03 15 24 Vol. 45 No. 30

EARLY RISERS

Bible study offers women the chance to grow in their faith

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

LENEXA — On Thursday mornings, Elizabeth Slobodnik and her children make an hourlong journey from their home in Atchison to Holy Trinity Parish here.

“I’m not a morning person,” said Slobodnik, “and none of my kids are either. It’s a little sacrifice to get up at 6:30 so that we can be out the door.

“But we love it. We wouldn’t trade it.”

Their reward is a form of spiritual nourishment they haven’t found

anywhere else.

It’s the Holy Trinity women’s Bible study, and it’s one of a kind in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“I think the formation we all receive is invaluable,” said Jennell Aykroyd of Holy Trinity. “It really adds to our understanding of our Catholic traditions and brings deeper meaning to our faith, the Mass and our purpose as women.

“Including women and children from [around] the archdiocese makes a big world smaller. It makes our Catholic archdiocese closer.”

YOUNG ARTISTS

High school artists from across the archdiocese took part in the Archbishop’s Invitational. Learn about the winners.

>>> See story on page 4

Unceasing interest

Around 120 women are participating in this year’s Bible study, which meets weekly from September through May.

The study is accompanied by Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children of moms who participate — many of whom home school.

“We like to say that we’re a women’s Bible study first that just happens to have a really amazing children’s program,” said Jenny Kropf, a parishioner at Holy Trinity.

Kropf was on the ground floor of starting the program some 22 years ago with Laura Haeusser and Kathryn Burditt.

It was initially held in the basement of Church of the Holy Cross in Overland Park until Holy Trinity’s Quigley Center was built a handful of years later.

“Since then, it’s been growing,” said Kropf.

Each year, the study breaks up the women, who come from up to 20 parishes and are at all ages and stages of

A FISH STORY

Photographer Jay Soldner traveled to Wamego on March 8 to check out the St. Bernard Parish fish fry. Join him for all the action.

>>>

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Janice Beilman, left, and Edith Dichtl enjoy a quip of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the Holy Trinity women’s Bible study on Feb. 22. Women from all over the archdiocese come for the Thursday morning event that started around 22 years ago. The group includes women of all ages.

T‘Cabrini’ reminds us of all that religious women have done for society LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

his past Friday, I had the opportunity with a number of our archdiocesan staff to view the movie “Cabrini,” which chronicled the life of the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint. The movie focused on the period of her life when, overcoming enormous obstacles, she founded her first mission in New York City.

She was born prematurely on July 15, 1850, and given by her parents the name Maria Francesca. She battled serious health problems her entire life. In 1870, at the age of 20, she attempted to join the religious order, the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who staffed the school that she had attended as an adolescent. Her former teachers did not grant her admission to the order because they considered her physically too frail to be able to meet the demands of religious life.

As a young laywoman, she became headmistress of the House of Providence orphanage in Codogno, Italy. By the age of 27, she had drawn a small community of young women who shared her desire for religious life and the service of the poor. At the age of 30, with seven other women, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In religious life, she took the name Frances Xavier, choosing the great Jesuit missionary as her patron.

ARCHBISHOP

JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

The future saint wrote the constitution and rule of life for the new community. Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini became the superior for the fledgling religious institute and remained the superior general until her death in December 1917.

In September 1887, at the tender age of 37, Mother Cabrini sought Pope Leo XIII’s approval to establish missions in China. The Holy Father encouraged her to go to the United States to care for the material and spiritual needs of thousands of Italian immigrants. At the age of 38, Mother Cabrini and six other Sisters arrived in New York City to take on a seemingly impossible mission.

The film “Cabrini” is artistically beautiful. It also depicts accurately the great challenges the future saint faced in her efforts to serve the Italian immigrants. Archbishop Michael Corrigan did not give Mother Cabrini and her Sisters a warm

welcome.

I have some sympathy for the archbishop. He did not recognize that he was in the presence of a saint who possessed indomitable courage and relentless tenacity. The one weakness of the movie is that it perhaps does not adequately capture the source of her incredible strength, her deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Mother Cabrini had to contend with a political and cultural environment that did not warmly welcome the Italian immigrants. This woman of frail health had a will of steel that refused to buckle under the huge adversities to her mission.

Though unique in many ways, Mother Cabrini was emblematic of the religious Sisters that played an essential role in building the Catholic Church in the United States. Tens of thousands of religious Sisters, who for decades staffed most of the Catholic schools in the United States, donated their talents and literally their lives to make Catholic parochial schools educationally excellent as well as economically affordable for financially

struggling Catholic immigrant communities. These heroic Sisters were crucial in the spiritual formation of generations of Catholics in the United States.

Similarly, like Mother Cabrini and her Sisters, many other women religious established hospitals, orphanages and other charitable ministries throughout the United States. They brought the love and mercy of Jesus not only to Catholics, but to all those in need.

In a scene near the end of the movie, the New York mayor, considering it a compliment, admiringly proposed to Mother Cabrini that she would have made a great man. Mother Cabrini replies that no man could do what she and her Sisters were doing. I am not certain of the historicity of this scene, but regardless, it told an important truth. The Catholic Church in the United States as well as American society would be much poorer were it not for generations of saintly, consecrated religious Sisters.

I encourage you to see the movie “Cabrini.” You will be inspired by the depiction of the first U.S. citizen to be canonized a saint. Even more, I encourage you to express your support and encouragement to religious Sisters, who serve today with dedication and continue to bring the love of Jesus to all those in material and/ or spiritual need.

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR

March 16

Symposium on Transforming Culture — Benedictine College, Atchison

March 18

All-school Mass — Curé of Ars, Leawood

CEF board meeting — Savior Pastoral Center

March 19

Eucharistic adoration — Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison

Priests Personnel board meeting — chancery

Confirmation for Leavenworth parishes — Immaculate Conception, Leavenworth

March 20

Presbyteral Council meeting — chancery

Jesus Covenant prayer partner call

Late Night Live, St. Paul’s Outreach banquet — Johnson County Community College

March 21

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary board meeting — St. Louis

March 22

Kenrick-Glennon visit — St. Louis

March 23

Anointing Mass and reception — Curé of Ars, Leawood

The Acies ceremony for the Legion of Mary — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

We are blessed in the archdiocese with many amazing religious Sisters. We just need more of them. Pray for the religious Sisters, who are heralds of the risen Jesus and ministers of his love and compassion.

Ask the Lord to give these consecrated women glimpses of the great good Our Lord is accomplishing through their heroic lives.

Encourage young women in your

families and parishes to consider the possibility of a vocation to become a consecrated religious. Our church needs more religious Sisters.

Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini is an example of the great good Our Lord can accomplish through a woman who is willing to entrust her life to Jesus and selflessly serve his people. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us.

NEED HELP HEALING FROM A PAST ABORTION?

Bishop Ward kicks off $7.5 million campaign THEY’RE OFF AND RUNNING

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — While speaking at a capital campaign kickoff event at Bishop Ward High School here on March 7, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann spotted Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of neighboring Donnelly College, in the crowd.

“This is Vatican Hill here for Kansas City, Kansas,” exclaimed the archbishop, “with Donnelly at the top, Ward right in the heart and the Sisters, Servants of Mary holding it up.”

“This is a very, very special place,” he continued. “So much good has happened here.

“But greater good is going to happen in the days ahead.”

Since 1908, Bishop Ward — one part of the terrific trio on 18th Street — has provided a Catholic education for students in the urban core of Kansas City, Kansas.

It will continue to do so with a boost from the St. Joseph Campaign for Bishop Ward: Build. Repair. Sustain.

The campaign has a goal of $7.5 million that will go toward renovations, infrastructure repairs and the school’s endowment.

It’s been going on silently for around 18 months and was made public during the campaign kickoff event held at its new Cyclone Center.

Attendees included members of the school’s advancement team, campaign leadership team and trustees.

Two Bishop Ward seniors — Jessica Serrano and Noah Nevels — shared with those gathered how the school has impacted their lives.

“For starters, I’m going to graduate in May,” said Serrano, “and I feel ready because Bishop Ward has made me confident, resilient and has built me into a leader.

“It’s because of my teachers that I have no fears entering this next chapter in my life.”

Nevels transferred to Bishop Ward at the start of his junior year but has felt at home there since he was a child.

“I, just like anyone who has spent time with our thoughtful and dedicated community, hope to one day send my kids to Bishop Ward,” he said, “knowing that they will get just as much out of high school as I did.”

“We want to make sure that Noah’s kids get to go here,” added Jay Dunlap, president of Bishop Ward. “That’s what we’re working on.”

Bishop Ward is about halfway to meeting its goal, which was broken down into three phases.

The initial $3.5 million allowed the school to convert its library into the Cyclone Center — now a modern academic learning hub — as well as upgrade classrooms and improve infrastructure.

Bishop Ward is in the process of

renovating 17 classrooms on its second and third floors, adding features like central heating and cooling, LED lighting, fresh paint and dropped ceilings.

The $5.5 million goal will allow the school to renovate its chapel and Dorney Field at Stump-Werner Stadium.

The update to the chapel will include adding three archways with natural light coming in over the tabernacle; increased seating capacity; and cosmetic work.

The stadium, which is home to many of the school’s athletic programs and used by the wider community, will update its lighting and replace its grass

field with turf.

Finally, the third phase of the campaign will help the school grow its endowment, which is critical in providing tuition assistance to students.

“So many of you were able to attend this school thanks to the human endowment of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth,” Dunlap told attendees.

“They were here working essentially for free because of their answer to God’s call,” he continued, “and that made this school incredibly affordable for a working class neighborhood.

