10-05-12 Vol. 34 No. 9

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 9 | october 5, 2012

“I deeply resent being forced on the front lines of this phony war. The fact that these attacks on religious freedom have been launched in the name of women’s equality is absurd.”

Jennie Punswick is a a teaching consultant and a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park

Leaven file photo

Thousands gathered at the state Capitol this summer to protest an attack by the Obama administration on religious freedom triggered by the Catholic Church’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act, which has mandated contraception coverage.

Activist helps Catholic women speak for themselves n Catholics no longer content to be ‘shouted down’ or ignored

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It was insulting, it was infuriating, and — for Helen Alvare — it was the last straw.

What irked Alvare was the idea, promoted by the Obama administration and its

allies, that opposition to the Affordable Care Act contraception and abortifacient mandate constituted a “war on women.”

And “you-know-who” was behind this dastardly war: the Catholic Church. “[Those comments] were made in the context of religious institutions objecting to the [Department of] Health and Human Services contraception mandate,” said Alvare, a Catholic and associate law professor at George Mason University, near Washington, D.C. “And everyone knows that the institutions

making the most robust critique of the mandate were Catholic institutions,” Alvare continued.

“So, the claim regarding the ‘war on women’ being made is that the Catholic religion is in a war against women.”

Alvare, who used to work in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-life Activities, had long heard this kind of twisted rhetoric from pro-abortion advocates.

But this time was different. This rhetoric was

3 Must see

Check out Michael Podrebarac’s “Mysteries of Faith” online at: www.theleaven.com.

special delivery

Church of the Nativity donates altar furniture to destroyed Joplin church.

>> See “catholic” on page 6

5 Blue ribbon special

Aquinas High School is named as one of the prestigious Blue Ribbon Schools.

8 Vatican II remembered The Second Vatican Council opened with the hope of rejuvenating the lives of Catholics.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012

second front page 3

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

Life will be victorious

Catholics need to be agents of change within both parties

M

y first visit to Kansas City occurred in early 1972 when I was just beginning my theological studies in the seminary.

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

times, I have declared party affiliation in order to be able I came to participate in to vote in primary elections. an interdenominational For instance, when I lived gathering of seminarians for many years in the city of that was part of a larger conSt. Louis, not to vote in the ference sponsored by Clergy Democratic primary was to Against the War. be disenfranchised, because I became aware of this usually there were no viable meeting through my particRepublican candidates in ipation in the New Demothe general election. cratic Coalition. The New One of the features that Democratic Coalition was a makes our American form group of activists that were of a democratically elected attempting to bring about representative government “progressive” reform within unique is the Demoour so-called cratic Party.

‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ two party At the Archbishop Joseph F. Nausystem. Of Kansas City mann’s radio program on course, we conference, KEXS 1090 AM airs at 10 a.m. are not limI shook on Sunday and is repeated at ited to two hands with 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 parties. Yet, Sen. George p.m. on Thursday. throughout McGovern, most of our who adhistory two dressed our parties have dominated the gathering. For our younger political process. readers, George McGovern As a consequence of this became the Democratic two-party system, social presidential nominee in changes only become well1972. He endured one of the integrated into society worst defeats in American when both political parties presidential election history, embrace them. For instance, carrying only two states. after the 1960s, both politWhy recount this ancient ical parties opposed racial personal, political history? segregation. The landmark I am not encouraging our civil rights legislation of seminarians to imitate my that era was passed by a example. However, I am coalition that included both grateful that I grew up in a Democrats and Republicans. family where the discussion This is an important of key social issues of the reality. In order to achieve day was a regular part of our lasting social reform today dinner table conversations. I on key moral issues like was encouraged as a young abortion, the definition of person to take seriously my marriage, and the preservacivic responsibilities and to tion of religious liberty, we attempt to apply the princimust work to build a biparples of my Catholic faith to tisan coalition. Just as today, the choices that I made as a it is inconceivable that a voter. racist would receive the As a priest, I have always nomination of either politiconsidered myself politicalcal party, so we must strive ly to be an independent. At

for a similar bipartisan consensus on the sanctity of human life, the definition of marriage, and protection of religious liberty.

This summer’s Democratic National Convention revealed how far we are currently from such a broad, bipartisan consensus. The Democratic platform had initially eliminated the mention of God. When this omission came to light and ignited a political firestorm, God was placed back in the platform by a controversial voice vote on the convention floor. Sadly, a large number of delegates booed the adoption of the amendment.

Unfortunately, the debate over the inclusion of God was reflective of the current administration’s policies aimed at diminishing religious liberty and conscience rights for people of faith.

The fact that the mention of God was a point of controversy for the delegates revealed the strength of a secularist ideology, within party leadership, that wishes to marginalize the role of religion in the public square.

Even more troubling was the further radicalization of the Democratic platform regarding abortion. For decades, the official position of the Democratic Party has been to support legalized abortion in every circumstance. In the past, the platform language, at least, indicated that it was the party’s hope to make abortion “rare.” The word “rare” was eliminated from this year’s platform language regarding abortion.

This year for the first time, the Democratic Party platform supported the redefinition of marriage, corresponding with President Obama’s recent change of position on this issue.

The societal implications of this shift are huge. Our country is already suffering from a general weakening of family life. Confusion about the very nature of marriage

and its impact on the rearing of children is troubling.

Recently, a major study conducted at the University of Texas provides additional evidence of the many emotional and psychological risks to children raised by same-sex couples.

While many “Catholics” (e.g., Vice President Biden, HHS Secretary Sebelius, Rep. Pelosi, and Caroline Kennedy) addressed the Democratic National Convention, all of them dissent from the church’s fundamental moral teachings on the sanctity of life and the definition of marriage.

As Catholics, it is important to remember that our eternal salvation is not to be found in either political party. Both political parties and every candidate are imperfect. Our allegiance to Jesus and his church must supersede loyalties to political parties.

Should Catholics abandon the Democratic Party in light of its positions on the most morally significant public policy issues of our day? I do not believe so. While it is prudent for priests to be political independents, the same is not necessarily true for Catholic laity.

First of all, to achieve lasting social change on key moral issues, we need to build a coalition of bipartisan support. Secondly, the two major political parties determine our choice of candidates. To abandon party affiliations completely means to allow others to limit our political choices.

However, Catholics need to be agents of change within the Democrat and Republican parties. In both parties, Catholics must place their faith first by working within their respective party for change and reform. Our loyalty, as Catholics, must be to moral truth above political affiliation.

calendars archbishop

Naumann

Before: St. Mary’s Church prior to the 2011 tornado. The church, including the cross, was built in 1967.

Oct. 5-6 Jesus Caritas bishops’ prayer group — Wichita

Special delivery

Oct. 6 Sisters, Servants of Mary benefit dinner Oct. 7 Pastoral visit — St. Agnes, Roeland Park Project Andrew — Savior Pastoral Center Oct. 8 Confirmation — St. Joseph, Olpe, and St. Mary, Hartford Oct. 9 Vocation day — Topeka Vespers and dinner with newer priests Oct. 10 Serra priests appreciation luncheon Red Mass — Curé of Ars Oct. 11 Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference call Curia meeting Vitae Foundation fall banquet Oct. 12-13 Conception board meeting Oct. 14 Mass and blessing of renovation — Church of the Nativity, Leawood Project Andrew — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka

n Nativity donates altar furniture to church destroyed by tornado

Oct. 6 Wedding Oct. 11 Teach class at Mundelein Seminary

Church blessing On Oct. 14 at 11 a.m., Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving and bless the renovated Church of the Nativity interior.

By Sheila Myers Special to The Leaven LEAWOOD — Tom Garbach of Church of the Nativity here didn’t complain when Hurricane Isaac dumped nearly three inches of rain on the metro area Aug. 31.

Like everyone, he welcomed the much-needed moisture after one of the hottest and driest summers on record.

But he did laugh at God’s timing. The deluge hit just as Garbach was delivering some altar furniture and supplies donated by Nativity to St. Mary Church in Joplin, Mo. “We got soaked loading and unloading,” said Garbach. “It rained the entire drive down and the entire way back.”

Garbach and his helpers, including Knights of Columbus members from both parishes and volunteers from Catholic Charities of Southeast Missouri, didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits.

It was all for a good cause.

The donated goods went to the same St. Mary destroyed by the EF5 tornado that rolled through Joplin on May 22, 2011.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to bring them some peace,” said Bill Oades, one of the Nativity Knights who helped with the move.

archbishop

keleher

After: An EF5 tornado demolished St. Mary’s Church and School on May 22, 2011. Only the cross survived.

Finding a home Over the summer, Church of the Nativity completed a major renovation of its church interior.

The extensive makeover included refurbished pews, a new tile floor, enhanced lighting and a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Before demolition in June, the presider’s chair, ambo, and other sanctuary furnishings were transferred to the school gym, which served as a temporary church. But they would not be making the move back into the refurbished church — Garbach, Nativity’s director of ministries, had to find a home for them.

“We didn’t want to just discard it,” said Garbach.

An Internet search led Garbach to St.

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

Leaven photo by Sheila Myers

Nativity director of ministries Tom Garbach (left) and Knights of Columbus members load the heavy ambo onto a truck bound for Joplin, Mo. The ambo, along with other altar furniture, was donated to St. Mary Parish in Joplin, which was destroyed in a tornado.

Mary in Joplin. St. Mary pastor Father Justin Monaghan was interested in using the items for St. Mary’s temporary location — a 17,000-square-foot Joplin storefront with enough space for worship, religious education classes and offices until the parish can plan and construct its new campus.

There was one surprising coincidence.

“Turns out, the architect they are using to design their campus is the same one we used for our renovation,” said Garbach.

In fact, in order to get ideas for the new campus, the architecture firm brought a group of St. Mary’s parishioners to Kansas City this past summer, where they stopped in at Nativity to check out the furniture.

