‘OUR BEST SUMMER CATECHESIS’
Father Colin Haganey steps up as new Totus Tuus chaplain
By John Sorce john.sorce@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — For Father Colin Haganey, his three years of experience teaching Totus Tuus is coming in handy.
The pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, St. Joseph in Waverly, St. Theresa in Westphalia and St. Patrick, Emerald, is in his first year as the program’s chaplain for the archdiocese. He taught as a seminarian for Totus Tuus in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
“I think this is our best summer catechesis program,” Father Haganey said during a recent visit to a session at Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kansas. “It does a good job of mixing fun and entertainment for the kids, but it also has a very robust teaching aspect to it with the rotation of different topics taught each year.”
The program offers weeklong classes for kids entering first through 12th grade. First through sixth graders attend classes during the morning session, while seventh through 12th
graders attend the evening session. It will run for six weeks this summer at various parishes in the archdiocese.
Program coordinator Pam Riordan
said that things have been going well so far in Father Haganey’s first year as chaplain.
“Father Haganey has been great,”
she said. “He spent time at training with us and has been great in supporting our missionaries. He’s also always had the program at his parishes since he became a pastor, so it’s nice to have somebody that supports the program and believes in the mission.”
This year, the Totus Tuus program was able to expand to three teams of missionaries, with each team consisting of four missionaries: two men and two women.
Riordan believes that Father Haganey is a key reason for that expansion.
“I would say Father Haganey was instrumental with us going to three teams,” she said. “This is our third year doing a deanery-wide one here in Wyandotte County, and even the numbers here have grown. We’ve also had parishes that have had positive experiences and want us to come back, so that is also good.”
Two of this year’s missionaries are Jimmy Mendoza and Allison Clegg. Mendoza is a second-year mission-
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Clockwise from left: Evie Foltz, Leanne Shoup, Allison Clegg, Jimmy Mendoza, Peyton Lintner and Juan Amparan game plan before the day’s session.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Father Colin Haganey, pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Burlington, St. Joseph in Waverly, St. Theresa in Westphalia and St. Patrick, Emerald, enjoys a lighter moment. He is in his first year as Totus Tuus chaplain for the archdiocese, and taught for the program as a seminarian.
Archbishop to dedicate new rosary garden
LENEXA — Archbishop
Shawn McKnight will preside at the dedication and blessing of the new rosary garden at Resurrection Cemetery here, located at 83rd and Quivira, on July 30 at 10 a.m. Members of the Catholic community are invited to attend the outdoor ceremony and tour the newly designed space.
Located just west of the mausoleums, this section will be attractively landscaped and offer multiple options to families that want to be laid to rest together. This includes private estates, columbaria of different sizes to accommodate cremated remains of one or more persons, and traditional burial sites.
Sharon Vallejo, president of Cath-
olic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas that manages the cemetery, said, “Families expressed the desire to have expanded options that allow final disposition of all of their various members together in designated space. The rosary garden is in direct response to these requests.”
The garden takes its name from the rosary beads represented by large stamped red circles on the concrete pathway that winds through the section. Vallejo said that an aerial view would reflect the image of a rosary placed on a table with the beads naturally spread out.
Statues atop four large columbaria in the garden represent key figures of the four different mysteries of the rosary (joyful, sorrowful, glorious and luminous). Pedestal
benches and other statuary are artfully arranged throughout the space.
Central to the garden is a shelter area with cremation niches built into the four corner columns. Vallejo projects that committal services will be held in this area.
Bryan Alonzo, director of operations and sales, credits Vallejo with the creative ideas reflected in the rosary garden.
“We encourage area Catholics,” he said, “family members and friends to attend the July 30 ceremony to see this incredibly beautiful space and the multiple options available for final resting places.”
For more information, call (913) 3714040 or send an email to: information@ cathcemks.org.
July 25
St. James Academy 20th anniversary Mass, Lenexa
July 26
Mass and Kateri Award — Prairie Star Ranch, Williamsburg
July 27
Regional Encuentro Mass — Savior
July 30
Rosary garden dedication — Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa
Meeting with Father Suresh Babu, MSFS, provincial superior of Visakhapatnam, India
July 31
Serra Club dinner with priests, deacons and seminarians — St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kansas
Aug. 1
School of Love date night — Pinstripes, Overland Park
Aug. 2
Mass and groundbreaking — Mother Teresa, Topeka
Aug. 3
Seminarian pilgrimage — Fredonia
Aug. 4
Supreme Knights of Columbus convention — Washington, D.C.
Aug. 7
Commissioning Mass — Corpus Christi, Lawrence
Seminarian send-off Mass and dinner — Ascension, Overland Park
Aug. 8
Teacher commissioning Mass — Ascension
Teacher commissioning Mass — St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kansas
Pitching for Priests — Legends Field, Kansas City, Kansas
July 31
Serra Club dinner with priests, deacons and seminarians — St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kansas
Aug. 2
Midwest Catholic Family Conference Mass — Wichita
Aug. 7
Religious Alliance Against Pornography board meeting
Aug. 8
for
COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
Cremation niches are built into the four corner columns of the shelter area located in the new rosary garden at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa.
St. John Paul II opens CLASSICAL ACADEMY in August
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
OLATHE —
Holiness. Wonder. Wisdom. Virtue.
Those are the four pillars of St. John Paul II Academy here, a new Catholic classical liberal arts school set to open Aug. 20. For its inaugural school year, the academy, which will eventually go through eighth grade, will open for preschool through second grade, adding an additional grade each year.
The school is the endeavor of St. John Paul II Parish. Established in 2016, it is the archdiocese’s newest. Its original plans included a school. But, well, things happened.
In 2020, parishioners worshiped on weekends at a public school. Prior to his arrival in 2021, Father Brandon Farrar, the current pastor, said parishioners had petitioned Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann to build a parish hall. Capital campaign information was distributed to 550 families, but just as Father Farrar began his assignment, responses came back, showing building a hall was not feasible.
Instead, on his first weekend at the parish, Father Farrar was able to announce a building had been procured in which to celebrate Mass, hold religious education and carry out administrative functions. The building was ready on the feast of St. John Paul II, Oct. 22.
In October 2022, Father Farrar wrote Archbishop Naumann, asking if he’d be open to allowing the parish to determine the most viable building project — a school, a church or a parish hall.
After receiving approval, Father Farrar and the parish formed exploratory committees to research costs, processes, advantages and disadvantages of the projects. Two committees focused on the church. One committee argued in favor; the other against. Likewise, two committees focused on a parish hall; the final two focused on the school option.
After the presentations, parish leadership sifted through the responses and realized the idea for a church and a school had a lot of support. However, costs being what they were, only the first phase of each could be accomplished in the near future. At the same
time, if the parish was going to found a school, why not establish it as a classical liberal arts academy?
While searching for land, the parish found a building at 16740 W. 175th vacated by the Spring Hill School District, allowing the parish to move forward with plans to open the academy quicker.
What is a Catholic classical liberal arts education?
It is a traditional Christ-centered model of learning that integrates the wisdom of the classical world with the truths of the Catholic faith. It aims to form students intellectually, morally and spiritually for whatever vocation they may pursue in life.
Which helps explain the St. John Paul II Academy’s four pillars which, according to its website, “form the foundation of our mission to cultivate joyful disciples of Christ.”
It’s a mission supported by Father Farrar, and Jenny Kropf, the school’s first head.
“We’re not vessels to be filled. We’re lamps to be lit,” Kropf said. “This child already has, by the nature of baptism, a light. We just really want to set it aflame. So, we give them the best we can through curriculum.”
To learn about classical schools, Father Farrar took a tour of St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, Maryland. While there, he observed fifth and sixth graders discussing medieval history.
“As they’re discussing this, they begin to examine the architecture of the time,” he said. “And when they do the architecture, of course, they look at the churches. And then, they look at the construction methods of that time.”
“They looked at the geometry in the stained-glass windows,” he continued, “and they linked that to a discussion about the liturgy. It’s just like, ‘Wow! Look how many touchpoints this has to help solidify all these different things in their minds. It was so convincing for me.”
Father Farrar said he’s excited to
For general information, go online to: academy.stjpii.org.
For admissions information, visit the website at: academy.stjpii.org/ admissions.
Call (913) 747-9836 or send an email to: academy@stjpii.org.
open the academy.
In addition to preschool through second grade, the academy will offer a hybrid program for two dozen older students with siblings in the academy. The instruction will include everything except math. Students will complete that coursework at home. Instruction will be offered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and be led by a
>> See “St.” on page 4
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Located at 16740 W. 175th in Olathe, a building vacated by the Spring Hill School District will serve as the St. John Paul II Academy, a new Catholic classical liberal arts school set to open Aug. 20. It will open with students in preschool through second grade, adding a grade level each additional year until the academy has students in preschool through eighth grade. The school is an endeavor of St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Father Brandon Farrar, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe, explains some of the academy’s design elements in one of the main hallways to a visitor as Jenny Kropf, the head of school, looks on.
Archbishop emeritus honored by National Right to Life Committee
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — Proudly pro-life.
That was the theme of the closing gala for the National Right to Life Committee’s national convention held June 20-21 at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park.
The simple phrase also serves as the name of the latest award bestowed during the gala on Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann. One of the national committee’s highest honors, it is, according to Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, “reserved for those who have demonstrated unwavering courage, compassionate leadership and enduring commitment in protecting the most vulnerable among us — the unborn, the elderly and those with disabilities.”
