been interested for some time in having a public interfaith dialogue surrounding St. Paul. When the Catholic Church announced its yearlong commemoration of the 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth, Rives found a willing partner in Matthew Tsakanikas, academic director of the Benedictine College School of Faith, Atchison.

Together with Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea, the two men will jointly host an ecumenical dialogue on St. Paul’s letters starting July 25.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, will be their special guest and a copresenter on Aug. 1.

“People are too accustomed to hearing debate over Saint Paul’s theology as only an ‘either/or’ proposition,” said Tsakanikas. “What I found in Rives was a ‘both/and’ approach from a highly intelligent and articulate person who transcends the labels Catholics apply as ‘Protestant.’

“It’s hard to beat listening to a guy who has led graduate studies in archaeology in Israel, developed software and new approaches to teaching calculus, and who is willing to challenge both Catholic and Protestant authorities on St. Paul.”

CNS photo by Paul Haring

A statue of St. Paul stands in front of Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul. The 2000th anniversary of the birth of the saint has led to an ecumenical dialogue between Eastside Church of the Cross in Louisburg and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“On top of that,” he added, “having the archbishop join us for an evening says a lot about this being an effort to understand each other better.”

Rives and Tsakanikas first met through a mutual acquaintance in a coffeehouse in Kansas City and began a series of discussions that, over the past several months, developed a trust between the Southern Baptist minister and the Catholic educator. For Rives, who initiat-

ed the public dialogues idea, the reasons for opening his once-private dialogues with Tsakanikas to the public were really very simple.

“Many things motivate me in all of this, and some are quite simple,” Rives said. “My children play with kids in the neighborhood who are Catholic. These kids are going to grow up together and remain in different congregations.

“For their sake, I wanted to know:

How can we help them remain close, without forcing them to remain silent about their different churches, worship, and catechisms? If we adults can’t talk about Jesus — if someone as important as our king becomes a taboo topic because of historic debates — then we should expect that our kids will emulate our patterns.”

“I also want people in the area to have a chance to hear Matthew speak about the Catholic Church,” he noted.

“Matthew has integrity. That means I can ask the hard questions and he does not retreat to mechanical responses. We have conversations that are meaningful, even when we don’t come to the same conclusions.”

The first evening of public dialogues on July 25 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic School in Wea is open to all persons of good will. The theme that evening — “Justification: Were the Pharisees Proto-Catholics?” — will be addressed from 6:30-9 p.m.

The next meeting will be at Eastside Church of the Cross in Louisburg on Aug. 1, where Archbishop Naumann and Rives will reflect on the theme of “Ecclesiology and the Eucharist in St. Paul.”

Those interested in receiving college credit for religious studies for attending these dialogue sessions have the opportunity to do so. For more information, see the Web site at: www.benedictine. edu/sof.

We are grateful to have served this community since 1929 and we are proud to continue the Skradski Family Tradition of compassion and caring.

Helen Skradski Funeral Director

The Leaven only accepts Eagle Scout Awards for Boy Scouts and Gold Awards for Girl Scouts.

Notices are printed periodically when space is available. Be sure to include the following information: Scout’s name, parish, troop number, and what the scout did for the Eagle or Gold project. E-mail to: todd@theleaven.com.

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CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT St. James Academy - Is seeking a parttime American Sign Language teacher.

Applicants should possess a clear understanding of ASL syntax and grammar, as well as deaf culture. On-staff interpreter available for deaf applicant interviews. For information, call Andy Tylicki at (913) 254-4200, or send an e-mail to him at: atylicki@sjakeeping faith.org.

Spanish teacher - St. Agnes School, Roeland Park, is seeking to fill this part-time position for the 2008 - 09 school year. For information or to apply, contact Kim Hammers, principal, at (913) 262-1686, or send an email to her at: hammerskim@stagneskc.org.

Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center - Kansas City, Kan., seeks up to three new live-in members (one couple included). Live-ins give an average of 20 hours a week and should be willing to make a commitment to the regular prayer life of SOH and expect to welcome and serve our guests with basic hospitality. Work in cleaning areas inside and outside of the building is included.

Free room, board and utilities offered in exchange for your labors of love, faith and hospitality. No salary offered at this time, but meeting a wonderful community of staff and guests is reward in itself. Positions are available immediately. For an application or information, contact Father Dennis Wait, spiritual director, between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tues. - Fri., at: (913) 321-4673, or send an e-mail to him at: frdennis@sanctuaryofhope.org.

IT network/help desk technician position - Available at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, Kansas City, Kan. Responsibilities include: maintaining software licensing and hardware support agreements; maintaining system backups; ensuring anti-virus protection and operating system updates are applied to all workstations; monitoring network logs; and assisting with other network tasks as necessary. Must be able to multitask, have a strong technical aptitude and work well with staff members at all levels. Experience and training in Windows environment required. Visit the Web site at: www.cfcausa.org. Salary DOE with great benefits. Submit resume and salary requirements to: CFCA HR, One Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103; fax to (913) 3842211; or send via e-mail in Word or PDF format to: hr@cfcausa.org.

Part-time position - Great for a college student or if you are looking to supplement your income. Seeking help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc. Approx. 20-25 hours per week; Mon. - Fri., from 3 - 7 p.m., for 2 female mentally retarded and developmentally disabled clients in their Overland Park home.

Female applicants only, please. For information, call Amy at (913) 221-9158.

Part-time overnight sleep staff position - Available to help 3 female mentally retarded and developmentally disabled clients in their Overland Park home. Assist with leisure activities in the evening (i.e., puzzles, music listening, etc.) from approx. 6 - 8 p.m., then sleep. The shift is from 6 p.m. - 7 a.m., Sun., Mon. and Wed. nights. Female applicants only, please. For information, call Amy at (913) 221-9158.

Preschool director - St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, is seeking a fulltime director to coordinate all administrative and educational components of our preschool program. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a bachelor’s degree with some hours in early childhood. Candidate must have prior teaching experience combined with some director level experience. See complete job description and contact information at: www.st michaelcp.org.

Distribution center personnel needed - Lenexa based health care products distributor has immediate openings for full- and part-time material handlers. Must be detailoriented and enjoy working on your feet.

Starting pay $12/hour; bonus and other benefits offered. Friendly and professional work environment. Contact Greg or Steve at (913) 384-2220.

Music director/organist position For St. Peter Parish, Kansas City, Mo. This position begins in Sept. 2008. Approximately 25 hours per week. Responsibilities include: planning liturgical music; rehearsing choirs/ cantors; planning and playing for weddings/funerals and other special celebrations.

The applicant must possess an academic and pastoral knowledge — and experience with — Catholic liturgy and music. The applicant must be able to work effectively with a large, urban parish community and an active staff.

St. Peter’s has a long history of exceptional liturgical music. The parish seeks an individual dedicated to continuing this tradition. Salary is based on the diocesan salary scale. For information, contact Father Joseph Sharbel, pastor, 815 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64131; call (816) 363-2320; or send an email to: jsharbel1@aol.com.

Concert promoter needed - A national/worldwide concert promoter is needed for a Catholic music duo already established and performing in national and worldwide concerts. Send your resume via e-mail to: itraveltoo@yahoo.com.

Youth minister - For a bi-cultural, urban parish in Kansas City, Mo. Excellent organizational and people skills required. Must be willing to engage and animate adult volunteers in youth ministry and offer solid faith formation.

This position may require some clerical work.

Send inquiries to Diane Matous, via e-mail, at: matous@diocesekcsj.org.

Thrift store manager - El Centro, a nonprofit agency, is seeking a highly motivated, experienced manager to start-up and manage a thrift store. The successful candidate must have a minimum of seven years experience in retail sales and/or consumer management, the ability to solicit donations and attract, manage and retain volunteers and excellent interpersonal skills. Send letter of interest and resume, via e-mail to: mljaramillo@ elcentroinc.com. EOE. Parish business manager - Visitation Parish, Kansas City, Mo., seeks a qualified individual to oversee or perform all parish financial, human resource, facilities management and administrative duties. Responsibilities include: financial planning and coordination of budget process; bookkeeping functions, cash flow management and financial reporting; management of payroll and benefit programs; supervision of office assistants, financial staff and maintenance staff; supervision of building cleaning, repair and renovation; and oversight of office technology. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree plus 3 - 5 years experience in management; leadership, organizational and communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Catholic parish organization; and the ability to work with parish leadership teams. Full-time position with flexible hours. To apply or for information, contact Father Patrick Rush at (816) 7535155, ext. 302, or send an e-mail to: frpat@church.visitation.org.

Program coordinator - St. Joseph Early Education Center, Shawnee, is seeking a full-time coordinator for the before- and afterschool care program. Must have KDHE approval for school-age children or equivalent.

Supervisory experience preferred. Candidate must have excellent organizational skills, love children and be dedicated to families. For information contact Nancy Wacker at (913) 631-0004.

After-school child-care providers St. Ann Young Child Center, Prairie Village, is interviewing for part-time child-care providers for its after-school program starting in the fall.

Experience is a plus, but will train. Starting at $9 per hour. For information, call Tati at (913) 362-4660.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City Metro and Topeka areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a betterthan-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits

and training. For more information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton, KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

SERVICES Nonmedical in-home care - Services include companionship, personal care, and light housekeeping. Transportation services to church, social activities, grocery store and pharmacy, doctors/dentist and for respite.

Accepting minimum three-hour regularly scheduled assignments from Thurs. - Sat. from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. 2 p.m. Due to liability, I do not administer medications, nor will I lift more than 40 lbs.

