10-14-11 Vol. 33 No. 11

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 33, NO. 11 OCTOBER 14, 2011

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Lisanne Milford (right), a nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, gets to know baby Julaya Bradley as new mom Ciera Williams gets ready to take her daughter home. Milford was recognized in September for excellence in the workplace at the FIRE in the Workplace Honors Banquet. The Integrity Resource Center presents the awards to recognize people in the community who are honoring God through their work.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Nurse honored for care she provides families in times of happiness — and heartbreak

O

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

VERLAND PARK — On her own and nervous, Ciera Williams arrived at the hospital in early October to give birth to her baby girl.

It was Williams’ birthday, and baby Julaya Bradley was determined to share the special day.

With her family out of town, Williams was “a nervous wreck,” she admits. That didn’t last long.

She quickly found herself in the good hands of the staff of Shawnee Mission Medical Center, including a labor and delivery nurse named Lisanne Milford.

With Milford by her side, “I felt more secure,” said Williams. “And I felt less alone about the situation.”

“You weren’t alone,” assured Milford, as she watched the new mom snuggle her daughter, “because we were all here with you.”

Milford — a wife, mother of three, nurse and parishioner of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe — loves to share

the happy times that come with working in labor and delivery.

Not every story is a happy one, though, and she feels equally blessed to care for families during their most heart-wrenching times.

There are situations when a baby has died in the womb or has health problems so severe the child will die soon after birth.

Honored for excellence Milford’s work in those cases touched the people at Integrity Resource Center in Olathe. The center presents the FIRE in the Workplace honors. In September, Milford was recognized for excellence in the workplace.

The center was especially drawn to the faith-filled touches she brings when families have lost a baby.

“When the families are willing,” said Integrity Resource Center president Rick Boxx, “she actually does a special little prayer dedication for the child that just passed away and is able to encourage and honor the families.”

The FIRE awards honor God by recognizing that he works through people in the community, said Boxx.

Turn to “MARY” on page 4

“Her obvious training and expertise make her a good nurse. Her great attitude, care, and understanding make her a great nurse. Her obvious compassion and her sacrifice of personal and family time for the sake of our family make her an exceptional nurse.”

”

— Excerpt from a letter about nurse Lisanne Milford’s care for a family

2 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

T

Lourdes’ baths daunting, but rewarding

his summer, while visiting the Little Sisters of the Lamb motherhouse in St. Pierre, France, I was able to visit Lourdes for the first time. I had for many years wanted to visit the famous shrine of Mary’s appearance to the peasant girl, Bernadette.

Archbishop Naumann’s

Conception — a title for Mary which her pastor knew Bernadette could not be familiar — many began to believe that the apparitions were authentic.

And the rest, as they say, is history!

For more than 150 years, Lourdes has attracted millions of pilgrims. In I have always admired the faith the first 50 years after the apparitions, and fortitude of Bernadette. All of the there were nearly 4,000 recorded adults in her life doubted her reports healings. Most everyone who makes of apparitions, and most of the townsa pilgrimage to Lourdes comes back people thought she was crazy. Neverwith renewed and deepened faith. The theless, Bernadette huge basilica built knew the truth of atop the grotto is a ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ visual testimony of what she was experiencing and, despite the devotion to Mary programming notes enormous pressure to and the love for her Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s do otherwise, she did son, Jesus, that have radio program on KEXS 1090 AM precisely what Mary been engendered airs at 10 a.m. on Sunday and is told her. in the hearts of so repeated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday Bernadette’s family many because of and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. had fallen on hard Bernadette’s simple, economic times. It uncomplicated, but was because of this material poverty also unwavering faith. that Bernadette was out gathering Lourdes is a couple of hours drive wood for her family to use as fuel to from St. Pierre, so the Little Sisters and warm their home when she encounLittle Brothers of the Lamb arranged tered — on Feb. 11, 1858 — the one for me to make a one-day pilgrimage. she described as the “Beautiful Lady.”

Early one morning in a van with five Bernadette loved her family and was, Little Sisters and two Little Brothers, by all reports, an obedient child. Howwe set off for Lourdes. While I was exever, when her mother forbade her cited about going to Lourdes, I was not from returning to the grotto, Bernaenthused about going into the baths. dette felt inwardly compelled to honor I had heard the water was very cold. the request of the Beautiful Lady.

Even though I knew the physical arWhen Mary asked Bernadette to dig rangements were such that it was done in the dry ground and to drink from a very discreetly, I was not at all eager hidden spring, she did as instructed. to have to remove my clothes. I had At this moment, even the villagers read in the information about pilgrimwho had been sympathetic to Bernaages to Lourdes how it was not at all dette thought she was crazy. She was necessary to go into the baths to have subjected to medical tests to determine a very inspiring encounter with the if she was mentally unstable. When Lord. After all, Bernadette herself had Bernadette was interrogated by civil never plunged into the spring waters. and church authorities, she responded I had resolved in my own mind that with a childlike innocence but with the baths would not be a part of my complete conviction about the truth pilgrimage. of what she had experienced at the On the drive there, each of the Little grotto.

Sisters and Little Brothers, who had Finally, when 1) a spring indeed did already been to Lourdes, recounted materialize where Bernadette had dug, the graces they had received from 2) miraculous cures began to happen their own experiences of this holy to some who came with faith to wash place. They also told me of a special in these waters, and 3) she told the grace the Community of the Lamb had parish priest the Beautiful Lady had received in its formative years through identified herself as the Immaculate a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Though my

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

weekly calendar

Oct. 19 Meeting of the Curia

Oct. 14 7 a.m. Mass on “EWTN Live”

St. Lawrence board meeting

Keynote address at Catholic Radio Conference — Birmingham, Ala. Oct. 15 Keynote address at Florida Respect Life Conference Address youth at Florida Respect Life Conference Oct. 16 Mass and groundbreaking for hall and classrooms — St. Theresa, Perry Oct. 17 Vespers/meeting with Pastoral Council Oct. 18 Administrative Team meeting Catholic Charities member meeting, board meeting and reception

excitement was mounting for the visit to Lourdes, my resolve not to go into the baths remained.

Then Little Sister Marie Jean, one of the youngest of the Little Sisters on our mini-pilgrimage, shared her experiences of Lourdes and, in particular, the meaning of the baths for her. I recall her saying: “Ah, the baths! For me, it has been a beautiful opportunity to humble myself before the Lord. It is a moment to strip away my pride, place my faith completely in the Lord, and allow myself to be immersed in his love.”

I am thinking to myself: “Sister, I wish you were not saying these things! How can I now not go into the baths?”

It was a wonderful day in Lourdes.

We celebrated Mass in one of the chapels of the basilica. We prayed before the grotto and then were able to touch the stones beneath the hollow where Mary appeared. We had lunch on one of the lush lawns surrounding the grotto where we also sang midday prayer.

We visited Bernadette’s family home as well as the fields outside of Lourdes where she tended the sheep. We visited the church where Bernadette was baptized. There I ran into Steve Angrisano — a well-known American musician, singer and youth minister. We encountered other pilgrims — a few other

Confirmation — Corpus Christ, Lawrence Oct. 20 Kenrick-Glennon Seminary board meeting Oct. 21 Meeting with seminarians at Kenrick Oct. 22 Wedding — St. Louis Oct. 23 Daughters of St. Paul benefit dinner

Archbishop Keleher’s weekly calendar

Oct. 17-20 Teach class at Mundelein Seminary

Americans whom I knew, many friends of the Community of the Lamb, and a multitude of young people on their way to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. In the afternoon, we were able to experience the daily eucharistic procession.

And, yes, thanks to Little Sister Marie Jean, I went into the baths. I found the time of waiting, before entering the bath, very peaceful and prayerful.

I recalled the many people who had asked me to pray for them and their intentions. I remembered, particularly, the sick of the archdiocese, recalling as many as possible by name, asking Mary to bring these intentions for physical healing and spiritual strengthening to her Son. For me, personally, it was a moment to surrender my life and my ministry to the Lord again. It was a moment to acknowledge my own poverty and helplessness to fulfill my responsibilities in the ministry of bishop.

Yet, it was also a time of great grace. I understood anew that all things are possible with God. After all, the Lord could use the faith of a simple, peasant girl to be the vehicle of bringing so much healing, hope and joy to so many.

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Leon Suprenant is blogging “No Place Like Home” for the archdiocesan communications office. Suprenant tries strike to a balance between the folks who want heavy theological topics and those who want to hear heartwarming, personal stories about kids and family life.

Not just blog-eat-blog

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sure, it’s a blog-eat-blog world out there, but archdiocesan blogger Leon Suprenant hopes that Catholics learn there’s “No Place Like Home.”

Dorothy’s classic line from the 1939 film “Wizard of Oz” is also the name of the official blog of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, of which Suprenant is administrator and editor, or “blogger.”

Like Scripture, one can find many layers of meaning in the blog’s name.

But one is unavoidable: This is the blog of the local church — a cyberhome for Catholics, if you will.

If you’ve ever wondered, the word “blog” comes from a shortened term called “web log,” a category of interactive website. It’s sort of like a public digital diary.