Founded in 1968, National Right to Life is the nation’s oldest and largest pro-life organization and consists of 50 state right-to-life affiliates, the District of Columbia and more than 3,000 local chapters. It works to “restore legal protection to the most defenseless members of our society who are threatened by abortion, infanticide, assisted suicide and euthanasia.”
The Proudly Pro-Life award’s past recipients include notable figures such as Congressman Henry Hyde, President Ronald Reagan, St. Teresa of Kolkata and St. John Paul II.
In presenting the award, Maggie Bick, a board member of Missouri Right to Life as well as a delegate to the National Right to Life Committee, said to the archbishop, “Your unshakable pro-life leadership has been and is a model for all Catholics and Christians — not just in Missouri and Kansas — but throughout the United States. You are one of God’s holiest.”
Bick then read the resolution citing just some of the reasons for Archbishop Naumann’s selection.
After a prolonged standing ovation,
the archbishop took to the stage and offered remarks.
“It’s a great honor to accept this award,” he said. “And when I saw who past recipients were, I thought, ‘Whose name does not belong in this?’”
As the laughter subsided, he turned serious.
“I’m very humbled to receive it,” he said. “In the pro-life movement, you meet extraordinary people, and you’re part of that movement. You’re part of the work of your states, you’re on the front lines of this. And for me . . . whatever has happened during my time in St. Louis and now here in Kansas City, it
St. John Paul II Academy nears opening
>> Continued from page 3
Benedictine College student pursuing a master’s degree in liberal education.
Even though the school is not yet open, Kropf and others have been busy readying the building.
On a recent tour, Father Farrar and Kropf led visitors to where an outside garden and a learning gazebo with space for 24 students will be — a spot, Kropf said, for kids to go outside and get their hands dirty while experiencing the wonder of nature firsthand.
Inside, one of Kropf’s favorite features of the classrooms are the areas set aside for circle time.
“In a classical setting, there’s a lot of dialogue, a lot of narration,” Kropf said, of the first and second grade classrooms. “So, a lot of our learning will take place in that spot. And look at how inviting it is! [The Blessed Virgin] Mary is right there, inviting the children.” Oak chairs in the classroom, despite their weight, Kropf said, also align more closely with a classical approach to learning, as do great works of art. Currently, she is working with art guilds that aid classical schools in securing nine works of art to hang outside each classroom, works the students will study in depth.
Additionally, Kropf said, the curriculum will draw on the Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd models. The first method emphasizes hands-on-learning and collaborative play. The second is a religious formation program with a sacred hands-on environment called an atrium where students can engage with religious materials and develop their relationship with God.
Of course, no Catholic school is complete without a chapel. The academy also has a larger, multipurpose space for Mass, which will be celebrated twice a week.
The goal of the academy is simple, Kropf said: to prepare the children for whatever vocation God calls them to later in life.
“We really want to hire teachers that have this ability to just awaken in a child a desire to learn and to know and to wonder and to have joy and peace,” she said. “I truly desire for that lamp — the light of Christ — that is in all children to be set aflame with an authentically Catholic school culture and curriculum that is enlightened by truth and awakens in the child a sense of wonder that ultimately leads them to the source of all that is good — God!”
really is because I’ve been surrounded by incredible people who complemented and completed many of the inadequacies that I had.”
“One of the goods that [the Lord] has brought out of the tragedy of legalized abortion in this country,” he added, “is bringing together people of diverse faiths and no faith that are united in this passion that every human life is precious, every life is made in the image of God and every life is of such worth that Jesus Christ gave his life on Calvary.”
“It’s a great honor and privilege to accept this award,” he concluded.
“I accept it on behalf of all those — so many — saints that I’ve met in the pro-life community. So many of them helped me in so many different aspects of pro-life ministry. I accept it on their behalf. . . . The Lord likes to make clear that it’s not human ingenuity or power, but it’s his work and the Holy Spirit’s work. That’s what gives me confidence. . . . We know that Jesus has already won the victory and we’re part of its unfolding in this time and in this place.
“So, thank you all for your commitment to life. It’s a privilege to be counted among your number.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Sharil Baxter-Butt and Tom Butt, members of Corpus Christi Parish in Lawrence, had the opportunity to be extras in the hit television program, “The Chosen.” The couple, along with 600 others, spent three days filming on location in Goshen, Utah, in early May. They participated in large group scenes wearing homemade, first-century costumes. The first six episodes of the season are expected to be released in the second half of 2026.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann offers remarks after being presented with the Proudly Pro-life Award during the gala by the same name at the conclusion of the annual National Right to Life Convention held June 20-21 at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park.
Mission Center reopens in Seneca, honors Father Arul’s vision
By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org
SENECA — They call it “Father’s Dream.”
“They” are the volunteers at the Mission Center, a ministry of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca, and what they call “Father’s Dream” refers to the center’s new location in a former Thriftway grocery store.
It’s called Father’s Dream because the parish’s beloved pastor, the late Father Arul Carasala, who served for 14 years until his murder in April, saw potential in the former grocery store, a building in desperate need of repair.
On May 18 and before anything was moved into the new location, the Mission Center held an open house; it reopened to the public in June.
“It was [originally] founded with the . . . intention of sending rosaries to mission countries,” said the late Father Carasala.
The aim, he explained while leading a tour of the new building in March, was to support mission countries such as India, China and Japan. That was in the 1940s, and while historical documentation is limited, parishioners recall it starting in a garage, moving to an unused mobile classroom and finally to a building blessed and dedicated by Archbishop Ignatius J. Strecker in December 1990.
Somewhere along the line, the Mission Center morphed into a secondhand store for donated goods, including furniture, shoes, clothing, toys, dishes, greeting cards, bedroom linens, home décor items, etc. Prices are kept low, many items costing only $2. Approximately 40 volunteers sort donations,
display goods neatly on clothes racks, walls and shelves, staff the Mission Center during its open hours and keep sales records.
Prices are kept low intentionally. That way, people can come in and get what they need. For example, if a family decides to foster a child, the family might come in and purchase some clothes, toys and shoes, all for just a few dollars. All proceeds are then used to support local needs, as well as an orphanage in India.
Rita Robke, coordinator for the past 11 years and a volunteer for 21, said she writes at least $60,000 worth of checks throughout a year for local needs, whether to a family that has experienced a house fire and is trying to rebuild or to an individual who just
needs a little help with food and gas money after low-yielding crops leave them short. Money is also donated to the Baileyville Benefit, an organization that raises thousands of dollars to support families in the Nemaha County area with medical expenses.
“This is our parish commitment to justice and mercy, fully run by volunteers. No one is paid here,” Father Carasala said on the March tour. The Mission Center also gives parishioners an easy way to get involved in the parish, whether they are recently retired, confirmation students in need of service hours or teachers with extra hours to volunteer during the summer.
Over time, the number of donations had grown along with the number of
people served by the center. The old building, about 3,000 square feet in size, was cramped. Aisles were tiny, and it was nearly impossible to display much inventory.
When the grocery store became available for purchase, Robke said Father Carasala saw potential in it, although she didn’t at first see it. But that didn’t stop her from throwing her support behind it.
“I said, ‘Father, I don’t understand all of the stuff you have to do, but whatever it is, I’ll stand by you.’ Then, he called it ‘our decision,’” Robke said.
Purchased last year, the building, at 9,500 square feet, tripled the Mission Center’s space and has wide shopping aisles, a garage for donations to await sorting and a kitchen for volunteers.
After purchasing the building, volunteers, along with a few paid contractors, repaired the roof, gutted the building, removed the ceiling, redid some wiring, removed the refrigeration coolers, fixed drainage problems and installed a new epoxy floor. One of the men involved was Tom Stallbaumer, who said he encouraged Father Carasala to buy the building.
“I kept telling Father, ‘You need to buy that. It would make a great Mission Center. It’s right on the highway. It’s got a lot more room,” he said.
Sitting on Highway 36, which runs across northern Kansas, people come from miles, Robke said, oftentimes simply because they need items but don’t have much money.
Cyril Steinlage, another volunteer, agreed.
“Some days I go home,” he said, “and I’m almost in tears that you could help somebody out that . . . have nothing. You go home and you’re tired.
“But it’s very rewarding.”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Cyril Steinlage, a volunteer at the Mission Center, reviews the inventory in the center’s back room. Mission Center is a secondhand store boasting everything from toys to furniture. All proceeds are given to support local needs, as well as an orphanage in India.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON
Rita Robke, coordinator of the Mission Center for the past 11 years, enjoys the new — and much larger — space. The Mission Center is a ministry of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: The perfect Jubilee Year pilgrimage
By Jan Dixon Special to The Leaven
The Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year was officially proclaimed by Pope Francis to begin on Christmas Eve of 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
A jubilee is a special holy year of grace and pilgrimage in the Catholic Church, and ordinary jubilees normally take place every 25 years.
The opening of the Holy Door is an important part of the Jubilee Year. Those who walk through one during a Jubilee Year may be granted a plenary indulgence (a blessing that removes the temporal consequences of sins).
The tradition was started by Pope Martin V in 1423 and has continued ever since.
For the current Jubilee Year, Holy Doors were opened in churches across the world, including in Mexico, to allow pilgrims to participate in the Jubilee Year.
Eduardo Godinez, former director of marketing for St. James Academy in Lenexa, believes in the spiritual benefits of making a pilgrimage, especially during a Jubilee Year.
Godinez is the founder of Emmaus Pilgrimages, which has already led two groups of pilgrims from St. Paul Parish in Olathe to the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Mexico this year, with more pilgrimages scheduled. It is here that the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531.
“I started the company because I am from Mexico and wanted to share my country and culture with others,” Godinez said. “Since the pandemic, more
people have wanted to make pilgrimages, and Mexico is not far away.”
