10 02 20 Vol. 42 No. 9

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 9 | OCTOBER 2, 2020

A contemplative prayer group meets outside the Cathedral of St. Peter convent in Kansas City, Kansas, to share in the journey of faith. Attending on Sept. 23 were, clockwise from bottom left: Sister Barbara Wieseler, SCL, Dawn Grabs, Mary Spangler, Sister Elena Mack, SCL, Lisa Kelly, Sandy Karcher, Ginny Rector and Susan Carroll.

THE PRAYER OUT THERE Prayer group meets outside of KCK convent for a ‘transformative experience’

STORY BY MOIRA CULLINGS | PHOTOS BY DOUG HESSE

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — A backyard, discipleship and the sweet sound of silence.

These are the staples of the prayer group at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

The group meets every other week in the backyard of the cathedral’s convent to share in the journey of faith and spend 20 minutes in silence listening to God. “This is a time when so many things are unknown,” said Sister Barbara Wieseler, SCL. “There are so many things that we have no control over.

“A prayer of letting go and letting God be God in their life is so powerful and full of grace.”

The group, led by Sister Barbara and

Susan Carroll, a longtime parishioner of St. Peter, began meeting in 2018 after they hosted an “Introduction to Centering Prayer” workshop.

People who attended the workshop were invited to continue practicing contemplative prayer at the cathedral every other week and spend 20 minutes each day in silent prayer.

The workshop was so popular that the women hosted three in all before their efforts were interrupted by COVID-19.

“With every workshop we’ve given, it’s increased the numbers and the diversity of the people that have come,” said Carroll.

Around 15 people are involved in the prayer group and eight to nine attend each session.

Although the group stopped meeting for a while during the shutdown, >> See “PRAYER” on page 5

Serving mothers

Mask problems

The church must walk with mothers, offering them encouragement and support.

Mask-wearing only adds to the challenges the deaf experience communicating with the hearing.

Page 4

Pages 8-9

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ARCHBISHOP

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Mom: a missionary disciple before anyone coined the term

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knew that The Leaven was a powerful communication tool and that our readers are of the highest spiritual caliber. Nevertheless, I was stunned that within 24 hours of mentioning in my column my mom’s desire to be with Jesus and the saints, she died, as she had hoped, peacefully in her sleep.

My mother was an incredibly energetic, hard-working woman for most of her life.

However, in the last few years, due to the effects of old age, she slept quite a bit. When I asked her if she slept well, her usual reply was: “Sleeping is what I do best.”

My mother had a great devotion to St. Joseph. She sought his intercession for many things — among them, the gift of a happy death. She expressed a hope to die in her sleep.

Mom thought it would be amazing to go to sleep and wake up in God’s presence. She rolled her eyes when I suggested that with the amount of time she spent sleeping that the odds were in her favor.

I remember as a child thinking that my mother was the most beautiful woman on the planet. I suspect that many children think this about their mothers. Her high school graduation and wedding photos only confirmed my bias about her physical beauty.

Gradually, through the years, I began to appreciate that my mother possessed a much more profound beauty. She was first and foremost a woman of great faith and heroic virtue.

Mom was a widow for almost 72 years. Her response to my father’s murder was a defining moment in her life.

Marcella Wiest was one of my mother’s dearest

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN and most faithful friends.

In their 90s, Marcella would come regularly for a sleepover at Mom’s apartment. My father and Marcella’s husband played on the same semi-pro baseball team.

A few years ago, I thanked Marcella for being such a good friend to my mom. Marcella shared her great affection and admiration for Mom. After my father’s sudden death, Marcella confessed being fearful to contact my mother.

Marcella did not know what to say to my mom to comfort her.

She appreciated the depth of her grief and was hesitant to expose herself to my mother’s pain.

When Marcella — despite her understandable anxiety — reached out to my mom, she was amazed at my mother’s serenity. Mom was not consumed with her own grief, but was interested in hearing about Marcella and her family. Marcella was not Catholic, but she admired my mother’s faith.

After my father’s death, Mom completed in only three years a bachelor’s degree in education. She had always wanted to be a teacher and felt that her work hours would coincide well with her sons’

school schedule.

How she was able to support our family on a Catholic elementary teacher’s salary was an economic miracle. She made many personal sacrifices so my brother Fred and I had everything we needed.

I think Mom, given the opportunity, could have even balanced the federal government’s budget!

Though her classroom hours were the same as ours, she had more homework. She had papers to correct, lesson plans to prepare, dinner to cook, clothes to launder and a house to maintain.

I remember waking up in the middle of the night to find Mom scrubbing and waxing the linoleum floors in our kitchen and hallway.

When the Sisters of St. Joseph could no longer staff our parish school, my mother was the pastor’s choice for the new principal. Mom was a natural leader.

She enjoyed mentoring young teachers. Her own love for her students, her determined efforts to help young people develop their God-given talents and realize their full potential set the standard for the entire faculty.

More than anything else, Mom wanted to help her students fall in love with Jesus and his church. She loved the opportunity as an educator to impact the lives of children.

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When my brother and I were in high school, Mom went to 5:30 a.m. Mass at a neighboring parish and came home to prepare a bacon and egg breakfast for us.

After getting us off to our respective schools, she attended 8 a.m. Mass with her students. She chose to go to daily Mass twice, because, during the school Mass, she had to be focused on the behavior and needs of her students. The earlier Mass allowed her to be completely focused on the miracle of the Eucharist.

When my mother was a child, her parents were Christmas and Easter Catholics.

Thanks to visits of the Legion of Mary, my grandparents enrolled Mom in the equivalent of the parish school of religion. She enjoyed learning about God and the Catholic faith.

Her love for Jesus and the church was the catalyst eventually for my grandparents becoming very devout and active members of the parish.

My mother, as a young adult, was thrilled to be invited by our pastor to join the Legion of Mary. Mom was forever grateful for the difference the Legion of Mary had made in her own faith life. She loved the spirituality of the Legion of Mary with its balance of prayer and apostolic work.

She treasured the support and formation she received from the Legion for her own spiritual growth. Mom loved visiting with inactive Catholics and doing her best to listen to their struggles and concerns, while attempting to reconnect them to the sacramental life of the church. Mom was doing missionary discipleship before

Funeral and memorial Mass for Louise Naumann Visitation will be from 10-10:45 a.m. on Oct. 2 at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish, 4900 Ringer Rd., St. Louis. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Affton, St. Louis County, Missouri.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood.

To view a livestream of the funeral Mass, go online to: facebook.com/pg/smmaparishstl/videos/.

To view a livestream of the memorial Mass, go online to: stmichaelcp.org/ecatholic-live.

anyone had coined the term.

When I was a child and teenager, we prayed the family rosary every night. In recent years, I began praying the rosary with Mom every night over the phone. For the last three months with Mom at Villa St. Francis in Olathe, I was able to pray the rosary with her every day.

The night before she died, she prayed the rosary with great attention and devotion.

During these months, the rosary was rarely not in her hand.

On Oct. 7, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The entire month of October is a special month during which the church encourages us to renew the practice of praying the daily rosary.

It is a prayer that children can pray as well as great intellects and mystics like St. John Paul II, St. Mother Teresa and St. Dominic.

It is a prayer that can bring great comfort and consolation during sickness and old age.

Many people have asked what they can do to support me and honor my mother. Beginning, recommitting or persevering in praying the daily rosary would delight my mother. If you want to experience what made my mother both strong and joyful, then allow Mary to draw you close to Jesus through the rosary.

I give thanks to God for giving me such a beautiful mother. When her body was wearing out, she never lost a beauty that was much greater than physical appearance.

Mom had a beauty that radiates from the heart of someone who has experienced the love of Jesus and the friendship of his mother, Mary.

Next to Mary, I still think my Mom is the most beautiful woman!

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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PHOTOS BY JD BENNING

Closeups from the sculpture “The Holy Family’s Return to Nazareth” include, from left, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The sculpture is part of the new Return to Nazareth Prayer Garden at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison.

The Holy Family comes to St. Benedict’s Abbey

By Karen Bonar Special to The Leaven

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TCHISON — The bronze sculpture “The Holy Family’s Return to Nazareth” was unveiled Sept. 27 at St. Benedict’s Abbey here.

The sculpture, which is part of the new Return to Nazareth Prayer Garden, was created by St. Francis native Kate Marin.

“It is difficult to put into words how much it means to me that this is the place my first professional work will reside forever,” said More information about Marin’s Marin, who is work is available a 2012 graduonline at: kate ate of Benedicmarinart.com. tine College in Atchison. “A large part of my heart is there. I think it’s poetic the way the Lord brought all of this together. It was a sweet way to enter into the space of being a working artist.”

The project began with a gift from Mike and Mary Alice Easterday, who approached the abbey with the idea to create a prayerful garden.

“They approached us about creating a garden that would allow the person to engage in it — whether praying or walking among the statues — to have an experience of walking with the Holy Family,” said Abbot James Albers, OSB. As the project developed, Abbot James said it was important to partner with students, so two students from the school’s new architecture program were asked to design the garden. The students approached Marin and asked her to submit a proposal.

“All three of them prayed over this Gospel (Luke 2), and the fruit of that is what we will unveil,” Abbot James said in an interview before the event.

“I think it’s an extremely beautiful way to honor the Holy Family.”

Monks instrumental in sculptor’s faith journey Upon her college graduation in 2012, Marin worked as an adjunct professor at Benedictine.