Blogs began appearing in the late 1990s and have been around ever since. “No Place Like Home” took its baby steps in May, but really took off in September.

Suprenant spends most of his time as the pastoral associate for administration in the office of the permanent diaconate, but blogs “No Place Like Home” for the archdiocesan communications office.

He’s been editor of four blogs and, in addition to “No Place Like Home,” runs a vocation blog for the Institute on Religious Life called “An Undivided Heart.”

So why another blog?

Well, this one is for us — the Catholics of the archdiocese. Also, it’s a part of what Pope John Paul II called “the new evangelization.” In terms of blogging, this means prudently using the entire range of new media opportunities in the service of the Gospel, said Suprenant.

“With so much stuff out there, my goal is to get some good, solid, encouraging teaching out there for people to use and share, to feel that they can engage and ask questions,” said Suprenant.

The blog was designed to be a feature of the archdiocesan website (archkck.org), which itself is a new

evangelization effort.

The new public square is digital, in cyberspace, and the church has to be there, too.

“The new evangelization has always been important to me,” said Suprenant. “I can still hear Pope John Paul II saying we need to invest all the church’s energies into a new evangelization — an evangelization that is new in its ardor, its methods and its expressions.”

In terms of his approach to content, the key words are balance and temperance.

Since the blog is for all archdiocesan Catholics, Suprenant tries strike a balance between the folks who want heavy theological topics and those who want to hear heartwarming, personal stories about kids and family life.

For topic ideas, Suprenant draws from his own experiences as a Catholic husband and father, from current events, questions sent to him or those he anticipates, and the liturgical calendar.

While some in the blogging uni-

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

How to find your way home The easiest way to get to “No Place Like Home” is by going to the archdiocesan home page and clicking on the blog button on the right-hand menu. Another way is by typing the following address into a browser window: http:// archkckblog.wordpress.com. verse known as the “blogosphere” fuel their blogs with controversy and confrontation, Suprenant prefers to take an approach he calls “Catholic ecumenism.” No bomb-thrower he.

“I might say some things that are provocative to get people to think, but my goal is to bring people to Catholic unity,” he said.

“I strive for what I call ‘Catholic ecumenism,’ meaning I strive to build the bonds of communion in the visible church,” he concluded.

“There’s enough division within the visible church as it is.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

Mary gives nurse strength in difficult times Continued from page 1 “That’s an encouragement for all of us,” he said.

And Milford will tell you the words she shares with the families during those moments aren’t her own — they come from a much higher power.

Prayers for guidance Milford often drives to work with the radio off; she takes the time to pray.

She often calls on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

She feels an increasingly strong bond with Mary, both as mother of 15-year-old Nathan, 13-year-old Addy and 10-year-old Emma, and as a nurse on the labor and delivery unit.

She feels almost called to the more difficult cases — “not so much as a challenge, but as kind of saying, ‘What would Jesus do in this situation? How would he want me to treat these individuals?’”

She asks for guidance and the right words to say when a family is just beginning to grieve.

“That’s when I pray a lot, ‘Just guide me, tell me what to do,’” she said.

Emotion still overcomes her when she thinks of one family.

The lights were dimmed in the delivery room. Parents had come in when labor began, but there was no heartbeat for their baby.

“Nothing you can say can comfort people at that moment,” said Milford.

She asked Mary for the words.

“She’s so beautiful,” Milford said,

Senators criticize HHS contraceptive mandates

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

Touches of faith Although Milford grew up Catholic, she really saw her faith come to life at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center when she was attending the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

At the start of her career, she worked the night shift at another hospital. The environment wasn’t always friendly to Christianity. It was there — often during the night hours — the young nurse began to find a new role.

“If there was a baby that was dying or soon to die, they would ask me to baptize the baby,” she said. She worked to give the patients the respect and care they needed.

She doesn’t push her faith on anyone, but lets it flow through her actions and the way she lives.

She remembers one morning — hours before dawn — when a woman came in with complications. She knew she was pregnant, but not with twins.

Milford had to tell the mother that one of the twins was very sick, and she needed an emergency C-section.

“So basically within 15 minutes, I told her how her whole life was going to change,” she said. They rushed her to the operating room.

Milford hadn’t mentioned faith, but the patient made the connection.

She leaned over the woman and told her, “I know this is very scary, but I just need you to trust me that this is what needs to happen at this time.”

The woman asked if the medal Milford was wearing — along with a cross — was a Miraculous Medal of Mary. When Milford told her it was, she touched it and said, “Then I know this is going to be OK.”

LOCAL NEWS 5

Lisanne Milford (second from left) received the Excellence in the Workplace award from the Integrity Resource Center. Milford, a nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and parishioner at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, says her husband Terence (left) and children — (left to right) Emma, Nathan and Addy — give her the support that makes it possible to do the work she does. when the baby was delivered.

“You could feel the Holy Spirit in that room,” she added.

Milford believes being in medicine and believing in God go hand in hand.

She remembers a couple whose baby had multiple anomalies. She and another nurse cared for them for days.

The baby was born alive, but died within 24 hours. They showered that infant with all the love they could during that brief time.

To Milford, being there and getting to know the parents was a gift. They sent her a note saying, “I hope we can see you again in happier times.”

Offering support, not judgment Some women come in alone. And Milford is there for them, too.

Milford helps deliver the babies of young teens, the homeless, the HIVpositive and those who have had no prenatal care.

She tries to understand the heart of every patient.

“I truly believe that you can look at someone’s chart and think you have an idea of who they are,” said Milford. “And after a 12-hour shift, you find out who they really are.”

She never judges — that’s not why she’s there.

“No matter what their situation is, there’s a story behind it,” she said.

“There’s a reason behind it.”

She knows circumstances are difficult, and she offers her support to teens who are giving up their babies for adoption. “[You’re] giving the greatest gift to someone,” she tells them.

Living her faith Milford finds reasons in her work to be thankful for the big things — and the little things — in life.

To her, living your faith can mean holding someone’s hand, just being there with them, listening to them, and making them feel important.

She shares that idea with her kids.

“I say you don’t have to cure cancer, you don’t have to be a genius,” she said.

Little acts of kindness can go a long

Heroes of faith FIRE stands for Faith, Integrity, Relationships and Excellence.

The Integrity Resource Center honors “local heroes of faith” who carry out one or more of those core values in their work.

During the FIRE in the Workplace Honors Banquet that took place at the Ritz Charles in Overland Park, one person was honored in each category, and a fifth award was presented to a minister for his work. The 2011 award recipients were: Pastor: Tom Nelson, senior pastor of Christ Community Evangelical Free Church Faith: Scott Rauth, president of Entire Computer Solutions Integrity: Bo Govea, Govea Insurance Relationships: Dan Meers, KC Wolf (the Chiefs’ mascot) Excellence: Lisanne Milford (Prince of Peace Parish), nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center way.

“The simple act of reaching out to someone who may be lonely, who may be sad, is just as powerful as the great experiments that have been done or the books that have been written,” she tells her kids. “You can be just as powerful in your own life.”

Her husband Terence nominated her for the FIRE in the Workplace award. Her family found out beforehand that she would receive the honor at a banquet, but made it a surprise for her.

Milford believes their support is what allows her to give so much of herself to her patients.

She is quick to turn the focus to others when she talks about her honor.

There are a lot of deserving people, she said, and she knows faith plays a role in many of her colleagues’ lives.

But when Williams learned that the nurse who had helped deliver baby Julaya had been selected for this honor, her face broke into a huge smile.

“You deserve it,” she said more than once.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Following on the heels of a letter from the bishops of Kansas, some U.S. senators have criticized new U.S. Department of Health and Human Service mandates.

The rules implement part of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. On Oct. 6, a group of 28 Republican senators — including Kansas’ Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran — sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. They asked her to redraft the Required Health Plan Coverage Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services and to provide information relating to the creation and issuance of the mandates.

The senators criticized the new guidelines as a threat to constitutional rights to religious liberty and personal conscience. The senators accused HHS of failing its obligation to consider the ramifications of the guidelines and said the time allowed for public comment was too short. They expressed concerns about abortifacients in the mandates.

In their letter, senators included excerpts from the Kansas bishops’ Sept.

6 letter to Sebelius and criticized her characterization of public comments.

“You seem to suggest that most religious persons had no concerns with any requirements that contraceptive services be included, but this hardly squares with the public feedback that we are hearing from religious persons and institutions,” wrote the senators.

Correction One of the schools in a caption on the front page of the Oct. 7 issue of The Leaven was misidentified. The Catholic school in Olpe is St. Joseph, not Sacred Heart.

The Leaven regrets the error.

Concert set for Oct. 23 KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The gospel choir of Our Lady and St. Rose Parish here will present its annual gospel choir concert, “It’s All About You Lord,” at 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Our Lady and St. Rose Church, located at 2300 N. 8th St.

Grief support offered KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center here, at 2601 Ridge Ave., will present “Surviving the Holidays with Grief” from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 9.

Mary Kay Whitacre, who has over 35 years of experience in ministry, including pastoral care and spiritual direction, will be the facilitator.

