10-02-09 Vol. 31 No. 9

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 9 october 2, 2009

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and pastor Father Edward Oen, CPPS, follow Abbot Owen Purcell, OSB, from the rectory to the church for the start of St. Mary Parish’s 150th anniversary celebration in St. Benedict.

A faith carried forward

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

ST. BENEDICT — You know you’re in a very Catholic place when both the parish and the town are named after saints.

That’s St. Mary Parish in St. Benedict, in Nemaha County.

“I would say that this is probably one of the most Catholic areas of any parish I’ve been in,” said Father Edward Oen, CPPS, pastor for a little less than a year.

“I’ve always asked [to serve] in rural parishes, but I’ve never seen anything like this, where it’s almost all Catholic.”

St. Benedict could have become famous as the “other home of the Wildcats,” because it was originally named Wildcat Creek for the abundant creatures that

Leaven photos by Elaina Cochran

Above, 150 balloons were released during St. Mary’s anniversary celebration. Left, the church, named one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Art, was filled to capacity for the event.

Turn to “church” on page 16

survivor

Archbishop Naumann recounts the incredible faith journey of Rwandan holocaust survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza, who will speak at Rockhurst High School on Oct. 14.

2

Soul food

HERE TO SERVE

Archdiocesan internal auditor Mike Horn is visiting every parish and school in the archdiocese to help them bring their internal control practices into conformity with archdiocesan policy.

3

Father Keith Lunsford is as comfortable in the kitchen as he is at the altar. Find out what an impressive range of skills this farm boy brought to his new assignment in Prairie Village.

8-9

2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • October 2, 2009

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

D

Rwandan’s story is testimony to God’s grace

uring the summer, I had the opportunity to read “Left To Tell,” a book authored by Immaculée Ilibagiza – a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust.

The book provides a frightening account of the human capacity for cruelty and evil, while at the same time relating Immaculée’s own personal journey — a remarkable story of faith, hope and mercy.

Immaculée begins her book with the sentence: “I was born in paradise.”

Her experience of “paradise” as a child was in part because of the incredible natural beauty of her homeland, but even more so because of her almost idyllic family life. Her parents were remarkable people of faith and goodness.

They provided Immaculée with wonderful examples of living her Catholic faith with joy and fidelity. Both of Immaculée’s parents were teachers. They instilled in Immaculée and her three brothers a love for learning.

However, her parents did not teach Immaculée about the ethnic divisions that scarred Rwanda. Immaculée did not even know what tribe she belonged to until she had her first experience of tribal bigotry in school when she was subjected to an “ethnic roll call.”

Despite achieving the second highest grade point average in her class, Immaculée was denied acceptance into the public high school because she was a Tutsi, the minority tribe. As a consequence, her parents made heroic sacrifices to send her to a private school.

Despite such discrimination, Immaculée’s intelligence and excellent study habits would gain her admittance to Rwanda’s National University.

In 1994, Immaculée was home from the university for the Easter holidays when ethnic violence erupted in Rwanda. For three months, extremists

of the Hutu majority tribe massacred more than a million members of the Tutsi tribe. Immaculée’s parents and two of her three brothers were killed during the genocide.

Immaculée survived because her father sent her to take refuge in the home of a Hutu Protestant pastor. The pastor was a widower, whose wife was a member of the Tutsi tribe. The minister hid Immaculée and seven other Tutsi women in a tiny bathroom for three months. There was not enough room in the bathroom for all of them to sit down on the floor.

During the three months of the genocide, the pastor’s home was searched numerous times by Hutu extremists. They knew that Immaculée and some of the other Tutsi women had been seen last at the pastor’s home. Immaculée and her seven cellmates had to remain absolutely silent to prevent being discovered by the marauding, murderous gangs.

Immaculée prayed fervently, calling on God to protect her family and to spare her from being raped and killed.

She battled with what she described as “evil whisperings,” tempting her to succumb to despair. These evil whispers taunted her, accusing her of pride for considering herself so special to be spared when so many others had already died.

Even more, Immaculée struggled with her anger for the killers. What made this horror even more incomprehensible was that those who brutally massacred her family were not strangers. They were Hutu neighbors and friends, many of whom her father and mother had helped. Immaculée describes how, in her mind, she cursed

to her. Immaculée prayed her way them and wished they burn in hell. through the next three months. She Again she heard the evil whisperwrites: “I found a place in the bathings: “Why are you calling on God? room to call my own: a small corner of Don’t you have as much hatred in your my heart. I retreated there as soon as I heart as the killers do? Aren’t you as awoke, and stayed there until I slept. It guilty of hatred as they are? You’ve was my sacred garden, where I spoke wished them dead; in fact, you wished with God, meditated on his words, and that you could kill them yourself! You nurtured my spiritual self. even prayed that God would make “While horror swirled around them suffer and make them burn in me, I found refuge in a hell.” world that became more Immaculée describes welcoming and wonderher heart feeling holful with each visit. Even low. She was no longer as my body shriveled, able to pray to a God of my soul was nourished love with a heart full of through my deepening hatred. She tried to pray relationship with God. for the grace to forgive “I entered my special the killers, but her prayer space through prayer; lacked sincerity because once inside, I prayed she did not believe they nonstop, using my rosary deserved it. as an anchor to focus my Finally, after prayerthoughts and energies on fully struggling with her God. The rosary beads anger and hatred over helped me concentrate a couple of days, she on the gospels and keep was given the grace to realize that in God’s eyes Archbishop Naumann found Im- the words of God alive in maculée Ilibagiza’s book “Left my mind. the perpetrators of the to Tell,” a remarkable story of “I gave myself over genocide were also his children. She understood faith. Ilibagiza will be speaking completely to God. When locally on Oct. 14.

I wasn’t praying, I felt that she could not ask that I was no longer livGod to love her, if she ing in His light, and the world of the was unwilling to love his children. bathroom was too bleak to endure.”

She was finally able to pray for the Immaculée Ilibagiza’s story is a rekillers “that God would lead them to markable testimony of what the power recognize the horrific error of their of God’s grace can accomplish in the ways before their life on earth ended – human heart, even in the most horrible before they were called to account for of circumstances. If you want to be their mortal sins.” She heard the Lord inspired and challenged, I encourage say to her: “Forgive them; they know you to read “Left To Tell.” not what they do.”

If you would like to hear ImmacA tremendous peace came over ulée’s own testimony firsthand, she Immaculée at this moment. God had will be speaking in Kansas City, Mo., given her a great gift. He had freed her on Oct. 14 in the Rose Auditorium at heart from being held captive by feelRockhurst High School. The proceeds ings of hatred and revenge. As difficult of the event will benefit Pure Fashion, as the weeks ahead would be for her, an organization that strives to empowshe began to experience a remarkable er young women to live lives of faith spiritual growth. and virtue. Tickets can be purchased The only possession that Immaculée on line by visiting the Web site at: had, besides the clothes on her back, www.kcpresents.org. was a rosary that her father had given

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Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

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SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

Trust and Transparency

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — “That’s the way we’ve always done it” is not a phrase Mike Horn likes to hear when he visits a par-

It’s archdiocesan internal auditor Mike Horn’s job to make sure parishes have both

substitute for good internal controls.

Unfortunately, this trust has been violated at times in the past.

“Something as simple as the Sunday collection,” said Father Riley. tory and photo by oe ollig ish.

“People think, ‘Who would ever steal That’s because Horn is the money from the Sunday collecinternal auditor for the Archdition?’ Well, it’s happened, and ocese of Kansas City in Kansas. sometimes it’s nearly imposAnd it’s his job to review the sible to detect.” financial procedures and safeIn addition to preventing guards at parishes and other theft, parishes should have Catholic entities. good internal controls simply Another problematic senbecause they are the most eftence is: “Don’t you trust me?” fective and efficient way to Trust is good, and you’ve manage their finances, he said. got to have trust, said Horn.

To help with that, the archdioBut when it comes to transparcese has created a Parish Adency and accountability with ministrative Handbook, which parish finances, “trust me” and provides quick access to arch“that’s the way we’ve always diocesan guidelines on finance done it” don’t cut it. and record keeping.

Horn has been the archdi“Pastors obviously have a ocesan internal auditor for a lot to deal with, and to know little more than a year. He’s on this book inside and out is difa three-year cycle to visit the ficult,” said Father Riley. parishes, schools and institu“Generally speaking, pastions of the archdiocese to retors are doing things right. It’s view their financial statements not that we don’t trust our pasand procedures for handling tors, or our finance councils, or fiscal affairs. So far he’s visited our parish staffs,” he contin127 entities and has 37 yet to ued. “We want to be a resource go. to help them become better As internal auditor, Horn and provide that disclosure reports to the audit committee and transparency to parishioof the Archdiocesan Finance ners.”

