03 25 22 Vol. 43 No. 12

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 43, NO. 32 | MARCH 25, 2022

AT THE TOP OF HIS FIELD

Maur Hill-Mount Academy names baseball field after Ravens head coach/president

LEAVEN PHOTOS BY JD BENNING

Maur Hill-Mount Academy head baseball coach Phil Baniewicz (above) gets ready for the Ravens’ opening game of the season March 17 at home in Atchison. The game unveiled the new scoreboard (top photo), naming the field after Baniewicz, who moonlights as the school’s president.

By Dean Backes Special to The Leaven

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TCHISON — By day, Maur Hill-Mount Academy president Phil Baniewicz puts everything he has into making sure his students become the men and women God created them to be.

In the evening, that same passion carries over to the baseball diamond, where he is the Ravens head baseball coach.

Baniewicz, with the assistance of his

wife Lisa, has been surprisingly successful in both endeavors.

Now, he will be honored by the MH-MA board of directors Mar. 29 by having the school’s baseball diamond in Atchison named after him in recognition of a decade’s worth of service, dedication and passion for the school and for being instrumental in bringing baseball back.

“The board [of directors] caught me totally off guard,” said Baniewicz of having the Raven baseball facilities renamed Baniewicz Field. “They hit my heart pretty well. They know I have a lot

of love for the school, and they know my love for baseball.”

“It’s very humbling,” he added. “It’s a little awkward for me, but I’m sure it’ll become more and more special as time goes on.”

Jonathan Mize was the chairman of the board a decade ago when he brought Baniewicz aboard, first as president and second as the baseball coach.

“I’m just glad they decided to do it,” Mize said of the board adding Baniewicz’s name to the baseball diamond that he and his players essentially built themselves.

“It’s long overdue. I think it’s just a great tribute to Phil to have the baseball field named after him.”

When Baniewicz left his role as vice president of college relations at Benedictine College in Atchison and stepped foot on campus as president in April 2010, he had his work cut out for him. MHMA’s Catholic identity was flagging, and the northeast Kansas Benedictine prep boarding school was facing the real possibility of closing its doors due to financial

WATCH IN NEXT ISSUE for coverage of the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to Mary.

>> See “HE” on page 4

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ARCHBISHOP

MARCH 25, 2O22 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Peace in Ukraine will take a miracle . . . so we know who to turn to

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oday, March 25, we celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel of the conception of Jesus in her womb.

Today, Pope Francis has invited all the Catholic bishops throughout the world to join him in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Of course, every Marian consecration is understood to be a consecration to Jesus through his mother Mary.

The Holy Father has invited all Catholics to join him in praying for peace, specifically for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. It is heartbreaking to see the images of the elderly and children being wounded and killed by the indiscriminate bombing of civilian neighborhoods.

There can be no moral justification for the suffering that Russian President Putin has inflicted upon the people of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian people have exhibited heroic courage in their efforts to defend their country against an unjust invasion.

They have inspired the world with their remarkable bravery in resisting effectively the unprovoked aggression of a much larger nation and military.

Too many have suffered and too many have died already. Yet,

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Russian President Putin appears resolute in occupying and bringing under his rule the country and the people of Ukraine.

At the same time, few believed that the Ukrainians could successfully blunt, as they have thus far, the massive Russian military invasion.

Sadly, the success of the Ukrainian defense has both embarrassed and infuriated President Putin. The Russian president appears to have become more vicious in his attack on the Ukrainian people.

The Russian invaders have already attempted to level and completely destroy several Ukrainian towns and cities in an effort to break the will of the Ukrainian people.

It seems that Putin’s pride prevents him from acknowledging the terrible harm he has inflicted upon Ukrainians. Putin is afraid to appear weak by withdrawing. It seems improbable

that he will ever order his soldiers to return home to Russia, much less be willing to pay reparations for his responsibility in the destruction of innocent lives and property.

War is never an acceptable means to resolve disputes between nations. No one wins at war. Inevitably, there are innocent bystanders who are severely harmed by war.

It has been heartwarming to see how Ukraine’s neighbor nations have been generous and gracious in welcoming refugees.

Poland has received, by far, the largest number of refugees.

The Polish people have been remarkable in their generosity to care for and welcome those who have been forced to flee their homeland.

It will take a miracle to bring an end to this war without much greater loss of life and a growing number of those spiritually, emotionally and physically scarred by the evil of war. Our God is a God of miracles. Our Lord has a history of liberating those unjustly

oppressed. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and his mother, Mary, the Queen of Peace.

Jesus and Mary are eager to help us, if we remain faithful and determined in our prayer. After all, if the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was humble enough to become a tiny embryo in the womb of Mary in order to bring mercy and peace to our broken world, do we doubt that he will respond to our fervent prayers?

On March 25, I was already scheduled to be at St. James Academy in Lenexa to lead the students and faculty in a period of eucharistic adoration at the precise time Pope Francis has asked the bishops of the world to join with him in offering the prayer of consecration.

I hope many of our parishes will offer similar opportunities for prayers for peace at this critical moment.

I encourage every member of the archdiocese to enter into persistent and fervent prayer for peace in Ukraine. Relying solely upon our own ingenuity, the situation appears overwhelming. However, we never are on our own. God promises to be with us and God is faithful.

I urge every member of the archdiocese to pray the rosary daily for the specific intention of peace in Ukraine.

If we storm heaven

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR March 25 Eucharistic adoration — St. James Academy, Lenexa March 26 Anointing Mass and reception — Curé of Ars, Leawood Symposium on Transforming Culture — Benedictine College, Atchison March 27 Rural Catholic Youth Conference — Prairie Star Ranch, Williamsburg March 28 Confirmation — Good Shepherd, Shawnee March 29 Stations of the Cross — chancery Confirmation — Cathedral of St. Peter and parishes of Resurrection School — Cathedral March 30 Confirmation — Holy Trinity, Lenexa March 31 St. Paul’s Outreach banquet — Overland Park Convention Center April 2 Mass and Rosary for Life — Immaculate Conception, St. Marys April 3 Scouting Mass — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas April 4 Villa St. Francis board meeting Confirmation — Mater Dei, Topeka April 5 Heart of the Redeemer annual meeting — chancery Confirmation — Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka April 6 St. Lawrence Center board meeting Confirmation — St. John the Evangelist, Lawrence

with our prayers, I have no doubt that God will shower his blessings upon us, our families

and our world.

Most Pure Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Amen.

LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

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PUTTING FAMILY FIRST

Benedictine College to host first-ever Family Week “ THERE WILL BE SOME “

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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TCHISON — It’s not that Tory Baucum wants to start a fight. But he does want to provoke some thought among married couples with this question.

“Do you love your wife or husband more now than you did last year?” he said. “If you can’t say ‘yes,’ there’s room to grow — and you’re a wonderful candidate for Family Week.”

Baucum, director of the Center for Family Life at Benedictine College in Atchison, is leading an effort to conduct the first-ever Family Week, May 22-28, on the college campus.

He knows that not every married couple in the archdiocese will go — but they should.

Family Week is a weeklong family enrichment retreat hosted by the Center for Family Life. It promises “a true experience of an authentic Catholic vision for marriage and family life.”

“I think the church — and the clergy — have done a good job of explaining to the laity the rulebook of marriage, but they haven’t done nearly as good a job of explaining the playbook of marriage,” said Baucum.

“Family Week is kind of like summer camp for learning the playbook of marriage,” he said, “how to do marriage well, how to teach the meaning of the sacrament of marriage to other lay couples, making lay couples not just the object of the church’s ministry but the

THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE TAUGHT, SOME SPIRITUALITY OF MARRIAGE TAUGHT AND THERE WILL BE PRACTICAL RELATIONSHIP SKILL-BUILDING TAUGHT. SO HEAD, HEART AND HANDS WILL ALL COME TOGETHER AT FAMILY WEEK. TORY BAUCUM DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE AT BENEDICTINE COLLEGE subject. They are the chief protagonists of passing on the teaching of the sacrament of marriage because they live it.”

Family Week means bringing the whole family along for the ride — and trust him, this is going to be great, said Baucum.

The days will consist of engaging talks by dynamic presenters, fellowship, prayer and fun family activities. During the mornings, couples will explore various topics and strategies relating to marriage and the family while the kids have fun activities and faith formation.

The afternoons and evenings will be fun and formative family time.

“There will be some theology of

marriage taught, some spirituality of marriage taught and there will be practical relationship skill-building taught,” said Baucum. “So head, heart and hands will all come together at Family Week.”

And when Baucum says Family Week is “kind of” like summer camp, he means comfortable summer camp. No tents. No latrines. Participants will eat in the Benedictine College dining hall and sleep in the dorms.

One couple — J.P. and Christina DeGance — will travel all the way from Virginia with eight of their kids to attend Family Week.

DeGance was in the archdiocese on Feb. 26 to give a presentation to pastors and couples about the book he authored along with John Van Epp, “Endgame: The Church’s Strategic Move to Save Faith and Family in America.”

DeGance, who is also president and founder of the nonprofit church consultant organization Communio, will also speak at Family Week.

“Family Week seeks to equip the domestic church to live its vocation of being the domestic church,” he said.

“Catholics have a great theology and anthropology of marriage and the sacraments. What Baucum and the Center for Family Life are trying to do is connect that great theology and anthropology with terrific skills and practices that can strengthen and deepen the spiritual bonds of the family and marriages.”

The message in “Endgame,” the work of the Center for Family Life, the work of Communio and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s key objective of marriage

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

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and family life in the archdiocesan mutually shared vision all complement each other, said Baucum.

Thus, the end result of Family Week will not only be personal enrichment, but also the establishment of marriage and family life ministries in parishes.

“One of the reasons we presented [‘Endgame’] to so many members of the archdiocese was the idea of bringing our Communio support to individual parishes across the archdiocese,” said DeGance.

“Our hope is to see 10-15 partnerships across the 104 parishes of the archdiocese begin implementing our model and vision — to equip individual parishes to be the hub for healthy relationships and marriages in their communities, which is the most effective way in the 21st century to evangelize and spread the Gospel.”

If approved by the archdiocese, this work will begin in late June and be implemented by September. To see DeGance’s “Endgame” presentation on Feb. 26 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, go online to: livestream. com/archkck/live/videos/229867022.

The cost to attend Family Week is $275 per adult and $170 per child, with the family cost capped at $890. Scholarships are available.

To register for Family Week, apply for scholarships and get conference information, go online to: Benedictine. edu/events/family-week/index, or for information, call the Center for Family Life at (800) 467-5340.

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Social Media Editor/Reporter Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 25, 2O22 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Statement from the archdiocese

O COURTESY PHOTO

The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth elected new leadership during their 19th community chapter in late February. They are, from left: Sister Eileen Haynes, community director; Sister Rosemary Kolich, councilor; Sister Melissa Camardo, councilor; and Sister Nancy Svetlecic, councilor.

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Sisters of Charity elect new leadership

EAVENWORTH — The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth held their 19th community chapter in late February. The chapter, convened every six years, meets to elect community leadership and promote the spiritual and apostolic vitality of the community.

The chapter theme, “Now, with God’s grace,” guided the prayer and reflection prior to the election of members of the Community Council. The newly elected council members are: Sister Eileen Haynes, community director; Sister Melissa Camardo, first councilor; Sister Nancy Svetlecic, councilor; and Sister Rosemary Kolich, councilor.

Previously, Sister Eileen served two consecutive terms on the SCL Council, beginning in 2010. Her ministry focused on education, spirituality, eco-justice and social justice.

She taught in the United States and Peru and held administrative positions as a school principal and director of a diocesan house of prayer, a high school admissions department and a degree completion program.

Sister Eileen is a former member of

the national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and formerly SCL liaison to the nongovernmental organization (NGO) for the Sisters of Charity Federation at the United Nations. Currently, she is a member of the Vincentian Family Executive Committee.

Sister Melissa serves in ministry roles with the Vincentian Family and the Sisters of Charity Federation. She was convener of the 2021 North American Vincentian Family Gathering, and is a national core team member for Giving Voice, a peer-led organization for younger women religious. Previously, she was director of development for LifeWay Network, a safe housing and education program in Queens, New York, and was vice president of mission and sponsorship for Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver. Currently, Sister Melissa is a member of Leaven Ministries, the sponsoring body for SCL Health.

Sister Nancy is a licensed therapist in private practice for the past eight years in Redondo Beach, California.

She serves young adults and seniors in areas of relationship, addictions,

grief/loss, depression, anxiety and transitions. Previously, she practiced for Bridges in El Monte, California, and was a mental health counselor and residential program coordinator for ISIS Center in San Diego. Sister Nancy has experience in marriage and family therapy, and in serving a marginalized, homeless population in a residential setting. Much earlier in ministry, she served in parishes as a pastoral counselor and in secondary education.

Sister Rosemary is a professor of English at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth since 1997.

She became chair of Language and Literature in 2015. She was installed as the Mary Janet McGilley Endowed Chair in Liberal Arts in 2021.

Prior to her work at the university, Sister Rosemary taught English and journalism for many years in secondary schools. She is a member of the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct.

For more information about the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, visit the website at: www.scls.org.

n Feb. 28, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas was informed that the Capuchin Franciscans Province of Mid-America recently received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Father Michael Scully, OFM Cap. The allegation stems from Father Scully’s ministry outside the archdiocese; within the archdiocese, he has served at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lawrence; Holy Family Parish, Eudora; and most recently at Haskell Indian Nations University Catholic Campus Center, Lawrence.

Upon notification of the allegation, the province and the archdiocese relieved Father Scully from public exercise of priestly ministry pending the outcome of the investigation and review process. The province has notified law enforcement, initiated an independent investigation and evaluation by its Independent Review Board, and is providing support to the person alleging harm.

Father Scully denies the allegation and is cooperating fully. He will remain on leave until an independent investigation is concluded and the province’s Independent Review Board has reviewed the case and made a recommendation to the provincial minister regarding the credibility of the matter as it regards Father Scully. We ask for prayers for a just resolution of this matter.

The province encourages anyone with knowledge about this case or about any misconduct by any of its members to contact civil authorities first, and then make a report to its Safe Environment Coordinator by email at: se@capuchins.org.

A copy of provincial policies on sexual abuse can be found online at: https:// capuchins.org/protecting-children.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas takes all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and works to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency and respect.

We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by any church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member to contact civil authorities first, and then make a report to our confidential report line at (913) 647-3051 or online at: www.archkck.org/reportabuse.

‘He wants us to be strong in our faith and to grow as a man’ >> Continued from page 1 struggles and declining enrollment.

But the youth minister turned president stepped up to the plate, handed the school’s future over to Jesus and hit a home run as a fundraiser. Now, MH-MA has two all-school retreats per year, as well as annual individual class retreats.

Baniewicz, who has five kids — Miranda, 25; Noah, 23; Madeline, 21; Hope, 16; and Abigail, 13 — also incorporated First Friday Adoration, confession and daily Mass into the lives of MH-MA students on a regular basis. He raised millions of dollars for the school and increased enrollment to the point that MH-MA had a waiting list prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think the leadership . . . the drive,” Mize said of what he saw in Baniewicz and his ability to get the job done. “I went to school there back in the day when Father Edwin (Watson) was the main fundraiser for Maur Hill Prep. You had a headmaster, you had a principal

and you had one person focusing on raising funds — and I saw that attribute with Phil.”

Not only did Baniewicz oversee improvements in faith, academics and financial stability, he saw to it that the campus was appealing to alumni from the outside. Enhancements were also made to the win-loss records of all of MH-MA’s sports teams and their facilities.

“Baseball is a passion of his,” chairman of the board emeritus Sandy Sampson said of Baniewicz’s self-proclaimed hobby. “And we have one of the best baseball programs in the area. It seemed to be a fitting way for us to honor him for his service at the school and for his passion — not just for baseball — but also how he has worked with our kids.”

The three years before Baniewicz’s arrival, MH-MA’s baseball program went 5-34 collectively. The young Ravens went 5-16 in 2011 — Baniewicz’s first season at the helm — and 9-12 in 2012. Since then, MH-MA has done

nothing but win baseball games.

Baniewicz, who is 133-77 at MH-MA, helped the Ravens go 20-3 last spring and produce a Northeast Kansas League championship mark of 11-1.

The son of a Hall of Fame baseball coach in Arizona, Baniewicz guided the Ravens to a regional championship and the Kansas state baseball quarterfinals in 2015. MH-MA also claimed the league title in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021 and was regional runner-up in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 under Baniewicz.

Baniewicz, who was also the head baseball coach at Seton Catholic High School in Chandler, Arizona, is 257-119 in 18 years as a head coach. He also transformed the Sentinels into consistent winners. Seton Catholic won a state title, finished as state runner-up and claimed two regional titles under Baniewicz.

They also made six consecutive trips to the state tournament in the seven seasons Baniewicz ran the show.

“Coach Baniewicz is a faith-driven man,” Raven junior pitcher/infielder

Parrish Beagle said of his coach. “That’s what his main priority is with us. He wants us to be strong in our faith and to grow as a man outside of the baseball field.”

MH-MA senior pitcher/outfielder Drew Caudle said Baniewicz has high expectations of his students and the baseball players that play for him.

“I think that’s a sign of respect,” Caudle said. “He expects a lot of things from us in school and on the baseball diamond. He always tells us that he loves us and he’s always making time for us.

He is the same person on the field as he is off.

“It’s been a blessing that he’s been here for the entire school and for me.

He’s done so much for me and I’m forever grateful for everything. During baseball he talks about being holy and his definition is ‘to do the right thing at the right time.’ That can be applied to anything. He talks about it when we are at the plate. He says to focus on what you need to do and execute.”

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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The Sistine Chapel exhibit comes to Kansas City

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

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ANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s a view unlike any other.

And it’s coming to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, on

April 1.

Spectators will have the chance to gaze upon near-life-size reproductions of the frescoes that adorn the Sistine Chapel.

“This is an up-close, never-beforeseen perspective,” said Eric Leong, senior producer at Special Entertainment Events, Inc. (SEE) Global Entertainment.

“Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition,” produced by SEE Global Entertainment, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, until May 1.

Thirty-four printed fabrics of Michelangelo’s frescoes will give visitors a chance to experience them in a way they never have before.

The artwork on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican is about 68 feet above the viewer.

“We bring the art down closer to you so you can examine the art up close at your own leisure,” said Leong, “and really absorb all the details and the individual stories that are told on the ceiling.”

Visitors can read about each fresco and gather even more information about them through an optional 90minute audio guide.

With timed ticketing available for purchase online, crowds will be minimal.

Its opening in Kansas City offers Catholics a unique way to appreciate the beauty of their faith this Lent.

The idea for the exhibition came about when the CEO of SEE Global Entertainment visited the Sistine Chapel in person.

After experiencing the overwhelming crowds and being rushed through the building by chapel guards, he was disenchanted.

“He thought there’s got to be a way to enjoy some of the most iconic artwork of all time in a modern environment — in a way that really allows you to take in this experience,” said Leong.

The exhibit was created in 2015 and has since toured in several cities, gaining popularity across the U.S. and worldwide.

Kasey Vena, general manager of the

COURTESY PHOTO

“Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition,” produced by SEE Global Entertainment, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday from April 1 to May 1.

‘Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition’ 211 Nichols Rd., Kansas City, MO 64112 April 1 to May 1 Open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday

Country Club Plaza, is thrilled to bring the experience to Kansas City.

“When given the chance to showcase world-renowned art from an exhibit that’s been well-received by audiences in other major metros,” she said, “we seized the opportunity to bring this unique experience to our guests.

“It’s exciting to provide transformative art in an up-close and personal way that many may not otherwise experience.”

According to Vena, the Plaza is the perfect destination for the exhibit.

“The Plaza is a beloved KC landmark and has long been a destination for artistic expression,” she said, “so it’s a natural fit.”

Sylvia Noland, business development manager at SEE Global Entertainment, said the exhibit is designed for people of all ages and interests.

“It appeals to the history buffs, art lovers and those looking for good quality entertainment,” she said.

“Whether you have been to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome or not,” she continued, “this up-close exhibit gives the viewer a more indepth view of these masterpieces.”

Leong echoed that the show is for everyone — from families to individuals with a love for art, history or religion.

“We feel like there’s a little something

Talented musician Sister Mary Willoughby, SCL, dies at the motherhouse

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EAVENWORTH — Sister Mary Willoughby, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 75 years, died at age 94 on Dec. 31, 2021, at the motherhouse

here.

Lois Jean Willoughby was born on April 27, 1927, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the adopted and only child of George and Mary (Morell) Willoughby.

Music played an important part throughout her life. At age 5, she started piano lessons. She later took clarinet and joined her school orchestra. She added the bass violin, oboe and many other instruments through the years.

The family moved to Billings, Montana, and she graduated from Fratt Memorial Grade School and Billings Senior High School.

She entered the Sisters of Charity on Aug. 14, 1946, and professed vows as Sister Maris Stella on Aug. 15, 1948, before changing to Sister Mary Willoughby. In 1963, she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth.

Two years later, she received a bachelor’s degree in music education from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas.

For 23 years, Sister Mary served as a music teacher in schools in Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and California. She taught all levels of instrumental and classroom music, as well as band, orchestra, chorus and piano.

During her years in Montana, she started a music therapy program at Warm Spring State Hospital. She once said, “Teaching music and seeing how

much music means to people who hear it are among my greatest rewards.”

In 1974, she embarked on a new ministry focus: coding medical records at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. She stayed in this assignment for 20 years.

In 1994, she continued to expand her ministry by serving for two years as elder ministry coordinator at St. Laurence O’Toole Parish in Laramie, Wyoming.

In 1996, she returned to the motherhouse and continued her love of working with the elderly at Medicalodge of Leavenworth. It seemed that all her skills, interests and abilities coalesced around her love for the elderly. She became a hospice volunteer. Her music and ministry skills were a comfort to the dying, as she helped them journey to the next life.

for everyone,” he said.

In all the times he’s set the exhibit up, Leong admitted he’s still amazed by the new details he notices each time.

“It’s very impressive to see up-close and imagine that this one man did all this work over four or five years,” he said. “It really blows you away.”

Leong believes the exhibit comes to Kansas City at a pertinent time.

“There’s a lot going on in the world right now,” he said. “I think if everyone had the chance to stop and enjoy something beautiful like this art . . . maybe we’d all get along a little bit better.

“Art has a place in the world. I’m happy to share it and make sure as many people [as possible] get to see it, and I hope they enjoy it.”

To purchase tickets for “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition,” go online to: chapelsistine.com, click “Choose Your City,” then “Kansas City.”

St. Patrick School, Kansas City, Kansas, is looking for alumni KANSAS CITY, Kan. — St. Patrick School here is developing an alumni database and needs help.

All alumni are asked to email their first and last name, maiden name, year graduated and/or years attended, and current mailing address by email to: stpatrick alumni@stpatrickkck.org.

The database will help in planning the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the school, and to update alumni with everything happening at the school.

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LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 25, 2O22 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Remember that our time is limited; are you spending yours well?

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few years ago, I traveled to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. I was there on business, but I also found the time to visit some of the popular tourist sites — among these, the famous astronomical clock.

This six-centuriesold clock is mounted on the tower of the town square. The face of this timepiece is very elaborate and colorful. It shows not only the time of the day, but also the position in the sky of the sun, the moon and the signs of the zodiac.

It is flanked by several statues — among them, four mechanical ones that move each hour. They represent the four things to be avoided: vanity, greed, death and lust. Above the face of the clock is a rooster.

On a snowy Saturday afternoon, I found myself standing with numerous spectators

JOHN BOSIO John Bosio is a former marriage and family therapist, director of religious education and diocesan family life coordinator. He is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.

looking up at the tower and waiting for the hour to strike. Then, all of a sudden, the crowd quieted and the mechanical figures started moving. I heard the ringing of a bell and I noticed that the bell ringer was the skeleton on the right side of the clock. The skeleton, the symbol of death, was calling everyone’s

attention to the passing of time. Death is coming!

Then two windows located above the clock opened and a procession of the Twelve Apostles began. The apostles remind us of our faith. At the end of the procession, the windows closed and we heard the crow of the rooster located at the very top of the clock. The rooster announces the beginning of another hour.

The hour struck; it was 3 p.m.

At the end, as I stood with the other onlookers, still staring at the clock, I was reminded that time is passing. It was Lent, and those moments transfixed on the clock and its symbolism were for me a fruitful Lenten meditation on the gift of time.

This year, during the 2022 Lenten message, Pope Francis reminds us that the season of Lent is an invitation to “do good” by sharing

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The clock that counts our days is always running, and we cannot stop it.

This Lent, Pope Francis invites us to an examination of conscience on how we use the gifts given to us. He writes that Lent is a favorable time to seek out those in need of a sympathetic ear or a good word; to visit the lonely; and to care for the poor. Doing this “good” to others requires an investment of our time, and it must begin in our own backyard: by how we spend time in our home.

During this Lent, ask yourself: Do I use my time to truly listen to and connect with the members of my family?

Do I spend enough quality time with my spouse, enjoying each other’s company, talking about our dreams, our plans and the needs of our family? Do I spend enough time with my children individually, to get to know them, to show

what we have, our gifts with others. Time is one of those gifts, which is given to us by God. The psalmist reminds us: “You knit me in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, because I am wonderfully made. . . . . in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be’” (Ps 139:13-14a, 16b).

All our days were written in God’s book before we were born.

He knows how many he has given us; we do not. At the end of our life, when we return to him, he will ask us: What did you do with the time I gave you?

This reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the talents in which the master gave his servants a certain number of talents, expecting them to be put to good use. When the master returned, he asked his servants to account for how they invested their talents to profit him.

Time is our most precious commodity.

ACROSS 1 Taxi 4 Melt ore 9 Married woman 12 Land measurement 14 Sarah’s handmaid 15 Bawl 16 Worker 17 Philippine dish with marinated chicken or pork 18 Jewish calendar month 19 Granny 21 Seasonal event 23 Discontinue 24 Fortify 25 Pinch 26 Caustic substance 27 Hoopla 28 Acting (abbr.)

30 Nut 35 Churn 39 Tramp 40 Destiny 42 European monetary unit 43 Cowboy fight 44 The spirit of the Age 46 Vitality 49 Decade 50 African antelope 53 Entire

54 55 58 60 62 63 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

Vase Owns Give a new title Seasonal saint Car rental agency Small Mediterranean boat Fairy tale villain Adam’s son Happening KJV pronoun Before (prefix) Mails Supersonic transport

DOWN 1 Solicit 2 Squirrel’s dinner 3 Man shall not live by __ alone 4 Seasonal leaf 5 Dame 6 Pride 7 Scientist’s office 8 __ of Capricorn 9 Award 10 Prepared 11 Escapade 13 Gray sea eagle 15 Battle of nations 20 Papa

Questions for reflection: What do you do with the time God is giving you?

them my love, and to share my values and my faith with them?

How am I managing my time spent on the internet and social media? The pope is encouraging us to put down our smartphones and tablets and talk to people face to face.

For married couples, after honoring God, caring for our marriage and our children is of utmost priority.

These are the priorities for which we will be accountable at the end of time, and God will reward us accordingly.

In our homes, like in Prague, the rooster crows at each hour, whether we hear it or not. It reminds us of the start of another 60 minutes, a gift that God gives us to serve him.

22 25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 41 45 47 48 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 59 61 64 65

Inclined Mother-in-law of Ruth Coral reef Seasonal color Doctoral degree Promissory note South by east Wood Wrath French “yes” Internal Revenue Service Dozens Allures Chap A name of God Bends Understand At no time Link Turn over Ups Land measurements Shoot clay targets Fire remains Decay First woman TV lawyer Matlock

Solution on page 16

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Son of Soviet political dissident to speak at Benedictine College

A

TCHISON — Ignat Solzhenitsyn, a world-renowned pianist and conductor, is recognized as one of today’s most gifted artists. But he is coming to Benedictine College here on April 8 for a different reason.

The son of the famous Sovietera political dissident, writer and Nobel Laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, he is coming to talk about his father’s legacy of opposing political repression. Sponsored by the Benedictine College Honors Program and the Gregorian Fellows Program, Solzhenitsyn’s presentation is set for April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium inside the St. John Paul II Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Solzhenitsyn, who is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, will also impart his musical gifts to a small group of Benedictine piano students in a special piano master class.

In addition, he will have a private meeting with the honors students and Gregorian Fellows where he will discuss his father’s 1974

COURTESY PHOTO

Ignat Solzhenitsyn, son of the famous Soviet-era political dissident, writer and Nobel Laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, will speak at Benedictine College on April 8 about his father’s legacy of opposing political repression.

“Live Not by Lies!” message urging Soviet citizens as individuals to refrain from cooperating with the regime’s lies.

7

Dancing Sister Bonnie Ann Bachle, SCL, dies

L

EAVENWORTH — Sister Bonnie Ann Bachle, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 61 years, died on Feb. 13 at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She was 81.

She was born on July 29, 1940, in Oklahoma City, the first of three children of Carl and Jean Bachle.

Her father chose the name “Bonnie” because of a singer he liked on the radio, not knowing that dancing would be her talent.

At age 7, she took up ballet and tap at a local studio. Her sunny disposition, confidence and love of people made her a natural performer. Years later, those same skills would serve her in teaching and pastoral ministry.

She graduated from John Carroll Grade School and Bishop McGuinness High School in Oklahoma City. School classmates encouraged her to attend Saint Mary College, Leavenworth. In 1958, she performed in the choral dance drama, “Planting in the Wilderness,” on the life of Mother Xavier Ross, during the community’s 100th anniversary.

Sister Rose Ann Colvin wrote the script and Bonnie saw how the power of dance could be used to tell a faith-based story.

She entered the Sisters of Charity community on Aug. 30, 1960, and professed vows as Sister Jean Clare on Sept. 2, 1962. She later returned to her baptismal name. In 1965, she received a bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Mary College where she also took classes in modern dance. Nine

years later, she completed a master’s in dance from the University of California at Los Angeles.

From 1962 to 1968, Sister Bonnie taught in schools in Montana, Colorado and Missouri, and often led dancing classes for high school students. In 1970, she returned to Saint Mary College to teach modern dance and ballet.

She also mentored students in several forms of dance. Sister Bonnie once said, “Dance keeps me more alive. It’s invigorating and keeps things happening inside the brain as well as the body. You experience the total person in dance.” She taught college students until 1979.

In 1980, she joined fellow Sisters Eileen Sheehy and Susan Newland in pastoral ministry assignments in various parishes in Missouri, Colorado and Mississippi. Along with religious education and other duties, she did music and liturgical dance. She worked in pastoral ministry for 30 years until her retirement.

In 2010, during her 50th anniversary with the Sisters of Charity, she reflected on her life and ministry: “Never would I have dreamed that I’d be able to keep on with my dancing days as a Sister of Charity.” She added, “When I joined the Sisters of Charity, I had hope of giving continual thanks to God for all of the blessings in my life. So, as I celebrate with all my SCL companions on the journey, I dance and sing out with joy, ‘Deo gratias, alleluia!’”

Shakespeare got it right: ‘Mercy is getting what you don’t deserve’

By Father Anthony Federico Catholic News Service

M

y mom Debbie has a few catchphrases.

Maybe your mom had them, too? They are those little snippets of well-worn wisdom that are whispered or hollered at us throughout our childhood.

We dismiss them, of course, when we’re younger, because we know everything. But when we’re a little older, we marvel at how they have seeped inside us and come back to us when we need them.

When she was tucking us in at night: “Dream of the angels.”

When we were learning to drive and making a turn for the first time: “Slow with the car, fast with the wheel.”

After my dad said grace: “And thank you for the ability to eat and enjoy.”

But of all the little phrases my mom says, one has stayed with me the most.

It has haunted me in dark moments and soothed me in bright ones. This insight has lingered in my spirit through years in the working world, through seminary and now into priesthood. I think about it every day.

“Justice is getting what you deserve; mercy is getting what you don’t deserve.”

My experience in the sacrament of reconciliation, as both a penitent and a confessor, has shown me that mercy is, indeed, getting what you don’t deserve.

How many times have I come to the sacrament in shame and disgust only to be absolved and consoled by a patient priest.

“But, Jesus, my sins! Look at them! I have betrayed you yet again! I accept and await your justice.”

To which the Savior always replies: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself . . .”

In my life I have experienced mercies that I do not deserve. I hope you have, too.

So what do we do about this? What do we say to a world that, it seems, cares little for either mercy or justice? What does it look like to show mercy to others in real life? Well, it might start by giving people what they don’t deserve.

“Blessed are the merciful,” Our Lord tells us, “for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:7).

According to the logic of the world, the rival at work who whispers about you to the boss doesn’t deserve a kind word and a cheerful smile from you. He or she certainly doesn’t deserve prayers and little hidden sacrifices made on their behalf.

Justice would be giving them what they deserve: retaliation, defensive measures, social counterstrikes. Instead, give that co-worker what they don’t deserve.

According to the world’s thinking, the relative who sits at your table at holidays (you know — the one who has the exact opposite political and social views as you?) doesn’t deserve to be listened to carefully and responded to thoughtfully.

The world’s mindset demands that they be mocked and gossiped about the instant their car pulls out of the driveway for their failure to have the correct opinion. Instead, give that person who troubles you what they don’t deserve.

In our difficult interactions with

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

A painting titled “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” by an unknown artist, is pictured at the Museum of Biblical Art in New York. The prodigal son said, “I no longer deserve to be called your son” (Lk 15:19).

The quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown.

His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings, But mercy is above this sceptered sway.

It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings.

It is an attribute to God himself.

And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider thisThat in the course of justice none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much To mitigate the justice of thy plea, Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence ’gainst the merchant there.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE “THE MERCHANT OF VENICE” CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

A young woman is pictured in a file photo during the sacrament of reconciliation. are, the more speJustice is getting what you deserve; mercy is getting what you don’t deserve. cifically we must difficult people, we are given a choice: love them.

We can behave toward them either Being merciful does not mean we with what justice seems to demand or compromise what is properly expected what mercy desires to lavish. of ourselves, others and the church. Nor The former feels good for a minute does it mean we cease striving to overbut calcifies the divisiveness and hos- come our faults or refrain from speaking tility of this broken world. The latter is the truth in love. painful because it crucifies the ego but Instead, it means we act toward others it also opens slits in the fabric of society in such a way that acknowledges the fact through which grace might enter. that you and I will stand before Almighty This is not easy, but neither is being God some day and answer for the lives a Christian. Jesus never told us to like we have lived. everyone, only to love them. Choosing In that great and terrible moment, I to be merciful is a decision, not a feel- imagine we will be grateful for the times ing. It’s an act of the will, not the emo- in this life when we gave others what tions. We don’t have to like people to they don’t deserve because the Lord love them, and the more unlikeable they promises that those who show mercy

will be given it.

You and I have been redeemed from just punishment through the mercy of a crucified God — not because we deserve it but because we don’t. We don’t deserve a God who humbles himself to take on our humanity, who offers his life for our salvation, who remains with us in the Eucharist.

The prodigal son was right about one thing: “I no longer deserve to be called your son” (Lk 15:19). Neither do we. “Yet so we are” (1 Jn 3:1).

Praise God for his unfathomable mercy by which he gives us what we don’t deserve.

Father Anthony Federico is a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut.

: Mercy is ‘twice blessed’

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis touches the death wall at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, in this July 29, 2016, file photo.

It’s up to each of us to begin the cycle of mercy once again

By Shemaiah Gonzalez Catholic News Service

“B

lessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

— Mt 5:7

The word “mercy” is a beautiful one.

A word synonymous with the one we worship, the Merciful One. Whispered quietly, it nearly tastes sweet on one’s lips.

I pray I may never hear it screamed at the top of one’s lungs as they beg for it to be granted.

And yet, if I listen to the deafening silence in the world around me, I can hear the pleas for mercy. The prayers for forgiveness. The appeals for compassion.

And I see many, giddy with small and temporary powers, brandish that power, carelessly and crudely. They even grow large with a sense of pride and purpose for exerting that lack of compassion.

But I have felt mercy. There were great mercies. Once deep in the lush green forests of Oregon when I felt the Merciful One’s presence so strongly, I knew I was loved and forgiven. Or once in bustling London traffic, when I felt a nudge and gently moved out of oncoming traffic.

There have been tiny mercies, too.

Tender, trifling mercies I might have missed if I had not been told God’s mercy is not spent. That his mercies come new every morning. Like the sunrise itself, my son’s laughter or an interaction with a stranger.

CNS PHOTO/VICTORIA WAIN,THE CATHOLIC MISCELLANY

Members of the Manna Life Center lead an ecumenical prayer service June 19, 2015, at the Neighborhood House in Charleston, South Carolina, which is part of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Center. They prayed for the victims of the shootings at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the children who lost their parents.

I have heard other stories of mercy.

In Southern California, where I grew up, the parents of the families around me spent the ’60s aimless and intoxicated. When Jesus came into their life, they were changed.

The generosity of spirit that flows from these families is still felt by me today, in their love and their prayers.

They will never forget how Christ’s love broke through.

I have heard epic stories of mercy.

There is a story you may have heard.

How a white man walked into a Black church. How he killed nine people as they worshiped. How his hate had festered into murder. And how less than 48 hours after that horrific scene, the families of those killed stood in court and said to that man, “I forgive you.”

I wonder what it must feel like to be on the receiving end of that kind of mercy.

Maybe you have heard the stories of

a woman who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp that took the lives of the rest of her family. How later she met one of the SS officers who had been particularly cruel to her sister.

How when he asked for forgiveness, she extended it him. The two of them embraced, and love and mercy overwhelmed them both.

I wonder what it must feel like to be on the receiving end of that kind of mercy.

Or perhaps the story that best describes the act of mercy. How Our Lord hung there. Naked and exposed.

His body bashed and discolored. For the crime of compassion. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).

This mercy still exists.

We have been on the receiving end of that kind of mercy. Because he first loved us, because he first forgave us, because he could have brought down judgment but instead poured out compassion. Mercy.

Because of all this, we are compelled to show mercy. To give up our need for control and judgment. To begin the cycle of mercy once again.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy,” the Merciful One proclaimed to the multitude.

What does it feel like to hear those words again? Does it sound just as sweet? And now, what would it feel like to be the one showing mercy? It is part of who you are.

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

10

St. Bernadette’s relics begin first tour of U.S. in Miami

By Toni Pallatto Catholic News Service

St. Bernadette’s relics in the archdiocese

M

IAMI (CNS) — The relics of St. Bernadette, the Marian visionary of Lourdes, France, will tour the United States for the first time.

The visit will begin in South Florida at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Miami, with a morning welcome Mass April 7. The next day the relics will visit St. Bernadette Church in Hollywood, Florida, then return to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

On April 11, Monday of Holy Week, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami will celebrate an evening Mass at the church, which will be followed by a candlelight procession. The relics will stay at Our Lady of Lourdes until April 18, Easter Monday, when a multilingual farewell Mass will be celebrated.

The relics will go to two other Florida dioceses, Palm Beach and St. Petersburg, and then zigzag across the country to 23 other dioceses, visiting 34 churches, cathedrals and shrines.

The last stop is St. Bernadette Church in Los Angeles July 31-Aug. 4.

The full schedule of the relics’ U.S. tour can be found at: stbernadetteusa. org.

“I saw a great opportunity here, particularly with the current state of our world,” said Msgr. Kenneth Schwanger, pastor of Miami’s Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, who was instrumental in making this tour happen. “I started calling parishes across the country with the names of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette to make them aware of this grace,” he said, and the result is the upcoming tour.

For the relics to visit, he explained, Archbishop Wenski had to make a request to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Lourdes) in France, which he did so over three years ago, Msgr. Schwanger told the Florida Catholic, Miami’s archdiocesan newspaper. “But with COVID, all requests were delayed.”

Around the time Miami’s request was granted, the Sanctuary of Our

Date: June 30 - July 3 Place: Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas, 409 N 15th St., Kansas City, KS 66102 Time: TBD

CNS PHOTO/PIERRE VINCENT, SANCTUARY OUR LADY OF LOURDES, COURTESY STBERNADETTEUSA.ORG

Relics of St. Bernadette are seen in this undated photo. The first U.S. tour of St. Bernadette’s relics is scheduled to begin April 7, in the Miami Archdiocese. They will travel to a total of 26 dioceses, visiting 34 churches, cathedrals and shrines. They will be in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas June 30 to July 3 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas.

Lady of Lourdes expressed an interest in a national tour.

The Vatican has granted a plenary indulgence for those visiting the relics during the tour. During the Miami stay, Masses will be offered daily at Our Lady of Lourdes along with “le geste de l’eau,” the water of Lourdes.

On Feb. 11, 1858, a “lady in white” began her 18 visits to a poor, uneducated

14-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubirous, in the obscure town of Lourdes in southern France — population 4,100 — at the Grotto of Massabielle. Over the course of six months, the “lady” asked Bernadette to come and visit her.

“I do not promise you the happiness of this world but of the other,” the “lady in white” told Bernadette, who became the messenger to the local community,

the priests and the bishop of Tarbes, France. She would appear 18 times to the young girl.

On the 16th apparition, Bernadette asked the “lady” her name, to which she replied: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Father Dominique Peyramale, the local priest, was immediately convinced that Bernadette was communicating with Mary, for neither Bernadette, nor anyone in the local community, could have known that some years earlier, in 1854, this theological doctrine was declared by the church as dogma stating that Mary, through God’s grace, “was conceived free from the stain of original sin through her role as the Mother of God.” The priest brought Mary’s message, that a chapel should be built in that spot, to the bishop of Tarbes, who three years later confirmed the apparition was indeed Mary.

Her instructions become a reality with the building of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the washing with and drinking of the water of Lourdes, and pilgrims coming to participate in the nightly candlelight processions.

Bernadette left Lourdes to live out her religious vocation within the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866. She saw the chapel completed but never returned to Lourdes. She died in 1879, was proclaimed blessed in 1925 and was canonized in 1933.

Her body, exhumed in April 1925 for her beatification, was found to be uncorrupted. Fragments of the fifth and sixth vertebrae were removed and reserved for veneration by the faithful.

By opening Curia posts to laity, pope implementing Vatican II, experts say

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting Pope Francis’ new constitution on the Curia’s organization.

“Whoever is in charge of a dicastery or other organism of the Curia does not have authority because of the hierarchical rank with which he is invested, but because of the power he receives from the Roman pontiff and exercises in his name,” said Jesuit Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda, the canon lawyer who helped draft the document.

The constitution, “Praedicate Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”), was published in Italian by the Vatican March 19, and experts involved in its development, including Father Ghirlanda, spoke at a Vatican news conference March 21.

The document, emphasizing that the Curia supports the pope and local bishops in the church’s mission of

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, speaks at a news conference to present Pope Francis’ document, “Praedicate Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”), for the reform of the Roman Curia, during a news conference at the Vatican March 21. evangelization, said that because every baptized Christian is called to be “a missionary disciple,” the reform of the Curia also needed to “provide for the involvement of laymen and women, including in roles of governance and responsibility.”

“If the prefect and the secretary of a dicastery are bishops, this must not lead to the misunderstanding that their authority comes from the hierarchical rank they have received, as if they were acting with a power of their own

and not with the vicarious power conferred on them by the Roman pontiff,” Father Ghirlanda said. “The vicarious power to carry out an office is the same whether received by a bishop, a priest, a consecrated man or woman, or a lay man or woman.”

Replacing “Pastor Bonus,” St. John Paul II’s 1988 constitution, the new document opens the leadership of all but two offices of the Curia to laypeople: the prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, the church’s highest court; and the president of the Council for the Economy.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who served as secretary of Pope Francis’ international Council of Cardinals from 2013 to 2020, when much of the work on the constitution was being done, told reporters the pope’s decision to open most leadership roles in the Curia to laity was one way in which the document attempts to put into fuller practice the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and, specifically, its focus on the dignity and responsibility of the laity.

“For me personally, Marcello Semeraro, this is something beautiful,” he said.

“To put at the head of a dicastery, and

not only on its staff, a member of the lay faithful — this is an important fact.”

Father Ghirlanda told reporters that by opening Curia leadership roles to laypeople, Pope Francis clarified a matter that had been debated by canon lawyers since the Second Vatican Council. The new constitution, he said, “confirms that the power of governance in the church does not come from the sacrament of orders, but from the canonical mission” given to the person.

Bishop Marco Mellino, the current secretary of the Council of Cardinals, told reporters that the idea is not simply to name laypeople to more offices, but to evaluate the needs and responsibilities of the specific dicasteries and find appropriate people to lead them.

The constitution, Cardinal Semeraro said, specifies that the choice will be based on the dicastery’s “particular competence, power of governance and function.”

“So, it cannot be just anyone,” he said. “But I would add, this ‘not just anyone’ goes also for a cleric, a religious or a layperson. The fact that I’m a bishop does not mean that I can be competent in leading a dicastery.”

CALENDAR

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LIVE STATIONS OF THE CROSS Prince of Peace (football field) 16000 W. 143rd. St., Olathe March 25 at 7 p.m.

This live Stations of the Cross will feature parish families participating in various Stations in their own costumes as Father Greg Hammes walks each Station as Jesus. Since it will be outdoors and close to dusk, there will be tiki torches and luminaries lighting the way. There will also be Stations at the church for those who wish to experience Stations in the traditional way.

IGNITE THE GREEN AND WHITE Xavier Catholic School Virtual fundraiser for scholarships March 26 at 6 p.m.

be held after the Mass. Send the names of those who wish to receive the sacrament of anointing of the sick by email to: maltakansascity@gmail.com or contact Doug Rivard at (913) 620-1759.

LADIES’ DAY OF REFLECTION Holy Trinity Parish 13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa March 26 from 8 a.m. - noon

The Lenexa Daughters of Isabella are hosting this Lenten retreat. Join us as Father Keith Chadwick teaches us about the Blessed Virgin Mary and her seven sorrows. The cost is $15 to attend. Register by sending your name, phone number, address and parish name along with a check for $15 by mail to Terri Peterson, 26115 W. 108th Terr., Olathe, KS 66061.

Prepare to be ignited as we celebrate Catholic education. Xavier Catholic Scholarship’s Ignite the Green and White 2022 is going virtual! We are bringing our biggest night of the year to you via livestream. Go online to: www.leavenworth catholicschools.org/give/ignite-thegreen-white to sponsor a child, purchase raffle tickets, register for the silent auction and watch the live-stream program.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 295 PANCAKE BREAKFAST Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park March 27 after the 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Masses

ROSARY RALLY IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas March 27 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

ST. PATRICK PANCAKE BREAKFAST St. Patrick Parish 6606 Atlantic, Corning March 27 Mass at 8 a.m.

Pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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

KNIGHTS OF MALTA ANNUAL MASS FOR THE SICK Curé of Ars Parish 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood March 26 at 10 a.m.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Bishop James V. Johnston will concelebrate Mass with anointing of the sick and ritual blessing of the sick, in the manner done at Lourdes, France. Mass will be preceded by the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation from 9 - 9:45 a.m. Those who are sick, suffering, chronically ill — and their caregivers — are encouraged to attend. All those attending will receive prayer cards and Lourdes water to take home. A short reception will

There will be an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and sausage or biscuits and gravy. The cost is $6 per plate or $20 for a family of four or more.

A pancake breakfast will be served.

The cost to attend will be a freewill donation. There will also be a country store and a raffle.

DAY OF PRAYER AND LUNCHEON WITH FRIENDS OF THE ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND LADIES OF CHARITY Rockhurst University (Mabee Chapel) 1100 Rockhurst Rd., Kansas City, Missouri March 29 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This half-day spiritual retreat has been an annual tradition with the Ladies of Charity and Friends of the Rockhurst University Library. This year’s focus will be on the topic of service, and features a breakfast, presentation and Mass led

by Rockhurst University president Father Thomas B. Curran, SJ. All are welcome.

To register, go online to: rockhurst.edu/ events.

SPRING DOOR WREATH MAKING Keeler Women’s Center 759 Vermont Ave., Kansas City, Kansas March 29 from 2 - 4 p.m.

Come spend an afternoon learning how to create your own Easter or spring wreath for this Lenten season. All materials will be provided. Styles will vary based on availability. One wreath per person, please.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Christ the King Parish 8510 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Missouri April 2 at 9 a.m.

Are your teenage boys crying over the end of basketball season? Well, be sad no more. Sign them up for the first St. Athanasius 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Cost is $20 per player with prizes for winners. For more information, send an email to: athanasiusacademy@gmail. com. For registration forms, go online to: ctkkcmo.org/hybrid-education and scroll down and click on “3x3 Basketball Registration.”

‘HEALING THE DIVORCED HEART’ DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Gabriel Room) 14251 Nall Ave. April 6 at 7 p.m. (every 1st & 3rd Wed.)

We who have experienced divorce understand, as perhaps few others can. We too were sad, lonely, scared and angry, but we have found that with God, time and the support of others, healing is possible. For more information, go online to: www.stmichaelcp.org/divorce-support.

LENTEN SILENT RETREAT: ‘REDEMPTION AND EUCHARIST’ Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meager Rd., Easton April 8 - 10

The retreat will begin on April 8 at 5:30 p.m. and end April 10 at 4:30 p.m. Join us over Palm Sunday weekend for our Lenten silent retreat as we look toward the resurrection of the Lord through study and contemplation of the Letter to the Hebrews.

The Old Testament roots of the Eucharist and the Jewish sacrificial system will be examined in the light of Jesus’ fulfillment, and how we as the body of Christ continue his redemptive work. There will be conferences, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. The suggested dona-

11 tion is $170/single or $250/couples for the cabins and courtyard rooms or $100 for the single guest rooms (meals included).

To attend, sign up online at: christspeace. com; send an email to: info@christspeace. com; or call (913) 773-8255.

FINISH FAITHFUL Holy Spirit Parish 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park May 14 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Finish Faithful conference will feature four dynamic speakers on preplanning for end-of-life, both spiritual and practical. Register online at: archkck.org/ finishfaithful-registration or call Terri Lynn in the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development at (913) 647-0365.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SUMMER CAMP St. Thomas Aquinas High School 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park May - August

There will be a variety of camps for students entering grade K - 8 to explore.

The summer camps give students the chance to discover their potential in both sports and other activities. Registration and further information is available online at: www.stasaints.net/summercamps.

Questions? Call the student life office at (913) 319-2416 or send an email to: btriggs@stasaints.net.

CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP Kansas City area July 10 - 16

Do you or anyone you know need assistance with minor home repairs, yard cleanup or house painting? Catholic HEART Workcamp will be in the Kansas City area July 11 - 14. If you would like to be considered, please call (402) 306-9043 or send an email to: chwc.kc@gmail.com. You will need to leave a message if you call. All inquiries must be received by May 31.

SAINT RITA HOME CARE State Licensed Home Care Agency www.saintritahc.com 913-229-4267 rmargush@ saintritahc.com Member of Prince of Peace, Olathe

WE’RE HIRING

Caregivers training provided

Accepting New Clients

CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT Business development specialist - Servpro is an industry leader in cleaning and restoration, and we currently have an opening for a business development specialist in the Lawrence/Topeka area. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, organized and a personable individual to market the services that our company offers, actively search for new accounts and manage existing accounts.

This position will also become active in the community and local networking associations. Marketing/sales experience is preferred and/or experience in the insurance claims/property management fields. This position is full time with bonuses. Send resumes to: SP9721@servprolawrence-ottawa.com.

Catholic Charities is hiring - We have both part-time and full-time positions available at our TurnStyles stores! Currently hiring for: assistant manager. Earn up to $17 per hour based on experience. Have a great work/life balance. Serve neighbors in need! www. catholiccharitiesks.org.

Director of communications and digital engagement - The Church of the Nativity in Leawood is seeking to recruit a full-time, dynamic, creative and consistently visible director of communications and digital engagement. The director will collaborate with the pastor, parish staff and parishioners in creating and implementing a comprehensive vision for communications and digital presence for the parish, including social media; website; weekly bulletin and emails; livestream ministry; content creation; and print materials. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign and database software preferred. Send resume and letter of interest to Mark Hyde, business manager, at: mark@kcnativity.org.

Youth ministers for junior and senior high parishioners - Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, is seeking a part-time youth minister for junior and senior high youth parishioners. This person will work alongside the office of religious education and our parish school staff to engage our youth in meaningful, dynamic programming. The youth minister will coordinate, help develop and supervise teams of volunteers to carry out programs, activities and events designed to engage the youth and their parents of this parish.

This individual will perform a wide variety of activities to direct and coordinate a strong faith-filled youth ministry program aimed at helping youth grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, acting as liaison and presence to our youth community by providing support, resources and a prayerful presence to this ministry. We are looking for that unique individual who has the spirit and heart for ministry as well as the ability to organize and run a comprehensive, fun, engaging ministry. BA in theology, pastoral ministry or related field; knowledge of Catholic teachings, catechesis and documents on youth ministry are required. Applicants must be Virtus-trained. Please send your resume to Father William Bruning, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, KS 66204 or email to: wmbruning@gmail.com.

Assistant director - Assistant director for Catholic radio stations in the friendly, Catholic, safe community of Hays. Job description and how to apply at: dvmercy. com. Will train the right person. Chance for advancement.

Part-time lunch coordinator - St. Ann Young Child Center is seeking a lunch coordinator for the 2022-23 school year. Hours and wages are negotiable. If you are interested, please contact Cara Schwarz, preschool director, at (913) 362-4660 and/or send resume and cover letter to: cschwarz@stannpv.org.

Teacher opening - Bishop Miege High School has a teacher opening for theater/video production, with an emphasis on video production, for the 2022-23 school year. Send letter of interest and resume to Mariann Jaksa at: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com.

Full and part-time lead preschool teachers – St. Ann Young Child Center is currently seeking lead preschool teachers for the 2022-23 school year. The lead teacher is responsible for creating lesson plans and implementing teacher-led activities. All potential candidates should have a love for children and for maintaining the principles of Catholic education. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience. If you are interested, please contact Cara Schwarz, preschool director, at (913) 362-4660 and/or send resume and cover letter to: cschwarz@stannpv.org.

Part-time aide - St. Michael the Archangel Preschool, Leawood, is seeking a part-time aide for the transitional kindergarten and LEAP (Learn, Explore and Play) class for the 2022-23 school year. This position is Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Teachers aides assist the lead teacher in conducting daily activities, carrying out licensure rules and regulations, and maintaining principles of sound Catholic education. Please send cover letter and resume to Jennie Wente at: jennie. wente@stmichaelcp.org.

School counselor - Holy Spirit Catholic School is currently seeking a school counselor. Applicants must hold a current Kansas counseling license. Previous experience working in an elementary school is preferred. To apply go to: archkck.org/catholicschools/employment/ and click on school counselor application. You may also send a letter of interest along with a copy of your resume to: Michele Watson at: mwatson@hscatholic. org.

Full and part-time assistant preschool teachers – St. Ann Young Child Center is currently seeking assistant preschool teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

Interested candidates should have a love for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience. If you are interested, please contact Cara Schwarz, preschool director, at (913) 362-4660 and/or send resume and cover letter to: cschwarz@stannpv.org.

Coordinator of youth and young adult ministry - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to fill the full-time position of coordinator of youth and young adult ministry. The coordinator will implement a wide variety of activities to direct and coordinate a strong faith-filled youth ministry aimed at helping youth grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. The mission of the coordinator of youth ministry will be directed toward youth grades 7 - 12. This position will also help to coordinate ministry to emerging adults and young adults. This person is to have purposeful engagement in relational ministry with youth and parents; provide catechesis; and invite youth to serve others and make disciples. To that end, the coordinator of youth ministry is responsible for the development, coordination, supervision and execution of parish programs designed to engage the youth of the parish.

The coordinator of youth ministry should develop close communication with, and mutual support from, families of youth. We are looking for that unique individual who has the spirit and heart for ministry as well as the ability to organize and run a comprehensive, fun, engaging ministry. The coordinator of youth and young adult ministry will also serve as a liaison and presence to the young adult community by providing support, resources and a prayerful presence to this ministry.

Please send cover letter and resume to Beth Bracken at: bbracken@stjoeshawnee.org by April 19.

Accountant - Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking an organized, passionate accountant. This position is responsible for managing housing grant reconciliations and reimbursement submissions, and the document analysis and recording of cash receipts.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting preferred. Apply online at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org/careers.

Director of faith formation - Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park is seeking candidates for the position of director of faith formation. This full-time, exempt employee is responsible for providing leadership, oversight and direction in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of initial and lifelong faith formation. This includes children’s catechesis; sacramental preparation; youth and young adult ministry; and ongoing adult formation. Preferred skills include: a bachelor’s degree in a field commensurate with the qualifications of the position and experience in managing a religious education office; recruitment, training and supervision of all program staff and volunteers; planning programs for both youth and adult; and evaluation of program curriculum. Bilingual skills in English and Spanish would be beneficial but not required. Applicant will be a practicing Catholic in full communion with the church. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and work experience. To apply, please send resume to: Father William Bruning, pastor, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, 7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park, KS 66204 or email to: wmbruning@gmail.com. Resumes accepted through the month of April.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, has the following staff job openings available: admissions counselor, ADN specialist and nursing intake coordinator and. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Coordinator of Hispanic Ministries - Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee is looking to hire a coordinator of Hispanic Ministries. The person should be someone who can connect and inspire the Hispanic community as well as the broader parish. The position will involve, but not be limited to planning and organizing events; the development and implementation of programs; being the initial contact for those seeking sacraments and other services of the parish. Administrative responsibilities are also part of the coordinator’s position. This person should be bilingual (Spanish/English) and able to work with a diverse Hispanic and non-Hispanic community. Hours are flexible and negotiable. Send email and resume to: frkent@gsshawnee.org.

Human Resources generalist - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is looking for a qualified candidate to fill a full-time human resource generalist position on our chancery HR team. With over 120 entity locations and nearly 5000 employees throughout the archdiocese, this position will collaborate, consult and support entity administrators with benefit, payroll and employee relations information. The HR generalist position contributes to the development and administration of significant initiative and strategic projects to enhance the benefits offered to archdiocesan employees.

The ideal candidate will have previous human resources or similar experience, business acumen, and the ability to recognize opportunities and convert challenges into success stories. Additionally, the ideal candidate is a practicing Catholic. This position does offer a hybrid work arrangement. If you are ready for a new position, one that is faith-filled and provides an opportunity to further develop your skills, please consider sharing your talents with the archdiocese. To apply online, visit our website at: www.archkck.org/jobs.

Part-time accountant - Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas is hiring a part-time accountant. The ideal candidate must be a detail-oriented problem-solver.

Primary job responsibilities: Prepare monthly bank reconciliations; create and post journal entries; review and analyze financial statements for accuracy; prepare and distribute financial statements to management; review balance sheet and financial reporting; maintain the fixed asset system, updating for new assets and any other changes; assist and coordinate with auditors in preparation of the annual audit; and other duties or projects that arise. Required qualifications: bachelor’s degree in accounting; minimum of three years’ relevant work experience; excellent written and oral communication skills; experience with creating and using financial statements, working knowledge of balance sheets and P & L, and preparation of monthly cash forecast; and intermediate to advanced Excel skills. Preferred qualifications: CPA; Sage accounting system knowledge; and experience working with nonprofits. This is a part-time, exempt position with a schedule of 20-24 hours per week. Compensation is based on education and experience. To apply, please send your resume to: svallejo@cathcemks.org.

Live-in or live-out caregivers (assistants) - Looking for purposeful volunteer or paid work? Live-in or liveout caregivers (assistants) needed for all shifts with adults with intellectual disabilities. L’Arche Heartland has five residential group homes that house a max of five individuals, located in old Overland Park. Duties include but are not exclusive to: be responsible for the overall growth and direction of the home; foster appropriate relationships between all members of the home; foster positive and supportive relationships with families and professionals; attend community nights and other community events. Qualifications: a person who has lived or worked in a community with persons with disabilities preferred. A person with good organizational skills; good communication skills; and the ability to deal with conflict objectively. Have a valid driver’s license and a high school diploma or equivalent.

Pass all required background checks; pass required pre-employment readiness evaluation. All training provided after hire: CPR/first aid; medication administration; rights and responsibilities — abuse, neglect and exploitation; emergency preparedness and documentation. Hourly pay for live-out assistants dependent on experience: range from $13.50-$15/hour. Perks for full-time employees: eight paid holidays; flexible hours available; health, dental, vision insurance benefits (premiums paid by L’Arche Heartland), 401(k) and PTO. Email letter of inquiry, contact information and experience to: heartland@larcheks.org.

Catholic elementary school principal – Sacred Heart Catholic School, Ottawa, is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academic and advancement leadership for the 2022-23 school year. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics in good standing, understand the mission of Catholic schools and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. 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.

Elementary school principal - St. Ann School, Prairie Village, is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academic and advancement leadership for the 2022-23 school year. 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 and send resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone, Catholic schools office, via email to: vcascone@archkckcs.org.

Elementary school principal – Sacred Heart School, 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. 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 March 25. For specific questions regarding the school or parish, please contact Father Carter Zielinski at: czielinski@archkck.org.

Coordinator of youth ministry and confirmation - Corpus Christi Church in Lawrence is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to fill the full-time role of coordinator of youth ministry and confirmation.

This person will be responsible for creating and implementing, administering and evaluating a high school and middle school ministry including sacramental preparation for confirmation. Ministry nights will include mostly evenings and weekends. He or she will collaborate with the pastor, parish, school staff and parents, as well as the archdiocesan youth ministry.

Salary based on experience. You must be an active Roman Catholic, with a deep faith in Christ, rooted in the word of God and the Catholic tradition, and a model of a moral life for our youth. For a full job description go to: cccparish.org/our-parish/ and scroll down and click on “Employment Opportunities.”

Please send cover letter and resume to Father Jerry Volz at: frjerry@cccparish.org by April 8.

MARCH 25, 2O22 | THELEAVEN.ORG Catholic elementary school principal – St. Benedict’s School in Atchison is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual and instructional leadership, as well as advancement in Catholic schools, for the 202223 school year. St. Benedict’s has approximately 162 students in K - 8th grades and 35 preschoolers taught by 15 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.

Part-time assistant teacher for preschool classrooms - Prince of Peace Early Education Center is seeking a year-round, part-time assistant teacher in our preschool classrooms who has a love for children and a background in early childhood (education and/ or experience preferred). Job duties include: care and supervision of children at all times; face-to-face parent communication; closing and cleaning procedures; and implementing activities. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience. You may find the application on our website at: popolathe.org/earlyeducation-center.

Full-time lead teacher - Prince of Peace Early Education Center is seeking a year-round, full-time, lead teacher in our two-and-a-half-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. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience. This position will be available for training in May and teaching at the end of May. You may find the application on our website at: popolathe.org/early-education-center.

Part-time teacher in our after-school care program - Prince of Peace Early Education Center is seeking a year-round, part-time teacher in our after-school care program who has a love for children and a background in early childhood (education and/or experience preferred). Job duties include: care and supervision of children at all times; face-to-face parent communication; closing and cleaning procedures; and implementing activities. We offer competitive wages based on education level and experience You may find the application on our website: popolathe.org/early-education-center.

Elementary school principal - John Paul II School in Overland Park is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academic and advancement leadership for the 2022-23 school year. John Paul II has approximately 150 students in K - 8th grades and 56 preschoolers taught by 23 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.

Financial representatives - Knights of Columbus has full-time openings in northeast Kansas and western Missouri for full-time financial representatives. Ideal for determined, disciplined, professional, high-expectation individual desiring to serve others. We work exclusively with the families of brother Knights and Catholic gentlemen who are eligible to join the Knights. We have established territories where agents devote their working day to the needs of the members in their assigned councils. Excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits are provided, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. This is a career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or possibly for someone you know. For further information, contact John A. Mahon, general agent, at (785) 4088800 or email: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Faculty/adjunct faculty positions available - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, has the following faculty job openings: English instructor, information systems faculty coordinator. Adjunct faculty job openings include: biology, clinical nursing, sociology and math. The math opening is at the Lansing campus. Find job descriptions and details on: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

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.

Nonmedical caregivers - Saint Rita Home Care is hiring nonmedical caregivers for seniors. Seeking compassionate individuals to fill all shifts. Call or text Renee Margush at (913) 229-4267. >> Classifieds continue on page 13

CLASSIFIEDS

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG >> Continued from page 12 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.

Drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is now hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students with special needs in Johnson, Wyandotte and Clay County, Missouri, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Aides earn $12 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need. Call (913) 521-4955 for more information. EEO Stylists - Are you addicted to the TV show “Say Yes to the Dress”? Are you self-motivated, love fashion and enjoy helping people look their best? If so, we want to talk to you! Sincerely Susan, a unique destination shop that specializes in dresses for mothers of the bride/ groom and galas is looking for part-time stylists. Our boutique is a warehouse environment where clients come in by appointment only. You must have a sense of style and a great personality to be able to interact with your “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.

SERVICES 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.

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.

Doll dresses - First Communion dresses for American Girl dolls or any 18” dolls. To include dress, veil, shoes, tights, and cross necklace for $35. Call (913) 345-9498 or send an email to: wwelch4@kc.rr.com to order. The dress is on display at Trinity House, 6731 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential *Lawn renovation *Mowing *Cleanup and hauling *Dirt grading/installation *Landscape design* Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-1391 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.

Free estimates - We are offering free estimates to all those thinking about painting this year. At Stone Painting, we put the customer first. We provide interior, exterior house painting along with deck staining, fence painting, etc. Stone Painting ensures a professional, clean and fair-priced job. Call today for your free estimate. (913) 963-6465.

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: path wayprepkc.com and contact Alex Pint at (913) 991-8217 or: alex@pathwayprepkc.com.

13 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 side-by-side plots at Mount Moriah South Cemetery. Lot 92, block 26, spaces 2 and 4. Value $8000; asking $4000. Call JoAnn at (913) 262-9582.

HOME IMPROVEMENT DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Thank you to all my clients last year! - We had to take my ad out for a few months to catch up. This year, we are looking for more deck jobs, exterior wood rot and house painting jobs. We are also looking for larger interior jobs to include full kitchen remodels, cabinet refinishing, as well as bathroom remodels and basement finishing. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230.

REAL ESTATE

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.

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.

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

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

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

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

Nelson Creations LLC. Home remodeling, kitchens, baths, basements.

All interior, exterior work. Licensed and insured.

(913) 927-5240 or: dknelson2001@gmail.com.

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

Popcorn ceiling texture removal Interior wall painting specialist.

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

Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

CAREGIVING Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

Caregiving - CMA with 15 years of experience. Background check and references available. Call (913) 9994340.

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

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

WANTED TO BUY 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.

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

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

14

COLUMNISTS

Does Lent fit the ($2) bill?

DAILY READINGS FOURTH WEEK OF LENT March 27 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Jos 5: 9a, 10-12 Ps 34: 2-7 2 Cor 5: 17-21 Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32 March 28 Monday Is 65: 17-21 Ps 30: 2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b Jn 4: 43-54 March 29 Tuesday Ez 47: 1-9, 12 Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 Jn 5: 1-16 March 30 Wednesday Is 49: 8-15 Ps 145: 8-9, 13c-14, 17-18 Jn 5: 17-30 March 31 Thursday Ex 32: 7-14 Ps 106: 19-23 Jn 5: 31-47 April 1 Friday Wis 2: 1a, 12-22 Ps 34: 17-21, 23 Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30 April 2 Francis of Paola, hermit Jer 11: 18-20 Ps 7: 2-3, 9b-12 Jn 7: 40-53

Francis of Paola 1416 - 1507 Francis chose a religious path after his parents introduced him to Franciscan friars at age 12. He shunned a worldly life and for the most part lived as a hermit.

He is founder of the Friars Minims, an order whose name means “the least of all religious.” His simple life emphasized prayer and penance; he even traveled barefoot.

He prayed at the bedside of King Louis XI of France and was a friend of his successor, Charles VIII. Francis is patron of seafarers, many of whom have attributed miracles to his intercession.

I

’ve got a stack of brand-new ones but have been waiting for the ideal time to use them.

That time could be now.

The brand-new “ones” are actually “twos,” as in crisp $2 bills. I received them as a gift from one of my parishioners in honor of my 40th anniversary of ordination last July. You don’t see many $2 bills in circulation, which is surprising considering there are about 1.2 billion of them still in circulation.

Although the first $2 bills were printed in 1862, there was a stigma attached to them. People who had $2 bills could be construed as sinners.

Why? Because the standard bet at the racetrack was that amount or, in some places, folks would be paid $2 to cast a fraudulent vote in elections.

So, if you had $2 bills in your wallet, you could be labeled a

S

MARCH 25, 2O22 | THELEAVEN.ORG

MARK MY WORDS

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

gambler or a cheat.

There was another meaning attached to the $2 bill, also called a “deuce.” Apparently, “deuce” was a euphemism for “devil” as in the expressions: “There will be the deuce to pay” or “What the deuce?”

(This was news to me.) This association attached a superstition of bad luck to the bill.

That’s why in some places it’s not unusual

to see a $2 bill with a corner or two torn off, supposedly to let the bad luck “escape.”

In any event, the U.S. Treasury stopped printing the $2 bills in 1966, only to resurrect them in the Bicentennial Year of 1976.

But they’re still not popular, especially in the eastern part of the United States, and are not apparently that well known.

For example, in February 2005, a business owner in Maryland named Mike Bolesta tried to pay his $114 bill at a Best Buy with fifty-seven $2 bills.

Neither the cashier nor the manager at the

store had seen $2 bills and, convinced that they were counterfeit, called the police. The young police officers were also unfamiliar with that denomination of currency and arrested Bolesta. The poor guy was jailed for a time and only released after the Secret Service was called in to verify the money was, indeed, genuine!

Having once been a restaurant cashier, I know there is a practical reason to hate the $2 bill: There’s no specific slot in the till for that denomination, making it way too easy to mix them in with either the $1 or $5 bills.

So, you can print the bills, but you can’t make people like them. As with so many things in life, any change is hard. We often prefer our ruts, our usual way of doing things, and resist anything new.

Now that we’re about halfway through Lent, it’s time to take

stock of how we’re doing with our resolutions of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Did you make any resolutions or did you “give up Lent” for Lent?

If spring break derailed your Lenten disciplines, have you returned to them once coming home?

This season is a time of conversion, a time to climb out of sinful ruts, a time to embrace a new way of living. But it’s tough.

Like the $2 bill, just because you give people these 40 special days doesn’t mean they’re going to use them. Sadly, I’ve had a “lazy Lent” so far, preferring old habits over the new life that Christ is calling me to. With God’s grace, though, I intend to finish strong. How about you?

By the way, I intend to start spending those $2 bills this week. If things go south, however, will you bail me out?

Whatever the cause of your shame, God can remove it

hame is an experience we don’t often talk about, possibly because we are ashamed to acknowledge that we feel it.

One reason it’s difficult to talk about is that the conversation has a tendency to go in the direction of revealing what it is that we are ashamed of, which is exactly what we want to avoid.

We feel ashamed of things we have done.

But on an emotional level — different from the level of our thinking — we can feel shame just as much about things that have happened to us. A person can feel shame for their shabby clothes, for their ugly teeth, for

,

KEVIN PERROTTA Perrotta is the editor and an author of the “Six Weeks with the Bible” series, teaches part time at Siena Heights University and leads Holy Land pilgrimages. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

being incontinent, for having been sexually assaulted. It is this kind of shame that is addressed in Sunday’s

first reading.

After rescue from slavery in Egypt and a 40-year journey through a wilderness, the Israelites have arrived in the land where God wants them to live.

As a sign of being in a deep, covenant relationship with God, the men get circumcised, according to God’s instruction. Then the people celebrate Passover, the meal that recalls God’s rescuing

them from slavery.

In between the circumcising and the celebrating, God makes a declaration to their leader: “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you’” (Jos 5:9).

The stigma of having been enslaved, the disgrace of being treated as non-persons, the indignity of being used as someone’s tools — the shame of all of this, God says, has been removed.

What connection can we find between this ancient text and our own shame?

American slavery is not so long in the past as to cast no shadow in the present — only two lifetimes ago.

When I was born,

there were still elderly Black Americans who had been born into slavery. But as a white person, I will leave it to Black people to ponder the message these words to Joshua may have for them.

For everyone, it is of profound significance that God reveals himself as the one who removes shame. We cannot change how other people look at us for what has happened to us or perhaps our feelings about it.

But there is an inner liberation from knowing in the depths of ourselves that of anything that causes us to feel such shame, God says, “Today I have removed the reproach from you.”

Lent is a time to wake up, pray more, care for others, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Lent is a good time to ask God’s help in throwing off any spiritual “drowsiness” that dulls a person’s prayer life and attentiveness to the needs of others, Pope Francis said.

“It is a period in which God wants to awaken us from our inner lethargy, from this sleepiness that does not let the Spirit express itself,” he said March

13 before leading the Angelus prayer with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Looking at the Sunday Gospel reading, which recounted the transfiguration of Jesus, Pope Francis pointed out that the story says that Peter, James and John “had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his (Jesus’) glory and the two men standing with him.”

It wasn’t the last time the disciples would snooze at an important moment, the pope said; it would happen in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“This somnolence in such important moments is surprising,” he said. But it is possible that initially they, too, were praying like Jesus was, “until tiredness prevailed.”

COLUMNISTS

MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

15

Boundless generosity rewards both the giver and the receiver

W

e are a little past the halfway point of Lent. There is no better time to renew our Lenten commitments and examine what new habits we can carry forward once Lent has ended.

I am enjoying several of the daily Lenten meditations I receive by email each morning. One meditation that I have received for several years is Matthew Kelly’s Best Lent Ever.

This year, he is focusing on his book, “The Generosity Habit.” The theme I continue to hear over and over is that generosity is not all about money. Generosity is creative, beautiful,

YES TO THE CALL

BILL MALONEY Bill Maloney is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development.

You can email him at: wmaloney@ archkck.org.

wise, hopeful and contagious.

The domino effect that generosity sets off reaches further than any of us can see. And I have witnessed many

people in my life living wonderfully generous lives. Generosity is wonderfully contagious.

One simple example of this generosity I recently experienced was at a retreat for the stewardship and development offices for the dioceses of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

David Baranowski,

the director of stewardship for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, spoke of his practice of having small crucifixes in his pocket and giving them to people he meets.

What a beautiful way to be generous, evangelize and show the love of Christ to others.

Another friend told me how delighted he is to be back at his office and see everyone’s face again now that the masks are off. He said it is wonderful to see the smiles. The man who told me the story always has a smile to offer.

I can tell you that his generosity doesn’t end with his smile, and my guess is that his smile and kindness are

probably the result of his endless generosity.

From my experience, the most joyful people are the most generous.

A man at my parish, who I have been honored to know for a long time and have been on several Christ Renews His Parish teams together, exudes a contagious generosity. There is nothing he won’t help with and when he does, he does it with such joy and love.

Just a few weeks ago, I pulled into the parking lot and there he was. When I saw him, I felt at home and I felt the warmth of his greeting. Thanks, John.

My challenge to you for the remainder of this Lenten season and beyond is

to grow in generosity.

Compliment the work of a co-worker, give an elderly parent a strong hug, introduce yourself to someone you don’t recognize at your parish, fill up the gas tank for a child visiting from out of town, or buy some formula or diapers for a mom or dad you see shopping.

As Mother Teresa said, “Do something beautiful for God.” Generosity is love.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no greater commandment than these” (Mk 12:31).

Let us spend the remainder of Lent loving our neighbor generously and bringing more people to the light of Christ.

Locking arms with fellow Kansas Christians for women and babies

A

n evangelical friend of mine says that when it comes to people of faith acting in the public square to protect women and preborn babies, “Catholics are organized, but unmotivated. Evangelicals are motivated, but unorganized.”

This may have once been true, but no longer. Shocking, unacceptable facts confirming Kansas as the new, emerging abortion destination for the entire Midwest are motivating everyday Catholics and other Christians to work together to take action like never before.

Kansas faith communities are locking arms with one another to spread the word about why passing the “Value Them Both”

CHURCH AND STATE

CHUCK WEBER Chuck Weber is the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference.

amendment is so critical for the protection and well-being of women and babies.

“Value Them Both” is a direct response to a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that radically changed the Kansas Constitution, making it impossible

to regulate abortion in even the simplest of ways.

Yes, that’s right.

Because of this ruling, the Kansas abortion industry is that close to permanently being able to perform unlimited abortions in unregulated facilities.

This would put both women and preborn children in great danger.

Unlike our neighboring states, taxpayer-

funded and late-term abortion could soon be 100% allowed, along with abortions on teenage girls without their parents’ knowledge, and much more, unless Kansans pass the “Value Them Both” amendment Aug. 2.

This Kansas abortion nightmare scenario is already unfolding.

The latest available data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) revealed the single largest increase in Kansas abortions in 25 years.

Plus, for the first time in decades, more than half of all Kansas abortions were performed on women from surrounding states. Abortions on women from Arkansas went up 185%; Oklahoma, 326%; Texas, up an astounding 1,156%.

Little wonder the abortion industry flaunted its successful leaps toward making Kansas a “haven” state for itself. Unfortunately, its in-your-face claim appears to be correct, and they’re not done yet. But neither are we.

“Value Them Both” is fast becoming the single largest grassroots campaign in Kansas history and gaining momentum by the day. You’re making it happen. Can you make phone calls?

Plant a sign in your yard? Talk to your family members and friends? Knock on the doors of your neighbors?

This movement needs every person in Kansas who values both women and babies to help. Together, our efforts

can overcome others’ apathy, a biased news media and the formidable forces and deep pockets of the abortion industry. With your help, we can win. Learn online how to join the effort at: ValueThemBoth.com.

The amendment is set for a statewide vote of the people on Aug. 2. Advance voting begins July 14.

You can make sure you are registered to vote by going online to: www.wanttovote.org.

Advance ballot requests are now being accepted by county election offices.

Come join other Christian brothers and sisters from across Kansas in this historic fight to protect women and preborn babies.

For their sake, failure is not an option.

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MARCH 25, 2022 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

To do God’s work we must also sometimes just sit in his presence

By Catherine Upchurch Special to The Leaven

G

ood engineers know the value of a counterbalance.

Whether for a seesaw, elevator or a forklift, the design has to allow for weights to balance one another. Without that balance, a child will go flying off the seat of the seesaw, an elevator will plummet and a forklift will tip over on itself.

We are designed with a need for a counterbalance as well.

We cannot simply be busy doing the work of the kingdom without the balancing gift and discipline of stillness.

One way to enter into stillness and silence in God’s presence, to calm ourselves so that we are more aware of God, is to use this simple verse from Psalm 46:11: “Be still and know that I am God.” Through the psalmist, God is giving a direction that will slow our pace, take away the “hurry” of our days and maybe even help us let go of some worry as well. Take a deep breath, sit comfortably and say the verse within yourself.

Ponder who God is to you. Call to mind the ways that you most often experience God’s presence.

After a few moments of quietly focusing on God, strip away the end of that verse and sit in silence with these words: “Be still and know that I am.” God revealed himself to Moses in the Sinai desert as “I AM” (Ex 3:11-14). God is the cause of all being.

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus revealed his divine identity when he said, “I am . . .” the good shepherd; the gate for the sheep; the light of the world; the way and the truth and the life; the resurrection and the life; and the true vine. When you sit in stillness and contemplate God’s power in our world, begin with acknowledging that God is the creative power of all that is and the abiding presence in all that will be.

And now we focus even more deeply on the gift of stillness by stripping away a bit more of the verse, saying in our hearts and minds, “Be still and know.”

Psalm 46:11

Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION OR DISCUSSION Jesus knew the need for quiet time with his Father (see Mt 14:13; Mk 1:32-35; 6:4546; 14:32-34; Lk 4:42; 5:16; 9:18; Jn 6:15). In what circumstances are you most often reminded to seek out God in quiet?

When you consider your own life as a disciple of Jesus, do you feel that you have found a balance between doing God’s work and being in God’s presence?

If not, are you more drawn to stillness and prayer or works of love and service?

We tend to focus on knowing as the act of sorting through information to make sense of reality, and in the spiritual context, that sometimes means gaining knowledge about God. While acquiring knowledge is a significant part of our growth as humans, as disciples, the Bible invites us to think of knowing, especially knowing God, as a kind of intimacy that we share with God. It comes in the form of a loving relationship with God. In stillness, you will grow in love and in trust of the God who fashioned you and abides with you.

By now, you know that we will remove

What are some ways that you might create more time for stillness in God’s presence? Or, if this is already your practice, how might you continue to grow in the discipline of quiet meditation on God’s love and life in you?

a couple more words to be left with “Be still.” Stillness allows us the space we need to hear God’s voice. Mary, mother of Jesus, is said to have reflected or pondered or treasured in her heart the things divinely revealed to her by an angel, by shepherds and through the events of Jesus’ young life (Lk 2:15-20, 41-52). Such reflection requires stillness. Quiet yourself, be aware of your breathing which is itself a gift from God. And we are left with “Be.” By now, your breathing is a bit deeper, your body is a bit quieter and you might hear God saying simply, “Let me look on you in

Do other Bible verses speak to you in a way that they could become the basis for your quiet meditation in God’s presence? For a few examples, see 1 Cor 3:16; Lk 12:25; Ps 51:12; Jn 15:9.

love.” God’s love is at the heart of our being and becomes the basis for how we act as disciples.

Creating the discipline of being still in the presence of God’s love will direct your heart and your feet as you move from being to doing, from stillness to action. It is the necessary counterbalance for a life of discipleship.

Catherine Upchurch is the general editor of the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and contributes to several biblical publications. She writes from Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Crossword solution

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