Instead of the small group of visitors Garbach and Nativity pastor Father Francis Hund were expecting, a busload of 20 people showed up.

“Father Francis got really excited,” said Garbach. “We started looking around for other things to help them out in their temporary space.”

At the end of the day, Nativity’s do-

nation expanded to include Stations of the Cross, an Easter candle stand, a processional cross, and glass decanters for holy oil, in addition to the ambo and presider’s chair.

“Father Francis was very gracious,” Garbach said. “He said they didn’t even have to come here. He offered to deliver the items to them.”

Scrambling for cover Rain was the least of Garbach’s worries as moving day approached.

He had arranged to borrow a parishioner’s truck but, at the last minute, the truck was no longer available. Garbach scoured the city for something that would work.

“It was the last day of August, the beginning of Labor Day weekend, so getting a truck was challenging,” said Garbach.

He finally found someone with a 20foot truck, but it came on one condition.

“We could have it if we returned it by 9 a.m. the next day,” said Garbach.

Garbach had to move quickly. He

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couldn’t load the furniture until 11 a.m., after the last Mass in the school gym.

Then, he had to drive to Joplin, unload the furniture and return to Kansas City the same day.

But volunteers from both parishes sprang into action — despite the short notice and the rain. About six Nativity Knights of Columbus helped Garbach load the heavy furniture on the truck.

“We were worried about slipping and [about] protecting the furniture,” said Nativity Grand Knight Joe Falco.

Garbach said he could never have pulled it off without everyone’s help.

“We were laughing because it was refreshing to have the rain, but here it’s been dry as a bone and the one day we’re going to be outside moving, it’s raining,” Garbach said.

In Joplin, the moving crew consisted of two Knights from St. Mary three volunteers from Catholic Charities of Southeast Missouri, and an unidentified passerby who saw the moving and offered to help. Their precious cargo delivered, Garbach and his wife headed back to Kansas City and made it back with the truck in time.

The St. Mary’s storefront has now been transformed into a proper place of worship, thanks to the Nativity donation.

“We’re getting close to getting back together as a community,” said Father Monaghan. “The Stations added something special. We have so many things from Nativity, it feels like we have a relationship now.”

St. Mary will use the items until they can complete their new church. Father Monaghan estimated that could take about 18 months.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could use some of those items in our new church?” said Father Monaghan. “If we can’t, we can find someone like us who needs them.”

The quick trip didn’t afford Garbach and his wife an opportunity to visit the site of the former St. Mary Church with the cross that survived the storm.

That’s a trip for another day.

A sunny one.

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year.

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theleaven.com | october 5, 2012

‘Where would we be without everything you do?’ n priests, seminarians appreciation day is a chance to recharge

By Kevin Kelly Catholic Key Associate Editor

L

EAWOOD — You could feel Bob Miller in the room, his brother, attorney Dick Miller, told the crowd.

Looking across the huge parish hall at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood, with every table filled with priests and the people who came to show them how much they are loved, Dick Miller’s thoughts turned to his brother, who died two years ago, and who began the annual golf, card tournament and dinner for priests more than two decades ago.

“How thrilled Bob would be if he were here tonight,” his brother said.

“He is here in spirit.”

But the event, which grew quickly from a party held at Bob and Carol Miller’s house, is all about scores of priests who were able to come, those who were not able to make it, and the young men studying to be priests — and how much they have given to people in both the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“Bob had always seen priests as executing Christ’s Gospel,” Dick Miller told the crowd in impromptu remarks just before they lined up for a Jack Stack barbecue buffet.

“You are reflecting the Gospel through the work you do every day, bringing the sacraments and bringing comfort to people at trying times in their lives,” Dick Miller said.

“Where would we be without everything you do and have done every day for so many years?” he asked.

Matt Miller, Bob and Carol Miller’s son, is now in charge of the annual event, held on the third Monday in September.

It is a chance for priests to get away, to play a round of golf on the pro-level, Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Lionsgate, and to enjoy the after-party at the nearby parish hall, where old acquaintances are never forgot.

It is a party for priests old and young, and even a chance for young priests to recharge their batteries, both physical and spiritual.

Father Scott Kallal, ordained two

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Catholic Key Photo by Kevin Kelly

Archdiocesan seminarians, from left, Nicholas Ashmore, Doug Leikam, Thomas Maddock, Sam Petty and Keith Chadwick visit with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the annual priests appreciation day at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood. years ago and now a priest of the newly instituted Apostles of the Interior Life, said he couldn’t help but feel the love and soak it in.

“You can’t give what you haven’t received,” Father Scott said. “As we get filled up, we are able to give more.”

That is exactly the purpose of the event, and exactly why it takes a growing team of volunteers to make it happen, largely from the six Serra Club chapters on both sides of the state line, as well as Knights of Columbus, and a full year of planning, culminating in a bone-wearying day of celebration.

Matt Miller found the work in pulling the event he inherited interfering with the work of making a living for his own family. But he didn’t even need to ask for help, he said.

“At one of the planning meetings I wasn’t able to get to, Homer [Radford] and Butch [Wagner] looked at each other and said, ‘Matt is pretty busy. We need to step up,’” Matt Miller said.

Wagner and Radford then assembled a team of Serrans to do all the heavy lifting.

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they have done a fantastic job,” Matt Miller said.

It was more than worth it, Wagner said as the last of the guests filed out of the parish hall shortly before 10 p.m., the end of a day that began for him at the crack of dawn.

“I love the people I was working with and I love priests,” Wagner said. “We need to keep supporting them.”

Especially these days, said Tom Bax, another key Serra leader.

“These guys do not have an easy time of it in our society today,” Bax said. “It’s up to us to support them.”

And support them, they do. Part of the planning is raising the money to provide every priest who needs one with top-of-the-line suits, topcoats and rain jackets from Peter’s Clothiers.

Spiro Arvantakis spent the evening carefully measuring all comers for their free suits, and even that brought out a Bob Miller story.

Arvantakis said that Miller also bought his clothes from Peter’s. But hardly a fashion model, Miller would head straight to the clearance rack and buy the cheapest thing he could find,

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Arvantakis said.

When Miller came up with the idea nearly a decade ago to provide priests with suits that they wouldn’t have to spend their own money to buy, Arvantakis naturally thought Miller would be looking for bargains.

“He said, ‘No, I want them to have the best,’” Arvantakis said.

Arvantakis is so hooked on the idea of well-dressed, tailored priests that for the past three years, he has traveled to the Archdiocese of Denver, where Bob Miller’s idea of a priest and seminarian appreciation day has spread.

And Matt Miller noted that he has received calls from Serrans in the Archdiocese of Omaha, hoping to begin the event there.

And it’s an event that the people in the two dioceses who share the KansasMissouri border aren’t about to end.

“Of course not,” Matt Miller said.

“You see so many people having fun, that it’s all worth it.”

Or as Matt’s Uncle Dick told the priests: “On behalf of Bob, I want to thank you very, very much for all you mean to the church.”

local news 5

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

National Blue Ribbon Award enhances 25th-year celebration n Aquinas one of only 50 private high schools to be named a Blue Ribbon school OVERLAND PARK — The St. Thomas Aquinas High School community here was all “atwitter” on Sept. 7 after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced in Washington, D.C., that the school is a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS). By way of Facebook, Twitter and email, news of the award swiftly disseminated to parents, alumni and friends, and students were informed during class over the intercom.

The NBRS program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories based on overall academic excellence. The first category, for which St. Thomas Aquinas is being honored, is “Exemplary High Performing.”

Schools in this category are recognized among their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or national standardized tests.

In fact, St. Thomas Aquinas is just one of 50 private schools in the country to receive the designation, along with 219 public schools from across the country. It is the only Catholic high school in Kansas to receive the Blue Ribbon Award. School president William Ford believes the award reflects a dedication to the school’s Catholic mission coupled with a widespread adherence to high standards.

“The National Blue Ribbon Award is a validation of our quality academic program and the conscious and intentional school-wide effort to ensure that each student at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School has the opportunity to reach their God-given potential and acquire the skills needed for lifelong achievement.

“Most importantly, it is recognition that Catholic education at Saint Thomas Aquinas reinforces a comprehensive way of life that permeates every aspect of our activities and curriculum with a strong focus on educating the whole child.”

“It is especially fitting that this designation comes as we celebrate our 25th year as a premier Catholic high school in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area,” he added. “I am grateful to all the parents over these past 25

PHOTO BY MICHELE GRESS

From left to right, Aquinas students Ryan Pottier, Mary Fortino, Lauren Holley, Tyler Heying, Clare Eagan, Jimmy Clark, Katie Ahern, Wade Parks, Margaret Skorija, John Ekedahl, and Theresa Wynne pose with Father Andrew Strobl, chaplain of Aquinas, in front of the school last year. Aquinas was named as a 2012 Blue Ribbon School.

“

It is especially fitting that this designation comes as we celebrate our 25th year as a premier Catholic high school in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. I am grateful to all the parents over these past 25 years who have entrusted their children to us.”

William Ford, Aquinas president years who have entrusted their children to us.”

Kathy O’Hara, archdiocesan super-

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intendent of schools, said she was very pleased to see one of the archdiocesan high schools receive the National Blue Ribbon Award.

“For Saint Thomas Aquinas High School to be recognized,” she said, “speaks to the excellence that is at the heart of our mission in Catholic schools.”

“In order to help our students come to personally know and love Jesus, we must make sure that they develop well their God-given talents of mind, body, and spirit,” O’Hara continued. “The Blue Ribbon Award is one sign that the faculty and staff at Saint Thomas Aquinas do just that. Congratulations, Saints!”

Saints math teachers Craig Moss and Brian Schenck helped coordinate the Blue Ribbon application process.

“Saint Thomas Aquinas begins to evaluate the knowledge and readiness of the state curriculum very early in the freshman year,” explained Schenck.

“We use a standardized test to get baseline information about our students.”

The information gleaned from that

test is then put to work on behalf of the students.

