september 2020
Queen’s Saints: Sharing in Service, Fellowship and Fun as a Faith Family
Inside
3 “Coincidental” Stewardship
4 Religious Education
Classes Returning This Fall with Safety Measures in Place “Through God, We Can Adapt”
6 Building The Domestic
Church Living Stewardship in Our Family as Pandemic Continues
7 A Place for the Little Ones: Children’s Liturgy of the Word
7023 W. 71st Street Overland Park, KS 66204 www.queenoftheholyrosary.org
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ur Queen’s Saints is a fun-loving group of parishioners who schedule a variety of activities throughout the year. But behind the Bingo games, potluck dinners, and themed parties is a deep understanding that their fellowship is bringing them closer to each other as a family, and accordingly, as a family in Christ. “Love, faith, hospitality and stewardship” are the touchstones for the One of the very popular activities of our Queen’s Saints is group that encourages all parishioners Bingo. Participants can enjoy a cold brew while they play. over the age of 50 to join. The group typically meets at 9:15 a.m. on the second Friday of the month in the church basement. The potluck dinners are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, while the “Lunch Bunch” — members who visit a different restaurant each time — gathers on the third Wednesday of the month. Dues for the group are $10 for the whole year. There is a slate of officers and committee chairs for the various activities, and currently there are about 110 members. Fran Anderson has been a member since 2010, and she is in charge of organizing parties during the year. “Our meetings start with the Pledge of Allegiance, and then we have devotions,” she says. “We offer a prayer for the sick and we welcome new members. We have committees for hospital, membership, events and planning monthly activities. At the end of the meeting, we have a 50-50 drawing and a ‘pass it forward’ award. There are questions about our faith and the saints, and the previous winner passes it on to the current winner, who will pass it on to the next.” Their activities range from strictly fun to addressing needs in the community. The group has a Christmas party at the end of the year, including a “white elephant” gift exchange. Members also collect winter clothing and sleeping continued on page 2
Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h
Queen’s Saints: Sharing in Service, Fellowship and Fun as a Faith Family continued from front cover
One of the local outings held by the Queen’s Saints was a trip to the Harley-Davidson factory.
bags for the homeless. Several members plan local outings, such as a tour of the Harley-Davidson factory. The Queen’s Saints held a chili cookoff with 26 entries, and hosted a party honoring our veterans. The group runs the Bingo games during the parish picnic that is normally held in September, as well as Bingo games held from July through October. The money raised from Bingo is donated to our school and to gift cards given to the needy. Throughout all the fun and activities the Queen’s Saints enjoy, there is a spiritual foundation that supports all they do. Fran experienced this in unforgettable fashion. “When I joined in 2010, my husband had passed,” she says. “A neighbor encouraged me to come to the meetings, and I didn’t want to. But I went, and I was so welcomed. I was made to feel so included at the first meeting. It is the most incredible group you’d want to meet. They made me feel I had to be there. I also enjoy that we always pray together.” Indeed, prayer is an integral part of their gatherings. The members pray for the sick at their meetings,
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During our chili cookoff dinner, members of our Boy Scout troop presented the colors as the honor guard.
and a member sends cards to those who are ill. Sometimes group members will take food to the sick. “We have a calling tree so we can contact them,” Fran says. “If there are any member deaths, prayer and fellowship are at the top of our list.” New members are heartily welcomed, as Fran can attest. New members are introduced to the group, and current members make sure to sit with the newcomers. “You get to where you know everybody and we’re friends and family,” Fran says. “We’re more than parishioners; we become a family and we really all care.” Although some of the members are very elderly, they still make an effort to attend, with many bringing pies and fried chicken to the potlucks. “Some said the Christmas party was the only Christmas they had,” Fran says. “It was someplace warm and welcoming to go for the holidays.”
Anyone who would like more information about the Queen’s Saints is welcome to call Membership Chair Janet Watson at 913-677-3526.
A Letter From Our Pastor Dear Parishioners,
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“Coincidental” Stewardship
he famous author G.K. Chesterton once said, “Coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.” Since fully embracing the stewardship way of life, coincidences have become cherished experiences for which I thank God — and rightly so! While God stays anonymous, coincidences are His way of interacting with the world He created. Importantly, as we have been continually impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and with many of our circumstances changing day to day, we can be grateful for His “coincidental” intervention. As I continue to witness the grace-filled effects of the stewardship way of life on our parish, and in my own life, it is definitely God’s hand at work in our lives of faith. If some identify a coincidence as a “surprise blessing” that lifts the spirits and draws one closer to gratefulness to God, we cannot deny that in those circumstances that God is giving us the grace to live and celebrate our faith. So, let’s celebrate the coincidences! Celebrate the coincidence that Chesterton himself converted to Catholicism late in his life, yet wrote book after book affirming and defending the Catholic faith long before his conversion. Four years after Chesterton joined the Catholic Church, he wrote a phenomenal book called The Catholic
Church and Conversion. It is one of the best works on conversion to Catholicism, as well as a wonderful description of conversion to the stewardship way of life. The same experiences, or “coincidences,” apply when we find ourselves drawn into the understanding, practice and expression of discipleship, known to us as “stewardship.” Chesterton describes conversion in three steps. “The convert takes his first step rather unwittingly when he decides he’s going to be fair to the Catholic Church,” he wrote. The convert to stewardship must also dispel the “myths of stewardship” and give it a chance. This first step of conversion then leads to a long and enjoyable second step, which is the utter fascination of learning what the Catholic Church really does teach. Chesterton says, “It is like discovering a new continent full of strange flowers and fantastic animals, which is at once wild and hospitable.” For the stewardship convert, it is recognizing that stewardship is a practical way of living the Gospel. It makes sense, and others are doing it with joy and passion. What they have, the convert also wants. Then, the convert to Catholicism suddenly realizes with a shock that he can no longer be detached and impartial about the
Catholic Church. The convert to the stewardship way of life realizes this is the way he or she wants to live — and makes the commitment to do so. If this were not true of what Christ has called us to be, I would not be writing this today. If this were not true of our commitment to stewardship, you may not be reading this today. And, if this were not true of a stewardship parish such as ours, we would not be the faithful stewards we are today. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. William Bruning Pastor
“Coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.” — G.K. Chesterton
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Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h
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Religious Education Classes Returning “Through God, W
t seems impossible to be completely prepared for a pandemic — and, as Denise Godinez, our Director of Religious Education can attest, there is nothing like a pandemic to test one’s faith. When classes had to end this spring, it meant there were no more weekly prayer gatherings before classes, all projects were ended, and there definitely were no more snacks everyone enjoyed together. However, thanks to the efforts of Fr. Bill, Ramona Alvarez and our dedicated catechists, our students were able to continue their progress. The families were supplied with ideas, lessons, activities and prayers that enabled their education to carry on. “We tried hard to not let the pandemic take control of the spiritual growth our students had made over the past year,” Ms. Godinez says. “We offered support to our parents as the emphasis became even more real that parents are the first faith teachers of their children and the family is the first school of faith. It is within the family where children are raised and formed as human beings. The parental role in this human formation is governed by love — a love which places itself ‘at the service of children to draw forth from them “e-ducere” the best that is in them’ and which ‘finds its fullest expression precisely in the task of educating’ (Compendium, No. 239). The family is the ‘first school.’” However, Ms. Godinez has wonderful news! Things will be a bit different, but classes will resume in October for first through eighth grades!
“For a number of weeks now, a core group of parents and catechists have been meeting with me through Zoom to establish a three-phase system of re-emerging into our SOR classes,” Ms. Godinez says. “We are blessed that among this group, we have professionals in the education, medical and social work fields. Together we created our goal that as parents, they can trust us to safely work with them and their children in their faith development and sacrament preparation.” The following is the schedule that has been prepared: Phase I — Total remote from home if necessary. Phase II — Hybrid learning; face to face with staggered classes and staggered Sunday, along with remote learning (this is the phase we are focusing on). Phase III — Everyone returns to Sunday classes as we have had in the past. “Yes, we will be taking temperatures and asking parents questions each Sunday,” Ms. Godinez says. “We all will be socially distanced, wear masks, and use only one floor of the school. We will not be offering Kindergarten this year and most likely we will be in the Phase II mode most of the year. But one never knows what blessings God will bring to us.” Our staggered classes are as follows: First Sunday of each month — first through third grades will be able to attend. Second Sunday of each month — fourth through sixth grades will be able to attend. Third Sunday of each month — seventh and eighth grades will attend. Fourth Sunday of each month — all lead catechists will meet to continue developing their classes for the upcoming month. On their Sunday, each class will go home with three additional weeks of learning and activities — the parents will assist their children with their faith learning and the students will return these folders when they come back.
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This Fall with Safety Measures in Place We Can Adapt” “Our parents are strong, they are resilient and they have certainly been put to the test during this pandemic with not only religion classes, but also with their child’s regular education classes,” Ms. Godinez says. “But parents are child advocates, they want what is best for their children and safest for their children.
“Our parents are strong, they are resilient and they have certainly been put to the test during this pandemic with not only religion classes, but also with their child’s regular education classes. But parents are child advocates, they want what is best for their children and safest for their children.” — Denise Godinez “Over the past few weeks, we have worked with our textbook publisher to provide to each family enrolled for this coming term not only textbooks, but also online textbooks, so that if a child is unable to attend class on their designated Sunday — whether it be their temperature was too high, or parents chose to keep their child at home — they can still attend class virtually,” she adds. “We have developed curriculum and instruction for everyone including any special learning styles and needs.” Sacramental preparations will still take place, but it may very well be both remote and socially distanced as well. “Our catechists are ready to volunteer again, and they are preparing for both face-to-face and remote,”
Ms. Godinez says. “Our parish is very blessed to have volunteers! As Ms. Godinez points out, with the uncertainty of reopening schools, employment concerns, assuming the dual role of parent and teacher, and ensuring that all children and families are safe, the words of Matthew 11:28-29 come to mind: “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul.” “Without one’s faith, how do we continue?” she says. “School of Religion and Queen of the Holy Rosary strive to support parents and their children with religion classes and spiritual opportunities which help them strengthen that vital part of their family life. It is through the seeds of faith that hope, courage and strength grow to enable us to recognize that God is the Center and Be All of a family life. “Right now, we must have the hope, strength and courage to know that God has this and all will be fine,” she adds. “Through God, we can adapt, modify and take whatever may come.” As we prepare to make good use of the hard work that has gone into preparing for our Religious Education classes, Ms. Godinez also reminds parents and students of Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice If you would and be glad in it.”
like more information about the Religious Education classes, please call the parish off ice at 913-432-4616.
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Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h
Building The Domestic Church
Living Stewardship in Our Family as Pandemic Continues
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s the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the question of how to strengthen our family faith and continue to live Stewardship as a Way of Life while separated from the sacraments and parish life is being put to the test. Our priests and parish leaders already have found new ways to minister to our parish family from a distance. Now, it is our own time to shine within our own homes. It is our time to seize this opportunity and continue to build our own Domestic Church. What is the domestic Church? Simply put, it is our family — the smallest body of gathered believers in Christ. The early Church fathers understood the home was fertile ground for discipleship, sanctification, and holiness. And the Domestic Church plays a key role in this as the primary place where we practice coming to intimately love others. Even before the pandemic, in recent years, our Holy Father Pope Francis placed great emphasis on the family, asking us as Catholics to explore the meaning and the theology of the Domestic Church. During his address at the World Meeting of Families during his 2015 apostolic visit to the United States, Pope Francis told us, “Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.” Now, as the pandemic continues to distance us from our parish and affects the way we live our faith and practice
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stewardship, it is more important than ever to discern the unique role God has in mind for our lives, and the lives of our family members. If your family truly is committed to answering the call to live as intentional disciples of Christ, our response to this call starts in the home through stewardship. As Catholics, we often associate stewardship with sharing our time, talents and resources with our parish. We see it as volunteering and helping to build our parish community. Rarely do we recognize the need for stewardship in our own homes. But what can you do to live out stewardship as a Domestic Church? You can set aside time each day for personal and family prayer. If you are still unable to attend Mass, you and your family can participate in the Sunday liturgy and daily Masses in your home via livestream. Read and reflect each day on the daily Mass readings, which are available online at www.usccb.org/bible. Do some online faith formation together. Other ideas include simply being kind to each other, doing something extra for your spouse or children, avoiding criticism, or working on being more patient with a family member who sometimes can be challenging to be around. Help a family member financially during these challenging times. Pray for our family members and each of their unique needs. Spend extra time with a child and our spouse — make that a priority worked into each week. The possibilities for living stewardship within our Domestic Churches are endless. How we treat each other in our homes is as important as praying together when living out stewardship. In a nutshell, live in your home with your faith-filled family celebrating your Catholic identity! Stewardship is not just something we do within the confines of our parish walls. It is meant to be lived 24/7, to be practiced anywhere and everywhere. And it begins with our Domestic Church — our families. By focusing on new ways to share our Time, Talent and Treasure together within our own homes — both during the pandemic and after the storm passes — we can make faith the source and center of our family lives and fulfill our mission as the Domestic Church.
A Place for the Little Ones: Children’s Liturgy of the Word
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t’s OK to admit it. If you’re a parent, there’s probably been at least a Sunday or two when you’ve been anxious while attending Mass. Maybe it’s due to a particularly difficult liturgy with an ornery preschooler, or maybe it happens when you start to doubt that your 6-year-old is getting anything out of the Mass. Perhaps you’re embarrassed to admit that weeks of praying at home or watching livestream Mass during the pandemic were actually easier? No doubt, it can be a challenging, and sometimes daunting task, to keep young children engaged — or just sitting still! — for an hour, each week. Here at Queen of the Holy Rosary, we want Sunday Mass to be an opportunity for all our parishioners to pray and grow closer to God and their parish community. And we’re aware that, for many young children, trying to remain still and attentive for an hour may not be the best way to do that. With this in mind, our young parishioners are invited to join us for Children’s Liturgy of the Word, or
“I am always blown away at what insights our children have once they understand the readings. If you bring it to their level, you can be shocked at what little theologians they become.” — Voytek Slowik
CLOW. Although the group is currently on hiatus until safety concerns regarding COVID-19 have resolved, this ministry is typically offered at the 9 a.m. Sunday Masses. “Children’s Liturgy of the Word gives children the freedom to act their developmental age, and further their understanding of Christ,” says Voytek Slowik, a father of four who, along with his wife, Kaitlin, helps to coordinate the ministry. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is designed to give young children — generally those who have not yet received their First Communion — an opportunity to listen to the Mass readings and learn about them, on a level they can understand. Each week, volunteer catechists lead the children in age-appropriate reflections, prayers and activities, all designed to help them understand and apply Scripture in their lives, while gaining a positive experience of Mass. “We have all been at Mass with young children where it is sometimes difficult for them to understand some of the complex topics we hear about,” Voytek says. “CLOW volunteers take children for a separate reading and discussion of the Gospel. They get an opportunity to interact and ask questions which they would not normally get in our weekly Mass.” continued on back cover
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Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h
7023 W. 71st Street Overland Park, Kansas 66204 (913) 432-4616 | www.queenoftheholyrosary.org
A Place for the Little Ones: Children’s Liturgy of the Word continued from page 7
Children’s Liturgy of the Word typically takes place in the Bride’s Room in the church basement, with two VIRTUS-trained volunteers to ensure safety. Catechists who serve with Children’s Liturgy of the Word often experience their own faith growing as they witness the child-like faith of the little ones they serve. “I am always blown away at what insights our children have once they understand the readings,” Voytek says. “If you bring it to their level, you can be shocked at what little theologians they become.” Children’s Liturgy of the Word can also be a blessing to parents, who are able to direct their focus towards prayer. “Adults get a more peaceful time to focus on the Mass readings and homily, as well as easier conversations at home about our faith with their children,” Voytek says.
Voytek hopes that parishioners will consider volunteering to serve the littlest ones in our parish through Children’s Liturgy of the Word once it begins again. “Patience, a positive attitude, and practice with children,” he says of the traits that someone would need to serve in this ministry. “A willingness to hear lots of prayers for pets is key! “It’s incredibly fun to interact with children in this way,” Voytek adds. “The more you put into Mass and the parish, the more you get out of it!”
For more info on Children’s Liturgy of the Word, contact Voytek or Kaitlin Slowik at vraslowik@gmail.com.
WEEKEND MASS
Saturday: 4:00 p.m. | Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
DAILY MASS
Monday - Friday: 8:15 a.m.| First Saturday: 8:15 a.m.