11-22-13 Vol. 35 No. 16

theleaven.com | vol. 35, no. 16 | November 22, 2013

Remembering JFK John Kennedy was a source of pride for Catholics — and then suddenly, he was gone

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or many members of Generation X and Generation Y, this Nov. 22 is just another date on the calendar. It’s one day closer to Thanksgiving, and nothing more.

But to members of another generation — call it “Generation K,” the Kennedy Generation — the date is fraught with meaning.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy at 12:30 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 22, 1963, at Dealey Plaza in Dallas.

One moment the young and popular president was smiling and waving at the welcoming crowd from his roofless limousine. The next, he was slumped over, bloodied, held by his wife Jackie while the car raced to Parkland Memorial Hospital.

On television, Walter Cronkite reported on CBS at 12:40 p.m. of the assassination attempt. Cronkite

Story by Joe Bollig

confirmed the president’s death at 2:38 p.m.

“I was stationed out at St. Joseph of the Valley [Parish] and had just come home from teaching religion at Immaculata High School [in Leavenworth],” said Father George Bertels, now retired and living in Leavenworth.

“I was sitting there eating a bite, and I heard it on the radio,” he continued. “The first thing that came to mind was, ‘This has never happened to the United States. It’s happened all around the world, but not the United States.’ There was almost unbelief on my part. It was really a shock, as far as I was concerned.”

Like many Catholic Americans, Father Bertels was a Kennedy fan and very proud of the first Catholic president of the United States.

“I was studying in Washington, D.C., w h i l e [John F. Kennedy] was in the U.S. Senate, and he was a n idol for us young priests,” said Father Bertels. “He was an inspiration.”

Msgr. Michael Mullen also taught religion at Immaculata High School. He remembered the principal, Sister Dolorine Eakes, SCL, calling a special assembly for all students to pray for the president.

“There was total shock,” said Msgr. Mullen. “One thing you have to remember is that, in 1963, we were in a Cold War tussle with the Soviet Union over the Cuban missile

situation. Fidel Castro came to power [in Cuba] in 1959. We were very concerned that he had an affiliation with the Soviets.”

A large number of students belonged to military families at nearby Fort Leavenworth, with its Command and General Staff School, so the school was always aware of the military.

“It was sad,” said Msgr. Mullen.

“I liked him as a president. He was popular. He was a good orator when he spoke.”

Msgr. Charles McGlinn, pastor of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, was studying at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver in November 1963.

“We were in a very boring class — Latin, I think,” recalled Msgr.

McGlinn. “Someone came into the class and announced it. It was riveting. For the rest of the day, all of us were in the rec hall — the only building on campus where we could watch TV. Classes were canceled and we watched.”

Assassinations in those days were something that happened to minor figures in obscure Third World nations, not the United States. It seemed surreal.

“It was a shock,” said Msgr.

McGlinn.

“The whole nation was in shock.

There was real mourning, palpable grieving. We experienced it at the seminary. My family [at home] experienced it. It was a really devastating kind of thing.” >> See “Kennedy” on page 16

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

Life will be victorious

Archbishop invites input for family life report to Vatican

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ecently, Pope Francis has announced that he is convening an extraordinary Synod of Bishops who will meet Oct. 5-19, 2014. The theme of the synod is: Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.

For those of you who are as old as I am, you will remember the Second Vatican Council. An ecumenical council is a gathering of all the Catholic bishops of the world convened by the pope to advise the Holy Father on matters pertaining to the governance and pastoral mission of the church. As you can well imagine, the logistics alone for such a gathering are very complicated. For this reason, such councils are extremely rare.

Synods are also convened by the Holy Father, but they are a much smaller gathering of bishops. Usually, synods are composed of representatives chosen by national bishops’ conferences, as well as bishops chosen by the Holy Father because of their special knowledge, wisdom and expertise. For most of the synods, the United States, because of its size, is asked to send five representatives. Extraordinary synods, such as the one being convened for next October, are usually smaller with just the presidents of the bishops’ conferences representing the church in their part of the world.

Before a synod, every

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann bishop in the world is given the opportunity to make suggestions about the framework and the agenda of the synod. Bishops receive a questionnaire from the Council for the Synod of Bishops asking us to respond to specific questions that will help shape the working document that will be the framework for deliberations at the synod.

Recently, I received the questionnaire for next October’s extraordinary synod, which I have been asked to complete by the end of the year and forward to the staff at the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which will have the task of collating all of the responses by the bishops of the United States and forwarding a summary to Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, the general secretary for the Synod of Bishops.

Bishops are asked to consult as widely as possible within the time frame allotted, to assist us in the formulation of our responses to the questionnaire.

There has been a certain amount of confusion about the process. Some bishops have conducted online surveys inviting everyone to respond to the specific questions on the questionnaire. Some have interpreted this to mean that the Holy Father wants to conduct a plebiscite on matters of doctrine regarding marriage and family life.

In this Leaven and on our

website, you will find the entire questionnaire. You will see that the questions are not designed for a poll. They are actually essay questions that each bishop is obliged to answer after having consulted as broadly as possible with the clergy, religious and laity of his diocese. We all are part of families. Many of you are living the vocation of Christian marriage, which is a call to heroic love and you know firsthand the joys and challenges of parenthood.

I invite every person in the archdiocese to read carefully the full questionnaire (see page 3) and to share with me your responses to any or all of the questions. I also want to propose some questions based on those in the questionnaire. Your responses to these questions will be helpful to me as I write my own response to the questionnaire.

AB1) What are the cultural obstacles today that make it difficult for married couples to embrace and live their vows that commit them to a love that is faithful, fruitful, and permanent?

AB2) What did you find helpful in the church’s marriage preparation program?

How could the church’s marriage preparation process be improved and made more helpful?

AB3) How and when do you pray as a family? What have you found most helpful in your efforts to pray as a family? What are the most difficult obstacles to family prayer?

AB4) What has your parish or the archdiocese provided that has been most helpful in strengthening your marriage? What could the church provide to support and strengthen marriages?

AB5) Why do so many couples choose to cohabitate (live together) rather

than marry? Why do fewer couples choose to marry in the church?

AB6) Jesus himself taught the permanence of marriage and rejected divorce and remarriage. How can the church remain faithful to Our Lord’s teaching and be compassionate toward those who are divorced and remarried?

AB7) What has been your own experience of the annulment process? What has been the experience of family or friends who have sought an annulment of their marriage? How could the annulment process be improved? How do you understand the difference between divorce and annulment?

AB8) Do you understand why the church opposes the recognition by the state of so-called same-sex marriage? How could the church minister more effectively to individuals experiencing same-sex attractions?

AB9) What could the church do to present more effectively her teaching on the immorality of contraception vs. openness to children and the moral use of natural family planning? What makes the church’s teaching regarding contraception so difficult for couples to accept? How can the church better foster a greater generosity in couples regarding openness to life?

Thanks for pondering and praying over these questions. Please send your responses and suggestions to: Rose Hammes, Communications & Planning, Catholic Church Offices, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109 or email them to: rhammes@archkckc.org.

Please send your responses and suggestions by Dec. 9.

In addition to the responses that I receive from

calendar archbishop

Naumann Nov. 23 Viviano Benefit Variety Show — Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo. Nov. 24 Pastoral visit to St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic Community Nov. 25 Archbishop’s Call to Share recording Nov. 26 Bishop Miege High School Mass Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas annual meeting Nov. 27 Chancery staff Mass and breakfast Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Day

archbishop

keleher Nov. 24 Mass — Curé of Ars, Leawood

individuals, I will be consulting with the pastoral council of the archdiocese (composed of lay representatives from each of the regions of the archdiocese), the priests’ council, the marriage and family life staff, and others who assist with our ministry to couples and families. All of this input will assist me in formulating input for the synod. Thanks for your prayers and suggestions. Come Holy Spirit!

Christmas film, message of faith fill gap left by Hollywood

By David DiCerto Catholic News Service

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EW YORK (CNS) — Rick Santorum has turned his sights from the Beltway to the big screen.

Santorum, the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 presidential candidate, recently described the current state of movies as “a very, very dark world.” But instead of simply complaining, he wants to do something about it and shed some light into that darkness.

This past June, Santorum became CEO of the Dallas faith-based film production company EchoLight Studios.

Among the studio’s current projects is “The Christmas Candle,” expected to open in 400 to 500 theaters across the country Nov. 22.

The Victorian era-set movie, based on the novel by best-selling Christian author Max Lucado, tells the family-friend-

“the first time in a long time that there ly story of a small English town, where, was a film that brings together Catholics, legend holds, an angel visits every 25 Lutherans, Anglicans and the evangelical years and touches a single candle that tradition as the body of Christ togethgrants whoever lights it a miracle on er at Christmas,” he told CatholicPhilly.

Christmas Eve. Hoping to give faith audiences an earcom, the news website of the Philadelly Christmas present, EchoLight secured phia Archdiocese. a name-brand cast that includes Hans This undeniable effect of the multiMatheson (“Clash of the Titans”); Saplex on Main Street America made the mantha Barks (“Les opportunity to join Miserables”); and, EchoLight imposmaking her acting sible to pass up for A trailer for “The Christmas debut, “America’s Santorum, himself a Candle” is found online at: www.

Got Talent” sensaCatholic, who sees it thechristmascandlemovie.com. tion Susan Boyle. as a chance to make a While that may be positive difference in music to believers’ ears, Santorum feels elevating the cinema landscape. the period drama has broad appeal.

“I recognize that popular culture has “It’s a beautiful movie,” Santorum told an impact on the direction of the country,” he told CNS. Catholic News Service. “It’s the ultimate “The storytellers or song writers of Christmas message, that is: God is with us.”

In another interview, he called it “a society have much more impact than beautiful story” about “faith in a season politicians,” Santorum continued. “Movwhen that is what the focus is.” This is ies are the things that stick with us.”

Watch the trailer

His long-term vision is to help foster a robust “Christian cinema,” pointing to the success of the Christian music industry, which up until a decade ago had been a niche market, but now has mass crossover appeal.

The challenge is to consistently create content that faith audiences will respond to, and that means keeping standards high. Santorum understands that when it comes to watching movies, Christians are just as discerning as the next guy.

“They watch the same movies that everyone else does,” he said. To that point, he is confident that EchoLight Studios is up to the challenge.

“The quality will be there,” he assured, along with spiritually uplifting messages. “[Faith] is such an integral part of human nature and our human story that’s, generally speaking, not dealt with effectively by contemporary artists,” he added.

second front page 3

november 22, 2013 | theleaven.com

Catholics invited to share their input on Vatican survey on the family

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ishops from around the world will meet at the Vatican for an extraordinary Synod of Bishops from Oct. 5-19, 2014. Pope Francis has called this meeting to discuss the “pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization.”

