11-28-08 Vol. 30 No. 17

WWW.THELEAVEN.COM | NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS | VOL. 30, NO. 17 NOVEMBER 28, 2008

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE . . .

ADVENT?

Two-year-old Clare Hansen gets a little help from her mother and Leaven reporter Kara Hansen as they practice for the opening of Advent. Clare’s father Darin is a teacher at St. Agnes School in Roeland Park.

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Happy New Year!

No, we’re not early. A brand-new liturgical year for all Catholics begins on Nov. 30, the First Sunday of Advent.

You may not have thought a lot about Advent when you were a kid. After all, Christmas (day or eve) was when you finally got to tear into those alluring packages under the tree.

And the carols! And the food! And the lights! And the TV shows!

Christmas gets all the glitter and silver bells.

But Advent? What’s so great about Advent?

Quite a bit, upon second look. Sometimes it takes a bit of time and maturity to truly appreciate the greatness of Advent.

Advent is about anticipation and preparation. It’s about looking forward to something fantastic. It’s our spiritual journey to Christmas and beyond — the coming year, as well as eternity.

K

STORY AND PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

8-9

ROUNDABOUT Forget those impersonal long cafeteria tables from yesteryear. Nativity School in Leawood has gone round for a more social lunchtime.

FEEL THE POWER

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Father Mike Koller gave up quite a bit to become a priest, but he couldn’t give up his dream car.

Turn to ADVENT on page 4

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Tell us your favorite Archbishop Keleher story in honor of his upcoming double anniversary. But keep it short and send it to: anita@theleaven.com.

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ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

Catholics must unite in face of pro-abortion agenda

Nemaha-Marshall pastoral plan accepted

By JOE BOLLIG

I

t has always intrigued me that Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the terrible ordeal of the Civil War established a national day of thanksgiving.

It must please Abraham Lincoln and the thousands upon thousands of other Americans who made such heroic sacrifices during the time of our Civil War that 150 years later we are seeing yet another fruit of their efforts with the election of our first African-American president.

Similar to John F. Kennedy’s election signaling a turning point in the diminishment of religious bigotry, Barak Obama’s election signifies a mortal blow to the racial prejudice that has scarred our nation since its inception.

Just as John F. Kennedy’s election did not mean that anti-Catholicism was eliminated from our culture, the election of Barak Obama unfortunately does not mean that all racism has been eradicated from American society.

However, it does symbolize an enormous cultural change that has taken place in our nation since Abraham Lincoln designated the first national day of thanksgiving.

Regardless of profound disagreements with President-elect Barak Obama’s positions on many fundamental moral issues, we can rejoice that his election signals the crossing of a threshold in breaking free of the lingering effects upon our nation of the evils of slavery, segregation and racism. We all must pray for Presidentelect Obama that the Lord will give

him wisdom and strength as he prepares to shoulder the enormous responsibility of leading our nation in a time of menacing national security threats, as well as an international economic crisis.

At the same time, we must also pray that President-elect Obama will have a change of heart regarding his positions on the most important moral issues that confront our nation. He does not appear to grasp that many people voted for him despite his support for legalized abortion, not because of it.

President-elect Obama has indicated his desire to advance a pro-abortion agenda that includes: 1) American support for China’s coerced abortion policy; 2) funding for international “family planning” programs that include abortion; 3) elimination of any restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research; 4) the performance of abortion at military hospitals; 5) tax-funded abortions in our own country; 6) the elimination of informed consent state statutes providing women with the facts about the development of their unborn child as well as the physical and psychological risks of abortion; 7) the elimination of parental notification and consent statutes upholding the rights of parents to advise and counsel their pregnant minor daughters before an abortion; 8) the elimination of conscience

rights for doctors and nurses who do not wish to participate in an abortion; and 9) the elimination of conscience rights for health care institutions, coercing Catholic hospitals to participate in abortions or close their doors.

Once President-elect Obama is sworn into office, he will be able to do some of the above immediately by presidential order. For the rest, he has expressed an eagerness for Congress to quickly pass legislation that he has promised to sign. Any or all of these measures will result not only in the deaths of many innocent young human beings, but also the emotional and psychological scarring of even more adults.

The pro-abortion presidential orders, promised by President-elect Obama, and his eagerness to sign the so-called “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA) and other pro-abortion legislation will be devastating. These actions will undo much of the pro-life work of the past 35 years. As terrible as they are, presidential orders and legislation will not have as enduring an impact on our future abortion public policy as the appointment of federal judges, particularly the probable appointment of one or more Supreme Court justices.

If you voted for Barak Obama, you have a serious moral responsibility to communicate to him in every possible way that your vote for him should not be misinterpreted as support for a proabortion agenda. I deliberately use the term “pro-abortion” as opposed to the euphemism — “pro-choice.” How can anyone legitimately claim “freedom of choice” as their aim when they support coerced abortion programs, the elimination of conscience protections, and a desire to implicate every American by funding abortion with tax dollars?

If you are a Republican, you need to be active in the debate about future positions of the party regarding abortion and the defense of marriage. You need to do everything within your power to preserve the pro-life and promarriage positions that have been adopted by party leadership for the past 25 years.

If you are a Democrat, you need to challenge the assumption that one must support legalized abortion in order to be considered for national or state leadership within the party. You need to refuse to tolerate the status quo and to work actively to provoke a change within the party. How is it possible that a party with such a proud history of advocating for the poor and the weak fails at this moment to defend the most vulnerable in our midst?

There was a well-orchestrated effort during the recent campaign by some “prominent Catholics” to advise that the church and individual Catholics should just accept the fact that abortion is legal. They referred to abortion’s legality as a “settled question.”

If you go back before the Civil War, you will find similar rhetoric about the issue of slavery. If you go back into the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, you will find similar arguments for the acceptance of segregation as a “settled question.”

Thank goodness Abraham Lincoln, the abolitionists, Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement did not acquiesce to accepting injustices that seemed so entrenched in American society. Barak Obama’s election illustrates that important societal changes may take more than a century to be accomplished.

Leaven staff KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A pastoral plan for the Nemaha-Marshall Region has been approved. But the plan is a flexible one, designed to help guide the region through a range of scenarios it might face in the future.

In a letter distributed after Masses on Nov. 22 and 23, parishioners learned that Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann had accepted their region’s pastoral plan.

The plan, which had been written by a pastoral planning task force comprised of pastors and laypeople from the region, was submitted to the archbishop and the Presbyteral Council in July.

The plan has four recommendations: the adoption of “signs of parish vitality” as a standard to determine pastoral priorities; the establishment of a regional council; the initiation of a number of collaborative efforts, such as region-wide coordination of catechist training; and the consideration of possible courses of actions should the region’s circumstances change.

The primary variable in the different scenarios the region faces is the future availability of priests to serve the 17 parishes in the region.

Currently, only nine priests are assigned to the region. Three are diocesan priests, four are foreignborn priests on loan from other dioceses, and two are priests from religious orders. Of the nine, at least a couple are at or near retirement age.

The Nemaha-Marshall Region is comprised of 17 parishes.

The region’s new pastoral plan is designed to prepare the area for a wide variety of future scenarios.

Another, a priest from Nigeria, had to return home to fulfill visa requirements and it is not known when he will return.

One major concern in the drafting of the plan was stability, said Father Jim Shaughnessy, pastor of Annunciation Parish in Frankfort, St. Monica-St. Elizabeth Parish in Blue Rapids, and St. Joseph Parish in Lillis.

Since the plan calls for increased collaboration between parishes, there was a strong desire on the part of planners, he said, to group parishes in a logical manner, and then to retain those groupings — not to shift them at some later date based on declining numbers of priests or parishioners.

The hope, he said, would be that “we would try to keep [a cluster] of

Pastoral plan: Approved recommendations 1. Accept “Signs of Parish Vitality” to fulfill pastoral priorities 2. Establish a regional council to support implementation of the recommendations.

• Identify regional and parish needs • Assist parishes in planning to meet those needs and assess progress • Promote and support regional programs • Encourage collaborative initiatives between parishes • Develop communication to support the initiatives 3. Initiate and support priorities through a coordinated, collaborative approach • Plan and promote missions and retreats • Develop a regional initiative to return inactive Catholics and evangelize the unchurched • Schedule and promote adult religious education • Provide regional training for catechists • Coordinate marriage preparation • Create a regional Web site • Provide shared administrative support 4. Prepare for future scenarios • Eight priests would mean that one priest would serve Baileyville and St. Benedict parishes • Seven priests would result in the grouping of Blaine with Frankfort and Lillis; Blue Rapids would shift to Marysville; Beattie would be grouped with Axtell and Summerfield.

• Six priests would result in the closing of parishes at Lillis and Summerfield.

Axtell would be grouped with Baileyville and St. Benedict; Blue Rapids would revert to the Frankfort group; Beattie would join the Marysville group. The archbishop would ask the Diocese of Lincoln to cover weekend Masses at Summerfield, while it would continue to be administered from Axtell.

• Five priests would result in Kelly linked to Seneca; Blue Rapids would join the Marysville group; Onaga would join the Frankfort group; Corning would join the Sabetha group. A determination would be made to either close the Fidelity parish or merge with Sabetha, and retain one weekend Mass.

parishes together without too much shifting.”

In addition to the decline in the number of available priests to serve the region, the Nemaha-Marshall region also faces a declining population.

“One [challenge], which is not going to change so far as anyone can see, is the changing demographics [of the region], which is true of most of our rural areas,“ said Mike Maude, a consultant hired by the archdiocese to facilitate the process.

“The population has declined, although that seems to be leveling out, and [it is] an aging population,” said Maude, who is with the Lawrencebased firm of Partners in Philanthropy. “Obviously, this will have an impact on parishes in terms of the capability of people to volunteer, and as the aging population dies, an economic impact as well.”

Other considerations mentioned

by Father Shaughnessy and Maude were aging facilities and the lack of trained staff for ministry and religious education.

The only way to address those effectively is with inter-parish cooperation, planners agreed. But that will be a challenge as well.

The parishioners of this heavily Catholic part of the state are heirs to a tradition of strong parishes and

faithful families. How to hold on to what is the best from the past and, at the same time, steer a path toward a newer and broader vision of regional cooperation will be the question.

And how to get parishes to work together better, admitted Father Shaughnessy, who is also regional pastoral leader, will be another.

“Individuality has been stressed for so many years. People all say they would like to work together more, but when it gets down to it, it’s not so easy,” he said.

“They’re concerned, but they’re determined to try to keep things going as long as possible,” said Father Shaughnessy. “They see the value of the individual communities that have been held together by their hard work and tradition for so many years.”

“They don’t want to lose that,” he continued. “They see that as something very important, but they also realize that changes are happening.”

Change sometimes presents opportunities, according to Father Shaughnessy. The planners hope that broader regional cooperation called for in the new pastoral plan will help strengthen individual parishes and meet the inevitable changes to come.

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 21, 2008

Advent preparations should include reconciliation Continued from page 1

Eating in the round

By BOB HART Special to The Leaven

Leaven photos by Joyce A Mitchell

Amy Aldaco, second from left, joins her daughter Megan, far left, for lunch at Bethlehem Cafe. Dining with the Aldacos are: (clockwise, from the top) Bobby Hummel, Townshend Hurt, Thaddeus Wilson, Olivia Pope, and Tess Barbeau.

By JOYCE A. MITCHELL Special to The Leaven

CNS photos courtesy Conception Abbey

The Epiphany (clockwise, from top left), the flight into Egypt, and the Nativity are depicted in a series of murals in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey in Conception, Mo. The season of Advent starts on Nov. 30 and celebrates the mystery of Jesus coming to live among us. sacrament of reconciliation, said Michael Podrebarac, archdiocesan consultant for liturgy.

“It’s not a penitential season, but as a time of preparation it has a penitential character to it,” he said. “It doesn’t have the same intensity of Lent. But if Christ is coming in the liturgical feast of his glory, our modesty, our anticipation, and our solemnity help prepare us for those realities.”

Do you want to have a good Advent? Then concentrate on the readings for Mass, said Podrebarac.

Read them at the dinner table and discuss them. Pray with your family around the Advent wreath.

“

We can go overboard [before Christmas], however. If you’re tired of Christmas when it comes, you haven’t lived a good Advent.

Michael Podrebarac, archdiocesan consultant for liturgy

“Also, take advantage of the cultural activities,” he said. “Go sing Christmas carols. Take part as a family in the merriment, whether shopping, or planning, or baking.”

“The things we do culturally at Christmas are not the enemies of our religion,” he continued. “We can go overboard, however. If you’re tired of Christmas when it comes, you haven’t lived a good Advent.

“But if the things we do over the course of the four weeks make us even more excited about Christmas, then I think we’ve done a good thing with our Advent.”

LEAWOOD — Don’t tell your math teacher, but at Church of the Nativity School here, rectangles are now square.

When planners began to look at ways to renovate the school’s outdated lunchroom, principal Maureen Huppe realized she wanted it configured so that pupils would be encouraged to build relationships outside their usual group of friends.

“Long tables tend to shove some kids down to the end,” she said.

Circular tables, however, make it less likely that a child will be isolated.

