02 05 21 Vol. 42 No. 25

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 25 | FEBRUARY 5, 2021

THE MARCH GOES ON

With the pandemic still raging and security in the capital extremely tight, most of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., went virtual this year. But Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was there in person to celebrate the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life. For more about the March for Life, see page 10.

CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

March for Life participants demonstrate near Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

A U.S. Capitol Police officer monitors March for Life participants as they make their way toward the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., Jan. 29.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, delivers the homily at the opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life on Jan. 28.

March for Life participants make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court building Jan. 29. Because of the pandemic, the marchers numbered in the hundreds rather than in the thousands this year.

Lenten dinner notices canceled The Leaven regrets that it will not be publishing its fish fry list as anticipated. Both pandemic restrictions and the “test run” nature of some of the curbside plans means any information published might be outdated almost immediately. Please call individual parishes or visit their websites for up-to-date information. The Leaven regrets this change of course and will hopefully return to this time-honored tradition in 2022.

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ARCHBISHOP

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

A loving witness accomplishes more than argument ever could

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Catholic families.

They both loved art, literature, music, culture and travel.

There was just one major difference.

Felix, during his time in medical school, had abandoned his Catholic faith and had become an anticlerical atheist, while Elizabeth was strong and fervent in her Catholic faith.

Felix considered it part of his mission to liberate Elisabeth from what he considered her primitive faith.

Elisabeth, on the other hand, was convinced that Felix would recover his Catholic faith.

Unfortunately, in the first weeks of their marriage, Elisabeth became very sick. It turned out to be a chronic illness that incapacitated her for long periods of time.

Sadly, her illness prevented her from even being able to attend her own father’s funeral.

Felix did not persevere in a medical career. Instead, he became a journalist.

This suited him well because it allowed him to become more involved in politics, which was one of his passions. It was his job to write and comment on current events.

His love for travel

fed his ambition to work in the foreign service. However, in the end, Felix turned down the opportunity of a post in the French colonies because of his concerns about its impact upon Elisabeth’s delicate health.

Instead, Felix accepted a position in a large insurance firm.

In a relatively short time, Felix became the director of one of France’s most profitable insurance companies. The couple continued to enjoy a vibrant social life with most of their friends sharing Felix’s atheism and anticlericalism.

Felix consciously and deliberately attempted to shake Elisabeth’s faith. For a time, he succeeded as Elisabeth became more captivated by their elegant lifestyle and neglected the practice of her faith.

Around this time, Elisabeth asked her husband to recommend a book from his personal library that she could read and discuss with him. Felix felt this was his opportunity to eradicate any vestiges of faith in his wife.

Felix encouraged her to read Renan’s “The Origins of Christianity.” Elisabeth carefully studied Renan’s writings and eventually also read his book “The Life of Jesus.” Elisabeth recognized that Renan’s

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understanding of the Scriptures was incorrect and quite distorted. Elisabeth checked the sources cited by Renan and discerned the poverty of Renan’s (a former seminarian) understanding of Jesus and Christianity.

Renan had the opposite effect of what Felix had desired. Renan inspired Elisabeth to rediscover her Catholic faith, in a much deeper and more profound way.

Not only did she intellectually understand the power and the beauty of the Gospel and Catholic teaching, but she began to develop a rich interior life of prayer.

Elisabeth had the wisdom and insight into her husband to know that sharing the depth of her faith and spiritual life would drive a wedge in their marriage.

Instead, she chose to pray intensely and offer up her physical suffering for the grace for Felix to rediscover faith. Unable to converse with Felix about the amazing graces she was receiving from the sacraments and prayer, she kept a journal that recorded her remarkable spiritual insights, the depth of her prayer life, her persistent prayer and sacrifices for Felix and the pain she experienced from not being able to share her faith life with the man she loved.

After almost 25 years of marriage, her chronic illness caused her premature death in 1914. Felix was heartbroken. He began to read her diaries. Felix was saddened and embarrassed to realize how much suffering he had caused Elisabeth.

He was amazed and humbled to read how much she prayed and offered her suffering

“Salt and Light — The Spiritual Journey of Elisabeth and Felix Leseur” by Bernadette Chovelon, is a beautiful love story about faith. life. Her persevering prayers and sacrifices proved effective. Not only did Felix redisMARRIAGE IS cover the beauty and joy of his Catholic THE FOUNDATION faith, he became a OF THE FAMILY. Dominican priest.

The story of ElisaTHE FAMILY IS THE beth and Felix Leseur is very much a story FOUNDATION for our times. Many FOR OUR husbands and wives today do not share the COMMUNITIES, same level of faith.

Elisabeth’s story reOUR NATION AND veals that the witness of faithful and tender CHURCH. love is more powerful in transforming another’s heart than argufor him and his conmentation. Elisabeth version. also recognized the Felix eventually power in her physical began to publish her suffering. diaries and letters.

Rather than becomMany were touched ing angry and bitter and inspired by regarding her poor Elisabeth’s example health, she used it as of faith. Slowly, Felix a powerful, spiritual began to reacquaint tool to intercede for himself with the Cathher beloved Felix. olic faith.

The church and He accepted world needs more invitations to speak love stories like that to groups about his of Elisabeth and Felix wife’s writings and the Leseur. depth of her prayer

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his Sunday begins National Marriage Week that concludes next Sunday (Feb. 14) with World Marriage Day, coinciding this year with Valentine’s Day. Often in the church when reference is made to a vocation crisis, we think of priesthood and religious life. However, sadly today there is also very much a crisis of marriage.

For the first time in the history of the United States, less than 50% of the adult population is married. This decline in marriages is a result of many young adults delaying marriage, many couples choosing to cohabit and forego marriage completely, the high divorce rate and the fear of commitment for many young adults.

Marriage is the foundation of the family. The family is the foundation for our communities, our nation and church.

Social science data supports that children on average do much better if they live in the same household with their biological mother and father. We all have a stake in the health and vibrancy of marriage and family life.

Recently, I read the book “Salt and Light: The Spiritual Journey of Elisabeth and Felix Leseur,” written

by Bernadette Chovelon and translated into English by Mary Dudro. It is an amazing and beautiful love story.

Though Felix and Elizabeth were married in 1889, almost 132 years ago, their story remains remarkably relevant today.

Felix and Elizabeth both came from affluent and devoutly

LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Encourage your state legislator to vote ‘yes’ on tax credit bills

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The biggest obstacle to better educational opportunities for poor families in Kansas could be the biggest word in

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Jennifer Starke, a kindergarten teacher at Holy Name School in Kansas City, Kansas, works with Aspen Hernandez on an assignment. Holy Name is one of 17 schools with CEF tax credit scholarship students currently enrolled.

How to help For your legislator’s contact information, go online to: openstates.org.

Under “Find Your Legislators,” enter your street address, including city and state, into the search box. When your legislator appears in the search results, click on the legislator’s name for his or her email, phone and mailing address.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Sanchez Urbina family gives testimony virtually to the Kansas House K-12 Education Budget Committee in support of HB 2068. The family used a Spanish translator, Father Nick Blaha (far left), pastor of Christ the King, Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady & St. Rose churches in Kansas City, Kansas, during their testimony.

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the world.

That word is “IF.” A lot depends on IF. There are two bills before the Kansas Legislature — identical bills in the Senate and the House — that would expand the current Kansas Tax Credit for Low Income Student Scholarship Program act so more poor families could get scholarships for their children to attend nonpublic schools.

Those disadvantaged families will get scholarships for their children — IF legislators pass the bills, which will only happen IF Catholics and others who care about them contact their legislators and urge them to pass HB 2068 and SB 61.

“The Catholic Education Foundation supports the expansion of HB 2068 to make the program fair and equitable for all Kansas families in poverty,” said Libby Knox, testifying on Jan. 26 before the Kansas House K-12 Education Budget Committee.

Knox is director of development for the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), a nonprofit scholarship-granting organization serving low-income students in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The existing low-income scholarship act took effect in 2015.

The program does not use state funds, does not take funds away from public schools and is not a voucher program, said Knox. The money for the program comes from private businesses, which receive tax credits for donating funds to scholarship-granting organizations like the CEF. According to a fiscal note prepared by the Kansas Division of Budget, “for the 2020-21 school year, 632 students [across the state] were awarded scholarships totaling approximately $2 million. For Tax Year 2020, there were $3.5 million in contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO), resulting in total tax credits of $2.5 million.”

Also, the program has a $10 million fiscal cap.

All Catholic schools in the archdiocese are eligible to accept scholarship students, but due to restrictive qualifications, only 300 students at 17 schools are receiving low-income student scholarships through this program.

Families can qualify for the lowincome student scholarships if the student attends or lives within the boundaries of the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools in Kansas, qualifies for the federal free lunch program, or is entering school for the first time (kindergarten or transfer students only). “[The bill] has no fiscal effect on the existing [program],” Knox testified. “It does not change the fiscal cap of the program nor represent any additional cost to the Kansas taxpayer. It also does not take funds from the state education budget.

“In fact, by providing scholarships to just 632 students in 2020, the program saved Kansas taxpayers more than $10 million. To put this in perspective, the 632 students on this scholarship

THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE EXPANSION OF HB 2068 TO MAKE THE PROGRAM FAIR AND EQUITABLE FOR ALL KANSAS FAMILIES IN POVERTY. LIBBY KNOX DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION

represent 1/10 of 1 percent of the 502,000 students currently in K-12 schools in Kansas.”

More than 200 families who applied to the CEF for the low-income student

scholarships to attend archdiocesan schools were denied by the state because they lived outside the boundaries of the 100 lowest-performing schools or were eligible for reduced — but not free — lunches.

“Low-income families move frequently but cannot predict which zip codes or school boundaries will qualify them for access to a better educational fit for their children,” said Knox. “How is that fair and equitable?”

One such parent who could benefit from the program but didn’t qualify because of the unfair and unequal rules is Evangelina Abril, a member of Holy Family Parish in Topeka. Two of her children attend Holy Family School and one attends Hayden High School.

The family moved from Arizona to Topeka. Arizona, unlike Kansas, allows students to attend any school regardless of school district boundaries. Since the Abrils were not sure of the public schools, they looked at Holy Family President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

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School, and “fell in love with the staff.”

But then Abril’s marriage ended, and her family struggled financially.

“After I tried to qualify for the tax credit scholarship program . . . we discovered that I did not qualify,” Abril testified before the committee. “Luckily, other forms of scholarships were available. It was a very trying time. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to continue having my daughters in Catholic education. If this legislation is changed, it would be a great benefit to families that want a better education for their children.”

Nick Anderson, principal of Holy Family School, testified that tying eligibility for the scholarships to the list of 100 lowest-performing schools is a problem for low-income families.

“Those families had to endure the tremendous difficulty of a change in schools and the worrying prospect of their children being in a school that was unable to meet their children’s needs in a multitude of ways,” Anderson testified to the committee. This is “unnecessarily traumatic.”

Knox urges all Catholics to contact their legislators and ask them to vote in favor of the two bills that would expand the Kansas Tax Credit for Low Income Student Scholarship Program act.

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

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LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Pandemic drives increase of mental health issues in teens

By Lisa Baniewicz Special to The Leaven Editor’s note: The names of the students and teacher interviewed for this story have been changed to protect their privacy.

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TCHISON – The American Psychological Association states: “There is no question: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the lives of all Americans, and it will continue to do so. It has disrupted work, education, health care, the economy and relationships, with some groups more negatively impacted than others.”

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the mental health of citizens in the United States has taken a hit, too.

For teenagers, an age group that’s already emotionally vulnerable, this has only heightened mental health problems. It’s certainly the case for one area high school that has seen a dramatic increase in mental health issues since COVID began.

Whitney McGinnis, the academic and guidance counselor at Atchison’s Maur Hill-Mount Academy, holds a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. She has been at the school for 10 years. Since COVID began, she has seen a large increase in mental health problems at the school.

“Prior to this year, it was mild anxiety and a little bit of depression,” said McGinnis. “Now, it’s massive anxiety, massive depression, suicide attempts and ideation.”

She believes one of the reasons for the increase is there are too many unknowns about the virus.

“Nobody knows what’s coming next and there is some PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) that everyone is experiencing since life shut down so fast last spring,” said McGinnis.

“Current seniors saw the class above them lose their prom and spring sports, and then their graduation was postponed,” she added.

McGinnis noticed the need to address the mental health of the student body early on. Last October, she introduced “Mental Health Mondays” at the school. The focus was to address mental health with students in a safe space for them to express their feelings.

The challenge for teachers was figuring out how to deal with students’ mental health issues while trying to balance teaching in-person and remotely.

Due to the massive increase in mental health issues and the need to guide the staff, McGinnis reached out to Stevie Durkin, a 2002 MH-MA alumnus who is the executive director of the Atchison Community Health Clinic.

First, Durkin, who is a licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW) and licensed Master Addictions Counselor, came to MH-MA to meet with the teachers and evaluate their needs.

After the initial meeting with the faculty, Durkin went back to the school a few weeks later. This time, he brought his entire mental health staff from the clinic. They divided the faculty into small groups to discuss their individual experiences with their students.

“We wanted to make sure they know we are here to support them,” Durkin said. “Everyone working on the frontlines of this pandemic needs to support one another.”

Durkin emphasized the emotional stress of the pandemic is far-reaching.

“Even taking the age group out of

Above, Maur Hill-Mount Academy academic and guidance counselor Whitney McGinnis has seen a large increase in mental health problems at the school since the COVID pandemic began.

Left, Stevie Durkin, LSCSW, executive director of the Atchison Community Health Clinic, and Beth Gilbert, LMLP, director of behavior health, talk with teachers at Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison to discuss their needs in dealing with students’ mental health.

Hope Family Therapy, Inc., in Atchison is partnering with Maur HillMount Academy next school year to have a counselor on campus available by appointment for students. MH-MA residence director Mike McGuire has earned his master’s degree in counseling and will be serving in this capacity next school year. He is a licensed professional counselor and licensed Master Addictions Counselor.

it,” he said, “we’re seeing an increase in depression and anxiety. Ultimately, people are losing social contacts. There is increased isolation, and we’re dealing with a lot of uncertainty across the board with all of our patients.”

This is true for MH-MA sophomore Tina J., who suffers from anxiety, depression, suicide ideation and struggles with an eating disorder. She said COVID has only amplified her depression and anxiety.

“Isolation was really, really hard for me,” said Tina. I’m an extrovert and it helps me to be around people to avoid getting into a negative head space. Not being able to see other people — consistently being with yourself for long, long periods of time — isn’t helpful.”

Junior Jenny S. had never had an anxiety attack until the pandemic.

“I believe these attacks started with COVID,” she said, “because as the

students started to quarantine, a lot of us felt like we got behind and that we couldn’t learn as well at home as we do in person.”

MH-MA administration noticed the struggle of quarantining was only adding to the stress and anxiety of the student body. After speaking with other Catholic high school administrators in the archdiocese, MH-MA administration canceled final exams right before Christmas break.

“There was an audible cheer throughout the school building that erupted with that news,” said MH-MA president Phil Baniewicz.

The students aren’t the only ones suffering from mental health issues.

MH-MA teacher Mr. X can relate. He has suffered from anxiety attacks for the past five years.

“Obviously COVID doesn’t help,” he said. “If someone isn’t social distancing, I think, ‘Should I back up?’ Or if someone isn’t wearing a mask, I start to worry about those things.”

Add lesson planning in the midst of COVID and that only adds to the underlying stress.

“As a teacher, I have to have contingency plans,” he said. “Will we be remote tomorrow? Will I be quarantined? And, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to why people get COVID. That’s the other kind of worry. This doesn’t follow the rules of logic or rules we typically know.”

After the faculty rotated through each session with the Atchison Community Health Clinic staff, the day came to a close. McGinnis was hopeful.

“Stevie’s talk with them was reinforcing the good things [teachers] were doing in their classrooms already,” she said. “It helped them get an understanding of mental health and gave them tools moving forward.”

Junior Sally K. has already been helped by one of the faculty members.

“My teacher saw me start to have [a panic attack] and immediately she took me into an empty room so that it wasn’t in front of everybody and I could have some space,” said Sally. “She told me to take deep breaths and calmly told me that it’s OK to let it out. She was so nice and calm and I appreciated her being there so much. She made sure I felt comfortable and safe and didn’t make me feel ashamed. And I’m so grateful.”

McGinnis emphasized the best thing we can do is continue to educate ourselves and our teachers about mental health.

“Students need to be reassured that mental health is not taboo,” she said.

“It’s not something to be ashamed of.

It’s not something you have to hide.”

Durkin left his alma mater with a positive outlook for its future.

“A strong sense of community is what’s going to get MH-MA through this, just like everyone else,” he said.

“And, you have that here at MH-MA.” Durkin emphasized there are other mental health services available in Atchison, including the Guidance Center, Atchison Counseling Services and Hope Family Therapy. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1 (800) 273-8255.

LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Archbishop to lead Lenten Scripture series “ THIS IS AN EFFORT TO REACH

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a Scripture series led by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann?

Wonder no more.

“Archbishop Naumann is offering a Lenten Scripture study of the . . . Gospels for Ash Wednesday and the first five Sundays of Lent,” said Emily Lopez, lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of adult evangelization.

This series is part of the fulfillment of one of three key initiatives comprising the archbishop’s 10-year mutually shared vision to “build a culture of evangelization across the archdiocese,” as well as the archdiocesan Enflame plan for evangelization.

Episodes of the archbishop’s Lenten Scripture series can be listened to online.

Episodes will premiere on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and the five Fridays during Lent.

To listen to the series, go to the Enflame website at: archkcks.org. Past episodes will also be available as part of “The Shepherd’s Voice” podcast at: arch kck.libsyn.com. Follow the directions on the website.

You can also follow the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on Facebook to get a link to the latest episodes. Members of the Enflame Our Hearts — ArchKCK Facebook group also get notices when each new installment becomes available.

“This is an effort to reach out to people when they are generally more open to taking on some kind of spiritual resolution during Lent,” said Lopez.

The episodes will last 30 minutes.

The format calls for a Scripture reading

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By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

OUT TO PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE GENERALLY MORE OPEN TO TAKING ON SOME KIND OF SPIRITUAL RESOLUTION DURING LENT. EMILY LOPEZ LEAD CONSULTANT FOR THE ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE OF ADULT EVANGELIZATION

for the coming Sunday by Deacon Bill Scholl, followed by a reflection by Archbishop Naumann and then a short personal witness by a layperson.

There will also be a downloadable PDF with three or four reflection questions that can be used by an individual or for discussion by small groups.

The Scripture readings used in the episodes might not match with the Scriptures at the following weekend’s Mass, said Lopez. That’s because the episodes will use the Gospels for the Scrutinies for Sundays three, four and five from the Gospel of John used in the Cycle A Mass readings, and pastors might use other readings.

The advantages of this series are that it doesn’t require a big commitment of time or expense.

“We’re blessed to have an archbishop who has an amazing insight into Scripture and a relationship with Jesus that comes out in his teaching,” said Lopez.

“And we especially wanted to offer something that people could access at no cost.”

LEAVEN FILE PHOTO

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will kick off a Lenten Scripture series starting on Ash Wednesday and running all the Fridays of Lent.

Parishes to observe World Marriage Day, National Marriage Week

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Marriage and family life resources

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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — For more than a decade, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph have observed World Marriage Day with a jointly sponsored Mass and reception.

But like so many other things this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has required some adjustments.

Instead of one Mass for a large number of worshipers, the archdiocese is asking individual parishes to take the lead.

“We are sending materials to each of the parishes about World Marriage Day and National Marriage Week,” said Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life.

“They can do different things to highlight these events, including prayers of the faithful for daily Mass and bulletin announcements. When it comes to World Marriage Day, we are asking each parish to celebrate that in some way at a regular Sunday Mass.

The priest or deacon can preach about the importance of marriage and family, tied back into the readings. And we invite them to do a blessing for married couples.”

National Marriage Week is Feb. 7-14, and World Marriage Day is on Feb. 14.

These are wonderful opportunities for

• Married couples can find a sevenday USCCB At-Home Retreat (English and Spanish) on the Enflame Our Hearts, Homes and Communities website at: archkcks.org/marriage.

• Each day during National Marriage Week, Feb. 7-14, the School of Love will post videos, prayers, event promotions and resources for couples. Find it online at: facebook.com/ schooloflovekc.

• The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth offers resources for clergy, parish ministers and couples online at: foryourmarriage.org and marriageuniqueforareason.org.

National Marriage Week is Feb. 7-14, and World Marriage Day is on Feb. 14. Because of the pandemic, there will be no archdiocesan Mass celebrating the occasion. Rather, each parish is asked to take the lead in encouraging the observance of the day and week. the faithful to focus on building a culture of life and love, and to promote marriage and family, said Deacon Zimmerman. The theme this year is: “To Have, To Hold, To Honor.”

Celebrating and supporting marriage and family life is especially important now given the stresses of the previous year and even now, said Deacon Zimmerman.

“Many, many families — because of the pandemic and loss of jobs — are

going through a time of stress,” he said.

“Regular, daily life has been disrupted. Even worse for some has been the medical suffering due to the effects of COVID. “Beyond that, relationships have suffered due to the social distancing necessary to combat the virus. Many families did not have the usual celebrations of birthdays and holidays. Older members of the family, and those in nursing homes, have become isolated.”

People need encouragement that we will get through this, eventually, together and with the love of Christ and prayer, said Deacon Zimmerman.

“It’s really important that we recognize the great gift of our spouse and pray for the grace from God to have hope to get through it,” he said. “Marriage is worth it.”

Couples and families can find a number of resources by following the web links in the sidebar. Pastors, parish ministers and couples can also find resources on the USCCB website.

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FAMILY LIFE

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

There’s a reason social media is addictive: It’s designed to be

M

y brother has been a faithful member of Alcoholics Anonymous for decades. He’s the guy who opens the church and brews the coffee for the weekly meeting.

But since March, his meetings have been on Zoom. So, he had an idea. On Zoom, he could meet anywhere, right? So why not go somewhere new?

He looked up AA meetings on Google, wrote to a group in County Mayo, Ireland, and asked if they’d share their meeting link. Voila! There he was, at a meeting in a little village in Ireland.

Technology and social media are amazing. What would I have done without texting, emails and Zoom during isolation, with kids far away and a new granddaughter in October?

It’s great to keep up with friends on Facebook. Twitter and other platforms provide lots of news. It’s a blessing

EFFIE CALDAROLA Effie Caldarola is a columnist for Catholic News Service.

in so many ways.

But we’re increasingly aware of the dark side of social media. The urgency became obvious when our U.S. Capitol was attacked by insurrectionists who based their violence on lies about our election and absurd conspiracy theories propagated by a constant diet of social media.

“The Social Dilemma” is a documentary made before our recent terrorist attack.

Available on Netflix, it includes interviews

with many of the brilliant people who brought us Google, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and other sites that occupy so much of our time. The warnings they present are sobering. I have friends who have quit Facebook after watching it.

Social media sites know everything about you, or at least that’s their goal. And with every click, every “like,” every message you view or ignore, they learn more about you. It’s a constant process, a neverending attempt to lure you into “more” — more scrolling, more addiction, more hours spent on their sites.

When they see what you like, what you click on, they give you more of the same. That’s how some people fall into a rabbit hole of increasingly more frightening misinformation and conspiracy.

So you’re interested in the “lizard people conspiracy”? Or you’re

sure there’s a “deep state” running things? Wait, says the site, there’s more!

The film provides a realistic portrayal of how a young person might become radicalized by social media, something we’ve come to associate with jihadis. But now that we’ve seen our own homegrown terrorism, we realize how powerfully persuasive social media can be even to susceptible adults.

Addicting us is what social media has to do to sell their product, and to sell the products their sites sell. It’s built into their algorithms.

And what is social media doing to our kids? We’ve heard of young teens seeking plastic surgery so they could resemble the “influencers” they follow on Instagram.

The statistics on

the skyrocketing rates in the last decade of suicide, depression, self-harm and anxiety among teens are terrifying, and those rates are rising fastest among the youngest teens.

Meanwhile, teen pregnancy rates are dropping.

On the face of it, that’s a good thing, right? But it’s a sign of a frightening trend — teens are increasingly living their lives on screen, rather than in in-person relationships. This is not healthy.

Solutions? The “Social Dilemma” offers some technical and regulatory ones, but also practical advice.

Don’t give your kids smartphones until they’re well into their teens, and then be vigilant. It’s very important to get your own news from a variety of wellregarded sources.

And monitor the time you spend scrolling.

Perhaps a good question to ask as we look forward to Lent: How much time do I spend daily in prayer versus how much time on social media?

Laverne, left, and Uplift volunteer Mike Bartkoski of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, chat on a cold January evening as Laverne waits for food and other supplies from the organization.

‘IT’S A VERY RAW EXPERIENCE’

Uplift volunteers take to the streets to help the area’s homeless Story by Moira Cullings | Photos by Kathryn White

K

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was 34 degrees on the evening of Jan. 16, and snow lingered on the ground from the day before.

Eleven volunteers gathered in a circle at the Uplift warehouse here listening to Ross Dessert, who arrived after teaching all day at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park.

The group was preparing to deliver a hot meal and supplies to the homeless, and Dessert, who oversees Uplift’s operations, shared a few encouraging words before they departed.

“It’s a different deal,” he told them.

“It’s a very raw experience.”

After his talk, the volunteers jumped into four vans packed with provisions and headed out to help those without a home survive a cold winter night in Kansas City.

This was a typical evening for Dessert, whose passion for Uplift’s mis-

Connect with Uplift • To learn more about Uplift, visit the website at: uplift.org.

• To learn how you can get involved, visit: uplift.org/volunteer.

• To donate, visit: uplift.org/ donate.

sion is at the forefront of his world.

“It’s meant a lot to me,” he said, “but not in the way you’d think.

“It’s meant a lot to me because it’s changed my life.”

Matthew 25 Uplift is a nongovernmental organization that relies entirely on donations and volunteers. One of its founders was the late Frank Fiorini, >> Story continues on the next page

Nikki Frerker, a member of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood, reaches into a tub for a package of dog food. Many homeless people have dogs for companionship and protection.

>> Continued from previous page who was a longtime parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park.

For 30 years, the organization’s volunteers have gone out on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings to minister to those without shelter in and around the Kansas City area.

Typically, during the winter, 150-200 people are served each night. In the summer, it’s closer to 400 people, said Dessert, who began volunteering seven years ago.

As a theology teacher at Miege, he first encountered the organization while chaperoning a field trip there.

Dessert was so moved by Uplift’s mission that he asked then-president Kathy Dean what he could do to help. She said she needed drivers.

“So, I started driving once a month,” he said. “And I liked it, so I started driving twice a month.

“I’ve gotten more and more involved.”

Dessert is now a board member and runs the entire operations side of Uplift — overseeing donations, cooks, truck routes, volunteers and more.

He also continues the Miege tradition of introducing students to the ministry.

“Most teenagers have not really experienced it,” he said. “All [my students] know is they’ve seen somebody begging on a stoplight corner or at the [Country Club] Plaza. They’ve never really had face-to-face interaction.”

Dessert said the experience is eye-opening for anyone who volunteers.

“When you get to talk to [someone who is homeless] a little bit,” he said, “you hear their story or you see their pain or their joy, and you come to know them as people.

“That transforms your heart, your mind, your notions [and] your biases.”

Dessert’s first night as a driver was the moment that shifted his perspective on serving the poor.

While out on a route, Dessert served a man named Mark who asked him why he was there.

“I said, ‘I’m doing this because I want to give back and I want to help,’ and all the normal answers you’d say,” said Dessert.

He was puzzled when Mark told him his motivation was lacking.

“You ever read Matthew [Chapter] 25?’” Mark asked Dessert.

“Jesus told us a lot of stuff,” said Mark, “but he [emphasized that] we’ve got to take care of each other. You’ve got to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. And if you do that, you can have eternal reward.”

The man encouraged Dessert to commit to charity as a lifestyle and not just an occasional activity.

“He put it so matter-of-factly that this is such a supreme command [by Jesus] that it moved me,” said Dessert. “He taught me something right there. He made me rethink it.

“And that changed my life.”

‘You saved me’ COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on how charities around the world operate.

Dessert said Uplift has received more donated goods than ever this winter, but it’s also faced various challenges.

The organization has outgrown its current warehouse and needs to find the money for a bigger space.

In the meantime, while stocked with supplies, many volunteers haven’t been to the warehouse since March, when there were 47 regular drivers. Now, there are just 14.

One volunteer who keeps Uplift running is Bill Schoep, who Dessert said “would come out every night if you let him.”

Bill Schoep, a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, carries a container with hot food to be distributed on a cold January night.

Schoep is a parishioner at Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He began volunteering at Uplift with the Knights nearly three years ago.

“I tell people that when I first came down here, I was going to save the homeless,” said Schoep. “When I left that first night, they gave me so much more than I gave them.

“That’s kind of how it works down here.”

One of the most profound experiences Schoep had was when he was on a route with a driver named Jack, who warned him specifically not to go into the homeless camps but to always stay at the meeting spots where they distributed supplies.

“This particular night, this lady came up to me and she couldn’t form words,” said Schoep. “It was blowing snow. It was five or 10 degrees.”

Schoep told Jack the woman was frozen, so they put her in the front seat of the truck and turned the heat on until, after several minutes, she could talk again.

With Jack’s lead, they eventually helped the woman get back to her camp and bundled her up with blankets, which Schoep reminded Jack broke the rule he had harped on earlier in the night.

“Listen,” Jack told him afterward. “You just saved that lady’s life tonight. She would’ve died. Do you understand that?”

“That’s the type of thing that [convinced] me to become a driver,” said Schoep. “I want to help people like that.”

Schoep said every volunteer has dozens of inspiring stories they could share. One of his favorites came from a couple who was newly homeless and was introduced to Uplift by a man they met on the street.

The couple told Schoep that late one night, the man approached them with a clamshell full of food he had received from Uplift.

“Here’s a homeless guy that has nothing. [He] sleeps outside,” said Schoep.

“And he takes his food and gives it to these people.

“He just gave everything he had to somebody else.”

Schoep said he and his fellow Knights compete to get a spot volunteering at Uplift because it’s such a powerful experience.

“I just can’t get enough of it,” he said. “[The homeless] give me far more than I give them. And now I’ve developed friendships out here. We call each other by name.

“They say, ‘God bless you. You saved me.’”

Mary Kate Lillis, an eighth grader from Curé of Ars, Leawood, collects hygienic supplies to load onto an U Hotel-sized products like shampoo and soap are ideal for those who are homeless because they don’t Schoep said these experiences wouldn’t be possible without people like Dessert to lead the way.

“Guys like Ross, they give and give and give,” he said. “From a Catholic standpoint . . . you can’t do anything better than this.”

‘I hope they find God in their hard situation’ Uplift has provided a place for young people to give back to their community for three decades.

Alyssa Hall, a senior at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and Mary Kate Lillis, an eighth grader at Curé of Ars School in Leawood, volunteered there for the first time on Jan. 16.

Hall is pursuing the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy and needed service hours.

Lillis is a confirmation candidate whose sponsor, Nikki Frerker, introduced her to Uplift. Both young women were eager to get involved.

“Sometimes, we get distracted in our own bubble,” said Lillis.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the people and seeing a different perspective of life I don’t really see every day,” she added.

A passerby would never know it was the girls’ first time at Uplift.

Lillis boxed up hot food from the truck while Hall recorded the names of those they were serving while handing each a cup of hot chocolate.

The ministry seemed to come naturally

Alyssa Hall, a senior at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City, Missouri, takes down the name of a man being served by Uplift. This was Hall’s first time volunteering for the organization, which has provided a place for young people to give back to their community for decades.

Help the homeless Uplift relies entirely on donations.

Some of the most helpful ones are: • Heavy coats • Hats • Gloves • Sweatshirts • Jeans (especially men’s size 30-36) • Shoes • Pet food • Blankets • Pillows • Candles • Matches • Hand warmers • Hygiene products • Medical supplies

Ross Dessert, right, and his wife Jennifer distribute brand-new winter boots to the homeless.

A steadfast example

Uplift truck that will deliver them to the homeless. always have a place to store their belongings. to them. “[Giving is] a little bit like the spiritual life,” said Hall. “We place it all in God’s hands. And that’s how it is with a monetary charity. You place it. You know that [the charity] is doing good work.

“But sometimes, God desires to show you physical things of his goodness in your life. And that’s what it is for me working hands-on. It’s kind of like being the hand of God to someone else in the way that he wants me to be.”

Lillis hoped her work would bring those without shelter who she encountered a greater faith.

“It’s hard even for people who do have a warm place to find God,” she said. “But I hope they find God in their hard situation and that we can bring some happiness.”

Dessert plays a substantial role in introducing young people to Uplift.

Marco Marquez, one of his former students, visited Uplift for the first time as a freshman at the University of Kansas.

He received a text one day from Dessert saying they were down a volunteer and needed someone to fill the spot.

Marquez happily agreed.

“It was an evening spent that I won’t forget,” he said.

Marquez recently graduated from KU, but even a few years out of high school, he hasn’t forgotten his former teacher’s example.

“I went [from] preschool through twelfth grade in Catholic education, and Ross was at the top of the list of teachers [who had no problem] getting real and telling you about the real world,” he said. “He wasn’t afraid to have those conversations.”

Marquez said Dessert teaches students about the reality of poverty, which is an important lesson for young people, because they often have a desire to help.

His 10-year-old nephew is a prime example of that. This past Christmas, he was in the car with Marquez’s mom when he saw a homeless man begging

on a street corner.

“It struck some inspiration in him to where [he] wanted to raise money and make care packages [for those who are homeless],” said Marquez.

Marquez’s mom took him to the Dollar Store, where they bought a variety of supplies. Afterward, Marquez’s dad took the young boy to deliver the goods to those living on the streets.

“Rather than walking down the street and seeing a homeless man on the sidewalk and choosing to avoid him, [kids often] know that’s someone in need and they want to do something about it,” said Marquez.

People like Dessert, he said, offer a path of action.

A teacher and a doer Jennifer Dessert isn’t surprised by her husband’s heart for homeless people, but his tireless dedication amazes her.

“He never stops working on it,” she said. “I think he thinks about it day and night.

“He loves each and every person out there and thinks about them and goes above and beyond. It’s beautiful to see.”

Jennifer has volunteered with Uplift since she met Dessert around five years ago. She can see why he’s so passionate about helping those without a home in

a tangible way.

“We’re meeting them on their home turf,” she said. “They’re more relaxed, more hospitable and just happy that you’re visiting them at their home, even if their home is under a bridge.”

Maureen Engen, Miege principal, also knows firsthand the power of Uplift.

She’s volunteered there for the past two years and, understanding how much work it can be, is astonished by the time and sacrifice Dessert puts into it.

“I think it’s his main call to serve the poor,” she said. “It’s a call to holiness. And the way I see it, he feels a connection to those that are homeless and those that are poor.

“And so many great saints did.”

Engen said Dessert “doesn’t draw attention to himself” but “just immerses himself” in ministry and shares it openly with the next generation.

“He’s called to be a teacher,” she said, “but Ross’s greatest gift is he’s a storyteller. And he doesn’t just tell a story. He does walk the walk.”

Not only does he talk frequently about charity, but Dessert has also created an environment that welcomes contemplative conversation among students, she said, and he leads meaningful discussions that often leave a lasting impact.

More importantly, she added, he listens.

“He talks to these kids about things that matter,” said Engen. “And he allows them to have their voice heard.

“And that is a gift.”

10

NATION

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Pro-life witness is rooted in the Eucharist

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service

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In last week’s Leaven, a feature on inauguration poet Amanda Gorman was printed before we learned of the concerns other Catholic news outlets were raising about pro-choice positions of hers. The Leaven regrets any confusion our publication of the story might have caused.

Pastoral aims to ‘reinspire’ Catholics to have deeper love of God in Eucharist CNS SCREEN GRAB/EWTN BROADCAST

This is a screen grab of Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori delivering the homily during the closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Jan. 29, 2021, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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ASHINGTON (CNS) — The witness of the prolife movement is rooted in the Eucharist, said Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore.

“The Eucharist unites and strengthens us in our efforts to secure justice for the unborn, and to create a culture wherein every human life is cherished, nurtured and protected from the moment of conception until natural death,” said Archbishop Lori, chairman- elect of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

“All these extraordinary efforts, in the midst of this pandemic, testify to the importance of anchoring our prolife mission in the Eucharist,” Archbishop Lori said in his homily at the Jan. 29 closing Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

“Eucharistic adoration followed by the celebration of Holy Mass is like a school that forms and equips us to place our humanity at the service of the least of these, the tiniest of human beings and the most vulnerable of all,” the archbishop said.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori brought the words of St. Paul to “have no anxiety” into topical focus.

“We might be tempted to say, ‘St. Paul, are you kidding? Have you seen the executive order rescinding the Mexico City policy? Do you know that the cancel culture portrays prolife advocacy as hate speech?’” he said.

“Friends, I’d suggest that we give St. Paul more credit than that,” Archbishop Lori added. “His encouragement should be ringing in our ears as we march for life — if only virtually.”

Anxiety, he said, “betokens a lack of trust in the Lord and his providential love. It suggests that we are in charge, more like independent contractors than disciples. Anxiety frays our relationships with others,

Clarification

OUR MISSION IS NOT TO PREACH TO OURSELVES BUT TO CONNECT WITH AND SPEAK PERSUASIVELY TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET UNDERSTOOD THE TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND LOVE OF OUR CAUSE. ARCHBISHOP WILLIAM E. LORI CHAIRMAN-ELECT OF THE U.S. BISHOPS’ COMMITTEE ON PRO-LIFE ACTIVITIES including our pro-life partners, and corrodes that unity so necessary if the pro-life cause is to succeed.

“Anxiety incites us to engage in behaviors counterproductive to the cause of life, and, worst of all, it hinders us from discerning the Lord’s will amid the challenges we face.”

God has not abandoned anyone, Archbishop Lori said, but “remains with us, most especially in the Eucharist, and he continues to exercise the power of his love in our midst to this very day. That very fact should not only console us but also embold-

en us to pray and work for the cause of life perhaps as never before.”

The Roman Empire of Paul’s time was “right in the midst of a culture filled with idols and decadent living” but contained “signs and indicators of God’s own truth and love,” Archbishop Lori said. “Similar signs and indicators of God’s truth and love exist in our culture.”

He added, “Our culture gives a lot of credibility to science. Well, science attests to the humanity of the unborn child, psychology attests to the interior pain often associated with procured abortions, while almost everyone has a soft spot in their hearts for a newborn child.”

Reflecting on the Gospel passage from John 14, Archbishop Lori said, “Make no mistake: We do not manufacture the peace of Christ. . . . The peace of Christ is not a mere good feeling, but is rather the amazing experience of a love that is stronger than sin and death.”

“Our mission,” he said, “is not to preach to ourselves but to connect with and speak persuasively to those who have not yet understood the truth, justice, and love of our cause,” he continued. “Our mission is to reach those who are searching, because at some level, they understand the stunningly beautiful truth about the inviolable dignity of each human being.”

PHOENIX (CNS) — One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix has written a pastoral letter to the faithful aimed at bolstering faith in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.

The letter, “O Sacred Feast,” was released Jan. 28, the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose writings have shaped hundreds of years of theology and whose hymns of praise for the Eucharist helped inspire the letter’s title. The missive was issued as a precursor to an apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist that will be published on the feast of the Lord’s Supper, Holy Thursday, which this year is April 1.

“Many have shared with me the heavy grief they have carried during the COVID-19 pandemic at the loss of regular accessibility of the great sacrament of the Eucharist,” the pastoral states. “As a spiritual father and spouse of the church, it grieves me to see the flock entrusted to my care suffer separation from the Lord whom I have dedicated my life to serve and to make present among his people.”

Bishop Olmsted begins his letter citing the life of Blessed Charles de Foucauld, whose deep love for the Eucharist initially led him to life as a Trappist monk. Blessed Charles eventually left the monastery though and “lived the last 20-some years of his life essentially homeless without companions, dedicated to loving the Lord in the Eucharist and serving the needy with warm hospitality,” Bishop Olmsted writes. Blessed Charles was martyred for the faith in 1916 in North Africa.

The full text of the pastoral is available online: https://bit.ly/3r9Zi44.

Supreme Knight says first commitment is to the unborn

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ASHINGTON (CNS) March for Life Rose Dinner, which was — Supreme Knight held virtually, the award recognizes the Carl Anderson urged Knights of Columbus CEO for “a lifetime the pro-life movement of leadership in defense of the unborn.” to remain committed Anderson, who has been involved in the pro-life issue for 50 years, has headed the to four foundational principles: justice, Knights since 2000. truth, democracy and compassion.

“No one has done more to advance the “The first is our commitment to justice,” he said, adding that “since the day pro-life cause than Carl Anderson. He is a true pro-life warrior, and his Moses returned from Mount work and tireless dedication to Sinai” with the Ten Commandthe cause is an example to us ments, “we’ve known that it is all,” Jeanne Mancini, president always wrong to intentionally of the March for Life Defense kill an innocent human being.” and Education Fund, said in her “As Americans, we underaward presentation. stand that this idea is at the In his remarks, Anderson heart of justice and our entire said the Roe ruling is riddled justice system. Because a govwith “falsehoods and misstateernment that will sanction the ments of history,” and justice killing of the innocent is capais possible only when laws are ble of sanctioning anything,” he Carl Anderson said in an address accepting the based on truth, he said.

2021 Pro-Life Legacy Award Jan. 29.

The high court said the “unborn child “It matters little that this sanction is has never been recognized in law as a camouflaged in the language of free- person in the whole sense” and then “went on to act as though the unborn dom,” he added. child has no rights at all,” he said. “This Presented during the 39th annual

approach is essentially incoherent. The fact that a human being’s age does not entitle him to all rights does not mean that he has no rights.”

The more fundamental question, he said, is “what are the rights every human being is entitled to simply by the fact he is a human being with a human nature?

The answer to that question is clear: We must all have the basic right to life — a right enumerated in the language of both the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments to our Constitution.”

The second great principle of the pro-life cause,” Anderson said, is the “insistence our governmental institutions must tell us the truth.”

“By denying what everyone knows to be true — that the unborn child is a living human being, Roe v. Wade rests upon the greatest legal falsehood since the court’s terrible decision upholding the fiction of ‘separate but equal’ racial segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson,” he explained.

While there are those who claim Roe is settled law, Anderson said that “no matter how entrenched, no matter its

claim to stability, in America no unjust law is sustainable.”

About his final principle of the pro-life movement — compassion — Anderson said: “The hallmark of the pro-life cause is compassion and generosity. We see every day how pro-life Americans reach out to help others.”

“There is something distinctly American about this care for a neighbor,” he said, and this “solidarity or accompaniment” is a “commitment to regard a stranger more like a neighbor and a neighbor more like a sister or brother. I have seen this so often in pro-life pregnancy counseling centers and in programs helping women suffering from post-abortion trauma.”

From the beginning of the movement, pro-lifers know “we are on a lifetime’s journey,” Anderson said. Its direction does not bend or waver, though it may slow down, he added. “But in the end, our pro-life journey has a destination. And that, my friends, is victory.”

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

11

Martha, Mary, Lazarus added to universal calendar

V CNS PHOTO/MOHAMED NURELDIN ABDALLAH, REUTERS

An Ethiopian woman who fled the ongoing fighting in the Tigray region carries her child near the Sudan-Ethiopia border in Sudan’s Kassala state Nov. 22, 2020. Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February is for women who are victims of violence.

Pope: Violence against women is cowardice

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) ­— Abuses and violence against women are “acts of cowardice and a degradation of all humanity,” Pope Francis said.

“We must not look the other way.

Let us pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded by all,” he said.

The pope’s remarks were part of a video message released by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network as part of his prayer intention for the month of February.

Titled, “For women who are victims of violence,” the pope’s prayer intention decries the various kinds of violence millions of women

suffer daily: “psychological violence, verbal violence, physical violence, sexual violence.”

“It’s shocking how many women are beaten, insulted and raped,” said the pope in the February message.

According to U.N. Women, the U.N. organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, an estimated 137 women are killed by members of their own family each day. Globally, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, and 15 million adolescent girls worldwide aged 15 to 19 have experienced forced sexual relations, according to a report issued by the agency in November.

The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the situation as measures aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus have often led to greater

social isolation and economic insecurity, making women more vulnerable to violence in private, it added.

In his video message, the pope said, “The testimonies of the victims who dare to break their silence are a cry for help that we cannot ignore.”

He urged people to not be indifferent and to pray for the protection of victims.

At the start of each month, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network posts a short video — on www. thepopevideo.org — of the pope offering his specific prayer intention.

“The Pope Video” was launched in 2016 to encourage people to join an estimated 50 million Catholics who already had a more formal relationship with the prayer network — better known by its former title, the Apostleship of Prayer.

The prayer network is more than 170 years old.

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Recognizing their welcome of and witness to Christ, Pope Francis has approved changing the liturgical feast of St. Martha to include her sister and brother, Mary and Lazarus, on the church’s universal calendar of feast days.

The names of Mary and Lazarus will be added to the July 29 feast on the General Roman Calendar, the universal schedule of holy days and feast days for the Latin rite of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican Feb. 2 published the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments’ decree ordering the change in calendars.

Signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, the congregation’s prefect, the decree said Pope Francis approved the memorial for Martha, Mary and Lazarus after “considering the important evangelical witness they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively, [and] in believing that he is the resurrection and the life.”

The decree explained that the “traditional uncertainty of the Latin church” regarding the identity of three women named Mary in the Gospels — Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and Mary “the sinner whose sins the Lord had forgiven” — was resolved “in recent studies and times,” thus paving the way for celebrating the siblings in one memorial.

A separate congregation decree, also published Feb. 2, said the pope also approved the optional memorial of three doctors of the church: Sts. Gregory of Narek, a 10th-century Armenian monk; John of Avila, the famed 16th-century preacher, confessor and spiritual writer; and 12th-century German abbess Hildegard of Bingen.

In its decree, the congregation explained that those given the title of “doctor of the church” exemplify the “link between holiness and understanding things divine and also human.

Pope establishes World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

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ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly as a reminder of the important role they play as a link between generations.

During his Sunday Angelus address Jan. 31, the pope said the day will be celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of July to coincide with the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents. The first celebration of this day will be July 25.

“It is important for grandparents to meet their grandchildren and for grandchildren to meet their grandparents because — as the prophet Joel says — grandparents, before their grandchildren, will dream and have great desires, and young people — taking strength from their grandparents — will go forward and prophesy,” he said.

Highlighting the Feb. 2 feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the pope said the recognition of Christ as the Messiah

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

An elderly woman walks away after meeting Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in this Sept. 28, 2014, file photo. During his Jan. 31 Sunday Angelus, the pope announced the establishment of a World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. by the elderly Simeon and Anna is a reminder that “the Holy Spirit still stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in

the elderly today.”

“Their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards

the roots of peoples,” he said. “They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.”

“Grandparents are often forgotten and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on,” he added.

In a statement published shortly after the pope’s announcement, Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, said the yearly event was “a gift to the whole church” that emphasizes the pastoral care of the elderly as “a priority that can no longer be postponed by any Christian community.”

“In the encyclical, ‘Fratelli Tutti,’ the Holy Father reminds us that no one is saved alone. With this in mind, we must treasure the spiritual and human wealth that has been handed down from generation to generation,” he said.

Cardinal Farrell added that “today, more than ever, we are committed to making every effort to dismantle the throwaway culture and to enhance the charisms of grandparents and the elderly.”

CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT Athletic director - St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park is seeking an athletic director beginning July 1. The current director is retiring after building one of the top extracurricular programs in the state and establishing strong rapport with colleagues throughout Kansas and Missouri. We seek a candidate of integrity who acts on a belief that student safety, demonstrated sportsmanship and our Catholic faith are priorities within a successful program that promotes physical, mental and spiritual fitness. The ideal candidate would have experience as a high school varsity coach, preferably as an athletic director in a similar-size school (800 students with 40 teams) or college, an advanced degree, and of added value, a certification as an athletic/extracurricular activities director. Currently, athletic director responsibilities include effective communication, including conflict resolution; upholding KSHSAA standards and rules among coaches and student-athletes; supporting all policies of the school; supervising approximately 90 coaches and staff; managing a substantial budget; representing St. Thomas Aquinas in the Eastern Kansas League; securing and maintaining equipment and uniforms; coordinating transportation and monitoring eligibility; ensuring venue safety; and overseeing summer camps. The activities director role includes supporting a variety of extracurricular activities, including: scheduling, planning, supervision, transportation and safety.

Qualified candidates should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume and a list of three references with contact information to Dr. Paul D. Fallon, President, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park, KS 66215. Applications will be received until Feb. 28. References will not be contacted until the candidate becomes a semifinalist.

EEC open enrollment - Open enrollment will begin on Monday, Feb. 1, for new families for the preschool for the year starting in August! We have openings in full-time preschool for ages 2 - 5, and part-time preschool for ages 3 - 5. The Early Education Center is fully licensed by the state of Kansas and all staff members are experienced and certified. We provide a safe, caring and academically sound environment for the young children of our community. All programs are developmentally appropriate with the added bonus of Catholic education and prayer.

Our goal is to enable the children to develop spiritually, socially, academically and physically. We believe that nothing is more important than to provide an environment that fulfills the complete needs of your child! We provide full-time and part-time preschool in addition to before- and after-school care (ASC) for full-day Prince of Peace Elementary School students. Visit popolathe.org/ EEC to download the enrollment form to submit, along with your check, via mail or drop it off at our main EEC entrance. Questions? Contact Kate Potter, director, at: kpotter@popolathe.org or call (913) 829-2728.

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.

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

Part-time bookkeeper - Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee has an immediate opening for a part-time bookkeeper/accountant to assist in the processing of bill payments, preparation of bank reconciliations, account analyses and other duties as needed to assist the director of finance. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required as well as functional knowledge of double entry accounting; previous fund accounting experience preferred. Flexible schedule of approximately 10-15 hours a week. To apply, please send your resume and references to Father Kent O’Connor at: frkent@gsshawnee.org.

Assistants - Assistants needed to provide support for developmentally disabled adults in a day program setting. Hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. five days a week. Health, dental and vision premiums paid in full after two months of employment. Join us for meaningful, fulfilling relationships with our community. Larcheks.org.

Teacher openings - Bishop Miege High School has openings for English and mathematics teachers for the 2021-22 school year. Send a letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com.

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 e 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 safely 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 parent; 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.

Part-time stylists - Are you addicted to the TV show “Say Yes to the Dress”? Are you self-motivated, love fashion and enjoy helping people look their best? If so, we want to talk to you! Sincerely Susan, a unique destination shop that specializes in dresses for mothers of the bride, grooms and galas is looking for part-time stylists.

Our boutique is a warehouse environment where clients come in by appointment only. You must have a sense of style and a great personality to be able to interact with our “Moms.” Hours are flexible. Must be willing to work a minimum of one evening per week and weekends. Must be able to stand and walk on concrete for long periods of time and reach overhead to pull gowns. Previous retail experience preferred, but not necessary. Hourly rate is based on experience. If interested, call (913) 730-8840.

Food service director - St. Agnes School in Roeland Park is now accepting applications for a food service director for the school’s cafeteria. This position would be for the 2021-22 school year. The food service director oversees the operation of the food service program; is an authorized representative of St. Agnes Catholic School to the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE); and is responsible for compliance of St. Agnes Catholic School for state and federal regulations and requirements related to the food service program. The director will also serve as the head cook and supervisor of all kitchen operations. For a full job description, please visit: www. stagneskc.org, and click on “Contact Us,” then “Employment,” to read the description and submit your resume.

Needed - Woman to help elderly woman for errands: take to grocery store, doctor visits, etc. Must be good driver. Prairie Village area. Call (913) 341-2565.

Coaches needed - Bishop Miege High School is seeking coaches for the 2021 spring season in the following sports: assistant baseball, assistant boys tennis, assistant track (sprint or pole vault). Contact Andrew Groene, athletic director, at: agroene@bishopmiege.com or (913) 222-5802.

Janitor wanted - We are currently seeking an energetic and highly motivated individual to join our team as a janitor. The ideal candidate for this position is detailoriented, flexible and willing to take on nonroutine cleaning and special projects as the need arises. The evening janitor performs a variety of custodial tasks for the parish and the school facilities. This position is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, kitchen, bathrooms and other public spaces. Additionally, this position may work with other custodial staff to accomplish special projects as needed.

This person will report directly to the manager of custodial services. This is a part-time position with no benefits but with a 401(k) program. For more information, please contact Shaun at: shaunw@cccparish.org.

SERVICES 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.

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: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit http://www. montemacedisability.org.

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.

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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.

Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

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 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.

Garage door repair Sales and service, all brands.

Free estimates. Leaven discount.

Call (816) 392-7134.

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.

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) 341-2500 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.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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.

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 STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835.

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Popcorn ceiling texture removal and add knockdown to your ceilings!

Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience.

Accepting major credit cards.

Call with questions.

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

Local Handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, masonry (chimney repair), gutter cleaning (gutter covers), dryer vent cleaning, sump pump (replace, add new), windows, doors (interior and exterior) honey-do list and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

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!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391

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

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.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) HOLY ART Religious items and church supplies Made in Italy http://www.holyart.com For sale - Daybed with pop-up trundle bed, two twin mattresses included. Traditional look, cherry hardwood posts with black metal grills featuring round wire spindles, metal headboard. Asking $350. Call Barbara at (913) 522-0588 if interested.

REAL ESTATE Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it?

We buy it all at once in as-is condition.

Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com.

We Buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000 CASH FOR YOUR HOME (913) 980-4905 Any condition in the metro area Mark Edmondson - local parishioner http://www.buykcproperty.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING The Leaven reaches approximately 50,000 subscribers.

Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter.

To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email The Leaven at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.

The appearance of advertising in The Leaven is not an endorsement by either the newspaper or the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The Leaven attempts to screen advertisers and copy, but is not responsible for claims and representations made in advertisements.

Crossword solution

LOCAL NEWS

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

13

VILLA ST. FRANCIS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Online via Zoom Mondays through Feb. 22

Leland Curtis and Patricia Ann Pennington, members of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 13.

The couple was married on Feb. 13, 1971, St. John the Evangelist

by Father John Rossiter. A small family gathering is planned to celebrate. Their children are: John Pennington, Heather Pennington, Stephanie Pennington and Sarah McMeans. They also have two grandchildren.

This group will discuss the grief journey and ways to cope and grow as we adjust to the loss of loved ones. Maureen Kelly, director of spiritual health, will facilitate the sessions. The group will meet on Zoom and be limited to not more that 10 participants or fewer than four participants. For more information, call or text (913) 257-9232 or send an email to: mkelly@ villasf.org.

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meager Rd., Easton Feb. 12 - 14

The retreat begins on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. and ends on Feb. 14 at 4:30 p.m. The retreat will focus on our spiritual nature. We will explore how we can live in a way to claim our place in heaven as coheirs with Christ.

There will be conferences, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms are $170 for single/$250 for couples; single guest rooms are $100. Meals are included. To attend, send an email to: info@ christspeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

MAUR HILL-MOUNT ACADEMY LEAGUE OF ST. MAUR FUNDRAISER Via the MH-MA YouTube channel Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

This year’s event is a throwback to the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, highlighting the days of telethons, phone booths and tuxedos.

The event replicates the days when stars would make guest appearances on a show to help the cause. Special guests include actor Tom Wilson (Biff from “Back to the Future”), Grammy-nominated musical artist Matt Maher, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney and more. Viewers will have the chance to support MH-MA throughout the night by bidding on online auction items or by giving a donation via phone call, text, Venmo or on the school’s website at: mh-ma.com. To help sponsor the event, contact event coordinator Abby Kesinger at (913) 367-5482 or send an email to: akesinger@mh-ma.com.

LENTEN INDIVIDUAL PRAYER RETREATS The Ignatian Spirituality Center of KC 1001 E. 52nd St., Kansas City, Missouri Feb. 17

Retreats begin February 17. Go online to: www.ignatiancenterkc.org/events and scroll down to “Lenten Individually Directed Prayer Retreats” for more information and to register.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING Online class Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged, and online registration is required at the class registration CCLI portal at: powerappsportals. com. Send an email to Alison or Allen Greenlief at: aagreenlief@gmail.com for more information about NFP classes offered by the Couple to Couple League.

‘CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN’ DIVORCE SUPPORT MINISTRY Online via Zoom Feb. 27

The “Called To Love Again” divorce ministry will be having virtual meetings due to the COVID pandemic. Send an email to Katie Palitto for Zoom access, time and more information at: thecall2love.com. The topic for February is forgiveness.

PROJECT RACHEL RETREAT Kansas City, Missouri March 13 from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Need healing after an abortion? We offer compassionate, confidential and free services. Lunch and snacks are provided. Contact Ann Marie Alvey at (913) 621-2199 for further details.

“COPYRIGHT © BY CLIFF LEITCH, THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE REFERENCE SITE, WWW.CHRISTIANBIBLEREFERENCE.ORG. USED BY PERMISSION.”

ACROSS 1 Plague of Egypt 6 Move forward 11 Concorde, e.g.

14 Cove 15 Full of swamp grass 16 Expression of surprise 17 Dig 18 Sugar-free brand 19 Steal 20 A name of God 22 Biddy 23 Ancient European region 24 Pet 27 Rounded part 29 Strike (KJV) 30 First letter of the Arabic alphabet 32 McDonald’s “Big __” 33 Spoil 34 Quoter 36 Rip up 38 Choose 41 Giant wave 43 One of Jesus’ 12 45 Possessive pronoun 46 __’s ladder 48 Motor inn 49 Youngest son of Noah 50 National police 52 Compass point 53 Minor OT prophet 56 Multiple babies

58 Tyrannosaurus 59 Feverish 60 Impair 61 Annoy 63 Tell a tall tale 64 Popinjay 66 Gross 70 Ball holder 71 Large hotel room 72 Treat badly 73 Noah’s __ 74 A tenth part 75 Silent __ DOWN 1 Offer 2 Less than two 3 Ailing 4 Tribe of Israel 5 Snitch 6 Wrath 7 Survivor of fiery furnace 8 Apostle 9 Adam and Eve’s garden 10 Caustic substance 11 Wife of Abraham, originally 12 Whoop 13 Dining need 21 Dad’s mate 23 Time zone 24 Desert plants 25 List of highly desired

guests 26 NT book 28 Fundamental 29 City destroyed by fire 31 Marsh 33 Representative 35 Indian prince 37 Jewish teacher 38 Swimming mammal 39 Commoner 40 Type of communication 42 Mayan language 44 Distress call 47 Grapes ___ (2 words) 49 Cow food 51 No room for them

in the __ 53 Mediterranean island 54 Colder 55 Turn the other __ 56 Inferred 57 The devil 60 Tropical island 62 Mongolian desert 64 Mountain Standard Time 65 Teeny 67 Pluck 68 Fire remains 69 Lease Solution on page 12

Christ’s Peace announces retreat schedule for 2021

EASTON — Christ’s Peace House of Prayer here has announced its retreat schedule for the upcoming year.

The 2021 retreat schedule is as follows: • Feb. 12-14: Lenten Silent Retreat • March 26-28: Palm Sunday with the Shroud of Turin • April 9-11: “Divine Mercy — The Father’s Love” • May 15: St. Isidore Mass — Blessing of Seeds and Soil • May 21-23: “Freedom in the Spirit” • June 25-27: “St. Joseph — With A Father’s Heart” • July 9-11: “Theology of the Body” with Father Thomas Loya • Aug. 13-15: Consecration to Mary • Sept. 17-19: “Living in the Present Moment” • Oct. 15-17: “Discovering the Wisdom of St. Pope JPII” • Nov. 19-21: “Unlocking Difficult Scripture”

• Dec. 3-5: Advent Silent Retreat Due to the current pandemic, the retreat house has adjusted the ways it operates in order to create a safe environment for retreatants. The layout of the facility naturally lends itself to social distancing with separate guest cabins and rooms each with private entrances and self-contained kitchen and shower areas.

The staff has altered many of its operating procedures including how they clean, serve food and interact in the public spaces together so as to eliminate the spread of the virus. The CDC pandemic guidelines are carefully followed.

To schedule a time for a personal retreat, organize a group retreat or join one of the monthly preached retreats, send an email to: info@christspeace. com or call (913) 773-8255. Visit us online at: christspeace.com.

Jerry and Cindy Bichelmeyer, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a small family gathering. The couple was married on Feb. 20, 1971, at Sacred Heart Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Their children are: Jonathan, Jeremy, Jason, Julie, Jake, Jessica and Jordan. They also have 16 grandchildren.

Virginia

and Harold Schrick, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Mooney Creek, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 14. The couple was married Feb. 14, 1961, at St. Benedict Church, Atchison. Their children are: Kim Britt, Denise Locklin, Michelle Seichepine and Lesley Huston. They also have 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Marilyn (Clements) and John Ke s s l e r, members of Sacred H e a r t Parish, Tonganoxie, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 5. The couple was married on Feb. 5, 1971, at St. John the Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas. Their children are: Elizabeth, Scott and Erich. They also have six grandchildren.

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.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: • Emailed photos need to be 200 dpi or 200 KB in size.

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

14

COLUMNISTS

Will you be indifferent . . . or make a difference?

DAILY READINGS FIFTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Feb. 7 FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Jb 7: 1-4, 6-7 Ps 147: 1-6 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23 Mk 1: 29-39 Feb. 8 Jerome Emiliani; Josephine Bakhita, virgin Gn 1: 1-19 Ps 104: 1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35c Mk 6: 53-56 Feb. 9 Tuesday Gn 1:20 – 2:4a Ps 8: 4-9 Mk 7: 1-13 Feb. 10 Scholastica, virgin Gn 2: 4b-9, 15-17 Ps 104: 1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30 Mk 7: 14-23 Feb. 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Gn 2: 18-25 Ps 128: 1-5 Mk 7: 24-30 Feb. 12 Friday Gn 3: 1-8 Ps 32: 1-2, 5-7 Mk 7: 31-37 Feb. 13 Saturday Gn 3: 9-24 Ps 90: 2-4c, 5-6, 12-13 Mk 8: 1-10

Jerome Emiliani c. 1481-1537 Jerome enlisted in the Venetian army in 1511.

He was captured and chained in a dungeon, but promised himself to God if released. That he later was able to walk out of his prison was considered miraculous. He was ordained in 1518. When the plague struck, he cared for the sick and opened an orphanage. In 1532, he and two fellow priests formed the Clerks Regular Somaschi, now known as the Somascan Fathers.

Jerome was declared the patron saint of orphaned and abandoned children in 1928.

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

“W

hy do you have two?”

After 40 years, these five words still stick with me. They were spoken by a young Kikuyu boy in his native language when I was a deacon working for several months in Kenya, East Africa. All the while, he was pointing at me.

Of course, I didn’t understand exactly what the boy was saying, even after my guide Onesimus translated the words into English for me. With a smile, he clarified, “Deacon Maliko, the boy wants to know why you have two pens?”

It was then that I realized the boy was pointing, not at me, but at the pens in my shirt pocket. My natural response would have been that I always carry two pens, just in case one doesn’t work.

But that innocent question touched me on a much deeper level: Why, indeed, should I have two pens when this little boy had none?

B

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.

Over the years, I’ve written a number of times about my mission time in Kenya because it touched me so deeply. I learned so much in those months — about myself, about people and about the world. I suspect that anyone who has done any sort of mission work, for whatever length of time, is changed by the experience.

Pope Francis speaks often about a “culture of encounter.” While

it’s critical and compassionate to donate money and materials to charitable organizations, meeting those who are served, in person, is a powerful and transformative experience.

Don’t miss reading the story on pages 7-9 of this week’s Leaven.

It highlights not only the tremendous service that Uplift is doing in Kansas City, but also how those who are involved in this ministry are deeply touched by it. These face-to-face encounters literally “give a face” to those being served.

They are no longer just “the homeless,” but rather “people who are homeless.”

This reminded me of something I’d just read in Pope Francis’ recent book “Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future.” In it, he describes the “cartoneros” in his native Argentina, “men and boys who scour the streets at night in search of cardboard and other materials that they sell to recyclers.”

The pope then describes how he joined the “cartoneros” one night while he was the cardinal of Buenos Aires: “I went dressed in civilian clothing and without my bishop’s pectoral cross; only the leaders knew who I was. I saw how they worked, how they lived off the city’s leftovers, recycling what society discarded, and I saw, too, how some elites regarded them as leftovers themselves. . . . I could see the city through their eyes and experience the indifference they suffered, that indifference that turns into a well-mannered, silent violence.

“I saw the face of the

throwaway culture. But I also saw the dignity of the ‘cartoneros.’”

So many of us, sadly, have that “indifference that turns into a well-mannered, silent violence.” With the season of Lent on the horizon, perhaps one resolution can be to work on reducing that indifference that causes us to treat others as leftovers.

It could start simply by spending time scouring our closets — and our wallets — to donate to worthwhile organizations such as Uplift and Catholic Charities.

But if we’re really serious about living a “culture of encounter,” do we dare to volunteer our time and talents to help these organizations as they minister face-to-face?

It’s dangerous work, though — prejudices will be shattered, bridges will be built and hearts will be changed.

And you’ll probably never feel comfortable carrying around two pens ever again.

From the beginning, God has been looking to heal

ernadette Soubirous was a poor 14-year-old girl when Mary, the Mother of God, first appeared to her as she walked to a small grotto in Lourdes to collect firewood.

Mary spoke tenderly to the French peasant girl with poignant messages reminding the people to pray and do penance and requesting that a shrine be built to her divine son Jesus.

When Bernadette asked Our Lady for her name, she replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

During one of the apparitions that unfolded in February 1858, Mary instructed Bernadette to drink water from the ground and to wash in it. So,

,

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

Bernadette began scraping the muddy ground to drink the murky water. The shocked townspeople who watched Bernadette thought the young girl had gone insane!

But the next day,

from that same muddy terrain, a steady spring flowed out of the ground into a bubbling stream of clean water. Eventually, that stream became the healing waters curing the minds, bodies and spirits of countless people who come as pilgrims to Lourdes.

In these weeks of Ordinary Time, between the Christmas and Lenten seasons, the word of God invites us to accompany Jesus as he walked, talked, preached

and healed those he encountered. And the image of Jesus healing people of every disease of mind, body and spirit is a powerful one to reflect on in these ongoing days of a pandemic.

For in his role as healer, Jesus reveals God’s deep desire to heal humanity. God’s healing love, offered to all, begins from the first moment of humanity’s sin and alienation. From the beginning, God has been looking to heal and to reconcile humanity to friendship with him.

God is always looking to heal, not harm, his beloved creatures created in and for love.

“Everyone is looking for you,” says Simon to Jesus who leaves for a deserted place to pray

in solitude. Jesus has just healed Simon’s mother-in-law who he cured instantly of a fever. And then St. Mark tells us that the “whole town was gathered at the door.”

Then, after sunset and late into the evening, Jesus continued to heal the sick who came looking to be cured of every disease.

Now more than ever, the world needs the healing touch of God. Now more than ever, those worn out by fear and despair look for divine healing flowing through our words and actions.

Today, God’s word invites us to become living instruments of Jesus’ healing love to a wounded world as we pray, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Pope: Failure to remember Holocaust will lead world down same path VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Remembering the Holocaust and its victims is not only an act of solidarity but also serves as a warning to humanity that such horrors could happen again, Pope Francis said.

Before concluding his weekly general audience Jan. 27, the pope marked the observance of

International Holocaust Remembrance Day by calling on the world to “remember the Shoah” and to “be aware of how this path of death began, this path of extermination, of brutality.”

“To remember also means to be careful because these things can happen again, starting with ideological proposals to save a people

and ending up destroying a people and humanity,” he said.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed around the world Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland.

COLUMNISTS

FEBRUARY 5, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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Local justice ministries are a path to unity for our community

“E

pluribus unum” is our nation’s

motto.

It means, “Out of many, one,” and yet, recent electoral turmoil and the lingering pandemic have greatly eroded unity.

Profound policy disagreements abound in a climate that isolates us into divided camps that talk past one another.

As citizens and Catholics, we struggle with how, with integrity, we can — in the words of St. Paul — “pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another” (Rom 14:19). However, with Christ as our model, we see a path forward.

In the Gospels, Christ always sought encounter, and as Pope Francis observed, “His

W

DO UNTO OTHERS

DEACON BILL SCHOLL Deacon Scholl is the archdiocesan consultant for social justice. You can email him at: socialjustice@ archkck.org.

example encourages us to seek a serene encounter with others. To understand one another and to grow in charity and truth, we need to pause, to accept and listen to one another.

In this way, we already begin to experience

unity. Unity grows along the way; it never stands still. Unity happens when we walk together.”

Consequently, the archdiocesan office for social justice is sponsoring two new justice ministries — the Wyandotte justice ministry and the Johnson County justice ministry — as an opportunity for our parishes to walk with other communities of faith to be unified in

identifying and taking action around issues that harm the poor and vulnerable in our community.

Catholic social teaching takes two approaches to the church’s mission of charity: mercy ministry and justice ministry.

Mercy ministry tends to the person in their need, e.g., feed a man a fish and teach a man to fish.

Justice ministry tends to circumstances that cause the need, e.g., stopping corporations from killing the fish by polluting the rivers.

While mercy is primary and tantamount, justice is crucial for the perfection of the church’s charity.

Mercy helps the homeless; justice asks why we have the homeless and what can be done to find homes.

Thanks to funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and organizing efforts facilitated by the Direct Action Research and Training Center, justice ministries have been established in Topeka and Lawrence.

Their successes and lessons learned have motivated clergy in Wyandotte and Johnson counties to enter into the same conversation process.

They will discern how parishes, congregations, synagogues and other communities of worship can identify the problems of the poor and hurting in their community, and to organize to take direct action to solve at least one of these problems each year.

Clergy from both counties — Catholic,

Methodist, Lutheran, Jewish, Baptist and more — have all been engaged in leadership, but there is room at the table and a yearning for a diversity of perspectives.

This diverse collaboration is tempered by a commitment to respect the integrity of belief for each community as we seek consensus on the issue and the actions the ministries will organize around each year.

Just imagine if the people who worship God, as diverse as their worship and theologies may be, can be unified in solving problems.

Imagine how by example that unity might spread.

If you are interested in learning more or want to get your parish involved, please contact me by email at: social justice@archkck.org.

Success is measured by our love for one another

hen Pope Francis declared this the Year of St. Joseph, he explained: “Each of us can discover in Joseph — the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence — an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”

Like St. Joseph, Catholic Charities strives to provide help, hope and hospitality to all those who walk through our doors searching for assistance.

This past year, through the resilience of our employees and volunteers, we served over 75,000 of the most vulnerable men,

INSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

LAUREN SOLIDUM Lauren Solidum is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

women and children; provided over 165 tons of food; and provided over $1 million in rent and utility assistance.

Most importantly, however, as we attempt

to follow St. Joseph’s example of faith, we must remember that the work of Catholic Charities is far more than numbers for the purposes of accountability and stewardship.

The true measurement of our success, is how we love one another. Catholic

Charities puts this love into action, daily, through our programs and services that help stabilize and strengthen those we serve. It is only through this Christ-like love that individuals and families are freed from the burdens of poverty.

While the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that “the poor you will always have with you,” it remains our top priority in 2021 to continue to respond to the needs of those less fortunate among us.

St. Joseph gives us an example of what a consistent response is to these poor and vulnerable through his love of Mary and Jesus.

Much like St. Joseph, we do not always have

the answers for the struggles that confront each of us or those we serve, but we can be consistent in our respect for each human life and our response to those most in need through giving our time, talent and treasure.

At Catholic Charities, we are incredibly blessed by the people who God has placed in our agency and, like St. Joseph, the steadfast love they provide. I am deeply overwhelmed by the willingness and fortitude of our employees and volunteers.

The incredible stress and uncertainty that they each have met with complete self-sacrifice has provided newfound

hope for so many. Also, I am in awe of the love and generosity that continues to flow from our archdiocese to Catholic Charities.

Thank you for your support, volunteerism and, most importantly, your prayers.

As we welcome this new year dedicated to St. Joseph, and all that God has in store, rest assured that Catholic Charities will continue our mission to serve as a place of hope and love for all those in need of support and guidance.

For ways that you can engage with the ministries of Catholic Charities, please visit the website at: CatholicCharitiesks. org.

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16

SCRIPTURE

FEBRUARY 5, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

God picks the foolish, the fragile to build his kingdom

By Catherine Upchurch Special to The Leaven

T

here is something mysterious about the kingdom of God. Jesus describes it this way: “It is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how” (Mk 4:27).

I’m fairly certain a seasoned farmer or a scientist could describe just how it happens, and we could install cameras to watch the EMBRACING THE emergence of the tiniest speck of green from OF the soil until it becomes a blade and then a bud or pod that opens. But that would be missing the point.

Jesus wants us to enter into the awe-inspiring reality that God works in ways that, to human logic, seem almost impossible. A seed has to die in order to bring life; and despite long experience, a farmer cannot accurately predict the exact moment that the seed becomes a viable plant.

In the same way, the kingdom of God is unpredictable. It requires some dying (to selfishness, sin and false values), some growth (in mercy and justice) and then it may blossom (to fullness of life).

God’s kingdom is a mystery, not in the sense of something that needs to be solved like a riddle. Rather, it is mysterious in that it exceeds our logical nature. It turns expectations upside down and, in the process, invites us to find God in Christ at the very center of this new reality.

Paul wrote about this reversal of expectations: “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. . . . For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. . . . God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:22-23, 25, 27).

The kingdom of God becomes tangible in the person of Jesus, the Christ: born in a particular time and place, ministering among those who are in need of salvation (and aren’t we all?), dying on a cross and rising to new life. The good news of God’s kingdom is that while the cross is

KINGDOM GOD

essential, it is never the final scene.

Jesus suffered death because he proclaims that God’s love is at the ready even for those who are not deemed worthy. He suffered death because the sin he identifies in all of us cannot define any of us. He suffered death because he trusts in the Father’s will to turn suffering into rejoicing.

God invites us each and every day to be saturated in this mystery of salvation, and to be so fully immersed in the kingdom of God that we cannot help but want to proclaim it to others. Yes, God chooses the foolish, the underestimated, the fragile and the broken. That means God chooses us to do some dying to self so that our true self, the image of God in which we are created, can rise to the surface.

In his life, Jesus chose a rather ragtag group of followers. Fishermen, tax collectors and zealots — some would have been quite adept at their trade, most would have been schooled in the local synagogue and each would have his own personality. And don’t forget, there were also women from the region of Galilee who were called by Jesus and stayed with him through his public life (Lk 8:1-3; 23:48-49, 55-56; Mk 15:40-41).

Jesus is still calling disciples, and he gives each of us the mission of proclaiming the kingdom. Whatever our economic or educational status, whatever our personality traits or gifts, we are being sent to plant seeds of the kingdom for the next generation and to harvest what has been planted by those who have gone before us.

Catherine Upchurch, the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible, writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas.

In his life, Jesus chose a rather ragtag group of followers such as fishermen, tax collectors and zealots. He is still calling disciples, and gives each of us the mission of proclaiming the kingdom.

Growing Jesus tells us, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few” (Mt 9:37). You are being called by God and equipped by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom in your particular life. Say “yes” to God’s call.

Questions for reflection or discussion: 1. Just when it seems we have God figured out, we discover that God acts in surprising and mysterious ways.

When has this been true in your experience?

2. In our culture, we are trained to make plans, check progress and expect results. How comfortable are you when life is beyond your control? In what ways does God use these times to draw you close and help you grow?

3. We have people in our midst who are well-educated theologically and spiritually, and who have roles as teachers and preachers. While their roles are essential in the body of Christ (e.g., Eph 4:11-16), are you also aware that you have a role to play? In what area of your life are you most at ease speaking about God’s work in the world? How will you challenge yourself to grow in this ability?

4. Every pope in our lifetimes has highlighted the missionary nature of the church. That means that by nature we are to be about evangelizing. Where have you seen your own parish grow in this effort to proclaim the good news and invite people to hear it? Where might your parish need to make a greater effort?