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THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 39, NO. 31 | MARCH 23, 2018

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Rod and Susan Bray of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Parish in Leavenworth were the grand marshals of the Leavenworth St. Patrick’s Day parade March 17.

IRISH STRONG

Pastor reminds revelers of real cause for celebration By Katie Peterson Special to the Leaven

EAVENWORTH — If you were to pass someone on the street and ask them what they associate with St. Patrick’s Day, what response would you probably get? Beer. Party. “Kiss Me, I’m Irish.” If you were to pass a Catholic on the street and ask the same question, would the response be different? It should be. That’s because for Catholics, the day is meant to be a celebration of the life of one of the greatest missionaries of the church: St. Patrick is credited with converting the whole of Ireland. The Catholic community in Leavenworth continues to celebrate the life of St. Patrick with the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Mass at Immaculate Conception Church there, followed by a parade through downtown on March 17. “The linkage between the Mass and

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Bagpipers — from left, John Bauer, Dale Cleland and Terry Bair — make their way down the parade route of the Leavenworth St. Patrick’s Day parade. the parade is a beautiful one because it reminds everyone of the real cause for our celebration,” said Father David

McEvoy, O.Carm., pastor of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Church. “The parade is a lot of fun for the Irish

families of Leavenworth and for the entire community, as well.” Though not Irish himself, St. Patrick is beloved by the Irish people because he was the first to bring the Catholic faith to Ireland and convert the people, Father David said. “Saint Patrick is always a symbol of Irish pride,” he said. “He is a great model of evangelization for us today.” Though Immaculate Conception was not designated a “national” Irish parish, it was the cathedral parish from 1855-1947 and has been home to many Irish immigrants and their descendants, he said. “Many of us owe the faith that was passed down through our families to ourselves to the church in Ireland, and ultimately to St. Patrick himself,” he said. “Catholicism was not always so accepted in the United States, despite our freedom to profess our faith here. “So, the St. Patrick’s parade is a way for us to publicly celebrate our Catholic roots.” >> See “PARADE” on page 5

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Through Jesus, we receive the strength to embrace God’s will

ometimes, I reminisce during my homily, telling the confirmation candidates that when I was confirmed — eons ago in the last millennium while the dinosaurs still walked the earth — the bishop slapped each person being confirmed. That was when it was fun to be a bishop! The bishop did not slap the newly confirmed hard, but just gave them a gentle tap. It was a symbol reminding the individual that to follow Jesus is not for wimps. Jesus did not promise the path of discipleship would be easy. In fact, just the opposite. Our Lord warned his disciples that following him meant sharing in the cross. If we are to be an authentic disciple of Jesus, we have to be prepared to follow him all the way to Calvary. The Passion narratives are the heart of the Gospels. Everything else in the Gospel is to prepare us for the drama of Our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. On Palm Sunday this year, we will read the Passion according to St. Mark (Mk 14:1 – 15:47). Each year, during the Good Friday liturgy, we hear St. John’s account of the Passion (18:1 – 19:42). During Holy Week, I encourage you to read and pray over the Passion narratives of both Mark and John. Mark begins his account in Bethany, where an unidentified woman anoints Jesus with costly perfumed oil. Her gesture of affection and respect for Our Lord provokes criticism, with some protesting her extravagance and suggesting the perfumed oil could have been sold

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN and the proceeds given to the poor. Ironically, immediately after this controversy, Judas Iscariot enters into a financial agreement with the chief priests to betray Jesus. Mark then provides his account of the Last Supper, where Jesus gives the church the twin sacraments of the priesthood and the Eucharist. During the course of the Passover meal, Our Lord predicts his betrayal by one of the Twelve. When Peter brags about his absolute fidelity to Jesus, Our Lord predicts Peter’s triple denial before the sunrise. The scene shifts to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus spent the night praying intensely to be preserved from the coming trials, but concluded by submitting completely to his Father’s will. Meanwhile, his closest but clueless disciples are falling asleep. Judas has led those deputized by the high priests to arrest Jesus to the location where Our Lord has been praying. Judas makes the wound of his betrayal more devastating by pointing out Our Lord by a sign of

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affection to the menacing mob. All of the apostles and disciples desert Jesus. One interesting detail unique to Mark’s narrative is his description of a young disciple literally losing his clothes in his effort to flee the chief priests’ thugs. Many Scripture scholars believe this to be autobiographical. Mark is disclosing his own cowardice. Mark describes the sham of a trial conducted by the high priest. Those giving false testimony cannot even manage to get their fabricated stories to agree. Meanwhile, Peter has worked up enough courage to come to the high priest’s courtyard, attempting to blend in with the crowd. When one of the chief priest’s maids and some of the other bystanders recognize Peter as one of Our Lord’s disciples, Peter denies three times even knowing Jesus. Peter exits the Passion narrative weeping over his cowardice. After allowing the guards to beat, humiliate and mock him, the chief priests drag Our Lord to Pontius Pilate with the hope he will grant permission to crucify Jesus. Pilate knows that he is not guilty. Nevertheless, after some feeble and ineffective attempts to free Jesus, Pilate ultimately

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takes the easy course and acquiesces to the demands of the crowd. Now, it is the turn of the Roman soldiers to whip, mock and humiliate Jesus before forcing him to carry the instrument of his execution to Cavalry. Once arriving at Golgotha, they strip Jesus of his clothing and nail him to the cross. The chief priests, scribes, passersby and even the criminals crucified alongside Jesus taunt and verbally abuse Our Lord. At around 3 p.m., Jesus cries out the beginning of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This psalm actually prophesizes many of the details of Our Lord’s passion and crucifixion, as well as his ultimate vindication. After his death, it is a pagan Roman centurion who makes a beautiful profession of faith: “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” Mark highlights the heroism of the female disciples who, attempting to give Our Lord comfort and support, remain with him throughout the terrible ordeal of his tortuous death. Joseph of Arimathea also distinguishes himself by having the courage to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus. A member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph boldly defied the chief priests by tenderly and respectfully placing the lifeless body of Jesus in his own tomb. There are many fascinating characters and subplots in the Passion narrative that can provide rich opportunities for fruitful meditation. Most importantly, the Passion reveals the depth of God’s love for us — depicting what Our Lord was willing to

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN

Administrative Team meeting

March 24 Given KC young Catholic women’s conference

March for Life young adult Mass and dinner

Symposium Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison March 25 Palm Sunday Mass — Cathedral, Kansas City, Kansas

April 4 Curia meeting Confirmation — St. Joseph, Shawnee

ARCHBISHOP KELEHER

March 27 Chrism Mass — Savior Pastoral Center

March 25 Palm Sunday Mass — Federal prison camp, Leavenworth

March 29 Holy Thursday Mass — Cathedral, Kansas City, Kansas

March 27 Chrism Mass — Savior Pastoral Center

March 30 Good Friday service — Cathedral, Kansas City, Kansas March 31 Easter Vigil — Cathedral, Kansas City, Kansas April 3 Wyandotte regional priests meeting

endure so that we might receive mercy and gain a share of everlasting life. This is indeed the greatest and most important story ever told. Unlike the myths of pagan religions, it recounts actual historical events. You can visit the sites today where all these events transpired. More importantly, the Passion provides the essentials of what we believe as 21st-century disciples of Jesus. If we truly accept the love of God described in these two chapters of Mark’s Gospel, then our lives can never be the same. We can never doubt being loved by the only one who can satisfy the deepest longings of our heart.

March 29 Sisters, Servants of Mary Mass March 30 Good Friday service — Cathedral, Kansas City, Kansas April 1 Mass at Sisters, Servants of Mary

Moreover, when suffering comes inevitably to our lives, we are able to view it differently than an unbelieving world. Though like Jesus we naturally ask the Father to remove burdens from our lives, through Jesus we find the power to embrace the Father’s will. It is actually moments of adversity that provide us the opportunity to witness most compellingly to the power of Jesus to animate the lives of disciples today. It is our capacity to maintain peace and even radiate joy in the midst of suffering that unbelievers have found irresistible for the past 2,000 years.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

The Way of the Cross is celebrated throughout the world in a very public way. From left are Way of the Cross celebrations in New York, the Ukraine and Havana.

The Passion: A new possibility By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Mo. — It is absurd for anyone to do the Way of the Cross — unless Christ really is who he claimed to be. So, is Christ who he claimed to be and is he the best thing in the world or not? This is the provocation that fuels the Catholic lay movement Communion and Liberation (CL) and gave rise to its Way of the Cross. Founded in the 1950s near Milan by Msgr. Luigi Giussani, Communion and Liberation is, fundamentally, a friendship, a way of living reality together so intensely as to discover that it is in belonging to Christ and each other that true personality emerges. For Father Larry Bowers, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Osage City, following CL has become the means by which he lives his life. “For me, it’s a way of looking at life and our faith that helps me to live it every day,” said Father Bowers. “It takes seriously the incarnation, that ‘the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’” And this is why the friends of CL walk the Way of the Cross in silence through downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on Good Friday, pausing to sing, listen and reflect on various readings. Daniele Musso, of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, grew up near Turin, Italy, where he began participating in CL’s Way of the Cross in the mountains as a university student. Then, in the early ’90s, he had the opportunity to walk the Way of the Cross led by Msgr. Giussani. “I remember the intensity of those moments in which everything was compounding to a communal and personal experience of Jesus’ supreme act of love for us,” said Musso. From the music to the readings to walking through green fields in the Alps, the experience took hold of Musso who continues to participate in the same devotion each year in Kansas City and with the Communion and Liberation University students in Atchison. When attending CL’s Way of the Cross for the first time five years ago,

CNS PHOTO/JACLYN LIPPELMANN, CATHOLIC STANDARD

A man carries a cross during a Way of the Cross procession through the streets of Washington on Good Friday last year.

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“IT SYMBOLIZES THE WAY THAT THE [COMMUNION AND LIBERATION] MOVEMENT LOOKS AT CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.” Father Bowers was surprised by its unusual structure. “The first thing that freaked me out was that there were only five Stations!” he said. “It’s different in that it’s not the Stations, but the Way of the Cross. . . . It’s a way of reflecting more deeply on less things, which I feel is the charism of CL.” The stops have included familiar Kansas City landmarks, such as the Sprint Center and Bartle Hall, and are always accompanied by music from the President

Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

Editor Rev. Mark Goldasich, stl frmark.goldasich@theleaven.org

CL choir and reflective readings. “One of the things that strikes me is that it’s very public and reminds me that our faith is not meant to be just an internal dialogue,” said Father Bowers, “but is something that is meant for others, something that we want people to remember. “It’s the gesture of remembering what Christ did and still does.” Kirsten Millard, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa, attended the Way of the Cross for the first time last year, prompted by a friend’s invitation to participate in the choir. “What was striking for me about the Way of the Cross,” said Millard, “was proclaiming boldly, without actually going up and talking to someone face to face, that Christ has meaning for my life and he is in the midst of this contemporary world.” Struck by the familiarity and mystery of the experience of silently following the large wooden cross and singing hymns, Millard explained CL’s Way of the Cross as an outward sign of the charism the movement follows. “It symbolizes the way that the [CL]

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Reporter Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Social Media Editor Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

WAY OF THE CROSS INFO ANNIVERSARY submissions The Kansas City Communion and Liberation community will lead the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m., starting at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 416 W. 12th St., Kansas City, Missouri. Bishop James V. Johnston will open the devotion with a blessing. All are welcome.

movement looks at Christ in the midst of our everyday lives, and that’s so central to how we live,” said Millard. “The fact of doing it together and having companionship in that walk is really what renewed my own faith life.” For Musso, the most important aspect of the Way of the Cross is its capacity to help him remember his need for God. “CL proposes gestures like the Way of the Cross to open ourselves up to what is not ourselves . . . to the event of God made man who makes us free by suffering and dying for us.” Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

‘Virtual reality isn’t everything. We offer real reality’ Katie Peterson Special to the Leaven

EAVENWORTH — Sometimes, it only takes the right words at the right time to bring someone back to the Catholic Church. Patty Davis, a parishioner of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph Church in Leavenworth, has seen it happen. At the 10th annual Lenten Ministry Morning held March 10 at St. Joseph Church in Leavenworth, Davis shared her story. “Eleven years ago,” explained Davis, her sister’s son Jimmy died of cancer at 26. “So that very day [my sister Kathy] started hating God,” said Davis, “and dropped out of the church.” What brought about her miraculous change of heart? During a retreat Davis attended with her sister at Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton, a few simple words of a discussion touched Kathy’s heart. “The discussion was about our children and how they’re not really our property,” said Davis. “We only have them for a short time. They belong to God.” That hit home with Kathy, said Davis. “Now, she’s gone to Holy Hour and everything,” she said. Davis recalled the story when Father Paul Turner, pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, asked attendees during his talk, entitled “Liturgy and Evangelization: Ministering Beyond the Mass to recall a time when evangelization brought someone back to the church His discussion was divided into two parts. First, Father Turner spoke on the pastoral side of evangelization. He said when a person disconnects from the Catholic Church, there is almost always a reason. That is because Catholics act, at

LEAVEN PHOTO BY KATIE PETERSON

Paul Turner, pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, leads a talk, entitled “Liturgy and Evangelization: Ministering Beyond the Mass,” held March 10 at St. Joseph Church in Leavenworth. least in part, as consumers with their Mass attendance. “People do a little shopping around as a consumer might,” Father Turner said. “They may pick this parish or this weekend because the timing works out better. “They’re more interested in getting their own needs cared for that weekend and that tends to diminish involvement in parish activities.” Other sources of disconnect include hurts caused by individuals or the larger church, tipping points and virtual realities, Turner said. “People who want to know something about Catholic Church life don’t even have to go to church,” he said. “But, there’s something very exciting going on when a community gathers.” “I know we have something valuable,”

added Father Turner. “But we have to remind people from time to time that virtual reality isn’t everything. We also offer real reality.” He said the way to combat these disconnections is to turn to the resources already in place to help others reconnect, including the Mass, special events and gatherings through the church, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Father Turner quoted passages from the Acts of the Apostles, the First Letter to the Corinthians and the Gospel of John which demonstrated key points in a conversion — a charismatic minister, a charismatic convert, an experience in spirituality that pre-exists, a life-changing event such as an illness or a supernatural force. These are all ways to connect the

disconnected, he said. In the second part of his talk, Father Turner focused specifically on evangelization within the Mass. “Sometimes we aren’t aware of how effective the Mass is,” he said. He went on to explain how the Mass is a community celebration and should be an invitation to always set an example. “We all have a responsibility every moment of the Mass,” he said. “It’s not like we check out until we have our favorite moments. Every moment along the way [during the Mass], we’ve got something that we need to do.” This includes participating in songs, hearing the word of God and going to Communion as a community, he said. “The fact that you sit together is an expression of your unity. You are now ready to listen to the word of God. And when you listen as one, then you are building the community,” Father Turner said. Though participating in the Mass is important, he said evangelization begins before the Mass and continues after the Mass — and the most important step is to simply learn a person’s name. “Church is extremely important to learn names and get people connected,” he said. “Don’t take it for granted that people know one another by name.” In closing, Father Turner had two questions that he asked attendees to think about: How can our parish be more evangelizing? How can I be more evangelizing? “Thanks for your service to the church,” he said. “It’s important for us in our parishes to have people filled with faith so deep that they just want to give it back to others, the community and the world. “And it really does make a difference.”

Day of healing for the abused and their supporters set for April 21 By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Margaret knows all about the pain, darkness and alienation caused by childhood sexual abuse by a cleric — because it happened to her. But Margaret (not her real name) also knows that the church offers healing and peace that survivors like herself can get nowhere else. “I think a survivor will find greater healing through the sacraments in the church — the church that has sinners and has wounded a soul,” she said. “It’s that same church that offers the sacraments for healing in the best way.” This coming month, Margaret and others will find hope and healing at a day of reflection called “Healing from the Scandal of Abuse by Clergy, Religious and Others in Authority within the Church.” The archdiocesan-sponsored day will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21 at Savior Pastoral Center, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas. This event is open to all Catholics, including religious Sisters and Brothers, deacons, priests, lay ministers and any

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“MY HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE WILL LEAVE THE EXPERIENCE WITH A PROFOUND SENSE OF PEACE AND HOPE, AND [THEY] WILL FEEL MORE OPEN TO THE LOVE OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT WOUND THEY WALK IN WITH,” Catholic dealing with spiritual wounds from abuse or those wishing to offer their support. Leading the event will be Teresa Hartnett, herself an abuse survivor. She is a Catholic writer, speaker and founder of Spirit Fire ministry (Spirit Fire.Live), which promotes restorative justice for those wounded by abuse. She is also the co-founder of Healing Voices magazine. She is the author of “Healing Sanctuary” and co-author of “Veronica’s Veil” under the pen name Teresa Pitt Green.

Archdiocesan chancellor Father John Riley was very impressed by Hartnett’s book and what she offers survivors. “Several years ago, I was informed of Teresa’s book, ‘Veronica’s Veil,’” said Father Riley. “I ordered several copies and read the book immediately. “It struck me as a very personal and approachable test that would be very helpful in assisting survivors of sexual abuse in the process of healing.” “I’ve probably given more than 25 copies of this book to survivors,” he continued. “When I learned that Teresa was available to offer a retreat in the archdiocese, I knew that she would be an excellent resource for survivors, and that her approach to healing would be of great benefit for survivors.” Hartnett’s path to integrating this trauma into her identity included leaving the church “a dozen times” and undergoing therapy. “To make a long story short,” she said, “beyond the pathology of abuse and all the ways the world would rightly understand it, only my faith could explain the evil I experienced.” “That, coupled with this constant longing for the Eucharist,” she continued, “led me on a staggering life’s journey.”

Despite the progress she’s made, Hartnett found that it’s a wound that doesn’t ever go away. Nevertheless, she is more at peace. “I’m blessed that people are ready to hear about what we’re doing. And the gifts of my life and my talents — and even my suffering — can be brought to bear to serve others,” said Hartnett. The day will consist of four sessions that include opportunities for prayer, music and conversation. A safe room will be available for those who wish to use it. At least one trained counselor will be available. “My hope is that people will leave the experience with a profound sense of peace and hope, and [they] will feel more open to the love of God no matter what wound they walk in with,” said Hartnett. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, go to the archdiocesan website at: www.archkck.org. Scroll down the home page until you come to the “Day of Reflection Registration” box. Click on it. This will lead you to a short description of the day and the agenda. Click on the green “Register” button. You can also register by calling Maura Dodson at (913) 647-0367.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Ward to honor three with Hall of Fame Preserving a legacy . . . Building a future

By Jill Ragar Esfeld jill.esfeld@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Bishop Ward High School here began its Spirit Dinner just a year ago as an addition to its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event was so successful, the school is holding a second this April 7, with the hope of it becoming an annual tradition The evening is designed to inspire guests with the recognition of alumni who have spent their lives exemplifying the spirit of Bishop Ward, and the testimony of current students who will share their dreams for tomorrow. Transition is the theme. “The new tagline is ‘Preserving a Legacy . . . Building a Future,’” said Sydney Normile, special events manager. “It’s a scholarship dinner,” she explained. “We bring in donors and past alumni to raise as much money as we can for scholarships for our students. “One of the big missions of Bishop Ward is being able to provide a quality Catholic education for any student.” The event, held in the school’s gymnasium, will be a homecoming for many. “You’d be surprised at how people really stay connected after they graduate from Bishop Ward,” said Normile. “It’s really lovely to see everyone saying hello again.” This year’s event co-chairs were students at the high school in the ’60s. Helen Skradski and Richard Sambol reconnected after losing their respective spouses and recently married. “I graduated in ’64 and Helen graduated in ’63,” said Sambol. “Helen and I were both on the committee last year. We’ve tried to make this event a melding of the old with the new. “We’re trying to build a tradition here.” The evening’s keynote speaker will be Nate Bukaty, who graduated in 1994. Bukaty, a proud native of Wyandotte County, has been part of the Sports Radio 810 WHB team since 2003. He also serves as the television and radio play-by-play voice of Sporting Kansas City. “He’s part of Sports Radio, which is pretty exciting,” said Normile. “He’s going to talk about his time at

What: Bishop Ward scholarship dinner When: April 7 at 6 p.m. Where: Bishop Ward gymnasium For ticket information or to donate, go online to: www.wardhigh.org/spiritof bishopward.

Blake Mulvany, Bishop Ward’s first lay administrator, will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Bishop Ward.” Another highlight of the evening is the induction ceremony for the Bishop Ward Hall of Fame Inductees are those who exemplify the spirit of Bishop Ward, and no one fits that bill better than Blake Mulvany, the high school’s first lay administrator. Mulvany began his career at Bishop Ward in 1957 as a teacher and then coach of both basketball and football. He later served as principal and then president. Sambol grew to know Mulvany well during his student years as the sports reporter for the high school. And what he learned at Bishop Ward, he said, served him for a lifetime. “I was our sports reporter which led to my career with The KC Star,” he said. “I worked at The Star for 33 years.” After his stint in administration, Mulvany left Bishop Ward in 1984 and was instrumental in opening St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park in 1988, serving as its first president. In 1996, he was named superintendent of archdiocesan schools and served in that capacity for eight years. Throughout his lifelong involvement in Catholic education, Mulvany was a tireless proponent of its life-changing potential. He and his wife Rose Ann made sure their nine children attended

Catholic schools. And Mulvany believed every child in the archdiocese should have that same opportunity, regardless of their financial needs. To that end, he started The Gardner Plan, which eventually became the Catholic Education Foundation To date, CEF has awarded more than $16 million in scholarships. “We’re very fortunate to have Blake as one of our honorees,” said Sambol. In addition to Mulvany, the evening will see Bob and Denise Beaman inducted into the Hall of Fame. The couple first met and dated at Bishop Ward in the early ’70s. Once married, Bob Beaman’s job as executive director of security for United Parcel Service had them moving around the country, but they never forgot their Wyandotte County roots and the Catholic values they learned here. They have served their community wherever they lived and, back in Kansas now, continue to exemplify the Bishop Ward spirit. As alumni recall the supportive community and valuable education they benefited from at Bishop Ward, two current students also will speak at the event, giving attendees a peek into the future And that future is bright. “Blake and the Beamans have given us a foundation,” said Sambol. “That foundation is part of what made this a really good school. “So, the hope is these kids will continue that tradition — make something of themselves and be able to support the school in the future.” All the proceeds from the evening will go directly to student scholarships. And there will be an opportunity to make donations to the scholarship fund. “I would love people to feel good about what we’re trying to do,” said Normile. “And I want them to know that this is one of the best ways we can help our students.”

Victoria (Flowers) and Clem Crawford, members of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on March 30. The couple was married on March 30, 1968, at St. Patrick Church, Chanute. Their children are Christi Holladay and Ryan Crawford. They also have five grandchildren. Julian C. and Petty Rae (Jones) Oliva, members of Mater Dei Parish, To p e k a , celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 17 with a blessing at Mass and a family dinner with their children. Their children are: Kathleen Rose Henao, Colleen Ann Speaker, Julian Charles Oliva Jr. and Eileen Kay Oliva (deceased). They also have nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The couple was married on March 22, 1958, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Topeka.

ANNIVERSARYsubmissions submissions ANNIVERSARY WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: anniversaries; or email: todd. habiger@theleaven.org.

Appointments Father John Riley, chancellor, announces these appointments made by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, effective March 20: Father Bruce Ansems, to adjutant judicial vicar and principal master of ceremonies, and continuing as diocesan judge and providing sacramental assistance to St. Agnes Parish, Roeland Park. Monsignor Gary Applegate, from judicial vicar and principal master of ceremonies to diocesan judge and continuing as a master of ceremonies, providing sacramental assistance to Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Overland Park, and a member of the College of Consultors. Father Joseph Arsenault, SSA, to judicial vicar and continuing as ecumenical officer, chaplain/director of Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center, coordinating chaplain for Sisters, Servants of Mary convent and, when available, providing sacramental assistance to St. Mary-St. Anthony, St. John the Baptist and Holy Family parishes in Kansas City, Kansas.

Parade brings Leavenworth community together >> Continued from page 1 Even now, there are several members and families in the Immaculate Conception community who claim those Irish roots. One such member is longtime parishioner Marilyn Murray. “It’s something we look forward to every year,” she said. “It would be something very disappointing if the parish didn’t continue to do it. “We just take it for granted that we are going to have a St. Patrick’s Day Mass and a big celebration afterwards.” “It is good for a family,” she continued. “It brings them all together and I

think it’s good to have a tradition and keep the tradition of your grandparents who came all the way over here.” The Mass features bagpipers, traditional Irish hymns and a collection for the St. Vincent Clinic in Leavenworth. Each year, a grand marshal is chosen, usually someone of Irish descent and involved in the Catholic community. This year, Rod and Susan Bray of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph were chosen for that honor. The selection recognizes their service to the Leavenworth churches, the Leavenworth Catholic schools and the Knights of Columbus, said Tim Scanlon,

a parade committee member. Susan Bray said she and her husband were surprised to learn they were chosen. “We certainly did not ever in our wildest dreams think that we would be chosen to be grand marshals,” said Bray. “We are among a lot of great people that have been grand marshals in the past, so it is quite an honor.” Bray said she loves how the parade brings everyone together as a community. “It’s such a good family event. When you talk about the Leavenworth parade, people’s eyes just light up, because you just know everybody that’s in it,” she

said. “It’s a way of connecting with the community and everybody.” “Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” she concluded. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish or not. It’s just a wonderful parade.” Father David uses a different word to describe the day: joy. “Ultimately, St. Patrick’s Day is about joy,” he said, “joy that this great saint brought the faith to Ireland, joy that we cling to that faith today.” “And joy,” he added, “that we live in a nation where we can freely profess our faith and ethnic roots.”

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus

Family prayer for priests “If the priest is a saint, the people will be fervent; if the priest is fervent, the people will be pious; if the priest is pious, the people will at least be decent. But if the priest is only decent, the people will be godless.” — Jean-Baptiste Chautard As we approach Holy ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 Week, lead your family in prayer for your priest(s): • Offer a rosary • Pray all (or part) of a Holy Hour • Add your priest to your night prayer — Libby DuPont, consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life

HOLY WEEK Cathedral at the

PALM SUNDAY

HOLY SATURDAY

Mass begins at 11 a.m. with the blessing of palms in the parish center with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann. After the blessing, participants will process into the church.

Mass begins at 8 p.m. with the blessing of the new paschal candle, fire and holy water, along with receiving new Catholics into the church.

HOLY THURSDAY

EASTER SUNDAY

Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be the washing of feet and a procession with the Eucharist.

Masses will be held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Archbishop Naumann will be the celebrant at the 11 a.m. Mass.

GOOD FRIDAY

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The service begins at 3 p.m. in English and at 7 p.m. in Spanish. Archbishop Naumann and Archbishop James P. Keleher will lead the afternoon celebration which will feature the Passion, veneration of the cross and Communion.

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Deacon Marcos Navarro of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee once considered the priesthood, but ended up spending 33 years in the military instead. After his retirement, Navarro was looking for ways to do more for the church.

DEACONS CALLED TO BE ‘CHRIST THE SERVANT’ IN TODAY’S CHURCH Work ranges from annulment advocacy to prison ministry

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

ridge builders. Servants. Heralds of the Gospel. Those are a few phrases Leon Suprenant, co-director of the archdiocesan office of the permanent diaconate, used to describe permanent deacons. From the Greek word “diakonos” for “servant” or “minister,” Suprenant emphasized that a deacon is a man who is ordained to act in the person of Christ the servant. “The deacon has a ministry of the word, liturgy and charity or service,” he said. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “the diaconate is the first of three ranks of ordained ministry.” The ranks are bishop, priest and deacon. Deacons can be transitional, meaning they are preparing for priestly ordination. Deacons can also be permanent deacons, meaning they are not preparing for priestly ordination. Married men may be ordained to the permanent diaconate, and single men can be ordained to the permanent diaconate with a commitment to celibacy.

Although the permanent diaconate was practiced in other parts of the Catholic Church, within the Western church, it fell dormant until the 1960s. Acting upon the Second Vatican Council’s recommendation, Blessed Paul VI formally reinstituted it, but left it to the various national bishops’ conferences to implement it. The archdiocese is among the last within the United States to do so, Suprenant said. The idea originated with Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher, who appreciated the various ways permanent deacons served in his hometown of Chicago. He saw potential to implement the diaconate here and, over time, according to Suprenant, shared his vision with archdiocesan priests. The first cohort (class) of permanent deacons started its fiveyear formation program in 2006. In 2011, the archdiocese ordained 17 men as permanent deacons with plans for a second cohort. This past June, the archdiocese ordained another 17 men. The profiles here offer a glimpse into four deacon’s ministries. >> Story continues on the next page

‘Not necessarily raising his hand’ Married for 24 years with four children ranging in age from 12 to 19, Deacon John Weist is currently assigned to St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood. An attorney in private practice, the idea of becoming a deacon initially caught him by surprise. In fact, he tried to dismiss it. Father Bill Porter, then pastor, suggested to Deacon Weist and his wife Zena that the couple should consider applying. At the time, three of their children were under 7. Another was due in three months. He worried about the demands already on his time. “I didn’t know the three-fold ministry of a deacon,” he said. “It didn’t seem like I would have the time to devote to it.” While Deacon Weist was not necessarily receptive, his wife was “very enthusiastic about the idea.” After much prayer, he applied for the five-year program. Ordained in 2011, Deacon Weist has, according to the parish’s current pastor, Father Brian Schieber, served the parish in numerous ways, including as a spiritual director at Christ Renews His Parish retreats and for individuals. “Deacon John has a great pastoral sense and love for the faith and the people,” Father Schieber said. As the parish’s annulment advocate, Deacon Weist “journeyed with people through the annulment process and was able to help people find healing and new hope.” In addition to serving the parish, Deacon Weist has an assignment outside the parish as chaplain to the Overland Park Police Department. Again, the idea caught him by surprise. One of his fellow parishioners, Michael Ernst is deputy chief, and oversees the chaplains. One day, the two were talking about the need for a Catholic chaplain. Ernst said the department had tried previously to find one but the demands on priests’ time made it challenging. Ernst, according to Deacon Weist, said the assignment seemed “a good fit for a deacon.” “He was just talking to me,” Deacon Weist said. “I wasn’t necessarily raising my hand.” In 2016, he underwent chaplaincy training. He has found the assignment brings comfort to not just police officers, but also families affected by emergency situations. Last year, he sat with a griev-

He sent them two by two

f the nearly 18,300 deacons serving within the United States, more than 90 percent are married men. Balancing the demands of home and family with their professional careers as well as their ministry to the church can sometimes be challenging.

Deacon Chris Seago of Mater Dei Parish i

Advice for those dis call to the perma

Do you think you might be called to t here have 10 tips for you.

1. Pray about it. 2. Spend time with permanent deaco 3. Seek the advice of a spiritual direc 4. Study the role of deacons within t 5. Ask questions. 6. Talk with your family. 7. Stay humble. 8. Be reliable. 9. Know your faith and stay true to it 10. Realize that deacons represent th

Additional resources • Office of the Permanent Diaconate www.archkck.org/deacon

• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachin LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Deacon Don Poole served as a Baptist preacher for 16 years until his resignation in 1996. Four years later, the couple joined the Catholic Church. He was encouraged to enter the diaconate by his former pastor. ing family who asked for a Catholic chaplain “just trying to be present with them.” Serving at Mass, though, is what brings him the most joy. “That may seem underwhelming, but the Mass is such a vital part of our lives as Catholics,” said Deacon Weist. “It is where we receive the sacrament of charity so that we are able to then go forth to love God and neighbor as Jesus would.” “That necessitates at every Mass some conversion (our penitential

The four deacons interviewed for this story said their wives’ support is absolutely crucial to their ministry. In determining whether to consider a man for the permanent diaconate, in fact, the liturgical norms require the wives be not only accepting of their husbands’ call but also supportive. In September 1987, while speaking to permanent deacons in Detroit, St. John Paul II said, “As the current guidelines for the permanent diaconate in the United States point out, the nurturing and deepening of mutual,

Intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist is something that Deacon Don Poole and his wife Judy had to find over time. Up until he married in 1968, Deacon Poole had not belonged to any church. So he was surprised when

later he discerned a call to ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention. “I felt I was supposed to be a preacher,” he said, adding he served as a Baptist preacher for 16 years until his resignation in 1996. Four years later, the couple joined the Catholic Church at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Mound City. Initially, it was the hierarchy and authority structure of the church that drew the couple into

the Catholic faith. Deacon Poole said he never imagined he’d be one of the church’s ordained ministers. While in the Communion line one weekend, his pastor whispered he wanted to see Deacon Poole after Mass. “After church, I stayed around, and he said there was going to be a deacon program, and he wanted me to write a letter to the archbishop.” The deacon wrote a letter expressing his interest but it would take some time for the program to get off the ground. In 2005, the archdiocese began

sacrificial love between husband and wife constitute perhaps the most significant involvement of a deacon’s wife in her husband’s public ministry in the church. Today especially, this is no small service.” “The deacon and his wife,” he later added, “must be a living example of fidelity and indissolubility in Christian marriage before a world which is in dire need of such signs. By facing in a spirit of faith the challenges of married life and the demands of daily living, they strengthen the family life not

only of the church community but of the whole of society.” “A living example” is a tall order to fill. But Judy Poole and her husband Deacon Don Poole did just celebrate 50 years of marriage in January. And Judy said she hopes their marriage inspires other couples — especially young couples — to persevere in their marriages. To support the deacon in his ministry, she spends more time at their shared place of business than in the past. “I’m there, and so he is free [to

go where he is needed],” she said. “I’m able to help him in that way.” She also tends to their six grandchildren occasionally. Most importantly, she said, she’s “always available” to assist with parish events or to serve as a sponsor for someone in the RCIA program. Living in a rural area, she said, there are always plenty of opportunities for her to assist in his ministry. Like Judy, Angela Navarro sees her role as being available to assist her husband. “My role as a deacon’s wife is to be at his side to participate in

act),” he added, “some inspiration (particularly from the Scriptures), and intimacy with Jesus (especially in the Eucharist).”

‘Loves his Catholic faith’

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

in Topeka has taken the “anything Father needs” approach to his ministry.

scerning a possible anent diaconate

the diaconate? The deacons profiled

ons and their wives. ctor. the church.

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ps ngs/vocations/diaconate/index.cfm

officially to take applications, but, when the moment came to apply, Deacon Poole hesitated. A Sunday homily, though, gave him pause. The pastor discussed how priests need help and support to spread the Gospel message. “After Mass,” Deacon Poole recalled, “my wife said, ‘Maybe that’s a word for you.’” Ordained in 2011, most of Deacon Poole’s time is spent in service to the parish. He and his wife own an insurance agency, so a typical day involves at least a few hours at his office before he heads to the church for an hour of eucharistic

activities whenever I’m able to,” she said. A social worker by training, Angela attends as many parish functions with her husband as her own career allows. She also prays for him, offers him feedback on his homilies and sometimes gives him suggestions on where the prisoners he ministers to can find community resources. “I just try to be there for him,” she said. “He was the one ordained, but we’re both involved in this.” Unlike Judy and Angela, who

adoration. While he’s at the church, people might drop by with questions or for what he terms “low-level counseling.” Throughout the week, people find him “just doing whatever the priest needs me to do,” like teaching classes for the parish’s RCIA program, visiting the sick and bringing them Communion, providing tours of the church’s shrine to St. Philippine Duchesne, officiating at funeral services and meeting with other religious leaders as they tend to community needs. Father Barry Clayton, the current pastor, said Deacon Poole’s background as a Protestant pastor is one of his greatest gifts. “Deacon Don brings a good perspective since he was a Protestant pastor and now is a Catholic deacon. He is familiar with Protestant thought and understanding, and he has come to be convinced of the fullness of truth found in the Catholic Church set up by Christ,” he said. “He has years of experience in Scripture, and he loves his Catholic faith.”

‘A chance to do something more’ Like Deacon Poole, Deacon Chris Seago said most of his work is within the parish doing “anything Father needs me to do.” Married for 34 years, he and his wife Julia have two grown daughters. Trained as a clinical social worker, Deacon Seago was engaged in marriage and family therapy at Catholic Community Services for 10 years. Currently, he works for the Kansas Depart-

are visible within the community, Julia Seago prefers to stay in the background. “I participate in very few activities that my husband is involved in at church, partly because of my health,” she said. But from behind the scenes, she both appreciates and supports his passion for his ministry. “My husband Chris is very dedicated to the Catholic Church,” she said, “and has studied and dedicated his life to practicing the church’s traditions.” “He enjoys being a deacon,”

ment of Aging and Disability Services in Topeka. Within the parish, he has, among other things, taught RCIA classes, assisted at Mass, led rosaries, officiated at funerals, conducted baptismal preparation classes, witnessed a few weddings not in the context of Mass, baptized people, led Stations of the Cross and answered theological questions posed by parishioners. According to Father John Pilcher, the pastor of Mater Dei Parish in Topeka, deacons extend the arms of the church. “Priestly ministry is to teach the word of God and to gather the sacrifices of the people into the sacrifice of Jesus and, of course, to stand in the person of Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation,” he said. “The diaconate, while not oriented to the forgiveness of sins, is to assist the priest in a leadership role and to lessen the things that distract from the beauty of the altar.” “Deacon Chris Seago fills these qualities by his willingness to do what he can to make my life as a priest a little easier,” Father Pilcher said. “I ask him to preach about once a month,” he continued, “and he is open to asking questions to reach into the greater depths of the Scriptures.” Deacon Seago discerned the call to a clerical vocation as a chance to do more. “I’d always been a lector. I had always been a eucharistic minister. I had my degree in theology and I always wanted to do more for the church than I was able to,” he said. At one time, he had even thought about the priesthood. “So when the archdiocese decided to start the diaconate,” he said, “I thought maybe that’s a chance for me to do something more.” In addition to his other tasks, Deacon Seago takes preaching seriously. During the rite of ordination, a deacon receives the Book of the Gospels as the ordaining bishop says, “Receive the Gospel whose herald you have become. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” That moment often plays in Deacon Seago’s mind as he prepares a homily. “For me, it’s just a sense of responsibility to make sure you’re authentically handing on the Gospel,” he said.

‘It took a lot of prayer’ Like Deacon Seago, Deacon Marcos Navarro of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee once considered the priesthood.

she added, “and meeting various people in the RCIA who want to enter the Catholic Church or who simply want to increase the knowledge they already have.” Like Julia, Zena Weist tends to stay more in the background, but only because the Weists have children at home. “I hope that I’m John’s sounding board, collaborator, advocate, study buddy and prayer partner,” she said. But she also believes she has one other important function to fill. “If I had to boil it down to one

“My calling was otherwise,” he said. Instead, he spent 33 years in military service. “Service was always a part of me,” he said. After retiring from military and civil service, he longed to do more for the church. He decided to investigate the diaconate. “There was a discernment process,” he said. “It took a lot of prayer.” He and Angela, his wife of 42 years, attended an informational session. Afterward, he asked numerous questions. Finally, the couple made a formal application. The process took about six months. Ordained in June 2017, he is among the archdiocese’s newest permanent deacons. Every day, he can be found at Mass first. Then, depending on the day, he engages in pastoral work such as teaching English as a Second Language classes, praying the rosary with prisoners at the state penitentiary in Lansing, teaching catechism classes to Hispanic adults and serving on the Regional Hispanic Council of Johnson County. He also leads Communion services at a private prison in Johnson County. He said prison ministry has provided him with countless opportunities to witness prisoners grow in their faith. “They pray for others,” he said. “I cannot tell you how powerful that is.” Deacon Navarro said he also sees the negative side of prison ministry — a high recidivism rate. As a result, he does everything he can to prepare prisoners for the challenges of life after prison and said it’s important for there to be opportunities for them to access in order to reintegrate into society. That’s why he tries to help them find jobs and places to live, and connects them with counseling services and other resources. Good Shepherd’s pastor, Father Jim Ludwikoski, said the deacon shows Christ’s love. “Marcos bring a multitude of gifts.,” he said. “His language fluency in Spanish helps, on so many levels, [Spanish speakers’] ability to understand and process who the church is and what the church wants from them,” he added. And “his inviting personality,” said Father Ludwikoski, “welcomes people into church involvement.” Finally, he added, Deacon Navarro’s “caring self assists men in local prisons to know the church is here for them. “He brings Jesus to wherever he is.”

thing, my primary role is to be a prayer warrior for John and all our archdiocesan deacons,” Zena said. “The kids and I pray for them every morning.” It’s a challenge, she said, but it’s who they are. “I can’t imagine our family without the diaconate,” she added. “It’s just part of our DNA. We are a diaconal family. “It’s not easy. Our family faith life takes significant effort, but we all hold each other accountable and we make our faith our priority.”

Saint Stephen is recognized as the first deacon in the church.

The permanent diaconate

“I

t is the duty of the deacon, according as it shall have been assigned to him by competent authority, to administer baptism solemnly, to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the church, to bring viaticum to the dying, to read the sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramental, and to officiate at funeral and burial services” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 29). • Number of permanent deacons currently serving in archdiocese: 42 • Number of permanent deacons in United States: 18,287 • Number of permanent deacon candidates serving within the United States: 2,670 • The first deacon: St. Stephen • Other deacons in the early church: Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch • Patron saints of deacons: St. Stephen, St. Lawrence and St. Francis of Assisi • Length of formation period: Five years, including one year of aspirancy and four years of candidacy • Minimum age of candidates: 30 to start the fiveyear formation program; 35 when ordained • Maximum age of candidates: The archdiocese has chosen not to impose a maximum age, but will consider candidates on a case-by-case basis. • Aspirancy: A year in which potential deacon candidates learn more about the permanent diaconate • Candidacy: After the aspirancy period is completed, the archbishop admits a man as a candidate for the diaconate. He begins a four-year period of formation which focuses on four key dimensions: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. • Post-ordination: After a deacon candidate is ordained, he receives an assignment of service from the archbishop. *NATIONAL TOTALS FROM THE CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH IN THE APOSTOLATE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMPILED FROM THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS, THE CATHOLIC BIBLE DICTIONARY, THE OFFICE OF THE PERMANENT DIACONATE FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS, AND THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

Pregame prayer clinched win for Loyola, says nun-chaplain By Catholic News Service

ALLAS (CNS) — A religious Sister who is the longtime chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team credited the pregame prayer and the players’ solid teamwork for the Ramblers’ last-second 64-62 win over the University of Miami in the NCAA Tournament on March 15. “Our team is so great and they don’t care who makes the points as long as we win the game,” Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 98, told a reporter with truTV. In the locker room before the game, Sister Jean said, she told the team: “We want to win, we want to get the big ‘W’ up there and we did.” The Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary made the comments in an interview courtside after the win. The TV reporter noted that as chaplain, she always gives detailed feedback after games in emails to Loyola’s coaches and players. “What is your feedback to the team” on the win, the reporter asked. “Oh, thank God, thank God we did it, because we knew we would do it,” replied Sister Jean. “And when we were in the locker room ahead of the game, we just knew we would do this.” The 1963 Loyola team won the national championship. When asked what made the 1963 Loyola team special and

CNS PHOTO COURTESY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 98, longtime chaplain of the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team, smiles after the team won in the first round game of the NCAA Tournament against the University of Miami March 15 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. what this team has in common with them, Sister Jean said: “They share the ball, they don’t care. They just share the ball,” she said of the current players. “They have great team work and they’re really good guys. And so was

Mississippi: 15-week abortion ban, clinic files suit By Maureen Smith Catholic News Service

ACKSON, Miss. (CNS) — Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law March 19 the most restrictive state abortion bill in the nation banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The owner of the state’s only abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, filed suit immediately, claiming it is unconstitutional. “We Catholic bishops of Mississippi wish to reaffirm the sacredness of human life from conception until natural death,” said Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of Jackson and Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III of Biloxi. The bishops issued their joint statement after the Mississippi House passed the measure 75-34 in February. The state Senate passed H.B. 1510 March 6 in a 35-14 vote. In a March 16 podcast, Bryant had anticipated the lawsuit but said he

expects to win in court, no matter how high the case goes in the courts. “If we go all the way to the Supreme Court, we are willing to do that,” he said. The Supreme Court has ruled in the past against abortion laws involving babies who could not survive outside the womb, which would include the Mississippi ban. “We are protecting the unborn children in this state, many of whom are minorities, many of whom are female, who are, at 15 weeks, moving in their mother’s womb. They are kicking, they have developed taste buds, their eyelids are moving, their hands and feet have been formed,” Bryant said. There are only two exceptions to the ban: if an unborn child has health problems that would make him or her “incompatible with life” outside of the womb at full term, or if a pregnant woman’s life or a “major bodily function” is threatened by continuing the pregnancy.

Concrete Work

the team of ‘63.” Sister Jean has been the team’s chaplain since 1994. In January 2017, she was inducted into Loyola’s sports hall of fame. Over the years, she has become a

San Diego seeks to build trust among police, communities

AN DIEGO (CNS) — Religious leaders are recognizing they have a unique role in helping improve relations among law enforcement officers and the broader community. To help, a new program, the Building Trust Partnership, is connecting people and helping police and residents to see the viewpoint of each other. The partnership involves the University of San Diego’s Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, the Diocese of San Diego and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development-funded San Diego Organizing Project. San Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy reflected, noting how many people began coming together during “a time of great tragedy,” when shootings of young African-American men and police officers were dominating the headlines.

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fixture on campus, even getting her own bobblehead day before a game in appreciation for her service. She keeps an office in the Student Center where her door is always open, and she lives in one of the dorms. Her pregame prayer with the team was once characterized by an ESPN writer as a mix of prayer, scouting report and motivational speech. She begins each prayer with the phrase “Good and gracious God.” Born in San Francisco in 1919, Sister Jean played six-on-six girls’ basketball in high school. Returning to California after entering the convent in Iowa — she joined the order in 1937 when she was 18 — she taught elementary school and volunteered as a coach in public schools in Los Angeles when she was teaching in that city. She coached everything from girls’ basketball, volleyball and softball to Ping-Pong and the yo-yo. She once said she had her girls’ team played against the boys to “toughen” them. In 1961, Sister Jean took a teaching job at Mundelein College, the women’s college that prepared its students to teach, which was located next to Loyola in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. She remembers when, two years later, Loyola beat the University of Cincinnati in the NCAA championship game. Mundelein merged with Loyola in 1991, and she moved with it.

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In addition, the bishop said participants knew they needed “to take some concrete step.” The diocese reached out to the Kroc Institute to build trust between local law enforcement and the communities they serve. The partnership is the result. Kevin Malone, executive director of the San Diego Organizing Project, said public safety is “not just a conversation about law enforcement.” In joining the launch of the initiative, Bishop Cornelius Bowser of Charity Apostolic Church said clergy can find themselves receiving pushback from both sides. But he encouraged law enforcement officers to try to understand “why these folks feel that way.” He explained that the officers are coming into communities that feel “overpoliced” and encountering people who feel they are “constantly being stopped” by police.

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MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

Pope asks youth to rejuvenate church; youth asks church to listen By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

OME (CNS) — The Catholic Church needs the enthusiasm, daring and hope of young people so that it can preach the Gospel energetically and respond to the questions men and women raise today, Pope Francis told some 300 young adults. “We need to rediscover in the Lord the strength to get up after failure, to move forward, to strengthen hope for the future,” the pope said March 19, opening a weeklong meeting in preparation for October’s Synod of Bishops. Most of the young people gathered with the pope at the Legionaries of Christ’s Maria Mater Ecclesia College in Rome were chosen as delegates by their national bishops’ conferences. Others represented a variety of Catholic movements or ministries, including religious life. But the Vatican also invited delegates from other Christian churches, other religions, including Islam, and young people who describe themselves as nonbelievers. Pope Francis told the young people that they are the ones who can help the church fight “the logic of ‘it’s always been done this way,’” which he described as “a poison, a sweet poison that tranquilizes the heart and leaves you anesthetized so you can’t walk.” The church and its members must continue to go out, continue asking what God is calling them to and continue finding new ways to respond, the pope said. Of course, he said, everyone must “keep an eye on the roots” of the church and preserve its essential teachings, but they also must find creative ways to share those teachings and reflect on how the Gospel responds to people’s questions today. Spending the morning with the young people, Pope Francis heard directly from 10 of them, who represented every region of the world. Some lamented the amount of time their peers spend on social media, while others spoke of how technology helps connect young people and rally them in support of good causes. Some talked of a need for better catechesis and support in fighting the “culture of relativism,” while others asked for an open and honest discussion of the church’s teaching on sexuality and on the role of women in the church. And one, a seminarian from Ukraine, asked about tattoos. Yulian Vendzilovych, a seminarian at Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv, asked the pope how a young priest is to judge which parts of modern culture are good and which are not. He used the example of tattoos, which many young people believe “express true beauty,” he said. “Don’t be afraid of tattoos,” the pope responded, noting that for centuries Eritrean Christians and others have gotten tattoos of the cross. “Of course, there can be exaggerations,” the pope said. But a tattoo “is a sign of belonging,” and asking a young person about his or her tattoos can be a great place to begin a dialogue about priorities, values, belonging, “and then you can approach the culture of the young.” A young man from France, Maxime Rassion, told the pope he has not been baptized, but he has questions about the meaning of his life and his relationship to the world and to God, if God

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis greets Australian delegate Angela Markas during a pre-synod gathering of youth delegates at the Pontifical International Maria Mater Ecclesiae College in Rome March 19. The meeting was in preparation for the Synod of Bishops on young people this October at the Vatican. exists. He said he is not sure if he wants to approach the Catholic Church for help because it is so big and he doesn’t want to give up his freedom. But he asked the pope where he should start. “You have already begun,” the pope told him. “The danger is not allowing the question to come up.” Young people must have “the courage to tell themselves the naked truth” about their hopes and weaknesses, the pope said, and then they must find a wise person — someone patient, “who won’t be frightened by anything” — with whom they can talk through their questions. Blessing Okodion, a young Nigerian rescued from forced prostitution in Italy, asked the pope what could be done to increase awareness of human trafficking and whether the church, which is “still too chauvinistic,” really is capable of helping young women and men relate to each other as equals. Noting that the vast majority of Italians are Catholic, Pope Francis said one must assume that about 90 percent of the men who use prostitutes in Italy

“

“WE NEED TO REDISCOVER IN THE LORD THE STRENGTH TO GET UP AFTER FAILURE, TO MOVE FORWARD, TO STRENGTHEN HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.”

are baptized. “Prostitution is a serious problem,” the pope told the young people. It stems from a widespread mentality that says, “women are to be exploited,” he said, and he asked young people to “battle against this.” “One who goes to a prostitute is a criminal, a criminal,” Pope Francis said. “This is not making love. This is torturing a woman. Let’s not confuse

the terms. This is criminal.” Like many of the speakers, Angela Markas, a Chaldean Catholic and a delegate from Australia, spoke to Pope Francis and her peers about young people’s questions regarding their identity. As the Australia-born daughter of two Iraqis, who lives in a multiethnic country and is connected by social media with people all over the world, Markas said it was difficult to know who to listen to and to know “which path should I take, given that I can virtually take any.” “As youth, we are in need of guidance,” she said. But from talking to friends, family and young people she tutors, “I feel young people are less drawn to seek this guidance from someone associated with the church. There are many reasons, but a consistent one is that youth feel disconnected from the church.” “Youth do not always feel they have a place in the church,” she said. “They need a place where they feel safe, welcomed and loved.” But they also want the church to take them and their concerns seriously, Markas said. “There is a tendency in the church to avoid matters that are not so easy to talk about. This includes same-sex marriage, our sexuality, and also the role of women in the church.” Nick Lopez, a campus minister at the University of Dallas and a delegate chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also addressed the opening session with the pope and focused on the youth and young-adult years as a time of transition: “moving, choosing, experimenting, failing, succeeding, fearing and hoping that that next steps we make are the steps that God is calling us to make.” Many young people today, he said, have already decided that the church is not relevant to them. But they are still searching, and church members should go out to meet them and help them see that Christ is the answer to many of their questions, he added.

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis poses for a photo at a pre-synod gathering of youth delegates in Rome March 19. Seated next to the pope are Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, and U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Teacher assistant - Special Beginnings, Lenexa, is seeking full- or part-time after-school teacher assistants at all locations. We are looking for a teacher assistant candidate who has an excellent work ethic, heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education. Experience and/or education is a plus, but we will train the right candidate. Teacher assistants will work with the lead teacher to care for and educate the children. Primary responsibilities include assisting the lead teacher with: care and supervision of children, lesson plan implementation, parent communication, and cleanliness and organization of classroom. Starting hourly pay ranges based on experience and education. Pay increases are based on job performance. Opportunities for advancement are available, as the company prefers to promote from within. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Administrative assistant - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is seeking a full-time administrative assistant for the office of stewardship and development. This position provides administrative support for a busy office and supports the CFNEK board. The position requires three years’ minimum administrative experience in a multifaceted setting; exceptional communications skills, both written and verbal; proficiency with Microsoft Office programs; meeting planning experience; and ease and proficiency with telephone communication. Prefer experience with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge database. A complete job description, application and benefits information are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/jobs. Qualified individuals should email cover letter, resume and application by March 30 to: jobs@archkck.org. They may also be mailed to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Stewardship – Admin. Assistant, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Do you enjoy driving? - The Kansas City Transportation Group is looking for chauffeurs to drive our guests to events, airport, dinner, etc. Business is growing and we are in need of workers with flexible hours, those who are retired, etc. Great pay and benefits. Send resume to: jkalbert@kctg.com or in person at Carey, 1300 Lydia Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106. Assistant principal/athletic director - Bishop Miege High School is seeking an assistant principal/athletic director for the 2018-19 school year. The candidate must be Catholic, have a master’s degree in educational leadership and five years’ teaching/administrative experience. Send a letter of interest and resume to: mjaksa@bishopmiege.com. Catholic elementary school principal – Holy Trinity School in Paola is seeking an individual for the 2018 - 19 school year with demonstrated skill in spiritual and academic formation of students and staff. In addition, experience with school advancement, particularly in the area of enrollment management, would be a plus. Holy Trinity has approximately 91 students in K-8th grades and 6 preschoolers taught by 11 teachers. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics, understand the mission of Catholic schools and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and send resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send an email to: kohara@archkckcs.org. Deadline for applications is March 30. Drivers - Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking part-time drivers for its school-age program located in Lenexa. Candidates must be able to drive a 13-passenger minibus, similar to a 15-passenger van. CDL not required, but must have an excellent driving record. Candidates would pick up children from area schools and then work directly with them when arriving back at the center. Experience preferred. Must have strong work ethic and the ability to work with children. Insurance provided. Background check will be conducted. Great opportunity for retired persons or those seeking a second job. Job responsibilities include: ensuring safety and well-being of children who are being transported at all times, including loading and unloading. Driving short, round-trip routes to elementary schools in Lenexa/Olathe area. Summer only: Driving short, round- trip routes to two Lenexa city pools. Maintaining mileage log. Keeping interior of vehicle clean. Apply by sending an email to: chris@specialbeginningsonline.com or in person at 10216 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215. Assistant to ReachKCK coordinator – The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is accepting applications for a parttime administrative position in the ReachKCK youth ministry outreach program in Wyandotte County. This position is approximately 25 hours per week. Duties include: supporting youth programs and events through handling logistical details; data entry; creating publicity materials; managing social media; and facilities oversight. The ideal candidate will be a practicing Catholic in good standing and have a minimum of two years’ office work experience. Knowledge of youth ministry and Spanish-speaking strongly preferred. A complete job description and required application are available on the archdiocese’s website at: www.archkck.org/ jobs. Interested individuals should mail cover letter, resume and application by March 30 to: Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Office of Human Resources, Youth Search, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or send via email to: jobs@archkck.org. Teacher - Bishop Miege High School has a teacher opening for the 2018-19 school year for journalism/publications, including yearbook and newspaper (English endorsement a plus). Send letter of interest and resume to: mjaksa@ bishopmiege.com.

School nurse - Bishop Miege High School has an immediate opening for a school nurse. The candidate must possess a current Kansas registered nurse license, current BLS CPR AHA certification. Experience in school nursing preferred. Send letter of interest and resume to: mjaksa@bishopmiege. com.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs. Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson. (913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

Administrative assistant - St. Ann School in Prairie Village has an opening for administrative assistant for the academic year 2018-19. Applicants must be practicing Catholics and have experience in a school setting, ideally a Catholic school. Excellent communication skills required along with the ability to manage multiple and varied tasks simultaneously. The candidate must be organized and have good attention to detail. Pleasant and welcoming demeanor is also required. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Mr. Michael Riley at: mriley@stannpv.org.

STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835. Email: smokeycabin@ hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

English Language Arts/reading teacher - St. Ann School in Prairie Village is seeking a 7th/8th-grade ELA/reading teacher for the academic year 2018-19. Qualified candidates should possess a passion for Catholic education, enthusiasm for literature and language arts, and hold a current teaching license. Teachers who are interested in joining an innovative and faith-filled team of educators should email a cover letter and resume to Mr. Michael Riley at: mriley@stannpv.org. Orizon Aerostructures – **Coming to Olathe** If a career in aviation manufacturing excites you, and you’re willing to work hard and hone your skills, we strongly encourage you to visit the website at: www.orizonaero.com/careers/ and view the current opportunities coming to Olathe. Assisted transportation - Ready for the summers off? Join our school transportation division and live like a kid again! Our drivers have the opportunity to serve our community and still get these precious summer breaks. Assisted Transportation seeks caring and reliable drivers to transport K - 12 students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in our minivans. CDL not required. $12 per hour. Retirees encouraged to apply. Learn more or apply online at: assistedtransportation. com or call (913) 262-5190 for more information. EOE. Caregivers - Daughters & Company is looking for several compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to ambulatory seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide light housekeeping/light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation services for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cell phone for communication. A CNA background is helpful, though not mandatory. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match hours desired. Please contact Pat or Murray at 913-341-2500 to become part of an excellent caregiving team. Guidance counselor- St. Ann School in Prairie Village has a part-time (25 hours/week) guidance counselor opening for the academic year 2018-19. Successful applicants will embody mission commitment; intellectual curiosity; openness to growth; and optimism and zest that are characteristic of our faculty and staff. Qualified candidates should possess a passion for Catholic education, hold a current Kansas licensure through the appropriate accrediting agency (licensed professional counselor, licensed master of social work, national certified counselor or licensed school counselor), have experience working with school-age children and families, preferably in a Catholic setting or for a Catholic organization; and be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the church. Interested applicants should apply online at: www. archkckcs.org and email a cover letter and resume directly to Mr. Michael Riley at: mriley@stannpv.org. Career opportunity - Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City metro and Topeka areas. 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. This is a full-time position. Please contact John A. Mahon, general agent, for more information or an interview at 1275 Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612 or call (785) 408-8806. You can also send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

HOME IMPROVEMENT 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!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125. Decked Out In KC - We fix decks. We repair, power wash and stain wood decks and fences. We power wash and seal concrete drives, walkways, pool decks and more. Call Brian at (913) 952-5965. Member of Holy Trinity Parish. Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time. Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did. Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Father-and-son home exteriors and remodeling - Celebrating my 15th year in The Leaven as a small business owner! We do decks, siding, windows, doors, tile work, floors, wood rot, and interior and exterior painting. We can remodel bathrooms, kitchens or basements. We also reface cabinets and redo pesky popcorn ceilings. Call Josh at (913) 709-7230. HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118. 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! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655. Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM.

SERVICES Doll dresses - First Communion dress sets for 18” or American Girl dolls. Includes dress, veil, shoes, tights and cross necklace. Full line of doll clothes and accessories in south Johnson County. Call Patty at (913) 345-9498. Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits. Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemace disability.com. Clutter getting you down? - Organize, fix, assemble, install! “Kevin of all trades” your professional organizer and “Honey-do” specialist. Call or email me today for a free consultation at (913) 271-5055 or kev@koatindustries. com. Insured. References. 8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered. Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks! Certified coach: kathioppold.8toyouridealweight.com. Cleaning lady - Reasonable rates; references provided. Call (913) 940-2959. Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr. com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer. com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress. Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee. Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload, and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mikehammermoving.com. Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002

Quilted memories - Your Kansas City Longarm shop Nolting Longarm machines, quilting supplies and machine quilting services. We specialize in memorial quilts - custom designed memory quilts from your T-shirt collections, photos, baby clothes, college memorabilia, neckties, etc. For information or to schedule a free consultation, call (913) 649-2704. Visit the website at: www. quiltedmemoriesllc.com. Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063

FOR SALE Business for sale - Home-based business ad agency for nonprofit charities. Retiring, selling for $29,900. Clients established for 16 years. Annual net $16K for part time, work from any location. Call Leida at (828) 633-6382. Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Double INDOOR Abbey in the newest building at Lenexa’s Resurrection Cemetery. Blessed Mother Corridor, #24A. Selling for $9800; transfer fee included. Call Ross at (913) 707-7368. For sale - One plot in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Topeka. Located in Henry Garden, lot 824, space east. Current market value is $1500, selling price is $1300. Call (714) 308-2585. For sale - Double mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. St. John Corridor, tier A, crypt 6. Asking $10,000. Call Janet at (913) 522-0489.

CAREGIVING Situation wanted - Retired nurse will do private care. Available 24/7. Has experience in cosmetology, and massage therapy. Has hospice background. Call (913) 9384765. No agencies. Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591 Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation for seniors in their home, assisted living or nursing facilities. We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Pat or Gary. Medication support - Need help filling weekly pill boxes? Need daily medication reminders? We can provide these services in your home with daily or weekly visits. Call to learn about our exciting new medication solutions that allow you to continue living safely at home. Call Home Connect Health at (913) 627- 9222. Just like family - Let us care for your loved ones in their homes. Two ladies with over 50 years’ combined experience. Looking for night shift coverage, some days. Great price, great references. Both experienced with hospice care. Call Kara at (913) 343-1602 or Ophelia at (913) 570-7276.

WANTED TO BUY Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid. Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

REAL ESTATE Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it? We buy it all at once in as-is condition. Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com. I NEED HOUSES! - We are members of Holy Trinity Parish and we pay cash for any real estate without any realtor commissions or fees. If you would like an easy, no-hassle sale at a fair price, please call me. We have 13 years of experience. Mark Edmondson (913) 980-4905.

PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Medjugorje - from April 26 through May 3, 2018. Call (913) 449-1806 for details.

BUYING AN AD To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email The Leaven at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org. Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter. Ad deadline is 10 days before the desired publication date.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR JOCO REGIONAL CYCLONE GATHERING St. Agnes Parish 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park March 24 at 11 a.m.

Join alumni and friends of Bishop Ward High School at this regional gathering. A light brunch will be served in the parish hall following the 10 a.m. Mass. There is no cost to attend. Hear about all the exciting things happening at Bishop Ward. RSVP to: gduggins@wardhigh. org. or call (913) 229-3828 by March 22.

LOSS AND HEALING SUPPORT Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas March 26 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Suffering from a recent loss? Give yourself time to grieve, reflect and heal. Begin to make sense out of your daily losses. The session is facilitated by Sister Barb Conroy, OSB.

FISH: REVISITING THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET Keeler Women’s Center 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas March 27 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Come learn about the advantages of the Mediterranean diet. This program is presented by Pat Callaghan of K-State Research and Extension.

BLOOD DRIVE Knights of Columbus Hall 11221 Johnson Dr., Shawnee March 26 from 1 - 7 p.m.

Schedule an appointment by visiting the website at: www.savealifenow.org and use sponsor code: stjosephcatholic. Walk-in donors are welcome. The blood drive is hosted by St. Joseph Parish. For more information, call Virginia Wiedal at (913) 268-3874.

Respite care provides the gift of time away from caregiving for families with a loved one 5 years of age or older with a disability. For questions about the program, call Tom at (913) 647-3054 or send an email to: tracunas @archkck.org; or Audrey Amor at (816) 7391197 or send an email to: aamor@sjakeeping faith.org. To register a child for the program, go online to: www.archkck.org/specialneeds and complete the online form.

HOLY WEEK (TRIDUUM) RETREAT Sophia Spirituality Center 751 S. 8th St., Atchison March 29 at 3:30 p.m. - April 1 at 1 p.m.

Experience the beautiful liturgies and profound silence of Mount St. Scholastica. The retreat begins with the Holy Thursday banquet and closes with the Easter Eucharist and dinner. There will be time for contemplative walking, reading, journaling and private prayer. For more information or to register, call (913) 360-6173 or visit the website at: www.sophiaspiritualitycenter.org.

DIVORCED: CALLED TO LOVE AGAIN Church of the Ascension (St. Luke Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7 p.m.

What’s next after divorce/annulment? Join us for a formation series on the gift of self, which helps us fulfill the call to love again. Various topics will be discussed. Visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/giftofself143 or send an email to: calledtolove143@gmail.com.

EASTER BAKE SALE City Building (in front) 414 Main St., Effingham March 31 from 8 a.m. until sold out

St. Ann Parish Altar Society is sponsoring this bake sale. They will have many items for sale including bread, homemade noodles, cakes, cookies, pies and more.

ST. PATRICK’S 5K/10K RUN/WALK St. Patrick Parish 19384 234th Rd., Atchison March 24 at 8:30 a.m.

There is a choice of an easy trail or a more challenging trail. March 7 is the deadline for the early registration fee of $25 that includes a T-shirt; after March 7, the entry fee is $30 and includes breakfast for all entrants. If not participating in the run/walk, breakfast is $5. For more information and to register, call Heidi at (913) 426-1921.

RESPITE CARE PROGRAM Holy Cross School 8101 W. 95th St., Overland Park March 31 from 4 - 8 p.m.

TAIZE PRAYER Annunciation Chapel 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth April 5 at 7 p.m.

Taize prayer is a meditative, candlelit service that includes chants sung repeatedly, silence, and prayers of praise and intercession. These prayer services emerged from an ecumenical community of monks in Taize, France. For more information, visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org or call (913) 680-2342.

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS’ GRADE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS St. Thomas Aquinas High School 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park June and July

There will be a variety of summer camps for students entering grades K - 8 to explore and discover their potential in both sports and other activities. Information about the camps and registration forms are available on the website at: www.stasaints.net/ summer camps. If you have questions, call the athletic office at (913) 319-2416 or send an email to: btriggs@stasaints.net.

CALENDAR POLICY DEADLINE: eight days before the desired publication date WHERE TO SUBMIT: Send notices to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, attn: calendar; or send an email to: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.

Horizon Academy Summer School Programs for students with learning disabilities: Orton-Gillingham Tutoring Math Tutoring June Full Day Program July Half Day Program ABCs &123s More info: www.HorizonAcademy.org/Summer-School

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

Specializing in Foundation Repairs Mud-jacking and Waterproofing. Serving Lawrence, Topeka and surrounding areas. Topeka (785) 233-3447 Lawrence (785) 749-1696 In business since 1963 www.foundationrepairks.com

Call or text 913-621-2199

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Don’t be distracted from Love

HOLY WEEK March 25 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD Mk 11: 1-10 Is 50: 4-7 Ps 22: 8-9, 17-18a, 19-20, 23-24 Phil 2: 6-11 Mk 14:1 – 15:47 March 26 Monday of Holy Week Is 42: 1-7 Ps 27: 1-3, 13-14 Jn 12: 1-11 March 27 Tuesday of Holy Week Is 49: 1-6 Ps 71: 1-4a, 5-6ab, 15, 17 Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38 March 28 Wednesday of Holy Week Is 50: 4-9a Ps 69: 8-10, 21bcd-22, 31, 33-34 Mt 26: 14-25 March 29 HOLY THURSDAY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Ex 12: 1-8, 11-14 Ps 116: 12-13, 15-16c, 17-18 1 Cor 11: 23-26 Jn 13: 1-15 March 30 FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (Good Friday) Is 52:13 – 53:12 Ps 31: 2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25 Heb 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9 Jn 18:1 – 19:42 April 1 THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT Gn 1:1 – 2:2 Ex 14:15 – 15:1 Is 55: 1-11 Rom 6: 3-11 Ps 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Mk 16: 1-7

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o, did you do it? In my column last week, which dealt with distractions that can lure us away from the things that are truly important, I suggested a pre-Holy Week activity: Find out the times at your parish for the Triduum celebrations — Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, in particular — mark them down on your family calendar and commit to attending them. OK, I’m going to bet that most people got distracted by other things and failed to note those times on their calendar or, horror of horrors, didn’t even read my column in the first place. So, I’ll make the plea again: Please make a commitment as a family to attend the Triduum services at your parish, especially if you’ve never been to them before. These are the most important events of our church year and each celebration has unique elements to it that remind us of the fundamental truths of our faith. Each year, I pray that the church will have

MARK MY WORDS

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH Father Mark is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989.

overflowing crowds for the Triduum as we do on Easter Sunday. Well, it hasn’t happened yet . . . and, honestly, that makes me sad. Especially at this time of year, I recall this haunting and obscure story about St. Martin of Tours, told by his biographer Sulpicius Severus: In the fourth century when Martin was a bishop, he received an apparition. It seemed as if Christ, arrayed in kingly attire, was appearing to him. “Acknowledge, Martin,” the apparition

said, “who it is that you behold. I am Christ. And being about to descend to earth again, I wished first to appear to you.” But Martin kept silent. Again, the apparition spoke, “Martin, why do you hesitate to believe, when you see? I am Christ.” Finally, Martin knew what was really happening and replied, “The Lord Jesus did not predict that he would come clothed in purple and with a glittering crown upon his head. I will not believe that Christ has come, unless he appears with that appearance and form in which he suffered and openly displays the marks of his wounds upon the cross.” With that, the devil was exposed and im-

mediately vanished like smoke. Severus concludes that Martin had a firm conviction that Christ always bears his wounds. If he doesn’t, that’s not Christ; it’s the devil. Saint Martin was a wise man. No doubt, he recalled the story of Jesus appearing to Thomas after the resurrection. The wounds of Christ were clearly visible in that scene from the Gospel of John, where Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe” (20:27). You’d think that because of his resurrection, those wounds of Jesus would be healed. But that’s not the case. One of the reasons for those wounds is very simple: It’s because Jesus gave his life for us out of love. And love always leaves its mark. People welcome the pleasurable side of love: its companionship, support, joy and dreamy promises. But they often forget or choose to ignore that love has

another side as well: It’s a call to humility, to sacrifice for the sake of another, to put the needs of others before our own. And it’s that divine, irrational love that is on display during the Triduum. We see Jesus serving others (symbolized in the washing of feet on Holy Thursday); feeding their deepest needs (in instituting the Eucharist on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper); undergoing excruciating suffering for the sake of others (on Good Friday); being an unfailing light in the darkness of grief, loss and despair (at the Easter Vigil); and forgiving our sins through the waters of baptism that give us new and everlasting life (at the Easter celebrations). Such an intense love invites a response. Leaving behind the distractions of trivial things and walking instead with Jesus through the Triduum is the best response. Make plans right now to celebrate the Triduum this coming week — not out of a sense of duty, but to return, in some small way, our love to Love.

