Day care is a godsend for Miege, St. Agnes employees
STORY BY TOM RACUNAS | PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER
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ROELAND PARK — The quaint Craftsman-style house here has a quintessential picket fence around the side yard. Inside, five toddlers, ages 12 months to 3 years, are fast asleep for their afternoon nap.
Three infants (ages 6 to 12 months) are bright-eyed and all smiles as they are engaged with and cuddled by Amy and Katie, their two attentive caregivers.
The children are enrolled at Little Stags and Rams Daycare, a new
service that is a collaboration between Bishop Miege High School and St. Agnes School, both in Roeland Park. Phil Baniewicz, Miege’s president, said he was approached last year by two teachers about the possibility of starting a day care for Miege staff.
He decided to explore the idea because, he said, “Over the years, we have seen great Catholic educators who come to a point where they have to step out of Catholic education because they have to pay so much for day care. We always want to keep good quality educators. This is a very pro-life thing.
Let’s support our parents who are great educators by taking care of their kids.”
St. Agnes is both a feeder school to and just down the block from Bishop Miege. Surmising that there might be staff there who also needed child care, he approached the administration with the idea.
“They were quickly on board,” he said.
So, how to start? They knew that St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park had been providing a day care service for some time, so organizers contacted Aquinas staff for ideas
and guidance. The Little Saints Child Care Center at St. Thomas Aquinas was launched in 1998. Starting as a part-time teacher, Jennifer Toy has worked at the center for 17 years and is now the full-time director and one of four staff. The center, a large renovated classroom, is licensed by the state of Kansas as a day-school program. The program can serve 10 toddlers and 14 preschool children. The center is always at capacity. The Miege campus was surveyed for
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Huck Hurlbert (right) and Isaac Holzum play together as Little Stags and Rams Daycare provider Katie Young looks on. Huck’s mom, Mallory Hurlbert, is the Learning Resource Director at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park. Isaac’s mom, Ellen Holzum, teaches second
at St Agnes School in Roeland Park.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Stephanie Holmes, director of Little Stags and Rams Daycare, holds Jack Leavens as she watches Addie Huppe and Isaac Holzum play. Little Stags and Rams is licensed as an in-home child care program. It can serve a maximum of nine children, ages 6 months to 4 years.
Abortion conversion stories invite us to open our hearts to God
Jesus came to save, not to condemn.
Thus, his church is about conversion, not about condemnation. The following are a few conversion stories of medical doctors and other abortion industry personnel who left their jobs of killing innocent preborn children to experience the joy and peace of living the “Gospel of Life.”
In 1975, Dr. Beverly McMillan opened the first abortion clinic in the state of Mississippi. McMillan had interned at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, where she nightly cared for patients suffering from serious infections resulting from a botched abortion. This experience disposed her to perform abortions when she began her medical practice.
One day, while reassembling the body parts of a baby she had just aborted to make certain that nothing remained in the mother’s uterus that could cause infection, McMillan began to marvel at the beauty of the baby’s arm. This caused a scientific insight that coincided with a spiritual awakening. It was impossible for her to deny the humanity of the babies that she was aborting. In a short time, she stopped doing abortions and simultaneously began to practice her Christian faith again. Later, she discovered that a group of Christian women had been praying for her conversion for several months.
Dr. Bernard Nathanson was one of the founders of the National Abortion Rights Action League. He was a leader in the efforts to legalize abortion in the United States. Nathanson presided over 60,000 abortions. Nathanson, while ethnically Jewish, identified as an atheist. Nathanson helped to formulate what abortion advocates termed the “Catholic strategy.” The plan was to divide Catholic laity, especially Catholic women, from their bishops and the Catholic Church’s clear teaching on the evil of abortion and the sanctity of human life.
In the 1980s, Nathanson took a sabbatical
ARCHBISHOP
JOSEPH F. NAUMANN
from his medical practice in order to study more thoroughly fetology, the study of unborn human life. His scientific studies convinced him of the humanity of the unborn child. Nathanson stopped performing abortions and became an outspoken pro-life advocate. Eventually, inspired in part by the witness of Mother Teresa, Nathanson became Catholic.
Dr. Noreen Johnson began performing abortions while completing her medical training as a California hospital resident. A friend and neighbor who was also a hospital resident encouraged her to supplement her income by performing abortions. With the burden of her medical school debt, she began performing abortions as a way to make a lot of easy money. Johnson introduced her future husband, Dr. Haywood Robinson, to the financial benefits of moonlighting as an abortionist at local clinics.
Before their marriage, Noreen told Haywood that she did not want to have children. Much to her surprise, she became pregnant shortly after their marriage. She informed Haywood that she intended to abort their child. Noreen approached her neighbor friend, who had introduced her to the medical world of abortion, requesting that he abort her child.
She was stunned by his response. He said: “There’s no way I’m doing an abortion for you. It’s one thing when I do one as a service for women who come into the clinics. That’s just business. I know nothing about their personal lives or their reasons for
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS
wanting an abortion, and I don’t want to. But this — this would be personal. This would be my good friend’s baby. I don’t get the reason you don’t want to keep it. This baby has everything going for it. You’re married. You’re both doctors, so money isn’t a problem, and you can provide whatever this baby needs. No. I won’t do it. I love you. I don’t want to do anything to harm you.”
Noreen had never heard her friend talk about abortion in this way. His reaction made her pause and reverse her decision. As it turned out, Haywood did not want their baby aborted. Fortunately, Noreen gave birth. She is forever grateful that she did not kill her child.
A couple years later, Haywood and Noreen both had profound religious conversions. During their Christian conversions, they realized the need to repent for all the abortions that they had performed. They both became strong pro-life advocates. Haywood is the director for medical affairs and education for Forty Days for Life.
Perhaps the most well-known convert from abortion-provider to pro-life advocate is Abby Johnson. Johnson began volunteering for Planned Parenthood when she was a student at Texas A&M in College Station. She eventually began working for Planned Parenthood, counseling women to have abortions. She became the Planned Parenthood clinic director in Bryan, Texas, and in 2008 was named Planned Parenthood employee of the year.
Johnson began to question the motives of Planned Parenthood because of the pressure they placed on clinics to increase the number of abortions.
It confused her. If Planned Parenthood was truly about choice for women, why did they appear to push abortion over other possible options?
The final straw for Johnson came when she was asked to assist with an ultrasoundguided abortion. While operating the ultrasound equipment, she was horrified to witness the child attempting to escape the suction machine.
Johnson left Planned Parenthood immediately. She eventually became an eloquent prolife advocate. Johnson wrote “UnPlanned,” a memoir describing her conversion from Planned Parenthood clinic director to prolife advocate. The book eventually became a feature-length movie. Having left the abortion industry, Johnson also underwent a spiritual conversion that led her to the Catholic Church.
Johnson founded and currently leads a pro-life ministry — And Then There Were None — helping those who, like her, worked in the abortion industry, to transition from the dark and dreary world of killing unborn children to the abundant life God desires for them.
Dr. William Yates was a Navy doctor and self-proclaimed humanistic existential agnostic. As a young resident doctor, Yates had performed more than a dozen abortions.
After performing what was his final abortion, he informed the sister of the mother of the aborted child that the surgery had been completed. The sister asked: “Was it alive?” Yates did not know how to respond. If he said “no,” he would be lying, while saying “yes” was an admission that he had killed another human being. Yates never performed another abortion.
Yates married a devout Catholic. Inspired by the virtue and goodness of his wife and his own religious study, Yates became Catholic. He and his wife gave life to eight children.
At significant financial sacrifice, Yates moved his family from Maine to Nebraska to accept a yearlong fellowship
ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR
Nov. 1
Mass and dedication of rosary garden — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood
Nov. 2
Bishop Miege Foundation Mass and dinner — Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park
Nov. 3
African Catholic Community of Kansas anniversary Mass of thanksgiving — Prince of Peace, Olathe
Nov. 6
Meeting with Santa Marta residents and reception with board — Santa Marta, Olathe
Nov. 7
Religious Alliance Against Pornography board meeting
Nov. 8
St. Martin of Tours Mass and reception — Church of the Nativity, Leawood
Nov. 10
USCCB Pro-life Committee meeting — Baltimore
Net Ministries episcopal advisor board dinner
Nov. 11-14
Bishops general meeting
Nov. 13
Eucharistic Revival bishops’ advisory group
Nov. 15
St. Cecilia Mass
Nov. 16
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka, 110th anniversary
Nov. 17
Mass and St. Philippine Award presentation — Sacred Heart, Mound City
Nov. 18
“Shepherd’s Voice” recording — chancery
Confirmation — St. Vincent De Paul, Onaga; St. Patrick, Corning; and St. Bede, Kelly
under the renowned Dr. Thomas Hilgers at the Paul VI Institute in Fertility Care and NaPro Technology in Omaha, Nebraska.
Two of his daughters became Sisters of Life, dedicating their lives to proclaiming the “Gospel of Life.” Yates died from cancer on Dec. 28, the feast of the Holy Innocents.
These are stories you will not find in the mainstream media. Why? Because they do not support the cultural lie that abortion is health care and benefits women. Remember these stories when you are in the voting booth.
Cultures that embrace the deception that killing our own children is health care and celebrate abortion as a woman’s right will not endure, much less flourish. This is a case where population decline inevitably follows moral decline.
These conversion stories I have shared with you give hope to what God’s grace can do when we open our hearts to his love and mercy. More than 700 abortion industry employees have responded to Abby Johnson’s invitation to leave their abortion jobs. Johnson is committed to walking with former abortionists to help them break free from the dark and dreary world of abortion and discover the peace and joy God desires for all his children.
