02 10 23 Vol. 44 No. 25

PRAY TO PLAY

STORY BY THERESE HORVAT PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER

LEAVENWORTH — Gathered for a pregame huddle in Ross Hall at their motherhouse here, a spirited group of Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCLs) enthusiastically shared advice and encouragement in advance of the big Super Bowl game pitting the hometown favorite Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles.

These women know their football — and related sports trivia. To Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach, Sister Paula Rose Jauernig had this to say:

“Say your prayers. Eat your cheeseburger for lunch. Keep your team together!”

Sister Mary Laura Huddleston’s message to the Chiefs was even more succinct: “I’ll pray. You play.”

But Sister Maureen Kehoe thought a little help from the booth was in order — a very, very high booth.

“OK, Lord,” she prayed, “have the Holy Spirit tell the Chiefs what to do.”

Taking a more pragmatic approach, Sister Gloria Solomon advised, “Hold on to the ball,” and Sister Mary Jo McDonald said, “Stay safe.”

Far from being a pregame prayer service, the interview with the SCLs was a rip-roaring experience. They tossed inflated footballs, wore their Chiefs apparel and expressed their opinions freely. Five or six of the participants are Kansas City area natives; at one time or another, all served ministries in the metropolitan area — a.k.a. Chiefs Kingdom.

Two of the Sisters who had lived in Denver confessed they finally converted from their Bronco fever to Chiefs’ fandom. Upon relocating to the Leavenworth motherhouse, Sister Marie Michael Mollis recalls the nottoo-friendly looks she received when

she mistakenly wore her Broncos shirt to a televised game played against the Chiefs. She learned her lesson and converted a few years later. (But she’s holding onto her Broncos shirt, just in case.)

Whether they hail from Colorado, Montana, Wyoming or the Midwest, the Sisters’ loyalties tend to run Chiefs’ red — especially leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. They want the Chiefs to win, but the Sisters are aware that the final score predictions point to a close game.

>> See “SISTERS” on page 5

Seated, from left, are: Sisters Mary Laura Huddleston, Marie Noel Bruch, Mary Jo McDonald, Sue Retherford, Paula Rose Jauernig, Dorothy Henscheid, Delia Lawless, Gloria Solomo and Rosalie Curtin. Standing, from left, are: Sisters Ruth Reischman, Genitha Regan, Mary Lex Smith, Maureen Kehoe and Marie Michael Mollis. If you were wondering how the Kansas City Chiefs made the Super Bowl for the third time in four years, look no further.

Sister Maureen Kehoe, who was once a cheerleader in junior high school, leads the Sisters of Charity in a “C-H-I-E-F-S” cheer while they rewatch the AFC Championship game on YouTube.

Sisters of Charity give whole new meaning to what makes for a ‘faithful fan’

Did Jesus’ teaching seek to alienate – or liberate?

Icame of age in the 1960s. It was an era of civil unrest, race riots, anti-war protests and the sexual revolution. One of the popular bumper stickers at the time stated: Question Everything.

These societal events coincided with the sessions of the Second Vatican Council and its early implementation. The council brought beautiful and much needed renewal to many aspects of Catholic life. Sadly, there was also a serious misinterpretation of the council that fostered moral confusion. The poisonous ideas of the sexual revolution crept into the church. A great cultural myth was propagated that one could not be happy or fulfilled unless you were sexually active. The rate of divorce rose dramatically within the society and the church. Traditional sexual morals were considered antiquated. The virtue of chastity was mocked. Influential voices within the church sought to use the “spirit of the council” to change Catholic sexual moral teaching and practice.

With the availability and cultural embrace of oral contraceptives, Pope Paul VI warned that sexual intimacy outside of the marriage covenant would become commonplace, and the harm inflicted on children, women, men and society would be catastrophic. The Holy Father was prophetic. Out-of-wedlock births, abortion and pornography became common. Sexually transmitted diseases reached epidemic levels. Contrary to the predictions of advocates for contraception and abortion, child abuse and child trafficking hit record levels.

The unparalleled happiness that proponents of socalled sexual freedom promised never materialized. Instead, we find among young adults alarmingly high levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Pornography and other forms of sexual addiction have become rampant and enslave many at a young age.

The unraveling of sexual morals has continued for decades. Among the cultural fallacies is a prevalent notion that homosexual activity is healthy and normal, just another lifestyle choice.

In recent years, our cultural confusion has now spawned gender ideology, asserting that human beings can deny their biological gender. Tragically, many young people have been pressured to undergo gender transitioning hormonal regimens and to mutilate their bodies by “gender re-assignment” surgeries.

Gratefully, Pope St. John Paul II, with his landmark teaching on the theology of the body, gave us new language to articulate the beauty of human sexuality and to help restore moral sanity.

Pope Benedict also provided clear teaching in these important areas. Pope Francis has spoken plainly and strongly about the evil of abortion and the danger of gender theory.

I have been saddened that in the preparation for the Synod on Synodality, there has been a renewed effort by some in church leadership to resuscitate moral confusion on human sexuality. The German Synodal Way is a striking example. The leadership of the German bishops conference has rejected correction from Pope Francis.

Most troubling has been statements by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, who asserts that church teaching related to homosexuality is false because he believes the sociological-scientific foundation of this teaching is no longer correct.

Cardinal Hollerich’s

statements are particularly concerning because of the leadership role that he has been assigned as relator general for the Synod on Synodality.

Most recently, Cardinal Robert McElroy’s article in the Jesuit journal America magazine has charged that the Catholic Church “contains structures and cultures of exclusion that alienate all too many from the church or make their journey in the Catholic faith tremendously burdensome.” Cardinal McElroy champions what he terms radical inclusion that embraces everyone into full communion with the church on their terms. The mandate of Jesus given to the apostles to make disciples of all nations is construed to mean to enlarge the tent of the church by accommodating behaviors contrary to Our Lord’s own teaching.

Cardinal McElroy appears to believe that the church for 2,000 years has exaggerated the importance of her sexual moral teaching, and that radical inclusion supersedes doctrinal fidelity, especially in the area of the church’s moral teaching regarding human sexuality.

In my opinion, this is a most serious and dangerous error. Our understanding of sexual morals significantly impacts marriage and family life. The importance of marriage and family to society, culture, the nation and the church cannot be overestimated.

Proponents of radical inclusion cite Our Lord’s association with sinners. In the face of harsh criticism of religious leaders, it is true that Jesus manifested great concern, compassion and mercy to sinners. In every instance, Jesus also calls those who wish to become his disciples to repentance and conversion.

Are we to understand Our Lord’s call for repentance to be fostering a culture of exclusion? Was the clear and challenging teaching of Jesus regarding marriage or the consequences of lust intended to alienate, or was it an invitation to liberation and freedom? Was radical inclusion Our Lord’s highest priority, when many disciples walked away after his Bread of Life discourse?

Should any of us be surprised that when we listen to those on the peripheries, those not in our churches, those who are not Catholic and even those who do not believe in Jesus, that many will disagree with our countercultural moral teaching? Does this mean that we should repent for creating structures of exclusion and embrace the spirit of the secular culture?

Pope Francis has said clearly that synodality is not voting on doctrine and moral teaching. The Holy Father has also reminded us that synodality is an effort to listen to the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of the age.

If we are striving to be true disciples of Jesus, does this not require us to be countercultural? At the church’s beginning, what drew people to Christianity? Was it radical inclusion? Certainly, the Gospel of Jesus was offered to everyone, male and female, Jew and Gentile. However, included in Our Lord’s invitation was always a call to repentance, not that all are welcome on their own terms. Were Paul’s epistles or Peter’s sermon on Pentecost about radical inclusion, or were they a call to conversion?

What evangelized the culture at the beginning of Christianity in part was the radical love that characterized Christian marriages and families. What drew many to Christianity was the witness of the virgin martyrs! Women particularly found attractive the Christian teaching that husbands should be willing to lay down their lives for their spouses as Jesus laid down his life for his bride, the church.

In February, the

Feb. 10

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR

Kansas Catholic College Student Convention Mass — St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center

Feb. 11

White Mass — Our Lady of Good Counsel, Kansas City, Missouri

Vespers and dinner with the Community of the Lamb, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin and Bishop James Johnston — Lumen Christi, Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 12

World Marriage Day Mass — Prince of Peace, Olathe

Feb. 13

“Shepherd’s Voice” recording — chancery

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin lecture — Benedictine College, Atchison

Feb. 14

Priests personnel board meeting — chancery

Administrative Team meeting — chancery

Feb. 15

Adoration — Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison

Donnelly College board meeting — Donnelly

Spiritual mentorship Mass and dinner — Savior

Pastoral Center

Feb. 17

Dedication of Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine — Oklahoma City

Archdiocese of Kansas City will host a Life-Giving Wounds retreat for adult children of divorce or separation. Adult children of divorce represent a massive group of casualties of the sexual revolution.

In listening to those on the peripheries, we should include hearing the pain suffered by adult children of divorce, young people raised without the presence of a loving father, those addicted at a tender age to pornography and those emotionally scarred by the hookup culture.

The Gospel compels us to look at each human being as one made in the divine image. We gaze upon each person with the expectation that God is attempting to reveal himself to us through them. We revere every human being to be of such immense worth that Jesus gave his life on Calvary for each one of us. For this reason, we treat every human being with the highest reverence and respect — no matter age, race, ethnicity, gender, physical

strength, intellectual capabilities or sexual orientation. This is not to say that we respect and reverence every choice made.

We acknowledge ourselves as sinners in need of God’s mercy, and thus we seek to receive warmly fellow sinners. We respect others enough to invite them to become free from enslavements to sin. Living the virtue of chastity in this oversexualized culture is a challenge for all of us. We are prepared and eager to walk with others in striving for virtue and accompanying each other along the pathway of ongoing conversion.

I pray that the Synod on Synodality will not unintentionally resurrect and breathe new life into moral confusion. If we truly listen to the Holy Spirit, I am confident that it will not lead us to abandon our moral teaching in order to embrace the toxic spirit of an age oppressed by the dictatorship of relativism.

POPE FRANCIS VISITS CONGO

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

KINSHASA, Congo (CNS) —

The hands that will save Congo and build a future worthy of its people belong to the Congolese people, to each one of them, but especially the young, Pope Francis said.

The pope met Feb. 2 with 65,000 screaming, singing, swaying young people in Kinshasa’s Martyrs’ Stadium, a soccer venue named to honor four politicians hanged there in 1966 by the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

The country still struggles to find stability, peace and a way to ensure that its vast store of natural resources benefit the Congolese people and not primarily foreign governments or the multinational corporations that extract the minerals and gems and leave behind little more than a scarred earth.

Pope Francis asked people in the crowd to open their hands and look at their palms.

“God has placed the gift of life, the future of society and the future of this great country in those hands of yours,” he said. “No one has hands just like yours, and that is a sign that you are a unique, unrepeatable and incomparable treasure. No one in history can replace you.”

Even in a very complicated political and social situation, where poverty and violence literally take lives every day, Pope Francis told the young people, “Ask yourself, what are my hands for? For building up or for tearing down, for giving or for grabbing, for loving or for hating? Notice how you can squeeze your hand, closing it to make a fist. Or you can open it, to offer it to God and to others.”

“Young people, you who dream of a different future, from your hands, tomorrow can be born,” he said. “From your hands, peace so lacking in this world can at last come about.”

UNICEF has estimated that 67% of Congo’s population is under the age of 25.

David Bode Nguamba, chosen to speak to the pope on behalf of the young people, told him their lives are challenged by war and violence, which

disrupts education and sometimes includes forced conscription into armed militias, unemployment and tensions, even hatred, between ethnic groups.

“The dowry system sometimes risks becoming the buying and selling of women for the economic benefit of her family,” he said. “Young women are culturally discriminated against even though often they are the ones who carry the weight of their families.”

Pope Francis peppered his speech with ad-libbed advice — “When you are discouraged, pick up the Bible and look at Jesus; he will give you strength” — and prods meant to rouse a crowd that already was excited. A veritable roar followed his request to “repeat after me: Stop the spread of corruption!”

Hands also must be used for prayer and healing, he said.

“Dear friends, to create a new future we need to give and receive forgiveness,”

the pope told them. “That is what Christians do: They do not merely love those who love them, but they choose to halt the spiral of personal and tribal vendettas with forgiveness.”

Pope Francis told the catechists that they, too, have an important role in building up the Congolese Catholic community and the whole society.

According to Vatican statistics, close to 77,000 catechists serve the church in Congo. Bishop Timothée Bodika Mansiyai of Kikwit, president of the bishops’ commission for laity, told Pope Francis that in the cities the catechists instruct young people and prepare them for the sacraments, but in villages without priests, they lead Catholic communities.

Olivier Buluza Onkon, speaking on behalf of the catechists, said that in Congo and throughout Africa whether the life of faith is transmitted or

blocked depends “in large part, on the witness, zeal and preparation of catechists.”

“It is a beautiful thing to serve others, to care for them, to do something without expecting anything in return, as God does with us,” the pope said. “I would like to thank you, dear catechists: For so many communities, you are as vital as water; always help them to grow by the integrity of your prayer and your service. To serve is not to sit idly by; it is to get up and go.”

The choice to open one’s hands in service of God and neighbor is as old as humanity, the pope told the crowd.

“All of you, together, leave behind the pessimism that paralyzes,” he pleaded. “The Democratic Republic of Congo expects from your hands a different future, for that future is in your hands.”

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

People wait for the start of Pope Francis’ meeting with young people and catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Congo, Feb. 2.

‘The future is in your hands,’ pope tells Congolese youth

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis greets the crowd at the start of a meeting with young people and catechists in Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa, Congo, Feb. 2. Riding in the popemobile with him is Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Kinshasa.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Sixth brother earns Boy Scouts’ highest honor

By Dean Backes Special to The Leaven

OVERLAND PARK — Joe Loughman’s perseverance paid off last month, sending his family into Boy Scout lore after he became the sixth of six Loughman boys to earn Eagle Scout status.

In order to claim his 21st merit badge and attain the highest rank a Scout can achieve, the 17-year-old Loughman did his daily good turn by treating parents Barb and Steve and sister Mara to three open-fire meals of hamburgers, tacos and peach cobbler.

Loughman also cooked at Philmont Boy Scout camp in New Mexico several years earlier, and backpacked freezedried beef stroganoff. Due to COVID, however, it took Loughman — a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park — several years to earn that final badge.

“It felt like I accomplished something that not very many people accomplish,” Loughman said. “It is rare for people to say they’re an Eagle Scout. It’s something that I’ll have with me for the rest of my life.”

Although he isn’t an avid hunter, Loughman said he enjoyed earning his rifle shooting and archery badges. He also reveled in sitting around a campfire and listening to stories.

“The funny stories that came out,” Loughman recalled of his campouts at Philmont, “that’s when you really got to meet people. When you’re sitting around a campfire, you see who everybody is.”

Loughman’s oldest brother Charlie, 35, kicked off two decades of Scouting excellence for the Loughman family when he joined Lenexa’s Holy Trinity Church Cub Scout Troop 3181 as a youngster. Charlie began his climb through the ranks by becoming a Lion Cub. He then moved onto Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light.

Ben, 32, Nick, 31, and 29-year-old Philip began their Cub Scout fun shortly before Charlie was getting ready to transition into Holy Trinity Boy Scout Troop 181. Charlie soon became a Scout before moving onto Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Scout.

Paul, 20, now an industrial engineering student and a junior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, took his place in the Loughman Scouting lineage about three years before Joe who also plays football, basketball and baseball for the Saints.

“I’ve since realized that we’re doing these things for other people,” Paul said of his Scouting experience. “If you’re not doing things for others, then you’re not really bettering yourself and you’re not bettering the community, especially our faith communities.”

Nationally, less than 6% of all Scouts reach Eagle Scout status. At Holy Trinity, however, 80% of participants climb

Sister was a lifelong educator

LEAVENWORTH — Sister Mary Clare Gappa, 84, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 66 years, died on Jan. 22 at the motherhouse here.

Her lifework was in education in every spectrum.

Mary Clare Gappa was born on Dec. 8, 1938, in Moorhead, Minnesota, one of two children to William and Hildegard (Lorsung) Gappa. When Mary Clare was two, the Gappa family relocated to Montana, where she and her brother Bob attended grade and high schools.

Mary Clare attended Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Later in life, she received a master’s in theological studies from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California. She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Aug. 19, 1956, as Sister Clare Marie. She later returned to the use of her birth name.

Sister Mary Clare often reflected that her life had two significant segments — “educating the young and uplifting the adults.” To her, teaching and being a Sister of Charity were two of her strongest callings. She served for 24 years teaching in schools in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri and Montana.

the ranks all the way to the top.

Ned Smith, who served as Scoutmaster earlier in Joe and Paul’s Scouting journeys, has known the Loughman family for nearly a quarter of a century. He sees Scouting fitting well with his Catholic faith.

“The words of the oath, for example, read: ‘On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country.’ . . . I think those are words to live by in our faith as well as in everyday life,” he said.

In order to achieve Eagle Scout status, Joe and any other Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, including required badges in first aid, citizenship in the community, citizenship in society, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in the world, communication and cooking.

Eagle Scouts must also attain a merit badge in personal fitness; emergency preparedness or lifesaving; environmental science or sustainability; personal management; swimming, hiking or cycling; camping; and family life. A Scout then selects seven other merit badges to earn from a list of 124.

While the Loughmans have been leaders at Holy Trinity Church and in the Scouting community, they are certainly not alone. In the very same parish, both Doug and Kathleen Feist and Randy and Margaret Smith are the proud parents of six and five Eagle Scouts, respectively, through Holy Trinity’s Scouting program.

Barb Loughman served as den mother for some of her boys while Steve, a former Scout himself, was a cubmaster, scoutmaster and a Webelo leader several times over. Both parents shared many camping trips, bonfires and trips to the pinewood derby track with their sons and daughters Ellen, Meg and Mara who all earned silver awards in Girl Scouts.

The family of 11 designed and built more than 40 pinewood derby cars over the years and even helped other boys create their own. The Loughmans took first place once and had at least one third-place finish to go along with a few creativity awards.

“I think it’s a great way for a boy and his parents to interact and become a little closer because of the shared activities, the laughter and the fun that they have with all of the different Scouting activities,” Steve Loughman said.

Barb Loughman, meanwhile, said Scouting is a program that can be enjoyed by all.

“Scouting is a great program that anyone can be a part of,” she said. “You don’t have to be smart. You don’t necessarily have to be an athlete. There is no real criteria that makes you a good Scout. You just have to have the willingness to get involved and want to have fun and learn new things.”

Later, Sister Mary Clare completed her master’s in theology and spirituality. She began her ministry as a pastoral associate at Coronation of Our Lady Parish in Grandview, Missouri. One of her many responsibilities was teaching RCIA classes. For the next three decades, she would walk with adults on their conversion journey, sharing her passion and knowledge of the Catholic Church.

Richard “Dick” A. and Cheryl (Boor) Grabbe, members of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 6. The couple was married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Hays, by Father Mike Scully, OFM Cap., and Msgr. Armand Girard. They have two sons: Bret Grabbe, Honolulu; and Russ Grabbe, Shawnee. They also have four grandchildren.

Rich and Ann Barbuto, members of Sacred Heart-St. Casimir Parish, Leavenworth, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 10. Bishop Pius Benincasa married the couple at St. Mary Parish in Dunkirk, New York, on Feb. 10, 1973. Their children are: Richard, David, Daniel and Alexander. They also have five grandchildren. They will celebrate with a party with family and friends in the spring.

COURTESY PHOTO

All six Loughman boys have earned the rank of Eagle Scout over the years. They are, from left, back row: Nick, 31, and Paul, 20; middle row: Philip, 29, and Ben, 32; front row: Joe, 17, and Charlie, 35.

Sisters hope Donna Kelce gets to toss the coin

They are fearful that the Philadelphia Eagles will “go after” Patrick Mahomes, KC’s legendary quarterback, but they know the Chiefs are preparing for this, and “Mahomes is smart,” was Sister Paula Rose’s assessment.

The SCLs would like to see Donna Kelce toss the coin to identify which team gets to choose whether to kick or receive the opening kickoff. Her two sons — Travis and Jason — are on opposing Super Bowl teams.

What the Sisters would really, really like is a future visit by Mahomes and/or Travis Kelce to the motherhouse and the Ross Hall skilled nursing facility.

Sister Delia Lawless admires Harrison Butker, kicker, whose field goal clinched the AFC championship for the Chiefs. She’s also amazed at how the players barrel up and through the middle on handoffs from the quarterback.

Sister Paula Rose is hoping that the Chiefs make a long runback from the end zone to spice up the Super Bowl. If the Chiefs get way out front in scoring, Sister Sue Retherford hopes Reid will give other players the chance to experience the big game.

The SCLs interviewed are unanimously excited about the Super Bowl. Asked what they normally do during a game, the Sisters say they cheer, enjoy snacks and pray. Some pace the floor nervously or leave the room when the tension mounts.

The interview closed with Sister Maureen Kehoe dusting off her junior

high cheerleading skills and leading the group in a rousing show of support for the Chiefs.

After all, the Sisters live by the mantra expressed over a century ago by their founder who encouraged, “Look

forward to the good that is yet to be.”

With that sage advice, hope springs eternal among the Sisters for a KC Chiefs Super Bowl victory.

Editor’s note: Following the interview, The Leaven photographer reportedly told

one of the SCLs he would be back when Mahomes and/or Kelce comes to visit.

Reporter’s note: Bookies and bettors beware. Known to move mountains, prayer might just also influence game outcomes.

From left, Sisters Mary Jo McDonald, Delia Lawless, Rosalie Curtin, Paula Rose Jauernig and Gloria Solomon play a little catch to get into game mode.

Sister Sue Retherford, SCL, qualifies as a super fan, with her Chiefs Super Bowl LIV blanket on the wall and other Chiefs’ gear decorating her room.

Sister Rosalie Curtin, SCL, heads back to her room in her Patrick Mahomes jersey after celebrating the Chiefs with her fellow Sisters.

>> Continued from page 1

Is technology discreetly rendering parents expendable?

By Elizabeth Scalia

About 10 years ago, my younger son stopped me in my tracks with a thoughtful observation.

I wasn’t surprised that he could be thoughtful — he often is — but this time his thought seemed momentous to me.

“Parents don’t get to teach their children anymore. When I was little,” he explained, “if I wanted to know almost anything, my first instinct was to go to you or Dad about it: ‘What’s a bowline knot? Why does everything get dusty? What is a shillelagh?’ We would always talk it through.

“Now, if I’m curious about something, I just go to Google. Younger kids don’t even develop the habit of going to their parents for answers. They’ve been Googling since they could reach a keyboard.”

“Parents have become expendable,” he concluded. “They aren’t even in the equation.”

He went about his business unbothered.

I, on the other hand, spent the rest of the day in a horrified sort of daze. Pondering just how numerous and fruitful were the meandering conversations that fill our lives, I realized my son had identified a real threat to ordinary family dynamics.

Our children’s questions often

became openings not just for discussion but for mutual learning and creative engagement. If my husband or I could not answer something off the top of our heads, we’d join in the research — searching a dictionary or an encyclopedia with them, or heading to the library if that’s what was required. We learned together, and more than once a child’s question turned into a personal or family project.

Did you ever notice that in a jar of mixed nuts the cashews and Brazil nuts are always on top while pistachios and broken pieces are

on the bottom?

One son noticed and asked about it. Soon, we were putting rocks of varied sizes into a can and shaking it, finding that — what do you know? — smaller things sink to the bottom as space availability relegates bigger stuff to the top.

This wasn’t an earth-shaking realization (although one son eventually used it for a grade-school science project to good effect), but the question sparked discussion and then activity.

In varying degrees, the whole family participated in the discovery and together we

managed to be curious, entertained, informed and — perhaps most important — impressed with each other.

It’s a slight thing, yes, but — as our little experiment demonstrated — small things are what the big things ultimately rest upon. Family structure, sibling reliance, mutual respect, parental humanity and vulnerability — all of that big stuff rests upon the little questions and answers, the everwidening discussions, the trivial but sweetly recalled moments of shared exploration and curiosities satisfied.

Going to a search engine for an answer

might be expedient but it delivers none of that vibrant interaction. A question quickly resolved brings no encouragement to throw a curve into one’s thinking, or to puzzle out new ideas while laughing or maybe even crying, if that’s where the human part of it leads.

These memories came rushing back to me thanks to news stories about artificial intelligence (AI) and an AI tool called ChatGPT — GPT stands for “Generative Pretrained Transformer” — which can write lively, humansounding speeches, poems and school papers.

Recently, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., took to the House floor and delivered a 100word speech written by ChatGPT; anyone listening would never have suspected it wasn’t written by a human.

In an “explainer” article, the Associated Press actually asked the tool how to discern its writing from human work and was given a perfectly reasonable response. The article then noted, “Open AI said in a human-written statement this week that it plans to work with educators as it learns from how people are (using) ChatGPT.”

Increasingly, we will see distinctions between human and machine-generated material become required, if we’re to keep the world honest. For a while, anyway.

Our children learn from their parents and the world around them — how humans speak, act, explain, think, hold and uphold. Artificial intelligence learns, too, from what it is purposely or unwittingly fed by the human element. But it has no limits and no boundaries; it is an empty vastness, offering no human consolations, upholding nothing.

How terrifyingly bleak and unholy that sounds.

Elizabeth Scalia is culture editor for OSV News.

Before Google and especially before artificial intelligence (AI), children would go to their parents with questions. Out of those questions grew conversations and learning. Family dynamics were built on them.

‘The Book of Kells’ makes Kansas City debut

By Meghan Ascher Special

to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — “Why don’t you dance for God?”

a Finnish Lutheran pastor asked a young dancer whose heart had become aflame with the Gospel.

And as Jeremiah Enna tells it, ever since that moment, Mona StörlingEnna did just that — danced for God. From smuggling Bibles into the USSR in her dance outfits to choreographing beautiful performances that radiate the Gospel message, the young woman’s faith has informed her art.

Kansas City’s performing arts community found itself doubly enriched by both the faith and talent of the couple when they moved from Finland, where they had owned and operated a dance studio, back to Jeremiah’s hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. There, they founded the Störling Theater in 1996, where Jeremiah is now the executive director and Mona its artistic director.

Now, the couple is excited to announce a new performance. Inspiration for it comes from the story of the most popular attraction in Ireland

today, an iconic work of art of the same name, “The Book of Kells.”

What inspired Mona was less the artistic value of the book, which is significant in its own right, but rather the story of how the book came to be, said Jeremiah.

It is the story of a group of monks

1,200 years ago who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, embarked on a boat with no rudder and let the current take them out to sea. They arrived in a heavily pagan culture where it was not uncommon for people to sacrifice their children to idols.

This was Ireland around the year 800. With the historical “Book of Kells,” which is an artistic iteration of the four main books of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — “the monks freed the people with the Gospel,” said Jeremiah.

“We treat the Gospel like it’s this stale book, but it subdued a bloodthirsty culture. It is not that far from our culture today,” Jeremiah observed.

The Störling Theater website describes the piece perfectly: “This poignant story combines beautiful choreography, live narration and Celtic music to craft a brilliantly detailed world where culture, sacrifice and forgiveness collide.”

It is hoped that this production will eventually make a college tour with a nationally touring show to follow.

“It is both an incredible work of art and a relevant statement of faith,” said Jeremiah.

There will be two performances of “The Book of Kells”: 7 p.m. on both March 17 and 18 at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets are priced at $25 and $40. Information can be found on the Störling Dance website at: www.storlingdance.org.

Want your kids to practice the faith? Be intentional in passing it on

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — You’ve probably heard this old adage by Benjamin Franklin: If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

This bit of wisdom is applicable to many things, including raising a Catholic family. To plan is to be intentional, according to author John Bosio.

“Raising a family to be Catholic today must be intentional,” he wrote. “It requires a conscious decision to develop habits of prayer, regular attendance to the sacraments and loving interaction among the members of our family that help build a home environment — a family culture in which faith is practiced and is passed on by example.”

The quote comes from Bosio’s latest book “Raising a Catholic Family Today: Building a Domestic Church/A Handbook for Parents.” It can be ordered online

family therapist and Catholic author John Bosio has written a new book, “Raising a Catholic Family Today: Building a Domestic Church/A Handbook for Parents.”

at: happy-together.net, or at: Raisinga CatholicFamilyToday.com. Single copies are $9.

Bosio is a retired marriage and family therapist, who until recently wrote a syndicated column on family and marriage that appeared in Catholic diocesan newspapers, including The Leaven.

Bosio and his wife Terri live in Nashville, Tennessee, and his latest book was written in response to what he saw happening to families in his area.

“There were so many people moving [to Nashville], the city is flooded with people from California, New York and from all possible states,” he said. “I saw families being isolated. We transplant and become nomads; we become disconnected from our roots.

“Relocation places stress on the family and on the marriage. Basically, we lose contact with our roots and are left on our own to practice the faith. And if our faith isn’t very strong and we don’t have an extended family that holds us accountable and reminds us, we just drift. The lack of faith practice in the home leads young people to drift away also.”

Studies show that “nones,” those who practice no religion, stopped believing because their families stopped practicing their faith while they were growing

up, said Bosio.

“It’s important we do everything we can to support families today, especially young families,” he said. “Their role is to pass on the faith, to build the domestic church in their homes. The book becomes like a spiritual retreat for parents that helps them remember how they received the faith from their family and invites them to reflect on how they are doing in passing on their faith to their children.”

Like his reader-friendly column in The Leaven, each chapter in the book presents information, then concludes with a call to action and conversation starters.

More information can be found online at: happy-together.net and at: RaisingaCatholicFamilyToday.com. This Lent, Bosio will offer free weekly podcasts drawing from this book. To subscribe to the podcasts, send an email to: jbosio1@aol.com.

Marriage and

COURTESY PHOTO

Two performances of “The Book of Kells” will be held in March at the Folly Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. The story is of a group of monks who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, embarked in a boat with no rudder to take them out to sea to spread the Gospel to foreign lands.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATE

All across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Catholic schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week Jan. 30-Feb. 3. Each school put its own unique spin on the week with a variety of liturgies, activities and volunteer opportunities. Here are some of The Leaven’s favorite photos from the week.

s SPECIAL LITURGY

Christ the King School in Kansas City, Kansas, celebrates a Candlemas liturgy during Catholic Schools Week. Blaha, pastor of Christ the King, began outside with all students and faculty with a blessing of everyone’s everyone processed into the church for some Scripture readings, songs and an explanation of the history Father Blaha is served by eighth grade altar servers and by seminarian Will Carey.

s TEAMWORK

Students at Ascension School in Overland Park spent one day of Catholic Schools Week working to improve their community. Students made blankets for Uplift, a mobile street outreach to those who are homeless. Clockwise from left are: fifth grader Allie Kopp; fourth grader Mallory Lorenz; sixth grader Gwen Kennedy; and kindergartner Will Hornung.

s SAINTS AMONG US

At St. Gregory the Great School in Marysville, students dressed as their favorite saint as part of the Catholic Schools Week festivities. From left are: third graders Vivian Olmsted as St. Gertrude; Madelyn Schell as the Archangel Raphael; Haidyn Finkbiner as St. Claire; Scarlet Schneider as St. Lucy; Maygen Farrell as Our Lady of Guadalupe; and Maren Wassenberg as the Blessed Virgin Mary.

s LET’S DANCE

Coach John Deitrich, the physical education teacher and athletic director at St. Benedict School in Atchison, leads the school in line dancing as part of the conclusion of the school’s Catholic Schools Week activities on Feb. 3. Coach Deitrich had spent the weeks leading up to the day teaching students common line dances for Family Day. In the end, students, teachers and family members joined in some of the dances.

u WOLF TRACKS

KC Wolf, a.k.a. Dan Meers, jokes with the kindergarten class at Holy Cross School in Overland Park before his presentation. Although dressed as KC Wolf as the students entered the gym, Meers took off his costume to speak to them about the “ABCs of Success: Attitude, Behavior and Character.” The right approach to all three, he told them, would help them be successful in all they do in life.

tPICK ME! PICK ME!

Jennifer Starcke’s first and second grade class at Holy Name School in Kansas City, Kansas, plays a Catholic Trivia game on Jan. 30 to kick off Catholic Schools Week. Then, on Jan. 31, the students wore their favorite teams’ jersey and played games in the school cafeteria. Feb. 1 was highlighted by an all-school Mass.

s IT ADDS UP

From left, Trenton Winters, Tristan Thomas and Aidan Weller — all fourth graders at Queen of the Holy Rosary School, Wea — show off their math vocabulary word costumes. Students in fourth and fifth grade chose a math vocabulary word, researched its definition, designed a costume and then participated in a vocabulary parade for Grandparents Day, where they individually introduced their word to their audience.

t KEEP IT CLEAN

Third grade students at Resurrection School at the Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas, learned firsthand about caring for God’s creation as they went through the neighborhood around the school and picked up trash. “I feel it’s never too late to instill as humans what God put us on this earth to do and that is to serve him and others. I found cleaning up trash is a handson example for my third graders to do during this week of celebration,” said Reagan Stanley, Resurrection third grade teacher.

Week. Father Nick everyone’s candles. Next, history of Candlemas.

Amid civil war, Syrians face mass casualties from earthquake

By Dale Gavlak OSV News

AMMAN, Jordan (OSV News) — Catholic and other humanitarian agencies are calling Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake and a second tremor striking southern Turkey and northern Syria “tragic” and are appealing for aid.

They are assisting Syrians in the north of the country — people affected by more than a decade of civil war. “The situation in Aleppo is dangerous. Many buildings have fallen and digging continues relentlessly through the rubble. So far, we have lost 40 buildings which have collapsed in the earthquake,” Andrea Avveduto, communications chief for Pro Terra Sancta, told OSV News.

More than 1,500 are reported dead and thousands more injured and missing in Syria as of 5 a.m. Eastern on Feb. 7. The total number of casualties in Turkey and Syria is 5,000 and rising.

“We don’t yet have the entire situation clear because communication lines have been badly affected. Buildings are still falling down. They are already damaged by the war and so every time there are tremors, buildings collapse,” Avveduto said.

Pro Terra Sancta, based in Jerusalem and Milan, supports the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. Since the start of the conflict, it has aided Franciscan fathers in Syria by opening four emergency centers in Damascus, Latakia, Aleppo, Knayeh and Yacoubieh, the latter places of which are found in northwest Syria.

In the region surrounding the northwestern city of Aleppo, “a lot of people fled their homes fearing more aftershocks and went to the Franciscan convent in Aleppo to shelter. They fear returning home,” Avveduto explained.

“We have more than 200 people in our Terra Sancta College seeking safety. We’re providing them with food and everything that they need. Now, it is very cold, they don’t have gas or electricity.”

Shocks from the earthquakes hit a number of cities in Syria, including Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Hama and Latakia, also affecting internally displaced people across Syria’s north.

The earthquake hit as a winter storm is expected to engulf the northern Levant in the coming hours as temperatures plummet and snow is predicted, making rescue efforts even more complicated.

More than 45 countries have offered to assist Turkey in rescue and recovery, including the United States, Britain, France, Poland and Israel, but observers fear that Syria, under international sanctions due to the civil war, may see little international help.

Pro Terra Sancta, for several years, has endured difficulty getting aid into Syria due to the sanctions that forbid the transfer of funds into the country, particularly into the north, from Lebanon and Jordan.

Pro Terra Sancta says those funds must get to the Franciscans to help those in need. Franciscan priests also aid small, besieged Christian communities in Syria’s northwest where Islamist groups, including the so-called Islamic State militants, operate.

“I have been trying to speak with our friars under rebel siege but have been unable to because there’s great difficulty with telephone lines and the internet,” Avveduto added.

Other Christian organizations

operating in Aleppo report that many people are “traumatized and much damage is experienced throughout the city.” People in Afrin under rebel control have reported bad damage, deaths and injuries from the quake. While others in Homs report bad tremors, but minimal damage.

“The Church in Syria is shocked by the catastrophe. Even as far away as Beirut, people went down to the streets, worried that another explosion was about to unsettle their country. For now, the church is checking on its people and families. All ACN staff in Aleppo, Homs and Damascus are doing fine,” said Regina Lynch, director of projects for ACN International, who also called for prayers for all those who were killed, wounded or otherwise affected by the natural disaster.

The archbishop of Homs, Jean Abdo Arbach, said that the 30 seconds the earthquake lasted “completely changed the lives of thousands of people.”

“Let us hope the earthquake shakes open the hearts of the international communities and of all world leaders, so that they help Syria and do not forget the people who are suffering,” he underlined.

“The population is in a state of

absolute despair and anguish. There are people wandering through the streets, not knowing where to go, and desperately searching for family and friends. Many people have died or are missing,” Archbishop Arbach, who is also the director of the Syrian branch of Caritas, told ACN.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) expressed its concerns for those in Turkey and Syria.

“Freezing temperatures have left thousands exposed to extreme cold, and now many are without shelter. With buildings collapsing as people slept, there are fears that hundreds still remain trapped in rubble across southern Turkey and inside war-torn Syria. Search and rescue operations are ongoing,” a press statement said.

“Initial reports from IRC staff on the ground in Syria indicate that the impact has been devastating in areas that already host a high number of displaced and vulnerable families. This tragic incident comes just after the country was hit by a snowstorm that has seen temperatures plummet,” the New Yorkbased international aid agency said.

“As the number of injured continues to rise, there are very real concerns about the ability of an already decimated health system to cope inside Syria. Following years of conflict, hospitals in northern Syria are overstretched as they grapple with a recent cholera outbreak,” the IRC said.

“This earthquake is yet another devastating blow to so many vulnerable populations already struggling after years of conflict,” Tanya Evans, the IRC Syria country director, warned.

“Women and children will find themselves particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse should they find themselves once again displaced. Many in northwest Syria have been displaced up to 20 times and with health facilities strained beyond capacity. Even before this tragedy, many did not have access to the health care they critically need,” she said.

Millions of Syrians in the country’s northwest have been left vulnerable by the nearly 12-year conflict, according to the United Nations. It says 2.9 million people there have been displaced and 1.8 million live in camps.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/UMIT BEKTAS, REUTERS

An earthquake survivor cries while standing amid rubble in Hatay, Turkey, Feb. 7. A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked areas of Turkey and Syria early Feb. 6, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing thousands.

IGNITE THE GREEN AND WHITE 2023 FOR XAVIER SCHOOL

Riverfront Community Center

123 S. Esplanade St., Leavenworth

Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

Prepare to be ignited as we celebrate Catholic education! Xavier school’s Ignite the Green and White event features a cocktail reception with heavy appetizers, a student showcase and a silent auction. Visit the website at: leavenworthcatholicschools. org/give/ignite-the-green-white and scroll down to sponsor a child, purchase event tickets and register for the silent auction.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

St. Patrick Parish (center)

1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 19 from 8 - 11 a.m.

The Knights of Columbus Bicentennial Council 6781 breakfast will feature pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and biscuits and gravy. Proceeds benefit the Keeler Women’s Center, a Benedictine Sisters’ ministry in Kansas City, Kansas. The cost is a freewill donation.

GREEN CLUB EVENT

St. Patrick Parish (center)

1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

There will be 15 games of bingo beginning at 6:30 p.m. Concession food stand will have nachos for $4; hot dogs for $2.50; and chili dogs for $4. There will also be bottled water, candy and chips available for purchase. For more information, call Fritz at (913) 515-0621.

BINGO NIGHT

Sacred Heart Church

2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

The Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus will be hosting bingo for cash prizes. Refreshments will be sold. For more information, call Bob at (913) 850-3348.

ANNUAL SOUP DAY

St. Mary Parish

9208 Main St., St. Benedict

Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Altar Society will be hosting a soup day. There will be chili and chicken noodle and vegetable beef soups available for dine-in or carryout. Everyone is welcome.

SEASONS OF HOPE GRIEF GROUP

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

411 Pioneer St., Seneca Sundays at 5 p.m.

Anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one is welcome to join the Seasons of Hope Grief Group. For further information, contact Roger Becker at (785) 364-6393.

HEALING MASS

Curé of Ars Parish

9405 Mission Rd., Leawood

Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass with prayers for healing will be held in the Father Burak Room. Father Anthony Ouellette will preside. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS WEEKEND

Conception Abbey (Guest Center)

37174 State Hwy. VV, Conception, Missouri

Feb. 17 - 19

Embrace the rich history behind the practice of sanctifying the hours of the day, and learn how to continue to pray these hours on your own once you return home. For more information, go online to: www. conceptionabbey.org/guests/.

BEREAVEMENT MEETING

Curé of Ars Parish

9405 Mission Rd., Leawood

Feb. 18 at 8 a.m.

The bereavement ministry will have a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room after the 8 a.m. Mass. A grief counselor will speak. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

CURSILLO 2023 WINTER RETREAT

St. Joseph Parish

11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee

Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

There will be breakfast and lunch, talks and discussions, relic and miracle panels, Benediction and adoration. Attendees have the option at 7:45 a.m. to join the parish community in the church for the rosary, Mass and chaplet of Divine Mercy before the 9 a.m. check-in. The cost is $25. Register and pay online at: www.CursilloKCKS. com. Pay at the door is also available. Question? Email: cursillokcks@gmail.com.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

St. Bede Parish

7344 Drought St., Kelly

Feb. 19 from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Join us for our annual breakfast. There will be pancakes, sausage and eggs. Takeout meals will be available. The cost is a freewill donation.

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

St. Joseph Parish

11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee

Feb. 19 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

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

MARDI

GRAS AT THE CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of St. Peter

416 N. 14th St., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Come celebrate the last Sunday before Lent at the cathedral and enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner. A freewill offering is requested for the dinner. Takeout is available. There will also be several great prizes to be raffled at the event. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event. Proceeds will go to support future programming at the cathedral. For more information, call (913) 371-0840 or visit the website at: www.cathedralkck.org.

‘PRAYING THE LENTEN SCRIPTURES’

Sophia Spirituality Center

Online

Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Pray the Sunday Gospels of Lent with others using techniques such as centering prayer, lectio divina and guided meditation to listen with the ear of our hearts for inspiration from the reading, from the Spirit and from one another. The fee is $60 for the series.

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT: ‘PENETRATING MYSTICAL TRUTH’

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer

22131 Meager Rd., Easton

Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. - Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Start your Lent with a deep understanding of the mystical, with insight and practical usefulness. This retreat will give you an overview of the brilliant vision, helping know the Christian mystical vision of truth. The more deeply you comprehend mystical truth, the more you will be transformed by its power. There will be conferences, eucharistic adoration, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $170 single/$250 couple or single guest rooms $100. To attend, fill out the form online at: Christs Peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

‘ABIDING IN CHRIST - A LENTEN JOURNEY OF THE HEART’

Sophia Spirituality Center

751 S. 8th St., Atchison

Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. through Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.

To abide in Christ means to keep in constant close communion with him, lean on him, rest in him, pour out our hearts and experience him as our fountain of life and strength. As you enter into Lent, reflect on Jesus in your life through silence, lectio divina, reflection and sharing. The fee is $150 which includes a private room and meals.

FINISH FAITHFUL CONFERENCE

St. Michael the Archangel Parish (hall)

14251 Nall Ave., Leawood

Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

All things preplanning for your legacy will be presented by six speakers on different topics. To register and for an agenda, go online to: archkck.org/finishfaithfulregistration or call Terri Lynn in the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development at (913) 647-0365.

LENTEN RETREAT: REFLECTION AND SERVICE

Unbound

1 Elmwood Pl., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 25 from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Join us for a day of fellowship, learning and reflection as you begin the Lenten season. This retreat will guide you on the spiritual journey of sponsorship and service to others and give you the opportunity to walk in the shoes of the poor and marginalized. Unbound and Father John Anglin, OFM, will lead prayer and group discussions, an exploration of Unbound’s Experience Center and a unique international poverty simulation. Coffee and fellowship begin at 9:30 a.m., lunch will be provided and an optional Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. RSVP online by Feb. 17 to Bernetta at: bernettam@ unbound.org or call (913) 827-4176 and provide any dietary restriction in your RSVP. There is no registration fee or cost to attend.

BACH CONCERTS

Hope Lutheran 6308 Quivira Rd., Shawnee

Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.

Dr. Douglas O’Neill, director of formation in sacred music and liturgy at Christ the King School in Kansas City, Kansas, will perform the third in a series of the complete organ works of J.S. Bach. Works will include “Prelude and Fugue in A Major,” “Neumeister Chorals” and “Prelude and Fugue in A Minor.”

LENTEN BUSY PERSON RETREAT

Marillac Center

4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth

Feb. 26 - March 31

Retreat-goers will have the opportunity to meet once a week at your convenience with a Sister. At the beginning of the retreat, materials and resources will be provided for your private prayer. If you would like to participate in this retreat, contact Sister Sharon Smith by email at: ssmith@scls.org by Feb. 17. The cost is a freewill offering.

SOLUTION

EMPLOYMENT

Girls basketball coach - Bishop Miege High School is seeking a head girls basketball coach for the 202324 winter season. To apply, contact Joe Schramp, athletic director, at: jschramp@bishopmiege.com or (913) 222-5802.

Board members - Santa Marta, Johnson County’s premier life care community sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is actively seeking board members for the current term. Applicants selected will begin serving April 1. The board meets during the business day six times a year, and each board member also serves on a committee that meets six to 12 times a year. We are seeking applicants who have experience serving on a not-forprofit board and a concern for our senior citizens. In particular, we are seeking individuals who have a background in law, board governance and finance to serve a three-year term with the option to extend for a second three-year term. Those who wish to be considered for appointment to the board are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, resume or details of relevant experience and home parish to Heidi Abeln at: habeln@santamartaretirement.com by Feb. 28. Any questions regarding the application process can also be emailed to this address. Be sure to include your phone number and mailing address. Additional information about Santa Marta can be viewed at: www. santamartaretirement.com.

Director of campus ministry - St. James Academy is looking for an experienced director of campus ministry for the 2023-24 school year who will work to implement the school’s vision for faith and mission. The ideal candidate would be an individual who is prayerful, faithful to the teachings of the magisterium of the Catholic Church, trained in Catholic youth ministry and possesses a degree in ministry or theology. We are looking for an individual who will offer gifts in leadership, organization, communication, ministry and spirituality and who finds joy in working with young people and adults. Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to Debbie Nearmyer, vice president of faith and mission, at: dnearmyer@sjakeepingfaith.org.

Full-time educators - Are you a caring, compassionate educator looking to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of young students? Have you been searching for a place where family and community take center stage? We’re looking for full-time teachers to join our team of long-serving, dedicated professionals who spend their days sparking learning and creating joy. Christ the King Early Education Center is looking for a fun, energetic individual to care for and teach our early learners the word of God and to prepare them for preschool. Must have formal child care experience. Must be a team player. If you’re ready to move into a career that makes a difference, and you consider yourself a natural, empathetic leader, have work experience and/or educational background in ECE (CDA or higher preferred), are a strong verbal and written communicator, can physically complete the tasks necessary to care for small children, and agree with and can deliver on our mission to provide exceptional care and learning with compassion and heart, then you’re the type of person we are looking for. At Christ the King Early Education Center, our mission is to invoke a passion for lifelong learning and light a fire toward a loving God while building a strong relationship with friends, families and the community we live in. Core values: compassion, tools for success in life, knowledge, ethics, environment and a child’s belief in a loving God. Perks and benefits: health plan, prescription plan, dental plan, eye plan, health savings or FSA, dependent care FSA, life insurance, 401(k) matched up to 4% annually, Tria Health coverage, paid sick and vacation and paid holidays, birthday and work anniversary gifts; fun, entertaining environment; supportive and helpful parents of our clients. Job types: full time. Salary from $14 - $16 per hour. Schedule: four 10-hour days, Monday-Friday Education: High school or equivalent (required); Experience: teaching: one year (required). Work location: 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka, KS 66614. Contact information: Ctkeec@gmail.com, or (785) 272-2999.

Job fair - St. Joseph Early Education Center will be having a job fair on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. - noon. We are looking for interested and dedicated individuals who would be willing to work with infants in our center. Salary is competitive with the field and benefits are outstanding. Anyone wishing to interview should come to our center at 11525 Johnson Drive in Shawnee. Please have a resume of your experiences. If you have any questions, call Ms. Theresa or Ms. Susan (center director and assistant director) at (913) 248-4588.

Operations director - Advice & Aid Pregnancy Centers are looking to hire an operations director. Under the direction of and in coordination with executive director, the operations director is responsible for multiple administrative functions including, but not limited to, bookkeeping, accounting and finance, human resources; administrative policies including the employee and volunteer handbook; information technology; facilities and security; and volunteer recruiting. A bachelor’s degree in management, finance, accounting or human resources preferred. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be a self-starter with the ability to organize, prioritize and follow through proficiently in Office 365 and data analysis. Must have the ability to work cooperatively with a servant Christian heart – as part of a team. Experience working in a Christian/nonprofit ministry is a plus. Demonstrate a consistently life-affirming philosophy. Please send cover letter and resume to: rtisdale@adviceandaid.com. This is full-time position at 32 hours per week.

Spanish teacher - St. James Academy is seeking a full-time Spanish teacher for the 2023-24 school year. Ideal candidates will be practicing Catholics with a passion for evangelization and discipleship who are licensed, experienced, secondary Spanish teachers. Those interested should apply at: archkck.org/catholicschools/employment/teacherapplication-page/ and send a cover letter and resume to the St. James principal, Dr. Shane Rapp, at: srapp@ sjakeepingfaith.org.

Janitorial assistant - Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea is seeking a janitorial assistant. This is a full-time position. Work hours are flexible and can be negotiated with the employee’s supervisor. Basic duties include general cleaning of the church, school and adoration chapel. For a full job description or to apply for this position, please visit: archkck.org/jobs.

Part-time educators - Are you a caring, compassionate educator looking to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of young students? Have you been searching for a place where family and community take center stage? We’re looking for part-time teachers to join our team of long-serving, dedicated professionals who spend their days sparking learning and creating joy. Christ the King Early Education Center is looking for a fun, energetic individual to care for and teach our early learners the word of God and to prepare them for preschool. Must have formal child care experience. Must be a team player. If you’re ready to move into a career that makes a difference, and you consider yourself a natural, empathetic leader, have work experience and/or educational background in ECE (CDA or higher preferred), are a strong verbal and written communicator, can physically complete the tasks necessary to care for small children, and agree with and can deliver on our mission to provide exceptional care and learning with compassion and heart, then you’re the type of person we are looking for. At Christ the King Early Education Center, our mission is to invoke a passion for lifelong learning and light a fire toward a loving God while building a strong relationship with friends, families, and the community we live in. Core values: compassion, tools for success in life, knowledge, ethics, environment, and a child’s belief in a loving God. Salary: from $12 per hour up to $15. Schedule: after school and/or 12-week summer camp; Monday to Friday. Experience: one year of child care (required); license/certification in first aid (preferred); and CPR certification (preferred). Work location: 5973 S.W. 25th St., Topeka, KS 66614. Contact information: Ctkeec@ gmail.com or (785) 272-2999.

Director of development - The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) transforms the lives of children and their families by providing access to education for atrisk students at the lowest poverty levels. The director of development is a full-time position reporting to the executive director, responsible for cultivating and securing contributions from donors to meet annual fundraising goals. To see a full job description or to apply, please visit: https://archkck.org/jobs.

Principal - Our Lady’s Montessori School is seeking to hire a principal with a knowledge of Montessori education and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Qualities must include a love for the Catholic faith and children, and be willing to collaborate with the SOLT Sisters to help the Catholic identity and the SOLT charism of the school thrive. Qualifications we are looking for: experience in formation of children; management of faculty; organizational and leadership skills; and excellent written and verbal communication skills. To request an application, submit a cover letter and a resume to: jwallace@olmskc.org.

Community relations director (CDC) - Advice & Aid Pregnancy Centers is looking to hire a community relations director. Under the direction of the executive director, the community relations director (CDC) participates as a member of the Advice & Aid leadership team. The CDC manages relationships with people and organizations outside of Advice & Aid. This position helps oversee the donor cultivation function at Advice & Aid. Responsibilities also include establishing and building relationships with the key donors. Must have: excellent verbal and written communication skills; an outgoing personality who genuinely enjoys people and the ability to build rapport quickly; experience working with donor or sales management software a plus; ability to learn and navigate various cloud-based software and web sites for donor management, communications, event planning, etc.; demonstrated self-starter with the ability to organize, prioritize and follow through; ability to work cooperatively with a servant Christian heart –as part of a team; experience working with donors in a Christian/nonprofit ministry in community relations or marketing a plus; and demonstrates a consistently life-affirming philosophy. Please send cover letter and resume to: rtisdale@adviceandaid.com. This is a full-time position at 32 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends.

Extended day care position - Holy Spirit Catholic School in Overland Park is seeking an enthusiastic person to be the group leader in our after-school care program. This well-established program runs from 3 - 5:45 p.m. each school day. We are looking for a faith-filled, responsible, organized and creative person. Applicants should have knowledge of child development and be able to implement age-appropriate activities. The ability to communicate clearly with children, colleagues and parents is most important in order to foster positive relationships. Applicants must attend Virtus training, ongoing childcare training and be at least 18 years old. Contact Tessa Piscitello at (913) 492-2582 or email: tpiscitello@hs catholic.org for more information.

Early childhood educators – With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving Christian environment. Our classrooms are full, and we are looking to add to our amazing team. We are looking for both full-time and part-time teachers for all ages of children. If you have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education, we would love to meet you. For more information or to apply, call Carolyn Andruss at (913) 894-0131, ext. 102.

Part-time retail sales associate - Trinity House Catholic Books and Gifts is looking for retail sales associates to become part of a team of the largest Catholic book and gift store in the archdiocese. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills, exceptional knowledge of our faith and the desire to help others in their journey. Position requires 24 - 32 hours per week, but willing to entertain a flexible schedule. Located in southern Overland Park. Send resume via email to: trinityhouse01@gmail.com.

Elementary assistant - Our Lady’s Montessori School is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Catholic to serve as an assistant in an elementary classroom. We are looking for someone who has a deep love for God and a deep love for children. Experience with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is preferable but not required. All employees are expected to fully support the teachings of the Catholic Church. In order to request an application, please submit a cover letter and a resume to: jwallace@olmskc.org.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, has the following staff job openings available: Academic librarian; vice-president of business affairs/chief financial officer. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Elementary lead - Our Lady’s Montessori School is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Catholic, AMI trained 6 - 12, to lead our upper elementary classroom ages 9 - 12. We are looking for someone who has a deep love for God and a deep love for learning.

Experience with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is preferable but not required. All employees are expected to fully support the teachings of the Catholic Church. In order to request an application, please submit a cover letter and a resume to: jwallace@ olmskc.org.

Administrative assistant for the office of marriage and family life and the office of children’s catechesis - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking to fill a full-time position of administrative assistant that serves the office of marriage and family life and the office of children’s catechesis. This position will be based upon a work week of 40 hours per week and is located at the chancery office. To see a full job description or to apply for this position, please visit: https://archkck.org/jobs.

Parish business manager - St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village, is seeking a full-time business manager to oversee all financial, human resource and other administrative aspects of the parish. The position will have responsibilities for budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management, as well as managing the human resource and IT functions. The individual will work closely with the pastor, school principal and young child-care director regarding financial, human resource and other administrative matters, and positively interact with volunteers and parishioners to support the parish mission. The successful candidate will have a business-related or human resource degree with a working knowledge of accounting principles and practices. The ideal candidate will also be a proactive, team-oriented leader and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. The position should have at least five years of demonstrated supervisory experience. A complete job description can be found at: www.stannpv.org. Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Father Craig Maxim at: frcraig@stannpv.org.

Administrative assistant – St. Joseph Early Education Center in Shawnee is seeking a full-time administrative assistant. Interested individuals should email cover letter and resume to Melissa Thomas at: mthomas@stjoeshawnee.org. For more information, you can call (913) 631-0800.

Part-time sitter - Seeking an experienced part-time sitter for a special-needs boy with Down syndrome. He is 21 years old and highly functional and very active. Loves to read his Bibles, all sports and loves working on special projects. The position will be a couple day a week. Time will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Times may vary. If it works out, I would like to have the sitter work on some evenings so I could attend church meetings. Position is in a smoke-free home with no pets. Occasionally , I may need weekend care. However, this is not a requirement. Pay is $15 per hour and gift cards on occasion. For more information or to apply, call (913) 897-2433.

Website SEO and social media specialist - Trinity House Catholic Books and Gifts is seeking an individual for full- or part-time employment or independent contractor to help manage and grow our web store and social media platforms. Candidate should have a proven track record of success with development, expansion and integration of several technology platforms. Candidate must have excellent written communication skills and understand application of HTML, Java, CSS and web platforms such as Volusion and Square Space. Please send resume via email to: trinityhouse01@gmail.com.

Caregivers - Daughters & Company is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide light housekeeping/light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. A CNA background is helpful, though not mandatory. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Manager assistant - St. Mary’s Food Kitchen has an immediate opening for a Manager Assist. Duties include: work closely with the manager, provide support to the day’s coordinator, ensure policies and procedures are followed and operational standard are achieved, participate in the frequency and scope of required daily cleaning tasks, availability to fill in for manager when absent, perform other work-related duties as assigned, interact with guests for improved service. This position is part-time. Weekends and holidays (time and a half). 9am-2pm with the occasional start time of 8:30am. $20/hour. To apply, please send a resume along with two references to Amelia Cortes, kitchen manager, at: stmfoodkitchen@gmail.com.

Catholic elementary school principal – Sacred Heart School in Emporia is seeking a highly motivated individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual and academic leadership of both students and staff. In addition, familiarity with enrollment management, technology and the tithing/stewardship model would be considered especially desirable. Sacred Heart has approximately 61 students in K5th grades taught by nine teachers. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics, understand the mission of Catholic schools, and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Please apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and send resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone, Catholic schools office, via email to: vcascone@archkckcs.org. For specific questions regarding the school or parish, please contact Father Carter Zielinski at: czielinski@archkck.org.

Pastoral coordinator - Haskell Catholic Campus Center, Lawrence, seeks a flexible, creative person to provide a nurturing space for prayer, religious education and Christ’s joy. Our Catholic community of Haskell Indian Nations University students, employees, university personnel and alumni calls for good communication skills and solid grounding in Catholic religious education and practice. Flexible and creative coordination of the varied tasks of sacramental formation, activity planning, cooking, cleaning, bookkeeping and property maintenance are key! This is a full-time position (40 hrs./week). Annual salary, $32,000 (negotiable) plus benefits. Please email Jean Finch at: katerihcsc@gmail.com for more information, or mail a resume to: Jean Finch, 2301 Barker, Lawrence, KS 66046.

Web and graphic designer - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is looking for a talented Web and graphic designer to join the marketing team! This position is responsible for enhancing and strengthening communication with those served, volunteers and donors through the design and functionality of the public website, as well as keeping employees upto-date through the intranet. Ideal candidates must have 2-4+ years of experience designing, building, implementing and managing responsive web pages and be skilled in WordPress. Graphic design skills and knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud are also required as this role will take the lead in designing agency marketing materials. For more information and to apply, visit: https://catholiccharitiesks.org/ careers/.

Stylists needed - 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 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.

After-school care provider - St. Michael the Archangel School is looking for a part-time after-school care provider. Monday through Friday, 3:30 - 6 p.m., on days school is in session. Duties include gathering students when school is out; planning activities for students in program; monitoring and assisting children while in program; releasing to parent or guardian at the end of the day; and picking up the space at the end of the day. Must work well with children and parents. Email your resume to the principal, Diana Tate, to apply: diana.tate@stmichaelcp.org.

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) 5214955 for more information. EEO.

>> Classifieds continue on page 13

Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served. Adjunct faculty job openings include: biology; clinical nursing and math coordinator. Faculty job opening available for the nursing school and for professor of philosophy. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Popcorn ceiling texture removal

Interior painting

Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

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, window cleaning and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors

A Total Door - KC family owned since ‘83. www.ATotalDoor.com or (913) 236-6440

A Total Door (913) 236-6440. (913)205-0926 cell

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.

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

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) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

Handyman - Home repair; skilled labor; remodeling; handyman work done in a timely manner. References available on request. Call Jeff Mauk at (913) 915-4738.

Thanks, everyone, for a great last year - This year, I am targeting kitchen/bathroom and basement remodeling, from start to finish. Also decks, covered decks, porches, sunrooms and room additions! We also do a ton of tile, ceiling retexturing and flooring. Full exterior painting, staining and wood rot. We are also offering design consultations which are free with signed contract. If you’re not sure we do it, just call. From my family to yours, thank you for supporting my small business. Please call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje - May 10 - 18 or May 20 - 28, 2023. The cost is $2500 per person, which includes airfare, bus transportation, accommodations, two meals per day and daily local guides. Hosted by visionary Mirjana Loldo. For details, call Grace Legaspi at (913) 449-1806.

SERVICES

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

WELLERBEEF.COM - Local, Catholic, family farm. No anitbiotics/hormones. Grass-fed and Traditional. Starter pack to a whole cow. Free delivery in the Kansas City area. We pay the butcher’s processing fees. Currently taking order and making deliveries.

Tutoring - for K - Adult. Sessions are fun and meaningful. For more information please call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or email: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

ACT Prep - Founded by a Bishop Miege graduate, Pathway Prep has helped over 250 students during the last four years improve their scores. In-person or virtual sessions available. For more information, visit: pathwayprepkc.com and contact Alex Pint at (913) 991-8217 or: alex@pathwayprepkc.com.

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.

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.

Catholic counseling - For individuals, couples, families, adolescents and young adults. Sam Meier, MA, LPC. Call (913) 952-2267 or book an appointment at: StillwatersKC.com, in-person or Telehealth.

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.

Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www. Benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

WANTED TO BUY

$$PAYING CASH MONEY$$

For military items, pocket and wristwatches, American coins, old buttons, lanterns, spurs, silver flatware, crocks, pocketknives, oil lamps, lanterns, Southwest items/jewelry. Most old items considered. Call Patricia today at (913) 980-4905.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to buy - Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME!

I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.

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).

For sale - Two plots at Mt. Calvary Cemetery KCK. Section 4, lot 48; flat marker only. Price: $4200 plus $200 for the conveyance fee. Call Rita (913) 707-4507.

For sale - Double lawn crypt at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Garden of Hope section, double lawn crypt, lot 78 C, space 4. Conveyance fee included. Asking $5000. Call Lou at (512) 656-1801.

For sale - Two plots at Resurrection Cemetery Faith Garden, section C, lot 51, spaces 1 and 2. Flat marker only. Asking $4400, seller pays $200 conveyance fees. Retail price is $5190. Call Pat at (816) 582-4394.

REAL ESTATE

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 has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

WE WANT TO BUY YOUR HOUSE - There are so many new companies in town advertising to buy houses. But we’re the only ones that have been here and we’re local Holy Trinity parishioners. I will give you a fair price on any conditions you are up against. Call Mark Edmondson. (913) 980-4905.

DAILY READINGS

SIXTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

Feb. 12

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sir 15: 15-20

Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

1 Cor 2: 6-10

Mt 5: 17-37

Feb. 13

Monday

Gn 4: 1-15, 25

Ps 50: 1, 8, 16bc-17, 20-21

Mk 8: 11-13

Feb. 14 Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop

Gn 6: 5-8; 7: 1-5, 10

Ps 29: 1a, 2, 3ac-4, 9c-10

Mk 8: 14-21

Feb. 15

Wednesday

Gn 8: 6-13, 20-22

Ps 116: 12-15, 18-19

Mk 8: 22-26

Feb. 16

Thursday

Gn 9: 1-13

Ps 102: 16-18, 19-23, 29

Mk 8: 27-33

Feb. 17

The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

Gn 11: 1-9

Ps 33: 10-15

Mk 8:34 – 9:1

Feb. 18

Saturday

Heb 11: 1-7

Ps 145: 2-5, 10-11

Mk 9: 2-13

What to do when things do not compute

Remember when you received your first one, how excited it made you feel? Sadly, it didn’t take long for the novelty to wear off, and what was originally seen as a blessing soon became a curse.

I’m sure you know what I’m talking about: email! Oh, what a monster has been unleashed upon the world.

Back in January, I encouraged readers to use the second Monday of that month to participate in National Clean Off Your Desk Day. I’m happy to report that I did it . . . and the results lasted for at least 72 hours.

The second Monday in February turns our attention to another project: Clean Out Your Computer Day. This “clutter” is much sneakier, because it’s not as visible as the debris that overtakes our desks. Yet it has a profound effect on the functioning of our computers, as well

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.

as our mental state.

As of this writing, I checked three of my six email accounts. One contains 25,130 emails; another: 1,200; the third: 3,888. I was so distressed at those numbers that I didn’t have the energy to check out the other three.

I’ve read with interest the suggestions of Merlin Mann, a pro-

MARK MY WORDS

ductivity expert, who promotes “inbox zero.” He suggests checking email only three times a day and then doing one of four steps for each: delete, delegate, defer or do. In my case, Mann missed two of the D’s: Decide, dummy! Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m not a total slug regarding my computer’s health. Just this morning, I ran a program called CleanMyMac that: removed 5.17 gigabytes of junk; checked for viruses or malware (none); and suggested three tasks for me to perform to speed up my Mac.

Unfortunately, this program won’t automatically decide what to do with all those emails. So, you know what I’ll be working on this coming Monday.

Computers have made my life much easier and fuller. But they have a darker side as well. What concerns me about computers has more to do with the users than the equipment. What I’d like to see cleaned up or deleted from them are the following:

• hackers who steal personal information or prey upon vulnerable people like the elderly for financial gain

• rumormongers or spreaders of urban legends or other misinformation that frighten or tarnish people’s reputations

• bullies who cause others mental anguish or drive them to destructive behavior

• writers of nasty, anonymous emails or online posts that

demean and disrespect people’s human dignity

• stalkers whose intent is to abuse or intimidate children or adults

• distributors of objectionable material

Cleaning up the things that clog our computers can free them to flood our lives with things that truly enrich us: sustaining friendships across the miles; armchair visits to beautiful places like museums or special sites (like the Vatican or the Holy Land); videos and podcasts that deal with the Bible or enriching conferences and retreats; and gateways to upbuilding information from online books to university courses.

I’ll close with this observation from comedian Emo Philips that all users have felt at one time or another: “A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing.”

Lent is an opportunity to take stock of our lives

Lent is around the corner.

As the church embarks on the graced journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, the Lenten season is a spiritually intense time for those preparing to enter the community of the Catholic Church.

SEVEN SERVITE FOUNDERS

13th century

In 1233, seven Florentine laymen — two married, two widowed, three single, all well-known merchants and members of a Marian confraternity — abandoned homes, jobs and wealth for a life of poverty, prayer and penance at Monte Senario, where they built a chapel and hermitage. Within a few years, they had formed the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, or Servites, a mendicant order that received formal papal approval in 1304. The seven founders, jointly canonized in 1888, are: Bonfilius, Bonajuncta, Amadeus, Hugh, Manettus, Sostene and Alexis. Alexis, who out of modesty refused ordination, served the order in various ways as a lay Brother; he outlived the other founders and reportedly died at age 110.

It may surprise us to learn that the path to the sacraments of initiation — namely baptism, confirmation and Eucharist — is an ancient one. In fact, the catechumenate, restored in the 1970s following the Second Vatican Council, comes to us from the church’s life in the first five centuries.

In those early days of Christianity, those who expressed interest in becoming disciples of Jesus were first invited to

renounce their current way of life. From early documents, such as the “Didache,” we learn that adults seeking to become Christian were first asked to turn from participation in pagan rituals, gladiator games and other forms of pagan entertainment.

The core idea was that even before one learned the beliefs and prayers of the Christian faith, one had to commit to a radical new way of life in Jesus Christ.

So, inquirers were presented with two paths: the way of life in God or the way of death apart from God.

The way of life was rooted in love of God and love of neighbor, conveyed in the Beatitudes and Commandments. The opposite was the way of self-seeking vices, selfishness and rejection of the paths to happiness revealed by God.

In Sunday’s first reading, the author of Sirach offers the same choice in these words: “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God,

you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water: To whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.”

The psalmist turns this divine invitation into a hymn of prayer: “Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. Give me discernment, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that “whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” In his person and mission, Jesus fulfills the law that God revealed to Israel.

Then, Jesus invites

his disciples to go beyond mere observance of commandments out of a sense of obligation or cultural pressure to a life of freedom and joy chosen freely and rooted in God’s love. So Jesus says, “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Lent is an opportunity to take stock of how to better live a life centered on God’s ways and commands. The Beatitudes and the Commandments connect to our deepest human desires for happiness, peace and love. As we return to the Lord this Lent, may we begin on the path of inner renewal with prayerful confidence saying, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Pope urges Congo’s bishops to be prophetic

KINSHASA, Congo (CNS) — The bishops of Congo must be men of faith and prayer, close to their people and prophetic in their proclamations of hope and denunciations of injustice, Pope Francis told them.

Before leaving Kinshasa Feb. 3 and heading to Juba, South Sudan, the pope met with Congo’s bishops at the headquarters of the episcopal

conference. He thanked them for working “twice as hard” preparing for his visit, referring to the fact that they had arranged almost everything for his planned visit in July before it was postponed because the pope was having trouble walking.

Turning to the ministry of bishops, Pope Francis insisted that “proclaiming the Gospel, enlivening pastoral life and exercising leadership cannot become ideas

having little to do with the reality of daily life.” Ministers of the Gospel, he said, “must touch wounds and communicate God’s closeness, so that people can realize their dignity as his beloved children and learn to walk with their heads held high, never lowering them in the face of humiliation and oppression.”

The bishops must make sure the Gospel speaks to a nation enduring violence, civil unrest and poverty, the pope said.

JEM SULLIVAN

Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

Are you in need of some ‘old-school’ penance this Lent?

Lent is soon upon us. There was a time in the church when it was treated as a final “home stretch” period of purification for the catechumens preparing to enter the church at Easter.

Then it was decided it would serve equally well for those “public penitents” (yes, they had those back then) who were returning to the Eucharist at Easter.

Then the church wisely figured that each of us is a bit of a public penitent and perhaps should dial up our own penitential practices in preparation for renewing our baptismal promises on Easter Sunday. Back then, however,

AS THE CHURCH PRAYS

both penitents and the faithful offered their confession just before or right at the beginning of Lent, and

their Lenten penance was their confessional penance.

Around that time, a decreasing number of folks were receiving holy Communion at Mass on Sunday. Why?

They were afraid that they were too sinful and unworthy to receive, and who wants to take a chance on receiving

Communion unworthily?

The situation got so dire that in 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council mandated that the faithful must receive holy Communion at least once each year, during Eastertide. Hence, entered the so-called Easter duty. And what was expected before receiving holy Communion? You guessed it — confession (also now required at least once each year).

Lent then turned a bit upside down. Shrove Tuesday became one last binge before the great fast. Lent became known as a season of penance “just because” and every parish priest knew that, through the

very last days of Lent, he’d be spending extra time in the confessional.

Don’t get me wrong. Lent still works just fine. But what if, this year, some of us began to keep Lent in its original character? What if, sometime during the next couple of weeks, we prayerfully examined ourselves, considered our need for some old-school penance, received the sacrament of reconciliation and then thankfully and resolutely offered our penance for the holy season? I think that’s what I myself will try to do this year.

Then, my penance — an opportunity to strengthen my conversion — might take

on added meaning. It could serve as a grateful response for the gift of absolution, the gift of being unshackled from the weight and burden of my sin. Having spent six weeks performing my penance, steeped in the traditions of prayer, fasting, and works of charity, with what greater conviction might I vow to reject Satan and profess Christ and his church on Easter Sunday?

Just a thought, something perhaps to consider. The important thing is that each one of us offer some meaningful self-denial and to hit the confessional, in whatever order seems best suited to our holy aspirations and spiritual needs.

I have loved you, so you also should love one another’

God commands us to love one another. What does that mean for each of us?

At Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, love goes beyond our deep emotion for God and those we hold dear. It is an action. It is willing the good of others by engaging in the corporal works of mercy and serving our most vulnerable neighbors of all faiths.

Love is feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty

Our family support centers offer food, giving those we serve a dignified shopping experience that includes a selection of items appropriate for families’ dietary and cultural needs. Fresh produce

INSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Our TurnStyles

and other shelf-stable foods are also distributed to those in need in underserved areas, including our rural communities.

Love is clothing the naked

Thrift stores serve as an affordable shopping option for the community, featuring namebrand new or gently used clothing, shoes and other apparel, as well as housewares and furniture. Store proceeds provide critical support for our programs.

Love is sheltering the homeless

We work with landlords and give direct financial assistance to help families who may be at risk for eviction due to unpaid rent and utility payments. Our Shalom House Men’s Transitional Living Program offers safe, stable housing while providing educational and employment support.

Love is welcoming the stranger

We provide hospitality to refugees forced to flee their country out of fear of persecution or even death. We resettle them, providing social and emotional support. We also offer training programs, job assistance and classes to help them acclimate to their new home. For those who have the desire to

become U.S. citizens, our immigration team provides legal services.

Love is counseling the doubtful

We provide caring and confidential counseling to women who are facing an unexpected pregnancy, and walk the journey with them as they make the difficult decision to either parent or give the child to an adoptive married couple.

Love is sharing knowledge

We help families break the cycle of poverty by giving them the support and skills to overcome barriers to educational and career advancement. For those who are unemployed or underemployed, we provide

the essential training and employment placement assistance to achieve high-demand, high-earning employment. Our financial classes help individuals create a budget, increase their savings and avoid high-interest predatory loans. How are you being called to love? As we approach Lent, consider shifting your focus of giving something up to putting love into action! Catholic Charities needs volunteers of all ages and abilities to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. To learn more about our ministries and volunteer opportunities, follow our 40 Days 40 Ways social media posts beginning on Ash Wednesday.

Join pro-life Kansas and let your light shine for others!

After all the inspiring January prolife marches and events, I was able to catch up on one of my favorite podcasts, “Abiding Together,” with Sister Miriam James Heidland.

If you haven’t already, take a listen. The recent “Salt and Light” episode made me think about many of you and the pro-life movement in Kansas.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

LIFE MATTERS

In the same way, let your light shine before others . . . and glorify your Father in heaven”

(Mt 5: 14-16).

Our work to protect preborn children and expectant women from the harms and despair of abortion had a major setback last August. Abortions are now increasing, women are coming from out of state to end the life of their child, and existing laws that protect babies

and women’s safety are being sued by the abortion industry and blocked by our courts. These are challenging times in Kansas.

What struck me in the podcast was the statement: “It is in the darkest times that our light shines the brightest.” How true that is! Instead of hiding our light after the amendment defeat, we came to Topeka in greater numbers than before, to publicly pray and march for the dignity of life. Thank you to all who were there.

At the IGNITE for Life rally, we celebrated “life heroes” — those who sacrifice to help or even save another who

is vulnerable.

Life heroes are those, like our IGNITE keynote speaker Lila Rose, who worked tirelessly to defend the unborn over the past 50 years and finally saw Roe fall.

They are those, like Austin and Mary Kate Krause, who face overwhelming fear and challenges yet still cherish the gift of life. Their son Joseph’s life, though brief, has infinite value and is still making a profound impact today.

Life heroes are those who unselfishly give of themselves to save babies and assist women in need. Pregnancy support employees and

volunteers are lights to so many who yearn to hear, “Your life matters. Your baby’s life matters. We will help.”

One of the reasons we invited Lila Rose to speak was to highlight the many LiveAction. org videos of life stories that are a light and inspiration to others.

We especially pray for those with life stories that include walking the path of abortion. We pray you find healing in Jesus’ love. If you haven’t already, join us in this noble movement. Your story matters and your light is needed. Keep going, pro-life Kansas! Let your light shine for others.

‘As

MICHAEL PODREBARAC

Michael Podrebarac is the archdiocesan consultant for the office of liturgy and sacramental life.

LAUREN SOLIDUM

Lauren Solidum is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

DEBRA NIESEN

Debra Niesen is the archdiocesan consultant for the pro-life office.

Area Catholic newlyweds meet the pope

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

ROME — Awe-inspiring. Humbling.

That’s how two newlywed couples from the archdiocese described meeting the pope this past fall.

Although Michael and Laura Starling, members of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, met in 2020, their journey to Rome began years ago.

Laura had known at least one couple who had met the pope by donning wedding (or similar) attire and sitting in a special section for newlyweds known in Italian as “sposi novelli” during one of the pope’s Wednesday general audiences. The pope blesses the couples, sometimes even greeting a few select ones.

The memory resurfaced last spring as the couple planned their wedding and honeymoon.

“Both of us brought up that we had an interest in meeting the pope,” Laura said.

It was probably the only time in their lives, said Michael, they would have a good chance at meeting any pope, and the couple picked Italy as their travel destination specifically because of the “sposi novelli” opportunity.

Even though they applied for the special seating and made the necessary travel arrangements, the Starlings knew they were no guarantees they’d actually meet the pope. Still, they would see him.

Packing Laura’s wedding gown, though, was a different story since they planned to use backpacks instead of suitcases. Besides touring Rome, their itinerary included skiing and visiting other cities. Laura used a vacuum sealer to compress her wedding gown to fit inside her backpack.

On Oct. 12, four days after getting married, the newlyweds found themselves in St. Peter’s Square, waiting with perhaps 50 couples from places as diverse as Brazil, Canada, France and Nebraska. Laura wore her wedding dress, and Michael, clad in a suit jacket, donned the bow tie he’d worn during the wedding.

After the pope’s weekly address, the Starlings said they waited “a very long time” while Pope Francis greeted cardinals, religious orders and other groups.

“At this time, we’re kind of waiting with expectation because we were of the understanding that the Secret Service for the pope would essentially pick 10 or 15 couples, and then those 10 or 15 would meet the pope. So, we were waiting, wondering if we were the ones who got to meet the pope or not,” Laura said.

After what might have been an hour, security wheeled Pope Francis toward the newlywed section. The next thing the Starlings knew, they were face-toface with the Holy Father.

Laura recalls telling him the couple prays for him and asking the pope to bless their marriage while holding a crucifix they’d bought in Rome.

Michael, however, admits he froze. Nonetheless, the pope shook his hand and blessed the couple.

The encounter, the Starlings recalled, lasted 10 or 15 seconds, but they are seconds they’ll treasure forever.

***

Like the Starlings, the Furrers only had a few seconds with Pope Francis, but they agree the seconds were precious.

The couple attends St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Kansas City, Missouri.

The couple married on May 1 and had planned a trip to California, but

that changed a few weeks before their wedding when a priest friend invited them to say yes to an Italian pilgrimage he was planning for several young couples.

On Sept. 21, the feast of St. Matthew, the couple found themselves in the “sposi novelli” section. Like the Starlings, they were overjoyed when the Holy Father appeared in St. Peter’s Square.

“It was like, ‘Whoa! The pope is a real person,’” exclaimed Matt. “How few men have actually held this office in succes-

sion since Peter, and the realization of seeing [the pope] in the flesh was crazy to think of the line of obviously holy men and so many of them saints.”

“This, of all offices in the church,” he continued, “was directly appointed by Christ. And it has the clearest lineage of apostolic succession back to Peter.”

The couple estimates nearly 100 couples were there that day, leading Taylor to abandon any hope of meeting the pope, especially since they were in the fourth row.

So, when the entire front row went up to greet the Holy Father, and then the second and third rows, they found themselves thinking there might be a chance.

Sure enough, the couple was able to greet the pope, but only Matt was able to say a few words.

Taylor “in her feminine genius and with great foresight,” Matt said, had brought the ultrasound picture of the couple’s first child, holding it in front of the pope.

The Holy Father placed his hand on Taylor’s abdomen and offered a prayer, a moment they both said was “extremely humbling” and “awe-inspiring.”

At the time of this interview, the couple was planning to print a photo from that moment to hang on the wall of the nursery, all ready for the child due to arrive any day.

“Hopefully, the photo will be a great witness [to our children] to the reality of faith and of the church that Jesus, who loves them, has a profound impact even today in modern society and in their life,” Taylor said.

COURTESY PHOTO

Michael and Laura Starling, members of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, had a brief meeting with Pope Francis on Oct. 12, 2022 — four days after their wedding.

COURTESY PHOTO

Matt and Taylor Furrer were able to meet Pope Francis on Sept. 21, 2022. Although the encounter was brief, the pope did offer a prayer for the couple’s unborn baby.