07-29-11 Vol. 33 No. 3

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 33, No. 3 July 29, 2011

‘I really want to help out’ Holy Spirit seventh-grader has volunteered for homeless organization for five years Story and photos by John Schultz

S

Overland Park’s Robert Dupin helps clean up at the Uplift headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. For his tireless dedication, Robert was named Uplift volunteer of the month recently. aturday morning. For a lot of kids, it means an all-you-can-eat buffet of sugary cereal, mindnumbing cartoons, and a few extra rounds on the Xbox.

For soon-to-be 7thgrader Robert Dupin, however, Saturday mornings sometimes mean a trek into the inner city for a six-hour shift at Uplift, a Kansas City, Mo., homeless outreach organization.

“I volunteer the second Saturday of each month, and I’ve been doing it about

five years now,” said the Overland Park boy. “I started when I was seven.”

For his efforts, Robert has accomplished something even his older schoolmates at Holy Spirit School in Overland Park haven’t been able to achieve: He was named Uplift volunteer of the month.

The honor means Robert got a memorial railroad spike to recognize his achievement, as well as his name on a plaque in the Uplift headquarters at 15th and Prospect. It also means ending the day feeling a little more fulfilled than one might with the average slate of Sat-

urday morning childhood activities.

“It makes me feel better to help out homeless people whatever way I can, so that they can live a better life,” Robert said. “It’s crazy how many homeless people there are, and I really want to help out.”

So what drives the 12-year-old to defy the stereotypes of his age group and give up a Saturday each month to help the homeless?

“We have a theory in our family that you do good, and good comes back to

Turn to “young” on page 7

Faithful Summer

Faith and fun are the key ingredients to making summer camp at Prairie Star Ranch a success.

end of an era

After more than 100 years, St. Joseph Parish in Lillis has closed. Its last Mass was July 6.

Team Players

3

8-9

The archdiocese is now requiring all parents and coaches of CYO teams to attend a seminar emphasizing sportsmanship.

16

2 local news

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

THE LEAVEN • july 29, 2011

Pakistani Christians hold onto hope

By Joe Bollig

Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar Aug. 1 Evening prayer with the National Assembly of Jesus Caritas — Savior Pastoral Center

Leaven staff

LEAWOOD — Archbishop Evarist Pinto, prelate of the Archdiocese of Karachi, readily acknowledges that Christians represent only a tiny minority of the population of Pakistan.

But he doesn’t let that worry him — or stop him.

“Minority — we don’t like to use that word again and again,” said Archbishop Pinto, who visited Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood from June 21 to 30. The archbishop was here to thank parishioners for contributing to construction of a new minor seminary in his diocese.

“We are also part of the larger community,” he continued. “We are Pakistani. Our people contribute . . . to the progress and development of the country.”

Because Pakistan is 97 percent Muslim, the contributions of Pakistan’s tiny Christian community often do not make the headlines. Instead, rather harrowing stories of violence and persecution do: riots, rape, harassment, police brutality, and coercive proselytizing.

The world was reminded of this reality when governmental minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, was murdered on March 2 because of his activism against Pakistan’s notorious, discriminatory “blasphemy laws.”

Life for the minority Christians can be difficult, especially in certain rural areas, said Archbishop Pinto.

But incidents of violence and discrimination, although tragic, are only part of the story. There is also a great deal of positive Christian and Muslim interaction, said the archbishop.

“In Karachi (a large port city on the Arabian Sea, in the southern part of Pakistan), we don’t have this big problem living with Muslims,” the archbishop said. “We grow up together.

Our children study together. We work together.”

“Sometimes it can happen,” he continued. “Some of your young people working under Muslims can be harassed, ‘Why don’t you become Muslim?’ But generally in Karachi we respect each other and live together in apartment houses with great respect and tolerance.”

In fact, Christians are often respected for their work ethic and honesty, especially in certain economic sectors like banking. There is widespread appreciation of the beneficial impact that Christian institutions have on the nation, especially Christian hospitals and schools.

“Proof of this is that most of our leaders, the Cabinet, all went to our Catholic schools,” said the archbishop.

Archbishop Pinto was born in the former Portuguese colony of Goa, on the western coast of India. His family decided to live in Pakistan after the end of British rule in 1947, and subsequent partition of British India into Hindu-majority India, and Muslimmajority Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The archbishop’s family history, and that of Christianity in South Asia, reflects a variety of influences stretching from antiquity to the era of European colonialism, and then on into modern times.

Within Pakistan, there are ancient Christian communities with roots in

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Emily Boeckman wipes away a tear as she videotapes the last Mass at St. Joseph Church in Lillis.

Father Jim Shaughnessy, former pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Lillis, gets a laugh from parishioners during Mass.

Louise Reust, 95, has been a parishioner at St. Joseph for her entire life.

Parishioners say goodbye to St. Joseph

Aug. 12-22 World Youth Day — Madrid

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar Aug. 6 Wedding — Ireland Aug. 7 Mass — Brosna, Ireland Catholics are only 1.3 percent of Muslim-majority Pakistan, but they are proud of their positive contributions to their country, said Archbishop Evarist Pinto of the Archdiocese of Karachi.

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Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

the Nestorian, Assyrian, and Eastern Orthodox churches.

There are also churches — Protestant and Catholic — that were founded there during the period of British colonial rule. Catholic missionaries from Britain, Belgium, Holland and the United States established several parishes.

Now, in more recent years, Pakistan has seen the advent of Pentecostal churches — often referred to as sects.

Today, the 1.3 million Catholics of Pakistan are organized into six dioceses and one apostolic vicariate.

Pakistan’s Christians and Muslims often face the same problems, such as finding adequate employment and education. And life beyond the opportunities city life can offer can be harder on both.

“In cities like Karachi, people come there to find jobs and send their children to school, join a community and parish,” said the archbishop. “But, in contrast, in the interior provinces, in Sindh or Punjab, life can be more difficult — economic and social.”

Despite these difficulties and challenges, the outlook for the faith is far from dismal.

The number of seminarians continues to grow — so much so that the archbishop just recently completed the construction of a new, larger minor seminary. And, despite discrimination, the Catholic population is growing as well.

Moreover, the Catholic Church in Pakistan is about to launch its first satellite-based Catholic television channel, appropriately named “Good News.”

Even the assassination of Bhatti points to something good about the Catholic Church in Pakistan.

“He was a man who was very deeply rooted in his Christian faith and tradi-

tion — he came from a Catholic village in the middle of the Punjab,” said the archbishop.

In a homily he gave at Curé of Ars, Archbishop Pinto quoted Bhatti: “I am a disciple of Christ who gave his life for us; I know the meaning of the cross.

I am ready to sacrifice my life for the cause of my people.”

Bhatti lives on as an example and symbol for Pakistani Christians.

“I think he is a role model for us now, especially our youth,” said Archbishop Pinto. “He did not marry. He did not think of his own future. For the church to produce such people is a great thing. . . . Our church can also produce men of caliber, of strong faith who are dedicated to the community.”

Pakistani Catholics are looking forward to a future where they will move beyond the model of the European missionary. The Catholic bishops of Pakistan don’t want their flock to always be on the receiving end. They want some self-sufficiency.

“It is our contention that any church and community can also contribute,” he said.

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences decided 20 years ago to try a new way of being church. They’d keep the traditional Catholic parish, but also organize their people into smaller communities — basic ecclesial communities.

“For us, it is the road map of the apostles, who left small communities in Corinth, Athens and Rome,” the archbishop said.

“Jesus himself called the Twelve to be around him,” he continued. “Challenges surround us, but I think with small communities we can meet those challenges better than a big church or as individuals. We need the support of one another.”

Father Pat Sullivan, at the time parochial administrator of St. Joseph in Lillis, celebrates Mass with several former pastors of the parish. Concelebrating with Father Sullivan are: (from left) Father Carl Dekat, Father David Smith, Father George Seuferling, Father Bob Hasenkamp, Father Mike Stubbs (partially blocked), Father Phil Winkelbauer, Father Jim Shaughnessy, and Father Arul Carasala.

L

Parishioner Robert Bergmann was overcome with ILLIS — The final tolling of the bell. emotion reading the petition as he prayed for St. JoThe last hymn sung. The last Mass celseph parishioners. ebrated at St. Joseph Church here.

It was their last time together as a congregation.

It was a time for goodbye, and to remember this parish that would now be closed.

A new reality Louise Reust remembers.

Story by More than one parishioner didn’t think the “It was the seventh of Jessica reality would really hit them until it was time June, and it was hot — it was hot.”

Langdon to go to Mass again and they couldn’t come So hot, she got sick that day during her here. first Communion. Her mother hurried her to Photos by “It doesn’t feel like it’s sunk in,” said the pump outside and splashed water in her Elaina face.

Cochran 19-year-old Rebecca Kohman. She went to the last Mass with her parents, Frank and Reust, who was born in 1916, remembers Ann Kohman, and her sister Samantha, 21. many better days here, too. Like the day her Both girls were baptized here. Their first own daughter, Millie Donahue, was baptized.

Communion was here. Confirmation, too.

Donahue played the organ at St. Joseph for 30 “Wish we could have gotten married here,” Samanyears. The last time was July 6, when she and Reust tha said. joined fellow parishioners for a Mass of thanksgiving.

Father Pat Sullivan, parochial administrator of St. Most were keenly aware they were creating their final Joseph, began his homily telling the congregation memories of St. Joseph, which served the Lillis area about the funerals he has prepared for, each sad and since 1865.

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

difficult in its own way.

“But I would have to say that this one is perhaps the most difficult,” he said.

“That’s right, I said this one,” he continued. “It would be foolish for us not to see this event for what it really is — or at least what it feels like: We’re suffering a loss.”

Then he turned to the topic of baptism.

The gifts we receive at baptism can’t be undone and are ours forever, he said. Like those, the memories of life at St. Joseph belong to the parishioners forever.

“No one can change or undo the memories created here,” Father Sullivan said. “For well over 100 years, multitudes of baptisms have occurred in these waters, thus initiating people into the Christian life.

Many have, like the prodigal son, come back to Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation. Thousands of holy Communions have been consecrated and received by the faithful, giving spiritual nourishment for their weekly journey. And multitudes have been

Turn to “rocks” on page 6

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

Task force considers ways to address needs of the archdiocese

By Jessica Langdon

Needs of youth are among top priorities of special task force

By Jessica Langdon

Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The time: Lunch hour on a Tuesday.

The place: Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. The players: Six lay leaders, six priests.

The situation: Under investigation.

Forks and knives were still moving when this group rolled up its figurative sleeves and got down to business.

Today, the topic was how to best reach out to youth in both urban and rural areas across the archdiocese.

It’s a key issue, but not the only one members of this task force are studying.

Created by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, this group is delving into several issues close to the heart of the Catholic community in northeastern Kansas.

The group has already learned about the need for high school tuition assistance and debt reduction. Members have discussed the assistance required

by Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan., to help make the dreams of higher education come true for many students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. And at the July 19 meeting, the task force talked about new ways to keep hundreds of young people from slipping through the cracks.

And they’re not done yet.

Still to come in the next few months are the topics of maintaining a church presence in urban areas and the needs of the diverse regions and parishes in the archdiocese’s 21 counties.

The blue-ribbon task force brings together leaders in business and faith to study issues identified in a capital campaign feasibility study. The Steier Group, a development firm based in Omaha, Neb., conducted the study in the summer and fall of 2010.

While there was some support for a possible campaign, the Steier Group has said, it was decided that a year in which the leadership could take a new look at the issues was in order.

That’s where the task force comes in.

Task force members tackle the issues one at a time, examining where things are going well, where the biggest needs and challenges exist, and what leaders in each of these areas would like to see happen.

It is ultimately their job to come up with recommendations for the archdiocese on how to address these needs.

They then report back their findings to two larger groups — the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council and a case review advisory council.

Lesle Knop, executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development, is excited about the leadership involved.

This is an opportunity to bring together lay and clergy to focus on “substantive, critical, financial dilemmas” and to address them in a “comprehensive, overarching, integrated manner,” she said.

LOCAL NEWS 5

Leaven staff

Leaven photo by Todd Habiger

Mike Morrissey, chairman of the case review task force, updates the team July 19 on the issues it’s studying today. A feasibility study identified various needs of the archdiocese, and it is the group’s task to map out strategies for addressing those needs.

1.

Major areas of study

High school tuition assistance and debt reduction

2. Support for Donnelly College 3. Urban and rural youth outreach 4.

Maintaining a vibrant Catholic presence in struggling areas

High school tuition assistance and debt reduction are among the issues the case review task force is studying. A feasibility study in 2010 identified a number of different needs.

This isn’t a matter of waiting for someone else to come up with solutions; it’s Catholics taking the lead.

“I am grateful that we’ve had these bright, committed Catholics step forward and give so much of their time and energy to help the church,” Knop said.

A Future Full of Hope and the annual Archbishop’s Call to Share campaigns have addressed many critical needs for Catholics in the archdiocese, but more needs remain.

“We’re looking at extraordinary situations that do require everyone in the archdiocese to look at solutions together,” said Knop. She sees the work these groups are doing as inspirational.

“I think we can all be very excited about this year of work,” she said, adding that it will have a positive impact for many years to come.

Part of the process entails looking at the assets that exist in the archdiocese and using them to their greatest potential.

The task force has more work ahead of it, including more sessions to discuss additional focus areas. Over the next few months, members will meet again to talk about keeping a Catholic presence in urban areas, at which Father Gary Pennings, vicar general, will present information about the changing demographics in Wyandotte County

and in Topeka that pressure and challenge the church’s strong presence. The group will also discuss the needs of the regions and parishes within the archdiocese.

In addition to the major focus areas identified, the group will consider other needs, ranging from outreach to lapsed Catholics to establishing multilingual radio communication to sustaining our Catholic youth camp.

The group will ultimately develop a set of recommendations for the archdiocese, which the archbishop and his advisors will use to guide the ultimate decision regarding a potential capital campaign.

But that is in the future — now is the time for research, planning and education.

For the first in a series of stories highlighting each of the major areas of the task force’s efforts, see page 5.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In some ways, it’s the best of times.

“It’s wonderful to see these young people so engaged with the faith,” Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann said.

He pointed out the youth groups from across the archdiocese taking a week out of their summer to help others through Prayer and Action missions.

And then there’s the Catholic HEART Work Camp that has brought together teens from all over during the past two weeks.

And those are just a couple of examples of faith coming to life through young people.

But in other ways, these are difficult times. Archbishop Naumann remembers growing up in a culture that was supportive of at least being a Christian.

“It is a much more challenging environment,” he told members of a case review task force July 19 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. “It’s even more urgent, I think, we do everything we can to provide our youth with great programs and great opportunities.”

The session focused on youth outreach in urban and rural areas. Both have their own sets of challenges.

Deacon Dana Nearmyer, lead archdiocesan consultant for evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, highlighted the positives first in a presentation specifically prepared for the task force.

The youth office and parishes are “actively engaged” in the formation of about 17,000 children, ages kindergarten through 12th grade. This formation happens through regular catechetical programs, annual faith formation events, Camp Tekakwitha, and other programs at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg.

However, there is a need to reach many more. In fact, Deacon Nearmyer believes there are hundreds — possibly thousands — of youths within the archdiocese who are not being reached by formal faith formation or Catholic youth ministry. They are both in urban core and rural areas. Many are especially in need of outreach through the church because of the issues that touch their lives. They might face poverty, illiteracy, drugs, or violence.

“If we’re not present, then what are these kids listening to?” Deacon Nearmyer asked.

Urban needs In urban areas, changing demographics and decreasing resources play a role in the need.

Some of the greatest urban needs exist east of I-635 in Wyandotte County.

Wyandotte County is home to 158,000 people; 44,240 are younger than 18.

There have been 12,235 baptisms within Catholic parishes since 1993.

Leaven photo by Todd Habiger

Deacon Dana Nearmyer (right), lead archdiocesan consultant for evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, and Rick Cheek, consultant with the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, discuss the challenges the archdiocese faces in reaching rural and urban youth — as well as a plan to meet those challenges — with the case review task force July 19 at Savior Pastoral Center.

“Those are our Catholic kids that are school-aged now,” said Deacon Nearmyer. That figure doesn’t include those who arrived through immigration or who weren’t baptized here.

Using the estimated population of Catholic children, about 12.5 percent are enrolled in Wyandotte County parish schools or Bishop Ward High School.

The archdiocese and the parishes must work together on a youth outreach program to revitalize the Catholic presence in that area, said Deacon Nearmyer.

Poverty is the greatest issue facing many there, but related issues include unemployment, crime, gangs, substance abuse and poor health.

“We need a Catholic presence beyond what we’re doing right now that tells these kids there is hope,” said Deacon Nearmyer.

Of the 11 parishes in the region, only three have youth groups, he said. None offers high school-age religious education. One doesn’t even have a comprehensive religious education program and another doesn’t have sacramental preparation for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Two have part-time youth ministers, but only one has a full-time youth minister.

“There’s a great need here,” said Deacon Nearmyer. And the ones most in need aren’t always an easy group to reach.

In preparing the presentation for the study’s task force, youth leaders consulted a number of people — including Catholic, education and civic leaders — from across Wyandotte County.

They looked at how the church can be relevant and helpful when it comes to meeting youth needs.

To address the needs, the staff recommendation — at this point — is to look at the possibility of a $2.5 million endowment, which would provide annual support for a full-time coordinator, stipends for part-time local missionaries and operational expenses for urban youth ministry.

The preliminary recommendations to the task force also point to a need for $500,000 for capital renovation of an existing Catholic location for meeting and gathering. This would be in Wyandotte County.

Rural issues Rural communities have their own set of issues when it comes to reaching children and teens.

In these areas, travel distances and limited archdiocesan resources are factors.

Rick Cheek, a consultant with the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, said the archdiocese has about 59 parishes considered to be part of the rural service area.

This area includes the NemahaMarshall, Atchison and Southern regions, as well as the northern, western and southern areas of the Topeka Region.

In pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, there are 958 students in rural Catholic schools. Many children in these rural areas do not have the option of attending a local Catholic high school, and only a few strong parishrun youth ministry programs exist.

Isolation and geographic challenges aren’t the only ones facing youth outreach in rural areas. Cheek pointed out that substance abuse and suicide are high among teens. And there are chal-

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lenges when it comes to hiring qualified parish staff.

Through research driven by the study, Cheek and Deacon Nearmyer learned of a youth program of the Archdiocese of Omaha that could prove workable here in the archdiocese.

Omaha, like the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, has a lot of miles spread over rural areas, and many of the areas are far from the chancery. So in the Omaha Archdiocese, the focus has been on placing several part-time employees in the rural areas, instead of relying on only one full-time staffer.

With that model in mind, the archdiocese here is discussing the pros and cons of a $2.5 million endowment to provide income to annually fund one part-time youth outreach coordinator and four part-time animators, who would have regional assignments. This would also include stipends for volunteer missionaries.

When parishes call the archdiocesan youth office for help with programs, “they don’t want us to send them a program,” Cheek said. They don’t want something that comes in the mail. They want face to face contact and something that will help make connections with young people.

The presentation concluded with the opportunity for the task force to ask questions and with time to discuss the proposal presented.

The group will delve further into this and many other issues as it works to come up with its own recommendations for a course of action.

The task force will meet again in just a few weeks, and members will begin drafting their formal recommendations regarding this and other important needs surfaced by the feasibility study in the next few months.

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6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • july 29, 2011

THE LEAVEN • july 29, 2011

‘Rocks and mortar pass away, but our memories never will’

Young volunteer embraces homeless organization’s mission

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 1

married and buried here.”

Sacristan Mary Seiwald and her husband Paul were married here 51 years ago. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as sacristan, a calling that held both joy and sadness for her.

“I miss her, but I was happy to do it for them,” she said.

The final Mass wasn’t an easy one.

you,” said his mother, Rita Dupin.

In laboring for Uplift and earning his award, Robert was simply heeding that theory.

This green, hilly area was originally called Irish Creek. Early Masses were celebrated in log cabin homes.

Father William Fitzgerald settled here in 1865 and became the first resident pastor.

Catholic settlers poured what money they could into a church building, a small structure of native wood. A dry goods box became the first altar.

A cemetery was added in 1866 and expanded in 1893.

Early parishioners found the roads hard to travel and wanted a church near the cemetery. Land was deeded in 1901.

In 1903, the frame church was moved to this new site across from the cemetery.

Three years later, a new railroad was under construction between Topeka and Marysville, and a town — named Lillis, likely in honor of the bishop at the time — was thriving nearby. The congregation was split on whether to build the church in Lillis itself or at the current site. They decided to keep it where it was. The basement and foundation for the new church were finished in 1912, but hard times delayed completion until 1916.

This region has seen churches close before. Even four decades ago, some thought this day might come.

The Eastern Kansas Register — forerunner of The Leaven — ran an article in February 1970 about the faith that remained in this part of Kansas, despite the closure of St. Patrick Parish in Coal Creek. Changes also meant no resident priest at St. Joseph in Lillis. A declining Catholic population and a shortage of priests were factors then.

John Sullivan, who was 74 at the time, talked about the Lillis parish becoming a mission of Annunciation Parish in nearby Frankfort.

“Naturally, we’d rather have had it continue as a parish — we’ll miss having our own priest right here with us, but that’s the way it had to be,” the article quoted the parishioner. “So now we’re

How to help

‘Good comes back to you’

History of faith

Parishioner Mary Johnson gathers all the priests for a photo following the last Mass at St. Joseph Church in Lillis. They are: (from left) Father Dave Smith, Father Jim Shaughnessy, Father George Seuferling, Father Bob Hasenkamp, Father Pat Sullivan, Father Arul Carasala, and Father Carl Dekat. hoping St. Joseph’s can go on indefinitely as a mission, although that’s probably being too optimistic, too. If they close our church, we would just ‘move in’ over at Annunciation, in Frankfort, I guess.”

A decree of suppression by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann explains the pastoral planning process and provides some background for the decision this year to close St. Joseph. The recommendations for the Nemaha-Marshall Pastoral Region in 2008 suggested closure under certain configurations, particularly when it came to the number of priests. In the letter, Archbishop Naumann urged local pastors to help St. Joseph parishioners as they turn to new church homes.

Keeping the faith Father Sullivan hoped the foundation of faith this congregation built here will stay with them.

He told the congregation about words of wisdom Seiwald shared at the last Altar Society dinner.

“Rocks and mortar pass away, but our memories never will,” she said. “It’s time to move on.”

Father Sullivan asked the parishioners to pray and keep those words in

mind.

“Brothers and sisters, God created us for two simple reasons,” he said. “To give him honor and glory, and to help each other get to heaven. That reality stays the same regardless of what’s going on around us.”

Eight priests concelebrated the final Mass at St. Joseph. Many had served as its pastor during the past five decades.

Some had other ties here. Others who couldn’t make it wanted to be here. Several shared stories and memories at the end of Mass.

Father Carl Dekat arrived at St. Joseph Parish in November 1957. The country church reminded him of the St. Joseph Parish he had known growing up. This was his first parish as a pastor.

“I always felt a close connection to St. Joseph Parish in Lillis because it was my first parish,” he said.

The priests’ memories met with laughter and applause. After Mass, there were hugs and a few tears.

Reust was one of the first babies baptized in the new church building back in 1916. This church has been part of her whole life.

That won’t be the case for little Easton Caffrey. He wasn’t quite two weeks old

when he was baptized here — just three days before the closing Mass.

“It’s kind of sad, really,” his dad, Nathan Caffrey, said. “I don’t know how else to say it. I’ve been going to this church all my life.”

He always thought his children would grow up here, too. Baptisms of his kids — Easton and 8-year-old Aiden — are memories he’ll cherish.

His wife, Casa Caffrey, joined the church last Easter.

“We kind of brought them both into the church,” Nathan said, as Casa cuddled tiny Easton on the church steps.

Father Sullivan further encouraged the parishioners to keep their focus on Jesus, no matter what happens around them.

“When I first had to inform you of this sad news,” he said, “I told you we had a great opportunity to grow in holiness.

There was also the opportunity to let the devil get the best of us.

“Because of your love and good character, I still believe that we will grow in holiness and that you will bring greater life to those communities you choose to join.”

LOCAL NEWS 7

Frank Fiorini believes a lot of good has come back to him in the years since he started Uplift. His life, after all, is better for getting to work with his army of dedicated volunteers like Robert, he said.

“We recently celebrated our 20th anniversary,” added Fiorini, another Holy Spirit parishioner. “We started in ’91 with a few people that either volunteered or worked at other agencies and saw that enough outreach wasn’t being done.”

So Uplift set about the business of helping to meet the needs of the homeless where they were. The organization collects donated goods, loads them onto trucks, and routinely shuttles them to the homeless along several preset routes.

The donations they can’t use go on to the Sisters of St. Francis in Independence.

“We try to meet all kinds of needs: clothing, hygiene,” said Fiorini. “We make lemonade for them this time of year.

“Our aim is not to propagate them on the street. We just help them get along; we help them survive.”

Over the years, Fiorini figures his organization has done as much good as it could, providing meals, securing eyeglasses, getting the homeless to doctors and dentists.

“We began very humbly. . . . When I started, we had one truck. We had ladies doing cooking. We had a cook for each night, and they put the food in pots and pans and kept it warm in blankets,” he said. “We were serving maybe 30-35 people.

“Now we’re serving 120-130. We’ll get as high as 160 people. We have three trucks, and we’ve just grown by leaps and bounds as far as our donations. We’re allvolunteer; no paid staff. We don’t get any state or city or federal funding.

“That’s just how we’ve progressed — doing a lot with a little.”

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. The good news is that people are drawn to help the program fulfill its mission. Fiorini said he can never remember how many volunteers he has at any given time, so he always ballparks it at about 150.

“Boy, we’ve got some volunteers that have stuck with us for a lot of years,” he

Robert is described as having a “heart of gold.” He enjoys volunteering at Uplift and longs for more responsibility. said. “They just keep coming back.”

The Dupins, as a family, keep coming back.

‘A little more responsibility’ “We foster this program on the second Saturday for elementary students so they can get service hours,” explained Fiorini. “A lot of the high school students are old enough to go out on our runs.

The younger ones just stay here and help load.”

The Dupins, in particular, have embraced the student program. Robert’s older brother Richard, now 25, started with Uplift in the third grade. His sister Bridget, now a recent high school graduate, started, like Robert, in first grade.

The family knows Fiorini well. They’re fellow parishioners. Rita went to Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park with one of Fiorini’s sons.

And the Dupins’ dedication never fails to impress Fiorini. Neither does Robert.

On a Saturday morning in early July, Robert weaved his thin frame between the dozen or so older (in most cases, much older) volunteers in Uplift’s warehouse.

The mid-July heat wave was just beginning to make itself comfortable in the KC metro. Even with its doors thrown open, Uplift’s facility was only mildly cooler than outside.

None of that seemed to faze Robert.

He attacked his job with gusto, jabbing donated clothing into plastic sacks like he was working a heavy punching bag; hoisting crates of cans like there was a

prize for speed.

“I’ve seen him keep up with teenage boys loading trucks,” said Fiorini. “He’s a very humble little gentleman. . . . But he’s always just real anxious to do whatever you want him to do.”

Robert said his shifts “can be real busy — I’ve crushed boxes; I do socks, clothes, packing. I’ve had to organize canned goods; make donation tags. There’s a lot more stuff.

“But it’s a very fun place. It’s really a fun way to donate my time.”

Robert’s mom said her son has “always been excited to help. And now that he’s getting older, he wants to do a little more. He’s anxious to start taking on a little more responsibility.”

‘Heart of gold’ Robert’s desire for more responsibility is no secret.

Michele Watson, principal of Holy Spirit notes that volunteerism is an essential part of education at her school.

In fact, it’s a requirement at some grade levels.

“But that’s for middle-schoolers prepping for confirmation,” Watson said. “All the service he does is of his own free will.”

“Robert Dupin has a heart of gold,” she continued. “He’s the boy in the building who always has a smile on his face and is always willing to help whenever it’s needed. . . . He’s just a really great kid. We need more kids like him in our world today.”

In his spare time, Robert runs track

“There’s always going to be homelessness,” believes Frank Fiorini. “There’s always going to be that need. I don’t see it ever decreasing.”

And the summer heat brings along with it its own particular set of needs for Uplift.

“There’s always a need for candles, and for T-shirts and golf shirts, underwear and socks,” said Fiorini.

And bug spray.

“The pest problem is bad in the summer heat. Bug sprays and anti-bug repellents, we could really use,” he added.

For more information or to support Uplift, call (816) 241-0400 or visit the web site at: www.uplift.org.

and plays soccer, and is a NASCAR fan.

(Jeff Gordon is his favorite driver). He hopes eventually to become an engineer or a mechanic who works on and builds car engines.

In addition to Uplift, he also volunteers his time at Holy Spirit’s garage sale, the Walk for Life, and the Walk for Diabetes.

Considering his — and his siblings’ — dedication to service, Rita Dupin considers herself a lucky parent.

“I’ve really never had to pull or tug at my kids to do this,” she said. “If they’re tired and I think they’ve had too much in any given week, I don’t even mention volunteering. I want it to be something they want to do.”

“I’m mainly proud of them, just because they understand who they are.

They understand their faith, and they’re very good to other people,” she added.

Robert said he sees himself sticking around with Uplift for a long time.

“There’s a lot I really like there,” he said. “If someone doesn’t know what to do to help, Uplift’s a good way to start helping.

“I know it was a good start for me.”

His mother says she thinks she knows why her kids have shown so much interest in helping the homeless.

“My approach is we have always looked at what we have. We have a roof over our heads — we don’t have a lot, but we have a roof and we have a meal on the table every night. My kids are very thankful for that, and they realize how lucky they are.”

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Fun + faith =

Board bound

Evan Tinker, a seminarian entering his second year of pre-theology studies at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, assists a camper with the operation of a mountain board.

Photo by Doug Hesse

“When you go to church, it’s so easy to understand because they say everything from a kid’s perspective,” said Madisen.

“They explain everything to us,” agreed Mary Clare.

“I’ve never heard a church so loud with so many children’s voices just singing at the top at their lungs,” said Tinker. “It’s just amazing and heartwarming to hear every session just how on fire these kids are.”

a summer to remember

By Jessica Langdon

W

Leaven staff

ILLIAMSBURG — It’s not every day you get to play ninja with an archbishop.

But Camp Kateri here in Williamsburg isn’t your everyday camp. Some pretty extraordinary things happen here.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, for example, displayed some hidden talents that impressed this summer’s campers during a recent visit to Prairie Star Ranch.

“So many people look at priests like, ‘Oh, they’re so holy; they’re so perfect,’” said 11-year-old Madisen Hane of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. “But they’re really just normal people. Archbishop Naumann was out here and he was just out playing with us after dinner.

He ate dinner with us.”

And 11-year-old Church of the Nativity, Leawood, parishioner Mary Clare Halpin especially noticed his surprise participation in the after-dinner activity.

“He played ninja!” she said with a laugh.

Something as simple as his use of a smart phone, in fact, made a connection with the young campers in an unexpected way.

And this camp is all about connecting — especially when it comes to linking faith lessons campers learn here to their own lives.

Hundreds of kids from fifth-grade through high school come here to camp every summer, and go home with new confidence as Catholics.

Connecting with kids, Catholicism A staff that includes five seminarians for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas guides the experience of all the sessions of camp. Kids in fifth and sixth grades go to Camp Kateri. Camp Tekakwitha is for junior high and high school students. And a special session called Camp Tekakwitha Extreme is open to high school ages.

All 11 camp sessions give campers a chance to see seminarians — who are, it turns out, a lot like them — upclose and personal.

“I think it’s cool, because people that are becoming a priest are talking to me, and they’re letting us have fun and messing around with us,” said Drew Hicks, 11, of Church of the Ascension.

“They can mess around and have fun with you, and then they can get really close to God, like in church and reconciliation,” agreed Kyle Funke, 11, of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

Luke Doyle, going into his senior year of college seminary at Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, said he loves the opportunity kids have at camp to see guys preparing to be priests “doing crazy

Staff connection To Hunter Hamilton, a seminarian who will be a junior at Conception Seminary College this fall, there’s just one way to think of the camp staff.

“The best way to describe it is ‘camp family,’” he said. “The things we do really pour onto the kids.”

The camp counselors lead activities and cheer campers on as they tackle the rock-climbing wall. They answer questions about the faith they are trying to nurture in their young campers. They sometimes serve as a mom or dad substitute for kids away from home for the first time. And they make a world of difference.

They arrive before camp begins.

“We pray over each other. We pray together. We talk through things,” Hamilton said.

Staff members meet in the mornings, and “props” go to those who did something that stood out. It’s a way to let the whole staff know the good that’s going on.

“Through our love for each other we show our love for Christ, and we show that love to [the campers],” he said.

in prayer

Justin Hamilton, a graduate of Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo., who will start his theological studies at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., leads a group of campers in prayer.

Taking camp home

Photo by Doug Hesse

Archbishop at play

Following a well-played game of ninja, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann joins the campers for a tasty dinner.

Photo by Susan McSpadden

things” like soaring across the zip lines.

“I think the more exposed kids are to vocations, the greater their openness becomes to vocations,” Doyle said.

When asked to boil the camp experience down to five key components, camp leaders chose the following: activities, Catholic formation sessions, liturgy, the staff, and how kids incorporate camp into their lives when they go home.

Activities You can’t have summer camp without summer fun, and Camp Tekakwitha goes above and beyond in that department.

Kids jump on giant inflatables in the lake. They fly through the air on the zip line. They ride horses and try their hand at archery.

“All the activities we have here are pretty extraordinary, which helps so much in relating back to God,” said seminarian Thomas Maddock, who will be a freshman at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo. “[God] is extraordinary.

He made this wonderful place.”

If kids felt the activities and location were “lame,” he said, it would be harder to connect them to God. “We always start off in prayer, and we end in prayer. We want to keep God as our focus, always ask him to be with us, protect us, open us to what he wants us to experience,” Maddock said. “We try to bring it back to God and how we can apply it in our lives.”

Will Eldridge, who celebrated his 11th birthday at camp this summer, belongs to Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Bucyrus.

“There’s so much stuff to do here,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome.”

Waiting with Will and Drew to give the zip line a go, Kyle said he liked horseback riding best so far. But the camp also opened his eyes to mountain boarding.

That, explained Maddock, is “kind of like snowboarding with wheels.” It’s just one example of things you don’t find everywhere.

“I think it’s really fun because we get to learn about God,” said Caroline Wilkus, 11, of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, “and we get to do things we wouldn’t get to do other times. I like doing canoeing.

And the challenge course is really fun — so is archery.”

The challenge course emphasized teamwork, especially when the campers had to make it through one of the exercises without talking.

“A lot of these things, it’s like once-in-alifetime,” said Caroline. “You get to learn to be closer to God. You have experiences hanging out with your friends. You have a lot of fun at the campfire.”

Catholic formation sessions Given just a few minutes to throw on costumes and rehearse, small groups of girls got into character.

They performed skits including “Brothers leave boy for dead over a coat” and “Jose and the party girl.”

The scenes are based on stories in the Bible.

“But they don’t know that yet,” explained Justin Hamilton, a graduate of Conception Seminary College who will start his first year of theological studies at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. The kids then gathered as a big group to break down what it all meant. The bottom line in these lessons: God’s love.

Leaders read the relevant Bible passag-

es. They discuss what the scenarios mean in their own lives.

This session focuses on catechesis, and it’s one of eight Catholic formation sessions based on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ vision for youth evangelization.

“We draw on the rich Catholic faith,” Hamilton said. “The cool part about these is that you really have a hands-on experience.”

Liturgy Evan Tinker, a seminarian entering his second year of pre-theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, makes it clear — this is not your ordinary summer camp.

Each session starts and ends with Mass. Priests give of their own time to

come here to celebrate Mass and the reconciliation. It’s amazing to see 200 kids lined up for reconciliation.

The campers who return year after year come to know this as a place to have a ton of fun — and grow in faith.

It’s a place, said Tinker, where “it’s OK to express our Catholic faith.”

“Every morning here at camp, we have the opportunity to spend an hour in prayer,” he said. There is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The campers can light candles and ask for saints’ intercession.

Comparing his last day at camp to his first, Drew said, “I’m a lot closer to God.” That’s not surprising. Every activity and Catholic formation session starts and ends with prayer.

And every night closes with the singing of “Salve Regina,” which Tinker says is a beautiful way to wrap up the day.

The experience doesn’t fade as campers head home.

“It’s just beginning when they leave,” Luke Doyle said.

He pointed to the church’s mission of evangelization — sharing faith with people who don’t know the Lord.

Jesus already reigns in the hearts of many of the kids and staff members, but some of the campers come from places “where Christ may not come first and foremost — or at all — in their lives,” Doyle said.

Camp puts everyone in a different world for a few days.

“This is a tremendous place for these kids to experience an awakening to their faith, to come to know the Lord more fully — and in very simple ways,” he added, “from serving each other at mealtime to swimming together and having a blast out at the lake to the Bible studies we have.”

The return home is rewarding, but isn’t always easy.

“It can very much be a struggle for the kids as they return home, taking the fire of Christ within their hearts back into a world that is not necessarily on fire for the Lord,” said Doyle. “But this is a tremendous tool that we have here in the diocese to truly build up the young church.”

To see and hear more from Camp Kateri, check out the video on The Leaven’s Web site at: www.theleaven.com.

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

Archbishop Chaput succeeds Cardinal Rigali WASHINGTON (CNS) — Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput will succeed Cardinal Justin Rigali as archbishop of Philadelphia. Pope Benedict XVI accepted Cardinal Rigali’s resignation and named the Denver archbishop as his successor July 19. In introducing Archbishop Chaput in a news conference at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia offices, Cardinal Rigali also offered an apology “if I have offended” and “for any weaknesses on my part,” but said he saw no particular connection between the timing of the Vatican accepting his resignation and turbulence in the archdiocese over a February grand jury report on how sex abuse cases were handled. In addition to the announcement about Philadelphia, the pope also accepted the resignation of Bishop J. Kevin Boland of Savannah, Ga., and appointed as his replacement Father Gregory Hartmayer, a Conventual Franciscan priest who currently is pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Lithia Springs, Ga. Archbishop Chaput is scheduled to be installed as Philadelphia’s new archbishop Sept. 8 at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Bishop-designate Hartmayer will be ordained as bishop Oct. 18 in Savannah’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

Fewer priests celebrating more Masses at fewer parishes WASHINGTON (CNS) — More U.S. Catholics are attending Masses at fewer parishes staffed by a rapidly declining corps of priests, according to a new report on “The Changing Face of U.S. Catholic Parishes.” Produced by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate for the Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership project of five national Catholic ministerial organizations, the report documents what it calls the “supersizing” of U.S. Catholic parish life. “Bigger parishes, more Masses and ministries in languages other than English are becoming the norm,” said a news release on the report released July 18. CARA found that the number of Catholic parishes has declined by 1,359 since the year 2000 to 17,784 in 2010, representing a 7.1 percent decrease.

The 2010 number is roughly equal to the 17,637 U.S. parishes in 1965 and 1,836 fewer than the peak number of U.S. parishes in 1990. The average number of registered households in each U.S. parish grew to 1,168, and the average number of people attending Mass at Catholic parishes was 1,110 in 2010, up from an average of 966 a decade earlier.

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

Bishops urge Sudanese Catholics to put faith at center of life

Graduates find time for service

By Sara Angle

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — For many young graduates, the bleak job market coupled with the desire to help others is leading them to commit their time to service.

There are numerous groups that offer service programs for graduates, but organizations such as the St. Vincent Pallotti Center and Catholic Volunteer Network link Catholics with faith-based service opportunities.

“The thing that makes Catholic volunteer service unique is that you have the pillars for why we do what we do.

It’s based in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching,” Mike Goggin director of the St. Vincent Pallotti Center in Washington, told CNS. Rooted in community, simple living and prayer, faith-based service is “appealing for people who want to live a more authentic Christian life,” he said.

“For me, faith and service have always been interrelated; my faith has always been really important to me,” said volunteer Caitlin Baummer. Baummer is finishing her year of service with Catholic Charities Project SERVE in Baltimore, a position she received through Catholic Volunteer Network.

Catholic Volunteer Network and the Pallotti Center publish directories of volunteer opportunities and help people find a volunteer program that will match their skills and needs. They also follow up to ensure volunteers have positive experiences and to encourage personal and spiritual development.

“I definitely wouldn’t call it a year off,” Baummer said of her service year.

“It’s a very different kind of work. . . .

It’s a very thankless job. It can be rewarding, but that’s not why I do it.”

Goggin said the Pallotti Center has heard from volunteer programs that the number of applications has risen in recent years.

“It has to do with the economy,” said Goggin. “There is a lack of opportunities for gainful employment elsewhere,” so recent graduates are looking for places to build and use their skills.

CVNS photo/Feisal Omar, Reuters (CNS photo/Jim West)

DEBRIS SURROUNDS SHACK IN DETROIT — Debris surrounds a shack near the General Motors headquarters in Detroit. After a July 20 meeting with President Barack Obama, leaders of the faith-based Circle of Protection urged the president to protect the poor in the budget efforts.

Religious investors want firms to look at trafficking links

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — A coalition of religious investors want officials at 27 major companies to look deeper into the role human trafficking may play in the operation of their firms.

The investors, who are members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and include about 80 Catholic religious congregations and health care providers, are asking companies such as Costco, American Airlines and Kohl’s to stop doing business with suppliers who violate basic human rights and to train employees to recognize trafficked people in their midst.

The ICCR correspondence, in the form of an investor statement dated June 24, offers an explanation of the prevalence of human trafficking in various industries; details legislative steps taken to control it; and outlines actions the coalition wants the companies to take to end demand for what is widely considered modern-day slavery.

The statement was sent to clothing, food, travel and tourism, agricultural, technology and retail firms and was

timed to coincide with the June 27 release of the 2011 Trafficking in Persons report by the State Department.

“It’s not a bad company list. This is urging companies who have been working in this space to go further,” explained the Rev. David M. Schilling, a United Methodist minister who serves as ICCR’s director of human rights and resources.

“We see this as a supportive nudge to get companies to look at the issue and do more,” he said. “We’re interested in engaging in dialogue with companies.”

The effort is meant to encourage companies to look deeper into their supply chains than solely at direct suppliers of goods and services, Rev. Schilling added.

The travel and tourism industry is being particularly targeted by the ICCR. “We’re trying to persuade the hotels and airlines to sign a code of conduct to train their employees to be on the lookout instead of aiding these perpetrators,” said Sister Patricia A. Keefe, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester, Minn., and a longtime human rights activist.

DISPLACED PEOPLE WAIT FOR FOOD IN SOMALIA — Displaced people stand in line for food distribution at a camp in Mogadishu, Somalia, July 16. Pope Benedict XVI urged the international community to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to the drought-stricken region of eastern Africa, especially Somalia, where tens of thousands have fled drought and famine.

Papal foundation plans expansion of assistance to AIDS patients

By John Thavis

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A papal foundation dedicated to AIDS patients may expand its services to include a global program of distributing antiAIDS drugs, a Vatican official said.

The initiative would respond to the shortage of antiretroviral and other drugs in poorer countries, where the vast majority of AIDS patients receive no adequate treatment, Msgr. JeanMarie Mupendawatu, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, said in an interview July 21 with the Vatican newspaper.

Msgr. Mupendawatu is a delegate to the Good Samaritan Foundation, established by Blessed John Paul II in 2004 to provide economic support to the sick who are most in need, particularly those suffering from AIDS. Msgr. Mupendawatu said the foundation planned to strengthen its activity, especially in Africa, by increasing its promotion of donations of pharmaceutical and medical material, and by working more closely with local Catholic leaders to place the church in the forefront of the care for AIDS patients.

To favor these efforts, he said, the

foundation may open offices on every continent, which would function in coordination with the central office in Rome.

Msgr. Mupendawatu said that while more than 25 percent of the global health care to AIDS patients is provided by Catholic institutions, the church needs to do even more in the face of the epidemic, which infects about 7,000 additional people each day.

One of the church’s priorities is to help make “universal and free access to treatment” a reality for all those infected with AIDS, he said. Today, only about 5 percent of people with AIDS patients receive adequate care, he said.

“It’s enough to realize that the majority [of AIDS patients] in Africa live on a dollar a day and cannot afford any treatment.

Therefore, it’s necessary to reach the essential goal of no-cost drugs,” he said.

Msgr. Mupendawatu said the church’s insistence that education in responsible sexuality be part of any anti-AIDS strategy has found appreciation in scientific circles. The church’s position is that effective prevention of AIDS must include the abandonment of high-risk behavior and the adoption of a “balanced sexuality” based on premarital chastity and marital fidelity, he said.

KHARTOUM, Sudan (CNS) — Like the early Christians who were challenged by social pressures and political forces, Sudan’s Catholics face modernday challenges that can best be met by “putting Christ at the center of their life,” the bishops of Sudan said.

They also called upon their collaborators in various ministries to initiate a period of spiritual renewal, strengthen the spirit of cooperation, communion and mutual support, share resources and personnel in an effort to better serve the Sudanese people.

The July 16 statement from Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako of Khartoum, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok Kur of Khartoum and Coadjutor Bishop Michael Didi Mangoria of El-Obeid followed Sudan’s partition into two nations as South Sudan became the world’s newest country a week earlier.

The bishops also called for new pastoral initiatives to foster vocations, form new catechists and provide faith education for families, especially children.

“Ours is a call to respond to new prospects, to strengthen and accompany our faithful in their spiritual activities,” the bishops said. “But this call can only be fulfilled collectively, through the involvement and cooperation with our sister churches and in dialogue with the other religions.”

In addition, the bishops welcomed a July 12 statement to the Sudanese Parliament from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who invited all segments of society to help rewrite the country’s constitution.

“This is a positive move and assurance from the president, a sign of reconciliation and an appeal to heal our wounds and an effective request for every citizen to rise from the ashes of our past and recreate our future with peace, dignity and equality for all,” the bishops said.

“I am proud to continue the legacy of service my grandfather and father began in 1946.”

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WORLD 11

WYD: Preparations on track, minor problems to be solved MADRID (CNS) — With a month to go before half a million young Catholics descend on Madrid, “there are an infinite number of small problems to solve,” said the executive director of World Youth Day 2011. Yago de la Cierva said July 18 that he has “seven tons of rosaries I have to bail out of customs.” The U.S.-based Family Rosary Crusade had the rosaries made in Ecuador and sent to Madrid for distribution to participants at World Youth Day, Aug. 16-21. But, de la Cierva said, it is a bit difficult to convince customs agents that seven tons of anything shipped internationally is meant as a gift and not a product to be sold and, therefore, taxed. A produce company has promised to donate 25,000 pounds of bananas, but if organizers accept the fruit, “we have to find a way to dispose of all those peels,” he told reporters at a news conference in Madrid. More importantly, he said, the organization is trying to select and get security clearance for the 50 young people who personally will welcome the pope to Madrid Aug. 18, and organizers also are deciding which five young people will have the honor of asking Pope Benedict XVI a question during the vigil Aug. 20. With just a month left to plan six days of activities for the more than 420,000 young people who already have registered for World Youth Day and for the 1.2 million people expected at the pope’s final Mass Aug. 21, organizers estimate the event will cost more than $70 million.

However, they said they expect to cover it all with registration fees and donations, especially of supplies.

Bishop Mazzolari of Rumbek, South Sudan, dies during Mass RUMBEK, South Sudan (CNS) — Italianborn Bishop Cesare Mazzolari, known for rebuilding church structures and communities in the Diocese of Rumbek, died July 16 while concelebrating Mass. The bishop, 74, fell backward, clutching his chest and gasping for air, at the beginning of the consecration. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, reported Father Don Bosco Ochieng, director of the diocesan Radio Good News. Catholics from the diocese recalled Bishop Mazzolari as a zealous worker who reopened missions and negotiated humanitarian assistance for the diocese which, in 2004, was home to tens of thousands of refugees from the Sudanese region of Darfur. He also promoted education and health care and “passionately responded to human need at every level,” they said.

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Principal - St. Thomas More Parish, an elementary school for grades preK - 8 with an enrollment of approximately 615 students and a faculty and staff of 50-plus, seeks a spiritual leader committed to Catholic education with excellent leadership, communication and motivation skills. St. Thomas More is a vibrant parish of almost 2,000 households and is located in south Kansas City, Mo., in a quiet residential area. Candidates must be a practicing Catholic, have a master’s degree in education, and a minimum of three years of teaching experience in a Catholic school. Experience in administration is preferred.

Applications are available by calling the diocesan school office at (816) 756-1850, ext. 277.

Director - The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, Kan., a multicultural parish, is seeking a full-time director of youth ministry. Candidate must be a practicing Catholic who has training in Scripture and Catholic theology. The focus of the ministry is with youth in grades 6 through 12. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Salary will depend upon experience and training. For a complete job description, visit the Web site at: www.dodgecitycathedral.com. Send resume, by Aug. 15, to: Barbara Straight, Search Committee, PO Box 501, Dodge City KS 67801; e-mail to: straight4@cox.net; or call (620) 227-6768.

Sacred Heart of Jesus School, Shawnee - Is seeking a full-time librarian and an after-school director for the 2011 - 12 school year. Would consider one candidate interested in both positions. Submit resume and cover letter, via e-mail, to: nick.antista@ shoj.org.

Maintenance assistant - Villa St. Francis, a 170bed Catholic long-term care facility located in Olathe, is seeking a maintenance assistant with at least three years experience. Some HVAC and plumbing experience preferred, but will train right candidate. EOE. Apply at: Villa St. Francis, 16600 W. 126th St., Olathe KS 66062, or fax resume to (913) 829-5399.

Child care coordinator - St. Ann Young Child Center, Prairie Village, is seeking to fill this position for its extended care program. Hours are 3 - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Must be at least 21 years of age and have a minimum of 12 college credit hours in early childhood or elementary education. Starting pay is $12 per hour.

If interested, call Tati at (913) 362-4660.

Full-time lead teacher - Prince of Peace Early Education Center, Olathe, is seeking a lead teacher to work with four-year-olds. Hours are Mon. - Fri., 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. A degree in early education or experience is preferred. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Contact Amanda Khemraj at (913) 829-2728.

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

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

Preschool Spanish teacher - St. Ann Young Child Center, Prairie Village, is seeking a part-time Spanish teacher. For information, call Tati at (816) 716-4676.

Services Looking for in-home treatment for your child with autism? - I graduated from KU with a degree in applied behavioral science with an emphasis in autism and a concentration in psychology. I have been teaching students with autism at a school in the KC metro for the past two years and have also been providing in-home therapy. My experience is with students ages 2 through 16 years who have been diagnosed at all ranges of the autism spectrum. My goal is to help your child succeed both in and outside the classroom. Resume and references available. For information, call Katie Carter at (913) 271-0280 or send an e-mail to her at: kcar1128@gmail.com.

Elementary tutor - Certified teacher in the Lawrence/Topeka area available to tutor your child in math, reading, or writing. Call Brighid at (402) 3213136, or send an e-mail to her at: bcwalsh8@yahoo. com.

Fall tutoring - For students in grades K - 12 and college level. For information, call (913) 206-2151 or send an e-mail to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

THE LEAVEN • JULY 29, 2011

THE LEAVEN • JULY 29, 2011

Computer repair and upgrades/virus, spyware & malware removal - Microsoft certified, 11+ yrs. experience. Member of Sacred Heart Parish. Call Matt at (816) 876-6619 or send an e-mail to him at: mattcomputerfix@gmail.com.

Brick masons - Installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, and concrete. 17 years of residential and commercial experience. Small and large jobs accepted. KC metro area. For a free quote, call Jim or John at (913) 485-4307.

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.

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

Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor.

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

Home/office cleaning - Are you sweating over mowing and cleaning the house? Forget about it!

Jazz It Up Interiors has two cleaning openings. Still the same great R’s – results, rates and references. Interior decorating consulting available too! For a free estimate, call Sheila at (913) 991-4711.

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

Semi-retired arborist - Available for tree and shrub trimming. Call Bob at (913) 231- 6460.

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

Caregiving Senior assistant – Sitting with a loved one, driving, home helper, meals, errands, non-nursing. Experienced; references. Member of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood. Call (816) 678-5718 (mobile).

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

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

Caregiver – Seeking to care for an elderly person or couple. Willing to do housework, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Also willing to run errands and drive to appointments. Available days/nights/ weekends. References. Call Emma at (913) 422-0733.

-

Home Improvement Heating and air conditioning services - For Johnson, Wyandotte and northern Miami counties.

20 years experience. Seasonal tune-ups, full system replacements and everything in between. Call Jon at (913) 850-3376.

Garage door and opener sales and service 24-hour, 7 day-a-week service on all types of doors.

Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, attic, garage, office, shop – any room organized. Items sorted, grouped, boxed and labeled; areas clean when finished. 20 years experience. $30/hour. Spring special: first two hours FREE with any organizing job lasting one day or longer. To view pictures of current jobs, visit the Web site at: www.swalms.com. Tillar Swalm (913) 375-9115. Insured!

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

Visit the Web site at: www.koatindustries.com.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998

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

Master electrician - Licensed in Missouri and Kansas. 35 years experience in residential and commercial electrical needs. Call Rick, L & M Electric, at (913) 3621501 or (816) 781-1501.

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

(913) 709-8401.

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

Tile and painting - Complete tile and paint repairs and renovation. Ceramic, porcelain, certified limestone tile master. Complete interior paint services and drywall texture finishes. Over 20 years experience. Fully licensed. Service 7 days a week.

Contact Mike at (913) 488-4930. Member of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park.

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

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

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) 4915837 or (913) 579-1835. E-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail. com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Mausoleum crypt - Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. Patio 1; tier F; crypt 6. $2800; seller will pay transfer fee. Call Ann at (913) 302-8413.

For Rent For rent - 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in Shawnee near Nieman Rd. and Johnson Dr. $500/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. For a virtual tour, visit the Web site at: www.shawnee-rentals.com. (913) 649-7596.

Office space available - Great location in the Ranchmart area of Prairie Village. Ideal for start-ups, professional and small businesses. Flexible terms.

Call Marek at (913) 461-4491.

Real Estate Overland Park - 15407 Floyd in St. Michael the Archangel Parish. One-and-a-half-story home with 3 BR and 2-1/2 BA. Finished lower level. Lawn care, snow removal and exterior painting provided. $198,900. For information, call Mike Slaven, Windham Realty, at (913) 568-8689. MLS #1735806.

Live near St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park - Three amazing homes within a tenminute drive. For information or to view any of these properties, call Myra Kanatzar, Prudential Kansas City Realty, at (913) 636-6369.

12705 Richards - One-and-a-half-story home with 5 BR and 4-1/2 BA with in-ground pool that backs to golf course. Mid $600s.

13114 W. 127th Terr. - One-and-a-half-story home with possible 6 BR and 4-1/2 BA is updated to perfection.

Low $600s.

12605 Nieman - One-and-a-half-story classic Colonial with 4 BR and 3-1/2 BA with a lovely treed yard. Low $400s.

Wanted to buy Lionel trains – Any condition. Call Donald at (913) 4856700.

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

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

Father and son team - We do roofing, windows, doors, siding, brick masonry, all types of wood rot, fences and decks, retaining walls, landscaping and concrete. You name it, we can do it — no job to big or small. Reasonable prices; fully insured. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Vacation

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Naples, Florida - Furnished 2 BR, 2 BA condo. Located two blocks from the beach and two blocks off 5th Ave. South. Rent or sell. To learn more, call Andy at (239) 261-6233.

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

For Sale Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation. Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs. Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 839-3106.

Branson condo nightly rental - 2 king BRs, 2 BA; sleeps 6. Sun porch overlooks public golf course. Walkin level (no steps), flat screen TVs, DVD player, filtered water and fully equipped kitchen. Two blks. from the Hwy. 76 strip. Easy to get to shows, Wal-Mart, groceries, dining. No smoking; no pets. Parishioners of Holy Cross, Overland Park. Call (913) 851-8886.

Lake of the Ozarks rental – Unique treetop village. Tree loft sleeps up to 8 people. 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA. For information, visit the Web site at: http://tree topvillage.org. One week beginning Sept. 9. $1000 plus $250 refundable damage deposit. No smoking; no pets. Call (913) 226-4476 or send an e-mail to: FHS1955@gmail.com.

Misc.

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

Housesitting - Grandmother wanting to be closer to grandchildren this winter is seeking a housesitting arrangement in the KC metro area. Personal references available. Call Lori at (712) 288-5744.

“Journeys of Ursuline . . . Academy & College, Paola, Kansas” - The latest publication by the Miami County Historical Museum. This hardback, 238-page book includes a brief history, plus lots of pictures, of campus, former students, teachers and Paola citizens whose lives were enriched by the Ursuline community of nuns. Includes many personal memory letters. $35, plus shipping. To purchase, call (913) 294-4940 or visit the Web site at: www.think miamicountyhistory.com.

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

30

July

The Leavenworth region of ACCW will host a quarterly luncheon and meeting at noon on July 30 in the Leintz Community Room, 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth. For information, call (913) 682-8899.

31

St. Francis Xavier Parish, 301 E. James, Mayetta, will host a celebration of the enthronement of the Divine Mercy image at 3 p.m. on July 31 with Benediction and a Holy Hour. A reception will follow. For information, call (785) 246-1338 .

2

Aug.

The Atchison Region Serra Club will meet from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 in the ACES chapel, beginning with a Mass for vocations. Sister Mary Elizabeth Albers SOLT, assistant director of formations from Bosque, N.M., will be the guest speaker. For information, call Tim or Susan at (913) 367-2227.

All Kansas women without health insurance are invited to attend the Early Detection Works program, which offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings for qualifying uninsured women in Kansas, on Aug. 2 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. No reservations are needed; just drop in between 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mount osb.org/kwc.

5

Donnelly College, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host “Coffee on Campus,” a casual opportunity to learn about all the exciting advancements at Donnelly, while enjoying a free cup of coffee on Aug. 5. Attendees can also request a tour of Donnelly’s growing campus. For information or to RSVP, send an e-mail to: advancement@ donnelly.edu.

5-6

The Hayden High School class of 1961 will host a 50th reunion on Aug. 5 - 6. A social will be held on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Hayden cafeteria, located at 400 Gage Blvd., Topeka.

On Aug. 6, a special Mass, celebrated by Msgr. Vincent Krische, will be held at 6 p.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka. A formal dinner at the Topeka Country Club will follow at 7:30 p.m. For information or to RSVP, contact Joan Starr Rossetto at (785) 233-7350 or Carol Butler Deghand at (785) 286-1153.

6-7

You can save a life! It’s simple — just a swab of your inner cheek will determine your tissue type and put you in the national registry. Donors must be between the ages of 18 - 60. The Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, will host a bone marrow registry drive after all Masses on the weekend of Aug. 6 - 7. Bring your driver’s license and Social Security number. For information, call Sara Baker at (816) 5914021 or visit the Web site at: www.BeThe Match.org. Monetary donations are also needed to assist in covering the processing costs of donors.

7 Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish will have its annual roast beef dinner

from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 7 at 917 Pennsylvania, Leavenworth. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 12 and under.

Leawood. Father Anthony Kiplagat will preside; fellowship follows. For information, call the parish office at (913) 6492026.

10

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Effective Parenting,” a three-part parenting program, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Aug. 10.

For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

13

The Singles of Nativity will have a “summer jam” dance from 7 - 11 p.m. on Aug. 13 in the parish hall at the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. For information, visit the Web site at: www.SON-Ministry.org.

St. Stanislaus Church, 701 Main St., Rossville, will host its annual picnic on Aug. 13. A grilled or fried chicken dinner will be served from 4 - 7 p.m. There will also be pop poker, a silent auction and bingo at 3 p.m.

The seventh annual Jennifer Duke Burton Memorial Volleyball Tournament will be held at Volleyball Beach, 13105 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 13. The cost is $25 per player with a minimum of six members per team.

All games will be coed. The registration deadline is Aug. 6. For information or to register, call Todd Carter at (816) 9317556 or Sonya Vickers at (816) 781-0025.

All proceeds will benefit the Rose Brooks Center, an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence.

14

St. Gregory Parish, 1310 Carolina, Marysville, will host a parish bazaar on Aug. 14. A pan fried chicken and ham dinner will be served from 4:30 - 7 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children. Carryouts will be available after 11 a.m.; call (785) 562-2711 to order. There will also be bingo and games for all ages.

Immaculate Conception Church, St. Marys, will host its annual picnic and reunion on Aug. 14. A chicken dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 4 7 p.m. The cost is $7.50 for adults; $3 for children under 12. Carryout dinners will be available at 3 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and games with prizes.

18

A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd.,

Donnelly Division No. 1 of Johnson County. We hold monthly meetings and are involved in charitable events and the Kansas City Irish community. For information or to apply for membership, contact Larry Shepard at (913) 205-6904; send an e-mail to him at: mickeydowd@ sbcglobal.net; or visit the Web site at: www.ksaoh.org.

Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is seeking daytime volunteers to assist with hospitality, answering the phone, and occasional child care.

For information, call (913) 906-8990.

11 Hit the links to support University of Saint Mary student athletes at

the annual golf classic being held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 11 at Dub’s Dread Golf Club, 12601 Hollingsworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $150 per person; $600 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For information or to register, call athletic director Rob Miller at (913) 758-6160 or visit the Web site at: www.stmary.edu to register.

CALENDAR 13

20

St. John the Baptist Church (the Croatian parish on Strawberry Hill), 708 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual festival, beginning after the 4 p.m. Mass on Aug. 20, on the parish grounds. A traditional sarma dinner will be served in the gym. Other food and concessions will be available outside.

There will be games and fun for all ages, including homemade povitica and apple strudels, handmade strawberry-themed items and more. A free polka dance will be held from 9 - 11 p.m., featuring Don Lipovac, on the Strawberry Hill Museum grounds next door.

The youth group at Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, will host a spaghetti dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. Auction items include restaurant gift certificates, spa packages, local wine, tickets to the T-Bones, KC Zoo, and Powell Gardens, and more. For information or to donate an auction item, contact Teresa Fliger at (913) 982-6813 or Lesley Johnson at (816) 289-0476.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Aug. 20 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Cumulative Losses.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

24

Would you and your spouse like to “tune up” your marriage? Marriage for Keeps, a program offered by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, provides education, support and resources for married couples seeking to improve their relationship and strengthen their family. The skills-based workshops are open to couples of all faiths and are available for low-income couples. The next six-week session will be held on Wednesdays, beginning Aug. 24.

For information or to register, call (913) 621-5775, ext. 1403, or send an e-mail to: marriage@catholiccharitiesks.org.

Misc.

If you are a Catholic male of Irish descent and being Irish means more to you than just wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, join us to enrich your faith and your heritage in a brotherhood of like-minded men. Apply for membership in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Father

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a silent directed retreat from 4 p.m. on Aug. 2 to 1 p.m. on Aug. 7. Come away to the quiet of a monastic setting and experience the sacred through personal prayer and daily meetings with a certified spiritual director.

Give yourself time to listen to the deep desires of your heart, with opportunities for daily centering prayer, shared lectio and a choice of clay, art or tai chi experiences. The cost is $350. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

A support group for women dealing with any type of addiction, at any stage of recovery, will meet from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

An iconography workshop sponsored by Good Shepherd Church, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, will be offered from Aug. 4 - 7. This contemplative workshop will be presented by master iconographer, Elizabeth Zeller, in the traditional method of egg tempera. The cost of $495 includes instruction and all materials. The registration deadline is July 26. For information, call Lisa Cummings at (913) 221-5928 or send an email to her at: lrckc@sbcglobal.net, or call Elizabeth Zeller at (816) 833-3312 or send an e-mail to her at: elizabeth@ elizabethzeller.com.

Join the Singles of Nativity on Sundays at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, to discover the earthly ministry of what Christ teaches in the Gospels. For information, send an e-mail to Randall Stevenson at: gaelwynn@yahoo.com.

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., offers regular opportunities for women to deepen their relationship with God, and to relax and nurture themselves. For information or to schedule an appointment for spiritual direction, massage or healing touch, call (913) 906-8990. Although programs and services are free, donations are always welcome.

Healing from pornography? Monthly theology of the body groups and weekly recovery groups are available for men and women. For information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com, or call Sam Meier, MA, LPC, at (913) 6470378.

To purchase a classified ad:

Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven. com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $17.50 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50. Classified ads will also be posted online at The Leaven’s Web site: www. theleaven.com, at no additional charge.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • July 15, 2011

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

Mark my words

Catholic Press Association Award Winner

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Eighteenth WEEK of ordinary time July 31 Eighteenth sunday in ordinary time Is 55: 1-3; Ps 145: 8-9, 15-18; Rom 8: 35, 37-39; Mt 14: 13-21 Aug. 1 Alphonsus Liguori, bishop, doctor of the church Nm 11: 4b-15; Ps 81: 12-17; Mt 14: 22-36 Aug. 2 Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; Peter Julian Eymard, priest Nm 12: 1-13; Ps 51: 3-7, 12-13; Mt 14: 22-36 Aug. 3 Wednesday Nm 13: 1-2, 25 — 14:1, 26-29a, 34-35; Ps 106: 6-7, 13-14, 21-23; Mt 15: 21-28 Aug. 4 John Mary Vianney, priest Nm 20: 1-13; Ps 95: 1-2, 6-9; Mt 16: 13-23 Aug. 5 The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome Dt 4: 32-40; Ps 77: 12-16, 21; Mt 16: 24-28 Aug. 6 THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD Dn 7: 9-10, 13-14; Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1: 16-19; Mt 17: 1-9

niNETEENTH WEEK of ordinary time Aug. 7 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 19: 9a, 11-13a; Ps 85: 9-14; Rom 9: 1-5; Mt 14: 22-33

Hot weather makes me long for that “cool” place

I

t’s been so hot here in northeast Kansas, that the other day I actually saw a melted ice cream truck.

Granted, it was only a picture of one in an e-mail, but still.

It seems as if this unrelenting heat wave is on everyone’s mind. It’s all that we can talk about. People have observed that it’s been so hot in Kansas that …

• A coyote was chasing a rabbit and they were both walking.

• The cows are giving evaporated milk.

• Potatoes are actually cooking in the ground, and all you have to do for lunch is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

• You eat hot chilies to cool your mouth off.

• You can make instant sun tea.

• A seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.

• The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a bit chilly.

• Hot water now comes out of both taps.

• You realize asphalt has a liquid state.

• It’s noon in July, kids are on summer vacation, and not one person is out on the streets.

• Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs. (Found at the Web site: http://airjudden.tripod.com/funnystuff/funnykansas.html.)

OK, OK, I’ll stop. My point, though, is simple: When we try to describe the indescribable, we often resort to pictures or images.

If you’ve been paying attention to the Gospel these past three weeks, you know that Jesus has been teaching about the kingdom of heaven, using images of a man sowing seed, a buried treasure, a fine pearl, and a net thrown into the sea. These vivid pictures are

Aug. 10 LAWRENCE, DEACON, MARTYR 2 Cor 9: 6-10; Ps 112: 1-2, 5-9; Jn 12: 24-26 Aug. 11 Clare, virgin Jos 3: 7-10a, 11, 13-17; Ps 114: 1-6; Mt 18:21 — 19:1 Aug. 12 Jane Frances de Chantal, religious Jos 24: 1-13; Ps 136: 1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24; Mt 19: 3-12 Aug. 13 Pontian, pope, martyr, and Hippolytus, priest, martyr Jos 24: 14-29; Ps 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Mt 19: 13-15

Pat (Kopecky) and Al Kolarik, members of St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 13.

The couple was married on Aug. 11, 1951, at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They will celebrate with family and friends during a dinner at St. Ann Parish hall after the 4 p.m. Mass. They have 11 children and 27 grandchildren.

Duane and Lois (Fox) Smith, members of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Burlington, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Ramada Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th Ave., Topeka. The event will be hosted by the couple’s children and their families.

Their children and their spouses are: Ken and Kelly Smith, Topeka; Shawn and Wade Coldiron, Priest River, Idaho; Charles and Christine Smith, Dallas; and Susan and James Leavitt, San Antonio. The couple also has 13 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. Cards may be sent to: 1455 U.S. Hwy 75, Burlington KS 66839.

Concrete Work

second thoughts on the second reading

Aug. 8 Dominic, priest Dt 10: 12-22; Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20; Mt 17: 22-27 Aug. 9 Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), virgin, martyr Dt 31: 1-8; (Ps) Dt 32: 3-4, 7-9, 12; Mt 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14

meant to get us to ponder, to create our own pictures of the kingdom of heaven.

It’s always been interesting to me that some preachers spend a whole lot of time and energy describing “the other place”; you know, the one that’s the opposite of heaven. I suspect that their motives are to scare us so thoroughly that we can’t help but live holier lives.

Because their images seem so detailed, though, I sometimes wonder if those preachers have actually spent time in that other place!

Sadly, we spend far less time reflecting on the kingdom of heaven. What is it like? Here are a few descriptions from children in a religious education class: • Heaven is up in the sky, and you could look down at circuses for free if you want to, except you have to ask God for permission first. (Scott) • Heaven is kind of big and they sit around playing harps. I don’t know how to play a harp, but I suppose I should learn how to play that dumb thing pretty soon. (David, 7) • I know what heaven is, but I don’t want to go there. I want to go to North Carolina instead. (Tommy, 7) (Found in “Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes” by Robert J. Morgan.)

So, how would you describe heaven? Most of us would probably conjure up images of angels, wings, streets paved with gold, the Pearly Gates with

St. Peter peering at the Book of Life, and, yes, even harps. But all of those “things” miss the main point: Heaven is all about relationships. We are in the presence of Love (God) and rubbing shoulders with what we call the communion of saints. All other things are really insignificant when you’re surrounded by love. It’s sort of like spending time enjoying a meal with friends: It doesn’t matter if you’re at an expensive restaurant or at Sonic; it’s the company that’s the most important thing. Everything else fades into the background.

The images that Jesus has been using tell us that the kingdom of heaven is valuable — a hidden treasure or a fine pearl — and it’s definitely “worth” giving our time and energy here on earth — to “sell all we have” — to possess it. And the most incredible thing is that we don’t even have to wait until we die to see heaven. While still here on earth, we get glimpses of that kingdom of God whenever we encounter genuine love, compassion, understanding, peace, joy, or forgiveness. The kingdom of God is breaking in all around us . . . if we have the eyes to see it.

Complaining about this heat won’t make things any better. Instead, let’s spend some time looking for all that’s right in the world, catching a glimpse of that wonderfully “cool” place — heaven — already present in our lives here and now. And, even better, let’s live in such a way that others will experience a taste of heaven, by how we treat them.

Sorry, but I just heard today’s hot forecast and can’t resist one last observation. It’s said that a sad Kansan once prayed, “Lord, I wish it would rain — not so much for me, since I’ve seen it, but for my seven-year-old.”

Juana and Ramon Vaca, members of All Saints Parish in Kansas City, Kan., will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2. Their anniversaries children are: Raymond C. Vaca; Ralph Vaca; Valerie Vaca; Veronica Casper; Ronald Vaca Sr.; Victoria Vaca; Vanessa Vaca; Venetia Delgado; and Roland S. Vaca Sr. They also have 23 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren.

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

I

Christian life makes heroes of us all

n the typical hero story, incredible obstacles stand in the way. But the hero is able to overcome them — to save the world from destruction, to rescue the damsel in distress, to defeat the evil villain. Whether it is Indiana Jones, James Bond or Zorro, the hero always is able to rise above the hardships that block his way, in order to reach his goal.

In a sense, St. Eighteenth Paul challenges sunday in all Christians to ordinary time see themselves as Rom 8: 35, 37-39 heroes. He encourages us to rise to the occasion.

According to St. Paul, the Christian life demands heroic effort on our part.

Numerous obstacles stand in the way as we make our journey of faith. But through Christ’s help, we can overcome them. Through Christ’s help, we can reach our goal.

St. Paul asks rhetorically what can keep us from experiencing Christ’s love. He then ticks off a list of potential obstacles: “anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, the

sword.” We should note that these items add up to the number seven, and that the number represents fullness or completion.

In other words, these seven obstacles stand for all possible obstacles.

The concept of fullness receives further emphasis in the sentence which follows, specifically in the phrase: “all these things.” That is to say, St. Paul is certain that nothing can stand in the way of Christ’s love.

In the face of all obstacles, St. Paul claims victory through Jesus Christ: “We conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.” Just as Jesus Christ conquered death through his resurrection, so also we overcome all that might separate us from him.

St. Paul further affirms his confi-

dence in Christ’s love by listing forces that might oppose it: “death, life, angels, principalities, present things, future things, powers, height, depth.”

These also cannot keep us from Christ’s love.

When St. Paul mentions these potential obstacles to Christ’s love, he writes from his own experience. It is not a theoretical question. He himself narrowly escaped stoning, endured shipwreck, and eventually was beheaded. But despite all these, he attests to the power of Christ’s love.

We ourselves might formulate our own list of potential obstacles to Christ’s love from our own lives: financial troubles, health issues, difficulties in personal relationships.

St. Paul, through his word and example, encourages us to work through these hardships and to continue in the love of Christ. His faith reinforces our own. He assures us of eventual victory in Christ.

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

Around the archdiocese

Joseph and Delores (Dodd) Urban, members of St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 5. The couple was married on Aug. 5, 1961, at St. Joseph of the Valley Church in Easton. They will celebrate with family and friends during an open house at Sacred Heart Parish hall in Leavenworth from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 6. Their children and their spouses are: Ric and Ann Urban; Ken and Denise Urban; Tammy Soetaert; and Mike Urban. They also have seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Robert and Joan (Roggenkamp) O’Shea, members of St. Theresa Parish, Perry, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner, followed by a reception. The couple was married on July 26, 1951, at St. Joseph Church, Lillis. Their children and their spouses are: Tom O’Shea, Olathe; Tim and Debra O’Shea, Topeka; Diane and Mike Siegler, Fayetteville, Ark.; and Marlene O’Shea and Ernie Shuford, Topeka. They also have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to: PO Box 181, Oskaloosa KS 66066.

anniversary policy: The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date.

Announcements must be typed. Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@ theleaven.com. If you would like your photo returned to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Local news 15

Rosary garden dedication

Photo by Amanda Grigsby

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher blesses the new rosary garden June 5 at Sacred Heart Parish, Tonganoxie. The parish’s Knights spearheaded the project. With the archbishop are: (from left) Thomas Miller, Dylan Deters, Michael Mast, and Father Mark Goldasich, pastor.

New Eagles

Eight boys from Leawood’s Curé of Ars Parish Boy Scout Troop 395 recently became Eagle Scouts. They are: (front row, from left) Matthew Rusgis, Ian Jolliffe, Michael Donaldson, and John Schissler; (back row, from left) Devin Lincoln; Drew Jurden; David Silkman; and Jesse Rodriguez.

16 local news

THE LEAVEN • July 29, 2011

Coaches, like Mike Raunig (above), and parents of all CYO sports will be required to attend a Play Like a Champion Today seminar that will stress sportsmanship and team sport etiquette.

Play like a champion CYO seminar to focus on sportsmanship

By Katie Hyde

Parent workshops

Special to the Leaven Kansas City, Kan. — Any fan of grade school sports has seen it.

Whether they’re cheering from the bleachers of a fifth-grade football game, pacing courtside during the basketball championships, or leaping to spike in a volleyball tournament, a parent, a coach or a player gets a little . . . passionate.

Often, according to Overland Park’s Church of the Ascension CYO football coach Jim Casey, these people sometimes forget one fact: While it is a competition, it is a game.

To remind CYO parents and coaches of this, the archdiocese will introduce Play Like a Champion Today (PLC), a mandatory seminar to be held in August for all CYO parents and coaches, focusing on the similarity between coaching and ministry. All coaches of fall sports and all parents with children participating in fall sports are required to attend one of the four sessions.

“We have to remember how we treat others and how we want to be treated,” said Casey. “The program raises awareness here that we haven’t had before.”

At the programs, which will be held at the archdiocese’s Catholic high schools, parents will also learn how to effectively communicate with coaches and work together to put their children in the best environment for success.

“This is a very Catholic-based program,” said Peter Piscitello, executive director of CYO for the archdiocese.

• Aug. 15: St. James Academy – 7 p.m.

• Aug. 17: Bishop Ward High School – 7 p.m.

• Aug. 20: St. Thomas Aquinas High School – 1 p.m.

• Aug. 21: Bishop Miege High School – 1 p.m.

Coach workshops

• Aug 23: St. James Academy – 7 p.m.

Aug. 24: Bishop Ward High School – 7 p.m.

Aug. 27: Bishop Miege High School – 1 p.m.

Aug. 28: St. Thomas Aquinas High School – 1 p.m.

Play Like A Champion Today reminds parents that children are in sports not to become professional athletes, but to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and sport-specific skills.

“It’s important we shape our coaches in the Catholic mold, because that’s what we’re all about.”

Casey Lally, both a CYO coach and athletic director at Resurrection Catholic School in Kansas City, Kan., agrees.

“Play Like A Champion hits today’s problems head on and doesn’t shy away from them,” said Lally. “It reminds us why our children are in sports — not to become professional athletes, but to help our children learn teamwork, sportsmanship and, of course, sportspecific skills, while keeping our faith.”

Inspired by the slogan in the University of Notre Dame locker room,

PLC has grown since its introduction in 2006 to encompass 30 dioceses, including 19 diocesan or citywide leagues.

According to the program’s Web site: “Over 15,000 coaches and 3,000 parents have attended PLC workshops impacting the lives of over 500,000 young athletes.” Next year, those numbers will also include 5,500 CYO athletes from parts of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The program’s research on player, coach and fan behavior at youth sporting events documented “unacceptable” levels of unsportsmanlike and aggressive behavior, according to a press release

from the Catholic Youth Organization of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.

Notre Dame’s research indicates that, in many respects, Catholic programs are worse than secular athletic programs.

PLC hopes to change that.

Although Piscitello said there are sometimes difficulties when change occurs, he was surprised when he received only favorable responses from priests, principals and parents.

“It has been 100 percent positive,” said Piscitello. “I expected even a little kickback with change. You expect folks to grumble a little about change. But, every single person has been thrilled.

People are very excited about it.”