10 07 16 Vol. 38 No. 9

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 38, NO. 9 | OCTOBER 7, 2016

Middle school students perform

MUSICAL WORK OF MERCY

By Marc and Julie Anderson Members of St. Benedict School’s middle school choir serenade a gravely ill Mary Van Dyke outside her bedroom window.

A

TCHISON — “Be still my heart,” read Andrea Verbanic’s Facebook page.

And you’ll never guess why.

On Sept. 20, the 17 members of St. Benedict School’s middle school choir, along with its director, walked three blocks to the home of longtime Catholic educator and community member Mary Van Dyke, who is gravely ill.

With sheet music, music stands and a guitar in hand, the group set up outside her bedroom window and proceeded to serenade her.

It was a gesture that touched Van Dyke’s family members, many of whom were gathered in the room, including Van Dyke’s daughter Andrea Verbanic.

It’s what drove Verbanic to write on her Facebook page. And she followed up “Be still my heart” with this: “Students from St. Benedict Catholic School serenaded my mom outside her window as she’s dying from ovarian cancer. Cancer is bad, but people are good!”

CHILD SUPPORT

In Respect Life Month, we look at how to support mothers considering adoption.

Page 5

ANDREA VERBANIC OPENED HER MOTHER’S WINDOW TO THE GROUP [OF ST. BENEDICT GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS] SINGING “COUNT ON ME,”

BY BRUNO MARS, “10,000 REASONS,”

BY MATT REDMAN, AND “MIGHTY TO SAVE” BY BEN FIELDING AND REUBEN MORGAN. Verbanic also posted a short video of the miniconcert. The video and comments were shared more than 100 times within just a few hours.

In fact, school principal Diane Liebsch said her phone lit up within minutes after the students left Van Dyke’s house. Liebsch said she had no idea the gesture would mean so much.

FLAGGED

Out of concern for player safety, some CYO football levels have gone to flag football.

Pages 8-9

The idea came to Liebsch sitting in a meeting one day, in which St. Benedict staff members were discussing what they could do to express their love and support for Van Dyke.

“Mary always said she loves to be at Mass when our kids are singing,” said Liebsch.

She then approached choir diTo see a video of the St. rector Julie UnderBenedict middle School wood with the idea Choir serenading Mary of singing for Van Van Dyke, go to: www.

Dyke during a class theleaven.org period. “ [Julie] has a special gift herself of helping kids see the value of such acts,” said Liebsch. “Kids are so easy to motivate.

They want to be compassionate.”

Liebsch was soon proven right.

“The students seemed superinterested at the prospect of singing for someone at their house,” said >> See “SMALL” on page 5

CARING CUPCAKES

Sweet treats serve as a reminder to Aquinas students that someone cares.

Page 16

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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The martyrs teach us to turn adversity into opportunity

R

ecently, I read the book, “Martyrs — From St. Stephen to John Tung” by Donald Attwater.

Originally published in 1957 by Roman Catholic Books, the publisher explained that part of the author’s motivation for writing this book was his “dissatisfaction at the numerous accounts of martyrs which substituted edifying legends for historical fact; and relied on pious fancy rather than upon painstaking research.” The publisher also remarked that martyrs “are Christian heroes, not because they were immune to fear and frailty, but because they triumphed over them.”

It is inspiring to read about the courage of the martyrs. Most of them prayed for those who persecuted them and were responsible for their imprisonment and execution. In many cases, they attempted to comfort their executioners.

One such example is Blessed Peter Sanz, a Spanish Dominican missionary to China.

The eyewitnesses to his martyrdom said that, after praying for a few moments, Peter Sanz said to his executioner: “I am going to heaven.

I wish you were coming with me.” The man, who would behead him, replied: “I want to go there with all my heart.”

The Christians hired a highway robber known for his daring to gather up the martyr’s blood. This thief for hire took the stone on which Peter Sanz had knelt and placed it in his own home, having etched these words: “This is the stone from which the honorable teacher named Peter

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN went up to Heaven.”

The martyrs frustrated their enemies — not just by refusing to renounce their faith, but by approaching the sufferings and torture inflicted upon them as opportunities to follow Jesus more closely.

Though they were saddened by the separation from their family and friends resulting from their imprisonment, they made this period of confinement and isolation into a time of retreat and intense prayer.

Many of the martyrs saw very little visible fruit to their missionary labors, but they trusted that Our Lord would use their efforts for good.

Father Peter Chanel, the French missionary to the island of Futuna in western Oceania, infuriated the local ruler by counting among his few converts the king’s son. As a result, Father Chanel was brutally murdered. When new missionaries, at the invitation of the inhabitants, arrived more than a year later, they discovered that every member of the island had become a Christian.

The last week of September, I was at Conception Abbey with

the priests of the archdiocese for our annual workshop. Our presenter was Michael Sweeney — not the former Royals baseball star, but a Dominican priest — who is a co-founder of the Siena Institute that is devoted to implementation of the new evangelization.

Father Sweeney hit some of his own home runs by helping us better understand the worldview of our increasingly secularized culture. It was illuminating, while at the same time rather distressing, to recognize how the prevalent false cultural philosophical assumptions that pervade our art, literature, music and movies create tremendous obstacles for young people to understand, much less embrace, an authentic Christian faith.

Father Sweeney’s analysis helped me better understand why the proponents of a godless secularism are so determined to diminish religious freedom as well as conscience protections.

While not suffering religious persecution in the United States for our faith as so many of our fellow Christians are experiencing in other parts of the world, religious belief in general — and the Christian faith in particular — is being more and more marginalized, and in some

cases, openly attacked.

Religious liberty is being redefined as only the freedom to worship in our churches, while public policies and court decisions appear to be aimed at limiting and discouraging the practice of our faith in all the other dimensions of our lives.

The courage of the martyrs, both ancient and modern, can inspire us today in the circumstances of our lives to practice our faith boldly, not yielding to efforts of intimidation to silence Catholics, as well as other Christians, in the public debate over controversial issues.

The martyrs also remind us that we are never without hope.

If we persevere in our faith, we can turn our adversities into opportunities to proclaim the truth of our faith more effectively and more powerfully.

Last month, we celebrated the feast of St. John Chrysotom, who was called the “golden throat” because of the eloquence and efficacy of his preaching. St. John Chrysotom was exiled twice from his diocese of Constantinople, because he had inflamed the anger of the rich and the powerful by his criticism of their neglect of the poor. The following is an excerpt from a homily given by St. John Chrysotom: “The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage, it cannot sink the boat of Jesus. What are we to fear? Death? Life to me means Christ, and death is gain. Exile? The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. The confiscation of our goods?

We brought nothing into

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Oct. 7 Kansas Catholic Conference province meeting

Oct. 12-13 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Communications Committee meeting —Washington, D.C.

Oct. 8 Donnelly College SHINE event

Oct. 14 Conception Seminary board meeting

Oct. 9 Installation of Father Andrew Strobl for the new Johnson County parish — Madison Place Elementary School

Oct. 15 Sisters, Servants of Mary profession of vows

Pastoral visit — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park Project Andrew — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park Oct. 10 Fifth-grade Vocation Day — Christ the King, Topeka

Oct. 16-27 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Oct. 8 Auction — St. James Academy, Lenexa Oct. 9 Federal camp Mass

Santa Marta Members of the Corporation meeting

Scout Mass — St. Ann, Prairie Village

Saint Paul Outreach dinner

Oct. 15 Wedding — St. James Academy

“Trust One Greater” — Benedictine College, Atchison

Oct. 16 Federal camp Mass

Oct. 11 Priests Personnel meeting

Administrative Team meeting

this world, and we will surely take nothing from it. I have only contempt for the world’s threats, I find its blessings laughable. I have no fear of poverty, no desire for wealth. I am not afraid of death nor do I long to live, except for your good. I concentrate therefore on the present situation, and I urge you, my friends, to have confidence.

“Do you not hear the Lord saying: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst? Will he

Oct. 18 Prison talk — Nativity, Leawood Confirmation — Sacred Heart, Tonganoxie

be absent, then, when so many people united in love are gathered together? I have his promise; I am surely not going to rely on my own strength! I have what he has written; that is my staff, my security, my peaceful harbor. Let the world be in upheaval.

I hold to his promise and read his message; that is my protecting wall and garrison. What message? Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!”

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

ABBOT PRIMATE

Conception abbot elected worldwide Benedictine leader

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — For a while, archdiocesan seminarian Cruz Gallegos wondered if he was in trouble.

One day, he got an email out of the blue from Abbot Gregory Polan, head of the Benedictine monastery and teacher at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri.

“When you get an email from the abbot here, that’s a pretty big deal. It’s either for something really good or something really bad, because it never happens,” said Gallegos, who entered Conception Seminary in 2013. “I was almost afraid to open it.”

What did the abbot want?

A haircut.

The monastery and seminary is somewhat “out there” in the country. So it was very convenient for all when Gallegos was allowed to utilize one of his many skills — barbering. Accordingly, he set up a little barbershop in a disused room.

“The abbot had to go overseas for a meeting, and he needed a haircut,” said Gallegos. “I asked, ‘What do you want me to do?’

“You just cut it the way you think it would look best,” said Abbot Gregory.

“He doesn’t have a ton of hair, so it wasn’t the hardest haircut,” said Gallegos.

The abbot talked “like a regular guy,” and they chatted about all sorts of things, including his travel plans, said the seminarian. Gallegos even learned something new about Abbot Gregory.