Background in community social services.

Serving Johnson and Douglas counties. Call Kinga at (913) 686-6339.

Quality piano instruction - Caring and positive teaching environment. Call Mrs. A. McGuire at (913) 338-3022.

Piano tuning - Touch-up and full chromatic piano tuning for residential and business clients in the KC metro area. Call Bob at (816) 510-3125.

Do you remember the “Footsteps” poem? God will carry us through difficult times if we ask for help. Spirituality-based counseling for depression, anxiety, family and relationship difficulties provided by social worker Lois A. Miller LSCSW, in the Mission area. Call (913) 980-7336.

Home cleaning - Reasonable rate, reliable service, references available. Cleaning houses for Leaven subscribers only for the past 12 years. Call Judy at (913) 709-8130.

Husband and wife cleaning team Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.

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

Does your car have dimmed, clouded-looking headlight lenses? We will come to your location and recondition your automobile headlight lenses for $57.

Call Zep at (816) 741-0999.

Bookkeeping services - Don’t waste any more time or money. Prism Services Inc. can tailor bookkeeping services to your needs. We’re efficient, dependable and reasonable. Prices start at just $20 per hour.

Mention this ad and receive 10% off your first invoice. Call today. (913) 901-0452.

Are interest rates crimping your income? If you want a better return on your money, consider a gift annuity with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Effective interest rates can be higher than 10 percent. You may designate your parish or another Catholic organization to receive the remainder gift. For a free consultation, call the foundation at (913) 647-0365, or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org.

Caregiver - I have six years experience with home-care for the elderly. Licensed; will provide 12 hrs./day care; Mon. - Fri. Call (913) 281-3662 or (913) 999-4340.

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

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 3412500 and speak with Andrea, Sara or Gary.

Need help caring for Mom or Dad? We provide in-home support with a variety of personal care and household functions to keep seniors safe and active at home. For as little as $50 per week, we can provide extra support for your loved ones, or help you get a “night off” from your daily caregiving responsibilities. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care at (913) 422-1591.

THE LEAVEN • JULY 18, 2008 Granite, Cambria and Silestone countertops - See our new showroom at 5820 Barton, in the heart of beautiful downtown Shawnee. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Mountain Movers Inc. - Big or small, we move it all. Insured movers specializing in antiques. Call Dennis Higgins, owner, at (913) 285-3399.

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT Custom-kitchen countertops Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days. Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement Finishing Kitchens and baths Electrical and Plumbing Licensed and insured (913) 599-7998 House painting - Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal. 20 years experience.

Reasonable rates. References. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/ fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer.

Call (913) 829-4336.

Contractor - Commercial and residential work — painting and renovating. Free estimates; insured; 20 yrs. experience. Call (913) 206-4524.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA * COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL * LAWN RENOVATION * MOWING * CLEAN-UP AND HAULING * DIRT GRADING/INSTALLATION * LANDSCAPE DESIGN * FREE ESTIMATES HABLAMOS Y ESCRIBIMOS INGLES!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

Tim the Handyman - Insured; free estimates. Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures.

Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County. Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

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

Get great savings now! We have reorganized to meet everyone’s needs. All contacts will be responded to. Mention this ad and receive 10% off any project or repair over $300. Great prices on all of your needs.

Roofing, fencing, siding, additions, kitchens, baths, basements, and all your construction or remodeling needs. Licensed, insured, experienced and quality minded. In-Land Construction Services (913) 393-3052.

Organizing & handyman services Basements, garages, attics and shop spaces organized! Your items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Wall repair, interior painting, tile work, handicap bars and ramps. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, view my Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115. (classified ads continued on page 13)

JULY 18, 2008

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THE LEAVEN

(continued from page 12) FOLEY’S LAWN CARE * Mowing * Leaf Cleanups * * Bed Mulching * * Landscape Maintenance * www.foleyslawncare.com Serving Johnson County, Kansas (913) 825-4353 Lawn and landscape work - College student looking for landscaping and mowing work. Four years’ experience. Will do trees, mulching, deck refurbishment and landscape design and install. Johnson County. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

FOR RENT Virtual office in Lenexa - Enjoy the benefits of having a high-profile business office at a fraction of the cost! The following is provided: business mailing address; mail handling; access to copy machine at 5¢/copy; access to postage; a receptionist to meet your clients; use of furnished office space; free use of conference room (must be scheduled); and beverage service. All for $135/month, plus security deposit. Located at 8889 Bourgade, Lenexa, KS 66219. For information, call Deanna Montgomery at (913) 438-4636.

REAL ESTATE Yates Center - Small house for sale. 1 BR, 1 BA, plus shop and shed on a corner lot. $17K as is, or $20K fixed up. Will also consider a trade. Call GL Bullard at (620) 4682013.