That made the Jubilee Year pilgrimage to Guadalupe easier for Father Agustin Martinez, associate pastor of St. Paul, but was not why he chose it. He considers Our Lady of Guadalupe to be one of the greatest miracles of the Catholic faith and one that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
“In contrast to any other approved Marian apparitions in the world, such as Fatima or Lourdes, where we only have the places of the apparitions, in Guadalupe we have the very same miraculous image that appeared in 1531 on Juan Diego’s tilma (cloak) still present today,” said Father Martinez.
“My goal is for people to have the unique experience of being a pilgrim of hope in this Jubilee Year,” said Godinez.
And he’s off to a good start. St. Paul, Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe and Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park all have pilgrimages scheduled.
In addition to passing through the Holy Doors and visiting the Guadalupe shrine, the groups travel by tour bus to visit other historic sites and see chapels, museums, pyramids and more.
Mexico City is a four-hour plane trip from Kansas City, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most visited religious sites in the world.
“Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas,” said Father Martinez. “She always comes to lead us to her Son.”
The opportunity to pass through the Holy Doors this Jubilee Year ends on Jan. 6, 2026.
To learn more about Emmaus Pilgrimages, go online to: emmauspilgrimages. com. To learn more about the Jubilee Year, visit: archkck.org/jubilee.
COURTESY PHOTO
Father Agustin Martinez, associate pastor of St. Paul Parish in Olathe, pauses before passing through the Holy Door of the Basilica of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Mexico on his Jubilee Year pilgrimage.
By Jan Dixon
Special to The Leaven
OWhen food brings people together
LATHE — Potlucks have long been a popular way of bringing people together over food and fellowship. Communal meals, in fact, are ingrained in the fabric of the community at Villa St. Francis, a Catholic Care Center here.
The initial inspiration for holding a cultural potluck for the staff came from the staff members themselves. They wanted to share their own and each other’s culture. They wanted to connect, learn and appreciate their diversity. The potluck now is held a couple times a year.
“We love to be together and share our heritage. And we love to eat,” said Kristen Oesterlei, life enrichment director at Villa.
The event was recently held midafternoon on a weekday so as to include as many staff members as possible, all of whom were invited. Villa’s staff members come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds and they prepared certain dishes specific to their own culture.
IA world tour of flavors covered the tables: flour-like cookies from Ghana, meat and potato kebabs from Sudan, couscous from Nigeria, lasagna from Italy and tostadas from Mexico were a few of the many culinary specialties. Wearing traditional attire from their native countries, the staff shared
New credible allegation against Benedictine Father John ‘Fidelis’ Forrester
n late May, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas received a new allegation of abuse of a minor by Benedictine Father John “Fidelis” Forrester.
Father Forrester is already on the Archdiocesan Substantiated Clergy Offenders list (see https://archkck.org/ protection-and-care/office/substantiatedclergy-offenders) due to previous substantiated allegations of abuse, reported earlier this year.
Before his death in 2002, Father Forrester served in several parishes and schools in the archdiocese, including Camp St. Maur Hill, Maur Hill-Mount Academy and Mount St. Scholastica Academy, all in Atchison; Ursuline Academy in Paola; and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca. After receiving the Independent
Review Board’s recommendation, Archbishop Shawn McKnight and Benedictine Abbot James Albers deemed the newly reported allegation substantiated.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas takes all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and works to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency, respect and compassion.
We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first, and then call or text the archdiocese’s confidential report line at (913) 276-8703 or online at: www.archkck.org/reportabuse.
the names of and the ingredients in their dishes. They shared stories and their traditions. Some foods were normally only served at fancy gatherings, like weddings and parties. Others were typically served in schools. And some were eaten daily at home.
Annalyne Muttai prepared chai,
a tea made with spices that is a significant part of the tea culture in certain African regions.
“It is drunk multiple times a day,” she shared. “We always drank it hot, with a little ginger added, even on hot days.”
Deacon Jim Lavin, a chaplain for Catholic Community Health, opened the potluck with a prayer. While aromas, chatter and laughter filled the air, he filled his plate and said, “I don’t know what all of this is, but I’m looking forward to trying the different flavors and textures.”
A frequent visitor to hospice patients at Villa, Deacon Lavin knows the staff well and appreciates the quality care they provide. And he enjoys their cooking, too.
From homemade tortillas to fried dough treats, the food was plentiful. Around 100 staff members were fed, with plenty left for night shift staff unable to attend.
Villa’s potluck provided a space to “feed” conversations while honoring heritage and celebrating diversity. It’s no wonder Villa staff are always hungry for more.
Santa Marta honors namesake with food drive on July 29
OLATHE — In honor of its namesake, St. Martha — patron saint of cooks, homemakers, domestic workers and food industry workers — Santa Marta here is hosting a food drive to support Catholic Charities and help neighbors with difficulty affording food.
“True happiness comes from sharing with others,” said Colleen Hollestelle, president and CEO of Santa Marta, a nonprofit Life Care senior living community sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“That’s why we’re inviting res-
idents, families, and the broader Johnson County and Kansas City community to join us in giving back,” she added.
Donations will be accepted on the feast day of St. Martha, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the facility, located at 13800 W. 116th St. Contributions are also welcome in the week leading up to the feast day. Requested items include peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables, soup, rice, boxed meals (such as mac and cheese) and other nonperishable canned goods. For more information, call (913) 489-2683.
COURTESY PHOTO
From left to right, Villa St. Francis staff members — Samiratu Amadu, Netanyahu Deng, Lucky Barwet, Melany Sanchez, Cynthia Gomez, Lamia Sigher, Margaret Muchina, Annalyne Muttai and Josephine Agak — wear traditional attire from their native countries at a recent potluck.
‘GOD CAN BRING GOOD FROM ANYTHING’
Jack Punswick battled cancer with faith, focus and a blistering breaststroke
By John Sorce john.sorce@theleaven.org
OVERLAND PARK — Blue Valley West High School graduate and Church of the Ascension parishioner Jack Punswick was one of the top high school swimmers in the state as a junior.
He claimed the Class 6A state title in the 100-yard breaststroke in 2024 and had his sights set on a repeat in 2025.
But Jack’s senior year brought greater challenges than many people experience in a lifetime after being diagnosed with pediatric cancer in September.
His faith has helped him through it.
Rooted in faith
The Catholic faith has been a big part of the Punswick family. They have been parishioners of Ascension in Overland Park for over 20 years and Jack attended the school there through eighth grade.
constant reminder that it is so easy to do something so simple to give glory to the person who deserves it the most.”
Things take a turn
The summer before his senior year is when things started to escalate. Jack, who spends a lot of time swimming at Black Bob Bay in Olathe, said he noticed a few swollen lymph nodes in his neck.
He was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, and the family wasn’t too concerned at first because of how hard he was pushing himself in the pool.
everything was going to be fine.”
A lot of that support system came from their Ascension Parish family. Associate pastor Father Colm Larkin came to visit Jack in the hospital.
Karen got emotional when retelling the story.
“He said, ‘You know, Jack, God can bring good from anything. If you allow God to teach you how to suffer well, then you will learn the greatest and hardest lesson of all.’”
Both of Jack’s parents, Eric and Karen, were teaching at Blue Valley Northwest when Msgr. Thomas Tank was assigned to Ascension.
Msgr. Tank had been at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, where Karen grew up attending. But the family felt called to Ascension after his move.
That’s where they’ve been ever since. And Jack was an altar server from fifth grade right up until his diagnosis.
“I’ve always felt the sense of community at Ascension is really close,” he said. “It’s fun to see my parents talking to people after Mass and introducing me to new people.”
One of Jack’s assistant coaches, Kat Thurston, is a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood. A former coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park and St. James Academy in Lenexa, she sees things in Jack that others in a public school may not.
“The way that Jack is subtly able to show glory to God is so apparent to me,” she said. “He looks up to God before every race and it serves as a
But on the way back from his first college visit to the University of Nebraska Omaha in early September, Jack realized the lumps in his neck had gotten bigger. He went to see his pediatrician the next morning.
He was in Children’s Mercy a few hours later.
The diagnosis
A series of computed tomography (CT) scans revealed masses throughout his neck and chest area, including one on his thymus that Jack described as “the size of a grapefruit.”
He was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Sept. 12 and started his first chemo treatment a week later.
Jack quickly shifted his focus to his faith.
“I cried for a little bit. But then, my focus went toward getting through this,” he said. “I knew if this is what God had in store for me, he would help me overcome it. Relying on that and my great support system, I knew
“That has really been our focus since then — both wrestling with what does that mean and how do we live that out — while also understanding that suffering well is not easy,” she said. “There’s no suffering well without profound suffering first and then choosing through God’s grace to not stay there.
“You can’t ignore it, but choosing to turn outward and pour into others has really been our focus through this.”
The comeback
Chemotherapy would be an arduous process for Jack. He would undergo treatments every other Thursday from Sept. 19 through Dec. 26. But that didn’t stop Jack from wanting to get back in the pool for his senior year.
He would attend practice Monday through Wednesday doing what he could before chemo knocked him out through the weekend. Then he would have a week and a half of practice before his next chemo session and repeating the process.
“He had the mindset that he was going to be positive and attack it,” said Tobin Sample, Jack’s head coach. “It was his goal to get the team to state
PHOTO BY KRISTIN FOOTE
Jack Punswick wins the 100-yard breaststroke against 73 other swimmers at the Shawnee Mission Invitational on Jan. 25. He posted the fastest time in Kansas for the race at that point in the season.