All children “regardless of where they are sitting” are included, she noted.

At Bethlehem Cafe, the school’s renamed lunchroom, 25 tables with bright red chairs replaced the traditional rectangular tables with attached stools. A large mural of a European street scene forms an impressive backdrop along one wall that used to be an institutional gray.

Wallpaper has transformed pillars into bricks, and texturized painting makes other walls more appealing.

Striped awnings adorn openings between the main room and the kitchen.

The transformation occurred over summer, with staff and parents pitching in to paint and wallpaper.

“There was a lot of ‘Mom enthusiasm’ to make it less institutional — to make it fun and to bring in our Catholic identity,” said Susan O’Neil, past president of the PTO. “Round tables build community.”

To break kids out of the routine of

sitting only with their friends, the teachers assign students to different tables. Periodically, the students get mixed up again with a new group.

Students haven’t objected to not sitting with their best pals, Huppe said. In fact, two eighth-graders thanked the principal, saying the new arrangement is much less stressful because they don’t have the pressure of choosing where to sit.

“What started it was trying to help kids become more inclusive in their relationships with others,” Huppe said.

In the past, said assistant principal Stephanie Jancich, ostracism at school often started in the cafeteria.

But the new round, assigned tables prevent “cool kids” from selectively excluding other children.

Students who lack certain social skills also have the chance to observe “how you socialize appropriately,” said Huppe.

“They can watch and see what it takes,” said Jancich.

Sometimes teachers join students at the tables to model good manners, such as not talking with full mouths, inclusive conversation, and resisting peer pressure.

As Huppe brainstormed with staff and the PTO about her vision for the dining area, the enthusiasm spread to enhancing the menu to include healthier alternatives.

“We offer a choice that is freshly prepared or more healthy,” said cafeteria director Carol Clune, who spent the summer experimenting with recipes.

The introductory year still offers some familiar items, because “you

5

Archbishop reaches out to college students in Emporia

Circular tables transform lunchroom environment

“

“Advent is the beginning of our liturgical year,” said Father Francis Hund, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee. “We look at the mystery of the Incarnation — of God coming to dwell among us, as told in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

“We begin with the mystery of Jesus coming to dwell among us,” he continued. “[This] leads us to Jesus’ ministry and mission, and then to the paschal mission, which culminates in the resurrection. [Advent] is a continual renewal of faith for us.”

Wonderful things take place during the four weeks of Advent — many of them rooted in the most ancient traditions of the church.

Some saints’ feast days during this time have become associated with the journey to Christmas, like jolly old St. Nicholas’ on Dec. 6, and St. Lucy’s on Dec. 13. Two Marian solemnities are also celebrated during this time: the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.

Father Hund’s family celebrated St. Nicholas Day when he was growing up on the farm.

“It would be after supper,” he said.

“We’d be doing our homework or the dishes, and we’d hear a knock on the front door. When we opened it, no one was there, but someone left some candy.”

Some Hispanic families observe Las Posadas (“The Inns”), a nine-day celebration lasting from Dec. 16 to Christmas Eve. Las Posadas reenacts the search for lodgings by Joseph and Mary after arriving in Bethlehem. It involves a procession with prayers and singing, culminating in a party.

Many other Catholics — and now even some Protestants — work their way through the season with the help of an Advent calendar. This tradition features little cardboard “doors” that are opened each day, revealing special prayers and activities that families can use to count down the days before Christmas.

Other families (and some churches) put up a Jesse tree instead, which is inspired by the Book of Isaiah (11:13), and highlights the ancestry of the Messiah. A Jesse tree’s branches are hung with symbols from Old Testament figures, such as an apple for Adam and Eve, a rainbow for Noah, and a harp for King David.

But perhaps the most familiar seasonal devotion found in homes and churches is the Advent wreath.

Usually a circle of greens, but sometimes of ceramic or metal, the Advent wreath has four candles — three violet and one rose. Starting with the lighting of a single violet candle, family members gather around the wreath each night for a short prayer service.

(On the second Sunday of Advent, a second violet candle is lit as well. On the third Sunday of Advent, the rose candle is lit, followed by the remaining violet candle on the final Sunday of the season.)

Sometimes a white candle, which symbolizes Christ, is put in the center and is lit on Christmas Eve. Since Advent is a time of preparation, it’s also a great time to seek the

LOCAL NEWS

can’t just go cold turkey,” she said.

That turkey sandwich, however, is a daily option, and it’s served on wheat bread.

The change does not mean that the Nativity lunchroom never sees pizza or hot dogs. But the pizza uses low-fat cheese, Clune said, and the mini corn dogs, made with turkey, have a fat count that is half the former version.

The salad bar has metamorphosed as well into a fruit and vegetable bar with dressings, where students can take as many servings as they wish.

Kids are often suspicious of new entrees, she continued, but if they see spinach quiche several times and watch their classmates sample the delicious dish, they may try it themselves next time. Desserts are not served daily, but when they are, the selections are more fruit- than sugarbased: frozen fruit cup, orange juice freezies, apple cake, and carrot cookies.

“Carol is good about making kid food healthier,” said Huppe.

The trial and error of new recipes means that some are successes and some are flops. The carrot-zucchini cake, Clune says, though nibbled politely by students, did not make a second appearance.

Clune is encouraging school parents to serve new foods at home as well.

“If they were introduced to it at home,” she said, “kids would be more likely to try it.”

Variety, Nativity students are learning, is the spice of life — whether on their plates or around their table.

EMPORIA — Five-year-old Olivia Pimple is a big fan of the “Cinderella” fairy tale, and she knows a leader when she sees one.

So when she attended Mass at the Didde Catholic Campus Center in Emporia the evening of Nov. 2, and saw a man in a flowing robe and miter enter, carrying a staff, she didn’t hesitate.

Hardly able to suppress her joy, she turned to her grandparents and whispered excitedly, “It’s the king!”

Olivia was only one of those excited by the visit of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann to the center on the campus of Emporia State University.

“It’s obviously always an exciting thing to meet the bishop, and Archbishop Naumann did a great job interacting with our students,” said Father Ray May, campus center director and chaplain.

After the Mass, the archbishop stayed to mingle and dine with students, sharing with them his thoughts on how to be a good disciple. Several students asked questions, including senior Mary Sigle, a lifetime parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Emporia and an elementary education major at ESU. “I asked him about balance — how we can do it all at once,” said Sigle.

“He told me that none of us is Jesus, but we’ve all been given gifts. If I have a gift for teaching, I need to be the best possible teacher I can be. And he encouraged me to pray and depend on Jesus in my life and work.”

“It was a grace-filled event and an important opportunity for our students to understand that we are part of a larger church,” Father May said.

Christmas Cards help church’s restoration project KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Our Lady and St. Rose parishioners here are selling Christmas cards depicting a Nativity scene found in their church (see below).

Money raised from the sale of the cards will go toward t h e restoration of the three altars in the church and the installation of a new heating system.

The church put in air conditioning during the first stage of this project.

To purchase cards, make checks payable to “Our Lady and St. Rose” for $12.50 — $10 for 11 cards, plus $2.50 for shipping and handling. Mail checks to: Christmas Cards, 2203 Parallel, Kansas City, KS 66104.

Cards may also be purchased and picked up at the church office or by contacting Don Wolf at (913) 7887649.

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s December calendar 1

8

Vespers and reception for priests

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass — Bishop Ward High School

2 Souper Bowl (Hunger Awareness) luncheon

3

Confirmation — St. Patrick, Corning; St. Bede, Kelly; St. Vincent de Paul, Onaga; St. Columbkille, Blaine

Serra Clubs leadership meeting and lunch

9

12 Mass — St. John the Evangelist, Kansas City, Kan. Mass — Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka

Administrative Team meeting Advent open house for the chancery staff — Archbishop’s residence

Donnelly board meeting

4-5

Dinner with Catholic Education Foundation parents

Province meeting — Wichita

11

6 Mass and lunch, Nocturnal Adoration group — All Saints, Kansas City, Kan.

6-7

Priests and staff Anniversary celebration for Archbishop Keleher — Savior Pastoral Center

Speak at Rotary Club, Kansas City, Kan. Catholic Education Foundation meeting

5 p.m. Mass and reception, archdiocesan anniversary celebration for Archbishop Keleher — Curé of Ars, Leawood

15 The Catholic Way radio program taping

16 Johnson County priests luncheon

Archbishop James P. Keleher’s December calendar 8

14

Knights of Malta meeting

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Anniversary celebration for Archbishop Vlazny — Portland, Ore.

2 Souper Bowl (Hunger Awareness) luncheon

9-10 Ethical Review Board

17

3

11

Confessions — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood

Confessions — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood

Priests and staff celebration for anniversary — Savior Pastoral Center

18

4 Speaker, Advent day of reflection — Savior Pastoral Center

6 Confirmation — Topeka Correctional Institution

12 5 p.m. Mass and reception, archdiocesan celebration for anniversary — Curé of Ars, Leawood

Confessions — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

21 Prison Mass

Mass and dinner — rededication of Holy Spirit Church, Overland Park

23 Christmas Mass and lunch for chancery staff

24 Christmas Eve Masses — 4 p.m. at St. Ann, Prairie Village; 10 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan.

25 Christmas Day Mass — 11 a.m., Holy Cross, Overland Park

29 Vespers and seminarian dinner — Archbishop’s residence

30 Serra Mass and lunch —Corpus Christi, Lawrence

Pastoral visit — Mater Dei, Topeka

1

18

22 The Catholic Way program taping

23 Christmas Mass and lunch for chancery staff

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Mike and Sherry (Whistler) Quinlan, members of St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 22. The couple was married in 1958 by Msgr.

Kenneth Spurlock at Blessed Sacrament Church in ANNIVERSARIES Kansas City, Kan. The couple celebrated their anniversary with family, including their three children and four grandchildren.

Ron and Rosemary (Dwyer) Walter, members of Assumption Parish, Edgerton, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 29. A Mass was said on Sept. 20 with a blessing by Father Bill Fisher and a renewal of their wedding vows. An early celebration dinner for family and friends was held at their son’s home following Mass. It was hosted by their children and their spouses: Greg and Kelly Walter of Gardner, and LeeAnne and Scott Walters, San Diego.

On Sept. 21, an open house was held in the Assumption Church hall for family, friends and parishioners. The couple has four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

LeRoy and Deanna (Wietharn) Heideman, members of the Christ the King Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27.

The couple was married on Nov. 27, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Their children are: Kevin Heideman of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Kristi (Heideman) Bolen, Emporia. They have four grandchildren. Their children planned a surprise Alaskan cruise for the entire family that they took this past June to celebrate the couple’s anniversary.

Bill and Jeanene Gill celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family on Thanksgiving Day. The couple was married on Nov. 29, 1958, at St. Matthew Church, Topeka, by Father Arthur Trompeter.

Their children and their spouses are: Sharon and Jon Kuhn, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Brenda and Bruce Schmidt, Lacey, Wash.; Stephen and Debbie Gill, Topeka; Angela Janca, Topeka; John and Darrea Gill, Osage; and Mary and Patrick Moody, Pittsburgh.

They also have 24 grandchildren.

Christmas Eve Mass — 6 p.m., Holy Trinity, Lenexa

There are a lot of good reasons to make Catholic Community Hospice your choice when selecting a hospice.

25 Christmas Mass — Sisters, Servants of Mary, Kansas City, Kan.

Confessions — Church of the Nativity, Leawood

• Our low nurse-topatient ratio

• Our pain management expertise

• Our Catholic identity

But sometimes, the best reason has more to do with you than it does with us.

Feel as good as you can, as long as you can.

Catholic Community Hospice.

Ask for us by name.

Catholic Community Hospice Because life matters.

913-621-5090 • 785-357-5107 • www.catholiccommunityhospice.com

LOCAL NEWS

Luke Miller, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 218 and the Church of the Ascension Parish in Overland Park, has earned the highest advancement award in the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout.

Miller’s service project involved leading a team of Scouts in the design, construction and installation of two detailed benches for Villa St. Francis senior citizen residence in Olathe.

Paul Pisani, a member of Troop No. 218 and the Church of the Ascension Parish in Overland Park, has earned the highest advancement EAGLE SCOUTS award in the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout.

Pisani’s service project involved directing a team of Scouts in the design, construction and installation of storage shelves for Wayside Waifs. These shelves allowed for the storage of food and tools, while keeping the area safe for animals.

Richard Joseph Kirmer, 17, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 26 sponsored by Mater Dei Parish, Topeka, has received the Eagle Scout Award.

His Eagle project was constructing a playground at the Mater Dei Day Care Center. More than 500 hours of service were provided by youth and adult leaders moving dirt, pouring cement, laying tiles, and constructing the playground equipment.

Ryan M. Broxterman, 18, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 11 sponsored by Christ the King Parish, Topeka, received the Eagle Scout Award in Court of Honor ceremonies Nov. 16 at the church.

His Eagle project involved improving part of the cope course at Stone Nature Center.

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F

ather Mike Koller appears to be a laid-back, somewhat shy person. However, we who know him, know better.

Father Mike spent summers and holidays at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park, while in the seminary. I was manager of Queen during those years. He was a real joker.

My computer was at a stage where it had to be replaced. Much discussion was held as to what kind of computer I needed. One person suggested I get a Korean computer, which, if it needed parts, you had no way of getting them. I told them to continue searching. Our pastor, Father Ron Livojevich, assured me that he would not let them buy the Korean computer. A few days later, I had come back from a meeting and Father Mike met me outside and said, “How would you like working on a Korean computer?” As my temper flared a bit, I said, “Father Mike, are you kidding me?” Of course, he assured me he was not. I told him I refused to use it, and if they had bought it, they could give it to Father Ron. I went straight to see Father Ron, nearly in tears, and asked him what happened; to which he replied, he knew nothing about it.

Needless to say, Father Mike was just teasing me. He made our jobs at Queen a lot of fun during the summers and holidays.

Father Mike is a wonderful priest and has brought lots of joy to his parishioners in Seneca. The memories we have at Queen of the Holy Rosary made for a lifetime of friendship.

Paula J. Graves Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park

I've heard his favorite food is “pig in a blanket.” He is always in the cafeteria that day when they are being served.

Kristen Hammes Second-grader, Sts. Peter and Paul School, Seneca

O

ur first encounter with Father Mike was when he was ordained a priest in 2004. We didn’t know much about him and didn’t know he would be assigned to our parish a year later.

We have been blessed to have him as our pastor here at Sts. Peter and Paul. He seems to be a take-charge pastor. He has been instrumental in getting our new Catholic grade school, gym and parish center started. Hopefully, it will be ready by next June in time for the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul.

We were privileged to have him lead a tour group to Greece in April of this year. Since he was stationed in Greece while he was in the service before entering the seminary, he was helpful when ordering food and showing us the sights. His friends in Greece to whom we were introduced had great admiration for Father Mike.

I think Father Mike’s secret dream is to retire in Greece someday and rent a house on a cliff that overlooks the sea, on one of the islands. I think he would feel close to God there.

With his vast knowledge and great sense of humor, he has helped us in our spiritual journey.

Leo and Mary Jane Hammes Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca

I recall the first time I met Father Mike. He had just been ordained a deacon and was on his first assignment as a chauffeur of our newly assigned pastor from India, Father Prabhu Dayananda, at St. Benedict Parish, Bendena. Father Prabhu had not received his driver’s license, so the archbishop assigned Mike Koller, as he introduced himself to me, to escort the new pastor. I introduced myself as retired U.S. Navy, at which he said he was retired U.S. Air Force. In discussions Mike revealed that he was a lieutenant colonel, having nuclear power commands in Greece. On retirement he interviewed for a second career for the priesthood and was accepted as a seminarian by our archdiocese. He was sent to a seminary in Baltimore.

A year later he was ordained a diocesan priest. About the same time Father Prabhu needed to return to India to defend his doctoral dissertation, Father Mike hinted to the archbishop that he would like to be assigned to the parishes out in the middle of the cornfields, like St. Benedict, Benedena; St. Charles, Troy; and St. Joseph, of Wathena.

Our parishes had a wonderful year under the pastorship of Father Mike when he was called to Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca.

Richard Miller St. Benedict Parish, Bendena

F

ather Mike Koller was our priest and we do miss him! One funny story I remember was how afraid he was of snakes! He would ask our parish secretary to always check behind the altar before Mass for any snakes! Of course, she was as afraid of them as he was. He’s a wonderful man; we appreciated and admired his virtues!

Jeanie Joyce St. Benedict, Bendena

O

ur parish was in the midst of moving offices and classrooms last spring to various other makeshift rooms, to prepare for the destruction of our grade school and the building of the new grade school. Father Mike processed out for a 7 a.m. Mass and, just as he said, “Good morning,” a cell phone went off rather loudly. There was a pause and he reached into his pocket and turned his phone off. His comment was: “That is not supposed to happen to me.”

RIDE THE PONY Mustang deferred for pastoral duties

Myra Runnebaum Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

By JOE BOLLIG

P.S. About a month later, a phone went off during Communion during an early morning Mass and he piped up, “That was not me this time.”

Leaven staff

S

ENECA — When Father Michael Koller decided to enter the seminary in late 2000, he had to unload a lot of stuff.

Nearly everything had to go — from frying pans to furniture.

Some of it was nice stuff, too, picked up overseas during his 23year career with the U.S. Air Force.

There was one thing, however, with which he simply could not part: his silver 1965 Ford Mustang GT Fastback.

Call it a hobby deferred.

Ever since he was a kid and his father introduced him to the joys of being a shade tree mechanic, Father Koller has worked on cars.

“I used to love to tinker with old cars when I was in the Air Force,” said Father Koller. “That was my favorite pastime in the evenings, just to relax and work on one.”

Then by a twist of fate and a little bit of blackmail — though not his own — Father Koller acquired the car of many a grease monkey’s dreams.

He was living at the time in Riverside, Calif., and already in the Air Force. The year was 1983.

“There was an NCO out there who was in the Air Force Reserves, and he had been selected for graduate school,” said Father Koller.

“His wife agreed to support the family while he was in school, but he had to give up this car.”

To truly understand how cool this car is, go rent the movie “Bullitt,” staring Steve McQueen, and co-starring his car: a highland green 1968 Mustang GT 390.

The NCO’s Mustang had the Pony custom interior (few models that year had it), fog lights, fourspeed transmission, and 289 cubic inch engine with four-barrel carburetor.

So Father Koller didn’t hesitate when the NCO was ready to seal the deal. And it was a heart breaker.

“As I was driving off, he just had tears in his eyes,” said Father Koller. “He hated to give it up.”

The car was in good shape and had 77,000 miles on the odometer. Father Koller drove it until he received an overseas assignment, then into storage it went.

And that’s where it’s stayed, resting quietly somewhere in Topeka, waiting for “someday,” when Father Koller can make it road worthy again.

Father Koller checks up on the

F

ather Michael Koller is a blessing to the priesthood and a blessing to our parish. My husband is impressed with Father Mike, also, and said he served his country first and now he is serving God. Marilyn Ronnebaum Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

F

ather Mike has been a gift to our community. He seems to work tirelessly for our busy parish. A kind memory I have of him is from February 2006. Shortly after the birth of our sixth child, Emily, it was discovered that she had a very serious heart defect. She was transferred quickly to a Topeka hospital. After my husband and I were able to get there, we were told that Emily's heart was unable to be fixed. We were in shock and completely devastated. We wished for Emily to be baptized as soon as possible. Somehow, someone was able to contact Father Mike. He was in Kansas City at the time and on his way back to Seneca. That evening he came to Emily's hospital room and baptized her, surrounded by her sisters and brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This is a very special memory that we cherish. Emily lived for nine days — nine days that we are grateful for. From Emily’s funeral Mass, I remember Father Mike’s words and presence as being light for us during a very dark time in our life. Thank you, Father Mike.

Angie Hammes Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

F

ather Mike’s father was best man in our wedding on March 23, 1942, at Assumption Church, Topeka. His father shared many stories with my husband about Father Mike in his military years. Father Mike represents another Christ to me.

Marie Beseau Before he retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2000 at the rank of lieutenant colonel, Father Michael Koller traveled widely throughout Europe, Russia, and other places. Along the way, he fell in love with Greece.

While there, he began to build his collection of icons, or holy images, which are common in the Greek Orthodox Church.

“Eventually, you find your whole life revolves around the church, which is great. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love it.”

car every now and then, but he hasn’t turned the engine over in 10 years. Getting it ready for the road would take some time.

As the pastor of the only Catholic church in a town almost 90 percent Catholic, Father Koller doesn’t have much time these days for tinkering — whether with cars or with computers, another hobby he used to enjoy.

When he became pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca in July 2005, it was a big adjustment.

The parish was welcoming its first non-Benedictine pastor in its entire history. He still gets notes, he said, with “OSB,” for Order of Saint Benedict, tacked behind his name.

“I still have to explain the difference between Benedictine and diocesan priests,” he said.

And Father Koller had to get

used to small town life. Although there were times when the rectory housed four or five Benedictine priests, now it’s just Father Koller.

In a town of 2,100, his parish serves 800 families . . . and is growing. Retirees are moving off the farm and into town, and a lot of young couples are starting families. Father Koller easily presides at about 45 funerals and 25 weddings a year.

“When I get through at the end of the day, I watch a little bit of television, the news, and I go to bed,” he said. “Free time is a matter of getting caught up on personal things, and running errands when you have a day off — when you can get a day off and you don’t have a funeral.”

“Eventually, you find your whole life revolves around the church, which is great,” he contin-

ued. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love it.”

The press of pastoral duties hasn’t put an end to all of Father Koller’s hobbies, however.

Father Koller caught the travel bug while he served in the Air Force.

Half of his 23-year career was spent in Europe, so he had plenty of opportunities to travel: to Greece, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Egypt, and parts of Russia you won’t ever see or hear about — ever.

“Being able to travel on a train in Egypt is an experience in itself,” he said.

One of his last assignments with Air Force was in Athens, he said.

Although all American personnel there had to be very, very careful, it is now one of his favorite places to visit.

“We were targets, let’s put it that way,” said Father Koller. “We

worked in an office building downtown that had, at one time, been the office of the CIA, and it still had the connotation of being an intelligence agency operation out of there. There had been a couple of assassinations that had taken place in that building, so it was kind of a wild place.”

But for tourists, Greece was — and is — a relatively safe place, especially so in the countryside and the islands. Last April he led a group of parishioners on a vacation to Greece, and they had a great time.

Father Koller intends to hit the road in the near future, but not with his beloved Mustang. Rather than the throaty roar of his stabled Pony, this coming April he and other pilgrims will relax in the sedate ride of a tour bus as they visit the shrines of Italy.

F

ather is a good guy. He comes to a small cafe most Saturdays and has breakfast with our rowdy friends. We try to give him help with his homilies, but thankfully he has better ideas. We are thankful to have him as our pastor.

Loyola Engelken Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

W

e feel that we are so blessed to have Father Mike as our pastor here at Sts. Peter and Paul. He is a wonderful pastor. He has many of the people in the parish involved in different things. I feel he has brought our parish together. He enjoys the people and wants them to feel wanted. We are a large parish and I pray and hope the Lord will give Father Mike the strength and guidance for him to continue being our pastor. Thank you!

Paula and Jerry Rottinghaus Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

I

remember Mike as the tallest in grade school, at Holy Name in Topeka, along with his shocking RED hair. You could pick him out of a crowd of kids from blocks away.

Ed Williams Christ the King in Topeka

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

Pantries face double whammy of greater need, fewer donors RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CNS) — While economic indicators continue to tumble, the number of people turning to parish food continues BRIEFLY pantries to climb. In many cases, pantries are struggling to meet the increased demand. “We used to be able to fill up the shelves. Now, soon as it's there, it goes out,” said Father Tom Coby, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Riverhead, where the number of people seeking help has nearly doubled in recent months. According to Mary Rubert, coordinator of social ministry at the parish, they used to serve between 350 and 400 people a month. In August, that number rose to 454. It jumped to 560 in September and more than 600 people in October. Across the country it's the same story. At People of Progress, a food bank and emergency assistance charity in Redding, Calif., executive director Melinda Brown said that she's seeing “more and more new people, and a lot of working people, which is new.” The working people are getting food from the charity to make their paychecks stretch to the end of the month, she said.

Group prays that treasury will halt foreclosures WASHINGTON (CNS) — Berenice Ramos never thought she and her family would have their house lost in foreclosure. Ramos, 39, is a financial planner.

“What about that, huh?” she said. Her husband has been in the flooring business for 20 years. Ramos herself took in additional income cleaning houses. “This was our third house,” she told Catholic News Service about the house where she and her husband and three children lived for three years until it was foreclosed on in November. They bought the house for $580,000 and had a monthly payment of $3,000. But after a two-year freeze on the interest rate ended, the payment shot up to $4,600. By the time they were forced out of the house, the payment had neared $5,000, said Ramos, a member of Holy Rosary Parish in Antioch, Calif. The family now rents a house two blocks from the home they lost. Asked if she knew others whose homes have gone into foreclosure, Ramos replied, “Too many, too many.”

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

Nuns use art to renew faith of Chinese Christians

Great Depression survivor believes in economy

By ED LANGLOIS Catholic News Service PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Although Mary Barnes did not know much about the 1929 stock market crash that occurred when she was 5, she knew something was awry in the world.

Barnes, born Mary Oster, and her seven siblings, were shielded from the family’s budget woes by their parents.

But on the family farm in South Dakota, dust smothered the crops, and one year when plants actually grew the air was thick with grasshoppers. She also remembers many hungry-looking men and women wandering past the farm looking for work.

Now 85, Barnes lives in decidedly undusty Portland, where she raised four children of her own. When she recommends the need to be thrifty, her brood teases her for having “a Depression mentality.”

“I think we’re more cautious and we’re more frugal,” Barnes said of her generation. “Also, we are more appreciative of the things we have. We used it up, wore it out and made do.”

Her health is excellent; she suffers a few aches and pains and a little blood pressure irregularity. Most days, she walks 18 blocks to St. Ignatius Church in Portland for daily Mass.