“This is still a working class neighborhood, and we still need this school

Donate to the St. Joseph campaign

Bishop Ward, located at 708 N. 18th St. in Kansas City, Kansas, is collecting donations for its capital campaign. Contributions can be made through:

• gifts made by cash, check or credit card

• gifts of securities

• donor-advised funds

• direct, qualified charitable distribution from a retirement account

• corporate matching gifts

To make a donation online, visit the website at: wardhigh.org/page/ campaign-donation.

to be incredibly affordable.”

That’s something near to Archbishop Naumann’s heart.

“My greatest desire is that our schools never become elite — only accessible to the wealthy — but that they’re accessible to all families that desire Catholic education,” he said.

Dunlap believes exciting things are ahead for Bishop Ward.

“But it’s going to take everybody,” he said. “It’s going to take the whole community.

“It’s going to take people understanding that this is an expression of our commitment to bringing the Lord’s Gospel to the urban core of Kansas City, Kansas.

“The question we leave you with is: Can you help us?”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Msgr. Stuart Swetland, third from left, prays during a blessing at Bishop Ward’s Cyclone Center. Msgr. Swetland is the president of Donnelly College, which neighbors Bishop Ward.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, with assistance from Father Anthony Saiki, rector of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, blesses the new Cyclone Center at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. The blessing was part of the school’s capital campaign kickoff event.

THE ART OF THE MATTER

Archbishop’s Invitational honors young student artists who give form to their faith

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — During his talk at the 10th Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibition, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann shared a bit of artistic wisdom passed to him.

“Whenever you look at an art piece you have to ask yourself, ‘What is the artist trying to communicate — what are they trying to show?’” said the archbishop.

The Catholic high school students at the exhibit awards ceremony and reception, held on March 1 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, had a lot to show about this year’s theme: “With the Heart of a Shepherd.”

The annual exhibition was co-sponsored by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, the Catholic Fine Arts Council, the archdiocesan Catholic school office and Savior Pastoral Center.

“The exhibition is held to give Catholic high school students the opportunity to express their faith through their art,” said Beth Lopez, operations coordinator for CFNEK.

There were 41 art pieces on display produced by 39 students — a couple of students had double entries — from five Catholic high schools: St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park; St. James Academy in Lenexa; Maur HillMount Academy in Atchison; Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park; and Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas.

Eight students won eight awards, although only six were on hand to receive them. The two students from St. James could not attend because of a scheduling conflict with a school event.

Each student winner received a certificate and monetary award ranging from $100 to $200. The judges were Julie Flanagan, Lesle Knop, Barb Mizik and Father Anthony Saiki.

All the art pieces are for sale, and one — “Heart of the Shepherd” — had already been sold the day of the reception and awards ceremony.

Archbishop’s Choice — the highest award — was won by Grace Kissell, a junior at St. James for her work, “Heart of the Shepherd.” The upper part features Jesus embracing an individual; the middle part, a crown of thorns; and the lower section, a realistic human heart.

Superintendent’s Choice — second place — was won by Sophia Werkowitch, a senior from St. Thomas Aquinas. She’s a return winner, having won two Juror’s Choice awards last year. Her art piece “In His Care” features a peacefully

THE EXHIBITION IS HELD TO GIVE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR FAITH THROUGH THEIR ART.

BETH LOPEZ OPERATIONS COORDINATOR FOR CFNEK

sleeping lamb surrounded by stylized thorns and wolves.

“I really wanted to emphasize the attack on Jesus’ heart, the lamb,” said Werkowitch. “The wolves are biting down and enshrouded in the thorns, but if you pay attention the wolves are not actually hurting the lamb, who is asleep. Through God’s grace, we are safe and content.”

Popular Choice was won by Kayzeen Bhamani, a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas. Her art piece, “The Harmony of God’s Creation,” shows Jesus opposite a sheep against a swirl of three colors.

“[I’m trying to communicate] the relationship between everyday people, animals and God, and how we are all connected in some way,” said Bhamani.

The students who won Judge’s Choice awards were Sophia Zacharias, “Perfectly Imperfect,” senior, St. James; Grace Stella, “God Is Among Us,” junior, Bishop Miege; Clare Trotter, “The Shepherd’s Invitation,” sophomore, Maur Hill-Mount; Nora Adams, “Gentle Soul,” junior, Maur Hill-Mount; and Lola Knauff, “God Our Shepherd,” junior, Bishop Miege.

The event began with a light breakfast and a viewing of the art in the gallery. It was followed by a welcome by archdiocesan associate superintendent of schools Allison Carney, an interactive art activity by Catholic Fine Arts Council member Julie Flanagan, and a blessing and comments by Archbishop Naumann followed by the awards presentation.

The art exhibition is open to viewing by the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 30. The art may be purchased by cash or check at the pastoral center office, located at 12601 Parallel Pkwy.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Nora Adams, a junior at Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison, receives a Judges Choice award from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann for her piece titled “Gentle Soul.”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Grace Stella, a junior at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, discusses her artwork, “God Is Among Us,” which won a Judge’s Choice award at the 10th Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibition.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY BETH BLANKENSHIP

Archbishop’s Choice — the highest award — was won by Grace Kissell, a junior at St. James Academy, for her work, “Heart of the Shepherd.” The upper part features Jesus embracing an individual; the middle part, a crown of thorns; and the lower section, a realistic human heart.

Missionaries needed for summer Totus Tuus program

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Keegan Colbern spent his entire summer last year having fun and living his faith large as a Totus Tuus missionary.

He can’t wait to do it all over again this coming summer, and he hopes other young men will join him.

Like the Marines, Totus Tuus needs “a few good men” to sign up as missionaries in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

Totus Tuus (Latin for “Totally Yours”) is a summer Catholic youth program that began in Wichita and spread across the United States. Four-member teams of missionaries lead the weeklong programs held at Catholic parishes.

What makes Totus Tuus work is not only its solid curriculum, but the enthusiasm of college-age missionaries, who are on fire with the Catholic faith and want to share it with children and youths in grades 1 to 12.

“I’m coming back as a missionary because it was one of my most fulfilling experiences ever getting to share the faith,” said Colbern, from Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka, and now a second-year seminary student at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

“In Totus Tuus, I got to share my faith, which brought not just the kids closer to Jesus, but also myself,” he said. “I’m coming back because the experience was so good that I want to do it again.”

Totus Tuus programs are held at parishes with daytime sessions for children in grades 1 through 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and evening sessions for youths in junior high and high school from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.

Both sessions include such things as games, songs, skits, teaching, Christian witness, eucharistic worship, Mass, the sacraments, vocational discernment and a lot more.

The missionaries serve from May 28 to Aug. 3, with a week off around the Fourth of July. During these weeks, they move from parish to parish, running the program according to the Totus Tuus curriculum. The missionaries receive room, board and a stipend.

“They must be age 18 by May,” said Pam Riordan, archdiocesan consultant for children’s catechesis. “They must be

IN TOTUS TUUS,

I GOT TO SHARE MY FAITH, WHICH BROUGHT NOT JUST THE KIDS CLOSER TO JESUS, BUT ALSO MYSELF.

KEEGAN COLBERN MEMBER OF MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA PARISH, TOPEKA

Virtus-trained, but we can train them. They must have graduated from high school, be available for the full schedule and have a working knowledge of the Catholic faith. We can train them in the curriculum.”

Missionary teams consist of two women and two men, who work according to the “buddy system.” Currently, enough women have signed up, but more men are needed.

Catholic App Series

“Laudate” is a simple app that comes with an array of offerings — from daily readings and saint of the day to Liturgy of the Hours and a daily prayer. With this app, an examination of conscience based on ages and stages of life is at users’ fingertips, along with the rosary, Divine Mercy chaplet, Stations of the Cross and more.

— By Moira Cullings

Not everyone can be a Totus Tuus missionary, said Colbern, but for those who can and want to make a difference, the experience is richly rewarding.

“It’s not for everyone,” he said. “But if you value the treasure you store in heaven, and you’re trying to go to heaven and bring others with you, Totus Tuus is one of the best avenues for doing that. It helps you grow as a person and become a better disciple of Jesus Christ, and you get to spread his love to children and help them on their path to heaven. If you’re a person who values heaven and wants to live that way, Totus Tuus is a great opportunity.”

To learn more or apply to become a Totus Tuus missionary, go to the archdiocesan website at: archkck.org. On the homepage, click on the menu in the upper-right corner and under “Kids/ Teens,” click on “Totus Tuus.” On that page, scroll to “For Missionaries,” click on “Become a Missionary,” and then scroll to “Click Here To Apply.”

For additional questions, send an email to: Totustuus@archkck.org.

“We are a locally owned family funeral home. We are not restricted by out of town corporate policies. Our commitment is to the families we serve.”

Laudate

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Anton Johnson, Totus Tuus missionary group leader, gets an enthusiastic reaction from the boys and girls at Annunciation Parish in Frankfort in this 2022 file photo.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Jessica Sadusky from Elko New Market, Minnesota, has some fun in the Totus Tuus setting. Missionaries come from colleges and seminaries across the country and must complete a weeklong training session in the Wichita Diocese.

Gregg Amos

Rather than asking for signs, we need to be one

As a small child, I was a bit of a religious nerd.

I’m not sure why, but I was the oldest child, the only daughter, and our little Catholic mission parish in farm country was central to our lives.

From a young age, faith intrigued me.

Case in point: I remember taking a toy — probably not a treasured stuffed animal, more likely something of my brother’s — and placing it behind a chair. Then, I would talk to God. If you make this item disappear, I would tell the Almighty, then I will definitely believe in you.