“We have established the ELO (Extended Learning Opportunity),” said Schenck, “to help students who test behind where they should be in terms of knowledge of the state curriculum.

We feel this early intervention helps keep our students focused and it also allows us to establish an important test environment.”

Moss said the award is the “result of a community that is striving for excellence in everything it does. We have a very fine, caring faculty that has high expectations of everyone, whether they are the highest performing student, the lowest performing, or somewhere in between. Those high expectations lead to the development of very capable students with strong Catholic values.”

Since 1988, St. Thomas Aquinas High School has graduated 5,889 young men and women and has a current enrollment of 937 students. Ford has served as president of the high school for 15 of its 25 years.

6 local news

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012

local news 7

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

Women invited to Day of Boundless Joy

obituary

Catholic women given platform through website >> Continued from page 1 embraced by a branch of the U.S. government.

“For the administration, for our government, to make the claim that religion is an enemy of women — of Catholic women in particular — is a new step,” said Alvare. “It’s a frightening step, in my view, in a country founded on religious freedom.”

Alvare was also annoyed when the administration implied that it spoke for women — even Catholic women. The director of the White House Domestic Policy Council said that 98 percent of Catholic women have used contraception. It didn’t sound credible to Alvare.

Alvare was right. A 2012 study by Mary R. Hasson and Michele M. Hill, of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, found the 98 percent figure to be wrong — for a variety of reasons.

“A high number [of Catholic women] aren’t in full agreement with the church’s teaching on contraception,” she said. “But to go from there all the way to the notion of government forcing religious institutions to subsidize this is popular with Catholic women is very much mistaken.”

A voice of her own Alvare was fed up with the administration’s attack on religious liberty and its claim that it was speaking for women.

It certainly wasn’t speaking for her, and Alvare suspected that many Catholic women (and perhaps non-Catholic women as well) felt the same way.

Alvare joined forces with Kim Daniels, also a Catholic and a Washington, D.C.-area attorney, to found their own movement — Women Speak For Themselves.

As part of this movement, Alvare and Daniels established a website: womenspeakforthemselves.com.

They coauthored a book, that is sold via the website, called “Breaking Through: Catholic Women Speak For Themselves.”

The website also has an online petition and open letter to President Obama, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and members of Congress.

In part, the open letter reads: “Those currently invoking ‘women’s health’ in an attempt to shout down anyone who disagrees with forcing religious institutions or individuals to violate deeply held beliefs are more than a little mistaken, and more than a little dishonest. . . . No one speaks for all women on these issues. Those who purport to do so are simply attempting to deflect attention from the serious religious liberty issues currently at stake.”

CNS photo/Bob Roller

Former employee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities Helen Alvare said that the idea, promoted by the administration and its allies, that opposition to the Affordable Care Act contraception and abortifacient mandate constitutes a “war on women” is insulting.

So far, almost 35,000 women have signed the petition. Their related Facebook page is getting 150,000 visits a week.

One of those who signed is Sarah Swafford, director of special projects for Catholic identity at Benedictine College in Atchison.

“When the media says that 95 percent of Catholic women use contraception, apparently they didn’t call me,” said Swafford, “nor the other 50-plus women in my Atchison Bible study group — not to mention the countless college-aged women I’ve encountered at Benedictine College and around the country.”

“I know where [these women] stand on this issue,” she continued.

“And I’ve seen their outcry on my Facebook news feed and Twitter. I was proud to sign the petition and join the movement ” Another archdiocesan Catholic who signed the online petition is Jennie Punswick, a teaching consultant and a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park.

“I’m so very appreciative — as a woman, and a wife, and a mother — of the fantastic leadership the bishops have given us on the [HHS contraception mandate] issue,” she said.

“I’m appreciative of the leadership of the priests from the pulpit,” she continued. “But what was missing was the authentic voice of Catholic women in this discussion. I think that oftentimes [Catholic] women don’t have the same platform to discuss these issues.”

Religious freedom is really what is at stake, she said. And she finds the idea that the church is waging a “war on women” to be deeply insulting.

Kernel of truth The oral tradition is alive and well at my house. It’s not a family occasion without the telling of a “mean mom” story to all and sundry. Like the time I so unreasonably insisted that the kids find new homes for the puppies of the accidentally pregnant German shepherd.

To this day, the kids bemoan the re-homing of the little whoppers, especially the beloved — and aptly-named — Chunkers.

The Jesus stories that wound up in the Gospels were

“I deeply resent being forced on the front lines of this phony war,” she said. “The fact that theses attacks on religious freedom have been launched in the name of women’s equality is absurd.”

Many Catholic women are not well-informed about the church’s teaching and the harmful side effects contraception can have on women’s health, she said. They also don’t know the harmful effects contraception has on marriages, families and society. If they knew, said Punswick, they’d appreciate the church’s teaching.

To Punswick, the HHS contraception and abortifacient mandate doesn’t offer freedom, but coercion.

“I think it has some very scary implications,” she said. “I think the mandate is about limiting religious freedom for people of all faiths, not just Catholics, and it has some terrifying consequences.”

Where we go from here Women have been sold a lie, said Alvare.

The lie is that women’s freedom equals sexual freedom, unencumbered by a commitment to a man or a relationship with a baby, she said.

Another lie follows the first — namely, that the key to women’s freedom is cheap contraception and easily accessible abortion — for when the contraception fails, of course.

“I am not content in the end to win legally only exemptions for religious institutions, to be free of government mandates of this kind,” said Alvare. “It leaves the taste in people’s mouths that the government is promoting freedom, but allows the church to practice discrimination.”

Alvare wants more. She wants to facilitate a cultural change that will help women discover the truth, to know they are not alone, and to be empowered by that knowledge.

And although the challenge is great, Alvare sees progress. Here and there across the country, women are engaging in many kinds of activities to make their voices heard.

“I correspond with 100 women a week,” said Alvare. “We send out information about what’s happening in the law and what needs to be done locally, material for writing letters to the editor, fact sheets, and points to make with friends and neighbors.”

On the Facebook page, she posts materials they might need — information, articles, and photos of rallies.

“Never underestimate the power of women having the knowledge that other women are doing the same thing,” said Alvare.

passed on in a similar fashion — by word of mouth.

Remember that even Mark’s Gospel, the first to be written down, is believed to have been written at least 30 years after Christ’s death.

Why write it down then? Simple. Those who had known Jesus were dying off. The author of Mark’s Gospel was a follower of Peter, and heard him share the same stories over and over. But the traditional date for Peter’s death is 64 AD. The Gospel of Mark was probably written in response to the perceived need for a permanent record of the life of Jesus according to Peter.

Sister Mary Erwin Baker, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Mary Erwin Baker, 77, died Sept. 24 at the motherhouse here. She faithfully served the people of God as a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 59 years.

Marlene Anne Baker was born on Feb. 17, 1935, in Leavenworth, one of four children of Erwin and Marcella (Biehler) Baker.

She graduated from Sacred Heart Grade School, attended Saint Mary Academy until it closed, graduated from ImmaculaSister Mary Erwin ta High School Baker, SCL in 1952 in Leavenworth, and attended Saint Mary College (now the University of Saint Mary) during the 1952 fall semester.

Marlene Anne entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Feb. 11, 1953, and, as Sister Mary Erwin, made her profession of vows on Feb. 22, 1955.

She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, and her M.A.T. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. From 1955-1962, she taught in elementary schools in Missouri and Kansas.

Sister Mary Erwin taught high school math for eight years at Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Mo., and Annunciation High School in Denver.

In 1972, Sister Mary Erwin went to the University of Saint Mary to teach mathematics, math education, and computer science courses. She introduced the first PCs at Saint Mary. After 28 years at the college, and with numerous grants for teaching excellence to her credit, she retired in 2000 due to health reasons.

In 2002, Sister Mary Erwin had written that “while I was completing my degree through summer courses, I was privileged to be the typist for Sister Mary Paul Fitzgerald. By her example, she showed me how to accept illness and death.”

An educator to the end, in 2007 Sister Mary Erwin spoke about ataxia, the disease that had attacked her, and palliative care in one of the nursing classes at USM. One of the students wrote: “The biggest thing I appreciated about Sister [Mary Erwin] was her tenacity towards her disease and her willingness to look it in the eye and not let it get her down. She was very inspiring in how she set everything in place . . . and was not bitter or full of self-pity.”

The Mary Erwin Baker Award for Caring Behaviors was inaugurated in 2008 by the USM nursing department students and faculty.

If you followed last week’s instructions, it’s time to test your evangelist skills. Compare your version of last Sunday’s Gospel to the actual passages, Mk 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48. How did you do?

If you’re like me, not so hot. Fortunately, the author of Mark was both the product of an oral culture, and Peter’s right-hand man. With the Holy Spirit’s help, he left the infant church a spare, muscular account that serves as the basis for much of what we know today about Jesus, the Christ.

— A.M.

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

Father Gary Pennings, center, vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, blesses the new Midland Heart and Vascular, a physician practice of Providence Medical Center and Saint John Hospital. The facility is housed in the Providence Saint John Rock Creek Medical Plaza, located at 712 1st Terr., Suite 202, in Lansing. More than 50 participants toured the facility, met cardiologists and staff and learned about cardiac rehab services at the open house.

Pilgrims visit hometown of Father Kapaun PILSEN — More than 30 pilgrims journeyed to St. John Nepomucene Church here, the home church and hometown of Father Emil Kapaun, on Sept. 15. Father Kapaun was a U.S. Army chaplain who died in the Korean War. The trip was sponsored by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Father Kapaun’s cause for sainthood is in the final stages of the process for designation as “blessed.”

The members of the Father Kapaun Guild gave the pilgrims a guided tour of the church, the Korean War memorial dedicated to Father Kapaun, and the museum. The museum had many items that Father Kapaun had used over the years, including his vestments and other articles from his Army trunk.

To learn more about Father Kapaun, visit the website at: www.frkapaun.org.

