Leaven 10-23-2015 Vol. 37 No. 12

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 37, NO. 12 | OCTOBER 23, 2015

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

Ray Diaz stands at the front door of his new apartment — a long way from the broken-down pickup truck he called home two years ago.

‘GOD’S JUST GETTING STARTED’

Ray Diaz was homeless and going nowhere fast.

Shalom House helped him get back on track.

PIN IT

An archdiocesan Pinterest page offers resources to parents.

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By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Ray Diaz believes in community; it is his lifeline.

He wakes up every morning with the intention to reach out to anyone God places in front of him.

His resolve to help others comes from his experience as a resident of Shalom House — a men’s shelter in Wyandotte County — and the long journey that brought him there.

A journey that started in a very lonely place.

On the brink of death In 2011, Diaz was destitute, estranged from his family and living in a broken-down truck.

“I was sitting in this old truck because that’s the only place I had to stay,” he recalled. “I was sweating profusely, I was shaky and my right arm was hurting me bad.

“I tried to get up, but couldn’t, and I couldn’t get

SAVING LIVES

Nativity House offers a lifeline to young mothers and their babies.

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SHALOM HOUSE Shalom House is a men’s homeless shelter founded in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement. It provides shelter, breakfast and dinner, clothes, showers and referrals for medical and employment assistance.

The philosophy of Shalom House is that each person who walks through its door is a brother or sister in Christ. To learn more, go online to: shalomcw.wordpress.com.

my breath. I felt like a cinder block was hanging in my chest, and I had a feeling like electricity shooting across me.”

For four long days, Diaz lay in that truck, struggling through a fog of semiconsciousness.

“I would come to and I’d pass out,” he said. “I’d hear my phone ring and I’d try to answer it, and then I’d just hang up.

“My brain wasn’t working.”

Diaz had come to the end of the line. He knew he was dying, and he didn’t care. >> See “I’D LIKE” on page 4

NEW BLOOD

Meet The Leaven’s newest employees — Beth Blankenship and Moira Cullings.

Page 16

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

A

few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to accompany the Little Sisters and Brothers of the Lamb to visit the residents of the juvenile correctional facility in Topeka.

Father Joseph Chontos, the dedicated chaplain for these troubled young people, arranged and assisted with our visit.

Each time I have visited this prison, I am startled by the youthfulness of the prisoners. It is tragic that these young people have made such poor choices that the courts have deemed it necessary to incarcerate them for the safety of the community as well as their own welfare. The majority of these young inmates come from very difficult family situations.

The Holy Father has asked Catholics during the Year of Mercy to strive to live better the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Visiting the imprisoned is one of the corporal works of mercy given to us by Jesus himself (Mt. 25: 36). I am grateful to the priests, religious and laity

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Freedom is the ability to choose what is right

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

LISTEN to this article online at: www.theleaven.org. of both the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph who are engaged in prison ministry.

One of the important and unique ways in which we serve some of those imprisoned in Kansas is Donnelly College’s satellite campus at the Lansing Correctional Facility. The inmates who have taken advantage of this opportunity to gain college

credits have a very low recidivism rate. Catholic Charities in Missouri offers the TurnAround Program to help successfully integrate into society those recently released from prison. TurnAround participants also have an extremely low percentage returning to prison.

In my message to the juvenile offenders, I reminded them that Jesus did not come for the self-righteous, but for sinners. Jesus was criticized by the religious establishment for associating with sinners and tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus. Tax collectors in the time of Jesus were the equivalent today of those involved with organized crime. I reminded them the first

Archbishop offers baptisms for children of larger families To show his personal support for those couples open to raising larger families, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann has offered to celebrate the baptism of the third or greater child of any family (by birth, adoption or blending through valid marriage) interested.

The next baptism will be held on Nov. 8 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas. Please contact your parish office for more information. Additional information is also available from the archdiocesan office for liturgy and sacramental life at (913) 647-0330 or by email at: liturgy@archkck.org.

person we are certain to have entered heaven was Dismas, one of the criminals crucified next to Jesus.

With a lot of time on their hands, I encouraged these young inmates to use their imprisonment as an opportunity to come to know Jesus and to develop a friendship with Our Lord. I assured them that this is what Jesus desires for them.

I also told them, despite their physical surroundings, they are free.

As you might imagine, they looked at me like I was crazy. With guards stationed everywhere and the security screening we had to go through to gain admittance, I understood completely why they thought I had lost my mind.

I shared with my captive congregation the difference between the biblical understanding of freedom and our cultural view of liberty. In American society, we consider freedom to be the ability to do what I want, when I want, as long as I do not hurt anyone else too badly. This is not the scriptural understanding of freedom.

The freedom of the Gospel is not to do what I want but, rather, the ability to choose the good. Biblical freedom is to choose what is right, what is noble, what is loving — no matter the particular circumstances of our lives. Even in prison, the Christian is free, because we can choose to love. We can choose the good. We can choose to praise and honor God. No one and no security system can deprive us of this freedom.

We see this in the example of many of the saints. Saint Paul spent a considerable amount of time in prison or under house arrest. Paul did some of his most important and significant work during these imprisonments. Paul wrote many of his epistles from prison. It is these Pauline writings that have inspired and nourished

billions of Christians for two thousand years.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who died in the Auschwitz concentration camp, chose to offer himself as a substitute for a married man who had been condemned to death by the Nazis. In this, Maximilian Kolbe not only chose the good, but conformed himself to the example of Christ by literally laying down his life for another man.

Maximilian Kolbe, though confined in a concentration camp, exercised his freedom to save the life of another man.

Father Emil Kapaun, a native Kansan who served as an Army chaplain during both World War II and the Korean War, died in a North Korean prisoner of war camp. After their liberation, his fellow prisoners attributed their unusually high morale and even their survival to the courage and heroism exhibited by Father Kapaun.

While I am very grateful for Catholics in both Missouri and Kansas who are already engaged in prison ministry, there is so much more that we can and should do.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is using the challenge of Pope Francis to live better the corporal and spiritual works of mercy to invite you to assist with the church’s prison ministry.

This is not a ministry that everyone can do.

However, we can all pray for those imprisoned. We can support financially Donnelly College, TurnAround or other programs that seek to help and minister to those incarcerated or those recently released from prison.

Please consider if Our Lord is calling you to bring his love and the hope of his Gospel to those imprisoned. To learn about opportunities to assist with the church’s prison ministry in Kansas, contact Bill Scholl (socialjustice@ archkck.org) and in Missouri, contact Bill Francis (francis@diocesekcsj. org).

CALENDAR

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Oct. 23 Dedication Mass — Holy Cross, Overland Park Oct. 24 Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus dinner — Overland Park Convention Center Oct. 25 Project Andrew — Christ the King, Topeka Oct. 26 Adoration — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park Envisioning Team meeting — Chancery Oct. 27 Fifth-grade Vocation Day — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Confirmation — Holy Family, Eudora Oct. 28 Adoration — Maur-Hill Mount Academy, Atchison Administrative Team meeting Oct. 29 Archbishop’s Call to Share clergy luncheon — Savior Pastoral Center Red Mass — St. Peter, Kansas City, Missouri

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Oct. 24 Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus dinner Oct. 25 Federal camp Mass Oct. 26 Confirmation — St. Joseph in Olpe and St. Mary, Hartford Oct. 28-29 Bishops’ retreat — Chicago

Remember, no matter the circumstances of your life, you are free to choose the good, to glorify God and to be an instrument of God’s love for others.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

Deacon Dana Nearmyer, the lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, shows off the Archdiocese of KCK Parents Pinterest page.

‘PIN’ IN HAND, DEACON MEETS PARENTS WHERE THEY ARE

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pinterest is famous for inspiring people to try a new recipe or tackle a do-it-yourself project.

But Deacon Dana Nearmyer, the lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth, is hoping it might pique interest in something more than a great tater tot casserole.

He is always looking, in fact, to inspire spiritual growth through ordinary means.

That’s why he’s launched a Pinterest account called Archdiocese of KCK Parents. Deacon Nearmyer’s purpose in creating the page, he said, is to provide the social media platform as “a Web page of advice and comfort, and one that meets parents where they’re at.” At its core, the page is meant to showcase the Catholic worldview through a modern, relatable approach.

The Archdiocese of KCK Parents page exhibits a variety of boards designed not only to strengthen the faith of viewers, but also to give them practical advice in times of trial, as well as ideas for happy, healthy relationships. Deacon Nearmyer invites parishioners to share with him what they are interested in or find helpful so he can add their ideas to the page.

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

The account is targeted at parents, but provides information relevant to all young adults seeking hope and encouragement.

“Over the last couple of years,” said Deacon Nearmyer, “there’s been this incredible swell of interest in helping parents to be the first and best teachers,” which is also a major part of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s 10-year vision. This Pinterest page sets out to equip parents with the proficiency and wisdom they need to be those teachers.

Nancy Borisov, a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Shawnee, has followed the Archdiocese of KCK Parents account since it was launched and is a real fan.

“It has so many topics that I’m interested in and find comforting,” she said.

“You know you’re getting good, solid Catholic teachings, lessons and ideas that you are free to use and help make your family a better domestic church.”

Social media may appear to be another distraction from spiritual progress, but this is not necessarily true, said Deacon Nearmyer.

Instead, it can be a vehicle that helps people “to be connected.”

“The pope keeps talking about this thing, this closeness,” said Deacon Nearmyer. “And he says when we’re close to each other, faith can be transmitted over the lines. We’ll know when people are in distress and we’re able to help them.”

It is fitting this help come from sites like Pinterest, as many people turn to the Internet for comfort and counsel, he continued.

“The healing of the Eucharist and the healing of the church’s power are what we want to bring to the place where people spend the most time,” Deacon Nearmyer said.

Although 85 percent of people on Pinterest are women, he encourages men to get involved as well, as pages such as this will offer invaluable guidance that everyone can use.

Caroline and Emily Thompson also understand the need for a modern spiritual guide. In 2012, they started a blog called “Princess Prayer.” The sisters, who learned much from each other growing up, asked themselves, “What if there are young women out there who feel alone in their pursuit of holy living?” This sparked their idea to write a public blog.

Some of the Princess Prayer blog posts are among the things Deacon Nearmyer pins.

“Invoking the Holy Spirit is a powerful prayer that turns an everyday moment into something sacred,” said Caroline Thompson. “I think that’s what we try to write about: holiness in the everyday.”

“Anything seemingly secular can be used for the spiritual,” she added. “I think that’s what we hope to communicate in our blog. [It’s] as if to say, ‘Hey, this

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

To create your own Pinterest account, visit the website at: www.

Pinterest.com. Type in your email address and create a password, then click “Sign up.” On your profile page, you will be able to create your own boards and search for items to pin. Common boards include recipes, quotes, home décor, etc. After you have created your account, you can “follow” the new Archdiocese of KCK Parents account by visiting the URL above and clicking “follow” in the top right-hand corner.

theology stuff is actually relevant.’ God doesn’t just want your ‘church self’ but your entire, exhausted parent, struggling student, enjoys a glass of wine, Facebookperusing self.”

Both social projects, in fact, are connected through that one, essential message.

“Our faith isn’t confined to how we pray during church or anything like that,” said Deacon Nearmyer. “It’s how we live.”

To visit the Archdiocese of KCK Parents page, go to the website at: www.

Pinterest.com/ArchKCK. To visit the Princess Prayer blog, go online to: My PrincessPrayer.Wordpress.com.

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

For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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‘I’d like to see my kids one more time,’ he prayed >> Continued from page 1 “I was tired and I wanted to give up,” he said.

But from somewhere in the back of his memory surfaced a Bible passage he’d once read.

“In the 20th chapter of [the Second Book of] Kings,” he said, “I had read that Scripture where Hezekiah was sick, he was dying, he wasn’t going to make it.

“Hezekiah put all his cards on the table and cried and said, ‘God please give me some more time.’

“I don’t know why, but I said that prayer.”

The next day, Diaz was able to get out of the truck and make his way to a bus stop.

“I was gray and powdery,” he recalled, “and people were all looking at me like I was a zombie.

“I got on a bus and they dropped me off right in front of the hospital.”

The emergency-room personnel were shocked when they examined him.

“The doctor would write something down,” said Diaz. “Then, he’d turn around and look at me, shake his head and say, ‘I don’t understand how you’re sitting here talking to me.’”

Tests determined Diaz had suffered a massive heart attack. An attempt at a heart stent procedure was unsuccessful.

“I was 100 percent blocked,” he said.

“There was no way they could fix it.

“The doctor told me I wasn’t going to make it.

“He said, ‘You may have six months to live.’”

That was four years ago.

“God gave Hezekiah another 15 years,” said Diaz, “because there were still things he needed to do for God. “That’s just like me right now.”

The path to homelessness “People don’t become homeless overnight,” said Shalom House case manager Tom Reynolds, with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. “It’s a process.”

Diaz’s story illustrates that fact.

Originally from Manhattan, Diaz married his high-school sweetheart and moved to Texas where he worked for many years as a home-building subcontractor, machinist and welder.

Though he provided a home for his wife and six children, Diaz was not able to manage his own life.

“I was making good money,” he said, “but not being responsible with it.”

Eventually, his marriage fell apart and his wife and children moved back to Kansas.

Diaz followed, but had to return to Texas for work. There, without the structure of a family, his lifestyle became unhealthy and unstable.

At his lowest point, he ended up incarcerated.

While Diaz was in prison in Texas, his wife was suffering from cancer, a secret she kept from her family.

She died suddenly in 2006.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

After transitioning from Shalom House, Ray Diaz moved into his own apartment where he set up a display of his favorite things — family photos and items reflecting his Native American heritage.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t come to the funeral because I was locked up,” he said.

“They wouldn’t let me out to come.”

As a result, Diaz became estranged from his children. He continued to live in Texas, but struggled unsuccessfully to get his life back on track.

“I was working for a guy remodeling stores,” he said. “But he left me dry — didn’t pay me.

“I was staying with a friend at the time, and I wasn’t on their lease. So the landlord kicked me out.

“I’d just given the last of my money to pay the rent — basically, I became homeless right there.”

And so Diaz ended up living in a broken-down truck, with nobody but God to turn to.

A prayer heard “I’ve learned when man and society have given up on you,” said Diaz, “that’s when God steps in.”

After his heart attack and grim diagnosis, Diaz knew the only thing he wanted was to be reunited with his family.

“I prayed,” he recalled. “I said, ‘I’m not the greatest person in the world. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, I’ve hurt a lot of people and I’ve hurt myself.’ “‘But I’d like to see my kids one more time.’”

God must have been paying attention.

Once Diaz was released from the hospital, friends in Texas took it upon themselves to contact his daughter in Olathe — and Diaz found his tragedy transformed.

“That heart attack and everything, it brought everyone together,” said Diaz.

“They’d already lost Mom, they didn’t want to lose Dad.” His daughter took him into her home, but a subsequent stroke landed him in the emergency room once again.

This time, doctors recommended open-heart surgery.

“They said it would save my life,” said Diaz. “I had the surgery — I went in with

the attitude: ‘God’s got this.’

“A day or two later, I was sitting in a chair. I was determined to get better.”

After that successful surgery, Diaz convalesced at his daughter’s home and spent time rebuilding his relationship with his six children and 21 grandchildren.

But not wanting to be a burden to his family, he immediately began looking for a place where he could regain his independence.

“My daughter called around and found Shalom House,” he said.

A new beginning Shalom House is a men’s shelter in Kansas City, Kansas, and is a ministry of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

And although it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it’s a special kind of place.

“The philosophy there, the way the guys are treated, the support from the parishes — all of that makes Shalom House unique,” said Reynolds.

The house has 26 beds downstairs and a transitional-living section upstairs with room for four men.

Men are provided meals, shelter and help getting their lives back on track so they can live independently.

“And we will work with persons as long as they’re working in good faith to make a transition,” said Reynolds. “Everybody is different, and we try to be both consistent and flexible within the guidelines of the program.”

Diaz began his transition at Shalom house learning lessons in humility.

“I had to drop my pride and let people help me,” he said. “I was weak. It was an experience — there was a reason I was supposed to be there.”

As Diaz became stronger, he found the difficulties he’d experienced gave him a special compassion for others.

“I learned a lot from other people,” he said. “I saw a lot of pain, and I was able to find something in myself that helped me

be more compassionate.

“That’s something God pulled out of me.

“Through the months, as I progressively got better, I took up the role of kind of leader of the house, helping other men.”

“The men looked up to him,” confirmed Reynolds. “They respected him.

He was a very calming, supportive influence.

“He was honest and had a commitment to try to make [the] Shalom House community better.”

A few months after moving to Shalom, Diaz had another serious health scare: a bout with thyroid cancer. But that didn’t slow him down.

While undergoing another surgery and radiation treatments, Diaz continued to mentor other men and work on his own transition.

His treatments completed and successful, Diaz was subsequently approved for disability in December 2014.

Two months later, he signed a lease on his own apartment.

“I stayed at Shalom for as long as I felt the Lord needed me there,” he said. “But I was ready for some space of my own.”

A space of his own With his Shalom House friends serving as his moving crew, Diaz moved into his apartment.

He bought a television and some decorative accents, but most of his furnishings came from Catholic Charities donations.

“They were great about helping me,” he said.

For Diaz, the transition has been bittersweet.

“I’ve missed the guys,” he said. “I miss the routine: getting up at five, making coffee, getting the guys up.”

“He had a tremendously calming influence at Shalom House,” said Reynolds.

“We saw proof of that after he left — it’s like there was a major vacuum.”

But in his new environment, Diaz has found that God is still giving him opportunities to serve others with the compassion he gained through his own suffering.

“I have a friend next door who has pancreatic cancer,” he said. “It’s terminal.

“My experience having a heart attack and having cancer has inspired me to help my neighbor.

“Talking to him and everything, he’s come closer to the Lord.”

Diaz looks forward to a future of using his past to help others — and he has a central message he wants to spread.

“Man may give up on you,” he said.

“Family may give up on you. You may even give up on yourself.

“But that’s when God is just getting started.”

“I feel that strongly; I know it’s true,” Diaz added. “I’ve lived it.

“And God’s just getting started with me.”

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Archbishop Keleher to be honored at upcoming Deo Gratias event

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It will be a time to give thanks — and to recognize those who are working to support the ministries of the church far into the future.

The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas will host its annual Deo Gratias dinner on Nov. 5 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas. This year’s theme is: “Our Faith. Our Family.”

The CFNEK, originally established as the Archdiocesan Foundation in 1989 by Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker, invests and manages endowments that were created to support Catholic institutions and ministries. “[The CFNEK] exists as a serviceoriented entity for our parishes, schools and Catholic organizations who have funds available that they would like to entrust to the foundation for investments and asset growth,” said Lesle Knop, CFNEK executive director.

The CFNEK closed out fiscal year 2015 with assets of almost $82 million.

Each year, the CFNEK presents the Deo Gratias Award at its annual dinner to one family or individual and to one Catholic organization.

The Deo Gratias (Latin for “thanks be to God”) Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement, service and support of Catholic institutions that are CFNEK fund-holders, as well as members of the Catholic Legacy Society.

This year, the Deo Gratias Award is being given to Archbishop Emeritus James Patrick Keleher and to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

Archbishop Keleher, a Chicago native, was ordained a priest in 1958. In 1978, he was named rector and president of the University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary, where he also served as an associate professor of systematic theology.

In 1984, he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. He was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in 1993 and was succeeded by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann in 2005.

Archbishop Keleher served on the committee of bishops that wrote the pas-

toral letter “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.” He also became the episcopal moderator of the National Catholic Stewardship Council in 1989, continuing in a leadership role until 2007.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas serves peoples of all faiths and none in 21 counties of northeast Kansas.

It provides a number of social services and offers food, clothing and shelter through its eight Emergency Assistance Centers, nine food pantries and two mobile resource buses.

The CFNEK has extended an invitation to all parishes and schools to send representatives to the annual dinner.

The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., invocation and awards presentation at 6:30 p.m., and a final blessing by Archbishop Naumann at 8:30 p.m.

“Our goal is to have representatives from all the parishes. But, in particular, we’d like to have representatives from those parishes who have funds invested with the foundation,” said Knop.

Please register online by Oct. 30 at: www.cfnek.org/deogratias.

Archbishop Emeritus James Patrick Keleher and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas are this year’s recipients of the Deo Gratias Award. They will both be honored at the Deo Gratias dinner on Nov. 5 at Savior Pastoral Center.

JOIN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

Each year, the eighth-grade class of Church of the Ascension School in Overland Park hosts a museum celebrating the lives of the saints. Students like Maggie McCabe, above right, dress up in appropriate attire and give a presentation on the life of the saint they’ve selected — in her case, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka. This year, 74 saints will be represented at the museum and at the 8 a.m. All Souls Day Mass at Church of the Ascension immediately preceding it. All are invited to join the Ascension community on Nov. 2 for Mass, a special “saintly” procession and more.

PERFECT PUMPKIN AUCTION WARES

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BLANKENSHIP

Participants in John Paul II School’s roundup auction look over hundreds of items up for bid Oct. 17 at St. Pius X Church in Mission. The Overland Park school’s major fundraising event featured both silent and live auctions.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

One-year-old Hannah Mallory, daughter of Christopher and Charlotte Doyle, searches the pumpkin patch at Holy Cross School, 7917 W. 95th St., Overland Park, for the perfect pumpkin.

The pumpkin patch runs at the school until Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday - Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. There are children’s games and a hay bale maze. Admission is free. Pumpkins are for sale, with proceeds benefiting the school.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS Ned and Theresa (Mersman) Kelsey, m e m bers of Holy Trinity Parish, Paola, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 23. The couple was married on Oct. 23, 1950, at St. Boniface Church, Scipio, by Father Owen Cote. Their children are: Lynn Leishman, David Kelsey, Ronda Chance, Michael Kelsey, John Kelsey and Christopher Kelsey. They also have 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to them at 402 E. Miami St., Paola, KS 66071.

James and Pauline (Graff) Baughman, members of Sacred H e a r t Parish, To n g a n oxie, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 18. The couple was married on Oct. 20, 1950, at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Chicago. Their children are: James Baughman Jr., Christine Peterson, Thomas Baughman, Geraldine Hale, Delores Cook, Martin Baughman, Genevieve King, Joseph Baughman, Michael Baughman and John Baughman. They also have 34 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. They celebrated with a renewal of their vows and a family dinner and gathering afterwards.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE

CHURCH OF THE WEEK Correction In the Oct. 16 issue of The Leaven, an incorrect photo appeared with the story, “Archdiocesan seminarian ordained a transitional deacon.” The Leaven regrets the error. Here, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York performs the laying on of hands on Agustin Martinez during his diaconate ordination ceremony in Rome.

Immaculate Conception, Leavenworth Address: 711 N. 5th St., 66048 Phone: (913) 682-3953 Pastor: Father David McEvoy, O.Carm.

Mass Times: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Email: icsj@sbcglobal.net Website: http://www.icsj.org

Video

A video tour of this church is available online at: www.the leaven.org.

More photos of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org.

Announcement Father John A. Riley, chancellor, announces the following appointment made

by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann: Father William Bruning, currently offering sacramental assistance at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, is appointed parochial administrator of Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, effective Oct. 26. Father Bruning will continue to reside at Blessed Sacrament Church, Kansas City, Kansas.

REPORTING ABUSE If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you should make a report to the Kansas Department for Children and Families Protection Report Center by calling (800) 9225330. If you or someone you know has been abused by a cleric, employee or volunteer of any archdiocesan parish, school or agency — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — call the archdiocesan confidential report line at (913) 647-3051 or Dr. Dennis Schemmel, victim assistance coordinator, at (913) 909-2740, after calling local law enforcement. The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas places the protection of children as its first priority. Furthermore, the archdiocese respects the sincere concerns of all individuals who report misconduct, and is thus committed to conducting thorough investigations of all such allegations.

Scout earns Eagle rank PRAIRIE VILLAGE — Dennis James Rice, of Troop 98 at St. Ann Church here, earned the rank of Eagle Scout on May 21.

Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. His Eagle Court of Honor was held on Sept. 20 at St. Ann. For his Eagle Scout project, Rice designed and oversaw the construction and installation of storage shelving units for the new Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, Missouri.

EQUIP YOURSELF TO DEFEND THE FAITH “The Role of Reason and of the Heart in Faith” Presented by Dr. Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College

Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

Rockhurst University, Arrupe Hall auditorium Parking is available in the north parking garage (52nd St. and Troost Ave.) For details visit http://tinyurl.com/Peterkreeft or use this QR code.

The Kansas City Chapter of the Order of Malta and the Thomas More Center for the Study of Catholic Thought and Culture at Rockhurst University are pleased to host Dr. Peter Kreeft, a major literary force in the world of English-language Catholic philosophy and apologetics for decades. The author of over 70 books, including “Handbook of Christian Apologetics.”

Dr. Kreeft will give a second lecture Nov. 7 at Benedictine College, Atchison, at 10:30 a.m. He will speak on “Existence of God- CS Lewis’s argument from Desire” in the McAllister Board Room on the 4th Floor of the Ferrell Academic Center. Brunch will be provided.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

7

Former Emporia resident returns as parish pastor

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

Father Brandon Farrar signs the oath of fidelity as he is installed as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia.

E

MPORIA — Father Brandon Farrar might be the new pastor of Sacred Heart Parish here, but he is no stranger to the Emporia community.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann formally installed Father Farrar as pastor of Sacred Heart at the 5:45 p.m. Mass on Sept. 12. It’s the second time that Father Farrar has called Emporia home.

About 16 years ago, after graduating from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, he followed his older brother to Emporia. His brother was then an optometrist in the city, and Father Farrar’s plans were to attend graduate school. He even had a research position at Emporia State University. It wasn’t to be.

Having felt the call of Christ back in Texas at a campus center, Father Farrar said he realized while sitting in class one day that he needed to resolve the seminary question.

After withdrawing from graduate school and giving up his research position, Father Farrar entered the seminary.

He was ordained June 24, 2006. Prior to moving to Emporia for the second time, he most recently served as pastor of

parishes in Baldwin City, Edgerton and Lapeer. Last July, he was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.

As is often the case, his installation came a few months after he assumed his new pastoral duties. Nevertheless, it provided the archbishop the opportunity to formally introduce the priest to the parish community.

In his homily, Archbishop Naumann

shared how reviving the rite of installation has afforded him the opportunity to preach about the importance of the priesthood in parishes throughout the archdiocese.

“We like to do these public installations of pastors at the Sunday Eucharist because it shows the link between the priesthood and the Eucharist,” said the archbishop.

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RESURRECTION Juanita M. Alvarez Lawrence M. Ameche N. Sam Ashley Kenneth P. Baldwin Georgie Balzer Patrick J. Bins Charles C. Blair John F. Bollig Patricia J. Bourk Mary Lynn Bowman Ronald G. Bozich Joseph C. Burdolski Juan F. Callejas Phil W. Carl Ronald L. Casteel Susan L. Casteel Robert N. Christmas Thomas E. Clark Ellen L. Connealy Dorothy F. Cooper Nadelene Olivia Corral Albert E. Debrabander Alice M. Dennis A. Aileen Diebold Mark D. Dillbeck Edward M. Dolson Francis Donegan Warren L. Donovan Janet H. Drees Louis F. Drees Mark-Jerzy Marelino Eckstine Brian English Marlene E. Ennis William W. Farnen Jerome F. Fladung Jason R. Flanigan Annabele M. Garcia Amado G. Gasca Michael J. Greenwood Robert L. Guthrie Maximilian Kolbe Hardesty Robert M. Hinz Ann M. Hoeven John S. Kaczmarczyk Josephine M. Kellerman Marsha K. Killion

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Thomas J. Walsh Brian E. Welding John A. Wiedeman Arlene E. Williams Dwight L. Williams Noah Cameron Lee Wilson Robert L. Winsky, Sr ST. JOSEPH Richard W. Busch Troy J. Jordan Helen L. Rieke William Stockton Anne Marie Textor ST. JOHN LENEXA Michael S. McLemore Nevieve Winter MT. CALVARY OLATHE Matthew T. Dickey Michael W. Ferrell James M. Riggs Shirley J. Taylor GATE OF HEAVEN Nicholas F. Breck Catherine M. Calovich Carolyn A. Herzig Flavio Martinez Mary A. McCarty Rafael Ortega Mary E. Ulmer

He hopes it also serves to bolster them.

“It’s important for all of us to pray for priests and to encourage them,” he said. “Being a priest today is not for the timid.”

In fact, “there is nothing more countercultural today than being a priest,” he added.

Concluding his homily, Archbishop Naumann again encouraged the congregation to be thankful for and to pray for the gift of all priests and, in particular, for the gift of Father Farrar.

The rite of installation continued with a public profession of faith by the new pastor, one in which Father Farrar pledged to willingly and wholeheartedly serve the people of God within the context of the parish assignment. It was that moment that gave him pause, he later said.

“What struck me tonight as I spoke those words to the archbishop,” said Father Farrar, “is that I am part of a tradition that extends both in time and space.”

Father Farrar also added that, in saying the words of the Nicene Creed, he was reminded that the profession of faith is the same one that “Catholic after Catholic, priest after priest, has made since Christ walked this earth.”

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I

had been brought up to believe that life is always a gift, but it certainly didn’t feel like one when I gazed in shock at a positive pregnancy test. As a mom who had my first baby in college, I know that an unexpected pregnancy can sometimes bring fear, shame and doubt.

However, I also know that an unexpected pregnancy can bring joy, excitement, awe, gratitude and deeper love than I knew was possible — not to mention the little bundle who inspires these sentiments!

About nine months after looking at that pregnancy test, I received the very best gift I have ever been given: my daughter.

An unexpected pregnancy might be confusing along the way, but life — though at times difficult — is ultimately beautiful. Perhaps one of your friends has become pregnant unexpectedly. As someone who has been there, I encourage you to support your friend in her new journey of being a mother.

Not sure how to help or what to say? Here are ten tips:

As part of its Respect Life Month coverage, the Respect Life office of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has offered these 10 ways to support her

WHEN SHE’S UNEXPECTEDLY EXPECTING

1. Be available.

An unexpected pregnancy can send a woman into crisis mode. If your friend just found out she is pregnant, she may not be thinking clearly and may feel she has no control over anything at the moment.

Be aware of how she is responding to you. Listen to her and let her know you love her and are there for her anytime she needs you. Don’t pass judgment on her either interiorly or through words or body language.

2. Respond positively.

When a woman experiencing challenging circumstances confides she is pregnant, the reaction of the first person she tells tends to set the tone for her decision-making. Avoid responding with shock or alarm. Be calm and understanding. Let her know you’re there for her and that it’s going to be OK. Pay close attention to her emotional state and act accordingly.

Depending on where she is emotionally, it may or may not be helpful to congratulate her at that time. However, it is always important to affirm that every person’s life — including her child’s and her own — is precious and beautiful, no matter the circumstances.

3. Be honest.

The journey through an unexpected pregnancy is not easy, and it’s OK if you don’t know the perfect words to say.

Just be honest. Let her know you are there for her. Ask her how she is feeling and how you can support her.

It’s a good way to open the door to communicate, and she may be grateful for the op-

portunity to talk freely with someone. She might become emotional at times, but be patient — let’s not forget hormones; the struggle is real.

4. Offer specific help.

Don’t be afraid to ask her if she needs help with anything or to make specific offers to help. For example, you might offer to help with cleaning, finding a good doctor or running to the store to pick up the one food that won’t make her feel sick. But remember to read her cues and make sure you’re not being overbearing.

5. Set up a support system.

In addition to the standard baby registry, you can help her get other kinds of support by lining up much-needed, practical help. Think outside the box. Food equals love, so take advantage of websites that allow friends and family to sign up to make meals, send food deliveries or simply donate money. Some websites can even help organize other assistance like rides to the doctor, babysitting other children she may have or help around the house. You can also look into what programs

and assistance may be sponsored by your local diocesan pastoral care or Respect Life offices.

6. Tell her she is beautiful.

She may be feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally drained with this pregnancy.

Take the time to reassure her of her beauty, both inside and out, especially when morning sickness might make her feel otherwise.

7. Help her recharge and relax.

First-time mothers may have difficulty crossing that threshold into their new life as a mother. Your friend may be fearful that her life is “over,” so help her see it’s OK — good, actually — to still focus on herself sometimes.

Even though she is a mother, she will still continue to be a woman, so affirm that it’s healthy and important to take care of herself — not only physically, but emotionally as well. Help her to do things she really enjoys. Take her out for a nice meal, a movie or a day of pampering.

8. Reassure her it’s OK (and good) to be happy.

It can be hard to be happy about a pregnancy that many people see as unfortunate timing at best and totally irresponsible at worst. Even if your friend wants to be happy about her bundle of joy, she may not feel she “deserves” to show that happiness. Get excited about her pregnancy in front of her and she may just feel comfortable enough to share her own excitement with you.

Also, continue to show your interest and excitement throughout her pregnancy.

Ask questions about her developing child. What is she learning at her doctor appointments? What names is she considering? Ask her what she thinks her baby looks like.

Does she think the child will have her eyes?

9. Encourage her.

Society tends to focus on ways that an unexpected pregnancy can be challenging. Help your friend to think of the benefits. Remind her of the fluttering kicks, somersaults and maybe even dance

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

moves her son or daughter will be rocking once they grow a little more. With moms’ groups and opportunities for play dates, there’s a whole new social world to explore. And there are plenty of benefits to being a young mom — like having more energy to chase her kids around.

10. Point out some real-life role models.

Many amazing young mothers and birthmothers have experienced unexpected pregnancies and still followed their dreams. Other women have discovered that, even when unable to follow their lives as planned, something beautiful and good came out of the twists in the road, bringing opportunities, growth and joy they hadn’t imagined.

Point your friend to some of the many websites, blogs and social media accounts dedicated to supporting young mothers. And let’s not forget Mary, whose “yes” to bearing Jesus affected the course of history. The Blessed Mother is a great person to pour her heart out to, and she’s a powerhouse of intercessory prayer.

An unexpected pregnancy can be a difficult and frightening time, and it’s important that your friend knows you are thinking of her and supporting her. Although the tips mentioned can be helpful, don’t forget the most important thing is to pray. Even if it’s just a quick two-second prayer, prayer is the most effective way we can help.

Pray for her, for her child and for guidance in how you can give her the best possible support.

Also, pay attention to how your friend feels most loved.

One person might appreciate encouraging words, while another might feel more supported if you wash the dishes.

Simple things — letting her know that you care and are always ready to listen, that you are available to help her, that you are praying for her — can give hope and courage when she might otherwise feel alone. Your support might be the only support she receives. Even if we never know how, the smallest things we do can change someone’s life. You can make a difference in her life. Will you?

The author is now a married mother of four who works as an advocate for young mothers facing unexpected pregnancies.

She had her first baby in college and is a proud Catholic who supports life in every circumstance and at every stage.

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS C I T Y, Kan. — Na t i v i t y H o u s e can save a homeless woman’s life. Nativity Village can transform her future.

What separates the two?

The awareness and resources needed to help more than the four young mothers the ministry can currently house.

But help is on the way.

Programs like this are difficult to come by. There are only two maternity homes in the Greater Kansas City area; both programs only accept teenage women.

Unfortunately, this leaves out a large segment of soonto-be mothers in need.

That’s why Barbara Belcher founded Nativity House.

The name fits the mission that guides the program. A maternity home for pregnant, homeless women ages 18 and up, this humble residence is designed not only to provide mothers and their babies a place to stay, but also to build them up as “daughters of God,” said Belcher.

“If you think about Pope Francis’ focus on the family while he was here, this really is at the core, at the base, of his message. Because we’re trying to help these women build strong families, and they’re doing it alone right now,” she said.

Nativity House has received more than 90 calls since it opened in May 2014.

But the residence contains only four bedrooms, and the women who live there are encouraged to stay until their child turns one.

“I want to be able to have the women with us long enough, because it takes a long time to heal from the wounds they bring to us,” said Belcher. “They don’t just come to us pregnant with no other problems.

For Belcher, turning women away is heartbreaking.

Because of this, “Nativity Village is our dream,” she said.

To realize her dream, Belcher is working to make transitional housing available to the mothers after their time in the house is up.

Her vision is “apartments where [the mothers and their babies] can move into and rent, of course at a very, very under-market rate. And they’d still be part of our program — from a transitional standpoint — until the child is four,” said Belcher.

Her vision doesn’t end there.

“We also want to put an early childhood education center [in the village] because our mothers need day care. . . . And, of course, we want to have a chapel there because we want to help them grow in faith and understand that God is there with them through thick and

For only $8.33 a month,

CATHOLICS CAN WALK THEIR PRO-LIFE TALK

Nativity House resident Kristen poses with her son Carter. Nativity House (right) in Kansas City, Kansas, helps young soon-to-be mothers in need. Lack of space often means that some women are turned away.

A campaign is underway to help fix that problem. through thin.”

Belcher visualizes a pet shelter as well, “for those mothers that are homeless but have a little pet that they can’t abandon, because they’ve been abandoned, and they can’t leave the pet behind.”

To make this dream a reality, Belcher launched a new

campaign called 2,000 Strong for Babies.

The campaign’s purpose is to secure funding for the pro-

gram’s basic operations and to eventually transform the house into a village.

Nativity House is looking

WAYS TO DONATE Website: www.nativity housekc.org and click on donations page Facebook: Search Nativity House KC. Click on “donate now” button Text: (913) 800-8063. Put the amount in the message bar, click send and follow the prompts Mail: Send contribution to: Nativity House KC, 721 N. 31st St., Kansas City, KS 66102

for 2,000 families willing to give $8.33 a month, or $100 a year.

“If you want to give more than that, by all means you’re welcome to do so,” said Belcher. “But we thought, let’s reach out and let more people have the opportunity to help us, because the little widow that gives me $10 out of her Social Security has as much meaning to me as a wealthy person that gives me $20,000.”

The program kicked off its campaign with a fundraiser on Oct. 12 at Boulevard Brewing Company. The fundraiser, which drew some 75 families, was organized by Maria Sanchez-Chastain, who has been volunteering at Nativity House since June.

Sanchez-Chastain is the chairperson of the alumni at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Kansas City, Missouri. When her hours were cut back, she knew she needed to find somewhere to spend her excess time.

“I had dreamed of this little village,” said SanchezChastain. “I didn’t know where it was or what it was for; I just knew there was a little village involved.”

Then Sanchez-Chastain met Belcher. A chance happening, Belcher told SanchezChastain about her dream to build a village for homeless mothers.

Sanchez-Chastain happened to have fundraising experience and the connections necessary to create a successful event.

“This is where I’m supposed to be, and I believe that Nativity Village will get built,” she said.

It appears God’s plan for this program is very clear.

“We really need to lift [these women] up, as a family and as the body of Christ,” said Belcher. “This is one way to do it. And to help them become strong and grow physically and emotionally and spiritually, so they are able to walk out of Nativity House with a career, not a job.

So they can move forward, and raise holy families of their own as they move forward.

“What we’re trying to do is live out Christ’s message.”

For more information about Nativity House, contact Belcher at (913) 220-6869 or send an email to: bnbelcher@ gmail.com.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

Louisiana religious leaders urge court to spare life of death-row inmate

N

EW ORLEANS (CNS) — More than 100 religious leaders across the state of Louisiana filed an amicus brief Oct. 19 with the Louisiana Supreme Court in hopes of sparing the life of a convicted murderer.

The religious leaders who signed the brief “have a substantial interest in ensuring that Louisiana courts are fair and juries are not wrongfully persuaded to impose the death penalty by a prosecutor’s personal interpretation of the Bible,” the brief said.

They are seeking a stay in the death sentence of Rodricus Crawford, born in 1988, who was convicted in 2013 in the killing of his year-old son.

“Signers grieve every wrongful death,” said the brief, also known as a friend-of-the-court brief. “But signers do not believe that further death at the hands of the government is a just or moral response.”

The brief called the conduct of the prosecutor in the capital case, Dale Cox, “inappropriate and unconstitutional.”

“The prosecutor, as an agent of the state of Louisiana, should not have misused and misinterpreted passages in the Bible to support his call to the jury for the execution of Mr. Crawford.

The prosecutor’s own private interpretations of the Bible are his own and he is entitled to his own opinions,” it added.

“SIGNERS GRIEVE EVERY WRONGFUL DEATH. BUT SIGNERS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT FURTHER DEATH AT THE HANDS OF THE GOVERNMENT IS A JUST OR MORAL RESPONSE.” “The problem is that, at critical times, the prosecutor, Mr. Cox, acting as an official agent of the state of Louisiana, publicly injected his own private religious interpretations of the Bible into the trial as the state’s justification to argue for the execution of Mr. Crawford,” noted the brief. “Mr. Cox’s statements are particularly egregious in a parish that leads the country in executions per capita and primarily due to the efforts of Mr. Cox.” During the trial, in questioning Crawford’s pastor, Cox asked, “Referring to children, Christ said to his followers: Woe unto you, any of that would harm one of these. It would be better . . . as though you will never born. You will have a millstone put around your neck and dropped into the sea. Do you believe in that concept?” After some back-and-forth with the pastor, who said he believed not only in that passage from the Gospel but also in mercy, Cox asked him, “So,

Pastor, then we should just ignore that Scripture from Christ?” Cox used the passage once more in his closing argument.

Cox is the acting district attorney for Caddo Parish, or county, which accounts for nearly half of Louisiana’s death sentences in the past five years.

Further, from 2010 to 2014, more people were sentenced to death per capita in Caddo Parish than in any other county in the United States, among counties with four or more death sentences in that time period.

Crawford, who is African-American, is the second youngest man on death row awaiting execution at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola. Critics of his death sentence say Crawford was charged with smothering his baby based on a flawed pathology report, because the autopsy also showed the baby had pneumonia — but the finding was dismissed by the forensic pathologist as a coincidence.

The brief noted that most major faiths in the United States oppose the death penalty. Among the religious groups it cited was the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which says: “Since 1999, the [USCCB] has called for the end of the death penalty in the U.S.A. stating, ‘opposition to the death penalty is important not only for what it does to those guilty of horrible crimes but what it does to all of us as a society.’”

10

Papal favorability numbers rise following September U.S. visit NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) — A Marist Poll survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus found Pope Francis’ favorability made significant gains among Catholics and among Americans overall in the wake of his Sept. 22-27 visit to the United States.

Among practicing Catholics, 90 percent now say they view Pope Francis favorably, up from 83 percent in August, one month before his visit.

Among all Americans, the pope’s numbers jumped from 58 percent to 74 percent.

Asked if they are clear about Pope Francis’ vision for the church, 55 percent of Americans said yes, up from 43 percent, and 88 percent of practicing Catholics said the same, up from 73 percent.

Fifty-six percent of Americans said they now feel better about their own faith because of his visit, including 86 percent of practicing Catholics.

Another survey finding showed that 58 percent of Americans, and 82 percent of practicing Catholics, are more likely to engage in charitable activity as a result of Pope Francis’ trip.

The telephone survey was conducted Oct. 1-9 among 1,095 U.S. adults ages 18 and up, including 269 selfidentified Catholics, 160 of whom said they practice their faith. The margin of error in survey results was plus or minus 3 percentage points for Americans, plus or minus 6 percentage points overall for Catholics, and plus or minus 7.7 percentage points for practicing Catholics in that group.

WORLD

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

11

Canonizing four saints, pope urges people to serve others with joy

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called on people to replace their thirst for power with the joy of quiet and humble service, as he proclaimed four new saints, including the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

All of Christ’s disciples, especially its pastors, are called to model themselves after Jesus and “suppress our instinctive desire to exercise power over others, and instead exercise the virtue of humility.”

The pope said the new saints — a Spanish religious woman, an Italian priest and the first married couple with children to be canonized together — “unfailingly served their brothers and sisters with outstanding humility and charity in imitation of the divine master.”

On World Mission Sunday Oct. 18 in St. Peter’s Square, during the Synod of Bishops on the family, the pope created the following new saints: • Louis Martin (1823-1894) and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin (1831-1877), the French parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. They had nine children; four died in infancy and five entered religious life. During their 19-year marriage, the couple was known to attend Mass daily, pray and fast, respect the Sabbath, visit the elderly and the sick, and welcome the poor into their home.

• Italian Father Vincenzo Grossi (1845-1917), founder of the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory.

• Spanish Sister Maria of the Immaculate Conception (1926-1998), a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross.

Some 65,000 people attended the Mass, including the more than 300 cardinals, bishops and others taking part in the Oct. 4-25 synod on the family.

While the pope’s homily pointed to the new saints as inspiring examples of joyful servants who completely trusted in God, he dedicated the bulk of his reflection on the day’s readings and the Christian meaning of authority and hierarchy.

He said the prophet Isaiah said the servant of the Lord “is not someone of illustrious lineage; he is despised, shunned by all, a man of sorrows. He does not do great things or make memorable speeches; instead, he fulfills God’s plan through his humble, quiet presence and his suffering.”

It was Jesus’ life and attitude of profound service that “were the cause of our salvation and the reconciliation of mankind with God,” the pope said.

Jesus invites everyone to follow him on this same path of love and service, he said, and to “reject the worldly temptation of seeking first place and commanding others.”

“Faced with people who seek power and success, the disciples are called to do the opposite,” the pope said.

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CNS PHOTO/ALESSANDRO BIANCHI, REUTERS

Nuns wait for Pope Francis to lead the Oct. 18 Mass for the canonization of four new saints in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Pope Francis canonized Spanish Sister Maria of the Immaculate Conception, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross; Italian Father Vincenzo Grossi; and Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin.

Father Vincenzo Grossi is founder of the Institute of the Daughters of the Oratory.

Marie Zelie Guerin Martin and Louis Martin were the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Sister Maria of the Immaculate Conception was canonized on Oct. 18.

Those who exercise “genuine authority” in the church and the Christian community are those who serve others and “lack real prestige.” Jesus calls people “to pass from the thirst for power to the joy of quiet service,” the pope said.

Jesus’ teaching and example clearly show there is “no compatibility between a worldly understanding of power and humble service, which must characterize authority.”

“Ambition and careerism are incompatible with Christian discipleship,” the pope said. “Honor, success, fame and worldly triumphs are incompatible with the logic of Christ crucified.”

Because Jesus fully shares in the human condition, with the exception of sin, he can empathize with human weaknesses, the pope said. “The fact that he is without sin does not prevent him from understanding sinners.”

“Jesus exercises a true priesthood of mercy and compassion” by loving and accepting God’s children; by sharing in their weakness; by offering them “the grace which heals and restores”; and by accompanying them “with infinite tenderness amid their tribulations,” he added.

Through baptism, all Christians must share in this ministry by opening one’s heart to God in order to receive

his love and charity, which is to be received not only “for ourselves, but also for others.”

Pope Francis again praised the new saints before reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square and called for their intercession.

He asked families to entrust their joys, dreams and difficulties to Sts. Louis and Marie Guerin Martin; he asked that the example of St. Grossi be an inspiration for people dedicated to offering young people a Christian education; and he prayed that St. Maria of the Immaculate Conception “help us live in solidarity and in closeness with those most in need.”

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OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Assistant to ReachKCK coordinator – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is accepting applications for a part-time administrative position in the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. This position is approximately nine hours per week. Duties include supporting youth programs and events, creating publicity materials, data entry and responding to correspondence. Ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have a minimum of three years’ work experience, including at least one year of administrative experience. Knowledge of youth ministry and related events preferred. A complete job description and required application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application by Nov. 2 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Youth Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@ archkck.org.

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Customer service - Local company is looking to fill a position that requires computer skills, outgoing personality and great phone etiquette. Full or part time, with a minimum of 30 hours. Please send resume to: print@ bestgraphicsinc.com.

College application essay coach - Secondary English teacher with 39 years experience in Catholic schools.

Have mentored students applying to Notre Dame, Rice, and Stanford. Flexible! Initial meeting followed by email consultation. Nativity Parish, Leawood, parishioner. Contact: ludwig.sl@gmail.com.

Music director - St. Matthew Apostle Parish seeks a part-time music director. Candidate will be responsible for planning music, providing instrumentation and vocals for weekend Masses, and directing a choir. Please send resumes by email to: jessica.ast@stmatthew apostle.org.

U.S. outreach call representative - Are you ready to make a difference? Do you have a heart for the poor?

Unbound, a Kansas City-based sponsorship ministry, is seeking an outreach call representative to contact Catholic parishes. Position requires good telephone and database skills, along with basic familiarity of Catholic culture. The call representative should be credible and comfortable in speaking and representing Unbound by telephone, specifically in outbound cold calling and inbound customer relations. Candidate should have strong computer skills in a Windows environment. Outbound call center/sales/fundraising experience a plus. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Range $13/$14 hour DOE. Send cover letter, resume AND salary requirements to: Unbound HR; 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103, or email in PDF or Word format to: hrresume@cfcausa. org. For more information regarding this position, visit our website at: https://www.unbound.org/Bottom Menu/Employment.

Director of facilities - Sacred Heart Church in Shawnee is seeking a full-time director of facilities. Duties include management and maintenance of the campus buildings, equipment and grounds, including electrical, painting, plumbing, heating/ventilating, roofing, lawn care, snow removal, security and required inspections.

Working knowledge of HVAC and control systems, working with outside vendors and contractors, and the ability to be “hands on” and assist in maintenance work (when needed) is strongly preferred. Supervision experience is required. If interested, please email Julie Krause at: julie. krause@shoj.org to obtain an application to complete.

Coordinator for school lunch program - St. Paul Catholic School in Olathe is seeking a coordinator for the school lunch program. Candidate would be responsible for preparing and serving school lunches and for the documentation and paperwork related to the program. The position is 15 hours/week. Please send resumes to Tonia Helm at: thelm@stpaul.eduk12.net.

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

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

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

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

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

Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportuni-

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided.

Call (913) 940-2959.

Clutter getting you down? Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin of all Trades” your professional organizer and “Honey Do” specialist. Call today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055.

Quilted Memories - Your Kansas City Longarm Shop - Nolting Longarm Machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - Custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, neckties, etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www. quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

CALL THE “GO GO GIRLS” - Maybe you aren’t driving as much or at all, we can help. If you need to GO to the doctor, dentist, hairdresser, barber shop, grocery store, etc., let us know. If you don’t want to GO yourself, we can run your errands for you. We will GO to your home, if you need someone to sit with a loved one, while you get away. We can even be of assistance with kids. Give us a call if they are sick and can’t stay alone or need a ride home from school. Contact us at 913.469.6211 or 816.807.0564 to discuss your needs. Johnson County area only.

Junkyard Dawg - Can do cleanup, debris removal and any other odd job you have. Call (913) 575-8522 for an estimate.

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.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

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

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

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

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

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 22 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 485-4307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dan deeconst@aol.com.

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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.

Caregiver, nurse aide - CNA certified. Looking for work in the Kansas City area. I live in Belton, Missouri, and have 35-plus years’ experience in all areas of care. Good references. Call Mary at (816) 308-6259.

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

For sale - Patio home. 2 BR, 1 BA. Single-car garage, Shawnee area. $93,000. Call Lisa at (913) 240-6004.

Swalms Organizing - Downsizing - Clean Out Service.

Reduce clutter - Any space organized. Shelving built on site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp, insured. Call Tillar: (913) 375-9115. WWW.SWALMS ORGANIZING.COM. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391 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.

KIRK’S PAINTING WHOLE HOUSE PAINTING Interior and exterior, wood rot and siding repair and replacement. 25 years experience, licensed and insured, family-owned and -operated.

(913) 927-5240 or nelsport@everestkc.net Local handyman and lawn care - Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing,doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish. Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson County area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

Get the job done right the first time Kansas City’s Premier Services Decks and fences Power washing, staining and preserving Call for a FREE estimate Brian (913) 952-5965, Holy Trinity parishioner Jim (913) 257-1729, Holy Spirit parishioner DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Jazzy Elite electric wheelchair - brand-new $3,000. Call Sheila at (913) 547-0549.

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

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

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

For sale - Tandem crypt at Resurrection Cemetery, Queen of the Holy Rosary Patio. Today’s price is $10,850.

Selling for $8500, which includes opening and closing for two. Call Jean at (913) 449-5007.

For sale - At Mount Calvary Cemetery, tandem crypt in mausoleum. Today’s selling price is $7,935. Offering this space for $5,000. Call Marcie at (913) 712-8124.

For sale - At Resurrection Cemetery, two easements in mausoleum. Contact A. Kelly at (913) 649-9691.

For sale - At Gate of Heaven Cemetery, a double cremation niche with companion urn in the mausoleum. It is located in the St. John Corridor, #8 H. Today’s selling price for the double niche and urn is approximately $6,522; offering for $4,500. Call Colleen at (913) 269-6944.

For sale - Two plots, side by side, at Chapel Hill Garden of Valor. $4,200 or best offer. Retails at $5,390. Please call David Nichols at (816) 686-1131 or send an email to: susannichols811@yahoo.com.

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

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee 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.

FOR RENT Rooms for rent - Each room is $500 per month, all utilities included (Wi-Fi and cable also). Rooms are furnished. No deposit or lease required. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, just north of Shawnee. For more information, contact Jeannie at (913) 283-8793.

PURCHASE AN AD Want to buy a classified ad? Contact The Leaven’s advertising coordinator, Beth Blankenship, at (913) 6470327 or email her at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.

Cost is $18.50 for the first five lines, and $1.50 for each additional line.

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

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.

Lawn/Landscaping - Mowing, mulch, dirt work, sod, tree trimming, landscape rock, gutter cleaning, and power washing. Mention this ad for special pricing. Call (816) 509-0224.

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

CAREGIVING Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

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

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

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

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

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR GRIEF SUPPORT SESSIONS Good Shepherd Church 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee Oct. 26 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

cards, pennies for the seminarians and nonperishable food items. For more information, call Judy Brose at (913) 683-4304 or send an email to:brosej2002@yahoo.com.

Understanding the complex emotions associated with grief following a loved one’s death can be very difficult. Mark Fenton will be continuing his discussion on grief with the topic “Moving Forward with a New Normal.” Please join us from 7-8:30 p.m. in the school library at Good Shepherd Church. For more information or to register, call Diane Drouhard at (913) 563-5304 or send an email to: ddrouhard@gsshawnee.org.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. Peter Parish center 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE 4840 College Blvd., Leawood Now until Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

GERMAN SAUSAGE SUPPER Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico 22298 Newbury Rd., Newbury Oct. 25, Mass at 10 a.m., picnic at noon

Join 40 Days for Life groups in cities around the world that are praying and fasting to end abortion. Come to the address in Leawood between 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. through Nov. 1.

PUMPKIN PATCH Holy Cross School 7917 W. 95th St. Overland Park Oct. 12 - 31 Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. 5 p.m.; Sun. noon - 5 p.m.

Admission is free. There will be games, a hay bale maze and pumpkins for sale. Proceeds benefit the school.

Join the Sisters, Servants of Mary and the Mary Health of the Sick Guild for a pancake and sausage breakfast. The event includes a bake sale, homemade apple strudel, churros and raffles.

The cost is $6 for adults; $4 for children.

A GOLDEN MÖLLER Cathedral of St. Peter Parish center 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m.

The Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, had its M.P. Möller pipe organ installed in 1965. This year, the parish will celebrate its 50th birthday. The cathedral will host a concert featuring present and past organists, including Father Michael Hawken, Virginia Hill and Matt Winterhalter.

The meeting will begin with a covered dish meal. At 1 p.m., there will be a business meeting which includes the installation of new officers for the ensuing two years. A social hour will follow the meeting.

The German-American Edelweiss Society will be holding the dinner/dance. It includes dinner, drinks and dancing to the Willie Kurst Band. The cost is: $20, adults; $10, ages 1021; free for kids 5 and under.

‘HOW CAN WE HELP WITH THE REFUGEE CRISIS?’ Church of the Ascension St. Mathew Room, lower level 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.

This presentation will focus on how the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, a papal agency, is assisting with the refugee crisis, and give an “insider look” at what is happening to Christianity in the East. After the one-hour presentation, time will be allotted for questions and answers. The event is free. For more information, contact Jean Hinman at: jhinman@kcascension.org.

LEAVENWORTH REGION OF ACCW QUARTERLY LUNCHEON AND MEETING Leintz Community Center 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m.

There will be a potluck luncheon followed by a meeting. Please bring used stamps, used

TURKEY DINNER St. Benedict Church 670 St. Benedict Road, Bendena Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The cost for a turkey dinner and all the trimmings is a freewill offering. Raffle tickets for a quilt and other offerings will be on sale.

There will also be a country store. Look for the giant turkey on Highway 20, west of Bendena, to find the church.

SUBMITTING CALENDAR ITEMS Please follow this format: • Name of even • Where the event will take place (name and address).

• List the date and time of the event.

Then add some the details about the event as well as contact information if relevant. Please keep this short.

Send calendar items to: beth.blankenship@ theleaven.org. handwork items and much more. Takeout meals are available (and delivery in Frankfort) by calling (785) 292-4351 the day of the dinner or (785) 292-4462 during the morning hours, Monday through Friday.

LOSS AND SUPPORT: DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF YOUR BABY Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 1st Tuesday of each month 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Food will be served buffet-style and runs until 3:30 p.m. There will be bingo, games, a raffle and a silent auction. Meal prices are: $12 for adults; $4 for ages 4 - 12; and free for children under 4.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING Assumption Church - Rossiter Hall 8th & Jackson, Topeka Oct. 25 at noon

OCTOBERFEST DINNER/DANCE St. Mary/St. Anthony Church basement 7th & Barnett, Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 24 from 6 - 10:30 p.m.

with eucharistic exposition and adoration, vespers, a Litany of the Saints and Benediction for the eve of the solemnity of All Saints.

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FALL BAZAAR Holy Trinity Church 601 E. Chippewa, Paola Nov. 1 from 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

There will be a turkey dinner, raffle, bingo, cakewalk, country store and children’s games. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children under 10.

ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL HERITAGE FESTIVAL 9301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Loyola Center Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.

Mass will be celebrated in various languages in the Rose Theater. Following Mass, there will be an all-you-can-eat buffet of food from around the world. The cost is $8 per person; $35 for a family. Discounted tickets are available online at: www.rockhursths. edu. All proceeds benefit need-based RHS financial aid programs.

MATER DEI BAZAAR Mater Dei School 10th and Clay, Topeka Nov. 7 from noon - 7 p.m.

Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The weekend will start on Nov. 7 with an art walk and marketplace, which includes a country store, silent auction, book nook, jewelry booth, homemade baked goods and a food concession stand. At 3:30 p.m., the Mater Dei School Drum Line will perform. A turkey dinner will be served on Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Mater Dei School. Takeout dinners will be available. The cost is: $9 for adults (13 and up); $4 for children ( 4 - 12). There will be a country store, silent auction, jewelry booth, book nook, baked goods and food concessions as well as a basket booth, cakewalk, sugar poker and kids games from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact Nancy Cina at (785) 817-1708 or send an email to: romwi1973@yahoo.com.

COME VENERATE THE HOLY RELICS Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 33rd and Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 7 at 11 a.m.

‘33 DAYS TO MORNING GLORY’ Holy Spirit Church 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park Oct. 28 - Dec. 8 — afternoon or evenings

The Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8. Join Holy Spirit Parish as it journeys through the All Hears Afire program for parish-based adult formation. Afternoon and evening session group retreats will begin Oct. 28, and group members will be consecrated on Dec. 8. To register or for more information, contact Anne Kinskey by email at: 33days.holyspirit. opks@gmail.com.

ALL SAINTS EVE VESPERS AND HOLY HOUR Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

This will be an hour of prayer and singing

There will be a presentation by Dale Anderson in the Garden Room in the back of church. The talk will be followed by a potluck lunch. All are welcome; bring a friend.

For more information, call (913) 268-0208.

CRAFT FAIR Holy Angels Parish 154th and Leavenworth Rd., Basehor Father Quinlan Hall Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A wide variety of crafts will be featured in 25 booths. There will be dried flower arrangements, woodworking, wreaths, jewelry, Christmas cards and more. Refreshments will be available; no admission fee.

For more information, contact Annie Clark at (913) 724-2212.

TURKEY DINNER Annunciation Parish, Frankfort Cigna Center - 402 N. Maple Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

There will be a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a country store, food items, crafts,

TAP THAT KEG CRAFT BEER TASTING EVENT Mater Dei-Assumption Church (Rossiter Hall) 8th and Jackson, Topeka Nov. 7 from 7 - 10:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for the tasting from 7-8:30 p.m. There will be a live band from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. (free admission). For more information, contact Tap that Keg at (785) 260-9873 or go online to: http://www.materdeiirishfest.com.

CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION HOLIDAY HAVEN 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Nov. 20 - 21

Church of the Ascension is looking for unique vendors for its Holiday Haven. To receive a vendor application or for more information, contact Dawnlee Maurer by email at: dmaurer @kcascension.org or call (913) 681-3348.

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

MUD JACKING Raise & Level

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses Lawrence (785) 865-0006

Topeka (785) 246-0128

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

This ministry is right on the money

THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Oct. 25 THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jer 31: 7-9 Ps 126: 1-6 Heb 5: 1-6 Mk 10: 46-52 Oct. 26 Monday Rom 8: 12-17 Ps 68: 2, 4, 6-7b, 20-21 Lk 13: 10-17 Oct. 27 Tuesday Rom 8: 18-25 Ps 126: 1b-6 Lk 13: 18-21 Oct. 28 SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES Eph 2: 19-22 Ps 19: 2-5 Lk 6: 12-16 Oct. 29 Thursday Rom 8: 31b-39 Ps 109: 21-22, 26-27, 30-31 Lk 13: 31-35 Oct. 30 Friday Rom 9: 1-5 Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20 Lk 14: 1-6 Oct. 31 Rom 11: 1-2a, 11-12, 25-29 Ps 94: 12-13a, 14-15, 17-18 Lk 14: 1, 7-11

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H

ave you seen The Humane Society of the United States commercial on TV, featuring Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory”? The actress makes a plea for people to end animal cruelty by sending $19 a month, just 63 cents a day, to the Humane Society.

This column, though, is not about the Humane Society or animal cruelty. It’s about what Cuoco says during her ad. The writers of the commercial apparently understand human nature very well. There’s a tendency in many of us to think: “If I can’t do it all, I won’t do anything.”

To combat that mindset, the actress says, “If you can’t give $19 a month, don’t worry! Anything you give will be appreciated!”

We need to be reminded over and over again not to underestimate the good that we can do with just a little.

Often it’s those small gifts, given by many people, which produce big results.

That’s the philosophy that Nativity House in Kansas City, Kansas, is using to raise funds to expand its services to homeless, pregnant mothers. It’s looking for 2,000 individuals

MARK MY WORDS

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

LISTEN to this article online at: www.theleaven.org. or families to contribute $100 a year to the organization. Broken down, that’s just $8.33 a month or a little more than a quarter a day.

Sounds really doable, doesn’t it? (You can read much more about this effort on page 9 of this issue.)

Honestly, there are probably a whole lot more than 2,000 people who can spare $8.33 a month. With a little bit of creativity and a dash of sacrifice, we can assist many more people than we imagine.

One of my favorite ways to save money for charity is actually going on right now in my parish during this Respect Life Month.

It’s called the Baby Bottle Boomerang. I’ve written about it before, but I love its simplicity. Parishioners are given a baby bottle to take home and fill with change. At the end of the month, they’ll bring it back to the parish’s Knights of Columbus, who will then deliver the funds to the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

What could be easier than dumping change from your pockets into this baby bottle every day or so? And those coins do add up quickly.

Another suggestion is to have a garage sale.

I’ve noticed a lot of them around my neighborhood this time of year.

Instead of keeping the

profits, though, consider donating them to a worthwhile charity. Not only would you rid your house of items that you no longer want, use or need, but you’d be helping others minister to those in need. It’s a win-win proposition.

I like to eat out . . . a lot. When I want to raise some money for a worthwhile cause, I go to my “one-less” program. I eat out one less time and donate the money that I would have spent on myself — collecting calories that I certainly do not need — to a particular charity.

This can easily net $20 or $25. There are all sorts of ways to do “one less”: maybe you can forego concessions at the movies and donate that money, or attend one less Chiefs game (that might not be such a sacrifice this year) and donate what you would have spent on parking, or make one less stop at Starbucks each week to save a bundle for the needy.

Earlier this year, one of my parishioners of limited financial means wanted to do something for Nativity House after reading about it in The Leaven. She organized a spaghetti dinner at the parish for a freewill offering. She got almost

all of the food donated, recruited kitchen helpers and ended up raising over $1000! I’m sure that the food tasted even better, too, knowing that the proceeds were going to a wonderful ministry.

Sometimes, it’s better not to focus on the big picture, when we tend to see a problem or need as impossible to remedy.

Looking instead to small, doable, creative steps shrinks a massive issue into something manageable and, therefore, solvable.

There’s a YouTube video that shows a couple of homeless people, who have been given some food and a little money, willingly share their meager bounty later with others in need. The video had a wonderful message that’s great to ponder during this Respect Life Month: “The things we get in life can make us a living; the things we give to people can make a life. Never look down on anyone unless you’re helping them up.”

Willingly and generously helping others up is worth much more than $8.33 a month.

In fact, it might be our price of admittance into the kingdom of heaven.

It is through Jesus that we learn to call God ‘Father’

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W

hen we were small children, perhaps one of the first prayers that we learned by heart was the Our Father.

We continue to recite it every time we attend Mass. Because of that prayer, it is perhaps natural for us to address God as “Father.” After all, that is how Jesus taught us to pray.

At the same time, it was somewhat unusual for Jesus to address God that way. It was not that common to call God “Father” or to think of God in those terms at the time of Jesus. It is not something that we find frequently in the Old Testament. More often, God is called “Lord” or “King.”

POPE FRANCIS

IN THE BEGINNING

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

But the appellation of father does occur occasionally. We hear one example in Sunday’s first reading, Jer 31:7-9. God

Obedience to God’s commandments must be the response to his limitless love, but it is not a condition for his love and for the salvation he offers through Jesus, Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of St. Teresa of Avila Oct. 15, Pope Francis said that when Jesus was alive, when the early Christian community was growing, and today

is speaking: “For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.”

In this passage of Jeremiah, God has been promising to bring the people of Israel home, out of exile in Babylonia: “Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north.” (The land of the north is Babylonia.)

In making this promise, God is looking

forward to a repeat of the exodus event centuries earlier, in which God brought the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Once again, God will take them safely through the desert to their homeland.

God’s declaration of being “a father to Israel” makes the parallel between the original exodus and this new exodus even clearer. Those words echo the words that God had instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh: “Israel is my son, my first–born” (Ex 4:22).

God is demanding that Pharaoh let the people of Israel leave because of this bond of kinship. To back this demand, God threatens to punish Pharaoh: “Let my son go, that he may serve me. If you refuse

as well, there are “doctors of the law” who think that they can know who is and is not saved by the apparent way they obey certain commandments.

“It would do us good today to ask ourselves: Do I believe the Lord has saved me freely?” the pope said. “Do I believe that I do not deserve my salvation and that if I merit anything, it is through Jesus Christ and what he has done for me? Let’s ask these ques-

to let him go, I warn you, I will kill your son, your first-born” (Ex 4:23).

That is exactly what happens in the tenth plague. We must take God seriously in this claim to be father.

But for us to call God “Father” should bring us some measure of comfort, not fear. It reflects our belief that God cares for us as parents care for their children.

It reminds us that we are created in the image and likeness of God, just as children frequently resemble their parents.

It underlines our dependence upon God, just as children depend upon their parents.

And it encourages us to become like little children, so that we might enter the kingdom of heaven.

tions today; only that way will we be faithful to that great merciful love, the love of a father and mother, because even God says that he is like a mother to us,” the pope said at the Mass in the chapel of his residence.

God’s love is expansive, boundless and limitless, the pope said. “We should not let ourselves be fooled by the ‘doctors’ who limit this love.”

— CNS

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

I

15

Read to feed your faith as well as your mind

am a longtime member of a women’s book club called “Read and Feed.”

Our club was formed by a group of friends who came to know each other through mutual service to a club in our hometown. We definitely “feed” more than we “read,” though.

The monthly invitation to read unexpected literature chosen by each month’s host is both a blessing and a curse (a curse because there is a certain amount of self-imposed guilt when I don’t make it through the entire book).

Last year, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, my

boss, began discussing a book with the members of his Administrative Team and leading us through a guided discussion of a few pages at a time. Reading Pope Francis’ “The Joy of the Gospel” with the archbishop’s insight was enlightening and unforgettable.

I thought the archbishop’s example was a good one, so I have begun studying a book a chapter at a time with the staff of the office of stewardship and development at our monthly meetings. We are reading Sherry A. Weddell’s “Forming Intentional Disciples.” Each of us will take turns guiding a half-hour or so discus-

SIMPLY STEWARDSHIP

LESLE KNOP Lesle Knop is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email her at: lknop@archkck.org.

sion, chapter by chapter, over the course of the

next year at our meetings over lunch.

I led the first chapter because I was intrigued by its title: “God Has No Grandchildren.” What does Weddell mean by this? She writes: “We live in a time of immense challenge and immense opportunity.

Millions of American adults are seeking a religious identity and are at least potentially open to the Catholic faith. At the same time, huge numbers of self-identified Catholics are not certain that a personal relationship with God is even possible, and their actions reflect it.”

She says that most of us are “sacramentalized” but not “evangelized” and that “normative Catholicism” — what we are each called to experience — was “taught by the apostles and reiterated time and again by the popes, councils and saints of the church.”

The first chapter contains a healthy dose of demographic statistics

that demonstrate clearly how much relationships matter in American society. If you are curious about what she means by “God has no grandchildren,” you will want to read her book.

Stewardship says that we are called to a way of life that is our “disciple’s response,” so I look forward to studying this book with my co-workers and to learn what everyone in the office has to say about discipleship.

Discussions like these open my mind to new ideas and understanding. It will be a positive experience for our office. However, unlike “read and feed,” no wine will be served.

Before growing closer to God, we must first detach from ourselves

T

he synoptic Gospels include a familiar episode referred to as the story of the rich young man.

I think it is also appropriate to call this the story of the “attached” young man. The problem was not his riches, but his sad unwillingness to follow Jesus’ challenge to donate it all. Attachment to those riches was his real problem.

This story can be instructive for anyone who is discerning his or her vocational call or trying to live out that vocation. Essentially, this story is instructive for everyone.

Detachment is critical

T

he struggle against worldly values is not new to the church.

The early church faced a pagan culture and persecution, yet they spread the Gospel throughout the world.

Scott Hahn writes that they did so by their example: “how they worked, how they loved their spouses and children, how they cared for the poor. . . . The ancient world saw Christians going about the ordinary business of life in an extraordinary way.” They changed the world!

We can do the same.

However, to avoid being overwhelmed in this struggle, we must have

at every point in discernment. For the attached young man, clinging to his possessions kept him from discerning and embracing Christ’s call to follow. We, too, can be deterred by our attachments from following the steps of discernment.

At the beginning of the vocational journey, young persons often are too attached to their own plans. We have a tendency to make plans that look like everyone else’s plans. These dreams often have the usual motivators of money, power, fame and success, which are not God’s motivators for us.

If we can be willing to release our grip on our plans for the sake

VOCATIONS CORNER

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

of finding God’s plan, we then have to listen

prayerfully to God. This involves detaching from the tendency to fill up our free time with our phones, TVs, computers and the hundreds of other distractions that vaporize the time that could be spent with God. Once we detach from distractions to listen

to God’s call, God first guides us to see if we are called to either marriage or celibacy. This is very difficult to discern if we have already entered into dating relationships, becoming attached to our boyfriend or girlfriend.

If we free up our hearts, though, some of us discern a possible call to the celibate life.

The next necessary detachment is often from fear of what family and friends will think of such a radical life choice.

The need for other detachments continues in vocational discernment, but those who are willing to detach over and over are rewarded with the peace of

knowing they are living out the life God intended for them. And once we have embraced God’s vocation for us, we only find complete joy if we detach from unhealthy bonds to things like possessions, job status and excessive comfort in order to love those that God has placed in our lives.

The story of the attached young man is very informative for discerners. The lesson we learn is the great vocational paradox: Our willingness to follow Christ and detach from that which we think will make us happy means that we will never have to walk away sad.

‘Circle up’ leverages the power of prayer the graces of courage and perseverance as the battle with our culture intensifies. Saint John Paul II told us: “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ. . . . He alone has the words of life — yes, everlasting life.”

As spouses and families, time spent each day in prayer is absolutely essential for us to have the strength, love and peace to change the world. Most of us scramble to even find time for prayer. Yet, as my spiritual director once told me, when we find ourselves thinking this way, we know for sure that we must take time to pray.

Most all of us have

FAMILY MATTERS

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

practices of prayer we follow: at rising,

at meals, at bedtime.

The family rosary is a powerful way to invite Jesus into our homes.

Each mystery allows us to meditate on different aspects of the life of the Holy Family and that of Our Lord.

One of my heroes gave me an example

of prayer I have never forgotten.

I was lost and didn’t know what to say to Deacon Joe Steuve when I came to visit him at the hospice center. Perhaps sensing my discomfort, he looked at me and invited another visitor and his family members to “circle up” for prayer.

The peace, joy and trust in God’s love which Joe always radiated filled my heart. That experience of the power of communal prayer was inspiring.

Remembering that time, I am moved to invite all families to come and “circle up” in prayer for our marriages, children and for all who strive to follow God’s

design and plan for marriage. Reserve Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. for a Holy Hour for married couples with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Leawood. A reception will follow.

Scott Hahn reminds us: “St. Augustine . . . described the process of conversion as one heart setting another heart on fire. And this can happen again today.”

As we gather with the archbishop, may our hearts be set ablaze with love for our spouses and children. That fire will light the way and warm the hearts of others to trust our families to the example of Jesus.

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER

Beth Blankenship, left, and Moira Cullings are the newest members of The Leaven team. Beth is a member of St. Pius X Parish in Mission and will take over as The Leaven’s advertising coordinator and bookkeeper. Moira is a recent Benedictine College graduate and member of Church of the Nativity in Leawood. She is The Leaven’s newest reporter.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK After a summer of change, The Leaven is whole again

BY JOE BOLLIG \ joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — As it says in the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens” (Eccl 3:1).

And so it is for The Leaven.

Two longtime staff members have moved on: Julie Holthaus, the advertising manager, and Jessica Langdon, a staff writer.

Although we’re sad to see them go, The Leaven is pleased to welcome the addition of two new staff members.

Beth Blankenship Beth Blankenship, a member of St. Pius X Parish in Mission, is The Leaven’s new advertising coordinator and bookkeeper.

Blankenship was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. She met her late husband Chuck while earning her bachelor of arts degree in music education (with an emphasis in music therapy) at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Chuck, a Topeka native, attended a high school seminary and then a Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate major seminary before he discerned a lay vocation and entered the University of Kansas.

“Marrying Chuck was a real adventure,” said Blankenship. “Two weeks after we got married and I began my last semester at KU, he said, ‘Sit down, I have something to tell you. We’re moving to New York City.’ I started crying. After I

finished that semester, we moved to New York City.”

While Chuck studied for his master’s degree at Fordham University, Beth worked at Chemical Bank.

Over the years, Chuck and Beth had five children (two are deceased) and lived in various places, including the Kansas City area, New York, Lawrence, St. Louis and Cincinnati.

In addition to taking care of her family, Beth worked at various banks over the years.

In most of the places they lived, Chuck and Beth got involved in parish music ministry. Chuck played the guitar; Beth, the piano. In St. Louis, they played at two different churches. While in Cincinnati, Beth was part-time choir director for seven years. Years ago, she was part of the RCIA team while a member of St. Pius X Parish in Mission.

After Chuck died in October 2014, Beth returned to the Kansas City area and again became a member of St. Pius

X Parish. Fellow parishioner, friend and archdiocesan chief financial officer Carla Mills told her about the opening at The Leaven. Her first day at the paper was Sept. 21.

“I really like the fact that there’s different things to do, that you don’t do the same thing all day long,” said Blankenship. “I really, really like that aspect. It makes it interesting.”

Moira Cullings Moira Cullings, a member of Church of the Nativity Parish in Leawood, is the new reporter for The Leaven.

Cullings was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Leawood. She attended Nativity School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. She graduated from Benedictine College this past May with a bachelor of arts degree in marketing.

While at Benedictine, Cullings played soccer all four years as a midfielder.

“I was a skilled player,” she said. “Midfielders need a good first touch, good perception of the whole field — because you’re playing offense and defense — good passing skills and good endurance because you’re running the whole field for the whole game.”

She tries to keep in shape by running, but admits she isn’t quite up to playinglevel fitness nowadays.

Sports wasn’t the only thing she did at Benedictine. For three spring breaks in a row, Cullings traveled to the Central American country of Belize as part of Benedictine-sponsored mission trips.

She tutored children and helped conduct evening soccer clinics.

Although English predominates in Belize, she found that her elementary Spanish language skills came in handy.

Another of her interesting college experiences was a marketing internship at NextPage in Kansas City, Missouri. The company provides personalized print technologies to other businesses.

“I did a lot of blogging and social media marketing, and promoting the internship,” she said. “At the end of the summer, the interns produced a video to promote the internship.”

When she heard about an opening at The Leaven, she decided to apply.

“I didn’t have any journalism experience, but I had a marketing background and I thought that some of those skills would transfer over,” she said. “I love writing and photography, and I love the creative side of business, and the job really interested me.”

The skills Cullings developed in school and at NextPage will come in handy. Not only will she write and take photos for The Leaven, she’ll help with the website and social media such as Twitter and Instagram. Her first day at The Leaven was Sept. 11.

“I want to grow our online presence and gain a larger audience,” said Cullings.

“This is important because everybody is using the Internet, everybody is online, especially the younger people. It’s where a lot of people go for their news.

“Staying up to date, and committing to something our readers want and need, is important for our long-term success.”