Christ’s death teaches us the meaning of our own

hose mourning the loss of a loved one — or facing death because of terminal illness or old age — wonder why death must come their way. It is a commonplace fact that all life must eventually end, but that does not stop us from asking the question. Similarly, the Gospels address the question of why Jesus dies. After all, he is the Son of God. He could escape death. But he does not. As we begin Holy Week, we hear the Passion reading from Mark’s Gospel, 14:115:47. It offers us several explanations. First of all, it is God’s will. This comes out clearly in Jesus’ prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus says: “Abba, Father, all things

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

FATHER MIKE STUBBS Father Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University.

are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” Jesus’ prayer also reveals that he dies

POPE FRANCIS

because he is obedient to God. He rejects the temptation to rebel against God, just as he had rejected the temptations he encountered while fasting for 40 days in the desert. But the Gospel also points to a human element to explain Jesus’ death: conspiracy among the authorities, facilitated by Judas’ betrayal. Its narration of Jesus’

True Christians take risks to constantly seek out Christ because they know that receiving God’s grace is just the beginning of a lifelong journey toward real joy, Pope Francis said. Settling and being content with the first grace one receives from God is like filling up on the appetizer and leaving the restaurant unaware that the best was yet to come, he said in his homily March 12 at morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae. “There are lots of stationary Christians, who do not walk, bogged

trials before Pilate and before the Sanhedrin give us an insight into that conspiracy. Throughout the Gospel, though, we have seen how Jesus has encountered opposition, which reaches its climax in his death. Ultimately, though, Mark’s Gospel establishes a connection between us and Jesus’ death. It tells us that Jesus died on our behalf. Countless people die every day. But how many can we say die for us? At the Last Supper, Jesus says to the disciples: “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (14:24). We include ourselves in the “many” for which he died. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had told his disciples: “For the Son of Man did not come to

be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). In the Old Testament, an animal could be sacrificed to atone for someone’s sin. In this way, a person would be ransomed. Similarly, Jesus is sacrificed on the cross to ransom us. The sacrifice of an animal could also seal the covenant between God and the people. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross similarly sealed the covenant between us and God. During this Holy Week, as we stand before the cross of Jesus Christ, we gaze in awe at the mystery of his death. It is the mystery that brings us life. And it helps us to grapple with the mystery of our own life and death.

down by everyday things,” he said. They are good people, he said, “but they do not grow, they stay small.” They are like “parked Christians — they park themselves. Caged Christians who do not know how to fly with the dream of this beautiful thing the Lord calls us to,” he said. The pope reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from St. John in which a royal official asked Jesus to heal his dying son. The pope said that, while Jesus performs the miracle, he seems impatient that “unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe,” reads the verse. — CNS

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

We find holiness by combining three levels of vocations

his is the 23rd column I have written for The Leaven, which I am sure you already knew because you have cut them all out and stuck them to your refrigerator (or the bottom of your bird cage). Periodically throughout those many columns, I have gone back to the basics, which I would like to do again. When it comes to vocations, there are three levels. The first level is what I like to call the “Super-V Vocation,” which is the vocation, or calling, that is common to all people. In the documents of the Second Vatican Council, this was referred

VOCATIONS CORNER

FATHER SCOTT WALLISCH Father Scott Wallisch is the archdiocesan vocations director. You can email him at: frscott@archkck.org.

to as the “universal call to holiness.” Every person is called to be holy, which

simply means to be the best version of the person God made him or her to be. To help narrow down what that lofty goal might look like for each of us, God gives us the second level, commonly known as the “Big-V Vocations.” These would be the six vocations we

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KANSAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

he Catholic bishops of Kansas are conducting a search for an executive director for the Kansas Catholic Conference. The Kansas Catholic Conference (kscathconf.org) is the public policy voice of the Catholic Church in the state of Kansas. It operates on behalf of the archbishop/bishops of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the Diocese of Dodge City, the Diocese of Salina and the Diocese of Wichita. Its purpose is to advocate on the federal and state level to promote public policy objectives consistent with the social teachings of the Catholic Church. The principal areas of concern are life issues, family life, education, poverty, the environment and general social well-being. The executive director represents the Kansas Catholic Conference to the governor, legislators and other government officials; serves as the official spokesperson for the conference, articulating its positions on life, social and educational issues; and directs programs in media relations, public information and governmental relations. The executive director also: • contacts and confers with legislators and public officials to persuade them to support legislation consistent with Catholic social teaching, and plans and coordinates meetings between bishops and elected officials to discuss legislative issues and proposals, allowing legislators to respond to conference concerns. • studies and analyzes proposed legislation in the light of Catholic social teaching to determine the possible impact of specific bills, and contacts individuals and groups having similar interests in order to encourage them to contact legislators and to present their views. • prepares news releases and other educational materials and conducts news conferences to communicate the church’s views on public policy issues, and organizes and/or presents testimonies given before various committees. • conducts research, keeps bishops abreast of activities of other state conferences and public opinion, and presents the conference’s position to the public; advises the bishops on public policy and speaks on their behalf when appropriate. • reports to the bishops of Kansas at regular and special meetings, follows and implements policy directions given by the bishops, reports to the archbishop of Kansas City regarding administrative decisions, manages the conference office and staff, plans the meetings with bishops/ staff and other activities. • prepares and recommends annual budget for approval of the bishops. Candidate must be a practicing Catholic and a good steward in his/her parish, articulate regarding teachings of the Catholic Church, comfortable and responsive to church authority, self-directed, self-motivated, familiar with the legislative process and lobbying, possess outstanding oral and written communication skills, and be conscious of public image as a representative of the Catholic Church. Undergraduate degree required; master’s degree or equivalent desired. Candidate should be able to reside in Topeka during legislative session. Please email resume, applications and pastor’s letter of support to: jobs@archkck.org or mail to: Kathleen Thomas, Director of Human Resources Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109 ATTENTION: KS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

are familiar with in the church: marriage, holy orders, female religious, male religious, consecrated virginity and the single life. Every Catholic, and really every human being, is called to one of these six (or, in the case of married permanent deacons or religious priests, two of the six). Lest we feel as though the whole world is meant to be confined to just a few boxes, God gives us the final level, which encompasses all of the “little-v vocations.” This is where our uniqueness can shine as we live out being the person God made us to be.

Each of us has many vocations on this level. These include our particular family situation, our religious community, our apostolate, our job, our schooling, our parish, our neighborhood, etc. For instance, my “Big-V Vocation” is priesthood (hence the collar in my picture), and my “little-v vocations” are vocation director, co-director of seminarians, chaplain to the deaf community, assisting at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at KU, spiritual director, son, brother, uncle, neighbor, coworker, roommate and friend. There are over a hundred priests in our archdiocese, and around 400,000 of them in the

world, but my “Big-V Vocation” becomes unique from all of theirs because of the combination of all of my “little-v vocations.” The same is true for you and every other person! Once we embrace the fact that God has called us all to the “Super-V Vocation,” we then will hopefully open ourselves to find the “Big-V Vocation” for which we were made. Then, with joy and excitement, combined with some struggle and sacrifice, we can spend the rest of our lives living out the various “little-v vocations” given to us by God to help us find holiness.

MARCH 23, 2018 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

PLACE OF HONOR

Dolores Kitchin shows off the Easter scene that once occupied her grandmother’s — Guadalupe Garcia — Kansas City Mexican restaurant, Las Palmas. Kitchin inherited the display after her grandmother’s death in 1977. Kitchin displays the scene in her living room each year as a tribute to her grandmother.

Woman’s 1930s Easter scene honors grandmother’s legacy of faith

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

VERLAND PARK — Every face tells a story — of anguish, fear, and some even of peace — in the vintage Crucifixion scene that once occupied Guadalupe Garcia’s Kansas City Mexican restaurant, Las Palmas. Today, the outsized display looms large in Dolores Kitchin’s Overland Park home. When Garcia passed away in 1977 at the age of 83, her wish was for Kitchin, her granddaughter and a parishioner at Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, to inherit the display. In addition to being her granddaughter, the entire display honors Our Lady of Sorrows, and Dolores, in Spanish, means “sorrows.” The Lenten season signals a time of sacrifice and redemption. For Kitchin, it also evokes memories of her Mexican-born grandmother and the lessons she taught about faith and God’s love. “I think of my grandmother every day,” Kitchin said. “She was a strong woman, but a gentle teacher. She taught us that our actions have consequences, the importance of treating others with respect and that the choices we make are important in getting to heaven.” As a tribute to her grandmother’s life and spirituality, Kitchin displays the scene in her living room each year. And just as she helped her grandmother display the pieces when she was a child, now Kitchin’s 16-year-old son Johnnie helps position the pieces. The wooden figures, approximately 13 inches tall, date back to 1930s Mexico. Garcia, who was born in Celaya,

Guanajuato, Mexico, carried them back from visits to see her family in Salamanca, Mexico. She and Kitchin’s grandfather Primitivo fled Salamanca

in 1927 during the Mexican Revolution with its accompanying religious persecution. “I remember when my grandmother explained what the scene meant and how

Jesus went through so much pain for our salvation. In the Christ figurine,” she said, “you can see both the pain and acceptance in his face. “I get so emotional when I

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set up his cross,” she added. Some of the key figures in the scene — Mary, Mary Magdalene and John — are clothed in silk and feature vibrant, porcelain eyes. A canvas oil painting, from Irapuato, Guanajuato, serves as the backdrop. As a child, the expression on the face of the figure of Gestas, the impenitent thief, actually scared Kitchin. The rare display has intrigued Kitchin’s friends and neighbors for years. Last year, Ascension’s pastor Msgr. Tom Tank invited her to display the scene at the church on Palm Sunday. “This is exactly what my grandmother wanted us to do — to pass on her faith to others and to remind us all what it means to make sacrifices for your faith, just as God offered up his only Son,” she said. Throughout the years “Mama Lupe,” as she was affectionately known, displayed other pieces from her native country in her restaurant before it closed in 1978. Each was representative of a biblical scene, including the Presentation, Annunciation and a water display of a baby Moses in the river. However, most of the pieces were made from wax and eventually deteriorated. Kitchin has noticed the wear on her display, as well, and is hoping to find a way to restore them. She often stops in front of the display during the Lenten season to reflect on its true meaning. On Good Friday, her grandmother led the family in a rosary at 3 p.m., the hour that Christ died, while kneeling in front of the scene. “By displaying the scene each year, it reminds me of what the Lenten season is really about,” Kitchin said. “Our Lord died so that we might have life everlasting.”