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — What is the Day of Boundless Joy all about? It’s about women making connections with other women, organizers say.

The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. This is the second year it is being presented by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.

The Day of Boundless joy is “a time for Catholic women to connect the everyday beauty of love, laughter and life with the deep tradition of our Catholic faith,” said Susan Draftz, ACCW president.

“My favorite part is just meeting other women,” said Draftz, “just getting the chance to meet with other women all over the archdiocese and sharing our common struggles and ways to overcome them.”

There will be four presentations at the event.

Dr. Mellisa Colburn will speak about her journey from a regular medical practice to opening Mary’s Choices, a Topeka clinic dedicated to serving women who face unplanned pregnancies.

Patti Lewis will share the story of Alexandra’s House, a ministry to families who are expecting babies with lethal or sublethal anomalies.

MaryAnn Gardner will discuss the

Schedule 8:30 a.m. Hospitality 9 a.m. Welcome by Vicki Broxterman 9:15 a.m. Presentation by Dr. Mellisa Colburn 10:15 a.m. Presentation by Patti Lewis 11 a.m. Mass 11:45 a.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m. Presentation by Susan Draftz 1 p.m. MaryAnn Gardner 2:15 p.m. Tom and April Hoopes 3 p.m. Closing prayer and dismissal

pain of having adult children abandon the Catholic faith, and what parents can do about it.

Tom and April Hoopes will present on their commitment to “family first,” their experience as parents of nine children, and how to make an “inspiring” home.

The cost to attend is $45. To register, go to the website at: www.eventbrite. com. At the place marked with a magnifying glass symbol, type “Day of Boundless Joy” and click on the light green “Search” button to the far right.

When the list of events appears, click on the blue-lettered “Day of Boundless Joy — Joy is a Welcome Home.”

If you have questions or are unable to access the website, call Draftz at (913) 674-6172.

like a strong driving wind

Pope John XXIII launched the Second Vatican Council 50 years ago with the hope for a new Pentecost

T

Story by Joe Bollig

he biggest headline in the Jan. 30, 1959, issue of the Eastern Kansas Register was a yawner: “Catholic College Day Slated Feb. 1 Throughout Province.”

Below it was a story with a medium-sized, more interesting headline: “Sputnik Expected to

Locate Heaven.”

A casual reader might have missed the one-column story tucked into the far upper-left corner.

But this was the real news — a bombshell, if one thought about it: “Purpose to Advance Unity of Christendom: Ecumenical Council Called.”

There, in the third paragraph of a story about the closing ceremony for a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Jan. 25, Pope John XXIII called for an ecumenical council.

To say that he caught the church by surprise is an understatement.

Cardinal Angelo Roncalli was almost 77 years old when he became pope. That’s why some cardinals voted for him.

There had been some uncertainty among the cardinals about the direction the church should take after Pope Pius XII, so they elected an elderly pope who, they figured, would serve a few years until they got things sorted out, said Msgr. Michael Mullen, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan. In their calculations, however, the cardinals neglected to factor in the Holy Spirit.

“We must not forget the Holy Spirit was who was really guiding the church,” said Msgr. Mullen.

The unexpected council Ecumenical councils do not occur with great frequency. In fact, up un-

til Pope John XXIII’s announcement, there had only been 20 such councils in the 2,000-year history of the church.

The Second Vatican Council (also known as Vatican II) was preceded by the First Vatican Council, which was suspended in 1870 because the Kingdom of Italy invaded Rome and conquered the Papal States.

Before that First Vatican Council, the most recent council was the Council of Trent, held from 1545 to 1563. This was the council that dealt with the Protestant Reformation.

And to many in the church in 1958, there seemed to be no need for a council.

“When Pope Pius XII died in 1958, to the outside observer looking into the Roman Catholic Church, it looked like we were in really great shape,” said Sister Maureen Sullivan, OP, an assistant professor of theology at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N. H. “We had more nuns and priests than we could have possibly needed at the time,” said Sister Maureen. “Catholic schools had waiting lists. We looked like the perfect society.”

But there was a dark side to the church, she said. The church at that time had a suspicious view of the world. This attitude came out of a re-

action to the devastating effects of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

“As each succeeding period of history came . . . the Catholic response frequently was, rather than engage in the challenge we would condemn the challenge, and then retreat,” said Sister Maureen, “and do our theology apart from the real world. It was doing theology in a vacuum quite frequently, doing it in isolation — what we call an ‘ivory tower’ approach.”

Deep in the church, however, there were rumblings of forces calling for a different approach. During the 19th century there were tremendous advances in biblical scholarship, and the rise of a school of theologians called “modernists.”

“Basically, what [the modernists] were saying to the church at large was, ‘If you want to leave a mark on the world, you have to engage in conversation with that world,’” said Sister Maureen, who has written “The Road to Vatican II: Key Changes in Theology,” and “101 Questions and Answers on Vatican II.” Some of the theologians who did pioneering work before the council included Father Karl Rahner, SJ; Father John Courtney Murray, SJ; Cardinal Yves Congar, Father Henri de Lubac, SJ; and Father Joseph Ratzinger — who we know today as Pope Benedict XVI. Although he is rarely credited with it, in many ways Pope Pius XII set the stage for Pope John XXIII to take make his dramatic initiative, said Msgr. Mullen, a seminarian when Pope Pius XII died.

Pope Pius XII was a skillful theologian who had led the church through a traumatic period. The Nazis plunged Europe into the devastating World War II, and half of Europe had been taken over by communist dictatorships.

“World War II brought in an era of secularization and, in some cases, nihilism,” said Msgr. Mullen. “The Cold War [between communists and non-communists] was a reality.”

Pope Pius XII promoted liturgical reform in his encyclical “Mediator Dei,” and biblical scholarship in his en-

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano

Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 11, 1962. The council’s four sessions and its 16 landmark documents modernized the liturgy, renewed the priesthood and religious life, enhanced the role of lay Catholics, opened dialogue with other churches and non-Christians, and identified the church as the “people of God” attuned to the problems and hopes of the world. cyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu,” said Msgr. Mullen. The pope also approved limited use of vernacular languages, rather than Latin, in monasteries and

some mission countries.

Why did Pope John XXIII call a council? There was nothing in his background that would suggest that he

take such a bold step.

He came from a large, poor family that was also very devout.

It was clear that John XXIII, from his childhood, was quite spiritual and authentically humble. Personally, he was an optimistic person and had a positive view of humanity. He did not have the reputation of being a rebel — or someone who rocked the institutional boat.

As a churchman, he had a broader experience of the world outside of the church than many other cardinals, thanks to his experiences as a Vatican diplomat to the non-Catholic countries of Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. Thus, he had the opportunity to dialogue and find common ground with people who did not share his beliefs.

Pope John XXIII called the council because he wanted a new Pentecost in the church, said Sister Maureen.

“This is what Pope John XXIII wanted — another rejuvenating moment in the lives of Catholics,” said Sister Maureen.

The pope wanted to reignite the faith in the hearts of believers, reform the institutions and life of the church, promote Christian unity, and engage non-Christians in new ways.

His watchword was “aggiornamento,” which in Italian means to “renew, bring up to date, and to revise.”

Some, like Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani, said that Pope John XXIII had been thinking of a council since the moment he was elected pope. Others said he was present when the idea of a council had been bandied about among other clerics.

As for himself, Pope John XXIII related a story to some pilgrims on May 8, 1962. Soon after he was elected pope,

he conversed with a cardinal about the troubles of the world and the challenges facing the church.

“My interlocutor [Secretary of State Cardinal Domenico Tardini] listened with reverence and attention,” said the pope. “Suddenly, my soul was illuminated by a great idea which came precisely at that moment and which I welcomed with ineffable confidence in the divine Teacher. And there sprang to my lips a word that was solemn and committing. My voice uttered it for the first time: ‘A council!’”

Acceptance and resistance The cardinals at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls didn’t stand on their chairs and cheer when Pope John XXIII announced the council on Jan. 25, 1959.

“It was stunned, shocked silence,” said Sister Maureen. “They could not believe that he was calling a council, because in the minds of many there was nothing wrong with the church.”

“The previous 20 ecumenical councils the church had in its history had all been called to address some doctrinal crisis, a heresy,” she said. “There was nothing like that. They could not comprehend what he could possibly have on his mind to call this council.”

There was real fear by some in response to the call for a council. Some felt Pope John XXIII was stirring a pot that didn’t need stirring. Many in the pope’s inner circle tried to dissuade him. Some even tried to sabotage the council.

The archbishop of Milan — Cardinal Giovanni Montini (the future Pope Paul VI) — received a letter from a

CNS photo

In this panoramic view, bishops of the world line the nave of St. Peter’s Basilica during the opening session of the Second Vatican Council Oct. 11, 1962. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the council, one of the monumental events in modern religious history.

friend within the Roman Curia (or church’s central administrative offices) during the two years of preparation between the announcement and opening of the council. In his letter, the cardinal’s friend said that after their initial fright, the “old buzzards” of the Curia who were against the council had regrouped and were “tightening around the dear head of John XXIII.” But Pope John XXIII was an optimist. He was optimistic about humanity — and he was optimistic about the church. This was reflected in the headline of an article published in the Oct. 19, 1962, issue of the Eastern Kansas Register (predecessor of The Leaven): “Stop Sighing for Old Days, Pope Tells Gloom Prophets.”

“In the present order of things,” the article quotes the pope, “Divine Providence is leading us to a new order of human relations which, by men’s own efforts and even beyond their very expectations, are directed toward fulfillment of God’s superior and inscrutable designs. And everything, even human differences, leads to the greater good of the church.”

Cardinal Congar spoke for many when he said that the council could be a catastrophe — but if it was the work of the Holy Spirit, it would be magnificent.

