09 11 20 Vol. 42 No. 6

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 6 | SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE CORY

Because of the pandemic, seating was limited, social distancing was enforced and masks were required at the archdiocesan 50th wedding anniversary Mass held Aug. 23 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

GOOD AS GOLD

Couples celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at special Mass

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — What is the secret to a long and happy marriage? Roger and Theresa Bollinger claim to not know — but maybe they do. After all, they’ve had one for 50 years.

“I don’t know the secret,” said Theresa. “It’s just being there for each other and loving your family.”

“Don’t be afraid to forgive and don’t be afraid to forget,” said Roger. “Forget the bad times and focus on the good times — and the future.”

Roger and Theresa were among more than 65 couples who gathered for the annual archdiocesan 50th wedding anniversary Mass, celebrated at 2 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was

the main celebrant and homilist. Pastor Father Michael Hawken and senior associate pastor Father Al Rockers were concelebrants. The master of ceremonies was Father Bruce Ansems.

The Mass was sponsored by the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life and was hosted by the Church of the Nativity.

Adjustments had to be made for the annual Mass because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant of the marriage and family life office.

The number of participating couples was limited and by invitation only, with no family members present. Everyone had to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and maintain social distance.

Moreover, there was no reception or opportunities for the jubilarian couples to have photographs with the archbishop. The church was cleaned >> See “COUPLES” on page 6

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE CORY

Each couple attending the 50th wedding anniversary Mass Aug. 23 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood received a gift from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

Baptism by fire

No stopping

The archdiocese’s newest deacons have started their ministries under lessthan-ideal conditions.

When the pandemic hit, St. Mary’s Food Kitchen had no choice but to keep on going.

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Pages 8-9

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ARCHBISHOP

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

COVID demonstrates what a difference Jesus can make

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his summer has been a unique one for all of us because of the continued impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.

In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit several of our parishes, installing pastors at their new parochial assignments and celebrating confirmations that I was unable to do in the spring.

I have been edified by the efforts of our parishes to celebrate the Eucharist both safely and solemnly.

I am very grateful to the many parishioners that are assisting their pastors in implementing the archdiocesan safety protocols adapted to the unique circumstances of their parish community.

The impact of COVID-19 varies greatly in the many counties that compose the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. There are some of our counties that have had minimal incidents of COVID-19 cases and very few hospitalizations. Of course, the situation is much different in our larger population centers.

I was interviewed recently on a livestream Daily Update produced by the University of Kansas Medical Center.

I was asked about COVID-19’s impact on the Catholic Church. I shared that COVID-19 has impacted almost every aspect of the church’s ministry.

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN First of all, essential to the life of the church is gathering our people together to pray and encounter Jesus through the sacraments.

Social distancing is foreign to the nature of the church. The sacraments — by definition — involve touching the physical symbols that reveal the experience of interior grace as well as human interaction with the minister of the sacrament.

Secondly, the Catholic Church operates a large school system that includes preschool, kindergarten, elementary schools, high schools and colleges.

As we begin this new academic year, compared to 2019, we have lost 729 students from preschool through high school. This is a decline of a little more than 5% of our total enrollment.

A significant portion of the loss of enrollment (39%) is in our preschool and kindergarten programs. Many

parents have decided this year to keep their children at home for these optional educational experiences.

Another 24% of the decline has occurred in our high schools.

While our schools did a heroic job last spring, pivoting from in-person classroom methods to virtual education, I am convinced that much of the impact of student formation is diminished when young people cannot interact in person with teachers and classmates.

Our schools have gone through enormous efforts to reduce the risk to students, teachers and their families. I am proud of what our schools have done to make it possible at the beginning of this school year to maximize in-person education, while attempting to accommodate a virtual learning experience for those at high risk.

During the KU Med interview, viewers were able to ask questions.

The first question was why were our Catholic schools open for inperson education, when

Celebrate Constitution Week “Fly Your Flags” and celebrate Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23

some health experts were advising against it.

I responded by citing some of the mental health data revealing significant health risks to our youth from social distancing. Not opening schools also has negative health impacts on students.

The KU COVID-19 update had actually begun with a review of the dramatic increase in depression and suicidal ideation, particularly among young people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compared to the same period in 2019, adults reported three times the rate of anxiety symptoms and four times the rate of depression symptoms.

The CDC survey revealed that almost 11% of respondents indicated that they had seriously considered suicide. This was double the percentage from previous years and it was significantly higher for young adults.

According to the CDC report: “Medical professionals cautioned that social isolation associated with social distancing, along with soaring unemployment rates, could further accelerate the national suicide crisis.”

Third, the shutdown of our economy had a devastating impact on many small businesses and thus triggered increased unemployment.

Consequently, Catholic Charities has experienced an increased

need for its emergency services — food, utilities and rent assistance.

Catholic Charities is able to magnify the beneficial impact of monetary donations because of its large number of volunteers. However, with a sizable portion of Catholic Charities’ volunteers falling into the high-risk population because of age and/ or underlying health conditions, this has created an additional stress on this crucial ministry.

Fourth, with weekend Mass attendance suspended for a time and even now significantly decreased participation, parishes are receiving fewer donations. Our parishes subsidize significantly our elementary schools and support our high schools.

Every parish has some parishioners who have lost a job or have reduced income because of COVID-19. It is essential for those of us who are able to be even more generous in support of our parish.

This past Tuesday, we celebrated the feast of the Nativity of Mary.

One of the options for the Mass readings for the feast came from the Letter to the Romans, where Paul states: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” The Christian sees everything through the prism of the paschal mystery — the dying and rising of Jesus.

Despite the dire health and economic consequences of COVID-19, we can be confident that God wants to bring forth good from this wicked illness and will draw forth new life from this deadly experience.

In fact, it is in the midst of adversity that the beauty and power of the Gospel of Jesus can shine most brightly through his disciples.

For the disciple of Jesus, we know that God is with us in every circumstance.

We are never alone and never separated from the comfort of God’s love. Even as we experience the same burdens as everyone else in the present moment, our ability to be authentic witnesses of hope, to manifest an unfailing capacity for joy and to care for the suffering will draw others to desire the source of our hope, our joy and our power to love.

COVID-19 is actually a powerful moment for evangelization. It is a golden opportunity to showcase the gift of our Catholic faith and the difference that friendship with Jesus makes in our lives.

A cynical political operative once said: “Never waste a good crisis.” For the Christian, COVID-19 has provided us with a splendid opportunity to allow the beauty of our Christian faith to shine brightly for all the world to see.

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BAPTISM BY FIRE

Pandemic complicates things for new class of permanent deacons

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Deacon Jim Mullin’s first Mass after ordination was memorable in many ways — some, he’d just as soon

PHOTO BY JOHN CAULFIELD

Despite a few mishaps, Deacon Jim Mullin made it through his first Mass at Church of the Nativity in Leawood. Times have been challenging for the 20 men ordained permanent deacons this year as they’ve learned how to navigate though a world-wide pandemic.

“

“

forget.

His microphone battery pack fell off when he reverenced the altar. He got tangled in his alb. He didn’t notice that the lector mistakenly put the Lectionary away until he arrived at the ambo to read the Gospel — and then he grabbed the one used for weekday Mass. His face mask strings got tangled up with his hearing aid.

Twenty men were ordained permanent deacons on June 20, and their first Mass was only the first of many challenges during this first year of diaconal ministry — a baptism by fire each new class of deacons face.

But unlike the previous two classes of deacons, this third cohort began their service during a worldwide pandemic — which complicated everything.

“Yes, it’s certainly a challenge for them,” said Leon Suprenant, co-director of the archdiocesan office of the permanent diaconate. “Aside from all the ordinary challenges — natural and supernatural — that come into play when one begins ordained ministry, they have the added difficulty of becoming a minister of Communion during a time of separation and social distance.”

The challenge the new deacons face is how to bring people together in the church when Catholics are being called to stay physically away from each other. It’s a challenge to their adaptivity and creativity.

“I have to be humble,” said Deacon Mullin, both a member of and assigned to the Church of the Nativity in Leawood. “Things don’t go right.

There were a lot of things that we went through in five years of formation that [we face now] that we aren’t prepared for.”

There are a lot of things that are new to him and, with the modifications forced by the pandemic, that he’s still getting used to.

Part of his ministry is working for a low-income housing project for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. For Nativity, he’s assisting at Mass, which sometimes involves preaching, working with couples for marriage preparation and working with the archdiocesan tribunal for marriage annulments.

He’s had to use video conferencing over the internet for his meetings.

Deacon Jason Imlay assists at three Masses a week at his assigned parish, Divine Mercy in Gardner. The summer was slow, he reported, but things will pick up in the fall. He’s been asked by his pastor to assist with major parish events and with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, conduct adult faith formation and help with youth formation.

“At this point, as the parish is still figuring out what its new normal will

THEY’RE WELL-TRAINED TO SUPPORT THEIR PASTORS AND THE ARCHBISHOP. THEY’VE BEEN SCHOOLED IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO ADJUST THEIR MINISTRIES TO ACCOMMODATE THE VARIOUS CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS. LEON SUPRENANT CO-DIRECTOR OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE OF THE PERMANENT DIACONATE PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON JASON IMLAY

be, we haven’t really hammered out all the details on how that looks with my involvement,” said Deacon Imlay.

“We’re all learning as we go,” he continued. “We’re all figuring out ministry in a time of COVID. . . . But it’s been difficult to minister because there are these distancing guidelines. It’s hard to get out and visit the homebound and visit hospitals.”

Deacon Bob Ortiz has been assigned diaconal duties at his home parish of Mater Dei in Topeka. He’s been writing the petitions for Sunday Mass, preaching occasionally, doing baptismal preparation, training altar servers, and serving on the parish evangelization and capital campaign committees.

