10-21-11 Vol. 33 No. 12

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 33, NO. 12 OCTOBER 21, 2011

Prophet of hope

Former Kansas farm boy tills distant fields

K

STORY BY JOE BOLLIG ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Bishop Herbert Hermes feels safer now than he’s felt in years.

Murdering a bishop, he figures, has become more trouble than it’s

worth.

Sadly, his comparative safety has come at an enormous price — the loss of a friend and fellow worker for human rights in Cristalandia, Brazil.

Bishop Hermes, 78, is a Benedictine monk from St. Benedict’s Abbey How to help in Atchison. For For more inforyears, he served mation about Bishop the people of the Hermes’ work, go to Territorial Prelathe website at: www. ture of Cristabrazilmission.net.

To support his landia as their work, donate online bishop. Now, in or make checks payretirement, he able to St. Benedict’s serves them still.

Abbey, c/o Treasurer So, too, did Se– Bishop Herbert Hermes, OSB, 1020 N. bastian Bezerra 2nd St., Atchison KS da Silva, until he 66002, or to Bishop was found dead Herbert Hermes, OSB, Feb. 27. c/o Norbert Hermes, Da Silva’s death 3348 N. Muir Rd., was no accident.

Salina KS 67401.

To support the work He had been of missionaries worldstrangled and his wide, give generously body had been to the World Mission left half-buried in Sunday collection this an anthill at Charweekend. ity Farm, about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) from the town of Gurupi in the state of Tocantins.

Bishop Hermes, who lives in the Brazilian town of Paraiso — “Paradise” — knew immediately why his friend was murdered: to stop efforts to protect human rights.

“I consider myself as the heart of our human rights centers, and Sebastian was the brain,” Bishop Hermes said later. “We see that when the brain is destroyed, the heart is [broken].”

Yes, the heart was broken.

But it was also outraged.

And more determined than ever.

Story continues on page 8

2 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

W

CFCA co-founder leads concert-goers on

A musical journey

Coverage of recent indictment far from objective

ith everyone else who cares about the Catholic community in the Kansas City metropolitan area, I was saddened by the news announced

by Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker that Bishop Robert Finn had been indicted by the grand jury on a misdemeanor charge of failure to report child abuse.

I found the Kansas City Star headline on Sunday more than ironic: “How Will KC Diocese Heal?” After months of The Star repeatedly finding reasons to rehash this story with always the same undertone calling for Bishop Finn’s resignation, The Star’s question seemed merely rhetorical.

The manufacturing and dissemination of child pornography is always a horrible crime. The horror is multiplied when the person responsible is a Catholic priest. Let me be clear again: There is no place in the priesthood for perpetrators of child sexual abuse or those who view, much less create, child pornography. I have told our priests on numerous occasions that our people have every right to expect that we live our lives in a manner consistent with our promise of celibate chastity. They certainly have a right to expect their children and adolescents will not be harmed by the clergy of their church.

I witness in our parishes a great love and admiration for our priests.

This respect and affection for our priests is the fruit of lives of integrity and sacrificial service that Catholics have experienced for generations by the vast majority of priests.

I ask again for your prayers for Bishop Finn and for the priests and people of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. I have known Bishop Finn for many years, dating back to when both of us served as priests in St. Louis. I know him to be a man of integrity and with a passion for serving God and his people. I have spoken to him several times during the past months assuring him of my prayers and fraternal support.

Archbishop Naumann’s

Oct. 26 Fertility Care Center banquet

Oct. 21 Meeting with seminarians at Kenrick

Oct. 27 Archbishop’s Call to Share clergy luncheon

weekly calendar

I have not spoken with Bishop Finn in any detail about the indictment or the particulars of his legal defense.

However, I have asked some in the legal profession to help me understand the nature of the charges made against Bishop Finn.

There are several aspects to this case that appear very unusual. First of all, I am told that it is quite unusual for a grand jury to be involved with an indictment of a misdemeanor. Secondly, as was apparent in The Star’s own reporting of the precedents for the indictment of Bishop Finn, none of these previous cases have resulted in convictions, except one case where the person was “convicted on a host of related charges.”

Bishop Finn has acknowledged mistakes made by him and others in diocesan leadership in this matter.

He commissioned the former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves to review the policies, procedures, as well as their application. The Graves report identified some areas where the diocese had failed to follow their own procedures.

Some might ask: If the bishop has acknowledged mistakes, then why does he claim innocence to the charge made in the indictment? Again, from my layman’s understanding of the law, the difference is to plead guilty means to acknowledge “criminal intent.” In other words, the charge is more than an acknowledgement of a mistake of failing to report or even that there was negligence — the person should have known of the requirement to report. It is an admission that there was actually a conscious effort to deceive, to violate the law. From my knowledge of Bishop Finn, I find it impossible to believe this was the case.

Why, then would the prosecutor pursue such a charge? Why did the grand jury hand down an indictment?

With regard to the second question, obviously the “level of proof” to bring an indictment is much less than to gain a conviction. If a prosecutor is sufficiently determined, usually they can convince the grand jury to indict.

In her press conference, prosecutor Jean Peters Baker stated: “This has

Oct. 22 Wedding — St. Louis Oct. 23 Daughters of St. Paul benefit dinner Oct. 24 “Shepherd’s Voice” recording Vespers & dinner — St. Benedict’s Abbey

Oct. 28-29 Project Rachel conference in Milwaukee Oct. 29 “Fill These Hearts” (a reflection on Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body with Christopher West) — Johnson County Community College/Yardley Hall

Oct. 25 Nemaha-Marshall regional priests’ meeting

Archbishop Keleher’s

Confirmation — St. Vincent De Paul, Onaga; St. Patrick, Corning; and St. Bede, Kelly

Oct. 24-27 Teach class at Mundelein Seminary

nothing . . . to do with the Catholic faith.” I accept on face value the prosecutor’s claim that she is not motivated in bringing these charges by any animosity toward the Catholic Church.

However, this does not preclude that the prosecutor, who must stand for election, was influenced by the steady drumbeat of negative press coverage and the advocacy of self-appointed victims’ rights groups who have called for Bishop Finn’s resignation. No prosecutor wants to be labeled by the local media or victims’ rights groups as soft on child abuse.

Another irony in this whole matter is the day after its two-day front page news coverage of Bishop Finn’s indictment, The Star published an editorial calling for the permanent disbarment of former Kansas attorney general and Johnson County Prosecutor Phill Kline.

I do not have the knowledge, expertise or space to sort though the charges made about the investigatory methods employed by Kline or the countercharges that those who are now judging the former attorney general are politically motivated because they were appointed by politicians who received significant financial support from those Kline was investigating.

However, the charges made by Kline that the late George Tiller and Planned Parenthood failed to report statutory rape of minors who received abortions at their clinics have never

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

weekly calendar

been refuted. These serious charges have never been investigated with any vigor by the same newspaper whose most cherished mission appears not to be the protection of innocent children, born or unborn, but to lead the advocacy for the resignation of the local Catholic bishop.

I do not claim to be neutral or dispassionate in my view of the events that have unfolded in the Kansas CitySt. Joseph Diocese. My love for the Catholic Church and my friendship with Bishop Finn obviously influence how I perceive these events.

At the same time, the manner in which The Star has treated these events not only on its editorial page, but also in its news section, has not been dispassionate. The way in which “news stories” have been framed, those whom they have chosen to quote, the positioning of stories, the rehashing of old stories, and the overall editing have been influenced by an ideological point of view that, in my opinion, does have an animosity — if not to the Catholic Church, then at least to much of its moral teaching.

Ask yourself this question: Can you recall The Kansas City Star ever calling for the resignation of any other religious figure from their post within their church, synagogue or mosque?

Think about it.

By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The day was glorious, the venue was perfect, and the crowd was ready to journey 8,000 miles.

Music was the mode of transportation.

Shine a Light, a benefit concert hosted

by Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), lit up Shawnee’s Theatre in the Park with singing, dancing and storytelling for an audience topping 500.

CFCA is a lay-Catholic-run international nonprofit based in Kansas City, Kan. The concert was a celebration of the organization’s 30-year history and of president and co-founder Bob Hentzen’s walk from Guatemala to Chile to show solidarity with those living in poverty.

Hentzen led off the evening’s entertainment with stories of his incredible journey and songs he learned along the way.

His delivery was so colorful and alive with detail that audience members felt as if they were walking across Latin America with him and getting to know the poor, but joyful, families he met along his way.

“Music is another language that we use to explain deep feelings, approaching the mystery of life,” explained Paul Pearce, CFCA director of global strategy.

