11-09-12 Vol. 34 No. 14

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 14 | november 9, 2012

Catholic Again

“When we walked into this church, you would have thought we were bishops and cardinals. The people were hugging us, thanking us for coming to be with them.”

Story by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Group finds Cubans eager to rediscover their Catholic faith

“T

he first thing I’ll tell you is everything I thought I understood about Cuba is thrown out the window.”

Sean Reilly, basketball coach and Catholic out-

reach director at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, was reflecting on a recent fact-finding tour of Cuba.

His purpose was to evaluate the island as a mission trip destination for students. What he found was a great need — but it wasn’t the one he expected.

“We came down here looking for projects we could build,” he said. “And we were way off base.

“The project is people who needed to know other Catholics haven’t forgotten them.” >> See “cuba” on page 6

People take part in an outdoor Stations of the Cross procession in Havana March 7. Cuba’s government, after a request from Pope Benedict XVI, declared Good Friday 2012 a national holiday.

3 stepping up

Miege football players sacrifice a day off to teach St. Agnes students.

5 New look

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer was rededicated after an extensive face-lift.

8 the persecuted church Christians are being persecuted worldwide because of their faith.

16 Election day

John Paul II School held its own election Nov. 6. Find out what was decided.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

Go for your goals

Life will be victorious

God can use tragedy to accomplish good in our lives

W

e begin the month of November in the church’s liturgical calendar with the twin feasts of All Saints and All Souls.

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

in his neck.

This year’s prayerful The night of the wake, I commemoration of those asked one of Jeff’s nieces, who have died had a special Cathy, if she had a favorite poignancy for me because of “Uncle Jeff memory.” Cathy the recent deaths of friends is a sophomore in high and family members. school and plays on the juTwo weeks ago, I traveled nior varsity volleyball team. to Munster, Ind., just outAbout six weeks ago, Jeff side of Chicago, to preside had gone to one of Cathy’s at the funeral Mass of my games. Very few fans come cousin, Jeff to junior Gerdes. Jeff varsity ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ was the fifth games and of my Aunt Archbishop Joseph F. Nauthe ones mann’s radio program on Dolores and that did nevKEXS 1090 AM airs at 10 a.m.

Uncle Ken’s er cheered. on Sunday and is repeated at eight sons.

Cathy’s 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 From team had p.m. on Thursday. childhood, never won Jeff always a game. Behad a winfore the first ning personality. He never period was complete, Jeff met a stranger and made had organized the small secfriends quickly. He connecttion of fans into a cheering ed easily with other people, machine. Cathy’s team won finding common interests their first match and Jeff had and humor in the most unbecome a legend with her likely of situations. teammates.

About five years ago, Jeff Despite his personality was diagnosed with incurand keen sense of humor, able bone cancer. Some Jeff’s life was not easy. months after his diagnosis, He had married at a fairly he actually broke his neck young age. His wife was a by sneezing because of the nondenominational, evanfragile brittleness of his gelical Christian. Jeff quit diseased bones. Living alone practicing his Catholic faith and with his legs paralyzed, and started to attend his he had to pull himself across wife’s church. the floor with his arms to Of course, our family was reach the phone and dial 911. saddened by Jeff’s abanAmazingly, through the donment of his Catholic grace of God and the skill of faith. However, Jeff began some remarkable surgeons, to study the Bible more inthey were able to fuse his tensely than he ever had as upper vertebrae so that he a Catholic and, for the first could walk again, although time, developed a personal he was never without pain relationship with Jesus in

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prayer. His brothers found him a bit overbearing with his newly acquired biblical literacy and were greatly relieved when I was able to defeat him in a game of Bible Trivia. All those seminary Scripture classes proved useful.

Sadly, Jeff and his wife divorced after only a few years of marriage. His wife was granted custody of the children and, after a few months, disappeared. For more than 10 years, despite hiring private investigators to find them, Jeff never saw his children.

Jeff frequently challenged his brothers and later his sons never to complain, criticize, or condemn. He followed his own advice well.

Despite his many emotional and physical sufferings, he did not complain. Though he had been mistreated by individuals he loved and trusted, he did not criticize or condemn them.

Oddly, his last years, despite his illness and physical suffering, were grace-filled in many ways. During this time, he experienced the tremendous blessing of reconnecting with his children. His terminal diagnosis made him face death squarely. This motivated him to return to the practice of his Catholic faith.

Jeff read some of the articles that I had written on the sacrament of reconciliation. They helped to pave the way for him to go to confession. Almost every time that we spoke in recent years, he would thank me for what I had written and express what a tremendous grace it was for him to experience the mercy of God through that beautiful sacrament.

He faithfully participated in Mass every weekend and developed a true love for

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calendars archbishop

Naumann Nov. 9 Mass and opening remarks for high school coaches and moderators follow-up St. Martin of Tours Mass and reception — Nativity, Leawood Nov. 10 Deacon ordination of Larry Bowers — St. Marys Miege Mass and foundation dinner

Nov. 14 National Committee for the Human Life Amendment board meeting Nov. 16-17 Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award presentation to past Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant — Dallas Nov. 18 Crosier Mass Mass and presentation of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award — Sacred Heart, Mound City

St. Thomas Aquinas 25th anniversary Extravaganza

archbishop

Nov. 11 Pro-Life Committee meeting — Washington, D.C.

Nov. 10 Deacon ordination of Larry Bowers — St. Marys

Human Life and Dignity Committee meeting

Nov. 11-15 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting — Baltimore

Nov. 12-15 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Pro-Life — Baltimore

the Eucharist. Having been away from the sacrament for so many years, Jeff treasured the gift of Our Lord’s unique presence in holy Communion.

Jeff also developed a beautiful devotion to Mary, particularly by praying the rosary — something he had done as a child with his family. As an adult, he came to appreciate Mary who always draws us closer to her son, Jesus.

One of Jeff’s weaknesses was that, in some areas, he was a procrastinator. In his last years, he had to apply for disability benefits. Of course, this involves a lot of paperwork. Jeff just never could find time to fill out all of the forms. One of Jeff’s brothers assisted him with

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this tedious task. We hope that there are no forms to be completed to get into heaven or Jeff may be waiting for his brother’s arrival.

Though Jeff’s death was a sadness for our family, we found great consolation in knowing that he was well prepared spiritually. In his last years, Jeff encouraged other family members and friends to rediscover the gift of their Catholic faith. Jeff’s life and death reminded me that God can use even what appear to be terrible tragedies in our life to accomplish great good.

Eternal rest grant to Jeff, O Lord. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace!

Amen.

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second front page 3

november 9, 2012 | theleaven.com

n Miege football seniors inspire St. Agnes students

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

R

OELAND PARK — It’s 8 a.m. on a rare day off from school.

So where do you find the senior members of Bishop Miege High School’s football team?

Still in school — just not their own school.

Even though parent/teacher conferences meant no classes at the Roeland Park high school on Oct. 25, most of the seniors on the team rolled out of bed early anyway, dressed in khakis and football jerseys, and headed to the school next to their own — St. Agnes Grade School.

Senior John Fisher admits he would have slept in if the call hadn’t come for the players to hit the ground running.

But he happily sacrificed a couple hours of sleep to visit younger students.

“I heard that we were going to read to the kids, and my aunt’s a kindergarten teacher — and I do that a lot of times for service hours,” John said. “So I was kind of excited because it’s a lot of fun.”

He and a group of second-graders read aloud together.

“It gets everyone involved and, if they don’t know a word, they can hear you say it and then they say it,” he said.

“It helps them learn the word.”

The Miege students walked into their morning knowing only that they’d work with students. They were game for anything, St. Agnes principal Mary Bachkora said.

And that turned out to be a good thing.

A bit of everything Mitch Wille sat in on his sister Ella’s fifth-grade class, while some of his teammates tried their hand at some “pinball soccer” in Phys. Ed. Those who happened to be St. Agnes alums and were already skilled in the game made sure to play gently with the kindergartners. But it was a different story when the fifth-graders vied for victory.

“I had a great time,” said Miege senior Montell Cozart. “I did a play in seventh-grade history class. We kind of did a little act where all the guys changed their voice, kind of did a highpitched type thing, and had the kids laughing.”

Laughs spilled into Michele Sediqzad’s middle-school science class, as well, where seniors Dante Hutton, Spencer Redmond and Alec Friesen literally stepped into a science experiment.

All three did a minute’s worth of “step-ups” on tall risers before breathing into tubes of blue liquid. Their breath quickly turned the substance yellow, demonstrating how the exercise

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

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Michael English, a pre-kindergartner at St. Agnes School in Roeland Park, examines Bishop Miege High School senior Yale Van Dyne’s handiwork as he gets ready to place a handprint leaf on a fall tree. had boosted their respiratory rates and increased their levels of carbon dioxide.

The high school students were good sports — and a hit with the younger kids, Sediqzad said.

“It’s almost like a celebrity’s here,” she said. “They’re really enjoying having these older kids they go watch every Friday [on the football field] come into their classroom and talk to them.”

Long-term bond Anne Wille, a Title I teacher at St. Agnes and the mother of football player Mitch, has been kicking around this idea for a while — with plans for even more interaction between the schools soon.

