Leaven 10-2-15 Vol. 37 No. 9

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 37, NO. 9 | OCTOBER 2, 2015

LAYING CLAIM

American Catholics embrace Pope Francis on historic visit

CNS PHOTO/MARK MAKELA, REUTERS

A delegate to the 2015 World Meeting of Families signs a poster drawing of Pope Francis by artist Mark Gaines Sept. 23 in Philadelphia. Pope Francis embarked on a six-day trip to the United States.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

3MEMORY AND MOTION

Pope Francis shows Americans who he really is. n Connecticut couple design, fit vestments for the pope.

4 MESSAGE TO

7LET FREEDOM RING

CONGRESS

Respect for rights helps society, Pope Francis says.

Pope asks Congress to stop bickering and help the world.

n Pope delights crowd with spontaneous talk on families. n Visiting prison, pope says all people need forgiveness.

n Pope canonizes Junipero Serra, says faith is alive only when shared. n Little Sisters of the Poor get surprise visit from Pope Francis.

5ADDRESSING THE U.N.

People come first, human life is sacred, pope insists at U.N. n ‘No justification whatsoever for lack of housing,’ pope says. n Pope to religious: Create ministries that inspire young people.

6REMEMBERING 9/11

Violence is never impersonal, always brings tears. n New Hampshire candlemaker supplied ground zero candle for pope. n Pope offers encouragement to men, women religious.

11 WRAPPING UP

Serve, care for each other, families told at closing Mass.

8-9 POPE TAKES

U.S. BY STORM

A photographic look at Pope Francis’ historic U.S. trip.

10 SHEPHERDS OF GOD

Be concerned for God and others, pope tells U.S. bishops.

NEXT WEEK

Watch for coverage of the World Meeting of Families in next week’s Leaven.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

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Powerful witness of a couple’s love can inspire us all

ast week, I shared with you the story of Enrico and Chiara Petrillo, whose first two children both died less than one hour after their births.

Chiara’s and Enrico’s ability not only to accept but to embrace what, humanly speaking, was an incredible double tragedy was the fruit of their remarkable faith and trust in God’s providence.

Within a few months of their second child’s (Davide Giovanni) death, Chiara became pregnant again with their third child. Before they knew that the baby was a boy, Enrico declared, “We shall name this child Francesco.” St. Francis had played a very prominent role in their spiritual lives as a couple.

Naturally, with the fatal health problems experienced by Maria Grazia Letizia and Davide Giovanni, Chiara and Enrico were concerned about the health of their third child. As the pregnancy progressed, all of the examinations and tests revealed that Francesco was healthy.

However, shortly before the pregnancy, Chiara had noticed an abnormality with her tongue. After being examined by several medical doctors, she was advised to have a biopsy performed. The results of the biopsy were inconclusive. However, because the lesion on her tongue continued to grow, the doctors decided that it was prudent to surgically remove it.

The night after the surgery was one of the most difficult of Chiara’s life. She described this dark night in these words: “Without being able to speak and not being able to swallow saliva, I lived the longest night of my life. While crying silently,

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

LISTEN to this article online at: www.theleaven.org.

I said to God, “Why don’t you help me? I know that you can do it!” At a certain point, nearly delirious, I said, “God does not exist; otherwise, he would not do this to me.”

But at that moment, I felt a strong pain in my heart and felt very much alone, as alone as I had ever been. And I was saddened for having had such a thought.”

The surgery revealed that Chiara had a very virulent form of cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes and perhaps beyond. It was arranged for Chiara to go to Milan to receive the advice of Italy’s leading experts for cancer treatment.

Sadly, the standard medical practice was to abort the child so that Chiara could have a second operation that hopefully could remove all of the cancer. This was not an option for Chiara.

Some of the doctors urged her to allow them to induce labor as soon as the baby was viable.

Chiara’s focus was not on herself, but what was best for Francesco. She wanted to allow the pregnancy to continue until

the risks to Francesco were minimal. She did not care if this diminished the possibility of her surviving her cancer. Chiara insisted that they wait for the induction of labor until there was minimal risk to Francesco.

To Chiara’s delight, on May 30, 2011, Francesco was born completely healthy, just a few weeks shy of the normal length of pregnancy. It was a great joy for her to be able to nurse him a few hours after his birth.

A few days after Francesco’s birth, Chiara underwent her second surgery. The doctors were hopeful that the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation would liberate Chiara from the clutches of her cancer. However, during Holy Week of 2012, Chiara and Enrico received the sober news that there was nothing else medically to be done. Chiara’s condition was terminal.

A few days after this bleak prognosis, Chiara wrote to her many friends: “The tumor for which I was operated on a year ago has spread to other parts of the body and humanly we can do nothing more about it, except to pray and to ask God for the strength to live this trial in sanctity.” Chiara was only 28 years old.

Chiara and Enrico invited their friends to join them on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje during which they gave to each of their

fellow pilgrims a rosary as well as an image of Mary.

After having distributed these gifts, they echoed the words of Jesus from the cross to John: “Behold, your mother!” Chiara and Enrico explained the purpose of the pilgrimage: “This is why we wished you here, why we have brought you here — so that we may hand over to you our secret. That is, to give one another that same help that Jesus offered to the world from the cross: his Mother, the star to follow, the one to look for in the storm.”

Enrico confided to their friends: “Without Mary, all that we were able to do would have been impossible. It was Mary who told us the truth; that there is neither past nor future; the only certainties are the present moment and the fact that we shall die. It was she, the model, who taught us to base our lives on the Word of God.” Chiara composed a letter to Francesco that she hoped some day would nurture his faith and give him some insight into his mother. Chiara wrote: “For the little I have understood during these years, I can tell you only that love is the center of our life. Because we are born from an act of love, we live in order to love and in order to be loved, and we die in order to know the true love of God. The goal of our life is to love and to be ready to learn how to love others as only God is able to teach you. Love consumes you, but it is beautiful to die consumed precisely as a candle that goes out only after it reaches its goal.”

A few days before her death, Enrico and Chiara were praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Enrico kept thinking of the words of Jesus in the

CALENDAR

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Oct. 2 Kansas juvenile correctional visit Oct. 3 Installation of Father Craig Maxim — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park Oct. 4 Installation of Father Marianand Mendem — St. Dominic, Holton 100th anniversary Mass — St. Francis Xavier, Mayetta Oct. 5 “Shepherd’s Voice” recording — Chancery Oct. 6 Kansas City-St. Joseph priests assembly days Oct. 8 Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference call Kansas Catholic Conference province meeting Gospel, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:30). Enrico asked: “Chiara, is this yoke, this cross, really sweet?”

Smiling and turning her glance from the tabernacle to Enrico, she said: “Yes, Enrico, it is very sweet.”

In describing what Chiara had meant to him and revealed to him, Enrico wrote: “We have climbed this hill together.

We promised him (God) to love each other all our days.

We wait for his coming from afar, always with our lamps lighted, day and night.

We dreamed of seeing him together, but he wanted more for us.

Like the spring, he arrived in silence; under

Oct. 8-9 Jesus Caritas bishops’ retreat — Wichita Oct. 10 Donnelly College Shine event Oct. 11 Mass of Innocence — Curé of Ars, Leawood

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Oct. 3 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Oct. 4 Mass — St. Sebastian, Florida Oct. 9 Mass and confessions with Little Sisters of the Lamb Oct. 10 St. James Academy auction Oct. 11 Federal camp Mass

us he made the flowers come up.

He must have accompanied us; alone, we could not have made it.

The peace of the flowers was his perfume: unforgettable that eternity in your eyes.

I had already encountered them, but I could not believe it.

His eyes in your eyes and to that peace.

Only he is peace.

Regardless of whatever difficulties plague us at this moment of our lives, may the witness of Chiara Corbella Petrillo inspire us to pray for the strength to live our trials with sanctity!

If you want to know more about Chiara and Enrico, I encourage you to read: “Chiara Corbella Petrillo: A Witness to Joy.”

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

MEMORY AND MOTION Pope Francis shows Americans who he really is

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CNS PHOTO/ERIC THAYER, POOL

Pope Francis arrives at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the East Harlem area of New York on Sept. 25. all, religious liberty and the sacred dignity of every creature — human especially, but also the earth.

Pope Francis had never been in the United States before landing in Washington Sept. 22. He was welcomed to the White House and became the first pope to address a joint meeting of Congress. He joined leaders of other religions in honoring the dead and comforting their surviving family members at ground zero in New York. He addressed the United Nations.

And, in Philadelphia, using a lectern once used by Abraham Lincoln, he called for respect for religious freedom and for ethnic and cultural differences.

At home and abroad, Pope Francis scrutinizes people and identifies something good and beautiful in them. He affirms their core concerns, and he challenges them to grow.

For the Catholic Church — in the United States as elsewhere — the key challenge is “not about building walls, but about breaking them down,” as he told the bishops, clergy and religious of Pennsylvania Sept. 26.

From the beginning of his trip — Sept. 19 in Havana — the pope made it clear that with all the important meetings he would have, his primary purpose was to join the celebration of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 26-27.

And he insisted it be a cele-

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

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis greets a woman at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York Sept. 25. During his visit to the memorial, Pope Francis spoke about tears and quenching the world’s longing for peace. bration, not a funeral or simply a session for rallying the obedient, loyal troops before they set out to battle.

The big challenge, he told more than 100 bishops who came to the meeting from around the world, is to recognize just how many beautiful families God has blessed the church with.

“For the church, the family is not first and foremost a cause for concern, but rather the joyous confirmation of God’s blessing upon the masterpiece of creation,” he told the bishops Sept. 27. “Every day, all over the world, the church can rejoice in the Lord’s gift of so many families who, even amid difficult trials, remain faithful to their prom-

ises and keep the faith!”

Tossing aside the text he had prepared for the nighttime festival of families Sept.

26, Pope Francis had tens of thousands of people watching him with awe or with laughter or with tears as he described the blessing of real-life families.

“Some of you might say, ‘Of course, Father, you speak like that because you’re not married,’” he admitted. But he proved he knew what he was talking about. “Families have difficulties. Families — we quarrel, sometimes plates can fly, and children bring headaches. I won’t speak about mothers-in-law,” he quipped.

The next morning, in his words to the bishops and then to hundreds of thousands of people gathered on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the event’s closing Mass, Pope Francis told them to trust the Holy Spirit. Recognize that God is at work in the world. Treasure the little daily gestures that show love within a family. Affirm all those who do good, whether or not they are “part of our group.”

“Anyone who wants to bring into this world a family which teaches children to be excited by every gesture aimed at overcoming evil — a family which shows that the Spirit is alive and at work — will encounter our gratitude and our appreciation. Whatever the family, people, region or religion to which they belong!” he said.

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Connecticut couple design, fit vestments for pope

By Jack Sheedy Catholic News Service

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pope Francis speaks often about memory and motion, the importance of remembering where you came from and setting off without fear to share the Gospel.

That’s what he did in the United States. He circled the Statue of Liberty in a helicopter and flew over Ellis Island — not preparing to condemn the world’s great superpower, but to reflect on its history and promise as a land that welcomes people, makes them part of the family and allows them to thrive.

Over the course of six days in the United States, Pope Francis let the U.S. public see who he really is with touching blessings, strong speeches, prayerful liturgies and an unplugged proclamation of the beauty of family life, even when it includes flying saucers.

With constant television coverage and a saturated social media presence, Pope Francis was no longer just the subject of screaming headlines about the evils of unbridled capitalism and a “who-am-I-to-judge” attitude toward behaviors the Catholic Church describes as sinful.

Instead, he repeatedly admitted his own failures and reminded people they, too, have fallen short. He urged them to trust in God’s mercy and get a move on proclaiming that to the world — first with gestures and maybe with words.

Sin is sin even for Pope Francis. Human life is sacred at every stage of its development, and that includes the lives of convicted murders, he said during the visit.

People are blessed and at their best when they are part of a family composed of a mother, a father, children and grandparents. The well-being of a nation is served by businesses and enterprises that make money, but that do not make money their god.

The pope’s proclamation of the Gospel in Washington, New York and Philadelphia Sept. 22-27 focused on reinvigorating people’s faith, hope, trust and commitment to loving God, serving others and living up to the founding ideals of the United States: equality, opportunity for

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OUTHINGTON, Conn.

(CNS) — Brian and Lisa Baker here will never forget that they designed and fitted the vestments Pope Francis wore during the first Mass he celebrated on U.S. soil.

In fact, Baker Liturgical Art supplied 200 chasubles, or outermost vestments, worn by cardinals and bishops, 300 miters and the chalice and ciboria used during the Sept.

23 canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

Brian Baker, the company’s founder and president, said he had the items designed and manufactured in Europe.

The chasubles for the Sept.

23 Mass were of white silk and featured the Baltimore cross, a symbol of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Some additional vestments will stay in Washington and may be used for various functions there.

The Bakers took a team of 14 people with them to Washington to prepare all the materials. “We had to get everything set up, and we had to get everything ironed,” he said.

His wife took care of that . . . and more.

“I actually steamed the pope’s vestments,” Lisa Baker said. “I got them all ready.

What I do is prepare and make sure the vestment is without wrinkles and everything’s in place, and then I set it out for him, I lay it out for him in the sacristy for his vesting. And then I prepare all the cardinals’ vestments and set them out for them, and then Msgr.

Marini came in and checked everything out and gave us the thumbs up.”

She then assisted with the vesting of cardinals in a side chapel of the basilica, she said.

“The Holy Father vested in the sacristy of the basilica.”

“We were actually right there when the Holy Father came in from the Mass and went right into the sacristy,” she said.

Reflecting on being a part of the historic occasion, Lisa Baker said, “It’s such an honor to do that. He has a great message to give to people, and just the way that he unites people and uplifts people of all different religions, it’s just wonderful.”

Brian Baker agreed. “It was an honor to do this, and we were very pleased with the final outcome, which makes me happy,” he said.

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

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OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

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HISTORIC SPEECH TO CONGRESS Pope asks Congress to stop bickering and help the world

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

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ASHINGTON (CNS) — The past, the promise and the potential of the United States must not be smothered by bickering and even hatred at a time when the U.S. people and indeed the world need a helping hand, Pope Francis told the U.S. Congress.

Making history by being the first pope ever to address a joint meeting of Congress, Pope Francis was introduced to the legislators by the House sergeant-at-arms Sept. 24 as: “Mr. Speaker, the pope of the Holy See.” The pope introduced himself, though, as a son of the American continent, who had been blessed by the “new world” and felt a responsibility toward it.

In a long speech, he gave the sense that he sees the United States as a country divided, one so focused on calling each other names that it risks losing sight of how impressive it can be when its people come together for the common good. That is when it is a beacon of hope for the world, he said.

Pope Francis condemned legalized abortion, the death penalty and unscrupulous weapons sales. He called on Congress to “seize the moment” by moving forward with normalizing relations with Cuba. And, again referring to himself as a “son of immigrants” — and pointing out that many of the legislators are, too — he pleaded for greater openness to accepting immigrants.

Showing he had studied the United States before the visit — something he said he would do during the Rome August break — he used four iconic U.S. citizens as relevant models of virtue for Americans today: Abraham Lincoln, the Rev. Martin Luther King

CNS PHOTO/JIM BOURG, REUTERS

Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress as Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Speaker of the House John Boehner look on in the House of Representatives Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Sept. 24.

Jr., Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.

“A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did; when it fosters a culture which enables people to ‘dream’ of full rights for all their brothers and sisters as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work; the fruit of a faith which becomes dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton,” the pope said.

Describing political service with the same tone used to describe a vocation to religious life — “you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you” — the pope recognized the weighty

responsibility of being a member of the U.S. Congress.

Dialogue, he said, is the only way to handle the pressure and fulfill the call to serve the common good, promoting a culture of “hope and healing, of peace and justice.”

For the speech, Pope Francis stood in the House Chamber in front of Rep. John Boehner, Speaker of the House and a Republican from Ohio, and Vice President Joe Biden, president of the Senate. Both men are Catholics. Besides the senators, representatives and their invited guests, the attendees included members of the U.S. Supreme Court and members of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet.

Tens of thousands of people watched the speech on a giant screen from the Capitol’s West

Lawn. Gathered hours before the pope’s morning visit, they were entertained by military bands.

In his speech, Pope Francis gave strong support to several concerns of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic faithful, including defending the right of people to publicly live their faith and join political policy debates from a faith-based perspective.

“It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continue to be heard, for it is a voice of fraternity and love, which tries to bring out the best in each person and in each society,” he said. The dialogue the country needs must be respectful of “our differences and our convictions of conscience.”

“Every life is sacred,” he insisted, calling for the “global abolition of the death penalty” and the “responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.”

After his speech, Boehner led Pope Francis through the Capitol’s Statuary Hall and showed him a statue of St. Junipero Serra, whom the pope canonized the previous day.

The pope then proceeded to the West Portico of the Capitol, where tens of thousands of people with tickets had waited for hours.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said in Spanish, then blessed the crowd.

“I am so grateful for your welcome and your presence here, especially for the most important ones here — the children. I will ask God to bless you. ‘Lord, Father of all, bless this people, bless each one of them, bless their families, give them what they need most. And I ask you all, please, to pray for me. And if there are among you any who do not believe or cannot pray, I ask you, please, to send good wishes my way. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And God bless America.”

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

Pope Francis talks with Sister Marie Mathilde, 102, during his unannounced visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor residence in Washington Sept. 23.

Little Sisters of the Poor get unscheduled visit from Pope Francis

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ASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis made a previously unannounced 15-minute stop Sept. 23 at a Washington residence operated by the Little Sisters of the Poor, where he met with about 45 Sisters.

Sister Constance Veit, communications director for the Little Sisters, said the pope talked individually with each Sister, ranging in age from novices to 102-year-old Sister Marie Mathilde, who is Colombian and spoke to the pope in Spanish.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters in Washington that evening that the papal visit was intended as a sign of support for the Little Sisters’ lawsuit against the Obama administration’s mandate that all employers offer contraceptive coverage in their health plans or participate in a religious “accommodation” that the Sisters have refused.

But Sister Constance said Pope Francis made no mention of the lawsuit during his visit.

Rather, his message to the group was about the Little Sisters’ “mission to the elderly” and “how important it is in a society that tends to marginalize the elderly and the poor,” she told Catholic News Service Sept. 24.

“We were deeply moved by his encouraging words,” she added.

Pope canonizes Junipero Serra, says faith is alive only when shared

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

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ASHINGTON (CNS) — Canonizing the 18th-century Spanish missionary Blessed Junipero Serra, Pope Francis insisted a person’s faith is alive only when it is shared.

Celebrating a late afternoon Mass outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Sept. 23, the pope declared the holiness of St. Junipero, founder of a string of missions in California.

After the formal proclamation,

Andrew Galvan, curator of Dolores Mission in San Francisco, brought a relic of St. Junipero up to a stand near the altar as a song was sung in Spanish accompanied by a drumbeat.

Catholics in the United States and throughout the world are indebted to St. Junipero and thousands of other witnesses who lived their faith and passed it on, the pope said in his homily.

St. Junipero “was excited about blazing trails, going forth to meet many people, learning and valuing their particular customs and ways of life,” Pope Francis said.

A missionary’s life is exciting and brings joy, he said, because

it is not sedentary or turned in on itself. Sharing the Gospel is the way to keep experiencing the joy it brings and keeps the heart “from growing numb from being anesthetized.”

More than speaking about St. Junipero, Pope Francis spoke about keeping faith alive and joyful, calling on all Catholics to be missionaries.

“Mission is never the fruit of a perfectly planned program or a well-organized manual,” he told the crowd of about 25,000 people. “Mission is always the fruit of a life which knows what it is to be found and healed, encountered and forgiven.”

Pope Francis insisted that Jesus does not give Christians “a short list of who is, or is not, worthy of receiving his message, his presence.”

Instead, Jesus embraced people as they were, even those who were “dirty, unkempt, broken,” he said. Jesus says to believers today, like yesterday, “Go out and embrace life as it is, and not as you think it should be.”

“The joy of the Gospel,” the pope said, “is something to be experienced, something to be known and lived only through giving it away, through giving ourselves away.”

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

A tapestry featuring an image of Blessed Junipero Serra hangs outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Francis canonized the Spanish missionary Sept. 23 in Washington.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

ADDRESSING THE U.N. People come first, human life is sacred, pope insists at U.N.

‘No justification whatsoever for lack of housing,’ pope says

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

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By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

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NITED NATIONS (CNS) — Dealing with war, development, the economy or environmental concerns, bureaucrats and diplomats always must remember that the lives of real children, women and men are at stake, Pope Francis told the United Nations.

Helping to celebrate the organization’s 70th anniversary, Pope Francis visited its headquarters Sept. 25 and pleaded with government leaders and U.N. officials to keep the dignity and sacredness of every human life and the value of all creatures at the center of their concern.

“Above and beyond our plans and programs,” he told the U.N. General Assembly, “we are dealing with real men and women who live, struggle and suffer and are often forced to live in great poverty, deprived of all rights.”

More than 190 heads of state were attending the General Assembly, and many of them made a point of being in the U.N.’s historic hall for Pope Francis’ speech on the eve of discussion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, later in the year, the Paris Conference on Climate Change.

Pope Francis called for real, concrete action to stem climate change; respect for every human life and for “the natural difference between man and woman”; economic decisions that place the needs of people before profits; and greater controls on weapons sales and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

He praised recent international agreements with Iran to ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons and he pleaded for real, concrete, multilateral

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CNS PHOTO//MIKE SEGAR, REUTERS

Pope Francis addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York Sept. 25. efforts to bring peace and justice to the Middle East, North Africa and other African countries plagued by the violence of extremists claiming to act in the name of Islam.

“Christians, together with other cultural or ethnic groups and even members of the majority religion who have no desire to be caught up in hatred and folly,” he said, “have been forced to witness the destruction of their places of worship, their cultural and religious heritage, their houses and property, and have faced the alternative either of fleeing or of paying for their adhesion to good and to peace by their own lives or by enslavement.”

Those lives, he said, “take precedence over partisan interests.”

“In wars and conflicts there are individual persons — our brothers and sisters, men and women, young and old, boys and girls — who weep, suffer and die,” the pope said. They

are treated as “human beings who are easily discarded when our only response is to draw up lists of problems, strategies and disagreements.”

Pope Francis warned the U.N. leaders and the heads of state that too many decisions seemed to be based on the desire by a few for economic or political power, ignoring the values and rights the United Nations was formed to promote and protect.

The United Nations, he said, is called to help humanity “dispel the darkness of disorder caused by unrestrained ambitions and collective forms of selfishness.”

“Economic and social exclusion is a complete denial of human fraternity and a grave offense against human rights and the environment,” the pope said, echoing one of the main themes of his encyclical, “Laudato Si’.”

He went on to insist on the reality of “natural law,” an ethical code of right and wrong

that all people can recognize.

As he has done before, Pope Francis condemned “an ideological colonization,” through which wealthier nations try to impose on poor countries not just a legitimate accounting of how aid is used, but also the imposition of “anomalous models and lifestyles which are alien to people’s identity.”

The earth, “the common home of all men and women must also be built on the understanding of a certain sacredness of creature nature,” the pope told the assembly.

While some people continue to question scientific evidence that human activity is contributing to global climate change, Pope Francis insisted “a true ‘right of the environment’” exists and is closely tied to human rights, since people are part of nature and are called to live in communion with it.

“Any harm done to the environment,” he said, “is harm done to humanity.”

A S H I N GTO N (CNS) — “We can find no social or moral justification, no justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing,” Pope Francis told an audience of about 200 clients of Catholic Charities gathered at St. Patrick Church here.

“I want to be very clear,” Pope Francis told the crowd, many of whom have low incomes, are immigrants, and receive medical care or clinical and mental health services from Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington.

Outside the Catholic Charities office Sept. 24, many homeless clients receive a meal from the St. Maria’s Meals Program.

He stopped at the line and told them with a smile, “Buen apetito!” — “Enjoy your meal!”

— to applause followed by a swarm of outstretched arms and hands.

Pope Francis reminded the Catholic Charities clients of the Christmas story, when Jesus was born in a manger in a stable, because there was no room for Joseph and Mary at the inn in Bethlehem.

“The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person. The Son of God knew what it was to be a homeless person, what it was to start life without a roof over his head,” Pope Francis said. “We can imagine what Joseph must have been thinking: How is it that the Son of God has no home? Why are we homeless, why don’t we have housing?”

“These are questions which many of you may ask daily,” the pope continued. Like St. Joseph, you may ask: Why are we homeless, without a place to live?”

Pope Francis added, “These are questions which all of us might well ask. Why do these, our brothers and sisters, have no place to live? Why are these brothers and sisters of ours homeless?”

Pope to religious: Create ministries that inspire young people

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

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HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pope Francis encouraged Pennsylvania’s Catholic clergy and women and men religious to challenge young people to develop “high ideals, generosity of spirit and love for Christ and the church.”

In his first Mass in Philadelphia, Pope Francis recalled St. Katherine Drexel, a Philadelphia heiress who entered religious life, formed a religious community and used her family inheritance to educate blacks and Native Americans throughout the United States after Pope Leo

XIII had challenged her to serve the church by asking, “What about you?”

The pope posed the same question repeatedly to the audience of 1,500 that included more than 300 priests and 160 deacons in the main Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peters and Paul Sept. 26. Another 500 people in religious life attended in an overflow chapel at the cathedral.

“Do we challenge them?”

Pope Francis asked in reference to efforts to involve young people in church life. “Do we make space for them and help them to do their part? To find ways of sharing their enthusiasm and gifts with our com-

munities, above all in works of mercy and concern for others?

Do we share our own joy and enthusiasm in serving the Lord?”

Pope Francis called for creativity in ministry to inspire people to maintain ties with the church.

Studies have shown that American young adults have turned from involvement in the church and Mass attendance even as they have gained a greater awareness of the need to address social ills. The pope’s homily appealed to the audience to seek new ways to boost the presence of young people in church ministries and activities.

“One of the great challenges facing the church in this genera-

tion is to foster in all the faithful a sense of personal responsibility for the church’s mission and to enable them to fulfill that responsibility as missionary disciples, as a leaven of the Gospel in our world,” he said.

“This will require creativity in adapting to changed situations, carrying forward the legacy of the past — not primarily by maintaining our structures and institutions, which have served us well — but, above all, by being open to the possibilities which the Spirit opens up to us and communicating the joy of the Gospel, daily and in every season of our life,” he said.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis raises the chalice as he celebrates Mass with representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Sept. 26.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

6

VISITING THE 9/11 MEMORIAL Violence is never impersonal, always brings tears, pope says

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

N

EW YORK (CNS) — Honoring both the pain and the strength of the families of those who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and drawing on the pools of water that are part of the site’s memorial, Pope Francis spoke about tears and quenching the world’s longing for peace.

“The water we see flowing toward that empty pit remind us of all those lives” lost in 2001, he said. “The flowing water is also a symbol of our tears. Tears at so much devastation and ruin, past and present.”

The pope and New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan each left a single white rose on the edge of the fountain in Memorial Plaza. Pope Francis also met briefly with 20 family members of fallen first responders, shaking their hands, blessing them and listening to them carefully with the help of an interpreter. Gathered around the fountain were 1,000 people — including some of those injured when the twin towers fell.

Afterward, Pope Francis joined a varied group of religious leaders and about 400 people in Foundation Hall to offer prayers for the deceased and for peace in the world.

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue and Imam Khalid Latif, the Muslim chaplain at New York University, offered reflections before the pope spoke.

“Intolerance and ignorance fueled those who attacked this place,” Latif said. “We stand together as brothers and sisters to condemn their horrif-

Martin Marklin, co-owner of Marklin Candle Design in New Hampshire, holds the candle that was lit

by Pope Francis at ground zero in New York Sept. 25.

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF MARKLIN CANDLE DESIGN

New Hampshire candle maker supplied ground zero candle for pope

By Nicole Pellicano Catholic News Service

CNS PHOTO/JULIO CORTEZ, POOL

Pope Francis and New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan pause for reflection at the edge of the South Pool memorial, site of the fallen south tower of the World Trade Center, in New York Sept. 25. ic acts of violence and honor each life that was lost.”

Rabbi Cosgrove prayed that “today and every day may we understand our shared mission to be, in the words of Pope Francis, ‘a field hospital after battle’ to heal the wounds and warm the hearts of a humanity in so desperate need of comfort.”

Representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and Muslim communities read meditations on peace, and a choir sang a Jewish prayer in honor of the deceased.

Pope Francis read the same prayer that Pope Benedict XVI recited when he visited the ruins of ground zero in 2008, a prayer that specifically mentions also those who died the same day at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

“This is a place where we shed tears, we weep out of a sense of helplessness in the face of injustice, murder and the failure to settle conflicts through dialogue,” Pope Francis said in his personal reflection.

Meeting the families of victims, he said, was a concrete reminder that “acts of destruction are never impersonal, abstract or merely material. They always have a face, a concrete story, names.”

“In those family members,” he continued, “we see the face of pain, a pain which still touches us and cries out to heaven.”

However, the pope said, they also demonstrate “the power of love and remembrance,” which is something the memorial promotes with the names of those who died

in the attack engraved in stone. “We can see them, we can touch them and we can never forget them.”

What happened on 9/11 and in its aftermath are not just motives for grief, though, he said. The reaction of the first responders and of thousands of New Yorkers demonstrated “the heroic goodness which people are capable of,” which also must be remembered.

“No one thought about race, nationality, neighborhoods, religion or politics” as they pitched in, some even risking their lives, to help others, the pope said. “This place of death became a place of life, too, a place of saved lives, a hymn to the triumph of life over the prophets of destruction and death, of goodness over evil, reconciliation and unity over hatred and division.”

Pope offers encouragement to men, women religious

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

N

EW YORK (CNS) — During an evening prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral here, Pope Francis thanked the nation’s priests, Brothers and women religious for their service and gave particular thanks to women religious saying, “Where would the church be without you?”

The pope began with unscripted remarks, extending his sympathy to the Muslim community for the stampede in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that killed more than 700 people that morning. He offered his “sentiments of closeness in face of tragedy” and his assurance of his prayers. “I unite myself with you,” he added.

CNS PHOTO/TONY GENTILE, REUTERS

Members of the Missionaries of Charity cheer as Pope Francis arrives at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for an evening prayer service Sept. 24.

The pope arrived by popemobile at St. Patrick’s Sept. 24 after traveling from Washington. He encouraged those with religious

vocations and also acknowledged the pain of the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the church saying, “You suffered greatly in

the not distant past by having to bear the shame of some of your brothers who harmed and scandalized the church in the most vulnerable of her members.”

He said he wished to accompany them “at this time of pain and difficulty.”

Although the pope was speaking in Spanish, a translation of his remarks was posted on large screen TV. The congregation applauded his remarks about women religious in the United States, whom he described as women of strength and fighters and said their “spirit of courage” puts them “in the front lines in the proclamation of the Gospel.”

“To you, religious women, Sisters and Mothers of this people, I wish to say thank you, a big thank you, and to tell you that I love you very much.”

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — A New Hampshirebased candle maker produced the candle that was lit by Pope Francis at ground zero in New York Sept. 25.

Martin Marklin, who runs Marklin Candle Design with his wife Christine in Contoocook, also made the liturgical candles for the U.S. visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. And he takes immense pride in what can be considered as works of art, he told Catholic News Service by email Sept. 23.

The candle, like all other candles Marklin’s shop designs, was hand dipped over the course of several days. It then took over a day to decorate the candle with two papal coats of arms, colored wax, and gold leaf.

While Marklin keeps about 100 hives, the amount of wax he can collect from them is not enough for producing all the candles they make.

“We purchase tens of thousands of pounds of beeswax on the global market annually for our company,” he said, as it takes over 1.5 billion bees to make the wax the company uses in one year.

The approximately 50,000 bees in just one hive yield more than 100 pounds of honey in the course of a season, yet a mere one to two pounds of beeswax in the same time frame. Since beeswax makes up over half of the six-pound, twofoot-tall candle that was lit

by Pope Francis, more than 100,000 bees’ labor was part of the candle’s production, he said.

While Marklin previously dreamed of making candles for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, he now hopes that the pope will use these candles in his own private prayer.

“I would love to have Pope Francis call me up to send him more candles,” he said.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

7

‘LET FREEDOM RING!’ Respect for rights helps society, Pope Francis says

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

P

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Not far from where the Liberty Bell is on display, Pope Francis urged the people of the United States to continue to “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof,” as the bell’s inscription says.

Meeting Sept. 26 with members of the Hispanic community and immigrants at Independence National Historical Park, the pope said when governments respect human rights and freedoms, especially the right to religious liberty, they benefit from their citizens’ respect and care for others.

The “ringing words” of the U.S. Declaration of Independence — proclaiming the equality of all men and women and their being endowed by their creator with “inalienable rights” — continue to inspire people in the United States and around the world, the Argentina-born pope said.

But even such powerful words can ring hollow if they are not “constantly reaffirmed, reappropriated and defended,” the pope said.

In a speech punctuated by off-the-cuff comments and explanations, Pope Francis urged immigrant communities in the United States to be “responsible citizens” of their new home without being ashamed of or hiding their cultural heritage.

Asking forgiveness for speaking in the language of geometry, the pope told the crowd that globalization is bad if it tries to erase all differences, placing

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

People cheer as they watch Pope Francis on a large screen as he makes his way to the Festival of Families during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 26.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis speaks from Independence Hall in Philadelphia Sept. 26. everyone in spheres equally distant from one another and the center, but it is good if it respects differences, which are like the varied sides of a polyhedron.

Speaking from the same lectern President Abraham Lincoln used for the Gettysburg Address, Pope Francis said the history of the United States is in many ways a history of progressively trying to live out the values affirmed in the Declaration of Independence. As examples, he cited the eventual abolition of slavery, the extension of voting rights, the growth of labor unions “and the gradual effort to eliminate every kind of racism and prejudice.”

When a government respects

the right of its citizens to profess freely their faith and to live it publicly, the whole society benefits, the pope said.

Religions, he said, “call to conversion, reconciliation, concern for the future of society, self-sacrifice in the service of the common good and compassion for those in need.”

The religious dimension of a people’s life, he said, “is not a subculture. It is part of the culture of any people of any nation.”

The Quakers who founded Philadelphia, he said, “were inspired by a profound evangelical sense of the dignity of each individual and the ideal of a community united by brotherly love.”

And, said Pope Francis, concern for the dignity of all, “especially the weak and the vulnerable, became an essential part of the American spirit.”

The pope used his speech “to thank all those, of whatever religion, who have sought to serve the God of peace by building cities of brotherly love, by caring for our neighbors in need, by defending the dignity of God’s gift of life in all its stages, by defending the cause of the poor and the immigrant.”

Those who stand up for the poor and the immigrant, he said, “remind American democracy of the ideals for which it was founded, and that society is weakened whenever and wherever injustice prevails.”

Visiting prison, pope says all people need forgiveness

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

P

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — While pilgrims in Philadelphia put up with a long weekend of lines and security checks at the papal venues, the pope reached out to a group of people whose lives are lines and security checks for years at a time.

Pope Francis spent about an hour at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. He entered the gymnasium from behind a blue curtain, walking up onto the small stage and carefully inspecting the large chair the inmates had made for him. He turned, with a big smile across his face, and gave the inmates a sincere Pope Francis thumbs-up.

As the United States debates the need for penal reform, Pope Francis said prisons must focus on rehabilitation, and he insisted that no one is perfect and without need of forgiveness.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis blesses a prisoner as he visits the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia Sept. 27.

While his speech was addressed primarily to the inmates, a small group of their family members, prison officials, state legislators and city officials, including Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, also attended.

Pope Francis addressed the inmates in Spanish, “not English, because I do not speak it well.”

However, he said, his aide Msgr.

Mark Miles, from the Vatican Secretariat of State, “does” speak it well.

The pope also told the inmates he was visiting as a pastor, “but mostly as a brother.”

Serving time in prison is a painful time, said the pope, who continues to speak on the telephone with inmates he used to visit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“Any society, any family, which cannot share or take seriously the pain of its children — and views that pain as something normal or to be expected — is a society ‘condemned’ to remain a hostage to itself, prey to the very things which cause that pain.”

Pope Francis insisted Jesus “teaches us to see the world through his eyes — eyes which are not scandalized by the dust picked up along the way, but want to cleanse, heal and restore. He asks us to create new opportunities: for inmates, for their families, for correctional authorities and for society as a whole.”

Pope delights Philly crowd with spontaneous talk on families

By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service

P

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pope Francis threw away a prepared text and, to the delight of tens of thousands of people on the Benjamin Parkway, spoke from the heart about the challenges and love that come with being part of a family.

God sent his son into a family, he said, “and he could do this because it was a family that had a truly open heart,” he said.

The pope spoke in Spanish, the language in which he is most comfortable; his talk was translated by Msgr. Mark Miles.

“We are celebrating the feast of the family,” he told the crowd. “Families have a citizenship that is divine. The identity card that they have is given to them by God so that within the heart of the family truth, goodness and beauty can truly grow.”

“Some of you might say, ‘Of course, Father, you speak like that because you’re not married,’” he said.

“Families have difficulties. Families — we quarrel, sometimes plates can fly, and children bring headaches. I won’t speak about mothers-inlaw,” he quipped.

“However, in families, there is always light” because of the love of God’s son.

“Just as there are problems in families, there is the light of the resurrection,” he said.

“The family is like a factory of hope,” he added.

The three-hour celebration of Catholic family life began as the sun started to set over Philadelphia. The festival included prayer, music, dance, comedy and testimonies of faith and followed on the heels of the eighth World Meeting of Families Sept. 22-25.

POPE FRANCIS TAKES THE U.S. BY STORM

REMEMBERING 9/11

CNS PHOTO/TONY GENTILE

Pope Francis places a rose at the South Pool of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum Sept. 25 in New York.

SOUL MU

Pope Francis liste Andrea Bocelli s at the Festival the World Meet Philadelphia Sep

LEAVING THE GARDEN

Pope Francis waves as he leaves Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York Sept. 25.

CNS PHOTO/MIKE CRUPI

HE’S #1

CNS PHOTO

Pope Francis receives a Catholic Charities jersey and an autographed soccer ball during his meeting with immigrant families at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the East Harlem area of New York Sept. 25.

FRANCIS IN D.C.

Pope Francis is welcomed to the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol by members of Congress Sept. 24.

CNS PHOTO/DOUG MILLS, POOL

HAT TRICK

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis exchanges zucchettos with a server before celebrating Mass with representatives of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia Sept. 26.

USIC

tens to Italian tenor sing the Our Father of Families during ting of Families in pt. 26.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

STEAL A HUG

A girl hugs Pope Francis as he visits with people at St. Maria’s Meals Program of Catholic Charities in Washington Sept. 24.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

MANY POPES

Pilgrims wave cardboard cutouts of Pope Francis as they gather outside the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul to see the pope in Philadelphia Sept.

26.

CNS PHOTO/MARK MAKELA, REUTERS

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

10

SHEPHERDS OF GOD Be concerned for God and others, pope tells U.S. bishops

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Ack n owl e d ging the real challenges and burdens the U.S. bishops face in their ministry, Pope Francis shared with them his own experience as a pastor and urged them to keep their eyes focused on Jesus and their hearts open to others.

“Woe to us,” he said, “if we make of the cross a banner of worldly struggles and fail to realize that the price of lasting victory is allowing ourselves to be wounded and consumed.”

The 78-year-old pope met the U.S. bishops Sept. 23 in Washington’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for midday prayer. His speech to them, delivered in Italian, was expected to be among the longest of those he would give in the United States.

“I did not come to judge you or to lecture,” the pope said, but he wanted to address the bishops “as a brother among brothers,” one who served as archbishop of a large, diverse archdiocese and now, “in old age,” is called to encourage Catholics around the world.

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, welcomed Pope Francis, telling him, “Your humble witness that no one is beyond the healing power of Christ’s mercy and love energizes the church. True to our heritage, we seek to spread the

good news so that each human life is cherished and given an opportunity to flourish.”

A majority of the country’s more than 400 bishops were present for the meeting.

Many of them, after arriving in a bus caravan, stopped to take photos with their smartphones of a cream-colored sign above the center cathedral doors that read, “Welcome Pope Francis.”

In his speech, Pope Francis focused on the basic qualities needed in a shepherd, a pastor called to share the good news of Jesus Christ and God’s mercy in word and deeds.

The Catholic Church in the United States already excels at that mission in so many ways, the pope told them. “Whenever a hand reaches out to do good or to show the love of Christ, to dry a tear or bring comfort to the lonely, to show the way to one who is lost or to console a broken heart, to help the fallen or to teach those thirsting for truth, to forgive or to offer a new start in God . . . know that the pope is at your side and supports you.”

He also praised the bishops’ defense of the unborn and the U.S. Catholic community’s history of welcoming and assisting migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis also acknowledged the “courage” and the “mortification and great sacrifice” made by the U.S. bishops as they came to grips with the clerical sexual abuse crisis and its impact on survivors.

“I realize how much the pain of recent years has weighed upon you, and I have supported your generous

commitment to bring healing to victims — in the knowledge that in healing we, too, are healed — and to work to ensure that such crimes will never be repeated,” he said.

At the same time, Pope Francis insisted that no matter the challenge, the misunderstanding and even hostility the bishops face, they cannot stop “to lick one’s wounds, to think back on bygone times and to devise harsh responses to fierce opposition.”

The ministry with which they have been entrusted is God’s, not theirs, he said.

Compassion, joy, inclusivity, simplicity, dialogue, self-giving, mercy and humility must mark a bishop’s ministry, the pope told them.

“As pastors, we know well how much darkness and cold there is in this world,” he told them. But the church can attract people by being “the family fire” that offers warmth, comfort and community.

Sharing the faith, he said, “is not about preaching complicated doctrines, but joyfully proclaiming Christ who died and rose for our sake.”

People need to know that the message is for them, not for an abstract group or, worse, for a group of like-minded people, Pope Francis insisted.

“May the word of God grant meaning and fullness to every aspect of their lives; may the sacraments nourish them with that food which they cannot procure for themselves; may the closeness of the shepherd make them long once again for the Father’s embrace.”

CNS PHOTO/MARK WILSON, POOL

Pope Francis stands in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for private prayer at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, where he met with U.S. bishops in Washington Sept. 23.

Thomas Merton and Proven Spiritual Tools of the Monastic Tradition October 30 – 31, 2015

This weekend celebrates the legacy of Thomas Merton, whose 100th birthday would have been this year, and how teachings from the monastic tradition are thriving today. We will ask: What would Merton do today in 2015? Includes talks, reflection, sharing and Mass on Saturday.

Sr. Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, from Indiana, has served as Prioress of her Benedictine community and as Executive Director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue; she authored The Matter Series and is an internationally known speaker and a respected spiritual guide. Friday, 7:30 pm. to Saturday 4:00 p.m. Program Fee: $ 60 Friday only: $ 20 Saturday only: $ 40 Room: Single Occupancy: $ 43.00 plus tax; Double Occupancy: $ 35.00/person plus tax; Breakfast: $ 6.75 plus tax Lunch: $ 9.75 plus tax

Project

ANDREW

ST. BENEDICT CENTER Archbishop Joseph Naumann cordially invites single men 16 & over to Project Andrew — an evening of prayer, inspiring priests, dinner, and learning about discernment.

Sunday Oct. 18 at St. Joseph, Shawnee

&

Sunday. Oct. 25 at Christ the King, Topeka Register at kckvocations.com vocation@archkck.org or (913) 647-0303

Located 3 miles north of Schuyler at Hwy. 15 P.O. Box 528 • Schuyler, NE 68661-0528 • Phone: 402-352-8819 • Fax: 402-352-8884 Email: Retreats@StBenedictCenter.com • Web Site: www.StBenedictCenter.com

OUR LADY OF HOPE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Welcoming Anglican traditions to the Catholic Church Sunday Mass at 9:15 Our Lady of Sorrows | 2552 Gillham Rd KCMO | www.ourladyofhopekc.com

Pilgrimage to England and Scotland September 12 – 21, 2016 Free brochure: office.olohopekc@gmail.com

POPE FRANCIS

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

11

WRAPPING UP Serve, care for each other, pope tells families at closing Mass

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

P

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

An image of the Holy Family is seen as Pope Francis celebrates the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Sept. 27.

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pope Francis urged the hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families to serve and care for each other as freely as God loves the human family.

The pope called upon the faithful to embrace signs that the Holy Spirit can work through everyone. He referred to the readings in the multilingual Mass — from the Book of Numbers and the Gospel of Mark — in which members of the faith community questioned the work of those not part of their group and for prophesying in the name of God. “To raise doubts about the working of the Spirit, to give the impression that it cannot take place in those who are not ‘part of our group,’ who are not ‘like us,’ is a dangerous temptation,” the pope said.

“Not only does it block conversion to the faith; it is a perversion of faith. Faith opens a window to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.”

Illustrating his point before the Mass, Pope Francis engaged in “little gestures” himself along the papal parade route to the Mass, kissing and blessing many babies brought to him from the sidewalk throngs by Secret Service agents, who themselves managed to crack smiles after days of maintaining a stern demeanor as they guarded the pontiff.

Pope Francis recalled that Jesus encountered “hostility from people who did not accept what he said and did,” saying they thought it intolerable that Christ was open to honest and sincere faith from men and women who were not part of God’s chosen people.

“The disciples, for their part, acted in good faith. But the temptation to be scandal-

ized by the freedom of God, who sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous alike, bypassing bureaucracy, officialdom and inner circles, threatens the authenticity of faith. Hence, it must be vigorously rejected,” he said.

“Once we realize this, we can understand why Jesus’ words about causing ‘scandal’ are so harsh. For Jesus, the truly ‘intolerable’ scandal consists in everything that breaks down and destroys our trust in the working of the Spirit,” he continued.

Pope Francis held up the family as vital to building the church for the future. He said love must be freely shared for faith to grow.

Calling the church to renew faith in the word of God, the pope said people can live prophetic lives as a “kind of miracle in today’s world.”

“Would that we could all be prophets. Would that all of us could be open to miracles of love for the sake of all the families of the world,” he said.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT President - Hayden High School, Topeka, has an opening for president beginning in the 2016-17 school year.

Hayden currently has an enrollment of 447 and employs 36 teachers in grades 9 through 12. The school is sponsored by seven parishes in Topeka and is governed by a board of trustees. The president reports to the board of trustees. Applicants for president must be practicing Catholics and understand the mission of Catholic education. The president is the chief administrator of the school and is responsible for all school operations and, in particular, student recruitment, donor engagement, facilities maintenance, strategic planning and overall school advancement. Applicants should possess proven success in leadership, preferably in a Catholic high school or nonprofit setting. Please complete the online application at: www.archkckcs.org and also send a resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic School Office, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Application deadline is Oct. 9, with the expectation that interviews will begin shortly thereafter.

Maintenance manager - Visitation Parish seeks a maintenance manager to oversee ongoing routine maintenance and upkeep of the parish physical plant. Experience and aptitude with mechanical, plumbing and electrical repairs required. Residence in close proximity to parish preferred. Experience in church, school or large facility maintenance a plus. Full or part time. Mornings daily with some weekend hours. Flexible schedule. Send resume by email to Jeff Fegley at: jeff@church.visitation.org.

Music director - St. Matthew Apostle Parish seeks a part-time music director. Candidate will be responsible for planning music, providing instrumentation and vocals for weekend Masses, and directing a choir. Please send resumes by email to: jessica.ast@stmatthewapostle.org.

Parish manager - Holy Cross Church is seeking a full-time parish manager. This position will oversee the church’s and school’s finances and physical plant. Qualifications include good management and communication skills, familiarity with accounting practices, computer skills and facilities management experience. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. For a role description and application, interested persons should send an email to: churchoffice@holycrossopks.org. Applications need to be received by Oct. 16.

Caregiver - Caregiver wanted, 4 - 9 p.m. daily. Duties include preparing/cleaning up dinner and companionship for elderly, ambulatory woman. Call (573) 286-4364.

Receptionist - Duchesne Clinic, a division of Caritas Clinics, Inc., is seeking a receptionist to greet and check in patients and visitors; operate a multiline phone system and schedule appointments. Candidates must be bilingual, detail-oriented and possess strong computer skills.

Experience with electronic medical records and practice management systems is preferred. Must be a high school graduate. Please send resume and three professional references by email to Amy Falk at: amy.falk@caritasclinics. org. EOE. Drivers - Do you enjoy driving? Do you want to work part time? Full time? The Kansas City Transportation Group currently has positions open to operate shuttle buses for the KU Medical Center campus. These routes operate 18 hours a day transporting doctors, nurses and administrators; we can build a schedule that fits your needs.

CDL (commercial driver’s license) is required; we can help you with the nuances of how to get your license upgraded. The vehicles driven on the routes are 29 passenger mini coaches. Our business is growing and we are in need of those that enjoy working and have a passion in growing with us. Great opportunity for those that are retired, need flexible hours, etc. Great pay and benefits. Please apply by sending an email to: jkalbert@kctg. com or in person on Oct. 15 from noon - 4 p.m. at the Aloft Hotel, Park Place Center, 11620 Ash St., Leawood, KS 66211.

Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van.

CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children.

Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading.

Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, roundtrip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa KS 66215.

Teachers - The Goddard School, 21820 W. 115th Terr., Olathe, is looking for a full-time infant assistant teacher and full-time floating assistant teacher. In our warm, loving atmosphere, our highly qualified teachers support the healthy development of children from 6 weeks to 6 years. Our teachers write and implement their own lesson plans based on our FLEX program, Goddard Developmental Guidelines and our monthly school theme. Lead teachers also complete other duties such as electronic daily attendance reports, progress reports and parent conferences. The hands-on efforts of the school owner and directors allow our teachers to focus on their children, their lesson plans and teaching to ensure a fun-filled day of learning. Full-time benefits include competitive pay, paid time off, opportunities for professional development and career growth, and a great working envi-

ronment. Qualified candidates must meet or exceed Kansas regulations, have strong communication skills and desire to learn and implement the Goddard School programs. Lead teachers should have an early childhood education degree or a CDA or a degree in a related field with an emphasis in early childhood education. Prior experience in a child care setting is preferred. Please specify for which position you are applying. To apply, please forward your resume to: olathe2ks@goddardschools.com, attention: Mandy Ellis, director.

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

Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. ?Student drivers needed - In Overland Park, Olathe, and Kansas City, Kansas. We offer flexible part-time and full-time schedules. For more information, call (913) 2623100 or apply online at: www.assistedtransportation. com. EOE. Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 8251921.

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

Junior high/high school theology tutoring - Teacher with degrees in theology and education from Benedictine College, with four years’ experience in teaching within the archdiocese, available to privately tutor public school, home school, and/or private school students that are in need of orthodox theology instruction or enrichment! Call (816) 529-4954 for more information.

Tree service - Certified arborist Chris Johnson at Tufts Tree Service performs all tree services, including restoration, pruning, training, removal and stump grinding.

Fully licensed and insured. Call Chris at (785) 218-1531.

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

Need to lose weight, get in shape? Improve balance, coordination and flexibility. Nutrition packages available.

Call Angela, personal trainer, at (913) 558-7759. www. angelanosworthy.jeunesseglobal.com.

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.

Complete plumbing and bath - Master plumber for your entire home. Painting, tile install, bath remodeling.

Onyx Collection Distributor. Serving Johnson County for 20 years. Member Ascension Parish; call Mike at (913) 488-4930.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

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

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 22 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 485-4307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391 Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dan deeconst@aol.com.

KIRK’S PAINTING WHOLE HOUSE PAINTING Interior and exterior, wood rot and siding repair and replacement. 25 years experience, licensed and insured, family-owned and -operated.

(913) 927-5240 or nelsport@everestkc.net Local handyman and lawn care - Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing,doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish. Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net Last year was a great year, thank you to all my customers! We do decks, windows, doors, house painting, (interior & exterior), wood rot, deck staining, and siding.

You name it, we can do it. No job too big or small, just give us a call. Insured. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com 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.

Get the job done right the first time Kansas City’s Premier Services Decks and fences Power washing, staining and preserving Call for a FREE estimate Brian (913) 952-5965, Holy Trinity parishioner Jim (913) 257-1729, Holy Spirit parishioner Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com.

Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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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.

Swalms Organizing - Downsizing - Clean Out Service.

Reduce clutter - Any space organized. Shelving built on site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp, insured. Call Tillar: (913) 375-9115. WWW.SWALMS ORGANIZING.COM.

CAREGIVING 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.

Caregiving - Thirty plus years experience in elder care.

Assistance provided with bathing/dressing, medications, meal preparation, light housekeeping, shopping and transportation to appointments. Excellent references. Contact Mary at (913) 231-2408.

Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.benefitsofhome.com.

ROOMMATE Roommate - Seeking lady to share furnished apartment.

Own private bedroom and bath. Village West, Legends, Kansas City, Kansas. Leave message at (913) 745-6674.

REAL ESTATE For sale - Patio home. 2 BR, 1 BA. Single-car garage, Shawnee area. $94,500. Call Lisa at (913) 240-6004.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment.

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

For sale - Bass boat. 2009 Nitro X-4, Mercury 50 HP with trailer. Approximately 30 hours, like new. $9,980.

Call (816) 985-7128.

For sale - Two plots, side by side, at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. Henry section. $2,800 or best offer. Please call (785) 430-0270.

For sale - At Gate of Heaven Cemetery, a double cremation niche with companion urn in the mausoleum. It is located in the St. John Corridor, #8 H. Today’s selling price for the double niche and urn is approximately $6,522; offering for $5,000. Call Colleen at (913) 269-6944.

For sale - Two plots, side by side, at Chapel Hill Garden of Valor. $4,200 or best offer. Retails at $5,390. Please call David Nichols at (816) 686-1131 or send an email to: susannichols811@yahoo.com.

WANTED TO BUY Wanted to buy - 1950s, 1960s, 1970s convertible wanted in running condition. Call (913) 593-7507.

Wanted to buy - Lionel trains. Call (913) 485-6700.

Wanted - College student will pay up to $3,000 for best reliable car offered. Call (913) 299-4835.

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

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee 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.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR OKTOBERFEST St. Pius X Church, 5500 Woodson Rd. Mission Oct. 3 from 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Dinner includes homemade German food, as well as German wines and beers available for purchase. The Alpen Spielers Band plays from 6 - 9 p.m. There will also be a silent auction. The cost to attend is: $15 for adults in advance ($20 at door); $5 for children ages 6-12; and free for children under the age of 5. Ticket price includes dinner, band and dance. For more information, contact Marisa Bade at (913) 244-5732 or send an email to: marisabade@yahoo.com or call the parish office at (913) 432-4808.

100-YEAR CELEBRATION St. Francis Xavier, 301 E. James St., Mayetta Oct. 4 from noon - 2 p.m.

Mass will begin at noon with Archbishop Naumann as celebrant, followed by a blessing of a monument to the unborn.

Dinner will follow. Please RSVP by email to: stfrancisxavier100@gmail.com or call Jeri at (785) 771-2681.

PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY Kansas State Capitol, 300 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka Oct. 10 at noon

America Needs Fatima will host a public square rosary on the Kansas Capitol south steps. This is a worldwide event. Participants will be praying for the end of abortion, for world peace and religious liberty, along with many other national and worldwide concerns. For more information, contact Ron Shirrell by email at: rlshir@yahoo.com, or call (785) 267-3901.

IRISH ROAD BOWLING Wyandotte County Park 126th & State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.

The Kansas Hibernians will hold their 2nd Fall Irish Road Bowling event at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Go online to: www.ksaoh.org for information about Irish road bowling, the event and how to participate. Everyone is welcome. Entry fee is $150 on-site. The Kansas Hibernians are an Irish-Catholic men’s organization raising funds for area charities.

FALL FEST Sacred Heart - St. Casimir Parish, 1405 2nd Ave., Leavenworth Oct. 4 from noon - 3 p.m.

A turkey and ham dinner will be served along with a silent auction, country store, white elephant, games and entertainment, and two different raffles: one for a furnace and airconditioning unit and the other for cash.

GRIEF SUPPORT SESSIONS Good Shepherd Church 12800 W 75th St., Shawnee Oct. 5 - 26 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Understanding the complex emotions associated with grief following a loved one’s death can be very difficult. Mark Fenton will be facilitating a four-session program on grief related topics. The sessions will be held each Monday in October in the school library.

For more information or to register for any or all sessions, call Diane Drouhard at (913) 563-5304 or send an email to: ddrouhard@ gsshawnee.org.

SHROUD OF TURIN REPLICA VIEWING Benedictine College 1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR St. Theresa Church, 209 3rd St., Perry Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

A turkey and ham dinner with homemade pie will be served in the parish hall from 11 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Carryout dinners will be available.

The cost of the meal is $9 for adults; $4 for children age 10 and under. There will also be a silent auction, bingo, a cakewalk, baked goods, a country store and games for kids.

ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR St. Boniface Church, 32292 N.E. Norton Rd., Garnett Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The menu will include roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken and noodles, Scipio’s famous sauerkraut and more. The cost to attend is: $9 for adults; $5 for children ages 5 - 10; and free for children under 4. Carryout dinners are available for $10.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

‘DOROTHY DAY: WOMAN OF THE GOSPEL’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Learn about Dorothy Day and her lifelong growth in holiness. The retreat will be conducted by Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, who has served as a consultant for peace and justice with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit Sophia Center’s website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

OKTOBERFEST DINNER St. Mary - St. Anthony Parish, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 17 from 4 - 6:30 p.m.

PRO-LIFE MASS AND ROSARY Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood Oct. 3 at 8:15 a.m.

Mass will begin at 8:15 am. After Mass, participants will drive to Planned Parenthood, 4401 W. 109th St., Overland Park. Pro-life signs and banners will also be provided to anyone wishing to participate in that portion of the sidewalk witness. All activities conclude at 10 a.m. Join the prayer and sidewalk witness to end abortion.

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A replica of the Shroud of Turin will be available for viewing on the campus of Benedictine College in the McAllister board room on the fourth floor of the Ferrell Academic Center. The viewing will begin with a presentation by Jim Bertrand, a Shroud expert affiliated with the Turin Shroud Center of Colorado. There is no cost to attend.

50-YEAR CLASS REUNION Bishop Lillis High School, Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 10

Bishop Lillis High School, class of 1965, is having a 50-year reunion. For information, send an email to: jgonzales16@kc.rr.com or jack.flores@rti1.com.

HARVEST MOON DANCE Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood Oct. 10 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m.

The Curé of Ars Singles will host their annual harvest moon dance. The cost of $20 at the door includes meat hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, soda and bottled water. For more information, call (913) 631-6873.

‘THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX’ RETREAT Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Come and spend the day with talks, a guided meditation, DVD and personal sharing on this saint of “The Little Way”. Benedictine Sister Sheila Carroll will conduct this retreat.

For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit Sophia Center’s website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

SANCTUARY OF HOPE 10TH ANNUAL HOPE BENEFIT Abdallah Shrine Temple 5300 Metcalf, Overland Park Oct. 10 from 5:30 - 10 p.m.

Father Dennis Wait and Sanctuary of Hope invite all to come celebrate the beginning of its 20th year in ministry at the 10th annual Hope Benefit. For tickets or more information, call (913) 321-4673, or visit the website at: www.sanctuaryofhope.org.

TURKEY DINNER AND BAZAAR Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Carryouts are available until 2:30 p.m. The cost to attend is: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 5 to 12; and free for children age 4 and under.

There will also be a raffle, country store, bingo, theme baskets and children’s games.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE: A WEEKEND AWAY FOR A LIFETIME OF CHANGE Sanctuary of Hope 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 16 - 18

Beginning Experience serves the widowed, separated and divorced who are suffering the loss of a love relationship and may feel left out by their church, uneasy around married friends, unsure of themselves and uncertain about their futures. It helps grieving persons focus on their experience, deal with the natural grief process, and discover an opportunity to turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth — emerging from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning. For more information, visit the website at: www.beginningexperiencekc. org; send an email to: register.bekc@gmail. com; or contact Jerry at (785) 766-6497.

The dinner menu is roasted pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sauerkraut, dessert and coffee. The cost to attend is: $10 in advance; $12 at the door; and $3 for children. Raffles will be part of this fun evening.

Father Mike Mulhearn will be entertaining on the piano from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance to assure your meal. For more information or tickets, call the parish office at (913) 371-1408.

GIFT AND CRAFT SHOW St. Joseph Parish, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Ladies Guild in McDevitt Hall (church basement; elevator accessible), with more than 50 tables of gifts and crafts to choose from — featuring items ranging from jewelry to antiques to home decor.

Handmade religious items, including rosaries, will also be featured. A continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments will be provided by the St. Joseph Garden Club at a small cost. For more information, call Hettie Ann Leary at (913) 972-1786.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING COURSES Topeka Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged, and online registration is required at: www.ccli.org. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information and for the class location. Learn more about this class online at: www.nfptopeka.blogspot.com.

FALL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER Nelson Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 18 from 3 - 7 p.m.

The Greater Kansas City Alumni Council of the University of Saint Mary is sponsoring its fall fundraiser to benefit student scholarships. The event will include tours of the new Thomas Hart Benton exhibit at the Nelson Art Gallery followed by a reception at 166 Morningside Dr., Kansas City, Missouri. For information and to make reservations, call Penelope Lonergan at (913) 651-5265 or send an email to: plonergan@kc.r.r.com, no later than Oct. 10. The suggested donation is $30.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE 4840 College Blvd., Leawood Now until Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Join 40 Days for Life groups in cities around the world that are praying and fasting to end abortion. Come to the address in Leawood between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. through Nov. 1.

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

It’s my TV and I’ll cry if I want to

TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Oct. 4 TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Gn 2: 18-24 Ps 128: 1-6 Heb 2: 9-11 Mk 10: 2-12 Oct. 5 Monday Jon 1:1 – 2:1, 11 (Ps) Jon 2: 3-5, 8 Lk 10: 25-37 Oct. 6 Bruno, priest; Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin Jon 3: 1-10 Ps 130: 1b-4b, 7-8 Lk 10: 38-42 Oct. 7 Our Lady of the Rosary Jon 4: 1-11 Ps 86: 3-6, 9-10 Lk 11: 1-4 Oct. 8 Thursday Mal 3: 13-20b Ps 1: 1-5, 6 Lk 11: 5-13 Oct. 9 Denis, bishop, and companions, martyrs; John Leonardi, priest Jl 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2 Ps 9: 2-3, 6, 8-9, 16 Lk 11: 15-26 Oct. 10 Saturday Jl 4: 12-21 Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12 Lk 11: 27-28

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I

t’s not every day you get a phone call from the CEO of a major corporation.

This past weekend, Thomas Falk of Kimberly-Clark phoned to tell me of his appreciation for the big bump in sales that I was responsible for. They manufacture Kleenex tissues and, due to the pope’s visit to the States, I’d gone through several cases of them!

OK, I didn’t really get a call from the Kleenex people, but I did use lots of tissues because of Pope Francis. Yes, I got somewhat emotional — not so much at the pope’s powerful words, but at people’s reactions to meeting him.

I knew it was going to be bad when I was already tearing up as the pope’s plane landed at Andrews Air Force Base.

Below are my teariest moments, listed in order from “quickly and discreetly wiping my eyes” to “practically bawling.”

5. Francis at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. The pope spending time with those usually forgotten or even shunned by society got to me. From Francis’ simple thumbsup to the crowd when he saw the chair made for him by the prisoners, to

MARK MY WORDS

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

LISTEN to this article online at: www.theleaven.org. his shaking hands with an inmate covered in tattoos, to his speaking tenderly and unhurriedly to a woman inmate — all these spoke of the pope’s huge, compassionate heart. He treated those who were incarcerated with the same attention and care as he did the “more important” people that he rubbed shoulders with during his U.S. visit.

4. The pope with the immigrants helped by Catholic Charities of New York. Pope Francis spoke of being the son

of an immigrant family and how most of our families were at one time immigrants to this country. Each of the groups that he spoke with at this gathering gave him a heartfelt gift: unaccompanied minors gave the pope a soccer jersey and ball; construction workers gave him a hard hat and tool belt; refugee women presented him with a handmade altar cloth; and others gave Pope Francis a book detailing their journeys to the United States. The glow on their faces when speaking with the pope was absolutely amazing.

3. Francis and the students at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem.

To say these kids were excited is an understatement. They could not get enough of the pope — nor he of them. They leaned over barricades

to touch him, have him bless rosaries or just take a selfie. The scene inside a classroom at the school was quieter, but the excitement was just as intense as the pope went from table to table examining the students’ projects and chatting with them. This multicultural and multilingual gathering was a great snapshot of our diverse country.

2. Pope Francis and the 10-year-old with cerebral palsy in Philadelphia. As soon as the pope caught sight of Michael Keating in his wheelchair, he signaled for his car to stop and walked to the barricade where the boy was. He kissed Michael on the forehead and embraced him with such compassion. Michael’s parents were an emotional mess watching this . . . and so was I. 1. The multifaith prayer service at the 9/11 Memorial. I think I went through a box or two of Kleenex just at this venue. The pope met with some of the survivors and with spouses of first responders killed in the tragedy.

Then he proceeded to a stage at the memorial, where he was flanked by a rabbi on his right and an imam on his left. Also on the stage were members of other Christian

denominations, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. All were praying — united as people of good will — for healing and peace.

When a choir of young people came out to sing, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” I lost it.

All of the visit was not somber, however.

The funniest scene was in Philadelphia when Pope Francis noticed Quinn Madden, a little baby dressed as the pope, and burst into laughter. After blessing the girl, he sent a special message to her parents: “You have a great sense of humor.”

There are many reasons why people — and not just Catholics — turned out or tuned in in such numbers and with such enthusiasm to see Pope Francis. A lot has to do with his genuineness. He doesn’t just talk about God’s love for us — he lives it.

He doesn’t just speak about the joy of faith — he exudes it. He doesn’t just mention Jesus as the good shepherd — he wades right into the midst of the flock.

In a world where we’re so often disappointed by those who lead us, it’s refreshing to have someone like Pope Francis walk the talk.

Isn’t it time we followed his lead?

God reaches out through each spouse to help the other

W

ith the subject of marriage a hot item in the news, it is fortuitous that Sunday’s first reading helps us to reflect on that most significant institution.

We hear a portion of the second creation account, Gn 2: 18-24, which describes God finding a suitable partner for the first man. First, God creates and parades in front of the man various animals as possibilities: “But none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.”

With those possibilities rejected, God then takes a rib from the man to form into a woman.

This works. Upon seeing her, the man speaks covenantal words: “This one, at last, is bone of

POPE FRANCIS

IN THE BEGINNING

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

my bone and flesh of my flesh.”

Since the woman has been formed from the man’s rib, these words

Acknowledging the real challenges and burdens the U.S. bishops face in their ministry, Pope Francis shared with them his own experience as a pastor and urged them to keep their eyes focused on Jesus and their hearts open to others. “Woe to us,” he said,

can be taken literally.

But beyond that, they represent a permanent commitment. After all, how could a person ever abandon one’s own flesh?

These words amount to a promise of marriage.

They are further clarified by the verse that follows them: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”

United, they cannot be divided.

This account in Genesis emphasizes the importance of unity in marriage: “The two of them become one flesh.”

The account also emphasizes the importance of companionship. After all, God begins the discussion by saying: “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

Since the Second Vatican Council, the church has begun to give more attention to the importance of companionship in marriage.

The church wishes to arrive at a balance among the various goals of marriage. While procreation is one of the reasons for marriage, it is not the only goal. Otherwise, persons beyond childbearing age would not be allowed to marry.

“if we make of the cross a banner of worldly struggles and fail to realize that the price of lasting victory is allowing ourselves to be wounded and consumed.”

The 78-year-old pope met the U.S. bishops Sept. 23 in Washington’s Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle for midday prayer.

“I did not come to judge you or to lec-

Marriage also exists for the mutual support of the spouses. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way: “The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator” (1603).

It is the close and strong union between husband and wife which enables them to be good parents. The two goals of marriage — companionship and procreation — work together. The two spouses strengthen each other.

In the final analysis, God is reaching out through them to help the other. That is part of what we mean when we affirm that marriage is a sacrament. It is a way that God gives us grace.

It is a way that God blesses the world.

ture,” the pope said, but he wanted to address the bishops “as a brother among brothers,” one who served as archbishop of a large, diverse archdiocese and now, “in old age,” is called to encourage Catholics around the world.

— CNS

OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

S

It’s a wonderful life — with your help

ummer has ended and school has started. I hope summer vacation was good for you and yours. During the summer, many of us frequent the movie theaters. You know, “Let’s all go to the movies.”

Speaking of movies, CEF is in the middle of a production I am calling “It’s a Wonderful Life 2.”

Many of you with vintage have seen the original “It’s a Wonderful Life.” If you haven’t seen it, you need to do so. It is an awesome holiday movie — one of my favorites (no vintage here).

The holidays aren’t that far away.

The plot of the original movie is that the leading man (George Bailey) has come on hard times and needs help.

A rather unique angel (Clarence) comes down

CEF CENTERED

from heaven to help struggling George find his way. It depicts the importance of helping others, and the ending to the movie is just heavenly. Got it?

So now let’s fast forward to the CEF soon-to-be box-office hit. The cast consists of many leading young men and women. They are students currently in our CEF schools and receiving scholarship assistance (1,363). Or

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they are children not in our schools (395) because they don’t have the means to allow them that opportunity.

Our movie has multiple angels with their own unique backgrounds.

Our hopes are to appeal to a larger audience.

Box-office draw is important, you know. We have angels Mark and Lisa Ledom, Pat and Mel McAnany, and Marcia and Nelson Newcomer.

These three families are this year’s Gaudeamus dinner “Angels Among Us” honorees. They are receiving this award because of their support of the Catholic Education Foundation and their efforts to help less fortunate kids attend our Catholic schools.

They truly understand the importance of a Catholic education. They understand that a Catholic education is a means to an end. The end is heaven, the ultimate wonderful life! George Bailey would be proud!!

In addition, we have another group of angels we are also recognizing for their service to our

Catholic schools: Catholic school educators. These individuals are with our students day in and day out and work hard to create a classroom environment that is nothing short of heavenly.

Just like Clarence in the movie, they are the frontline angels and work hard to mentor our students to become disciples of Christ.

So, how does “It’s a Wonderful Life 2” end, you ask?

This is just a preview — a trailer. You have to come to this year’s Gaudeamus dinner on Oct. 24 to see how our angels do. I can assure you that the angels’ bells will be ringing. It will be an experience that you will never forget!!!

For more information on this year’s Gaudeamus dinner, go online to: cefks.org, or call (913) 647-0344.

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Donnelly College’s SHINE event set for Oct. 10 KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Donnelly College here will host its annual SHINE scholarship celebration from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, 2345 McGee St., Kansas City, Missouri.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be honored for 10 years of service as archbishop.

All proceeds from SHINE will used for Donnelly student scholarships and to create an endowed scholarship in Archbishop Naumann’s name.

To sponsor or register, visit the website at: www.donnelly. edu/shine, or call (913) 621-8752.

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OCTOBER 2, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

POPE FRANCIS

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CELEBRATING POPE FRANCIS

Schools from across the archdiocese eagerly awaited the arrival of Pope Francis in the United States. Here are a few examples of what some schools did as the pope touched down.

See our website, www.theleaven.org, for more photos from archdiocesan schools.

Photos, clockwise from top: n Katelyn Baltazar and Dakari Wake (back), third-graders at Xavier Elementary School in Leavenworth, work on their “Super Merciful Superheroes.” The project comes out of Pope Francis’ request for us to “be merciful as your Father is merciful.” n Preschoolers at Nativity School in Leawood made miters in honor of Pope Francis. Pictured are: (back row, from left) Nicholas Hoban, Grayson Bosch, Max Sand, Jimmy Roth, Penelope Nato, Ava Uzelac, Edward Volker, Jacob Perkins, Lou Creal, Xander Krajicek and Tucker Henry; (front row, from left) Joseph Drieling, Scarlett Kaeding, Adelynn Schwarz, Caleb Clune, Danny Kaeding, Lily Gencarelli, Charlotte Langlade and Stella Foz. n Students at Sacred Heart School in Shawnee show off religious medals and a cutout of Pope Francis as they await his arrival in the United States. Pictured are: (clockwise, from left) Lucy Plunkett, second grade; Hayes Keating, kindergarten; Spencer Dohm, fourth grade; Jack Manning, sixth grade; Andrew Thompson, seventh grade; Bryn Rogers, first grade; Hope Feldman, fifth grade; Katie Donnelly, third grade; and Andrew Peters, eighth grade. n In honor of the pope’s U.S. trip, Prince of Peace School in Olathe held a food drive for Catholic Charities with the goal of 4,400 food items, since it is 4,400 miles from the Vatican to Philadelphia. The school surpassed its goal by 1,000 items.

Eighth-graders Isabella Weida and Morgan Wright (in truck, from left) organize the donations, while Ellie Meyers and Maddison Haruch load more onto the truck. n Joani Kampschroeder, library teacher at Corpus Christi School in Lawrence, reads a book about Pope Francis to students in preparation for the pope’s U.S. trip.

Mass of Innocents A Mass with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann to celebrate the lives of our children lost before or shortly after birth.

Sunday, October 11, 2015 3 p.m.

Cure of Ars Parish 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS 66206 Parents, family members and friends are all welcome to attend. No RSVP needed.

For questions, call Marriage & Family Life Office 913-647-0345

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