“I really kept a strong relationship with the abbey,” she said. “I went to many Masses and had a spiritual director who was a monk. Their Masses, their spirituality, their liturgy, were instrumental in my own faith journey.”

PHOTO BY JD BENNING

The bronze sculpture, “The Holy Family’s Return to Nazareth,” was unveiled Sept. 27 at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison. The project began with a gift from Mike and Mary Alice Easterday, who approached the abbey with the idea to create a prayerful garden.

This is Marin’s first commission as a professional artist, and her second time working with bronze material. About a year ago, she returned to the Midwest from Italy, where she was completing her education at the Scuola di Arte Sacra (Sacred Art School) of Florence.

The move stateside allowed her to be closer in proximity to the foundry in Colorado, which translated her clay sculptures into bronze.

The statues are slightly larger than life. The statue of St. Joseph is 7 feet tall; Mary is 6 feet, 4 inches; and the 12-yearold rendition of Jesus is 5 foot, 2 inches.

“I made my Jesus at a point where, even larger than life, he still stands a bit shorter than the visitors who will come to the site,” Marin said. “I thought it was tender for Jesus to gaze up at them.”

While the theme of returning to Nazareth is one Marin said could bring up images of the Holy Family returning after their exile in Egypt, she said the project coordinators took a slightly different approach. The inspiration came from the Gospel of Luke: “He went down with them and came to Naza-

reth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart” (2:51), referring to the Holy Family’s return to Nazareth after the finding of the child Jesus in the temple.

Abbot James said the subtext of the Gospel is one of obedience.

“The theme is of obedience, eventually to Christ’s obedience on the cross,” Abbot James said. “In the Gospel, the idea is Christ is obedient to Mary and Joseph, and also to the Father. From this obedience, love of mercy comes to us.

It’s one of the vows we take as Benedictine monks.”

Over about two months, Marin sculpted the life-size version in Loveland, Colorado, to be in close proximity to her foundry, Art Castings of Colorado. Once sculpted, the foundry made wax casts out of the original mold taken from the clay figures. She had to make slight adjustments to the wax casts and, once satisfied, bronze was poured into the molds to create the statues. The statues are large and were created in multiple pieces. Once all pieces were complete, they were all welded together to create the final statues.

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

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‘It was a language I could speak’ A native of northwest Kansas, Marin said she always appreciated art, but never envisioned life as a professional artist.

“I think a lot of artists have memories growing up drawing or creating,” she said. “I know I was a creative kid, but I don’t have memories of having to make art all the time.”

She availed herself of the art classes available in high school, and when she went to Benedictine, opted to explore it further.

“I have a love for learning. I was excited to go to college and learn about things I’d never learned about, which was art,” Marin said. “I always really liked art, looking at paintings, seeing sculptures.

It was always fascinating to me. I was always curious about it. Once I was in art classes, it was the language of my soul.”

During college, she spent a semester in Florence. Upon her 2012 graduation with degrees in art and theology, she >> See “SCULPTOR” on page 6

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

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

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RESPECT LIFE

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

SERVING MOMS IN NEED:

Living ‘The Gospel of Life’

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n March 25, 2020, of life in its fullness. As memthe solemnity of bers of the church, we are the the Annunciation people of life and for life. It is of the Lord, the our duty to proclaim the truth church celebrat- of “The Gospel of Life” to the ed the 25th anniversary of the world, for “to proclaim Jesus papal encyclical “Evangelium is itself to proclaim life.” Pope vitae” (“The Gospel of Life”).

John Paul II tasked us with This prophetic document, building a culture of life to written by Pope St. John Paul combat the forces at work in II, reaffirmed the church’s the culture of death. He chalconstant teaching on the value lenged us: and inviolability of every “With great openness and human life. courage, we need to question In this encyclical, the Holy how widespread is the culture Father explains that the “The of life today among individuGospel of Life” is at the heart al Christians, families, groups of Jesus’ saving message to the and communities in our dioworld. Through the incarnaceses. With equal clarity and tion of Christ, God reveals to determination, we must idenus the dignity of all human tify the steps we are called to life. Each of us take in order is made in the to serve life in image and likeall its truth.” ness of God, honor of IT IS PARTICULARLY theIn 25th reflecting his anglory and his niversary of IMPORTANT THAT imprint.

We “The Gospel THE CHURCH COME are therefore of Life” and in called to “reto Pope ALONGSIDE MOTHERS, answer spect, defend John Paul II’s and promote call, the U.S. OFFERING THEM the dignity of Conference every human of Catholic ENCOURAGEMENT, person, at Bishops ComASSISTANCE AND every moment mittee on Proand in every Life Activities SUPPORT. condition of launched a nathat person’s tionwide effort life.” that began on “The Gospel of Life” highMarch 25, entitled: “Walking lights the special and particuwith Moms in Need: A Year of lar role of women in bearing Service.” Parishes, through the the gift of life to the world. support of their bishops and Pope John Paul II offers heart- pastors, are invited to join this felt thanks to these “heroic effort to increase the church’s mothers,” who, placing their outreach and support to pregtrust in God, “devote themnant women facing difficult selves to their own family or challenging pregnancies. without reserve, who suffer in This special anniversary year giving birth to their children provides the church with an and who are ready to make opportunity to assess, expand any effort, to face any sacrifice, and better communicate rein order to pass on to them the sources to pregnant moms and best of themselves.” families in need.

Pope John Paul II also outPregnant and parenting lines the many challenges moms in need are in our parishthat expectant mothers may es and our neighborhoods but, face, including lack of supin desperation, they are turnport from the father, financial ing to other places for help. We strains, concerns about her know the needs and challenges own health or that of her child, can be immense for women in and pressures from family and difficult pregnancies, especialfriends. The Holy Father recly women in poverty, and the ognized that an “unborn child sources for help may not be apis totally entrusted to the proparent to those most needing tection and care of the woman support. Women facing chalcarrying him or her in the lenging pregnancies should see womb.” For this reason, it is the church as a place where they particularly important that the can find help, especially with its church come alongside mothextensive social services deders, offering them encourageicated to meeting the needs of ment, assistance and support. people in crisis.

Through Christ, we have Through this year of serreceived the gift of the gospel vice, the church is being asked

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to respond to Pope John Paul every human person, in every II’s call and honestly assess stage and every circumstance. the pastoral and practical as“The Gospel of Life” emsistance that it currently prophasizes that “where life is vides to pregnant moms and involved, the service of charfamilies in ity must be need and how profoundly effective it is consistent. It in communicannot tolerate

BY REACHING OUT cating such bias and disTO LOVINGLY SUPPORT c r i m i n a t i o n , help.

Pope John for human life AND CARE FOR Paul II wrote is sacred and that “gratitude . . .

PREGNANT WOMEN AND inviolable. and joy at the We need then incomparaTHEIR CHILDREN, WE to ‘show care’ ble dignity of for all life and WITNESS TO THE man impel us for the life of to share [the everyone.”

SANCTITY OF EVERY gospel of life] Pope John Paul with everyII highlights HUMAN PERSON, IN one.” the incrediHe said we ble history of EVERY STAGE AND need to bring service and EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. charity that this message “to the heart of the church every man and has provided woman and to make it penthroughout the centuries to etrate every part of society.” those abandoned and forgotBy reaching out to lovingly ten by society. He urges that support and care for pregnant “every Christian community, women and their children, with a renewed sense of rewe witness to the sanctity of sponsibility, must continue to

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write this history.”

We are called to reverence and love every human person as ourselves. It is our responsibility to care for and protect human life, especially the lives of the most vulnerable among us. “The Gospel of Life” teaches us that “the task of accepting and serving life involves everyone; and this task must be fulfilled above all toward life when it is at its weakest.”

St. John Paul II wrote that “the Gospel of God’s love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel.” The Gospel of Jesus is the gospel of life, and to love Jesus is to love and serve life.

As followers of Christ, may we strive to continually respond to the needs of the poor and vulnerable entrusted to us by God. To learn more about archdiocesan efforts to walk with mothers in need, go online to: www.archkck.org and scroll down the homepage to: “Walking with Moms in Need — A Year of Service.”

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

>> Continued from page 1 they were able to resume again this summer in a safe way.

“We thought, ‘Why not just offer it outside?’” said Carroll.

Since starting up again, the group has met in the convent’s backyard and on its front porch. Both areas allow enough space for attendees to spread out while enjoying the fresh air.

Each session includes time for group members to talk about what’s going on in their lives and share any prayer intentions they have.

After that, the group often listens to the writings of an expert on contemplative prayer, like Father Thomas Keating, OCSO, a principal teacher of contemplative prayer for the laity. Finally, they spend 20 minutes in silent prayer and reflection before the session comes to a close.

The highlight is the much-needed silence that allows the group to forgo distractions and focus on God’s love, said Carroll.

“Surrendering to God’s will is a big part of what we consider in our prayer before entering into this silence and surrendering to the presence and action of God within each of us,” she said. “In that surrender comes peace.”

The impact the sessions have on those who attend is apparent.

“Every single person has expressed . . . that it not only is a very peaceful time to come together in a very powerful moment of the healing presence of one another’s faith, but [also in] the presence of God himself,” said Carroll.

“And that for the rest of the week, almost unexplainably, there is a sloweddown, less-reactive mode in our lives [when it comes] to the stresses and the unexpected,” she continued. “We’re able to better cope by just this sense of peace that continues to abide in us.”

The women have been gratified by the opportunity to pray in this vulnerable way with others.

“It’s a transformative experience,” said Sister Barbara. “A big part of it is being comfortable waiting and resting in God’s presence in silent prayer.