Needless to say, the toy was always safely sitting behind the chair when I looked.

I remained a tiny believer, albeit a disappointed one.

I chuckle when I recall this memory, and if this mystery we call God has a sense of humor, then the angels were chuckling, too.

I was asking for a sign. And lately, we’ve been reading about Jesus’ warnings about asking for signs.

In Luke 11:29-32, he is quite adamant: “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

Jonah became a sign to the city of Nineveh; Jesus is telling the crowds that he, Jesus, is the sign, the only sign we need. And he, Jesus, is greater than Jonah, whose fabulous tale involves being swallowed by a large fish, and greater even than Solomon.

Although probably not a historical

character, Jonah’s story carries lessons. God asked Jonah to perform a mission — go to the pagans in the vast city of Nineveh and proclaim the true God.

Understandably, Jonah’s terrified. Instead of heading for Nineveh, he boards a ship going the other direction. When the sailors on board decide that Jonah’s rebellion against God is the cause of a devastating storm, they

pitch him overboard. Hence, the fish, who eventually decides he doesn’t want Jonah either, coughs him up on the shore.

Jonah gets the point. He heads to Nineveh and proclaims the Lord. He becomes a sign of God.

A good deacon friend said this years ago: “You may be the only Gospel someone reads today.”

We’re called to be signs, too.

But this sign business

still challenges me. The Gospels are full of the marvelous deeds of Jesus. The blind see, evil spirits are expelled, the multitudes are fed, the lepers cured. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after days in the tomb. Hopefully Jesus’ message of love, mercy and inclusion was attracting crowds to him. But let’s be honest — many of those crowds were attracted by the amazing stories

they had heard of healing. They saw and hoped for signs and wonders.

Jesus’ incredible love and mercy propelled him toward helping those in need. Often, he would instruct the healed to tell no one. But people inevitably blabbed.

But these works also drew the crowds to hear his message. How many who listened to the Sermon on the Mount had come for miracles but stayed to hear the real message of how we are called to be the miracle, to be the sign.

It takes spiritual maturity to become the sign rather than, like a hopeful child, demanding one. We’re in the midst of 40 days to ponder that.

Forty — a sacred number. The rain fell for 40 days on Noah, the Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus was credited with 40 days in the desert.

During our 40 days, may we seek to see how God sends us out, like Jonah, to be a sign of Christ’s limitless mercy.

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EFFIE CALDAROLA

Effie Caldarola is a wife, mom and grandmother who received her master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University.

Jonah, the Old Testament prophet who at first refused God’s instruction, is seen inside a large fish in this bronze sculpture in Akko, Israel.

Participants pitch in to make it happen

>> Continued from page 1

life, into small groups.

“This year, I have an 80-plus-yearold woman in my group,” said Traci Bazzelle of Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe. “And she is just a riot. I just adore her.

“The young teach the old, and the old teach the young. We all have something to offer.”

While they’re studying Scripture, the youth attend Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a hands-on, Montessori-style program.

The Quigley Center is able to host catechesis for toddlers, levels one (3-6 years old), two (6-9 years old) and three (9-12 years old), and even a teen Bible study group — all at the same time.

The ability to do so is rare due to the atriums — prepared spaces with materials designed to help the children grow in faith — the program requires.

Because of that, Kropf believes it’s “a model program for how to catechize moms and all their children at the same time.”

Lifelong learners

One of the Bible study’s speakers each year is Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

“Thank you for giving this time to the Lord and for growing in your own knowledge of our Catholic faith and love for the Scriptures,” he told participants on Feb. 22.

Usually, the women study a book of the Bible, alternating between the Old and New Testaments. This year, they’re studying Exodus, as well as Mary.

To make it possible, participants, especially those who bring their children, are asked to volunteer — as catechists, setup helpers or in other capacities.

Aykroyd, who leads a cleanup crew of more than 35 women, said

Barbara (Diebold) and Ed Maloney, members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 16 with an open house for family and friends. The couple was married on March 16, 1974, at Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa. Their children are: Kelly Douglass and Jeff Maloney. They also have four grandchildren.

ANNIVERSARY SUBMISSIONS

POLICY: The Leaven prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. They are for parishioners in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

DEADLINE: 10 days before the desired publication date.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• The couple’s names

• Their parish

• the date they were married

• church and city where they were married

• what they are doing to celebrate

• date of the celebration

• names of children (no spouses)

• number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren;

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Emailed photos need to be 200 dpi or 200 KB in size.

WHERE TO SUBMIT:

Email: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

Enderle-Bogenrife Scholarship available

I THINK THE FORMATION WE ALL RECEIVE IS INVALUABLE. IT REALLY ADDS TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CATHOLIC TRADITIONS AND BRINGS DEEPER MEANING TO OUR FAITH, THE MASS AND OUR PURPOSE AS WOMEN.

JENNELL AYKROYD MEMBER OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH, LENEXA

seeing everyone pitch in is a delight.

“It’s beautiful to watch the joy [that comes] from everyone working together and the young people wanting to be a part of it,” she said.

Bazzelle serves as a Mass coordinator, taking around 25 children to the parish’s daily Mass while their moms participate in the early Bible

study session.

“These kids are great,” she said. “They are kind, they’re respectful, they know how to be reverent in Mass and they are just a joy to take.”

The children then continue their morning in catechesis.

“It just speaks to the hearts of the kids,” said Bazzelle, “and helps them grow in their faith and how they can actually speak to the Lord and learn to be quiet and listen to his voice.

“You just can’t get that anywhere else.”

For women like Slobodnik, the entire experience is well worth the trip.

“It feels like a luxury that we have all of this space that we can use to grow in our faith all morning on a Thursday,” she said. “I am just so blessed to have found it.”

Registration for the Holy Trinity women’s Bible study begins each June and fills up quickly. For more information, go online to: womens biblestudykc.com.

Parishes or individuals interested in learning more can reach out to Jenny Kropf by email at: jennifer. kropf@gmail.com.

Mary Rose Enderle and Richard Bogenrife have established a scholarship endowment for Catholic students living in Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties that plan on attending a trade or vocational school.

Most trade and vocational programs are available through community and technical colleges. The scholarship award is for tuition up to $5,000.

To request a scholarship application, send an email to Dave Hernandez at: landofoz1239@sunflower.com or call (913) 369-2718. The scholarship application deadline is May 1.

Pickleball tournament set for April 6

The Catholic Education Foundation’s young professional group is hosting its annual pickleball tournament on April 6 at the Chicken N Pickle, 5901 W. 135th St., Overland Park. Proceeds from the tournament provide emergency scholarship funding for families in need at CEF Catholic schools throughout northeast Kansas. The cost is $150 per team. The special educator rate is $100 per team.

Participants must be 18 or older. No prior pickleball experience is required. For more information, go online to: www.cefks.org/pickleball.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Bridget Moyer, a level one catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, guides her daughter Molly, 3, during catechesis at Holy Trinity Parish’s Quigley Center in Lenexa. The program is offered to children while their moms participate in a Bible study.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

While their moms are learning about Scripture in one part of the building, the children attend Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in another.

SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON

Archdiocesan photographer Jay Soldner checked in on the fish fry at St. Bernard Parish in Wamego on March 8. The kids from the parish’s religious education program ran the show that evening, with DRE Amy Schwein planning the menu. About 140 people from throughout the community showed up for the Lenten meal. Lenten dinners are popular events in many parishes in the archdiocese.

LET US PRAY

A NIGHT OUT

HUNGRY MAN

Hesston Teske, 4, enjoys a big helping of macaroni and cheese. The kid-friendly dish offers a nice alternative to the standard fish option.

READY TO SERVE

The kids from St. Bernard’s religious education program —

Amy Schwein, St. Bernard’s director of religious education, leads the group in prayer before the guests arrive.

The St. Bernard fish fry draws a great crowd each Friday among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. These two women attended Friday’s festivities and enjoyed a nice evening together.

HOT STUFF

Kelly Zachgo fills the containers with hot items fresh from the fryer.

SWEET THINGS

Bethany McCarter works on getting the desserts separated and presentable for the hungry guests.

— (from left) Bethany McCarter, Joe Ney, Adelynn Couchman, Austin Couchman, Claire Zachgo and Amelia Hupe — get ready to serve more than a hundred people that flocked to the parish fish fry on March 8.

‘Invite One Back’ initiative helps parishes reach lapsed Catholics

By Lauretta Brown OSV News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — What would happen if clergy and parish leaders personally reached out to Catholics who have stopped attending Mass to invite them to come back, telling them they are missed and wanted in the parish community? This is the question and challenge the U.S. bishops are posing as their National Eucharistic Revival initiative focuses on parish efforts this year.

The bishops launched resources in early March as part of the “Invite One Back” initiative, equipping clergy and parish leaders to invite those who have stopped attending Sunday Mass to fill the pews once again.

Many people simply didn’t return to the pews after the COVID-19 pandemic restricted in-person Mass attendance in 2020. One 2022 study from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate showed a 7% decline in adult Catholics attending Sunday Mass compared with preCOVID data.

The revival website notes that in 2020 a “significant portion of Catholics lost connection with their local parish during the shutdowns, and just never came back. It’s time to bring them home.” The website also points to Pew data from 2014, which found that 13% of all U.S. adults are former Catholics.

“The goal of this initiative is to fill

power of invitation, saying that for those who have left parishes, “an invitation reminds them that they belong within our community and that their presence is missing.”

The website encourages clergy and parish leadership to “make a list of parishioners you haven’t seen in a while or people who used to be members of your parish” to immediately begin praying for them and start discerning “how you can best reach each member of that group, and make a plan to contact each one of them in whatever way would be most meaningful.”