“A lot of our council meetings and committee meetings are just starting to

Deacon Jason Imlay assists at Mass at Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner. He said it’s been a learning process because COVID-19 limits the contact he can have with parishioners. be done in person,” said Deacon Ortiz.

“We’ve been doing a lot of Zoom. We haven’t stopped.”

A big contrast with previous deacon classes is that the deacons of the third cohort don’t know what it’s like to be deacons under “normal” conditions, said Deacon Ortiz. The pandemic hit just as they were finishing their training. Ministering under pandemic conditions is all they’ve known.

“Obviously, [the pandemic] had been going on for the last few months of their formation, so they kind of knew things were going to be a little different,” said Suprenant. “They’re welltrained to support their pastors and

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

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the archbishop. They’ve been schooled in terms of being able to adjust their ministries to accommodate the various coronavirus restrictions.”

But they have to remember that the role of the deacon isn’t restricted just to doing things.

“The most important thing about a deacon is not what they do but who they are,” said Suprenant. “As long as they have that vulnerability to allow Christ to work through them in prayer and form them to be his servant, it’s not a question of doing a lot, but being more closely conformed to Christ the servant.”

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LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Archdiocesan native ordained a deacon JOLIET, Ill. — Kevin Daniel Plankinton, a native of Holton, was ordained a permanent deacon after four years of preparation for service in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, by the Bishop Richard E. Pates on Aug. 22 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus here.

Deacon Plankinton is a member of St. Mary Church, Mokena, Illinois, and has been assigned as deacon to his parish. He and his wife Katie are the parents of Grace, Peter and Isabel. Deacon Plankinton is the son of Boyd and Helen Plankinton of Holton and Karen Savage of Topeka.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

On Aug. 4, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann elevated the Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne to that of a “personal parish.”

Latin Mass group given ‘personal parish’ status

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

W

ESTWOOD — This summer, the Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne here received an important recognition of its stability and long-term future.

On Aug. 4, the feast of St. John Vianney, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann elevated the community’s chapel in northeast Johnson County to that of a “personal parish.” It has been under the pastoral care of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) since its founding.

“Traditionally, parishes are territorial entities in which Catholics residing within the confines set by the diocese are said to belong to that parish,” said Father John Fongemie, FSSP, the former chaplain, now at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Vienna, Ohio.

“Canon law provides for diocesan bishops to erect other types of churches and parishes,” he added, “and among those are personal parishes in which the bishop sets criteria

I

by which Catholics may join personal parishes under the auspices set by the diocesan bishop.”

A personal parish is under the direct pastoral care of the bishop and does not have territorial boundaries.

Catholics may belong to a personal parish even if they reside within the boundaries of another parish.

Personal parishes can be established for immigrant or language groups. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas established ethnic or “national” parishes for immigrant communities of Belgians, Croatians, Germans, Irish, Mexicans, Poles, Slovenes and others. More recently, the archdiocese has recognized Burmese (Myanmar) ethnic groups, Koreans and Africans.

In this case, the personal parish is for those Catholics who have an affinity for the Mass and sacraments in Latin celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal.

Prior to the decree, the current parish was designated a chapel and was part of St. Agnes Parish in Roeland

Park. A copy of the sacramental registry was kept at St. Agnes, according to Father Joseph DeGuzman, FSSP. He succeeded Father Fongemie on July 1.

Previously, Father DeGuzman served at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Mabelton, Georgia.

“We’re within the boundaries of St. Agnes Parish, and usually [the archdiocese] wouldn’t build another parish that close,” said Father DeGuzman.

“But most of our parishioners don’t necessarily live around us. Their average drive is 30 to 45 minutes, and some drive an hour or more.”

The elevation of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne to the status of parish shows the confidence the archdiocese has in the community’s stability and future, said Father Fongemie. It is a recognition of the parish’s spiritual maturity and financial health.

Currently, the parish has more than 800 members. It is served by three Priestly Society of St. Peter priests.

The society also serves the Latin Mass Community of St. John-Mary Vianney in Maple Hill, on the western side of the archdiocese.

National Stewardship Conference goes online KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The 58th International Catholic Stewardship Council’s annual conference will go virtual this year.

The conference, sponsored by the International Catholic Stewardship Council, will feature sessions held over the course of 10 days — from Sept. 28 to Oct. 9. The virtual format will allow for parish and school community leaders and staff to participate, learn and strategize together.

For information about session topics and schedules, go to the ICSC website at: catholicstewardship.com. At the top of the homepage, click on the button “2020 Conference.”

If you wish to connect with people from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas who have attended the conference in the past, contact the archdiocesan stewardship and development office at (913) 647-0325 or send an email to: stewdev@archkck.org.

Decree of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

n 1989, Most Reverend Ignatius J. Strecker, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, in response to the “motu proprio” Ecclesia Dei of Pope Saint John Paul II and in consultation with his brother Bishops provided for the celebration of the Mass, in Latin, according to the Roman Missal that was in effect in 1962 which is now referred to as the Extraordinary Form. There were to be two celebrations of the Extraordinary Form in the Archdiocese. One of the locations for this Mass was to take place at St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1994, Most Reverend James P. Keleher, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, named the community that developed in Kansas City The Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne. In this same year, he invited the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter to minister to this community.

In 1998, The Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne moved from St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kansas City, Kansas. The community continued to grow and there began to be a desire to have their own church building. Finally, in 2011, with the approval of Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, a

former Lutheran Church in Mission Woods, Kansas, was purchased by the community.

Over the next two years, work was done on the building to transform it into a space where the Extraordinary Form could worthily and easily be celebrated.

In 2013, on the twelfth day of January, Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, dedicated the building located at 5035 Rainbow Boulevard in Mission Woods, Kansas, giving it the title of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Church. As the The Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne settled into their new Church, a sense of stability was recognized. In view of this Reverend John Fongemie, FSSP, Chaplain of The Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne, wrote to Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, requesting that The Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne be elevated to that of a Personal Parish. On the thirteenth day of May 2020, Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of this Archdiocese, in accord with canon 515 § 2, consulted the council of priests of the Archdiocese. Having fulfilled all the requirements of the law I, Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of

the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, hereby erect The Personal Parish of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

In virtue of being a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, it enjoys all the rights and obligations of a personal parish. Christ’s faithful who have an affection for the Extraordinary Form have the right to belong to this personal parish where Reverend Joseph DeGuzman, FSSP, is the first pastor and assisted by Reverend Jonathan Heinricy, FSSP, and Reverend Joshua Houck, FSSP, as Parochial Vicars.

Given on the 4th day of August, the feast of St. John Vianney, the secondary patron of the Archdiocese, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty.

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop

Reverend John Riley Chancellor/Notary

Corbin and Cason Sollars

Leawood Scouts earn Eagle rank LEAWOOD — Corbin and Cason Sollars, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish here and Boy Scout Troop 333, have earned the rank of Eagle.

For his Eagle project, Corbin built a raised planter box, sandbox and bench for St. Michael the Archangel preschool.

Cason conducted a clothing drive of long underwear and distributed them to the homeless through the Uplift Organization in Kansas City, Missouri, for his Eagle project.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Scouts help school prepare to meet COVID challenges

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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VERLAND PARK — All it took was uPVC pipe, plastic shower curtains and a little elbow grease for the Boy Scouts at Church of the Ascension here to make the parish school a safer place.

With the pipe and curtains, the Scouts created shields that will separate students who are sharing a desk or table at the school this year.

“The pandemic is affecting us all and we all need to do our part,” said Matthew Wright, a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park and Boy Scout at Ascension.

“The teachers have a lot of work to do,” he added, “and there was a way that we could help the school staff add an extra precaution to keep everyone safe and healthy.”

Matthew’s mom Becky is the principal at Ascension; his dad Steve is a Scout leader. It was Steve who asked Becky for ways the Scouts could help the school.

“She was looking for some kind of an idea of how to be social distancing during school,” said Steve.

So, Steve and Matthew went to Ascension to figure out an additional protective measure they could implement.

“Some tables will only have two students and there are some round tables that will now be able to seat four students,” said Steve. “Some of the other options were to have kids just sitting on the floor so many feet apart, which sounds uncomfortable to me.”

The pair decided shields would work much better.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Boy Scouts Alex Remington (foreground) and Jack Resteliers measure and cut pipe in order to make plastic shields for the classrooms at Ascension School in Overland Park. A team of Scouts and Scout leaders spent several hours on Aug. 15 constructing the shields.

On Aug. 15, Matthew, Steve and a team of Scouts spent several hours at the school constructing the shields.

Steve hopes their efforts will inspire others to volunteer in some way during COVID-19.

“Maybe something so small like this shield can make other people realize that there is something that can be done in a big way,” he said. “It just may require

asking the right questions.

“COVID-19 does present us with all kinds of challenges. However, the Scouts are doing their best to still get out into the community and do what they can to help.”

Becky is thankful the Scouts spent some of their efforts at Ascension.

“Every precaution we can take is an important step in keeping our kids and

staff healthy and safe,” she said. “The Boy Scouts’ efforts are a huge support to our community and we are so grateful for their time and service.”

For Matthew and his peers, they’ll count it as a Saturday well spent.

“I am proud of all the people that helped,” said Matthew, “and proud to be making a positive impact in the community.”

Special-needs ministry hosts virtual workshop for caregivers Time for yourself

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

C

aring for others isn’t easy.

When you add illness, special needs or aging to the dynamic, the job takes its toll on caregivers.

Author and columnist Maureen Pratt is well-versed on the strength and fragility of being a caregiver. Pratt, who writes the syndicated Catholic News Service column “Living Well,” has served in the role of caregiver and, at times, has benefited from the care of others. Pratt has lived with serious and sometimes life-threatening illness, including lupus, almost all of her life.

“Although caregiving is not a unique situation, each situation is different. We do share some common ground,” Pratt said. “We forget to take care of ourselves, it affects our physical and mental well-being and eventually our ability to take care of someone else diminishes.”