As an economic dip not unlike what happened in the 1930s bears down on the United States, Barnes is unperturbed. Many of Oregon’s elderly have fretted considerably as the 2008 stock drop has cut into their retirement savings, but Barnes is confident it will bounce back.

She has not bothered looking at her investments, much less moved them.

Many economists agree with Barnes that there will be short-term pain, but that the markets will recover in the next two years. There are safeguards in place to prevent a financial cataclysm like the Great Depression, they say.

Looking back at her growing-up years, Barnes said the family farm was seven miles from the nearest town, which had 100 residents. The farmhouse had no electricity in the Depression years. She never liked the

CNS photo/Debbie Hill

GIRLS WAIT FOR CLASS — Palestinian girls wait for class Oct. 23 at the girls school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Bethlehem, West Bank. Many parents struggle to send their children to Catholic schools in the Palestinian territories.

CNS photo/Ed Langlois, Catholic Sentinel

WOMAN POSES WITH PHOTO AT OREGON HOME — Mary Barnes, a survivor of the Great Depression, holds a photo at her home in Portland, Ore., in late October. Barnes, who says she emerged from the Great Depression cautious and appreciative, grew up on a farm in South Dakota in the 1930s. outhouse and heartily welcomed indoor plumbing when it finally came.

“I really don’t know how we managed,” Barnes said. The family had ample food, maybe because they butchered their own meat, raised chickens, baked their own bread and grew vegetables and fruit when the weather allowed. The mother churned butter and sold it to the store for credit.

“Everybody lived pretty simply,” she said, “but everyone was in same boat.”

To get by, people helped one another. Her father hired workers, mostly farm youths from big families. The Osters took them in, fed them and tended to their clothing.

When dust storms appeared on the horizon, her mother would light a candle and huddle with her children to recite the rosary. As fierce as the summer sandstorms were, winter brought deep snowdrifts that did not melt until April.

Barnes joined the Coast Guard dur-

ing World War II when she was in her early 20s. She came to Portland in 1952, invited by a priest who asked her to do clerical work at a magazine published by the Jesuits. She later worked in banks’ loan departments.

She draws a pension from the Southern Pacific Railroad, where her husband, who died 11 years ago, worked for more than 40 years.

To deal with today’s economic problems, Barnes prescribes cooperation she remembers from her days on the farm. For example, she admires the idea of community gardens.

Perhaps because of her days of wind, dust and poverty, Barnes is still resourceful and generous. She supports her parish, the Archdiocese of Portland and other charitable groups with significant donations.

She also gives in smaller ways. She often bakes sweet rolls for the parish Bible study and is also sure to make extra rolls for any unexpected guests.

Holy Land Christian schools face financial pressure

By JUDITH SUDILOVSKY Catholic News Service BEIT SAHOUR, West Bank (CNS) — Christian schools in the Holy Land, which generally work to keep politics out of the classroom, face continued financial pressure.

For Palestinian Christians, attending Christian schools is part of their identity, said Fuad Giacaman, general director of the Arab Education Institute in Beit Sahour. Since Muslim students also attend Christian schools, their classrooms are the perfect setting for children to learn about concepts such as tolerance and respect, he said.

Christian schools teach “about peace, harmony, tolerance and openness.

These are concepts which the Christian schools preach and practice,” he said.

“The atmosphere of the school is safer.

In general the whole atmosphere of politics does not enter the schools.”

Most Christian schools also include several foreign language classes, such

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as English, Italian, French and German, and in general demand academic excellence, he said.

Some Christian educators feel that if the possibility of Christians and Muslims learning together in an atmosphere of love and respect is lost, it will be only a matter of time until extremists who have had no contact with other segments of society take full control of Palestinian society.

“Now there is more money coming into the schools (from donations abroad), but the economic situation is worse than before,” said Giacaman.

According to a study undertaken by the Jerusalem Inter-Church Center last year, Jerusalem and the West Bank have 65 Christian schools. In 2006 the Catholic Church had the largest number, with 45 schools and more than 17,000 students throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The biggest challenge the schools are facing, said the report, is the limited ability to collect tuition fees.

BEIJING (CNS) — Producing Christmas cards, stained-glass art and wooden candleholders is a way to help Chinese Catholics renew their faith and enculturate church art, said an official of the national seminary in Beijing.

Father John Chen Binshan of Qingdao, the seminary’s academic dean, observed that many rural Chinese Catholics prefer religious articles in Western style. However, “just as our faith needs renewal, the form of religious art also needs to catch up with modern society,” he told the Asian church news agency UCA News.

The seminary set up its Religious Art Department in 2007, but officially enrolled students only this October, Father Chen explained. He said only nuns applied as full-time students.

Sister Xu Xiuqing, who is interested in design, painting and carving, said she hopes to put to good use what she is learning at the seminary.

“I wish to set up a religious art workshop in my convent someday,” she told UCA News.

The nun from Anyang said she hopes to enhance her own spirituality through the course and the spirituality of others through her artwork.

The nuns, some of whom have experience making priests’ vestments and plaster statues of Jesus, are learning the principles and practical skills of silk-screen printing, stained-glass production and bookbinding from German Divine Word Brother Friedbert Ewertz, with Father Chen as interpreter.

Father Chen said that unlike commercial, mass-produced Christmas cards sold in shops “ours have a religious quality.”

He said the silk-screened cards the nuns produce during the course will be given free to parishes.

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11

Weapons more easily obtainable than ‘food, shelter’ UNITED NATIONS (CNS) — The current lack of global arms regulations makes it is easier to BRIEFLY obtain weapons “than food, shelter and education,” said Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's apostolic nuncio to the United Nations. Illicit arms trades have turned tensions into armed conflicts and have compromised peace and development, he said. In a Nov. 19 address to the U.N. Security Council, the archbishop praised the U.N. General Assembly for adopting a resolution that spells out initial steps that need to be taken toward regulating the trade and transfer of arms. He said the General Assembly's discussion of this issue was both timely and vital and was also something the Holy See “fully supports and encourages.” The archbishop said the Holy See “shares the grave concern of conflict-ridden countries” where the illicit arms trade and production hinder the peaceful settlement of disputes and prolong conflicts.

Book on Rwandan Marian apparitions to be released WASHINGTON (CNS) — Like many stories from Africa, the story of Mary appearing to three young girls in Rwanda “wasn’t told” beyond the continent, said best-selling author Immaculee Ilibagiza.

So Ilibagiza wrote the first Englishlanguage book about Mary’s apparitions in the 1980s at an all-girls Catholic high school in the remote Rwandan village of Kibeho, the only Vatican-recognized Marian apparitions in Africa. “Our Lady of Kibeho” was to be released Nov. 28, the anniversary of the first apparition in 1981. Calling “Our Lady of Kibeho” “the most important book I will write,” Ilibagiza can remember hearing about the apparitions from her father at the dinner table. “My dad said, ‘You won't believe what happened; the Virgin Mary appeared to a girl in Kibeho,’” Ilibagiza recalled. She said she learned the details of the Marian apparitions from family talk, village chatter and the tape recordings of the visionaries and Kibeho onlookers that the local priest recorded and played to his parish.

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12 CLASSIFIEDS ■ EMPLOYMENT Finance office coordinator - For Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka. Responsibilities include: coordinating the day-to-day operations of the finance office; providing an accurate filing, record keeping, and reporting system for all parish financial matters; processing of payroll and payroll taxes; and month-end reconciliations and financial reports. Preferred qualifications include a college degree in business administration, finance, or accounting, plus five years work-related experience. Pertinent work experience may be considered in lieu of college degree. Knowledge of accounting principles and practices is required.

Knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Church and its mission are required. Send resume and cover letter to: Most Pure Heart of Mary Search Committee, 1800 S.W. Stone, Topeka, KS 66604.

Principal - St. Francis Xavier Parish, St. Joseph, Mo., is seeking an enthusiastic, visionary and collaborative Catholic school principal to guide our preschool to eighth-grade program. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong ability to communicate with staff, students, and parents and possess marketing/recruitment skills. Candidates must possess the following qualifications: be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the church’s magisterium; have three years teaching experience; and have a master’s in education, administration or a related field, and a state of Mo. administrative certificate. To apply, contact the diocesan school office at (816) 756-1858, ext. 274, or visit the Web site at: www.diocese-kcsj.org/schools.

Personal care assistant needed - For 28-year-old quadriplegic female in KCK. Needs assistance mornings, approximately 2 hours each day. Must have experience in home health care. CNA helpful but not necessary. Must be able to move and maneuver patient for bathing and dressing. Other duties include light housekeeping, laundry, and errands. Serious inquiries only. $9.40/hr; starting ASAP. Call (913) 284-6009, or send an e-mail to: khanson1980@yahoo.com.

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

Work at home - No selling, no inventory, no risk!!!

For details, visit the Web site at: www.AtHome FullTime.com.

■ SERVICES

Does your car have dimmed, clouded-looking headlight lenses? We will come to your location and recondition your automobile headlight lenses. $77. Call Zep (816) 741-0999.

Voice and piano lessons - Available for 3-yearolds and up. Instructor teaches in a fun and meaningful way. For information, call (913) 206-2151 or send an e-mail to: mamurick@rockhurst.edu.

Preserve your memories by telling your life story ! I can type your memoirs from handwritten or recorded notes. Also provide secretarial services. Call All About Words at (913) 438-5922.

Piano tuning - Touch-up and full chromatic piano tuning for residential and business clients in the KC metro area. Call Bob at (816) 510-3125.

Granite, Cambria and Silestone countertops See our new showroom at 5820 Barton, in the heart of beautiful downtown Shawnee. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008 Mountain Movers Inc. - Big or small, we move it all. Insured movers specializing in antiques. Call Dennis Higgins, owner, at (913) 285-3399.

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

Need an occasional extended family helper for bus y hous ehol ds or s eniors? Transportation, appointments, personal shopping, dinner party assistance, and/or house sitting. My personal care at each visit. Call Mrs. Daryl Duffy, Grand Activities LLC, at (816) 210-6757 (mobile). Serving JoCo area.

Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

Family eldercare givers - Caring professional advice on navigating care facilities, financing, Medicare, family needs and more. One-on-one (or family) consulting by former health care executive in JoCo. Holy Cross parishioner. No insurance sales! Ray & Assoc.

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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 Andrea, Sara or Gary.

Eldercare support - Are you struggling to find the right support option for an elderly family member? We are providing families with consultation from our licensed social worker as a FREE community service. We can provide valuable information related to: nursing home and assisted living selection; Medicare and Medicaid coverage; home safety and fall prevention; safety assessments; home care options; and more. To get answers to your questions, simply contact Benefits of Home at (913) 422-1591 to coordinate a phone or in-home consultation.

W o uld y o u le av e m o ne y i n yo ur w i ll t o th e paris h if you knew i t woul d make a di fference in your community for generations? Do you feel like only people with a lot of money give to charity? If you want to know how any size gift from your will or trust can have a big impact, call the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas at (913) 647-0365, or visit the Web site at: www.cfnek.org .

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Lawn and landscape work - College student looking for landscaping and mowing work. Four years experience. Will do trees, mulching, deck refurbishment and landscape design and install. Johnson County. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

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Vacuum, blow and haul away. Also ask about our monthly-average snow removal plan which can save you up to 30% off of all seasonal work. Licensed, bonded, insured; references. Call now for a free estimate. (913) 620-6063.

Topsoil and fill dirt delivered - Southern Johnson County area. Other landscape materials and hauling services available. Aquinas alumnus. Call (913) 6269500.

Organizing & handyman services - Basements, garages, attics and shop spaces organized! Your items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished!

Wall repair, interior painting, tile work, handicap bars and ramps. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, view my Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115.

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THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008 Damaged sheetrock repaired – WyCo and JoCo areas. Ceilings, painted or textured. 25 yrs. experience; insured and reliable. Call (913) 631-5241.

Granite countertops No obligation quote and consultation Turnkey service available Removal, installation and plumbing Member of St. Agnes – Call Tim (913) 626-5020 Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work. Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

ST A ( Su r e T hi n g A l w a ys ) H o m e R e pa i r Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates.

Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

Contractor - Commercial and residential work — painting and renovating. Free estimates; insured; 20 yrs. experience. Call (913) 206-4524.

Cu st om-k itchen count ertops - Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days. Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member.

Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 9625058.

El ectrici an - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing.

Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998 T im th e H a nd y ma n - Insured; free estimates.

Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County. Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

Home security systems only $99! - Protect your family and property. Call Mike at (913) 269-1394.

Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Overland Park.

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.

■ REAL ESTATE

Lake house for sale - Beautiful and private Lake Kahola, less than 2 hours from the KC area. Only 10 miles off I-35 at the Emporia exit. This home sleeps 10+ with a 2-car garage, plus a private boat ramp and dock. Located at the water’s edge on a quiet cove with great neighbors. Call Cy at (316) 262-0888.

■ VACATION

Bahamas beachfront condo - Enjoy the crystal clear waters, beachfront pool or the beautiful sunrises from our newly remodeled condo that sleeps four. $125/night; $750/week. Local owner will rent to mature adults and families. Visit the Web site at: www.coralbeach1602.com, or send an e-mail to: coralbeach1602@gmail.com.

Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 642-3027.

For pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin. forcadeassociates.com.

Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

■ MISCELLANEOUS Help stock up Catholic Charities’ declining food pantry - Bring in a nonperishable food donation anytime during the month of November and receive a one-week membership free. Fitness Plus, 4500 W. 107th St. (off Roe), Overland Park.

New Yea r’s Ev e sin gles ex trav agan za 2008 Sponsored by Kansas City’s own Zepster’s A to Z Party DJ’s at Holy Trinity, 92nd & Pflumm Rd., Lenexa. Doors open at 8 p.m., with dancing until 12:30 a.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and include soda, beer, wine, champagne, and light appetizers. To order advance tickets, visit the Web site at: www.zepster. com/dances.asp, or send a check, postmarked by Dec. 20, to: P.O. Box 14321, Kansas City, MO 64152. Advance purchase tickets will be at the door under your name.

For information, contact Zep at (816) 292-2848 or send an e-mail to: e-mail@zepster.com. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to BE fundraiser.

■ FOR SALE For sale - Three plots at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan. Section 8; lot 84; spaces 4 & 7, side by side; $2000 for both. Section 8; lot 83; space 8; $900. Call Rita at (816) 358-8596.

PSE compound bow - Whisker bisket rest, Cobra sights, release, and arrows with quiver to put arrows in; broad heads; carrying case. $300, OBO. Call (913) 782-1705.

■ WANTED

Live-in compa nion/housekeeper - For elderly lady in Tonganoxie. Room and board, plus salary.

Flexible time off. References requested. Call Jenell at (913) 724-1837 or Linda, after 4:30 p.m., at (913) 2447721.

■ CHILD CARE

Nov.

on humility and silence, monastic qualities that complement Advent. The cost is $40.

For information or to register, call (913) 360-6162.

St. Rose School, 530 E. 4th Ave., Garnett, will host its annual holiday craft show and bierock sale from 9 a.m.

- 4 p.m. on Nov. 29. Santa will visit from 1 3 p.m. for pictures. Admission is free.

Vendor booths cost $30. For information, contact Sue at (785) 448-3168 or Sandie at (785) 448-3301.

St. James Academy, 24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa, will serve three Madrigal dinners at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4, 6 and 7. During dinner, the St. James Academy performing arts students will entertain with a presentation of “The Prince Finds His Peace.” The performance will include music and mirth with a medieval flair. Tickets cost $30. To purchase tickets, call (913) 254-4219, or visit the Web site at: www.sjakeepingfaith.org/ store.

29

5

▲ The Johnson County Unos will gather for 4:30 p.m. Mass on Nov. 29 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission.

Dinner will follow at On the Border Mexican Restaurant, 11851 W. 95th St., Overland Park.

30

St. Joseph Parish, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, will host a presentation, entitled, “A Christmas Story for Grievers: Comforting Lessons from the Birth of Jesus,” from 1 - 3 p.m. on Nov. 30. For information, call the Catholic Community Healthcare office at (913) 621-5090.

The Singles of Nativity will gather for round-robin-style tennis at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Indian Creek Recreational Center, 103rd St. and Marty, Overland Park. Jane Zaccardi will lead the team this season. Beginners are welcome. We have room for everybody! Join us for fun, tennis, and good company. We may go out for a light dinner afterwards. For information, send an e-mail to Zaccardi at: service@ son-ministry.org.

Little Rascals Christian Daycare - Over 20 years experience! Opening soon at 16550 W. 129th St., Olathe. Care provided for children 6 wks to 5 years.

Limited enrollment. For information, contact Colleen or Donna at (913) 397-7100.

■ WANTED TO BUY

***Wanted to Buy*** Antique/Vintage Costume Jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 ***ANTIQUES WANTED*** Postcards, old photos, military items, trains, coins, watches jewelry, political buttons, old toys and banks, Red Wing crocks, Indian rugs, signs and sterling silverware. Call Chris (913) 642-8269.

■ ENTERTAINMENT

Disc jockey - For your wedding, kolos, nightclubs, corporate parties, teenage celebrations, holiday parties, sock-hops, ethnic, birthdays, holiday parties, hiphop/rap, golden oldies. Member of St. Therese Parish, KCMO. Call Zepster’s A to Z Party DJ’s at (816) 7414777.

4,6-7

Dec. 1-4

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 2552 Gilham Rd., Kansas City, Mo., will host a parish mission on Dec. 1 - 4 at 7 p.m. each evening. American Sign Language interpreters will be provided; transportation and child care are available. For information, contact Betty Wood at (913) 757-3051 or John Pileggi at (816) 453-3020.

2

The Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host an Advent retreat from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Dec. 2. Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, will speak on how to take time to prayerfully and reflectively enter into the spirit of this beautiful season of light and hope. The focus will be

Tom Jacobs will perform his 20th anniversary concert “Advent into Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., Kansas City, Mo. Tickets cost $15 if purchased before Dec. 1; $20 afterwards.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Web site at: www.tomjacobs.com.

tion and a closing liturgy. The cost of $35 includes lunch. Scholarships are available.

To register by Dec. 1, call (913) 682-7500, ext. 361; send an e-mail to: lmaguire@scls. org; or visit the Web site at: www.Marillac Center.org.

7

The Ladies Altar Society of the Cathedral of St. Peter, 416 N. 14th St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a Christmas homes tour from noon - 4 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Tickets cost: $6 for adults in advance, or $7 at the door; $4 for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Tickets can be purchased at Michael’s Heritage Florist or by calling Diane Hinkle at (913) 3711891.

3-11

The Kansas City Guadalupana Society will host a novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3 - 11 at 901 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Kansas City, Mo. On Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they will host Las Mañanitas at 5:30 a.m., followed by a 6 a.m. Mass and a reception.

The Johnson County Unos will hold their monthly meeting and catered turkey dinner with all the trimmings at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 at St. Pius X Church, 5601 Woodson, Mission. The cost is $8 per person. Mail your check, payable to Johnson County Unos, before Nov. 24, to: Peg Dowling, 11925 Slater, Overland Park, KS 66213. There will also be a gift exchange.

Everyone is asked to bring a $5 wrapped gift appropriate for a man or woman.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea, 22779 Metcalf, Bucyrus.

A reasonable course fee will be charged.

For information or to register, call Christine or Dave Downey at (913) 8373182, the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558, or visit the Web site at: www.cclkc.org.

5-10

The art students at the University of Saint Mary will host an art exhibition from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily from Dec. 5 - 10 in the Xavier Hall Goppert Gallery, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth. For information, call (913) 758-6460 or visit the Web site at: www.stmary.edu (click on the calendar link).

6

The Ursuline Sisters will host their final Christmas boutique and raffle from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the Ursuline convent in Paola. In addition to handcrafted gifts and goodies, there will be two raffles, including one for an Ursuline signature quilt. Lunch will also be served. For information or directions, call Heather at (913) 557-2349, ext. 365.

The Sisters of Charity, Leavenworth, will host an Advent day of prayer from 10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 6. Sister Kevin Marie Flynn, SCL, will present the program entitled, “How Can We Prepare For Someone We Already Possess?” The day will include the sacrament of reconcilia-

CALENDAR

13

The Knights of Columbus and the Mothers of Young Children organizations at Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host breakfast with St. Nick from 8 a.m. - noon on Dec. 14 in the school cafeteria. Santa will be there, so bring your cameras. The cost is: $6 for adults; $5 for children; $20 per family.

Donations of new or gently used coats (sizes infant through six), hats, and mittens — for St. Benedict’s Special Children’s Center in Kansas City, Kan. — will be accepted. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Rachel House. For information, call Jo Yun at (913) 236-0041 or Jenn Miller at (913) 381-0188.

Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish, 711 N. 5th St., Leavenworth, will host the annual community Christmas concert at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. Choirs from four area high schools will perform. Bring nonperishable food donations for the Leavenworth Assistance Center for admission.

Misc.

Kick off the holidays with one of Kansas City’s most beloved holiday traditions, Marillac’s Enchanted Forest.

Experience the magic of the season as you view over 100 beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, available for purchase, at Union Station. Enchanted Forest is free and open to the public for bidding through Dec. 6. All proceeds benefit children with special emotional and behavioral needs in our community.

12

▲ Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 71st and Metcalf, Overland Park, will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and Mañanitas by Juan Torres Marachi. A reception will follow in the church hall.

13

The St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence, will host an Advent celebration of lessons and carols. Join Father Steven Beseau and the St. Lawrence choir on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. to prepare for the Christmas season. A reception will follow.

For information, visit the Web site at: www.st-lawrence.org.

14

A Croatian Mass celebrated by Father Tomislav Ljuban of Mostar, Herzegovina, will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 14 at St. John the Baptist Church, 4th and Barnett, Kansas City, Kan. Confessions will be heard prior to Mass at 10:30 a.m. A dinner will follow at 12:30 p.m. A donation of $10 is requested for dinner. For tickets or information, call (913) 721-3252 or (913) 721-0627.

Were you injured while on active duty in the military? Do you have combat related nightmares or are you bothered by remembrances of combat? A “veterans helping veterans” support group is forming in this area. If you are in need of help, or are available to help, call John at (913) 909-3368.

Do you or your loved one need support to break free from pornography, infidelity, or lust? The My House Men’s Group provides prayer and accountability for sexual integrity. Sam Meier, MA, LPC, is available for men’s groups and counseling, call him at (913) 647-0378, or send an e-mail to him at: smeier@archkck.org. The My House Women’s Group provides hope and healing for women who are dealing with their loved one’s struggles. Contact Beth Meier at (913) 647-0379, or send an e-mail to her at: bmeier@archkck.org. Sam and Beth work for the archdiocese, and are thankful for the healing they have experienced in their marriage. Support is confidential and from a Catholic perspective.

Catholic Charities is sponsoring Mother to Mother, a program that provides emotional support for mothers.

Meetings, with speakers on various topics, are held once a month in Olathe. Mothers are also paired with a support/mentor mother. For more information, contact Carla Golden at (913) 782-4077, or send an e-mail to her at: cgolden@ccsks.org.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

MARK MY WORDS

Skipping Advent? Just wait a minute!

President MOST REVEREND JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Editor REVEREND MARK GOLDASICH, STL frmark@theleaven.com Managing Editor ANITA McSORLEY anita@theleaven.com Senior Reporter JOE BOLLIG joe@theleaven.com Production Manager TODD HABIGER todd@theleaven.com Advertising Representative JENNIFER SIEBES jennifer@theleaven.com Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com Circulation sub@theleaven.com Intern Seán T.D. Kane

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

R

emember the song, “Anticipation”? To this day, whenever I hear it, the first thing I think of is . . . Heinz ketchup.

Sorry, Carly Simon, I just can’t help myself.

Honestly, though, that song is the perfect way to describe the delicious wait associated with ketchup in a bottle. You uncap it, turn it over and . . . nothing happens for the longest time.

Despite Heinz’s claim that it’s “worth the wait,” it’s the rare person who has the patience to just hold the bottle until that tomato paste decides to slip down on its own.

We’re an impatient people. Going back to the ketchup, there are those who beat on the bottom of the bottle to hurry it along, those who cram a knife into the bottle’s neck, and those who employ a persistent up-and-down violent shaking ritual to dislodge its contents. And the results of our impatience, at least most of the time, are disastrous: an entire plate of food totally covered in red glop or a shirt or skirt embarrassingly stained.

In the old days, ketchup was a perfect image for Advent, the season of waiting and anticipation. I say “in the old days” because we’ve grown tired of waiting for our ketchup. Now, it comes

in squeeze bottles to speed things up.

If we can’t even wait for our ketchup, is it any wonder that we have a terrible time celebrating Advent?

We’ve forgotten how to wait, how to be patient, how to anticipate. We’ve forgotten that rushing this season, like trying to rush ketchup, results in a big mess.

I’m planning to make my Advent different this year. Right next to my Advent wreath, I’m going to put down a bottle of ketchup — the old-fashioned kind. Along with these two visual symbols, I’m adopting a three-word Advent mantra: Wait a minute! My emphasis will be on patient waiting, something that I don’t do well, particularly in this time of seemingly endless lines — long, endless lines.

Since there is really no way to avoid them, I’m going to work on not grumbling under my breath or rolling my eyes . . . quite as often. Instead, I hope to use this prayer for patience — which has been e-mailed to me several times now, for some odd reason — as a focus for my thoughts and heart during Advent:

“Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry, and spend a few precious moments with her children.

“Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

“Remind us, Lord, that the scarylooking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!), is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

“Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress is savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they will go shopping together.

“Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all the gifts you give us, the greatest is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Amen.”

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 7215276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com.

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

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SCRIPTURE READINGS FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Nov. 30 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Is 63: 16b-17, 19b; 64: 2-7; Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Cor 1: 3-9; Mk 13: 33-37 Dec. 1 Monday Is 2: 1-5; Ps 122: 1-9; Mt 8: 5-11 Dec. 2 Tuesday Is 11: 1-10; Ps 72: 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10: 21-24 Dec. 3 Francis Xavier, priest Is 25: 6-10a; Ps 23: 1-6; Mt 15: 29-37 Dec. 4 John of Damascus, priest, doctor of the church Is 26: 1-6; Ps 118: 1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7: 21, 24-27 Dec. 5 Friday Is 29: 17-24; Ps 27: 1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9: 27-31 Dec. 6 Nicholas, bishop Is 30: 19-21, 23-26; Ps 147: 1-6; Mt 9: 35 — 10: 1, 5a, 6-8

We, like the servants, await the master’s return

S

ome people do not like to drive their car at night. It is more difficult to read street signs and house numbers.

Familiar landmarks are time during the night (Mk 13:33-37). enveloped in darkness The exact hour is not known: “You do not know when the lord of the house is and lost to sight. A deer coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the can pop out of nowhere morning.” and collide with We might note that the suggested times for the man’s your vehicle.

FIRST SUNDAY return — evening, midnight, OF ADVENT cockcrow, early morning — Two thousand years ago, Mk 13: 33-37 correspond to the various dipeople were even more relucvisions of the night watch actant to travel at night. They cording to the Roman reckoning. didn’t particularly like to travel during Those points mark the moment when a the day either, but travel at night sentry standing guard might expect to posed challenges of its own. After all, end his shift, to be relieved by another there were no street lights. Thieves sentry more rested and wide-awake. could be lurking about in the darkness, In a sense, all the house servants in waiting for a victim to rob. The parable Sunday’s parable have been converted of the good Samaritan, who rescues into sentries. They all are to remain one such unfortunate, illustrates the alert, ready for their master’s return. dangers of travel during those times: While the parable singles out “the “They stripped and beat him and went gatekeeper to be on the watch,” all the off, leaving him for dead” (Lk 10:30). servants have also been assigned their With travel at night so dangerous, it particular duties, “each with his own may strike us as strange that the maswork.” That doesn’t mean that they ter in Sunday’s Gospel story is expecthave to stay busy 24/7. It does mean ed to return from his journey some-

that they can’t shirk their work.

Otherwise, they won’t be ready for the master’s return, which may happen at any moment. They don’t know exactly when he will come back, and neither do we.

Neither do we know the purpose of his journey. In any case, it must have been something serious and urgent, for him to travel during the night and to be expected to return then. The nighttime aspect of his journey elevates it greatly in importance.

Mark’s Gospel offers us this parable as an allegory of our waiting for Christ’s second coming. Like the house servants of the parable, we also are encouraged to remain watchful and alert, even though we do not know the exact hour of our master’s return.

And that moment involves a paradox. Even though he may return during the night, he will bring with him the day of the Lord, the proverbial time for God to reveal his power to the world.

His arrival will turn the night into day: “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light” (Rv 22:5).

Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris N. Abel; Mr. George Abel; Mr. and Mrs. John Abel; Mr. and Mrs. Roman Abrego; Mrs. Ramona B. Adams; Mr. and Mrs. Boyd L. Akins; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Albers; Mr. Brad Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allen; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Alsup; Mr. and Mrs. Carl B. Altenbernd; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ancona; Mr. and Mrs. Darrin Andersen; Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Anderson; Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Andrisevic; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Angles; Mr. and Mrs. Deron A. Anliker; Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Armel; Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Arnold; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher G. Arth; Mr. and Mrs. James J. Ascher, Sr.; Col. and Mrs. Robert A. Atkins; Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ault; Mr. and Mrs. David Ayers; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Ayers; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Aylward; Mr. Todd Bachamp; Dr. and Dr. Jay T. Backstrom; Dr. and Mrs. Randal Bagby; Mr. and Mrs. Carle Baker Jr.; Mrs. Rita A. Baker; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baker; Mr. and Mrs. Adam Baltuska; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Banker; Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Barber; Dr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Barnthouse; Dr. and Mrs. David R. Barry; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Barthol; Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bartkoski; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Basgall; Mr. and Mrs. David J. Bates; Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Bauer; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bauman; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Beaman; Ms. Charna L. Bean; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Beattie; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin G. Beauford; Mr. and Mrs. Morris E. Beck; Mr. and Mrs. Nathan E. Beck; Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Becker; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Becker; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Bedke; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bell; Mr. and Mrs. Angelo G. Bellassai; Mrs. Margaret Bellinder; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Benjamin; Mr. and Mrs. William J. Berg; Mr. Ken F. Bergeron; Dr. and Mrs. James J. Bergin; Monsignor Robert N. Bergman; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bergwell; Mr. Charles J. Berkel; Dr. Bernita Berntsen; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Berrigan; Mr. and Mrs. Guy A. Berry, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Berry; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald W. Bertels; Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Besler; Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Beuerlein; Ms. Joan M. Bevacqua; Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Bianchino; Mr. and Mrs. Brett L. Bibler; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Bickimer; Mr. and Mrs. Martin C. Bicknell; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Biesemeyer; Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Biggins; Mr. and Mrs. William P. Biggins, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. William Biggins, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Biller; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Billquist; Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Bisang; Mr. and Mrs. Jarod Blackburn; Dr. and Mrs. Tim Blackburn; Ms. Lisa Blackstock; Mr. and Mrs. John Blaha; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Blaufuss; Mr. Kelly Bloyer and Ms. Mary Trebilceck; Dr. and Mrs. Peter A. Bock; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Boddicker; Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Boeding; Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Boeh; Miss Barbara K. Boehm; Mr. Ronald M. Bonesteel; Dr. and Mrs. Gregory L. Bono; Mr. and Mrs. A L Bontrager; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery C. Borchardt; Mr. Jack A. Boring; Mr. and Mrs. Jay Boster; Mr. Glen A. Bouchard; Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Boushka; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Boyd, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Terrence R. Boyle; Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Bradford; Mrs. Jerry G. Bradley; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brady; Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brazeal; Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Brazen, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brazil; Mr. and Mrs. John W. Breeden; Mrs. Maxine Breuel; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Broberg; Mrs. Jeanie Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Kent P. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Philip Brown; Dr. and Mrs. Randall L. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Browne, Jr.; Mr. Raymond Brownell; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin G. Brox; Mr. and Dr. Larry Broxterman; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. E. Bruegger; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Brueske; Ms. Dixie Brummel; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bryant; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Buccero; Mr. and Mrs. David R. Buchanan; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Buchanan; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Buehler; Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Buessing; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bunker; Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Bures; Mr. and Mrs. David Burger; Dr. and Mrs. William D. Buser; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Butch; Mr. and Mrs. Troy Butcher; Mr. and Mrs. Mark P. Buyle; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Buyle; Mr. and Mrs. John Byerley; Mr. and Mrs. William G. Byers; Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Byrd; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Caffrey; Mrs. Catherine M. Calovich; Dr. and Mrs. Paul J. Camarata; Mr. and Mrs. Sergio Campanini; Mr. and Mrs. Kurt A. Campbell; Dr. and Mrs. Ramon V. Canent; Mr. and Mrs. Phil K. Cansler; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Canton; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Caprio; Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Carhart; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Carmody; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Carnelia, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Carrasco; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Carrubba; Mr. James D. Carter; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Carter; Mr. and Mrs. John W. Cartwright; Dr. and Mrs. Pierre Castera; Ms. Sandra Castillo-Jackson; Mr. Warren D. Cawley; Mr. and Mrs. Bill P. Charcut; Mrs. Anne S. Chasnoff; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cheek; Mr. and Mrs. Pat L. Chilen; Mr. and Mrs. John Chladek; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Christiansen; Mr. and Mrs. James A. Christoph; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Chudy; Mr. and Mrs. James E. Churchman; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cillessen; Dr. and Mrs. William Cirocco; Mr. and Mrs. Brett Clanton; Mrs. Julia Clark; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Clary; Mr. and Dr. John Clary; Ms. Julia W. Cleary; Mrs. Beverly Clemens; Dr. and Mrs. Don J. Clement; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Clennan; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Clifford; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Clifford; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Clifford; Mr. and Mrs. John Cline; Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin R. Clouse; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Clune; Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Clune; Mr. and Mrs. David Cobb; Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Colbern; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon M. Coleman; Mr. and Mrs. Scott R. Collins; Mrs. Rosemary B. Combs; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Comstock; Mr. and Mrs. Marc D. Conklin; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Connealy; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Connelly; Mr. and Mrs. Doug Conner; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Connor; Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Conran; Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Cook; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Cooney; Mr. and Mrs. James A. Cope; Mr. and Mrs. Clint Cordry; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Cordry; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cotter; Mr. and Mrs. Rocky S. Cox; Ms. Carol A. Coyle; Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Crabtree; Mrs. Frances Cramer; Mr. and Mrs. James T. Crawford; Mr. and Mrs. Marc Crawford; Mr. and Mrs. David Cresswell; Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Cresto; Mr. Edward Cronin; Mr. and Mrs. Tim Crowley; Mr. James B. Cumley; Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Cunningham, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Sean A. Cupp; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Czinege; Mr. and Mrs. James Daley; Mr. and Mrs. David R. Daly; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Danielson; Dr. and Mrs. Dale A. Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Ron Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davoren; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Dawson; Mr. and Mrs. John De Rossi; Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Dean; Mr. and Mrs. Virgil C. Dechant; Mr. and Mrs. James H. Decoursey, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. David G. Dehaemers, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Troy S. Delong; Dr. and Mrs. Lynn I. Demarco; Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Demaria; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Denzel; Dr. and Mrs. Martin DeRuyter; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Dervin; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Dervin; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Desett; Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Devocelle; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dickason; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Dickinson; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Dierks; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dietsch; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Dillbeck; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry M. Dimon; Ms. Linda F. Dinsmore; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Disidore; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Disilvestro; Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Dixon; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dobski; Ms. Kathleen L. Doherty; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Dollard; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Donahue; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Donahue; Mr. and Mrs. William Donovan; Mrs. Emma R. Dougherty; Mr. and Mrs. Christoher P. Doyle; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin A. Doyle; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Draftz; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Drape; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dreyer; Mr. and Mrs. Linus A. Drouhard; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Duffin; Mr. and Mrs. D. Bernard Dugan; Ms. Bernice T. Duletski; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dunham; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Dunn; Mr. Kevin A. Dunn; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Dunn; Mr. and Mrs. Terrence P. Dunn; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Dunn, Sr.; Mrs. Caron B. Dunnivan; Dr. and Mrs. Carlyle M. Dunshee II; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Easterday; Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ebert; Ms. Cindy Eckert; Mr. and Mrs. Lee Eckert; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Edmonds; Michael T. Egan and Donna R. Egan; Mr. and Mrs. Pete Egan; Mr. and Mrs. David Eisenbarth; Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Eisenbarth; Mr. and Mrs. Joel W. Ekis; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Elder; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Eliason; Mr. Mariano Ella; Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ellena; Dr. and Mrs. Craig E. Elson; Mr. and Mrs. Jim England; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Englert; Dr. and Mrs. O. Keith Enlow; Mr. and Mrs. David Erickson; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Erker; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Euston; Mr. Richard A. Everist; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Faherty; Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Fallon; Mr. Daniel L. Fangman and Ms. Dolly Duffy; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Fanska; Mr. and Mrs. Rick Farrant; Mrs. Mimi T. Fasenmyer; Dr. and Mrs. John M. Feehan; Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Fehr; Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Feldkamp; Mr. and Mrs. James P. Fern; Mr. and Mrs. Dean F. Ferrell; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ferris; Mr. Tony Fey; Mrs. Mary D. Fields; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fiorella; Mr. and Mrs. Craig F. Fischer; Miss Nancy M. Fischer; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Fisher; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert W. Fisher; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis L. Fitzhugh; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fitzpatrick; Mr. and Mrs. Jerome F. Fladung; Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Flanigan, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory E. Flax; Mr. and Mrs. John C. Flucke; Mrs. Mary K. Fogarty; Mr. and Mrs. Donald Foley; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foote; Dr. and Mrs. John D. Foret; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Forlenza; Ms. Jill Forrest; Mr. and Mrs. Fred M. Fosnacht; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Fox; Dr. and Mrs. Gregory M. Fox; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Fox; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Fox; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Frank; Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Franko; Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Frankovic; Mr. and Mrs. Neil Freund; Mr. John R. Fridell; Mr. and Mrs. Verlin Friedly; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Friedrichsen; Mr. and Mrs. Dan A. Froelich; Mr. and Mrs. William F. Froeschl; Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Frost; Mr. and Mrs. Rick Funke; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Furman; Mr. and Mrs. Tim Gaigals; Mr. and Mrs. John F. Gallagher; Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Gangel; Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Gangel; Mr. Rico Garcia; Mr. and Mrs. David Garnett; Ms. Madge R. Garrison; Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Gassen; Mr. and Mrs. David Gast; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gast; Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Gast; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gatschet; Mrs. Sandra Gautt; Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Geck; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Gegg; Dr. and Mrs. James Geitz; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gerber; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Geris; Mr. and Mrs. Crosby L. Gernon; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald L. Gerstberger; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gerstenkorn; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gibbs; Mr. and Mrs. Graham G. Giblin, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Dan G. Gibson; Mrs. Harriet D. Gibson; Ms. Kristy A. Gibson; Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Gideon; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gigous; Mr. and Mrs. John Gillcrist; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald G. Gillette; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse E. Gillikin; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Girard; Mr. and Mrs. James F. Gleeson; Mr. James E. Glick; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Glick, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Ted A. Glickley; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gochis; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Godsey; Mr. and Mrs. Dave Goebel; Mr. and Mrs. Doug Goode; Mr. and Mrs. Paul N. Gorup; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Gowan; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Graham; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Graham; Mr. and Mrs. J. Aaron Grantham; Ms. Joyce Grashoff; Mr. and Mrs. John Grasse; Mr. and Mrs. James W. Gray; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Green; Mr. and Mrs. James J. Green; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Green; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Green; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne G. Greene; Dr. and Mrs. William J. Gregor; Mr. and Mrs. Larry A. Gress; Mr. and Mrs. Doug Griffin; Mr. and Mrs. Scott W. Grisolano; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Grosdidier; Mr. and Mrs. Joe P. Grote; Mr. and Mrs. Terry E. Gruenewald; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grunden; Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Grundy; Mrs. Melissa S. Grzymala-Busse and Mr. Witek Grzymala-Busse; Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Guetterman; Ms. Diana Guilfoyle; Mr. William M. Guilfoyle; Mr. and Mrs. William J. Gunter; Mr. and Mrs. David Gwartney; Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Haake; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Haeusser; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Hageman; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth V. Hager; Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hail; Mr. and Mrs. Tom W. Hall; Mr. and Mrs. Ross Halsey; Reverend Richard A. Halvorson; Mr. and Mrs. Roman Hamerski; Mrs. JoAnne Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Hammond; Mr. and Mrs. William Hammond; Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Hanrahan; Mr. Kim E. Harders; Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Harper; Mr. and Mrs. David M. Harrison; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Harrison; Ms. Lucy Harrity; Mr. and Mrs. John Hartley; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Harvey, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hausman; Dr. and Mrs. Kent D. Haverkamp; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Haynes; Ms. Diane D. Hebert; Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Heeney; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene C. Hegarty; Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Heim; Mr. and Mrs. Dan Heiman; Dr. and Mrs. Brian J. Heimes; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Heinen; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Heinerikson; Mr. and Mrs. James A. Heintz; Dr. and Mrs. J. Anthony Heit; Dr. and Mrs. William J. Hendricks; Mr. and Mrs. John H. Henke; Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Henke; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Henry; Ms. Martha Henry; Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Henry; Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Hensler II; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Herbert; Mr. and Mrs. Glenn A. Herbic; Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Herl; Mr. and Dr. Joel Hermes; Mr. and Mrs. Alfonso Hernandez; Mr. and Mrs. Phillip T. Hernandez; Dr. and Mrs. Scott D. Herrmann; Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Hetley; Mr. and Mrs. William Hickey; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Hicks; Mr. Roger High; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Hilboldt; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hill; Mr. and Mrs. Denis E. Hill; Mr. Herman Hill; Ms. Shirley M. Hill; Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Hillebert; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Hiltibidal; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hirt; Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Hoehn; Mr. and Mrs. Tim Hoelting; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hoerman; Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Hoff; Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hoffman; Mrs. Rosella Hoffman; Mrs. Wilma Hogan; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Hogerty II; Mr. and Mrs. David F. Hokanson; Dr. and Mrs. C R Holbrook III; Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Holtgraves; Mr. and Mrs. Jason A. Holthaus; Mr. and Mrs. Jay E. Holthaus; Mrs. Mary P. Holthouse; Mr. and Mrs. William Holtkamp; Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Honas; Mr. David Horn; Dr. and Mrs. Brian G. Hornung; Ms. Therese M. Horvat; Mr. and Mrs. Dave H. House; Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Houtteman; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Howell; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Hoytal, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hubbard; Mr. and Mrs. Vance P. Hubbell; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis G. Huber; Mr. and Mrs. Randy K. Huber; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Huebner; Dr. and Mrs. Gerard Huerter, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hunt, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Huppe III; Mr. and Mrs. Myron Hurla, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Jay S. Hurtig; Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hutchings; Mr. and Mrs. James Hutchinson; Mr. and Mrs. Don E. Huxtable; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hyatt; Mr. and Mrs. Clifford W. Illig; Dr. and Dr. Jerry C. Immethun; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ismert; Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Jablonski; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Jacquinot; Mr. and Mrs. Evan R. James; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jansen; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Janssen; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Jaworski; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory H. Jecker; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jenicke; Mr. John M. Jenks; Mr. and Mrs. Robin Jennison; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jirak; Mr. and Mrs. John Joerger; Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jones; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jurcyk, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Jury; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kaminsky; Mrs. Carol E. Kane; Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Kane; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Kane; Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Kaplan; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Karlin; Mr. and Mrs. William H. Kastens; Mr. Joseph H. Katzfey; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Kaufman; Mr. John Kearney; Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Keenan; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis F. Keffer; Mrs. Barbara Keller; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keller; Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay R. Keller; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Kelley; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kelly; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin T. Kelly; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kelly; Mr. Timothy J. Kerschen; Mr. and Mrs. James P. Ketter; Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Kiefer; Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Kiesling; Mr. and Mrs. R Gary Kilkenny; Miss Marianne E. King; Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Kirkland; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin G. Kleeb; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Kleekamp; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Klehn; Mr. and Mrs. A. Michael Klein; Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Klein; Mr. and Mrs. Pat P. Klein; Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Klein; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Klein; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur C. Klemm, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Klingele; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene G. Klingele; Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Knoll; Mr. and Mrs. Doug Knop; Mr. and Mrs. David M. Knopke; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Koehler; Mrs. Marieann R. Koehler; Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Koeppen; Mr. and Mrs. Vernon A. Koeppen; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kopel; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Koreen; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony V. Kostusik, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin E. Kramer; Mr. and Mrs. Greg M. Kratofil; Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Krebs; Mr. and Mrs. John W. Krim, Jr.; Reverend Francis J. Krische; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Krizman, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. William J. Krondak; Mr. and Mrs. Brad A. Kropf; Mr. and Mrs. Craig P. Kuckelman; Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kuckelman; Mr. and Mrs. William Kuharich; Mr. and Mrs. Kurt W. Kuhlmann; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Kuhn; Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Kuklenski; Mr. and Mrs. Bradley R. Kwapiszeski; Mrs. Joann Labarge; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lafferty; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lagoski; Mr. and Mrs. George Lahood; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald F. Lamberti; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lambrechts; Mrs. Kay Lampe; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory S. Lamping; Ms. Jean Langkop; Mrs. Florence M. Larkin; Mrs. Ruth Larson; Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Lasnier; Mrs. Sally Lauer; Dr. and Mrs. Ed J. Laughlin; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lavery; Mr. and Mrs. Mel Lavery; Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Lavin; Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lavin; Mr. and Mrs. John D. Laws; Mrs. Sheryl Leavey; Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Ledom; Ms. Grace Legaspi; Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Leibbrandt; Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Leibham; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Leikam; Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Leins; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Leis; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lemkuhl; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Lenzen; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Levell; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Levich; Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. Lewis; Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Leyden; Mr. Adam Liebergen; Mr.

and Mrs. Gary J. Liebergen; Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Lillis; Ms. Ann Marie M. Linder; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Lipp; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lippoli; Ms. Diane M. Little; Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Livingston; Dr. and Mrs. Paul D. Loney; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Long; Mr. and Mrs. David Long; Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Long; Mr. and Mrs. George M. Long; Ms. Jana M. Long; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Long; Dr. and Mrs. Charles Loveland; Mr. and Mrs. James C. Lowry; Mr. and Mr. Robert W. Loyd; Dr. Michael Luchi; Reverend Keith Lunsford; Mr. and Mrs. Shane Lutz; Ms. Jane A. Macke; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Madas; Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Madden; Mr. and Mrs. William B. Madden; Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Madigan; Mrs. Gina Madison; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Madsen; Mrs. Katharine Magee; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mallouk; Mr. Timothy P. Maloney and Mrs. Kimberly A. Schlichter; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth P. Malvey; Mr. and Mrs. John L. Manley; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Manning; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Mansker; Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Manza; Mr. and Mrs. Gary March; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mareski; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mareski; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Marino; Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Marquardt; Mr. and Mrs. Brad A. Martens; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Martin; Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Martin; Mr. Thomas M. Martin; Mr. Edward L. Martincich; Mr. and Mrs. Austin Massoth; Mr. and Mrs. Brent C. Mathis; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Matteuzzi; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent G. Mattione; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Maurer; Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Mauro; Mr. and Mrs. John C. Maxwell III; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Mayer; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mayerle; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mayne; Dr. and Mrs. Kevin P. Mays; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. McAnany; Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. McAnarney; Mr. and Mrs. Quentin E. McArthur; Mr. and Mrs. James J. McAuliffe; Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. McAvoy; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. McBride; Mrs. Ellen T. McCarthy; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McCarthy; Mr. Richard McCormack; Mr. and Mrs. James McCreight; Dr. and Mrs. James P. McCullough; Mr. and Mrs. Dana E. McDole; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McEnerney; Mr. and Mrs. William P. McEvoy; Mr. and Mrs. Mike R. McGinley; Monsignor Charles D. McGlinn; Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. McGlinn; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. McGrew; Mr. Joseph E. McGuire; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGuire, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Brad McIlnay; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. McIlvaine; Mr. and Mrs. David J. McInerny; Mr. and Mrs. Jerome E. McKenna; Mr. and Mrs. David McKenzie; Mr. and Mrs. John McKernan; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard B. McKinzie; Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. McKinzie; Mr. Paul McKinzie; Mr. and Mrs. Terry McNerney; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin McPartland; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Medved; Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Mehrer; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Melookaran; Mr. and Mrs. John L. Menghini, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. John L. Menghini, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Menghini; Mr. and Mrs. Dan W. Mercer III; Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Mersmann; Reverend Mark G. Mertes; Mr. and Mrs. James M. Merwald, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. John Messmer; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Messner; Mr. and Mrs. Blake Meyer; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald P. Micek; Dr. and Mrs. Mike E. Michel; Mr. Larry C. Mikesic; Mr. and Mrs. James Miley; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Miller; Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Miller; Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Miller; Mr. and Mrs. Terry K. Miller; Mr. and Mrs. Will A. Miller; Mr. and Mrs. William E. Milliard; Ms. Carla K. Mills; Mr. and Mrs. Troy Mills; Mr. and Mrs. Alex C. Mitchell III; Mr. and Mrs. Brendan B. Mitchell; Dr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Mitchell; Mr. and Mrs. James J. Mitchell, Jr.; Mr. Charles A. Mitchem Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Tibor G. Mohacsi; Mr. and Mrs. David S. Moll; Miss Martha A. Moll; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Monello; Mr. and Mrs. Randy R. Monson; Dr. and Mrs. Scott A. Montgomery; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Moore; Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Morris, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Morrisey; Mr. and Mrs. Ray D. Morrison; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Morrissey; Mr. Michael F. Morrissey; Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Morrissey; Mr. and Mrs. Alan D. Mosher; Mr. and Mrs. Luke J. Moylan; Mr. and Mrs. Steven Mrha; Major and Mrs. John J. Mroszczak; Mr. and Mrs. James F. Muckenthaler; Ms. and Mrs. Lynn Muder; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mueller; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Mulder; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mulvenon; Ms. Angela Murphy; Mr. and Mrs. J. Kevin Murphy; Mr. James K. Murphy; Dr. and Mrs. John J. Murphy; Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Murphy; Mrs. Millie H. Murphy; Mr. and Mrs. Reed F. Murphy III; Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Murray; Mr. and Mrs. William M. Murray; Dr. and Mrs. George H. Myers, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Myers; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Mr. and Mrs. Jason T. Neff; Mr. and Mrs. Lorry R. Nelson; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Nelson; Dr. Gary L. Nesslein and Dr. Susan Nesslein; Dr. and Mrs. Fred S. Neuer; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Newberry; Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Newell; Mr. and Mrs. Travis S. Newkirk; Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Newman, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. John C. Nichols; Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Nicholson; Mr. Marvin J. Niehues; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nielsen; Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Nordstrom; Mr. and Mrs. Brad K. Norman; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nuti; Mr. and Mrs. Ike Nwabuonwu; Ms. Michele L. Obert; Mr. and Mrs. David O'Brien; Mr. and Mrs. Larry M. O'Brien; Mr. Michael J. O'Connell and Dr. Sara A. Hicks; Mr. and Mrs. James D. O'Connor; Mr. and Mrs. R. Michael O'Connor; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Oddo; Mr. and Mrs. John J. O'Donnell, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Gerald O'Flaherty; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis O'Grady; Mr. James and Dr. Kathleen O'Hara; Mr. Patrick O'Keefe; Mr. and Mrs. Jody R. Olberding; Mr. and Mrs. Terence O'Leary; Ms. Deidre Oliver; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Oliver; Mr. and Mrs. Douglas R. Ondick; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard V. O'Neill, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. O'Neill; Ms. Virginia O'Neill; Ms. Christine R. O'Riada; Ms. Catherine Ormsby; Mr. Robert B. O'Rourke; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ortiz; Mr. and Mrs. Brett Oswald; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Otto; Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Overman; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Owens; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Page; Mr. Kenneth R. Pakula; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Palazzolo; Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Palipchak; Mr. Jerome Paluka; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Panjada, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paris; Mr. Dave Parker; Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Parry; Mrs. Christina Pate; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Patterson; Ms. Cynthia E. Patton; Mr. Otto Pavelcik; Mr. and Mrs. Greg Pavlyak; Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Peal; Mr. and Mrs. James B. Pearl; Mr. and Mrs. Kent Pech; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene S. Peck; Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Pedrotti; Mr. Jack Pelzer; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Pemberton; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Peterson; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Petrie; Mr. Robert J. Petsche; Mrs. Mary Jo Pflumm; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pflumm; Mr. and Mrs. James A. Phalen; Mr. and Mrs. John P. Pickert; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Pickert; Mr. and Mrs. David J. Pierce; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Piernick; Mr. and Mrs. C Raymond Pilcher; Mr. Steven Pint; Mr. and Mrs. Richard R. Pitnick; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Plank; Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Podrebarac; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pokorny; Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Pollock; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene J. Pope; Reverend William B. Porter; Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Poskin; Dr. and Mrs. Abraham Poulose; Dr. K. Paul Poulose and Dr. Queeny Poulose; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Power; Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Power; Mr. William and Dr. Catherine Powers; Mrs. Carol Pozzolungo; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Pratt; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick T. Pribyl; Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Prilliman; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Privitera; Mr. and Mrs. George E. Pryor, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce J. Putman; Mr. and Mrs. Kirk F. Putman; Mr. Charles G. Pyle and Dr. Margaret Yoakum-Pyle; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quick; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Quigley; Mark and Mary Ramos; Mr. and Mrs. Leo T. Rasmussen; Dr. and Mrs. Mark R. Rasmussen; Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Rasmussen; Mr. Donald A. Rau and Mrs. Jeanne Gorman-Rau; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Redmond; Dr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Reeb; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Reed; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reichenberger; Dr. and Mrs. John S. Reifschneider; Mr. Edward L. Reinhart, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Reintjes; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Renneke; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Renyer; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Respeliers; Dr. and Mrs. Gregory C. Reuter; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Reuter; Mr. and Mrs. Micheal Reynolds; Mrs. Imagene Rheuark; Mr. and Mrs. Murray L. Rhodes; Mr. and Mrs. James F. Rice; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Richardson; Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Rico; Ms. Louise D. Rieke; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Riekeman; Mr. and Mrs. Ted L. Riesinger; Reverend Patric Riley; Ms. Gaye M. Rinehart; Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Rinella; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Ritchie; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Roatch; Mr. and Mrs. James Robinson; Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm E. Robinson; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Robinson; Reverend Alfred J. Rockers; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Rockford; Mr. Filiberto Rodriguez; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Rogge; Mrs. Rita C. Rome; Mr. Leonard J. Ronnebaum; Mr. and Mrs. William K. Rork; Mr. and Mrs. James B. Ross; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin R. Roush; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Rousselo; Mr. and Mrs. Stan Ruby, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Will Rudd; Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Rudkin; Mr. and Mrs. Dave G. Ruf III; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Russell, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Rutter; Mr. and Mrs. Steven Ruyle; Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Ryan; Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ryan; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Sabatini; Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Sabatini; Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sabatini; Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Sabatini; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Sabatino; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory A. Sanchez; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Sand; Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Sanders; Mr. and Mrs. Greg Sanderson; Mr. and Mrs. Dexter L. Sandifer; Mr. and Mrs. Fidel Sauceda; Mr. and Mrs. David M. Saunders; Mr. and Mrs. Kent P. Saylor; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scaduto; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Scaletty; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Scanlon; Mr. and Mrs. Dale Schaefer; Mrs. Vida Mae Schell; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schellhorn; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Scherer; Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Schermerhorn; Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Schieber; Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schieber; Dr. Rodney J. Schieffer; Mr. and Mrs. David A. Schlader; Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Schlagel; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Schleif; Mr. and Mrs. James M. Schloegel; Mr. and Mrs. John Schmader; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schmidt; Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Schmidt; Mr. Rodney Schmidt; Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Schneider; Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Schneweis; Mr. and Mrs. Jon E. Schnieders; Dr. and Mrs. Donald F. Scholz; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Schramm, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Schreck; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Schroeder; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Schroer; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schuele; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schugart; Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Schugel; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Schulte; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Schulte, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Schumacher, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory E. Schwerdt; Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Schwerdt; Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Schwermann; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schwind; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Scovell; Mrs. Brenda Scruggs; Mr. Jeffrey A. Seib and Ms. Kelly Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. Craig J. Seiler; Mr. and Mrs. John D. Seitzer; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sexton; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Shackelford; Mr. and Dr. Don Shankman; Mr. and Mrs. David Shapland; Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Sharp; Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Sharpe; Mr. and Ms. David Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Shell; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shirley; Mr. and Mrs. William Sichko; Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Sieve, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. George E. Sims; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sinclair; Mr. Isidor G. Sittenauer, Jr.; Mr. Anthony Skabialka; Mr. and Mrs. John Slater; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew F. Sleypen; Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Sloan; Mr. and Mrs. Greg L. Smart; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Smith; Ms. Deborah L. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Donny Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Duane R. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Smoots; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sneed; Dr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Snider; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Snow; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Snyder; Mr. and Mrs. Donald K. Sobek; Mr. Robert Spaedy; Mr. and Mrs. Mike P. Spahalski; Dr. and Mrs. Frank J. Spalitto; Mrs. Martha K. Spence; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Spenceri; Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. St. Thomas; Mr. and Mrs. David A. Staab; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Stalp; Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stanley; Mrs. Norma Stegman; Dr. and Mrs. Robert T. Stein; Mr. and Mrs. Darrell D. Steiner; Mr. and Mrs. Dana Steinlage; Mr. and Mrs. David M. Sterbenz; Mr. and Mrs. Doug R. Sterbenz; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sterbenz; Ms. Stephanie A. Stewart; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Stine; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory F. Stock, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Sherman J. Stokes; Father Richard Storey; Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Strain; Mr. and Mrs. Don F. Strathman; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Straub III; Mr. and Mrs. Philip I. Straub; Mr. Charles Strauss; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Streitman; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stremel; Mr. Ron L. Stricker; Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Strohm; Mr. Gary Strothman; Mrs. Elizabeth C. Studer; Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Stukel; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph A. Stupar; Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Stuppy; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suarez; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sudbeck; Mr. and Mrs. John F. Suellentrop; Mr. Tim J. Suellentrop; Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Sullivan; Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Sullivan; Mr. Richard J. Sulzen; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory B. Summers; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Summers; Mr. and Mrs. Terrance M. Super; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Surbaugh; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Suther; Mr. and Mrs. David J. Sutton; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory D. Svoboda; Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Swanson; Mr. and Mrs. John Sweeney; Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Sweeney; Mr. and Mrs. James Sweet; Dr. Rita R. Tablante; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tanner; Mr. and Mrs. James E. Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Teahan; Mr. and Mrs. Troy Tedder; Mr. and Mrs. Dutch ten Broek; Mr. and Mrs. William Textor; Mrs. Maxine G. Thayer; Dr. and Mrs. Bradley S. Thedinger; Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Thomas; Mr. and Mrs. Roy M. Thomas; Mr. and Mrs. Terry Thomas; Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Thompson; Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Thompson; Ms. Margot A. Thornhill; Mr. and Mrs. John Thurmond; Ms. Patricia D. Tierney; Mr. and Mrs. Donald K. Tillett; Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Timmons; Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Timpe; Mr. Rob C. Tinker, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Bill E. Tinkler; Mr. and Mrs. James F. Tinkum; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Titus; Mr. and Mrs. John Todor; Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Totta; Mr. and Mrs. Jason Townsend; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Townsend; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Tranckino; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Trautschold; Mr. and Mrs. William Trenkle, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Trenshaw, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Troester; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Trum; Mr. and Mrs. Duane Tunink; Mrs. Bea Turner; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Tushaus; Mr. and Mrs. John Twohig; Rosemarie Tyson; Ms. Melanie B. Uhrich; Mr. and Mrs. Ciriaco Valdez; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Van Buren; Ms. Bridget R. Van Gotten; Mr. Terry Van Meter; Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Van Walleghem, Sr.; Mr. and Mrs. Bart Vance; Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Vance; Mr. and Ms. Russ Vandekauter; Dr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Vander Velde; Mr. and Mrs. Victor VanWalleghem, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. James E. Varady II; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Venable; Mr. William R. Venable, Jr.; Mrs. Rachel Verhaeghe; Ms. Patricia Verschelden; Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Vielhauer; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Vielhauer; Mr. and Mrs. John Virgo; Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Vohs; Reverend Gerald Volz; Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Voran; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh T. Wagstaff; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wahl; Mr. and Mrs. Ed L. Walden; Mr. and Mrs. James K. Waldock; Mrs. Joann L. Walker and Mr. Max Martin; Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Walker; Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wall, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Walsh; Mr. and Mrs. Tom J. Walsh; Dr. and Mrs. Mark Walton; Mrs. Sylvia A. Wapp; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Ward; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Waris; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Warrington; Father Richard Warsnak; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Scott E. Wasserman; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wassmer; Mr. and Mrs. John T. Waters; Mr. and Mrs. Mick J. Watts; Col. (ret) and Mrs. William J. Weafer; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Weaver; Mr. and Mrs. Mark M. Weber; Mr. and Mrs. Sam L. Weems; Ms. Melinda S. Wehrle; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Weinrich, Jr.; Mr. Steve J. Weiss; Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Weixelman; Mr. and Mrs. John Welch; Mr. and Mrs. Tim Wenger; Mr. and Mrs. Kevin West; Mr. and Mrs. Sean Wheeler; Mr. and Mrs. Doug B. White; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick B. White; Mr. and Mrs. William B. White; Mr. and Mrs. William K. White; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Whitehead; Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Whitney; Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Wieger; Mr. and Mrs. Gary F. Wieland; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Wierzbicki; Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Wietharn; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis A. Wilbert; Mr. and Mrs. Gregory A. Wilcox; Mr. Patrick A. Wilkerson; Mr. and Mrs. James L. Wilkinson; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Willcott; Mr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Williams; Mr. and Mrs. John Williams; Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie L. Williams; Mr. and Mrs. Philip A. Williams; Mr. Robert J. Willis; Ms. Cindy Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. John Wiltrakis; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher M. Winger; Mrs. Anne Winterman; Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Wirtz; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Wodtke; Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wohler; Mr. and Mrs. Brad P. Wohletz; Dr. and Mrs. J. Ambrose Wolf; Mr. John M. Wolters; Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wonderlich; Mr. and Mrs. Chip Wood; Mr. and Mrs. John Wood; Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Woodward; Mr. John Wright; Mrs. Kathryn H. Wright; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Wurtenberger; Mrs. Juanita Wymore; Mr. and Mrs. Dale H. Wytock; Mr. and Mrs. Brian Yanez; Mrs. Sarah Ye; Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Yoksh; Mr. and Mrs. John Yorke; Ms. Charlotte Young; Mr. and Mrs. Jason Young; Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Young; Mrs. Catherine L. Zahner; Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Zahner; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard A. Zarda; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Zarda; Miss Sharon Zawada; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Zetzman; Dr. and Mrs. Eugene L. Zieha; Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Zielinski; Mr. Sherman B. Zimmerman; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Zimmerman; Mr. and Mrs. David Zinser; Blessed Seelos Fund.

Thank you

to all who give so generously and graciously to the 2008 Archbishop’s Call to Share.

Your faithfulness is a blessing to the Catholic Church in Northeast Kansas.

Crosier Society The Crosier Society is named after the tall staff that the Archbishop carries symbolizing his role as shepherd of the Archdiocese, the Crosier Society includes all individuals and families who respond by gifting one-percent of their annual income or at least $1,000 to the Archbishop’s Call to Share in a given year.

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 28, 2008

When in Rome

Photo courtesy of Archbishop James P. Keleher

Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher enjoys a personal audience with Pope Benedict XVI during a trip to Rome in October with the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher.

He’s got the beat

Leaven photo by Kelly Kelley

Each year the Hayden High School fine arts department hosts a Fine Arts Fair for the seventh-graders from Topeka's Catholic middle schools. While the high school students showcase their talents, the seventh-graders learn about the art opportunities available to Hayden students. The middle school students were greeted by a few selections by the choir, then high school students escorted them through six sessions. The seventh-graders visited a debate and forensics classroom, formed their own pottery pieces, assembled photography materials for film development, acted out Bible stories in improvisational theater, created a foil-and-marker art piece, and sampled different percussion pieces with the Hayden Drumline.

Above, Holy Family seventh-grader Chris Gallegos shows his stuff with some of the drumline drums.

Food for thought St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s student council recently sponsored a food drive to replenish Catholic Charities food pantry. It turned out to be the most successful in the school’s history. The goal for “Cansgiving” was for every student at the Overland Park school to bring in at least 10 cans. But that goal was far exceeded by the St. Thomas Aquinas community, which donated just over 25,000 items.

According to Doug Clopton, director of in-kind donations to Catholic Charities, “This represents the largest collection of food from any single source in the 53-year history for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. This success is a direct result of the drive, support, and passion of the St. Thomas Aquinas students and staff.

What makes it particularly incredible, considering the state of the economy and the tough times we are experiencing in this country, is the fact the students looked at the drive as a challenge and said, ‘If not us, then who?’ and made this thing happen.”

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