“Music has always been a part of CFCA.” Pearce, who performed with Hentzen, said the songs they shared were the same ones they often perform at makeshift concerts in the shanty towns and mountain villages that are home to children sponsored through CFCA. “We do these tours in all the dumps of the world,” said Hentzen. “The whole concept of my gig is to take people on this exciting journey into the lives of those who are living in poverty.”

That journey continued with performances from Barclay Martin Ensemble and Nate Gawron (of The Wilders); the World Percussion Ensemble of Kansas City Academy; the El Grupo Atotonilco dance company; and the Sampaguita Choir from the Filipino Cultural Center.

Martin, who has traveled with CFCA to Mexico and the Philippines, performed songs inspired by those experiences.

Along with Zena West, a 13-year CFCA sponsor, Martin shared stories of his experience as a sponsor and the very personal relationship that often develops between sponsors and the children they help.

The dismal view of the poor often presented by the news media was replaced with hope and a clear way to take action “There’s another side of the story,” explained Pearce. “And it involves the human potential and the human spirit that is alive and well in these communities.”

“One of the goals of the concert was just to kind of share this good news that

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

CFCA co-founder and president Bob Hentzen (right), accompanied on guitar by CFCA director of global strategy Paul Pearce, sang songs he learned during his 8,000-mile walk from Guatemala to Chile in solidarity with the poor. it doesn’t have to be depressing,” said Loretta Kline, director of communications.

“We can do something and we can make a difference.”

Larry Livingston, director of church relations and a member of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, said the concert was also a way to thank the local community for its support.

“We’re just very grateful to Kansas City and to the Catholic community in

particular,” he said. “We just wanted to celebrate with them.”

Most of CFCA’s sponsorships come from Catholic parishes throughout the country, but local support has always been a vital part of its success.

“Archbishop Naumann sponsors a seminarian through our organization,” said Livingston. “And he’s been very generous in lending his endorsement to CFCA.”

The mission of the organization flows from Catholic social teachings, observed Francis “Paco” Wertin, CEO, from his very first days at CFCA. “You could just feel the love pulsing through the [headquarters] building,” he said. “[CFCA sponsorship creates relationships that lead to these human connections that can heal our world.”

Pearce had a similar experience when he came on board with CFCA. “After I began traveling and working for CFCA in these communities overseas,” he said, “all of the sudden the Gospel became not a story of 2,000 years ago, but current-day information.

“Those widows, those children that Jesus talked about,” he added, “they’re out there, they’re still there.”

About CFCA

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Bishop Miege juniors Rebekah Cazares (left), from Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, and Natalie Leiker, from St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, enjoyed the Shine a Light concert benefiting the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging at Theatre in the Park in Shawnee.

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

CFCA works with families living in poverty in 22 developing countries.

Through the contributions of U.S.based sponsors, its Hope for a Family program provides basic resources and encouragement to children, their families and the elderly.

More than 94 percent of CFCA’s expenses go toward program support.

For more information, or to sponsor a child or an elderly person, go to the website at: www. hopeforafamily.org.

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.

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4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

Conference discusses using new media to spread the Gospel

LOCAL NEWS 5

It takes a village to deliver Mary’s Meals

By John Heuertz

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Someone who Googles the question “Who is Jesus?” or “Does God exist?” will get a lot of answers.

Just not — at least in the top few results — answers the Catholic Church would likely offer.

And that concerns Matthew Warner, a Catholic blogger and the CEO and founder of flockNote.com.

He shared that concern, and other thoughts, at the fourth annual Catholic New Media conference, held Sept. 30Oct. 1 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. The conference drew an international crowd of Catholics interested in using new media to share their faith and spread the Gospel.

Bill Scholl, archdiocesan consultant for the office of social justice, was impressed by Warner’s message.

“As Catholics, we believe we are [Christ’s] church,” said Scholl. “This is a church that was founded by Jesus Christ himself.”

“The Internet enables us to communicate universally in a way we’ve never been able to before,” he continued.

It is universal. And yet, a search of the Internet with the world’s most popular search engine doesn’t yield an official Catholic entity in its top hits.

SQPN, the Star Quest Production Network, is a nonprofit Catholic apostolate whose mission it is to form and evangelize through new media. That’s why it presents the annual new media conference, which this year focused on the social network.

Scholl produces Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s radio show, which is also available in podcast form. Scholl attended the conference with the goal of gaining some ideas and perspective.

Dr. Paul Camarata, a member of Church of the Nativity in Leawood and another participant in the conference, has for several years created a podcast called “The SaintCast.”

He has worked with SQPN and was interviewed — along with SQPN founder and CEO Father Roderick Vonhogen of the Netherlands — on Archbishop Naumann’s radio show a few weeks before the conference. Camarata said he was excited to see the conference and its list of speakers coming to Kansas City, Kan. Attendees heard from Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP, from Pauline Books &

LEAWOOD — For perhaps 175 years, intrepid Scotsmen have gone to Africa to help feed, map, doctor, educate and Christianize it.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow is the latest in this long, distinguished line — but he is undoubtedly the first to be inspired by the alleged appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje.

MacFarlane-Barrow is the founder of Mary’s Meals, a program that feeds children one good meal a day at their place of education in some of the world’s poorest countries.

He spoke Sept. 23 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood and later at a reception hosted by Nativity parishioners Michael and Kay Shirley.

The seed of service was sown early in the Scotsman. He was only 10 when his sister learned that the Blessed Virgin Mary was reported to be appearing to teenage kids in Bosnia, at a place called Medjugorje.

A party of 10 young people — his sister was the oldest; he, the youngest — went to see what was going on and came back changed people.

So it seemed kind of natural when, in his early 20s, he and his brother Fergus decided to take a truckload of blankets to Bosnia, where civil war was raging.

His simple request for blankets generated an avalanche of donations, and eventually Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow decided to quit his job and devote himself to helping the poor full time.

In 2002, a terrible famine struck Malawi, a landlocked, pro-Western southeast African nation a little over half the size of Kansas that is one of the least developed countries in the world.

Its per capita income is just $322.

The cities, already full of poor people, were now bursting with desperate, starving refugees. People were so hungry they were eating the leaves off the trees, because it was all they had.

MacFarlane-Barrow headed there to help and met Emma, a Malawian dying of AIDS. With only some three weeks to live, Emma’s primary concern was not herself, but what would become of her six children after she was gone.

Visiting with Emma’s eldest, 14-yearold Edward, MacFarlane-Barrow learned that Edward’s goals in life were very simple: He wanted enough to eat

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Jeff Geerling, chief technology officer of flockNote.com, talks about making the latest gadgets and technology work for communication and outreach at the fourth annual Catholic New Media conference held Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. Media, and from Sean Patrick Lovett, who is the director of the Italian and English services of Vatican Radio.

Greg Willits, who co-hosts “The Catholics Next Door” with his wife Jennifer on SiriusXM’s “The Catholic Channel,” served as the emcee.

Presenters also included author and CatholicMom.com founder Lisa Hendey, and podcaster, speaker and writer Pat Gohn. Jeff Geerling shared ways to make the latest gadgets work for communication and outreach.

“It was fascinating to be with all of these folks,” said Rose Hammes, archdiocesan director of communications and planning. She saw a wide range of ages and a diverse use of media, ranging from blogs to Twitter.

“I had no idea there was so much online content being generated that’s all about the Catholic faith,” she said.

Hammes took particular note of what the conference had to say about smartphones.

“Smartphones have just changed the way people communicate with each other,” she said.

But the Catholic Church is just starting to figure out ways to put information in people’s hands in formats that connect with them through these devices.

Hammes discovered quite a few applications of interest through the conference and has begun following people through social media to delve further into what she learned there.

One app she really liked is the “Saint of the Day.” There are many ways to reach out to Catholics through new media, but these are also good tools for evangelization of others, she believes.

And new media isn’t about merely putting a message out there; it’s about developing a relationship.

Scholl agrees. Broadcasting is a oneway form of communication, and there’s a need to get away from that kind of thinking, he said. It’s key, he stressed, to

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Use Facebook or Twitter?

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Find it at: www.facebook.com/ archkck or on Twitter under arch diocesekck. You can also check out the main archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org.

The Leaven is online at: www.the leaven.com, and also on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/theleavenkc. turn to a relational mentality.

“You want to provide ways for people who are receiving your content to interact with you,” he said.

People want to know how the faith personally affects them.

“It’s important to be personal and it’s important to be authentic,” Scholl learned during the conference.

