www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 32, No. 22 january 14, 2011
Monica Starr, director of Sleepyhead Beds, drags a bed out of storage to be delivered to a family in need.
Sleepyheads to the rescue
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Organization collects unused beds for families in need
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Most Americans take and three little kids crowded onto a sofa every night to sleep.” for granted the warm, soft bed they fall into A good night’s sleep, however, is critical to both a person’s every night after a long, busy physical and emotional well-being — espeday. cially a child’s. Disturbed sleep equates with Story by But an estimated one in increased behavior problems, a higher risk of Kara Hansen 42 children in Kansas City do obesity, an increased risk of physical injuries, not know such a luxury, livand decreased memory and cognitive funcPhoto by ing without a bed or proper sleep space to call tion. Elaina Cochran their own. Yet for many families, the cost of a bed is “There are lots of people who literally sleep a significant expense and one not easily abon their floor every night,” said Monica Starr, director of sorbed by an already strapped budget — not to mention the Sleepyhead Beds. “There was a family we delivered beds to Turn to “There are” on page 4 that had lived in their house for a year and a half. Two parents
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Our story about Father Greg Hammes got held up, giving you one last chance to make your contribution . Keep it short (100 words) and send it to: anita@ theleaven.com.
reconciliation
Would you consider sharing a positive experience about the sacrament of reconciliation with others? If so, send an e-mail by Jan. 26, at the latest, to Father Dan Gardner at: danspan@ catholic.org. You need not mention the confessor’s name nor provide your full name or parish. Your contribution might wind up in a future column by Archbishop Naumann.
2 archbishop
THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 14, 2011
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
divine sisterhood
LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS
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False freedom is greatest threat to nation today
his past Sunday, Gov. Sam Brownback invited me to participate in an inaugural interfaith prayer service that was held at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe.
The theme for the prayer service was “The Heart of Kansas,” in concert with Brownback’s appeal for greater volunteerism in the state to strengthen communities and assist those in need. The following are excerpts from my remarks at the prayer service. “Kansas is a great state and is part of a great nation. The greatness of our nation is not so much in the fertility of our land or the wealth of our material resources. Indeed, we have been richly endowed in these areas, but they are not what really define America or Kansas. “Our nation, in its 200-plus years, has been through many economic recessions and depressions, several much more severe than our present circumstance. Our nation has always recovered and renewed itself. How? It is because of the principles that bind us together as a nation and the spirit of the American people. These principles have come from our Judaeo-Christian heritage and they are premised on the religious faith of the American people and the virtues and values that come from that faith. It is these virtues and principles that make up ‘The Heart of Kansas.’ “Alex de Tocqueville — the French statesman, historian and social philosopher — wrote in his classic two-volume work, ‘Democracy in America,’ based on his observations of the life of the American people in the 1830s: ‘Religion in America . . . must be regarded as the foremost of political institutions of that country (the United States); for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of it. Indeed, it is the same point of view that the inhabitants of the United States themselves look upon religious belief. ‘I do not know whether all Americans have a sincere faith in their religion — for who can search the human heart? — but I am certain that they hold it to be indispensable to the maintenance of republican institutions. This opinion is not peculiar to a class of citizens or a party, but it belongs to the whole nation and to every rank of society.’ “De Tocqueville recognized that for democracy to survive, it was dependent on the virtue of its citizens and that religion and family life were the principal social institutions responsible for forming virtuous citizens. De Tocqueville wrote: ‘The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom.’ Similarly, de Tocqueville observed: ‘There is certainly no country in the world where the tie of marriage is more respected than in America or where conjugal happiness is more highly or worthily appreciated.’ “America was founded because our ancestors prized freedom. The heroic sacrifices made by ordinary Americans the past 200-plus years to protect and preserve that freedom are stunning. The greatest threat to America today is not al-Qaida. It is not our economic challenges. The greatest threat to our
Archbishop Naumann’s weekly calendar
Jan. 14 Interview with Comcast “Newsmakers” — Independence, Mo. nation today is from within. It is a confused and erroneous notion of freedom not anchored in the truth of the dignity and responsibilities of the human person. “Freedom not tethered to truth and not anchored in the virtues becomes license to do whatever I want that inevitably leads to enslavement to our baser appetites. Authentic freedom must be tethered to the moral truths etched by God on the tablets given to Moses, but also etched by him on every human heart. These moral truths are premised on the dignity of the human person created in the image of God and with inalienable rights as well as necessary responsibilities. Authentic freedom is not the ability to do whatever I want. Authentic freedom is the ability to choose the good, to do the noble. “Each successive generation of Americans has been called to expand or at least pass on intact this cultural heritage that celebrates the dignity of the human person and generously defends authentic freedom — the ability to choose the good and to do the noble. “The destiny of our country is not in the hands of our president, the destiny of our state is not in hands of our governor, though they certainly have important roles to play. It is in our hands, the hands of every American and every Kansan. Each one of us has an important role to play. We are able to make a significant contribution to our society by what we choose to devote our time, our energy, and our material resources. We can preserve, hand on, and even improve the American culture that has been entrusted to us by God and
Jan. 15 6th anniversary as archbishop 8 a.m. pro-life Mass and prayer at abortion clinic — Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, Kansas City, Kan. Catholic Charities Snow Ball Jan. 17 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Visit Teens Encounter Christ retreat Jan. 18 Administrative Team meeting has been guarded at great price by our ancestors. Or we can choose to give our children and grandchildren something much less. “It is in men and women schooled in their families, their churches, their synagogues in the way of love, service and virtue that we will find the human resources to make our free markets work for the good of the shareholder, the employee and the customer, rather than satisfying the greed of a few. It is in men and women steeled in virtue to pursue the noble who will help solve many of our social problems: 1) making sure no one goes hungry in a land of such plenty; 2) helping others develop the skills to provide for themselves and their families; and 3) surrounding with love and support a young mother experiencing an untimely pregnancy, so that she can follow her heart’s desire by choosing life for her child, rather than making a choice she will never cease to regret.”