Second Vatican Council Timeline

Pope John XXIII died on June 3, 1963, and the council was continued by Pope Paul VI, who was elected June 21, 1963.

s

The Second Vatican Council opened on Oct. 11, 1962, and closed on Dec. 8, 1965.

s

Pope John XXIII announced his intention to hold an ecumenical council on Jan. 25, 1959.

s

Pope John XXIII was elected pope on Oct. 28, 1958.

s

s

Pope Pius XII died on Oct. 9, 1958.

What is an ecumenical council?

An ecumenical council is when the entire church, as represented by the bishops of the world, gathers to discuss and resolve matters of church doctrine and practice.

10 local news Nadyne and Roger Jackson, members of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 6. The couple was married at Holy Family Church in Kansas City, Kan., on Oct. 6, 1962.

Their daughters and their spouses are: Susan and Chris Heinz, Frisco, Texas; Teresa and Jeff Harris, Vancouver, British Columbia; Mary and Steve Schneck, Overland Park; and Jane and Chris Barreca, Overland Park.

They also have 15 grandchildren. The couple celebrated with family over the summer.

Donald and Edith (Adamson) Ernzen, members of St. Joseph of the Valley Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 8. The couple was married Oct. 8, 1947, at St. Joseph of the Valley Church. Their children and their spouses are: Marcia and Mike Robinson; Mark and Peggy Ernzen; Bart and Karen Ernzen; Rick and Gwen Ernzen;, Leigh Ann and Kenny Moore; Matt and Debbie Ernzen; and Paula and James Murphy.

They also have 21 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012 Antoinette (Ceselski) and James Bishop, members of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan., will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren on Oct. 6. The couple was married on Oct. 6, 1962, at St. Joseph Church in Kansas City, Kan. Their children are: Diane Backhaus and Lesley Johnson. They also have seven grandchildren.

Dolores (Stein) and Donald Hrenchir, members of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mayetta, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 18. The couple was married on Oct. 18, 1952, at Assumption Parish in Topeka. They will celebrate with a family gathering on Oct. 20 with all their children and grandchildren. Their children and their spouses are: Donald Hrenchir Jr., Auburn; Edward and Hilda Hrenchir, Hoyt; Philip and Donna Hrenchir, Johannesburg, South Africa; Cynthia and Raymond Beall, Baldwin City; Barbara and Edward Kotlinski, Erie, Colo.; and Paul and Kristin Hrenchir, Longmont, Colo. They also have 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mary Kay and Jim Allen, members of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 6 with Mass and dinner for family and friends.

The couple was married at Visitation Church in Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 6, 1962. Their children and their spouses are: Michael and Stacey Allen, Olathe; Karen and Kevin Gleason, Shawnee; and Kim and Chris Ellis, Shawnee.

They also have seven grandchildren. A family trip is planned for December.

Lenexa girl is now a model for others >> Continued from page 16

A Mass marking the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha will be celebrated on Oct. 21 at Our Lady of Snows Shrine in Mayetta.

Mass will mark Kateri Tekakwitha’s canonization

Anniversary policy

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

mayetta — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate a Mass marking the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha on Oct. 21 at Our Lady of Snows Shrine, Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation here, located at 5971 166th Rd. Blessed Kateri will be the first Native American canonized saint.

Traditional drumming will start at 2:30 p.m., followed by Mass and dinner. The Potawatomi Reservation is located near Mayetta off Highway 75 (turn west onto 158 Road and follow the signs).

For more information, call (785) 842-2401.

Include the following Information: • The couple’s names • their parish • the date they were married • church and city where they were married • what they are doing to celebrate • date of the celebration • names of children (if desired) • number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@theleaven. com.

LOCAL NEWS 11

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

The Anglican Patrimony and the New Evangelization Anglican Use Society Annual Conference November 8 – 10, 2012 St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church 5814 Euclid Ave., Kansas City, Missouri To Register Visit: http://anglicanuseconference.com/reg2012.htm Solemn Evensong with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Thursday, November 8, 6:30 p.m. St. Therese Little Flower Church Solemn High Mass according to the Anglican Use of the Roman Rite Friday, November 9, 5:00 p.m. St. Therese Little Flower Church Celebrant: His Excellency Bishop Robert W. Finn - Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Homilist: Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson – Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter Hosted by the Anglican Use Community at St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church Sunday Mass according to the Anglican Use of the Roman Rite Every Sunday at 11:15 a.m.

Dr. Bruce Prince-Joseph: Music Director Rev. Fr. Ernest P. Davis, Pastoral Administrator 816-444-5406

Wayside Waifs.

“I get to buy the ingredients and take [the cupcakes] out of the oven,” Susan said.

“And Dad (David) washes the dishes,” added Annie.

Annie decorates her cakes with skills she mastered in a class at a Michaels arts and crafts store.

With the addition of her cupcakes, Annie led the fundraising in 2011, which earned her the grand marshal title again for 2012.

Community effort Between August and September this year, Annie organized three cupcake stands: two with 150 cupcakes and one with 350 — all featuring 14 flavors.

Every year, she has roughly doubled her donations from the previous year, and this time she raised about $3,000 for Wayside Waifs.

People give generously, and someone who didn’t make it to the stands dropped $20 off at her door.

Friend and fellow Holy Trinity seventh-grader Allison Coens has been working the stands with her from the beginning, and many of Annie’s other friends help as well.

Her soccer coach encouraged her to sell cupcakes after a practice, and her sixth-grade teacher Mary Stofferahn let her take orders last year so her class

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Annie Toussaint walked with her dog, Maya, as grand marshal of this year’s Strutt With Your Mutt fundraiser for Wayside Waifs. The Toussaint family adopted Maya through Wayside Waifs. could help.

Service is ingrained in the students at Holy Trinity, Susan believes, adding that Catholic education goes far beyond “book learning.”

“It is about becoming a whole person and really walking in Christ’s footsteps and putting others first,” she said.

In a world where the negative so often makes the news, Susan finds inspiration in the unconditional love her daughter pours into her efforts.

“She sees us being charitable, so she

is, too,” said Susan. “But we learn from her.”

Harding sees the donations making a difference for thousands of animals and has been struck many times by Annie’s initiative and character.

And the icing on the cake for Annie?

Seeing someone even younger follow in her footsteps.

“A little girl came up to me and said she did a birthday party for Wayside Waifs after hearing about my story,” Annie said.

Scout earns rank of Eagle TOPEKA — Zachariah Hulsing, 15, a member of Boy Scout Troop 30 and Mother Teresa Parish here, earned the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor on June 3 at the church.

For his Eagle project, Hulsing designed and built a special table with a Zachariah Hulsing removable easel to display small books for preschool children at the Easter Seals Capper Foundation’s Kidlink Childcare and Preschool Program.

Along with this, he also built a book return and collected 300 new and gently used books for its library.

Curé hosts fun run LEAWOOD — The third annual Curé of Ars 5K and One Mile Fun Run will be held on Nov. 3.

New this year: Awards will be given for best team theme, largest family/group, and best spirit, in addition to the timed awards for the top runners.

Register online at: www.cure ofars5k.com.

12 classifieds Employment Front desk receptionist/secretary - Associated Audiologists is looking to hire a front desk receptionist/ secretary at the Leavenworth clinic. Excellent communication and patient care skills a must, previous medical/insurance experience a plus. Full time, M-F, with benefits. Leave a message with the following: name, phone number, and why you are qualified and interested. Call (913) 553-5638.

Youth minister – Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lenexa, a vibrant parish of 2500+ families, is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic youth minister to lead our senior OR junior high youth ministry. You will be joining a committed team of two youth ministers and over 30 core volunteers. Given the type of work we do, you will design and lead small/large weekly gatherings; train and motivate diverse volunteer teams; coordinate retreats, events and trips; develop relationships with students and work somewhat eclectic hours. We pay competitively, we’re good to work with, and we have a bunch of fun with all we do. If creative ideas are common, you have a passion for Christ and his church, you’re willing to be a part of a parish ministry team, and have a love for the hearts of teenagers, this might be the right fit. The college degree and theological credentials are a BIG bonus. Email letter/resume/references to: kwalters@ htslenexa.org or mail to: Kris Walters, 9150 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Business manager – Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., is looking for a business manager.

Business or accounting degree preferred. Accounting and QuickBooks experience necessary. Pay commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits. Send resume to Father Michael Hermes at: frhermes@ward high.org.

Operations coordinator, event planning - Event production and marketing communications company seeks an operations coordinator to assist on many different programs, working with both account management and sales teams. Must have excellent communication skills, strong computer skills and being social media savvy is a plus. Should be a multitasker as the responsibilities include proposal support, vendor research, travel coordination, administrative tasks, event planning assistance, program website development (with training) and customer service support. Pay: $15/hour; 30-plus hours per week. Please send resume and three references to: solutions@thewellingtongroup.com.

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

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

Teacher wanted - Prince of Peace Early Education Center, Olathe, is seeking an afternoon teacher to work with 2-and-half year olds. Experience preferred.

Hours are 2:30 to 6 p.m., M-F. Contact Amanda Khemraj at (913) 829-2728.

Now hiring - Part-time childcare teachers. St. Joseph Early Education Center. (913) 248-4589.

Services 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. bankruptcylawinkansascity.com.

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

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

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 Rodman Lawn Care - Mowing, leaf removal, mulch and more. Call John Rodman, member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, at (913) 548-3002 or send an email to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com.

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012 Fire and water damage restoration - Water-damaged sheetrock removed and replaced, painting, tile, mold treatment, and lead safe certified textured ceilings repaired; insurance claims welcome; fully insured. Serving Kansas City for 22 years. Call Jerry at (913) 631-5241.

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizing handyman. For a free consultation, call today (913)271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the website at: www.koatindustries.com.

Housecleaning - I love what I do and you can love it, too! 20-plus years experience. Excellent references.

Southern JoCo area. Call (913) 548-8702.

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

Lawn mowing Free estimates; references Insured, licensed and bonded Local parishioner Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 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: mikehammermoving@aol.com.

