01 08 21 Vol. 42 No. 21

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 21 | JANUARY 8, 2021

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ARCHBISHOP

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

May St. Maximilian Kolbe help us bend our will to God’s

O

n the solemnity of All Saints, the Little Sisters and Little Brothers of the Lamb participate in a saints’ lottery.

From a basket filled with small slips of paper with the names of various saints, each Little Sister and Brother draws the name of their special saint for that year. Over the next 12 months, the Sisters and Brothers become more acquainted with their particular saint through reading and prayer.

For the past 10 years, the Community of the Lamb has included me in their lottery. This year, I drew St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a 20thcentury Polish Franciscan priest who died in the infamous Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp.

As a means to deter escapes, if an escapee was not captured within 24 hours, the Nazis executed 10 arbitrarily chosen prisoners. In the summer of 1941, after a successful escape, one of the men chosen for execution pleaded for mercy because his wife would be a widow and his children orphans. Maximilian Kolbe volunteered to take the condemned man’s place.

To the astonishment of his fellow prisoners, the Nazi vice commandant accepted Kolbe’s offer. The previously condemned man was spared and Kolbe, with nine others, was taken to the execution bunker where they were literally starved to death.

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Maximilian Kolbe, whose health was frail throughout his adult life, prayed and led hymns with his fellow prisoners in the bunker.

Finally, on the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption — Aug. 14 — Maximilian Kolbe, along with a couple others who had not yet died, were executed by lethal injection.

Some of the survivors of Auschwitz, among them the man whose life Kolbe saved, testified during the canonization process — not only to the details of his execution, but also about Kolbe’s heroism throughout his imprisonment at Auschwitz.

I was familiar with Maximilian Kolbe’s heroic death but had not previously studied his prior life. In recent weeks, I have been reading biographies about my saint for the year.

At the age of 12, the future saint experienced a mystical encounter while praying in his home before an image of Mary. He told his mother that Mary

had offered him two crowns: a white one for chastity and a red one for martyrdom.

Our Blessed Mother asked him which one he wanted. He told Mary that he desired both.

At a young age, he entered a Franciscan seminary. He was a gifted student and was sent to Rome for his philosophical and theological studies.

In 1912, while a seminarian, along with some other young men in formation, he founded the Militia of Mary Immaculate — a society whose members commit to consecrating their lives to Jesus through Mary and striving to draw others to Jesus by promoting Marian devotion under her title of the Immaculate Conception.

Maximilian Kolbe suffered throughout his adult life from tuberculosis. On several occasions, he was ordered by his superiors to cease his apostolic activities and rest for months at a time. Despite these physical limitations, what Mary was able to accomplish through Maximilian Kolbe was truly amazing.

In 1918, Father

Kolbe began publishing The Knight of Mary Immaculate, a newsletter that sought to promote holiness by inspiring devotion to Mary. By 1938, the newsletter had more than a million subscribers. In 1927, Father Kolbe founded a monastery, The City of Mary Immaculate.

By 1938, it was the largest friary in the world with more than 700 members. Without knowing Japanese, Father Kolbe established a sister monastery in Nagasaki that withstood the atomic bomb and remains a vibrant community today. In 1938, Father Kolbe established a radio station to complement the monastery’s publications.

Much impressive apostolic activity was spawned by Maximilian Kolbe. Humanly speaking, what was accomplished was impossible. Yet, all of it was the fruit of a very simple spirituality.

Throughout his life and ministry, Maximilian Kolbe had a core principle: If Mary desires it, it will happen.

If she does not want a particular apostolate, it is not necessary.

In the late 1930s, Father Kolbe asked his brother friars: “What should we do now in The City of Mary Immaculate?” He received a variety of responses: 1) increase the circulation of The Knight of Mary Immaculate; 2) purchase a new linotype machine; 3) build an airport; 4) double productivity, etc. Finally, one friar suggested shyly: “We should

CNS PHOTO BY JOHN POLE

St. Maximilian Kolbe, who took the place of a young father condemned to die at Auschwitz during World War II, is pictured in an undated painting. sanctify ourselves.”

Father Kolbe told the friars: “True progress does not depend on enlarging the borders of The City of Mary Immaculate, or on importing the most modern machines and improving service. Even though we build skyscrapers and gathered the most beautiful and useful inventions of human genius, that still would not be true progress.

Even if our publications doubled or grew tenfold, spreading over the whole world, that still would not serve as evidence of progress.”

Maximilian Kolbe told his fellow friars: “Our goal is sanctification. I demand that you all become saints, and I mean very great saints.”

The friars protested that he was expecting too much. They asked him: What is the key to sanctification? In response, Maximilian Kolbe wrote a formula

“Let us show you the many options available when you prearrange your funeral services.”

on a blackboard: w = W. He said it was the infallible formula.

“Whoever conforms to it in life may be assured of sanctity.”

Bewildered, the friars asked: What does the equation mean? Father Kolbe responded: “It is very simple.

“The small w stands for our human will.

The capital W means the will of God. . . . If you desire the same thing as God, you will be saint. It is as simple as 2 + 2 = 4.”

One of the friars protested that “it is easy to write but it is difficult to apply it to life.” Father Kolbe responded: “It would no doubt be difficult without the Immaculata. She, however, was the first one to bridge the distance between our will and the will of God. . . . If you trust her unreservedly, she will help you to bend your will to that of God.” My prayer, as we begin 2021, is to strive to bend my will to conform more completely to God’s will. I have many hopes and dreams for the archdiocese.

However, the most important goal is for each of us to strive for sanctity, conforming our wills to God’s will.

Maximilian Kolbe remarkably was able to do this throughout his life, even in the depravity of a Nazi concentration camp.

The key to his success was his true devotion to Mary.

As Gabriel told Mary, when she gave her fiat: Nothing is impossible for God.

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LOCAL NEWS

2020 VISION K JANUARY 8, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Every year, the question arises: What was the biggest news story of the year?

For 2020, it’s not even a question.

COVID-19 has dominated our headlines and lives since early in the year.

The worldwide pandemic actually began sometime in late 2019 in China, but it rapidly spread around the world before people knew or understood what it was.

Individuals were affected in ways too numerous to count. So-called “essential workers,” especially in hospitals, bore the direct burden of the pandemic. Many others, essential to their families, lost their jobs.

Small businesses were devastated.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas began issuing advisories to parishes and schools on March 2, and by March 13, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann issued dispensations from attending Mass. Public Masses were canceled entirely from March 17 to May 9. For many, it was a bleak Lent and a muted Easter.

Schools and seminaries ended in-person classes. Teachers and students shifted to virtual instruction.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued a state “stay-at-home” order initially from March 30 to April 19, and later extended it to May 3.

As of early December, the worldwide death toll has reached 1.5 million, but tens of millions have been infected and continue to be infected. Thankfully, the “Project Warp Speed” effort to develop vaccines has brought hope. Inoculations have begun and will continue into 2021.

Meanwhile, a release of the long-delayed McCarrick Report roiled the church, while riots in multiple American cities and a lengthy election dispute roiled the country.

Closer to home, seven retired archdiocesan pastors died — one of them in India.

Though only a small fraction of archdiocesan life is captured weekly in the 16 pages of The Leaven, a review of those pages shows a remarkable diversity and vitality in the lives of archdiocesan Catholics despite the pandemic.

So, before we close the book on the old year, let’s take a look back at the people and events that comprised the life of the archdiocese in 2020.

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3 ARCHDIOCESAN

YEAR IN REVIEW

BY JOE BOLLIG

CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ, LONG ISLAND CATHOLIC

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, processes out at the conclusion of the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life Jan. 23, 2020, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

January • The Fellowship of Catholic University Students honored Father Nick Blaha with the St. Francis Xavier Award for outstanding service to the new evangelization at SLS20, held Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Phoenix.

• Retired pastor Father Thomas H. Dolezal, 75, died in hospice care on Jan. 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.

• Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann traveled to Rome with other Midwestern bishops for an “ad limina” visit Jan. 11-17 with Pope Francis.

• Sam and Melissa Rockford, members of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, were named honorary co-chairs of the 2020 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

• Mike and Jo Kuckelman were named presidents of the 46th annual Snow Ball gala, held Jan. 18 and benefiting the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas.

• Sharon Vallejo, a 19-year veteran of cemetery management, was promoted to president/CEO of Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant at the annual Red Mass held on Jan. 21 at Mater Dei-Assumption Church in Topeka.

Concelebrants included Bishop Gerald Vincke of the Diocese of Salina and Bishop John Brungardt of the Diocese of Dodge City.

• Many Catholics attended the IGNITE rally and Kansas March for Life on Jan. 22 at the state Capitol in Topeka. Archbishop Naumann was

the main celebrant at the annual Mass for Life on Jan. 22 and later addressed the crowd inside the Capitol rotunda.

• As chairman of the U. S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at a Mass on Jan. 23, an opening for the National Prayer Vigil for Life in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 24, he and hundreds of other archdiocesan Catholics participated in the National March for Life.

• Five laypersons became the first members of the Lay Fraternity of the Sons and Daughters of St. Maria Soledad on Jan. 25 in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Sisters, Servants of Mary in Kansas City, Kansas.

February • Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant, and Bishop James V. Johnston was the homilist, at the annual World Marriage Day Mass on Feb. 9 at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. The Mass was sponsored by the archdiocese and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

• Archbishop Naumann joined pastor Father Rick Storey for a blessing and groundbreaking on Feb. 14 for a new parish activities center at Curé of Ars Church in Leawood.

• Virgil C. Dechant, 89, the longest-serving Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus (1977-2000), died on Feb. 16 in Leawood.

• Archbishop Naumann anointed and dedicated the new altar of St. Joseph Church in Topeka on Feb. 16 during a Mass of thanksgiving marking the completion of the church’s $7.3 million restoration project.

• Archbishop Naumann received the Cross of St. Benedict award at the annual Benedictine College Scholarship Ball on Feb. 29 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

• The 24th annual Men Under Construction conference was held on Feb. 29 at Ascension Parish in Overland Park.

PHOTO BY JOE PASSANTINO

Dustin Colquitt, punter for the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, delivers the keynote address at the annual Men Under Construction conference Feb. 29.

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LOCAL NEWS

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

April • As seminaries closed due to the pandemic, archdiocesan seminarians from Kenrick-Glennon in St. Louis sheltered at Savior Pastoral Center — a former minor seminary — in Kansas City, Kansas, to continue their education and formation.

• Possibly for the first time in the history of the archdiocese, public Holy Week and Easter liturgies were canceled. People stayed home and either prayed as families or viewed Masses on TV or over the internet.

• Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, and other parish and archdiocesan ministries, struggled to adapt and keep ministering under pandemic conditions.

• Twenty-four priests of the archdiocese volunteered to undertake training to serve as COVID-19 chaplains.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JENNY FRAZEE

LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER

Father Justin Hamilton, associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, runs off the court in celebration after a buzzer-beating layup by teammate Brian Jacobson gave his team a 58-57 win in the annual Runnin’ Revs basketball game, this year held at St. James Academy in Lenexa.

March • Hundreds of candidates and catechumens signed the Book of the Elect, expressing their intention to become Catholics, during Rites of Election held on March 1 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, and Christ the King Parish in Topeka, and on March 5 at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe.

• The archdiocese sent advisories to parishes and schools on March 2 about how to prepare for and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The archdiocesan school office sent information and resources to principals on Feb. 29.

• Students from six archdiocesan high schools participated in the annual Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibit on March 6 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas

City, Kansas.

• With a revamped format that mixed the traditional opponents, the Runnin’ Revs and the Serra All-Stars played a basketball game on March 9 at St. James Academy in Lenexa. The Revs are basketball-playing priests, seminarians and an occasional ringer, while the All-Stars are players drawn from archdiocesan Catholic high schools.

• Father Lawrence D. Albertson, 81, a retired pastor living in Lawrence, died in hospice care on March 9.

• St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park and St. James Academy in Lenexa canceled senior spring break trips to Rome because of concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy.

• In response to the growing threat of the COVID-19 virus, Archbishop Naumann granted a dispensation of

the Sunday Mass obligation on March 13.

• On March 17, the archbishop and all the bishops of Kansas announced the cancellation of all public Masses in Kansas. Thousands began watching TV or livestreamed internet Masses.

Baptisms and funerals were limited to 50 people (later reduced to 10). Penance services were canceled, but the sacrament of reconciliation for individuals was still permitted — sometimes via “drive thru” confessions.

• Archdiocesan schools canceled in-person classes for the rest of the year and, after spring break, adapted to remote and virtual learning. Colleges and universities also shifted to virtual instruction. Schools canceled sports and other extracurricular activities. Most of the state was placed under “stay-at-home” orders, soon to be followed by the entire state.

From left, Deacons Thomas Maddock, Luke Doyle and Keith Chadwick stand with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann following their ordination to the transitional diaconate.

May • Archbishop Naumann announced the resumption of public Masses in the archdiocese starting May 9.

• Thomas Maddock, Luke Doyle and Keith Chadwick were ordained to the transitional diaconate by Archbishop Naumann on May 16 at St. Peter Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Retired Deacon Dan Peterson, 82, died on May 21 in hospice care at Villa St. Francis in Olathe.

• Deacons Travis Wade Mecum and Anthony Mersmann were ordained priests of the archdiocese by Archbishop Naumann on May 23 at St. Peter Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas.

• The archdiocese published the “Catholic Guide for End of Life and Establishing Advance Directives” and made it widely available for use by area Catholics.

June • St. Patrick School in Kansas City, Kansas, received a $75,000 grant to fund its new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum.

• On June 4, Ghana native Father Francis Bakyor, pastor of St. Joseph-St. Lawrence Parish in Easton, became an American citizen.

• Archbishop Naumann led a Corpus Christi procession on June 14 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Retired pastor Father Carl M. Dekat, 92, died on June 14 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.

• Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher blessed the new chapel fresco on June 14 at Holy Angels Parish in Basehor.

• Archbishop Naumann ordained the largest group of permanent deacons in the history of the archdiocese — 20 men of the third cohort — on June 20 at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

• Father David McEvoy, O.Carm., pastor of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth, was installed on June 25 as the vice prior provincial for the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary.

• Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas moved its Wyandotte County Family Support Center to 600 Minnesota in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Longtime educator Paul D. Fallon was named the new president of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, succeeding William P. Ford, who retired on June 30 after leading the school for 22 years.

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PHOTO BY JENNY FRAZEE

The third cohort of deacons for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was the largest class ever, with 20 men ordained to the permanent diaconate in the June 20 ceremony. A fourth cohort is scheduled for ordination in 2024.

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LOCAL NEWS

JANUARY 8, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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July

August

• The Leaven won 12 Catholic Press Association awards during the first virtual Catholic Media Conference held July 1-2.

• Archbishop Naumann ended the livestream Masses on July 3 from his home chapel and on July 4 from the Cathedral of St. Peter that he’d been celebrating since March. He continued to offer online reflections on the daily Mass readings.

• Father Christopher Rossman, who pled guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography on July 26, 2019, was sentenced on July 15 by the U.S. District Court to 37 months incarceration, followed by five years’ supervised release.

• Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, received a donation of high-quality art reproductions that formerly were housed in the Reardon Civic Center in Kansas City, Kansas, which was being demolished.

• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish continued its annual Fiesta Mexicana on July 18 by converting it into a two-

• Archbishop Naumann elevated the status of the Latin Mass Community of St. Philippine Duchesne in Westwood to that of a personal parish on Aug. 4.

• Msgr. Robert N. Bergman, 75, died on Aug. 11 in hospice care in the rectory of Immaculate Conception Parish in Louisburg.

• Elementary school teachers and administrators met over the internet for a daylong “Enflame Our Schools” event on Aug. 12, learning about the Enflame evangelization process.

• Hundreds of Catholics gathered on Aug. 22 in Overland Park for a candlelight procession and rosary, sponsored by the Holy Family School of Faith Institute, to mark the launch of the Movement of the Holy Family.

• The archdiocesan 50th wedding anniversary celebration Mass was held on Aug. 23 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Armando Chavez and Adalina Cooper pass their Fiesta Mexicana donation to Jackie and Felipe Rangel through the sunroof of the car of Adalina’s parents — Adam and Angelina Cooper. Because of COVID-19, the annual fiesta was converted to a two-hour drive-by extravaganza. hour, drive-by extravaganza of Mexican culture.

• In recognition of their exceptional service to Camp Tekakwitha at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg, the Echo of Kateri award was given on July 16

to Father Scott Wallisch, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, and to Katie and Ryan Burton, members of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park, on July 25.

September

October

• Holy Trinity Parish in Paola completed construction of its $1.5 million new multiuse parish hall and office.

• Father Guvvala Balaswamy, 69, a priest of the Diocese of Cuddapah, India, died on Sept. 24 in Bengaluru. He served archdiocesan parishes from 2001 to 2004.

• Louise S. Naumann, 97, mother of Archbishop Naumann, died on Sept. 26 at Villa St. Francis in Olathe.

• A bronze sculpture, “The Holy Family’s Return to Nazareth,” was unveiled on Sept. 27 at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison.

• Twenty-seven high schoolaged young men met on Sept. 27 at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, and 12 met on Oct. 4 at St. Joseph Parish in Topeka, for the Project Andrew discernment retreat.

• Several youths involved in Scouting and the American Heritage Girls received awards on Sept. 27 during the annual Scouting awards Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Parishioners of Holy Family Parish in Eudora celebrated when the old Holy Family Church, built in 1864, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 2.

• Twenty-six high school-aged youths participated in a seven-mile pilgrimage on Oct. 3 to Prairie Star Ranch near Williamsburg. It was sponsored by the archdiocesan office of youth evangelization.

• Tina Jenkins of Holy Family Parish in Eudora and Traci Streit of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, received the first Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Walking with Moms in Need award on Oct. 4 during the annual archdiocesan Respect Life Mass at St. Patrick Parish.

• Retired pastor Father Robert Pflumm, 90, died on Oct. 12 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

• Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, raised a record $525,000 during its annual SHINE event on Oct. 15.

• Janet and Darren Lovick served as co-chairs of the Gaudeamus-at-Home fundraising event on Oct. 24, sponsored by the Catholic Education Foundation. Lamar Hunt Jr. and Rita Hunt were honored with the Angels Among Us award for their longtime support of Catholic education.

• The archdiocese received its first gift transaction of grain commodities from Brian and Kay Schmidt of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe as part of the “One Faith, One Family, One Future . . . in Christ” capital campaign.

• Annunciation Parish in Baldwin received a donation of solar panels worth $30,000 from parishioners Dave and Pam Hill.

• St. Paul Parish in Olathe donated more than $22,000 to Divine Mercy Parish in East Havana, Cuba.

• Bill Maloney, a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park, was appointed executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development on Oct. 30.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Bill Maloney became executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and the director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development on Oct. 30.

November

December

• Retired pastor Msgr. Charles Douglas McGlinn, 78, died on Nov. 20 at the rectory of Ascension Parish in Overland Park.

• The St. James Academy Thunder football team captured the Kansas Class 4A state championship on Nov. Msgr. Charles 27 with a 56-34 McGlinn win over Arkansas City. It was the Thunder’s first state football championship.

• Project Chrysalis, a ministry for parents who have experienced the death of a child, hosted its first Mass of Remembrance on Nov. 30 at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

• The annual #iGiveCatholic online crowdfunding event was held on Dec. 1.

• Archbishop Naumann was the main celebrant and homilist at the 150th anniversary Mass on Dec. 6 at St. Dominic Parish in Holton.

• The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth announced that Irene Caudillo, a member of Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, had been awarded the Vincentian Charism Award for her embodiment of the Vincentian virtues of compassion, justice and charity.

• Craig and Karen Gaffney, members of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, were announced as presidents of the annual Snow Ball benefiting Catholic Charities.

• Leaven freelancer Carolyn Kaberline died on Dec. 17 at the Promise House of Overland Park.

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER

St. James Academy’s La’James White rushed for 264 yards and five touchdowns as the Thunder football team rolled past Arkansas City 56-34 and captured the school’s first football state championship.

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ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL REPORT 2020 The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 7

Unprecedented challenges met with prayer, generosity

D

ear Friends,

Grant to us, oh Lord, not to mind earthly things, but rather to love heavenly things, that while all things around us pass away, we even now may hold fast those things that abide forever.

— St. Leo the Great (D. 461)

Pandemic

Our faith is essential. It has become the province of government to define essential business, workers and activities as a way of limiting human contact and thus the spread of the virus. While hopefully done with the best of intentions, this limitation on the practice of faith conflicts with the guarantee of the free practice of religion under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

This pandemic has caused us to turn inwards on ourselves as we sheltered at home, learned how to facilitate the new virtual learning environments for our children, limited our trips to stores, dramatically limited or eliminated extracurricular and social activities and for a period, attended livestream Masses. For some it was a blessed period to spend more time with spouses and children, and for others it was very lonely, as human contact was reduced or eliminated.

Shutting down the economy in order to “flatten the curve” and help our hospitals deal with this new and deadly virus also caused income insecurity, which leads to food insecurity, a lack of medical care, high stress, depression and, at times, a sense of hopelessness. It is at times like these that we have the most potential to do God’s will in a way that is lifegiving to others. In the words of Pope Francis: “As my predecessor St. Paul VI reminded us, authentic development cannot be restricted to economic growth alone, but must foster the growth of each person and of the whole person. This means more than balancing

budgets, improving infrastructures or offering a wider variety of consumer goods. What is needed is a fundamental renewal of hearts and minds so that the human person may always be placed at the center of social, cultural and economic life.” Pope Francis, 2019.

Faith, hope and stewardship Never has prayer been more critical. I have seen memes that scoff “Don’t pray about it, do something about it!” Prayer is not a passive activity. It is a highly efficacious method of dealing with life’s challenges from the smallest to the largest. Prayer strengthens one’s faith, gives one hope and often inspires right action.

The challenges we have faced this year are unprecedented in our lifetime, but not in the lifetime of the church. Prayer gives us hope.

Pope Francis recently spoke about this hope.

“Even death trembles when a Christian prays, because it knows that everyone who prays has an ally stronger than it has: the Risen Lord.” Pope Francis, Dec. 9, 2020, Wednesday audience address.

Having even death tremble because of the power of one’s prayer is a source of hope that gives one strength to think beyond oneself. Stewardship is our response. We give of ourselves the very essence of life to care for, defend and celebrate in life the central role of the human person.

One Faith, One Family, One Future in Christ The One Faith campaign is drawing to a close and while we have not yet achieved our goal of $65 million we are gratified that over 8,740 people have contributed and pledged a total of $44 million to this campaign (as of mid-December). Once the pledged amounts are received we will have shared $12 million with parishes, and funded in whole: • the $1 million Evangelization initiative, • the $5.2 million Priest Retirement

residence and supporting endowment of $5.2 million, • the $4.8 million of improvements to Villa St. Francis Nursing Center, and • the $6.6 million for the Priest Retirement plan The next element of the case to be funded is the Parish Property Revitalization, assisting parishes that have recently undergone a consolidation of churches and schools. These parishes often have too many buildings but not the proper facilities for current needs.

This fund will help re-purpose current buildings and properties.

Unfortunately, unless we exceed, significantly, our current projections, the campaign will not be able to fund the outright purchase of the Villa St. Francis Building nor the improvements of the Savior Pastoral Center.

Gratefully, the Villa St. Francis Board are working through an agreement with the current owner of the building to purchase the building by assuming the current HUD loan.

This will give Villa St. Francis ownership of the facility along with the responsibility to pay down a low interest loan over several years, while saving on monthly operating costs as the loan payment will be less than the monthly lease payment.

I continue to be edified and inspired by the generosity of the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Your support of our parishes, our schools, Catholic Charities, the Catholic Education Foundation, Call To Share and so many of our ministries reflects the depth of your faith in Jesus Christ and your love for his church. My commitment to you is to strive to become a better shepherd, a better servant leader, for the church. I also pledge to be transparent in reporting to you how your sacrificial gifts are being used to build up God’s Kingdom in northeast Kansas.

Gratefully yours in Jesus, the Lord of Life,

+ Joseph F. Naumann Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

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FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Transparency

T

he financial information you see on these pages shows you the sources (income) and uses (expense) of the funds at the archdiocese for the most recent fiscal year and the year prior. A comparison of the two years and explanations of differences over $100,000 and 10% are provided. This statement agrees in total to the audited annual financial report which is posted on the archdiocesan website under https://archkck.org/parish-school/ administration/chief-financial-officer. Some category amounts may differ due to updates in presentation.

There are essentially four classifications of sources of funds: Fees and Other Income, ACTS (Archbishop’s Call to Share Annual Appeal), Assessments and Collections and Cathedraticum. Following is a brief description of each.

Fees and Other Income: Some offices charge fees for services, such as school fees to cover administration, youth camp registration fees, rental fees at Savior Pastoral Center, and The Leaven.

Additionally, investment earnings, contributions, and campaign donations are recorded here. By far the largest source is health and dental premiums for all covered employees of the archdiocese.

ACTS: This annual appeal is conducted each January-March to raise funds for the following fiscal year. Based on analysis and information produced by a committee of laity and priests, the Presbyteral Council makes a recommendation to the archbishop for the allocation of funds.

Assessments and Collections: Includes amounts assessed to parishes or regions for Savior Pastoral Center and Youth Formation, as well as the Catholic Charities Christmas Collection and Priesthood Present and Future Collection.

Cathedraticum: Annual tax as provided under Canon Law Section 1263 for the bishop to fund the administrative costs of the diocese. The amount and method varies by diocese.

The uses of the above funds are listed down the page and are divided by categories, which correspond to the Five Pastoral Priorities of the archbishop. A short explanation of each priority is provided under each heading. Additionally, use of funds for each line item is broken down between columns based on the origin of the funds received to pay for the spending. For example, under the Pastoral Priority of Education is Communications. Communications received funding from restricted funds (Fees/Other Income), ACTS and Cathedraticum. The total spending for the office of Communications is found in the Total Column.

The bottom line is the net of the income sources and uses. In cases where the net is negative, balances saved from previous years are used. It is also important to know that all funds received with donor restrictions are accounted for to ensure that those funds are used only for the purpose the donor intends.

The results Overall, both fiscal years 2019 and 2020 yielded positive bottom lines. These results were due to the influx of capital campaign pledges. Capital campaigns usually have at least 2 years of raising pledges, 3+ years of receiving pledges and then another few years of spending the campaign funds to execute the campaign cases. Because accounting rules require that we record the pledges as revenue when received, we have a mismatch of results because in the years when the pledges are made, we record the revenue, but we have not spent the money (and may not have even received the money yet). Then once all of the funds have been received, we start to spend the money. In those years, we have no capital campaign revenue, but we will be recording the capital campaign distributions as expenses, yielding bottom line losses.

This can make the reading of the financial statements in the years of capital campaigns very confusing!

2020 Summary: • Of the $66,705,840 in revenue in 2020, $16,628,999 was campaign income, and • Of the $52,544,519 in expenses in 2020, $5,603,601 was campaign expense.

• Therefore, of the $14,161,321 in net income, $11,025,398 is from the capital campaign.

The difference in net income is a net income of just over $3 million dollars.

Additional information In addition to the operating statement presented, there are funds, including National Collections and Special Emergency Collections, we call “pass-through funds” which are collected at each parish, sent to the archdiocese and then forwarded on to their final destination. This schedule shows the reach of our collective generosity beyond the boundaries of our parishes and our archdiocese.

The sidebar on Transparency is included to shed light on the funds used in our efforts to protect children and vulnerable adults through background checks and training all employees and volunteers in the archdiocese who have interactions with children in the scope of their duties. When an allegation of abuse is made, there are also costs associated with victim assistance and canonicallyrequired assistance for the priest. In 2019, we began tracking legal expenses related to sexual abuse claims separately from legal costs that arise in the normal course of business. In 2019, a substantial amount of these costs went to the independent law firm we engaged to review all priest personnel files so that a list could be published of priests within the archdiocese who had a credible allegation of abuse any time since the 1940s.

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 8

A of Kansas City in Kansas OPERATING STATEMENT FOR 2019 AND 20 rchdiocese

Funded by: ------------------> Revenue Expenses

Fees/Other Income Archbishop’s Call to Share Assessments and Collections Cathedraticum To $56,140,971 $53,154,725 $6,298,458 $5,920,841 $3,856,666 $4,039,575 $3,397,937 $3,590,699 $69,694,036 $ 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019

CONVERSION

At the heart of the church’s ministry is facilitating for its members an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Central to what it means to be Catholic is the development of a friendship with Jesus through prayer and reflection.

Vicar for Clergy and Clergy Support Programs 14,330 12,953

409,040 $627,169 Liturgy and Sacramental Life 56

158,592 167,370

Office of Hispanic Ministry 16,611 12,488 298,017 322,098

Emporia-Hispanic Ministry 25,500 25,500 Totus Tuus 13,550

28,884 13,182

Savior Pastoral Center 827,838 655,870 87,293 266,799 324,999 325,000

Christ Peace House of Prayer 60,000 50,000 Campus Ministry: Donnelly College KCK 45,000 45,000 St. Lawrence Center-KU Lawrence 130,000 155,000

Didde Center-Emporia 86,500 86,500 Catholic Center-Washburn Topeka 78,000 78,000 Catholic Center-Haskell Lawrence 18,000 7,000 54,000 65,000

Other 48,520 34,873 50,000

11,000 6,000 Total Conversion

929,173

723,184

1,101,785

1,274,449

324,999

325,000

420,040

633,169

$423,370 158,648 314,628 25,500 42,434 1,240,130 60,000 45,000 130,000 86,500 78,000 72,000 109,520 $2,785,729

EVANGELIZATION

The commission that Jesus gave to the church was to go and make disciples of all nations. The church can never be content with itself as it is currently constituted. We must always be guided by a missionary impulse to share the gift of our faith with others.