Pratt will shine a light on caregiver needs in an upcoming virtual workshop hosted by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas’ special-needs ministry this Oct. 3. The workshop, “By Still Waters: A Virtual Day of Spiritual Refreshment for Caregivers,” will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The healing power of faith Pratt describes the role of a caregiver as a holy vocation that truly imitates the loving example of Jesus Christ. But it is not an easy undertaking, and it can take a toll on the very people who bring great

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas’ special-needs ministry will host a workshop, called “By Still Waters: A Virtual Day of Spiritual Refreshment for Caregivers,” on Oct. 3. from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. blessings to others. awarded four Catholic Press (CPA) Fatigue, depression, frustration — all awards and, in 2019, her book “Salt and can wear down the most conscientious Light: Church, Disability and the Blesscaregiver, especially during ing of Welcome for All,” was these unprecedented times honored with CPA and AsFor more informain which we are living. sociation of Catholic Pubtion and to register for “By Still Waters: With an unwavering lishers awards.

A Virtual Day of Spirfaith, Pratt has used her per“My world changed very itual Refreshment for sonal journey to encourage early in my life. I was very ill Caregivers,” go online others who live with chronic from an early age. I missed a to: www.archkck.org/ illness or pain or those who lot of school and was isolatspecial-needs. care for and about someone ed from friends for long pewho has health challenges. riods of time. I learned early She has spoken at regional and nationon to accept illness as part of life,” Pratt al faith-based conferences and medical said. “My mother was a religious educacenters, and has led church workshops, tion teacher. She helped me embrace my retreats and patient advocacy groups. faith and reminded me that no matter Pratt’s books represent a blend of how alone and sick I was, I could always church, faith and pain. She has been talk to God.”

Pratt urges caregivers to tend to their own well-being. She said caregivers shouldn’t feel guilty if they experience a range of emotions, including anger or resentment. Some caregivers take on the role for an extraordinarily long period, which makes it even more important to care for their mental and physical health.

“Taking care of a loved one is hard.

You may come to the point that you don’t think you have the mental or physical ability to do it any longer,” Pratt said. “Don’t let the fear factor take over. We’re all human.”

Caregivers should take opportunities to step back from care duties when they can. Remember, too, that the caregiver’s journey is shared by the person who is experiencing an illness or disability, Pratt said. That means it’s important to listen to the wishes of the person for whom you are caring.

“As a person who is ill becomes tired and frustrated or gets more bad news, their threshold for holding back their emotions can become eroded,” Pratt said. “That’s very frustrating and why listening is so important.”

Finally, Pratt reminds caregivers to pray for themselves and the individual who is ill. Sometimes, a person’s circle of support changes once he or she has been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness.

“Caregiving can sometimes be isolating and the caregiver can feel lonely,” Pratt said. “But with prayer, with God, we are never alone.”

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LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Friends don’t let friends go it alone

By Katie Peterson Special to the Leaven

W

AMEGO — Sixteenyear-old Jocelyn Stewart spent years arguing with her friend Katie Zachgo

about religion.

Baptized Lutheran, she had long since abandoned the practice of any faith.

But Zachgo, also 16, was an active member of the Catholic Church — which represented everything Stewart was arguing against.

“I used to be really agnostic . . . and used to be very, very against religion,” Stewart said. “We would probably argue . . . daily about it.”

But things began to change when Stewart met challenging times.

“I was going through a really rough time. I had and still have a lot of mental health issues, but I had a lot of big life events happen all at once and most of them were negative,” Stewart said.

“I didn’t really know what to do. I didn’t really know where I was in life or where I was going, and I was really hopeless, honestly.”

That’s when Zachgo stepped in, Stewart said.

“She said when she was going through rough times, she would pray, or she would go to church, or she would try and get in better touch with her faith,” Stewart said. “So, I started going to youth group with her, which eventually, once I was comfortable with it, progressed into me going to church with her.”

Seven months later, Stewart officially converted to Catholicism at a special Mass on July 17 at St. Bernard Church in Wamego.

Zachgo served as her sponsor.

“At the end of the youth group era, when we started going to church together, I felt very proud of her that she made it that far, and she was taking that leap of faith,” Zachgo said. “When she asked me to be her sponsor, it was a very surreal moment.”

As Stewart continued to prepare to join the church, she and Zachgo regularly met with Deacon Jody Madden,

SUBMITTED PHOTO

It was the efforts of Katie Zachgo, left, that finally inspired her friend Jocelyn Stewart to join the Catholic Church. When Jocelyn finally received the sacraments at St. Bernard Parish in Wamego on July 17, Katie was by her side as Jocelyn’s sponsor. director of faith formation at St. Bernard.

“Jocelyn was eager to learn and genuinely looked excited to be hearing the teachings of the church as well as the practical lessons we had on things like prayer,” Madden said.

“I think the lion’s share of the work

of her conversion was done before she started meeting with me,” he added.

“All I did in this process was fan those flames. I provided the explanation as to what we believe and why we believed that,” he continued. “I think the real work of her conversion was the friendship that she and Katie had.

From what I’ve been told, they had lots of deep conversations and freely disagreed with each other at times.

“However, when two people aren’t arguing to be right, but rather for the truth, the odds of finding the truth are much greater. In their case, it looked like the truth of the faith won out.”

But not long after Stewart made the decision to officially join the church, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Masses, including the Easter Vigil, were canceled.

While Stewart and Zachgo both said it was disappointing, they agreed the extra time was a blessing.

“After it all got pushed back, I was a little relieved just because I felt like, spiritually, yes, I was ready to make that decision, but I don’t know if I was prepared,” Stewart said. “To have that extra time to ask more questions, to get more information and to really ask myself if this was really something I wanted to do — it was a blessing.”

“It gave us time to get . . . more knowledge about the church,” Zachgo added.

When the day finally came, the wait was worth it.

“For me, finally,” said Stewart, “that assurance that I was experiencing my faith the same way that all the other people around me are . . . was a huge, huge deal for me because I was finally able to say that nobody can doubt me anymore.”

“The most memorable part . . . was probably receiving the Body and Blood,” she said. “That’s something I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life.”

Now, Stewart said she hopes her faith will always remain strong.

“I know that a lot of people who convert end up falling away,” Stewart said, “and, as sad as that is, in today’s society, I know that it’s very easy to put it on the side burner and start focusing on other things that you deem more important.

“I just really hope that I’m able to keep [faith] as one of my priorities, just because I don’t want to be one of those people who lets such a strong relationship go.”

Couples: Humor, faith and gratitude saw them through the years before and after.

“This is a tough time,” said Deacon Zimmerman.

But the precautions were necessary — especially since the honored guests were of an age to be more vulnerable to the virus.

In his homily, Archbishop Naumann said he finds it fascinating to learn how God brought couples together.

“Today, I guess the Holy Spirit can even use eHarmony to bring lives together,” said the archbishop. “But however it happened, we believe it was part of God’s plan and call to you. What you pledged at the altar 50 years ago was to try to imitate the love of Jesus Christ himself, to try to lay down your life in love on a daily basis for each other, to put the good of your spouse ahead of your own wants and desires — to make their good, their happiness, the highest priority. This is a bold pledge you made to each other.”

Joseph and Cathleen Bellafiore, members of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, were married in Las Vegas all those

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>> Continued from page 1

CELEBRATE THE GOOD TIMES. IN THE CHALLENGING TIMES, TRUST IN THE LORD. DENNIS RUNSER MEMBER OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH, LEAWOOD years ago. It wasn’t at a cheesy casino/ wedding chapel with Elvis, however, but at St. Viator Church.

The COVID-19 restrictions of the celebration at Nativity didn’t faze them.

“It was very nice to attend Mass,” said Joseph. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to attend . . . a Mass in person.”

What’s the best thing about being married 50 years? The laughs, said Cathleen.

“We always still find the humor in all these years and how we met,” she said.

“Sharing the fun times and humor in things. I laugh sometimes and they say,

‘Why do you laugh?’ It’s because I find the humorous things rather than what’s negative.”

Like most married couples this year, Ed and Colette Bernica’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration plans were canceled, so they welcomed this Mass.

“For us, it was a big occasion,” said Ed. “We looked at it as a way to celebrate our anniversary besides it being acknowledged by our children, especially this year since we couldn’t go to a restaurant or have a big party,” said Colette.

“This was a wonderful opportunity. . . .

We were thrilled to be part of this beautiful day.”

The best thing about being married for 50 years is that the love and support continues to grow, said John and Sally Bukaty, members of the Cathedral of St. Peter Parish in Kansas City, Kansas. It’s the foundation of their existence as a couple.

And what is the secret to a long and happy marriage? Listening and making your spouse your priority.

“It’s a shared commitment to each other and to your faith,” said Sally, “and

to always listening to each other. Listening is so important.”

“Try your best to put the other one first in your concerns,” said John. “Yours are important, but they have to be considered in light of the desires of your spouse.”

Gratitude, too, is important for success and happiness in marriage, according to Dennis and Judith Runser, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

“Be grateful you have someone you love to share life’s journey,” said Dennis.

“Celebrate the good times. In the challenging times, trust in the Lord.

“Share your laughter, prayers and tears with each other,” he also advised.

“Trust and respect each other and focus on the positives.”

After his homily, Archbishop Naumann asked the couples to turn to each other as he led them in a renewal of their marriage vows. After Communion, each couple was invited to come forward to receive a gift: a marriage crucifix, featuring two intertwined rings. And before the dismissal, the archbishop prayed a blessing over all the couples.

FAMILY LIFE

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

7

‘Memories are made of this’: The upside of pandemics is family time bingeing. Try the following suggestions: • Soon the leaves on the trees will begin their beautiful display of fall colors. Take a walk or drive (following all the recommended COVID-19 safety precautions) and see another example of God’s beautiful artwork.