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CLASSIFIEDS Overland Park ranch - Near Holy Cross Church. 3 BR, 2 BA, combo LR/DR, eatin kitchen, family rm. w/ fireplace, central air, attic fan, full basement, a 2-car garage and gutter shields. New price. Call (913) 8398693.

Lake house for sale - Be on the lake in less than 2 hours! This adorable home at Lake Kahola, Kan. is just 10 miles off I-35 at the Emporia exit. This 2 BR, 1 BA, home has been completely remodeled and features a private dock, boathouse and whirpool tub to relax away the stress! Call Tom Lippert, Ek Real Estate, at (620) 342-3366 or (620) 4819727.

Topeka - 3800 sq. ft., 5 BR, custom built home. Den, rec. room, family room with wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors, and 3-car garage. Ten minutes from capital and hospital. $249K. Call (785) 554-3026.

Olathe split-level home – 4 BR, 2 ½ BA, eat-in kitchen, L & D rooms, family rm. with fireplace, fin. bsmt., energy efficient furnace and central air. Large yard with covered patio. Prince of Peace Parish. Call (913) 7640543.

VACATION Sugar Valley Lakes Resort - Mound City, Kan. Only 65 miles from Kansas City.

70 ft. furnished trailer with large covered deck. 12 by 12 wood shed. Beautiful 9-hole golf course, fishing, beach and pool. $25K. Call (913) 768-4663.

Bahamas beachfront condo - Enjoy the crystal clear waters, beachfront pool or the beautiful sunrises from our newly remodeled condo that sleeps four. $125/night; $750/week. Local owner will rent to mature adults and families. Visit the Web site at: www.coralbeach1602.com, or send an email to: coralbeach1602@gmail.com.

Summer vacation - Winter Park, Colo.

2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec center w/pool, fishing, golf, hiking, rafting, close to nat’l park. $100/night; $600/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 3855589.

Mountain cabin – Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA. Mountain view, near all recreation areas. $95/night. Call (913) 642-3027. To view, visit the Web site at: cabin.forcade associates.com.

Lake of the Ozarks rental - Osage Beach, million-dollar view, fully furnished; 2 BR, 2 BA; sleeps six. No smoking, no pets.

For special rates, call Steve or Sheryl Roederer at (913) 244-2022, or take a visual tour at: www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?T= 338261.

WANTED TO BUY ***ANTIQUES WANTED*** Postcards, old photos, military items, trains, coins, watches jewelry, political buttons, signs, old toys and banks, Red Wing crocks, Indian rugs, sterling silverware.

Call Chris (913) 642-8269.

FOR SALE For sale – Mount Calvary garden mausoleum. Two crypts in deluxe companion section. Priced below current market value. Call (913) 299-8618.

For sale - Single lot in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. Section 6 - H; lot 79; space 5. $1200. Call Gloria at (417) 496-2747 or Ann Riley at (913) 9272107.

CHILDCARE Part-time nanny - Beginning midAugust, we need a part-time nanny 5 days a week for two boys, ages 10 and 6. Must be able to pick them up at school (St. Joseph Catholic School in Shawnee), take to afterschool activities as needed, and be able to help with homework. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. The hours would be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. We are a happy, fun and easygoing family, seeking the same in a nanny! If interested, call Scott at (913) 271-7703.

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

CALENDAR Meetings The Leavenworth-Lawrence Region of the ACCW will hold its quarterly meeting on July 27 in the community room at R. L. Leintz Funeral Home, 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth. A potluck luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the meeting. Bring cards, stamps, pennies for priests, and items for ditty bags. For information, call (913) 6828899.

The Johnson County Unos will hold their monthly meeting and potluck dinner at 6 p.m. on Aug. 1 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission. Bring meat casseroles, salads, vegetables or desserts — enough to feed 8 — or $5 to pay for your meal.

Miscellaneous The Singles of Nativity will gather for round-robin-style tennis at 3:30 p.m. on Sundays throughout the summer at the I n d i a n C r e e k R e c r e a t i o n a l Center, 103rd and Marty, Overland Park. Everyone is invited, even if you do not play tennis. For information, send an email to Jane Zaccardi at: service@sonministry.org.

Masquerade jewelry, purses, scarves, watches, travel bags, and more will be sold at the St. Joseph Medical Center Mall, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo., from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. on July 24 and 25. All items will cost just $5. This is one sale you will not want to miss.

Maur Hill-Mount Academy, 1000 Green St., Atchison, will host an auction July 27, beginning at 10 a.m. A sale bill listing all items to be auctioned will be available after July 6 at the school’s Web site at: www.mh-ma.com.

The C Y O of S t . P a t r i c k P a r i s h , Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual g o l f t o u r n a m e n t on Aug. 8 at S u n fl o w e r H i l l s G o l f C o u r s e , Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $75 per golfer; $300 per team of four. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For informa-

tion, contact Bryan Barnhart at (913) 2382143.