“We back up to Miege, and we have kids that need help after school with homework — and just need a big brother in their life,” she said. “Every day we see a kid who could use someone that makes them feel good.”

Working with Miege, she’s started stitching together plans for an afterschool “study buddy” and mentoring program, which she hopes will begin sometime this month. She plans to assemble twice-a-week opportunities in six-week blocks to foster bonds between pairs of Miege and St. Agnes students, and hopes Miege students will consider signing up.

Teenagers can provide a listening ear, support and inspiration, she said, and mentoring is a good way to share talents.

Many members of the football team are National Honor Society students, said Wille, and seeing an athlete like Montell taking school seriously and heading to college can show younger students the world is full of opportuni-

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Bishop Miege senior John Fisher reads out loud along with St. Agnes School second-graders Cash Navarro, left, and Metro Bernal. ties to “be cool and smart.”

In the meantime, Wille was eager to get the football team into St. Agnes during the season.

“We’ve really been pushing these boys on the football team to get out and give back,” she said.

And knowing that some of their biggest fans walk the halls of St. Agnes made it hard for the seniors to refuse.

“Our kids go to the football games,” said Wille. “They talk to me every day — ‘What’s up at Miege?’ ‘How’s your son doing?’ ‘How’s the football team?’”

‘We care about them’ Cori Meurer, a senior manager for the football team, enjoys working with

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

kids and was happy to take Wille up on the morning of volunteer work.

“I really want them to get that we care about them,” she said.

The principal and teachers were so impressed with the way the visitors introduced themselves and worked with kids of all ages, they look forward to their return.

“They are great role models,” said Bachkora.

She hopes her students learn from the visitors “that there are lots of young people who make really good choices, and that there are lots of ways to give back to their community and lots of ways to live their faith — and these young men and women are examples of that.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $18/year.

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4 local news

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

Exploration of Christian beliefs set for Nov. 15 KANSAS CITY, Mo. — “The Lord’s Table: An Ecumenical Exploration of Christian Beliefs” by the Rev. Josef Walker will be held on Nov. 15 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Chapel here, located at 1001 E. 52nd St. The discussion will explore how Roman Catholics and other Christians understand and celebrate Communion.

For information and to register, contact Mariann McCormally at (816) 523-5115, ext. 204, or by email at: mccormally@ sfx-kc.org.

Tour Strawberry Hill overland park —The Women of Spirit of Holy Spirit Parish here are hosting a tour of the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center and St. John the Baptist Church on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The cost of $40 includes bus transportation from Holy Spirit, tours, and lunch. Call Mary at (913) 486-3285 or Kathy at (913) 599-2940 for information.

Leaven photo by Marc Anderson

Election prayers

Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka served as the setting for a Holy Hour on Nov. 4. Led by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and coordinated by the Apostolate of Divine Mercy, it served as an opportunity for Topeka area Catholics to gather in prayer for the Nov. 6 general election. The Holy Hour consisted of eucharistic exposition and Benediction, silent meditation, the sharing of Scripture and the praying of the Divine Mercy chaplet. The archbishop also reflected on the principles Catholics should follow in voting for government leaders.

O

Couples Talk available KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Keeler Women’s Center here, located at 2220 Central Ave., will present Couples Talk on Nov. 19 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

Aquinas High School establishes Hall of Fame

verland Park — St. Thomas Aquinas High School here has announced the establishment of the Saints Hall of Fame awards program to formally recognize alumni, parents and friends who help define and advance the institution and its mission.

The Saints Hall of Fame program celebrates the four-year coeducational high school’s 25th year and its alumni and supporters. To date, 5,889 alumni have graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas since the school opened at 114th & Pflumm in 1988.

Nominations for the annual award are based on exceptional professional or personal achievement in areas of profession, vocation or avocation that may include, but not are not limited to,

fields of religion, arts, athletics, business, human services, industry, medicine, military, science or volunteerism.

Award categories are Alumni and Distinguished Service. Additional awards that may be bestowed in any given year include the Legacy Award, for longtime exceptional service to the institution by members of the community, and the Marian Award, for longtime exceptional service by retired faculty and staff. All nominees must demonstrate Catholic values that represent St. Thomas Aquinas High School and its mission within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The 2013 inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Alumni Award recipients are: Brigid Molen Sullivan, class of 1995; Benjamin Schloegel, class of 1996;

Erica Thesing Kratofil, class of 1997; Father Vince Huber, class of 2000; and Mikey Needleman, class of 2002.

Alumni Award nominees must be graduates of 10 years or more.

The 2013 inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award recipients are: Mac Ayer, Robert and Gail Foote, Robert Frankovic, Dave Goebel, and John and Barb O’Donnell.

Recipients of the 2013 inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Legacy Award, honoring persons or organizations who have been instrumental in helping to build the Saints community over a number of years, will be announced at a later time.

Faculty and staff members who are past recipients of the Marian Award will be grandfathered into the Saints Hall of Fame. They are: Gennaro Mirocke, 1992; Richard Scott, 1995; Blake

Mulvany, 1996; Janiece Dye, 1996; Sister Kathleen Condry, OSU, 1998; Evelyn Boutte, 1999; Gail Prieb, 2002; Archbishop James P. Keleher, 2005; Dennis and Geri Hord, 2005; James Enneking, 2008; Bonnie Patrick, 2009; and Bob Aley, 2010.

Honorees are chosen by an appointed Hall of Fame selection committee consisting of diverse representation of the St. Thomas Aquinas community.

Recipients will be honored in the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Saints Spirit annual report and at the 2013 Hall of Fame induction tribute.

The inaugural event will be held on March 2, 2013, at the Regnier Center at Johnson County Community College in conjunction with the Saints 25th year gala celebration.

local news 5

november 9, 2012 | theleaven.com

Chapel consecrated; ready for the Year of Faith n Christ’s Peace House of Prayer is rededicated and consecrated

Finding Christ’s Peace

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

E

ASTON — The long, gray, metal-sided buildings remain unchanged, as do the East Asian-inspired gardens outside. Many other aspects of this archdiocesan place of prayer remain the same.

But the heart of it all — the chapel — is different.

There is a new chapel crucifix with marble backing, a new marble tabernacle and a new marble altar. A new wood floor has replaced the earthen floor under the altar. Chairs (later to be replaced by pews and kneelers) have replaced the cushions.

The old Shantivanam is gone. Say hello to the new Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, just in time for the Year of Faith.

On Oct. 29, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann rededicated and consecrated the remodeled chapel, anointing the new altar with sacred chrism.

“We don’t necessarily always anoint and consecrate an altar and a chapel like this,” the archbishop said in his homily. “That’s normally reserved for parish churches.”

“But because this place, in my estimation, is to be such a special, sacred place of prayer,” he continued, “I wanted to do a more formal consecration of this new altar.”

Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Richard Halvorson, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Paola; Father Richard McDonald, pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Basehor; vicar general Father Gary Pennings; Little Brother Christophe, OP; and Father Alfred Rockers, retired and living in Leawood. The masters of ceremony were Father John Riley and Msgr. Gary Applegate.

About 50 people attended the Mass and reception, including members of the retreat house’s prayer guild, advisory board members, and other friends and supporters.

Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker and Father Ed Hays established what is now Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in the

Leaven photo by Joe Bollig

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, with assistance from master of ceremonies Father John Riley, incenses the new altar at Christ’s Peace House of Prayer on Oct. 29, just in time for the Year of Faith. early 1970s on 120 acres of land southeast of Easton. It was intended to be a place of prayer and spiritual renewal for all the people of the archdiocese.

Now, in this Year of Faith, that original vision is being celebrated. But it has also received a substantial makeover.

“At this moment in the history of this place, we wanted to renew and, in a sense, intensify the focus here on Christ — and hence the name Christ’s Peace House of Prayer,” said Archbishop Naumann. “[It is] a place where people, we pray, can come to encounter the Lord Jesus in new ways,” he continued, “to experience his love in their hearts and lives, and to be renewed in their desire to follow him ever more closely. It’s my hope that his place will be greatly used in the days ahead.”

He said it was his hope that many priests and their fraternal groups will come and use it as a place for spiritual renewal, but not just the clergy.

“Even more, [we hope] that many of the laity — particularly in this Year of Faith — will find this place as an oasis,” said the archbishop, “a place to come and deepen their faith in the Lord Jesus, to deepen their love for him and their prayer, and to deepen their commitment to live their Catholic faith and follow him faithfully.”

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer has a main building with offices, a library, chapel, and a couple of courtyard guest rooms. It also has 12 private cabins for

staff and guests. Ten of the cabins have heat and running water.

Several retreat options are available and include communal prayer, private prayer, eucharistic adoration, walking prayer, spiritual direction, guidance on how to pray, prayer in partial or full silence and solitude, and private group retreats. Director Vince Eimer also teaches contemplative prayer.

People can use the facility for half a day, a day, a weekend, a week, or even longer. Guests are asked to support the facility with freewill donations, according to the length of their stay and their use of the services and facilities.

“We want people to realize that it’s the presence of Jesus Christ that is present here,” said Eimer, “and it is through the silence that is found here, through the prayer life that is lived here, that they can find greater intimacy with Jesus.”

