02 24 23 Vol. 44 No. 27

SPIRITUAL MENTORS Former students return to instruct new class of

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If you’re going to make that 10-hour drive from Lexington, Kentucky, to northeast Kansas in the dead of winter, you’d better have a pretty good reason for doing so.

That’s what Laurie and Brian Henderson did, and it wasn’t for barbecue or to celebrate the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win.

The Hendersons braved the miles and weather to attend a residential week of prayer and study, Feb. 13-18, for the Spiritual Mentorship Program at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

They had always been active Catholics, but some 10 years ago, the Hendersons felt an interior “push” to seek something more.

“It was natural to seek spiritual direction,” said Laurie. “I’m not wise enough to think I should advise myself. I’ve lived in Texas, upstate New York, northern Virginia and

Kentucky, and it was difficult to find someone who was trained as a spiritual director or mentor.”

Laurie’s brother, Father Brian Nolan in Baltimore, told her about

the Spiritual Mentorship Program in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, something unlike anything else he’d ever heard of before. The Hendersons signed on to the program

and graduated in 2017 to become spiritual mentors themselves.

“Having the benefit of someone who was trained to help you hear the voice of the Lord in your life acted as a fuel for changing our lives and deepening our relationship with the Lord,” said Laurie. “That’s why we’re massive fans of the program.”

They returned this past residential week as spiritual mentorship program alumni to help train the current group of 75 people — or sixth cohort — to also become spiritual mentors.

He had a dream

The catalyst of what would be the Spiritual Mentorship Program occurred in 2009, while Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann was on a hot, humid bus ride during one of his infrequent trips to Rome.

Returning from the

Three Fountains, the traditional site of St. Paul’s

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Dan and Stephanie Jacobson were two of 75 people that gathered at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, on Feb. 13-18 undergoing spiritual mentorship training. The program, originally run by the Apostles of the Interior Life, is now run by the Holy Family School of Faith Institute.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

From left, Karen Broom, Sara Kun and Nikki Frerker discuss what they’re learning in their spiritual mentorship training in a breakout session on Feb. 15.

>> See “AT HEART” on page 4

No human victory can satisfy the hunger of our hearts for long

Afew days before the Super Bowl, Bishop Michael Burbidge, who was born, raised and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and currently serves as the bishop of the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia, contacted me to inquire if I wished to place a wager on the Eagles/Chiefs game.

His call came during Catholic Schools Week. The bishop confessed that he had been visiting several Arlington Catholic Schools, encouraging the students to pray for an Eagles’ victory, even stooping to promise a school holiday for a Philadelphia championship.

Though I thought that, according to canon law, spiritual bribery must be at least a venial sin, I accepted the proposed bet and promised, in the unlikely event of an Eagles’ victory, to send Bishop Burbidge some of Kansas City’s finest barbecue. Bishop Burbidge countered by pledging, in the case of a Chiefs’ victory, to send a Virginia cured ham. I did have some ethical qualms regarding the bet, because in Catholic moral teaching it is considered unjust to bet on a sure thing!

I told Bishop Burbidge my one concern was that the Eagles had a reputation for injuring quarterbacks. He countered by stating that the Eagles defense was misunderstood. They were only attempting to get close to their opponents in order to show a strange Philly form of fraternal love. In my estimation, the Chiefs’ offensive line deserved a collective game MVP for their protection of Patrick Mahomes from

the much vaunted, ferocious Eagles’ pass rush.

The Super Bowl game was entertaining. I could do without the half-time theatrics, though they were not as tasteless as in previous years. They did provide the Chiefs’ medical team sufficient time to resurrect Mahomes’ battered body from the effects of Philly brutality!

In this past Sunday’s Gospel taken from Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, Our Lord challenges his disciples, and us, to pray for our enemies, for those who persecute us. Thus, I encourage Leaven readers to pray for the Eagles’ team and fans. I placed Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas on alert to be prepared to send grief counselors, if Super Bowl Loss Depression Syndrome (SBLDS) persists in Philadelphia.

For the preceding part of this column, I need to go to confession for taking inordinate pleasure in the misfortune of others! I love sports. It provides real-life drama complete with overcoming adversity, exciting turns of events and meeting seemingly impossible challenges.

I recall, as a teenage boy in St. Louis, pray-

ing that the baseball Cardinals would win a World Series. In 1964, my prayers were answered. The Cardinals came from way back to overtake the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League pennant race and then defeated the highly favored and evil Yankees in the World Series. I was elated! My dream was realized!

Then came the disappointment, when reality set in. I still had all of the same challenges as I had before the World Series victory. There was still the tedious homework to be completed each night. There was always another paper due and another exam hanging over my head. There was the normal angst of adolescence. What I thought would make me eternally happy actually wore off in a couple weeks. There were several months before the next baseball season and the Cardinals did not repeat in 1965!

We have begun the 2023 Lenten season with Ash Wednesday, reminding us that everything in this world is passing away. Not even all of the wholesome pleasures of this life can satisfy the hungers and longings of the human heart. Lent invites us to focus on the one thing that does last and endure — our relationship with Jesus, our friendship with God.

This year’s First Sunday of Lent Gospel provides us with St. Matthew’s account of the devil’s temptations of Jesus, after his 40 days of fasting in the Judean desert. Notice how the devil attempts to entice Jesus into turning stones into bread in order for Our Lord to prove that he is indeed the Son of God. Having not eaten for 40 days, making stones into bread must have been an attractive proposition — humanly speaking.

In the second temptation, the devil once again challenges Jesus to demonstrate his divinity by throwing himself off the Temple tower in order to force the angels to come to his rescue. The Father of Lies attempts to taunt Jesus into using his divine powers for a prideful, self-serving miracle.

Finally, the third temptation completely exposes the devil’s intentions. The Prince of Darkness demands for Jesus to worship him in exchange for political power over the corrupt kingdoms of the world and the transitory pleasures these earthly realms can provide.

The devil attempted to make Jesus in his humanity doubt his identity as the onlybegotten, beloved son of God the Father. The Father of Lies seeks to distract Jesus from his mission to reveal the depth of God’s love for rebellious humanity and to provide us with the opportunity to experience God’s merciful and unconditional love. Our Lord has come to offer us the opportunity to discover our true identity as his brothers and sisters, as well as beloved daughters and sons of our heavenly Father.

The things, pleasures and accomplishments of this world are fleeting and incapable of providing a lasting peace and joy. We are made to be in communion with God, the creator of the cosmos, who wants us to experience abundant life in this world and enduring joy and happiness in his heavenly kingdom.

Let us take advantage of these Lenten weeks by focusing on our true identity as

Feb. 24

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem winter meeting — Omaha, Nebraska

Feb. 25

Men Under Construction — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

Benedictine College Scholarship Ball — Overland Park Convention Center

Feb. 26

Rite of Election — St. Matthew, Topeka

Rite of Election — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

Feb. 27

Archdiocesan Finance Council board meeting — chancery

Feb. 28

Johnson County regional priest meeting — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood

Administrative Team meeting — chancery

Confirmation — St. Ann, Prairie Village

March 1

Adoration — Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison

Bishop Ward dinner auction winner — residence

March 2

Religious Alliance Against Pornography board meeting

Confirmation for the parishes of Resurrection School — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

March 3

CFNEK High School Art Invitational Awards —

Savior

March 5

Pastoral visit — St. Patrick Parish, Scranton

March 6

Parish Council meeting — chancery

March 7

Adoration — Bishop Ward High School, Kansas City, Kansas

Ethics Council meeting — chancery

March 8

Confirmation — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea

March 9

Holy Trinity Women’s Bible study — Holy Trinity School, Lenexa

Priests continuing education — Savior

Confirmation — St. Francis de Sales, Lansing

beloved daughters and sons of a loving Father. Let us enjoy the beauty and simple joys of life in this world, but not be fooled into believing that this is a lasting city, that this is our final destination. Let us treasure the gift of familial relationships and friendships in this world, but also accept the reality that no earthly love can satisfy our deepest longings.

Lent is a time to recognize the idols in our lives — the things and relationships of

this world that we are tempted to make gods. May Lent be a time when we deepen and grow our friendship with Jesus, the only relationship that can satisfy the deepest hunger of our hearts. May these weeks help us rediscover our true identity as beloved daughters and sons of a good and loving God. There are still things I am looking forward to enjoying in this world, however.

Like a slice of Virginia cured ham!

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL TO SHIFT FOCUS TO PARISHES

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — If the national Eucharistic Revival is to be successful, we’re going to have to “pour out and fill up,” just like Jesus did, said Deacon Dana Nearmyer.

It’s the act of “kenosis,” the “self-emptying” Jesus did to “fill up” with the will of God the Father.

“Kenosis” is the core mission of the church, said Deacon Nearmyer at the Eucharistic Amazement Leader Equipping Lunch on Jan. 26 in the Keleher Conference Center at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

“We fill up on goodness, we fill up on grace and we pour that out,” said Deacon Nearmyer, director of the archdiocesan office of evangelization and leader of the archdiocesan Eucharistic Amazement initiative.

“If the priests don’t care about the Eucharist, if the lay faithful don’t care about the Eucharist, then we’re sunk,” he added.

The event brought together more than 125 pastors, parish administrative staff and ministers, men and women religious, and members of various Catholic organizations to pray, brainstorm and learn how to access the many local and national resources they can use to launch the revival locally.

“The idea is not to just throw everything at you, but to really equip you as you go back and pray about this,” said Emily Lopez, lead consultant of the archdiocesan adult evangelization office.

“We are in the diocesan year of revival for the movement for Eucharistic Amazement. We have been working in tandem with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using some of the materials they’ve shared, but knowing full well that things in the parish just don’t happen next week,” she said. “We wanted to give you the materials and all the resources that might help inform what you will consider doing in your parish. The things we give you are not meant to be a checklist; consider it more of a menu.”

The hope was that revival leaders will take the materials, prayerfully discern the culture of their parish or organization, consider what they are already doing concerning focusing on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and

determine what new strategies make sense for them.

“Our office is here to help accompany you and provide resources,” said Lopez.

Among the materials distributed to the revival leaders was “Adore,” a prayer resource for eucharistic adoration; the “Eucharistic Amazement Parish & Organization Guide,” which gives an overview and “four pillars” of the revival to help people brainstorm ideas; and planning and timeline sheets. The materials are available in both English and Spanish.

The revival leaders were also encouraged to visit both the national revival website at: eucharisticrevival. org, and the local website at: archkck. org/eucharistic-revival.

All Catholics, not just the revival leaders, can access both.

The USCCB Eucharistic revival initiative is organized in three “years.”

It officially began on the solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 19, 2022.

The diocesan year of eucharistic revival continues to June 2023. Next, comes the parish year of eucharistic revival from June 2023 to July 2024. Finally, the revival will culminate in the Year of Going Out on Mission from July 2024 to 2025.

There will be a National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21, 2024, at the Lucas Oil Dome in Indianapolis. Approximately 80,000 people are expected to attend.

Four different cross-country eucharistic processions are planned, each beginning in different parts of the United States and converging in Indianapolis for the national congress.

“One of those is coming through the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and we don’t know where,” said Deacon Nearmyer. “It’s kind of scary. But Emily Lopez and I will have an hourlong conference call coming up where they’re going to brief us with what they think

will happen.

“Let’s get our stuff together and really surround Jesus as he comes into Kansas, as he comes into our archdiocese. I think extraordinary things will happen.”

For those not interested in making the trip to Indianapolis, something closer to home is planned.

“There was an event on May 4, 1941, a national eucharistic conference that drew around 10,000 people,” said Lopez, pointing to a photo of the conference crowd between the Liberty Memorial and Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and his leadership have a vision to recreate this experience in a bidiocesan way. They’ve invited us into conversation about this,” she said. “We are asking as you make plans for your parish to block off this date, Saturday, May 4, 2024. It is meant to be a local gathering [for the two dioceses].”

PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Pat Sullivan, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, carries the monstrance, in which the consecrated host is exposed for veneration, through the halls of Sacred Heart School in Shawnee. All the students lined the hallways and knelt as the Eucharist was processed through the school.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE The archdiocese’s ongoing participation in the national Eucharistic Revival movement will shift from the archdiocesan level to the parish level in June of this year.

At heart of spiritual mentorship is accompaniment

martyrdom, his host then-Sister Susan Pieper of the Apostles of the Interior Life was inspired to ask him a question.

“What would you like [the Apostles of the Interior Life] to do for the archdiocese and for you?” she asked.

“I want you Apostles to come up with a program that will form my people to do what you Apostles of the Interior Life do,” said the archbishop.

Archbishop Naumann had invited the Apostles to come to the archdiocese to exercise their ministry of offering spiritual guidance to individuals. There was only one problem: There weren’t enough of them.

Archbishop Naumann had long wanted to activate the universal call to holiness in archdiocesan Catholics.

“My dream for the archdiocese is to be able to awaken in the hearts of many a yearning for holiness,” he later wrote. “If we are able to succeed in this area, we will need an army of spiritual mentors who will be trained to help guide and assist others in developing a rich life of prayer.”

The male and female communities of the Apostles of the Interior Life, assisted by Father Steve Sotiroff and his own spiritual adviser, the late Eugene H. Wojtowicz, adapted the objectives of the Apostles’ ministry to create the Spiritual Mentorship Program. After that, the archdiocesan-based Holy Family School of Faith Institute partnered with the Apostles to run the program.

The first cohort met in 2011 and graduated in 2013. Today, there are about 400 graduates of the program scattered across the archdiocese, the rest of the United States and Canada.

Since the Apostles left the archdiocese in 2022, the Holy Family School of Faith Institute runs the program.

“Their (the Apostles) leaving has forced the hand of divine providence,” said Pieper. “It seems a movement of the Holy Spirit that forced us to turn to the alumni mentors [for help], and they are stepping up in a big way.”

Any friend of Jesus . . .

One poetic definition of a spiritual mentor is: “one beggar telling another beggar where they can find bread.”

Of course, there’s more to it than that.

“A spiritual mentor is a person who, having taken care and continues to take care of their relationship with Jesus — their interior life — turns around and helps another person go deeper in their own relationship and friendship with Jesus,” said Pieper.

Pieper is no longer with the Apostles of the Interior Life, but instead the “spiritual mother” and spiritual adviser of the Spiritual Mentorship Program, under the auspices of the Holy Family School of Faith Institute.

“The Spiritual Mentorship Program forms people in the spiritual life of the church, according to its teaching and traditions,” said Father Sotiroff, who is the program’s chaplain. “It enables them to teach other people to have an interior life, a spiritual life. And they become teachers of other people.”

Accompaniment is what the spiritual mentor does, said Pieper. Having become a friend of Christ, the mentor leads another person to that friendship. The spiritual mentor is a guide and companion on a journey to holi-

ness by helping the mentee develop a deep prayer life, sacramental life and life of virtue.

“I’ve had a spiritual mentor for the past six years,” said Scott Kincaid, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee. “[I’m doing it for] the continual formation. The gifts I’ve received by being with my spiritual mentor, being able to offer that to others, I think would be tremendous.

“The lessons [my spiritual mentor] receives by giving apply to himself. As spiritual director of my house, as a father, I work on formation to bring holy parents to my kids, with a goal of educating them and letting them grow in their own holiness.”

Getting the tools to do the job

Each cohort of mentor candidates undergoes a two-year course of study consisting of residential sessions and distance learning.

The four one-week residential sessions (two a year) are at Savior Pastoral Center. The session topics are: prayer and spirituality; liturgy and sacraments; virtue and the moral life; and discernment.

The distance learning courses are done through course materials, online lectures and videos. The courses cover the Catechism of the Catholic Church; prayer and spirituality; the New Testa-

ONE OF THE STRONGEST PIECES OF THIS PROGRAM IS . . . THAT WE ARE ALL CALLED TO HOLINESS, AND THAT’S NOT SAID ENOUGH. AND SO, WHEN THAT GOAL IS PUT IN FRONT OF US, IT’S INTIMIDATING. BUT THIS PROGRAM GIVES US THE TOOLS TO SEE IT IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE TO REACH HOLINESS.

CINDI PICKERT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE HOLY

SCHOOL OF

ment; virtue; the theology of the body; and salvation history.

Once they are certified through the Holy Family School of Faith Institute, the new mentors — all volunteers — are available to minister to their fellow parishioners. No one pays for mentoring.

Cindi Pickert, director of finance and administration for the Holy Family School of Faith Institute, discovered a surprise during her studies and for-

mation.

“The surprise, and it shouldn’t be a surprise, is that we can always go deeper in our relationship with God,” she said. “It does surprise me, and maybe that’s me not setting my expectations for God high enough. I’m continually surprised by how I can grow further in my relationship with God.

“One of the strongest pieces of this program is . . . that we are all called to holiness, and that’s not said enough. And so, when that goal is put in front of us, it’s intimidating. But this program gives us the tools to see it is possible for everyone to reach holiness.”

Although he received formation to be ordained a permanent deacon, Deacon Mark Mies from St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee also decided to enter the program to be equipped for mentoring.

“The formation we get in our archdiocese [to become deacons] is amazing, but we don’t spend much time specifically talking about spiritual direction,” he said.

“Because of the fact that you wear [clerical clothes] and the collar, you have people asking you for spiritual direction,” he continued. “My whole reason for being in the mentorship program is so I can get the tools I need to take the knowledge I’ve been given and supplement it. They teach you good ways to apply this knowledge to spiritual direction.”

You can be a mentor, too

Who can be a spiritual mentor? Just about any Catholic — with a few qualifications.

“Some people say they could never do spiritual mentorship because they aren’t qualified or capable, and I say if you were, we wouldn’t need a program,” said Pieper.

A candidate must be at least 25 years old, live their faith, be a Catholic in good standing, want to accompany others on their faith journey and be recommended by their pastor. According to Pieper, there are 181 graduates of the Spiritual Mentorship Program living in the archdiocese.

Stephanie Jacobson, an executive assistant at the Holy Family School of Faith and coordinator for the Spiritual Mentorship Program, is also a member of the sixth cohort. Demand always exceeds the supply of spiritual mentors.

“I receive their requests,” said Jacobson. “We have a waiting list often for women. Men are more reluctant. We try to stay on top of it so it’s not a long list.”

“There are the formal requests, but the men I talk to want to be mentored but don’t formally reach out,” said her husband Dan Jacobson, who is also in the sixth cohort. “Just having those conversations with them are helpful in getting them to the point of formally reaching out and getting a mentor.”

The seventh cohort, the class that will graduate in 2025, has already begun. It’s never too late, however, to find out more about the program. To find a spiritual mentor — or become one — go online to: schooloffaith.com, scroll down the page and click on the words “Mentorship: Learn More,” or call the Holy Family School of faith at (913) 310-0014.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE

Susan Pieper and Troy Hinkel lead a session on mentoring on Feb. 15. The spiritual mentorship program began in 2011 and has about 400 graduates.

FAMILY

FAITH INSTITUTE

New artificial intelligence software forces educators to adapt

By Jack Figge Special to The Leaven

ATCHISON — As ChatGPT, the advanced language model developed by Open AI, becomes increasingly prevalent in Catholic education, educators are facing new challenges, such as the ethical implications of relying on AI-generated answers and the need to balance technology with traditional teaching methods to ensure students receive a well-rounded education.

The opening sentence to this article was the work of neither a human author nor divine inspiration. Instead, it was generated by the new technological programming software called ChatGPT, which responds to a user’s prompt with a unique set of script.

For Catholic educators, not only has the creation of ChatGPT forced them to rethink teaching methods, but also to reflect on the fundamental mission and purpose of Catholic education.

Released on Nov. 30, 2022, ChatGPT has surged in prominence as people flock to the site seeking immediate, easy responses to their prompts. Upon receiving a prompt, ChatGPT scours text databases and online resources to write human-like text.

Across the country, students at every level of education are turning to ChatGPT to write papers and complete assignments, opening a new front for educators in the battle against cheating and plagiarism.

Upon the release of ChatGPT, educators and administrators of high schools and colleges within the archdiocese have sought to address this issue and understand how ChatGPT should work with the mission and identity of Catholic education.

The Catholic Church recognizes the value of technology in helping to advance society and build up the kingdom of God. Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, believes that almost all technology can be used for some good.

“The church is never against the ethical use of advancements in technology,” he said. “Technology is to serve building up the kingdom. There are very few technological advances that don’t have good and bad uses.”

In respect to Catholic education, technology should be used as a tool to enhance a curriculum rooted in personal relationships and the faith. Kimberly Shankman, dean of Benedictine College in Atchison, recognizes that when one relies too heavily on technology, the person loses out on the relational aspect that is fundamental to a Catholic education.

“The important thing to remember from the perspective of Catholic educators is that technology always has to be

THE CHURCH IS NEVER AGAINST THE ETHICAL USE OF ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY. . . . THERE ARE VERY FEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES THAT DON’T HAVE GOOD AND BAD USES.

MSGR. STUART SWETLAND PRESIDENT OF DONNELLY COLLEGE

the tool, not the driver,” said Shankman. “Catholic education is primarily based on a human relationship, as Pope Benedict tells us. That relationship cannot be simulated with your computer, your remarkable tablet or whatever other piece of technology that you have.”

Assistant professor of theology at Benedictine Dr. Mariele Courtois recognizes the value of building relationships within her classroom. ChatGPT, however, encourages college students to consult technology instead of teachers or faculty members for help.

“What I explained to my students is that oftentimes people are tempted to cheat because they’re trying to avoid some type of relationship,” said Courtois. “For example, if they need a longer deadline, instead of talking with the

professor and asking them, they’ll try to find a shortcut, like ChatGPT, so that they can still meet the deadline. Or if they have questions about how to cite sources, instead of asking a librarian or the Writing Center, they’ll try to find a way where they can sort of get the answer quickly without knowing and understanding it.”

What sets a Catholic school apart from its secular counterparts is its mission to not just teach students, but to form them into saints. At area high schools, administrators see ChatGPT as a threat to the formation process as it provides students with shortcuts.

“Technology like ChatGPT can give the impression that the only thing that matters is getting the product done,” said Dr. Shane Rapp, principal of St. James Academy in Lenexa. “ChatGPT is really forcing us to reconsider what is the purpose of school. For us, as a Catholic institution, the purpose of schools is the formation of a person.”

When a student uses ChatGPT to write a paper, schools consider the act plagiarism. In the eyes of the church, using another person’s work — or in this case, a computer’s work — violates the Seventh and Eighth Commandments regarding the act of stealing.

“Morality tells us if we’re going to be honest and not violate the Seventh and Eighth Commandments, that we should only put forward our own ideas in writing — not things that we lifted from other sources,” said Msgr. Swetland. “It’s both a justice issue and an honesty

issue. ChatGPT is just one other source that you could plagiarize with.”

Since ChatGPT is currently in its infancy, teachers and administrators have had little conflict with students using it to cheat. Yet there have been some cases. This semester, many teachers at Benedictine added clauses to their syllabus that prohibit the use of ChatGPT.

In addition, teachers are assigning papers that prompt students to write more personalized reflections instead of research-based papers, that students could use ChatGPT to complete with minimal work.

“In my syllabus, I have a new portion of the academic dishonesty section that specifically names ChatGPT,” said Courtois. “Another thing that I want to do is make sure that the students understand the reason why they’re doing each of their assignments.”

In a larger sense, Catholic administrators like Maureen Engen, principal of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, seek to help others recognize that a Catholic education is about more than intellectual development; its mission is social and spiritual formation as well.

“Our goal is for each of these students to know they’re created to do something that no one else is created to do,” said Engen. “Our schools don’t exist to make sure that our kids have all these answers. They exist to help these students become saints.

“We only do that through fostering virtue.”

Catholic Charities shares 40 ways you can help this Lent

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — This Lent, discover the many ways you can make a difference in your community through Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

Catholic Charities launched a “40 Ways, 40 Days” Lenten social media challenge that began on Feb. 22 and will run throughout the Lenten season.

Each day of Lent, Catholic Charities will post a suggestion on social media of how you can contribute to its

mission by participating in volunteer work, making a donation or joining the organization in prayer.

Catholic Charities has a number of ways you can serve those in need while also deepening your spiritual life.

It’s not too late to join the challenge! Follow Catholic Charities on social media by visiting the website at: catholiccharitiesks.org and clicking the social media icon of your choice in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JACK FIGGE

Mariele Courtois, assistant professor of theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, says one of the dangers of ChatGPT is that it encourages students to consult technology instead of teachers or faculty members for help, thus missing out on building relationships.

How Black History Month can inform our Lent

By Effie Caldarola OSV News

My friend Sister Mary Hogan told me that what she remembers most vividly about her experience in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 was the “hate stare.”

Sister Mary was a young religious Sister in Detroit when then-Archbishop (later Cardinal) John Dearden permitted his priests to respond to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s request for clergy and religious leaders to come to Selma. The day before, peaceful marchers had been met by violence from police and bystanders on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Her community’s superior asked who wanted to go to Selma in response to Dr. King’s plea.

“I jumped up and said, ‘I do,’” Sister Mary told me in an interview in 2015. “I thought she was kidding.”

But the next day, Sister Mary found herself on a plane, and if you see pictures of Sisters in long, traditional black serge habits sitting in the grass near that famous bridge, you may spot her.

Later, she recalled the eyes full of contempt watching her along the march and following her at the airport. Decades later, Sister Mary said she had never again

experienced the level of hatred conveyed in those eyes.

Much has changed for the better since 1965. But Black Americans still face powerful struggles and inequality in housing, employment, health care, incarceration and education.

And how about Black Catholics?

A recent Pew research study reveals 6% of Black Americans are Catholic. That translates into about 3 million people.

Do they sense the same commitment from their church and its leadership as evidenced by Archbishop Dearden in 1965? Or

do they sometimes feel invisible?

Over the recent Martin Luther King weekend, I attended a local parish. I intentionally scanned the crowd and found not one Black face. The homily did not mention our national observance and the bulletin made no reference to the

holiday or to the day of service it engendered.

King’s long-ago observation rang true: The 11 o’clock hour on Sunday is the most segregated in America.

But did not we, a church full of Catholics regardless of color, have a deep need to be reminded of the ongoing struggle for

justice and the legacy of a great American?

Later, I went online and found that Sunday’s bulletin for Gesu Parish in Detroit, where my friend Jesuit Father Lorn Snow is pastor. His parish, in a neighborhood that used to be mostly Jewish and Irish, is predominantly Black. But that, too, is changing, as young and suburban white Catholics come seeking the parish’s diversity.

In pastoring a Black community, said Father Lorn, who is white, “the most important thing is to listen.”

Enculturating people’s experience

into the liturgy is also important, he said. Gesu’s music ministry incorporates a lively African-American vibe.

Gesu’s bulletin for MLK week contained a full page of events relative to social and racial justice — an archdiocesan Mass at the cathedral, a parish event, an invitation to the National Black Catholic Congress in July. There was a reminder that the Novena of Grace, a nine-day preached event in March, which is a tradition in Jesuit parishes, will have racial justice as its theme. If the novena is livestreamed, I plan to attend as a good (hopefully fruitful) Lenten exercise.

But what else can I do for Lent?

One Lenten wakeup call for those who often sit in segregated pews is to read “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King’s stirring admonition to “moderate” whites and to Christian church leaders who often disappointed him.

Written in 1963 while King languished in jail for civil disobedience, the letter still holds relevance and challenge for our church today.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” wrote King.

As the church, how do we stand for justice?

Effie Caldarola is a columnist for OSV News.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/CNS FILE, GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

Father Alonzo Cox, vicar for the office of Black Catholic concerns in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, distributes Communion during a Mass marking Black Catholic History Month Nov. 21, 2021, at Our Lady of Victory Church in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. The liturgy was co-sponsored by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Archdiocese of New York.

IN PASTORING A BLACK COMMUNITY, SAID FATHER LORN SNOW, WHO IS WHITE, “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO LISTEN.” ENCULTURATING PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCE INTO THE LITURGY IS ALSO IMPORTANT, HE SAID.

THE TASTE OF VICTORY Chiefs help archbishop win a tasty treat

By Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — While an estimated $16 billion was bet on Super Bowl LVII pitting the Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles, there was much tastier action to be had in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann put up some of Kansas City’s best barbecue against some of Virginia’s finest cured ham, courtesy of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia — and a former auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia.

“Bishop Burbidge reached out to me,” Archbishop Naumann said. “For Catholic Schools Week, he was going out to many of the schools and encouraging them to pray for the Eagles. And said if the Eagles won, they would get the day off of school. Then, he asked me if I would like to have a wager on the game.”

It was a bet the archbishop couldn’t resist.

“I told him that here in Kansas our students were already motivated to pray for ‘God’s team,’ so we didn’t have to put that kind of pressure on our kids,” the archbishop said with a smile.

Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Burbidge have known each other since the latter was rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. They both had a common mentor in Cardinal Justin Rigali, who served in both St. Louis, where Archbishop Naumann is from, and Philadelphia, where Bishop

Donna (Bray) and Gerald Didde, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Ottawa, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 5 with a reception after the 11 a.m. Mass. The couple was married on March 3, 1973, at Gardner Baptist Church and the vows were read by Father Bob Bechtel. Their children are: Bernard Jonathan Didde and Lora Beth O’Connor. They also have four grandchildren.

Linda and Jim Jackson, members of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 3. They will celebrate with a family vacation this summer to Florida. The couple was married on March 3, 1973, at Christ the King Church, Kansas City, Kansas, by Father Paul Miller. Their children are: Jamie Jackson, Lenexa; Chris Jackson, San Clemente, California; and Jennifer Beckom, Fort Worth, Texas. They also have 10 grandchildren.

Burbidge was an auxiliary.

“He’s been a good friend,” said Archbishop Naumann. “We’ve served on a number of committees together. Right now, he’s the chair of the pro-life committee. So that brings us into conversation quite a bit. He’s a bishop I admire. He’s really a good man and fun to be around.”

That friendship didn’t prevent some good-natured trash talking between the two as the Super Bowl drew closer, however.

“I told him my only concern about

Karen and Michael Connor, members of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Feb. 9. The couple was married at Christ the King Church, Kansas City, Kansas, on Feb. 9, 1963. Their children are: Joseph Connor, Kevin Connor, Keith Connor and Bridget Wilson. They have eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Terry and Susan Mann, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, celebrated their 60th wedding anniver -

sary on Feb. 23. The couple was married at St. Pius X Church, Mission, by Msgr. William Curtin on Feb. 23, 1963. A celebration was held over the holidays with their children and grandchildren. Their children are: Kimberly Driver, Christopher Mann and Matthew Mann. They also have eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

the game was that the Eagles seemed to specialize in injuring quarterbacks,” the archbishop said, alluding to the fact that the Eagles knocked out 49ers’ quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson in the NFC Championship game.

Bishop Burbidge responded back that that was just a form of “brotherly love” that Philadelphia is famous for.

Archbishop Naumann watched the game with family in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He was impressed by the strong play of the Chiefs offensive line.

“Going in much was made of the

Cindy and Jim Werner, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Tonganoxie, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 4 with an open house from 2 to 6 p.m. at the VFW in Tonganoxie and a family gathering for Mass on March 5 at Sacred Heart. The couple was married on March 3, 1973, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Leavenworth. The marriage was blessed at St. Lawrence Parish, Easton, in April 1982 by Father Ron Cornish. Their children are: Shelly McCain, Matt Werner, Kalinda Joseph and Jeff Werner. They also have 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Christy (Sawyer) and Dennis Brungardt, members of St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 5 with family. The couple was married on March 3, 1973, at St. Augustine Church, Washington. Their children are: Marilea Brungardt and Travis Brungardt. They also have four grandchildren.

defensive line of the Eagles but I think our offensive line acquitted themselves extremely well. The Eagles really didn’t get to [Patrick] Mahomes,” the archbishop said.

The archbishop also mentioned the stellar play of Mahomes and his ability to play through a high ankle sprain.

“Mahomes is an example of a good leader,” he said. “Even though he was hurting, he overcame that and played a terrific game.”

The archbishop was also happy to see Harrison Butker kick the game-winning field goal. He mentioned that Butker, a Catholic, appeared to be wearing a brown scapular during the game. Scapulars are objects designed to show the wearer’s pledge to a confraternity, a saint or a way of life.

“I really have a lot of respect for Harrison Butker,” the archbishop said. “He’s really sincere in his faith.”

The day after the Chiefs 38-35 victory over the Eagles, Archbishop Naumann received a congratulatory message from Bishop Burbidge.

“I told him I thought the Eagles played very well,” the archbishop said, “but, fortunately, God’s team won.”

As for that ham, the archbishop said he has not received it yet. But when he does, he wants to share it with some Chiefs fans to celebrate the win.

“I’m looking forward to tasting it,” he said. “This ham will be particularly sweet.”

Deacon Zimmerman dies

Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant for the office of marriage and family life, died on Feb. 18.

The family will receive friends on Feb. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Therese Church, Kansas City, Missouri.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Therese with the committal service following at Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.

Look for more information about the legacy Deacon Tony leaves in the office of marriage and family life in future issues of The Leaven.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/BRIAN SNYDER, REUTERS

Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12. The Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, made a Super Bowl bet with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

A MEETING OF YOUNG CATHOLIC MINDS

PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER

Students from colleges across the state of Kansas gathered Feb. 10-12 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas for the annual Kansas Catholic College Student Convention. The three-day event featured guest speakers, talks and small group sharing. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann kicked off the event with Mass. The conference also featured a 5K run, a scavenger hunt and a party at the close of the second day.

SMALL GROUPS

THE GATHERING

Father Mitchel Zimmerman, director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, participates in a small group session. At other points in the conference, Father Zimmerman led a guided meditation and Holy Hour and spoke during lunch on the topic of “Are We An Evangelizing Community?”

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

Stacy Cretors, discernment director at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, instructs participants in the rules of the “people scavenger hunt.” The goal was the get students to interact with people they might not encounter on a daily basis.

Thomas Munn, middle, from Newman University in Wichita, reacts to the input of one the other students. during the Kansas Catholic College Student Convention hosted by St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center

were just one of many activities

SHARING

ON THE HUNT

Participants in the Kansas Catholic College Student Convention take selfies as part of a scavenger hunt on the campus of the University of Kansas. The assignment here was to “find someone stylish.”

Josh Omitt and Michelle Roesner, both students at the University of Kansas, share their faith stories as Nick Labrie, director of missionary discipleship at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, looks on. students. Sharing sessions

Center in Lawrence.

Details emerge from LA bishop’s murder

By Pablo Kay OSV News

LOS ANGELES (OSV News) — A 65-year-old Hispanic man was taken into custody the morning of Feb. 20 by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies as the prime suspect in the murder of Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell of Los Angeles.

LA County Sheriff Robert G. Luna announced at a news conference Monday afternoon local time at the Los Angeles County Hall of Justice in downtown LA that citizen tips led to the 8:15 a.m. arrest of Carlos Medina, the husband of a housekeeper who had worked at Bishop O’Connell’s home in Hacienda Heights, after an all-night search.

Bishop O’Connell, a native of Ireland who spent most of his 43 years as a priest serving in LA’s inner city, was found dead in his home on the afternoon of Feb. 18.

The next day, the LA Sheriff’s department announced that Bishop O’Connell’s death was being investigated as a homicide.

Luna established a timeline based on the work of detectives that indicated that at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 a tip was received linking Medina to the murder.

“They were concerned he was acting strange, irrational, and made comments about the bishop owing him money,” Luna said of the tip from the informant.

The tipster also said Medina had left his residence in Torrance and was headed for the central California area.

After obtaining an arrest warrant, police began a search of Medina’s home. Another tip at 2 a.m. Feb. 20 indicated that Medina had returned home, and Carson deputies were dispatched to the scene. Medina refused to come out of his residence when asked to surrender, Luna said.

The original search warrant was amended so Medina’s house could again be searched. A tactical team dispatched again called for Medina’s surrender, and he was then taken into custody around 8:15 a.m. without further incident.

Luna said two firearms were recovered and are being tested to see if they were used in the murder.

In an emotional press conference, Luna said “my heart grieves” for the death of Bishop O’Connell, based on all the calls of support he received in the investigation over the last 48 hours.

“This man, this bishop, made a huge difference in our community,” said Luna.

“He was loved. It is very sad that we are gathered here today about this murder.”

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, one of the speakers at the press conference, stopped several times during his remarks to collect himself. At one point, Luna put his arm around his shoulder to comfort him.

“On behalf of our entire community, I want to share thanks for your professionalism and sensitivity,” Archbishop Gomez said of the investigation. “It is a sad and painful moment for all of us. Let us keep praying for Bishop Dave and his family, just as he prayed for law enforcement officials.”

Archbishop Gomez Feb. 19 called on Catholics to pray for the late bishop and those investigating his death.

“We continue to pray for Bishop Dave, and for his family in Ireland, and we pray for law enforcement officials as they continue their investigation into this terrible crime,” he said at a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels that morning.

Luna confirmed a deacon from nearby

St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights was the first to find Bishop O’Connell, making a welfare check on him after he was late for a meeting, then dialing 911. Bishop O’Connell was found in his bed with at least one gunshot wound. No firearm was recovered at the home, nor were there signs of forced entry, Luna said.

After interviewing neighbors, Luna said surveillance video showed a vehicle had pulled into Bishop O’Connell’s driveway — a dark-colored compact SUV — which was later linked to the car his housekeeper had used.

Luna emphasized their investigation has not confirmed anything about a financial dispute between Medina and Bishop O’Connell, only that that information came from a witness.

“Our investigation continues . . . to get a better picture of what happened here,” said Luna. “The detectives will go out and validate.”

Luna added that not all information from the investigation will be revealed yet, as “keeping the integrity of the

investigation is a priority,” he said. “The next step is to present all of the evidence and try to get a criminal prosecution [filed against] Medina.”

Bishop O’Connell was originally from Brooklodge, Glanmire, in County Cork, the largest county in Ireland. He studied for the priesthood at the former All Hallows College in Dublin and was ordained to serve in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979.

Bishop O’Connell was named an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles by Pope Francis in July 2015. Since then, he had served as episcopal vicar for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region, one of the LA archdiocese’s five regions.

During his time as auxiliary bishop in Los Angeles, evangelization, pastoral care for immigrants, and ensuring the future of his region’s Catholic schools were all top priorities for Bishop O’Connell, who believed that “parishes and schools are powerful instruments of transformation of people’s lives and of neighborhoods.”

SOLUTION

NEED HELP HEALING FROM A PAST ABORTION?

“We constantly hear how grateful children are that their parents had things taken care of. Have you done this for your children?”

Gregg Amos

OSV NEWS PHOTO/PABLO KAY, COURTESY ANGELUS NEWS

Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez speaks as Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna looks on during a Feb. 20 news conference after the arrest of 65-year-old Carlos Medina, the suspect in the murder of Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell. Bishop O’Connell was found dead of a single gunshot wound Feb. 18 at his home in Hacienda Heights, a neighborhood east of Los Angeles.

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.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA

LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE

Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall)

5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka

Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m.

A rosary will be followed by a potluck lunch and business meeting and will include a celebration of the circle’s birthday. If anyone knows of a member or family member of Daughters of Isabella in need of the circle’s prayers, call Diana Ortiz at (785) 554-4256 or chancellor Gen Orozco at (785) 213-0374.

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.”

SOUP LUNCHEON

Most Pure Heart of Mary (Culhane Room)

3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka

Feb. 26 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The Christian Widow and Widowers Organization will host a soup luncheon. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call Gen at (785) 213-0374.

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.

BEEF AND NOODLE DINNER

St. Mary Parish (multipurpose room)

240 N. Commercial St., Neosho

Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

There will be homemade beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, dessert and drink. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 10. There will also be a drawing for lots of wonderful prizes. Get your tickets at the door!

BLOOD DRIVE

Donnelly College Events Center

608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas

Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Reserve your spot to give blood on Feb. 28. Visit this link to sign up: www. redcrossblood.org/give. Enter 66109 as the zip code and then find Donnelly College.

DAY OF REFLECTION

Holy Trinity Parish (Father Quigley Center)

9201 Summit St., Lenexa March 4 — Mass at 8 a.m.

Breakfast at 9 a.m.

Speaker from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The guest speaker will be Bill Quatman, president of the American Society of Ephesus, Inc. The topic will be: “The Virgin Mary’s Last Home on Earth.” Please register early and send your check for $15, payable to The Daughters of Isabella, to 15 Holly Dr., Olathe, KS 66062. Registration may be submitted online by sending

your name, address and phone number to Peggy at: seifert50@gmail.com. A freewill offering of $15 will be accepted at time of sign-in.

CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN

DIVORCE MINISTRY

Church of the Ascension

(St. Luke’s Room)

9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park

March 4 at 6 p.m.

Are you divorced and feeling lost and alone? The church welcomes you and offers healing. Please join us for formation and fellowship.

BLOOD DRIVE

Savior Pastor Center (gym)

12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas

March 8 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Give blood in March and get a $10 prepaid Visa card by email. Plus, get a chance to win a $3000 prepaid Visa card to help with gas or grocery expenses. You could be one of five lucky winners. Lend an arm; we’ll lend a hand. For more information, go online to: rcblood.org/help. To register, go online to: www.redcrossblood.org/ give and enter 66109 into the area code. Scroll down until you find Savior Pastoral Center.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER

St. Patrick Parish

33721 N.W. Crawford Rd., Emerald

March 11 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

There will be corned beef and cabbage (alternate meat available), Irish soda bread and homemade pies. You can purchase raffle tickets for a handmade quilt, hand-loomed rug, cash and many other items. Live music will be provided by Beyond the Heather. The suggested donation is $10.

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT: ‘BLESSING OF THE BEATITUDES’

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer

22131 Meager Rd., Easton

March 17 - 19

Join us this Lent as we follow the blessed path that Jesus laid out for our sanctification. God created us to live a life that leads us to the beatific vision. Living the beatitudes allows us to overcome our transgressions against divine law, regain our spiritual health and bring us face to face with our loving God. There are conferences, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer,

reflection and walking. Cabins/courtyard rooms are $170 single/$250 couple. Single guest rooms are $100. (Meals are included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: ChristsPeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

DINING TO DONATE

Jasper’s Restaurant

1201 W. 103rd St., Kansas City, Missouri March 22 from noon - 3 p.m. and from 5 - 9:30 p.m.

Jasper’s will once again donate 20% of all lunch and dinner sales to benefit the works of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Enjoy a delicious meal with your friends and family and help the Sisters at the same time. Reservations are encouraged. Contact Jasper’s by calling at (816) 941-6600 or go online to: jasperskc.com.

PARISH MISSION

Queen of the Holy Rosary

22779 Metcalf Ave., Bucyrus

March 26 at 3 p.m.

March 27, 28, 29, 30 at 6:30 p.m.

The parish mission will be given by Redemptorist priest Father Steve Rehrauer from Tucson, Arizona. He will lead the program “Rekindle Our Faith.” This is a one-ofa-kind experience to encounter Our Lord Jesus Christ and develop a more personal relationship with him. Come experience faith-filled inspirational talks along with community prayer and music. For more information go online to: https://qhrwea. church/parishmission.

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE ON HEALING AND FORGIVENESS

Holy Trinity Parish

13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa

May 4 from 5 - 9:30 p.m.

May 5 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 10 p.m.

May 6 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Come join us to experience Christ’s divine mercy and the power of healing and forgiveness in your life. We will have several inspirational speakers, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic adoration and opportunities for reconciliation. There will also be a wine and cheese social on Friday evening. The early registration cost of $85 ends March 19. The registration fee after that will be $125. For more information, visit the website at: CatholicWomens ConferenceKC.com.

EMPLOYMENT

Network administrator - Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa is seeking a network administrator. This person will oversee Holy Trinity’s computer network to ensure proper maintenance and security. This includes identifying network and computer system needs, overseeing installation of new hardware and software, and using employee feedback to isolate and resolve issues. This position provides support to Holy Trinity Parish staff, Holy Trinity School (K - 8) and the Holy Trinity Early Education Center. A detailed position description and list of required qualifications can be found at: www.htlenexa.org/jobopenings. Interested parties should submit a cover letter and resume to parish administrator Laura Weber at: lweber@htlenexa.org.

Catholic elementary school principal – St. Patrick School in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academics and advancement, particularly in the area of enrollment management leadership for the 2023-24 school year. Ability to work in a multicultural environment is required. St. Patrick has approximately 290 students in K - 8 grades and 46 preschoolers taught by 26 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. Apply online at: www.archkckcs. org/apply. Deadline for applications is March 10.

Attention retirees - Part-time drivers needed to pick up and deliver vehicles from Kansas City area dealerships. Must have clean/current driver’s license. $11 per hour. Call (913) 677-9440 and ask for Jason.

Part-time companions needed - Perfect job for any kindhearted, energetic person wanting to be a team player in a small growing family company. Must have reliable transportation. Job entails driving clients to appointments and running errands. Person must be personable, able to talk, do puzzles, play cards and entertain. We are not a hands-on caregiving company. Some clients may be standby assist. Driving around metro area may be required. Trip charge or mileage also given. Drug, background checks are mandatory. Call Jen at (913) 530-1795. Clarkson Companion Care.

Catholic financial planners – The Knights of Columbus Mahon Agency has openings in NE Kansas and western Missouri, covering areas in and around Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; northern Missouri; Topeka; and Atchison. We have much to offer determined, disciplined and high-expectation professionals who would like to share needed life insurance, disability income, long-term care and annuity products with other Catholic individuals and families. This is a full-time position with excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. This is an exciting career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you or someone you know. For further information, contact John A. Mahon at (785) 408-8800, or at: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Three- to six-year-olds guide - As Our Lady’s Montessori School continues to grow, we are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Catholic to serve as a primary lead guide, trained in the 3- to 6-year-olds Montessori Method. 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. Montessori training opportunities may be available. Please complete an application found at: olmskc.org/job-opportunities and submit a cover letter and a resume to: jwallace@olmskc.org.

Junior agriculture loan officer position - Exchange Bank & Trust which is the “Oldest Bank in Kansas” is seeking a full-time ag loan officer who will make and service loans of any type directly or indirectly related to agriculture and keeps abreast of agricultural loan trends. This is a position which would offer a senior loan officer giving direction and guidance as you work into the position. The primary markets served include Atchison, Leavenworth, Doniphan and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Buchanan and Platte County in Missouri. We prefer a candidate with an agriculture background. Benefits include competitive compensation, generous bonus potential, health insurance, 401(k) and profit sharing. Salary $40,000 - $50,000. For more information or to apply, email resume to: bhawk@myexchangebank.com.

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@ hscatholic.org for more information.

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.

Full-time lead teacher - Prince of Peace Early Education Center is seeking a year-round, full-time lead teacher in our preschool (3-year-olds) classroom who has a love for children and a background in early childhood (education and/or experience required).

Job duties include: care and supervision of children at all times; face-to-face parent communication; closing and cleaning procedures; and creating and implementing lesson plans and activities. This position is available upon completion of orientation and training. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience. Please email or send resume to: jwessel@popolathe.org.

Non-medical caregivers - Saint Rita Home Care is hiring non-medical caregivers for seniors. Seeking compassionate individuals to fill all shifts. Call or text Renee Margush at (913) 229-4267, or: margush@ saintritahc.com. Member of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe.

Catholic elementary school principal – Holy Family School in Topeka is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academic and advancement, particularly in the area of enrollment management leadership for the 2023-24 school year. Ability to understand and speak Spanish is a plus. Holy Family has approximately 150 students in K - 8th grades and 14 preschoolers taught by 13 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. Deadline for applications is Feb. 28.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, has the following staff job openings available: Director of Development and vice president of business affairs/CEO 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Faculty job openings include: Nursing school and professor of philosophy. Adjunct faculty job openings: biology, clinical nursing supervisor, information systems coordinator and math. 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.

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.

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

Handyman - Home repair; skilled labor; remodeling; handyman work done in a timely manner. References available on request. Call Jeff Mauk at (913) 9154738.

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>> Continued from page 12

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.

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, sun-rooms 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.

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.

WELLERBEEF.COM - Local, Catholic, family farm. No antibiotics/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.

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.

WANTED TO BUY

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.

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.

REAL ESTATE

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.

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.

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. Home care - CMA, 15 years experience, background check available, references available from past employers. Call (913) 999-4340.

Barrett Insurance Agency Inc

Erin Barrett CLU ChFC, Agent 13139 Shawnee Mission Parkway

erin@insurewitherin.com Bus: 913-648-1100

Hablamos Español

St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner State Farm, Bloomington, IL 2001738

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.

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 in Kansas City, Kansas. Section 4, lot 48, flat marker only. Price: $4200 plus $200 for the conveyance fee. Call Rita at (913) 707-4507.

For sale - Bedroom furniture set for sale. Bought at Macy’s and in mint condition. Dresser with matching mirror and nightstand. Dark wood with intricate design. Please call Virginia at (913) 438-0882 if interested.

For sale - Tandem crypts at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Crypt 144A and 144B located in the patio lV, tier G. Retail price is $10,010; selling price is $7500 plus $200 conveyance fees. Call Angela at (816) 863-2630.

For sale - Two crypts in the Resurrection mausoleum, Prince of Peace Chapel, section D1, crypts 9 and 11 (adjacent to each other), top row. Retail price for two crypts is $15,450 (includes interment fee and lettering); asking $14,000 but willing to negotiate. Call Mike at (913) 957-8601 or Barb at (913) 244-7793.

Thoughtful Care is looking for high quality caregivers to take care of our senior community members. Very rewarding work!

Please call 913-344-0101 or apply at www.thoughtfulhealthcare.com

DAILY READINGS

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Feb. 26

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Gn 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7

Ps 51: 3-6, 12-13, 17

Rom 5: 12-19

Mt 4: 1-11

Feb. 27

Gregory of Narek, abbot, doctor of the church

Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18

Ps 19: 8-10, 15

Mt 25: 31-46

Feb. 28

Tuesday

Is 55: 10-11

Ps 34: 4-7, 16-19

Mt 6: 7-15

March 1

Wednesday

Jon 3: 1-10

Ps 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19

Lk 11: 29-32

March 2

Thursday

Est C: 12, 14-16, 23-25

Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8

Mt 7: 7-12

March 3

Katharine Drexel, virgin

Ez 18: 21-28

Ps 130: 1-8

Mt 5: 20-26

March 4

Casimir

Dt 26: 16-19

Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 7-8

Mt 5: 43-48

Why are we so chintzy with God?

Don’t be chintzy. If there was one lesson drilled into me growing up, this was it. For example, if you went to a wedding reception and they had less than three meats on the buffet — or God forbid, if it was “just” cake and punch — the hosts were considered chintzy.

More serious, though, than being labeled chintzy is its potentially deeper effect. This story nicely illustrates that:

Many years ago, Irish immigrants subscribed to the theory that they could eat all the big potatoes and keep the small ones for seed planting. They did this for quite some time: ate the big potatoes; planted the small ones. Soon, however, greater understanding of the laws of nature came to them, for while they kept up this practice, nature reduced all their potatoes to the

MARK MY WORDS

Third Planting.”)

While I can easily forgo having that meal, I’d be hard pressed to put $8.30 into the Rice Bowl, judging from past behavior. Maybe a couple of bucks, max. That’s chintzy . . . and my parents would be ashamed of me.

equal amount of money to the Rice Bowl or Catholic Charities. The same attitude could apply to your Starbucks coffee routine or dining-out habits. Don’t necessarily stop those things, just funnel a matching gift to almsgiving.

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

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

size of marbles. The Irish farmers learned through bitter experience that they could not keep the best things of life for themselves and use the leftovers for seed. The laws of nature decreed that the harvest would reflect the planting season. (Story found in Brian Cavanaugh’s “Fresh Packet of Sower’s Seeds:

When it comes to this season of Lent, I’ve found a chintzy streak in me. I always pick up a Rice Bowl from Catholic Relief Services. I love the idea of sacrificing something in my life and putting what I would have spent on myself into the Rice Bowl instead. So, why don’t I do that?

The Rice Bowl comes with a wonderful calendar for Lent, yet I never refer to it. Not only am I chintzy with time, but also with my contributions. Let’s say I get a combo meal at McDonald’s for $8.30.

Sadly, I fear that I’m not alone in being chintzy when it comes to those pesky Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Oh, we might “give up” something, but we’ll neglect a commitment to prayer and almsgiving. All three of those disciplines are as essential as three legs are to a stool. If any one is missing, the stool becomes unbalanced and useless.

With that in mind, I’d like to propose a few “anti-chintzy” behaviors for this Lent:

• If you bought some new Chiefs gear or mementos commemorating their Super Bowl LVII win, great.

Now, consider giving an

• Are you addicted to watching basketball during March Madness or love binge-watching a favorite show? Wonderful, enjoy them. But tally up all those hours in front of the TV and devote an equal amount of time to prayer or volunteering.

• In place of “giving up” chocolate, pop or chips, choose to fast instead from gossip, impatience or judging others.

If we truly want these days of Lent to be meaningful, let’s stop being chintzy with God.

Instead, plant some “big potatoes” of prayer, fasting and almsgiving . . . in anticipation of an abundant harvest at Easter.

One spiritual gift of Lent is the ability to trust in God

Forbidden fruit is the sweetest, so the saying goes.

We know this well from the experience of persevering in our Lenten sacrifices. The more we resolve to put away certain foods, the more tempting those treats become!

MACRINA

c. 327 - 379

St. Macrina ruled the roost in a family of saints: her parents were St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia, and St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Peter of Sebaste were her siblings. As the eldest child of 10, Macrina exercised a formative influence on her more famous brothers and even on her mother. She trained her siblings in a classic education with a focus on Scripture. When Basil returned from Athens University all puffed up with self-importance, Macrina put him in his place. And she persuaded him to become a monk and to subordinate his gifts to God’s purposes. Later, she and her mother renounced their high standard of living. They formed a small monastic community of nuns on the family’s estate.

The more we strive to be patient, the quicker we lose our patience. And our best intentions to engage in the corporal works of mercy can easily be derailed by the busyness of daily life.

Our resolve to pray, fast and give alms brings us face-to-face with human weakness. Among the many spiritual gifts of Lent is learning to trust in God and to persevere in cooperating with God’s grace, as we seek interior conversion of heart and mind.

Sunday’s first reading invites us to take spiritual stock of our fallen human condition. In Genesis, we read of God’s loving plan to create human beings out of nothing. Of all the living creatures, humans are the only ones into whom God breathes his own

breath of life. What great dignity we have in being created with divine life breathed into us!

The account of the fall of Adam and Eve calls to mind the reality of original sin. Tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. All sin from then on would flow from that original disobedience to (and lack of trust in) God’s goodness.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes original sin this way: “In that sin, man preferred himself to God and by that very act scorned him. He chose himself over and against God, against the requirements of his creaturely status and therefore against his own good. Constituted in a state of holiness,

man was destined to be fully ‘divinized’ by God in glory. Seduced by the devil, he wanted to ‘be like God,’ but ‘without God, before God and not in accordance with God’” (398).

The divine response to our fallenness goes beyond anything we could imagine or create. God — in infinite, loving mercy — sends his only son Jesus to reconcile us to friendship with God.

As St. Paul explains to the Romans, “just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one, the many will be made righteous.”

The psalmist turns this saving mystery of faith into prayer as he cries out, “Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in

the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.”

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus shows his path to overcoming temptations to power, wealth and self-sufficiency. In Jesus, our Lenten gaze is redirected to God, our loving creator and the ultimate source of our happiness and fulfillment. Jesus’ response to the tempter shapes our response to the daily temptations we face: “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”

As Lent begins, may we embrace the gift of God’s mercy and grace with prayerful confidence saying, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Persecutions become opportunities to spread the Gospel, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Persecution has led to people spreading — not forgetting — the Gospel to the many places they go, Pope Francis said.

“I think of so many Christians who, in our time, are forced to flee their land. Men and women who, like the first believers, flee, taking with them the word they have received,” Pope Francis said Feb. 16 during a

meeting with a delegation representing the United Bible Societies.

“They treasure their faith as the treasure that gives meaning to the difficult, sometimes terrible, circumstances they must face; embracing the cross of Christ, they venerate the word of God that endures forever,” he said. The ups and downs experienced by the early church are similar to what is happening today, he added.

“The word is proclaimed, heard

and lived out in favorable and unfavorable circumstances, in different ways and with different expressions, facing severe difficulties and persecution in a world often deaf to the voice of God.”

The Acts of the Apostles shows that the fledgling church “lives by the word, proclaims it and, persecuted, flees with it as her one piece of luggage,” he said. “Therefore, persecutions become opportunities to spread the word, never to forget it.”

JEM SULLIVAN

Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

You may have heard the story of the man who died and soon after approached St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter informed the man that he needed to explain why he should be allowed to enter heaven and that the man needed to accumulate 100 points to have the gates opened for him.

The man started to rattle off his list of good deeds: “I have gone to Mass every Sunday since I was a little boy. I have been a good husband and father. I gave to the poor whenever

God’s mercy is a lesson we all must learn

FROM THE SUPER

VINCE CASCONE

they needed it. I volunteered my time in my parish.” The man went

on and on about the many good things he had done in his life.

When he was sure he named them all, he looked St. Peter in the eye, waiting intently for his response. St. Peter looked at him and

said, “That will be good for one point.”

Dejected and frustrated, the man threw his face in his hands and yelled, “My God, have mercy on me.”

With that, St. Peter said, “Now you get it! God’s mercy is all you need. You need only ask for it.”

Mercy can be defined as withholding punishment that is deserved. It should give us solace that the first leader of the church and the one whom Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven denied that he even knew Our Lord,

even after walking side by side with him and seeing all of his works over three years. I can certainly relate to this more than I would like to admit.

Our Catholic schools strive to teach our students about God’s beautiful gift of mercy. In a world that tells us how we need to look and what we need to do to be accepted, we teach our young people that the creator of the universe does not look at them through this lens.

The creator of the universe loves them simply because they are his. They only

need to recognize their human weaknesses and failures and call out to him, “My God, have mercy on me.”

In the 42 schools in the archdiocese, we will be teaching about this beautiful gift of God’s mercy throughout Lent.

I am asking all faculty and staff members in our schools not only to teach the children about God’s mercy, but to show them firsthand examples of what mercy looks like.

As Jesus himself said, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.”

The Lord models a way for us to deal with temptation this Lent

San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary, where I spent most of my missionary service in Cuba, moved to a new site from the city of Havana to its peripheries shortly before our arrival there in 2011.

Dotted with palm trees and mango groves, it was home to what must have been every living creature ever made by God: snakes, ants, scorpions, termites, wasps, frogs, rats, bats and lizards, to name a few.

Whenever we became frustrated with the hordes of ants and legions of lizards marching into the convent, we had to

SET APART

SISTER EVA-MARIA ACKERMAN, FSGM

remind ourselves that, until the construction of the new seminary building, the creatures

had been the sole residents of the scenic property for centuries before any human being arrived. In other words, to them we must have seemed like the invaders.

Early one October morning, I started my walk to the seminary chapel where Mass would be offered.

Right in my way, I encountered a big, black, hairy tarantula in the middle of the sidewalk. The other Sisters would soon be coming along, so I ran back to the convent and grabbed a broom. I had to protect the Sisters, I thought, but I also was afraid of being attacked.

Approaching the large spider, I began to whack it without mercy until its legs began to fly off in all directions. Then out of nowhere, to my right, I heard the greeting of one of our seminarians: “Feliz fiesta de San Francisco” (“Happy feast of St. Francis”). He was smiling. It truly was the feast

of the founder of my religious family and the lover of all living beings. Had he been in my situation, I suspect St. Francis wouldn’t have pulverized the poor innocent creature.

But tarantulas and snakes and scorpions are scary for most of us. They often symbolize evil and cause overwhelming fear, much like the fallen angels who lurk in the shadows of our daily walk with God or like their leader, the devil, whom Jesus encountered after 40 days and nights in the desert.

Jesus, who is infinitely more powerful than the evil one, could have obliterated the

devil in one fell swoop, but he chose another way. He fasted. He prayed. He peacefully quoted Scripture when bombarded with the devil’s attempts to trip him up. Over all, Jesus surrendered himself into the hands of his Father, giving us an example not only for the Lenten journey we are embarking on, but also for our entire lives. No matter what we encounter in our daily battle against evil, the Lord of mercy arms us with his life-giving word and sacrament and clears the way before us.

Amazing eucharistic opportunities abound; don’t be left out

This is such an exciting time to be Catholic! The national Eucharistic Revival is underway!

Each parish is in discernment on how to live out and invite its parishioners into deeper consciousness that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, and thus with us — day to day, moment to moment.

The archdiocese had an incredible head start on Eucharist Revival, as this has been the deepest desire of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, as evidenced in his earliest writing and preaching.

Our priests are steeped in a culture of Eucharistic Revival, so Lee McMahon, in the archdiocesan office of evangelization, has created a world-class

SEEKING CHRIST’S HEART

bring about eucharistic revival in the church today.

You can listen to “New Manna” on all major podcasting platforms.

to foster deeper relationship through Jesus Christ.

The national website is: www. eucharistic revival.org/

DEACON

podcast, “New Manna,” featuring local clergy and lay leaders. The first episode is a heartfelt conversation between Father Joel Haug and Father Luke Doyle. The “New Manna” podcast seeks to awaken

a deeper desire for the holy Eucharist. In every episode of “New Manna,” you can expect:

• eucharistic testimony from clergy and lay leaders

• a discussion on a bite-sized section of a recent papal document pertaining to the Eucharist and worship

• encouraging conversation about the power of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to

Corpus Christi 2023 is the official launch of the parish year of the Eucharist, but many parishes regularly preach on the Real Presence, and many parishes are launching small groups and enhanced catechesis.

Small groups are a critical strategy component of the national Eucharistic Revival. The national website, our local website and social media groups are rich in direction, resources and information about the various approaches that individuals, small groups, apostolates and parishes can adopt

Our archdiocesan website is: archkck.org/ eucharistic-revival/

Our Enflame Facebook group — www. facebook.com/groups/ enflame — and evangelization page offer information and interaction with local leaders on Catholic issues and preferentially Eucharistic Amazement. That link is: www.facebook.com/ EvangelizedKS.

Local formation and Eucharist experience are key to building up our culture of eucharistic amazement. One great opportunity to be formed in eucharistic amazement is Camp Tekakwitha; our

theme this summer is “Emmanuel: God Is With Us.” Camp Tekakwitha’s zip lines, waterslides, horses, amazing eucharistic faith formation and supercharged fun are welcoming you for the summer of 2023.

Camp Tekakwitha is about fun, faith and friends. For 25 years, camp has strengthened faith and helped campers build lifelong connections to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Camps are offered for 5th-12th graders, and there are three family camps: special needs, Spanish speaking and our original offering.

This is such an exciting time to be Catholic! The national Eucharistic Revival is underway; don’t be left behind.

Vince Cascone is the superintendent of archdiocesan schools.

Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman, FSGM, is the Delegate for Religious and Consecrated Life for the archdiocese.

DANA NEARMYER

Deacon Dana Nearmyer is the director of evangelization for the archdiocese.

Shrine to first U.S.-born martyr dedicated

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

OKLAHOMA CITY – “The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.”

That is probably the most famous line ever written by Blessed Stanley Francis Rother, a diocesan priest from Okarche, Oklahoma, who in September 2017 became the United States’ first native-born martyr to be recognized by the Catholic Church.

He is also the first diocesan priest from the United States to be beatified. Beatification is the final step before becoming a saint.

For the past several years, thousands of pilgrims have journeyed to Oklahoma to pray at his tomb at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche. But as of Feb. 17, pilgrims have a new place at which to pray and seek Blessed Rother’s intercession.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City welcomed guests to the Mass for the dedication of the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine located in the southern part of the city.

The Mass served as the final event in a weeklong celebration known as Dedication Week. It began with vespers and an all-night vigil and included, among other events, the dedication of the shrine’s chapel in which Blessed Rother’s body lies entombed.

The campus, once a golf course, boasts a 2,000-seat Spanish Colonial-style church known as Sacred Heart, which serves not only as the home of the Blessed Rother Shrine, but also the church for the parishes of Sacred Heart and Holy Angels, which minister to the archdiocese’s growing Hispanic population.

It is the largest Catholic church in Oklahoma. The shrine also includes a pilgrim center with a gift shop and museum, where visitors can learn about Blessed Rother’s life and see some of his personal items, including his ordination chalice and rosary.

In his homily, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City acknowledged and welcomed all of those in attendance, including Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, and Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran “whose vision and whose conviction” led to the opening of the cause of Blessed Rother. He also welcomed Archbishop Gonzollo Villa Vasquez, SJ, who hails from the Archdiocese of Guatemala City but who served as the bishop of Solola-Chimaltenango, the diocese in which Blessed Rother served as a missionary for 13 years.

The day, Archbishop Coakley said, was indeed a cause for celebration.

“It’s not about the beautiful art, architecture that speaks so eloquently to God’s goodness and mercy and beauty. We gather here to honor the God who created all of this and the God who is glorified in his saints. We honor Blessed Stanley because we are giving glory to God,” the archbishop said.

“The life of each and every saint in the history of the church manifests something of the perfection of Christ — reveals God’s beauty, God’s truth and God’s goodness in unique ways,” he added.

The archbishop also encouraged everyone to seek the martyr’s intercession.

“Ask with confidence. Ask with boldness,” he said. “If you need a special favor, if you need a miracle, remember so does Blessed Stanley Rother. Ask often. What will it take for Blessed Stanley to become Saint Stanley?”

Well, it’s going to take a miracle,” the archbishop said to much laughter, noting the final step in the process is a miracle attributed to his intercession.

Today’s Catholics, he continued, are not necessarily living in a world open to the Christian message, but in “an apostolic age” much like “the hostile pagan world into which the apostles were sent after Pentecost.”

One person the archbishop said who can offer us an example of living heroically in this age is Blessed Rother.

“When his life was threatened and he knew that death was imminent for him, he wrote back home to Oklahoma in his Christmas letter in 1980, famously declaring, ‘The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger,’ and he chose to remain.”

In conclusion, the archbishop said, “The world into which we are sent to go make disciples needs committed priests. It needs holy marriages and families. It needs dedicated lay leaders in their professions, the trades, in business and the arts and in public service

to renew the culture with the light of the Gospel, the fragrance of Christ and the attractive beauty of holiness. We need faithful witnesses and fervent missionary disciples.

“Let us learn, let us study the example of our brother, Blessed Stanley Rother, and confidently seek his intercession that we will be found faithful just as he was faithful and ultimately be welcomed as he was welcomed into the company of the saints.”

For more information about Blessed Rother and the shrine, including hours of operation and Mass times, visit the website at: rothershrine.org.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JULIE ANDERSON

The main church of the Blessed Stanley Francis Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City was filled to capacity for its dedication on Feb. 17. The Mass was the last event in a celebration known as Dedication Week, which began Feb. 12 with vespers and an all-night vigil service. Throughout the week, other events, like the dedication of the shrine chapel and a blessing of the museum and pilgrim center, helped to honor the legacy of Blessed Rother, a priest from Okarche, Oklahoma, who became the first U.S.-born priest to be beatified and the first U.S.-born martyr for the Catholic faith.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Created by Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875, a statue of Blessed Stanley Francis Rother with a first-class relic at its base adorns the back of the shrine’s chapel, located behind the main altar of Sacred Heart Church.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

From left, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann sits next to Archbishop Christoph Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, during the shrine Mass. Next to the nuncio is Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran, the former archbishop of Oklahoma City. The canonization process for Father Rother began under Archbishop Beltran in 2007.