When it comes to tools for reaching those who’ve stopped attending Mass, resources include letter and postcard templates as well as scripts for starting phone calls with former parishioners. Creativity and personalization are encouraged in these conversations with the goal of listening to the individual and meeting them where they are.

the pews again,” the website says. “To do that, we all need to invite back everyone who has left in a way that makes sure they feel seen and desired as an individual member of your parish family. Whom are you called to invite home?”

In his introductory letter to parish leaders, Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, wrote, “Our efforts in evangelization and inviting Catholics back to Mass are not just about increasing numbers or filling pews. Rather, our efforts are about guiding people to intimate encounters

with Jesus Christ and leading souls to salvation, allowing them to experience God’s love, mercy, and goodness.”

“It is important to invite these people back because it is a great act of love! It is also one of the simplest and most effective ways to evangelize,” he emphasized. “Love desires to be shared once it is received. The source and summit of the Christian life is participation in the eucharistic sacrifice, where we encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament.”

The initiative stresses the unique

CEO of Feeding America honored with Laetare Medal

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (OSV News) — Claire BabineauxFontenot, CEO of Feeding America, has been named the recipient of the University of Notre Dame’s 2024 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics.

It will be presented at the university’s 179th commencement ceremony May 19 at Notre Dame Stadium.

The honor was announced March 10, Laetare Sunday, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The Laetare (pronounced lay-TAH-ray) Medal has been given to Catholic leaders since 1883.

“Claire Babineaux-Fontenot has devoted herself to answering Christ’s call to feed the hungry and care for those who are most vulnerable, and in doing so has created a network that sustains millions of Americans every day,” Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, said in a statement.

Feeding America, a national network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 charitable and faith-based partners, works to rescue, store and distribute food to more than 49 million people facing hunger each year. It also conducts research on food insecurity and potential solutions.

“Under her visionary leadership, Feeding America has become a beacon of hope not only to the individuals and families it serves, but for all who share her vision of eliminating food insecurity in this country,” Father Jenkins said.

Babineaux-Fontenot joined Feeding America in 2015. At the time she was executive vice president of finance and global treasurer at Walmart and a member of its leadership team for 13 years. But she felt called by God to a higher purpose. “I knew that there was someplace I was being guided to, and I knew it was going to require faith and confidence in Him,” she said in a statement.

Feeding America’s CEO since 2018, Babineaux-Fontenot has led the organization through several challenges, “including navigating a global pandemic and the ensuing increase in food insecurity,” said a Notre Dame

news release.

In 2022, Feeding America became the nation’s largest charitable organization, according to Forbes, and the network distributed 5.3 billion meals in 2023.

“Over 10 million children are food insecure here, in the richest country in the history of civilization,” she said. “That means we need to continue to get the word out. We should help people to understand that the game isn’t over. Notre Dame knows a thing or two about football, right? You don’t leave the field before the game is over. The game’s not over with hunger.”

Prayer also is a central part of the campaign, as the initiative calls for parishes to put a prayer for the campaign in the bulletin as well as for parish groups to dedicate rosaries and Holy Hours for the effort.

“Let us pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and fortitude to carry out this sacred mission,” urged Bishop Cozzens, chairman of the board of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc. “Let us embrace each soul with open arms, rejoicing as they return to the embrace of the Church and our parish communities through the gift of the Eucharist.”

78-year-old server passes on love of the Eucharist to the younger generation

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ind. (OSV News) — Carl Bohman trains young people in his rural southeastern Indiana parish how to assist at Mass as altar servers, much like adult volunteers do in parishes across the Indianapolis Archdiocese.

But Bohman doesn’t just instruct them. He serves at Mass alongside them — and in the process shows them his deep love for the Eucharist, hopefully planting seeds of faith-filled devotion in them at the same time.

Bohman, 78, started serving when he was 8 and growing up in the early 1950s as a member of the former St. John the Evangelist Parish in Enochsburg, now a campus of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Decatur County. Married for 56 years to his equally devoted Catholic wife, Lois, and the father of five, grandfather of 17 and a new great-grandfather, Bohman knows he’s in the home stretch of life and wants to help put the church on firm footing for the future.

“I tell these kids that I’m the past,” he said about the altar servers he trains. “Their parents are the present. They’re the future — of the church, of the community, of the country.” To help them grow in their love of the faith, Bohman leans on positive reinforcement. “I compliment them every time they serve. That’s what a teacher does. I’m trying to be a teacher here so they carry on [after me].”

OSV NEWS/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

A woman prays during Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City Jan. 1, 2023. The U.S. bishops’ National Eucharistic Revival initiative launched an effort called “Invite One Back” providing parishes with letter and postcard templates and other resources to help them invite lapsed Catholics to come back to church.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/BARBARA JOHNSTON, UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, seen in an undated photo, is the recipient of the University of Notre Dame’s 2024 Laetare Medal, the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics. The university announced the honor March 10 and it will be presented at the university’s 179th commencement ceremony May 19.

Church leaders decry kidnapping of pupils in Nigeria

By Tonny Onyuolo OSV News

KURIGA, Nigeria (OSV News)

— Recent kidnappings of hundreds of people in Nigeria, including almost 300 schoolchildren March 7 in Kuriga in the central part of the country, have left church leaders and parents, including Catholics, speechless in the face of another wave of senseless violence.

As kidnappings become a horrific new normal in Nigeria, church leaders have strongly urged the government to act.

In broad daylight gunmen raided a government primary school and kidnapped at least 287 pupils in the biggest mass abduction from a school in a decade. The incident is the second mass kidnapping in the West African nation of more than 200 million in less than a week.

“This is heartbreaking to all of us, and it’s now time for the authorities to act fast to stop the killings and abductions,” lamented Emmanuel Ayeni Nwogu, catechist from the Archdiocese of Kaduna, where the March 7 abduction happened. “We continue to pray for the children who have been kidnapped, and we hope they are still alive and under the mighty hand of God.”

The abduction of the children, led to a nearby forest at gunpoint, happened 10 years after the Boko Haram terrorist group abduction of 276 schoolgirls from their dormitory in the town of Chibok caused international outrage. In grim statistics of that tragic incident, 98 of the victims are still missing, according to Amnesty International.

More than 3,600 people were reported abducted in Nigeria in 2023 — the highest number in five years, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project — a number that includes several priests, whose kidnappings became a plague of the church in Nigeria.

Nwogu told OSV News that the

gunmen have ensured that hundreds of churches remain closed in northern Nigeria and other parts of the country, and they are now raiding schools, abducting children and teachers, and conspiring to introduce a restrictive Islamic Sharia law in the region. The primary target of the militants are Christians, although the terror groups target government schools as well as they lack fighters and abduct boys for military purposes.

Africa’s most populous nation has faced an array of security challenges since 2009, when Boko Haram launched

its Islamic uprising to overthrow Nigeria’s secular government and create an Islamic state.

The situation worsened in 2011 when the Fulani herders, turned militants, joined Boko Haram to escalate the attacks in northern and central Nigeria, targeting Christians.

The Intersociety advocacy group in Nigeria has said over 100,000 unarmed and defenseless citizens have died directly or indirectly outside the law in the hands of security forces in the past eight years, between August 2014 and December 2023.

Bishop Anagbe urged the authorities to protect the Christian population, churches and schools. While praying for the students who were abducted and those who have been kidnapped before, Bishop Anagbe said his diocese has experienced numerous attacks from Fulani militants.

“We are worried that despite such killings and kidnappings, the government has never arrested anyone,” he told OSV News. “As a church, we now demand that the government act quickly to stop these vices that continue to dishearten people.”

Polish diocesan phase closes in cause of Catholic midwife

By Filip Mazurczak OSV News

KRAKÓW, Poland (OSV News) — Stanislawa Leszczynska, a Polish midwife imprisoned at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Nazi Germany-occupied Poland, delivered 3,000 babies of different nationalities and treated them and their mothers with heroic humanity.

As Poland commemorated the 50th anniversary of her death March 11, the diocesan phase of her sainthood cause came to a close.

In 1916 Stanislawa married Bronislaw Leszczynski, who was a printer. Their first son, named Bronislaw after his father, was born prematurely in 1917. His miraculous survival made the young mother wonder whether she might be able to serve women and babies in similar circumstances.

She already had two children when she began midwifery school. “This academic endeavor required her to leave her children behind for two years while she attended school in Warsaw — a rather shocking choice in Poland in 1920. After graduating with honors, Stanislawa knelt in a church

and consecrated her work as a midwife to the Blessed Mother, vowing that if ever she lost a baby she would give up midwifery,” Church Life Journal wrote in 2023.

On Sept. 1, 1939, the bloodiest war in human history began as Germany invaded Poland from the West; the Soviet Union did the same from the East 16 days later.

The war was a major blow to Leszczynska’s family. The Leszczynskis were expelled from their home, which became part of the ghetto.

After helping Jews escape from the ghetto and giving them food, Leszczynska

and her daughter, Sylwia, were arrested and interrogated by the Gestapo and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In this inferno, Leszczynska succeeded in not only maintaining her decency but brought hope to many inmates. As an experienced midwife, Leszczynska persuaded camp authorities in letting her deliver babies in Auschwitz-Birkenau’s infirmary. According to her own count, Leszczynska delivered 3,000 babies.

“Although some have been skeptical about this number, it was based on her calculations,” Maria Stachurska, Leszczynska’s grand-niece and a filmmaker who has directed a documentary and is now co-writing the script for a drama film about her relative, told OSV News.

“Every day, she had to give a report on the number of births she delivered to her superiors, so it was easy to extrapolate the total,” Stachurska said.

Among all the babies Leszczynska delivered, not one child died during birth and not a single mother died of a postpartum infection. Her German superiors were shocked.

“One day the Lagerarzt (camp doctor) told me to present a report on the postpartum infections and

mortality rate for the mothers and newborns,” Leszczynska wrote in her 1957 account. “I told him that I had not had a single death of a mother or newborn. He looked at me in disbelief and said that even the best German university hospitals could not boast of such a success rate. In his eyes I could see anger and hatred.”

Leszczynska comforted the mothers and newborns, singing and praying with them. Although they were of a different faith, Jewish mothers did not mind praying with Leszczynska.

Until 1943, all children born in Auschwitz-Birkenau were immediately killed by drowning in a barrel. From 1943, only Jewish children were murdered; meanwhile, other newborns were subjected to medical experiments or, if they had Nordic features, like blond hair and blue eyes, they would be stolen from their mothers and sent to German families. While she was instructed to kill Jewish babies, Leszczynska refused. Remarkably, she was never disciplined for not following this order.

“No, never, children cannot be killed,” she reportedly told the notorious Josef Mengele, the camp’s cruel medic, who was her immediate superior.

OSV NEWS

PHOTO/COURTESY MARIA STACHURSKA

Stanislawa Leszczynska, a Polish Catholic midwife imprisoned at Auschwitz-Birkenau who delivered 3,000 babies of different nationalities, is seen in an undated photo.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/REUTERS

A boy holds a sign in Kaduna, Nigeria, March 8 protesting current conditions in the country. Recent kidnappings of hundreds of people, including almost 300 schoolchildren March 7 in Kuriga in the central part of Nigeria, have left church leaders and parents, including Catholics, speechless as kidnappings become a horrific new normal.

EMPLOYMENT

Coordinator for foster and pro-life ministry - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking to hire a coordinator for foster and pro-life ministries. This position will be responsible for offering guidance to parishes to establish and grow parish-based foster care and adoption support ministries. For more information and to apply, go online to: archkck.org, scroll down to “Employment Opportunities” in the archdiocese, then scroll down and click on “Coordinator, Foster and Pro-Life Ministry.”

Director of advancement - City on a Hill, Kansas City’s Catholic young adult community, is seeking a director of advancement to continue to develop a community of supporters, with specific focus on long-term sustainability and growth as City on a Hill expands to new cities. This role will focus on creating development strategies, engaging donors, working with grants and sponsorships, and creating communication strategies. To view the full job description and qualifications, go to: www.kansascityonahill.org/careers to apply. Email your resume and three references (two professional and one personal) to: catherine@kansascityonahill. org.

JV cheer coach - Bishop Miege High School is seeking a JV cheer coach for the 2024-25 school year. Ideal candidate will have experience as a cheer coach at the high school, college or competitive level and possess thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, strategies and techniques. Contact Joe Schramp, athletic director, at: jschramp@bishopmiege.com or call (913) 222-5802.

Preschool aide - St. Michael the Archangel Preschool is seeking an aide for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants are responsible for assisting the lead teacher with daily activities, implementing rules and regulations of licensure, and maintaining principles of sound Catholic education. This position is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Please submit resume and cover letter to preschool director at: jennie.wente@stmichaelcp.org.

Middle school science teacher - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a middle school science teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.

Middle school math teacher - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking a middle school math teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and click on “Apply” then click on “Teachers.” Also, email principal Luke Jennison at: luke. jennison@kcnativity.org.

Communication coordinator – St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a full-time communications coordinator. The communications coordinator will coordinate and support the St. Joseph Campus with communication projects. This position will work closely with the school principal, EEC director and parish office to develop and implement communications strategies, media relations, social and digital media, article writing, video production, advertising/ marketing initiatives and other communication support as needed. A successful candidate should be Catholic, with strong relationship skills and the ability to work in a collaborative setting. The overall goal for this position is to promote St. Joseph Catholic Campus as the go-to source for relevant, reliable, evidenced-based information. Interested applicants should email resumes and cover letter to Father Scott Wallisch: frscott@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 6315983 for more information.

Spanish and journalism teachers - Bishop Miege High School has openings for a guidance counselor and Spanish and journalism teachers for the 2024-25 school year. Send letter of interest and resume to Maureen Engen at: mengen@bishopmiege.com.

Marketing director - Exchange Bank & Trust is a $500M family-owned community bank located in N.E. Kansas and N.W. Missouri. Exchange Bank & Trust has an excellent career opportunity for the right candidate. Primary duties include: develop and implement strategic marketing plans to achieve company objectives; oversee and manage all marketing campaigns, including digital, print and social media; strong background in marketing automation, performance marketing, data mining and digital advertising; proficient in using Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Photopia Creator; strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations; proven experience as a director of marketing or similar role. If you are a creative thinker with a passion for marketing and a proven record of driving results, Exchange Bank & Trust wants to hear from you. Join our team as the director of marketing and help us take our brand to new heights. Job is a full-time position located in Atchison. Apply today! Please send resume to: bhawk@ebt.bank.

Teacher - St. Joseph Early Education Center in Shawnee is seeking a full-time teacher. Interested individuals should email cover letter and resume to Kristan Mora at: KMora@stjoeshawnee.org. For more information, call (913) 631-0004.

Nonmedical caregivers - Saint Rita Home Care is hiring nonmedical caregivers for seniors. Seeking compassionate individuals to fill all shifts. We serve people in Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin and Leavenworth counties. Kansas state licensed, nonmedical home care agency. Call or text Renee Margush at (913) 229-4267, or: rmargush@saintritahc. com. Member of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe.

Catholic elementary school principal - Corpus Christi School in Lawrence is seeking a Catholic school leader to join its thriving Lawrence community. The principal will lead a team of faculty and staff in the mission of forming scholarly disciples. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact Father Jerry Volz at: frjerry@cccparish.org.

Catholic school elementary principal - Prince of Peace School in Olathe is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for Catholic education. The principal will continue the school’s tradition of forming disciples, pursing academic excellence and spiritual growth. The principal will lead by example and inspire a team of dedicated faculty and staff. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact John Meyers at: jmeyers@popolathe.org.

Now hiring - drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees are encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need! Call (913) 262-5190 or visit www.assistedtransportation. com for more information. EEO.

Catholic school elementary principal for Resurrection School - Are you a passionate and visionary leader looking to make a difference in the lives of young learners? Do you thrive in diverse, culturally rich environments? Resurrection Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking a joyfully Catholic school leader with demonstrated skill in the academic and spiritual formation of students. With a board of trustees, the principal will lead a team to advance the school’s academic licensure in educational leadership. Ideal candidates will be fluent in English and Spanish, but Spanish-speaking not required. Apply online at: archkckcs.org/apply and scroll down and click on “Principals.” For more information, contact Dr. Vince Cascone, superintendent, at: vcascone@ archkckcs.org.

Advancement officer - St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence is seeking to hire a full-time advancement officer to join the advancement department under the supervision of the advancement director. Responsibilities include coordinating with the board of directors and planning quarterly meetings; building relationships with current donors as well as soliciting new donations; working on capital drives; jump-starting and running KU Catholic Chapters in key geographic areas; and collaborating with staff and students. For more information, go online to: kucatholic.org/meet-the-staff and click on “Join Our Team.”

Youth minister - St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood is seeking a youth minister who will lead teens closer to Christ in partnership with another youth minister. He or she must be dedicated to forming missionary disciples and creating, fostering and guiding a community to reach teens from seventh grade through high school. The successful candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills and a desire to facilitate an encounter with Jesus Christ. This is a year-round, full-time position eligible for full benefits. Further details available at: stmichaelcp.org/employment. Send cover letter and resume to: denise.green@stmichaelcp.org.

Early childhood educators - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving, Christian environment. Our classrooms are full and we are looking to add to our amazing team. We are looking for both full-time and part-time teachers for all ages of children. If you have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education, we would love to meet you. For more information or to apply, call Anne at (913) 894-0131, ext. 102.

Community and family ministry leader - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a part-time community and family ministry (CFM) leader. This leader would be responsible for nurturing and guiding a ministry and evangelism strategy that provides vision, skills and community for single, engaged and married people. The leader will lead a ministry task force responsible for executing this initiative to invite and move church and community through outreach and ongoing engagements into Growth Journeys where relationship skills content is delivered/transformed. The leader will also serve as St. Joseph’s chief liaison with our Communio church strategist. Interested applicants should email resumes to Veronica Quinn at: vquinn@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 244-3909.

Maintenance technician - Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood is looking for a full-time, 40 hours per week, maintenance technician with a strong work ethic. We prefer a candidate with knowledge in landscape maintenance. This individual will also have general maintenance skills, including basic electrical and plumbing. This position also includes setting up for events. A maintenance technician is a thorough professional with attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and responsibly. The candidate needs to be able to lift 50 pounds and work off a ladder or lift. All employees are required to be Virtus-trained and background-checked. This position may include some weekend and evenings as needed. Competitive pay, including benefits, vacation/sick time and 401(k) with match. Interested candidates should send a resume to the facilities director at: matt.rocca@cureofars.com.

Catholic high school principal - Bishop Ward High School is seeking a school leader with a passion for Catholic education and serving students in the urban core of Kansas City, Kansas. The school serves a diverse student population. Proficiency in Spanish is preferred. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated skill in the following: academic and spiritual formation of students; recruitment and development of joyfully Catholic teachers and staff; and cultivation of relationships with current and prospective families. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs.org/apply. For more information, please contact Jay Dunlap, president, at: jdunlap@wardhigh.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Director of development and stewardship - The director of development and stewardship of St. John the Evangelist in Lawrence works closely with the pastor and school principal to ensure the long-term stability of the parish — which includes the church and school — by building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including parishioners, parents alumni, volunteers and community members. The director of development and stewardship will implement and oversee all development and stewardship activities necessary to grow and expand the base of financial support for the parish from a broad range of sources. To apply, send cover letter and resume to Father John Cousins at: frjohn@sjevangelist.com; or mail to Father John Cousins, 1229 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044. To view the complete job description, visit our website at: sjevangelist.com/jobs.

Full-time maintenance/custodian - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is looking for full-time maintenance/ custodial staff. Qualified applicants will primarily work in a school and early education environment. Applicants must have similar work history, references and dependable transportation. Must be Virtustrained or attend Virtus training and participate in a background check. Interested applicants should email resumes to: mthomas@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 631-0004.

Caregivers needed - Daughter & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. 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.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, has the following staff job openings available: administrative coordinator for the nursing department, academic adviser, director of development, part-time front desk receptionist and admissions counselor. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Help needed - Parishioner of St. Michael Parish is in need of support in her home. 95-year-old female, lives very close to St. Michael Church. Part-time weekend help. $15/hr. Mostly visiting and assisting if needing help with walker. Please call Jenny at (816) 616-7398.

Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, is a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served. Faculty job openings - no current openings. Adjunct faculty job openings - adjunct instructor for Nursing. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

FOR SALE

Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC).

SERVICES

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

Tutor - Tutoring and music lessons available (piano, guitar, music theory and voice). For more information, please call/text Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or email: Klmamuric@ yahoo.com. Instructor has 18 years’ experience.

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.

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.

Double A’s Lawn ServiceLawn mowing, mulching, gutters, leaf removal, brush removal & hedge trimming.

Free estimates & six years experience.

Alex Apoerre (913) 5195

Catholic counseling - Sam Meier, MA, LCPC - (913) 952-267 and David Walter, MA, LCPC - (402) 9130463 - book an appointment online at: StillWatersKC. com in person or telehealth.

MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 9274347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footing, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371, or email: dandeeconst@aol.com.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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Tradesman - I do bathrooms, kitchens, basements, tile and all kinds of flooring, as well as painting, staining, sheetrock, knockdown ceilings, decks, fences and wood rot. We now offer financing! My family and I always appreciate the support. Please call or email Joshua to set up a free estimate at (913) 709-7230 or josh.fser@gmail.com.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 5791835. Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA

*COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

*LAWN RENOVATION *MOWING

*CLEANUP AND HAULING

*DIRT GRADING/INSTALLATION

*LANDSCAPE DESIGN* FREE ESTIMATES

HABLAMOS Y ESCRIBIMOS INGLES!! CALL LUPE AT (816) 252-1391

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

Haus to home remodeling - Let’s give that room a nice face-lift! Specializing in affordable room remodeling. From small projects to bathrooms and basements. We have lots of other services, too: tile, paint, carpentry, wood rot, decks, drywall, etc. Free estimates. For photos of our projects and to find out more about our company, visit us at: Haustohomekc. com or call Cole at (913) 544-7352.

WANTED TO BUY

Cash paid - for old tools, old jewelry, old furniture, military items, fishing lures, hunting items, old crocks, arrowheads and old signs. I buy all kinds of older things — house or barn contents, an estate or just one item. Call Patricia any time at (913) 515-2950. Parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

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.

>> Classifieds continue on page 13

MARCH 15, 2024 | THELEAVEN.ORG

26TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

St. Patrick Parish

33721 N.W. Crawford Rd., Williamsburg

March 17 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Enjoy traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, pies and more. Music by The Lintners. The suggested donation is $15. Raffle prizes include a queensize quilt, stained glass and much more. Tickets are available at three for $5, or $2 each. The church is located 6.5 miles south of Williamsburg on Colorado Rd., or 8 miles east of Waverly on Hwy 31. Follow the signs!

ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKE

BREAKFAST

St. Patrick Parish

1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas March 17 from 8 - 11 a.m.

There will be pancakes, sausage patty, scrambled eggs, and biscuits and gravy along with juice and coffee. The cost is a freewill offering. Breakfast is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Bicentennial Council.

MATER DEI TOPEKA IRISHFEST

Evergy Plaza

630 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka

March 16 beginning at 10 a.m.

Enjoy Irish food, a beer garden, whiskey tasting and live music as well as the annual IrishFest 5K. For more information, go online to: topekairishfest.com.

ROSARY RALLY

Church of the Holy Cross

8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park

March 17 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

Please join us to honor Our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA

LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE

Mater Dei-Holy Name Parish

910 Clay, Topeka

March 17 at 8 a.m.

The day will begin with Mass and corporate Communion. After Mass there will be a Knights of Columbus breakfast in the parish hall. If anyone knows of a member or family member of Daughters of Isabella in need of the circle’s prayers, call Shirley Gustafson at (785) 554-3028 or chancellor Gen Orozco at (785) 230-2473.

WIDOWED WOMEN OF FAITH

Perkins Restaurant

1720 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka

March 19 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join other “Widowed Women of Faith” for lunch and companionship. No RSVP is needed, just come and feel free to invite other widowed women of faith. We meet every month on the third Tuesday. For questions, send an email to: Widowed WomenofFaith@gmail.com or call (913) 558-0191.

DINING TO DONATE CARONDELET

Jasper’s Restaurant

1201 W. 103rd St., Kansas City, Missouri

March 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Jasper’s Restaurant will once again donate 20% of all lunch and dinner sales to benefit the good works of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Enjoy a delicious meal at Jasper’s with your friends and family, and help the Sisters at the same time. Reservations are encouraged. Contact Jasper’s at (816) 941-6600 or online at: jasperskc.com. For more details, visit the website at: www.csjsl.org.

7TH ANNUAL IFTAR DINNER WITH THE DIALOGUE INSTITUTE OF KANSAS CITY

Precious Blood Renewal Center

2120 Gaspar Way, Liberty, Missouri

March 22 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Iftar is the meal that breaks the daylong fasts Muslims practice during their holy month of Ramadan. Join us this night for a meal hosted by our Muslim friends, sharing traditional iftar foods. Register online at: www.pbrenewalcenter.org and then click on “7th Annual Iftar Dinner.”

HOLY WEEK SILENT RETREAT:

‘HAVE YOU NOT HEARD?’

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton

March 22 - 24

Have we actually deeply heard the good news of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection? Have you been transformed by God’s holy fire of selfless love? On this silent retreat over Palm Sunday weekend, we hope to enkindle within you the desire to accept this tremendous gift accessible to those with ears to hear. The readings from the Triduum liturgies will be the match to set us ablaze. There are conferences, spiritual direction, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and time for private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabin/courtyard rooms: $170 singles/$250 couple, or single guest rooms: $100 (meals included). To attend, fill out the Individual Retreat Form online at: ChristsPeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

DAY OF REFLECTION

Holy Trinity Parish (Gast Social Room) 13615 W. 92nd St.

March 23 at 8 a.m.

The Daughters of Isabella, Circle 421, are having a day of reflection. The cost is $20 per person. The day will begin with Mass, followed by brunch, a speaker and prayers. Send reservation checks to Jeannine DeMoss, 8800 Gallery St., Lenexa, KS 66215. For more information, send an email to: jcdemo2112@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY VOLUNTEER DAYS AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY Resurrection Cemetery 8300 Quivira Rd., Lenexa March 23 from 1 - 4 p.m.

Join us in performing a corporal work of mercy while beautifying the sacred grounds of the cemetery. The Global Foundation for Peace through Soccer and Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas invite you to our inaugural fourth Saturday volunteer day. Meet at the Veterans Memorial Garden any time between 1 - 4 p.m., weather permitting. Educational and volunteer credits will be available. Participants will receive a free soccer jersey, snacks and drinks. The volunteer session will begin and end with prayer. For information, contact Keith or Lupe at by email at: information@ cathcemks.org or call (913) 371-4040.

‘REFLECTIONS ON THE SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS’

St. Mary Parish

9208 Main St., St. Benedict March 24 at 7 p.m.

Join us for an evening of reflection in word and song. No greater homily has ever been given than the one Jesus delivered when he mounted the pulpit of the cross. He considered each of his seven last words to be worth what he suffered to give them to us. Join us to accompany the Lord in his final hours. What was Jesus saying to you?

HOLY WEEK PARISH MISSION RETREAT

Holy Angels Parish

15408 Leavenworth Rd., Basehor

March 25 - 27 from 7 - 8 p.m.

Each evening, a retreat talk of 45 minutes

will be followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction and confessions at 8 p.m. by retreat director Father Anthony Mastroeni and Father Richard McDonald. The talk on Spy Wednesday ends with a renewal of baptismal promises, consecration to Our Lady and an apostolic blessing for all who attended faithfully. After Benediction on Wednesday, there will be veneration of the True Cross relic once owned by St. John Bosco, followed by confessions.

ENCOUNTER SCHOOL OF HEALING

St. James Academy

24505 Prairie Star Pkwy., Lenexa

April 12 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

April 13 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Jesus never proclaimed the Gospel without demonstrating it in power and love. Jesus’ healing ministry is at the heart of his Gospel of power and he expects his disciples to minister his healing on the earth. The Encounter School of Healing will teach and equip you to partner with the power of the Holy Spirit to experience healing miracles in the world around you. Healing is Jesus’ idea and it is essential to the effective evangelization of our city and nation. Come experience the greater works Jesus has in store for you. Information and registration can be found online at: encounterschool.org/kansas-city.

CAMP TEKAKWITHA

WOMEN’S RETREAT

Prairie Star Ranch

1124 California Rd., Williamsburg

April 26 - 28

This is a weekend for you! You will find speakers that inspire you, sacraments that draw you to the heart of Christ and fellowship with other women. This retreat offers large group and breakout sessions, individual reflection, Mass, eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, free time, friendship, laughter and joy. Here you will find the space to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect. Come enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and the gift of sharing life with other women seeking the heart of Jesus. Information and registration can be found online at: archkck.org/camp-tekakwitha.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Tomahawk Hills Golf Course

17501 Midland Dr., Shawnee May 10 at 8 a.m.

All are welcome to the Church of the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus annual golf tournament. The cost is $125 per player; $500 for a foursome. Price includes coffee, donuts, beverages, the award reception and a luncheon. Questions? Contact Rick Guinn by email at: rgksmolaw. com or call (913) 424-9084.

DONNELLY COLLEGE BLOOD DRIVE

Donnelly College (Event Center)

608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas April 1 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

One donation can save up to three lives! Be a hero and schedule a donation now. For an appointment, visit the website at: redcrossblood.org/give and type in “Donnelly” or call 1 (800) 733-2767.

CREATING YOUR LEGACY

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School 530 E. 4th Ave., Garnett April 10 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Is it time for you to create or revise your will or trust? Join us at Holy Angels Parish in Garnett to hear from estate attorney Casey Connealy about best practices for estate planning and how to create your legacy. For more information, go to the website at: www.cfnek.org/events/willsand-trusts-workshop.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

DEADLINE: Noon, Thursday, eight days before the desired publication date. SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: beth. blankenship@theleaven.org.

CALENDAR

>> Continued from page 12

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

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

Wanted to buy - I buy coin collections, military items, pocket watches, jewelry, class rings, old toys, holiday items and more. Cash in hand. Call Kirk at (913) 213-9843.

REAL ESTATE

We are local people who can buy your house - Big companies from all over the nation come here buying houses, but that’s not us. We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and we enjoy giving you personalized service. We can offer you a fair price and are flexible to your needs. If I can help, call me, Mark Edmondson, at (913) 980-4905.

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

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage - Join us for a pilgrimage to Medjugorje March 12 - 20, 2024; May 14 - 22, 2024; and June 16 - 28, 2024 (Poland and Medjugorje). Are you being called to go? Hosted by visionary Mirjana Soldo. Call Grace Legaspi for details at (913) 449-1806.

CAREGIVING

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.

Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of HomeSenior Care, www.Benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Senior Care Authority - Navigating senior care options can be overwhelming. We will 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.

Companion and respite care - Retired RN seeking part-time day work caring for your loved ones. Willing to do companion and/or respite care. Light duty nursing, no lifting. Prefer Overland Park, Leawood area. Call Mary at (913) 710-5412.

Caring Christian companion - I’m a retired licensed practical nurse (LPN) with 20-plus years of nursing experience caring for youth to elderly facing medical challenges. I will work for you, in home, assisted living or nursing home. Qualified to transport to and from physicians or therapy and personal trips. References from past employers are available. I am someone who is caring, honest and dependable. Call Barbara at (913) 645-3779.

CNA - Can provide home care for those needing assistance. Available Monday - Friday, days or nights. Serving Shawnee, Lenexa and Overland Park. 20 years’ experience. Call Serena at (913) 526-0797.

SOLUTION

DAILY READINGS

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

March 17

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Jer 31: 31-34

Ps 51: 3-4, 12-15

Heb 5: 7-9

Jn 12: 20-33

March 18

Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, doctor of the church

Dn 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

Ps 23: 1-6

Jn 8: 1-11

March 19

JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

MARY

2 Sm 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Ps 89: 2-5, 27, 29

Rom 4: 13, 16-18, 22

Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

March 20

Wednesday

Dn 3: 14-20, 91-92, 95

(Ps) Dn 3: 52-56 Jn 8: 31-42

March 21

Thursday

Gn 17: 3-9

Ps 105: 4-9

Jn 8: 51-59

March 22

Friday

Jer 20: 10-13

Ps 18: 2-7

Jn 10: 31-42

March 23

Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop

Ez 37: 21-28

(Ps) Jer 31: 10-13 Jn 11: 45-56

MARGARET CLITHEROW

c. 1553-1586

Born into a prosperous York Protestant family when Catholicism was forbidden, Margaret married wealthy Protestant John Clitherow, whose brother became a Catholic priest. Margaret soon became a Catholic and set up Mass centers in her home and a nearby inn. She was imprisoned three times for failing to attend Protestant services. When officials confirmed the secret Masses, Margaret was sentenced to death for treason. She died a martyr, pressed to death by a heavy load.

Do you have a confession to make?

Iremember well my first confession. Our second grade class prepared for weeks, it seemed, for the sacrament. There was a kneeler in front of the class where we’d practice “going to confession.” Despite Sister Daniel’s instruction not to tell our actual sins at these practice sessions, I’m sure a lot of us did! We trooped down to church on the big day with a mixture of excitement and fear. I’ll concentrate on just one part of my experience. The first thing I discovered was there was a big difference between kneeling in a spacious and brightly lit classroom and kneeling in a dark confessional. (This may have been the beginning of my nyctophobia, fear of the dark.)

Since this was the Dark (pun intended) Ages, we had no reconciliation rooms. There was no option for a face-to-face confession; everyone confessed anonymously through a screen. The priest

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

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

sat in the middle of the confessional box with penitents on either side.

When the little door over the screen slid opened, indicating that it was my turn, I blurted out, “Bless me, Father, for.” That’s as far as I got before the pastor barked, “Whisper!”

I was so shocked at that command that all the sins on my carefully prepared list left my mind. I have no idea

MARK MY WORDS

what I confessed; I was so flustered. Evidently, I said something because I was given a penance and headed to the front of the church to do it.

It was then that my little brain started to ruminate. Did I just make a “bad confession”? Should I go back into the confessional? Would it then be my “second confession” since my first one was “bad,” or would it still be my first since maybe the “bad one” didn’t count? Should I also confess not whispering as a sin since it apparently made the priest angry?

Well, apparently the Holy Spirit banished those misguided thoughts because I

didn’t head back to the confessional that day.

Sadly, I think many folks view this sacrament with fear — maybe due to a bad experience in confession or embarrassment at their sins. Pope Francis is so right in reminding us never to forget the loving mercy of God that is at the heart of confession.

Since many parishes are offering communal reconciliation services during Lent as well as the Wednesday night times, here are a few suggestions I have after some 42 years of hearing confessions:

• Spend time preparing for the sacrament using some examination of conscience. There are many available online, just Google “Catholic examination of conscience.” Many parishes also have a printed pamphlet to help.

• It’s perfectly fine to come with a written list of what you’d like to confess. This also applies to having a written act of contrition. The sacrament is

not a memory test.

• Be respectful of the people behind you in line. If you think your confession might be lengthy or you need some guidance on an issue, for example, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a confessor so adequate time and attention can be given to the sacrament.

• Don’t be afraid. You’re confessing your sins to a fellow sinner, the priest. He’s there as an instrument of God’s mercy, not as a judge, and will assist you in any way possible.

• Remember that the penance is something proposed to you, not imposed. If the penance seems unclear or impossible to fulfill, let the priest know.

Because confession should be an experience of joy, I’ll end with this funny little story:

In a sermon, a preacher announced that there were 789 different sins. A few days later, the mailman delivered 94 requests from parishioners for that list!

We are part of the ‘harvest’ of Calvary, the fruit of his suffering

Whatever else we may be thinking about in these last days of Lent, the readings for this Fifth Sunday make it clear: Something’s coming.

You can’t help but feel that the winds are shifting.

We know, of course, where this is leading: to palms and hosannas, washed feet and broken bread, betrayal and suffering and heart-rending, unavoidable tragedy.

The “something” that’s coming is Calvary.

DEACON GREG KANDRA

Deacon Greg Kandra is an award-winning author and journalist, and creator of the blog “The Deacon’s Bench.” He serves in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York.

We can only imagine what Christ was thinking as he scanned the skies and marked the days and braced himself for what was about to happen.

But what about us? Where have these days taken us? And what have we taken from them? Are we changed?

It’s worth asking ourselves: What has this time taught us? Are we seeing the world differently?

Are we engaging more deeply in conversations with the Lord, in prayer and meditation and reflection and sacred silence?

Are we giving ourselves to others more generously and joyfully? Are we striving more purposefully to see Christ in the stranger — and to be Christ to those in need?

It’s not easy. I know. We all have lives, families, jobs,

obligations, responsibilities, deadlines. We try to be holier, to seek opportunities to be the saints we think we can become, but the world keeps intruding. Let’s face it: Nobody does Lent perfectly.

But we need to keep trying.

And we need to look beyond the hill to be climbed, to the miracle that comes after. The very word “Lent” comes from an ancient Middle English word meaning “springtime.”

This is a time for renewal and growth.

Jesus understood as much. Even facing his own death, Jesus offered this resolute hope:

“Unless a grain

of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

Maybe we don’t realize it, but each of us is part of that harvest. We are the fruit of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection — the Christian faithful who, all these generations later, continue to spread his Gospel, in ways large and small. Lent should help deepen our awareness of that extraordinary fact — and help us understand more deeply what was given for us, and what we have to give to others.

Yes, something’s coming.

Are we ready?

Pope to aid groups: Truly giving means expecting nothing in return

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s aid organizations must follow God’s example of giving freely without expecting to see the immediate impact of their work or to receive anything in return, Pope Francis said.

When an organization provides aid to a region, “it is natural that we expect a result,” the pope wrote. “But a perception of this kind would be

contrary to gratuitousness, which is evangelically defined as giving without expecting anything in return.”

The pope’s comments came in a message March 5 to the heads of Catholic aid organizations working in Latin America, who were attending a Vatican-sponsored conference in Bogotá, Colombia, March 4-8. Pope Francis encouraged conference participants to consider the Gospel example of giving and to ask themselves: Who gives, what is given and

to what end?

“God is he who gives, and we are merely administrators of the goods received,” he wrote in his message, adding that everything humanity has — from life, creation and intelligence to the gift of Christ on the cross — “is either from God or is a proof and pledge of his love.”

The pope continued, “If we lose this awareness in giving and also in receiving, we distort his essence and our own.”

Catholic Charities plans how to best address emerging needs

Jesus tells us that the poor will always be with us.

This is not a message of despair, but one of hope, encouragement and challenge to love and serve those in need.

Jesus is clear that poverty is not a result of fate, but a concrete sign pointing to his presence among us. Jesus is also clear that, as Catholics, charity is not simply something good to do.

More so, charity is an obligation of the faithful as we attempt to closely follow the ways in which Jesus calls us to live. We see him in the lives of the poor, their sufferings and in their often-inhumane living conditions.

INSIDE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

generosity of many for the mission of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (CCNEK).

What does this have to do with our annual gala, Snow Ball? The 50th annual Snow Ball was wildly successful, raising $5.2 million, thanks to the love and

I have nothing but immense gratitude. But, prompted by Jesus’ words, we cannot stop there. It is very important for the flock to understand that Snow Ball is 10% of the

agency’s total budget. Meaning, we cannot rely solely on the success of Snow Ball to fuel the agency’s initiatives or maintain our current 30-plus programs.

Barely an hour after announcing the total, Archbishop Naumann challenged Catholic Charities as to what we will do next to serve the most vulnerable in our archdiocese.

I have a vision where when you Google any need, the Catholic Church pops up first as a solution. Need food? The Catholic Church can help. Need housing? The Catholic Church can help. Divorce, loss, addiction? The Catholic Church

can help. With this vision in mind and with resources to deploy, our team will begin the next strategic planning process this fall.

Some of the needs that we will review include: addressing emergent, transitional living and permanent housing; determining the feasibility of a mental health clinic or offering some greater form of advanced counseling for marriage, family, substance abuse and other mental health challenges; expanding outreach of our programs throughout our archdiocese; preparing for and responding to disasters; ensuring that our brothers and

sisters with special needs are being served with the same access and intentionality as those without special needs; and creating new social enterprises, like TurnStyles Thrift and Morning Glory Estate Sales — offering living-wage employment for the under- or unemployed and financial resources for our services.

The next three to five years will be critical for CCNEK to respond in light of the great generosity of our community and the continued needs of those who we are privileged to serve.

How is Jesus calling you to engage in the work of charity?

Radical trust opens us up to greater intimacy in our marriages

At the end of a presentation, have you ever experienced what I like to call the “Festival of WhatIfs”? It goes like this:

Stealing is wrong. But what if you’re starving? What if you thought it was yours and took it by accident? What if you steal a stolen article?

I often consider these kinds of questions in my ministry. I hear many stories of heartache, and they stay in the back of my mind.

On Mothers’ Day, I think of childless women. When we celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary Mass, I

FAMILY MATTERS

think of young widowers. When we promote events for couples in crisis, I worry about those in abusive situations.

AIn general, I think being aware of the outliers helps us to be sensitive and compassionate in our interactions with others. But being too focused on exceptions can be a distraction that keeps us from seeing the good of the standard.

There may be

reasons one might feel compelled to steal, and even circumstances in which one would not be culpable for doing so. But this doesn’t change the fact that respecting another’s property is a legitimate good.

As a married woman, I am called to love my husband the way that Christ loves the church. As we approach Holy Week, I’m faced with how ambitious and risky this really is. Consider that Jesus:

• washed the feet of his apostles, even the one who betrayed him

• offered himself in the Eucharist, even though we take him for granted

• shared his anguish with his friends who fell asleep

• was abandoned by all but a few, as he died a horrific death

In a fallen world, there can be all kinds of situations that require sensitive, compassionate prudence when considering this call to radically trust my spouse. But it can also be easy to let all the possible “what ifs” exempt me from examining my own marriage.

What am I withholding from my spouse out of fear or self-protection? If I make a vulnerable gift of my mind, heart and body to my spouse,

will actual harm come to me? Or is the worst that will happen that my spouse will misunderstand me or take my gift for granted?

While it’s true that radical trust opens us to the possibility of being disappointed, it also makes room for intimacy and joy that we cannot have without it.

In his passion, Jesus loved us first. He didn’t dwell on the chasm between his love and our response, but entered into our humanity to make greater love possible. This same Jesus is present in the sacrament of matrimony! Let’s ask him for the grace to trust our spouses more deeply.

This year’s Call to Share will support two new ministries

rchbishop’s Call to Share is off to a great start.

We have raised over $5.2 million from more than 9,500 Catholics throughout northeast Kansas. We are 75% of the way to our goal of $7 million.

We look forward to celebrating this new milestone, which will help us support archdiocesan ministries.

This year, we are excited to support two new ministries. One of these ministries has been around for a long time, and the other is back after a few years’ hiatus. These ministries will help the church retain and attract people to the

YES TO THE CALL

Catholic faith. Our newest ministry, supported by Call to Share, is our archdiocesan com-

munications office. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus instructed us: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (16:15). Jesus asks us to announce the good news. Our new communications office will enhance our ability to do just that. The Leaven does a great

job of sharing this good news. With the addition of the communications office, we can share our stories through many more forms of media.

Archbishop’s Call to Share will now be supporting our tribunal office. The archdiocese is committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning marriage. The archdiocese is also committed to manifesting the compassion of Jesus to those whose marriages have failed. The work of the tribunal staff is considered a healing ministry. Your gifts to Call to Share will now support the tribunal office, which has served the faithful

of the archdiocese for many years. These two ministries offer great support to our parishes, and this support is precisely what Archbishop’s Call to Share is all about. This annual effort is about every household of the archdiocese pulling together to support ministries that enhance our relationship with the Lord and bring others to know about him and love him.

Archbishop’s Call to Share is about all of us coming together to fund ministries that provide opportunities for everyone to deepen their faith. It is about funding Catholic education, Prairie

Star Ranch and other activities that support our youth. It is about our Catholic campus centers. It is about offering facilities for retreats at Prairie Star, Savior Pastoral Center and Christ’s Peace House of Prayer. It is about supporting the most vulnerable in our community by funding our special-needs office, Catholic Charities and Catholic Community Health. If you can say yes to supporting one or many of these valuable ministries, you can say yes to a gift to the Archbishop’s Call to Share. Please help us reach our goal of $7 million by making a gift today.

LIBBY DUPONT

Libby DuPont is a consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life.

LAUREN SOLIDUM

Lauren Solidum is the executive director of Catholic Charities.

BILL MALONEY

Bill Maloney is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email him at: wmaloney@archkck.org.

Kids’ Kids’ CHRONICLE CHRONICLE

People cheer as Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic Courier

Jesus and the apostles were traveling to Jerusalem so they could celebrate the Passover feast.

As they traveled along, Jesus told his friends what was about to happen to him.

“The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the gentiles, who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him and put him to death, but after three days he will rise,” Jesus said.

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Mk 11

When the men reached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, not far from Jerusalem, Jesus sent two of the apostles on an errand.

“Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat,” Jesus said. “Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, ‘The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.’”

The two apostles went to the village and found the colt tethered at a gate outside on the street. As they untied the colt, some bystanders questioned them.

“What are you doing, untying the colt?” they asked.

The apostles answered the bystanders as Jesus had instructed, and the bystanders did not give them any trouble as they led the colt away.

They brought the colt to Jesus and placed their cloaks upon the animal. Jesus then sat on the colt.

As Jesus rode the colt toward Jerusalem, people who saw him along the way recognized him. They spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.

The people who preceded Jesus repeatedly cried out:

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the apostles.

Q&A

1. Where did Jesus and the apostles stop just before entering Jerusalem?

2. What animal did Jesus tell two of his apostles to get for him?

ILLUSTRATION

BBible accent

efore eating the Passover meal with the apostles in Jerusalem, Jesus visited the home of Simon the leper in Bethany.

In Mk 14, we read that Jesus was reclining at table when a woman approached him carrying an alabaster jar filled with expensive perfumed oil. The woman broke the jar and poured the oil on Jesus’ head.

This angered some of the people who were with Jesus.

“Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?” they asked. “It could have been sold for more than 300 days’ wages and the money given to the poor.”

“Let her alone,” Jesus said. “Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me.”

Jesus said that the woman had anticipated anointing his body for burial.

“Amen, I say to you, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her,” he said.

Then, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ apostles, went to the chief priests to arrange to hand Jesus over to them. They promised to pay Judas money for betraying Jesus.

Once Judas made his deal with the chief priests, he began looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to be arrested and put to death.

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St. Stanislaus of Krakow

St. Stanislaus of Krakow was born to noble parents in Poland in 1030. When he grew up, he became a priest and canon at Krakow Cathedral. He was elected Krakow’s bishop in 1072. After becoming bishop, he and King Boleslaus II were at odds over the king’s immorality and injustice. Stanislaus rebuked the king several times and then excommunicated him. The king retaliated by executing Stanislaus himself in 1079.

We remember Stanislaus on April 11.