05 21 21 Vol. 42 No. 39 by The Leaven

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 39 | MAY 21, 2021

New assignments announced

ather John A. Riley, chancellor, announces the following appointments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, effective July 1, unless otherwise noted.

Pastors Father Gerardo Arano-Ponce, from priestly sabbatical, to pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Bucyrus-Wea.

Father Thomas Aduri

Father Edward Ahn

Father Gerardo Arano-Ponce

Father Joseph Arsenault

Father Nicholas Ashmore

Father Gianantonio Baggio, CS

Father Nicholas Blaha

Rev. Mr. Keith Chadwick

Rev. Mr. Luke Doyle

Father Brandon Farrar

Father William Fisher

Father Nathan Haverland

Father Richard Halvorson

Rev. Mr. Thomas Maddock

Father Balachandra Reddy Miriyala

Father Mark Mertes

Father Michael Mulvany

Father Mark Ostrowski

Father Gary Pennings

Father Michael Peterson

Father Donald Rank, OFM Cap.

Father John Riley

Father Joseph Sellas

Deacon William Scholl

Father Michael Scully, OFM Cap.

Father Ratna Swamy Nannam, MSFS

Msgr. Stuart Swetland

Father Andrew Strobl

Msgr. Thomas Tank

Father Carter Zielinski

Father Joseph Arsenault, to pastor of Holy Family Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, effective June 1, and continuing as judicial vicar, ecumenical officer, director of Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center and coordinating chaplain for the Sisters, Servants of Mary. Father Nicholas Blaha, from pastor of Our Lady & St. Rose Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, to continuing as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, and Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Kansas. Father Brandon Farrar, from pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Emporia, to pastor of St. John Paul II Parish, Olathe. Father Michael Mulvany, from priestly sabbatical, to pastor of Holy Family Parish, Eudora. Father Gary Pennings, from pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Bucyrus-Wea, and vicar general/ moderator of the curia, to pastor of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park, and continuing as co-director of the permanent diaconate. Father Michael Peterson, from pastor of Holy Family Parish, Alma, and Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico, to continuing as pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Wamego, and St. Joseph Parish, Flush. Father Andrew Strobl, from providing sacramental assistance at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Shawnee, to pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park. Msgr. Stuart Swetland, to pastor of Our Lady & St. Rose Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, and continuing as president of Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas. >> See “NEW” on page 10

Summer schedule

Golf, family and charity

The Leaven will publish on the following dates this summer: June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30, Aug. 13 and Aug. 27. We will resume our weekly schedule on Sept. 10.

The Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic celebrated its 40th year in style, collecting a record amount of money for Catholic Charities.

Page 16

ARCHBISHOP

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

The Holy Spirit is alive and well in the church of northeast Kansas

his past weekend, May 14-16, was both busy and enjoyable. On Friday afternoon, I had the privilege to celebrate the baccalaureate Mass for the 2021 graduates of Benedictine College. Several of the 2020 graduates also participated, since because of COVID protocols last year, there was no baccalaureate Mass or commencement ceremony. It was inspiring to witness the joy of the graduates as well as their prayerful devotion. Bishop Andrew Cozzens, an alum of Benedictine and currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul, concelebrated the Mass and was the commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony on Saturday. Bishop Cozzens is the chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for Evangelization and Catechesis. He is a brilliant scholar and a young leader in the bishops’ conference. It was encouraging to imagine the impact that the 2020 and 2021 Benedictine graduates will have on the church and society. Saturday morning, I participated in the commencement exercises for Donnelly College. Nearly 80% of Donnelly graduates are

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN the first generation in their family to receive a degree in higher education. The student speakers were an inspiring part of the commencement program as they shared some of the obstacles, magnified by the COVID pandemic, that they and their classmates overcame to earn their degrees. Donnelly College is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Throughout its more than 70 years of history, it has been a doorway into higher education for its students, changing the lives not only of the graduates, but also the future for their children and grandchildren. If a parent is a college graduate, the percentages are very high that their children and grandchildren will also earn a college degree. Later, Saturday

afternoon, I celebrated a Mass at our cathedral for 20 Catholic Kansas University medical school graduates and their families. At the end of the liturgy, the new medical doctors professed the Hippocratic Oath. Unfortunately, in most medical schools today, the Hippocratic Oath has been rewritten in order to exclude statements in the original text that rejected abortion and euthanasia. The oath taken by these newly minted doctors during our Mass included these sentences: “I will neither prescribe nor administer a lethal dose of medicine to any patient even if asked nor counsel any such thing nor perform act or omission with direct intent deliberately to end a human life. I will maintain the utmost respect for every human life from fertilization to natural death and reject abortion that deliberately takes a unique human life.” These new doctors also made certain promises based on their

Catholic faith and spirituality that included: • To continually improve my professional abilities, in order to give my patients, the best care I can • To respect my patients as human persons, putting their interests ahead of political and economic considerations, and to treat them without prejudice arising from religion, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic or sexual differences • To serve the public health, promoting healthful policies respectful of life and the dignity and nature of the human person • To donate part of my time for free and charitable care of the poor • To recognize the word of God as the inspiration of all my actions, to be faithful to the teachings of the church and to form my professional conscience in accord with them • To cultivate a filial relationship with God, nourished by prayer, and to be a faithful witness to Christ • To practice Catholic moral principles, in particular to those related to biomedical ethics • To express the benevolence of Christ in my life, and in my relationships with patients, colleagues and society • To participate in the evangelization of the suffering world, in cooperation with the

pastoral ministry of the church. I was truly edified and encouraged by these gifted young women and men, who successfully completed the rigors of medical school and who desire to allow the Lord to use them as the instruments to continue his ministry of healing. They represent all that is best in our church and American society. On Sunday morning, I had the honor to celebrate a Mass at Curé of Ars Parish during which Sister Julie Galan, a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia observing her 75th year as a religious, renewed her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. For 52 years of her life as a religious Sister, she has served the parishioners of Curé of Ars Parish, as a director of religious education, a teacher, a catechist and, among other responsibilities, a certified instructor of line dancing! It was beautiful to witness Sister Julie’s joy as we celebrated her many years of service to God’s people and her witness, as a consecrated religious, of our risen Lord’s victory of life. At the reception after the Mass, it was exhilarating to hear the many ways in which God used Sister Julie to touch the hearts of so many with Our Lord’s love, hope and joy. Finally, on Sunday

afternoon, I celebrated baptisms at the Cathedral of St. Peter for the fifth child of a family from St. Michael Parish in Axtell and for the seventh child of a family from Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee. It was an honor to celebrate with these two beautiful families the baptism of their newest members. I admire the openness to life and the generosity of the parents. It was beautiful to share in the joy of these amazing families. What a grace for me, because of the faith of the parents, to be able to give these children the life of Jesus and an eternal destiny to live with God and the saints forever. I share these experiences with you, not primarily to give you a glimpse into the weekend of a bishop, but because each of these events was a great source of joy and hope for me. Despite all of the challenges in our culture and society, these celebrations were a reminder that the church is alive and well. This Sunday, we celebrate the great solemnity of Pentecost, the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. The Holy Spirit is alive and well in the church, animating her young college and medical school graduates, her consecrated religious Sisters, her parish communities and her young, vibrant families. Alleluia!

LOCAL NEWS

MAY 21, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Archdiocese restructures healthcare ministries

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has announced that three major archdiocesansponsored healthcare ministries will soon undergo some organizational restructuring to provide closer collaboration, appreciate potential economies of scale and make them stronger in an increasingly competitive and everchanging healthcare market. A new corporation, entitled Northeast Kansas Catholic Healthcare Services, Inc., will be established to oversee the ministries of Catholic Community Hospice and Villa St. Francis Catholic Care Center of Olathe. Previously, Catholic Community Hospice fell under the governance of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Villa St. Francis was governed independently. The oversight of all three archdiocesan healthcare ministries, including Santa Marta senior living community of Olathe, will be consolidated while each entity will still have their own corporate board of directors that manages the daily business and affairs of each ministry. “Our existing healthcare ministries have separate governance [and] infrastructure, and share resources in only limited ways,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. “At different times . . . leaders from each of the current healthcare ministries have suggested that the archdiocese explore ways to better appreciate closer collaboration and economies of scale.” “Furthermore, the present-day complexity of providing healthcare and the challenges of competitive healthcare markets raises questions about the best strategies for continuing to successfully offer church-sponsored healthcare services in the future,” he continued. In light of these issues, Archbishop Naumann established a healthcare task force in May 2019 to study existing archdiocesan-sponsored healthcare ministries, explore strategic options and make recommendations. In the end, the task force presented five options to him, and Archbishop Naumann chose the partial business combination model. “In this option, the ministries of Villa St. Francis and Catholic Community Hospice would combine under a common governance model, while Santa Marta would continue with its existing board,” said Archbishop Naumann. The NEKCHS will create a greater degree of coordination for planning and decision-making, said Jack Newman, chairman of the healthcare task force. The partial business combination model is the best fit. “The benefits [of this model] are we take hospice and long-term care, which oftentimes are integrated or dependent upon one another, and bring those into the same corporate entity. We also establish greater communication with the [Santa Marta] retirement center, but the retirement center is a much more complex entity,” said Newman. “And yet, we can achieve most of the benefits we wanted to achieve [in] this partial business combination by bringing Catholic Community Hospice and Villa St. Francis together, and establishing a corporate structure that also has some oversight of Santa Marta, although

A new corporation, entitled Northeast Kansas Catholic Healthcare Services, Inc., will be established to oversee the ministries of Catholic Community Hospice and Villa St. Francis Catholic Care Center of Olathe (above). The oversight of all three archdiocesan healthcare ministries, including Santa Marta senior living community of Olathe (left), will be consolidated in this process.

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“ WE BELIEVE THERE IS A VALUE IN HAVING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INVOLVED IN HEALTHCARE, BECAUSE THE CHURCH AND THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS BRING VALUE TO THAT MINISTRY. FATHER GARY PENNINGS ARCHDIOCESAN VICAR GENERAL Santa Marta continues to be a separate corporate entity,” he added. The establishment of the NEKCHS will help the three entities consolidate services, draw upon expertise, create efficiencies and manage risk, said Scott Heady, board chair of Villa St. Francis. Otherwise, the public and clients of the three formerly independently operated entities should not see any changes. “Villa St. Francis will continue to operate as it always has,” said Heady. “It will have its own organization that will report up to the new NEKCHS. It will effectively be a management company running Villa St. Francis. All the same

people and that management company will also run Catholic Community Hospice.” Santa Marta will also run as it always has and will have common corporate members with the NEKCHS board. Otherwise, Santa Marta will have a limited role in the new NEKCHS, said Douglas Moorman, Santa Marta board member. “The NEKCHS will initially govern Villa St. Francis and the operations of Catholic Community Hospice, both of which are healthcare focused entirely,” said Moorman. “Santa Marta is a continuum of care retirement community, which does not have a healthcare component with assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing provided on-site. “Independent senior living at Santa Marta currently has close to 200 residents and this is what differentiates Santa Marta from Catholic Community Hospice and Villa St. Francis. Having a new healthcare professional in a board capacity to consult with the Santa Marta board will prove to be most beneficial.” The corporate members of NEKCHS will consist of the archbishop, the vicar general for administration and/or the chancellor, the archdiocesan chief financial officer and a healthcare professional appointed by the archbishop. Catholic Community Hospice will no longer be a part of Catholic Charities of

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

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Northeast Kansas under this plan, said Lauren Solidum, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. “From a Catholic Community Hospice and Villa St. Francis perspective, this partial business combination allows those two [ministries] to work more in tandem,” said Solidum. “It makes great sense and is prudent that someone who receives assisted living or nursing home care would have the option . . . to also have Catholic hospice service at their fingertips.” This is a win-win for the complementary entities. The model allows Catholic Community Hospice to be supported by healthcare experts and allows Catholic Charities to focus on ministries addressing poverty, said Solidum. The creation of NEKCHS will also help archdiocesan-sponsored healthcare entities respond to future needs as they arise, said Father Gary Pennings, archdiocesan vicar general. “We believe there is a value in having the Catholic Church involved in healthcare,,” said Father Pennings, “because the church and the teachings of Jesus bring value to that ministry. “And so, by consolidating the existing services, we create a better environment where down the road, if we want to expand or identify new areas of healthcare ministry the church needs or wants to be involved in, [we can do that].” It’s much too early, however, to talk about expansion or new services because the new corporation has barely started and there are too many unknowns, said Father Pennings. Further changes may come as the new governance makes decisions regarding the three entities that are under common ownership.

