THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 47, NO. 18 | JANUARY 2, 2026
2025
ARCHDIOCESAN YEAR IN REVIEW
BY MOIRA CULLINGS | STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 4
2 LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
ARCHBISHOP MCKNIGHT Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, S.Th.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas General Decree Establishing the 7th edition of the ETHICAL AND RELIGIOUS DIRECTIVES FOR CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE SERVICES as particular law in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Mindful of my responsibility as the diocesan bishop to safeguard the integrity and unity of the truths of the faith, moral principles, and ecclesiastical discipline in the works of the apostolate pertaining to health care in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (cf. canons 392, 394, 678, and 747); I, Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, hereby issue this General Decree in accord with canon 29 establishing the 7th Edition of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the (Arch) diocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The 7th Edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services is to be promulgated in accord with canon 8, §2 by publication of the text on the Internet Website for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (www.archkck.org), and by delivering a copy of the same and a copy of this decree to the chief executive officers and sponsors of all Catholic health care institutions located in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The provisions of the 7th Edition of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services shall become effective and binding within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on 19 January 2026, any particular legislation, directives, or instructions to the contrary notwithstanding. Given in the Chancery on 19 December, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.
The Most Reverend Shawn McKnight, S.T.D. Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Rev. Anthony Saiki, J.C.L. Vice-Chancellor
† Published without editorial alteration
Appointments Father Anthony J. Saiki, J.C.L., Chancellor, announces the following appointments made by Archbishop McKnight: Rev. Theodulus Tanti as a Diocesan Judge (cf. Can. 1421 §l) on the Metropolitan Tribunal, while continuing as parochial vicar of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, KS. This appointment took place on 21, November 2025 The Reverend John Riley from Parochial Administrator of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood to Pastor (cf. Can. 515 §1) of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS. This appointment took place on 9, December 2025. Mr. Timothy Rives as Assistant Archdiocesan Archivist. This appointment took place on 12, December 2025. † Published without editorial alteration
Archbishop Naumann gives tour of new home On Dec. 17, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann spent his first night at St. Joseph House — his new home located alongside the Community of the Lamb in Kansas City, Kansas. He offered The Leaven an exclusive tour of his house that evening. You can watch a short video of the tour
and view photos of St. Joseph House on each of our social media channels @theleavenkc. Archbishop Shawn McKnight will bless St. Joseph House on Dec. 30. Catch the story in print, and follow us on social media for additional coverage.
Correction In the Dec. 12 article about the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Family Financial Transformations program, the name of FFT program manager Kimberly Burau was spelled incorrectly. The Leaven regrets the error.
Jan. 13 Priest Personnel board meeting — chancery Jan. 15 School of Love leadership meeting — chancery Jan. 16 Mass with chancery staff — chancery chapel Interpreter gathering — St. Paul Church, Olathe Jan. 17 Profession of first vows, Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ, Mass of thanksgiving — St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood Catholic Charities Snow Ball and Mass — Overland Park Convention Center
ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS NAUMANN Jan. 5 — Region IX bishops’ retreat Jan. 17 Profession of first vows, Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ, Mass of thanksgiving — St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood Catholic Charities Snow Ball and Mass — Overland Park Convention Center
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS 3
‘GOD’S COUNTRY’
Olpe parish recalls generations of faith at 150th anniversary Mass By John Sorce john.sorce@theleaven.org
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LPE — Although Archbishop Shawn McKnight was unable to be present, the 150th anniversary celebration at St. Joseph here brought a familiar face back to town. Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for clergy and the parish’s former pastor, was on hand to mark the occasion the morning of Dec. 14. “I remember the night 30 years ago when Joe Markowitz cut these benches,” Father Mertes said, pointing to the wooden pews. “This church is full of lots of memories for me, as it obviously is for all of you here. “To be able to celebrate 150 years is quite remarkable.” For parishioner Greg Markowitz, that story hits close to home. “My family has been in Olpe forever and was part of the founding,” Markowitz said. “Father Mertes] mentioned my uncle Joe, who was a carpenter and did a lot of work here. “For me, this place is faith and family combined into one.”
Mission days
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The history of the church in Olpe dates back to 1875 when the Eagle Creek settlement was visited by Father Joseph Perrier, who established a mission there. But the Catholics in Olpe were scattered and attended Mass both there and in Maydale. Eagle Creek was located south of town and was the hub of where the early communities were built because of the fertile ground. The German farmers who settled in the area loved that ground and settled on both sides of the creek. Maydale was home to a sister parish to the southeast. Some of the Eagle Creek settlers went to church there because it was more accessible by wagon.
Father Anthony Mersmann, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Olpe, and Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for clergy and former pastor of St. Joseph, celebrate the parish’s 150th anniversary Mass on Dec. 14. Assisting the two priests is Isaac Arnold. “My grandson was serving this morning, and his great-grandmother is who Father Mark referred to during Mass. “They moved here from Texas because they thought this was God’s country. The Catholic Church was a big part of that.”
A note from the archbishop
Olpe’s first church It was not until 1885 that Olpe received a permanent pastor, and the first Mass was offered in an individual’s home. The first meeting to construct a church building came in the spring of that year. It was completed on Aug. 6, 1885, stood at just 20-by-50 feet and was across the street of the present-day church. Additions were added in 1892 and again in 1896, but the increasing Catholic population made it clear a new building would be necessary, come the 20th century. Plans to build a new church started in the fall of 1905 and it was completed and ready for dedication on Oct. 15, 1911. That is where Mass is celebrated today.
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Aubrey and her daughter Amelia Arnold join the St. Joseph Parish community for its 150th anniversary Mass. Many of the parish’s founding families are still part of the community.
‘Welcome home’ To have Father Mertes back meant a lot to the community. “We loved Father Mark when he was here,” said Joyce Hoelting Ratcliff. “He still comes back for the barbecue out at Hoelting’s Grove every year and touches base with so many people. “He’s special and we’re always thrilled when we get to see him.” In his homily, Father Mertes asked the congregation a question: Who were we as people of faith? It was that the same question that was being asked 150 years ago, he said, and that the church was established to meet
the challenges of evangelization. “My friends, I’ll tell you who we are,” he explained. “We are Jesus’ church and you have all been a light for this community.”
A generational community This light for a community now dates back 150 years, and many of the parish’s founding families are still rooted here. In addition to the Markowitz family, the Hoelting family has also been part of the Olpe community for generations. “That’s the depth of the parish that we talk about,” Hoelting Ratcliff said.
President Most Rev. Shawn McKnight
Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) Published weekly September through May, excepting the fifth Friday in October, Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the two Fridays after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; or email at: sub@theleaven.org. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $25/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.
Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org
Senior Reporter/Social Media Editor Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
While the archbishop was unable to be present, he did send a letter that Father Mertes read prior to his homily. “As we near the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, I pray that God might renew a spirit of faith, hope and charity in your parish community,” the letter read. “As you continue to carry out our mission together to bring tidings to the poor, may the parish of St. Joseph be a recognized center of charity and a sanctuary of mercy for all who are in need.”
The next 150 years As for the next 150 years, Father Mertes said he hopes the St. Joseph community will be able to say they continued to proclaim the good news and pass down their faith. “What I would like to leave you with,” he said, “is: What are people going to say in the year 2175, which is 150 years from now? “I hope in the year 2175, people will say the community of St. Joseph in Olpe is built on a secure foundation and has handed on the Catholic faith.”
Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org
Reporter John Sorce john.sorce@theleaven.org
Production/Business Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org Editorial Assistant Olivia Martin-Davies olivia.martin@theleaven.org
4 LOCAL NEWS
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JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Most Catholics didn’t have the election of an American pope on their bingo cards this year. It made the moment that Cardinal Robert Prevost stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on May 8 following a two-day conclave even more extraordinary. The Chicago native took the name Pope Leo XIV. It was a year filled with surprises and changes — both universally and locally — for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The spring brought grief when Father Raj “Arul” Balaswamy Carasala, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, was fatally shot outside his rectory on April 3, leaving the archdiocesan community shocked and mourning. Five days later, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann, who had submitted his resignation when he turned 75 on June 4, 2024, as is required of all bishops. The pope appointed Bishop Shawn McKnight from Jefferson City, Missouri, to take his place. He was installed as the fifth archbishop and 12th bishop of the archdiocese during an installation Mass on May 27 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood. It was one of the last appointments Pope Francis made. He passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and heart failure. His funeral Mass was celebrated on April 26 in St. Peter’s Square. Father Carasala was not the only loss the archdiocese suffered this year. Father Earl Dekat and Father James White, SJ, also passed away. But the presbyterate was also expanded by the ordination of three new priests: Father Will Carey, Father Cesar Gomez and Father Dan Mauro. And it welcomed three transitional deacons: Deacon John Donart, Deacon Robert Rooney and Deacon William Sutherland. The year was certainly a busy one for northeast Kansas, and only a small portion of archdiocesan life could be covered in the 16 pages of The Leaven each week. Before we dive into the new year, we invite you to join us in a review of some of the highlights of 2025.