• Set time aside each evening for games such as checkers or board games. I have found UNO is popular with children.

“Stretch” your game skills and play Twister.

• Purchase sidewalk chalk and enjoy being creative. (It is OK to draw stick people and animals!)

You cannot love someone you do not know. St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s great love of her father was the result of the time each day when he put all else aside for walks and little children’s tea parties. He called her his “little queen.”

I believe that these little ways of loving shown by her father became the inspiration for her “Little Way” of spirituality and her pathway to sainthood.

Can we form our children’s understanding of our love for them — and God’s love for us — by the time we spend to make memories?

By Deacon Tony Zimmerman Special to The Leaven

R

emembering the fun I had going fishing with my grandfather, I decided to take our children fishing.

We drove to a spot on the Platte River to begin our adventure. I brought along all the necessary gear, including worms for bait. I had to place TOOLS FOR the bait on FAMILIES Growing as the hooks Disciples of as touching Jesus worms — much less securing them to the hook — was unthinkable for them to do.

I cast the line for each of our children into the water and encouraged them to sit and patiently wait for a fish to take the bait.

Their idea of patience was waiting about three minutes.

Soon, they were pulling in the lines and recasting, all the while getting their lines caught in the trees or their clothes.

I felt a sting in my arm and looked down to see a hook was stuck in my arm! I tried to regain control of the little

Work to create memories with your family by doing special things with them. adventure (which I never had to start with).

I finally admitted defeat when one of the children felt the tug of a fish on their pole and threw it down out of fear.

I watched the pole slip into the river. So, we called it a day.

There were other trips up to the fishing spot, but instead

of fishing, we took hikes and enjoyed being together.

Those hikes were more treasured by our children than I realized. Recently, one of our children kept calling as he drove around with his wife to find one of areas we explored.

Unfortunately, the exact spot was never found as floods and

new roads changed the look of the land.

We have all probably found time to spend with our families that did not exist before the pandemic. What have we done with that time? Hopefully, it has not been wasted on our phones, iPads and computers, playing games or lost in endless movie

Announcement Joseph A. Butler & Son Funeral Home has re-opened as

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QUALITY CHECK

Irene Sabala checks over the meals pre served around 300 meals a day before

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

LUNCH FOR TWO

Curé of Ars, Leawood, parishioners Monica DeCamp and Doug Leibbrandt hand Wanda a couple of meals for herself and her daughter at St. Mary’s Food Kitchen.

In the face of a pandemic, St. Mary’s Food Kitchen closed for

NOT ONE DAY

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — For those who are hungry and out of options, St. . Mary’s Food Kitchen has been a dependable lifeline for one good meal a day, 365 days a year since 1982.

But that lifeline for hundreds of people was almost cut on March 17 when the COVID-19 pandemic began to shut down America.

On that day, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, which owns the Wilhelmina Gill Community Center, as it is formally known, told interim manager and board member Heidi Fox they were shutting her down.

The people they served could not use the dining area at 645 Nebraska Ave. The volunteers from various faith communities could not use the kitchen. The only people who could be there were a couple of staff people and board members.

Fox was on her own. Cherri Roith, the manager, was out on medical leave and wouldn’t be back for a while. Fox had to come up with a “Plan B” at that very moment.

“There was no way I could

FAST AND FURIOUS

Monica DeCamp, far right, rushes a foo meals. In the background, food kitchen

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

WOMAN OF THE HOUR

St. Mary’s Food Kitchen interim manager and St. Joe parishioner Heidi Fox sprung into action after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Wyandotte County area to ensure that the kitchen remained open and serving clients. shut down 100 percent,” said Fox, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.

It was the third Tuesday of the month, the day assigned for volunteers from Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee. Quickly, she called their parish volunteer coordinator and explained the situation.

She asked for sack lunches to be made and brought to the Wilhelmina Gill Community Center parking lot.

“Heidi did it all on her own

March 17,” said Arden Carr, a member of St. Mary’s Food Kitchen board and of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa. “She contacted the church and asked them to make [sack lunches]. And she handed them out of her car in the parking lot of the service center.”

Disaster was averted — for one day.

Carr and his wife Mary Ann, also a volunteer, arrived the next day to help Fox. In the meantime, Fox persuaded the

Unified Government to allow her to distribute food out of the kitchen’s alleyway receiving door.

The scramble to adapt The ensuing couple of weeks were a scramble as Fox, the staff, the Carrs and a few others contacted the faith communities, shopped for

supplies, figured out what had to be in the sack lunches, and checked and distributed sack lunches.

“It was a bit of a chore the first week,” said Arden Carr.

“Once we got the hang of it, it worked pretty smoothly.”

By March 20, word spread that the food kitchen was still serving. Normally, the social service would serve about 300 meals a day, but soon the numbers grew to 800.

“We haven’t missed a day, not one day,” said Fox. Now, things have loosened up a bit. Beginning July 1, the Unified Government allows the food kitchen (which does business as Hot Lunch Services, Inc.) to use the kitchen . . . with restrictions.

Only a handful of volun-

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

epared for the day to make sure everything is good to go. St. Mary’s Food Kitchen e the pandemic. Since then, it is serving nearly 800.

Curé parishioner Jim Lee gets burritos heated up and ready to serve. The 790 burritos and 800 quesadillas were made up and frozen ahead of time and then heated up at the food kitchen.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

od order out to a food kitchen client, while behind her Curé of Ars parishioners Jacqueline Elbert and Gary Imming prepare n employees Heidi Fox (in blue) and Irene Sabala (in pink) get more meals ready to go.

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“MORE PEOPLE ARE FEELING A DEEP DESIRE TO IN SOME WAY HELP, AND SO THEY TURN TO THE CHURCH AND SAY, ‘THERE ARE HUNGRY PEOPLE. HOW DO WE HELP?’” JACQUELINE ELBERT PARISH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR CURÉ OF ARS PARISH, LEAWOOD teers — the parish volunteer coordinator and five or six others — can be inside. Masks, social distancing and certain cleaning procedures are required.

A good number of the volunteers who formerly served at the kitchen are elderly retirees, many who have health issues. These are the very people who are most vulnera-

ble to COVID-19.

For this reason, most participating churches and congregations have volunteers make a specified number of sack lunches in their home, which are dropped off at the churches and then taken to the kitchen. Some faith communities make some sack lunch components at their churches.

A few collect sack lunch-

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

HOT STUFF

es and send parish volunteer coordinators with five or six volunteers to the food kitchen to warm up some items and place them in the sacks.

All sack lunches are checked at the food kitchen to ensure they are complete.

Sometimes a special “goody bag” for children is included for families.

Curé of Ars Parish and the Church of the Nativity, both in Leawood, even still supply in-kitchen volunteers.

Parish: No lack of volunteers Jacqueline Elbert, parish volunteer coordinator for Curé of Ars, discovered that the new way of making meals

for the food kitchen has actually increased the number of participating volunteers, not decreased it.

“More people are feeling a deep desire to in some way help, and so they turn to the church and say, ‘There are hungry people. How do we help?’” said Elbert.

Nevertheless, she and the other parish volunteers miss the camaraderie of working together at the actual kitchen.

People looked forward to that.

“The first month, April, we didn’t have any of that,” said Elbert. “It was just myself and another board member at St. Mary’s Food Kitchen doing what we needed to do so Curé of Ars would have a presence. . . . We had to figure out a way to include more people and be safe about it. So, we slowly added people.”

Like the other parishes, the Church of the Nativity went from 30 to 40 volunteers for St. Mary’s to zero, and had to rebuild and reconfigure its ministry, said Mike Amos, parish volunteer coordinator.

“We serve in a half hour what used to take two hours before,” said Amos. “You have to have a lot of sack lunches ready to go.”

There’s more to it than just handing out sacks.

“We often have to add milk to some of them [for children],” said Amos. “We have to have them ready in boxes so they’re easy to access, ready and staged to go out the back room. We inspect them to make sure all lunches have appropriate items in them and put them in boxes so they’re easy to serve.”

At the time of the switchover, the parishes were all closed. Instead of filling out a sign-up sheet at the church, Amos had to figure out a way for people to volunteer online. They, like other parishes, used the application SignUpGenius.

“I had some trepidation when we transferred to online sign-ups,” said Amos. “When

I sent out the email [for volunteers], it was amazing to see how many we got. I was surprised how quickly people adapted to the new way of doing things.

“And my parish never ceases to amaze me with its generosity.”

Amos also drew upon the email lists of existing parish organizations to find volunteers.

Mick Kelly, parish volunteer coordinator for Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, said the number of meals served has more than doubled, and they are seeing more children.

“More people are out of work and looking for food,” said Kelly. “As soon as the pandemic hit, the schools closed and more kids began to show up. Normally, we only see that during the summer. But since March, April and May, the numbers have bumped up.

“My suspicion is that the number of children will be higher in the fall because kids will be going to school online from home.”

His parish has seen an increase in volunteers for this ministry, too. Parishes making lunches for a couple of other entities simply switched over to the food kitchen ministry.

“It has opened my eyes to how willing people are to volunteer and help out,” said Kelly. “God will provide.

We’ve doubled the number of people we serve.”

“If you told me five months ago this would happen, I don’t know I would have believed it,” he added. “It’s been eye-opening.”

According to Fox, there is no word from the Unified Government on when the food kitchen can return to normal operations. She anticipates that they will continue to serve sack lunches out the service door for the remainder of 2020. Between March 17 and Aug. 1, they have served 80,000 sack lunches.

10

NATION

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Homeschooling is extension of regular life for Kansas family

By Karen Bonar Catholic News Service

B

ELOIT, Kan. (CNS) — Homeschooling was not something the Ring family in Beloit set out to do long term. “It happened by accident,” is how Amanda Ring, the mother, explained it.