Recently, the Wall Street Journal ran a front-page article entitled: “Countries fail to reverse the baby bust.” It described the unsuccessful efforts of some European countries to provide financial incentives to increase their national birth rates. The world’s most affluent nations are experiencing population declines that are creating a demographic winter.
LONGTIME VISION BECOMES A REALITY
Hartford parish blesses new grotto
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
HARTFORD — Somehow it just didn’t seem right that a parish dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary didn’t have a rosary grotto — or a grotto of any kind, for the matter.
Such was the case with St. Mary Church in Hartford — until recently.
On Oct. 26, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated the 5 p.m. Mass, assisted by Father Mohana Rao Bathineni, administrator of the parish. The mission parish is served from St. Joseph Church in nearby Olpe. After Mass, the archbishop blessed the parish’s new rosary grotto, telling those gathered, “Nothing pleases Jesus more than we honor his mother.”
During the short ceremony, a small choir of children of the parish, led by Fred Gilligan, sang “Immaculate Mary.”
The idea for the grotto didn’t grow out of any master grounds plan.
“It was just a vision that we’d had for quite some time — several years really,” said Janel Wiederholt, the parish bookkeeper. “Being St. Mary’s, praying the rosary is very important to our parish. It’s just a vision that everybody thought would be really wonderful to have.”
In the spring of 2021, a committee was established to come up with a design, secure funds and oversee the construction, along with countless other details that come along with any construction project. Besides Wiederholt, those on the committee included Gregg Gasche, Tim Menard, Dorothy Wilson, Ed Winn and Brian Zweimiller.
“We had a really great committee,” Wiederholt said. The five members just dove right into the project almost immediately, brainstorming ideas and coming up with designs.
Then-pastor Father Matt Nagle helped the committee research the project online and discussed with parishioners the features they liked in similar gardens and grottoes found throughout the archdiocese, such as Christ the King Parish’s rosary garden in Topeka.
Breaking ground on June 26, 2022, the grotto was completed in three phases.
The first phase involved building the actual grotto. The grotto was revealed
THINGS LIKE THIS ARE WHAT KEEP US TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, AS A CHURCH.
ED WINN MEMBER OF ST. MARY PARISH, HARTFORD
with the statue of Mary roughly six months later, on Dec. 4.
Immediately following the grotto’s public reveal, the committee launched efforts to construct the sidewalk. That’s when Winn had an idea.
“It’s St. Mary’s,” he said. “We wanted a rosary garden, and we had an old hall. We had a new hall built, and we wanted something in between [the church and
the hall]. We first talked about a garden, but we decided a grotto for Mary would be nice. Once we had the grotto built, we were just thinking about putting a sidewalk around it.”
That’s when Winn suggested making the sidewalk into a rosary, complete with a cross and each individual bead. That way, parishioners could walk and pray the rosary.
“I designed the actual rosary sidewalk,” Winn continued. “So, I drew it all up, got it all to the cement guys, put it all in [and] came up with the idea for the granite stones in there.
“Things like this are what keep us together as a community, as a church.”
Wiederholt agreed, saying, when done, the limestone grotto cost around $30,000. The project would have cost much more, but numerous parishioners, community members and area businesses contributed their time and talent, as well as monetary donations.
Additionally, the parish’s annual fundraiser, its beef and noodles dinner, provided a lot of the necessary funds.
Now that the grotto has been dedicated, Father Bathineni said he’s excited for the parish community to come together in prayer even more, possibly by praying the rosary together before Mass at the grotto during the warmer months. But it’s something he will discuss with the pastoral council.
For now, he’s just gratified to see the many people stopping by throughout the day.
“People come throughout the day, stopping to pray. Now that we have the rosary grotto, we hope that people will pray the rosary, using the beads themselves,” Father Bathineni said. “That will be exciting when you see people going around the sidewalk counting the Hail Marys. That can bring people together and help them pray.”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann celebrated Mass on Oct. 26 at St. Mary Church in Hartford assisted by Father Mohana Rao Bathineni, administrator of the parish.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blesses the new rosary grotto at St. Mary Church in Hartford. During the short ceremony, a small choir of children of the parish, led by Fred Gilligan, sang “Immaculate Mary.”
Helping next-gen debaters find their voice
Special to The Leaven
LENEXA — St. James Academy’s speech and debate program here is on a mission to harness the power of rhetoric to bring the world closer to Jesus. The St. James Thunder debate program is collaborating with local Catholic schools to establish middle school debate teams, empowering students to use the strength of their voices.
“The next generation of Catholics will need to know how to find their voice and how to make those voices heard in the public square,” says Joe Walberg, director of speech and debate at St. James Academy. “They’ll need to know how to handle complicated ideas and make sense out of confusion. They’ll need to know that they can be part of the conversation in the world where they live.”
Identifying a gap in resources for debate programs in Catholic schools, Walberg noted the challenges faced by parish schools in starting these initiatives.
“I had been talking to a couple of principals, and they said how much they wish they could bring debate to their schools, but there wasn’t a path to start. Several public school districts have speech and debate programs in their middle schools, but these programs just don’t exist in Catholic schools,” Walberg said.
“It’s hard finding teachers who can take on another club or activity, finding the resources to research and build cases, and just teaching how competitive debate works,” he explained. “Most parish schools just aren’t equipped for it, even if they want to be. So, we just decided to start and see what it would take. We had to step in and build the infrastructure.”
The Thunder debate team pitched the program to pastors and principals to assess interest, and began working with grade school teachers through evening Zoom sessions. These sessions
cover the basics of competitive debate and coaching techniques.
“It takes a big effort to launch a program like this. We compiled sets of evidence and wrote some sample cases. We worked with some national debate research companies to offer packages of debate briefs to schools starting programs. We set up after-school workshops to get the middle schoolers some large-group practice,” added Walberg.
Currently, four parish schools — Good Shepherd in Shawnee, St. Paul in Olathe, John Paul II in Overland Park and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Shawnee — are participating in workshops where students are learning to craft persuasive arguments and engage in debate rounds. St. James Academy hopes to expand this program in the coming years and make more opportunities for 6th, 7th and 8th graders to try the world of debate.
“We’ve received great feedback from students and participating schools,” said Walberg. “This is just the beginning, and I’m super excited
to see how it grows.
“Debate teaches students how to do complicated research and it obviously develops public speaking skills. But it also encourages students to consider someone else’s point of view, take ownership of their ideas and how to try really hard things. I know how debate rewrote the story of my life as a young person. This is powerful stuff.”
“I can’t think of a much more important venture for our church and our young people right now than developing the skills to think through complex issues, listen with understanding to others’ perspectives and then communicating the truth to them in a compelling manner,” said St. James principal Shane Rapp. “I have seen this in action with our high schoolers in Mr. Walberg’s program, and to expand that opportunity to more young people is a gift to those who avail themselves of it.”
The middle schoolers’ first debate tournament is scheduled for Nov. 7 at St. James Academy.
‘God has brought me here’
>> Continued from page 1
suitable space but nothing was found.
Father Pat Sullivan, pastor of St. Agnes, was approached about the possibility of using a parish-owned house across the street from the church. He quickly gave his full support to the idea.
Stephanie Holmes is the director of Little Stags and Rams. Holmes had directed a day care program for seven years before deciding to stay home with her younger children. Then, she took care of two children of Miege teachers in her home. Once the idea of starting a day care program at Miege began to take shape, Holmes said, “my name was thrown into the mix.”
Little Stags and Rams is licensed as an in-home child care program. It can serve a maximum of nine children, ages 6 months to 4 years. The service is at capacity.
These two day care programs are evidence of the value our faith places on the person and the family.
“It is the epitome of pro-life work,” as Holmes explains it. “God has brought me here. It is crucial for these teachers to be able to do the work that they are called to do. We have the opportunity to provide a loving and safe space for their children at an affordable rate. It is a perfect circle.”
Parents provide their young children an introduction to the faith. That early learning is supported at Little Stags and Rams. Prayers before meals, books, stories and songs about Jesus are part of the daily routine.
Mallorie Hurlbert is the Learning Resource director at Miege. Her son Huck attends the day care.
“It has been fantastic to keep my youngest close by,” said Hurlbert. “I have two older kids at Miege, so having them all in this community has been wonderful. Knowing that he is taken care of by people who treat him as their own means everything. It provides great peace of mind.”
Part of that peace of mind comes from the affordability as well, which eases financial stress. To pay for quality child care elsewhere would have cost her and her husband over $2000 per month.
“One of us would have had to take on additional employment,” said Hurlbert.
Making the connections in the community early is an added blessing.
“Huck will likely start kindergarten with the children that are in the day care now,” she said, “and possibly carry on through high school.”
Ellen Holzum is a second grade teacher at St. Agnes. Her only child, Isaac, is 11 months old. Having taught in public schools for seven years, Holzum knew that she would take a pay cut to teach at St. Agnes. But when she was told about the availability of day care, she knew that this was “directly provided by God to fill a need in our lives.”
“It is a testament to the church’s stance on life,” she continued. “It is joyful to teach at St. Agnes. Isaac has already become part of the community!”
Holzum attended the recent St. Agnes Fall Festival with Isaac and her husband. Students came up to Isaac and greeted him. He recognized them by returning a big smile!
PHOTO BY JOE WALBERG/ST. JAMES ACADEMY
Isabella O’Shea, left, St. James Academy sophomore debater, cross-examines Paige Schmidt, a fellow Thunder sophomore debater.