January • Archbishop Naumann marked the 20th anniversary of his appointment to ministry in the archdiocese on Jan. 7. • Father Earl Dekat, 84, passed away on Jan. 9. He had multiple assignments around the archdiocese — most in rural parishes — before he retired in 2013. • Plans to build St. Joseph House, a guesthouse on the campus of the Community of the Lamb in Kansas City, Kansas, where Archbishop Naumann will live during retirement, were shared in the Jan. 10 issue of The Leaven. • The 51st annual Snow Ball, benefiting Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, was held on Jan. 18 at the Overland Park
Convention Center and raised more than $5.3 million. Doug and Kara Ciocca and Chris and Angie Dierks served as presidents. • On short notice, Archbishop Naumann was asked to fill in for Bishop Daniel Thomas, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, at the March for Life and related events in Washington, D.C., from Jan. 23-24. • Archdiocesan schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. • Archbishop Naumann joined Bishop Carl Kemme of the Diocese of Wichita and Bishop Gerald Vincke of the Diocese of Salina for the annual Red Mass for those involved in public service on Jan. 28 at St.
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Overland Park’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School students admire the beauty of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., before the National Prayer Vigil for Life Mass. From left, are freshman, Lucy Chik, and seniors Danielle Droessler and Loren Perbix. The students took part in the annual March for Life events Jan. 23-24.
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Jon Leonetti, a bestselling author and radio host, points toward the stained-glass image of Jesus behind the altar at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park at the annual Men Under Construction conference on March 8. Joseph Church in Topeka. • At least 1,600 people attended the Ignite Rally and Mass for Life on Jan. 29 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
February • Elaine Schmidtberger of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park was honored as the first recipient of the High School Counselor of the Year award during a surprise ceremony on Feb. 6. Kathleen Feist of Holy Trinity School in Lenexa was the first Elementary Counselor of the Year, Mary Jacobs of Holy Spirit School in Overland Park was the Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Samantha Hendrix of St. James Academy in Lenexa was the High School Teacher of the Year. • Father Beyuo Kuukole returned to his home country of Ghana after 10 years in the archdiocese. Among his assignments here were serving as chaplain of Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth. • Father James White, SJ, passed away on Feb. 12 at the age of 87. For 30 years, he ministered to priests, celebrated Masses and offered sacramental assistance at parishes around the archdiocese. • It was announced in the Feb. 14 issue of The Leaven that Father Oswaldo Sandoval, pastor of Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, was appointed episcopal vicar for ministry to Hispanics by Archbishop Naumann. • The annual junior high youth rally was held at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg on Feb. 23.
March • Church of the Ascension in Overland Park hosted the annual Men Under Construction conference on March 8. • The second annual Cathedral Gala took place on March 8 to raise funds to renovate the steps leading up to the main entrance of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas. • The Kansans for Life banquet was held on March 11 at the Overland Park Convention Center. • Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, hosted the annual Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibit awards ceremony on March 13. • The Rural Catholic Youth Conference (RCYC) was held from March 22-23 at Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg. • Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park broke ground on the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto during a ceremony outside the school on March 25, and Archbishop Naumann blessed the space. • The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) honored Church of the Ascension in Overland Park with this year’s Distinguished Catholic Organization Award and Beth and Marty Krebs with the Distinguished Family Award at the annual Deo Gratias dinner at Ascension on March 27. • Archbishop Naumann led Catholics in eucharistic adoration followed by a votive Mass of Mercy at Assumption Church in Topeka to counter a satanic event outside the Kansas Capitol on March 28. • Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, the
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LOCAL NEWS 5
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATHRYN WHITE
Archbishop-designate Shawn McKnight talks with members of the media following a press conference on April 8 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, introducing him as the new archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He was installed on May 27 at Church of the Nativity in Leawood.
>> Continued from previous page first cardinal from El Salvador, visited Good Shepherd Church in Shawnee on March 29.
April • Benedictine College in Atchison honored Archbishop Naumann with its Transforming Culture in America Award on April 1 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Shawnee. Author George Weigel spoke at the event. • Father Arul Carasala, 57, died at the hospital on April 3 shortly after being shot outside his rectory. A memorial Mass was celebrated on April 10 at Sts. Peter and Paul in Seneca, with Archbishop Naumann as the main celebrant and homilist. • Msgr. Tom Tank was honored with the Lumen Vitae award at the 12th annual Abbot’s Table banquet benefiting St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison on April 5 at the Overland Park Convention Center. • On April 8, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Shawn McKnight as the fifth archbishop and 12th bishop of the archdiocese. Archbishop-designate McKnight participated in a press conference with Archbishop Naumann at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas, the same day. • Pope Francis, 88, died on April 21 after making his final appearance to crowds in St. Peter’s Square the day before, Easter Sunday. His funeral Mass was celebrated April 26.
May • Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new pope on May 8 after a two-day conclave. He took the name Pope Leo XIV. • John Donart, Robert Rooney and William Sutherland were ordained to the
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From left, Deacons Daniel Mauro, Cesar Gomez and Will Carey prepare to be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann during a Mass at Church of the Nativity in Leawood on May 24. The archbishop shared that although each man had a vastly different journey, they answered the same call to become priests. transitional diaconate on May 17 by Archbishop Naumann at the Cathedral of St. Peter. • Archbishop-designate McKnight visited the archdiocese for a quick tour of the area from May 21-22. His trip included stops at Benedictine College and St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison; Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’s administrative offices in Overland Park; Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas; and the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. • Deacons Will Carey, Cesar Gomez and Dan Mauro were ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Naumann on May 24 at Church of the Nativity, Leawood.
• A solemn vespers service was held on May 26 at the Cathedral of St. Peter on the eve of Archbishop-designate McKnight’s installation as the new archbishop. Apostolic nuncio Cardinal Christophe Pierre and other cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons and laity joined in the service. • Archbishop McKnight was installed as the archbishop during an installation Mass on May 27 at Church of the Nativity. • An interim cabinet was constituted on May 28 by Archbishop McKnight to advise him as he transitioned to his new assignment as head of the archdiocese. • Archbishop McKnight kicked off his ministry in the archdiocese by partnering
with Catholic Charities for a “Fresh Start” food drive at Fiorella’s Event Space in Overland Park on May 31. Community members donated 3,086 pounds of food.
June • Archbishop McKnight took possession of the cathedra during a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter on June 1. • Archbishop McKnight was the main celebrant at the Mass for couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries on
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6 LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
>> Continued from previous page June 1 at Church of the Nativity. Archbishop Emeritus Naumann concelebrated. • More than 20 religious communities gathered on June 5 at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison for Mass followed by lunch at Benedictine College to welcome Archbishop McKnight as their new shepherd. • The second annual SPARC the Night Gala benefiting Savior Pastoral Center was held on June 7 at Savior. Msgr. Mike Mullen was the honorary chairman. • Bishop Lucius Hre Kung of the Diocese of Hakha in Chin State visited the archdiocese from June 12-16, meeting with Archbishop McKnight on June 13. • Archbishop Naumann was honored with the Proudly Pro-Life Award during the gala by the same name at the conclusion of the National Right to Life Convention held June 20-21 at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park. • The Leaven was honored with 13 awards at the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix on June 27. • Derek Lyssy became the new executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas on June 27. • Archbishop McKnight received his pallium from Pope Leo XIV during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on June 29, the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
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Father Gerald Williams, O.Carm., retired pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Scipio, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the new parish hall. Father Gerald, who retired as pastor on June 30, stayed on to finish overseeing the project. On Oct. 1, he returned to the Carmelite priory in his native Chicago after serving as pastor for 17 years.
July • A group of monks from Mosteiro São José in Mineiros, Brazil, visited the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey from July 16-28 and met with Archbishop McKnight on July 23. • St. James Academy in Lenexa celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 25 with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop McKnight, followed by a dinner and celebration at the school. • Archbishop McKnight toured Prairie Star Ranch in Williamsburg on July 26, the home of Camp Tekakwitha, various retreats and other events. • Archbishop McKnight blessed the new rosary garden at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa on July 30.
August • Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Topeka broke ground on a permanent church on Aug. 2 after a Mass celebrated by Archbishop McKnight and concelebrated by pastor Father Tom Aduri. • Three teacher commissioning Masses were celebrated by Archbishop McKnight for archdiocesan educators in early August. • Archdiocesan seminarians participated in a send-off on Aug. 7 at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park as they prepared to head back to the seminary. The evening included Mass celebrated by Archbishop McKnight, dinner and a short program. • A record crowd watched the priests of the archdiocese defeat the priests of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph during the annual Pitching for Priests softball game on Aug. 8 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. • On Aug. 12, Archbishop McKnight confirmed four men incarcerated at the Lansing Correctional Facility. • Archbishop McKnight joined Bishop Carl Kemme of Wichita and Bishop Gerald Vincke of Salina in issuing a pastoral letter on immigration on Aug. 14. • Archbishop McKnight installed nine of the archdiocese’s newest pastors together during solemn vespers at the Cathedral of St. Peter on Aug. 17. • St. John Paul II Academy in Olathe, a new Catholic classical liberal arts school, opened on Aug. 20. • On Aug. 23, St. Theresa Parish in Perry marked 100 years since the cornerstone was laid for its church and 145 years since
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A panel at the Oct. 7 archdiocesan convocation — featuring, from left, Father Anthony Saiki, chancellor and promoter of justice; Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for clergy; Archbishop Shawn McKnight; and Helen Osman, consultant and pastoral communications specialist — was facilitated by Marissa Easter, far right, archdiocesan communications director. The panel members took turns handling questions about the archbishop’s vision that the small group discussions had given rise to. the parish’s formation in 1880. Archbishop McKnight was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass.
September • Father Glenn Snow, O. Carm., pastor of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth, blessed the new rosary garden at Xavier School in Leavenworth on Sept. 12. • Ascension School in Overland Park held its fourth annual Eagle Serve Day on Sept. 26 to benefit Catholic Charities. • St. Boniface Parish in Scipio held a soft opening of its new parish hall on Sept. 28. Father Gerald Williams, O.Carm., retired pastor, cut the ceremonial ribbon, and Archbishop McKnight blessed the space. • Archbishop Emeritus Naumann celebrated the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Lenexa on Sept. 28. • A Blue Mass for first responders was celebrated on Sept. 29 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Overland Park. • On Sept. 30, Archbishop McKnight appointed the archdiocesan synodal team: Father Michael Hawken, vicar general; Helen Osman, coordinator; Denise Mills and Deacon Jim Mullin.
October • Archbishop McKnight established a new cabinet effective Oct. 1: Father Michael
Hawken, vicar general and moderator of the curia; Father Mark Mertes, vicar general and vicar for priests; Father Anthony Saiki, JCL, chancellor and promoter of justice; Chris Arth, general counsel; Carla Mills, chief financial officer; and Marissa Easter, director of communication. • The archdiocesan convocation was held on Oct. 7 at Savior Pastoral Center. More than 350 people attended, including priests, religious, parish staff and organizational leaders from around the archdiocese. Archbishop McKnight offered a keynote address. • Pope Leo XIV released his first apostolic exhortation, “Dilexi Te” (“I Have Loved You”) on Oct. 9. • St. John the Baptist Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, celebrated its 125th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by pastor Father Joseph Arsenault, SSA, and native son Father Mark Goldasich on Oct. 25. A dinner and Croatian dancing followed.
November • Our Lady of Unity School in Kansas City, Kansas, was honored as the Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann CEF School of Excellence at the Catholic Education Foundation’s annual Gaudeamus gala on Nov. 1 at the Overland Park Convention Center. The gala raised more than $4.4 million for CEF’s scholarship program. • Archbishop McKnight blessed the new parish hall at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville on Nov. 2 following Mass celebrat-
ed by the archbishop and concelebrated by pastor Father Reginald Saldanha. • Archbishop McKnight shared his vision for the archdiocese at the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Justice Matters Policy Summit Nov. 5. • Parishioners at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence celebrated the centennial anniversary of their church the weekend of Nov. 22-23. A Mass was celebrated on Nov. 23 by Archbishop McKnight.
December • St. Joseph School in Shawnee broke ground on the renovation of its St. Joseph Athletic Facility on Dec. 1. Father Michael Hawken blessed the space, with assistance from pastor Father Scott Wallisch and associate pastor Father Brent Stull. • St. Ann School in Prairie Village and friends of the parish collected Christmas gifts for 201 children in need as part of Red Bags KC, a program the parish has supported since its founding 41 years ago. The eighth grade class loaded a truck with the donations on Dec. 5. • Hundreds of parishioners from St. Paul Parish in Olathe took part in an Our Lady of Guadalupe procession through the neighborhood surrounding the parish the evening of Dec. 11 followed by Mass and a reception. • St. Joseph Parish in Olpe celebrated its 150th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by former pastor and current vicar general, Father Mark Mertes, on Dec. 14.
LOCAL NEWS 7
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
Crosier vespers celebrates donors’ impact across archdiocese By Olivia Martin-Davies olivia.martin@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — As the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas prepares for its annual appeal, Crosier Society members gathered at Savior Pastoral Center here on Dec. 7 for vespers and an evening of gratitude and witness to the impact their generosity has made across northeast Kansas. Established in 1998 by Archbishop James P. Keleher, the Crosier Society represents those across the archdiocese who have donated either 1% of the family’s income or made a financial gift of at least $1,000 to the Archbishop’s Call to Share. Lisa McKelvey, archdiocesan director of stewardship and development, welcomed attendees, reminding them that this year marks 50 years of Call to Share. The evening celebrated record-setting success. Thanks to donor support — coming from nearly 13,000 donors and over 2,100 Crosier households — the archdiocese surpassed its $7.25 million goal this year. One of the biggest impacts the Call to Share makes is enabling ministries ranging from pro-life advocacy, Hispanic ministry, youth ministry and more to reach the people of northeastern Kansas. “We come together and make these [ministries] possible from rural communities to our major metropolitan parishes,” said McKelvey. “You truly are funding 40 shared ministries,” she added.
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Archbishop Shawn McKnight explains how Call to Share funds are distributed. The archbishop noted that roughly half directly supports chancery services and half goes to ministries throughout the archdiocese. what we ourselves don’t have,” said Cascone. “So it’s important for us to focus on our faculty and staff members,” he added, “and Blessed Seelos has provided 1200 of our teachers with formation throughout the school year on a regular basis.”
Catholic schools at the heart of the mission
The annual appeal will now be known as the Archdiocesan Call to Share, reflecting the shared responsibility of the entire local church.
One of the ministries particularly impacted by Call to Share is Catholic education. Vince Cascone, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese, stressed that Catholic schools remain one of the archdiocese’s strongest tools for evangelization. “Our Catholic schools are one of our best avenues to evangelize and to bring our young people to the faith,” he said. Cascone described how Call to Share supports Catholic school operations, enrollment initiatives and teacher formation across the archdiocese’s 42 schools, which serve around 14,000 students. Cascone also highlighted the Catholic
Education Foundation (CEF), which receives support through Call to Share and, in turn, directs its fundraising to scholarships for low-income families so their children can attend Catholic schools. “In the last three years, 100 percent of [CEF-sponsored students] graduated and 90 percent of them went on to college,” said Cascone. This year, CEF will fund 2,000 scholarships, totaling $5.6 million. Cascone also spoke about expanding support for students with special needs and about the Blessed Seelos Institute, which provides extensive faith formation to Catholic school educators. “We know we can’t pass on to others
‘A more synodal church’ After expressing his appreciation, Archbishop Shawn McKnight offered a reminder of the mission behind Call to Share: to help the bishop and the faithful preserve the communion of the church. “Both [Pope Francis and Pope Leo] are encouraging a more synodal church,” said Archbishop McKnight, “and the reason is primarily without our communion, we can’t fulfill our mission.” “The stronger our communion, the more vibrant is the fulfillment of the mission that we have received from the Lord,” he added. Explaining how Call to Share funds are distributed, Archbishop McKnight noted that roughly half directly supports chancery services and half goes to ministries throughout the archdiocese.
He also urged the faithful to consider what it means to be in communion with each other. “We need to reflect also how we might become stronger in our communion and more effective in the way we can bring people primarily back to the church,” said Archbishop McKnight “I think we should begin with those who have fallen away,” he continued. “But we also always have the perennial responsibility of witnessing the faith to everyone — excluding no one.”
New name, shared work McKelvey closed the program by announcing a shift in language going forward: The appeal will now be known as the Archdiocesan Call to Share (ACTS), reflecting the shared responsibility of the entire local church. “It really is an opportunity for us as an entire archdiocese to support these shared archdiocesan ministries,” she said. Because that’s what it means to be Christian, Catholic and synodal: helping each other know, love and serve Jesus Christ.