REPAIR your LAWN from a hard summer.

Get ready for Fall with Aeration or Verticutting and Over Seeding.

Now offering Irrigation Install and Maintenance.

Call John @ 913-825-4353 or visit www.foleyslawncare.com St. Joseph Parishioner Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time.

References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

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

MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient.

To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services (913) 627-9222 Housecleaning - Prairie Village area. Reasonable rates. References available. Call (913) 677-7042.

Home Improvement Affordable cabinetry - 20 years experience creating quality woodworking, design, and detail for all your custom cabinetry and furniture needs. Competitive rates; references available. Serving the KC Metro area. Call Dennis at (913) 850-3956. Visit the website at: www.dennisbilt.com.

Brick mason - Installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, and concrete. 17 years of residential and commercial experience. Small and large jobs accepted. Free quotes in the KC metro area.

Call Jim or John at (913) 485-4307.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean!

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

Sprinkler System Fall Special!!

Aftin Lawn and Landscape, Olathe 25% down. Rest over 12 months!!

Free Estimates/Insured/Refs Local Parishioners (913) 620-6063 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.

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, garage, attic, shop — any room organized! Items taken to donation sites, trash is bagged, and areas are clean and neat when job is complete. To view before-and-after pictures, visit the website at: www.swalms.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and tile work - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 206-4524.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

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

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

For sale - Two cemetery plots. Oaklawn Cemetery. In Resurrection South, spaces 3 and 4 in lot 34. $2400 for the pair. Call (913) 609-2777.

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

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

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

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com.

Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Caregiving CNA – Would you like to keep your senior loved one in the comfort of their own home? Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Compassionate, nurturing, attentive home health care professional provides quality service and personal assistance or over 20 years. Available anytime. Live-in optional. Non-smoker. Excellent references and reasonable rates. Call Rosalyn at (816) 830-7455.

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

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

Retired nurse - With 20-plus years of caregiving experience is seeking to care for an individual and their home on a full-time basis. Will consider live-in. Will also consider day work. I will provide caregiving, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, errands, etc. My goal is to keep your loved one in their home. Reasonable rates (will negotiate salary) and excellent references. Willing to relocate. Call (913) 579-5276.

Real estate Investors - Why play the stock market? Become a passive real estate investor. If you want to discuss the possibility of investing in real estate that produces positive income with a seasoned investor, call (913) 980-3559.

Lake of the Ozarks - Roach, Mo. - Little Niangua 94’ lake front, dock, level lot, 3 BR, 2 BA, partial bsmt., private well, private septic, carport. For sale by owner, $249,000. 1886 Big Island Dr. Call (913) 432-1309 or (913) 226-8416.

for sale For sale - One lot in the Charity Garden section of Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. Includes vault with opening/closing. Best offer. Call (913) 327-1316.

For sale - Two adjacent burial plots at Resurrection Cemetery, in Ascension Garden $3600 includes transfer fee. Call (660) 888-3977.

For sale - Wedding decorations with silk flowers.

Four-and-a-half-foot topiaries, tall vases, tall artificial plants, large urns. Discounted prices. For appointment, please call Martha at (913) 642-3326.

for rent Furnished apartment for rent - Furnished apartment near I-35 and Shawnee Mission Parkway. Will negotiate price. Call (913) 579-5276.

For rent - 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee. Near Nieman and Johnson Dr. $520/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. Nonsmokers only. For a virtual tour, visit the website at: www. shawnee-rentals.com. Call (913) 649-7596.

For rent - Kansas City, Kan., 4212 Victory Dr., 2 BR, full basement, garage. Nonsmoking. No pets. $625/ month. Call (913) 334-0124.

child care Child Care – Holy Trinity mom has opening for 15-month-old or older, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call Tracie at (913) 909-7927.

vacation Mountain cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $75/night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www.tillmancabin.com.

Branson condo nightly rental - 2 king BRs, 2 BA; sleeps 6. Sunporch overlooks public golf course.

Walk-in level (no steps), flat screen TVs, and fully equipped kitchen. Near the Hwy. 76 strip. No smoking; no pets. Members of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park. Call (913) 851-8886.

wanted to buy Antiques wanted I buy old pocket & wrist watches; sets of silverware; souvenir spoons; advertising signs; coins; and Native American turquoise jewelry, arrowheads & rugs. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

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 *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Old Jayhawk statues - Collector seeking old University of Kansas Jayhawk statues. Iron and ceramic. Call Bud at (785) 344-1178.

calendar 13

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

October

ior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan.

St. Theresa Parish, Perry, will host a fall bazaar on Oct. 7. A turkey and ham dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Meals are $8 for adults; $4 for children. Carryout dinners are available.

There will be games and activities.

The retreat, “Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton: Writing Yourself into the Book of Life,” will be offered from 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 to noon on Oct. 14

by Sisters Sheila Carroll and Gabrielle Kocour at the Sophia Center, 751 S. Eighth St., Atchison. The fee is $180. For information or to register, visit the website at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html, or call (913) 360-6151.

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St. Francis Xavier Church, 3rd and James, Mayetta, will hold a parish bazaar on Oct. 7. A roast pork and turkey dinner will be served from 3 - 6 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children. There will be activities and games from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

High school-age men interested in learning more about the priesthood are invited to pray and have dinner with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and other priests as part of Project Andrew. Choose one of two opportunities, from 4-7 p.m., on either Oct. 7 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan., or Oct. 14 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 3601 S.W. 17th, Topeka. Project Andrew is free and low stress. Register online at: kckvocations.com or vocation@archkck.org.

There will be a fall festival on Oct. 7 at St. Joseph School, 307 Iowa St., Olpe. The dinner and games will be from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Raffle tickets may be purchased from any student, at the Chicken House in Olpe, or on the day of the festival. Dinner tickets cost $8 for adults; $3 for children age 10 and younger. Carryout meals are available. Dinner tickets may be purchased at the door.

There will be an Oktoberfest from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Divine Mercy Parish center, 122 W. Warren St., Gardner.

There will be an auction and games. Dinner tickets are: $8 for adults and teens; $4 for children ages four to 12; and free for ages 3 and younger.

Holy Family Parish, Summerfield, will host a fall bazaar on Oct. 7. A turkey dinner will be served from 4:30 - 8 p.m. The cost is $9 for adults; $4 for children age 11 and younger.

St. Boniface Parish, Scipio, will host a fall bazaar on Oct. 7. A roast beef dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 5 -10; and free for children age 4 and younger.

Carryout dinners are $10.

St. Bede Parish, Kelly, will host a soup supper and auction on Oct. 7. The dinner will be from 4-7 p.m., and the auction at 8 p.m. Cost of the dinner is a freewill donation.

10

The Serra Clubs of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will host a priests appreciation lunch at noon on Oct. 10 at Sav-

12

There will be a classic rock dance party with the band “Riptide” from 7 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Adults only; age 21 and older. The admittance is $5. For information or group reservations, contact Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173, or Gary Van DeBerghe at (913) 226-4407.

Our Lady of Fatima rosary rallies will be held on Oct. 13, the 95th anniversary of the last public apparition. To locate a rally, call (866) 542-6012, or Topeka coordinators Father Tom Hesse at (785) 887-6276 or Francis Slobodnick at (785) 357-4391.

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St. Aloysius Parish, 615 Wyandotte St., Meriden, will host a 5K Run and Fun Walk on Oct. 13. Registration will be at 7 a.m. at Jefferson West Middle School. The run begins at 8 a.m., and the fun walk at 8:15 a.m. A dodge ball tournament follows at 9:30 a.m. For information, call the parish office at (785) 484-3312.

The Junior League of Wyandotte & Johnson Counties will present the American Girl Fashion Show at 3 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 13, and at 1 and 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, at the Polsky Theater at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park. Funds raised go to Catholic Charities’ emergency assistance centers.

Tickets are $35. To purchase tickets go to the website at: www.jlwjc.org, or call (913) 469-4445.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will sponsor training for new respite care volunteers from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 at St. Joseph Health Education Center, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. To register or for information, call Pat Scheibel at (913) 897-6589.

Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host a turkey dinner and bazaar on Oct. 14.

Dinner will be served from 11 a.m.

– 3 p.m. Carryouts will be available until 3:30 p.m. The cost is: $9 for adults; $5 for children ages 3-12; and free for children ages 2 and younger.

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Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 22705 Metcalf, Bucyrus-Wea, will host a pro-life forum for students from 6 - 8 p.m. on Oct.

14 at the parish center. Parents are encouraged to attend. For information, contact the archdiocesan pro-life office at: pro life@archkck.org, or call (913) 647-0350.

There will be a pancake luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 14 at St. Mary Parish, 446 Hwy. 137, Purcell. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

The Sacred Heart/St. Casimir Fall Fest will be from noon - 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the parish hall, 719 Pennsylvania Ave., Leavenworth. A turkey and ham dinner will be served.

The Franciscan Servants of the Holy Family and the Serra Club of Johnson County will sponsor a Franciscan prayer walk from 3 - 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Black Hoof Park at Lake Lenexa, 9053 Monticello Rd., Lenexa. To participate (and to check for weather), call (785) 218-2894. To register, go to the “events” tab at: www.kcfrancis cans.org.

meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be the main celebrant at a Mass marking the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha on Oct. 21 at Our Lady of Snows Shrine, on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation, 5971 166 Rd., Mayetta. Traditional drumming will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by Mass and a dinner. For information, call (785) 842-2401. Near Mayetta, turn off Highway 75 onto 158 Road going west and follow the signs.

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Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 22705 Metcalf, Bucyrus-Wea, will host a bazaar and chicken dinner from noon - 4 p.m. on Oct. 21. The cost is: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 - 12; and free for children age 2 and younger.

Mary Health of the Sick Guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will hold its meeting following the 9 a.m. Mass on Oct. 14.

The Mass and meeting will be at the convent, 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Anyone interested in joining the guild may attend.

The Serra KCK Club will have its monthly noon luncheon on Oct. 24 at the Reardon Civic Center, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan. The speaker will be the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas vocation director Father Mitchel Zimmerman.

St. Aloysius Parish, 615 Wyandotte St., Meriden, will host a turkey and ham dinner and bazaar on Oct. 14. Dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children age 4 and younger. Carryout meals are available. For information, call the parish office at (785) 484-3312.

Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, and Protestant churches in Shawnee and Lenexa will host an ecumenical concert, “Better Together,” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Holy Trinity Parish, 92nd and Pflumm Rd., Lenexa.

There is no admission, but concertgoers are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to benefit Johnson County Human Services.

The retreat, “Dorothy Day: Woman of the Gospel,” will be conducted from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Oct. 18 by Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, at the Sophia Center, 751 S. Eighth St., Atchison. The fee is $50. For information or to register, go to the website at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html, or call (913) 360-6151.

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The Beginning Experience is a weekend for widowed, separated and divorced persons who are suffering the loss of a relationship. The next weekend is Oct. 19-21 at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information, go to the website at: www.beginningexperience. org or send an email to: BEWeekendKC@ hotmail.com. In Kansas City, call John at (913) 219-3465; in Topeka, call Michelle at (785) 478-3481; or in Lawrence, call Jerry at (785) 843-2079.

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Christ’s Peace House of Prayer at Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Oct. 20. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon

20

24

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Single, Catholic women, college-aged and older are invited to attend “Exploring God’s Will,” an opportunity to discern a call to religious life, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Oct. 27. It will be conducted by the Franciscan Servants of the Holy Family in Shawnee. There will be information and discussion about discerning God’s will, the Franciscan Servants’ ministry to families, communal prayer and quiet time.

For information, contact Sister Doris Engeman at (785) 218-2894 or send her an email at: srdoris@kcfranciscans.org.

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Holy Angels Parish will host a bazaar and dinner from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 at St. Rose School, 520 E. Fourth St., Garnett.

Tickets are: $8 for adults; $5 for children age 10 and younger; and $9 for carryouts.

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Calendar submissions

• Email submissions to: calendar@theleaven.com • Mail to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: calendar

“We are proud to be a locally owned family funeral home serving our community.”

Entertainment DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function. Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2. Call (913) 548-6765 or visit the website at: www. djirishman.com.

Caregiver wanted Caregiver wanted - Live-in female caregiver for elderly woman in western KCK with early-stage dementia. Need references; will do a background check.

Serious inquiries only please. Call (913) 645-6998 or (913) 209-9704.

vendors wanted Vendors wanted - Church of the Ascension is looking for fabulous vendors for our 9th annual Ascension Marketplace! This year’s event will be Nov. 16 and 17.

Application forms and additional information can be found on our website at: www.kcascension.org, under the Events tab. Call Francie Kwapiszeski at (913) 681-3348 or email her at: francie@kcascension.org.

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

Funeral home • crematory • Memorial chapels 10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66203 Telephone 913-631-5566 Fax 913-631-2236 Gregg Amos

www.amosfamily.com

14 commentary

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012

mark my words Scripture Readings Twenty-seventh week of ordinary time Oct. 7 Twenty-seventh SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Gn 2: 18-24 Ps 128: 1-6 Heb 2: 9-11 Mk 10: 2-16 Oct. 8 Monday Gal 1: 6-12 Ps 111: 1-2, 7-10 Lk 10: 25-37 Oct. 9 Denis, bishop, and companions, martyrs; John Leonardi, priest Gal 1: 13-24 Ps 139: 1-3, 13-15 Lk 10: 38-42 Oct. 10 Wednesday Gal 2: 1-2, 7-14 Ps 117: 1-2 Lk 11: 1-4 Oct. 11 Thursday Gal 3: 1-5 (Ps) Lk 1: 69-75 Lk 11: 5-13 Oct. 12 Friday Gal 3: 7-14 Ps 111: 1-6 Lk 11: 15-26 Oct. 13 Saturday Gal 3: 22-29 Ps 105: 2-7 Lk 11: 27-28

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commentary 15

october 5, 2012 | theleaven.com

ordained to serve

This pontiff was hardly stiff

ee everything; overlook a great deal; improve a little.”

Way back on July 7, 1989, I borrowed those words from Pope John XXIII in the very first editorial I wrote for The Leaven. I used them again on July 6, 1990, after surviving my first year as editor.

Those words have been a philosophy that has guided my life — as a person, a pastor and an editor. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for John XXIII. He was the first pope that I really remember when growing up.

He didn’t appear to put on airs, but always kept before him his “peasant” roots. He was the fourth of 13 children of a sharecropper, born in the tiny town of Sotto il Monte in northern Italy.

Pope John XXIII was like a grandpa, especially if your grandpa happened to be George Burns! Apparently, one of the many endearing qualities of this pope was his marvelous sense of humor. In his book “Between Heaven and Mirth,” Father Jim Martin describes John

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

XXIII as his “avatar for holy humor.” He writes: “Who couldn’t love a man who was so comfortable with himself that he made jokes about his height (which was short), his ears (which were big), and his weight (which was considerable).”

Don’t think the guy was funny? Here are a couple of stories that Father Jim includes in his book: • Shortly after his election, John was walking in the streets of Rome when a woman passed him and said to her friend, “My God, he’s so fat!” Overhearing her remark, the pope turned around and replied, “Madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave is not exactly a beauty con-

test.”

• At one point in his papacy, John XXIII was giving a formal talk when the microphone went out. After it was fixed, he said, “Don’t worry about not hearing what I was saying. You didn’t miss anything. I didn’t say anything interesting anyway.”

Father Jim summarizes this remarkable pope with these words: “His humor seemed to flow naturally from his joy. His joy made him comfortable enough to laugh at himself and poke fun at his office and invited others into his humorous outlook on the world. And that joy made him comfortable with the absurdities of the world. For this openness, generosity, warmth and humor, ‘Good Pope John’ was loved by many.”

You’ll be hearing a lot about Pope John XXIII in the next year. Of course, he was not only a man of joy and humor, but also a man of wisdom, hope, renewal and vision. As you know, Pope Benedict XVI has declared a Year of Faith from Oct. 11 until Nov. 24, 2013, partly in honor of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the great Second Vatican Council, convened by John.

Our present pope has suggested that Catholics reopen the documents of Vatican II, study them and reflect again on their lessons. To that end, in this and upcoming issues, we’re having a number of archdiocesan priests who “had feet in both worlds” (the pre- and postconciliar times) speak about their impressions and help readers better understand four major constitutions of the council.

Please don’t feel that you’ll need an advanced degree to understand these documents or their meaning. Our featured priests will break things down in an inviting and understandable language.

For now, though, let me close with one last John XXIII story: Someone once asked him about the Italian custom of closing offices in the afternoon. “Your Holiness, we understand that the Vatican is closed in the afternoon, and people don’t work then.”

“Ah, no!” said John. “The offices are closed in the afternoon. People don’t work in the morning!”

OK, how can you not love this guy?

In the beginning

‘Adam’s rib’ story emphasizes unity of marriage

M

arried persons will sometimes refer to their spouses as their better half.

This way of speaking reflects the deep sense of unity that they feel in their marriage. It also provides a good commentary on the portion of the second creation account, which we hear as Sunday’s first reading — Gn 2:18-24.

That account envisions a kind of surgical operation, in which God removes the rib from the first man, in order to fashion from it the first woman.

This physical connection between the two sexes points to the union of marriage.

The reading explains it thus: “That is why a man leaves his

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”

Interestingly enough, the ancient Greeks told a legend that also sought to account for the differences between the two sexes, as well as their mutual attraction.

Plato includes that legend in his dialogue, “The Symposium.” According to it, Zeus had originally created the first human beings as androg-

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC

ynous, with both male and female joined together, after the fashion of a conjoined twin. These first human beings possessed amazing powers and used them to band together to lead a revolt against the gods.

In response, Zeus splits the human beings into two.

The new human beings ended up with reduced powers and also felt a strong attraction for each other: “After the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half, came together, and throwing their arms around each other, entwined in mutual embraces, longing to grow into one, they were on the point of dying from hunger and self-neglect, because they did not like to do anything apart.”

While both the Greek legend and the creation account in Genesis share some

Call me crazy, but I wear flip-flops year-round.

Lest you get the wrong idea, I’m not talking about those backless, open-air, foam rubber, toe-torturing sandal thingies.

No, I’m referring to regular athletic shoes that I insist on wearing long past their “expiration date.” They are flip-flops in the original meaning of the word: “the sound of repeated flapping.”

That flapping comes because the soles have begun to separate from the rest of the shoe. It’s not that I can’t afford a new pair; I just hate to throw things out until I get every ounce of use

in common, they part ways on an important point. The Greek legend explains the division of the two sexes as a way to weaken the human race.

In contrast, the story in Genesis explains the creation of the female as a means to provide help and companionship to the male, who will presumably reciprocate.

The difference in the two stories reflects an important difference in perspective.

The Greek legend views the divine as hostile to humanity.

On the other hand, the story in Genesis sees God as wanting to provide help to the newly created human race.

Man and woman will find that help, at least in part, in each other, especially through the institution of marriage, in a lasting and loving union that only death can end.

from them. That’s not only silly, but also dangerous, as it ups my “tripping quotient” significantly.

Happily, Nike has come up with the “Reuse-A-Shoe” program.

You can drop off used sneakers at most Nike stores, where they will be given new life as surfacing for playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, or running tracks.

For a location near you, visit the website at: www.nikereuseashoe.com.

Your donation may make you a “shoe-in” for heavenly rewards.

— M.G.

T

Deacons represent clerical service in a special way

he permanent diaconate is still a relatively new phenomenon here in northeast Kansas.

We currently have 23 deacons serving the archdiocese. Most of them were ordained just last year, while the others have moved here from other dioceses.