Evangelization 12,051 527,752 486,104 473,676

Evang. & Catholic Formation-Youth, Ranch & Camps 1,079,001 826,864 319,728 597,319

Rural Youth Outreach Programs 62,503 12,944

152,286 113,537

Urban Youth Outreach Programs 17,829 29,604

135,106 128,018

Urban Youth Outreach Capital Needs 50,000 13,579 Digital Resource Center 4,829 100 119,844 (96)

Propagation of the Faith 5,043 6,490

Native American Evangelization Fund 3,600 3,600 Other 163,644 39,250 3,564

1,250 11,000 Total Evangelization

1,344,900

1,443,003

932,840

1,074,500

337,392

255,135

1,250

11,000

$498,155 1,398,728 214,790 152,935 50,000 124,673 5,043 3,600 168,458 $2,616,382

EDUCATION

An essential component of the church’s ministry is the education of the next generation of disciples, as well as the continuing formation of all its members.

Permanent Diaconate Office and Program 7,089 4,400 221,078 272,929

Vocations 38,673 17,581 147,563 152,631

Archdiocesan Education Office 366,786 367,303 242,236 229,810

Perfect Wings Program 17,049 15,568 90,962 100,071

Children’s Catechesis 5,210 9,487 104,254 96,316

Marriage and Family Life 47,041 36,829 291,713 308,219

Office of Protection and Care

335,331 437,951 Leaven Newspaper 1,113,480 1,158,746

Communications 13,000 13,000 75,000 75,000

42,863 98,914 School of Faith - Grant 327,000 303,900 High School Tuition Assistance 225,000 225,000 Catholic Education Foundation 340,000 300,000

Bishop Ward Operations Assistance 125,000 125,000 Seminarians 496,253 612,896

740,495 315,435

Continuing Education for Priests 165,199 144,000

Ward H.S. Capital Improvements 100,000 100,000 Donnelly College Scholarships 200,000

Donnelly College Capital Needs 200,000 400,000 Elizabeth Ann Seton Tuition Assistance

446,602 382,892

Other 9,500 18,280

39,169 145,200 82,250 41,430 Total Education

2,114,080

2,254,090

2,189,806

2,188,876

1,891,464

1,487,527

460,443

$228,167 186,236 609,022 108,011 109,464 338,753 335,331 1,113,480 130,863 327,000 225,000 340,000 125,000 1,236,748 165,199 100,000 200,000 200,000 446,602 130,919

578,295 $6,655,793

OUTREACH: Serving Those in Need

The church is called to make the love of Jesus real and tangible in the world today, especially to the poor, the vulnerable and those on the peripheries.

Archdiocesan Tribunal 2,517 7,450

337,259 348,801 $339,776 Special Needs 13,605 11,985 185,697 199,534

199,302 Social Justice

200 107,661 104,892

107,661 My House Initiative 25,477 18,461 95,693 99,178

121,170 Pro Life 12,650 7,145 195,259 213,412

207,909 Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas 450,000 430,000 517,845 417,918 967,845 Villa St. Francis-Geriatric Assistance 340,000 120,000 170,000 150,000 510,000 El Centro - Kansas City 41,750 40,000

41,750 El Centro-Topeka 40,000 40,000 40,000 Other 145,907 104,264 30,000

43,386 55,500 189,293 Total Outreach

243,485

269,505

1,286,060

1,307,017

517,845

417,918

380,645

404,301 $2,724,706

STEWARDSHIP Catholic spirituality begins with profound gratitude resulting from the realization that everything, including life itself, is God’s gift. Thus, the question for every Christian is: What is God calling me to do with all that he has entrusted to me?

Campaign Distributions and Bad Debt 5,498,671 5,816,984 114,330 1,912 145,000 36,000

Stewardship/Development 40,000 41,600 316,997 308,198

372,426 446,042 School/Parish Emergency Fund 125,060 50,994

Urban Core Operations Support 271,245 275,719

Urban Core Capital Support 100,000 112,285 Priest Retirement Fund

195,000 930,000 725,000

Finance 30,000 292,045

251,695

Human Resources 137,533 325,725

268,914 31,610 Other Property Expenses 41,396 29,534

Accounting 217,295 652,479

441,029 8,865 Financial and Controls Auditor 106,927 115,809 Archives 18,277 18,549 Real Estate/Construction 140,089 209,884 Mission Strategy

108,230 102,735 Cor Christi Grants and fees 562,899 500,000

Depreciation of physical assets 643,426 656,680 Other 1,534,007 19,458 56,500

53,911

$5,758,001 729,423 125,060 271,245 100,000 930,000 281,695 406,447 41,396 658,324 106,927 18,277 140,089 108,230 562,899 643,426 1,587,918

Total Stewardship

8,061,800

7,677,824

927,632

1,000,607

1,075,000

761,000

2,404,925

1,590,174 $12,469,357

Total Pastoral Priorities

12,999,842

12,367,607

6,438,123

6,845,448

4,146,700

3,246,579

3,667,303

3,216,939 $27,251,968 $

ARCHDIOCESAN ADMINISTRATION AND INSURANCE General Expenses of the Archdiocese 12,903 16,791

156,841 USCCB, KS Catholic Conference,& Legal 325,000

654,798 Chancery 348,267 350,298

15,548 Archbishop Emeritus Office and Home 216,328 Archbishop Office and Home 1,247 2,095

367,528 Administrative Services (Chancellor/VG, IT, etc) 29,539 20,748

276,173 Property and Liability Insurance Claims 901,252 1,178,663 Health and Dental Claims and Bad Debt 27,584,084 23,681,871 Other 4,305 $-

$-

$29,202,293 $25,250,467

Total Expenses

$42,202,134 $37,618,073

$6,438,123 $6,845,448 $4,146,700 $3,246,579 $5,358,823 $4,834,418 $58,145,785 $

Net

$13,398,841

$(139,665)

$(924,607) $(290,034)

$- $1,691,520

$169,744 979,798 363,815 216,328 368,775 305,712 901,252 27,584,084 4,303

Total Administration and Insurance

15,536,652

$-

144,259 538,846

196,712 380,107 353,163

4,392

$1,617,479 $30,893,817 $

792,996 $(1,960,886) $(1,243,719) $11,548,250

1/5/21 2:41 PM

019 AND 2020

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas REVENUE ACTUAL 2019 vs 2020

m Total Year over Year Change 90,699 $69,694,036 $66,705,840 ($2,988,196) -4% 2020 2019 2020 $ %

Actual Revenues

Year Ended

June 30, 2019 Archdiocesan Assessments and Collections 7,254,603 16.5% Archbishops Call To Share Annual Appeal 6,298,458 14.3% Fees Generated by Offices and Other 6,582,883 14.9% Net Investment Income 1,516,675 3.4% Bequests and Contributions 1,754,123 4.0% 1 627,169 $423,370 640,123 216,753 51% One Faith, One Family, One Future in

158,648 167,370 8,722 5%

314,628 334,586 19,958 6% Christ and Private Appeal 20,671,477 46.9%

25,500 25,500 - 0%

42,434 13,182 (29,252) -69%

$44,078,218 100%

1,240,130 1,247,669 7,539 1%

60,000 50,000 (10,000) -17%

6,000

633,169

45,000 130,000 86,500 78,000 72,000 109,520

45,000 155,000 86,500 78,000 72,000 40,873

$2,785,729 $2,955,802

Not included in pie chart: Health and Dental Insurance Premiums

- 0% 25,000 19% - 0% - 0% - 0% (68,647) -63% $170,073

6%

48%

18.8% 14.6% 17.8% 2.8% 4.8%

16,657,499

41.1%

$40,511,773 100% 26,194,067

50%

$498,155 1,398,728 214,790 152,935 50,000 124,673 5,043 3,600 168,458

1,001,428 2 1,424,183 126,481 157,622 13,579 4 3 6,490 3,600 50,250 4

503,273 101% $25,455 2% (88,309) -41% 4,687 3% (36,421) -73% (124,669) -100% 1,446 29% - 0% (118,208) -70

437,951

98,914

41,430

186,236 609,022 108,011 109,464 338,753 335,331 1,113,480 130,863 327,000 225,000 340,000 125,000 1,236,748 165,199 100,000 200,000 200,000 446,602 130,919

170,213 597,113 115,639 105,803 345,048 437,951 5 1,158,746 186,914 303,900 225,000 300,000 125,000 928,332 6 144,000 100,000 7 400,000 7 382,892 204,910

(16,023) -9% (11,909) -2% 7,628 7% (3,661) -3% 6,295 2% 102,620 31% 45,266 4% 56,051 43% (23,100) -7% - 0% (40,000) -12% - 0% (308,416) -25% (21,199) -13% - 0% (200,000) -100% 200,000 100% (63,701) -14% 73,992 57%

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas EXPENSES ACTUAL 2019 vs 2020

Conversion

Evangelization 11,000 Education 11,000 $2,616,382 $2,783,637 $167,255 6% Outreach: Serving those in need Stewardship Administration

$228,167 277,329 49,162 22%

25,615,817

Actual Revenues Year Ended June 30, 2020 7,630,274 5,920,841 7,227,387 1,138,235 1,936,537

578,295 $6,655,793 $6,508,788

$(147,005)

Not included in pie chart: Health and Dental Insurance Claims

Actual Expenses Year Ended June 30, 2019 2,785,729 9.1% 2,616,382 8.6% 6,655,793 21.8% 2,724,706 8.9% 12,469,357 40.8% 3,309,733 10.8% $30,561,701

100%

$28,862,648

100%

27,584,084

44%

23,681,871

47%

Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas HELP FOR THE NEEDY & DISASTER RELIEF

-2%

For the Year Ended June 30, 2020

National Collections: 348,801 $339,776 356,251 $16,475 5% Propagation of Faith (Includes World Mission Sunday) $676,565

199,302 211,519 12,217 6%

107,661 105,092 (2.569) -2% Retirement Fund for Religious $111,830

121,170 117,639 (3,531) -3% Catholic Home Mission Appeal $28,127

207,909 220,557 12,648 6% Catholic University of America $45,320

967,845 847,918 8 (119,926) -12%

510,000 270,000 9 (240,000) -47% Military Archdiocese $44,107

41,750 40,000 (1,750) -4% Church in Latin American $42,612

40,000 40,000 - 0% Black and Indian Missions $48,303 55,500 189,293 189,764 471 0% American Bishops’ Overseas Appeal (CRS) $50,364 04,301 $2,724,706 $2,398,741 $(325,965) -12% Operation Rice Bowl $30,036 1 Holy Land $56,429

Peter’s Pence (Collection for the Holy Father) $48,888 Aid to Church in Central and Eastern Europe $53,284 Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) $39,647 1 Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) $19,811 1 $5,758,001 $5,854,896 96,895 2%

$1,295,324 46,042 729,423 795,840 $66,416 9%

125,060 50,994 (74,066) -59% Special Emergency Collections:

271,245 275,719 4,474 2%

100,000 112,285 12,285 12% Disasters USCCB $56,029

930,000 920,000 (10,000) -1%

$1,351,353

281,695 292,045 10,350 4%

31,610 406,447 357,335 (49,112) -12%

41,396 29,534 (11,862) -29% Outreach by Archdiocesan Entities: 8,865 658,324 661,344 3,020 0% Program Services Provided by Catholic Charities of NE Kansas $22,730,870 115,809 106,927 115,809 8,882 8%

18,549 18,277 18,549 272 1% 09,884 140,089 209,884 69,795 50% Tuition Assistance Provided by Catholic Education Foundation $2,560,837 102,735 108,230 102,735 (5,495) -5%

562,899 500,000 (62,899) -11%

56,680

643,426 1,587,918

1 Archdiocese remits 75% of Operation Rice Bowl, 75% of Catholic Campaign for Human Development and 50% of Catholic Communication Campaign.

The amounts retained in the archdiocese are used to fund archdiocesan programs

656,680 13,254 2% 75,958 10 (1,511,960) -95%

590,174 $12,469,357 $11,029,605

(1,439,751) -12%

216,939 $27,251,968 $25,676,574 ($1,575,394) -6%

s

144,259 $169,744 $161,050 (8,694) -5% 38,846 979,798 538,846 11 (440,952) -45%

363,815 350,298 (13,517) -4% 196,712 216,328 196,712 (19,616) -9% 380,107 368,775 382,202 $13,427 4% 353,163 305,712 373,911 68,199 22% 12

901,252 1,178,663 277,411 31% 13 27,584,084 23,681,871 (3,902,213) -14% 4,392 4,303 4,392 87 2%

617,479 $30,893,817 $26,867,945 ($4,025,867) -13%

834,418 $58,145,785 $52,544,519 ($5,601,261) -10%

43,719) $11,548,250

$14,161,321

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 9

$2,613,065

23%

NOTES

Actual Expenses Year Ended June 30, 2020 2,955,802 10.2% 2,783,637 9.6% 6,508,788 22.6% 2,398,741 8.3% 11,029,605 38.2% 3,186,074 11.0%

1 Addition of Support Service Charge for use of Finance, Accounting and Human Resources, increase in immigration costs and miscellaneous costs in support of priests.

2 Increase due to 2019 Enflame Convocation and other Enflame initiatives funded by the One Faith Campaign and parish support.

3 The Digital Resource Center ceased operations at the end of the 2018 fiscal year.

4 In fiscal year 2019 funds were spent on capital improvements funded by a donor advised fund distribution.

5 Added a Director position to lead the Office of Protection and Care (formerly known as Safe Environment) 6 Decrease in seminarian costs due to fewer seminarians than budgeted plus a decrease in priest continuing education due to pandemic.

7 Re-assignment of contribution from scholarships to capital 8 Significant drop in Christmas Collection from parishes for Catholic Charities 9 Timing issue of twice yearly contributions. Received 3 in fiscal year 2019 and 1 in fiscal year 2020.

10 Fiscal year 2019 had a gift of land to St. Paul parish.

11 Fiscal year 2019 had an extensive review of priest personnel files by an independent legal firm.

12 Increase in property and liability claims 13 Decrease in claims cost. Fiscal year 2019 was abnormally high and fiscal 2020 abnormally low due to pandemic.

TRANSPARENCY

2019 2020 Amount spent to assist victims with healing $36,915 $58,968 Counseling to aid in healing is offered to all victims. A Healing Assistance Coordinator works with victims to receive assistance.

Victim Settlement

0

0

Priests Pay, benefits and retirement contribution $52,425 $55,528 Education $1,445 $ Mental Health Counseling $17,535 $4,560 Canon 384 payments to credibly accused priests # of Priests

$71,404 2

$60,088 2

These priests have credible accusations but had not been tried and convicted in a court of law as the legal process is still pending.

The Code of Canon Law section 384 requires the diocesan bishop to provide for the priest’s financial support and social assistance, including daily living expenses, health insurance and retirement. Normally, that is facilitated through the parish via Canon 222.1 where the Christian faithful are obliged to provide for the decent support of its ministers, however, in the case where a diocesan priest is not assigned to a parish, the responsibility falls back to his bishop. In the cases of these priests, the amounts also include mental health counseling.

Child Protection efforts $319,333 $401,697 All archdiocesan employees and volunteers who have substantial contact with children and youth are required to complete on-going training for the protection of minors.

Additionally, the archdiocese conducts criminal background checks on each person undergoing this training.

Compliance with this program is checked by the archdiocesan internal auditor on a rotational basis as well as United States Conference of Catholic Bishops auditors on an annual basis.

This office also provides for an investigator.For additional information please go to: https:// www.archkck.org/parish-school/current/virtus-protecting-gods-children/

Legal Fees $437,914 $227,997 2019 Legal fees include $298,000 for independent review of all current and historical priest personnel records.

1/5/21 2:41 PM

10

NATION

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Magazine highlights how people ‘found God in a troubled year’

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — With many so eager to put 2020 in the rearview mirror, one Catholic publication is saying: “Not so fast.”

In its last issue of the year, the Angelus, a weekly magazine of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, published a series called: “Saving 2020. How we found God in a troubled year.”

The series, updated online every few days at the end of December, at angelusnews.com, included personal essays from regular contributors and guest writers reflecting on how 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, was a providential year.

Pablo Kay, the magazine’s editor- inchief, said the idea for the series was something he was thinking about for several weeks as the end of the year approached.

In an email to Catholic News Service, he said that he kept thinking about the personal sufferings of this year, noting that in his own experience he lost two family members and two priests close to his family due to COVID-19 and had friends and family members lose jobs and suffer from the isolation brought on by the coronavirus restrictions.

But he also said the year had been one of grace for him where he got to know himself better and grew closer to God. “There were many answered prayers and unexplainable surprises, too,” he said.

He also realized he wasn’t the only one with this experience because he heard and read about others saying something similar.

Kay thought of asking a variety of Catholics to write essays looking back on the past year but he also worried that this could seem insensitive and that the suggestion that 2020 may have been a good or providential year, amid all of its negative aspects, could “feel like a slap in the face to readers, especially those who’d suffered” much more than he had.

Then one day in December he got an email out of the blue from a priest he’d never met, Msgr. Jim Gehl, pastor of St. Euphrasia Church in Los Angeles. The priest sent along a reflection he’d originally written for his parishioners that

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY ANGELUS NEWS

Los Angeles’ weekly news magazine Angelus News closed out the year with a series of Catholic reflections on how 2020 was still a providential year. some suggested he submit to the archdiocesan magazine.

“As I read it, I was amazed that what he wrote was so similar to the idea that had been bouncing around in my head.

So I took it as a sign to go ahead with the idea. I started brainstorming ideas for possible contributors who might have seen ‘God’s hand’ behind this crazy year and be able to write about it,” Kay said.

The result was the series, which he said: “From an editor’s perspective, I found the responses surprising. As a reader, I found them immensely consoling.”

The writers include a local filmmaker, a cardinal released from one year in prison, a longtime Los Angeles pastor healed from a terminal cancer and a Catholic writer who shared her experience of accompanying a dying parent diagnosed with a degenerative disease.

Retired Australian Cardinal George

Pell, acquitted by Australia’s High Court on charges of sexual abuse in April 2020, after spending more than a year in prison, wrote of his ordeal. Previously mentioned, Msgr. Gehl described how he survived a bout with Burkitt Lymphoma this year and Elise Italiano Ureneck, a mother of a newborn son, recounted her experience in the hospital during the pandemic.

Other writers in the series include a Los Angeles-based film producer TJ Berden, co-producer and screenwriter for the 2018 film “Paul, Apostle of Christ” and Catholic writer Patty Breen, who recounted her experience of taking care of her dying father, who suffers from a neurodegenerative disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. The introduction says: “2020 was a year marked by sickness, death, unrest, isolation, and economic difficulty — a year that has challenged the faith of

many. And so, one might ask: ‘What good could come out of a year like this one?’”

And that’s just what the series takes up.

One contributor, Robert Brennan, director of communications at The Salvation Army California South Division in Van Nuys, California, said in a reflection published Dec. 31 that he was grateful for the chance in the pandemic to spend more time with his adult children and a grandson and also for experiencing a renewed calm and appreciation of faith.

He said there seemed to be a universal good feeling about saying goodbye to 2020 along with attitudes that were “remarkably optimistic about the better prospects of 2021.”

His personal view, looking to the new year, was a prayer for those who are suffering and for patience and courage.

“And 2021, “ he added: “Show us what you got.”

Film on St. Frances Cabrini goes into pre-production

By Lou Baldwin Catholic News Service

P

HILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pop quiz: Who was the first female American citizen to be canonized a saint?

Elizabeth Seton? No. Rose Duchesne? No. Katharine Drexel? No. Try St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (18501917), who was canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII. She was born in Italy but at the suggestion of Pope Leo XIII in 1889, she brought her congregation to the United States. She embraced her new country to the extent that she became a citizen herself and is truly an American saint.

Her Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart were originally founded to work among Italian immigrants to this country, but — as usually happens — the apostolate became more diverse.

In the Philadelphia area, they are best known for the foundation of Cabrini University, although theirs is an international congregation.

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 10

CNS PHOTO/DEFAZIO COMMUNICATIONS VIA CATHOLICPHILLY.COM

A promotional image for the forthcoming film “Cabrini” shows St. Frances Cabrini, the Italian- born religious Sister who became an immigrant and U.S. citizen in the 19th century. She was canonized as America’s first female saint in 1946.

But St. Frances Cabrini is more than the foundress of a religious congregation, and more than a holy woman, in the view of Philadelphia businessman

Eustace Wolfington.

She was a woman who knew how to get things done.

Wolfington is spearheading fundraising for a planned film on the life and work of St. Frances Cabrini, which will be titled simply, “Cabrini.”

“She had so many qualities — leadership and financial skills — and she never quit,” he said. “I would make her a saint for businesspeople. She was a dynamic person who happened to be a saint.”

While his “Cabrini” is in pre-production, Wolfington brings to the table experience in organizing a successful film project. He was executive producer of the award-winning 2006 film, “Bella,” which centered around the ethical issue of a proposed abortion.

Of his present project, Wolfington said he first became aware of Mother Cabrini in 1955 at St. Donato Parish in Philadelphia. “Her Sisters had a convent and orphanage in the parish,” he recalls.

“A big part of her work was in health

care, and she opened schools for the wealthy that helped to fund [other] schools where the people were not wealthy. She was always penniless but somehow found the money for her work.”

Because immigration from Italy was relatively late among the Catholic population, the newcomers faced prejudice, even in the church.

St. Frances Cabrini’s message to her fellow immigrants, which holds to this day, was that “they had to be good American citizens,” Wolfington said.

“She taught that in all of her schools.

She had vision.”

Over her lifetime she established 67 institutions, Wolfington said. “She was often penniless, but she never quit.

What I am trying to emphasize is she was a businesswoman who happens to be a saint.”

“Cabrini” is being filmed in New York’s Five Points neighborhood, according to Wolfington, who expects the finished movie to be released in late 2021.

1/5/21 2:41 PM

JANUARY 8, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

‘Salud!’: A better 2021 requires more than a toast

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Whether or not they raised a glass of bubbly as the new year made its debut, many people around the world were convinced that 2021 had to be better than 2020 was.

Pope Francis, leading the recitation of the Angelus Jan. 3, had a simplesounding idea for how to make that happen.

“We do not know what 2021 holds for us,” he said, “but what each one of us, and all of us together, can do is to take care of each other and of creation, our common home.”

The pope’s hopes and best wishes for the new year were echoed, and expanded upon, by a variety of Catholic leaders reached by Catholic News Service.

“Maybe with the discovery of the vaccines, we can have some hope. But what gives me more confidence is that patients and people in general now know how to protect themselves and how to coexist with COVID,” said one of Italy’s front-line heroes, a religious from Congo who became a doctor to help her people and ended up working in Italy’s hard-hit Bergamo region.

Disciples of the Redeemer Sister Angel Bipendu, a physician working in the public health service in Villa d’Alme, a small town near Bergamo, told CNS, “We are still battling COVID19, there are still cases, but it is not like it was” last spring.

Until Dec. 13 she was focusing on COVID-19 patients, but she has since returned to her principal duties as the physician on call each night for the town of about 6,500 people. She still has not returned to the Canossian Sisters’ convent where she was living prior to the pandemic. Many of the Sisters there are elderly, and Sister Bipendu will not take a chance on bringing the virus home to them.

After having seen so many people die and having had to comfort so many grieving families, Sister Bipendu said she has no patience for people who

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY SISTER ANGEL BIPENDU

Disciples of the Redeemer Sister Angel Bipendu, a physician from Congo working in the public health service in Villa d’Alme, Italy, is seen in her office in this August 2020 photo. Sister Bipendu, who was on the frontline of caring for Italian COVID-19 patients, said her hope for 2021 is based on the availability of vaccines, but especially on trust that people now know what to do to slow the spread. object to wearing a mask. “Having to wear a mask is not a violation of personal freedom. In fact, those who don’t wear masks violate the rights of others because they can infect them. We all have an obligation to wear masks and observe the precautions.”

The virus, she said, has or should have taught people some useful perspective. “We used to think we could dominate everything, but now we see that we were super-dominated by a pandemic.”

Cardinal Michael Czerny, Vatican

undersecretary for migrants and refugees, said that before the pandemic, wishing someone a happy New Year meant, “Here’s wishing you more of the same good things” or good things “along with, if possible, a bit of improvement.”

“But that doesn’t work this time around,” he said. “As Pope Francis often repeats, so eloquently, ‘Anyone who thinks that the only lesson to be learned’ — from the annus horribilis 2020 — ‘is the need to improve what we were already doing’ is denying

reality.’”

So, the cardinal said, “the first step to really meaning ‘Happy New Year of 2021’ is to stop fantasizing about the old normal. The vaccine is good and important, but it won’t bring 2019 back.”

“Instead, we have to wish each other an entirely new, a radically new, new year of 2021, going forward differently and not turning back,” Cardinal Czerny said. Like Pope Francis indicated, “2021 will be a good year only if we start taking care of each other and of our common home. And make no mistake, in this perspective, ‘each other’ doesn’t mean ‘our own and forget the rest’; it means all our brothers and sisters, beginning with the neediest and most vulnerable, as well as future generations, too.”

Ginevra Ossola, a sustainability specialist serving as the junior coordinator of the ecology task force of the Vatican’s COVID-19 Commission, said her hopes for the new year also are “to avoid going ‘back to normal,’” and instead “realize and face the mistakes we have made as human beings until today.”

“My biggest hope for 2021 is to stop harming our home, Earth, and to work together to regenerate what we helped destroy,” she said. “I wish for a regeneration from the social, environmental and economic point of view, starting with the equal and safe vaccination for all, with maximum transparency and without unjust privileges.”

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said he already saw signs of hope in many of the ways people reacted to the challenges of 2020.

“The solidarity that I saw in action in the months of the pandemic was for me a strong sign of the rediscovery of our community roots,” he said. “I think that next year we need to strengthen brotherhood, community, human bonds without borders. This is the deep root of Christianity: the spirit of universal brotherhood, through which we can work for truth, for justice, for peace, for a respectful development of the environment and peoples.”

Pope marks opening of Holy Door at Santiago de Compostela

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

P

ilgrims who embark on the long journey of the Camino to Santiago de Compostela remind others of the spiritual journey all Christians make through life toward heaven, Pope Francis said.

In a letter marking the opening of the Holy Door at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the pope said that just like countless pilgrims who embark on the famed Camino toward the tomb of St. James the Great each year, Christians are “a pilgrim people” who do not travel toward “a utopic ideal but rather a concrete goal.”

“The pilgrim is capable of placing himself or herself in God’s hands, aware that the promised homeland is present in the one who wished to make camp amid his people, to guide their journey,” the pope wrote in the letter sent to Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela and published Dec. 31.

The Holy Year is celebrated in Compostela in years when the July 25 feast of the apostle falls on a Sunday. The

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 11

CNS PHOTO/FELIX ORDONEZ, REUTERS

Pilgrims gather outside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain July 25, 2011. Pope Francis wrote a letter to the Santiago archbishop Dec. 31 to mark the opening of the Holy Door at the cathedral. most recent Holy Year was observed in 2010. For centuries, pilgrims have traveled along the famed Camino de Santiago de Compostela to venerate the remains of St. James.

In his message, the pope reflected on the theme of walking on pilgrimage. Just like many pilgrims who have embarked on the Camino, Christians are called to leave behind “those securities to which

we tie ourselves, but still having our goal clear; we are not vagabonds who go around in circles without going anywhere.”

“It is the voice of the Lord who calls us and, as pilgrims, we welcome him with an attitude of listening and searching, taking this journey toward the encounter with God, with the other and with ourselves,” he wrote.

Walking also symbolizes conversion in that it is an “existential experience in which the goal is just as important as the journey itself,” he wrote.

Pope Francis said that pilgrims who travel along the Camino often travel with or find companions along the way whom they can trust “without suspicions or doubts” and who share in their “struggles and achievements.”

“It is a journey that began alone, carrying things one thought would be useful, but it ends with an empty backpack and a heart full of experiences that stands in contrast to and in tune with the lives of other brothers and sisters who come from different existential and cultural contexts,” the pope wrote.

That experience, he said, “is a lesson that should accompany us our whole lives.”

1/5/21 2:41 PM

CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT Bus drivers - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality early childhood education in a safe, loving, Christian environment. With a balanced curriculum of preacademics and social-emotional development, children grow with us, build confidence and a strong self-esteem.

At Special Beginnings, we believe providing the right environment will give children the foundation to be successful in life. Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking a part-time bus driver (15-20 hrs/week; no weekend hours) of a 15-passenger bus to drive children to school and/or pick them up after school. Duties include: safely transport children to and/or from school following ALL safely & security procedures; safely transport children to and from field trips and other off-site activities; follow a planned route on a time schedule; help children get on and off the bus; ensure children stay in their seat at all times; follow traffic laws and state and federal transit regulations; carefully navigate roads and watch for ice, debris or slippery spots; report accidents immediately; maintain “clean” driving record during off hours. We require the following: driver must be at least 25 years old (due to insurance requirements) with a “clean“ driving record for at least two years; pass a background check; must maintain and practice safe driving and have a “clean” driving record; have patience and understanding when working with children ages 5-12 years old; and enjoy working in a child friendly environment.

Benefits: competitive benefit package; excellent support and training from an experienced leadership/management team; pay: $11-$15/hour depending on experience.

For more information or to apply, call Carolyn Andruss at (913) 894-0131, option 3.

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.

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.”

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 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 livein and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.

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.

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 12

Resource specialist - This position is part time, 30 hours/ week. Will determine client needs and match to social services. Evaluate services and programs to maintain resource list. The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in social work, LMSW or LSCSW and two - five years’ experience; organizing and prioritizing skills and objectivity; nonprofit or ministry experience; excellent communicator; bilingual a plus. Looking for committed, pro-life Christian who can affirm our vision, mission and statement of faith.

Send cover letter and resume to: office@adviceandaid. com by Jan. 8. No phone calls.

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: catholicdioceseofwichita.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.”

SERVICES 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.

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 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.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 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@mike hammermoving.com.

Tree Trimming Licensed and insured Free estimates/10 years experience Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits.

Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: monte mace2000@yahoo.com or visit http://www.montemace disability.org.

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.

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.

CAREGIVING 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) 3412500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

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.benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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.

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.

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 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: smokey cabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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.

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.

Painting - Diamond Painting, (913) 648-4933, Residential/ Commercial, Exterior/interior, Free Estimate, Affordable, Decks, DiamondPaintKc.com, Kcmo/Overland Park Metropolitan area.

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

WANTED TO BUY 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 and/or truck you don’t know what to do with, give us a call. We are a cash buyer. Call Mark at (913) 980-4905.

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

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to buy - Old cars or hot rods. Uncompleted project cars in any condition, with or without titles. Cash buyer. Call (913) 980-3559.

FOR SALE HOLY ART Religious items and church supplies Made in Italy http://www.holyart.com 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) 8832936, 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.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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) 5995000

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.

CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http://www.buykcproperty.com

KANSAS MASS, MARCH AND RALLY FOR LIFE Jan. 21 From the Topeka Performing Arts Center to the state Capitol Mass at 10:30 a.m.; march at noon

All are invited to join in the March for Life from the Topeka Performing Arts Center to the state Capitol for the Kansans for Life Rally at the Capitol steps.

Stay tuned for more detailed information and the livestream links. Visit the website at: www.archkck.org/prolife for updated information and details on the day’s event. The 10:30 a.m. Mass with the Kansas bishops will be livestreamed.

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA All Saints Parish 811 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 10 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary. Benediction will follow, as well as an opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For more information, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

HOLY WOMEN SERIES The Keeler Women’s Center 759 Vermont Ave., Ste. 100-B, Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 14 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

This first of a series of Holy Women presents Dolly Parton. Most of us know about Dolly Parton as a longtime country singer. Her voice and look are something that most know instantly, even if they do not know her songs. Yet many are not familiar with her life story and all that she has contributed to make the world a better place. Join us in learning more about this amazing woman’s contributions and philanthropic gestures.

To register, go online to: www.keeler womenscenter.org; next, scroll down to “Full Lists of Keeler Women’s Center Offerings,” then to “January” and finally “Holy Women Series.” There is a registration form online after the description of the program, or call or text (913) 6810375.

‘COPING WITH LIFE ALONE’ A PEER-TO-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Online via Zoom Feb. 1 - April 5, 2021

This is a Beginning Experience support program that meets each week for eight weeks. The program helps those who have lost a love relationship — due to death, divorce or separation — move through the experience of grief and loss into a future with renewed hope. Register in advance and receive the program workbook plus detailed Zoom meeting instructions by going to: www.beginning experiencekc.org. For additional information, contact Donna at (816) 305-3760.

BECOME A FOCCUS FACILITATOR Online via Zoom See class options below

To become a FOCCUS facilitator, sign up for one of the classes below. The cost of $115 per person includes one FOCCUS and one REFOCCUS manual and shipping. Classes will be held on the following dates: • Jan. 16 — 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Feb. 11 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• March 13 — 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• April 8 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• May 8 — 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• June 10 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To register, contact Deacon Tony Zimmerman by email at: famlife@arch kck.org; call (913) 647-0329; or contact FOCCUS online at: foccus@foccusinc. com or call (877) 883-5422.

1/5/21 2:41 PM

LOCAL NEWS

JANUARY 8, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG Dorothy (Rottinghaus) and Galen Hammes, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 9. The couple was married on Jan. 9, 1961, at St. Bede Church, Kelly.

Their children are: Julie, Chris, Neal, Chad and Ryan. They also have 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They will celebrate with a 4 p.m. Mass on Jan. 9 at Sts. Peter and Paul.

Shirley and Ronald “Ron” Buhrman, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Jan. 7. The couple was married on Jan. 7, 1956, at St. Libory Church, St. Libory, Nebraska. Their children are: Traci and Todd. They also have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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Bernadette (Nowak) and John Coulter, members of Good S h e p h e r d Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 9. The couple was married on Jan. 9, 1971, at St. Ann Church, Clover Bottom, Missouri. Their children are: J.J. Coulter, Holly (Coulter) Dunlap and Josh Coulter. They also have a granddaughter. They celebrated with a weekend with all their children and granddaughter in Dayton, Ohio.

Bill and Jeanette Muller, members of St. Paul Parish, Olathe, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 2.

The couple was married on Jan. 2, 1971, at Immaculate Conception Church, Jefferson City, Missouri. Their children are: Kelley, Nick and Jay. They also have five grandchildren.

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13

Phyllis (Goodwin) and C. Dennis Bernardi, members of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, will celebrate their 50th we d d i n g a n n ive r sary on Jan. 16.

The couple was married on Jan. 16, 1971, at St. John Francis Regis Church, Kansas City, Missouri, by Father H.J. Hart. Their children are: Laura Slaughter, Rachel Moll, Ellen Durrenberger, Amy Bernardi (deceased) and Peter Bernardi. They also have eight grandchildren. They will celebrate in the spring or summer.

ANNIVERSARY submissions POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. They are for parishioners in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas DEADLINE: 10 days before the desired publication date.

WHERE TO SUBMIT: Email notices to: todd.habiger@ theleaven.org.

THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE 8:30 a.m. Sundays on 92.9 FM and KEXS AM 1090 Encore Monday at 11:30 a.m.

Call or stop by to learn about the options of advanced planning, and pick up your FREE Personal Arrangement guide.

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Helen Skradski

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Carrie Kaifes-Lally

913-371-1404

www.skradskifh-kc.com Proudly Serving our Community Since 1929

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1/5/21 2:41 PM

14

COLUMNISTS

DAILY READINGS FIRST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Jan. 10 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Is 42: 1-4, 6-7 Ps 29: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10 Acts 10: 34-38 Mk 1: 7-11 Jan. 11 Monday Heb 1: 1-6 Ps 97: 1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9 Mk 1: 14-20 Jan. 12 Tuesday Heb 2: 5-12 Ps 8: 2ab, 5-9 Mk 1: 12-28 Jan. 13 Hilary, bishop, doctor of the church Heb 2: 14-18 Ps 105: 1-4, 6-9 Mk 1: 29-39 Jan. 14 Thursday Heb 3: 7-14 Ps 95: 6-7c, 8-11 Mk 1: 40-45 Jan. 15 Friday Heb 4: 1-5, 11 Ps 78: 3, 4bc, 6c-8 Mk 2: 1-12 Jan. 16 Saturday Heb 4: 12-16 Ps 19: 8-10, 15 Mk 2: 13-17

Sulpice Died c. 647 Also called Sulpicius and Pius, Sulpice was born to wealthy parents in France and began aiding the poor in his youth. When he became bishop of Bourges in Aquitaine in 624, he defended the rights of his people against the tyrannical Merovingian kings. Known for his austerity and holiness, Sulpice was beloved in Bourges for his generosity and was said to have converted everyone there to Christianity through his personal witness. He attended the Council of Clichy in 627, and resigned as bishop of Bourges late in life to serve the poor. The enormous Church of SaintSulpice, near the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, and a famous French seminary are named for this holy bishop.

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O

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Going from deck the halls to clear the decks

h, if I had only one.

Maybe then, things would be different.

Because I’m determined to start 2021 on a positive note, I’ll be doing something special on Jan. 11, the second Monday of the month, known as National Clean Off Your Desk Day. And if it’s true that a clean desk is a productive one, then I’m in real trouble.

My first problem is that I don’t have just one desk. I can happily report, however, that my Leaven desk is actually clear! That’s because I haven’t been there to use it since mid-March when the church offices went into lockdown.

Unfortunately, that meant the chaos simply shifted elsewhere: to the desk in my home office, to my home computer desk, to the desk in my bedroom, to the tray table in the den (which doubles as a

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.

desk) and to the most used “desk” of all: the kitchen table.

In fact, the kitchen table is so cluttered, I had to clear a 12-by-18inch gap there just so I’d have a place to eat!

My situation reminded me of this story: A woman was telling a new workplace friend, Alice, about how awful her former boss had been. Alice laughed and said, “So, forget him! Why not

just enjoy it here?”

Then Alice went on to tell a story: “I’m reminded of the time I moved a few years ago.

I was making enough money to have a professional mover pack for me. When he asked what I wanted him to pack, I waved my arm and said, ‘Everything!’

“So, when I got to my new place, I saw that he had taken me literally. Along with my furniture, he’d packed up all of my trashcans. There I was in my beautiful new place . . . with all of my old garbage — including old newspapers, empty ketchup bottles and grapefruit rinds.

So, my advice to you, my friend, is: Leave the garbage behind!”

(Adapted from William J. Bausch’s “A World of Stories for Preachers and Teachers.”)

Leaving the garbage behind is a marvelous way to start a brandnew year. That’s why I’ve set up a schedule to clean off my many desks. It’s not all that hard, just time-consuming. My kitchen table, for example, is simply a convenient dumping spot — for mail, newspapers, magazines, receipts, papers, bookmarks, pens, old greeting cards, stamps, stationery, throat lozenges and books.

Not only does it look like a mess — it literally messes with my mind and spirit. I can’t honestly enjoy my morning cup of coffee when I’m surrounded by this mishmash mountain of chaos.

So, I’ve started the clean off your “desk”

“day” early. The first things to go from the kitchen table were all the items that didn’t belong there: books to the bookcase; pens to a container; stamps and stationery to the home office desk; papers and receipts to the file cabinet or folders; and every newspaper or magazine that wasn’t dated 2021 into the recycling bin.

I can’t explain the sense of relief and accomplishment I’ve been feeling. And it’s something that I’d like everyone to experience as well in this new year.

Maybe you don’t have physical clutter robbing you of peace, but your “garbage” may be feelings of resentment, anger, guilt, grudges or regrets.

Resolve to make 2021 the year to leave all of that garbage behind. And the place to start may be as close as your desk, your kitchen table . . . or even your heart.

Extraordinary gift is renewed even in the ordinary

A

new year is a time of new beginnings.

As we leave behind the past year, our longing for renewal echoes in the psalmist’s prayer that the Lord will bless his people with peace.

And as always, our human desire for renewal is met by God’s overflowing generosity, as Isaiah reminds the people of Israel.

As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, we call to mind our baptism when God made us a new creation in his son Jesus.

In “The Calling of St. Matthew,” Caravaggio, the master baroque painter, evokes the powerful action of God’s grace that makes all things new. When Jesus calls Matthew to be his disciple, he makes him a new

,

JEM SULLIVAN Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

creation, just as each one of us was recreated at our baptism.

Caravaggio depicts Matthew seated among a group of men at a small table. Jesus and Peter enter the room on the right side of the scene. The men are startled by the presence of Jesus whose right hand points in a commanding,

yet loving, gesture of invitation.

The bearded figure, believed to be the tax collector, points to himself as if to say, “Me?” Caravaggio captures something of the spiritual drama unfolding across areas of bright light and deep shadow.

Known as “chiaroscuro,” the sharp contrast of light and darkness illuminates the scene and evokes the interior spiritual recreation of Matthew, in this profound moment of encounter with Jesus.

Art commentators note that Caravaggio’s viewers would

have seen a similarity between the gesture of Jesus pointing to Matthew and the iconic gesture of God awakening Adam to life in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes.

God, creator of all that exists, gives life to Adam and new life to Matthew the tax collector. And this new life of grace has been given to you and me. It begins at our baptism and continues through every stage of life as we draw close to God in friendship.

The beam of warm light radiating from Jesus brightens the darkened space of the cold room. Caravaggio’s artistic use of light evokes what happens when God creates us anew in Jesus at our baptism. When we hear Jesus’ call to friendship and respond in faith, the darkness of the

human condition is overcome in the light of God’s love and mercy.

At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Trinity is revealed when the voice of the Father points to his beloved son Jesus and the dove of the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. The presence of the Holy Spirit sanctifies the waters of the Jordan and all baptismal waters. Now the public journey of Jesus’ mission to recreate the world for friendship with God begins.

At our baptism, Jesus called and strengthened us to be his disciples.

We continue to receive the baptismal gift of new life in Jesus Christ in dramatic moments of conversion and in ordinary events of our day. In gratitude for this new life of grace, received in baptism, we pray, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Despite hardships, pope says there is much for which to be thankful The notable absence of Pope Francis at the final liturgical celebration of 2020 in St. Peter’s Basilica capped off a difficult year for the Vatican and for the world.

Yet Pope Francis, in remarks read by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, urged people to find meaning in the pandemic. The pope said giving thanks to God after such

a year may seem “forced, almost jarring” especially for those who have lost loved ones, have fallen ill or have lost their jobs.

“At times, someone may ask, ‘What is the meaning of such tragedy?’ We must not be in a hurry to answer this question. To our most anguished ‘whys,’ not even God responds by appealing to higher reasons,” the pope wrote. God, he

continued, is not someone “who would sacrifice human beings for a grand design,” but instead is a compassionate and paternal shepherd.

“God is a shepherd, and what shepherd would give up even one sheep, thinking that in the meantime he has many others left? No, this cynical and ruthless god does not exist.

This is not the God we ‘praise’ and ‘proclaim Lord,’” Cardinal Re read.

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COLUMNISTS

JANUARY 8, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

“A

baby is God’s way of saying the world should go on.”

My mother spoke this truth a thousand times while I was growing up. She said it every time we heard news of a friend or relative expecting a baby, but also each time the world darkened with terrible suffering or personal tragedy. She saw in each human life a great possibility: the prospect of new beginnings meeting the promise of hope.

Even in the worst times, if God was still creating, then we could keep going.

After a long, hard 2020, here we stand at the beginning of a new year. What will 2021

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The one certain truth of 2021

LAURA KELLY FANUCCI Fanucci is a mother, writer and director of a project on vocation at the Collegeville Institute in Collegeville, Minnesota. She is the author of several books, and blogs at: www.motheringspirit.com.

hold? What will happen next?

We cannot know what the next 12 months will bring, but one truth is certain: If

you’re reading these words, then 2021 has arrived and brought you with it.

God has decided the world will keep going for now.

Every beginning is an urge forward. Each dawn affirms that the world is still here. The end has not yet come, and God’s mercies are new every morning, each year (Lam 3:23).

We have been given the chance to begin anew.

Family life brims with beginnings. From marriage to birth, from baptism to confirmation, from the first day of school to the last graduation, we are always beginning again as families.

Each stage brings joys and sorrows, gains and losses, hardships

and holiness. Through every season, families share one truth in common: They are always changing and beginning again.

Children arrive and grow. Parents mature and age. New callings are born as children become parents and parents become grandparents. Generations begin and end, each one shaping the next.

Every family has someone who needs the hope of a new beginning right now.

Not the shiny prospect of a new year, but the lasting hope of Christ’s love. The renewal that comes from remembering the unshakable truth that we are beloved by God. Scripture encourages us to keep this edge of openness to God’s love

of beginnings. As St. Paul wrote: “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor 5:17).

We are always becoming new in Christ.

Each time we renew our baptismal vows, receive the sacrament of reconciliation or recommit to the everyday work of our callings, we reaffirm the evernewness of life itself.

Faith keeps us growing and changing, greeting each fresh year and each day’s dawn with a prayer of gratitude for the chance to begin anew.

You are one of God’s ways of saying the world should go on.

You are given this day to live into the hope of a new beginning.

The deepest truth about any year is that God has created it and God will watch over each creature within it.

All earthly certainties may crumble, but eternal life and divine love will never end.

Within this assurance, we can begin again in hope.

God saw fit that creation needed each one of us and that the world should keep spinning, even through the darkest days until now.

How can our families become places of faith and forgiveness where each member returns to be renewed and begin again?

What resolution might we make in prayer to deepen our love for God and for each other this year?

Life’s growing complexity requires more Catholic ethicists

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he ongoing pandemic has exposed significant disparities in the availability and quality of health care throughout the world and, on a personal level, has highlighted the often-tough decisions people face about their or their loved ones’ care, especially with regard to end-of-life considerations.

In the midst of these very real-world challenges are important ethical and moral considerations, and it is into this milieu that the Catholic medical ethicist seeks to bring moral understanding and clarity.

But, at a time when the need for ethics to inform health care has never been greater,

The Leaven 01-08-21.indd 15

MAUREEN PRATT Maureen Pratt writes for the Catholic News Service column “Living Well.”

some statistics reveal a stark reality: The number of trained Catholic medical ethicists is decreasing.

Nathaniel Blanton Hibner, director of ethics for the Catholic Health Association,

said, “The most recent survey data from two years ago found that there are about 80-90 ethicists across the United States, mostly employed by a health care facility or organization. The survey also showed that, among these, one-third plans to retire in the next five years, and another third plans to retire in six to 10 years.”

This sharp decline in the number of medical ethicists will have significant impacts on many areas where modern medicine and Christian living intersect. Medical ethicists work in a variety of places, including hospitals, hospital systems, research and public policy development.

They might assist patients, their fami-

lies and physicians in individual cases, such as with advanced care planning, or work at the organizational level of Catholic health care institutions, where mission (how the institution reflects its Catholic values in the work it does within its buildings and in the community) is critical.

Genetics counseling, end-of-life issues, and development and testing of new drugs are some of the areas in the field of health care that are rapidly growing, and often have serious moral implications that can benefit from the input of a trained Christian medical ethicist.

“We are trying to promote the values that we see inherent within faith-based

health care,” said Hibner. “We’re helping to navigate those difficult decisions in light of the values that we hold.”

In the past, most medical ethicists have come from a variety of backgrounds, such as law, medicine, philosophy or theology, but there have been few formal training programs.

Today, people entering the field may still have had entirely different first careers, but experts advise that the growing ethical complexities in health care and society at large make specific training and study a must.

With a first doctorate in genetics, Paul Scherz, associate professor of moral theology at The Catholic

University of America, is an example of someone who chose medical ethics as a second career.

Scherz said, “There were all kinds of ethical debates in the first [area]. I wanted to bring the theological end into these problems and use my expertise to engage in the debates.”

The field of Catholic medical ethics is not easy, said Scherz.

“Moral theology questions are tough questions,” he noted.

But the ability to combine ethics, faith and a heart for health care can be powerful.

Information about programs and careers in Catholic health care ethics is available online at: www.chausa. org/ethics/overview.

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LOCAL NEWS

JANUARY 8, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ACTS co-chairs find giving draws them ‘closer to Christ’

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PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Terry and John Gillcrist, members of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, are the honorary chairpersons of the 2021 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

“

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — This year, John and Terry Gillcrist will be putting their faith and zeal for stewardship into action in a new way as the honorary chairpersons of the 2021 Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal.

Their lives are woven together by years of service. John, former president of Bartlett Cattle Company and Bartlett Milling Company, now volunteers teaching business courses at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas. A pediatric nurse for 25 years, today Terry helps with the Blessed Brian Foundation, an orphanage they helped to establish in India.

“We have been blessed by the Lord and are thankful to share our blessings with others,” John said.

In addition to their community service, the Gillcrists enjoy spending time and making memories with their four children and eight grandchildren.

“In raising our children, we always encouraged them to be self-reflective, recognizing the many ways they were blessed by God,” Terry explained. “We taught them the importance of volunteering at church and in the community. It makes us so proud to see how they are instilling these same values of being thankful, considerate and generous in our grandchildren.”

The Gillcrists have been involved with many activities at their parish, Holy Spirit in Overland Park. John is a lector, currently serves on the parish advisory council and finance council and, in the past, was on the stewardship committee, the liturgy committee and the athletic association.

Terry has previously served on the school’s advisory council and, when their children were younger, she volunteered in various ways at the school: cafeteria, library and Marian Medal.

She currently participates in Bible study and parish rosaries.

Together, they are ministers of Communion at Holy Spirit and volunteer

“ GIVING BACK, HELPING AND ASSISTING OTHERS, FULFILLS OUR EVERYDAY DESIRE TO GROW CLOSER TO JESUS CHRIST. TERRY GILLCRIST HONORARY CHAIRPERSON OF THE 2021 ARCHBISHOP’S CALL TO SHARE APPEAL

regularly at Shalom House in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Giving back, helping and assisting others, fulfills our everyday desire to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Our volunteer experiences, support for our

parish and the archdiocese are our way of sharing our blessings,” Terry said.

Gifts to the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal support more than 40 offices, agencies and ministries throughout northeast Kansas, including parishes like

Holy Spirit.

“Our archdiocese serves as the ‘light of the world’, ‘the beacon on the hill,’ for the Catholics of northeast Kansas.

The many ministries supported by Call to Share help all of us in our daily journey to model our lives after Christ and to remind us to share our faith and love in Christ with others,” John said.

“We firmly believe that ‘God will not be outdone in generosity,’” they agreed.

“We have seen the manifestation of that truth time and time again throughout the 43 years of our marriage.”

Please prayerfully consider renewing or making a first-time gift to the Archbishop’s Call to Share appeal today.

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