11-13-09 Vol. 31 No. 15

www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 31, No. 15 november 13, 2009

Meow

Mix Story and Photos by

Jill Ragar Esfeld

Lynn Ann Vaughn might be a physician by day, but her true passion is for animal rescue. She focuses primarily on cats in greatest need due to health issues or those at the highest risk for euthanasia.

L

ANSING — Murphy was close to death last Thanksgiving when he spotted a pile of rugs on Dr. Lynn Ann Vaughn’s back porch. He crawled inside, curled up and passed out.

It was the smartest move he ever made in his life.

Vaughn, a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, is not sure why she decided to stay home and clean last Thanksgiving, instead of visiting her family in Omaha, Neb. But when she went out to shake the rugs, she wasn’t at all surprised to find a sick, starving feline inside.

“He weighed six pounds, but should have been double that,” she said. “Of all the houses he could have chosen to visit, he ended up at mine. Chance?

Fate? I choose to believe [it was] by design.”

It seems God is always tossing animals Vaughn’s way.

Never one to do things halfway, Vaughn initially got her degree in nursing, practiced for a few years and then decided to become a doctor. So it’s no surprise when she volunteered at a local animal shelter, that she’d eventually end up running a shelter of her own.

“Sometimes I say I practice medicine to support my other calling,” she said. “And that is cat rescue.”

Turn to “Doctor” on page 5

16

Health care

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops played a pivotal role in keeping abortion out of the House of Representatives health care plan.

3

Special Issue

The Leaven is working on a special issue for Nov. 27. There will be no calendar or anniversary notices in that issue.

The calendar will, however, be updated online at: www.theleaven.com.

Making a difference

Jerry Viviano didn’t start out trying to make $1 million for charity — but he did. Along the way, his variety show has become a hot ticket.

2 ARCHBISHOP

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

T

Pro-life amendment cause for celebration, but also vigilance

his past Saturday evening (Nov. 7), for the first time in many weeks I did not have any public commitments. I was catching up on correspondence at my desk in my residence, when I received a phone call from a member of the staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

She wanted me to make some phone calls to members of Congress urging them to vote for an amendment preventing funding of abortion in the health care reform bill.

I was surprised by the phone call.

The last time I had checked on the status of the health care reform bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership were not going to allow Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan the opportunity to offer a pro-life amendment. However, on late Friday night, Pelosi agreed to allow the pro-life amendment to be offered. This was an amazing breakthrough!

I wish that I could tell you that Pelosi, a Catholic, had a change of heart, realizing the injustice of coercing Americans to pay for abortions under the guise of health care reform.

In point of fact, Pelosi had come to the hard realization that health care reform legislation could not pass without her permitting a vote on the pro-life amendment.

The USCCB staff was concerned because one pro-life Republican had called for his colleagues to vote “present,” instead of “yes” on the Stupak amendment, in the hopes that failure of the pro-life amendment’s passage would bring down the entire Demo-

cratic health care reform bill. I made the few phone calls the staff had requested of me.

I turned on C-span to watch the debate and vote in the House of Representatives. While the vote was being tallied, the C-Span host interviewed a reporter, asking her what had changed the Democratic leadership’s position on allowing the amendment to be offered. The journalist said that the tipping point occurred when the Catholic bishops vowed to oppose the bill unless the pro-life language was added.

I was very proud of Cardinal George (of Chicago) and the conference of bishops for the firm and principled stand that we had taken. Even more, I was proud of the many American Catholics who had responded to the pleas of their bishops by communicating via Internet, fax, letter and phone with members of Congress expressing support for the pro-life amendment.

In the end, the Stupak amendment passed by a large margin: 240 in favor, 194 opposed, and only 1 voting present. Sixty-four pro-life Democrats joined every Republican, except the one voting present, in support of the amendment. The pro-life Democrats, who much to the frustration of their party’s leadership, pledged not to vote

for the bill without the pro-life amendment, are true heroes.

Every member of the Kansas delegation, except Congressman Dennis Moore, voted for the pro-life amendment. Moore needs to hear from his constituents our outrage for his support of coercing Americans to pay for abortions as a component of health care reform.

President Obama has remained true to his campaign promises to support abortion. In January, President Obama, by executive order, reversed existing policy by allowing U.S. foreign aid dollars to fund international organizations that promote and/or provide abortions. Previously, the policy of the federal government was only to fund embryonic stem-cell research using existing embryonic stem-cell lines.

In March, again by executive order, Obama removed any limitations on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. Obama has ordered a review of existing government policies enforcing conscience protection laws preventing individuals and institutions from being coerced into participating in or referring for abortion.

Obama had also pledged to Planned Parenthood, before his election, that one of the first things he would do as president would be to sign the socalled Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

The version of FOCA that was in Congress at the time of his promise would have invalidated: 1) state laws requiring parental notification for minors receiving abortions; 2) the federal and state bans on partial-birth abortions; 3) state laws requiring those receiv-

ing abortions to be informed about fetal development, as well as the risks and consequences of abortion; and 4) bans on tax funding of abortions.

Fortunately, FOCA was not something Obama could do by presidential order.

He needed Congress to pass FOCA before he could sign it. A remarkable outpouring of grass-roots opposition has dissuaded Congress so far from considering FOCA. It appeared that this intense opposition to FOCA caused the pro-abortion leadership to shift strategy. The plan seemed to be to try to pass FOCA in pieces rather than as a package. The first component of this piecemeal strategy was to provide federal funding for abortion through health care reform.

The passage of the Stupak amendment was a tremendous setback for proabortion/pro-choice supporters.

This battle is far from over. It was reported that pro-abortion Democrats supported passage of the health care reform bill with the Stupak amendment because they were assured that the pro-life language would be removed in the Senate or in conference committee. We need to remain vigilant.

Members of Congress give consideration to the concerns of Catholic bishops when they understand that those concerns are shared by most of their Catholic constituents. Few believed on Friday that it was possible to get a prolife amendment added to the health care reform bill.

Your postcards, letters, e-mails and phone calls made a significant difference. Thank you!

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Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

Advertising Representative Jennifer Siebes jennifer@theleaven.com

President Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd@theleaven.com

Reporter KARA HANSEN kara@theleaven.com

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THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3

House passes health care reform bill Bishops and faithful credited with stunning pro-life victory | By Joe Bollig

CNS photo/Yuri Gripas, Reuters

K

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., speaks from a podium next to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., during a news conference about the House vote on health care reform on Capitol Hill in Washington Nov. 7. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sweeping health care reform bill, with an amendment prohibiting abortion. Intensive lobbying efforts by the U.S. bishops, and the strong response by millions of Catholics, are being credited with the amendment making it into the final bill.

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — It was a vote that left prolife supporters cheering and pro-abortion advocates gnashing their teeth.

On Nov. 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act — HR 3962 — by a vote of only 220 to 215.

The measure barely passed only after House leadership allowed a vote on the Stupak amendment, authored by pro-life Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan. This amendment continues current federal policy of prohibiting the federal funding of abortion and health benefit packages that include abortion.

There was some doubt the House leadership would even allow a vote on the amendment, but public pressure and pro-life Democrats forced the issue.

The vote was a stunner — the Stupak amendment passed 240 to 194, with 64 pro-life Democrats voting “yes.” Three members of the Kansas delegation voted “yes”: Todd Tiahrt, Lynn Jenkins, and Jerry Moran. Dennis Moore voted “no.”

Intensive lobbying efforts by the U.S. bishops, and the strong response by millions of Catholics, are being credited for the greatest pro-life victory the U.S. Congress has seen in years.

The bishops had been warning President Obama and House leaders for months that they would oppose national health care legislation that did not protect conscience rights, and created abortion funding mandates.

In late October and early November, the bishops launched a huge effort to ask Catholics to contact their legislators.

“I’d like to thank all of the people of the archdiocese who took the time to write, e-mail, call or fax their elected representatives to encourage them to support the pro-life amendment to health care reform. I think what happened over the weekend really shows the difference [made by] those forms of communication.”

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann And it worked.

“I’d like to thank all of the people of the archdiocese who took the time to write, e-mail, call or fax their elected representatives to encourage them to support the pro-life amendment to health care reform,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. “I think what happened over the weekend really shows the difference [made by] those forms of communication.”

The passage of the health care act with the Stupak amendment is important in two ways, said Michael Schutloffel, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference.

“This is one of the most important votes on the abortion issue that Congress has voted on in the past 30 years,” he said. “This was an immensely impor-

tant vote, and we prevailed.”

“Secondly, [this effort] was an antidote to cynicism,” he continued. “People made a difference. Too often, people think that our elected officials are going to do what they’re going to do regardless of what the people want or say.

This goes to show that’s not the case.

Concerned citizens made a difference.”

People on both sides of the abortion issue recognize the key role played by the U.S. bishops.

“It was an amazing development, and a surprise,” said Schuttloffel. “Every singe media report I’ve seen on the vote for the Stupak amendment has made reference to the role the Catholic Church had in influencing that outcome.”

The most encouraging aspect of the vote was the decisive role played by pro-life Democrats.

“That’s a really welcome development,” said Schuttloffel, “and a small taste of where we would be if we had a properly ordered political system where politicians just proceeded from the assumption that human life should be protected. . . . Then, instead of getting bogged down on this divisive issue, we could just talk about health care reform and the merits of this bill.”

By no means is the issue settled with this vote in the House. Another bill awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate.

“We have to wait for the Senate to act,” said Schuttloffel. “There’s talk of final Senate action being pushed into 2010. So, it could be a while before the Senate is at the stage the House is now.”

This is where things get interesting again.

“When both the House and Senate

have passed their bills, the leadership will appoint . . . members to go into a conference committee,” he said. “These House and Senate negotiators take these two bills and merge them into one. That process is not very transparent. It’s the proverbial ‘smoke-filled room.’ A lot of bad things can happen in a conference committee.”

There’s no guarantee the Stupak amendment will survive the conference committee. Angry abortion-rights supporters, such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., have said that they will attempt to strip the Stupak amendment out of the legislation at this stage.

“We need to recognize that this [fight] is not over,” said Schuttloffel.

“This is just the beginning. We need to continue to strengthen the resolve of people who voted the right way.”

“We need Catholics in northeastern Kansas to strongly communicate to Congressman Dennis Moore that his vote on this issue was unacceptable,” he continued, “and we need to strongly and respectfully encourage him to reconsider his position on this.”

As the action moves to the Senate, Catholics need to be vigilant, to thank those in Congress who supported them in the past, and encourage senators to vote to adopt their own version of the Stupak amendment, said Schuttloffel.

“I would also like to encourage everyone to persevere in being vigilant about this bill as it continues through the legislative process,” said Archbishop Naumann, “that it keeps strong prolife language in any heath care reform legislation.”

4 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

Photos by Rachel Hodgson

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ food pantry volunteers organize, box and bag food and toiletries. More than 60 food pantry volunteers give more than 920 volunteer hours of their time monthly.

Catholic Charities could not support the thousands in need without its volunteers.

Calling in the reserves

By Jill Ragar Esfeld

What can you do to help?

Special to The Leaven

OVERLAND PARK — “What we’re seeing is a lot of people who thought it could never be them — they’re coming in for help,” said Jan Lewis, executive director of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, at a recent meeting with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

And then she illustrated her statement with a story.

“We helped a gentleman back in August and September who was literally at the point of taking his own life,” she recalled. “He was a college graduate, had a graduate degree, had worked for three Fortune 500 firms — and had found himself unemployed, homeless and devastated.”

Fortunately, Johnson County Mental Health Center referred the man to Catholic Charities. An Olathe case manager for the homeless helped him get temporary housing and also assisted him with his job search. Eventually he landed a corporate management job with benefits.

He expressed his gratitude to Catholic Charities in a letter.

“Thank God for an organization like Catholic Charities,” he said. “I owe you my life.”

Lewis shared the story with the archbishop when he expressed his hope that the church was stepping forward to help people, particularly in this difficult economy.

Lewis also told the archbishop that, this year, Catholic Charities had already spent ahead of its budget and, over the last month, was having to turn people away.

In response, the archbishop asked that the Call to Share’s emergency reserve funds be accessed. He requested a donation of $100,000 be allocated to Catholic Charities.

Lewis was moved beyond words when she heard the amount.

“Well, it made me cry,” she said. “I’m crying right now talking about it. Because it just speaks from the heart that

Food pantry volunteer Rene Engelkin fills boxes with food and other items to meet the short-term survival needs of families and individuals seeking assistance. people care, and that the archbishop cares.”

In time of crisis The Call to Share reserves were initiated to serve this very purpose, said Jerry Mayne, chief financial officer of the archdiocese.

“We try to build up a little reserve so, in the event we have a down year and collections don’t come in as well as normal, we don’t have to cut budgets as dramatically,” he explained. “So we’ve built up a little reserve, and it’s right at about 15 percent of what our normal distribution is.”

Lewis said the financial crunch at Catholic Charities is due to excessive need rather than a lack of donations.

“We were very fortunate this past year: Our faith community continued to step up to the plate and provide assistance, so we did not see a drop in contributions coming in,” she said. “What we did see was a dramatic rise in [the number of] people in need of assistance.”

As the economic downturn continues and the job market is slow to recover,

Lewis said the organization is seeing a new rise in demand prompted by people who have been unemployed for a number of months, have started to deplete their own reserves, and are having to come in for assistance.

Catholic Charities received a regular allocation from the Archbishop’s Call to Share last year. Those dollars, along with the Christmas collection, result in about $700,000 of support for its work.

Lewis estimated the budget runs between $15-16 million. The rest of the budget is met through fundraising efforts.

“We had budgeted to spend, the entire fiscal year, about $2.9 million in this category of [emergency] assistance for the family and the individual,” Lewis said. “That includes [paying] the staff that meets with the people, keeping the lights on in our building, and all those things.”

However, through September, Catholic Charities had already spent over a million dollars.

“So we were spending faster than we had planned,” said Lewis. “We were really at a point of having to turn people away. And it’s awful for our staff and

Donate nonperishable food. What generally drives people to Catholic Charities is a need for food. All the food given out comes from donations. There is always a need after the Christmas holiday when charitable giving slows. January and February are sparse months on the pantry shelves.

Volunteer. Catholic Charities emergency assistance centers have volunteers that help welcome clients coming in the door and help them fill out forms. Just a few hours of your time each week could make a difference.

Make a holiday gathering meaningful. If you’re having a holiday gathering, invite guests to bring food to donate to the food pantry or a small contribution to help people in need.

Plan now to attend the Snowball event. Catholic Charities’ major fundraiser is the Snowball. This year’s event will take place on January 16, 2010.

For more information visit the Web site at: www.catholiccharitiesks.org. volunteers to have to do that.”

The severity of the crisis is clearly reflected in the numbers.

“Two years ago, we touched about 48,000 people coming through our assistance center,” said Lewis. “Last year that number was 67,000 touches.

“It’s early in the [fiscal] year,” she continued, “but it looks like our monthover-month numbers are up again. So we may be on pace for close to 80,000 touches this year.”

Cutting corners As part of the archdiocesesan-wide response to the struggling national economy, Catholic Charities enacted a pay freeze. None of its employees is getting any kind of pay increases this year.

It also made several programming cuts.

“We have to protect the core of what

Turn to “additional” on page 7

THE LEAVEN • November 13, 2009

LOCAL NEWS 5

Doctor makes a ministry of rescuing, placing cats Continued from page 1

Assisi Safe Haven for Cats At Assisi Safe Haven, each cat or kitten is lovingly cared for in a home environment. Each is litter-box trained, tested for feline leukemia and feline AIDS, vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Assisi is based in Lansing, 11 miles from Kansas City.

From canine to feline Though she grew up without pets, as an adult, Vaughn developed a fondness for dogs and volunteered her time working with them at local shelters wherever she lived. And she’s lived in many places.

Originally from Green Bay, Wis., her family transferred to Minneapolis and then to Omaha, where her parents live today. She did her undergraduate work at the University of Kansas, studied medicine in Nebraska and Oklahoma, and then dermatology in Minnesota.

Vaughn was happy to move back to this area when a job opportunity presented itself. She practices dermatology in the Leavenworth/Lansing area and in Omaha, where she commutes each week. She also teaches at Creighton University in Omaha.

Once settled here, Vaughn visited the Leavenworth Animal Control shelter, hoping to continue her work with dogs.

But God had a different plan.

“They had lots of volunteers working with the dogs,” she said. “I really didn’t consider myself a cat person, but I started doing the work with the cats because that’s where the need was.”

Leavenworth Animal Control is a kill shelter. Often the cats most in need of medical attention are euthanized.

Vaughn felt deeply that her skills as a physician could help her make a difference in the lives of these creatures.

She applied to the state for a shelter license and named her rescue program after St. Francis of Assisi, determined to rely on his intercession for her success.

Assisi Safe Haven for Cats is a small organization consisting of a network of foster homes. Assisi treats the rescued cats for intestinal parasites and fleas, and checks them for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. Foster families nurture and socialize the animals until an adoptive family can be found.

With rare exception, Vaughn rescues from the local shelter, focusing primarily on cats in greatest need due to health issues or a high risk for euthanasia.

“They’ll let me know if there’s something at the shelter that needs to get out, needs some medical care or needs more than they can provide,” she said.

In God’s hands Just a few weeks ago, a mother cat with 10 kittens was turned into Animal Control. She was thin and covered in fleas. The kittens were taking all her strength and nutrition, which was already compromised.

“Abby was most definitely in God’s hands,” said Vaughn.

The kittens were also flea-infested, had intestinal parasites and were on the verge of starving. The local shelter simply did not have the staff to hand feed them several times a day. One kitten died on Friday; another, Monday morning.

By Monday evening, they were in Vaughn’s home.

“I didn’t have room for more, but I firmly believe the good Lord placed them in my path for a reason,” she said.

“They have been bathed, treated for fleas and worms, and started on antibiotics for the upper respiratory infection they have.

“Will they all make it?

“I pray.”

Vaughn will keep the mother and her

Adopt a cat If you want to adopt a cat, Dr. Lynn Ann Vaughn can help you find a perfect match.

“My goal is not to shuffle the cats through, but to find the right cat for the right home. If you really match the cat up well, it stays in that home.”

Assisi Safe Haven has a lifetime commitment to each cat.

“If for any reason an adoptive family has to relinquish ownership of the cat, it comes back to our organization,” she said. “We don’t want the animal being passed around, and we don’t want it back in a shelter.”

Become a foster family

Each of Vaughn’s cats has a name and a story. At her shelter — Assisi Safe Haven for Cats — she treats them for intestinal parasites and fleas, and checks them for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. kittens until they regain their health.

Then she will take them to PetSmart on weekends for its Adoption Days program — a venue she often uses to find homes for her cats. She’ll also post descriptions of some of them on her Internet site (google Assisi Safe Haven).

Vaughn said she is always looking for additional foster homes — people who want to take a cat or a pair of kittens and care for them until they can be adopted.

When she first moved to Leavenworth, she became friends with Sharon Hinki. Since then, Hinki and her daughter have assisted Vaughn whenever she needs an extra hand feeding, cleaning or kitten-sitting.

They call the duty being “knee-deep in fluff,” and they love helping out. Both are impressed with Vaughn’s devotion to her animals.

“My daughter goes over and she has a whole routine where she sanitizes,” said Hinki. “And there’s a whole protocol on keeping [the cats] healthy and getting the sick ones back in shape.”

Though her medical background enables her to give excellent care, Vaughn also has a network of local veterinarians who help. “[Dr.] Diana Webster is a feline specialist in Parkville, (Mo.), and I cannot tell you the number of cats she’s donated time to,” she said. “I call her all the time and do phone consultations. She is awesome; she’s just brilliant. I can’t say enough good things about her.”

Vaughn also relies on Drs. Richard Smith and Corbin Hodges at Piper Heritage Veterinary Clinic in Kansas City, Kan., for all her cats’ surgeries.

“They’re tremendous,” she said. “And

they give rescue animals a discount on surgical work.”

When there’s an overabundance of cats in Leavenworth, Vaughn keeps in contact with other rescue groups to help find homes for them.

“I know a few hundred cats wouldn’t be alive today if she didn’t take an interest in them,” Hinki said.

A perfect match Although Vaughn’s care of her animals’ physical needs is exceptional, where she really excels is at matching her charges — every one of whom has a name and a story — to their adoptive families. For that reason, she counsels families to consider cats that have had time to develop personalities.

Fellow St. Francis parishioner Patty Hammond has adopted two cats from Assisi Safe Haven, and she knows from experience that that’s good advice.

“I was on petfinder.com and I saw a kitten that I liked,” she recalled. “I went to see the kitten, but [Vaughn] also had an older kitten, 7 months, and I just fell in love with her.

“Her cats are just so well taken care of that when you get one, you’re not going to have any problems with it. Both of the ones I got have just been wonderful.”

Hinki agrees that the mature cats are a better choice.