“It’s very enriching to be quiet.”

It’s also a blessing for those in the group to share their joys and sufferings with other people in a faith-based setting.

“There’s something cathartic when you hear somebody’s journey that resonates with your own,” said Sister Barbara. “I think it’s just like sharing the peace of Christ with one another.”

Although attending a workshop before joining this particular prayer group is encouraged, Carroll and Sister Barbara welcome those who are interested in the group to reach out.

“If there were enough interest,” said Carroll, “there’s no limitation to the number of people we would welcome.”

If you are interested in learning more about the prayer group at the cathedral, contact Sister Barbara at: bw2wies@gmail.com or (913) 680-9251; or Susan Carroll at: suscar1960@gmail. com or (913) 634-9840.

Four tours in Afghanistan teaches priest how ‘messy sometimes life is’

By Katie Peterson Special to The Leaven

L

EAVENWORTH — Chaplain (Maj.) Jason Hesseling spent eight years as a priest in the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, with no doubt that he was doing what God had called him to do.

The product of a strong Catholic upbringing and Catholic education from grade school through college, he felt “like this is where God was calling me.”

“Priests that I had always been around seemed to have a secret — like a joy — no matter what was going on in their lives,” said Father Hesseling.

“As I would get to know them beyond just seeing them up there on Sunday, seeing them day to day, every day in high school and college, you get to see them in a different way,” he continued. “They just radiated a certain kind of joy that I found attractive.”

He was six years into his priesthood, and pastor of his first parish, when he realized that God might be calling him to something even more.

“While I was in seminary, I was 100 percent against military service. . . . But I had a whole bunch of folks in my parish deployed to Iraq as part of the Wisconsin [Army] National Guard,” he said. “They spent 12 months over there and thankfully everybody came back.”

Then, while at a restaurant with one of the returning veterans, Father Hesseling got advice that changed everything.

“I was complaining about the frustrations of parish life and battling with the parish council about what color to paint the church, and he basically slammed his fist on the table and said, ‘Father, paint the blankety-blank church and then go do something important,’” Father Hesseling recalled. “Then later, he talked to me about how he and his unit — they spent 12 months in Iraq digging up [improvised explosive devices]. They were part of a route clearance patrol, and, for 12 months, they had seen a priest four times.

“They were going out every single day, they were getting shot at every single day. People were getting hurt. Other people were getting killed, and they only had access to the sacraments four times,” he continued. “Here I am, I’m complaining about parish council and should the church be beige or off-white, so he kind of put things into perspective for me that this is where God needs me to serve more.”

Father Hesseling commissioned into the Army’s chaplain corps in 2008. He has since served at Fort Richardson, Alaska; Grafenwoehr, Germany; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington. In his various assignments, he has served as pastor of several Catholic military communities as well as worked to recruit Roman Catholic and Orthodox priests for the U.S. Army.

He has deployed to Afghanistan four times.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATIE PETERSON

Chaplain (Maj.) Jason Hesseling is newly assigned to the Catholic community at Fort Leavenworth.

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Prayer group members enjoy fresh air while nurturing their prayer life

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BEING IN THE MILITARY HAS EXPOSED ME TO PLACES AND PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH, BUT GOD CERTAINLY IS INFUSED IN ALL THAT. FATHER JASON HESSELING PASTOR OF THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AT FORT LEAVENWORTH

Now, he’s serving as a religious support integrator for the Mission Command Center of Excellence and the pastor of the Catholic community — the former St. Ignatius Chapel — on Fort Leavenworth.

Father Hesseling said being a priest in the Army has changed a lot of his former ways of how he viewed things.

“It has shown me how complex life

is and [how] messy sometimes life is.

As a young priest, I always looked at the world in a very black- or-white, right-or-wrong framework and lens,” he explained. “Being in the military has exposed me to places and people and situations that I never would have had to deal with, but God certainly is infused in all that.

“The soldier that is struggling with something that he did downrange — God is present in that. The family that is dealing with a loss back here at home — God is present there as well. It is trying to figure out how to give voice to that and help families navigate through the messiness and, a lot of times, the gray zones of life.”

God is present during the “messiness” of restrictions that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic, too, he said, as in-person services continue on.

“This is what the church does.

People have the right to the sacraments,” he said. “We can forgo that right for public health reasons, but this is how we experience Christ and how God’s grace comes into our life. We can’t not do that or ever take that for granted.”

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LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Sculptor honored to be part of a permanent gift to the abbey >> Continued from page 3 then returned to Florence and attended a monthlong immersion program.

“The first week was sculpture, and we were sculpting the portrait of a live model,” she said. “It was life-changing because I had never sculpted, but I was pleased with my sculpture. I had struggled with painting and drawing, but sculpture was something I felt so fluent in.

“I got a taste for it and felt this was what I was made for, which was powerful. It was a language I could speak and I wanted to speak. I could lose myself for hours.”

‘You just need eyes to see’ She returned to Kansas and worked for several years in order to return to study in Florence, which she did from 2017-19.

“By this point, I knew I wanted a classically trained education within the faith,” Marin said. “I knew I wanted to make work within the church.”

In October 2017, she won first place for her sculpture “Ecce Homo” in the inaugural Regional Juried Christian Arts Competition and Exhibition presented by the Catholic Fine Arts Council of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“I spent so much time in Europe seeing those beautiful churches, seeing the integrity of design and art in those places,” Marin said. “It makes such a difference in people’s ability to pray, while surrounded by art and beauty. I

PHOTO BY JACKIE MARKO

Kate Marin, a 2012 graduate of Benedictine College in Atchison, works on the clay model of Mary that would later become a 6-foot 4-inch bronze statue. love the idea of supporting that spirituality and infusing our culture with that spirituality.

“God speaks in the silence,” she added. “Art doesn’t take words; you just need eyes to see. You can speak loudly with art without any words.”

Being selected to create sculptures

for her alma mater was moving.

“The monks mean so much to me and it is an honor and a joy to be able to install a work of sacrifice, prayer and love that will hopefully be a gift to them for hundreds of years to come,” she said.

The connection she felt to not only the project, but its final home, helped

propel her through the process.

“On the hard days, when I was sculpting, I would think, ‘This is a gift to the monks you already love,’” Marin said.

Reprinted with permission from The Register of the Diocese of Salina.

Kansans: Track your mail-in vote from start to finish

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Because of the pandemic, more Kansans than ever are expected to be voting by mail this coming elec-

tion.

But for those worried about the process, the state is offering something new.

Voters can track the progress of their vote online.

Advance voting by mail is nothing new for Kansas voters; they’ve been doing it since 1996. Nor do voters need an excuse to receive a vote-by-mail ballot.

However, they do need to apply for it for each election, as a vote-by-mail ballot is only sent out at the request of the voter.

To vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election, you must first: be registered to vote by Oct. 13, request an advance ballot by Oct. 27, then return the mail-in ballot by Nov. 3.

These can all be done with instructions from the website of the Secretary of State — sos.ks.gov — which walks a visitor through each step. (Or see sidebar for detailed directions.)

Tracking your vote After registering for the election, you can track the journey of your vote by again going to the Secretary of State’s website — sos.ks.gov — then clicking on the icon for “Elections,” then on the symbol for “Ballot Tracker” at the bottom of the page.

This will take you to “VoterView” at: myvoteinfo.voteks.org. It will ask for some basic information in two stages, then will take you to the tracker itself.

(See above photo.)

The tracker will register when your ballot is sent out to you, when the election office receives it, and the status of your vote: It will turn green when the

ballot is accepted. If there is a problem with the ballot, the election office will contact the voter by telephone.

And Kansas is not the only entity that is providing voters with an easy way to stay on top of their vote.

“I am aware of a few counties in Kansas that have county-specific ballot trackers,” said Katie Koupal, office spokesperson with the Secretary of State.

“Douglas County is one of them. Kansas is a local control state, so counties have that ability to partner with vendors to provide that service on a more local level if they wish.”

So, voters in counties with countyspecific ballot trackers can use both the service offered by their own county and Ballot Tracker through the Secretary of State.

To ensure that a mailed ballot doesn’t get lost or delayed in the mail, voters can also always hand-deliver their advance ballot to their local election office.

Furthermore, said Koupal, voters “can always contact their local election office if they have questions about the status of their application or if their ballot was returned and received at the

local election office.”

The local election office workers are there to help. And by double-checking with them, voters can ensure that their ballot has reached the office in time and is eligible to be counted.

According to Kansas law, ballots may be counted prior to Election Day, and are typically the first votes reported out on election night. But final tabulation can not be completed until polls close on election day.

To register At sos.ks.gov, click on the icon labeled “Elections,” then the “Register to Vote” symbol. This will take you to the “Online Voter Registration Application” page. Follow all directions. The deadline to register to vote for the general election is Oct. 13.

Request an application for advance voting by mail Again, on the “Elections” page, go down to the “Election Forms” symbol. Click on this symbol. Now select from the top two choices listed: either the English language or the Spanish language form called “Application for Advance Voting Ballot.” By clicking on the letters “AV1” you can download and print the appropriate form.

Follow all directions. Once you have filled out the form, mail it to your county election office. The mailing address and fax numbers of all the county election offices in the state are listed on page 2 of this form.

The deadline to apply for an advance vote by mail ballot for the general election is Oct. 27. Advance voting in person and by mail for the general election begins Oct. 14.

Voters may vote by mail prior to election day in Kansas. Ballots will be mailed to those who apply beginning Oct. 14 for the general election. All ballots must be postmarked on or before election day Nov. 3 and received by the county election office by the close of business on Nov. 6.

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG Joyce and Robert Verstraete, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 15. The couple was married on Oct. 15, 1955, at St. Ann Church, Prairie Village, by Father Patrick Fitzgerald. Their children are: Mary Jane Honas, Peggy Skaith, Robert A. Verstraete, Janice McKee and Paul Verstraete. They also have 10 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

Patricia “Pat” and Anton “Tony” Brox, members of St. Louis Parish, r u r a l Atchison County, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 8. The couple was married Oct. 8, 1960, at Corpus Christi Church in Mooney Creek. The couple has four children: Karen Shelly, Marcia Hughes, Nancy Koftan and Dennis Brox. They have six grandchildren. They will celebrate with family at a later date.

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

Susan (Neuburger) and Don Murphy, members of Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 3. The couple was married on Oct. 3, 1970, at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in Chicago. Their children are: Danielle Burkhart, Jenifer Gibbs, David Murphy, Jonathan Murphy and Matthew Murphy. They also have 10 grandchildren.

They will celebrate with a family gathering at a later date.

John Jr. and Carol (Schultz) Flott, members of St. Joseph Parish, Olpe, will c e l e b ra t e their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 8. The couple was married Oct. 8, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church, Emporia, by Father Noel Williams. Their children are: Brian Flott and Kevin Flott. They also have four grandchildren. The couple is planning a quiet celebration to mark the special occasion.

“Locally Owned and Operated Since 1904”

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Wayne and Marian Seuferling, members of Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea, will c e l e b ra t e their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 9. The couple was married on Oct. 9, 1970, by Father Frank Horvat. A celebration is planned for next summer. They have five children: Roger, Philip, Mark, Matthew and Beth. They also have 19 grandchildren.

Jim Larkin

Sam Garcia

Correction In the Sept. 25 issue of The Leaven, Neil and Kaitlyn Haas were misidentified as Neil and Kaitlyn Cox. The Leaven regrets the error.

SocialMEDIA for The Leaven

ANNIVERSARY submissions POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices.

DEADLINE: 10 days before the desired publication date.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: • The couple’s names, their parish, date they were married, church and city where they were married, what they are doing to celebrate, date of the celebration, names of children (no spouses), number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; WHERE TO SUBMIT: Email notices to: todd.habiger@ theleaven.org.

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MASKS POSE ADDED CHALLENGE TO MEMBERS OF DEAF COMMUNITY

Members of the archdiocesan deaf community attend Mass at St. Paul Church in Olathe. The communit nondeaf people in this time of mask mandates because masks hinder the ability to read lips.

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Masking up during the COVID-19 pandemic might be great for public health. But for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, a mask simply makes a challenging time even harder.

Many in the deaf community support public health policies designed to limit the spread of the virus. However, traditional face coverings hide the mouth and significantly interfere with everyday communication.

Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, to work or getting on a plane, reading facial expressions and lips is essential to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, especially when an interpreter is not present.

“I’ve noticed more anxiety with deaf people all over the country in doing the most mundane errands because of the possibility that someone will talk to them with their masks on,” said Katie Locus, consultant for the archdiocesan office of deaf ministry.

“And there is literally no way to understand that person unless the person is willing to adjust communication, such as taking off his or her mask, writing back and forth, using a phone and so on,” she added.

Guessing game Locus, who was born deaf as a result of a virus she contracted while in utero, recently experienced her own challenges while flying during the pandemic. Despite having flown many times over the years, she said she thought she could anticipate what the TSA workers would say.

The real test came at the security line at the gate, where the TSA agents were

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Father Scott Wallisch is the chaplain of the deaf community of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and celebrates ALS Masses at St. Paul in Olathe. wearing masks.

“When I was in the security line and about to give my ticket and driver’s license to the TSA security guard, the guard kept bobbing his head as if he was talking to me,” Locus said. “All I could see were his eyes. I had no idea what he could possibly be asking because I had already given him my ticket and driver’s license. So I kept asking, ‘What?’

“Finally, he gestured that I needed to take my mask off so he could match my face with the image on my driver’s

license! Who knew?”

The challenge continued at the airline’s gate. Normally, Locus would lipread to monitor boarding information.

However, the gate agent was wearing a mask, so she couldn’t access that information.

To remedy the situation, Locus went to the gate agent to show her ticket, which identified her as being deaf.

“It was a very surreal experience. I felt so cut off from everyone,” Locus said.

Basic necessity Mary Costello is deaf and attends Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe because it regularly offers an ASL interpreter at Mass. That’s a luxury Costello has long enjoyed.

Yet, life outside her home and church during a time of masks has increased her frustration. Even Costello’s best-laid plans require cooperation and compassion from the hearing community.

Parishes adapt to community’s new needs

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

W

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

ty finds it even more difficult to communicate with

Katie Locus, consultant for the archdiocesan office of deaf ministry, said she’s noticed more anxiety with deaf people in doing the most mundane errands because of the possibility that someone will talk to them with their masks on.

For example, in a recent trip to see her doctor, Costello brought her iPad and had planned to communicate with the Video Remote Interpreter (VRI) app.

Unfortunately, her doctor didn’t oblige and had his mask on the entire time, leaving Costello confused and without support.

According to Costello, even those who are experienced in the use of American Sign Language (ASL) rely heavily on facial expressions.

“Most of the time, I am using the text on my phone to communicate with hearing people from any grocery store, etc.,” Costello said. “If it is not working, I will use body gestures or tend to point my index finger on the menu for what I order at any restaurant if I go out to eat or show the people the things and objects.”

In her previous experience with doctors, Costello typically calls ahead to remind them to provide an interpreter.

The cost of providing an interpreter is the responsibility of the medical provider, she said.

Unfortunately, most doctors don’t take the time to write notes to communicate with her, Costello said.

It’s awkward Aside from the functional challenges of adhering to mask mandates, the deaf and hard of hearing community must navigate awkward social challenges, Locus said. Just being at work presents its own set of challenges that can’t always be avoided.

“I’ve had several deaf people tell me about going into the workplace and just trying to avoid their co-workers because, well, they’ll start talking with their masks on and all they can do is nod as if they know what’s going on and try to tactfully escape without unknowingly insulting anyone,” Locus said.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Tammy Gwynn leads the rosary before the deaf Mass at St. Paul.

hen lockdowns began and churches phased in reopening, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas immediately anticipated the challenges faced by the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Father Michael Hermes of St. Paul Parish in Olathe requested an interpreter for each day of Holy Week as well as every Sunday Mass. That involved adding a second video camera and assuring that the interpreter was visible during livestreamed Masses.

“Father Hermes also ensured each pastoral council meeting for its deaf participants would be interpreted and made sure we had the space we needed for a deaf Mass,” said Katie Locus, consultant for the archdiocesan office of deaf ministry. “Father Scott Wallisch of St. Joseph (Parish in Shawnee) and chaplain of the deaf ministry, made confession in ASL available during the pandemic and celebrating deaf Masses in ASL at St. Paul.”

According to Locus, if a deaf parishioner was unable to access the livestreamed, interpreted Mass at St. Paul or attend the deaf Mass with Father Wallisch, they could access other livestreamed ASL Masses. A list of livestreamed Masses was compiled by National Catholic Office of the Deaf and is available on its website.

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka began offering interpreted Masses again in July.

Aside from the archdiocesan effort, certain smartphone apps can provide text-to-speak service as well as the app Ava. These are free tools to use for communication for access for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Archdiocesan interpreter Marisa Hurd of St. Paul Parish learned to adapt her services to better suit the deaf community. For example, she wears masks with a clear viewing window and has learned to interpret to the camera for online Mass.

It’s impersonal, but makes it easier for individuals to follow along.

“If there are no interpreters for quick communication, use other means to connect,” Hurd said.

“Use pencil and paper, use a white board, learn sign language!”

Most importantly, one of the best things fellow Christians can offer is patience.

“As individuals, always keep in mind that this is a trying time for everyone,” Hurd added. “Masks are uncomfortable barriers to your beautiful faces that provide so much information for people relying on visual cues to make human connections with you.

“Take the extra time needed, being patient to make sure communication is clear — but, more importantly, that inflections and heart are felt and understood in your interactions.”

10

NATION

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Death penalty denounced for ignoring inmates’ capability to be ‘redeemed’

By Natalie Hoefer Catholic News Service

T CNS PHOTO/BARBARA JOHNSTON, COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

Sister Norma Pimentel, a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, is pictured along a border wall between Texas and Mexico in late February 2018.

Sister Norma Pimentel is one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2020

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Sister Norma Pimentel, a Missionary of Jesus and executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, has received numerous awards over the years for her work in Texas with migrants along the U.S.-Mexican border, and she can now add a new title to her list: one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

In a Facebook message Sept. 22 about the honor, she gave credit to all those who work with her in the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, “restoring human dignity to those in need.”

“It is a recognition of the generosity of the people of the Rio Grande Valley and from throughout the United States.

Together we recognize that we have a responsibility. We are a people of God, people driven by the presence of God in ourselves and in others. When we see human suffering, we cannot turn our backs, we must respond,” she said.

And she hopes that her name, in the magazine among athletes, politicians, activists and entertainers, will “bring more understanding and help people see more clearly what we can each do to respect all human life, especially the most vulnerable.”

In 2015, Pope Francis personally

thanked Sister Pimentel for her work with immigrants in a virtual town hall meeting featured on ABC’s “20/20.”

That same year she was named one of Our Sunday Visitor’s 2015 Catholics of the Year and won a nomination for “Texan of the Year.”

Last year, after being presented with the Sister Margaret Cafferty Development of Peoples Award from the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Sister Pimentel, who also has received the University of Notre Dame’s prestigious Laetare Medal and Catholic Charities USA’s “Keep the Dream Alive” award, credited prayer with keeping her grounded.

“It’s key for who I am today and what I do,” she said, adding that if she “didn’t make the time to wake up early in the morning to go to Mass and do my prayers and end with my prayers at night, I think I would get lost in all of this. It would be all about me and all the sensational attention that is given to me.”

For the past three decades, Sister Pimentel has been supporting more than 100,000 migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. along Texas’ border with Mexico with emergency food, shelter, housing assistance, clinical counseling and pregnancy care.

The magazine’s tribute to her, written by Julin Castro, former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said her “boundless hope and fearless compassion have earned

her the moniker of ‘the pope’s favorite nun’” and she will “keep changing the world, one act of kindness at a time.”

As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, Sister Pimentel frequently crossed the border back and forth from Brownsville to Matamoros, Mexico, to be with family on both sides of the border. She was born in Texas while her parents were awaiting response from U.S. authorities on their application for residency.

In her reflection on immigrants in the book “A Pope Francis Lexicon,” she wrote: “I am a U.S. citizen by ‘chiripa’ — sheer chance,” noting that she grew up in two countries, Mexico and the United States.

This summer, in an opinion piece in The Washington Post, Sister Pimentel made a public plea for people not to forget the plight of asylum-seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our camp is a makeshift ‘tent city’ filled with about 1,500 vulnerable women, men and children awaiting rulings on their applications for asylum in the United States. These families are living in donated tents at the mercy of extreme weather,” she said.

She urged readers to imagine “living in such uncertainty, where even such basics as running water and a place to shower are nonexistent; where you have to depend on outside organizations for food, which you have to cook over a campfire.”

ERRE HAUTE, Ind. (CNS) — On Sept. 24, Providence Sister Barbara Battista stood across the street from where her spiritual directee died just two days before.

She had been with him when he was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m. Sept. 22.

“I can tell you that my experience was of a man who was at peace, eyes clear, face relaxed,” she said.

That fact might seem surprising, since her spiritual directee was federal death-row inmate William LeCroy, convicted for the 2001 rape and murder of Joann Lee Tiesler.

At a news conference the morning of Sept. 24, Sister Barbara read aloud the letter she had received from LeCroy, who gave her permission to share it after his death.

Also speaking at the news conference was Lisa Brown, the mother of federal death-row inmate Christopher Vialva. He would be pronounced dead less than eight hours later at 6:46 p.m., executed for his involvement in the 1999 murder of Todd and Stacie Bagley.

“This is hard, very hard,” she said, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes.

LeCroy and Vialva were the sixth and seventh federal prisoners to be executed by lethal injection since July 14 after a 17-year hiatus on federal executions ended.

In a statement read aloud at a Catholic Mobilizing Network virtual prayer vigil prior to LeCroy’s execution, Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer noted that “we must always leave open the door for redemption and rehabilitation” of convicted killers.

Brown and Sister Barbara said at the news conference they had witnessed such changes in LeCroy and Vialva.

“This is a complex story,” said Sister Barbara before reading the letter aloud.

“There are lessons in here for all of us.”

In the two-page letter handwritten on notebook paper, LeCroy addressed his remorse, but also the “unchangeable” label placed on convicts.

He admitted that, no matter how deep his remorse, there was nothing he could do to reverse the horrific murder he committed.

But people can change, LeCroy noted in the letter, “continually learning, continually becoming someone better or worse. . . . We come into spiritual teachers along the way who provide us with truth and force us to contemplate our lives.”

WORLD

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

11

Pope forges ahead with reform after cardinal’s ouster

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

V

CNS PHOTO/JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

Cardinal Angelo Becciu speaks with journalists during a news conference in Rome Sept. 25. The cardinal told journalists he was asked by Pope Francis Sept. 24 to resign as prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes and renounce the rights associated with being a cardinal due to an embezzlement investigation involving Vatican funds and a charitable organization run by his brother.

“

“

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the coronavirus pandemic halted all public audiences at the Vatican, Pope Francis met members of the Vatican City State court and spoke of the Vatican’s “commitment to fight illegality in the field of finance at the international level.”

“These actions have recently brought to light suspicious financial situations, which aside from their possible unlawfulness, are not in keeping with the nature and purpose of the church, and have generated disorientation and anxiety in the community of the faithful,” he said Feb. 15.

The pursuit to reform Vatican financial procedures took a surprising turn of events in late September with the forced resignation of Cardinal Angelo Becciu.

The former prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes was forced to offer his resignation to the pope Sept.

24. According to Cardinal Becciu, he is accused of embezzling an estimated 100,000 euros ($116,361) of Vatican funds and redirecting them to Spes, a Caritas organization run by his brother, Tonino Becciu, in his home Diocese of Ozieri, Sardinia.

Pope Francis signed a new set of laws in June to prevent fraud and corruption, including barring Vatican employees from awarding contracts to their relatives for the purchase of goods, property and services.

Cardinal Becciu, who also had to renounce the rights and privileges of being a cardinal, strongly denied any wrongdoing during a news conference Sept. 25 and said that although he received no formal notification from authorities that he was under investigation or being charged with a crime, he hopes to clear his name.

For some, the resignation of the Italian cardinal, whose name had also turned up in a questionable property deal in London, was an indication that the pope’s financial reforms, instituted gradually over the past seven years, are finally having an impact.

Cardinal George Pell, former prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, has

“THE HOLY FATHER WAS ELECTED TO CLEAN UP VATICAN FINANCES. HE PLAYS A LONG GAME AND IS TO BE THANKED AND CONGRATULATED ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.” CARDINAL GEORGE PELL FORMER PREFECT OF THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE ECONOMY

made no secret of his support for deep financial reforms at the Vatican, and he issued a surprising congratulatory note for the way the pope dealt with Cardinal Becciu.

“The Holy Father was elected to clean up Vatican finances. He plays a long game and is to be thanked and con-

gratulated on recent developments,” the Australian cardinal said Sept. 25.

Before returning to Australia in 2017 to face charges of sexual abuse, Cardinal Pell was tasked with tightening Vatican budgeting procedures and investigating corruption in Vatican finances as head of the Secretariat for the Economy, a dicastery created by the pope in 2014.

One of the first public signs of resistance to how Cardinal Pell was carrying out the mandate came to light in 2016.

Plans for an audit of the Vatican’s financial accounts by Pricewaterhouse Coopers were suspended by thenArchbishop Becciu, who at the time served as “sostituto,” a position similar to chief-of-staff in the Vatican Secretariat of State.

In interviews and press statements, Cardinal Pell and then-Archbishop Becciu gave contrasting views of the situation. But privately, Cardinal Becciu said later, they had a tense relationship that came to a head during a meeting of Vatican officials with Pope Francis, in which Cardinal Pell accused the Ital-

ian of being “a dishonest person.”

Cardinal Pell, whose term as prefect expired in 2019 and who has lived in Sydney since an abuse conviction was overturned by the High Court of Australia, was scheduled to visit Rome just a few days after the departure of his former rival, according to CathNews, the news agency of the Australian Bishops’ Conference.

Whether the former prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy would meet with Pope Francis was unknown.

But questions remain about Cardinal Becciu’s role in the Secretariat of State’s purchase of a majority stake in a property in London’s Chelsea district, a purchase which incurred major debts.

The transaction is likely among the “suspicious financial situations” the pope referred to in his speech to the Vatican court.

And, four days after accepting Cardinal Becciu’s resignation, Pope Francis appointed a new “promoter of applied justice” to the Vatican court. For the position, in effect a prosecuting attorney for specific crimes, the pope chose Gianluca Perone, a professor of commercial law.

Cardinal Becciu said the pope made no mention of the London property deal during their meeting Sept. 24, and the cardinal insisted there was nothing wrong with the purchase, but it appears the Vatican investigation is ongoing.

One question remaining is whether funds from the Peter’s Pence collection were used to finance the deal. Peter’s Pence is a papal fund used for charity, but also to support the running of the Roman Curia and Vatican embassies around the world.

Cardinal Becciu consistently denied Peter’s Pence funds were used to purchase the London property; the money, he said, came from a fund within the Secretariat of State.

However, when asked by a journalist Sept. 25 if the money in the Secretariat of State fund came from Peter’s Pence, Cardinal Becciu said, “Yes.” According to a Sept. 28 report by the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Pope Francis has now taken away the Secretariat of State’s access to the fund.

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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.

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@santamarta retirement.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.

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. Substitute teachers - St. Joseph Early Education Center, Shawnee, is looking for substitute staff in our center, ranging from the infant to pre-Kindergarten age programs. Please call (913) 248-4589 or email: tgavila@ stjoeshawnee.org.

Openings at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - We are looking for passionate, skilled team members to join us in serving the community. There are currently several positions open, including program coordinator - VITA/Cents@Work and food and nutrition coordinator. Please visit our website to learn more about these and other exciting opportunities. Go online to: catholic charitiesks.org/careers and scroll down to “View Job Openings.”

Administrative assistant - St. Patrick School, located at 1086 N. 94th St. in Kansas City, Kansas, has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant at the Early Education Center from 7:30 until 11:30 a.m. when school is in session. To apply, please submit a request for a job application to Patty Dickinson at: pdickinson@stpatrick kck.org.