And now, amid COVID-19 restrictions, they find they are part of an expanding group, although they are more used to the routine than those just starting.

For the Rings, the journey began with their oldest, Noah, who is 13.

“We went on a tour for preschool, and Noah just seemed a little young,” Amanda said. “We thought we’d just homeschool for preschool. We enjoyed the flexibility and doing everything at home with him, especially seeing him learn to read. Then we said, ‘Maybe we’ll just homeschool for kindergarten, too.’”

“It just grew from there. It’s a natural extension of how we parent,” she told The Register, the newspaper of the Diocese of Salina.

The Catholic family’s school day begins on a set of red chairs, as Amanda and her husband, Brian, lead their seven children in prayer before Amanda starts teaching.

Each child has a backpack, a set of books and daily assignments that must be completed.

“I have lofty visions about what the domestic church looks like,” Amanda said, “but often, it looks like this: having a deep theology conversation with a 13-year-old while the 3-year-old runs circles around me and the baby is drooling on me.”

While not formally structured, there is a routine to the day.

“It really cuts down the number of people clamoring for my attention or asking permission or [who] don’t know what assignment they’re doing next,” she said. “Our days always follow the same routine.”

The essential subjects are complete by noon, and the afternoon is spent on individual interest projects, ranging from computer coding to piano to baking.

At first, homeschooling was a convenient way to have flexibility for when her husband needed to travel.

“But when my oldest was in first grade, I looked into homeschooling from the perspective of a part of my vocation as a mom,” Amanda said. “It was initially something nice to do, but eventually it was a calling and a way of family life.”

One fear early in the experience was

CNS PHOTO/KAREN BONAR, THE REGISTER

Amanda Ring of Beloit, Kansas, holds baby Fulton as she helps her 7-year-old son, Dominic, sound out words from his phonics book July 29. Ring has been homeschooling her seven children since her oldest was in preschool. inadequacy, but she said she has learned that “God will give you the graces to get through it.”

While much of the education happens in the home, Amanda said weekly field trips, before COVID-19, were an integral part of the learning process.

Now, pandemic restrictions have not only limited the family’s travel, but they have also brought other families into the homeschooling world.

In March, Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order, closing all schools in Kansas. Many schools around the country were also closed, shifting education from the classroom to the child’s home.

Everett Buyarski, the Director of Academic Services at Kolbe Academy in Napa, California, said there was a slight uptick in interest in Catholic homeschool offerings in the spring.

“At that time, none of us knew how long it would last,” he said. “Many of us were hopeful schools would reopen.

Most parents waited it out.”

And then over the summer, he said, “the interest in what we have has exploded.”

Kolbe Academy was founded as a brick-and-mortar school in 1980, but it pivoted and began focusing on homeschool education in 1987. In 2013, it began offering online homeschool courses for grades 6-12.

“We have more than twice as many students as we expected to have,” he said. “We capped enrollment and have a wait list. Our enrollment is up 60 percent for the 2020-21 school year. We’re adding 1,000 more students than we had last year.”

Buyarski said many of their new families never planned to homeschool, prior to COVID-19.

“Some dual-income families felt remote learning didn’t work for them as parents were supposed to be working from home,” he said. “That’s the story nationwide. They have said they can’t do another year of this. They’re looking for an established program that has been doing this.

“The schools are doing their best [at online education], but this is our eighth year of doing online classes. This is what we do.”

The school’s online classes are completely filled, but it does offer textbook and lesson plans for all grades, he added.

Amanda said because she and Brian chose to homeschool their children, life looks a little different for them than it did for their friends and neighbors who began educating children from home in March.

“I’m managing my own expectations and using a curriculum I chose,” she said. “I can’t imagine how difficult it would be for parents who weren’t expecting to educate at home to do so, and to work within the expectations of the school district.”

When first learning to educate from home, Amanda said it was important for her to allow herself — and her children — some grace.

Her advice to new homeschooling parents? “When all else fails, take a break. Take a breather. Put on some music, dance it out. Go find something fun to do together and come back later when everything is diffused and everything will be much, much easier.”

Panelists say Father Tolton’s example offers path to racial justice

By Norma Montenegro Flynn Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Father Augustus Tolton, who in 1886 became the first identified Black priest ordained for the United States, challenged the status quo to bring about social change.

Father Tolton lived a life of joy, rooted in his desire to help others and humbly work to achieve equality and justice for all, said participants of a panel discussion about the priest’s legacy.

The online presentation Aug. 29, titled “Tolton’s Legacy: A Roadmap to Unity,” was organized by the Tolton Ambassador Corps, a nationwide group of Catholics commissioned to spread awareness about the significance of Father Tolton’s cause for sainthood.

The Archdiocese of Chicago opened Father Tolton’s sainthood cause in 2010. Pope Francis declared him “venerable” in June 2019 after a theological commission unanimously recognized his “virtuous and heroic life.” Two steps of the process remain: beatification and canonization.

Father Tolton served as a parish priest in Chicago, where he died in 1897 at age 43.

In keynote remarks, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Washington encouraged the faithful to work for justice and righteousness, particularly during the current time of racial tension and intolerance.

“Despite the presence of hatred and pain in our society, we can boldly and wholeheartedly live our faith with courage,” Archbishop Gregory said.

“Racism is a plague that continues to desecrate even the church that Christ himself has established.”

The archbishop encouraged online viewers to live their faith and work for justice and reconciliation. He said that prayer, diligence, and hope were the basis of Father Tolton’s ministry in the face of intense, systemic societal and ecclesial racism.

“His testimony is a needed example to a world that profoundly needs not to lose hope as we make every effort to bring about justice in our time as Catholics today,” he added.

Panelists addressed lessons from the life of the African American priest who struggled with slavery, racism and injustice, but persevered because of his faith. They said his life is an example of faithful commitment to justice that can inspire today’s Catholics.

“The church really, truly formed him because they really saved him. They took him from the ravages of his background and made something out of him, and gave him a chance in life that

otherwise he would not have received from others,” said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago, archdiocesan postulator of the sainthood cause.

Father Tolton was born in Missouri in 1854. While he was still a child, his mother escaped slavery with her children, opening the door to a Catholic education that later flourished into a vocation. As his repeated efforts to enter seminaries in the U.S. were rebuffed, Father Tolton pursued his priestly formation in Rome and was ordained a priest there in 1886.

After his ordination, he was sent back to the U.S. to serve in Illinois, becoming the first African American priest to do missionary work in his own country. Throughout his ministry, Father Tolton encountered widespread racism, but he remained focused on shattering barriers of prejudice and hatred.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

‘Traumatic way to say goodbye’: roadside funerals

By Manuel Rueda Catholic News Service

B

OGOTA, Colombia (CNS) — Deacon Mauricio Castiblanco used to spend most of his day traveling to funeral homes around the city, where he blessed families who recently lost a loved one.

But over the past two months, he has been spending much more time outside cemeteries, dressed in a face mask, disposable white overalls and a purple sash decorated with a cross. His mission is to conduct roadside funeral services for victims of COVID-19.

“This is a traumatic way to say goodbye to a loved one,” the deacon said recently as he prepared for a service outside Apogee Cemetery, in Bogota’s working class district of Bosa. Trucks and buses roared by the cemetery’s entrance, next to a major highway.

“It’s difficult,” the deacon said. “But as the church we have to be here to help people and accompany them in their grief.”

The pandemic has changed how burials work in Colombia, especially for people who die from COVID-19.

According to government regulations, coronavirus victims must be taken straight from the hospital to the cemetery in a closed casket, without their families allowed to see the body.

Wakes at funeral homes are strictly banned for victims of the virus; churches are closed, and families aren’t allowed to go into cemeteries, either.

Instead, relatives of coronavirus victims must pay their last respects outside cemeteries and watch as a hearse drives past the gates alone, carrying the body of their loved one.

In a bid to make the funerals of coronavirus victims more humane, Deacon Castiblanco and five more deacons who work with a local funeral company have devised services outside cemeteries, where they pray with victims’ relatives, read passages of the Bible and attempt to give coronavirus

CNS PHOTO/MANUEL RUEDA

Permanent Deacon Mauricio Castiblanco leads prayers during a funeral ceremony outside the Apogee Cemetery in Bogota, Colombia, Aug. 22. The deceased was a suspected COVID-19 victim, and his family was not allowed to go into the cemetery. victims a proper send-off.

The demand for these roadside services has grown considerably over the past two months, said Deacon Castiblanco, who has done up to 14 services in one day outside cemeteries in Bogota.

The service begins when the hearse arrives at the cemetery gates, followed by cars carrying family and friends.

The faithful huddle in their face masks around Deacon Castiblanco, who picks up his funeral rites book, starts the ceremony and sprinkles the hearse with holy water.

Deacon Castiblanco said the services aim to give people “strength” in

these difficult times and make them feel like the church is there to support them.

But being constantly around relatives of COVID-19 victims is also risky for the deacon, which explains his unusual attire.

The deacon wears a new disposable suit each day and carries disinfectants, gel, and a plastic face shield that protects his eyes. He takes a shower immediately upon returning home, before greeting his wife and kids.

“My wife was terrified when I started to do this,” Deacon Castiblanco said. “But she has also been very supportive.”

With coronavirus infections still widespread in Colombia, Deacon Castiblanco could still have months of outside services ahead of him.

Every day, Colombia’s government is reporting more than 8,000 new cases of the virus and around 300 deaths, with about a third of these occurring in the capital city.

Deacon Castiblanco said he will continue to offer the roadside services while there’s a need for them.

“We have to give people hope,” he said. “This virus is not going to go away overnight. And we will have to learn to live with it.”

Mission work will be needed when churches reopen, cardinal says

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Many Catholics in Europe will not return to Mass or parish activities once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, which demonstrates the urgency of a new evangelization based on Catholics actually living their faith, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich.