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

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Photo by John Caufield

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow is the founder of Mary’s Meals, a program that feeds children one good meal a day at their place of education in some of the world’s poorest countries. Here he talks about his program Sept. 23 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

“Mary’s Meals is not about helpless people waiting passively for someone to help them. It’s about people walking together to do this beautiful work.”

”

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Mary’s Meals and to go to school someday.

Struck by the modesty of Edward’s goals, MacFarlane-Barrow started feeding 200 children at one school in Malawi that very year.

And “Mary’s Meals” was born.

This modest beginning has now blossomed into feeding about 577,000 children in 16 nations on four continents every day.

These children range from former child soldiers in Liberia, to “untouchable” children in India who live and eat in huge, festering city dumps, to semi-

nomads in Somalia and northern Kenya whose folkways are not far removed from the Stone Age. Mary’s Meals feeds them all . . . and many others besides.

“It’s Our Lady’s work. Pray that we do it the way she wants it done,” said MacFarlane-Barrow.”

Apart from its heavenly patronage, there’s also an important this-world component to Mary’s Meals’ astounding growth.

“I always tell [the people we help] it will work only if the village takes ownership of it,” he said.

“Mary’s Meals is not about helpless people waiting passively for someone to help them,” he continued. “It’s about people walking together to do this beautiful work.”

In Malawi alone, over 60,000 people get up every day at first light to cook and distribute the children’s “Likuni phala.”

Likuni is the town where this highly nutritious blend of corn, soybeans, vitamins, minerals and sugar was first developed. “Phala” means “porridge.”

Likuni phala might be the most cost-

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effective food anywhere. Mary’s Meals can feed one nutritious meal a day for as little as $10 per child per year.

Mary’s Meals is now racing against the clock to get food into Somalia — a country where the United Nations estimates four million people now face starvation, and 750,000 face imminent starvation. It’s also one of the most dangerous places in the world today.

When asked why he gave up a safe and secure future as a salmon farmer — MacFarlane-Barrow and his wife Julia recently welcomed their seventh child — he paused a moment before answering.

“It just kind of happened. It’s not like I sat down and made a plan,” he finally said.

“I wish to love God by serving his poor,” he said.

To learn more about feeding a child this one nutritious meal a day, go to the website at: http://www.marysmeals usa.org. To donate, click on the “Donations” link and choose “KC Heartland.”

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

Voices in the wasteland: Our radio active archbishops

Project Andrew gives young men, parents, help discerning vocations

By Joe Bollig

By Jessica Langdon

Leaven staff

Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Fifty years ago, a nearly forgotten federal bureaucrat named Minow called television programming “a vast wasteland.”

Even today, one might be inclined to agree with Minow, and not just about television. Much radio programming ranges from the vapid to the vulgar.

There is, however, a bright spot: Catholic radio.

Catholic radio in the United States has grown from only a handful of stations a few years ago to approximately 170 today. That number continues to grow, according to the Catholic Radio Association.

The vigor and potential of Catholic radio was on display at the 2011 Catholic Radio Conference, Oct. 12 to 15 in Birmingham, Ala. The Catholic Radio Association and EWTN Global Catholic Radio sponsored the conference.

The keynote speaker at the conference on Oct. 14 was Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. In his address he offered encouragement to those involved in Catholic radio. He also appeared as a guest on the EWTN television program “Life on the Rock.”

“I see Catholic radio as a great tool for bishops for fulfilling our responsibility to catechize Catholics and to evangelize non-Catholics,” said the archbishop.

“Catholic radio provides an opportunity for adult education and formation on a daily basis to every Catholic in the archdiocese.”

The archbishop is a broadcasting regular, both on local Catholic station KEXS AM 1090 and some of its sister stations.

His programs include “The Shepherd’s Voice” and recordings of his weekly Leaven column.

Archbishop Naumann and Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher also alternate on “The Catholic Way” program, reflections on the Mass readings, which can be found on KEXS and certain commercial stations on Sunday mornings.

An estimated 50 percent of Catholic radio listeners are non-Catholic, he said.

“We think that’s accurate because they have shows where non-Catholics

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — When Luke Doyle entered the seminary, his little sister was in kindergarten.

“Her brother’s picture was posted on the wall of her classroom, which she was excited about,” said their mother, Jeanne Doyle. “But that doesn’t happen to most kids.”

Luke is now a fourth-year college seminarian at Cardinal Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

While he is taking an in-depth look at his faith and the priesthood, his family has been learning a lot about seminary life.

“It’s really a process for the whole family,” said Jeanne Doyle. She and her husband, Dr. Tom Doyle, have eight kids. They belong to Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka.

This month, they shared their experiences with parents of young men considering the priesthood during a Project Andrew event at their church.

Project Andrew gets its name from the Scripture passage where Andrew takes his brother Peter to meet Jesus, explained Father Mitchel Zimmerman, archdiocesan vocations coordinator.

Every year in early October, young high school- and college-aged men are encouraged to attend one of these ses-

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann hosts “The Shepherd’s Voice,” which can be heard at 10 a.m. on Sundays and 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays on KEXS. Archbishop Naumann and Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher also alternate hosting “The Catholic Way” program. call in, and there never seems to be a lack of callers,” said Archbishop Naumann.

Some of these non-Catholic listeners become Catholics. Archbishop Naumann often asks people entering the church during the rites of election what drew them to the church.

“There are always some that say Catholic radio and television were significant factors,” the archbishop said. “It’s a very non-threatening way for someone, who is not Catholic but has a curiosity about Catholicism, to learn about the church.”

“They can eavesdrop, if you will, through Catholic radio and learn a great deal about the church,” said the archbishop. “Even if they don’t become Catholic, [Catholic radio] dispels a lot of myths non-Catholics have about the church.”

Catholic Radio Network KEXS 1090 AM - Excelsior Springs, Mo. KPIO 93.7 FM - Pleasanton KEXS 106.1 FM - Ravenwood, Mo., (Translator station 106.7 FM – St. Joseph, Mo.)

Archbishop on KEXS AM “The Shepherd’s Voice” • 10 a.m. Sundays • 3:30 p.m. Thursdays “Life will be Victorious” (Leaven column) • 3:30 p.m. Fridays

‘The Catholic Way’ on Sundays WIBW 580 AM Topeka, 9:30 a.m.

LOCAL NEWS 7

sions to learn more about what God might be calling them to do.

This is a place where the priesthood can be highlighted, said Father Zimmerman.

Not all attendees enter the seminary, of course. It’s not a recruiting event, although it does open a door for future contact between attendees and the vocations office.

It’s about discernment.

And it’s only recently that organizers have incorporated a parent component into it, at which visiting parents can hear directly from parents of current seminarians.

The Doyles believe it’s important for parents to open their children’s eyes to any path that might be the one for them. If they’re interested in the medical field, they try to introduce them to everything from dentistry to medicine to nursing.

The same holds true when it comes to religious vocations.

“Every young person is called to discern God’s will for them,” said Jeanne.

In their presentation the Doyles shared what they’d learned about the years of formation with the gathered parents.

They also noted that a man who enters the seminary won’t necessarily enter the priesthood.

“It’s more of a discernment process,”

said Jeanne. “Every year, they make the decision again.”

One of the things that surprised the Doyles when their son became a seminarian, they said, was that others would be praying for him.

“Having people we don’t even know telling us that they’re praying for our son is a very humbling experience for us,” said Jeanne.

Prayer at home has been transformed for Rob Tinker, father of seminarian Evan Tinker. Rob spoke to parents at a Project Andrew session at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

Evan, the oldest of four boys, is now in his second year of pre-theology at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

“Every time I talk to him or he comes home, I see an increased level of confidence in his decision,” said Rob. He has visited Evan and seen that seminarians have opportunities to do everyday things. They go to dinner with friends and family or go to ballgames.

The Tinkers are members of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. Growing up, Evan was an altar server. The family always made Mass a priority. Evan has known priests — including a good family friend — his whole life.

Now, when Evan comes home, he includes his dad and brothers in morning and evening prayers.

Friends from the seminary come to

To find more on Project Andrew and vocations, go to the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org. Under “The Archdiocese” tab, click on “Vocations.” visit, too, and Rob has found morning prayer with a group of men in the living room a “unique and powerful” experience.

He believes it’s good to bring together parents at Project Andrew sessions.

Many have similar questions.

“We’ve found in most sessions that parents have an endless list of questions,” said Father Zimmerman.

The young men have questions, too — everything from what seminary life is like to how they can visit one.