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA TYLER/GOOD SHEPHERD Good Shepherd, Shawnee, seventh graders Jonathan Schmitz and Cassie Richter prepare their arguments for their first debate. St. James Academy is collaborating with local Catholic schools to establish middle school debate teams. Their first tournament is Nov. 7.
Empowering refugee youth through mentorship, support
By Analisa Bregant
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Refugees arriving in the United States as teenagers face numerous challenges, from adjusting to a new education system and culture to learning a different language.
For many, the pressure of needing to support their families creates additional stress. Some must work full time, disrupting their education and limiting their future career opportunities.
Even those who graduate from high school may struggle to figure out their next steps. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ ReCONNECT program helps young refugees navigate these challenges.
“Our [ReCONNECT] program connects young newcomers with mentors who help them pursue educational, career and social goals,” said Elena Hardy, ReCONNECT program coordinator. “We help mentees from Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine and many other countries.”
ReCONNECT is federally funded through a grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement administered by the Kansas State Office for Refugees. The program serves refugees ages 15-24 who have lived in the United States for five years or less. To qualify, participants must live in Kansas, be motivated to pursue higher career or educational goals and commit to the program for one year.
ReCONNECT aims to increase confidence and motivation in refugee youth by engaging them in their new communities, pairing them with volunteer mentors who provide guidance on a wide range of topics. Laptops are given to refugees to be used throughout the program’s duration. Case management is provided as well, offering extra support during periods of school enrollment and job search assistance.
The program’s success is due in large part to its dedicated volunteer mentors. To become a mentor, volunteers must undergo a phone screening and training session, where they learn about Catholic Charities’ refugee and immigration services and mentoring best practices. Mentors must also pass a background check and complete Virtus training.
“Our mentors come from diverse educational, career and life backgrounds,” said Hardy. “We look for people who are passionate about supporting and getting to know our mentees.”
Once trained, mentors are paired with a mentee. They are asked to check in with their mentees weekly by phone
COURTESY PHOTO
ReCONNECT mentors provide guidance and support and help refugee youths get connected to their new communities. Above, Nazifa, mentee, enjoys an ice-skating outing with mentor Lani Witters.
or text and meet in person monthly.
These regular interactions help refugees acclimate to their new surroundings and build rapport between the mentor and mentee. The program also hosts monthly events where mentors and mentees can further connect.
The program has seen extraordinary benefits for both refugees and volunteers.
Richard and Ann (Rosdahl) Bertels, members of St. Joseph Parish, Nortonville, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on Nov. 10 with Mass in the same church where they were married. Their children are: Kevin Bertels, Terry Bertels, Mark Bertels, Angee Noll and Aaron Bertels. They also have 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. One son, Todd, is deceased.
Josefina (Rodriguez) and Carlos Faustino, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Lawrence, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Oct. 24 and 25 with a family gathering. The couple was married on Oct. 24, 1964, at St. Mary Church in Norwalk, Connecticut. Their children are: Tony Faustino and Cecilia (Faustino) Gorman. They also have six grandchildren.
“Mentoring has given me profound respect for the resilience and fortitude my mentee’s family has exhibited,” said one mentor. “Through all the ups and downs, they have remained committed to each other and have worked as a family unit to find their way. It has been a privilege to walk with my mentee, witness her tenacity and be a small part of supporting her in building a life in
Carolyn (Franz) and Timothy Gerety, members of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 9. The couple was on Nov. 9, 1974, at St. Joseph Church, Shawnee. They plan to celebrate with a family dinner. Their children are: Kelly Gerety, Karen Gerety Folk and Ken Gerety. They also have seven grandchildren.
Christmas Collection supports Catholic Charities
To support the ReCONNECT program and the many other ministries of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, give generously to the Catholic Charities Christmas Collection at your parish this Christmas.
the U.S.” Hardy also recalled a touching story of a young mentee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Paired with a recent college graduate mentor, the initially shy mentee was eager to improve her English so that she could begin supporting her family financially. Over time, she gained confidence, visiting the library on her own to check out books that would further enhance her English-speaking skills. She also learned how to navigate her school laptop with her mentor’s help.
Reflecting on her experience, the mentee said being paired with her mentor was one of the best things that happened to her, providing the support and encouragement she needed to pursue her academic goals.
The concept for ReCONNECT was developed in late 2019, though its launch was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing transitions. Significant progress was made in 2023, with the official launch of the first ReCONNECT cohort in May.
“Our program is still evolving as our team learns more about the needs of these young newcomers. We are constantly looking for ways to increase engagement and opportunities within the Kansas City community,” said Hardy.
The current ReCONNECT cohort includes 37 mentees and 18 mentors. Mentorship opportunities are offered year-round, even outside the program’s official spring and fall cohorts.
To learn more or become a mentor, visit the website at: catholiccharitiesks. org/reconnect.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mentor Jeff Tauscher, left, is committed to helping mentee Ali Sina, right, achieve his educational goals. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ ReCONNECT program helps young refugees by connecting them with mentors.
Graveyards are a ‘thin place,’ where heaven and earth meet
How do you lose a casket?
My friend hasn’t figured that out, but eventually, as Julian of Norwich assures us, all was well.
We lived in Alaska then, and my friend’s widowed mother had joined their family there as she aged. She was a lovely woman. Before her final home in Alaska, when she and her husband lived in Texas for a time, he died and was buried in that state. So, despite no other family ties to Texas when she died, her family wanted to reunite their mom and dad.
Travel out of Alaska usually features at least one connection and plane change, if not more, so my friend and her brother, making the trip south with their mom’s casket, weren’t surprised to find themselves delayed in an airport. What was surprising was when the airline assured them the delay would be short and added, “And we will find the casket.”
What? How do you lose a casket? It’s not like luggage. No one says, “Well, you know, all caskets look alike.”
Mercifully, it wasn’t long before airline personnel assured them the casket had been found, with no explanation.
But it makes for a good story years later.
My friend and I
were reminiscing about funerals, graveyards and shifting attitudes. We both grew up in places where our families had lived for generations. Graves are sacred ground, consecrated ground in a Catholic cemetery or in Catholic plots in a public cemetery.
Just as we Catholics love relics, which often puzzles our non-Catholic friends, we revere these mortal remains — destined, we believe, for the resurrection of the body. And this is the time of year — as All Souls’ Day beckons — when those remains seem especially hallowed.
My friend remembered her parents, who never dreamed they’d be buried in Texas, taking the kids to clean up the family graves at the cemetery
in the spring. I grew up in rural Nebraska where visiting graveyards on Memorial Day is so common it’s a reunion of sorts.
You can strike up a good conversation with an old friend in a graveyard. And some of those friends may have passed. My brother shared that he spent time talking to a close family friend at her grave in our rural cemetery this year, and that didn’t seem strange at all. Graveyards are what Celtic
tradition calls a “thin place,” where heaven and earth meet.
My parents are buried in this cemetery, along with my brother and my great-grandparents who survived the Irish famine. They lie on a windy hill with a broad vista of cornfields.
It’s not macabre to love a graveyard. On the contrary, there’s a feeling of continuity, of belonging, of hope in resurrection. It impresses on me the shortness of this earthly journey and the gratitude I have for
my loved ones. But is the tradition of visiting graves fading? Everyone moves around so much now. We’re often far from our family graves. How many people do you know who visit a cemetery? On Memorial Day or All Souls? And does it matter? After all, God knows where we are. We leave merely mortal remains in this earth, but our children, and their children, will hopefully honor our memory in their hearts.
But I love the connectivity, history and spirituality of a graveyard. I was intrigued when, in 2012, the remains of King Richard III were found during excavation at an English car park. DNA testing confirmed the king had died there in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The king, reviled in Shakespeare, has been reburied in Leicester Cathedral. Maybe someday I’ll visit and have a few words.
EFFIE CALDAROLA Effie Caldarola is a wife, mom and grandmother who received her master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University.
OSV NEWS FILE PHOTO/SAM LUCERO, THE COMPASS
A file photo shows autumn leaves behind a gravestone at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Institute, Wisconsin.
Relic of ‘Apostle of the Impossible’ displayed in archdiocese
By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — A saint’s relics can be a powerful reminder of the truth of the Catholic faith.
“When you see the arm bone of a saint, you are really confronted with the reality that these are just not stories in the Bible, but real flesh and blood people,” said Father Bill Bruning, pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park.
Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will have three opportunities to venerate the arm bone of St. Jude this November (see sidebar).
Father Bruning hopes those who do will deepen their friendship with St. Jude and grow closer to Jesus.
“To think, the arm of St. Jude is the same arm that would have been embraced by Jesus himself!” he said.
Since Sept. 2023, the relics of St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of impossible causes, have been on pilgrimage across the United States.
When “The Apostle of the Impossible: Tour of the Relics of St. Jude the Apostle,” stops in the archdiocese, people will have the
chance to venerate the relics and participate in a special Mass with Father Carlos Martins, CC, director of treasures of the church, as the main celebrant.
“Father Carlos is an amazing speaker and has shared with me the many miracles he has witnessed through the intercession
of St. Jude,” said Father Bruning. Those who venerate the relics will be able to receive an extraordinary plenary indulgence (see sidebar).
Father Bruning said that only in the past few hundred years did people begin to ask St. Jude to intercede for their intentions, since he was vastly ignored before for carrying the same name as Judas Iscariot.
“The last two centuries, people were desperate to have their prayers heard,” said Father Bruning, “and after asking for the intercession of the other apostles, they asked St. Jude for help.
“Miraculously, many miracles began to happen through this neglected saint. Word spread of the powerful intercession of St. Jude, and today he is one of the most sought after friends of those going through real difficult struggles.”
Father Bruning believes the saint can continue to change the lives of people of faith.