Education The Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters located at 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer the following classes: • Free p r e g n a n c y t e s t i n g a n d consultation will be held from 10 a.m. 1 p.m. on July 24.

• “Wise Up – Financial Literacy for Women Under the Age of 35,” a free workshop for women, will be offered from 6 - 8 p.m. on July 29.

Classes are offered free of charge; however, space is limited and advance registration is required. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990, or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org.

Religious events The Johnson County Unos will gather for 4:30 p.m. Mass on July 30 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission.

Dinner will follow at Yarbrough’s Restaurant, 11900 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Shawnee.

Mater Dei-Assumption Church, 8th and Jackson, Topeka, will celebrate the enthronement of the Divine Mercy image with Benediction and a Holy Hour at 3 p.m. on Aug. 10. A reception will follow. For information, call (785) 2461338 or (785) 271-8010.

Retreats St. Matthew Parish, 2700 S.W. Virginia, Topeka, will host a retreat, entitled “The Spirituality of Loss: Its Characteristics and Influence on Healing,” from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. on July 19. Lunch will follow. For information or to register, call the parish office at (785) 232-5012 or Sharon at (785) 817-3022.

A retreat, entitled “Contemplative Living III: Centering Prayer,” will be offered

from 10 a.m. on July 26 to 1 p.m. on July 27 at the Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison. The presenter will be Sister Micaela Randolph, OSB. The cost is $100.

For information or reservations, call (913) 360-6173.

Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan., will host a men’s Ignatian retreat weekend from Sept. 11 - 14. The theme will be: “The Importance of Gratitude in Our Spiritual Life.” Join with other men in the archdiocese to explore your gifted life and the value of contemplation in discovering the presence of God. The retreat leader will be Father Robert Costello, SJ, who is a former teacher at Rockhurst University and currently on staff at St. Louis University. The cost of $150 includes a private room, all meals and refreshments, and a freewill offering. Financial assistance may be available. Reservations are being accepted through Aug. 29. For information or to register, call (913) 721-1097.

Social

Julie at (913) 268-7640 or Chuck at (913) 631-2748.

The Singles of Nativity will host a progressive dinner at 5 p.m. on July 27 at Wil Jenny’s, 6700 W. 135th St., Overland Park. Join us as we switch tables for each course of our meal and meet new people. The cost is $28. To RSVP, mail a check payable to Ken O’Bryan, by July 24, to: 10328 Ash St., Overland Park, KS 66207. Please include your name, email address and phone number. For information, send an e-mail to Ken at: kenobks@aol.com.

St. Joseph Church, Flush, will host its annual parish and bazaar on July 30. A chicken dinner will be served from 5 - 8 p.m. Various concession stands will be available on the church grounds.

St. Benedict’s Circle will host a card party and luncheon from 11:30 a.m. 3 p.m. on July 31 at H o l y C r o s s Church, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park. For information or reservations, call Helen at (913) 381-4295, or Doris at (913) 381-2781. The cost is $11.

St. Mary-St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host “Sunset in Paradise,” a dinner/ dance featuring the Don Lipovac Orchestra on July 19. Dinner will be served from 5 - 7 p.m., with dancing following until 10:30 p.m. Tropical dress is optional. The cost is $25. Tickets may be purchased at Theresa’s Hair Salon, 508 N. 6th St., or by calling the church office at (913) 3711408.

Mark you calendar for the 2008 citywide Christian singles picnic and dance to be held from 3 - 9 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Quivira Park, 119th and Quivira, Overland Park. The cost of $10 includes hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and the DJ. Please bring a lawn chair and a side dish to share. Children are welcome.

Volunteers are needed. For information, send an e-mail to: pamonroe10@aol.com, or call (816) 229-2805.

St. Augustine Church, Fidelity, will host a p a r i s h p i c n i c on July 20. A c h i c k e n a n d h a m d i n n e r will be served beginning at 4:30 p.m., followed by bingo, games, a quilt raffle and more.

The cost is $7 for adults; $4 for children.

The Ladies Guild at St. Joseph Parish, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, will host a French pastry tea from 1 - 3 p.m. on Aug. 3 in the church basement. All proceeds will benefit the Matiri, Kenya, Goat Project. Tickets cost $15. Reservations are limited. For information, contact Nancy Wrigley at (913) 268-7989.

St. Veronica Lodge, American Slovenian Catholic Union, will host a d a n c e featuring the Don Lipovac Orchestra at the Holy Family Social Club, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., from 7 - 11 p.m. on July 26 to benefit Holy Family Church. Tickets cost $12. For information or to reserve a table or tickets, call

St. Casimir C h u r c h , 719 Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, will hold its annual roast beef dinner from noon 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 12 and under.