“When you get a baby kitten, you don’t know what personality it will have,” she explained. “Her cats are trained and friendly to people. She loves to see people with nice pets, and that’s her driving reason for doing this — it

Assisi Safe Haven always needs foster families to take a cat in and give it a home until a permanent home can be found.

If you are interested in adopting one of Assisi’s cats or kittens, or becoming a foster family, contact Dr. Lynn Ann Vaughn at: catwoman ofkansas@aol.com, or at (913) 6830686. In addition, many of Assisi’s cats and kittens may be seen by googling Assisi Safe Haven.

Help support Assisi Safe Haven for Cats Assisi Safe Haven for cats is a 501(c) nonprofit. Donations may be sent to: Assisi Safe Haven for Cats P.O. Box 70 Lansing, KS 66043 “Not to hurt our humble brethren [the animals] is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them wherever they require it.” (St. Francis of Assisi) definitely is not financial.”

Indeed, rescuing cats is an expensive venture. Though Vaughn accepts donations, most of the organization’s support comes from her own pocketbook.

But she’s not complaining. Vaughn sees herself as a handmaiden of the Lord, meant to serve his creatures in the footsteps of St. Francis.

“I walked into that shelter to take care of dogs and ended up taking care of cats — that’s were I think God played a hand,” she said.

“For me, this is a calling. I firmly believe God places me where I need to be for one of his creatures,” she continued.

“The fact that I’m also a human physician means I’m able to take care of the ones that need the medical care.”

Vaughn’s life philosophy is equally simple.

“I fulfill a purpose here,” she said.

“I’m serving God’s needs.”

6 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

Crossplayer gives Catholics greater access to news

By Kara Hansen Leaven staff

Kansas City, Kan. — With a few clicks of the mouse, visitors to The Leaven’s Web site will have greater access to global Catholic news than ever before.

Catholic News Service (CNS) recently developed and launched a multimedia product called Crossplayer. Now featured on www.the leaven.com, Crossplayer is a multimedia tool providing video content of Catholic news stories from around the globe.

“The content includes interesting news and features important to Catholics, still images from around the globe as stand-alone photos and slide shows, and graphics,” said Tony Spence, director and editor-in-chief of CNS. “It includes a weekly video report from Rome that summarizes the main events happening there, as well as one from Washington that will focus on an important national story of the week.”

CNS worked closely with H20, a news agency based in Rome that specializes in video content. Vatican Television was also a part of the collaboration in making Crossplayer a reality.

“CNS and H2O also will regularly produce video reports from the U.S., Rome and other locales around the globe on events, people and places of interest to consumers of Catholic media,” said Spence.

Some of the stories offered since Crossplayer was first launched Oct. 2 include news stories on Pope Benedict XVI’s addresses to the public in St. Peter’s Square, the preparation involved in the U.S. census, and the Catholic blogosphere.

Additionally, significant Catholic events will be offered in a live streaming format, such as the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square and upcoming canonizations.

Multiple video stories are available at any one time, giving Web users the ability to select which features

CYO football champions 2009 The following list of Catholic Youth Organization football champions was left out of the article, “That Championship Feeling,” in the Nov. 6 issue of The Leaven: 5th grade: Curé of Ars, Leawood 5th/6th grade: Good Shepherd, Shawnee 6th grade: Prince of Peace, Olathe 7th grade: Curé of Ars, Leawood 7th/8th grade: St. Patrick, Kansas City,

Kan. 8th grade: Prince of Peace, Olathe

Nativity hosts parish mission

Catholic News Service’s new Crossplayer is a multimedia tool that features videos, photos, slide shows and graphics from around the world. Crossplayer can be found on The Leaven’s Web site at: www.theleaven.com, under the news toolbar; click on “CNS Video.” they would like to view.

A large amount of the content is also available in Spanish and plans are in place to further expand the number of languages offered through Crossplayer.

The link to Crossplayer can cur-

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Ann and Richard Bertels, members of St. Joseph Parish, Nortonville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 10. The couple was married on Nov. 10, 1959, at the church. The couple will have a family celebration.

Anniversary They also took a trip to New England in September. Their children and their spouses are: Kevin and Jen Bertels, Minneapolis; Terry and Alice Bertels, Topeka; Mark and Elizabeth Bertels, Overland Park; Angee and Ed Noll, Winchester; Todd Bertels, Topeka; and Aaron Bertels, Lincoln, Neb. They also have nine grandchildren.

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rently be found through a direct link on The Leaven’s home page at: www. theleaven.com. Visitors to the Leaven Web site can also locate the Crossplayer by selecting “news” from the toolbar, and then clicking on “CNS Video.”

LEAWOOD — Church of the Nativity here is holding a parish mission from Nov. 15 - 19.

The mission will be conducted by Father J. Patrick Foley, a diocesan priest ordained in 1973 who has served in a variety of settings and has directed numerous retreats and missions.

The topic for the mission will focus on the theme: “Discovering and Sharing God’s Gifts.”

Morning sessions will be from 9 – 10 a.m.; evening sessions are from 7 – 8 p.m.

Evening sessions are repeated the following morning. Father Foley will also preach at all weekend Masses and at the 8:15 Mass each morning.

For more information on the mission, contact Susan Smith at (913) 491-5017 or send an e-mail to: ssmith@kcnativity.org.

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THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

LOCAL NEWS 7

Additional funds earmarked for direct assistance Continued from page 4 we’re doing, and that is emergency assistance,” said Lewis. “So we actually reallocated some budget dollars away from some other things toward this emergency assistance.”

An important change included restructuring the mental health counseling operations.

In the past, the organization found that people are unlikely to make a return trip to Catholic Charities for an appointment with a mental health counselor.

Having counselors available at that first point of contact is more productive.

“So we have trained professionals available when somebody comes to the door asking for food,” Lewis said. “It’s more of an immediate touch assessment. It’s more in line with what we’re being called to do at Catholic Charities.”

Lewis said when the national economy first began to plummet, she knew Catholic Charities would see an increase in need. But her strong faith wouldn’t let her worry about it.

“I just really do believe that God will

provide if we are on mission and we are doing the work he wants us to do,” she said. “And in fact, you know, he did.”

A giving community Leslie Knop, executive director of stewardship and development for the archdiocese, is responsible for the Archbishop’s Call to Share campaign. She said the continued generosity of the archdiocesan community has made this assistance to Catholic Charities possible.

The campaign achieved a record amount this year despite the economic circumstances facing our region and nation.

“Our theme this year is hope,” said Knop. “Through the challenges that so many of our families were facing over this past year, they demonstrated their hope and trust in God by continuing to make their generous gifts to the Archbishop’s Call to Share.

Mayne agreed.

“When we were promoting the campaign last year, we were asking people

to give as generously as they could, because we knew the needs were going to go up,” he said.

“We’re just a couple of months from finishing the campaign for last year and starting the new one,” he continued.

“But we’re projecting we’re going to be up just slightly from the prior year, which is good.”

This is only the second time in the history of Call to Share that the reserve has been used. The existence of the reserve fund itself speaks volumes about the generosity of the archdiocesan community.

“To me, it’s the Holy Spirit at work,” said Knop. “The fact we have been able to establish a reserve fund over the last few years is a real testament to the love for Christ and our beautiful mother, the church, by the people of northeast Kansas.

Lewis said the gift has been earmarked just for direct assistance.

“So that means $100,000 basically is going to flow through Catholic Charities and into the hands of people in need,”

she said. “It will probably help 600 to 700 families.”

Although Catholic Charities is happy to be able to assist families who have emergency financial needs, the real focus of the organization goes beyond immediate assistance to helping families solve the problems that underlie their need.

“The real help comes through the dialogue that flows between our caseworker and the client,” said Lewis. “The most important piece of what Catholic Charities does is to be a compassionate listener, a voice of wisdom to walk with people through their crisis.”

Catholic Charities is especially grateful to Archbishop Naumann for leading the archdiocese through his example of true Catholic charity.

“This was all from the archbishop’s heart,” said Lewis. “I really want him to receive the credit for standing in leadership and saying, ‘There’s more that we need to do, as a church, as the body of Christ.’”

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Father O’Connor memories

I

t has been a privilege to have Father Kent as our pastor at St. James for the two short years we had him. His inspiring, if not a bit enthusiastic, sermons had a way of grasping our attention (including that of our 3-year-old), and at the end would leave us wondering if there was something more we could be doing to nurture our faith in God. His ability to demonstrate God’s love for each of us through his music (ask him to sing his song “Mary Has No Y,” and be prepared to chuckle), or through his special water baths — er, sprinklings with holy water — is a testament to the theory that God does indeed have a sense of humor.

Kevin and Ellie Haverkamp and family

F

ather Kent’s homilies were always easy to understand, he related to the parish, and he had so much energy that he made it funny!

I’m 14 and I went to his adult refresher classes at Sabetha. I learned so much, and it was never boring or confusing.

Keri Tanking

D

uring my sophomore year, Father Kent was a chaperone for our Chicago mission trip. One night after visiting the cathedral downtown we went to Gino’s for pizza. As we were crossing the street, Father Kent began to “swim” his way across making sure that everyone made it across in one light. As Father Kent was flailing his arms, I couldn’t stop laughing. It was those crazy random moments that made the trip so memorable!

Maggie Kane

F

ather Kent is a priest who finds great joy in his faith and finds unique ways to share that deep faith with young and old parishioners. He is a talented, but humble, musician and songwriter who has written and recorded songs about various saints. He has a wonderful way of making the Scriptures apply to our everyday lives, and his homilies always have an easy-to-remember message. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be one of his parishioners while he served Sacred Heart Parish in Sabetha.

Karen Nichols

O

ne evening our family was visiting the O’Connors. The children had created a play and wanted to put on the show for us.

The children came into the living room and Kent stepped forward with confident stage presence and began to speak in dramatic fashion, far beyond his 8 years of age. It was obvious then that he had something special. These skills have served him well in his ministry.

Jerry and Anna Marie Lammers

I

met Father Kent in 4th grade at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Topeka, and we have been good friends ever since. Probably one of my best experiences over the years, however, was going to the World Youth Day with Kent in Denver in 1993.

Kent and I had just graduated from Topeka West High School, and we went to Denver with a youth group, stopping in Victoria along the way. The highlight of the trip was being at Mile High Stadium when Pope John Paul II arrived. It had been raining all day, and we were all soaked, but the skies parted, and a double rainbow appeared in the sky. It was an awesome experience. We sang and cheered, and even danced a conga line with some bishop. It was an incredible experience for two 18 year-old boys, and I know, for Kent, it was a major stepping stone on his journey to the priesthood.

Michael J. Book

F

ather Kent is a great man! He was my high school chaplain when I was at Bishop Miege.

He has a great sense of humor. But I can’t see why he likes the Jayhawks so much. Oh well. GO MIZZOU!!!!!

Brother Maximilian Burkhart, OSB

No business lik

With a song in his heart Story and Photo by

Joe Bollig

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Father Kent O’Connor’s latest hobby was waiting for him in the rectory of his last assignment, at Sacred Heart Parish in Sabetha.

It was a piano. And not just any old piano, but a beautiful baby grand.

“Rather than it being just a large piece of furniture that everyone would trip over and ask me, ‘Oh, do you play?’ — because I knew that would be the question I’d always get — I decided to learn how to play the thing,” he said.

Most piano teachers don’t get students that old, but a local woman was willing to give him a chance.

“My piano teacher was a lovely lady outside of Sabetha, and she didn’t often take adult students, because they have a tendency to quit,” said Father O’Connor. “She said I hung on longer than anyone else.”

He took lessons for two years.

His reason for discontinuing them, in fact, was a very good one: Three months ago, he was reassigned.

Fortunately, a nice, little spinet was waiting for him in the rectory of Our Lady of Unity in Kansas City, Kan. “I find myself playing it quite a bit in the evenings,” said Father O’Connor. “I enjoy playing the songs and singing along, and I find it quite rewarding and relaxing.”

There’s no business like soul business One could wonder whether, with such talent, Father O’Connor could have had a career in showbiz. Actually, he did, or at least was starting one.

He discovered theater while he was a student at Topeka West High School. Because he loved to sing, dance and act, he decided to continue his artistic development at the University of Kansas.

“I could have gone for a major in [theater or dance],” said Father O’Connor. “I decided to go for dance, because, as a male dancer, I would be more marketable. I thought I could make the entrance into the world of professional performing by way of dance.”

And it worked. Sort of.

After graduating from KU in 1997, the future priest was hired by the New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park and what is now the Wylliams/ Henry Contemporary Dance Company.

But just as he began to launch his performing career, he got a better offer from a bigger producer: God. The aspiring performer discovered a vocation to the priesthood and followed that path until he was ordained in 2003.

Music has remained a part of Father O’Connor’s life, however.

While an associate pastor at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, he wrote and produced a complete musical — “The Musical of Tobit.” A CD of it

“One of my goals is that I’d like to get to the point where I can do a little kind of small-scale concert for the parishioners — or whoever would want to come. Just playing music on either my guitar or piano would not be enough to sustain an entire concert. But if I did both, with that kind of variety, it might make for a nice, little evening of music and reflection.”

Father Kent O’Connor

came out in 2006. Since then, several drama departments have chosen to perform it at their high schools.

“Currently, I’m working with a guy in New Hampshire to finish the musical piano score, because the notes have never been written out,” he said. “People have been playing off of the chords, so we’re trying to finish it out.”

H

e also produced a second CD featuring 10 original compositions based on the lives and spirituality of various saints, which came out in 2007.

It’s not likely that he will write another musical, however. He began working on “Tobit” while he was a seminarian.

“I think I’m too far removed from the theatrical world,” he said. “Now, I don’t think I could write another musical. There is nothing in the works. I don’t think I have it in me.

It’s possible, but I don’t feel particularly called to do it.”

And he doesn’t particularly miss professional theater or dance.

Good dancers make it look effortless, but the truth is that dance is as physically demanding as any sport.

One reason dance is so punishing is because it forces the body to do unnatural movements, so the body adjusts. However, you can only fool Mother Nature so long.

ke soul business

t, and a parish to serve He studied Spanish while at KU and in the seminary and enjoyed two immersion experiences — one to Peru for two months, and a month over this past summer in Mexico.

“Reading the Gospel is very difficult because you use a lot of words you don’t use in common, everyday speech,” said Father O’Connor. “I have to pronounce them correctly, so I practice the prayers and Gospel readings quite a lot.”

People seem to tolerate his linguistic efforts pretty well. At least no one has offered critiques — yet.

“We’re still getting to know each other,” he said. “No one has come up to me and said, ‘Father, you shouldn’t say those words,’” said Father O’Connor. “It hasn’t happened yet, but I imagine it will come.”

W

For example, Father O’Connor wasn’t long in the seminary when he was just walking down the stairs and his legs suddenly gave out. He figures it was his muscles readjusting themselves.

As for now, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

“It’s funny, because our minds play tricks on us,” said Father O’Connor. “I haven’t danced for so long, but in my mind I still think I could hoof it.

“But I haven’t tried for years and years. It might be interesting to take a dance class just to put it into my mind that I can’t do it any more.”

Father O’Connor also plays the guitar and the mandolin. And now that he can play the piano, he can make a greater contribution to liturgies when he and his brother priests get together.

At one time, he used to get together with three other priests in a group they called The Priest Band. The members still gather occasionally as friends, but the band is no more — retired for the very rare reason (at least among bands) due to pastoral duties. The last gig they played was a fundraiser for Villa St. Francis in Olathe.

But the young pastor might not be out of the spotlight for long. He’s given some thought to producing some sort of spiritual multimedia presentation, or maybe even a concert. Nothing big, something more

With only two years of lessons under his belt, Father Kent O’Connor isn’t “the piano man” just yet. Nevertheless, he’s acquired some solid skills to add to his musical expertise, which includes playing guitar and mandolin, writing a musical, and jamming with a priest rock band. coffee house-sized.

“One of my goals is that I’d like to get to the point where I can do a little kind of small-scale concert for the parishioners — or whoever would want to come,” said Father O’Connor. “Just playing music on either my guitar or piano would not be enough to sustain an entire concert.

But if I did both, with that kind of variety, it might make for a nice, little evening of music and reflection.”

O

ne of Father O’Connor’s skills — although not exactly a hobby — was responsible for his assignment to Our Lady of Unity: He can speak and read Spanish.

“I don’t think I’m very good, but people say they understand me,” he said. “I celebrate Masses in Spanish and give homilies I write myself.”

Father O’Connor studied Spanish intermittently beginning in the sixth grade. Even in high school he recognized that Spanish would be more useful than French or German.

hen he first arrived, he was shy about answering the phone because, being the “new guy,” he didn’t have the information they needed, and callers tended to talk too fast. Usually, he referred them to his bilingual secretary instead.

His Spanish language skills are absolutely necessary, because 90 percent of his baptisms and 75 percent of his weddings are in Spanish.

And the demand for religious education in Spanish for children and adults is very high.

“A lot of the parents and grandparents [of our school children] are sketchy at their English, if they speak English at all,” he said. “Some of them don’t speak any English.”

Father O’Connor would like to reach the point where he is able to teach classes in Spanish, because teaching is one of his passions.

“I teach the English-speaking adults, and Sister Maria, who also works at Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, teaches the Spanish-speaking adults,” said Father O’Connor.

“Her classes are packed — probably 100 — and I have about 30.

There is a phenomenal number of people who prefer classes in Spanish,” he continued. “By not offering a class in Spanish, I’m missing a huge number of people who potentially might like to learn more about their faith.”

He’s working hard to improve his linguistic skills, so he listens to Spanish-language radio, talks to people in Spanish, and even goes so far as to check out books like “Winnie the Pooh” in Spanish from the public library.

He has even found help from a most unlikely source: Dan Brown, of “The Da Vinci Code” fame. One of Brown’s books, “Digital Fortress,” has been translated into Spanish.

It’s a low-grade read, and that’s the point. Since the language level is low, it’s easier for him to grasp than some more elevated reads.

J.R.R. Tolkien will just have to wait for another day.

More Father O’Connor memories

W

e have learned a lot in our 35 year “association” with Father Kent. He’s taught us the joys of dance and music, the thrill of “almost ready,” a slightly more open view to adventure in our lives, how to see humor in the discovery of a misplaced guitar. More recently, he introduced us to a love for the Liturgy of the Hours and to a much richer understanding of what it means to be a diocesan priest. We are grateful for the gift of Father Kent’s priesthood, and we’re very thankful that he is our son.

Tom and Marilyn O’Connor

O

ne remembrance of Father Kent is his ability to give homilies that are so easy to understand. But one homily will always be in our hearts and mind. We lost a grandson in a car accident earlier this year and Father’s homily at the funeral made us feel he understood our pain and uplifted us at a very sad time. His ability at giving homilies is a rare gift.

Ron and Linda Bloom

H

ere are some responses from my children: Bryan Melland (age 14) - “I love how Father Kent use to always come into the cafeteria at lunchtime and just sit down and talk to us. He is just one of the guys.” Tricia Melland (age 11) -“I love how Father Kent started the ‘high five’ thing after Mass!”

Andrew Melland (age 9) - “I love how Father Kent would come out in front near us during the homily and tell us funny stories that helped us understand the Gospel.”

Wendy B. Melland

F

ather Kent O’Connor is one of a kind. He’s like a jumping bean. After the Gospel, he jumps down from the altar to get close to his congregation. He always has a great story to tell and this is good. It’s like Jesus talking to his Twelve Apostles, and that is what Father Kent is doing for us at Sacred Heart. He’s reaching out his hand and saying, “I am here for you.”

The DeSeure and Losensky families

M

y most special memory of Father Kent is when we did a Bible study together when he was a high school student. We used “A Lamp For My Feet And A Light For My Path,” which I had written when I was teaching religious eduction in my parish. Father Kent and I spent many weeks looking up the Scriptures and discussing the questions and subjects brought up in the study. It was evident to me that he had a heart for God and his gentle, quiet spirit impressed me then as it does today.

Nancy Humes

F

ather Kent was such a godsend to our parish in the short two years that we got to have him here at St. James in Wetmore. He’s such a vivacious person and reaches out to anyone and everyone. No doubt he’s doing great work at his new appointment as he did here. We send our love and blessing to the man that got our parish working together in the right direction and the dream of building our new church.

Orville and Shirley Hutfles

I

’ll never forget being at Father Kent’s ordination. I could hardly believe it; and I thought, “Sheila, this is your greatest day.” I was certainly blessed to know such a wonderful person, such a cute kid. I have known him since he came to the children’s section of the library, where I was the librarian. I never heard of Tobit until he introduced me to it. I don’t know where he got the idea to write that musical, but it was an amazing story. Just knowing him and his gifts — God’s blessings on him — make me very thankful.

Sheila Radell Editor’s note: Because of space constraints we could not publish all the Father O’Connor stories we received. To read all the Father O’Connor memories, visit our Web site at: www.theleaven.com.

10 NATION

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

Family Rosary announces start of ‘Try Prayer! It Works!’

EASTON, Mass. (CNS) — Entries are being accepted for the 15th annual “Try Prayer! It Works!” national contest sponsored by Family Rosary to encourage children to express their faith through art, poetry and prose. This year’s theme is “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together,” which focuses on the faith of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, who was known as the “rosary priest” and coined that phrase. The contest asks entrants to use creativity to depict their thoughts and feelings about how their families pray together, according to an announcement on the contest. “Father Peyton understood that faith is important in helping brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers to grow together and remain strong,” said Holy Cross Father John Phalen, president of Easton-based Holy Cross Family Ministries. The contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who attend a Catholic school, are enrolled in a religious education program or are active in a parish or other Catholic organization.

Applications can be downloaded from the Web site at www.hcfm.org/tryprayer. All entries must be postmarked by Feb.1.

Nun reprimanded for escorting women to abortion clinics SINSINAWA, Wis. (CNS) — Dominican Sister Donna Quinn received a reprimand from her order for serving as a volunteer escort at an abortion clinic in suburban Chicago. Her order, the Sinsinawa Dominicans of Wisconsin, said in a Nov. 2 statement it regrets that “her actions have created controversy and resulted in public scandal.” Sister Donna said in a Nov. 3 statement that she would suspend her clinic activities. “Congregation leaders have informed Sister Donna that her actions are in violation of her profession as a Dominican religious,” the Dominicans’ statement said. “We as Sinsinawa Dominican women are called to proclaim the Gospel through the ministry of preaching and teaching to participate in the building of a holy and just society. As Dominican religious, we fully support the teaching of the Catholic Church regarding the dignity and value of every human life from conception to natural death,” it said. “We believe that abortion is an act of violence that destroys the life of the unborn. We do not engage in activity that witnesses to support of abortion.” The Dominicans’ statement added that the order’s leaders would be “working with Sister Donna to resolve the matter appropriately.”

Holy Spirits

Priest’s line of wines raises awareness of saints, funds for charity

By Karen Mahoney

Catholic News Service

MILWAUKEE (CNS) — A holy water font at each door, candles, home altars, crucifixes in every room, statues and magnificent paintings of saints permeated Father Dominic Roscioli’s Kenosha home when he was a little boy.

“When I was living in my grandparents’ house and growing up Catholic in the 1950s, it seemed that everywhere in the house, someone was looking back at you,” said Father Roscioli. “We had St. Anthony in the hall, St. Rocco in the kitchen, a crucifix in every room, St. Francis of Assisi and Mary were everywhere.”

In an effort to rekindle an interest in the saints, Father Roscioli and partners Jody Becker and Carlo Pedone have developed Holy Spirits wine. Available in stores, online and in select restaurants, the wines feature saints matched with wine varietals.

They began with three varieties of wine: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Nick and St. Rocco. Each blend, produced by the Windsor Winery in California, complements the personality and mission of that particular saint. The label explains a bit about the saint’s life as if the saint were speaking directly to the reader.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is Mary, mother of Jesus, talking about choosing a sweet Riesling to reflect the “sweet bouquet of mysteries whispered to me

by God’s angels.”

St. Nick, a third-century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, chose a merlot because the dark blue grape reminds him of the winter sky.

Wealthy, but restless, St. Rocco lived in the Middle Ages, gave everything away and walked to Rome to see if God would talk to him. His journey, he says, became his destination as he noticed many people ill and dying because of the black plague.

“He decided to help care for them and pray for them, but ended up getting the plague himself,” Father Roscioli told the Catholic Herald, Milwaukee’s archdiocesan newspaper. “He was literally dying in the fields and a dog showed up with a loaf of Italian bread in his teeth and brought the bread to him. He got better and became the patron saint of

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Jody Becker and Father Dominic Roscioli, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, pose with selections of their Holy Spirits wine at Becker’s office in Wauwatosa, Wis., in late September. The two partners buy wine from a California producer and sell it under their own label to raise money for charity. Father Roscioli says each variety of wine is named after a different saint. contagious diseases and of dogs.”

St. Rocco “chose” a cabernet sauvignon to reflect his journey.

Father Roscioli, who has volunteered for 20 years at the late Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall camps for children with life-threatening illnesses, said sales of Holy Spirits will benefit charities and support Next Step, a program that picks up after children age out of Hole in the Wall.

“Kids began feeling left out when they turned 16, because Hole in the Wall is designed for kids ages 7 through 15,” said Father Roscioli, himself a cancer survivor. “This program carries the kids through young adulthood.”

Like Hole in the Wall, the camps are free of charge for teens and young adults suffering from cancer and include weekend retreats and longer adventures such as hiking, canoeing,

kayaking and other road trips.

“We have basically set up a for-profit company with a nonprofit mission similar to Newman’s Own,” Father Roscioli said, referring to the late actor’s line of food products. “A certain percentage of profits go to Next Step and the rest go into growing our company.”

Early feedback on the wines is favorable, according to Father Roscioli, who has expanded the line to include wines named for St. Patrick, St. Joseph, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joan of Arc, St. Anthony and St. Francis of Assisi.

Eventually, the Twelve Apostles will be added to the line.

“Everyone who tasted our wine has loved it,” he said. “We had a wine tasting party and a professional wine taster said that our wine came from a very good winery. We definitely wanted a good product.”

Built into the $14.95 per bottle price is a donation to Next Step. Additionally, groups, individuals and parishes can purchase the wines to benefit their charitable organizations. Fifteen percent of the total profits return to the organization and the remaining profits go to Next Step and the wine company. If no charity is specified, all of the profit benefits Next Step.

“We also plan to offer wine with the parish namesake on it, and then it can be sold by the glass or bottle at a festival and additionally ordered online to be delivered to their homes,” Father Roscioli said. “That will give another way to donate to the parish.”

Another facet of the Holy Spirits collection would be the addition of juice in boxes for children, with the front of the box containing a punch-out holy card.

“It would be good fundraiser for schools and the kids would learn that we are surrounded by angels and saints,” he said.

While raising funds for charity is important to Father Roscioli, more important is his mission to teach that saints are ordinary people who responded to God’s grace and did extraordinary things — and that the same is true for people today.

“They can be people who sit next to you at table, and have the same power for good if they respond to God’s message,” he said.

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

Drug cartels depend heavily on ransom

By David Agren

Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Mexico’s narcotics-trafficking cartels now depend heavily on earnings obtained by kidnapping undocumented migrants and demanding ransoms from their relatives, said a prominent Mexican senator.

“The extortion of migrants, after narcotics trafficking, is the largest source of income for these groups,” Sen. Felipe Gonzalez Gonzalez, president of the Senate’s Public Security Committee, told a Nov. 4 forum on the kidnapping of migrants in Mexico.

Those sentiments were echoed

by Catholic officials that work with migrants. They report having to address the needs of a growing number of kidnapping victims that have been tortured, traumatized and sexually assaulted by gangs that have close links with drug cartels.

“The mafias . . . have now discovered how to get rich off of migrants,” Father Jose Alejandro Solalinde, director of the Mexican bishops’ migrant ministry in southwestern Mexico, told a Nov. 3 forum at Jesuit-run Iberoamerican University.

The comments highlight the most recent hardships for the undocumented migrants that transit the country on their way to the United States. The migrants lack many basic legal protections in Mexico and have been preyed upon by gangs and unscrupulous public officials.

Now migrants are viewed as a lucrative source of earnings by Mexico’s drug cartels, which have increasingly diversified into other illegal activities to offset

CNS photo/Jorge Dan, Reuters

Handcuffed suspected members of the Michoacan cartel known as “La Familia” (The Family) stand behind a table showing confiscated weaponry at Mexico’s federal police center in Mexico City Oct. 22. A Mexican senator has said that narcotics-trafficking cartels now depend heavily on ransoms obtained by kidnapping undocumented migrants. losses incurred from the ongoing federal crackdown on organized crime.

The kidnapping business is low-risk for the cartels, said Gerardo Laveaga Rendon, director of the National Institute of Criminal Sciences, because victimized migrants tend to stay silent after their ordeals in order to avoid running afoul of unsympathetic immigration authorities. He estimated the cartels collect $25 million per month in ransoms from kidnapped migrants. Impunity is rife.

“A person that’s never going to denounce a crime, that’s never going to cause a problem, is an invaluable piece of merchandise for organized crime,”

Laveaga said. “It’s an enormous business.”

The recent conferences were convened in response to a July report from the National Human Rights Commission that 9,758 undocumented migrants were kidnapped between September 2008 and February 2009.

Two-thirds of the kidnapping victims were from Honduras, and the ransoms demanded from relatives were as high as $5,000. Catholic-run migrant shelters and groups that help migrants transit Mexico on their northward journeys provided much of the information for the report.

Caritas says climate change will drastically increase world hunger VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Caritas Internationalis and other humanitarian organizations want world leaders to know that without bold action, global warming will have a disastrous effect on the world’s poor and hungry.

Climate change is already undermining efforts to help the more than 1 billion people now suffering from lack of food, and without drastic measures to limit its effects, “the risk of hunger and malnutrition could increase by an unprecedented scale within the next decades,” according to a Nov. 4 press release from Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas, the umbrella organization for 164 Catholic charities, said it has signed a joint statement addressed to environmental ministers and other officials who will participate in the U.N. Summit for Climate Change Dec. 7-18 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The message includes both dire warnings and practical suggestions for action.

“Climate change will act as a multiplier of existing threats to food security,” the joint statement read. “It will make natural disasters more frequent and intense, land and water more scarce and difficult to access, and increases in

productivity even harder to achieve.”

“The implications for people who are poor and already food insecure and malnourished are immense,” the statement warned.

In the statement, the organizations advocated a plan of investment in the development of better and more sustainable food production systems, improved access to food and nutrition sources for populations at risk and enhanced social protection for the poor who cannot afford to feed themselves adequately.

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world 11

Priest’s kidney donation to Hindu leads to new federation TRICHUR, India (CNS) — Twenty-fouryear-old Ramya Krishnan spent weeks of sleepless nights after doctors told her she needed at least 160,000 rupees ($3,400) to meet the cost of her kidney transplant.

