10 26 18 Vol. 40. No. 12 by The Leaven

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 40, NO. 12 | OCTOBER 26, 2018

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Kent O’Connor, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, holds the microphone for Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann as he blesses the St. Oscar Romero Chapel on Oct. 14. Deacon Steve Lemons and altar server Gheran Anderson also assisted with the blessing.

Good Shepherd celebrates St. Oscar canonization By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

HAWNEE — As people the world over celebrated the canonization of St. Oscar Romero of El Salvador on Oct. 14, parishioners at Good Shepherd Parish here honored the newly proclaimed saint by rededicating a chapel in his name. After the 10 a.m. Mass, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blessed the St. Oscar Romero Chapel. Formerly, it was the Archbishop Oscar Romero Chapel. The chapel blessing was part of “Oscar Romero Week” at the church and Good Shepherd School, where numerous activities took place. Good Shepherd Parish developed a special love for St. Oscar through a sister parish relationship that began in 1987 with an El Salvador parish, now named El Buen Pastor.

“We have a long history and collaboration of our parishes together,” said pastor Father Kent O’Connor. “We have people go down there every year. And we have a love of Oscar Romero. He’s been talked a lot about in our parish. He’s a hero of social justice for the poor and helping those in need.” Good Shepherd did not send a delegation to El Salvador for the canonization, but parishioner Teresa Aley did travel to the capital of San Salvador to join the tens of thousands of Salvadorans who participated in national observances of the event. In San Salvador, the canonization vigil began at 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 with a procession from the Salvador del Mundo monument to the Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador. Although the distance was only a mile and a half, it took two hours to travel the distance. “There was an outdoor Mass,” said Aley, who is coordinator of Good Shepherd’s El Salvador ministry. “It was >> See “GOOD SHEPHERD” on page 6

ELECTION VIDEO

The bishops of Kansas made a video stressing key issues for the upcoming election. Page 3

Oscar Romero Week In addition to the blessing of the St. Oscar Romero Chapel, Good Shepherd Church and School celebrated the new saint’s canonization with: • A video about St. Oscar, which was shown at all five weekend Masses • A special curriculum on Oct. 10 for faith formation students • Instruction for the students at the school about St. Oscar and El Salvador • A prayer gathering in the St. Oscar Romero Chapel at 2 p.m. on Oct. 14 • A display honoring St. Oscar set up in the church’s narthex • Prayer cards distributed to all students featuring a portrait of St. Oscar painted by Good Shepherd parishioner Dan Dakotas

HOLY FITNESS

Fitness instructors find exercise benefits both body and soul. Pages 8-9

Prayer cards featuring a portrait of St. Oscar by Good Shepherd parishioner Dan Dakotas were distributed to all Good Shepherd students.

FOUR FOR FOUR

Hayden senior Brooklyn Hunter won her fourth state tennis championship. Page 16

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

Pseudo-feminism pits women against their own children

uring my 10year tenure serving as the director of the pro-life apostolate for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the largest abortion clinic was euphemistically named Reproductive Health Services. It occupied a couple floors in a large office building in the central west end of St. Louis near the cathedral basilica. A local businessman who had a great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe rented space on a different floor in the same building. Ostensibly, the space was used to house the Juan Diego Shop — a cultural exchange enterprise where you could purchase art, jewelry and other novelty items made in Mexico and other Latin American countries. However, in the back of the suite, the man constructed a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He invited priests to come and celebrate Masses offered for the intention of ending the killing of innocent unborn children in the very same building. Approximately a year or so after the inauguration of the Juan Diego enterprise, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch began to report there were serious interior tensions among the Reproductive Health staff and the clinic was in financial trouble. Though in a short time Reproductive Health went out of existence, unfortunately, Planned Parenthood swooped in to keep the facility open. Eventually, Planned Parenthood built its own freestanding facility a few blocks from the previous location. This year’s U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Respect Life materials feature the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN The image of our Blessed Mother miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s tilma was a representation of Mary clothed in the manner of a Native American pregnant woman. The subsequent conversion of millions of Native Americans after Mary’s appearance essentially ended the practice of human sacrifice. The recent disgraceful debacle over the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh revealed the ugly extremism of those who continue to support legalized abortion, the modern equivalent of child sacrifice in contemporary culture. The disruptive outbursts in the hearing room were mild compared to the mob protests on the streets of the nation’s capital. These demonstrations were orchestrated in an effort to intimidate our nation’s highest court from even considering allowing states to place meaningful restrictions on legalized abortion, much less giving legislators the freedom to ban most abortions. The message was clear: Any diminishment by the court of its past protection of abortion providers will result in

chaos on the streets of American cities. How did we get to a point culturally where a significant portion of the American people apparently believe that the most fundamental right for women is their freedom to authorize the killing of their own children? In part, the answer sadly is that many Americans believe they cannot be happy without the “freedom” to live a sexually promiscuous lifestyle that has been normalized by relentless propaganda posing as entertainment. Despite the irrefutable evidence to the contrary, many of the most powerful cultural voices cling desperately to the notion that unlimited sexual expression is the key to happiness. By any objective standard, the so-called sexual revolution has been a disaster for children, women and men. The large number of children who grow up in homes without the presence of their biological fathers has been a social disaster for the emotional and mental health of our youth. We have taught a couple generations of young people that they are incapable of exercising self-control with regard to sexual morality. Many women have been convinced that their ultimate freedom is dependent on using chemicals to suppress

their fertility. Women take medications not to combat any disease, but to disrupt the healthy functioning of their reproductive systems, despite the completely unnecessary health risks. When contraceptives inevitably fail at some point, it is essential that abortion is available to preserve complete sexual freedom. This distorted notion of women’s rights actually requires women to deny an essential part of their femininity — the ability to conceive and nurture a new human life. Instead of insisting on public policies that accommodate and recognize the importance of bearing, nurturing and forming children, this pseudo-feminism pits women against their own children and requires women to imitate men in order to enjoy success in their chosen careers. A large number of young men are completely confused about their masculine identity. They have been formed to believe their responsibility to women they impregnate is to pay for a portion of the cost for the abortion of their child. In our sexualized culture, they have been enticed at a young age to become addicted to pornography. They no longer seem to be needed to be a protector and provider for their spouse and children. An increasing number of young men continue to live in their parents’ homes into their late 20s and beyond. Worse yet, others find belonging and meaning in gang culture. Pope Francis in June referred to abortion as the “white glove” equivalent to the Nazi era eugenics program. The

Archbishop Naumann

Mass — Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kansas

Oct. 26 Red Mass — Nativity, Leawood Oct. 28 Mass of Innocents — Holy Spirit, Overland Park Oct. 29 Nemaha-Marshall regional priests meeting — Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca Confirmation — St. Patrick, Osage City, and St. Patrick, Scranton Oct. 30 Catholic Charities annual board meeting — Savior Pastoral Center Confirmation — Louisburg Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day

Holy Father lamented: “Last century, the whole world was scandalized by what the Nazis did to purify the human race. “Today we do the same thing with white gloves.” Perhaps, the pope was thinking of nations that have all but eliminated Down syndrome in their society by aborting children suspected of possessing this disability. Even more recently, the Holy Father asked a crowd at his Wednesday audience: “I ask you, is it right to take out a human life to solve a problem? What do you think? Is it right? Is it right or not?” The crowd responded emphatically: “No!” The Holy Father then asked the further question: “Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem?” He answered his own question by declaring: “It is not right to kill a human being,

Announcement Joseph A. Butler & Son Funeral Home has re-opened as

Talk at St. Michael the Archangel women’s group Nov. 2 St. Martin of Tours Mass — Curé of Ars, Leawood Nov. 3 Little Brothers of the Lamb Mass and dedication of monastery 24th annual Bishop Miege Foundation Mass and dinner Nov. 4 Dedication of St. Patrick, Scranton Olathe Pregnancy Clinic blessing and grand opening

regardless of how small it is to solve a problem.” Respect Life Month reminds us that each and every human life is made in the divine image and valued by God so highly that Jesus gave his life on Calvary for each of us. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for us as we strive to change a culture that promotes the killing of innocent children on the altars of the false gods of pleasure and material comfort. May Our Lady of Life, who gave birth under difficult circumstances to the Lord of Life, help us to cherish the beauty of each life and uphold the dignity of every human person! Intercede for us, Holy Mary, so that we might resist being conformed to a culture of death and help to build a culture that treasures human life.

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Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison

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OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

THE 2018 VOTE

Kansas bishops’ video offers election guidance

OPEKA — Catholics are not of the world — but they are in it and have a responsibility to seek the common good through the political process, said the Catholic bishops of Kansas in a new video. “Reflections on the 2018 Elections by the Catholic Bishops of Kansas” offers guidance to Catholics for the upcoming midterm elections. It was produced by the Kansas Catholic Conference and will be posted on diocesan and parish websites. “Apathy is not an option,” said Chuck Weber, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. The four-minute video features Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas; Bishop John B. Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City; Bishop Carl A. Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita; and Bishop Gerald L. Vincke of the Diocese of Salina. “We need to be knowledgeable voters and bring the principles of our Catholic teaching into the voting booth,” said Archbishop Naumann. “Those principles establish the priorities by which we select candidates.” Like all other citizens, Catholics have a right and a responsibility to participate in the political process, said Weber. This includes voting — votes that will shape policy and even the culture of our state and nation. The church does not tell Catholics which candidates to vote for, he said. Rather, Catholics are expected to have properly formed consciences, know about the church’s teachings and pastoral guidance, and use their prudential judgment to make informed votes that reflect true Catholic values. It is for these reasons The four bishops of Kansas produced a video highlighting Catholic concerns for the upcom- that the Catholic bishops of ing election. The bishops are (from top): Arch- Kansas, assisted by the conbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese ference, have produced this of Kansas City in Kansas; Bishop John B. Brun- timely guide. One place the gardt of the Diocese of Dodge City; Bishop Carl video can be viewed is on A. Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita; and Bishop the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org Gerald L. Vincke of the Diocese of Salina. This video unpacks Catholic public policy priorities in defense of human life, religious liberty and the incalculable importance of marriage and the family. It also touches upon critical issues like immigration and the basic needs of the poor. “Each person should investigate the candidates and make decisions based on what they believe, what values they promote and what types of legislation they would likely support or oppose,” said Weber. President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

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

LIFE ISSUES

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

MARRIAGE

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Reporter Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Social Media Editor Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. 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 $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

150 steps can mean the difference between life and death By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

VERLAND PARK — Just 150 steps. That’s the distance between Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center’s newest location (opened in 2016) at 10901 Granada Lane in Overland Park and the nearest abortion clinic. According to Ruth Tisdale, executive director, those 150 steps often mean the difference between life and death. Tisdale discussed the history of Advice and Aid as an organization, its impact on the region and some of its latest initiatives at an annual banquet held Oct. 6 at the Overland Park Convention Center. In addition, through videos, the 900 people in attendance heard stories of families helped through the organization’s efforts during its 35 years of existence. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, share how he could have been another statistic. As a child, Daly said he was often reminded of how his parents didn’t plan on having him. With four older siblings, they thought their family was complete. When he came along, he was often considered “an accident” or “an oops baby.” “You carry that burden for the rest of your life,” he said. “I was not supposed to be here. “And, in fact, people don’t realize this [but] before Roe v. Wade — at least in the state of California where I grew up — abortion was legal.” “You could get an abortion if you were over 40 years old for the health of the

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Ruth Tisdale, executive director of the Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center, said its newest location at 10901 Granada Lane in Overland Park is 150 steps from an abortion center. The location was strategically chosen to save lives. mother,” he continued, “and my mom was 42 when she had me. My alcoholic father was the one who talked my mother out of having the abortion.” In Tisdale’s remarks, she admitted that “many children have been spared from abortion because of our work,” but acknowledged that the work belongs to God and it’s only with his blessing and assistance that the organization has been to able to change the lives of grandparents, parents, siblings — indeed, the entire trajectory of families — by reaching out in love during a moment of crisis. For 35 years, Tisdale said, the organization has been answering God’s call to

serve families before, during and after unplanned pregnancies with Christ-like compassion. “We want to be the first place a woman contacts when she’s scared, alone, lost in her unplanned pregnancy,” she said. “That’s why we moved to 10901 Granada Lane,” Tisdale added to thunderous applause. “That is the closet place we could get to the abortion-determined woman. And since we moved there, our numbers have continued to go up.” In September alone, 20 abortion-determined women walked through the center’s doors. “When I think of the way God is using Advice and Aid at this location, I get

overwhelmed,” said Tisdale, though not everyone stays for help. “When that one does, though, it’s a holy moment,” she said. But getting women to walk through the center’s door in the first place is a critical component. That’s why the organization continues to offer more and more medical services, including post-abortive assessments. Tisdale said that few, if any, pregnancy resource centers offer post-abortive assessments, but Advice and Aid staff and volunteers want to be “a source of hope to people that are hurting — to extend the hand of grace despite their decision and to tell them of the One who can truly heal their souls.” “You and I need to diligently pray,” she said, “for God’s intervention in the lives of women in our city, in our state, in our country, that have been told that abortion is their reproductive right.” Tisdale concluded with a discussion of the center’s involvement with the Abortion Pill Reversal Network, an organization of doctors and nurses founded by Dr. George Delgado, who pioneered the use of progesterone to reverse the effects of the abortion pill within the first 72 hours after the abortion pill is administered. He and his colleagues have saved more than 500 children’s lives with this method, but it is not yet widely known. “We need to inundate our city with this message, because it’s crucial that [a newly pregnant woman] finds out that there is hope at that exact time,” Tisdale said. In Kansas in 2017, 58 percent of abortions were medical abortions, meaning they were induced via the abortion pill.

Art competition announces winners; exhibit open until Nov. 30 By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

The winners are . . .

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — An acrylic painting of St. Maximilian Kolbe took first-place honors at this year’s Regional Juried Christian Arts Competition and Exhibition at Savior Pastoral Center here. The painting of the Polish saint by Sue Johnson won the Pope St. John Paul II Award. It was one of two paintings of St. Maximilian Kolbe that were in the competition. This was the second year for competition and exhibition, which is sponsored by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and the Catholic Fine Arts Council of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The theme for 2018 was: “Duc In Altum,” Latin for “Put Out into the Deep.” The artworks will be on display until Nov. 30. This year’s exhibition features 48 works of art by 25 artists from eight states. The mediums used include sculpture, paintings (acrylic, oil and egg tempera), papercut, colored pencil on construction paper, textiles, photographs, glass mosaic and mixed media. The final judging was done by Dr. Denis R. McNamara, assistant director of the Liturgical Institute and associate professor of Art and Architecture at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, near Chicago. The opening reception and awards presentation was held on Oct. 16 at which McNamara presented a lecture, “Iconic Images: Seeing Heaven on Earth.” Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann offered his congratulations to the winners

• Pope St. John Paul II Award, $1,500: Sue Johnson, “St. Maximilian Kolbe” • St. Bede Award, $500 and the People’s Choice Award, $200: Oscar Alonzo, “Rosa Mystica” • St. Luke Award, $500: Peggy Shopen, “Face of Christ” • St. Cecilia Award, $250: Adam Moos, “Nativity” • St. Thomas the Apostle Award, $250: Kate Marin, “St. John the Baptist Preaching”

Viewing and buying Kate Marin stands beside her statue, titled “St. John the Baptist Preaching,” which won the St. Thomas the Apostle Award. Right, Oscar Alonzo’s “Rosa Mystica” won the St. Bede and People’s Choice awards. and praised the work of the CFNEK and the CFAC. Sacred art elevates the mind and soul, said the archbishop. Beauty has the capacity to draw people to God and think of things beyond this world. And artists can evangelize through their art, demonstrating through beauty that there is order and meaning in the cosmos. Julie Flanagan, CFAC board member, created a special work of art through the use of fire after McNamara’s lecture. Her artwork became part of the exhibition.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Several works shown at the exhibition and competition are for sale, although some works are for display only. The price, name of the work, name of each artist and whether it is sold or not is on the information tag with each piece of art. To purchase the art, go to the front desk of Savior Pastoral Center. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card at the desk. The artwork, which is on the north hallway outside of the large chapel, may be viewed during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call Tim Chik, Savior Pastoral Center director, at (913) 647-0370.

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Area Catholics bid farewell to Atchison church By Erin Hunninghake and Joe Bollig Special to The Leaven

TCHISON — Formidable challenges have forced the closure of Sacred Heart Church, one of four that comprised the city’s Catholic community here. The final commemoration Mass was on Sept. 30. The archdiocesan decree of closure took effect on Oct. 1. “Even though there is sadness today as one phase of the history of the Catholic Church in Atchison ends, we rejoice in the many blessings that have come through those who have attended church here,” said pastor Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, at the close of the Mass. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist. The concelebrants were Father Jeremy, Abbot James Albers, OSB, of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, Father Dan Gardner, Father Roderick Giller, OSB, and Father Meinrad Miller, OSB. Sacred Heart Church was founded almost 126 years ago to serve Irish Catholic railroad workers and families. Because of demographic changes, the church became part of St. Benedict Parish through a 2013 consolidation plan. In recent years, three major challenges arose that threatened Sacred Heart’s sustainability. As a result, Father Jeremy proposed that the church be closed. The first challenge was a lack of priestly personnel. According to canon law, the number of Masses a priest can celebrate on one Sunday is limited. With a lack of available priests, Father Jeremy could not guarantee a priest would always be available for Sacred Heart. The second challenge was its infrastructure. Ceiling tiles had begun to loosen and fall, and repairs were estimated to cost more than $450,000. For a church used only once a week, the cost of repairing Sacred Heart did not make financial sense. “This was a major factor,” said Father Jeremy. “The resources were just not there.” The third challenge was the limited number of worshipers the church could accommodate. “Sacred Heart could only hold about 200 people,” the pastor said. “It’s very difficult to schedule an extra priest for that small number of people.” Following a parish-wide meeting to discuss the proposal for closure, Father Jeremy contacted Archbishop Joseph Naumann. The archbishop consulted with church representatives and the archdiocesan presbyteral council before granting approval. With the church closed, the next tasks for Father Jeremy and the parishioners are decisions regarding the liturgical furnishings, the church and

Decree closing Sacred Heart Church in Atchison, Kansas, and relegating the building to non-sacred use

hereas the pastoral planning process in the Atchison Pastoral Region foresaw, due to changing demographics and fewer available priests, the need for consolidation of parishes in the region and, Whereas the territorial parish of Sacred Heart was canonically merged with several local parishes to form St. Benedict Parish in May 2013 and, Whereas the leadership of St. Benedict Parish has determined, after thorough study and prayerful consideration, that grave causes indicate that the Sacred Heart Church building should no longer be used for divine worship and, Whereas I have prayerfully considered the recommendations presented to me by the pastor which reflect the input of parish leaders and parishioners and, furthermore, after having heard the archdiocesan presbyteral council on the matter, In accordance with the prescriptions of Canon 1222, § 1, of the Code of Canon Law, I hereby decree that effective October 1, 2018, Sacred Heart Church in Atchison, Kansas, a worship site of St. Benedict Parish shall be relegated to profane, but not sordid use, and thus the building should no longer be used for divine worship. The disposition of the ongoing ownership of the property shall be determined after consultation with the pastor and in accord with the prescriptions of ecclesiastical and civil law. Given on the 24th day of September, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eighteen,

Sacred Heart Church in Atchison was officially closed on Oct. 1. The final commemoration Mass was held on Sept. 30. Sacred Heart Church was founded almost 126 years ago to serve Irish Catholic railroad workers and families. Because of demographic changes, the church became part of St. Benedict Parish through a 2013 consolidation plan. the closed Sacred Heart School. “We have committees that will soon meet to determine what will happen,” said Father Jeremy. “Our hopes are to find good homes for [liturgical furnishings], whether used by our parish, other parishes or other church-related entities.” Father Jeremy hopes to sell the property, but it needs to be appraised. “One of the things we have to determine is whether it would be more painful to sell the building to someone else or knock it down . . . being completely honest with people about the repair needs [that potential buyers] would take on,” said Father Jeremy. “We don’t know what the market would be. Everything is unknown at this moment.” The legacy of Sacred Heart Church will live on, said Father Jeremy. That

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Given at the Chancery in Kansas City, Kansas

legacy includes a variety store, a perpetual adoration chapel now at St. Benedict Church, a Boy Scout troop, a Knights of Columbus council and the St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of Secular Franciscans.

Father John Riley, Chancellor

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FAMILY LIFE Kathleen (McAuliffe) and Richard C o o k , members of Church of the N a t i v i t y, Leawood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 26. The couple was married on Oct. 26, 1968, at St. Christina Church, Chicago, by Father John Holbrook, SJ. The couple celebrated early with a Disney cruise with their family. Their children are: Amy Forebaugh, Western Springs, Illinois; Daniel Cook, Lawrence; and Megan Nordstrom, Overland Park. They also have five grandchildren.

All invited to Little Brothers’ dedication, play

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Little Brothers of the Lamb here invite everyone to the dedication of their new monastery, “Light of Mary, Mother of God,” located at 921 Homer Ave., at 10 a.m. on Nov. 3. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will preside at Mass. An open house with food and drinks will follow. The following day, Nov. 4, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters will present a play, “Mary, Mother of God or the Sign of the Mustard Seed” at 3 p.m. The play will be at the grotto of the Little Brothers’ monastery. To RSVP to either event, go online to: www.archkck.org/littlemonastery.

An emotional abuser! Me?

t is usually physical abuse that makes the news. But emotional abuse wrecks a marriage just as often and is sometimes harder to detect since physical marks or scars never appear. Just what is emotional abuse? It can be something as simple as what many call “drama.” But it can be as serious as gaslighting, or manipulating a partner into doubting his or her own sanity. Intentional silence, yelling, name-calling, criticism, eye-rolling, disgusted looks, door-slamming and storming off to parts unknown are all forms of emotional abuse. Many of us — out of anger, fear or embarrassment — have raised our voices or been critical. In a healthy marriage, however, and after some prayerful reflection, the offender seeks the other person out, identifies the inappropriate behavior, takes responsibility for the harm caused and seeks more constructive ways to resolve future problems. According to Dr. Steven Stosny in the Feb. 22, 2013, issue of Psychology Today magazine, a relationship becomes abusive when “one party systematically controls the other by undermining his or her confidence, worthiness, growth, trust or emotional stability, or by provoking fear or shame to manipulate or exploit.” This leads, he wrote, “to chronic

TOOLS FOR FAMILIES

Growing as Disciples of Jesus

Resurrection to host Veterans Day observance

ENEXA — Resurrection Cemetery here, located at 83rd and Quivira Rd., will mark Veterans Day on Nov. 12 with a special flag-raising and program at 2 p.m. The American Legion Band will provide a patriotic musical prelude to the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. The brief ceremony will include the flag-raising, a salute to veterans, and a 21 gun salute and playing of taps by American Legion Post 370. The invocation and tribute will be given by chaplain, Father James E. Ludwikoski, retired pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee. Small flags will be available for gravesite decorations. The Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery features monuments and flags representing the five branches of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Marine. Family and friends can remember and honor veterans by arranging to have their names engraved on the granite walls adjoining the monuments. Adjacent to the memorial is a section dedicated for burial of veterans and their spouses. Veterans, families and friends are invited to attend the program. For more information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 371-4040; send an email to: information@ cathcemks.org; or visit the website at: www.cathcemks.org.

Churches invited to participate in WW I remembrance

resentment and, eventually, to contempt. . . . When loved ones fail to care that we are hurt, let alone inflict hurt upon us, it feels like betrayal. Failure of compassion in a love relationship feels like abuse.” This pain can affect spouses and children. It can take up to 50 statements of praise to overcome one critical statement. If you think you might be experiencing emotional abuse, go online to: www.catholiccounselors.com, sponsored by the Pastoral Solutions Institute, for a quiz on the topic, videos and

other sources of support for marriage and family life. If you think you might be acting in an abusive manner, take the quiz yourself and ask your spouse to do the same. His or her answers will reveal a lot. Some emotional abuse is learned in our families of origin; what was taught can be unlearned. Consider counseling as a first, rather than a last, resort. Go online to: www.archkck.org; the button for “Catholic Counselors” will lead you to a list of professionals who can help.

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Nov. 11, 100 years since the armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front during World War I, bells across the United States and around the world will toll in remembrance of those who served and sacrificed. At 11 a.m. that day, all churches are invited to join in with a tolling of bells. The bells will mark the moment when people across the world expressed their joy and relief that four years of war had finally come to an end. The National World War I Museum and Memorial’s Bells of Peace program is part of the World War I Centennial Commission’s “Bells of Peace: A National World War I Remembrance.”

The Fight for the New World: St. Augustine January 8-12, 2019

A three-day tour of historic St. Augustine, Florida, exploring the Catholic history behind the first European settlement in the United States. For pricing and details, go to: Forgottenlivesla.com/trips/the-fightfor-the-new-world-st-augustine/

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OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

St. Oscar’s brothers rejoice at his canonization

A story of conversion “A story of conversion” comes from the Oct. 10 issue of The Compass, newspaper of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was written by Sam Lucero, its news and information manager. The editorial was updated by Catholic News Service to reflect St. Oscar’s Oct. 14 canonization.

By Melissa Vida Catholic News Service

lericalism, often defined as an attitude or conduct on the part of members of the clergy that embraces ambition, status and secrecy, has been in the news lately. Pope Francis has condemned clericalism as a subculture in the church that enabled the clergy sexual abuse crisis. On Aug. 20, he said that clericalism, “whether fostered by priests themselves or by laypersons, leads to an excision in the ecclesial body that supports and helps to perpetuate many of the evils that we are condemning today.” Whether in the highest levels of the church or in the smallest diocese, Pope Francis sees the need to rid the church of this form of corruption. In the midst of this challenge, an example comes to mind of how clericalism was uprooted by love and a cry for justice. It is the story of Blessed Oscar Romero of El Salvador, declared a saint Oct. 14. Ordained a priest in 1942 at age 25, he was first appointed auxiliary bishop of San Salvador in 1970. In 1974, he became bishop of Santiago de Maria, where he spent three years before his appointment as archbishop of San Salvador. As a young priest and bishop, clericalism might have been part of St. Oscar’s lifestyle. He held traditional beliefs about the role of priests and avoided confrontation, to the angst of fellow priests. In 1975, he wrote a note to priests, criticizing them for being too political, adding that solving the nation’s problems was by working with the government. His conversion began slowly, following his ordination as bishop. He began to understand suffering and injustice

CNS PHOTO/OCTAVIO DURAN

Then-Archbishop Oscar Romero is pictured in an undated photo greeting worshipers in San Salvador, El Salvador. St. Romero began a conversion to a more political point of view after he was ordained a bishop and began to understand suffering and injustice as a challenge to his pastoral leadership. as a challenge to his pastoral leadership. His conversion was completed when a friend, Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande, who espoused a “preferential option for the poor,” was murdered in 1977 by the military. When asked to define what an “option for the poor” meant, St. Oscar stated: “I offer you this by way of example. A building is on fire and you’re watching it burn, standing and wondering if everyone is safe. Then someone tells you that your mother and your sister are inside that building. Your attitude changes completely. You’re frantic; your mother and sister are burning and you’d do anything to rescue them even at the cost of getting charred. “That’s what it means to be truly committed. If we look at poverty from the outside, as if we’re looking at a fire, that’s not to opt for the poor, no matter how concerned we may be. We should get inside as if our own mother and sister were burning. Indeed, it’s Christ who is there, hungry and suffering.” St. Oscar’s vision of the church changed as he defended his country’s

“campesinos” (farmers). He was no longer accepted by the nation’s wealthy, who had cheered when he was appointed archbishop of San Salvador because of his passive views on challenging the status quo. He pleaded for justice and peace, up until the day he was assassinated — March 24, 1980 — while celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel across the street from his residence. Clericalism crept into the scene as bishops and cardinals refused to call Archbishop Romero’s murder an act of martyrdom. Today, Salvadorans from all walks of life celebrate the life of the archbishop known simply as Msgr. Romero. Clericalism gave way to conversion in his life. Perhaps it is fitting that we pray for the saint’s intercession in helping the church rid itself of clericalism and embrace the poor wherever they exist: the poor in spirit, the hungry, the oppressed, the elderly, the unborn, the immigrant, the refugee, the persecuted. St. Oscar Romero, pray for us!

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Before the sun rose in Rome Oct. 14, 88-year-old Gaspar Romero and his brother, 93-year-old Tiberio Romero were at the head of the line of thousands of people waiting to get into St. Peter’s Square. The two were at the Vatican for the canonization of their brother, St. Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador who was assassinated in 1980. In the glow of the lights under the colonnade surrounding St. Peter’s Square, the Romero brothers and other family members waited with a group of priests from El Salvador. “Thanks to this event, our country has become known in the whole world,” Gaspar Romero told Catholic News Service. “So many people in the world were waiting for this.” While standing in line, he shared an anecdote of the honors his brother received throughout the years. “The biggest honor was when Queen Elizabeth of England contacted me,” he said, explaining it happened under atypical circumstances. “I had seen in the papers that Westminster Abbey was preparing a statue (of Archbishop Romero in 1998), and so I wrote a thank-you note to them.” A few days later, the British ambassador visited Gaspar Romero at his home and invited him to meet the queen. “For me, that was something unexpected, unexplainable and unasked for,” he said with a chuckle. The Anglican Church, while not formally canonizing St. Oscar, honored him and nine others as “martyrs of the 20th century” and erected their statues in Westminster Abbey. Although he had kept a low profile in the wake of his brother’s death, Gaspar Romero recently has begun to share his experience publicly. “I feel proud as a brother and as a family member,” he said, “but also as part of the [Salvadoran] people because over there, they love him a lot.”

Good Shepherd has developed a special love for St. Oscar >> Continued from page 1 packed, the whole plaza area in front of the cathedral. “The people were joyful, so happy. They were carrying posters and banners. They were singing. There was such a joyful spirit there.” Many of the signs proclaimed: “Your people made you a saint.” At 2 a.m., five big screens came on to show the canonization liturgy in Rome. The entire plaza fell silent. “When Pope Francis would read things about St. Romero or things he said, everyone would clap and cheer,” said Aley. “They were so happy to have their saint canonized. As I watched the people, I was so impressed because of the words they spoke [from St. Oscar], ‘If I die, I will rise in my people.’ “It was a powerful time to walk with the Salvadoran people and feel their joy.”

T LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Good Shepherd Parish developed a special love for St. Oscar Romero through a sister parish relationship that began in 1987 with an El Salvador parish, now named El Buen Pastor.

Remembering a saint

he blessing of the St. Oscar Romero Chapel at Good Shepherd Parish Shawnee, was an especially emotional event for Karla Melgar, director of religious formation at St. Paul Parish in Olathe. “I actually remember him when I was little, because my dad would take us to the cathedral to listen to his homilies,” said Melgar, who was born in El Salvador. “I grew up listening to his homilies and attending his Masses.” Melgar’s childhood was dominated by the brutal Salvadoran civil war, a time in which then-Archbishop Oscar Romero was the voice of hope. It was a voice that the government could not tolerate. St. Oscar was assassinated on March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass in a hospital chapel. His funeral, held six days later, became the scene of a massacre. “I remembered when [St. Oscar] died,” said Melgar. “I remember especially that my mother went to the funeral. I was at home and the news on the radio was that there was fighting between the government military and the people attending the funeral. A lot of people died. Some nuns helped my mother hide and get away from the situation.” As he was for Melgar then, St. Oscar is still a voice of hope. “For me here in the United States as an immigrant, I definitely feel a connection with him, especially during this time when the political situation in this country is a little challenging,” said Melgar. “Definitely, he inspires us a lot.”

STRENGTHENING THE TEMPLE Fitness instructors find that exercise benefits both the body and the soul

Story and photos by Jill Ragar Esfeld

V E R L A N D PARK — If Holy Spirit parishioner Elizabeth McLenon can find time for exercise, anyone can. She’s a mother of six boys from 3 to 15 years old, and she’s expecting her first girl in January. No excuses. In addition to meeting the demands of her growing family, McLenon keeps in shape teaching boxing at EverFit in Shawnee and Brookridge Golf and Fitness in Overland Park. “I think seeing a mom who can hold her own is a great example for my boys,” she said. “And it’s kind of fun to tell people I’m a boxer.” Brookridge Fitness director Lynn Eskina, a member of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, is another example of fortitude in fitness.

In addition to her full-time job at Brookridge, Eskina has three children, and also teaches a variety of classes at EverFit. “Everybody needs to be active,” she said. “It makes you feel so much better.” McLenon’s neighbor and fellow parishioner Annie Tinker is on the same track. A former theology teacher at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Tinker recently had her first child and decided to stay home. She used the time to become certified in Pietra Fitness, a stretching and strengthening program that incorporates Catholic prayer. “When I work out,” said Tinker, “I sleep better, I’m a better spouse and I’m a better mom.” All these trainers are in excellent shape, but see their physical appearance as only a side benefit to their efforts. “I want to be the healthiest version of myself for myself,” said Eskina. “I don’t work out because my husband

thinks I look better — he’ll love me no matter what. “I thank God every day that I have my health.”

Spiritual warriors Fitness and faith may seem odd partners but, for these active women, both are essential to keeping them grounded. “When you’re busy,” said McLenon, “usually the first things to go are prayer and exercise, so it’s nice to incorporate them both.” To that end, McLenon has designed a boxing class called the Spiritual Warrior Workout. “We use the workout, the hitting and kicking, to imagine a spiritual foe we’re fighting against,” she said. That spiritual foe may be a temptation, an illness or even a world issue. “I think God has given us so many avenues to help him sanctify the body of Christ,” she explained. “And I feel

s KNOCKOUT PUNCH

Currently expecting her first daughter, boxing trainer Elizabeth McLenon keeps up with her six sons by being a spiritual warrior, turning her tough workouts at EverFit Gym into sacrificial prayers. powerfully that this is one way he is asking us to use redemptive suffering.” A challenging workout can be a continuing prayer. “When prayer is combined with the physicality of working out,” McLenon said, “you have that reminder through sore muscles and fatigue that you have prayed for a specific intention. “It can help keep the prayer intention in the forefront of your mind.” That’s why Tinker likes Pietra Fitness, which incorporates prayer into core-strengthening exercises. “I think the workout really complements my prayer life,” she said. “Everybody is looking for peace and, as Catholics, we believe we can only find true peace through Jesus Christ.” Tinker is grateful to her pastor Father Ric Halvorson for allowing her to offer classes at Holy Spirit Church.

Sanity, not vanity Though she doesn’t overtly incorporate prayer into her classes, Eskina sees the spiritual side of exercise as “God’s natural therapy for anxiety and depression.” Science has shown that exercise triggers the release of endorphins that minimize the negative impact of stress and pain on the mind and body, “Once you step foot in the gym,” said Eskina, “you’re not even thinking about what you’re stressed out about. “You’re thinking about what you’re

INTENSITY

Trainer Lynn Eskina leads the cardio section of an intense but fun class at EverFit. Called EverFit 60, it includes 20 minutes each of cycling, cardio/weights and boxing.

doing in the class.” Her knowledge comes from experience. Six years ago, when Eskina’s husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, his continued workouts were part of his healing process. “I think working out helped him get through it,” she said. “He did radiation every day for a month. “He’d go to the gym, go to his radiation and go to work.” The experience gave her a perspective on fitness and faith. “I think you need both,” she said. “Physical fitness is a stress reliever. Then going to church is a ‘thank you for giving me this opportunity to live my life.’” Community is another link Eskina sees between her faith and exercise. Both require a community to inspire and encourage their practice. An avid athlete through college, she kept active by running once she graduated, but missed the camaraderie of being part of a team. “Then a friend talked me into joining a gym,” she said. “And I just loved it.” Eventually, Eskina became certified to teach group classes, which she’s been doing for 18 years. “They say you should love your job and I really do,” she said. “I’m thankful I am able to do it.” McLenon is another advocate of exercising in community. She joined a gym after she had her third child. “And I loved it so much,” she said. “After a couple of years, I decided to teach so I could share that joy of fitness with other people.”

Community means commitment Small fitness studios, like EverFit where Eskina and McLenon teach, are growing in popularity because people like the friendship and sense of commitment that comes with the limited class size and structured workout. “I love the group atmosphere,” said Eskina. “I love getting to know the people in my class. “And there’s accountability because we all say, ‘Hey, why weren’t you there yesterday? We missed you.’” Tinker has a similar experience teaching Pietra Fitness at Holy Spirit. “It is a community experience,” she said. Health benefits are the desired outcome for any fitness routine and the key to getting them, say these experts, is cross-training. “I try to formulate my classes to include cardio and weights, always,” said Eskina. “You have to have the weights for bone density. They go hand in hand.” But starting any fitness routine is challenging and, though prayer helps,

STRETCH

Pietra Fitness instructor Annie Tinker teaches classes at Holy Spirit Church, Overland Park, that combine prayer with various postures, helping participants develop core strength and balance.

these trainers have a few other tips to keep you motivated. Tinker suggests starting out with a class that fits your level so you don’t get discouraged. “Pietra Fitness has three different levels,” she said. “The class I teach is the level two, but I make modifications.” Eskina also suggests modifying any weight or movement to fit your ability while still challenging yourself. “I always suggest modifications,” she said. “Mostly, I just want everyone to have fun — everyone doing the same thing to the best of their ability.

“Fitness should be fun. It shouldn’t be a chore.” Eskina also breaks her workouts into short time segments, telling her students it’s their moment to perform to their personal best. “I’ve learned it’s better to do it for time,” she said. “And everybody does what they can do in that minute — or 30 seconds — and then we move on.” The key is reaching your personal goal using whatever ability God has given you. “I think we can give glory to God no matter what shape we’re in,” said McLenon. “We give him glory by doing our best to take care of ourselves.”

10 Weight Loss Tips Dawn Rattan, owner of EverFit in Shawnee, knows weight loss is often a goal when people visit her gym. Here are her tips for making weight loss part of your fitness routine.

Drink water! Eliminate juices, sodas, alcohol, milk and sugary coffee drinks.

2. Eliminate dairy. 3. Consider a diet that counts

the macronutrients you’re eating — grams of proteins, carbohydrates and fats — within your calorie goal.

Don’t starve yourself! But do keep a log of food and drinks.

Use a fitness app like My FitnessPal as a tool for tracking progress.

Work out three to five times per week, including three workouts that are considered hard and get you out of your comfort zone!

Mix up workouts so your mind and body stay engaged and you avoid boredom and fitness plateaus. Include cardio and strength exercises. Remember that recovery time is also important.

8. Do not focus on the scale.

It’s not your only measure of success! Focus instead on how much better loose clothes feel and how much better you feel with additional stamina and strength.

9. Give yourself time. Remem-

ber it takes six to eight weeks of consistency to see external results. Two pounds of weight loss per week is reasonable and sustainable.

10.

Pray! Know that God wills you to be fit so you can carry on his work.

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

Response to abuse crisis tops agenda for USCCB fall meeting By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service

ASHINGTON (CNS) — The firestorm surrounding the clergy sex abuse crisis and the way some bishops handled allegations of abuse against priests will be an important part of the agenda of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly. The bishops have had to deal with seemingly endless revelations of allegations of abusive clergy since June, most of which referred to long-past incidents. New reports from media outlets also were expected as the Nov. 12-14 assembly in Baltimore approaches. Bishops nationwide also are facing new challenges as several state attorneys general have opened investigations into the handling of abuse allegations. The investigations follow the release of a Pennsylvania grand jury report in August that linked more than 300 priests and church workers to abuse claims and identified more than 1,000 victims over a 70-year period dating from 1947. The USCCB has not directly addressed the investigations and has not offered any indication that it will advise bishops on how to respond. Beyond the discussions of clergy sexual abuse and any further actions, the bishops were expected to vote on a new pastoral letter on racism, though the agenda for the meeting has not been finalized. Security, always tight during the twice-a-year assemblies, is expected to be stricter than usual to prevent access to the Marriott Waterfront Hotel meeting site by protesters upset with the way the bishops have handled reports of abuse by clergy. In preparing for the fall assembly, the bishops’ Administrative Committee Sept. 19 outlined actions to address the abuse crisis, including approving the establishment of a third-party confidential reporting system for claims of any abuse by bishops. Committee members instructed the bishops’ Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance to develop proposals for policies addressing restrictions on bishops who were removed or resigned because of allegations of abuse of minors or adults. The Administrative Committee also initiated the process of developing a code of conduct for bishops regarding sexual misconduct with a minor or adult or “negligence in the exercise of his office related to such cases.”

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, Vermont., looks on as Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, responds to a reporter’s question during a news conference in 2017 at the bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.

“

“IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A CONFERENCE HAVE MADE INCREDIBLE STRIDES IN PROTECTING CHILDREN TO THE POINT THAT ONE OF THE SAFEST PLACES FOR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IS THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES.” The Administrative Committee consists of the officers, chairmen and regional representatives of the USCCB. The committee, which meets in March and September, is the highest authority of the USCCB outside of the full body of bishops when they meet for their fall and spring general assemblies.

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A USCCB spokesman said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of GalvestonHouston, conference president, was unavailable to discuss specific plans for the assembly because he and other conference leaders were in Rome attending the Synod of Bishops on young people, faith and vocational discernment. The synod was to conclude Oct. 28. Francesco Cesareo, chairman of the National Review Board, also declined to discuss the issue, saying in an Oct. 16 email to Catholic News Service that board members were continuing to draft recommendations that would be delivered to the bishops during the assembly. In August, Cesareo told Catholic News Service that the bishops “have to put their trust in lay leadership and allow that lay leadership to develop the processes and oversight when these kinds of allegations occur, particularly holding bishops accountable.” The all-lay National Review Board, established by the bishops in 2002, oversees compliance by dioceses with the “Charter for the Protection of Chil-

dren and Young People.” It has no role in oversight of bishops. Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, Vermont, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Communications, told Catholic News Service Oct. 19 that the bishops must “continue to press forward” in explaining how well the charter “is working and continues to work.” “It is important that we as a conference have made incredible strides in protecting children to the point that one of the safest places for children to participate is the Catholic community in the United States,” he said. “But that message is not getting out there. Many people still believe that the abuse of children and the cover-up by church authorities is an ongoing issue and that the bishops haven’t done enough to address the issue. That’s contrary to the evidence in contrast to the number of reported abuses since 2002,” Bishop Coyne said. “We have to continually say the charter is working and doing its job.”

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

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HOME IMPROVEMENT Ceilings - Renew your old textured, yellowed ceilings! Interior painting. No mess. Call Jerry at (913) 201-1144. 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) 935-0176 Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336. Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. 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) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa. NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs. Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson. (913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125. Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063 Handyman/Remodeler - Quality service with references. Kitchens, baths, tile, painting, garage doors and openers, decks and wood rot repair. Call Jeff at (913) 915-4738. 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 be glad you did. Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com. Father-and-son home exteriors and remodeling - Celebrating my 15th year in The Leaven as a small business owner! We do decks, siding, windows, doors, tile work, floors, wood rot, and interior and exterior painting. We can remodel bathrooms, kitchens or basements. We also reface cabinets and redo pesky popcorn ceilings. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230. 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. Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118. The Drywall Doctor, Inc. – A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

SERVICES Tutoring - For K - 12 available. Also for test preparation for ACT, SAT, etc. For more information, call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or email: Klmamuric@yahoo.com. Water damage restoration - Framing, insulation, painting, Sheetrock, mold treatment and lead-safe certified. Insurance claims welcome. Serving Wyandotte and Johnson counties for 25 years. Call Jerry at (913) 2064490. 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. HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.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. Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002 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 or email me today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055 or KOATorganizing@ gmail.com. Insured. References. 8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered. Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks! Certified coach: kathioppold.8toyouridealweight.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. Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits. Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemacedisability.com. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Two side-by-side crypts; tier B, 13 and 15, located in the St. Joseph Chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery, the only two left in the chapel. Call (913) 269-6176 for pricing. For sale - Double lawn crypt at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Garden of Hope section, double lawn crypt, lot 78 C, space 4. Conveyance fee included. $7500. Call Lou at (512) 294-2869.

CAREGIVING Experienced RN - Seeking a part-time day position. Will provide nursing, medication set-ups, (no lifting), companionship, respite care and concierge services in the Johnson County area. Call Mary at (913) 710-5412. CNA - Professional caregiver provides quality private home care assistance for the elderly in the comfort of your home. Part-time or full-time assignments. Will consider live-in arrangements. 25 years seasoned experience. Dedicated to clients. Call (816) 806-8104. Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 4221591. Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

REAL ESTATE Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it? We buy it all at once in as-is condition. Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com. We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000. I NEED HOUSES! - We are members of Holy Trinity Parish and we pay cash for any real estate without any realtor commissions or fees. We buy houses in any condition, including bad foundations. If you would like an easy, no-hassle sale at a fair price, please call me. We have 15 years of experience. Mark Edmondson, (913) 980-4905.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Concrete Work

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

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN St. John the Evangelist Parish 1234 Kentucky St., Lawrence Oct. 27 from 7 - 10 p.m.

Enjoy the music of Deja Blue, complimentary finger foods, a cash bar and an hourly raffle at this fun, adult event seeking funds to repair and beautify the front entrance of our historic church. The cost for tickets is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For more information, call (785) 331-0421.

DIVORCED: CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN Church of the Ascension (St. Luke Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park 2nd and 4th Sundays at 7 p.m.

What’s next after divorce/annulment? Join us for a formation series on the gift of self, which helps us fulfill the call to love again. Visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook. com/giftofself143 or send an email to: calledtolove143@gmail.com.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE HALLOWEEN DANCE FUNDRAISER St. Thomas More Parish (More Hall) 11822 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE 503 Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

There will be a business meeting followed by a social. If anyone knows of a family member in distress, sick or in need of the circle’s prayers, contact Theresa Smith-Lawton at (785) 6401403. If you are interested in or would like more information about the Daughters of Isabella, call Marilyn Unrein at (785) 230-8448 or Cindy Keen at (785) 228-9863.

‘CREATING FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR A LOVED ONE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS’ Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka Oct. 29 from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m.

The special needs ministry for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and EMBRACE invite you to a session on creating financial security for loved ones with special needs. All are welcome. If you need child care, RSVP to Jody O’Rourke by calling (913) 647-3059 or by sending an email to: jorourke@archkck.org.

A fried chicken dinner with sides, desserts and drinks will be served by the Sacred HeartSt. Joseph Altar Society. There will be a sneak preview of the guild craft and bake sale.

GERMAN SAUSAGE SUPPER Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 22298 Newbury Rd., Paxico Oct. 28 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

A meal of home-smoked German sausage and sides will be served. The cost is: $12 for adults; $4 for kids 4 - 12; and free for kids 4 and under. There will also be bingo, other games and a silent auction. Mass is at 10:30 a.m.

MASS OF INNOCENTS Holy Spirit Parish 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park Oct. 28 at 12:30 p.m.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate a commemorative Mass for all children lost during pregnancy or in early infancy. This Mass gives parents, grandparents, siblings and other loved ones the opportunity to receive consolation, whether the loss was recent or many years ago. Though you may not have personally experienced this kind of loss, you are invited to come and support those who have through your prayers and presence. For more information, call Brad DuPont at (913) 647-0301 or send an email to: bdupont@archkck.org.

CRAFT AND BAKE SALE Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish (basement) 321 N.E. Freeman Ave., Topeka Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The craft and bake sale is held by the St. Anthony Guild. There will be quilts, crafts, baked goods, bierocks, cinnamon rolls and much more. Breakfast will be served.

FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL Divine Mercy Parish 555 W. Main St., Gardner Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The cost for a meal of bratwurst and hot dogs with “fixins” is: $5 for adults; $3 for kids 5 - 10; kids 5 and under eat for free. There is a $5 wristband for kid’s activities. There will also be a cakewalk, beer garden and bingo.

PRO-LIFE ROSARY St. John the Baptist Church 708 N. 4th, Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.

Sponsored by the parishes of St. John the Baptist, Holy Family and St. Mary-St. Anthony.

TAIZE PRAYER Annunciation Chapel 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

Taize prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taize, France. For more information, visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org or call (913) 680-2342.

ST. PATRICK’S GIDDY-UP AUCTION St. Patrick Parish (center) 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a barbecue dinner, drinks, desserts and fellowship as we raise money for the parish and school through live and silent auctions. The cost to attend is $45 per person. For more information, call auction committee chairperson Gina Nick at (913) 669-9833 or send an email to: gnick@ wycokck.org.

CHILI AND SOUP LUNCHEON St. Leo Parish (center) 1340 1st Ave. E., Horton Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.

There will be vendors, a silent auction and a raffle. The cost for the luncheon is a freewill donation. Lunch includes chili, chicken noodle soup, chili/hot dog, desserts and drinks. There will be a DJ from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds will help with travel and medical bills for Cindy Groshong who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.

CRAFT FAIR Holy Angels Parish 15440 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There will be 25 booths with a wide variety of crafts featuring items ranging from

FALL FESTIVAL Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 106 Exchange St., Emporia Nov. 4 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

There will be turkey and dressing, all the trimmings and homemade desserts. The cost is $10 for adults; $5 for kids 3 - 10.

‘THE MASS’ St. Pius X Parish (Kelly Hall) 5500 Woodson, Mission Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW AND BIEROCK SALE St. Rose School (basement) 530 E. 4th St., Garnett Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Vendors will feature both handmade and commercial items. The School Support Group will be selling frozen bierocks and freshbaked cinnamon rolls and will also have hot bierock lunches available during the day.

MATER DEI FALL BAZAAR Mater Dei Parish and School 934 S.W. Clay St., Topeka Nov. 3 from 4 - 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The cost is $20 per person. There will be great music provided by The Zepster, delicious snacks, beer, wine and soda. This fundraiser provides monies for people who would like to attend a Beginning Experience weekend or the Coping with Life Alone sessions and need some financial assistance. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

CHICKEN DINNER Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish (basement) 321 N.E. Freeman Ave., Topeka Oct. 27 at 5 p.m.

dried flower arrangements to woodworking, wreaths, jewelry and Christmas items. Refreshments will be available. This event is planned to coincide with the annual crafts fair at Basehor High School. For more information, call Annie Clark at (913) 724-2212.

On Nov. 3, there will be the Market Place, which includes the country store, a silent auction, the Book Nook, homemade baked goods and a concession stand. In the evening, beginning at 6 p.m., there will be a S’more and Sangria Social. On Nov. 4, there will be a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a country store, a silent auction and many other activities. For more information, contact Nancy Cina at (785) 8171708 or by email at: romwi1973@yahoo.com.

TURKEY AND TRIMMINGS DINNER Annunciation Parish Cigna Center 402 N. Maple, Frankfort Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The cost for a dinner of turkey and all the trimmings is $10 for adults; $5 for kids 10 and under. There will also be a pot-of-gold and a country store with food items, crafts and handwork items.

ST. PATRICK PARISH SOUP LUNCHEON Corning Community Center Main St., Corning Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Following Mass at St. Patrick Parish (6606 Atlantic, Corning) at 10 a.m., there will be a meal of chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soup, as well as sandwiches, homemade pies and cupcakes. There will also be kids games, bingo and other games.

TURKEY DINNER St. Benedict Parish 676 St. Benedict Rd., Bendena Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The cost to attend this annual turkey and allthe-trimmings dinner is a freewill donation. There will also be a raffle for a handmade quilt, cash and other donated items. Carryout orders will be available at the door.

USM FALL LUNCHEON Grand Street Cafe 4740 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. for social hour noon for lunch

The KC Alumni Council of the University of St. Mary invites all alumni, family and friends to its fall luncheon honoring Sister Kathleen Wood. The cost is $35 per person; additional contributions benefit student scholarships. Register and pay online at: stmary.edu/KCcouncil or RSVP to Maxine Mitchell Staggs at (816) 3043268. Mail checks by Nov. 7, payable to Kansas City Alumni Council, to: Penny Lonergan, C ’70, 736 Lenexa St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.

This adult education class on the Mass is a six-week course using Bishop Robert Barron’s “The Mass” DVDs. The classes will continue for six weeks. There is no cost and baby-sitting will be available.

BEV VYHANEK FALL LUNCHEON AND CARD PARTY St. Ann Parish (hall) 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Nov. 8 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Join the Women’s Club of St. Ann for bridge, canasta, dominoes, bunko and games of your choice, or just come for lunch with a table of friends. Tickets cost $12 and include lunch, wine, a dessert table, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. For tickets, contact Martha Houts at (913) 642-5927 or by email at: jhouts@kc.rr. com; or Mary Cheney at (913) 648-1026 or by email at: cheneytemp@aol.com.

‘HUMAN TRAFFICKING - MODERN-DAY SLAVERY’ Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 1405 2nd Ave., Leavenworth Nov., 8 at 7 p.m.

Deacon Brad Sloan will give a presentation on the devastation of human trafficking. Jennifer Montgomery, director of human trafficking education/outreach, and Terry Hund of the Topeka Rescue Mission will also give a presentation geared toward youth. Middle school age kids and above are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Maria Minchew at (913) 651-4948.

EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS GARAGE SALE Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 106 Exchange St., Emporia Nov. 9 from 4 - 7 p.m. Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. - noon

All proceeds from this Christmas garage sale benefit the youth group.

GIFT GALLERY Curé of Ars School 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood Nov. 9 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (preferential shopping evening. Tickets are $20 and include Saturday event) Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Tickets: $5)

This is a premiere shopping event that brings together more than 40 artisan and vendors selling unique and upscale items. This fundraising event is hosted by Curé of Ars Mothers of Young Children in partnership with Country Club Bank. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities and scholarship funds.

BREATHE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Nov. 10 from 4 - 8 p.m.

BREATHE respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families who have a loved one age 5 years or older with a disability. Contact Tom Racunas at (913) 6473054 or send an email to: tracunas@archkck. org, or Audrey Amor at (816) 739-1197 or by email at: aamore@sjakeepingfaith.org if you have any questions. To register a loved one for the program or to volunteer, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/specialneeds and complete the online form.

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Who’s on your “list”?

THIRTIETH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 28 THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jer 31: 7-9 Ps 126: 1-6 Heb 5: 1-6 Mk 10: 46-52 Oct. 29 Monday Eph 4:32 – 5:8 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 13: 10-17 Oct. 30 Tuesday Eph 5: 21-33 Ps 128: 1-5 Lk 13: 18-21 Oct. 31 Wednesday Eph 6: 1-9 Ps 145: 10-14 Lk 13: 22-30 Nov. 1 ALL SAINTS Rv 7: 2-4, 9-14 Ps 24: 1-4ab,5-6 1 Jn 3: 1-3 Mt 5: 1-12a Nov. 2 THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (All Souls’ Day) Wis 3: 1-9 Ps 23: 1-6 Rom 5: 5-11 Jn 6: 37-40 Nov. 3 Martin de Porres, religious Phil 1: 18b-26 Ps 42: 2-3, 5cdef Lk 14: 1, 7-11

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nce you got on my mom’s list, no matter what you did, you were on it for good. The list I’m talking about might not be what you’re thinking of. (If you assumed another kind of “list,” you might consider going to confession this weekend!) Mom’s was a prayer list — handwritten on a paper about the size of a 3-by-5-inch card. It contained only names; Mom knew what the particular intentions were. Gradually, the list expanded to several pieces of paper — each a little larger than before. It got to the point that she would go to daily Mass about 30 minutes early, just to get through her list. One day, when I saw that some people on the list had passed away, I suggested that she remove their names. She looked at me like I was crazy and said she was now praying for the happy repose of their souls. Now that my mom is in a nursing center, her arthritic hands can’t manipulate those pieces of paper, but she still remembers “her list

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.

people” daily. (And, yes, I’m on it!) Mom’s prayer reminds me of this story. After a ship wrecked during a storm at sea, only two men on it were able to swim to a small, deserted island. The survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other option but to pray to God. After quarreling about whose prayer was more powerful, though, they divided their small territory between them and stayed on opposite sides of the island. The first thing each prayed for was food. The

next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side and was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren. After a week, the first man was lonely and prayed for a wife. The next day, another ship wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who managed to swim to his side of the island. On the other side, there was nothing. Soon after, the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these things appeared for him. The second man, meanwhile, still had nothing. Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found one docked on his side.

Happily, the first man boarded with his wife, but decided to leave the second man behind. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered. As the ship was about to depart, however, the first man heard a booming voice from heaven: “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?” “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” said the first man. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything!” “You’re mistaken,” the voice replied. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you wouldn’t have received any of my blessings.” “Tell me,” said the first man, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?” “He prayed,” the voice said, “that all your prayers be answered.” (Adapted from a story originally found at: www. sacinandanaswami.com.) Now that’s a story that really makes you think. How many of the things that the Lord has

blessed us with are actually the result of other people’s prayers for us? Isn’t it sad that even our prayers can sometimes be self-centered, like the first man in the story above? There is a better way. It’s called other-centered intercessory prayer, and my mom is an expert at it. In the month of November, perhaps this type of intercessory prayer would be a nice habit to cultivate. A great resource is as close as your parish bulletin. Most of them list the names of people who are ill in the parish or the community, folks serving in the military, and the daily Mass intentions (usually for someone who has died). But you can also be creative in whom you pray for, like the people who serve in the various ministries at the Mass you attend, parish catechists, people in the RCIA program, the person who puts the weekly bulletin together . . . well, you get the idea. So, the next time someone says that you’re on their list, you may just want to stop and thank them!

Jesus not only heals Bartimaeus, but empowers him

t is becoming more and more common for people to embark on a second career. Perhaps someone has spent many years working in business and then decides to go into teaching at a grade school or a high school. Or maybe a person has served in the military and then, on retiring, learns to become a nurse. In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Mk 10:46-52, we see a man who takes up a second career. Bartimaeus is a blind man who earns his living by begging. He sits at the side of the road outside of Jericho, with his cloak stretched out alongside him for passers-by to toss coins in, much as street buskers do now.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

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

It is significant that this is the road that leads to Jerusalem, about 15 miles distant

from Jericho. A sizable crowd is walking on the road. Many of them, perhaps most, are pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the upcoming feast of Passover. In the midst of that crowd, though, is Jesus, with his disciples. When Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is passing by, he asks Jesus

to have pity on him. In response, Jesus calls to him. Bartimaeus flings aside his cloak and comes to Jesus. By flinging aside his cloak, Bartimaeus is signifying that he is abandoning his way of life as a beggar. In place of that, he is switching to a new way of life, that of a disciple. The Gospel story makes this clear by informing us that, after Bartimaeus received his sight, he “followed him on the way.” Bartimaeus then accompanies Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, the place of his death and resurrection. Bartimaeus is able to do this because of the miracle that Jesus worked in restoring his sight. When Bartimaeus

tells Jesus, “Master, I want to see,” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” The Greek verb used here has the double meaning of either “to save” or “to make well.” Jesus’ response could be translated also as “your faith has made you well.” In other words, Jesus’ response can mean both that Bartimaeus has received physical healing as well as spiritual healing. He has received both physical sight as well as salvation because of his faith. Both the gift of physical sight and the gift of spiritual salvation will enable Bartimaeus to walk on the road to Jerusalem as a disciple of Jesus.

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At a time of technological and scientific progress, “we ought to feel shame” for not having advanced in “humanity and solidarity” enough to feed the world’s poor, Pope Francis said. “Neither can we console ourselves simply for having faced emergencies and desperate situations of those most in need. We are all called to go further. We can and we must do better for the helpless,” the pope said in a message to world leaders attending

a meeting of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome. The World Food Day ceremony Oct. 16 marks the date the organization was founded in 1945 to address the causes of world hunger. The theme for 2018 is: “Our actions are our future: A zero hunger world by 2030 is possible.” The 2030 agenda seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Local programs are just as important as global commitments to ending hunger, Pope Francis said in his message. — CNS

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Deacons serve as bridge between the church and the world

he church teaches that a deacon, at his ordination, receives an indelible spiritual character that permanently identifies him as a minister of Christ. At that time, he ceases to be a layman. The deacon is ordained for diakonia, or service, and this quality must pervade his readiness to serve the church. In fact, St. John Paul II wrote that “sacramental grace gives deacons the necessary strength to serve the people of God in the diakonia of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate.” There is a fundamental and necessary interplay of liturgy,

ORDAINED TO SERVE

LEON SUPRENANT Leon Suprenant is the co-director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. He may be reached at leons@archkck.org.

word and charity in the ministry of the deacon. When Jesus emptied himself and took

the form of a servant (cf. Phil 2:7), he gave us the preeminent model of diakonia, or service. Deacons, then, are called to pattern themselves after Christ the servant and empty themselves in their threefold ministry of liturgy, word and charity. The deacon’s self-giving service at both the

table of sacrifice and the table of charity helps us understand the identity and function of the deacon at Mass. If the deacon serves at the altar, he must also serve in charity among the people of God — and vice versa. He must be the voice of God’s people in their time of need. For that reason, the deacon is the ordinary minister of the Kyrie (“Lord, have mercy”), all litanies and even the general intercessions, which really are the prototype of diaconal prayer. And in his movement from church to world and world to church, the deacon is also uniquely positioned, by virtue of his intimacy with both, to invite the assembly to

share the sign of peace, to kneel and to bow their heads. In recommending the restoration of the permanent diaconate in our time, Vatican II’s Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity noted that there already are laymen who are carrying out the functions of the deacon’s office, such as by preaching the word of God as catechists or by engaging in charitable works of mercy. The decree concludes: “It is only right to strengthen them by the imposition of hands which has come down from the Apostles, and to bind them more closely to the altar, that they may carry out their ministry more effectively because of the

sacramental grace of the diaconate”(16). Notice the connection between “the altar” and the practice of charity. Without this close binding to the altar, the deacon would be indistinguishable from a social worker. Yet without the practice of charity, the deacon on the altar would be indistinguishable from an altar server. But to the extent the deacon integrates his self-emptying service of the liturgy, word and charity, he acts in the person of Christ the servant, bearing witness to God’s loving concern for everyone.

‘Were not our hearts burning within us?’

oward the end of the summer, one of the first things I was able to experience in my new role as vocation director was spending a week with our seminarians while on pilgrimage. This year, it took place here in our own archdiocese. Staying at Savior Pastoral Center by night, and touring the archdiocese by day, this “staycation” served as a way to introduce our men to some of the many hidden treasures, essential ministries and overall life that is found within the local church in which, God willing, they will one day serve as priests.

VOCATIONS CORNER

FATHER DAN MORRIS Father Dan Morris is the archdiocesan vocations director. You can email him at: dmorris@archkck. org.

The annual pilgrimage also doubles as an

opportunity for our seminarians to spend some quality time together before heading back to their separate seminaries to begin their next year of formation. As you might imagine, this gives our seminarians time to bond and get to know each other.

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Just as important, the archbishop and all of us who help oversee their formation get to know our guys better as well. And it was in getting to know our seminarians on a more personal level that I began to realize just how blessed we as an archdiocese are. Although called from many different backgrounds and out of various stages of life, the thing that struck me the most was the camaraderie that all 31 of our seminarians share. They wholeheartedly care for one another, they genuinely enjoy spending time together and, most importantly, they go out of their way

to support one another in their common journey to stay close to the Lord and grow in holiness. Which is why, when discussing with them what theme we felt should be on this year’s poster and prayer card, it became obvious that the standard Scripture passages just weren’t going to do. Our seminarians are not responding to the Lord’s call because “the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few ” (Lk 10:2). They are not saying “yes” because Jesus Christ and his church need more priests. No, each is able to share in his own way the reason they have chosen to discern this call.

Just like the disciples on road to Emmaus encountered our Lord, they too have discovered their hearts burning within them, when invited to share in the life of Jesus Christ as a Catholic priest. I invite you and your family to pick up one of our prayer cards at your parish. Pray for vocations. Pray for our seminarians. Pray for the church. And through our prayers, may we, as the body of Christ, continue to find our hearts burning within us, as we journey with Jesus Christ and he speaks to us on the way!

OCTOBER 26, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Brooklyn Hunter lunges for a ball in her state championship match. She became the first female to win four class 4A state championships.

THE GIRL IN THE PINK TUTU Hayden’s Brooklyn Hunter becomes a four-time state tennis champion By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

OPEKA — A pink tutu, white tights and sandals. That’s what Topeka Hayden High School senior Brooklyn Hunter wore one of the first times she picked up a tennis racket. It’s an image forever seared in the minds of Shane and Tina Hunter, Brooklyn’s parents, in part because Brooklyn, who was just 3 at the time, has continued to play the game. It’s also an image that was on the signs many of Brooklyn’s family, friends and classmates held on Oct. 15 at the Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka as they cheered on Brooklyn to her fourth

consecutive state championship in class 4A tennis singles, capping off a season record of 20-1 and an overall high school career match record of 78-2. Earning one state championship is an amazing feat in itself, let alone four. The accomplishment puts Brooklyn in an elite class. She is only the second player in class 4A history to lay claim to four consecutive titles — but not the first in her family. Her older brother Tommy did the same just one day before his high school graduation in 2016. Brooklyn said her brother’s guidance and support was immeasurable. “First of all, he told me to just try and enjoy it as much as I could because, obviously, there’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “He was pretty much one of my

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Hayden senior Brooklyn Hunter is mobbed by friends after winning her fourth class 4A tennis singles championship on Oct. 15 at the Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka.

coaches over this past season,” Brooklyn added. The week after the city tournament, her older brother took her aside and simulated a variety of situations she would encounter on her way to the state title, including being behind in games and sets, the placement of television cameras and the championship point itself. “He wanted me to be prepared,” she said. “That way, when I was in that particular situation, I had already faced it and wasn’t as nervous. “That helped me more than I ever thought it would.” Besides her family, Brooklyn enjoyed the support of her coach, Christy Sheetz, and others. And it’s that support that’s made her successful, said Sheetz. “She seeks out the advice of others, and she listens carefully, especially the advice from her family and brother Tommy,” she said. “She leans heavily on her parents and siblings, knowing that they want what is best for her. “The love the Hunter family has for her and each other is visible and incredibly supportive,” she added. “And after winning the first two rounds at state on Saturday, she didn’t go home to rest. “They went to evening Mass together.” Despite weather delays of rain and a rare October snow, the bleachers for the tournament were full of Hayden supporters. “My whole volleyball team came and watched me. They were let out of school early,” Brooklyn said, “and some of my friends came and watched, too. “It was a great turnout. It was crowded. For a tennis tournament, it was very crowded. There were a lot of fans.” As a member of Christ the King Parish in western Topeka, Brooklyn’s upbringing has included more than 12 years of

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HUNTER FAMILY

Brooklyn Hunter first picked up a tennis racket when she was 3 years old. Catholic education — first at the parish grade school and then at Hayden, the city’s only Catholic high school. Brooklyn said her Catholic faith and values helped her on and off the court as she coped with the pressure of being the premier singles player in class 4A, especially as the championship match got closer. “I was praying the morning I had a tournament,” Brooklyn said, and often prayed during her matches. It was her mother who introduced her four children — of which Brooklyn is the youngest — to tennis. She never dreamed two of her children would become fourtime state champions. “I was just trying to teach them eyehand coordination,” she said. Still, Tina admits watching her youngest child become a state champion was incredible. It brought back memories of a little girl in a pink tutu, especially as she saw the signs held by the fans. “I have to admit, it was pretty special,” she said.