In the relaxed atmosphere of the sessions, Father Zimmerman answers many.

And Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who is always the keynote speaker, addresses others.

And organizers never forget when they’re planning an event that they’re working with young men — who are known to bring big appetites.

“We don’t fail to mention that there’ll be great food,” said Father Zimmerman with a laugh.

KOFO 1220 AM Ottawa, 7:15 a.m.

KMZA 92.1 FM Hiawatha, 7:30 a.m.

KCXL 1140 AM Liberty, Mo., 7:30 a.m.

KCXL 102.9 FM Kansas City, Mo., 7:30 a.m.

KEXS 1090 AM Excelsior Springs, Mo., 8 a.m.

KEXS 106.1 FM Maryville, Mo., 8 a.m.

KPIO 93.7 FM Pleasanton, 8 a.m.

Downloadable schedule • Go to the website at: www.the catholicradionetwork.com • Go to the tab “Listen” on the left and click on “Schedules” • Click on the graphic “Kansas City” • Finally, click on “The KEXS Radio Schedule”

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Continued from page 1

Power in the blood How did someone born in Shallow Water end up as a bishop and human rights advocate in the middle of impoverished, rural Brazil?

“In my blood is a mission calling,” said Bishop Hermes.

Bishop Hermes is descended from Luxembourgers who settled near Wichita and then moved to western Kansas.

They were among the stoutly religious settlers who challenged the notion that there was no law west of Wichita and no God west of Dodge City.

Six months after Bishop Hermes and his identical twin brother Norbert were born, his family moved to Scott City. The Hermeses were salt-of-theearth types: economically humble and spiritually rich. There were nine children, five of them boys.

“We were the only Mass servers in the parish for years and years,” said Bishop Hermes.

In 1951, he went to St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, which was run by the Benedictine monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey. He became a novice at the abbey in 1953 and took solemn vows in 1957. He was ordained a priest in 1960.

The missionary calling was awakened in the future bishop when the abbey began to establish mission foundations in Mineiros, Brazil. Later, some monks went to help an American missionary bishop at Rui Barbosa in Bahia, Brazil.

“I volunteered as a [transitional] deacon and was accepted after [priesthood] ordination,” said Bishop Hermes.

Mineiros, located in the state of Goias, reminded him a lot of his native western Kansas. Here were ordinary, God-fearing farm people. His own simple and devout life as a pastor ended when he got a call to be bishop of a prelature (or “diocese in formation”), a place too poor to be a diocese, located in the state of Tocantins.

Be my shepherd He wasn’t sure he wanted to be a bishop.

When he got the letter of appointment, he went to the chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

“Why me?” he asked. He didn’t feel comfortable among the hierarchy, or with people kissing his ring and calling him “Your Excellency.” He was just a western Kansas boy who, as a monk, went to be a pastor in a rural parish in Brazil.

The prelature had experienced four years of chaos and neglect.

An American missionary bishop who had been there for 30 years had spent his final two incapacitated by Alzheimer’s disease. His successor, a younger Brazilian bishop, was in office for only nine months when he had a heart attack and died after receiving a transplant.

“It kept going through my mind that, without a bishop, they were a flock without a pastor,” said Bishop Hermes.

Bishop Hermes concelebrates Mass with a few of his priests. Despite retiring in 2009, Bishop Hermes continues his work for human rights.

Bishop Hermes’ work with the indigenous people of Brazil helped put him on hit lists more than once.

“So I said, ‘OK, I’ll be a pastor.’

“I always felt God used the people to call me to be a pastor, and not the pope calling me to be bishop of Cristalandia and a member of the hierarchy.”

The Prelature of Cristalandia, which is comprised of parts of western Tocantins and a few counties of the state of Goias, was named for the beautiful crystals that were once discovered there. Parts of the land look like abandoned Colorado mining towns, said the bishop.

Just as the mining companies exploited the land for its crystals, so, too, did they exploit the people who came to mine the crystals. When the easily found crystal ran out, the miners’ descendants became the landless squatters of today, some tricked into working and living in slave-like conditions. “[The employers] come to the slum areas and make all kinds of propaganda about high wages,” said the bishop.

“These unemployed grab [onto their promises] like crazy. They load [the workers] in trucks and take them way out into the interior at night, and give them a lot of liquor on the way.”

When the workers arrive, the employers take all their documents away and say they owe their “employers” for transportation and the liquor, food, and housing. And the only place to buy necessities and supplies is from a company-owned store — and at exorbitant prices.

Mining has been replace by large scale agriculture. Tocantins is a transitional land between the plains of the south and the forested Amazon basin.

It has savannas and forests, so logging (often illegal) and cattle (often grazed

illegally on government and Indian land) are the major industries. Soybeans are a major export. “[Corporations] come in and deforest,” said the bishop. “It’s just wrecking the environment. They clear off the land to plant soybeans for exportation, and they kick off the poor squatters who have no title to the land, and they have no way to produce food.”

Years ago, the bishop tried to help some Indians who had been driven off their lands by cattle ranchers, said his brother Norbert. There were rumors that this activism put Bishop Hermes on a hit list.

He received death threats for his trouble, confirmed Hermes.

“He and a Lutheran minister collaborated to correct this abuse,” he added. “And one time, when he was

planning to journey up there, he was warned some were threatening to kill him, so he didn’t go at that time.”

Bishop Hermes would write letters to his family in Kansas and his fellow monks in Atchison, telling about his struggles and the threats.

“He was living his vocation, and he knew the risks involved in his ministry and being bishop,” said Father Michael Hermes, a second cousin of Bishop Hermes and president of Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan. He took as a role model another cleric, Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, he said.

“I was always proud of him,” said Father Hermes. “You’re worried because you love the guy, but you’re proud of him for standing up for his people.”

Let my people go Bishop Hermes’ plate was full before he was even ordained a bishop on Sept. 2, 1990.

The prelature was poor and the people were not used to supporting the church financially. There weren’t enough parishes or priests. Nearly everyone had been baptized Catholic, but Mass attendance was poor. Emotiondriven Pentecostal sects were energetically seeking to entice Catholics into their churches.

Many people were used to more “regal” bishops, and the sight of a bishop in street clothes, making pastoral visits and eating humble food, shocked them.

A sick, elderly woman he visited said, “Now I really believe in God because the bishop came to visit me.”

Bishop Hermes contended with all these challenges. But he didn’t stop at narrowly defined “church” issues or concerns.

“I can’t separate the weekdays from Sundays, just like I can’t separate the spirit from the body,” he said.

He saw that the poor and powerless of Cristalandia were groaning under poverty and injustice as the children of Israel had under pharaoh.

“My whole vision is liberation, as God freed the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery,” said Bishop Hermes.

“I try to free [them] from all kinds of slavery, not only physical, but also

Bishop Hermes celebrates Mass on his birthday in 2006.

in health, education, human dignity and rights — from illiteracy and oppression of all kinds,” he continued.

“And I see this as building the kingdom of God. We are supposed to be free and have the fullness of life.”

His vision is also connected to the Incarnation: We glorify God when we make more perfect the dignity and rights of humans, who are made in the image and likeness of God, who sent his son to be one of us.

That is why he created the Center of Human Rights of Cristalandia in 1994.

In surrounding towns, he also established offshoots, called Human Rights Nucleos. These entities were established as nonchurch civil entities in order to protect the church from lawsuits.

Bishop Hermes also made them ecumenical, inviting Protestants to join.

After his retirement on Feb. 25, 2009, Bishop Hermes received the support of bishops in and around Cristalandia to continue his human rights work.

One of Bishop Hermes’ disciples was Sebastian Bezerra da Silva, from the town of Araguacu.

Da Silva became an active member of the Nucleo in his town, and later became articulator/educational advisor of the center. At the time of his murder, he was executive secretary of a five-state district (including Brasilia, the federal capital) of the National Movement of Human Rights.

Da Silva, who was investigating police brutality at the time of his murder, had been getting death threats by telephone. He reported them to two close friends, but asked them not to tell his wife, Bishop Hermes, or anyone else.

He was thinking of moving away from his home in Paraiso.

“Sebastian was much, much more than a paid functionary, since he was — like me — impassioned for promoting human rights and social justice, which is why we synchronized so well,” said Bishop Hermes.

The murder, its investigation, the legal proceedings that followed and the behaviors of key people involved reeked of corruption and coverup, said Bishop Hermes.

According to the autopsy, da Silva was tortured “with refined cruelty” — hardly necessary for a carjacking.

A military policeman, a friend of the

bishop, said it sounded like the work of a professional torturer.

The trial resulted in a prison sentence in August for only one of the three brothers involved in the murder. Bishop Hermes wasn’t surprised.

Moreover, he believes the men were acting on the orders of more powerful people anyway.

“There are a lot of people who don’t like us and our work,” said Bishop Hermes.

Prophet of hope Now, close to 80, and freed of his responsibilities as bishop, the former Kansas farm boy has no intention of retiring to the safety and comfort of American life.

Father Kieran McInerney, a monk who himself ministered for 33 years in the monastery in Goias and in the Diocese of Rui Barbosa in Bahia, Brazil, sees Bishop Hermes continuing down a road he started long, long ago.

“I think he cares an awful lot about the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed,” said Father Kieran.

“Ever since I’ve known him, he’s been involved in legal procedures to help the poor and the oppressed,” he

added. “That’s not just something he started in Cristalandia. He had that deep interest before [he became bishop].”

Now, so many years later, little is changed about his fellow missionary monk.

The bishop’s hair is gray now, of course.

And although he now speaks “impeccable classical Brazilian Portuguese,” said Father Kieran, he occasionally struggles to find the right word in English.

But if Bishop Hermes’ enemies thought the murder of da Silva would put an end to his advocacy for the poor, they need to think again.

When someone suggested that the Human Rights Center be closed, for example, his answer was quick and firm.

“No, that’s what they want.

“So we’ll do just the opposite.”

Undeterred by the widespread systemic corruption in Brazilian society — and even the death of his friend — Bishop Hermes talks like a man whose work is not yet done.

“Ah, yes,” he said, “I see hope.”

In fact, the bishop represents that very quality to the people of Cristalandia.

“Some consider me a prophet of hope,” he said simply.

“And of change.”

10 LOCAL NEWS Judy (Palmer) and Marvin Schreiner, members of St. Aloysius Parish in Meriden, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 29 with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. in St. Aloysius Parish hall. The couple was married on ANNIVERSARIES Nov. 4, 1961, at Assumption Church in Topeka by Father Edward Hays. Their children and their spouses are: Chris and Sally Schreiner; Joe and Marci Schreiner; Jeff and Lori Schreiner; Shawn and Claire Schreiner; and Melissa and Mark Funnell. They also have 11 grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren.

Jerome and Janice Holthaus, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Baileyville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 21. The couple was married on Oct. 21, 1961, at St. Patrick Church in Corning. Their children and their spouses are: Doug and Kris Holthaus; Wayne Holthaus; and Kim and Jim Bontrager. They also have nine grandchildren.

ANNIVERSARY POLICY: The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

Indulgence opportunity — Nov. 5, Mt. Calvary Cemetery

Sisters Kathleen Flanagan (left), Patricia Seipel, and Mary Rardin celebrated 25 years as Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica on Oct. 2.

Nuns celebrate 25 years of monastic profession ATCHISON — The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica here celebrated the 25th anniversary of monastic profession of three of its members on Oct. 2.

Sister Patricia Seipel is from Maryville, Mo., and was first inspired to consider religious life by the Sisters who taught her in grade school. In her nearly three decades as an educator, she has taught in eight places, and also served for four years as community vocation director. She presently lives in Kansas City, Mo., and teaches at Visitation School there.

Sister Mary Rardin, a Topeka native,

entered the community after finishing medical school, serving three years as a doctor in the U.S. Navy and completing her family practice residency. Since then, she has continued to serve as a physician, practicing with the poor and homeless, as a faculty physician at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., and in underserved rural areas.

Sister Kathleen Flanagan first encountered the Sisters when she came from Denver to Atchison as a Benedictine College student. She has been an elementary teacher and is now a school librarian for the Kansas City Kansas public school system.

TOPEKA — Area Catholics are invited to a special outdoor Mass to commemorate deceased relatives and friends on Nov. 5, 9 a.m., at Mt. Calvary Cemetery here, located at 801 S.W. Westchester Rd. Persons attending this Mass will have the opportunity to earn a plenary indulgence applicable to souls in purgatory. This special privilege is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery, pray for the departed and meet other requirements from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8. To earn this indulgence, the Catholic Church also requires persons to have complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; make a sacramental confession; receive the holy Eucharist; and pray for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI. Father Jerry Volz, pastor of St. Matthew Parish, will celebrate the Mass.

Other area priests invited to concelebrate. Persons planning to attend are asked to bring lawn chairs.

For more information, call the cemetery at (785) 272-0820; send an email to: information@cathcemks.org; or visit the website at: www.cathcemks.org.

Appointments

Remembering Pope John Paul II

A

rchbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated a special Mass of commemoration at Good Shepherd Church in Shawnee on Oct. 1, honoring Blessed John Paul II. Following the beatification of Pope John Paul II in May, the Holy See granted an extraordinary indult for dioceses around the world to celebrate a Mass in commemoration of Blessed John Paul II during the year following his beatification.

Father John A. Riley, chancellor, reports the following assignments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann: Father Alfred Rockers is appointed senior parochial vicar in residence, Church of the Nativity, Leawood, effective Sept. 1.

Father Justin Nolan, FSSP, is appointed parochial vicar of the Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne at Blessed Sacrament, Kansas City, Kan., effective Aug. 1.

Are Catholics ‘click’-y?

OLATHE — St. Paul School here has been accepted into Clorox’s “Power a Bright Future” grant contest. This would be a $50,000 grant that would provide 20 site licenses for the SuccessMaker computer program and 25 Apple iPad 2’s.

To win this grant, St. Paul needs votes.

To help the school win the grant go to the website at: www.powerabrightfuture.com.

Voting is from Oct. 24 to Dec. 9.

Reminder

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.

LOCAL NEWS 11

Photos by Susan McSpadden

“Fill These Hearts,” a reflection of Pope John Paul II’s theology of the body, will be held on Oct. 29 at Johnson County Community College in Yardley Hall.

Renowned speaker Christopher West and indie-folk act Mike Mangione and the Union will highlight the event.

Buy tickets at: www.fillthesehearts.org.

12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Manager - Needed for exciting new rural health care ministry. Candidates should have a background in health care; LPN/RN license preferred. Excellent business opportunity for individual or family business. Call (785) 244-6565 or send an email to: rmeybrunn@hotmail.com.

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.

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 The Innovative Event - Wedding and special event centerpieces, event design and décor. Using original creations and artistic flair, The Innovative Event can turn your vision into a very special occasion. Over 10 years experience with parish community events and weddings. Call Marilyn at (913) 707-8009 or send an email to her at: Marilyn@The InnovativeEvent.com.

QuickBooks® for small business - Setup, customization and maintenance; quarterly and/or yearly accounting; support to your CPA, balance monthly statements, profit and expense tracking. Free consultations! Call Ann Evans Consulting LLC at (913) 4069778.

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.

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

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.

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011

Housecleaning - Looking for homes to clean in the Johnson County and Wyandotte areas. I am a member of St. Joseph Church, Shawnee. Call Marcia at (913) 707-7166.

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.

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).

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.

Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor.

Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

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.

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.

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.

Need some help? - Maybe I am the answer. I can get you to your doctor’s appointment, hairdresser or shopping. Perhaps you aren’t driving anymore or just prefer a chauffeur; I’ll get you there. I can also run errands for you, such as picking up your prescriptions or groceries. Just give me a call to discuss your needs. Johnson County only. (913) 469-6211 or (816) 806-0564.

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.

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.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

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

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.

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.

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.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

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

(913) 599-7998

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.

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.

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.

Tim the handyman - Small jobs are my specialty! Faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, handrails, window screen repair, bush trimming and garden tilling. Free estimates. JoCo only. Call (913) 859-0471.

Carpet direct – We cut out the middle man and bring the showroom to you! The best place to see your flooring is in your own home or office. Save 40 - 80% on carpet and hard surfaces. Residential and commercial. For a free estimate, call Amanda at (913) 742-4003.

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.

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.

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

Caregiving Caregivers needed - Part time; days, nights, and weekends. Salary negotiable. Call (913) 579-5276.

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.

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.

Oct.

Real Estate 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 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.

Branson condo nightly rental - 2 king BRs, 2 BA; sleeps 6. Sun porch overlooks public golf course. Walkin level (no steps), flat screen TVs, DVD player, filtered water and fully equipped kitchen. Two blks. from the Hwy. 76 strip. Easy to get to shows, Wal-Mart, groceries, dining. No smoking; no pets. Parishioners of Holy Cross, Overland Park. Call (913) 851-8886.

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.

For Sale Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation. Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs. Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 839-3106.

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.

To purchase a classified ad

Send an email to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $17.50 for five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50.

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Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

21 The PTO of St. Paul Parish, 920 W. Honeysuckle, Olathe, will host

taco bingo from 6 - 9 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the school gym. The cost is: $7 for adults; $3 for children; or $35 per family.

The food will be donated and prepared

by Taco John’s of Olathe. There will also be raffle and auction items. For information, call the school office at (913) 7640619.

22

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.

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.

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

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.

The University of Saint Mary, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, will host “Discovery Days” for prospective students from 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 to noon on Oct. 26. Participants will have the opportunity to experience college life firsthand by meeting students and professors, sitting in on classes, eating in the dining hall and spending the night in a dorm (optional).

Registration is required. For information or to register, call 1 (800) 752-7043 or visit the website at: www.stmary.edu.

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 The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will host a

covered dish luncheon at noon on Oct. 23 in Rossiter Hall, 204 S.W. 8th, Topeka.

A business meeting will follow.

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 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.

25-26

26

Join the Singles of Nativity for happy hour from 6 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Johnny’s Tavern, 6765 W. 119th St., Overland Park.

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., in conjunction with Heartland Habitat for Humanity, will offer a two-part program on home ownership from 6 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Nov. 9. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required and space is limited. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the website at: www.mountosb. org/kwc.

27

The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a hotdog and potluck dinner at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the Formation Room at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 3601 S.W. Stone, Topeka. There is no cost to attend. For information, call (785) 2720055.

29

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a one-day retreat, entitled “Jesus And Women.” It will be presented by Benedictine Sister Cecilia Olson from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 29. The cost is $50. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the website at: www.mountosb.org/sophia. html.

Holy Family Church, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., will host its annual Halloween dance from 7 - 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 in Msgr. Mejak Hall. Remember to wear your costume! Tickets cost $12.

Polish sausage sandwiches will be available for purchase. Advance purchase tickets may be obtained by calling Richard Schutte at (913) 669-3677 or JoAnn Lipovac at (913) 299-2792.

30 Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico, will host an old-fashioned smoked Ger-

man sausage supper from noon - 5 p.m. on Oct. 30 in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Newbury. There will also be bingo, games and a silent auction.

St. Mary – St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a haunting afternoon of Halloween bingo at 2 p.m. on Oct. 30 in Bishop Forst Hall.

Wear your costume! The cost of $5 includes a bingo card, desserts, popcorn, coffee and tea. Beer and pop will be available for purchase. For information, contact Carol Shomin at (913) 897-4833 or the rectory office.

The Leavenworth Region of ACCW will host a potluck luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 in the community room of Leintz Funeral Home, 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth. A short business meeting will follow.

1

Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers, Inc., will offer a volunteer information meeting from 7 - 9 p.m. on Nov. 1. The meeting will be held at 11031 W. 75th Terr., Shawnee. For information on volunteering or to RSVP, contact Mary Newcomer at (913) 962-0200 or send an email to: volunteer@adviceandaid.com.

2

The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., in conjunction with Job Corps, will offer an educational and career path presentation for young men and women ages 16 - 24 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 2.

For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the website at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

3

The Knights of Columbus of Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host their inaugural “Squeal for the Seminarians” smoked pork chop dinner from 6 - 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Proceeds will benefit religious vocations.

Tickets cost: $12 in advance; $15 at the door; or $5 for children 12 and under. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Paul Haverkamp at (913) 706-4685.

The Women’s Club of St. Ann Parish, 7301 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, will host a fall luncheon and card party from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the parish hall. A donation of $10 is appreciated. There will be door and table prizes.

To RSVP, call Mary Cheney at (913) 6481026 or Bev Vyhanek at (913) 362-7397.

3-5

The Ladies of Charity of Metropolitan Kansas City will host their annual holiday boutique from 4 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, and from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Ritz Charles, 9000 W. 137th St., Overland Park. A “Cruising to the Emerald Isle” gala and dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 There will be a silent auction, live music and a chance to win a trip to Ireland. A luncheon and fashion show sponsored by Coldwater Creek will be held at noon on Nov. 4. For information or to purchase tickets, call Donna at (913) 631-4097. All proceeds will benefit Duchesne Clinic in Kansas City, Kan., Seton Center in Kansas City, Mo., and Villa St. Francis in Olathe.

5

Good Shepherd Church, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee, will host a fiesta to celebrate the twinning anniversary with its sister community, El Buen Pastor in El Salvador. A taco dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in Seuferling Hall. The

CALENDAR 13

cost is: $7.50 for adults; $4 for children ages 5 - 11; children under five eat for free; $20 maximum per family. To purchase tickets, visit the website at: www. goodshepherdshawnee.org.

Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host its annual Fitness for the Soul 5K and one-mile fun run at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5. Families are encouraged to join in one or both races and enjoy a post-race breakfast and award ceremony. Strollers are welcome. Registration deadline is 6 p.m. on Nov. 4. To register, visit the website at: www.cureofars5k. com/registration.html.

The Militia of Immaculata will host a mini-retreat from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. Presentations will be given by Father Patrick Greenough, president of the Militia of the Immaculata in the United States and Canada, and by Father Steve McKinley, rector of the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Marytown-Libertyville, Ill. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The cost of $10 includes lunch. For information or to RSVP, call Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0208.

The Altar Society of Holy Family Church, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., will host a chili supper and turkey bingo on Nov. 5 in Msgr. Mejak Hall. Dinner will be served from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m., followed by bingo at 7:30 p.m. The cost of $15 includes dinner, dessert, beer, pop and a bingo card. This event is for adults only.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Sandy Cannon at (913) 492-2612 or Marcia Wolf at (816) 454-1378.

6

The Ladies Guild of St. Bernard Parish, 1102 8th St., Wamego, will host its annual stitch ’n’ stuff bazaar on Nov. 6. Chili, beef stew and homemade desserts will be served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be a country store, baked goods, a cakewalk, bingo, children’s games, a quilt raffle and more. For information, call Pam at (785) 456-9529 or the parish office at (785) 456-7869.

Holy Trinity Parish, 601 E. Chippewa, Paola, will host a fall bazaar on Nov. 6. A turkey dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children under 10 years.

Carryouts will be available. There will be bingo, raffles, a cakewalk, a country store, quilts, children’s games and more.

St. Mary Parish, St. Benedict, will host its annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Nov. 6. A freewill offering will be collected. All are welcome.

St. Francis de Sales Parish, 900 Ida, Lansing, will host a concert, featuring Allen Asbury and the Brooks Brothers, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6. Tickets cost $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 4 - 12.

Proceeds will benefit a scholarship fund in memory of Justin Johnston, who was a parishioner of St. Lawrence Parish in Easton. For information or to purchase tickets, call Katie Peterson at (913) 7728871. Tickets may also be purchased at the door; cash only.

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 21, 2011

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 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

“[Corporations] come in and deforest. It’s just wrecking the environment. They clear off the land to plant soybeans for exportation, and they kick off the poor squatters who have no title to the land, and they have no way to produce food.”

Bishop Herbert Hermes See story on page 1

T

VOCATION CORNER

Some things just tear you up

he oddest thing happened last Sunday afternoon. While searching for some local news on TV, I stumbled on a car race in Las Vegas.

Although I’m not a racing fan, I stopped because I noticed that there weren’t any cars speeding around the track. In fact, things looked eerily quiet.

When I turned up the sound, I discovered the reason why. There had just been a horrific, fiery crash involving some 15 cars. As a result of it, one racer — Dan Wheldon — had been killed. The officials decided to call the rest of the race off. In honor of the fallen driver, the cars that were not damaged then did five laps around the track. I stayed with the broadcast as those cars made their slow progress. I sat transfixed as the camera panned over all the racing crews standing silently and respectfully along the entire route. I was surprised that I even found myself doing what I saw on TV: standing and quietly weeping.

I found out that Dan Wheldon was married and had two very small children. I wept for his family. I couldn’t believe that I was crying, but I let the tears flow. When words and reasons fail us, tears say it all.

Afterwards, I dug up a story that I hadn’t thought about for a while. It’s told by a man named Walter Wangerin Jr. and concerns his son Matthew. Apparently, as a kid, Matthew was “willful and determined . . . and did what he wanted to do without thinking too much about the consequences.”

Once, the dad went into Matthew’s room and found him sitting on the bed surrounded by a stack of comic books.

Puzzled, he asked where Matthew got them. The kid said, “I took them out of the library.” By “took,” Matthew meant

“stole.” The dad marched his son down to the library with the comics. There, the boy apologized to the librarian and got a lecture about stealing.

The following summer, though, after vacationing in Vermont, the dad went into Matthew’s room and found a pile of comics in his dresser drawer. Matthew admitted to stealing them from a small general store during the vacation. This time, the dad destroyed the comic books — one by one — and reminded his son each time of the Seventh Commandment: Thou shalt not steal.

A year later, the kid stole more comic books. This time his dad put him over his knee and gave him five whacks with his bare hand. After the spanking, Matthew’s head hung down, but he didn’t want to cry in front of his dad. Knowing this, the dad said he was going to leave his son alone for a few minutes. The minute he entered the hallway, the dad could hold it back no longer: He himself began to sob.

Years later, when Matthew was a teenager, he found himself in the car with his mom, and they were reminiscing. Matthew recalled his comic stealing phase and said, “You know, Mom, after that incident with Dad, I never stole anything again.”

“I suppose it was because your father spanked you,” replied the mom.

“Oh, no,” said Matthew, “it was because, when he stepped out of the room, I could hear him crying.” (Adapted from William J. Bausch’s “A World of Stories for Preachers and Teachers.”)

Yes, tears are powerful things. And sometimes in the face of life, all you can do is cry. Matthew’s dad tried everything to get his son to see that stealing was wrong. But lecturing, teaching and even spanking had no effect. Only when Matthew heard his dad cry — seeing not only how hard it was for him to discipline his son, but also how important the lesson was that he was trying to convey — did the boy change his life. The tears reminded the son of how much his dad loved him.

And maybe there’s a lesson here for all of us. There’s certainly plenty of sadness to go around: loved ones experiencing sickness; relationships disintegrating; the sexual abuse of minors in the church; declining church attendance and fewer vocations to the priesthood and religious life; a general loss of faith in leaders and one another; economic woes; seemingly insurmountable polarization . . . and the list could go on and on.

It’s not as if we haven’t tried to “fix” things. It just seems that no matter what we try, it’s pretty ineffective. That might be where the tears need to come in.

Tears are not necessarily a sign of weakness; they can be a sign of wisdom and strength. They humble us and remind us that there will always be things outside our control. Tears can help us to eventually turn things over to God, who always hears and answers when we cry.

And maybe through our tears, if we dare to let them flow, lasting changes for the better can occur . . . for ourselves, our families, and our world.

SECOND THOUGHTS ON THE SECOND READING

THIRTIETH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 23 THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Ex 22: 20-26; Ps 18: 2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thes 1: 5c-10; Mt 22: 34-40 Oct. 24 Anthony Mary Claret, bishop Rom 8: 12-17; Ps 68: 2, 4, 6-7, 20-21; Lk 13: 10-17 Oct. 25 Tuesday Rom 8: 18-25; Ps 126: 1-6; Lk 13: 18-21 Oct. 26 Wednesday Rom 8: 26-30; Ps 13: 4-6; Lk 13: 22-30 Oct. 27 Thursday Rom 8: 31b-39; Ps 109: 21-22, 26-27, 30-31; Lk 13: 31-35 Oct. 28 SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES Eph 2: 19-22; Ps 19: 2-5; Lk 6: 12-16 Oct. 29 Saturday Rom 11: 1-2a, 11-12, 25-29; Ps 94: 12-13a, 14-15, 17-18; Lk 14: 1, 7-11

W

Witness of Thessalonians bears fruit still

hat is the best way to share our faith with others? Do we need to actively tell people about God? Is the example of our lives the best way we can show people what faith means? Or, are both needed?

In Sunday’s second reading, 1 Thes 1:5c-10, St. Paul praises the Thessalonians for sharing their faith with others: “From you the word of the Lord THIRTIETH has sounded SUNDAY IN forth.”

ORDINARY TIME It is not exact1 Thes 1: 5c-10 ly clear how this has happened.

Is St. Paul referring to the faith-filled life of the Thessalonians, which in itself has quietly sent a message to others?

Or have the Thessalonians engaged in evangelization themselves, albeit on a smaller scale than St. Paul: speaking to others one-on-one about their faith, going from door-to-door?

In any case, the witness of the Thessalonians has borne fruit: ”In every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”

The fact that the Thessalonians themselves have converted may in itself have provided the main element of persuasion. This unexpected event has evidently had a big impact upon some observers: “For they themselves openly

declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols.”

Since the Thessalonians were Gentiles, their conversion would have produced a more dramatic effect than the acceptance of Jesus Christ by Jewish individuals. After all, the Jews already believed in one God. They expected the Messiah. For them to accept Jesus as the Messiah and become his disciples would have looked like the fulfillment of their religious faith, not something completely new.

On the other hand, for Gentiles to turn to Jesus Christ meant a much more radical change. They had no background in the Scriptures, no acquaintance with the one God, no concept of a Messiah. For the Gentiles, turning to Jesus Christ would have meant a more drastic break with their past. It would have received more attention, created more of a stir.

If the unexpected conversion of these Gentiles amazed some of their com-

COMMENTARY 15

patriots, it apparently deeply angered others. They reacted to those Gentiles’ conversion to Christ with hostility. This led to the great affliction of which St. Paul writes: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction.”

Later in his letter, St. Paul will specify the source of that affliction: “For you suffer the same things from your compatriots as they (the churches in Judea) did from the Jews” (1 Thes 2:14). These sufferings endured by the Thessalonians did not involve full-fledged persecution, as would take place some years later when the Roman Empire would outlaw Christianity. Rather, these sufferings most likely involved trumped-up charges, harassment by the authorities, and hostility from their neighbors. The Christians were viewed as social misfits, and treated as such.

At any rate, the Thessalonians’ turning to Christ won them admiration from some and hatred from others. It resulted in suffering for them, but led still others to faith. The same still happens in our own day. Perseverance in the faith can inspire faith in others.

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

A

s an avid baseball fan, I took the time to see “Moneyball,” the movie about the revolutionizing of baseball by “geeks” — by those who try to measure a game with so many intangibles.

Without trying to over-romanticize baseball, which I would if I could, the movie had some applications to the spiritual life and to vocations.

Becoming holy is hard. Answering our vocation is hard. Yet the instructions are simple. Take up your cross, and follow me. Those who lose their life by following me will find it.

Don’t be afraid to make cuts

“Moneyball” is about trying to keep a simple thing simple. To win a championship, especially if you are the Oakland A’s who only spend a fraction of what the Yankees do on payroll, you have to keep simple things simple.

Namely, you have to do the things — and only those things — that bring you closer to winning games.

The saints tell us that to be holy is to will one necessary thing, to the exclusion of all else. The spiritual life is also a contest. It is a battle to keep a simple

thing simple.

In “Moneyball,” there are a thousand times when the general manager, Billy Beane, is tempted to doubt the statistics that he has put his faith in — statistics that will lead to the outcomes he desires. There is a losing streak, and lots of ridicule. Even his own sabermatrician loses his faith for a brief time.

His own manager won’t play the team the way it’s designed to be played.

But Billy stays the course and wins 102 games. And in the process of winning those 102 games, by being faithful to what he believes, Billy discovers why he made the mistakes he did in life, and finds a path to holiness himself.

The tempter does not want us to succeed in becoming holy. And for one who tries to find his vocation from God, the adversity will certainly be worse. Intuitively, we all know how

to answer our vocation. We must stay focused on our desire to only know and do God’s will, and not our own.

We have to keep things simple and cut the things that make us doubt, make us fear, and make us settle for less than our vocation.

The hardest thing for a man that is called to the priesthood is to make the cuts in his life that will keep him moving toward the goal of ordination.

Three hundred sixty-five times in the Bible we hear: “Do not be afraid.”

It is a message we have to learn over and over again. In “Moneyball,” it is not easy to watch Billy make the cuts he needed to reach the goal. But make them he did.

And so should we.

Father Mitchel Zimmerman is the archdiocesan vocations director.

CEF CENTERED

I

CEF Gaudeamus dinner draws record attendance

want to start this article with two pieces of information that are key to the setup and content understanding: “Catholic school pastors rock” and, growing up, I wanted to be a newspaper reporter.

To support my writing skills capability, I want you to know that I was the assistant sports editor for our school newspaper when I was in the seventh grade.

Our Gaudeamus Catholic education celebration was held on Oct. 8. We had a record crowd of 1,159 and raised record dollars. Like any good reporter, I am giving you the end result first.

Continuing my reporter duties, I interacted with attendees and, as a

result, can provide insight to those of you who were not able to attend.

So . . . the following are brown carpet quotes obtained during the night: Third-grade volunteer: “The drum line leading the crowd into the ballroom was rad.”

Attendee with vintage: “The evening was very special. You could feel the electricity in the air.”

Younger adult attendee: “This is the first time I have attended. What CEF does for those that need help is unbelievable. I will not miss it again!”

Catholic school pastor honoree: “Michael, we don’t need this recognition.

Being a pastor with a Catholic school is reward enough. However, being honored is much appreciated.”

High school student volunteer: “Over 1,100 people are supposed to be here tonight. Wow!” Another attendee with vintage: “All the presentations were good, and the video was the best ever.”

Middle-aged attendee: “I have been to a lot of noble-cause dinners, but this is the best banquet food I have ever had.”

CEF board member: “Our Catholic school pastors deserve this recognition.

It is about time we thank them for all they do for our kids.”

TV news anchor: “Can I get a picture of you, Stan, my husband and me for my Facebook page?”

Kindergarten volunteer: “The holy water that archbishop sprayed on the crosses we were holding hit me in my eyes and was cold.”

Young adult attendee: “The post-

Gaudeamus social hour with entertainment is the perfect end to a great evening.”

Monsignor’s presentation: “Brothers and sisters, our Catholic schools are FREE. FREE to help children and youth to learn to pray. FREE to teach students that Jesus Christ is their savior and friend.” And much more, as his messaging was one for the archives!

I could go on and on, but the evening was a huge success. It was a huge success because of the presence of the 43 Catholic school pastors and their commitment to our Catholic schools.

For all of us, I say to them at least one more time, THANK YOU! Oh, by the way, Catholic school pastors rock!

Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org.

DO UNTO OTHERS

A

For I was in prison and you visited me

s Americans, we take pride in being number one. Ironically, the land of the free is also number one in depriving its people of freedom.

No other country imprisons more of its own citizens than the United States which, according to the International Center for Prison Studies at King’s College London, locks up its citizens at a rate of 778 per every 100,000. That rate is greater than Russia and China’s combined and means that roughly 1 in every 100 American adults is currently in jail or prison.

Undoubtedly, many people behind bars deserve to be there because of bad

choices that victimized others. However, over the last 40 years, our nation has gradually opted for a criminal justice system that locks people up for offenses much less serious and sentences much longer than any other country in the world. This system has long been a concern for the Catholic Church.

In 2001, the U.S. bishops, alarmed by what they saw as a status quo where “victims are often ignored, offenders are often not rehabilitated, and many communities have lost their sense of

security,” issued a statement on the U.S. criminal justice system called “Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration.” They observed: “Our society seems to prefer punishment to rehabilitation and retribution to restoration, thereby indicating a failure to recognize prisoners as human beings.”

Many Catholics who volunteer in prison ministry and who work in the prison system echo the bishops’ concerns when they speak to me about their experiences. A common frustration is how easy it is for people to get locked up and how hard it is for them to get out — even for nonviolent offenders. A common refrain is, “There but for the grace of God, go I,” as volunteers realize, with a few bad breaks, it could have been them or their kids getting the visit. Catholics who have the courage to accept Christ’s invitation: “For I was

. . . in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25: 36), often share how palpable God’s grace is behind bars. They also share their feelings of tremendous spiritual growth and great gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve him in prison.

A leading American prelate once quipped that the only Scripture taken literally by all Catholics is “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”(Mt 6:3). This is certainly true with regard to prison ministry.

So, if you are a Catholic involved in prison ministry, I would love to hear from you. As well, if you would like to learn more about getting involved in prison ministry, the archdiocesan office for social justice is ready to help.

Bill Scholl is the archdiocesan consultant for social justice. You can send an email to him about prison ministry or any other topic at: socialjustice@archkck.org.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 21, 2011 Changing times and demographics have presented challenges to urban parishes, including the funding of outreach programs, maintaining schools and offering basic religious education.

Parishes struggle to make ends meet in the urban core “In some places,” said Father Pennings, “the only paid staff is the pastor and the secretary. And they really don’t have the resources to do effective outreach ministries, to do adult formation.”

Kansas City, Kan., is not an unpopulated area, he pointed out.

“Those houses are full of people,” he said. “Many of them are unchurched.”

Some are Hispanic and, while baptized, not all are engaged in the life of the church, he said.

The pastors noted again the lack of sufficient resources.

And churches are seeing a growing demand for special services, especially when it comes to the need for more ministry to Spanish-speaking Catholics.

By Jessica Langdon

K

Leaven staff

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Catholic faith is filled with tradition — and usually that’s a good thing.

When it comes to sustaining parishes, however, the traditional way of doing things doesn’t seem to be working in some cases.

That means taking a hard look at possible ways to help some of the parishes located in largely urban areas, where changing demographics and other factors are taking a toll.

In the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, these issues seem to have a particular impact on some parishes in Wyandotte County and Topeka.

Maintaining a Catholic presence in areas that are struggling is essential to the work of the church — and is therefore one of the key issues surfaced for study by the capital campaign feasibility study.

Other economic stressors School subsidies for elementary schools and for Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., are another financial obligation for these urban parishes.

And so is the socioeconomic profile of the neighborhoods that surround the churches. That factor contributes to limited parish income.

Pastors expressed during the process that there are some immediate needs that need attention.

A deeper look The Steier Group, a development firm based in Omaha, Neb., conducted the study, collecting input from people across the archdiocese, in summer and fall 2010.

Also among the issues identified were funding of secondary education, youth outreach in rural and urban areas, and improvements and a scholarship endowment for Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan. — all to be studied by a blue-ribbon task force made up of six priests and six laypeople.

In late August, Father Gary Pennings, vicar general and moderator of the curia, walked the task force through the topic of maintaining a Catholic presence in the urban core.

Different times There was a time when vibrant communities established themselves in these core areas, Father Pennings explained.

Over the years, things have changed, however, and a handful of parishes are considered financially stressed.

“We’re seeing these parishes really struggling financially, and we think it’s due, in part, to the shifting demographics,” said Father Pennings.

Offertory collections have dropped over the past several years, attendance has dropped, and it’s hard in some cases for parishes to even know how many households belong to the parish.

Outreach to the unchurched is also a challenge. “[These urban parishes are] celebrating the sacraments, but in some cases they’re not doing a whole lot more than that; they would like to offer more

Looking to the future

CNS file photo by Sam Lucero, Catholic Herald

In some urban areas of the archdiocese, offertory collections have dropped over the past several years, as has attendance. programs, but do not have the resources to do so,” said Father Pennings.

The situation has an impact on a parish’s ability to maintain a Catholic presence in its neighborhood, and part of the challenge is to keep that presence alive and thriving.

Although the situation has improved in a few parishes over the past couple of years, several urban core parishes continue to face serious challenges. The archdiocesan finance council is also looking into developing a task force to study the causes of these parishes’ struggles.

Archdiocesan leaders looked at long lists of figures as they studied the issue and also talked with pastors in the urban areas. The pastors reported a need for assistance in three areas: facilities, programming and other economic stressors.

Facilities Aging buildings are a big problem.

The pastors also expressed concerns about the challenges of upkeep and even proper cleaning.

Some parishes have more buildings than they can maintain. The funds aren’t always there to tear down the buildings that aren’t being used and aren’t needed, Father Pennings pointed out. Even to repurpose buildings usually takes significant financial resources.

High building maintenance costs are a strain on the budgets of financially stressed parishes.

Programming Funds tend to be lacking when it comes to outreach as well, and that includes basic religious education.

The archdiocese has looked at a number of possibilities that might help and, at this point in the feasibility study process, leaders have come up with several recommendations.

While nothing is set in stone at the present time, the suggestions include initiating aggressive pastoral planning that would entail identifying critical institutions, establishing outreach initiatives, and developing plans for unused buildings.

Another recommendation is to raise $1 million to address the top priority building needs of the inner-city parishes, which would be identified through the pastoral planning process. Then another $5 million would be raised for a “Continuing the Legacy” endowment to help invigorate and populate parishes, methods for which would again be identified through effective pastoral planning.

The August meeting also addressed other topics the archdiocese is looking at, including Catholic radio programming, programs reaching out to lapsed Catholics, and sustaining the Catholic youth camp.

The task force will ultimately be responsible for recommending a path for the future and is expected to make its recommendations to the archbishop in January.

Between now and then, its members will continue to meet to discuss the issues.