Catholic Key August/September 2022

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M A G A Z I N E

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FROM THE BISHOP

eucharistic revival

How was Jesus inclusive?

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Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist P. 6

T H E

C A T H O L I C

HEALING

D I O C E S E

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C I T Y - S T .

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First line of response P. 32

FAITH U Catholic Newman Centers provide catalyst for faith life in college

What’s Next?

The Pro-Life Movement Post-Roe

MISSOURI C AT H O L I C CONFERENCE

The public policy agency of the Catholic Church in Missouri.

The United States Supreme Court has issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the issue of abortion to the states.

In Missouri, abortion is now illegal except in cases of medical emergency. The MCC has worked and prayed with other pro-life organizations for this day since the Court issued the Roe decision in 1973. Now that the day has arrived, what is next for the pro-life movement in Missouri and the nation? Find answers to that question, along with legal analysis of the Dobbs case in the latest publications of the Missouri Catholic Conference, linked below.

Scan here to listen

Scan here to read

MCC from the Capitol

MCC Messenger

Carter Snead, law professor and director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame will discuss the significance of the Court’s decision in Dobbs and what is next for the pro-life movement in this episode of MCC from the Capitol podcast.

Uncertain of the ramifications of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision on abortions in Missouri? Read about the current state of the law and how it will impact the focus of the pro-life movement in the state in this issue of Messenger.

www.mocatholic.org

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Catholic universities welcome new presidents | Marty Denzer

Two of our diocese’s Catholic univerThe magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

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‘I felt moved to make a return to God’ | Sister Spotlight |

Megan Marley

sities, Rockhurst University and Avila

Consecrated women have played a

University, welcomed new presidents

unique role in the Church since its

July 1, but they have a lot more in

earliest days. But how is their “fem-

common than new titles.

inine genius” seen in day-to-day life and ministry? The Sister Spotlight

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL. 2 | ISSUE 5

Using Our Resources Wisely |

series introduces women religious

Pastoral plan for deaneries I,

you might encounter here in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

II and XI | Megan Marley

Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. Publisher

Parishes in Deaneries I, II and XI are

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Ashlie Hand Editor

implementing a strategic plan that COVER STORY

responds to a changing world, while

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Home is here | A National Migration Week story |

Faith U | Catholic New-

continuing to support the faithful

Leyden Rovelo-Krull

Megan Marley Assistant editor

man Centers provide catalyst for

in spiritual growth and missionary

For Anali, Kansas City is home. Her

faith life in college | Ashlie Hand

discipleship.

Jenny Pomicter Graphic designer

According to Newman Ministry, 80

To submit story ideas and news, send emails to marley@diocesekcsj.org

percent of students stop practicing

Growing God’s Family | DnD

They are enhanced because she is

the Faith when they get to college.

with Jesus | Father Andrew Kleine

acutely aware of everything it cost

As sophomores at the University of

Inviting Jesus into leisure activities

Central Missouri, Tyler Kohout and

with our friends can help us to better

Ashley Mudd are already establish-

receive and respond to the relational

ing strong faith leadership roles for

love of God.

themselves through their involvewww.FAITHcatholic.com

ON THE COVER: The Newman Center at the University of Central Missouri students and Chaplain, Father Gabriel Lickteig.

Photo by Andrew Modlin.

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her family to get here.

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Healing Our Family | First line of response | Ashlie Hand

Joe Crayon’s experience following To Serve and to Lift | Dignity

three decades in law enforcement

and self-reliance are the

led him to the role of Independent

heart of our mission | Ashley Everett

Ombudsman, an independent con-

On the Way | How was Jesus

At Catholic Charities of Kansas

tractor who partners with the di-

inclusive? | Bishop Johnston

City-St. Joseph (CCKCSJ), we have

ocese’s Office of Child and Youth

To Jesus, no one was beyond God’s

modeled our services and programs

Protection (OCYP).

mercy. But it is important to not stop

around Catholic social teaching #1

there, because Jesus did not stop

— the life and dignity of the human

there. He always used his encounters

person.

ment at their university's Catholic

Catholic Key (ISSN 2769-2353, USPS 024-190) is a membership publication of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, published bimonthly (Feb/Mar, Apr/May, Jun/ Jul, Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov, Dec/Jan) by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, The Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, MO 64105.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Kansas City, MO and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Key, The Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, MO 64105. ©2021 Catholic Key, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

hopes for a future here are not diminished by her love of her heritage.

Newman Center.

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with sinners as a starting point, not the end.

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Encountering Jesus in the

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St. Joseph Catholic Academy | A new alliance of St. Joseph

Catholic schools | Marty Denzer

Eucharist | Robert Sandford

The new St. Joseph Catholic Acad-

The National Eucharistic Revival in-

emy aligns all five St. Joseph Cath-

vites all to come to Him in the Eu-

olic schools under one adminis-

charist. Explore examples of Eucha-

trative team and introduces new

ristic devotion as lived out in local

learning opportunities for students

parishes to inspire all of us.

and teachers.

EN ESPANOL

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Avivamiento Eucarístico | Padre Emmanuel Lopez En Camino | ¿Cómo fue Jesús inclusivo? |

Obispo Johnston

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Hogar es aquí | Leyden Rovelo-Krull

Megan M ar ley

Ashlie Hand

Ma rt y Den z e r

Ashley E ve re t t

Ro be rt S a n d f o rd

Le y de n R ov e lo - K r ull

is Communications Manager for the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph.

leads the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Kansas CitySt. Joseph.

is long-time writer in residence for the Catholic Key. Her many years of work can be found on catholickey.org.

is the Marketing and Communications Director for Catholic Charities of Kansas CitySt. Joseph.

works for St. Catherine of Siena Parish and St. Thomas More Parish.

Bobsandford.net

leads the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

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on t he way

How was Jesus

INCLUSIVE? I remember once as a priest, a man entered the church just before Mass turned and casually asked, “Are you going to talk about sin again today, Father?” I wasn’t sure what prompted the question, and whether it was intended to be a criticism or not. In fact, I have often worried that I don’t preach on sin enough.

My primary focus is always on Jesus and God’s merciful love. He is the Good News. But, to see fully why Jesus is “Good News” one must confront the reality of sin — in the world, and in one’s own life.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

Priests and bishops are in the same boat as the rest of humanity when it comes to sin, which is why we need the sacraments just as much, including the Sacrament of Penance. We need a Savior. This can sometimes make it intimidating to address situations in the lives of others that are sinful. As a shepherd of souls, it is one of the hardest things to do. I suspect it is also one of the hardest things to do for parents with their own children, but this too is part of their “shepherding” role. How do I, myself a sinner called to conversion, call others to conversion?

“The Son of Man has come to search out and save what is lost.”

—Luke 19:10

Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fr o m t he B ishop Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

To start, I must first take sin and my own conversion seriously. But then, as a guide, I have always looked to Jesus’ own ministry to sinners. Jesus loved (and loves) everyone, and it seems this is especially so toward the poor and those considered the most notorious sinners, the outcasts, the unclean. He dined with them, associated with them, loved them. Witnessing this compassion perplexed and infuriated some of the religious leaders of his day, whom he referred to as hypocrites. To Jesus, no one was beyond God’s mercy. But it is important to not stop there, because Jesus did not stop there. He always used his encounters with sinners as a starting point, not the end. To truly love someone, we always must seek the good for them, and if the one we care about is in a life of sin, condoning or turning a blind eye is not to love. It is worth noting that when Saint Paul wrote his

great “hymn” to love in 1 Corinthians 13, he included these words: “Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor 13:6), meaning that love and sin are contradictory.

There are many examples of Jesus’ way of loving sinners, but it might serve to simply consider the story of Zacchaeus in the 19th chapter of Saint Luke’s Gospel. He is endearing because he was little — an underdog type; he had to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus when he was passing through Jericho. Jesus met Zacchaeus with his merciful gaze, had compassion on this little man who was so despised as a sinner and stayed as a guest at his house that day. What is most noteworthy about the story is what happened next: Zacchaeus’ profound and deep conversion. Not only did Zacchaeus turn away from his sins, he performed significant penance for all those whom he had harmed in the past. Jesus associated with sinners and was not afraid to include them in his company, but in loving them fully, he called them out of their sinful lifestyle and into the truth and conversion. He really loved them.

A close examination of Jesus’ way with sinners is important because it is not uncommon to hear a misinterpretation. Sometimes, Jesus is portrayed as one-dimensional — that he welcomed everyone and that was that. It’s as if Jesus looks at the sinner and exclaims, “It’s all good!” The point, though, is that it’s not all good, and that is why Jesus died on a cross. The price was so high because the debt was so big.

As a Church, we are called to be inclusive and merciful in the way that Jesus was. To consider all as friends and fellow sinners in need of a Savior as much as we are — but to begin, not end, there. If we truly love someone, and love ourselves, we will not settle, but with Christ our life, turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. For Jesus, it's all about saving us from sin.

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eu ch a r i s ti c r e v i va l

ENC O UNT E R ING JE SUS IN TH E E U C H A R IST

By Bob Sandford

T

oday’s headlines lead with disease, disaster and violence, but Jesus ever de-

sires to heal, renew and unify the Church and the world. The National Eucharistic Revival launched June 19 invites all to come to him in the Eucharist.

Below are vignettes of Eucharistic devotion as lived out in local parishes to inspire all of us.

A way i nto the fi re of Jesus’ love Fresh Fire at St. Thomas More is a prayer experience that invites people to encounter Jesus in adoration with praise and worship music, speakers giving personal witness and intercessional prayer teams. Jesus’ Eucharistic presence is at the center, with a structure recognizable to our Protestant kin of drawing people into an encounter with Jesus. Some non-Catholics have experienced Jesus in new and more powerful ways by opening themselves to his Eucharistic presence.

Dana Epperly, parish Evangelization & Discipleship Coordinator, recounted her inspiration for bringing Fresh Fire to the parish.

