11-20-15 Vol. 37 No. 16

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 37, NO. 16 | NOVEMBER 20, 2015

DIDDE TURNS 25

Didde Catholic Campus Center celebrates 25 years at Emporia State Story and Photos by MARC and JULIE ANDERSON mjanderson@theleaven.org

E

MPORIA — Faith. Family. Fellowship. Foundation. Friendship.

Those are the five words repeated most often during the rededication and 25th anniversary celebration of the Didde Catholic Campus Center here at Emporia State University held Nov. 14.

The celebration began at 4 p.m. with an evening Mass and rededication of the center celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and concelebrated by Didde chaplain Father Nick Blaha and former chaplains Father Bill Porter, Father Jerry Volz, Father Ray May and Father Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap. Msgr. Gary Applegate served as master of ceremonies for the Mass. In addition to the Mass, the evening featured a reception, a formal program and a dance.

During the program, alumni of the Didde Catholic Campus Center and the former Newman Club shared memories of the center’s role in fostering their Catholic faith at a critical time in their lives.

For Steve and Amy Harmon, two of many of the event’s organizers, the center served as the focal point of their faith life for many years. The couple met at Emporia State in the 1990s. Due to Amy’s involvement in the center, the two married at its St. Theresa Chapel in 1996. In 1997, Steve Harmon joined the Catholic Church through the center’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program.

Later, two of the Harmons’ three children were baptized in the same chapel.

“It’s pretty fantastic,” said Steve Harmon.

Amy Scheller, another member of the planning committee, admits to spending a great deal of time at the center during her college and young adult years.

“There were 18 of us young married couples there at the time, and Father Bill [Porter] did so much to encourage us in our vocations and support us as we journeyed into parenthood,” said Scheller.

Father Porter was one of the first priests to really explain to her how marriage was a vocation, said Scheller, and the foundation that she and her husband Dan received at the campus center is priceless.

Providing a solid adult foundation in the faith to young students, particularly in their college years, is what the Didde Catholic Campus Center is all about. In his homily, Father Porter reflected on the importance of providing that foundation.

“I think that solid foundation is why we’re here,” said Father Porter. >> See “CENTER” on page 4

Archbishop Joseph Naumann celebrates the 25th anniversary Mass of the Didde Catholic Campus Center in Emporia on Nov. 14. Pictured with the archbishop are, from left, Father Ray May; Father Curtis Carlson, OFM Cap.; Father Nick Blaha; Msgr. Gary Applegate; and Father Bill Porter.

ADVENT IDEAS

Looking for family-friendly ways to celebrate this Advent? The Leaven’s Joe Bollig has just the answer.

Pages 7-9

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Because of Thanksgiving, there will be no Leaven on Dec. 5 (the week after Thanksgiving). The Leaven will post calendar items received too late to include in the next issue in its online calendar at: www.theleaven.org.

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

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What hidden idol do you carry around with you?

ast week, I mentioned that one of the spiritual works of mercy is praying for the

dead.

Sometimes, people inquire about the biblical basis for purgatory, as well as the entire tradition of praying for the dead. In the instruction found in the Order of Christian Funerals, there is an articulation of the spirituality that is part of the theological foundation for our custom of praying for the dead: “The Catholic Church commends its deceased members to the mercy of God by means of its funeral rites. It likewise asks that the Christian faithful continue to offer prayer for deceased family members and friends. The annual celebration of All Souls Day, the commemoration of all the faithful departed on Nov. 2, attests to this salutary practice. Masses celebrated for the deceased on the anniversaries of death or at other significant times continue the church’s prayer and remembrance.

For Catholic Christians, cemeteries, especially Catholic cemeteries, call to mind the resurrection of the dead. In addition, they are the focus for the church’s remembering of the dead and offering of prayer for them” (416).

A beautiful Catholic tradition is to request a priest to celebrate Mass for the specific intention of a deceased relative or friend. This is much more spiritually helpful to our departed loved one than a bouquet of flowers.

It is impossible to purchase a Mass! If you re-

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

LISTEN to

this article online at: www.theleaven.org.

quest that a priest offer a Mass for an intention, he has a responsibility to do so, regardless if you choose to give a financial offering or not. For those who are able, there is a customary offering (stipend) that most people wish to give. In the Archdiocese of Kansas City and throughout the province of Kansas, the usual offering is $10.

In some parts of the world, these Mass stipends are a significant portion of the financial support for priests. In the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, most of our priests choose to receive additional monthly compensation instead of retaining Mass stipends. The Mass stipends become part of the normal income for the parish and are used to support the church and her ministries.

The custom of requesting priests to

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offer a Mass for a loved one who recently died or on their birthday or on the anniversary of their death — their birth into eternal life — is a beautiful, spiritual way to remember those who have died. Death is not an absolute barrier for the Christian. Through prayer, our lives and the lives of those who have died can continue to connect. We can assist those who have died with our prayers and they can intercede for our intentions.

The twelfth chapter of the Second Book of Maccabees is one of the Old Testament sources for the beautiful tradition of praying for the dead. Judas Maccabeus takes up a collection from his soldiers for some of their comrades who had been slain in a recent battle. He sent the donations of his men to Jerusalem “to provide for an expiatory sacrifice.”

The author of Maccabees states: “In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.

But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.”

If you read earlier in the twelfth chapter of the Second Book of Maccabees, you discover the reason why Judas Maccabeus felt it was so important to offer prayers for these deceased soldiers. When Judas and the other surviving members of his army returned to the battlefield to give proper burial to those who had died, they discovered under the tunics of their deceased comrades amulets dedicated to pagan gods. Judas Maccabeus believed that these men were slain in the battle because they had divided hearts, having given allegiance, at least partially, to pagan gods.

At the root of every sin is a violation of the First Commandment: “I am the Lord your God, you shall not have strange gods before me.” Every sin is making something — some experience, some relationship — more important than our relationship with the one true God. Recently, I have been participating in a program that offers a spirituality for proper eating. One of the program’s assumptions is that we eat too much because we turn to food to console or comfort us rather than God. I am afraid there is a lot of truth in this assumption, at least for me.

CALENDAR

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN

Nov. 25 Chancery staff Thanksgiving Mass and breakfast

Nov. 21 Community Housing of Wyandotte County event

Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 22 Crosier Mass and brunch — Savior Pastoral Center

Nov. 30 Confirmation — Immaculate Conception, St. Marys

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Award, Mass and reception

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER

Nov. 23 “Shepherd’s Voice” recording

Nov. 22 Mass — Federal prison camp

Finance Council meeting Nov. 24 Bishop Ward High School eucharistic adoration — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas annual meeting — Savior Pastoral Center

Our American culture encourages us to worship and adore many idols. There are many American idols! Whatever we choose to make more important than our friendship with God is an idol. We can make idols of money, material things, recognition, success, sports, food, drink, sex, the opinion of others, friendships, entertainment, etc. What hidden idols do we carry underneath our “tunics”?

Our Catholic understanding of purgatory is one of the most consoling truths of our faith. Purgatory is our belief that, if we have not rejected Jesus and his Gospel by mortal sin, after our death, Our Lord in his mercy will free us

Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day Nov. 28 90th anniversary Mass — Holy Trinity Nov. 29 Mass — Federal prison camp

— purge us — from our lingering attachments to some of the world’s idols. We do not see this so much as punishment for our sins, but rather God in his infinite mercy making room in our hearts so that we are capable of receiving his love and experiencing his everlasting joy.

During these remaining days of November, let us remember in prayer our deceased loved ones.

Perhaps, we may even wish to request a Mass for their intentions. Let us also pray that God will help us recognize any idols, false gods, in our lives and give us the grace to be liberated from these unhealthy attachments.

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NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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ANNULMENT MAKEOVER

Changes in the archdiocesan annulment process explained

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. – It’s no coincidence that Pope Francis chose Dec. 8 as the date for new norms for the annulment of marriages to take effect. It’s also the beginning of the Year of Mercy.

Pope Francis launched the reform of the marriage annulment process on Sept.

8, when he issued two letters “motu proprio” (on his own Initiative).

The letter to Latin-rite Catholics is entitled “Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus” (“The Lord Jesus, Gentle Judge”). The letter to Eastern-rite Catholics is called “Mitis et misericors Iesus” (“The Meek and Merciful Jesus”).

Pope Francis’ intentions in making these changes in the Code of Canon Law are to expedite the process, make it free and enhance the pastoral ministry.

“It is therefore the concern for the salvation of souls that, today as yesterday, remains the supreme objective of the institutions and laws, and drives the Bishop of Rome to offer to the bishops this reform document,” wrote Pope Francis.

“The drive to reform,” he continued, “has been fueled by the enormous number of faithful who, while wishing to be at peace with their consciences, are too often separated from the legal structures of the Churches due to physical or moral distance; charity and mercy therefore require that the same Church, as a mother, to be closer to her children who consider themselves separated.”

To be clear, the new norms do not change the grounds for annulling a marriage or make it “easier” for a couple to prove their marriage wasn’t a valid union.

Rather, the process has been streamlined to clear up unnecessary delays.

The church’s teaching that a valid marriage is indissoluble remains unchanged. Also unchanged is the fact that a couple must first obtain a civil divorce before seeking an annulment. And the annulment process still begins with the couple’s pastor.

So what are the changes?

The first change is that it is no longer necessary to have two conforming sentences, according to Msgr. Gary Applegate, judicial vicar for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. In other words, only one tribunal ruling is necessary. In the past, a decision of nullity — a decision to annul the marriage — by a tribunal would be automatically appealed to a higher court. The higher, or appeal, court usually confirmed the original decision, but not always.

After Dec. 8, appeals to the higher court are permitted — for example, should an annulment be denied — but they are not required.

“A person can appeal, and we would use the same appeal court we used in the past,” said Msgr. Applegate.

The time it takes to process a case is not expected to change much here in

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

CNS PHOTO/MAX ROSSI, REUTERS

Pope Francis launched the reform of the marriage annulment process on Sept. 8, when he issued two letters “motu proprio” (on his own initiative).

The changes will go into effect on Dec. 8.

The changes in a nutshell TRIBUNAL RULINGS: Only one tribunal ruling is necessary.

ROLE OF THE BISHOP: The bishop, in some cases, can take a more active role as a judge.

JURISDICTION: A tribunal may process an annulment case even if one of the two parties resides outside the diocese.

COST: Pope Francis called for all diocesan tribunals to process declarations of marriage nullity for free.

NUMBER OF JUDGES: The new norms allow for one judge to hear a case with two assessors who are experts in the law.

the archdiocese.

“The law still allows for a year for first instance cases,” he said.

Elsewhere, however, in foreign countries in which annulments have sometimes taken years and even decades, it will shorten the process considerably.

The second change is that the bishop is to take a more active role as a judge in deciding cases. This is the “Briefer Matrimonial Process,” which can be applied in cases where the nullity of the marriage in question is “sustained by arguments particularly evident,” according to the “motu proprio.” Both ex-spouses must agree that their marriage should be declared null.

“The judicial vicar sorts through the cases and any cases that seemingly have those characteristics he can take to the bishop,” said Msgr. Applegate. “Then, we collect all the evidence we need. The bishop has 49 days to make the judgment.”

People should not expect, even in the “briefer process,” that their case will speed through the tribunal in a few months, said Msgr. Applegate. In any case, unexpected variables and factors could occur, and thus lengthen the time.

The third change has to do with jurisdiction. Starting Dec. 8, a tribunal may still process an annulment case even if one of the two parties resides outside the diocese.

“If one of the parties lives in a foreign country and the other party lives in the United States, we don’t have to go to the tribunal in the other country for permission to hear the case in the United States,” said Msgr. Applegate. “We don’t need the other party’s consent. We’ll simply inform them that the case has been filed and they are free to participate.”

The fourth change is that Pope Francis called for all diocesan tribunals to process declarations of marriage nullity for free. In the past, petitioners were asked to make a donation — on an income-based, sliding scale — to help run the tribunal office. These donations helped to cover the expense of processing cases, which includes: first-class registered mail; office space, products and equipment; salaries for three secretaries and three retired priests; and fees charged by counselors for providing expert reports. After Dec.

