theleaven.com | vol. 35, no. 13 | November 1, 2013
Holy Name seventh-grader Emina Struga works on her Day of the Dead artwork on Oct. 28. Students K-8 created a colorful array of projects to decorate the Kansas City, Kan., school’s halls and an altar for the Day of the Dead.
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Skeletons and skulls lined the hallways of Holy Name School here recently, but the brightly colored figures were no Halloween decorations. “We’ve been learning about Day of the Dead,” explained Emilio Ojeda, a third-grader at Holy Name. Under the direction of art teachers Kathleen Wendland and Ada Koch, kindergartners through eighth-graders created a colorful array of projects to decorate the halls and an altar for the Day of the Dead. “El Dia de los Muertos” is celebrated in Mexico from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and marks a time to pray, remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. Students at Holy Name learned about the meaning of the Day of the Dead and, at the same time, picked up new artistic techniques. Emilio’s class learned about symmetry as the students designed bright butterflies. “When you cut it [in half], it’s the same,” he said. The classes that created butterflies worked on collage, watercolor and more, but also learned a spiritual lesson.
Day f the Dead
Holiday project celebrates lives
Story by Jessica Langdon | Photos by Lori Wood Habiger
“Our focus has been that the Day of the Dead reminds us that our loved ones have left their earthly bodies and are now in the presence of God, in heaven,” said Wendland. So some of the grades studied how the winged creatures first lived as caterpillars, then entered cocoons, before finally emerging as beautiful butterflies. “The butterflies represent the deceased who have left their bodies to be in heaven,” said Wendland. Janessa Bejarano, an eighth-grader at Holy Name, was excited to study the Day of the Dead. “That’s a very special day that’s celebrated in Mexico,” she said. “And it doesn’t matter what culture you’re from. Anyone’s welcome to celebrate it.” Her class designed a multicolored mural of a skull that hung in the hall near the office. They also designed skulls on red flags. “At home we’ve always prayed and we’ve always gone to the cemetery to put flowers,” said Janessa. Her family honors her great-grandmother Shirley Hill, who had been an important part of her life, as well as close family friends >> See “nelson-atkins” on page 4
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Inspired art
Life will be victorious
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Even archbishop’s path to priesthood got a little rocky
ome weeks ago, I challenged every member of the Archdiocese to think about their “call story.” In other words, what event or series of events in your life moved you to make your relationship with Jesus Christ and his bride, the church, the foundation for your life? Some have asked: “Archbishop, what was your ‘call story’?” I did not have an experience as dramatic as St. Paul, where a single, overwhelming event changed the course of his life. I think my experience was more like the vast majority of Christians, where conversion happens more gradually over a number of years. Even Paul, after the Damascus road apparition, took some years to process and to ponder prayerfully the meaning of the Gospel of Jesus and its implications for how he would live the rest of his life. My own experience was closer to the spiritual journey of St. Timothy. Timothy, one of Paul’s closest companions, was like a spiritual son to him. Yet, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul indicates that the groundwork for Timothy’s ardent faith preceded his friendship with the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul acknowledged Timothy’s “sincere faith . . . first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you” (2 Tm 1:5).
archbishop Joseph F. Naumann I was blessed to grow up in a family where the faith was at the center of our lives. Like Timothy, the faith of my mother and my grandmother had a huge impact on me. My mother was a teacher at our parish school, eventually becoming its principal, and my grandmother was the parish secretary. Our parish priests, perhaps in part because my father was deceased, took a special interest in me and my brother. Our pastor, whom I thought was ancient at the time, occasionally would take my brother and me with him on his day off. I remember visiting one of the small towns where he had formerly been a pastor. Sometimes, while we were with him, he would stop to visit a parishioner at a hospital. I received a glimpse of what priests do. I knew how important the priests were in the life of my family, so I had a quite natural admiration for them and attraction to the priesthood. I chose to go to the high school seminary in St. Louis, which was not an unusual choice at the time. I had more than 160 freshman classmates. There were more than 500 students in a school that was built to
accommodate a maximum of 400. By my junior year, the Archdiocese opened a second seminary high school, because they were turning away so many young men for lack of space. When I entered high school, I was not at all certain that I was called to be a priest. I was interested in the priesthood, but not sure this was the path for me. I enjoyed the high school seminary. We had a great faculty and I was surrounded by 500 other young men who were highly motivated to serve God and others with their lives. In terms of serious discernment, I somewhat floated through high school and the first couple years of college. Everything that I had studied up until that point I could apply to any career that I was interested in pursuing. However, beginning with my junior year of college, my courses would be focused on philosophy for which there were limited applications outside of the priesthood. The year was 1969. It was a turbulent time in our culture, country and church. Many cities in our country were afflicted with race riots. On many college campuses there were protests against the Vietnam War. The sexual revolution was in full swing, challenging conventional morality. The use of illegal drugs was widespread on college campuses. In the wake of all this societal upheaval, a youth culture had emerged that encouraged my generation to question all authority and not to trust anyone over 30.
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Confirmation — Annunciation, Baldwin City
Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison All Saints’ Day Mass — St. James Academy, Lenexa Nov. 2 Mass for Marriage Enrichment Day — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kan. Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus benefit dinner Nov. 3 Mass and consecration of altar — St. Dominic, Holton Nov. 4 Confirmation — St. Dominic, Holton
Nov. 7 Religious Alliance Against Pornography conference call Eucharistic adoration — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park Administrative Team meeting Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas Deo Gratias dinner — Savior
archbishop
keleher Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day Nov. 2 Catholic Education Foundation Gaudeamus benefit dinner Nov. 3 Confirmation — St. Philip Neri, Osawatomie; Our Lady of Lourdes, LaCygne; and Sacred Heart, Mound City
Nov. 5 Vocation Day — Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka
Vatican II had brought some dramatic changes within the church and created a level of uncertainty about what else might change. Sadly, many priests abandoned the priesthood. I was a very confused young man by the summer of 1969. Not only was I not certain that I was called to the priesthood, but I was not sure I even believed in God. And if there was a God, how could I be sure that Jesus was his son? Was the Chris-
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tian belief — that God took a personal interest in humanity, much less in individual human beings — just wishful thinking? This was my state of mind as I completed my sophomore year of college. I wondered with such questions swirling in my mind, how could I continue with integrity in the seminary? Stay tuned! Next week, I will share how I resolved these questions.
TOUCH OF HEAVEN
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s a graduate student in architecture at the University of Kansas, Gerard Alba got to help design and build a building on the KU campus. “The Center for Design Research,” said Alba, “is located on the west campus of KU. As student des i g n e rs , we did the deGerard Alba sign and research, as well as running a not-for-profit 501(c)3, soliciting funds for our project. “We were also the construction workers for the building itself — pouring concrete foundations, steel fabrications, electrical, duct work, finishes, etc.” Alba, now a fourth-year theology student at the University of St. Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary, never got the chance to build anything else after earning his degree. But he’s not letting those artistic talents go to waste. He is the artist behind the most recent seminarian poster for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Not that he exactly asked for the job. “Dan Morris, a fellow seminarian, had designed the last four posters,” said Alba, a member of Ascension Parish in Overland Park. “He knew I had an art background and said, ‘You’ll be doing it this year.’” The poster features photos of all the current seminarians from the archdiocese with a background drawing depicting a very famous image — Pope Francis kissing a foot after washing it. At the top of the poster are the words: “Let yourselves be consumed by the Gospel. It is your task to hold nothing back, to go outside of yourselves in the service of the faithful and the holy people of God.” “The idea for the poster came through prayer,” explained Alba. “The quote came from Pope Francis in his address [to metropolitan archbishops receiving their palliums]. It shows what it means to be a priest. It’s about the Eucharist and the call to service. It gets us out of our
Gerard Alba, a fourth-year theology student at the University of St. Mary of the Lake - Mundelein Seminary, produced this original artwork of Pope Francis kissing a foot after washing it. The artwork graces the annual seminarian posters that are distributed to parishes every year.
comfort zone. It asks us: ‘What does it really mean to be a Christian?’ and challenges us to serve the Lord in others.” Alba says he began work on the poster during the summer months, which allowed him plenty of time. “I’d work on it for a week, then wouldn’t touch it for
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Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President: Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
another three,” Alba explained. “It went through a number of iterations. I got the input of a number of people, including Dan Morris, as I always do my best work through collaboration.” Alba explained that he began with a drawing of Pope Francis and then turned to his computer to make some finishing changes more appropriate to the poster design. After that, photos of the seminarians were added along with the verse from Pope Francis and the archdiocesan logo. “Gerard has great artistic sense and skill,” said Father
Scott Wallisch, vocations director for the archdiocese. “I have enjoyed viewing his art for the nine years that I have known him. His art seems to flow so quickly and easily from him, and it is fun to watch him work.” Father Wallisch said that at first he was a little skeptical as to whether a drawing would work on a poster combined with photos. But he was soon a fan. “Once Gerard figured out how to arrange [the photos and drawing] to make them work together, it turned out beautifully,” said Father Wallisch. “I have heard or read so many positive comments about the poster.” The posters were printed and distributed to the parishes in late September and can now be seen in most archdiocesan churches. “The point of the poster is to remind Catholics in our parishes to be praying for our seminarians,” said Father Wallisch. “It is also a way of reminding
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young men to be thinking about the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. Ultimately, it is one of our best tools in promoting a culture of vocations in the archdiocese.” “For me, drawing is a prayer,” said Alba. “I looked at it as an expression of my own prayer and a tool of evangelization. My hope is that it will inspire. “Beauty is very important to me. I think beauty is what will change our world and culture. ‘Truth doesn’t really compel us anymore, but beauty still attracts us,’ Cardinal Francis George told us seminarians.” “Gerard has a great gift from God, and I know he was excited to use that gift to further God’s glory,” concluded Father Wallisch. “It was a design idea that came from his heart and his prayer,” he added, “and I believe seminarians, discerners, and laity all will benefit from what he has created.”