“He actually doesn’t like traveling,” said Gallegos. “It’s not his favorite thing to do, but it’s part of the job, which is funny, because lately he’s had to travel a lot. He told me his community is where he wanted to be — at home. It was cool to hear that.”

Abbot Gregory is going to have to get used to a lot more traveling, because, on Sept. 10, he was elected abbot primate of the worldwide Benedictine Confederation at Sant’Anselmo Monastery in Rome.

The abbot primate is not the superior general of the

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

“

“THERE’S JUST A GOODNESS ABOUT FATHER ABBOT THAT COMES OUT OF HIS HEART. IT CAN BE SEEN IN HIS EYES AND HEARD IN HIS VOICE. “ Father Jaime Zarse, associate pastor, Christ the King Parish, Topeka

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY CONCEPTION ABBEY

Abbots and priors from Benedictine men’s communities around the world elected U.S. Abbot Gregory Polan of Conception Abbey in Missouri to be abbot primate. The 66-year-old Scripture scholar and translator was elected Sept. 10 in Rome during the Congress of Abbots.

Benedictine order, because monasteries are independent.

Rather, the abbot primate represents the male Benedictine monks at international gatherings, promotes unity in the order and serves as a liaison to the Vatican.

Abbot Gregory has resigned as Conception’s abbot, where he entered in 1970 and served as its leader for 20 years, and will head to Rome.

There, he will become the abbot of Sant’Anselmo and chancellor of the Benedictine’s Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm and its Pontifical Liturgical Institute.

He will, however, remain a

member of the 58-monk Conception Monastery, fulfilling his Benedictine vow of stability to that community.

Naturally, many of the seminarians and priests who were taught by Abbot Gregory are excited by his election as abbot primate.

Justin Hamilton, now at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary, was a student at Conception from 2007 to 2011.

Abbot Gregory’s sense of warmth and concern for the seminarians was very important to him at the start of his seminary studies.

“I had several eye surger-

ies because of a detached retina at the beginning of my time at Conception,” said Hamilton. “Despite the fact that he was incredibly busy with all his responsibilities . . . he’d always stop me and express a very genuine concern about how I was doing.

He has a very hearty, very strong handshake — he’d shake your arm off.”

The abbot, because he had to travel, had recorded his lectures so students could watch them in his absence.

The students called them “Video Divina.”

Father Jaime Zarse, now associate pastor at Christ

Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

the King Parish in Topeka, attended Conception from 2007 to 2010.

“There’s just a goodness about Father Abbot that comes out of his heart,” said Father Zarse. “It can be seen in his eyes and heard in his voice. You’re keenly aware when you’re in his presence that this is a very good man, an honest man, a man of integrity.”

Abbot Gregory is one of the foremost scholars in the world on the Book of Isaiah.

He knows Hebrew and Greek, which is why the U.S. bishops tapped him to help with the latest translation of the psalms.

“Pronunciation with the Scriptures is really important to him, as a scholar,” said Father Zarse. “I remember one time mispronouncing something while I was reading in class, and he stopped very quickly and said, ‘Wait a minute. Go back. You mispronounced it.’ It pained him to hear how badly I butchered it.”

Father Matthew Schiffelbein, now pastor of Christ the King Parish in Topeka, was at Conception from 2003 to 2005. He remembers Abbot Gregory for his humanity, teaching skill and intellectual brilliance.

“He was a very good teacher and very well-organized,” said Father Schiffelbein. “His concern was that students really understood the material.”

Despite the heady material, classes were never boring, because Abbot Gregory was so passionate and excited about the topics, he said.

He also appreciated Abbot Gregory’s humanity.

“He was always interested in what was going on in my life,” said Father Schiffelbein.

“He is a very kind and sincere person. I remember having a sense that when he talked with you, he was really paying attention to you and what was happening in your life. He was genuinely interested.”

But now that Abbot Gregory is famous — or at least internationally important — will he return Father Schiffelbein’s phone calls?

“I believe that he would,” said Father Schiffelbein with a laugh.

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

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OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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OBITUARY

Sister Benedicta Boland, OSB

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

A volunteer at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka works on making a meal for Mary’s Helping Hands, a network of 80 volunteers at the parish who provide one full, hot meal on a particular day to a family who needs “a helping hand.”

HELPING HANDS OF TOPEKA

Ministry provides meals to those needing a pick-me-up

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

T

OPEKA — Sometimes, all you need is a helping hand.

For Bridget Meier, a helping hand is exactly what she needed several months ago when she experienced an unexpected medical issue.

The mother of four young boys and a parishioner at Topeka’s Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Meier had her hands full several months ago when all four boys came down with the flu. After nursing them back to health, Meier herself became ill. Thinking it was the same flu, she brushed it off at first.

Yet, the pain persisted. It eventually became excruciating, resulting in a visit to the emergency room.

Turns out, she had a kidney stone and needed surgery. When she later went home, she was supposed to rest and not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds.

That’s when Meier’s mother made a call to the church, and Mary’s Helping Hands sprang into action.

Officially launched as a parish ministry on Jan. 1, Mary’s Helping Hands is a network of 80 volunteers who provide one full, hot meal on a particular day to a family who needs “a helping hand” for a little while.

At the moment, the ministry serves parishioners who have just experienced the birth or adoption of a new baby, are undergoing chemotherapy or are recovering from surgery.

The idea for the ministry was the brainchild of Linda Glasgow, a past president of the parish’s women’s fellowship, who brought the idea to a meeting. Parishioners Mary Hammerschmidt, Dottie Polter and Elaine Broxterman volunteered to spearhead

“

“YOU DON’T THINK ABOUT ASKING FOR YOURSELF, AND YOU FEEL HESITANT BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO PUT OTHERS OUT.” Bridget Meier the effort.

Their first step was to call other churches, Catholic and non-Catholic, throughout the city to find out if any other church had a similar ministry and could offer tips or advice on how to get one started in their parish.

When they called Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in southwest Topeka, they learned the planned ministry could be simplified by a website already in use there. After reviewing that website, Take Them a Meal, which is used for scheduling and coordination of meals, the organizers knew it was the one for them.

The process itself is simple. If parishioners need meals brought to them, they can call the church office directly or have someone call the church office on their behalf. The request is then forwarded to Hammerschmidt, the ministry’s lead coordinator.

She then calls the family and gathers some basic information to assist the volunteers in providing the meals.

For instance, how many days will the family require meals? Does anyone in the family have special requests or dietary needs? What is the best time of day to deliver a meal?

After gathering the information, Hammerschmidt then inputs the de-

tails into the website. A notice is then sent to the volunteers who sign up on the website for a specific day. Volunteers can also indicate what they plan to bring, although that’s not required.

The only requirement is to bring a full, hot meal.

In order to ensure the meals are provided on schedule, the day before a volunteer’s turn, a reminder is sent from the website to both the volunteer and Hammerschmidt.

“It’s all very, very easy,” said Hammerschmidt.

Mary’s Helping Hands provided Meier and her family with seven meals, one a day for an entire week.

“They were nice, home-cooked meals,” she said, adding there were no duplicates. Her family enjoyed barbecue meatballs; a tater tot casserole; fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and a vegetable; and even a tuna casserole, due to it being a Friday in Lent. Every meal also included a dessert.

“The dessert was my boys’ favorite part,” said Meier with a laugh.

And the meals were a blessing.

“I could focus on resting and healing,” said Meier, instead of preparing a meal and cleaning up afterward. And her husband could focus on the boys.

Plus, there was often enough food for a second meal.

At first, Meier admits to being a bit hesitant to accept the help.

“You don’t think about asking for yourself, and you feel hesitant because you don’t want to put others out,” said Meier. “It’s hard to receive any big, thoughtful gift. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming.”

Yet, being able to call on one’s parish family is important, she said.

“I think taking care of somebody at their most vulnerable and in their time of need is what Jesus wants us to do,” she said.

TCHISON — Sister Benedicta Boland, 91, a Benedictine Sister of Mount St. Scholastica, died Sept. 29 at the monastery here.

Born on a family dairy farm in Port Hudson, Missouri, Sister Benedicta was one of 10 children of John and Cecilia Boland. When she came to Guthrie, Oklahoma, in 1940 to attend the first vows of Sister Cabrini, her sister, the prioress suggested that Benedicta finish high school with the Benedictines in Guthrie. She did, entering the monastery in 1942, several months before graduation. She was soon asked to accompany community prayers on the organ.

She taught in parish and community schools and also served as liturgical minister. After receiving an advanced degree in liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America, she was director of the Tulsa diocesan office of liturgy from 1978-83. As part of Red Plains Monastery in Oklahoma, she served on its monastic council and in its formation and oblate programs.

In 1983, her focus became spiritual direction, retreats and training others in ministry. When the Red Plains Monastery closed in 2010, the Sisters there joined the Benedictines in Atchison. She continued to direct the Retreat in Daily Life program in Atchison for several years. She enjoyed music, reading and working outdoors and continued to contribute to the liturgy and music of the monastery until her death.

The power of the rosary

By Fernando Ugarte Special to The Leaven

I

was in Lima, Peru, with my wife recently, visiting my mother-in-law.

The house sits in a cul-de-sac in a small park. It was almost 4 p.m. when a woman knocked on the door and asked if I wanted to pray the rosary. I was taken by surprise and did not know what to say or do.

I was told that I had to decide soon, since they start at 4 p.m.

I do not pray the rosary often but, since I am Catholic, I said OK and left to join the group. There were several ladies and a gentleman. We sat at a bench in the park and Fernando Ugarte prayed.

The introductions came afterwards. I told them that I was Catholic, but only visiting Lima from Kansas.