USM offers information session on degree completion LEAVENWORTH — The University of Saint Mary will hold a free information session about degree-completion and graduate programs at its Overland Park campus, 11413 Pflumm — home of the university’s evening graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs — from 6-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

To register for the information session or to learn more about USM’s evening accelerated programs, call (913) 345-8288 or visit the website at: www.stmary.edu/ success.

Correction In the Sept. 30 issue The Leaven misidentified the two women in the above photo in the article titled “The Network.”

Joyce Tebbe Troyer is on the left and Mary Spencer is on the right. The Leaven regrets the error.

Sister Ann Louis LaLonde, SCL

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Dan Harriman smokes a cooker full of chicken drumsticks for the Cub Scouts of Pack 3284, which is sponsored by St. Joseph Parish and School in Shawnee. Competition was very close in all categories of the camporee cooking contest.

HOLY SMOKES

Scouts know what’s cookin’ at camporee

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jeff Silkman had high hopes for his “Chocolate Lovers’ Delight.”

It was one of several dishes that Silkman and his Boy Scout chefs, members of Troop 395 of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, were preparing for the third annual Holy Smokes Cookoff and Catholic Family Campout on Sept. 10 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. “We won first place [in desserts] last year,” he said, pouring a batch of chocolate goo into an iron kettle.

“This is something new we’re trying.”

Alas, it was not to be.

The winner in the dessert competition this year was a Dutch oven apple crisp from Troop 46, sponsored by Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka.

Don’t feel too bad for Troop 395.

The Leawood Scouts triumphed in the foil dinner and dutch oven dinner categories.

The Holy Smokes camporee was all about good food and good fun for the Catholic Scouting family. The camporee was sponsored by the archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and is the brainchild of Father Shawn Tunink, archdiocesan Scouting chaplain and associate pastor of Curé of Ars Parish.

The idea for Holy Smokes came out of Father Tunink’s own Scouting experiences.

“I remember as a boy at camp when I got to [attend] Mass at summer camp with all the Catholic Scouts,” said Father Tunink. “I remember being blown away by how many of us there were, and how I realized for the first time that the Catholic Church supports Scouting — that the two really do go together.”

Approximately a dozen Scouting

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Judging barbecue contests was not a part of Father Shawn Tunink’s seminary training. Fortunately, he’s had on-the-job training as a former scoutmaster. The cooking contest was just one activity at the annual Holy Smokes Cook-off and Catholic Family Campout on Sept. 10. units camped overnight on the Savior grounds and were joined later Sunday afternoon by others for an outdoor Mass and concert by the Mikey Needleman Band.

The Scouts and Scout leaders set up their camps and cooking equipment just before noon. Despite intermittent and occasionally heavy rain, the outdoor chefs produced a number of entrees and desserts. It was difficult to choose winners.

“Barbecue judging is a refined skill that requires a lot of practice,” said Father Tunink with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “I may have to practice several times before I feel I’m in a position to be fully warmed up for the responsibilities.”

Father Tunink hopes the event will grow as more people learn about it.

All Scouting units, even those not sponsored by Catholic organizations, are welcome to come. Also, Catholics in non-Catholic sponsored units are welcome to come as individuals.

The cook-off winners • Dessert category: Dutch oven apple crisp by Troop 46, Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka • Foil dinner category: lasagna

by Troop 395, Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood • Barbecue: ribs, pulled pork and beans by Troop 194, St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee • Best in show: teriyaki chicken

by Troop 46, Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka

“We want to get the word out that we’ll always have Holy Smokes the Saturday after Labor Day,” said Father Tunink. “Ideally, all our Catholic [units] will put this on their calendars as the Catholic camporee, so to speak, to begin the year.”

LEAVENWORTH — Sister Ann Louis LaLonde, 99, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, died on Sept. 30 at the motherhouse here.

Bertha Joyce LaLonde was born on May 14, 1912, in Carrizozo, N.M., one of four children of Louis and Elvira Uderos LaLonde.

She earned her RN Sister Ann Louis degree from MethodLaLonde ist Hospital School of Nursing, Los Angeles, in 1934, and joined the Navy in 1942, where she served four years as a commissioned officer in the Navy Nurse Corps.

Obituary Her tour included 14 months in Caledonia in the South Pacific, after which she returned to California and treated wounded soldiers coming home from the war. In 1948, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, and a master of nursing degree in 1967 from the University of Washington, Seattle.

On Aug. 19, 1948, she entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and was give the name of Sister Ann Louis. She made her profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1950. From then until her retirement in 1994, she was engaged in the health care ministry. For over 30 years, she was missioned to Sisters of Charity hospitals in California, Colorado, Kansas and Montana, where she served as nurse, clinical instructor, director of nurses, administrator, and volunteer.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Sister Ann Louis participated in public health programs for migrant workers in Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico. For a short time, she served in Sisters of Charity clinics in Peru and Bolivia.

Baldwin Scout earns Eagle BALDWIN — Thomas J. Bollig, a member of Annunciation Parish here and Boy Scout Troop 65, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Baldwin, was presented with the Eagle Scout rank during an Eagle Court of Honor on Oct. 1. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Bollig’s Eagle project involved Thomas Bollig clearing brush and painting three structures at the Baker Wetlands in south Lawrence, and installing 36 animal habitat boxes for three wetlands species.

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

Former Pentecostal minister converted ‘by the Book’

By Marc and Julie Anderson Special to The Leaven

TOPEKA — What could compel a Pentecostal minister to leave his pulpit and become a Catholic?

“I wanted to be in the church of the Bible,” explained Deacon Alex Jones, now a globe-trotting Catholic apologist and permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Had someone told this Detroit pastor some years back that he would leave his own congregation to become a Catholic, he wouldn’t have believed it, he said.

But from Sept. 18-20, Jones shared his journey into the Catholic Church with a crowd of 500 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka.

Deacon Jones’ presentation was sponsored by the parish’s formation committee and is part of an effort to bring speakers in to help parishioners learn about and grow in their Catholic faith.

Last year, the series featured well-known Catholic apologist Stephen Ray, who often appears on EWTN and who, with his wife and four children, converted to Catholicism from the Baptist tradition.

Deacon Jones said he longed for a church that reflected the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I wanted to be like the church of the Bible. . . . That was my dream,” he said.

He wanted to be part of the church described in the Book of Revelation, which includes people of every race and color. Although Deacon Jones said his gift was not in preaching, he loved teaching. Never did he imagine one night of teaching would set him straight on a course for the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1998, he offered his Wednesday night Bible study group a genuine experience of the early church. With the class’ enthusiasm as his motivation, Deacon Jones started reading the works of the early Fathers of the Church, including St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Justin Martyr.

As a Protestant, he had been taught to believe the Catholic Church had introduced concepts such as transubstantiation nearly 1,000 years after Christ.

What he learned from his reading surprised him.

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Mary (Dray) and Deacon Mike Rasins, members of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 14. The couple was married in 1961 at St. Andrew Parish, Kenmore, ANNIVERSARIES N.Y. Their children and their spouses are: Michael Rasins, Mark and Susan Rasins, Matthew and Thea Rasins, Jason and Shannan Rasins, Mickey Rasins, and Katie Rasins. They also have eight grandchildren.

Marcia and Norman Hogan, members of Sacred HeartSt. Joseph Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 15 by renewing their vows at the 4 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Topeka.

Supper will follow in the church hall. The couple also attended the archdiocesan golden wedding anniversary celebration on June 5 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan. They were married on Oct. 14, 1961. Their children and their spouses are: Curtis and Carrie Hogan; Brenda and Mark Beck; Kevin and Mechelle Hogan, and Cindy and Brian Bigenwalt.

They also have 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

Students at Holy Rosary School in Wea celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Oct. 7 by forming a rosary out of roses outside the school. The students and faculty then joined together to pray the rosary.

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

Former Pentecostal minister Deacon Alex Jones visits with Most Pure Heart of Mary parishioner Kem McHugh following his talk at the church.

“Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a man who was second from Peter, a man who zealously guarded the faith, a man who had received the faith directly from the apostles, was speaking about transubstantiation,” Deacon Jones said.

He quickly discovered the same in the works of St. Justin Martyr. Not only that, but he also discovered the early church had a hierarchy with bishops, priests and deacons who led the church in the celebration of the Mass.

Returning to his Bible study class and his congregation, Deacon Jones began making changes in the way his congregation worshipped, including dividing the service into two, bringing the altar out from the wall, donning vestments and even using a chalice and cruets.

“The deacons cornered me and asked me if I was becoming Catholic,” he said.

“I was insulted.”

Nevertheless, he kept studying.

“The door had been opened, and I began to read and read,” Deacon Jones said, adding that eventually he could no longer ignore the call to become a Catholic.

“I wanted to be in the church that has always been,” he said. “That revelation was so powerful, I could not ignore it.”

In January 2000, Deacon Jones told his congregation he could either resign or he could spend the next six months teaching them what he had learned so far. Although many in his congregation had left, 62 members voted to journey with him in studying the Catholic Church.

