11 12 21 Vol. 43 No. 15

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 43, NO. 15 | NOVEMBER 12, 2021

‘I’M GLAD AFRICA HAS COME TO US’

Special ceremony inaugurates African Catholic community into the archdiocese

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann talks with Thomas Miano, provost of the African Catholic Community and representative of the group at the National Association of African Catholics in the U.S.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Beyuo Kuukole, chaplain of the African Catholic Community of Kansas, bows before the altar at Prince of Peace Church in Olathe on Nov. 7. The special ceremony inaugurated the community into the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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LATHE — Their cultures and traditions are as unique as the languages they speak, the songs they sing and the clothing they wear.

But the African Catholic Community of Kansas is bound by their shared faith, and each month, they come together to celebrate it the traditional African way.

“There’s always singing, clapping [and] dancing, which is not very typical in the Western world,” said community president Abiodun Akinwuntan.

“Sometimes, the African families miss that.”

Each gathering “creates a sense of belonging, a spiritual connection, to build a true African family and to also retain our African identity,” he added.

And while each of these monthly Masses is special, this latest one, celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on Nov. 7 at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, was exceptional.

It included a ceremony that inaugurated the community into the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Father Greg Hammes, pastor of Prince of Peace, and Father Beyuo Kuukole, chaplain of the African Catholic Community of Kansas, were concelebrants.

Father Kenn Clem, associate pastor of Prince of Peace, served as master of ceremonies. They were joined by a handful of priests from around the archdiocese.

Deacon Mike Denning of Prince of Peace also assisted during the Mass.

The passionate singing, colorful clothing and traditional customs included in the Mass reminded Archbishop Naumann of his time in the seminary, when one of his classmates, who was African American, spent part of the summer in Africa.

“I remember him coming back from that experience,” the archbishop shared during his homily, “and he said experiencing the church in Africa was like walking into the Acts of the Apostles.

“He said the church there was so vibrant, so alive, with so much joy.”

“I’ve never myself been to Africa,” the archbishop said. “But I’m glad Africa has come to us.” >> See “COMMUNITY” on page 7

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ARCHBISHOP

NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

For the Christian, every day is a day of Thanksgiving

ur nation’s annual day of Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. It is a beautiful time of year when our society encourages us to ponder the many blessings in our lives.

Our annual celebration of Thanksgiving is the result of a society founded on the Christian understanding of our humanity and the purpose of our lives.

For the Christian, gratitude is our natural disposition.

There is no other religion that believes what we believe about God. We believe that the Creator of the cosmos, despite the rebellion of our first parents, desires to share his life with us, even to the point of entering into our human condition.

Jesus came to liberate us from the enslavements caused by our sin and the meaninglessness of an existence that ends in death.

Jesus did not come to remove all suffering and adversity. In fact, just the opposite! Our Lord tells his disciples that they must take up the cross with him and follow him all the way to Calvary.

Jesus revealed that our suffering can have meaning and power.

It can provide us with the opportunity to exercise heroic love for others and to become a beacon of hope and inspiration. Our Lord’s resurrection reveals with certitude that life, not death, wins the final victory.

Our culture and society need witnesses of the Gospel of life today as much as at any time in human history. Sadly, the Christian worldview is being chal-

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN lenged by a growing atheistic and secular vision that believes life in this world is tragic and meaningless. It denies God’s existence and dooms its adherents to believing that all of us are either victims of oppression or perpetrators of oppression.

Recently, I read some articles authored by women who were proud of having had themselves sterilized.

They believed the raising of children to be a great burden and that bringing new life into a difficult and heartless world was cruel. These women preferred to care for pets, which were not nearly as complex and demanding as raising children.

Once we push God out of our worldview, our human condition becomes very bleak.

Material comforts can distract and console us for a while, but eventually adversity, violence, evil and death will catch up with us.

Our culture desperately needs the Gospel of Jesus. Those who have been captivated by atheistic materialism will not be won over by arguments — no matter how reasonable and

logical. They can only be moved by witnesses of the joy and hope of the Gospel.

This is the mission of every Catholic — to be witnesses to the truth and the hope of the Christian worldview that has the ability to give meaning and purpose to life, despite hardships and adversities.

More than 10 years ago, the late Cardinal Francis George wrote a book entitled “The Difference God Makes.”

In a chapter entitled “Too Good to be True,” Cardinal George recounts visiting a missionary priest in Zambia. Many of the people this missionary served were materially very poor, and from the perspective of our affluent society, lived in terrible, heartbreaking conditions.

One morning, four men came to the mission complex seeking the priest. Cardinal George told them where they could find him. Three of the men went to speak with the priest, but the fourth man chose not to accompany them. Cardinal George asked the man why he had not gone with the others to converse with the missionary.

The man explained that in his village they had heard many stories

about Jesus, the Gospel and the church. His friends had come to seek more information about Christianity. The man then shared: “Oh, I’ve thought about what we’ve heard, even while I was walking here, and I’ve decided that it makes no sense when I look at my life — that God would love us, that God would sacrifice himself for us, that God is stronger than the spirits who harm us. I don’t believe it. It’s too good to be true.”

For those of us who have grown up in strong, believing families, where we were not only taught the Christian faith but saw living examples of the hope, love and joy it inspired, it is easy for us to take for granted the power and the beauty of what we have been given.

Indeed, it is incredible — too good to believe — that the Creator of the universe chose to become a human being, to be conceived in the womb of Mary and born into the harsh, impoverished circumstances of Bethlehem.

It is even more amazing that Jesus — the God-Man, lived so humbly in Nazareth and allowed himself to be subjected to the cruelest torture and most horrendous death in order for us to share in his eternal life.

Yet, it was the witness of those first disciples that motivated them to suffer martyrdom rather than deny the death of Jesus on Calvary and his resurrection on Easter. Nourished by this same Jesus, who makes himself present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist, Christians for 2,000

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR Nov. 13-18 USCCB general meeting — Baltimore Nov. 16 Catholic Benefits Association board meeting — Baltimore Nov. 17 Eucharistic Revival advisory board meeting — Baltimore No. 18 Religious Alliance Against Pornography leadership meeting Nov. 19 Chancery staff Thanksgiving Mass and recognition breakfast — Savior Pastoral Center St. Cecilia Mass and reception — Holy Angels Church, Basehor Nov. 20 Divine Winefest — Fiorella’s Event Center, Overland Park Nov. 21 Crosier Mass and brunch — Savior Pastoral Center Mass and presentation of the St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award and reception — Sacred Heart, Mound City

years have found the inspiration and strength to live heroic lives of love and virtue.

This past Sunday, I celebrated Mass for the African Catholic community living in the Kansas City area.

There were Africans from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania and many other countries. The joy and the vibrancy of their faith was inspiring and contagious.

If we truly believe what we profess as Christians — that God loves us so intensely that he became flesh and chose to live in our midst in order that we might share in his abundant and eternal

life — how can we not be filled with hope and joy? For the Christian, every day is a day of Thanksgiving because nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ!

There are so many in our country, so many in our communities, that need to know the joy of the Gospel of Jesus. In contrast to the depressing, atheistic, secular narrative of hopelessness, we need to be ambassadors of the hope of the Gospel of Jesus.

May our lives bear grateful witness to the truth of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ!

ANNUAL GOLUMBKI EVENT IN LEAVENWORTH

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he St. Casimir Men’s Society will be selling packets of individual Golumbki in lieu of its Annual Golumbki Dinner on Sunday, November 21st. Golumbki will available for curb-side purchase and pickup on Cleveland Terrace, the street just to east of the St. Casimir Parish Hall (719 Pennsylvania Avenue), beginning 11 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Golumbki will be sold in packages of two for $6 or four for $12. Your packaged Golumbki will be delivered in freezer bags at refrigerated temperatures, so that you may reheat them for your Sunday Dinner or freeze them to enjoy at a later date.

AD COURTESY OF DOUG SCALARD, CFP®

LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Archbishop teaches faith by interviewing folks who live it

By Joe Bollig Leaven Staff

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — If, as St. Paul says in his Letter to the Romans, “faith comes from what is heard,” where can we go to hear it?

“The Shepherd’s Voice,” of course, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s own long-running half-hour radio show broadcast over local Catholic radio stations and available via podcast, too. “‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ allows me to speak directly about important issues regarding living our Catholic faith in an increasingly secularized culture,” said Archbishop Naumann. “It also allows me to highlight ministries and initiatives within the archdiocese.

I also have the opportunity to interview authors or church leaders that I think will be of interest to listeners.”

Archbishop Naumann’s program was launched in early 2010, and Deacon Bill Scholl has been there from the beginning. Despite having no background or experience in radio, he trained himself to become facilitator, producer and technical engineer. “‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ is a radio show in which Archbishop Naumann teaches the Catholic faith by interviewing Catholics who live it,” said Deacon Scholl, lead consultant for the archdiocesan social justice office. “We highlight ministries and happenings in the archdiocese and the nation.”

Archbishop Naumann and Deacon Scholl meet at the chancery once a month to record three half-hour shows.

The format is simple. Deacon Scholl asks the archbishop an opening question, gives him an opportunity to set the tone of the show, and then the archbishop proceeds to interview the show’s guest.

For the most part, archdiocesan people are the guests Archbishop Naumann interviews, but there have been some “Catholic celebrities” as well, such as Cardinal Raymond Burke, Bishop Robert Barron, Christopher West, Sister Miriam James Heidland, Abby Johnson, Dr. Coleen Kelly Mast and Jennifer Fulwiler.

It’s the archbishop’s show, so he decides the topics and guests.

“I meet with the archbishop, and he tells me who he’d like to have,” said Deacon Scholl. “I make suggestions and recommendations. Sometimes, people approach me with ideas. We’re always looking for people who have a connection to the archdiocese or are doing something

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann hosts a weekly radio show called “The Shepherd’s Voice.” The program was launched in early 2010, with Deacon Bill Scholl serving as facilitator, producer and technical engineer.

Listen to ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

Mondays at 11:30 a.m.

1090 AM Kansas City 92.9 FM Kansas City 106.1 FM Ravenwood 106.7 FM St. Joseph For episodes of “The Shepherd’s Voice,” go online to: archkck.libsyn.com.

Send ideas for a guest or a topic by email to Deacon Bill Scholl at: socialjustice@ archkck.org.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Joshua Ruoff, the lead consultant for the archdiocesan special-needs ministry, answers questions from the archbishop during a recent recording of “The Shepherd’s Voice.”

interesting for the church.”

“We try to be topical, but at the same time I’m always looking for shows that are ‘evergreen,’

things people will find interesting years from now,” he added.

One nice thing about “The Shepherd’s Voice” is that the

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) 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) 7215276; or email at: sub@theleaven.org. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

archbishop controls the time, said Jim O’Laughlin, president of the Kansas City area-based Catholic Radio Network. If he was on a commercial station, he’d typically only get a couple of minutes at most to say anything. Also, it’s nice that about half the people listening to Catholic Radio aren’t Catholic, so the archbishop’s message goes out to a large and diverse audience.

“I am always amazed at the number of non-Catholics who listen to Catholic media,” said Archbishop Naumann. “Frequently, I receive comments from parishioners about the radio show as well as the recordings of my weekly Leaven column. The radio show is just one element in my efforts to teach and communicate with

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

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

the people that I am called to shepherd.”

One of the great things about the program is that it gives people a chance to know their archbishop and what’s on his heart, said Deacon Scholl.

It also helps raise awareness of how people are responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“One of the things I love about producing ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ is listening to the archbishop’s perspective and insight,” said Deacon Scholl.

“It’s kind of like having the archbishop as a spiritual adviser. I love those moments where his charism of the Holy Spirit speaking through him shines through. Oftentimes, I’m taking notes because what he says and how he says it is so profound.”

Being a “radio personality” is no mere obligation; it fits neatly into Archbishop Naumann’s vision of being a spiritual leader.

“Communication is critical for exercising leadership,” said the archbishop. “‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ gives me an opportunity to speak directly to parishioners of the archdiocese without my message being filtered by the secular media. I also hope it allows listeners to get to know me and to experience a more personal connection with their bishop.”

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

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

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LOCAL NEWS

Don’t wait. Deadline for Medicare open enrollment is fast approaching

By Dean Backes Special to The Leaven

Mass honoring St. Cecilia set for Nov. 22

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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K Medicare Open Enrollment — also known as Medicare’s annual election period — runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year. Robert Falke of the Robert E. Miller Group suggests meeting with an adviser so you can get all of your questions answered before deciding on a plan.

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“

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Each fall, television viewers across the country are inundated with celebrities championing Medicare hotlines that sometime provide extra benefits to retirees and some individuals with disabilities.

That’s because Medicare Open Enrollment — also known as Medicare’s annual election period — runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year.

Be warned, however, that failing to do timely research and not sitting down with an expert may cost Medicare recipients in the long run.

“I am a big proponent of ‘don’t go it alone,’” said Robert Falke of the Robert E. Miller Group, which assists the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in this area. “Make sure that you get somebody that’s going to help you. The 800 numbers they have on television are fine. There is nothing necessarily wrong with them.

But I would prefer to have somebody that I can sit down with and have that discussion that can help me make an informed decision.”

Maura Dodson, a benefits specialist for the archdiocese, described Medicare as the one major decision that American seniors will make just once in their lifetime.

“It’s difficult to navigate buying a house,” Dodson said. “But maybe I get to do that again. And do it better the next time. You only get to do this once. And it’s tough.”

Although open enrollment began in mid-October and runs through Dec. 7 this year, Falke said retirees should begin the research process long before the deadline. Once an individual reaches 63 years of age, Falke suggests they start looking at their options, thanks in large part to the confusion and all of the timelines associated with the process.

Because his organization deals with Medicare and other benefits, the Miller Group, which also works with the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri, sometimes engages professional Medicare specialists to assist their clients.

“These consultants are local, and they work with the employer or the individual,” Falke said of consultants like Medicare Done Professionally (MDP). “They walk people through all of the different plans. You have your Medicare replacement programs, you have Medicare supplement programs, you have Medicare Part D and all of this good stuff. It’s important that you have somebody that you’re working with that you trust.”

According to MDP’s website, Medicare has four main parts: Medicare Part A (hospital insurance); Medicare Part B (medical insurance); Medicare Part C, which is another way to get Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B; and Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan). Then, once a Medicare seeker starts looking into Medicare supplements, the retiree tackles the headaches associated with Medicare Parts F, G, K, L, M and N. More confusing still is the range

NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF ‘DON’T GO IT ALONE.’ MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET SOMEBODY THAT’S GOING TO HELP YOU. . . . I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT I CAN SIT DOWN WITH AND HAVE THAT DISCUSSION THAT CAN HELP ME MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. ROBERT FALKE EMPLOYEE OF THE ROBERT E. MILLER GROUP of Medicare Advantage plans that should also be considered. They offer another way to get Medicare Part A and B coverage but through a private-sector health insurer, and there are a lot to choose from.

Employees of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas can reach out to Falke at (816) 308-4580 or give Dodson a call at (913) 647-0362.

Dodson said if Medicare seekers come to her, she usually points them in the direction of Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansas (SHICK).

SHICK is a free program that connects Kansans with trained volunteers to get answers to questions they might have about Medicare. SHICK counselors are located throughout the state of Kansas and are trained on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long-term care and other health care concerns that Kansas seniors and persons with disabilities might have.

“I’ve been hearing great things about the SHICK program,” Dodson said. “I’ve had a couple of people come back and say that it is exactly what they needed. They’re trained community volunteers. They’re not getting paid for this.

“I suggest people go to SHICK. But then, I always say, ‘Whoever you have an insurance relationship with, go and see what kind of supplements they have.’”

According to Dodson, retirees cannot supplement their employer’s plan with Medicare. For seniors that have health insurance through their employer, or their spouse’s employer, it’s always primary with some exceptions.

Before making any changes, therefore, employees are advised to carefully compare their employer’s plan with what Medicare provides. If a person continues to work past 65, he or she will need to do the math to discover whether it is cheaper to switch to Medicare or to stay on their employer’s plan.

Moreover, at least at this time, Medicare only covers health expenses — not vision, hearing or dental expenses. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover some but not all of these services, so it pays to compare and contrast.

Persons with disabilities should start looking into Medicare immediately, while seniors approaching 65 can register with the Medicare system through Social Security before their 65th birthday by going down to their local Social Security office, calling 1 (800) MEDICARE or by getting on the website at: medicare.gov and doing a live chat.

Some seniors delay entry into Medicare for various reasons. But once they jump onboard, Dodson said they’ll have to prove that they had what is called creditable coverage, or coverage that meets a minimum set of qualifications, from the age of 65 on. If seniors can’t provide the proof they need, they will have to pay a penalty every month for the rest of their lives.

“The one thing I want them to know about our plan is that it is creditable,” Dodson said of any concerns archdiocese employees may have.

“So, if they join Medicare later and have to prove they had creditable coverage, our plan is creditable.

They can stay on our plan until they are ready to go on Medicare.”

When that time comes, Dodson said, she and the HR department will provide all of the necessary forms and letters their employees need to prove their plan is creditable.

If that time is now, however, do your homework. The Dec. 7 deadline for open enrollment is fast approaching!

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Churches are alive again with the sound of music.

And musicians in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph are invited to come together to celebrate.

“Since music is re-emerging in our parishes, we felt it would be most appropriate this year to honor St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, at a Mass on her feast day, Nov. 22,” said Maureen Henderson.

“And, we felt it important to invite all musicians from both the Kansas and Missouri dioceses to gather and be recognized and thanked for St. Cecilia Feast their untiring dediDay Mass for Parish cation and Musicians service in • Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. music min• Cathedral of the Imistry,” she maculate Conception, added.

416 W. 12th St., Kansas HenderCity, Missouri son is the director of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) of Greater Kansas City, which includes two chapters — the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. with a Mass celebrated by Bishop James Johnston at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. A reception will follow.

Anyone who serves in music ministry at their parish or religious community, including priests, deacons and others who support the ministry, are invited.

No RSVP is necessary.

NPM has worked diligently over the past decade to amplify its online resources so that musicians far and wide can participate in training and networking opportunities, said Barbara Leyden, who edits the local chapter’s triennial newsletter.

“The vast majority of the hundreds of church musicians in each diocese are volunteers with limited musical and liturgical training,” she said.

“NPM is one of the few organizations that exists for Catholics in the USA to access preparation for their ministry,” she added.

Organizers hope the Nov. 22 Mass and reception will be an evening of camaraderie among those who attend.

“When the pandemic closed our church doors and silenced our choirs, pastoral musicians were left with a huge void in their daily lives,” said Henderson.

But she added that now is the time to support musicians as they begin to bring music back into parish life and the celebration of the Mass.

“And, at the end of the evening,” she said, “we hope each musician feels the renewed kinship with other musicians and feels refreshed to make beautiful music in the year ahead.”

To learn more, visit the website at: npminkc.com.

LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Seneca parish mission addresses mystery of the True Presence

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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ENECA — The “Eucharistic Amazement” initiative that will be taking the country by storm this coming Lent had a modest predecessor right here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Before even learning of the U.S. bishops’ national initiative, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca got the jump on everyone and planned a four-week parish mission called “The True Presence Mission: The Mystery of the Eucharist.”

The mission, held on Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 25, was held in the church, where the format varied. But all four sessions basically included hymns, prayer, a meditation, a video from the Augustine Institute’s “Formed” teaching series and eucharistic adoration.

In the fourth session, archdiocesan consultant for liturgy and sacramental life Michael Podrebarac offered a eucharistic catechesis and, later, a meditation during eucharistic adoration.

“What is the Mass but the single most, greatest, glorification of God that we could possibly participate in?” he asked.

“Because when Jesus offers himself, when our blessed Lord offers himself under the appearance to us as body and blood in bread and wine, his very body and blood, he does so to give glory to the Father.

“We know that he did so, as the good Sisters once taught us, to buy us back from the devil.

And it is true. But what it ultimately does, it glorifies the Father, because it shows us the depth of his love for us. C.S. Lewis once said that perhaps St. Peter is in heaven now as we speak rejoicing in his three-fold denial of Our Lord on that most suffering night not because he is proud of his sin, not because he is gladdened by its memory, save for the fact that it demonstrates just how far down Jesus was willing to bend and pick him up.”

