11-16-12 Vol. 34 No. 15

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 15 | november 16, 2012

Despite being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2010, Mary Perrini has battled on and continues to work as director of campus ministry at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park.

The real deal

Mary Perrini’s ministry of presence is as simple as it is effective

R

Story by Sheila Myers • Photos by Elaina Cochran

OELAND PARK — Mary Perrini is not your typical teen idol. She’s not a musician or a harbinger of fashion. She’s not on Facebook or Twitter.

So what is it about the 53-year-old, diminutive campus ministry and social service program director at Bishop Miege High School in

3 Honoring a saint

A delegation from the archdiocese attends the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha.

Roeland Park that attracts students in droves? That brings every kid in the auditorium to their feet for a standing ovation every time she’s introduced at a school function?

Sister Martina Rockers, OSU, has taught at Miege for some 53 years — 25 of it with Perrini.

And she thinks the answer is simple. >> See “CAMPUS MINISTER” on page 8

5 ‘Dei verbum’

Document results in additional Scripture readings at Mass.

8 Marriage matters

Couple offers tips for a successful marriage at Marriage Day of Enrichment.

Mystery of Faith

Keep up with Michael Podrebarac’s “Mystery of Faith,” exclusively at: www.theleaven.com.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012

Life will be victorious

Vibrant witness to our faith is the way to change the culture

S

ome may be suffering post-election trauma!

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

For the first time, by public referendum, a few states (Maryland, Maine, and Washington) narrowly approved the legality of socalled same-sex marriage. toward the tragic plight of Minnesota failed to pass a rape victims in order to prostate constitutional amendmote successfully a mythical ment prohibiting any future war on women. In so doing, legislation from attemptthey diverted attention from ing to redefine marriage the federal government’s as something other than a efforts to coerce religious covenant of love between institutions and individual one man and one woman. A employers to violate their couple of states (Colorado conscience by paying for and Washington) legalized and providing abortionthe “recreinducing ational” use drugs as ‘The Shepherd’s Voice’ of marijuawell as conArchbishop Joseph F. Nauna. traceptives mann’s radio program on Any in employee KEXS 1090 AM airs at 10 a.m. hope that health plans. on Sunday and is repeated at the election What 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 3:30 would solve should we p.m. on Thursday. the attack do in the on religious context of a liberty and culture that conscience rights created seems more than ever to be by the Health and Human “slouching towards GomorServices (HHS) mandate as rah?” part of the implementation First of all, we need to of the Affordable Health pray for all those in elected Care Act (Obamacare) has office, whether we voted disappeared. To avoid a crifor them or not. We need to sis of Catholic institutions pray that our elected offiand Catholic employers cials will put aside partisan having to choose between politics and make decisions violating Catholic moral that will rescue our nation teaching or defying federfrom the economic calamity al law, either the current of an unsustainable national administration must have a debt. Failure to do so will change of heart or the fedcreate tremendous hardship eral courts must provide a for individuals and chaos for favorable ruling. The Obama our society. administration changing However, even more its position seems improbcritical for the long-term able and depending on the health and even survival of judiciary for relief is always our nation is a renewal of risky business. family life and virtue within In the past, and for the American people. Our almost 40 years, our nation Founding Fathers recoghas legally sanctioned the nized the importance of killing of more than 55 milreligion in fostering virtue lion of our own children by in America’s citizenry. They abortion. During the recent realized without virtuous election cycle, we saw the citizens a democratic repubpro-abortion forces resurlic could not survive. recting the strategy that In addition to praying for they used to gain abortion’s those in elected office, we legalization by focusing need to embrace the invitaattention on the hard, but tion of Pope Benedict XVI relatively rare, cases of pregto be active participants nancy resulting from rape. in the new evangelization.

Abortion advocates, with Ultimately, our elections rea complicit media, utilized flect the values of the Amertwo Senate candidates’ reican people. If we want to marks that sounded callous have different results on

We need to pray for all those in elected office, whether we voted for them or not.

Election Day, then we need to transform the culture. If we want Americans to make different and wiser choices in the voting booth, then we need to impact what people value.

It should not surprise us that fewer Americans regularly attending church coincides with a smaller percentage being married.

Nor should it startle us that fewer children being raised in homes with both their biological parents has happened when fewer Americans claim any religious affiliation.

Sadly, we have experienced too many examples, in recent years, of those representing churches failing to live in a manner consistent with what they preached.

From the abandonment of Jesus by his chosen apostles on Good Friday to the present day, we are keenly aware of the human weakness of the church. Jesus cautioned us about the weeds and the wheat growing up together.

Despite all of her weaknesses, the church remains essential in Our Lord’s plan of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations and through all time. It is in the church that we receive the forgiveness, healing, nourishment and support to follow Jesus faithfully in the particular circumstances of our lives.

How do we transform the culture? The answer is the same today as it was 2,000 years ago. We must provide the people of our time with heroic witnesses of living our Christian faith with integrity and joy. Cultures are transformed when people are inspired by example to strive for what is virtuous and noble.

Sometimes, the church is mistakenly viewed as the community of “No!” The church says no to same-sex marriages, to contraception, to premarital sex, to abortion, to pornography,

to marijuana, to greed, to gluttony, etc. Our American culture through its music, cinema and other forms of entertainment is constantly promoting the opposite — that to be happy you have to be sexually active and rich. From the apple in the Garden of Eden to the present day, pleasure and selfgratification have always been alluring.

The church does not oppose premarital sex, homosexual acts, avarice, illegal drugs, gluttony or any other vice because she wants to prevent our happiness.

No, just the opposite: The church understands not only these actions will not make us happy, but eventually they will bring us to sadness and despair.

The new evangelization is a challenge for Catholics first to make the love of Jesus real in the world today. No one can accept the discipline and sacrifices of Christian discipleship, unless they have first experienced the love of Jesus Christ. We must make clear to the world that we love every human being, no matter if they have a homosexual or heterosexual orientation, no matter what addiction enslaves them, no matter their economic status, race or ethnicity.

Why? Because they have been made in the divine image! Because they are an icon of God! Because the Son of God gave his life on Calvary for them, so much did he esteem and value their life!

What can motivate individuals to give up the secular culture’s seductive and false recipe for happiness? The only antidote powerful enough is the witness of individuals who, despite their own frailty and sufferings, are filled with the authentic joy and hope of the Gospel. The best way for us to transform our culture is to live our Catholic faith with fidelity, passion and enthusiasm.

If we live our faith in this way, others inevitably will be drawn to discover the source of our peace, our joy, and our love. Cultures are changed by the transformation of individual lives.

A vibrant, authentic living

calendars archbishop

Nov. 16-17 Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award presentation to past Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant — Dallas

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Most children love to hear stories, and when Sister Virginia Pearl, CSJ, was little, she loved to hear her mother tell stories about a wonderful Native American girl.

That Native American girl lived long ago in the land of the Algonquin and Mohawk peoples, now upstate New York and southern Quebec. Her name was Kateri Tekakwitha.

“Mother talked a lot with us kids about this ‘little saint,’ as she called her,” said Sister Virginia, who lives at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia motherhouse in Concordia. Her Potawatomi name is “Na-me-que,” which means “praying woman.”

Sister Virginia liked this “little saint” because she was Native American — just like her.

On Oct. 21, Sister Virginia stood in the square of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to hear Pope Benedict XVI declare her mother’s “little saint” an official saint of the Catholic Church.

Sister Virginia, who was there as an official representative of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and is herself Potawatomi, was surrounded by other Native Americans from Canada and the United States, as well as those who were there to witness the canonization of six other newly proclaimed saints.

Sister Virginia wasn’t the only Potawatomi from Kansas in St. Peter’s Square that day. Also in the crowd of thousands was Jerry Tuckwin, a member of the Haskell Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence.

Tuckwin, a former track coach and athletic director at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, said he went to witness the canonization because St. Kateri is a tremendous role model for all Native Americans.

“One of the things that’s really big with Native Americans is role modeling,” he said. “I think any time you can be a part of something you can bring from it role modeling traits and characteristics, then I want to be part of that.”

Jerry and his wife Terry were part of a 750-member tour group, although not all members of the group were Native American. They were in Italy from Oct. 18 to 24.

On the Friday before the canonization, the Tuckwins attended a reception at the Vatican Gardens where they listened to a welcome by the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Later, they toured the Vatican Museums.

On Saturday, the Tuckwins went to Assisi, and then attended a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, himself a Citizen Band Potawatomi from Kansas.

“It was very important for us to be part of this historic moment,” said Terry Tuckwin. “[Jerry] was thinking of his

Mass and presentation of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award — Sacred Heart, Mound City Nov. 19 Presbyteral Council meeting Finance Council meeting Nov. 20 Installation of Bishop Conley — Lincoln, Neb. Nov. 21 Thanksgiving Mass and breakfast with chancery and Pastoral Center staff Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 25 Chiefs game for priests, provided by Lamar Hunt Nov. 27 Administrative Team meeting Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas annual meeting

archbishop

keleher Nov. 21 Thanksgiving Mass and breakfast with chancery and Pastoral Center staff Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 25 Mass — federal prison

witness of the Catholic faith is the best way to transform the culture, one person at a time. We have something so much better to offer to people than free contraceptives.

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second front page 3

november 16, 2012 | theleaven.com

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

Photos courtesy of Deacon Dana Nearmyer

Above, Laura Waters, a member of the Choctaw Nation, Deacon Dana Nearmyer who is part Cherokee, and Sister Virginia Pearl, CSJ, a Potawatomi, wait for the canonization ceremony for Kateri Tekakwitha.

Left, the relics of Kateri Tekakwitha are carried in procession at the start of the canonization ceremony.

A tapestry bearing the likeness of Kateri Tekakwitha hangs in St. Peter’s Square. old auntie who raised him and has gone on to the next world, thinking what this day would have been for her and many

of the [tribal] elders who prayed for that day.”

A reporter for the “CBS Evening News” interviewed Jerry Tuckwin — who was assisting a Native American Capuchin Franciscan priest — as they left the square after the liturgy.

Deacon Dana Nearmyer was part of a 20-member official archdiocesan pilgrimage group led by Msgr. Thomas Tank, pastor of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, and Rose Hammes, archdiocesan director of communications and planning.

A separate 40-member group from the Church of the Nativity in Leawood, led by pastor Father Francis Hund, was also in Rome for the canonization. A happy coincidence brought them there, because the Nativity group booked its trip before the canonization was announced.

