10 28 16 Vol. 38 No. 12

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 38, NO. 12 | OCTOBER 28, 2016

Parishioners of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park process through the church parking lot with an image of Jose Sanchez del Rio and a first-class relic to celebrate the new saint’s canonization Oct. 16.

FREEDOM FIGHTER HOLY CROSS PARISH CELEBRATES THE CANONIZATION OF JOSE SANCHEZ DEL RIO

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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VERLAND PARK — Shouts of “Viva Cristo Rey!” echoed across the parking lot at Church of the Holy Cross here on Oct. 16 as parishioners prepared to celebrate the canonization of Jose Sanchez del Rio. It was those same words the now-saint spoke at 14 years old as he was tortured, stabbed and shot

to death in 1928 for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith.

To honor the young saint, the parish held a procession around the church parking lot, followed by a Spanish Mass and veneration of a first-class relic.

“I think he’s such an important saint — not just because of his story and his heroism, his virtue and youth,” said Father Anthony Saiki, associate pastor of Holy Cross, “but because he was fighting for religious freedom, and that’s such a prevalent topic for

Following Mass, Holy Cross parishioners were able to honor the young saint by venerating his relic.

>> See “PARISH” on page 4

WINDS OF CHANGE

Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti just as the Sisters of Charity were visiting.

Page 3

SPECIAL OPS TEAM

Four men at St. Paul Parish in Olathe come together to do whatever needs doing.

Pages 8-9

CONNECTED

Catholic high schools use social media to reach students where they’re at.

Page 16

OCTOBER 28 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

St. John auteurs produce smash video

Oct. 28 Red Mass

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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AWRENCE — The award-winning stewardship video produced by St. John the Evangelist Parish here is proof that you don’t need a big budget or celebrity stars to make a great video.

But you do need a camera. Cameras are kind of important.

Thankfully, Samantha Romero and her cinematic sidekick Rachel Myslivy had a camera — and some hidden talent as well.

The video they produced for their parish’s Renewal Weekend in November 2015 won “Best Parish Stewardship Video” at the International Catholic Stewardship Council annual conference on Oct. 3 in New Orleans.

Romero became director of stewardship and development at St. John Parish a little more than three years ago. Back in 2014, she got the idea to boost St. John’s Renewal Weekend by producing a video. She tapped parishioner Myslivy to help her.

“I wanted to make it more personal, to reach people where they are at in the pews,” said Romero. “I wanted people to tell their stories versus me talking about the philosophy behind being a good steward.”

And it turned out simply fabulous.

Not only did they get a lot of good feedback from parishioners, the 2014 video won “Runner Up” for “Best Parish Stewardship Video” at the ICSC conference that year.

So, did Romero rest on her laurels?

No, sir, she did not.

Romero and Myslivy joined forces again in 2015. Myslivy shot the video, and she and Romero edited the footage so many times they almost lost count.

Parish musicians composed and performed music for the soundtrack, and parish schoolchildren created art used to introduce scenes.

Members of the parish were recruited to give their stewardship testimony — in English and in Spanish.

“It was most important to us to get the look and feel of St. John,” said Romero. “We are a diverse parish in age, ethnicity and work people do. We wanted to make sure we represented all people.”

The theme Romero and Myslivy came up with was: “It Takes All of Us.”

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN

Oct. 29 Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus event — Overland Park Convention Center Oct. 30 Pastoral visit — Curé of Ars, Leawood Project Andrew — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Oct. 31 Immaculata High School eucharistic adoration — St. Joseph Church, Leavenworth Nov. 1 Mass — Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kansas Catholic Charities Mass, board meeting and reception — Savior Pastoral Center Nov. 2 Adoration — Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison Confirmation — St. Dominic, Holton, and St. Francis Xavier, Mayetta

Nov. 3 Adoration — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas Deo Gratias dinner, Savior

Nov. 4 St. Martin of Tours Mass — St. Ann, Prairie Village LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Samantha Romero, director of stewardship and development at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence, displays the plaque recognizing the parish’s 2015 Renewal Weekend video as the “Best Parish Stewardship Video.” The award was given at the International Catholic Stewardship Council annual conference on Oct. 3 in New Orleans.

At the heart of the video was this covenant offer: [St. John’s] will be your parish to provide great opportunities to worship, connect, grow and serve.

But we need each individual to promise to come into covenant and respond with prayer, generosity and service.

The two greatest challenges in making the video — other than the fact that Romero and Myslivy were amateurs — were to make sure they caught the parish’s diversity and to come up with something fresh.

Pastor Father Jeff Ernst, OFM Cap., praised the work of Romero and Myslivy, particularly how well they captured the diversity of the parish.

“Rachel — just the time she devoted to it and her talent in putting it together — edited it five to 10 times,” he said.

“She really has a natural talent for that.

“And Samantha, who doesn’t like to get up in front of people and talk, from a gentle coaxing from me decided to be in the beginning of the video.

“I was really glad for that, because it’s helpful for the parishioners to see someone besides me [talk about stewardship]. That really set the mood of the video.”

To view the video, go to the parish website at: www.sjevangelist.com.

Scroll down to the video link under “Get to Know St. John Parish.”

“We are proud to be a locally owned family funeral home serving our community.”

Nov. 5 Bishop Miege High School Foundation Mass and dinner, Roeland Park Nov. 6 Pastoral visit — St. Pius X, Mission Baptism of third or more child — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 7 Archbishop’s Call to Share homily recording Archdiocesan prayer service petitioning Our Lord for healing for those hurt by a representative of the church — Christ the King, Topeka

Nov. 8 Meeting with Father Gerard Saguto, North American district superior of Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter Priests Personnel meeting Administrative Team meeting Nov. 9 Presbyteral Council meeting

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER Oct. 29 Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus event — Overland Park Convention Center Oct. 30 Federal camp Mass Nov. 3 Confirmation — St. Aloysius, Meriden, and St. Theresa, Perry

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Nov. 5 Mass — Lansing State Prison Nov. 6 Mass — Federal prison camp Nov. 9 Confirmation — Immaculate Conception, Louisburg

2

OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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RIDING OUT THE STORM

Sisters of Charity feel the wrath of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti

By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

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EAVENWORTH — Five Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, who recently traveled to Haiti to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a partner religious community, transitioned from Plan A to Plans B, C and then D due to the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew. The good news?

Even though the Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa experienced damage to their buildings, huts and crops, neither they nor the SCLs experienced any personal injuries.

Sisters Ann Barton and Regina Deitchman, of the Leavenworth motherhouse, and Sisters Lynn Casey, Carol Depner and Katherine Franchett — from communities in Helena, Montana, Denver and Ashland, Montana, respectively — boarded a plane in Kansas City on Sept.

29.

Arriving in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, later that day, they encountered the chaotic traffic of the capital city of 2.5 million where Sister Regina said there appeared to be very few traffic lights.

In the mountainous area of Fondwa, where the Sisters of St. Anthony minister, the SCLs received updates about the ministries. Sisters Ann, Katherine and Regina were also able to meet with the architect who will be designing the new convent for the Fondwa Sisters. In addition, Sister Ann completed evaluations for two grants she had helped secure for the Haitian religious community.

Mass on Oct. 2 was a grand celebration of three-and- a-half hours, which featured local music and talks by a bishop, priests and Sister Simone Achille, co-founder of the Sisters, and Sister Claudette Prevot, current community leader.

But at the reception that followed, news broke that Hurricane Matthew was approaching the island nation with threats of heavy rain and wind and the danger of mudslides in the mountains.

While the Haitians, who live with frequent hurricanes, seemed somewhat nonchalant about this Category 4 hurricane, the SCLs thought it best to return to Port-au-Prince. Father Joseph Philippe, CSSp, another co-founder of the Sisters of St. Anthony, tried to dissuade the SCLs from this quick departure, but later acknowledged the wisdom of their decision.

Their hostess Sister Claudette arranged transportation to Port-au-Prince for the Americans and lodging there. She also had a young Sister accompany and remain with the SCLs. The group experienced outages of water and electricity

Above, banana trees were ripped apart by the devastating winds of Hurricane Matthew.

Right, members of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and the Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa join together in prayer following the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti: Starting from bottom left corner and going clockwise are: Sister Ann Barton, Sister Carol Depner (partially hidden), Sister Regina Deitchman, Sister Lynn Casey, Sister Claudette Prevot, Sister Katherine Franchett, Father Joseph Philippe, CSSp, Sister Dieula Duclervil, Sister Melicia Singelus, Sister Marie Ange Lops, Sister Jasna Juillet and Sister Simone Achille.

and felt marooned, but safe, in the guest house that a German couple make available for use by the Sisters of St. Anthony and Father Joseph.

Scheduled to leave on Oct. 6, the SCLs tried for earlier departures, but didn’t make it out of Haiti until Oct. 9. The whole trip had swiftly become totally different than what they had planned.

Even when they arrived in Kansas City, they had a delayed deplaning because there was no gate open to receive them.

To a person, however, the SCLs valued the time in Haiti. Sister Carol calls it a “life-changing experience that will remain etched in my heart.” Amid the poverty and hardship, the resilience of the Sisters of St. Anthony and the Haitians deeply impressed her.

“They just throw up their hands and say, ‘Bad things have happened before.

We’ll get through this again,’” she observed.

Sister Lynn was impressed by the passion of the Sisters for their ministry of serving the people of rural Haiti, particularly those who do not have priests in the area where they live. Sister Katherine marveled that this fledgling community has jelled so well in its first 20 years.

And Sister Regina found it important that four of the 16 Sisters of St. Anthony are enrolled in the University of Haiti for different programs: accounting, nursing, teaching and sewing.

Sister Ann, who was among the first Sisters of Charity to travel to Haiti many years ago for an immersion experience

that introduced the Kansas community to the Haitian Sisters, sees them as a real missionary community.

“They are remarkable,” she said.

“They remind me of the spirit of our own community.”

Moreover, Sister Ann is happy that the sewing machine initiative she has spearheaded in the United States is allowing the Sisters of St. Anthony to foster sustainable development among the women of Fondwa, who are learning to become seamstresses.

In fact, while Sister Ann was marooned in Haiti, a booth hosted by the SCLs and friends at a Lansing crafts sale raised $3,000 for the purchase of additional sewing machines for the Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa.

History of partnership between the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa • The Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa were founded in 1996.

• The new community networked with other religious communities to better understand formation and organizational structures.

• Following the 1998 SCL chapter and under the leadership of

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

Sister Sue Miller, community director at the time, four SCLs and one SCL Associate traveled to Haiti for an immersion experience. (Sister Ann Barton was among them.).

That experience led to a relationship with the newly developing Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa

and their sponsor, Father Joseph Philippe, CSSp. • In years since, SCLs have traveled to Haiti and supported initiatives of the new community, including starting a school and orphanage and building a convent.

The SCLs have also sponsored

some of the Haitian Sisters traveling to the United States to learn English or for higher education.

• The Haitian Sisters experienced the loss of one of their novices and a three-year-old orphan during the 2010 earthquake, along with massive destruction to the or-

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

phanage, convent and other buildings.

• The Sisters of St. Anthony of Fondwa continue to minister in the spirit of their charism, which calls them to serve the people of rural Haiti, especially in areas where there is no resident priest.

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

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OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Parish honors ‘courageous witness’ to the faith >> Continued from page 1 us today.”

Father Saiki came up with the idea to commemorate the saint in a big way after receiving the relic as a gift.

“It was actually upon receiving it that I thought we had to do something massive to celebrate him since he’s here — not just spiritually, but even physically with us,” he said.

Because Holy Cross has a large Hispanic community, Father Saiki and the parish staff hoped for a good turnout.

Claudia Bustos, the parish’s bilingual assistant and receptionist, helped organize the event and did so with “lots of prayer.”

“I think as soon as [parishioners] captured the message during one of Father Saiki’s homilies, it wasn’t hard to bring people together for this,” she said.

As a multitude of attendees arrived on the parish grounds, they began to lift up reverent prayers and passionate shouts of “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King”), with particular enthusiasm exuded by families originally from St. Jose’s home state in Mexico.

“It is a very proud moment for all of the Hispanic community here at Holy Cross, all of the Mexican community, but really the whole church,” said Father Saiki.

During his homily, Father Saiki shared his overwhelming joy with those in attendance.

“Not only do we have a heavenly friend and brother, but a teacher,” he said.

“He teaches us how we can get to heaven by uniting all we have to our Lord,” he added, “and never risking the tremendous gift that has been given us by him in our Catholic faith.

“I hope with all my heart, with all my being, that we consider St. Jose Luis a patron of our community, a constant intercessor, a perpetual light, an eternal example to us now as we move forward to

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

An image of Jose Sanchez del Rio and his relic are processed into Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park. Father Anthony Saiki celebrated a special Mass in the saint’s honor and prayed the young martyr would be a source of inspiration to the parish. fight for holiness.”

Father Saiki also read a letter from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who could not be there.

“Today, we celebrate the courageous witness of a young man, no more than 14 years old, who chose Christ, the church and the truth over anything that this world had to offer, even over his own comfort, his own freedom and his own life,” the archbishop wrote.

“Please be assured of the joy I share with you on this great occasion in the life of the church!” he said.

At the end of Mass, Father Saiki gave a

special blessing to the youth. “[Jose] faced physical oppression and physical persecution for his beliefs,” he said later. “Many of our young people are facing a sort of persecution on an emotional level and on an ideological level with secularism in the world.

“Even with the advance of social media and communications, it’s difficult to profess the faith, to witness the faith.”

Events like this, said Bustos, would not be possible without Father Saiki’s support.

“I truly appreciate all the effort he puts into our community,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for his hard work, dedication and appreciation of our culture and people, I don’t think things would be going as well as they are right now,” she said.

Father Saiki is just grateful for the chance to reach out to his parishioners through a celebration like this.

“I hope that my people, my parishioners, my parish family — that they do see [St. Jose] as an example,” he said. “And like he said at every moment of temptation and trial, ‘Viva Cristo Rey! Viva Christ the King!’”

Movies, music offer motivation for a passionate priesthood

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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VERLAND PARK — If Father Anthony Saiki’s life had a soundtrack, it would sound a lot like the scores in famous epic movies like “Star Wars” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

“I could listen to any one of those movie soundtracks and get pumped up when I’m going to hear confessions or give a talk,” he said, smiling.

It’s movies and music with a deeper meaning that bring joy to Father Saiki’s downtime.

“I love having In this edition of the imagination One+, Father Ancaptured,” he said. thony Saiki shares “I love being taken his love of epic into stories, drawn movies and music. into superheroes with a Marvel or DC Comics movie, identifying with characters or struggling with characters.

“I really enjoy connecting with elements in the film,” he said.

Father Saiki admits that he approaches movies more like a film critic than an average moviegoer.

And one of the most important elements to any film, he believes, is its soundtrack or score.

“Those can actually make or break a movie for me,” he said.

“I see each movie as this symphony of

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

Father Anthony Saiki listens to songs on his iPod. Father Saiki has a wide variety of musical genres on his iPod but loves a good movie soundtrack. moving parts, all working in harmony to present a story. And I just enjoy that very much,” he added.

Although he finds it difficult to name his favorite movie, Father Saiki has a particular interest in sagas.

“Star Wars,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and any of the Batman movies are probably his top three, he said.

And when it comes to music, Father Saiki has a very eclectic taste.

“I actually have a bit of every genre in my iTunes library,” he said.