“My hope is that the parishioners and visitors will receive healing — spiritually, emotionally and physically,” he said.
To learn more about the tour of St. Jude’s relics, visit the website at: apostleoftheimpossible. com.
Nov. 5
Venerate
St. Jude’s relics
Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church
2014 N.W. 46th St., Topeka
• Public veneration of St. Jude’s relics begins at 2 p.m.
• A special Mass is celebrated in his honor at 7 p.m.
• Public veneration ends at 10 p.m.
Nov. 6
Queen of the Holy Rosary Church
7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park
• Public veneration of St. Jude’s relics begins at 2 p.m.
• A special Mass is celebrated in his honor at 7 p.m.
• Public veneration ends at 10 p.m.
Nov. 7
Holy Angels Church 15438 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor
• Public veneration of St. Jude’s relics begins at 2 p.m.
• A special Mass is celebrated in his honor at 6 p.m.
• Public veneration ends at 9 p.m.
Plenary indulgence
According to Father Bruning, a person may receive a plenary indulgence for the remission of all their sins by:
1. Venerating the relic of St. Jude
2. Praying for Pope Francis by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary for the pope’s intention
3. Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation within 20 days of venerating the relic
4. Receiving holy Communion within the same 20 days of venerating the relic
5. Making a firm resolve to end all relationships with all sins
OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY FATHER CARLOS MARTINS
This wooden, arm-shaped reliquary holds bones from an arm of St. Jude the Apostle. The relic will be in three archdiocesan churches Nov. 5-7 for public veneration.
YOUNG AND INCARCERATED
PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER
On Oct. 21, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and members of the Community of the Lamb made their annual visit to the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex in Topeka.
After making their way through several levels of security in the complex, the archbishop spoke to a dozen young men in the visitation room.
After a Bible skit from the Little Brothers and Sisters, based off of the Gospel reading of the day, Father Joseph Chontos, the juvenile prison’s chaplain, led them on a cell-to-cell visit and tour. The archbishop, Father Chontos and the Little Brothers and Sisters visited several of the young men who are incarcerated.
‘I
WAS IN PRISON AND YOU VISITED ME’
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and the Little Brothers of the Lamb walk toward the entrance of the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex in Topeka. The Little Brothers rode with the archbishop on his drive from Kansas City, Kansas.
LISTENING WITH COMPASSION
Father Joseph Chontos is the chaplain of the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex in
DAILY LIFE
A young man asked Leaven photographer Jay Soldner to take his picture in his room. The young man said this is pretty much how he spends all of his time in his small cell.
MANY BLESSINGS
Archbishop Naumann blesses one of the young men, after which the Little
Topeka. Here,
TALK OF HOPE
WAY OF THE CROSS
The kids in Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex always ask Archbishop
WRONG SIDE
As the group left the cellblock units, Leaven photographer Jay
found himself on the wrong side of an automatically closing door, giving an unexpected view of what the juvenile inmates might experience.
Archbishop Naumann speaks to a small group of juvenile inmates. He told them that despite them being physically locked up, they are always free.
Brothers and Sisters of the Lamb sing for the boy and offer prayers.
Here, he listens intently to a young inmate tell his story.
Soldner
Naumann about his cross. Here, archbishop explains to a boy that it was a gift from the pope, and that all bishops have one.
Pope warns against becoming a ‘sedentary’ church after synod’s close
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service
VATICAN
CITY (CNS) —
Three years after he asked the world’s Catholics to walk together in faith on a synodal journey, Pope Francis said that the church cannot risk becoming “static” but must continue as a “missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world.”
“We cannot remain inert before the questions raised by the women and men of today, before the challenges of our time, the urgency of evangelization and the many wounds that afflict humanity,” the pope said in his homily during the closing Mass for the Synod of Bishops in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 27.
“A sedentary church, that inadvertently withdraws from life and confines itself to the margins of reality, is a church that risks remaining blind and becoming comfortable with its own unease,” he said.
Pope Francis delivered his homily seated in front of the basilica’s newly restored 17th-century baldachin — the gilded bronze canopy that had been shrouded in scaffolding for restoration work since February.
Cardinal Mario Grech, secretarygeneral of the Synod of Bishops, was the main celebrant at the altar under the baldachin.
The previous day, the pope received
the final document approved by the more than 350 members of the synod.
The document called for the increased participation of laymen and laywomen in all levels of church life, including in parishes, dioceses and in seminaries.
Pope Francis told the synod assembly Oct. 26 that he did not plan to publish an apostolic exhortation after the synod due to the “already highly concrete indications” in the final synod document, which he ordered published.
In his homily, the pope called on the church not to remain in a state of
“blindness” to the issues in the church and the world, a blindness that can take the form of embracing worldliness, placing a premium on comfort or having a closed heart.
The church must listen to men and women “who wish to discover the joy of the Gospel,” he said, but it also must listen to “those who have turned away” from faith and to “the silent cry of those who are indifferent,” as well as the poor, marginalized and desperate.
“We do not need a sedentary and defeatist church,” he said, “but a church
that hears the cry of the world and — I want to say it, maybe someone will be scandalized — a church that gets its hands dirty to serve the Lord.”
Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Mark in which a blind man hears Jesus pass by, asks for healing, regains his sight and then follows him, the pope stressed that following God on the synodal path entails cultivating the capacity to hear the Lord pass by and the confidence to follow in his footsteps.
“We follow the Lord along the way, we do not follow him closed in our communities, we do not follow him in the labyrinths of our ideas,” he said. “Let us remember never to walk alone or according to worldly criteria, but instead to journey together, behind him and alongside him.”
At the end of Mass, four Vatican workers carried the Chair of St. Peter into the basilica and placed it before the main altar. The chair — temporarily removed for restoration from its encasement in a sculpture behind the basilica’s back altar — is traditionally believed to have belonged to St. Peter, the first pope.
In his wheelchair, the pope sat in front of the chair in prayer at the end of Mass.
In his homily, he had said, “This is the chair of love, unity and mercy, according to Jesus’ command to the Apostle Peter — not to lord it over others, but to serve them in charity.”
CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
Pope Francis and members of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality attend the synod’s final working session Oct. 26 in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.
Near-death experiences might be result of natural causes
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are a complex set of phenomena that often include reports of leaving one’s body, seeing it from outside or above, passing through a tunnel of light, seeing various forms of illumination, experiencing the presence of deceased relatives and friends, and even sensing the presence of angelic or divine beings. Between 12 and 15% of resuscitated heart attack patients report NDEs.
Sometimes discussions of these experiences include spiritual interpretations and religious overtones, and some commentators have claimed that “near-death experiences are certainly pronounced and conspicuous evidence of a transphysical soul” that we may use “to extract information about the afterlife.”
Such strong claims, however, require further substantiation, even as they trigger vigorous discussion.
NDEs, to be clear, are not instances of a person actually dying and then returning from the dead to tell about it. If an individual were to die and return to life, there
including the brain stem, as explained in the 1981 Guidelines of the American Medical Association. NDEs involve situations that are reversible. They may be caused by physiological phenomena that arise as the human brain faces various stressors, like oxygen deprivation, rather than any properly supernatural phenomena.
from four comatose patients before and after their ventilators were removed. As the patients’ brains became deprived of oxygen, two showed an unexpected surge of gamma activity, a type of high-frequency wave linked to the formation of memory and the integration of information.”
Sacks, notes how migraine headaches can generate illusions or hallucinations, which sufferers often describe as pulsating lights, shimmering illumination or fields of brightness.
would have to be a supernatural explanation and cause. Human corpses do not come back to life, apart from the rare miraculous events surrounding the deaths of Jesus, Lazarus, the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Nain, as we see in the Gospels. Human death always involves the key notion of irreversibility, which is to say: the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, or the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain,
While supernatural forces could, in theory, cause an NDE, explanatory entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity, as Occam’s razor counsels. The church’s wisdom in evaluating such matters is that we should generally prefer a natural explanation for a phenomenon, unless and until the evidence for a supernatural explanation becomes truly compelling or overwhelming. Rather than presupposing a supernatural explanation for NDEs, scientists have considered alternative explanations by examining stressful, near-death situations and their effects on brain function.
A 2023 Scientific American article notes how researchers “analyzed EEG data
This raises the prospect that even in situations of severe hypoxia, certain brain functions may, at least briefly, operate in ways that could still affect thought and perception.
Dr. Kevin Nelson, a researcher who has studied near-death experiences extensively, notes: “One of the most common causes of near-death experiences is fainting,” which is able to generate a sense of being separated from your own body, or a feeling of euphoria. Researchers have also reported that a restriction of oxygen flow to the eye can sometimes result in an experience of tunnel vision.
Others have argued that central nervous system hallucinatory mechanisms may contribute to NDEs. The well-known neurologist, Dr. Oliver
Sacks has also described the work of Swiss neuroscientist Dr. Olaf Blanke who was able to generate a hallucination, “a ‘shadow person’ in a patient by electrically stimulating her left temporoparietal junction. ‘When the woman was lying down,’ Sacks reported, ‘a mild stimulation of this area gave her the impression that someone was behind her; a stronger stimulation allowed her to define the [someone] as young but of indeterminate sex.’”
NDEs can also resemble drug-induced experiences, and many have noted the similarity of NDE accounts to essays written by conscious drug users about their experimentations and trips while using drugs like mushrooms, cannabis, LSD, ayahuasca, etc.
Sacks also offers the important observation that the reason hallucinations seem so real is that “they
deploy the very same systems in the brain that actual perceptions do.” When a person is hallucinating a face, the fusiform face area, normally used to perceive and identify faces in the surrounding environment, is activated; when someone is hallucinating a voice, the auditory pathways are stimulated. It seems reasonable to believe that NDEs may rely on similar mechanisms.