In countries where Christianity has been preached for centuries and even millennia, the first stage of a new evangelization must be for Christians to embrace biblical simplicity and help those who are poorest and most defenseless, said the cardinal, who is archbishop of Luxembourg and president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union.

Too often when Christians preach, “people tell us, ‘We’ve heard these words, but they say nothing to us because you do not live what you proclaim,’” Cardinal Hollerich told L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

European culture continues to have “remains” of the Christianity that formed it, he said. That can be seen in democracy, the defense of human rights, public policies of aid to poor

CNS PHOTO/VINCENT WEST, REUTERS

A woman wearing protective gloves and a mask is pictured in a file photo praying in a nearly empty church in Bilbao, Spain, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union, said he expects that even after the pandemic, “the number of people who come to church will diminish.” countries, social safety nets and the embrace of concern for the environment, including real appreciation for Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’.”

“Sometimes secular or secularist Europe presents itself in Christian clothes, but they are just clothes,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I think Christianity is becoming weaker in Europe,” the cardinal said. “And after the pandemic, I think the number of people who come to church will diminish.”

Catholics on the continent need “an evangelization that goes deep. We

must change. We must hear the voice of Christ who calls us to a profound change,” he said.

In Luxembourg, he said, the number of Catholics already has gone down “because all those who no longer come to Mass, who came only for cultural reasons, these ‘cultural Catholics’ on the left and the right, aren’t coming anymore.”

Too many Catholics, he said, “think they can live well without coming to church.”

“First Communions, catechism for youngsters ­— the numbers for all of this will decrease, I’m fairly certain,” Cardinal Hollerich said. “This would have happened even without the pandemic, although perhaps it would have taken another 10 years.”

In facing the situation, he said, “the church must be inspired by a humility that will allow us to organize ourselves better, to be more Christian, because this culture of Christianity, this only cultural Catholicism, cannot endure because it has no life force behind it.”

However, the cardinal said, “I think it will be a great opportunity for the church. We must understand what’s at stake, and we must react by deploying new missionary structures. And when I say missionary, I mean action and word at the same time.”

CLASSIFIEDS/CALENDAR

12 EMPLOYMENT Community live-in assistants - L’Arche Heartland of Overland Park serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in day program support services and in residential services. We are seeking assistants who are looking for a unique opportunity in a faith-based organization. We are in immediate need of live-in assistants and potential live-out assistants to work in our day program serving 30 adults. We have a recycling program and community activities. Our core members participate in distributing for Meals on Wheels and Rise Against Hunger. They also attend community events such as the library, movies, bowling and going to parks. We also have a need for live-in and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.

Office assistant - Looking for a job where you can make a difference and you’re not just a nameless face? Come join our family-owned small company that’s been established locally in the medical instruments field for almost 40 years. We are looking for a full-time candidate who is detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, dependable, customer service-oriented, friendly and has excellent communication skills. Job tasks include invoicing, vendor relations, product ordering and receiving/shipping.

Computer skills are a must and QuickBooks a plus!

Please send your resume to: Yourcareer101@gmail.com.

Caregiver needed - Room and board plus pay in exchange for elder care. Some flexibility in schedule. Call for details. Call Michelle at (913) 333-9117.

Experienced marketing board members - Santa Marta Senior Living Community is looking for new board members with a marketing background to work with the executive leadership team and outside marketing firm to define and implement various marketing programs. Ideal candidates would have experience in identifying market opportunities, putting together go-to market strategies (including print and digital media) while also understanding SEO and other tactical digital platforms. If you have an interest in volunteering your time and participating on a very active board to assist in the mission of Santa Marta, please send your resume, cover letter and home parish to Heidi Abeln at: habeln@santamartaretirement.com by Oct. 30. Any questions regarding the application process can also be emailed to this address, and a current board member will reply. Be sure to include your phone number and mailing address. Additional information about Santa Marta can be viewed at: www.santamartaretirement. com.

After-school care supervisor - St. Michael the Archangel School is seeking an after-school care program supervisor. This position is responsible for schoolchildren in kindergarten through 8th grades from 3:25 - 6 p.m.

Job responsibilities include coordinating snacks and monitoring homework, outdoor play and free-play activities. The ideal candidate will be someone who loves and has prior experience working with children. Contact Dr. Lorenzo Rizzi, school principal, at (913) 402-3965 or send resume and cover letter to: lorenzo.rizzi@stmichaelcp. org.

Caregivers needed - Daughters & Company, a nonmedical, companion care provider is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to ambulatory seniors in their home at this time. We provide light housekeeping, light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. Caregivers need to have reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired per week. Please contact Laurie or Gary at (913) 341-2500, or send resume to: ghamilton@daughtersonline.com if you would like to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

We need your help! - Caring and reliable drivers needed to transport K - 12 students to and from school in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in company minivans. We offer competitive wages, flexible schedules and the ability to make a difference in your community by helping those in need. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply.

Call (913) 262-5190 or visit: AssistedTransportation.com to learn more and apply online. EEO. Board members - Villa St. Francis, a skilled nursing community in Olathe sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is actively seeking board members. If you are interested in giving your time and talent to the Villa’s mission, submit a letter of interest and resume to: rwhittington@villasf.org.

Service technician - Are you a retiree who takes pride in your work? We are looking for someone who is handy with small equipment, and electrical knowledge is a plus. Our small family-owned company needs technicians with a positive attitude; time management skills; is dependable; self-motivated and trustworthy; with a good customer rapport. Some regional travel is required, so dependable transportation is a must. Please send your resume to: Yourcareer101@gmail.com.

Substitute teachers - Our Lady’s Montessori School is looking for substitutes in our 3- to 6-year-olds classroom and elementary classroom. Please call Jenny at (913) 403-9550 or email: jwallace@olmskc.org.

CAREGIVING Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or 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, Pat or Gary.

Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Dedicated and reliable caregiver - Seeking to provide exceptional care for individuals looking for companion/ caregiver for loved ones. Adept at meal prep, assisting with light housekeeping and errands. Have an ability to develop a strong rapport with my client. Call Ethel at (913) 547-0458.

SERVICES Handyman - Thank you for all the work. It has been a great spring and summer. Please remember we can do full bathroom, kitchen and basement remodels for any budget. We still do wood rot, ceiling popcorn removal and retexturing as well as flooring, windows, siding, doors, decks, fences, covered porches, gutters and trim carpentry. You can see some of my work on Facebook at: Father & Son Home Exteriors & Remodeling. My family and I appreciate you all.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 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.

Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors Platinum Amarr dealer, Elite Home Advisor top rating.

Call Joe, mention The Leaven discount.

A Total Door (913) 236-6440.

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

8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered Take back your power and release weight, fatigue and joint pain without hunger or cravings!

Call or text Kathi at (816) 809-7739 Email: imagewellness2@gmail.com 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.

Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits. Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemace disability.org.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your Tshirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176

Popcorn texture removed and apply knockdown texture.

Renew your walls with a fresh coat of quality paint!

Cracks repaired.

Fully insured, serving Kansas for 27 years Call or text Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

Painting - Diamond Painting, (913) 648-4933, Residential/ Commercial, Exterior/interior, Free Estimate, Affordable, Decks, DiamondPaintKc.com, Kcmo/Overland Park Metropolitan area.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patios) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

NELSON CREATIONS Affordable home remodeling: Kitchens, baths, basements and room additions.

All interior and exterior work.

Honest, dependable, experienced and family owned.

Licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

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

WANTED TO BUY Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. 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.

Wanted to buy - Old cars or hot rods. Uncompleted project cars in any condition, with or without titles. Cash buyer. Call (913) 980-3559.

Wanted - Looking for an upright freezer. Also looking for someone to make round oak lids for antique crocks. Call Clay at (620) 204-0735 or email: c.feil.meier@hotmail. com.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross KC) Handicapped accessible van - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan with in-floor ramp and driver’s transfer seat. Taken care of very well. Please call owner at (785) 448-8899.

For sale - Double lawn crypt at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Garden of Hope section, double lawn crypt, lot 78 C, space 4. Conveyance fee included. $7500. Call Lou at (512) 656-1801.

For sale - Two plots at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens, Valor Section , lot 37 D, plots 4A and 4B. Asking $4500 for both spaces. Buyer pays transfer fee. Call David at (913) 370-2719.

For sale - Two single crypts at Mount Calvary in the patio mausoleum, tier C. Valued at $14,950; will sell for $9500 Call Pam at (913) 631-4911.

REAL ESTATE Rental properties - Getting into this kind of investment can be scary. How about if you could have access to a seasoned investor after the sale as a consultant? I am selling some of my investments that are in the KCMO area that you might be interested in. I am not a realtor, but I have owned these properties for a long time. Call (785) 8832936, leave me your contact information and I will return your call within 24 hours.

Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it?

We buy it all at once in as-is condition.

Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.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) 579-1835.

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

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 5995000.

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

CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http:/www.buykcproperty.com

Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

LOST AND FOUND Found - Very old wedding band, Mary and William, Strawberry Hill vicinity. Call (913) 514-2382 with the exact wedding date.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC & PRAYER Sophia Center via Facebook Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.

During these challenging and stressful times, Sophia Center wants to offer some time to pause and pray. You can join in live or later via the Sophia Center’s Facebook page.

POST-ABORTION RETREAT Sept. 18 - 20

Have you been thinking about attending a post-abortion retreat? It’s never too late to seek healing, whether the loss has been recent or 40-plus years. Project Rachel is offering two more retreats in 2020. Our Sept. 18 - 20 retreat will be held in Missouri (call for the exact location). All our services are strictly confidential. If you are interested, contact us at: projectrachelkc@ archkck.org or call/text (913) 621-2199.

FALL HOLIDAY CRAFT AND BAKE SALE 501 S. Willow Dr., Olathe Sept. 18 - 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Enjoy seasonal handmade crafts and homemade baked cookies, breads, etc. All profits go to the Olathe Pregnancy Clinic.