In preparation for this, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann is inviting every Catholic in the archdiocese to complete two questionnaires. He will use the information drawn from those questionnaires in his report to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which will include his input in the national report that will be submitted to the synod’s general secretary.

The first questionnaire, below, is the original one from the synod planners; the second appears on page 2 as part of the archbishop’s column, and includes some additional questions from him.

There are two ways to respond to the questions. You can either mail or email your responses to Rose Hammes, Communications & Planning, Catholic Church Offices, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or to: rhammes@archkckc.org. Or you can fill out the questionnaire online at: www.archkck.org/vaticansurvey.

All responses will be held confidential. Online responses will be anonymous.

The following series of questions allows the particular churches to participate actively in the preparation of the extraordinary Synod, whose purpose is to proclaim the Gospel in the context of the pastoral challenges facing the family today.

1.

The Diffusion of the Teachings on the Family in Sacred Scripture and the Church’s Magisterium a) Describe how the Catholic Church’s teachings on the value of the family contained in the Bible, “Gaudium et Spes,” “Familiaris Consortio” and other documents of the post-conciliar Magisterium is understood by people today? What formation is given to our people on the Church’s teaching on family life? b) In those cases where the Church’s teaching is known, is it accepted fully or are there difficulties in putting it into practice? If so, what are they? c) How widespread is the Church’s teaching in pastoral programs at the national, diocesan and parish levels?

What catechesis is done on the family? d) To what extent — and what aspects in particular — is this teaching actually known, accepted, rejected and/or criticized in areas outside the Church? What are the cultural factors which hinder the full reception of the Church’s teaching on the family?

2.

Marriage according to the Natural Law a) What place does the idea of the natural law have in the cultural areas

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

of society: in institutions, education, academic circles and among the people at large? What anthropological ideas underlie the discussion on the natural basis of the family? b) Is the idea of the natural law in the union between a man and a woman commonly accepted as such by the baptized in general? c) How is the theory and practice of natural law in the union between man and woman challenged in light of the formation of a family? How is it proposed and developed in civil and Church institutions? d) In cases where non-practicing Catholics or declared non-believers request the celebration of marriage, describe how this pastoral challenge is dealt with.

3. The Pastoral Care of the Family in Evangelization

a) What experiences have emerged in recent decades regarding marriage preparation? What efforts are there to stimulate the task of evangelization of the couple and of the family? How can an awareness of the family as the “domestic Church” be promoted? b) How successful have you been in proposing a manner of praying within the family which can withstand life’s complexities and today’s culture? c) In the current generational crisis, how have Christian families been able to fulfill their vocation of transmitting the faith? d) In what way have the local Churches and movements on family spirituality been able to create ways of acting which are exemplary?

e) What specific contribution can couples and families make to spreading a credible and holistic idea of the couple and the Christian family today? f) What pastoral care has the Church provided in supporting couples in formation and couples in crisis situations?

4.

Pastoral Care in Certain Difficult Marital Situations a) Is cohabitation ad experimentum a pastoral reality in your particular Church? Can you approximate a percentage? b) Do unions which are not recognized either religiously or civilly exist? Are reliable statistics available? c) Are separated couples and those divorced and remarried a pastoral reality in your particular Church? Can you approximate a percentage? How do you deal with this situation in appropriate pastoral programs? d) In all the above cases, how do the baptized live in this irregular situation? Are aware of it? Are they simply indifferent? Do they feel marginalized or suffer from the impossibility of receiving the sacraments? e) What questions do divorced and remarried people pose to the Church concerning the Sacraments of the Eucharist and of Reconciliation? Among those persons who find themselves in these situations, how many ask for these sacraments? f) Could a simplification of canonical practice in recognizing a declaration of nullity of the marriage bond provide a positive contribution to solving the problems of the persons involved? If yes, what form would it take? g) Does a ministry exist to attend to these cases? Describe this pastoral ministry. Do such programs exist on the national and diocesan levels? How is God’s mercy proclaimed to separated couples and those divorced and remarried and how does the Church put into practice her support for them in their journey of faith?

5.

On Unions of Persons of the Same Sex a) Is there a law in your country recognizing civil unions for people of the same sex and equating it in some way to marriage? b) What is the attitude of the local and particular Churches towards both the State as the promoter of civil unions between persons of the same sex and the people involved in this type of union? c) What pastoral attention can be given to people who have chosen to live in these types of union? d) In the case of unions of persons of the same sex who have adopted children, what can be done pastorally in light of transmitting the faith?

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

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Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

6.

The Education of Children in Irregular Marriages a) What is the estimated proportion of children and adolescents in these cases, as regards children who are born and raised in regularly constituted families? b) How do parents in these situations approach the Church? What do they ask? Do they request the sacraments only or do they also want catechesis and the general teaching of religion? c) How do the particular Churches attempt to meet the needs of the parents of these children to provide them with a Christian education? d) What is the sacramental practice in these cases: preparation, administration of the sacrament and the accompaniment?

7.

The Openness of the Married Couple to Life a) What knowledge do Christians have today of the teachings of “Humanae Vitae” on responsible parenthood? Are they aware of how morally to evaluate the different methods of family planning? Could any insights be suggested in this regard pastorally? b) Is this moral teaching accepted?

What aspects pose the most difficulties in a large majority of couple’s accepting this teaching? c) What natural methods are promoted by the particular Churches to help spouses put into practice the teachings of “Humanae Vitae”? d) What is your experience on this subject in the practice of the Sacrament of Penance and participation at the Eucharist? e) What differences are seen in this regard between the Church’s teaching and civic education? f) How can a more open attitude towards having children be fostered?

How can an increase in births be promoted?

8.

The Relationship Between the Family and the Person a) Jesus Christ reveals the mystery and vocation of the human person.

How can the family be a privileged place for this to happen? b) What critical situations in the family today can obstruct a person’s encounter with Christ? c) To what extent do the many crises of faith which people can experience affect family life?

9.

Other Challenges and Proposals What other challenges or proposals related to the topics in the above questions do you consider urgent and useful to treat?

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

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4 local news

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

LOCAL NEWS 5

november 22, 2013 | theleaven.com

Economic recovery not fast enough to help all

SNAP cuts impact food banks

Churches won’t be able to make up the difference, says U.S. bishops’ policy adviser

>> Continued from page 4

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill@theleaven.com

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VERLAND PARK — The holidays are always a busy time for the food pantries of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. But this year, the traffic volume increased before the holiday season even began.

“Last month, in Johnson County alone, we served close to 6,000 individuals,” said program operations director Kim Brabits. “We saw a dramatic rise in the number of individuals coming in for food.

“And my guess is they knew their food stamps were going to be cut in November, and so they were preparing for those cuts.”

They were right.

A reduction in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) took effect this month when a temporary boost to the program, part of the 2009 Recovery Act, came to an end.

More than 300,000 people in Kansas were impacted by the reduction, most of them children, the elderly and the disabled.

On average, families now have less than $1.40 to spend per person, per meal. It’s difficult to stretch that amount through a whole month, so more participants are turning to food banks for assistance.

Typically, they’re families with children.

“Both parents are working lowerpaying jobs,” said Brabits. “They’re the working poor, making just enough to scrape by, but not enough to save.”

Recipients are allowed only one visit to the food pantry a month — and they’re very limited on how many provisions they can get because supplies are so low.

As food pantries across the nation struggle to keep up with the demand, members of Congress negotiating the farm bill, which includes SNAP, are trying to decide how much more they can cut the program.

The Senate has passed a version of the Farm Bill that cut an average of $400 million a year from SNAP — $4 billion over a decade. The House wants to cut 10 times that amount.

A tractor plows a field Oct. 4 on a farm in St. Leo, Kan. Catholic leaders urged members of a Senate and House conference committee that began working on a compromise farm bill Nov. 6 to negotiate a measure “that reflects a commitment to the common good” and puts “poor and hungry people first.”

CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn

CNS photo /Bob Roller

Denise Green displays her “Independence Card,” which is issued by the state of Maryland and holds federal SNAP benefits, at her home in Silver Spring, Md., June 19. She purchases her food with help of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Green worries that she and others will be affected by House members’ decision to pass a farm bill without funding for nutrition programs.

What is SNAP?

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Julie Clark (left) visited the Catholic Charities food pantry in Kansas City, Kan., for the first time this month to supplement groceries for her family of five, including three children. Holy Angels, Basehor, parishioner Kathy Thomas helped Clark fill her basket.

Leaven photo by Jill Ragar Esfeld

Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park, parishioner Jane Croskey (right) volunteers at the Catholic Charities food pantry in Kansas City, Kan. “The reduction that happened on Nov. 1 was a reduction in the amount families get on their monthly allowance,” said Brabits. “With either the House bill or Senate bill, we’ll actually see people not being able to receive food stamps.”

If the proposed cuts happen, food banks will be hit even harder.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is very clear about how it stands on the issue. The bishops have urged Congress not to accept pro-

posed cuts, stating that the Catechism of the Catholic Church says it is the proper role of government to “make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life.”

Their plea echoes Pope Francis’ message for World Food Day, in which he said, “It is a scandal that there is still hunger and malnutrition in the world,” and called for “a just and lasting solution.”

Anthony Granado, policy adviser for the USCCB Office of Domestic So-

cial Development, explained that the bishops understand the importance of national fiscal responsibility. But they also believe the federal budget “should not be balanced on the backs of poor and hungry people.”

SNAP accounts for less than two percent of the federal budget — $81 billion of a total $3.5 trillion in spending.

“We advocate there are areas where there are savings that don’t touch programs that help poor and vulnerable people,” said Granado. “There are other areas in the Farm Bill — other areas in the federal budget — where you can find the savings.”

One of the refrains Granado often hears is that charitable organizations — particularly churches — can care for the poor that government cuts leave behind.

“That’s mathematically impossible,” he said. “Churches and the charities participate in the same economy as everybody else.

“When there’s a downturn in that economy, there’s a downturn in giving and an increase in need.”

Since the recession began, food bank demand has increased nearly 50 percent, while 34 percent of Americans admit they’ve cut back on donations.

“Basically for every $96 the federal government spends on nutrition programs annually,” said Granado, “the >> See “Economic” on page 5

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which many know as food stamps, is a program funded by the federal government and administered by the Department of Agriculture.

SNAP is designed to give people assistance in purchasing food when their income falls beneath a certain level.

Benefits are distributed through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that has restrictions on items it can be used to purchase. For instance, beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco are strictly prohibited, as well as any nonfood items or prepared hot foods.

During the recent recession, the number of people receiving SNAP benefits increased from about 26 million to 47 million.

Currently, the program serves around one in seven Americans.