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

8, fees will not be discussed. The tribunal will be funded by donations to the archdiocese. If an individual wishes to make a donation after their case is finished, it will be accepted, but not required.

The fifth change has to do with the number of judges hearing a case. In the past, the archdiocese used three judges to hear cases where the marriage endured 20 or more years. Now, in this archdiocese, all formal cases will have three judges, according to Msgr. Applegate. However, the new norms do allow for one judge to hear a case with two assessors who are experts in the law.

One question people may have concerns appeals.

If a former couple’s case for an annulment of their marriage has received a negative decision by a tribunal in the past, can they try again? Indeed they can, but this has nothing to do with the new norms.

The former couple can basically do one of the following: First, if they haven’t already done so, they can appeal to a higher court — the appeal tribunal. If they do not agree with the decision of the appeal court, they can then appeal that decision to the Roman Rota.

Or, the former couple may petition the first court again if — and this is important — they have different or new grounds. Once a tribunal has made a ruling on a canonical impediment, the matter is settled as far as that particular impediment is concerned. Thus, there is a need for different grounds.

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.

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NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Father Gabriel Landis, OSB

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Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB

Announcement

ather John A. Riley, chancellor, announces the acceptance by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, of a medical leave for Father Gabriel Landis, OSB, from his duties as pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Atchison.

Effective Nov. 20, the leave was requested by Abbot James R. Albers, OSB, superior of St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, so Father Landis may address ongoing physical health issues. Archbishop Naumann appoints Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, current parochial vicar of St. Benedict Parish, as parochial administrator.

Additional pastoral assistance will be provided by members of St. Benedict’s Abbey during Father Landis’ absence.

Nativity hosts pro-life Mass LEAWOOD — Church of the Nativity here, located at 3800 W. 119th St., will host a pro-life Mass at 8:15 on Dec. 5.

Following Mass, participants can drive to Planned Parenthood, 4401 W. 109th St., Overland Park, and pray the rosary. Prolife signs and banners will also be provided to anyone wishing to participate in that portion of the sidewalk witness. All activities conclude at 10 a.m.

Concert set for Nov. 22 KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Cathedral of St. Peter here, located at 409 N. 15th St., will host a St. Cecilia Day concert at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22.

The concert will feature the archdiocesan choir of Kansas City in Kansas, the Sursum Corda Polyphonic Ensemble and the St. Michael the Archangel choir singing the “Requiem, Op. 48” of Gabriel Fauré and other sacred music. The event is free and open to the public.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Five choirs participated in the Better Together benefit concert and food drive on Nov. 6 at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa. The concert raised money and collected food for social service agencies.

Choir concert benefits those in need

By Beth Blankenship and Joe Bollig beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

L

ENEXA —Some things just go better together.

After all, what would the peanut butter and jelly sandwich be without the PB? Or Batman without Robin?

It’s the same thing for Christians who try to help those in need: It’s better when they work together.

That’s why a group of churches in Johnson County have been holding annual ecumenical benefit concerts for the past five years to collect food and raise money for social service agencies.

This year, five churches sent groups or choirs to the Better Together benefit concert and food drive on Nov. 6 at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

The concert participants were the New City Church Praise Band; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints – Lenexa Kansas Stake; the Lenexa Church of the Nazarene; Good Shepherd Parish choir, Shawnee; Holy Trinity Parish chorale, Lenexa; and the combined children’s choir.

The choirs varied from contemporary Christian music to the combined Spanish/English choir from Good Shepherd that included accompaniment by piano, brass instruments and percussion.

A combined children’s choir, consisting of members from all five participating churches, used American Sign Language while they sang. One girl played hand bells.

Between songs, the Potluck Productions group provided three dramatic readings.

The readings were presented from the points of view of pantry client, pantry staff and a member of the public asking themselves, “What am I supposed to do about hunger?

Is it my problem?” Their answer was this: Act locally and think globally.

Concert-goers contributed just under 3,000 pounds of food and an undetermined amount of cash. The contributions will benefit the Johnson County Human Services North West (Shawnee) and North Central (Lenexa) Multi-Service Centers.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 181, chartered by Holy Trinity Parish, helped load the food.

“It was very successful,” said John Rudzinski, director of music at Good Shepherd Parish. “We had the largest crowd that ever attended, at least 800.”

Center lent ‘tremendous visibility’ to campus ministry >> Continued from page 1 Elsewhere, Father Porter said that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains the importance of a solid foundation for everyone.

“The word of God makes us change our concept of realism,” Father Porter said, quoting Pope Benedict. “The realist is the one who recognizes in the word of God the foundation of all things.

“Possessions, pleasure and power show themselves sooner or later incapable of fulfilling the deepest yearnings of the human heart. In building our lives, [Pope Benedict] says, we need solid foundations which will endure when human certainties fail.

“I think that solid foundation is why we’re here,” said Father Porter. “It is the church, the bride of Jesus, that . . . has manifested herself to us here at the Didde Center and through campus ministry.”

Later, he thanked Father Blaha for providing the opportunity to celebrate the past 25 years at Didde and what they have meant to the Catholic students at Emporia State.

“This facility is certainly beautiful, and

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann accepts the offertory gifts from David and Joyce Didde, the son and daughter-in-law of Carl and Theresa Didde, the major donors to the Didde Catholic Campus Center. it’s hard to believe it is 25 years old. Some of us remember the day it was dedicated, the day those doors first opened. Some of us remember campus ministry before

this building — this campus center — existed,” Father Porter said.

As beautiful as the building is, it didn’t make campus ministry at Emporia State

possible, said Father Porter. Campus ministry at Emporia State is more than 100 years old. But the building sure helps.

“A building like this offers tremendous ease to campus ministry and a tremendous visibility,” he said.

Father Porter also thanked all of the priests through the past 100 years who have served in campus ministry, and especially those at the campus center.

“All of us have fond memories and all of us have stories of our time here at the Didde Center. . . . All of us are better priests and better people because of you — the students, faculty and our administration.”

Finally, Father Porter said, this anniversary brings to mind Carl and Theresa Didde, the major donors to the campus center.

“They were such tremendous people,” he said, saying how grateful he was for their love of the church and of the students in building the center.

“That, to me, is one of the most beautiful expressions of love, in doing something not for self, but you do it for God,” Father Porter said.

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Hayden fisherman reels in the title

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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OPEKA — Fishing has tested the patience and faith of fishermen for thousands of years.

It’s no wonder Jesus used it to teach the world so many important lessons.

Taking a small boat out to sea, a place full of danger and uncertainty, provided Jesus with an opportunity to test the trust of his disciples.

Although these lessons were often symbolic, fishermen today are often challenged in ways similar to what the disciples faced more than 2,000 years ago.

While many still fish for their dinner or their living, fishing in the United States has evolved into a competitive sport made unique by the skills — patience and faith — it requires for one to excel.

Thomas Heinen, a sophomore at Hayden High School in Topeka, has the talent and drive, along with a little inspiration from above, to put Jesus’ lessons to use.

His interest in fishing was sparked when he was only a toddler.

“When I was about 3 years old, we went camping and fishing as a family thing, and I just started liking fishing,” said Heinen. “I just kept asking my dad to go out more often. We used to go to nearby lakes and ponds to fish, and it just stuck with me.”

Heinen’s interest grew into a passion, and he began competing around the age of 10.

Since then, Heinen has become an impressive contender, averaging second place in the 10 BASS tournaments he competed in during the 2015 season.

“I kind of get inspired by St. Andrew.

He’s the patron saint of fishing, and that was my confirmation saint. I say a prayer to him [before competitions],” said Heinen.

The night before each tournament, Heinen asks God “that the fishing day goes well.”

A little bit of faith and a lot of practice have carried Heinen a long way.

His greatest accomplish so far was winning the state championship with his partner Brock Bila and boat captain Larry Brumley.

“I’ve always been chasing that dream — just chasing the state championship for the youth division,” he said.

Heinen reached that goal and more. In 2014, Heinen won a partner tournament by himself.

“My partner said he couldn’t show up to that tournament,” he said. “So, I had to fish it by myself, and I won that tournament. All the other kids had all the advantage and everything, so I was pretty proud of that moment.”

Heinen’s abilities are accompanied by strong Catholic values.

“My dad has always taught me to congratulate the winners and even congratulate the losers,” he said. His humility and good sportsmanship set the tone for how he handles a win or a loss.

Heinen said he plans to compete “until I can’t anymore,” striving to fish collegiately and, ultimately, at a professional level.

When he eventually stops competing, Heinen hopes he will have “helped people understand that the outdoors is good — and to enjoy the wildlife out there, because you’ll see some pretty cool things on the water.

“It’s just fun to get out and go fishing,” he added.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Thomas Heinen, a sophomore at Hayden High School in Topeka, is a competitive fisherman, averaging second place in the 10 BASS tournaments he competed in during the 2015 season.

Project Andrew provides opportunity for prayer and reflection

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

T

OPEKA — George and Kathy Werth aren’t certain their son will be a priest.

After all, no one knows the will of God. However, as parents of a first-year seminarian, they feel at peace with where their son Aidan is in his faith journey.

The Werths were among approximately 55 people who participated in one of two annual Project Andrew events sponsored by the vocations office of the archdiocese, and held Oct. 25 at Christ the King Church in Topeka. The other event was held Oct. 18 at St. Joseph Church in Shawnee.

Project Andrew is an evening designed for men at least 16 years of age — in high school, college or the workforce.

It creates an environment — if just for an evening — in which they can be with other men who are curious about how God calls ordinary men to extraordinary lives. The evening is designed not to pressure men into the priesthood, but rather help them learn how to hear God’s voice in a world of noise — and how to discern God’s vocation for their lives, whether it be to the priesthood, religious life, marriage or the single life.

Allowing time for God’s voice is, according to Father Scott Wallisch, the archdiocese’s director of vocations, im-

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads eucharistic adoration at the Project Andrew event Oct. 25 at Christ the King Church in Topeka. Project Andrew is an evening designed for men at least 16 years old to help them learn how to discern God’s vocation for their lives. portant to reversing the trend of a shortage of priests in this country.

In 1965, there was one priest for every 840 Catholics in the United States. Now, just 50 years later, there is one priest for every 2,000.

Is God calling fewer men to the priesthood?

Father Wallisch doesn’t think so.

He thinks God is calling just as many to the priesthood today, but the noise of modern society sometimes makes it difficult to hear God’s call. It’s through events such as Project Andrew that men can take time for prayer and reflection on God’s will for their lives.

The evening allows men and their family members to hear the personal sto-

ries of how others have discerned calls to the priesthood, spend time in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and informally ask questions of the archbishop over dinner.

During the Oct. 25 event, the Werths, along with Melanie Savner, >> See “SEMINARIANS” on page 6

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS Mary (Niehues) and Emmett Koch, m e m bers of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Onaga, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. with a Mass of thanksgiving and blessing, followed by a meal with family. The couple was married on Nov. 20, 1965, at St. Bede Church, Kelly. Their children are Dena Vanwalleghem, Lenexa; David Koch, Axtell; Steven Koch, Myron Koch, Jason Koch and Loren Koch, all of Centralia; Andrea Koch, St. Louis; Natalie Krohn, Wheaton; and Janae Seematter, Wamego. They also have 37 grandchildren.

Richard and Ann (DeHart) Schiefelb e i n , members of Sacred Hear t-St. Joseph Parish, To p e k a , will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a private family dinner. The couple was married on Nov. 27, 1965, at Church of the Assumption, Topeka. Their children are: Sheri, Kathy, Erin and Jeff. They also have nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Lawrence

J.

and

Mary Agnes (Peters o n ) Meyers, m e m bers of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27. The couple was married at St. Pius X Church in Mission. They will celebrate with a Mass, followed by dinner at the Hereford House in Leawood with family and friends. Their children are: Bridget Seidl, DeSoto; Hope Mazzeo, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania; Luke Meyers, Downers Grove, Illinois; and Andrew Meyers, Wiesbaden, Germany.

They also have eight grandchildren.

William and Joanne Wilson, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27 with a family dinner. The couple was married on Nov. 27, 1965, at Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood. Their children are: Deborah Antonopoulos, Overland Park; and Catherine DeVries, Olathe. They also have four grandchildren.

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WEB EXCLUSIVE

CHURCH OF THE WEEK Sacred Heart, Atchison

CCHD collection confronts problems that cause poverty

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — This weekend parishes of the archdiocese join Catholics across the country in taking up a collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

CCHD is the domestic antipoverty program of the U.S. Catholic bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ “to bring good news to the poor . . . release to captives . . . sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free” (Lk 4:18).

CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities. It does this through grants to help communities identify problems and devel-

op solutions to the local issues that cause poverty. All grants are carefully vetted and ultimately approved by the local bishop to reasonably assure that no funded group goes against Catholic moral teaching. Every group signs an agreement not to violate Catholic teaching, and grants are immediately withdrawn if they break this contract.

Besides funding national grant applications, 25 percent of the collection funds local poverty relief efforts of the archbishop. Current nationally funded projects here in the archdiocese include an affordable rental housing economic development project in Lawrence and a project to close the achievement gaps of at-risk students in Topeka.

Address: 1429 Kansas Ave., 66002 Phone: (913) 367-0671 Pastor: Father Gabriel Landis, OSB Mass Times: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Website: http://stbenedictatchison. org

Video

A video tour of this church is available online at: www.theleaven.org.

More photos of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org.

Seminarians discern first, then decide >> Continued from page 5 administrative assistant for the vocations office, and Father Mitchel Zimmerman, co-director of seminarians and pastor of Christ the King Church, shared a few thoughts about how to help a man discerning a possible call to the priesthood or religious life without discouraging him or placing any undue pressure or burdensome expectations on him.

“We didn’t want to hinder him or push him one way or the other,” said Kathy Werth of her son.

Since he was at least 7 years old, Aidan has expressed a possible interest in the priesthood. However, George and Kathy did not want to interfere in any way. So, as parents, they did what comes naturally. They provided him opportunities.

Aidan became an altar server and was often taken along, with their seven other children, to daily Mass. That way, they could be provided more chances to, first and foremost, worship Jesus, but also get to know the parish priests serving at the various parishes they’ve been associated with.

They also regularly invited priests over for dinner or coffee. By doing so, the children became better acquainted with priests in a different way other than just

ANNUAL GOLUMBKI DINNER IN LEAVENWORTH Sunday, November 22

ST. CASIMIR PARISH HALL, 719 PENNSYLVANIA AVE.,LEAVENWORTH

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he St. Casimir Men’s Society will host its Annual Golumbki Dinner from noon to 3 p.m. Takeout will be available beginning 11 AM. Tickets cost only $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Come join your friends in Leavenworth for this traditional Polish feast. Meatloaf will also be served.

Ad courtesy of Doug Scalard, CFP®

watching them during Mass.

Through it all, and especially now, the Werths said they’ve never wanted to interfere with God’s call for Aidan or his seven siblings.

“We want to give him the opportunity to find out God’s will for his life,” said George, adding that he thought that should be the goal of every parent.

For her part, Kathy said she occasionally wondered if sending her 18-year-old to a seminary in rural Missouri was the right thing to do. It wasn’t a major concern — just something that crossed her mind once or twice. Once she discussed the idea with a priest, she felt completely at peace.

“He told me that [Conception Seminary] is a great place to discern a possible vocation,” said Kathy.

The priest also told her the daily routine of Mass, classes and praying the Liturgy of the Hours will foster a vocation if one is truly present. And if not, Aidan will have learned how to better listen to the voice of God. After the Werths shared their thoughts, family members of the men in attendance asked questions of the Werths, Savner and Father Zimmerman.

Topics included how to start the process of possibly becoming an archdiocesan

seminarian, the steps involved in the application process, the academic coursework necessary to become a priest and the cost involved for the family as well as the overall formation process designed for archdiocesan priests.

During the Q&A period, Father Zimmerman discussed the four main areas of formation. Each man studying for a possible call to the priesthood is formed in the spiritual life, character development, pastoral care and intellectual formation.

However, the intellectual formation often gets the most attention, as priests are now required to hold degrees in philosophy and theology.

Of the number who apply within the archdiocese, Father Zimmerman said about half are accepted as candidates.

And of those, about half will end up serving in ordained ministry as priests.

Nonetheless, both Father Zimmerman and Father Wallisch said any man who thinks he might have a possible vocation should begin the process. The question many ask, said Father Zimmerman, is when.

“I often tell people the right time is whenever the Lord calls you,” he said, adding God calls a variety of men, none of whom are perfect.

READY FOR A FAMILY ADVENT-URE? With a little planning, families of all shapes and sizes can introduce an Advent tradition that will bring a smile to the face of the kiddos, while teaching the reason for the season.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE MCSORLEY

Anticipate the Lord this Advent season by acting out the story of Jesus’ birth in a manger with a Nativity scene as a teaching aid. Above, Maureen and Tim Jones of St. Pius X Parish in Mission, name the animals to 3-year-old Hannah and 1-year-old Emma.

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — For many people, that special time of preparation before Christmas has a very special name.

Shopping season.

If ever it needed one, the patron saint for Christmas “shopping season” is the worldly wise Lucy van Pelt in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“Look, Charlie Brown,” said Lucy. “We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket.

It’s run by a big Eastern syndicate, you know.”

It’s easy to be cynical about the commodified Christmas, especially when trees and orna-

By JOE BOLLIG ments have been appearing in stores since late September.

Thank God there is an antidote for the crass, materialistic, frenetic, greedy and depressing “shopping season.”

It’s called Advent.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “adventus,” which means “coming,” “arrival” or “approach.” It refers, of course, to one of the greatest truths of Christianity: the incarnation of Jesus the Christ.

Advent is a joy-filled time of preparation for the birth of Jesus, the Christmas gift of all gifts.

During this four-week period, Christians prepare their hearts, minds and souls to welcome their savior. It is a time of introspection, celebration and prayer.

The church begins a new liturgical year on the First Sunday of Advent. This year, the four Sundays of Advent are Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20.

Many wonderful Advent traditions have developed over the centuries — some of them very hands-on and child-friendly. So, round up the kids and use this season to pass on to them your Catholic faith through activities and devotions that they can then someday enjoy with their children.

What’s the key to a successful family Advent?

Keep it simple, keep it fun, make it prayerful, and, above all, be creative!

Merry Advent to you! >> Continued on the next page

Gather round the wreath

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he tradition of the Advent wreath began with German Lutherans and spread to Catholics and other Christians around the world.

Traditionally, the wreath is made of evergreen branches bound into a circle and laid flat on a surface or in a holder. Even Styrofoam rings can serve as the base of a simple wreath.

Making an Advent wreath as a family project is easy, but keep fire safety in mind when choosing your materials.

Families with small children might want to use votive candles in glass holders. If using taper or pillar candles, make sure they are tall enough to keep the flames away from the wreath material. Consider using fire-resistant materials for the wreath. To bind the wreath you can use wire or floral sticks. Any craft or discount store will have the materials.

The traditional wreath calls for four candles evenly placed around the ring, like four points on a compass. Three of the candles are usually purple, to symbolize penance, prayer and the royal lineage of Jesus. The fourth is pink or rose. (This candle is for the Third Sunday of Advent, this year Dec. 13. It is “Gaudete Sunday,” from the Latin word which means “rejoice.”)

Some families also put a large, white candle in the center — the

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Christ candle — to be lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas.

The devotion starts on the First Sunday of Advent, when the family gathers for prayer and lights the first purple candle. (Find sample prayers below.) It doesn’t matter which purple candle is lit first, but generally the order in which the candles are first lit is the order in which they’re lit throughout the season.

For the first week of Advent, only the one candle is lit for the prayer service. On the Second Sunday of Advent, both the first and a second purple candle will be lit for the prayer service and throughout the week. (Many families light their wreath before or after the evening meal.) The pink candle is lit for the first time on the Third Sunday of Advent, so that week three candles are lit for the service.

The final and fourth candle is lit on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, so from that day through Christmas, the entire wreath is lit. Those that utilize the white candle light it on Christmas Day. Although many lengthier or more interactive Advent prayer services are available in books and online if all family members are old enough to read, the following simple service is a great place to start. It is excerpted from “A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions” by Loyola Press. A slightly longer service is available

Mary Nearmyer proudly displays her work in putting together the Advent wreath. Advent begins on Nov. 29 t at: www.scborromeo.org/prayers/ adventwreath.pdf.

FIRST WEEK Leader: All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Response: Amen.

SECOND WEEK Leader: God of power and mercy,

open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Response: Amen.

THIRD WEEK Leader: Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We

Decorate your family tree

he Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree comes from art created in medieval times to portray the ancestors of Christ — the family tree of Jesus. Sometimes, this genealogy was depicted in stained-glass windows, murals, carvings and book illustrations.

The name of the Jesse Tree is taken from Jesse of Bethlehem, the father of King David. The reference to Jesse is in the messianic prophesy of Is 11:1-17. It begins, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”

Other scriptural references to the genealogy of Jesus can be found in Lk 3:23-38 and Mt 1:1-17.

The ornaments of the Jesse Tree are symbols of persons and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. It’s a great way to teach young children why Catholics believe Jesus was the same Messiah eagerly awaited for centuries by the Israelites.

Your family’s Jesse Tree can be a paper or felt poster on a wall or the refrigerator, a stand-up poster on a table, or a bare branch in a flower pot full of stones, marbles, sand or dirt. It can resemble a small, bare sapling, or a traditional fir Christmas tree — it doesn’t matter. You can buy the ornaments, but it’s more fun to make them!

Like the lighting of the Advent wreath, the hanging of the Jesse Tree ornaments is done with prayer. How often you hang ornaments on the Jesse Tree depends on how many children you have (everyone will want to hang one!) and the number of ornaments used per day.

Your ceremony can include traditional prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be; a simple prayer/prayers you and your children write yourselves; and a reading of a short Scripture passage associated with an ornament.

Of course, you can also add your own ornaments symbolizing your family

members, since you, too, are part of the family of God. Feel free to add any other symbols of salvation history that can be found in the Bible.

Here’s a list: 1. The world created: globe (Gn 1:24-28) 2. Adam and Eve: woman or man, and/or snake and apples (Gn 3:1-24) 3. Noah and the flood: ark, rainbow or dove (Gn 6:11-22; 8:6-12) 4. Abraham: camel, tent or stars (Gn 12:1-7; 13:2-18; 15:5; 18:1) 5. Sarah: baby (Gn 18:1-5; 21:1-7) 6. Isaac: ram, altar of sacrifice (Gn 22:1-18) 7. Jacob: ladder and/or angel (Gn 28:10-12; Gn 32:2530) 8. Joseph: coat of many colors, bag of 20 pieces of silver (Gn 37:1-36) 9. Moses: burning bush, Passover lamb, tablets of the Law, Ark of the Covenant (Ex 3:1-10; Ex 12:1-10; Ex 20:1-17; Ex 25:10-22) 10. Miriam: tambourine,

(Ex 15:19-21) 11. Samuel: lamp (1 Sm 3:121) 12. Jesse: branch (Is 11:1) 13. David: six-pointed Star of David, harp, (1 Sm 16:14-23) 14. Solomon: crown (1 Kgs 3:3-28) 15. Isaiah: throne (Is 6:1-8) 16. Jeremiah: potter’s flask (Jer 19:1-13) 17. Angels: angel (Heb 1:114) 18. Malachi: trumpet (Mal 3:1-4) 19. Zechariah and Elizabeth: baby (Lk 1:39-45) 20. Blessed Virgin Mary: angel (Lk 1:26-35) 21. John the Baptist: river (Mt 3:1-6) 22. Joseph of Nazareth: woodworking tools (Mt 1:1825) 23. Bethlehem: Christmas star (Mt 2:1-12) 24. Nativity, birth of Jesus the Christ: donkey and/or manger (Lk 2:1-14) To the right is an example of a Jesse Tree from a French illuminated manuscript from 1180.

ask this th sponse: A

FOUR Leader your etern earth whe her life at Lift our m hear the v glory and the Spirit coming. W our Lord.

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Celebrate the family

esignate one night each week of Advent as family night.

Ask older kids to mark their calendars and remind little ones of it throughout the week. Then, on the designated night, turn off the television, computers and other digital devices in the evening and undertake one of the following projects: • Lots of people love to make gin-

gerbread houses this time of year. With some candies, graham crackers and frosting, your family can construct a “gingerbread” Christmas crèche or church.

• Make your own heirloom Christmas crèche.

There are no hard-and-fast rules in terms of construction.

Use paper, cardboard, Popsicle sticks and glue, twigs and branches collected in the yard, i te m s from a craft store —

LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER

this year.

hrough Christ our Lord. ReAmen.

RTH WEEK r: Father, all-powerful God, nal Word took flesh on our en the Virgin Mary placed t the service of your plan. minds in watchful hope to voice which announces his d open our minds to receive t who prepares us for his We ask this through Christ Response: Amen.

anything. The figures can be drawn on cardboard cutouts, or out of homemade modeling clay. (The recipes are easy to find online. One is: 1 cup water, 4 cups flour, 1½ cups of salt. Mix and keep moist. It dries to a rocklike hardness.

Paint or color as desired).

• Wise men journey. This is a kind of a game, and you can make it as simple or complicated as you wish. Every day (or every Sunday) of Advent, have the oldest child (or parent) hide the three Christmas crèche wise men (or three kings) in the house, then send the younger child out to find them. When they do, the wise men are placed in a predetermined place. As Advent progresses, move the wise men closer and closer to the Christmas crèche until finally, on Jan. 6, or Epiphany — also known as the Feast of the Three Kings — they arrive at the stable.

• Celebrate St. Nicholas Day. There are several traditions relating to St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 6. One tradition is for the children to leave out their shoes filled with hay, an apple or carrot for St. Nicholas’ horse.

Play a game where the family has the oldest child hide the three wise men in the house, then send the younger child out to find them.

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In the morning, the “horse food” is gone — replaced with candy or a small toy.

• Bake a St. Lucy cake or buns. You can celebrate this tradition in as complicated or as simple a manner as you want.

The feast of St. Lucy is celebrated on Dec. 13 all over Europe. In Sweden, it is traditional for the eldest daughter to wake up the family while singing a hymn to St. Lucy and wearing a white robe, red sash and a crown of whortleberry twigs having nine lighted candles. She serves saffron cakes or “S”-shaped buns called Lussekatt. For your family, any store-bought saffron cake mix or sweet bread will do, and you can make them as a special breakfast food or just for dinner. If you want to, you can research authentic St. Lucy saffron cake and buns recipes online. For the sake of fire safety, if you want crowns for little heads, make them out of paper. If you want lights, choose small, battery-powered LEDs. • Pray a family prayer around the Christmas tree.

This is the simplest suggestion of all and is appropriate for any size family, with children of any age. Either before or after putting up and dressing the tree, say a prayer of thanksgiving for blessings received in the past year and of invitation to the Christ Child to enter into the hearts of the family members gathered.

Find a way to reach out

ot all Advent traditions are devotional in nature.

Here are some other things families can do to celebrate the season.

• Buy a fancy Christmas stocking or box and pack it with goodies for an individual (or more) at a homeless shelter or a resident at a retirement facility. Be sure to call ahead to ask what things are needed or prohibited, or if there are special requests or considerations.

• Collect and donate food and personal care items to a food pantry. Again, contact the pantry to see if there is a need for particular items.

They may have all the candy canes they need, but desperately need formula and diapers.

• Go Advent caroling.

Make little songbooks of Advent hymns and then hit the sidewalks. You might also visit nursing homes, the elderly and shut-ins. Ask your pastor about making “special

stops” at the homes of those who might appreciate a visit.

Take along little gifts — like candy canes, a holy card, etc.

— to leave behind.

• Collect “Christ Child coins” in a specially decorated bank and donate what you save to a ministry of the church.

• Fill the manger for the Christ Child. Make a shoebox-sized “manger.” Cut strips of yellow or brown construction paper into strips of “straw” ¼-inch wide and about 10- to 12-inches long. At dinner each night, children and parents should share their good works and sacrifices during the day, after which Mom and Dad will award each child (and themselves) what they think is an appropriate amount of “straw” to place in the manger. A doll can be placed in the manger on Christmas Eve to represent the Christ Child.

Consider collecting food to donate to local pantries this Advent.

Thank you to the

rosier

ociety

members who give generously and graciously to the 2015 Archbishop’s Call to Share Third of three installments, Q-Z

Larry D. Ryan,* Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Ryan,* Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ryan,

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quick,* Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Quigley,*

Mr. Mark Radziejeski,* Mr. and Mrs. Paul S. Ramm,* Mark and Mary Ramos, Mrs. Dorothy Randall,* Dr. and Mrs. Mark R. Rasmussen,* Drs. Thomas and Lynn Rasmussen,* Mr. and Mrs. Dan Reardon, Mr. and Mrs. Kerry E. Reardon,* Mr. and Mrs. Edwin D. Reasoner,* Mr. and Mrs. George J. Rebeck, Jr.,* Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rebori, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rebori,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rebout,* Ms. Martha J. Reck, Mrs. Marilyn A. Redinger, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Reeb,* Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed,* Mr. and Mrs. Chris Regier,* Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reichenberger, Dr. and Mrs. John S. Reifschneider,* Mr. John M. and Dr. Laura Reilly, Mrs. Barbara K. Reinhard, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Reintjes,* Mr. and Mrs. Tim N. Renfro, Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester G. Renneke,* Mr. and Mrs. Andy Renyer,* Mr. and Mrs. Greg A. Renyer,* Mr. and Mrs. Jim Renyer,* Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Reschke, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Respeliers, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Rettele,* Dr. and Mrs. Gregory C. Reuter, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Reuter,* Mr. and Mrs. Nathan L. Rewerts, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Reynolds,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark Reynolds,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael Reynolds,* Mr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Reynoldson, Mr. and Mrs. David W. Rezac,* Ms. Donna M. Rice, Mr. and Mrs. John Richenburg,* Mr. and Mrs. Melvin E. Richey, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Riedel, Ms. GeGe Rieke, Ms. Louise D. Rieke, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Riese,* Mr. and Mrs. Ted L. Riesinger,* Father John A. Riley, Mrs. Ann Roach,* Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Roatch, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Robben, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Robinson,* Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Robinson, Ms. Betty Robison, Mr. and Mrs. Jerard S. Robison,* Mr. and Mrs. William E. Roche, Father Alfred J. Rockers,* Sam and Melissa Rockford, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Rodenbeck, Mr. Jose Rodriguez, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Rogge, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Roggy,* Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Rolf,* Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Roll, Mr. and Mrs. Valentin E. Romero, Ms. Saundra L. Rongish, Mr. Leonard J. Ronnebaum,* Mr. and Mrs. David Rose,* Mr. and Mrs. David A. Roth, Mr. and Mrs. Gary T. Roth,* Mr. and Mrs. Florian Rothbrust,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Rousselo, Mr. and Mrs. John Rowe, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Rowley, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rus, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Russell, Jr.,* Mr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Rutter,* Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ruyle,* Mr. and Mrs.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sabatini, Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Sabatini,* Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sachs, Mrs. Rose Anne Sachse,* Ltc. Conrad J. Samuelsen,* Mr. and Mrs. David Sanchez,* Mr. and Mrs. Gregory A. Sanchez,* Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sand,* Dr. and Mrs. John J. Sand, Mrs. Frances M. Sanders,* Ms. Michele E. Sanders,* Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sanford, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Santamarina,* Mr. and Mrs. David L. Sapenoff,* Mr. and Mrs. David M. Saunders, Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Sauter, Mr. and Mrs. Kent P. Saylor,* Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scaduto, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Schaefer,* Mr. and Mrs. Melvin N. Schartz,* Mrs. Vida Mae Schell,* Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schellhorn,* Mr. and Mrs. Steve Schenck, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Scheopner, Mr. and Mrs. James B. Scherer,* Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Schermerhorn,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Scheve, Father Brian A. Schieber, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Schieber,* Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Schieber,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schieber,* Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Schiefelbein, Dr. Rodney J. Schieffer,* Mr. and Mrs. Hal W. Schierts, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schlader,* Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Schlagel,* Mr. and Mrs. James M. Schloegel,* Mr. John Schmader,* Mr. and Mrs. James Schmank, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Schmelzle,* Mr. and Mrs. Andrew X. Schmidt,* Mr. Rodney Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Schmidtlein, Mrs. Cheryl Schmitz and Mr. Steven F. Roth, Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schmitz,* Mrs. Sandra K. Schmitz,* Mrs. Catherine Schneider,* Mrs. Judith A. Schneider,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Schneider, Mr. and Mrs. Todd C. Schneider,* Mr. and Mrs. Jon E. Schnieders,* Mr. James L. Schramm, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Schramp,* Deacon and Mrs. Michael Schreck,* Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schreiner, Ms. Debra Schremmer, Dr. Sharon K. Schrick, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Schroeder,* Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schuetz,* Ms. Carey Schuh, Mr. and Mrs. David Schukai, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schulte, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Schulte, Jr.,* Mr. Frederic Schultz, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Schultz, Mr. and Mrs. Troy Schumaker, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schuttloffel, Mrs. Bernadine Schwerdt,* Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Scott, Ms. Loretta Scott, Mr. Riley and Dr. Julia Scott, Mrs. Brenda Scruggs,* Mr. John Seber III, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin M. Sechi,* Mr. and Mrs. Louis Seeman, Mr. Tony Segura, Mr. Donald J. Seifert,* Mr. and Mrs. John D. Seitzer,* Mr. Robert Serra, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sexton,* Mr. and Mrs. Terence J. Sexton, Mr. Don and Dr. Kimberly Shankman,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Shea,* Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sheeran,*

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Sheerin, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sheerin, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Shell,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shepard,* Mr. and Mrs. Todd Shepherd, Dr. and Mrs. Randy Sheridan, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Short,* Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Shoulta,* Mr. and Mrs. Jeff R. Shue,* Mr. and Mrs. Steven Sickinger, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Sieben, Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Sieve, Jr., Miss Patricia K. Simecka,* Mrs. Helen Sims,* Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sinclair,* Ms. Barbara H. Sindo,* Mr. and Mrs. Bill F. Sinovic, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sittenauer, Mr. and Mrs. Greg J. Skoch, Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Slaven, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Sleypen,* Mr. and Mrs. Ciprian Slobodnic, Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Smagiel, Mr. and Mrs. Greg L. Smart,* Mr. and Mrs. Brandon E. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Duane R. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Smith, Mr. Paul T. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Smith,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Smoots,* Mr. and Mrs. Chuck E. Smrt, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sneed,* Dr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Snider,* Mrs. Joseph T. Snow,* Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Snyder,* Mrs. Ruth M. Sobek,* Mr. and Mrs. Mauro Soto, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sowers, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Spachek, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spaedy, Mr. and Mrs. Mike P. Spahalski,* Mr. and Mrs. Randal R. Spale,* Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Spalitto, Mr. Tom and Dr. Elizabeth Spenceri,* Mr. and Mrs. David A. Staab,* Mrs. Doris L. Stackhouse,* Ms. Mary K. Stadler, Mr. and Mrs. Sam P. Stallbaumer, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Stalp,* Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stanley,* Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stark, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Starshak, Mr. and Mrs. Vance Stasevich,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steadman, Dr. and Mrs. Mark T. Steele, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Steinbock,* Mr. and Mrs. Darrell D. Steiner,* Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Steiner, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Steinlage, Mr. and Mrs. Dana Steinlage,* Mr. Ken Stelzer,* Mr. and Mrs. Brian Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. Doug R. Sterbenz,* Mr. and Mrs. Brian Stevens, Ms. Lori Stevens, Ms. Alyson B. Stewart, Mrs. Mary T. Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Michael C. Stiles, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Stine,* Mr. and Mrs. Steven Stoecklein, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Stoltz, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Stone, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Stout, Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Strathman,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Strathman,* Mr. and Mrs. Ernest J. Straub III,* Mr. and Mrs. Philip I. Straub,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Straub,* Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strauss,* Mr. and Mrs. Larry M. Strecker,* Mr. and Mrs. John W. Streeter,* Mr. Gary Strothman,* Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Struchtemeyer,* Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Studnicka,* Mr. and Mrs. James Stueve,* Ms. Jean A. Stueve, Mr. and Mrs. Leo F. Stueve, Mr. and Mrs. Cal Stukel, Deacon and Mrs. Mark A. Stukel,* Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph A. Stupar,* Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Stuppy,* Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suarez,* Mr. Stanley S. Subelka,* Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sudbeck,* Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs.