LIVING HARMONIOUSLY: BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY AT HOME Sophia Spirituality Center via Zoom Sept. 25 from 7 - 9 p.m.

In this retreat, we will explore some of the foundation of Benedictine spirituality through music, rhythm, silence, melody and harmony. There will also be time for prayer, reflection, creative expression and discussion. The retreat will conclude by writing our own Rule to guide us in our unique living situations. Bring a journal or paper for writing. Optional: basic art supplies, and/or a musical instrument such as a drum or shaker. The cost of the retreat is $20. Please register by Sept. 21 by calling (913) 360-6173.

FOLLOWING THE AUTUMN MOON: A CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCE THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY Sophia Spirituality Center via Zoom Sept. 30 from 7 - 9 p.m.

Oct. 14 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 from 7 - 9 p.m.

This is a contemplative experience with photography in a three-part series. You are invited to join in a reflective journey through the month of October, using photography to connect more deeply. We will begin with the Harvest Moon at the first of the month and end with the Hunter’s Moon at month’s end. This is not a class on technique, but an opportunity to explore awareness, connection and contemplation through photography. The cost for all three sessions is $90.

Call (913) 360-6173 by Sept. 25 to register.

CHARISMATIC RETREAT GATHERING Guardian Angels Parish 1310 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Sept. 26 at 10 a.m.

Father Ed Wills will speak at the retreat.

No reservation is necessary. For more details, call (913) 649-2026.

STS. LOUIS AND ZELIE MARTIN: FAMILY SANCTITY Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meager Rd., Easton Nov. 6 - 8

Take this weekend with your spouse to reflect on the importance of family sanctity. Take some time alone with your spouse to reconnect and enter back into the world stronger and more deeply committed to Christ. There will be conferences, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $170 single/$250 couple; guest rooms: $100 (meals included). To attend, send an email to: info@christs peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG Jeanette

and John Urbom, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, Louisburg, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5. The couple was married on Sept. 5, 1970, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Windthorst. They celebrated with family at Grand Lake, Oklahoma, on Labor Day weekend. Their children are: Jennifer, Mesa and Kaley. They also have two grandchildren.

Joe and Marie (Martinez) Aguirre, members of St. Pius X Parish, Mission, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 12. The couple was married on Sept. 12, 1970, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Kansas City, Missouri.

Their children are: JoAnn Marie Hung and Andy Aguirre.

They also have four grandchildren. The couple is planning a quiet celebration to mark this special occasion.

Linda (Gabel) and Frank Franko, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 22 with a small family celebration.

A larger celebration is planned after the pandemic.

The couple was married on Aug. 22, 1970, at St. Paul Church, Olathe, by Father John Yadrich. Their children are: Matthew Franko, Mark Franko and James Franko. They also have 10 grandchildren.

John and Annette (Meissen) Ernst, members of St. Benedict Parish, Atchison, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 10. The couple was married on Sept.

10, 1960, at St. Mary of the Angels in Wein, Missouri. The Mass was concelebrated by Fa t h e r Jerome Bestgen, Fa t h e r Andrew Gottschalk and Father E g b e r t Hall (uncle of the groom). Their children are: Matthew, Mark, Cynthia, Cheryl and John. They also have 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

They will have a family celebration at a later date.

Bruce and Linda (Kooser) Bond, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 12. The couple was married on July 11, 1970, at the Church of the Assumption, Topeka,

by Father Phillip Kendall. Their children are: Jeremy Bond, Jenna Kaberline, Jessica Cook and Joshua Bond. They also have 11 grandchildren and one g r e a t grandchild.

They celebrated with a family dinner.

Jackie (Downey) and Ken Breymeyer, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 17. The couple was married on Sept. 17, 1960, at St. Bernard Church, Wamego.

Their children are: Marcy Weekley, Adam Brey-

meyer and April Meier. They have four grandchildren and one

great-grandson. planned.

A

family

celebration

is

Joe and Loretta Petersen, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Sept. 7. The couple was married on Sept. 7, 1955, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, St. Paul, Nebraska. A family celebration is planned for a later date.

Their children are: Joe Jr., Stephen and Jaclyn. They also have two grandchildren.

13 Sister Lucille Borengasser, OSB

ATCHISON — Sister Lucille Borengasser, 92, a Benedictine Sister of Mount St. Scholastica here, died Aug. 25 at the monastery.

Sister Lucille was born to Jake and Gertrude (Wiederkehr) Borengasser in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on Feb. 12, 1928.

After graduating from St. Scholastica Academy in Fort Smith, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washington, D.C. She entered the Mount community in 1951, making her monastic profession in 1954, and taught in elementary schools for several years. After earning a master’s degree in French from Notre Dame University,

she taught art appreciation and French at Bishop LeBlond High School in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas.

She was later a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri; manager at Marian Hall in Kansas City, Kansas; and then pastoral assistant at St. Matthew Parish in Topeka. On her return to the Mount, she worked in the development office and also wrote homilies for “Celebration” magazine. She was a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Sister Lucille was preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings: Rosalie Walsh; and Charles, Sigmund, Basil and Margaret Borengasser. She is survived by her brother Jack Borengasser and her monastic family.

Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica.

14

COLUMNISTS

DAILY READINGS TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Sept. 13 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sir 27:30 – 28:7 Ps 103: 1-4, 9-12 Rom 14: 7-9 Mt 18: 21-35 Sept. 14 THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS Nm 21: 4b-9 Ps 78: 1b-2, 34-38 Phil 2: 6-11 Jn 3: 13-17 Sept. 15 Our Lady of Sorrows 1 Cor 12: 12-14, 27-31a Ps 100: 1b-5 Jn 19: 25-27 Sept. 16 Cornelius, pope, and Cyprian, bishops, martyrs 1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13 Ps 33: 2-5, 12, 22 Lk 7: 31-35 Sept. 17 Robert Bellarmine, bishop, doctor of the church 1 Cor 15: 1-11 Ps 118: 1b-2, 16-17, 28 Lk 7: 36-50 Sept. 18 Friday 1 Cor 15: 12-20 Ps 17: 1b-d, 6-7, 8b, 15 Lk 8: 1-3 Sept. 19 Januarius, bishop, martyr 1 Cor 15: 35-37, 42-49 Ps 56: 10c-12, 13-14 Lk 8: 4-15

T

uesday, September 11, 2001.

That day is forever etched in my memory. I found out about it initially from a filling station clerk in Tonganoxie, who told me that a plane just crashed into one of those big buildings in New York.

By the time I got to The Leaven that day, I learned that things were worse, much worse. Our whole staff was dumbfounded as we watched events unfold on a small borrowed TV in our office.

It was deadline day at the paper and whatever we had scheduled for the front page was no longer relevant or important in light of the terrorist attacks.

In a state of shock, we cobbled together a new front page and related stories, as much as was available at the time.

This issue of The Leaven comes out on the 19th anniversary of 9/11. For the last seven years, I’ve reread a

F Blessed Frederic Ozanam 1813-1853

At Frederic’s 1997 beatification in Paris, Pope John Paul II called him a model for Catholic laypeople. Though he earned a doctorate in law and his father hoped he would become a judge, Frederic turned to literature and charity for his life’s work. He taught literature at the Sorbonne, was happily married and had a daughter.

Beginning in 1831, he was part of a group of young Catholic intellectuals who discussed literature, history and society, while also visiting the poor and sick at home. They became the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which is still active worldwide. Frederic joined the Third Order of St. Francis shortly before his death at age 40.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Join in a labor of love 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.

short paragraph that stops me in my tracks and causes me to reflect. I’ve not been able to find out who originally wrote this, but its message continues to haunt me.

I’ve adapted the year to reflect 2020, but otherwise have left the message intact: “At this moment (Sept. 10) 19 years ago, millions of Americans went to bed quietly, with no thought that the next morning their world would change forever.

That night, hundreds packed flight bags they would not live to open.

Thousands slept with loved ones for the last time. One never knows what a new day has in store. Let us live each day to the fullest, and never miss a chance to let those dearest to us know of our love for them. So tonight, if you have someone in your life that you love, tell them.”

I don’t see these powerful words as something depressing, but rather as a challenge to always see the “big picture.”

Many times, we get so lost in the minutiae of life — those daily tasks or minor irritations — that we fail to live each

day to the fullest and miss countless chances to tell people we love them.

Naturally — and sadly — as the immediacy of 9/11 faded, so did the sense of unity and a common grief.

Unfortunately, as we continue to struggle with COVID-19, there seems to be no common grief for the victims of this pandemic nor for their families. And the striving together for the common good seen after 9/11 has devolved into a selfish chant of “my rights” and “my freedoms.”

While I believe there is much to ponder in that 9/11 quote above, I’d amend it to say that we should express our love not only for those dearest to us, but to all our “neighbors,” who Jesus reminds us we should love as ourselves. And not just tell them with words but show them with deeds.

I’m convinced that the “my rights” and “my freedoms” folks are a vocal minority.

Each day, I witness instead the generosity of so many. In this issue of The Leaven, for example, you can see couples living selflessly for one another and their families as they celebrate their golden anniversaries; a young friend leading another young friend to becoming a Catholic; new permanent deacons finding creative ways to serve their parishes; dedicated volunteers who continue to feed hungry people at the St. Mary’s Food Kitchen; and Scouts working to make school safer in the pandemic.

Last issue, I asked you to consider saying to people: “I think you are wonderful!” Did you have a chance to do that? If so, then keep on surprising others this week with that sentiment. And if you didn’t do it yet, today is the perfect day to start.

Loving others is the way to live life to the fullest. So, let’s get out there and work at it . . . for the love of God.

St. Paul guides us toward charity first

rom his letters, my impression is that St. Paul must have been a tremendous spiritual guide, because if you talked with him about anything in your life, he would help you view it in light of God’s presence and purposes.