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LOCAL NEWS 5
november 1, 2013 | theleaven.com
Girls on the grow American Heritage Girls offers an alternative to Girl Scouts By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com Physicist Father Robert J. Spitzer, SJ, gives an animated presentation on the existence of God at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park on Oct. 22.
Physicist makes the scientific case for God that science can disprove God. But students were more likely going to have to justify theism to their huVERLAND PARK — “You’re manities teachers rather than to their going to have to be our science teachers, predicted Father boots on the ground,” Father Spitzer. But he offered them a simple way to Robert J. Spitzer, a Jesuit do it. priest and former president of Gonza“Say to the humanities professor, ga University in Spokane, Wash., told high-school seniors gathered in the au- ‘Who says God had been disproved? ditorium at St. Thomas Aquinas High Have you disproved the Borde–Guth– Vilenkin proof?’” School here Oct. 22. Father Spitzer An expert in drew on more than the fields of apolthat to demonstrate ogetics, philosoIf you’d like to learn more about Father Robert Spitzer and hear his the existence of phy, cosmology arguments for the existence of God, God scientifically, and physics, Father visit the Magis Center of Reason and however. He spent Spitzer was intent Faith at the website at: www.magis some time helping on arming students reasonfaith.org and the Spitzer Censtudents grasp the with the knowledge ter at: www.spitzercenter.org. Borde–Guth–Vilento defend their faith kin theorem that in God — a faith he demonstrates that no matter what kind knows will be challenged often during of scientific model someone proposes their college experience. for the universe, it must have an ab“We can turn around people who solute finite beginning — a beginning have unbelief,” he said, “but we need to that points to God. get them the facts.” “The only condition that needs to be “There is a great deal of evidence met is that there must be an expandfor the existence of God and your soul,” Father Spitzer assured the Aquinas ing universe, and it must have a beginning,” he said, arguing against the posstudents, who were joined by seniors sibility of an accidental universe. from Hayden High School in Topeka. “Something transcendent and very And he said it was a “huge myth” By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com
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About Father Robert J. Spitzer, SJ
Father Robert J. Spitzer is a Jesuit priest and a recognized expert in apologetics, physics, philosophy, and theology. He has written many books and published several scholarly articles. Father Spitzer served as president of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., from 1998 to 2009 where he also taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has taught at several other universities, given hundreds of presentations across the globe, and won numerous awards and honorary doctorates. Father Spitzer is known for his debates on God and modern physics with physicists like Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, and alternative medicine physician Deepak Chopra. He has also appeared on the “Today” show and on the History Channel in “God and the Universe” and on a multiple-part PBS series, “Closer to the Truth.” He has also appeared on dozens of nationally syndicated radio programs. Most recently, Father Spitzer founded the Magis Center for Reason and Faith in Irvine, Calif., to provide resources for anyone interested in justifying theism in the face of science.
smart,” he said, “had to move [the universe] from nothing to something. “That sounds like God to me.” Father Spitzer ended his talk with a brief discussion of near-death experiences, telling students, “There is a transfigural aspect to our being.” He cited what he called some “very good, highly controlled studies” that show people who are clinically dead — even those blind from birth — can see
and hear in the near-death state. “Transfigural souls see veridical data,” he said. “Something weird is happening.” “We are not limited,” he concluded, “to our bodies alone.” After the lecture, Dr. Kathy O’Hara, superintendent of schools, dismissed students to lunch, where they had an open question-and-answer session with Father Spitzer.
Nelson-Atkins teachers enrich with their knowledge of art >> Continued from page 1 Raina Esparza and Dominic Palacio. Students were invited to take pictures of their loved ones to school to place on the altar for the Day of the Dead. “You also get to share — and other people get to share with you — the people who have been in your life,” said Janessa. Through the many colorful projects, the teachers showed students this holiday isn’t a “macabre event,” said Koch. It’s a time for memories and a celebration of lives. The Day of the Dead projects tie in with the theme Koch and Wendland chose for students to study in art this year. After exploring Asian art last school year, the teachers are now featuring North American art and artists, including local artists. Students recently visited artist Tom Corbin’s studio in Kansas City, Kan., and learned about bronze sculpture. Both Wendland and Koch work at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in
Kansas City, Mo., as teachers in the Ford Learning Center. They love sharing art with the students of Holy Name. “For us, it’s more than learning how to cut, glue and color,” said Koch. “We want to show where art fits in.” They hope the geographical theme — and even sometimes offering snacks from the regions they’re studying — can create lasting memories of a culture for the students. Janessa enjoys studying the same theme as her sister who is in first grade — but through different types of projects tailored to the different grades. The sisters talk at home about what they’re studying. “We have two great teachers, and they’re always willing to help you and teach you,” said Janessa. Emilio agreed. Learning to create skeletons for the Day of the Dead also gave the students a foundation for how to draw the human body.
From left, Holy Name seventh-graders Jordan Johns, Briana Villa-Rodriguez, and Ruthie Sleeper share a laugh while completing their Day of the Dead projects. The lessons keep him interested — especially the mystery projects. “Mrs. Wendland — when we’re making stuff — doesn’t always tell us what it is until we’re done with it,” he said.
To the kids, art presents a way to express themselves. “You know what it means, and it’s yours forever,” added Janessa. “You get to show your own unique way.”
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — These girls wear uniforms, earn proficiency badges, belong to troops, go camping and recite an oath. But they don’t sell cookies. You may not have heard of the American Heritage Girls before, but odds are you’ll be hearing more about them from now on. Three Catholic-sponsored AHG troops have been established in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and at least four more are in various stages of development. “American Heritage Girls is an approved organization to partner with our parishes,” said Deacon Dana Nearmyer, lead consultant for archdiocesan evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. “AHG is an intentional, Christ-centered youth ministry.” The AHG is a faith-based, ecumenical Christian organization for girls formed in 1995 by a group of parents in West Chester, Ohio. They were concerned about perceived deficiencies in the Girls Scouts of America, so they decided to create a program that would be fun and challenging like Girl Scouts but would reflect Christian values, too. Today, AHG has 674 troops in 48 states and seven foreign countries. Approximately 30,000 girls are members. The first AHG troop was founded in Kansas three years ago, and today there are six troops in the state. The first Catholic-sponsored AHG unit in Kansas is KS1111, sponsored by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Wichita. The first Catholic AHG troop in the archdiocese (and second Catholic AHG unit in Kansas) is KS2206, founded in December 2011, and is sponsored by Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood. “I had an opportunity to discuss American Heritage Girls with Deacon Dana Nearmyer at family camp during summer 2011,” said Kim Grandon, KS2206 troop coordinator, and mem-
From left, Malaysha Bond, Sophia Grandon, Andrea Bond and Grace Grandon participate in the Life Chain on Nov. 6 along 95th St. in Leawood. The girls, all members of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, are part of the American Heritage Girls, an alternative to the Girl Scouts. ber of Curé of Ars. “He was very encouraging,” she continued. “I then went to [pastor] Msgr. Charles McGlinn and asked for funds to charter the troop, and he was just as encouraging and gave his approval. Msgr. McGlinn even agreed to be on our board and is our charter representative.” “[AHG] is a very Christian organization, very much committed to correct moral principles in the formation of these young people,” said Msgr. McGlinn. “We have very strong adult leadership that is responsible for the success of the program,” he continued. “It is very attractive to the children, and they have a lot of fun and learn an awful lot. I think it’s been a really great asset to our parish program, and I hope other parishes will pick up on it.” Grandon has two daughters — Grace, 6, Tenderheart rank; and Sofia, 9, Explorer rank — in her troop. Currently, 36 girls belong to the troop, which meets for an hour twice a month. Grandon chose AHG because of its faith emphasis.
“I was so impressed with the fact that, in the handbooks the girls use from first to 12th grade, Scripture [passages] were everywhere,” said Grandon. “They have badges, for instance, that teach modesty in fashion,” she continued. “[AHG] has a variety of Christ-centered badges where girls can experience God in everyday life.” Stephen Davidson, a member of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka, is an Eagle Scout and has two sons in the Boy Scouts. He wanted a similar experience for his two daughters Katherine, 12, Pioneer rank; and Julia, 7, Tenderheart rank. “I believe strongly in the Scouting experience, precisely because it isn’t focused on one thing,” said Davidson, an AHG troop coordinator. “Because of it, my kids have been exposed to many different things. “[We’ve had] pretty rich experiences because of it, and I wanted for my daughters what my sons were getting through Boy Scouts.” Three years ago, Davidson enrolled his girls in the only AHG troop in To-
peka, which was sponsored by the Central Church of Christ. It had been a good experience for their family. He decided this year, however, that he’d like to have a Catholic-sponsored troop, although only his younger daughter will transfer over to the new KS0219, sponsored by Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish. Currently, the troop has 12 members, but he anticipates more will join. “I wanted an organization that made sure we recognized a duty to God,” he said. “The AHG makes it very clear that it is a Christ-centered program. My wife and I decided long ago to make sure our kids went to Catholic schools, regardless of what it took to do it. In our opinion, the same principle applies to these activities as well.” The AHG troop at Ascension Parish in Overland Park is KS3130. “We received our charter in July, had registration night in September, and held our first official meeting on Oct. 10,” said Janelle Dana, troop coordinator. Her daughter Caroline, 7, is Tenderheart rank. “We, as a parish, chose [AHG] for many reasons,” said Dana. “We liked that it was Christ-centered, with faith as a core item, not just another thing out there with an asterisk.” Although new, the troop has 50 members, with some being from neighboring parishes that do not have an AHG troop. Other parishes considering the AHG are Church of the Nativity in Leawood, Queen of the Holy Rosary in Wea, Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa and St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee. “We’ll grow,” said Dana. “We’ve had inquiries from several area parishes, so there is room for the organization to grow here and throughout the archdiocese.” Grandon agrees. “I think this is going to snowball,” she said. “I think this will become very big, because it is such a good match for the Catholic Church.” For information about American Heritage Girls, go to the website at: www.ahgonline.org.
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theleaven.com | november 1, 2013
Wathena parish shines its lights By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com
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ATHENA — It seems that parishioners of St. Joseph Church here have taken the Gospel of Matthew to heart and made their small town church a light to the world — literally. Every evening, the gathering gloom is pierced with a bright, lighted cross atop the tall, Gothic steeple that dominates this river town’s modest skyline. Indeed, the light has become a much-beloved local landmark to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The lighted cross on the 104-foot steeple can be clearly seen far down Kansas Highway 36. This summer, parishioners refurbished their cross and repaired the lighting so that it was fully lit once more. The cross dedication coincided with a celebration for retiring pastor Father Roderic Giller, OSB. A lighted cross may have always been part of St. Joseph Church, according to parishioner Bob Poirier. “It was originally built with lights,” said Poirier. “The cornerstone says 1913.” At some point over the years — memories are kind of hazy just when — the lights stopped working. Once, sometime in the 1970s, Poirier made a dangerous climb up the inside of the steeple and through a trap door (shingled over in the 1990s) to reach the cross. There he discovered that the light sockets were corroded and burned
The cross at St. Joseph Church in Wathena shines brightly again thanks to the efforts of the Knights of Columbus and generous parishioners. This summer, the cross — which had not worked in years — was repaired and reinstalled on top of the Gothic steeple. out, and the wiring deteriorated. It had antique, pointed light bulbs of an unfamiliar type, of which he saved a couple. Rather than replace everything,
Poirier made another cross with lights and simply attached it to the existing cross. How long this worked, he can’t recall. But St. Joseph has been without the lighting on its cross for some years now. The recent effort to restore the lighted cross began when Jerry and Nancy McKernan wanted to do something in memory of their son Michael, who died in 2010 in Peculiar, Mo. Because no single family could bear the cost of such a project, then-pastor Father Roderic suggested that Knights of Columbus Council 9532 take it on. “People were very generous,” said Kevin Vertin, council financial secretary. “The Knights had a pancake breakfast fundraiser, and [parishioners] spread the news through word of mouth and the newspaper. Many people gave donations in memory of someone [who died] in their families.” Catholics as well as non-Catholics contributed. The hollow copper cross is more than 3 1/2 feet wide and 5 1/2 feet tall. It was removed on May 29 with help from a bucket truck and a crane from Brooner and Associates and taken to R/S Electric in St. Joseph, Mo. They installed LED lights, which should last a long time The cross was returned to the top of the steeple on June 5, and a joint cross dedication and retirement Mass and reception for Father Roderic was held on June 22.
Audrey (Koelzer) and Tom Mueting, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 9 with a Mass and dinner with family and friends. The couple was married on Nov. 9, 1963, at Sacred Heart Church, Baileyville. Their children and their spouses are: Ronda and Dan Intfen, Rox and Mike Stec, Joe and Amy Mueting, Sherri and James Muir, Jason and Lorelle Mueting and Eric and Liz Mueting. They also have 17 grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren. William and Doris (Fox) Magerl, members of St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 10 with a family brunch at the Bristol Seafood Grill. The couple was married on Nov. 10, 1953, at Holy Trinity Church, Kansas City, Mo. Their children and their spouses are: Connie and Steve Zarda; Bobby Magerl; Suzie and Keith Irwin; Diane and Mike Tyson; and Mike and Beth Magerl. They also have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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New U.S. envoy to Vatican: Areas of agreement bigger than differences
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center here, located at 2601 Ridge Ave., will host an Advent retreat, “Prepare the Way of the Lord,” on Nov. 23. The retreat will consist of: • Registration and light breakfast from 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. • Two presentations by Father Dennis Wait • Meditation with spiritual direction • Reconciliation • Mass at 11:15 a.m., followed by lunch The cost of the retreat is $30. Contact Julie by email at: julie@sanctuaryof hope. org or call (913) 321-4673 by Nov. 19.
Hesburgh Lecture
Wednesday, Nov. 6 Kauffman Foundation Conference Center 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.
Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C
CNS photo/Paul Haring
Ken Hackett, new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, is pictured above in an interview with Francis X. Rocca of Catholic News Service at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome Oct. 24.
Sanctuary of Hope offers Advent retreat
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november 1, 2013 | theleaven.com
he Notre Dame Club of Kansas City announces Rev. Robert Dowd, C.S.C., Ph.D., professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, will speak about “Notre Dame and the Fight Against Extreme Poverty” as this year’s speaker for the Hesburgh Lecture. Dowd specializes in African politics. He will discuss Notre Dame’s efforts in the service of human development, and describe it’s new partnerships with African universities, as well as non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations in Africa. He will speak at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, in the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, Town Square Conference Room, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri (east of The Country Club Plaza in Kauffman Legacy Park, between The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and UMKC). Admission is free to the public and refreshments will be served. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.
By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service
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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Disagreements need not hinder the Vatican and the Obama administration from collaborating on a broad range of peace and justice issues, including the promotion of religious freedom, said Ken Hackett, the new U.S ambassador to the Holy See. The envoy also told Catholic News Service that Pope Francis’ stratospheric worldwide popularity promises to enhance the Vatican’s international influence, making it an even more valuable diplomatic partner for the United States. The envoy spoke to Catholic News Service Oct. 24, three days after he formally took office by presenting his credentials to the pope. Hackett said Pope Francis has emphasized a number of issues — including poverty, human trafficking, refugees, and peace in Syria and the Holy Land — that also are priorities for the Obama administration. But he recognized the existence of disagreements, including over the administration’s plan to mandate that all heath insurance plans — even those offered by most Catholic institutions — cover sterilizations and contraceptives, which are forbidden by Catholic moral teaching. The plan prompted Pope Benedict XVI and the papal nuncio to the United States to issue public warnings of a threat to Americans’ religious freedom. Hackett said the Obama administration’s position on the matter is “very well understood” in the Vatican, “but if asked, I will try to make the case as
CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano
Kenneth F. Hackett, new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, presents his credentials to Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican Oct. 21. Hackett, the retired president of Catholic Relief Services, began his role Oct. 21. thoughtfully and constructively as I can.” “We may not always agree, but I think religious freedom in the bigger sense is of paramount priority to this administration,” the ambassador said, noting U.S. efforts to defend Christians and other religious groups from persecution in countries where they are minorities. Disagreement over the insurance mandate is not likely to impede collaboration with the Vatican, Hackett said, since “there are arrangements in other countries that would be more constraining” than the Affordable Care Act.” The ambassador stressed the importance of the U.S.-Vatican diplomatic re-
lationship and said that Pope Francis, in his young pontificate, has already enhanced the Holy See’s prestige and influence. With his “attention to simplicity, humility [and] focus on the individual,” the pope is offering a “new sense of what it means to be a Christian,” which has inspired Catholics and non-Catholics around the world and garnered the church better press than it had enjoyed in at least a decade. “I believe that if we move out at the current pace and in the current style of Pope Francis, in another 24 months he is going to represent a very powerful force in the world,” Hackett said. “It will be back to the days when John Paul II was dealing with the issues in
Poland. The EU as a government will probably not be able to think about a major issue of peace or human development without [asking,] ‘Where is the Holy Father’s position on this?’” Such enhanced papal influence might tempt foreign governments to try to “instrumentalize the pope,” Hackett said. “There’s an obvious default to, ‘Well, if he can do that, why don’t you convince him to say this or that?’” he said. “That’s not going to happen.” Instead, Hackett said, his role is to show Washington and the Vatican where their views converge as a basis for common action, asking: “Where do we find the mesh here and how can we move it forward?” In 2012, Hackett retired as president of Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency. He said his 40 years there had prepared him especially well for promoting collaboration with the United States on issues of “human development.” “Since I can interact and relate to a wide variety of church people, I hope I can have the opportunity to bring all of those issues to them for discussion,” he said. “When you’re talking to Cardinal [Laurent] Monsengwo [Pasinya of Kinshasa] and you’re able to talk about peace issues in the Congo writ large, that fits right within our strategies.” The ambassador summed up his consensus-seeking approach by saying, “I think you have to focus on the positive” — an attitude he said Pope Francis encouraged at their first meeting Oct. 21. “You are a diplomat and a Catholic,” Hackett said the pope told him with a wag of his finger. “Don’t lose your sense of humor.”
The last full
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Servants of Mary celebrate martyrs’ beatification
Several of the Sisters, Servants of Mary visited the site that marks the mass grave where 800 people, including three Sisters, were lined up and shot during the Spanish Civil War.
By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com
A N S A S CITY, Kan. — When was the era of greatest Christian martyrdom? Was it during the early church era under the Roman emperors? Or during Muslim invasions and conquests of Christian lands? Perhaps during the Protestant Reformation and ensuing religious wars? Or the French Revolution? No, no, no and no. The bad news: It was — and continues — in our own lifetime. Christian martyrdom is not so long ago or so far away as we might imagine. In fact, about two-thirds of all the Christian martyrs in the two millennia of church history — roughly 45 million — have died in the 20th century, according to Italian journalist Antonio Socci. The local community of the Servants of Mary, Ministers of the Sick (Sisters, Servants of Mary) were reminded of this sobering fact when four members of their order were beatified at a Mass on Oct. 13 in Tarragona, Spain. “It was very exciting, especially to see so many Servants of Mary and so many religious communities who were celebrating the martyrdom of their own members,” said Mother Alicia Hermosillo, SM, who went to Spain. “We were united with the whole church, thanking God for the witness of our own Sisters and all the martyrs,” said Sister Laura Gonzalez, SM, who also went to Spain. The four martyred Servants of Mary were among the 522 persons — clergy, religious and lay — who were murdered during the Red Terror of the Spanish Civil War, which raged from 1936 to 1939. The acts of murder and violence committed by the leftist groups in the Republican movement were collectively known as the Red Terror. The four beatified Servants of Mary are Mother Aurelia Arambarri Fuente, 70; Sister Daria Andiarena Sagaseta, 57; Sister Aurora Lopez Gonzalez, 86; and Sister Agustina Pena Rodriguez, 36. A fifth Sister may well have shared their fate. Sister Lucia Salva, 67, disappeared while traveling on a train to meet family in Lerida on Dec. 14, 1936. Nothing has been seen or heard from her since.
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ozuelo de Alarcon was devastated during the war. Only a single pillar and the bell tower from the old church remain. A new church has since been built nearby. A plaza and city building occupy the site of the Servants of Mary convent and gardens. The bodies of three Sisters are in a mass grave of 800 people at a wall where they and the others were lined up and shot. The location of the grave of the fourth Sister is
Faith and love endure
not precise. Nine Sisters, Servants of Mary from Kansas went to the beatification Mass, and then made a pilgrimage to the sites associated with the four Sisters’ martyrdom. Some Sisters brought home stones from the wall, which still shows the pockmarks from the bullets. “We have no relics; we have nothing of them,” said Sister Catherine Bussen, SM, who saw the liturgy via the Internet while in Kansas. Sister Laura Gonzalez, SM,
said her fellow pilgrims were very moved by the fact that these Sisters were killed because they persisted in their devotion to God through the rosary. “They carried the rosary and the crucifix they received when they took their first vows,” said Sister Laura. “They hid them in their shoes and under their clothes, and prayed them whenever they could,” she continued. “Some people saw the Sisters pray the rosary, and they told the militia they were Sisters. For us, it
is very important that they loved Our Lady and the Lord very much.” The beatification of the martyrs holds great meaning for all the Servants of Mary. “The church has confirmed us in our vocation as Servants of Mary with the beatification,” said Sister Catherine. “We believe that many graces will come from this, because we have four more intercessors in heaven. They are models for us, to be faithful to our vocations as Servants of Mary.”
Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran
Above, Sisters, Servants of Mary participate in a special Mass Oct. 19 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan., honoring the four women of their religious order martyred during the Spanish Civil War. Nine of the Sisters, Servants of Mary went to Spain to witness the beatification liturgy, with those who remained in Kansas rising at 5 a.m. to watch via the Internet. Then, nearly all the Sisters worshiped at a Mass of thanksgiving on Oct. 19 at the Cathedral St. Peter in Kansas City, Kan. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist. “[T]hese four religious Sisters, their noble virtue stood in stark contrast to the brutal cruelty of their
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“The cowardice of the executioners in killing these servants of the sick is contrasted with their own bravery. They refused to deny that they were religious Sisters. Their concern was not to preserve their own lives, but the lives of the families who had given them shelter.” Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
executioners,” said the archbishop. “Their crime was praying to and believing in a loving and merciful God.” “The cowardice of the executioners in killing these servants of the sick is contrasted with their own bravery,” he continued. “They refused to deny that they were religious Sisters. Their concern was not to preserve their own lives, but the lives of the families who had given them shelter when they were expelled from their convent.”
The Red Terror arrives Pozuelo de Alarcon, just a few miles west of Madrid, was a quiet town of less than 3,000 when the Red Terror arrived. The Servants of Mary acquired a property there in 1911 with the intention of opening a novitiate, but decided instead to make it a residence for elderly and ill Sisters. Additionally, the Sisters carried out their ministry of caring for sick townspeople. It was an idyllic place, with its fresh air and views of the Sierra del Guadarrama mountains. The Sisters there were too close to Madrid, however, to not be aware of the chaos and violence spreading across the country. In 1931, they had only to face east to see the smoke from the burning churches in Madrid. Starting in 1936, the town’s Republican government grew increasingly hostile, committing various acts of violence and discrimination: banning worship and prayer, outlawing the nuns’ religious habit, forcing them to
This painting depicts the four martyred Servants of Mary killed during the Red Terror of the Spanish Civil War. The Sisters are, from left: Mother Aurelia Arambarri Fuente, Sister Daria Andiarena Sagaseta, Sister Agustina Pena Rodriguez, and Sister Aurora Lopez Gonzalez. display the red Communist banner on their convent and finally seizing the convent on Aug. 29. The Sisters were under constant surveillance and harassment by Republican soldiers. On Nov. 30, the town was bombarded so the Republican forces ordered the town evacuated. The mother superior decided the Sisters should scatter and flee, but two elderly and infirm Sisters — Mother Aurelia and Sister Aurora Lopez — could not travel. Two younger Sisters — Sister Daria Andiarena and Sister Agustina Pena — volunteered to stay and care for them. The Sisters were taken into the homes of a few, brave, remaining families who also could not travel. The Republican soldiers, however, were adamant that all evacuate. On Dec. 6, they went door to door and found everyone who stayed. Three Sisters ended up in a truck with other civilians, who were taken to the town of Aravaca, now a part of Madrid. They stopped at a hotel, where a soldier, helping Mother Aurelia out of the truck, felt the rosary she had hidden under her clothes. During questioning, the Sisters admitted who they were. “Yes, we are Sisters,” said Sister Daria Andiarena. “You can do whatever you want with us, but I beg you not to harm this family. When they saw us without a home, they took us into their own home out of charity with the permission of the committee
of Pozuelo de Alarcon.” The soldiers then separated the Sisters from the others, whom they ordered away. The next day, on Dec. 7, a member of an evacuated family, Luis Llorente, returned to Pozuelo briefly. Someone who had been in the town told him that the three Sisters had been shot at the Aravaca station on Dec. 7 by the soldiers. “I just saw three dead bodies in the station,” said the townsman to Llorente. “Yes, the three Sisters, they just finished them off.” Separated from the three other Sisters, Sister Agustina Pena had arrived at the station days earlier. The bombardment was so bad that she and others hid under a nearby bridge. Later, Sister Agustina and the others then fled to Las Rozas on Dec. 1. One of the other civilians must have informed on them, because the town committee and soldiers came looking for her on Dec. 5. Apparently, someone saw her praying. They took Sister Agustina by car in the direction of the town of Majadahonda. But after a short distance, they stopped by a bridge, took her out of the car, and killed her. The four Servants of Mary thus joined the religious and clerical martyrs of the Spanish Civil War: 13 bishops, 4,172 diocesan priests and seminarians, 2,364 monks and friars, and 283 Sisters and nuns — a total of 6,832.
A worker investigating killings during the Spanish Civil War digs amid human skeletons at a mass grave in the village of Gumiel de Izan, near Burgos, Spain. Nearly half a million Spaniards were killed in the war fought between 1936 and 1939. CNS photo/Ricardo Ordonez, Reuters
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he Spanish Civil War, waged from 1936 to 1939, is one of the most misunderstood and confusing wars of the 20th century. A combination of social, political and economic forces and trends several decades before the war laid the groundwork. Resentment of the monarchy, the army and the wealthy led to the election of a Republican and Socialist government in 1931. The Socialist/Republican government began to institute a series of fundamental changes to Spanish society, which
The Spanish Civil War
included an anti-Catholic program of secularization. The Republicans began a campaign of blame for Spain’s social problems against the church. The Republican program of secularization included forbidding priests and nuns to teach, seizing church properties and funds, banning public religious activities and expelling the Jesuit order. The fuse was lit when the Republicans began to purge their opponents from the army and conduct reprisals following assassinations and retaliatory assassinations. The army launched a coup d’état against
the Republican government. Coalitions of interests formed opposing sides. On one side were the Republican (sometimes called loyalist) forces, which included anarchists, socialists, communists, and some centrists. They were aided by Mexico (led by a similarly anti-Catholic government), the Soviet Union, France and various international labor and socialist organizations. On the other side were the Nationalist forces, which tended to include those who were monarchist, landowning, antiseparatist, anti-communist
and socialist, and pro-church. The Nationalists were aided by Nazi Germany, fascist Italy and Portugal. The war was notable for its savagery, with mass executions and other atrocities, which some historians blame on the intervention of outside forces. Both Republican and Nationalist forces committed these crimes. About half a million people died and another half a million fled the country during and after the war. General Francisco Franco led the Nationalist forces to victory and served as president of Spain from 1939 to 1975.
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Vet says time as POW deepened his faith By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic News Service
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UNDALK, Md. (CNS) — U.S. Army Air Corps Cpl. Leo Wojciechowski had just unloaded bombs targeting the Blechhammer synthetic oil refinery on the Nazi-occupied Czech-Polish border when he felt his B-24 shudder. Anti-aircraft fire had struck the nose gunner’s plane during the Aug. 7, 1944, mission, causing it to lose speed and altitude as gasoline flooded the rear of the compromised aircraft. Wojciechowski and the nine other crew members had only one option: jump. It was a fateful step that would ultimately lead to more than a year of harrowing experiences inside prisoner of war camps for Wojciechowski — and, ultimately, a deepening of his Catholic faith. In an interview with The Catholic Review, Baltimore’s archdiocesan newspaper at his home in Dundalk, he reflected on his memories of war and redemption. When he launched himself out of his plane so many decades ago, Wojciechowski hit his head — briefly getting knocked out. The then-parishioner of Holy Rosary in Fells Point awakened to discover himself floating beneath a parachute toward a large clover patch in Czechoslovakia, 400 miles inside enemy lines. “I was terrified,” said Wojciechowski, now a white-haired parishioner of Sacred Heart of Mary in Graceland Park. “I had a 45 (.45-caliber revolver) with me, and I thought that if anyone saw me with a gun, they’re going to shoot me. You are at their mercy.” The airman tossed his weapon in a ditch before an angry farmer approached him with a pitchfork and spoke in German. “He looked at my dog tags and saw that I was Catholic,” Wojciechowski told the Review a few weeks before he was honored with other POWs at the Pentagon in September. “He took my
CNS photo/Tom McCarthy Jr., Catholic Review
Leo Wojciechowski, who as a U.S. Army Air Corps corporal was shot down during a 1944 bombing mission on the Czech-Polish border, is pictured outside his Baltimore home in late August. Wojciechowski was held as a prisoner of war for more than a year. holster off and smacked me across the face with it. He said he couldn’t understand Catholics bombing Catholics.” Wojciechowski’s bombardier landed nearby and was soon standing alongside the nose gunner when two Gestapo agents appeared to interrogate them. Although Wojciechowski spoke Polish, he pretended not to understand when questioned in the language. One of the agents tied the Americans’ hands behind their backs and laid them side-by-side in a field. “He got in the Volkswagen and started driving real fast like they were going to ride over us,” Wojciechowski remembered. “I started screaming and hollering and kicking my feet, and they stopped within a foot of us.” After being jailed and sent to a Frankfurt interrogation center, Wojciechowski was transported to a prisoner of war camp in Luxembourg called Stalag Luft VI. “They were so unorganized that it was pretty rough trying to get food,” he remembered. “It was a horrible experi-
ence for about three weeks.” Wojciechowski was transferred to Stalag Luft IV in northern Poland, where he was placed on kitchen duty peeling potatoes. It was there he met a Scottish priest who had been captured after his plane was shot down while he was accompanying British airmen on a mission. The priest celebrated Mass every week for the prisoners of war and offered them support. Wojciechowski promised God he would never miss Sunday Mass if the Lord would deliver him from the enemy. He prayed the rosary and wrote to his Baltimore girlfriend Thelma (who would later become his wife of 66 years and counting), asking her to pray for him. “I was happy that Boze spared me,” said Wojciechowski, using the Polish word for God. “I guess I must have been blessed because Boze was looking out for me.” Wojciechowski spent time in Stalag Luft I in Germany, ultimately being liberated in the spring of 1945.
NFL execs give $10 million to Catholic school By Dwain Hebda Catholic News Service
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ITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) — Walking out of the Catholic High School locker rooms en route to practice, three freshmen football players turned a corner and came face to face with a whitehaired man briskly descending the stairs in a well-cut navy suit. As they stopped to let the man pass, their eyes widened in recognition of Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. “How ya doin’?” Jones said nonchalantly to the boys frozen in their places, unable to speak. It wasn’t the first audience Jones had surprised on this particular visit to Little Rock. Earlier that afternoon, before an audience of the senior class, faculty, staff, guests and a throng of local media, Jones announced a contribution in the amount of nearly $10 million was being made by the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities of Dallas, San Francisco 49ers co-chairmen and former co-owners Denise and John York and an anonymous Catholic High alumnus, in support of the school’s capital campaign. “Nobody lives a life of all highs, but
this is a high,” Jerry Jones said, his eyes welling with tears. “My family and I get to do something in the name of and for someone that we love.” That someone is the late Msgr. George Tribou, who was Catholic High School’s rector and principal for 35 years. Jones’ sons, Jerry Jr. and Stephen, and his son-in-law, Shy Anderson, graduated from the school in the 1980s and each shared a story of their encounters with Msgr. Tribou in their brief remarks. All said his impact on their lives was indelible. “He was right more times than most,” Jerry Jones Jr. said. “He stressed it was not about feeling good but being good.” Stephen and Jerry Jones Jr. were visibly emotional and struggled to maintain their composure during their remarks at the Oct. 10 event. Stephen Jones remarked, “Next to my dad, Father Tribou was like, father 1A. We love him and we miss him.” Jerry Jones, when asked if he could say one thing to his friend, who died in 2001 and for whom he served as pallbearer, replied: “I hope we’re doing a little bit to make you proud.” Members of the York family were unable to attend the event, but John York, class of 1967, said in a statement:
“This capital campaign will help ensure that the same quality education and experience I received will be passed down to more generations to come. Just being a part of the Catholic High history and tradition is an honor.” York, a Catholic High alumnus of the year, donated $500,000 for the math and science building at the high school in 1999. The Jones and York contributions match an earlier commitment from the anonymous alumnus with the three packaged as a collective gift. It is the largest donation in the school’s history and effectively meets the campaign goal just 14 months after it was announced. However, the new gift includes a matching component that, if maximized, provides an opportunity for donors to exceed its $15 million target. Any new gifts made between April 2013 and April 2016 are eligible to be matched. As Steve Straessle, Catholic High principal, summarized: “This gift gets us near the goal line, but we are not finished yet. We still have work to do to meet and exceed our goal.”
world 11
november 1, 2013 | theleaven.com
By declining case, high court allows monks to make, sell simple caskets
Though weak, people must find strength in God to avoid sin, pope says
NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — It took the U.S. Supreme Court to make the final decision. By declining to review a lower court’s ruling, the high court Oct. 15 left standing what Benedictine Abbot Justin Brown has known in his heart for the past six years: The Benedictine monks of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington are not breaking the law by handcrafting plain cypress caskets and selling them to Louisiana residents. Without comment, the court declined to hear an appeal of a ruling from earlier this year by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, giving the monks a victory in their legal wrangling with the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Homes. For many years, the monks had made the simple caskets to bury members of their religious community. They received regular requests for the caskets from people outside their community, but a decades-old state law protecting the funeral home industry required anyone selling a casket in Louisiana to be a licensed funeral home director. The monks tried to amend the law by lobbying the state Legislature, but a bill that would have allowed them to sell their caskets got out of a Senate committee only once and was voted down by the full body. That’s when the monks decided to press their case in federal court, and the nonprofit Institute for Justice in Washington, which represents entities in cases of governmental overreach, took the case on a pro-bono basis. The monks won a huge victory in 2011 when U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval ruled the state law unconstitutional, allowing the monks to sell their caskets.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Even though human beings are weak and imperfect, Christians can’t be lazy and wallow in sin, Pope Francis said. Believing in God means making a real effort to live the faith fully, not superficially, and asking the Lord for help and strength to follow him on the path of holiness, he said in his morning Mass homily Oct. 24. “We really are weak, and many times — many times — we sin, we have shortcomings,” he said during the Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, according to Vatican Radio. The tendency to sin must be accompanied by acknowledging, “’Yes, I’m a sinner, I am weak’ and always going to the Lord and telling him, ‘Lord, you have the strength, but give me faith! You can heal me!’” It won’t work if people get comfortable with having a life where “I believe in Jesus Christ, but I live as I want,” he said. “Uh no, that doesn’t sanctify you, that will not work! It’s a contradiction!” The pope said God re-creates humanity in Jesus Christ.
Ambassador, priest pay tribute to Jesuits who perished in Holocaust KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) — Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See joined Oblate Father Thomas B. Curran, president of Jesuit-run Rockhurst University here, in laying a wreath Oct. 9 at a plaque on campus that pays tribute to the more than 150 Jesuits who died at the hands of the Nazis. “It is an honor for us to be here together to pay our respect Zion Evrony to all the Jesuits who perished in the Holocaust, who sacrificed their lives to save Jews,” said Ambassador Zion Evrony. “This is a very unique opportunity to pay our respects on behalf of Israel.” The 55-by-28-inch bronze plaque, dedicated in April 2007, bears the names of 152 Jesuits, who are grouped into three categories: those who were killed, those who died in captivity or as a result of prison conditions, and those who died in concentration camps. The plaque was a gift of the late Eliot Berkley, a university regent, and his wife Marcia. The lists were compiled by Jesuit Father Vincent Lapomarda, associate professor of history at the College of the Holy Cross, a Jesuit school in Worcester, Mass. “This plaque, the memory of Dr. Berkley and the memory of all those who perished in the Shoah is a reminder that in life and in death, we belong to God,” Father Curran said. “This is the first time the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican has paid a visit to the U.S. and to come to a Jesuit university during a time when we have a Jesuit pope further strengthens our friendship,” the priest said. “This plaque is a reflection of our friendship that has endured.”
CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters
A player from a team of priests and seminarians prepares to return a ball during a cricket training session at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae’s Catholic College in Rome Oct. 22. A competitive cricket series will kick off in mid-November and be similar to the Clericus Cup soccer tournament, which involves teams of priests and seminarians studying in Rome.
Vatican comes up to bat with cricket team By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican is about to launch its own cricket club and will field a women’s squad if it finds enough players. “It may be that instead of watching players who go out to play with cricket caps on, we’re going to have a series who play with veils on as they bat up,” said John McCarthy, a former cricket player and Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See. “We are looking for Sri Lankan, Indian and Pakistani Sisters who have played cricket, and if they’re found, they certainly will be invited to join the cricket club. There is certainly no intention not to have a women’s cricket team at the Vatican,” he told reporters Oct. 15.
The New South Wales’ native came up with the idea for an official Vatican Cricket Club before he began his post at the Vatican in 2012. The idea, he said, is to field a team of international players who are priests, seminarians, religious and lay Catholics working or studying in Rome or at the Vatican. There are many seminarians in Rome who not only want to play cricket while they’re here, he said, but they also want to give the game an added ecumenical or interreligious dimension. “There are many players who are here in Rome who would like to see, for instance, the Vatican play the Church of England at cricket,” he said. Cricket, which is played in innings with a small ball and flat bat, is the national game of England. It had been introduced to the British colonies, like
the West Indies and India, and spilled over into bordering nations. Because it is so popular in such a diverse array of countries — like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa and Australia — cricket “covers many religions and ethnic groups,” the ambassador said. Cricket, therefore, can offer a unique opportunity for positive interreligious encounters with groups that are not as devoted to other sports, he said. “The Vatican could play the Hindus, the Muslims, the Sikhs and the Tamils,” he said. A Vatican interreligious tourney would generate a lot of interest with those who are “faithful to the church and people faithful to cricket in various areas of the world.” McCarthy said the Vatican Cricket Club is being established in cooperation with the Pontifical Council for Culture.
Marriage isn’t easy, but it’s beautiful, pope says By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church must help young people understand that marriage isn’t always easy, “but it is so beautiful,” Pope Francis said. “There are problems in marriage: different points of view, jealousies, arguments, but tell young couples to never let the day end without making peace. The sacrament of matrimony is renewed in this act of peace,” the pope said Oct. 25 during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Council for the Family. “This path is not easy, but it is so beautiful,” the pope said. “It’s beautiful. Tell them that.” For the Catholic Church, he said, a family isn’t simply a group of individuals, but it is a community where
people learn to love one another, share with and make sacrifices for each other and “defend life, especially of those who are more fragile and weak.” The family as a special community must “be recognized as such, especially today when so much emphasis is placed on the safeguarding of individual rights,” he said. “We must defend the rights of this community that is the family.” Defending the family also means defending the basic fact that it is a community founded on the marriage of a man and a woman, he said. “Spousal and familial love clearly reveal that the vocation of the human person is to love one other person forever and that the trials, sacrifices and crises in the life of the couple or the family are stages for growth in goodness, truth and beauty,” he said. As he has done on several occasions, Pope Francis also spoke about
the special place in the family reserved for children and for the elderly, family members who are “the most vulnerable and often the most forgotten.” “Any time a child is abandoned or an older person marginalized, it is not only an act of injustice, but marks the failure of that society,” he said. “Taking care of little ones and of the elderly is a mark of civility.” Pope Francis, departing from his prepared text, told members of the council, “When I hear the confession of a young married man or woman, and they refer to their son or daughter, I ask, ‘How many children do you have?’ and they tell me. Maybe they’re expecting another question after that, but I always ask, ‘And tell me, do you play with your children? Do you waste time with your children?’” “The free gift of a parent’s time is so important,” he said.
Advice to royal parents: Pray, talk to the prince about Jesus LONDON (CNS) — The leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion told the parents of the future British king to “make sure he knows who Jesus is.” Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury said that unless 3-month-old Prince George is united to Christ, he “can do nothing.” His comments came in an address to the child’s parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, during the Oct. 23 baptism of Prince George, the great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and the third in line to the throne. Archbishop Welby, who baptized the child, told Prince William and his wife Catherine that they had the “simple task” of teaching their son about Jesus Christ. “Speak of him, read stories about him, introduce him in prayer,” said Archbishop Welby, according to excerpts released by the Church of England to the British media Oct. 23. He said the parents must help George “to grow and flourish into the person God has created and has called him to be.”
Theory of one hominid species is compatible with faith, experts say VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A group of scientists has proposed that human beings emerged from one single evolving human species rather than branching from a tree of multiple, early ancestral species. The new hypothesis, while still disputed, fits even better with the Catholic Church’s position that humans came from one source, in that they were freely created by God, said two experts in science and faith. “Certainly, confirmation of humanity’s origin in one single lineage, just like modern humanity belonging to one species (as is proposed by the recent study), fits better with the understandings of the faith,” said Msgr. Fiorenzo Facchini, an expert paleontologist and anthropologist. Legionaries of Christ Father Rafael Pascual also said the new theory “is close to what one finds in the teaching of the church: the origins of the human being from one single ‘source.’” A new study published in Science magazine Oct. 18 said there is “direct evidence” that the many physical differences displayed by the fossil remains of early humans do not represent different species, but rather represent simple “morphological variation within and among” early hominids of the same lineage.
12 classifieds Employment Technician - Window Genie, a national service franchise located in Overland Park, is looking for a full-time window technician that will be performing primarily residential window cleaning, but also some low-level commercial. Hours are Mon. - Fri. from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Minimum starting pay of $10 per hour. Contact Matt Meade at (913) 221-9626 or send an email to: mmeade@windowgenie.com. Financial representatives - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Lawrence, Topeka and the Seneca - Sabetha 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. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview by sending an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org, by phone at (785) 408-8806 or at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612. Seeking employment - Bookkeeper/office manager with 30 years experience seeking a part-time, contract, consulting or full-time position as a bookkeeper, or a clerical position in the Johnson or Wyandotte County area. Member of Saint Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan. For a resume, contact Nancy by email at: powellna2001@yahoo.com.
Services Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902. Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837. Housecleaning - I love what I do and you can love it, too! 20-plus years experience. Excellent references. Southern JoCo area. Call (913) 548-8702. 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) 8294336. Tutoring - Available for K-12th grades and test preps available. For more information, please call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or send an email to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com. Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 4854307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry. ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri. Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, decks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning. Call (913) 526-1844. Quality craftsmanship at a reasonable price! - Wood rot and house painting. Fiber cement siding/James Hardie. Window replace or repair, decks, basements and baths. Interior and exterior painting. Call Mike at (913) 991-3955. Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.
theleaven.com | NOVEMBER 1, 2013 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. We moved! Come check out our new office in Lenexa. MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222. Rodman Lawn Care - Mowing, leaf removal, mulch and more. Call John Rodman, member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, at (913) 548-3002 or send an email to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com. Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project! Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance. Cleanup and grading services It’s time to repair your lawn. 20% discount on lawn renovations with mention of this ad. Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 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: mikehammer moving@aol.com. Lawn Mowing Spring Cleanups/Landscaping Local Parishioner Insured/References Free Estimates Call Tony (913) 620-6063 MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222.
Home Improvement Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts! Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal. Power washing, fences, decks. 30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776. Is your home ready for FALL and cooler temps? There is still plenty of time to get those leaky windows fixed or replaced. Wood rot is something we fix in every season. Schedule for winter months and save some money. 25 years experience and fully insured. You won’t find better work out there. I personally take pride in every job, no matter the size. Making your home look its best is my passion. Basements, baths, kitchens, decks, siding, windows, interior and exterior paint and doors. I am a James Hardie fiber cement siding expert. Call Mike at (913) 991-3955. 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.
Swalms Organizing Service - Reducing Clutter - Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized! Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged. For before and after photos, visit: www.swalmsorganizing. com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson county area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401. Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693. Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and tile work - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 2064524. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376
Mountain cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $95/night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www. tillmancabin.com. Pilgrimage to France with St. Thérèse - Lourdes, Paris, Lisieux, Normandy. Sept. 8 - Sept. 18, 2014. From Kansas City, $4,499. Call Father Ernie Davis at (816) 444-5406.
For rent For rent - 410 Myers Drive, Tonganoxie. $1,400 a month. 3 BR, 2.5 BA. Approximately 2,010 square feet with a finished walk-out basement. Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and a large, fenced yard. Enjoy an easy commute and a quiet neighborhood. Call (913) 232-6797. Rental wanted - Looking for small house rental or sale property preferably in the Johnson County area. Prefer 2 BR, 1 BA and fenced yard. Call (913) 345-9491.
for sale For sale - Two single, eye level, side-by-side mausoleum crypts at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. Valued at $11,400. Asking $8,200 or best offer. Contact Pam at (913) 634-8592.
Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
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.
Heating and cooling repair and replacement - Call Joe with JB Design and Service. Licensed and insured with 20 years experience. Member of Divine Mercy Parish. Call Joe at (913) 915-6887.
MISCELLANEOUS
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.
Caregiving Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary. Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.bene fitsofhome.com. Caregiving - CNA home health care specialist provides quality home comfort and care for the elderly. Available anytime. References. Affordable/seasoned/nonsmoker. Call (816) 521-1336.
vacation Branson fall colors and Christmas shows - Walk-in condo for six on golf course. Close to entertainment. Fully furnished. Nightly rental. No cleaning fee. Discount available. Call (913) 515-3044.
The Kansas Catholic College Student Convention (KCCSC) is a convention where Catholic college students from all across the state of Kansas come together for a weekend to listen to speakers, participate in eucharistic adoration, Mass, prayer, and more! Please consider giving to this faith-filled, student-based event. Checks can be made out to KCCSC, c/o Didde Catholic Campus Center, 1415 Merchant St., Emporia, KS 66801. Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation of a vehicle helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally wise way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call (866) 430-9499 or visit our website at: www.cars4 kckids.com.
wanted to buy Wanted - Old drugstore soda fountain. Apothecary and candy jars, signs, slot machines, Coca-Cola. Spool, thread, dye. Nut and bolt cabinets. Advertising clocks, small antique display case and store displays. Hunting and fishing old duck decoys and fishing lures. Autographed baseballs. Call (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269. Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware. Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.
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NOVEMBER 1, 2013 | theleaven.com
November Curé of Ars School alumni will host their 4th annual 5K and one mile fun run on Nov. 2. Registration is open on the website at: www.cureofars5k.com. All participating team members must be registered. All proceeds will help with the interior face-lift of Curé of Ars Church.
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The Catholic Education Foundation’s Gaudeamus dinner will recognize past “Angels Among Us,” the CEF school of excellence and celebrate Catholic education at the 10-year reunion of Gaudeamus at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Catholic education may be beyond the reach of many, but it is within yours. After all, it’s our children’s future! Every dollar raised funds scholarships for children in need. For more information, call (913) 647-0344 or visit the website at: www.cefks.org. Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, will host its annual craft fair from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Father Quinlan Hall, 154th and Leavenworth Rd., Basehor. Twenty-five booths will feature items ranging from dried flower arrangements to woodworking and wreaths to jewelry and Christmas crafts. The event is sponsored by the Catholic Women’s Organization of the parish and is planned to coincide with the annual craft fair at Basehor High School. For more information, contact Annie Clark at (913) 724-2212. A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 at St. Peter Parish center, 425 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan., to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The Sisters, Servants of Mary are a religious community that provides in-home nursing care for persons who are dying or terminally ill. They provide these services free of charge. The cost to attend is $6 for adults; $4 for children ages 10 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (913) 371-3423. During the breakfast, members of Mary Health of the Sick Guild will host a bake sale and a variety booth featuring Thanksgiving and Christmas items.
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St. Mary Church, St. Benedict, will host its annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Nov. 3. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. Our Lady of Unity Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a musical concert by recording artist Amanda Vernon on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kan. Vernon has appeared on EWTN’s “Life on the Rock” and has released five albums. Vernon will perform original songs from her new album “Interior Gaze,”
which was inspired by Blessed John Paul II’s theology of the body. There is no cost to attend.
at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, in Meeting Room Two. For more information, call (785) 887-6276.
Our Lady of Unity Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a smothered steak dinner on Nov. 3 from noon - 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church hall, 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kan. The cost to attend is $8 for adults; $4 for children under the age of 10.
A Taize prayer will be held Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Annunciation Chapel on the campus of the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth. For more information, visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org or call (913) 680-2342.
Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, will host its annual fall bazaar on Nov. 3. A homemade turkey and ham dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Carryout dinners are available. The cost to attend is: $8 for adults; $4 for children; free for children under the age of 3. There will also be a country store, silent auction, bingo, kids’ games, a beer garden, cakewalk, basket and jewelry booths, and much more. The St. Anthony’s Guild of Sacred Heart St. Joseph Parish will host its annual bake and craft sale from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 3 at St. Joseph’s Church basement hall, 227 SW Van Buren St., Topeka. St. Leo Church, Horton, will host its fall soup luncheon from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Nov. 3. There will be religious articles, prizes, a country store, bingo, and fun games for all ages. Holy Trinity Church, Paola, will host its fall bazaar on Nov. 3 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. There will be a turkey dinner, bingo, cakewalk, country store, and children’s games. The cost to attend is $8 for adults; $4 for children under the age of 10. Takeout dinners will be available from noon - 2:30 p.m. The cost for a takeout dinner is $9 for adults; $5 for children. Brian J. Nelson, a Catholic composer and convert to the faith, will appear on “The Journey Home” program on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. on EWTN to discuss his journey to the Catholic Church. Nelson currently works as the director of sacred liturgy and music at the St. Lawrence Campus Center in Lawrence.
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Benedictine Sister Mary Irene Nowell will lead a retreat, entitled “Pleading, Cursing, Praising: The Psalms Teach Us To Pray,” on Nov. 7 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Sophia Spirituality Center, Atchison. Sister Irene was a member of the committee on illuminations and texts for the St. John’s Bible and is past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. She is the author of many books on Scripture. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.
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Father Tom Hesse and an associate will be conducting an Emotions Anonymous meeting every Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
St. Agnes School, Roeland Park, class of 2014, will host a bingo night on Nov. 8 starting at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The cost to attend is $5 in advance; $7 at the door. Cost includes admission, five bingo cards and free popcorn. All proceeds go toward the eighth-grade graduation fund.
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Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center, Shawnee, will host an open house and blessing on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at 11644 W. 75th St., Suite 4D, Shawnee. The program begins at 9 a.m. with a blessing and ribbon-cutting with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. Tours will follow until 2 p.m. For more information, call (913) 9620200. The Marked Men for Christ ministry provides an experience and format to allow Christian men to develop a deeper and more powerful relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God. The next Marked Men for Christ weekend will be held Nov. 8 - 10 at the Tall Oaks Conference Center, Linwood. To register, visit the website at: www.markedmenforchrist.org or call Marc Williams at (913) 306-2803. Holy Family Altar Society will host its annual chili supper and turkey bingo on Nov. 9 at Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the chili supper begins at 6:15 p.m., and bingo starts at 7:30 p.m. The cost to attend is a $15 donation. For tickets, call Sandy Cannon at (913) 396-1564 or Cathy Schneider at the church office at (913) 3711561. No one under the age of 21 is admitted.
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The 11th annual Gift Gallery of Kansas City will be held Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Curé of Ars School, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The gift gallery is a shopping event that brings together more than 40 artisans and vendors selling unique and upscale items in a festive atmosphere. All proceeds are donated to local nonprofit children’s charities. The cost to attend is $3 at the door. For more information, visit the website at: www.giftgallerykc.com. St. Rose School, Garnett, will host its annual craft show and bierock sale on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vendor booths are still available.
“Encounter With God’s Call” is a campus visit to Conception Semi9-10 nary College, Conception, Mo., the weekend of Nov. 9 - 10. Men ages 16 and older are invited to go with Father Scott Wallisch to sample college seminary life. There is no cost and no pressure. For more information or to register, visit the website at: kckvocations.com. St. Benedict Parish, just west of Bendena, will host its annual turkey and dressing dinner and raffle on Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. The cost to attend is a freewill donation. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Doniphan County and come for a delicious meal.
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St. Patrick Church, Corning, will host a soup luncheon and auction on Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Corning Community Center. The November rosary rally in honor of our Lady of Fatima will be held Nov. 10 from 3 - 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 2552 Gillham Rd., Kansas City, Mo. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the website at: www. rosaryrallieskc.org. The St. Bernard Women’s Guild will present the 2013 Stitch ’n’ Stuff on Nov. 10 at St. Bernard Parish hall, 1102 8th St., Wamego. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will also be a country store, raffle, silent auction, children’s games and bingo. For more information, call Lyla Bowser at (785) 456-9768. Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host a par10-12 ish mission, featuring nationally acclaimed writer Father David Knight, author of “His Way.” He will draw his talks from his latest book, “Nuts & Bolts of Daily Spirituality.” Father Knight will speak at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10-12. All are welcome to attend. Advice and Aid Pregnancy Centers is in need of volunteers and will be offering a volunteer informational meeting on Nov. 11 from 7 - 9 p.m. at 11644 W. 75th St., Shawnee. For more information or to RSVP, contact Mary Newcomer at (913) 9620200 or send an email to: volunteer@ adviceandaid.com.
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Calendar submissions
• Due nine days prior to publication date • email: calendar@theleaven.com • Mail to: 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: calendar
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
Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing. Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas. Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com
14 commentary Scripture Readings thirty-first week of ordinary time Nov. 3 Thirty-first SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Wis 11:22 – 12:2 Ps 145: 1-2, 8-11, 13-14 2 Thes 1:11 – 2:2 Lk 19: 1-10 Nov. 4 Charles Borromeo, bishop Rom 11: 29-36 Ps 69: 30-31, 33-34 Lk 14: 12-14 Nov. 5 Tuesday Rom 12: 5-16b Ps 131: 1-3 Lk 14: 15-24 Nov. 6 Wednesday Rom 13: 8-10 Ps 112: 1-2, 4-5, 9 Lk 14: 25-33 Nov. 7 Thursday Rom 14: 7-12 Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14 Lk 15: 1-10 Nov. 8 Friday Rom 15: 14-21 Ps 98: 1-4 Lk 16: 1-8 Nov. 9 THE DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA Ez 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12 Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 1 Cor 3: 9c-11, 16-17 Jn 2: 13-22
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theleaven.com | november 1, 2013
Called to Discipleship
mark my words
It’s November; don’t forget to remember
“N
inety-nine.” Just saying the number caused both of us to go silent in the car. Last Sunday afternoon, as my mom and I were heading out to lunch after Mass, we started to talk about my dad, whose birthday falls on All Saints’ Day. Mom asked, “Hey, how old would your dad be this year?” That’s when the number 99 was uttered. After a pause, Mom said, “No, that can’t be right, because your dad was four years older than me and I’m . . .” “Ninety-five,” I finished for her. “Ejoj! (pronounced “E-Yo-E”),” we uttered as one. This Croatian phrase, popularized by my godmother, means “Holy cow!” or “Wow!” Where do the years go? Not only was it hard to believe how old my dad would have been this year. It’s more shocking still that 32 years have gone by since he died. It’s November now, a month for remembrance, especially of those who have gone before us to the other side of life. The church starts us off with All Saints’
Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. Day and All Souls’ Day. As the trees lose their leaves and the days grow ever shorter, we naturally tend to do some reflection on our own lives that are passing — where we’ve been and where we’re going. With that in mind, consider this story, told by the evangelist Billy Graham: Once Albert Einstein was on a train, heading to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped to punch his ticket. The great scientist, preoccupied with his work, with great embarrassment rummaged through his coat pockets and briefcase, but couldn’t find his ticket. The conductor said, “We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Everything
is OK.” He continued down the aisle, punching other tickets. Before moving on to the next car, he glanced back and saw Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his seat, trying to find his ticket. The conductor came back and gently said, “Dr. Einstein, please don’t worry about it. I know who you are.” At this, Einstein looked up and said, “I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!” (Adapted from “Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion,” by Craig Larson and Drew Zahn.) It’s not a bad idea as this year comes to a close to ask: Do I know where I’m going? Am I on the right track or have I gotten derailed? Remembering our deceased loved ones can help us to answer these questions. For example, I might ask: If my dad were here today, what would he think about the choices I’ve made so far in life? What would he commend me for and where would he give me tips for improvement to make the best of my remaining days? Don’t let the month of November pass without some reflection with your
deceased loved ones. As our Hispanic friends celebrate the Day of the Dead, follow their lead. Visit a cemetery where your loved ones are buried, pray there, bring flowers, weed around the grave and clean off the headstone as a sign of respect and gratitude. Schedule a time this month — in addition to Thanksgiving — just to sit down and share family memories, stories and laughs. Bring out photos, mementos or scrapbooks that tell your family history or play tapes and movies that feature family members who have died. Having a Day of the Dead, far from being depressing, can rekindle the love we shared with those who are no longer on this earth and inspire us to live our lives well, so that we can one day be with them and the Lord for all eternity. You know, while writing this, I came to the realization that my mom might be right after all about my math. If my dad really was 99 on Nov. 1, then that would make me about to turn 58 in a few weeks and . . . yeah, never mind. Ejoj!
In the beginning
Passage from Wisdom anticipates the Our Father
I
n 1952, a novel written by Pierre Boulle called “The Bridge Over the River Kwai” appeared. A bestseller, it was consequently made into a movie. It tells about a group of British POWs in Burma who are forced by their Japanese captors to build a railroad bridge over a river deep in the jungle. Against all odds and amid great hardships, they succeed in this monumental project. The POWs’ commanding officer takes particular pride in their accomplishment, even though it aims to help the enemy. That is the great paradox of the story. We tend to love the things that we have made, the works of our hands in which we have invested time and
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November 1, 2013 | theleaven.com
Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. energy. We tend to overlook their downsides. The commanding officer of the POWs who built the bridge over the River Kwai is a good example. So what if the bridge helps the Japanese to move troops and equipment? If that is true for inanimate objects, how much more does that hold true to the life that we have created in the form
Pope francis God’s love and the salvation offered in Jesus cannot be understood using intelligence alone and, in fact, trying to make it all reasonable can make one crazy, Pope Francis said. “When intelligence tries to explain a mystery, it always — always — becomes crazy,” the pope said Oct. 22 in the homily at his early morning Mass.
of our children? Parents naturally love their children and, consequently, find it easy to forgive their faults. That is the reasoning that lies behind Sunday’s first reading, Wis 11:22 – 12:2. Several times, the reading refers to the fact that God has created all things. It advances that as the reason why God loves all things: “For you love all things that are.” And loving them, God forgives them their failings: “But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things! Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe
The mystery of salvation “can only be understood on one’s knees, in contemplation,” he said, according to a report by Vatican Radio. To enter into a mystery one needs “intelligence, heart, knees, prayer — all together.” Another key to understanding the mystery of salvation, he said, is to recognize how near God is to each of his creatures and how hands-on he is. “For me, what comes to mind
in you, O Lord!” In the Old Testament, it is very rare to find the term “Father” applied to God. Even though this passage from the Book of Wisdom does not use the word “Father” in describing God, it otherwise presents us with an image of God quite compatible with that of a loving parent. It paves the way much later for Jesus to frequently use that term in referring to God. This passage also reminds us of how the qualities of mercy and love stand out whenever we call God “Father.” That is how Jesus taught us to pray in the Our Father. That is the fundamental approach we are to take toward God, as one very willing to overlook our faults and failures.
is a nurse in a hospital: She treats the patient’s wounds one by one, but with her own hands,” the pope said. “God gets involved, he enters our misery, he draws near to our wounds and he heals them with his hands.” In fact, the pope said, it was to have hands and be able to touch people that Christ became human and lived on earth, suffering and dying before rising from the dead. — CNS
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You cannot give what you do not have
t. Anthony of Egypt is the patron saint of bacon.
Technically, he is the patron saint of pigs, but bacon does not grow on trees so he has been adopted as a patron saint by bacon lovers. How he became the patron saint for pigs is amusing. St. Anthony’s intercession was known to help people with skin diseases and ailments. In more ancient times, if you didn’t ask for St. Anthony’s intercession, you were left to try alternatives like treating skin conditions with pig fat. As a result of St. Antho-
Father Andrew Strobl Father Andrew Strobl is the archdiocesan director of evangelization.
ny’s supernatural remedy having a similar effect to a natural treatment, he was often pictured in sacred art with a pig. Because of the appearance of pigs in art honoring St. Anthony of
Egypt, swineherds began to seek his intercession. It is the classic case of being associated with the company you keep. Jesus Christ spent a lot of time associating with sinners at the beach, the dinner table, the well, and the Temple. Ultimately, Jesus was accused of being a great sinner and handed over for punishment. His captors told Pontius Pilate, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you” (Jn 18:30). As a result, Jesus was crucified next to criminals. Each day, people meet us where we are at. Our families, coworkers, neighbors, and friends all encounter us
in the midst of the mess of our lives. The question we need to ask is: Are we company worth keeping? We are if we have kept company with Jesus. Pope Francis tweeted on Oct. 21 of this year: “If we are to know the Lord we must go to him. Listen to him in silence before the tabernacle and approach him in the sacraments.” Jesus has given us the privilege of being his witnesses. The world is to come to know him through us. There are no shortcuts. If we are to share Jesus with others, we must share ourselves with Christ. Prayer and the sacraments are essential points of sharing
ourselves with Christ. We must go to him. Evangelization is sabotaged when we try to give what we don’t have. We need to know the Lord if we are to share the Lord. St. Anthony of Egypt claimed: “The days are coming when men will go mad; and, when they meet a man who has kept his senses, they will rise up against him, saying, ‘You are mad, because you are not like us.’” The world should mistake us for Christ. Jesus must increase and we must decrease (cf. John 3:30). If we have kept company with Jesus, it won’t be a case of mistaken identity.
16 Local news
theleaven.com | november 1, 2013
Think pink
Photo by Meredith Thompson
Students at Xavier Elementary School in Leavenworth congratulate middle school social studies teacher and technology coordinator Cindi Thiele on her first cancer-free anniversary. The school celebrated with a dress-down (in pink) day Oct. 25.
Xavier students show support for teacher’s recovery By Martha Allen Special to The Leaven
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EAVENWORTH — The halls of Xavier Elementary School here were awash in pink on Oct. 25 as students and teachers donned pink shirts, socks, jeans and even hats to recognize and congratulate Cindi Thiele, middle school social studies teacher and technology coordinator at Xavier, on her first cancer-free anniversary. Or, in her words, her new birthday. Despite her painful battle with an aggressive form of breast cancer last year, Thiele contends that her faith and the prayers and support of family, fellow parish members and especially the staff and students at Xavier eased the stress of the grueling treatment and accompanying emotional issues. Thiele’s story is linked to relatively recent genetic testing advances. Most people who develop breast cancer, explained Thiele, do not carry the BRCA (acronym for breast cancer) gene mutation, but for those testing positive for that specific gene, the risk of developing breast or uterine cancer reaches 70 percent. In Thiele’s case, there was a strong family history of breast cancer; her older sister had breast cancer at age 34. She said that a cousin, with whom she shared a common grandmother and who had developed breast cancer, was tested in 2008 and found to be positive for the gene. As a result, Thiele and her siblings underwent the test. Four of the six brothers and sisters tested positive for it. Those with positive readings were encouraged to undergo recommended preventive courses of treatment and routine exams for the presence of cancer.
“That’s just how this school is; it holds each of us in tough times, especially when we don’t feel so tough.” Cindi Thiele, middle school social studies teacher and technology coordinator at Xavier Thiele recalled her initial reaction to her own diagnosis in 2012. “I had followed a preventive regimen since 2008 when I learned I carried the specific BRCA-1 gene, denoting a strong family history for breast cancer,” she said. “At my twice-yearly exam, the technician conducting my routine diagnostic MRI seemed to be capturing more images than usual, but I was confident she was just being overcautious because she was new to the testing. I’d convinced myself that I had beaten breast cancer, since my family members with the disease were diagnosed in their 30s, while I had reached my mid-50s cancer free. “However, once the diagnosis sank in and I learned I had a very early, but aggressive, form of cancer, I quickly accepted it and said, ‘OK. I’ve got it, so let’s take care of it,’ and we treated it as a mission to be accomplished.” Throughout the challenging treatments that followed, said Thiele, “my Catholic faith is what held me up and gave me the strength to go though the surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy. I don’t know how people can undergo all of that without faith.” She credited prayer with reducing her stress throughout the treatment and said the prayers and help of her
pastor, Father Phil Winkelbauer, and fellow parishioners at Sacred Heart-St. Casimir in Leavenworth were critical to her recovery. But during this very special Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oct. 25 was the day to celebrate Thiele’s recovery and caring relationship with her Xavier family. She recalled many ways in which the support from staff and students there contributed to her wellbeing throughout her illness. “My school family was there for me from day one. I especially credit Mandy Mrosczcak with uncomplicating my life in treatment by taking over my duties as librarian and media teacher while I was on leave the first semester of 2012. She kept the library functioning beautifully, freeing me from worry about both the library and my classes.” “The entire staff,” she continued, “welcomed me warmly anytime I visited the school building while in treatment. They even sent delicious food to me at home. “When I returned full time in January of this year — and even now — every need I have had for breaks or time off has been met with encouragement, kindness and understanding. They’ve insulated me from any pressure involving my work at school. “That’s just how this school is; it holds each of us in tough times, especially when we don’t feel so tough.” “During my treatment last October, I was even treated to a surprise rally by the students, who gifted me with cheers and notes of encouragement and hope, some of which brought me to tears as they were so touching,” she added. “I still keep them close by and reread them often. Pink T-shirts with my favorite Bible verse were a part of that rally.” Wearing the same rally shirt again at Friday’s celebration, she turned to
show the message printed on the back, “I can do all things through Christ,” along with “Love Hope Faith” on a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon on the front. The same shirt was also worn by many of the school staff Friday. “I came to teaching late,” said Thiele as she spoke about her choice to teach at Xavier, “completing my education degree from the University of Saint Mary. There never was a question about where I would teach. I knew I wanted to teach at a Catholic school to pass on our faith in the faith-based setting that only a Catholic school provides. It is most important to me.” What advice does she have for persons facing the diagnosis of breast cancer? Thiele said that along with her sister and her daughter, she studied the disease and treatment options together, relying on scientific research rather than anecdotal blogs. As a resource specialist herself and having a daughter as a chiropractic student, they were able to comb the research for information useful in communicating with her medical team. She said, too, that she chose her doctor carefully. She recommended taking advantage of the many resources of the American Cancer Society and, in her case, the St. Joseph Breast Center’s wellness program that provided nutritional counseling, exercise and selfcare services. With the treatments behind her, Thiele is determined not to let cancer define her. She contends she has come through her bout with the disease even stronger than she was in her precancer days. “I was that person who always felt I could do anything if I prayed about it and set my mind to it, and now I feel it even more,” said Thiele. “I am my old self, but even more so,” she said. “Yes, even more so.”