Sacks also raises the possibility that NDEs may not occur when individuals are actually suffering an absence of circulation to the brain or when they are trapped in a deep coma, but rather as they are surfacing out of the coma and their cortex is beginning to regain function.
Since it is difficult to verify the cause of an individual’s NDE, it is wise to use some caution around the interpretation of such experiences.
The most authoritative source of information about the afterlife remains the One who came from heaven, redeemed us through his suffering, death and resurrection, and who invites us to follow him into eternal life.
FATHER TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK
Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did postdoctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, and serves as senior ethicist at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.
EMPLOYMENT
Catholic financial planners - The Knights of Columbus Mahon Agency has openings in NE Kansas and western Missouri, covering areas in and around KCKS, KCMO, Topeka and Atchison. We have much to offer determined, disciplined and high-expectation professionals who would like to share needed life insurance, disability income, long-term care and annuity products with other Catholic individuals and families. This is a fulltime position with excellent, multitiered training and benefits, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional-level income. This is an exciting career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or someone you know. For further information, contact John Mahon at (785) 408-8800.
Web manager - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for a Web manager, who will manage and maintain the archdiocese’s website, and design and develop digital assets such as email newsletters; graphics; surveys and forms; digital ads; and other multimedia content. The position is full time, benefits eligible, with a hybrid/remote schedule available. For more details or to apply, please visit “Employment Opportunities” at: www.archkck.org.
Grants manager - Promote and support the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas as guided by Catholic social teachings when completing grant applications and reports to private, corporate, foundational and governmental grantor’s. Work with the grants team to maintain active relationships with funders. Provide administrative analysis, post-award services and oversight to ensure compliance with grant requirements. For full information and to apply, please visit: https:// catholiccharitiesks.org/careers/.
Business manager - Have you had a successful business career and are now looking for a more fulfilling position? Are you tired of travel and interested in moving out of the corporate rat race? Are you searching for a position that is more conducive to cultivating a better family life? Do you possess a strong Catholic faith and are looking for a way to express your gratitude and give back to God? If so, this may be the ideal opportunity for you. St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village is seeking a full-time business manager to be a key member of the parish management team. The position will have responsibilities for budgeting, financial reporting and cash flow management, as well as oversee other operational functions of the parish. The individual will work collaboratively with the pastor, school principal and young child care director and interact positively with volunteers and parishioners in fulfilling the parish Mission. The preferred candidate will be a practicing Catholic with a business-related degree, a working knowledge of accounting practices and at least five years of demonstrated management experience. The ideal candidate will also be a proactive, teamoriented leader and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. A complete job description can be found at: https://stannpv.org/jobs. Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Father Mitchel Zimmerman at: frmitchel@stannpv.org.
Music director - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee invites applications for the position of full-time director of music. St. Joseph is a large suburban parish which boasts a renovated church featuring an Allen 3-manual organ and Steinway piano. The director of music will oversee all musical aspects of parish liturgical events, including five weekend Masses, solemnities, feasts and special occasions. Responsibilities encompass directing four choirs, supervising four paid organists and scheduling all music ministers. Candidates should demonstrate a strong Roman Catholic faith, deep knowledge of liturgy, and exceptional proficiency in keyboard playing, conducting and voice development. This role requires proactive leadership, effective communication and a passion for nurturing spiritual growth through music. Interested applicants are encouraged to send their resume to: mthomas@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 248-4562.
Part-time facilities maintenance position - Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, a Catholic parish with a parochial school, is seeking applicants for a parttime (25 hours per week) facilities maintenance position. Applicants should be skilled in basic mechanical skills, carpentry, painting, plumbing repair, etc. The role serves to assist the facilities director in addressing daily facility’s needs, repairs and upgrades. Applicants would be required to pass a background check and complete safe environment training. Ideal opportunity for a craftsman who is looking to work 4 - 5 hours a day, Monday - Friday. Interested individuals should send contact information along with a list of past work experience to Susan Nigrin at the parish office. Email: snigrin@kcascension.org.
Preschool assistant teacher - St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Preschool in Leawood is seeking a parttime assistant teacher for a classroom for 4-year-olds. This position is Monday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The assistant teacher will help the lead teacher in conducting daily activities, carrying out licensure rules and regulations, and maintaining principles of sound Catholic education. See full job description at: stmichaelcp.org/employment. Send cover letter and resume to the preschool director at: jennie.wente@ stmichaelcp.org.
Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, has the following staff job openings available - director of nursing, human resources generalist, director of development. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/ careers.
Caregivers needed - Daughter & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.
Bilingual financial empowerment specialist - Catholic Charities of N.E. Kansas is seeking a bilingual financial empowerment specialist. This position will pilot a financial program for bilingual individuals and families. This position is based in Wyandotte County and will provide culturally relevant financial education and empowerment to Latino communities within Wyandotte and Johnson counties, as well as serving the general population in Wyandotte County. The caseworker will provide wraparound strength-based case management, which includes completing assessments, developing a spending plan with families, and assisting clients in identifying and monitoring measurable and achievable goals with appropriate action steps. For more information about this position, please visit: catholiccharitiesks.org.
Facilities assistant - St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood is seeking a full-time facilities assistant. Hours will vary but will be primarily daytime, including one weekend day and occasional evenings. Responsibilities include setup and tear-down for events, janitorial services, maintenance projects and coordinating/ inspecting contractor tasks. This position earns full benefits, including health, dental, vision, 401(k) and more. Go online to: stmichaelcp.org/employment for a full description. Please submit resume and cover letter to: denise.greene@stmichaelcp.org.
Now hiring - Love the smell of fresh country air? Now hiring at $20 per hour. Looking for a part-time groundskeeper and horse groom on a small family farm. Located in Paola just minutes from Olathe and Overland Park. Responsibilities include all areas of the farm, including cleaning, mowing, weed trimming, gardening, horse care, moving hay, painting, digging, fencing, etc. It is hot and dirty in the summer, cold in the winter. Any experience is appreciated but preferred qualifications are willingness to work hard, honesty, reliability and carefulness. Must be able to lift heavy loads repeatedly, including but not limited to 80-pound bales of hay, 50-pound bags of grain, etc. No smoking, tobacco of any kind, electronic smoking devices or alcohol products allowed on the property. No exceptions. We do background checks and you must have your own transportation to and from work. Call or text Brian at (913) 710-4428.
Administrative assistant - Come join our team! A small family-owned company located in Lenexa is looking for an assistant to answer phones; invoicing; product ordering; some shipping/receiving and to assist the owner. We need a team member who is organized; detail oriented; self-motivated; trustworthy; has a positive attitude and above all else, gives excellent customer service. Schedule flexibility. Send your resume to: YourCareer101@gmail.com
Now hiring - drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, in company vans. Drivers earn $16 - $20 per hour. Aides earn $15.50 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees are encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need! Call (913) 521-4955 or visit: www. assistedtransportation.com for more information. EEO.
Technician Needed ASAP - Do you like to tinker? Are you detail-oriented? Then this is the job for you! A locally owned family business is currently seeking candidates to provide preventive maintenance (cleaning) and repair service on microscopes. No previous experience necessary, on-the-job training provided. Good communication, time management and customer service skills necessary. Expenses paid, out in the field majority of time and each day is different! Some travel is required. Please contact us at: techneeded23@ gmail.com.
Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, is a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not other wise be served Faculty job openings - none. Adjunct faculty job openings - psychology adjunct, adjunct instructor for nursing and clinical nursing adjunct. Adjunct faculty Lansing Correctional Campus - English adjunct and math adjunct and psychology adjunct. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly. edu/careers.
SERVICES
Garage door repair expert
New Garage Doors Garage Floor Coatings
A Total Door Inc., Since ’83. Leaven discount joe@atotaldoor.com; (913) 236-6440.
Free estimates - We are offering free estimates to all those thinking about painting this year. At Stone Painting, we put the customer first. We provide interior, exterior house painting along with deck staining, fence painting, etc. Stone Painting ensures a professional, clean and fair-priced job. Call today for your free estimate. (913) 963-6465.
Blue Streak Transportation - We offer car service to the airport, sporting events, concerts, doctor appointments, anywhere you need to go. Call Joe at (913) 3030679 to reserve a ride. Member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.
Tree trimming and landscaping - We provide free estimates and recent references. Five years of experience and fully insured. Call Charly at (913) 405-8123.
MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 927-4347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com.
Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; secondgeneration bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 271-0362.
AKC Pros roofing, siding, gutters, insulation - Did you get tired of the door-knocking and constant calls from different roofing companies after the storms this year? Now that the dust has settled, let’s talk. If it’s new damage or old damage, just give me a call. I’ll walk your roof and we will decide together whether to file a claim. Locally owned and operated, licensed and insured. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.
Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footing, 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.
Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
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.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Local handyman - Painting, int. and ext., wood rot, mason repair, gutter cleaning (gutter covers), dryer vent cleaning, sump pump (replace, add new), windows, doors (interior and exterior), honey-do list, window cleaning and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-8123.
EL SOL Y LA TIERRA
*COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
*LAWN RENOVATION *MOWING *CLEANUP AND HAULING
*DIRT GRADING/INSTALLATION *LANDSCAPE DESIGN* FREE ESTIMATES HABLAMOS Y ESCRIBIMOS INGLES!! CALL LUPE AT (816) 252-1391
Garage renovations - Married couple from St. Paul Parish in Olathe. Haul-off, clean-out, floor coatings, shelving/painting. Experienced, references available, insured. Call (913) 405-8123.