His favorite composer is Hans Zimmer, and, as far as vocals go, nothing beats a little

Josh Groban.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to go old school, so you get The Carpenters or the Beatles,” he said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to go ’90s rap, so ‘Wild Thing’ or ‘It’s Tricky.’”

Father Saiki is also a fan of Spanish guitar, and believes “you can’t go wrong with the ’80s.”

He will indulge in a little bit of country every so often, and, although his pop phase hit its peak during his high school years, he still enjoys the genre now and then.

The love Father Saiki has for these hobbies is, in part, influenced by his younger brother Matthias.

“We both have a very similar taste,” he said.

As the oldest of 10 siblings, Father Saiki enjoys living close to his family’s home in DeSoto, where he visits on his days off to enjoy his hobbies with loved ones.

But these interests serve as more than entertainment for the priest.

“I listen to music all the time — in the car or sometimes even writing homilies,” he said. “There was one time I was stumped on a homily and I was playing ‘It’s Tricky’ and actually it broke whatever writer’s block I had.”

“So sometimes, I listen to prep [for my homily], sometimes I listen during [my homily writing] and sometimes I listen to celebrate that I finished,” he said.

But more than anything, movies and music are a source of inspiration for Father Saiki.

“There are so many times in my life where I face challenges or temptations or trials,” he said. “I really am basically fighting evil, and it can come in many different forms.”

Having characters to relate to is often a great help.

“There’s elements where it’s encouraging that, even from a secular or a less Christian arena, there can be such inspiring stories of good versus evil and how good triumphs over evil,” he said.

“To me, that just gives me a lot of inspiration, excitement and enthusiasm,” he added, “applying the same sort of energy, the same sort of enthusiasm, the same sense of mission to what I do as a priest.”

OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

PRIEST MUGGED

Appointments

ather John Riley, chancellor, announces the following appointments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, effective Oct. 23:

Father Kearns recovering from vicious assault, robbery

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Thomas Kearns is a familiar and beloved figure in the neighborhood around Blessed Sacrament Parish here. And that’s one reason why people were shocked when he was brutally assaulted and robbed on Oct. 21.

Father Kearns, 82, a Kansas City, Kansas, native, is a retired priest living in residence at Blessed Sacrament.

The attack left him with broken bones in the left side of his face and around his left eye. Father Kearns just recently completed months of convalescence and therapy after a fall down some Father Thomas stairs this past Kearns spring.

Blessed Sacrament pastor Father Mark Mertes said on Oct. 25 that Father Kearns had undergone surgery the previous day. The surgery went well and Father Kearns was resting.

The attack occurred between 2 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 21, as Father Kearns was unloading a pumpkin from his car in the rectory driveway, which connects to 22nd St. Two teen males walked up, hit him and stole his wallet and car.

Police found the pumpkin and some loose change scattered in the fenced yard near a birdbath. The stolen car is a light blue, four-door, 2012 Honda Civic.

The relationship between the neighborhood and parish is such that it has some people doubting that the muggers were local.

“We’re all just kind of shocked,” said Liz Miller, Wyandotte County youth outreach coordinator for ReachKCK. Her office is in the former Blessed Sacrament School, across the parking lot from the parish office and rectory.

“We know the neighborhood, and the neighborhood knows us,” said Miller. “The people of the neighborhood have the utmost respect for what we’re doing here, and we have the utmost respect for them. We know them. No one in the neighborhood would have any desire to harm anyone or anything going on here.”

“We kind of watch out for each

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Father Frank Burger, from retirement from pastoral administration, providing sacramental assistance at St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, to parochial administrator, Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth.

Father Vince Huber, AVI, from providing sacramental assistance at Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, to providing sacramental assistance at St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Father Thomas Kearns was attacked in the Blessed Sacrament rectory driveway just down the street from the church as he was unloading a pumpkin from his car. Two teen males walked up, hit him in the face and stole his wallet and car. other,” she added. “We have each other’s backs.”

Father Kearns frequently took long walks around the neighborhood, and he loved to meet and visit with people.

Parishioner Gretta Kelsey, like other parishioners, was stunned by the unnecessary brutality of the attack. Many heard about the assault at Mass the following Sunday.

“Father [Kearns] is so friendly, he speaks to everyone,” said Kelsey, who does maintenance and cleaning at the church and former school.

“When they attacked him, I guess he didn’t think they would,” she continued. “They did it on the side of the garage where there is a blind spot. It’s just outrageous. He couldn’t hurt them — he’s so fragile. They could have just pushed him and he would have gone down. He would have given them whatever they wanted.”

Father Kearns lay unconscious for a while after the attack — how long he wasn’t sure — then got up, walked through the open garage door and made his way to a door inside, where he was met by Father John Reynolds, another priest living in residence.

Father Reynolds was looking for Father Kearns because he hadn’t seen him for a while. He helped Father Kearns into the rectory. Pastoral associate Barbara Bailey was in the office at the time, and she called an ambulance and the police.

“Father Kearns said he was on his way to the store, and he’d gotten out of his car to put a pumpkin in the yard,” said Bailey. “One of them hit

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him in the eye.”

“Everybody is upset about it,” said Bailey. “Father Tom is pretty mild-mannered. If they’d said, ‘Give us your keys,’ he would have done it. I don’t understand why they hit him. He wasn’t in the car. All they had to do was drive off. They hurt him, and that was unnecessary.”

Father Mertes asked that parishioners pray for Father Kearns and for the two young muggers.

“We’re praying for Father Tom and hoping the people who took his things and hurt him are touched by God and will return his property, and seek forgiveness,” said Jessica Cabral, part-time parish secretary.

Father Mertes called for parishioners to respond with prayer and forgiveness, and the muggers to respond with repentance.

“People are taking it very personally,” said Father Mertes. “They can’t understand why someone would do something like that. People are offering prayers and support, but they are very troubled by it.”

His message to Catholics and others? Seek mercy and justice.

“I’d say that anger is OK and is normal,” said Father Mertes. “We all feel it. I would call us to imitate St. Pope John Paul II, when he went to the prison and forgave the man who tried to kill him. And also Pope Francis in this Year of Mercy, who is encouraging us to extend a merciful hand, to try to understand and work toward restorative justice.

“These young men have obviously done a grave crime and they need to be accountable for that. I certainly believe in that.”

Father Phillip Winkelbauer, pastor of Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, has been granted a medical leave of absence.

Scout earns Eagle

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HAWNEE — Joey Malecki, a member of Troop 394 and a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish here, received his Eagle Scout award on Aug. 25.

For his Eagle Scout project, Malecki repaired and built new bluebird houses for the Hollis Renewal Center in Edwardsville.

Ghouls, ghosts and goblins welcome at USM’s free trick-or-treat event

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EAVENWORTH — Keep your pintsized werewolves and witches safe this Halloween at the University of Saint Mary “Trick-or-Treat Off the Streets.” The 2016 edition of USM’s annual alternative trick-or-treat experience will be from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 30, outside Maria Hall on the north side of the Leavenworth campus at 4100 S. 4th St. Attendees should arrive at USM’s Maria Hall residence to begin the treat-filled trek, which will also include face painting and creepy-crawly activities.

The “Trick-or-Treat Off the Streets” program is free and open to the public.

USM students will be in costume and will pass out treats to young trick-ortreaters. Parents or legal guardians must accompany children at the event, and all participants must provide their own bags for carrying candy and goodies.

OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus

We can only give what we first possess

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pouses and parents exhaust themselves trying to give their families the best . . . and still feel they fail. Why? They’re giving from an empty supply. To give the best, we need to be filled with the best.

ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 The most important thing we can do for our families is spend time filling up with daily prayer.

• Read the daily Mass Gospels this week.

• Put each into practice (simply) at home.

• See if you aren’t giving more successfully.

— By Kristi Dennihan, School of Love

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

CHURCH OF THE WEEK

Linda Martin left, and Sister Vickie Perkins, SCL, stand before a rendering of the planned building that will house Welcome Central, the Shelter of Hope and a Day Center — three programs currently operating out of two different locations. A $600,000 capital campaign was announced on Oct. 18.

Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope launches capital campaign

By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Address: 14251 Nall Ave. Phone: (913) 402-3900 Pastor: Father Brian Schieber Mass Times: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.

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

WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE

TEAM OF THE WEEK Hayden football

Head coach: Bill Arnold Record: 4-4 Next game: Oct. 28 vs.

Jefferson West High School

ONLINE

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

• PHOTOS: Check out Jay Soldner’s photo gallery from the Oct. 21 game against Holton High School.

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

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EAVENWORTH — With a strong commitment to be one organization with one name in one building with the mission to serve persons living in poverty, the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope has launched a capital campaign to construct a new facility here.

The 6,000-square-foot building will be located at 3rd and Kiowa on property donated to the nonprofit organization by the city of Leavenworth, and on adjacent purchased property.

The new structure will house Welcome Central, the Shelter of Hope and a Day Center — three programs currently operating out of two different locations.

Bill Geiger, of Geiger ReadyMix, and Jerry Reilly, of Coldwell Banker Reilly & Sons and a member of Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, are honorary cochairs of the capital campaign.

Sister Vickie Perkins, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, is director of the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope — an initiative supported by volunteers, community members and 35 Leavenworth churches.

During the gathering on Oct. 18, Rolly Dessert, chair of the fundraising committee and a member of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Church in Leavenworth, announced the capital campaign goal of $600,000. Linda Martin, chair of the building committee, said that the three programs are functional at the present time but needs exist for showers, laundry facilities, restrooms, classrooms, private carrels for interviewing and storage space.

Plus, the current overnight

More about current programs • Welcome Central currently operates out of space at 217B N. 5th St. and helps people complete benefits forms and job applications; links individuals up with existing community services; and provides transportation and other services to people in need of them. In the past nearly three years, Welcome Central has assisted more than 1,000 clients. It currently functions as the Day Center where persons who are homeless can stop in for coffee, do crafts or seek counseling.

• Located in the northeast part of the city, the Leavenworth Shelter of Hope offers a safe place to sleep for individuals and families who are homeless.

Currently, it provides accommodations for sleeping and no facilities for showers or laundry. In 2015, the shelter provided temporary lodging to 215 men, women and children.

• Current programs operate with minimal paid staff and extensive volunteer support.

shelter for persons who are homeless has access only by a flight of stairs — a challenge for some clients and volunteers who staff the program. The new building will offer economies of scale with space and facilities to be shared across the three interrelated programs.

Sister Vickie acknowledged the cooperative and collaborative spirit of the city and Leavenworth County and the tre-

mendous generosity of persons who have supported Welcome Central and the Leavenworth Interfaith Shelter of Hope since their inception in 2014. She noted that 67 percent of funding for operations has come from churches.

“The capital campaign to build the new structure will help those living in Leavenworth who have hit hard times in their lives,” she said. “Privileged to work with these individuals every day, I’ve come to understand their stories, what they’ve overcome and what they are living through.”

Brandon Johannes, president of the Leavenworth- Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “We have a great need.

This is not a political issue, it’s not a community issue, it’s a human issue. And building the new facility and serving these persons is the right thing to do.”

Martin said that clients provided input into the design of the new space. Sister Vickie added that clients also want to be part of the fundraising and will be selling their hand-crafted items at Dillons, located at 720 Eisenhower Road, Leavenworth, on Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

George Raach, a member of the fundraising committee and also a parishioner of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph, explained that the capital campaign will reach out to businesses, individuals and organizations. Tax-deductible contributions for the new Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope can be sent to 217B N. 5th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048 or made online at: www.lvich. org. For more information, call (913) 702-8108.

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OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS Two Catholic cemeteries to host Veterans Day observances

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa and Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Topeka, will mark Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with special observances at 2 p.m. at both locations.

A flag-raising ceremony and tribute are scheduled at the Veterans Memorial at Resurrection, loFather Jaramillo cated at 83rd and Quivira Road. The American Legion Band will provide a musical prelude to the ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

The tribute will be given by Father Peter Jaramillo, pastor of St. John the Father Haberkorn Baptist, Holy Family and St. Mary-St. Anthony parishes in Kansas City, Kansas.

Father Tim Haberkorn, pastor of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, Topeka, will celebrate the Veterans Day outdoor Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, located at 801 S.W. Westchester Road.

Veterans, families and friends are invited to attend. For information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 3714040 (Kansas City) or (785) 272-0820 (Topeka); send an email to: information @cathcemks.org; or visit the website at: www.cathcemks.org.

Dale and Shirley (Welsh) Hastert, members of Holy Angels Parish, Garnett, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 6.

The couple was married on Oct. 6, 1956, at St. Teresa Church, Westphalia. Their children are: Krista (deceased), Karen Hastert and Duane Hastert. They also have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Cards may be sent to the couple at: 325 S. Cleveland St., Garnett, KS 66032.

Carol (Zahner) and Larry Van Walleghem, m e m bers of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 3. The couple was married on Nov. 3, 1956, at St. Joseph. Their children are: Larry Jr. and Karen. They also have five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

They plan to celebrate with family.

ANNIVERSARY POLICY

Daryl and Shirley Mitchell, members of St. Stanislaus Parish, Rossville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 22.

The couple was married on Oct. 22, 1966, at Sacred Heart Church, Delia. Their children are: Ronda, Candy, Jody, Monte and Randi.

They also have 10 grandchildren. They will celebrate with a family dinner.

Russell

and

Jean Schoenberger, members of Sacred Heart Church, Emporia, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 29 with a small family celebration. The couple was married on Oct. 27, 1956, at Southmound Church near Parsons. Their children are: Russell Schoenberger, Michael Schoenberger, Karen Schoenberger, Nancy Pool and Karl Schoenberger (deceased).

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

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Benedictine College ranked by U.S. News

A

TCHISON — For the 10th consecutive year, Benedictine College here has been named to the top tier of colleges and universities in “America’s Best Colleges,” published by U.S. News Media Group. U.S. News lists 79 colleges in the Midwest Division of the Best Regional Colleges category, and Benedictine moved higher within the Top 20 in the region, landing at number 14 on the new list, up four spots from last year.

The annual rankings — in which U.S. News groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching — provide a resource for parents and students considering higher education opportunities. Using a proprietary methodology, the annual U.S. News rankings represent the most comprehensive look at how schools stack up based on a set of 15 widely accepted indicators of excellence, and help consumers evaluate and compare data compiled from more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools.

Benedictine College has been busy in the past year, welcoming the largest full-time undergraduate enrollment in history at nearly 1,900 students. The college completed its new state-of-theart athletic facilities for baseball and softball, a new student recreation center and is in the process of building a new engineering building and remodeling the existing science building. Benedictine College is now the largest private college in Kansas, according to the Kansas Independent Colleges Association.

The so-called Special Ops team at St. Paul Parish in Olathe consists of, from left: Clem Bohm, Fred Bleedorn, Dennis Staab and Dennis McGuire. St. Paul pastor Father Michael Hermes has come to rely on these men to do most anything for the parish.

For four men at St. Paul Parish in Olathe, the highest praise they can receive is:

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Story and photos

BY JOE BOLLIG

O

LATHE — If you’re a child of the 1980s or are a classic TV rerun junkie, you might remember the following voice-over from a once-popular TV show . . .

“If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire — THE A-TEAM (Daaa-dadaaaa. Da-da, daaa . . .).”

The A-Team was an elite U.S. Army Special Forces unit that — after breaking out of a military prison — went about doing good deeds and righting wrongs while on the run.

For a fee, of course.

While “The A-Team” was just fiction, there is a Special Ops squad right here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Or at least that’s what the pastor of St. Paul Church in Olathe, Father Michael Hermes, calls the four retirees that he frequently turns to for, well, anything.

The few, the proud, the caffeinated So, who are these guys anyway?

The St. Paul Parish Special Ops team is elite — only four guys. They have no leader, because each one of them is a leader. They look to Father Hermes for guidance and inspiration — and, of course, their assignments — but they are used to operating independently.

“The group consists of four retired men in the parish, gifted with love for St. Paul Parish and also with the experience and knowledge to get things done,” said Father Hermes, who became pastor in 2014.

“Whenever something needs to be fixed or improved, I can rely on these four men to come up with a plan and get the mission accomplished,” he said.

The team members are: Fred Bleedorn, Clem Bohm, Dennis McGuire and Dennis Staab.

The Special Ops team wasn’t really founded. It just sort of grew, or “accumulated,” until critical mass was reached.

The stage for its genesis was set as each

Dennis McGuire takes his turn cutting the grass at St. Paul Church in Olathe. Thanks to the Special Ops team, the parish campus has never looked better, said pastor Father Michael Hermes. man began to retire and hang around the church, usually after daily Mass.

“They had to do something with us," said McGuire with a chuckle. He retired in 2010. “We kept hanging around.”

“Father Mike would tell one of us, for example, ‘One of these windows is cracked.

Can you find someone to take care of it?’” said Bohm, who retired in 2014.

Maybe it started even earlier, said Bleedorn, who retired in 2008.

“When I retired, Dennis Staab (who was then head of maintenance and custodian at St. Paul), told me I could mow the lawn,” said Bleedorn.

So, even before Father Hermes was assigned there, “Father John Torres would ask us to do things,” he recalled.

But it gained steam when Staab himself retired from his work at St. Paul in 2015.

At that time, Bohm was already serving

as sacristan on Tuesdays, and McGuire was helping count money from the Sunday collections. Both had already retired.

They began to gather in the school’s teachers’ lounge after the 8 a.m. Mass.

There were no prerequisites to joining the group — but the ability to drink and hold your coffee was a given.

Father Hermes would drop by. Something like “mission creep” began to take place.

“They already had an informal coffee club after morning Mass, so I knew just where I could find them,” said Father Hermes. “I started asking their advice on projects relating to the upkeep of the parish campus.

“They started taking on these projects so I so I wouldn’t have to spend the extra time working on the buildings and grounds.”

As they became more of a group, the natural next step seemed to give themselves an identity — something for “esprit de corps” to go with their “raison d’etre.”

Bohm, inspired by the U.S. military, suggested “Special Ops,” and it stuck.

Get ‘er done The Special Ops team meets one or two days a week, usually on a Monday.

“Some days, we have nothing to do, but we still meet,” said Staab. “We have to get our coffee in.”

Sometimes, Father Hermes will send an assignment through whichever team member he saw last. At other times, he’ll stop by and make a request in person. And the team will occasionally field a call from the principal, asking if they have time to

McGuire, Staab, Bleedorn and Bohm join forces to dig a fire pit at the new church site, 115th and Lone Elm, for the “Beads, Bonfire and Bluegrass” event that took place on Oct. 15.

tackle a project.

Usually, however, they think of things that need to be done on their own.

Recently, they discussed repairing some outside benches, painting statues in the rosary garden, cutting down and hauling away dying trees, cleaning grills used at a citywide celebration, cleaning drains on the school roof, improving drainage around the school, and digging a fire pit for a bonfire at the new parish site.

Broadly, the work done by the team falls into two major categories.

The first is “hands-on” projects they undertake themselves. The second are those that they manage — some of the larger jobs done by outside contractors that they supervise.

Three such project management tasks included the parking lot repair, window repair and roof repair. The team conducted the research, got the bids and selected the company to do the actual work.

“They take the burden off me to do any of the research looking for solutions, getting bids and dealing with contractors,” said Father Hermes. “These guys have the expertise and experience, so whatever they recommend is always going to be positive for St. Paul Parish.”

volunteer to do it.”

For Bohm, it’s somewhat of a duty and a debt owed for years when he couldn’t do more.

“I was baptized at St. Paul’s, at the [old] church downtown,” he said. “For years, I basically just came to church. Father would walk out at the end of Mass and I left.”

Now, he works improve and beautify the church and parish grounds.

“It makes the place better and more inviting,” he said.

Bleedorn had always been active in the parish as a lector and member of the parish council. He wanted, however, to do more.

In a sense, he is following in the footsteps of his mother, who instilled an ethos of church volunteerism while he was growing up.

Retirement, however, presented him with more availability. “”Once I retired, I wanted to give back to the church,” he said. “I said to myself [that] when I retired, I’d do something for the church.”

‘Special’ kind of retirement

There are two things that make the Special Ops model work: trust and autonomy.

St. Paul Parish is a big parish, and Father Hermes couldn’t keep track of all the things great and small that need to be done.

Giving the Special Ops team a wide mandate is an approach that is yielding results.

“The result [of their work] is that our campus has never looked better, and we all have more pride in our facilities,” said Father Hermes.

“These men are very well known in the parish and they are respected and appreciated by everyone,” he added. “Our fellow parishioners may not see all the hidden things they do for the parish, but everyone knows who they are and how much they love St. Paul Parish.”

One of the nicest parts of being Special Ops is the freedom Father Hermes gives them. He doesn’t micromanage, said McGuire.

“We can just go do it,” said Bleedorn.

“He trusts us to get it done and look out for the best interest of St. Paul’s.”

Some of these jobs — whether handson or project management — can be really hard work. Since each of these guys is retired, they could be anywhere else — maybe even on the golf course with their buddies.

But they’d rather be Special Ops. “I do it because I have the time and this is my parish,” said McGuire. “I believe it’s my responsibility to support the parish.

If they can use my expertise or brawn to save money and get things done, then I’ll

Labor of love

Bleedorn and Bohm get down and dirty to clear debris from drains on the school roof.

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For additional information or questions, contact Maura Dodson at (913) 647-0367 or mdodson@archkck.org

OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

Manila Archdiocese launches drug rehab program

M

ANILA, Philippines (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Manila officially launched a drug rehabilitation program Oct. 23, with a heavy emphasis on spiritual formation in the wake of the Philippine government’s war on drugs.

At the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle celebrated Mass for addicts who surrendered as part of “Sanlakbay Para Sa Pagbabagong Buhay” (A Journey to Starting Life Anew).

“We seek healing justice, not revenge, because only justice heals,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted the cardinal saying during his homily. “Revenge wounds all the more.”

An archdiocesan statement said the program is for those who surrender and for their families to receive “healing, rehabilitation and restoration” through the church.

Father Roberto De La Cruz, head of the restorative justice program at Caritas Manila, told Catholic News Service church officials became most aware of the magnitude of the drug problem in the Philippines capital region after President Rodrigo Duterte was newly elected in May. While running for office, Duterte campaigned on a platform of eliminating crime and corruption. He emphasized that he would kill criminals. He also encouraged private citizens to do the same.

Before Duterte was sworn in June 30, the number of killings of suspected drug dealers and addicts, almost all of them poor, escalated rapidly, with reports of suspects being killed for resisting arrest. The number of vigilante killings also started to increase. At the same time, suspect surrenders swelled to the hundreds of thousands, causing overcrowding at jails across the country. The Duterte administration estimates there are 3 million, possibly 4 million drug addicts and dealers in the country whose population is more than 100 million. Officials say that, since June 30, more than 3,000 drug suspects have been killed and at least 700,000 suspected addicts and dealers have turned themselves in to authorities.

Father De La Cruz said as the numbers surged, Cardinal Tagle asked his

11

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A handgun is seen next to bloodstains near the body of an alleged drug dealer who was killed in a police operation in Manila, Philippines, in early July. The Archdiocese of Manila officially launched a drug rehabilitation program Oct. 23, with a heavy emphasis on spiritual formation in the wake of the Philippine government’s war on drugs. office to look into programs that would help the addicted, most of whom come from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the archdiocese. The priest said his office, working with law enforcement officials, came up with a proposal that approached addiction as not just a medical problem, but also a spiritual one that affects society in general.

“As a church we are expected to evangelize, to form a person from the inside, spiritually because we recognize . . . the drug will be eliminated,” Father De La Cruz told Catholic News Service.

“But if we can form the person from the inside, he will defend himself from many temptations from the inside. Government takes care of what’s outside, and we take care of the inside.”

Sanlakbay incorporates spiritual formation, counseling, work skills training, arts and cultural outlets and sports activities into a parish-based rehabilitation program. Father De La Cruz said this should take place over a six-month period, after which the former addicts would be expected to “integrate into church life.”

Father De La Cruz said the program is designed specifically for those who

surrender, whether to the church or to law enforcement. He said to discourage addicts from simply seeking sanctuary in a church, the program encourages them to turn themselves in to the village captains or heads of their neighborhood associations. Father De La Cruz said ideally the village captain would then turn the addict over to authorities, and the addict would start church-based rehab.

“Some would want to surrender to the church . . . because they trust the church rather than the police. They have to be secure from those who want to kill them [and] because we are priests, we have to make sure to defend them.”

Churches in Manila and four other neighboring municipalities that make up the archdiocese are participating in Sanlakbay. In the neighboring Novaliches Diocese in the northern part of the capital region, a similar program is being spearheaded by one priest.

“We reject retributive ways to handle [the drug problem],” said Father De La Cruz. “And we respect the dignity of the human being, and also, he is a child of God.”

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OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, round- trip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@ specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Co-director of youth and young adult ministry - Prince of Peace Church in Olathe is seeking a full-time co-director of youth and young adult ministry, beginning Dec. 1, 2016, or June 1, 2017, depending on the applicant’s availability. The successful candidate will coordinate, supervise and execute parish pastoral ministry programs designed to engage and form junior high and high school students and young adults.

The position includes preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in pastoral theology, catechetics or a related field, along with proven ministry experience. More experienced non-degreed candidates will be considered. The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership skills, the ability to work collaboratively and experience in areas of responsibility — including administration, budgeting, program development and team building. This position is full time and eligible for a comprehensive benefits plan, with a regular but flexible schedule to accommodate weekend and evening work and reports to the pastoral associate for faith formation. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume by Nov. 1, to: Martha Tonn, Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, KS. 66062, or send by email to: mtonn@popolathe.org.

Career opportunity - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Emporia and Topeka area. Ideal for a determined, high energy, high expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better than average income.

We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. This is a full-time position. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612 or call (785) 4088806. You can also send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

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

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

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

This position includes the ability to speak compassionately about Catholic education, CEF and this program with a variety of constituencies. Applicants must be practicing Catholics in good standing, have a bachelor’s degree, be able to speak authentically about Catholic education and have a minimum of three successful years of applicable experience. Interested individuals should email cover letter and resume to: tcl@archkck.org no later than November 11.

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

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

Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans. Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: AssistedTransportation.com. EEO. Teachers, coaches and administrative support - St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School will open in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, with all four grade levels in August of 2017. Applications for employment in all departmental areas including administration, teaching, coaching and administrative support are now being accepted. St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School is seeking passionately Catholic applicants, committed to evangelization of the Catholic church with a desire to help form disciples of Christ. Preferred candidates for administration and teaching positions have experience and a Master’s degree in curriculum, leadership, or a specific content area. Interested candidates should apply online at: https://careers.hireolo gy.com/thecatholicdioceseofkansascitystjoseph#/. Cover letters should be addressed to principal Mrs. Jodie Maddox or president Rev. Richard Rocha.

Administrative assistant - Industrial sales company in Overland Park is looking for an experienced administrative assistant tot fill a full-time position, Monday - Friday, 8:30a.m. - 5 p.m. or part time, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Duties include: invoicing, filing, data entry, and reception. Computer experience required: Microsoft Windows, QuickBooks, Excel, Word and Outlook. Third generation family business in small office setting. Long-term employee desired. To apply, email your resume to Matt Foster at: sales@de-mar.com.

Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation. CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 825-1921.

Three teaching positions - Prince of Peace Early Education Center in Olathe is looking for three afternoon teachers.

One position is from 3:30 - 6 p.m. M - F in a two-year-olds room and is perfect for high school students who are 16 years or older. The other positions are from 2 – 6 p.m. with 3-year-olds and school age. You must love children to apply.

We have a friendly work environment. Previous child care experience preferred, but not necessary. This is a perfect opportunity for early childhood/elementary education majors.

Contact Amanda at (913) 829-2728.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repairs Minor repairs: electric, plumbing and roofs.

Call (816) 877-5328.

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

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

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com.

Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

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

KIRK AND YEYO PAINTING Whole house painting Wood rot repair, affordable Only premium paint used Licensed and insured (913) 927-5240, nelsport@everestkc.net Kansas City’s Premier Deck, Fence & Concrete - We repair, power wash and stain wood decks and fences. We power wash and seal concrete drives, walkways, pool decks and more. Call Brian at (913) 952-5965. Member of Holy Trinity Parish.

House Painting Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years’ experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

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: dandeeconst@aol.com.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days.

Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., (913) 962-5058.

Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

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

For sale - At Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas. Tandem crypt in mausoleum. Today’s selling price is $7,035; offering this space for $5,000. Call Marcie at (913) 712-8124.

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

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

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

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

Call or stop by to learn about the options of advanced planning, and pick up your FREE Personal Arrangement guide.

We Guarantee your services at today’s prices.

Quilted memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop Nolting Longarm machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts — customdesigned memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, neckties, etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 6492704. Visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

EVERFIT fitness community - We provide a variety of classes designed to make fitness fun while challenging you to a higher level of performance. Classes include boxing, cycling, HIIT, weights, PiYo, TRX, our signature EverFit Tri, and more. EverFit KC.com. Save 10% with this ad or Promo Code: LEAVEN.

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

Helen Skradski

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Steve Pierce

913-371-1404

Carrie Kaifes-Lally

www.skradskifh-kc.com Proudly Serving our Community Since 1929

0CTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR DIVINE MERCY MOVIE Divine Mercy Parish (Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner Oct. 29 after 5 p.m. Mass

Bring lawn chairs and pillows to be comfortable. There will be a picnic-style dinner.

Bring a dish to share. For more information, call the Divine Mercy Parish office at (913) 856-7781.

MARIAN MASS Sacred Heart Parish 333 Freeman St., Topeka Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

A Marian Mass will be said for the sanctity of life and for our nation.

‘DARKNESS AND DAWN: NAVAGATING GRIEF AND LOSS’ Marillac Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Explore ways to cherish memories, understand grief responses and embrace life.

Times of reflection will incorporate music, poetry and discussion on the journey of healing and hope. Donation for the retreat is $35 and includes lunch. Scholarships are available. Registration requested by Oct. 24. Send an email to: retreats@scls.org; call (913) 758-6552; or visit the website at: www. marillaccenter.org for more information.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE 503 Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Oct. 29 at noon

The long form conferral of degrees will take place at this meeting. All members are encouraged to attend.

CHILI AND “CHAIR-ITY” FUNDRAISER St. Patrick Parish (St. Brigid Hall) 309 S. 6th St., Osage City Oct. 29 from 6 - 10 p.m.

The cost for chili, homemade cinnamon rolls and drink is $5 for ages 10 and over; $3 for ages 9 and under. There will also be live entertainment and a silent auction. The silent auction will end at 8:30 p.m.

PROJECT ANDREW Most Pure Heart of Mary 1800 S.W. Stone, Topeka Oct. 30 from 4 - 7 p.m.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann invites single men ages 16 and over to Project Andrew, an evening of prayer, inspiring priest learning about discernment and a delicious dinner. Parents may attend and will have a special session with parents of seminarians. There is no cost, but please register by going to the website at: www.kck vocations.com or send an email to: vocation @ archkck.org.

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

Pray and sing with the saints on All Hallows’ Eve. This will be an hour of evening prayer with eucharistic exposition and adoration, a special Litany of the Saints and Benediction for the eve of the solemnity of All Saints.

ALL SAINTS MASS Bishop Ward High School (auditorium) 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.

Bishop Ward High School will celebrate the solemnity of All Saints with an all-school Mass.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate this Mass to also honor the earthly lives of all Bishop Ward alumni who have passed away this year. There will be a small reception following Mass. Call Greg Duggins at (913) 371-6901 or send an email to: gduggins@wardhigh.org if you are able to attend.

CRAFT SHOW AND BIEROCK SALE St. Rose School 530 E. 4th St., Garnett Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MOTHER TERESA CIRCLE FRIENDSHIP TEA Holy Cross Parish 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m.

The supper will be held at the parish hall, a mile and a half north of Paxico (address above). The cost is: $12 for adults; $4 for kids ages 4 - 12; and kids ages 4 and under eat for free. There will also be bingo, games, raffles and a silent auction.

LEAVENWORTH REGION OF ACCW QUARTERLY POTLUCK LUNCHEON AND MEETING Sacred Heart Parish 1405 2nd Ave., Leavenworth Oct. 30 at noon

Lunch will begin at noon and be followed by the meeting at 1 p.m. Joe Hrenchir and Angela Mroszczak will be the speakers. They will speak about their experiences at World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland. Please bring used cards, used stamps, items for the ditty bags, pennies for seminarians and a friend.

Tickets for the breakfast are available at the door or in advance by calling (913) 371-3423.

The cost is $6 for adults; $4 for children ages 10 and under. There will also be a bake sale and variety booth. All proceeds benefit the charitable work of the Sisters, Servants of Mary.

‘CATHOLIC CITIZENSHIP AND THE U.S. ELECTIONS’ St. Ann Parish 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Nov. 2 and 3 from 7 - 8 p.m.

The adult education program is presenting a two-part event on the elections. The topics will cover Catholic citizenship and American foreign policy on Wednesday, and Catholic citizenship and American domestic policy on Thursday. A freewill offering is suggested.

For more information, call Andrew Lynch at (913) 660-1116 or send an email to: alynch@ stannpv.org.

$4 for kids aged 10 and under. Carryouts are available from noon - 2:30 p.m. at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for kids. There will also be a raffle, bingo, cakewalk, county store and children’s games.

TURKEY DINNER Annunciation Parish Cigna Center 402 N. Maple, Frankfort Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 10 and under. Carryout meals (and delivery in Frankfort) will be available by calling (785) 292-4351 the day of the dinner, or by calling the parish office at (785) 292-4462 during morning hours, Monday through Friday. There will also be a pot of gold, a country store with food items, crafts and handiwork items.

TAIZE PRAYER Annunciation Chapel 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

St. Rose School will be holding its annual craft show and bierock sale. Vendor booths are still available.

SAUSAGE SUPPER Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 22257 Newbury Rd., Paxico Oct. 30 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST Cathedral of St. Peter (parish center) 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

13

Join the women of the Mother Teresa Circle for brunch. The guest speaker will be Donna Bacic. For more information and to make reservations, call Donna Heit at (913) 402-6843 or send an email to her at: donnamheit@gmail. com. Tickets cost $10.

Taize prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taize, France. Persons of all Christian traditions are invited to attend.

TACO BINGO NIGHT Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Nov. 4 from 6 - 9 p.m.

Come for a fun night of dinner, bingo and raffle prizes. Dinner is from 6 - 7 p.m.; bingo is from 7 - 9 p.m. The cost for tickets is: $6 in advance ($8 at the door) for adults; $4 for kids ages 4 10; and kids ages 4 and under eat free.

MATER DEI FALL BAZAAR Mater Dei Parish and School 934 S.W. Clay St., Topeka Nov. 5 from 4 - 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Market Place begins the Fall Bazaar on Saturday at 4 p.m. with a country store, silent auction, book nook and food stand. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a Sangria and S’mores Social. The cost of entry is $5. On Sunday, there will be a turkey dinner at the school, a country store, silent auction, book nook and many other activities. For more information, call Nancy Cina at (785) 817-1708 or send her an email at: romwi1973@yahoo.com.

REQUIEM CONCERT St. Michael the Archangel Parish 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

The concert, anticipating the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, will feature compositions by Gabriel Fauré, César Franck, Grayston Ives, Arvo Pärt and John Rutter, as well as others. The concert is free and open to the public.

Soup, sandwiches, hot dogs and homemade pies will be served. There will be a raffle, door prizes and games for everyone. For more information, call Sandy Paden at (785) 741-9090.

ST. PATRICK FALL SOUP LUNCHEON St. Patrick Parish Corning Community Center Fifth and Main St., Corning Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This annual fall soup luncheon will also feature an auction, games and more fun for everyone.

A freewill offering is suggested.

PARISH MISSION St. Pius X Parish 5500 Woodson Rd., Mission Nov. 6 - 9 at 7 p.m.

Join Father Joseph Arsenault, a special Missionary of Mercy commissioned this year

by Pope Francis, for four evenings of talks on God’s great mercy. Bring the whole family. If your children get restless, there will be parish youth in the gathering space waiting to help.

For more information, call the parish office at (913) 432-4808.

ALL SOULS’ DAY/DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CONCERT Visitation Church 5141 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

CRAFT FAIR Holy Angels Parish (Father Quinlan Hall) 15440 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Booths will feature, dried flower arrangements, woodworking, wreaths, jewelry, Christmas crafts and more. Refreshments will be available. Visitors can register to win a quilt. There is no admission fee. For more information, call Annie Clark at (913) 724-2212.

ST. LEO SOUP LUNCHEON St. Leo Parish 1340 1st Ave., Horton Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

TURKEY DINNER St. Benedict Parish 676 St. Benedict Rd., Bendena Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

A turkey dinner and all the trimmings will be served. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. There will be a raffle for a handmade quilt, cash and other donated items. Carryout orders will be available at the door.

HOLY TRINITY BAZAAR Holy Trinity Parish 601 E. Chippewa, Paola Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m.

A turkey dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The cost is $9 for adults and

Elena Lence Talley, a Good Sheherd (Shawnee) parishioner, will perform an All Souls’ Day/Dia de los Muertos concert with her Lyric Arts Trio.

The concert will feature a Spanish setting of the Song of Songs, as well as music of Richard Strauss, Gustav and Jean Belmont Ford. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Send an email to: elena@lyricartstrio.com for more information.

SHEPHERDS OF HOPE Good Shepherd School (library) 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee Nov. 7 from 7 - 8 p.m.

Shepherds of Hope is a group committed to increasing support and awareness of mental illness. The group is open to anyone who lives with or loves someone with any struggles. All are welcome. The group strives to help each other along the faith journey of mental health.

OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMNETARY

15

Have you sought out a Holy Door this jubilee year?

H

ave you noticed how often we rely upon doors in our lives?

Doors can open or close, reveal or conceal. Doors mark entrances and can metaphorically (or literally) signify a choice that must be made. Everyone knows the phrase, “What’s behind door number three?”

If you find yourself with a choice of which “door” to choose, take the church door, the Holy Door, the Porta Sancta.

Our wonderful and beautiful church wishes for us to enter through the Holy Door of faith and receive mercy in this special Jubilee year.

“T

wo people went in. One person

came out.”

These were the thoughts that I had my first day on the sidewalk outside of Planned Parenthood. I could share with you countless stories of women who look at me with eyes that say a thousand words and tell stories of the broken path that brought them to this place.

A simple request from a priest to come and pray on the sidewalk began my life journey into the pro-life movement.

On that day, I would

RETREATING FORWARD

TIM CHIK Tim Chik is the director of Savior Pastoral Center, a retreat and conference center for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Earlier this year, my

lovely wife and I took our children to a few of the pilgrimage sites established by the archdiocese.

It was a moving experience that I recommend to all!

Of course, nothing good comes easy, and we had our share of squab-

bles from the kids that day. But making the effort was worth it for the family time and the chance for all of us to grow in faith and receive mercy.

In Scripture we read: “Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Heb 4:16). I don’t know about you, but I am a man in need of mercy!

Our doors here at Savior Pastoral Center, while not being a pilgrimage site, are certainly open to you for grace, for retreats and events.

Every day, the doors of Savior open to receive people who are looking to go deeper in their faith, renew their love for the

Lord or heal their woundedness, hidden deep within.

From Engaged Encounter to small men’s retreats to large archdiocesan conferences/workshops and more, Savior Pastoral Center serves the people of our community in hosting many and multiple retreats of mercy and grace.

On Oct. 28-30, we are blessed to host Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, for a “Mercy and Mary” retreat weekend. This wonderful event is sold out, but all people of the archdiocese can participate by joining us in the consecration to Divine Mercy.

Pick up the book “33 Days to Merciful Love” by

Father Michael and you can join in this growing movement of consecration to the Lord, through Mary and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

The Holy Doors of the Year of Mercy are still open for a little while longer! Don’t miss this chance to receive the special graces available during this jubilee (which officially ends on Nov. 20).

Many people already have taken advantage of this gift and have visited one of the Holy Doors throughout the archdiocese, for prayer and reflection and grace. Yet many have not.

Have you sought out a Holy Door this year?

Sonogram reminds her why she does what she does LIFE IS CALLING

ALLISON DONOHUE Allison Donohue is the archdiocesan consultant for the pro-life office.

encounter the face of

abortion. Abortion was no longer a number — it was a woman with a child in her womb that would quickly be robbed of his or her life.

During these first five months in my new position, I have had the

chance to meet amazing, passionate people who live their lives to spread this Gospel mission of life.

I have had the amazing chance to meet women who run our local crisis pregnancy centers and provide much-needed physical and emotional support to women in need.

I have seen the hands and feet of Christ truly present in the clinics they run. Women come in their doors broken and in need of help. They leave with a renewed view on life and a happy baby in their womb, much different from the many women I encoun-

tered on the sidewalk of Planned Parenthood.

We are blessed to house three of these clinics in northeast Kansas.

I have also had the experience of working side by side with many of our pastors to create a vision and plan for the archdiocesan pro-life office.

It is apparent that our archdiocese is filled with fearless men and women ready to fight for life, from conception to natural death.

I must say that my most encouraging encounters have been with those who are much younger than I am. It is the zeal and fire in the young souls of northeast

Kansas that inspire me to create a vision that allows them to be on the forefront of the fight for life.

In my office hangs a picture of a sonogram.

To the naked eye, it may not mean much. But to me, it’s the reason I do what I do each day. It’s the picture of a baby who wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t gone and stood for life on that day in May. I look forward to working with the great people of our archdiocese to continue to promote defending life — from conception to natural death.

Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas • Catholic Bequests

• Donor Advised Funds

• Gift Annuities

• Named Scholarship Funds

• Endowments

• Memorial Funds

Remember a gift to the church in your will

(913) 647-0325 CFNEK@archkck.org www.cfnek.org

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OCTOBER 28, 2016 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

STAYING CONNECTED Schools use social media to connect with students, community

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

T

OPEKA — Sheri Cafer and Cody Whitney take Pope Francis’ request to go out to the peripheries very seriously.

For them, that means reaching out to Hayden Catholic High School students where they are — on social media.

As the pair in charge of the school’s Facebook and Twitter pages, they know how crucial this form of communication is when it comes to reaching younger generations.

“Data shows that kids and people are turning more and more to Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat to find important news information,” said Whitney.

“So, it’s such a huge and beneficial communicative tool,” he added.

Whitney, dean of students, handles the school’s Twitter page while Cafer, assistant to the principal, runs its Facebook page.

Both had previous experience working with social media and feel passionate about how essential it is for any organization.

“What I really like about it is the fact that I can connect with members of our community who want to know what’s going on inside of our walls during our day,” said Whitney.

This allows students’ families to get a glimpse of what goes on at Hayden on a daily basis, he said.

“I think that level of transparency helps to create more investment in what we’re trying to do here,” he continued, “which is give students the most comprehensive educational experience possible.”

The ability to help its audience visualize what goes on inside Hayden’s walls is a huge benefit, especially when it comes to promoting the school to prospective students, said Cafer.

“Instead of only focusing in on Hayden, we’re trying to broaden it and capture [local] elementary schools as well,” she said. “And to try to make them feel like they’re a part of the Hayden community so it will be an easy transition.

“I try to come up with ways to get those outlying families that are already there and already in Catholic education to feel like they’re a part of Hayden.”

But when it comes down to it, the most significant focus for Cafer and Whitney is connecting with Hayden students themselves.

To ensure this connection, the pair posts photos of students and daily happenings around the halls and classrooms of the school.

“When they start seeing themselves on Facebook, it’s kind of a competition,” said Cafer.

They feel special when they’re included and have an opportunity to share those photos with their family and friends, she said.

“Really, the [teens themselves are] driving a lot of our processes now,” said Whitney. “So trying to make sure kids are provided the information and a means to communicate and express their pride is really huge.

“And with the increased desire for

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Sheri Cafer strolls down the hallways of Hayden Catholic High School in Topeka, taking photos as she goes. Cafer shares photos like the one above on the school’s Facebook page as a way to engage students and give the Topeka community a glimpse into life at Hayden.

Watch for the ‘Team of the Week’ Don’t miss The Leaven’s “Team of the Week,” featuring a different sports team from one of the archdiocese’s high schools each issue.

You’ll find the featured team in print, along with a link to our website. The online feature includes video footage of games, practices and interviews, as well as photos of the team in action. The feature will also be shared on our Facebook page (The Leaven Newspaper) and Twitter account (@theleavenkc). Keep an eye out for your school or team each week and show your school spirit by sharing with your family and friends!

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

Cody Whitney takes some time to tweet a message to Hayden’s Twitter account, which is followed by many students, parents and others in the Topeka community. Social media is the perfect platform for the school to show its strengths and uniqueness in a quick and simple way. the ‘now’ and for the increased desire for immediate communication, we really have an amazing tool on our hands to be able to sit there and Facebook a message or send a tweet out really quick.”

What helps the two take advantage of the many possibilities social media offers is some old-fashioned networking.

“Being able to use it as a professional learning tool is, from our perspective, huge,” said Whitney.

One of the schools they have the opportunity to share strategies with is Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas, whose social media accounts are run by Joshua Sukraw, the school’s marketing and social media manager.

“I enjoy the fast-paced ‘right now’ environment that social media is all about,” said Sukraw. “It is a lot more personal and gives a chance to really connect with our students and families in a unique way.”

Bishop Ward’s accounts, like Hayden’s, focus on building a relationship with students by meeting them where they are. For Sukraw, it’s similar to creating a “scrapbook” the school can share with its audience, which also includes former students.

“Many times, people think about the younger generation utilizing social media — and they definitely do,” he said. “However, we know that our alumni utilize Facebook and other platforms to stay connected, organize class reunions and volunteer.

We love our alumni and it’s a great way to stay connected.”

Regardless of why high schools and organizations use social media, one thing is for certain.

“I think you have to have a presence,” said Cafer. “We’ve got to cater to what our customers want.

“And if we don’t, we’re going to miss out.”