Tragedy struck Jack Punswick the summer before his senior year. A state champion as a junior in returned to the pool for his senior year and ended up placing second at state in the 100-yard breaststroke.
and maybe win another state championship in the breaststroke.
“He wasn’t going to let this hold him back and he was set on coming to practice and improving throughout the season.”
His first meet would come on Dec. 5 in a dual against Blue Valley North High School at home.
Despite still undergoing chemo treatments and not having the
strength to lift himself out of the pool, Jack won the breaststroke and qualified for state in that first meet.
“I was just so proud of him no matter what happened,” Karen said.
“After he won, I stood up and roared — cheered is not the right word — and saw his teammates pull him out of the pool. I sat back down and sobbed.
“A teammate’s grandfather who we didn’t previously know was sitting
of it and turning to his faith, family and teammates shows a lot of maturity,” said assistant coach Jordan Jacobs.
National recognition
Jack was honored with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit of Sport Award on June 28 in Chicago.
He initially found out about the award in March while at a club sectional meet in Columbia, Missouri.
“I was about to go warmup and my athletic director called and let me know,” he said. “It means a lot to be recognized for the adversity I’ve been through, and it represents the passion and drive that I wanted to display to make a difference for my team.”
“We started reading about the other kids that were regional winners and were amazed at their stories,” Eric added. “It’s amazing how these teenagers used sports to overcome their setbacks and find some normalcy in their lives.
“Every one of those individuals is a champion and Jack is just one chapter of that amazing story. And that is the beauty of having athletics as part of our schools.”
The road ahead
The future for Jack is still up in the air. He rang the bell on April 8 after scans showed no evidence of cancer and, after graduating from Blue Valley West in May, he plans on taking a gap year to regain his strength before considering his college options.
Jack hopes to pursue physical therapy and continue swimming at the next level, but he recently completed his certified nurse aide (CNA) training and is currently working as a restorative aide.
He has also been doing public speaking to raise awareness on pediatric cancer. He has spoken to a few local foundations and has more arrangements set up for the second half of the year.
It was something that nobody saw coming.
“Public speaking is not something that has ever been in his wheelhouse,” Karen said. “So, for him to be able to truly give back out of the water is another fruit that none of us saw coming when he was diagnosed.”
Jack has become an inspiration to many as just a teenager, including to his own parents.
“I look at my son and am so proud of him,” Eric said. “I don’t know how I would have done what he’s done, either in my youth or today.
“I sometimes get caught thinking about how we might look back on this down the road and see all the fruits that came from it. He’s an inspiration to a lot of people.”
behind us. He swam in college and has been around swimmers for a long time. He said that was one of the most amazing things he’s ever seen.”
While unable to repeat as a state champion, Jack ended up finishing second in the breaststroke at his final high school swim meet.
“He’s always been such a polite kid, but I think learning how to deal with adversity and having a lighthearted view
Jack has learned a lot through all of this. But his best piece of advice when facing what appear to be overwhelming odds, he said, is to find one positive thing from each day, regardless of the circumstances.
“Find something in each day that you consider a win,” he said. “A big quote for me is ‘365 times 0 is 0, but 365 times 1 is 365.’ So, if you can find one good thing from each day, that is infinitely better than doing nothing.”
PHOTO BY NOMTO BADMAEV
in the 100-yard breaststroke, he was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Despite undergoing chemotherapy during the swim season, he breaststroke.
COURTESY PHOTO
Punswick received the Kansas High School Athletic Association Spirit of Sport Award at the state swimming meet in which he finished second. He was later honored with the National Federation of State High School Associations Spirit of Sport Award on June 28 in Chicago.
Roberta and Dennis Tinkham, members of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 19 with a family dinner. The couple was married on July 17, 1965, at St. Casimir Church, Leavenworth. Their children are: April Pendleton, Ron Tinkham, Lori Ernzen and Scott Tinkham. They also have eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Rosie (Koch) and Paul Altenhofen, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Tonganoxie, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 7. The couple was married in 1965 at St. Michael Church, Axtell. Their children are: Theresa Mast, Paul Damian Altenhofen, Kurt Altenhofen, Janet Jardes (deceased), Bob Altenhofen and Ann Ostlund. They also have 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jane and Jack Pierce, members of St. Matthew Parish, Topeka, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 12. The couple was married on July 12, 1975, at St. Matthew by Father Thomas Clune. Their children are: Anthony Pierce and Andrew Pierce.
Candace and Vernon Wilson, members of Holy Family Parish, Eudora, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2. The couple was married on Aug. 2, 1975, at Des Plaines Alliance Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. They came into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, 2007. They have six children and 15 grandchildren.
MaryKay and Charlie Johnson, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Mound City, celebrated their 60th wed-
ding anniversary on July 12 with a family trip to Branson. The couple was married on July 3, 1965, at St. Patrick Church, Fulton. Their children are: DeAnn Dawson and Jennifer Harlow. They also have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
James and Gloria (Peterson) Knight , members of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Seneca, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 26. The couple was married on July 26, 1975, at St. Michael Church, Axtell, by Father Frank Horvat. Their children are: Jesse Knight, Nikki Wells, Natalie Knight and Joel Knight (deceased). They also have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Jack and Sharon Hassett, members of St. Matthew Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 7. The couple was married on Aug. 7, 1965, at Assumption Church, Topeka. They will receive a marriage blessing at Mass and they are planning a private celebration.
Jessamine and Serge Guislain, members of St. Ann Parish, Prairie Village, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with a dinner on July 30. The couple was married on July 30, 1960, at SintJacobskerk in Antwerp, Belgium. Their daughters are: Mary (deceased), Claire, Anne, Yvette and Monique. They have eight grandchildren and twin great-grandchildren.
Mary Ellen and Joe Wetter, members of St. Gregory Parish, Marysville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary July 26 with a Mass and barbecue at the Bruna Pond by Hanover. The couple was married on July 26, 1975, at St. John Church, Hanover. Their children are: Joe Jr., Scott, Jacob, Lucas (deceased) and Rachel. They also have seven grandchildren.
Virginia and Dean Engroff, members of Sacred Heart Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Aug. 6. The couple was married at Sacred Heart Church, Topeka, on Aug. 6, 1955. Their children are: Chris, Pam, Connie, Cathy, Mike and Mary. The also have 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Sandy and Augie Camber, members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 14. The couple was married on June 14, 1975, at Christ the Divine Teacher Church in Chippewa Township in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. They have three sons: August “A” Neal, Ryan and Joel. They also have 10 grandchildren.
Pat (Wessel) and Frank Lipovitz, members of St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2 with a renewal of vows at the 4 p.m. Mass followed by a dinner/dance for family and friends in Bishop Forst Hall. Their two daughters are: Kelly M. Lipovitz, Kansas City, Kansas; and Kimberly A. Lipovitz, Manhattan.
ICARE MINISTRIES MASS
Queen of the Holy Rosary Church
7023 W. 71st St., Overland Park
July 26 at 6 p.m.
Aug. 9 at 6 p.m.
iCare ministries provides two adapted Mass opportunities per month for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Go online to: icarenek@ gmail.com with questions. Visit the website at: icare-ministries.org for more information about this and other activities.
HOLY TRINITY RUMMAGE SALE
Holy Trinity School (gym)
13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa
July 25 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
July 26 from 8 a.m. to noon
This sale will benefit Holy Trinity Parish’s youth ministry program. The July 24 presale has a $20 per person entrance fee from 5 - 7p.m.; $10 per person entrance fee from 7 - 9 p.m. There is no entrance fee on July 25. July 26 features no entrance fee and all items will be half price. Questions can be sent by email to: rummage@ htslenexa.org.
SIPS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Boulevard Brewing Co.
2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri
Aug. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Come out and enjoy delicious food and unlimited wine and beer with friends. The best part? You’ll be helping Resurrection School in Kansas City, Kansas, raise needbased scholarship funds. 100% of the proceeds are used for these scholarships. For more information, go online to: https:// www.rcskck.org/sips-for-scholarships.
ANNUAL ROAST BEEF DINNER
Sacred Heart - St. Casimir Parish
Sacred Heart Church (hall)
1405 2nd Ave., Leavenworth
Aug. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us for a roast beef dinner. The cost is $14 for adults and $6 for kids. Carryouts are available.
SACRED HEART RUMMAGE SALE
Sacred Heart Parish (center)
408 S. Cedar St., Ottawa
Aug. 7 and 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 9 from 7:30 to noon
On Aug. 8, all items will be half price. Aug. 9 will be $2, $4 and $10 bag day.
SUMMER FEST 2025
St. Lawrence Church, Easton 21 W. Riley, Easton
Aug. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Festivities will start with Mass at 5 p.m. at St. Lawrence Church. A home-cooked chicken dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a raffle, silent auction, children’s activities, bingo, music, beverages, and some great socializing. Adult meals are $15; children’s meals are $6.
ST. STANISLAUS PARISH PICNIC
St. Stanislaus Church
701 S Main St., Rossville
Aug. 9 beginning at 3 p.m.
The parish picnic will run in conjunction with Rossville’s Tall Corn Festival. Bingo will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. A fried chicken dinner will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for $12 per plate. Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
ROSARY RALLY
St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish 4737 N. Cleveland Ave., Kansas City, Missouri Aug. 10 from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
Join us to honor the Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.
‘THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA’
Ignatian Spirituality Center
Mid-September to mid-May
Applications due by July 31
“The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life” is a retreat that takes place over an eightto nine-month period. Since it is a retreat in daily life, participants will commit to daily prayer of approximately one hour, keeping a journal and a weekly meeting with an Ignatian prayer guide to review your prayer experiences, learn about different prayer methods and exercises, and receive direction for the following week. For more information, go online to: www.ignatiancenterkc. org/the-spiritual-exercises.
BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St., Gardner Aug. 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Breakfast will include eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and drinks. The cost is $6 for those over the age of 13; free for ages 12 and under.
FROM HURT TO HEALING RETREAT: ‘ENCOUNTERING GOD’S MERCY THROUGH FORGIVENESS’
Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Road, Easton
Aug. 15 at 5:30 p.m. to Aug. 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Join us for a transformative forgiveness retreat led by Chuck Jansen, founder of the Forgiveness Institute KC, Inc. This retreat offers a sacred space to explore the healing power of forgiveness through guided reflections, prayer and communal support. There is an additional $25 materials fee for this retreat. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $180 single/$270 couple; or single guest rooms: $110 (meals Included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: Christs Peace.com or call (913) 773-8255.
134TH ICC PARISH PICNIC
Immaculate Conception Church 208 W. Bertrand Ave., St. Marys Aug. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The picnic and reunion begins with Mass at 4 p.m. A chicken dinner (dark meat only) will be served with sides and desserts from 4 to 7 p.m. in Holy Family Hall. Cost is $10 for adults (11 and older); $5 for children (10 and under). There will be games, a garage sale and bingo.
ANNUAL CROATIAN FESTIVAL
St. John the Baptist Church
708 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas Aug. 16, after 4 p.m. Mass
Join us for food, games, music and dance. Admission is free. Food will include sarma, sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, and Croatian stew. There will be raffles for apple strudels, poviticas and salamis. This event is made for kids. There will be a soda ring toss, a treat booth for toys and snacks, and a fishing pond. The cost for kids’ games is 50 cents. For more information, go online to: stjohnthebaptist catholicchurch.com or send an email to: kckcroatianfestival@gmail.com.
ST. JOSEPH CIRCLE CARD/GAME PARTY
St. Joseph Church 11311 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Aug. 21 at 11:30 a.m. (church basement)
Bring your own group and your own game, or come by yourself. We’ll have tables and games you may join and meet new friends. $20 per person includes lunch, door prizes and an afternoon of fellowship, friendship and fun. Space is limited. Reservations are required; prepayment is preferred by Aug. 15. Register online with names, phone numbers and email address at: sjcirclegames@gmail.com Payable by: Venmo (Hettie Ann Leary); check (payable to St. Joseph CIRCLE) mail to 5901 Flint, Shawnee, KS 66203; cash or check (at the door or to a circle member). For more details or questions, call or text: Hettie Ann at (913) 972-1786.
‘St. Augustine: Confessions – I Burned for Your Peace’ Retreat Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton Aug. 22 at 5:30 p.m. to Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m. Join us for an insightful retreat based on Peter Kreeft’s book “I Burned for Your Peace,” which reflects on the profound spiritual journey of St. Augustine as recounted in his “Confessions.” This retreat will guide you through Augustine’s reflections on sin, grace and conversion, helping you connect with his timeless struggle for peace with God. This retreat will offer you a deeper understanding of Augustine’s spiritual wisdom. Cabins/courtyard rooms: $180 single/$270 couple; or single guest rooms: $110 (meals Included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form online at: ChristsPeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.
UNITY FEST
Our Lady of Unity Parish 2646 S. 34th St., Kansas City, Kansas Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This annual gathering is a joyful celebration of faith, culture and friendship, bringing parishioners and neighbors together for a weekend filled with laughter, music and purpose. There will be live music and dance groups as well as carnival games and a soccer tournament (9 a.m. to noon) for all ages. Delicious Hispanic and
American food! For more information, contact Lupita Villalobos at (913) 963-0434.
ST. PATRICK’S GREEN CLUB
SNACKS AND BINGO NIGHT
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m.
St. Patrick Parish (center) 94th and State Ave.
Kansas City, Kansas 15 games of Bingo for $18. Average prize per game ranges between $75 and $250. For more information, call Fritz at (913) 515-0621.
TACO FEST
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St.
Aug. 31 at 11:30 a.m.
Join us for Taco Fest. There will be a variety of tacos (fajitas, chicken, seasoned pork, asada (beef) street tacos). Cost is $10 a plate, which includes three tacos, rice, cookie and a drink.
GRIEFSHARE
Divine Mercy Parish
555 W. Main St., Gardner Thursdays 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Ongoing through Oct. 23
Divine Mercy Parish is partnering with GriefShare to host a bereavement support group which will run for 13 weeks. There is a recommended participant guide that is available for $15 (to be paid at the first meeting) but it is not required. Hear insights from experts and meet others who understand what you are going through. Register online at: griefshare.org/findagroup.
DON LIPOVAC ‘ONE OF A KIND’ EXHIBIT
Strawberry Hill Museum
720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas Weekends through Sept. 21
The exhibit highlights Don Lipovac’s love of his Slovenian heritage and the expansive range of his musical talents. For reservations, go online to: strawberryhill museum.org.
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.
Those who have experienced a divorce understand as perhaps few others can. We were sad, lonely, scared and angry, but we have found that with God, time and the support of others, healing is possible. 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.
EMPLOYMENT
Human Resources manager - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for a Human Resources manager, which will serve as subject matter expert, project lead and coach in multiple key functions within HR. The position is full time based on 40 hours per week and benefits-eligible, with a flexible schedule. This position is on-site in the chancery office. Please visit “Employment Opportunities” on the archdiocesan website at: www.arch kck.org for more information or to apply.
Director of operations - St. Agnes Church is seeking to hire a director of operations. This position is full time and benefits-eligible. For more details or to apply, please visit “Employment Opportunities” at: www.archkck.org.
School principal position - Our Lady’s Montessori School (OLMS) is a Catholic Montessori school in Kansas City, Missouri, serving children from preschool –eighth grade. OLMS is a work of the vibrant missionary community, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), and is searching for a dynamic, faith-filled principal to lead our educational program. We are looking for a principal with a basic knowledge of Catholic Montessori education and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and a passion to learn more. If interested, please send resume to Jenny Wallace at: jwallace@olmskc.org.
Part-time chiropractic assistant needed - Are you a stay-at-home mom looking to get back into the work force? Semiretired looking for a part-time gig? We have the perfect job for you! We are a busy chiropractic office in N.W. Olathe (K-10 and Ridgeview Rd.) looking for a part-time assistant. Mondays noon - 6 p.m. and two Saturdays a month (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.), with the possibility of covering additional hours as needed. $15/hour plus bonuses. Job duties include answering phones, scheduling and checking in patients, insurance, assisting with patient therapies, etc. If you are professional, friendly, hardworking, and would like to help others, our office may be the place for you! Must have great phone and computer skills. Ridgeview Chiropractic, 17775 W. 106th St., Suite 105, Olathe, KS 66061. Please email resume to Dr. Craig Koshlap at: drk@ridgeviewchiropractic.com or fax to (913) 890-7372.
Part-time director of religious education - St. Lawrence Church in Monett, Missouri, is seeking a faithfilled, organized director of religious education (DRE) to coordinate and lead religious education programs for children, youth and families within our vibrant Catholic community. The DRE will oversee all parish religious education efforts, including sacramental preparation, faith formation for children not attending Catholic school and collaboration with our parish school (pre-K through 6th grade). This role requires a strong commitment to multicultural ministry, serving both our Anglo and Hispanic populations. Applicants should be a practicing Catholic, have experience in catechesis, ministry, leadership or educational programing, and hold a bachelor’s degree (or working toward one) in theology, religious education or a related field (or equivalent work experience). Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a benefit but not required. Interested applicants can submit inquiries and/or a cover letter and resume to the parish office at: 0stlawrence1892@gmail.com.
Director of faith formation and youth ministryQueen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park, is seeking a dynamic, faith-filled director of faith formation and youth ministry. This full-time position oversees K–8 religious education, sacramental prep (first reconciliation, first Eucharist, confirmation), vacation Bible school and youth ministry programs. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing with 3+ years’ experience in catechesis, youth ministry or parish formation. Some evening and weekend hours required. Come join a vibrant parish committed to forming young disciples! To apply or learn more, visit: https://www.queenoftheholyrosary.org/employment.
Caregiver needed - Daily help needed for an elderly man in Overland Park. Primarily hygiene morning and/ or evening. Call Joe at (913) 461-6295 or (913) 3538487.
Development director - Cor Christi Catholic Center in Topeka is seeking to hire a part-time development director under the supervision of the center director. Responsibilities include developing, coordinating and executing fundraising plans, activities and communication to support the campus center. Qualifications include bachelor’s degree in fundraising, communication and marketing, event planning or equivalent experience. For more information, go online to: https://www.wucatholic.com/employment-opportunities. To apply, send cover letter, your resume and three references to Jessica Hammer at: wucatholic@ hotmail.com. Subject line: Development Director.
Director of youth formation - Are you passionate about forming young disciples? St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village is seeking a director of youth formation to lead teens (7th–12th grade) closer to Christ. If you’re a dynamic, faithful Catholic who connects well with youth, we want to meet you! Apply now by sending your cover letter and resume to: cquirk@stannpv.org. For more info, visit: www.stannpv.org/jobs.
School nurse - Sacred Heart School in Shawnee is hiring a school nurse. Nursing experience is preferred along with experience working with children pre-K through 8th grade. Resumes may be submitted to the school principal at: kathy.rhodes@shoj.org.
