Catholics on The Hill Spring 2024

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LETTERFROMTHEDIRECTOR

Photo By: Mary Kate Krause

RCIATESTIMONIES

Aydan Smith

My favorite part of the RCIA process has been gaining a better understanding of the Catholic faith, delving into specific teachings of the Catholic Church, and understanding why we believe them. Fr. Mitchel and the team do a great job providing this insight. Prior to joining RCIA, I had gone to Mass with my girlfriend most weeks over the past couple of years Although attending Mass did increase my faith, attending RCIA has instilled in me a greater appreciation and understanding of the liturgy and liturgical seasons I am looking forward to the Easter Vigil and being able to partake in all the joy that comes with being a fully-initiated Catholic.

Claire Manring

Once fully brought into the Church, I look forward to the connections I will make with more people of the faith as I continue my journey I already have met so many great people who have helped me on my faith journey so far, people who are on fire for the Lord and excellent examples of Christ’s teachings. I’m super excited to strengthen my relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ while continuing to grow deeper in love and relationship with our Lord.

By Madison Abbott Ad Astra Director

The St Lawrence Center has many apostolates and opportunities for our students to encounter the Lord Ad Astra is how we connect our students to the Lord and His Church through truth Ad Astra exists at the St Lawrence Center to awaken wonder and give our Jayhawks a reason for the hope that is within them. We do this by forming them in the rich Catholic intellectual and moral tradition and by encouraging students to embrace the lifelong task of educating themselves for their vocations and sanctity

At the Center, Ad Astra seeks to form our students in a variety of ways including: our podcast, Per Aspera, pilgrimages, events, academic small groups, and seminars. All of these being different paths to the same goal to form our Catholic Jayhawks in and to seek the truth which Christ reveals in and through His Church We are forming our students to seek to understand and therefore really believe what we say we believe

People and their circumstances are constantly changing, especially for college students Likewise, Ad Astra is seeking to help our students encounter the truth of the faith in a variety of ways meeting these ever changing circumstances Generally, we form students according to what they’re studying, what questions they’re asking, and through experiential encounters with Christ and His Church all inviting them to ask the questions, “Who are you, Lord?” And “Who am I?”

Taking a brief glance at the ways we do this, we offer small

and just war theory In addition to career formation, we encourage the students to ask questions and seek understanding College students are continually asking questions; we are seeking to ask alongside, guide, and form them to know how to seek and find the answers Ad Astra offers Ad Astra: LIVE once a month in which we ask big questions we are all wrestling with the meaning of suffering, gender and the meaning of the body, the existence of God, and many others This is a space for conversation A topic is presented with questions throughout, leading the students to engage the topics with their peers rather than just passively listening. Per Aspera, the St. Lawrence Center’s podcast is seeking to do the same thing, except through interviews and short teachings on faith and morals again leading the audience to continue to seek and find (Mt 7:8)

One of my favorite ways Ad Astra has been able to form our students is through pilgrimages and mission trips. Fr. Mitchel and myself found ourselves asking how we could help our students encounter the Church and the meaning of their lives Looking at our own stories we realized that both of our pivotal moments had come through jarring experiences on pilgrimage A pilgrimage in an invitation to meet Christ We walk where saints have walked, go to their homes, come to know their stories and the ways the Lord worked in their lives and in the Church These experiences are humbling On pilgrimage, I’ve witnessed students decide for the first time in their life to believe in God and want to pray to Him Others have come to a realization that what they are studying is exactly what the Lord is asking them to give their lives in. This has happened in Rome with saints and the traditions of the Church showing them that their way to holiness is with other saints who were students, doctors, lawyers, and teachers too

I have worked at the St. Lawrence Center for 2 years and have worked with nearly 1,000 students who are receiving formation through the St Lawrence Center Volumes of the stories could be written, but I will offer one in conclusion I was working with a group of students on St John Paul II’s work, Love and Responsibility in our library Another student came in and asked if he could borrow a Catechism for a

while I said yes and asked if he needed help finding anything. That morning we had used the Catechism in a study of the deadly sins and how to overcome them. He said he wanted to continue what we had started earlier that day Our students are learning how to seek answers that the world says not to worry about They’re seeking to live as saints and I’m honored that Ad Astra can help I dream that every Catholic Jayhawk will be formed in the Faith at the St. Lawrence Center We want saints. We need Jayhawk saints! The battle they’re in is not easy; in fact, many people consider it lost Being with the students in it, I can confidently say it’s not finished and we haven’t lost Catholic Jayhawks are fighters However, they don’t fight alone, after all, the Church is a community Please pray for them.

OUR FACILITY PRIORITIES

Invest in our property to open up the Catholic Center and get more Jayhawks onto our property.

$4M/ next 2 years for Capital Investments

Help us safely connect 1,000+ students per day to the Catholic Center as they cross from Daisy Hill

Create a welcoming environment for students to stop and encounter the mission of the Catholic Church at the Univeristy of Kansas.

Invest in the future of the Catholic Church at the University of Kansas.

Drawings By: Sabatini Architects

OUR EVANGELIZATION PRIORITIES

Enhance our annual fund for Evangelization that authentically connects the Catholic faith to this generation of Jayhawks.

$4M/ next 2 years for Annual Fund

To help students practice the faith

For authentic and practical learning

In witnessing how to live the faith

In forming real, authentic Catholic leaders to share the faith

SR. KATE VOCATION STORY

Sr. Kate Cropp, Class of 2017

Although I grew up Catholic, the first time I went to Eucharistic Adoration was only ten and a half years ago when a FOCUS Missionary invited me as a freshman to pray with her at the St Lawrence Center. This past December, I professed the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience with the community of the Apostles of the Interior Life in that very same chapel. The ways of the Lord are wonderful and full of surprises! It was an immense joy to make a total gift of myself in the place where I fell in love with Jesus

The chapel at St. Lawrence saw my heart change in drastic ways during my time as a student at KU. I remember during my freshman year, a senior told me, “The best decision I ever made was becoming involved at the St Lawrence Center ”

Her conviction struck me so deeply that I never forgot it The St Lawrence Center (SLC) changed the trajectory of my life; it was there that I embraced my faith, made friendships deeply rooted in Christ, where I encountered my future community and where I began to discover the deep desires of my heart.

Through the various activities SLC offered, year by year, I discovered who I was and who the Lord was calling me to be I participated in Koinonia, FOCUS, Student Ministry Council, Spiritual Direction, Tuesday Night Praise & Worship Adoration, and Theology Classes. The possibility to journey with other young people was so precious in discovering my vocation, as it helped me to know that they were asking themselves the same questions I had

I am extremely grateful for the presence of the AVI Sisters at SLC during my time at KU. They lived life with such a fullness and joy that was so attractive to me. From spiritual direction I knew that they had a deep spiritual life that was born from spending time with Jesus The mission to serve spiritual poverty spoke deeply to my heart and I wanted to be able to share what I myself had received. All that the Apostles are fit with what my heart was yearning to do.

To anyone discerning I would say: ask for the grace of an open heart The more we are able to open our heart to the Lord, the more He can work within us Discernment is not solving a math problem, but it is allowing the Lord to reveal His desires, my own desires, to us

“THEY LIVED LIFE WITH SUCH FULLNESS AND JOY THAT WAS SO ATTRACTIVE TO ME. “

The gratitude I have in my heart for the SLC is inexpressible; I believe however that the possibility to have my consecration in the SLC Chapel was a concrete way for me to give thanks for all that I received in my years in Lawrence. The day of my consecration was a day overflowing with joy I was overwhelmed with emotion when I thought back to that 18-year-old just beginning her journey, but like Mary I could pray: “the Lord has done great things for me and holy is His name. ”

Look back at Sr. Kate’s Consecration!

Hewaswillingtowaitforme

Reflection By: Jenna McFall

I went on the first Silent Retreat last year in the spring of 2023. To say that I had a good experience during that retreat would be an understatement, so it's safe to say that I was stoked to go on the retreat again. I love getting to spend time in solitude in the middle of nowhere.

The 2023 retreat was the first silent retreat St. Lawrence had done. So, many new things were added to the retreat for 2024. We got a packet full of amazing resources and a schedule when we arrived.

I was caught off guard. I wasn't used to having a structured Silent Retreat. I was used to it being more self-led! I tried to let it slide off my back; surely this wasn't a big deal? I am on a schedule all the time! Yet, I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed. I woke up on Saturday morning with resentment and anger burning a hole in my stomach And I couldn't even talk about it I sat through the conferences and meals and tried to pray through the experience alone but found it impossible

Eventually, I decided to talk to someone and process my feelings, so I signed up for a Spiritual Direction with Stacy. I was nervous to talk to Stacy about these feelings; she knew how much I loved the previous retreat. As I spoke to her, it became clear that I wasn’t angry with the changes. Things in my personal life had taken away a lot of control, and the schedule exposed the root of my anxieties. I went for a walk and prayed through some of the meditations we had been given, and it was clear that the Holy Family was watching over me throughout the retreat.

Slowly, the Lord and I got back onto the same page, and I was excited. The pinnacle of the retreat happened on Sunday morning I sat in a Marian Shrine and asked the Lord to show me how He was protecting me It became clear that no matter how little control I had, He always took care of everything With these newfound revelations, I ran to Stacy’s room and asked if she could help me process them She sat down with me again and helped me work through all the Lord had given me Just as the first retreat had given me a beginning to my year of prayer, so had this one The 2024 retreat was just what the Lord knew I needed, and He was willing to wait for me to let go of my stubborn anger so that He could walk with me where I needed the most healing

Sacrament Sacrament Celebrations Celebrations

Spring 2024 Consecrations

Sr. Kate Cropp, Apostles of the Interior Life, December 8, 2023

Spring 2024 Weddings

Emily (Liuzza) and Christian Valverde October 28, 2023

Jessica (Schippers) and John Bergman December 2, 2023

Alexis (Webb) and Kyler McGlachlin December 30, 2023

Sean Tunink and Mary (Belanus) April 13, 2024

Spring 2024 Birth/Baptisms

Josephine Elodie Argubright of Matthew and Marissa (DeGennaro), baptized on 9/3/2023

Daniel Menager of David Henri Menager and Erica Menager born 9/10/23

Eloise Elizabeth Crane of Joey and Elizabeth (Gaffney), born on 10/3/2023

Elenor Ruth Trotter of David and Erin Trotter, born on 10/13/2023

George Anthony Raper of Tony and Sarah (Stuhlsatz), born on 10/23/2023

Robert Dana Hamilton of Madison (Nearmyer) and Hunter Hamilton, baptized on 11/5/2023

Ignacio Michael Munoz of Carlos and Tara (Elpers), born on 11/9/2023

Dominic Thomas Gorman of Audrey (Thomas) and Michael, born on 11/19/2023

Matthew Michael Skoch of Tom and Nicole (Dalton), baptized on 11/24/2023

Vivian Marie Trigilia of Bobby and Anna (Demetree), born on 11/27/2023

Lawrence Michael Lucido III of John Michael and Emily (Everett), born on 12/4/2023

Jude Anthony Northcott of Peter and Rebecca (Ashley), born on 12/28/2023

Vivienne Sienna Bob of Jenna (de Gennaro) and Ryan, born on 12/30/2023

Agnes Ada Schippers of Lucas and Sarah (Bergkamp), born on 2/2/2024

Blair Renee Whitlow of Francesca (Pack) and Taylor, born on 2/9/2024

Sylvie Jo Schiedermayer of Erin (Hastings) and Daniel, born on 2/19/2024

Cordelia Mae Shirley of Gage and Hanna (Crick), born on 3/6/2024

Louis Dimitrius Kuckelman of Kyle and Monica Kuckelman, born on 3/11/2024

Sr Kate Cropp

McGlachlin Family

Lucido Family

Hamilton Family

Fr

Stacy

Molly

Nick Labrie

Cris Denning

Misty Stephenson

Mark Wertin

Madison Abbott

Jesse Henkensiefken

Brenna