Timothy Sullivan, Mr. Richard J. Sulzen,* Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Summers,* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Summers,* Mr. and Mrs. Terrance M. Super,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael Supple, Mr. Raymond Surbaugh,* Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suther,* Mr. and Mrs. Daniel H. Sutherland,* Mr. and Mrs. David J. Sutton,* Mr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Svoboda,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. David P. Swearingen, Mr. and Mrs. James Sweet,* Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Swenson,* Mr. and Mrs. Doug E. Switzer,*

Dr. Rita R. Tablante,* Mr. and Mrs. Toby Taggart, Mr. and Mrs. Chris F. Talarico,* Mr. and Mrs. Tristan W. Talley, Dr. and Mrs. Lucas Tappan, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Tarwater, Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Trenton L. Teager, Mr. Richard Teahan,* Mr. and Mrs. James D. Teaney,* Mr. and Mrs. Dutch tenBroek, Mrs. Mary K. Tenebehn, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Tepper, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Thacker,* Dr. and Mrs. Bradley S. Thedinger, Dr. and Mrs. John A. Thesing, Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Thill,* Mr. and Mrs. James A. Thissen,* Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Thompson,* Mr. and Mrs. David Thompson,* Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Thompson,* Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Thompson,* Ms. Margot A. Thornhill,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Thornhill, Ms. Patricia D. Tierney, Mr. and Mrs. Donald K. Tillett,* Mr. and Mrs. Don E. Timmons, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Timmons,* Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Timpe, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Tingle, Mr. Robert C. Tinker, Jr., Ms. Donna Toman,* Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Tomas, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Tomlin,* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Toplikar, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Torres, Jr.,* Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Totta, Allan and Christine Towle, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Townsend,* Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Travers, Mr. William Treu,* Mr. and Mrs. Alan Tribble, Mr. and Mrs. William D. Trimble, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Tripp, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Trum,* Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Truman, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Tunink,* Father Shawn P. Tunink, Mr. and Mrs. George L. Tupa,* Mr. and Mrs. John Turek,* Mrs. Bea Turner, Mr. and Mrs. John Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Tushaus,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tuttle, Col. (ret) and Mrs. John Twohig,

Dr. Kahdi Udobi, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Uhlmansiek, Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Unrein, Mr. and Mrs. John Urbom,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael Utz,

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Van Buren, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Van Meter, Mr. and Mrs. Bart Vance,* Mr. and Mrs. Russ Vandekauter, Dr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Vander Velde,* Mr. and Mrs. Steve B. Vanderweide,* Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Vanwalleghem,* Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Varraveto, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Vega,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert Venable,* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ventura, Mr. and Mrs. Gerardo G. Vergara, Ms. Patricia M. Verschelden,* Mr. and Mrs. Chuck A. Verville, Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Vielhauer, Mr. and Mrs. John Virgo,* Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Vittorino,* Ms. Rose Ann Vogt, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Vohs,* Father Gerald Volz,* Dr. and Mrs. Jim T. Voorhees, Dr. and Mrs. Craig Vosburgh, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vowells, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Vyhanek,*

Mr. Florent W. Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Wagner,* Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T. Wagstaff,* Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Walker,* Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Wallace,* Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Walsh, Mrs. Karlyn Walsh,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark Walsh, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Walsh,* Mr. and Mrs. James F. Walter, Ms. Theresa L. Walters, Dr. and Mrs. Dean Walton,* Dr. and Mrs. Mark Walton, Mrs. Sylvia A. Wapp,* Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ward, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Warhurst, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Waris,* Mr. and Mrs. David Warlick, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip T. Warson,* Mr. and Mrs. Richard Washburn, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Waters, Mrs. Barbara Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Weaver,* Mr. and Mrs. James G. Weaver, Mrs. Joann Weaver,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Weber, Mr. and Mrs. Sam L. Weems, Ms. Melinda S. Wehrle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Weinrich, Jr.,* Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Weiss,* Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Weixelman, Mr. and Mrs. John Welch,* Mrs. Rolande M. Wells,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Wenger,* Ms. Donna Weninger, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Werkowitch, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Werth, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wesonig, Mr. Thomas Westerman,* Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Westhoff,* Mr. and Mrs. Craig Whalen, Ms. JoAnne Wheat, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Whipple,* Dr. and Mrs. Jim Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. David W. White,* Mrs. Linda White,* Dr. and Mrs. Stephen H. White, Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Whitney,* Mr. and Mrs. George Wicker,* Mr. Louis

Wiczyski, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Wiedeman, Mrs. Sylvia Wiedeman,* 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. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Wilk, Mr. Patrick A. Wilkerson,* Mr. Gregory J. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Wilkinson, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Williams,* Mr. and Mrs. James P. Williams,* Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Willis, Mr. Roland J. Wills,* Mr. and Mrs. David Willy, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Wilson,* Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher M. Winger,* Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Winkel, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Winkler,* Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Winter, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Winterman, Mr. and Mrs. James Wintz, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Wisdom,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Witcher, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy B. Witt, Mr. and Mrs. Brett Wobker, Mrs. Rosa Lee Wobker,* Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wodtke, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wohler, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wolters,* Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wonderlich,* Mr. and Mrs. Chip Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce M. Woolverton, Mr. and Mrs. John Woolway, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Worner,* Mr. John Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Lester P. Wuertz,* Mr. and Mrs. James B. Wunder,* Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Wurtz,* Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wurtz, Mrs. Juanita Wymore,* Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Wyndrum,* Mr. and Mrs. Dale H. Wytock,

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff L. Yakle, Mrs. Sarah Ye,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Yearsley, Mr. Logan Yeats, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Yoder, Mr. and Mrs. John Yorke,* Mr. Mitchell Young,

Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Zacharias, Mr. and Mrs. George J. Zarate, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard A. Zarda,* Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Zarda,* Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Zarse,* Miss Sharon Zawada, Mrs. Jennifer Zeit, Mr. Wayne Zetzman,* Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Zielinski,* Ms. Ronda R. Zillner, Mr. and Mrs. Damon Zimmer, Mr. and Mrs. David N. Zimmerman,* Ms. Mary M. Zimmerman, Mr. Sherman B. Zimmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Zimmerman,* Mr. and Mrs. Ronald F. Zishka,* Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Zuzolo, Mrs. Bibiana Zweig * Indicates 10 year consecutive donors

WORLD

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

11

U.S. Catholics offer prayers after ‘horrific’ Paris attacks

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — An outpouring of grief, condolences and prayers came from Catholics across the United States in reaction to Nov. 13 evening attacks in Paris, attacks the French government said were carried out by three teams of Islamic State terrorists.

The U.S. Catholic bishops Nov. 14 pledged their prayers for those killed and injured at three sites in France’s capital and voiced their support for those “working to build just and peaceful societies.”

“Terror always seeks to separate us from those we most love,” said a statement issued by the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Through their suffering, courage and compassion, Parisians are reminding us that the common bond of humanity is strongest when the need is greatest.”

“To the people of France, we mourn with you and honor the lives lost from several nations, including our own,” said the committee, which is comprised of USCCB’s officers, committee chairmen and other bishops representing every region of the United States.

“To our brothers and sisters in the church in France, your family in the United States holds you close to our hearts. May the tender and merciful love of Jesus Christ give you comfort during this great trial and lead you on a path toward healing and peace,” added the statement, issued from Baltimore, where the bishops were meeting ahead of their Nov. 16-19 general fall assembly.

In Paris, at least 129 people were killed and more than 350 injured, many of them critically in the attacks. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a soccer stadium, gunmen attacked customers at cafes and restaurants, and a team of terrorists gunned down dozens of people at a concert.

Pope Francis called the attacks an “unspeakable affront to the dignity of the human person.”

In Boston, a Sunday morning Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Nov. 15 brought together residents of the greater Boston area to pray for and remember the victims in Paris, and to pray for peace.

Father Kevin O’Leary, the cathedral’s rector, read a message of condolence from Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, who had already left for the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore.

“There is absolutely no justification

CNS PHOTO/KEVIN LAMARQUE, REUTERS

The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen as a man walks past flags flying at half staff at the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington Nov. 16. for the heinous actions which took place in Paris this past Friday,” the cardinal said. “We decry all such violence, which serves only to cause pain and suffering on the part of all who are directly impacted and the international community.

“May those who would strike out against others turn their hearts and minds to the peaceful resolution of disputes and embrace respect for the dignity and sanctity of the lives of all people,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

In Miami, French-speaking Catholics gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle Church for Holy Hour Nov. 14 to pray for the victims.

“I prayed for all the victims and all the families, and all the future [victims] because I’m sure there will be some others.

And I prayed for the conversion of the terrorists,” said Amicie de Colonges, a native of France who has been a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for two years.

“We are very sad. We are very shocked. We are angry,” said Augustin Bondonneau, a member of St. Kieran Parish in Miami, who attends a once-amonth Mass in French at St. Thomas.

“But at the same time, we’re coming here to see Christ. When he said I’m going to give you my peace, it’s that peace we are asking for,” Bondonneau told the

Florida Catholic, Miami’s archdiocesan newspaper.

Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory in a Nov. 16 statement urged people to work together to “bring an end to such hatred” that led to the terrorism attack.

“The tragedy of the terrorist attack on the people of Paris is but another sign of the violence of a radical group of people who seek to destroy not only human life, but societal stability and harmony,” he said. “They cannot succeed. We must not, however, simply become imitators of their hatred, but remain determined members of humanity who will not tolerate such brutality, but will work together to bring about an end to such hatred and human destruction.”

New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan in a Nov. 14 statement called the attacks “unspeakable and horrific crimes.” He said he joined the pope and the USCCB “in condemning these brutal acts of terrorism, and praying for those who were killed and injured, along with their families and loved ones.”

He said he had contacted Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris “to express the sympathy and solidarity of all New Yorkers at this terrible time.”

“Sadly, New Yorkers are all too familiar with the pain and sorrow that accompanies these kinds of terrorist acts,”

Cardinal Dolan continued, “but I echo the (Paris) cardinal’s call that ‘no one indulge in panic or hatred’ but continue to respond with ‘moderation, temperance and control,’ just as New Yorkers did in the aftermath of 9/11.”

He added that he, too, was already in Baltimore but had asked that the victims of the Paris attacks be remembered “in a special way” at Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

In Chicago, Archbishop Blase J. Cupich issued a statement on behalf of the Catholic community expressing “deep sadness at the depraved taking of innocent life this week in Paris” and called it “a sin and a crime against humanity.”

“Those who sought to kill and terrorize,” he noted, “have prompted by their cowardice a brave new commitment to the spirit of liberty, equality and fraternity that mark the French nation.”

“Parisians comforted the wounded and grief stricken, opened their homes to the displaced and stranded and stood in lines to donate their blood to replace that spilled by the terrorists,” Archbishop Cupich said.

“Let it not divide but call the citizens of the world to prayerful solidarity with the people of France and with all those who yearn for peace,” he added.

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CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Caretaker - Our family is looking for an energetic, responsible person to help with our happy 13-year-old son with cerebral palsy who is dependent on adult assistance for activities of daily living. The individual would be trained on necessary caregiving skills, which would include: tube feeding, transfers, general companionship, etc. The hours are from 3 - 6 p.m., M - F, after school with the possibility of additional times as mutually agreed upon.

Our family lives in southern Johnson Co. Call Joanna at (913) 620-1758 or Doug at (913) 620-1759.