As part of the stimulus bill in 2009, Congress approved an increase of 13.6 percent per month in SNAP benefits for all recipients.

This increase was intended to be temporary and, as of Nov. 1, it came to an end resulting in SNAP benefits decreasing by 5.4 percent (the portion of the 13.6 percent increase that was not absorbed by annual cost of living increases).

This means a family of four saw monthly benefits drop from $668 to $632, or a decrease of $36.

SNAP benefits are authorized in the Farm Bill, an omnibus legislation also covering crop subsidies, agriculture research, conservation, farm loans and other programs.

The Farm Bill is renewed about every five years.

Currently, Congress is negotiating a new Farm Bill. Both the House and the Senate want to cut SNAP benefits, but differ greatly on the amount of reductions.

The Catholic Church advises against benefit cuts until the economy is recovered and fair, family-wage jobs are available.

Last month, the bishops wrote: “The Catholic bishops of the United States stand ready to work with leaders of both parties for a budget that reduces future unsustainable deficits, protects poor and vulnerable people, advances

the common good, and promotes human life and dignity.”

SNAP benefits account for two percent of the budget. A reduction would not only hurt those participating, but also businesses that participate indirectly — grocers, truck drivers and particularly farmers.

It’s estimated that approximately 16 cents of every grocery dollar spent goes back to farmers, and many states allow EBT cards to be used at farmers’ markets.

SNAP also benefits the nation. Economists at the Department of Agriculture estimate that for every $1 spent on SNAP benefits, there is an economic return of $1.73 to $1.79 because allowing the poor to get adequate nutrition means better health, fewer health care costs, and better educational outcomes.

Why is SNAP part of the Farm Bill?

In addition to national and international food aid, the Farm Bill sets policy for agricultural issues such as farm subsidies, crop insurance, environmental conservation programs and rural development projects.

Food assistance was added to the Farm Bill decades ago to get urban representatives interested in rural concerns.

SNAP is the biggest part of the Farm Bill — about $80 billion a year — and is a huge negotiating point in the passage of a new bill this year.

Though they agree the program must be cut to help reduce the U.S. deficit, lawmakers can’t agree on how much to cut from SNAP. The Senate passed a version that cut an average of $400 million a year from the program; $4 billion over a decade.

The House approved a version that cut an average of $4 billion a year; $40 billion over a decade.

A final Farm Bill must be approved before the end of the year.

Besides the cut to benefits, other issues involved in negotiations are categorical eligibility for SNAP based on participation in other low-income assistance programs; how minimal payments from the low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) should affect SNAP benefits; and work

requirements for able-bodied adults.

The House and Senate bills agree on the LIHEAP issue, but only the House bill restricts categorical eligibility and affects work requirements for able-bodied adults.

How does the farm bill impact Kansas?

Hunger is as prevalent in rural America as in urban America. And during this tough economic time, SNAP benefits are boosting rural and urban economies alike. Here are some recent statistics for Kansas: • SNAP recipients – 317,000 (projected for 2014) • Percent of population – 11 • Number of households – about 98,344 • Households with a person 60 or older – 20% • Households with children under 18 – 55% • Households reporting ethnicity as white – 65% • Households with one or more people in the workforce – 83%

How can I help?

Catholic Charities food pantries, now gearing up to deliver 2,000 Thanksgiving meals, are finding it difficult to keep up with the need created by the recent reduction in SNAP benefits.

“We need food across the metro as well as across the 21 counties,” said Kim Brabits, director of program operations.

“But particularly in Topeka, [the] Leavenworth area and Wyandotte County.

“We also purchase quite a bit of food from Harvesters Food Bank, so monetary donations are great, as well as food donations.”

Lee Weigel, who manages the Overland Park pantry, said items all the pantries are usually in need of are: • Sugar • Cooking oil • Juice • Laundry detergent • Dish soap • Toothpaste • Shampoo For more information about your local food pantry, visit the website at: catholic charitiesks.org/emergencyassistance.

private sector spends $4.

“So it’s just not mathematically possible to say we’re going to end these programs and let the churches take over.”

Granado acknowledged the economy is slowly recovering and some jobs are being created, but not quickly enough to warrant a reduction in benefits to the poor.

“You still have roughly five or six people for every one job available,” he said. “It comes down to what we are doing in our economy to promote family-wage jobs.”

T h e church advocates s e l f- s u ff i ciency as an important part of human dignity.

But it acknowledges that, in order for people to Anthony Granado, policy become inadviser for the USCCB dependent Office of Domestic Social of governDevelopment ment subsidies, jobs with adequate pay must be made available.

Granado also addressed the claim that SNAP is replete with waste, fraud and abuse.

“This is actually statistically untrue,” he said. “SNAP has consistently shown error rates are at an all time low.”

As a matter of fact, SNAP has one of the lowest error rates of any federal program — 3.8 percent in 2011, and that was due mostly to caseworker error, often resulting in underpayments.

“If the rest of the federal government had an error rate at that level,” said Granado, “we would save billions.”

In the meantime, while Congress decides the fate of SNAP, Catholic Charities is partnering with Harvesters to provide nutrition classes that help SNAP recipients cope with the most recent cuts.

“We’re giving information on how they can make their SNAP dollars stretch further,” said Brabits. “Simple things like preparing a list, buying less meat, supplementing with other proteins.”

And the USCCB is urging Catholics to educate themselves on issues impacting the poor.

“As Catholics, we need to think about how social structures are contributing to higher rates of poverty,” said Granado. “We need to have those conversations so that people are being put back to work; people are getting family-wage jobs.”

He also urged Catholics to support their local food banks.

“From the church’s tradition we have ‘caritas’ — the charitable side — and social justice,” he said. “Those are both the way the church speaks to the social question.”

“As Catholics we need to think about how social structures are contributing to higher rates of poverty,”

6 Local news

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

Sister Mary Sarah Fasenmyer, SCL

Leaven photo by Joe McSorley

Coleen Kelly Mast, an Illinois-based Catholic author, lecturer, chastity educator and radio talk-show host, was the keynote speaker at the Day of Enrichment for Engaged and Married Couples on Nov. 2 at Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kan.

Changing the world one family at a time

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Many married couples might laugh — and somewhat agree — when someone tells them that marriage isn’t about happiness.

But that actually is the truth within the vocation of marriage, featured speaker Coleen Kelly Mast stressed on Nov. 2 at the Day of Enrichment for Engaged and Married Couples at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan. “The goal of marriage is not happiness,” she emphasized. “It’s to help us see ourselves as God sees us so we can grow and perfect ourselves on our path to heaven.”

And yet, many couples embark upon marriage believing that happiness is what it’s all about, she believes.

Mast, an Illinois-based Catholic author, lecturer, chastity educator and radio talk-show host, sees that fact reflected in the number of people seeking annulments, even within the archdiocese, particularly in the first few years of marriage.

As in the fairy tale Cinderella, happily ever after can happen — but in heaven, she said.

The divorce rate is high, and today’s culture embraces abortion, contraception, cohabitation and homosexuality, she said.

“We know as Catholics that Jesus Christ has redeemed us from all that,” she said. “We’re not bound to what the culture says, so if the 20th century is known as destroying innocence, maybe the 21st century will be known as restoring the purity of love.”

The archdiocesan office of marriage and family life presented this daylong event with Mast, who lectures extensively on family life and chastity.

Mast’s first presentation focused on helping couples to live love in marriage, and later — following a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann — she walked families

through “Raising Love-Wise Kids in a Lustful World.”

She talked to the dozens of couples who attended — even from states away — about living a love that brings life to the world through the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

“We’re going to look at challenging ourselves to live that love and change the world one family at a time,” she said.

Mast, who has been married for 39 years and raised five children, used Scripture, stories, jokes, anecdotes and even songs to help get her message across.

Marriages can change the world through their examples, she said, and that includes how husbands and wives love one another and talk to each other.

She shared the story of the wedding feast at Cana — Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine — and told the couples that God also wants to perform miracles in their marriages.

“Jesus was invited to this wedding.

Do you invite him to your marriage every day?” she asked. “The wine ran short. What is running short in your marriage?”

She asked them to think: Is it patience, kindness, understanding, closeness, a sexual relationship, or money?

“Jesus wants to fill you to the brim,” she said. “Invite him.”

Mast talked about issues that unify and those that divide, pointing out that men and women are different not only physically but in their very makeup — right down to how they see, hear, feel and understand things. It’s important, she said, for a husband and wife to harmonize.

“That’s [Jesus’] love he wants to pour out through you to your spouse.

You’re a conduit,” she said. “His love wants to flow through your veins with no blockages.”

Just as Jesus asked the servants at the wedding feast to fill the jars to the brim with water, God will ask things of people in their marriages, she said.

“He won’t zap your marriage with a miracle without your cooperation,” she said.

And like the wedding feast at Cana, the “good wine” might not flow in your marriage immediately, she said.

“He keeps the good wine until later when you’re seasoned, you’re ready, you’re more loving,” she said. “God is keeping the best years of your marriage — if you cooperate with him now — for later.”

Fulfillment, she said, is not the same thing as gratification, and today’s culture seeks only gratification.

In the afternoon, Mast turned her attention to the entire family.

Children today face “incredible hurdles” to see beauty and goodness in sexuality with so many examples of junk all around them, said Mast.

The second of nine children, Mast said she learned a lot simply by being part of her family and asking questions of her mother.

“She gave us beautiful answers and kept us innocent, but not ignorant,” she said, adding that “innocent, not ignorant,” makes a good subtitle for her presentation.

“She gave us information she could add layers onto as time went on,” she said.

Through her own family’s stories, Mast shared how families can create such a similar environment, and noted that kids need to feel confident their parents know the answers to the questions they’re asking.

The answers must be not only appropriate to children’s stages of development, but tailored to each child individually, she said.

For a child to grow up “love wise,” he or she needs many things, including knowledge of what virginity means, a solid foundation on the Ten Commandments and close family ties, said Mast.

“We have to stay away from temptation,” she listed. “To raise love-wise kids in a lustful world, we need to know God’s awesome plan for love in marriage.”

LEAVENWORTH — Sister Mary Sarah Fasenmyer, 91, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 74 years, died Nov. 6 at the motherhouse here.

Patricia Mary Fasenmyer was born on March 17, 1922, one of five children of Anthony C. and Sara Carey Fasenmyer.

She graduated from St. Peter Cathedral School, Kansas City, Kan., and St. Mary Academy, Leavenworth.

She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Sept. 1, 1939, and, as Sister Mary Sarah, made her profession of vows on March 2, 1941.

Sister Mary Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in mathematics from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University.

She was an educator, published writer and speaker. She delivered addresses at the National Catholic Educational Association; the Association of Supervision, Curriculum and Personnel; and the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, to name a few.