Priests Personnel meeting Vespers & dinner — St. Benedict Abbey, Atchison Jan. 19 Presbyteral Council Meeting Jan. 21 Pro-Life Mass at Topeka Performing Arts Center, then march to Kansas Judicial Center for Rally for Life “My Catholic Way” radio taping Jan. 21 Vigil Mass for March for Life — Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. Jan. 22 Adoration and pro-life rally with Kansas youth — Washington, D.C.
I encourage all members of the Archdiocese to take to heart Brownback’s plea for volunteerism to make our state better and stronger. The first and most important thing that each of us can do is to recommit ourselves to do everything possible to strengthen our families. Strong families make for healthy communities. Secondly, we should look for some way in which we can use our time and talent to help others. Your parishes can offer you many opportunities to volunteer. If you are looking for something to do beyond your parish, please contact Mary Kay Drees, the coordinator of volunteer services for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas at (913) 433-2080. She will be happy to connect you with many volunteer opportunities to help Catholic Charities fulfill its mission of bringing the love of Jesus to those in need. Together, we can make Kansas even better!
A prayerful prefix to the inauguration By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven
Olathe — Planned as an occasion for celebration, the inaugural prayer service for Governor-elect Sam Brownback took on a somber tone Jan. 9 in the wake of the Tucson shooting rampage. More than 400 friends and supporters of the soon-to-be new governor filled the Bell Cultural Events Center auditorium on the campus of Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann joined Pastor Tony Carter Jr., of the Salem Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kan., and Rabbi Daniel Rockoff, of Beth Israel Abraham Voliner in Overland Park, on the stage. Though he was the third to speak, Archbishop Naumann was the first to address the Arizona tragedy, saying such events remind us of the sacrifices made and the risks taken by those who serve in public life. “In our prayers today we remember those murdered,” he said. The archbishop then offered a prayer for Brownback, asking that God
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann offered a prayer at the inaugural prayer service for Gov. Sam Brownback. The archbishop also touched on the Arizona tragedy that occurred the day before.
would help him fulfill his responsibilities by strengthening his fidelity to principles, and granting him serenity and peace in the midst of “the inevitable storm” that comes with leadership. Archbishop Naumann also asked the audience to pray for Brownback’s wife and family, and the crucial role they would soon play in supporting the governor. When Brownback took the stage, he thanked the archbishop for addressing the formative institutions of faith and family and how important they are to state and country. Brownback went on to discuss the past struggles that Kansas had faced, the resilience of its people and the importance of including God in the equation. A reception followed the prayer service, with guests contributing nonperishable food items for local pantries. The following day, Brownback was sworn in as the 46th governor of Kansas inside the House chamber of the Statehouse. (For an abridged version of the archbishop’s remarks, see his column above.)
SECOND FRONT PAGE 3
Two women, two continents, one ancient promise By Laurie Ghigliotti Special to The Leaven
ATCHISON — In a ritual that has remained virtually unchanged over 1500 years, two women on two continents came together through time and space to make their perpetual vows of profession in the Order of St. Benedict. The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison welcomed Sister Elizabeth Carrillo on the feast of Epiphany, jan. 2, in their chapel. A few weeks earlier, at the monastery the Sisters had founded and still support in Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil, Joselaine Ferreira made her final monastic profession on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. The monastery is called Mosteiro Santa Maria Mãe de Deus, or Holy Mary Mother of God Monastery. Sister Anne Shepard, The Suscipe OSB, prioress Receive me, O of Mount St. Lord, as you Scholastica, have promised was present at that I may live; both liturgies disappoint me and noted the not in my hope. significance of both to their respective communities and the larger monastic community. “They are choosing a life of humility, discipline, fidelity, community and prayer, when some of their peers are invested in individualism, competition, consumerism and self-reliance,” said Sister Anne. “Our newly professed are saying to us that our community is as viable and credible as ever. By their witness, they will invite others to join us, and we are so grateful to them.” Sister Elizabeth found her way to Atchison in 1997 after an Internet search for a retreat experience. What she found was even better than a retreat, she said. “It was an eight-week volunteer opportunity,” she said. In her reflection preceding Sister Elizabeth’s profession, Sister Anne called Sister Elizabeth a seeker who followed a star with a URL — www.osb. org. “She set out looking for a men’s monastic community,” said Sister Anne, “where she could make a retreat, but mysteriously, this star led her to www. mountosb.org.” Sister Elizabeth’s journey, like that of the Magi, was long and with its own difficulties. “Whatever difficulties came in her way, she knew the star was still there,” said Sister Anne. “Her heart has never given up the search.” Baptized Catholic as an infant, Sister Elizabeth was not raised in the Catholic Church. But throughout her high school and college years — and even beyond — she was continually drawn back to aspects of it. In high school, for example, she read the “Confessions of St. Augustine” dur-
Sister Elizabeth Carrillo (above) sings the traditional prayer, the “Suscipe,” as part of her profession in the Order of St. Benedict. A few weeks earlier, at the monastery the Sisters had founded and still support in Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil, Joselaine Ferreira (left) made her final monastic profession.
ing a time when she and her friends began searching for the meaning of life. In college, she read the Rule of St. Benedict. “It struck me that this was a document from around 600 A.D., but that people still live it today,” said Sister Elizabeth. She read about the Orthodox monks on Mount Athos in Greece. Twenty monasteries flourish there, 1600 years after the first monks arrived during the fifth century. As Sister Elizabeth read about these monks, she was faced with
a question that demanded an answer. “What have they found?” she remembers asking herself. “What explains the contentment and happiness on their faces?” Before coming to Mount St. Scholastica, Sister Elizabeth had previously made a couple of retreats at a men’s monastery, she said. Serving as a volunteer at Mount St. Scholastica that summer was Sister Elizabeth’s first experience with Sisters. “They were down-to-earth, real people,” she said. “And I love the [Divine] Office and the beauty of our chapel.” After that positive experience, Sister Elizabeth returned to the monastery in 1998 and stayed for two years. During that time, she entered fully into the life of the church, receiving her first Com-
Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)
Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com
Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com
Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com
President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com
Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com
Reporter Kara Hansen kara@theleaven.com
munion and confirmation in the monastery chapel. At the end of her two-year stay, she approached the vocations director. “It felt so right, so like home,” said Sister Elizabeth. “Everything within me resonated with the rhythm of life in the monastery.” Sister Judith Sutera noted that Sister Elizabeth is probably the only person who ever received first Communion and confirmation in the monastery’s chapel and then made her profession in the same chapel. A continent away, Sister Joselaine made her final profession in her parish church instead of a monastery chapel, but the ceremonies, according to Sister Anne, were similar since the rite of monastic profession is the same worldwide. “Each asks to be received into the community, each receives the blessing of community members present, as well as the blessing of the priest in the name of the church,” said Sister Anne. “Each ceremony has the same traditional elements: the church community that calls down the Holy Spirit while the Sister holds a baptismal candle, the pall placed over her to symbolize her movement from death to new life, the threefold monastic profession formula, the ring as a sign of her life in Christ and her perpetual profession to the Benedictine community of Mount St. Scholastica.” Sister Elizabeth, who teaches science at Visitation School in Kansas City, Mo., believes that being a Benedictine Sister brings a deeper dimension to the work. “One of the main Benedictine values is to reverence the Christ in other people,” she said. “The idea of Benedictine hospitality — receiving all who come to us as the presence of Christ — it’s about getting out of my own way so that what’s truest can come out to serve the other Sisters and the community.” Sister Joselaine’s various ministries include working for the parishes in Mineiros, providing commentary for the monthly Masses that are broadcast on the radio, serving as a proprietor in the parish gift shop, facilitating youth groups, and helping out in whatever other ways she can. Sister Joselaine first encountered the Benedictine Sisters in Mineiros through her sister, who was considering a religious vocation. Both women will now move forward on their journey as Benedictine Sisters, having made the threefold promise of conversatio (fidelity to the monastic way of life), stability and obedience. Sister Elizabeth believes that, after 1500 years of Benedictine monasticism, monastic life is still relevant in our modern times. “It appeals to something intrinsic in the human spirit,” she said. “Monastic life will continue in some form or another. There is an adaptability of monastic life because the archetype of the monk is in the heart of every person: union with God.”
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4 LOCAL NEWS
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
Campus center director makes the grade By Kara Hansen
Leaven staff
Father Steve Beseau has spent the last five years working on his doctoral dissertation. Above, he talks to a student at a Koinonia retreat at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg. days to devote a large piece of time to studying and writing,” said Father Beseau. “It was difficult to write while being the director at St. Lawrence but, overall, the process has been great and very enjoyable.” The topic is an unusual one. “When I was at a conference at Notre Dame in 2001, a philosopher presented a paper on magnanimity, and it was excellent. I thought [that] if I ever had a chance to do further study, that’s what I would do,” said Father Beseau.
And so he did. Father Beseau’s dissertation is entitled “Magnanimity as an Interpretive Key for Moral Catechesis of Young Adults.” The virtue of magnanimity is often overshadowed by more heralded ones like patience and humility. But magnanimity is the virtue of being great of mind and heart. Considered to be the crowning virtue by the philosopher Aristotle, Winston Churchill also once said, “In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In
peace: goodwill.” “It’s a forgotten virtue no one ever talks about,” said Father Beseau. “Philosophers cover it, but it’s been a very neglected virtue in theology. You would be hard-pressed to find anything on magnanimity in theology.” The center’s students showed their appreciation for Father Beseau’s work by throwing a graduation party for him just before the Christmas break.
‘There are truly enough beds out there to fill the needs’ Continued from page 1 cost of delivery. But Starr and several friends are working to change all that. Starr first recognized the need when she was volunteering with Jackson County (Missouri) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Operation Breakthrough. Several families she was working with did not have beds for their children. One family, in particular, was in desperate need of beds. Starr called area social service agencies and the United Way, but to no avail. There was not a single agency in Kansas City that helped provide children with beds. That’s when she decided to make a last-ditch attempt and ask people she knew for help. “I sent out a mass e-mail to friends, asking if anyone had a bed they might be willing to provide for this family,” she said. “I was really amazed at the response,” she continued. “There were lots of people with beds they wanted to get rid of, but without a truck to move it anywhere.” With the help of friends, Starr began picking up mattresses, box springs, and bed frames from people who no longer used them. The organization officially became Sleepyhead Beds in September 2010.
Retreat can be crucial step on path to priesthood By Joe Bollig
Leaven staff
LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center here don’t have to go far to find someone sympathetic to their academic grind. In fact, they’ve only to look to the center’s director, Father Steve Beseau. There’s a good reason why he can relate to their travails. Until recently, he was a student himself, working to complete a doctoral dissertation. Father Beseau began work on a doctorate in February 2005, living in Rome as a full-time student at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas before being assigned to the St. Lawrence Center in February 2006. He finished his dissertation in September 2010 and defended it in Rome months later. “It [kept] me very close to the students because I have been a student myself these past years,” said Father Beseau. “It has also really helped me enter into relationships with the professors at the university because there is a greater understanding between us about the work each of us is doing.” Father Beseau chose St. Thomas Aquinas, commonly referred to as the Angelicum, in part because its program allowed students to reside off-site while completing their dissertation. That meant that Father Beseau, already director of the St. Lawrence Center, could fulfill his duties in Lawrence while continuing to make strides toward completing the biggest paper of his life. “The traditional route is to complete your coursework and then have two full years to work on your dissertation,” said Father Beseau. But he only had one year to fully devote to his dissertation. So he’s spent the last five years working on his dissertation here, there and everywhere. “I would carve out time in the morning and late at night, and took vacation
LOCAL NEWS 5
“There are truly enough beds out there to fill the needs,” said Starr. “We sterilize and sanitize the beds and get them to the people who need them. The people we pick up the beds from are just as grateful to have an unused bed gone as the people are who are receiving them.” Starr doesn’t think there’s another program like it in the country. “For $100, I can deliver eight used beds, which is the same cost of a new, cheap twin bed,” said Starr. Moreover, there is no formal application process. If a child needs a bed and the organization has one, you can count on the child receiving it. Frances Douthat, a parishioner at St. Ann in Prairie Village, said the experience of donating to Sleepyhead Beds was considerably different than donating funds to a charitable organization. “There was more physical participation on my part in going to the basement and pulling out our extra beds. It made more of a connection for me than writing a check and putting it in an envelope,” said Douthat. “It made me think about how we have extra beds that were going unused, and in some ways, I can’t relate to kids not having any,” she said. Having someone come to pick up her donation made the process simple, added Douthat.
“It was very easy to donate. I e-mailed Monica about the beds and she told me they were doing pickups at the end of the week, and we could either leave the beds outside by our garage or they could ring the doorbell when they arrived to pick them up,” said Douthat. “She was true to her word and pickup was done quickly and easily,” she noted. Douthat said she and her husband have been active in social service and charitable work, even mentoring a young man. But even they were unaware of the need for beds by families. “It’s a surprise this is a void that has been overlooked for so long — by myself included. Everyone of us understands the tragedy of sleep deprivation,” said Douthat. Though the organization delivered 115 beds in November — a significant number — there is currently a waiting list of children who need a place to rest their heads. In December alone, Sleepyhead Beds received an average of nine requests for beds every day. Coupled with a decreased number of donations during the holiday season, the current need far exceeds the number of beds Starr has available. “When we started out, there were no statistics on how many children went without a bed,” said Starr. “Now we realize the number is much greater than we originally thought.”
How to help Starr said there are several ways to help families through Sleepyhead Beds: • Donate a used twin bed, bedding, mattress pad or pillows. • Use your truck or trailer to do a pickup for Sleepyhead Beds. “Anyone who has the ability to transport even one hour on a weekend could do a huge amount for us,” said Starr. • Take a few minutes to send an e-mail to friends and family, asking them to consider donating to Sleepyhead Beds if they have a mattress and box springs going unused in their home. Check its Web site for an e-mail form. • Donate your time to help organize a bed drive at your parish, school or place of employment. • For more information, visit the Web site at: www.sleepyheadbeds. org, or call (816) 547-9965.
Sleepyhead Beds serves the Greater Kansas City area, but reaches as far out as Leavenworth and delivers wherever the beds are needed. “If someone needs a bed, we try to make a delivery happen,” said Starr.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Evan Tinker might not be an archdiocesan seminarian if it weren’t for a simple Latin question: Quo vadis? It means, “Where are you going?” Quo Vadis is the name of an annual January retreat designed to help college-age men decide if they might have a vocation to the priesthood. The question — taken from an apocryphal encounter between St. Peter and the risen Christ — was crucial for Tinker, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. “It was what pushed me over the edge,” said Tinker, now a first-year pre-theology student at KenrickGlennon Seminary in St. Louis. During the retreat, each participant had an opportunity for a one-on-one discussion with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. “I was a mechanical engineer and running my own landscaping business,” said Tinker. “[The archbishop] said I was way too busy to discern my vocation, and the best place for me to finish my discernment was at [the] seminary. I took that as an urging from him, and it was the best step.” During the last Quo Vadis retreat, held from Jan. 1 to 4, 16 young men gathered at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan., to ponder which way their lives were going: a vocation to the priesthood, or another direction. “It’s a challenging retreat for men,” said Father Mitchel Zimmerman, director of vocations. “It’s not a layup. Quo Vadis is an opportunity for young men to be particularly open to the priesthood with some intensity over four days.” In addition to meeting with the archbishop, participants attended the Epiphany Mass at the cathedral, carried out a service project, watched documentaries, attended lectures and talked with seminarians. Above all, however, they spent lots of time in prayer. They attended Mass daily and had a Holy Hour before the Eucharist. “We are grateful for the guys who came,” said Father Zimmerman. “This is an important benchmark in our promotion of priestly vocations every year. We’re in touch with about 300 guys a year, and we know that some aren’t ready to carve out that much time or be that open to the priesthood.” The idea of a vocation to the priesthood can be daunting — even intimidating — to a young man. Quo Vadis is a way for them to meet other young men asking the same questions, and come closer to a decision. “I wouldn’t say I was shy about it, but I definitely wanted to keep my desire [for] and questions about the priesthood to myself,” said Luke Doyle, a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka and a junior in the college program at Kenrick-Glennon. “I didn’t want anyone to know I was thinking about going to [the] seminary,” he continued. “This retreat was a great way to take a step forward.” If you would like more information about the priesthood or vocations office programs, call Father Zimmerman at (913) 647-0356.
Leaven photo by Joe Bollig
Archdiocesan seminarians and college-age men interested in the priesthood listen to Father Mitchel Zimmerman, archdiocesan director of vocations, give a talk during the Quo Vadis retreat, Jan. 1 to 4, at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kan.
Villa St. Francis
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6 LOCAL NEWS
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
Appointments Father John A. Riley, chancellor, reports the following appointments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann: Father Michael Stubbs, returning from sabbatical, is appointed senior parochial vicar in residence of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, effective Jan. 15. Father Anthony Ouellette, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Osage City, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lapeer, and St. Patrick Parish in Scranton, is also appointed ecclesiastical assistant to the archdiocesan charismatic renewal, effective immediately.
Correction
The above photo in the Dec. 24 issue of The Leaven had some incorrect caption information. The caption should have read: Myron Hurla (right), a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Paxico, bows his head as his mother Laverne leads the family in prayer before lunch. His brothers Vincent (left) and Roy were among those who joined the extended farm family for the meal at their parents’ house east of Paxico.
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Sister Marie de Lourdes Falk, SCL
LEAVENWORTH — Sister Marie de Falk, SCL, obituary Lourdes died Dec. 29, 2010, at the motherhouse here. She was 82. Dolores Helen Falk was born on Feb. 15, 1928, in Fort Collins, Colo., the third child of Harry A. and Marie McKey Falk. She had three sisters — Zita Marie, Pat, and Anne — and two brothers, Don and Larry. After graduating from high school in 1945, Dolores worked a year and then headed to Saint Mary College in Leavenworth. Deciding she was on the wrong side of the campus, she followed her older sister, now known as Sister Owen Marie, and joined the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. She entered the community on Feb. 12, 1947. Years later, she said, “It was a decision for which I will be forever grateful.” Having seen “The Song of Bernadette” nine times, she felt she had to ask for the name Sister Marie de Lourdes, which she was given when she entered the novitiate. She made her profession of vows on Feb. 15, 1949. Sister Marie de Lourdes received a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in elementary administration from the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth. She spent 30 years in elementary schools before taking a job with the Denver Archdiocesan Housing Committee, Inc., from 1980-2000. Sister Marie de Lourdes was an avid
fan of the Denver Broncos. In fact, her enthusiasm pervaded the 11th floor of St. Joseph Hospital, where the Sisters lived. Game days would find a dedicated group watching their team in “the Bronco Room.” Both the room and the fans were decked out with every piece of Bronco paraphernalia ever produced. During the years she and Sister Owen Marie worked for the Denver Archdiocesan Housing Committee, Inc., they were members of “The Plazettes,” a group of seniors that would travel the city performing lively dance numbers. They persuaded countless seniors who considered themselves too old to dance to join them in the Texas TwoStep and other line dances. After their years in housing, Sister Marie de Lourdes and Sister Owen Marie teamed up for ministry again, this time in the radiation and oncology waiting room at Exempla-St. Joseph Hospital in Denver. They were recipients of the 25th annual 9WhoCare Awards in 2004. Five days a week, the two entertained the patients, their families, and the staff through jokes, songs, and their great attitudes. On the last day of treatment, they would hold a graduation day ceremony. The patient was dressed in a cap and gown, paraded around while “Pomp and Circumstance” played, and given a diploma. Their zany sense of humor was soothing balm for so many who were distressed. In her memoirs, Sister Marie de Lourdes left this advice: “Learn to dance, otherwise the angels in heaven won’t know what to do with you.”
LOCAL NEWS 7 Meditation seminar set for Jan. 29 kansas city, Mo. — Local musician Tom Jacobs will lead an art, prayer and practice of meditation seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 29 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center here, in the Rose Room. Jacobs will walk participants through the steps of meditation. Regular meditation can help enrich relationships, renew energy and create flexibility for forgiveness. Meditation is also instrumental in healing past wounds, hurt feelings and pent-up fears. This practice teaches the art of “letting go” of things that hold a person back or weigh them down. Cost for the seminar is $25, payable at the door. To register, call Jacobs at (816) 619-3499 or send him an e-mail at: tbjacobs@earthlink.net. Space is limited, so register in advance.
Benjamin Lee Spain, a member of Mater Dei Parish here, will receive his Eagle Scout award during a Court of Honor ceremony on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Assumption Church. Spain earned his Eagle rank as a member of Troop 18, Eagle chartered TecumScout to seh United Methodist Church. Spain’s Eagle project involved leading volunteers in the removal of old classroom shelving units at Mater Dei School, then designing, building, painting and installing new shelving as replacements.
12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment School receptionist/administrative assistant - Bishop Miege High School is immediately seeking candidates to fill this 10-month-per-year position. Applicants must have good personal communication and computer skills; experience in schools is preferred. Send letter and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Shawnee Mission, KS 66205. Director - The Catholic Diocese of Wichita is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as director for the office of faith formation. This individual will provide resources, training, policy guidance, and oversight for catechetical and youth ministry — programs for children and young adults ages preschool through college in diocesan parishes. Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing and an active and faithful steward. Experience working with pastors in unique parish situations; proper theological and pedagogical training. Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in a related field is preferred. Practical experience in preschool through college parish catechesis and promoter of parish catechetical ministry. Proven administrative skills, experience in interpersonal relations, conflict resolution, collaborative management, supervision and budget preparation. Respect for all cultures; bilingual helpful. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to travel to train parish ministerial personnel. Proficiency with Microsoft Office. Submit cover letter, resume with references and salary requirements, via e-mail, to: seilert@catholicdioceseofwichita.org. Application deadline is Feb. 15. Substitute teacher - Bishop Ward High School is seeking a long-term math substitute for the spring of 2011. For information or to apply, contact Dr. Judy Warren, principal, at (913) 371-1201; send an e-mail to: jwarren@wardhigh.org; or write to: Bishop Ward High School, 708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102. Marketing/sales/community outreach - Former health care executive is looking for opportunity to use three decades of experience to advance your health services, hospice, or health benefits organization. Call Richard Gier at (913) 541-1299. Part-time care provider - To assist 2 - 3 female mentally retarded/developmentally disabled clients in their Overland Park home. Position available immediately; 15 - 20 hours per week; 3 - 8 p.m. on Mon., Tues., Fri., and every other Thurs. Great for a college student or if just looking to supplement your income! Clients prefer female staff. To apply, call Amy at (913) 221-9158. Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City and Emporia areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, selfdisciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.
Services Piano and voice lessons - Available for morning - evening. For information, call (913) 206-2151 or send an e-mail to: Klmamuric@yahoo.com. Piano lessons - Now accepting new students. Help your child excel with a wonderful music education and learn to play the piano. Positive, creative, motivating, and caring teacher makes lessons fun! Call Anita at (913) 338-3022.
THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 14, 2011 Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, at (913) 909-2002. Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837. Computer repair and sales - Geeks on Guard will help you setup a new computer, upgrade your one, or build a new one. We will fix annoying issues such as: popups, viruses, and unwanted programs. Speed up your computer, backup your data, and recover lost files. Call (877) 724-8727 or send an e-mail to: info@gogllc.com. Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com. Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.
Caregiving Nurse/companion/night sitter - Available full or part time. 25 yrs experience; reasonable rates. Experience in all aspects of elder care. Child care experience as well. Call (913) 579- 5276. Do you or your parents need help at home? For as little as $60/week, Benefits of Home-Senior Care can provide assistance with personal care, shopping and many other daily needs. For details, visit our Web site at: benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591. Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Sara or Gary.
Home Improvement Clutter problems? Embarrassing garage, basement, attic or any room? Let me help you get organized! Items sorted, grouped, boxed and labeled; areas clean when finished. Great references and insured. Twenty years experience! Handyman repairs also available. To view “before” and “after” pictures, visit my Web site at: WWW.SWALMS.COM. Tillar Swalm (913) 375-9115. Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts! Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 Woodbright - A very affordable alternative to refinishing, refacing or replacing stained cabinets and woodwork. The average kitchen only costs $500. 18 years experience. Call Woodbright at (913) 940-3020. Everything plumbing - Leaks, faucets, toilets, sinks, disposals, repairs and replacements. Over 20 years experience. Fully licensed. Service anytime – days/nights/wknds. Contact Mike at (913) 488-4930. Member of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park. Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 9639896.
THE LEAVEN • JANUARY 14, 2011 Detail construction and remodeling - We offer a full line of home remodeling services. Don’t move — remodel! Johnson county area. Call for a free quote. (913) 709-8401. Brack Home Repair - Call Dan when you need it done! Carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, tile, wood-rot and much more. No project too big or small. For free estimate, call (913) 219-5388 or visit the Web site at: brackhomerepair.com. Insured; senior discount available. Philippians 4:13. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee. STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates. Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokey cabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa. Thank you to all my customers for a great summer and fall! We’re looking for indoor work. We can do bathroom, kitchen, and basement remodeling. Includes floors, cabinets, doors, windows, sheetrock, painting, and wood rot. You name it – we can do it; just ask. We’re reasonably priced and fully insured. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230. Interior and exterior painting and wallpaper removal - 30-plus years experience. Quality work; excellent references; reasonable rates. Senior discount. Member of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776. Painting, exterior and interior, drywall projects, powerwashing, rotted window sills repaired - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 341-7584. The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation* Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376
Real Estate Large townhome - Well-maintained and managed Oakshire Townhomes in Overland Park. Near shopping; great highway access; in Holy Spirit Parish. 3 BR, 3 BA, two-car garage, partially finished lower level. First-floor master. Living and dining room is almost 40 feet long. Fenced patio with pergola. Neutral decor, move-in condition. Call Rosemary Connors, Reece and Nichols Realtors, at (913) 669-1229. Westwood home FSBO - 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA ranch. Low utilities; well-insulated; dry, partially fin. bsmt.; lots of storage; fenced backyard; hardwood floors. SME school district; near St. Agnes Parish and Bishop Miege High School. $169,500. Call (913) 432-2287. Three-acre building lots - Located just 15 minutes south of Olathe on I-35 at exit 198. Shawnee Estates subdivision, just south of the Wellsville exit. Two lots available. $26,000 each or possible trade. Owner financing possible. Call (913) 980-3559.
Prairie Village split-level home - Kenilworth subdivision. 5 large BR, 3 BA; one-half mile west of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood. Two-car garage, hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen and dining rooms, new concrete driveway, automatic lawn sprinklers, finished bsmt. with wet bar, and much more. $325,000. Call (913) 383-2743.
Vacation Hawaii vacation condo(s) - Spend two weeks this winter (Feb. 11 - 25) basking in the tropical sun on the beautiful island of Kauai. Two condos available – each sleeps 4. Walking distance to the beach. $1200 a week per condo. Possible trade. Private, local owner. Call (913) 980-3559.
Misc. Donate a vehicle. Make a difference. Donate your vehicle to Catholic Charities to support those in need. Your tax-deductible donation of a vehicle helps children and families served by Catholic Charities and is an environmentally responsible way to recycle your vehicle. Cars for KC Kids is a partnership between Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph. Call 1 (866) 430-9499 or visit the Web site at: www.cars4kckids.com.
Wanted to buy 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*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269
For Sale Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 393-2042.
Childcare Licensed day care - Has an opening for one child age 16 months or older. Smoke-free environment. References upon request. CPR certified. Mon. - Thurs., from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; minimum of three days. Located near 123rd St. and Blackbob in Olathe. $40 per day. Call Bonnie at (913) 780-0543.
15
Jan.
A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Jan. 15 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Moving Ahead in the New Year.” For information, call (913) 649-2026. The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host their annual basketball free throw contest for boys and girls ages 10 - 14 on Jan. 15 in the St. Joseph Parish smaller gym located at 11525 Johnson Dr. Contestants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. and bring a birth certificate and parental permission. There is no entry fee. High school athletes are advised to check with their coaches regarding eligibility. For information, contact Robin Mika at (913) 268-9934.
16 The Shawnee Knights of Columbus will host a pancakes-and-more breakfast from 7:30 a.m. - noon on Jan. 16 in their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr. Freewill offerings will be accepted. For information, contact Mike Reichmeier at (913) 492-3356.
18
Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Lectio Divina,” a oneday retreat presented by Sister Cecilia Olson, OSB, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 18. Come learn to practice “lectio divina,” the ancient art of prayerful reading. The day will include reflection, solitude and sharing. The cost is $50. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/ sophia.html.
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The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is pleased to announce a new monthly series entitled “Handy Woman.” Tom Clark will offer “how to” advice on making simple home repairs. The first session, “Fix That Leaky Faucet,” will be from 10 - 11 a.m. on Jan. 20. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.
22
The singles group of Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host a Winter Wonderland dance from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 in the school cafeteria. The cost of $15, payable at the door, includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, soda, and bottled water. The Altar and Rosary Society of St. Agnes Parish, 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park, will host a day of recollection from 9 a.m. - noon on Jan. 22. Father Harry Schneider will offer a presentation on Divine Mercy. The day will include a rosary, Mass, a continental breakfast, the presentation, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction. Men and women are encouraged to attend. Freewill donations will be accepted.
23
The Boy Scout Troop of St. Ann Parish, 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, will host its annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the parish hall. Tickets will be available at the door. The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will meet on Jan. 23 at Rossiter Hall, 204 S.W. 8th, Topeka. A covered dish luncheon will begin at noon, followed by a meeting at 1 p.m.
20
A healing Mass, sponsored by archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Jan.
24 The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.,
will offer “Journaling for Personal Growth.” This group, for women only, will meet from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. every second and fourth Monday of the month, beginning Jan. 24. No previous writing experience is required. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb. org/kwc. The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Time Management for Women: Balancing Family, Work, and Everything Else,” presented by Chiquita Miller of the K-State Extension, from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. Space is limited; reservations are required. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc.
27
The Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Food Rules: Keep Them Simple,” a nutrition presentation offered in partnership with K-State Extension Services, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. on Jan. 27. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.
29
The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, located at the Finucane Center on the campus of Rockhurst University, will host a one-day prayer workshop from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Jan. 29. Begin practicing personal reflection, a foundation stone of Ignatian prayer. The cost is $40; scholarships are available. Reservations are required. To RSVP, by Jan. 24, send an e-mail to: info@ignatiancenterkc.org or call (816) 523-5115, ext. 212, and leave a message.
30
The Altar Society of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, 411 Pioneer St., Seneca, will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Jan. 30. A freewill offering will be collected.
St. Bede Parish, Kelly, will host a spaghetti luncheon from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Jan. 23. A freewill offering will be collected.
To purchase a classified ad: Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $16 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50. Classified ads will also be posted online at The Leaven’s Web site: www.theleaven.com, at no additional charge.
20 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Peter Jaramillo will preside; fellowship follows.
The Knights of Columbus of St. John the Evangelist Church, 2910 Strong Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will host an International breakfast from 8 - 11 a.m. on Jan. 23 in the parish hall. The cost is $7 per person; there is no charge for children under age 5.
5
Feb.
The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) will host its quarterly meeting and annual retreat from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Feb. 5 at Sacred Heart Parish center, Gardner. There will be featured speakers from the archdiocesan pro-life office, Marian’s Mantle, and Respite, honoring St. Agatha, the patron of cancer patients. The cost is $15. To RSVP by Feb. 1, mail a check to:
CALENDAR 13
Susan Draftz, 806 N. 4th St., Atchison KS 66002. For more information, visit the Web site at: https://sites.google.com/ site/accwkck. The Ave Maria Village of the Militia of the Immaculata will host a oneday mission, beginning with Mass at 9 a.m., on Feb. 5 at Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo. The day will include a presentation on “Mary, Mother of God, Model of Fidelity,” lunch, reconciliation, and Benediction. For information, call Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0208 or send an e-mail to her at: queenofpeace27@yahoo.com.
18-20
Rediscover your marriage! The retrouvaille program offers the opportunity to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship. The next Retrouvaille weekend is Feb. 18 - 20. For confidential information or to register, call 1 (800) 470-2230 or visit the Web site at: www.retrouvaille.org.
Misc.
Project Rachel will offer a free, confidential, six-week post-abortion healing session, beginning in late January in Overland Park. Location and details of the program will be provided during the registration process. For information, call Pat at (913) 621-2199 or send an e-mail to her at: projectrachelkc@archkck.org.
A support group for women dealing with any type of addiction, at any stage of recovery, will meet from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/kwc. El Centro, Inc., will offer classes in financial literacy, home improvement, and home buyer education. The classes are free and open to the public. All classes are held at 650 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Participants are asked to preregister. For dates and times of classes, call (913) 677-0100. Do you or your loved one need support to break free from pornography, infidelity, or lust? The My House Men’s Group provides prayer and accountability for sexual integrity. Sam Meier, MA, LPC, is available for men’s groups and counseling; call him at (913) 647-0378, or send an e-mail to him at: smeier@ archkck.org. The My House Women’s Group provides hope and healing for women who are dealing with their loved one’s struggles. Contact Beth Meier at (913) 647-0379, or send an e-mail to her at: bmeier@archkck.org.
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
columnists 15
Making sense out of bioethics
You can’t discuss ethical questions without recognizing ethical truths
I
once asked a young physician whether he had received any training in medical ethics during medical school.
I wondered whether he had been taught how to handle some of the complex moral questions that can arise when practicing medicine. It turned out that he had taken only one ethics class during his four years of medical school, and it was a rather loose-knit affair. For the first part of each class, he told me, students were presented with medical cases that raised ethical questions. For the second part, they were asked to discuss and share their feelings about what the ethical thing to do in each case might be. This course was largely an airing of different opinions, with students never receiving any definitive ethical guidance or principles. His experience reminded me how ready we are today to discuss ethical problems, but how quickly we shy away from talking about ethical truths. We raise ethical questions, but avoid ethical answers. We encourage the discussion of options and opinions, but leave students in the lurch to “make up their own
minds” about what might or might not be ethical. This relativism corrodes clear ethical thinking. Making up our own morality as we go along has a certain appeal, of course, because it allows us to circumnavigate some of the hard ethical answers that might require us to change our own behavior or outlook. As one bioethicist put it a few years ago: “People want to know what it would be wise and right to do; but they don’t want to grasp a truth so lucid that they might feel actually required to walk in its light.” This “tyranny of relativism” influences many contemporary ethical debates. Those who advocate for abortion, for example, will often declare: “If you think abortion is wrong, then don’t have one!” The message behind the sound bite is that abortion can be fine for me, even if it is a problem for you; it can be right for me and wrong for you; and we can all just get along. This type of ethical schizophrenia is obviously inadequate, however.
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Imagine someone saying, “If you think slavery is wrong, then don’t own a slave!” Real human goods are at stake when we make moral judgments and ethical decisions — in slavery, a human life is oppressed; in abortion, a human life is ended. Not only do such ethical (or unethical) decisions affect others profoundly (black men and women; unborn boys and girls), they also affect us inwardly, making us into those who oppress, or those who kill. In other words, human choices have consequences that affect the world. But they also cause effects in the depths of the human soul, in the inner sanctuary of our own person. One early saint said that we parent ourselves through our actions. When we freely decide to do an action, we “create” ourselves, and show the direction in which our heart is willing to go. In this world of good and evil, nothing is more important for the good of all than the excellence of the actions that manifest the ethical core of our lives. That core cannot be rooted in the shifting and uncertain sands of moral relativism. We require the immovable guideposts of moral absolutes. No one lives without absolutes of some kind to guide their decision making. Even those who promote relativism and “freedom of choice” regarding abortion will often react with great moral
indignation if someone suggests there should be freedom of choice when it comes to torturing puppies or damaging the environment. Their favorite “causes” end up being exempted from the claim that all morality is relative. Indeed, they really are not relativists at all, but absolutists: They will insist it is absolutely right to protect animals from cruelty; it is absolutely right to protect the environment, etc. Their absolutism can end up being as firm and unbending as the absolutism of those they disagree with, such as those who defend the rights of the unborn or the rights of the elderly and infirm. At the end of the day, we all inwardly recognize the importance of moral absolutes: Some kinds of human choices really are wrong, and ethics cannot simply mean what I want it to mean. Each of us must resist the temptation to yield to the tyranny of relativism, a tyranny which encourages us to pursue moral judgments that are convenient, instead of moral judgments that are true. Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did postdoctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the director of education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.
16 nation
THE LEAVEN • january 14, 2011
American tragedy
As Tucson mourns, victims are remembered TUCSON, Ariz. (CNS) — With flags nationwide flying at half-staff and people pausing for a moment of silence Jan. 10, the victims of the Jan. 8 mass shooting in Tucson were being remembered for their warmth and goodness, some for their sense of public service, and several for their involvement in their churches. The attack during a Saturday morning meet-your-congressional-representative event at a Safeway shopping center left six people dead and another 14 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, 40, who hosted the event. The alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was stopped by bystanders and is being held on initial federal charges related to the deaths of two U.S. government employees — a federal judge and a congressional aide — and the attempted murder of Giffords and two of her staff members. Amid the outpouring of grief and shock in Arizona, the personal stories of the shooting victims were putting their faces into focus for the world. U.S. District Court Judge John M. Roll, 63, and Christina Taylor Green, 9, who were killed, were both active in their Catholic parishes. Roll, the chief judge of the Tucson federal court, had stopped by the shopping center in northwest Tucson to see Giffords on his way home from morning Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Bill Badger, one of several people who tackled the shooter to stop his rampage, despite his own gunshot wound, also is active in the parish he shared with the judge, according to Fred Allison, spokesman for the Tucson Diocese. Young Christina Green came to meet Giffords with a neighbor because she was so interested in civics, having just been elected to the student council at Mesa Verde Elementary School. The third-grader also was part of a children’s choir at St. Odilia, the Catholic church a few blocks from the shooting scene where a healing and remembrance Mass was celebrated Jan. 11. The young athlete was part of a sports-focused family. Her grandfather is former major league pitcher and manager Dallas Green, and her father, John Green, is a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The only girl on her Little League team, Christina was born on Sept. 11, 2001, and was featured in a book called “Faces of Hope,” about 50 babies born on that day of terrorist attacks on the United States. Roll, a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, was remembered as “a person of great faith and great integrity” who was a devoted member of two Tucson Catholic parishes, according to Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas. Bishop Kicanas returned to Tucson hastily from
CNS photo/Eric Thayer, Reuters
Mourners take part in a Jan. 9 prayer vigil following a Jan. 8 shooting at a public meeting in Tucson, Ariz. U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was in critical condition at a Tucson medical center after being shot in the head by Jared Lee Loughner, 22. He is accused of killing six people and wounding 14 others in the Jan. 8 shooting rampage. the Middle East, where he was to attend the annual Coordination of Episcopal Conferences for the Church in the Holy Land, representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The bishop presided over the Mass for the Healing of Our Community, Remembrance of Those Who Have Died, and for the Consolation of All Victims and Their Families at St. Odilia, where Christina Green made her first Communion last spring. “‘Let the children come to me,’ Jesus said (Mt 19:14). Christina is with him,” wrote Bishop Kicanas to parishes. Roll for many years began his day by serving at Mass as a lector at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish or St. Thomas the Apostle Church, the bishop said. “He lived his faith as a servant of our nation for the cause of justice,” he noted. Allison said he regularly saw Roll at the daily noon Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, a few blocks from the federal courthouse downtown. “He was absolutely dedicated and devoted in terms of daily Mass attendance and dedicated to the ministry as a lector,” Allison said. “His faith was a wellspring of who he was as a judge and in his marriage.” The bishop put words to the emotions
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felt by people in Tucson and around the world who watched events unfold at the suburban shopping center. “It is incomprehensible that such a horrible tragedy could happen in the community that we love so much,” he wrote in his letter. “I am shocked and devastated as I see the horrible pictures on the news and hear the reports of those who have been killed and injured.” In a message Bishop Kicanas sent to Allison as he left Jerusalem to return to Tucson, he said watching the television coverage from afar was overwhelming. “I could not sleep,” he said. “I just wanted to return home as soon as possible.” He noted that “as I would expect, the community has risen to the occasion,” with bystanders stepping up to help at the scene, medical personnel working feverishly, and public servants “trying to find answers to a horrific act of violence perpetrated against innocent people, everyone praying and offering support and condolences.” He said that before he left the Middle East, he concelebrated a Mass with 10 other bishops in a small Catholic church in Jericho, where only about 50 Catholic families are in the village, “but they
all expressed to me their condolences for what happened in Tucson and promised their prayers as did each of the bishops from Canada, Albania, France, Germany, England and the Holy Land. Their comfort and heartfelt prayers meant a lot.” Bishop Kicanas went on to observe that “in the Holy Land, violence is feared and expected. Violence, too often, tears apart both the Israeli and the Palestinian people. Each community knows well the result of senseless violence. Their families have mourned the loss of loved ones and cared for those injured.” He added that the people in Jericho, hearing about the Tucson events, asked him how to prevent such acts of violence. “I wish I knew the answer,” he wrote. “But as the world continues to seek an answer to that question we can, each in our own way, strive to respect others, speak with civility, try to understand one another and to find healthy ways to resolve our conflicts.” “But right now, it is important as a community to pull together and to reach out in care and concern to all who have been affected by this tragedy,” he added.