Part-time caregivers, CNAs, registered nurse - Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph is looking for caregivers, CNAs and a registered nurse. Caregivers must be willing to drive to Platte and Clay counties. To find job descriptions and to apply, go online to: www. catholiccharities-kcsj.org.

Teaching Positions - St. Ann Young Child Center in Prairie Village is seeking to fill a Kid’s Day Out aide position, Mon. - Thurs. from 9 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. We are also looking for subs for preschool classes. For more information, call Tati at (816) 716-4676.

School custodian - Full-time school custodian needed immediately at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Shawnee. The school custodian will be responsible for the day-to-day cleaning activities, event setup and tear down, snow removal, and other outdoor work during the summer. If interested, please send an email to Julie Krause at: julie.kruse@shoj.org to obtain a complete job description and application.

Administrative assistant/receptionist - Roar Postal Supplies and Solutions in Overland Park is looking for a full- or part-time (8-1 or 1-5) seasoned worker. Duties include: answering phones; processing online orders, as well as phone orders; some shipping and receiving; and accounts payable. Knowledge of inventory management and the ability to use QuickBooks would be helpful.

Salary based on experience and pay increases on job performance. Send cover letter and resume by email to: roarpostal@gmail.com, or call Carrie at (913) 488-6234.

Executive director - Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is an expanding, faith-based, nonprofit organization serving women and families facing unplanned pregnancies with Christ-like compassion. We are looking for an executive director. The candidate should have strong leadership and supervisory skills; be flexible and able to work in a constantly evolving work environment; be comfortable collaborating with a wide range of agencies, churches and organizations; have excellent writing and communication skills; and have familiarity with QuickBooks, databases and MS Office products. Will be responsible for growing donor base and event planning. Reports to governing board. Send resumes to Donna Kelsey at: dkelsey@wpc network.org. Our client website: www.wyandottepreg nancyclinic.org. Our donor website: www.BabiesAtRisk. org. Our mobile pregnancy clinic: www.mobilepregnancy clinic.org. Any questions, call Donna at (913) 904-4050.

Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van.

CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children.

Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading.

Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, roundtrip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa KS 66215.

Receptionist/administrative assistant - The St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence, is seeking a full-time receptionist/administrative assistant. The person who takes this role will be a friendly and welcoming person who will also handle a wide range of administrative and support tasks. Duties include communicating with members of the community, working as an administrative assistant to the director of the center and data entry. Applicants must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be very well organized and be able to multitask and work independently. Applicants should have demonstrated computer proficiency, especially in Microsoft Office applications, and be willing to learn to work with other data entry programs. Send letters of interest and resumes to: rdb@kucatholic.org.

Executive director - Essential Pregnancy Services is seeking a passionate, experienced, full-time, pro-life executive director. Administration, financial management and day-today operation of three highly successful pro-life pregnancy assistance centers in Omaha and Bellevue, Nebraska. Directs a paid and volunteer staff. Administers and participates in fundraising administration, external relations and grant writing. Serves as a spokesperson. Seeking applicant with five years’ experience, including prior employee supervision and a baccalaureate degree. EPS helps clients make life-affirming choices. See www.essentialps.org for more details. Please submit resumes and any inquires EPS, P. O. Box 540524, Omaha, NE 68154 or via email at : essentialpsomaha@gmail. com. Submissions due March 31, 2016. Start: June 2016.

Drivers needed - Medi Coach Transportation is looking for caring and reliable drivers for nonemergency transportation.

CDL is not required. Contact Jeff at (913) 825-1921.

Quality control specialist - Large automotive plant is currently seeking a quality control specialist to assist with the inspection of equipment and parts. Excellent growth potential and advancement. Individual must be dependable and have a great work ethic. Starting wage is $10. Call (816) 994-8200.

Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children, and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education.

Experience and/or education is a plus but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, cleanliness and organization of classroom.

Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to chris@ specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.

Drivers – Assisted Transportation is now hiring caring and reliable drivers to transport K-12 students to and from school and other activities in company minivans. Positions are now available in Olathe, Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Competitive wages and flexible schedules. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-3100 or apply online at: AssistedTransportation.com. EEO.

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

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken spring rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more.

Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

Marketing and advertising consultant - Strategic marketing and advertising consultant for your small business. Send an email to: loyedge@yahoo.com or call (877) LOY-EDGE. Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor at (913) 909-2002.

Great Catholic DJ and emcee Affordable, Classy and Entertaining Weddings, parties, fundraisers and church events Good Shepherd parishioner Contact Michael for rates and available dates.

(913) 568-1441 or mikewithamicDJ@gmail.com Complete plumbing and bath - Master plumber for your entire home. Painting, tile install, bath remodeling.

Onyx Collection Distributor. Serving Johnson County for 20 years. Member Ascension Parish; call Mike at (913) 488-4930.

Need to lose weight, get in shape? Improve balance, coordination and flexibility. Nutrition packages available. Call Angela, personal trainer, at (913) 558-7759. www.angela nosworthy.jeunesseglobal.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.Green SolutionsKC.com.

Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

Junkyard Dawg - Can do cleanup, debris removal and any other odd job you have. Call (913) 575-8522 for an estimate.

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Swalms Organizing - Downsizing - Clean Out Service.

Reduce clutter - Any space organized. Shelving built on site.

Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp, insured. Call Tillar: (913) 375-9115. WWW.SWALMSORGANIZ ING.COM. 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.

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

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

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days.

Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., (913) 962-5058.

Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391 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.

Call the “GO GO Girls” - Maybe you aren’t driving as much or at all, we can help. If you need to GO to the doctor, dentist, hairdresser, barber shop, grocery store, etc., let us know. If you don’t want to GO yourself, we can run your errands for you. We will GO to your home, if you need someone to sit with a loved one, while you get away. We can even be of assistance with kids. Give us a call if they are sick and can’t stay alone or need a ride home from school. Contact us at (913) 469-6211 or (816) 807-0564 to discuss your needs. Johnson County area only.

KIRK’S PAINTING WHOLE HOUSE PAINTING Interior and exterior, wood rot and siding repair and replacement. 25 years experience, licensed and insured, family-owned and -operated.

(913) 927-5240 or nelsport@everestkc.net 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) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Local handyman and lawn care - Water heaters, garbage disposals, toilets, faucets, painting, power washing,doors, storm doors, gutter cleaning, wood rot, mowing, carpet, roofing, etc. Member of Holy Angels Parish. Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

NELSON CREATIONS L.L.C. Home remodeling, design/build, kitchens, baths, all interior and exterior work. Family owned and operated; over 25 years experience. Licensed and insured; commercial and residential. Kirk and Diane Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson County area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401.

Last year was a great year, thank you to all my customers! We do deck, windows, doors, house painting (interior & exterior), wood rot, deck staining and siding. You name it, we can do it. No job too big or small. Just give us a call. Insured.

Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

Lawn/Landscaping - Mowing, mulch, dirt work, sod, tree trimming, landscape rock, gutter cleaning, and power washing. Mention this ad for special pricing. Call (816) 509-0224.

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

CAREGIVING

Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 22 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 4854307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry.

Caregiver, nurse aide - CNA certified. Looking for work in the Kansas City area. I live in Belton, Missouri, and have 35plus years experience in all area of care. Good references. Call Mary at (816) 308-6259.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling.

Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

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, Pat or Gary.

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CNA, Home Health Care Professional - Provides TLC in the comfort of the client’s residence. Budget Friendly. Available 24 hours, or part time. Excellent references. 25 years of Seasoned Experience. Nonsmoker. Call (816) 806-8104.

Retired nurse - Looking for work in home care. Please call (913) 579-5276.

Caregiver, nurse aide - CNA certified. Looking for work in the Kansas City area. I live in Belton, Missouri, and have 35plus years experience in all areas of care. Good references.

Call Mary at (816) 308-6259.

Compassionate caregiver - 45 year-old Catholic woman with 13 years experience. Works days or nights. Flexible. Pay negotiable. Excellent references. Call Kara at (913) 909-6659.

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, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or www.benefits ofhome.com.

FOR SALE For sale - Walk to Aquinas High School. Remodeled 4 BR bedroom home. Spacious yard, great neighborhood.

Offered by Welcome Home Real Estate for $269,000. For more information, please call (913) 314-4243.

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.

For sale - At Resurrection Cemetery, two easements in mausoleum. Contact A. Kelly at (913) 649-9691.

For sale - Burial plot at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa; Ascension, section A, lot 171, space 2. Lawn level marker rights. Opening and closing fees: $1100, liners: $640.

Prices above are retail; make an offer. Call Lucian at (913) 248-5290.

For sale - Resurrection Cemetery lot in the “Charity Garden.” $4000 includes interment fees for two cremations, or one burial and one cremation. Call (913) 2680419.

For Sale - Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, KCK. Two cemetery lots, side by side. Meditation section. $3000, or best offer for both. Send an email to: jnschroeder@cox. net or call (785) 273-3985.

For sale - Burial plot at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka, in prime burial area: Henry addition. Space for one casket or up to three cremations. Valued at $1,150.

Asking $900. Call Rebecca at (785) 249-5482.

For sale - At Gate of Heaven Cemetery, a double cremation niche with companion urn in the mausoleum. It is located in the St. John Corridor, #8 H. Today’s selling price for the double niche and urn is approximately $6,522; offering for $4,500. Call Colleen at (913) 269-6944.

WANTED TO BUY Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, lighters, fountain pens, post card collections, paintings/prints, pottery, sterling, china dinnerware.

Renee Maderak, (913) 631-7179.

St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee 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.

VACATION Ski week - Spring break 2/27 - 3/5/16. Winter Park, Colo.

Inn at Silver Creek in Granby. Fully furnished condo with kitchen. Easily sleeps six. Five-hour drive. $700. Pet OK. Call (913) 649-7596.

Vacation rental - Early Christmas vacation in Mexico, $89/night! 1 BR ocean-front condo. Westin Club Regina Cabo. $89/night - six nights Dec. 12 - 18. Details online at: www.vrbo.com/763173, or call (913) 484-8743.

ROOMMATE WANTED For rent - Room and private bath available near Johnson County Community College. $500 per month. Short term or long term. For more information, call (913) 579-5276.

Want to help someone heal from an abortion?

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR HOLIDAY MART Holy Trinity Early Education Center 9201 Summit St., Lenexa Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

SINGLES CHRISTMAS DANCE Nativity Parish 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood Dec. 5 from 7 - 11 p.m.

Come get your Christmas shopping done early and have an afternoon of fun.

SILVER SAINTS CRAFT FESTIVAL St. Stanislaus Parish (Dekat Hall) 701 S. Main St., Rossville Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

All are welcome. Bring a friend to shop for holiday gifts. A soup luncheon will be available.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR St. Patrick Parish 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There will be over 40 vendors featuring homemade povitica and salsa, jewelry, sock monkeys, candles and much more! Concessions will be available.

RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Nov. 21 - 22 (Check in at 8 a.m. Nov. 21)

The retreat will consist of five talks on St. Thomas, our spiritual guide. There will be Eucharistic adoration both days and Mass at the local parish Saturday at 5 p.m. For more information, email us at: info@christspeace. com or call (913) 773-8255.

ASCENSION HOLIDAY HAVEN Church of the Ascension 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Nov. 20, 7 - 10 p.m.; Nov. 21, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

This event features community vendors, gourmet candy and desserts, handcrafted pottery, women’s fashion and accessories, jewelry, handbags and much more. For more information, call (913) 681-3348 or send an email to: dmaurer@kcascension.org.

FALL CRAFT AND BAKE SALE Mother Teresa of Calcutta Church 2013 N.W. 46th St., Topeka Nov. 20, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Nov. 21, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

There will be a country store with homemade craft and food items, including hand-sewn and knotted items, baked goods, sweets, wood items and more. Cinnamon rolls and a soup lunch will be available for purchase.

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Parish 9405 Mission Rd., Mission Nov. 21 at 8 a.m.

A memorial Mass will be held for deceased loved ones, sponsored by the bereavement ministry. Following Mass, the bereavement ministry group will have its monthly support meeting in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be “Giving Thanks While Grieving.” For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

TURKEY BINGO All Saints Parish 815 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 21 starting at 5 p.m.

Food will be served from 5 - 6 p.m. in the St. Joseph Parish hall. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. A donation of $10 includes one bingo card, a Polish sausage sandwich and a drink. Extra cards are available. The event is sponsored by the Holy Rosary Sodality.

HALF-DAY CENTERING PRAYER Sanctuary of Hope 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 22 from 2 - 5 p.m.

Come “rest awhile with the Lord” and enjoy five 20-minute periods of centering prayer with walking meditation breaks in between.

Books are available for sale. Suggested donation is $10. Space is limited. Check-in 30 minutes before the start time. For more information or to RSVP, send an email to: ContemplativeOutreachKC@gmail.com.

MOSAYC MART St. Ann Parish (parish hall) 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village Nov. 22 from noon - 4 p.m.

Get Christmas shopping done early with the Mothers of St. Ann Young Children’s group and have an afternoon of fun with several local vendors from St Ann Parish. Admission is free.

FALL FESTIVAL Christ the King Parish 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A turkey dinner will be served. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children 4 - 11 years of age.

There will also be bingo, carnival games, a silent auction, a raffle, a holiday store and a sweet shop.

Singles of Nativity is hosting a Christmas dance. Refreshments include appetizers, beer, wine, water and soda. The cost is $20 for guests and $15 for members. Attire is semiformal. For more information, contact Maria Meli at (913) 314-9844 or send an email to: mmelia62@gmail.com. Or visit the group’s website at: son-ministry.org.

ADVENT RETREAT Fort Leavenworth Frontier Chapel 625 Thomas Ave., Fort Leavenworth Dec. 3 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Vince Eimer, director of Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, will present an Advent retreat “Let it be done unto me.” There will be two presentations, breakfast, lunch, Mass and eucharistic adoration. Child care is included. To register, call (910) 922-1880, or send an email to: wosipresident@gmail.com.

THUNDER CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE St. James Academy 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa Dec. 3 from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

Experience one-stop Christmas shopping.

MUSICA SACRA CHRISTMAS CONCERT Rockhurst University, Pedro Arrupe Hall 1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.

Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra begins the Christmas season with works by Haydn and Buxtehude. Tickets are $22 for adults; $12 for students and senior citizens. They will be available at the door or by contacting the ticket office at (816) 235-6222.

LESSONS AND CAROLS Rockhurst University, Pedro Arrupe Hall 1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

The concert will feature Advent and Christmas hymns. Admission is free, but consider bringing a nonperishable food item, a child’s toy or a grooming product for neighborhood families in need. Register your attendance by calling (816) 501-4828.

ADVENT DAY OF REFLECTION Sanctuary of Hope 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Dec. 5 at 7:45 a.m.

The day begins with a continental breakfast.

There will be two presentations, personal prayer time and reconciliation. Spiritual guidance will be available. The day ends with Mass and lunch. The suggested donation is $30. For reservations, email: julie@ sanctuaryofhope.org or call (913) 321-4673.

U.S. CHURCHWOMEN PRAYER SERVICE St. Teresa’s Academy (Windmoor Center) 5600 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

Come join a prayer gathering to remember and renew the Catholic community’s commitment to the witness of the four church women who gave their lives in service to God’s people in El Salvador 35 years ago.

NATIVITY DISPLAY AND CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR Cathedral of St. Peter 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A Nativity display will be in the parish center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The homes tour is from noon to 3 p.m. Maps and tickets for the homes tour will be available at the parish center or can be purchased in advance by contacting Susie George at (913) 371-5819.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE CAROUSEL St. Paul Parish 900 S. Honeysuckle Dr., Olathe Dec. 12 from 9 - 11 a.m.

A wide variety of homemade Christmas cookies, candies and more will be featured.

Handmade craft items, raffles and door prizes add to the fun and excitement.

SAINT CECILIA DAY CONCERT Cathedral of St. Peter 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kansas Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.

The concert will feature the archdiocesan choir of Kansas City in Kansas, Sursum Corda Polyphony and the St. Michael choir singing the “Requiem, Op. 48” of Gabriel Fauré and other sacred music. Free and open to the public.

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Christ the King Parish 3204 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas Dec. 6 from 8 - 11 a.m.

Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m. Breakfast is $5 for adults and $2 for kids under 12. Bring a camera and take a picture with Santa!

KEELER WOMEN’S CENTER VOLUNTEERS TO TEACH ENGLISH 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Dec. 1 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. or Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. - noon

Volunteers attend one of the training sessions listed above. After training, the volunteers spend 90 minutes per week with materials provided. Classes are held at library locations convenient for the teacher and student. Call Keeler Women’s Center at (913) 906-8990 to register and for further information.

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME Nov. 22 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Dn 7: 13-14 Ps 93: 1-2, 5 Rv 1: 5-8 Jn 18: 33b-37 Nov. 23 Clement I, pope, martyr; Columban, abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, priest, martyr Dn 1: 1-6, 8-20 (Ps) Dn 3: 52-56 Lk 21: 1-4 Nov. 24 Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and companions, martyrs Dn 2: 31-45 (Ps) Dn 3: 57-61 Lk 21: 5-11 Nov. 25 Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr Dn 5: 1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 (Ps) Dn 3: 62-67 Lk 21: 12-19 Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day Sir 50: 20-24 Ps 138: 1-5 1 Cor 1: 3-9 Lk 17: 11-19 Nov. 27 Friday Dn 7: 2-14 (Ps) Dn 3: 75-81 Lk 21: 29-33 Nov. 28 Saturday Dn 7: 15-27 (Ps) Dn 3: 82-87 Lk 21: 34-36

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Where have all the years gone?

he date this issue comes out, Nov. 20, marks a milestone birthday for me. I can’t believe that I’m already 30 years old!

OK, would you believe 40? How about 50? All right, all right, this birthday I celebrate the 30th anniversary of my turning 30. Holy moly. Where have the years — and my hair and my svelte figure — gone?

I know I’m getting older because I now find myself paying a lot closer attention to those commercials for Medicare supplement plans.

I also know the years are accumulating since I sound more and more like a breakfast cereal when I get out of bed: snap, crackle, pop.

And it doesn’t help that other people perceive you as older as well. The young people at the parish seem amazed that I have a computer and know how to use it. They are even more astounded that I have an iPhone and even text.

(If I were on my phone now, I’d be typing SMH, “shaking my head.”)

I’m pretty adept, if I must say so, about using abbreviations when I text, like LOL (laugh out loud), ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing), OMG

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MARK MY WORDS

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

LISTEN to this article online at: www.theleaven.org. (oh my goodness), BTW (by the way), IMHO (in my humble opinion) and TTYL (talk to you later).

Apparently, though, now that I’m 60, I’ll have to learn a whole new set of abbreviations when texting fellow “senior citizens.”

Here are a few of the “elder codes”: • ATD (at the doctor) • BFF (best friend fell) • BTW (bring the wheelchair) • BYOT (bring your own teeth) • CBM (covered by Medicare)

• CRS (can’t remember stuff) • FWIW (forgot where I was) • GHA (got heartburn again) • GOML (get off my lawn) • IMHO (is my hearing-aid on?)

• LMDO (laughing my dentures out) • LWO (Lawrence Welk’s on) • OMMR (on my massage recliner) • ROFLACGU (rolling on floor laughing and can’t get up) • SUS (speak up, sonny) • TTYL (talk to you louder) • WIWYA (when I was your age) Seriously, the way I’m approaching this birthday is with a great deal of laughter and a generous helping of gratitude.

Each birthday gives me a chance to reflect. I am so blessed to be surrounded

by wonderful people: co-workers at The Leaven and the parish, friends, parishioners and family.

I find myself grateful for health, the freedom to go from place to place, having a roof over my head and food to eat. It’s said that the older you get, the less things you want (or need) and the more you savor people and experiences. That’s certainly true for me. And even the difficult times or situations are now seen as opportunities to learn, grow and become humbler.

The newspaper obits are a reminder that often people don’t even make it to my age. That’s why each day is to be treated as a gift — something to appreciate and to use well.

On this milestone birthday, can I ask for a gift from you? If you have a few minutes, would you say the following birthday prayer for me?

Because it’s written by Father Ed Hays from the archdiocese, the prayer is also for you. And, maybe when you know of someone’s birthday in your family or circle of friends, or see a notification of a person’s special day on Facebook, how about offering this prayer below for them as well?

(Naturally, put their name in in place of mine!)

“Lord of Life, as we celebrate this traditional feast in honor of when Mark was your gift to his parents and to the world, we ask of you a blessing.

Bless Mark and each of us with wisdom, the wisdom that you shared with your clever son Pablo Picasso, artist and lover of life, who said: ‘It takes a long, long time for one to become young.’

Make us younger on each birthday. Awaken within us the child who is so often asleep with shame. Open our eyes to wonder and awe; delight our hearts with amazement and playfulness.

May candles burn bright on this feast, as signs of the fire of life that burns today, on this birthday, and on every day — for all days and all eternity in the heart of Mark and in each of our hearts.

Lord of birthdays and festivals, dance on our roof and join us with your divine mirth. So be it! Amen!” (Found in “Prayers for the Domestic Church.”)

I can’t resist one last thought from the late comedian Bob Hope: “You know you’re getting older when the candles cost more than the cake.”

ROFLACGU!

Our true ‘one and future king’ is Christ

he novel “The Once and Future King,”

by T.H. White, recounts the story of King Arthur, who was once king of England.

At the same time, the book expresses the hope that he would wake from his deep slumber on the isle of Avalon, to reign once again over England. He is their future king.

In a sense, we take a similar approach to Jesus. As we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King this Sunday, we remember his life among us in the past.

At the same time, we look forward to his return in glory as our king.

Sunday’s first reading, Dn 7:13-14, points

POPE FRANCIS

IN THE BEGINNING

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

toward the future. In it, a mysterious figure plays a central role: “one like a Son of man

If God and his word are to help people, Christians have to be in touch with what is really happening in people’s lives, Pope Francis said during an afternoon Mass. God became human to live among people, to hear their problems, “not to indulge them, but to be able to communicate with them,” he said in his homily Nov. 10 in Florence, Italy.

coming, on the clouds of heaven.” He appears in the account of a vision, a portion of which we hear as our reading. It is important to realize that the visions extend far beyond the limited scope of our reading. To understand this mysterious figure more clearly, we place him in the broader context of those visions.

The “one like a Son of man” contrasts with the other figures previously encountered in the visions not covered in our reading: a lion with eagle’s wings, a bear with tusks, a winged leopard, a terrifying horned monster.

On one hand, the “one like a Son of man” clearly qualifies as a heavenly personage.

His arrival on the clouds of heaven definitely identifies him as such.

On the other hand, there is something of the human about him.

He stands out from the bizarre animals previously encountered in the vision.

The phrase “Son of man” is roughly equivalent to “human being.”

At the same time, notice the qualifying word

Christians must have “healthy contact with reality, with what people are going through, with their tears and joys — it is the only way to be able to help, form and communicate with them,” the pope said. “Without knowing what people think, the disciple is isolated and starts to judge people according to his own thoughts and beliefs,” the pope said at the end of a full day visiting workers and young people in an industrial town, as well

“like” in the phrase “one like a Son of man.” This is no ordinary human being, but someone much more.

As Christians, we profess our faith in Jesus Christ as true God and true man. He was a human being, born of his mother Mary at Bethlehem. At the same time, he was also the Son of God. With this double identity as human and divine, Jesus corresponds nicely to the “one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven,” described in the vision in Daniel.

Jesus is no ordinary human being, but someone much more. It is as such that we acclaim him as our once and future king.

as the sick, the homeless and church leaders from all over Italy attending a national congress in Florence.

The only way to speak to people’s hearts and help them listen to God is by acknowledging their daily ups and downs, their jobs, families, health issues and problems with commuting, with school and health care, he said.

— CNS

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

S

CYO’s job is not to create athletes, but saints

port can be a powerful thing.

This is not lost in Kansas City, where an estimated 800,000 people gathered in downtown recently to celebrate the world champion Royals.

The team’s run united people like few things have in our hometown: a baseball team becoming a unique testament to the ability of sport to encourage hope, foster community and create joy for so many.

That unique power of sport drives our approach in CYO. While it’s great to “take the crown” as those Royals did, we’re focused on leading families to the “imperish-

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able” crown to which St. Paul refers (1 Cor 9:25).

To do so, we must remember that Christ belongs at the center of our sports culture. It is he who gives us sport as a means by which to grow in virtue and skill.

The joy that we experience while participating, cheering on our children or celebrating a local team is all a gift from our creator.

It’s also a small taste of what’s to come. For as much fun as this is, as Christians we believe that we have an even greater joy awaiting us in eternal life.

“Leading Youth to Christ through Sport” is our motto in CYO. It’s a

THE SPORTS APOLOGIST

PETER J. PISCITELLO Peter J. Piscitello is the executive director of the archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization. He can be reached at: pete@cyojwa.org.

philosophy that reflects our belief in the power of

sport, while understanding that sport is not an end, but rather a means by which we can come to know God, grow in virtue and experience the joys of competition.

It points toward an environment where championships are well

and good, but the ultimate goal is something even greater.

I like to say that our job is not to create athletes, but saints.

We certainly hope that kids grow in athletic skill along the way — achieving goals, learning teamwork and developing sportsmanship. We just desire they achieve even more.

It is our prayer that God may use the staff and volunteers who make youth sports possible to provide kids an experience that leads them to God, that sanctifies sport in such a way that it becomes not just an end, but a powerful medium on the path to

holiness.

Kansas City’s celebration of the Royals shed light on so many things that are great about sports. I pray that, as we return our focus to our children and teams in the seasons ahead, we may not lose sight of the joy that sport can provide or the power it can have in our community.

May we use these blessings to refocus our goal on “Leading Youth to Christ through Sport” and developing saints who also happen to be skilled athletes.

May we revel in competition, but always remember that an even greater prize awaits us.

Prayer has to be at the heart of bringing loved ones back

was in the grocery store a couple weeks ago early in the morning, around seven.

I’m always the friendly type, so as people approached I would say, “Good morning.” It was after about the tenth person that I finally got a response.

Now for me, this was an evangelization moment. How do we reach those who constantly walk with their head down, their face in an iPhone and have an attitude of “I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say”? Well, the truth is, you can’t reach them — at least not by yourself.

I was listening to a

homily by Father John Hollowell about bringing family back into the Catholic Church. He was preaching on the reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah where the author says, “Behold, I will bring them back. . . . I will gather them from the ends of the world. . . .

They shall return as an immense throng. . . . I will lead them to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble.”

While this was intended for the Jewish exiles, the desire of Christ is to bring everyone back under the same roof.

I know we all have friends, family members or even our own children

DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

RICK CHEEK Rick Cheek is the associate consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

who, for whatever reason, have quit practicing their faith or have become

lackadaisical in practicing their faith. Maybe what we’ve said or done in the past to engage them hasn’t worked for one reason or another.

Prayer has to be at the heart of bringing them home. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has asked us to go out and

repropose the Catholic Church to those who have fallen away, but in a way that is inviting and engaging them to live a life filled with much beauty and grace.

Let them know that, as a parent, I wasn’t perfect, but whatever strength I had as a parent came from my Catholic faith.

I say this often to adults, parents and teens: “The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.” Without it, we have nothing — we do not have retreats, rallies, conferences or camps to attend.

We as parents, youth ministers, directors of religious education and teachers should always

be motivated by the Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus in the Catholic Church. Living our faith by example will go a long way in bringing our friends and family home.

St. Monica prayed for years that her son would come back to the fullness of the faith.

After 17 persistent years, Augustine’s conversion came at last.

One thing we have to remember is to persevere in prayer, just like St. Monica did, and remember what Jeremiah the prophet said, “Behold, I will bring them back. . . . I will gather them from the ends of the world. . . .

They shall return as an immense throng.”

Let’s rid our parishes of parochialism and resume the journey

A

s Englishspeaking Catholics, we have much to be embarrassed about, but the most scandalous is perhaps our language’s use of the word “parochial.”

Parochial, the adjective that describes a parish, also means: narrow-minded in scope or view, only concerned with the interest of one’s small group.

However unfair it may be to us as modern Catholics, we must own up to the fact that, in the past, the way we have lived parish life has given witness to the world that we only care about ourselves. So much so, that parish has

become a synonym for small-minded, exclusive self-interest.

This was never the vision of our Lord Jesus Christ. He instituted the church to be a collection of groups that made up one body and, through this body, made visible the love God has for the world through concrete works of mercy.

Christ constantly sends forth the Holy Spirit to renew his church. It seems this breath is blowing forcefully in the direction of parish collaboration because our pope is calling the church to cultivate a culture of encounter, and our archbishop is calling parishes to not be so — for lack of a better word — paro-

DO UNTO OTHERS

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

chial.

It is starting with the jubilee Year of Mercy in December that calls for

all Catholics to personally learn, look and live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

It will continue with the call for parishes to discern ways that they can partner with other parishes locally to better carry out the mission of the church. As part of our shared vision, our

goal is the following: “By Easter Sunday 2016, each parish (or parish cluster) will commit to new opportunities, or recommit to existing opportunities, for partnering with other parishes or organizations in order to better encounter Christ in one another.”

It is an ambitious moon-launch kind of goal. However, our neighbors desperately need someone to show them Christ’s way to happiness, and we can’t do that by minding our own business anymore.

Jesus observed that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Mk 3:24). Collaboration and encounter are the remedy to parochialism.

So, start praying and start talking to your pastor about ways your parish can work with other local parishes.

Originally, the word parish came from the Greek “paroikia,” which meant a community of sojourners. The idea was that this life is a journey on our way to be with God. The first parishes were joyful, welcoming communities on a mission.

Let’s return the word “parish” to that meaning so that, when the world looks at our parishes, they marvel like the ancients, who according to Tertullian would exclaim, “See how they love one another!”

NOVEMBER 20, 2015 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

ON THE JOB Bishop Sullivan Center helps the unemployed help themselves

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

Bishop Sullivan Center is funded through private donations and is always in need of financial support.

Volunteers are also welcome — especially those who could help in the computer resource lab where clients fill out their computer job applications.

If you are interested, visit the website at: www.bishopsullivan.org.

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Since 1995, Bishop Sullivan Center has been at war — fighting poverty and homelessness by helping the poor find em-

ployment.

And it’s winning.

Last year alone, more than 400 people overcame barriers to employment and found work though the center’s two locations in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Just about everybody who’s interested [has found work],” said Kathleen Kennedy, manager of Employment Services and Emergency Assistance. “If they hang in there, they’re going to get work.”

Simply put, it is a wildly successful program.

And now, Bishop Sullivan has come to Kansas.

“After about their third or fourth [application], it starts to click,” he said, “and they say, ‘Hey, I can do this myself!’

“That gives them confidence. And that really is a big thing when you’re going out into the work force — you’ve got to have that confidence.”

Many Bishop Sullivan clients are in broken situations and have little support from family or friends — the center becomes their family.

“They don’t have anybody who offers those little supports — somebody to cheer you on, encourage you,” said Diaz. “So, we’re here to do that for them, too.”

Answering a need The agency started out at the administrative office in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and, in 2009, added a second Missouri location at St. James Church.

Last year, administrators started looking for a Kansas location.

“Because we knew that Kansas City, Kansas, was economically oppressed,” said Kennedy, “we already knew the need was there.

“In our reaching out in the community and trying to find some space, Catholic Charities quickly said, ‘Hey!’” In January of this year, Bishop Sullivan Center opened an office in space provided by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas at its 2200 Central location.

The center is ready to help any lowincome individuals 18 years old or older with barriers to finding employment.

“We’re privately funded,” said Kennedy. “Our only criterion is we focus on people who are out of work, or unable to get enough hours — so, underemployed.”

The center has served clients as old as 80, but the average age is 45.

“Typically, we’re seeing people at entry level,” said Kennedy. “Their work history is pretty shot — maybe they’re just coming out of prison, with a chopped-up work history.”

Many of the clients are homeless; most are struggling with barriers that range from a lack of identification, to transportation issues, to illiteracy.

“One thing I love about our program is the diversity of the clients we serve,” said Kennedy.

Though Kennedy uses the term “serve” for what she does, in reality, clients are taught to serve themselves.

“We don’t do anything for people,” said Kennedy. “We work in partnership with them, so they can do things for themselves.”

Getting results Clients accepted into the program are given an orientation Kennedy calls “Job Search 101.” It consists of six modules of topics related to getting and keeping a job.

Each client is assigned an individual counselor who works with them oneon-one until they get hired.

Living the faith

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

In its new Kansas City, Kansas, location provided by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Bishop Sullivan Center is helping those struggling to find employment. As a first step toward that goal, Kathleen Kennedy, manager of Employment Services and Emergency Assistance, schedules new clients for job skills orientation.

“We do a lot of job counseling,” said Kennedy. “We see people who struggle with jobs that didn’t work out.

“We need to examine why and help them think smarter, behave differently.”

The center also does what it can to remove barriers that have prevented clients from finding and keeping a job.

“If I’m broke and I’m looking for work,” explained Kennedy, “I’m going to need basics — and it runs the gamut.

“We try to hit the ground running with each person. We help with occupational supplies. We do transportation help.

“We help with rent, utilities — anything that’s going to impact the process.”

Next on the agenda is getting a resume completed and then introducing clients to the center’s computer resource lab where the job search begins in earnest.

Because the average age of clients is 45, and most can’t afford access to a computer, they’ve never had an opportunity to develop computer skills.

So, the computer resource lab can be the most challenging barrier of all.

“It petrifies them,” said Kennedy.

“They’re ready to quit.

“They say, ‘I can’t do this.’”

That’s when computer trainer Rick Diaz steps in.

Building confidence A former systems analyst in corporate America, Diaz has been with Bishop Sullivan Center for six years.

He knows how difficult it is for those without computer skills to find employment.

“Basically, with today’s work environment,” he said, “you’ve got to have some basic computer skills.”

Diaz has found that 60 percent of Bishop Sullivan Center clients don’t have the appropriate skills to complete an application online.

“I’m here to assist them with that,” he said, “anytime they need help.”

People who enter the program with little or no computer skills are immediately scheduled for computer training.

“It’s real basic — how to use the keyboard, how to put spaces between words — simple skills a lot of people take for granted,” said Diaz.

Diaz’s main focus is always to assist the client, patiently allowing them to complete the work themselves.

The most rewarding part of his job is when that patience pays off.

Both Kennedy and Diaz find the work they do through Bishop Sullivan Center allows them to fully live their Catholic faith.

“I’m a product of 16 years of Catholic education,” said Kennedy. “And this is what I believe we’re called to do in this life — living the beatitudes and the corporal works of mercy.

“I feel guilty for getting paid to do what I’m called to do,” she said. “What a gift!”

Diaz, a member of St. James Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, understands that feeling.

In 1990, he was part of New Wine — a three-year formation program for Catholic laity that provides a basic foundation of theology and pastoral skills to prepare participants for ecclesial ministry.

“At the end of the program, they posed a challenge for us,” he said.

“They told us, ‘So now [that] you know all these things about your faith, what are you going to do with it?’”

For years, Diaz answered that challenge by becoming involved with lay ministry in his church.

“I just continued my work life,” he said. “And I volunteered at a few things. I taught Sunday school and was involved with RCIA.” But when he began working for Bishop Sullivan Center, he realized he’d found a place to truly answer the challenge of New Wine.

“I realized when you’re working with people in real-life situations, not only can you share your faith but you learn,” he said.

“I’ve learned so much from my clients in seeing how they live their faith,” he added. “And I’ve learned more about myself in dealing with real-life struggles.

“It wasn’t until this point in my life that I’ve found now I’m actually living my faith.

“And when you actually live your faith, it comes alive.”