THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 20 | DECEMBER 25, 2020
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS
Jackie Schmidt, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, stands in front of her “Art of Diamonds” collection, which includes an elaborate Epiphany scene on her right. Schmidt has around 63 diamond paintings and a handful of memo books she is selling to raise money for her church.
THE ART OF DIAMONDS
Lansing parishioner uses artistic talent to benefit parish By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
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EAVENWORTH — Walking through Jackie Schmidt’s home here is a treat. Dozens of diamond paintings glisten throughout the house — from the mantle in the living room to the kitchen walls. Each piece of art was created by Schmidt, and she hopes to sell them all — not for herself, but for St. Francis de Sales in Lansing, her home parish. “The Lord has blessed me in so many ways,” she said, “that I just feel that I owe it to the church.
“I will repay the church for all the good stuff the Lord has done for me.” Since starting her “Art of Diamonds” collection in June 2019, Schmidt has created around 100 print pieces and a handful of memo books. The diamond paintings portray a variety of subjects — from an eagle flying in front of a mountain range to horses in a pasture to an elaborate Epiphany scene. The spiritual ones tend to be the most popular, she said. Schmidt’s artistic process begins with ordering a diamond painting art print online — typically from Amazon, Bonanza or Paint with Diamonds. Each print comes with the necessary supplies, including round or square diamond drills, pens and glue.
No Leaven next week Due to the Christmas holiday, there will be no Leaven next week. The next issue will be Jan. 8.
The prints are sticky and outlined with marked squares or circles, and the diamonds come in labeled bags that match the spots they’re meant for. Schmidt places each diamond in its correct place using the pen and glue, and when the piece is complete, she takes a rolling pin to it so that it sets in place. The process can take days, with one of the largest diamond paintings taking her 150 hours to complete. But the final product is a glimmering, colorful work of art that brightens up the room. Father Bill McEvoy, pastor of St. Francis de Sales, has seen firsthand >> See “HOBBY” on page 6
View the ‘Art of Diamonds’ collection Jackie Schmidt invites you to view her artwork, two to three people at a time, with exceptions for families. She currently has around 63 pieces and a handful of memo books for sale. If you are interested in seeing the art collection or making a purchase, call or text her at (913) 683-1791. She accepts cash or checks, and all proceeds are currently going toward St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing. In the future, she plans on giving all proceeds from the sales to various charitable causes.
Helping hand Local Hispanic couple donates supplies and more to the people of Mexico to help them get through COVID-19. Page 8-9
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ARCHBISHOP
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Year of St. Joseph spotlights dignity of fatherhood
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e r r y Christm a s ! R e member that for the Christian, Christmas is not just one day. In the church’s liturgical year, we are given weeks to ponder and reflect on the incredible miracle of God becoming man, of the Word made flesh. The good news of Christianity is the amazing love of God who pursues us, seeks communion with us and desires for us to share in his eternal and abundant life. On Dec. 8, Pope Francis declared the Year of St. Joseph. In so doing, the Holy Father invited the entire church to ponder the example of St. Joseph’s life and its practical meaning for our lives. I am grateful that my mother named me Joseph and gave me St. Joseph as my patron and protector. However, we do not need to be named Joseph to cultivate a friendship with this remarkable saint. Joseph is often the neglected member of the Nativity scene as we appropriately give attention first to Jesus and then Mary. Part of the reason my mother named me Joseph and placed me under St. Joseph’s guardianship was because of the death of my biological father before my birth. The Scriptures make clear that Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, but Our Lord’s foster father. Mom thought St. Joseph would also be a good foster father for me. One of the current
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN pastoral priorities for the archdiocese is to raise consciousness of the need for additional foster parents in Kansas. Thousands of children are languishing in the state’s foster care system because there simply are not enough foster parents. I believe that Our Lord wants the church to respond to the needs of these often forgotten children by raising up loving and generous couples who are willing to welcome a foster child into their home. Equally important is that our parish communities support foster families with practical assistance, encouragement and prayers. In my prayer during this year, I will be asking St. Joseph to intercede and assist our Foster Care Initiative. The millions of children in our country growing up in fatherless homes has a huge societal impact. The need for faithful, devoted and loving fathers is acute in the United States. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, based on data from the U.S.
Census Bureau, the Father Absence Crisis in America has resulted in 18.3 million children or one-fourth of our children living without a biological, step- or adoptive father in their home. Children growing up in fatherless households are: 1) four times more likely to live in poverty; 2) seven times more likely to become pregnant as a teen; 3) two times at greater risk of infant mortality; 4) two times more likely to drop out of school; 5) more likely to face abuse and neglect; 6) more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol; 7) more likely to commit a crime and go to prison; 8) more likely to have behavioral problems. St. Joseph, who devoted his life to protecting and caring for Jesus and Mary, provides us with a great example of a father and husband. The Holy Father refers to Joseph as a tender and loving father. Pope Francis suggests that Jesus drew upon his own experience of Joseph’s generous and paternal love in his description of the
LEAVEN FILE PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER
St. Joseph, who devoted his life to protecting and caring for Jesus and Mary, provides us with a great example of a father and husband. father in the parable of the prodigal son. The pope describes Joseph also as an obedient and accepting father, which is illustrated by his prompt and decisive responses to God’s revelations received through several dreams. Joseph accepts Mary’s pregnancy as an act of the Holy Spirit and takes Mary as his wife. Joseph protects Jesus from Herod’s efforts to kill him by bringing the Holy Family to Egypt as refugees. Similarly, Joseph brings Mary and Jesus back to Israel when it is revealed to him that it is safe to return. I am surprised that Joseph was not afraid to go to sleep at night, not knowing what new instructions he might receive. Instead, Joseph is supple to God’s will, no matter what complications it brought to his plans. Like Mary at the Annunciation and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Joseph
makes many “fiats” — embracing God’s will no matter how inconvenient or mysterious it seemed. Pope Francis recognizes Joseph as a creatively courageous father. Joseph does not complain about major interruptions in his life but, instead, approaches them as problems that can be turned into possibilities. Joseph is resourceful and creative in finding ways to cooperate with God’s will. Pope Francis writes: “The Son of the Almighty came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph. “God trusted Joseph, as did Mary, who found in him someone who would not only save her life, but would always provide for her and her child.” Pope Francis points out that Joseph was a working father. He provided for Mary and Jesus through hard work. The Holy Father observes that from
“Regardless of the type of services you desire, we can help to make them special. We are here to serve you and your family.”
Joseph: “Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labor.” Finally, Pope Francis considers Joseph a father in the shadows. The Holy Father observes that Joseph never made himself the center of things. He did not focus on his own wants and desires but, rather, concentrated his energy on providing and caring for Mary and Jesus: “Joseph found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift.” The pope reminds us: “Our world today needs fathers.” We can see the truth of this by the negative impact upon children when fathers are absent. Both biological and spiritual fathers can learn much from the authentic fatherhood of St. Joseph. Pope Francis counsels: “Every child is the bearer of a unique mystery that can only be brought to light with the help of a father who respects that child’s freedom. A father who realizes that he is most a father and educator at the point when he becomes useless, when he sees that his child has become independent and can walk the paths of life unaccompanied. When he becomes like Joseph, who always knew that his child was not his own but had merely been entrusted to his care.” During this year, let us ponder the life of St. Joseph, striving to imitate his virtues and learn from his example of faith and true love. St. Joseph, pray for us.
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LOCAL NEWS
DECEMBER 25, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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COVID year finds health care ministries relying on resilience, faith and, surprisingly, technology By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven
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s stealthy, contagious and consuming as the coronavirus is, managing care delivery during the pandemic has reinforced several important lessons for leaders and pastoral care staff of Catholic health care ministries across the archdiocese. This includes the recognition that being Catholic facilities makes a significant difference during these challenging times.
Resilience of the human spirit “Resilience” has been the word of the year for Krista Hahn, executive director of Marian Dental Clinic, an SCL Health safety net provider in Topeka. The clinic has remained open throughout the pandemic, providing only emergency dental care in the early months. Staff developed a telephone hotline to screen patients experiencing dental pain and to schedule same- or nextday appointments. The clinic resumed routine and restorative care in June and continues to offer the hotline and emergency services. “Even though eight-hour days sometimes feel like they are 16 hours long, our staff has proven they can adapt and make changes, while continuing to provide quality dental care,” said Hahn. From her perspective of providing pastoral care, Sister Barbara Conroy, OSB, credits the ingenuity of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica of Atchison in keeping connected those living in their monastery and residents in Dooley Center, the nursing facility serving elderly and frail Sisters. Important as it has been to safeguard the Sisters’ physical health, preserving a strong sense of community — a Benedictine hallmark — has been as critical.
Technology to the rescue From the outset, leadership of the community ensured that every Sister in Dooley Center had an iPad or tablet to access meetings, prayer and other communications via Zoom, FaceTime and Facebook. Despite quarantines, the Sisters remain connected and informed. At Villa St. Francis, the skilled nursing facility in Olathe sponsored by the archdiocese, activities staff have assumed the role of IT specialists as they facilitate visits of residents and their family members via electronic devices. Rodney Whittington Jr., CEO/administrator, said that Villa St. Francis has also ramped up use of technology for communications with staff. In addition, Villa is piloting a newly developed piece of equipment to check staff in and out of the facility, screen for COVID and take temperatures.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF ATCHISON
From her room in Dooley Center, Sister Evelyn Gregory, OSB, has a conference with the prioress via tablet. From the outset of the pandemic, leadership of the Benedictine Sisters’ community ensured that every Sister in Dooley Center had an iPad or tablet to access meetings, prayer and other communications via Zoom, FaceTime and Facebook. Consoling Cart and distribute snacks. Sister Barbara affirms that their faith Villa St. Francis has brought in food has been a sustaining power for the trucks as one way of recognizing staff Benedictine Sisters, especially those for their outstanding service. The often quarantined in their Dooley Benedictine Sisters created a conveCenter rooms because of the coronavinient food pantry of staple items to rus. The fact that they can receive the In his 23 years working in nursminimize the number of times employEucharist brought to them by pastoral ing homes, said Whittington, he has ees frequent grocery stores. Employcare team members feeds their spiritunever seen such mental and emotionees of Marian Dental Clinic can benefit al lives. al fatigue as that stemming from the from emergency financial assistance “Our commitment to community coronavirus. This is true for residents, offered by SCL Health. and our faith is what is helping us get family members and staff. through all of this,” she said simply. “It is so difficult to have our residents isolated,” he explained. “Nine months is a long time to go without seeing and hugging their loved ones. Among lessons learned, I wish we Recognizing that it’s important to Having a director of spiritual health keep joy alive and to retain some semcould include identification of ways to and members of two religious congreallow these personal interactions and blance of normal, the Benedictines still be compliant with our regulatory gations serving at Villa St. Francis has celebrated the birthdays of two Sisagencies.” made a world of difference in Whitters who turned 100 in September. AlIn the current restricted environtington’s estimation. Opportunities for though delayed by a temporary quarment at Villa, staff and residents have prayer are available for residents, famantine, the Atchison community also developed even closer bonds. They ilies and staff. Every day, Msgr. Robert continued its tradition of a songfest offer one another encouragement and Burger, chaplain, dons personal prowith pie to usher in Advent. support. This is important for employtective gear for one-on-one visits with In the midst of the pandemic, Marian ees who can’t escape the coronavirus. residents. He offers Mass that is transDental Clinic is conducting a capital They face stress on the job, then return mitted via closed circuit television. campaign and expansion project. Villa home and hope they don’t contract Hahn appreciates that being a CathSt. Francis is anticipating major renoCOVID. olic facility affords Marian Dental vations to begin in early 2021. “The virus has robbed people of Clinic the freedom to foster prayer In addition to lessons learned, Hahn their ability to relax and participate and reflection among staff and with believes that good things will emerge in regular downtime activities with patients. Team members miss the two from the experiences of the pandemic. family and friends,” said Whittington. Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth who Whittington sees this as already occur“It’s completely changed our lifestyles helped facilitate this and who have ring with the outpouring of prayers, at home and at work.” self-isolated due to their own vulneracalls and text messages from family To buoy spirits in Dooley Center, bility to the virus. However, said Hahn, members and former residents, and fipastoral care providers in protective “God has carried us through this whole nancial support from donors. gowns and masks roll out the COVID thing as our protector.”
Retaining the human connection
The sustaining power of faith
President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann
Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.
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Cause to celebrate
Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org
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Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org
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Social Media Editor/Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
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LOCAL NEWS
Vaccines . . . just in time for Christmas
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca was struggling to find room for all the patients needing admittance because of the spike in COVID-19 cases in December. Since that time, COVID numbers in Nemaha County have improved slightly.
By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It’s not exactly a story of “The Vaccines That Saved Christmas,” but it’s a hearty dose of hope just before the holy day. On Dec. 17, COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Nemaha and Marshall counties in the northwest part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Administration of the vaccines began with medical personnel and medically vulnerable people. “Hope is a wonderful way to end this year as we go into a holiday season, to have that hope the Christmas season normally brings that we thought would be taken away,” said Ashley Kracht, director of public relations and marketing at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville in Marshall County. “We have something to look forward to in the new year,” she added. “This is really encouraging for our staff.” There wasn’t much hope just a few months ago. In fact, it was beginning to look downright scary. Earlier this year, it looked like the Nemaha-Marshall Pastoral Region of the archdiocese had dodged a bullet during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE, INC. spread in the metropolitan areas and From left, Community Memorial Healthcare vaccine coordinators Paula Winkler, RPh, director of pharmacy and member of St. Gregory Parish, Maryscities in the rest of the country, the virus ville, and Emily Dunsing, PharmD, member of Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca, inspect the vials received Dec. 17 containing the first doses of COVID-19 seemed to largely ignore some rural vaccine. Looking on are CMH chief executive officer Curtis Hawkinson, a member of St. Gregory Parish, and CMH pharmacy technicians. areas. Both Nemaha and Marshall coun- patients in the clinic,” he said in mid- and increased use of masks has certainly helped that. We’re still seeing signifities recorded their first COVID-19 in- November. “We’ve had increase in pafections in June and their first deaths in tients at the nursing home contract this. cant admissions. I think we’re down to We’ve seen a major increase in emergen- one bed again. It seems to go in 10-day early August. All through the spring and cy room visits for COVID-related prob- cycles.” summer, the infection rate was very low. Sue Rhodes, RN, administrator of the “Throughout the spring, we were fol- lems. That translates into either transfers lowing the state’s quarantine guidelines,” to larger hospitals, if we’re able to, or ad- Marshall County Health Department, reported a steady but slowed increase said Kracht. “People were staying home. missions to the hospital.” At one time, his 16-bed hospital had in the rate of COVID-19 infections in Businesses were closed. Everyone [who only one bed available. December. The local hospital is not in could] was working Larger hospitals in the danger of being overwhelmed. from home. Over the area were struggling, “Right now, I think they’re doing OK,” summer, we continued too, and this made said Rhodes. “They’re able to admit their to see very little impact Nemaha County as of Dec. 22: transfers to them difCOVID people. If they’re ill enough, they in our rural commuPositive: 1,295 ficult. In November, transfer them on. If they can keep them nities. Being it was Active: 44 Bartkoski had to call 10 stable and they’re not very ill, they keep summer, a lot of activCurrently hospitalized: 2 other hospitals before them here. It ebbs and flows, how many ities were outside.” Recovered: 1,206 he could find one that people they have in the hospital.” As the weather Deaths: 45 could accept a local Transfers of local patients to hospiturned cold, people stroke patient. tals in larger cities, which are contending Marshall County as of Dec. 21: held more activities inPositive: 810 In response to with large numbers of COVID-19 cases, doors. Over the spring PHOTO COURTESY OF COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE, INC. Active: 62 the infection spike, are still difficult, said Kracht. and summer, many Medical laboratory technician Carrie Schmitz is Currently hospitalized: 3 Nemaha and Marshall Despite the lower rates of infections people had become one of the first frontline workers to receive the Recovered: 745 counties implemented and the arrival of vaccines, health professomewhat complacent Deaths: 21 vaccine, administered by Infection Prevention mask mandates. Also, sionals in Nemaha and Marshall counties and didn’t take the preand Employee Health director Deb Hedke, RN. people returned to the are still cautious. They’re concerned that cautions they did earliSchmitz was one of the first people to begin precautions and practices they had unget-togethers for Christmas and New er. testing positive cases since early spring. Year’s Eve and returning college students But in mid-October, the two counties dertaken earlier in the spring. There was a fear among health profes- could cause another spike. experienced a dramatic spike in COVIDsionals that Thanksgiving get-togethers In other words, it’s not over until it’s 19 infections. “Obviously, the vaccines are limited would result in an infection spike, but over. “It’s a fairly significant increase in the right now, and are not like a light switch,” that didn’t happen. If anything, the infec“The only thing people should relast several weeks,” said Dr. Tony Bartsaid Bartkoski. “They don’t work automember is when we do get the vaccines, koski on Nov. 17. Bartkoski, a member tion rates are now increasing only slightmatically. People still have to stay diswe shouldn’t give up on the prevention of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, ly in the two counties. ciplined with precautions until we start “Our numbers are improving,” said duties that we have,” said Rhodes. treats patients at the Nemaha Valley seeing a significant drop and a bigger It would be a mistake for people to Community Hospital and Seneca Family Bartkoski in mid-December. “That’s part of the population is vaccinated.” despite the people being indoors and become complacent because the vacPractice, both in Seneca. “Exponentially, we’re seeing far more around each other. The mask mandate cines are being administered.
COVID-19 Stats
DECEMBER 25, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS
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Classic brittle elicits memories — and contributions “
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CRANTON — Yes, they grow plenty of peanuts in India. Father Konda Reddy Nusi, MSFS, knows all about it, because he’s from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. “We grow peanuts a lot,” said Father Nusi. “My brothers grow peanuts.” Although India has its own version of peanut brittle called “shengdana chikki,” Father Nusi had never eaten what Americans call peanut brittle until he became pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Scranton. And it was made by one of his own parishioners, Mary Burgett, a teacher at Santa Fe Trail High School in Carbondale. “It tasted good,” he enthused. Plenty of folks around here would agree, because there’s something special about Burgett’s peanut brittle. It’s small-batch, hand-made, homemade from a recipe passed down through her parents. She calls it “Grange peanut brittle,” because it’s made the way the old Carbondale Grange (a once-popular farm fraternal organization) used to make it. Interestingly, Burgett never made the Grange-style peanut brittle until 2017. At the time, the parish was trying to raise money to pay for the construction of a new church. And now, the parish is raising funds to pay for a parish hall. Parishioners were holding bake sales, dinners and other things to raise funds. She wondered what she could do. “I was trying to think of something different that people might be attracted to purchase,” said Burgett. “There used to be a Grange, and they made peanut brittle. They’d cook it every night for weeks and sell it across the state. It was famous.” The Grange is no longer active, and thus no longer makes its legendary brittle. It was time for a resurrection, thought Burgett. She rummaged around until she found her father’s old recipe. Her late father, Clarence “Bud” Vater, was a Grange member. When it comes to peanut brittle, one recipe is pretty much like another. There are two things, however, that sets Grange-style brittle apart. First, it’s made with Watkins brand
“
By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
[THIS PEANUT BRITTLE] BRINGS BACK SOME NICE MEMORIES FOR PEOPLE. IT BRINGS BACK STORIES THAT CONNECT TO FORMER RESIDENTS OF THE AREA.” MARY BURGETT MEMBER OF ST. PATRICK PARISH, SCRANTON
PHOTO BY GREG BURGETT
Mary Burgett, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Scranton, waits for her latest batch of peanut brittle to cool. Burgett sells the peanut brittle and donates the money to the parish to help pay for a new parish hall. vanilla. Second, it’s “pulled” to make it really thin. The way most people make brittle is to pour it out on a sheet pan and let it cool. Sometimes this technique leaves a brittle so thick that the eater could break a tooth on it. Pulling makes it very thin. “It’s very thin, and crisp, and delicious because of the Watkins vanilla,” said Burgett. Of course, she has a brittle partner — her husband Greg. “I couldn’t do it without his support,” said Burgett. “He has many roles in all my fundraising projects.” He shops for the ingredients, is a taste-tester, does marketing and promotion,
How to order Those who wish to order Grangestyle peanut brittle may do so by sending Burgett an email at: mev56b87@ gmail.com, or calling her at (785) 6339330. Leave a message. You must be able to pick up your order.