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.

Lead/assistant teachers - St. Joseph Early Education Center, Shawnee, has positions available in our infant, toddler and 2-1/2 year-olds rooms. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Competitive pay and benefits are offered. Please call (913) 248-4589 or email: tgavila@st joeshawnee.org.

Part-time day custodian - St. Patrick School, located at 1086 N. 94th St. in Kansas City, Kansas, has an opening for a part-time day custodian. Hours are 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. when school is in session. To apply, please submit a request for a job application to Patty Dickinson at: pdickinson@stpatrickkck.org.

We love our teachers - Come see why you want to work here! The Goddard School Olathe Northwest is looking for dynamic, energetic, professional teachers to add to our faculty. The Goddard School is a premiere preschool for children from 6 weeks to 6 years who are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a nurturing environment, lovingly guided by our highly skilled, professional teachers. We are hiring for the following positions: full-time preschool teacher; full-time young toddler or infant teacher; and full- and part-time assistant teachers to multiple classrooms.

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.

Youth music minister - This full-time role of leadership is charged with integrating relevant music into all aspects of youth ministry, assisting in the continued implementation of the Life Teen model of youth ministry and working collaboratively with staff in all parish efforts.

Specific responsibilities will include leading worship, and organizing and rehearsing the band for the Sunday night youth Mass; additional work will involve coordinating and implementing music into other aspects of the youth ministry (i.e., prayer meetings, core meetings, retreats, special events, etc.); assisting in the planning and implementation of weekly Life Nights and periodic adoration/song/prayer events; participation in weekly staff meetings and monthly core meetings. Applicants must have experience leading a band and be familiar with contemporary Christian music and the Mass. Sight reading skills, experience as a worship leader, and experience and knowledge of Life Teen youth ministry are a plus. College degree in related field preferred. Competitive compensation based on experience. Please email questions and/or resumes and cover letters to: mneal@ htlenexa.org.

Janitorial - American Janitorial is looking for two qualified individuals to clean small commercial building, M - F evenings. Cleaning time approximately two hours.

Husband and wife team welcome. Call John at (913) 5752686.

Part-time administrative assistant - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a part-time, 20 hours per week, administrative assistant for the office of justice, life and advocacy. This position provides administrative support for three consultants. This position requires a high school diploma and three to five years of prior administrative experience in a professional office environment. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal; and proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; graphic design and social media experience preferred. A complete job description and application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Qualified individuals should send an email to: jobs@archkck. org, as well as a cover letter, resume and application to: jobs@archkck.org. Position open until filled.

Preschool teacher - A full-time, benefit-eligible position is available at St. Patrick’s Early Education Center, located at 1080 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Related experience is preferred and a degree is a plus. The applicant must be a practicing Catholic. Training is available for applicants to meet KDHE state requirements.

Please contact Patty Dickinson for an application at: pdickinson@stpatrickkck.org or call (913) 299-3370, ext.

107. The deadline is Oct. 9.

Part-time social worker - Catholic Charities of Northeast KS/Lawrence adoption and pregnancy counseling. This position provides education, counseling and support to adoption couples, birth parents and women choosing to parent. EEO. Please visit our website to learn more about these and other exciting opportunities. Go online to: catholiccharitiesks.org/careers and scroll down to “View Job Openings.”

Part-time day custodian - St. Patrick School has an opening for a part-time day custodian. The hours are 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. when school is in session. To apply, please submit a request for a job application to Patty Dickinson at: pdickinson@stpatrickkck.org.

Receptionist – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a part-time receptionist for the chancery office. This position is available on Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This position is responsible for operating the main switchboard, receiving all calls and visitors to the chancery, sorting mail and other clerical duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing. A high school diploma required and at least three years of secretarial or administrative experience. Must be able to provide hospitality and efficient response to all calls and visitors to the chancery offices. A complete job description and application information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should email cover letter, resume and application to: jobs@archkck.org. Position open until filled.

Business manager/accountant - St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking a business manager/accountant. This position is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the parish and school. Duties include deposits; payable; reconciling bank accounts; monthly and annual financial reporting; budget preparation; payroll processing; overseeing human resources issues; and other financial duties. The ideal candidate will be a Catholic in good standing with accounting experience, effective communication skills and a bachelor’s degree.

QuickBooks experience and/or CPA is a plus. Request a job application from Father Mark Mertes at: stpatrick churchkck@archkckcs.org by Oct. 9.

Help wanted - Housekeepers, cooks and dietary aides.

Salary plus benefits. Safe and pleasant workplace! Apply online or in person. Silvercrest College View, 13600 W. 110th Terr., Lenexa, KS 66215 or email: www.Silvercrest CollegeView.com.

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

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.

Girl Friday services - Ironing, sewing, cooking, typing, pet care, quilting, errand-running and caretaking for adults. References available. Call Deborah at (913) 6487258 or email: gmaks313@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.

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.

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.

Tree Trimming Licensed and insured Free estimates/10 years experience Call Tony at (913) 620-6063

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 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.

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.

Housecleaning - a range of services provided - from housecleaning to organizing closets, rooms and garages, as well as hoarder projects. 15 years’ experience. Professional, energetic and dependable. Call Joni at (913) 206-4403.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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) For sale - Inside tandem space for two traditional entombments. Tier F, Mount calvary Mausoleum, Holy Trinity in Topeka, last ones available. Call (785) 215-9540 or (785) 580-3928.

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.

HOLY ART Religious items and church supplies Made in Italy http://www.holyart.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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) 883-2936, leave me your contact information and I will return your call within 24 hours.

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 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.

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

REAL ESTATE

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.

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) 599-5000.

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

COMMENTARY/CALENDAR

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Form your conscience, exercise prudence, advises KCMO bishop

D

ear friends in Christ,

In just a few weeks, our nation will again hold elections. Voting is one of our greatest duties as Christian citizens, yet the subject of voting is often a most sensitive and sometimes even a combustible one, even when presented with care. No presentation on voting will likely ever find a unified reception, but this does not mean there cannot be agreement on the importance of what our vote represents. I humbly offer what follows as points to consider while you prepare to vote this November.

First, voting is a moral act that requires a wellformed conscience and the exercise of prudence.

Our conscience does not determine what is right or wrong — God does!

Our conscience tells us whether our actions are consistent with what his law teaches is right or wrong.

Therefore, forming our conscience is critically important — not just for voting, but for our sanctification and salvation. St. John Paul II warns us, “Because of the nature of conscience, the admonition always to follow it must immediately be followed by the question of whether what our conscience is telling us is true or not. If we fail to make this necessary clarification, conscience — instead of being that holy place where God reveals to us our true good — becomes a force which is destructive of our true humanity and of all our relationships” (from a general audience on Aug. 17, 1983).

Unlike a “policy” that is a changeable course of action, a “principle” is a fundamental truth that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. As such, voting must be guided by truth, especially the body of belief which the church holds true. No Catholic, including those running for office, can claim to be Catholic solely on their own terms. As conscientious Catholic voters, we must be guided by our moral convictions over any attachment to a personality or a political party. By voting for a candidate, one is giving that person the power to decide matters that will affect the lives of indi-

GUEST COMMENTARY

BISHOP JAMES V. JOHNSTON viduals, the family, the church and the broader society.

The heart of the matter Our nation’s founders touched on the essence of government’s role in the Declaration of Independence — namely, to safeguard and uphold the principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Government (the state) does not grant these rights; rather, it has a duty to protect what God has already bestowed upon us as inalienable rights so that all citizens can flourish.

A Catholic voter would do well to weigh a candidate’s position on each of these essential God-given rights that government has a duty to protect, beginning with the right to life. All persons of every race and nation are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possess both dignity and a right to life from the first moment of conception. As Pope Francis personally expressed to me and the other bishops of Region IX in our recent “ad limina” visit with him this past January, the right to life for the unborn child is the preeminent issue because it is fundamental; without this first right, the right to life, there can be no other rights.

This echoes the U.S. bishops’ teaching that “abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human dignity because they directly attack life itself, the most fundamental human good and the condition for all the others” (“Living the Gospel of Life,” 5), and that “[t]he threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because

of the number of lives destroyed” (“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (FC),” Introductory Letter).

Likewise, “human cloning, destructive research on human embryos and other acts that directly violate the sanctity of human life are also intrinsically evil.

These must always be opposed” (FC, 23). While protecting the right to life begins with the protection of the child in the womb, it must be extended over the entire course of a lifespan — e.g., by defending the elderly and terminally ill from euthanasia and assisted suicide, and defending other vulnerable people from attacks on life and human dignity.

In this regard, I offer the words of St. John Paul II that today are even more prophetic and more critical for guiding us in the election before us: “We are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the ‘culture of death’ and the ‘culture of life.’ We find ourselves not only ‘faced with’ but necessarily ‘in the midst of’ this conflict: we are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life (“Evangelium Vitae,” 28; emphasis in the original).

In perspective I encourage you to study prayerfully the political platforms of the parties. Each party clearly states their position on critical life issues such as abortion; destructive research on human embryos; euthanasia and assisted suicide; the appointment of judges and Supreme Court justices; and conscience rights.

Each party clearly states whether they will support or defund Planned Parenthood as well as their position regarding laws such as the Hyde Amendment that bars the use of federal funds to

support abortion. Each party states the criteria they will use to nominate judges and justices.