Council. The council is comHe also thinks that pastors prised of Catholic laypeople, should share Horn’s reviews who are themselves accounnot only with the parish fitants. Ultimately, both Horn nance council, but with the and the committee are responwider parish as well. sible to Archbishop Joseph F. “If they know their parish Naumann. is on a schedule to be audited, “[Archbishop Naumann] they should ask the pastor how brought the department to fruthey did,” said Father Riley. ition because he saw the need “The pastor should be able to for [fiscal] transparency,” said tell the parishioners we had Horn. the audit and these are the Father John Riley, archdiocrecommendations. We did esan chancellor, is also a memwell, we did poor, we need to ber of the audit committee. improve — whatever the case “The audit committee promay be.” vides oversight of the internal As a former pastor himself, auditor — to see what he has Father Riley sees Horn’s work done, what he is doing, who he as a great asset. is going to see in the next few “Mike [Horn] is a great remonths, and what are his findsource, and he’s not costing ings,” said Father Riley. them a dime,” he said. “They’d “He lets us know what is be paying thousands of dollars going on in the parishes from to have an independent profesa financial accounting and insional such as Mike come in ternal controls environment,” from the outside.” he continued. “And [the audit All archdiocesan parishes committee] sees if there are and schools need to build any red flags going up or any trust and have safeguards. For Archdiocesan internal auditor Mike Horn is on a three-year cycle to visit the parishes, schools and institutions of the archdioinconsistencies throughout the these, Horn is on their side. cese to review their financial statements and procedures for handling fiscal affairs. archdiocese as far as the par“Just the word ‘internal’ anything, internal controls — makshape, and great financial reporting, ishes’ internal controls.” in itself puts me on the same ing sure their internal controls are but it might have a scrip program Although most non-accountants team as the parishes and the archin good shape and they have procethat’s a mess,” said Horn. “It could be are unfamiliar with the term “internal diocesan entities,” said Horn. “I’m dures in place,” he said. “I’ll do differCYO or any other little parish organicontrols,” they are part of the daily life truly on their side of the fence. What ent tests to see if those controls are in zation [that’s] run very poorly, even of every parish.

I want to do is protect them. [They] place and recommend various proceif it’s in a parish in which most things Internal controls are procedures might employ the recommendations I dures they need to promote internal are doing well.” used to ensure that effective safesuggest, or they might already be docontrols if they don’t, in fact, already In small parishes where people guards are in place for the handling ing things right. I’ll come in and conhave them.” wear many hats, problems may arise of cash, expenditures, receipts, and all firm that things are in good shape and It’s difficult to provide an overall from a lack of staffing or training. other financial operations. they’re doing things right, or I’ll make picture of where archdiocesan parish“In many aspects where you’re getControls prevent theft, reduce the recommendations to get them to that es are in regard to internal controls, ting to the segregation of duties, the temptation for theft, and increase level.” said Horn, because what he’s seen has smaller parishes struggle because trust and accountability through “That protects them from outside run the full spectrum — from very they don’t have the manpower,” said transparency. agencies,” he said. “If I can go in and good to poor.

Horn. “They can’t afford to pay peo“My responsibility is to go to the confirm they are [following canon law In larger parishes, a problem may ple. They often will pay a secretary various archdiocesan entities — parand archdiocesan guidelines] or make arise in a club or ministry that has lax — the only person they have on the ishes, schools, whatever — and rerecommendations to get them to that internal controls. payroll — and he or she also serves as view financial statements and internal level, they’re not going to have any“If you go to a larger parish, it may the bookkeeper.” control procedures,” said Horn. thing to worry about.” have its offertory procedures in great In many cases, trust has been a “The emphasis is on, more than

S

J B

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

THE LEAVEN • octoBER 2, 2009

‘Lifting All Up’

University of Saint Mary dedicates new residence hall Leavenworth — Flanked by dozens of students, the first-ever University of Saint Mary cheerleading squad, and a cadre of university donors and friends, student residents of USM’s $4.7 million apartment-style residence hall here helped bless and dedicate the new dorm at a ceremony Sept. 17.

The blessing and dedication, held one year to the date of its groundbreaking, officially marks the opening of the 100-bed dorm — the first new residence hall to be built on USM’s Leavenworth campus since Maria Hall opened in 1964.

“This new residence hall is a sign of the growth and vitality of the University of Saint Mary,” USM president Sister Diane Steele, SCL, told the crowd — a group that included members of the class of 1968, the first freshman class to live in Maria Hall. “Generations to come will now be able to tell the story of living in Berkel Hall.”

The new hall is named in memory of Antoinette “Toni” Berkel, wife of USM trustee emeritus Charles Berkel. “Toni lived her life with dedication to her family, her friends, and her church. She generously encouraged and guided all to live up to their God-given potential,” Sister Diane said. “Toni was raised to value family and to value faith.”

Toni’s granddaughter, Melinda Uhrmacher, is currently a sophomore pre-nursing student at Saint Mary. Charles Berkel and his two daughters, Glori Berkel and Danielle Uhrmacher, attended the blessing and dedication. During the ceremony, Glori and Danielle helped install a portrait of Toni Berkel on the dorm’s first floor.

The opening of the new dorm comes at a time of increasing enrollment at USM and helps meet the increased demand for student housing on campus. This fall’s incoming freshman class, 130-strong, is the largest in USM history. Many local area contractors were used in the new dorm’s construction.

The ceremony featured a prayer

by Father Mike Stubbs, USM chaplain and pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, and Berkel Hall student residents blessing locations around the dorm with cedar branches dipped in holy water.

The new residence hall features a wide range of amenities for students, including private bathrooms, kitchenettes, individuallycontrolled heating and air conditioning, cable, and high-speed Internet access.

Maria Hall, USM’s other dorm, also underwent a $1 million upgrade this summer. Improvements included new plumbing lines and cable access.

Elevator project gains momentum at St. Joseph Church, Flush

By Paula Glover

Special to The Leaven

Above, Father Mike Stubbs, Leavenworth’s University of Saint Mary chaplain, offers a prayer at the blessing and dedication of the school’s new residence hall.

Left, Berkel Hall was named in memory of Antoinette “Toni” Berkel, wife of USM trustee emeritus Charles Berkel. Charles Berkel and Sister Diane Steele, USM president, stand in front of the new hall.

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LOCAL NEWS 5

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FLUSH — Every Sunday at the small parish of St. Joseph here, older parishioners struggle up the limestone steps leading steeply to the front doors of the historic church.

“My husband and I both need an elevator,” said Jerry Ebert. “One day, he almost fell over on the steps. We don’t want to fall.”

Ebert made her comments at a fundraiser for that very elevator, held at the rural parish east of Manhattan and west of Wamego. Her son, Dan Ebert, echoed his parents’ sentiments, saying, “My mom and dad both need it.”

The hog roast, silent and live auctions, and beer garden held Sept. 19 raised nearly $17,000, said organizer Dale Magnett. The donation of the hogs and much of the food made the event an even greater success.

“It was well worth the effort,” said Magnett, even though the volunteers cleaning the parish hall until well after midnight had to be up early the next morning to attend Mass. “Everyone had a great time, and it made people more aware of the project.”

More than 325 meals were served at the fundraiser, and there were 250 donations made to the silent and live auctions by individuals and businesses in the parish and the surrounding communities. A raffle for a car, donated by a local dealer, sold around 600 tickets; one for a handmade quilt, many more.

Organizers have held other fundraisers as well, including a garage sale, dinner theater and a softball tournament.

Building an elevator has been discussed in the parish for several years. But starting early in 2009, a new push was begun to raise the necessary $275,000.

The current project includes an elevator with three stops and remodeling bathrooms to accommodate the handicapped. Raising the funds will be no small feat for the 128 registered families.

To date, around 60 percent of parish families have pledged to the project.

So have 10 families that used to be parishioners, along with 14 families that are not parishioners. Around $125,000 was pledged prior to the hog roast fundraiser.

The parish is steadily making progress toward meeting the archdiocesan guideline that the total cost of the project has to be pledged, with half collected, prior to the start of work.

Deb Jilka, whose son Brian is a seminarian at Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo., said it is important to support the project — not only for parishioners, but for people attending weddings or funerals who need to get into the church.

Fun & Games Eight-year-old Aaron

Jilka puts some serious ooomph behind his balloon toss — one of the games held for children during the elevator project fundraiser at St. Joseph Church in Flush. The prize for breaking a water balloon in the center of the target was a chance to blow an air horn.

Auction action Carol Lynn Eichman (center) enjoys the live auction with her friends, Glenna Lake (left) and Ellen Wilson, (right). Wilson, the wife of the auctioneer, was bidding on an item made by Eichman.

Leaven photos by Paula Glover

Father John Pilcher, pastor of St. Joseph, has been a strong advocate of the elevator project, called “Lifting All Up to Share His Cup.” His experience in smaller parishes has led him to believe that people are likely to

work together and take responsibility for efforts like the hog roast fundraiser.

“It is our Christian duty to help people who can’t normally get into the church,” Father Pilcher said at the fundraiser. “The people who are doing this

work are working very hard and doing a superb job.”

For more information on the parish’s fundraising efforts, contact Magnett at (785) 456-1300.

6 LOCAL NEWS Father Stull, SOLT, dies in Iowa KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Neal K. Stull, SOLT, 52, formerly of Grundy County, Iowa, died at approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the home of his sister in Eldora, Iowa. Father Neal was pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Easton and St. Joseph of the Valley in rural Leavenworth County since Aug. 1, 2007.

During his illness, Father Neal was under the care of Iowa River Hospice and the spiritual care of his brothers of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

The Leaven was unable to gather further information from Father Neal’s superiors or his family before deadline. A more complete obituary will be published in a future edition of The Leaven.

The wake for Father Neal will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7 at St. Gabriel Church in Reinbeck, Iowa, and the funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8 at St. Gabriel. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 9 at St. Lawrence Church in Easton.

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009 Dorus Joseph and Jean (Kunz) Deters, members of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Overland Park, will celebrate their 50th Anniversary wedding anniversary on Oct. 3. The couple was married on Oct. 3, 1959, at St. Louis Church in Kansas City, Mo., by Father Martin Froeschl. Their children and their spouses are: Margaret and Mark Halvorsen, Dorothy and Robert Wenz, and Joseph and Kim Deters. They also have two grandchildren.

Pure Fashion seeks models

Calling all Kansas City area teenage girls. The search is on for teen models willing to hit the runway decked out with dignity!

Kansas City’s second annual Pure Fashion Show, a faith-based program, debuts April 25, 2010.

Guests will welcome the event, where these young women, age 14 to 18, prove modest fashions are always in style.

Models will begin preparing for the show in October with an entire formation program showcasing etiquette, a service mission day, a spiritual retreat, a father/daughter evening, hairstyling, makeup application, and modeling.

To join these teen modelsturned-role models, register online at: www.purefashion.com; click on the “Kansas City” link.

Deadline for application is Oct. 20.

Anniversary policy

The Leaven only prints 50, 60, 65 and 70th anniversary notices. Announcements are due by 5 p.m. eight days (Thursday) before the desired publication date. Announcements must be typed.

Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or send an e-mail to: Todd@theleaven.com.

Lauren Goode, a member of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, works the runway at last year’s show.

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World Mission Mass set for Oct. 5 at Savior KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The second annual World Mission Day Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 at Savior Pastoral Center here.

Representatives of all parish elementary schools in the archdiocese from fourth and fifth grades are invited, as well as their principals and an adult from each school.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will be the main celebrant; Father Norbert Lickteig, director of the archdiocesan mission office, will concelebrate.

Sister Judy Gomila, MSC, from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will give a mission presentation for students in the Archbishop Keleher Conference Center at 10 a.m. She has been involved in mission education for many years.

At the conclusion of Mass, awards will be given to: Marlene Rowe of Curé of Ars School in Leawood: Mary Staley of St. Patrick School in Kansas City, Kan.; and Dean Buck of St. Patrick’s school of religion.

Carmelite celebrates 50 years JACKSON, Miss. — Carmelite Sister Mary Joan Kuzmic a native of Kansas City, Kan., and former member of St. JosephSt. Benedict Parish there, will celebrate her golden jubilee on Oct. 10 at her Carmelite monastery here. A jubilee Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated in the monastery by Bishop Joseph Latino of the Diocese of Jackson.

Knights ‘Rose Run’ honors Our Lady KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas state council of the Knights of Columbus will participate in the Silver Rose program, a North American effort paying tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, from Oct. 18 through Nov. 8.

This past May, three silver roses left Ontario, Canada, and have been traversing the United States. In November, all three roses will come together in Laredo, Texas, to travel over the International Bridge and be delivered to the Knights from Monterrey, Mexico.

The rose is a symbol of the unity among peoples in the Americas. The roses’ final destination is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12.

Here in Kansas, Knights will carry a Silver Rose as they run and walk a relay throughout the state’s four dioceses. During its 28 stops over 22 days, a Mass or a prayer service is scheduled. The locations in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are listed below: Oct. 18 — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kan.; Mass at 5 p.m.; Oct. 19 — St. Mary/St. Anthony Parish, Kansas City, Kan.; Mass in Spanish at 9 a.m.

Oct. 20 — Ascension Parish, Over-

This is one of three Silver Roses that have been traversing the United States, paying tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe. land Park, prayer service at 8 a.m.; Prince of Peace, Olathe, prayer service at 10:30 a.m.; St. Paul, Olathe, prayer service at 2 p.m.; Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart, Gardner, at 5 p.m.

Oct. 21 — prayer service at Sacred Heart, Ottawa, at 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 — prayer service at Corpus Christi, Lawrence, at 8 a.m.

Oct. 23 — Mass at 7:15 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lawrence; prayer service and Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Topeka, at 7 p.m.

LOCAL NEWS 7 Catholic Foundation announces annual meeting KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Parishioners who are interested in learning how they are connected to the mission of the church in Kansas and how their long-term funds, endowments, and planned giving benefit their parishes or Catholic organizations may want to attend the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ annual meeting.

The event will be at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4, at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., here. The theme of the meeting is: “His Light Lives Within Us.” The event will begin with vespers, followed by a reception and reports by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman; Russ Jenkins of Emporia, president; and other members of the board of directors. The brief business meeting will be followed by an address by the executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference, Michael Schuttloffel. The meeting will conclude at about 8 p.m.

Parish leaders who attend the annual meeting of the foundation will learn how the development and promotion of sound public policy enriches the lives of the people of Kansas. Inspired by sacred Scripture and the teachings of the church, Schuttloffel assists the archbishop and the other Kansas bishops to work toward legislation that reflects the Gospel message of respecting human life and promoting the common good.

There is no charge to attend the event, but reservations are requested by calling (913) 647-0325.

Soul Food

Father Keith Lunsford knows how to satisfy a hungry heart and tummy Story and photo by Joe Bollig

P

RAIRIE VILLAGE — Father Keith Lunsford could put a name to nearly every face at his going away dinner this past June at Holy Trinity Parish in Paola.

It’s going to be difficult to duplicate this feat at his new assignment, however. While Holy Trinity had about 470 families, St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village has 1,500.

But he’s off to a good start. His bags had no sooner hit the rectory floor in early July when friendly parishioners began to call and visit. His calendar and appointment book filled up almost immediately.

“I have been so [greatly] welcomed here,” said Father Lunsford. “People have been so generous, and open, and kind.”

“To know and to be known is one of the great gifts of my priesthood,” he continued. “People let you into their lives instantaneously and intimately. You are with them at the highest and lowest moments of their lives.”

To know and to be known at St. Ann’s will be a challenge — not only because it is much larger than his previous parish, but also because he is the only priest in residence, having taken the place of two. He gets some assistance, however, with weekday Masses from a retired Precious Blood priest who lives in Kansas City, Mo. “The rectory almost feels like a luxury hotel,” said Father Lunsford. “Since I’ve unpacked my bags, most of the time I leave at 7 a.m. and come home at 10 p.m.”

“My neighbor saw me after Mass one weekend and said, ‘Father, we just gave up coming over to your house, because your lights are off and you’re never at home. So, when you get the chance, we’ve made you some apple crisp, so just knock on the door.”

That down-home feeling The warmth and friendliness that has greeted Father Lunsford at St. Ann’s has

a familiar feel. In many ways, it is like the parish in which he grew up — St. Lawrence Parish in Easton.

“I grew up in the house my grandfather grew up in,” he said. “He bought it when he married my grandmother.”

His paternal grandparents lived a couple of fences and a pond away, and an aunt and uncle were neighbors. The Lunsford kids were cousins twice over with the Chances and Beying kids. And they all went to school with each other.

And the cousins — and all the extended family — worked together, too.

“Everyone worked on the farm,” said Father Lunsford. “So when it was hay season, all the cousins came and put up hay.

And whenever we put up a barn, or shed, or farrowing house, everyone showed up with hammers and saws and we’d have a barn raising. But it was all family.”

Growing up on a farm teaches a lot of things. Consequently, Father Lunsford is pretty handy, although his pastoral du-

“To know and to be known is one of the great gifts of my priesthood.

People let you into their lives instantaneously and intimately. You are with them at the highest and lowest moments of their lives.”

ties seldom allow him much time to use those skills.

But vacation is another matter. He usually spends his break visiting his brother, during which they put up a deck, paint, landscape, or do some other little project. Someday — if he ever has the time — he’d like to take a course in furniture building.

“If I could do anything [else], it would be a ‘flipper’ — buy a house and renovate it,” he said. “That whole process of taking a house and transforming it, I think, is what is done [for people] through the priesthood. Through the power of Christ, we help transform people’s lives.”

Home cooking But extended family gatherings were not limited to working; in fact, the most important get-togethers featured eating — on Sundays at Grandma’s.

“We all lived within miles of one another, so Sunday dinner at Grandma’s had anywhere from 20 to 30 people,” he said. “You didn’t have to wait for Christmas or Easter [to see lots of relatives]. It was just Sunday dinner at Grandma’s.”

That good-old country cooking had to be done on an assembly line basis to feed that many people, especially when the entree was fresh fried chicken. One person would kill the chicken, another would bleed it out, still another would scald to get the feathers off, another would pluck the pin feathers, and so on.

At the end came the noon meal, with home-fried chicken to die for: crispy on the outside, moist and juicy on the inside.

“Mom and Grandma would cook the chicken — not by sight, but by sound,” said Father Lunsford. “When the chicken has a certain ‘pop,’ it comes out moist and just piled with this golden-crunchy outside.”

Naturally, the chicken came with all the fixings, most of which came from the family’s huge garden.

“My mom still puts in a garden three times the size of my yard,” he said. “I grew up cutting the eyes of potatoes, putting in roasting ears, planting green beans, squash, cantaloupe — just about everything. We would can tomato sauce, green beans, pickles. . . . It was just coun-

try life.”

And don’t forget dessert: six or so pies and cakes.

A gathering of the clan would also occur in time for hog butchering in the fall.

Grandma would always bake fresh bread in anticipation of a special treat when the lard rendering was done.

“When she’d strain off the lard, there would be all these bits and pieces of crunchies,” said Father Lunsford. “We’d take all the crunchies and put them between slices of fresh-baked bread.”

Warm up that skillet It was only natural that, having grown up in a family of prodigious country cooks, Father Lunsford would learn a thing or two. He’s only built on that knowledge.

“Because of my journey toward the priesthood, the whole world has opened up, through my education and relationships at seminary,” he said. “I met another seminarian who trained under a chef, and we used to cook for our floor.”

For himself, Father Lunsford cooks simply. For example, he’ll sauté some onions and ground turkey and put it on a tortilla for lunch. He has, however, cooked much more elaborate fare for charity dinners at Paola and for his Jesus Caritas priests’ prayer group.

His repertoire includes bourbonmarinated beef tenderloin, grilled pork tenderloin with praline-mustard glaze, crème brûlée, flourless chocolate cake, and stuffed figs wrapped in prosciutto.

In the past, appreciative parishioners have declared him a gourmet cook.

“I’m not a gourmet cook,” he said. “I just follow the recipe.”

There is every possibility that someday some lucky person in St. Ann Parish will have a chance to sample one of Father Lunsford’s specialties — or even his mom’s ecstasy-inducing fried chicken.

“I don’t have time to cook this year because I’m so busy,” he said. “Maybe next year. I still owe an auction dinner in Paola, and they’ve requested my mom’s fried chicken. She’ll bake fresh bread and make mashed potatoes, and I’ll do all the desserts.”

Getting to know Father Keith Lunsford Current assignment and duties: Pastor of St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village Years Ordained: 17 Hometown and Parish: Easton, St. Lawrence Parish My favorite food is: sushi, and Mom’s fried chicken My favorite book to recommend is: “Pillars of the Earth,” by Ken Follett As a child, my favorite toy was: Tonka trucks The most important lesson the priesthood has taught me is: People are most accepting and forgiving of a priest’s foibles.

The thing that’s surprised me most about life as a priest is: Love has no limit.

It would surprise people to learn that: I have a congenital defect — my right knee barely bent as a child.

After I was accepted to the seminary, a doctor was found to fix it. It now bends barely enough to kneel, but just enough. God is good!

Favorite TV show: “Stargate,” on the Syfy Channel Favorite band or musician: Depends on my mood Dream vacation: Going to Minneapolis to be with my brother. It’s not where, but with whom.

Worst job I ever had: Bolting huge culverts together (big enough to drive a truck through) on a Leavenworth road crew.

If I couldn’t be a priest, I’d be: a musician in an orchestra.

If I had a church history time machine, I’d: go back and watch the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

Health reform should include all immigrants, legal or not WASHINGTON (CNS) — Though Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., concedes there’s no political will in Washington to include undocumented immigrants in health care reform, he believes it’s the country’s moral obligation to ensure that everyone in the nation receives proper medical care. “I agree that there is a special problem with those who have entered here without the permission of the United States, and that has to be looked at,” said Bishop Murphy, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. “But that’s a problem unto itself.” Most U.S. bishops who have spoken publicly about health care reform have said that one of the richest countries in the world should find a way to guarantee that everyone within its borders has access to medical care.

“How can we say that we’re a country of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all who come to our shores if we say, ‘except the unborn?’ Or, if we say, ‘except the handicapped.’ Or, if we say, ‘except the new person,’” Bishop Murphy said.

“Then . . . we have introduced a sense of injustice into a plan that should be just for all.”

Recession boosts Catholic Charities clients by 10 percent WOODBRIDGE, Va. (CNS) — In a time of recession, Sondra knows she and her 4-year-old daughter Hope could be on the street. With no where else to turn they found a home at St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences in Woodbridge.

The need for this type of housing service as well as emergency shelter and permanent housing jumped 12.4 percent in 2008 as the economic recession gained momentum, reported Catholic Charities USA in its 2008 annual survey of services.

Released Sept. 15 during a nationwide teleconference from the agency’s Alexandria headquarters, the report shows that Catholic Charities agencies served nearly 600,000 people in need of some type of housing assistance in 2008. Overall, the 142 Catholic Charities agencies responding to the survey — about 85 percent of the nationwide Catholic Charities network — reported serving more than 8.5 million people in 2008, a 10 percent increase from 2007. Without being able to offer specifics, Father Larry Snyder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, said the demand for housing and other social services continued to climb as the recession deepened during 2009.

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

Catholic groups aid flood victims

Child of lepers returns to Hawaii

By Valerie Monson

Catholic News Service

KALAUPAPA, Hawaii (CNS) — As Sacred Hearts Father Christopher Keahi handed out new “St.” Damien prayer cards in St. Francis Church in anticipation of the priest’s Oct. 11 canonization in Rome, a guest with a most special connection to Hawaii’s first saint sat in a middle pew.

Emma Kamahana Dickerson accepted the new card with gratitude and a rush of memories. Her father, David Kamahana, was just 13 years old when he was diagnosed with leprosy and sent to Kalaupapa in 1888. There he came to know Father Damien. Many years later, David Kamahana would testify as a witness for Damien’s cause for sainthood.

“He said Father Damien was very good to him,” said Dickerson, now 85.

“It was like he almost worshipped Father Damien — he was a big man to Daddy.”

For Dickerson, who now lives in Pennsylvania, the trip back to Kalaupapa was a reunion of sorts. To make sure that this precious chapter of family history would be remembered and passed down, she brought along three daughters and a granddaughter. For two days, they became part of Kalaupapa, where the residents welcomed them like the ‘ohana’ (family members) that they will always be.

“David Kamahana’s daughter? Oh my goodness!” cried Norbert Palea, who remembered her father and the general store that he operated in Kalaupapa for many years.

Dickerson’s story began on May 25, 1924, when she was born at the infirmary of Bishop Home, the complex for girls and young women at Kalaupapa run by the Sisters of St. Francis. Dickerson was the youngest of nine children born to David and Alana Ahlo Kamahana. When she was just two days old, one of Alana Ahlo’s brothers, Abraham Ahlo, took baby Emma home to Honolulu to become part of his family.

She did not know of her birth parents until she was 8 or 9 years old.

“I called my ‘hanai’ (adoptive) father ‘Papa,’’’ said Dickerson. “When he started telling me this, I was amazed. Oh! Papa, why are you telling me this now?

‘Because you have to know as you grow up,’ he says. ‘You have to know why you were brought here. Your mother said I should tell you.’”

By that time, Dickerson’s birth mother had died and was buried in the family plot next to two daughters who had died

By Sheila Archambault

Catholic News Service

CNS photo/ Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo

CNS photo/Valerie Monson, Hawaii Catholic Herald

FAMILY STANDS AROUND GRAVES ON MOLOKAI — Members of the Kamahana family gather around the graves of David and Alana Kamahana during their visit to Kalaupapa, Molokai, June 28-29. David and Alana Kamahana were the parents of Emma Kamahana Dickerson, sitting. Standing are: (from left) Thelma Dickerson, Barbara Ahlo Martin, Tina Paparo Ciarrocchi and Yvonne GrahamSolem, joined by Kalaupapa resident Danny Hashimoto, who remembered David Kamahana. very young.

There was another reason that Dickerson’s adoptive father — the man who would always remain “Papa” — might have chosen to tell her about her Kalaupapa family at that time. David Kamahana, her birth father, the man who would always be “Daddy,” had asked that she visit him.

Accompanied by her adoptive sister Rose, young Emma traveled to Kalaupapa by ship and was escorted by a policeman to a place for visitors.

“My father came to see me, but there was a wire fence between us and we couldn’t touch,” she said. “He told me he wanted me to come see his store. Later on, I realized he must have had a lot of push — a lot of influence — to have me come to visit him.”

The Kamahana Store was just becoming a Kalaupapa institution. The new cement structure had been built in 1932; David Kamahana had his full name emblazoned across the front in raised letters, obviously proud of his accomplishment.

“He had everything in his store — candies to clothing to caskets,” remembered Dickerson with a laugh. “It was a general store, he bought the clothes from Montgomery Ward, but he also had a restaurant and a barbershop. He told me I could have anything I wanted.”

Later in life, Kamahana left Kalaupapa for Hale Mohalu, the residential complex on Oahu for people affected by leprosy. He eventually went to live with

one of his sons and died in 1955.

For Emma Kamahana Dickerson’s daughters and granddaughter, this summer’s visit was an emotional journey. The daughters — Yvonne GrahamSolem, Thelma Dickerson and Barbara Ahlo Martin — had been to Kalaupapa before, although it had many years since their last time. But for granddaughter Tina Paparo Ciarrocchi, it was her first time in the land of her great-grandparents.

At one point, Ciarrocchi was overwhelmed with tears.

“What does this visit mean? I can’t even describe it,” she said. “It means everything to me. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The Kamahana women received Communion from Father Keahi at St. Francis Church and later got the “deluxe” tour of Kalawao from Kalaupapa resident and retired painter Boogie Kahilihiwa, who remembered David Kamahana as a man who “loved his fish and poi.”

Over dinner at the Kalaupapa visitors’ quarters, the Kamahana descendants talked about how the legacy of David and Alana Kamahana had become the strongest thread in their lives.

“This is such an amazing story,” said Thelma Dickerson. “Our grandfather is not a world-famous man, but in his own community he was very successful.

He was an entrepreneur who found his niche. He was an incredible man, really.

My sisters and I are proud to call him our grandfather.”

POPE WAVES AT END OF SERVICE — Pope Benedict XVI waves as he departs St. Vitus Cathedral following a vespers service in Prague, Czech Republic, Sept. 26. During his three-day visit, Pope Benedict urged people in the Czech Republic to rediscover spiritual and moral values.

Pope urges Czechs to regain freedom struggle values

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service PRAGUE, Czech Republic (CNS) — Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the peaceful revolt that brought down the country’s communist regime, Pope Benedict XVI urged people in the Czech Republic to rediscover the spiritual and moral values that sustained their struggle for freedom.

In gatherings Sept. 26-28 with political, social, cultural and religious leaders as well as the Catholic faithful, the pope delivered a message of hope meant to inspire both the country’s majority of nonbelievers and the minority Catholic community.

Central to his message was that no society, no matter how democratic, could ever maintain a healthy and ethical sense of freedom without guidance from the truth found in God and the wisdom of faith.

The pope’s trip to Prague, Brno, and Stara Boleslav was his 13th trip abroad and his seventh to Europe. The fact that more than half of his apostolic journeys so far have been to Europe reflects his deep concern for revitalizing the continent’s Christian heritage.

“True freedom presupposes the search for truth — for the true good — and hence finds its fulfillment precisely in knowing and doing what is right and just,” the pope said during a meeting Sept. 26 with diplomats and political,

civil, religious and cultural leaders in Prague’s presidential palace.

Under the soaring gilded stucco ceilings of the palace, the pope reminded his audience that the country’s hardfought freedom must be properly used.

Leaders in society have the duty to encourage citizens to seek the truth and goodness, he said.

“Jointly we must engage in the struggle for freedom and the search for truth, which either go together, hand in hand, or together they perish in misery,” the pope said.

He urged people “to apply their faith respectfully yet decisively in the public arena” so that the truth and wisdom of faith could light the path of human progress.

“Far from threatening the tolerance of differences or cultural plurality, the pursuit of truth makes consensus possible, keeps public debate logical, honest and accountable” and ensures a society that is united and dedicated to the common good, he said.

The Czech Republic represents a unique challenge for the church. Some 60 percent of the population claims to profess no religious belief — making it the most secular country in Europe.

The largest faith community on the landscape is the Catholic Church, but Catholics are still only 30 percent of all inhabitants, and only a small percent say they are active members of the church.

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WASHINGTON (CNS) — Catholic charitable organizations are stepping up to help victims in the Philippines after the worst flood in decades hit in late September.

“Many of the people who have lost everything are sleeping in schools right now,” said Luc Picard, Catholic Relief Services’ country representative in Manila, Philippines. “They’re calling this the Katrina of the Philippines.”

Picard told Catholic News Service in a Sept. 28 telephone interview that rescuers were still searching for survivors from the flooding and mudslides two days earlier. The flooding followed Typhoon Ketsana, or Ondoy, as it was referred to in the Philippnes.

Brian Caulfield, editor of Fathers for Good, an initiative of the Knights of Columbus, said in a blog posting his wife’s family was caught in the flood. He said his in-laws live a block from the river and said they had seen flooding that brought “8 feet of water into the house. With Ketsana, however, the water rose to 20 feet, forcing my in-laws to the second-floor bedrooms, then onto the pitched roof.”

In order to survive, his wife’s family created a raft out of a rope and bamboo poles to get to a neighbor’s house, which was located on higher ground.

Picard told CNS that after the storm approximately 100,000 families were sheltered in temporary housing, elementary schools and churches. While some families will be able to go back home soon, others have lost everything, he said.

In a statement, CRS said it was providing immediate food aid, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats and soap, among other basic necessities.

“With CRS’ initial funding, we’re helping 5,000 families through Caritas. All the food and other items being distributed are getting to people via Caritas,” Laura Sheahen, CRS regional information officer based in Cambodia, told CNS by e-mail.

Caritas is the umbrella organization of Catholic aid agencies. In a statement, the Caritas office in the Philippines said it was providing aid to a total of 10,000 families, or 50,000 people.

world 11

Conflict in Honduras is between poor, wealthy WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya returned to his country, the situation is not simply a matter of a conflict between two politicians, said an American lay missionary in Honduras. The real conflict in Honduras is between the poor and wealthy, said John Donaghy, assistant director of the church charitable agency Caritas in the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras. “The issue is not Zelaya,” Donaghy told Catholic News Service in an e-mail Sept. 22, a day after Zelaya’s return. “It’s a system that has kept the poor down for years. Zelaya has been seen by many as a sign that someone in power cared for the poor.”

Canadian-born Bishop Real Corriveau, retired bishop of Choluteca who now lives in Tegucigalpa, said there had been rumors that Zelaya would return, “but people didn’t really believe it.” When word got out Sept. 21 that Zelaya had taken refuge in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, supporters gathered outside the building. The government subsequently imposed a curfew at 4 p.m. and the protests broke up, the bishop said. The curfew was to be lifted at 6 p.m. Sept. 22.

Churches urge Romania to keep religion classes in schools WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — Romania’s Catholic Church has urged the government to keep religion classes in state schools as part of a new education law.

“All this country’s churches agree school religion positively influences the national character, by making children patient and attentive,” said Romanian Catholic Bishop Virgil Bercea of Oradea. “Public opinion solidly supports the right of parents to have their children taught religion. We simply don’t know why these changes were even proposed.” Bishop Bercea, a bishop of the Eastern rite, said Romanian bishops from the Eastern and Latin rites were glad religion classes would continue for the current school year. He said they were counting on government officials to consider “church voices” when preparing a new draft of the education law. The government delayed legislation that would have given secondary school students an alternative to religion classes and allowed students older than 16 to opt out of them without parental consent. Religious education was restored in January 1990, shortly after the collapse of communist rule in Romania.

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Lake house – Beautiful and private Lake Kahola, less than 2 hours from the KC area. Only 10 miles off I-35 at Emporia exit. This home sleeps 10+ with a 2-car garage, plus a private boat ramp and dock. Located at the water’s edge on a quiet cove. Call Cy at (316) 262-0888.

Kansas land - Have land to sell? Marisa Morgan Dallman, owner-broker, Kansas Land Brokers, LLC. Call (913) 915-9151 or visit the Web site at: www.

KansasLandBrokers.com.

Vacation Ski cabin in Winter Park, Colo. – 2 BR, 1 BA, on free ski shuttle route. $110/night. Call (913) 6423027. To view pictures, visit the Web site at: cabin. forcadeassociates.com.

Ski vacation - Winter Park, Colo. 2 BR, 1 BA, sleeps 6. Fully furnished, fireplace, rec. center with pool & hot tub. $125/night; $750/week. Call Joe Frederick at (913) 385-5589.

Lake of the Ozarks rental - Osage Beach, million-dollar view, fully furnished; 2 BR, 2 BA; sleeps six. No smoking, no pets. For special fall rates, call Steve or Sheryl Roederer at (913) 244-2022.

For sale Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 393-2042.

Bulk mulch - $35 per cu. yd. delivered (within our delivery area with a 2-yard minimum order) OR $70 per cu. yd. delivered and spread. Contact Joe Keehn at (913) 631-7217 or (913) 449-9848 or visit the Web site at: www.mokanmulch. com.

Avon products and opportunity - Buy or Sell

Linda O’Neill, Independent Sales Representative.

Web site: http://loneill.avonrepresentative.com/blog E-mail: Linda.Oneill999@yahoo.com Call: (913) 219-0730 Located in Shawnee

Tree service - Pruning ornamental trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Brad Grabs, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 244-5838. www.GreenSolutionsKC.com.

For rent

Miscellaneous

Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Andrea, Sara or Gary.

Living at its best on a budget! - 1 BR apt., with rent based on income; all utilities paid; no voucher needed. Section 8 assistance. Great location, only 5-10 minutes from The Legends in Kansas City, Kan. Edwardsville Court Apartments Highrise, 531 S. 4th St., Edwardsville. Call (913) 441-6007. EHO. Handicap accessible.

Ride to Mass needed – For elderly woman in St. Agnes Parish. Either Sat. evening at 5 p.m. or Sunday morning at 10 a.m. or noon. Also, need someone to do weekly grocery shopping for my mother. Call Jaynie Prior at (913) 486-8099.

Do you or your parents need help at home?

- For as little as $60 per week, Benefits of HomeSenior Care can provide assistance with personal care, shopping and many other daily needs. For details, visit our Web site at: benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Tonganoxie, new house for rent - For up to 4

Increase your income! – Interest rates are low, but a gift annuity with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas often pays effective rates of over 10 percent for the rest of your life. Your gift benefits your parish or another Catholic organization of your choice in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. You may even get a tax deduction. Call (913) 647-0365 for more information.

Home Improvement Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work.

Brick, block, and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; second generation bricklayer. Call (913) 829-4336.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates.

JoCo and southern KC metro area. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing.

Licensed and insured.

(913) 599-7998

Swalms Organizing Service - Basements, garages, attics, and shop spaces organized! Items sorted, boxed & labeled; areas cleaned when finished! Clean out services also available. Great references and insured. For pictures of current projects, visit the Web site at: www.swalms.com. Call Tillar Swalm at (913) 375-9115.

CALENDAR 13

THE LEAVEN • OCTOBER 2, 2009

years while owners serve as missionaries. 2 BR, 2 BA, partially finished bsmt. Home is located in retirement community. Must be 55 or older. No pets, no smoking and no children (per charter association). $700/mo.

(913) 845-2162.

Real Estate Oak Park Manor FSBO - 10411 Bond, Overland Park. Walk to Holy Spirit Church/School. Well-maintained, two-story home has 4 BR, 2-1/2 BA, a paneled family room with brick fireplace and bookcases, all-electric kitchen, patio, covered deck, full bsmt., and two-car garage. Upgraded furnace, A/C and windows. Close to shopping, hospital and highways. To view, call (913)-888-2104.

Strawberry Hill bungalow - 1 BR, 1 BA. Many closets and cabinets and lots of charm! Large, fenced yard and off-street parking. Walking distance to three area Catholic parishes. $40,000. For appt. to view, call (913) 371-0850.

OP/Leawood home FSBO - Fabulous home lo-

cated in Nativity Parish, on the lake at Hawthorne Place, 12211 Ash. Spacious, open floor plan with 3 BR, 3 fulland 2 half-baths and a finished walkout bsmt. Maintenance provided community. Near Town Center shops and restaurants. To view, call (913) 345-8118 after 9/21.

Stratford Place, Overland Park - A 50+ community. 12225 Monrovia. Well-maintained home. 2 BR, 2 BA, living room, dining room, corridor kitchen. Large, custom utility/craft room with cabinets. One-car garage, patio and sprinkler system. New furnace, A/C and laminate flooring in 2007. Exterior maintenance, lawn care and snow removal provided. Large clubhouse with indoor pool. Contact Marian at (913) 980-1944.

Wanted to buy *** BUYING *** Coins — Sterling — Watches I buy coins, old watches, sterling silverware, postcards, photographs, military items, political campaign pins, Zippo lighters, fountain pens, toys, slot machines, old signs & tins, quilts, Indian rugs, beadwork, baskets, pottery and 22-gauge rifles. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

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 *** Antique and vintage costume jewelry Member St. Joseph Parish Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179

To purchase a classified ad: Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327.

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3

Oct.

The Ave Maria Village of the Militia of Immaculata will gather for coffee at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 at Redemptorist Church Senior Center, 407 W. Linwood, Kansas City, Mo. A program and rosary will follow at 11 a.m. The Militia of Immaculata meets every first Saturday of the month at the same location. For information, call Christine Rossi at (913) 268-0208.

The Garnett Knights of Columbus will host a benefit coed softball tournament on Oct. 3. For information, call Ricky Rios at (785) 448-8058 or Aaron Hardman at (785) 304-2714.

Tom Jacobs, retreat leader, will host “The Art, Prayer and Practice of Meditation” from 9 a.m. - noon on Oct. 3 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Rose Room, I-435 and State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo. The cost is $25 per person, payable at the door.

To register, call Tom at (816) 619-3499 or send an e-mail to him at: tbjacobs@ earthlink.net.

4

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will host “Project Andrew: A Vocation Evening for Young Men” for all young men between the ages of 15 - 22 on Oct. 4 from 4 - 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish, 5901 Flint, Shawnee. Young men will have the opportunity to pray, listen, and discuss how Christ personally calls men to be priests. Dinner will be provided; a parallel program will be provided for parents who wish to attend in support of their sons. For information or to register, visit the vocation office Web site at: www.kckvocations.com; or send an email to: vocation@archkck.org.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host “Where in the World is the Body of Christ?,” presented by Sister Mary Collins, OSB, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Oct. 3.

The cost is $50; advance deposit is $10. To register, call (913) 360-6151.

Mary Health of the Sick women’s guild of the Sisters, Servants of Mary will hold a meeting following the 9 a.m.

Mass on Oct. 4 at the convent, located at 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. Prospective new members are invited to attend.

St. Francis Xavier Parish, Mayetta, will host its annual bazaar on Oct. 4. A roast pork and turkey dinner will be served from 3 - 6 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children 10 and under.

St. Theresa Church, Perry, will host its annual fall bazaar on Oct. 4 . A turkey and ham dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children. Carryouts will be available. There will also be a silent auction, raffles, bingo, a cakewalk, a country store and games.

Sacred Heart Parish, Gardner, will host Oktoberfest from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the parish center at 122 W. Warren St. Dinner will feature traditional German and American foods. The cost for dinner is: $7 for adults; $4 for children ages 4 - 12; children 3 and under eat free. There will also be a silent auction, craft show, a cakewalk, raffles, bingo and more.

Sacred Heart/St. Casimir Parish, 1401 2nd Ave., Leavenworth, will host its annual fall fest from noon - 3: 30 p.m. on Oct. 4.

A turkey and ham dinner will be served, followed by entertainment, an auction, a white elephant sale, and games for all ages.

Holy Family Church, Summerfield, will host its fall bazaar on Oct. 4. A turkey

dinner with all the trimmings will be served from 4:30 - 8 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children. There will be a country store, drawings, and games for all ages.

St. Boniface Church, Scipio, will host its annual fall bazaar from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the parish hall. A roast beef and chicken and noodles dinner with all the trimmings will be served. The cost is: $8 for adults; $5 for children 5 and under; and $9 for carryouts.

The Williams T. Fitzsimons fourth-degree Knights of Columbus at Christ the King Church, 53rd and Leavenworth Rd., will host a Salisbury steak dinner from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Oct. 4 in Davern Hall. The cost is $6 for adults; children eat free. Carryouts are available.

5

St. Bede Church, Kelly, will host its annual soup supper and auction on Oct. 5. Serving will be from 4 - 7 p.m. There will be games for all ages, a country store, and auction items.

6

Keeler Women’s Center will host a monthly book club every first Tuesday, beginning in October. An organizational meeting to select the first three books will be held from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

of the metro on I-35. A bus will be available for $10 per person, from the parking lot of Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. For reservations or information, call Mary Jo Doherty at (913) 685-8313, or (913) 302-9909.

9-11

“Doors to the Sacraments,” a two-night Ignatian retreat for men, will be held from Oct. 9 – 11 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan. Father Richard Hadel, SJ, will trace the sacraments as they developed in the early church and how they continue to nourish us today. The cost of $125 includes a $50, nonrefundable deposit, and a freewill offering. Financial assistance may be available. Space is limited, so make your reservation early. For information, call the office at (913) 721-1097 or visit the Web site at: www.saviorpastoralcenter.org.

A Kansas City Catholic charismatic renewal retreat will be held from Oct. 9 - 11 at the Sisters of St. Francis Motherhouse, 2100 N. Noland Rd., Independence, Mo. The retreat is for those in the renewal and for those who would like to learn more about Life in the Spirit. The cost for the retreat is $30. Meals and overnight lodging are available. For information, call Carol at (816) 229-7924.

10

6 & 13

The women of St. Stanislaus Parish, Rossville, will host a morning of spiritual renewal, entitled “Mary and the Woman of Today,” on Oct. 10. For registration information, call Colette at (785) 5846612 or Deidre at (785) 582-5851.

7

The ACCW (Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women) will host a convention from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12601 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kan. All archdiocesan women are invited to attend. The cost of $18 includes lunch. To register, contact Terry Barnes at (913) 383-1411 or send an e-mail to her at: terrybarnes_stagemanager@hotmail.com.

The registration deadline is Oct. 5.

“Baby Steps,” a twopart parenting program for expectant parents or those with children up to oneyear-old, will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 and 13 at the Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www. mountosb.org/kwc.

The Bishop Miege High School boys soccer team will offer a free soccer clinic for boys and girls in grades 1 - 8 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Dixon Doll Stadium, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Roeland Park. There will also be a coaching clinic offered at the same time. All participants and coaches will receive a Miege water bottle and free admission to the Bishop Miege varsity boys soccer game vs. Barstow at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. For information, send an e-mail to Nate Huppe at: nhuppe@ yahoo. com.

9

The Topeka Catholic Singles group will meet for a TGIF happy hour at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Jeremiah Bullfrogs, 4115 S.W. Huntoon, Topeka. For information, contact Don at (785) 266-4830.

10

The Catholic Education Foundation’s annual Gaudeamus dinner, honoring John and Pat Menghini, will be held on Oct. 10 at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd. Quality, faithbased education may be beyond the reach of many, but it is within yours. Every dollar raised is used to fund scholarships for children in need! For information, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation, call (913) 647-0344 or visit the Web site at: www. cefks.org.

All are invited to attend an evening of fun, food and live entertainment by the “Legends” show at Prairie Star Ranch, located in Williamsburg, on Oct. 10. Proceeds from the event will be used to build a chapel. Msgr. Tom Tank will celebrate Mass at 5 p.m., followed by cocktails and dinner at 6 p.m. The attire is western, so hats and boots are welcome. The cost is $100 per person. The ranch is located 50 miles south

other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor’s house during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Her life was dramatically transformed by the experience. She is considered one of the world’s leading speakers on peace, faith and forgiveness. To purchase tickets, visit the Web site: www.kcpresents.org.

16-17

The Garnett Knights of Columbus will host the annual Autumn Blaze Knights of Columbus barbecue contest, 5K walk/run for Special Olympics, and pumpkin festival on Oct. 16 - 17. To register a barbecue team or for information, visit the Web site at: www.garnettkofc.com.

17

October is Respect Life Month.

Become a public witness to the atrocity of abortion. Join Father Tom Hesse on Oct. 17 for the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass at 8 a.m. at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan., followed by a rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing; Benediction concludes services at 10 a.m.

Join Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at a benefit dinner to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Villa St. Francis, a skilled nursing center in Olathe sponsored by the archdiocese. The event will be on Oct. 17 in the parish hall at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by The Priest Band. For information or to purchase tickets, call (913) 592-3897.

Join the Singles of Nativity for happy hour, beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17, at Houlihan’s, 11600 W. 95th St., Overland Park. Look for the yellow balloon and our greeters who will be at the table until 7:30 p.m. Questions? Send an e-mail to: social@ son-ministry.org.

23-25

Sacred Heart Parish, 1100 West St., Tonganoxie, will host its annual turkey dinner and bazaar on Oct. 11. Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Carryouts will be available until 3:30 p.m. The cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 3 - 12; children 2 and under eat free. There will also be a country store, door prizes, bingo, raffles and children’s games.

Divorced? Widowed?

Beginning Experience Weekend gently helps people move through their loss to a new beginning in their lives. The Beginning Experience Weekend for the Kansas City area will be Oct. 23 - 25 at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, Kan. For information or for registration material, call John at (913) 219-3465 in Kansas City, Sue at (785) 331-2216 in Lawrence, or visit the Web site at: www.beginning experience. org.

Holy Cross Church, Emmett, will host its annual turkey dinner and bazaar on Oct. 11. Dinner will be served from 3:30 - 7 p.m. The cost is: $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 5-11; children 4 and under eat free. There will also be a silent auction, bingo, and a quilt raffle.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a retreat, entitled “Everywhere A Blessing: A Celtic Spirituality,” presented by Therese Elias, OSB, from 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 through 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. The cost is $180; advance deposit is $35. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151.

11

The Knights of Columbus, Marian Council No. 3768, at Christ the King Parish, Kansas City, Kan., will host a pancakesand-more breakfast from 8:30 - 11 a.m. on Oct. 11 in Davern Hall. A freewill offering will be collected. Proceeds will benefit the Girl Scout programs of the parish.

13

The Shawnee Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2332, will host a first-degree exemplification in their hall, located at 11221 Johnson Dr. in Shawnee, at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. Initiation into the Knights is eligible to all practicing Catholic men age 18 or older. For information or to join, call Ron Masters at (913) 238-4489.

14

Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Rd., Kansas City, Mo., will present an evening with Immaculée Ilibagiza from 6 – 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the Rose Auditorium. Ilibagiza spent 91 days with seven

Misc.

“Coping With Grief,” a series for those grieving the loss of a loved one, will be offered on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. through Oct. 27 at Good Shepherd Church, in the Romero Chapel, 12800 W. 75th St., Shawnee. For registration or information, call Bernadine Asher at (913) 563-5304.

Project Rachel is offering weekly support groups throughout October in the KC metro area for those hurting from an abortion. Registration is required. For information, call Patricia at (913) 621-2199 or 1 (888) 246-1504. All calls are strictly confidential.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

Mark my words

Catholic Press Association Award Winner 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Archbishop Edward O’Meara Award Winner 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003

Quote Week

of the

“Mom and Grandma would cook the chicken not by sight, but by sound. When the chicken has a certain ‘pop,’ it comes out moist and just piled with this golden-crunchy outside.”

Father Keith Lunsford See story on pages 8-9

W

Is it too much to expect respect?

rite checks for bills?

Check. Swing by the bank to make a deposit?

Check. Drop off Christmas cards at the post office?

Check. Compile grocery list? Check.

The list for this particular Wednesday back in December 2008 looked pretty typical, and Mom and I were methodically checking off items as we got them done.

Visit Sam’s Club? At this last entry, things got interesting. After shopping, Mom was ahead of me in line. She always uses my Sam’s card and pays cash.

I listened while she and the checkout person chatted as her purchases were rung up. As I was transferring items from cart to counter, I heard Mom ask the clerk, “Could you please help me get the money out of my coin purse?

Arthur and I aren’t getting along today.”

The clerk immediately reached out and helped. As Mom wheeled her cart away, I stepped up to the cash register, opened up my checkbook and flashed the clerk a smile. That smile dimmed somewhat in wattage when I caught a glimpse of the clerk’s face, who appeared to be gazing at me with annoyance.

As she swiped my Sam’s card, I caught a glimpse of her nametag: Toya.

I was just about to ask if everything was OK, when I saw her glance down at my card. With a puzzled look on her face, she said to me, “Your name’s not Arthur!”

“Uh, no,” I replied . . . and then the

the gospel truth

Scripture Readings TWENTy-seventh WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Oct. 4 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Gn 2: 18-24; Ps 128: 1-6; Heb 2: 9-11; Mk 10: 2-16 Oct. 5 Monday Jon 1:1 — 2:1, 11; (Ps) Jon 2: 2-5, 8; Lk 10: 25-37 Oct. 6 Bruno, priest; Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin Jon 3: 1-10; Ps 130: 1-4, 7-8; Lk 10: 38-42 Oct. 7 Our Lady of the Rosary Jon 4: 1-11; Ps 86: 3-6, 9-10; Lk 11: 1-4 Oct. 8 Thursday Mal 3: 13-20b; Ps 1: 1-4, 6; Lk 11: 5-13 Oct. 9 Denis, bishop, martyr, and his companions, martyrs; John Leonardi, priest Jl 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2; Ps 9: 2-3, 6, 8-9, 16; Lk 11: 15-26 Oct. 10 Saturday Jl 4: 12-21; Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Lk 11: 27-28

proverbial light bulb went off in both of our heads. I understood why it looked like she was annoyed with me: Toya thought that I (supposedly “Arthur”) was mistreating this sweet lady (my Mom) by “not getting along” — making her fend for herself . . . and during the holiday season, no less.

With a look of relief and utter amusement, Toya said of my mom, “She was talking about ‘arthur-itis,’ not you! I thought . . .”

I stopped her apology with a wave of my hand and we had a good laugh over the arthritis incident. Mom did, too, when I told her later.

Naturally, the story doesn’t end there. It’s now a rare Wednesday when Mom and I don’t get to see Toya somewhere in Sam’s Club. It’s not odd for me to hear from out of nowhere: “Have you been behaving better now?” or “How are you today, Arthur?” It’s also not unusual, when we’re in her checkout line, for Toya to ask my mom, “Is he treating you OK?” Mom never neglects to give Toya a big hug when she sees her now.

Yes, Wednesdays at Sam’s have never been the same!

I tell this story because once again we’re celebrating Respect Life Month.

And, as I’ve said before over the years, it’s that first word that we need to pay careful attention to: Respect.

It was respect for my mom’s well-be-

ing that led that Sam’s clerk to give me “the stare” last December. And, once I was aware of what was happening, I had a deep respect for that clerk in her care for my mom.

During October, I’m doing two simple things. First, I’m taking a break from reading the editorial page and the letters to the editor in the newspaper.

The often nasty, divisive, and dismissive tone that appears there saddens me.

Not only is it disrespectful, it also does nothing concrete to solve the problems that face us. Each day I’m praying for those who irritate me and send my blood pressure soaring.

Secondly, I’m writing at least one note a week to someone I respect or to someone that I see doing something respectful. The more that we encourage good behavior, the more of it we will see.

I guess there’s actually a third thing that I plan to do as well: Be extra nice to those in service professions, especially clerks, waiters and waitresses, and janitorial personnel. It’s sad, but many treat people in the service sector as slaves rather than workers. We forget that people, especially when we want or need something from them, respond best when they are respected, not demeaned.

Let’s raise the bar this Respect Life Month by cutting back on gossip, pettiness, rash judgment and snarkiness.

Let’s instead approach one another with respect and watch what surprising things happen: Friendships can start, laughter can be heard, understanding can be found, life can abound.

And, in the process, we might even stumble on the cure for “Arthur-itis.”

P

Jesus sidesteps critics with teaching on divorce

olitics often involves trying to force your opponent to take a stance that will prove unpopular with a segment of the population.

of the other side would consider Jesus Conversely, politics also involves their opponent. But Jesus declines to avoiding taking sides, if at all possible. walk into the Pharisees’ trap. Instead Sunday’s Gospel reading, Mk 10:2-16, of choosing one of the two current provides a good example of how this alternatives, Jesus presents a third, can play out. more radical alternative. In When the Pharisees ask Twenty-seventh effect, he undercuts their Jesus about divorce, it is posSunday in Ordinary argument. sible that they were thinking Time Jesus’ answer claims that about the controversy raging Mk 10: 2-16 there is no good grounds for at the time in Jewish society. divorce.

But notice, in makThat controversy did not ing that daring claim, Jesus revolve around the question of whether does not give an arbitrary answer. He or not divorce was permissible. Rather, refers to Scripture: “God made them it asked what grounds could be considmale and female. . . . For this reason, a ered in making the case for a divorce. man shall leave his father and mother One school of thought argued that and be joined to his wife, and the two divorce was permissible for the most shall become one flesh” (Gn 1:27; trivial of reasons — for example, if the 2:24). wife burned supper one evening. The In other words, Jesus is pointing out other school of thought argued instead that human beings are created in order that divorce could be permissible only to live together in a permanent union. for extremely serious reasons, such as Marriage is based on human nature. adultery or barrenness.

While it is true that some go against It is possible that the Pharisees that that nature by obtaining a divorce, that approached Jesus had these two posis not the way to arrive at true happisibilities in mind. They wanted Jesus ness. to take sides. That way, the advocates

Jesus clearly speaks against divorce.

That teaching is found in all three synoptic Gospels — Mt 19:9; Lk 16:18; as well as Sunday’s reading. At the same time, it causes us to face a dilemma: How do we reconcile that firm teaching against divorce with Jesus’ mercy?

What do we say to someone whose marriage has failed, despite his or her best efforts? Tough luck? You have made your bed, now sleep in it? That doesn’t sound very merciful or compassionate.

In the Catholic Church, we have developed the practice of annulment to deal with that dilemma. Where appropriate, the church court will rule that the marriage was not valid, that God had not joined the man and the woman together in a lasting union. The annulment protects the concept of a permanent marriage, while at the same time allowing the person to remarry.

It may not be a perfect solution, but it is a good faith attempt to deal with a difficult situation, to resolve a challenging dilemma: on one hand, a desire to remain faithful to Jesus’ teaching against divorce; on the other hand, a desire to imitate Jesus’ compassion, his willingness to forgive, to give people a second chance.

Father Mike Stubbs is pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

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16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • october 2, 2009

Church a testament to community’s values, said archbishop Continued from page 1 prowled the region in pioneer times.

Instead, St. Benedict’s claim to fame is its elaborately adorned St. Mary Church, which was placed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places in 1977, and named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was also a finalist in the Eight Wonders of Kansas Art contest in January 2008.

St. Mary Parish reached another milestone on Sept. 26, when it celebrated its 150th anniversary. The parish observed the historic occasion with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. Father Edward, who is also pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Baileyville, concelebrated.

Other concelebrants, from St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, were: Abbot Barnabas Senecal; and former pastors and retired abbots, Owen Purcell and Ralph Koehler. Several Benedictine Sisters from Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison were also in attendance.

In his homily, Archbishop Naumann praised parishioners for being faithful successors in a long tradition of faith, symbolized so beautifully by their church.

“This church is a beautiful testament to the depth of the faith of those who built it,” said the archbishop. “Our buildings really do reveal the priorities in a community and society. The Catholics who built this church expressed and spread the word that nothing was more important to this community than God.” “Our churches also reflect our understanding of ourselves as well,” he continued. “We believe that we are the very temples that carry the life of God. We believe that our human dignity is greater than any other creature because we have been uniquely fashioned in the very image of God. Our churches are built to provide the space to make present the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary.”

After the Mass, parish children passed out 150 balloons to parishioners, who participated in a group photo and balloon release. Another photo of worshippers was taken on the north side of the church.

Afterward, a catered dinner was held in the parish dining hall. Historical displays featuring photos, artifacts, and documents were featured upstairs in the gymnasium.

“We had a lot of the older [pre-Vatican II] vestments, a tabernacle from one of the previous churches, a canopy carried during Corpus Christi and other celebrations, holy water fonts, and a number of photographs,” said Elmer Ronnebaum, who was also on the committee to produce an anniversary book.

The book, “St. Mary’s Catholic Parish - St. Benedict, Kansas - 1859-2009,” contains a parish history, full-page photographs of 120 parish families, and some information about each family.

St. Mary Parish was founded in 1859, just two years before the outbreak of the Civil War. The St. Joseph-California Road, part of the Oregon Trail, passed only two miles to the north.

Down this road came the first homesteading families, and the area attracted Catholic German and Irish settlers in 1858. In 1859, a delegation traveled to St. Benedict’s Abbey to ask that a priest occasionally visit the town to administer the sacraments. For years, the settlers were lucky to have a priest there to say Mass twice a year.

Although a rectory had been built as early as 1861, the parish did not receive a resident priest until 1883; even then,

Leaven photo by Elaina Cochran

St. Mary pastor Father Edward Oen, CPPS (left), and Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB (right), concelebrate St. Mary’s 150th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Joseph Naumann on Sept. 26. he had several missions to minister to as well.

There have been four churches to serve the parish in its history. The first, built in 1859, was a small wood frame building. Work on the current church was begun in 1891, when parishioners began quarrying nearby limestone deposits. The cornerstone was laid on April 30, 1893, and the completed church was dedicated on Nov. 14, 1894.

Over time, the bare church was adorned with more than 30 statues, paintings, murals, and stenciling. In 1901, George F. Satory turned his hand

to the murals and stenciling. At the same time, Thaddeus Zykotynski painted 14 oil paintings for the church.

Restoration projects — in 1941 to 1942 and from 1970 to 1983 — were undertaken to preserve the artwork. Today, St. Mary Church is the only church to preserve the work of Satory. Over the years, work has also been done to the rafters, roof, steeple, stained-glass windows, heating and cooling, electrical, sidewalks, plaza, and the grotto.

Maintaining the church is expensive for a small parish, but it is being done for a good reason: It’s the parishioners’

way of carrying the faith forward into the future. It’s also why they are celebrating the parish’s 150 years.

“What they’re doing is carrying on a long tradition of catholicity, and they are celebrating their Catholic faith,” said Father Edward.

Long-time parishioner Ferd Deters concurred.

“It shows we still have our faith, and our parish is held together by that faith.

And that’s why it was so important for so many people to come and participate in this celebration,” he said.