Christian formation administrative assistant - The Christian formation team at Church of the Nativity seeks applicants for the role of administrative assistant. This position is part time, August-June, 15-20 hours per week, and supports the work of the director of religious education and the Christian formation office. The ideal candidate for this position is passionate about using their organizational gifts to help form Christian disciples. The Christian formation administrative assistant works in a collaborative team to enact the parish’s vision for faith formation and evangelization with a keen attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills and a readiness to support team members. For a full job description, go to: https:// www.kcnativity.org/employment-opportunities. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to: jobapplication@kcnativity.org.
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.
Associate director of music - The Church of the Nativity Parish and School in Leawood seek a full-time associate director of music to join our team. The associate director of music collaborates with the director of music and our pastor to oversee the liturgical life of the parish and lead our community in song at Masses, sacramental celebrations, and other liturgies and parish events. A deep love of Jesus Christ and an authentic desire to support our community’s full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy animate the ministry carried out by the associate director of music. Qualified candidates will possess strong organ and piano accompaniment ability, experience working with cantors and choirs, outstanding communication skills, a passion for excellence and a desire to collaborate with the director of music in all areas of the music ministry program. Competitive salary and benefits are offered commensurate with experience. For a full job description and application instructions, please visit: https://kcnativity.org/ employment-music-ministry.
Music director - St. Joseph Church in Shawnee invites applications for the position of full-time director of music. St. Joseph is a large suburban parish that boasts a renovated church featuring an Allen 3-manual organ and Steinway piano. The director of music will oversee all musical aspects of parish liturgical events, including five weekend Masses, solemnities, feasts and special occasions. Responsibilities encompass directing four choirs, supervising four paid organists and scheduling all music ministers. Candidates should demonstrate a strong Roman Catholic faith, deep knowledge of liturgy, and exceptional proficiency in keyboard playing, conducting and voice development. This role requires proactive leadership, effective communication and a passion for nurturing spiritual growth through music. Interested applicants are encouraged to send their resume to: mthomas@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 248-4562.
Dining room server - Do you have a passion for providing top-notch hospitality and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere? We’re looking for a dining room server who brings professionalism and heart to every meal. At our vibrant community, you’ll serve residents and guests with care, carrying out our signature “Living in Style” program. This role isn’t just about taking orders – it’s about making connections and creating memorable dining experiences. From greeting and seating residents and guests to ensuring food safety and cleanliness, you’ll be a key player in delivering service that exceeds expectations. You’ll also help keep the dining room sparkling and assist in training new team members. If you’re ready to combine hospitality, quality service, and a touch of elegance – all while supporting our mission and values – we’d love to have you on our team!” Go to: https://recruiting. paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2403135/Santa-Marta-Retirement/Healthcare-Server.
I need a caregiver beginning July 31! - In-home assistance for 2-4 months, in Leawood, while recovering from major surgery. Experience providing support for an individual with physical limitations is needed, and assistance with patient transfer, and the ability to legally and safely operate a motor vehicle are required. The person we seek is dog-friendly as our Labrador Retriever is an important member of the family. Other responsibilities include help with walking, showering, dressing and other light household tasks. The hourly salary is $35 for up to 24 hours / three days each week. Please email us at: temkansas@hotmail.com for additional information.
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.
Director of faith formation - St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village is seeking a passionate director of faith formation to envision, plan and lead a program that forms missionary disciples. We’re looking for a practicing Catholic who lives the faith with integrity and inspires others to do the same. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to learn more and apply. Apply by sending cover letter and resume to Cindy Quirk, director of operations, at: cquirk@stannpv.org. For more information, visit: www.stannpv.org/jobs.
Advancement director - St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village is seeking a director of advancement to share our story and inspire support for our mission and future. We’re looking for a practicing Catholic who loves the church, communicates with impact and motivates generosity. If you’re ready to help shape a 1,200-household parish community, we invite you to apply. Full job description online at: www.stannpv. org/jobs. Interested candidates should submit cover letter and resume to Cindy Quirk, director of operations, at: cquirk@stannpv.org.
Minister of mercy - St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village is hiring a full-time minister of mercy to bring Christ’s love to those in need. Walk with parishioners through illness, grief and hardship, and lead outreach rooted in the works of mercy. If you’re a compassionate, faith-filled Catholic with a heart for service, we want to hear from you! Apply today by emailing your cover letter and resume to: cquirk@stannpv.org. For more info, visit: www.stannpv.org/jobs.
Workforce development specialist - Are you seeking an opportunity to advance your career while assisting others to advance theirs? Want to surround yourself with others with a high level of conviction and passion of serving others? Then consider your next career move with our great team as a workforce development specialist in Topeka. For more information, please go to: https://catholiccharitiesks.org/ careers.
Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served. Job openings: English literacy instructor - P.A.S.S. (Preparing Academically Successful Students) - part time. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.
Executive assistant to the archbishop - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking to hire an executive assistant to the archbishop, which is responsible for supporting the mission of the office of the archbishop by providing administrative support by managing daily operations of the archbishop’s office. For more details or to apply, please visit “Employment Opportunities” at: www.archkck.org.
Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, is a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served Faculty job openings - Nursing faculty, full-time evenings; nursing faculty, full-time M - F. Adjunct faculty job openings - Adjunct instructor nursing; Adjunct instructor Accounting; clinical adjunct instructor - nursing; - P.A.S.S. (Preparing Academically Successful Students) - part time. Adjunct faculty Lansing Correctional Campus - Adjunct instructor - math; adjunct instructor - accounting; clinical adjunct instructor - Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly. edu/careers.
Guest services coordinator - The Savior Pastoral and Retreat Center is seeking to hire a guest services coordinator. This position is the first point of contact for all guests/visitors and helps with group reservations. This position is full time and benefits-eligible. For more details or to apply, please visit “Employment Opportunities” at: www.archkck.org.
Donor engagement coordinator - The donor engagement coordinator advances the mission of Catholic Charities by leading donor stewardship efforts, managing recognition societies, and supporting the cultivation of current and prospective donors. This role strengthens relationships through thoughtful outreach, personalized communication and event support. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and creative relationship-builder who brings initiative, attention to detail and a passion for serving those most in need across northeast Kansas — while seeking meaningful opportunities for professional growth. For more information, please go to: https://catholic charitiesks.org/careers.
Director of youth ministry - Curé of Ars in Leawood is seeking a full-time director of youth ministry who will lead the youth closer to Christ. This position will be dedicated to forming 5th-8th grade and high school students with the good news of Jesus Christ. For more information about this position, please see the job posting on the church website: www. cureofars.com/careers. Resumes can be sent to Bernadette Myers, director of parish faith formation, at: bernadettemyers@cureofars.com.
Caregivers needed - Daughter & 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.
Third grade teacher - St. Joseph School in Shawnee is seeking a third-grade teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Applicants should email principal Kelcey McCauley at: kmccauley@stjoeshawnee.org.
Nurse manager - Under the general supervision of the clinic director, the nurse manager (32 hours per week) oversees the provision of medical services, the day-today operations of the medical aspects of the clinic and medical education programs offered by Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic. The nurse manager also oversees regulatory compliance and professional standards of care. The nurse manager provides direct client care as needed. The successful candidate must have a BSN degree, be licensed in Kansas as a registered nurse and have 3-5 years’ experience as a nurse manager (OB-GYN experience preferred). Certification in limited ultrasound a plus (training will be provided if needed). Needs to possess organizational, reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently and as a team member; and excellent communication skills. Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends. Experience working in a Christian/nonprofit ministry a plus. Bilingual also a plus. Must be a committed Christian with a personal relationship with Jesus who actively participates in a local, Bible-believing church; demonstrates a consistently life-affirming philosophy; and subscribes to and supports the vision, mission, statement of faith, and policies and procedures of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic. To apply, send your cover letter and resume to Andrea at: andreac@ twolineskc.com by Aug 15. No phone calls, please.
Client services manager - Under the general supervision of the clinic director, the client services manager (32 hours per week) oversees the coordination of services available to clients as well as the smooth operations of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic. Works in cooperation with the entire client services team to assure that every client receives all appropriate services. Manages all clinic staff who are not medical professionals, including case management team. The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, counseling, social work or other related field; three years’ experience providing health and/or social services to the community; and 2 years’ supervisory experience. Needs to be highly analytical; have problem-solving skills; the ability to organize, manage and prioritize; and possess excellent communication skills. Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends. Experience working in a Christian/nonprofit ministry, previous oversight of volunteers and Spanish language skills all pluses. Must be a committed Christian with a personal relationship with Jesus who actively participates in a local, Bible-believing church; demonstrates a consistently life-affirming philosophy; and subscribes to and supports the vision, mission, statement of faith, and policies and procedures of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic. To apply, send your cover letter and resume to Andrea at: andreac@twolineskc.com by Aug. 15. No phone calls, please.
SERVICES
Popcorn ceiling texture removal Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience. Interior painting specialist. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee. Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured, second-generation bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 271-0362.
Double A’s Lawn Service Lawn mowing, Mulching, Gutters, Leaf Removal Brush Removal & Hedge Trimming Free Estimates & Insured Alex Spoerre (913) 488-5195
Sacred Heart Counseling - Are you looking for mental health care that aligns with your Catholic faith? Our team has openings for new clients. Book a session or free consultation online at: SacredHeartCounselingKC. com, in-person or telehealth.
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!
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
Aluminum wheelchair ramp - Sales and installation customized to your needs. Serving all of northeast Kansas. Call McCourt Construction at (785) 224-4961.
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.
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Direct Catholic Healthcare LLC
Randal Brown, MD
Internal Medicine/ Gastroenterology
Announcing a new Catholic-based medical practice now open in Prairie Village at Corinth Square (83rd and Mission Rd). I offer 25 years of private practice experience in general and subspecialty care. We promise to utilize the U.S. bishops’ directives for authentic Catholic health care. Book your appointment directly through my website at: direct-catholic-healthcare. com or email me with any questions at: brownrandal@ icloud.com.
Pre-owned car sales - If you or someone you know is in need of a quality pre-owned car or needs an appraisal on one, I can help. Please reach out to Bill@ CarMax at (913) 437-6667 and I’ll guide you through the process. We are happy to support Call to Share; thank you for supporting us.
Joe’s Decks & More Deck and fence repair, mowing and handyman services
Member of St. Joseph in Shawnee (913) 449-9848
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.
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.
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.
Junk Hunters, LLC - “You Call It, We Haul It!”
Looking to get rid of unwanted junk? Let Junk Hunters, LLC, handle the heavy lifting! We’re a local, reliable junk removal service proudly serving Johnson County and surrounding areas.
• Fast, friendly service
• Free estimates
• Competitive pricing
• Residential & commercial jobs
• Call or text: (913) 594-2600
• Email: junkhuntershsq@gmail.com
Let us clear the clutter — you call it, we haul it! www.junkhuntersllc.com
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 PILGRIMAGE
MEXICO PILGRIMAGE - Feb. 9-14, 2026. A spiritual journey to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other sacred sites rich in Catholic faith and history. Experience daily Mass, prayer and inspiring visits to beautiful churches and holy places. Strengthen your faith and be renewed in a land alive with devotion. Contact Father Bill McEvoy at: Fr.Wm.McEvoy@gmail. com for details.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
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.
WANTED TO BUY
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.
Wanted to buy - Antiques & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad, sterling, OLD holiday/toys and more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.
REAL ESTATE
Looking to buy or sell a home? - Buy or sell a home with someone who understands your values. We are a Catholic-owned, faith-driven team of Realtors, dedicated to helping fellow Catholics buy or sell homes in our community. We bring integrity, compassion and a commitment to your needs. Let us be part of your journey. Call Kevin Holmes (owner) at (913) 553-0539.
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.
FOR SALE
For sale - Two plots at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lansing. Located in section 15, row 5, lot 14x, spaces 3 and 4. Traditional ground space. The original price is $2595 for each plot ($2257 plus $338 for perpetual care), asking $2200 each. Contact Ralph at (913)306-4024 or email: grassman177@gmail.com or call (913) 306-6619.
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 - One cemetery plot in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery at 8300 Quivira Rd. Located in lot 129, section A, space 2 in Garden Queen of Heaven. $2380. If interested, email:jagstanton@gmail.com.
For sale - One cemetery plot located in Lenexa at Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd St. and Quivira Rd. Location lot 116, section A, space 4. Asking $2000. Buyer pays transfer fee of $250. Contact Terry at (913) 888-9590 or email: terryhensel22@gmail.com.
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)
For sale - Elite power wheelchair, purchased 2021, barely used. Brand-new battery. Folds down for easy transport. Original purchase price: $2795; asking $1200. Contact Judy Weeks at: bible.study.holy. spirit@gmail.com.
CAREGIVING
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.
Caregiver - 40 years of experience — a.m., p.m. and evening sessions available. Call Ophelia at (913) 5797276 or Rhonda at (913) 279-1281.
Need caregiving at home? Don’t want to move?
- For nearly 20 years, we have helped seniors stay in their home with personal care, med management and household assistance. We also specialize in dementia care with free dementia training for families, all at reasonable rates and terms. Call Benefits of Home Senior Care at (913) 422-1591.
Classified Advertising
Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter. To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email: todd.habiger@theleaven.org
DAILY READINGS
SEVENTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
July 27
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Gn 18: 20-32
Ps 138: 1-3, 6-8
Col 2: 12-14
Lk 11: 1-13
July 28
Monday
EX 32: 15-24, 30-34
Ps 106: 19-23
Mt 13: 31-35
July 29
Martha, Mary and Lazarus
Ex 33: 7-11; 34: 5b-9,28
Ps 103: 6-13
Jn 11: 19-27
July 30
Peter Chysologus, bishop, doctor of the church
Ex 34: 29-35
Ps 99: 5-7, 9
Mt 13: 44-46
July 31
Ignatius of Loyola, priest
Ex 40: 16-21, 34-38
Ps 84: 3-6a, 8a, 11
Mt 13: 47-53
Aug. 1
Alphonsus Liguori, bishop, doctor of the church
Lv 23: 1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Ps 81: 3-6, 10-11b
Mt 13: 54-58
Aug. 2
Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop; Peter Julian Eymard, priest
Lv 25: 1, 8-17
Ps 67: 2-3, 5, 7-8
Mt 14: 1-12
EIGHTEENTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Aug. 3
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Eccl 1: 2; 2: 21-23
Ps 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17
Col 3: 1-5, 9-11 Lk 12: 13-21
Aug. 4
John Vianney, priest Nm 11: 4b-15
Ps 81: 12-17
Mt 14: 13-21
Aug. 5
The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
Nm 12: 1-13
Ps 51: 1, 3-7, 12-13
Mt 14: 22-36
Aug. 6
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
Dn 7: 9-10, 13-14
Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9 2 Pt 1: 16-19
Lk 9: 28b-36
Aug. 7
Sixtus II, pope, and companions, martyrs; Cajetan, priest
Nm 20: 1-13
Ps 95: 1-2, 6-9
Mt 16: 13-23
Aug. 8
Dominic, priest
Dt 4: 32-40
Ps 77: 12-16, 21
Mt 16: 24-28
Aug. 9
Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin, martyr
Dt 6: 4-13
Ps 18: 2-4, 47, 51
Mt 17: 14-20
When I hear that Gospel story
about Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38-42), it makes me smile. What close friends Jesus must have been with these two sisters. Why? Well, the answer is simple. Growing up, when “company” was coming over, I was instructed by my folks to be on my best behavior — polite, helpful, patient and pleasant. Any moaning about having to dress up, any complaining about how long the company was staying (or how boring they were), any wolfing down of my food, any coughing or sneezing without covering my mouth and, Lord forbid, any burping at the table were absolutely not tolerated. If any such infractions occurred, there would be — as my mom was wont to say — H-E-double-Q to pay when said company left! When Martha bursts into the room, steamed to see Mary lounging at the feet of Jesus, she tells him in
Here’s a friendly reminder
MARK MY WORDS
FATHER
MARK GOLDASICH
no uncertain terms, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” You don’t speak so pointedly before “polite company”; that’s talk reserved for family or people like family — that is, close friends, folks you can be yourself around! It’s comforting to know that Jesus had friends like Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Perhaps their devoted friendship was the inspiration for Jesus tell-
ing his disciples, “I call you friends” (Jn 15:15). What would we do without friends? Throughout the year, there are over 30 holidays that celebrate friendship. I’m glad there’s so many. In our busy and work-driven world, we risk becoming “human doings.” Making time with friends reminds us that we’re fundamentally called to be “human beings.” Friends remind us to slow down, connect and enjoy the tremendous gift that life is.
The following story amuses me:
Years ago, a family bought a new TV. The neighbors gathered one Saturday to help put up an antenna on the roof. Since they only had the most basic
tools, progress was not only slow, but practically nonexistent. Out of nowhere, a man who was new on the block appeared with an elaborate tool box containing all that was needed to install the antenna in record time. As the neighbors stood around congratulating themselves on this good luck, they asked this new neighbor what he made with all his fancy tools.
Looking at them, he smiled and replied, “Friends, mostly!”
(Story found in “Illustrations Unlimited,” edited by James S. Hewitt.)
You won’t need any fancy tools to celebrate the International Day of Friendship on either July 30 or the first Sunday in August — or both, if you prefer! The holiday was promulgated in 2011 by the U.N. General Assembly with the idea “that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.” This theme was dear to Pope Francis who encouraged a
“culture of encounter” and expanded that idea in his 2020 encyclical “Fratelli Tutti,” where he called us all to become brothers and sisters to care for each other and for this world we inhabit.
Especially on this holiday, keep that “international” character in mind. You might want to try one of the following:
• Explore your ancestral roots as a family.
• Support someone in a foreign country through Catholic Relief Services, Children International or Unbound.
• Dine at an ethnic restaurant and ask the wait staff to share their stories.
• Explore online organizations that specialize in getting an international “pen pal.” I’ll close with this friendly reminder from psychologist Eugene Kennedy: “The main business of friendship is to sustain and make bearable each other’s burdens. We may do more of that as friends than we do anything else.”
Praying the Our Father continuously shapes us to Christ
“If we pray rightly,” St. Augustine taught, “we say nothing but what is already contained in the Lord’s Prayer.” The prayer is, he thought, the summary of all right desires, the summary of all petitions. If what a person prays for cannot be included in the Lord’s Prayer, if it is not unlawful, it is at least “not spiritual,” he believed.
For St. Augustine, the prayer Jesus taught his disciples truly is the perfect prayer, a prayer containing all prayer.
The disciples had watched Jesus pray to his Father “in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus thanked
chosen. “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Lk 10:2122).
Basically, Jesus was praising his Father for the incarnation, that the only-begotten Son does indeed make the Father known (Jn 1:18). They see Jesus praying again, and this time they ask him, “teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1).
thanked his Father for the revelation he shared through him: That the Father is revealed in the Son. Now, by teaching his disciples to pray for the hallowing of the Father’s name and for his kingdom’s advent, Jesus is enlisting his disciples into the same work of the Son, the work of revealing the Father.
immediately follows, that story about the old man tucked in for the night and his friend who won’t stop knocking on the door; it’s a story about never giving up on prayer. We must pray the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly.
his Father for the revelation shared through him to his disciples, to the “infants” he had
The succinct petitions recorded in Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer draw the disciples into the spiritual reality of the prayer they heard Jesus praying earlier.