“Ten years ago, I was in adoration,” she said, “The Lord showed me a burning bush that never consumed Jesus on the altar … It was hot in the church and I saw so many people sitting against the brick outside shivering in the extreme cold … I said, ‘Lord, why would all these people sit outside?’ He said, ‘They don’t

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

reflexiÓn know my love and the presence of my heart in the Eucharist … They don’t know how to get to the fire of my love.’”

E nc ou n te r i n g th e S ou r ce a n d S u m m i t Father Alex Kreidler, pastor of St. Gabriel’s, promotes adoration because it prepares our hearts for the Eucharist.

All we do and aspire to be as Christians “comes first from Jesus in the Eucharist and leads right back to Him,” he said.

Soon after Father Kreidler became pastor, he asked for adoration volunteers. In less than a year, the parish has 24-hour adoration once a week Tuesday through Wednesday morning, timed so schoolchildren can be present for closing Benediction. Father Kreidler is also working to re-establish an adoration chapel that could be available 24-7.

Marilyn Rowland commits to adoration hours each week at St. Gabriel’s.

Adoration offers her an opportunity to lift others up in prayer. In adoration, she feels “as if I have one foot in heaven and one foot on the earth. The peace and love of His presence comes over me in such a profound way that I find myself completely at rest in His presence.”

into an adoration chapel and shares his prayer experience in his homilies. He also weaves adoration opportunities into the parish schedule and this year held their first Eucharistic procession.

At the Northwest Missouri State University Newman Center, he sees the clearest example of adoration fueling zeal.

“We have 24-hour adoration Monday through Thursday, and those students are on fire. They come in not sure about their faith and get rooted in adoration and community life and they are going out evangelizing.

Last year, we brought three into the Church, and we have more coming.”

Avivamiento Eucarístico Recientemente un estudio ha revelado que más de la mitad de los católicos en esta nación no creen en la presencia real de Cristo en

Yout h con n ected i n t h e Body of Chri st

Father Emmanuel Lopez knew many youth “who wanted to adore Jesus in the Eucharist through music, meditation on the word of God and silence.” Four years ago, he formed a team of youth and adults, now known as Adoradores KC, who organize Nights of Adoration at parishes in Kansas City.

Firstly, the team prays for those who will attend and commits to inviting people to attend. They divide the work into sub-teams and structure the evening around a central topic and the four pilR e ne w e d f o r mi s s i on lars of Adoration, Contrition, Petition and Thanksgiving.

Four years ago, Father Joshua BarThe team will tell you the work is lett arrived at St. Rose of Lima, his first worth the fruits. Evenings draw youth assignment as a pastor. With responsifrom around the diocese, bringing a bilities spread across three counties at measure of unity by “gathering them the parish, a mission and a Newman as one family to be restored in Christ.”

Center, time in adoration helps him Father Lopez sees youth following refocus and renew his trust in the Lord. the example of youth “committed to “It has to start with loving the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” He and that starts in the chapel,” said Barhas witnessed “healing among youth lett. “If I spend that hour getting things who felt alone, unheard and hopeless.” done instead, I can never get things Attendance has grown at Adoration, done. If I spend it in the chapel, it is as if Bible studies and Easter youth celebraGod multiplies time. tions, and individuals I can always get more and entire families are done after adoration.” “surrendering to Jesus F ind local With Bishop Johnand making weekly adoration times at ston’s approval, FaHoly Hours so that kcsjcatholic.org/involve/ eucharistic-adoration ther Barlett convertthey may persevere ed a rectory bedroom in faith.”

la Eucaristía. Dentro de ese por ciento de católicos podemos estar tú, yo, o algún familiar o amigo. Estas cifras son alarmantes, especialmente, porque Cristo, “Tomó pan, y, dando gracias, lo partió y se los dio diciendo: Este es mi cuerpo que es entregado por ustedes; hagan esto en memoria mía”

(Lc. 22,19) .

En esta

narrativa lucana Cristo no dice “esto es mi cuerpo” de manera simbólica, sino que, con amor, realmente dice, “es mi Cuerpo” en el sentido más literal y verdadero.

Afortunadamente, ante el desafío de la falta de fe en la presencia real de Cristo en la eucaristía, los obispos de Estados Unidos, han implementado un proceso de Avivamiento Por Padre Eucarístico de tres años del Emmanuel 2022 al 2025. El primer año, Lopez cada diócesis tendrá la tarea de organizar grandes ponencias y retiros en torno al sacramento eucarístico. El segundo año, cada parroquia y comunidad local hará el esfuerzo por reforzar la adoración eucarística, enseñanzas en torno a la eucaristía y traer de vuelta a todos sus miembros a la fe en el santísimo sacramento del altar. El tercer año será la tarea de toda la nación de celebrar un congreso eucarístico y de cerrar el proceso con un reavivar de fe en la Eucaristía para todos los católicos. Creamos en las palabras de Cristo y participemos activamente en el Avivamiento Eucarístico.

A p re n de r m á s

es.eucharisticrevival.org

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cath o l i c e d u cati o n

New university presidents take office at Rockhurst and Avila Universities

AVILA UNIVERSITY WELCOMED DR. JAMES BURKEE JULY 1

By Marty Denzer

K

Photo by Megan Marley

ansas City’s two Catholic universities, Rockhurst and Avila, welcomed new

presidents July 1. Avila’s new president, Dr. James Burkee, and Rockhurst’s new president, Dr. Sandra Cassady, have many attributes in common.

• Both Burkee and Cassady grew up in Middle America.

•B oth are the first in their family to graduate from college and obtain master’s and doctoral degrees.

• Both became the 15th president of their respective universities.

•B oth served as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at their previous colleges. In that role, they both succeeded in increasing enrollment in health care programs, and they are interested in replicating those successes at their new universities.

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D

r. James Burkee officially became the 15th President of Avila University July 1. He was

selected from 40 applicants to succeed Ronald Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA, when he retired.

Burkee was born and raised in West Allis, Wisconsin, a city named for a founder of AllisChalmers agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturer and now a Milwaukee suburb.

He was the first in his family to attend college.

“We were a manufacturing family,” he recalled. “My father was a Vietnam vet who went to work right after coming home. Neither parent went to college. I grew up thinking I would follow in Dad’s footsteps, serve in the military, work in the same company and so on. But Dad died while I was a boy and Mom began encouraging me to go to college. She hounded me non-stop actually,” he added with a smile.

Considering her son to be a gifted writer and good in history, she urged him to major in business or history. He chose both.

“The trajectory of my life changed,” Burkee said. He earned a BA in History and a BA in Business Marketing from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. He received a fellowship from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, to study American History, which he considers “one of the greatest gifts of my life.”

Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

He received his Teacher Colloquy from Concordia College in New York, and his MA and later a Ph.D. from Northwestern.

While serving as a history professor at Concordia College, he also stimulated an enrollment growth of 1,000 students through securing domestic and international partnerships that generated more than $20 million in revenue for the college.

For 25 years, Burkee has worked in higher education, except for a two-year hiatus in 2011 to serve as a managing partner and Chief Operating Officer of his family’s business. In 2013, he returned to academia and, in 2019, joined Sisters of Charity-run Mount Saint Vincent College in the Bronx, New York. He served as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, where he reached into non-traditional areas of business and recruitment, adding off-campus, online and graduate programs that stimulated a rapid growth in student enrollments — from 1,700 students to 3,000 in one year.

He intends to replicate those successes at Avila. Dr. Burkee and his wife Hanen, who collaborates in his endeavors, are busy getting to know the Avila campus, its faculty and staff and reaching out to students, especially international, immigrant and first-generation students, in which Hanen, a Tunisian immigrant, is especially engaged. The couple said they plan to invite every registered freshman to their home for dinner this fall.

Aware of the “dramatic need for nurses,” they plan to work to interest more students in

the university’s signature nursing programs.

Their plans revolve around “right relationships,” which Dr. Burkee deems a “big part” of Avila’s charism — service to the dear neighbor, inspired by its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Service — philanthropic, educational and friendship-oriented — permeates Avila’s mission. That mission also relates to the international, immigrant and first-generation students who comprise 31 percent of the student body, a population representing a real composite of Kansas City. Building those relationships involves establishing partnerships with businesses, hospitals and especially local Catholic high schools.

Dr. Burkee already loves the university for several reasons: “Avila aspires to be what we are, a strong academic institution welcoming first-generation students. The Sisters of St. Joseph believe everyone is welcome at the table. It’s an expression of God’s will.” And he said the strength of the university will help it weather the demographic cliff brought on by the Great Recession of 2008, which resulted in fewer births in the U.S. and Western Europe.

The “cliff” means fewer freshmen enrolling in college beginning in 2026. A similar gap will occur around 2038 due to the 2021 coronavirus pandemic, he said.

Many leisure hours are spent getting to know Kansas City. Currently, they are living in Overland Park, but while learning about local history, the shopping, restaurants and neighborhoods, they are also house hunting.

Dr. Burkee said three things strongly attracted him to Avila and Kansas City — the native Midwesterner loves “being back in fly-over country, the middle of the country, where people are friendlier, more patient and willing to help; Avila’s mission of serving first-generation students, offering them a chance to get a private education, an education that is ‘by Catholics but open to all, a part of the Avila identity that’s very appealing,’” and its mission of inclusion of a diverse population: men and women from different countries, backgrounds and dreams.

Diversity matters at Avila, he added.

The Burkees agree that the best thing about Kansas City is its people. Dr. Burkee said, “They have validated everything we hoped for when we moved here.” Hanen interjected, “The warmth of our welcome has been wonderful!”

The couple looks forward to BBQ, the Royals and the Chiefs. Dr. Burkee said, “Kansas City has a vibe, an energy missing elsewhere. We’re glad to be here at Avila.”