What gives me this picture is Paul’s way of discussing problems in the early Christian communities. He never just gives directions or tosses off cheap advice. He always brings the conversation around to Christ and his work.

A great example is his hymn of love (1 Cor 13). You know, “If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a

,

KEVIN PERROTTA Perrotta is the editor and an author of the “Six Weeks with the Bible” series, teaches part time at Siena Heights University and leads Holy Land pilgrimages. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

resounding gong or a clashing cymbal,” and so on, all the way up to “the greatest of these is love.”

That rich reflection on God’s love and our call to share in it was part of Paul’s counsel to Christians in Corinth about how to make better use of spiritual gifts in their weekly assembly.

Another example is how Paul straightened out the rivalry that had developed between leaders of the house churches in Corinth.

He didn’t threaten to reshuffle leadership positions. No, he treated those ambitious

homeowners as men who were able to grasp the most profound truths and gave them an instruction on the power of Jesus’ cross (1 Cor 1-4).

Sunday’s second reading, Rom 14: 7-9, is yet another case.

It’s the central part of Paul’s dealing with a conflict among groups of Christians in Rome.

They’re arguing over issues concerning diet and the scheduling of feast days.

Paul doesn’t just hand down a couple of rules. He leads the Romans to consider why they should treat others with respect and kindness: They belong to Christ!

You shouldn’t exalt your own opinions, Paul says, even

if they’re correct, because when you belong to Christ, the ultimate issue is not whether your opinions are correct but whether you’re relating to others in a way that helps them grow in faith and love.

We can’t chat with Paul as our spiritual guide, but we can take him as an example.

We, too, can learn to examine every situation in our lives in light of God’s presence and God’s purposes.

That’s certainly the way we ought to look at everything, since, as Paul says on Sunday, by his Son, God has entered the world and laid claim to our lives.

We do belong completely to him.

Pope: ‘Jubilee for the Earth’ a time for restoring bond with God, creation

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — The exploitation and plundering of the Earth’s resources at the expense of the poor and vulnerable cry out for justice and the forgiveness of debts, Pope Francis said.

In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of

Creation Sept. 1 and the Season of Creation, which runs through Oct. 4, the pope said the observance is a time to renew, repair and restore humanity’s broken relationship with God and his creation.

“It is a time for restorative justice. In this context, I repeat my call for the cancellation of the debt of the most vulnerable

countries, in recognition of the severe impacts of the medical, social and economic crises they face as a result of COVID-19,” he wrote.

Since 2020 included the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the ecumenical team organizing the Season of Creation chose “Jubilee for the Earth” as this year’s theme.

COLUMNISTS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

M

15

Stewardship is being Christ to one another

ost of us remember where we were on

9/11.

On that unforgettable morning, my husband and I were in the car when one of the kids called to tell us to turn on the radio.

“A plane just flew into the World Trade Center!”

We were heading to the doctor’s office where we soon heard cries of disbelief as doctors, nurses, receptionists, technicians and patients learned of the tragedy.

A few days earlier, I had crashed my motorcycle near Leadville, Colorado. A helicopter flew me to a hospital in Denver, and then friends flew me home

SIMPLY STEWARDSHIP

LESLE KNOP Lesle Knop is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email her at: lknop@archkck.org.

in their small plane to stay below 10,000 feet.

Over the next several weeks as I recuperated from my injuries, I was a captive audience of the 24/7 news reports.

I think everyone can remember the American spirit that overflowed from every corner of this country. We prayed for the souls of those killed, their mourning families and the thousands of people who worked tirelessly in service during the aftermath of the tragedy.

One of my sisters lent me a VHS tape

(remember those?) of the biography of Mother Teresa, now St. Teresa of Calcutta, to watch instead of the news. I’ve been thinking about her life again in recent weeks.

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you,” she said.

If you understand stewardship as a way that Jesus works in our world, then discipleship becomes a way of life. We learn to cultivate and share our gifts at every opportunity.

Jesus reminds us of what can be done by those who believe in him and follow him: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the

works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (Jn 14:12).

How can you and I do greater works than Jesus? Mother Teresa showed us that we can be Christ to a world that needs him and respond to Christ in each other.

Stewardship is a way Jesus works in the world. If you believe this, then you know that through our actions, great and small, God can touch people and change their lives.

Today, the date of this publication (Sept.

11, 2020), is the 19th anniversary of the coordinated terrorist attacks that resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths.

We are now in the

midst of a different kind of global tragedy, a pandemic that has already claimed many thousands of lives in the United States alone.

The many small acts of kindness I have observed among my colleagues at the chancery, and by my family and friends, are evidence of Christ’s presence in our midst.

The yearning that others have expressed to me to pray more and to once again attend Mass, remind me of the joy I experienced nearly 20 years ago when I was able, once again, to return to Mass and to receive the holy Eucharist.

Stewardship, my friends, is a disciple’s response.

Each child is a masterpiece of God, created for a specific purpose

S

pread the word to all you know: Our Catholic schools exist to proclaim the perfect order of God’s creation!

The words of the Book of Genesis tell us God “created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Each one of our students truly is a masterpiece.

As parents of six children, my wife and I often find ourselves in intergenerational conversations, debates and disagreements with the offspring we love so much but who are so different from us in the way they speak, the music they listen

FROM THE SUPER

VINCE CASCONE Vince Cascone is the superintendent of archdiocesan schools.

to and the worldview they have.

It is akin to beginning your family, for example, in Chicago and raising your children to cheer for the “wait-until-next-year” Chicago Cubs only to

find out later that they have somehow slipped through the cracks in the ivy of the “friendly confines” of Wrigley Field only to become St. Louis Cardinals fans (my apologies to the archbishop).

As a parent, you wonder where you went wrong! You think of the things you should have done differently.

In time, you realize that, although they grew up in your home, the world around them is unbelievably different and will be immensely influential on them and the people they will become.

Imagine for a moment the world in which our children have been raised. They see constant images of rioting in the streets.

They hear stories about the latest school shooting. They must practice in school for the possibility of such a horrific event happening to them.

I doubt any of us can fully comprehend the fear and anxiety our children must feel.

It breaks my heart to even imagine it.

The current world

in which we live and by which our children are seemingly inescapably barraged can certainly be defined as chaotic. This chaos is a creation and function of the devil. It is evil itself.

The goal of this chaos, this evil, is to distract us from God’s order that permeates everything he has created. This chaos has infiltrated areas of our children’s lives in a more profound way than any of us could have imagined. This chaos is perpetuated by a society that has confused the dignity of every human life with the euphemism of being “pro-choice.”

It is perpetuated by those who would spread hate to anyone

they see as different than themselves instead of living with the intense understanding that the Creator of this glorious universe created each person with meticulous perfection.

Our Catholic schools exist to assist parents as the primary educators of their children to know and to love God and to have a relationship with him.

For our teachers, their work is a ministry in which they bring hope and clarity, creating an environment of peace where each child is known and celebrated and where God’s love and awe for each one of them is revealed.

Spread the word!

16

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Newly ordained Capuchin priest given chalice that belonged to Bishop George Donnelly

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 11, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

The inscription on the bottom of the chalice of Father Brandon Berg states that it was originally a gift to then-Father George Donnelly from his parents on the day of his ordination: June 12, 1921.

By Katie Peterson Special to The Leaven

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PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Newly ordained Father Brandon Berg of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin celebrates his first Mass with a chalice formerly owned by Bishop George Donnelly, the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Leavenworth. The Diocese of Leavenworth was the predecessor of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

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ICTORIA — Father Brandon Berg, newly ordained to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, is beginning his priesthood with a special vessel that is not only a family heirloom, but also formerly owned by an important figure in the history of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Father Brandon was ordained Aug. 15 at the Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria. And the chalice and paten presented to him were the ordination chalice and paten of his great-greatuncle Bishop George Donnelly.

Bishop Donnelly was the sixth ordinary of the Diocese of Leavenworth, having been installed on Jan. 9, 1947.

He remained in the position until his death in 1950.

The proof of the chalice’s and paten’s former owner was confirmed by the inscription on the bottom stating it as a gift to then-Father Donnelly from his parents on the day of his ordination: June 12, 1921.

“I was surprised how exact the inscription was,” Father Brandon said.

“Just seeing that, yes, this was not only his, but it was the one that his parents specifically gifted to him at his ordination — that was impressive.”

He described the chalice as simple but beautiful, saying it has six lobes — a cross, one for each of the four Gospels and a pelican, which represents the blood of Christ — and small diamonds embedded in it.

“It’s humbling to have something that is 100 years old and so precious and given with love by his parents to him, who are also my relatives,” Father Brandon said. “To know that they (the chalice and paten) are handed on in the same family — it just gives me a great sense of connection to my family.”

IT’S HUMBLING TO HAVE SOMETHING . . . SO PRECIOUS AND GIVEN WITH LOVE BY HIS PARENTS TO [THEN-FATHER GEORGE DONNELLY], WHO ARE ALSO MY RELATIVES. TO KNOW THAT THEY (THE CHALICE AND PATEN) ARE HANDED ON IN THE SAME FAMILY — IT JUST GIVES ME A GREAT SENSE OF CONNECTION TO MY FAMILY. FATHER BRANDON BERG “It shows the way that we all stand on the shoulders of those who came

before us for our faith and our family experience, and to come to know the

love of God,” he said.

Father Brandon’s mother is Barbara Berg, a parishioner of St. Dominic Church in Holton. She is also the director of religious education for St. Dominic and St. Francis Xavier Church in Mayetta. She’s excited that her son will be using such a precious vessel.

“The chalice will be 100 years old in a year. So, as it begins its 100th year, it will be back being used for what it was created for: as a sacred cup to hold the precious blood of Jesus,” she said. “It is someone in our family that will be using it, and we just feel really blessed. It is a special treasure to us.”