Jesus is also willing to bend to great depths to pick us up, too.

“It is thus our privilege to be able to participate in what St. Thomas Aquinas called a sacred feast, a sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, in which the memory of his passion is renewed, in which the mind and heart and soul are filled with grace and which the pledge of future glory is given to us. What an amazing gift of

LEAVEN PHOTO BY FRAN REITZ

Archdiocesan consultant for liturgy and sacramental life Michael Podrebarac offered a eucharistic catechesis and, later, a meditation during eucharistic adoration for the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, parish mission on Oct. 25.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY FRAN REITZ

The Sts. Peter and Paul parish mission was organized by Susan Stallbaumer (above) and Joan Henry, the parish evangelization co-directors, with the assistance of the parish evangelization team. The mission consisted of four sessions held on consecutive Sundays. amazing love.”

The sessions were not only livestreamed, but also recorded for later playback on the parish’s YouTube channel.

The parish mission was organized by Susan Stallbaumer and Joan Henry, the parish evangelization co-directors, with the assistance of the parish evangelization team — which includes the pastor, Father Arul Carasala.

“The True Presence Mission,” said the organizers, was

launched out of divine inspiration and an earlier COVIDcaused disappointment.

Stallbaumer was praying about what the parish could do following her participation in the October 2019 archdiocesan “Enflame” convocation.

She knew of a video resource from the Augustine Institute’s “Formed” series on the Eucharist called “Presence.”

Later, while serving as a eucharistic minister during a

Mass on Dec. 29, 2019, she had a spiritual experience.

“As Father Arul handed me the ciborium, I looked into it and had a eucharistic encounter,” said Stallbaumer. “I truly saw the flesh of Jesus. And as I began giving each person the body of Christ, I just felt and knew it was truly Jesus. I always believed it in my heart, but this was the first time I had this beautiful encounter, this true presence feeling.”

She asked Father Carasala if she could present a class about the Eucharist during Lent 2020, and he agreed. The first class was held on that March 8 — and then the pandemic shut everything down.

The next year, Stallbaumer asked Father Carasala if she could offer a class on the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent 2021. He agreed to this, too. Later, she decided to use the format for the “Forgiven” class for a parish mission about the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist this fall.

“As I began to pray about that one, how to do it, the Holy Spirit put on my heart that as the Eucharist was a sacrament, it should be a mission — not in a classroom or parish hall, but the church,” said Stallbaumer.

Bob Niehues, a member of the parish evangelization committee, was pleased with how parishioners responded. This mission is only a part of their work to build a “culture of prayer” in the parish, he said, but he believes they are acting under the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“The feedback has been positive,” said Niehues. “This is a continuation of us trying to evangelize our parish. This is what our team was designed for and it’s what we’re trying to do.”

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LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Strawberry Hill Museum re-opens to showcase magical experience of Olde World Christmas

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Closed since March 2020 due to COVID19, the Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center here is making a grand comeback with the magic, fantasy and rich history of its Olde World Christmas.

Now through Jan. 9, 2022, visitors can tour the seasonally decorated Victorian mansion, experience the ethnic exhibits, learn about St. John Orphanage, shop in the gift shop and enjoy refreshments in the tearoom.

Offering a preview of what to expect of this year’s Olde World Christmas, Adrienne Nastav, president of the board of directors and museum curator, said that each room in the mansion is special in its own right.

“Each room has its own personality,” she explained. The children’s room, for example, has a delightful fairy-tale atmosphere, while the family room, decorated in silver and white, has a mystical feel about it.

In the rooms dedicated to different cultures, the exhibits feature items unique to the ethnicities. For example, the Lithuanian Room has ornaments fashioned from drinking straws; stacking dolls (“matryoshkas”) reflect the Russian culture.

This year, the ethnic rooms also have enhanced signage, added information about each land of origin and the country’s flag on display.

Additionally, the gift shop is offering T-shirts, aprons and tea towels imprinted with the flag of each country.

Nastav’s favorite part of the holiday tour is the chapel formerly used by the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, based in Lemont, Illinois, who operated the orphanage.

An estimated 75 nativity sets are on display there, including a large one near the altar that came from the former St. Mary Church, the mother church of Wyandotte County. The board president and museum curator also called special attention to

Margaret (Reicherter) and Ernest Feldkamp, members of Sts. Peter and P a u l Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 60th we d d i n g a n n ive r sary on Nov. 18 with a family dinner and dance. The couple was married at Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca. Their children are: Steve Feldkamp, Stan Feldkamp, Kristine Cornelison, Ron Feldkamp, Jennifer Engelken and Elizabeth Feldkamp. They also have 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

ANNIVERSARY SUBMISSIONS JOBETH NASTAV

Now through Jan. 9, 2022, visitors can tour the seasonally decorated Strawberry Hill Museum & Cultural Center in Kansas City, Kansas, experience the ethnic exhibits and learn about St. John Orphanage. The museum has been closed since March 2020 due to COVID. the homemade desserts, quiches and soups available in the tea room.

The rich history of the facility, located at 720 N. 4th St., dates to the late 1880s when it was built as a family residence. Located next to St. John the Baptist Croatian Church and rectory, the house transitioned to become St. John Orphanage in response to the deadly flu epidemic of 1918-19. The home went through other transitions until its closure in 1988. The Strawberry Hill Ethnic Cultural Society acquired the property that same year, and the museum came into existence.

Nastav compares the facility to a cake with elaborate icing.

“The mansion — a beautiful building inside and out — is the icing decorated beyond belief at Christmastime into a magical world of fantasy, while maintaining this historic site,” she said.

The “ingredients” blend to provide an extraordinary experience.

Among these ingredients, Nastav

lists the history of the immigrants, their rich ethnic heritages and stories, and the service rendered by the orphanage.

Bringing this all together are the volunteers who manage and direct the museum, who decorated the facility for the Olde World Christmas, and who will be giving the guided tours and staffing special events.

“This museum is one of the treasures of the city that people need to know about,” said Nastav.

Reservations are requested for tours and events and Nastav urges visitors to register early because tour space is limited and many of the special night sessions are already booked. For scheduled tours, events and fees, and to register online, go to: strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Families can reserve spots online or walk in with their children to have breakfast with St. Nick on Dec. 4, from 8 to 11 a.m. Call (913) 371-3264 or send an email to: shecs@strawberryhill museum.org for more information.

ACROSS 1 Underneath 6 Indifferent 11 Compass point 14 Defense 15 Swiss mathematician 16 Second to last mo.

17 Tricks 18 Glide 19 French “yes” 20 Whirls 22 Golf shot 23 Poisonous snake 26 Single 27 She was too busy with chores 29 Battle of nations 30 Astrologers 32 Boxer Muhammad 33 Dry 35 Iceland resident 40 Anger 41 Carrot cousin 42 Pine tree product 43 Loosens 45 Ceases 46 Time period 47 Biblical word for You idiot!

50 Fisherman’s tool 51 Plan of action COPYRIGHT © BY CLIFF LEITCH, THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE REFERENCE SITE, WWW.CHRISTIANBIBLEREFERENCE.ORG. USED BY PERMISSION

POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. They are for parishioners in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas DEADLINE: 10 days before the desired publication date.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: • The couple’s names • their parish • the date they were married • church and city where they were married • what they are doing to celebrate • date of the celebration • names of children (no spouses) • number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; WHERE TO SUBMIT: Email: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

Shawnee Boy Scout earns rank of Eagle SHAWNEE — Luke Thomas, a member of St. Joseph Parish here and Boy Scout troop 194, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle project, Thomas created a ceremonial flag retirement pit for VFW 7397 in Lenexa.

54 Thanksgiving vegetable 55 Advertisements 56 Abhor 57 Grins 60 Government agency 61 Grain storage towers 63 Daniel was thrown into the __’ den 67 Choose 68 Francis __ Key 69 Silly 70 Caustic substance 71 Uses a keyboard 72 Lopsided DOWN 1 Rotten 2 Samuel’s mentor 3 Top 4 Double-reed instrument 5 Moral knowledge 6 Hemming in 7 One of the Gospels 8 Alack’s partner 9 Scene 10 Bard’s before 11 Nose 12 Not north 13 1997 Madonna movie 21 Deoxyribonucleic acid (abbr.)

22 __ of peace (Jesus) 23 Bestow 24 Wife of Abraham, originally 25 Steals 27 Man 28 Wing 31 Colder 34 Erase 36 Writers 37 Title of Italian woman 38 Finished 39 Relaxes 41 First man 44 Miner’s goal 48 California (abbr.)

49 Famous female pilot Earhart 51 OT abode of the dead 52 Talky 53 Say 57 Swill 58 Speck of wood, etc. (KJV) 59 Transgressions 61 Supersonic transport 62 Freezing 64 Grows acorns 65 Compass point 66 Stitch Solution on page 15

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Father Kapaun documentary available to watch online

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Members of the African Catholic Community of Kansas take part in a special ceremony to inaugurate the community into the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas at Prince of Peace Church in Olathe on Nov. 7.

Community ‘filled the void’ for African families >> Continued from page 1

United in faith The African Catholic Community of Kansas was created as a ministry in the archdiocese in July 2019.

Its members meet every first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at Prince of Peace, but all archdiocesan Catholics are invited to attend.

For Akinwuntan, who was born in Nigeria and grew up Catholic, the community has become an extension of his family.

He moved with his wife and three children to Kansas in 2016 and joined St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood.

When he’s not working as dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Akinwuntan volunteers as a lector, usher and member of the Knights of Columbus.

Although life is busy, discovering the African Catholic Community provided something his family was missing.

“For me, as a true cultural man who’s bringing up his children in the Western world, it’s an opportunity to help my children see how Mass is done in their native land of origin,” he said.

The community has introduced his children, who have all attended Catholic schools, to other youth from Africa. It also gives members a chance to support each other in their lives in the United States.

“We try to have a relationship with one another beyond just meeting in church once a month,” said Akinwuntan. “We learn to serve as a resource and help one another.”

For community vice president Kenneth Gitobu, who is originally from Kenya and now works in health care, the group’s monthly gatherings have “filled the void” that resulted from moving to a new country more than 19 years ago and losing aspects of his native culture.

“The African Catholic Community is composed of people from different countries and tribes in Africa,” he said. “Each group brings

its uniqueness and culture, but the beauty is in the similarities that are seen in how we celebrate Mass.”

Gitobu added that sharing that culture with the wider archdiocesan community has been special.

Archbishop Naumann was moved by the joy the community exhibited at the November Mass.

In his homily, he told the inspiring tale of one African woman, Immaculée Ilibagiza, whose book “Left to Tell” detailed her survival of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

“Immaculée Ilibagiza’s story is a remarkable testimony of what the power of God’s grace can accomplish in the faint of heart — even in the most horrible of circumstances,” he said.

The archbishop hoped those in attendance would recognize the blessings in their own lives, despite the challenges they face.

“If our hearts are open, we will discover that each of us has been remarkably blessed by God,” he said, “even in the midst of these adversities.”

ICHITA — A documentary film about the homecoming of Servant of God Chaplain Emil Kapaun was shown on Veterans Day in his home diocese here.

The film, “Once Was Lost — The 70Year Search for Chaplain Emil Kapaun,” was shown on Nov. 11 on the campus of Newman University, Wichita. It was in St. John Chapel on the campus where the priest, who died in a Korean POW camp, was ordained a priest on June 9, 1940.

Photojournalist Travis Heying, who works at The Wichita Eagle, and writer Roy Wenzl collaborated for the project.

“I’m a visual storyteller, so that’s what comes naturally,” Heying said.

“For this documentary film project and the accompanying written stories, we traveled across the country and to Hawaii to interview the searchers who identified Kapaun’s remains, the POWs who fought to keep his story alive and those that finally brought him home to Kansas.”

Heying previously produced a documentary, “The Miracle of Father Kapaun,” in 2009. He and Wenzl also wrote a book with the same title that was published by Ignatius Press in 2013.

The current documentary is about an hour long, and is available online at: www.kansas.com.

Adult March for Life trip available

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Join other adults from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and thousands from across the country to pray and march for the legal protection of unborn children at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. The trip is cosponsored by the archdiocesan evangelization and pro-life offices. Participants will make their own travel arrangements to D.C. and then join in community for several prayer opportunities, breakfast with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, and the Rally and March for Life.

For more information and to reserve a room in the archdiocesan block of hotel rooms, visit the website at: www. archkck.org/prolife/activities/nationalmarch-for-life-2022.

Combating systemic

There is no middle ground in the fight against

By Sister Josephine Garrett, CSFN Catholic News Service

W

hen I received the invitation to write this piece, it included the request to discuss my experience of racism within the church. I immediately began to reflect on the fact that I have received that invitation more over the past 18 months than I have in 16 years as a Catholic.

To be perfectly honest, and model what I ask of my clients as a counselor, that immediately kicked up feelings of frustration and resentment.

Why did it take 15 years for the question to come up? Will it remain a pertinent question or will this simply be a passing “fad” that I am being instrumentalized to participate in? Racism in the church certainly isn’t new.

Although I understood my initial frustration, I immediately began to sort of deal with myself and my feelings so they would not deter me from obedience and attentiveness to what God is doing in his church today and my own call to contribute to the work of building the kingdom.

I begin with that because I have also seen more racism in the church over the past 18 months than in 16 years as a Catholic.

The pandemic served as an emotional primer for what would soon become a ripping off of Band-Aids and tearing down of veils related to racism, racial division and mindsets rooted in white American norms as the dominant norms to be generalized across all other cultures (which is another way to say white supremacy).

The pandemic was an emotional primer because it was truly, if we’re being honest, an existential crisis in a way.

Many of us questioned the things we had assigned significant value and meaning to, as our calendars cleared, events were canceled and we were hunkered down in our homes, in some cases with families we had not previously spent much time with.

Freedom became a topic of frequent social media pontification, which as a counselor did not surprise me, as existential crises are often brought on by forced shifts in our understanding of human freedom.

As the stage was set, our humanity exposed, the best of who we are emerging as well as the worst of what we struggle with, it was only right and fitting that this also brought about exposure to where we really stand before God as a church when it comes to a need for racial reconciliation.

I have witnessed, over the past 18 months, people from all walks of life deny racism as an issue in our church and double down on this stance in the face of the real-life, present-day experiences of others.

I have witnessed overtly racist comments written and spoken by individuals who are considered leaders in our American church, both clergy and laity. I have witnessed the subtle downplaying of the issue by some in the church, as a sort of resounding “it’s an issue, but it’s not a big issue any longer, we need to focus on abortion, that is the bigger issue.”

This dichotomization of pro-life ministry

Oblate Sisters of Providence pay a visit to one of the preschool classrooms at the new Mother Mary Lange School in West Baltimore following dedication cerem founder. Catholic schools have the challenge to think critically about ways to make Catholic education more readily available to people of color.

CNS PHOTO/MICHAEL ALEXANDER, THE GEORGIA BULLETIN

In this 2004 file photo, Dominican Sister Maria Goretti, principal at St. Catherine of Siena School in Kennesaw, Georgia, stands outside one of the classrooms. Catholic schools should look at curriculums that celebrate the lives of great Catholics of all cultures in the church. is in my opinion a work of evil. If pro-life ministry remains fragmented by internal debates about the “most important pro-life issues,” we will never be united enough to deal a true blow through the power of God to the culture of death.

Also, over the past 18 months, I have observed the holding onto, with clenched fists, of institutional patterns that become challenged when we face patterns of white supremacy; a sign that perhaps some of us have become attached to the privileges we have garnered

through mindsets predicated on racism, and would rather secure those privileges than face the unknowns that would come with seeing our ministries shored up to reflect more clearly the heart of Jesus and the mind of God. This resistance to matters of social justice, including reconciling racial divides in our church, makes evident the spiritual significance of the racial division among us. For, it is Satan who hates most the coming of the kingdom and the final realization of the unity of the

human race.

This past weekend at Mass I heard truths about our call as a church to combat racism, discrimination and prejudices in our church and in our society preached from the pulpit. I felt myself exhale and realized how much I needed to hear that from the mouth of someone ordained to preach in our church.

I was also asked, when invited to write this for you, what we can do on a larger scale to combat racism.

• One: Deacons, priests and bishops, please preach these truths of the Gospel in your homilies. I know some of you are in areas of the country where you may be afraid and there are safer things to preach about. I encourage you: What you are afraid to preach about might just be what you are called to preach about.

• Two: Catholic schools have the challenge before them of looking at curriculums to see where mindsets that degrade other cultures and races persist in curriculums and also implement more curriculums that celebrate the lives of great Catholics of all cultures in our church, including the first six Black American Catholics who have open causes for sainthood.

Catholic schools also have the challenge to think critically about ways to make Catholic education more readily

racism in the church

t racism

CNS PHOTO/DAVE HRBACEK, THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Father Prentice Tipton Jr. of Saginaw, Michigan, delivers the homily at a prayer service addressing racism at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 2, 2020.

What pastors and parishes can do

By Father Josh Johnson Catholic News Service

CNS PHOTO/KEVIN J. PARKS, CATHOLIC REVIEW

monies on Aug. 6. The school is named for the order’s available to people of color.

• Also, Catholic ministries are faced with the challenge of looking around the tables of their ministries and asking, Was it God’s will that this table be all or mostly one race? Or have we overlooked people who God has called here because our processes for inviting people to serve and be a part of the ministry are embedded in systems that now naturally exclude others?

• Last, and at the foundation, we must be people of prayer. I am increasingly concerned that many of us may not actually know how to pray, that many of us may not seek to grow in union with God through daily prayer. We cannot build the kingdom in earnest without prayer.

Before sitting down to write this, I was wrapping up a newsletter for the school where I serve as a counselor. One of the topics was bullying prevention.

Toward the end of the section on bullying, I encouraged parents to help their kids understand that there is no middle ground. No action is an action. So when they witness bullying, they will either serve the solution or serve the bullying.

The same applies for us with racial division. We like to use the word combat, yet we must remember, this battle is not ours, it’s the Lord’s (as one of my favorite gospel songs says), and there is not a middle ground.

Sister Josephine Garrett is a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth and a licensed counselor.

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hat can our parishes do to combat the sins of racism in the geographical boundaries of our community?” This is a question I am frequently asked when I travel the nation to speak on the topics of racial justice and reconciliation. My response to this important question always begins with prayer.

Combating racism is a good and necessary work for the Catholic Church in the United States. However, every good work must be the fruit of our time spent in prayer with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In fact, prayer is the first mandate that Jesus gave to the apostles after their ordination at the Last Supper.

Before they were commanded to preach, teach, baptize and make disciples of all nations, they were invited to spend an hour praying with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus invited the apostles to pray 2,000 years ago and Our Lord invites us to pray today. As a witness, Jesus spent time in prayer before he preached his first sermon, before he called the Twelve Apostles and before he entered into his passion.

As disciples of Christ, we are invited to imitate Our Lord and prioritize prayer so that our works of racial justice and reconciliation can be the fruit of our intimate communion with God. Often when we reflect on the lives of the saints, we are drawn to their apostolic works. What goes unnoticed, though, is the amount of time they spent in prayer before they engaged in their works of justice and reconciliation.

For instance, St. Dominic spent hours in prayer in the eucharistic presence of Jesus before he preached his sermons.

Likewise, St. Jean Vianney woke up every day at 2 a.m. to pray in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. The fruit of his personal relationship with Jesus was manifested in the number of hours he sat in the confessional offering the sacrament of reconciliation.

Similarly, St. Katharine Drexel prayed on her knees for four hours a day before the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle while she engaged in the work of racial justice for African Americans and Native Americans throughout the nation.

I cannot emphasize this enough; we must be men and women of prayer. The fruits of our prayer will be manifested in our works of racial justice and reconciliation. These works may include: • Offering Masses of reparation for the sins of racism in America.

• Hosting listening sessions in which the people of color within the geographical boundaries of the parish are invited to share their stories of racism with the pastor, staff and leadership team.

• Joining in protests of institutions and organizations that have racially unjust practices and policies.

• Reading the writings about the Black Catholic experience from “Servant of God” Sister Thea Bowman, the late Father Cyprian Davis and the Black bishops of the United States.

• Purchasing stained glass windows, statues and artwork of the Black saints and those on the path to canonization for our church parishes and schools.

• Attending the Archbishop Lyke Conference and the National Black Catholic Congress and enrolling the parish staff into classes at Xavier University of Louisiana’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies.

• Financially tithing to religious orders that serve predominantly Black communities such as the Sisters of the Holy Family, the Oblate Sisters of Providence and the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Josephites.

• Participating in small group Bible

studies with people of different races, ethnicities and tongues.

• Praying the rosary throughout the different neighborhoods in the geographical boundaries of the parish.

• Inviting Catholic speakers of color to present at the parish Advent and Lenten missions.

• Seeking out people of color for leadership roles on the staff, pastoral council and finance council.

• Examining the parish church and school handbook guidelines along with people of color to ensure that there are not any policies that unintentionally alienate or discriminate against parishioners or students of color.

The Holy Spirit is very creative.

The Holy Spirit may inspire parishes to participate in these works or invite priests and their co-workers in the vineyard to do a number of other activities that are geared toward healing the racial divide in the geographical boundaries of their communities.

In the end, the capacity for each parish to bear supernatural fruit in their efforts to purify the sins of racism in their land will be rooted in the amount of time each priest and parishioner spends with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in prayer.

The ministries, apostolates and works that we participate in for this just cause must not be our first priority. Rather, communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in prayer must be prioritized above all else.

If we are faithful to prayer with the Trinity, then the fruits of our relationship with God will be manifested in our parish ministries, apostolates and works of racial justice and reconciliation.

Father Johnson is director of vocations for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an author and host of the podcast “Ask Father Josh.”

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VATICAN

NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Pope sets date for canonization of Blessed de Foucauld, others

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis greets Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the U.S.-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, at the Vatican Dec. 3, 2015. The pope has named Sister Petrini to be secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State.

Pope names woman secretary-general of Vatican City State governing office

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, an Italian member of the U.S.based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, to be secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State.

The appointment, which includes overseeing departments as diverse as the Vatican Museums, post office and police force, effectively makes the 52-year-old Rome native the highest-ranking woman at the Vatican.

The position previously had been held by a priest, who was named

a bishop shortly after becoming secretary-general.

Sister Petrini holds a doctorate in social sciences from Rome’s Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas and a master of science in organization behavior from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to working at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples since 2005, she teaches courses in sociology and economics at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The appointments of Sister Petrini and of a new vice secretarygeneral, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, formerly head of the governate’s legal office, were announced by the Vatican Nov. 4.

Sister Petrini succeeds Archbishop

Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, who was named an archbishop and president of the commission governing Vatican City State Oct. 1.

Other women named by Pope Francis serve in the No. 2 position of several offices, just as Sister Petrini will, but they either share the post with a male colleague or have been given the post on a temporary basis, at least initially. And none of those offices employ as many people as the Vatican governor’s office.

In August, Pope Francis named Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli interim secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and in February, he named Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart one of two undersecretaries of the Synod of Bishops.

Pope condemns attack on Iraqi prime minister’s residence

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis condemned a drone attack on the Iraqi prime minister’s residence as a “vile act of terrorism” and expressed his hope that all people in the country would pursue peace through dialogue.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, conveyed the pope’s concerns in a telegram to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose residence was attacked by armed drones early Nov. 7.

The prime minister was not hurt, and the residence apparently suffered only minor damage.

“In condemning this vile act of terrorism, His Holiness once more expresses his confidence that with the blessing of the most high God, the people of Iraq will be confirmed in wisdom and strength in pursuing the path of peace through dialogue and fraternal solidarity,” the message said.

CNS PHOTO/THAIER AL-SUDANI, REUTERS

Iraqi soldiers take part in an intensive security deployment following a drone attack on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s residence in Baghdad Nov. 7. Pope Francis sent a message to the Iraqi prime minister after the attack.

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Blessed Charles de Foucauld and six other candidates for sainthood finally will be canonized May 15, 2022, the Vatican announced Nov. 9.

The final stage in the sainthood process — a gathering of cardinals in Rome to affirm that church law had been followed in preparing for the candidates’ declaration of sainthood and a formal request “in the name of Holy Mother Church” that Pope Francis set a date for the canonizations — Blessed Charles de took place in early Foucauld May. But no date for the ceremony was set because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with Blessed de Foucauld, the spring ceremony will see the canonization of the Indian martyr Devasahayam Pillai and the five founders of religious orders.

Born in Strasbourg, France, in 1858, Blessed de Foucauld strayed from the faith during his adolescence, but during a trip to Morocco, he saw how devoted Muslims were to their faith, which inspired him to return to the church.

He joined the Trappists, living in monasteries in France and in Syria, before seeking an even more austere life as a hermit. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1901, he lived among the poor and finally settled in Tamanrasset, Algeria. In 1916, he was killed by a band of marauders. His writings inspired the foundation, after his death, of the Little Brothers of Jesus and the Little Sisters of Jesus.

The martyr of India who will be declared a saint is Blessed Pillai, an 18th-century Catholic layman who was killed for refusing to refute his faith despite being brutally tortured.

Born to an upper-caste Hindu family in 1712 and given the name Neelakanda, Blessed Pillai became a trusted soldier of the Hindu king but later incurred his wrath for embracing Christianity. Baptized in May 1745, he was given the name Devasahayam, a Tamil rendering of the biblical name Lazarus.

The others approved for canonization are: • Blessed César de Bus, the Franceborn founder of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine, a religious congregation dedicated to education, pastoral ministry and catechesis.

• Blessed Luigi Maria Palazzolo, an Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Poor. He was beatified by St. John XXIII in 1963.

• Blessed Giustino Maria Russolillo, an Italian priest who founded the Society of Divine Vocations for men and the Vocationist Sisters.

• Blessed Anna Maria Rubatto, founder of the order now known as the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto.

• Blessed Maria Domenica Mantovani, co-founder and first superior general of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family. Born in 1862 in Castelletto di Brenzone, Italy, she dedicated her life to serving the poor and needy as well as assisting the sick and the elderly.

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

RAFFLE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Our Lady of Unity School 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 13- Dec. 10 (online)

Win cash prizes of $1,000, $500 or $250 and help fund scholarships for Our Lady of Unity School. Tickets are: $10 per ticket; $25 for three. Tickets are available online until Dec. 10, or can be purchased at the school. Winners will be announced on Dec. 16. To purchase online, go to: member ship.faithdirect.net/events/details/7554.

For more information, send an email to: development@olukck.eduk12.net.

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA All Saints Parish 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 14 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. Benediction will follow, as well as an opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For more information, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

MANAGING GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS St. Michael the Archangel Parish (hall) 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood Nov. 14 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Are you or your family grieving the death of a loved one or experiencing the pain of loss due to a broken relationship? Approaching the holiday season can often accentuate our feelings of grief and sadness. Deacon Joe Allen, chaplain at Catholic Community Hospice, will offer helpful suggestions and offer practical tools for coping with grief during the holidays. For more information and grief resources, go online to: www.

stmichaelcp.org/grief-support-groups or contact Mary Connor in the parish office at (913) 402-3920.

‘HEALING THE DIVORCED HEART’ SUPPORT GROUP St. Michael the Archangel (Gabriel Room) 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

We who have experienced divorce understand. We, too, were sad, lonely, scared and angry. We have found that with God, time and the support of others, healing is possible. For more information, go online to: www.stmichaelcp.org/ divorce-support.

TAKE-A-LOOK THURSDAY Holy Spirit School 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park Nov. 18 from 9 - 11 a.m.

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

‘UNLOCKING DIFFICULT SCRIPTURE’ Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meager Rd., Easton Nov. 19 - 21

The retreat begins on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. and ends on Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. In this retreat, we will learn to understand what the word of God is telling us and begin to let it penetrate our hearts and enter into a deeper relationship with Christ. There will be conferences, workshops, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflecting and walking.

The suggested donation is $170/single or $250/double for the cabins and courtyard rooms or $100 for the single guest rooms (meals included). To attend, sign up at: christspeace.com; send an email to: info@ christspeace.com; or call (913) 773-8255.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.

The annual memorial service will be followed by the business meeting and social time. If anyone knows of a member or family member of the Daughters of Isabella in need of the circle’s prayers, call Diana Ortiz at (785) 554-4256.

BLOOD DRIVE St. Joseph Parish (Knights of Columbus Hall) 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

As hospitals continue to ramp up their operations due to COVID-19, our local blood supply must increase as well. In addition to shirts from the Chiefs being given to donors, incentives will include drawings for four free Kansas City Chiefs stickers and a parking spot for a December game, as well as a gift card from the Rally House. Appointments are needed. If you wish to make an appointment, contact Virginia Wiedal, St. Joseph blood drive coordinator, by email at: vwiedel63@gmail. com or call (913) 268-3874.

PROJECT CHRYSALIS Via Zoom Nov. 30 from 7 - 8:15 p.m.

Project Chrysalis is a ministry offering hope through sacred Scripture and

11 community to parents or grandparents who have lost a child or grandchild. While this ministry is not a bereavement group, our mission is to offer support and hope through Scripture. For more information and the Zoom invitation link, call (913) 634-4210.

ENKINDLE CONFIRMATION RETREAT Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Did you miss your parish confirmation retreat? Looking for another to attend?

Look no further. This retreat offers any youth the opportunity to participate in our Enkindle Confirmation Program. We ask all youth participants to have a chaperone present with them during the event, a sack lunch and a completed permission form and waiver. A link will be provided in the post-registration email. Register today online at: www.archkck.org/ranch and then click on “Programed Retreats” or contact the retreat team at: psrministry@ archkck.org or call (785) 746-5693.

ADVENT SILENT RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meager Rd., Easton Dec. 3 - 5

The retreat begins Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and ends Dec. 5 at 4:30 p.m. There will be conferences, workshops, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking.

The suggested donation is $170/single or $250/couples for the cabins and courtyard rooms or $100 for the single guest rooms (meals included). To attend, sign up online at: christspeace.com; send an email to: info@christspeace.com; or call (913) 773-8255.

CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT Live-in or live-out caregivers (assistants) - Looking for purposeful volunteer or paid work? Live-in or liveout caregivers (assistants) needed for all shifts, flexible hours available, with adults with intellectual disabilities (core members) in residential group homes (community). Old Overland Park area. Duties include, but are not exclusive to: learn and know the charter of L’Arche; welcome guests, families, volunteers, new assistants and core members to the home; be responsible for the overall growth and direction of the home; foster appropriate relationships between all members of the home; foster positive and supportive relationships with families and professionals; attend community nights and other community events. Qualifications: a person who has lived or worked in a community with persons with disabilities preferred; a person with good organizational skills; a person committed to the philosophy of L’Arche; a person with good communication skills; a person with the ability to deal with conflict objectively; have a valid driver’s license; a high school diploma or equivalent; pass all required background checks; pass required preemployment readiness evaluation. Training required: (all provided after being hired) CPR/first aid; medication administration; rights and responsibilities; abuse, neglect and exploitation training; emergency preparedness, documentation training. Interested candidates, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and references with contact information to the L’Arche Heartland discernment/search team at: heartland@ larcheks.org. Position open until filled.

Community care coordinator - Looking for a leadership role where you can use your office skills to help in a nonprofit organization that serves adults with intellectual disabilities? L’Arche Heartland is seeking a community care coordinator. Experience with case management is strongly preferred. The role of community care coordinator is to be an advocate and ally to our seventeen residential core members (adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities) who require assistants (caregivers) for activities of daily living. Requirements include but are not limited to: collaboration with L’Arche Heartland team and leaders; attend and actively participate in house team meetings, professional services meetings and other meetings as needed to efficiently support high quality care and provision of services for the core members; advocate on behalf of the core members with service coordinators, families, consultants and other professionals to ensure the individual needs and desires of core members are met.

Collaboration with community nurse and assistant’s coordinator. Interested candidates, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and references with contact information to the L’Arche Heartland discernment/ search team at: heartland@larcheks.org. Position open until filled.

Nurse intake coordinator - The position of Allied Health intake coordinator is responsible for building relationships with area schools, health facilities and the community at large to recruit prospective students who are interested in the health field. The successful candidate will help students understand career paths within the health care industry, particularly those related to CNA, LPN and RN licenses and guide students along academic paths in these areas. This position works closely with the director of nursing in candidate selection for both the nursing and CNA programs. Qualified candidates should have an associate degree with health care-related experience required, bachelor’s degree preferred; maintain confidentiality of health care paperwork and sensitive information provided by students who apply for a seat in the Allied Health programs; understand nursing profession and Allied Health curriculum and experience advising students; be aware of the impact of cultural patterns on student retention and student learning; have the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, students, staff; proficient in Microsoft Office products; be detail-oriented; and be philosophically aligned with the mission and values of the college to engage and support our Catholic identity. Practicing Roman Catholic preferred.

Please email your cover letter, resume and transcripts to: hr@donnelly.edu with “Nurse intake coordinator” in the subject line.

House coordinator (caregiver/assistant leadership) - Looking for a leadership role where you can fulfill meaningful purpose providing direct care for adults with intellectual disabilities in their homes? L’Arche Heartland is seeking to hire two house coordinators to support the overall quality of life for up to five residents with developmental disabilities (core members) who require direct service/support professionals (assistants) for activities of daily living. Core members reside together in a designated home as housemates with assistants (some who live-in and some who live out). While aligning with the mission and charter of L’Arche, house coordinators provide direct support as well as oversee the management and administrative responsibilities within the home. The role coordinates daily routines and activities (community life) within the home to foster a healthy, respectful and compassionate living environment among housemates and assistants.

The house coordinator is a member of the leadership team and works in close collaboration with the team to fulfill their role responsibilities. Responsibilities and qualifications: assists in the planning and facilitating of community night activities, holiday gatherings, retreats, trips and fundraisers; facilitates weekly team meetings (formations) and participates in regular formations and training to develop a relationship of trust and collaboration; serves as a liaison between assistants and the coordinators to ensure that the personal and spiritual needs of assistants are being met; with the assistants coordinator, ensures that the home and vehicles are maintained and that safety precautions are followed and documented; in cooperation with the assistant and community care coordinator, monitors home environmental needs and coordinates repairs and purchases as needed with the approval of the community leader/executive director; ensures that household finances and spending are organized and in agreement with the designated budget. Training provided. Experience as a live-in assistant (caregiver) with adults with intellectual disabilities strongly preferred. Interested candidates, please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and references with contact information to the L’Arche Heartland discernment/search team at: heart land@larcheks.org. Position open until filled.

Minister for marriage, family life and vocation – Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, has a full-time ministry position open. The minister for marriage, family life and vocation (MFLV) is the key collaborator with the pastor and the pastoral associate for adult formation. The minister serves as the staff point person in matters related to marriage, family life and vocational awareness and discernment. This position exists to equip and support couples so they can fruitfully live Christian marriage and experience family life illuminated by the truth, beauty and goodness of the Gospel.

Additionally, the minister for MFLV works with the parish vocation committee, the parish school and the parish YFF program to help young people discern God’s call in their lives and to promote vocations to sacramental marriage, holy orders, consecrated life or other specific ways the Lord might call someone to live out their baptismal call to holiness. For a full job description or to send your cover letter and resume, email: sweems@ kcascension.org.

Assessment fulfillment specialist - Catholic Faith Technologies is seeking an assessment fulfillment specialist who distributes, receives, scores and processes standardized assessments in an efficient manner to generate assessment reports for Catholic schools and parishes. This role requires 5 - 15 hours/week of work in the Overland Park office, depending on volume. The specialist should be an organized, process-oriented individual who practices excellent communication within a team environment. This is an occasionally physical position, meaning you must be able to stand, crouch and lift objects and parcels throughout your shift. For more information or to apply, please email: tcarani@ catholicfaithtech.com.

Teachers - Teachers are needed to fill positions in our Early Education Center (infant/toddler and preschool).

Related experience is preferred, and all candidates must meet state and local requirements. Please submit your resume to: tgavila@stjoeshawneee.org, and call if you have questions: (913) 248-4589, ext. 4589. Benefits are included.

Choir director - Sacred Heart Church, Shawnee, is seeking a part-time choir director. This person is responsible for recruiting and sustaining membership to our choirs and to actively engage our parish community in song at weekend Masses, holy days of obligation, Triduum and other parish events that occur. He/she will work in collaboration with the pastor and liturgy coordinator to provide an overall inspiring worship experience. For a full job description and to apply, please go online to: shoj.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/.

Accounting assistant – Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) is seeking a full-time accounting assistant. This position provides accounting and administrative support to the controller, marketing and operations coordinators. This role is responsible for assisting with financial statements, recording and reconciling investments, posting to the GL, year-end preparation.

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field required and at least one year of relevant work experience. Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing.

Application deadline Nov. 8. To apply, please visit: www.archkck.org/jobs.

Pastoral administrative assistant - St. John Paul II Parish, Olathe, has seen a burst of new growth, and is now in need of a new team member to anchor the parish office. The ideal candidate is one who enjoys relating with a wide range of people, is comfortable with technology, is detail-oriented, organized, flexible and eager to contribute to the mission. Previous experience in a church office is advantageous, but not required.

Full-time position with benefits. Please send resume and cover letter to: meredithpatterson@jp2kc.org.

Director of health services - The monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey are seeking a qualified nurse to serve as the director of health services. This full-time role will lead a team in providing for the health and wellness of the monastic community. Learn more and apply at: Kansasmonks.org/jobs or call (913) 360-7908.

Skilled plumber - Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling is a residential bathroom, basement and kitchen remodeler. We only hire the very best. We are looking for a skilled plumber that has a good overall knowledge of residential rough-in and finish plumbing. As a plumber, you must display superb customer service skills. It will also include solid communication skills and the ability to interact in a positive manner with clients as well as fellow employees, management and office personnel.

We are an incredibly busy remodeling company, doing an average of 5 - 6 remodeling projects at a time. The majority of our work is in Kansas City and surrounding areas. The plumber must be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Pay is based on experience; overtime work is available. Please attach a resume or work history with three job references. Must be able to pass a background check. Job requirements: successful prior track record as a plumber with a minimum of three years’ experience; ability to perform rough-in and finish plumbing; familiar with free-standing bathtubs; familiar with diverter valves; proficient in using manual equipment and measurement tools; must own all your own hand tools (larger tools will be provided); willingness to follow safety guidelines at all times; respectfully leave job site clean at end of each day; good knowledge of English; current and valid driver’s license; good physical condition and endurance; high school diploma; and the ability to pass a background check and drug screen. The job is full time. Hourly wage is $26 - $34 per hour, based on experience. Benefits include: company sponsored health insurance; 401k match up to 5%; 4 paid holidays; 80 hours paid time off after six months; and a tool allowance program. If interested, call (913) 701-2500 or email: lisa@kcbathremodel.com Early childhood educators – With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving Christian environment. Our classrooms are full, and we are looking to add to our amazing team. We are looking for both full-time and part-time teachers for all ages of children. If you have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education, we would love to meet you. For more information or to apply, call Carolyn Andruss at (913) 894-0131, ext. 102.

NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG Advancement officer - Donnelly College is looking for a driven advancement officer to join the college’s advancement team. This exciting opportunity requires an individual who is attentive to details, works well with a diverse array of constituencies, enjoys meeting people, works well individually and as part of a team. Responsibilities include: serve as integral member of the advancement team with the primary goal of securing major gifts to support Donnelly’s mission and vision through new and existing donor prospects; manage the cultivation cycle leading to the successful solicitation and securing of major gifts for annual fund, capital projects, endowment, event sponsorships and planned gifts; manage (and help grow) a portfolio of major gift prospects (up to 125 in portfolio); develop and coordinate major gift prospect strategies with donor database analyst, annual fund coordinator, vice president of advancement and, when appropriate, the president of the college; schedule and hold individual meetings with prospects and donors to qualify interest and capacity; create individualized prospect engagement and stewardship plans for all constituents in your portfolio; recruit membership into the Jerome Society by securing annual gifts of $1,000 and above. Please email your cover letter, resume and transcripts to: hr@donnelly.edu with “Advancement officer” in the subject line.

Caregivers - Daughters & Company is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility.

We provide light housekeeping/light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. A CNA background is helpful, though not mandatory.

We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 3412500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Financial representatives - Knights of Columbus has full-time openings in northeast Kansas and western Missouri for full-time financial representatives. Ideal for determined, disciplined, professional, high-expectation individual desiring to serve others. We work exclusively with the families of brother Knights and Catholic gentlemen who are eligible to join the Knights. We have established territories where agents devote their working day to the needs of the members in their assigned councils. Excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits are provided, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. This is a career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or possibly for someone you know. For further information, contact John A. Mahon, general agent, at (785) 4088800 or email: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Nursing faculty - A full-time nursing faculty position at Donnelly carries the primary responsibility of helping students to master subject material and skills that will contribute to their personal and intellectual development and success in the nursing program. This person works with the director of nursing to schedule coursework/activities that will help students to complete their goal of becoming health care professionals and to support the program. Must be able to pass a background check and complete Virtus training. Qualifications include: MSN or BSN with MSN in progress; unencumbered Kansas nursing license; committed to diversity and serving a diverse population; ability to communicate well and assist students in gaining practice and knowledge in the clinical situation; adult teaching experience preferred; excellent leadership and communication skills; experience with instructing technology-based courses; alternative teaching strategies preferred; demonstrate a thorough and accurate knowledge of use of electronic communication and audiovisual equipment; philosophically aligned with the mission and values of the college to engage and support our Catholic identity. Please email your cover letter, resume and transcripts to: hr@donnelly.edu with “Nursing instructor” in the subject line.

Fifth grade teacher - St. Ann is seeking a 5th grade homeroom teacher for the 2021-22 school year. This teacher will be responsible for teaching 5th grade religion and 5th/6th grade social studies classes. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org/ jobs and email principal Liz Minks at: lminks@stannpv.org. >> Classifieds continue on page 13

CLASSIFIEDS

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG >> Continued from page 12 Drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is now hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students with special needs in Johnson, Wyandotte and Clay County, Missouri, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Aides earn $12 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need. Call (913) 521-4955 for more information. EEO

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Two cemetery plots at Chapel Hill Gardens in Kansas City, Kansas; lot 102B, spaces three and four.

Asking $1695. Call Ernest at (913) 706-5958 or email: ecowden11@yahoo.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Popcorn ceiling texture removal Interior wall painting specialist.

Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience.

Call with questions.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark. com drcconswindows@gmail.com Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

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

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

ACT Prep - Founded by a Bishop Miege graduate, Pathway Prep has helped over 250 students during the last four years improve their scores. In-person or virtual sessions available. For more information, visit: path wayprepkc.com and contact Alex Pint at (913) 991-8217 or: alex@pathwayprepkc.com.

Local Handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, masonry (chimney repair), gutter cleaning (gutter covers), dryer vent cleaning, sump pump (replace, add new), windows, doors (interior and exterior) honey-do list and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

SERVICES Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Tutoring - Fall tutoring for K - adult. Sessions are fun and meaningful. For more information please call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or email: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

Painting - Diamond Paining, (913) 648-4933, residential/commercial, exterior/interior. Free estimate, affordable, decks. DiamondPaintKc.com, KCMO/Overland Park Metropolitan area.

Handyman - I wanted to let you all know that we do basement finishes, deck building, bathroom and kitchen remodeling. This includes tile work, cabinet refinishing, and any sheetrock work. We also do all things flooring, siding, windows, doors, covered porches, sheds and much more. I really appreciate all your support. Please call Joshua Doherty at (913) 709-7230.

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

Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits. Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit http://www. montemacedisability.org.

Senior Care Authority - Navigating senior care options can be overwhelming. We’ll help you sort through and understand all your care and living options and point you to vetted resources. Placement assistance is FREE. We do a thorough assessment, do all the research and walk with you as you make these big decisions for you or your loved one. Call (913) 359-8580.

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

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

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

CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http://www.buykcproperty.com Tired of being a landlord?

I’ll buy it.

Call Mark Edmondson (913) 980-4905 Local parishioner.

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

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

Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.Benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

WANTED TO BUY Wanted to buy -Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners.

My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee. $$ PAYING CASH $$ - Looking for special Christmas gifts for my family such as: antique furniture; crocks; tin and cast iron toys; old tools; glassware; American coins; jewelry; most anything old! Call Patricia at (913) 515-2950.

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.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING The Leaven reaches approximately 50,000 subscribers.

Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter.

To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email The Leaven at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.

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COLUMNISTS

DAILY READINGS THIRTY-THIRD WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Nov. 14 THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dn 12: 1-3 Ps 16: 5, 8-11 Heb 10: 11-14, 18 Mk 13: 24-32 Nov. 15 Albert the Great, bishop, doctor of the church 1 Mc 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 Ps 119: 53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 Lk 18: 35-43 Nov. 16 Margaret of Scotland; Gertrude, virgin 2 Mc 6: 18-31 Ps 3: 2-7 Lk 19: 1-10 Nov. 17 Elizabeth of Hungary, religious 2 Mc 7: 1, 20-31 Ps 17: 1bcd, 5-6, 8b, 15 Lk 19: 11-28 Nov. 18 The dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles; Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin 1 Mc 2: 15-29 Ps 50: 1b-2, 5-6, 14-15 Lk 19: 41-44 Nov. 19 Friday 1 Mc 4: 36-37, 52-59 (Ps) 1 Chr 29: 10bcd, 11-12 Lk 19: 45-48 Nov. 20 Saturday 1 Mc 6: 1-13 Ps 9: 2-4, 6, 16, 19 Lk 20: 27-40

Margaret of Scotland c. 1045-1093 Margaret may have been born in Hungary of a German mother, but as the granddaughter of an English king was brought to England. She took refuge in Scotland after the Norman conquest and in 1070 married King Malcolm III. They had two daughters and six sons; one son also became a saint. Deeply religious, she used her influence to bring the Scottish church in line with Rome, and was noted for caring for orphans and the poor.

She died four days after her husband’s murder; they were buried at Dunfermline Abbey.

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NOVEMBER 12, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Time to change my tune about my motto

o changing!

At times, I like to pretend this is the motto for my life. I enjoy the comfortable, the tried-and-true and the “good old days.”

Recently, I was reading an entry in the late Father Ed Hays’ “The Old Hermit’s Almanac: Daily Meditations for the Journey of Life.”

Although published around 25 years ago, it remains one of my favorites. Father Hays always had a nose for the quirky and the arcane, and this book is filled with those tidbits.

In browsing the November items, I was amused by the one for the 18th, which Father Hays dubbed “Forbidden Math Day, 1300 A.D.” Sometimes, the things we take most for granted have a colorful history. Take numbers, for example.

Did you have any idea that the Arabic numbers that we use today were first rejected in European commerce?

This particular method of numbering was adopted by Arab scholars

MARK MY WORDS

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

around the year 800 and brought to Spain a hundred years later.

As Father Hays tells it, the system spread very gradually throughout Europe, courtesy of the merchants and scholars who attended the universities in Spain.

Incredibly, though, it would take some 600 years before these “foreign” numbers would be completely accepted throughout Europe, in the early 1800s. Some reasons for this ranged from a

suspicion because this was a “Muslim” invention to a reluctance to embrace anything new.

In other words, people didn’t want to surrender their Roman numerals, which businessmen claimed (rightly so) were harder to forge than the Arabic ones. Father Hays breathes a sigh of relief that Arabic numbers won out. Can you imagine, he says, trying to decipher the number of atoms in a pound of iron if rendered in Roman numerals, nearly five trillion trillion or 4,891,500 followed by 18 zeros! (By the way, we can thank the Hindus for a detailed understanding of the zero.)

But “no changing” was not limited to ancient times. Ed Roswell tells about the Bayer Corporation that finally stopped putting cotton wads in its aspirin bottles in 1999, a practice it had done since 1914.

The aspirin held up fine without it. Chris Allen, Bayer’s vice president of technical operations at the time, said, “We concluded there really wasn’t any reason to keep the cotton except tradition. Besides, it’s hard to get out.” (Found in 1001 Illustrations that Connect, edited by Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof.)

So, would I have been one of those people zealously holding onto those Roman numerals in the face of the upstart Arabic ones? Or insisting that cotton continue to be placed in aspirin bottles? Not on your life. And that’s why my supposed “no changing” motto really doesn’t hold up in my life.

I wouldn’t for a moment trade typing this article on a word

processor for banging it out on a manual one.

And I wouldn’t surrender my cellphone for one firmly tethered to a wall. And who would want to trade the GPS in our vehicles for cumbersome paper maps?

Obviously, not everything new is wonderful and not everything old needs to be jettisoned. It’s the grace of wisdom that helps us to know the difference. With the holiday season approaching, now is the time to evaluate your family’s “traditions.” Which ones are meaningful and joyful and which ones may need to be tweaked if they’ve become overbearing and stressful?

I’ll end this on this cautionary note that change, without wisdom, can be deceiving: A man once found a lamp on the seashore.

When he rubbed it, out popped a genie who granted his wish: to have the Midas touch.

Now, everything the poor guy touches changes into a muffler!

With trust in God, the end times can be met with faith, not fear

A

pocalyptic themes abound in contemporary literature, popular novels and movies. We seem to be fascinated by stories depicting a cataclysmic end of the world and characters who struggle to survive in postapocalyptic scenarios.

As the church’s liturgical year draws to a close, we begin to hear a series of readings that speak of a distressing end time, on a day and at an hour known only to God. But instead of fear, the dominant theme in Scripture is the invitation to greater trust in the unchanging word of God and to deeper faith amid the turmoil and passing of the age.

,

JEM SULLIVAN Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

Faith, not fear, is the prevailing attitude of the just one who has placed all trust in God. In Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Daniel, we hear of Michael, the great prince and guardian of

the people, who will rise during a tumultuous time unsurpassed in distress.

This passage would have evoked in the minds and hearts of the Jewish people their own turbulent history of the destruction of their holy places and their communal identity.

While some experienced the turmoil of destruction, they also know that “the wise shine brightly like the splendor of the

firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. Mark recounts Jesus’ warning to his disciples of a time of tribulation after which the sun and moon will be darkened, the stars fall from the sky and the heavenly powers shaken. At this time, “they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

During these troubling, unforeseen events, Jesus promises his disciples, and us, of God’s presence: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” says Jesus.

Instead of fear and

helplessness, the word of God gives courage.

We find peace as we join with the psalmist who sings: “I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore, my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer you faithful ones to undergo corruption.”

As we reflect on end-time Scripture passages during these final weeks of the church’s calendar year, may we respond to the invitation of God’s word to hope, trust and joyful expectation as we pray, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Look in the mirror before correcting others’ mistakes, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To believe in Jesus means to follow him and avoid going “the opposite way,” following one’s own interests and inflating one’s own ego, Pope Francis said.

Similarly, when Christians see one of their brothers or sisters has strayed, they must be humble, gentle and compassionate, the pope said Nov. 3 during his weekly

general audience in the Paul VI audience hall.

“The supreme rule regarding fraternal correction is love: to want the good of our brothers and sisters” by praying, being patient and accompanying them to help them correct themselves, he said.

However, he added, “this is not easy. The easier path is tattling, skinning the other alive as if I

were perfect.”

The pope continued his series of talks on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians by reflecting on an excerpt from the apostle’s exhortation on the “freedom of service,” that is, how Christians are called to fulfill the law by loving their neighbor and by walking in the Holy Spirit.

COLUMNISTS

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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God counts on us to support each other as we pass on the faith

T

he office of evangelization wants to help you fulfill your critical role in God’s eternal plan for your family and friends.

The Enflame Our Hearts, Homes and Communities webpage at: archkcks.org is full of step-by-step help in passing on the faith. The page has a section on where to start that features two 30-minute podcasts or three 10-minute videos that break down the basics.

The treasure of freedom in Christ is passed on through deep, caring relationships.

There are stages of spiritual development that we all go through.

Understanding the

M

y two high school age sons and I spent a beautiful Saturday morning at the recent “40 Days for Life” campaign in front of the Center for Women’s Health abortion facility in Overland Park.

St. James Academy had “adopted” the day and dozens came together in prayer for the protection of the unborn and to give hope and support to women in a crisis pregnancy. God was truly working through those present that day and throughout the campaign.

We saw a friend of mine who had invited another friend to come along. Both were participating for the first

SEEKING CHRIST’S HEART

DEACON DANA NEARMYER Deacon Dana Nearmyer is the director of evangelization for the archdiocese.

stage of faith that our loved ones are in helps us understand how to listen and accompany them on their journey.

Trust has to be earned. Many people,

especially today, are in a stage of pre-trust of Jesus and the Catholic Church. The first of the 10-minute videos explains this further.

The second of the videos explains living a “prayer/care/share” lifestyle. Prayer links us to Jesus’ love, joy and moment-by-moment guidance. We pray asking God to tell us

who and when to share the faith with and how — even what to say, or often more importantly, what not to say.

We listen to God, and watch for divine appointments, intersections of relationships that God has woven together to allow you and I to be his instrument in caring for others, building trust and sharing the good news of Jesus’ love.

Timing is everything. God tells us when, how and how much to share, often only small bits at a time.

Part three asks us to prioritize the filling of our hearts first, then our homes and finally our community. Your community is broken

down like Jesus did, into your 3, 12, 72 and crowds.

Jesus had Peter, James and John. What three souls, outside of your home, are you called to pray, care and share with? Who are your 12? Jesus had his disciples. Jesus sent the 72 and preached to the crowds.

Many of us have substantial social networks that we project an image to. How do you use that opportunity to show the source of our peace and joy?

God has a plan for his children to reach and support each other in passing on the faith.

It is our job to listen and be his hands, feet, listening ear and sometimes his voice.

Jesus first wants to fill each of our hearts with his love and our eyes with the miracles that happen around us every day.

Secondly, his plan is that we are nurturing each other’s interior life, especially in our homes, and this involves listening deeply to each other about real concerns.

The greatest level of spiritual impact is found in allowing God to form our hearts, then our homes and lastly in the 3, 12, 72 and crowds of your community.

The Enflame website can help you to spend eternity with the ones that you care most about in just 30 minutes.

Sidewalk witness finds God at work in many ways LIFE MATTERS

DEBRA NIESEN Debra Niesen is the archdiocesan consultant for the pro-life office.

time and were pleased to see the large, joyful group holding signs with positive messages valuing both woman and child.

The vast majority of honks and shouts from cars passing by were in support of us. There

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was an occasional negative comment or gesture, but it only inspired the group to pray specifically for that person.

I later learned that my friend’s friend was a young woman who only weeks before discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant. While she had always been pro-life, she admitted to my

THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE

friend that given her situation — unmarried with a modest income and no nearby family — she felt tempted to succumb to the pressure from her “pro-choice” friends to “take care of the problem.”

Thankfully, my friend brought her to Advice & Aid for help and she is choosing life for her child!

While this young woman has great courage and faith, the road for her remains challenging.

Coming to the sidewalk that Saturday and experiencing the prayers of the group only strengthened her decision and resolve.

Little did the others on the sidewalk know the impact they were having.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the sidewalk, a group of high school young men were approached by a man who calmly told them that he was involved in an abortion years ago when he learned his unborn child had a severe medical condition and would likely not survive long after birth.

Witnessing the man’s suffering from the decision of that abortion and discussing the value of that child’s life was certainly a difficult yet valuable moment for all involved. God only knows if the man’s heart was moved by the witness of these young men, but he put them together for a reason.

The highlight of this campaign came early in the 40 days, on

a day that the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park had adopted.

Annie, one of the campaign leaders, noticed a woman outside who seemed conflicted about entering the facility. Annie had the courage to beckon her over and invited the woman to have breakfast, and ultimately go to Advice & Aid with her.

After seeing her baby’s sonogram images, the mom chose life. God willing, the mom will stay connected to get the support she and her baby need.

Thank you to everyone who let God work through you to protect life in big and small ways on the sidewalk.

Join us again next spring!

Crossword solution

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LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

16

Glimpsing God at work in one’s life is not only for Bible characters

By Catherine Upchurch Special to The Leaven

T

he first time I ever met with a spiritual director, she posed a two-part question: In what circumstances do you most often find yourself aware of God’s presence? Or, even aware of your need for God’s presence?

I’ve discovered that spirituality, living in a way that is tuned to God’s spirit, is very much connected to an attitude and a disposition of awareness or attentiveness.

Consider the story of Jacob in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 27-28. On the run from the consequences of stealing his father’s blessing that should have been given to his older brother, Jacob camped for the night.

In his fitful sleep, Jacob received God’s promise of land, heirs and protection. When he awoke, Jacob marveled, “Truly, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!” (28:16). The words of Jacob could easily be our own, often discovering only in retrospect or introspection that God is right beside us, in the messes with us. We have only to wake from our fitful anxieties to recognize it.

Sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

The Scriptures abound with stories of this kind of spiritual awakening.

Moses, for example (the Book of Exodus, Chapter 3), minding his routine responsibilities, probably passed by a certain bush often as he led his sheep to meager sources of water or shade. Perhaps, as some rabbinical traditions suggest, God was always speaking his name and only when the bush was set afire could Moses pay attention to God’s presence and calling that was there all along.

Think about the way Jesus called his first followers. He met them in the daily routines of their lives — casting fishing nets or mending them (Mt 4:18-22) and collecting taxes (Mk 2:13-14; Lk 5:27-28).

We may not know the professions of the other apostles, but we can presume that they, too, were going about their business when Jesus invited them to “come and see” (Jn 1:35-46).

Recognizing God in our midst is not reserved only for the great mystics.

Like Jacob, Moses, Matthew, Peter and Andrew, we go about our days and occasionally catch glimpses of God’s presence. These are “formative moments”; they are forming us into being attentive.

More often than not, God uses the ordinary routines, the chance encounters and the challenges of our days to draw us to himself.

In his 2020 book, “Let Us Dream,” Pope Francis ponders what we may be

Pause and notice Jesus made a habit of seeing the big picture of God’s action in the world without neglecting the individuals often ignored by others. He invites us to do the same: to pause in our routine to recognize the holy and notice opportunities for a kind word and healing touch.

“The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind” by Antonio Trevisan (1753) hangs in San Francesco della Vigna Church in Venice.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION OR DISCUSSION

In what circumstances have you experienced a deep sense of God’s presence?

What helped you to become aware of it?

Sometimes it is easier to identify God’s presence in retrospect. Are there any habits you are developing to help you become more attentive and mindful in the present (e.g., nurturing silence, walks in nature, talking with faith-filled friends, extending love to others, etc.)?

learning from the pandemic and how “our world’s understanding of a return to normal may need to be adjusted, most especially in light of the Gospel.”

He laments what he calls “so-whatism” and says: “This attitude ends up armorplating the soul; that is, indifference bulletproofs it, so that certain things just bounce off.” Such indifference, both to God’s presence and to the realities of our world, may seem to protect us, but in the end it simply leaves us numb and isolated.

“No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we

Do you have any fears or concerns about developing a greater awareness of God’s presence and calling in your life?

Are there concerns that the mission of being a disciple of Jesus might be too challenging?

love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us” (1 Jn 4:12). By developing the habits of love we grow in our ability to see with new eyes and to pay closer attention.

There are several accounts of Jesus restoring sight to the blind. One account, in particular, appears with slight variations in three of the Gospels (Mt 20:2934; Mk 10:46-52; Lk 18:35-43). In this story Jesus asks the blind beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” It’s such a simple question, and the response, “I want to see,” is important.

How might you share with someone this week your experience of God or your desire for a deeper sense of God’s calling?

On one level, the blind beggar is simply himself, asking for sight, the ability to see faces and things.

On another level, the beggar is us, asking for insight, the ability to see deeply and truly, to recognize the face of God in the world and its people.

Jesus has the power and the will to give both.

Catherine Upchurch is the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and contributes to several biblical publications. She writes from Fort Smith.

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