She authored articles that were published in Momentum, Religious Education, Catholic Library World, Notre Dame Journal of Education, and The Catechist.

Early in her career, Sister Mary Sarah taught or was principal in Catholic elementary schools. Later, she served as director of the Curriculum Development Center, assistant professor in the School of Education, and dean in the School of Education, all at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also served as dean of the School of Education at St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y. Sister Mary Sarah was the academic vice president and dean of the faculty at Carroll College in Helena, Mont. At Mount St. Mary College in Los Angeles, she was the director of funded research.

Sister Mary Sarah returned to Kansas in 1990, where she was named director and dean of the graduate division at the Johnson County site of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth. In 1997, she received certification as a licensed ombudsman for the state of Kansas Department on Aging. She served as a consultant with Loyola University Press for long-term care. She retired to the motherhouse in 2009.

Concert set for Dec. 6 KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tom Jacobs and Ensemble will have their 25th anniversary concert here at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Tickets can be ordered online at: www.timbercreekretreat. org or by calling (816) 619-3499.

Linus and Marilyn (Mohlman) Ronnebaum, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 30 with a Mass of thanksgiving followed by a family dinner. The couple was married on Nov. 30, 1963, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca.

Their children are: Kathy Ehler, Overland Park; Patty Johnson, Bucyrus; and Joe Ronnebaum, Overland Park. They also have five grandchildren.

local news 7

november 22, 2013 | theleaven.com

Shopping event gives chance to help locally, globally

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Black Friday might officially launch the Christmas shopping season.

But for those who’d like to beat the rush, find a unique gift, and make a difference in lives in the Kansas City area, the Sunday before Thanksgiving — Nov. 24 — just might prove to be an ideal shopping day.

Fifteen percent of net sales between 1 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the Ten Thousand Villages store in Overland Park will benefit the Keeler Women’s Center and its outreach to women in the urban core of Kansas City, Kan. The Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, works to empower women through education and advocacy, as well as by personal and spiritual development.

Sister Carol Ann Petersen, OSB, director of the Keeler Center, walked into Ten Thousand Villages in Overland Park a few years ago and noticed that the store — a nonprofit fair-trade retailer — offered events to benefit other nonprofit organizations in the community.

Soon, she was filling out an application to add Keeler Women’s Center to that list.

She felt good about bolstering Keeler’s efforts locally while supporting

artisans — many of them women — in developing countries around the world.

“Everything in our store was handmade — handmade by an artisan in a developing country who creates these products for Ten Thousand Villages,” said Kendra Frink, store manager at Ten Thousand Villages Overland Park.

“They’re paid a fair wage.”

And the artisans are actually already paid for their products so that things like coupons or promotions don’t affect their wages, she added.

“There are so many needs,” said Sister Carol Ann, noting that artisans created these gifts in places like Vietnam, Nepal, different parts of Africa — and the Philippines, a country that has captured worldwide attention with heartbreaking headlines in recent weeks.

“I think the typhoon has made us aware of how vulnerable so many people in the world are,” said Sister Carol Ann. And with only four paid staff members at this store, volunteers handle a lot of the work, from unpacking products to greeting people at the door.

Events like this give the workers and the regulars at Ten Thousand Villages a chance to learn more about other organizations — like the Keeler Women’s Center — and give staff, volunteers, and supporters of other organizations a look at what Ten Thousand Villages is all about.

The organizations publicize the events that will be benefiting them, and

many of these take place during the fall shopping season. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas benefited from an event held Nov. 21.

“It becomes a great partnership between us and the organization,” said Frink, who has enjoyed getting to know the Keeler Women’s Center people and their story during the past few years.

“They’re doing fantastic things.

They’re a great organization to work with for this event,” she said. “They always draw a very large crowd.”

Ten Thousand Villages events also offer buyers a chance to shop for something a little off the beaten path — not the same electronics or hot-ticket items people will be lining up for on Black Friday.

Sister Carol Ann often sees in many of Keeler’s volunteers and supporters a desire to simplify their lives.

“They don’t need to buy the most expensive gift or biggest gifts or 10 gifts for everybody,” she said.

Instead, they are looking for gifts that mean something.

“It’s nice to shop for something you think someone is really going to like — [that is] going to touch their heart,” she said.

At a store like this, people can find things that aren’t “cookie cutter” gifts or items that every store they walk into would offer, she said.

“Everything has a story,” added Frink, noting that some of the stories tell of the techniques or special materials used to make the pieces. “We can actually print out the stories for customers to give with their gift.”

Visitors to the store during the early portion of the afternoon on Nov. 24 will also have an opportunity to meet

Trinity House Catholic Books, Gifts and More

Gift Items Crucifix Rosaries Missals Medals Prayer Cards and more

Advent Large selection of Advent Wreaths, Calendars and Candles

Consoling the Heart of Jesus A Do It Yourself Retreat

Excellent for your do-it-yourself Advent retreat combines the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius with the teachings of Saints Therese of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalska, and Louis de Montfort. Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, has a remarkable gift for inspiring little souls to trust in Jesus, and his Divine Mercy.

YOUCAT Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church YOUCAT is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was launched on World Youth Day, 2011. Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith.

Shop from over 50,000 items Mon- Friday 10-6 | Saturday 10-5

(913) 652-0080 7287 W. 97th St. Overland Park, KS 66212 Located in the Windmill Square Shopping Center

Shop for the holidays; benefit Keeler When: 1-5 p.m. Nov. 24 (Judith Valente, author of “Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home, and a Living Faith,” will sign books from 1-2:30 p.m.)

Where: Ten Thousand Villages, 7947 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park Details: Shop for the holidays at Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit, fair-trade retail store, with 15 percent of net sales during the event benefiting the Keeler Women’s Center.

Learn more: Additional information about Ten Thousand Villages is available online at: www.tenthou sandvillages.com/overlandpark.

a woman who has been a gift to the Benedictine Sisters over the past several years.

Judith Valente — a poet, journalist, and author of “Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home, and a Living Faith” — will sign copies of her book at the event from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The book, published this year, details her visits with — and life-changing lessons from — the Sisters at Mount St. Scholastica.

Her time with the Benedictine community introduced her to the work of the Keeler Women’s Center, and this event seemed like the perfect opportunity to Sister Carol Ann to have Valente come to the area for a book signing.

“We’ve really been blessed by her friendship,” said Sister Carol Ann.

Typhoon Haiyan: The aftermath

Southern Leyte residents see horrible sights on aid trips to Tacloban

By Simone Orendain Catholic News Service

M

ANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Normally, the trip from Maasin to Tacloban takes about three hours, but with the fallen trees and debris, getting aid there takes longer, said a priest from Southern Leyte province.

Father Harlem Gozo, director of the social action office for the Diocese of Maasin, had made two trips to the northern part of Leyte island, where the effects of Typhoon Haiyan were much worse.

Halfway to Tacloban, Father Gozo said, he saw coconut trees “somewhat beheaded” and concrete houses that looked quite sturdy if not for the trees that fell on them and split their roofs.

But as he traveled farther north, “That’s where the horrible sights start,” he told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview.

“You encounter corpses lying on the streets,” he said. “Imagine . . . the water just pushed down on them and they were caught unaware. And those who were in their houses, if they have a small house, they drown inside. They pile up tables and chairs in order to step up so they would not get drowned. But if their house is small, their head is up to the ceiling and the water gets over and above them, that’s it. Others, when the water receded, they just got carried away by the current.”

Father Gozo said even if the survivors had food and it was stored at home, it got soaked with water, “so that after the storm, nothing to eat. Your house is devastated.”

The Diocese of Maasin in Southern Leyte was in good shape compared to the near-obliteration that happened in the northern half of the island in the central Philippines. Leyte is in the central part of the country where Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a path of destruction Nov. 8.

“In our diocese, generally, aside from trees falling down and electricity posts, there’s not much . . . damage,” said Father Gozo. On the rest of the island, “because

By Tom Tracy Catholic News Service

W

CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters

A woman retrieves a teddy bear from a pile of debris in the aftermath Typhoon Haiyan in Tanauan, Philippines, Nov. 14. The powerful storm killed an estimated 3,982 people and left hundreds of thousands displaced in the central Philippines. of the challenges, the distance, the communication, the fuel, transportation and so on, the closest diocese that has communication is Maasin. All the rest are shut down.”

This meant no food or water for the needy in towns surrounding Tacloban, which has been the focus for much of the aid making its way into central Philippines since the storm hit.

Father Gozo said the families that he attended to were in shock and did not know what to do. With hungry stomachs and tenuous lines of communication, he said, they were dazed and unable to “think clearly.”

“We shed tears from deep within [over] the harrowing plight of our brothers and sisters,” he said in a text message after the phone call with CNS got dropped. “Our

helping is our prayer of solidarity with their suffering, a share of the passion of Christ, that they are not alone. The Lord gives and he also takes away, blessed be his name.”

The relief goods that started arriving in Tacloban on Nov. 9 had not gotten very far beyond the city limits because of the layers of debris that blocked passage ways, the lack of manpower to help expe-

dite delivery and the hungry people who would stop the goods along the way.

Tacloban had most of the recorded deaths, which the government has placed at 3.982 nationwide by Nov. 19. Ninety percent of the houses in the city of 220,000 were either damaged or gone. And almost all of its first responders were as badly affected by the storm as the people they were supposed to help.

In Philippines, signs of faith among ruins of typhoon

By Simone Orendain Catholic News Service

M

ANILA, Philippines (CNS) — In the week after Super Typhoon Haiyan cut a path of devastation across the central Philippines, faith remained strong among the hardest hit.

At Villamor Air Base in Manila, Roel Gonzales, 42, of Leyte province smiled while aid workers sang “Happy Birthday” to him Nov. 15.

It was a sweltering late morning with the sun approaching its peak, but everyone was shaded under a covered court.

They sat in circles on plastic chairs, eating noodles with the speed of those who had not eaten for days.

In fact, they had not. They were among the hundreds of thousands left homeless by the brutal storm that tore through homes and damaged the infrastructure of a number of island provinces.

A storm surge that Haiyan churned up brought 15-foot waves to Tacloban, the obliterated city on Leyte’s east coast that took the worst hit from the typhoon.

“All of a sudden all the houses were gone,” including his, said Gonzales, who

U.S. Filipinos, churches organize emergency relief for Philippines

lived right outside Tacloban. “You can’t find any trace of it, not one piece.”

The storm surge left countless corpses in its wake.

Gonzales counted himself lucky. His wife and their three children were together with him.

“So many people were lost,” he told Catholic News Service. “But we’re still here. We’re still alive.”

His 14-year old daughter sat with a guitar in a soft case tucked between her lower legs.

“Even that survived,” he said.

His eyes started to water when he described how, on the day before Haiyan slammed the country, he picked a high place on the wall to hang the guitar. Gonzales said he wanted to save it because it was from his daughter.

It floated away when the house washed away, but after the storm passed he saw it floating by a wall.

Gonzales said the family left for Manila because, like many people the storm displaced, they were starting to go hungry, and he worried his children might get sick with no medicine available.

In Tacloban, aid was very slow to arrive to places beyond the city limits.

Debris, dwindling fuel and poor com-

CNS photo/Wolfgang Rattay, Reuters

A priest stands in the partially destroyed Metropolitan Cathedral in Palo, Philippines, Nov. 15 in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan. The cathedral is one of many Catholic churches, schools and convents damaged or destroyed in the powerful storm. munication lines made it hard for relief goods to move to the people who needed it.

“And the smell became too much to bear,” he said, referring to the odor of

bodies decomposing in the tropical sun.

Gonzales said he never once lost faith in God. “You have to trust in the Lord first of all,” he said. “If you don’t have faith, it’s

very hard. And I really believe, this was really meant to be. He saved us. He let us live. . . . He’s given us more time on this earth to honor him.”

Eoghan Rice, communications director for the Irish Catholic aid agency Trocaire, said he could smell the decay even in a closed vehicle. He traveled to Tacloban Nov. 14 with an assessment team from Caritas Internationalis.

“The streets of Tacloban are sort of a tangled web of destroyed houses, overturned cars and dead bodies,” he told CNS by phone from Ormoc, a badly hit town on the western side of Leyte. “It’s like somebody picked up the city and just threw it in the air and let the pieces fall randomly.”

He said after seeing the damage wrought by Haiyan, a person’s faith gets even stronger.

“I think it’s heartening to see people all over the world — America, Europe and Asia — responding to this . . . to show solidarity and support to people who are just going through something horrific,” Rice said. “Most of us could never imagine having to live through this sort of experience.”

EST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CNS) — If the FilipinoAmerican community of Southern California has anything to say about it, the upcoming holiday season in Southeast Asia will not be completely obscured by the effects of Super Typhoon Haiyan.

“If we work hand in hand, then Christmas can continue,” said Father Albert Avenido, who heads up the Filipino ministry for the Los Angeles Archdiocese and who was busy working on what his community describes as a multifaceted local response to one of the most powerful storms in recorded history.

With church, business and civic partners, the Los Angeles Filipinos are planning a local telethon for November to help support development of a short-term tent city in some of the hardest-hit areas in the Philippines.

They are also spearheading a collection for food, clothing, medicines and toiletries which they hoped would be ready to ship in the coming days.

“If we ship goods from Los Angeles to Cebu’s port, it will take up to 45 days; it can still arrive during Christmas,” Father Avenido said, adding that the local Knights of Columbus have gotten behind the drive.

In nearby Santa Monica, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish organized a Nov. 15 prayer rally and concert for typhoon victims featuring Filipino-American artists of Los Angeles. Donations will support existing church relief efforts focused on the Philippines.

Nationally, the U.S. bishops have expressed their solidarity with the people of the Philippines after the devastating effects of Haiyan in a letter to the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The bishops called for a special collection to be taken in parishes across the United States, and proceeds from the collection will go to both immediate humanitarian needs and the cost of long-term reconstruction.

Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, has already begun a major emergency response to Haiyan and has committed $20 million for those efforts.

Father Chris Kintanar, a Filipino and pastor of Queen of Angels in Alpine, Calif., in the Diocese of San Diego, said his parish quickly set its second collection

CNS photo/John Javellana, Reuters

A nurse and a mother care for a newborn baby inside a hospital in Tacloban, Philippines, Nov. 13.

Many of the 80 babies born in the hospital since Typhoon Haiyan were delivered prematurely, their mothers shocked into labor by the trauma of the storm. for Masses the weekend of Nov. 16 and 17, after the diocese urged parishes to schedule the appeal as soon as possible.

“I am sure many other parishes are doing the same thing,” Father Kintanar said, adding that nearby St. Michael Parish in Paradise Hills has become major hub for collecting food stuffs and other supplies for the Philippines.

“The problem there is how to get it there,” the priest told Catholic News Service. “Our collection is for CRS — to let them do their job. The outpouring has been widespread and lots of people are asking me about the situation over there.”

Father Kintanar said he has seen how traumatized people can bounce back from tragedy with outside help, “but I don’t think they can take care of themselves right now. Long term, that typhoon will really affect their economy, trying to build from scratch again.”

There may be some comparisons between the catastrophic aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan regarding severe challenges of

getting aid and personnel to hardest hit areas, according to Hannah Gregory, a staff person for the U.S. development arm of the Salesians.

“Anything we learned from Haiti we will apply here because the Philippines are remote islands that have been hit pretty hard, and it is hard to get into those areas,” Gregory said, noting that the Salesians have had a missionary presence in the Philippines since 1950 but that some of the Salesian staff there have not been accounted for since the storm passed.

The organization is channeling U.S. donations to their missions and church partners in the region. “What we are looking for now is financial support to help the missionaries purchase things domestically,” she said.

Greg Darr, a Midwest representative for Maryknoll Mission Education in Chicago, was visiting parishes in Ohio this week to raise public awareness and advocacy for typhoon victims in the Philippines and to raise awareness of the effects of the storm overall.

“The devastation we are seeing is a result of choices that were made that kept the region impoverished,” said Darr, whose wife is Filipino. “You have there not only the effects of a storm but decades of poverty that led people to live in subsistence housing that just could not survive this storm.”

Members of the USNS Charles Drew carry boxes of drinking water to the airfield of the airport in Tacloban, Philippines, Nov. 14. The cargo ship was part of a U.S. “strike group” that began providing humanitarian assistance to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

CNS photo/Wolfgang Rattay, Reuters

10 Local news

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

MASTER OF ECONOMICS Lifelong educator enjoyed second career as pastor

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

A

TCHISON — For a not very large man, Father Bertrand LeNoue, OSB, cast quite a shadow.

A Catholic college professor for much of his life, Father Bertrand taught his students to think — and his students responded with affection and gratitude.

“Not all of my students were extremely bright,” said Father Bertrand in a feature published in September 2012 in Kansas Monks magazine. “But I always tried to provoke serious thought in all of them.”

“And I told them that I believed in them,” he continued. “I thought they had what it took to respond to the challenges of life with reason and competence.”

Father Bertrand, 86, died peacefully in his room at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison on Nov. 16. A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bertrand was celebrated at the abbey church on Nov. 22, followed by burial in the abbey cemetery.

Father Bertrand was born on Oct. 18, 1927, in Aurora, the son of Napolean and Bertha (Murphy) LaNoue. His baptismal name was Elric, and he had five siblings: half-brothers Raoul, Bernard and Arcade, and brothers Hilaire and Carol.

“When I was very young, I told people I wanted to be a teacher,” said Father Bertrand in 2012. “But mostly, I was afraid to tell them I wanted to be a monk. I was worried they’d call me a ‘Holier Than Thou.’”

Elric LaNoue entered the novitiate of St. Benedict’s Abbey on July 1, 1945, and received the religious name Bertrand. He professed vows on July 11, 1946.

As Brother Bertrand, he completed his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and mathematics in May 1949, and professed his solemn vows in July 1949. He then began his studies for the priesthood at the abbey. He was ordained a deacon on Dec. 22, 1951, and was ordained a priest on May 22, 1952.

Father Bertrand was an assistant counselor at St. Benedict’s College for the 1952 to 1953 academic year, and taught math and physics from 1953 to 1955 at Maur Hill Preparatory School in Atchison.

From 1956 through 1958 he was an economics instructor, bookstore/cafeteria manager and counselor at St.

Benedict’s College.

Father Bertrand got his start as a professor of economics thanks to poor driving and hungry nuns.

It was a hot day in 1957 when a truck making a food delivery to the abbey had a mishap and ruined the food, according to a story in Kansas Monks.

The food was for a gathering of nuns, who consequently underwent an unscheduled and unwanted fast.

Then-Abbot Cuthbert McDonald, knowing of Father Bertrand’s success in the cafeteria, put him in charge of food for the next two gatherings of nuns. Everything went smoothly, and a delighted abbot offered to grant any request of Father Bertrand.

“I told him I wanted to go to graduate school,” said Father Bertrand. “I told him I wanted to get my Ph.D.” In 1958, Father Bertrand went to the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an MBA with a concentration in finance in 1959.

He went on to earn a master’s degree in economics from Wharton in 1964 and a doctorate from St. Louis University in 1966.

Father Bertrand then taught economics at St. Benedict’s College, later Benedictine College, from 1966 to 1998.

Father Gerard Senecal, OSB, now associate pastor of St. Benedict’s Church in Atchison, was president of Benedic-

tine College from 1972 to 1987. He said Father Bertrand was conscientious, meticulous in appearance, polite, polished, intelligent and thoughtful.

And he genuinely cared for his students.

“He was always very concerned about advising students,” said Father Gerard. “He bent over backwards to give them advice about where to go with their lives, and he had no fear of contacting their parents directly.

And he did that a lot.”

One of his students was Thomas M. Hoenig, vice chairman of the Federal Deposit and Insurance Corp. and former president of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City.

“He was a major influence,” said Hoenig, a Benedictine student from 1964 to 1968. “He taught me both macroeconomics and money and banking, which are the fields I am in today. He was part of a team that prepared me for that and . . . was very helpful in teaching me how to think about economic issues, not just memorize formulas.”

Father Bertrand retired from teaching in 1998 at age 71. Then, Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB, asked him to become pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Atchison and St. Patrick Parish in rural Atchison.

Although he had provided some weekend assistance at various parishes for several years, especially St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village, the septuagenarian was a rookie.

“He loved [being a pastor],” said Brother Luke Turner, OSB, who helped care for Father Bertrand at the end of his life. “I know for a fact that the kids just loved him. . . .

When he was coming out at the end of Mass, they would just rush him.

I think they liked him because he was not a whole lot bigger than they were.”

He stepped down as pastor in 2010 and retired to the abbey, where he continued to celebrate Mass and participate in community life until his unexpected death.

Father Bertrand was preceded in death by his parents and his five brothers. He is survived by nephews, nieces and his brother monks.

Arrangements were by the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to St. Benedict’s Abbey, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS 66002.

Abbot James Albers, OSB, contributed to this article.

12 classifieds

theleaven.com | NOVEMBER 22, 2013

Employment Coordinator of parish life - The Church of the Ascension in Overland Park is seeking to employ a person for a full-time position as coordinator of parish life. The coordinator is responsible for working with parish volunteers, facilitating parish programs and activities, conducting the stewardship appeals and planning social and fundraising activities.