Carryouts are available.

14

COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • JULY 18, 2008

MARK MY WORDS President MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Editor REVEREND MARK GOLDASICH, STL frmark@theleaven.com Associate Editor ANITA McSORLEY anita@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative JENNIFER SIEBES jennifer@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter JOE BOLLIG joe@theleaven.com

Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com

Production Manager TODD HABIGER todd@theleaven.com

Intern Seán T.D. Kane

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

POSTMASTER : Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/ year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

SCRIPTURE

READINGS SIXTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME July 20 SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Wis 12: 13, 16-19; Ps 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16; Rom 8: 26-27; Mt 13: 24-43 July 21 Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, doctor Mi 6: 1-4, 6-8; Ps 50: 5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 12: 38-42 July 22 Mary Magdalene Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20; Ps 85: 2-8; Jn 20: 1-2, 11-18 July 23 Bridget of Sweden, religious Jer 1: 1, 4-10; Ps 71: 1-4a, 5-6b, 15, 17; Mt 13: 1-9

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July 24 Sharbel Makhluf, priest Jer 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36: 6-7b, 8-11; Mt 13: 10-17

Final ‘sorting’ a favorite theme of Matthew

July 26 Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Jer 7: 1-11; Ps 84: 3-6a, 8a, 11; Mt 13: 24-30

July 27 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Kgs 3: 5, 7-12; Ps 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-130; Rom 8: 28-30; Mt 13: 44-52 July 28 Monday Jer 13: 1-11; (Ps) Dt 32: 18-21; Mt 13: 31-35 July 29 Martha Jer 14: 17-22; Ps 79: 8-9, 11, 13; Jn 11: 19-27 July 30 Peter Chrysologus, bishop, doctor Jer 15: 10, 16-21; Ps 59: 2-4, 10-11, 17-18; Mt 13: 44-46 July 31 Ignatius of Loyola, priest Jer 18: 1-6; Ps 146: 1b-6b; Mt 13: 47-53 Aug. 1 Alphonsus Liguori, bishop, doctor of the church Jer 26: 1-9; Ps 69: 5, 8-10, 14; Mt 13: 54-58 Aug. 2 Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; Peter Julian Eymard, priest Jer 26: 11-16, 24; Ps 69: 15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 14: 1-12

Another handy — literally — way to pray is called “The Finger Prayer.” The version that I use came from a Web site called inspirationaljournal.com; the author of the prayer was unknown.

The Finger Prayer has five parts: 1. Because our thumb is nearest to us, begin by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest people to remember.

2. The next finger is the pointer.

Pray for all of those who teach, instruct and heal, like teachers, doctors, and priests. They need support and wisdom in pointing people in the right direction.

3. Then comes the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, local and national representatives, and business and world leaders. Because these people shape public policy, they need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Surprisingly, this is our weakest finger. It reminds us to pray for those who are weak, poor, forgotten, abused, alone, or in trouble or pain. They need our constant prayers.

5. Lastly comes our little finger. This is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. The pinkie should remind us to pray for ourselves.

By the time we’ve prayed for the other four groups above, our own needs will be put into perspective and we’ll pray for ourselves more effectively.

May these simple ways to pray remind us not to take a vacation from God during these dog days of summer.

Instead, let’s invite him into our everyday lives, especially when we least feel like praying . . . because it’s then that we need God the most.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

July 25 JAMES, APOSTLE 2 Cor 4: 7-15; Ps 126: 1b, 2-6; Mt 20: 20-28

SEVENTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

we don’t pray as often as we’d like because we’re making prayer too hard.

Sometimes we feel that the only “real” prayers are those that are more formal — the ones we learned by heart as children, such as the Our Father, the Hail Mary, or the rosary — or those that are more lengthy, like reading Scripture or a good FATHER spiritual book. While MARK all of these are certainGOLDASICH ly wonderful ways to pray, our Catholic tradition is also rich with many other methods and tools.

For many busy or tired people, the “newspaper prayer” of the servant girl might be very appealing. Instead of complaining about the serious ills that plague our world or giving in to panic and despair, a much better response is to invite God into the mix. This “newspaper method” is not much different from the prayers of petition that we offer every time we gather for Mass.

Since I spend a lot of time at my kitchen table — eating, reading and working — I’ve also made it a place to do a little praying. I have a couple of 3x5 file cards propped up there with names written on them. When people ask me to remember someone in prayer, I write their names on those file cards. Then, whenever I sit at the table or pass by it on the way to somewhere else, my eyes are drawn to that list of names and I find myself taking a moment or two to pray.

When I change the cards every six weeks or so, it’s a great reminder to follow up on those who’ve asked for my prayers, to see what’s happened in the intervening time.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mt 13: 24-43 n 1209, the Crusaders were waging a war against the Cathars in southern France. When the Crusaders captured the city of Beziers, they faced a dilemma. Amid a crowd of about 7,000 people were hiding 20 important Cathars. But how could the Crusaders separate them from the crowd?