Haus To Home Remodeling - Let’s give that room a nice face-lift! Specializing in affordable room remodeling. From small projects to bathrooms and basements. Tile, paint, carpentry, wood rot, decks, drywall, etc. Free estimates. Call Cole at (913) 544-7352.
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.
Father and Son Home Remodeling - We specialize in kitchen/bathroom and basement remodeling, from start to finish. We also do decks, covered decks, porches, sun-rooms and room additions! If you’re not sure we do it, just call. From my family to yours, thank you for supporting my small business. To contact me, call (913) 709-7230 and ask for Josh.
FOR SALE
For sale - Two plots at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lansing. Located in section 15, row 5 lot 14x, spaces 3 and 4. Traditional ground space. The original price in $2595 for each plot ($2257 plus $338 for perpetual care), asking $2200 each. Contact Ralph at (913) 306-4024 or email: grassman177@gmail.com.
For sale - Two plots at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas. Located in the Old Rugged Cross area, section 310B, spaces 3 and 4. The original price is $5800 per plot. Asking $8000 for both. Call Candie at (913) 579-1050.
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 plots at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa. Located in Ascension Garden, lot 39, section C, spaces 1 and 2. Asking $5840 for both or $3045 for just one plot. For more information, call (913) 4245928.
For sale - Three plots, side by side, at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 38th and State in Kansas City, Kansas. One opening and closing and grave liner included. Foundation fee and maintenance paid. Must have two plots adjacent to have a standing headstone. This is the last in the original cemetery. Big selling point. Located in Section 4, lot 188, spaces 7 and 8 and lot 187, space 3. I’ll pay the $250 conveyance fee. Today’s cost for all of this is $11,306. I’m selling for $7,500. Call Denise at (913) 420-2668.
For sale - Two plots in Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa. Located in the Communion of Saints area, Lot 33, section B, spaces 2 & 3. This lot allows upright monuments and/or flat markers. Value of $5990 for both, asking $4900. I’ll pay the $250 conveyance fee. Call (913) 230-7872 or (703) 477-4000.
For sale - Two plots at Mt. Moria Cemetery, 19507 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri. Located in lot 92, block 26. Asking $2000 or best offer. Call (913) 387-7443.
CAREGIVING
Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www. Benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.
Home-care - CMA, 15 years’ experience, background check available from past employers. Call (913) 9994340.
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.
REAL ESTATE
We are local people who can buy your house - Big companies from all over the nation come here buying houses, but that’s not us. We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and we enjoy giving you personalized service. We can offer you a fair price and are flexible to your needs. If I can help, call me, Mark Edmondson, at (913) 980-4905.
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 has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer, (913) 599-5000.
WANTED TO BUY
Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.
Wanted to buy
Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.
Wanted to buy - Antiques & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad, sterling, OLD holiday/toys and more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.
PILGRIMAGE
Pilgrimages - Medjugorje is approved by the Vatican, receiving “nihil obstat” and encouraging people to go. The next pilgrimage date with visionary Mirjana Soldo as our hostess is March 12 - 2- and April 16 - 23, 2025. I am also available to speak to groups about Medjugorje. Call Grace at (913) 449-1806.
Classified Advertising
Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter. To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email: beth. blankenship@theleaven.org
SOLUTION
‘DÍA
DE LOS MUERTOS’
ALL SOULS’ DAY OBSERVANCE
Mt. Calvary Cemetery (Mausoleum Chapel)
1150 N. 38th St., Kansas City, Kansas
Nov. 2 at 11 a.m.
Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, will celebrate an indoor Mass for the deceased in commemoration of “Día de los Muertos” (‘Day of the Dead’) and All Souls’ Day. Persons of all cultures and ethnicities are invited to bring photographs of their deceased loved ones, artificial flowers and other items customary to the observance (with the exception of food) to place on a nearby altar. This event is hosted by Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas. For more information, call (913) 371-4040 or send an email to: information@cathcemks.org.
‘REQUIEM FOR THE LIVING’
St. Lawrence Center (chapel) 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence Nov. 2 at 11 a.m.
Corpus Christi Parish 6001 Bob Billings Pkwy, Lawrence Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.
The St. Lawrence Catholic Center and Corpus Christi Sacred Music Programs will present: Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living.” Join us for an incredible All Souls’ Day celebration as the St. Lawrence Center choir collaborates with the Corpus Christi choir to perform Forrest’s powerful piece. The concert is free and open to the public. Register online at: kucatholic. churchcenter.com.
ANNUAL TURKEY AND DRESSING DINNER
St. Benedict Parish 676 St. Benedict Rd., Bendena Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
All are invited to this dinner. There will be turkey and dressing, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, salads and desserts. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful king-sized quilt, cash and other donated items can be purchased for $1 at the door. You need not be present to win. Celebrate our refurbished hall and enjoy a delicious meal. Look for the giant turkeys on Highway 20 to find the church located in Doniphan County just west of Bendena.
ANNUNCIATION PARISH TURKEY DINNER
Annunciation Parish (Cigna Center) 402 N. Maple St., Frankfort
Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A turkey dinner with all the trimmings will be served. The cost is $15 for adults and $6 for kids ages 5 - 10. There will also be a quilt raffle and a country store with food items, crafts and handiwork items. Come enjoy some great food with us.
GRANNY BASKETBALL
University of St. Mary (Ryan Sports Center)
4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth
Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.
Granny Basketball is a unique version of the game where players must follow 1920s-era rules. The Sisters of Charity will play the Kansas Meadowlarks — a group of women, ages 50 and older, who play in the Granny Basketball League. The cost to attend the game is a freewill donation. For those who cannot attend but wish to contribute to the Sisters of Charity Guardian Angel Fund, donations can be made online at: supportusm.com/angel-fund-gift.
ANNIVERSARY MASS FOR THE AFRICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF KANSAS
Prince of Peace Parish
16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe
Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.
This third anniversary Mass will feature a blend of African cultures through music,
dancing, traditional clothing and other aspects unique to the African Mass. It will conclude with a reception in the church hall that will offer different food from Africa.
ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR AND TURKEY DINNER
Holy Trinity Parish
601 E. Chippewa, Paola
Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
There will be a turkey dinner and bazaar in the parish center. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children. There will also be a raffle including a handmade quilt and gift cards, as well as a cakewalk and adult bingo.
ST. JUDE THE APOSTLE RELICS
Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish 7023 W. 71st., Overland Park
Nov. 6 from 2 - 10 p.m.
Veneration of the relics of St. Jude will begin at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the church. A Mass in honor of St. Jude will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Veneration will continue after Mass and close at 10 p.m. Pilgrims will be able to receive an extraordinary plenary indulgence issued by Pope Francis and published by the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary. Regarded as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations, the visit provides an opportunity for individuals to experience intimacy with someone who dwells in heaven and beholds God face-to-face. For more information, go online to: apostleoftheimpossible.com.
FALL LUNCHEON & CARD PARTY
St. Ann Parish (hall)
7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This annual event is hosted by the St. Ann Women’s Club. Grab some friends and join us for bridge, mahjong, crafts, bunko or board games . . . or just come for lunch and visit. The cost for tickets is $25 per person.
CHILI DINNER AND BINGO
St. Patrick Parish
1086 N. 94th, Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
There will be chili, hot dogs, cornbread muffins, salad, tea or lemonade, and dessert. The cost is: $12 for adults; $7 for children; and $35 for family of four (children under the age of 12). There will also be 10 games of bingo for $12. The average winning is $75/game and $250/blackout. For more information, call Fritz at (913) 515-0621.
5TH ANNUAL OUR LADY OF UNITY PARISH CASH RAFFLE FUNDRAISER
Our Lady of Unity Parish
2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas Now - Nov. 9
This is the major fundraiser for Our Lady of Unity Parish. If you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets, contact Sherry Johnson at (913) 207-0900 or Jolene Pryor at (913) 302-2575. The cost is $10 each or a book of 10 tickets for $100. First prize is $1,500; second prize is $1,000; and third prize is $500. The drawing is after the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 10. We accept cash, check, credit and debit cards (4% fee for debit and credit cards).
CRAFT FAIR
Holy Angels Parish
15440 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor
Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join us at our craft fair. There will be many crafts and ideas available. We would love to see all of you.
FALL FESTIVAL
St. Matthew Parish
2700 S.E. Virginia Ave., Topeka
Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.
There will be a traditional turkey dinner. The cost is: $14 for adults; $7 for kids ages 3 - 10; and free for children ages 2 and under.
There will be turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry salad, roll and dessert. Indoor games and booths are open until 2 p.m. There will also be bingo, baked goods, religious items, a cake spin, kids games, concessions and a 50/50 drawing. For more information or 50/50 drawing tickets, go online to: www.saintmatthews.org; send an email to: parishoffice@saintmatthews.org; or call (785) 232-5012.
BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St., Gardner Nov. 10 from 8:30 - 10 a.m.
Breakfast will include eggs, sausage and gravy, pancakes and drinks. The cost is $6 for those over the age of 13 and free for kids ages 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving throughout the year.
NOVEMBER ROSARY RALLY
All Saints Parish 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 10 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.
Please join us to honor Our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.
VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCES
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Holy Trinity Mausoleum Chapel 801 S.W. Westchester Rd., Topeka Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Resurrection Cemetery 8300 Quivira Rd., Lenexa Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
The American Legion Band will provide a patriotic musical prelude at both observances. Each location will feature special remarks by a guest speaker. The program will close with a prayer and the playing of “Taps.” For more information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 371-4040; send an email to: information@cathcemks.org; or go online to: www.cathcemks.org.
WILLS AND TRUSTS WORKSHOP
St. Teresa of Avila Parish 404 Garrison Ave., Westphalia Nov. 13 at noon
Join us for a presentation of wills and trusts. This event will begin with light snacks and fellowship. The workshop speaker will be Robert F. Robrahn, attorney at law, at the Robrahn Law Office.
‘AN INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER’
Marillac Retreat & Spirituality Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sister Mary Pat Johnson, SCL, will lead this introduction to centering prayer. Centering prayer invites us into a deeper relationship with God, one that goes beyond our thoughts and emotions. Join us for this introductory day of prayer where we will learn this contemplative way of praying. Sister Mary Pat is a certified spiritual director and is on staff at the Sophia Center’s Souljourners program. To register, send an email to Father Keven Cullen, SJ, at: kcullen@scls.org by Nov. 8. Lunch will be provided and freewill offerings will be accepted.
COALITION AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY CONFERENCE
The University of Kansas Memorial Union (Big 12 Room) 1301 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence Nov. 16 from 1 - 4:30 p.m.
This conference, “All In For Repeal,” is
open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the death penalty. The keynote speaker is Herman Lindsey, who was on Florida’s death row for three years, despite being innocent. There is no admission charge. Persons may attend in-person or register for a virtual link. For more information or to register, send an email to: info@ ksabolition.org or call (785) 235-2237.
BINGO FUNDRAISER
Holy Family Parish (Msgr. Mejak Hall) 513 Ohio Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.
A $20 donation includes one bingo card, one sausage supper, dessert and two drink tickets. No one under 21 will be admitted. There will be additional beverages for sale. For tickets, call Sarah Simonich Lee at (913) 905-9399, Sandy Cannon at (913) 396-1564 or the parish office at (913) 413-0022.
WOMEN’S
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL RETREAT
St. Joseph Parish 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Nov. 23 from 8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The retreat beings with Mass at 8:15 a.m. and includes breakfast and lunch. Join us for this transformative retreat. There will be Mass, inspiring talks and guided prayer and meditation. Reserve your spot today as space is limited. To register, go online to: church.stjoeshawnee.org; call (913) 6315983; or send an email to: parishoffice@ stjoeshawnee.org.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS POLKA DANCE
Father Dolan Hall 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Brian McCarty band will be playing polka and timeless dance music. This event benefits priests and seminarians. The cost is $10 at the door. Food, drink and setups will be available for purchase. For table reservations and any questions, call (913) 406-8717. We will have a raffle and are accepting any raffle prize donations.
CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN
DIVORCE MINISTRY
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish 5501 Monticello Rd., Shawnee Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.
Join us for conversation, meet new friends and learn tools to heal from this difficult situation and prepare for what’s next.
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP
‘HEALING THE DIVORCED HEART’ St. Michael the Archangel (Gabriel Room) 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Those who have experienced a divorce understand, as perhaps few others can. We were sad, lonely, scared and angry, but we have found that with God, time and the support of others, healing is possible. For more information, visit the website at: www.stmichaelcp.org/divorce-support.
ADVENT SILENT RETREAT
Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Dec. 6 - 8
The retreat will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 and end on Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord this Advent as we explore the essence and promise of the Advent season and gain a new understanding of the coming of Christ. There will be conferences, spiritual direction, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $180 single/$270 couple or single guest rooms $110 (meals included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: Christs Peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.
DAILY READINGS
THIRTY-FIRST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Nov. 3
THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Dt 6: 2-6
Ps 18: 2-4, 47, 51
Heb 7: 23-28
Mk 12: 28b-34
Nov. 4
Charles Borromeo,
bishop
Phil 2: 1-4
Ps 131: 1-3
Lk 14: 12-14
Nov. 5
Tuesday
Phil 2: 5-11
Ps 22: 26-32
Lk 14: 15-24
Nov. 6
Wednesday
Phil 2: 12-18
Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14
Lk 14: 25-33
Nov. 7
Thursday
Phil 3: 3-8a
Ps 105: 2-7
Lk 15: 1-10
Nov. 8
Friday
Phil 3:17 – 4:1
Ps 122: 1-5
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
died circa 249
A middle-aged deaconess in Alexandria, Apollonia was martyred there when mobs roamed the streets torturing and killing Christians. Her death was described by St. Dionysius of Alexandria in a letter to the bishop of Antioch: “Next, they seized the wonderful old lady Apollonia, battered her till they knocked out all her teeth, built a pyre . . . and threatened to burn her alive unless she repeated after them their heathen incantations.”
She refused and jumped into the fire on her own.
St. Augustine later said she must have been directed in this by the Holy Spirit. The patron of dentists, Apollonia is also invoked for toothaches and gum disease.
U.S. dental societies and journals have taken her name.
Will you choose to be a duck or an eagle?
The devil made me do it!
Folks like me, with a “few years” on us, will no doubt remember that memorable line from the comedian Flip Wilson in the ’60s and ’70s. Although a funny schtick from his character Geraldine, it’s not really true: The devil can’t make us do anything; we always have a choice.
I often end wedding homilies with this instruction from the poet Ogden Nash: “To keep your marriage brimming / With love in the loving cup / Whenever you’re wrong, admit it / Whenever you’re right . . . shut up!”
That’s great advice not only for married couples but for everyone. We forget that we do have a choice in life: to have the humility to admit when we are wrong, and to not gloat — or say, “I told you so!” — when we’re right. Our choices, for good or bad, do form
TFATHER MARK GOLDASICH
Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
our heart and our attitude.
I recently came across a marvelous story told by Summer Grace Vanni about a taxi ride she had with a cabbie named Wasu. His car was spotless, he wore a shirt and tie, and even offered her reading material and coffee.
Vanni asked Wasu if he’d always served his customers in this way.
MARK MY WORDS
He admitted that he hadn’t. In fact, he said he’d spent five years complaining all the time, like a lot of the other cabbies. Then, he said, he heard about the power of choice. Wasu explained, “Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle. If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining! . . . Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle.”
Since then, his business has more than doubled, with repeat customers calling him personally. And he’s also happier than he was.
After meeting Wasu, Vanni said, “I hope we all decide to soar like an eagle and not quack like a duck.”
(Story found in the Sept. 25 entry in The Christophers “Three Minutes a Day,” vol. 58.)
One of the choices I’m making is to change one little word as I go about the tasks of my day. I’ve replaced “have to” with “get to.” For example, rather than saying, “Gee, I have to write my Leaven column,” I now say, “Gee, I get to write my Leaven column.”
It’s amazing what that little change does to my brain and my motivation. Instead of treating it as a burden, I become grateful that I have this opportunity to share my thoughts with others, that I have
fingers to type, that I have eyes to see, that I have a computer to work on, etc.
If you don’t believe me, try it yourself the next time you “have” to do something, like take the kids to yet another practice or game, do the laundry or clean the house, or just head off to work. The task will remain the same, but your attitude toward it will likely be transformed.
Perhaps St. Paul says it best when he encourages us to choose to live the “fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol (Eph 5:22-23).
Can you imagine what the church — or the world — would be like if we Christians did this consistently? If we chose to be an eagle not a duck?
I’d love to write much more, but now I have — I mean, get to — prepare my homily for this weekend!
To love God and our neighbor is our primary
he theology of this passage from Mark matters. Obviously so does its place within the extended debates of rabbis and theologians, arguments now millennia old. “Which is the first of all the commandments?” the scribe asks Jesus (Mk 12:28).
His answer, woven together from Deuteronomy and Leviticus, is profound and powerful. To interpret it properly, one must dive into the deepest seas of the Scripture. This is one of those passages one studies, meditates upon and takes deep into mind and heart. It is an awesome passage, as exegetically rich in its
FATHER JOSHUA J. WHITFIELD,
and other books.
meanings as it is mystical in its power.
I read this dialogue between Jesus and
the scribe as a contemporary moral call: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” It is to love God with everything you have — heart, soul, mind and strength. But it’s also to love your neighbor as yourself. This, I suggest, is God’s word for November 2024. This is what God is saying to us today. This is exactly what he wants us to hear.
Which, if you ask me, is a powerful word for us to hear right now. Here in a divided country at the boiling point of a divisive election, this is what God wants us to hear: that we should not forget that the greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbor
as ourselves. Whatever our party, whatever the issue, no matter the frustration, to love God and our neighbor is our first task, the first thing God commands us to do.
Which is, for Catholics, our primary civic contribution. This — aside from the innumerable misinterpretations of the Letter to the Romans 13 — is fundamentally what St. Paul meant: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another” (Rom 13:8).
A few years ago, the French philosopher JeanLuc Marion called it our “Catholic moment.” He said it was the “political originality of Christians,” the way we bear witness to the world what “communion” really is by the
task
way we love God, each other and the stranger. Again, aside from who you think it critically important to vote for, this is your graver responsibility — what and who you love.
Really, it may be a miracle, providence at least, that this is what Catholics all over the world — American Catholics especially — will hear this Sunday, that their most important task is to love. It’s as if this is exactly what God wants to say to us right now, what he wants to give us — a word of love so different from the loud worldly words that are wearing us down. The only question is whether we will listen.
Praying to the Holy Spirit can help couples stay united, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Because the Holy Spirit specializes in love and unity, Catholic couples should pray regularly for the Spirit to be present in their marriage, Pope Francis said.
“Where the Holy Spirit enters, the capacity for self-giving is reborn,” the
pope said at his weekly general audience Oct. 23, continuing a series of talks about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and its members.
While the pope explained the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to a couple through the sacrament of marriage, he repeatedly told visitors and pilgrims
that the unity and love of parents are important for children’s growth and happiness.
“How much children need this unity — Dad and Mom together — this unity of parents, and how much they suffer when it is lacking! How much children suffer when their parents separate.”
Father Joshua J. Whitfield is pastor of St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas and author of “The Crisis of Bad Preaching”
APOLLONIA
Please join our growing community of volunteers and donors
It is said that the view is good from the top. Through the hard work and dedication of the Catholic Community staff, Villa St. Francis and Catholic Community Hospice have recently achieved a Medicare 5-Star rating, designating these as top-quality services. Villa St. Francis in Olathe was also recognized by the state of Kansas as a PEAK (Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas) Level 8 Mentor Facility.
In fact, the team did such a great job, Villa St. Francis was allowed to bypass several levels and skipped straight to the highest rating a
HEALTHCARE, THE CATHOLIC WAY!
Nsenior care community can achieve.
I think we’d all agree, we’ve been blessed with a wise archbishop. When we brought
the archdiocesan health care ministries of Villa St. Francis, home care, and hospice together under a single banner, we were faced with an intriguing challenge: What do we call ourselves?
When we chose the name “Catholic Community Health,” we
had a few thoughts in mind: that faith comes first in all that we do, that we want to be an invaluable resource to our community, and that we are committed to serving the elderly, infirm, sick and dying in all that we do — regardless of the individual’s ability to pay.
Community is important, both the community around us and the community that we’re seeking to create, and that’s what PEAK is all about. A critical aspect of the care at Villa St. Francis is seeking to create an environment where our residents feel like they’re a vital part of
a vibrant community, not just another patient to be served on our schedule. This manifests itself in a variety of ways — we removed the large nurse’s station at the end of the halls and repurposed it into a common room where residents from various neighborhoods can gather to share a story, watch television or play games with one another. Each “hall” was renamed as a “neighborhood” to give each resident a greater sense of belonging. We call it “person-centered” care, and we seek to care for the whole person — mind, body and soul.
The 5-Star ratings,
the PEAK distinction and all the other great work done through home care, hospice and Villa St. Francis are possible because of our dedicated staff, our heroic volunteers and our generous donors.
Following the great success of our Fall Ball, I’m grateful for all that we’ve been able to accomplish, and look forward to what the future holds. And if you would like to join us by extending a helping hand as a volunteer or donor, let us know online at: info@catholic communityhealth.org. We’ve got a strong and growing community and would love for you to be a part of it.
November is a time to be sure no important thing goes unsaid
FAMILY MATTERS
ow that Halloween is behind us, the world around us will begin to roll out Christmas in full force. Personally, I prefer to enjoy the full month of fall foliage we still enjoy in northeast Kansas, saving my Christmas decorations so I’m not tired of them by the bleak emptiness of mid-January. But no matter when you decide to roll out the holly, I want to encourage you to not skip the richness of the month of November as it pertains to our Catholic faith. All Saints. This beautiful feast is a great opportunity to connect the communion of saints with your family’s life. Do
Libby DuPont is a consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life.
your kids know who your confirmation saint was? What saints you are all named after? Are there any particular saints you have a devotion to? Spend one family meal sharing these stories. Don’t feel like you need to be an expert,
either . . . you can read a short biography right off your phone!
All Souls. We all have family and friends who have died. Pull out old family photos of important moments in your family’s history and share stories of the people in them who are no longer with us. Google “What Catholics Should Know About Purgatory — Father Mike Schmitz” and together watch this short video as a refresher on what purgatory is. Leave your favorite photos out as a reminder to pray for your loved ones during the month of November.
“Memento Mori.”
As the liturgical year draws to a close, we hear more about the fact that we will all one day die. The church doesn’t do this to be creepy, but as a reason for hope and a call to action. First, it can help us bear our crosses more patiently, knowing that this life is not the end. St. Teresa of Avila said that all this life’s sufferings were like one bad night in a bad hotel. This isn’t to minimize our pain, but to recognize that our loving God only allows it in order to bring about proportionate goods. It’s also healthy to
periodically examine our lives in the light of eternity. I often think of a friend of mine, married over 50 years, who had a heart attack a few years ago. As he lay on a gurney in the ER wondering if he’d live or die, he was at peace knowing he’d loved his wife with all his might. If I were to die tonight, what would I regret?
November is the time to repair relationships, make time for those we love and be sure that no important thing goes unsaid — with our loved ones and with God.
Have a blessed and holy November!
Will your legacy reflect what is most important in your life?
What will be your legacy?
As a father and grandfather, I often reflect on the legacy I am leaving for my children and grandchildren. How do they perceive me? What kind of mark am I leaving on my loved ones and the world? As Catholics, we encounter daily opportunities to create a lasting impact on our families and communities.
The tagline for the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas is: “Your Giving Legacy — Invested in Faith.” The Catholic Foundation promotes legacy giving to our parishes, schools, and
BILL MALONEY
Bill Maloney is the executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. You can email him at: wmaloney@ archkck.org.
the archdiocese and its ministries. When we talk about legacy, we often think of financial contributions, and
while this is an important aspect, it’s not the whole picture. Jesus left behind a rich legacy in many ways. He established the Eucharist, which we are blessed to receive at Mass, and he entrusted us with the church, a guardian of faith for over two millennia. Ultimately, we
are also part of Christ’s legacy, created in his image and likeness.
A Catholic legacy encompasses both spiritual and material elements. The spiritual legacy we pass on includes our values and Catholic faith, while the material aspect consists of the resources we leave behind.
To start reflecting on your legacy, consider your current situation. What matters most to you? What is the most significant gift you can leave to those you love? Are you a legacy for someone else? Do you recognize yourself as a recipient of another’s legacy? Do you see yourself as part of Christ’s legacy?
These questions can lead to a profound examination of conscience. Do my children and grandchildren understand what is most important to me? Am I living in a way that reflects those priorities? Is Our Lord and Savior truly central to my life, and does my life demonstrate that? I can attest that my father and grandfather lived in a way that clearly showed their Catholic faith was their top priority. Their commitment and love for Christ were evident in every aspect of their lives.
For generations, faithful Catholics have made significant contributions to our
communities, sacrificing to build our churches and schools. Today, many parishes within our archdiocese are working to construct churches that will honor God for years to come. Others are ensuring their legacy by including their parishes and schools in their estate plans.
The Catholic Foundation encourages you to consider naming the endowment fund of your parish, school or an archdiocesan ministry as a beneficiary of your estate. A gift to an endowment not only benefits the institution in perpetuity but also allows your legacy to endure for generations to come.
BRAD HEIDRICK
Brad Heidrick is the CEO of Catholic Community Health.
LIBBY DUPONT
Kids’ Kids’
CHRONICLE CHRONICLE
By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic Courier
ing Ahab of Israel did what was evil in God’s sight, more than any king who came before him.
One of the evil things King Ahab did was to marry his wife, Queen Jezebel. She was a pagan who influenced her husband to begin serving and worshiping the false god Baal.
In light of this, God told his prophet Elijah to give Ahab a warning.
A widow helps Elijah after he proclaims a drought Bible accent K G
Through Elijah, God informed Ahab that no dew or rain would fall on the land for a long time. The dew and rain would only come again when God instructed Elijah to say so.
God then instructed Elijah to go into hiding.
“Leave here, go east and hide in the Wadi Cherith, east of the Jordan,” God said. “You shall drink of the wadi, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there.”
Elijah had plenty to eat and drink at the Wadi Cherith. However, since there was a drought, the wadi — which is a stream bed that has water in it only during the rainy season — eventually dried up.
God continued to provide for Elijah’s care.
“Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you,” God told Elijah.
Elijah went to Zarephath. As he entered the city, he saw the widow, who was gathering sticks to make a fire. He called to the woman and asked for a cup of water. As she was leaving to get Elijah a drink, he also asked that she bring him a bit of bread.
“As the Lord, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug,” the widow replied. “Just now, I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.”
Elijah told her not to be afraid and to make him a little cake before making something for herself and her son.
“For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth,’” he said.
The widow did what Elijah asked. And just as God had said through Elijah, the widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil did not go empty, and she, her son and Elijah had plenty to eat for an entire year.
od performed another miracle through Elijah while the prophet was staying with the widow in Zarephath.
One day, the widow’s son became very ill. He became sicker and sicker until he stopped breathing and died. “Why have you done this to me, man of God?” the widow asked Elijah. “Have you come to me to call attention to my guilt and to kill my son?”
Elijah looked at the woman.
“Give me your son,” he told her.
Elijah took the boy from his mother’s lap and carried him to the upper room of the house where the prophet had been staying. He laid the child on the bed and called out to God.
“Lord, my God, will you afflict even the widow with whom I am staying by killing her son?” Elijah cried.
He again called out to God.
“Lord, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child,” Elijah prayed.
God heard Elijah’s prayer and returned the son to life. Elijah then brought the boy back downstairs to his mother.
“Now indeed I know that you are a man of God, and it is truly the word of the Lord that you speak,” the widow said to Elijah.
have been a widow who had seven sons.
Felicitas also was said to be very devoted to works of charity. She won many people to the faith, which greatly upset local pagan priests, who often complained about her.
Around the year 165, Felicitas was arrested for being a Christian. She was ordered to worship pagan gods or face death. After she refused to worship the false gods, the Roman emperor had her executed.
Felicitas was buried in the cemetery of Maximus on the Salerian Way in Rome, and we honor her on Nov. 23.
1. Where was the first place God told Elijah to hide?
Who was afraid of running out of flour and oil?
2.
t. Felicitas was a Christian who lived in Italy in the second century. She is said to