And at the Easter Vigil the following year, 53 of them became members of St. Suzanne’s Catholic Church in Detroit.

One of Deacon Jones’ biggest challenges afterward was the loss of his pastorate and many of his friends. But as he

LOCAL NEWS 7

began traveling the world as a Catholic deacon sharing the story of his conversion, he attracted much larger crowds than he ever had as a Protestant minister.

More importantly, though, Deacon Jones said he has been given a call to share the Gospel wherever God calls him. In doing so, he finds himself explaining concepts such as the Catholic Church’s teachings on apostolic tradition, the Blessed Sacrament, Mary as the mother of God, and the new evangelization.

For parishioner Julane Hovorka, Deacon Jones’ presentation helped her to see the importance of understanding the church’s teachings and being able to explain the teachings to others.

“I learned how important it is for us to being ready to evangelize,” said Hovorka, “not necessarily by knocking on doors, but just being ready . . . to share the reasons why we believe what we do as Catholics.”

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

701 North 94th Street * Kansas City, Kansas 66112 * (913) 334-3366 Funeral Home * Cemetery * Cremation Services

W

e have the newest and nicest funeral home in Wyandotte County, right across the street from St. Patrick’s Church. Personalize a Funeral, Cemetery or Memorial Service all from one office, instead of driving all over town making plans. We even accept many pre-arranged plans from other funeral homes. To receive a free Personal Planning Guide, call or stop in today.

MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

World Mission Sunday

J

ust as our young church here in the United States received support in the 19th century from the Catholics of Europe through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, so, too, the growing churches in the developing world today also require financial help. Your generosity will help make a faith-filled difference around the world.

• A gift of $15 is a week’s support of a young man in a mission seminary.

• A gift of $20 helps to purchase a desk and books for a student in a catechetical class in a parish in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam.

• A gift of $75 provides support for religious Sisters in Zambia serving at a mission hospital there.

• A gift of $125 will help toward food, shelter, clothing, medical care and an education for one of the 45 young girls in the care of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Thailand.

Celebrate the hope that saves

Missionaries Today

‘The church is missionary by its nature’

D

Mission moments matched to the readings of the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

CNS photo/Goran Tomasevic, Reuters

CNS photo/Reuters

CNS photo by Paul Jeffrey

Traditionally dressed men take part in a rehearsal for the Independence Day ceremony in Juba, Sudan, July 5. Southern Sudan split from the north July 9, creating Africa’s newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan.

Children travel by boat through the flooded village of Brahamangaon, located about 44 miles from the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka. Floodwaters typically sweep over much of Bangladesh every year.

Children left homeless by Dec. 26, 2005, tsunamis play at a refugee camp near Palattadichchenai, Sri Lanka, Jan. 6. Many children were orphaned or abandoned by the tsunamis that devastated the country.

“I LOVE YOU, O LORD, MY STRENGTH.” (Ps 18:2)

“RECEIVING THE WORD IN GREAT AFFLICTION . . .” (1 Thes 1:6)

“YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Mt 22:39)

Peter loro Bambu was a seminarian in Juba in Sudan during the height of the civil war. Often classes were interrupted by bombings that forced students to flee the building and hide in trenches. “I came to believe that being a priest was the best way to be a voice for my own people,” he explained. Now Father Peter, he said, “The power of God was my strength and remains the strength of the church in our new nation of South Sudan.” May the Lord strengthen our own faith witness in our communities and bless those who offer such witness around the world.

Father Tapan Camillus de Rozario, a local priest in Bangladesh, speaks of the ongoing trials of the poor there. The garo people, for example, make a living from forest cultivation, but are plagued by yearly flooding and encroaching development. Local priests are very much a presence in their world, going and living where they are, accompanying them during their trials, visiting the sick and, above all, praying with them and celebrating the sacraments. May we pray daily for those who suffer and for those who offer them help and the hope-filled message of Jesus.

Ask Sister Ella Espura to describe the community at Jardin de Maria Girls’ Center in Ngombo, Sri Lanka, and she’ll say “family.” Some of the 20 girls now in residence were orphaned by the tsunami; others were abandoned or left alone through various circumstances. “When they first arrive, the girls are often anxious, hesitant and afraid, undernourished and sick,” said Sister Ella. “We treat them like family, giving love and care in abundance.” At all times, may all we do reflect to others God’s compassion and his boundless love.

2010 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: $77,313 ATCHISON REGION Sacred Heart, Atchison St. Benedict’s, Atchison St. Joseph, Atchison St. Patrick, Atchison St. Benedict, Bendena St. Ann, Effingham St. Louis, Good Intent St. Ann, Hiawatha St. Leo, Horton Corpus Christi, Mooney Creek St. Joseph, Nortonville St. Mary, Purcell St. Charles, Troy

Immaculate Conception, Valley Falls St. Joseph, Wathena TOTAL

$112 $350 $195 $10 $107 $194 $175 $412 $68 $45 $210 $30 $85

JOHNSON COUNTY REGION Queen of the Holy Rosary, Bucyrus Sacred Heart, Gardner Curé of Ars, Leawood Nativity, Leawood St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Holy Trinity, Lenexa St. Pius X, Mission Prince of Peace, Olathe St. Paul, Olathe Ascension, Overland Park Holy Cross, Overland Park Holy Spirit, Overland Park Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park

$259 $134 $2,386 $232 $452 $1,541 $8,216 $3,387 $885 $338 $1,609 $1,539 $3,675 $645 $1,511 $1,215

St. Ann, Prairie Village St. Agnes, Roeland Park Good Shepherd, Shawnee Sacred Heart, Shawnee St. Joseph, Shawnee TOTAL LAWRENCE REGION Annunciation, Baldwin Assumption, Edgerton Holy Family, Eudora Corpus Christi, Lawrence St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence Sacred Heart, Tonganoxie TOTAL LEAVENWORTH REGION Holy Angels, Basehor

‘As The Father has sent me, so I send you’

$728 $409 $617 $557 $1,834 $29,030 $260 $10 $384 $1,266 $148 $277 $2,345 $683

St. Joseph-St. Lawrence, Easton St. Francis de Sales, Lansing Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph, Leavenworth Sacred Heart-St. Casimir, Leavenworth TOTAL NEMAHA-MARSHALL REGION St. Michael, Axtell Sacred Heart, Baileyville St. Malachy, Beattie St. Columbkille, Blaine St. Monica-St. Elizabeth, Blue Rapids St. Patrick, Corning St. Augustine, Fidelity Annunciation, Frankfort St. Bede, Kelly St. Joseph, Lillis

$334 $689 $3,543 $654 $5,903 $170 $412 $249 $85 $55 $150 $178 $160 $244 $140

ear Brothers and Sisters in world where people are struggling Christ, to get enough to eat or send their Our Lord, before returnchildren to school, to nurse the sick ing to the Father, announced or to provide basic care to the elderly the gift of the Holy Spirit and charged and disabled. However, the church’s his followers with being his witnesses missionary activity begins with the “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). proclamation of faith: “Jesus is Lord!”

We are familiar with He is our common hope this fundamental duty of — a hope that not only all Catholics. Each year, clothes and educates, but we renew this baptismal also saves. call, especially during our Blessed Pope John Paul Easter celebration. And II reminded us that the in October, as the entire church’s mission is “very church celebrates World far from completion.” We Mission Sunday, we have a are called to go beyond the chance to fulfill this duty borders of our parishes in a special way. Through and neighborhoods and prayer and sacrifice we Archbishop Joseph F. reach out to people who are able to support those still do not know Christ Naumann missionaries who bring the and to those who have good news of Jesus to faraway places. abandoned faith in Christ. On World In doing so, we are renewing our own Mission Sunday, Oct. 23, I invite you vocation as missionaries. The church to “celebrate the hope that saves” is, after all, missionary by its nature. through prayer and participation in Thankfully, there are many orthe Eucharist, and by giving generganizations — some Catholic — that ously to the World Mission Sunday extend the treasure and talent of collection.

Americans to those parts of the Your vital contribution to the

Pontifical Mission Societies will support those 1,150 young mission dioceses and communities who await the good news of Jesus as their saving hope. Please join me in renewing our archdiocesan commitment to embrace the mandate, given by Jesus himself, to make disciples of all nations. I humbly ask you to pray for the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies and missionaries throughout the world. I encourage you to promote their work in your parishes, in religious education programs and in schools. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our desire to be on mission and give us the grace to be zealous in spreading our faith. May God bless you and reward you for your generosity.

Highlights of Pope Benedict’s World Mission Sunday message u Mission is the most precious service that the church can render to humanity and to every individual seeking profound reasons for living his or her existence to the full. In fact, the ceaseless proclamation of the Gospel also revitalizes the church. It renews its pastoral methods so that they may be ever more suited to new situations — also those that require a new evangelization — and animated by missionary thrust. u All those who have met the risen Lord have felt the need to proclaim him to others, as did the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. After recognizing the Lord in the breaking of bread, they “set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled” and told them what had happened to them on the road. The beneficiaries of the Gospel proclamation are all peoples. u This task has not lost any of its urgency. Indeed, “the mission of Christ the redeemer, which is entrusted to the church, is still very far from completion.” We cannot be content when we consider that, after two thousand years, there are still peoples who do not know Christ and have not yet heard his message of salvation. u The universal mission involves everyone, everything and always. All activities are also involved in this. The church’s missionary dimension is essential; therefore, it must always be kept in mind. World Mission Sunday is not an isolated moment in the year, but a precious occasion for pausing to reflect on whether and how we respond to the missionary vocation: an essential response for the life of the church. u In missionary animation, particular attention has always been given to solidarity. This is also one of the objectives of World Mission Sunday, which, through the Pontifical Mission Societies, appeals for help to carry out evangelizing activities in mission territories. Proclaiming the Gospel, the church takes human life to heart in the fullest sense.

Sincerely yours in Jesus, the Lord of life,

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

For more about this important celebration of the universal church, visit the special World Mission Sunday website at: www.IAmAMissionary.org.

St. Gregory, Marysville St. Vincent de Paul, Onaga Sacred Heart, Sabetha St. Mary, St. Benedict Sts. Peter & Paul, Seneca Holy Family, Summerfield St. James. Wetmore TOTAL SOUTHERN REGION St. Francis Xavier, Burlington St. Patrick, Emerald Sacred Heart, Emporia St. Catherine, Emporia Didde Campus Center, Emporia University Holy Angels, Garnett St. John the Baptist, Greeley St. Mary, Hartford

$510 $25 $119 $475 $2,729 $90 $65 $5,856 $158 $55 $895 $125 $149 $210 $57 $95

Our Lady of Lourdes, LaCygne Immaculate Conception, Louisburg Sacred Heart, Mound City St. Joseph, Olpe St. Philip Neri, Osawatomie Sacred Heart, Ottawa Holy Trinity, Paola St. Therese, Richmond St. Boniface, Scipio St. Joseph, Waverly St. Teresa, Westphalia TOTAL TOPEKA REGION Holy Family, Alma St. Joseph, Flush St. Dominic, Holton St. Francis of Assisi, Lapeer

$100 $287 $29 $123 $112 $168 $630 $173 $420 $50 $305 $4,141 $75 $212 $110 $159

St. Francis Xavier, Mayetta St. Aloysius, Meriden St. Patrick, Osage City Sacred Heart, Paxico St. Theresa, Perry St. Stanislaus, Rossville St. Patrick, Scranton Immaculate Conception, St. Marys Christ the King, Topeka Mater Dei, Topeka Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Topeka Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka Sacred Heart-St. Joseph, Topeka St. Matthew, Topeka St. Bernard, Wamego TOTAL

$100 $225 $142 $80 $220 $115 $275 $652 $3,096 $980 $2,438 $432 $575 $775 $641 $111 $11,413

WYANDOTTE COUNTY REGION Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. All Saints, Kansas City, Kan. Blessed Sacrament, Kansas City, Kan. Christ the King, Kansas City, Kan. Holy Family, Kansas City, Kan. Holy Name, Kansas City, Kan. Our Lady and St. Rose, Kansas City, Kan. Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kan. St. John the Baptist, Kansas City, Kan. St. Mary-St. Anthony, Kansas City, Kan. St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kan. Sisters, Servants of Mary, Kansas City, Kan. Latin Community, Kansas City, Kan. Office TOTAL

$308 $374 $181 $427 $184 $219 $11 $251 $400 $40 $124 $500 $720 $12,500 $16,239

TOTAL for ARCHDIOCESE

$77,313

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

LOCAL NEWS 11

Martin Sheen stars in unusual journey of faith

By Father Mike Stubbs

Special to The Leaven

A

year ago, when I began walking the Way of St. James, I was surprised to discover that not all of my fellow pilgrims were motivated by religious faith. For example, when informed about the Mass with the blessing for pilgrims that would take place that evening to MOVIE REVIEW kick off the pilgrimage, one of them remarked that they were not interested. A few days later, I engaged in a conversation with a young woman from Japan who was making the pilgrimage.

It turned out that she did not even believe in God. I thought that it was very strange.

These people were walking several hundred miles across northern Spain, on their way to Santiago de Compostela, to the shrine dedicated to St. James the Apostle, in a pilgrimage under the supervision of the Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela.

And yet, some of them had decidedly nonreligious motives for doing so.

Some simply liked to hike. Some wanted to lose weight. Some wanted to see the scenery, to meet people, or to visit historic sites along the way.

At least, that’s what they said.

Of course, I did meet pilgrims who were clearly motivated by religious reasons: the group of nuns in full habit (I believe they were Polish), the group of French youth who were reciting the rosary one evening, the pilgrims who would attend the evening Mass in the local parish. But what about the others?

What about those pilgrims seemingly not motivated by religious faith? unplanned pregnancy? decisions to make?

Replace pressure and panic with thoughtful, and rational reflection. A confidential, caring friend is waiting for your call.

Topeka- (785) 234-0701 Lawrence- (785) 843-4821 Leavenworth- (913) 682-2700 Kansas City-(816)444-7090 Emporia- (620) 342-8600

IRTHRIGHT

or call 24 hrs. toll free 1-800-550-4900

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

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

CNS photo/Producers Distribution Agency/ARC

Martin Sheen stars in a scene from the movie “The Way,” a film about a man’s pilgrimage in walking the Way of St. James. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned.

The characters in the recently released film “The Way” definitely fit into that category. They include lapsed Catholics and individuals with indeterminate religious backgrounds, if any.

At times, they indulge in questionable practices, which makes the film suitable for mature audiences only. They are not behaving as good Catholics — even the star, Martin Sheen, who in real life is a devout Catholic.

But as they walk together, we learn that these are individuals who are broken and wounded. They are searching

for purpose and meaning in their lives.

Without realizing it, they are searching for God. And each step of their journey brings them healing. Each step brings them closer to God. Their real destination turns out to be not just the shrine to St. James, but God. That makes their pilgrimage a spiritual journey, despite themselves.

In that respect, the film very closely reflects the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela as I experienced it. The film does not pretend to be accurate in the

sense of a documentary; it’s a fictional story. Nonetheless, it clearly reveals the truth of what can happen on the Way of St. James. It points to the mysterious ways in which life can bring us closer to God, the mysterious ways in which life itself can turn out to be a spiritual journey, despite all our protestations.

“The Way” is playing at AMC Studio 30 in Olathe. For showtimes, check the website at: www.amctheatres.com/ Studio.

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Seeking providers for in-home therapy for children with autism - Love children? Want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families? Interested in working with children with autism? We need you! Earn $9 - 15 per hour working as an in-home ABA therapist. You provide the enthusiasm, and we’ll provide the training. Integrated Behavioral Technologies is looking for entrylevel and experienced providers for children with autism (ages 3 – 13 years) in Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. For information, contact IBT at (913) 417-7061 or send an email to: application@ ibt-inc.org.

Youth minister – St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, a parish of 2100 families, is seeking a full-time youth minister. The ideal candidate will be able to lead and guide young people to grow in the knowledge of their faith; in the practice of that faith in light of the principles of Christian morality and social justice; in the celebration of the sacraments; and in the development of their spiritual lives. The youth minister must be a practicing Catholic who lives the Gospel in all aspects of his or her life and be a model of Christian living for the young people of our parish.

Additionally, this position requires knowledge of our faith and the ability to teach and share credibly the gift of faith. Preferred skills include a fluent knowledge of Microsoft Office and Photoshop as well as musical and technological abilities. This position requires evening and weekend hours. For information or to submit a resume, call Denise Ogilvie at (913) 402-3949 or send an email to her at: denise.ogilvie@ stmichaelcp.org.

Director- The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a new director of Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, a contemplative retreat center in Easton, Kansas, formerly known as Shantivanam House of Prayer. The director will be responsible for the spiritual leadership and administrative oversight of the 120-acre facility. A successful candidate will be a practicing Catholic who embraces the church’s teachings on faith and morals as articulated by the church’s magisterium, and who possesses a comprehensive understanding of the Catholic faith and the traditions of the Catholic Church. The position requires compassionate, effective communication skills; dedication to Christian contemplative prayer; and the values of solitude and hospitality for all guests. Knowledge of or experience in spiritual direction or counseling is desirable. Administrative/management experience in a retreat center/house of prayer setting is preferred.

A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/employment. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume, and application by Oct. 31 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Christ’s Peace Director Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send, via email, to: kthomas@archkck.org.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City, Topeka and Atchison areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income.

We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Services Home and business custom audio/visual - If you need help with a home theater, data networking, or just hanging a flat screen television, turn to us. With over 25 years of combined installation experience, we have the tools and know-how to get it done right. Call (913) 904-8935 or visit the website at: www.crsightandsound.com.

Computer repair and upgrades/virus, spyware & malware removal - Microsoft certified, 11+ yrs. experience. Member of Sacred Heart Parish. Call Matt at (816) 876-6619 or send an email to him at: mattcomputerfix@gmail.com.

KC Girl on the Go - Need help with errands and tasks so you will have more time for yourself, friends and family? House- and pet-sitting, shopping, holiday help, home and photo organization, decorating and more. Call Mary Pat at (913) 579-7849 or send an email to: mpjohnston@everestkc.net. Church of the Ascension parishioner for 15 years.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011 Counseling - Topeka Marriage and family, child, teen, personal Shunga Creek Mental Health Call Ken Zweig, LSCSW at (785) 969-5308.

Machine quilting by Lyn - I also do T-shirt, photo, and memorial quilts. Official Hobbs distributor.

Located in Overland Park. Call Lyn at (913) 492-8877.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

Foley’s Lawn Care - fall is coming!

Aeration, verticutting & over-seeding Fall cleanup, mowing, mulch, landscaping & gutters. Free estimates; call (913) 825-4353 www.foleyslawncare.com Serving Johnson County for over 10 years.

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

Semi-retired arborist - Available for tree and shrub trimming. Call Bob at (913) 231- 6460.

Fall lawn cleanup Aeration, seeding, fertilizing & leaf removal Excellent references; licensed and insured Local parishioner; free estimates.

Insured; excellent references.

Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Rodman Lawn Care - Lawn mowing, leaf removal, hedge trimming, power washing, snow removal. Call (913) 548-3002 for a free estimate. Member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park.

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 familyowned and based in Lenexa. Call Benefits of HomeSenior Care at (913) 422-1591 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

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

Child Care Day care openings - Infant to preschool age. Mon. - Fri., from 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Over 30 years of experience; excellent references; reasonable rates. Located in Kansas City, Kan., with easy access to I-635, I-35 and I-70. Call Sandy at (913) 710-5657.

Home Improvement Father and son team - We do roofing, windows, doors, siding, brick masonry, all types of wood rot, fences and decks, retaining walls, landscaping and concrete. You name it, we can do it — no job to big or small. Reasonable prices; fully insured. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson county area. Call for a free quote.

(913) 709-8401.

Master electrician - Licensed in Missouri and Kansas. 35 years experience in residential and commercial electrical needs. Call Rick, L & M Electric, at (913) 362-1501 or (816) 781-1501.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011 Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Tile work - Ceramic tile installation/repair for your kitchen and bathrooms. I also do custom showers and flooring projects. 20 years experience; insured. For a free estimate, call Frank Womack, In Line Flooring, at (913) 485-07454, or send an email to him at: inlineflooringkc@gmail.com.

Interior and exterior painting and wallpaper removal - 30-plus years experience. Quality work; excellent references; reasonable rates. Senior discount. Member of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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

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

Brack Home Repair - Call Dan when you need it done! Carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, wood rot and much more. No project too big or small. For free estimate, call (913) 219-5388 or visit the website at: brackhomerepair.com. Insured; senior discount available. Philippians 4:13.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

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

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.

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, clean . . . we do it all! For a free consultation, call your professional organizing handyman, Kevin Hogan, M.Ed., today at (913) 271-5055. Insured; references. Visit the website at: www.koatindustries.com.

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, garage, attic, shop — any room organized! Items taken to donation sites, trash is bagged, and areas are clean and neat when job is complete. To view before-andafter pictures, visit the website at: www.swalms.com.

Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

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.

Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work.

Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

Brick masons - Installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, and concrete.

17 years of residential and commercial experience.

Small and large jobs accepted. KC Metro area. For a free quote, call Jim or John at (913) 485-4307.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

Real Estate Newly listed in Kenilworth, Prairie Village $306,000. Thirty years of TLC has been given to this 5 BR, 4 BA, split-level home, located in Curé of Ars Parish. Approximately 3,200 sq. ft.; new composition roof; newer furnace and A/C. Close to Trailwood Elementary School. To view pictures, visit the website at: http://www.4800W96.com. Call Scott Strevell, ERA Manning, at (913) 269-4269.

Roeland Park home FSBO - New price of $165,000; or for rent, call for monthly rate. Awesome 2 BR, 1 BA ranch located at 5122 Clark Dr. Move-in-ready condition. For information, call (913) 206-7109.

Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 2 BA, fully furnished first-floor condo near the clubhouse and pool/hot tub. Close to downtown shopping, golf, hiking and biking, and on bus line to Winter Park/Mary Jane base ski area. Rental income opportunity also available. Call (816) 809-7739 or (913) 897-0220.

Vacation at home - $339,900. A stone’s throw to the seven-acre lake! Located in Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee, this beautiful 4 BR, 4-1/2 BA, twostory home has over 3,500 sq. ft.; a four-car, sideentry garage; an unfinished, walkout basement; a master BR suite with sitting room and a huge walk-in closet. To view pictures, visit the website at: http:// www.14600w78.com. Call Scott Strevell, ERA Manning, at (913) 269-4269.

For Rent Overland Park ranch-style duplex - 2 BR, 2 BA, two-car garage, and deck. Lawn care, trash service and snow removal included. No pets. Great for seniors. $925 per month. Call (913) 492-7617.

For rent - 4411 Francis, Kansas City, Kan. Clean, well-maintained, 2 BR home in nice neighborhood.

Walk to KU Medical Center. Kitchen appliances, washer & dryer. Local family-owned and managed.

No pets; no smoking. $750/month. Call Ken or Judy at (913) 432- 0820.

Office space available - Great location in the Ranchmart area of Prairie Village. Ideal for start-ups, professional and small businesses. Flexible terms.

Call Marek at (913) 461-4491.

Vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 642-3027.

To view, visit the website at: www.tillmancabin.com.

For Sale For Sale - Single burial plot in the Queen of Heaven Garden at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.

Lot 120; section A; space 4. Price of $3000 includes plot, liner, opening and closing. Call Mary Ann Tatman at (417) 365-0760.

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.

Wanted to Buy Cash for your antiques - Coins, watches, silverware, old rifles and shotguns, pocket knives, old military items, Zippo lighters, duck decoys, antique toys, old signs, old pine or primitive furniture. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269. *** Want to buy *** Antique or vintage jewelry Single pieces or entire estate Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Will buy firearms and related accessories One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Miscellaneous Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally wise way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City St. Joseph. Call 1 (866) 430-9499 or visit the website at: www.cars4kckids.com.

Part-time nanny/housekeeper - For a large Catholic family in rural Nemaha County. Individual must have a love for young children and a good work ethic. References required; background check will be conducted. Call (785) 294-0442.

14

Oct.

The Singles of Nativity will host a happy hour at 6 p.m. on Oct. 14 at 810 Zone, 4800 W. 119th St., Leawood.

Holy Name School, Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual Mexican Octoberfest from 7 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Pierson Community Center, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kan. Live music will be provided by the bands La Manana and Picante. There will also be a silent auction, raffles and more. The cost is $25 per person; $40 per couple. To purchase tickets, call the school office at (913) 7221032.

15

Father Dan Gardner will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly prolife Mass at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., A rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away will follow Mass. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing. Benediction concludes services at 9:45 a.m.

The Singles of Nativity will host a dance, called “I Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead Wearing That Outfit,” from 7 - 11 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Church of the Nativity Parish hall, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. Dress in outrageous and tacky clothing. The cost of $10 for members, $15 for guests, includes appetizers, beer and wine.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Oct. 15 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Managing the Holidays.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

The Altar Society of St. Mary-St. Anthony Church, Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual Oktoberfest from 5 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Bishop Forst Hall. The cost is $9 for adults; $4.50 for children 12 and under. Advance tickets are required. For information or to purchase tickets, call the parish office at (913) 3711408.

St. Patrick Parish, 1086 W. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a chili dinner and bingo night in the parish center on Oct. 15. Serving will begin at 6 p.m.; bingo will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $3 for children 10 and under. To purchase advance tickets or to reserve a table, call Sheri at (913) 788-8780 or Margaret at (913) 441-9487.

16

The annual eighth-grade prolife forum for School of Religion and home-schooled students will be held on Oct. 16 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. Mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m., followed by a pizza dinner and the forum from 6:30 - 8:45 p.m. Students will learn about pro-

life teachings and listen to personal testimonies on chastity and more. Parents are encouraged to attend. For information, contact Courtney Williams at (913) 642-1730 or Ron Kelsey at (913) 6470350.

Mary Health of the Sick Guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will hold a meeting following Mass at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16 at the convent, located at 800 N. 18th St. in Kansas City, Kan. Anyone interested in joining the guild is invited.

St. Pius X Parish, 5500 Woodson, Mission, will host a mini-retreat, entitled “Mary: Mother and Disciple,” with a special presentation by Mike Scherschligt of the School of Faith on Oct. 16.

Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m.; the retreat will follow from 9:30 - 12:15 p.m.

For information or to RSVP, call (913) 432-4808 or send an email to: trish millerdre@yahoo.com.

A Fatima rosary rally will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 6415 N.E. Antioch, Gladstone, Mo. Join in praying the rosary, followed by Benediction and enrollment in the brown scapular.

Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea Parish, 22279 Metcalf, Bucyrus, will host a fall bazaar from noon - 6 p.m. on Oct. 16. The QHR Men’s Club will serve a fried chicken dinner with all the trimmings.

The cost is: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 - 12; children under three eat free.

There will also be a country store, bingo, children’s games, raffles and more. For information, call the parish office at (913) 533-2462.

St. Benedict’s Parish, 1001 N. 2nd St., Atchison, will host a fall festival on Oct. 16 in the ACES old gym, 201 Division St. A roast beef dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will also be children’s games, a silent auction, raffles, and more. For information, call the parish office at (913) 367-0671.

17 There will be a Holy Hour for life at 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at St. Patrick

Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan.

18

Marillac Center, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, will host “Lingering over Coffee with Challenging Women of the Bible,” a four-session program held from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 18. Sister Kathleen Wood, SCL, who recently retired from teaching theology and ministry at the University of Saint Mary, will facilitate the program.

For information or to register, call (913) 758-6552; send an email to: retreats@ scls.org; or visit the website at: www. marillaccenter.org.

19 The annual eighth-grade pro-life forum for Catholic school students will be held from 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 19 at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. Students will learn about pro-life teachings and listen

to personal testimonies on chastity and more. Parents are encouraged to attend.

For information, contact Courtney Williams at (913) 642-1730 or Ron Kelsey at (913) 647-0350.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Fashion and Flair on a Budget,” a dress for success presentation, from 10 - 11 a.m. on Oct. 19. Learn about color, style, body image, and how to build a core wardrobe. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the website at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.

20

The Women of Nativity will host a presentation by master gardener Debbi Adams from 7 - 9 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the parish hall, located at 3800 W. 119th St. in Leawood. The cost is $20 at the door. Admission includes appetizers, beverages and door prizes. For information, call Vinci O’Neill at (913) 232-7224.

To RSVP, mail check, made payable to WON, to: Karen Leimer, 3403 W. 132nd St., Leawood KS 66209.

St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission, will host a “Green Team” information session from 7 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the Glowacki Room. The purpose is to help other Johnson County Catholic churches learn how to start an Earth-care ministry. For information or to register, call Clare Rockenhaus at (913) 677-1953.

21-23

Divorced? Widowed?

Beginning Experience Weekend gently helps people move through their loss to a new beginning in their lives. The next weekend for the Kansas City area will be Oct. 21 - 23 at Sanctuary of Hope Retreat Center, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call John at (913) 219-3465 in Kansas City; Michelle at (785) 478-3481 in Topeka; Jerry at (785) 843-2079 in Lawrence; or visit the website at: www.beginning experience.org.

22

Bishop Ward High School will host an auction on Oct. 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Kansas City, Kan. A silent auction and dinner will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a live auction at 8 p.m.

Tickets cost $60 per person. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Amy Nelson in the development office at (913) 371-6901 or visit the website at: www.cyclonecountry.org/auction2011.

The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will host the Women’s Day of Boundless Joy from 9 a.m.

- 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is: $40 for adults; $20 for young women 17 and under. To register, visit the website at: www.archkck.org/ accw or send a check, payable to ACCW, to: Loretta Schrick, 17871 Stitz Rd., Winchester KS 66097. Include your name, address, phone number, email and parish along with the check. Online registration doesn’t include payment; all payments must be mailed in advance.

CALENDAR 13

The St. Joseph Ladies Guild will host its annual gift and craft bazaar from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Oct. 22 in McDevitt Hall at St. Joseph Church, 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. The bazaar will feature a wide variety of items from over 40 vendors.

The St. Joseph Garden Club will sell continental breakfast items, lunch and beverages. For information, call Shannon Foley at (913) 302-8505.

22-23

St. Matthew Parish, 2700 S.E. Virginia Ave., Topeka, will host a fall festival on Oct. 22-23. On Saturday, there will be a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. The evening festivities will begin with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a chili supper, a cookie bake-off and a beer garden. On Sunday, a turkey dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will also be children’s games, inflatables, baked goods, and a health fair.

23

Holy Angels Church, Garnett, will host a bazaar and dinner at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School on Oct. 23. A buffet dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. The cost is: $8 for adults; $5 for children under 10 years; $9 for carryouts. There will also be homemade baked goods, crafts and a raffle.

A pancake breakfast to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary will be held from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Oct. 23 in the St. Peter Parish center, 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan. The cost is $6 for adults; $4 for children under 10 years old. For advance tickets, call (913) 371-3423. Tickets will also be available at the door.

The gospel choir of Our Lady & St. Rose Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will present its annual gospel choir concert, entitled “It’s All About You, Lord,” on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. at the church. All are welcome. For additional information, call Barbara Bailey at (913) 321-1958 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Little Sisters of the Poor will host their annual fall festival and spaghetti dinner from noon - 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the convent, located at 8745 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, Mo. There will also be a holiday boutique, a garage sale, and a bake sale. All proceeds will benefit the Sisters’ home for the elderly poor.

For information, call (816) 761-4744.

24

Would you like to reach out and make a difference in someone’s life?

The Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic will host a volunteer information night from 7 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. For information or to RSVP, call Tammy at (913) 2878287 or send an email to: volunteer@ wpcnetwork.org.

Calendar submissions: Are due at noon on Wednesday, nine days prior to the requested publication date. Email submissions to: jennifer@theleaven. com or mail to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

MARK MY WORDS

Catholic Press Association Award Winner

1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

QUOTE WEEK

OF THE

“The simple act of reaching out to someone who may be lonely, who may be sad, is just as powerful as the great experiments that have been done or the books that have been written.

You can be just as powerful in your own life.”

Lisanne Milford, labor and delivery nurse at Shawnee Mission Medical Center See story on page 1

D

FROM THE SUPER

OK, so what’s the point?

id you hear about the minister who did a demonstration sermon one weekend to get the attention of his congregation?

At the beginning of the service, he set up a table with four jars and a small dish of worms on it. Dramatically, the pastor raised each container.

The first jar contained alcohol. Plop!

He dropped a worm into it.

The second jar was covered and contained cigarette smoke. He unscrewed the lid and plopped a worm into the jar.

The third jar, containing chocolate syrup, also received a worm.

The fourth jar was filled with dirt, and the pastor placed the final worm into it.

He prayed silently for a few minutes and then returned to the jars.

“Observe what has happened!” he thundered.

He lifted the first jar, and the worm in the alcohol was dead.

The worm in the second jar of cigarette smoke was also dead.

The chocolate syrup in the third jar killed the worm in it.

Lastly, with great enthusiasm, the pastor lifted high the fourth jar containing the dirt. The worm inside was contentedly burrowing deeper.

“Now, what’s the point?” asked the pastor, pleased with his demonstration.

From the very last pew, Maxine raised her hand and said, “I suppose the point is: If you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won’t have worms!”

Yup, that pretty much ended the service!

Obviously, the pastor in the story wanted the congregation to be immersed in the good soil of the Gospel and their faith so they could grow and thrive. Alcohol, smoking and gluttony would kill them. He thought the point was crystal clear. It wasn’t.

Jesus, too, experienced the same

thing. How many times in the Gospels did the apostles or others not grasp the point that he was making? And, yes, we’re the same way.

Next weekend, Oct. 22-23, we mark World Mission Sunday. Like many of the special collections in the church throughout the year, we might see this as just another plea for more funds. It might even take us back to the days of our childhood when we were encouraged to clean our plates because “there are starving children in China who would love to eat that.” (No doubt a lot of kids who heard this or something similar would have been more than happy to supply both the envelope and the postage necessary to mail off the Brussels sprouts, broccoli or spinach that sat staring at them on their plates.)

World Mission Sunday, it seems, strives to remind us of what it means to be “church.” Essentially, the church is not a physical building; it’s people — “living stones,” as the First Letter of Peter reminds us (2:5). This special Sunday widens our perspective by putting a human face on the church around the world. And that “face” is of Jesus suffering, from being orphaned, ill, hungry, or homeless.

It’s awfully hard not to be generous when the poor have a face and a name.

For me, that would be John, a soon-tobe six-year-old boy in the Philippines that I sponsor. John’s father is a laborer and his mother is a cook. The family lives in a house of concrete blocks and

flooring, with a palm-leaf roof. It has one multipurpose room; John sleeps on a mattress on the floor. The family uses a community toilet and gets water from a community pump. Because John’s district consists of small islands, it’s tough to get the essentials of life: clothing, shoes, education and medicine.

Even though John lives thousands of miles away, Jesus reminds me that he’s still my “neighbor.” And I am called to love that neighbor as myself. Here I am, often too-well fed, living in a multi-room duplex by myself, with clean water and indoor plumbing. I lack neither clothes nor shoes and sleep comfortably on a bed. I was blessed to have an excellent education and have ready access to medical and dental care. If I love these things for myself, the Gospel tells me that I must love them for John and all those like him.

What deep wisdom missionaries in foreign lands show when they care for both the souls and the bodies of those they serve. They don’t wait for the people to come to them; instead, they go to where the people are, sharing their everyday lives. Missionaries understand well the English proverb that says: “Hungry bellies have no ears.” Bringing the basic necessities to the poor of this world is preaching the Gospel: It is the love of Christ made visible.

To prepare for World Mission Sunday next week, read about the appeal on pages 8 and 9 of this issue. Then, sacrifice one small “treat” each day and set aside that money for this special collection.

Finally, consider what you would do if a relative or friend approached you for help when in desperate need. We’re called to treat the poor of this world in exactly the same way — after all, they really are our brothers and sisters.

And that’s the whole point.

SECOND THOUGHTS ON THE SECOND READING TWENTY-NINTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 16 TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 45: 1, 4-6; Ps 96: 1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thes 1: 1-5b; Mt 22: 15-21 Oct. 17 Ignatius of Antioch, bishop, martyr Rom 4: 20-25; (Ps) Lk 1: 69-75; Lk 12: 13-21 Oct. 18 LUKE, EVANGELIST 2 Tm 4: 10-17b; Ps 145: 10-13, 17-18; Lk 10: 1-9 Oct. 19 John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, martyrs, and their companions, martyrs Rom 6: 12-18; Ps 124: 1-8; Lk 12: 39-48 Oct. 20 Paul of the Cross, priest Rom 6: 19-23; Ps 1: 1-4, 6; Lk 12: 49-53 Oct. 21 Friday Rom 7: 18-25a; Ps 119: 60, 68, 76-77, 93-94; Lk 12: 54-59 Oct. 22 Saturday Rom 8: 1-11; Ps 24: 1-6; Lk 13: 1-9

P

Paul leads, but does not act alone

icture St. Paul in your mind. He can look like a very intimidating figure.

He stands there fearless and resolute, with a long beard flowing down from his chin and holding a long sword in his hands. The sword represents the sword by which he was martyred. It also stands for the word of God, which he preached, the word of truth, which cuts like a two-edged sword and penetrates the heart. Those are the words TWENTY-NINTH that have rung SUNDAY IN out clearly over ORDINARY TIME the centuries, 1 Thes 1: 1-5b the words of his writings that still inspire.

St. Paul can look like a very intimidating figure — self-reliant; a maverick even. We sometimes forget, though, that he operated as part of a team, that he did not act alone. Even when he wrote his letters, some of which ended up in the New Testament and from which we frequently hear at Mass, he spoke on behalf of others.

We see that clearly in Sunday’s second reading, 1 Thes 1:1-5b. It begins: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy

to the church of the Thessalonians.”

These three men are working together to proclaim the Gospel, to build up the church. Even though St. Paul is the leader, he recognizes that he does not act alone. The team includes all three.

The number three plays an important role in St. Paul’s thought. He is constantly thinking of God in terms of three. Thus, in Sunday’s second reading, he greets the Thessalonians with the words: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace.”

A few verses later, he adds: “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.” So, in his opening remarks to the Thessalonians, St. Paul mentions the three persons of the Holy Trinity. He is constantly

COMMENTARY 15

thinking in terms of three.

We see this threefold pattern reflected even when St. Paul is writing about the lives of Christians. He frequently points to the three virtues of faith, hope, and love, on which Christians should base their lives. Those three virtues appear most famously in 1 Cor 13:13: “There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.”

But the first recorded instance in which St. Paul mentions those three virtues appears in Sunday’s second reading, when he commends the Thessalonians on their behavior: “the way you are proving your faith, and laboring in love, and showing constancy in hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” He is pleased with the conduct of the Thessalonians.

May God similarly be pleased with ours. May those three virtues of faith, hope and love cooperate in us to bring about lives pleasing to God, lives which in their own small way reflect the inner life of the three persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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

D

Catholic schools measure ‘outcomes’ differently

ear friends of Catholic schools,

Chances are that if you spend time in any of our Catholic school classrooms today, you will observe a different type of teaching and learning happening from what you might remember when you were students. While the language (“Differentiated Instruction, Multi-Tiered System of Supports, and Positive Behavior System”) may be new, the underlying principles are still rooted in the Gospels. Today’s teachers simply use a variety of approaches to ensure that each student is able to multiply his or her talents to give glory to God. Recently, there have been articles published in a variety of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, that point to the academic success of Catholic schools as a model for all

schools. While we enjoy and appreciate the positive recognition, these articles usually fail to mention the deeper reason for our success: i.e., the connection to faith in God and belief in the Scriptures.

Likewise, when others speak of “discipline” and the safe atmosphere of Catholic schools, they often miss the relationship to Jesus Christ that is the foundation of our behavioral expectations. What better “anti-bullying” program could there be than Jesus’

Sermon on the Mount or the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi? The belief that there is an eternal reward for goodness is a great motivator in Catholic schools!

In addition, when Catholic schools are praised for truly developing the “whole person,” rarely is credit given to the fact that, for us, the “whole person” includes the soul that God has given each of us. Father Richard Jacobs, OSA, stated it eloquently when he proposed that one of the foundational principles guiding Catholic schools is the belief that “teaching is an intimate communication between souls.” Thus “differentiated instruction” in Catholic schools encompasses more than just the minds of our students.

We believe this faithfulness to the true mission — learning to live and love as Jesus did — is why there are so many graduates of Catholic schools

excelling in colleges and careers. This is why there are so many Catholic school graduates serving in their communities, as noted in The Wall Street Journal.

When students are taught in Catholic schools that choosing a career and/ or helping others is more about how God is asking them to use the gifts and talents he gave them and not so much about what they want to do to make themselves happy, the result should be an intentional and sustained effort of self-giving on their parts.

Although the outcomes of Catholic schools, both nationally and in this archdiocese, are indeed noteworthy, so, too, are the real reasons behind those outcomes. Thanks be to God! ¡Vaya con Dios!

Kathy O’Hara is the superintendent of archdiocesan schools.

INSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Hospice ministry helps fund good works of Catholic Charities

A

s children of God, we are called to be faithful in all that we do, up to and including the day we are escorted home to heaven.

We are confronted with hundreds of choices each day — to get out of bed when the alarm goes off or sleep a little longer, eat a healthy breakfast or grab a doughnut at the office, stop and help the elderly gentleman across the street or rush past to get to a meeting on time. Some of our choices are inconsequential, while others can have eternal consequences.

No one likes to talk about death.

Even to a person of great faith, death can be frightening. It is the end of

all that is physically known and it is the final leap of faith in God and in the promise of Jesus Christ. So most parents and children never have a conversation about their wishes — do they want to have a DNR (“do not resuscitate” directive) if they are critically ill, what type of memorial service do they want to have, do they want to be cared for at home, in a hospital or a skilled nursing center? And so, it is at the point of crisis that many decisions get made.

November is National Hospice and

Palliative Care Month and an opportunity to have that conversation with your loved one. In your discussions, we hope you will consider consulting with Catholic Community Hospice. This special ministry of the church has been providing compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families for over 10 years.

You will find that there are many organizations to choose from when selecting a hospice — there are over 60 in the Kansas City metro area alone.

Some are large national organizations and some are locally owned. Some operate as for-profit and some as notfor-profit. All of them are required to provide essentially the same level of care because of state and federal licensing regulations. Only one, Catholic Community Hospice, has a direct relationship with the Catholic Church and its mission of service to our brothers

and sisters in need.

There is not enough space in this short column to tell you about the wonderful care your family will experience.

But what really distinguishes us from all the rest is that, by choosing Catholic Community Hospice, you are also serving God. Contributions from our hospice ministry enable many of the other good works of Catholic Charities, including feeding and housing families in crisis, educating young children, and providing mentoring and support to young women dealing with an unanticipated pregnancy.

“Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rv 2:10). Make your hospice choice one that is faithful to God’s call.

Jan Lewis is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR

MUD JACKING

v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair

Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Raise & Level

Lawrence (785) 865-0006

Topeka (785) 246-0128

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 14, 2011

Photo by John Caufield

Msgr. Michael Mullen (center), pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan., watches his drive at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate in Leawood at the annual Priests and Seminarians Appreciation Day Sept. 19. Golfing with Msgr. Mullen is Father Frank Burger (right), pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, and an unidentified golfer. In addition to golf, the priests and seminarians played cards and enjoyed a barbecue dinner.

Leaven photo by Doug Hesse

Gene Meiners raises the flag on the new flagpole at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, while Patrick Ryan White (left) and pastor Father Don Cullen look on. The servers are: (from left to right) Oskar Walther, Paul Huynh, and Megan Schulte (obscured). The flag was donated by White, a U.S. Marine stationed in San Diego, but a longtime parishioner of Queen.

Father John Pilcher, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Paxico, blesses the land where the parish’s new hall will soon be built.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Oct. 2.

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

Leaven photo by Doug Hesse

Henry Bloch addresses the crowd at the fifth annual Donnelly College Scholarship Dinner held Sept. 14 at the Jack Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, Kan. Bloch was honored by the school for his steadfast support of Donnelly students through the Henry W. Bloch Scholars program. The dinner was the largest in the event’s history, with nearly 500 people in attendance and a total of approximately $290,000 in scholarship funds raised.

Leaven photo by Joe McSorley

Football players from the Catholic Youth Organization team at Holy Trinity in Lenexa wear their jerseys at the CYO Mass held Sept. 10 at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park. CYO teams from all over the Kansas City metro area joined Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann for Mass.