A more complete description is available online at: www. kcascension.org/events/jobposting. Letters of application and resumes may be submitted to Parish Life Coordinator Search Committee, Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS 66213 or send an email to: ascensionchurch@kcascension.org.

Data entry - Looking for a full-time data entry person at a local construction company in Shawnee. Person would be entering payroll data, accounts payable and answering the phone, among other duties. The position is salaried and included is a fully paid health insurance plan and participation after one year in the profit-sharing pension plan.

Please email resumes to: patm@mcananyconstruction. com or call Pat at (913) 631-5440.

Principal - St. James Parish School, St. Joseph, Mo., seeks a principal committed to Catholic education with strong leadership, communication and motivational skills. St. James School is a parish school serving approximately 200 pre-K to 8th-grade students with a staff of approximately 15. The qualified candidate must be an active practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church (magisterium), have a master’s degree in educational administration or evidence that one is working toward a degree, teaching experience and preferably three years administrative experience. Applications may be made to the Catholic schools office on the website at: http://jobs.diocese-kcsj. org/?cid=4&lid=118. All applications must be received by Dec. 1.

Director of liturgy and music - St. Therese Little Flower Parish, Kansas City, Mo. Assist pastor, choir director and worship committee planning African-American-inspired liturgy. 10 hours per week. Email letter and resume to Father Ernie Davis at: edavis@sttheresekc.org.

Administrative assistant - Full time, entry level. Financial advisors office located in Overland Park. Benefits provided, flexible hours. Send resume by email to: lori@hadelfinan cialadvisors.com.

Safe drivers - Assisted Transportation seeks caring and reliable drivers in Kansas City metro area to transport K-12 students in our minivans. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Learn more or apply online at: www. assistedtransportation.com or call (913) 262-5190 for more information. EOE. Financial representatives - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro, Lawrence, Topeka and the Seneca - Sabetha area. Ideal for a determined, high energy, high expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview by sending an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org, by phone at (785) 408-8806 or at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612.

Seeking employment - Bookkeeper/office manager with 30 years experience seeking a part-time, contract, consulting or full-time position as a bookkeeper, or a clerical position in the Johnson or Wyandotte County area. Member of Saint Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kan. For a resume, contact Nancy by email at: powellna2001@yahoo.com.

Services Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

Digital Family Forever - Convert your slides, negatives, photos, newspaper articles, or children’s artwork to digital images. Excellent quality. Preserved forever. Save your memories for future generations. Call now and surprise your family with a photo show on your TV for Thanksgiving!

Call (913) 383-1874.

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

Housecleaning - Old-fashioned cleaning, hand mopping, etc. A thorough and consistent job every time. References from customers I’ve served for over 17 years. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006 (home) or (816) 214-0156 (mobile). Serving the 913 area code area.

Housecleaning - Let me beautify your home. Offering the fees and scheduling that fit your needs. Call (913) 669-2327 or send an email to: cppantoja53@yahoo.com.

Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.

GreenSolutionsKC.com.

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.

Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Quilted Memories - Your Kansas City Longarm Shop Nolting Longarm Machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - Custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, etc., neckties etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www.quiltedmemo riesllc.com.

Brick mason - Brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience. FREE QUOTES - KC metro area. Small and large jobs accepted. Call Jim at (913) 485-4307. www.facebook.com/faganmasonry.

CLUTTER GETTING YOU DOWN? Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin Of All Trades” your professional organizer and “HONEY-DO-LIST” specialist. Call today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055. Insured. References. Visit our website at: www.KOATINDUSTRIES.com.

Caregiving - CNA home health care specialist provides quality home comfort and care for the elderly. Available anytime. References. Affordable/seasoned/nonsmoker.

Call (816) 521-1336.

Swalms Organizing Service - Reducing Clutter - Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized! Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged. For before and after photos, visit: www.swalms organizing.com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

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.benefitsofhome.com.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 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.

House painting Interior and exterior; wall paper removal.

Power washing, fences, decks.

30 years experience. References. Reasonable rates.

Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Is your home ready for FALL and cooler temps? There is still plenty of time to get those leaky windows fixed or replaced. Wood rot is something we fix in every season.

Schedule for winter months and save some money. 25 years experience and fully insured. You won’t find better work out there. I personally take pride in every job, no matter the size. Making your home look its best is my passion.

Basements, baths, kitchens, decks, siding, windows, interior and exterior paint and doors. I am a James Hardie fiber cement siding expert. Call Mike at (913) 991-3955.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, decks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning. Call (913) 526-1844.

Heating and cooling repair and replacement - Call Joe with JB Design and Service. Licensed and insured with 20 years experience. Member of Divine Mercy Parish. Call Joe at (913) 915-6887.

Quality craftsmanship at a reasonable price! - Wood rot and house painting. Fiber cement siding/James Hardie.

Window replace or repair, decks, basements and baths.

Interior and exterior painting. Call Mike at (913) 991-3955.

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.

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

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. We moved!

Come check out our new office in Lenexa.

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 Lawn Mowing Spring Cleanups/Landscaping Local Parishioner Insured/References Free Estimates Call Tony (913) 620-6063 MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication.

Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222.

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

K E A T I N G Mud Jacking FOUNDATION REPAIR

Caregiving Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

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

Caregiving - Live-in nurse/companion position wanted.

Will be responsible for all care related to the client. Salary negotiable, recent references. Call (913) 579-5276.

Looking for high quality, compassionate care? Let’s talk.

I am a multifaceted RN with 25 years experience. I provide private duty, respite, and companion care. Licensed; professional references. Reasonable rates. Johnson County area. Call (913) 710-5412.

Have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease? Inquire about our fresh, unique approach to care. ComfortCare Homes, a local, family-owned care option, opened its first home in 2005. We have now grown to four homes located in Overland Park and Leawood. All of our homes are located minutes from highways I-35 or I-435, allowing easy access from anywhere in the Kansas City metropolitan area including Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, Liberty and Olathe. To learn more or take a tour, call Courtney Minter at (913) 6091891 or visit the website at: www.ComfortCareKC.com.

Caregiving - 15 years experience providing quality care that includes assisting with bathing and dressing, personal hygiene, cooking, light housework, dispensing medications, keeping doctor appointments, running errands and basically doing everything to keep you happy, healthy and at home. Excellent references available. Call Mary at (913) 526-6235.

vacation Pilgrimage to France with St. Thérèse - Lourdes, Paris, Lisieux, Normandy. Sept. 8 - Sept. 18, 2014. From Kansas City, $4,499. Call Father Ernie Davis at (816) 444-5406.

Mountain cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $95/night.

Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www. tillmancabin.com.

REAL ESTATE For sale - 28 Binder Lane, Ottawa, built in 2004. 4 BR, 3 BA, with a finished walkout basement, oak floors and vaulted ceilings. Sits on 5.7 acres of trees and manicured lawn with lake. All paved roads and covenants. Call (913) 980-3007 or send an email to: tomandmaryw@gmail.com for pictures and pricing.

for RENT For rent - 4934 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. 2 BR, full walkout basement, laundry hookups, deck. No smokers, no pets. $525 per month. Call (913) 334-0124.

for sale For sale - Christmas tree. Beautiful 7.5-foot alpine fir, with 900 clear lights. Girth of tree is 64”. Retail price was $499.

Used 3 times, now priced at $100, includes stand and all instructions. Call Rosemary at (913) 381-3446.

For sale - 11 figurines with light fixtures inside. Never used light fixtures, used spot light (included). Has star, manger and a homemade barnwood stable. Comes with rebar and stakes to secure figurines. Big and beautiful. $195 (firm) in Leavenworth. Call (913) 772-9465.

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.

MISCELLANEOUS

November “Hymns In the Key of Jazz II,” a concert featuring Curé of Ars music liturgists Ron, Aggie and Shyann Gutierrez along with world-renowned guitarist and Curé parishioner Rod Fleeman, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood. Music for the concert will come from the Catholic hymnal, but performed in a contemporary jazz/gospel style. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

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Join the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland 22-23 Park, for its 10th annual marketplace on Nov. 22 from 7 - 10 p.m. and Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the parish hall. Community vendors will present jewelry, handbags, scrapbooking supplies, health and beauty products, home decor, glass, gourmet food items, children’s books and toys, and much more.

Benedictine Sister Marcia Ziska will conduct a retreat to prepare for the new liturgical season from Nov. 22 - 23 at the Sophia Spirituality Center, Atchison. Sister Marcia is associate director of Sophia Spirituality Center, a certified spiritual director and holds a professional certificate in spiritual gerontology from the Johnson Institute. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Sophia Spirituality Center’s website at: www. sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

St. Patrick Parish will host its annual holiday bazaar and craft fair on Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the St. Patrick Parish center, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan. There will be 40 vendors, a raffle, and concessions available.

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An Advent retreat will be held Nov. 23 at Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The retreat will consist of a light breakfast, two presentations by Father Dennis Wait, meditation with spiritual direction and reconciliation, Mass, and lunch. The

Lawrence (785) 865-0006

The 11th annual John Paul II Holiday Shoppe will be held on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at St. Pius X Parish, 5500 Woodson Rd., Mission. There will be over 40 tables of crafts, jewelry and baked goods.

Shop for the holidays and support Keeler Women’s Center on Nov. 24 from 1 - 5 p.m. at Ten Thousand Villages, 7947 Santa Fe, Overland Park. Judith Valente, celebrated PBS religion journalist and poet, will be available from 1 - 2:30 p.m. to sign copies of her new book, “Atchison Blue: A Search for Silence, a Spiritual Home, and a Living Faith,” that tells the story of her transformative journeys to Mount St. Scholastica Monastery, sponsor of Keeler Women’s Center.

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A Daughters of Isabella meeting will be held on Nov. 24 at Rossiter Hall, Assumption Church, 8th and Jackson, Topeka. A memorial Mass for deceased members will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 1 p.m.

Christ the King Parish, 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka, will host a fall festival and turkey dinner on Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The cost to attend is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 3 - 11; and free for children under the age of 3. There will also be a silent auction, raffle, prizes, a holiday store, sweet shop, bingo and carnival games.

Hotel and air seats have been confirmed in Rome for the canonizations of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. Join chancery staff Father Joseph Arsenault, Deacon Jim Lavin and Rose Hammes in this trip of a lifetime, Apr. 25 - May 1, 2014, to attend the canonization Mass and all the special events in Rome surrounding this special event, including a private Mass in one of the chapels of St. Peter’s Basilica. Due to the huge demand for hotels in Rome, deposits of $500 per person must be made

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by Nov. 27. The full brochure is available online at: www.archkck.org/canonization.