“Kill them all,” suggested Armand Amaury, one of the leaders of the Crusaders. “God will sort them out.”

Perhaps he was thinking about the first parable in Sunday’s Gospel reading, Mt 13:24-43. Often called the parable of the tares, it tells about a crop sabotaged by an enemy who planted weeds (tares) among the wheat. When the owner of the farm is asked by the workers if they should pull out the weeds, he answers that they should allow the weeds and the wheat to continue to grow together until harvest. Only then can they be safely separated.

The Gospel later provides an

I

interpretation that explains that the wheat and the weeds stand for the good and the bad who live together in the world. At the end of time, God will judge them and sort out the good from the bad. “God will sort them out.”

Despite Amaury’s suggestion, this parable does not encourFATHER age us to force God’s MIKE judgment. Rather, STUBBS the parable explores the mystery of how good and evil coexist in the world in this present age.

At the same time, the parable maintains that God’s justice will eventually triumph. Through faith in God, we trust that this will happen.

The coexistence of good and evil in this present age, with the triumph of God’s justice in the age to come, appears as a favorite theme in Matthew’s Gospel. That theme reappears in another parable at the end of the chapter, which we will hear in the following Sunday’s Gospel reading, Mt 13:44-52, the parable of the net. Once again, the parable points to an eventual sorting out of the good from the bad: “Thus it will be at the end of the age. The an-

•

LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN

15 Curé has three new Eagles

Appointments

These prayers are always handy he dog days of summer bit me hard the other day. And I’m glad they did.

It seemed that everywhere I looked, some project was calling out to me. The only problem was the heat and humidity had so zapped any focus or motivation I had that I could think of doing only one thing. I walked out to my screened-in porch, slid my tired body onto the chaise lounge, let out a huge sigh, closed my eyes . . . and prayed. I find that prayer is the best tonic when I’m feeling listless, unfocused or overwhelmed.

When I’m in this kind of mood, my prayer drifts toward that described in the following story: A servant girl once approached a minister, wanting to become a member of his church. He asked what she could do for the church to foster the work of Jesus in the world.

“I haven’t much time to do things,” the girl replied, “but at night, when I go to bed, I take the morning newspaper with me. And I read the birth notices, and I pray for the little babies who have just come into the world. I read the marriage notices, and I pray that God will give these people happiness. I read the death notices, and I pray that God will comfort those who are sad.”

(Adapted from Anthony Castle’s “More Quips, Quotes & Anecdotes for Preachers and Teachers.”)

This servant girl seems to have hit upon an ideal summertime prayer.

Frequently, people talk to me about having a desire to pray more. Perhaps

JULY 18, 2008

gels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

These two parables of Matthew, the parable of the tares and the parable of the net, fittingly anticipate that impressive scene toward the end of Matthew’s Gospel when Christ the king judges the human race (Mt 25:31-46).

Although it is not a parable as such, it shares in the imagery of parables when it compares the good to sheep, and the bad to goats. It shows us that final sorting that the two parables only hint at.

It is significant that these two parables — that of the tares and the one of the net — and the scene of the last judgment, are found uniquely in Matthew’s Gospel. The other two parables in Sunday’s Gospel reading, the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast, both have parallels in the Gospels of Mark and Luke.

But only Matthew provides us with these parables, which point to a final sorting out of the good from the bad.

After all, it is a favorite theme of his.

Father Stubbs is the pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing.

CARMELITES With the recommendation, consent and permission of Rev. John Welch, O.Carm., the Prior Provincial of the Order of Carmelites, Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, Father Gerald Williams, O. Carm., is appointed pastor of St. Boniface Parish, Scipio, and St. Therese Parish, Richmond. Father Clyde Ozminkowski, who has been the temporary administrator of these parishes, has been granted retirement status by the Order of Carmelites and will continue to live in the monastery in Scipio. This appointment was effective July 1.

PRIESTLY FRATERNITY OF ST. PETER With the recommendation, consent and permission of Rev. Eric Flood, FSSP, the North American District Superior of The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, Father James Gordon, FSSP, is appointed as chaplain of the Community of St. John-Mary Vianney in Maple Hill.

This was effective July 15.

With the recommendation, consent and permission of Rev. Eric Flood, FSSP the North American District Superior of The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, Father John Fongemie, FSSP, is appointed as assistant at the Community of St. Philippine Duchesne, Kansas City, Kan. This was effective July 15.

Andrew Lohmann

Jared Nolte

Tyler Shinn

Zachary Wassenberg

Eric Zinke

Eagle Scout rank given to five from Troop No. 71 SENECA — Five Boy Scouts have received the highest rank in Scouting, the Eagle Scout award.

The Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held July 6 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church here, with Father Michael Koller, officiating.

The five Eagle Scouts are: Andrew Lohmann, Jared Nolte, Tyler Shinn, Zachary Wassenberg, and Eric Zinke.

Each boy was responsible for a community project that he would plan, budget and complete as the

final step toward the Eagle Scout rank. These projects included: playground equipment at Life Care Center by Eric Zinke; the Marian Shrine arbor at Sts. Peter and Paul Church by Tyler Shinn; landscaping along the junior high building at Sts. Peter and Paul School by Andrew Lohmann; a target building at the shooting range at the Seneca Airport by Jared Nolte; and bluebird houses and landscaping at Crestview Manor by Zachary Wassenberg.

Ignatian retreat set for Sept. 11-14 KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Savior Pastoral Center here, located at 12601 Parallel Pkwy., will host a men’s Ignatian retreat weekend from Sept. 11 - 14.

The theme will be: “The Importance of Gratitude in Our Spiritual Life.” Join with other men in the archdiocese to explore gifted life and the value of contemplation in dis-

covering the presence of God. The retreat leader will be Father Robert Costello, SJ, from St. Louis University.

The cost of $150 includes a private room, all meals and refreshments, and a freewill offering.

Reservations are being accepted through Aug. 29. For information or to register, call (913) 721-1097.

LEAWOOD — Boy Scout Troop No. 395 announced three new Eagle Scouts: Albert Selanders, Robert DeCoursey and Richard Rodriguez.

All are members of Curé of Ars Parish here and received their awards in a Albert Selanders ceremony on June 8.

Selanders’ Eagle project was building 300 reusable crosses for Curé of Ars Parish. The crosses are displayed in front of the church for pro-life week.

Richard Rodriguez DeCoursey’s Eagle project was to build five bat boxes and hang them in trees at the Ironwoods Park in Leawood. The boxes provide a habitat for bats which help to control the inRobert DeCoursey sects at the park.

Rodriguez’s Eagle project was to improve the entrance at the Tony Aguirre Community Center on the west side of downtown Kansas City, Mo. It included planting bushes in a barren planting area, installing potted evergreens on the sidewalk and installing a 25-foot commercial flag pole and American flag.

LOCAL NEWS

16

BRAVO!

THE LEAVEN • JULY 18, 2008

The conclusion of the Sisters’ piano extravaganza is met with a standing ovation.

SISTERS’ FINGERS FLY Continued from page 1 But certainly one of the most entertaining highlights of the weekend was a Piano Extravaganza Monster Concert, which featured 15 Sisters performing a medley of songs on eight different pianos. Their renditions of everything from classical music to show tunes were met with a rousing response.

“Music is an important part of our heritage and traditions,” said community director Sister Sue Miller. “When the first Sisters arrived in Leavenworth on Nov. 11, 1858, they brought a harp with them.

That harp remains in our Heritage Room at the motherhouse, and music has resounded through our 150 years.”

Sister Peg Johnson, Sister Gloria Solomon and Sister Dominique Long coordinated the piano extravaganza, which lasted for 90 minutes and ended in a standing ovation. Each of the 15 Sisters who participated was assigned music in advance to practice and then rehearsed together for two days prior to the weekend.

At least four of the Sisters played together on each piece of music, with all 15 together playing “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“It was a heck of a lot of work and even more fun,” said Sister Peg. “Finding a way to celebrate music in community is really

important to us. Music has always permeated our life as a community — we always have wonderful music when we come together for liturgies and just for fun.”

Songs were also composed specifically for the celebration and featured in prayer services throughout the weekend. Sister Gloria Solomon composed “From Founding to Future,” while Sister Dominique Long wrote “Lights of the City.”

They collaborated together on “Dancing, Jubilee!”

Another highlight of the piano extravaganza was Sister Bonnie Bochle’s dance routine to “Singing in the Rain.”

“Sister Bonnie was trained in dance and this was something she always wanted to do,” said Sister Peg. “It really brought the audience to their feet.”

The Sisters had also commissioned liturgical composer Bob Hurd of OCP Publications to write another song for their 150th jubilee. “The Spirit of the Lord” was sung throughout the celebration weekend, which concluded with Mass on July 6.

“It was a great time of reconnecting and seeing friends come together — from those who were vowed for awhile and left, to friends, to those who are still in community here. It was wonderful and very affirming,” said Sister Peg.

PERFECT 10

The pianists’ performance was “scored” by Sister Rita McGinnis, SCL (left); Sister Marie Kathleen Daugherty, SCL; Carolyn Parmer, SCLA; Cathy Tutty, SCLA; and Sister Michael Delores Allegri, SCL.

SO PROUD

Dan Miller applauds the Sisters’ efforts. Miller, owner of the Toon Shop in Prairie Village, donated the pianos the Sisters used for the event.

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