“In this Year of Faith, we’re trying to help people develop a deeper prayer life, help them to develop a closer relationship to Jesus,” he added. “Here [is] a place where silence is given, so the noise and distractions of modern life can be put on hold, so people can spend their time deepening their relationship with Christ.”

For more information about Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, call (913) 7738255; send an email to: info@christs peace.com; or go to the website at: www.christspeace.com.

EASTON — Molly Rasmussen never doubted God. But organized religion?

That was another story.

“I’ve always been a follower of Christ, but it has been difficult,” said Rasmussen, now a member of Corpus Christi Parish in Lawrence.

Simply put, her heart had been broken. She walked away from organized religion.

Rasmussen grew up as a member of the German (Dunkard Molly Rasmussen Baptist Brethren) Church and later became a member of an evangelical Presbyterian church. Nevertheless, concern about her youngest son led her to enroll him in Corpus Christi School in Lawrence.

“Father Mick Mulvany and Sister Doris Engeman really took me and my son under their wings,” she said.

Rasmussen began attending school Masses with her son, which moved her tremendously. Before long, she began going to Masses with her son on nonschool days.

She also met Catholics who offered her friendship and support — pastor Father Mulvany, Sister Doris, and parishioners Jim and Maggie Lock.

Eventually, Rasmussen converted to Catholicism.

Ironically, it was her non-Catholic mother who first told Rasmussen about Christ’s Peace House of Prayer. The former had learned about the prayer center through the books of its founder, Father Ed Hays. She used to read those books to Rasmussen as a child.

Rasmussen made her first trip to Christ’s Peace House of Prayer a little more than a year ago.

“I met [director] Vince Eimer and [staff member] Yvonne Streff,” said Rasmussen. “They taught me to sit in silence in the presence of God, to walk through the woods and be a child of God once again. I found my home.

I found my life, the life God made for me.”

Corpus Christi Parish and Christ’s Peace House of Prayer taught her something about prayer and love. The church, Rasmussen learned, can be a good thing.

“I can come here [to Christ’s Peace House of Prayer] and practice something monks and nuns have practiced for years,” she said. “You learn to become one with God and to be in God’s presence at all times. That brings people back to the church.”

6 LOCAL NEWS

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

The scandal and shame

Cuba is in the midst of a spiritual reawakening >> Continued from page 1

Spread the Word in Cuba

Faith revival After almost 50 years of being officially termed an atheist nation, Cuba is returning to its origin of deep religious ties.

Before the historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 1998, the word “atheist” was replaced with “secular” in Cuba’s constitution, and the government allowed citizens to celebrate Christmas for the first time in decades.

This shift toward increased religious freedom continued and, last March when Pope Benedict visited Cuba, he saw overwhelming crowds at two outdoor Masses.

“Since his visit, there’s been a greater interest in religious practices and expression,” said Reilly.

Cuba is in the midst of a spiritual reawakening, and 60 percent of its 11 million people have roots in Catholicism. However, as Reilly discovered, the Catholic Church has been slow to respond to this clear need for evangelization in Cuba.

“All the Christian churches are growing,” he said. “That’s one of the things that shocked me.

“They have so many people representing different [Protestant] congregations working there, and the evangelicals and Pentecostals have exploded.

“The ministers are all extremely eloquent, and they’re giving an outpouring of their faith; but it’s not Catholicism.”

Serena Price, who runs the Spirit Shop at St. Thomas Aquinas and has accompanied Reilly on many student mission trips, was with him in Cuba.

“The little town we were in,” she said, “it’s about two hours from Havana.

They had never had a group of Catholics visit.”

Lost generations As the Catholic Church reawakens in Cuba, it’s finding a young generation of believers with big questions and no one to answer them.

To illustrate this point, Reilly recalled a local Mass they attended. The front of the church was filled with Catholic adults older than 60.

“They remember,” he said.

The rest of the church was filled with young adults, teens and children “They’re curious,” he said.

The middle-aged groups were missing. The decades when religion wasn’t openly practiced in Cuba left this gap.

“So there is this lost hole in the Catholic Church there,” said Reilly. “There are no adults to be mentors to the youth.”

“Two generations didn’t grow up with prayers at home and going to Mass,” added Price. “It wasn’t even available.”

CNS photo/Paul Haring

A crowd packs Antonio Maceo Revolution Square as Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the popemobile to celebrate Mass in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, March 26. After almost 50 years of being officially termed an atheist nation, Cuba is returning to its origin of deep religious ties.

Reilly recalled going to another Mass with three Columbian Sisters and a Cuban priest.

“When we walked into this church, you would have thought we were bishops and cardinals,” he said. “The people were hugging us, thanking us for coming to be with them.

“And Father told me, ‘These people know now that they’re not alone. There are Catholics in other parts of the world that care about them.’”

Reaching out to youth The youth are the hope for the future Catholic Church in Cuba, but they desperately need evangelization. The concepts American Catholics have grown up understanding, like the Trinity, are completely unknown to them.

“So I started telling them about Saint Patricio,” said Reilly. “You could see Father was beaming with pride.”

The Sisters told Price children and teenagers don’t even know how to bless themselves. They begged her to come back soon and teach them.

“Please come to our Catholic families,” Price recalled them saying. “Tell them how to be Catholic, tell them how to have prayers in their home, how to have faith and hope in Christ.”

There is a clear opportunity to evangelize the Cuban youth, who are starving for information, and through them, spread Catholic teaching, said Price.

“So our hope is with the younger crowds desiring to know God more, enlightening them would also be enlightening to the rest of the family,” said Price.

Though the need for Catholic teaching in Cuba is overwhelming, Reilly and Price agreed it was not a job for high school students. Their fact-finding mission had to turn down a different path.

“High school students need to be kept busy,” explained Reilly. “That’s the stage of development they’re in.

“[Cuba] doesn’t need us to build homes and hospitals and orphanages and churches, like other countries do.

They need us to build Catholic relationships.

“So we learned very quickly that this would be more of a young adult/adult opportunity.”

One plan, then another After returning to the States and spending long days thinking, praying and networking, Reilly decided the need in Cuba is so immediate they had to plan a mission trip there as soon as possible.

But the need is so great, he knew he also had to plan a more expansive mission trip for the future.

The first mission trip will take place this coming spring.

“The plan is to bring a group of like-minded Catholics from our archdiocese, hopefully bilingual, to meet the partners we already have in place in parishes in Cuba,” explained Reilly.

“We’ll work with the priest and nuns there in their ministry, to help them evangelize.”

The second trip date is still up in the air, but it promises to be as engaging as it is unique. Reilly is putting together a combined sports clinic and youth ministry mission.

“That all comes out of Pope John Paul wanting to reach young people through activities and sports,” he said.

“So it’s not a novel idea on our part — it’s a metamorphosis of what John Paul started.

“But it has never been done in Cuba.”

And plans seem to be falling in place.

Reilly was recently driving his daughter to soccer practice when he got a welcome call on his cellphone.

“It was Coach [Frank] Martin on the phone saying, ‘Tell me all about Cuba,’” recalled Reilly. “I’m driving my daugh-

If you want to help people learn about their faith, and renew your own faith, consider taking a trip to Cuba this spring. You may be surprised at what you find there.

The first mission trip is tentatively planned for late May or early June.

Cuba is a beautiful country and one of the safest in Latin America. Cubans do not speak English, so the mission group particularly needs people who speak Spanish.

If you have an interest in learning more about the spring mission trip, the future sports clinic and youth ministry program, or if you would like to find out about planning a mission trip with your own church group, contact Sean Reilly by email at: SReilly@stasaints.net.

The cries of oppressed Christians go unanswered

ter to soccer practice and he says, ‘I want to be involved.’”

Martin, recently of Kansas State and now head coach at the University of South Carolina, is not only a renowned coach, but also a Cuban Catholic who speaks the language fluently.

“So I said, ‘Frank, they’ve talked to me about the potential of putting on a basketball clinic — would you like to be involved with that?’

“And he said, ‘Sign me up!’”

Luring them in Reilly has experience putting on sports clinics in Guatemala, at the San Lucas mission there.

“So it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve done something like that in a Latin American country,” he said.

The sports clinic will take place in Havana.

“In the afternoon, the kids will do sports, and we’ll use that as a lure,” explained Reilly. “After that, we’ll have youth groups in Catholicism.”

Reilly is also trying to involve Catholic Athletes for Christ, which has an evangelization wing in baseball and soccer.

“And a Catholic mission group out of Dallas that is bilingual, is interested in doing the ministering part to the youth,” he said.

All Reilly needs now is more volunteers to help him bring these missions to life and spread the word about the need for Catholic evangelization in Cuba. (See sidebar.)

“If I can inform other members of the archdiocese,” he said, “maybe I could be a conduit for people who want to evangelize there.

“For some reason I’ve been presented this opportunity, and the best I can do is try to inform more people that this could be a spiritual venture of reaching out to an under-served Catholic population.”

CNS/Reuters

Nigeria

A priest and security forces look over the scene of a car bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, just outside Nigeria’s capital Abuja, Dec. 25, 2011. The Islamist militant group Boko Haram said it planted the bombs that exploded on Christmas Day at churches in Nigeria. The explosion at St. Theresa’s killed at least 27 people.

S

story by Joe Bollig

adly, the rape and murder of 12-year-old Lubna Masih — targeted because she was Christian — is not a rare event in Pakistan.

The violent end of her life was yet another entry on a

long list of violence and discrimination suffered by members of the Christian minority in that country.

Masih, a Catholic, was a student at Presentation Convent School in

Rawalpindi. The city adjoins Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

On Sept. 27, 2009, Masih left her home to buy milk. A group of five men suddenly grabbed her and forced her into a car. She screamed and fought,

Kernel of truth A long time ago, there was a great commercial that featured a middle-aged guy sitting on the edge of his bed and complaining to his wife about his indigestion. “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing,” he moans.

It was so effective that if you’re old enough to remember the commercial, you undoubtedly remember the product it was advertising — Alka-Seltzer.

When you can remember what product a TV commercial was peddling 40 years later, that commercial is “sticky,” explain Dan and Chip Heath in “Made to Stick.”

According to them, there are six principles required to make an idea sticky. It must be simple, it must surprise us in some way, it must be concrete, the source must be credible, it must engage the emotions, and it must be delivered in the form of a story.

It’s easy to dissect the Alka-Seltzer commercial for all of those elements. But for my money, the King of Sticky lived 2000 years ago. And there is no better example than this Sunday’s Gospel.

The story of the widow’s mite is very brief, and so simple a child can tell it. It’s so concrete and emotionally engaging it makes our hearts hurt to hear it.

The surprise comes, as in so many of his parables, in the way Jesus turns accepted wisdom on its head and raises up the poor widow over the wealthy Pharisees.

But it’s the final criteria for a “sticky” story that is most interesting in the case of Jesus. Since even his disciples only gradually discover the reason they were following this guy, why have his words “stuck” with so many down through the centuries?

Perhaps because he was not simply telling the truth.

He was the Truth.

— A.M.

but no one tried to help her. She was taken to a cemetery where she was raped and murdered.

Her body was found hours later, and the police were notified. But there would be no justice for Lubna Masih and her family. The reason: The victim was a Christian and the criminals were Muslim.

Continued on the next page

Reasons for religious persecution are diverse Boko Haram set off a car bomb during Mass at St. Rita Church in the northern Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League Nigerian town of Kaduna. The blast blew (which governs the province and controls out part of the outside wall and roof, the city administration) and even mem- killing seven and injuring 100. Three bers of Pakistan’s parliament pressured Muslims were beaten to death by angry the family to accept a cash settlement to Christian youths in retaliation — the type of religious conflict Boko Haram is trying keep the matter out of court.

Lubna’s parents accepted, but not out to incite.

The true death toll of Christians from of greed. Because they were terrified and had no confidence in the police, courts persecution — leaving aside all other or government, they took the cash in the incidents of harassment and violence — could be in the thouhope that even more sands or even tens of violence could be thousands annually. avoided. In Pakistan, A report published Christian victims by the Pew-Templeusually experience ton Global Religious ongoing victimizaFutures Project helps tion by the Muslim provide a big-picture majority and the maview. chinery of the state.

The August 2011 A story published Pew report called in 2010 by the Vat“Rising Restrictions ican news agency on Religion” said: Fides reported that “Christians and Musviolence against lims, who together women in Pakistan comprise more than — especially Chrishalf the global poputians — is rampant lation, were harassed and on the increase. in the largest number For Christian of countries (130 for women and girls, this Christians).” violence consists not According to the only of kidnapping and rape, but also CNS photo/Reuters report, “harassment of Christians, Musforced marriage and forced conversion to A Syrian nun opens the door of St. Paul Cathe- lims and Jews was Islam. A similar situ- dral in the old city of Damascus. On Oct. 29, a highest in the Middle ation exists in Egypt, car bomb killed 11 and injured many more in a East-North Africa,” where the Christian- Christian and Druze neighborhood in Jaramana, and that “restrictions on religion are parminority Copts are a suburb of Damascus. ticularly common in targeted. countries that prohibPersecution of it blasphemy, apostaChristians is not limited to Pakistan or Egypt. In fact, perse- sy or defamation of religion.”

Demographic figures also help to give cution of Christians — in various forms and intensity — is widespread across the an idea of the scale and intensity of antiglobe . . . and in countries one might not Christian violence and discrimination.

For example, the 2011 report “Persecutexpect. Paradoxically, Christian persecution elicits no widespread concern even ed and Forgotten” by Aid to the Church in Need noted that the number of Christians in countries with Christian majorities.

The rape and murder of Lubna Masih in Iraq fell from 1.4 million in 1987 to poscould easily be a metaphor for the perse- sibly 150,000 in early 2011. The Christian cuted church: It cries out in anguish, but population of Bethlehem has dropped from 85 percent in 1948 to 12 percent is mostly ignored. in 2012. Hindu extremists in the Indian state of Orissa caused the displacement of 50,000 people during the 2007 to 2008 outbreak of violence.

The so-called “Arab Spring” of 2011 to The persecution of Christians is widespread but largely unnoticed by Chris- 2012 has imperiled minority Christians tians in the relative safety of developed even further.

For example, the New York Times remajority-Christian countries — like the ported in a June 29 article, “Syria’s ThreatUnited States.

Often news of persecution is buried ened Christians,” that Islamic militants or obscured by the daily news of strife, were expelling Christians from neighborcrime and conflict in many countries. hoods in the city of Homs. About 80,000 Sometimes other reasons are given — Christians used to live in the city, but now land disputes, ethnic strife, or criminal about 400 remain, the article reported.

Bishop Antoine Audo, SJ, the Chalactivity. Other times the lack of awareness is simply a failure to connect the dean Catholic bishop of Aleppo, said many Christians have lost everything and dots.

Fides News Agency publishes an an- have fled their homes. He reported that in nual report that includes the number of Homs, all the churches were targeted for pastoral workers killed that year. In 2011, desecration.

Christians of all denominations are according to the report, 26 pastoral workers were killed — 18 priests, four religious the targets of vandalism, looting and car bombings in Syria. More recently, a Sisters, and four laypersons.

The annual number of pastoral work- car bombing in the Christian section of ers’ deaths provided by Fides, however, is Bab Touma left 13 dead. On Oct. 29, a car dwarfed by the huge number of lay Chris- bomb killed 11 and injured many more in a Christian and Druze neighborhood in tians killed or attacked.

For example, simultaneous bomb at- Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus.

Christians are frequently the targets tacks on three churches in northern Nigeria by the Islamic terrorist group Boko of kidnapping for ransom. If it isn’t paid, Haram on June 17 alone killed 21 and the victim is killed. Father Fady Haddad, the pastor of St. Elias Orthodox Church wounded more than 100.

The latest occurred on Oct. 28, when in the suburb of Qatana, Damascus, was a suicide bomber suspected to be part of kidnapped while trying to negotiate the continued from previous page

India

CNS photo/Thomas Saji, UCAN

Thousands of Christians protest against religious persecution at a rally in Jabalpur, central India, April 9, 2007. Christians in Madhya Pradesh state over the years have faced persecution from the government and Hindu radicals who falsely accuse them of trying to convert Hindus.

Syria

Pakistan

CNS photo/Faisal Mahmood, Reuters

Police escort blindfolded Muslim cleric Khalid Jadoon Chishti as he is taken into court in Islamabad Sept. 2. Pakistani authorities arrested the imam on suspicion of framing Rimsha Masih, a Pakistani Christian girl accused of blasphemy.

Aid to the Church in Need Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic charity under the guidance of the Holy Father. Pope Benedict XVI elevated it to the status of a pontifical foundation in December 2011. The pope appointed Cardinal Mauro Piacenza as president of the foundation.

Father Werenfried van Straaten OPraem., who earned the nickname “the bacon priest,” founded the organization, headquartered in Konigstein, Germany, to assist displaced persons after World War II. Currently, Aid to the Church in Need annually assists people through more than 5,000 projects in more than 145 countries.

For information or to make a donation, go to the Aid to the Church in Need website at: www.churchinneed. org, or call 1 (800) 628-6333.

Connecting the dots

ransom of a kidnapped parishioner. His body was found on Oct. 25 “There is a true exodus in Syria,” said Sarkis Boghjalian, the New York-based national director of the American office of Aid to the Church in Need. “[One bishop said] 80 percent of Christians have fled, because of religious-motivated violence, from his hometown. People want to stay, but security and violence is a concern for them.”

Worldwide persecution of Christians happens on a huge scale, and “what it amounts to is a human rights disaster of

epic proportions, and action is urgently needed at all levels,” concluded the report of Aid to the Church in Need. “Silence and inaction are inexcusable.”

Diverse, complex and pervasive Why do Catholics and other Christians face such severe persecution?

The reasons and sources are diverse, said Boghjalian.

EGYPT

CNS photo/Reuters

An Egyptian Christian holds a cross made of flowers as he chants slogans following clashes between Coptic Christians and residents in the Shoubra neighborhood of Cairo last Nov. 17. Several people were injured when residents clashed with a group of Christians marching through the capital to commemorate those who died in confrontations with the army Oct. 9.

“The root cause could be religious fundamentalism,” he said. “It could be

extremists who are willing to take advantage [of social unrest]; it could be regimes like those of Cuba, Vietnam or China — dictatorships. So the motivations are quite broad.”

Sometimes religious persecution is blended into ethnic conflict, land disputes or even crime.