One particularly visible aspect of the deacon’s ministry is his service during the celebration of Mass. He is the minister standing next to the priest wearing the vestment known as a “dalmatic.”

If we observe the dea-

Leon Suprenant Leon Suprenant is the pastoral associate for administration in the office of the permanent diaconate. He also blogs at: www.archkck.org/blog. con closely, we notice that some of his tasks, such as proclaiming the Gospel and giving the homily, are roles that we’re used to having the priest do. Other tasks, such as announcing the general intercessions and distributing Communion, are roles that we’ve grown accus-

tomed to having the laity fill.

Therefore, since the priest and the faithful seem to have it all covered, it’s fair to ask, “Do we really need deacons?”

The answer appears to be “yes and no.” Since every bishop and priest is also a deacon, and a bishop or priest is necessary for the celebration of Mass, then, yes, we must have a deacon at every Mass. But do we really need this seemingly “extra” person, this “permanent deacon”? We might be tempted to answer “no.”

But let’s look a little deeper. All deacons are called to be reflections of Christ the servant (in Greek, “diakonos”), who came “not to be served but to serve and

to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). In the liturgy of the Last Supper, Christ the deacon washes the disciples’ feet (Jn 13:1-20), giving us a vivid example of humility and Christian service.

While all Christians are called to such service, some men are specially ordained for service as deacons, a service that flows from and leads back to the liturgy.

Sure, this is part of the ministry of bishops and priests as well. In fact, underneath their outer vestments, bishops, on occasion wear the dalmatic of the deacon. One of the most ancient and beloved titles of the pope, dating back to St. Gregory the Great, is “Ser-

vant of the Servants of God.” An analogy may be drawn to reception of Communion under both species.

When we receive only the host, which is the more common practice, we have fully received Christ. Yet, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “the sign of communion is more complete” when we receive both the host and the precious blood of Christ (No. 1390).

Similarly, the service dimension of holy orders is more completely represented on the altar when it is embodied in the person of the deacon. May his distinctive presence remind all of us that to serve is to reign with Christ.

Word of life

I

n the movie “City Slickers,” Billy Crystal and a couple of his buddies go on a trip herding cattle across the plains of the United States to escape the current depressing reality of their lives and to find deeper meaning.

At one point, the cowboy leading the expedition, played by the late Jack Palance, asks Crystal, “Do you know what the secret

Year of Faith should lead us to ‘just one thing’

matt karr Matt Karr is the lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of adults. of life is?” Crystal responds, “No, what?” At that point, Palance holds up one finger and Crystal asks, “The secret in life is your finger?”

Palance responds, “One thing, just one thing.”

This really hits home for Crystal because his life is consumed by so many things that he feels it is

almost purposeless.

I know for myself and my family, there are so many things to be involved with — from school, to sports, to music, to friends, to events, to family commitments, to church, to committees, to work, to chores, to yard work — that life can seem as if it is spinning out of control.

As Catholics in this cultural context, if we are not intentional about how we live our lives, then it is easy to drift into a full life that ultimately feels like it has no purpose.

Jack Palance was right: Life really is about one thing. The one thing is not an “it,” but a person: Jesus Christ. Jesus is the

“one thing” that provides the calm in the midst of life’s storms; he is the rock on which we can build a successful life; he gives purpose to even the mundane; and he is a sure stronghold against the busyness of the world.

The Year of Faith called for by Pope Benedict is a tremendous opportunity for us as Catholics to take time to ask the Lord to reawaken — or perhaps awaken for the first time — our faith in Jesus Christ as the “one thing” to build our lives on.

It is an opportunity to learn more about Jesus, to grow in our love for him, and to live out that faith in the ordinary and everyday circumstances of our life.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Celebration Mass

The archdiocesan Faith Initiative, “Faith: Love It, Learn It, Live It,” is providing opportunities for all of us to grow in our faith.

The School of Faith will be offering a course on the Catechism of the Catholic Church designed to introduce the teachings of Jesus presented in one book. This class, which would normally cost over $150 per person, is being offered regionally in 20 host locations throughout the archdiocese for only $10 per person.

If you are interested in signing up for the class, you can register online at: www. archkck.org/schooloffaith or, if you prefer, you can contact School of Faith at (913) 310-0014.

Sunday, Oct. 21

2:30 p.m. Drum Music 3 p.m. Mass Presiding celebrant will be Archbishop Naumann Food provided after service Our Lady of the Snows 5971 166th Rd., Mayetta (Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation)

16 local news

theleaven.com | october 5, 2012

Seventh-grader whips up ‘paw-pular’ treats n Cupcake sales raise

funds for animals in need of homes

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

L

ENEXA — Annie Toussaint is really stirring things up.

The 13-year-old seventhgrader at Holy Trinity School in Lenexa has mixed, baked and sold enough lemonade, organic dog treats and decadent cupcakes to donate thousands of dollars to help animals waiting for homes.

Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, Mo., was so impressed with Annie’s fundraising and enthusiasm on its behalf, it has named her grand marshal — twice in the past three years — for its annual Strutt With Your Mutt fundraiser walk and 5K run.

Leading up to this year’s event on Sept. 22, Annie lent her voice for Wayside Waifs on TV, online and in postcards.

This girl, who has her heart set on becoming a veterinarian, has always loved dogs — from family dogs Rexi and Maya, to all the neighborhood pups.

Her family fell in love four years ago with lab-and-husky mix Maya — then just a puppy — at a Wayside Waifs mobile unit and adopted her.

So it wasn’t hard for Annie to pick the organization she wanted to help when planning a huge backyard bash for her 10th birthday.

In the party invitations she sent to about 30 girls, she asked them not to bring her presents — but instead included a wish list for Wayside Waifs.

Annie’s Cookies ’n’ Creme Cupcakes Annie Toussaint has her favorite cupcakes to make — and then her favorites to eat. This recipe is one of the latter, and it’s pretty easy to do.

You can make it even easier by using a box of vanilla cake mix and a can of white frosting and then following the steps with the Oreos. Or, if you feel more ambitious, you can follow this from-scratch recipe from Annie.

Ingredients Cupcakes: ½ cup butter, softened 1 cup shortening 2 cups sugar 1½ teaspoons vanilla 4 large eggs 2¾ cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 24 Oreos

Life-changing moment Annie’s mom, Susan Toussaint, couldn’t believe the gifts that poured in. Some of the girls had trekked door to door, filling to the brim those big yellow trash bags Catholic school students sell. Bags overflowed with pet supplies: towels, leashes, newspapers and stuffed animals.

When the Toussaints delivered the huge load to Wayside Waifs, staffers gave Annie a tour of the no-kill facility. During it, she learned that at the facility, dogs and cats have a safe, happy, clean, bright place to stay until someone adopts them.

And it’s community support that makes the shelter — including an 11,000-square-foot expansion that’s underway — possible.

Annie’s question at the end of the tour caught her mom by surprise.

“What else can I do to help the animals?” then 10-year-old Annie wanted to know.

They pointed her to the volunteer board — and a flier for Strutt With

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Annie Toussaint, a seventh-grader at Holy Trinity School in Lenexa, frosts a batch of chocolate cupcakes. Annie, 13, raised so much money for Wayside Waifs by selling her homemade cupcakes in 2011, she was named grand marshal of the organization’s 2012 Strutt With Your Mutt event Sept. 22.

Your Mutt — and Annie kicked off her fundraising.

“I would have never thought in a million years it would turn into this three years later,” Susan said. “Every year she says, ‘What more can I do?’”

Enterprising mind Annie raised about $700 that first year by selling lemonade and homemade dog treats at stands outside their home.

Impressed with someone so young showing such initiative, Wayside Waifs made her the grand marshal of the 2010 Strutt with Your Mutt event.

After two years of offering lemonade and dog treats at her stands, Annie discovered the Food Network and its hit show “Cupcake Wars,” and whipped up an idea to appeal to the human palate, too.

Home improvement

Refresh your marriage with a first date As the years pile on a marriage, couples tend to take one another for granted.

So why not hit the “refresh” button by time-traveling to a day when impressing and appreciating one another was at the top of your list?

What kind of activities did you enjoy doing together

Her cupcakes were an instant hit.

“It’s her initiative. She organizes it.

She does all the baking. And when people see these cupcakes, they say, ‘No way — those are professionally done!’” said Megan Harding, development associate at Wayside Waifs. “I’m just thoroughly impressed and have been since I met her.”

As Annie’s baking took off, her 14-year-old brother Zack and his friends happily volunteered their services as taste testers after their weekly golf sessions.

“That’s how I decided all my big flavors,” said Annie. (Red velvet has proven a favorite.)

Her family picks up the tab for the ingredients so all the donations benefit

Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter ½ cup heavy whipping cream 1½ teaspoons vanilla 6-8 cups powdered sugar 15 Oreos, crushed (place in Ziploc bag and use rolling pin) 24 mini Oreos Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Line muffin tins with cupcake wrappers, and place an Oreo in the bottom of each wrapper.

To make cupcakes: Beat butter and shortening until creamy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk. Beat at low speed until blended. Increase speed to high and beat for one minute. Fill the liners 2/3 full, and bake in oven for 18-20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.

To make frosting: Beat the butter, cream and vanilla until smooth.

Slowly add the powdered sugar, and beat two minutes on medium. Fold in crushed Oreos.

When cupcakes are cool, frost them. Top with mini Oreos.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

>> See “lenexa” on page 11

when you first started dating?

Did you play miniature golf? Go ice skating? Share a picnic in the park? Cheer at a high-school basketball game? Go to a movie and grab some ice-cream afterwards?

Why not go on one of those first dates again?

Whatever date you choose, make sure to emulate the behavior as well as the activity.

Dress for your “first” date with great care and antici-

pation. Really take notice of your partner and be generous with compliments. Impress your date by being polite — opening doors, saying “thank you.”

Most important, be curious — ask questions and find something new about your partner to fall in love with!

—J.R.E.