and is the dishwasher. “He’s my biggest fan and cheerleader,” said Burgett. Peanut brittle is usually seasonal for Burgett, but this year, she began early because she was getting calls in
October. Since then, she has made 38 pounds of brittle. She sells it for $10 a pound or $5 for a half pound. It’s not hard to market the stuff. She put out a notice on the community Facebook page and in the parish bulletin. Mostly, the word gets out through word of mouth. People tell her it tastes just like the kind their grandmother used to make. “It brings back some nice memories for people,” she said. “It brings back stories that connect to former residents of the area.” Burgett doesn’t tire of her own brittle; then, again, she doesn’t get to eat much of it. Most of it is sold, and her family will eat what’s left over down to the crumbs, which end up as ice cream sprinkles. So far, the parish hall fund is $380 richer for her efforts. One of Burgett’s many customers is Rebecca Allison. “I’ve bought peanut brittle for years, starting with the Grange,” said Allison. “But most of [the Grange members] got too old and frail to do it. . . . I was very excited when I heard she was going to do it.” She buys a pound for herself and a pound each for her children. It’s a tasty tradition that brings back memories. “Most people in the Grange went to my church (Community United Church of Christ in Carbondale),” said Allison. “I knew them all well and it just brings back a little of them. Some of them have passed away or are unable to come to church. “The fact that Mary is carrying on this tradition is awesome.”
Collectors keep the Christ child before them year ‘round >> Continued from page 16 formation about the Infant Jesus, bringing along some of his precious statues. Nowadays, he is asking the Infant to help him lead others to a devotion to the Christ Child. As the church celebrates the birth of Christ at this time of year, Sister Mary Rosaleen and Smrt said it’s natural for people to think of the Christ Child, but it’s something they do every day. In Sister Mary Rosaleen’s case, she started the practice more than 60 years ago. In the early 1950s, the nun was placed in charge of the pediatrics ward of St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana. “They had a statue there of the Infant,” she said. “And I think when I really, really knew how powerful he was, I had three children with tracheotomies that I was taking care of in the ward, and it was life or death for them.” Two of the boys were brothers, suf-
fering the effects of smoke inhalation due to a house fire. A third boy had been stepped on the throat by a horse. “So, I had three very, very critically ill children,” she added, and knew she desperately needed divine assistance. “We had a beautiful statue in the hallway, and I took it out of the hallway and put it in their room,” she continued. “That’s when I really found out about the Infant. As much as I could, I made the nine-hour novena, and all of them survived. All of them got to go home. And so, I attribute that to the Infant.” Witnessing the boys’ recovery, Sister Mary Rosaleen said she fell in love with the Infant and attributes a lot of answered prayers to his intercession. To this day, she never passes by a statue of the Infant without offering him affection. “When I go by the Infant, I try to give him a little love because he’s so special,” she said.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Chuck Smrt, a parishioner at Curé of Ars in Leawood, has fostered a devotion to the Infant of Prague for decades. Currently, he has 16 statues of the Infant, and he is exploring ways to help others develop or further a similar devotion.
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FAMILY LIFE
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Start a new tradition this Christmas season
door of your homes, with chalk, the initials of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar) — C+M+B — while asking for a blessing for the year. The initials n 1965, cartoonist Charles Schulz translate “Christus mansionem benediwas approached by a corporate cat” (“Christ, bless this house.”) Let this sponsor to create a 30-minute remind you and your family — and proanimated movie about Charlie claim to the world — that your family is Brown, his cartoon strip character, and Christmas. Washington Post a disciple of the Lord. While sharing your evening meal or writer Michael Cavna shared in his in family prayer: column that Schulz agreed but “in• Read aloud Lk 2: 8-20. sisted on one core purpose: • Ask each person to share ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas TOOLS FOR the name of their favorite faithhad to be about something. FAMILIES filled Christmas carol. Namely, the true meaning of Growing as • Share what particular Christmas. Otherwise, Schulz Disciples of words or phrase touches their said, ‘Why bother with doing Jesus heart. (My favorite is “O Holy it?’” Night”: “Truly he taught us to In the story, a frustrated Charlie Brown says, “Isn’t there love one another;/ His law is love and anyone who knows what Christmas his Gospel is peace/ Chains shall he is all about?” The character Linus re- break, for the slave is our brother/ And plies, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell in his name, all oppression shall cease.”) • Sing together, with all your joy, the you what Christmas is all about.” Linus carol chosen by each person. recites Luke’s Gospel passage (2: 8-14). • Throughout the Christmas season Linus then says to Charlie Brown, “That (through Jan. 10, the feast of the Baptism is what Christmas is all about.” The Scripture passage echoes in Char- of the Lord), light a white candle at the lie’s heart. His frustration is overcome by beginning of dinner and pray: “Christ, the joy of the angel’s message. That short, bless this house and our family!” • Invite those present to share one two-minute speech has moved hearts in way that on that day by their words or the 55 years since it first aired. So, what is our core purpose as indi- actions they proclaimed: “We are discividuals and families as we celebrate the ples of the Lord.” I”ll end with a quote from another birth of Jesus? Let’s start with a tradichild character, Tiny Tim: “God bless tion that speaks to our overall purpose. As a family, write above the main us, everyone!”
By Deacon Tony Zimmerman Special to The Leaven
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Luke’s Gospel passage (2: 8-14) tells of an angel of the Lord appearing to the shepherds to bring them the good news of the Messiah being born.
Let’s start off the new year by blessing our homes on Jan. 6
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hen I was a young boy living in northern Italy, one morning, after serving Mass, my pastor asked me: “Will you go with me to bless homes today?” So, early that afternoon, we set out. I walked alongside him, carrying a container with holy water and a big empty basket. The pastor said, “Today, we will visit the farmhouses just outside of town.” At each stop, the priest gathered the families living there, whoever was not in the fields, and explained that he had come to bless their homes. This is something he did each year, and they were expecting him. The people living at the farm assembled in the largest room, and the pastor explained: “Remember that we bless your house each year to rededicate your homes and your families to God. God lives
JOHN BOSIO John Bosio is a former marriage and family therapist, director of religious education and diocesan family life coordinator. He is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.
here with you. Let’s make room for him.” The pastor’s message to his flock still resonates with me today, especially as we begin a new year. 2020 has been a time full of anxieties and heartaches. As we enter 2021, we can make a new start; We can rededicate ourselves and our family
to God, who stands by us ready to help with his graces. We need to make room for him in our life, as my old pastor reminded his flock. One way to mark a new beginning spiritually in 2021 is with a home blessing. Around the world and in the United States there is a tradition of blessing our home on the 12th day after Christmas, or on the feast of the Epiphany, or, really, anytime. The custom is known as “Chalking of the Door.” Through this simple ritual we ask God’s blessing on those who live in the home and on all those who visit throughout the year. If you wish to ask for God’s blessing over your home and your family, you can find a simple prayer below. ***** Gather by your home’s entrance, the front door. Then the head of the family or any member leads this
short prayer ritual. “Let us pray. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Lord our God, come and bless this house (apartment) which is our home. “Surround this shelter with your Holy Spirit. “Encompass all its four sides with the power of your protection so that no evil or harm will come near. “May the divine blessing shield this home from destruction, storm, sickness and all that might bring evil to us who shall live within these walls.” Then, with a piece of chalk, write on top of the entrance or nearby the following: +20 CMB 21+. The numbers represent the current year. The letters CMB stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat,” a Latin phrase that means “May Christ bless this dwelling.” After writing these numbers and letters
continue your prayer. “Blessed be this doorway. “May all who come to it be treated with respect and kindness. “May all our comings and goings be under the seal of God’s loving care. “Blessed be all the rooms of this home. “May each of them be holy and filled with the spirit of happiness. “May no dark powers ever be given shelter within any of these rooms but banished as soon as recognized. “Let us pray as Our Lord taught us: Our Father . . . “May God’s holy blessing rest upon us all. “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” The prayer is adapted from “Prayers for the Domestic Church” by Edward Hays (© 2007 by Ave Maria Press, P.O. Box 428, Notre Dame,
Question for reflection: How will you remind yourself during this year that God lives with you in your home?
IN 46556. Used with permission of publisher.) Father Hays was a priest of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and a friend and mentor. Back in Italy, my pastor’s blessing of homes ended with a final prayer. Then, before we left, families brought gifts and filled my empty basket with eggs, salami, cheese, homemade bread and many other goods. That summer, I accompanied my pastor on many home visits. By the end of each day, my basket would get quite heavy. Sometimes, the pastor had to help me carry it. Fortunately, when we traveled a few miles out of town, the priest would drive.
LOCAL NEWS
DECEMBER 25, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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Lana and Russ Biladeau, members of St. Stanislaus Parish, Rossville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28. The couple was married at Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka, on Dec. 28, 1970. Their children are: Troy and Ryan. They also have one grandson. Anita (Petersen) and Jim Reitz, m e m bers of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28. The couple was married on Dec. 28, 1970, at Sacred Heart Church, Ida Grove, Iowa. Their children are: Joe Reitz, Angie Hammes, Katie Nordhus and Tony Reitz. They also have 19 grandchildren. They will celebrate with a Mass on Jan. 3 at Sts. Peter and Paul with family. Ralph and Charlene (Reaser) Herbers, m e m bers of St. Dominic Parish, Holton, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 25. The couple was married on Nov. 25, 1970, at St. Dominic by Father Ed Hays. Their children are: Jeff Herbers, Holton; Denise Peters, Holton; and Doug Herbers, San Diego. They also have three grandchildren.
TEC retreat set for Jan. 16-18 WILLIAMSBURG — Teens Encounter Christ will offer a small group retreat for high schoolers Jan. 16-18 at Prairie Star Ranch here. Social distancing and other safety procedures will be followed. The retreat will be led by a team of youth, adults and a priest. To register, go to the website at: www.sunflowertec.org.
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Leaven freelancer dies
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The Leaven family lost one of its own on Dec. 17 when longtime freelancer Carolyn Kaberline died at the Promise House of Overland Park. Kaberline, who wrote a piece for The Leaven just last month, continued to teach remotely at Mater Dei in Topeka throughout her illness. Her only request when she was photographed in November was that the image selected would not reveal to her students that she was ill.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LA FAMILIA DEAN LOZOYA FOUNDATION
Alvaro Alexis Alvarado Soto, center, the legal representative for La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation in Mexico, and Luis Aguilar Lozoya, right, the Secretary of Social Services for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, deliver “despensas” to Maria Luisa Acosta Chávez from the La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation. Recipients are the Tarahumara, an indigenous people of the state of Chihuahua. This is one of the poorest areas in Chihuahua. There are no modern utilities in this area.
Local Hispanic couple tries to ‘set the example’ through charity By Ellie Melero @eleanor_melero
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — When Michael Dean Lozoya got a call one Friday morning in October asking him to help pay a woman’s utility bills, he didn’t hesitate to say yes. The call came from a man in Los Angeles. The woman, a Mexican immigrant with five children, came to him for help. Her husband had been detained in an immigration facility in Wichita, and she had just been diagnosed with COVID-19. As though she didn’t have enough to worry about, she received a notice that her utilities would soon be shut off unless they were paid. Desperate for help, she went to the man, and he called Michael. The utility bill was just under $1,000, he told Michael, and Michael readily agreed to pay it. “That’s the kind of help that people can’t see that people need here in the United States,” Michael said. “Those people need help.” Michael, a parishioner of St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and the owner of Mi Rancho Tequila, loves to help people, as does his wife, Guadalupe Angelica (“Geli”). That’s
PHOTO COURTESY OF LA FAMILIA DEAN LOZOYA FOUNDATION
Above is an example of a “despensa,” or pantry supplies. It includes cleaning supplies to last for 15 days. It was given to designated recipients in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic this year by La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation. why they founded La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation in 2016: to help people. “The best way to help the world is by trying to give everyone else a good life,” said Geli. “Because we can’t focus only on our own well-being because we’re not the only ones in the world.”
Setting the example Michael grew up in the Kansas City, Kansas, area and graduated from J.C. Harmon High School in 1986. Geli grew up in a small town in Chihuahua, Mexico. Although they had different experiences growing up in different countries, they both knew
what it was like to have to do without. They worked hard to be successful, and that hard work paid off in an unexpected way early on. Michael met Geli through work. “The moment that I met her and talked with her, I knew profoundly that she would be my wife,” Michael said. “We believe that God always has a companion for you,” Geli agreed. “God created couples, and the day will come when you meet them. And I believe this happened with Michael and me.” Now, they’ve been married for over 20 years and have six children. Geli will be the first to admit that marriage is hard work. It tests you physically, morally, spiritually and mentally every day. There have been ups and downs over the past two decades, but Michael and Geli have always loved each other, supported each other and pushed each other to be better people. Geli said the most important thing to them is making sure they’re setting a good example for their kids. According to their daughter Paloma, they’ve done a pretty good job. Paloma, 19, their third oldest, said that her parents have always been charitable people. Looking back on
her childhood, Paloma could think of several instances when her parents were giving to other people for no other reason than that they could afford to give. “My mom has this cleaning business of hers, and she would bring extra lunch for a guy that doesn’t work for her but was working in the same building as they were,” Paloma said. “She would bring extra lunch from our house to give him because he didn’t have enough money to buy himself lunch. “Every situation [my parents] are put in . . . they always want to help out others that they feel like they can help.” Paloma said that’s just the type of people her parents are. Throughout her childhood, Michael and Geli always included Paloma and her siblings in their volunteer work. They brought them to fundraisers and food drives, for example, and Paloma said those experiences helped her realize just how important the work her parents do for the community truly is. Paloma tries to follow that example. She invites friends to go with her to volunteer at food distributions, and said they even end up having fun. Paloma is grateful for everything her parents have done for her and hopes to be an example for others the way they’ve always been for her. “I hope one day I can be just like them — or at least half of the people they are,” she said.
In the business of helping Michael and Geli are philanthropists, but before that, they were entrepreneurs. Over the years, they have started several businesses together, and one of their most successful endeavors is their tequila company, Mi Rancho Tequila. The Dean Lozoyas founded Mi Rancho Tequila in 2008, and now export their tequila worldwide. It even has the Royal Warrant in Ethiopia, meaning it is the official tequila of the Ethiopian royal family. The Dean Lozoyas used their success from Mi Rancho Tequila to help them start La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation, but they had some other help as well. Carlos Gomez, the president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, was one of the people who encouraged the Dean Lozoyas to start their foundation. Although Gomez first heard of Michael and Geli seven years ago, he started to get to know them well about five years ago. Michael reached out to Gomez to set up a meeting to discuss the ways the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce could help his business. But he also wanted to find more ways to get involved and give back to the community. “When I first met them, they were telling me that they were helping people, but they were doing it anonymously,” Gomez said. “I really respect that. They were helping a lot of people that needed help, and that really, really impressed me. So, I’m the one who encouraged them that, ‘Hey, you’re doing great things for the community. People need to know about this.’” The foundation followed not long after and has enabled the Dean Lozoyas to help on a much larger scale than they had before.
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Supporting students One of their most recent endeavors was a $10,000 donation to Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools in May. The money provided internet for a year for the families of about 125 students across 13 schools in the J.C. Harmon and Wyandotte high school clusters. “We have a number of families who live at or below the poverty line,” said Stephen Linkous, the KCKPS chief of staff. “That impacted roughly 125 students from our district who normally wouldn’t have had internet. As we
know, moving into virtual learning, pretty much everything was going online. So, that was their access to education.” But the Dean Lozoyas don’t just give money; they give their time, too. They are both involved with local schools and colleges. Michael was invited to participate on the Kansas City Kansas Community College president’s Downtown Advisory Council to help the school prepare to open a downtown location, and Geli serves on Donnelly College’s board of directors. “Guadalupe and Michael have been
PHOTO COURTESY OF LA FAMILIA DEAN LOZOYA FOUNDATION
Michael Dean Lozoya checks out Weber Blue Agave field. Michael is the founder, along with his wife Guadalupe A. Dean Lozoya, of Mi Rancho Tequila. He is also the chairman of the board of La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation, Inc.
closely involved in Donnelly’s mission for the last three years, both philanthropically and through Guadalupe’s service on our board of directors,” said Msgr. Stuart Swetland, the president of Donnelly. “I am proud and grateful to partner with such an inspiring couple that share a passion for providing access and opportunity to help others in their respective home communities.” “But their biggest impact is the example they set for the communities that they hail from and love dearly,” he continued. “They are an example of entrepreneurial success despite enduring hardships and disadvantages. “Through their business and their hands-on philanthropy, they are focused on creating a family legacy that celebrates and supports their Mexican and Mexican-American roots. That desire to stay connected to their roots keeps the persistent needs of those communities clear in the Deans’ sights. With their humble, dedicated spirit and sacrificial contributions in Mexico and across Kansas City, the Dean Lozoyas are making an impact far beyond Donnelly College.”
International impact Michael and Geli, while proud of their Mexican heritage, are only too aware of the struggles many in Mexico still face. So among the other big projects the Dean Lozoyas hope to fund is the construction of a health clinic that’s free of charge to patients and a library in an area of Mexico where there’s not easy access to education and information. Both of these projects are on the drawing board, Michael said, but they don’t yet know when they’ll get to do them. In the meantime, they’ve found other ways to help. In June, Michael and Geli took a trip to Camargo, Chihuahua, to give out food and cleaning supplies to families who had been affected by the COVID19 pandemic, and the experience isn’t one they’ll soon forget. “In all my life, I’ve never felt like I’ve done something for humanity,” Michael said. “But after this event, my wife and I did something huge, and I myself feel like something changed in me. “My wife told me, ‘You have already suffered. You were poor in the United States, but you don’t know what poverty is.’ And she’s completely right.” Camargo is one of the poorest cities in Mexico, and many of the people live in extreme poverty. While they were there handing out relief packages, Michael had an experience that altered his outlook on the work they do. Among the food items that they were giving people were little packages of cookies. When the children saw the packets of cookies, they got very excited because it was a treat they didn’t often get. Michael said he was a little surprised at first, because it was a simple type of cookie, but the experience made him thankful for the blessings he has received and has motivated him to try to redouble his charitable efforts. La Familia Dean Lozoya Foundation is still in its early years, but it’s already impacted hundreds of people and will impact many more in the years ahead. As the Dean Lozoyas look to the future, they encourage others to see how rewarding a little philanthropy can be. “What we do, we don’t consider to be a grand thing,” Michael said. “What would people do if we did something truly monumental?”
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USCCB
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Moral considerations regarding the new COVID-19 vaccines Editor’s note: As multiple vaccines are made available in the days ahead, Catholics will have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chair of the committee on pro-life activities for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has joined the chair of the committee on doctrine to explain in depth why it is morally permissible for Catholics to receive whatever vaccine is made available to them. The statement has been provided in its entirety; footnotes are available at: www.usccb.org/ moral-considerations-covid-vaccines.
I. MORAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE CREATION OF VACCINES
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CNS PHOTO/DADO RUVIC, REUTERS
At present, there is no available alternative vaccine that has absolutely no connection to abortion. However, in view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from certain companies are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.
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s Pope Saint John Paul II never tired of proclaiming to the world, “the Church has always taught and continues to teach that the result of human procreation, from the first moment of its existence, must be guaranteed that unconditional respect which is morally due to the human being in his or her totality and unity as body and spirit.” Recognizing that respect due each member of the human race, the Church does not now and has never accepted abortion: “Christian Tradition . . . is clear and unanimous, from the beginning up to our own day, in describing abortion as a particularly grave moral disorder.” It is because of this respect for the human person that the USCCB, in collaboration with other organizations working to protect human life, has been engaged in a campaign advocating for the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 that has no link to abortion. For example, in April 2020, four USCCB bishops, the Chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, the Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, the Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health Care Issues, along with representatives of twenty other organizations, wrote to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asking it to help ensure “that Americans will have access to vaccines that are free from any connection to abortion.” The signatories pointed out that there is no need to use morally compromised cell lines to produce a COVID-19 vaccine, or any vaccine. Other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available and are regularly being used to produce other vaccines. While some pharmaceutical companies have been working on a vaccine for COVID-19 without using morally compromised cell lines at all, others have been using such cell lines in either the design and development phase or the production phase or in both. Still others have been making use of a morally compromised cell line only for a confirmatory test of the vaccine’s efficacy. This leads many people who are concerned for the sanctity of human life to ask if it is ethical to accept any of the vaccines that have some connection to abortion. The Holy See, through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Academy for Life, has offered guidance on the question of whether it is morally acceptable to receive a vaccine that has been created with the use of morally compromised
“ IN ORGANIZATIONS WHERE CELL LINES OF ILLICIT ORIGIN ARE BEING UTILIZED, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO MAKE THE DECISION TO USE THEM IS NOT THE SAME AS THAT OF THOSE WHO HAVE NO VOICE IN SUCH A DECISION. CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
cell lines. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Academy for Life emphasize the positive moral obligation to do good and in so doing to distance oneself as much as possible from the immoral act of another party such as abortion in order to avoid cooperation with someone else’s evil actions and to avoid giving scandal, which could happen if one’s own actions were perceived by other people to ignore or to minimize the evil of the action. Our love of neighbor should lead us to avoid giving scandal, but we cannot omit fulfilling serious obligations such as the prevention of deadly infection and the spread of contagion among those who are vulnerable just to avoid the appearance of scandal. The Holy See points out that there are different degrees of responsibility in cooperating with the evil actions of others. With regard to people involved in the development and production of vaccines, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith explains that “in organizations where cell lines of illicit origin are being utilized, the responsibility of those who make the decision to use them is not the same as that of those who have no voice in such a deci-
sion.” As for the moral responsibility of those who are merely the recipients of the vaccines, the Congregation affirms that a serious health danger could justify use of “a vaccine which was developed using cell lines of illicit origin, while keeping in mind that everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available.” A specific example where the reasons for accepting vaccination are sufficiently serious to justify it, even though the vaccine has been developed with the help of cell lines derived from aborted fetal cells, is the case of rubella (German measles). The most important danger posed by spread of rubella is that of congenital rubella syndrome, which affects unborn children when their mothers become infected while pregnant. Congenital rubella syndrome can cause miscarriages and a wide range of severe birth defects. The only available vaccine, however, has been developed with the help of aborted fetal cell lines. In such a situation, parents are justified in having their children vaccinated against rubella, not only to avoid the effects of rubella on their children, but, secondarily and just as importantly, to prevent their children from becoming carriers of rubella, as the spread of rubella can lead to the infection of vulnerable pregnant women, thereby endangering their lives and the lives of their unborn children. It is important to note that the making of the rubella vaccine (or that of the new COVID- 19 vaccines) does not involve cells taken directly from the body of an aborted child. Cells taken from two abortions in the 1960s were replicated in a laboratory to produce two cell lines that can be reproduced again and again, indefinitely. To make the rubella vaccine, cells from these cell lines are stimulated to produce the chemicals necessary for the vaccine. It is not as if the making of the vaccine required ever more cells from ever more abortions.
II. THE LATEST COVID-19 VACCINES The current COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation with circumstances similar to those posed by rubella. First, at least at present, there is no available alternative vaccine that has absolutely no connection to abortion. Second, the risk to public health is very serious, as evidenced by the millions of infections worldwide and hundreds of thousands of deaths in the United States of America alone. Third, in many cases the most important effect of vaccination may not be the protection it offers to the person who receives the vaccination, who may be of relatively robust health and unlikely to be seriously affected by the disease. Rather, the more important effect may be the protection it offers to those who are much more likely to be seriously stricken by the disease if they were to contract it through exposure to those infected. There are currently three vaccines that have been presented to us as having demonstrated their effectiveness and that are likely to be made available in the coming months, those from Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca. The situation of the first two is essentially the same. Neither Pfizer nor Moderna used morally compromised cell lines in the design, development, or production of the vaccine. A confirmatory test, however, employing the commonly used, but morally compromised HEK293 cell line was performed on both vaccines. Thus, while neither vaccine is completely free from any connection to morally compromised cell lines, in this case the connection is very remote from the initial evil of the abortion. In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently >> See “RECEIVING” on page 11
DECEMBER 25, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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Money, and hard work, bring pandemic aid bill to finish line By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service
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ASHINGTON (CNS) — What had been separate Democratic and Republican coronavirus relief bills became a bipartisan effort thanks to Congress’ Problem Solvers Caucus, according to a lobbyist for Network, a Catholic social justice lobby. The bills were poised for quick passage late Dec. 21 by a lame-duck Congress before it wrapped up its work for the two-year term, with President Donald Trump’s signature on the measure to follow. The caucus’ bill, introduced shortly before the November election, was a “last gasp” that didn’t go anywhere, said Laura Peralta-Schulte, Network’s senior government relations advocate. But that “began a very important bipartisan discussion, especially in the House,” she added. “After the election, they reached out across the Capitol to the Senate side about the very important bicameral, bipartisan proposal that became the basis for the package.” At $900 billion, it still may not seem like enough, but the pandemic relief package finally hammered out Dec. 20 by congressional leaders from both parties is a welcome first step, according to Peralta-Schulte, who had been working with elected officials and their aides since virtually the start of the pandemic to find common ground to obtain relief. The effort seemed disjointed at times because, in Peralta-Schulte’s words, “we never knew which vehicle was going to move” — the Housepassed HEROES Act, a $3 trillion package meant to augment the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that quickly passed both chambers in March, or the HEALS Act, a $1 trillion measure proposed in July by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. The HEALS Act included a second
CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN
The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington Dec. 19. The next day congressional leaders were expected to vote on passage of a $900 billion coronavirus pandemic relief bill that would include unemployment benefits and direct payments to individuals. round of stimulus checks at the same $1,200 amount as in the CARES act, along with a “sequel” to the Paycheck Protection Program to mitigate layoffs. It also includes increased funding for schools, higher learning institutions and hospitals. The Heroes Act included about $1.13 trillion of emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies, economic assistance to state and local government, about $485 billion in safety net spending, including the expansion of unemployment benefits and increased funding for utilities payments and job training for low-income individuals, and a $1,200 stimulus check per individual. “For months we had the pre-sausage making,” Peralta-Schulte said, using legislative parlance for bringing disparate elements into one bill. “Then we had the grand meal, the banquet — in terms of the HEROES Act,” which she said she had a hand in crafting. “Then
we had the dry toast on the other side. . . . The bipartisan proposal became the basis, obviously, of the final package.” The bill includes stimulus checks of $600 per person, including spouses and minor children. Adult dependents are ineligible for the stimulus. The $600 checks would be distributed to single people earning $75,000 or less. Married couples earning $150,000 or less who file jointly would receive checks for $1,200 ($600 for each spouse). A family of four (with two minor children) would receive $2,400. The compromise also extends federal unemployment benefits of up to $300 per week. This could start as early as Dec. 27, but will last for just 11 weeks. An estimated 12 million Americans’ unemployment benefits were slated to run out after Christmas. The bill provides about $25 billion in emergency assistance to renters, and extends a moratorium on evictions through the end of January.
The biggest chunk in the package is $325 billion in business aid, with $275 billion of that going for a new round of Paycheck Protection Program funding. Other government aid includes $82 billion for schools, $45 billion for transportation needs including Amtrak, $20 billion for vaccine distribution and $13 billion to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “When Republicans and Democrats come together for the common good, lives are saved,” said a Dec. 21 statement from Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service, who is the outgoing head of Network. She criticized Senate Republicans for refusing to even consider the HEROES Act. “The needs of our people are urgent and Congress finally heard their cries,” Sister Campbell said. “This compromise legislation will help our people through the long, dark winter ahead. There is still more to do, but this is a step, and I know President-elect [Joe] Biden will continue working for longterm relief in the coming year.” In a Dec. 16 statement, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York sought inclusion of relief for private and religious schools in any aid package. “The coronavirus does not discriminate based on where a child attends school. It does not discriminate based on what kind of school a teacher serves,” Cardinal Dolan said. “We do not want to say ‘bah humbug’ to the 10% of our children in nonpublic schools.” It was not immediately clear whether any of the school aid in the package is targeted for nonpublic schools. “A lot of assistance is needed in areas this bill didn’t touch,” including help for states and municipalities facing severe cutbacks due to diminished revenues since the pandemic’s start, Sister Friedman said. Although $900 billion seems like a lot of money, “this is a down payment,” she added. “We will start working on another bill — early, early, early 2021.”
Receiving vaccine can be understood as an act of charity to others >> Continued from page 10 serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines. In addition, receiving the COVID19 vaccine ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community. In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.* The AstraZeneca vaccine is more morally compromised. The HEK293 cell line was used in the design, development, and production stages of that vaccine, as well as for confirmatory testing. The current vaccine for rubella, though developed earlier, relies on morally compromised cell lines in much the same way as the newly developed AstraZeneca vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine should be avoided if there are alternatives available. It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others. In such a case, just as accepting a vaccination for rubella with a morally compromised vac-
cine is morally permissible because of the lack of alternatives and the serious risk to the public health, so it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.
III. A CAUTION AGAINST COMPLACENCY While having ourselves and our families immunized against COVID-19 with the new vaccines is morally permissible and can be an act of self-love and of charity toward others, we must not allow the gravely immoral nature of abortion to be obscured. It is true that one can receive benefits from an evil action in the past without intending that action or approving of it. The association with the evil action that comes with receiving benefits from that evil action, however, can have a corrupting influence on one’s perception of the evil action, making it more difficult to recognize it as evil. Experiencing the benefits that have resulted from the evil action, one might become desensitized to the gravely evil nature of that action. One might become complacent about that action and ignore the obligation to do what one can to oppose the evil action. Another con-
sideration is the fact that one’s receiving benefits from an evil action might affect how others perceive that original evil action, thereby giving scandal. Others might be less inclined to see that action as evil. They might interpret one’s acceptance of benefits from an evil action as an indication that one does not consider the action to be truly evil, which in turn might diminish their sense of the urgency of opposing that evil. They also might miss opportunities to do what they can to oppose it. In both cases, a certain complacency about that evil action could be the result. With this in mind, we should be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research.
CONCLUSION The world is currently facing a health crisis. The number of deaths from COVID-19 is now almost one and a half million worldwide. In the United States, the toll is approaching 300,000. Given the urgency of this crisis, the lack of available alternative vaccines, and the fact that the connection between
an abortion that occurred decades ago and receiving a vaccine produced today is remote, inoculation with the new COVID-19 vaccines in these circumstances can be morally justified. For our part, we bishops and all Catholics and men and women of good will must continue to do what we can to ensure the development, production, and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine without any connection to abortion and to help change what has become the standard practice in much medical research, a practice in which certain morally compromised cell lines are routinely used as a matter of course, with no consideration of the moral question concerning the origins of those cell lines.
* There is not a moral obligation for Catholics or others to receive the vaccine. However, receiving one of the Covid vaccines is morally permissible. We all have a moral responsibility to contribute to the common good. Among the motivations for those choosing to receive a Covid vaccine are the protection of one’s own health as well as an act of charity in protecting the health of others and thus contributing to the common good.
CLASSIFIEDS
12 EMPLOYMENT Full-time assistant teachers - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving Christian environment. With a balanced curriculum of pre-academics and the right environment, we believe we are providing the children the foundation to be successful in life. We are looking for full-time assistant teachers for all ages who have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Duties include supervising and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children at all times; following predetermined curriculum and daily schedule; decorating the class and keeping classrooms clean and orderly; creating and filling out daily reports for each child; communicating with parents; meeting children’s basic needs (diapers, bottles, etc). Must be patient and able to respond to difficult situations calmly; have good interpersonal skills with coworkers, parents and children; and be able to lift 25 pounds on a regular basis. There are opportunities for career advancement. For more information or to apply, call Carolyn Andruss at (913) 894-0131, option 3. Drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is now hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students with special needs in Johnson, Wyandotte and Clay County, Missouri, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Aides earn $12 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need. Call (913) 521-4955 for more information. EEO Superintendent of schools - The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is seeking to fill the superintendent of schools position effective July 1, 2021. The superintendent position will oversee all diocesan schools and, in partnership with each pastor, all parish schools and early childhood centers, as well as the diocesan Catholic school office. This position is full time and reports to the moderator of the curia of the diocese and includes ground travel to schools as needed. For more information and to apply, go online to: kcsjcatholic.org and scroll down to “Employment Opportunities.” Career opportunity - Due to the growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are looking for professional men who are interested in helping fellow Catholics with their faith, family and finances. This is a full-time career opportunity that will allow you to be your own boss and a respected professional member of the community. If you or someone you know is self-motivated, good with time management and has a desire to succeed, this might be the opening you’ve been looking for. Benefits include unlimited professional income potential, flexibility, quality training program and incentive award trips such as Rome, Hawaii and Ireland. There are openings in northeast Kansas and western Missouri. If you want to serve your community, strengthen the church and change the world, call John Mahon at our regional office at (785) 408-8800 or toll free at (855) 356-4849.
Substitute teacher - Miege is seeking a long-term substitute teacher for the family and consumer science department for in-person learning from mid-February through the end of May. The candidate will be teaching foods, interior design and child development. Send letter of interest and resume to: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com. Program coordinator, office of Hispanic ministry The Diocese of Wichita is seeking an outstanding individual to serve as program coordinator for the office of Hispanic ministry. This individual will work directly with the director in carrying out the mission of the office. This position will include administrative duties, translation and interpretation of documents, coordination and facilitation of projects/events to reach out to the diocesan Hispanic community with special attention to youth and family efforts in our parishes. The deadline for accepting resumes is Jan. 19. For information regarding requirements, check our job posting at: catholicdiocese ofwichita.org; scroll down to “Administration” and click on “Visit Page”; scroll down to “Human Resources” and click on “Visit Page”; then scroll down to “Careers” and click on “Job Openings.” Community live-in assistants - L’Arche Heartland of Overland Park serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in day program support services and in residential services. We are seeking assistants who are looking for a unique opportunity in a faith-based organization. We are in immediate need of live-in assistants and potential live-out assistants to work in our day program serving 30 adults. We have a recycling program and community activities. Our core members participate in distributing for Meals on Wheels and Rise Against Hunger. They also attend community events such as the library, movies, bowling and going to parks. We also have a need for live-in and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.
SERVICES Getting life insurance is an act of love - As a Catholic agent, I have seen the use of life insurance in action many times. Losing someone, no matter their age, is a sad and overwhelming experience. Being left behind with financial burdens makes it even worse. Life insurance delivers a tax-free dollar amount to fulfill specific needs or purposes. I can help you get started. Please call (816) 431-6500 or visit us at: http://www.JEOrozco.com. Bookkeeping services for the very small business - I provide bookkeeping services to very small businesses, specializing in QuickBooks Online. I can help with accounting cleanup, reconciliations, payment processing, payroll and many other tasks. Many small business owners are great at what they do but need a bit of help on financials. Take that stress away and get your books right so you can end the year in the clear. Certified Quick Books Online Pro-Advisor with very low rates. Call (913) 322-2655 for a free consultation or email to: Erin. GeorgeLLC@gmail.com.
Handyman - Furloughed railroader just trying to keep the bills paid for my little family. I advertised here as Father and Son Home Exteriors and Remodeling for 13 years before working for the railroad last year. I can do all carpentry, windows, doors, trim, siding and decks. I can paint, sheetrock and love to do tile. Just about any project you have around your home, I can do. No project too big or too small. Just give me a call at (913) 709-7230 and ask for Josh. Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 209-9234. Tree Trimming Licensed and insured Free estimates/10 years experience Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.
Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee. Wanted to buy - If you have an extra car you don’t know what to do with, give us a call. We are a cash buyer. Call Mark at (913) 980-4905.
Wanted to buy - Old cars or hot rods. Uncompleted project cars in any condition, with or without titles. Cash buyer. Call (913) 980-3559.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CAREGIVING
Popcorn texture removed and apply knockdown texture Renew your walls with a fresh coat of quality paint! Cracks repaired. Fully insured, serving Kansas for 27 years Call or text Jerry at (913) 206-1144.
Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.
Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patios) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.
Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.
EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.
Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176
Part-time caregiver/companion - Senior couple living in their home needs part-time caregiver/companion. Nursing background desirable; able to accompany to medical appointments; monitor vitals; and monitor medications and supplemental oxygen. Light housekeeping, including taking trash to corner on trash removal days, laundry, vacuum, help plan meals, oversee questions regarding mail. 7-14 hours per week. Schedule to be determined based on weekly needs. May be asked to respond to off-hours visits should the need arise. Individual must be caring, honest, mature, able to work flexible hours and have own transportation. Contact Mary at (215) 733-9600.
Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammermoving.com.
STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.
8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered Take back your power and release weight, fatigue and joint pain without hunger or cravings! Call or text Kathi at (816) 809-7739 Email: imagewellness2@gmail.com
Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.
K
WANTED TO BUY
Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.
DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time. Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did. Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com
antine. May God bless each of you for your kindness.” The Secret Santa, who most years travels throughout the Kansas City metro and to unsuspecting communities across the country, said his “sleigh” has been mostly grounded this year due to the risk of exposure to the COVID virus. But he said he could not hold back from making a socially distanced visit to the Little Sisters and their employees in the parking lot of the home. “The Little Sisters and their loyal staff are doing God’s work,” he said. “He is in their heart, and they are his hands.”
Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors Platinum Amarr dealer, Elite Home Advisor top rating. Call Joe, mention The Leaven discount. A Total Door (913) 236-6440.
Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.
Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlaw.com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.
ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Telling them they “symbolize the thousands of frontline workers across America who care for our elderly loved ones during this deadly pandemic,” Kansas City’s Secret Santa rewarded each of the 115 service workers and caregivers at the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Jeanne Jugan Center here with a crisp $100 bill. In surprising the workers a little more than a week before Christmas, the anonymous local businessman, a lifelong Catholic, said, “You are the hands that give comfort, the smile that gives hope and the compassion that families are unable to give due to quar-
Painting - Diamond Painting, (913) 648-4933, Residential/Commercial, Exterior/interior, Free Estimate, Affordable, Decks, DiamondPaintKc.com, Kcmo/Overland Park Metropolitan area.
Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your Tshirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.
Caregivers needed - Daughters & Company, a nonmedical, companion care provider is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to ambulatory seniors in their home at this time. We provide light housekeeping, light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. Caregivers need to have reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired per week. Please contact Laurie or Gary at (913) 341-2500, or send resume to: ghamilton@daughtersonline.com if you would like to become part of an excellent caregiving team.
Secret Santa hands out hundreds
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC)
REAL ESTATE Rental properties - Getting into this kind of investment can be scary. How about if you could have access to a seasoned investor after the sale as a consultant? I am selling some of my investments that are in the KCMO area that you might be interested in. I am not a realtor, but I have owned these properties for a long time. Call (785) 883-2936, leave me your contact information and I will return your call within 24 hours. Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it? We buy it all at once in as-is condition. Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com. We Buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000 CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http://www.buykcproperty.com
Kansas City’s Secret Santa delivers 115 $100 bills to the Little Sisters of the Poor to give to each of the 115 service workers and caregivers at the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Jeanne Jugan Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
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LOCAL NEWS
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Santa Marta adapts to keep residents’ meals safe and tasty
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LATHE — Executive chef Mike Czaplewski cherishes the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. At Santa Marta, the Catholic-sponsored senior living community in Olathe where he works, his contributions help facilitate bonds among hundreds of seniors who get together daily in the dining room to break bread. This dynamic was disrupted in early 2020, when COVID-19 struck stateside and upended food service nationwide. “The most challenging thing at the beginning was figuring out how to maintain the integrity and quality of the meals we serve,” said Czaplewski, whose 14-person team had to shift to packaging and delivering to-go meals after communal dining was temporarily suspended as a safety measure. Paring down the menu to allow for added flexibility was key, according to Czaplewski. Typically, Santa Marta serves ever-changing daily specials as well as a set menu. The community opted to downsize its set menu but chose to maintain its daily specials so residents could enjoy a variety of dishes. “With everything being so unpredictable, the menu adjustment allows my team to be nimble in case we’re ever short-staffed,” said Czaplewski. With dining room service halted, servers handle the food delivery component of the operation. Residents place calls to the kitchen to order, and a handful of culinary team members zip around the community on foot or in golf carts to drop off meals at apartments and villas. “It’s truly a team effort,” said Czaplewski, who is proud Santa Marta is still able to efficiently serve 3,500 quality meals each week despite the pandemic. “My team has really stepped up to ensure residents enjoy the high level of service they’re accustomed to.” Czaplewski explained that taste and
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By Mike Achoki Special to The Leaven
WE’RE LACKING FOR NOTHING IN THE WAY OF COMFORTS. THE FOOD ARRANGEMENTS ARE WELL BEYOND ADEQUATE, AND THE MENU SELECTIONS AND QUALITY ARE VERY GOOD. BILL POEHLING SANTA MARTA RESIDENT
presentation remain at the forefront of his work, and residents have appreciated his team’s unwavering commitment. “While residents miss eating in groups, they are very understanding and have responded very positively to our efforts,” he said. “We’re lacking for nothing in the way of comforts,” said Santa Marta resident Bill Poehling, who has been touting his positive pandemic dining experiences to family and friends. “The food arrangements are well beyond adequate, and the menu selections and quality are very good.” Poehling extended his compliments to other community offerings as well. “The staff is always responsive to special requests while remaining upbeat and friendly,” he said. “The system is working well, and we’re blessed to live in such a beautiful, wellcared-for environment.” The commendation exemplifies the level of satisfaction Czaplewski and his team strive for with everyone they serve. “While many things are different because of COVID-19, we make sure we give residents the best culinary experience possible,” said Czaplewski. “That is always our top priority.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MARTA
Mike Czaplewski, executive chef at Santa Marta retirement community, had to adjust his meal preparation routine and his menus to adhere to safety regulations when community dining was no longer allowed.
Hobby gives artist purpose and others hope >> Continued from page 1 the value of Schmidt’s handiwork. Schmidt donated a diamond painting of Mary and the infant Jesus to the parish. It hangs in a religious education room, where pastoral council and finance council meetings take place. “Jackie, like so many other members of the parish, uses her own unique talents and abilities to further our mission,” said Father McEvoy. “Her art is very uplifting,” he added, “and the work is so meticulous, that they are done as acts of love. “We’re blessed for her art and her commitment to the parish, especially during these dark, pandemic days.” Although Schmidt’s work is tedious, it’s a gratifying way to pass the time, she said. “I don’t realize the hours that I put in,” said Schmidt. “My husband [Gene] will be like, ‘You’ve been at this for 16 hours.’ “I cannot wait to get up in the morning and start working.” Schmidt’s favorite creation is an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. “As long as I can remember, when I was just a little kid, my mother had that picture in her bedroom,” she said. “She’s 98. She probably had it for 67 years.”
LEAVEN PHOTOS BY MOIRA CULLINGS
Above is a small sampling of Jackie Schmidt’s “Art of Diamonds” collection. Although she takes on a variety of subjects, she says the spiritual ones seem to be the most popular. Her mom now lives in a nursing home in Canada, where Schmidt is from, but they haven’t been able to see each other in a while because of COVID-19. Schmidt hopes she’ll be able to visit her mom soon, and that she can bring the diamond painting of Jesus with her
as a gift. “If I do sell that one, I’ll make her another one,” she said. “Or even donate it to the nursing home she’s at if something happens to her. “It would be a memory of my mom.” Father McEvoy is grateful for parishioners like Schmidt who use their
gifts in the aid of others, and he hopes her art will be a beacon of light. “These days, we need reminders of hope,” he said. “We need to be lifted up. “Jackie’s bright and colorful art reminds us that we’re not alone, and that God is with us, and God will never let us down.”
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COLUMNISTS
DAILY READINGS OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Dec. 27 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Sir 3: 2-6, 12-14 Ps 128: 1-5 Col 3: 12-21 Lk 2: 22-40 Dec. 28 THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS 1 Jn 1:5 – 2:2 Ps 124: 2-5, 7c-8 Mt 2: 13-18 Dec. 29 FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 1 Jn 2: 3-11 Ps 96: 1-3, 5b-6 Lk 2: 22-35 Dec. 30 SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 1 Jn 2: 12-17 Ps 96: 7-10 Lk 2: 36-40 Dec. 31 SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD 1 Jn 2: 18-21 Ps 96: 1-2, 11-13 Jn 1: 1-18 Jan. 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Nm 6: 22-27 Ps 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8 Gal 4: 4-7 Lk 2: 16-21 Jan. 2 Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctors of the church 1 Jn 2: 22-28 Ps 98: 1-4 Jn 1: 19-28 Jan. 3 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Is 60: 1-6 Ps 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Eph 3: 2-3a, 5-6 Mt 2: 1-12 Jan. 4 Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious 1 Jn 3:22 – 4:6 Ps 2: 7bc-8, 10-12a Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25 Jan. 5 John Neumann, bishop 1 Jn 4: 7-10 Ps 72: 1-4, 7-8 Mk 6: 34-44 Jan. 6 André Bessette, religious 1 Jn 4: 11-18 Ps 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13 Mk 6: 45-52 Jan. 7 Raymond of Penyafort, priest 1 Jn 4:19 – 5:4 Ps 72: 1-2, 14, 15bc, 17 Lk 4: 14-22a Jan. 8 Friday 1 Jn 5: 5-13 Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20 Lk 5: 12-16 Jan. 9 Saturday 1 Jn 5: 14-21 Ps 149: 1-6a, 9b Jn 3: 22-30
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Work on making a fresh start in the new year
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ell, t h e year 2020 sure didn’t turn out the way I imagined . . . or did it? I reviewed what I’d written last Dec. 27. First, I mentioned that everybody who wore glasses or contacts could throw them out “because in just a few days, we’ll all be seeing 2020!” After almost 10 months of dealing with the coronavirus, I’d have to say my vision has improved: I came to see how blessed I am and how I took most of those blessings for granted. I never appreciated fully things like handshakes and hugs, going out to eat or to visit friends and loved ones, fully stocked grocery shelves (especially paper products), the internet (for more than Facebook and cat videos), my health or even being able to gather in large groups to celebrate the sacraments.
MARK MY WORDS
FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
Secondly, I told a joke in that same column about twin boys — one who was a pessimist; the other, an optimist. The latter received a box of manure as a Christmas gift, and he was thrilled! I ended my column with these eerie words: “Who knows? What appears to be a box of manure might indeed mean that there’s a pony somewhere!” (If you don’t get the joke, check out
this column in the Dec. 27, 2019, Leaven in the archives at: theleaven. org.) Many people will remember 2020 as a box of manure. But could it also mean that there’s a pony somewhere? During this pandemic year, people were encouraged to wear a mask, socially distance and wash those hands. Sadly, though, this self-care seemed to turn into selfishness for some: hoarding supplies; scoffing at the common good in the name of an imagined personal freedom; and ridiculing anyone who thought differently. As always, however,
there are those who realize that the best “selfcare” is to turn outward to the needs of others. This story by Edmund Banyard illustrates that point: There was once a village woodworker who was also an undertaker when the need arose. His language and manners were crude and he rarely darkened the church door. However, one day after a funeral, he heard a group of bystanders saying how sorry they were for a widow who had been left with a young family. Roughly, the woodworker/undertaker pushed his way into the group. “How much sorry are you?” he demanded, adding, “I’m sorry $10!” After taking the money from his pocket, he immediately started a collection for the widow from the assembled bystanders. (Adapted from a story in Anthony Castle’s “More Quips, Quotes & Anecdotes for Preachers and Teachers.”)
The couple featured on pages 8 and 9 of this issue show how much good can be accomplished by turning outward to the needy. Growing up, the couple was no stranger to poverty. That experience led them to care in small, practical ways for anyone whose needs became known to them. What started small and local became a foundation that now has an international reach. This couple embodies these words of St. Francis: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” That’s my hope for the new year. May we do first “what’s necessary,” that is, notice the needy. Then, let’s each respond in whatever possible way we can. Eventually, together and with God’s help, we’ll end up doing the impossible . . . and maybe even find a “pony” along the way.
Welcoming the Holy Family in a tumultuous year
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n the documentary “The Social Dilemma,” former executives and technology engineers from social media companies like Google, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram discuss issues around social media addiction, censorship and the effective spread of misinformation. Viewers are introduced to ways in which social media engineers manipulate information so advertisers hold users in attention traps and increase the amounts of time subscribers engage in social media activities. A chilling part of the film shows how technology systems have taken control of human choices and even our closest family relationships. In a dramatized scene, a family of five
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JEM SULLIVAN Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.
sits down to eat dinner and we see three teenage children with cellphones in their hands. The mother asks the children to put away their phones so the family can have a normal conversation around the dinner table. To ensure her children are not distracted during dinner,
the mother places their phones in a locked plastic box. A dramatic scenario unfolds as one of the teenagers smashes open the locked box and rushes out of the room with her phone in hand. As chaos ensues, each family member leaves their half-eaten dinner till one child sits alone at the family table as the scene fades. The future of civilization passes through the family, noted St. John Paul II. The family is the basic cell of society and the first school of love, virtues and human flourishing. It
is the virtues of family life that the author of Sirach praises in the first reading (Sir 3: 2-6, 12-14). Honoring one’s father and mother is commended as pleasing to God and an act of justice. As the psalmist prays: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.” In the Gospel (Lk 2:22-40), Mary and Joseph bring their divine son Jesus to the Temple in accordance with the Jewish custom of presenting firstborn males. And Simeon, a righteous and devout Israelite, recognizes the awesome inbreaking of God’s revelation into history and responds with a canticle of praise. He takes the baby Jesus into his arms and blesses God. The feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph celebrates the holiness and
the unique mission of the family made holy by the Son of God who took flesh in the womb of Mary and was raised by his parents, Mary and Joseph, in their home in Nazareth. We are reminded that Jesus was born and raised in the poverty of a humble family rich in the virtues of faith, hope and love. Through baptism, we become part of God’s family as we strive to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the church, the family of families. As this tumultuous year draws to a close, we take our place among the Holy Family where we find peace, joy and hope. And as a new year begins, God’s word invites us to let the peace of Christ fill our hearts and to be ever thankful to God as we pray: “Speak to me, Lord.”
Pray for one, pray for all, pope says at general audience VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If Christians forget to remember in prayer people who are suffering, their prayer can become a superficial activity that feeds their ego rather than seeking the good and well-being of others, Pope Francis said. “Those who pray never turn their backs on the world” but instead, seek to intercede for humanity
through prayer, the pope said Dec. 16 during his weekly general audience. “When believers — moved by the Holy Spirit — pray for sinners, no selection is made, no judgment or condemnation is uttered,” he said. “They pray for everyone, and they pray for themselves. At that moment, they know they are not that different from those for
whom they pray.” Continuing his series of talks on prayer, the pope reflected on “the prayer of intercession.” Although many people seek solitude and silence in prayer, he said, they should do so always keeping “the door of their hearts wide open” to pray for those who can’t or won’t pray for themselves.
COLUMNISTS
DECEMBER 25, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG
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Director sets forth bishops’ conference priorities in new year
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lections have consequences — for Kansas Catholics and everyone else. The Kansas Catholic Conference (KCC) is the public policy arm of the Catholic bishops of Kansas, tasked with carrying out their legislative priorities for the common good. The Catholic Church’s social teachings, like the Gospel message itself, are intended for all people, not just Catholics. Its priorities don’t fit neatly into any political party affiliation. What are the consequences of the 2020 elections for the church’s priorities? The results are mixed. First, most significantly, prospects have improved for the
CHURCH AND STATE
CHUCK WEBER Chuck Weber is the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference.
top state legislative priority of the Kansas bishops — adoption of the “Value Them Both” (VTB) state constitutional amendment for life. VTB is necessary because a state Supreme Court ruling
means abortion in Kansas is virtually unlimited and unregulated. Laws like those prohibiting taxpayerfunded abortion are in grave danger. Passing VTB effectively reverses the court ruling and once again allows enforcement of reasonable Kansas laws protecting both mothers and babies. Passing VTB takes
on added significance since the incoming presidential administration campaigned in favor of federal taxpayer funded abortion. If VTB passes the Legislature this year, it will go to the people of Kansas who will have the final say in a statewide election. Other threats loom. For example, the new presidential administration campaigned on passage of the socalled “Equality Act,” provisions of which are in direct contradiction to Catholic teaching on marriage, the family and human sexuality. There is deep concern about continued threats to religious freedom in today’s COVID environment. The proverbial plate of legislative issues at Popcorn ceiling removed, or repaired Ceiling and walls painted 30 years experience
the KCC overflows. Here are some of the other legislative priorities of the Kansas Catholic bishops: • We will continue to lobby Kansas’ federal officials for greater justice for the immigrant. The KCC decried the outgoing administration’s rhetoric and position on immigration reform. We continue to call for resolution of issues like DACA (“Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”). • The KCC has consistently opposed and testified against federal and statesponsored executions. We will continue to do so. • The KCC was front and center in Topeka last legislative session pressing for reform of the so-called
“payday loan” industry that we deem to be predatory and hurtful to the dignity of families under financial duress. We will continue to do so. • The political reality is that Medicaid expansion in Kansas is in all likelihood dead on arrival for 2021. Undeterred, the KCC is promoting legislation leading to greater health care access at lower costs. • Promoting educational opportunity for low-income families who too often get short-changed in the classroom continues to be a KCC priority. Please pray for our elected officials as they seek the common good in 2021. Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us!
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LOCAL NEWS
DECEMBER 25, 2O2O | THELEAVEN.ORG
Devotion to Infant of Prague is long and storied Devotion intertwined with Czech history
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
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EAWOOD — He doesn’t collect them. After all, he explained, one collects baseball cards or Beanie Babies. Nevertheless, Chuck Smrt, a parishioner of Curé of Ars in Leawood, has at least 16 different statues of the Infant Jesus of Prague, more commonly known as the Infant of Prague. The original Infant Jesus of Prague is a small statue dating back to the 17th century. It is just 19” tall, and is made of wood, wax and cloth. But replicas of it come in all shapes and sizes, and feature the Infant Jesus dressed in royal robes and wearing a king’s crown. (For more on the origin and history of the devotion, see sidebar.) Most of Smrt’s statues have come as gifts from family and friends in response to his strong devotion to the Infant Jesus. In recent years, Smrt said his desire to help others foster a similar devotion has grown considerably. He’s been mulling over ideas, and he’s even considering sharing some of his statues. “If someone needs an Infant, I’d love to give it to them,” he said. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I don’t want to have a bunch of Infants on a shelf.” Still, there are some he’ll keep, especially the one from his “Gram.” “My grandmother had that Infant on the TV,” he recalled. “So, we would go over there for all these different functions on Sunday afternoons, and all of the guys would go into the living room to watch TV. That Infant sat there all those years. So, I grew up seeing that Infant.” After his grandmother died, the statue passed to an uncle. Later, his uncle gave it to him. The statue is at least 80 or 90 years old, if not older. Shortly thereafter, Smrt’s wife Gina received another statue — one made from wax. Like his grandmother’s statue, it, too, had been a cherished possession of Gina’s aunt. Around that same time in 1995, the couple made a pilgrimage to Prague. It was there that Smrt found his devotion soared, literally and figuratively. The original statue stands around 18.5 inches tall and sits high atop an altar in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. “If you’re in that church, you’re there for one reason,” Smrt said. Sister Mary Rosaleen Driscoll, SCL, agreed. Like Smrt, she, too, has a devotion to the Infant of Prague. In 2017, parishioners at Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, where she lives in Topeka, surprised her and her niece with a trip to Poland and the Czech Republic in honor of her 70th anniversary as a nun. “It was awesome,” she said of seeing the Infant. As she recalled the memory of being before the Infant statue, her face lit up with joy. Likewise, Smrt said he recalls being utterly awed in the presence of that original statue, a statue which by all accounts, dates back to at least the 1500s. “It was very emotional,” he said Several years ago, Smrt battled cancer. He’s been cancer-free for three years, something he attributes to the
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ost experts agree knowing the exact history of the Infant of Prague is not as important as honoring the Christ Child. Still, its history helps explain the devotion and its prevalence among Czech communities such as Chuck Smrt’s hometown of North Judson, Indiana. 1500s — A statue of the Child Jesus originates in Spain. Accounts differ as to whether the Infant Jesus appears in a vision to a monk who fashions the statue based on his vision or whether St. Teresa of Avila owns the statue. 1556 — The statue of the Infant Jesus is brought to Prague by the Spanish Duchess Marie Manriquez de Lcara who married Vrastislav of Pernstein. The duchess later gives the statue to her daughter Polyxena as a wedding present. 1628 — Polyxena donates the statue to the monastery of Discalced Carmelites at the Church of Our Lady Victorious. The Carmelites place the statue in the novitiate chapel and pray for the monks to learn the virtues of the Christ Child. 1631 — During a siege of Prague, the Carmelites flee the monastery. The monastery is plundered, and the statue is discarded. 1637 — Father Cyril of the Mother of God returns to Prague and finds the statue in a pile of junk with both its arms missing. During prayer he hears Jesus say, “Have mercy on me, and I will have mercy on you. Give me my arms, and I will give you my peace. I will bless you as much as you will venerate me!” Eventually, the monk has new arms made for the Infant Jesus. 1641 — The statue is moved to a chapel in the church for public veneration.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Sister Mary Rosaleen Driscoll, SCL, first implored the Infant for assistance during the 1950s. At 93, she has been a religious Sister for more than 70 years and is in residence at Sacred HeartSt. Joseph Parish in Topeka. She tries to always give the Infant “a little love” whenever she passes an Infant of Prague statue because “he’s so special.”
A prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague Prayer offered by Pope Benedict in his crowning of the Infant in Prague in 2009: O my Lord Jesus, we gaze on you as a child and believe that you are the Son of God, who became man through the working of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Just as in Bethlehem, we, too, adore you, with Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds, and acknowledge you as our only Savior. You became poor to enrich us with your poverty. Grant that we may never forget the poor and all those who suffer. Protect our families, bless all the children of the world and grant that the love you have brought us may always reign among us and lead us to a happier life. Grant, O Jesus, that all may recognize the truth of your birth, so that all may know that you have come to bring to the whole human family light, joy and peace. You are God, who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.PRAGJESU.CZ/ AND CATHOLICEXCHANGE.COM
Infant Jesus. In fact, after he was declared free of cancer, he invited everyone who had prayed for him to Saturday morning Mass at Holy Trinity in Lenexa, where
he and his family had belonged for many years. After Mass, Smrt treated everyone to breakfast and shared in>> See “COLLECTORS” on page 5
1651 — The Infant is carried in processions throughout the city of Prague. 1655 — The bishop of Prague crowns the statue. 1741 — Due to increasing crowds, the statue is relocated to the main church. 1754 — Empress Marie Terezie donates an embroidered robe to the Infant Jesus. Veneration of the Infant spreads throughout the former countries of the Austrian Empire. 1784 — Josef II launches a campaign against monasteries and religion. The Carmelite monastery is abolished, and the church as well as the altar of the Infant Jesus suffer from decay. 1879 — The Infant Jesus makes a pilgrimage through Prague’s convents. Monies raised from the pilgrimage pay for the altar’s restoration, and veneration to the Infant Jesus is revived. Stories of miracles stream in from throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 1896 — Pope Leo XIII officially approves the devotion to the image Early 1900s — Veneration of the Infant Jesus spreads throughout the world, especially in Spain and Portugal. Missionaries cultivate a love for the Infant in India, China, the Philippines and North America. 1924 — Pope Pius XI grants the first canonical coronation of the Infant Jesus of Prague. 1928 — Celebrations mark the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Infant Jesus in Prague. 1939 – 1989 — Nazi and Communist regimes silence veneration of the Infant Jesus. 1993 — The Discalced Carmelites return to the Church of Our Lady Victorious, and with them, a renewed interest in and devotion to the Infant Jesus. 2009 — Pope Benedict XVI visits Prague, offering a crown as a present for the Infant.