Statement on suspected abuse

Rev. Francis “Lery” Wendling, a member of the Franciscan Friars Province of St. John the Baptist (Ohio) who died in 2017, has been the subject of two substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Franciscan Province. Father Wendling’s name will be added to the archdiocesan list of substantiated allegations which can be found online at: Substantiated Clergy Offenders - Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (archkck.org).

Ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1962, Father Wendling served in a number of assignments throughout the United States. Father Wendling served in the archdiocese from 1978 to 1983 at Sacred Heart Parish, Emporia, as the parochial vicar. In addition to that assignment, Father Wendling administered multiple sacraments, offered Masses and participated in events at his home parish of St. Joseph, Olpe. The archdiocesan victim care advocate, Amy Stork, stands ready to support anyone who may have been harmed by Father Wendling. Please text or call (913) 298-9244.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas takes all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and works to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency, respect and compassion. We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first and then make a report to our confidential report line at (913) 647-3051 or online at: www.archkck.org/reportabuse.

“Fidelity Month is a movement and an invitation to Americans of all faiths to rededicate ourselves to the core values that used to be sources of strength and unity in our pluralistic society,” said George. “These values are faith in God, faithful marriages and fidelity to family, and love of country and service to community.”

Fidelity Month offers positive vision

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It’s not directed from the top down. There are no officers or ruling organization. George doesn’t want to control or direct anything. He wants people to take these values to heart and make the movement their own.

“Fidelity Month is a positive movement,” said George. “It’s not in reaction to anything. It’s a positive vision to rebuild values that have been very significantly eroded in recent years.

“We believe those values were our sources of strength and unity in our pluralistic nation. . . . So, in the face of that movement in the wrong direction, we want to turn things around, and we want to encourage people by precept and example that the way to rebuild the strength of our country, to reunify this polarized nation, is for all of us to return to what we know in our hearts is right.”

What can be done during Fidelity Month? George has two suggestions.

First, set an example for children and others in the community by speaking out for faith in God, faithful marriage between men and women, love of country and service to the community.

Second, visit the website at: Fidelity month.com and learn about what other people are doing to promote the core values. The Fidelity Month logo is free for anyone to use. June 30 has been designated a day of fasting for Fidelity Month.

“I’ve been sharing everything possible about Fidelity Month on social media and with my family, friends, parish and diocese,” said Deacon Forrest. “I had to make sure my family had all the cool Fidelity Month apparel.

“I also had a custom Fidelity Month flag made that came out beautifully. And I’m working on a Fidelity Month prayer and will be fasting and praying with the Fidelity Month team . . . on June 30. We’ll be informally inviting everyone to join with us, and we intend to propose a national day of prayer and fasting in June 2024.”

Freelancers enjoy a moment at annual convention

>> Continued from page 16 place award in the Best Multiple Picture Package — Feature category for “Doing the works of mercy.”

He also earned a first place award in the Best Multiple Picture Package in Sports for “Right on Track” and a second place in the Best Photograph — Feature Photo category for “World Cup.”

“It won’t come as a surprise to anybody that one of my favorite wins of the year is Jay’s photo of all the fans of Croatia’s team, gathered down at St. John’s Club in Kansas City, Kansas, to watch the World Cup play,” said Father Goldasich.

“There is just something about that photo that really captures the crazy energy of soccer fans the world over,” he added, “but I love seeing it in the club I practically grew up in!”

Broader issues

The value of Leaven freelancers and their in-depth reporting was undeniable at this year’s awards.

Marc and Julie Anderson were

Mother Teresa film to get archdiocesan showing

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

OVERLAND PARK — Catholics in the archdiocese have a special opportunity to view

Jim Wahlberg’s film “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” on July 9.

The 2 p.m. viewing at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park will include a talk from Wahlberg himself, who will speak about the film, his famous family, his faith journey and the impact Mother Teresa had on his life.

“Jim brings a story to us that is inspirational to all,” said Russ Engle. “He gives a witness testimony that provides positive influence in his life and how a modern-day saint can bring faith and hope beyond their local sphere of influence.” honored with a first place award for their piece “Let’s talk about suicide” in the Best Analysis/Background/Roundup News Writing for a Weekly category.

Engle is the leader of the Men Under Construction team, which is hosting the event as part of its quarterly offerings.

The piece delved into the tragedy of suicide and the impact it has on loved ones left behind. The Andersons interviewed families who have been impacted, as well as mental health professionals, deacons and priests.

They addressed questions like: “What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say on this topic?” and “How do we love our brothers and sisters who have lost family members to suicide?”

In the same category, freelancer Therese Horvat received a second place award for her piece “Are we failing our kids?” which addressed mental health issues facing children.

That piece also earned her an honorable mention in the Best Reporting on a Special Age Group for Children and Teens Younger than 18 category.

“I think at a newspaper like ours with a small staff, sometimes just covering the news in our local archdiocesan community is a tall order,” said managing editor Anita McSorley.

“But freelancers like Marc, Julie and

Therese enable us to turn the lens of the church on some broader and deeper issues,” she said, “and help us see how we as Catholics have a role to play in the broader challenges of our day.”

Todd Habiger was also pleased with Soldner and fellow freelance photographer Kathryn White.

White brought home a second place award in the Best Multiple Picture Package for Sports for her “Runnin’ Revs” work.

“Jay and Kathy are wonderful photographers,” said Habiger. “They both work hard at getting The Leaven interesting photos.

“I can always count on them to bring us back something that will enhance the story the reporters are telling.”

Rounding out the awards, freelancer Jill Ragar Esfeld won a third place in the Best Personality Profile category for her article “A lesson in loss,” and feature writer and social media editor Moira Cullings earned an honorable mention in the Best News Writing Series — International Event for a series of articles on the war in Ukraine.

“Men Under Construction brings men — in this case families — together to build and understand their faith to a greater depth,” said Engle.

“We present materials to help bring faith forward in their lives, to bring each person closer to God,” he added.

Engle said this quarterly event is unique due to the material that will be presented.

“This time,” he said, “we are focused on a recent saint who most of us remember and who was able to accomplish so much.

“Mother Teresa shows us that all are called to be saints. And she demonstrates that in her works.”

Wahlberg will also appear at a meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. at Curé of Ars Church in Leawood, although space for that part of the day is limited. Register for the event online at: menunderconstruction. org/muc-quarterly-event.