A Marian Mass for the right to life will be held Nov. 27 at Sacred Heart Parish, Topeka. The rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 7 p.m. A potluck dinner will follow with a discussion on Medjugorje.

The regular meeting of the KCK Serra Club will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan., at noon on Nov. 27. Special guest speaker will be Nancy Gibbs, district governor.

The Church of the Nativity holiday boutique will be held on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Nativity School, 3700 W. 119th St., Leawood. Shop home accessories, crafts, jewelry, and more. There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact Heather Bahora at (913) 642-4282.

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December The 25th annual St. Lawrence Service of Lessons and Carols will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the St. Lawrence Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Dr., Lawrence.

There is no cost to attend, and the event is open to the public.

7

A rock ’n’ roll dance party featuring Four Fried Chickens and a Coke will be held Dec. 7 from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5900 King, Shawnee. The cost to attend is $10. For more information or to make reservations, contact Keith Winterhalter at (913) 631-2173. Proceeds support seminarians and priests.

A Rorate Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be offered at St. Philippine Duchesne Church, Westwood, on Dec. 7 at 6:30 a.m. Confessions are available 30 minutes before Mass and after Mass. For more information, contact the Fraternity of St. Peter at (913) 236-0005.

Village in Leavenworth invites members and others to learn more about the Militia Immaculata following 9 a.m. Mass on Dec. 7 at St. Joseph of the Valley Church, 31151 207th St., Leavenworth.

The Cathedral of St. Peter, 409 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host its third annual crèche celebration on Dec. 7 from 3 - 6 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Over 100 unique Nativity sets will be on display. Come and enjoy a magical experience that reflects the true meaning of Christmas. There will also be a bake sale and raffle. There is no cost to attend.

The Cathedral of St. Peter Altar Society is sponsoring a holiday homes tour on Dec. 8 from noon 3 p.m. This year’s tour will feature five homes in the historic cathedral and Westheight neighborhoods. Tickets are available in advance at the parish office by calling (913) 371-0840; at Michael’s Heritage Florist, (913) 342-1573; or from Terri Schneweis, (913) 342-4018. Tickets are also available on the day of the tour at the crèche celebration in the parish center.

The cost to attend is a suggested donation of $5. For additional information, contact Patty McKiernan at (913) 281-2918.

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Christ’s Peace House of Prayer hold a retreat on St. Thomas 13-15 will Aquinas as a spiritual guide from Dec. 13 - 15. The cost to attend is $150 per person or $225 for each couple with all meals included. If interested, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: director cp@christspeace.com.

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Dec. 15. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

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The Militia Immaculata Queen of Peace

Stair lifts & More We’ll lift you up!

Scooter/bath/wheelchair/pool Free consults. Leaven discounts!

Member Good Shepherd, Shawnee

Call Ed Toll Free 1-855-543-8632

Concrete Work

wanted to buy

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios

Wanted - Old drugstore soda fountain. Apothecary and candy jars, signs, slot machines, Coca-Cola. Spool, thread, dye. Nut and bolt cabinets. Advertising clocks, small antique display case and store displays. Hunting and fishing old duck decoys and fishing lures. Autographed baseballs.

Call (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

“I am proud to continue the legacy of service my grandfather and father began in 1946.”

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.

Funeral home • crematory • Memorial chapels 10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66203 Telephone 913-631-5566 Fax 913-631-2236

Raise & Level

v Patios v Drives v Garage Floors v Slab Houses Topeka (785) 246-0128

cost to attend is $30. Contact Julie by email at: julie@sanctuaryofhope.org or call (913) 321-4673.

Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation of a vehicle helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally wise way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call (866) 430-9499 or visit our website at: www.cars4kckids.com.

MUD JACKING

Cracked • Bowed • Settled Wall Repair v Wall Bracing v Waterproofing v Steel Underpinning Kansas City (913) 262-9352

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days.

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

Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

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NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | theleaven.com

Gregg Amos

www.amosfamily.com

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co. Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing.

Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas.

Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com

14 commentary Scripture Readings

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

Nov. 24 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE 2 Sm 5: 1-3 Ps 122: 1-5 Col 1: 12-20 Lk 23: 35-43 Nov. 25 Catherine of Alexandria, virgin, martyr Dn 1: 1-6, 8-20 (Ps) Dn 3: 52-56 Lk 21: 1-4 Nov. 26 Tuesday Dn 2: 31-45 (Ps) Dn 3: 57-61 Lk 21: 5-11 Nov. 27 Wednesday Dn 5: 1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 (Ps) Dn 3: 62-67 Lk 21: 12-19 Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Day Sir 50: 22-24 Ps 138: 1-5 1 Cor 1: 3-9 Lk 17: 11-19 Nov. 29 Dn 7: 2-4 (Ps) Dn 3: 75-81 Lk 21: 29-33 Nov. 30 ANDREW, APOSTLE Rom 10: 9-18 Ps 19: 2-5 Mt 4: 18-22

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cef centered

mark my words

Thirty-fourth SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

“F

God trusts us to do the right thing

ather, many times we deal with suffering people, often at a very traumatic time in their lives. How do we minister to them without taking into our own heads and hearts all of their sufferings?”

Thankfully, the question was not directed to me, but to Father David Knight, during a parish mission in Tonganoxie a couple of weeks ago. Without missing a beat, Father Knight said, “Well, the short answer to your question is: Scotch!”

Naturally, he went on to give a serious and thoughtful response to that very good question. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear exactly what that answer was, because I was still chuckling about Father Knight’s off-the-cuff first response.

But I think I know what he probably said. As Christians, we’re called to “manage all of the affairs of Christ on earth.” First and foremost, that means we take time to notice things in the world.

We then ask ourselves: What should change? What can I do about it?

In short, we’re called to be “response-able” people, to bring about God’s kingdom

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. on earth. No, we can’t do everything, but we must be willing to do whatever we can.

Particularly in the face of suffering, we often ask the question “why.” We wonder where God might be in all of the hurt or why terrible things happen. We grapple with tragedies like the horrific typhoon in the Philippines, the recent tornadoes in Illinois, the suicide bombing of the Iranian embassy in Beirut, or the daily reports of murders and accidents that make up so much of the local news.

On a more personal level, we experience the death of loved ones, broken relationships, unemployment, hunger, addictions, disillusionment and a host of other

ills. In the midst of it all, we wonder where God is and if God cares.

It’s comforting to know that people holier than most of us have asked similar questions. I recently came across a story about the Jesuit priest John Kavanaugh, a philosophy professor and powerful preacher, who went to work for three months as a young priest at the House of the Dying in Calcutta. He was seeking a clear answer about how to spend the rest of his life.

On the first morning there, he met Mother Teresa, who asked, “And what can I do for you?”

The priest asked her to pray for him. “What do you want me to pray for?” she asked.

He voiced the gnawing issue that he’d carried with him since he left the States, “Pray that I have clarity.”

Mother Teresa, in no uncertain terms, replied, “No, I will not do that.”

When he asked why, she said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”

When Father Kavanaugh commented that she always seemed to have the clarity he longed for, Mother

Teresa laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust.

So I will pray that you trust God.” (Adapted from “More Perfect Illustrations for Every Topic and Occasion,” by Craig Brian Larson and Drew Zahn.)

Following Mother Teresa’s death and the publication of her letters, we now know how true her words were. Although she felt an “absence” of God in prayer throughout her ministry, her life and her work reflected her profound trust in God. She continued to be a “response-able” Christian. She didn’t succeed in providing comfort to every dying person in Calcutta.

Nor did she change the caste system in India. But she did what she could: She reached out to the dying in the streets that she came across and founded a religious order to do the same.

We won’t have clarity on this side of heaven, at least as far as answering the question of the problem of evil in the world. But we are all called to trust — not only that God is there with the suffering, but that we are “response-able” to them . . . one tear, one dollar, one hug and one prayer at a time.

In the beginning

Anointings of David simply ratify God’s choice

A

s the saying goes, the third time’s the charm.

In Sunday’s first reading, 2 Sm 5:1-3, David is anointed king by the tribes of Israel. But this is the third time that David is anointed king. Earlier, as only a young boy, David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to replace King Saul (1 Sm 16: 1-13).

Then later, as a grown man, David is anointed king by the people of Judah (2 Sm 2:1-4), the southern tribes.

He establishes Hebron as the capital, a city just outside of Jerusalem. Notice, however, that David does not reign over the northern tribes, those of Israel. There, Ishbaal, the son of Saul, is king.

For seven years, David rules over the southern tribes, while Ishbaal rules

commentary 15

November 22, 2013 | theleaven.com

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. over the north. There is constant warfare between the two until, finally, Ishbaal is killed. Consequently, the northern tribes of Israel accept David as king, as we see in Sunday’s reading. He is anointed a third time.

Throughout these multiple anointings, David has consolidated power, much as any modern politician might do. His kingship has resulted from a long, hard struggle.

Pope francis God loves and forgives sinners but abhors and condemns “putrid” hypocrites who lead others to sin, Pope Francis said.

The pope spoke Nov. 11 during a morning Mass he celebrated in the Vatican guesthouse, where he lives. “We should all call ourselves sinners, yes, all of us,” he said, but “not corrupt people. The corrupt man is stuck in a state of self-importance,

At the same time, he has also managed to unite the country. As a result, Israel will be stronger and better equipped to resist its enemies, such as the Philistines.

On a purely political level, when the northern tribes of Israel anoint David as king, we can consider this move as ratifying the earlier anointing by the southern tribes of Judah. But on a religious level, we can view both of those anointings as ratifying God’s choice of David as king, as manifested by the prophet Samuel’s anointing of David. In other words, the decision to make David king was fundamentally God’s decision.

The ceremony of anointing formally installed David as king. We might compare it to the crowning of a king during the Middle Ages in Europe, or the taking of an

he doesn’t know what humility is,” Pope Francis said, according to a report by Vatican Radio. “Jesus spoke to these corrupt men of the ‘beauty of being whitewashed tombs’ (Mt 23: 27), which appear beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead bones and putrefaction,” the pope said. “We all know someone in this situation, and how much harm they do to the church,” he said. “Corrupt Christians, corrupt priests. How much harm they do

oath of office for modern government leaders. All those ceremonies establish a bond between the people and their leader.

In Sunday’s reading, the people of Israel express that bond in their words to David: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh.” Those words echo what the first man says to the first woman, Adam to Eve, according to the second creation account Gn 2:23: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.”

On Sunday, the solemnity of Christ the King, we celebrate the bond between us and our king, Jesus. That bond also has resulted from a long struggle, on Christ’s part. His kingship serves to unite us all as fellow citizens of his kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.

to the church, because they don’t live in the spirit of the Gospel, but in the spirit of worldliness.” The pope took as his text the day’s Gospel reading (Lk 17:16), in which Jesus enjoins his disciples to forgive those who wrong them, but says of someone who leads others to sin, “it would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea.”

— CNS

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Celebrating success; setting the bar higher

his is a congratulatory “kick bottom” article, so please prepare yourself. . . . I can feel your excitement mounting!

On Nov. 2 of this year, you and the Catholic Education Foundation set multiple records. Using my fave sports analogies, the evening was a no-hitter, it was a grand slam, it was a Hail Mary pass completed, it was a hat trick, it was a three-pointer at the buzzer. Think of any other

Michael morrisey Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org. winning sports comparison you like — it was a very, very special evening!

It was special for many reasons. We had our “Angels Among Us” past honorees with us, celebrating our 10year Gaudeamus reunion.

We had a record crowd of 1,388. We had a record number of “sponsor a child” gifts given that night — 481.

Last, but certainly not least, we raised over $865,000 to provide scholarships for children in need. How cool is that?

The congratulations go to you! It is unbelievable and very humbling to our foundation to see the number of people who care about our CEF kids. I had one attendee tell me that our CEF kids are their kids. You/they are taking ownership of these children in need and are heckbent on making sure they are given a Catholic education opportunity.

I have to give a shout-out

to our CEF board, 29 strong.

Each and every one of our board members attended as sponsors and was an integral part of the success of this year’s Gaudeamus event. Ladies and gentlemen, THANK YOU! I had multiple people share the following with me: “Michael, the CEF is doing great things as they help thousands of children attend our Catholic schools. But, just as important, the CEF is helping to remind us of the importance of a Catholic education. The families and children you help don’t take this opportunity for granted.

The student speaker tonight was a perfect example. So, thanks to CEF for reminding

us how important a Catholic education is — not only to our church, but also our society today.”

As I end this congratulatory “kick bottom” writing, I want to THANK YOU again for caring about our CEF kids. We could not be doing what we are doing without you. CEF is giving over 1,300 children the opportunity to attend one of our CEF schools during the current school year.

However, we have identified over 200 more kids who are not able to attend because they/we don’t have the resources to allow them that opportunity. We have to keep winning in an effort to close this gap!

Church and State

Contraception mandate weakens the ties that truly bind

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he idea of rugged individualism has long been a central feature of the American myth.

When contemplating the making of our republic, one cannot help but conjure the imagery of the self-made, self-sufficient man, the yeoman farmer glorying in his freedom, living his life by the sweat of his brow, or the pioneer pushing west for even greater opportunity.

Yet to define the American tradition as purely individualist would be to overlook its strong communitarian dimension. America has long been blessed with a rich mosaic of voluntary associations that exist in the

Michael schuttloffel Michael Schuttloffel is the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference. space between the citizen and the state: churches, schools, political organizations, volunteer groups like the Knights of Columbus, etc. Often referred to as “civil society,” they represent the many different ways that Americans come together for group action freely, without coercion.

In the 1830s, the French

philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville observed that Americans “are forever forming associations. There are . . . a thousand different types — religious, moral, serious, futile, very general and very limited, immensely large and very minute. Americans combine to . . . found seminaries, build churches, distribute books, and send missionaries. Hospitals, prisons, and schools take shape in that way. In any new undertaking, where in France you would find the government . . . in the United States you are sure to find an association.”

Today, it is readily apparent that the strong individualist gene in our national character is in no danger of going dormant, though that individualism is

undoubtedly assuming new forms. However, our sense of the importance of local mediating institutions for the common good is quietly slipping away.

Understood in this context, the HHS contraceptive mandate is doubly ominous. In addition to forcing Catholics into complicity with health insurance that violates their consciences, the mandate is a case study in leviathan state disdain for the prerogatives of civil society. Catholic hospitals, charities, and schools must either submit themselves to government direction and manage their ministries as the federal bureaucracy says they must, or they will be punished.

The HHS mandate has profound implications not only for the Catholic

conscience, but for the American way of life. The familial-voluntary-communal institutions which mediate between the individual and the state are being pulled apart by both: centralizing government power from above, and the breakdown of the family (and other cultural pathologies antithetical to community life) from below.

Columnist Ross Douthat sees in the HHS mandate “an intimation of a darker American future, in which our voluntary communities wither away and government becomes the only word we have for the things we do together.” Catholics concerned for their country have no shortage of tasks in the coming years. One will be a restoration of appreciation for the ties that truly bind.

16 Local news

theleaven.com | november 22, 2013

JFK faced challenges of fast-changing world

By Cathy Harasta Catholic News Service

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ALLAS (CNS) — A young first family, captivating and chipper, reinvented life in the White House during John F. Kennedy’s 34-month presidency in the early 1960s.

The public image was vibrant: with first lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s redecoration of the somewhat tattered White House and her posing for magazine covers in striking Oleg Cassini designs; the couple’s two endearing children, Caroline and John-John, and their pet pony, Macaroni — a gift from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The context for the idyllic scene contrasted vividly as the Cold War festered globally and social upheaval fractured the home front.

As Kennedy, then 46, arrived in Texas in November 1963, the visit came against a backdrop of the Cold War, the space race and the nation’s volatile civil rights scene.

In Kennedy, the nation’s 35th president and first Catholic to hold the position, the populace got a war hero, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and visionary.

During his election campaign against Richard M. Nixon, Kennedy had to dispel the notion that his religious beliefs would translate to a U.S. ruled by the Vatican.

In a televised speech, the senator from Massachusetts said he was not “the Catholic candidate for president.

I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, who happens also to be Catholic.”

Kennedy had commanded a Navy torpedo boat and earned a Purple Heart, yet the presidency brought management frustrations, according to Jeffrey Engel, director of Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History.

Engel told The Texas Catholic, newspaper of the Dallas Diocese, that Kennedy earned a reputation for inspired crisis management at a time when humanity grappled with unprecedented fears.

“People always had a fear that God

CNS photo/Reuters

U.S. President John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline, and their children, Caroline and John Jr., are seen on Easter Sunday in 1963. could end the world, but the notion that the world could end tomorrow because of human action really only arose in the 1950s,” Engel said. “Kennedy was first and foremost a Cold War president.

He thought that [President Dwight] Eisenhower had run out of energy. The thing to remember about the Kennedy administration, like all presidential administrations, is that an administration is, by and large, a rejection of what came before.”

In his inaugural address, Kennedy challenged the nation with his historic call for service-minded action: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

But Engel said Kennedy had far more interest in international affairs than domestic matters.

“The Peace Corps really does represent what Kennedy stood for — to send American energy around the world,” Engel said of the development organization founded under Kennedy to send U.S. volunteers to build friendship and share skills with the people of other nations. “But my read of Kennedy was that he was interested in foreign affairs and did domestic policy because he had to.”

Others characterized the Kennedy administration in terms of personality.

In a September article in The Atlantic, editor-in-chief James Bennet, quoted the magazine’s February 1964 edition, in which historian Samuel Eliot Morison extolled Kennedy’s courage, comparing the significance of his decision-making to Lincoln’s.

The political power struggle known

as the Cold War that also defined the Kennedy presidency lasted for decades and shaped international affairs on many fronts.

The disastrous U.S. attempt to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro in the Bay of Pigs invasion heightened international tensions. Soon after, the Soviet buildup of missiles in Cuba, a scant 90 miles off the coast of Florida, brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war in October 1962.

For 13 days, the world watched and waited as the U.S.-Soviet standoff continued. Finally, Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev came to an agreement: The United States would not invade Cuba if Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba. On Oct. 28, 1962, Khrushchev announced he had agreed to remove the missiles.

A race to succeed in space exploration added to competitive zeal between the United States and the Soviets.

Kennedy also made strides for civil rights during a struggle that dramatically revealed the country’s divisions.

In a televised speech in June 1963, during the height of civil rights protests, Kennedy told the nation that racial discrimination was intolerable.

“If an American, because his skin is dark, cannot eat lunch in a restaurant open to the public, if he cannot send his children to the best public school available, if he cannot vote for the public officials who represent him, if, in short, he cannot enjoy the full and free life which all of us want, then who among us would be content to have the color of his skin changed and stand in his place?

Who among us would then be content with the counsels of patience and delay?”

Engel said Kennedy’s assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, was pivotal for the nation’s collective mindset.

“His death was the beginning of the end of innocence for the post-World War II generation,” he said. “For the first time, Americans realized that they weren’t going to be able to do, collectively, everything they wanted to do in the world.”

Kennedy inspired Catholics during a volatile time >> Continued from page 1 Father Thomas Kearns, now retired, was a young associate pastor at Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kan. He was having lunch with pastor Msgr.

Michael J. Price at a little bar and grill a half block from the parish when the news came through.

“Monsignor and I were in one room, and there was a TV on in the bar next door,” said Father Kearns. “And I thought I heard something different [from regular programming.]

“It was the announcer saying that President Kennedy had been shot.”

It was the monsignor’s day off. And, as was his custom, he invited the associate pastor to accompany him to a movie at the Electric Theater. Father Kearns doesn’t remember the movie, but he remembered how an usher was crying when they left the theater.

The two priests asked the usher why he was crying and he told them that the president had died. Then Msgr. Price began to cry. Father Kearns kept his composure as they walked to the car.

“I was raised a Democrat, and my

CNS photo/Robert Knudsen, courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The caisson carrying the casket of President John F. Kennedy enters the White House driveway on Nov. 25, 1963. A funeral Mass was celebrated that day for the slain president at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. dad was a union man,” said Father Kearns. “Kennedy was a very important person in my family. Msgr. Price was Irish and so was I. We were both proud of Kennedy.”

Catholics were proud of their first Catholic president. Until Kennedy came along, it was a given truth that no Catholic could be elected president of the United States. But he did it, and

it seemed like a new era had arrived.

Catholics in America had arrived.

“Everyone had a lot of hope that he broke the glass ceiling for Catholics,” said Father Bertels. “At that time, Catholics even changed their last names to get a job. There was that prejudice, and that fear.”

“There was exhilaration [at Kennedy’s election],” said Msgr. McGlinn.

“One of our boys was able to be president. And I think there was a lot of admiration for what Kennedy stood for, the ideals he espoused caught the hearts of a lot of us. The whole tenor of the country was changing. It was kind of a revolutionary period in the culture, and he was an exciting part of it.”

And it all changed in a single afternoon. All Americans — not just Catholics and ethnic Irish — felt the loss of President Kennedy, regardless of political affiliation.

“I think, in the atmosphere of a great tragedy, it didn’t matter whether you were a Democrat or a Republican,” said Father Kearns. “Your president had been killed. He was still your president, and he had been taken.”