“Though my father is willing to donate his kidney and all the tests have been completed, we do not have any money to meet the expenses” of the transplant surgery, Krishnan told Catholic News Service. “I did not know what to do. Then I read a report in the newspapers about the launch of the Kidney Federation of India. So, I decided to attend this meeting,” said Krishnan, who was abandoned by her husband three years ago when he discovered she was suffering from renal failure. Krishnan was thrilled when she was told that she will be given 200,000 rupees by the organizers of the Kidney Federation of India, which launched Oct. 30. The unique gathering was the fruit of the unprecedented gesture of Father Davis Chiramel donating his kidney to a Hindu Sept. 30. Father Chiramel’s decision to save the life of 48-year-old Gopinathan Chakkamadathil, an electrician living within the boundaries of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vadanappilly, made headlines and stirred the public conscience, leading to the launch of the kidney federation.

Cardinal defends apostolic visitation of US nuns VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Cardinal Franc Rode, head of the Vatican office overseeing religious orders, said he requested an apostolic visitation of women’s religious orders in the United States to help the Sisters and to respond to concerns for their welfare. “This apostolic visitation hopes to encourage vocations and assure a better future for women religious,” the cardinal said in a statement released Nov. 3 by the Vatican. Cardinal Rode said his statement was in response to “many news accounts” and inquiries about the visitation, which was announced in January. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York posted an article on his blog Oct. 29 listing what he called examples of anti-Catholicism in The New York Times, including an Oct. 21 column regarding the apostolic visitation.

Calling the column by Maureen Dowd “intemperate and scurrilous,” Archbishop Dolan said the investigation of U.S. women religious “is well worth discussing and hardly exempt from legitimate questioning,” but he objected to the writer using “every anti-Catholic caricature possible” to illustrate her point that the nuns are being picked on by the Vatican.

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12 CLASSIFIEDS Employment Preschool teacher - St. Patrick Early Education Center, Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a qualified part-time lead teacher for our three-year-olds classroom. Mon. - Fri., from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m. Lead teachers should have an early childhood education degree, a CDA or a degree in a related field. For consideration, send your resume, via e-mail, to: mmankflann@sbcglobal.net.

Help wanted - COBRAGuard is a nationally recognized leader in COBRA administration. We are expanding our business and are seeking qualified individuals to help with our tremendous growth. If you are looking for an opportunity with a growing firm, make sure you apply with us. We have openings in our call center, sales, IT, and accounting departments. To apply, visit the Web site at: www. cobraguard.net, follow the link to “Jobs”; or send an e-mail to: HR@COBRAGuard.net. EOE.

Bookkeeper/payroll/accounts receivable - The ABBGROUP is seeking part-time employees for the above categories. We offer an attractive salary, plus benefits. Applicants should be computer literate, efficient and dedicated. No age discrimination. For information, send an e-mail to: abbgroup00@gmail.com.

Work from home! - Immediate openings for experienced full- and part-time medical transcriptionists with growing company. Must have own computer, access to Internet, knowledge of MS Word, medical terminology and be able to type 70 words per minute.

Competitive pay. Send resume to: mbsimplystated@ aol.com.

Financial representative - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding financial representatives in the Kansas City and Emporia areas. This position is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual desiring to serve others, yet earn a better-than-average income.

We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families and will provide excellent benefits and training. For more information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, 307 Dakota, Holton KS 66436; or call (785) 364-5450.

Services 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.

I would love to come clean your home! Working in the WyCo, JoCo., Leavenworth and Miami County areas. Reasonable rates and references available. I am a member of the St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, and my 10-year-old son goes to school there as well. Call Marcia at (913) 707-7166.

Is QuickBooks® a problem for you? I can help. I have many years of experience and excellent references. I can work on a one-time basis or continuing part-time basis.

Ann Evans Consulting, LLC. Member of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood. Call Ann at (913) 406-9778 or send an e-mail to her at: annkc@swbell.net.

Looking for a new or used car, truck or SUV? Are you sick of the stereotypical car salesman? I am a member of the Church of Nativity and a sales consultant for one of the largest dealers in the metro area. We sell new Chevrolets and Toyotas, in addition to 100s of used cars, trucks and SUVs; all makes and models. I am committed to making your buying experience as easy and pleasurable as possible. My customers appreciate the fact that they are dealing with someone who is never high pressure, but instead cares and looks out for them. My goal is to exceed all of your expectations! To discuss your needs, call Tim at (913) 400-1009, or send an e-mail to: mycarfriendtim@ yahoo.com.

Foley’s Lawn Care Lawn mowing Fall cleanups & gutter cleaning www.foleyslawncare.com (913) 825-4353 Serving Johnson County

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 13, 2009 Leaf Removal & Fall Yard Clean ups Tree Services. Gutter Clean outs.

Licensed/Bond/Ins/Refs Free estimates (913) 620-6063

Housecleaning - I will stay within your budget! 20 yrs. exp. and excellent references. I will deep clean your house the old-fashioned way — hand-mopping and wipedown baseboards. All supplies included. Give cleaning as a gift this year; let me help make your holidays more enjoyable. Call Sharon at (816) 322-0006.

Clutter getting you down? Our professional aesthetic organizing and handyman services can help. We organize and clean up homes, businesses, cars, computers — you name it! We also provide minor fixes and installations, trash/charity haul off, trash removal from abandoned homes or housing units, and we promise to leave you with a smile on your face. Visit our Web site at: www.koatindustries. com. Licensed and insured; references available. Call Kevin at (913) 271-5055.

Husband and wife cleaning team - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959.

Bankruptcy - When debt becomes overwhelming, seek professional help. Experienced, compassionate Catholic attorney Teresa Kidd. For a confidential, no obligation consultation, call (913) 422-0610; or send an e-mail to: tkidd@kc.rr.com.

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.

Caregiving - Certified nurse’s aide with 15-plus years of experience is seeking private-duty work. Available days, nights, and weekends; 24/7. I also offer respite care. Flexible, dependable, honest. Reasonable rates and excellent references. Call Vivian at (816) 721-8733 or (816) 459-8879.

Johnson and western Wyandotte areas.

Home Care Services - We provide care management, medication administration, transportation, companionship, shopping and other needs to the elderly and disabled at home. Reasonable rates. Full time or part time.

Days/nights/weekends. Call Pamerick Home Health Care and speak with Mimi at (913) 488-5993.

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.

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.

Caregiving - Mature lady experienced with elderly care will care for your loved one in their home. Good references, reliable transportation, well qualified. Available anytime. Honest and dependable. Leawood, OP and Prairie Village areas. Call Flora at (816) 332-9956 mobile, or (816) 921-8223 home.

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 House painting - Interior and exterior; wallpaper removal. 20 years experience. Reasonable rates. References. Call Joe at (913) 620-5776.

Machine quilting - by Jenell Noeth, Basehor. Also, quilts made to order. Call (913) 724-1837.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. - A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean!

Insured and serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

Granite, Cambria and Silestone countertops See our new showroom at 5820 Barton, in the heart of beautiful downtown Shawnee. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Woodbright - A very affordable alternative to refinishing, refacing or replacing stained cabinets and woodwork. The average kitchen only costs $500. 18 years experience. Call Woodbright at (913) 940-3020.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Call for free estimates.

Cell: (913) 579-1835; phone: (913) 491-5837; e-mail: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity Church, Lenexa.

Bath, kitchen and basement remodels -Quality work; reasonable prices. 25 yrs. experience. Free estimates. JoCo area. Call Ralph at (913) 707-9589.

Wells Custom Remodeling, LLC Andy Hadel (816) 807-3733 ***Free estimates for referencing this ad***

Housepainting, powerwashing, rotted window sills repaired - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 341-7584.

Tim the Handyman - Insured; free estimates.

Carpentry: new and repair deck, doors, windows, siding, screens. Plumbing: faucet, garbage disposals, toilets. Electrical: switches, outlets, ceiling fans, light fixtures. Light landscape: fill dirt, trimming, planting, garden tilling and mulching. Serving Johnson County.

Call Tim at (913) 859-0471.

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 Masonry work - Quality, new or repair work.

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

Custom-kitchen countertops - Laminate tops manufactured and installed within 5 days. Competitive prices, dependable work. St. Joseph Parish member. Call The Top Shop, Inc., at (816) 898-8685 or (913) 962-5058.

Brown’s Carpet - Installation and repair carpeting; vinyl and wood installation. Free estimates. 10 years experience. Serving the KC metro area. Call (913) 231-4961.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation * Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!!

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

For rent 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.

New home for rent - 2 BR, 2 BA, finished bsmt., garage. House is located in Tonganoxie retirement community. Must be 55 or older. No pets, no smoking and no children (per charter association). $700/mo + deposit.

Call (913) 845-2162.

1 BR apartment - Great OP location. 95th St. and Hwy. 69 near Oak Park Mall. Large living room, 1 BR, 1 BA, kitchen with dining area, and lots of closet space. Dishwasher, washer/dryer, and bsmt. storage unit provided. $550/mo. Complex has a swimming pool and play area. Call David at (785) 554-7787 or (913) 248-1007.

All-brick Shawnee ranch - 3 BR, 2 BA, double-car garage, double fireplace. For details, call Ken at (913) 4846942.

Shawnee duplex – Well-maintained; 3 BR, 1-1/2 BA, kitchen appliances, garage, full bsmt., yard. Within walking distance of St. Joseph Church and School. No pets. $875/ mo., plus deposit. Call (913) 631-8519.

Real Estate Stilwell home FSBO - Modern, Victorian-style home with 5 BR and 4 BA and a pool located on 4.5 acres at 7000 W. 180th St., Stilwell. $450,000. Open house every Sunday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information or to schedule a viewing appt., call (913) 634-8583 or (913) 681-7967.

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 Oceanfront condo, Sanibel Island, Florida -

2 BR, 2 BA, fully equip. kitchen; sleeps 6 comfortably.

Washer/dryer, wet bar, A/C, pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, balcony, BBQ grill, FREE GOLF at Dunes Country Club. Available 1/15 - 1/22. $1495. Call Dan at (913) 7065405 or send an e-mail to: dsummersirn@kc.rr.com.

Sunny and 80 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 2 BR, 2 BA beachfront condo. Fully equipped, sleeps 6. Great location; close to everything. $125/night. Call (816) 8357994, or send an e-mail to: kelgang@aol.com.

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.

Childcare Nanny- I have many years of experience with kids!

Looking for part- or full-time day hours. Reasonable rates and reliable transportation. No dogs or cats, I’m allergic. KC metro area. Call Gina at (913) 669-3448.

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.

Wanted to buy ***WANTED*** I buy coins, older watches, silverware, slot machines, old rifles and shotguns, stoneware crocks and jugs, old furniture from basement or attic.

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

Miscellaneous Do you have bank CDs, retirement accounts, or other investments not returning 7 - 9% safely? We buy houses and we need private investors. Local real estate; safe return. To listen to a 24-hour recorded message, call (913) 660-0595.

To purchase a classified ad: Send an e-mail to: jennifer@theleaven.com, or call (913) 647-0327. The cost is $16 per column inch, five lines or less. Each additional line is $1.50. Classified ads will also be posted online at The Leaven’s Web site: www.theleaven.com.

THE LEAVEN • NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Nov. 13

Join the Singles of Nativity for happy hour beginning at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the 810 Zone, 4800 W. 119th St., Leawood. 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.

Trolley’s Bar & Grille, 9100 W. 135th St., Overland Park.

14

The Phillip J. O’Connor Council of the Knights of Columbus, Topeka, will sponsor a Veterans Day memorial service and rosary at 11 a.m. on Nov. 14 at the Colmery O’Neil Veterans Hospital, 2200 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka. Join us in praying a rosary for our troops, both living and deceased.

The Mothers of Young Children Group of Curé of Ars Parish, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, will host its annual gift gallery from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the school gym and cafeteria. Over 45 local artisans and vendors will showcase their products. Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping while enjoying a food and beverage courtyard and entertainment. The cost is $3, payable at the door. Proceeds benefit various local children’s charities. For information, visit the Web site at: www.giftgallerykc.com.

14-15

The Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart Parish, 5501 Monticello Rd., Shawnee, will host a prepaid smoked turkey sale after Masses during the weekend of Nov. 14 - 15. The cost is $25 for a 12 - 14 lb. turkey. Orders may also be placed by sending an e-mail to: holy.smokesbbq@hotmail.com.

15

The bereavement ministry of St. Joseph Parish, 5900 King St., Shawnee, will host a presentation entitled “Grief and the Holy Spirit: Finding Ways to Renew Your Spirit in the Midst of Grief,” by Brent Doster from Catholic Community Hospice at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Knights of Columbus Hall.

For information or to RSVP, call Ruth Barter at (913) 631-6528.

St. Louis Church, Good Intent Community, Atchison, will host a pancake dinner from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Nov. 15. A freewill offering will be collected. Proceeds will benefit the parish religious education program.

John Paul II School will host a holiday shoppe from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Nov. 14 and from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at St. Pius X, 5500 Woodson, Mission. There will be a variety of crafts, jewelry and baked goods available for purchase.

Are you a single, Catholic, college-age or older woman? Is God calling you to religious life? The Franciscan Servants of the Holy Family will offer a vocation discernment retreat from 11 a.m. on Nov. 14 to noon on Nov. 15 at Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge, Kansas City, Kan. Information on discerning God’s will, consecrated life, and Franciscan spirituality, along with prayer and quiet time, will be offered. Contact Sister Doris, Franciscan Servants of the Holy Family, at (816) 7297065 or send an e-mail to her at: srdoris@ aol.com.

The Ladies Guild of St. Bernard Parish, 1102 8th St., Wamego, will host its annual Stitch ’n’ Stuff bazaar on Nov. 15. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. There will be a country store with handcrafted items and baked goods, a cakewalk, bingo, children’s games and a quilt and gift certificate raffle.

For information, call Sharon at (785) 4562994 or Pam at (785) 456-9529.

There will be a Divine Mercy day of recollection, featuring Ted Sri and Father Bill Bruning, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, 17th and Stone, Topeka. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; Mass at 7:55 a.m. The cost is: $20 per person, with lunch; $15, without lunch. You must be preregistered to attend. To register, mail check, by Nov. 8, to: Topeka Divine Mercy Apostolate, 5940 N.W. Westbrooke Dr., Topeka, KS 66617.

Holy Family Church will host a chili dinner and bingo on Nov. 14 at the Holy Family Club, 513 Ohio, Kansas City, Kan. Dinner will be served from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m., with bingo following at 7:30 p.m. The cost of $15 includes dinner and one bingo card. To purchase tickets, call Annette at (913) 371-5063.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will celebrate a healing Mass in honor of St. Peregrine, patron of those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses, at 9 a.m. on Nov. 14 at Holy Spirit Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick will be offered. Special devotions and blessing with a first-class relic of St. Peregrine are included. For information, contact the parish office at (913) 492-7318, or Marge Hattrup at (913) 492-7682.

15-19

The Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, will host a parish mission from Nov. 15 – 19. It will be conducted by Father J. Patrick Foley, a diocesan priest ordained in 1973 who has directed numerous retreats and missions.

The topic will be: “Discovering and Sharing God’s Gifts.” Morning sessions are from 9 – 10 a.m.; evening sessions are from 7 – 8 p.m.

Evening sessions are repeated the following morning. For information on Father Foley, visit the Web site at: www.itinerantpapist preacher.com.

16

Keeler Women’s Center will offer a five-part personal growth series for women on Mondays from 2:30 - 4 p.m., beginning on Nov. 16, at the center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. This program is designed to increase a woman’s confidence and self-image and to develop more positive relationships in order to achieve a higher level of success. There is no charge to participate; however, space is limited. For information or to register, call (913) 906-8990 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/ kwc.

17

“Positive Discipline,” a three-part parenting program, will be offered from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Nov. 17, 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.

19

A healing Mass, sponsored by

CALENDAR 13

archdiocesan charismatic prayer groups, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. Father Clement Cobb of St. Paul Parish in Olathe will preside; fellowship follows.

Dec.

The bereavement ministry of Prince of Peace, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, will host a presentation, entitled “Finding Thankfulness in the Midst of Grief” by Mark Fenton, chaplain for Good Shepherd Hospice, from 7 – 8 p.m. on Nov. 19. For information or to RSVP, call Donna Kaberlein at (913) 829-5320.

Sophia Center, 751 S. 8th St., Atchison, will host a retreat led by Jonathan Montaldo, entitled “Choosing to Love the World: Thomas Merton and Contemplative Living” from Dec. 4 – 6. For information or to register, call (913) 360-6151 or visit the Web site at: www.mountosb.org/sophia.

Join the Singles of Nativity for dinner and a movie night on Nov. 19. The group will meet at 6 p.m. at Panera Bread Co. at the Town Center Shopping Center, Leawood, followed by a movie at AMC Town Center. For information, send an e-mail to: social@sonministry.org.

Misc.

21

A memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones will be held at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Curé of Ars Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood. The bereavement ministry will have its monthly meeting following Mass in the Father Burak Room. The topic will be: “Helping Ourselves.” For information, call (913) 649-2026.

St. Joseph of the Valley-St. Lawrence Parish, Easton, will host a fall fest, featuring a soup and chili supper, from 4 – 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the St. Lawrence hall. There will be a raffle and bingo following dinner.

Archbishop James P. Keleher will celebrate the archdiocesan monthly pro-life Mass at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill, Kansas City, Kan. Immediately following Mass, there will be a rosary procession to an abortion clinic four blocks away. Eucharistic adoration is available for those not processing, with Benediction concluding services at 10 a.m.

The Holy Rosary Sodality of All Saints Parish will host its annual turkey bingo on Nov. 21 in the St. Joseph Church hall, located at 809 Vermont, Kansas City, Kan. Serving begins at 5 p.m., with bingo following at 6 p.m.

22

Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, will host an organ recital at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22, featuring the renowned organist Janice Van Otterloo.

Join us for this free concert and to celebrate the feasts of Christ the King and St. Cecilia.

The Lay Dominicans, St. Martin de Porres Group, will meet at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Redemptorist Senior Center, located on the corner of Linwood and Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. For information or directions, contact Tom Smith at (816) 232-0374 or send an e-mail to: tpsmith@stjoelive.com.

The Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle No. 503, will host a covered dish luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 22 at Rossiter Hall, 204 S.W. 8th St., Topeka. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m., followed by a business meeting.

Christ the King Church, 25th and Wanamaker, Topeka, will host its annual fall festival on Nov. 22. A turkey dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The cost is: $7 for adults; $3 for children ages 3 - 11 years; children under 3 eat free. There will be crafts, a silent auction, raffle drawings and carnival games for all ages.

24

The cancer support group of the Church of the Ascension, Overland Park, is cancelling the meeting scheduled for Nov. 24.

4-6

St. Paul Catholic Church, Olathe, has been chosen by the Olathe Historical Society to participate in an exhibit telling the story of early churches in Olathe that continue today. The display will be shown at the Heritage Center, near Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, during the month of December. A variety of artifacts of the parish from its beginning until about 1930 are needed to tell our story.

If your family was a longtime member of St. Paul, would you share some of your treasured items for the display? We are looking for things like photographs, sacramentals, special awards, something from Our Lady of Victory School, baptismal and first sacraments clothing, and items from the church that were auctioned. Items will be displayed behind a glass case inside the Heritage Center, so they will be secure. For information, or to share items, call Mary Jo O’Brien at (913) 782-4270, or Jane at St. Paul Church at (913) 764-0323.

Enrich your life, enrich your love, and enrich your marriage by spending time with your spouse and learning the tools to a great marriage! The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend will be held from Dec. 4 – 6. For information or to register, call (913) 469-8453 in the Kansas City metro area, (785) 843-9274 in Lawrence, (785) 3575000 in Topeka, or visit the Web site at: www. neksme.org.

The Singles of Nativity will gather for round-robin-style tennis on Sundays at 4 p.m. at the Indian Creek Recreational Center, 103rd St. and Marty, Overland Park, on Sundays throughout the autumn, weather permitting. Beginners are welcome. Join us for fun tennis and good company. We may go out for a light dinner afterwards.

Mary, Health of the Sick Guild has published a new cookbook to benefit the Sisters, Servants of Mary. The cookbook contains over 350 recipes, including ones submitted by the Sisters themselves. The cost is $12 (plus $2 for postage). Make checks payable to the Sisters, Servants of Mary and send to: 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City KS 66102. Cookbooks may also be purchased at the motherhouse at the above address. For information, contact Barbara Butler at (913) 362-0723 or the convent at (913) 371-3423.

There are 14 men in the My House men’s groups that have broken free from pornography for over one year! Also, the My House women’s group is available for wives and loved ones who are healing from the effects of their loved one’s struggles. For more information, visit the Web site at: LoveIsFaithful.com.

Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, offers monthly spiritual direction sessions from volunteers who have been trained in spiritual direction. These sessions for men and women help individuals to reflect on God in their daily lives. To schedule an appointment, call (913) 906-8990.

English- and Spanish-speaking directors are available. There is no cost to participants.

14 COMMENTARY

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 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

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Quote Week

of the

“This is one of the most important votes on the abortion issue that Congress has voted on in the past 30 years. This was an immensely important vote, and we prevailed.”

Michael Schutloffel, executive director of the Kansas Catholic Conference See story on page 3

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How should I go? Fast or slow?

he world is full of contradictions. And we, as residents of this planet, naturally find ourselves pulled in opposite directions. Here’s my latest dilemma.

A few weeks ago, after mailing some letters at the post office in Tonganoxie, I was driving my usual route back home, which takes me past the elementary school. As I tooled down the street, I noticed some new concrete over a section of road that workers had had torn up for several days.

When I reached that new concrete, my car suddenly turned into a bucking bronco! Even though I was doing the posted speed limit, the front end of the car rose several inches in the air and then banged down, soon to be followed by the back end of the car doing the same thing.

Gripping the steering wheel for dear life, my mind scrambled to figure out what had happened. Suddenly, I found myself facing another new section of road and then another. Slowing down to about 10 miles an hour, I was better able to control the bucking bronco effect two more times.

What I later learned is that the city had just installed new “speed humps” around the schools, courtesy of a child safety program. I had had the privilege of driving over these “optical illusions” before warning signs were installed and before markers were painted on the humps to alert drivers. One bucking bronco experience was all it took to

Scripture Readings

the gospel truth

Thirty-third WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Nov. 15 THIRTY-third SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dn 12: 1-3, Ps 16: 5, 8-11; Heb 10: 11-14, 18; Mk 13: 24-32 Nov. 16 Margaret of Scotland; Gertrude, virgin 1 Mc 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119: 53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158; Lk 18: 35-43 Nov. 17 Elizabeth of Hungary 2 Mc 6: 18-31; Ps 3: 2-7; Lk 19: 1-10 Nov. 18 The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, apostles; Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin 2 Mc 7: 1, 20-31; Ps 17: 1, 5-6, 8, 15; Lk 19: 11-28 Nov. 19 Thursday 1 Mc 2: 15-29; Ps 50: 1-2, 5-6, 14-15; Lk 19: 41-44 Nov. 20 Friday 1 Mc 4: 36-37, 52-59; (Ps) 1 Chr 29: 10-12; Lk 19: 45-48 Nov. 21 The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 Mc 6: 1-13; Ps 9: 2-4, 6, 16, 19; Lk 20: 27-40

make me slow down and stop rushing.

Now, contrast those speed humps with something new that I’m trying out on my computer. Called MacSpeech Dictate, its box says it all: Think it.

Speak it. Create it. So, what does this program do? It allows me to sit in front of my computer with a microphone headset and simply talk. This voice recognition program recognizes the words that I speak and turns them into words on the computer screen, all without my touching the keyboard.

Since I can talk a lot faster than I can type, this new program helps me get more accomplished that much quicker.

Although I’m still learning the program, and it still has some quirks that need to be worked out, overall it’s quite amazing — and a little spooky — how accurately it works.

Do you see my dilemma? On the one hand, speed humps are seeking to slow me down, and I like that; on the other hand, this dictation program wants to speed me up, and I like that, too.

Isn’t that what most of us experience as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season? Deep down, we long for a time of quiet expectation, special moments with family and friends, a recommitment to what is most important in life. On the other hand, we willingly throw ourselves into the hustle and bustle of the season: baking, shopping,

decorating, partying, and on and on.

It’s truly a season of contradictions.

How should we go? Fast or slow? I fear that the many things that scream for our attention, pushing us to go faster and faster, cause us to miss out on the deeper meaning of life and the true spirit of the holidays. Maybe instead of avoiding speed humps, we should instead seek them out. Besides getting enough rest, eating sensibly, and finding time to exercise, we might take time out now to list other speed humps to get us through these next few weeks. These might include: • Make time for quiet. When things seem overwhelming, find a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. Slowly praying an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be will prolong this peaceful respite.

• Send Christmas cards, but only to people you will likely not see in person.

Spend time writing a note inside, maybe highlighting a memory you treasure about this person or simply thanking them for their friendship.

• Give experiences rather than material gifts. Set aside time for a leisurely lunch with a friend or pile the family in the car to check out Christmas decorations some evening.

• Be charitable. Pick up some extra food to donate to a shelter, adopt a needy family, drop off unused items at Catholic Charities, or leave a generous tip for those whose service we take for granted. All of these can bring us perspective on the blessings we have in our own lives and let the Spirit of the season enter more deeply into our hearts.

How should I go? Fast or slow? The results are in. The speed humps win.

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‘End times’ cataclysm not the real story

tories about the end of the world capture one’s attention. Whether that end results from global warming or because of an arcane Mayan prophecy does not matter.

It still makes for a scary story. It’s a good way to sell a movie.

ing of that passage. A literal interpretation would not allow the rest of the passage to happen: “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” If the sun were extinguished, everyone on earth would instantly freeze to We might look on Sunday’s Gosdeath. There would not be pel reading, Mk 13: 24-32, as just another scary story THIRTY-third SUNDAY anyone left to see anything.

We need to be consistent in about the end of the world. If IN ORDINARY TIME our interpretation. we do that, we might miss its Mk 13: 24-32 If we do not follow a main point. literal interpretation, what Admittedly, there are one should we follow? We might look elements in that Gospel reading that at the parallel passage in Luke’s Gospel might cause us alarm: “The sun will for some direction: “And there will be be darkened, and the moon will not signs in sun and moon and stars” (Lk give its light, and the stars will be 21:25). We should remember that at falling from the sky, and the powers the time the Gospels were written, in the heavens will be shaken” (Mk there was a strong belief in astrology.

13:24-25). To us, that would suggest People thought that there was a direct the disintegration of the cosmos, the connection between the heavenly falling apart of the universe. No one bodies and events on earth. By observwould survive. ing the heavens, one could learn what At the same time, there are reasons would happen in our world or what for us not to take an overly literal read-

was happening. For example, in Matthew’s Gospel, the appearance of the star of Bethlehem signals the birth of the Messiah (Mt 2:2). The star enables the Magi both to find the newborn King of the Jews and to realize his true identity.

When Mark’s Gospel mentions the sun and moon losing their light and the stars falling from the sky, it is not trying to draw attention to that fact. That is not the main story. Rather, those events point to the arrival of the Son of Man in glory.

The cataclysmic events are signs that the long-awaited parousia is finally taking place. The exact nature of those signs is not nearly as important as the return of Jesus. That is the real story.

That is why Sunday’s Gospel reading is not a story to frighten us — not even to scare us in behaving ourselves — but rather a story to offer us hope and encouragement. Whenever we face difficult times, even when it seems as though the world is crashing down on us, we can look forward to Jesus Christ returning to save us. That is the real message of the Gospel. That is why it is good news.

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

16 LOCAL NEWS

THE LEAVEN • november 13, 2009

as s such ive act ga (cens s e r p seen im ater Vince Ve t). w has o h righ re-e S t enefi juggler and fi ’s Company ( B y t e i Var tet 4 to), Viviano gers (left pho bershop quar r n i a w b The S the female d ter) an

Superstar!

Or how a holiday party got out of hand and eventually raised nearly a million for charity

By Joe Bollig Leaven staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Nobody in showbiz has Jerry Viviano’s number on speed dial.

He doesn’t have an agent.

He is not a professional entertainer.

Nevertheless, Viviano, a member of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, has put on one of the most popular holiday shows in Greater Kansas City for the past 25 years.

“This show would have never have made it past a couple of years without the hand of God — no question about it,” said Viviano.

“Jesus Christ has always been the main focus of this show,” he continued. “That’s what makes this show different from other shows. . . . We keep the main thing the main thing.”

The Viviano Variety Benefit Show has become a holiday tradition for some people in the Kansas City area.

“People come back year after year,” said Viviano. “One [couple] moved to Minneapolis, and they still come back for the shows.”

And what shows they are — singing, dancing, juggling, fire-eating, yo-yoing, jokes, solo acts, a band.

All clean and family-friendly, with a meal, done in the style of those great variety shows so popular during the golden years of network TV. It’s been great entertainment for a great cause — almost $1 million raised in 24 years for various charitable and community programs. Since 1998, proceeds from the shows have alternated between the Don Bosco Centers and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The tradition will continue when the curtain rises on the 25th anniversary Viviano Variety Benefit Show on Nov. 21 at the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Road in Kansas City, Mo. The show’s origins actually reach back 30 years ago, to a Christmas party Viviano and his wife put together for a few friends at their home.

“I got up spontaneously and did a little number — I think it was [a song]

by Dean Martin or Elvis Presley,” said Viviano. “And the following year I got

Jerry Viviano (center with microphone) has developed a variety show that has benefited many charities in the archdiocese. Viviano has pulled together an impressive cast for this year’s show, set for Nov. 21 at the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo. up and did a number, and someone else got up and did a number.”

The parties continued and Viviano would give performances in the persona of Dean-o, Frank Sinatra, and other entertainers. In the early 1980s, it was just five acts, with Viviano as master of ceremonies and singer.

“And it was at that point, I remember, that people would come to the party, but it was no longer the focal point — it was no longer [about] a Christmas party with meatballs,” said Viviano. “It became, ‘When will the show start?’”

The Viviano home became too small for the growing party/show.

Also, he received what he calls a “divine inspiration” about the show while making a religious retreat.

“People were having so much fun, [I thought] why not get a bigger auditorium, get the food donated and

volunteers to help, and donate the proceeds to a charity?” said Viviano.

For the 1985 show, he asked his pastor, Father Tony Lickteig, if he could put on the show at the parish.

This was the first time admission was charged, and they raised $5,000 for Shalom House, a ministry for the homeless in Kansas City, Kan. Over the years, the number of acts grew and the locations changed.

More and more family members and friends became part of the show. The number of acts increased, and production values and performances reached professional levels.

This year’s show promises to be as good — maybe better — than those of years past.

A few of the acts include awardwinning jazz artist Joseph Vincelli playing flute and saxophone, juggler and fire-eater Vince Vega, the female

barbershop quartet 4’s Company, dancing stars Louis Bar and Laura Cantu, comedian David Naster, the Boulevard Band, and a pre-show holiday show with the Miller-Marley Minitainers. Viviano family members will sing classic Christmas songs.

The doors open at 4:30 p.m. with an Italian dinner buffet from Cascone’s Restaurant. The pre-show entertainment begins at 5 p.m.; the variety show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for reserved seats and $25 for general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling (913) 433-2033, or by calling Holy Cross Parish at (913) 381-2755. Or go to the Web site at: sprigel@catholic charitiesks.org.

For more information, visit the Web site at: www.vivianovarietyshow. com.