04 19 19 Vol. 40 No.35

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 40, NO. 35 | APRIL 19, 2019

Jesus is alive and animating the lives of the disciples along the path of love and mercy!

May the joy and hope of Our Lord’s victory over death abide

+ JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas

+ JAMES P. KELEHER Archbishop Emeritus of Kansas City in Kansas

LEAVEN PHOTO BY LORI WOOD HABIGER FROM ST. BEDE CHURCH, KELLY

in your hearts!

INTRODUCING DEACON CLEM

The Leaven continues its series introducing the archdiocese to the six men who will be ordained priests this year. This week features Deacon Kenneth Clem.

Page 16

THERE WILL BE NO LEAVEN NEXT WEEK

PREDATORY LENDING

Leaven reporter Jill Ragar Esfeld looks at how one man’s life was turned upside down when he took out a title loan on his truck.

Pages 8-9

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

C

2

Pope’s message for youth is one we all need to hear

hrist lives!

This is at the heart of what we celebrate each Easter.

It is also the title of an apostolic exhortation

by Pope Francis addressed to young people as well as to the entire church. The pope’s message is the fruit of his reflections on the deliberations of the October 2018 Synod of Bishops focused on youth, faith and the discernment of vocation.

Pope Francis identifies three great truths that, in the Holy Father’s words, “all of us need constantly to keep hearing.”

The first truth is God loves you. Pope Francis urges young people, no matter what happens to them in life, never to doubt that, at every moment, they are infinitely loved. Indeed, this is one of the great distinguishing truths of Christianity. We believe that the God who created the cosmos desires to share his life with us.

The God, who is almighty and all-knowing, chose to immerse himself fully in our human condition so that we could share in his eternal life.

It is no coincidence that the message of the Holy Father was made public on March 25, the solemnity of the Annunciation, commemorating the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary.

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN This truth that God loves us is the antidote to the nihilism and pessimism so pervasive in our culture. If we embrace this truth of God’s love for us revealed in Jesus, then we are never without reason for hope and joy.

Pope Francis wrote to the youth of the world: “For [God], you have worth; you are not insignificant. You are important to him, for you are the work of his hands. That is why he is concerned about you and looks to you with affection.”

The second great truth is: Christ saves you. The Holy Father reminds the church’s youth that God does not love them because of their perfection, but Our Lord loves us despite our weaknesses and failures.

This is such an important message for

people in any time or place, but it is an especially important truth in a culture where young people are so powerfully influenced by social media.

While these modern tools for communication can be used for much good, they also present new challenges. One of the dangers of social media is that it can create within its users a competition to project perfection. This can place enormous pressure on young people to strive for the allusion of self-perfection.

The message of the Gospel is very different.

Christianity is not about perfecting ourselves by our own willpower. It is about being transformed by our experience of the merciful and unconditional love of God. Of course, the liberating Gospel message of mercy is needed in every time and place.

However, it is particularly important today for those growing up in a culture that appears

more concerned with image than depth, with outward appearance than sincerity of heart.

The third truth is: Christ is alive! Jesus is not just some historical figure that we read about and perhaps admire, but has no direct impact on our lives today. Jesus is alive and still changing hearts and transforming lives.

The Holy Father reminds us that most important in communicating our Catholic faith to our children is not instructing them in our dogmas and moral precepts but, rather, helping them cultivate a relationship, a friendship, with Jesus.

It is not that the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the church’s moral teaching are not important, but they will not make sense to our young people and be accepted by them if they do not have a friendship with Jesus.

Pope Paul VI decades ago observed what is needed most is witnesses of the faith. If parents want to communicate the faith to their children, they must first and foremost be people of prayer, who communicate daily with Jesus.

Prayer is by definition a conversation with God. Any conversation has to be a two-way communication, where we speak from our heart but also listen and develop the capacity to hear God’s

Archbishop Naumann April 19 Good Friday service — Cathedral April 20 Holy Saturday Easter Vigil — Cathedral April 21 Easter Sunday Mass — Cathedral April 23 Priests Personnel meeting Administrative Team meeting

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park April 27 American Heritage Girls adoration — St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood Abbot’s Table — Overland Park Convention Center April 28 RCIA Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison April 29 Confirmation — Prince of Peace, Olathe

Confirmation — Church of the Ascension, Overland Park

April 30 Bishop Ward High School adoration — Cathedral

April 24 FOCUS leaders Mass and breakfast

Confirmation — Good Shepherd, Shawnee

voice speaking to us through the Scriptures and the events of our everyday lives.

Pope Emeritus Benedict in his pastoral visit to the United States said to a gathering of American seminarians in New York that we do not have so much a vocation crisis, but rather a prayer crisis.

Wisely, Pope Benedict reminded us that if we teach our children to pray and listen to God’s voice, then they will discern the vocation Our Lord desires for them.

The liturgy of Good Friday makes us aware

of the mercy of God revealed on Calvary.

Our Easter celebration makes clear that the story of salvation does not end, however, with the cross. The tragedy of Good Friday is necessary for the Easter victory.

Jesus is risen! Our risen Lord has defeated both sin and death.

Jesus is alive and we have a destiny to live with him forever. The Christian is never without a reason for hope and a capacity for joy.

May we never forget the three great truths: God loves you! Christ saves you! Jesus is alive!

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APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NOTRE DAME

3

NOTRE DAME BURNS

Catholic leaders nationwide react to fire

W

A S H I N G TO N (CNS) — As U.S. Catholic leaders grappled with the enormity of the April 15 fire that ruined the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the word “iconic” came to mind for many of them.

“Our prayers are with the people of Paris as the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is burning,” said an April 15 statement by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Oregon; the blaze was put out after nine hours.

“As we enter this most Holy Week of the year in preparation of Easter,” he added, “we rest in the peace of the Resurrection and know Christ will console us in our most tragic times.”

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, in an April 16 appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, said Notre Dame has “become an icon not only of faith . . . it’s also an icon of art, poetry, literature, French pride and gratitude, French identity. . . . It really is an icon for what’s best in human nature.”

He said of the fire, “There does seem to be a death in the family ... and not just the Catholic family, the world family. . . . It’s almost

like we are at a funeral parlor. We are seeing a loved one who has died.”

“Notre Dame has been an iconic house of worship for over 850 years and a prayer destination for faithful Catholics of Paris and from around the world,” said an April 16 statement from Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, New York.

“We give thanks to God for the firefighters who so bravely battled the devastating fire. And we look toward the future as this great Cathedral of Notre Dame is rebuilt.”

“Notre Dame has been one of the most iconic churches in Christendom — a testament to man’s desire to glorify God on earth and a beacon of hope for millions of pilgrims each year,” said an April 15 statement by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia. “The ongoing destruction being wrought by flames is doubly sorrowful as it comes during the holiest week of the Christian calendar.”

Archbishop Chaput added his prayers “that our Lord will bring comfort and peace to Archbishop Michael Aupetit (of Paris) as well as our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Paris, and the

people of France at this time. In the face of desolation and devastation, we find hope in the Resurrection.”

“Notre Dame Cathedral is more than a church — it’s a worldwide iconic symbol of our Catholic faith,” said an April 15 statement by Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Catholics around the world who love Notre Dame Cathedral and have lasting memories there, the people of France, and the first responders.”

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception announced April 15 the creation of a website, www. supportnotredame.org, where people could contribute money for Notre Dame’s rebuilding.

The national shrine, in a statement, “encourages those whose lives have been touched by this iconic cathedral, to support the effort to resurrect and rebuild this church which has touched the hearts and souls of the world.”

“Our hearts are with the firefighters and with the caretakers of the magnificent Cathedral of >> See “WORLD” on page 10

French leaders pledge Notre Dame will again grace Paris skyline

P

ARIS (CNS) — Church leaders joined government officials in saying they expect that Notre Dame Cathedral’s grandeur will be restored as firefighters extinguished the last flames of a fast-moving blaze that seriously damaged much of the iconic structure.

“We are living through an extreme moment. This is Holy Week and it isn’t an accident,” Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit said outside of the 850-yearold historic structure late April 15 as firefighters continued to attack the flames.

“Having marked the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are now experiencing our own passion, but we know that after it will come the resurrection.

We believe in this and we will proclaim it by rebuilding this cathedral,” Archbishop Aupetit said.

The archbishop also appealed for church bells throughout Paris to be rung in a sign of prayer and solidarity.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the “extreme >> See “SUPPORT” on page 10

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Reporter Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

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Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

4

Students’ clean water project models global stewardship

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

L

EAWOOD — Imagine sitting down to cool off with a big glass of brown, murky water.

Refreshing, right?

This image may seem comical, but it is the depressing reality of billions of people around the world.

In fact, around 2.5 billion people — 35% of the global population — do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.

And the students at Nativity Parish School in Leawood decided that was unacceptable.

On April 11, 270 kindergarten through eighth-grade students gathered to build 70 clean water filters for people in Guatemala and other countries.

Lyndy Volker, mother of three Nativity students and a member of the school’s parent-teacher organization, came up with the idea months ago after learning about the nonprofit Wine to Water (W2W), an organization that supports clean water worldwide.

“I [built water filters] with my company [through W2W] and thought it was a unique experience,” said Volker.

It was an experience she knew she had to share.

“The world is so much bigger than what we see,” she said. “I want my kids to understand that things so common to us are critical to others.

“We take water for granted.”

Nativity parents donated over $3,500 to purchase W2W’s instructional framework and filter components for the project at Nativity.

Students first watched instructional videos on the water crisis around the

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

At one of more than a dozen tables in the Church of the Nativity School cafeteria, seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher Bill Powers and students put together a water filtration system from a kit. The students are (clockwise, from left): seventh-grader Trevor Murphy, first-grader Gabby Hancox, sixth-grader Reese Cullor, third-grader Anisley Cook, fifth-grader Matthew Warren, third-grader Henry Hawkinson and eighth-grader Patrick Adriano. world and then were taught how to assemble the water filters.

Next, they got to work. Each student, from youngest to oldest, had a hand in the filters’ assembly.

First-grader Lucy Kilroy found building the filters well worth her time.

“It was easier than I thought,” she said. “I liked it because we were

helping other people.”

Eighth-grader Trinity Samuelson agreed.

“Freshwater levels are dropping for other people,” said Samuelson. “Water is a necessity for us, so we are trying to make [access to it] happen . . . [because] we are Catholics and want to bring good.”

DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATIONS Divine Mercy Carnival

Divine Mercy Parish 555 W. Main St., Gardner April 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come join our parish as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with food and fun for everyone. A $10 wristband for kids includes a “Divine Mercy Trivia Tour” passport book, unlimited carnival games, bounce house, hayride, egg hunt and a meal. Join us for bingo, a cakewalk, horse rides, fellowship and free popcorn for everyone. For large families with more than three children, all children after the first three get a free wristband.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour

The parishes of St. John the Baptist, Holy Family and St. Mary-St. Anthony, all in Kansas City, Kansas April 29 — St. John the Baptist April 30 — Holy Family May 1 — St. Mary-St. Anthony (youth night) Mass at 6 p.m., mission reflection at 7 p.m. and confessions at 8 pm. The mission will feature Paul Rymniak, author of “The Mystery of Healing.” Call the church with questions at (913) 371-1561.

Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish 7023 W 71st St., Overland Park April 28 at 3 p.m.

There will be a Divine Mercy Holy Hour with eucharistic adoration and Benediction.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour Immaculate Conception Church 711 N. Fifth St, Leavenworth April 28 at 3 p.m.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour

St. Patrick Church 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas April 28 at 5 p.m.

Images will be available for purchase after the Holy Hour.

Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction Sacred Heart Church 1404 2nd Ave., Leavenworth April 28 at 3 p.m.

Divine Mercy Chaplet

St. John Paul II Parish Madison Place Elementary School 16651 S. Warwick, Olathe April 28 at 9:30 a.m.

The Divine Mercy chaplet will be recited from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The event is between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

Divine Mercy Holy Hour

Divine Mercy Celebration

Holy Spirit Church 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park April 28 at 3 p.m.

There will be a eucharistic Holy Hour and confessions.

Divine Mercy Parish Mission

Divine Mercy Holy Hour

Sacred Heart Church 101 Exchange St., Emporia April 28 at 3 p.m.

There will be eucharistic adoration, sung Divine Mercy chaplet, confessions and a rosary.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, LaCygne April 28 from 3 to 4 p.m.

There will be eucharistic adoration, the Divine Mercy chaplet and confessions. The celebration concludes with Benediction.

The project was the direct result of Nativity’s focus on stewardship as both a parish and school community.

“Stewardship is so important,” said Nativity principal David Kearney.

“Giving of our time and talent to show our appreciation for what God has given us is [crucial].”

Divine Mercy Devotions Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea 22779 Metcalf, Bucyrus April 28 at 3 p.m.

Divine Mercy Divine Mercy services

Christ the King Parish 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kansas April 28: Confessions at 2:30 p.m., chaplet at 3 p.m. and Mass at 3:15 p.m.

Good Shepherd Church 12800 W. 75th, Shawnee April 28 after 10 a.m. Mass.

There will be eucharistic adoration, confessions, sung chaplet and the Litany of Humility.

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

5

Seneca speaker shared broken heart, rocky road to recovery Katie Peterson Special to the Leaven

S

ENECA — On April 17, 2003, Judy Hehr’s life as she knew it changed.

It was on that day that she learned that her husband Bob had cheated on her.

And he had fathered a child with the other woman.

Hehr’s reaction was not a surprise.

“I knew our marriage was over,” she said.

Hehr thought there was no question that her marriage would end in divorce.

But now, 16 years later, she says that her marriage has never been stronger, thanks to the love of God. Hehr shared her story during a Lenten retreat April 6 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. It was the second part of a three-session retreat Hehr spoke at April 5 and 6 at the church.

Susan Stallbaumer, a Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner and retreat coordinator, knew she wanted Hehr to come to Seneca after hearing her talk in February 2018 at Christ the King in Topeka.

“I was very captivated by Judy’s story, the way she told it,” Stallbaumer said. “It was very similar to things that I had gone through in my life, and she really spoke to my inner self about how God works in our lives.

“We’re all broken, but God loves us no matter where we’re at,” continued Stallbaumer. “We each have our own story of God’s forgiveness, and he transforms our lives and makes us into disciples that he calls us to be.

“So, I invite you today to open your eyes and ears to the Holy Spirit; to be open to what the Holy Spirit is telling you and how your life can be transformed.”

Hehr was born and raised Catholic but said that she was never really raised to understand and know God’s true love for her. Therefore, she struggled through the early part of her life, only having profound encounters with God when she was at her lowest points in life, like when she became addicted to drugs and alcohol after her mom’s death.

However, as soon as she was stable financially and had started building her own “kingdom,” she said God went back into the shadows again because she didn’t “need” him anymore.

“I was full of pride and selfrighteousness,” she said.

Once her four children were born, though, she encountered the Lord in the most profound way.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATIE PETERSON

Judy Hehr shared the story of her marital struggles during a Lenten retreat April 5 and 6 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca. Although raised a Catholic, Hehr had to reopen her heart to God to save her marriage.

“What was insane to me was how something so pure and beautiful could come from someone so unworthy,” she said.

While Hehr found God in her children, he was nowhere to be found in her marriage. She was so focused on continuing to build up her career that she wasn’t the wife she needed to be to her husband.

“I sent the constant message to him, ‘I got this. I don’t need you,’” she said. “All our spouses want is to know that we need them because two are better than one.”

It wasn’t long after that when Hehr’s father and stepmother came to visit, and it was her stepmother’s words that resonated with her.

“You have everything, but nothing,” her stepmother said. “Nothing has left you satisfied.”

With that, her stepmother urged the family to go back to church. That’s what led to Hehr making the New Year’s resolution: “We’re going to get God.” Hehr became a daily communicant. She read book after book about God and began to learn about his loving, merciful and forgiving ways.

“God was waiting like this perfect gentleman,” she said. “I became a Jesus freak.”

That Lent, she said, and unbeknownst to her, God’s plan was about to unfold.

“It was the most grace-filled time in my life because I never felt closer to Jesus. And I never felt more love and I never felt more accountable and responsible for my actions in our marriage,” she said.

That spiritual renewal sustained her.

“I knew there was nothing that would make Bob’s behavior acceptable,” she said, “but I also knew I didn’t love, honor and cherish him the way I was supposed to.”

That doesn’t mean that when the affair was first revealed, Hehr didn’t think her marriage would end in divorce. But her stepmother convinced her to try Retrouvaille first, a program for struggling couples. For 12 weeks, Hehr and her husband attended the classes, and it was through that program that they decided that they would try to make things work some way.

There was still a long road ahead.

Hehr said she cried for two straight years.

But that was where God came in.

“All those tears were tears of healing.

My heart was broken in 50 million pieces.

It was as if someone shattered it and there were so many pieces just laying everywhere,” Hehr said. “I had no idea how to put it back together. I knew it would never be the same.

“But [God] put it back together. He put it back together in such a profound way that it loves like it has never loved, and it forgives like it has never forgiven.

I would change nothing about my marriage.”

“Out of this misery came the awakening of a marriage and the awakening of two people that were still broken and came together in our brokenness to form this united front,” she continued. “All of a sudden, we were there — shoulder to shoulder, side by side.”

After that, Hehr said her prayer was simple.

“Change me,” she said. “Change me to be the woman that you call me to be. [My husband] still deserved to be loved.”

Ida Schiffbauer and Sally Lauer, also Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners, agreed that it took strength and courage for Hehr to speak so openly and tell her story.

“It would take a lot of strength from God to bare your soul to people you do not know and seek the faith,” Schiffbauer said. “She’s walked the walk.”

“Somehow, she makes it very personal for everybody,” Lauer said. “She has a lot of God-given insights. Obviously, the Holy Spirit is very much at work.”

Patty Locher of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, said she was glad she attended the retreat.

“What a story from brokenness to healing,” Locher exclaimed. “It just shows that no matter how down you get, the Lord can still save you.”

For more information about Hehr and her ministry, visit the website at: www. judyhehr.com.

‘Celtic Thunder’ tenor to sing benefit concert May 3

K

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — Principal vocalist for “Celtic Thunder” and solo standout Irish tenor Emmet Cahill is returning here this May as part of his North American tour to promote his new album, “Blessings of Music.”

Classically trained in opera at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, Cahill was recognized as “Tenor of the Year” by the Irish Music Association and has won multiple classical competitions throughout Ireland. Cahill has served as

the principal vocalist for the world-renowned Irish music show “Celtic Thunder” since 2011.

In 2015, Cahill added “solo artist” to his list of achievements. In 2017, he recorded his No. 1 world music album “Emmet Cahill’s Ireland,” accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and offering the best of traditional Irish repertoire.

He then went on to perform to a sellout crowd at Carnegie Hall in 2018 and on a 75-city tour for “Celtic Thunder X,” the group’s 10th anniversary show.

In addition to performing selections from his albums, Cahill will also sing wellknown Broadway standards, nostalgic favorites, beloved church hymns and operatic arias.

“I’ve always had a wonderful time visiting Kansas City on my tours,” said Cahill.

“I can’t wait to come back and see everyone again. The church has stunning acoustics, and we’ll create a special atmosphere on the night. I’ll also be asking the audience to sing along with me — so have those voices ready and warmed up!”

Cahill will perform at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 416 W. 12th St. in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 - $45 and may be purchased online at: www. emmetcahill.com/tour-dates/ or at the door.

For a 10% discount on online tickets, use the code IRISHTENOR19 at checkout.

To sample Cahill’s music, go online to: www.emmetcahill. com.

All proceeds will benefit the liturgical and outreach ministries of the cathedral.

Irish tenor Emmet Cahill

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

6

Benedictine symposium addresses digitalization of culture

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

A

TCHISON — What does it mean to have a healthy relationship with technology? With social media?

With smartphones?

These questions were central to the eighth annual Symposium on Advancing the New Evangelization at Benedictine College held March 29 and 30. The symposium’s theme was: “Technology and the Human Person.”

According to Dr. Donna Freitas, a sociologist, author and keynote speaker, questions about technology are some of the most important questions people can ask themselves at this moment in history.

And they are some of the most infrequent.

“We are not raising kids to ask [those] questions,” said Freitas. “I’m like the first person to ask my college students.”

Claire Wright, a junior theology and evangelization youth ministry student at Benedictine, agreed.

“I think this topic is one of the most relevant today,” she said. “Technology is everywhere, and no one knows what to do with it, especially in the church.

But we can’t ignore it. It’s necessary to talk about it.”

Freitas is also the author of “The Happiness Effect,” a book for which she surveyed college students across the country for two years about their social media and smartphone use.

“I didn’t go in asking a bunch of questions about happiness,” said Freitas. “But I could ask them just

PHOTO BY CLAIRE WRIGHT

Dr. Donna Freitas, author of “The Happiness Effect,” a book for which she surveyed college students across the country for two years about their social media and smartphone use, gives a keynote address about technology. about anything and happiness would come up.”

Freitas noticed in her study that there was a correspondence between high levels of a student’s social media and smartphone use and low levels of perceived happiness. “[Students] spend their lives trying to navigate their obsession with [smartphones], their addiction,” she said. “There was a collective sense that we are being used by our devices and social media.”

Freitas went on to explain that the church holds the best response.

“We need to become critical thinkers about our devices,” she said.

“One of the things that the Catholic

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tradition does amazingly well is it gives us reason to pause, stop, to contemplate — to just be without all the noise.

“What an interruptive opportunity the Catholic Church is!”

The theme of technology and the human person also represented for Brother Angelus Atkinson, a novice at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, the value the church brings to questions about technology.

Brother Angelus gave a presentation on the meaning of time and the value of waiting during a colloquium session.

He focused, fundamentally, on two questions: What is the point of walking

life’s often boring and painful circumstances? And why is there time?

Rather than discussing how to put forth an individual moral effort to use technology well, said Brother Angelus, the symposium discussed what it means to be human.

“The question of technology is not whether or not to tweet the Gospel,” he said. “The Gospel can never be tweeted — it is always incarnate.”

More importantly, it’s how to become human in a technological world.

Brother Angelus said questions about technology and humanity are ones he has in front of his own life — making the symposium even more relevant for him.

“Back when I had a phone, I checked it all the time in the hopes of finding something new,” he said. “The interesting thing was I was more willing to look for that ‘something new’ in the predictable virtual world than in the real world.

“I needed to be educated to an awareness that reality was good, that entering into it and waiting for this ‘something new’ to reveal itself was reasonable.”

For Wright, the symposium had an evident impact.

“It has changed the way I look at technology,” she said. “It’s not something bad that needs to be avoided, but something you need to be conscious of using.

“Since the symposium, I haven’t been on my phone as much.”

And she plans to keep it that way.

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APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

7

Deacons’ wives challenged and enriched by their husband’s clerical roles

A

unique dimension of the permanent diaconate is that the formation and ministry of most deacons takes place in the context of an already busy marriage and family life.

An integral part of discerning this vocation, then, must include prayerful consideration of how diaconal formation and ministry will affect one’s family, as well as candid, ongoing communication with one’s spouse.

Striking the right balance of prayer, family, work and diaconal training can be a real challenge. Even for those who are accepted into the program, the initial call is continually tested during the five years of formation before ordination.

“My intuition has always been that if it’s ‘right,”’ said Leon Suprenant, the co-director of the office of the permanent diaconate for the archdiocese, “the diaconate will strengthen one’s marriage, and one’s marriage will strengthen his diaconal ministry.”

Suprenant recently polled the wives of archdiocesan deacons to test whether his theory was correct.

The overwhelming response of deacons’ wives, he said, was that the fiveyear formation program, despite the significant time commitment the program required, was a positive experience for them.

Some of them were able to attend many of the formation sessions with their husbands, which helped them grow in their prayer life, as well as their knowledge of the Catholic faith.

Others pointed out that they received

LEAVEN FILE PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Deacon Mike Denning and his wife Karen take part in a Mass for deacons in this 2017 file photo.

Striking the right balance of prayer, family, work and diaconal training can be a real challenge, according to a recent poll conducted by the office of the permanent diaconate for the archdiocese. the benefit of the classes without having to take any of the tests!

And many pointed to the deep friendships they forged with others on the same journey.

Some, because of family and other responsibilities, were not able to attend the formation events as frequently as others.

Rhonda Gilbert, wife of Deacon Dean Gilbert, was one of those.

“I felt very welcomed whenever I could come to the formation weekends,

but not pressured to be there if I could not be,” she said.

And Leah Nguyen, wife of Deacon Stephen Nguyen, said that her husband’s weekends away at formation were difficult, “but we all grew as a family, since we knew it was a sacrifice that we needed to make.”

Tina Allen, wife of Deacon Joe Allen, said that, because of the kids and her job, she was unable to participate much.

But she was still proud to be part of his

team of support, and appreciated how he “always put his family first” and would typically “share with [her] things he learned in formation.”

But what about life as a deacon’s wife after her husband is ordained?

Once again, the wives’ experience reported very favorably. Many spoke of the positive influence of the diaconate on family life and the family’s prayer life.

For example, Jacque Pfeifer-Moffitt said that her husband, Deacon Mike Moffitt, “has become the spiritual leader of our home. . . . He is definitely leaving our kids and sons-in-law with a deep and rich inheritance.”

Linda Sloan agreed.

“We have a family spiritual leader we are so proud of,” she said. “I know without any doubt that God has his hand over our family and that [husband Deacon Brad Sloan] is where he’s supposed to be.”

While some miss being able to sit next to their husband at Mass, several deacon’s wives, such as Jan Mulvenon and Karen Denning, believe their marriages have been enriched by being able to join their husbands in various ministries. Aracely Slater says that her husband’s diaconal ministry has made her “even more aware of the many needs around us.”

Finally, although a few say they try to “not get in the way” of their husband’s ministry or mind the increased demands on his time, the overarching theme Suprenant heard was gratitude: gratitude for how the Lord has blessed them, their family and the church through their husbands’ ministry.

Catholic Charities program battles predatory lending

ONE PICKUP TRUCK AT A TIME

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

O

LATHE — John Lanham has an older model Chevy Silverado that is his lifeblood; it is his only transportation to and from work.

A few years ago, he also had a need for financial help, but his credit history made a bank loan impossible.

Driving to work one day, he saw what he thought was a solution to his problem.

“I saw this place that advertised, ‘Money, cash money,’” he said. “I stopped in and they were so eager to lend me money.”

Lanham signed an agreement with Cash-2-Go, a title-loan company. He put his truck up as collateral and walked out with $2,000.

“It was very brisk and quick,” he said.

“They didn’t explain anything.”

He immediately began paying back the loan, consistently making payments of $160 to $200 a month for more than a year.

“I was kind of thinking, ‘I’m making headway paying on this,’” he said. “I added all the receipts up and I had paid back the amount they lent me.”

Lanham figured he was just about done with Cash-2-Go. Life was good.

Then he got a notice threatening to repossess his truck.

“I went down and talked to them,” he said. “And then, they made it clear. I guess it was in the paperwork initially, but they slipped it past me.”

Lanham discovered he was loaned the money at more than a 300% interest rate.

“They told me I needed to be paying $380 a month just for interest,” he said.

“They told me the amount that I now owed was $3,800.”

Cash-2-Go, not so eager to help anymore, told Lanham if he didn’t pay that amount, he would lose his truck.

“It totally rocked me,” he said. “I almost fell out of my chair. I said, ‘You have got to be kidding me! $3,800?’

“And I drove away stunned.”

Welcome to the world of predatory lending.

Preying on the poor Lanham is not alone. Catholic Charities workers see this situation all the time in the people who come to them in need of emergency assistance.

“It’s legal here [in Kansas],” said Good Shepherd parishioner Amelia Reyes, senior director of asset development at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

“We have a lot of predatory lenders in this area.”

If you read the fine print, payday and

Predatory lending seems like an easy way to get a quick loan but, with high interest rates, borrowers can quickly find themselves in dire financial straits. title-loan contracts state clearly that they have an average annual percentage rate of 325%.

“But I think because of the manner in which it is presented to individuals,” said Reyes, “they don’t realize how much this is going to cost them if they can’t pay it back in a few weeks.

“We had an elderly woman in Emporia,” she said, “who had been diligently paying her loan off for two years, and she had paid over $8,000 on a $500 loan.”

Most individuals preyed on by these lenders have no savings and find themselves behind on their bills, usually because of a medical crisis.

“They go to the hospital,” explained Reyes. “They lose out on salary, and then they can’t pay their rent. They take out a loan because they’re trying to catch up.

“The population we see is pretty diverse. The majority of the people would be considered living in poverty.”

Recognizing predatory loans as a major factor in creating financial crises for individuals and families, Catholic Charities decided to address the problem as part of its programming.

Three years ago, it launched the Kansas Loan Pool Project (KLPP).

A hand up The KLPP is designed to help eliminate high-interest title or payday loans by issuing participants a new, low-interest loan.

Catholic Charities advertises the program and screens applicants but has a banking partner that administers the loan.

“By refinancing through a banking institution,” said Reyes, “we are able to help them build credit.”

And there’s an end point in sight.

“Their payments are fixed,” she continued. “Most individuals enrolled in our program stay in for 12 months. That’s about the average loan time.”

In addition to being issued a new loan, each participant is enrolled in a financial education course to help develop a longterm financial plan and budget.

They are also assigned a Catholic Charities case manager specialist to provide ongoing support.

“If we were just giving out loans,” said Reyes, “we’d be a bank. That’s not the point of the program.

“It’s to invoke change and education in how to manage money so you can have some savings and not end up in this place again.”

The KLPP has become such a sought-after program that Catholic Charities has set up a hotline people call to leave basic information. Staff members then screen for applicants.

“In any given year,” said Reyes, “we see about 120 total individuals we’re serving. And within that year, we’ll administer about 70 new loans.”

Since KLPP began, 115 clients have completed the program and successfully paid back their loans.

Including Lanham.

A changed life When faced with the realization that he was about to lose his truck, Lanham did what most of us would do.

He turned to God. “I fell to my knees and I said, ‘Lord I don’t know what to do here. I made a mistake,’” he said.

Lanham asked a friend to pray with him and, as providence would have it, the friend happened to know about the KLPP.

John Lanham proudly displays his beloved truck, wh He told Lanham to go to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and ask for Reyes and KLPP supervisor Sasheen Cutchlow.

“I went down,” he said, “and I talked to Sasheen and Amelia. I’ve got tears right now just thinking about it.”

Lanham agreed to the terms of the KLPP and went through the bank to get approved.

The day his truck was scheduled to be repossessed, he met Cutchlow at Cash-2Go to pay off his loan.

“She had tears in her eyes then, too,” he said.

Lanham began paying on his new loan, as he was participating in the KLPP program.

It changed his life.

“I learned things about budgeting and checking accounts and these predatory loan places,” he said. “I learned how to get my credit score up.

“And then I got married, and Amelia said, ‘We’ve got another program.’”

A manifestation of the word During the process of recovering from his loan crisis, Lanham met Donna, whom he sees as another gift from God. “My wife is really good with financing,”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

hich he almost lost thanks to a payday loan. With an average annual percentage rate of 325%, payday loans quickly bury borrowers in debt. he said. “That was another blessing from the Lord.

“I let go and let her budget.”

At the suggestion of Reyes, the two enrolled in the Family Financial Transformation program (FFT) also offered

by Catholic Charities.

“After he was in KLPP,” said Reyes, “John really wanted to concentrate on his financial growth and figuring out his finances better.

“The FFT really complements the KLPP.” The Lanhams began applying what they learned to their household with winning results.

“We completely paid off the loan in February,” said Lanham. “And we’ve got a savings account building up now.”

Lanham sees his experience with the KLPP as a reflection of his favorite Bible passage — the story of Peter confronting a cripple begging at the temple gate.

When asked for money, Peter replies, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene — walk” (Acts 3:6).

“And the guy got up,” said Lanham. “It was a miraculous healing.

“It didn’t say anything about the guy after that. But what I think is that he no longer had to beg.

“I see the manifestation of that in

The Kansas Loan Pool Project The Kansas Loan Pool Project is designed to help eliminate high-interest title or payday loans by issuing participants a new, low-interest loan.

Each participant is enrolled in a financial education series to help develop a long-term financial plan and budget.

They are also assigned a Catholic Charities case manager specialist to provide ongoing monthly support.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

During the process of recovering from his loan crisis, Lanham met Donna, whom he married. The two enrolled in the Catholic Charities Family Financial Transformation program and have stabilized their finances. what happened with my truck and the program.”

“It’s not just [Catholic Charities] paying a debt and then you pay [them]

back,” he continued. “It’s about helping you walk.

“And now I’m dancing.”

Eligibility and program requirements are: • Must have stable, traceable income • Budget must reflect ability to make monthly loan payments • Monthly case management for the duration of the loan • Attendance of financial education courses mandatory For more information, call Catholic Charities at (913) 433-2050 or visit the website at: catholiccharitiesks. org.

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NOTRE DAME

10

Support pours in to help rebuild Notre Dame >> Continued from page 3 courage and great professionalism” of first responders who helped save the facade and towers of the Gothic landmark. He announced that a national reconstruction fund would be established.

Speaking in front of the charred cathedral late April 15, Macron said he understood the feelings of French Catholics in face of the disaster and pledged the whole population would “stand with them” in restoring it.

“Notre Dame de Paris is our history, our literature, our imagination, the place where we have experienced our great moments, the epicenter of our life,” said Macron, who was accompanied by the archbishop, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

“We built this cathedral over centuries, raising it up and improving it, and I now state solemnly that we will, all of us together, reconstruct it. This is undoubtedly part of the French destiny,” Macron said.

Up to 500 firefighters battled for 15 hours to save the cathedral after flames erupted in the structure’s attic about 6:30 p.m. local time. The blaze quickly consumed two-thirds of the 13th-century oak roof and brought down the cathedral’s 300-foot spire. Authorities said much of the cathedral’s wooden interior was destroyed and its masonry was seriously scorched.

The La Croix daily newspaper reported much of the building continued to smolder April 16, as thousands of onlookers continued to pray and sing hymns in nearby streets.

Rescue teams formed a human chain to remove many of the cathedral’s priceless artworks and sacred objects, including the crown of thorns relic from Jesus’ crucifixion and a gold

CNS PHOTO/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON POOL VIA REUTERS

Debris surrounds a depiction of the Pieta by Nicolas Coustou in Notre Dame Cathedral April 16, 2019, a day after a fire destroyed much of the church’s wooden structure. Officials were investigating the cause of the blaze, but suspected it was linked to renovation work that started in January. tunic of St. Louis, the report said.

Noted art historian Jean-Michel Leniaud told the newspaper April. 16 it was too soon to assess the extent of the fire damage but said it would certainly represent “a major blow and terrifying mutilation of the country’s history.”

The cathedral symbolized “relations between religion and political power,” he said, adding that he believed the French state should “take charge of its reconstruction.”

Meanwhile, offers of support in rebuilding the cathedral, a UNESCO

World Heritage site, came from church leaders and governments around the world, including Donald Tusk, European Council president, who said April 16 that he hoped the European Union’s 28 member-states would all help share the costs.

French newspapers said the Pinault family, whose consortium owns the Gucci and Saint-Laurent fashion brands, had pledged 100 million euros (US$113 million) overnight, while the LVMH group, which includes Moet Hennessy-Louis Vitton, had promised

200 million euros (US$226 million).

In a television interview in the wee hours of April 16, Archbishop Aupetit said the cathedral symbolized “the soul and history of France,” as “a site traversing the centuries which was always a place of faith.”

He explained how the disaster had stirred “deep emotions” throughout France, adding that he had received messages of sympathy from faith leaders worldwide, including many Muslims.

World leaders react to Notre Dame fire >> Continued from page 3 Notre Dame de Paris, said Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis in an April 15 statement. “We ask for the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, and look to the promise of Easter hope and new life in the midst of this difficult loss,” he added.

The archdiocese has experienced cathedral problems of its own, though not nearly as severe as the Notre Dame fire. The Basilica of St. Louis, popularly known as “The Old Cathedral,” was closed following the April 12-14 windstorms that swept through the country’s midsection. Work on a permanent underlayment for a new roof began April 15, but all services there are canceled until the safety of the ceiling is secured.

“I join in the great sadness felt around the world over the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in France,” tweeted

Bishop Edward J. Burns of Dallas April 15. “While we mourn the damage done, we are grateful there has been no loss of life.”

Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, in announcing the archdiocesan chrism Mass for April 16, invited “Catholics and people of all faiths” to “pray in solidarity with the people of the Archdiocese of Paris and all of France” in light of the cathedral fire.

Francois Decoster, mayor of SaintOmer in northern France and vice president for culture of the Hauts-deFrance region, was scheduled to leave Maryland for France April 15. He and other officials had been in Baltimore and Washington for concerts by the 70-piece Saint-Omer Wind Orchestra to celebrate three centuries of cooperation between France and the U.S. “It’s really a tragedy,” Decoster said April 15 before returning to France.

“The images are really terrifying.”

CNS PHOTO/PHILIPPE WOJAZER POOL VIA REUTERS

French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, and his wife, Brigitte, visit Notre Dame Cathedral after it suffered heavy damage from a fire April 15. Officials said the cause was not clear, but that the fire could be linked to renovation work. Macron promised to rebuild within five years.

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APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

Students vote to pay reparations over slavery

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — Undergraduate students at Jesuit-run Georgetown University voted overwhelmingly April 11 to pay a new student fee that would be for reparations to the descendants of slaves owned and later sold by the school.

The fee would be $27.20 per semester and the figure represents the 1838 sale of 272 enslaved individuals by the Maryland province of the Society of Jesus province for the benefit of Georgetown University.

According to the Georgetown University Student Association Elections Commission, which announced the results April 12, of the nearly 60 percent of undergraduates who voted, 2,541 supported the measure and 1,304 opposed it.

The vote was part of a nonbinding student referendum. Approximately 66% of students voted in favor.

USA Today quoted a statement from university administrator Todd Olson, who did not commit to the fund’s establishment but said the vote provided “valuable insight into student perspectives.”

The College Fix, an online national college news website run by students, reported that proponents of the measure hosted a rally on campus, “chanting, ‘When they don’t act — we fight back’ and encouraging students to get out the yes vote.”

The Fix also reported that opponents of the measure who handed out fliers explaining their arguments against the measure had those fliers “torn and discarded.”

The university has collaborated with descendants in its work to remember its history of slavery and to work toward reconciliation, and it announced a couple of years ago

N

CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN

that descendants’ families will receive the same admissions benefits as other members of the Georgetown community, including faculty, staff and alumni.

In the fall of 2016, Georgetown announced that it will establish an Institute for the Study of Slavery and its Legacies. The university also has established a Department of African American studies and offers two courses that deal with the university’s ties to slavery.

Georgetown University President John DeGioia has apologized for the university’s role in slavery. “We express our solemn contrition for our participation in slavery and the benefit our institution received,” he said.

“We cannot hide from this truth, bury this truth or ignore this truth.”

The university also renamed a building as Isaac Hawkins Hall, after a 65-year-old slave who was sold in

1838 along with 271 other enslaved men, women and children by the Maryland Province of Jesuits to benefit Georgetown University, which was then facing financial difficulty.

It renamed a second building — the oldest on campus — as Anne Marie Becraft Hall, in honor of a free woman of color and pioneer educator who in 1820 founded a school in Georgetown’s neighborhood to teach African American girls.

After the vote on the fee, student Alyssa Lisbon, who is from Missouri, said: “The human capital that we gained from the sale of these people is still benefiting us. Georgetown would have shut down without these people giving this kind of unwilling sacrifice, and so I think as a student who goes here I am benefiting a lot from this education, so I owe it to these people and their descendants to kind of pay that back.”

Assisted suicide now law in N.J.

EWARK, N.J. (CNS) — Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark called New Jersey’s new law allowing assisted suicide regrettable, saying “whatever its motives and means,” it is “morally unacceptable.”

“Every gift of human life is sacred, from conception to natural death, and the life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition,” the cardinal said in a statement April 12, the day Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, a Catholic, signed the Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act, effective Aug. 1.

“Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect.

Sick or disabled persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible,” Cardinal Tobin said.

Under the new law, which goes against the Catholic Church’s fundamental teaching on the sanctity of all human life, adults who receive a terminal diagnosis would be allowed to obtain self-administered medication to end their lives.

It passed the Assembly 41-33 and the Senate 21-16 March 25. As the measure awaited Murphy’s signature, prolife groups and other opponents urged state residents to contact the governor

N.H. death penalty repeal bid called a ‘victory for life’

C Students are seen on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington March 20.

“

“I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT ASSISTED SUICIDE IS HOMICIDE AND THOSE WHO ASSIST, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INTENTIONS, ARE GUILTY OF TAKING A LIFE JUST AS SURELY AS IF THEY PARTICIPATED IN A STATE-SANCTIONED EXECUTION.” and ask him not to sign the bill into law.

In his statement the day of the signing, Murphy said that “allowing residents with terminal illnesses to make end-of-life choices for themselves is the right thing to do.”

“By signing this bill today, we are providing terminally ill patients and their families with the humanity, dignity, and respect that they so richly deserve at the most difficult times any of us will face,” he said, and he thanked the

Legislature “for its courage in tackling this challenging issue.”

One of the opponents of the measure who testified at the Statehouse March 25, Dawn Teresa Parkot, did not mince words when speaking about the Aid in Dying bill.

“I firmly believe that assisted suicide is homicide and those who assist, regardless of their intentions, are guilty of taking a life just as surely as if they participated in a state-sanctioned execution,” said Parkot, a quadriplegic motivational speaker with athetoid cerebral palsy. She uses a computer-based communication system to speak.

“Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of disabled, sick or dying persons,” Cardinal Tobin said in his statement. “It is morally unacceptable. Modern health care has made enormous strides in reducing the pain of those terminally ill.”

“As citizens of New Jersey, we should work together to support compassionate care for the disabled, chronically ill or dying,” he added. “We also should be vigilant to a ‘slippery slope’ that permits further modification of the criteria that presently limit the use of euthanasia, as well as health care providers that would deny medications that prolong life in favor of drugs that will end it.”

11

ONCORD, N.H. (CNS) — The New Hampshire Senate’s vote to repeal the death penalty is “an enormous victory for life,” according to the executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network.

The New Hampshire Senate voted 17-6 April 11 to repeal the state’s death penalty law. This follows a 279-88 vote for repeal by the state House in March.

“The overwhelming margins by which the repeal bill passed through the Legislature sends a strong message about the state’s priority to put an end to the death penalty,” said an April 12 statement by Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy.

“It speaks to a long-term decline in support for capital punishment found not only in New Hampshire, but across the United States as a whole.”

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has threatened to veto the bill, but the original vote in each chamber passed by margins wide enough to override a veto.

A two-thirds vote is required to override.

“Catholic Mobilizing Network celebrates this encouraging progress and looks forward to the day when the state officially unshackles itself from the death penalty once and for all,” Murphy said.

New Hampshire has not put a prisoner to death since 1939. However, there is one man on the state’s death row, but the state’s corrections department said there are no immediate plans to acquire the drugs necessary to execute him.

The repeal bill is not retroactive, so it will not apply to Michael Addison, found guilty of the 2006 murder of a police officer in Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city. The bill replaces the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Sununu, a Republican, vetoed a capital punishment repeal bill last year that lawmakers failed to override. ThenGov. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, also vetoed a repeal bill in 2000 that was sustained. A 2014 effort to repeal the death penalty failed on a tie vote.

According to the Manchester Union Leader, once the bill is signed by the House speaker, Senate president and secretary of state, Sununu will have five business days to either veto the bill, sign it or let it become law without a signature.

An April 11 statement issued by the governor’s office said, “Governor Sununu continues to stand with crime victims, members of the law enforcement community, and advocates for justice in opposing a repeal of the death penalty.”

New Hampshire is the last state in New England where the death penalty is still on the books.

In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on executions in California, the nation’s most populous state — and most populous death row, with 737 men and women.

If the New Hampshire repeal bid succeeds, it would become the 21st state to abolish the death penalty.

Since the death penalty was found by the Supreme Court in 1978 to be constitutional, more than 7,800 people have been sentenced to death, and close to 1,500 executed.

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT Director of music - Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee seeks a full-time director of music. We seek an accomplished musician with an appreciation of and experience in a wide variety of liturgical music. The candidate should have a deep knowledge of liturgy, the liturgical year and a strong sense of appropriate music selections for various liturgies, including funerals and weddings.

The position requires expertise in vocal technique and choral conducting experience. Proficiency with keyboard accompaniment (piano) is required as is the ability to work with and coordinate volunteer instrumentalists. A desire to work with our growing Hispanic community is essential. The position is immediately available, but start dates are negotiable. For further consideration, please email a cover letter and resume to Father Kent O’Connor at: frkent@gsshawnee.org. Video links to performances/ celebrations where you are demonstrating your skills are appreciated.

Executive director of institutional advancement Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) is seeking an executive director of institutional advancement with a proven track record to serve as the chief development officer for the school. The director reports to the president in direct consultation with the board of trustees. S/He is responsible for securing financial support to advance the mission of the school, including overseeing a comprehensive fundraising and alumni relations program. This includes, but is not limited to, furthering the development of the annual fund; cultivating and securing major and planned gifts; promotion and marketing effort; and other stewardship opportunities. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of not-for-profit experience, a willingness to quickly grow to understand a Catholic educational environment and a proven ability to work with a diverse community. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume to: Dr. Bill Ford, President, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 11411 Pflumm Road, Overland Park, KS 66215 or via email at: wpford@stasaints.net Director of development and marketing - Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral in Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a talented and ambitious individual to serve as its director of development and marketing. This is a part-time position in which the director reports to the principal and works in collaboration with the board of trustees. Responsibilities for this position include: overseeing and growing two annual established fund raisers; grant writing; maintaining and expanding individual and business donor relationships to include a planned gifts strategy; and develop and execute a school marketing and social media plan. The ideal candidate will have for-profit and not-for-profit experience. A track record of sales and marketing success is preferred. Interested candidates should email a letter of interest and resume no later than April 30 to Lynda Higgins at: lhiggins@rcskck.org.

Housekeeping position - Prairie Star Ranch is seeking a dedicated and diligent staff member for its housekeeping team. This position performs a variety of cleaning tasks in order to ensure a clean and hospitable retreat environment. Staff can expect 10-15 hours of work per week and will be working with a team of housekeeping and non-housekeeping staff. A complete job description, application and information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Interested individuals should submit their application as soon as possible by email to: psr@archkck.org.

Executive director - EMBRACE (Enriching Many By Reaching All in Catholic Education) in Overland Park is seeking an executive director to raise funds and partner closely with schools to help meet the needs of students with special needs. Experience in a nonprofit leadership role with demonstrated skills in fundraising and a connection to the mission is desired. To apply, visit our current searches at: morancompany.com or contact: laurie@morancompany.com for questions.

Theology teacher - St. James Academy is seeking a full-time theology teacher for the 2019-20 school year.

The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic with a passion for creating disciples of Jesus who has experience teaching at the secondary level. Those interested should apply at the archdiocesan website at: www.archkckcs.org and should email a cover letter and resume to the St. James principal, Dr. Shane Rapp, at: srapp@ sjakeepingfaith.org.

Special education teacher - Bishop Miege High School is seeking a full-time special education teacher for the 2019-20 school year. The ideal candidate would have Kansas licensure and three years’ experience in a SPED program and be able to work in collaboration with a team to increase services provided to students on support plans. Send a letter of interest and resume to: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com.

Teachers - Holy Rosary Wea Catholic School is hiring a sixth-grade teacher and a music teacher for the 201920 school year. Interested applicants should apply at: www.archkckcs.org and should email resume to: info@ qhrwea.org.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176

Parish secretary - St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe is seeking a part-time (20 hours/week) parish secretary.

Responsibilities include: receptionist and office duties; parish Virtus coordinator; database entry for membership information; support for sacramental records, Mass volunteer schedules and communication. Visit the website at: www.jp2kc.org or call (913) 747-9636 for a full job description. Send a cover letter and resume by April 30 to: office@jp2kc.org.

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.

Job opportunities - Catholic Charities of Kansas CitySt. Joseph (CCKCSJ) serves those in need by taking direct action to relieve their anxieties and remove their burdens while also lifting them to the dignity of selfreliance. CCKCSJ is a fun and faith-based environment.

Associates of CCKCSJ enjoy a compressed workweek by working Monday - Thursday weekly (dependent upon position), with almost every weekend as a three-day weekend. The following positions are currently open: accounting supervisor; community housing program manager; Stay the Course program navigator; Stay the Course program data and administrative assistant; and strategic donor specialist. To apply and to view all available opportunities at CCKCSJ, go online to: careers. hireology.com/catholiccharities-kansascityandstjoseph.

Math teacher - St. James Academy is seeking a fulltime math teacher for the 2019-20 school year. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic with a passion for creating disciples of Jesus who has experience teaching at the secondary level. Experience in engineering or engineering design is a plus. Those interested should apply at the archdiocesan website at: www.archkckcs.org and should email a cover letter and resume to the St. James principal, Dr. Shane Rapp, at: srapp@sjakeepingfaith.org.

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 Sheetrock repaired - We can repair your ceilings and walls and can retexture with popcorn or knockdown ceilings. We can repaint old yellowed ceilings. Interior painting for 25 years with no mess!! Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patio’s) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!!

Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913)927-4118.

Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

Interior painting - Renew your ceiling and walls with a fresh coat of paint. Replace drywall or plaster repaired with no mess!! 25 years experience. Call anytime. Jerry (913) 206-1144.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. – A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

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.

Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful.

Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs.

Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured.

Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

SERVICES Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, licensed clinical professional counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063 8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered.

Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks!

Certified coach: kathioppold.8toyouridealweight.com.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Quilted memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop Nolting Longarm machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, neckties, etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www.quiltedmemoriesllc.com.

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.

Clutter getting you down? - Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin of all trades” your professional organizer and “Honey-do” specialist. Call or email me today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055 or KOATorganizing@ gmail.com. Insured. References.

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer.com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002 Decked Out in KC - www.WEFIXDECKS.com. We repair, power wash and seal concrete drives, walkways, pool decks and more. Call Brian at (913) 952-5965.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com

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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.

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

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

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

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

WE SELL HOMES - Looking to sell? This is a seller’s market.

Call for a free consultation detailing the steps to selling your home. Ask about our 39-day sales guarantee. Mention this ad for a special offer. Call Jim Blaufuss, Re/Max Realty Suburban, at (913) 226-7442. Jimblaufuss@remax.net

CAREGIVING Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

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.

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 - One plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.

Best offer. Call Lori at (913) 515-0919.

For sale - Two side-by-side crypts; tier B, 13 and 15, located in the St. Joseph Chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery, the only two left in the chapel. Call (913) 269-6176 for pricing.

For sale - Two spaces at Resurrection Cemetery in Mausoleum, St. John Corridor. Reasonable rate. Call (913) 894-2448.

For sale - Double glass-front niche at Resurrection Cemetery, Holy Family section, tier C, niche 3. Make an offer. Call (913) 558-0723.

For sale - Two adjoining plots at Mount Olivet Cemetery in the Crucifixion area, close to the road. Original cost $1825 per lot. Will sell both lots for $2500 or separately for $1250 each. Call Lesley at (913) 908-2162.

For sale - Two internal crypts at Prince of Peace Mausoleum, Nativity Cove, Resurrection Cemetery. For more information, call (913) 631-4348.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

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

BUYING AN AD To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email The Leaven at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org. Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter. Ad deadline is 10 days before the desired publication date.

Mention the Leaven for a discout on repair or install

913.236.6440.

Awesome Garage Doors & Service since 1983

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR WOMEN’S RETREAT Camp Tekakwitha 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg April 26 - 28

This retreat is offered for women ages 21 and older. There will be group and breakout sessions, speakers, fellowship and celebration of the sacraments. For more information and to register, go online to: camptekakwithawomensretreat.com. Registration now open.

SYMPHONY DESIGNERS’ SHOWHOUSE 606 W. 52nd St., Kansas City, Missouri April 22 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Ladies of Charity will host a private showing of the 2019 Kansas City Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. The tour includes a box lunch, raffle and shopping at the KCSA boutique. The cost for a ticket is $25 and helps support the Duchesne Clinic, Seton Center and Villa St. Francis. Mail reservation and check to: Karen Camerata, 5508 W. 129th St., Overland Park, KS 66209. For more information, call Kathy Gorman at (913) 803-4712.

OPEN HOUSE Our Lady’s Montessori School 3020 S. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas April 24 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Now enrolling for elementary for fall 2019, ages 6 - 9. You are invited to come learn about Our Lady’s Montessori School community. RSVP online to: jwallace@olmskc.org.

‘SEEKING GOD WITH EMILY DICKINSON’ Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison April 24 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Come spend the day with Emily Dickinson.

Learn about the home life, culture and religious milieu in which she lived, all of which helped to shape her writing and understanding and experience of God. Time will be spent with others in nature, silence, prayer and lectio, discussion, lecture and learning. The fee of $70 includes lunch. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6173 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter. org.

POTLUCK DINNER Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish (Formation Room) 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka April 25 from 5 - 7 p.m.

The Christian widow and widowers organization will host the potluck dinner. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call (785) 233-7350.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Church of the Nativity (St. Joseph Room) 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood April 25 from 6:45 - 8:30 p.m.

A panel of experts will give a workshop to educate parents/guardians with a loved one with special needs on preparing for two generations of financial security. They will discuss special-needs trusts, guardianship and the Achieving Better Life Experiences Act of 2013. Child care will be provided. RSVP to Jody O’Rourke at (913) 647-3059 or by email at: jorourke@archkck.org.

‘THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND THE PONTIFICATE OF POPE FRANCIS’ Curé of Ars Parish 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood April 25 at 7 p.m.

Join speaker Andrew Lynch to look back at the events that took place in the life of the Catholic Church in the six years of Pope Francis’ pontificate. The presentation will cover all the major headlines of the last year, along with other important events that you may have missed. For more information, contact Andrew Lynch at: andrewlynch@ cureofars.com.

BREATHE RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park April 27 from 4 - 8 p.m.

BREATHE respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families who have a loved one with a disability age 5 years or older. If you have any questions regarding the program, contact Tom Racunas at (913) 647-3054 or send an email to: tracunas@ archkck.org. To register a loved one, go to the website at: www.archkck.org/special needs and complete the online form.

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT Mount St. Scholastica (St. Scholastica Chapel) 801 S. 8th St., Atchison April 27 at 3 p.m.

Mount St. Scholastica’s “Concerts at the Mount” will present a chamber music concert by a five-member ensemble from the Kansas City Symphony.

7TH ANNUAL CAR, TRUCK AND CYCLE SHOW Our Lady of Unity (Sacred Heart Campus) 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas April 27 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Each car, truck and cycle entry is $20 until April 14 and $25 after. There will be a T-shirt, goody bag and dash plaques for 100 entries. There will be food and live music.

OLU students in grades 6 - 8 will be participating in derby races in the basement; this is part of the schools’ STEM program. The event is free to the public. For information, send an email to: OLUCarClub@yahoo.com or visit the Facebook page at: OLU Car Club.

This is a “rain-or-shine” event.

SPRING DANCE St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish (basement) 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas April 27 from 6 - 10 p.m.

The cost for adults is $20 and includes dinner, drinks and dancing to The Willie Kirst Band. There are discounted prices for young adults and children; kids under 5 are free.

There will be raffle prizes. For more information, call Parry Orth at (913) 371-2468 or send an email to: pattyorth@sbcglobal.net.

DIVINE MERCY CARNIVAL Divine Mercy Parish 555 W. Main St., Gardner April 28 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with food and fun for everyone. There will be hamburger ($3) and hot dog ($1) meals available that include chips and a drink. A $10 wristband for kids includes a “Divine Mercy Trivia Tour” passport book, unlimited carnival games, bounce house, hayride, egg hunt and a meal. There will also be a cakewalk, bingo and more.

SPRING FESTIVAL St. Joseph School 307 Iowa St., Olpe April 28 at 3 p.m.

A dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken and noodles, and sides will be served for the cost of $8 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and under. Carryouts are available. There will also be a raffle for a handmade quilt and many other cash and merchandise prizes. Bingo begins at 6:45 p.m. in the Knights hall. Proceeds benefit St. Joseph Parish religious education ministries.

FILLING ST. MARY CHURCH WITH MUSIC St. Mary Church 9208 Main St., St. Benedict April 28 at 3:30 p.m.

The Emporia State University A Capella Choir and the Emporia Chorale will perform Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem.” The a cappella choir will sing additional sacred works. There is no charge to attend. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Everyone is welcome.

RUNNIN’ REVS BASKETBALL GAME Hayden High School 401 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka April 29 at 7 p.m.

The Revs will challenge the eighth-grade and high school youth from our Catholic schools in an exciting game of basketball.

Bring family and friends to cheer on your favorite players and enjoy the game and halftime show. Donations collected at the door will benefit our seminarians.

WILLIAM BAKER FESTIVAL SINGERS CONCERT St. Agnes Parish 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The William Baker Festival Singers return to St. Agnes for the crowning of a season that included concerts in the Washington National Cathedral and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The suggested donation is a freewill offering and will benefit the music ministry of St. Agnes. The Festival Singers will be joined by Kansas City Bronze, the Heartland’s newest community handbell ensemble.

BOOK DISCUSSION: ‘BEARTOWN’

BY FREDRIK BACKMAN Mount St. Scholastica Monastery (Dooley entrance) 751 S. 8th St., Atchison April 30 at 6:45 p.m.

Come and enjoy a lively discussion with interesting people. Sisters Sheila Carroll and Gabrielle Kocour will lead the discussion.

There is no cost, but a freewill donation will be accepted. To register, call (913) 3606173 or visit the website at: www.sophia spiritualitycenter.org.

POLKA DANCE Father Dolan Knights of Columbus Hall 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The Brian McCarty Band, with special guest premier accordionist David Austin, will be playing for the dance. The cost is $10 at the door. Polish sausage sandwiches, chips, sauerkraut, beer and soda will be available for purchase. Proceeds will go the priest and seminarian fund.

BLISTERS FOR SISTERS St. Thomas More Parish 11822 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri May 4 at 9 a.m.

Join the Serrans from Kansas and Missouri to recognize and honor the religious women in the Kansas City area for all their ministries. There will be a walk, Mass and lunch.

For more information and to register, go online to: www.serrakcmo.org, go to “Activities,” click on “Blisters for Sisters” and register there.

PRAIRIE STAR RANCH FAMILY DAY Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg May 5 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Prairie Star is hosting a day for families to step away and enter into a time of prayer, adventure and outdoor activities. The experience will end with Mass in the St. Kateri Chapel. For detail and registration information, visit the website at: www.archkck.org/ ranch or call (785) 746-5693.

‘WE REMEMBER THEM: HOW REMEMBRANCE AND RITUAL HEAL OUR GRIEF’ Prince of Peace Parish (Sister Mary Thomas Parish Hall) 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe May 23 at 7 p.m.

Join the members of the Prince of Peace bereavement ministry in this supportive group gathering. The evening will feature speaker Brent Doster, family support coordinator at

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Villa St. Francis, Olathe. He will lead a discussion on the importance of remembrance and ritual and how these acts of memorialization contribute to healthy grieving. For more information, call Doster at (913) 747-0276.

GARAGE SALE Holy Spirit Parish 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park May 31 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

June 1 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

There will be furniture, kitchen wares, clothing, baby items, toys, games, holiday items, books, art, home decor and more.

Come shop and visit with friends. Net proceeds from the sale will benefit Holy Spirit School and the youth ministry’s trip to Steubenville.

SILENT RETREAT Marillac Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth May 1 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. or May 1 from 6 p.m. - May 3 at 11:30 p.m.

Guests are invited to come for a single day on May 1, or a few days from May 1 - 3. Read, pray, journal, attend Mass, rest, relax, walk and follow God’s lead through the silence.

The cost of the single day retreat is $35 per person and includes the noon meal. The cost for the extended retreat is $150 per person and includes overnight accommodations and meals. For an additional fee of $40, retreatants can meet with a spiritual director. To register, call (913) 680-2343 or send an email to: retreats@scls.org, or register online at: www.marillaccenter.org.

FAMILY SPECIAL-NEEDS SUMMER CAMP Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg June 28 - 30

This is a summer camp for families who have a loved one with special needs. For more information, go online to: www.arch kck.org/specialneeds or contact Tom Racunas at: tracunas@archkck.org or call (913) 647-3054.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS GRADE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS St. Thomas Aquinas High School 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park June and July

Registration and further information is available online at: www.stasaints.net/summer camps. For more information, call (913) 3192416 or send an email to: btriggs@stasaints. net.

CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP Kansas City area July 8 - 11

Do you need your house painted, inside or out? Or need your yard cleaned up? Do you need any minor home repairs? Contact the Kansas City managers online at: chwc.kc@gmail.com or call (402) 3069043. Leave a message and someone will return your call.

BINGO Immaculate Conception Church (hall) 606 S. Elm, Louisburg Second and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m.

Bingo is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The doors open at 6 p.m. Food will also be available.

DIVORCED: CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN Church of the Ascension (St. Luke Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park 2nd and 4th Sundays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

What’s next after divorce/annulment? Join us for a formation series on the gift of self, which helps us fulfill the call to love again.

Various topics will be discussed. Visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ giftofself143 or send an email to: calledto love143@gmail.com.

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY OCTAVE OF EASTER April 21 EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD Acts 10: 34a, 37-43 Ps 118: 1-2, 16ab-17, 22-33 Col 3: 1-4 Jn 20: 1-9 April 22 MONDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 2: 14, 22-33 Ps 16: 1-2a, 5, 7-11 Mt 28: 8-15 April 23 TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 2: 36-41 Ps 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22 Jn 20: 11-18 April 24 WEDNESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 3: 1-10 Ps 105: 1-4, 6-9 Lk 24: 13-35 April 25 THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 3: 11-26 Ps 8: 2a, 5-9 Lk 24: 35-48 April 26 FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 4: 1-12 Ps 118: 1-2, 4, 22-27a Jn 21: 1-14 April 27 SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Acts 4: 13-21 Ps 118: 1, 14-15, 16-21 Mk 16: 9-15 April 28 SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (OR SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY) Acts 5: 12-16 Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Rv 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 Jn 20: 19-31 April 29 Catherine of Siena, virgin, doctor of the church Acts 4: 23-31 Ps 2: 1-9 Jn 3: 1-8 April 30 Pius V, pope Acts 4: 32-37 Ps 93: 1-2, 5 Jn 3: 7b-15 May 1 Joseph the Worker Acts 5: 17-26 Ps 34: 2-9 Jn 3: 16-21 May 2 Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the church Acts 5: 27-33 Ps 34: 2, 9, 17-20 Jn 3: 31-36 May 3 PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES 1 Cor 15: 1-8 Ps 19: 2-5 Jn 14: 6-14 May 4 Saturday Acts 6: 1-7 Ps 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19 Jn 6: 16-21

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Make Easter the happiest days of your life . . . and theirs

B

ack when I was in grade school, my mom was a room mother.

Once, while the class was on a field trip, Sister Claudia, the principal, pulled my mom aside and said, “Watch them! Wherever there’s a sign that says, ‘Do Not Touch,’ that’s the first thing they’re going to do!”

Well, Sister Claudia was wise . . . and absolutely correct.

Now that we’re entering into the 50 delightful days of celebrating the season of Easter, I hope that you’ll pay absolutely no attention to this prescription for unhappiness: 1. Make little things bother you. Don’t just let them; make them!

2. Lose your perspective of things and keep it lost. Don’t put first things first.

3. Give yourself a good worry — one about which you can’t do anything but worry.

4. Be a perfectionist: Condemn yourself and others for not achieving perfection.

5. Be right, always right, perfectly right all the time. Be the only

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.

one who is right, and be rigid about your rightness.

6. Don’t trust or believe people, or accept them at anything but their worst and weakest.

Be suspicious. Impute ulterior motive to them.

7. Always compare yourself unfavorably to others, which is the guarantee of instant misery.

8. Take personally, with a chip on your shoulder, everything that happens to you that you don’t like.

9. Don’t give yourself

wholeheartedly or enthusiastically to anyone or to anything.

10. Make happiness the aim of your life instead of bracing for life’s barbs through a “bitter with the sweet” philosophy.

Use this prescription regularly and you’ll be guaranteed unhappiness. (Found in “Illustrations Unlimited,” by James S. Hewett, editor.)

Why do we so often insist on following this prescription? Why do we have such a difficult time maintaining an attitude of joyfulness and hope during the whole Easter season?

Honestly, joy and hope are what the world could use a huge dose of right now. And if we Christians aren’t going

to do it, who will?

Obviously, there’s no shortage of ways to be people of the new life of Easter. We just have to be open to our natural creativity. If you’re like me, though, sometimes we need a little push in the right direction. A favorite source of fun ideas for me is Dmitry Golubnichy’s “Can You Be Happy for 100 Days in a Row?” Here are some happy things you might consider adopting: • Belt it out. In other words, cut loose singing in the shower, in your car or — here’s a novel idea — in church.

• Rearrange the furniture in your home.

This can change your perspective in more ways than one.

• Make a photo album. Just looking through old pictures can bring back pleasant memories of people and places.

• Smile at and talk to a stranger.

• Play catch. Head outside with the kids or a co-worker to toss around a football or Frisbee. It’s a great way to clear your head . . . and the fresh air won’t

hurt either.

• Plan a road trip.

Even the anticipation provides a boost to your mood.

• Visit an elderly person and ask them about the good old days.

• Cook something new. Make enough to share with a neighbor (if it turns out tasty, that is).

• Surprise someone with a gift or bouquet of flowers, no reason needed.

• Stargaze.

• Hang out with a new friend.

• Ask someone for help with a task.

• Give kudos to their boss about someone who has been helpful to you.

Just writing out these suggestions has already lifted my mood. I can’t wait to try them out.

This Easter season, let’s make this our goal: “Dance as though no one is watching.

Love as though you’ve never been hurt. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.”

And with the risen Christ, it really is!

Jesus’ death on a ‘tree’ holds multiple symbols

“T

hey put him to death by hanging

him on a tree.”

Hey, wait a minute.

Don’t you mean, “by hanging him on a cross”?

This line from Sunday’s first reading — Acts 10:34a, 37-43 — stands out as a bit strange. However, this substitution of the word “tree” for “cross” appears several times in the New Testament.

Besides the example in Sunday’s reading, it shows up also in Acts 5:30, 13:29 and Gal 3:13. The example from Galatians reads: “Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree.”’

IN THE BEGINNING

FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

Here, St. Paul quotes Dt 21:22-23a. It refers to the practice of hanging the bodies of executed criminals on a tree for display. In a similar way,

the heads of decapitated criminals in medieval England were stuck on London Bridge after their execution.

Of course, in the case of Jesus, it was different. Nailing him to the cross formed part of his execution, not its aftermath. Calling the cross “a tree” linked his death to the passage in the Book of Deuteronomy. It also alluded to another important tree in the Old

POPE FRANCIS Human trafficking is a “crime against humanity,” because it denies the human dignity of the victim, seeing him or her only as a piece of merchandise to be used to enrich or give pleasure to another, Pope Francis said.

Human trafficking, “in its multiple forms, is a wound in the humanity of those who endure it and those who commit it,” the pope said April 11, addressing the closing session of a Vatican conference. The Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development organized the conference April 8-11.

The office brought together more than 200 bishops, priests, men and women religious, project coordinators,

Testament: the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The story of the fall as recounted in Gn 2 tells us that the first human beings, contrary to God’s wishes, ate the forbidden fruit from that tree. Their disobedience brought sin into the world and a curse upon the human race.

In contrast, Jesus’ obedience to the will of God brought salvation to the world. His obedience reverses the trajectory of the first human beings’ fault.

Consequently, the New Testament calls Jesus the “new Adam.”

And we can look upon the cross on which he died as replacing the tree that produced the forbidden fruit.

With this in mind, the first antiphon for the Office of Readings in the

Liturgy of the Hours for the Fifth Sunday of Lent proclaims: “See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life.”

Early Christian art sometimes translated that statement into a visual image. For example, the mosaic in the apse of St. Clement Church in Rome, which dates from the 12th century, shows a crucifix which has sprouted a leafy vine, which encircles figures of the saints. Streams of life-giving water flow from the base of the cross.

Certainly, the cross that has come to life also points to the resurrection of Jesus. That is always in the back of our minds as we reflect upon his death.

pastoral workers, representatives of Catholic organizations, and foundations and trafficking experts from around the world to brainstorm and coordinate efforts to stop trafficking.

“Trafficking,” the pope said, is “an unjustifiable violation of the victims’ freedom and dignity, which are integral dimensions of the human person willed and created by God. This is why it must be considered, without a doubt, a crime against humanity.” Pope Francis praised women religious, in particular, but also all Catholics working to stop human trafficking and assist the victims.

Before offering his blessing to conference participants, he prayed that God would “bless all the victims, console them, be close to the many who suffer from being despised, humiliated, commercialized.”

— CNS

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

J

15

Help keep your son or daughter connected to Christ for life

ust recently, the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence published a list of alumni who, dating back to the 1970s, have gone on to become consecrated religious or priests.

Impressive in both its breadth and length, it includes 10 women religious, 48 priests or male religious (of which I am one) and 19 other former Jayhawks currently in formation.

What has made the Catholic Campus Center so successful when it comes to producing this many religious vocations?

The answer is simple.

The secular milieu found on most college campuses tends to create the conditions causing almost

VOCATIONS CORNER

FATHER DAN MORRIS Father Dan Morris is the archdiocesan vocations director. You can email him at: dmorris@archkck.org.

80 percent of college students to stop practicing their faith. But for

those students who are intentional about “getting connected” from the moment they arrive, they don’t just tend to survive, they actually thrive.

Not only do some discover their vocation to the priesthood or consecrated religious life, but all students discover the fullness of life that flows

from being “connected” to the life of Jesus Christ.

This has been one of the many rewarding parts of my role as vocation director. Being in residence at the St. Lawrence Center, I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the difference that “getting connected” makes in the lives of students, not to mention the impact they have on the overall life and mission of the center.

This includes being “connected” to a strong faith community and those who share the same values. It means belonging to a support system with whom to build lasting and virtuous friendships.

And finally, it provides a place they can continue

Mass at 9 a.m.

May 4

MT CALVARY KCK Elisardo Alvarado William Braun Elvira R. Briones Carol E. Campbell Marion T. Clavin Constance Clune Kathy M. Cygiel Deborah Dent Bradley J. Farabee Guadalupe Galvan James V. Gardner Ignacio Garcia Jr. Adelma L. Golubski Imogene Grindel Michael F. Koska Denise A. Lopez Lee Lopez Jr. Kathryn J. Macan Stella A. McCarty Linda McCoy Kenneth E. Milam Joseph T. Morley Eva Ochoa Janece Podrebarac Mike Resovich Vera M. Schmitz Valentina G. Segura Kadhim Shuker Sylvia Sims Mildred V. Theno Ramon Vaca Raymond Widener Helen M. Zeto RESURRECTION Dr. William J. Arkell James Atwood Rita Beggs Thomas Bell Jessie Bernal Frank G. Bichlmeier Wendy Blum Linda Brackett Chester Braet Glenn E. Brunk Jr. Charles Bua Noah Carter Jane A. Churchman Viola F. Clark William Condon Joseph R. Cucinotta Kevin E. Curran Dale Curtain Theodore L. Debauge

to grow spiritually in their faith and relationship with God. In other words, it becomes a place they can call home.

So what is the key to having more of our young people find such a home during their years in college? We as their family, friends and parishes must do our part to help get them “connected.”

This is the mission of the Newman Connection. Named after St. John Henry Newman, the patron saint of Catholic campus centers, the Newman Connection helps serve as a bridge between Catholic high school students and campus ministers at secular universities.

They contact Catholic high schools nationwide

Prince of Peace Chapel Resurrection Cemetery 83rd and Quivira Rd. Lenexa

Martha L. Devine George T. Dillon Jr. Gerald E. Dillon Abebetch Dinberu William J. Donnelly Timothy G. Elliot Valerie Elliott Baby FeAuto Daniel R. Findley Mary Forrest Donald J. Fritschie Jose Luis Godinez Ronald R. Grace Cayden Gray Neil C. Green Stephen Griffen David A. Guillen Ernest Hawkins Reagan L. Hilgenkamp Alice A. Hill James A. Huslig Joann Hutchings David Jones Rodney Kneale Charles Kneisler Betty Knoebber Shirley F. Kramer Barbara Kreidemacher Louis F. Kusek Peggy Maggio Patricia Mank Pershing L. Mann Walter R. Martin Phyllis E. Milligan Mario Mongalo-Ortiz John T. Nichols Karen R. Ohde Mary Poterbin Muhammad Qasim Eileen M. Rawert Chase Redding Kyle W. Reynolds Marriam Riaz Patrick Riley Elman C. Rinehart Mary A. Rogler John David Scheuerman Uriel Molla Schmitz Norma K. Schweiger Rosealee I. Schweiger Rosemary Sefchick Ruth Sperry Michael R. Stroud Bernadette Rose Thielen William P. Trenkle Jr.

to collect names of graduating seniors and where they are going to college.

They then forward that information to the various universities’ Catholic Newman Center.

Those they have trouble getting information for are high school seniors who attend public schools. They need parishes and families to help expand their efforts to “connect” these students in hope they will find a home away from home as well.

To assist with this effort at parish level or to sign your son or daughter up, go online to: newman connection.com. In doing so, you will be helping them “get connected” and “stay connected” to Christ for life!

Holy Redeemer Chapel

Holy Trinity Mausoleum

Blair G. Turnbull Kathryn K. Turner Hal T. Warner Matthew L. Weir Patrick A. Wilkerson Rose M. Young

Edward F Custenborder Lorene V Eilert Carole J Etzel Ronald J Faught, Sr. Henry Florez Stella Florez Cecilia A Gerstenkorn Patricia C Haines Katherine R Hanson Carolina L Hernandez Phillip J Hernandez Beverly A Heskett Audrey B Hogan John A Kaberline Charles W Kennedy James “Rex” Koppes Robert Longstaff Margaret T Lopez Jose Mendez, Sr. Vincent R Meier Benjamin Munoz Mary Alice Munoz John L Padilla Socorro Perez John V Reynozo Regina T Riddle Richard “Rick” V Rivera Jesus M Romero Lawrence A Rosselot Juventino C Sanchez Joy R Stratman Marcella M Tarrant Patricia M Tew Nelma I Theis Gabriel T Torrez George D Towle Jo Ann Urban

Gate of Heaven Cemetery 126th and Parallel Kansas City, Kan.

ST. JOSEPH William Atkins Krista Bartlett Terry J. Breck Charles Dobbels John P. Gannon Jeanette Hinz Theresa Miller Paul Njuguna Mary E. Nunnink Audrey E. Zimmer ST. JOHN KCK Anthony F. Peresic MT CALVARY OLATHE Dianna Jaklevich Cheryl Loveall Charles T. Riggs GATE OF HEAVEN Janice F. Burkhead Kathleen E. Daniels Ruth Doles Elizabeth Fisher Wilma M. Giebler Harvey Gumbel Baby Keddy Norman Devine Brian Mcgraw Mary Joseph Murray Ann Twitchel Josip Zugecic MT CALVARY TOPEKA Janet D Arthaud Robert D Balthazor Hazel M Barnes Salvador “Sal” P Barranco James A Bernica Judy K Brown Norma D Broxterman James M Byrnes Mary J Burnett Jherimani Cangiani Oliviani Cangiani John W Cavanaugh II Hon. Thomas R Conklin

Mount Calvary Cemetery 801 SW Westchester Rd. Topeka

APRIL 19, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

16

Path to the priesthood was paved with courage and trust

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Sometimes, you can be doing something you love and enjoy but still recognize that something is

missing.

That’s what happened to Deacon Kenneth David Clem.

He was studying psychology and working with children with special needs. As fulfilling as these were, he had a nagging sense that he should take a different path.

“The idea of the priesthood came to mind and it didn’t go away,” said Deacon Clem. “Finally, in conversation with my parish priest, I came to the decision that seminary isn’t a place you go when you know for sure.

“It’s a place you go to figure it out.”

Deacon Clem, 28, is one of three children of Kyle and Audrey Clem. His parents live in Burlingame and attend St. Patrick Church in Osage City. His father, who was a Baptist before becoming Catholic, does accounting for the BNSF Railway. His mother is an optometrist’s assistant in Topeka.

He was raised in a conventional Catholic family: Sunday Mass, prayers at meals, Mom (when they were little) teaching them simple things about the faith. Since there wasn’t a Catholic school nearby, all the kids went to public school.

As is usually the case in small-town parishes, Deacon Clem served Mass as a boy — a lot.

“I was a regular altar server and, for a time, served at least every other week if not every week,” he said, “especially during the summer, because we were one of the few families that stuck around during summer.”

He was very close to his religious education teachers and, during his middle school years, his class would troop up to Topeka once a month to do service work at a food kitchen.

After graduating from Burlingame High School in 2009, he went to Emporia State University to study psychology. He wanted to work with kids who had special needs, especially those with autism.

It was during his undergraduate years that the idea of the priesthood came to mind. And concurrently, he was becoming more devout, attending daily Mass.

Naturally, it was his parents who first formed him in the faith, but later and important roles were played by his pastor Father Anthony Ouellette and several laypeople, who served as witnesses to Christ through their humble lives of faith.

“They were definitely the big shapers in my life at that time,” said Deacon Clem.

With guidance from Father Ouellette, and concluding that it was OK to not be 100% sure of his vocation before he entered the seminary, he decided to take that first big step. He entered the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, near Chicago.

It was while in the seminary that his vocation was confirmed.

“It happened during my fourth year in seminary,” said Deacon Clem. “At Mundelein, we do spring internships in our dioceses to live and work in a parish, to experience what parish life is like.

“I was at St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON KENNETH CLEM

Deacon Kenneth Clem, right, and Sebastian Zebrowski, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Chicago, take some time away from their studies to hang out by the lake on the Mundelein Seminary campus.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEACON KENNETH CLEM

Deacon Clem and his sister Maggie Davis play a board game during her senior art show at Washburn University in Topeka.

“

“I ENJOY LISTENING [TO PEOPLE] AND BEING WITH THEM IN THEIR TIMES OF SORROW AND JOY. I WANT TO NOT JUST BE A PART OF PEOPLE’S LIVES, BUT TO JOURNEY WITH THEM. I HAVE THAT DEEP DESIRE TO BE THAT BRIDGE BETWEEN GOD AND HIS PEOPLE.” Living there and working with the people, I experienced parish life and the daily life of a parish priest. I found so much life in it. Every day, there was something new drawing me closer and closer in.

“Definitely, God spoke to me, showing this is where he wanted me to be.”

It took years of prayer and discernment for Deacon Clem to conclude that the priesthood was where God wanted him to be, and it was something he wanted as well. Now, the commitment has given him a new energy for service, and he’s looking forward to parish life.

“I enjoy listening [to people] and

being with them in their times of sorrow and joy,” he said. “I want to not just be a part of people’s lives, but to journey with them. I have that deep desire to be that bridge between God and his people.”

This is a very high calling — but also a difficult one at a time of scandal for the Catholic Church.

“During this turbulent time in the church’s history, the scandals of the abuse crisis, I think, inspire a deeper conviction in myself to be a genuine and holy priest,” he said.

“It does take a bit of courage to step into that,” he added, “but, at the same time, it takes just as much — if not more — to place our reliance and trust in God. Even when we ourselves are not courageous or brave enough to step into something like that, we know that God is.

“Jesus leads the way before us. It’s not the gentlest road, but he walked it, and there is no better.”

He was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on May 19, 2018, at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

He will be ordained a priest by Archbishop Naumann on May 25 at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

Deacon Clem’s advice to men who think they might have a vocation to the priesthood is to discern with trust and confidence.

“Go for it,” he said. “If it’s where you are supposed to be, God will let

Name: Deacon Kenneth David Clem Age: 28 Born: Lubbock, Texas Raised: Burlingame Parents: Kyle and Audrey Clem Siblings: James and Margret Home parish: St. Patrick, Osage City Education: • Burlingame High School, 2009 • Emporia State University, bachelor’s in psychology and mental rehabilitation, 2012 • St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, Master of Philosophy and Religion, 2015; Master of Divinity and Sacred Theology Bachelor degree Favorite TV, Netflix, YouTube or other show: “Critical Role” Tech I can’t live without: My computer Favorite musical style/band/ performer: Orchestral music My most notable encounter with the famous/infamous: While I was at Mundelein, I had Bishop Robert Barron as rector and Dr. Scott Hahn as a professor.

Must inspirational Christian(s) I’ve ever met: My grandmothers Favorite saint: St. Joseph Favorite devotion: The rosary. It’s an easy and meditative prayer.

Book to recommend: “The Collected Stories of Ray Bradbury: A Critical Edition,” by Johnathan R. Eller and William Touponce Favorite food: Bierocks Favorite childhood toy: G.I. Joe Favorite place: The Sea of Galilee Dream vacation: A food and beer tour of Europe Worst job I’ve ever had: Video store clerk Best job I’ve ever had: Working in autism therapy Hobbies/things I like to do: Board games, tabletop games, videogames and woodworking Guilty pleasure: List videos on YouTube My hidden talent/party trick: Playing banjo and melodica My Final Four saints: St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine Best advice I’ve received seeking my vocation: You don’t go to seminary because you know your vocation, but you go to discover your vocation.

What I’m looking forward to: Not only being able to lead people in the celebration of the divine mystery of the Eucharist, but also to be that instrument through which God will offer his forgiveness to his people in the sacrament of reconciliation.

you know.

“If it’s not where you are supposed to go, he will let you know.”