MEET ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT DR. SANDRA CASSADY

S

andra Cassady, Ph.D., took office as the 15th president of Rockhurst University on July 1, the first woman and first lay person chosen to serve as president since the Jesuit university’s founding in 1910.

She succeeds Jesuit Father Thomas B. Curran, who stepped down at the close of the 2021-22 academic year after 16 years as president. Cassady brings a strong background of experience in higher education and accreditation expertise to her new role.

A first-generation college student, she enrolled at the University of Iowa to study physical therapy, then a four-year bachelor’s degree program, and immersed herself in her studies.

Then the university changed the program to a certificate in physical therapy, a stepping stone to a master’s in physical therapy. Cassady received her certificate in 1986, her MS in Physical Therapy in 1988 and, in 1992, her Doctorate in Exercise Science, the study of health benefits of exercise on the musculoskeletal system.

In 1994, after two years as a practicing physical therapist, she joined the faculty of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, a Diocese of Davenport affiliate. Over the ensuing 28 years, Cassady served as professor, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and, since 2003, as a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps dealing with accreditation and complex higher educational challenges, including mergers, acquisitions and change of control.

Under her leadership as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, enrollment rapidly grew from 650 to 1,400 students.

She said she has always been attracted to the values and principles of Jesuit education, especially Magis, “the more.” St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, used Magis to describe how authentic Christianity fosters a deeper connection with Christ and more zeal in serving others. That was part of what attracted her to Rockhurst.

She plans to work on growing the health science footprint at Rockhurst, as she did at St. Ambrose, as well as growing those of the Business/Management and Arts and Sciences schools.

Cassady and her husband are getting settled in their new home in Kansas City and doing some exploring in their new city. She said she feels warmly welcomed at the university and in their neighborhood and looks forward to getting to know more people and more of Kansas City — including the barbecue.

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Using Our R e s o u r ce s W i s e ly

PASTORAL PLAN FOR DEANERIES I, II & XI presented at St. Mark Parish Article and photos by Megan Marley

P

arishes in Deaneries I, II and XI are implementing a strategic plan that responds to a changing world, while continuing to support the faithful in spiritual growth and missionary dis-

cipleship. A livestreamed and in-person presentation of the plan took place at St. Mark Parish in Independence May 19. The plan is

the second created as part of an ongoing comprehensive resources strategy for the diocese, and similar studies and planning will take place across the diocese.

CR AF T IN G A P L AN TO US E RE SO U RC E S WISE LY

R ead an e x pa n d e d v er s ion

In 2018, listening sessions were held throughout the diocese to help craft a vision for the future. Following much study, consideration and prayer, a diocesan vision — One Family: Restored in

of this story on catholickey.org, including a video of the May 19 presentation.

Find the full Deanery I, II & XI Pastoral Plan on kcsjcatholic.org/ our-vision

Faithful and leaders from parishes in Deaneries I, II and XI gather at St. Mark Parish to hear details of the final pastoral plan approved by Bishop Johnston.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

Christ, Equipped for Mission ­— and three goals — Healing our Family, Growing God’s Family, and Using Resources Wisely — were identified.

Using Resources Wisely is the inspiration for the pastoral plan, developed with the help of Meitler, a data study

and planning firm for Catholic communities. The firm collected data on parish statistics, community demographics and forecasted regional changes, interviewed pastors and parish representatives, toured parishes and provided structure for developing the pastoral plan with an Area Planning Committee composed of representatives from each parish.

“As with any household, our local Church has limited resources; our personnel and money, time, facilities and so forth are not infinite,” said Father Charles Rowe, Vicar General for Pastoral Affairs, at the presentation. “Now is the time to take a careful look to see whether resources are being deployed effectively or not, in the service of making our local Church ‘One Family: Restored in Christ — Equipped for Mission.’”

Representatives from parishes in Deaneries I, II and XI attended to present the plans for the parishes in their deanery.

St. Mary Father Paul Turner visits with parishioners during the pastoral plan presentation session at St. Mark Parish.

SO WH AT ’ S CH AN GIN G? All parishes in the study will to one degree or another collaborate on approaches to common issues — such as faith formation, communications, outreach ministries, community building and staff — as a ‘parish family’.

One benefit of the new pastoral plan is collaboration within “parish families.” The parishes of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Guardian Angels, St. James, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Therese Little Flower will collaborate as one parish family, while the parishes of Cathedral, Sacred Heart-Guadalupe, Oratory of Old St. Patrick, St. Monica, Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Perpetual Help will collaborate as a second parish family.

In Deanery I, Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Francis Xavier remain independent, stand-alone parishes.

However, St. James and St. Therese Little Flower parishes are clustered under Father Don Farnan, and St. Louis Parish merged with St. Therese Parish on June 30. St. Therese Little Flower and Guardian Angels parishes are both

unsustainable in their current state, but have two years to improve sacramental activity, membership, finances and other parish statistics. At Guardian Angels Parish, Father Carlito Saballo, SOLT, is now parochial administrator and Our Lady of Hope School continues to operate.

In Deanery II, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart-Guadalupe become stand-alone parishes independent of one another.

St. Monica and Our Lady of Sorrows parishes cluster under Father Leonard Gicheru, and may collaborate on staff, pastoral and committee activities but maintain separate finance councils; St. Monica Parish may also need to renovate their office building for the mission ahead. Oratory of Old St. Patrick retains its status as an oratory for the Latin celebration of the Roman Missal of 1962 and should evaluate building a parish center. Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist) Parish remains stand-alone and may add and share staff with the other parishes; there is also potential for Redemptorist Center to

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

St. Monica

be supported and expanded with other churches in the deanery.

In Deanery XI, Nativity of Mary and St. Bernadette parishes continue to cluster under Father Robert Stone, and St. Mark Parish remains stand-alone. St. Mary, St. Ann, and St. Cyril parishes are clustered under Father Kendall Ketterlin. St. Joseph the Worker Parish will merge with St. Mary Parish and close this year, and St. Ann and St. Cyril parishes will also merge and close within the next two years. Pending discussion, St. Cyril Parish might continue on as a Slavic heritage center. As a region, Deanery XI has an opportunity to collaborate on outreach to a growing Hispanic population and those in need.

St. James

ST. LO U I S PA R I S H | 1 9 1 9 - 2 0 2 2

St. Therese Little Flower

St. Louis

Bishop Johnston celebrated the final Mass at St. Louis Parish on Sunday, June 26 at 10 a.m., followed by a reception in the parish hall. The entrance antiphon set a tone of celebration and gratitude, declaring “All you people, clap your hands! Cry to God with shouts of joy!” (Ps 47:1) More than 150 people filled the pews at St. Louis Catholic Church, even spilling into overflow seating, as they came together in community to celebrate the fulfillment of the parish’s mission. Read more and watch a recording of the full Mass at catholickey.org.

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pa s to r a l pl a n n i n g

DnD WITH JESUS

"A relationship is simply spending time with another.

It is the sharing of my heart with them, as they do with me. Therefore, anything I do where I’m spending time with God and sharing my heart with Him IS prayer."

Getty Images/dima_sidelnikov

M

y friends and I play Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) with Jesus.

We get together on Monday nights over Discord to play. I serve as the game master, and my friends are the adventuring party seeking

to stop an evil vampire lord's nefarious plot. We've been playing DnD since high school, and it's served as a fun medium by which we friends stay in touch on a regular basis.

Before each game session begins, we open the Lord. We aren’t His mindless machines pronight with prayer. We thank our Lord for the grammed for mission and dispassionate miliopportunity for leisure and fun. We thank Him tant order. We’re His children. When the Son for each other and our lasting friendships. We instructs us how to pray, He teaches us the Our invite Him to join us, so that by His inclusion, Father. (Mt 6:5-15) Therefore, every prayer and our leisure may be made holy. We ask Him to interaction with our Lord is ALWAYS meant to continue to grow the love between be rooted in and flowing from our us, and our love for Him. We ask relationship with God as Father.

Him to be the central part of the A relationship is simply spendnight, every night we play. ing time with another. It is the The Catechism of the Catholic sharing of my heart with them, Church’s last section is focused as they do with me. Therefore, on prayer. It opens by stating that anything I do where I’m spending the mystery of faith “requires the time with God and sharing my Father faithful to believe in it, that they heart with Him IS prayer.

Andrew Kleine celebrate it, and that they live from The beauty of all the Faith’s is Parochial Vicar at it in a vital and personal relationdoctrines, rituals and rote prayers St. Thomas More ship.” It then clarifies that this is they help us to better receive Parish, Kansas City, vital and personal relationship and respond to the relational love has served as Chaplain “is prayer.” (CCC 2258) of God. The most perfect prayer, at St. Michael the This is the heart of our Faith the Mass, is a wedding banquet, Archangel High School and the daily invitation of our where we exchange our matrimoand Vocation Promoter.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

nial gift of self to our Lord, as He pours out Himself as a loving gift to us in the Word and the Eucharist. Just as the rote words “I love you” help us to form and express our charity towards others, so too do the words and actions of the rituals and rites of the Church. But just like “I love you,” if they're done mechanically rather than from the heart, they can become empty and hollow.

Our invitation is to approach our Lord, His Church and our Faith as we would a relationship with one we cherish. Whether it be the ritual prayers or our daily activities, all can be sanctified by His inclusion. We can gather with others, growing in relationship with God together through leisure, work, or hardship.

We can talk to God as we would our closest friend, whether about a cross or our hopes for the Chiefs. We can give Him time to talk in turn as we listen. Faith is not an obligation to complete, but personal time to spend with the Lord who loves us.

Our God IS love. We’re not a Yu-gi-oh card that He’s wanting to collect and shelve. We are His beloved children. He wants to be in a perfect loving relationship with us for all eternity.

May we live out our “Amen” to this love by treating our Faith as an intimate relationship with God. And invite our Lord to play Dungeons and Dragons.

AUTHORITY AND PARTICIPATION

YOUTH VOICES OF THE DIOCESAN SYNOD “ L E T N O O N E H AV E C O N T E M P T F O R YO U R YO U T H , B U T SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE, IN SPEECH, C O N D U C T, LOV E , FA I T H A N D P U R I T Y.”

F

rom December 1, 2021, to May 1, 2022, our diocese participated in the global Synod on Synodality, with groups hosting Listening &

Discernment sessions in which they discussed at least three of the 10 themes suggested by Pope Francis. The response from our diocesan youth was notable, with students from 28 schools and representatives of our Youth Office providing input. In total, more than 1,700 young people, ages 10-18, lent their voices to the conversation.

These are just a few of their comments.

LISTENING

SPEAKING OUT

BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR As children, we are not listened to, even though we are the future.

ST. THERESE SCHOOL 7TH OR 8TH GRADE STUDENT It seems like the only people who are heard are the ones with more power. We need to find a way to instill courage in people whose voices might get drowned out by the noisy ones.

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL 8TH GRADE STUDENT [It is] probably God is speaking when someone says, "You should..."

Getty Images/cienpies

CELEBRATION CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL 7TH OR 8TH GRADE STUDENT When not serving a particular role within the liturgy (e.g. altar server, lector), it is hard to feel engaged to actively participate within the Mass.

ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT Everyone should have a voice. It doesn't matter what your age, race, gender, etc., is.

It is important to voice the Church teachings on sensitive subjects such as euthanasia, abortion, etc.

1 TM 4:12

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT The Catholic Church does a good job of providing opportunities for people who attend Mass (inward focus), but does not do a good job of evangelizing (outward focus).

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HIGH SCHOOL 10TH GRADER There is a distinction between people who walk together in church, participate in the Church, spread the word and act as a disciple, and those who attend Mass but don't participate fully.

SHARING A COMMON MISSION BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN Not having proper guidance prevents us from being a part of the Church’s mission.

CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT More clearly explaining the Church teaching on issues like homosexuality, and how gays are actually dignified and deserve to be loved, would help Catholics to not feel as superior.

ST. THERESE SCHOOL 7TH OR 8TH GRADE STUDENT People our age should be encouraged to contribute and talk about the things that make it hard to practice our Faith.

DISCERNING AND DECIDING ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR THEOLOGY STUDENT Discernment is a personal journey, rather than a “one-and-done moment.” Instead of waiting on a miracle or God to speak in an immaculate way, look for the smaller things in your life.

ECUMENISM ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT We need to promote the type of communication that is not condemning, but one that promotes listening and understanding of each person’s beliefs.

KCSJ YOUTH LEADER You shouldn’t be trying to find conflict — you should be trying to find similarities. Respect other people’s beliefs.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI NEWMAN CENTER STUDENT Is the point of ecumenism to coexist or convert? It’s hard to find common ground when what is wrong to them is meaningful to us.

FORMING OURSELVES IN SYNODALITY ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO 7TH GRADE STUDENT We form ourselves off of others.

Be open to others' ideas. It is important to help form others so we can all get to heaven.

Read more comments at catholickey.org

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c ov e r s to ry

FAITH U Catholic Newman Centers provide catalyst for faith life in college

By Ashlie Hand | Photos by Megan Marley and Ashlie Hand

A

ccording to Newman Ministry, 80 percent of students stop practicing the Faith when they get to college. Students attending colleges or universities in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

are changing that statistic.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

University of Central Missouri WARRENSBURG The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is in Warrensburg, a 40-minute drive from Kansas City. The Newman Center sits across from a new student lifestyle center with Starbucks, Spin Pizza and other popular amenities. The main house is where students gather for Mass, meals, social nights and Bible studies and has several study rooms.

The kitchen and dining area are the heart of the Catholic Newman Center at UCM. Students at UCM's Catholic Newman Center worship in the new home's spacious multipurpose garage.

Photos courtesy Catholic Newman Center at UCM.

“There’s no one telling you to go to Mass, so it’s important to keep your faith life central to everything you do.”

The house also can house 12 students for intentional living, and they regularly draw 30 to 50 students to Mass. Kevin O’Reilly is the on-site director and Father Gabriel Lickteig serves as Chaplain.

Tyler Kohout is starting his sophomore year at the University of Central Missouri where he majors in finance and computer science.

Tyler already knew he would be involved in campus ministry before he ever arrived at UCM and drove by the Newman Center during his first tour of the campus. He attended the student

involvement fair at the beginning of the school year with Ashley Mudd, who is dating Tyler, and later learned about the new location of the house.

“I thought the house was pretty cool,” Tyler recalls. “Everyone was really welcoming, and we heard about the future plans for the building and how we were going to grow. I got to get involved in painting and getting the house to where it is now.”

It was that sense of personal ownership that led Tyler to get more involved during his second semester. He plans to live in the house this year and says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to live with a group of guys growing in their faith.

“There will be five of us living in the house ... trying to grow closer as brothers,” Tyler explains. “Waking up every morning and praying together, praying together at bedtime, sharing meals together. Keeping each other accountable for the goals that we have and fortifying each other to make us better faith leaders.”

Ashley will be living in the Lourdes Women’s House this fall. This intentional Catholic living community includes prayer partners, weekly prayer time and shared meals. The women live in the same house and support each other in their spiritual life and building friendships. Ashley is looking forward to living next door to the men’s house and growing in faith together.

Tyler’s advice for Catholic high school students about to graduate is to seek out the campus Newman Center. “There’s no one telling you to go to Mass, so it’s important to keep your faith life central to everything you do.”

A BEACON FOR CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY AT UCM With the support of a loan, the Newman Center at UCM acquired two adjacent properties to its original house, allowing for an urgently needed expansion. The main Newman Center is in a former fraternity house on one of the most visible corners on the entire UCM campus. Behind the main house is a smaller residence that has been renovated into the Lourdes Women’s House, an intentional Catholic living community.

Kevin O’Reilly, Director of Campus Ministry at the UCM Newman Center, said, “I am beyond EXCITED and PUMPED at how God is moving at UCM! Opening Mass this year had seven students and closing Mass had almost 50. My favorite part of this year was that so many students were coming to daily Mass in our upstairs chapel that the floor could not physically support the number of students coming. We had Vi s i t to move Mass into ucmcatholic.com to our multi-purpose learn how you can garage to accommocontribute to the date God’s growth Newman Center loan repayment fund. and faithfulness.”

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c ov e r s to ry

University of Missouri-Kansas City KANSAS CITY

The Newman Catholic Center at Northwest Missouri State University has become a second home to junior year student, Laura Vrbka.

Northwest Missouri State University

“There was an immediate connection and it felt like we’d known each other forever, even just after a couple of months,” Laura says.

“That’s what I like most about the Newman MARYVILLE Center — the community aspect. Everybody knows everybody and we support each other.”

Northwest Missouri State University is in Laura is at the Newman Center at least evMaryville, 45 minutes north of St. Joseph. The ery other day and she lives at The Guadalupe Newman Center is located across the street House, where the residents pray the Rosary from the main entrance to the campus and three days a week, host regular Bible study, includes a main house for social gatherings, share meals and are expected to live in union Newman Center staff offices, a chapel and with the Church in all aspects of their life. meeting space; The Guadalupe House, a resiLaura explains, “I wanted to live in a Cathodential home for women; and Frassati House lic community with women to strive to live out for men. There are about 100 students actively virtue, lift me up and support me in my faith.” engaged in Newman Center campus ministry Laura's involvement at the Newman Center activities throughout the school year. Staff has given her friendships, fellowship and great includes Director of Campus Ministry, Max resources on Catholic teaching Pawlowski and Father Joshua when she has questions about Barlett as Chaplain.

“There was things she hears in class.

Laura Vrbka heads back to an immediate Laura’s advice for future colNorthwest Missouri State this connection and lege students, “Seek out your fall as a junior, majoring in early it felt like we’d college Newman Center and give childhood education. known each it a try. You’ll see others walkHer freshman year, Laura and other forever. ing the same journey that are her roommate were playing Ul... Everybody your age. It will give you hope timate Frisbee and met another knows everybody that there are other people who student who invited them to a and we support want to authentically live out bonfire where they met the rest their faith.” of the Newman Center group. each other.”

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

The JPII Commons at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is across the street from the UMKC campus and next door to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City.

A handful of students are actively involved and committed to ramping up engagement with the start of the fall 2022 semester. Father Adam Haake serves as Chaplain of Catholic Campus Ministry for UMKC. Ted Reinhardt is entering his fifth and final year at UMKC. He plans to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management, and a minor in Spanish.

Ted started his college journey at Johnson County Community College, where he was invited to join a spring break camping trip with the missionaries of St. Paul’s Outreach (SPO).

“I could feel in my heart that the Lord was providing me the brotherhood that I had always wanted. When the time to transfer came, I had two decisions on my plate ... the question I asked the Lord was ‘which school needs more of you Lord?’ The answer was UMKC,” Ted says. “I dove into the Kansas City SPO community, and when I transferred, I moved into their men’s household program, where I still live to this day.”

After diving into UMKC/SPO life, Ted became familiar with the JPII Commons and started getting involved in some of its events.

Ted Reinhardt dove into Catholic campus ministry as soon as he arrived at UMKC.

Missouri Western State University

Chapel and tabernacle at the JPII Commons, UMKC.

“The JPII Commons is a place where I was met in my desire to grow in my faith, and the friends I made are a great support in this journey of growth and discovery,” he says. “The Lord knows that I need people in my life that care about me, but also want to see me grow, and that’s just what I found in the JPII Commons community: individuals running after the Lord and bringing those around them along for the adventure.”

Through his experience at the JPII Commons, Ted is grateful to have discovered new forms of prayer, deeper levels to the spiritual life and a greater knowledge of the Catholic Church and what she stands for.

For incoming college students who may not know about the Newman Center, Ted’s advice is to just give it a shot.

“The Lord works in mysterious and wonderful ways and looking back on my college experience thus far, I couldn’t imagine it the same if I hadn’t gotten involved. Put yourself out there, strike up conversations, embrace the awkwardness and encounter what incredible gifts the Lord has for you.”

Lillian Kremer God or experience the credits the solemn exposition and Catholic Newadoration before Mass man Center for every Wednesday.

ST. JOSEPH renewing her “Newman helped me confidence in her faith.

Missouri Western State University is in St. to be proud to be CathJoseph, and its Newman Center is located olic,” she says. “If God is across the road from the main campus. Alsomething you really care about, you have lyson Gabler serves as director and Father to be able to stand up for that. We’re in the Jonathan Davis serves as Chaplain. There is a world, but not of the world. Newman helped small, tight-knit group of students me realize that.” actively involved with Newman Lillian’s advice for students getCenter activities, gathering daily ting ready to start college, “Ask for fellowship, Mass in the on-site yourself what the most important Vi s i t chapel and meals. thing in your life is. If it’s being catholickey.org Lillian Kremer is entering her for more on these Catholic, you have to make time students’ stories senior year studying computer for it ... you have to chase it.” including their science.

As Lillian prepares to graduate advice for parents.

“The Newman Center is a family. and go out into the world, she will We’re small as an organization, and carry her Newman Center family we’re very close. We give hugs, ask about our with her. “The people I’ve met and witnessing day and pray for each other. It’s a family and their Faith practice have been very inspiring to it’s a home,” she adds. me. The Newman Center isn’t one person, it Lillian visits the Newman Center every day, takes all of us — celebrating each other, taking sometimes to study because it’s quieter, sit care of the worship spaces, cooking for each in the 24/7 chapel and take some time with other, caring for each other.”

The Newman Center chapel at Missouri Western State University hosts Eucharistic Adoration each Wednesday before Mass.

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healing o u r fa mi ly

Dignity of

SELFRELIANCE The heart of our mission

When Sarah and her young daughter walked into to Catholic Charities’ Welcome Center, they were obviously in distress. After fleeing an abusive relationship, they had become

“There is a growing

homeless. Friends and relatives allowed them to couch surf for several months, but that

awareness of the

arrangement had come to an end, and they had to move on. With no money for child

sublime dignity of

care, Sarah became unemployed. What seemed like an endless string of barriers and crises left Sarah penniless and destitute. Do you know what Catholic Charities saw? We saw Sarah in the likeness of God, we saw her dignity and we helped her find it again.

human persons, who stand above all things and whose rights and duties are universal and inviolable. They ought,

By Ashley Everett

20

At Catholic Charities of Kansas CitySt. Joseph (CCKCSJ), we have modeled our services and programs around Catholic social teaching #1 — the life and dignity of the human person. Catholic social teaching affirms that human life is sacred and holds the dignity of the human person as the foundation of a moral vision for society. In fact, dignity is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states: We believe every person is precious;

Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

people are more important than things; and the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

Larry in the Welcome Center got to work. He listened to Sarah’s story to be certain he understood her needs. First, to be stable, Sarah and her daughter needed a safe place to live and food for their next several days. Larry brought Sonia, CCKCSJ Housing Case Manager, in the room and introduced them. They promptly began paperwork to secure

therefore, to have ready access to all that is necessary for living a genuinely human life: for example, food, clothing, housing, … the right to education, and work.”

— Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World), Vatican II, 26 (1965)

Catholic social teaching principles have significant impact Human dignity is the central principle of Catholic social teaching. Subsidiarity and solidarity flow from human dignity.

These three principles work together to define the common good.

Human dignity is the prime principle of Catholic social teaching.

It recognizes that man is made in God’s image and likeness. It is this that makes every human life sacred.

Solidarity flows from human dignity in that it “consists in the very fact that in God and with God I love even persons I do not like or even know.”

(Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 18)

Subsidiarity flows from human dignity in that it recognizes “in the person a subject who is always capable of giving something to others.”

(Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 57.)

housing. Larry also recognized that Sarah needed to speak with a professional to feel safe and heal past trauma, so he contacted a counselor partner he has in the community. Larry brought in Kendal, Children and Family Services Specialist, who enrolled Sarah and her toddler in CCKCSJ’s Social Butterflies Program. There, Sarah would get help with diapers, parenting education and getting her daughter ready for school.

Members of the SSVF team reach out to people living in KC homeless camps, spreading hope and resources that CCKCSJ can offer. Photos by James Madril, Veterans Workforce Specialist.

So much happened in just one visit.

Sarah came to us with fear and little hope. When Sarah left, she had a bag full of food and hygiene items, an appointment to her first counseling session, as well as appointments with CCKCSJ’s Housing Services and Children and Family Services. Most importantly, she walked out with hope and a plan to regain the dignity of self-reliance.

Families come to us in crisis, they have nowhere to live, they cannot feed their families, they have no one to aid them. Our first step is to stabilize them, remove them from the emergency they are experiencing. What happens next makes CCKCSJ and the services and programs offered here truly life-changing. We offer families many wraparound services to break the generational poverty they are experiencing. After they are given food or emergency assistance to meet the immediate crisis encompassing them, our other programs wrap around them and help them stabilize.

If families have a need we cannot address, we call our professional partners in the community who can. We have skilled, compassionate case managers in all four of our pillars of care: Emergency Assistance, Housing, Children and Family, and Employment Services.

Trust is formed, relationships are made, plans and goals are identified and hope is restored.

Jesus is the good news to the poor.

As His followers, may we recognize the call to be the same. How will you join us in our mission to end poverty and uphold human dignity?

"We believe every person is precious; people are more important than

things; and the measure of every

institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person."

— Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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FA I TH AT W O R K

Tell us a little bit about your faith journey.

I remember opening St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs, attending Mass at the roller rink prior to its opening.

I visited just about every Catholic Church in midtown and downtown KC while attending UMKC before settling at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. I was also able to witness the renovations there prior to being married to my husband, Chris, who was raised Catholic in his hometown of Columbus Junction, Iowa. Our two oldest children were baptized at the Cathedral, but when they were old enough to need religious education, we moved them to St. James in Liberty, where we live. We were able to be a part of the dedication of the new St. James Parish church in 2019 and saw our daughter receive her First Communion in the new space.

As far as my journey goes, it is just that, a journey, and not a destination. I always try to find new ways to invigorate my faith by connecting in some other way outside of weekly Mass. I’m an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, have participated in Bible studies, attended Catholicism Revisited classes, was an RCIA and confirmation sponsor, am a Lenten Prayer Warrior and most recently helped with our religious education program. I find what works with my schedule and family at the time. I feel a faith journey can’t be passive. You have to continually nurture your connection with God.

Q

FAITH at WORK

How is your Catholic Faith expressed during the work day or in the professional setting?

Working in a public school, I don’t outwardly share my beliefs in the Catholic Church, but I do try to model grace to every student, parent and colleague that I work with. It is my goal to meet all people where they are, give them the support they need to move forward and discern their feelings so they feel heard. The world of education is contentious right now, and we need grace, kindness and understanding so we can foster citizens who can carry those same traits into their home and community.

Q

Read mo re from our conversation with Carrie at catholickey.org.

T

he vast majority of the more than 1.5 million people employed in the Kansas City and St. Joseph metropolitan areas work in secular industries. How

is Faith expressed by devoted Catholics working in our area banks, law firms, doctors’ offices, restaurants, farms or auto plants? This is “Faith at work.”

Ca rrie Gab r iel Instructional Coach, Liberty Public Schools Carrie Gabriel spends her work day encouraging teachers at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, inspiring them to be creative and innovative in their approach to instruction and the learning environment they create for their students. A lifelong Catholic, Carrie brings her Faith to work in the way she treats others and finds pockets of time for prayer. Carrie and her husband, Chris, are members of St. James Parish in Liberty with their three children.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

When is it easy to express your Faith in a professional setting?

The easiest way to share my Faith in a professional setting is by acting in ways that were modeled by Jesus. I am not perfect at this at all, but I try to do better all the time.

Q

What are some practical ways that you incorporate prayer into your work day?

My short commute, waiting for my daughter in the car rider line at school and each night at dinner allow for small pockets of prayer time.

I am able to be more focused on prayer at night before I go to bed. I find having a devotional on my bedside table helps me clear my mind for prayer and promotes a calm way to finish my day.

Q

Is there a Bible verse, Scripture story, prayer, spiritual item or quote that you carry with you? How does it help you stay grounded in your Faith?

I was once told to imagine Jesus as a friend that you would meet for coffee. You meet him at the same place and time each day. He is always there. We would never abandon a coffee date with a friend who was waiting for us, just as we should never miss our time with Jesus through prayer. I try to remember that he is always patiently waiting for me. I just have to show up.

Q

s ch o o l pa r tn e r s h i p

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC ACADEMY

A new alliance of St. Joseph Catholic schools

By Marty Denzer

A

fter 120 years of Catholic education, the St. Joseph Catholic Schools Partnership was

formed in 2020. As part of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese’s Vitality in Catholic Education Plan, its goal is to “facilitate collaboration among the Catholic schools and ensure a common experience for all students,” said Ann Lachowitzer, president of the Partnership.

Effective July 1, St. Joseph Catholic Schools aligned under one entity, St. Joseph Catholic Academy, with five campuses: St. Gianna Early Childhood Center, St. Francis Xavier, St. James, Cathedral and Bishop LeBlond. Each campus will operate individually under the Academy aegis.

Lachowitzer was named President and Catherine Neumayr as Head of Schools.

Each campus is led by a Dean responsible to and supported by the Head of Schools.

Lachowitzer and Neumayr detailed the

benefits of the single entity structure: •C atholic liberal arts opportunities, including foreign languages, fine arts and classical literature.

• Advanced technology, STEM, robotics and other diverse electives.

• Expanded professional development for teachers and staff.

• Consistency in an engaging curriculum that builds foundational skills and develops disciplined thinkers.

• Centralized administration composed of the Academy President, Head of Schools and Pastoral Coordinator.

Each elementary campus has its own charism — Cathedral: the traditional educational model; St. Francis Xavier: STEAM and STEM technology models; and St. James: the classical education model.

All will benefit from the emphasis on development of the whole student through attention to academic and spiritual formation based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Students will learn as they strive to share their gifts and talents in the world, glorifying God in all things. All campuses will share common learning experiences, including

Students at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School will benefit from additional liberal arts programming under the new St. Joseph Catholic Academy structure.

Catherine Neumayr (L) and Ann Lachowitzer (R) lead the new St. Joseph Catholic Academy.

styles used for note-taking and labeling, uniforms, on-site after-school activities and middle school sports teams.

Education begins as early as two weeks old at St. Gianna Early Childhood Center, progresses through elementary school at one of the three campuses, then continues at Bishop LeBlond High School.

“From 2 weeks through 12th grade, we’re there for you!” Neumayr said.

Lachowitzer, a longtime educator/administrator who holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and an Education Specialist in Administration degree from William Woods University, served many educational roles before being named Academy President.

Neumayr, daughter of college professors and a University of San Francisco graduate, is a long-time educator who holds a master’s in Education from Pepperdine University.

She came to St. Joseph in 2021, encouraged

by Father Steve Hansen to apply for the principalship of Cathedral School.

In March 2022, the Partnership Board of Directors named the Academy administration team — in addition to Lachowitzer and Neumayr, Father Christian Malewski, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish pastor, was named Pastoral Coordinator. The team works closely with Bishop James Johnston and the diocesan superintendent of schools, Dr. Karen Kroh.

The Academy’s mission is “Preparing our scholars to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ together: Family, Parish, School.”

Neumayer said, “A truly Catholic liberal arts curriculum fosters excellent habits of the mind; training children step-by-step to think effectively and well.”

Lachowitzer said she and Neumayr “are on the same page. We know what kind of student we want to see graduate from LeBlond; as Bishop Johnston says, ‘holy, happy, healthy children.’”

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s i s te r spotlight

‘I felt moved to make a

RETURN TO GOD’

C

onsecrated women have played a unique role in the Church since its earliest days. But how is their “feminine genius” seen in day-to-day life and ministry? The

Sister Spotlight series introduces women religious you might encounter here in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Sister Colette Marie Jaros, OSF Sisters of Saint Francis of the Holy Eucharist, Independence, Missouri A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sister Collette Marie Jaros joined the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist located in Independence, Missouri, in 2016, and she made final vows in September 2021. She has a master’s degree in theology and has worked in vocation ministry and the Retreat Center bookshop for the community. She currently teaches seventh- and eighth-grade religion at St. Thomas More School in Kansas City.

Q

When did you first hear a call to religious life?

A: I was only 3 when I first heard God's call! I was enthralled by my mother's friend who was a sister, and realized I wanted to be just like her. In spite of first hearing the call at a very young age, I spent a lot of time explaining to God why his plan was not a good one. I didn't want to be so different from other kids and was scared of making such a big commitment to God. But later, in high school and college, I felt moved to make a return to God for all of his love and realized that he wanted me to do this as a religious sister.

Q

simplicity and poverty that initially pushed me away eventually became a big draw. The sisters relied on God very directly, and lived with what he gave them.

They didn't hide or try to present a polished facade.

Q

Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

Vi e w th e f ull Q & A with Sister Colette and keep an eye out for more in the Sister Spotlight series on catholickey.org.

How does your work within our diocese fit within your vocation and your community’s charism?

A: We are very much a diocesan community, and most of the schools where we have taught have been diocesan. We have been involved in education and child care since 1892, and we continue in that work today. Education is not flashy work. It has little visible effect day to day, even when we know that it is impactful in the long run.

Our charism is Franciscan. We are called to humble service in imitation of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist and fidelity to the Magisterium. Practically speaking, this means that we go where we are needed and respond pretty directly to the requests of our bishop. So sisters have also worked in parish ministry, as housekeepers, in health care and in retreat ministry.

Q

What do women religious bring to the life of the Church?

A: Women religious are spiritual mothers and brides of Christ. That is the most important thing we bring to the Church. I love teaching, but even if I never spent another day in the classroom, my vocation would still be valuable for the whole Church. Day to day, one of the big ways we express feminine genius is by practicing hospitality.

We welcome those who come to us and help to meet their needs, just as any mother would.

What attracted you to your community?

A: My community has Eucharistic Exposition throughout the day, every day. When I would visit, it felt like there was a giant magnet in the chapel pulling me there. I also came to appreciate the community as a family. I think this is true of every religious community, but the Sisters of St. Francis were my family. Also, the

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By Megan Marley

Q

What’s some advice you have for young women who think they may have a call?

A: Don't be afraid. God's will for your life is for you to go to heaven.

He has a plan for how best to get you there, and it is a plan based on who you are and what you need. You can trust him!

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10.7.2022

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Connect with us for prayer throughout the day.

L

‘Doctor Most Zealous’ ike it or not, the Catholic Church teaches on issues of how we are to live life in light of divine revelation. Moral theology is the field of study dealing with human conduct, free will and how Catholic doctrine

should be applied in day-to-day life. A saint whose feast is August 1 devoted his life to wrangling this weighty subject in practical and concrete terms, while remaining gentle and pastoral.

By Megan Marley

Through his writings and profound sermons appealed preaching, Saint Alphonsus de to all, and his pastoral work Liguori (1696-1787) combatted focused on serving the poor the rigid heresy of Jansenism, which denied and sick, parish missions, hearman’s free will to choose to cooperate with ing confessions and forming lay God’s grace, and gave understandable adfaith groups. In 1732, he founded the vice for advancing in the spiritual life.

Congregation of the Most Holy RedeemA diligent man with a personal vow to er (also known as the Redemptorists) to never waste a moment, he became a doctor participate in this work, and he spent 26 of canon and civil law at age 16 and a lawyears preaching missions. In 1762, Alphonyer at 19. After practicing sus was made a bishop and “The greatest glory we law eight years, he entered reformed his corrupt and can give to God is to do seminary and was ordained lax diocese. his will in everything.” a diocesan priest.

Alphonsus’ popularity Alphonsus’ simple yet — Saint Alphonsus de Liguori as an orator somewhat

eclipsed his prolific writings. His influential multi-volume Moral Theology gives clear, practical advice on everyday problems to confessors. He also wrote more than 100 other works on devotional practice (particularly well-known is The Glories of Mary) and dogmatic subjects such as papal infallibility and the power of prayer, along with poems and hymns.

In his final years, Alphonsus was afflicted with crippling arthritis, persecution from fellow priests, being dismissed from the congregation he founded and a “dark night of the soul.” At nearly 91 years old, he passed away peacefully August 1, 1787.

Saint Alphonsus de Liguori was canonized in 1839. In 1871, he was declared a Doctor of the Church for his outstanding holiness, depth of scriptural and doctrinal insight, and timeless writings that teach authentic Catholic Tradition. He is the patron saint of moral theologians, confessors, lawyers, arthritis and laity.

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par enti ng K a re n Ri d d e r is a parishioner at St. James Parish in Liberty and a convert to the Catholic Faith. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has written for numerous publications in the Kansas City area.

Karen and her husband Jeff have three sons and a daughter.

TRUE friendship M

y middle son has two sets of brothers. There are the ones God gave him. Then, there’s the other two. I didn’t birth them. They don’t live in my

home, but there is a certain rhythm in their relationship that indicates the bonds of true friendship.

The boys are silly together. They do stupid, lighthearted things. My son is so happy when he is with them. These friends hit a particular spot in his heart that brings out his best self. It’s beautiful to see.

The character of true friendship is often more elusive than it should be, and hard to help our children find. Creating opportunities for good friendships requires hard work and well-thought parenting. Often, the sacrifice to support those relationships is our own. It may look like allowing your house to become a mess again, or not worrying about how it looks, so your children can have friends over. It may mean an open-door policy for the neighbor kids no matter how many times they arrive on your doorstep. You may have to stay in, even help run, an activity you’d rather not deal with anymore, or start something new

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

you swore you would never try. Perhaps you will find yourself sitting down with a child to work through slights and hurt for the benefit of a relationship, encouraging them to forgive and forget – even when you can’t yet do it yourself.

The sacrifices attached to friendship are worth "Our God it, because the mark of true friendship is inis a God of delible. It changes us forever, makes us better. relationship.

Once we’ve had it, we don’t go back.

We were Jesus had a lot of friends. He was invited to never meant parties. He had good times, but it wasn’t always to go the way easy. Even his true friends left, denied and even betrayed him. He forgave them and offered alone. We his hand of friendship again. Why? Because are stronger he knew we were made for this. Our God is a with friends God of relationship. We were never meant to by our side." go the way alone. We are stronger with friends by our side.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 confirms, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

I don’t know if my son will always hold these current “brothers” of his close, but I’m grateful he has them now. It means he can have the same kind of friendship again in the future if he chooses.

True friendship is like that. It multiplies itself.

Every new friendship in my own life is possible because of one that came before. Every time someone accepted me, loved me and let me know it was OK to be me, it gave me courage to offer that same grace to the next person.

Jesus believed in his friends, worked to keep them, gave them himself and it changed the world.

Why should we do anything less?

m ar r i ag e

Can the divorced participate in the life of the Church?

This is one of the most frequent things I have been asked in the past two decades serving the Church.

Some people approach this issue without asking questions at all.

I’ve been confronted many times by people who accuse the Church of excluding divorced people, making them feel unwelcome or even excommunicating them. Therefore, I was not surprised when comments about the divorced were made by many participants in the Synodal Listening Sessions in our diocese this past year.

I know that many divorced people feel unwelcome. There are even statistics that prove this is true. I think this is due, in part, to the fact that many Catholics don’t understand the full expression of the teaching on the permanence of marriage nor the status of divorced Catholics. I myself am a child of divorce, so I know the sting of rejection and even condemnation sometimes expressed towards the divorced and their children.

Let’s clear the air with some basic teachings. For Catholics, marriage when validly entered into is a permanent sacrament that creates a bond that only the death of one spouse can separate.

When civil divorce occurs, the status of the divorced depends upon their role and guilt. In fact, there are situations in which civil divorce may be necessary: “If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense.”

the one who abandons may be guilty of a mortal sin, but the abandoned has no guilt. The sinner can amend his or her life and go to confession.

The one without sin can continue to receive Communion and exercise his or her rights as a baptized Catholic.

Merely knowing this teaching may not be enough. Quite a few comments from the Synodal Listening Sessions focused upon a perception that the Church fails to accompany people who feel that they are outside because they are divorced. This leaves us with

a challenge going forward. Those who are active in Church life may need to ask ourselves, does our attitude and behavior toward the divorced communicate the love of God and an accurate response to their situation? If we are guilty of making someone feel unwelcome because they have been divorced, perhaps we can reach out to them to meet for coffee, pray together or extend an invitation to return to Mass.

The message of the Church is actually that all are welcome to attend Mass, but those in a state of mortal sin should not partake in Communion. This invitation to “come home” also includes an invitation to be reconciled with God. For some this involves the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Others may need more accompaniment towards full reconciliation, and this is where our priests and others in our parishes can help them. The role of the faithful is to invite and direct them to their pastors when appropriate.

A final thought: sometimes the situation of those who were divorced and have remarried without obtaining an annulment is conflated with those who are simply divorced. To learn more about how to best accompany people in that situation, please visit CatholicKey.org.

D i n o D ur a n d o is director of the Office of Domestic Church and Discipleship and Office of Marriage and Family Life.

To le a r n more, visit catholickey.org

The Catechism provides further guidance to evaluate specific situations explaining that, “There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage.” (CCC 2386) In the situation described here,

Getty Images/Zbynek Pospisil

(CCC 2383)

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e n e l ca mi n o

¿Cómo fue Jesús

INCLUSIVO?

Recuerdo una vez siendo sacerdote, en la que un hombre entró en la iglesia justamente antes de la Misa y preguntó casualmente: Padre, ¿Va a usted a hablar hoy acerca del pecado otra vez? No estaba seguro cual era el motivo de esa pregunta, y si era hecha como una crítica o no. De hecho, a menudo me preocupo y no predico lo suficiente acerca del pecado. Mi principal enfoque está siempre sobre el amor misericordioso de Dios y de Jesús. Él es la buena nueva. Sin embargo, para ver completamente por qué Jesús es la “buena nueva” debemos enfrentar la realidad del pecado — en el mundo y en nuestra propia vida.

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

Cuando se trata del pecado, los sacerdotes y los obispos están en la misma barca con el resto de la humanidad, y es por eso por lo que necesitamos tanto los sacramentos, incluyendo el Sacramento de la Confesión. Necesitamos un Salvador.

Esto puede intimidarnos algunas veces al abordar situaciones pecaminosas en las vidas de otras personas. Como pastor de almas, es una de las cosas más difíciles de hacer. Sospecho que también es una de las cosas más difíciles de hacer para los padres

“El Hijo del Hombre ha venido para buscar y salvar lo que estaba perdido.”

— Lucas 19:10

James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Del O b ispo El obispo James V. Johnston, Jr. es el séptimo obispo de la Diócesis de Kansas City-St. Joseph

con sus propios niños, pero también es parte de su papel de “pastoreo”. ¿Como hacer, para llamar a otros a convertirse, si yo mismo soy un pecador llamado a la conversión?

Para empezar, debo tomar muy seriamente mi propia conversión. Sin embargo, como una guía, siempre he mirado al propio ministerio de Jesús hacia los pecadores. Jesús amó (y ama) a todas las personas, y esto es especialmente así hacia los pobres, y hacia los que son considerados los pecadores más notorios, los marginados, los impuros. El cenó con ellos, se asoció con ellos y los amó.

Los líderes religiosos de su tiempo al contemplar su compasión se sintieron perplejos y furiosos, y Él se refirió a ellos como hipócritas. Para Jesús, nadie está más allá de la misericordia de Dios, pero es importante no detenernos allí, porque Jesús no se detuvo. El siempre utilizó sus encuentros con los pecadores como el punto de inicio, no como el final. Para amar verdaderamente a alguien, siempre debemos buscar su bien, y si la persona por la que nos preocupamos está en una vida pecaminosa, condonarla o fingir no haberla visto no es amor. Es importante

hacer notar lo que San Pablo escribió en su gran “himno” al amor en Corintios 13, él incluyó estas palabras: “El amor no se alegra de la injusticia sino se regocija en la verdad” (1 Corintios 13:6), lo que significa que el amor y el pecado son contradictorios.

Hay muchos ejemplos del amor de Jesús a los pecadores, uno de ellos es la historia de Zaqueo en el capítulo 19 del evangelio de San Lucas. Es entrañable porque era un hombre pequeño, un desvalido, que tuvo que subirse a una higuera para ver a Jesús a su paso por Jericó. Jesús encontró a Zaqueo con su mirada misericordiosa, tuvo compasión de ese hombrecito tan despreciado como pecador, y se hospedó en su casa ese día.

Lo más relevante acerca de la historia es lo que sucedió a continuación: La conversión real y profunda de Zaqueo. Zaqueo no solo se arrepintió de sus pecados, sino que cumplió una penitencia significativa con todos aquellos a los que había defraudado en el pasado. Jesús se asoció con los pecadores y no tuvo miedo de incluirlos en su compañía, sino más bien los amó plenamente, Él los llamó a salir de su estilo de vida pecaminoso y los llevó a la verdad y la conversión. Él los amó realmente.

Examinar de cerca la forma en la que Jesús trataba a los pecadores es importante porque no es raro escuchar malas interpretaciones. Algunas veces Jesús es retratado en una sola dimensión- en la que Él le da la bienvenida a cada uno y solo eso. Es como si Jesús mirara al pecador y exclamara, “¡Todo está bien!”. El punto, sin embargo, es que no todo está bien, y por eso Jesús murió en la cruz. El precio fue muy alto porque la deuda era enorme.

Como Iglesia, somos llamados a ser inclusivos y misericordiosos de la manera en la que Jesús lo fue. Considerar a todos los amigos y compañeros necesitados de un Salvador tanto como nosotros, pero para comenzar, no para finalizar ahí. Si realmente amamos a alguien, y nos amamos a nosotros mismos, no nos conformemos, con Cristo en nuestra vida nos alejaremos del pecado y creeremos en el Evangelio. Para Jesús, todo se trata de salvarnos del pecado.

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N ati o n a l M i g r ati o n W eek

Home

is here

“There was a raid … [w]e were stopped and my dad was taken out of the car very aggressively. We were all taken out of the car and sat on the sidewalk, and they put my dad in handcuffs. I remember just crying.”

That experience was part of a long jourIt does not grant them official legal status ney Anali Hernandez Cruz has undertaken or a pathway to citizenship, but it does to reconcile her identity. In many ways, it allow them to apply for a driver’s license, has proven longer than the 1,600 miles her Social Security and a work permit. Many, family journeyed from their home like Anali, have only known the in Mexico. Anali has faced a lot of United States as home. sufferings to call the United States Opportunities have limitations home: bullying over her immigrawith DACA. Anali shared that tion status, separation from her while DACA has enabled her to family in Mexico and incertitude work and drive legally, things like about her future. When asked if “... [housing] programs ... to assist Leyden any of this was worth living here, first-time home buyers ... I did not Rovelo-Krull she said, “... puedo romper cadequalify [for] because I am not a nas (I can break barriers). I was the resident nor a citizen.” There is first one in my family to receive a bachealso the threat of DACA ending. The prolor’s degree, and I cried like a baby ... [k] gram stopped accepting applicants, and nowing that I can also help my parents and even for those in the program renewal is be able to teach them the ... things ... that not guaranteed. Anali says it comes with I have learned.” a great weight of uncertainty. What if this Anali came to this country as a child. Her is the year DACA finally goes away? She father came first, as usually happens, with says, “I would have to start all over because the hope of providing for his family in Mexthe door that opened up to me would now ico. But the separation proved difficult, and be closed.” soon her mother and the children followed.

Having a foot in two worlds means she For Anali, Kansas City is home. Her hopes can often feel as if she is neither Mexican for a future here are not diminished by her nor American “enough.” She’s learning love of her heritage. They are enhanced to make peace in this in-between space because she is acutely aware of everything it cost her family to get here. As a childhood arrival, Anali qualified for an immigration status called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA protects a group of young people, about 3000 in Missouri alone, who entered the country undocumented.

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and finds her identity defined through her Faith. She relies on her parents and God for that. “God continues to show me that I am loved and worthy. I know that when I feel defeated it is not me that gets back up, it is him that picks me up and pushes me forward.”

Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

Anali Hernandez Cruz, a parishioner at Sacred Heart-Guadalupe Parish, is a graduate of Donnelly College. She is also a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.

Anali Hernandez Cruz, feligrés de la parroquia Sacred Heart-Guadalupe, se graduó de Donnelly College. También es beneficiaria de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA).

National Migration Week SEPT. 19-25, 2022 For nearly half a century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children and victims and survivors of human trafficking. National Migration Week will take place Sept. 19-25, 2022, and will climax with the Vatican-sponsored World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.” migrants-refugees.va/resourcecenter/world-day-of-migrantsrefugees-2022/

Hogar es aquí

“Hubo una redada... [nos] detuvieron y a mi papá lo sacaron del auto muy agresivamente.

Nos sacaron a todos del auto y nos sentaron en la acera, ya mi papá lo esposaron. Recuerdo simplemente llorar”.

Esa experiencia fue parte de un largo camino que ha emprendido Anali Hernández Cruz para reconciliar su identidad. En muchos sentidos, ha resultado ser más larga que las mil seiscientas millas que su familia viajó desde su hogar en México. Anali ha enfrentado muchos sufrimientos para llamar hogar a los Estados Unidos: intimidación por su estatus migratorio, separación de su

familia en México e incertidumbre sobre su futuro. Cuando se le preguntó si todo esto valía la pena para vivir aquí, dijo: “… puedo romper cadenas! Fui la primera en mi familia en recibir una licenciatura, y lloré como un bebé... [s]abiendo que también puedo ayudar a mis padres y poder enseñarles las ... cosas ... que yo he aprendido."

Anali vino a este país cuando era niña. Su padre llegó primero, como suele suceder, con la esperanza de proveer para su familia en México. Pero la separación resultó difícil, y pronto le siguieron su esposa y sus hijos.

Para Anali, Kansas City es su hogar. Sus esperanzas de un futuro aquí no se ven disminuidas por su amor por su herencia.

Se realzan porque ella es muy consciente de todo lo que le costó a su familia llegar aquí. Como llegada en la infancia, Anali calificó para un estatus migratorio llamado Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA). DACA protege a un grupo de jóvenes, unos 3000 solo en Missouri, que ingresaron al país sin documentos.

No les otorga un estatus legal oficial o un camino hacia la ciudadanía, pero les permite solicitar una licencia de conducir, seguro social y permiso de trabajo. Muchos, como Anali, solo han conocido a Estados

Unidos como su hogar.

Las oportunidades tienen limitaciones con DACA. Anali compartió que si bien DACA le ha permitido trabajar y conducir legalmente, cosas como "... programas [de vivienda] ... para ayudar a los compradores de vivienda por primera vez ... No califico porque no soy ni residente o ciudadana.” También existe la amenaza de que DACA termine. El programa dejó de aceptar solicitantes e incluso para aquellos en el programa, la renovación no está garantizada. Anali dice que eso viene con un gran peso de incertidumbre. ¿Qué pasa si este es el año en que DACA finalmente desaparece? Ella dice: “Tendría que empezar de nuevo porque la puerta que se abrió se cerraría”.

Tener un pie en dos mundos significa que a menudo puede sentir que no es “lo suficientemente” mexicana o estadounidense. Está aprendiendo a hacer las paces en este espacio intermedio y encuentra su identidad definida a través de su fe. Ella confía en sus padres y en Dios para eso. “Dios continúa mostrándome que soy amada y digna. Sé que cuando me siento derrotada no soy yo quien se levanta, es él quien me levanta y me empuja hacia adelante”.

Nati onal H ead l i nes Round u p

Getty Images/AndreyPopov

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling brought an end to nearly half a century of nationwide legalized abortion in the United States.

On June 24, the court issued a 6-3 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, overturning the formative decisions of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The question of abortion policy is now returned to individual states and elected local representatives. Read the ruling at SupremeCourt.gov, and discover your local state representatives at house.mo.gov/legislatorlookup. aspx. Local services in our ongoing work for mothers, children and families in crisis situations are listed on page 34.

The Knights of Columbus have launched a 1-year, $5 million donation challenge for pro-life pregnancy centers and maternity homes across the United States and Canada. The campaign was announced June 23, a day before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on abortion. The Knights of Columbus (KofC) is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, with more than 2 million members. Find a local council at kofc.org/en/get-involved/ find-a-council.html.

Pope Francis published an apostolic letter in late June reflecting on liturgical formation, liturgical documents of the Second Vatican Council, the importance of the Mass and liturgical year in the life of the Church and an interior disposition of wonder needed for worship of God. Entitled Desiderio desideravi, the letter comes nearly one year after the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, which restricted celebration of the traditional Latin Mass in certain settings. Visit Vatican.va to read the full 15-page letter, or find more news coverage at CatholicNewsAgency.com or PillarCatholic.com.

A Catholic Church was attacked on Pentecost Sunday in Nigeria.

Forty were killed and dozens wounded at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo in southwest Nigeria. The country is in turmoil along religious and ethnic lines, and the Pentecost attack is one of many on Christian communities throughout the country. The Diocese of Ondo has a fundraiser for families of those killed on Pentecost on t o re a d m o r e n e w s GoFundMe; search Ondo Diocese visit kcsjcatholic.org/news — Pentecost Day Martyrs' Fund. and catholickey.org/news

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healing o u r fa mi ly

FIRST LINE of response

By Ashlie Hand

Joe Crayon’s experience following three decades in law enforcement led him to the role of Independent Ombudsman, a partner to the diocese’s Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP). He serves as an independent contractor in investigating reports of sexual abuse and suspicious behavior involving minors by employees, clergy or volunteers in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Q

How is your role unique?

My role on the team is unique as I am an “outsider,” not an employee, but a partner whose role complements that of the other members: victim support, safe environment education and office management.

Q

How long has the diocese had an independent ombudsman?

The diocese has had an Ombudsman for about ten years.

I became the second Ombudsman in 2019.

Q

What drew you to your role with the Office of Child and Youth Protection?

My career in law enforcement focused primarily on the investigative side of policing and continued as I went into management. As I neared retirement age after 31 years with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, the opportunity to apply for the position presented itself, and my qualifications were a good fit. Since I was not ready to retire, utilizing my skills and management experience for a worthwhile and righteous cause was a fantastic opportunity. I believe the Diocesan Vision: One Family Restored in Christ, Equipped for Mission helps guide me, and this position, while fulfilling to me on a personal basis, also allows me to do my part in restoring trust in the Church.

Q

What happens when a report of abuse comes in?

When a report comes to my attention, it must be determined if a minor is in imminent danger and if law enforcement needs to be immediately notified. In the case of historical cases (allegations that occurred many years ago), investigative

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Catholic Key • August/September 2022 • catholickey.org

protocols are followed. At the onset of every report, an initial determination of credibility is determined. Local law enforcement and/or prosecutors in the jurisdiction where the abuse occurred are notified when the abuse involves violations of the law. Additionally, the OCYP utilizes the Victim Assistance Coordinator, who accompanies victims of abuse through the investigative process, including interviews.

Why is it important to have an independent third party as the first line of response for reports of abuse?

Q

Having an independent third party as the first line of response ensures reports are received in an unbiased, impartial manner. For the Church to regain the trust of the people, they need to be assured that a professional investigation is conducted without showing favor to either side.

Q

How do you work with the Independent Review Board?

I meet with the Independent Review Board (IRB) chairperson and the Director of the OCYP prior to monthly meetings of the IRB to prepare the agenda and discuss any ongoing issues. During the meetings, I report my findings regarding completed and on-going investigations. The Board evaluates the cases presented to them and makes a recommendation whether or not the subject of the report is suitable to remain in ministry. Additionally, I am available to them regarding policy and procedure discussions.

Q

What is the most rewarding aspect of the work you do in our diocese?

For the victim, even when I cannot prove an allegation, just knowing that everything was done to search for the truth can be healing for them. For the diocese, having independent, impartial investigations conducted by a third party displays their willingness to find the truth and hold those violating their promises as clergy and/or the law accountable.

c atec hi s m c o r ner

W H Y C A N ’ T WO M E N B E P R I E STS I N T H E C AT H O L I C C H U R C H ?

I

n this time when traditionally held roles of men and women are changing, the Catholic Church holds fast to the male-only priesthood. Pope St. John Paul II closed the door on the question of women priests in 1994, and Pope Francis

reaffirmed that decision in 2016. To some, this seems profoundly out-of-touch with the modern world.

M ar c C ar da ro nel l a

Getty Images/BRO Vector

is the director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) in number 1577 states, “‘Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.’ The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry ... The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself.

For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.”

Opponents argue the Church shouldn’t fear re-examining customs that are clearly the product of a bygone

age. They say the Church’s lack of openness to women priests doesn’t sync with the Gospel and can’t continue. But is the Church’s position merely an obstinate refusal to change? Or does it go deeper? To understand, we must delve into another document and the process of transmitting the Faith.

Dei Verbum is a Vatican II document about Sacred Scripture. It’s also about how God preserves his saving truth for future generations. Dei Verbum explains how the Word of God comprises not only sacred Scripture but also sacred Tradition. Scripture is the Word of God

written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Tradition is also the Word of God, the oral teaching that comes from the apostles and was handed on to their successors.

Scripture and Tradition are inseparably connected because they both come from Christ. Together, they form the Deposit of Faith, the core of doctrine handed down from the apostles.

The third aspect of divine revelation is the Magisterium, the teaching office of the Church. The twelve apostles were the first Magisterium. Along with the Deposit of Faith, the apostles’ successors received the Holy Spirit's power to preserve it from error.

Dei Verbum (DV) 10 states, “This teaching office [the Magisterium] is not above the Word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on ...”

The Magisterium isn’t free to manipulate the Deposit of the Faith as it sees fit. It “serves” the Deposit by guarding, explaining and teaching only what the apostles entrusted to it. So, there are some things the Magisterium doesn’t have the authority to change ... like the ordination of women. Jesus and the apostles only ordained men. We only have that precedent handed down from them. Therefore, the Church is “bound by this choice made by the Lord himself” (CCC 1577) and can’t deviate from it.

The all-male priesthood is not an artifact of outdated societal norms. The reason it doesn’t change, in fact can’t change, is the reason why centuries later we experience the same Faith as the very first Catholics. It’s also the reason future generations will have the same experience of Faith for centuries to come.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Magisterium safeguards the Deposit of Faith to ensure everyone, separated by time but not grace, has the whole truth that God revealed.

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