As has happened repeatedly in Pakistan, a Muslim neighbor may want to buy some land from a Christian neighbor. The Christian refuses and is then accused by the Muslim of blasphemy, which is illegal. Under this pretext — and with the tacit support of the police, courts and government officials — the Muslim seizes the land.

Christians have also suffered under Pakistan’s oft-misused blasphemy laws through motives of revenge, jealousy, and settling personal scores.

One notorious case is that of Asia Noreen Bibi, a Christian woman from Punjab Province, who was sentenced to death on Nov. 8, 2010, under Pakistan’s blasphemy law.

Bibi, a poor farmworker, was asked to get water for some Muslim workers.

Some refused the water because they considered it “unclean,” having been drawn by a Christian. An argument arose, and later a co-worker accused her of blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed.

A mob attacked her and her family, and Bibi was arrested and put on trial. She was convicted and remains in prison. It has been reported that an imam has offered money for her assassination and another has threatened a mob attack if she is pardoned or released. Her family has gone into hiding.

Sometimes the church is seen as an ideological threat to the state — such as in China, Vietnam and North Korea — that must be neutralized. Sometimes the motivation is opportunistic — an attack on a weak minority as a means to power.

Such is the case now in Syria. “[Christians in Syria] are living in fear,” said Boghjalian. “Imagine this: You’re living peacefully, and suddenly in 48 hours you have to make a decision about where you will go. You have to let go of your community. You’re not even part of the war, but suddenly you are a target.”

“Other forces take advantage of the power vacuum,” he continued, “and say, ‘This is our opportunity to push out the Christians, the Catholics, out of their homes and schools and institutions. Let’s grab their assets, but also make it so they’ll never come back.’”

According to the 2011 Pew report, the region of the Middle East and North Africa had the largest percentage of countries in which government restrictions on religion increased. According to Pew, the nations with very high government restrictions on religion, in descending rank, were: Egypt (and rising), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, China, Maldives, Malaysia (and rising), Burma/Myanmar, Eritrea and Indonesia.

There is also “social hostility,” defined by the 2011 Pew report as “acts of religious hostility by private individuals,

organizations and social groups.” This includes “mob or sectarian violence, harassment over attire for religious reasons and other religion-related intimidation or abuse.” Countries with very high social hostilities involving religion were: Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Indonesia, Nigeria (and rising), Bangladesh, Israel and Egypt.

Government restrictions can be highly visible, as, too, are instances of bombings, riots and ethnic cleansing.

Persecution of the “social hostility” variety has a lower profile — beatings, theft, discrimination in employment or in education, clergy being spat upon, denial of public services, insult, pressure to convert, economic discrimination and restrictions on participation in civil society.

What can be done?

Various organizations — Catholic, Protestant, and secular human rights organizations — have advocated on behalf of individual Christians and groups of Christians. They’ve launched letter writing campaigns and advocacy efforts with various governments, including the United States.

Assistance can come in the form of advocacy and financial support. Often, the persecuted ask simply not to be forgotten.

Once a man traveled to China with funds to support seminarians of the underground Catholic Church in China.

The man was supposed to meet a bishop at a park and pass the cash to him. But when he arrived, another man, not the bishop, was there.

“I am not the bishop,” the other man said. “He is under so much surveillance that he could not come.”

The traveler said he had an envelope for the bishop.

“Don’t leave the money,” said man. “I didn’t come to take it. I have a message from the bishop: Pray for us. We find strength in your prayers. We will make ends meet by the end of the day. We want the West to know that we exist, that we are not disappearing, that we have your support.”

The persecuted church needs prayers and it needs to be remembered, said Boghjalian. It also needs financial support through organizations — like Aid to the Church in Need — that have the expertise and contacts to help persecuted Catholics.

“It takes two sides of the coin,” he said. “One side is educating the public, the Catholic audience. [The other] is for priests to speak up. They have to speak up. They have to be the voice and be involved in getting that information [out].

That’s very important, proactively championing that awareness.”

10 local news Sister Charlene Race, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Charlene Race, SCL, formerly Sister Mary William, 78, died Oct. 29 at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth here.

Charlene Rose Race was born on Nov. 25, 1933, in Wamego, one of two children of William and Stella Lintz Race. She Sister Charlene entered the reRace, SCL ligious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Aug. 19, 1954, and, as Sister Mary William, made her profession of vows on Aug. 22, 1956. She later returned to the use of her baptismal name.

Reflecting on her vocation years later, Sister Charlene said, “Although I never attended a Catholic school . . . I always had a desire to be a Sister.

The Lord provided me the opportunity when I went to Topeka to get a job after high school. Fortunately, one of my friends at work was Bernadine Desch (whose sister was a Sister of Charity). At the same time, I lived at an apartment house where Mary Ann Rilinger (now Sister Dor-

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

othy Marie) resided. We became friends and Bernadine introduced us to the Sisters of Charity. I guess you could say the rest is all history.”

After profession, Sister Charlene taught in elementary school for one year. In 1957, she began working in the business office at various hospitals in the Sisters of Charity Health System and, in 1999, she was assigned to work in the community treasurer’s office at the motherhouse.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Carroll College in Helena, Mont. Sister Charlene retired to Ross Hall in February 2007.

Sister Agnes Virginia Hamm, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Agnes Virginia Hamm, SCL, 95, died on Oct. 31 at the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of L e a v e nw o r t h here.

Rita Blanche Hamm was born on May 30, 1917, in Kansas City, Kan., one Sister Agnes Virginia of three chilHamm, SCL dren of Melvin and Agnes Edmondson Hamm. She graduated from Blessed Sacrament

School and Ward High School, Kansas City, Kan. She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Sept. 1, 1936. Given the name Sister Agnes Virginia, she made her profession of vows on June 28, 1938.

A gifted educator, Sister Agnes Virginia taught at parochial schools in Kansas, Missouri, and Montana.

She earned an master’s degree in speech and drama from St. Louis University. From 1951-1963, she taught at Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, Mo., and was principal there from 1963-1971. Years later, Sister Agnes Virginia wrote this about her Hogan days: “As I look back, I realize that they were the happiest years of my teaching career.”

As principal at Hogan, her leadership shone also. Among her many responsibilities, she pioneered a new program of high school education — “flexible scheduling.” Hogan was the first Catholic school in the nation to pioneer this Stanford University program.

Her Hogan days were followed by other leadership positions: educational consultant for all of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth high schools; community councilor; executive secretary to the president in SCL Health Services Corporation; and director of SCL health office.

She retired to Ross Hall at the motherhouse in 2005.

Alma (Knecht) and Dayton “Joe” Kresin, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Paola, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 15. The couple was married on Nov. 15, 1952, at Immaculate Conception Church, Louisburg. To celebrate, their family is asking family and friends to send cards to their home address: 410 S. Walnut, Paola KS 66071. Their children and their spouses are: Randy and Becky Kresin, Paola; and Michael and Janice Kresin, Shawnee. They also have four grandchildren.

Kenneth

and

Marjorie Jean (Lickteig) D a v i s , members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will cele b r a t e their 65th wedding anniversary on Nov. 10. The couple was married on Nov. 10, 1947, by Father Eugene Dekat at Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City, Kan. Their children and their spouses are: Susan Wohlford (deceased); Donald and Terri Davis, Liberty, Mo.; Barbara and Dale Williams, Overland Park; and Rita and Doug Massing, Lenexa.

They also have 10 grandchildren (one deceased), two step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

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12 classifieds Employment IT administrator - St. Ann Catholic Parish is seeking a self-motivated individual to handle all of its information technology needs. The position will have sole responsibility for management of the computer network and for providing IT support to both the school and parish staffs.

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Experienced, compassionate caregiver — Available to work throughout the Kansas City metro area.

Available all shifts and weekends. With over 10 years of service, I provide compassionate personal caregiver services to you or your family member. Please call me to discuss your individual needs and how I can assist you.

Trinity Caregiving (816) 337-7493; info@ trinitycaregiving.com Compassion - Trust - Quality Care Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned and based in Lenexa. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care at (913) 422-1591 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

CNA – Would you like to keep your senior loved one in the comfort of their own home? Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Compassionate, nurturing, attentive home health care professional provides quality service and personal assistance for over 20 years. Available anytime. Live-in optional. Non-smoker. Excellent references and reasonable rates. Call Rosalyn at (816) 830-7455.

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

Have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease? Inquire about our fresh, unique approach to care. At ComfortCare Homes of Kansas City, we provide a calm, stress-free and well-structured home environment for five to eight residents living with Alzheimer’s disease. A ComfortCare home is not “homelike” but rather it is a real home in a real neighborhood — there are no signs in the yard, no restaurant-style dining and no long, impersonal halls lined with patients. To tour and learn more, call Courtney Minter at (913) 609-1891 or visit the website at: www.

ComfortCareKC.com.

Real estate For sale - 160 acres m/l; 2+ bedroom home, new roof & windows, new bathroom, new hardwood floors, tankless hot water heater, rural water; 3 ponds plus creek, good pasture, good hunting, lots of timber; good school district. Mineral rights. Call Tom at (913) 6834488 or Theresa at (913) 362-3024 For sale - Two-story home seeks loving family to continue four-decade tradition; 5 BR w/1st-floor office, hardwood, finished basement, large lot. Round Hill area, w/ local pool, tennis, clubhouse. Near Curé, Queen, St. Ann, and Holy Cross parishes/schools (SM East HS). $255K. 6007 W. 90th Terr, OP. Call (913) 3417012 for showing/info.

Investors - Why play the stock market? Become a passive real estate investor. If you want to discuss the possibility of investing in real estate that produces positive income with a seasoned investor, call (913) 980-3559.

for sale Like to have the sound of a real pipe organ in your church in time for Christmas?! - For sale: Rodgers 2 manual C505 digital sound organ, like new, $8000. New c. $15,000. Sounds like a fine pipe organ. Never needs to be tuned. Full AGO standard pedal board. For a full description, please email: susan_swain@comcast.net or call (913) 764-1589.

For sale - Jazzy Elite power chair. Excellent condition! $1200 for a $2500+ chair! Oxygen Concentrator 10 LPM, excellent condition: $400. Call (913) 233-6827.

Max’s rosaries - Custom-made locally for all occasions – first Communion, confirmation, baptism, graduation.

Rosary bracelets and beaded earrings too! I also do repairs. Member of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park. Call (913) 400-3236.

Two burial plots for sale - In a good section - section 3 - of Mount Calvary Cemetery, 38th and State, Kansas City, Kan. Valued at $1,400. Call (816) 261-5247.

vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $115/ night. Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www.tillmancabin.com.

Branson condo nightly rental - 2 king BRs, 2 BA; sleeps 6. Sunporch overlooks public golf course. Walk-in level (no steps), flat screen TVs, and fully equipped kitchen.

Near the Hwy. 76 strip. No smoking; no pets. Members of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park. Call (913) 851-8886.

Want to go to Ireland? - Here’s a great opportunity.

Join our small group of singles and couples going for 12 days in April 2013. Act quickly; we have just a few spots left in our group of 30 for a few more “fun” people. Our local guide was born and raised in Dublin, so knows the country well. For more information, call (913) 599-2940 or (913) 469-6211.

for rent For rent - 1 BR, 1 BA apartment in St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee. Near Nieman and Johnson Dr. $520/month; utilities included. 10911 W. 59th Terr. Nonsmokers only.

For a virtual tour, visit the website at: www.shawneerentals.com. Call (913) 649-7596.

Unfurnished, clean room for rent - The townhome is close to I-35 and 87th St. $500 per month. Utilities, Internet included. Shared access to kitchen, full use of w/d. Two friendly dogs and one cat. Nonsmoker only. Call Becky at (913) 269-1033.

RoomMate Financially responsible female roommate - Wanted to share two-bedroom apartment in Shawnee near Nieman and Johnson (St. Joseph Parish). $300 rent includes most utilities except (split) electricity. W/D in unit. Nov. rent free. Call or text Brenda at (785) 608-1877 if interested.

wanted to buy Antiques wanted I buy old pocket & wrist watches; sets of silverware; souvenir spoons; advertising signs; coins; and Native American turquoise jewelry, arrowheads & rugs. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to buy *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Wanted to buy - Lionel Trains. Call (913) 485-6700.

Open House Open house - Handcrafted heirloom furniture for the American Girl doll. Nov. 17 and 18, noon to 5 p.m. John Hember, 5619 Widmer Rd., Shawnee KS 66216. (913) 631-4060.

Cost to advertise is: $17.50 for five lines or less; $1.50 each additional line. Email: adv@ theleaven.com or phone: (913) 647-0327

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november 9, 2012 | theleaven.com

November The Sanctuary of Hope will hold its Hope Benefit dinner, dance and auction on Nov. 10 at the Reardon Civic Center in Kansas City, Kan. The tickets are $65. For information or reservations, call Julie at (913) 321-4673 or email her at: julie@sanctuaryofhope.

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The Knights of Columbus will host a “Classic Rock Dance Party” on Nov. 10 from 7 to 11 p.m. at their hall, 11221 Johnson Drive, Shawnee. Riptide will be performing classic rock, soul and blues from the ’60s and ’70s.

The cost is a $5 donation per person. Adults only, 21 and over. Contact Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173, or Gary Van DeBerghe at (913) 226-4407 for more details or to make group reservations.

Holy Family School will host “Flashback to the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s” dinner, dance, raffle and auction on Nov. 10 at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Activity Center, 216 N.E. Branner, Topeka. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and a dance from 7 - 11 p.m. To purchase tickets for the dance, call Debi Meier at (785) 640-4662.

Holy Family Church is hosting its annual chili supper/turkey bingo on Nov. 10 at Msgr. Mejak Hall, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Supper is from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:30 p.m. A $15 donation includes chili dinner, dessert, beer, pop, and a bingo card. No one under 21 admitted. For tickets, call Marcia Wolf at (816) 454-1378.

St. Joseph-St. Lawrence Parish will host a Fall Fest at the St. Lawrence Parish hall in Easton on Nov. 10. A soup and chili dinner will be served from 4 - 7 p.m. Turkey and ham bingo will follow the raffle for cash prizes and a queen-size quilt.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 675, will host a chili and soup supper on Nov. 11 at St. Charles Church basement, Last Chance Road and Chestnut St., Troy, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is a freewill donation. Chances on a $100 bill will be $1 each.

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The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a Christmas in November luncheon at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Formation Room at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, 17th & Stone, Topeka. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 272-0055.

The Knights of Columbus, Shawnee Council No. 2332, will exemplify men into the first degree on Nov. 11. Registration is at 1 p.m. at the Knights Hall, 11221 Johnson Drive. If you are interested in joining, enter

from the north on Johnson Drive. For more information, contact Dave Carl (913) 2480555 or by email at: d_carl@att.net.

All are invited to All Saints Parish to initiate, deepen or replenish your faith. Redemptorist Missionary Father Tony Judge will present four evenings of spiritual renewal focusing on the sacraments through the theme of “With Him is Plentiful Redemption.” The presentations begin Nov. 11 and continue through Nov. 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill St., Kansas City, Kan. For more information, call (913) 371-1837.

St. Ann Parish in Effingham will hold its ham and beans and chicken and noodles fall meal on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rockhurst High School invites all to attend a celebration of all cultures at its 23rd annual heritage festival on Nov. 11. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in various languages in the Rose Theatre, followed by all-youcan-eat food and entertainment in the RHS cafeteria from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cost is $7 per person; $30 for a family. For advance tickets and information visit the website at: www.rockhursths.edu.

The Strawberry Hill community of St. Mary-St. Anthony, St. John the Baptist, and Holy Family parishes in Kansas City, Kan., will host a parish mission on Nov. 11-14, featuring Father Richard Gielow, CM, director of the Vincentian Parish Mission Center, Kansas City, Mo. The mission begins with a Holy Hour and confessions at St. John the Baptist Church on Nov. 11 from 3 - 5 p.m.

Evening mission services all begin with Mass at 7 p.m. at the following locations: Nov. 12, St. John the Baptist Church; Nov. 13, Holy Family Church; and concluding on Nov. 14 at St. Mary-St. Anthony Church. For more information, call (913) 371-1408.

The St. Anthony Guild of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish will host a bake and craft sale from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at St. Joseph Church basement hall, 227 Van Buren St., Topeka.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 10932, will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to noon in the lower level of the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park.

Cost is: $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-11; and free for children ages 4 and under.

The Knights of Columbus, Council No. 10932, will host an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner on Nov. 11 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. Cost is: $7 for adults; $4 for children ages 5-11; and free for children ages 4 and younger.

The St. Bernard’s Ladies’ Guild in Wamego is hosting its annual Stitch ’N’ Stuff bazaar on Nov. 11. The event will be held at the St. Bernard Parish hall, 1102 8th St., Wamego.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

There will be a country store with handcrafted items and baked goods, a cakewalk, bingo, kids’ games, a raffle for a homemade quilt, Columbian Theatre tickets and gift certificates to local businesses. For questions, call Lyla Bowser at (785) 456-9768.

The Serra KCK Club will host a memorial mass and dinner in memory of deceased Serrans on Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ritz Charles, 137th and Antioch, Overland Park.

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The Prince of Peace bereavement ministry will have its monthly grief support meeting on Nov. 15 in the faculty lounge, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Grief counselor and author Dr. Harold Ivan Smith will be the guest speaker. For more information, call Donna Kaberlein at (913) 829-5320.

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Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center, 2601 Ridge Avenue, Kansas City, Kan., will present retreats for the unemployed. The retreats will be held Nov. 15, Dec. 13, and Jan. 10, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The retreats will be led by Anita Martinez. To RSVP, call (913) 321-4673 or email to: julie@sanctuaryofhope.org.

Members of Our Lady of Fatima Circle, Daughters of Isabella, are encouraged to attend the annual memorial Mass for deceased members at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at Christ the King Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan. Monetary donations will be accepted to aid the Catholic Charities food pantry.

A Mass with prayers for healing, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Father Burak Room at Curé of Ars, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Mike Mulhearn will preside. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

women and families. Call Brittany by noon on Nov. 15 at (913) 287-8287 to RSVP. The Church of the Ascension in Overland Park will hold its ninth annual marketplace on Nov. 16 from 7 - 10 p.m. and Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the parish hall. Community vendors will offer a variety of products for purchase.

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Mother Teresa Catholic Church, 2014 N.W. 46th St., Topeka, will host its fifth annual fall craft and bake sale on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Breakfast and a soup lunch will be served both days.

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Curé of Ars Mothers of Young Children and Country Club Bank will host a gift gallery from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Curé of Ars School, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Admission is $3 at the door. For information, visit the website at: www. girtgallerykc.com.

A Contemplative Retreat Day will be held at Christ Peace House of Prayer in Easton on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Freewill donations are accepted. For more information, visit the website at: www.christspeace. com; email to: info@christspeace.com; or call (913) 773-8355.

Father Tom Hesse will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass on Nov. 17 at 8 a.m. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan. Immediately following Mass there will be a rosary procession to an abortion clinic approximately four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing. Benediction concludes services by 9:45 a.m.

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be at 8 a.m. on Nov. 17, at Curé of Ars, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Following the Mass, the bereavement ministry will have its monthly support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Laughter and Tears During Grief.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

“The Lord’s Table: An Ecumenical Exploration of Christian Beliefs” with the Rev. Josef Walker will be held on Nov. 15 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Chapel, 1001 E. 52nd St., Kansas City, Mo. The discussion will explore how Catholics and other Christians understand and celebrate Communion.

For more information, contact Mariann McCormally at (816) 523-5115, ext. 204, or by email at: mccormally@sfx-kc.org.

The Holy Rosary Sodality will host turkey bingo on Nov. 17 at St. Joseph Church hall, 809 Vermont, Kansas City, Kan. Food will start at 5 p.m. and bingo at 6 p.m. Cost is $8, which includes one card, Polish sausage and kraut sandwich and a drink.

Interested in helping women facing a crisis pregnancy? Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is looking for volunteers! Come to an informational meeting on Nov. 15 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. to learn how you can support

There will be a pancake lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at St. Louis Parish, Good Intent Community, 11321 Morton Rd, Atchison. Freewill donations accepted.

St. Patrick Church, 94th and State, Kansas City, Kan., will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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14 commentary

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

ordained to serve

mark my words Scripture Readings Thirty-second week of ordinary time Nov. 11 Thirty-second SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 Kgs 17: 10-16 Ps 146: 7-10 Heb 9: 24-28 Mk 12: 38-44 Nov. 12 Josaphat, bishop, martyr Ti 1: 1-9 Ps 24: 1-6 Lk 17: 1-6 Nov. 13 Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin Ti 2: 1-8, 11-14 Ps 37: 3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29 Lk 17: 7-10 Nov. 14 Wednesday Ti 3: 1-7 Ps 23: 1-6 Lk 17: 11-19 Nov. 15 Albert the Great, bishop, doctor of the church Phlm 7-20 Ps 146: 7-10 Lk 17: 20-25 Nov. 16 Margaret of Scotland; Gertrude, virgin 2 Jn 4-9 Ps 119: 1-2, 10-11, 17-18 Lk 17: 26-37 Nov. 17 Elizabeth of Hungary, religious 3 Jn 5-8 Ps 112: 1-6 Lk 18: 1-8

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commentary 15

november 9, 2012 | theleaven.com

everal months ago, I received an invite to a class reunion.

Oddly enough, it wasn’t for any of my own grade school, high school, college or seminary classes.

Instead, it was a gathering of the very first class of kids that I was chaplain for at Hayden High School in Topeka. Seeing the organizer’s name — Andy — started a pleasant cascade of other names and faces from that class.

I was especially amused at Andy’s typo, which said that this was the class’ 30-year reunion. It was only their 20th. Or was it?

A quick calculation on my fingers — one digit for each decade — told me that Andy was absolutely right. This class, the one from 1982, had graduated 30 years before.

I was stunned as the full effect of the math hit me.

If it’s their 30th reunion, then my Hayden “kids” are now 48 years old. I had to sit down and take a deep breath. How had that happened? Where had all the years gone?

As the plans developed, I was asked to do a Mass — at 7:55 a.m., no less —

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. on Oct. 27 at Most Pure Heart of Mary. I was hit by another wave of nostalgia because MPH was my first assignment as a priest. And if that wasn’t enough of a walk down memory lane, the Mass intention was for Misty, a great kid and member of the class of ’82, who died tragically in a car accident on graduation night.

I was not surprised that her classmates never forgot Misty — or her parents and siblings — and requested a Mass in her memory. They were always a close and supportive group.

In attendance at that regular parish Saturday morning Mass a couple of weeks ago were some 20

or so members of the class of 1982, along with Misty’s folks and a sister and brother. After Mass, I had a chance to visit with Misty’s family and with the class.

Some of us even headed out to breakfast afterwards to continue reminiscing.

A barbecue meal was scheduled for later that evening. When asked if I planned to attend, I explained that I had Mass in Tonganoxie at 5 p.m., and the likelihood of my returning was pretty slim. The more that I thought about it, though, I decided to return.

After all, how often does a 30th reunion roll around?

So, yes, I drove back to Topeka that evening and was thrilled that I did. A good number of the class that could not make it to the Mass was in attendance at the barbecue. There was a sustained and excited buzz in the room throughout the night. Stories were exchanged, laughter shared, yearbooks passed around. It was not just a celebration of the “good old days,” however. It was an appreciation of the present and a joyful anticipation of the future.

I stood back and took it

all in. Much had happened in these 30 years: My “kids” were now parents and even grandparents. A good number had experienced the death of their own parents.

Some had remained in Topeka; many had moved away. Some were in successful marriages; others not. The conversations were only briefly about jobs; there was much more interest in “how are you doing” as a person. The room was filled, it seemed to me, with a genuine love, care, and closeness.

I felt honored and humbled to be a part of it. As a newly ordained priest back then, these were the people who welcomed me to a new city, a new vocation and a new school. They encouraged me and helped form me into the person I am today.

I do intend to stay in touch, via Facebook primarily, with the class of 1982.

And even if it’s years before I see any of them again, two things are certain: They’ll always have a part of my heart . . . and they’ll always be my “Hayden kids.”

In the beginning

Story of the widow speaks to God’s universality

W

hen we hear the word, “Zarephath” in Sunday’s first reading, 1 Kgs 17:10-16, it may sound like just another one of those tongue twisters so frequently found in the Old Testament. We can tell from the reading’s context that it is a city, but not much more.

Zarephath was not located in Israel, but in a neighboring country, Sidon, which was pagan territory.

The people living there did not worship the God of Israel. So when the prophet Elijah travels to Zarephath and meets a widow there, she is not a fellow Israelite, nor a worshipper of the true God. Centuries later, Jesus will draw attention to this fact: “There were many widows in Israel in the days of

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

Elijah the prophet when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon” (Lk 4:25-26).

The widow herself recognizes this difference between her and Elijah in the way she speaks about God: “As the Lord, your

God, lives.” Notice that she does not say, “our God,” but rather, “your God.” She is acknowledging that this foreign deity does not belong to her.

At the same time, she appears to recognize God’s power to act, even outside the territory of Israel, by acquiescing to Elijah’s request that she make him a little cake from the handful of flour left in her house, all that she and her son have to live on.

The widow trusts in Elijah’s promise that God will continue to provide food for the widow, even after she has used up all the remaining flour and oil.

This is truly remarkable.

The widow puts her faith in a total stranger, a prophet who speaks on behalf of a foreign god.

A person in the widow’s

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC “Eat This, Not That.”

Those four words are the title of a series of books designed to help people make better choices in their diets. Rather than saying that some foods are totally off-limits, these books offer folks simple “food swaps,” suggestions for less caloric or fat-laden meals.

That concept is helpful not only with regard to eating, but also in other areas of life. Substituting a better option for something that you already do is so simple as to almost guarantee success.

position would have normally recognized God’s ability to operate in the land of Israel, but not outside that territory. The pagans did not doubt God’s existence, since, after all, they believed in a multitude of gods. But they usually limited him to the land of Israel, since he was the God of Israel.

The miracle described in this story about Elijah and the widow demonstrates God’s universality. True, the Lord remains the God of Israel. At the same time, the Lord is recognized also as the God of the whole world.

The Lord’s compassion extends beyond the boundaries of Israel, to all people.

The Lord will show mercy to them also, as demonstrated in this miracle performed for the widow of Zarephath.

If you send out Christmas cards, why not buy at least some of them from a religious order? Not only are these cards beautiful and reasonably priced, but the purchase helps you share your faith and, at the same time, support the good works done by that community. My personal favorite is The Printery House, a ministry of the Benedictine monks in nearby Conception, Mo. Check out the catalog online at: www.printeryhouse.org. (By the way, they deliver quickly.)

Happy holiday “swapping”!

— M.G.

Deacons are heralds of the Gospel

O

ne of my favorite “liturgical moments” takes place during the diaconate ordination Mass

when the newly ordained deacon goes up to the bishop and kneels before him.

The bishop then places the Book of the Gospels in his hands, saying: “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become.

Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

What a powerful moment, as the bishop entrusts the new deacon with the staggering authority to be a “herald” or messenger

Leon Suprenant Leon Suprenant is the pastoral associate for administration in the office of the permanent diaconate. He also blogs at: www.archkck.org/blog. of Christ, richly symbolized before our eyes in the liturgy.

Deacons serve the church through a threefold ministry of the word, liturgy, and charity, always in close collaboration with their bishop.

Perhaps we are familiar with the deacon’s liturgical ministry through our own

experience of the wonderful deacons here in northeast Kansas. And most of us are aware that deacons, as living images of Christ the servant, are especially involved in works of charity and service.

But what about the ministry of the word? How are deacons “heralds” of the Gospel? In response, let’s consider three points.

(1) It’s not just about Mass.

Deacons do proclaim the Gospel at Mass and may be called to give the homily.

That’s a significant responsibility, but it only scratches the surface of the deacon’s “ministry of the word.”

Deacons are members of the clergy, but they also typically have families, secu-

lar jobs, and civic responsibilities like the rest of us.

They must be heralds of the Gospel right here, right now, in the midst of the world.

(2) Heralds are messengers, not editors.

Deacons may have their own opinions on a variety of issues, from gardening and foreign policy to what’s gone wrong with the Chiefs this season. However, as representatives of the church who have promised their obedience to Christ and to their bishop, they are servants of the Gospel.

Whenever a deacon preaches, the faithful have the right to expect that his words are the Gospel truth!

(3) Signs of contradiction.

Just as Old Testament prophets were rejected and

the proverbial messengers are shot, so also deacons can expect opposition as faithful heralds of the Gospel. They are on the front lines of the new evangelization, boldly calling us to conversion and a new way of life in Christ.

Today, in the midst of unprecedented attacks on our religious liberty, on the right to life of the unborn, the terminally ill, and the aged, and on the institution of marriage itself, the deacon must make Christ’s voice heard.

The rite of ordination, quoted above, says it all.

May deacons be shining examples to us all of faith, conviction, and Christian witness.

Word of life

Proclaim the Gospel with renewed vigor and enthusiasm

T

he church is issuing a call for a major work of evangelization during this Year of Faith.

In order for faith to be awakened (and it needs to be awakened even in those of us who are longtime Catholics), the Gospel must be proclaimed with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. This enthusiasm and passion can only come from a living encounter with Jesus Christ and through the grace of the Holy Spirit!

The bishops of the world recently completed a monthlong synod in Rome with the theme, “The New Evangelization for the

matt karr Matt Karr is the lead consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of adults.

Transmission of the Faith.”

This synod was focused primarily on how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in areas, cultures, and among people who were formerly Christian, but have lost a living sense of the faith.

In addition to the bishops, there were a number of other participants in the

synod. Two of the participants have a direct link to our archdiocese through our Kansas Maryvale Center. Petroc Willey and Dr. Caroline Farey both serve at the Maryvale Institute in England and have helped to found our Maryvale Center in the archdiocese. They were asked to participate in the synod because of their personal expertise in catechesis as it relates to the new evangelization.

It was a tremendous honor and certainly an affirmation from the Vatican and the bishops around the world of the Maryvale Institute (and our Maryvale Kansas Center!) and the institute’s work in evangelization and catechesis.

If you did not know, the Kansas Maryvale Center

Help feed those in need “Co-Occurring Distractions, Inc.” (COD), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, assists area food pantries by paying for the processing fee and delivery of donated deer meat by local hunters. COD needs your financial assistance to process meat for these charities.

Our goal this season is to secure enough donations to help process 150 deer.

Last year COD paid for the processing of 144 deer.

Donations should be made payable to: Co-Occurring Distractions, Inc. All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be mailed to the requested address.

Co-Occurring Discractions, Inc., Fr. Ernie Gauthie, Director 2920 SE Bingham Court, Lee’s Summit, Mo. 64063

o $100

o $75

o $50

o $25

o other ___________

Your name ______________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ City, St., Zip _____________________________________________________ Hunters, please call Fr. Ernie for processing fee details

(816) 347-1991 • locopope@locopope.com or cod1@locopope.com

offers courses on catechesis, evangelization, art and beauty, and a master’s degree in catechesis. In fact, both Caroline and Petroc make regular trips to Kansas City to teach in the Kansas Maryvale Center’s programming.

During this Year of Faith, the Kansas Maryvale Center will be offering a number of courses to help Catholics in the archdiocese and beyond grow in their faith.

In January, we will begin another Maryvale Certificate in Catechesis course.

This course is designed for priests, religious, and laity who have a desire to learn more about the foundational teachings of Christ and how to hand them on to others.

The Certificate in Cat-

echesis course meets for four Saturdays per year for two years. Participants are required to attend each of these study days and complete additional work from home to acquire the certificate. It is open to any Catholic in the archdiocese.

You can learn more about the program by visiting the website at: www.archkck. org/Maryvale. A description of the certificate course can be found there. An application packet is also available to be downloaded.

If you prefer to talk to someone directly, contact Kimberly Rode at (913) 6470357 or by email at: ecat2@ archkck.org in our office and she would be delighted to answer any questions and send you more information.

16 local news

theleaven.com | november 9, 2012

Cupcakes take election by a sprinkle n John Paul II students hold election to decide how to serve

vs

Election results

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

And the winner is: Cupcakes Cupcakes: 106 votes Valentines: 77 votes

O

VERLAND PARK — One by one, the voters approached the polls seriously on Election Day, each knowing his or her vote could impact the outcome of an election destined to affect their future.

At issue?

A tight race between “Cupcakes” and “Valentines.” Both had their selling points — especially in the way they would ultimately help others — but only one could be declared the winner.

The students at John Paul II School in Overland Park still have to wait at least a few years before their votes can help send a candidate to Washington or place someone in a position of state or local power.

But that didn’t stop them from casting ballots in an important election of their own on Nov. 6.

The students selected by secret ballot the service project they’ll complete in early 2013.

“They get to see their parents going and voting today and hear all about the election, so it makes them feel like they have a say,” said student council president Emily Brady. “At John Paul, we involve the students. We think the students should be extremely involved, because this is their school year.”

Just one issue appeared on the ballot: Whether students in February would hold a cupcake-decorating contest to raise money for a Catholic charity — or get together with their “families” of students from each grade to make Valentine’s Day cards for seniors in nursing homes.

‘For the benefit of others’ Classes reviewed sample ballots ahead of time. Some students even unofficially campaigned for the cause they thought the coolest.

The voting dovetailed with social studies lessons about the American political process — even delving into the Electoral College in middle school.

This school-wide election didn’t call for anything quite that complex.

Leaven photos by Jessica Langdon

Khoa Nguyen, a fifth-grader at John Paul II School in Overland Park, casts his ballot in a schoolwide election to determine which service project the school will complete in February.

Emily Brady, student council president at John Paul II School in Overland Park, hands a ballot to third-grader Alex Reyes on Election Day. As adults across the country voted on Nov. 6, the school held its own election, asking students to choose which service project they’d most like to do in February. The students chose between making Valentines for nursing home residents or a cupcake-decorating contest benefiting a Catholic charity. “It’s instilling in their minds now that voting is an important thing to do as an American,” said Emily.

The ballots made it easy for even the youngest voters to have their say when they walked into the voting area in the gym.

They simply circled, in crayon, the picture — designed by student council treasurer Megan Schulte — of the service option they’d most like to do.

Student council religious affairs director Mya King liked seeing the political process at work in her school.

“It will give them an experience to know what voting is like when it actually comes time to vote,” Mya said.

It also gave students the chance to think through what would be best for themselves, as well as for other people.

“It’s for the benefit of others,” agreed student council secretary Emily Matos.

“Community is like your family, too.”

Some young voters took no time circling their choice, while others weighed the options for a while. A few

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C

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even made their decision by the eeniemeenie method.

Then they dropped their completed forms in the red, white and blue ballot boxes.

Student council vice president Sarah Gress noticed how excited the younger students were to accept their sticker — a red circle — once they had voted, but she believes they’ll walk away with a good feeling that will last much longer.

“I think they’ll be excited for the project that we’re going to do,” she said.

Lessons for the future The student council members who envisioned and organized the election impressed science teacher and council moderator Mary Anne Brown.

When the council officers brainstormed ideas for the year, they knew

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early November brought Election Day and developed the plan for their own election, with faith and service at its heart.

This project served as just one example to Brown of the creative, engaged student body at this school.

She hopes all students will remember several lessons from their election — and maybe even volunteer as poll workers or in other election roles in the future.

“It is important for each person to vote, and the secret ballot gives them the opportunity to vote how they feel and not succumb to peer pressure,” said Brown.

“And every person counts — every vote counts,” she continued.

It also, Emily Brady added, instills in the students now an important idea that will serve them years down the road.

“Voting is an important thing to do as an American,” she said.

Megan agreed.

“Today they’re wearing the little red circle on their shirt that says they voted for the StuCo project,” she said.

“But tomorrow they’ll be wearing an ‘I voted’ sticker as an adult. We certainly hope that happens.”

All ballots were cast by late morning, and then the school office tallied the votes.

Unlike in some heated neck-andneck political races, there was no prolonged wait to learn the results, nor any need for recounts.

At John Paul II School, the students had spoken, and the majority chose to decorate cupcakes. So, the school has that project to look forward to.

And they all knew that in the end, no matter which way this election went, everybody won because their project will bring a lot of smiles to people in their community in just a few months.

“It’s exciting to have a choice,” said Megan.

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