They were thrilled and wanted to know details about me.

These women pray the rosary every Friday in all the parks in Lima. They invite whoever is around, particularly unknown persons. If I missed that Friday, I would have had to wait four years for another in that park, since they rotate to every park in a city of millions.

The impact of what they did was not fully realized until I returned home. A miracle occurred. It was not like in the times of Moses with lighting and thunder, but it transformed me and I cannot forget that moment.

The questions is: Can we do the same in our country? Can we do this in New York or Chicago or other cities with numerous parks? Can we touch an unknown person and give them our hearts and time?

Ugarte is a member of St. Gregory Parish in Marysville. October is the month of the rosary.

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Small things have biggest impact >> Continued from page 1 Underwood.

As the group worked to find just the right songs, Liebsch decided not to schedule a formal time with Van Dyke.

Rather, she waited until the choir was ready and called Van Dyke’s daughter minutes before the group set off for the house.

Verbanic opened her mother’s window to the group singing “Count On Me,” by Bruno Mars, “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman, and “Mighty To Save” by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan.

Liebsch said it’s easy to see why the students chose those three songs, based on their lyrics.

For example, “Count On Me” speaks about friendship and contains these lines: If you tossin’ and you’re turnin’ and you just can’t fall asleep I’ll sing a song Beside you And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me Every day I will Remind you.”

The second song, “Mighty To Save,” sung often at school Masses, recalls Christ’s resurrection: “My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave.”

It was the last song though — “10,000 Reasons” — that brought more than a few of those there to tears. Near the end of the song, the lyrics say: “And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Forevermore.”

Amid the tears, however, there were smiles all around — including on the faces of the Van Dyke family, the faculty and parents, and, most of all, the students. “[The students] came to class the next day excited from sharing the news with parents,” said Underwood.

“Many students shared that their parents were happy to hear what we were doing and the excitement just started to build,” she added.

Eighth-grader Annika Schuele confessed to having suffered a few nerves at first, but she was able to accompany the choir on guitar for “Count on Me.” “It was really cool because we were able to make someone happy by singing a song,” said Schuele, adding that it felt good to be able to give back to someone.

Liebsch said she is extremely proud of the students.

“It’s the small things that have the biggest impact,” she said. “One small act ripples out in so many directions.”

The act did, indeed, ripple throughout the school later that day. At the students’ suggestion, the sixth-grade class prayed the rosary together after school for the mother of a classmate just starting chemo treatments.

“Children are naturally compassionate,” said Liebsch. “I’m grateful that we provide avenues for them to show this compassion.”

T

Accompanying expectant mothers considering adoption

wenty-five years ago, I gave birth to a baby boy and . . . lovingly placed him into the waiting arms of his parents. . . . I pray that his life has been full of joy, laughter and abundant love. My thoughts and prayers also turn to my beautiful family and friends that lifted me up then and now. — Maya*

Maya discovered she was pregnant six months into her freshman year of college. When her son was born, she placed him with a very kind adoptive family; she “just knew they were the right choice.” Now, years later, Maya emphasizes the importance of offering ongoing support to expectant mothers considering adoption. Would you know how to do so? Maya makes the following suggestions.

tionally hurtful); be honest about your concern and ask her what she needs. Maya continues to cherish those friendships in which nothing changed because of her pregnancy — from frequent phone calls and movie nights to invitations to watch her team’s volleyball games.

1. Let compassion guide your actions — always.

Consider whether your words and actions consistently convey understanding, compassion and empathy.

Would a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy know she could turn to you? If you are a parent, consistently reinforce to your children that you love them unconditionally and they can come to you with anything.

8. Reach out.

2. Do not pit adoption against abortion.

As Cardinal Seán O’Malley once noted while chair of the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, to a pregnant woman in crisis, adoption is often seen as worse than either raising or aborting an unexpected baby. Placing a child for adoption is “perceived as a kind of double death.

First, the death of self by carrying the baby to term,” and second, “the death of the child through ‘abandonment.’” Be aware that “studies suggest that in pitting adoption against abortion, adoption will be the handsdown loser.” So first, focus on encouraging her that she can carry this baby to term.

3. Reassure her that she can “breathe.”

In an unexpected pregnancy, decisions begin to accumulate quickly, which can be stressful and overwhelming. Reassure her that she doesn’t need to resolve everything right away. She will eventually have to make decisions on parenting or adoption, but for now, she can just breathe. Maya explains this reassurance helped her consider what she wanted for her life, which, in turn, made it possible for her to consider adoption.

4. Love her for herself.

In some of her friendships, Maya remembers, “I ceased to be Maya at that time. I was just ‘that pregnant friend.’” Show your expectant friend or family member you love her for her own sake and affirm that she is not defined by her pregnancy. She is

still herself, and she will continue to be herself after the pregnancy.

5. Affirm that adoption is a loving choice.

As alluded to earlier, adoption is sometimes negatively portrayed or perceived as abandonment; this misperception is reinforced by the phrase, “giving the baby up for adoption” (an expression many don’t know is insensitive). Your friend or family member is likely experiencing a number of conflicting emotions.

Let her know that placing a child for adoption is a loving and generous option that shows her long-term motherly care. In placing, she gives her child the gift of a family, and gives that family the gift a child.

6. Help her see beyond her pregnancy.

A woman who becomes pregnant unexpectedly may feel as though her world is ending. To women with an unplanned pregnancy, Maya says, “This is survivable. Have hope.” Help your pregnant friend set and work toward goals that extend beyond the nine months of her pregnancy. At the same time, be particularly careful not to trivialize her motherhood or the difficulties she may be facing.

7. Be present.

Invite her to spend time with you and don’t be afraid to invite her to join group outings. If you are concerned for her comfort, don’t cease inviting her (which can be uninten-

Maya explains that the mother, as well as her family members, need support; the baby’s grandparents, aunts and uncles are affected, too.

Sometimes people may not know what to say, so they don’t say anything; break the silence. Express your support to the expectant mother as well as to her family. Communicate you are there for them and ask how you can be supportive. They may not have an answer or respond right away, but keep showing you care (unless they ask you to stop). Pray for them, mail a note, send brownies or a gift card to an activity that is not pregnancy-related, or make other creative, thoughtful gestures.

9. Keep reaching out, and encourage her to seek support services, if needed.

Maya also emphasizes the need for continued support of the birth mother and her family after the placement. Some birth parents grieve after the placement. It doesn’t mean the decision was wrong, but simply that the experience was life-changing. These can be very normal emotions. Be aware that this season of transition can be difficult as the mother and her family mourn the baby’s absence and adjust to a new normal. Encourage her to seek “aftercare services” offered by adoption agencies, if needed.

Every situation is different, so the manner of appropriate support will vary, but the need for continuing compassion remains the same. Help them hold onto hope. May we show others God’s tender loving care through faith strengthened by prayer and lived out in love. *Name changed to protect privacy.

Reprinted with permission of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

6

WORKERS thein VINEYARD

TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus

‘Fine’

O

ften we ask our kids, “How was your day?”

“Fine” is usually the deflective response. If we find some other ways to ask that question, it’s surprising how much of a conversation is waiting below the surface.

Try it: · High/Low — What was the worst thing that happened today? What was the best? · Colors — If your day was a color, what would it be?

ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 · Movies — If life was a movie, what movie/character would you be?

— By Ray Martin

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

CHURCH OF THE WEEK

Joanne Acinger-Vancas organizes the list of volunteers for the Sacred Heart Church, Tonganoxie, parish bazaar.

Parishioner keeps going and going and . . .

In the famous parable, some came early and some came late. But the wages for all were everlasting life. Are you toiling in the Lord’s vineyard yet?

Join us here every week to meet one of the folks The Leaven has discovered hard at work building the kingdom — sometimes in the most unusual ways.

St. Michael, Axtell

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Address: 504 6th St. Phone: (785) 736-2220 Pastor: Father Albert Hauser, OSB Mass Times: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10:15 a.m.

ONGANOXIE — Those who know her might call Joanne Ac i n g e r -Va n c a s Sacred Heart’s Energizer Bunny.

“I feel better when I’m doing something or helping people out, whether on an individual basis or for the parish,” said Acinger-Vancas, parishioner at Sacred Heart in Tonganoxie.

For Acinger-Vancas, it’s not an occasional helping out.

She’s a member of the finance council, Altar Society and the parish bazaar planning committee, a eucharistic minister, server and lector.

She also implemented a recycling program at the church and keeps a mega-list of every volunteer at the parish’s bazaar each year.

“I joined the Altar Society right [when I joined Sacred Heart] because I wanted to meet people and become

MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TOUR of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org.

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Immaculata volleyball

Head coach: Shelbie Leintz Record: 16-6 Next game: Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. at Valley Falls High School against Valley Falls and McLouth High School.

ONLINE

• VIDEO REPORT: Learn more about the Immaculata volleyball team with Todd Habiger’s Team of the Week report.

• PHOTOS: Check out Jay Soldner’s photo gallery from the recent varsity matchup of Immaculata vs.

Jackson Heights and Horton High School.

All this and more can be found online at: www.theleaven.org.

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involved,” she said.

“That next year, I was treasurer of the Altar Society, so that started to get the ball rolling,” she continued.

When Acinger-Vancas took early retirement from her job at Sprint, her volunteer efforts really kicked into gear. And she was able to bring with her the accounting and finance skills she gained from her old job.

“Those work skills just carry over,” she said.

They’ve especially helped her maintain the list of volunteers at the parish bazaar, as well as any other extra organizational things she can get her hands on, she said.

Acinger-Vancas said her duties are manageable as she normally spends just a few hours at the parish each week.

Her biggest challenge?

“I say ‘yes’ too often,” she joked. “I have to learn to start saying ‘no’ or postpone some things. But it all works out in the end.”

Acinger-Vancas came to the vineyard pretty early, she said, as she grew up looking toward her parents’, aunts’ and uncles’ example.

“They were always active in their parishes and volunteered in small ways,” she said. “I was always a tag-along because I’m the last of five kids.

“My mom always said, ‘If you help others, you’ll be thankful that you have that opportunity,’ so something like that just carries on from your upbringing.”

Another influence was the nuns who taught her growing up — the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica at Christ the King Church and the Sisters of Charity at Bishop Ward High School, both in Kansas City, Kansas.

“I guess what got me started is when I was in grade school,” she said, “and at the end of the school year — it must have been fourth grade — one of the Sisters asked me to come the next day, even though school was out, and help her scrub desks and get all the pencil marks off.”

“And I really enjoyed it,” she added, “just being with the Sister, talking with her and getting to know her.”

That memory has stayed with Acinger-Vancas all this time, and the feeling she gets when giving back keeps her going.

“I just feel like I’m giving back a tiny fraction of what I was given growing up,” she said.

Story by Moira Cullings Photo by Joe McSorley

Saint Mary celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

EAVENWORTH — The University of Saint Mary here will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Core Ensemble production of “Los Valientes” at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17 in Xavier Theatre on the USM main campus, located at 4100 S. 4th St. This performance is free and open to the public — and sponsored by the Sister Mary Janet McGilley Endowed Chair in Liberal Studies. Seating is on

a first-come, first-served basis.

“Los Valientes” (“The Courageous Ones”) is a chamber music theater production exploring the artistic and political passions of Diego Rivera, the unwavering commitment to human rights of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero and the pursuit of social justice by Mexican American desperado Joaquin Murrieta (“Zorro”). All three characters are played by actor David Perez-Ribada,

with accompanying musicians from the Core Ensemble on cello, piano and percussion.

Chamber music theater is a unique performance format created by the Core Ensemble. It features a marriage of theatrical narrative to chamber music performance. Since 1993, the Core Ensemble has toured nationally to every region of the United States.

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS Shirley (DeGraeve) and Larry Verbon, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 9 with a family dinner.

The couple was married on Oct. 8, 1966, at St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas. Their children are: Amy Duncan and Leigh Ann Oyler. They have 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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Sharon

(Worthington) and Jerry Germonprez, members of Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a luncheon-buffet and reception for family and friends on Oct. 8. The couple renewed their vows at the archdiocesan golden wedding anniversary celebration at Church of the Nativity in Leawood on June 5. The couple was married on Oct. 8, 1966, at Church of the Assumption, Topeka, by Father James J. Moriarty. They have a daughter and one grandson.

Jim and Carol (Kaminski) Yankovich, members of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 29.

The couple was married on Sept.

29, 1956, at St. Joseph Church in Kansas City, Kansas.

Their children are: Jim Yankovich, Cindy Woodley and Lisa Covert. They also have one granddaughter. The couple received a marriage blessing from Msgr. Michael Mullen on Oct. 2. They celebrated with a trip to Estes Park, Colorado, with family in September.

HURTING FROM ABORTION?

Linda (Stallbaumer) and Robert Feldkamp, members of Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 9. The couple was married on Oct. 1, 1966, at St. Patrick Church, Corning. Their children are: Sherri Scott, Lori Cohee, and Terri Godbout. They also have four grandchildren.

Judy and David Derr, members of St. Philip Neri Parish, Osawatomie, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 27 with a family gathering in Minneapolis. The couple was married on Oct. 8, 1966, at St. Ambrose Church, Buffalo, New York. Their children are: Darlene Derr, Rogers, Minnesota; Debbie Derr, San Diego; and David Derr Jr., Overland Park. They also have six grandchildren.

MEMORIAL FOR UNBORN CHILDREN, MARTIN HUDACEK, 2010

FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, NONJUDGMENTAL HELP

www.ProjectRachelKC.com 913.621.2199 or projectrachelkc@archkck.org

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NO TACKLES. NO WORRIES. CYO makes changes for player safety

ootball can be a violent sport. Crushing teams next year. tackles. Violent collisions. They’re all a Piscitello said that there is even a growing interpart of the game. est at the fifth- through eighth-grade levels.

But for many, particularly parents of “Flag football can be a tremendous way to teach young children, that game is of growing the fundamentals of football at a young age,” said concern, especially with new data revealPiscitello. “Perhaps most importantly, the sport proing the long-term impact revides an inexpensive and fun entry into peated concussions can have on the brain. the sport of football. Kids learn a love of Story by Because of those concerns, the Cathothe game in a safe environment that enTODD HABIGER lic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese courages involvement from all players. of Kansas City in Kansas has eliminated Everyone gets to run, pass, catch and Photos by tackle football at the third- and fourthscore in a fast-paced game.” grade levels this year.

Some of that fast-paced action was JAY SOLDNER “The health and safety of our children on display on Sept. 24 at Bishop Miege is a priority, so we have taken proactive High School in Roeland Park as secondsteps to assure that the programs we offer are both graders from Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa and St. high quality and safe for all children,” said Peter PisPatrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, squared off, citello, CYO executive director. followed by a third-grade matchup featuring teams Flag football has now taken the place of tackle from St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park and St. Joseph football and has quickly become very popular. So Parish in Shawnee. popular, in fact, that CYO will expand its flag footWith the sun shining and moderate temperatures, ball program to include kindergarten and first-grade it was a perfect day for football. And no one got hurt.

TEAM TALK

Caden Flores, left, gives teammate Ethan Reyes, right, a pep talk during the game as Jayden Contreras, center, looks on.

READY. SET.

Center Adriano Leon prepares to snap the ball as quarterback Daniel Neenan calls out the cadence while the defense prepares to rush the passer.

TOUCHDOWN

Jayden Contreras points to his mother after scoring. St. Agnes powered their way to team.

FIELD GENERAL

St. Patrick quarterback Dawson Dunn barks out the play call while running back Tommy Roberts and center Brody Kates wait for the snap.

o a 16-0 win over the St. Joseph, Shawnee, CYO

CRAZY LEGS

Holy Trinity's Max Rolf tries to elude Carter O’Connor, center, and Alex Kubicki on his way to positive yardage.

HUSTLE

St. Patrick’s Gavin Toschi goes airborne in an attempt to grab Holy Trinity’s Aidan Ihm’s flag, while teammate Tommy Roberts closes in. Gavin missed the flag, but got a handful of shorts in the process.

STIFF DEFENSE

Holy Trinity’s Jameson Teddy, left, and Clark Kelley, right, converge on St. Patrick running back Carter O’Connor. The Holy Trinity defense was solid that day, holding St. Patrick to one score in a 14-6 victory. The boys wear mouthguards as an additional safety feature.

LET IT FLY

Holy Trinity quarterback Dalton MacCrorie lets the ball fly as a defender bears down on him.

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

10

Seven Catholic institutions divest from fossil fuel companies

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

W A man wades through a flooded street in Ascension Parish, La., Aug. 15. More than six weeks after rain and floods devastated southern Louisiana, the recovery continues. Many families have had to move in with other families, which creates a unique set of stressors.

Storm creates unique set of stressors

By Richard Meek Catholic News Service

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ATON ROUGE, La. (CNS) — Families living with families.

That’s not an uncommon occurrence after a disaster, especially in southeast Louisiana where ties among extended families and even friends are indigenous to the culture. So it’s no surprise that as recent flood waters receded, those families not affected heartily swung open their doors and hearts to displaced family members.

Consequently, a family of four living in a modest home might now be housing eight to 10 people in those same quarters, which suddenly seemed to shrink overnight.

But the generosity of the host families is inherent with potential potholes as the novelty of the first few days settles into the everyday meshing of two family units under a single roof.

“First of all it is important to recognize that [the guest family] is grieving,” said Daryl Ducote, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. “With grief comes depression and anger.

“And so they may not be aware

that some of the feelings being expressed in rubbing elbows with extended family is really a spillover from what is happening internally as they are trying to manage feelings of grief over what they lost,” he told The Catholic Commentator, the diocesan newspaper. “That grief in terms of sadness and anger gets displaced onto the people around them.”

Ducote, who spent many years in private practice as a family therapist, said it is important for the host family to not take personally anything said out of anger and to show patience with their new guests. However, he was quick to point out that the visiting family is not granted a free pass, saying those family members must recognize that some of their actions will be out of place or inappropriate.

The second stressor, Ducote said, is recognizing a family is a system and combining two systems into one is not always an easy transition. He said sensitivity is a necessity and adults must negotiate roles, responsibilities and needs within the two systems.

More than six weeks after southern Louisiana was devastated by heavy rains in mid-August and the catastrophic flooding that resulted, the critical work of rebuilding is ongoing. The storms killed 13 people

and caused at least $8.7 million in damages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that more than 134,000 households have registered for aid and 115,000 housing inspections have been completed.

According to FEMA, finding enough temporary housing for flood victims has been a challenge and hundreds of people have had to remain in their ruined homes.

Ducote advised the families living together to make sure each has their own separate time, including privacy for the adults, and use what he called “heroic patience” among everyone involved because it is a difficult situation. He said feelings are raw and the guest family is riddled with grief, depression and anxiety.

He added that it was important to quickly repair the damage that may arise from hurtful comments or even inappropriate behavior.

“Repair becomes extremely important,” Ducote said.

He recommended that the guest family continue to maintain its faith and spirituality and recognize that God has not abandoned them. He said the family must call upon God both individually and as a family to pray and ask for the strength to deal with the changes and struggles they are having to face.

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ASHINGTON (CNS) — Citing Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’” on humanity’s relationship with the earth and each other, seven Catholic institutions from around the world said they plan to divest from fossil fuel corporations.

Joining the divestment movement were St. Louis-based SSM Health; Jesuit Fathers of Upper Canada; Missionary Society of St. Columban, based in Hong Kong; Presentation Society of Australia and Papua New Guinea; Daughters of Mary Help of Christians [Salesians] in Italy; Diocese of Umuarama, Brazil; and Federation of Christian Organizations for the International Voluntary Service in Italy.

The organizations join a steadily growing movement that is seeing hundreds of groups worldwide divest from companies involved in the extraction of coal, oil and natural gas in recent years and turning to firms developing renewable energy instead.

Up to 97 percent of climate scientists have attributed climate change to human activity, at least in part.

“It’s important because we’re finally, as a Catholic community, starting to connect the dots between ‘Laudato Si’’ and our investment policies,” said Tomas Insua, coordinator of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, which announced the divestment plans Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

“This is the tip of something much bigger,” Insua told Catholic News Service.

The announcement came as the monthlong “Season of Creation” closed.

The period of prayer and reflection began Sept. 1 with the World Day of Prayer for Creation that religious institutions have been observing in recent years. Pope Francis committed the global Catholic community to joining the day of prayer in 2015.

Small and large institutions have joined the divestment campaign. Fossil Free, a project of environmental group 350.org, tracks the divestment movement. It says 595 institutions have withdrawn an estimated $3.4 trillion from fossil fuel stocks. Another 50,000 individuals have divested about $5.2 billion, the website said.

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OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

Piecing thrown-away girls, metal tabs into something beautiful

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe’s large gold metallic purse with wine-colored trim glinted in sharp contrast to her gray blazer and tan sweater.

“I feel like a model,” she said, smiling, as she turned to show off the bag — the handiwork of former child soldiers who had been abducted, raped or tortured by the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda.

Made out of discarded soft-drinkcan pull tops and crocheted colored thread, the bags and similar accessories are sold around the world through the support of the Sewing Hope foundation, a U.S.-based organization that supports Sister Nyirumbe’s work rescuing and teaching marketable skills to the women and children once victimized by Joseph Kony and his rebel army.

It’s significant, she told journalists Sept. 28, that the items they create are made out of thrown-away materials, because the girls had been thrown away, too.

“Now after working through their lives, after being accompanied, after being accepted, they’re beautiful again, just like what they produce,” she said.

A member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sister Nyirumbe was at the Vatican as part of a monthlong trip to Italy speaking to different organizations and religious orders about her work.

First published in English in 2013, the book about her life and work, “Sewing Hope,” was just translated into Italian.

The new translation and speaking engagements, she said, are all part of her

mission to make sure people “have no excuse” to say they never heard about northern Uganda and what happened there.

Abducted young women, who had been used as soldiers or sex slaves, and their children are still struggling to overcome the stigma and trauma of the LRA’s two-decade reign of terror in the north, she said.

The rebel army employed tactics meant to create lifelong scars and repercussions, she said. For example, newly recruited children were often forced to commit atrocities in their own villages. This meant not only killing loved ones they would have turned to for help, they now were feared and shunned by the whole village and extended family — thus widening the circle of shame and alienation.

Raping the girls was another tactic that meant the children born would be rootless outcasts. Having no identifiable father spells disaster in a patrilineal society, she said, where children’s future — their place in society and the right and access to land and assets — depends on the identity or presence of the father.

Helping these women and children find hope and a means to survive is the heart of Sister Nyirumbe’s work.

Fortified by “prayer and a cup of coffee,” she’s been running the St. Monica Tailoring School outside Gulu, Uganda, for 15 years and is developing other vocational schools and orphanages in other areas once ravaged by LRA violence.

Sister Nyirumbe’s work in the epicenter of Uganda’s tragedy has reached a rarely achieved level of outside attention and support, especially in the United States.

CNS PHOTO/EMI, ITALIAN MISSIONARY PUBLISHING HOUSE

Two girls, who had been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army, are pictured in an undated photo near Gulu, Uganda. They are learning to crochet soda can pull-tabs with thread to turn into accessories sold through Sewing Hope, building a new life with the money they earn.

Catholics warn against new rules on religion in China

By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service

W

ARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Catholic experts warned that new rules on religion in China could severely hamper the church’s work by curbing its foreign contacts and imposing heavy penalties for unauthorized activity.

“Compared with previous drafts, these regulations are more restrictive, since they include references to national security,” said Anthony Lam, executive secretary of the Holy Spirit Study Centre of Hong Kong’s Catholic diocese.

“They may not make a great difference for China’s underground Catholic church, since it’s illegal anyway.

But they’ll have a great impact on the church’s open community, which has to

report everything to the government.”

China’s government was set to approve the draft regulations and implement them Oct. 7. The 74-article text, published Sept. 8 by China’s State Council for Legislative Affairs, tightens control over foreign clergy and religious material on the internet and imposes fines of up to 200,000 yuan ($30,000) for “illegal religious activities,” such as unauthorized pilgrimages. The new regulations state that “citizens enjoy religious freedom” in China and that “no organization can discriminate against citizens who believe in a religion.”

Lam told Catholic News Service Sept. 30 that the draft was much more extensive than existing rules, implemented in 2005, and reflected attempts

by China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs to “enlarge its power over religions.”

He said the new regulations contradicted progress in recent talks between

the Chinese government and Vatican representatives. Reuters reported Aug. 27 that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, was heralding a “new season” in “hoped-for good relations.”

However, the cardinal noted: “One has to be realistic and accept that there are a number of problems that need resolving between the Holy See and China and that often, because of their complexity, they can generate different points of view.”

Father Paul Han Qingping, director of the Catholic Church’s Jinde Charities, said the Chinese government was “upgrading its religious policy” because of “international and domestic challenges, such as religion-related terrorism.” He said the restrictions would alarm Catholic communities, despite accompanying pledges to “protect citizens’ religious freedom.”

“The new rules could be good in clearly stating the do’s and don’ts and

placing everyone on the same page,” said Father Han, “but they could also be bad by making religious communities nervous as to how far their freedom will now be hampered.”

Father Han predicted the regulations would “create a lot of inconveniences and restrictions,” but said he believed they also reflected “the real world we’re living in.”

“Due to her universal character, especially when it comes to her intimate Vatican connection, the Catholic Church is a big government concern here,” he told CNS Sept. 30.

“Yet these restrictions aren’t meant only for the Catholic Church, which is quite small compared to others, but for all the religions in China. Though the situation regarding religious policies is far from perfect, some progress should also be recognized. It’s a process of evolution, and we must be patient,” he told CNS.

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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

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

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

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

Career opportunity - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Atchison and Topeka area. 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. This is a full-time position.

Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612 or call (785) 408-8806. You can also send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Infant and toddler teachers - Knowledge and experience preferred in the care of infants and toddlers.

Daytime hours and no weekends. Must complete background checks and qualification requirements. St. Joseph Early Education Center, Shawnee. Please contact Theresa at (913) 248-4589.

Drivers - Needed for aftermarket auto company. Great opportunity for retired persons. Two to three days a week, Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CDL not required. Must have an excellent driving record. For interviews, apply in person at: 3030 S. 24th St., Suite B, Kansas City, Kansas.

Director of music - Immaculate Conception Parish in Springfield, Missouri, is seeking a full-time director of sacred music. Responsibilities include: planning, preparing and executing music for Sunday and weekday school liturgies; training and instructing our choirs and cantors.

Must be a strong organist with a proven choral background. Must be a practicing Catholic; a degree in music or liturgical music is preferred. A complete job description with instructions for application can be found on the parish website at: http://ic-parish.org (click on the director of sacred music icon) or call the parish office at (417) 887-0600.

Three teaching positions - Prince of Peace Early Education Center in Olathe is looking for three afternoon teachers. One position is from 3:30 - 6 p.m. M - F in a two-year-olds room and is perfect for high school students who are 16 years or older. The other positions are from 2 – 6 p.m. with 3-year-olds and school age. You must love children to apply. We have a friendly work environment. Previous child care experience preferred, but not necessary. This is a perfect opportunity for early childhood/elementary education majors. Contact Amanda at (913) 829-2728.

Client Experience Coordinator - Wellington, a full-service event management and marketing company, is looking for a Client Experience Coordinator to assist with the production of extraordinary events for clients of all sizes. The CEC frequently acts as the face of the company, being the first person to greet guests and direct client, partner and vendor phone calls. They are a personable, structured and disciplined individual who is able to handle high-pressure situations. Because they juggle numerous projects and tasks at any one time, the CEC must have the ability to multitask and complete a variety of tasks quickly — without sacrificing accuracy and attention to detail. Applicants may apply online at: http://www.wellingtonexperience.com/careers/.

Teachers and assistant teacher - The Goddard School in Olathe is seeking a preschool teacher, a pre-kindergarten teacher and a toddler teacher — all full-time positions — as well as an assistant teacher for multiple classrooms. Lead and assistant teachers work together.

Daily responsibilities are: developing lesson plans; meeting the individual needs of the children; communicating with parents; participation in staff and training meetings; designing appropriate room arrangement to support the goals and development level of the children in the classroom; interacting with the children to support play, exploration and learning; presenting expectations that are appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level; plan and implement activities that develop self-esteem and social skills; communicate appropriately and professionally with parents and fellow staff; building teamwork; use assessment tools; and commit to continuing education. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to: olathe2ks@goddardschools.com.

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Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans.

Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: Assisted Transportation.com. EEO.

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting.

Hedge trimming, mulch, leaf removal.

Fully insured and free estimates.

John Rodman (913) 548-3002

Tax credit process manager - The Catholic Education Foundation (an educational ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas) is seeking a part-time team member to assist with the new Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program. This position will work directly with participating Catholic schools and will oversee application and scholarship processes as well as compliance with program policies. This position reports to the director of tax credits. The ideal candidate must be self-motivated, detail-oriented and extremely organized.

Applicants must demonstrate advanced skills in Excel and database management. Applicants must also have effective written and verbal communication skills. This position includes the ability to speak compassionately about Catholic education, CEF and this program with a variety of constituencies. Applicants must be practicing Catholics in good standing, have a bachelor’s degree, be able to speak authentically about Catholic education and have a minimum of three successful years of applicable experience. Interested individuals should email cover letter and resume to: tcl@archkck.org no later than noon Oct. 28.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391

Groundskeeper - Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position, hours Monday through Saturday. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit; experience operating construction equipment would be a plus. Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Matt Wirtz at (913) 371-4040.

Sales career - Build a business for yourself, not by yourself, with: unlimited income potential; extensive benefits package; and solid backing from a financial services provider over a century old. We are looking for selfmotivated individuals in the area. Call (785) 448-7914 or send a resume to Margaret Highberger at 21248 S.W. California Rd., Westphalia, KS 66093 or send by email to: margaret.highberger@mwarep.org.

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

Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 8251921.

SERVICES Fall tutoring - Available for K - 12 and home-schooler in music and academics. For more information, call/text Kathleen at (913) 206-1837 or email: klmamuric@yahoo. com.

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

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

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

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

TOUCH OF HEAVEN

Catholic Store 119 SE 18th Topeka, KS (785) 232-2543 Hrs. T-F - 10 a.m. 5:30; Sat. 9 a.m. to noon

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 8294336.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Local handyman and lawn care – Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing, doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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 Prayer Gardens Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. - We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service – Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM.

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Thank you for another great year - Through your support my family has been blessed and my business has grown. We do windows, trim, siding, doors, decks, interior and exterior painting, wood rot, bathroom renovations, tile and sheetrock. If you need work done around your home, we can do it. Josh (913) 709-7230.

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.

Kansas City’s Premier Deck, Fence & Concrete - We repair, power wash and stain wood decks and fences. We power wash and seal concrete drives, walkways, pool decks and more. Call Brian at (913) 952-5965. Member of Holy Trinity Parish.

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

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

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

“Lynn at Heart” - 24 years’ experience in all types of private care. Excellent references. 24/7, shift or respite care. In-home, assisted living, nursing home, companionship, light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation, ADLs, care management, hospice. Greater KC area. Call (913) 707-0024. Ask for Mark.

Personalized care - Experienced, specializing in dementia, medication setup and activities of daily living.

Excellent references. Contact Andrea at (913) 548-1930.

Caregiving - For your loved one. Cheerful, experienced, empathetic. Excellent local references. Call Vivian at (913) 292-4829.

CNA, Home Health Care Professional - Provides TLC in the comfort of the client’s residence. Budget friendly.

Available 24 hours, or part time. Excellent references. 25 years of Seasoned Experience. Nonsmoker. Call (816) 806-8104.

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

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

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

For sale - Resurrection Cemetery: Garden of Hope section; double lawn crypt, lot 14, D1. Headstone/conveyance fee not included. $8000. Call Walt at (913) 2699639.

WANTED TO BUY

KIRK AND YEYO PAINTING Whole house painting Wood rot repair, affordable Only premium paint used Licensed and insured (913) 927-5240, nelsport@everestkc.net

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.

Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson County area. Call for a free quote at (913) 709-8401.

Wanted to buy - I’m Mark Edmondson, a local parishioner at Holy Trinity, and I buy and sell houses in any condition. If you have a house “situation,” call me. I might have a solution for you. (913) 980-4905.

House Painting Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years’ experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dan deeconst@aol.com.

VACATION For rent - The Villages of Florida cottage home. Two BD (king and queen), 2BA, study/office and lanai. 55 and older community. ourhome4rent.com. House ID: 3754.

Free Wi-Fi. Monthly or two-week rental. Call Joan at (913) 449-5109.

Branson Condo - Enjoy fall colors and Christmas programs. Condo sleeps 6. Fully furnished and close to entertainment. On golf course, has indoor pool, Wi-Fi and exercise room are available. Please call (913) 515-3044.

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

TheDiamondCastleProject.com October 15th, 11 a.m. | Trinity House | Overland Park

0CTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR PROJECT ANDREW Queen of the Holy Rosary 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park Oct. 9 from 2 - 5 p.m.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann invites single men ages 16 and over to Project Andrew, an afternoon of prayer, presentations and a delicious dinner. Parents may attend and enjoy a special session with parents of seminarians. There is no cost, but register by going to the website at: www.kck vocations.com or send an email to: vocation@ archkck.org. Indicate whether you are attending the Oct. 9 at Queen or the Oct. 30 session at Most Pure Heart, Topeka, from 4-7 p.m.

SOUP LUNCHEON AND AUCTION St. Bede Church 7344 Drought St., Kelly Oct. 9 from 4 - 7 p.m.

Go west two miles on the corner of Highway 63 and 96th Road. Dinner will be chili, a choice of soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade pies and desserts. There will be games for everyone, followed by an auction at 8 p.m. For further information, call Kaylene Heinen at (785) 256-3998.

PANCAKE LUNCHEON St. Mary Church 446 Hwy. 137, Purcell Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We will be serving pancakes, whole hog sausage, scrambled eggs, homemade pie and tea or coffee. A freewill offering will be accepted.

ROSARY RALLY FOR OUR NATION Mater Dei Parish-Assumption Church 8th & Jackson, Topeka Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

Father Tom Hesse, along with other area and regional priests, will lead the rosary rally. It will start at the church and continue around the grounds of the state Capitol, concluding with Eucharistic Benediction at the church.

In case of inclement weather, the rosary will be prayed in the church.

TURKEY DINNER AND BAZAAR Sacred Heart Parish 1100 West St., Tonganoxie Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Carryout available until 2:30 p.m. The cost for dinner is: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 - 12; free for kids ages 5 and under. There will be a country store, bingo, theme baskets and children’s games. There will also be a raffle with cash prizes totaling over $2700.

FALL BAZAAR AND DINNER St. Aloysius Church 615 E. Wyandotte St., Meriden Oct. 9 from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

A turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings will be served. The cost is: $9 for adults; $4 for kids ages 5 - 12; free for kids ages 4 and under; and $9 for carryout meals.

There will also be a country store, games, money drawings, a beer garden, bingo, raffles, a silent auction and an ice cream stand.

For more information, call the parish office at (785) 484-3312.

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS? Good Shepherd Parish 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee Oct. 13 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Mark Fenton, a licensed grief counselor, will facilitate grief education groups every Thursday evening in October. The Oct. 13 session will be: “Picking up the pieces, a path for surviving suicide.” For more information, call Alison Beloin at (913) 563-5304.

INFANT GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT Church of the Nativity 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood Oct. 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3 from 7 - 9 p.m.

An infant grief and loss support program is being held for couples, individuals or others who are living with the loss of an infant due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth

or early infant death. For more information or to register, call Mary Helen Dennihan at (913) 484-8116 or send an email to her at: dennihan6@kc.rr.com.

BOW TIES FOR BABIES Grand Street Cafe 4740 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

There will be a reception, silent and live auctions and dinner. The cost to attend is $150 per person. Proceeds benefit Alexandra’s House, which serves families learning during pregnancy that their baby will not survive or will die shortly after birth. For more information, visit the website at: www.bowties forbabies.com.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Sanctuary of Hope 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 14-16

This ministry serves the widowed, separated and divorced who are suffering the loss of a love relationship and may feel left out by the church, uneasy around married friends, unsure of themselves and uncertain about their futures. This weekend helps grieving persons focus on their experience and deal with the natural grief process. It offers an opportunity to turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth. For more information, visit the website at: www.begin ningexperiencekc.org or send an email to: register.bekc@gmail.com.

GIFT AND CRAFT BAZAAR St. Joseph Parish (McDevitt Hall) 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Hosted by the Ladies Guild, there will be 50 tables filled with gift and craft items, including handmade rosaries and other religious items.

Continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments will be provided at low cost. For more information, call Mary Spruk at (913) 825-0358.

ROME SWEET HOME ITALIAN FESTIVAL Christ the King Parish 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Oct. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

The outdoor Mass begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by food and entertainment, including a sit-down Italian dinner in the parish center (advance purchase required; make reservations online at: CTKtopeka.org). There will be food trucks and vendors throughout the evening, beer and wine gardens, a coffee bar, a DJ and a live band, activities for kids of all ages and professional fireworks set to music.

LINGER OVER BREAKFAST Avila University (Whitfield Center) 11901 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 15 from 8:30 - 11 a.m.

This series, presented by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, will feature “St. Teresa of Avila: Prayer Guru and Fearless Apostle.” The cost of $15 includes breakfast. Register online at: www. csjsl.org or call (816) 501-2944 by Oct. 7.

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Church 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood Oct. 15 at 8 a.m.

Following Mass, the bereavement ministry group will have a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Grieving During the Holidays.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

LILLIS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ’66 50-YEAR REUNION RC’s Restaurant and Lounge 330 E. 135th St., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 15 at 5 p.m.

Lillis High School Class of 1966, come join us to celebrate our 50th reunion! Order food and drinks off of the menu. There will be a pre-party on Oct. 14 at Windy City Pub (12924 State Line Rd., Leawood). For more information, call Deborah at (816) 916-2922.

ANNUAL HOPE BENEFIT DINNER, DANCE AND AUCTION Abdallah Shrine Temple 5300 Metcalf Ave., Mission Oct. 15 from 5 - 10 p.m.

Join us for Sanctuary of Hope’s 11th annual Hope Benefit dinner, dance and auction. This benefit helps us provide an affordable, innercity prayer and retreat center in Kansas City, Kansas. The cost is $50 per ticket/person for full buffet, drinks, dancing and auction. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Julie at (913) 321-4673 or send an email to: Julie@sanctuaryofhope.org.

HARVEST MOON SINGLES DANCE Curé of Ars Church (school cafeteria) 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood Oct. 15 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is $20 at the door and includes a meal of meat hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer and soda. Drive behind the school to park. For more information, call (913) 631-6873.

PUBLIC SQUARE ROSARY RALLY Curé of Ars Church 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood Oct. 15 at noon

The rosary rally, sponsored by America Needs Fatima, will be held outdoors in the Marian Garden. This public rosary rally will be one of over 15,000 rallies taking place all across the United States. Bring a lawn chair.

OKTOBERFEST St. Mary-St. Anthony (Bishop Forst Hall) 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.

A traditional dinner will be served. The cost of dinner is $10 with a ticket; $12 at the door. Tickets are available at Theresa’s Hair Salon, 508 N. 6th, Kansas City, Kansas, or at the parish office. For more information, call Carol Shomin at (913) 897-4833 or send an email to: cshomin@everestkc.net.

‘REDISCOVERING JOY’: A DAY RETREAT FOR WOMEN Annunciation Church 213 E. 5th St., Frankfort Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Enjoy a day of fellowship with other women of faith. There will be music, discussion groups and meditation. The “Soul Provider” gift shop will have religious items for sale.

Lunch will be provided; a freewill offering will be accepted. The deadline for registration is Oct. 7. Register online at: www.annunciation frankfort.org or call (785) 292-4283.

ROSARY RALLY Queen of the Holy Rosary Church 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.

We will honor Our Lady of Fatima with a rosary procession outside and pray with others throughout the world for peace, the reparation of sins and for the conversion of sinners. Benediction will follow.

BAZAAR AND CHICKEN DINNER Queen of the Holy Rosary - Wea 22779 Metcalf Rd., Bucyrus Oct. 16 from noon - 4 p.m.

A fried chicken dinner with sides, desserts and drinks will be served. The cost for dinner is: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 3 - 12; and $30 for families (2 adults and 3 or more children). There will also be bingo, kids games, a quilt raffle, and vendor and craft booths.

BBQ DINNER AND SALE Church of the Ascension 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Oct. 16 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Dinner includes smoked ribs, smoked turkey, barbecue beans and more. The cost is: $10 for ages 10 and up; $5 for ages 5 - 11; and free for ages 5 and under. There will also be prepaid orders for slabs of ribs: $20; turkey

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breast (6 - 7 pounds): $25; and beans: $10 per quart. These can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ascension Parish hall.

For more information, call Frank Colletti at (913) 406-2995 or send an email to: frank colletti@att.net.

FALL FESTIVAL Little Sisters of the Poor Home 8745 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 16 from noon - 5 p.m.

Join the Little Sisters of the Poor for an afternoon of fun. There will be a spaghetti dinner, bake sale, craft sale, a cash raffle and a handmade quilt raffle. All proceeds benefit the Sisters’ home for the elderly poor. For more information, call (816) 761-4744.

SYMPT0-THERMAL METHOD OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist School 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence

A reasonable course fee is charged and online registration is required at: www. ccli.org. Call Shannon or John Rasmussen at (785) 749-1015 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. A second class will be offered in Topeka beginning Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

For more information, call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062.

HEALING MASS Curé of Ars Church (Father Burak Room) 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held. Father Ken Kelly will preside. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

29TH ANNIVERSARY TWINNING CELEBRATION Good Shepherd Parish 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee Oct. 22 at 5 p.m.

The event begins with a bilingual Mass and is followed by a celebration in the social hall that includes Salvadoran food, a mariachi band and piñatas. Food tickets will be sold at the event. For more information, call (913) 481-1120.

FALL DINNER AND BAZAAR St. Philip Neri Church Osawatomie City Auditorium 425 Main St., Osawatomie Oct. 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dinner will be homemade chicken and noodles with sides and desserts. The cost is: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 - 12; and free for kids under the age of 6. There will be both live and silent auctions, a country store and children’s games.

ULTIMATE VOCATION FAIR Church of the Ascension 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Oct. 26 from 5 - 8 p.m.

Could God be calling you to the joy of religious life as a priest, Brother or Sister? Join us for the Ultimate Vocation Fair; nearly 100 religious orders will be represented. This event is sponsored by the archdiocese, Serra clubs and religious Sisters. For more information, contact Sister Vicki Lichtenauer, SCL, at (816) 718-2660 or send an email to: vickiL@scls. org, or Father Scott Wallisch at (913) 6470303, or send an email to: frscott@archkck. org.

CALENDAR POLICY

Calendar notices are due eight days before the publication date. Because of space considerations, notices may only run two weeks before the event. Send notices to: beth.blankenship@ theleaven.org.

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Trust me on this

TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 9 TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2 Kgs 5: 14-17 Ps 98: 1-4 2 Tm 2: 8-13 Lk 17: 11-19 Oct. 10 Monday Gal 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5:1 Ps 113: 1b-5a, 6-7 Lk 11: 29-32 Oct. 11 John XXIII, pope Gal 5: 1-6 Ps 119: 41, 43-45, 47-48 Lk 11: 37-41 Oct. 12 Wednesday Gal 5: 18-25 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 11: 42-46 Oct. 13 Thursday Eph 1: 1-10 Ps 98: 1-6 Lk 11: 47-54 Oct. 14 Callistus I, pope, martyr Eph 1: 11-14 Ps 33: 1-2, 4-5, 12-13 Lk 12: 1-7 Oct. 15 Teresa of Jesus, virgin, doctor of the church Eph 1: 15-23 Ps 8: 2-3b, 4-7 Lk 12: 8-12

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elcome to another blue October in Kansas City! Unlike the past two, however, when the region came together to cheer on the Royals in the playoffs and World Series, the “blue” this October refers to our need to cheer up one another now that our 2016 baseball season is over.

The last two seasons spoiled us. In fact, it looked like we might be building a baseball dynasty for the next few years, but it was not to be. And it doesn’t help to put your trust in the other professional sports teams in Kansas City either. SportingKC was spanked 3-1 by the New England Revolution on Saturday night, and the Chiefs — well, let’s just say their Sunday night 43-14 shellacking by the Pittsburg Steelers doesn’t make you brim with optimism.

But why all of this talk of sports? Heck, I was looking to sports for a little escape, a respite from the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Even though this month of October has barely

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MARK MY WORDS

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

started, it’s already been a crazy whirlwind of activity for me . . . and it shows no signs of slowing down.

This past weekend showed me that I couldn’t trust sports to soothe me. I also know that I can’t trust food and drink nor TV and movies to do the trick.

Is there, then, any place I can trust to provide some relief?

In answer, the Cherokees might direct me to this story.

When a young Cherokee boy reaches

a particular age, he’s required to go through a rite of passage. A father will take his son into the forest, blindfold him and then leave him alone.

The boy must sit on a stump for the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He can’t cry out for help to anyone, nor can he tell other boys about this experience, because each one must come into manhood on his own.

Once the youth survives the night, though, he is a man.

On one occasion, a father led his boy to the forest, blindfolded him and sat him on a stump.

Naturally, the kid was terrified. He heard all kinds of forest noises.

Wild beasts, he imag-

ined, must be all around him. There could even be human predators there, waiting to harm him. During the night, the boy felt the wind blowing the grass and shaking the stump he sat upon.

To his credit, the boy bravely sat still, never removing the blindfold. He knew this was the only way he could become a man.

Finally, after the horrible night, the sun warmed the boy’s face and he took off his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father seated on a stump not far from him.

His dad had been at watch the entire night, making sure that his son was protected from any danger. (Adapted from a story found on the internet.)

The only place that we can honestly and confidently put our trust is in the Father. Even when we undergo the terrors of the night — a packed schedule, sick kids, a scary medical diagnosis, a demanding job, a faltering marriage or friendship, depression, unrelenting demands, spiritual “blues,” or any of a host of other

troubling issues — God, like the Cherokee father in the story, is right there taking care of us . . . even though we may not sense his presence.

When I’m feeling battered on every side, it’s sometimes tough to remember to trust God. My default prayer at those times comes from Thomas Merton in his “Thoughts in Solitude”: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. . . . I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

I trust you can say along with me, “Amen!”

Inclusion, not healing, is point of parable

hen I visit the hospital, I sometimes have to put on a paper gown and rubber gloves before stepping into the room.

That procedure is meant to prevent the spread of infection. In some cases, the patient has a highly contagious disease, which the hospital wants to protect me from catching. In other cases, the patient has a weakened immune system and needs to be protected from any germs that I might be carrying. Either way, the goal of this isolation is health.

In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Lk 17:11-19, we witness a similar example of isolation on account of disease.

Ten lepers encounter

POPE FRANCIS

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

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

Jesus outside of a village between Samaria and Galilee. They stand at a distance, as required by Mosaic Law: “Order the Israelites

Don’t respond to grief or anguish with pills, alcohol or avoidance, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. Figure out what is going on inside your heart, then turn to God and beg him for help, he said Sept. 27 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Reflecting on the

to expel from camp every leper, and everyone suffering from a discharge, and everyone who has become unclean by contact with a corpse. Male and female alike, you shall compel them to go out of the camp; they are not to defile the camp in which I dwell” (Nm 5:23). They are outsiders because of their disease.

Because of the limited understanding of

biology at the time, their leprosy is looked upon not as a physical danger but, rather, as ritual impurity.

Of the 10 in the Gospel story, one leper carries a further disability. He is a Samaritan. As far as the Jews are concerned, this would make him still an outsider, even if he were perfectly healthy and free of leprosy.

That is why, when he returns to offer Jesus thanks for healing him, Jesus says, “Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Jesus is not addressing the Samaritan leper who has been cured but, rather, the disciples who are accompanying him. His words make the same point as the

day’s readings, the pope looked at the “spiritual desolation” experience by Job and the responsorial psalm, “Let my prayer come before you, Lord.” Job lost everything and felt utterly abandoned and unfairly tormented, the pope said. He unleashed his desperate cries to God, venting all of his feelings of hopeless despair and regret, and yet, he never blasphemed or cursed God in his rant-

parable of the good Samaritan, which like this healing of the 10 lepers, is found only in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus wishes to assure us, that the Samaritans, like all other foreigners, also enjoy access to God. They are not outsiders.

That means that the main point of this Gospel story is not so much the miraculous healing of the 10 lepers, impressive as that may be.

Rather, Jesus is challenging the ethnocentric and xenophobic attitudes of his contemporaries.

In our own day and age, as hostility toward the foreigner and stranger increase, Jesus’ words and example once again urge us to open our hearts and our minds to the outsider. That in itself can be a miraculous healing.

ing, he said. Everyone has experienced some degree of despair that “makes us feel as if our soul were crushed,” unable to breathe and perhaps even eager for death, the pope said. “We have to understand when our spirit is in this state of extended sadness, where there is almost no air. This happens to all of us” to some degree, he said.

— CNS

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMNETARY

15

Calling all Catholics: Vocation director needs your help

“S

o what exactly do you do as vocation

director?”

It is a question asked to me periodically by the laity . . . and the archbishop. I wish I could answer that I merely sit in my office and have walking through my door a steady stream of good, solid candidates for the priesthood and religious life. It does not quite work that way.

Instead, like all of our priests, my day-to-day work contains much variety. I do need to spend time in my office, going through applications and other paperwork. The heart of my work, though, tends to be elsewhere.

VOCATIONS CORNER

FATHER SCOTT WALLISCH Father Scott Wallisch is the archdiocesan vocations director. You can email him at: frscott@archkck.org.

My role as vocation director includes being a de facto chaplain for our

youth ministry, including spending time at youth group nights, rallies, retreats, conferences, mission trips and camp.

I also plug into our high schools, supporting our great chaplains, faculty and staff as they foster vocations. I spend time on our local college campuses, running vocation

discernment groups and offering vocational counseling.

I coordinate with dedicated volunteers throughout the area in building a culture of vocations. In this same vein, I am slowly working my way around the archdiocese to preach at every parish on vocations.

My time is most fruitfully spent, though, in one-on-one meetings with young discerners.

These conversations often give me an opportunity to be inspired by incredible young people.

Most people, though, are not at the point where they feel comfortable scheduling a meeting with me to talk about the sometimes

scary prospect of a priestly or religious vocation. It might seem like a huge step to meet with a vocation director. There may be a fear that I will make them fill out an application on the spot.

Therefore, my office hosts nonintimidating vocation events throughout the year to help our young people consider the priesthood and religious life. Several happen soon.

On Oct. 9, from 2 - 5 p.m. at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park, we will have Project Andrew for young men, high school age and older.

On Oct. 26, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, we will sponsor the Ulti-

mate Vocation Fair. Young men and women of all ages — and their parents — can meet vocation directors from nearly 100 religious orders.

On Oct. 30, our other Project Andrew takes place at Most Pure Heart in Topeka from 4 -7 p.m.

And on Nov. 12 and 13, we will take high school junior and senior men to Conception Seminary for a “Come and See” retreat.

There is a lot happening, but I cannot personally invite every youth to attend. So, I am deputizing you as an honorary vocation director. Please invite the young people around you to attend these opportunities to better know God’s great plan for their lives.

Start building your dream home with a little marital maintenance

T

hink back to your early dating and courtship, to your “honeymoon period.”

Remember how your beloved was the center of your attention, no matter where you were or what you were doing?

When you were apart, you could not wait to be together. When you were together talking, you were usually looking into each other’s eyes.

How did it feel to know that you were so important and special? Did you share hopes and dreams for your future?

Fast-forward to today. Has it changed?

Have jobs, children, bills and household duties changed the picture? Do

FAMILY MATTERS

DEACON TONY ZIMMERMAN Deacon Tony Zimmerman is the lead archdiocesan consultant for the office of marriage and family life.

you gaze into one another’s eyes for any prolonged period? Do you

still talk about dreams for your future? Or, do you often find yourself in the “desert of duty” as you plod through all the demands of life?

Pope Francis sums it up best: “I recall an old saying: still water becomes stagnant and good for nothing. If . . . a couple’s experience

of love grows stagnant, it loses the very excitement that should be its propelling force. . . . Love needs to keep dancing toward the future with immense hope . . . [that] makes it possible to look beyond arguments, conflicts and problems and to see things in a broader perspective (“The Joy of Love,” 219).

So, if you read these words and wonder, “How can we recapture and keep the excitement that propelled us out of the church into our dream life on our wedding day?” take heart!

The answer is: Commit to regular participation in some form of marriage enrichment. To do this means rejecting the cultural notion: “If it’s

not broke, don’t fix it!”

We know that whether it is with our automobiles or our bodies, preventive maintenance is a lot cheaper than an overhaul or major surgery.

Also, please don’t allow busyness to be an excuse. How sad to utter the words: “I should have” . . . “I wish I had” . . . “Does he or she know how much I love them?”

Over the next few months, you will be hearing about “The Joyful Marriage Project: Build Your Ultimate Dream Home.” Our hope is that you will begin to dream a little, begin to identify those things that are barriers to the marriage you dreamed of and still desire, and

discover how to, as Pope Francis says, “keep dancing toward the future with immense hope.”

We will help you become aware of the varied forms of marriage enrichments available here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

We hope with the different topics, locations, differing time commitments — and child care, where possible — everyone will find something to fit their needs. If you are eager to begin now, go online to: www.arch kck.org/mfl2015 and see what is available.

Start dreaming again!

Begin now to build your marriage into your “ultimate dream home”!

OCTOBER 7, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE GRESS

Students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park display their delicious cupcakes made by parent volunteers during Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Sept. 5-9.

COPEcakes

When the love is baked right in

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

O

VERLAND PARK — Receiving a sweet treat wasn’t the only way students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School here were made to feel loved during Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Sept. 5-9. But it might have been one of their favorites.

“They were given a cupcake wrapper,” said Laura Cline, the school’s counselor. “On the inside bottom they wrote what helps them cope when life gets tough — what makes life sweeter for them.”

At the end of the week, each student received a homemade cupcake baked by a parent volunteer.

“I thought getting an actual cupcake would make it more tangible for them and show them that someone cares enough to bake for them,” said Cline.

Cline came up with the idea as a way to give students time to reflect on the good in their everyday lives that helps them cope with difficult situations.

“I wrote down music and my friends,” said junior Mary Essmyer.

“I chose these two things because no matter how alone, down or just off I have been feeling, music can always uplift me.”

“It really did make me appreciate how helpful music has been for me throughout my life,” she added.

“

“I HOPE EACH ONE OF THEM FELT UPLIFTED AND I HOPE THEY REALIZED THAT THEY REALLY WERE CARED ABOUT.”

Laura Cline, St. Thomas Aquinas counselor

Students wrote what helps them cope when life gets tough on cupcake wrappers, and those wrappers were hung on the walls as a reminder of the sweet moments life offers. At the end of the week, each student received a homemade cupcake to remind them they are loved.

This COPEcake activity was a bonus to the school’s regular suicide prevention booths where, during lunches, students receive bracelets with the suicide crisis hotline number and other information on them.

It was something completely new for most of the students, and an important factor that played into its success was strong parent involvement.

“Parents responded to this immediately,” said Cline.

Having a caring environment and having involved parents are

protective factors against suicidal thoughts.

“I also have very caring students who always step up, get involved and help with the week’s activities,” she said.

But it was the students’ reaction to the project that made all the effort worth it.

“When I received a cupcake on Friday, my day was made,” said Essmyer. “I thought about how many other students would feel.

“I hope each one of them felt uplifted, and I hope they realized that they really were cared about,”

she said.

“I think they liked looking at the display of wrappers and seeing the responses,” said Cline. “And they definitely enjoyed getting a cupcake.”

Although the activity was lighthearted, behind it was a deeper and more serious meaning.

“I think it is extremely important for every high school to emphasize the importance of help and show that help is out there for those who are struggling,” said Essmyer.

Cline is hoping activities like this will help students realize there is no shame in their suffering.

“We need to talk about mental health issues to erase the stigma,” she said. “Students need to know that people care and there is help.

“They are not a burden. People care.”