“There have been 20,000 kids from the archdiocese who have attended Camps Kateri and Tekakwitha [at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg], and have developed an affinity for her,” said Deacon Nearmyer.

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

“Many . . . consider St. Kateri to be one of their primary prayer intercessors,” he continued. “A number of them have taken her name as their confirmation saint or have named their kids after her.”

A number of these youths are working or attending universities in Europe, and they flocked to Rome to attend the canonization.

One touching moment Deacon Nearmyer remembers is when Sister Virginia Pearl and Laura Waters, a member of the Choctaw Nation and part of the archdiocesan pilgrimage group, were greeted by other Native Americans.

“At one point, we were standing next to a group of Mohawk Indians,” he said.

“They told us, ‘We’re so happy you’re here — St. Kateri is from our tribe.’

They started to weep and tell us stories about the Jesuit missionaries who had come to bring Christ to their nation.”

The Mohawks called it a “healing” that the church now recognized that one of their own was being recognized as a great faith leader.

“I may sound like I’m crying, but it’s pride and joy instead of tears,” said Sister Virginia.

“It was a very deep experience,” she continued. “To be present when the Holy Father sainted those men and women, it was just like bringing up my childhood faith and honoring my mother and father. It’s almost like [blessing] who I am as a Native American and a woman religious.”

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

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4 local news

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012

To nourish and rule

Sister Trinitas Miles, OSB

Leaven photo by Joe McSorley

Veterans memorial

Father Gary Pennings, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, blesses the new veterans memorial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan., Oct. 27.

Holy hour

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann prepares to lead a Holy Hour and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Oct. 15 for Bishop Ward High School students at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan. photo courtesy of don wolf

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Atchison — Sister Trinitas Miles, 76, a Benedictine of Mount St. Scholastica here, died Nov. 9 at Mount St. Scholastica.

The only child of Alphonsus and Estine Elizabeth Norton Miles, Trinitas was born Feb. 15, 1936, in Altus, Okla. The family moved to Sedalia, Mo., where Trinitas graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1954. She entered Sister Trinitas Miles the Mount community in August 1954 and made monastic profession in 1956.

Sister Trinitas earned her bachelor of science in education with minors in biology and music from Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison. Her teaching ministry of some 20 years in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska helped her students to become well-versed in natural history, care for the environment, and astronomy.

Sister Trinitas earned a Kansas social work license, with emphasis in gerontology, from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, and did social work, care for the aging, and chaplaincy in Kansas and Oklahoma. She became a registered music therapist through work at the University of Kansas and was certified as a hospital chaplain with emphasis in gerontology.

She studied clowning at Penn Valley Community College in Kansas City, Mo, and was a member of the Kansas City Clowns in Christ, using clowning in her gerontological work.

Spirituality retreat set ATCHISON — A Spirituality of Waiting retreat will be held Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.

- 3:30 p.m. at the Sophia Center here.

The retreat will be conducted by Sister Marie Ballmann, OSB. The cost is $50. To register, call (913) 360-6151.

local news 5

november 16, 2012 | theleaven.com

‘Dei Verbum’ gave new look at the Bible

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Even a young man could find the work of the Second Vatican Council exhausting, and Cardinal Josef Frings of Cologne, West Germany, was not a young man.

In 1962, Cardinal Frings was 75 and nearly blind.

For help in assessing the schemata (preliminary drafts) of proposed council documents, Cardinal Frings turned to a brilliant young peritus (expert) — Father Joseph Ratzinger, a theologian who taught at the University of Bonn.

One of the schemata that Father Ratzinger (today known as Pope Benedict XVI) gave the thumbs-down to was “The Sources of Revelation.” It had, however, a few good ideas worth exploring.

“Thus, in a letter penned by peritus Ratzinger and signed by Cardinal Frings was an early call for Vatican II to give the church and to the world an updated account of Catholic teaching on God’s revelation,” wrote Father Jared Wicks, SJ, in the Sept. 1, 2010, issue of Theological Studies magazine.

Since a majority of the Council Fathers didn’t like this schema either, Pope John XXIII personally intervened. He scrapped it and appointed a new coordinating commission. This led to the writing of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, “Dei Verbum” (“Word of God”), promulgated on Nov. 18, 1965.

“Dei Verbum,” although neither novel nor dramatic, was a hotly debated document. It is “one of the two most fundamental documents produced by the Second Vatican Council,” wrote Father R.A.F. MacKenzie, SJ, in “The Documents of Vatican II.” “This [document] is, in fact if not in name, the Second Vatican Council’s pronouncement on the Bible,” wrote Father MacKenzie.

But it’s more than that.

Divine revelation has one source — God — and is communicated to humankind by the church through two streams: sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition. “Dei Verbum” had something to say about each and how they work together.

Despite the importance of the Bible to the church, ‘Dei Verbum’ represents the first comprehensive teaching on God’s Revelation to humankind made by an ecumenical council in the church’s history,” wrote Father Robert Murray, SJ, in “Vatican II and the Bible.”

The times were ripe for such a document, said Father Michael Stubbs, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and Scripture columnist for The Leaven.

“In the years preceding the council, there had been a number of advances

CNS photo from KNA

Father Joseph Ratzinger, right, talks with an unidentified prelate in this photo taken in 1962 during the Second Vatican Council. The future Pope Benedict XVI attended all four sessions of the council as a theological adviser to German Cardinal Joseph Frings of Cologne. in Scripture scholarship,” said Father Stubbs. “The bishops felt there was a need to recognize those advances and to incorporate them into the life of the church.”

These advances included the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947, Pope Pius XII’s 1943 encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu,” and the historical and critical literary methods which came to prominence in the 19th century.

“Dei Verbum” has six chapters: Revelation Itself; Handing on Divine Revelation; Sacred Scripture, Its Inspiration and Divine Interpretation; The Old Testament; The New Testament; and Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church.

“The document points out that sacred Scripture was transmitted to us in stages, and that’s very important,” said Father Stubbs.

“For a time, the words and actions of Jesus were passed down by word of mouth before they were committed to writing,” he continued. “Similarly, an oral tradition often preceded the writing of the books of the Old Testament.”

“Dei Verbum” maintains that sacred Scripture is inspired so as to present the truths that lead to salvation through their human writers — with all their limitations, and within their culture and social conventions.

“Understanding that helps us to understand Scripture,” said Father Stubbs.

“That’s important. We believe Scripture is inspired, but that inspiration doesn’t

preclude some historical inaccuracies or scientific understandings of the world.”

Or, as Cardinal Caesar Baronius said to Galileo, “The Bible teaches how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go.”

Another important point made by “Dei Verbum” is that holy Scripture and Tradition are two parts of one package, not two separate sources of revelation, said Father Stubbs.

But the word of God is not merely an “it,” but a “Who,” said Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood.

“Revelation is really centered on Jesus, who is the fullness of revelation — the revelation of God, of the inner life of God himself and his eternal decrees in terms of our salvation,” said Msgr.

McGlinn.

“It’s in Jesus we find the sum total and the fullness of the revelation of God,” he continued. “It’s God revealing himself to us, especially in Jesus. That’s what the Scriptures are all about.”

One of the goals of the Second Vatican Council was to make the Scriptures more accessible to the laity, said Msgr.

McGlinn. Not only was the amount of Scripture increased in the Mass, but in “Dei Verbum,” Catholics were encouraged to do individual devotional reading and study of the Bible.

“If you were to ask most Catholics pre-Vatican Council II what was contained in the Scriptures, they wouldn’t know what to tell you,” he said.

“They weren’t encouraged to read or study the Scriptures themselves,” he continued. “We [growing up] didn’t study the Scriptures. We had ‘Bible history,’ a [paraphrase] of the Bible so we would know what some of the stories were. I think many people thought [individual Scripture study] was discouraged, perhaps because they were afraid of people misinterpreting Scripture.”

This “breaking open” of the word is, perhaps, the greatest legacy of “Dei Verbum.”

“It made Scripture a lot more accessible to ordinary Catholics,” said Msgr.

McGlinn. “It helped us see the word of God as a fundamental pillar of personal spirituality.”

“And it has impacted catechetics tremendously,” he continued. “It has, of course, changed the liturgy dramatically, and so changed the face of parish life. More and more people are coming to know the word of God and grow in deeper studies.”

Although this key document was issued 50 years ago, it is still unfolding.

“It’s still being realized,” said Msgr.

McGlinn. “It will be a long time before we can say that the whole church really understands the place and impact of the sacred word of God. “And we still have a lot of work to do bringing the Scriptures more into the daily life and formation of our Catholic people.”

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6 LOCAL NEWS Mary Katherine (Lawless) and Robert L. Tomlinson, members of St. Patrick Parish, Osage City, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 17 with a family dinner.

The couple was married on Nov. 17, 1962, at St. Patrick Church, Osage City. Their children and their spouses are: E. Roxane Duncan, Osage City; Robert L. III and Paula Tomlinson, Osage City; Michael G. Tomlinson, Overland Park; and Mark J. and Lisa Tomlinson, Overbrook. They also have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Maryellen and Jim Lind, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with A rc h b i s h op Joseph F. Naumann at the golden wedding anni-

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012 versary Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in June, where they renewed their vows.

They also celebrated with family in Colorado, who gave them a music concert after dinner at White Fence Farm, Denver.

The couple was married on Nov. 10, 1962, at St. Joseph and St. Anne Church, Chicago. Their children and their spouses are: Kevin and Kathy Lind; Michele and Dan Koerperich; and Juliann and Matt Harvey.

They also have 11 grandchildren.

Mark and EldaRose (Wilhelm) Koch, members of St. Gregory Parish, Marysville, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a family celebration. The couple was married on Nov. 15, 1952, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Seneca. Their children and their spouses are: Mike and Carole Koch, White Bear Lake, Minn.; James and Gail Johannes, Waterville; Jane Seematter, Marysville; Howard and Lori Elliott, Hiawatha; and Randy and Tori Koch, Olathe.

They also have 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Kernel of truth We often ask a young man about to be ordained how he’d fill in this blank: “If I had a church history time machine, I’d ___________.”

Nobody yet has said he’d like to zap back to that second “upper room” at Pentecost. But just think. That was the last room the apostles ever entered as average Joes like you and me. They were frightened, they were confused, and they had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what they were supposed to be doing.

The Lord had sent them to Jerusalem promising he would send the Holy Spirit — and so they went.

Ruth T. (Quinn) and William “Bill” T. Todd, members of St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Nov. 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. with a small celebration hosted by their children at the Homestead Assisted Living Facility.

They will also celebrate with a Mass at 9 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Homestead. The couple was married on Nov. 21, 1942, at St. Ambrose Church, Hollywood, Calif. Their children and their spouses are: Kathy M. Todd (deceased); Linda J. Whetstone (deceased); Susan P. and Darius Contractor, Overland Park; Elizabeth M. and Albert Morgese, Napa, Calif., Laurie A. and Gerald Hess, Shawnee; William T. Todd Jr., Liberty, Mo.; Mary R. Schowengerdt, Leavenworth; Joseph R. Todd (deceased); Theresa L. Eibes (deceased); John Todd (deceased); Anthony J. and Linda Todd, Leavenworth; Margaret M. and Edward Schneider, Gardner; Patricia M. Todd, Leavenworth; Michael J. and Michelle Todd, Tonganoxie; and Anne M. and Jeremiah Nichol, Leavenworth. They also have 47 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

What does Pentecost have to do with this weekend’s liturgy? Sandwiched between the Old Testament reading and the Gospel each Sunday is the second reading. It is taken from the letters of the earliest disciples and, unlike the Old Testament and Gospel readings, is semi-continuous.

In other words, if we hear only the beginning of a letter to a certain Christian community one Sunday, we’ll hear more and more of it on the following Sundays.

The second readings tell the story of what happened AFTER Pentecost. In them, the apostles kind of redeem themselves — the very guys who a short time ago were squabbling like children and denying that they knew Christ

Sharon and Herb Shores, members of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 17 with family.

The couple was married on Nov. 12, 1962, at St. John the Baptist Church, Petersburg, Neb. Their children and their spouses are: Sheila and Alan Marstall; Susan and Jeff Scherzer; and Shelly and Kevin Miller.

They also have six grandchildren.

Anniversary policy

• The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th notices.

• Announcements are due eight days before the desired publication date.

• Announcements must be typed.

Include the following Information: • 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 (if desired); number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an email to: Todd@theleaven.com.

are now building his church here on earth.

It is the story of our church under construction — and the story of the very first Christians encouraging each other and reminding each other how Jesus was calling them to live.

So give that second reading a bit more respect from now on. Sure, the star of the show has now ascended into heaven and the average Joes are in charge.

But remember, according to Tradition, the apostles only walked into that upper room at Pentecost regular guys.

They walked out martyrs.

— A.M.

Mary, on her philosophy:

Renee Schultz, Mary’s assistant, on Mary’s gifts:

Dr. Joe Passantino, about Mary’s efforts to give students the opportunity to go on mission trips:

Sonya Salazar, theology teacher, about Mary’s mission:

“Christ spent his time with other people. He didn’t spend a lot of time preaching or praying in the Temple, even though I know he prayed a lot and he preached in different ways. But he lived among the people and he tried to make their lives better, so he’s been my model. ‘What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)’ is pretty much my motto.”

“She has a firm trust in God and God’s love. . . . She looks at things in a much simpler way. I think we complicate things so much. People are attracted to her because she is so positive.”

“The trips are costly — there are many students who couldn’t have gone without her help. She sees students can benefit from it, but they don’t have the wherewithal, so she takes it on herself to provide that support, which is just over and above what anybody would ask of her. But she asks more of herself because of her passion for what she does.”

“The greatest way I’ve seen her impact kids is when . . . [she’s] providing opportunities for kids to meet God. Some kids are going to meet God in service.

Some are going to meet him in quiet prayer. And some are going to meet him in different small groups with their peers. It’s through this variety of experiences that she gives kids the opportunity to meet God somewhere.”

Campus minister has a gift for reading hearts >> Continued from page 1 “It’s her attitude and love for kids,” she said frankly. “They’re drawn to becoming involved in the things she is sponsoring.”

2002 Miege graduate Miranda Ye, on the other hand, believes it’s Perrini’s unique ability “to make everyone feel comfortable and included — that they are really part of something. . . . Somebody with the power to influence others in that way is pretty amazing.”

Other staff and students say it’s Perrini’s gift for reading hearts.

“One of her best qualities is she’s an incredible listener,” said Miege graduate (’07) Stephanie Larson, 24. “She knows exactly what you need to hear — whether it’s tough love, or bringing you up. . . . She’s the person you go to when your mother isn’t there.”

Perrini’s interaction with students over 25 years at Miege has given her a unique perspective on youth. She has a hopeful message for parents.

“Teens are great people,” she said.

“They are full of desire and passion to do good in the world. They want a better world for themselves and their kids, just like we did when we were young. But we have to give them opportunities to be good.”

Bringing kids to Christ Perrini said students today are hungry for a deep faith, and she considers it her mission to help foster their faith by providing opportunities to encounter Christ.

One way she does this is to plan and coordinate retreats, service projects and mission trips.

“When they go on a mission trip or a retreat and they share their faith, it’s powerful for them,” she said. “My job is to expose them to as much of that as I can — whether it’s working at a homeless shelter, visiting a nursing home or packing food at Harvesters.

“All of that gives them a sense of ‘Wow! I could have that.’ And I think kids are drawn to that.”

These faith encounters are even more important considering how many students come from homes that do not actively practice the Catholic faith. If the parents don’t practice, chances are, the kids won’t either, unless they are given opportunities to learn what faith is all about.

“You can educate them, but they have to have an experience of faith to trigger it,” said Perrini. “They want the security of the faith. That’s what is important for kids — a strong feeling of being loved and knowing there’s a safe place to go.”

But they need the academic foundation, too.

“Kids think that church is supposed to make them feel good — that God is supposed to make them feel good,” she said. “The reality is, it can’t. It can’t sustain you when you don’t have the back-

Perrini visits with Miege junior Thomas Batliner in her office. One of Perrini’s best qualities is she’s a great listener, say her students. “My goal is to create a safe place where they feel they don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not,” she said. “High school is about figuring out who you are — and there’s a lot of pretending going on.” ground, the meat.”

As a former religion teacher and certified guidance counselor, Perrini knows how to interweave academics with action. She sets an example of faith that resonates with students — an impressive accomplishment in a world that pressures kids not to believe.

“I think she truly lives what she believes,” said the 29-year-old Ye. “That’s quite rare. She’s one of the people who is most deeply devoted to her faith, and I have a tremendous respect for that.”

Listening Perrini’s number one priority is making kids feel loved through acknowledgment and one-on-one conversation. Her bond with students starts at the campus ministry office, a common hangout for those seeking refuge from the pressures of high school.

“My goal is to create a safe place

where they feel they don’t have to pretend to be something they’re not,” she said. “High school is about figuring out who you are — and there’s a lot of pretending going on.”

Perrini’s safe refuge attracted Ye when she was a junior at Miege in 2001.

“You could walk through those doors and feel comfortable,” Ye said. “You could talk to people, and walls were broken down.”

Renee Schultz, 24, often visited the campus ministry office when she attended Miege from 2003 to 2007. After years of volunteering on Miege service projects and mission trips, she now works as Perrini’s assistant.

“She’s the definition of empathy,” Schultz said. “When she hugs someone, she feels what they’re feeling for that moment.”

Those hugs helped junior Ryan Estrada cope when his mother had brain cancer. He really connected when he learned that Perrini was also battling

cancer — she was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in April 2010.

“We sat [and talked] out our problems and the struggles we had, how we could overcome them, how to pray to God, how to feel love,” he said. “She’s a very loving person.”

A catalyst for change Perrini’s life-and-death struggle with cancer has robbed her of energy and forced her to pull back from her duties.

As staff and students have stepped in to help, they’ve discovered just how much she does.

“The sheer volume of her work is unbelievable,” said theology teacher Sonya Salazar.

Three mission trips over spring break, one in the summer, one during Christmas break, the March for Life in Washington, D.C., day retreats, liturgy planning, sacraments and eucharistic

adoration, after-school service projects, fundraising with students, plus the one-on-one counseling — Salazar said it takes three people to do Perrini’s job.

And there’s a multitude of tasks outside the scope of her job that Perrini has always just taken care of, like cleaning the holy water font, changing the candles in the sanctuary lamp or writing the prayers for the day.

“It’s those things that go under the radar — that you don’t realize are happening — because she’s doing them so humbly, so sweetly,” said Salazar.

Perrini’s impact reaches far beyond the school community, however.

In 2008, the American Humanics Association at Kansas State University created a service award in her honor.

The Mary Jean Perrini Inspire to Serve Award is presented annually to a high school teacher who demonstrates the importance of community service and philanthropic work as well as academic excellence.

Cancer has robbed Perrini of much of the energy she once had. As she’s stepped back from some of her duties, students and staff have been amazed at how much work she does. “It’s those things that go under the radar — that you don’t realize are happening — because she’s doing them so humbly, so sweetly,” said theology teacher Sonya Salazar.

“It’s the hallmark of the school,” said Miege president Dr. Joe Passantino.

“I know she wouldn’t take credit and I know she’s had people help her, but it wouldn’t be what it is without her, no question about it.”

Passantino has known Perrini longer than anyone else at Miege. He taught her when she was a student at St. Mary’s High School in Independence, Mo. “I knew the family and I knew the type of person Mary was. And when she was available, I knew this was someone — no matter what role she would have played — who would be a great asset to our school,” he said.

And she has been. Perrini’s compassionate nature, her dignity and grace in the midst of illness, have inspired Miege students to do their best.

“I look at my problems and they seem so small,” said senior Maggie Salisbury.

“Someday, I want to be like her and help Leaven photo by Sheila Myers others with the same amount of love and Mary Perrini receives a standing ovation from students, faculty and visiting guests at a spring honors care she has.” assembly. To Perrini’s left is Dr. Joe Passantino, president of Bishop Miege High School.

Perrini draws strength from her stuThe idea for the award grew out of “Without Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas dents. She said they energize, enlighten a paper Miege alum Stephanie Larson {High School in Overland Park] would and support her, and she credits their wrote about Perrini when she was a stu- never have heard of us,” said Harding. prayers with helping her outlive her dident at K-State.

“And from there, it went to St. James agnosis.

“The best part is, my kids don’t see me Scott Harding, founder and CEO of Academy [in Lenexa]. All those students the National Relief Network (NRN), would never have had the opportunity to with cancer,” she said. “They just see me.”

“I get a lot of good feeling from doing which administers volunteer relief pro- give in this way, and hundreds of famimy work,” she continued. “I feel like I’m grams in federal disaster areas, called lies would have never received aid.”

Perrini a “catalyst of change” because Perrini’s efforts since becoming di- living my life.

“I trust that God is going to keep me she has inspired not just Miege students, rector of campus ministry in 1994 have but students of other schools to volun- helped garner national recognition for here as long as he wants me here. It’s really out of my hands.” teer thousands of service hours.

Miege’s service program.

Thank you

To the Crosier Society members who give generously and graciously to the 2012 Archbishop’s Call to Share Crosier Society members for five years or more Mr. and Mrs. Chris N. Abel, Mr. George Abel, Mr. and Mrs. John Abel, Mrs. Ramona B. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd L. Akins, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Albers, Dr. Raymond A. Amoury, Mr. and Mrs. Darrin Andersen, Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Andrisevic, Mr. and Mrs. Deron A. Anliker, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Armel, Mr. and Mrs. James J. Ascher, Sr., Col. and Mrs. Robert A. Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ault, Mr. and Mrs. David Ayers, Mr. Todd Bachamp, Dr. and Dr. Jay T. Backstrom, Dr. and Mrs. Randal E. Bagby, Mr. and Mrs. Carle Baker, Jr., Mrs. Rita A. Baker, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Barnthouse, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Barthol, Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Bartkoski, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Jim Basgall, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bauman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beaman, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Beattie, Mrs. Kay Beck, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Benjamin, Mr. Ken F. Bergeron, Dr. and Mrs. James J. Bergin, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bergwell, Dr. Bernita Berntsen, Deacon and Mrs. Guy A. Berry, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Brett L. Bibler, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Bickimer, Mr. and Mrs. Martin C. Bicknell, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Biesemeyer, Mrs. Ann Marie Biggins, Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Biggins, Mr. and Mrs. William Biggins, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Ben Biller, Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Bisang, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Blackshire, Mr. and Mrs. John Blaha, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Boddicker, Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Boeding, Miss Barbara K. Boehm, Mr. Ronald M. Bonesteel, Mr. and Mrs. A L Bontrager, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Boster, Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Boushka, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Boyd, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Kirk C. Bradford, Mrs. Catherine A. Brazeal, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Brazen, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John W. Breeden, Mrs. Jeanie Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Brown, Dr. and Mrs. Randall L. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Browne, Jr., Mr. and Dr. Larry Broxterman, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Brueske, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Buehler, Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Buessing, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony L. Bunker, Mr. and Mrs. David Burger, Dr. and Mrs. William D. Buser, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Butcher, Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Buyle, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Caffrey, Dr. and Mrs. Paul J. Camarata, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Canton, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Caprio, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Carhart, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Carmody, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Carnelia, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Carrasco, Mr. James D. Carter, Dr. and Mrs. Pierre Castera, Mr. and Mrs. Bill P. Charcut, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cheek, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cillessen, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Clary, Mrs. Julia W. Cleary, Mrs. Beverly Clemens, Dr. and Mrs. Don J. Clement, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. John Cline, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin R. Clouse, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Clune, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Clune, Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Colbern, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon M. Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Scott R. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Connealy, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Connelly, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Cope, Mr. and Mrs. Clint Cordry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Cordry, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Cotter, Ms. Carol A. Coyle, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Crawford II, Mr. and Mrs. David Cresswell, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Crowley, Mr. Robert A. Cunningham, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Sean A. Cupp, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Czinege, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Danielson, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davoren, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Dawson, Mr. and Mrs. John De Rossi, Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil C. Dechant, Mr. and Mrs. David G. Dehaemers, Jr., Dr. and Mrs. Lynn I. DeMarco, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Dervin, Mrs. Jeanne A. Dervin, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Desett, Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Devocelle, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher D. Dierks, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry M. Dimon, Ms. Linda F. Dinsmore, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Disidore, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dobski, Ms. Kathleen L. Doherty, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Dollard, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Donahue, Mr. and Mrs. Christoher P. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin A. Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. Linus A. Drouhard, Mr. and Mrs. D. Bernard Dugan, Ms. Bernice T. Duletski, Mr. Kevin A. Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunn, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunn, Jr., Mrs. Caron B. Dunnivan, Dr. and Mrs. Carlyle M. Dunshee II, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ebert, Mrs. Ruth Eckert, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Egan, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Eisenbarth, Mr. and Mrs. Joel W. Ekis, Dr. and Mrs. Craig E. Elson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim England, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Englert, Dr. and Mrs. O. Keith Enlow, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Euston, Mr. Richard A. Everist, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Faherty, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Fallon, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Fanska, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Farrant, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Fehr, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Feldkamp, Mr. and Mrs. Dean F. Ferrell, Mr. Tony Fey, Mrs. Mary D. Fields, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fiorella, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis L. Fitzhugh, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fitzpatrick, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Flanigan, Jr., Dr. and Mrs. John C. Flucke, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foote, Dr. and Mrs. John D. Foret, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Forlenza, Ms. Jill Forrest, Dr. and Mrs. Gregory M. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Franko, Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Frankovic, Mr. and Mrs. Dan A. Froelich, Mr. and Mrs. William F. Froeschl, Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Frost, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Gaigals, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Gallagher, Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Gangel, Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Gangel, Mr. and Mrs. David Garnett, Mr. and Mrs. David Gast, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gast, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Gast, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gatschet, Ms. Sandra Gautt, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Gegg, Dr. and Mrs. James Geitz, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gerstenkorn, Ms. Kristy A. Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. John Gillcrist, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald G. Gillette, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Girard, Mr. and Mrs. Ted A. Glickley, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gochis, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Goode, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Goscha, Dr. and Mrs. J. Aaron Grantham, Ms. Joyce Grashoff, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Green, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Green, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Gregor, Mr. and Mrs. Larry A. Gress, Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Grisolano, Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Grote, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grunden, Mr. and Mrs. Witek Grzymala-Busse, Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Guetterman, Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Haake, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Haeusser, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Hageman, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth V. Hager, Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hail, Mr. Ross Halsey, Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. John Hartley, Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Heeney, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene C. Hegarty, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Heinen, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Heinerikson, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Heintz, Dr. and Mrs. J. Anthony Heit, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Hendricks, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Henke, Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Henke, Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Hensler II, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Herbic, Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Hetley, Ms. Shirley M. Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Hiltibidal, Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Hoff, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Hogerty II, Dr. and Mrs. C R Holbrook III, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Holtgraves, Mr. and Mrs. Jason A. Holthaus, Dr. and Mrs. Brian G. Hornung, Ms. Therese M. Horvat, Mr. and Mrs. Dave H. House, Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Houtteman, Mrs. Mary E. Hoytal, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis G. Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Randy K. Huber, Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Humphreys, Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hunt, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Huppe III, Mr. and Mrs. Jay S. Hurtig, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hutchings, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford W. Illig, Dr. and Dr. Jerry C. Immethun, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ismert, Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Jablonski, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Jacquinot, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Janssen, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory H. Jecker, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jenicke, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Jennison, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jirak, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jurcyk, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kaminsky, Mrs. Carol E. Kane, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Kane, Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Kaplan, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Kastens, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Kaufman, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Keenan, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay R. Keller, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Kelley, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kelly, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Kilbride, Mr. and Mrs. R Gary Kilkenny, Dr. and Dr. Jimmie Kirkland, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Klein, Mr. Thomas Klein, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur C. Klemm, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Eugene G. Klingele, Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Knoll, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Knop, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Knopke, Mrs. Marieann R. Koehler, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kopel, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin E. Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. Greg M. Kratofil, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Krebs, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Krondak, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kuckelman, Mr. and Mrs. William Kuharich, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Kuhn, Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Kuklenski, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley R. Kwapiszeski, Mrs. Joann LaBarge, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lafferty, Mr. Joe Lagoski, Mr. and Mrs. George Lahood, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald F. Lamberti, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lambrechts, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Lamping, Ms. Jean Langkop, Mrs. Florence M. Larkin, Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Lasnier, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lavery, Mr. and Mrs. Mel Lavery, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Lavin, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Laws, Mrs. Sheryl Leavey, Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Ledom, Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Leibbrandt, Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Leibham, Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Leins, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Leis, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lemkuhl, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Lenzen, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Lewis, Mr. and Dr. Richard G. Leyden, Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Liebergen, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lippoli, Mr. and Mrs. David Long, Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Long, Mr. and Mrs. George M. Long, Ms. Jana M. Long, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lowry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Loyd, Mr. Shane Lutz, Ms. Jane A. Macke, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Madas, Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Madden, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Madden, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Madsen, Mr. and Mrs. Brook Maese, Mrs. Katharine Magee, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Manning, Mr. and Mrs. Gary March, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Marino, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Brent C. Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent G. Mattione, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Maurer, Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Mauro, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Maxwell III, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mayer, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mayne, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. McAnany, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. McAnarney, Mr. and Mrs. James J. McAuliffe, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. McBride, Mrs. Ellen T. McCarthy, Mrs. Doreen McEnerney, Mr. and Mrs. Mike R. McGinley, Monsignor Charles D. McGlinn, Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. McGlinn, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. McGrew, Mr. and Mrs. Brad McIlnay, Mr. and Mrs. Joe F. McIlvaine, Mr. and Mrs. David J. McInerny, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome E. McKenna, Mr. and Mrs. David McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. John McKernan, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard B. McKinzie, Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. McKinzie, Mr. and Mrs. Terry McNerney, Mr. Kevin McPartland, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Medved, Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Mehrer, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Menghini, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menghini, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Merwald, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Blake Meyer, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald P. Micek, Dr. and Mrs. Mike E. Michel, Mr. Larry C. Mikesic, Mr. and Mrs. James Miley, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Terry K. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Will A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Milliard, Mr. and Mrs. Alex C. Mitchell III, Dr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Mitchell, Mr. Charles A. Mitchem, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Monello, Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Monson, Dr. and Mrs. Scott A. Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Morris, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Morrisey, Michael and Patricia Morrissey, Mr. Luke J. Moylan, Mr. and Mrs. James F. Muckenthaler, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mueller, Deacon and Mrs. Thomas Mulvenon, Ms. Angela Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kevin Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Reed F. Murphy III, Dr. and Mrs. George H. Myers, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Myers, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Mr. and Mrs. Jason T. Neff, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Nelson, Dr. Gary L. Nesslein and Dr. Susan Nesslein, Dr. and Mrs. Fred S. Neuer, Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Newman, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John C. Nichols, Mr. Marvin J. Niehues, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nielsen, Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Nordstrom, Mr. and Mrs. Brad K. Norman, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nuti, Mr. Michael J. O’Connell and Dr. Sara A. Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. R. Michael O’Connor, Mr. and Mrs. John J. O’Donnell, Jr., Mr. James and Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. O’Keefe, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard V. O’Neill, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. O’Neill, Mr. Robert B. O’Rourke, Ms. Michele L. Obert, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Oddo, Mrs. Deidre Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas R. Ondick, Ms. Catherine Ormsby, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Otto, Mr. Jerome Paluka, Mr. Dave Parker, Ms. Cynthia E. Patton, Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Peal, Mrs. Dorothy E. Pearl, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene S. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrie, Mrs. Mary Jo Pflumm, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pflumm, Ms. Cynthia Pflumm Watts, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Phalen, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Pickert, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Pickert, Mr. and Mrs. David J. Pierce, Mr. Timothy Plank, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pokorny, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Pope, Dr. Abraham K. Poulose and Dr. Mari Poulse, Dr. K. Paul Poulose and Dr. Queeny Poulose, Mr. William and Dr. Catherine Powers, Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick T. Pribyl, Mr. Charles G. Pyle and Dr. Margaret Yoakum-Pyle, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Quigley, Mr. and Mrs. Leo T. Rasmussen, Dr. and Mrs. Mark R. Rasmussen, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed, Dr. and Mrs. John S. Reifschneider, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Reintjes, Mr. and Mrs. Dick G. Renneke, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Renyer, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Respeliers, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Reuter, Mr. and Mrs. Micheal Reynolds, Dr. and Mrs. Miguel Rico, Mr. and Mrs. Ted L. Riesinger, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ritchie, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Roatch, Mr. and Mrs. James Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Rogge, Mr. Leonard J. Ronnebaum, Mr. and Mrs. William K. Rork, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Rousselo, Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Rudkin, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Russell, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Rutter, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ruyle, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ryan, Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sand, Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. Kent P. Saylor, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scaduto, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Schaefer, Mrs. Vida Mae Schell, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schellhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Schermerhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Schieber, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schieber, Dr. Rodney J. Schieffer, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schlader, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Schloegel, Mr. and Mrs. John Schmader, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew X. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Jon E. Schnieders, Dr. and Mrs. Donald F. Scholz, Mr. James L. Schramm, Sr., Deacon and Mrs. Michael Schreck, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Schugel, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Schulte, Jr., Mrs. Bernadine Schwerdt, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory E. Schwerdt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Schwermann, Mrs. Brenda Scruggs, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Seitzer, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sexton, Mr. and Dr. Don Shankman, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sheeran, Mr. and Ms. David Sheldon, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Shell, Mr. and Mrs. William Sichko, Mrs. Helen Sims, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Sleypen, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Sloan, Mr. and Mrs. Greg L. Smart, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Duane R. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Smoots, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sneed, Dr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Snider, Mrs. Rosemary R. Snow, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Snyder, Mrs. Ruth M. Sobek, Mr. and Mrs. Mike P. Spahalski, Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Spalitto, Mrs. Martha K. Spence, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Spenceri, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Staab, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Stalp, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. Darrell D. Steiner, Mr. and Mrs. Doug R. Sterbenz, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Stine, Mr. Sherman J. Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Strathman, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Straub III, Mr. and Mrs. Philip I. Straub, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Strausbaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strauss, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Streitman, Mr. Gary Strothman, Deacon and Mrs. Mark A. Stukel, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph A. Stupar, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Stuppy, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suarez, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sudbeck, Mr. Tim J. Suellentrop, Mr. Richard J. Sulzen, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Terrance M. Super, Mr. Raymond Surbaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suther, Mr. and Mrs. David J. Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Svoboda, Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Sweeney, Mr. and Mrs. James Sweet, Dr. Rita R. Tablante, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Teahan, Mrs. Maxine G. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Thompson, Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Thompson, Ms. Margot A. Thornhill, Mr. and Mrs. Donald K. Tillett, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Timmons, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Timpe, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Totta, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Trum, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Tunink, Mrs. Bea Turner, Rosemarie Tyson, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Van Buren, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Vance, Dr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Vander Velde, Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Vanwalleghem, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Venable, Ms. Patricia M. Verschelden, Mr. and Mrs. John Virgo, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Vohs, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T. Wagstaff, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wahl, Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Walsh, Mrs. Sylvia A. Wapp, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Waris, Col. (ret) and Mrs. William J. Weafer, Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Weber, Ms. Melinda S. Wehrle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Weinrich, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Weixelman, Mr. and Mrs. John Welch, Mr. Tim Wenger, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick B. White, Mr. and Mrs. William B. White, Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Whitney, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Wierzbicki, Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Wietharn, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Wilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory A. Wilcox, Mr. Patrick A. Wilkerson, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Willis, Mr. and Mrs. Fagan, Mrs. Anne Winterman, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wodtke, Mr. and Mrs. Brad P. Wohletz, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wolters, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wonderlich, Mr. and Mrs. Chip Wood, Mr. and Mrs. John Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Woodward, Mr. John Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Wurtenberger, Mrs. Juanita Wymore, Mr. and Mrs. Dale H. Wytock, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Yanez, Mrs. Sarah Ye, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Yoksh, Mr. and Mrs. John Yorke, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard A. Zarda, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Zarda, Miss Sharon Zawada, Mr. Wayne Zetzman, Dr. and Mrs. Eugene L. Zieha, Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Zielinski, Mr. Sherman B. Zimmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Zimmerman A second listing of Crosier Society members who have contributed this year will be published on Nov. 23. Check The Leaven next week for more faithful Crosier Society members.

The Crosier Society includes all individuals and families who respond by gifting one percent of their annual income or at least $1,000 to the Archbishop’s Call to Share in a given year. We regret any errors or omissions.

local news 11

november 16, 2012 | theleaven.com

Good marriages are a witness to God’s love

By Sheila Myers Special to The Leaven

See the presentation

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Want the kind of marriage that is going to make the angels smile and your neighbors jealous?

Such a marriage is possible when both spouses commit to work for the good of each other, said marriage and family counseling expert Dr. Gregory Popcak.

Popcak and his wife Lisa offered tips for a successful marriage rooted in Catholic principles to about 80 couples during Marriage Enrichment Day on Nov. 3 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. The archdiocesan marriage and family life office sponsored the event.

“Marriage is a sacrament,” said Gregory Popcak. “That means it has the power to help us become everything God created us to be in this life, and help each other get to heaven in the next.”

The Popcaks explained the idea of self-donation using the acronym GIFT. • Growing in Christian identity Couples need a mission statement, or “marital imperative,” that defines the Christian virtues they want to represent.

“We all have tag lines,” said Lisa Popcak. “What do you want yours to be?”

Joy, service and hospitality — all these are virtues we admire. Couples should spend time thinking about their strongest gifts and how they can live them, then help keep each other on track.

• Inviting unity

View or download an edited version of the entire Marriage Enrichment Day presentation at: resources. archkck.org, the archdiocese’s new digital media center.

More information Details about the principles and concepts discussed in the presentation can be obtained through the Pastoral Solutions Institute website at: www.exceptionalmarriages.com.

Leaven photo by Sheila Myers

Dr. Gregory Popcak and his wife Lisa give one of their two presentations to couples during the Marriage Day of Enrichment Nov. 3 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. God created men and women to live in perfect union. But original sin drove a wedge between the sexes.

“There is a whole industry based on propping up the idea that men and women can never understand each other,” said Lisa Popcak.

To experience the partnership God intended for couples, it’s important to distinguish between real differences and false differences, she said. Don’t hide out behind the idea that men or women don’t do certain things. Instead, be willing to serve your spouse and your family as best you can.

“When you do that, you start to grow as a couple,” said Gregory Popcak.

• Fostering love To help spouses understand each other better, they need to understand each other’s love styles: visual, auditory or kinesthetic. Love styles represent how we best perceive love.

For example, a spouse with a visual style responds to flowers, cards or a clean house as signs of love.

Understanding and responding to each other’s love styles helps foster friendship and romantic love in the relationship. Learning to communicate in

a love style different than your own can expand your senses. “[God] begins to speak to us in ways we weren’t wired to experience before,” said Lisa Popcak.

• Treasuring marital intimacy The Popcaks devoted the afternoon session to a discussion of marital intimacy and the difference between holy sex and eroticism.

At the end of the day, the Popcaks reminded couples that their marriages have the power to change the world.

“Having a great marriage isn’t about taking better care of each other. It’s about being a witness to the world that the love we all ache for in our hearts, the free and total and fruitful love that God wants to give us, really exists,” said Gregory Popcak.

12 classifieds Employment Catholic school principals - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking dynamic Catholic school principals for the 2012-2013 academic year who embrace the Catholic faith and possess spiritual leadership skills blended with strong instructional leadership and managerial skills. Principal applicants must be practicing Catholics and hold (or be eligible for) an administrative license from the Kansas State Department of Education. Interested individuals should complete the principal application available online at: www.archkckcs.org. Preliminary interviews will begin as applications are received. Questions may be directed to Dr. Kathleen O’Hara, superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, at (913) 721-1570 or by email at: kohara@archkckcs.org.

Substitute teacher - Holy Trinity Catholic School in Paola is seeking a long-term fourth grade substitute teacher beginning in February. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application available online at: www.archkckcs.org and email/mail a letter of interest and resume to the principal, Josh Cavender, at: mr cavenderhts@gmail.com or call (913) 294-3286 for more information.

Service representative – Do you love to help people solve problems? Great listener? Enjoy challenges, problem solving, and making things better? Enjoy working in an office? Do you bank, buy, read, and transact much of your life online? If you know the answer to all of these questions is yes, we want to meet you! We have parttime hours available: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and full-time: 8 a.m.

- 5 p.m., Mon-Fri. Administrative experience a plus. Send your resume and tell us how your background and passion relate to what we’re doing to: HR@COBRAGuard.net.

Campus ministry assistant - Rockhurst University seeks a campus ministry assistant. Duties: reconciles department credit card statements, maintains office supplies, tracks programming attendance, arranges details for events (room setup, catering), maintains department calendar, provides direction for work study students; contacts and schedules priests for Masses; creates daily Lenten reflections, maintains chapel supplies; sets up altar and cleans up after Sunday Mass; cleans linens and vestments; provides administrative support for retreats, including preparing the mailing, tracking online applications, and processing credit card payments; oversees the cleanliness of campus ministry house, supervises student workers who rotate cleaning schedule, and places work orders as needed. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, organizational skills, and excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. Associate’s degree along with at least one year of similar experience.

The candidate must be an active, practicing Catholic. This position is a 10-month position (August through May).

Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information of three references to: hr@rockhurst.edu or mail to: Human Resources, Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110.

Afternoon teachers - Prince of Peace Early Education Center in Olathe is looking for two afternoon teachers: one to work in our 2 1/2 year olds classroom, Mon. - Fri. 2:30 - 6 p.m., and one to work in our after-school program, Mon. - Fri., 2:30 - 6 p.m. Contact Amanda at (913) 829-2728.

Pre-kindergarten teacher - The Goddard School, located at 21820 W. 115th Terr., Olathe, is looking to add a qualified lead pre-K teacher to our wonderful staff. In our warm, loving atmosphere, caring teachers support the healthy development of children from six weeks to six years. Candidates should be prepared to plan and facilitate lessons and communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers and administrators. This is a full time position. Candidate should have a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or a CDA. Prior experience in a preschool setting is preferred. Please forward your resume via email to: olathe2ks@goddard schools.com. Owners are parishioners of Ascension Catholic Church.

Work from home - Telephone appointment setting for Medicare insurance agent. Typically from 3 - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri. Must have unlimited calling plan. Contact Bill, Senior Market Advisors of KC, at (913) 636-7686.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City area. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; call (785) 364-5450; or send an email to him at: john. mahon@kofc.org.

School minivan drivers - Assisted Transportation seeks caring, compassionate and safe drivers to transport children to and from school in Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Part-time morning and afternoon hours, competitive wages, CDL not required, retirees encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply online at: www.assisted companies.com.

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012

Services Rodman Lawn Care - Mowing, leaf removal, mulch and more. Call John Rodman, member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, at (913) 548-3002 or send an email to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com.

Pet service - Need your pooch pampered while away?

For professional dog-sitting and dog walking services, call (913) 827-7655 or visit the website at: twotailsdog walking.com for more information.

Spring/winter tutoring for 2013 - For more information, call (913) 206-2151 or send an email to: Klmamuric @yahoo.com.

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www. bankruptcylawinkansascity.com.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees.

Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional.

Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time.

References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years.

Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile).

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

Cleanup and grading services It’s time to repair your lawn. 20% discount on lawn renovations with mention of this ad.

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

Get your yard ready for winter with a FALL CLEANUP. Full Service Lawn Care - gutters, mulching and more.

Call John @ 913-825-4353 or visit www.foleyslawncare.com St. Joseph Parishioner, Shawnee MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient.

To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services (913) 627-9222

Home Improvement DENNISBILT CUSTOM WOODWORKING Kitchen and Bath Specialists Reface or Brand-New 20 years experience (913) 850-3956 / www.dennisbilt.com Get a jump on your home repairs! - I specialize in painting, wood rot, decks, fences, windows, doors, siding, stucco, landscaping, drainage issues, and concrete.

Fully insured. Now accepting all major credit cards.

Call Josh Doherty (913) 709-7230.

Fall Cleanup Leaf Removal. Tree/Shrub Trimming Aftin Lawn And Landscape Free Estimates/ Insured/ Refs Local Parishioner (913) 620-6063 Brick mason - Installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, and concrete. 17 years of residential and commercial experience. Small and large jobs accepted. Free quotes in the KC metro area. Call Jim or John at (913) 485-4307.

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

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 491-5837 or (913) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience.

Call (913) 227-4902.

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed.

Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

Brack Home Repair - Call Dan when you need it done!

Carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, wood-rot and much more. No project too big or small.

For free estimate, call (913) 219-5388 or visit the Website at: brackhomerepair.com. Insured; senior discount available. Philippians 4:13.

Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and tile work - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 206-4524.

Swalms Organizing Service - Basement, garage, attic, shop — any room organized! Items taken to donation sites, trash is bagged, and areas are clean and neat when job is complete. To view before-and-after pictures, visit the website at: www.swalms.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376 Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998 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.

Caregiving In need of a sitter while the kids are out on winter break? I can help. My name is Kate, and I am a KC native and a current graduate student at the University of Notre Dame. I look forward to the opportunity to assist a KC area family during the holiday season, keeping the kids active and engaged while out of school. I will be in Kansas City from mid-December to mid-January. Please contact me at (913) 515-9780 for more details.

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

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

Caregiver - 42-year-old caregiver. 10 years experience. Works nights, days, weekends. Flexible hours.

Best rate in town. Pay negotiable. Excellent references. Call Kara at (913) 909-6659.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

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

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

For sale - Lake of the Ozarks waterfront condo.

2 bedroom, 2 bath in the Four Seasons area. Condo offers boat slip, pool, wooded acreage, tennis courts, trail and main channel view. Call (913) 485-3484.

For sale - 160 acres m/l; 2+ bedroom home, new roof & windows, new bathroom, new hardwood floors, tankless hot water heater, rural water; 3 ponds plus creek, good pasture, good hunting, lots of timber; good school district. Mineral rights. Call Tom at (913) 6834488 or Theresa at (913) 362-3024

for sale Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment.

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood.

Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

Dining set by designer Alexander Julian - Six chairs, glass top table and matching buffet. Great condition; can email pictures. $900, bought in 2001 for over $3K and barely used. Call (913) 481-7388; Nativity parishioners, Leawood.

Doll uniforms for 18” or American Girl dolls. Full line of doll clothes and accessories including cheerleader outfits, party dresses, play clothes, pajamas, dance wear, flower girl dresses and First Communion dresses.

In house showroom in south Johnson County. Call (913) 345-9498.

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

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

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

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

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

For rent in Leawood - Nativity Parish: two-story, four bedroom, 2-½ bath, 2 car garage. Updated kitchen, hardwood floors, large deck. Close to shopping, walking trails, great schools (Blue Valley dist). $1800/mo; credit and rental reference check. Call (816) 210-1119.

ROOMMATE Roommate wanted - Move in Jan. or Feb. 2013. Student or young professional female, 21 or older. Clean, nonsmoker to share 3 BR, 2 BA home in Prairie Village. $485 per month, plus half of the utilities. Email: mmcguire85@ gmail.com.

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

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

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

Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

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

ENTERTAINMENT DJ Irishman - Colm Delahunt is available for parties, weddings, graduations, and any other function. Playing all your favorite hits from the Village People to U2.

Call (913) 548-6765, or visit the website at: www. djirishman.com.

Free Two female English bulldogs for free - Send an email to: robinevans29@yahoo.com.

calendar 13

november 16, 2012 | theleaven.com

November The Church of the Ascension in Overland Park will hold its ninth annual marketplace on Nov. 16 from 7 - 10 p.m. and Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the parish hall. Community vendors will offer a variety of products for purchase.

16

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

Breakfast and a soup lunch will be served both days.

17

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

The Youth Religious Education Department of Our Lady & St. Rose Parish will host an “Evening Of Elegance” on Nov. 17, starting at 6 p.m. A viewing of “Faith Like Potatoes” will be held at Blessed Sacrament Family Center, 2215 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The menu will include grilled chicken, smoked pork loin, Caesar salad, green beans, baked potato, dessert and homemade rolls. The cost is $18. Call Barbara Bailey at (913) 321-1958 for tickets and information.

The 10th annual John Paul II Holiday Shoppe will be held at St. Pius X Parish, 5500 Woodson, Mission, on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Nov. 18 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. It will include over 40 tables of crafts, jewelry and baked goods.

A Contemplative Retreat Day will be held at Christ Peace House of Prayer in Easton on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Freewill donations are accepted. For more information, visit the website at: www.christspeace. com; email to: info@christspeace.com; or call (913) 773-8255.

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

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be at 8 a.m. on Nov. 17, at Curé of Ars, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Following the Mass, the bereavement ministry will have its monthly support meeting in

the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Laughter and Tears During Grief.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

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

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

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

18

Christ the King Parish, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, will host a fall festival on Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A turkey dinner will be served. Cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 3 - 11; and free for children age 3 and younger. There will also be a silent auction, raffle, prizes, holiday store, sweet shop, bingo and carnival games.

Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will present Couples Talk on Nov. 19 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Strengthen your skills in order to communicate better with those who matter the most to you.

Presented by Chiquita Miller of K-State Extension. Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

19

Shop for the holidays and support Keeler Women’s Center on Nov. 25 from 1 - 5 p.m. at Ten Thousand Villages, 7947 Santa Fe, Overland Park. Fifteen percent of all sales will help the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica fulfill their mission of empowering women in the urban core of Kansas City, Kan., through education, advocacy, and personal and spiritual development.

The Topeka area ACCW will be hosting the first ever “Ladies Time Out” at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28 at St. Matthew Parish hall, 2700 S.E. Virginia, Topeka. The evening will include a meet-and-greet friends hour, potluck dinner, door prizes and local entertainment. The cost at the door will be $2.

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on Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. Call (913) 906-8990 to register.

Experience different ways of praying and spend time with God and with other women who are seeking God in daily life. There is no cost to attend.

A Marian Mass for the sanctity of human life will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Sacred Heart Church, 312 N.E. Freeman Ave., Topeka. Confessions will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by a rosary and Mass.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica will host a professional etiquette for job readiness workshop on Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The workshop is designed to help women assess their skills, set goals and prepare for the interview and the job.

Participants will leave better prepared and confident for an interview. Lunch is included. Space is limited and reservations are required.

“Breads and Other Gifts from Your Kitchen,” a nutrition presentation offered in partnership with K-State Extension Services, will be offered at Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., on Nov. 29 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Call (913) 906-8990 for information or to register.

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The Women of Spirit of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, are hosting a tour, including visits to the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center and St. John the Baptist Church, on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The cost is $40, which includes bus transportation leaving from Holy Spirit at 9 a.m., tours, and lunch. Call Mary at (913) 486-3285 or Kathy at (913) 599-2940 for more information.

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December Holy Family Church, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan., will host the Don Lipovac Orchestra’s 32nd annual Booster Club Christmas party on Dec. 1 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. For reservations, contact JoAnn Lipovac at (913) 299-2792.

1

The Serra KCK Club will hold its noon luncheon meeting on Nov. 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The guest speaker is Stephen Minnis, Benedictine College president.

SON Christmas dance will be held on Dec. 1 from 7 - 11 p.m. at Nativity Parish, 119th and Mission, Leawood. The cost is $15 for members and guests. There is a semiformal dress code. Married SON alumni are welcome. For more information, send an email to: j-shea13@hotmail.com.

The Keeler Women’s Center is hosting a five-part series entitled “Praying Every Day and into the Advent Season.” The series began on Nov. 7, and will continue

A Spirituality of Waiting retreat will be held Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Gospel of Luke and the psalms give many hints about how to wait during this holy

season. Advent also provides the time to let Mary, Elizabeth and Zachary, Simeon and Anna show us the way. The retreat will be conducted by Sister Marie Ballmann, OSB. The cost is $50. For more information or to register, call (913) 3606151 or visit Sophia Center’s website at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.html.

St. Mary - St. Anthony Church, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host jingle bell bingo on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. in Bishop Forst Hall.

The cost for a bingo card, desserts, popcorn and coffee is $5. For information, call Carol Shomin at (913) 897-4833 or the rectory office at (913) 621-2120. Tickets may be purchased in advance from the rectory office, Teresa’s Hair Salon at 508 N. 6th in Kansas City, Kan., or at the door.

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Apostles of the Interior Life will lead a parish mission at Holy Angels Church, 15408 Leavenworth Road, Basehor, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3 - 5. At 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, the sacrament of reconciliation will be offered by six priests. Designed specifically for the laity for strengthening their relationship with God through prayer, this mission helps participants build prayer into their busy lives by offering opportunities for fellowship, prayer and quiet reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.

3

The motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, will host a Taize prayer on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in Annunciation Chapel. Taize prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes simple chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taize, France. For more information, visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org or call (913) 758-6572.

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The Social Concerns Committee of Prince of Peace Parish, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will host a movie and discussion on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. in the St. Luke - Mark Room. The topic is immigration, and the movie is entitled “The Visitor.” Refreshments will be provided.

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Sursum Corda, the archdiocese’s polyphonic vocal ensemble, will sing Advent vespers with a sacred choral music concert on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at Holy Angels Church, 15408 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor. This hour-long program includes evening prayer of the church, sung to the beautiful melodies of Gregorian chant and enriched by the musical tapestry of Renaissance polyphony. The cost is a freewill offering.

14 commentary

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012

Seeking Christ’s Heart

mark my words Scripture Readings Thirty-third week of ordinary time Nov. 18 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. 19 Monday Rv 1: 1-4; 2: 1-5 Ps 1: 1-4, 6 Lk 18: 35-43 Nov. 20 Tuesday Rv 3: 1-6, 14-22 Ps 15: 2-5 Lk 19: 1-10 Nov. 21 The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rv 4: 1-11 Ps 150: 1-6 Lk 19: 11-28 Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Day Sir 50: 22-24 Ps 138: 1-5 1 Cor 1: 3-9 Lk 17: 11-19 Nov. 23 Clement I, pope, martyr; Columban, abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, priest, martyr Rv 10: 8-11 Ps 119: 14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131 Lk 19: 45-48 Nov. 24 Andre Dung-Lac, priest, and companions, martyrs Rv 11: 4-12 Ps 144: 1-2, 9-10 Lk 20: 27-40

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Your blessings are in the bag

A

ren’t Mondays special?

This past one was a doozy. I was running a little close on time for morning Mass when I stepped outside. Due to all of the Sunday moisture, my car was coated in frost. As I began to scrape the windshield, the coating was too thick to remove easily. So, I headed back into the house to retrieve some de-icer.

I sprayed the windshield, waited about 15 seconds and watched the frost rapidly melt. Ready to go, I closed the driver’s side door, but it refused to latch. I slammed it again — nothing. I fumbled around in the door, jiggled something and tried again. Whew, it closed.

Then I accidentally hit the button to lock the doors. At that point, I realized that I’d stupidly not scraped any of the other windows. So, I pressed the unlock button and pulled the door handle to get out . . . but it would not open! I tried the passenger side door — same story.

I tried to roll down the windows, but they were frozen shut and wouldn’t budge.

Well, this is special, I

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. thought. I’m almost late for morning Mass, I can only see out of my front window, and my car is holding me prisoner! I debated who to call for help when I realized that it didn’t matter: My cellphone was sitting on the kitchen table — warm, safe and free.

I cautiously backed out of my driveway — as the back window was coated in frost — and made my way to church. I plotted what I would do when I got there, considering I was trapped in my vehicle. If it warmed up enough, I figured I could roll down the window and climb out “Dukes of Hazzard”-style (though not nearly as gracefully).

As I pulled into my parking spot at church, my prayers were answered: A parishioner was going into the church. God be praised!

I frantically tried to signal him, but he thought I was just waving enthusiastically, so he waved back and went inside. I said a quick prayer, shut off the engine, and gingerly pulled the door handle. It opened and out I jumped, to say a Mass (on time) celebrating a God who looks after a goof like me!

As Thanksgiving approaches, ponder this ancient legend about three men. Each one had two sacks, one tied in front of his neck and the other on his back. When asked, each told a different story.

The first said, “In the sack on my back are all the good things friends and family have done; they’re hidden from view. In the front sack are all the bad things that have happened to me. Every now and then I stop, open it, take the things out and examine them.” Because he stopped so much to concentrate on all the bad stuff, he didn’t make much progress in life.

The second man said,

“In the front sack are all the good things I’ve done. I like to see them, take them out and show them off to others.

In the sack in the back I keep all of my mistakes.

They’re heavy and slow me down, but I just can’t put them down.”

Lastly, the third man explained: “The sack in front is great. There, I keep all of the positive thoughts I have about people, the blessings I’ve experienced, the great things others have done for me. The weight isn’t a problem. The sack is like a ship’s sail that propels me forward.

“The sack on my back is empty because I cut a big hole in the bottom. I put all the bad things in there that happen or that I hear about others. They go in one end and out the other, so I’m not carrying around any weight at all.” (Adapted from “Perfect Illustrations”

by Craig Brian Larson and Drew Zahn.)

Examine the sacks you’re carrying. Strive to imitate that third man: Keep before your eyes all the humor and goodness in life . . . even if it’s a cold Monday morning and you’re a Honda hostage!

In the beginning

A

commentary 15

november 16, 2012 | theleaven.com

Daniel passage predicts turbulent end

couple of Sundays ago, when we switched from daylight savings time to standard time, I couldn’t help glancing over from my rectory window to the church parking lot once in a while, to see if anyone had forgot to reset their clocks and were arriving for the early Sunday morning Mass one hour in advance.

Time flows on, whether we like it or not, however we might divide it up, into hours, minutes, seconds. We human beings can impose our conventions, try to make sense of time, introduce our own schedules but, as such, time stands outside our control.

Sunday’s first reading, Dn 12:1-3, recognizes this transcendent quality of time.

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

The word “time” appears four times in the reading.

That frequent occurrence of the word singles out time as an important theme in the reading. In every case, the word “time” points to the same moment. That particular moment lies in the future, but otherwise remains unspecified. It is simply “that time.”

Current terminology often refers to the moment in question as “the end times.”

Endless speculation by fundamentalist Christians to pin down that moment to a specific date has often filled much of their time, but to no avail. It remains an undetermined moment in the future.

What is the “end” indicated by the phrase “the end times.” Is it the end of the world as we know it? Or, is it, rather, the end of time itself? Does it mean an entrance into the timelessness of eternity? Both scenarios have been advanced as a possibility.

In any case, the Book of Daniel contemplates a turbulent end: “It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time.” On the other

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC Well, I’ve found the perfect Christmas gift! It’s only $14.95 (plus $4.99 for shipping and handling).

The product is something you absolutely cannot live without: the original redneck wineglass! I kid you not.

There was a time when I would have probably picked up several gag gifts like this. And generally it would produce a laugh or two . . . and then get stored away as the novelty quickly wore off.

This Christmas, why not put your money to better use? It’s fine

hand, it will also be a time of salvation, at least for some: “At that time, your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book.”

Judgment will also mark the end and will conclude with either reward or punishment: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” Evidently, the end is not so definitive after all. It results in either eternal reward or eternal punishment.

Meanwhile, we live out our lives. It is not that we are waiting for the clock to run out. Rather, we are journeying toward a goal.

We are traveling toward eternity.

to get gag gifts, but wouldn’t the same thing be accomplished — a laugh — if you just cut out a picture of the item? Then tell the recipient that the money was used instead to buy a flock of chicks or a share in a llama for people in struggling countries. Organizations such as Heifer International (www.heifer.org) can make such a gift a reality.

Check them out, especially if you’re thinking of buying a leg lamp from “A Christmas Story” for the sale price of $199.95!

— M.G.

Hope or despair: It is in the little things

I

was blessed to be with a group of archdiocesan pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square for the canonization of seven saints, including Sts. Kateri Tekakwitha and Marianne Cope.

A couple of tourists asked me about our new North American saints. “What great things did they do?”

I was really taken aback by my lack of a great quick answer. They were faithful, and they did “small things with great love,” as Blessed

Deacon Dana Nearmyer Deacon Dana Nearmyer is the lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

Mother Teresa instructed. They said “yes” at key moments and lived by the verse “whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). They were faithful and kind in tough circumstances.

Sam Charpentier, a senior

at both St. James Academy and Olathe Northwest, starred in a short film, titled “Just Like You — Down Syndrome” by the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. The film is powerful and, like the canonizations, calls us to give each person we meet the respect that they deserve.

Sam asks us to be patient and to listen; he wants what all of our loved ones want.

We thirst for truth, goodness, beauty and community. As we prepare to enter Advent and the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, remember that each of us possesses “a pearl of great price.” We possess Christ’s love and “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

Your loved ones thirst for

presence and love. Christ’s love and peace is a free gift that he shares with us and that he wants us to freely share with each other.

Texting, phone calls, social media, holiday shopping and chores can distract us from being present to those who need us most: children, elderly parents and spouses.

Michelangelo shows us both hope and despair in the Last Judgment mural in the Sistine Chapel. Young people can quickly move from hope to despair during the pressures of finals and holiday social pressures. As we seek the heart of Christ, remember that our simplest words and actions have a profound impact on children, employees, families and all those that look to

each of us for Christ’s love and peace. The saints were faithful and kind in tough circumstances; we are called through our baptism and strengthened by prayer to do the same.

Read books with your kids. Play games. Wrestle on the floor. Create warm memories. Notice the work and effort of your employees and co-workers. Listen deeply to your spouse. You can create a “hope” or a “despair” culture around you.

Christ is hope personified.

St. Kateri found consolation during her turbulent life in times of quiet prayer with Jesus. If you are far from peaceful, stop, exhale, and ask Jesus to lead you deeper into his merciful heart.

simply stewardship

A

s the season of Thanksgiving approaches, and leaves pile beneath nowbarren branches in our yard, I admire the pruning that my husband gave our trees.

A clip here, a chop there, and they became healthier, stronger, and more beautiful.

My eldest sister and her husband have coaxed a pear tree to grow up the side of their California home. This “espaliered” tree has been

Stewardship is like pruning a tree Lesle knop Lesle Knop is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email her at: lknop@archkck.org. trained to grow its branches in strict horizontal rows, parallel to the ground or in perpendicular vertical shoots as straight as the sides of their house.

The tree, in its cultured checkerboard form, has grown as tall as their upper balcony, shading their bedroom with lush green priva-

cy during their everlasting summers.

My brother-in-law has disciplined wayward shoots, fastening stronger limbs to wires to guide their growth.

Every year, their pear tree grows taller, the branches thicker, and the blossoms and fruit appear as if on cue.

While the tree grew, so, too, did their children, who now have spouses and children of their own.

The Book of Proverbs says: “Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it” (22:6).

I am reminded of their pear tree and this proverb when I think about the productive, mature and giving nature I observe in their children. Years of dedicat-

ed parenting are evident in both son and daughter.

If we want our children to be studious, generous, grateful and kind, will they learn these traits without gentle guidance?

At Mass, I observe young parents teaching their children to practice their faith and learn the traditions that make us a community. They help their little ones to make the sign of the cross, to genuflect, to kneel, to listen and sing, to cross their arms properly if they are not yet ready to receive the holy Eucharist.

Parents with children set examples of grateful stewardship every time they deliver meals to shut-ins, take donations to TurnStyles, or volunteer for their parish

ministries or at school. We influence our children by the values we demonstrate in daily living.

Our Year of Faith helps us to focus our attention on the part of our lives that we often neglect — our spirituality. As adults, are we ever finished growing? Do we ever reach a stage where we no longer need guidance?

I’ve decided that I need pruning, too. During this Year of Faith, I need to clip away my selfishness, chop off my pride, and cultivate compassion and generosity.

Lord, help me to recognize that all I have is a gift.

Help me grow to be the person you made me to be, and to love, to learn and to live my faith.

from the super

New curriculum focuses on knowledge —and its application

D

ear friends of Catholic schools,

Recently, a parent asked me what she could do to help her child be successful in school, especially now as schools move to the much talked about Common Core curriculum. Before I addressed her question, I asked her what she knew about the Common Core. I was not surprised when it became clear that she really did not know what this “new” curriculum is. I find that many share her confusion!

Very simply put, the Common Core is a set of

kathy o’Hara Kathy O’Hara is the superintendent of archdiocesan schools. learning standards that nearly three-fourths of the states have adopted.

The Core is not so much a change in what is taught at each grade level, but rather a change in what students are expected to do with the information learned. Essentially, students will need to

apply the content they learn to solve a variety of problems.

Theoretically, this is not a new expectation. We always have said that we expect students to think critically in order to solve problems.

However, often we did not actually ask students to demonstrate such a skill. We typically asked “who, what, where, and when” questions on paper-and-pencil tests.

Now, in addition to the Common Core, there will be new assessments that do, indeed, ask students to apply their knowledge. Of course, as with any new undertaking as massive as this one, I am sure there will be “glitches” as it is “rolled

out,” but I am excited about what this change can mean for our students. I believe that more students will be engaged and challenged and thus will be able to better develop their God-given talents.

The staff in the archdiocesan office of Catholic schools has been busy working with principals on our Common Core transition plan for the archdiocese, including how these standards should reflect our Catholic faith. From what I have seen, there is an eagerness on the part of our Catholic school educators to make this transition go well.

So what did I tell the parent about helping her child

with the Common Core?

What I have always said: 1. send your child to school 2. well-rested and well-nourished 3. with the understanding that God expects him/ her to do his/her best each day and that we learn from mistakes as well as “getting it right the first time” 4. and with the opportunity of having unstructured free time at home to allow his/her brain to function creatively.

I told that parent that if she concentrated on these things, our outstanding Catholic schoolteachers could take it from there. ¡Vaya con Dios!

16 vatican letter

theleaven.com | november 16, 2012

Vatican takes a different approach toward Obama n Vatican not as forthcoming with praise this time around

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — The day after Barack Obama won the presidency in 2008, the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, hailed his election as a “choice that unites,” exemplifying America’s ability to “overcome fractures and divisions that until only recently could seem incurable.” Pope Benedict XVI sent the president-elect a congratulatory telegram the same day, noting the “historic occasion” of his election.

Four years later, the Vatican’s reaction to Obama’s reelection had a markedly different tone.

“If Obama truly wants to be the president of all Americans,” said L’Osservatore Nov. 7, “he should finally acknowledge the demands forcefully arising from religious communities — above all the Catholic Church — in favor of the natural family, life and finally religious liberty itself.”

Speaking to reporters the same day, the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, voiced hope that Obama would use his second term for the “promotion of the culture of life and of religious liberty.”

The statements alluded to Obama policies favoring legalized abortion, same-sex marriage and a plan to require nearly all health insurance plans, including those offered by most Catholic universities and agencies, to cover sterilizations and contraceptives, which are forbidden by the church’s moral teaching.

The insurance mandate in particular, which U.S. bishops have strenuously protested for the past year, has proven an even greater source of division between the church and the Obama administration than their previous disagreements and threatens to aggravate tensions between Washington and the Vatican during the president’s second term.

From the beginning of Obama’s presidency, his support for legalized abortion and embryonic stem-cell research inspired protests by the church and controversy within it. Some 80 U.S. bishops publicly criticized the University of Notre Dame for granting Obama an honorary degree in 2009.

Yet the Vatican itself remained largely aloof from such disputes, at least in public statements, and cooperated with the Obama administration on such common international goals as assisting migrants, working against human trafficking and preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. But seeing a threat to the freedom of the church itself, the Vatican changed its approach and chose to address matters more directly.

In January, Pope Benedict told a

CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters

Confetti falls around U.S. President Barack Obama as he celebrates his victory during a rally in Chicago Nov. 7. Obama returns to the White House for a second term after defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

“

“If Obama truly wants to be the president of all Americans, he should finally acknowledge the demands forcefully arising from religious communities — above all the Catholic Church — in favor of the natural family, life and finally religious liberty itself.”

L’Osservatore Romano group of visiting U.S. bishops that he was concerned about “certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion,” through “concerted efforts . . . to deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.”

Any hopes that the administration might change its policy to the satisfaction of the church grew faint as the year wore on and the election drew nearer, to the increasingly vocal frustration of several U.S. bishops.

Home improvement A dozen hugs a day

Have you hugged your spouse today? Have you hugged your spouse nine times? It wouldn’t be too much.

A study conducted at the University of North Carolina showed that hugs increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure and reduces stress.

Two days before Americans went to the polls, the papal nuncio to the U.S. made it clear how urgent a priority the nation’s religious liberty had become at the highest levels of the universal church.

Speaking at the University of Notre Dame Nov. 4, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano devoted most of a speech about “religious freedom, persecution of the church and martyrdom” to the situation of the United States today.

“The menace to religious liberty is concrete on many fronts,” Archbishop Vigano said, noting the insurance mandate, anti-discrimination policies that require Catholic adoption agencies to place children with same-sex couples, and mandatory public school curricula that present same-sex marriage as “natural and wholesome.”

Recalling persecution of Catholics in fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, the archbishop said that the “problems identified . . . over six decades ago that deal with the heavy grip of the state’s hand in authentic religious liberty are still with us today.”

A government need not be a dictatorship in order to persecute the church, the nuncio said, quoting the words of Blessed John Paul II that a “democracy without values easily turns into openly or thinly disguised totalitarianism.”

If the mere timing of his speech was not sufficient to underscore its political implications, Archbishop Vigano concluded by lamenting the support of Catholic politicians and voters for laws and policies that violate church teaching.

“We witness in an unprecedented way a platform being assumed by a ma-

Psychologist Karen Crewen, who conducted the study, said a hug before a tough day at work “could carry over and protect you throughout the day.”

Surveys of couples in successful marriages have shown that hugging and touching are key factors in long-lasting relationships.

So why not start improving your marriage and your health today? Make a pledge to initiate more hugs with

jor political party, having intrinsic evils among its basic principles, and Catholic faithful publicly supporting it,” he said.

“There is a divisive strategy at work here, an intentional dividing of the church; through this strategy, the body of the church is weakened, and thus the church can be more easily persecuted.”

Jesuit Father Gerald P. Fogarty, a professor of history at the University of Virginia and an expert on U.S.-Vatican relations, said it is extremely rare for a papal diplomat to comment publicly on a host country’s politics in such a way.

The closest thing to a precedent in the United States, Fogarty said, occurred nearly a century ago, during the Vatican’s efforts to persuade belligerent nations to end World War I. The archbishop’s speech would seem to suggest that the Holy See has made religious liberty in the United States an issue in its diplomatic relations with Washington. Yet Miguel H. Diaz, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican since 2009, said that the disagreements between the church and the Obama administration over the insurance mandate have not interfered with his efforts to cooperate with the Vatican on areas of common concern.

Asked whether such compartmentalization would be possible during Obama’s second term, Diaz, who will step down in mid-November, voiced hope that current tensions, including the dispute over the insurance mandate, might be resolved soon.

“Perhaps my successor will not have the same kinds of issues” to contend with, he said, “because that person will likely have a whole set of different challenges.”

your spouse. Don’t be shy; insist on a big bear hug each morning to help get you through your day.

Famous American author and psychotherapist Virginia Satir said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”

Science seems to be proving she was right.

—J.R.E.