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LOCAL NEWS

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

At a bittersweet milestone, parent praises value of Catholic education By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

VERLAND PARK — Over the past 24 years, Mike and Mary Mullen have transported one or more of their four sons to and from classes at Ascension School here. Their oldest son Michael Jr. began first grade at Ascension in 1997. Patrick and Tim followed. Taking their youngest son Max (called “Maxito” by his friends) to school in the days leading up to his May 14 graduation marked the end of a chapter in the Mullens’ lives. Proud as they are of their youngest son’s accomplishments, it was undeniably bittersweet having their last child complete eighth grade. It was offset, fortunately, by the Mullens’ passionate belief in the value of Catholic education and their deep appreciation for the administration and staff of Ascension School. Plus, Max is continuing the family tradition of attending Catholic high school with his enrollment at St. Thomas Aquinas in Overland Park. Mike can’t say enough good things about Catholic education and about the administration, faculty and staff at Ascension. “Their dedication is incredible; they love what they do,” he said. He acknowledged the extraordinary efforts that went into keeping the school open during the pandemic. He referenced a Christmas program two years ago that he found touching and beautiful as the students reenacted the Nativity. He alluded to a recent event during which each student compared a historic saint with someone they consider saintly in their lives today. Max chose to discuss his oldest brother Michael and St. Juan Diego. “Where better for youth to learn about God and our faith than in Catholic

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Mike Mullen Sr., drives his youngest son Max (known by his friends as “Maxito”) to Ascension School in Overland Park for one of the last times. Mike and his wife Mary have sent all four of their sons to Ascension. So with Max graduating from the eighth grade this year, Mike is completing a journey 24 years in the making. schools and through their parents?” Mike asked. “So many things meld into one in the context of Catholic schools: faith, family and education. It becomes a mindset, a way of doing things, a community.” Mike speaks from personal experience. His ancestors were among the original members of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee. It was his father’s dream that his children receive a Catholic education. Mike and his five siblings went to St. Joseph for grade school and graduated from various Catholic high schools. He recalled that all of his mother’s friends were parents of children with whom the

Mullens attended school. Still today, Mike counts grade school classmates among his own best friends. In the construction business for 40 years, he said that most of the people he works with and for are people he knows through his involvement with the Catholic Church and Catholic schools. His wife Mary is a product of Catholic education from elementary school through college. There was no question that the Mullens would send their children to Catholic schools. Mike admitted that it wasn’t always easy. It involved sacrifice; tuition is expensive. He encouraged parents

to ask for help if they need it. Catholic schools often offer different forms of financial aid. Mike believes that Catholic education is worth the sacrifice. “You can’t afford not to send your children to Catholic schools,” he said. “The whole atmosphere helps create well-rounded students; they learn values and morals.” And they make lifelong friends and forge lasting ties, as attested by Mike and his three older sons who have returned to Ascension as young men to assist with events at the school.

Daughter’s interest leads mother back to the Catholic Church By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

OPEKA — It’s not every day a mother and daughter join the Catholic Church together — one for the first time; the other after a lapse of many years. But Kimberly and Kayleigh Smith, members of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish here, did just that last month. On April 3, the Smiths became fullfledged members of the Catholic Church. And while the two women had different motivations for enrolling in the parish’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program last fall, both were thrilled to have found their family in Christ. Born in 1973, Kimberly’s faith journey has not been the traditional one. Baptized as an infant, Kimberly made her first Communion in the early 1980s. For the next four years, she participated in CCD classes along with her peers. Around the time she was in the sixth grade, however, she moved in with her father. (Her parents had divorced when she was 5 years old.) Although her mother’s side of the family was Catholic, her dad was not. “I moved in with my dad and had the Pentecostal exposure,” she said, adding he came from a long line of Pentecostal ministers. In the early 1990s, when Kimberly was around 17, she returned to the Catholic tradition, but was never confirmed. And even though for the next 30 years

she occasionally went to Mass with her aunt or parents, she never really immersed herself in her Catholic faith. It was only when she and her husband divorced, that she began to realize how much she needed her Catholic faith. “Up until he and I divorced about four years ago, I would go to church with my aunt . . . but I was not a heavily practicing Catholic,” she said. But their separation changed all that. “I relied heavily on my faith when we divorced,” confessed Kimberly. This past fall, when her daughter Kayleigh decided to enroll in the RCIA program, the timing seemed right for her to return once and for all to her Catholic roots. “When Kayleigh wanted to convert and be baptized and everything,” said Kimberly, “I just thought it was an awesome opportunity for me to go ahead and do my confirmation and renew my faith in the Catholic Church.” At age 23, Kayleigh said being part of a church family is something she’s longed for nearly her entire life. Growing up, she recalls going to Mass with her maternal grandmother. “We would occasionally go to church with them,” said Kayleigh. “I remember going to Midnight Mass, or if I would stay with my grandparents for a week, we would go to church then. But that’s pretty much all I had growing up, just going to church periodically.” As she grew up, Kayleigh said she’d hear stories of other people’s church experiences. In time, she realized how

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYLEIGH SMITH

Kayleigh Smith (front) and her mother Kimberly joined the Catholic Church together on April 3. Kayleigh decided to enroll in the RCIA program this past fall, leading her mother to decide to return to her Catholic roots. much she longed for a church family, but more importantly, a relationship with Jesus Christ. “I’ve always wanted to have a faith,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to have a relationship with God.” Kayleigh said perhaps what finally convinced her to take the next step and enroll in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults might surprise people. Currently

enrolled at Washburn University, she is majoring in history. History, she said, is what led her to the Catholic Church. “So, I’m studying all these religions (e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity), getting to know them, and I was like, ‘I want my own. I want to belong to a religion,’” she said. “I just felt like I needed to have that connection with God in my life.” While Kayleigh was studying religions and occasionally going to Mass with family members, Kimberly, too, experienced similar feelings of disconnectedness, feelings which often returned when she sat in the pew at Mass during Communion. Because she had made her first Communion, she said she knew what she was missing — the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. “I would go to Mass, not receive Communion and just feel empty,” she recalled. Although it’s hard to say which woman was more excited that night, Kimberly had double the reason for joy. “When I went back to Communion [and confession] again,” she said, “it was very fulfilling.” Nonetheless, watching Kayleigh proved to be more of a highlight for her. “I wasn’t scared or nervous because I had been [baptized as a baby] and raised Catholic for part of my life,” said Kimberly. “So, I was excited for myself, but [as a mother] I was even more excited for Kayleigh.”

MAY 21, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears — “The Hound of Heaven,” by Francis Thompson

Road to vocation was long and winding for Topeka man By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Deacon Luke Thomas Doyle did not pursue the priesthood so much as he was pursued by the priesthood — in reality, by Jesus himself, as described by the English poet and Catholic mystic Francis Thompson. Pursued — like by a relentless hunting hound who could not be put off his trail. “What really strikes me about my vocation story is how [Jesus] has been relentless in his pursuit of my heart, and he has been so generous to go the extra mile — to invite me, call me, strengthen me and prepare me for the priesthood,” said Deacon Doyle. He was ordained a transitional deacon by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on May 16, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas. And Deacon Doyle — with two other men — will be ordained a priest by Archbishop Naumann at 10 a.m. on May 29 at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, participation is by invitation only. You can follow the liturgy online at: livestream.com/archkck/ ordinations. Deacon Doyle is one of the eight children of Drs. Thomas and Jeanne Doyle, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka. The deacon was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Thomas Doyle is a cardiologist and Jeanne Doyle is a psychiatrist, now a part-time science teacher at Hayden High School in Topeka. A foreshadowing of the young man’s future came when he was a little boy. At that time, the Doyle family lived in Texas. They took in a young priest who was from Poland who had come to serve at their parish. “My mom took him under her wing and helped him learn to speak English,” said Deacon Doyle. “He was at our house frequently to learn how to pronounce the words from the Gospel and to practice speaking his homily in English. He would celebrate Mass for our family and my first memories of serving Mass were with him when I was a very young boy.” The family moved from Temple, Texas, to Topeka in 1996, joining Assumption Parish. As he grew up, Deacon Doyle participated in various parish activities: serving Mass, singing in the boys choir, attending Teens Encounter Christ and others. He attended Assumption School, graduating in 2004. The family joined Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in 2006. Occasionally, he thought of the priesthood, but not seriously. “The faith was always taken seriously and embraced by my parents,” said Deacon Doyle. “We consistently went to Sunday Mass, had family rosaries [and] made a Holy Hour once a month as a family. But the faith didn’t become my own until I underwent the first conversion of my life in high school.” Deacon Doyle had three major conversions in his life that deepened his faith and set the stage for his vocation to the priesthood. The first was when he was introduced to a new way of praying the rosary while in his junior year at Hayden High School.

LEAVEN FILE PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Deacon Luke Doyle gives a talk during Vocation Day at Prince of Peace in Olathe. He, along with two others, will be ordained a priest on May 29. The second was when his pastor invited him to become an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. The third occurred while being peppered with questions about Catholicism by a non-Catholic friend. Deacon Doyle became his sponsor and godfather during his senior year of high school, when that friend decided to become a Catholic. His parents named him “Luke” because they thought (or hoped) he would follow in their footsteps and take up a career in medicine. Deacon Doyle thought so, too, and after graduating from Hayden, he entered the pre-med program at Creighton University in Omaha. Those non-serious thoughts he had off and on about the priesthood growing up, however, became louder and more serious. He was a counselor at Camp Tekakwitha in the summer of 2010 when he decided to apply for the seminary. “What convinced me at the time to go was praying the ‘call’ stories of the first apostles in the Gospels,” said Deacon Doyle, “when Jesus called them to follow him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.” His seminary experience was not a straight shot all the way through. Rather, it was more like the “Hound of Heaven” dogging his heels, because at one point, he totally left formation. It occurred while he was studying in Rome. “I loved my time in Rome,” he said. “I loved being at the center of the universal church studying theology. I had a lot of wonderful experiences, but I didn’t have peace and freedom about moving forward to make that final commitment to become a priest.” “And so,” he continued, “I decided to step away from priestly formation to let Jesus prove to me he was calling me one way or another.” He returned to the Kansas City area in early 2015. He began to teach theology at St. James Academy in Lenexa, taught the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults classes at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood and part time for the Holy Family School of Faith.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING Name: Deacon Luke Thomas Doyle Age: 31 Born: Omaha, Nebraska Raised: Temple, Texas, and Topeka Parents: Drs. Thomas and Jeanne Doyle Siblings: Elizabeth, James, Andrew, Maria, Anna, Thomas and Catherine Home parish: Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka Education: Hayden High School, 2008; Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, 2012; Augustine Institute in Denver, Master of Arts in Theology, 2016; National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Certification in Health Care Ethics, 2020; University of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, Master of Science in Bioethics, 2021; Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Master of Divinity, 2021; Pontifical Gregorian University, Bachelor of Sacred Theology with a concentration in bioethics, 2021 Favorite food: Ice cream, anything on the menu at Chick-fil-A, and my mom’s spaghetti and meat sauce recipe! Least favorite food: Cauliflower. . . Don’t tell my mom! What I wanted to be growing up: A pilot: I love travel and was fascinated by airplanes growing up. Best job I’ve ever had: I taught theology at St. James Academy in Lenexa, RCIA at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood and was a catechist for the Holy Family School of Faith. I loved being able to help others know Jesus and watch him transform their lives! Things I like to do: I love watching and playing sports, spending time with friends and family, reading, staying active and ministering to God’s people. The closest I’ve come to death: There is a Doyle family legend about a time my dad and I nearly burned down our garage to chase out a mole that had burrowed itself underneath it! If I could do it all over again, I’d: know to choose never to listen to the voice of fear, because that is not the voice of God. Best vocation advice I’ve received: Following Jesus without reservation is the most direct route for anyone to the best life imaginable! My advice for vocation discerners: Live the truth that Jesus is God and let it influence everything that you do. When you are living life under his lordship, then it makes sense to give him permission to show you how you were made to love. Be not afraid! What is your greatest fear/concern about your first months as a priest? I want to be the best priest that I can possibly be, but Jesus wants to remind me that I am not called to be perfect, and it’s OK to make mistakes! He does not call us to be successful; he simply calls us to be faithful. What I’m looking forward to most as a priest: Being able to serve as a bridge between God and his people, especially through the celebration of the sacraments.

His students in all three settings inspired him. During a Holy Land pilgrimage in 2018, near the Sea of Galilee, he had a powerful encounter with Jesus. Jesus invited him back into priestly formation and Deacon Doyle said “yes.” “[Jesus] convinced me what the world needs is not just better theology teachers — and it does — but even more it needs him,” said Deacon Doyle. “I was made

not just to teach about Jesus, but to bring him to his people and to bring his people to him.” Why does he want to be a priest? “I want to be a priest because I want to bring the healing power of Jesus into a world so desperately in need of it, and I’m convinced that Jesus has invited me to do this in only the way a priest can,” said Deacon Doyle.

FAMILY LIFE

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

We need to help our young work through the stresses of daily life By Deacon Tony Zimmerman Special to The Leaven

high school youth was describing some family relational issues that can be a part of life for most young people. The wringing of hands and the rocking from one foot to another during the discussion was a clear sign of the anxiety being experienced at that TOOLS FOR moment. FAMILIES Our young people Growing as experience greater Disciples of levels of stress in Jesus today’s world. Much of this anxiety is a result of the loss of normal daily activities due to the pandemic. Graduations, dances and sporting events were limited or eliminated. The number of people dealing with anxiety has increased from 1 in 10 to as many as 4 in 10 during the pandemic. All anxiety is not bad. It can act as a motivator to move us to action in dealing with daily life. Anxiety about an upcoming school exam can cause us to pull an “all-nighter” cram session. If we recall the upset stomach

Young people have experienced a great amount of stress during the pandemic. Learn to recognize the signs of stress and offer your children the support they need. we experienced when the 6 a.m. alarm rang, it might even remind us to study a little each day. As parents, foster parents or grandparents, paying attention to the external signs of anxiety displayed by our children will help us to be a source of support at those times of stress. What

are some of the clues we might see? • Crankiness and general touchiness with other family members • Problems with sleeping • Lack of interest in eating or nervous eating of anything in sight • Staying to oneself in a dark bedroom

• A look of worry; rocking from one foot to another or constant jiggling of one’s leg • A decline in school performance and/or missing assignments The loss of a friendship or being on the “outs” with a group of friends can make life miserable. Most of us are not licensed counselors. However, a good prayer life can help to open our eyes and ears to our children’s need for our accompaniment in daily life. Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance to be a good listener. A simple question like “What’s going on?” can open the door to a conversation. Pray especially to the Holy Family. Ask St. Joseph for the graces you need to protect and guide your children. Ask our Mother Mary to cover your children with the protection of her mantle. Most especially, lead your children through the example of the frequent reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist. If the stress and anxiety continue to be a source of struggle, you can reach out to one of the Catholic counselors on the list available on our archdiocesan website. Call me at (913) 647-0329 or contact me by email at: famlife@ archkck.org.

New ministry offers multiple ways to help kids in foster care By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

Get involved

ENEXA — “Currently in the United States, there are over 400,000 children in foster care,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the first Foster Appreciation Mass in the archdiocese held May 2 at Holy Trinity Church here. “And in the state of Kansas,” he added, “there are over 7,500 children in foster care, but only about 2,000 licensed foster care families.” The solution to these statistics is twofold — more foster families are needed, and more support is needed for families who choose the challenging but rewarding ministry of foster care. “I think we as a church are called to be part of the solution for these children who are important members of our community,” said the archbishop. Foster care falls under the umbrella of the archdiocesan pro-life office. As Catholics encourage and support mothers in choosing life, they also need to support both mother and child so they can thrive in that life. That is a goal Archbishop Naumann has had for a long time — and one that the pro-life ministry and several parishes, led by Holy Trinity, are trying to address. “We launched this foster care ministry to the whole archdiocese,” said lead consultant for the pro-life office Debra Niesen. “Holy Trinity ran with it.” Every day in Kansas, children are removed from their homes because the adults in their lives are not able to care

To find out how your parish can become part of the foster care ministry, go online to: archkcks.com/foster.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

Foster parents Ray (second from left) and Brandi Martin (second from right), along with their children, attend the Foster Appreciation Mass at Holy Trinity in Lenexa. The family brought up the gifts during Mass. for them. “Each of these children is a unique gift from God with their own hopes and dreams,” said Niesen. “They need to be with a family who will love and protect them until it’s time for them to return home again.” Niesen knows when people hear of the need for foster care, they often want to do something to help but don’t feel they’re being called to foster. “We want people to know there are so many ways that we as a parish can assist,” she said. “Maybe not [by] fostering the

children, but [by] helping the families who have chosen to foster.” As several Holy Trinity parishioners are making the decision to become foster families, other parishioners are joining in communities of support for those families. “In the foster ministry area,” said Holy Trinity parishioner John Errante, “what we’re doing now is we’ve created these care communities. “We’re trying to put six to ten people around the family who is fostering,” he said.

Care communities will pray for the foster family, as well as provide support by preparing a meal, providing transportation, donating clothing, spending time with the children, babysitting, tutoring or playing. “So that [kind of support] requires just a background check,” said Errante. “Teams will have a leader that checks in with the family to see what the needs might be and then coordinates the activity of the care community.” Holy Trinity Parish hopes to have two care teams set up by the end of May. “We hope what Holy Trinity has done will be a model for other parishes,” said Archbishop Naumann. Ideally, every parish in the archdiocese will find families willing to provide loving care for children needing a foster family, especially when they know they will be supported by their Catholic community. “For them to do this beautiful but challenging work,” said Archbishop Naumann, “our parishes need to be communities that surround them with support and love. “All of us can pray for them, but also in our prayers ask the Lord, ‘What can I practically do to help these families live out this vocation of heroic love?’”

MAY 21, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG Donald and Mary Alice (Haverkamp) Uphaus, members of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 3 with a Mass and family gathering. The couple was married on June 3, 1961, at St. Bede Church, Kelly, by Father Vincent Wavada. Their children are: Daniel Uphaus, Linda Haug, Thomas Uphaus, Donna Meader, James Uphaus and Gerald Uphaus. They also have 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Charles and Susan (Schuler) Coppinger, members of Corpus Christi Parish, Mooney Creek, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 22. The couple was married on May 22, 1971, at St. Joseph Church, Nortonville, by Father Edward Roberts. Their children are: Heather Heath, Sonya Benortham and Curtis Coppinger. They also have six grandchildren. Ed Jr. and Shirley (Dreher) Kelly, members of Christ the King Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 65th anniversary on June 2. The couple was married at Holy Name Church, Topeka. Their children are: Tina Ridgeway, Terry Pukach, Kathy Lutz, Lisa Jurgensmeier, Colleen Dodge and Shannan Eddy. They also have 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A trip is planned in the fall to Branson, Missouri. Rosalia (Wolken) and Johnnie “John” C Parker Jr., members of St. Boniface Parish, Scipio, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 29. The couple was married May 29, 1971, at St. Boniface Church. Their children are: Johnnie C Parker III, Anthony Parker, Melanie Koehn and Julie Deason. They also have eight grandchildren. Linda (Rash) and Ken Cook, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, celebrated their 50th we d d i n g anniversary on May 8 with a private family dinner at the Bristol in Overland Park. The couple was married on May 8, 1971, at St. Paschal Baylon Church, Highland Heights, Ohio, by Father John O’Brien. Their children are: Brian and Brad Cook. They also have two grandchildren.

LOCAL NEWS

Martha (Ramsey) and Thomas Owens, members of Christ the King Parish, To p e k a , will celebrate their 50th we d d i n g a n n ive r sary with a family celebration. The couple was married on May 29, 1971, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Topeka. Their children are: Amy Callahan-Clements and Jason Owens. They also have nine grandchildren. Mary Dale (Hawkins) and Don S e t t e r, members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will celebrate t h e i r 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner and a trip planned for later this year. The couple was married on May 27, 1961, at Holy Angels Church, Garnett. Their children are: Sheryl Cronenwett, Connie Foutts and Rick Setter. They also have seven grandchildren. Charles “Bill” and Laura (Sobba) Davis, members of Holy Angels Parish, Garnett, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on June 2. The couple was married on June 2, 1956, at Holy Angels Church by Father Augustine Koch. Their children are: Ron Davis, of Overland Park, and Patti Woodward, of Olathe. They also have seven grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. They will be celebrating with family in July. Philip and Joyce Glasser, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 29 with Mass and a family dinner. The couple was married at the Newman Center at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on May 29, 1971. Their children are: Kimberly Anciaux and Peter Glasser. They also have nine grandchildren. Margie (Pauly) and Clem Becker, members of St. Patrick Parish, Corning, will celebrate their 60th we d d i n g a n n i versary on June 5 with f a m i l y. The couple was married on June 3, 1961, at St. Mary Church, Purcell. Their children are: Jane Burdiek, Don Becker, Julie Steadman, Mike Becker, Mark Becker, Karen Becker, Angie Hardy, Susie Lueger, Cindy Straab and Steve Becker. They also have 39 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

ACROSS 1 Melody 6 Book after Gospels 10 Bend 14 Tiny amounts 15 Trench 16 Tortoise and the ___ 17 Sermon on the ___ 18 Mother of Jesus 19 A piece of bedroom furniture (2 wds.) 20 Revise 21 Serious 23 Plead 24 North American nation 26 Iodine compound 28 Attacks 32 Tribe of Israel 33 Accountant 34 Got closer 36 Afresh 40 Swing 42 Carpet 43 Mother of Reuben and Dinah 44 Do __ others 45 Dining 48 Undergarment 49 Desire 51 Conversation sidetrack 53 Pineapple (Gr.) 56 Hotel

57 McDonald’s “Big __” 58 Sister of Lazarus and Mary 62 Undercover agent 66 Small particle 68 Past 69 Electronic mail 70 Air pollution 71 Native ruler in Asia 72 Chooses a candidate 73 Employ 74 Display 75 Turn out DOWN 1 What a clock tells 2 Winter headgear 3 Decorative needle case 4 Gown 5 Eastern Standard Time 6 Bullets 7 Fossil fuel 8 Biblical weed 9 Hindered 10 Expression of surprise 11 Jewish teacher 12 Statement of beliefs 13 Fence of bushes 21 Discount 22 November (abbr.) 25 Transgression 27 Call

28 American Civil Liberties Union (abbr.) 29 Gyrate 30 You are the __ of the earth 31 Mother of Isaac 32 Legal 35 Trail 37 Northeast by east 38 Make 39 Journalist’s question 41 Small city 45 Wrote 46 Space administration 47 Gross national product (abbr.) 50 A name of God 52 Back __ (board game) 53 Mennonite 54 Mother-in-law of Ruth 55 Performer 59 National capital 60 Dress 61 Model 63 Grain 64 In __ of (instead of) 65 Otherwise 67 Stage of life 69 Mother of Seth Solution on page 15

Advice and Aid to host annual walk for life June 5

VERLAND PARK — Advice & Aid Pregnancy Centers will host their 17th annual walk for life on June 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. outside the Overland Park office at 10901 Granada Lane. After going virtual last year, organizers are excited that this year’s event will be in person.