Each party states where it stands on subjects that impact the family such as how sex education, orientation and gender identity will be taught in our public schools. Each party has staked out its position on upholding or weakening religious liberty and the freedom of believers and churches to live according to religious beliefs and carry out ministries and services without coercion and the threat of penalty. Although individual candidates’ positions and actions do not always and everywhere correspond to their respective party platforms, platforms do offer a good insight into the agendas of the candidates and how they intend to use power if elected.

Again, there can be legitimate debate between parties and candidates as to the best policy to address an issue; however, this is not the same as disagreement on fundamental principles. The question prayerfully to ask ourselves then, is whether it is permissible to vote for a candidate whose positions oppose the truth of fundamental principles because one likes the candidate’s policy stance on other issues.

Conclusion Finally, as voting is an important moral decision, we must also be mindful of the words of Jesus that “my kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36) and who rejected the temptation in the desert to embrace worldly temporal power (Lk 4:5-8). Our salvation does not lie in earthly political power or party. The church exists to evangelize and to call our fallen world to conversion, to point us to our true and lasting home which lies beyond this world.

This brief letter does not say everything that could be said, but I hope that it initiates the process that each person must undertake to prepare their conscience for the moral act of voting.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend James V. Johnston Jr. Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph

13 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BARBECUE FUNDRAISER St. Agnes Parish 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park Oct.4 - Oct. 7 orders by email

John Roe Council 3020 is selling barbecue prepared by award-winning pit-master Paul Kirk. St. Louis-style spare ribs are $20 per slab and baby back ribs are $25 per slab. Orders must be paid in advance. For more information or to place your order, contact Grand Knight Keith Krull by email at: stag.kofc@gmail.com.

RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY MASS St. Patrick Parish 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 4 at 11 a.m.

Each October, the church celebrates Respect Life Month, when we pray, reflect and become engaged in building a culture that cherishes every human life. Archbishop Naumann will celebrate Mass. An outdoor reception will follow, weather permitting.

HANDING OVER THE KEYS St. Joseph Church 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

Director of music Matt Winterhalter is presenting a concert on the organ and piano full of diverse repertoire from the baroque to the present day. Seating is limited due to social distancing. Sign up online at: stjoeshawnee. org. The events will be livestreamed on the parish Facebook page and website as well.

EASING INTO CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City via Zoom Oct. 5 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

This is a six-week long experience of exploring the four stages of prayer that lead to contemplation. We will be reading the book “The Armchair Mystic” by Father Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, and praying his suggested exercises to help cultivate a deeper relationship with Our Lord. There will be 90- minute weekly meetings via Zoom to reflect and share. For more information about this event, go online to: www.ignatiancenterkc.org/events and click on “Easing into Contemplative Prayer: Monday Evening Group Prayer Retreat.” The cost for the retreat is $35.

CARING FOR CREATION IN A CHANGING WORLD: THE CONVERGENCE OF CLIMATE, RACE AND COVID Jesuit Friends and Alumni Network of Kansas City via Zoom Oct. 6 from 7 - 8 p.m.

Join JFAN-KC to hear Judy Mayotte’s message about how each of us as engaged, responsible and responsive global citizens can reflect on and care for creation so that we can help maintain the fragile balance of life on earth. The event is free. To register, go online to: jfankc.eventbrite.com.

ANNUAL MEXICAN SUPPER Sacred Heart Parish 106 Exchange St., Emporia Oct. 9 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

There will be drive-thru service only. The online ticket purchase link can be found at: shsemporia.org/mexican-supper; scroll down to “Support Us,” then click on “Mexican Supper.” You can also purchase in person at the church office, located at 27 Cottonwood St.

CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC AND PRAYER: A FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT Sophia Spirituality Center Oct. 21 from 2 - 2:30 p.m.

Sister Susan Barber, OSB, will play organ to accompany this time of prayer. Google “Sophia Spirituality Center,” click on “Retreats” and then click on “Program Offerings.” From there, scroll down to this music program notice and click on the link to Sophia Spirituality Center’s Facebook page.

14

COLUMNISTS

DAILY READINGS TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 4 TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 5: 1-7 Ps 80: 9, 12-16, 19-20 Phil 4: 6-9 Mt 21: 33-43 Oct. 5 Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, priest Gal 1: 6-12 Ps 111: 1b-2, 7-9, 10c Lk 10: 25-37 Oct. 6 Bruno, priest; Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, virgin Gal 1: 13-24 Ps 139: 1b-3, 13-15 Lk 10: 38-42 Oct. 7 Our Lady of the Rosary Gal 2: 1-2, 7-14 Ps 117: 1bc, 2 Lk 11: 1-4 Oct. 8 Thursday Gal 3: 1-5 (Ps) Lk 1: 69-75 Lk 11: 5-13 Oct. 9 Denis, bishop, and companions, martyrs; John Leonardi, priest Gal 3: 7-14 Ps 111: 1b-6 Lk 11: 15-26 Oct. 10 Saturday Gal 3: 22-29 Ps 105: 2-7 Lk 11: 27-28

Gregory the Great c. 540 - 604 This patrician prefect of Rome is counted among the doctors and Fathers of the Church.

After his father’s death, he gave family estates to the church, founding seven monasteries, including the one he joined in his family home in Rome.

Following ordination, he served as papal nuncio in Constantinople (579-586) then was an abbot in Rome until 590, when he became the first monk elected pope. Gregory I reformed the clergy, sent missionaries to England, promoted monasticism and chant, wrote prolifically and assumed civic duties in Rome in the face of natural disasters and the warring Lombards. He is a patron saint of choirboys, musicians, singers and England.

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Isn’t it time to treat others with due respect?

“O

h, God, make me into a

television set.”

Some students were asked to write an essay about what they’d like God to do for them.

While grading these essays at home, the teacher read one that startled her.

Her husband saw her crying and asked, “What happened?”

She answered, “Read this essay from one of my students.”

It read: “Oh, God, make me into a television set. I want to take its place and live like the TV in my house.

Have my own special place and my family around me. To be taken seriously when I talk. I want to be the center of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions.

“I want to receive the same special care the TV set gets. Have the company of my dad when he gets home from work, even when he’s tired. And

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.

I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me. And I want my brothers to fight to be with me.

“I want to feel that my family leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me. And last but not least, make sure that I can make them all happy and entertain them. Lord, I don’t ask you for much. I just

want to live like a TV.” After reading the essay, the husband said, “Gee, poor kid.

What horrible parents!”

The wife looked up and said, “That essay is our son’s!” (Adapted from Meir Liraz’s “Top 100 Motivational Stories.”)

That’s pretty sobering, isn’t it?

Once again, it’s October, celebrated as Respect Life Month.

Rightfully, we look during this time at the larger life issues like abortion, poverty, health care, human trafficking, racism, immigration, the death penalty and euthanasia.

Sometimes, though, in looking at the bigger picture, we neglect where respect is learned and lived out: in our daily interactions with others in the ordinary events of our lives.

In today’s world, maybe the boy in the opening story would instead pray for God to make him into a cellphone. How many times have we seen people bowed down over — worshiping? — their cellphones, while ignoring the very real human beings present around them? Why do we tend to value things more than people?

On social media these days, you’ll encounter a large amount of vitriol and cynicism in the posts and comments. Most disturbing are the comments that Catholics make about fellow Catholics. It’s enough to make me cry.

If we don’t respect the people we encounter daily — offline and on — we can’t magi-

cally make the jump to truly care about those larger life issues.

There’s no place like home to cultivate respect, and these words of St. Basil the Great from the fourth century might be a practical place to start: “When someone steals another’s clothes, we call them a thief.

Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked, but does not?

The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the one who has no shoes; the money which you hoard up belongs to the poor.”

If assigned an essay like the little boy above, what would you write? Here’s what mine would say: “God, make me into a person from whom others can expect respect.”

Our times are not so different from St. Paul’s

“D

o not be afraid.

Open wide the doors for Christ.”

When St. John Paul II spoke these words in October 1978 during his first homily as pope, there was much to fear in the world. The possibility of nuclear war hung over nations as a menacing threat. People living under dehumanizing totalitarian regimes around the world were being denied basic human rights of freedom of religion and speech.

The lands of the Middle East continued to be plagued by violence and turmoil. And developing countries faced destructive famines that claimed the lives of countless men, women and children.

Those fearful times were not unlike the present day as the world

,

JEM SULLIVAN Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

continues to struggle with the social, economic and cultural consequences of a pandemic, violence and natural disasters.

“Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” These words from the Fourth

Chapter of St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians might seem disconnected from the many realities that cause and spread so much fear in the world. But they were written precisely as Paul was enduring many harsh trials and personal difficulties, including imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel.

Yet Paul encourages the Philippians, and us, to replace anxiety and fear with trusting prayer and a heart of thanksgiving. He shows the Philippians, and every Christian, how faith can shape our response to

fearful events and the inevitable challenges and difficulties of daily life.

Paul assures them that even in the midst of stress and fearful circumstances the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

And then Paul urges the Philippians to fix their eyes and minds on the things that are above — that is, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious and excellent. Is this an exercise in turning away from reality? Or is this the path of faith and Christian discipleship?

By growing in the virtue of fixing mind and heart on the things of God, a disciple of Jesus moves away from the vice of people and things that lead away from God’s love and truth. Then, says Paul, the “God of peace will

be with you.”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the vineyard owner to invite them into the same truth: Trust replaces fear, even in those who are rejected to the point of death.

For “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done and it is wonderful in our eyes.”

The turmoil, violence and superficial deceptions of the world lead us too easily on the path of fear, anxiety and even despair. Today, God’s word invites us to trust, faith, peace of mind and the good fruit that Jesus promises.

For the courage to replace fear with trust and move from a place of anxiety to confident faith in the invitation to friendship with Jesus we pray, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Saying ‘thank you’ to God is a beautiful prayer, pope tells children VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Saying “thank you” to God is a beautiful prayer, Pope Francis told a group of children and teenagers with autism.

“God likes that way of praying,” he said Sept. 21 during a brief audience with youngsters assisted by the Sonnenschein Center in

St. Polten, Austria, and with their parents and center staff members.

While some of the young people focused on their tablets or half hid behind their parents, others beamed at the pope with big smiles.

The name of their center means “sunshine” in German, and

Pope Francis told them they are like flowers that blossom in the sun.

“God created the world with a great variety of flowers of every color,” he told them. “Each flower has its beauty, which is unique.

And each one of us is beautiful in the eyes of God and he loves us.”

COLUMNISTS

OCTOBER 2, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

15

Do we really appreciate what we’ve missed these past six months?

T

he present pandemic, like all pandemics, will eventually end. It may leave certain lasting marks upon our lives, and even the disease may in some form prevail.

But, whether through “herd immunity” or a vaccine or even what may only be described as a miracle, this period of extraordinary suffering will, in time, draw to a close. We will remember in tearful charity those whose lives were ended by COVID-19 when that day comes.

And then, as many folks of good will have been apt to say these past six months, “Things will finally get back to normal, or at least a ‘new’ normal.”

“I

AS THE CHURCH PRAYS

MICHAEL PODREBARAC Michael Podrebarac is the archdiocesan consultant for the office of liturgy and sacramental life.

Indeed.

Our congregations have been held back by the pandemic, especially our liturgical prayer together.

Nothing could have struck a worse blow

to the church during this time: the curtailment of our corporate, divine worship.

For, in the words of the Second Vatican Council: “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows.”

As the people of God, everything we are, and everything we

aspire to, has its origin and goal in our sacramental prayer.

We have lost this unequaled and privileged encounter with the living God when we have been unable to attend Mass together.

But of course, this inability shall pass, and we will find ourselves once again able to return to divine worship absent most — if not all — of the encumbrances we currently experience.

Do we really know what we’ve lost these past six months? Do we really understand what we should be looking forward to once the restrictions have ended?

I have been assigned, like the other regular guest colum-

nists for The Leaven, four columns for this year’s volume. In reality, I’m actually going to write one complete column in four installments, similar to last year when I reflected upon the need for beauty in the sacred liturgy.

This year, I would like to reflect on our focus at Mass. What do we tend to focus on when we come together for Mass?

What does the church consider our authentic focus to be? And, when there is a difference between the two, how might we learn to bridge the gap?

Let’s start with a simple proposition for this year: That, in reality, there are four principal reasons why we celebrate Mass

— four “ends” to our divine worship.

Whatever other pleasures or benefits we may derive from our liturgical participation, they are subordinate to these four ends: adoration, atonement, thanksgiving and petition.

There were once these same four types of sacrifices offered in the Old Testament.

The sacrifice of Our Lord on the cross — presented to us during the divine liturgy — gathers these four into one, supreme sacrifice offered to God. Is this the reality you and I left behind on March 15 when our churches first closed?

Is this the reality you and I hunger to return to when things go “normal” again?

Keep the Lord with you on your journey through COVID

t is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you.”

— St. John Paul II That quote from St. John Paul II came to mind a couple of weeks ago during Mass on the 15th anniversary of my oldest son Jared’s death.

I couldn’t help but think it is Jesus who we should be seeking, especially during the difficult moments we have encountered these past six months.

Walking across Mundelein campus the night of Jared’s death, looking up to the heavens, I remember just saying to God, “I really don’t understand this; but

DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

RICK CHEEK Rick Cheek is the associate consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

you are God.” I remember thinking of all Job went through, yet still putting his trust in God. There have been many challenges that have tested our faith over the last six

months, especially with the closing of our parishes to get things under control.

Families created amazing prayer spaces and altars and screens to livestream Masses to still get the feel of sitting in the pew. Now as guidelines are being lifted, it’s time to go back . . . and wearing a mask is a small sacrifice to be able to attend

Mass and publicly live our faith.

If there’s one thing that this pandemic has done, it has brought many families closer together. Families have spent more time than ever before at the dinner table getting to know each other. They have spent time going on walks around their neighborhoods and local parks.

This has been new to a lot of us. However, as things gradually start to open back up, this should be a time where we keep doing many of the things we’ve done over the last few months and prioritize our focus on our family.

Under guidance from the archdiocese, the youth office has made adjustments as well, keeping as our

priority assisting young people in their search for Jesus.

We modified camp to fit social distancing guidelines, which was a huge success. Prairie Star Ranch instituted Open Gate Saturdays for families to spend time together in a prayerful space.

Although the Vatican rescheduled WYD in Lisbon, Portugal, for 2022, the youth office is still doing our yearly pilgrimage walk to spiritually prepare.

This year’s pilgrimage is on Oct. 3. We walk from St. Patrick Church, Emerald, to Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg.

We made the difficult decision not to take a delegation to the March for Life in January 2021. But this

opens up the possibility for teens to attend the Rally for Life in Topeka.

Teens Encounter Christ will provide a small group retreat experience for high schoolers in January as well, following social distancing and other safety procedures.

As we navigate life with COVID-19 as part of the equation, we need to keep before us the priority of walking with Jesus, taking opportunities to seek him and developing new habits that keep him at the center of our every day.

One day, we can reflect back on this moment in history and realize it wasn’t so difficult, because we chose to keep God at the center.

16

SCRIPTURE STUDY

OCTOBER 2, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG

Want a peek at the kingdom’s guest list?

By Catherine Upchurch Special to The Leaven

J

esus is known for using stories to teach his closest followers and the crowds who gather along the way.

These stories of seeds and crops, banquets and simple meals, beggars and travelers, and blindness and deafness are familiar from a lifetime of hearing them in our Sunday and weekday liturgies. They pour over us and have the potential to shape our perceptions just by the sheer power of repetition.

But perhaps the stories Jesus shared have become too familiar to us.

Familiarity might numb us to their power.

If we allow ourselves to these EMBRACING THE hear now recurring stories with “fresh ears,” we OF might find that many of them are shocking, and intentionally so. Unearthing the meaning of the “kingdom of God” requires open ears and hearts, and a willingness to allow the sacred stories of Jesus to surprise and transform us.

Luke 14 begins by telling us that Jesus was being carefully observed while dining at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. Jesus took the opportunity to heal a man, creating a teachable moment for his fellow diners and those observing.

In the kingdom they were all familiar with, first-century Judaism, such activity on the Sabbath was unlawful, but clamoring for places of honor at a Sabbath feast was typical. And so, Jesus tells a story, which leads to a second story. Both explore a dimension of the kingdom of God. The first story is about how to attain status. At a typical banquet, guests may desire seats of honor, but Jesus says that the lowest places are where honor is found: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (v. 11).

Further, he says that the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind are the best guests for a host to invite.

Social barriers are simply demolished in the etiquette of the kingdom of God. To reinforce this new reality, the second story tells of a man who planned a feast and invited all the “acceptable” cast of characters. When time came for the banquet, all those invited offered excuses — attending to business, examining new cattle,

KINGDOM GOD

settling in to a new marriage.

The absence of important guests at the man’s table would have been a social embarrassment, but he turned the situation on its head and had his servants round up the very groups who were considered the most unacceptable: the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. His servants were to beat the bushes and bring in any who would come. This was to be a feast that redefined who is “in” and who is “out.”

Jesus himself was known for his associations with outcasts: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30) Tax collectors in his day worked for the Roman occupying force and not only did the work of the enemy, but were known to overcharge and skim the profits for themselves.

The irony is that he also ate with Pharisees whose self-righteous behavior was sinful in ways they did not yet recognize. His meals in homes and on hillsides provide a glimpse of the guest list when the kingdom will be celebrated in its fullness at the end of time.

The fact that Jesus ate with sinners tells us that he fed them, he sat with them, he heard their stories and he invited them to listen to his. Meals are inherently social, and sitting together at a table invites us to make eye contact and to speak together.

Our challenge is to prayerfully imagine who Jesus would be welcoming to the table today, who we might find scandalous but Jesus welcomes, who we might avoid but Jesus would seek out, and how we would feed those who accept our invitation on that growing guest list.

Catherine Upchurch is the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and contributes to several biblical publications. She writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Jesus often used stories to get his point across. He also associated with all kinds of people — from Pharisees who engaged in self-righteous behavior to tax collectors who were considered sinners.

Humility “The one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Humility reminds us we belong to God. Humility is not passive; it actively seeks the good of all. Humility is not self-deprecating; it requires us to know our capabilities and gifts and put them at the disposal of God’s purposes.

Questions for reflection or discussion: 1. When has a very familiar Gospel story taken on a deeper meaning for you? What caused that to happen? (Further study? A life situation that connected you to the story? Prayerful reflection?)

2. Much of our lives we deal with notions of who is “in” and who is “out,” who is acceptable and who is not. How do the priorities of Jesus challenge your own perceptions of belonging?

3. The first banquet story in Luke 14:7-14 talks about the value of humility in the kingdom of God. How do you balance the call to know and use your God-given gifts with being humble enough to be of service to others?

4. The second banquet story in Luke 14:15-24 invites readers to become familiar with being uncomfortable if it will open the way for others to experience God’s graciousness. How might you become more welcoming of people who are unlike you?