Corpus Christi Catholic Parish Newsletter — July/Aug/Sept 2021

C

orpus hristi

C

Inside This Issue: 2

What Does Stewardship Mean?

3

Corpus Christi Catholic School Poised for a New Year of Learning and Faith

4

Getting to Know our Shepherd Fr. Jerry Volz

6 Parishioner Profile

Greg and Katie Pavlyak: Keeping

Christ in the Center

of their Lives

J U L / AU G / S E P T 2 0 2 1

c at h o l i c pa r i s h

INTRODUCING A L e tt e r F ro m O u r P a s t o r First Edition

Our New Parish Stewardship Newsletter

I

am pleased to present to you our new parish newsletter! This newsletter will help us learn how the stewardship way of life is a disciple’s response to the call to know, love, and follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Each quarter, we will share stories that will help us better understand who we are as Catholics and individual members of God’s family. The upcoming issues will feature activities and events happening within our Corpus Christi community and how these activities help change hearts, minds, and lives as through them we grow closer to Christ and to each other. In each article, we will see how Christ is at work within us and our community as we more intentionally engage the stewardship way of life.

I hope that this newsletter will be a meaningful way to continue learning more about our faith. As we learn more about our faith and how our fellow parishioners are living their faith out in our community, it will bear much fruit and inspire you to consider how you can be more involved in the life of our parish — for some, perhaps this will be an opportunity to try new things.

This newsletter will help increase communication as we feature events that are coming up and share a lot of information with you, particularly about the stewardship opportunities in our parish community. One important step in our stewardship journey will be our Annual Stewardship continued on back cover

c at h o l i c pa r i s h

The Old Testament is not the only place where we can find references to stewardship. Indeed, of the 36 parables in the New Testament, more than half of them deal with time, talent, possessions, or money. Therefore, if Jesus spoke of stewardship that much, it should be a very important part of our lives!

S+EWARDSHIP

What Does W

hat comes to mind when you hear the word “stewardship”?

Do you think of it as just another way to talk about money? Do you quickly dismiss it as a notion that has nothing to do with being Catholic?

Stewardship is actually a concept that is Scripturally-based and is absolutely vital to our life as Catholics.

God tells us, in the very first book of the Old Testament, “Be fertile and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth” (Gen 1:28).

What does that mean to us today?

It simply means that God is telling us, “This is yours, so take care of it.” One of the first things God tells us to do is to be good stewards of the gifts He has entrusted to us!

The Old Testament is not the only place where we can find references to stewardship. Indeed, of the 36 parables in the New Testament, more than half of them deal with time, talent, possessions, or money. Therefore, if Jesus spoke of stewardship that much, it should be a very important part of our lives!

As Catholics, we refer to the three

2

facets of stewardship as “time, talent, and treasure.” Although these are three concrete ways to express and measure stewardship, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops tells us that stewardship is part of discipleship. Stewardship is a way of responding to God’s call in every aspect of our lives.

The Scriptures and Church traditions teach us one important point that cannot be overstated — that stewardship is primarily based on our need to give in gratitude, not on the Church’s need to receive. Of course, both the Catholic Church and our particular parish will always need money. However, we are not asked to give simply to defray costs and fund charitable programs. We are instead asked to remember our need to gratefully return a portion of our time, talent, and treasure to God, recognizing all that He has given to us.

It is important to remember that stewardship is a way of life, and not a program. True Catholic stewardship involves an ongoing call to live as followers of Christ. It takes time to find and define personal goals. You can begin by examining your

Mean?

personal commitments to the parish. How do you live your faith in your daily life with your family and friends? How much time do you spend in daily prayer, going to Mass, or being involved in parish ministries and activities? What percentage of your income should you give back to God every week? What talents do you have that could be used to strengthen our parish family?

In the coming months, we will be increasing and intensifying our education and communication on stewardship. We will be developing a better understanding of how stewardship is a way of responding to God’s call to discipleship. And with God’s help, changes will occur in each of our hearts as we devote ourselves to a stewardship renewal within our parish. Examine how you are currently responding to God’s call to stewardship. If God called you home tomorrow, would He proclaim, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”?

Corpus Christi Catholic School Poised For

A New Year of Learning and Faith O

n Aug. 18, Corpus Christi Catholic School will be embarking on a new academic year! There is certainly plenty to look forward to for the 202122 school year, and Mrs. Kirsten Wondra is looking forward to her second year as Principal. She also looks forward to a year of normalcy, as we move beyond the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You wouldn’t think one virus could impact every ounce of what we do in a day,” she says.

“But it did.”

Fortunately, Corpus Christi Catholic School was able to remain open all through the last school year, all while following the local health department and Centers for Disease Control protocols.

This coming year, Mrs. Wondra is ready to introduce some exciting developments. The school received some large grants from the Emergency Assistance for NonPublic Schools (EANS), which will be used to hire a two-year, parttime, and full-time staff member to provide intervention for the Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to

Seminarian Andrew Gaffney gave a presentation to our kindergartners.

support students in all skill levels.

Students are divided into small groups based on their skills to allow a chance for more individualized learning. This funding is all due to the pandemic.

Mrs. Wondra is excited about this new support, as well as a new social emotional curriculum to help students in all grades learn skills like self-regulation, conflict resolution, and resiliency. Students will also have the chance to join a Student Leadership Team to learn about exercising leadership and lending a voice to planning. They will also

serve as school ambassadors when there are visitors.

In addition to these developments, the school will continue to offer a strong, faithbased curriculum that is facilitated by our talented and devoted teachers and staff.

“The faith piece is what really sets our school apart,” Mrs. Wondra says. “We see the whole child, a unique child of God. Everyone within these walls is really, truly valued.”

So essential to our school’s success is the support of our continued on page 7

“The 2020-2021 school year was challenging. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of amazing staff, parents and the community. We stepped out with faith and didn’t allow fear to be our guiding principle.”

— Mrs. Kirsten Wondra, Principal

3

c at h o l i c pa r i s h

Getting to

Know our Shepherd

Fr. Jerry Volz

F

or over a year, our parish family has been abundantly blessed by the presence of Fr. Jerry Volz.

His devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist is deeply inspiring, and his wise, generous heart touches us all. Since he was ordained on June 20, 1992, Fr. Jerry has given his time and talent as a priest in amazing ways, such as by serving in Lawrence at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center at the University of Kansas; as chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Associate Pastor at Prince of Peace in Olathe; as Director of the Didde Catholic Campus Center at Emporia State; and, finally, as Pastor of St. Matthew in Topeka and Pastor of Prince of Peace in Olathe. We feel honored to have him as our Pastor, and are grateful for the spiritual graces he has brought into our parish community. Out of a desire to get to know him better, we recently interviewed him, asking him the following questions:

so that we could attend Catholic schools, thus we lived very simply — we vacationed little and enjoyed leftovers and hand-me-downs.

What would you like to share about where you grew up, and what your family was like?

I grew up in Topeka as the youngest of five children. Our Catholic faith was very important in our home, but we prayed and were frequently involved in our parish community and the Catholic schools we attended as well. Our parents sacrificed much

Where did you go to seminary, and what did you enjoy studying there?

I began seminary my junior year of college at Conception Seminary College in Missouri and then studied for four years at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. I always enjoyed studying psychology and the social sciences, as well as the liturgy.

4

Please tell us a little bit about your call to the priesthood. How did you first sense the call, and how did you move forward with your discernment?

Since Catholicism surrounded me, I always knew about the Church, but I came to know Jesus more in the midst of my struggles with self-knowledge as well as when I witnessed my father’s health decline. When I turned to Jesus for strength and understanding, as well as to the Church community, I began to desire to return all of the blessings I had received from others back to the Church. When my father died when I was only 18, I acknowledged that worldly success could not compare with doing something for God and His Church.

You have made adoration a priority at the parish. Why do you believe it is so important to be committed to adoration at this time in the world and in the Church?

I have not really made it a priority. I would like to see more opportunities for adoration and will encourage more people to make adoration a priority in their week. We all can benefit by spending more time in private prayer before our Lord in the Eucharist. We all need more quiet time to listen to Jesus, who is always trying to speak to us through the Spirit. He delivers a peace in our hearts and loves us as we spend time with Him. continued on page 5

Getting to Know our Shepherd What are some of your favorite devotions? You have a deep spirituality. How do you nurture your relationship with Our Lord?

I try to spend a lot of time in prayer and devotions can help with that, but for me, the best prayer is prayer from the heart.

Ignatian spirituality is good for me, as it helps me to focus on small passages from Scripture over and over again so that the Holy Spirit can relate it more to my life. Practicing an examination of conscience throughout the day keeps me close to God as well.

During the pandemic, you made sure your parishioners were able to receive the Eucharist despite the obstacles imposed. Why did you bravely insist on this, and what compelled you? Do you believe that no matter what we are facing, prayer and our faith should come first?

The Eucharist is the deepest and most intimate way any believer can come to know the Lord in their life, and we should never not want the Eucharist in our life. I could not imagine not having the Eucharist. I found it to be very unfortunate that many people were living in fear during the pandemic and denied themselves the Eucharist or were

continued from page 4

denied the Eucharist because of perceived risks. I think of the risk Jesus took in laying down His life for us and the risk in choosing to reveal Himself to us in the Eucharist out of a total gift of Himself for each of us. Why would we not want to receive that God? Why would we not want to receive Him any chance we could get? So that is why I make the reception of the Eucharist possible while challenging people to not forget participation in the Mass is the ideal way we participate in the one perfect sacrifice He made for us.

Nothing should get in the way of our reception as there is nothing more important.

What do you believe is the main mission of your priestly calling?

My main mission is to promote and encourage the reception of the Eucharist in a worthy manner.

People do not have a right to the Eucharist or the sacraments unless they realize with faith and understand what a privilege it is for them to receive them.

but a Catholic community must be centered around the Eucharist.

The more we grow in our spiritual lives and our common call to Stewardship, the more we grow together as a community that is based not on a person or a place, but on the truth that comes from God.

Which Saint do you feel most drawn to, and why?

St. Ignatius of Loyola because of his prayers and spiritual exercises, and St. Therese of Lisieux because of her simple way of love.

What blessings and spiritual blessings do you hope to bring to our parish family during your time with us?

Community can be formed in neighborhoods, work, and school,

What else would you like to share about yourself with the parish?

As much as I can be silly and have fun, being full of energy and activity, I am also an introvert and need time to myself.

What are some of the aspects of the priesthood that mean the most to you, and what are some of your most favorite memories of priestly service?

Celebrating the Mass and bringing the Eucharist and the other sacraments to people.

What are your hobbies?

Daily exercise, taking long hikes on trails, and going for long drives while listening to music.

For over a year, our parish family has been abundantly blessed by the presence of Fr. Jerry Volz. His devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist is deeply inspiring, and his wise, generous heart touches us all.

5

c at h o l i c pa r i s h

Parishioner Profile

Greg and Katie Pavlyak: Keeping Christ in the Center of their Lives

F

or the last 16 years, Greg and Katie Pavlyak have put Christ and our parish family in the center of their hearts, and it shows.

“For us, being Catholic has been about a whole lot more than just going to Mass on Sundays,” Greg says.

“We have made Corpus Christi Parish, community, and School a central focus in our lives. A lot of blessings have flowed from that. We have a lifelong group of supportive friends, as well as robust ways to worship and share Jesus with others.”

Looking back, Greg and Katie are deeply grateful that they decided to send their children to our parish school, despite the sacrifices it entailed. Their son, Jacob, just graduated from Benedictine College, where their daughter, Sara, is currently a sophomore as well. Their youngest child, Maya, is now a junior in high school.

“We are very blessed to live in a community which has excellent public schools, so our decision to send our children to our parish school wasn’t necessarily about academics, but more about us wanting

The Pavlyak family our children to learn about the Catholic faith,” Greg says. “However, we did find that the academic aspect of Corpus Christi School was excellent as well, so our children really did end up receiving a very solid Catholic education in a great faith-based environment.”

The Pavlyaks have given their time and talent to continued on page 7

“For us, being Catholic has been about a whole lot more than just going to Mass on Sundays. We have made Corpus Christi Parish, community and School a central focus in our lives. A lot of blessings have flowed from that. We have a lifelong group of supportive friends, as well as robust ways to worship and share Jesus with others.” — Greg Pavlyak 6

Greg and Katie Pavlyak

continued from page 6

help make the school the beautiful, loving, Christian place that it is today. Over the years, Katie volunteered in various capacities, such as by helping out in the classrooms or the lunchroom. Presently, Katie works as a regular substitute teacher at Corpus Christi Preschool. She also served for about five years on the Auction Committee. When their children were attending the school, Greg also volunteered to help out in the classrooms and enjoyed speaking to the students on Career Day about his profession as a pilot and military officer.

“All three of our children went to Corpus Christi Catholic School for prekindergarten — or kindergarten — through the eighth grade,” Greg says. “We really enjoyed the parish school. It was so great for our children!

Many of our family friendships were formed through the school.”

Furthermore, the Pavlyaks live out the stewardship vision by serving at our parish in numerous ways. Their desire to help others has flowed from the love they have for God and His people. Katie helps out with funeral luncheons, and Greg serves as a general member of the Knights of Columbus as well as on the Finance Council.

“We have always wanted to be an integral part of our parish,” Greg says. “I enjoy being involved with the Finance Council because it is a good way to stay

connected regarding the needs and operations of our parish from a financial point of view. I also really like attending small-group Bible meetings because it gives me spiritual support and fellowship with other married men. The men in my group have become very good, close friends, and we share our personal experiences and perspectives with one another.”

The example of stewardship that Greg and Katie have given to their children has made an impact on them.

“In high school, Sara went on a mission trip to Costa Rica with a local Christian youth group,” Greg says.

“She also loved participating in the National Catholic Youth Conference — it really helped her grow in her faith and in her worship. She had such a wonderful experience and made many good friends there.”

Finally, Greg and Katie receive abundant graces by attending the weekly Monday afternoon Family Rosary ministry.

“The family unit and the Holy Family should be at the center of our faith community,” Greg says. “It is very important to pray the Rosary as a family, and for the family, because the rest of the world is trying to break up and disrupt traditional families. Jesus and the Blessed Mother told us to pray it and St. Pope John Paul II emphasized it as well.”

Corpus Christi Catholic School parish. Mrs. Wondra wants to thank parishioners on behalf of all the school faculty, staff, students, and families.

“The 2020-21 school year was challenging,” she says. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of amazing staff, parents, and the community. We stepped out with faith and didn’t allow fear to be our guiding principle.”

continued from page 3

The school is one of the larger ministries of our parish, spreading the Good News each day during the school year. Mrs. Wondra loves being a part of this, and she invites anyone to get involved as a school volunteer — there are all sorts of tasks where volunteer help would be appreciated.

“We want to build the kingdom of God and the next generation of the Catholic faithful,” she says.

If you would like more information on Corpus Christi Catholic School, please email school@cccparish.org.

7

c at h o l i c pa r i s h

6001 Bob Billings Pkwy Lawrence, KS 66049 Phone: (785)-843-6286 www.cccparish.org MASS TIMES: Weekday Liturgies | M-F 8:15am Saturday Liturgies | 4:00pm Sunday Liturgies | 8:30am & 10:00am

Our New Parish Stewardship Newsletter Renewal that will happen in August. The Renewal is our annual chance to ask ourselves how we prioritize the way we use God’s gifts in the Church. We will make written commitments to ourselves and to God concerning how we will be more devoted with our use of time (using our time on earth wisely; making time for personal prayer, family prayer, and quality time with friends and loved ones); talent (using our God-given gifts to strengthen the Church through service to parish ministries and other activities), and treasure (the wise and just management of our financial resources; giving a proportionate amount of my income to the parish).

As we strive to develop stewardship as a way of life at Corpus Christi, the support and involvement of each parishioner are necessary to sustain the life of our parish.

All of you have a place here, and all of you have a role to fill in the life of the parish as we live our lives as disciples of Christ.

May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh all of us as we work together to build our parish family through the use of our time, talent, and treasure.

Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Jerry, Pastor

continued from front cover

Save the Date

“60 Minutes for Jesus” Mission November 14-16 with Fr.Jim Sichko

F

r. Jim Sichko is a full-time preacher, evangelist, and motivational speaker. In February 2016, Fr. Jim was commissioned as one of the Papal Missionaries of Mercy, of which there are only 100 in the United States.

Since becoming a priest, Fr. Jim has made headlines for random acts of generosity and kindness, giving away thousands of dollars to people at the grocery stores, on the streets, and especially to those most in need. He has also had the opportunity to meet and work with many celebrities and was honored by the U.S. Congress for the ministry provided to him.

Fr. Jim uses real lived experiences and ties those experiences into the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Each of his talks is geared for all in a family household with no exceptions.