‘Hope does not disappoint’
A Jubilee for the history books By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News
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n his papal bull proclaiming the Jubilee Year, the late Pope Francis emphasized the theme of hope, a much-needed virtue in a time of uncertainty, war and tribulation. Yet in “Spes Non Confundit” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”), the pope unknowingly described what many Catholics would feel in the year to come. “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring,” he wrote. In 2024, the pope’s health was already a cause for concern due to a persistent flu at the beginning of the year, as well as limited mobility that required the use of a cane and a wheelchair. While the intense monthly schedule of Jubilee events was worrisome, there was still the hope that the ailing pontiff would be able to participate. However, those hopes were dashed once his health took a turn for the worse in February, and on April 21, just one day after delivering what would be his final Easter Sunday “urbi et orbi” blessing, Pope Francis died. For Archbishop Rino Fisichella, organizer of the Jubilee 2025 events and pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the pope’s death “created a silence that was felt in the streets of Rome and the world, as well as in every Christian community.” In an interview via email Dec. 3, Archbishop Fisichella told OSV News that it was in those days of mourning that “the motto of the Jubilee took on a different light.” “The faithful understood that Christian hope is not a sentiment, but a promise. I saw people crossing the Holy Door with tears in their eyes and yet with a new inner strength,” he said.
CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
Pope Francis greets the faithful in St. Peter’s Square at the end of the closing Mass for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers at the Vatican April 6, 2025.
Interregnum Despite his ill health, Pope Francis’ death still came as a shock to many and triggered a series of events that occurred only once in the Catholic Church’s history. Aside from the uncertainty regarding who would be the next leader of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Fisichella acknowledged that it “was useless to deny” that the interregnum period caused “a certain objective difficulty.” Alessandro Gisotti, deputy editorial director of Vatican Media, told OSV News Nov. 11 that the Jubilee faced challenges even before the pope’s death. “Unfortunately, practically from the beginning of this Jubilee, Pope Francis was limited by illness, then hospitalization and finally his death. He was only able to experience the importance and intensity of this Jubilee to a certain point,” Gisotti said. “When the pope was at Gemelli Hospital, the Jubilee continued, but without the pope, it was naturally more subdued,” he added. Nevertheless, Archbishop Fisichella said, “the machine did not stop.” For both Archbishop Fisichella and
OSV NEWS PHOTO/YARA NARDI, REUTERS
Young Catholics celebrate ahead of the welcome Mass of the Jubilee of Youth in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican July 29, 2025. Gisotti, the death of Pope Francis and the conclave and election of Pope Leo XIV did not stop the Jubilee but instead redefined it. “The death of Francis and the election of Leo had, in a way, restarted the Jubilee in terms of attendance,” Gisotti noted. “The cardinals supported me immediately and wanted the Jubilee to continue with its manifestations. Continuity was guaranteed by the very nature of the Jubilee, which does not belong to a pontiff, but to the church and to the people of God,” Archbishop Fisichella told OSV News. Despite the demanding schedule, the archbishop added, “Pope Leo XIV accepted the calendar without fear and, from the beginning, chose to maintain the programmed Jubilee commitments.” “This allowed for stability and offered a true continuity that is evident to all, given the incredible numbers of pilgrims,” he added. This was most evident at the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, which drew an estimated
one million young people from around the world.
The Jubilee of Youth Like many young Catholics, Joey Pfeiffer, a 17-year-old from Miami, was at a crucial point in his life and trying to discover his own sense of faith. “I’ve always grown up in the Catholic faith,” he told OSV News Dec. 1. “But I’m a very factual guy, and I hadn’t really found any proof that God existed.” For Pfeiffer, attending the Jubilee of Youth, meeting with Catholics his age and witnessing their joy despite facing similar doubts, helped him build “a foundation in my faith.” “I saw all these people so filled with spirit and so alive about these different experiences that they’re going through,” he told OSV News. “And I feel like it helped me create a sense of security, knowing that God was there because I saw it in these different people.”
The Jubilee of Youth wasn’t just an occasion to connect with faith that was exclusive to young people. It also offered a chance for those who led those groups to pass on the joy of those days they had received in the past. “Looking back at the graces received in the Jubilee 2000, we experienced joy, gratitude and mercy. We knew that we wanted to be a part of transmitting it to the next generation,” said Elias Rosado from New Jersey, who, along with his wife Jessica, led a group of 170 young people from the Neocatechumenal Way to Rome for the event. Speaking to OSV News Nov. 30, Rosado said the Jubilee helped him and his wife rediscover that “we are not alone on our true pilgrimage, which is our life.” “We experienced that God provided an answer to our suffering today, and in our marriage. Facing infertility, we experienced joy and consolation in this suffering to see how the Lord can use our suffering and make it glorious; that our suffering has meaning,” Rosado told OSV News.
A door opened, a door closed In December 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s, marking the beginning of the Jubilee. The task of closing that door now falls to his successor Pope Leo XIV. Gisotti told OSV News that Pope Leo is continuing “that spirit of hope desired by Pope Francis” and that his experience as a missionary “capable of speaking to everyone” brings “an extraordinary international dimension to his papacy.” For Archbishop Fisichella, the fact that Pope Francis would not be the one to end the Jubilee of Hope is one of “profound symbolic value.” “Let this unfinished gesture become an invitation for every believer: The mission of the church never closes,” he said.
Year brings new pope, focus on unity, peace By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
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or the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and for millions of other people as well, the Catholic Church’s 2025 was primarily about the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV. In fact, the Wikimedia Foundation announced Dec. 2 that “Deaths in 2025” — an entry that includes Pope Francis — was their second most-read entry during the year, and Pope Leo’s biography was the fifth most-read article of the 7.1 million entries Wikipedia has in English. “As people rushed online to learn about Leo, traffic to all Wikimedia projects peaked at around 800,000 hits per second — more than 6x over normal traffic levels, and a new all-time record for us,” said the foundation. “Plenty of people came to learn more about Francis’ life, too,” they added. “His English Wikipedia article was the 11th most-read [page] of the year.” Pope Francis had begun the year celebrating the Jan. 1 Mass for the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, with a weak voice and a puffy face that, looking back, already indicated his doctors were struggling to control his chronic lung conditions — bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis — which were exacerbated anytime he had a cold. He ended up being hospitalized Feb. 14 with a fever and respiratory tract infection, which later developed into double pneumonia. While he was hospitalized, cardinals and other Vatican officials — including U.S. Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the future Pope Leo — started taking turns leading thousands of people in praying the rosary for Pope Francis each night in St. Peter’s Square. The nightly prayers continued until the pope was released from Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23. Pope Francis had opened the Jubilee Year on Dec. 24, 2024, just after his 88th birthday. But he ended up delegating cardinals to preside over many of the Jubilee Masses. On Easter, after giving his blessing “urbi et orbi” (“to the city and the world”) — but barely able to raise his hands — he took his final ride in the pope-mobile, spending about 15 minutes among the crowd. Pope Francis died at 7:35 a.m. the next morning, April 21. In addition to the mourning and the prayers, his death marked the beginning of meetings of the College of Cardinals to discuss the state of the church, its needs and the needs of the world and the qualities the next pope should have. The conclave to elect the pope solemnly began May 7 with 133 cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Prevost was elected the next day, on the fourth ballot, and took the name Pope Leo XIV. “Peace be with you,” were Pope Leo’s first words to the crowd. The same words are often the first he says to any group he meets. With a warm but measured demeanor, the first U.S.-born pope eased into his new ministry, highlighting the same themes his predecessors had: the primary Christian mission of sharing the
CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ
Pope Leo XIV blesses the faithful in St. Peter’s Square with holy water at the beginning of his inauguration Mass at the Vatican May 18, 2025.