Earlier, Jesus
I think the purpose of the Lord’s Prayer is that it forms us in Christ, as Christ — “until Christ be formed in you,” as St. Paul said (Gal 4:19). Which is also why I think Jesus suggested we pray this prayer repeatedly.
This explains, I think, the parable that
That’s the simple point. It’s why I think we pray it just before receiving holy Communion, for example, just after the Body and Blood are made present on the altar. Because it’s a prayer that shapes us, Christshaped. It’s a prayer that over time and by grace is meant to completely change us. And so we dare to say . . .
Stop the hatred; humanity is at stake, Pope Leo says in video message
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Politics can unite instead of divide as long as it refuses to settle for propaganda that feeds on creating enemies, Pope Leo XIV said.
Politics can unite, he said, if it “engages in the difficult and necessary art of an exchange of views, which seeks the common good.”
“It is still possible, it is always
possible, to come together, even at a time of division, bombs and wars,” he said in a video message. He urged people to have the “strength to believe and ask for a truce to come.” It is time to stop “the race of hatred. Our humanity is at stake.”
All that is needed is to create the opportunities to do so. That means, he said, creating opportunities to:
“confront divisions and recognize that the greatest challenge is encountering the other; contribute together to a good cause; repair broken hearts, our own and those of others; and recognize that we are one in God’s heart, and that the heart is the place of encounter with God and with others.”
FATHER JOSHUA J. WHITFIELD
Father Joshua J. Whitfield is pastor of St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas and author of “The Crisis of Bad Preaching” and other books.
Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.
Totus Tuus experience impacts missionaries’ faith as well
ary who is entering his fourth year at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.
Totus Tuus was his summer assignment from Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann last year, and he enjoyed it so much that he wanted to do it again.
“Last year was a really neat experience and there was a lot of joy that came with serving and spending time with a team I loved,” said Mendoza, who is from Overland Park and attends Holy Spirit. “I think the program is at a point where we can have a lot of growth, so I have been praying about it and realized I wanted to come back and help it grow.”
Clegg attended Totus Tuus from third grade all the way through her senior year of high school.
A native of Basehor and a Holy Angels parishioner, the incoming Kansas State freshman is in her first year serving as a missionary, but she knew it was something she wanted to do.
“As I grew up in the program, I recognized these people were truly on fire for the faith and I desired to have that pure joy through Jesus,” Clegg said. “We had one team come through Basehor that had the purest joy I had ever seen. I wanted to feel exactly as they did, and I wanted to be able to spread the faith in the way they did to me.”
Father Haganey has seen firsthand the lasting impact Totus Tuus can have on the students.
“I know kids from when I taught Totus Tuus that are still very active in the faith,” he said. “I was recently at a wedding for one of them and he mentioned during his speech that he was glad to see the church full for the wedding. But he wanted it to be full again on Sunday when they went to Mass.
“I know having attended Totus Tuus for years played a big part in that faith he is now sharing with others.”
Father Haganey believes Totus Tuus is a good way to continue education during a time of the year that is typically filled with other activities. And all parishes need to provide is the facilities.
“If your parish is looking to bolster its catechesis offerings for kids, especially in the summer when a lot of religious education classes aren’t going on, it’s a solid way to do it without having to put a lot of effort on the
parish,” he said. “We send the people and bring everything we need. We just need the space.
“If you don’t have this program, en-
courage your pastor to seek it out. I would love it if we had the demand to hire five or six teams each year. Ultimately, that comes from what the par-
ishes are asking for.”
The program is always looking for missionaries. They typically start the hiring process in November, and the only prerequisite is that you are a college student and an active member of the Catholic Church. All teaching materials are taught during training week. For students, registration typically opens in January or February.
The main thing Father Haganey wants to do is keep things running well.
“As the chaplain, my role is a lot less busy once they get out into the parishes,” he said. “My job is everything before that — in making sure we’re hiring the right people to be missionaries, making sure they are well-prepared with their training and that their needs are being met.
“The biggest thing I want to do is keep the ship running well. Totus Tuus is one of the best programs we have, and that’s in large part to the training that is provided for us over in Wichita. They do a wonderful job in coordinating the national program and they set the standard for what a quality program should be.”
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Jimmy Mendoza, a second-year missionary who is entering his fourth year at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, high-fives the kids at the start of a session.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Totus Tuus missionary Allison Clegg visits with Guery Pena during snack time. Clegg attended Totus Tuus from third grade all the way through her senior year of high school.
INTO THE MYSTERY
How virtual reality is reimagining Catholic evangelization
By Darren Ally OSV News
SYDNEY, Australia (OSV News) — The experience begins with a luminous church window framing a radiant image of Blessed Carlo Acutis hovering inches in front of your face.
As angelic music plays and hues of blue transform your immediate surroundings, reality itself shifts, as you are transported into a portal between heaven and earth.
A celestial voice beckons you to choose from four objects related to the soon-to-be-saint: a set of rosary beads, a soccer ball, altar bread and wine, or a laptop.
The moment your selection is made, the story of Blessed Carlo Acutis awakens around you, in a living canvas of faith and technology.
One of the big highlights of the Catholic youth festival, Purpose Fest 2025, held in Sydney in July was undoubtedly the world premiere of the Carlo Acutis virtual reality experience — formally titled “Carlo Acutis: A Light in the Digital World” — which offered attendees a snapshot of the faith and the future.
Hundreds of young people clamored to be the first in the world to step into the groundbreaking virtual reality journey that transports attendees into the life and spiritual legacy of the young man to be canonized Sept. 7 by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, along with another young Catholics’ favorite — Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Aligned with the church’s mission to adapt to changing cultural contexts without compromising the Gospel, the Archdiocese of Sydney now stands at the forefront of evangelization through innovation as they premiered this world-first virtual reality encounter into Blessed Carlo’s faith journey and his devotion and love for the Eucharist.
Developed by the director of the Sydney Center for Evangelization, Daniel Ang, the Carlo Acutis VR
A student tries out the Blessed Carlo Acutis virtual reality experience at the Purpose Fest 2025 in Sydney July 2. Hundreds clamored in Sydney to be the first in the world to step into the groundbreaking virtual reality journey that transports attendees into the life and spiritual legacy of the young Blessed Carlo, who will be canonized Sept. 7 at the Vatican.
experience was the result of months of teamwork dedicated to presenting the timeless Gospel in fresh and compelling ways.
“Virtual reality will never replace the richness of real, embodied life in the church,” Ang shared, “but it can be a new frontier for creativity and encounter, a space in which the truth is sought and where beauty can be contemplated in a fresh and really impactful way.
“To be honest, I was a bit nervous as it was my first engagement of VR as a project, and finalized only in the hours before the conference, but it was all worth the risk.”
After trying the experience for himself, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney shared his own thoughts.
“The Carlo Acutis VR experience was very clever. It was a fun and powerful way to encounter this young saint whose life shows how faith and technology can go hand in hand. A good reminder that holiness is possible in every age — even our digital one,” he said.
Sisters Annabelle and Angelina Toma and best friend Rose Zoori from Sydney’s suburb Wetherill
Park had little knowledge of Blessed Carlo before trying on the VR goggles — the gateway to the experience.
“We know he has something to do with the internet and that he is going to be a saint,” suggested Annabelle.
“I hope this doesn’t hurt my eyes,” said Angelina as one of the many assistants adjusted her headset.
As the experience began, onlookers laughed as the three friends clutched at air and whooped with delight. It was a 10-minute experience that left them emotional and inspired.
“It was like stepping into his shoes,” shared Annabelle. “I feel like I know so much about him. To see his devotion come alive through virtual reality made his story so much more real and inspiring.”
“It’s more engaging for young people like us to experience something like this, than read it in a book. It’s a great way to connect with the youth,” said Angelina.
Rose agreed: “I think with the modern teenagers, they’ll love this because it’s new, fun and it’s associated with games. This is just a stepping stone into the right direction.”
Pope, Palestinian president discuss tragedy in Gaza
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip and the need for urgent assistance were part of discussions between Pope Leo XIV and Mahmoud Abbas, president of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority.
Abbas telephoned the pope July 21 “concerning recent developments in the conflict in the Gaza Strip and violence in the West Bank,” the Vatican press office said in a communique.
“During the telephone call, the Holy Father repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected, emphasizing in particular the obligation to protect civilians and sacred places, the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of force and of the forced transfer of the population,” the press office wrote.
The United Nations’ World Food Program reported that a large number of civilians, who were “anxiously waiting to access desperately needed food supplies,” were suddenly fired upon by Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire July 20 just as the U.N. convoy of 25 trucks bringing food to northern Gaza had crossed the final Israeli checkpoint in Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry, which is run by the government of Hamas, said at least 67 people were killed. The Israel Defense Forces said it had fired “warning shots,” and it denied the reported number of deaths.
The WFP reported that “countless lives” were lost and “many more suffered life-threatening injuries. These people were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation.”
“People are dying from a lack of humanitarian assistance. Malnutrition is surging with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment. Nearly one person in three is not eating for days,” it said, reporting that a twopound bag of flour costs more than $100 in local markets.
The Gaza health ministry said July 20 it estimated 18 deaths “due to famine” over the past 24 hours.
OSV NEWS PHOTO/GIOVANNI PORTELLI, COURTESY THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY