11 01 19 Vol. 41 No. 13

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 41, NO. 13 | NOVEMBER 1, 2019

MEET THE CONFESSOR

Father Harry Schneider (left) served as an English-language confessor at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France (below) for the month of September. Father Schneider heard confessions from four to six hours a day, on average.

Father Schneider, who has a special devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, has been to Lourdes four times: in 1988, 2008, 2010 and 2019.

Father Harry Schneider spends a month in Lourdes, France, as a volunteer confessor

BY JOE BOLLIG

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — This fall, Father Harry Schneider had the privilege of ministering at one of the greatest of Marian apparition sites: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Considering his history, it seems inevitable that he would someday go to Lourdes.

Often simply referred to as “Lourdes,” the once-obscure village near the Pyrenees Mountains has

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

PHOTO COURTESY OF FATHER HARRY SCHNEIDER

been the focus of Catholic devotion — and site of miraculous cures — for more than 150 years.

Many have a special devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, although they have never made it there. Such was the case for Rosie Schneider, the mother of Father Schneider.

“Lourdes has always been a special devotion in our family,” said Father Schneider. “My mother had a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes . . . a devotion she developed early on in her teenage years.”

Rosie had a difficult pregnancy with Father Schneider, so she petitioned Our Lady of Lourdes in prayer

to protect herself and the child.

And she was heard. She safely delivered her healthy baby boy on Feb. 11, 1948 — the 90th anniversary of the first apparition at Lourdes on Feb. 11, 1858.

So, it’s hardly surprising that Father Schneider would visit Lourdes.

In fact, Father Schneider has been to Lourdes four times: in 1988, 2008, 2010 and 2019. He celebrated his 60th birthday at Lourdes on the 150th anniversary of the apparition in 2008.

His first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1988 was a profound experience.

“I thanked Mary for my life,” he said. “[My mother] had a difficult

pregnancy, but she survived and I survived. It’s always been very special to me because of that unique experience in my life.”

On his third pilgrimage to Lourdes, Father Schneider met an American priest from Philadelphia, who told him how retired priests can volunteer to be confessors for brief periods of time in Lourdes.

Last year, knowing he was about to retire, Father Schneider contacted the shrine and applied to become a confessor. He was eagerly accepted and scheduled for September >> See “SPIRITUAL” on page 4

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

2

Adversity is an chance to witness our friendship with Jesus

O

ne of my mother’s best friends was a woman named Mar-

cella.

My mother met Marcella because of baseball.

Marcella’s husband Buck and my father played on the same semi-pro baseball team.

I remember as a young boy going with my mother and brother to Marcella’s home for dinner. Buck and Marcella had two daughters that were a few years older than my brother and me.

Almost all of our family friends during my childhood years were Catholic. Marcella was an exception.

She and Buck were members of the United Church of Christ. Her daughters belonged to Job’s Daughters, the female youth group for their church.

This always struck me as odd, because in the beginning of the Book of Job all of his children were killed when a wind storm collapsed the house in which they were partying.

However, I am confident that the group’s name came from the end of the Book of Job, where God restores to Job all that he had lost during his misfortunes, including seven new sons and three new daughters.

The text notes: “In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job.” It seemed that we usually visited Marcella

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN on Friday evening. Marcella, out of respect for our Catholic faith, always prepared a meatless meal. When I was ordained a priest, Marcella created a stole that had crosses that were made from my mother’s wedding dress.

After Buck died, Marcella continued to visit my mother. Sometimes, she would come and stay overnight at my mother’s apartment. They had their own version of senior pajama parties.

Marcella died a few years ago. It is one of the challenges of living into your 90s: Most of my mother’s contemporaries have already gone to the Lord.

A few years before her death, I thanked Marcella for her faithful friendship with my mother and our family. She shared with me that my mother’s friendship was a great gift to her. She admired my

mother’s faith.

Marcella recalled that after my father’s tragic death in December of 1948, Marcella hesitated to contact my mother.

She did not know what to say to console her.

She was afraid to enter into the sadness that my mother was experiencing.

When she finally worked up the courage to reach out to my mother, she was amazed at my mother’s attitude.

My mother asked about her and Buck and her daughters. My mother was not overly focused on her own situation, but was very interested in what was going on in Marcella’s life.

My mother was grieving my father’s death, but also filled with the Christian hope of Our Lord’s victory over death and my dad’s share in his eternal life. Her faith allowed her not to be overly preoccupied with her own sorrow and challenges, but to be aware of and interested in the lives of others.

My mother’s strength in response to my father’s

death profoundly affected Marcella’s view of Catholics. Though she never felt called to become Catholic herself, she was impressed that my mother’s Catholic faith helped her cope with adversity and embrace the challenge of being a single mother.

Marcella could see that my mother’s faith gave her the ability to find meaning and hope while coping with the grim realities of suffering and death.

God did not will or desire my father’s murder.

However, through the wisdom of our Catholic faith, my mother believed that God could use this tragedy for good. Jesus draws forth good from evil, life from death.

It is our suffering and adversity that give credibility and power to the witness of our Christian faith. In a sense, the tragedy of my father’s death gave my mother an opportunity to be an even more powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus and the beauty of life in the church.

Marcella’s sharing how the witness of my mother’s faith affected her made a strong impression upon me.

When I encounter some difficulty or adversity in my life and ministry, I am reminded that I am being given the opportunity to demonstrate in a very real way the great gift of my friendship with Jesus and being part of his church.

Like most people, I

meeting, Olathe Faithful Citizenship teleconference

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN Nov. 1 All Saints’ Day Mass — Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kansas Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison St. Martin of Tours Mass — Ascension, Overland Park Nov. 2 Serra convention — Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri 25th annual Bishop Miege Foundation Mass and dinner Nov. 3 Pastoral visit — St. Joseph, Shawnee Nov. 4 Santa Marta Members of the Corporation

attempt to avoid suffering most of the time.

However, I am so grateful for my Catholic faith that allows me to find purpose and power in those things about my life that I did not choose and do not want.

Allowing Jesus and his Holy Spirit to give

Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Mass and dinner — Church of the Nativity, Leawood Nov. 5 Priests Personnel meeting Confirmation — St. Leo in Horton and St. Ann, Hiawatha Nov. 6 Presbyteral Council meeting Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas Deo Gratias appreciation dinner — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kansas

Nov. 7 Via Christi Health annual meeting Vespers and dinner with priests ordained in the last five years Nov. 8-14 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting — Baltimore

us a capacity for hope and joy in the midst of adversity is one of the most powerful tools for evangelization.

Suffering gives a unique opportunity to witness to the power of the Gospel and the blessing of being part of the Catholic family.

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LOCAL NEWS

3

THAT FALL FEELING

Baldwin parish plays outsized role in town festival

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

B

ALDWIN — The Maple Leaf Festival here is the kind of Americana that Norman Rockwell would paint if he were still around.

The third weekend of every October, more than 30,000 visitors swell the streets of Baldwin, a town of 4,500 people, to admire the fall foliage and enjoy festivities ranging from a parade with firetrucks and marching bands to booths selling food and craft items.

The planning and preparation required for this kind of “make-orbreak-your-annual-budget” event takes months. And as the biggest and most important fundraising event of most of the town’s organizations — Annunciation Parish included — it taxes the labor and leadership of any participating group.

Father Jomon Palatty, MSFS, had no idea what he was getting into when he arrived to become pastor of Annunciation on Oct. 5, 2016 — just two weeks before the Maple Leaf Festival.

“It was my first experience — I didn’t know anything about it,” said Father Jomon. “I went around, asking the people about it. . . . Basically, [I was told] it was a city festival but [the parish] had a booth there and we’d get to talk to many people, and many would ask about our Catholic faith. All the more, we’d provide good and tasty food.”

Annunciation has about 125 families, and that first year it seemed to Father Jomon that nearly all his parishioners were involved. He was surprised how the parishioners took charge and ran their booths.

Father Jomon is pastor of both Annunciation Parish and St. Francis Parish in Lapeer, about 15 miles west of Baldwin. Some parishioners from St. Francis also volunteer to help.

Traditionally, Catholic participation in the Baldwin Maple Leaf Festival involves four things.

First, there is a baked goods booth set up on the front lawn of the rectory, across from Baker University.

Second, the parish usually has a float in the parade, sponsored by the parish religious education ministry. Next, the fourth-degree Knights of Columbus of Lawrence and Baldwin usually co-sponsor a parade float, but transportation issues this year prevented that.

The biggest and most important component, however, is the big food booth, usually staffed by parishioners just south of the intersection of High and Eighth streets, in front of the Baldwin Police Station.

The Catholic food booth is the largest and busiest booth at the festival. It is a prefabricated building with a steel frame and fiberglass panels, erected every year.

Over the years, it has withstood some intense winds and storms.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Annunciation, Baldwin, parishioner Dave Hill fills an order and takes payment at one of the booth windows.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Annunciation religious education teachers and students make a statement on the parish float during the parade.

Running the food booth is a big job — so big that it requires two “czars,” so designated by a former pastor. The czars are members of a 12-person core planning committee.

This year, the czars were Harvey Ward and Dave Kronoshek.

Ward, the “grand czar” thanks to his seven long years of leadership, said the role of a czar is to oversee everything — the setup, the supplies, the cooking, the serving and whatever crisis management might be required.

The booth has four big gas-fired grills that, at times, can barely keep up with demand. Ward estimates they sell

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

“

“IT DRAWS A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER INTO RELATIONSHIPS THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAPPEN.”

about 1,000 hamburgers, 800 pork burgers, 600 hot dogs and 600 bratwursts.

Also, on the menu, are various chips, nachos, chili soup and drinks.

It takes about 100 people to operate the booth at the two-day event.

“We have people who cook the food, wrap it, serve and sell the food at the cashier [windows], sell drinks and man tables to clean up,” said Ward. “There are just all kinds of people to manage the event each day.”

The town’s Maple Leaf Committee loves the Catholic booth for its long rows of tables and chairs. They are the only place people can sit and rest a bit

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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

after walking all over town.

Rookies couldn’t pull off something this big and complicated, but veteran volunteers make it work.

“You have to understand that the people involved with this have been doing this for a while,” said Kronoshek.

“Donita Turk, [for example], had ordered supplies for years. She has the history of what to order and the vendors. When you have all that already in place, it’s basically just executing.”

But the Annunciation food booth at the Maple Leaf Festival does more than feed people which, in turn, funds parish ministries. It is a public witness of the parish to the community and strengthens community within the parish.

“It draws a lot of people together into relationships that might not otherwise happen,” said Kronoshek. “While working, you get to know [people].”

“Having to work with people intensely for a few hours,” he concluded, “you get to know them.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

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LOCAL NEWS

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Spiritual benefits of Lourdes felt by confessors, too >> Continued from page 1 2019, because there was a shortage of English-language confessors for that month.

So, Father Schneider and Msgr.

Bernie Schmitz, a friend from the Archdiocese of Denver who also volunteered, arrived in Lourdes on Aug. 30. They ministered in Lourdes from Aug. 30 to Sept. 30.

Most of the volunteer confessors were Italian and French, with a few Spanish and German. He also met priests from Sri Lanka.

There were only five English-language priests — four Americans and one Canadian. They ministered in at least two of three shifts, but sometimes all three: 1011:30 a.m., 2:30-4 p.m., and 4-6 p.m.

Father Schneider heard confessions from four to six hours a day, on average. And the schedule was the same every day, Sundays or weekdays.

The confessors would have breakfast at 7 a.m., celebrate Mass at 9 a.m., hear confessions with a break for lunch, hear more confessions, eat dinner at 7:30 p.m. and then bedtime.

The accommodations at “Maison de Chapelains” were spartan but, this being France, the food was fantastic.

He had three days off and spent them visiting nearby villages and the Pyrenees.

One thing that impressed him was the need for people just to be heard, said Father Schneider. Another was a sense of the universal church.

“I’ve been in papal audiences and those kinds of things before with people from all over the world, but this was dealing with people personally from all over the world,” he said.

He heard confessions of people from Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, India and other places. There were also large pilgrimage groups.

“I was surprised by the number of Filipino pilgrims and groups from the Philippines,” he said. “One Irish group was 1,800 people, so I heard a lot of Irish confessions.”

There were also several individual Americans and even a pilgrimage group from the Diocese of Salina, the members of which were particularly glad to meet him.

Lourdes is famous for its healing waters, but physical cures were not mentioned by Our Lady during the 18 apparitions. Nevertheless, miraculous cures were associated with bathing in or drinking from the new spring almost from the beginning.

Father Schneider met some pilgrims, especially those returning to the shrine to give thanks, who claimed a physical healing. More often, people

Statement on Father Joseph Cramer Father Joseph Cramer, who was suspended from his ministry as pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, Gardner, in September of 2017 when financial irregularities were reported to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, entered a plea of no contest to the charge brought by the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office of one felony count of theft of property greater than $25,000 but less than $100,000. (The other two counts of unlawful use of computer fraud were dropped by the prosecutor.)

Sentencing will be in December.

CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

This stained-glass window at St. Mary Church in Manhasset, New York, depicts Mary appearing to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France.

What were the Lourdes apparitions?

T PHOTO COURTESY OF FATHER HARRY SCHNEIDER

Pilgrims light candles at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southwestern France. Lourdes is famous for its healing waters.

“

“I’VE BEEN IN PAPAL AUDIENCES AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS BEFORE WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT THIS WAS DEALING WITH PEOPLE PERSONALLY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.” talked about receiving emotional, psychological and spiritual healings.

One time a lady in a wheelchair motioned for him to come sit beside here. She told him that she’d come to

Lourdes after many years seeking a cure for serious health problems. She had not received a physical healing and was going home the next day, but was not discouraged. “[Her] main phrase that stuck with me is that she was ‘going home healed’ — being able to accept her illness in the context of faith — and she was at peace for the first time in many years,” said Father Schneider. “That’s something people mentioned a lot.”

Father Schneider didn’t go to Lourdes for a healing, but he received something, nevertheless.

“I had many deep experiences of prayer and my own relationships with Jesus and Mary,” he said. “I received a sense of affirmation. . . . I had a sense that it wasn’t just my desire to be there, but there was a reason for me to be there — for others and myself.”

November rosary rally to be held at Our Lady of Sorrows KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The November holy rosary rally in honor of Our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima will be held on Nov. 10 from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish here, located at 2552 Gillham Rd. The joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries will be prayed, followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular.

For driving instructions or to see the future dates for the Kansas City monthly holy rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosary rallieskc.org.

he 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes occurred from Feb. 11 to July 16, 1858.

The visionary was Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl from an impoverished family. She was frequently ill and a poor student, so she could barely read and write.

She, a sister and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto Massabielle outside town when she first saw an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who came to be known as Our Lady of Lourdes.

Despite considerable opposition and skepticism, Bernadette was joined by more and more people at the grotto as her apparitions continued. During the ninth apparition, she was told to drink at the spring that appeared when she dug at a place in the grotto with her hands.

That spring still flows today.

The main message of the apparitions was that people should do penance and pray for sinners. Our Lady did not promise healings or tell anyone else to wash in or drink the spring water, but when people did so, they claimed to have experienced healings.

Bernadette never returned to the grotto after the last apparition.

She left to join a religious order and died from tuberculosis on April 16, 1879, at age 35. She was canonized

by Pope Pius XI on Dec. 8, 1933.

Planned giving seminar set for Nov. 20 EMPORIA — Sacred Heart Parish here, located at 102 Exchange St., will host a planned giving seminar entitled, “Giving Transforms You,” on Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All archdiocesan parishioners are welcome.

Keynote speaker Bill Eckert, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, will talk about ways to minimize the effect of taxes and maximize your legacy.

Lunch will be served at 11:35 a.m.

For more details, go online to: www.archkck.org/emporiaseminar, or call (913) 647-0365.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

5

Deception used to advance abortion cause, says speaker

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

E

MPORIA – It was called “the most brilliant political strategy of all time.”

That’s how the late Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson, once known as “America’s abortion king,” described his “Catholic strategy” in an interview in 2009 with Terry Beatley, founder and president of Hosea Initiative.

The initiative is an organization dedicated to fulfilling the promise Beatley made to Nathanson: “to teach the deception underlying legalized abortion” until it “becomes common knowledge or until Roe v. Wade is overturned.”

Roe v. Wade is the 1973 decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States.

And Nathanson’s “Catholic Strategy” was a four-part plan to manipulate many Catholics to advance the cause of legalized abortion.

Beatley was in the archdiocese from Oct. 15-19 as part of the archdiocesan pro-life office’s Respect Life Month events. She gave a presentation at 10 different places, including three of the Catholic high schools and at parishes in Leawood and Kansas City, Kansas.

Beatley opened her presentation at Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia with the following: “I think Dr. Bernard Nathanson’s legacy, his story, is one of the most important Catholic conversion stories of all time.”

In fact, she said, Nathanson’s story is a love story — “a love story of how much God loves each and every one of us, how he woos us back to him even when we’re ‘America’s abortion king.’”

Nathanson and the late Lawrence Lader, she said, were cofounders of NARAL Pro-Choice America, known then as simply NARAL or the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws.

“NARAL was a political action organization,” she continued. “Dr. Nathanson, back in 1970, went to Planned Parenthood in New York City and begged the board of directors to join with NARAL to try and get abortion legalized in the state of New York.”

The action proved futile.

“Believe it or not, Planned Parenthood would not budge,” Beatley said.

To change Planned Parenthood’s mind, Beatley said, Nathanson and NARAL worked to frame the debate around choice.

“Americans love choice,” she said.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Terry Beatley, founder and president of Hosea Initiative, discusses “The Catholic Strategy,” a marketing and political strategy used by the late Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson to target Catholics and legalize abortion in New York and then the nation in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Beatley spoke on Oct. 19 at St. Matthew Church in Topeka and at nine other venues held across the archdiocese as part of the Respect Life Month.

“Of course, they didn’t say the choice [would be] to kill a baby in the womb.

They just said it’s a woman’s right to choose.”

A second aspect of the effort, Beatley said, involved creating cynical slogans which are still common, including, “My body. My choice” and “Abortion is a personal decision.”

Additional components of the propaganda campaign involved fabricating polling data, making up false statistics, manipulating the media to spread those lies, repeating the lies often and using the lies to justify decriminalizing abortion.

Nathanson, she explained, would say nearly a million women had illegal abortions with 5,000 to 10,000 women dying as a result of those so-called “back-alley abortions.” These lies, she said, were repeated over and over again to the media who, in turn, reported them to the public.

The real numbers, he told her, were actually a small fraction of that.

And when the public relations firm in charge of NARAL’s campaign told

Nathanson and other NARAL founders that they needed to quote polling statistics showing the American public overwhelmingly favored abortion, they happily obliged.

“Dr. Nathanson would say to the media that 60 percent of Americans wanted abortion legalized,” Beatley said.

When she asked him for the source of this statistic, he replied simply: “I pulled it out of thin air.”

The real number, she learned, was one-tenth of 1% of Americans wanted abortion on demand.

The final part of the propaganda campaign was dubbed “The Catholic Strategy.”

“The four-part plan worked like this. [First,] blame. They would blame the pope, the bishop and the local priests any time a woman died of an illegal abortion. It was all the Catholic hierarchy’s fault — all those single men.”

Second, Nathanson and NARAL deliberately elevated Catholic politicians

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in the media “as long as they were for legalized abortion.”

Third, Beatley said, the strategy included support for Catholic candidates in favor of abortion.

Finally, they developed “the Catholic straddle,” a political position most Catholics are familiar with — a position which has proven “stealthy, effective and very deadly.” That position says Catholics can remain personally opposed to abortion but allow every woman the right to choose.

Near the end of her presentation, Beatley shared part of Nathanson’s religious journey, which ultimately culminated in his baptism and reception into the Catholic faith on Dec. 8, 1996, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

“What Nathanson found in the Catholic Church,” concluded Beatley, “was forgiveness.

“Isn’t that one of the most beautiful Catholic conversion stories?”

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FAMILY LIFE

The need for our attention does not end with adulthood

By Deacon Tony Zimmerman Special to The Leaven

T

ime willingly spent with a child or grandchild is a very affirming gift.

My grandfather spent a lot of time with me growing up. He took me fishing. He took me to my first movie theater, the Electric, to see the sci-fi thriller “Mothra.”

We both got lots TOOLS FOR of laughs FAMILIES because of Growing as the terrible Disciples of special Jesus effects.

There, I discovered Sno-Caps, my favorite candy even today. I ate my first tenderloin sandwich sitting at a drive-in out on some country road.

I love to close my eyes and recall how he would tell stories with a big laugh like the singer Jerry Reed. Most of all, he laughed at all my corny jokes.

All my sisters and brothers agreed that I was his favorite grandchild.

All this was brought to mind recently when two of our grandchildren (independent of each other) asked me which

one of them was my favorite.

One even volunteered that she knew that she was the favorite but that I could tell the other grandchild he was the favorite so as not to hurt his feelings.

One of the ways that they judge that they are your favorite is the time spent with them.

We all have a hunger to know that we are deeply loved and believed in by others. The little or domestic church of the family is where we first need to feel that love.

It is an anchor for our identity. It is the place where God’s love is made real. So, how are we doing?

Sadly, a recent study by the Barna Group concluded that few young adults feel cared for. Just one in three (33%) of 18-35 year-old respondents report feeling deeply cared for or believed in by those around them.

The results are not surprising given the fast pace of life and the isolation that results from so much time spent on electronic media.

What is our best response?

It is time intentionally spent on our children and grandchildren. When they are young, it is reading stories at bedtime,

praying a blessing over each child that is followed by a hug and kiss each night. It means taking time for tea parties, playing games of catch, going fishing or having a movie night.

This need for time and at-

tention does not stop at adulthood. I remember how my wife Barbara’s mom would call each week. How affirming it was to hear her voice and laughter.

Birthday cards, text messages, Sunday dinners or just hanging out to watch a football game

Abbot Polan receives McManus Award

W

ASHINGTON, D.C. — The McManus Award, the highest honor bestowed by the nations’ liturgists, recognizes significant contributions to furthering the liturgical renewal in the United States.

This year it was presented to Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, OSB — acknowledging his more than 20 years of scholarly work on a revision of the Grail Psalms and other scriptural canticles. The newly titled “Abbey Psalms and Canticles” are now approved by the Holy See for use in the liturgy.

The award is named after Msgr. Frederick McManus (1923-2005) who served as a “peritus” (scholar) at the Second Vatican Council, as president of the Liturgical Conference, and executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy. He was instrumental in establishing the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions 50 years ago.

In 1998, Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb and Cardinal Francis George asked Abbot Polan to undertake the work of revising the 1963 Grail Psalms.

The work of translation was primarily Abbot Polan’s, but several other monks at Conception Abbey assisted, including Father Hugh Tasch, Father

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PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FERRARO FOR FDLC

Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, OSB, accepts the Frederick McManus Award from Rita Thiron, executive director of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, and Father James Bessert, FDLC board chair, on Oct. 11 at the FDLC’s 50th anniversary celebration in Chicago.

Regis Probstfield, Father Timothy Schoen, Brother Michael Marcotte, Brother David Wilding and Brother Jude Person.

Abbot Polan also consulted with biblical experts, including Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia, and Father Henry Wansbrough, OSB.

speak of their importance in our lives, even as adults.

If your children or grandchildren took the Barna survey, regardless of age, what would be the results? Spend time so that each one thinks they are your favorite!

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Liturgies draw the worshiper into the work of God

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours.

Liturgy is a common Catholic word, but what does “liturgy” mean? And what does it refer to?

Father Francis Hund, the archdiocesan minister to priests and former director of the archdiocesan liturgy office, explains to The Leaven the roots of liturgy and its uses in the Catholic Church.

Q: What is a liturgy?

“The word ‘liturgy’ means ‘the work of God’s people,’” said Father Hund. It is derived from the Greek word “leitourgia,” which means “work for the people.”

In the Catholic Church, liturgy describes all the public acts of worship that take place and draw people into the work of God. In many ways, the liturgy is the storefront of the church — it’s through the liturgy that people grow and deepen their relationship with God. This “work” the liturgy draws God’s people to is fourfold, explained Father Hund.

It draws the faithful to praise God, give him thanks, plead for his mercy and celebrate the promise of his presence.

Q: Why do we refer to the Mass as a liturgy? Are the terms interchangeable?

“Liturgy is what we do at Mass,” said Father Hund. “The Mass contains two liturgies: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.”

During the Liturgy of the

with

FATHER FRANCIS HUND Archdiocesan minister to priests

Word, it is the work of God’s people to listen, digest God’s message and allow it to permeate their lives in concrete ways.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the moment of the Mass in which the faithful give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice. It contains four actions, said Father Hund: Take, bless, break and share.

“We take the human gifts of bread and wine and God transforms them for us [through the priest] into the gift of the body and blood of Christ,” said Father Hund.

“The Mass is the height of liturgy,” he added.

Q: What other kinds of liturgies are there?

“The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the liturgy calls us to conscious and active participation,” said Father Hund. Liturgy is divine worship, the proclamation of the Gospel and active charity.

Therefore, any gathering of Christians in which Scripture is read, where there is personal prayer and/or a sacrament is celebrated is a liturgy, said Father Hund.

So, in addition to the Liturgies

Wayne and Elaine (Bergman) Theel, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Emporia, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family this past summer.

The couple was married on Nov. 8, 1969, at St. Mary Church, St. Benedict.

Their children are: Jennifer Lowe, Jason Theel, Megan Pribyl and Jessica Tiegreen. They also have five grandchildren.

Gil and Mary Ann Collins, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Oct. 23. The couple was married on Oct. 23, 1954, at St. Anthony Church, Des Moines, Iowa. They are planning a fall trip. They have one son, Gregory Collins, of Washington, D.C.

of the Word and Eucharist that take place during Mass, the celebration of each of the other six sacraments is a liturgy.

A funeral service is also a liturgy, as is the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayers every priest and member of a religious community pray daily.

Q: Does the term “liturgy” only apply to Christian services? Or do Jews and Muslims have liturgies, too?

A: Yes, Jews and Muslims have liturgies insofar as their prayer is a participation in the work of God. But the Catholic Church believes that Christians have a fuller expression of the liturgy than non-Christians. For Christians, liturgy is the work of Christ done on behalf of the people; Christians recognize in their liturgies that God became man for the salvation of the world. Because of this, Christ is the principal liturgist.

The summit of liturgy lies with the Catholic Church because there Christ is physically present in the Eucharist.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the moment of the Mass in which the faithful give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice. It contains four actions, said Father Hund: Take, bless, break and share.

St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center makes final push in capital campaign effort

M

ANHATTAN — A major fundraising effort to build a bigger church for St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center at Kansas State University here is about more than bricks and mortar.

The $12 million capital campaign will help St. Isidore’s better prepare young people to become lifelong Catholics in parishes throughout Kansas or wherever life leads them after graduation, said Father Gale Hammerschmidt, pastor of St. Isidore’s.

This Newman Center for Kansas State draws students from all four of the state’s dioceses.

The campaign has drawn strong financial support since kicking off in January, raising more than $10 million toward the $12 million goal. The campaign runs through the end of the year.

St. Isidore’s has served students well for nearly 60 years. But with a capacity of just under 400, the church has simply run out of room.

Even though St. Isidore’s offers five Masses each weekend, several

Above is a rendering of the new St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center at Kansas State University. The campaign has raised $10 million of its $12 million goal. hundred worshipers must watch the Masses on television elsewhere in the student center because the church is full.

The new church will seat 650 to 750 people, nearly double the current sanctuary’s capacity. There will also be a large gathering area that can double as overflow space.

For more campaign information or to make a gift, go online to: stisidores.com.

Veterans Day observance set for Nov. 11

L

ENEXA — The annual Veterans Day observance at the Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery here, located at 83rd and Quivira Rd., will feature a tribute by a retired military chaplain and guest remarks by a retired past garrison commander.

A patriotic musical prelude will precede the tribute on Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, retired military chaplain and pastor of Holy Family, St. John the Baptist and St. Mary-St. Anthony parishes in Kansas City, Kansas, will give the invocation and tribute. Col. Andrew Shoffner, retired past garrison commander at Fort Leavenworth, will make guest remarks.

The brief ceremony will include a flag-raising, a salute to veterans, with a 21-gun salute and playing of “Taps.”

The Veterans Memorial at Resurrection Cemetery features monuments and flags representing the five branches of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Marine.

Veterans, families and friends are invited to attend the program. For more information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 371-4040; send an email to: information@ cathcemks.org; or visit the website at: www.cathcemks.org.

Children mourn during their father’s funeral in New York City. In grief ministry, faith-based resources can be invaluable as deeper questions surface concerning purpose, faith and “Where is God in this?”

THE MOURNING AFTER

Parishes can help the bereaved find their way back from loss

By Maureen Pratt Catholic News Service

N

o two people grieve in the same way, but there is common ground when it comes to the aftermath of the loss of a loved one: Life goes on. Pain lingers. Somehow, those two realities must be reconciled.

Although counseling can be helpful for this tough process, faith-based resources can be invaluable as deeper questions surface concerning purpose, faith and “Where is God in this?”

And today’s parishes have several options to help those who mourn unpack what their experience means to them and find a

way to move forward.

Diana Wheatley volunteered as her parish bereavement minister for two years, attending each funeral, providing copies of books and pamphlets on mourning, and following up for a year afterward with family members.

There were challenges in being the “one” bereavement minister at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles.

“I encountered situations where parishioners thought that I would help in planning the funeral or would arrange for the dying to receive the sacrament of the sick,” Wheatley said. “And the one-person approach was somewhat overwhelming with nearly 24 deaths of parishioners’ loved ones in an 18-month period!”

But, there are blessings to the ministry.

“I have learned how much need there is among people to feel their parish cares about them,” said Wheatley, “and I have been very humbled and edified by how much my efforts were appreciated.”

Another Southern California parish, St. Monica Community, hosts an 11-week bereavement program three times a year. Open to people of all faiths, the program is based on “The New Day Journal” by Mauryeen O’Brien and combines helping participants understand how they feel with a process of discerning how they are going to move forward.

“We address what people need to work through,” said

Christine Gerety, associate director of the outreach and pastoral care department, “to create a new connection with the deceased loved one and a new life for themselves.”

Two organizationally based programs provide parishes with other options for helping parishioners cope with grief.

Good Mourning Ministry (www.goodmourningministry. net) was founded by John and Sandy O’Shaughnessy in 2011.

No strangers to personal loss, Sandy’s late husband died of cancer the year after her mother was killed in a car accident, and John’s late wife died the same year as Sandy’s mother.

In the aftermath, both were drawn to helping others handle

A woman spends a quiet moment near th sin. Many parishes name the deceased a community, with its power of faith and ho their losses and were working for the same, Christian-based grief organization when they met and married.

About a year later, the O’Shaughnessys attended a Catholic program on grief that emphasized hope. During eucharistic adoration, John said, “I

The church provides services to help healing

By Father Herb Weber Catholic News Service

W

CNS PHOTO/CARLO ALLEGRI, REUTERS

hen my friend Tom lost his wife to cancer, he grieved more than anyone I had known. Along with a few close friends, I tried to reach out to him. Some days, he was open to our offers; other times, he buried himself in his work.

For many people, the process of dealing with grief due to the loss of a loved one will be among the hardest tasks they ever face.

Sadly, some make it even harder by not acknowledging the need to process grief. The pain is so great they avoid dealing with it.

Often, people assume the pain will pass quickly and something is wrong with them if it doesn’t. Equally dismaying is that people may think they are unique in their grief and have to deal with it alone.

Churches often are very helpful in offering grief assistance.

Many parishes have support groups or other types of programs. What I have found best for parishes is threefold.

First, it can be church representatives who help people first begin the grief process. Under the guise of planning the funeral liturgy, I spend time with family members talking about the recently deceased.

Certainly, we use the session for choosing Scripture readings for the Mass or looking at musical choices. More important, however, I try to have family members tell me about the one who has died.

As a long-term pastor, I know many parishioners and have some personal experience of their family relationships.

Whether that is true or not, however, people want to tell me about the person they knew

CNS PHOTO/SAM LUCERO, THE COMPASS

he graves of her husband and son at Allouez Catholic Cemetery in Allouez, Wisconat All Souls’ Day Masses. Grief work is hard but must be tended to. The local church ope, must be both the first and the ongoing agent in helping people deal with a loss. remember the words that came over me were: ‘Catholic bereavement organization.’”

The O’Shaughnessys put together a workbook and held their first workshop in October 2011. Now, through weekend and five-week styled programs, parishes can offer Good Mourning

programs led by the couple or with local volunteers and an accompanying DVD. Central to the design of the program is “mourning,” as contrasted with “grief.”

John said, “In grief, we feel angry, sad. But mourning is what we do with how we feel. It’s

CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

Minister of consolation Mary Curran lights the paschal candle prior to a funeral Mass at St. William the Abbot Church in Seaford, New York, in 2015.

Just as everyone grieves differently, the new reality after loss will be different, too. But the blessing is in the common ground of faith and the help extended by parish families who understand. and loved. I allow them to talk, often directing them to go a little deeper than simple phrases like “everyone loved him/her.”

This initial process is step one of grief ministry from a parish.

The second step may be taken for granted but should not be.

That is the funeral liturgy itself.

The Catholic funeral Mass, with its rituals and symbols, is the most powerful form of funeral ceremony I have experienced.

our intentional response. That’s what makes our ministry unique — we spend most of our time on what people can do with their grief, the bridge that leads them on to a new and different life.”

Various activities within the program include traditions and prayers of the Catholic Church, discussion and sharing.

Sandy said, “The Catholic Church is rich in so many things: our great cloud of witnesses — angels and saints — and [eucharistic] adoration, laying all our struggles at his feet. Also, grief needs an outlet, a voice. When you’ve lost a loved one, you take on a whole language, the language of loss.”

Any program that addresses mourning will not take away the pain. But, said John, “Our goal is to create a paradigm shift where others become disciples of hope.

We call it ‘redemptive mourning.’”

Beyond physical death, other types of loss can be difficult to navigate, too. Beginning Experience International Ministry Inc. is a Catholic-based program designed to help individuals cope with the loss of their marriages for a variety of reasons, including incarceration, death, and di-

Although a stand-alone Scripture service provides the opportunity for shared insights, it does not have the power of the Eucharist to bring people through the death-resurrection experience.

No matter where someone is in dealing with the grief when that person enters the funeral Mass, he or she is likely to come out somewhere else in the grief process because of the Mass.

That assumes that the liturgy is

vorce or separation.

“When you say, ‘till death do us part,’ you think, ‘this is it.’ When that becomes not what is the case, it’s extraordinarily unsettling,” said Yvonne Stoops, executive director of Beginning Experience (beginningexperience.org).

Stoops had been divorced for eight years when she attended a Beginning Experience weekend.

“I realized I wasn’t doing well,” said Stoops. “On the first weekend, I learned that what I had been experiencing all those years was grief. I didn’t know divorced people grieve.”

Approaching her loss through the prism of grief enabled Stoops to understand why she wasn’t thriving, and find renewed faith.

“I think I was living a life of resignation,” said Stoops.

Through Beginning Experience, “the Holy Spirit was able to reach me, welcome me back.”

Just as everyone grieves differently, the new reality after loss will be different, too. But the blessing is in the common ground of faith and the help extended by parish families who understand.

carefully planned and that the homilist does his homework to personalize his words as he also offers the hope of the faith.

Like most priests, I have presided at funerals of the aged and the young, those who died slowly and the ones whose deaths came quickly, people admired and successful as well as those who lived and died in the shadows. The unique distinctiveness of each death is comparable to the uniqueness of each person’s life.

At the same time, there is commonality in expressing God’s love and mercy, the church’s concern for survivors and the promise of an eternal life offered everyone. The Catholic liturgy must maintain focus on both the individuality and the universality of the dying and rising experience.

Then, there is a third aspect of grief ministry that parishes can and need to offer: ongoing outreach to those affected. As mentioned above, there can be support groups or personal follow-up.

There should also be church-initiated rituals and memorial opportunities. Many parishes name the deceased at All Souls’ Day Masses. Some have special rituals for couples who have lost infants or have experienced miscarriage. Often, parishes send out cards at various times to express their prayers at times like anniversaries of death.

Grief work is hard but must be tended to. The local church community, with its power of faith and hope, must be both the first and the ongoing agent in helping people deal with a loss.

Father Herb Weber is founding pastor of St. John XXIII Church in Perrysburg, Ohio. His weekly podcast can be found at 23.church.

Where to get help BEGINNING EXPERIENCE A weekend retreat for those who have lost a spouse through death or divorce. For more information, contact Lynn Schulte at (785) 2828964 or Teresa Gutierrez at (816) 529-9002.

For additional resources on healing or to find a weekend in another city, go online to: www.beginningexperience.org.

PROJECT CHRYSALIS A prayer group for parents who have lost children. Contact Ken Billinger by email at: kbillinger@archkck.org.

IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE This is a support group for those suffering the loss of children before or shortly after birth.

Groups run as needed. Go online to: archkck.org/miscarriage for more information.

COUNSELING If people want/need counseling for grief, find someone online on the archdiocese’s Catholic counselor list at: www.archkck. org/catholic-counselors.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

AMAZON SYNOD

10

New ministries can serve evangelization in Amazon

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — To proclaim the Gospel message of hope, the Catholic Church in the Amazon must open new paths of evangelization in the region, including by instituting new ministries for laymen and women, the Synod of Bishops said.

The final document of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon looked at ways the church can increase its ministry in the region, including by ordaining married men. But at the heart of the document was the need to bring the good news to the Amazon, a mission that includes safeguarding the indigenous people, cultures and land that are under constant threat of annihilation.

“The Amazon rainforest is a ‘biological heart’ for the increasingly threatened earth,” said the final document, released Oct. 26 after synod members voted on it.

The Amazon, members said, is on “a rampant race to death. It is scientifically proven that the disappearance of the Amazon biome will have a catastrophic impact on the planet as a whole!”

The synod brought together 185 voting members — cardinals, bishops, 20 priests and one religious brother — and 80 experts and observers to discuss “new paths for the church and for an integral ecology.”

All 120 paragraphs in the final document garnered the necessary twothirds approval needed for passage.

The Vatican said 181 synod members were present, so each paragraph needed 120 votes to pass.

The focus of the synod’s final document was the call for the church to further its mission in proclaiming the Good News by uniting itself more to the people of the Amazon who, for decades, have suffered the consequences of humankind’s greed.

At the synod, “We discovered that the mighty waters of the Spirit, similar to those of the Amazon River, which periodically overflow, lead us to this overflowing life that God offers us to share in the announcement of the Gospel,” the document said.

The document underscores the crucial role of Amazonian ecosystems in regulating the global climate and as an important source of fresh water that “connects ecosystems, cultures and the development of the territory.”

The Amazon faces environmental threats that make it “a wounded and deformed beauty, a place of suffering and violence,” the bishops wrote. Violence against nature, in the form of rampant extraction of resources, unsustainable development and climate change, also have “serious social consequences.”

To bring greater awareness and responsibility to the universal church, the synod document proposed a definition of ecological sin as an act of commission or omission against God, against one’s neighbor, the community and the environment.”

The document also proposed the creation of “special ministries for the care of our ‘common home’” that would promote ways of caring for the environment “at the parish level.”

The synod called on all Christians to show their awareness of the value of God’s creation by countering the current “culture of excessive consumption” through recycling, reducing their

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis attends the final session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 26. Also pictured are Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, left, and Cardinal Claudio Hummes, relator general of the synod.

People attend the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon celebrated by Pope Francis at the Vatican Oct. 27.

use of fossil fuels and plastic, as well as by reducing their consumption of meat and fish.

In proposing new pathways of ecological conversion, synod members stressed the importance of integral ecology, in which safeguarding nature and ensuring justice for “the most impoverished and disadvantaged on earth” are “intrinsically united.”

“The future of the Amazon is in the hands of us all, but it depends mainly on our immediately abandoning the current model that is destroying the forest, not bringing well-being and endangering this immense natural treasure and its guardians,” the document said.

The discussions that took place in the synod, the document said, also offered bishops an opportunity to reflect “on how to structure the local churches” in order to address the needs of a “church with an Amazonian face.”

Among those ways are new ministries and roles for the laity, including “in consultation or decision-making in the life and mission of the church.”

To increase the church’s presence in areas that lack priests, the document proposed that bishops entrust “the exercise of the pastoral care of the communities to a person not invested” with the priesthood for “a specific period of time.”

However, “the priest, with the power and faculty of the parish priest, is always responsible for the community,” the document said.

Synod members asked for further discussion on the idea of women deacons, but approved several paragraphs

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

in the document insisting that their role in leading Catholic communities be recognized and that “the voice of women can be heard, they are consulted and participate in decision-making” in the church.

The final document also emphasized the importance of the Eucharist as “the source and summit of all Christian life.” However, it acknowledged that a lack of priests means Catholics in the Amazon have only sporadic access to the Eucharist, reconciliation and anointing of the sick.

While highlighting the gift of celibacy in the Catholic Church and the need for celibate priests in the region, the document proposed the ordination of “suitable and esteemed men of the community, who have had a fruitful permanent diaconate and receive an adequate formation for the priesthood, having a legitimately constituted and stable family.”

Although the paragraph regarding the proposal for ordaining married men was approved, it received the least amount of support among those who voted, with 128 in favor and 41 opposed.

The final document also spoke of the

“elaboration of an Amazonian rite,” as several synod members had proposed.

The bishops voted to ask for a special post-synodal commission of bishops to be tasked with studying the idea.

Citing the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church document, “Lumen Gentium,” the final document said that the proposed rite would express “the liturgical, theological, disciplinary and spiritual patrimony of the Amazon” in a way similar to the Eastern Catholic churches.

However, in his address following the vote on the final document Oct. 26, the pope reminded synod members that the creation of an Amazonian rite “is within the competence of the Congregation for Divine Worship and can be done according to the appropriate criteria.”

After the votes were cast, Pope Francis told synod participants that he hoped to publish a post-synodal exhortation “before the end of the year so that not too much time has passed.”

“A word from the pope about what he has lived in the synod may do some good,” the pope said. “It all depends on how much time I have to think.”

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

Many faiths sign declaration against euthanasia

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V CNS PHOTO/VATICAN SECRET ARCHIVES

Books are pictured in a cabinet in the Vatican Apostolic Archives. Pope Leo XIII founded the Vatican School of Paleography, Diplomatics and Archive Administration in 1884, just a few years after he opened the archives to the world’s scholars.

Vatican Secret Archives no longer ‘secret’

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Citing the negative misinterpretations that the word “secret” implies, Pope Francis has changed the name of the Vatican Secret Archives to the Vatican Apostolic Archives.

In a decree, issued “motu proprio,” on the pope’s own initiative, and published by the Vatican Oct. 28, the pope said that semantic changes over the centuries have caused the meaning of the Latin word for “secret” to “be misunderstood” and “to be colored with ambiguous, even negative nuances.”

“Having lost the true meaning

of the term ‘secretum’ and instinctively associating its value to the concept expressed by the modern word ‘secret’ in some areas and environments, even those of a certain cultural importance, this term has taken on the prejudicial meaning of [something] hidden, not to be revealed and reserved for a few,” the pope said.

The “Archivum Secretum Vaticanum” was founded by Pope Paul V in 1612. The term “secret” was commonly used in the 17th century as something that is “private, separate, reserved,” the pope explained.

While the archives always have been the pope’s private collection, they have been open to scholars conducting research since 1881.

The pope explained that since

the archives’ founding, “the Roman pontiffs have always reserved solicitude and care because of the huge and important documentary heritage that it preserves [and] that is so precious for the Catholic Church as well as for universal culture.”

Far from being something hidden away, he added, the vast historical archives and cultural patrimony were always meant to be shared.

Pope Francis said that the change to the archives’ name will not change its “identity, structure and mission,” which always has served “as an indispensable instrument of the Petrine ministry.”

“The church,” he said, “is not afraid of history, but rather loves it and wants to love it more and better, as God loves it!”

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Representatives from the Catholic and Orthodox churches and the Muslim and Jewish faiths signed a joint declaration at the Vatican reaffirming each religion’s clear opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

They also encouraged promoting palliative care so that dying patients could receive the best, most comprehensive physical, emotional, social, religious and spiritual care and appropriate support for their families, according to the joint statement.

Pope Francis met Oct. 28 with the signatories, who presented him with a copy of the declaration they signed a few hours earlier at a Vatican ceremony. The signatories included representatives from the Vatican, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Russia, Muslim and Jewish scholars and leaders.

The declaration, titled, “Position paper of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions on matters concerning the end of life,” was prepared by the Pontifical Academy for Life and released Oct. 28.

Because of wide debate and discussion in society concerning end-of-life issues and policies, the aim of the joint statement was to clearly present the positions of the monotheistic faiths concerning “the values and practices relevant to the dying patient,” their families, health-care providers and policy makers who belong to one of these religions, it said.

The faith leaders, it said, share “common goals and are in complete agreement in their approach to end-oflife situations,”

Vatican’s U.N. rep pushes for world action to eliminate nuclear weapons

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NITED NATIONS (CNS) — Expressing concern that arms control treaties are “abrogated and flouted,” the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations called on global leaders to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

In a series of addresses to two U.N. committees, Archbishop Bernardito Auza said nations must step up to prevent a new nuclear arms race from emerging and work to reduce growing threats to peace.

“Member states should spare no effort to reverse the current downward spiral of arms control and disarmament policies and dedicate themselves to elaborating new mechanisms of arms reduction leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons and general and complete disarmament,” Archbishop Auza told the committee Oct. 22.

The permanent observer’s concerns focused on the human consequences of nuclear war and urged all nations to ratify and implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

CNS PHOTO/SHEN SHI, REUTERS

A Dongfeng-41 intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles group formation is seen Oct. 1, 2019, during the 70th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations, called on global leaders to work to rid the world of nuclear weapons in a series of addresses in October. passed by the U.N. in 2017.

The treaty emerged from member states frustrated with the slow pace of nuclear disarmament. While 122

nations approved the treaty and only Netherlands opposed it, 69 countries did not vote, including all of the states possessing nuclear weapons and those

under the nuclear umbrella.

Archbishop Auza noted that the Holy See had ratified other arms control pacts, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, calling them “vital pieces in the nuclear disarmament architecture.”

“To realize the full promise of these instruments, we must work tirelessly to restore dialogue and to fight the trust-deficits, which unfortunately characterize the current situation of disarmament, as well as in the building of our common and collective security,” he said.

In an Oct. 24 address, the archbishop urged ratification of the test-ban treaty by all countries so that it can come into force.

Archbishop Auza cited the words of Pope Francis in explaining that the pontiff has raised moral questions about the possession and potential use of nuclear weapons throughout his pontificate.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

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Administrative assistant - Looking for something new? Use your administrative skills to help a developmental optometrist change people’s lives. The hours are: T/W/TH from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; summer hours vary.

No health benefits. Need to know basic bookkeeping skills. Background needed in Work, Excel and QuickBooks. Customer service and medical office experience helpful. Send resume to: Dr. Beth Bazin, 13600 Washington, Kansas City, MO 64145 or send via email to: bbazin@visiondevelop.com.

Office manager - Sophia Spirituality Center, a ministry of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, is seeking to hire an office manager to provide general administrative support to the staff and exemplary customer service to guests who come for retreats. Grounded in the rich monastic tradition of prayer and hospitality, Sophia Center welcomes men and women of all faiths who are searching for God, peace and for meaning in their lives through offerings that foster spiritual and personal growth. The ideal candidate will be steeped in Benedictine values; responsible; detail-oriented; have excellent verbal and written skills; and be available most Friday nights and Saturdays. Experience with the unique environment of Catholic ministry is a plus. If interested, email sophia@ mountosb.org for details on the application process.

Deadline for applications is Nov. 5.

Service technicians - Established company is growing their business and looking for enthusiastic and detail-oriented service technicians. This position involves small equipment servicing at corporate customers; electrical knowledge a plus. Position involves lifting and walking as well as regional travel; dependable transportation is a must. The qualified candidates would have demonstrated dependability, trustworthiness and customer service abilities. If interested, send resume to: yourcareer101@gmail.com.

Medical social worker, hospice - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas has an immediate opening for a medical social worker, hospice. This role will successfully promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as guided by the Catholic social teachings. The medical social worker is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services and for adherence to all conditions in the service or employment agreement. For more information or to apply, visit: catholiccharitiesks.org.

Enrollment manager – Resurrection Catholic School is seeking a part-time enrollment manager for the 201920 school year. This individual must be fluent in both English and Spanish. The ideal candidate is organized, a self-starter, has strong written and verbal communication skills, feels comfortable initiating and maintaining conversation with others, and has experience with Microsoft Office and Google Suite. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. Marketing and sales experience are an asset.

Interested applicants should send a resume to principal Lynda Higgins at: lhiggins@rcskck.org.

Community assistants - L’Arche Heartland of Overland Park serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in day program support services and in residential services. We are seeking assistants who are looking for a unique opportunity in a faith-based organization. We are in immediate need of day service assistants to work in our day program serving 30 adults.

We have a recycling program and community activities.

Our core members participate in distributing for Meals on Wheels and Rise Against Hunger. They also attend community events such as the library, movies, bowling and going to parks. We also have a need for live-in and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.

Career opportunity – Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri metro areas, St. Joseph, Mo., and Maryville, Mo. This is ideal for a determined, high energy, high expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual, who desires to serve others yet earn a better than average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families, and will provide excellent benefits and training. This is a full-time position. For more information or an interview, please contact John A. Mahon, General Agent, 1275 S.W. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612; call (855) 3564849; or email: mahonagencymail2@kofc.org.

Executive administrative assistant - The School of Faith Institute is seeking to hire an executive administrative assistant to serve as a critical part of its team. The ideal candidate must be able to collaborate with others; be self-directed with little supervision; possess good problem solving skills, time management and communication skills; be able to use a computer effectively and be willing to learn programs specific to performing the tasks for the position; and must see oneself and act as a team member responsible for the whole of the mission of School of Faith and its activity. For a detailed job description or to apply, contact Dan Heiman with Cornerstone Kansas City at (913) 341-7655 or send an email to: danh@cornerstone-kc.com.

Clincal hospice director - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas has an immediate opening for a clinical hospice director. This role will successfully promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as guided by the Catholic social teachings. The clinical director is responsible for the implementation, delivery, coordination and supervision of hospice services provided consistent with Catholic Community Hospice’s policies and procedures. For more information or to apply, visit: catholiccharitiesks.org.

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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.

Quality work - Kitchens, bathrooms, painting and home repairs. Nothing too big or too small. Insured. Call Jimmy at (913) 206-4524.

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

Drivers - Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans.

Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: Assisted Transportation.com. EEO.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176

Volunteers - Do you want to have more meaning in your life, do something that is satisfying and of great service to your community? Become a volunteer at Saint John Hospital. “We Pop with Appreciation” — Volunteers needed for the popcorn ministry. For more information, call (913) 596-4195.

Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patio’s) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!!

Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913)927-4118.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Affordable home remodeling: Kitchens, baths, basements and room additions.

All interior and exterior work.

Honest, dependable, experienced and family owned.

Licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

(913) 927-5240 or nelsport@everestkc.net

SERVICES Interior painting Update your ceilings and walls with a fresh coat of paint.

Cracks repaired with no mess!

Serving the Leaven readers for over 25 years.

Call Jerry anytime at (913) 206-1144.

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

Loving marital mediation - Retired Catholic lawyer and certified mediator will mediate your marriage to MEND IT - NOT END IT. Mary Ellen Rose. (913) 381-6400.

8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered.

Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks! http://8toyouridealweight.com/coach/kathi/ Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors Platinum Amarr dealer, Elite Home Advisor top rating.

Call Joe, mention The Leaven discount.

A Total Door (913) 236-6440.

Medicare supplements - Advantage plans and Part D. You have options. Let me help you find the best plan or rate for you. Local, licensed, independent and experienced Medicare adviser. Holy Cross parishioner. Contact Rhonda at (913) 579-3349.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits.

Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemacedisability.com.

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Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

CAREGIVING Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

Caregiver - Part-time help needed for mornings from 6 - 9 p.m. and evenings from 5 - 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in the Prairie Village area. Private-care case. Call (913) 6021289.

Caregiver - Caregiving and/or sitter. Call (913) 701- 6381.

Just like family - Let me care for your loved one in your home. Many years’ experience. Looking for night shift coverage, some days. Great price, great references. Have experience with hospice care. Call Ophelia at (913) 579-7276.

PILGRIMAGE Holy Land pilgrimage - Join our Holy Land pilgrimage, led

by Father Brian Frain, SJ, Thomas More Center for Catholic Thought and Culture director, and Father Thomas Curran, SJ, Rockhurst University president, June 12 - 22, 2020. For more information, email Mary Beth Cary at: mary.cary@ rockhurst.edu, or call her at (816) 501- 4140.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Two spaces at Resurrection Cemetery in Mausoleum, St. John Corridor. Reasonable rate. Call (913) 894-2448.

For sale - Two plots at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in section 11, lot 37, spaces 7-A and 8-A. Current value is $2,185 per space.

Selling price is $1,150 per space or $2,000 for both. Flat markers only; buyer pays transfer fee. Call (913) 908-7252 or email: paulgilsr@msn.com.

For sale - One plot at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in section 1E, lot 29, space 3. Current value is $2,400. Selling price is $1,250.

Flat marker only; buyer pays transfer fee. Call (913) 9087252 or email: paulgilsr@msn.com.

For sale - Two spaces at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden in pretty area in the Garden of Everlasting Life. $2000 per space or best offer. Seller to pay transfer fee. Call (719) 6338292.

REAL ESTATE CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http://www.buykcproperty.com WE SELL HOMES - Looking to sell? This is a seller’s market.

Call for a free consultation detailing the steps to selling your home. Ask about our 39-day sales guarantee. Mention this ad for a special offer. Call Jim Blaufuss, Re/Max Realty Suburban, at (913) 226-7442. Jimblau fuss@remax.net.

Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it?

We buy it all at once in as-is condition.

Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com.

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

WANTED TO BUY

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

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.

Popcorn ceiling removal - Renew your ceiling and walls with a fresh coat of paint. Replace drywall or plaster repaired with no mess!! 25 years’ experience. Call Jerry anytime: (913) 206-1144.

Wanted to buy - Old cars or hot rods. Uncompleted project cars in any condition, with or without titles. Cash buyer. Call (913) 980-3559.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR Holy Angels Parish (Father Quinlan Hall) 15438 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A wide variety of crafts will be available in 25 booths. There will be items such as dried flower arrangements, woodworking, wreaths, jewelry and Christmas crafts.

The event is planned to coincide with the annual crafts fair at Basehor High School.

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

HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW AND BIEROCK SALE St. Rose School 530 E. 4th Ave., Garnett Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Vendors will feature both handmade and commercial items, and the school support group will be selling frozen bierocks, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and will have hot bierock lunches available during the day.

MATER DEI FALL BAZAAR Mater Dei Parish and School 934 S.W. Clay St., Topeka Nov. 2 and 3

On Nov. 2 at 4 p.m., there will be a Market Place which will include homemade arts and crafts, a silent auction, book nook, homemade baked goods and a food concession stand until 8:30 p.m. There will also be activities in the school parking lot. On Nov. 3, a traditional turkey dinner will be served in the school for the cost of $10 for adults and $4 for kids 4 - 12. There will also be a Homemade Market, silent auction, book nook, raffles and many other goods and activities.

TURKEY DINNER Annunciation Parish Cigna Center 402 N. Maple, Frankfort Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The cost for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under. Takeout meals will be available (and delivery in Frankfort) by calling (785) 292-4462 the day of the dinner, or by calling the parish office during morning hours (M-F) at (785) 292-4462. There will also be a country store, various food items, crafts and other handwork items and a pot-of-gold.

TURKEY AND TRIMMING DINNER St. Benedict Parish 676 St. Benedict Rd., Rural Bendena Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

There will be a raffle for a quilt created by parishioner Marie Lamb, cash and other items. Carryout orders will be available at the parish house garage.

SMOTHERED STEAK DINNER St. John Parish (hall) 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 3 from 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

There will be smothered steak, mashed potatoes and sides for the cost of $8 for adults and $4 for kids 10 and under. Takeout is available. The event is hosted by the St. John the Evangelist Altar Society.

FALL BAZAAR Holy Trinity Parish 501 E. Chippewa St., Paola Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

There will be a turkey dinner with dressing, sides and dessert for the cost of $10 for adults; $5 for kids 5 - 10. Takeout is $11 for adults; $6 for kids. There will also be a raffle, games and a country store.

TEXAS HOLD’ EM POKER TOURNAMENT Knights of Columbus Hall 11221 Johnson Dr. Shawnee Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

The proceeds from the tournament benefit Villa St. Francis, Olathe. Registration begins

at 5:30 p.m. and poker begins at 6:30 p.m.

To register, go online to: vsfpoker.com. The $45 paid in advance includes $500 in extra chips; $50 at the door. A taco bar is included with registration. For more information, call Michelle at (913) 485-4416 or send an email to: mcarlstedt@villasf.org. Must be 21 to play.

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

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

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE Precious Blood Center 2140 St. Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri Nov. 8 - 10

Beginning Experience is offering a healing weekend away for men and women of all ages who have suffered the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation. This is a time to heal and a time to begin anew. Reservations are required. For more information, visit the website at: www.beginningexperiencekc.org or call Laura at (308) 530-1873.

BEV VYHANEK FALL LUNCHEON AND CARD PARTY St. Ann Parish 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Play bridge, canasta, dominoes, mahjong or board games. Your $20 reservation covers a lovely lunch, wine, dessert table, and door and table prizes. To reserve a table, call Martha Houts at (913) 642-5927 or send an email to: marthamary519@gmail.com.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT/TACO BINGO Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park Nov. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a taco dinner hosted by Rudy’s Tenampa Taqueria. The cost for dinner tickets is: $6 in advance; $8 the night of the event; $4 for kids 4 - 10; and free for kids 3 and under. Free child care will be provided.

There will also be a raffle, and all games will have prizes. For more information, call Holy Cross School at (913) 381-7408.

ST. TERESA CIRCLE FRIENDSHIP TEA Holy Cross Parish 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m.

There will be a brunch and a speaker, Sister Diane Steele, president of the University of Saint Mary. Sister Diane will speak on how faith, family and friends guided her on her life’s journey. To purchase tickets, $12 each, call Donna at (913) 402-6843 or send an email to: donnamheit@gmail.com.

OPEN HOUSE St. James Academy 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa Nov. 9 from 9 - 11:30 a.m.

See the campus, experience the community and learn about its many academic achievements.

BINGO NIGHT Sacred Heart Parish 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus will host bingo for cash prizes. Concessions will be sold. For more information, call (913) 850-3348.

POLKA DANCE Shawnee Knights of Columbus Hall 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The cost to attend is $10. Music will be provided by The Brian McCarty Band, along with special guest Joey Miskulin. Miskulin is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and is a three-time Grammy Award winner. Beer can be purchased or BYOB; setups provided along with snacks. There will also be Polish sausage, sauerkraut and chips available for purchase. Proceeds go to the priest and seminarians fund. Call Dan Nicks at (913) 406-8717 for table reservations of six or more.

CHILI SUPPER AND TURKEY BINGO Holy Family Parish (Mejak Hall) 513 Ohio Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.

The cost of $15 includes a chili supper, desserts, cold beverages and one bingo card.

There will be three blackout games for money prizes. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted. For tickets, call Sandy Cannon at (913) 396-1564 or Cathy Schneider at (913) 371-1561 or send an email to: csandysangels@aol.com.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. Mary Parish 9208 Main St., St. Benedict Nov. 10 from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage, along with orange juice, water and coffee will be served. The suggested donation is a freewill offering.

BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS Divine Mercy Parish Christian Formation Center 555 W. Main St., Gardner Nov. 10 from 7:30 - 10 a.m.

Join the fun and fellowship and enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and all the fixings for the cost of $6 for adults; $3 for kids 6 - 12; kids 5 and under eat for free.

POTLUCK HOLIDAY LUNCHEON Most Pure Heart of Mary (Formation Room) 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka Nov. 10 from 1 - 3 p.m.

The Christian widow and widowers organization will host the potluck dinner. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 233-7350.

BREAKFAST Sacred Heart Parish 106 Exchange St., Emporia Nov. 10 from 8 - 11 a.m.

The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake breakfast. The suggested donation is a freewill offering.

AN EVENING OF BAROQUE MUSIC The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 416 W. 12 St., Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

The program consists of music composed

by J.S. Bach and Buxtehude. Musicians are members of The Cathedral Schola, conducted by Dr. Mario Pearson; Father Paul Turner on harpsichord; and musicians of the Kansas City Symphony. For more information, send an email to: mpearson@kcgolddome.org or call (816) 842-0416.

MAKE, BAKE, SHARE BREAD Marillac Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This retreat of breadmaking as a prayer experience will be hosted by three Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. There will be time for reflection and prayer during the kneading and rising, shaping and baking of dough, culminating with the invitation to be “Eucharist” for one another. The day will conclude with a simple lunch of bread and soup.

A freewill offering will be accepted for the program. Register by emailing: retreats@ scls.org or call (913) 758-6552.

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PITCH TOURNAMENT Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (hall) 27 Cottonwood St., Emporia Nov. 16 from 7 - 9 p.m.

The gameplay is standard 10-point pitch rules, and individuals will rotate between different partners each round for a collective personal score for each hand. Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places as well as door prizes. Refreshments will be provided. Proceeds help support Sacred Heart’s youth group. For more information and rules, see SHoJ Pitch Tournament on its Facebook page.

‘UNIVERSALITY’ Church of the Nativity (Magi Room) 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood Nov. 16 at 9:15 a.m.

Come reflect on the topic of “Universality” in the tradition of Salesian spirituality with the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales after the 8:15 a.m. Mass. All materials are provided and coffee, and light refreshments will be served. To attend, contact Ruth Owens at: rowens4853@gmail.com. For more information, visit the website at: www.sfds association.org.

USM FALL LUNCHEON Grand Street Cafe 4740 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Missouri Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.

The KC Alumni Council of the University of Saint Mary invites alumni, family and friends to its fall luncheon honoring Sister Susan Rieke, professor emerita of language and literature. The cost is $35 per person; additional contributions benefit student scholarships.

RSVP to Maxine Mitchell Staggs at: maxine staggs@gmail.com or call (816) 304-3268.

SYMPTO-THERMAL METHOD OF NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING Johnson County Central Resource Library (Conference Room 1) 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park Nov. 18 at 6:45 p.m.

A $35 fee is charged for this introductory class and may also be applied toward the cost of a complete NFP class series offered by the Couple to Couple League. To preregister for the class, as required, send an email to Alison and Allen Greenlief at: aagreen lief@gmail.com.

TAKE-A-LOOK THURSDAY Holy Spirit School 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park Nov. 21 from 9 - 11 a.m.

Join us for information, tours of the school and refreshments. Choose a learning environment that is welcoming and Christcentered. For more information, call Anita Pauls at (913) 492-2582 or send an email to: apauls@hscatholic.org.

ADVENT RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Nov. 22 - 24

The retreat will begin Friday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m. and end on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:30 p.m. Take time to prepare for the coming of Our Lord on this Advent retreat. There will be conferences, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. There are cabins/courtyard rooms: $170 single/$150 couple or single guest rooms for $80. To attend, send an email to: info@christspeace. com or call (913) 773-8255.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION RETREAT Conception Abbey Guest Center 37174 State Hwy. VV, Conception, MO Nov. 22 - 24

Experience the intimacy, joy and peace of being reconciled with God. For more information or to register, call (660) 944-2809 or go online to: guests@conception.edu.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY 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, 36 Lk 14: 12-14 Nov. 5 Tuesday Rom 12: 5-16b Ps 131: 1b-3 Lk 14: 15-24 Nov. 6 Wednesday Rom 13: 8-10 Ps 112: 1b-2, 4-5, 9 Lk 14: 25-33 Nov. 7 Thursday Rom 14: 7-12 Ps 27: 1bcde, 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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14

November helps us to name but a few

I

stopped counting at 54 . . . and keep finding more and more as I go through my mom’s prayer books, purses, coat pockets and billfolds.

I’m talking about those holy cards that are handed out at Catholic wakes and funerals.

Mom’s stack of them just keeps growing. No wonder she spent so much time praying.

Let me digress for a moment with this little story: Some folks recently joined a new church.

They were soon assigned to a small faith-sharing group in the congregation under the care of one of the church leaders. They were excited about their new membership and really wanted to feel as though they were a part of the church community.

The church, in an attempt to communicate its caring attitude toward new members, sent a letter that did everything but. It began: “Dear _______________, “We want you to know that we’re concerned about you!”

(Found in “Illustrations

MARK MY WORDS

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

Unlimited,” edited by James S. Hewett.)

As far as the personal touch goes, this church failed miserably. Not only does a computer-generated letter feel cold, but the mistake of leaving a blank space where the new parishioners’ names should have been made the words feel hollow.

Names are important — not only in life, but in death. That’s why hearing of a pauper’s grave or a mass grave tears at our hearts. It’s a comfort to go to a cemetery and

see the names of our loved ones inscribed on the stone.

Several years ago, Michael Podrebarac, the consultant for the archdiocesan liturgy and sacramental life office, wrote a column about a woman who was dying.

She made him promise that he’d take one of her memorial cards and pray for her regularly — by name — after she died. Michael suggested that this was a great practice for November, when the church asks us to remember our beloved dead.

Inheriting my mom’s collection of memorial cards has opened up a whole new avenue of prayer for me. One of the oldest cards she had was from 1948 for

someone that I didn’t know. Among Mom’s cards are former pastors and priests from my home parish; nuns who taught at the parish school; fellow parishioners and neighbors; many, many friends; and, of course, her siblings and assorted relatives.

The card that was the most beat up was my Grandma Theresa Modrcin’s, my mom’s mom. She died in 1972.

The card was disintegrating from Mom saying the prayer on the back, so someone laminated it to prevent further damage.

The names on those little cards trigger so many memories. It’s humbling to see the birth and death dates and to realize how long ago some people entered into eternal life.

It’s also enlightening to discover that people that I thought were “really old” when they died were actually quite young!

As I handle these cards and remember the person who died, I say the prayer that’s found there. Some have the Memorare; others, Psalm

23; still others, the Serenity Prayer.

A few have the Prayer of St. Francis; a couple have an Irish blessing; and some, a poem like “Two Smiling Eyes,” “God Saw,” or “Two Mothers Remembered.”

A prayer that appears on many begins: “O gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the soul of (here I put in the name of the person on the card).”

I’ve found this an excellent way to keep this person alive in my heart and to thank God for their influence on me.

If you have some memorial cards, pull them out during this month and pray — by name — for those who have died.

If you don’t have any, find some old family photos and let them jog your memory of who has gone before you “marked with the sign of faith.”

And as we name these deceased relatives and friends, let’s pray that we’ll always answer, both in life and death, to the name we hold in common: Christian.

The Incarnation bridges gap between Creator and created

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stronomers estimate that the observable universe extends 46.5 billion light years from one end to the other.

And who knows what lies beyond, if anything?

It is hard to imagine.

Despite its huge size, Sunday’s first reading — Wis 11:22 – 12:2 — points out that the universe is as nothing, compared to its Creator.

By contrasting the vastness of the universe with its Creator, the Book of Wisdom seeks to impress us with God’s greatness: “Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.”

The drop of morning

IN THE BEGINNING

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

dew not only is tiny, it is also short-lived.

Its fleeting existence contrasts with God’s eternity. God is without

beginning or end.

Despite the huge difference between the Creator and creation, God still loves us: “For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.”

This affirmation of God’s love for creation builds upon the observation that God repeatedly

POPE FRANCIS Resolving the global crises of world hunger and malnutrition demands a shift away from a distorted approach to food and toward healthier lifestyles and just economic practices, Pope Francis said.

“We are, in fact, witnessing how food is ceasing to be a means of subsistence and turning into an avenue of personal destruction,” he said in his message to Qu Dongyu, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to mark World Food Day Oct. 16.

World Food Day marks the date the FAO was founded

made during the act of creation: “God saw how good it was” (Gn 1:10).

Each time that God created something, God commented on how good it was.

God’s love for creation naturally leads to mercy, to forgiveness for our imperfection and faults: “But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls.”

When God corrects us, it is not out of vengeance or a desire to punish but, rather, to lead us to improvement: “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 in you, O Lord!”

The author of the Book of Wisdom, probably a

Jewish scholar living in Alexandria Egypt, writes only about 50 years before the birth of Christ.

It may well have been the last book of the Old Testament to be written.

His emphasis upon God’s love is a fitting preparation for the imminent coming of the Messiah: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16).

The mystery of the Incarnation bridges the huge gap between the Creator and creation that the Book of Wisdom points to. The Creator of the universe is born as a helpless infant in Bethlehem.

Jesus Christ brings us God’s love.

And that is the greatest wisdom of all.

in 1945 to address the causes of world hunger. Pope Francis said he hoped the world day theme of 2019 — “Our actions are our future: Healthy diets for a #ZeroHunger World” — will be a reminder of how many people continue to eat in an unhealthy way.

“It is a cruel, unjust and paradoxical reality that, today, there is food for everyone, and yet not everyone has access to it, and that in some areas of the world food is wasted, discarded and consumed in excess, or destined for other purposes than nutrition,” he said.

“To escape from this spiral, we need to promote ‘economic institutions and social initiatives which can give the poor regular access to basic resources,’” he added, citing his encyclical, “Laudato Si’.”

— CNS

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

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Utilize Our Lord’s twinning tactics to implement your Enflame commission

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esus shares, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing” (Lk 12:49).

Recently, Archbishop Naumann gathered with over 1,500 firestarters to discern how Catholics can enkindle this blaze in northeast Kansas at the Enflame convocation.

One of the key themes was to “Enflame our Communities” with the love of God by caring for people through works of mercy, both on an individual and collective level.

This theme ties in with another of the archbishop’s goals: to get every archdiocesan

DO UNTO OTHERS

BILL SCHOLL Bill Scholl is the archdiocesan consultant for social justice. You can email him at: socialjustice@ archkck.org.

parish twinning with another parish to collaborate on projects of mercy

and support by Advent 2020.

It is a smart approach for our parishes to engage the world two by two, just as Jesus sent out his disciples.

At the Enflame convocation, parish delegates asked: We know our world needs the fire

of God’s love, but how do we bring this love to others?

The answer proposed is to bring the love of God to our friends, family and community by “Enflaming Our Hearts, Our Homes and Our Communities” with a “prayer, share, care” approach. Christianity starts and spreads by friendship, because love is how the invisible God is made visible (1 Jn 4:12).

It is for this reason that Jesus sent his 72 disciples “out two by two” (Mk 6:7).

Twinning up, especially with those who are different from us, cultivates a sort of spiritual disposition that

equips and empowers us to engage others.

This twinning tactic not only works for individuals, but for individual congregations as well.

As Catholic disciples, we are living in an exciting time here in northeast Kansas.

We are painfully aware of institutional sins and mistakes that defame the holy name of Jesus.

We know that Jesus is calling us to heal the hurt through new approaches to sharing our timeless faith.

One of these new approaches is for each of our parishes to twin with another to make manifest the love of God through projects of

mercy and support.

The office for social justice is here to accompany your parish by giving clarity on the twinning goal and tools for discernment.

In the coming months, we will be reaching out to hear and share about the good things happening in parishes that have already twinned and to offer training and resources for parishes getting ready to twin.

Please contact my office with questions or to schedule an orientation for your parish leadership.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Support for your marriage and family against the stresses of the holidays

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hanksgiving is just 28 days away. Soon thereafter begins the busyness and stress of the holidays.

We as Catholics try to keep a proper order to things by holding back the commercial rush with a prayerful preparation by a journey through the Advent season. Try as we might, this can still be a stressful time for families.

It becomes important to prepare for this time by getting away to focus on our marriages so that we are aware of each other’s feelings, hopes and dreams with the holiday season and the new year on the horizon.

FAMILY MATTERS

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

• Consider making the Worldwide Marriage

PANKEY FOUNDATION REPAIR

Encounter weekend held at Savior Pastoral Center on Nov. 15-17. This enrichment gives you the chance to take the treasure of your marriage out of the rush of everyday life, polish it up and behold its beauty.

You can learn a communication tool to take

home to help you stay close during the holiday season and find a new way to share its joys. Go online to: www.wwme4youand me.org.

• Take advantage of the School of Love Date Night on Nov. 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Couples of all ages from all over Kansas City come together at the Classic Cup (cellar) on the Plaza for a happy hour with complimentary appetizers and a brief talk on faith, marriage and family. Then, you go and finish your date together alone to share about what you heard.

• Consider another School of Love event known as Face to Face.

This is another free

monthly event for the whole family. You start your night with family eucharistic adoration, silence (relative silence!), Scripture and a brief talk followed by live praise music.

Then afterwards, a food truck is there to help you finish your night with a family dinner where you can hang out and have conversation together!

(Eucharistic adoration is free; dinner from the food truck is up to you.)

It is open to all ages and parishes on Nov. 14 from 6-7 p.m. at the old stone chapel at Holy Trinity in Lenexa. For more information, go online to: schooloflovekc.com As you look forward to 2020, be sure to

reserve Sunday, Feb. 9, for the World Marriage Day Mass, which will be celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at 11:45 a.m. at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

The following weekend (Valentine’s Day weekend) a “Living in Love” retreat will be offered at Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, on Feb. 15-16.

Come see why over 900 couples have chosen this enrichment to increase the love and joy in their marriage.

These events will give you the opportunity to open your hearts so that the Holy Spirit can enflame our hearts, homes and community.

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

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NOVEMBER 1, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Dancers from the Miller Marley School of Dance show off their fancy footwork at the Viviano Variety Show.

From left, Bobbie Brown, Pat Duncan, Cindy Orzel and Kimi Ruder of 4’s Company take the stage at a local variety show.

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Dan Carney, right, one of the producers of the Viviano Variety Show, does a comedy act with his brother Don.

Family show morphs to charity fundraiser

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — What began 35 years ago in a duplex living room has grown to be a traditional beginning of the holiday season for many families here: the Viviano Variety Show.

The live show has singing, dancing, comedy, an incredible juggler, Elvis (alive, not dead!), and that iconic singer from Steubenville, Ohio — Dean Martin (played by Jerry Viviano).

The Bishop Miege High School Choir will be there, too.

And there will be an Italian food buffet and drinks.

“It’s crystal clean and wholesome,” said Viviano.

“You can take the whole family to this show.”

This year’s show will be held Nov. 23 at the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. for dinner and drinks, followed by live music at 6 p.m. and then the show at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, and $35 for reserved seats. All proceeds raised from ticket sales benefit the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas.

“In fiscal year 2019, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas provided services to our neighbors in need more than one and a half million times,” said Viviano. “That’s through 20 different programs.

“So, when people ask, ‘Why do you give to Catholic Charities?’ that’s a big part of it.

They get right to the needy people.”

The show has come a long way.

Viviano was only trying to have a bit of pre-holiday fun in the early 1980s when he invited a few friends from his softball team and the parish over to his home for food and drink.

“We’d have a little party at my house, and then I’d get up and do a number,” said Viviano.

It was something that came naturally. Viviano and other family members used to sing on the street corners of his

Jerry Viviano does his take on Dean Martin. The Viviano Variety Show, which started out as family affair, has morphed into a major fundraiser for Catholic Charities.

Tony Viviano does his best Tony Bennett impersonation. This year’s Viviano Variety Show will be held at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 23. native St. Louis while they were growing up.

Viviano moved to Overland Park and began hosting parties in his own home.

After a couple of years, people wouldn’t ask, “When is the party,” but “When are you going to have the show?”

Viviano received what he said was “divine inspiration” to expand the show and turn it into a fundraising event for a worthy cause.

His pastor, Father Anthony Lickteig, promoted it from the pulpit and lent him the parish hall.

The first show in Overland Park’s Holy Cross Parish hall was in 1985, and it has only gotten bigger and better ever since. It was moved to the Rose Theater in 1990.

The show has always been a family affair. His daughter Katherine began performing

when she was 4 years old.

She won’t be there this year, however. A recent graduate with a musical theater degree, she’s going to debut in “Beauty and the Beast” at the Paramount Theater in Chicago.

His brother Joe Viviano, who died more than a year ago, used to impersonate Frank Sinatra.

Jerry Viviano himself has impersonated several entertainers in the shows: Frank Sinatra, Neil Sedaka, Paul Anka, Elvis Presley and Dean Martin. He’s sticking with Martin.

It takes a boatload of volunteers to put on the show — that’s about 30 performers, 30 food service workers, a cleanup crew of about 20, and some 12 production hands and 12 ushers.

Volunteer No. 1 for most of the show’s run has been, of course, Viviano’s wife Megan.

Dan Carney is the “incredible” producer, he said, and Patrick Komlofske is “a godsend” as food service director.

For tickets call Theresa at (913) 433-2068, or go online to: catholiccharitiesks.org/ viviano.