ASPIRE TO GREAT THINGS, TO HOLINESS, WHEREVER YOU ARE. DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS. YOU WILL THEN SEE THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL GROWING EVERY DAY, IN YOU AND AROUND YOU. POPE LEO XIV Gospel, working for peace, promoting unity within the church and within the human family, and bringing all of that together by serving the poor and denouncing injustice. He explained the threads of that interconnected message in his first major document, “Dilexi Te” (“I Have Loved You”), an apostolic exhortation “to all Christians on love for the poor.” “Love for the poor — whatever the form their poverty may take — is the evangelical hallmark of a church faithful to the heart of God,” the pope wrote. “I am convinced that the preferential choice for the poor is a source of extraordinary renewal both for the church and for society, if we can only set ourselves free of our self-centeredness and open our ears to their cry.” That love, he said in the document and repeatedly elsewhere as well, extends to migrants and refugees. “The church has always recognized
in migrants a living presence of the Lord who, on the day of judgment, will say to those on his right: ‘I was a stranger, and you welcomed me,’” he wrote. Pope Leo has been asked repeatedly about U.S. President Donald Trump’s treatment of migrants and refugees and the administration’s stated goal of mass deportations, and he repeatedly has affirmed church teaching that recognizes the right of a nation to control its borders while insisting that people seeking safety and a better life must be treated with dignity. Unlike Pope Francis, his predecessor, Pope Leo has had many of those conversations with reporters in Castel Gandolfo, home of a sprawling papal property with villas, a farm, gardens and a new center dedicated to educating people in ecology. While Pope Francis visited only a couple of times and then turned the main papal residence at Castel Gandolfo into a museum, Pope Leo spent weeks there in the summer and returns most Monday evenings to spend 24 hours at the villa reading, relaxing, playing tennis and swimming in the indoor pool. Being elected during a Holy Year, with special Jubilee celebrations planned most weekends, Pope Leo inherited a full calendar and made it his own, especially in late July with the Jubilee of Youth, which brought more than one million young people to Rome. He had a special and immediate connection with the crowd, in large part because he spoke directly to the young people in English and Spanish in addition to Italian, the Vatican’s official-
working language. The young people roared with approval as he spoke to them in languages that most could understand without translation. He clearly tapped into their potential, their hopes and their dreams, and brought them along with him to celebrate and pray. “Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are,” he told them at Mass Aug. 3. “Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.” His ability to connect and his focus on mission, unity and peace were especially obvious Nov. 27-Dec. 2 as he made his first foreign trip as pope, visiting Turkey and Lebanon. The trip was planned around an ecumenical celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the Creed most Christians share. But he also encouraged the minority Catholic communities that make outsized contributions to both nations and spent hours demonstrating his respect for the majority Muslim communities. “The more we can promote authentic unity and understanding, respect and human relationships of friendship and dialogue in the world, the greater possibility there is that we will put aside the arms of war, that we will leave aside the distrust, the hatred, the animosity that has so often been built up and that we will find ways to come together and be able to promote authentic peace and justice throughout the world,” he told reporters flying back to Rome with him Dec. 2.
10 LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
Legionaries bring Christ to the world through works of mercy By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven
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round the globe, the several million members of the Legion of Mary strive to bring Christ to the world through his Blessed Mother. Committed to this goal, leaders of the 19 Legion of Mary groups in the archdiocese are seeking to expand the number of parishes with active units. Irene Tastove, president of the Legion of Mary of four parishes in the southern part of the archdiocese, believes that a first step toward accomplishing this goal is helping priests and laypersons understand the purpose, ministry and practices embraced by legionaries. “Just as Christ included the apostles in his mission to teach all nations, legionaries at the local level are available to assist priests in spreading the word and performing works of mercy,” she explained. “We carry out our marching orders through dependence on the Mother of God and in cooperation with our priests.” This purpose dates to 1921 when the Legion of Mary began in Dublin as a lay organization approved by the church as a pastoral tool for use by priests and bishops. Frank Duff, a layperson, was its founder and introduced the structure, protocols and expectations still in place today. Membership is open to men and women, 18 and older. Two archdiocesan parishes have junior units for youth 17 and under. Active adult members commit to a balanced program of prayer and service. They attend weekly meetings that include prayer, reflection, reports on their apostolic works and discussion. Auxiliary members support legionaries through prayer. Gus Torrez is president of the unit at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka and of the archdiocesan group made up of representatives from parish units. At the parish level, a Legion of Mary is called a praesidium; at the archdiocesan level, a comitium. Joleen Hallouer, vice president of the praesidium at Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner and of the comitium, said that
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Gus Torrez, president of the Legion of Mary at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka, talks at a recent gathering of the 19 Legion of Mary groups in the archdiocese. legionaries visit the sick and homebound in different settings; distribute Communion to them; transport parishioners to Mass and appointments; and evangelize. They lead rosaries at weekend Masses, make and distribute rosaries and are involved with other parish ministries. Evangelization — by example and by focused outreach — is an important dimension of their work. Deacon Vince Hallouer, spiritual director of the Divine Mercy unit, said, “People see the works legionaries do, and this may interest them in Catholicism.” The Hallouer husband-and-wife team cited the experience of a staff person at a nursing facility. His spouse had encouraged him to join the church; witnessing the good works of the legionaries at the facility convinced him. He and his brother are currently enrolled in the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Evangelization on a larger scale occurs in some communities as legionaries go door-to-door inviting people to attend church. Meghan Barlow, president of the Our Lady of Fatima praesidium of St. John the Evangelist Parish and the St. Lawrence Campus Center in Lawrence, is drawn to this outreach.
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Meghan Barlow, president of the Our Lady of Fatima praesidium of St. John the Evangelist Parish and the St. Lawrence Campus Center in Lawrence, said, “The Legion of Mary is about connecting with people. People are starving for this.” The Legion of Mary is about connecting with people,” she said. “People are starving for this.”
Legionaries conduct outreach in pairs. They knock on doors, greet residents, invite them to come to church or, if they already have a church, offer to pray in unity with them. They may leave literature on Catholicism, miraculous medals or prayer cards. These visits often result in conversions or the return of persons formerly disconnected from the church. In summer 2024, Divine Mercy hosted a large-scale outreach that brought legionaries from around the country and state who visited half of the homes in Gardner in a concentrated effort. Members of the Lawrence praesidium are currently doing outreach as schedules and weather permit. In the past, the four parishes in southern Kansas each took a weekend for door-todoor outreach within their respective communities: St. Francis Xavier, Burlington; St. Patrick, Emerald; St. Joseph, Waverly; and St. Teresa, Westphalia. Local Legions of Mary reflect the culture of the parish. Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park has both English-speaking units and Spanish-speaking units. Itzhell Hester, president of the Maria Llave Espiritual de la Fe unit, credits the Blessed Mother with changing her personal and family life for the better. She finds joy and peace in visiting the sick, making rosaries and staying close to the Virgin Mary. Phil Gough, president of the Mary, Mother of the Church praesidium at Holy Cross, often recruits parishioners who are already performing works of mercy. He invites them to join for the spiritual benefits of membership. Instrumental in establishing the praesidium in Lawrence and currently its vice president, Alma Moreno Lahm encourages people to pray about joining the Legion of Mary for their spirituality and for service to others. Lahm believes this work is Spirit-driven and for the glory of God with legionaries serving as disciples of Christ. “What better way to grow closer to God than under the tutelage of Mary,” Tastove concluded. For more information about the Legion of Mary or establishing a parish unit, contact Torrez at (785) 224-5460 or by email at: gjtorrez@cox.net.
LOCAL NEWS 11
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
Catholic network works to bring an end to the death penalty By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
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VERLAND PARK — Roughly one-third of Catholics do not know what the church teaches about the death penalty. That statistic is just one of several factors motivating Krisanne Vaillancourt, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, a national organization that works in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. She seeks to educate Catholics, along with all people of goodwill, “to value life over death, to end the use of the death penalty, to transform the U.S. criminal legal system from punitive to restorative and to build capacity in U.S. society to engage in restorative practices.” Vaillancourt was part of a speakers’ panel on Repeal to Heal: Death Penalty Repeal Advances the Culture of Life, during the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty’s yearly conference Nov. 22 at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. The conversation aimed to “share perspectives of Catholic and conservative leaders and the growing interest of the pro-life community in ending the death penalty.” The speakers’ panel also included Rep. Bill Sutton, a member of the appropriations committee for the Kansas House, and Nan Tolson, director of Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, who discussed the death penalty from other perspectives, including its fiscal impact on the state budget. After the panel’s presentation, a short Q&A period followed, along with an overview of legislation being considered for the 2026 session starting in January. The nearly three-hour event ended with an opportunity to donate to the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty. In her presentation, Vaillancourt discussed the church’s teaching on capital punishment dating back to the papacy of St. John Paul II and continuing through Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV. All have publicly stated a consistent pro-life ethic requires upholding the dignity
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Krisanne Vaillancourt (second from left), executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, discusses the church’s teaching on the death penalty Nov. 22 at Repeal to Heal: Death Penalty Repeal Advances the Culture of Life, held during the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty’s annual conference at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. To her right is Christ the King, Topeka, parishioner and member of the board of directors of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Ron Wurtz. To her left is Nan Tolson, the director of Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, and Rep. Bill Sutton, a seven-term congressman in the Kansas House of Representatives. and sanctity of every human life from natural conception to natural death. It was Pope Francis, said Vaillancourt, who finally revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 2018 to read: “Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good. “Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal
sanctions imposed by the state. “Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. “Consequently, the church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,’ and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.” It is in light of this teaching, Vaillancourt said, that the Catholic Mobilizing Network advocates transforming the American criminal justice system from one of retribution to one of restoration.
Vaillancourt shared the current justice system focuses on laws broken, identifying the guilty parties and determining punishments. Restorative justice, said Vaillancourt, focuses on a different set of questions and falls more in line with Catholic Church teaching. Questions focus on the harm caused, who was affected by it and how, and what steps need to be taken to make it right. It also offers the possibility of redemption and transformation in people’s lives. For more information, go to the websites of the Catholic Mobilizing Network at: catholicsmobilizing.org or the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty at: ksabolition.org.
Santa Marta hosts Advent retreat with Vincentian priest
LATHE — Santa Marta, a senior living community here sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, recently hosted a five-day Advent retreat that brought residents together in prayer, reflection and renewed spiritual connection. From Dec. 6-10, Vincentian missionary Father Richard Gielow led the retreat, and offered daily Mass, ecumenical reflections and opportunities for spiritual counsel to residents, families and friends of the community. Father Richard, a nationally recognized retreat director and preacher, serves as director of the Vincentian Parish Mission Center in Independence, Missouri, and as national spiritual adviser to the Ladies of Charity of the United States of America. He stayed on campus throughout the visit, allowing for more opportunities for connection during the sacred season. The retreat marked several meaningful firsts for Santa Marta, including the first Masses ever celebrated in
FATHER GIELOW WAS A SPEAKER WHO LIFTED ME UP. I FELT ‘BORN AGAIN.’ HE HELPED US SENIORS LOOK FORWARD WITH HOPE TO WHAT’S STILL TO COME. MARILYN BOHNERT SANTA MARTA RESIDENT the community’s health care chapel on Dec. 6 and 7. Father Richard also led one-hour interfaith reflection sessions open to individuals of all faith traditions, emphasizing themes of Advent — hope, peace, joy and love. “Faith is at the heart of everything we do at Santa Marta,” said Colleen Hollestelle, president and CEO of Santa Marta. “Bringing Father Gielow to our
campus created a beautiful opportunity for residents to pause, reflect and reconnect spiritually during Advent. The impact was deeply felt across our community.” Each reflection session was preceded by a half hour of music and art, offering residents a contemplative space to prepare their hearts and minds. Father Richard was also available throughout his stay for the sacrament of reconciliation, spiritual guidance and individual pastoral conversations. Residents described the retreat as uplifting, personal and deeply meaningful. “What a blessing,” said resident Pam Morrison, who helped plan the retreat. “Given the depth and breadth of Father Gielow’s training and experience, I was impressed by how down-to-earth, approachable, humorous and pastoral he was. We walked out feeling encouraged and renewed.” “Father Gielow was a speaker who lifted me up,” said resident Marilyn Bohnert. “I felt ‘born again.’ He helped us seniors look forward with hope to what’s
still to come.” For resident David Groebe, the timing of the retreat was especially meaningful. “Advent is such a sacred, joyful time, and so often I miss it because of the distractions of the season,” he said. “This retreat helped us truly tune into the hope, peace, joy and love of Advent.” “Father Gielow was wonderful and so engaging,” said resident Michelle Hamel. “He captured 100 percent of my attention, and I felt like he was speaking directly to me.” The Advent retreat was an example, said an organizer, of Santa Marta’s ongoing commitment to spiritual vitality and lifelong faith formation, offering residents meaningful opportunities to grow, connect and worship within a supportive Catholic community. As the season drew to a close, the conversations, reflections and renewed sense of purpose sparked by Father Richard’s visit continue to resonate throughout the Santa Marta campus — strengthening both faith and fellowship among those who call it home.
12 CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Choral conductor - St. Patrick Church in Kansas City, Kansas, is looking for a choral conductor to lead the choir. This opportunity would be a paid, part-time position (4-5 hours per week) and would require a weeknight rehearsal and weekly Sunday morning. The candidate would work closely with our music director to choose liturgically appropriate music. Knowledge of Catholic liturgical music tradition is preferred. For a job description and application, please see our website at: stpatrickkck.org or reach out at: office@stpatrickkck.org. Benet House Retreat Center director - Benet House is seeking a full-time director who is responsible for all operations, including programming retreats throughout the year. Benet House Retreat Center is owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, Illinois. It is located on 90 acres with walking paths, a wooded area, a lake and an abundance of wildlife. Benet House “welcomes each person as Christ” (RB) and is open to all faiths. The applicant must have at least 3 years’ experience in retreat ministry. For more information, go to: www.smmsisters.org/retreats or take a tour at: https://smmsisters.org/virtual-monastery. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should speak to your qualifications and leadership experience. Please email to: rbussan @smmsisters.org. Advancement officer - St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence is seeking a full-time advancement officer to build and steward donor relationships, lead fundraising efforts, support board activities and grow engagement among alumni, parents and benefactors. Candidates must be practicing Catholics with strong communication skills and the ability to request significant financial commitments in person, meeting with 20-plus donors per month; fundraising experience preferred. Salary with benefits included. Send resume, cover letter and three references to chief operating officer Matt Kemnitz at: mkemnitz@kucatholic.org. Outreach manager at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - Do you have a passion for educating and advocating on social justice issues? Catholic Charities is seeking a compassionate, joy-filled and motivated individual to serve as an outreach manager. Primary responsibilities include leading the outreach team in the areas of community and parish engagement, poverty education and federal food programming across the 21 counties of the archdiocese. To learn more or apply, visit: https://catholic charitiesks.org/careers/. Caregivers needed - Daughters & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team. Catholic elementary school principal - St. Matthew School in Topeka is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for Catholic education. The principal will continue the school’s tradition of forming disciples, pursuing academic excellence and spiritual growth. The principal will lead by example and inspire a team of dedicated faculty and staff. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact Vince Cascone at: vcascone@archkckcs.org. Catholic elementary school principal - Holy Spirit School in Overland Park is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for Catholic education. The principal will continue the school’s tradition of forming disciples, pursuing academic excellence and spiritual growth. The principal will lead by example and inspire a team of dedicated faculty and staff. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact Vince Cascone at: vcascone@archkckcs.org.
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG Part-time kitchen assistant - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a part-time kitchen assistant, 8 to 15 hours a week. Duties will include prepping food, serving food, setting up/breaking down food service line and garden bar, cleaning and washing dishes. Any candidate hired will need to pass a criminal background check and attend Virtus training as conditions of employment. Applicants should email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org. Office property manager - Edwardsville Court Apartments is seeking an office property manager. We are willing to train you. Inquiries, please call (913) 4416007. Small equipment cleaning/repair - A locally owned family business is currently seeking part-time candidates to provide cleaning and repair services on microscopes. Expenses paid, work done in the field and each day is different! No previous experience necessary, on-the-job training provided. Needs to be detail-oriented team player, with good time management and customer service skills. Some travel with the team is required. Please contact us at: techneeded23@gmail.com or call (913) 631-3000. Catholic financial planners - The Knights of Columbus Mahon Agency has openings throughout all of NE Kansas and western Missouri, including Kansas City, Topeka, Holton, Wamego, Lawrence, Gardner, Liberty and Chillicothe. We have much to offer professional, disciplined and determined men who would like to share needed life insurance, disability income, longterm care and annuity products with other Catholics. This is a full-time position with excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. It’s an exciting career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or someone you know. For more information, contact John Mahon at (785) 4088800, or john.mahon@kofc.org.
SERVICES Dewfall Media Professional Video Services - We partner with you to tell meaningful and engaging stories through visual media. Holiday sale: 33% off select video packages through January 12. www. dewfallmedia.com. Contact Andrew: (717) 818-5168. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee. Pure Touch Cleaning KC - Bringing warmth and comfort back into your home this winter! Locally owned • Women-led • Family-based care you can trust. Deep cleans • Regular maintenance • Move-in/out • Holiday prep. Call/text: Owner Nicole (913) 999-6267. Let us make your home feel fresh, cozy and ready for the season. TOTAL HOME REPAIR All aspects of interior home repairs. Retired master plumber. Professional interior painting, general repairs, tile work. Handyman services. Lifetime of experience. Army veteran. Ascension parishioner. (913) 488-4930 Pro Force Property Cleanout Services - Full home and property cleanouts: furniture, appliances, trash. Yard cleanup including trees or any debris. We do eviction or foreclosure cleanouts, move in, move out. Cleanouts throughout the Greater Kansas City area. Call Michael at (913) 565-5206 or email: MichaelMcMahan012@gmail.com.
MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 927-4347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com. Jack Harrison Heating & Air Conditioning - Proudly serving Johnson County, Kansas, parts of KCK and KCMO, we’re your trusted local experts in residential and light commercial HVAC. Whether you need a repair, seasonal tuneup or full system replacement, we’ve got you covered — with honest advice, quality work and friendly service. We’re a family-owned and operated company, rooted in the community as members of St. Paul Parish in Olathe. Call Jack Harrison Heating & Air today at (913) 308-3131 or visit: www.JackHarrisonAir.com to schedule online. Let our family take care of yours! Tutor - Pre-K-12-college. All subjects. Satisfaction guaranteed. Sliding scale rates. Text HELP to (913) 259-4553. Bill Dean Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling, Electrical, and Plumbing Furnace, AC and Water Heater Install and Service wmdean14@hotmail.com, billdeanmechanical.com Joco lic. # 2026-0008446, text or call (913) 724-3294 Double A’s Lawn Service Lawn mowing, Mulching, Gutters, Leaf Removal Brush Removal & Hedge Trimming Free Estimates & Insured Alex Spoerre (913) 488-5195 Two men and a brush - Refresh, repaint, renew your home with painting you can trust! Call for a free estimate on your house, deck or fence! Call John at (402) 763-7244. !!Early 2025 painting discount!! - At Stone Painting we offer interior and exterior house painting services. Check out our work at: www.stonepaintingkc.com. Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704. GARAGE DOOR REPAIR EXPERTS New Garage Doors & Openers A Total Door, Inc. Since ’83. Leaven Discount buffy@atotaldoor.com or (913) 236-6440 www.atotaldoor.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT Haus to Home Remodeling - Transform your space with affordable remodeling done right. Bathrooms, basements and everything in between — crafted with honesty and quality. Family-owned with free estimates. Haustohomekc.com | Cole (913) 544-7352. Shepaint Cabinets - Looking for a stunning, high-quality cabinet transformation? Shepaint Cabinets is a women-owned and operated business. I bring precision, passion and a personal touch to every project. Detail-driven service with a personal touch, reliable, efficient and customer-focused. Your dream kitchen is just a coat of paint away! Call/text (816) 806-4375 for a free quote. Let’s create something beautiful together! Father and Son Home Remodeling - We specialize in kitchen/bathroom and basement remodeling, from start to finish. We also do decks, covered decks, porches, sun-rooms and room additions! If you’re not sure we do it, just call. From my family to yours, thank you for supporting my small business. To contact me, call (913) 709-7230 and ask for Josh.
Small farm/business operation opportunity - STA Home Repair is moving to another state. Looking to sell property and business assets: 1955 Oregon Road, Princeton, Kansas. 3 buildings, 1 Barndo/Shop, RV hookups – 200 Amp service with portable heat and AC – office, kitchen area – 10-foot garage door and entry door, 1 cabin with wood stove and AC/shop, 1 pole barn, 2 sinks, 1 shower, 1 toilet, stocked pond, boat and equipment storage over half fenced, multiple gardens, minifarm, bring the horses. Great for contractor with trailers, 25-30 minutes to Gardner or intermodal facility; 35-40 minutes to Olathe and Overland Park; and less than 10 minutes to Ottawa. Close to the Hillsdale and Pomona lakes. Asking $290,000. Cash and/ or pre-approved financing. Showing by appointment only. Text name and number to (913) 579-1835. For sale - Two plots in Resurrection North Cemetery, off of Cookingham Rd., in Kansas City, Missouri. Both plots are located in the Annunciation Garden, lot 185, section D, spaces 3 and 4. Beautiful location, shaded area with benches close by and easy access from the cemetery road. Value is $2095 each, selling both for $3000, which includes perpetual care. Please contact Chuck at (816) 519-9288 and leave a voicemail; I will return your call within the same day. Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC.)
PILGRIMAGE European pilgrimage - March 15-25, 2026, join Father William Carey, Deacon Tom Doyle and Grace Legaspi on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Lourdes and Paris. Celebrate Mass at Lourdes, Sacre Coeur overlooking Paris and at the place where Our Lady gave us the Miraculous Medal. See the incorrupt body of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the updated Notre Dame Cathedral! Traverse the steps millions have climbed on Apparition Hill. Email Grace at: mgracelegaspi@gmail.com for details. Peru Pilgrimage: Evangelization of the Ancient Incas – July 19-30, 2026. Join us for an unforgettable 11-day journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, exploring Machu Picchu, Cusco and the lives of saints like St. Rose of Lima. Experience the dramatic encounter between the ancient Incas and the flourishing Catholic baroque of Peru. Space is limited! Early bird pricing until Feb. 19, 2026. For details, email: olivia. stear@viaheritagetravel.com.
WANTED TO BUY BUYING OIL & GAS ROYALTIES Simplify your life. Paying 48 times average last 6 months income. Call Dan (913) 980-0946. Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. Wanted to buy Do you have a spare car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905. $$Paying Cash$$ - Antique Furniture, crocks, tin and cast iron toys, old tools, glassware, American coins, jewelry. Most anything old. Please call Patricia at (913) 515-2950. A member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa.
FOR SALE
CASH PAID FOR COIN COLLECTIONS! Silver dollar coins, half-dollars, quarters, dimes, old pennies. Cash in hand. Also paying cash for old paper currency. Cash in that old dusty box of coins! Call Kirk (913) 213-9843. Member of Holy Trinity Parish. Please sell to local people.
Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns - Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, licensed clinical professional counselor, at (913) 909-2002.
For sale - 2 casket crypt at St. John’s Corridor mausoleum at Gate of Heaven. Tier A, crypt 6, valued $15,885. Asking $11,000 (includes transfer fee). Contact Kristen (913) 645-3428.
WANTED TO BUY - PAYING CASH Antiques & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad items, sterling, OLD holiday/toys & more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393 St. Joseph, Shawnee.
Popcorn ceiling texture removal Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience. Interior painting specialist. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.
For sale - Two plots at Mt. Calvary cemetery in KCK, including opening and closing, section 11, lot 119, space 1A-2A. $4500 includes transfer fee. Contact Dave at (913) 302-3924.
REAL ESTATE
Landscaping Design or Renovate! Light tree trimming/gutters Fall cleanup/leaf removal Free estimates; local parishioners. Call Charles or Emily (913) 605-8145.
We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer, (913) 599-5000. We are local people who can buy your house - Big companies from all over the nation come here buying houses, but that’s not us. We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and we enjoy giving you personalized service. We can offer you a fair price and are flexible to your needs. If I can help, call me, Mark Edmondson, at (913) 980-4905.
CAREGIVING Caregiving - Homecare CNA with 15 years’ experience. Monday-Friday. Call (913) 526-0797. Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary.
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JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
BOOK DISCUSSION Online (Zoom) Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
Join our book discussion of “Francis of Assisi, Universal Saint” with author Linda Lysakowski, sponsored by the Kansas Franciscan Justice Circle. After Jan. 6, we will have 10 online Zoom meetings every first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. Each meeting will focus on one chapter of the book with plenty of time for discussion. For more information and to register, send an email to: lysakobook@gmail.com.
NEW YEAR RETREAT Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Jan. 9 to Jan. 11
Step back from the busyness of life, reflect on what truly matters and prioritize your most important goals for the year ahead. The retreat includes spiritual talks, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confession, and opportunities for spiritual direction, reflection and nature walks. To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: Christs Peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.
Is your marriage struggling or do you know a marriage that is struggling? Retrouvaille is a program that helps couples restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship. This is a practical program to improve communication and help couples connect. Life is too short to not live in joy. Register online at: www.helpourmarriage.org or call 1 (800) 470-2230.
SANCTA MARIA FUNDRAISER Abe & Jake’s Landing 8 E. 6th St., Lawrence Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.
Join us for a silent auction, raffle, games, dinner and dancing in support of Catholic Montessori education. Semiformal attire is required. A $50 ticket includes dinner and two alcoholic drinks. Contact Theresa Clark for more information by email at: raventmf@ yahoo.com or call (785) 727-0942.
IGNITE FOR LIFE RALLY Kansas State Capitol 8th & S.W. Van Buren Sts., Topeka Jan. 28
Breakfast will include eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and drinks. Cost will be $6 for those over the age of 13; free for 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving throughout the year.
Join the bishops of Kansas and Catholics from across the state for the 2026 Kansas March for Life! IGNITE for Life is a Catholic, pro-life rally for the protection of unborn children and women facing challenging pregnancies. The event includes live music, inspiring speakers, the celebration of Mass with the Kansas bishops and a ministry fair. Eucharistic adoration is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. at Assumption Church across from the Capitol. Go online to: archkck.org/ignite for details and to register. Registration is free; space is limited.
RETROUVAILLE OF KANSAS CITY Savior Pastoral Center 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 23 to 25
BINGO NIGHT Sacred Heart Church 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas 2nd Saturdays at 7 p.m.
BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS Divine Mercy Church 555 W. Main St., Gardner Jan. 11 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
The Sacred Hearts Knights of Columbus will be hosting bingo for cash prizes. Refreshments will be sold. For more information, call Kevin at (913) 207-0900.
SEASONS OF HOPE Sts. Peter and Paul Parish 411 Pioneer, Seneca Sundays at 5 p.m.
Seasons of Hope is a Christ-centered support group that is a nurturing link to the church, the Almighty and anyone of faith who is mourning. Those mourning a loss are invited to come and bring a guest. For more information, call or text: Julie Strathman at (785) 294-8360; Roger Becker at (785) 364-6393; or Janet Hermesch at (785) 294-0779.
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP ‘HEALING THE DIVORCED HEART’ St. Michael the Archangel (Gabriel Room) 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit the website at: www.stmichaelcp.org/divorce-support.
EXPERIENCE A COMMUNITY WITH HEART Santa Marta Retirement Community 13800 W. 116th St., Olathe Wednesdays from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Join us and enjoy a small sample of what life is like at our community. On Walkin Wednesdays, learn about the Santa Marta community. To RSVP or find a complete list of our upcoming events, call (913) 489-2683 or visit the website at: Santa MartaRetirement.com/Events.
Jennifer (Gorsuch) and Ed Barnhart, members of St. Patrick Parish, Osage City, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 27 with a special blessing at Mass. The couple was married on Dec. 27, 1975, at St. Patrick Church, Lincoln. Their vows were renewed in June in Lincoln by Father Daniel Scheetz. The ceremony and dinner was attended by members of the original wedding party and family. Their children are: William Barnhart, Lawrence; and Julia Barnhart, Arvada, Colorado. They have one granddaughter. Kathy (Speros) and Ken Jennison, members of Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th we d d i n g a n n i versary on Jan. 10. The couple was married on Jan. 10, 1976, by Father Robert Syrianney at Christ the King Chapel, Denver. Their children are: Nick, Luke, Coelleen and Kallen. They have 10 grandchildren. The couple will celebrate with family and friends in Crested Butte, Colorado, in July.
14 COLUMNISTS DAILY READINGS CHRISTMAS WEEKDAYS Jan. 4 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Is 60: 1-6 Ps 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Eph 3: 2-3a, 5-6 Mt 2: 1-12 Jan. 5 John Neumann, bishop 1 Jn 3:22 – 4:6 Ps 2: 7b-8, 10-12a Mt 4: 12-17, 23-25 Jan. 6 André Bessette, religious 1 Jn 4: 7-10 Ps 72: 1-4, 7-8 Mk 6: 34-44 Jan. 7 Raymond of Penyafort, priest 1 Jn 4: 11-18 Ps 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13 Mk 6: 45-52 Jan. 8 Christmas Weekday 1 Jn 4:19 – 5:4 Ps 72: 1-2, 14, 15bc, 17 Lk 4: 14-22a Jan. 9 Christmas Weekday 1 Jn 5: 5-13 Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20 Lk 5: 12-16 Jan. 10 Christmas Weekday 1 Jn 5: 14-21 Ps 149: 1-6a, 9b Jn 3: 22-30
MARGARET WARD died 1588
Among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonized in 1970, Margaret Ward was a gentlewoman from Cheshire living in London who tried to help a secular priest imprisoned during the persecution of Catholics. Father Richard Watson had been tortured and starved, released for banishment, imprisoned again and brutalized until he became a nervous wreck. Margaret visited him, bringing food. She and John Roche, an Irishman, were arrested for helping the priest escape by dropping into the Thames in the middle of the night. When they refused to reveal his whereabouts, apologize to Queen Elizabeth I or attend the state church, they were hanged at Tyburn.
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
This year, let’s keep our resolutions for a change
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here’s nothing quite as exciting as beginning a brand-new year. I’m a fervent believer in making resolutions; I only wish that I would be as fervent in keeping them! A great reminder at this time of year comes from Tony Compolo — a Baptist pastor, author and sociologist — who relays this story from a friend who counseled a man that was falling out of love with his wife: The counselor advised the man to think of ways he could make life happier for his wife and then do them. A few days later, the counselor received a phone call from the husband who related the following: “Every day, I leave for work, put in a hard day, come home dirty and sweaty, stumble in the back door, go to the refrigerator, get something to drink and then go into the rec room and watch TV
MARK MY WORDS
FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
until suppertime. “After talking to you, I decided I’d do better than that in the future. So yesterday, before I left work, I showered and shaved and put on a clean shirt. On the way home, I stopped at a florist and bought a bouquet of roses. Instead of going in the back door, I went to the front door and rang the doorbell.
“My wife opened the door, took one look at me and burst into tears. When I asked what was wrong, she said, ‘It’s been a horrible day. First, Billy broke his leg and had to have it put in a cast. I no sooner returned home from the hospital when your mother called and said that she’s coming and staying for three weeks. I tried to do the wash and the washing machine broke and there’s water all over the basement. And now, look at you. You just had to come home drunk!’” (Story adapted from “Behavior Change,” found in “Illustrations
Unlimited,” edited by James S. Hewett.) Maybe a reason we don’t stick to our resolutions is because we believe that the change in us would be so sudden and so drastic — like that poor guy in the story — that no one would recognize us. While it’s possible that our transformation could be radical and immediate, most change usually doesn’t work that way. There’s a theological idea that “grace builds on nature.” In other words, God takes the person that we are now and little by little makes us better. That might be the secret to making resolutions that are realistic. Most of us want to make several big changes in our life in an impossibly short amount of time. Better to concentrate instead on one or at most two items that we can chip away at over the course of a year — one day, one week, one month at a time.
I’ll be working on a couple of things for this year. Feel free as the year goes on, to ask me about my progress . . . or lack thereof. Because I tend to arrive at Mass or appointments right “under the gun” with no time built in for traffic delays or lost keys or a misplaced wallet, I resolve to leave 10 minutes earlier than I normally would to lessen stress on me and others. Secondly, since I spend too much time indoors and sitting, I resolve to get up and walk around a bit every half hour — my Apple Watch will beep me “on my toes” with this — and to spend at least 15 minutes a day outdoors to get some fresh air. Be bold in 2026. Make a resolution or two and draw the strength to persevere by praying each day: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
What treasure do you have to share this season of giving?
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his Epiphany Sunday, the star of the Gospel is — literally — the star. Here is the original GPS device, guiding the Magi from the East toward Christ. One of my favorite Christmas symbols in New York City is the massive star that hangs over 57th Street. Nothing symbolizes the hope and serenity of this season more beautifully. (Of course, it’s worth noting that if the wise men were to follow that star today, it wouldn’t lead them to a stable and a baby. It would lead them to Tiffany’s.) But, suspended over the busy, noisy, distracting sounds and sights of New York,
DEACON GREG KANDRA Deacon Greg Kandra is an award-winning author and journalist, and creator of the blog “The Deacon’s Bench.” He serves in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York.
that star still captures our imagination. And it should. It represents something transcendent and historic
— especially this week. The very word Epiphany means “manifestation.” Webster’s Dictionary elaborates: “An intuitive grasp of reality through something simple and striking.” Something as simple as a child. Something as striking as a star. Scripture is silent about just who the Magi really were, whether they were kings, astrologers or “wise men.” Historians will tell you that we don’t know exactly how many of them there were. But because they brought three gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh — tradition has held that there were three of them.
That, of course, is a number with powerful biblical significance, echoing the number of persons in the Trinity and the days Christ spent in the tomb. But it also signifies something even more compelling — and a beautiful truth we should seize on this Sunday. The Magi didn’t come to the Lord empty-handed. The Gospel tells us: “They opened their treasures.” The Magi had priceless gifts to share. So do all of us. The prayerful question we should ask ourselves is: What do we have to give? What do we have to share with Christ and with the world?
Don’t be shy about sharing your gift. No matter who we are, or where we come from, or what we do, each of us has a treasure to offer. Each of us is called, in our way, to be members of the Magi. As we celebrate Christ manifesting himself to the world, think of what that manifestation has meant to each of us, to whatever community we belong to. What can we give in return — to God, and to one another? What are our treasures? The Christmas season is coming to a close. But this lesson of Epiphany should stay with us: The season of giving doesn’t have to end.
Pope urges people to protect, cultivate even smallest signs of peace VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The “confrontational” tone dominating both global and national politics is “deepening instability and unpredictability day by day,” Pope Leo XIV wrote in his message for World Peace Day. “It is no coincidence that repeated calls to increase military spending, and the choices that follow, are
presented by many government leaders as a justified response to external threats,” he wrote in the message for the Jan. 1 observance. But peace must be protected and cultivated, Pope Leo said. “Even when it is endangered within us and around us, like a small flame threatened by a storm, we must protect it.”
Throughout the coming year, Pope Leo will give visiting heads of state signed copies of his message, which was released by the Vatican Dec. 18, and Vatican ambassadors will distribute it to government leaders in the countries where they serve.
JANUARY 2, 2026 | THELEAVEN.ORG
TOPEKA NAMESAKE HONORS OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Above, Sophia Meneses — as Our Lady of Guadalupe — and Jacob Torrez — as Juan Diego — act out the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Mass. The two are fourth graders at Holy Family School in Topeka. Dancers Alex Antonio and A’raiya Vasquez don traditional Mexican attire as they take part in a folk dance in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Alex and A’raiya are eighth graders at Holy Family School.
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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Archbishop Shawn McKnight celebrates Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Topeka on Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady.