Catholic Key Magazine | August-September

Spiritual motherhood and the classroom

Of Faith Faith and science science

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist share their gift of preaching for the salvation of souls at St. Michael the Archangel High School

Respecting Life begins with respecting mothers Respecting Life begins with respecting mothers

Honor, celebrate and pay tribute to your mother, grandmother, or any mother by adding her name to the MOTHERS' WALL

OF LIFE

She will join more than 5,000 mothers' names from 44 states and six continents, permanently engraved on the polished, black granite walls at The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church located in Laurie, Missouri.

"What on God’s good earth "What onGod’s goodearth is moreglorious thanthis: ismore gloriousthanthis: tobea mother?" mother?"

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The magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

VOL. 3 | ISSUE 5

Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.

Publisher

Ashlie Hand

Editor

Christy Gruenbaum

Assistant editor

Jenny Pomicter

Graphic designer

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

12

www.FAITHcatholic.com

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. ©2022 Catholic Key, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

ON THE COVER:

Sister Stephen Patrick Joly, Ph.D., teaches science and Christian morality at St. Michael the Archangel High School. Photo by Laura Eagle.

COVER STORY

Of faith and science | Spiritual motherhood in the classroom

Ashlie Hand

The primary apostolate of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is education. With a Ph.D. in cell and microbial biology from The Catholic University of America, Sister Stephen Patrick Joly brings a unique understanding of faith and science, while finding her joy in serving as a spiritual mother to her students at St. Michael the Archangel High School.

4 On the Way | Aiming at the target | Bishop Johnston

What we think about becomes our target in life. If we think about good things, it is more likely that we will choose good things and do good things.

8 House of God | St. Columban, Chillicothe | Ashlie Hand and Cory Thomason

Originally built by Franciscan friars who settled in northeastern Missouri, St. Columban celebrates the rich German heritage of its first parish community.

Ministry on the move | Bridget Locke

Construction at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception led to the need to move the Cathedral’s Morning Glory Ministries’ daily meal service for downtown’s poor and hungry to a new location, so through prayer, Bishop Johnston invited MGM to the Catholic Center.

20

To Serve and Lift | Outpace

Poverty | Susan Walker

While there are lots of runs/walks throughout the year, the mission of Catholic Charities makes Outpace Poverty fall’s most meaningful 5K.

22 Familiar face becomes “Warrior” for the diocese | Karen Ridder

After 37 years serving St Pius X High School as teacher, coach and administrator, Joe Monachino steps into a new role as Director of Athletic Programs for the Catholic Schools Office.

24 Come Home to Communion | Sara Kraft

The Cathedral of St. Joseph is home to a new first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, one of two patrons of Eucharistic revivals.

33 Celebrating two centuries of ministry and devotion | Marty Denzer

St. Mary Parish in Independence has planned a year-long bicentennial celebration, kicking off on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15, 2023.

34 Ministry spotlight: Partners in solidarity | Marty Denzer

Seven Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph support the education of children and young adults in 10 communities in El Salvador through the Center for Exchange and Solidarity, Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad (CIS).

En Espanol

26 En el Camino | Apuntando al Objetivo | Obispo Johnston

28

Reliquia del Beato Carlo Acutis | Sara Kraft

29

Socios en solidaridad | Marty Denzer

Marty Denzer is long-time writer in residence for the Catholic Key.

Ashlie Hand leads the Office of Communications for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Susan Walker leads the Outreach and Engagement Team at Catholic Charities KCSJ.

Sara Kraft is a wife, mother and freelance writer in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Karen Ridder is a journalist, wife and mother in Liberty, Missouri.

Emcee Kathy Quinn with Sister Stephen Patrick Joly, Ph.D., during the 2023 St. Michael the Archangel High School Guardian Gala. Photo by Laura Eagle.

“ Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. ”

- Matthew 6:21

Aiming

at the target

I first shot a real arrow on the archery range at Camp Pellissippi, the Boy Scout camp in eastern Tennessee where I spent a week each summer during my adolescence. It was a real bow and a real arrow, and it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Straining to get enough force behind the arrow as the bowstring is pulled back while maintaining a steady hand to keep the arrow on the target — is no easy feat. Alas, archery was not a merit badge I ever earned!

As summer winds down, I recall that experience for another reason. Whether beginning a new school year or any new journey, it serves as a good image of something important in the Christian life. Saint Paul alludes to it in a brief, few lines in his letter to the Philippians: “Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted, what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9)

Essentially, Saint Paul is confirming what we can know by experience; namely, that what we think about becomes our target in life. If we think about good things, it is more likely that we will choose good things and do good things. Thought precedes action. But, like shooting a real bow and arrow, it is not as easy as one might think. One must train oneself with discipline and practice and develop a kind of inner strength to master holy thinking so that one can set out in holy doing. One must want to hit the target and one must know that there is a target.

One of the greatest treasures of our Catholic faith is that it introduces us to “all that is true,

all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.” These things are revealed fully in Jesus, but also in the lives of his saints, the teaching of the Church, the sacred Liturgy and in works of art, literature, music, architecture, etc. But we can also find some of these good and holy things in other, often unexpected places. The good news is that there is a target to which we can direct our lives and find true peace and real joy.

This admonition of Saint Paul is perhaps more relevant today than ever. Most of us are saturated with technology and media that work, in part, to distract us from the target, which is why we often are left without peace. Life without a clear target is scattered and a scattered life is a restless, anxious life. And who would describe much of the fare on social media as true, deserving respect, honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous and worthy of praise?

There are almost unlimited ways to act on Saint Paul’s advice about directing our thoughts to the right target: through prayer, Scripture, Mass, good books, nature, conversation within family, etc. When we begin something new, let’s take time to check our thinking. Take time to find our target.

From the Bishop Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. is the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph

FAITH WORK at

By Ashlie Hand

Mark Trujillo: UPS

Mark Trujillo has worked as a service provider for UPS for 38 years, delivering packages to businesses and residents in downtown Kansas City. He is a lifelong KC native and a cradle Catholic. Mark attended St. Charles Borromeo Academy and St. Pius X High School. He has been a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish his entire life, calling it a mainstay and his peaceful place. Mark credits his parents and grandparents for influencing his devotion to his Catholic faith and his desire to pass the Faith down to his own children, whom he and his wife sent through Catholic grade school and high school.

After losing his wife six years ago to cancer, Mark was lost and in deep pain. His journey through loss brought him more deeply in love with Jesus and led him to pursue the permanent diaconate. Mark reached an important milestone in his formation on June 25, when he was accepted by Bishop Johnston through the Rite of Candidacy.

Q Is your Catholic faith part of your professional identity, either publicly or privately?

A: In Catholic school, we were taught that Jesus is always with us because we are his children, so my faith has always been part of my identity privately. In my professional career at UPS, I have had an opportunity to touch people from all walks of life. In God’s eyes, we are all created equal, and everyone’s soul is so beautiful to him. So, throughout my career, I always treat the people I meet every day with the same respect and honor. Having this attitude opens so many doors to share my faith in an appropriate manner.

Q When is it easy to express your faith in a professional setting? When is it more challenging?

A: Early in my career, I had a hard time sharing my faith. I could talk about sports, current events, politics, etc., but when it came to my faith, I struggled. With the help of my beautiful wife, I decided to dive deeper into my faith. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t timid when people asked about the ashes on my forehead on Ash Wednesday. I was falling deeply in love with my faith and with the Lord. He wants us to go out and share ourselves and our love of our Catholic faith with everyone. A friend of mine once told me that a piano is just a big piece of furniture unless you learn how to play it.

Q

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

A: The privilege of working downtown has always afforded me the opportunity to stop in at the Cathedral and sit with Jesus for a little bit, or the Chapel of Ephesus inside the diocese’s offices. I go in just to thank the Lord for all of my blessings. It makes it easier to turn to God when the job gets hard. I also always have a rosary in my pocket.

Q Do you have a favorite saint or religious figure who you turn to in facing challenges at work?

A: My favorite saint has always been Saint Joseph — what a humble and obedient man. Whatever God wanted, Saint Joseph obliged, no questions asked. My favorite angel is Michael, a warrior against Satan, who goes to battle with his sword for the Lord, always vanquishing Satan in the form of a dragon.

Q What is your go-to Catholic/Christian/faith-based podcast, app, radio program or station?

A: I listen to KLove on my radio or EWTN. I also listen to podcasts of Matthew Kelly, Bishop Barron and my favorite, Dr. Scott Hahn. His podcasts have made everything about our faith make sense to me.

Photo by Christy Gruenbaum

Mark is a parishioner at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kansas City.

Read more about Mark’s story and faith journey at catholickey.org

THEN NOW THE LAST SUPPER, THEN AND ALSO NOW S

omething amazing takes place during the consecration of the Eucharist, and I’m not talking about transubstantiation. It’s a little like time travel, and most people are completely unaware of it. When the priest says the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, he does not simply recall a past event. At that moment, the church is transported into timeless eternity.

“The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice ... In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.” (CCC 1362)

To understand this incredible mystery, you need to understand the concept of “memorial.” In the liturgical celebrations of ancient Israel, recalling past events was more than simply remembering. For instance, the story of God rescuing the captive Israelites from Egyptian slavery is told during every Passover. The belief was that those events become present in a certain sense, and something of that saving action is applied again to the people participating in the ceremony like they were actually there.

This is what happens at Mass. The Eucharistic Prayer is a memorial of Christ’s Passover at the Last Supper. However, the catechism beautifully expounds that, “In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning.” (CCC 1364) Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the recollection becomes a reality. You see, the cross is not just a past event, done once and then gone. It’s an eternal event, a still point in time. In the New Testament memorial, time collapses, and the eternal sacrifice of Christ on the cross is made present here and now. It’s like

a window through time, allowing us to partake in the eternal offering. So now, that saving grace isn’t sort of applied to us like we were there, it really is applied to us because we are there.

This encounter with God’s eternal time transcends human limitations. We enter the divine realm, where the past, present and future merge. As the priest, acting in persona Christi, utters the words of consecration, Christ himself speaks and acts. Do not take the Eucharist lightly. Approach the altar with reverence, awe and an open heart. As you receive the Body and Blood of Christ, remember that this is not an empty ritual but a profound encounter with our Savior that spans the ages.

The next time you’re at Mass, don’t zone out during the Eucharistic Prayers. Remember: this is the Last Supper then ... but also now. The Last Supper is not confined to the past; it transcends time and space, becoming a living reality in our lives. It is the eternal sacrifice of Christ, a profound encounter with Jesus within God’s eternal time. In that sacred moment, time stands still and heaven touches earth. We are granted a glimpse of the divine, a taste of the eternal. I pray this truth ignites a fire within you, deepening your faith and inspiring you to share the profound beauty of the Eucharist with others.

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

House of God

St. Columban, Chillicothe

By Ashlie Hand | Photos by Cory Thomason

St. Columban Parish in Chillicothe, Missouri, was founded in 1857 by Father John J. Hogan with 12 families. The first permanent church building was dedicated on May 17, 1860. The current church was built for 150 families at a cost of $12,000 and dedicated on Nov. 23, 1879. It was expanded to its current size on Oct. 24, 1894.

The design and architecture are strongly influenced by the rich German heritage of the first parish families, as well as the Franciscans who built the current church and served the parish community until 1914.

In 1904, a new main altar was added at a cost of $1,625. The altar was custom-built by Mr. Henry Dreisoerner of Quincy, Illinois. The altar is 35 feet high and is adorned at the top with a custom statue of Saint Columban holding an accurate scale model of the church carved by M. Schneiderhahn of St. Louis.

The interior of the church went through many stages of renovation and repair over the decades of the 20th century. Following two separate lightning strikes prior to 1940, a 25-foot-tall, copper-clad steeple was added to replace the original in 2009. In 2017, a grand restoration of the church took place which restored the majority of the interior to how it appeared in 1913.

The architecture of St. Columban is a combination of both old and new Gothic forms, modeled after the German Ulm Munster Cathedral. Pointed arches, which lead the eyes upward to heaven, and high, vaulted ceilings are used throughout the church. The reddish-colored bricks were purchased from a local brick plant, and native stone for the foundation was hauled by horses and wagons from Utica, Missouri, by the Bonderer family.

St. Columban Parish archive

Visit

catholickey.org for more history and symbolism found at St. Columban Catholic Church.

In 1913, Thomas Bush painted six murals. In the north transept is Christ healing the afflicted; the south has Christ with Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. The original images of the Ascension and the Assumption were repainted on either side of the main altar in 2017.

Most of the statuary dates back to the late 19th century and was manufactured in Munich, Germany. This angel holy water font is one of a pair which flank the center aisle as you enter the church.

Current pastor, Father Ryan Koster, has a passion for traditional Catholic imagery, history and spiritual symbolism inside the church. He has personally restored large portions of the rectory and sacristy by hand.

Martha Frank serves up groceries

and a warm smile

Martha Frank, the coordinator of House of Bread, an outreach ministry at St. Francis Xavier Parish in St. Joseph, Missouri, has a twinkle in her eyes and determination in her step. She moves so quickly as she works that you would be lucky to catch a photo without her in a blur.

Story and photos

By Christy Gruenbaum

Martha manages a team of almost 60 volunteers, including drivers and bookkeepers, who provide groceries and essential items as a lifeline for individuals and families. They volunteer because they know firsthand the impact House of Bread has on the community.

Many years ago, Martha was asked by the coordinator at the time if she would like to help serve in the ministry. Her mother had recently passed away, and Martha thought it seemed like good timing. She thought, “I could do this,” so she signed up.

She was trained over time for the many roles it takes to run House of Bread and really enjoyed the experience. Martha is passionate about making sure people have access to

House of Bread is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

If you would like to volunteer or contribute, contact the parish office at St. Francis Xavier at 816.232.8449.

the food they need, so when a new coordinator was needed, she was the perfect choice.

Martha starts her day early, arriving at the food pantry before the other volunteers. She takes inventory, and then works quickly packing grocery sacks with a variety of food and supplies. The sacks are loaded onto a small rolling cart with wooden side rails painted by a volunteer with the Kansas City Royals logo. Martha rolls the cart out the front door, and offers the groceries, along with a warm smile, to the person or family waiting outside. House of Bread serves a lot of different people, and the clients have varied as the neighborhood and area has grown and changed. “Right now, we have many Cuban refugees, senior citizens, families, really all age groups,” Martha said. Families receive a bag of groceries and basic necessities and are allowed to come to House of Bread twice a month. House of Bread relies on generous donations from the parish, but sometimes the demand outweighs the available supply. When that happens, Martha purchases discounted supplemental products through Harvesters, such as cereal and macaroni and cheese, to make sure they have something to give everyone.

Martha has boundless energy and a firm resolve to make sure no one goes hungry. “It’s hard right now for people to be able to afford to eat,” she said. “It makes you feel good to help others and be useful. I like being there because I am doing something for the community. I don’t have a lot to give financially, so I give of my time. Our parish is a very giving parish and accepting of all people and so many people do so much. I love being here. It is my home away from home.”

“I don’t have a lot to give financially, so I give of my time. ... I love being here. It is my home away from home.”

House of Bread is an outreach ministry of St. Francis Xavier Parish located in the former convent across the street.

The Story of a Soul

On Sept. 30, 1897, at 7:20 p.m., in a provincial French city, a Carmelite nun, age 24, died of tuberculosis. Outside of her religious community and family, she was unknown to the world and yet, in less than 30 years she would be declared a saint and become one of the most popular and beloved saints in the history of the Church. Her name was Therese Martin, or Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.

How did this happen? Most simply, it was because of her memoir, The Story of a Soul, one of the greatest spiritual autobiographies ever. Not initially intended for publication, within a year of her death, it was printed and has inspired countless numbers of people from many different walks of life.

Therese shares her early life as marked by love and suffering. This included the death of her mother, physical sickness and mental challenges. There followed a healing at Christmas 1886 and her desire to enter the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux at the age of 15, where she lived until her death.

In the final chapter Therese

RESOURCES:

Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France

https://www.therese-de-lisieux. catholique.fr/en/

A gateway of resources

http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/

Institute of Carmelite Studies publications

This resource shares a number of primary and secondary sources of the saint:

https://www.icspublications.org/ collections/therese-of-lisieux

Society of the Little Flower https://www.littleflower.org/ st-therese/

Carmelite Monastery of St. Louis, Missouri https://stlouiscarmel.com/

describes The Little Way, which consists of proceeding with an absolute trust in God and an absolute determination to do everything, no matter how small or large, for love of God. Do not be deceived. Little or even simple does not mean easy. Her recounting interactions with her sisters in religious life make this very clear.

Written in a style that can strike modern readers as sentimental or even saccharine, it is important to be patient and move beyond it. This youngest doctor of the Church insists that holiness is possible in the events of daily life. Read The Story of a Soul and let her show you how.

Father Joseph Cisetti is pastor of St. Therese Little Flower Parish [North]

Cover page for The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, édition 1940

Office central de Lisieux (Calvados), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

S T. TH É R È SE of LISIEUX S T. É R È of

Illustration by Matt Watters SAINT TH É R È SE OF LISIEUX

Search top ten quotes of Saint Therese on YouTube

Of faith Faith

Spiritual motherhood and the classroom

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist share their gift of preaching for the salvation of souls at St. Michael the Archangel High School

and science science

By Ashlie Hand

Photos by Laura Eagle

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says,

“… methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are.” (CCC 159)

Sister Stephen Patrick Joly understands this teaching better than most. With a Ph.D. in cell and microbial biology from The Catholic University of America, she has taught at St. Michael the Archangel High School (SMA) for five years, covering topics like biology, physics, anatomy, physiology, astronomy, meteorology and Catholic morality.

“The myth of a conflict between faith and science is so strong and is often cited as a reason for young people

leaving the Catholic Church. I love being a science teacher whose very presence witnesses to the complementarity of faith and science. I enjoy helping my students encounter God’s creation with wonder, awe and amazement, whether I’m teaching about stars and galaxies, the human body, cells or the well-ordered laws of the physical universe,” she says.

Along with Sister Stephen Patrick, SMA is fortunate to have three more Dominican Sisters teaching math,

English and theology at the school. The Sisters teach with the same goal in mind, “preaching and the salvation of souls.” This is the purpose on which the Dominican Order was founded.

“I try to cultivate an enjoyment of learning, studiositas , in my students. Study is a pillar of the Dominican Order, so I suppose it’s taken a deep root in my heart. Studiositas is a virtue by which the truths and knowledge we learn lead us to a greater love of God,” she explains.

The primary apostolate of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is education. Therefore, each Sister is given the formation and education necessary to teach in the classroom. The Sisters receive an assignment each year as a part of the vow of obedience.

“It’s a beautiful gift for us to receive our yearly assignment, as we know it is God’s will and we trust in his providential plan,” Sister Stephen Patrick says. “On the first day of every school year, I tell my students that the Lord has entrusted them to my care for the year and promise them my prayers.”

The Sisters are spiritual mothers to their students and to those they encounter each day. This sets the Sisters apart as educators, and for Sister Stephen Patrick, is what brings her the most joy. She especially appreciates “the opportunity to form relationships with my students both inside and outside of the classroom and to help them encounter the love of God.”

She continues, “This joy is deepened when I am able to accompany them through a difficult time or deepen their relationship with God.”

Serving as a spiritual mother to teens today comes with its own unique challenges.

“I think many of our students struggle to see and believe their true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God the Father,” Sister Stephen Patrick says.

Sister Stephen Patrick Joly with Rev. Patrick Baikauskas, OP and the students enrolled in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity at St. Michael the Archangel High School.

openlightmedia.com

journey to religious life.

“They fail to understand their great dignity and worth and the purpose for which they and other human persons exist.”

In Sister Stephen Patrick’s experience, this limited view leads to placing our worth in our accomplishments and perceptions of others. This turns us into human “do”-ings, instead of human “be”-ings, and feeds the growing number of students struggling with stress, anxiety and other forms of mental illness. She believes this is rooted in seeing our life as a right, rather than as a gift.

Layer on many of society’s moral contradictions, and the Sisters have much more to try to influence than academic skills.

“I think some of our students fail to see objective truth and tend to accept the moral relativism that is present in

our society. There can be a tendency to practice tolerance, believing it’s a form of charity. It’s also easier to not have (or voice) an opinion so as not to cause tension or be labeled as one who hates others. Many of them do not want to force their opinion on another.”

For parents and guardians who may feel overwhelmed by these same challenges, even feeling that the teens in their community are turning away from the Faith, Sister Stephen Patrick has encouraging advice.

“I often tell parents that their witness is powerful, often it can speak louder than words. When children see their parents setting aside time daily for prayer, attending Mass on Sunday and striving to live a virtuous life, they can see that the Faith is important, and they hopefully see the fruits of living a faith-filled life. I also remind them of Saint Monica, who prayed ceaselessly for her son’s conversion. Perseverance in prayer can obtain great graces for your children, though sometimes it can take a long time before you see its fruit.”

In addition to teaching and mentoring the students at SMA, the Sisters help students deepen their life of prayer, as well as learn more about the Catholic Church and consecrated life. Some of

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist are a regular presence even at high school football games. Pictured l to r: Sister Mary Elizabeth, Father Paul Sappington, Sister Stephen Patrick, Sister Katherine Rose and Sister Mary Aquinas.

Support the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Pray for the Sisters; their work in the apostolate; their community, students, staff and their families; for vocations to their community and to the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese; and for St. Michael the Archangel High School to fulfill its mission of calling young men and women through a relationship with Jesus Christ, to embrace their God-given gifts in order to know truth, love God and serve others as his brave and humble disciples.

Donate

flowers to the Sisters’ convent chapel, or gas and grocery gift cards.

Support

the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

Visit smacatholic.org for donation information.

these include: total consecration to Jesus through Mary, enrollment in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, Lenten Small Group, lunch meetings to inquire and ask questions about the Catholic faith, baking with the Sisters and a retreat with the Sisters. The Sisters also support and cheer on their students while attending class retreats and various types of extracurricular activities, including sports, music and adoration.

MINISTRY on the move

From the warm and welcoming space of downtown Kansas City’s Donnelly Hall, Morning Glory Ministries (MGM) served meals; provided clothing, hygiene items and camp supplies; and helped procure identification documents to assist with housing, employment and government aid applications for more than a decade. The ministry united people from various backgrounds and circumstances, allowing them to eat and enjoy fellowship in a faith-rich, non-judgmental space where they feel safe and loved.

By Bridget Locke

But similar to the fragrant coffee that percolates in the early mornings for their guests, earlier this year, change was brewing.

As a part of the “Building Glory” capital campaign to build a new parish center for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, MGM’s meal services ministry relocated from 11th and Broadway to a new site: the lower level of the Catholic Center, 20 W. Ninth St., Kansas City, Missouri. Meals are served five days per week, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Emergency services will continue to

be provided at the Cathedral.

When contemplating the next move for MGM, Bishop Johnston received confirmation that relocating would be positive for the community it serves and for the neighborhood he calls home.

“Through prayer, I received inspiration that the Catholic Center would be a very fitting place. I consider it my home and my neighborhood,” he said. “It is our duty and our privilege to serve those in need in our neighborhood.”

In preparation for the move, work began in January 2023 to update the Catholic Center’s kitchen and dining facilities. Following an official blessing ceremony by Bishop Johnston in May, MGM served its first meal out of The Eagle’s Wings Café, named for the bronze eagle perched at the entrance of the building.

Photos by Christy Gruenbaum

Bishop James Johnston blessed the new St. Martha’s Kitchen and Eagle’s Wings dining room at the Catholic Center in May 2023.

For John Kraus, MGM’s director, the move has been extremely positive. Now, the guests can get out of the elements to wait. The food preparation and cooking areas are expanded, and there is now a walk-in refrigerator and freezer and a dedicated dishwashing room.

“Our guests love the new location,” Kraus said. “Several asked, ‘Is this really for us?’ They gush about the meals, our volunteers and the addition of security guards, which adds to the peaceful atmosphere. They are in awe of the devotion of our church.”

Daily guest totals — 110 per day — are slightly lower than in their previous location, but they continue to increase as word spreads about where

they’ve moved. For those who haven’t yet found their way back, Kraus and staff ask around, then do their best to remove obstacles for guests.

“Ricky’s wheelchair batteries weren’t strong enough to get further from a bus stop, so we purchased new ones for his chair,” Kraus said about a regular guest whom he hadn’t seen. “He has come every day since. I saw Richard downtown and asked why he hadn’t come to breakfast.

He couldn’t find it, so we walked there together and discussed bus routes,” Kraus continued. “He was at breakfast today.”

Charity is an integral part of the mission of the Catholic Church, especially to the poor, as described in Matthew 25. And, who better to confirm the impact of the work of the mission than those profoundly affected by the ministry?

Eddie, whose teenage daughter recently passed away, was searching for meaning in a community. He found it by dining with MGM for an hour a day with fellow guests, staff and volunteers.

“Your work saves lives,” he told MGM and volunteers, overcome with gratitude. “You save lives.”

CHEF ERIN’S RECIPE FOR BACON candied

GettyImages/isoonkawsuk

SERVES 4

Ingredients:

• 1 lb thick cut bacon

• 1/2 c brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• Chopped chives or parsley  for garnish

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

• Mix sugar and peppers together.

• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and spread bacon in a single layer.

• Generously sprinkle brown sugar mix all over bacon. Bake for 10 minutes and then check every 2 minutes until bacon begins to crisp and sugar is caramelized.

• Immediately and carefully, transfer bacon to a baking rack or paper-lined plate to drain. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately.

It is our duty and our privilege to serve those in need in our neighborhood.”

Line pattern: Getty Images/Abdelkadir Basti

Chef Erin Bassett and her team prepare and serve breakfast five mornings a week along with the faithful volunteers for Morning Glory Ministries.

Bishop James Johnston (second from left) prepares to cut the ribbon officially opening Eagle’s Wings Cafe and Martha’s Kitchen at the Catholic Center. Pictured l to r: John Kraus, director of Morning Glory Ministries; Father Paul Turner, pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; and Angela Laville, director of finance for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Outpace Outpace

Guide

POVERTY

By Susan Walker

For the past 10 years, Catholic Charities has hosted the Outpace Poverty 5K run as one of its two annual signature fundraising events. This year, the event will return to the Avila University campus and surrounding neighborhood on Saturday, Sept. 30. A family festival atmosphere, a beautiful route for runners and walkers and inspiration about the mission along the way are all continuing hallmarks of this event.

Runners and walkers participated in the in 2016 and 2017 OutPace Poverty 5K along the riverfront at Berkley Park in Kansas City.

To learn more, or to register, please visit www.outpacepoverty.org.

my feet while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain!

— SPIRITUAL HYMN BASED ON PSALM 119

The event site has journeyed to several of Kansas City’s iconic neighborhoods and given participants a chance to experience both the beauty of the metro region and the inspiration of the Catholic Charities’ mission. Originally named “Walk for Change,” the event began with a “choose your distance” format at the downtown Kansas City airport. Walkers were encouraged to form teams and come out on a Saturday morning in groups to cover a route that would take them one, two or three miles around Wheeler Airport. The event moved to the grounds of the World War I Museum for its 2014 and 2015 races and its name changed to OutPace Poverty. 2016 saw the event move to being a timed 5k, held along the riverfront at Berkley Park, with a return to the same venue in 2017. Construction along the riverfront prompted a move to Loose Park in 2018, and then to Theis Park

near the Country Club Plaza in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic paused any in-person gathering for 2020, but participants still “went the (social) distance” that year, organizing their own families to walk together and submit times and photos to share with the wider group.

The event returned to an in-person experience at Theis Park in 2021. Last year, it found a home at Avila University and the south Kansas City neighborhood.

Showcasing urban parks, national monuments, geographic features like rivers and rose gardens as well as established suburban regions almost seems a metaphor for the wide range of needs and families served by the mission that the 5K event supports. Families living in poverty, individuals experiencing homelessness and parents struggling to raise their children without the financial resources to make ends meet are found throughout our 27-county service area. While rural poverty may “look” different from urban poverty, the results are the same: an inability to overcome barriers and have the basic necessities of life.

While there are lots of runs/walks throughout the year, the mission of Catholic Charities makes this the fall’s most meaningful 5K. Participants come from across the diocese, inspired to be part of this event. Participants are spurred on by the call in Psalm 119 asking God to guide our feet with the knowledge that we don’t “run the race” in vain because they are making a difference in the lives of those most in need.

During the time leading up to the OutPace Poverty race, and throughout the event, the mission To Serve and To

Lift is front and center. The compelling reasons to sign up as a participant, create a team and become a fundraiser are found in the stories of the men, women and children helped by Catholic Charities.

Before the event, we give team leaders and fundraisers information on the pounds of food, number of personal care items and amount of rent and utility assistance that families in need request and receive each month. Along the route, as participants run to achieve a personal best time or walk with family and friends, they see yard signs with statistics about hunger, eviction, mental health and homelessness. After the race, as participants linger around food and games, they also interact with Catholic Charities staff members who can share the life-changing stories of those helped by the funds raised by the race. Each year, we find that participants reach out soon after to spend volunteer time at one of our offices or pantries — building not just the financial means to assist at-risk neighbors but the all-important “human capital” that comes with a caring, compassionate person to assist in a crisis.

For one Saturday each year, outpacing poverty is truly a walk in the park.

“WARRIOR”

FOR THE DIOCESE

By Karen Ridder

Photo by Christy Gruenbaum

Joe Monachino stepped down as principal of St. Pius X High School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year and is stepping into a new role as Director of Athletic Programs for the Catholic Schools Office.

This is the first time the diocesan office will have a Director of Athletics. Superintendent Karen Kroh says the retirement of Vincent Fitzgerald as director of the Parochial League provided a natural transition point to make the change.

“We wanted the opportunity to expand and build on the foundation of the Parochial League and to integrate the vision of our Catholicity across all of our sporting activities in the diocese,” said Kroh.

Transitioning the Parochial League leadership to the Catholic Schools Office is a way to maximize resources and fulfill the office’s mission to provide faithbased activities for youth in the diocese.

Though he has been serving as a Principal, at heart Monachino has always been a coach. He sees athletics as an integral part of Catholic education. In

school, he understands athletic participation is often what keeps kids motivated.

“You can learn so much in sports and through sports. That avenue for kids has got to be there. It is such an important part of growing up. I want to make sure that is still there for kids in our grade schools especially,” said Monachino.

The transition is a big change for Monachino, who graduated from St. Pius X High School in 1981 and returned in a faculty position to the school after college. For 37 years, he served St. Pius X as teacher, coach and administrator.

“It was not an easy decision, but the timing seemed good. It’s a different challenge and hopefully I can set this up for years to come,” said Monachino.

Kroh says the goal of adding a Director of Athletics for the diocese is to provide a coordinated faith first effort in local Catholic sports programs. That includes better faith-based connections for coaches and athletes.

“Everything that we do is centered around our faith. While a coach in another position is going to receive coaching support, he (Monachino) is also going to bring in that spiritual component to their training,” said Kroh.

As Catholic teams, representing Catholic schools, Kroh also believes kids

should be getting more. An Athletic Director position will help create efforts to help teams support each other in the faith.

“The players are also spiritually a team for one another and can help one another grow in their faith and service to others. We’re going to focus on things like: Do the teams pray together? Do they go to Mass together? How do they serve together?” said Kroh.

Monachino will hit the ground running with logistics for fall Parochial League programs. In planning for new ways to coordinate athletic opportunities across the diocese, Kroh said Monachino already has an advantage.

“We are really blessed. He knows so many people already. Joe is a people person first and foremost. He loves athletics. I think people will find him very open and welcoming and a good representative to help not only with the big things but the little things that happen day to day,” said Kroh.

Monachino says as he enters his new role, he wants to thank his supporters at St. Pius X.

“I’m going to miss St. Pius X. I’ve grown up there. It’s been an important part of our lives. We raised our kids there. The kids, parents, teachers and staff are great. The alums are awesome. It’s been a great place to be,” said Monachino.

You can learn so much in sports and through sports. That avenue for kids has got to be there. It is such an important part of growing up. I want to make sure that is still there for kids in our grade schools especially.

Joe Monachino with former St. Pius X High School students, Daly Martin and Charles Cangelosi. Photo courtesy St. Pius X High School.

Joe Monachino serving up sodas during the January 2020 SPX Carnival. Photo courtesy St. Pius X High School.

Bishop James Johnston blesses a newly intalled first-class relic from Blessed Carlo Acutis now hanging at the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

COME HOME TO COMMUNION

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS RELIC INSTALLED AT CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOSEPH

By Sara Kraft

“What’s special to me about Blessed Carlo Acutis is a young man bringing his family back to fervent faith,” stated Father Stephen Hansen, Pastor of Cathedral of St. Joseph. “That’s an amazing thing, and tells the power of children.”

On July 1, at the beginning of the parish year of the National Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Johnston blessed a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis that is displayed at Cathedral of St. Joseph. Blessed Carlo Acutis is one of two patrons of the National Eucharistic Revival. Any piece of a blessed or saint’s body is a first-class relic. This relic includes several strands of Carlo’s hair.

“To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan,” stated Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo is a modern-day blessed who died in 2006 of leukemia at the age of 15. He was buried in jeans and Nikes. Carlo had a passion for video games, including Pokémon and PlayStation, but limited himself to playing computer games one hour per week. He is most famous for his website categorizing Eucharistic miracles and generosity toward the poor.

The relic came to the Cathedral of St. Joseph because, in 2020, Father Hansen acquired a relic of Saint Josemaria Escriva. Sometime after placing the relic of Saint Josemaria on display, Father

BEHOLD A DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL EVENT

Hosted by Bishop James Johnston, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

North Lawn of the Liberty Memorial, Kansas City Confession, live music by Steve Angrisano and more, Eucharistic reflections, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

Visit beholdkc.org for details; registration information coming soon!

Hansen wondered if there shouldn’t be an additional saint on the same wall. One day when Bishop Johnston was on a visit to the Cathedral he asked him, “Bishop, can you think of a saint whose relic could complement St. Josemaría’s?” Bishop Johnston simply replied, “a young Blessed!” Father Hansen knew of Bishop Johnston’s respect for Blessed Carlo and began searching for where a relic could be acquired. Father Hansen then wrote to the Association for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo and with a sealed letter from Bishop Johnston, the request was approved. The relic was picked up in Assisi this spring, along with the letter of authenticity.

This letter of authenticity includes a description of the relic and the reliquary in Latin, and is signed by the church authority who issued it. In this case, it was the Postulator of the Cause for Beatification and Canonization.

After the relic arrived, 7th and 8th grade students at Cathedral School selected quotes of Blessed Carlo Acutis to be included in the frame with the relic and letter of authenticity.

The relic was placed in the rear of the Cathedral near the Sacred Heart statue. The Cathedral is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those who would like to venerate it.

“By venerating the relic, we are adoring God (as adoration is reserved for God alone) who inspired the saint and the saint’s heroic virtues,” explained Father Hansen. Father Hansen hopes the relic will inspire the faithful to become saints. “Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.”

Dino Durando is the Director of the Office of Domestic Church and Discipleship and the Office of Marriage and Family for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. He and his wife Cathy have been married (almost) 25 years and have 10 children and one grandchild.

Making time to unplug

Modern culture is noisy. We are now beyond the era of the Walkman and headphones, having advanced to the time of the smartphone and always-in earbuds. Now comes the age of mixed reality brought to us by the Apple Vision Pro and similar devices. These new technologies move us toward a future where almost everyone is plugged in almost all the time.

There are TVs everywhere, in airports, doctor’s offices and even on gas pumps. Social media apps are designed for addictive scrolling. Noise and distractions abound. These siren-like realities of modern living are not likely to get less distracting or captivating in our lifetime.

Now more than ever, we need the Catholic tradition of going on retreat. On retreat, we get away from technology and the noise and distraction that come along with it so that we can receptively listen to God. Retreats allow us to make time for silent prayer and reflection and eliminate the noise of constant background entertainment that is so common in our daily grind. We offer this time to God as a sacrifice and open up to be able to listen and learn about ourselves and our place in relation

to God and his work in our life. In this way, retreats are essential to growth in the Christian life.

Retreats are distinct from formation opportunities like workshops and conferences which focus more on education and skill building. Retreats focus on encountering God and set the stage for conversion.

Retreats come in many forms. Some, like Cursillo, are done by men or women separately, and have as their purpose deep encounter with God and learning about his plan for one’s individual life. Retreats like this provide an opportunity to start anew. Another kind of retreat is entirely silent. Whether a silent retreat is directed or left to the individual, it provides ample time to listen to the still, small voice of God as described

in Elijah’s retreat in the mountain cave. (1 Kings 19)

Many retreats follow the outline given by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. The Exercises provide a path to consider our individual response to the revelation of God’s love. While intellectual, they are also very practical in approach and have helped countless Christians to make important decisions about their life and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

The Catholic Church offers many different kinds of retreats for specific needs. This year, there was a retreat for those who carry the cross of infertility, another for children of divorce and one in Spanish for married couples. We also began holding retreats for married couples and families as part of the Domestic Church movement.

During the process to develop our diocese’s Mutually Shared Vision, the need for more retreat opportunities for youths, families and individuals became a central theme. The diocese continues to explore and develop opportunities to serve a variety of groups and address the critical need to unplug, get away from the noise of modern living, and encounter the living God. Perhaps we will get a taste of the silence and more of us will reject the constant noise when we return home.

TRY

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

“ Recuerda, donde está tu tesoro, también estará tu corazón. ”

- Mateo 6:21

Apuntando

al Objetivo

Disparé por primera vez una flecha real en la arquería de Camp Pellissippi, el campamento de los Boy Scouts en East Tennessee donde pasaba una semana cada verano durante mi adolescencia. Eran un arco y una flecha real, y no era fácil como yo pensaba que era. Esforzarse para obtener suficiente fuerza detrás de la flecha mientras se tira hacia atrás la cuerda del arco, y mantener una mano firme para mantener la flecha en el objetivo no es tarea fácil. ¡Lamentablemente, algo que nunca me gané fue una insignia al mérito en tiro con arco!

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

A medida que finaliza el verano recuerdo esa experiencia por otra razón. Al comenzar el nuevo año escolar, o cualquier viaje nuevo, esto sirve como una buena imagen de algo importante en la vida Cristiana. San Pablo se refiere a esto en unas breves líneas en su carta a los Filipenses: “Finalmente, hermanos, aprecien todo lo que sea verdadero, noble, recto, limpio y amable; todo lo que merezca alabanza, suponga virtud o sea digno de elogio. Pongan en práctica lo que han aprendido y recibido; lo que en mí han visto y oído, pónganlo en práctica. Y el Dios de la paz estará con ustedes”. (Filipenses 4:8-9)

Esencialmente, San Pablo confirma lo que nosotros sabemos por experiencia: es decir, lo que pensamos se convierte en el objetivo de nuestra vida. Si pensamos en cosas buenas, es más probable que escojamos cosas buenas y hagamos buenas obras. El pensamiento precede a la acción. Sin embargo, al igual que disparar al blanco con un arco y una flecha real, no es tan fácil como podría pensarse. Debemos entrenarnos a nosotros mismos con disciplina y práctica, y así desarrollar una fortaleza interna para dominar el pensamiento santo de modo que podamos emprender acciones santas. Uno debe querer acertar en el objetivo y conocer que hay un objetivo.

Uno de los mayores tesoros de nuestra Fe Católica es que nos introduce a “todo lo que sea verdadero, noble, recto, limpio y amable; todo lo que

merezca alabanza, suponga virtud o sea digno de elogio”. Esas cosas se revelan completamente en Jesús, pero también en las vidas de sus santos, las enseñanzas de la Iglesia, la Sagrada Liturgia, y obras de arte, literatura, música, arquitectura, etc.; y también podemos encontrar algo de estas cosas buenas y santas en otros lugares, a menudo inesperados. La buena noticia es que hay un objetivo al cual podemos dirigir nuestras vidas y encontrar verdadera paz y verdadero gozo.

En nuestros días esta admonición de San Pablo es quizás más relevante que nunca. La mayoría de nosotros estamos saturados de tecnología y de los medios sociales que trabajan, en parte, para distraernos del objetivo, es por eso por lo que a menudo nos dejan sin paz. La vida sin un objetivo claro se dispersa, y una vida dispersa es una vida inquieta y ansiosa. Y, ¿quién podría describir muchas de las situaciones en los medios sociales como verdaderas, merecedoras de respeto, honestas, puras, admirables, decentes, virtuosas, y dignas de alabanza?

Existen maneras casi ilimitadas de actuar de acuerdo con el consejo de San Pablo para dirigir nuestros pensamientos al objetivo correcto: a través de la oración, las Sagradas Escrituras, la Misa, los buenos libros, la naturaleza, la conversación familiar, etc. Cuando comencemos algo nuevo, tomemos el tiempo para revisar nuestros pensamientos. Tomemos nuestro tiempo para encontrar nuestro objetivo.

Del Obispo

BEHOLD (MIRA) UN EVENTO DIOCESANO DE RENACIMIENTO EUCARÍSTICO

Organizado por el obispo James Johnston, Diócesis de Kansas CitySt. Joseph y el Arzobispo Joseph Naumann, Arquidiócesis de Kansas City en Kansas

Sábado , 04 de Mayo del 2024

4 - 9:30 p.m.

Jardín Norte del Liberty Memorial, Kansas City

Confesión, música en vivo por Steve Angrisano y más, reflexiones Eucarísticas, Misa y Adoración Eucarística.

Visite beholdkc.org para obtener detalles; ¡información para la inscripción próximamente!

VUELVE A CASA A LA COMUNIÓN

RELIQUIA DEL BEATO CARLO ACUTIS INSTALADA EN LA CATEDRAL DE ST. JOSEPH

“Lo que es especial para mi acerca del Beato Carlo Acutis es que fue un joven que hizo que su familia volviera a tener a una fe ferviente”, afirmó el Padre Stephen Hansen, Párroco de la Catedral de San Joseph. “Eso es una cosa sorprendente, y nos habla del poder de los niños”.

Por Sara

Kraft

La reliquia llegó a la Catedral de St. Joseph en 2020, ya que el Padre Hansen adquirió una reliquia de San Josemaría Escrivá. Después de colocar la reliquia de San Josemaría Escrivá para exhibirla en la parte de atrás de la Catedral, el Padre Hansen decidió que había espacio para otra reliquia. El Padre Hansen le pregunto al Obispo Johnston si podía sugerirle otra reliquia de santo que se pudiese adquirir. El obispo Johnston sugirió a un beato joven, como por ejemplo el Beato Carlo Acutis. Entonces, el padre Hansen le escribió a la Asociación y la Causa de Canonización del Beato Carlo Acutis solicitando una reliquia para exhibirla para su veneración. Su solicitud se aprobó, y la reliquia se recogió en Asís esta primavera junto con una carta de autenticidad.

El

Sábado

1 de Julio, al comienzo del

Año

del

Renacimiento Eucarístico en la parroquia, el Obispo Jhonston bendijo una reliquia de primera clase del Beato Carlo Acutis que se exhibe en la Catedral de St. Joseph. El beato Carlo Acutis es uno de los dos patronos del Renacimiento Eucarístico. Cualquier parte del cuerpo de un santo o de un beato es una reliquia de primera clase. Esta reliquia es un mechón de cabello de Carlo.

“Estar siempre cerca de Jesús, ese es mi plan de vida”, declaró el Beato Carlo Acutis. Carlo es un beato de los tiempos modernos que murió de leucemia a los 15 años en el 2006.

Fue enterrado en jeans y Nikes. Carlo era un apasionado de los video juegos, incluyendo Pokémon y PlayStation, pero se limitaba a sí mismo a jugar solo una hora por semana. Él es más famoso por su sitio web que cataloga los milagros Eucarísticos y por su generosidad hacia los pobres.

Esta carta de autenticidad incluye una descripción de la reliquia y del relicario en Latín, y está firmada por la autoridad eclesiástica que la emitió. En este caso, fue firmada por el Postulador de la Causa para la Beatificación y Canonización.

Después de la llegada del relicario, estudiantes del 7o Y 8o grado de la Escuela de la Catedral seleccionaron citas del Beato Carlo Acutis para que se incluyeran en el marco con la reliquia y la carta de autenticidad.

La reliquia se colocó en la parte de atrás de la Catedral cerca de la estatua del Sagrado Corazón. La catedral está abierta todos los días de 7 a.m. a 7 p.m. para aquellas personas que quieran venerarlo.

“Al venerar la reliquia, adoramos a Dios (ya que la adoración solo está reservada para Dios) quien inspiró al santo y las virtudes heroicas del santo”, explicó el Padre Hansen. El Padre Hansen espera que la reliquia inspire a los fieles a transformarse en santos. “Beato Carlo Acutis, ruega por nosotros”.

SOCIOS EN SOLIDARIDAD

Por Marty Denzer

Siete parroquias católicas en la Diócesis de Kansas City - St. Joseph apoyan la educación de los niños y adultos jóvenes en 10 comunidades en el Salvador a través del Center for Exchange and Solidarity, “Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad (CIS)” para ayudarlos a construir un futuro mejor.

Se fundó en 1993 después de la firma del Acuerdo de Paz que terminó la Guerra Civil Salvadoreña, grupos de los Estados Unidos, Canadá y Europa se reunieron con los grupos de base salvadoreños. El objetivo era abordar las causas fundamentales de la guerra y desarrollar un centro de intercambio y acompañamiento de pueblo a pueblo para las comunidades salvadoreñas que buscan la justicia social y económica, y la democracia participativa Leslie Schuld es cofundadora y directora ejecutiva de CIS desde 1997.

CIS tiene varios programas para asistir a los salvadoreños. Un programa de becas y entrenamiento para estudiantes de comunidades de bajos ingresos busca ayudarlos a obtener una buena educación y ayudar a prevenir la violencia. El otro es un programa de agua limpia — las familias pagan 10$ por un filtro para purificar el agua recolectada de los pozos del vecindario.

Quienes patrocinan oportunidades educativas para los jóvenes salvadoreños, se conocen como “socios solidarios”, ofrecen el calor de amistades cariñosas, de comunicarse y caminar en solidaridad con los jóvenes y sus familias.

Jo Engert, personal de enlace de la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Presentación con CIS,

dijo que bajo el presidente 43° de El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, los derechos humanos se han suspendido, la pobreza es rampante y la violencia está aumentando. Los socios de la parroquia del área de Kansas City se alinean con las enseñanzas Católicas sociales para caminar en solidaridad y para permitir que el pueblo Salvadoreño tome la iniciativa en la mayoría de los tipos de apoyo, incluyendo bibliotecas, alojamientos adicionales, fondos para el transporte a las universidades y también con mucha frecuencia, gastos funerarios. Esto no es solo un esfuerzo a largo plazo. Cada dos años, delegaciones de las parroquias del área de Kansas City viajan a sus comunidades asociadas y grupos de sus comunidades viajan a esta área en los otros años. Engert dijo que se siente muy honrada por las reacciones de los salvadoreños al trabajo que realiza con ellos y para ellos.

Líderes

y

en

“Ellos están muy conscientes de que existen grandes necesidades en el mundo, y de que nosotros los escogimos a ellos. Somos como su familia extendida — se dan abrazos, se ofrecen bendiciones, ¡y hasta hemos sido invitados a las bodas!”

Un socio desde el 2012, Kerm Fendler, de la parroquia de St. Elizabeth, estuvo de acuerdo. “Hemos visto como las comunidades ganan respeto en sí mismas y esperanzas para el futuro. Recibimos más de nuestra sociedad de lo que nosotros damos. Ellos se sienten nuestros iguales, lo que les da seguridad. Podemos ayudar, a través de la educación, la amistad y la recaudación de fondos para las necesidades como el trasporte para asistir a la escuela, y para ayudar a las madres y esposas de personas inocentes arrestadas y encarceladas a llevar paquetes de cuidado diario para sus familiares encarcelados. Recuerde el viejo dicho — “Dale un pescado a un hombre y comerá por un dia. Enséñalo a pescar y comerá toda la vida”. Esto es lo que estamos haciendo, plantando las semillas y dejarlos seguir hacia adelante.

SOCIEDADES PARROQUIALES

• Parroquia Our Lady of the Presentation y la Comunidad de San Rafael Cedros

• Parroquia St. Elizabeth y las comunidades de Romero y San José Palo

• Parroquia St. Elizabeth y Holy Spirit con la comunidad de Paso Puente.

• Parroquia Holy Spirit y la comunidad del Distrito Libertad

• Parroquia de St. Patrick (Condado Clay) y la comunidad de Estanzauelas

• Parroquia St. Sabina y comunidad de Cinquera

• Socios de la parroquia St. Peter y la Comunidad de San Francisco de Asís

• Parroquia St. John Francis Regis y la Comunidad de Ita Maura

El Obispo James Johnston se reunió con un grupo de estudiantes de CIS que visitaron Kansas City en diciembre del 2022.

Juveniles

Estudiantes Becados

la comunidad hermana de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Presentación en San Rafael, El Salvador. Foto cortesía de Jo Engert.

hospitality The

of strangers

Karen Ridder

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.

The ratty thing I left behind was a quilt top, or maybe it would have better been described as a pile of artfully sewed together scraps. I had created it with kid clothes I just couldn’t let go of — outgrown items representing something too precious for the donation bin. Mine included the onesie ALL my babies wore home from the hospital; dresses my bestie sent when I had a girl; and the T-shirt my 4-year-old wore nearly every day because it made him feel like a rock star.

They weren’t clothes. They were memories. So, I dragged out my sewing machine to cut, piece and wind these pieces of my motherhood together into a patchwork of those moments. Each colorful bit represented a baby I held; a scraped knee I kissed; a child who asked me to snuggle just a little longer. As I sewed, I watched my youngest run off to kindergarten and realized the cadence of those years with young children had exited my life so slowly it had been hard to notice.

The creation got thrown in a closet as the bustle of life took over. This year, as my oldest was graduating high school, I realized part of moving is completing a task well.

I found a nice lady who knew how to quilt and seemed to understand how precious this silly pile of sewed memories was to me. Her children are already grown. This stranger may have understood better than I why it was important to sew up the rough spots and smooth the edges of this stage of my mothering. I let her. Change is hard at every stage of parenting. We want to hold on tight. God designed a system, however, in which we must let go. Choosing to turn our memories into something beautiful rather than a pile stuck in the back of a closet is a gift to our children and ourselves.

She folded the mishmash of bright colors in on itself; handed me her card; and said she’d see what she could do. I had to walk away, but, suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My eyes teared up. I was just a little scared. I barely made it back to my office before I broke down.

Wow. What was wrong with me?

Think of it as a form of hospitality. We are called to offer hospitality to the stranger as if he were Christ Jesus himself. Our children were strangers when they came into our homes, and we offered them hospitality. As they grow towards moving out of our homes, we have to increasingly trust in the hospitality of strangers to help them along.

These strangers are God’s gift of hospitality back to us, smoothing the edges and sewing up the rough spots of our transition. Breaking down at inexplicable moments is still okay. If you accept the hospitality of strangers and walk away a little, they can become part of the patchwork of colors — your parenting masterpiece.

Micha Nolan Micha Nolan

For many years now, Camp Savio has been an important part of not only my life, but of my family’s as well.

Everyone — from my mom, a frequent parent chaperone, to my siblings — looks forward to camp time each summer. As I have grown, my roles at camp have switched from attending as a camper to being a staff member for the past three years. This year, the location of camp changed, but the prayerful and joyful environment has remained the same.

My faith has changed and developed so much since I started attending camp as a middle schooler. Prior to my camp experience, I had always attended Mass on Sundays with my family and was involved at church. However, my time at Savio was when it first became “my faith.”

Each year, in the middle of the

week at camp, we attend a big adoration night with worship music and Jesus in the monstrance right in front of us. I will never forget the first time I got to experience that night. All around me, campers and staff members alike were joyfully praising the Lord, fulfilled in his presence. Seeing everyone else have that interaction with Jesus made me realize that I wanted to form a true, personal relationship with Jesus too. After that, my faith grew stronger every year.

Now, as a staff member, I continue to reap the benefits of camp. As I work, my relationship with Christ continues to flourish, strengthening my faith life through staff formation such as daily Scripture verses and reflections to take us deeper into the daily theme.

Every day, staff attend morning prayer, then have time in silent adoration before heading out to interact with the campers and perform our daily tasks. We end each day with

night prayer. That time together as a team, in front of our Lord, is always a peaceful way to end a stressful day. This is something that I hope to carry over into my everyday life. In the future, camp is something that I hope my family and children get to experience.

This year’s camp theme is “ONE.” Each day throughout the week we open up different aspects of “oneness” in our faith (One you, One Father, One Baptism, One Family and One Mission). Our keynote speaker has presented on each of these themes throughout the week. The topic that resonated most with me is “One You.”

Our speaker explained that out of everything God created in the whole world, he needed one of me. Thus, we have a purpose, even if we do not yet know that purpose. Currently I am in the pursuit of fulfilling that purpose by serving here at camp. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Micha will be a senior at St. Pius X High School and is a parishioner at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Kansas City.

“All around me, campers and staff members alike were joyfully praising the Lord, fulfilled in His presence. Seeing everyone else have that interaction with Jesus, made me realize that I wanted to form a true, personal relationship with Jesus too.”

Campers pose with Bishop James Johnston (center) during Camp Savio at Conception Abbey in June 2023. Photo courtesy of Jeni Doolittle.

Sofia Doolittle and Micha Nolan served as staff members at Camp Savio in June 2023. Photo courtesy of Jeni Doolittle.

grace Full of

Each year, the Priest Personnel Board, composed of several priests and the diocese’s two Vicars General, advises the Bishop on how to best meet the needs of diocesan parish communities with the priests available. After several sessions involving consultation, evaluation and planning with the Board, Bishop Johnston finalizes and announces the assignments. Father Greg Haskamp reflected on his time as pastor at St. Elizabeth Parish in Kansas City for 10 years, as he begins a new assignment as pastor at Visitation Parish in Kansas City July 1.

“I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. I know the parish I’m leaving and the parish to which I’m going are communities where the Eucharist is celebrated, the Gospel is put into action and good people abound.”

Since learning that I’m moving from St. Elizabeth [Parish] to Visitation [Parish], my life has been anything but dull. Or predictable. Or settled. And it has been full of grace. Yes, I’ve shed a lot of tears already, thinking of leaving friends and colleagues in the office, the parish community who have been my family, the church where we’ve prayed together for 10 years and the unique and beautiful ways the Gospel comes to life here. It only takes a glimpse of someone’s face or the stirring of a memory, however, to remind me that tears are possible at any moment, and that leaving is going to hurt. I’ve started the dreaded task of packing, realizing quickly that I own too much and that I need to purge (which I have). In the midst of it, I’ve been humbled by the generosity of so

many people who are helping me.

I’ve enjoyed some great backyard parties, meals out at restaurants and outings around town. I’ve laughed a lot, have heard affirming and generous words and have gotten to tell people how much they mean to me. So many people I speak with have a memory to share, some words of advice or the name of family or friends at Visitation.

I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. I know the parish I’m leaving and the parish to which I’m going are communities where the Eucharist is celebrated, the Gospel is put into action and good people abound. Parishioners of Visitation have already reached out in welcome, offering gracious and encouraging words. I’ve met with my predecessor and future colleagues, have attended a

couple of meetings at Visitation and have delivered several boxes of my things to the rectory there. I know I am walking into a dynamic, gifted community who will show me the way to be their pastor. I imagine myself saying Mass at Visitation and knowing everyone’s name. I envision my future home and try to figure out where I’m going to put all my Frankoma pottery! I hear conversations about the future at St. Elizabeth and feel a twinge of pain that it will not include me, but I feel energized as I get to know Visitation, grateful that I will be joining another community of such grace and goodness.

I do feel caught between two worlds, but they are two very good worlds. Thank you, St. Elizabeth. Thank you, Visitation. My life is anything but dull. It is exciting. And it is full of grace.

Father Greg Haskamp

St. Mary Parish marks two centuries of devotion and mission A 12-MONTH CELEBRATION KICKS OFF AUG. 15

By Marty Denzer

The year 2023 marks 200 years since the founding of the mission that became St. Mary Parish in Independence. A year-long bicentennial celebration kicks off on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15, 2023. Each of the next 12 months will honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, the patron saint of the parish.

Every event has been carefully planned and has an important place in the celebration, but Father Kendall Ketterlin, the parish’s parochial administrator, identified four activities that are especially significant.

The kickoff event, Mass and Opening Celebration with Bishop Johnston is no.

1. The feast of the Assumption of Mary was established by Venerable Pope Pius XII in 1950 and is celebrated each year on Aug. 15.

“Of the feasts to Mary, the feast of the Assumption has long been an important celebration for the parish, including major anniversary celebrations. It’s in this way, our celebration on Aug. 15, 2023, connects to all of the celebrations and parishioners of the past. At the same time, it brings us together to offer the next 12 months, in a special way of thanksgiving and love for Mary, who has shown such great care for us and used St. Mary’s for God’s work in Independence [Missouri],” Father Ketterlin explained.

October, the month of the Most Holy Rosary, will be a month-long honoring of Mary through home and self-consecrations, and Marian statue and image enthronement. Parish families will be involved, and it will be another way of honoring Mary, who watches over the homes of all baptized Christians within the parish boundaries, Father Ketterlin said.

“The Day of Reflection: Theotokos and the East,” Dec. 9, 2023, with Father Michael Lee of St. Luke’s Byzantine Catholic Church, of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma in nearby Sugar Creek, will highlight the universal Church and introduce a new way of coming to Mary. Father Lee will share iconography and different ways of honoring Mary. He will conclude by singing the “Akathist to the Theotokos” prayer, honoring Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant.

In June 2024, Father Ketterlin will lead a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, on a date to be determined. There will also be a day-pilgrimage to a local Marian shrine, on a date also to be determined.

Also, as an “honorable mention,” during the year-long celebration, “Reminiscences by Rev. B. Donnelly” will be exhibited. “It was transcribed from tattered sheets by Mary Hunter in 1877,” Father Ketterlin said.

“It will be an exciting year honoring Mary, our patroness for the past two centuries, and bringing present and past parishioners together,” he said.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of its current church, Bishop Johnston will celebrate Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (2552 Gillham Rd., KCMO) on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at 4 p.m., followed by a reception. Visit catholickey.org for more details.

PARTNERS IN SOLIDARITY

By Marty Denzer

Seven Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph support the education of children and young adults in 10 communities in El Salvador through The Center for Exchange and Solidarity — “Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad (CIS)” — to help them build better futures for themselves.

Founded in 1993 after the signing of the Peace Accords that ended the Salvadoran Civil War, groups from the U.S., Canada and Europe met with grass-roots Salvadoran groups. The goal was to address the root causes of war and develop a people-to-people exchange and accompaniment center for Salvadoran communities pursuing social and economic justice and participatory

PARISH PARTNERSHIPS

democracy. Leslie Schuld is a co-founder and CIS executive director since 1997.

CIS has several programs assisting Salvadorans. A scholarship and training program for students in low-income communities seeks to help them attain a good education and help prevent violence. Another effort is a clean water program — families pay $10 for a filter to purify water collected from neighborhood wells.

Those who sponsor educational opportunities for Salvadoran youths, called “solidarity partners,” offer the warmth of loving friendships, communication and walking in solidarity with the youths and their families.

lating. The Kansas City area parishes align with Catholic social teaching in walking in solidarity but letting the Salvadoran people take the lead in the most helpful kinds of support, including libraries, additional housing, funding for commuting to universities and, too often, funeral expenses.

This is not solely a long-distance effort, though. Every other year, delegations from Kansas City area parishes travel to their partner communities, and groups from their communities travel to this area in the other years. Engert said she is humbled by the reactions of the Salvadorans she has worked with and for.

“They are very aware that there are great needs in the world, and we chose them. It’s almost like we’re extended family — hugs are given, blessings offered and we’ve even been invited to weddings!”

For more information, visit info@cis-elsalvador.org or contact one of the parishes listed below.

Jo Engert, staff liaison for Our Lady of the Presentation Parish with CIS, said that under El Salvador’s 43rd president, Nayib Bukele, human rights have been suspended, poverty is rampant and violence is esca-

• Our Lady of the Presentation Parish and the San Rafael Cedros Community

• St. Elizabeth Parish and the Romero and San Jose Palo communities

• St. Elizabeth Parish and Holy Spirit Parish with the Paso Puente Community

• Holy Spirit Parish and the Distrito Libertad Community

• St. Patrick Parish [Clay County] and the Estanzuelas Community

• St. Sabina Parish and the Cinquera Community

• St. Peter Parish and the San Francisco de Asis Community

• St. John Francis Regis Parish and the Ita Maura Community

A partner since 2012, Kerm Fendler, of St. Elizabeth Parish, agreed. “We see communities gaining self-respect and hope for the future. We get more out of our partnership than we give. They feel like our equals, which gives them security. We can help, through education, friendship and raising funds for necessities like commuting to school and helping the moms and wives of innocent people arrested and jailed get care packages to their jailed family members. Remember the old saying — ‘Buy a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime’? That’s what we’re doing, planting the seeds and letting them go forward with it.”

Bishop James Johnston met with a group of CIS students visiting Kansas City in December 2022.

Elmer, a CIS/OLP scholarship student from San Rafael Cedros training CIS Scholarship Coordinators on a digital platform he built. Photo courtesy of Jo Engert.

Visit Conception Abbey Celebrate 150 years with the monks

We invite you to visit our home this year for retreats, day visits, and tours, and to seek Christ alongside our monastic community. Gather your friends, family, or parish groups to visit Conception Abbey in our anniversary year.

Retreats and workshops themed on Benedictine values

Tours of our recently enhanced Basilica sanctuary and restored historical display cases

Plenary indlugence granted by the Holy Father

Prayer and fellowship with the monastic community

Commemorative items for sale in the gift shop

501 of glorifying God years

Find upcoming events, commemorative items, and ways to celebrate with us at conceptionabbey.org/150years

Is the death penalty necessary?

Today the Catholic Church preaches that the death penalty is inadmissible, but in the past, the Church has recognized the right of states, including the Papal States, to inflict the death penalty. In 1870, Blessed Pope Pius IX himself responded to a prisoner’s request for clemency, saying that he could not grant it because carrying out his execution was a necessity. To understand how the Church’s teaching on the death penalty has seemingly shi ed, one must consider how advances in technology and the Catholic principle of double e ect change how “necessary” capital punishment is. Read this issue of Messenger for more on the Church’s historical view on the death penalty and Missouri’s high execution rate. Visit

MOcatholic.org or scan QR code

The public policy agency of the Catholic Church in Missouri.