The theme of the walk for life is: “Rethink the Possibilities,” an idea inspired by the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 2. Organizers hope it will empower women to rethink their options regarding their unplanned pregnancy. Their goal is to raise $110,000. For more information, visit the website at: aapcwalk.org.

Three Nativity School teachers selected into Trustey Fellows program at Notre Dame

EAWOOD — Nativity Parish School here has announced the selection of Angela Kopp, Maeve O’Connor and Bill Powers as Fellows in the 2021 cohort of the Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows. These Nativity staff members were selected as one of nine schools nationwide in the program’s sixth cohort and will join over 150 teachers from the program’s first five cohorts. The Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows is a competitive, three-summer, two-school year program that seeks to improve STEM teaching and learning

for all students in STEM. Fellows will attend three summer institutes at the University of Notre Dame, beginning this July. The Trustey Family STEM Teaching Fellows is sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for STEM Education. The center’s mission seeks to make STEM education a force for good by helping all students, especially those underserved and in Catholic schools, engage and excel in the STEM disciplines through research and the translation of research into practice.

GETAWAYS W

RETREATS OFFER PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY T

Retreats come in many forms but all allow for a deeper faith life By Father Herb Weber Catholic News Service

lthough the secular world has appropriated the concept of retreats for management teams, sales forces and various boards, the original use of the term “retreat” is religious in nature. In short, it is a time to step back from one’s many activities to reassess how one’s life is reflecting the baptismal call. Most spiritual retreats fall into one of two categories: quiet or loud. To put it more gently, reflective or interactive. Some of the quieter, more reflective experiences allow the retreatants to meet with a personal director who guides them through a process, often based on Scripture readings. Some quiet retreats require silence, even if there are various persons participating at the same time. In more recent years, retreats include interaction and group discussions. Our parish men’s retreat, an example of this, has encouraged participants to listen and then share at their own comfort level. One man, whom I will call Joe, came to a retreat simply because his closest friend promised to come as well. For Joe, religion was not an active part of his life. Living his faith meant little more than going to church and having the kids receive sacraments. At the parish retreat, something said by one of the speakers, a fellow parishioner, caused Joe to reflect on his own life. Never before had he truly shared his faith experiences. What Joe found was an opportunity to review what he was doing with his life. He knew he was restless and desired something more satisfying, especially regarding his employment. But he never thought that a career change was possible. Even more, he certainly had not considered that what he did professionally could be a reflection of his faith. Listening to the other man and then discussing this throughout the weekend, he realized that he could make a difference in the world and bring about some spiritual enrichment of others through his work. A seed had been planted. Not every retreat is life-changing. Some are simply times for people to become inspired or re-motivated in their faith journey. At other times, healing takes place. At one particular retreat, Tom quietly sat at a table, listening to a speaker who was sharing his own struggle with a failed marriage. Because time had passed and the speaker had received some good counseling, he could share a message of hope and peace. Most of all, he admitted he had learned to accept imperfection in his life and could forgive himself and accept God’s forgiveness. While that man was speaking, Tom was soon in tears. A few others noticed it, but even then Tom chose not to speak about his own struggles: a spouse who had left him, kids who were trying to be brave and uncertainty about ever being happy again.

LEAVEN FILE PHOTOS BY JAY SOLDNER

As part of the 2016 FIRE retreat, participants pause during a torchlit Stations of the Cross. They are: (from left) Dan Spencer III from Ascension Parish in Overland Park; Joe Fowler from Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe; Charles Gurera from Prince of Peace; and Father Nick Blaha. As the retreat continued, Tom sought out the speaker. They sat down and talked. Eventually, Tom chose to ask the entire group for prayer. The others responded with sincere love and deep respect. Tom’s situation wasn’t remedied by any means, but he left with some hope that he had not experienced before. Interestingly, a couple of years later, Tom returned to the retreat to be one of the speakers, sharing how he had come out of darkness into light through the help of the others at the previous retreat and after. That, of course, is a reminder that what follows a retreat is important. The men from our parish retreats created an ongoing network of prayer support, dialogue and encouragement, often reaching out to each other with short emails and texts. They have been there for each other when someone got sick, lost a job or suffered other setbacks. What I find most gratifying is that the faith that was discussed at the retreat was put into action in the days following, thus truly validating the retreat itself. Father Herb Weber is founding pastor of St. John XXIII Church in Perrysburg, Ohio. His weekly podcast can be found at: 23.church.

At a women’s retreat at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, participants gather around a prayer station to pray. There are many different retreats offered at parishes and retreat houses throughout the archdiocese. Participants have a wide variety of choices to fill their spiritual needs.

WITH GOD

TO FOCUS ON ONE’S SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Retreats are for people trying to find God in their lives By Maureen Pratt Catholic News Service

cozy sweater. A question about life’s direction. A toothbrush, toothpaste. A pandemic-weary heart. Along with everyday items, people making retreats often “pack” questions or concerns that they hope to engage with during their time away in quiet. These vary from person to person, influenced by personal experience, present concerns and even, perhaps, anxiety about personal piety or “worthiness.” The type of retreat can frame questions as well. A preached, group retreat might focus on a particular topic about faith or spirituality, whereas a self-directed retreat might provide less structure and more spiritual breathing room. But whether for a 30-day Ignatian experience or a weekend of faith exploration, one of the blessings of a retreat is that neither the packing nor the person making the “getaway with God” need be perfect. Unexpected peace, new forms of prayer, insight, relaxation and reflection — these and other less tangible “objects” can bring the retreatant, however imperfect, into a profoundly rich experience. “Retreats aren’t just for pious people. They’re for people trying to find God in their lives, in whatever clumsy or bumbling way. You don’t have to be perfect to walk in the retreat door,” says Jesuit Father William Campbell, director of Gonzaga Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. “Once the person is here, we begin from a place of Ignatian spirituality,” Father Campbell said. “We’ll often ask the directee or retreatant, ‘Why are you here? What’s the desire within you that’s prompted you to make the retreat? In the midst of this desire, who is God for you, now?’” He added, “Focus on the present can be a blessed beginning for first-time retreatants afraid of being ‘inadequately prepared.’ It can also encourage those with more retreat experience, but who might have been so distanced from faith during the pandemic that they are not sure how to re-engage.” Questions someone expects to encounter might flow into those leading to a broader spiritual perspective. “In general,” said Father Campbell, “you are entering a space that I hope has been set up to be welcoming and an environment that will be encouraging, wanting to meet the individual where he or she is already. It’s inappropriate to be judgmental about where someone is.” A blessing on any retreat, more time to pray can spark insight and connections with profound faith traditions. At St. Andrew’s Abbey Retreat Center in Valyermo, California, guestmaster Benedictine Father Patrick Sheridan notes that experiencing a religious order’s spirituality, however brief the stay, can open new avenues for personal spiritual development. “We have many Catholics who are practicing,” said Father Sheridan. “They want to immerse themselves in Benedictine spirituality — Scripture and hospitality.

Local retreat houses in the archdiocese CHRIST’S PEACE HOUSE OF PRAYER

22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Christ’s Peace offers private, guided, group and sabbatical retreats. It also has monthly preached retreats on various themes. Guests spend time in prayer, spiritual reading, meditating, journaling and walking through nature trails. Spiritual direction is also available. For more information, visit the website at: archkck.org/cpp/home.

SOPHIA SPIRITUALITY CENTER

751 S. 8th St., Atchison Sophia Center offers a wide variety of programming designed to foster spiritual and personal growth, grounded in the rich Benedictine tradition of prayer and hospitality. For more information, visit the website at: mountosb.org, then hover over the “Ministries” tab and click on “Sophia Spirituality Center.” PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FRATERNITY THE POOR OF JESUS CHRIST

Sister Miracles, PJC, speaks to the crowd at the Rescue Me retreat at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg. The retreat is a cornerstone of the mission of the Fraternity the Poor of Jesus Christ.

MARILLAC CENTER

4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Though retreats are currently canceled due to COVID, Marillac is located on the grounds of the Sisters of Charity motherhouse, offering a place of quiet beauty and peaceful reflection. For more information, visit the website at: www.scls.org, hover over “Prayer/Spirituality,” then click on “Marillac Center.”

SANCTUARY OF HOPE PRAYER & RETREAT CENTER

LEAVEN FILE PHOTO

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton offers a wide variety of retreats — both private and guided. The retreat house offers many relaxing features and the grounds offer a peaceful setting that includes nature trails on several acres of land. On a self-directed retreat, I’d urge people to attend at least some of the Divine Office. Get an idea of the rhythm of our [monks’] life. Also, don’t feel guilty about sleeping. St. Benedict makes allowances for his monks to get sufficient sleep and food to encounter the Lord and their work.” The special encounter with prayer and liturgy in a retreat’s quieter and usually lovely setting can be a good way to ease back into parish life. “People want to reconnect with their faith,” said Father Sheridan, “and do it in a place that’s a little less crowded, a little more calm than their parish.” Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center in Venice, Florida, offers a variety of lengths and styles of retreats, but during the pandemic, interest in individual retreats was high. “People did want to come by themselves to pray, have spiritual direction,” Oblates of the Virgin Mary Father Mark Yavarone, director of spirituality at the center, said, adding that the pandemic has also surfaced different themes. “There is more stress and anxiety. To go somewhere by oneself with the Lord and have spiritual direction is what they are looking for. Anger and stress often go

together. People [might come] in angry about some aspect of the pandemic, or with one particular political party or another. Or they’re trying to get a handle on how to better live with their spouse or family members because they’ve been in closer quarters,” said Father Yavarone. “The thing I hear from a lot of people who come here is that they find peace.” With some retreat centers increasing their capacity and more about to reopen, now is an ideal time to start planning. Hesitant? Father Yavarone said, “I would echo Pope John Paul II: ‘Be not afraid.’ God loves you more than you do.” Not sure where to start? “The beauty of the individually directed retreat,” Father Campbell said, “is the attention one’s spirituality gets.” Afraid you’re not “perfect” enough for a retreat? “The whole point is to relax in the Lord,” said Father Sheridan. “Don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself. Let the Spirit move you. A retreat can be an opening of a different approach to life, a process, rather than a one-off experience. And hopefully, you’ll come back again.”

2601 Ridge Ave. Kansas City, Kansas The center is currently offering online retreats and Zoom meetings on a variety of topics, including prayer. Those interested can also schedule individual retreats and can request spiritual direction. For more information, visit the website at: sanctuaryofhope retreat.org.

ST. BENEDICT’S ABBEY

1020 N. 2nd St., Atchison Private and public retreats in St. Benedict’s monastery were canceled due to COVID-19 but are expected to pick up again this summer. Check its website periodically for updated information at: kansasmonks.org/retreats.

Other entities in the metro area that host retreats include: IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY CENTER OF KANSAS CITY 1001 E. 52nd St. Kansas City, Missouri Ignatiancenterkc.org/events

PRECIOUS BLOOD RENEWAL CENTER

2120 St. Gaspar Way Liberty, Missouri Pbrenewalcenter.org/events

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS 2100 N. Noland Rd. Independence, Missouri Osfholyeucharist.org/events

LOCAL NEWS

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

New priest assignments announced >> Continued from page 1 Father Carter Zielinski, from parochial vicar for Christ the King Parish, Topeka, and chaplain of Hayden High School, Topeka, to pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Emporia.

Parochial administrators Father Ratna Swamy Nannam, MSFS, from parochial vicar for Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, to parochial administrator of Holy Family Parish, Alma, and Sacred Heart Parish, Paxico, and chaplain of Washburn University Catholic Campus Center, Topeka.

Parochial vicars Father Edward Ahn, from providing sacramental assistance at St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park, to parochial vicar for St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, and continuing to provide sacramental assistance and campus ministry at Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas. Rev. Mr. Keith Chadwick, from completion of seminary formation and ordination to the priesthood, to parochial vicar for Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.

Rev. Mr. Luke Doyle, from completion of seminary formation and ordination to the priesthood, to parochial vicar for St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Rev. Mr. Thomas Maddock, from completion of seminary formation and ordination to the priesthood, to parochial vicar for Christ the King Parish, Topeka, and chaplain of Hayden High School, Topeka. Father Balachandra Reddy Miriyala, Diocese of Nellore, from sacramental assistance at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, to parochial vicar for Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park. Father Mark Ostrowski, from parochial vicar for Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, to parochial vicar for St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, and continuing as chaplain of St. James Academy, Lenexa. Father Joseph Sellas, Diocese of Cuddapah, from priestly ministry outside of the archdiocese, to parochial vicar for Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka. Msgr. Thomas Tank, from pastor of Church of the Ascension Parish, Overland Park, to senior parochial vicar for Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, and retirement from parish administrative responsibilities.

Other Father Thomas Aduri, to archdiocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, and continuing as pastor of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Topeka. Father Nicholas Ashmore, to chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park, and continuing as parochial vicar for Good Shepherd Parish, Shawnee. Father Gianantonio Baggio, CS, from director of the office of Hispanic ministry, to reassignment by his religious order to priestly ministry outside of the archdiocese. Father William Fisher, from pastor of Holy Family Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, and St. John the Baptist Parish Kansas City, Kansas, to priestly sabbatical, effective June 1. Father Richard Halvorson, from pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, Overland Park, and archdiocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, to the formation faculty of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois. Father Nathan Haverland, to director of continuing education and formation for priests, and continuing as pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka.

Father Mark Mertes, to moderator of the curia, and continuing as pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kansas. Father Donald Rank, OFM Cap., from parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lawrence, to reassignment by his religious order to priestly ministry outside of the archdiocese. Father Michael Scully, OFM Cap., from pastor of Holy Family Parish, Eudora, to continuing as chaplain of the Catholic Campus Center at Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence. Father John Riley, from parochial administrator of St. John Paul II Parish, Olathe, and director of continuing education and formation for priests, to vicar general, sacramental assistance at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Shawnee, and continuing as chancellor.

Deacons Deacon William Scholl, from diaconal ministry at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, to diaconal ministry at Our Lady & St. Rose Parish, Kansas City, Kansas, and continuing as consultant for the archdiocesan office of social justice.

CLASSIFIEDS

12 EMPLOYMENT Teachers needed - Bishop Ward High School is seeking applicants for the following positions: full-time special education, IEP/504 coordinator; full-time art teacher, could combine with part-time graphic design/yearbook/ journalism; part-time math, could be combined with parttime personal finance to create a full-time position. Send cover letter and resume to Dr. Michelle Olson at: molson@ wardhigh.org. After-school care coordinator - St. Michael the Archangel School is hiring a coordinator to oversee our afterschool care program. This position is responsible for a group of grade school children, ages kindergarten - 8th grade, from 3:25 - 6 p.m. Job responsibilities include coordinating snacks, monitoring homework, outdoor play and free choice activities. This is an ideal position for a college student, retired empty nester or someone looking to get back into the workforce. Prior experience working with children preferred. Contact Dr. Lorenzo Rizzi, school principal, at (913) 402-3950 or send resume and cover letter to: Lorenzo.rizzi@stmichaelcp.org. Middle school science teacher - Ascension School is seeking a full-time middle school science teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Candidates must hold a valid Kansas teaching certificate and be licensed to teach 7 - 8th grade science. Candidates must be faith-filled, student-centered and work well with colleagues. For more information, please contact Becky Wright at: BWright@acseagles.org or (913) 851-2531. Office manager - Nativity Parish School is seeking an office manager. The office manager will be responsible for the administrative and organizational management of the school office. The ideal candidate will be experienced in handling a wide range of administrative and executive support-related tasks, be exceedingly well-organized and flexible, and enjoy the organizational challenges of supporting an office of people and programs. This individual must be able to function effectively in various roles within a dynamic environment under minimum supervision. This position requires frequent communication and coordination with school and parish staff, students and parents. This individual should be proficient in QuickBooks, Excel and Word and easily adapt to site-specific computer programs. The ideal candidate will hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree and have at least five years’ relevant work experience. Qualified individuals must submit a cover letter and resume to principal David Kearney at: david.kearney@ kcnativity.org. Deadline is June 8. Workforce-Specialist - Do you want to change lives? Do you want to help break the cycle of poverty? Do you have a social work degree and experience in case management? This could be your opportunity! Come join our team! For more information and to apply, go online to: https:// catholiccharitiesks.org/, then go to “About Us” and click on “Careers,” then scroll down to “View Job Openings.” Donnelly College student life coordinator - The student life coordinator is the college’s bridge to its student body. This position is responsible for planning and implementing cultural, academic and recreational programs for students. Working closely with staff and faculty members, the coordinator organizes co-curricular activities designed to develop the students’ educational, social and personal growth. The candidate must be able to pass a background check and complete Virtus training. Practicing Catholic candidate highly preferred. Please send resume and cover letter to Lisa Stoothoff at: lstoothoff@donnelly.edu. Part-time teacher aide - St. Michael the Archangel Preschool is seeking a part-time teacher aide for our fouryears-old classroom. This person is responsible for assisting the lead teacher in carrying out daily activities, carrying out the rules and regulations of our licensure and maintaining principles of sound Catholic education. If you are interested, please contact Jennie Wente, preschool director, at (913) 402-3971 or send resume and cover letter to: jennie. wente@stmichaelcp.org.

Campus youth minister - Church of the Nativity is seeking to recruit a full-time, dynamic, high-energy, consistently visible and creative campus youth minister who will be a vital member of the Christian formation team at Nativity. This position will work directly with pastor Father Mike Hawken and the Christian formation team, and will be responsible for coordinating and refreshing a parish-wide pastoral youth ministry for the entire campus to include high school youth, as well as junior high youth from the parish school and religious education. The youth minister we seek works under the direct supervision of the pastor; coordinates a youth ministry team of adults and youth; develops close communications with and mutual support from families of youth and collaborates with other community and parish organizations and offices; focuses the parish community on the spiritual needs and gifts of youth that is engaging, fun and faith filled; and gives our youth the tools needed to uphold and defend their faith as they transition between junior high and high school and on into college. Email resume and referrals to: Danh@cornerstone-kc.com or call (913) 341-7655. Accountant - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has a full-time, benefits-eligible position open for an accountant. This position performs professional accounting activities, including analysis and reconciliation of general ledger and subsidiary accounts, revenue and expenditure accounts, and the preparation and distribution of monthly reports to departments. The incumbent maintains the deposit and loan system records; prepares monthly statements for account holders; and prepares financial reports, budgets and year-end audit schedules. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting with at least two years’ relevant accounting work including: experience maintaining accurate financial records; preparing reports; preparing financial or auditor statements; schedules and reports. Qualified individuals must submit a cover letter, resume and application. Please visit: www.archkck.org/ jobs to apply. Deadline is May 17. Donnelly College admissions counselor - The admissions counselor is responsible for establishing relationships through direct outreach efforts with area K - 12 schools, businesses, church and civic organizations to promote Donnelly College as well as conducting daily recruitment calls to prospective students. The position is responsible for presentations covering financial aid and the admissions process. Additionally, this position is wellversed in the college data system and provides high quality customer service while working a schedule that includes evenings and occasional weekends. Must be able to pass background check and complete Virtus training. Bilingual candidate highly preferred. Please send resume and cover letter to Lisa Stoothoff at: lstoothoff@donnelly.edu. Lead consultant for special needs - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has a full-time, benefits-eligible position open for a lead consultant for the office of special needs. This position is responsible for assisting parishes with the delivery of parish-based ministries and services for children and adults with special needs. It includes but is not limited to assisting parishes and pastoral regions in identifying needs, designing programs/initiatives, implementing ministries and monitoring the ongoing pastoral efficacy of such ministries. The incumbent manages dayto-day operations of the office of special-needs ministry and advocates for children and adults with special needs across the archdiocese; ensures access for those with special needs to situation-appropriate Christian formation, sacramental preparation, liturgy and other events at parishes; and supervises consultants and other employees assigned to the department. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in pastoral care, special education, social work or related field; a minimum of three years’ experience working with individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, vision and hearing loss or other special needs; and a practicing Catholic registered in a Catholic parish or faith community, and must embrace in word and deed the church’s teachings on faith and morals as articulated by the church’s magisterium. Qualified individuals must submit a cover letter, resume and application. To apply, please visit: www.archkck.org/jobs. Application deadline is May 27.

Director of evangelization - Church of the Nativity is seeking to recruit a full-time, dynamic, high-energy, consistently visible director of evangelization for the adult parish community who will be a vital member of the Christian formation team at Nativity. This newly created position will work directly with pastor Father Mike Hawken and the Christian formation team, and will be responsible for casting a long-term vision for the ministry while leading and supporting existing formation leaders and ministries. This new movement within our parish will focus on a consistent invitation to meet our adult community where they are through a ministry of encounter that encourages our members to set out into the deep and experience Jesus Christ and his church in a fresh new way. Email resume and referrals to: Danh@cornerstone-kc.com or call (913) 341-7655.

Career opportunity - Due to the growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are looking for professional men who are interested in helping fellow Catholics with their faith, family and finances. This is a full-time career opportunity that will allow you to be your own boss and a respected professional member of the community. If you or someone you know is self-motivated, good with time management and has a desire to succeed, this might be the opening you’ve been looking for. Benefits include unlimited professional income potential, flexibility, quality training program and incentive award trips such as Rome, Hawaii and Ireland. There are openings in northeast Kansas and western Missouri. If you want to serve your community, strengthen the church and change the world, call John Mahon at our regional office at (785) 408-8800 or toll free at (855) 356-4849.

Donnelly College accounting assistant - The accountant assistant is an integral member of the business office, which is responsible for all financial services and reporting for the college. This includes providing services to students and employees as well as all aspects of payroll, accounting and financial reporting. This requires forward thinking and a “do-what-it-takes attitude” to ensure departmental resources are maximized throughout the entire year. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and be comfortable handling sensitive information. Must be able to pass a background check and complete Virtus training. Send all resumes and cover letters to Bernard Barry at: bbarry@ donnelly.edu.

STEM director - Bishop Miege has an immediate opening for a STEM director. The director will be responsible for planning, preparing and executing STEM initiatives to increase project-based learning into all classrooms; coordinating professional development for teachers STEM accreditation through Cognia; data analyzation; promoting community involvement with STEM; and will teach engineering or computer science classes as needed. The ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 years’ teaching experience and possess a Kansas teaching license. This is a 12-month position. Send letter of interest and resume to Maureen Engen at: mengen@bishopmiege.com.

Technology teacher - St. Ann School is seeking a parttime technology teacher, approximately 20 hours per week, for computer and keyboarding skills for grades K - 6. This teacher will also potentially work with middle school students in elective courses. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: www.archkckcs. org and email principal Liz Minks at: lminks@stannpv.org.

Part-time director of religious education - Holy Family in Eudora is seeking a part-time director of religious education. The director is responsible for coordinating religious education classes for children ages K - 12, first Communion preparation, confirmation preparation, vacation Bible school and other duties. This is a paid position at 10 - 15 hours per week. Please contact the pastor at (785) 542-2788 or email: hfceudora@sunflower.com.

Career positions at Ryan Lawn - Full-time career positions at Ryan Lawn & Tree for people who have a passion for plants, working outdoors and customer service. Put your degree to work in the outdoors. We are faith-based and 100% employee-owned. We offer careers in forestry (both plant healthy and pruning), turf, pest and landscaping. With 350 associates in five branches, we have growth careers for the right people. We expect a lot. We can teach you our industry if you want to learn and are willing to work hard. If you or someone you know is interested, apply online at: RyanLawn.com. Part-time stylists - Are you addicted to the TV show “Say Yes to the Dress”? Are you self-motivated, love fashion and enjoy helping people look their best? If so, we want to talk to you! Sincerely Susan, a unique destination shop that specializes in dresses for mothers of the bride/groom and galas is looking for part-time stylists. Our boutique is a warehouse environment where clients come in by appointment only. You must have a sense of style and a great personality to be able to interact with our “moms.” Hours are flexible. Must be willing to work a minimum of one evening per week and weekends. Must be able to stand and walk on concrete for long periods of time and reach overhead to pull gowns. Previous retail experience preferred, but not necessary. Hourly rate is based on experience. If interested, call (913) 730-8840. Caregivers - Daughters & Company is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide light housekeeping/light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. A CNA background is helpful, though not mandatory. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team. Middle school science teacher - Prince of Peace School is seeking a full-time middle school science/STEM teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Candidates must hold a valid Kansas teaching certificate and be licensed to teach 7 - 8th grade science. Candidates must be faith-filled, studentcentered and work well with colleagues. For more information, please contact Jane Shriver at: jshriver@popolathe. org or (913) 764-0650. Lead preschool teacher - St. Ann Young Child Center is currently seeking a lead teacher for a full-time three-yearsold classroom. The lead teacher is responsible for creating lesson plans and teaching a classroom of 12 students with an aide, M - F. The lead preschool teacher is also responsible for maintaining proper qualifications for licensure through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and for maintaining the principles of Catholic education. If you are interested, please contact Cara Schwarz, preschool director, at (913) 362-4660 and/or send resume and cover letter to: cschwarz@stannpv.org. Administrative assistant for evangelization, formation and outreach - This position provides front office administrative support to two department directors as well as other staff, including, but not limited to, RE, youth sacrament preparation, adult education, youth ministry, VBS and CGS. This is a year-round, part-time position that normally works Monday through Friday with occasional, infrequent evening and weekend duties. For additional details, a comprehensive job description or to apply, please visit the website at: stmichaelcp.org/ employment-opportunities or contact Denise Greene at: denise.greene@stmichaelcp.org or (913) 402-3984. Retreat team - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has a full-time, benefits-eligible position open for a retreat team member at Prairie Star Ranch. The retreat team member performs a variety of programmatic and development activities for the retreat team internship program, specifically targeted at the facilitation of retreat programs. The position includes coordination with the director of the retreat center to facilitate retreat programs and host specific user groups. The retreat team member works with user groups, youth ministers, pastors and others to develop a higher level of service and hospitality for the ministry both on-site and off. In addition to the programming dimension, the position requires time spent in an intentional Catholic community, with time in communal prayer, personal prayer and Catholic formation. There is some manual labor and food service associated with the position as well as an expectation of high professionalism and motivation. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, theology, education, human relations or related field; must be a practicing Catholic, registered in a Catholic parish or faith community, and must embrace in word and deed the church’s teachings on faith and morals as articulated by the church’s magisterium. Previous experience in Catholic camp ministries preferred. Qualified individuals must submit a cover letter, resume and application. To apply, please visit: www.archkck.org/jobs. Application deadline is May 27. Part-time servers - Santa Marta is recognized as a premier senior living community in Olathe. You will make a positive difference when you join the Santa Marta team as a server. Responsibilities include: serve meals to residents in a professional and hospitable manner in either independent living or health care neighborhoods; respectful interaction and communication with residents and coworkers as required; work with a team in a professional manner within dining and other departments; use proper food handling and cleaning techniques; set-up and clean the dining rooms after each dining session. Part-time servers are normally scheduled 3 - 5 shifts per week (evenings 4 - 8 p.m. and weekend breakfast, lunch and dinner shifts). $10 - $11 hourly rate, depending on relevant experience. Part-time associates earn paid time off for hours worked. To apply, go online to: santamartaretirement.com, then go to “More,” then scroll down and click on “Careers.” Then scroll down to the bottom of that page and download the application form.

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG Social media and digital communications manager - The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica are looking for a creative, energetic individual to be responsible for the planning, creation and execution of Mount St. Scholastica’s digital communications. This position is responsible for updating, maintaining and creating content for our organization’s website. This role will work to ensure that messages and brand are consistent across all online and social platforms while building and measuring engagement with our audience on social media. This position will work closely with the communications team to produce fresh and engaging content, including video, that tells Mount St. Scholastica’s story within the scope of an integrated communications strategy. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or related business area; 3+ years of experience in social media/digital communications, using industry standard software products for web design, word processing and video editing. Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume to Sister Helen Mueting at: hmueting@ mountosb.org. Director of marketing/advertisement - Donnelly College is looking for a creative, flexible and organized director of marketing and communications to increase awareness of the Donnelly College brand with a particular focus on advancing enrollment and philanthropy. As a position that is both strategic and tactical, and housed within the advancement division, the director of marketing and communications is a critical driver of developing and implementing strategy to help the college achieve its mission and vision by reaching key target audiences such as prospective students and families, alumni, institutional partners, media investors and the public. The candidate should have the following qualifications: a bachelor’s degree required, preference given to persons with degrees in marketing, communications or journalism or to persons with a related master’s degree; working knowledge of social media platforms required; working knowledge of web design platforms required; preference given to those with bilingual skills and those with experience at an academic institution working with people of diverse backgrounds; committed to diversity and serving a diverse population. Please email your cover letter, resume and transcripts to: hr@donnelly. edu with “Director of Marketing Advertising” in the subject line. Full-time Latin teacher - St. Michael the Archangel School is seeking a full-time Latin teacher for the 202122 school year. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for evangelization and discipleship and have experience teaching Latin. Please send resume and cover letter to the parish school, attention Dr. Lorenzo Rizzi, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS 66223 or to: lorenzo.rizzi@ stmichaelcp.org. Small equipment technician - Do you enjoy tinkering and working with your hands? Then this is the job for you! We are a small, family-owned local company looking for someone who is handy with small equipment and enjoys traveling every now and then. We need team members with a positive attitude who are flexible, dependable, self-motivated, mechanically inclined, customer-service oriented and have great time management skills. Mostly on the job training. Electrical knowledge is a plus. Please send your resume to: Yourcareer101@gmail.com. Language arts teacher - St. Michael the Archangel School is seeking a faith-filled, eighth-grade language arts teacher willing to also sponsor student council and/or yearbook. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application process at: archkckcs.org. Please contact the principal, Dr. Lorenzo Rizzi, at: lorenzo.rizzi@stmichaelcp.org for more information. Social mission and outreach coordinator - St. Michael the Archangel Parish is seeking a proactive, organized and approachable professional to serve as the social mission and outreach coordinator. This role is responsible for coordinating activities of various parish ministries, committees, volunteers and projects while assuring a high degree of outreach to the local community. The position is approximately 25 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. Go online to: stmichaelcp. org/employment-opportunities for a full job description. Submit cover letter and resume to: Denise.Greene@st michaelcp.org. Drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is now hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students with special needs in Johnson, Wyandotte and Clay County, Missouri, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Aides earn $12 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need. Call (913) 521-4955 for more information. EEO Communications director - Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park is creating the position of communications director. The successful candidate will work directly with Father Bill Bruning and the parishioner chairs of the communications committee, the evangelization committee and will coordinate the volunteers who will be responsible for our livestreaming and online presence. The job will also require marketing skills in the form of branding and marketing communications. Interested persons are invited to review the job description and send their resume to: qhradmin@qhr-opks.org. 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. Catholic Community Hospice - Come work for Catholic Community Hospice. We are a loving, compassionate and not-for-profit hospice agency. Visit us at: https://catholic charitiesks.org/careers/. >> Classifieds continue on page 13

MAY 21, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

A SPIRITUALITY OF THE HEART ONLINE OPEN HOUSE Via Zoom May 23 from 7 - 8 p.m.

Have you been longing in your heart for a closer relationship with God or been searching for means to deepen your prayer life? The Daughters of St. Francis de Sales offer a practical means of living a life devoted to God in everyday life with a family of spiritual friends, united in a bond of love and support. We invite you to join our upcoming virtual open house to learn more about this gentle saint, his spirituality of the heart and our association. For meeting details, email: haydee@ sfdsassociation.org or visit our website at: www.sfdsassociation.org and look for a link in our “Welcome” box to register.

PROJECT CHRYSALIS Church of the Ascension (St. Luke’s Room) 9500 W. 127th St., Overland Park May 25 from 7 - 8:15 p.m.

Project Chrysalis is a Catholic ministry designed to help parents who have lost a child find hope through sacred Scripture and community. The guest speaker will be Deacon Ed Schoener from the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, sharing his story and ministry. For more information, including the Zoom invitation link, contact Deacon Ken Billinger at (913) 634-4210 or send an email to: kbillinger@archkck.org. While this ministry is not a bereavement group, our mission is to offer support and hope through Scripture in a time of transformation. The group is open to parents or grandparents who have lost children.

>> Continued from page 12 Full-time assistant teachers - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving Christian environment. With a balanced curriculum of pre-academics and the right environment, we believe we are providing the children the foundation to e successful in life. We are looking for full-time assistant teachers for all ages who have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Duties include supervising and ensuring the safely and well-being of the children at all times; following predetermined curriculum and daily schedule; decorating the class and keeping classrooms clean and orderly; creating and filling out daily reports for each child; communicating with parent; meeting children’s basic needs (diapers, bottles, etc.). Must be patient and able to respond to difficult situations calmly; have good interpersonal skills with coworkers, parents and children; and be able to lift 25 pounds on a regular basis. There are opportunities for career advancement. For more information or to apply, call Carolyn Andruss at (913) 894-0131, option 3. Assistants - Assistants needed to provide support for developmentally disabled adults in a day program setting. Hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. five days a week. Health, dental and vision premiums paid in full after two months of employment. Join us for meaningful, fulfilling relationships with our community. Larcheks.org. Part-time office assistant - Looking for a job where you can make a difference and you’re not just a nameless face? Come join our family-owned small company that’s been established locally in the medical instruments field for almost 40 years. We are looking for a part-time candidate who is detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, dependable, customer-service oriented, friendly and has excellent communication skills. Job tasks include invoicing, vendor relations, product ordering and receiving/shipping. Computer skills are a must and QuickBooks a plus! Please send your resume to: Yourcareer101@gmail.com. Direct support professional - Goodlife Innovations in Lawrence and in Johnson County is urgently hiring direct support professionals to help provide care, teach skills and hang out with adults with disabilities. Full- and part-time shifts available. Average pay of $14 - $16.33 per hour. Apply today at: https://mygoodlife.org/careers/. Full-time elementary teacher and music teacher – Holy Rosary Wea School in Bucyrus is seeking a full-time elementary teacher and music teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Candidates must hold a current Kansas teaching license. Interested applicants should complete the teacher application process at: www.archkckcs.org. For more information, please contact Nick Antista at: nick@qhrwea.org.

SERVICES Handyman - I wanted to let you all know that we do basement finishes, deck building, bathroom and kitchen remodeling. This includes tile work, cabinet refinishing, and any sheetrock work. We also do all things flooring, siding, windows, doors, covered porches, sheds and much more. I really appreciate all your support. Please call Joshua Doherty at (913) 709-7230.

CALENDAR/CLASSIFIEDS SACRED HEART RUMMAGE SALE 2427 Riley Rd., Ottawa June 3 from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (full price) June 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (half price) June 5 from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (bag sale: 2 bags for $2)

Shop clean and reusable items including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, knickknacks, home decor, tools, dishes, cookware, toys, books, craft supplies and more. Please wear a mask.

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Church 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood June 5 at 8 a.m.

There will be a memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones followed by a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room. For more information, call (913) 649-2026.

OLPE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION St. Joseph Parish 308 Iowa, Olpe June 5 at 10 a.m.

This event will celebrate the alumni of St. Joseph High School, Olpe; members of St. Joseph Parish, Olpe; and the 49th anniversary of Deacon Dale Steffes, a native of Olpe and permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Mass will be at 10 a.m. followed by lunch at the Knights of Columbus Hall. All parishioners, alumni and people of Olpe are welcome. Please RSVP by email to: dalesteffes@comcast.net, so we can get a count for lunch.

Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits. Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit http://www.montemace disability.org. Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your Tshirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee. Senior Care Authority - Navigating senior care options can be overwhelming. We’ll help you sort through and understand all your care and living options and point you to vetted resources. Placement assistance is FREE. We do a thorough assessment, do all the research and walk with you as you make these big decisions for you or your loved one. Call (913) 359-8580. Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, licensed clinical professional counselor, at (913) 909-2002. ACT Prep - Founded by a Bishop Miege graduate, Pathway Prep has helped over 250 students during the last four years improve their scores. In-person or virtual sessions available. For more information, visit: pathway prepkc.com and contact Alex Pint at (913) 991-8217 or: alex@pathway prepkc.com. Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors Platinum Amarr dealer, Elite Home Advisor top rating. Call Joe, mention The Leaven discount. A Total Door (913) 236-6440. 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@mike hammermoving.com. Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlaw.com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress. FREE LIFE INSURANCE QUOTE IN LESS THAN A MINUTE - For your free, no obligation life insurance or final expense quote from a dozen highly rated carriers, visit: www.mcevoy ins.com or call (913) 481-2896. Sean McEvoy, Donnelly College graduate, and Bill McEvoy, Ascension parishioner.

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

WAR HORSES FOR VETERANS D-DAY RIDE 5600 W. 183rd St., Stillwell June 6 at 8 a.m.

This is a 103-mile motorcycle ride hosted by the Father Donnelly Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The cost is: $25 per rider; $10 per passenger. For registration and details go online to: horsesforveterans.com.

PRAYER VIGIL FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS St. Joseph Parish 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee June 10 at 7 p.m.

The prayer vigil will include vespers, the Act of Reparation, Litany of the Sacred Heart and the chaplet of the Sacred Heart.

HOLY SPIRIT GARAGE SALE Holy Spirit Parish 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park June 10 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. June 12 from 8 a.m. - noon

Sale items include, but are not limited to, furniture, kitchen wares, clothing, baby items, toys, games, holiday items, books, home decor and more.

‘UNFAILING MERCY’: PROJECT RACHEL WEEKEND RETREAT June 11 - 13

13 at: projectrachelkc@archkck.org or call (913) 621-2199.

Y’ALL - YOUNG ADULTS LOVING LIFE Parkville Women’s Clinic 6326 N. Lucerne Ave., Kansas City, Missouri June 17 at 6 p.m.

Y’ALL, Young Adults Loving Life, is an outreach ministry of Parkville Women’s Clinic. We invite supporters of life under the age of 35-ish, to join us for free for speaker Ryan Lafebvre to learn more about working together to build strong families. Those 35 and over are also invited, but a donation is encouraged to support this ministry. For more details and to register, call Carla Killen at (816) 746-4855 or send an email to: ckillen@ parkvillewomensclinic.

SPECIAL-NEEDS FAMILY CAMP Prairie Star Ranch 1124 California Rd., Williamsburg June 18 - 20

Enjoy a weekend of fun and family at Camp Tekakwitha. Register online at: www. archkck.org/special-needs.

ST. JOSEPH RETREAT: ‘WITH A FATHER’S HEART’ Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton June 25 - 27

For privacy, the location is given only to those attending. For further information and to register, contact Ann Marie by email

In this year dedicated to St. Joseph, enter into the movement and develop a deeper relationship with our spiritual father. For more information, send an email to: info@ christspeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

Wanted to buy -Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.

Interior Painting Specialist Wall cracks repaired, fully insured. Serving the area for 20 years. Call Jerry (913) 206-1144.

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.

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.

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

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COLUMNISTS

See that you get a pair of these

DAILY READINGS EIGHTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME May 23 PENTECOST SUNDAY Acts 2: 1-11 Ps 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 1 Cor 12: 3b-7, 12-13 Jn 20: 19-23 May 24 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church Gn 3: 9-15, 20 Ps 87: 1-3, 5-7 Jn 19: 25-34 May 25 Bede the Venerable, priest, doctor of the church; Gregory VII, pope Sir 35: 1-12 Ps 50: 5-8, 14, 23 Mk 10: 28-31 May 26 Philip Neri, priest Sir 36: 1, 4-5a, 10-17 Ps 79: 8-9, 11, 13 Mk 10: 32-45 May 27 Augustine of Canterbury, bishop Sir 42: 15-25 Ps 33: 2-9 Mk 10: 46-52 May 28 Friday Sir 44: 1, 9-13 Ps 149: 1b-6a, 9b Mk 11: 11-26 May 29 Paul VI, pope Sir 51: 12cd-20 Ps 19: 8-11 Mk 11: 27-33 NINTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME May 30 THE MOST HOLY TRINITY Dt 4: 32-34, 39-40 Ps 33: 4-6, 9, 18-20,22 Rom 8: 14-17 Mt 28: 16-20 May 31 THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Zep 3: 14-18a (Ps) Is 12: 2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 Lk 1: 39-56 June 1 Justin, martyr Tb 2: 9-14 Ps 112: 1-2, 7-9 Mk 12: 13-17 June 2 Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs Tb 3: 1-11a, 16-17a Ps 25: 2-5b, 6, 7bc, 8-9 Mk 12: 18-27 June 3 Charles Lwanga and companions Tb 6: 10-11; 7: 1bcde, 9-17; 8: 4-9a Ps 128: 1-5 Mk 12: 28-34 June 4 Friday Tb 11: 5-17 Ps 146: 1b-2, 6c-10 Mk 12: 35-37 June 5 Boniface, bishop, martyr Tb 12: 1, 5-15, 20 (Ps) Tb 13: 2, 6efgh, 7-8 Mk 12: 38-44

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

t’s the first thing I reach for in the morning and the last thing I take off before falling asleep. Anyone with less that 20/20 vision knows what I’m talking about. I’d be in terrible shape without my pair of glasses. I’ve been wearing glasses since the fourth grade. I remember my mom telling the optometrist that she was worried she’d have trouble getting me to wear them. He smiled and told her the only trouble she’d have was getting me to take them off. How right he was! A whole new world opened up for me when I could see it clearly. As the years have gone on, however, I find myself grateful to Benjamin Franklin. Back on May 23, 1785, he wrote to a friend about a new device he’d invented. Because he’d grown weary of switching between two pairs of glasses — one for distance and one for reading —he found a way to combine two

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.

separate lenses into each eyepiece. What he called “double spectacles,” we call bifocals. While sight is a tremendous gift, insight is even more so, as this story by Walter Buchanan illustrates: A little boy said to his friend, “When I get older, I want to wear glasses just like Granny’s because she can see so much more than most people. She can see the good in a person when everyone

else sees a bad side. She can see what a person meant to do even if he or she didn’t do it. “I asked her one day how she could see the good, and she said it was the way she learned to look at things as she got older. And when I get older, I want a pair of glasses just like Granny’s so I can see the good, too.” (Story found in Brian Cavanaugh’s “Sower’s Seeds Aplenty: Fourth Planting.”) Back in April of last year, I must have had on a pair of those special lenses when I wrote about how I hoped the pandemic would change us: May we move from

the greed of hoarding to the new life of generosity and sharing; from selfishly living only for ourselves to the new life of solidarity, especially with those who are poor, lonely, ill or ignored; and from the old life of taking others for granted to the new life of endlessly thanking others for their service to us. Sadly, as is often the case once a crisis passes, there’s a tendency to forget any lessons we’ve learned from it and simply return to our regular routines. For example, it seems as if the chasm of polarization, particularly in our country, has only deepened over the past year. People are more likely to shout at, rather than converse with, one another. Violence against one another has again reared its ugly head. And instances of prejudice and racism have increased as cases of COVID have decreased.

In other words, people seem to be bitter, not better. It’s up to God’s people to change that. Using the image of bifocals, we need to deal with things both near and far. Some of those “up close” tasks might be: practice forgiving others; use social media responsibly; text less and call more; be a good neighbor; quit wasting food; and stop assuming. Some “far away” things to practice may include: donate money, time or skills to your parish, school, charities or community; become a mentor to a young person; give someone a second chance; or join an organization for positive change like Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Climate Covenant or Bread for the World. Don’t see how you could possibly do any of the above? It helps if you first grab a pair of those Granny’s glasses, no matter how old you are.

The Spirit who is going to re-create us has already begun

f the many possible readings for Pentecost (between the vigil and the daytime liturgy there are 11), two look into our future. The prophet Ezekiel describes a vision God gave him. He sees a valley filled with bones. God tells him to speak God’s word to the bones, and when he does, the bones clatter together and clothe themselves with flesh. “Then the Lord said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord God: From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that

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

they may come to life. I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them; they

came alive and stood upright, a vast army” (Ez 37:9-10). This is a vision of the resurrection that God has in store for us. St. Paul speaks about longing for this ultimate fulfillment: “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption,

the redemption of our bodies” (Rm 8:22-23). Resurrection may not occur for a very long time, and most of us (I at least) do not actually think or groan about it a whole lot. But that doesn’t make it irrelevant to our lives today. The Spirit of God — God’s creative power and wisdom who is himself God and is going to re-create us in that distant resurrection — is with us as we go through the suffering and sorrows of our present life. The Spirit who will transform us into that totally new way of being is in us, beginning to transform us. The transformation that will culminate in

our resurrection starts now in a conversion from selfishness to love. It may seem rather small scale. We open our heart to the grouchy neighbor next door who is recovering from a heart attack. We choke down an accusation against our spouse and instead ask if there’s anything we can do to help. We tell our least favorite co-worker that she really did a great job on the project we just completed. But in these small ways, which we selfish ones know are not so small, God’s new creation is already coming into existence by his Holy Spirit.

Pope: Myth that only money, success matter is ‘gangrene’ for nation ROME (CNS) — If families are not the priority of the present, there will be no future, Pope Francis said as he opened a meeting in Rome on Italy’s chronic decline in population growth. “For the future to be good, we must, therefore, take care of families, especially young families, who are beset by worries that risk paralyzing their life plans,” the

pope said at the meeting May 14. “It is a challenge, not just for Italy, but for many countries — often rich in resources, but poor in hope,” he said. Organizers said they hoped the meeting Pope Francis opened would be just the first to focus on the general state of Italy’s birthrate and demographics. The one-day meeting, sponsored by the Italian Forum of

Family Associations, was held both online and at a Rome auditorium not far from St. Peter’s Square. Gianluigi De Palo, president of the family forum, told the pope he wanted to organize a meeting that brought together as many sectors of society as possible to call for proactive and concrete action on an issue that also affects all of Europe.

COLUMNISTS

MAY 21, 2021 | THELEAVEN.ORG

Who do you say that Jesus is? To yourself? To your kids?

an you hear, feel, see or sense Jesus? Can your children hear, feel, see or sense Jesus? Jesus asked in Scripture: “Who do you say that I am?” He asks each one of us: “Who do you say that I am?” Other ways of approaching that question might be: Who or what is your God? What do you seek or where is your trust? Our Creator has longed for honest, deep, personal relationship with us since the garden, throughout the Old Testament, was born as a man, walked with us, died for us and left us his Holy Spirit and the Eucharist to guide our every step and care for us from conception

SEEKING CHRIST’S HEART

DEACON DANA NEARMYER Deacon Dana Nearmyer is the director of evangelization for the archdiocese.

through eternity. Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?” Receiving all of the sacraments, going to Mass faithfully and having a strong devotional life helps you develop a relationship

with Jesus. But for some, it takes longer to make the jump from obligation to loving relationship with Jesus. We read in the Gospel of John: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand” (10:27-28). Nurturing our senses and soul to hear, feel, see, sense

and recognize his presence, Jesus opens the door to having a meaningful relationship with him. Being aware of his presence is something that is equally important to foster in our children and grandchildren. Adults and children are invited by the Holy Spirit into a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, but building a meaningful relationship with Our Lord takes openness and time. The Ash Wednesday Gospel says: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Mt 6:6). This simple instruction to go alone before your God, listening

and discussing is a fast track to beautifully answering the question: “Who do you say that I am?” Oftentimes, we desire to be guided in our quest for a deep relationship with Jesus. Here are several guided approaches: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a wonderful approach to building deep conversations with Jesus that start as early as 3 years old. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd approach uses quiet Scripture reflection, hands-on discovery learning and open questioning to create a fertile environment for spiritual growth. The formation for the instructors is really powerful. Older kids from 5th-12th grade can dive

into outdoor adventure and deeper relationships with Jesus at Camp Tekakwitha. Prayer, Scripture reflection and testimony are integrated with zip lines, horses, canoeing and many other adventures. Two family camps are also available — one offering extensive services for family members with special needs. Moreover, Alpha For Catholics, Christ Renews His Parish/ Discover Christ, Called and Gifted and Teams of Our Lady are all great opportunities for parishes to offer adults the opportunity to lead parishioners into confidence in answering the question: “Who do you say that I am?”

One man’s gifts keep on giving through diaconal program here

he permanent diaconate in the archdiocese has come a long way since the ordination of our first cohort in 2011. We now have 60 deacons, as well as 16 men currently in formation — and we’re making preparations to form our next cohort later this year. Beyond the mere numbers, our local church is the beneficiary of a level of ordained ministry that was unknown in this region at the turn of the millennium. The Lord has accomplished this work through many people, starting with Archbishops James P. Keleher and Joseph F. Naumann, and including the generosity of the deacons and deaconsto-be themselves.

ORDAINED TO SERVE

LEON SUPRENANT Leon Suprenant is the co-director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. He may be reached at leons@archkck.org.

But today, I would like to focus on one great man who had a singular influence on the development of our diaconate program. Deacon Dan Peterson was originally from the Kansas City

area, but his professional career took him to Flagstaff, Arizona. He was ordained to the diaconate for the Diocese of Phoenix in 1995. He subsequently served as director of the large diaconate program in Phoenix for over a decade and even served for a time as the president of the National Association of Diaconate Directors. Deacon Peterson retired in 2010 and

returned to Kansas City to be closer to family. Just as our first cohort of deacons was being ordained, Deacon Peterson was establishing himself as a permanent deacon at Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner. When I started working in the diaconate office in 2011, Msgr. Gary Applegate advised me that we had a “retired” deacon in Gardner who might be willing to help us further develop our deacon program. I contacted Deacon Peterson, and he and his wife Judy welcomed me into their home on nearly a weekly basis, where he graciously and patiently instructed me about all things diaconate. Not only that, but Deacon Peterson became actively involved in the forma-

tion process, meeting regularly with our formation team and attending formation events, where he was always a wise, kindly and prayerful presence. His motto in every circumstance was: “You are loved.” More than once Deacon Peterson told me that he knew that the Lord was bringing him home to Kansas City for a purpose, and over time, he clearly saw that it was precisely to help in the establishment of the permanent diaconate in the archdiocese. Deacon Peterson taught us firsthand the reality and power of redemptive suffering. Over the past several years of his life, he experienced several debilitating illnesses and conditions, which he embraced willingly

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as a means of grace. To the end, his pain was a source of intercessory prayer, and not a cause for self-pity. I especially remember with moist eyes his final presentation to cohort 2 on the final day of their preordination retreat in 2017. He was so caught up in the joy of sharing his diaconal ministry with these men that he set down his cane and seemingly was given a booster shot of energy from above. Deacon Peterson passed away last year, but because of COVID, his funeral Mass was delayed until this month. We could not let a mere pandemic keep us from gathering in prayer to entrust this holy deacon to our blessed Lord. Deacon Peterson, you are loved!

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LOCAL NEWS

MAY 21, 2O21 | THELEAVEN.ORG

PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

The entire Zarda family poses for a photo with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic on May 10 at the Lake Quivira Country Club. A record-breaking $218,000 was raised at the 40th annual tournament for the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas.

Heirs to a legacy of service, Zardas carry on family tradition

AKE QUIVIRA — For most kids, a visit to the golf course usually means a chance to get their hands on some clubs and maybe take in a lesson or play a round of golf. For the Zarda family, an annual golf outing is where they learned the value of serving others. The Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 10 at Lake Quivira Country Club. An all-time high of 200 golfers played in the milestone tournament, raising a record-breaking $218,000 for the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas. “My heart is so full,” said Lauren Solidum, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. “In a time where division is often the norm, Catholic Charities and the Zarda Family chose to bring people together for a cause that joins us as a community.” This outpouring of support was especially meaningful for the Zarda family this year. Ben and Betty’s son and five daughters, as well as 20 of their 23 grandchildren, attended the tournament. Many of them, with their children, also served on the golf classic committee, alongside longtime members Craig Gaffney, Pat McAnany, John Southard and Ernie Straub. Missing this year, though, was Ben’s leadership. Although Betty passed

“

By Carol Cowdrey A Special to The Leaven

DAD AND MOM GOT THE FAMILY INVOLVED IN THE TOURNAMENT AS MUCH AS THEY COULD. IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST DID. YOU KNEW YOU WERE DOING SOMETHING FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND IT WAS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO NEEDED HELP. DANA RIEKE

away in 2019, Ben continued to have an active role until his death just weeks before the 2020 event. “I am so grateful for the family’s tenacity and hard work this year,” said Solidum. “We all had big, big shoes to fill. Seeing the familiar faces and so many new faces participating in the golf tournament gives me nothing but hope for the continued success of this event in the spirit of Ben and Betty and for those who rely so deeply on our services.” Since its inception, the event has raised more than $3 million. The funds help provide food assistance to children and adults over the summer months when Catholic Charities often

experiences a decrease in donations and an increase in food pantry visits. Early on, it was important for Ben and Betty to make the golf classic a family affair. “Dad and Mom got the family involved in the tournament as much as they could,” said daughter Dana Rieke. “It was something that we just did. You knew you were doing something for Catholic Charities and it was going to help people who needed help.” Daughter Nancy Sayler agreed. “We all assumed that’s what you did. You volunteered. You helped others. They instilled it in us and led by example,” she said. “We just assumed everybody did that.” Ben and Betty’s will to serve others is a testament to their Catholic faith. “They lived their faith. Service was such a huge part of their lives,” said daughter Marla Chandler. “This tournament for Catholic Charities was just them sharing what God gave them.” While Ben made the big financial asks, he called on other family members, including the grandchildren, to solicit and pick up tournament prizes. Jobs were also assigned to those of all ages to help out during the day of the event. Grandson Colby Rieke, whose first job with the tournament was working as a ball boy when he was in sixth or seventh grade, said, “It was a huge example for me to see my grandparents so involved with this tournament. They were so benevolent with their time, talent and treasure — just as

the church asks us to do. It has been something that I strive for personally, but Grandma and Grandpa set the bar very high.” It was Ben’s leadership of the tournament, his desire to deliver a unique golfing experience and the relationships he built within the community that left a lasting impression on the grandchildren. “Grandpa led from the front,” said grandson Sean Scott. “He always said you need to be a doer. Don’t sit back.” As children, they didn’t fully understand the impact of what their grandparents were doing, added Sean. “As adults, we now get it, and we are committed to carrying on what they started.” Daughter Karen Sneed is thrilled to see the younger generations of Zarda family members get involved. “I’m excited for my kids. They’re getting to that age of wanting to be a part of this. They know how important it was to Grandpa and Grandma,” she said. “It’s good for them to see that legacy living on.” The Zarda family hopes that the Ben & Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic will continue to be an event golfers look forward to and, in Ben’s words, “Have fun while raising funds.” “All of our families care deeply about honoring this tradition,” said daughter Lilli Zarda. “We really have gotten so much more out of being part of this tournament and helping Catholic Charities than what we have given.”

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