05-03-13 Vol. 34 No. 35

theleaven.com | vol. 34, no. 35 | may 3, 2013

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Jeanine Schneider, left, works with Bella DeBrevi, a sixth-grader at Holy Cross School in Overland Park. The DeBrevi family nominated Schneider for a Commitment to Excellence award this spring through the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City. Schneider not only helps her students with reading skills, but fosters their independence and love of learning.

‘A true advocate’

Down Syndrome Guild honors Holy Cross reading teacher for her work

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VERLAND PARK — As reading specialist at Holy Cross School here, Jeanine Schneider constantly builds up her students’ vocabulary.

But when a major honor came her way this spring, the only word that came to Schneider’s mind was: “Wow.”

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City surprised Schneider with a Commitment to Excellence award for her support of individuals with Down syndrome.

The family of one of her students, sixth-grader Bella DeBrevi, nominated her.

Bella has Down syndrome, and

3 new blessing

The Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb makes its archdiocesan debut.

Trust One Greater gives young people the opportunity to know Jesus.

>> See “TEACHER” on page 10

8-9

4 Trust one greater

works on reading and many other skills during her daily time with Schneider.

“Mrs. Schneider is a great teacher because she helps me to learn, she makes reading fun, and she teaches me new things every day,” said Bella, who has known Schneider for seven years.

When Bella comes across a word

Swab story

High school students get swabbed and registered as bone marrow donors.

16 coming soon

Meet soon-to-be-ordained-priest Deacon Nathan Haverland.

2 archbishop

theleaven.com | May 3, 2013

second front page 3

may 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

Life will be victorious

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Happiness is discovered by placing God first in our lives

n my preceding articles regarding the cultural debate about state recognition of homosexual relationships as marital unions, I proposed arguments based on science and reason.

In the courts and legislatures, the defense of marriage — as understood universally for millennia to be a public commitment between one man and one woman — must be made from reason, not revelation.

Thus, it is important to realize that the best scientific evidence supports what we perceive to be as our sexual orientation not being biologically determined, but resulting from bonding dynamics with parents, siblings and other significant relationships in our formative years.

Same-sex attractions often develop so early in childhood that many individuals perceive their sexual orientation as innate and genetically determined.

The good news is that it is possible for many individuals to overcome same-sex attractions and develop the capacity for healthy heterosexual relationships. This is particularly true for individuals who are open to change and who receive skilled professional counseling and therapy at a young age.

From a purely rational analysis, it is apparent that homosexual activity is flawed because it cannot fulfill the twin purposes for which our human sexual organs are obviously designed: 1) the unique bonding that inevitably occurs from physical union with a complementary body of the opposite sex; and 2) the ability to generate new human life. Not surprisingly, we also find that homosexual behavior results in increased physical and psychological health risks that inevitably arise when we use our bodies in a manner contrary to their design, e.g., the transmission of AIDS, contracting venereal disease, depression, etc.

Similarly, cultures and societies place themselves at risk when they no longer recognize the importance

archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of marriage as an enduring, committed relationship between one man and one woman as the foundation for the family. The principal interest of the state regarding marriage relates to its importance in the generation and healthy development of future citizens.

State recognition of marriage is not exclusively, or even primarily, about the adults, but about the wellbeing of the children who may result from the union of one man and one woman. In most instances, the healthiest environment for children to develop and mature is in the community of the family, where they have the opportunity to experience the love of both a father and a mother.

Children require a huge investment of time, energy and material resources on the part of parents. The proper care and nurturing of healthy children is a huge contribution to society. It is appropriate and prudent for the state to give special benefits to married couples

al behavior, the clear and unambiguous teaching of the Bible is extremely important.

Among the ironies of our time is that so many Christian churches, who trace their roots to the Reformation with claims of the Bible as the sole authority for doctrine, are now turning the Scriptures upside down in an effort to conform to the societal pressure to grant moral approval to homosexual actions.

It is important first to note what the Scriptures positively teach regarding the nature of marriage. Already in the second chapter of Genesis, the Bible speaks eloquently of the complementary relationship of a man and a woman (Gn 1: 27 and 2: 21-23). The inspired word of God then describes the nature of marriage: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body” (Gn 2: 24). It is this description of marriage from Genesis that Jesus himself cites in his own catechesis on marriage (Mt 19: 4-10).

In addition to its positive teaching on marriage, the Bible also speaks clearly about the immorality of homosexual behavior. One of the best treatments of this matter is a book by a Protestant biblical scholar, Robert Gagnon, entitled “The Bible and Homosexual Practice.”

Professor Gagnon carefully examines the relevant Old Testament texts, regarding Ham, the son of Noah (Gn 9: 20-27); the sin of the citizens of Sodom (Gn 19: 22-25); and the laws in the Book of Leviticus (Lv 18: 22 and 20:13).

Professor Gagnon also describes the prevalent understanding of the immorality of homosexual activity in Judaism at the time of Jesus. He also deconstructs the myth created by some modern authors of a “tolerant Jesus” regarding sexual morals. It is outrageous to assert that Jesus approved homosexual actions.

Jesus held his disciples to a higher standard of sexual morality than did contemporary Jewish scholars as evidenced by his teaching on adultery (Mt 5: 31-32) and lust (Mt 5: 27-28). Professor Gagnon concludes: “The portrayal of Jesus as a first-century Palestinian Jew who was open to homosexual practice is simply ahistorical. All the evidence leads

No matter what we experience as our sexual orientation, we are all created in the divine image. Each of us is of such worth in the eyes of God that Jesus gave his life on Calvary. because their relationship is foundational to strong families, which are essential for the well-being of society.

State recognition of homosexual relationships as the equivalent of marriage results in societal validation of the homosexual lifestyle.

As we have already seen in Massachusetts, this very quickly leads to government schools promoting homosexual behavior as healthy and normal. This leaves young people experiencing the usual developmental struggles vulnerable to experimentation with homosexual behaviors, despite its health risks.

For the Christian, in addition to the arguments from science and reason regarding the dangers of homosexu-

calendar archbishop

Naumann

May 11 Running with the Cows opening prayer — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea

May 3 Bishop Boland 25th episcopal anniversary Mass — Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, Mo.

Donnelly graduation

May 4 “Catholic Way” taping

Vespers, dinner and meeting with pastoral council

May 14 Administrative Team meeting

Mass for 100th anniversary of Holy Trinity School Knights of Columbus convention banquet — St. Paul, Olathe

May 5 Knights of Columbus convention Mass — DoubleTree, Overland Park

May 6 Confirmation — Holy Spirit, Overland Park May 7 Vespers and dinner with recently ordained priests May 8 Donnelly Board meeting May 9 Hayden High School board meeting — Topeka Confirmation — Good Shepherd, Shawnee May 10 Benedictine College baccalaureate Mass

in the opposite direction.”

Moreover, the teaching in other parts of the New Testament, specifically St. Paul, clearly recognized homosexual actions as grave sins, e.g., Rom 1: 24-27; 1 Cor 6:9; and 1 Tm 1:10. Certainly, St. Paul based his teachings on the Old Testament, but he also contends that Gentiles without the benefit of divine revelation have sufficient evidence from nature and reason to discern the immorality of homosexual behavior (Rom 1:18-27).

My purpose in writing these articles has not been to increase the pain experienced by those struggling with same-sex attractions.

No matter what we experience as our sexual orientation, we are all created in the divine image. Each of us is of such worth in the eyes of God that Jesus gave his life on Calvary.

My desire for those with same-sex attractions is that they experience the abundant life in this world and the eternal joy Jesus promises to his disciples. The path to abundant life and eternal joy will not be found in following the destructive philosophy of the sexual revolution that simply

A blessing for the unborn Expectant mothers receive new blessing

May 13 Catholic Charities Golf Classic opening prayer

May 15 Presbyteral Council meeting May 16-17 Kansas Catholic Conference

archbishop

keleher May 3 Bishop Boland 25th episcopal anniversary Mass — Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, Mo. May 5 Confirmation — Sacred Heart, Shawnee May 12 Federal prison Mass May 15 Mass — St. James Academy May 16 Confirmation — Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady and St. Rose, Kansas City, Kan.

encourages us to indulge our desires and physical impulses.

Authentic and enduring happiness for those with same-sex and opposite-sex attractions is to be discovered by placing God first in our lives and striving to follow the teaching and example of Jesus. Regardless of our sexual attractions, this necessitates for each of us to cultivate the virtue of chastity along with the attendant self-discipline that it requires. Living a chaste life opens up the possibility for beautiful friendships in which we experience authentic love — seeking the good of the other person and not our own gratification.

Courage is a special ministry devoted specifically to helping individuals with same-sex attractions to: 1) experience God’s love for them; 2) follow Jesus; 3) develop the virtue of chastity; and 4) experience the abundant life and complete joy Our Lord desires for each of us. If you are interested in looking into Courage, contact Bill Scholl, the archdiocesan consultant for social justice, by email at: socialjustice@archkck.org, or by calling (913) 647-0317.

Leaven photo by Susan McSpadden

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blesses a group of expectant mothers and their families during the archdiocese’s inaugural celebration of the Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb on April 20 at Holy Spirit Church in Overland Park.

By Sheila Myers Special to The Leaven

O

VERLAND PARK — Holy Spirit parishioner Courtney Weber is thrilled to be expecting her first child, but if delivery is anything like it was for her mother, she’s worried.

When she was born, Weber broke her mother’s tailbone. “[My mother] said she hopes delivery is payback,” Weber said with a laugh.

To be on the safe side, Weber attended Holy Spirit on April 20 to participate in the archdiocese’s inaugural celebration of the Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb, administered

by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

“I just thought it was a unique opportunity to have the baby blessed before it’s here with us in the physical world and to continue to have the pregnancy and delivery go well,” said Weber.

The Catholic Church’s unwavering position on the sanctity and beauty of life at its earliest stages is well known.

So it’s surprising that it lacked a blessing for children in the womb.

“I think it was a lacuna in our liturgy,” said Archbishop Naumann. “It really reflects what we believe — that these children are part of our community from the very first moments of their life in the womb.”

In his homily, Archbishop Nau-

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799) President: Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann

mann noted that scriptural accounts of some of the most important biblical figures begin with conception.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I dedicated you. A prophet to the nations, I appointed you” (Jer 1:5).

“Truly, you form my inmost being.

You knit me in my mother’s womb” (Ps 139:13).

And in the New Testament, when a pregnant Mary visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, the unborn John the Baptist leaps in the womb to be the first to recognize the unborn Jesus.

Although the Bible is not a science text, these biblical accounts correspond to scientific knowledge.

“It’s one of the great ironies of our times that the lives of unborn children should be at such risk when, through science and technology, we know more today than we knew at any other time,” said the archbishop. “We can actually observe the development of new human life within the mother’s womb.”

The church urges married couples to welcome new human life, but in today’s self-indulgent society, it is not easy to be parents, he said. “[Parenthood] requires a willingness of Christian mothers and fathers to lose their own lives in many ways as they strive not only to give life to their children, but to provide homes and a family life that provides for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of

their children,” said the archbishop.

The Christian home and family life are extraordinarily important because it is within the family that children come to appreciate their dignity and worth, he continued, and to experience the closest approximation of the unconditional love of God. By establishing a blessing for a child in the womb, the Catholic Church is providing an opportunity for the community to recognize and pray for its youngest members as they grow and develop in their mothers’ wombs, said the archbishop, and to pray for Christian parents, especially Christian mothers, during pregnancy.

After the homily, Holy Spirit pastor Father Rick Storey invited the 20 or so expectant mothers in the congregation and their husbands and children to approach the sanctuary. Archbishop Naumann recited the blessing and, afterwards, the congregation applauded.

The blessing was a tremendous consolation for expectant parents Frank and Jennifer Governal of St. Joseph Church in Shawnee. The couple’s first child, Ellie May, was stillborn last year. Their second child is due May 16.

“The blessing gives you peace of mind that this child has been blessed [even] before she has a chance to come into the world,” Jennifer Governal said.

She worried that the pregnancy would be stressful after what

Editor Reverend Mark Goldasich, stl frmark@theleaven.com

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Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita@theleaven.com

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Advertising Coordinator Julie Holthaus julie@theleaven.com

Blessing of a Child in the Womb God, author of all life, bless, we pray, these unborn children; give them constant protection, and grant them a healthy birth that is a sign of our rebirth one day into the eternal rejoicing of heaven. Lord, who have brought to these women the wondrous joy of motherhood, grant them comfort in all anxiety and make them determined to lead their children along the ways of salvation. Lord, you have put into the hearts of all men and women of good will a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life; fill this community with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel and new resolve to share in the spiritual formation of these children in Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

happened, but it has been very smooth. She attributes that to faith and to a special connection in heaven.

“I feel that Ellie has helped us a lot,” Jennifer said. “She’s a little angel rooting for us.”

Archbishop Naumann said he’d like priests to offer the blessing within their parishes on a regular basis, but he will also offer it annually in the archdiocese.

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 $18/year.

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4 local news

theleaven.com | MAY 3, 2013

Trust One Greater seeks to link young people with Christ n ARchbishop hosts events at Benedictine and St. Lawrence Center

S

HAWNEE — Ben and Betty Zarda love to shake the Midwest winter for Florida’s sunshine.

Even on vacation, though, Kansas and its people never stray far from the thoughts of these parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Shawnee.

Ben Zarda works the phones from Florida just as hard as he would if he were home, pulling together donors, vendors and volunteers for a longstanding springtime tradition in the Kansas City area.

True to form, he has spent the past several months working tirelessly on the Ben and Betty Zarda Family 32nd Annual Golf Classic.

The golf tournament — consistently ranked among the top five in the area — will take place May 13 at the Lake Quivira Country Club.

As always, the event will benefit Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

That fact alone keeps this event close to the hearts of the Zarda family and the many people who help make this event possible.

And it’s why, even three decades after Ben Zarda first agreed to help, he shoulders as much of the work as he ever has.

As the golf classic nears each year, Ben Zarda knows quite a few friends are awaiting a call from him or his committee, whether it’s to hit the greens as a golfer or to donate items, money, or time.

People love it and look forward to it.

“They start calling and saying, ‘Can we work?’” said Betty Zarda, who loves to greet people each year at the golf classic.

“It’s really a delight,” said Ben Zarda, “and it’s because of the reputation of Catholic Charities.”

L

Trust One Greater

The Ike Ndolo Band

Zarda family takes hands-on approach to helping

By Jessica Langdon jessica@theleaven.com

By Jill Ragar Esfeld and Sara Stacey Special to The Leaven

AWRENCE — Though the venues are different, the purpose is always the same: to engage young Catholics in the church and let them know how important they are to the archdiocese.

The message comes directly from Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, who hosts Trust One The archbishG r e a t e r op said he hopes events across to hold four Trust the archdiOne Greater events ocese. At its each year, moving core is his the location around desire for “to centers where young people young people are.” to develop an The final event intimate relaof the year is at 7 tionship with p.m. on May 31 at Christ.

Church of the As“I want cension in Overthem to have land Park. a friendship with Jesus,” Above, after eucharistic adoration and Benehe said. “If they have that, they’ll have diction at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus peace, they’ll have joy, no matter the Center in Lawrence, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann answered questions from the audience exterior circumstances of life.”

On March 21 at St. Benedict’s Abbey during a Trust One Greater event.

Guadalupe Chapel in Atchison, Archbishop Naumann opened the evening with a meditation focused on the elec- Right, Archbishop Naumann chats with Benedictine College student Meghan Baldwin foltion of Pope Francis Pope Francis is the seventh pope in lowing a Trust One Greater event at the college on March 21.

Archbishop Naumann’s lifetime.

He reflected that each pope has been what the church needed at the time, and the new pope is calling the want to send the crowd away to sate its church to a more intimate relationship hunger. with Christ.

“He wanted to provide hospitality,” “If we’re going to be disciples of he said. “He wanted to satisfy them.”

Christ, we have to be willing to follow “Jesus doesn’t see us or our hungers him all the way, even to Calvary,” he as impositions,” the archbishop continsaid. ued. “He doesn’t want to send us away Drawing from Pope Francis’ first hungry. homily, the archbishop emphasized “If we surrender out hearts and lives the importance of professing our faith, to Jesus, he will not only feed us, but he telling his young audience that at the will use us to feed a starving world.” “heart of faith” is an encounter with JeAt both events, the archbishop talksus Christ. ed about the Eucharist and encouraged “We have unique tools to build this the young adults to relationship,” he continuously ask said. the Lord to help He encouraged them maintain If you want to know more about his audience to be their wonder, love Ike Ndolo who performed at Trust men and women and hunger for the One Greater at St. Benedict’s Abbey of prayer and to Eucharist.

Guadalupe Chapel, visit his website utilize the sacra“During euchaat: www.ikendolo.com, or look for ments of reconcilristic adoration,” his music available on iTunes. iation and the Euhe said, “we have a charist. chance to contemOn April 16 at plate the great gift the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus we are offered at every Eucharist.

Center at the University of Kansas in “The Eucharist gives us a deepened Lawrence, Archbishop Naumann relonging to be always in union with Our iterated his primary hope for young Lord.” adults.

Archbishop Naumann also encour“My prayer for each of you during aged reception of the sacrament of this Year of Faith,” he said, “is that reconciliation, which was available every Catholic has a close personal throughout the evenings of prayer. friendship with Jesus.

“It is an act of faith and humility,” “I encourage you to enter into prayer he said. “Frequent use builds intimacy here tonight; invite the Lord to come with Jesus Christ.” into your heart.”

Both events were complemented The archbishop’s talk on this eve- with music. ning centered on the Gospel account Musician Ike Ndolo from Phoenix of the multiplication of the loaves and performed in the Guadalupe Chapfish; he emphasized that Jesus did not el. The St. Lawrence evening was ac-

local news 5

may 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

‘We’re hooked’

companied by the center’s Praise and Worship Band and the Men’s Chant Schola.

After Benediction and eucharistic adoration, participants had an opportunity to play “Stump the Bishop” with questions on any topic.

Questions at both events proved to be entertaining and informative.

Young people gleaned some personal information about the archbishop — like his favorite pudding flavor is chocolate — and they learned his advice on discerning a vocation.

“Every one of us has a vocation,” he said. “We need to ask the Lord what he has planned.

“If you ask God what he wants you to do, he’ll make that clear to you.”

Lizzie Shell, St. Paul’s Outreach (SPO) missionary at Benedictine College, was one of many students inspired by her evening with the archbishop.

“I was really blessed by the archbishop’s message,” she said. “[It] was heartfelt and relevant to us as a young generation.”

As for the archbishop, he said it was a joy to give the young Catholics a chance to get to know their bishop and to help form them in faith.

What should I do during eucharistic adoration?

Archbishop Naumann gave young adults a simple formula for meditation during eucharistic adoration.

“As we kneel before the eucharistic Lord,” he said, “it’s a moment to praise and thank him.”

• Think about ways he has blessed you.

• Praise the Lord from the depth of your heart for these blessings.

• Think of your needs, the hungers of your soul.

• Ask the Lord to give you whatever you need to satisfy the longing of your heart.

• Ask him to make clear to you how you can serve him.

• Pray for the strength and courage to follow that will.

“But I think they form me more,” he added.

Remarking on the crowd at the St. Lawrence Center event, Archbishop Naumann said, “That to me is one of the great sources of hope in the future.”

He actually didn’t know much about Catholic Charities in the early 1980s when he and his brother Tom Zarda were asked to underwrite the fledgling event.

The two brothers, then at the heart of the Zarda Dairy empire, have been partners in business ventures since childhood.

After digging into what Catholic Charities was all about, Ben Zarda said he couldn’t think of a similar effort that came close to the impact it

photo courtesy of Catholic Charities

Ben and Betty Zarda work tirelessly to promote the annual Catholic Charities golf tournament that bears their name. This year’s tournament will take place May 13 at the Lake Quivira Country Club. made on the community.

The lion’s share of every dollar it receives goes toward the people who need the organization’s help.

The brothers readily agreed, and now, said Ben Zarda, “We’re hooked.”

Tom Zarda eventually broke off to help launch the Catholic Education Foundation (but continues to help where he can), while his brother continued to lead the charge for this Catholic Charities fundraiser.

When people hear Ben Zarda’s voice on the phone, they know he’s calling for Catholic Charities.

“What’s really nice is they always talk about our mission,” said Wendy Doyle, executive vice president of development with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

“They’re really connected in that capacity,” she said.

Through its many programs, Catholic Charities stabilizes and strengthens families and offers compassionate health care for patients and families.

Family affair This is one of the more expensive tournaments for golfers, said Ben Zarda, but organizers work hard to make the experience worth it.

With help over the years from people like John and Joanie Muehlberger, Craig Gaffney, who now heads up the committee, and Charlie Schorgl, who has consistently contributed gift certificates to the event, Ben Zarda says they usually raise between $100,000 and $150,000.

Want to help?

Golfers and non-golfers alike can contribute to the success of the Ben and Betty Zarda Family Golf Classic.

To find out how, visit the Catholic Charities website at: www. catholiccharitiesks.org, or call (913) 433-2046.

It’s been more challenging in recent years with the economy, but supporters continue to make it a priority.

Plus, Ben Zarda taps free family labor to cut costs.

Bill, Mike and Dennis Hendrix — sons of Ben Zarda’s sister, Mary Hendrix — have long provided the much-anticipated lunch through Go Chicken Go. And Tom Zarda’s daughter Diana, still in the family business with Roberts Dairy, stocks the event with ice cream treats.

Dana Zarda Rieke, daughter of Ben and Betty, helps with the legwork on the day of the event.

Gaffney credits the Zardas with introducing him to Catholic Charities. Their love for the organization inspired him.

Now serving as vice chairman of the board of trustees for the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Gaffney will take the reins as chairman this fall.

“It lifts me up when I see Ben’s eyes just kind of light up when he starts talking about the golf tournament,” he said. “It’s safe to say it’s part of who they are.”

Sister Marie Kelly, SCL LEAVENWORTH — Sister Marie Kelly, formerly Sister Xaveria, died April 19. She was 94. Sister Marie served as a Sister of Charity for 66 years.

Marie Therese Kelly was born on Dec. 27, 1918, in Chicago, but was raised in Kansas City, Mo. She graduated from Redemptorist High School in 1936. Her parents, William Gregory and Anne Marie Regan Kelly, had six children.

Sister Marie Kelly, SCL Marie’s sister Virginia entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans and was given the name Sister Mary Teresita. Her other sister, Betty, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and was given the name Sister Anne Gregory.

Because of the paths her sisters had chosen, religious life was not foreign to Marie, but had not been part of her thinking or planning. Yet, in sharing the story of her own call, Marie wrote: “I listened to the small, inner voice that said to me, ‘Go to Leavenworth.’ And as Robert Frost said about taking the less traveled road, ‘that made all the difference.’”

On Aug. 14, 1946, Marie took the road to Leavenworth and entered the Sisters of Charity. She was given the name Sister Xaveria and professed vows on Aug. 15, 1948. She later returned to the use of her baptismal name.

Sister Marie worked for several years in the admitting and accounts receivable offices of hospitals in the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System. After a bout with illness, Sister Marie returned to the motherhouse, attended some college classes, and did secretarial work in the office of the director of Sisters of Charity hospitals.

In 1968, she was elected Secretary General for the Sisters of Charity, a position that she held for 24 years, serving four consecutive terms.

Sister Marie was known as a night owl, and her office light often burned far into the night to get her work done.

A soft-spoken and gentle person, Sister Marie’s interests were many. She radiated inner peace and derived great joy and satisfaction from all those who surrounded her.

Sursum Corda performs in Leawood, Lawrence LEAWOOD — The vocal ensemble Sursum Corda will have two spring performances of “Let Us Keep the Feast.” The first will be at 7 p.m. on May 4 at the Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th, Leawood. The second performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on May 11 at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence.

Everybody Has an Angel

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June 1, 2013

he angels of the Bible are spiritual helpers accessible to believers today. This retreat will show that as humans we are held safe in a special way and, most of all, we do not have the responsibility for everything that happens to us.

Father Anselm Gruen, OSB, Ph.D., a Benedictine monk of Muensterschwarzach Abbey, Germany, is a spiritual counselor and advisor, sought-after speaker and retreat master. His books are international bestsellers (300 titles available and 15 million copies sold worldwide).

Program Fee: $ 30. This program starts at 10.00 a.m. and closes at 4.00 p.m.; registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Please bring your own sack lunch. HOWEVER, lunch is available at the Center for $ 9.76 (includes tax), if you pay for it BEFORE the program starts.

St. Benedict Center Located 3 miles north of Schuyler at Hwy. 15 P.O. Box 528 • Schuyler, NE 68661-0528 • Phone: 402-352-8819 • Fax: 402-352-8884 Email: Retreats@StBenedictCenter.com • Web Site: www.StBenedictCenter.com

6 local news

theleaven.com | may 3, 2013

Serra essay winners announced

Circle of life

n In retirement, Father Pflumm still serving the people of God

By Sheila Myers Special to The Leaven

O

LATHE — Life has come full circle for Father Robert Pflumm.

After more than 50 years serving as an archdiocesan parish priest, the 83-year-old now lives with his 80-year-old twin sisters about seven miles from the family farm at Johnson Drive and Pflumm Road where he grew up.

His new residence —Santa Marta in Olathe — offers something extra.

“Now I have two families here,” he said. “A blood family and a community family.”

Community living at Santa Marta is a new experience for Father Pflumm. He spent his priesthood living in homes provided by parishes. He is pleasantly surprised by the lifestyle at Santa Marta.

“I thought it would be very different than what it is, but it becomes more like a big family,” said Father Pflumm. “You get to know everybody, and you socialize with them, eat with them, but you still have your life apart as well.”

Father Pflumm retired in 2001, but he didn’t move to Santa Marta until 2011. He spent nearly 10 years living in a single-family house in Stone Haven, a neighborhood in Overland Park.

In his years before retirement, many of his needs were taken care of at parish residences, including meals, maintenance and yard work.

When he moved into his own house, Father Pflumm didn’t mind cooking his meals, and the homeowners association took care of the yard work.

But the maintenance was another story.

“I got tired of all the repairs that were needed in a house,” he said.

“So I decided to move into an apartment and then I wasn’t there too long when I decided to move [to Santa Marta].”

Plus, he’s not getting any younger.

“Not having any progeny, no kids to take care of me in my old age, I finally realized I’d better go someplace where I would have life care when I needed it: assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care,” said Father Pflumm.

In addition to the range of care offered at Santa Marta, Father Pflumm liked the fact that it is sponsored by the archdiocese, which donated the

Leaven photo by Sheila Myers

Father Robert Pflumm poses at Santa Marta with his sisters, Janet Lillis, left, and Jane Kelly, right. After serving the archdiocese for more than 50 years, Father Pflumm has retired to Santa Marta, just a few miles from where he grew up. land for the facility and appoints the executive board.

Being an archdiocesan-sponsored community, Santa Marta has a chapel instead of a meditation room. That also appealed to Father Pflumm.

Shortly after he moved in, Father Pflumm’s sister Janet Lillis followed with her husband William. Lillis’ twin sister Jane Kelly moved in after losing her husband last May. “She had a big house and she lived there a couple of weeks after his death and she just couldn’t do it,” said Father Pflumm.

Their older brother Joseph died of lung cancer in 1995. The surviving siblings are grateful to be together after so many years.

“We feel so blessed,” said Lillis.

The residents and staff at Santa Marta are ecstatic to have their first resident priest. But being a priest doesn’t obligate Father Pflumm to say Mass and hear confessions at the behest of the residents.

“Our residents respect Father Pflumm as a resident and a priest,” said Chet Surmaczewicz, Santa Marta’s executive director. “They love his company. But he deserves to live out retirement as he chooses, not how he is as a priest.”

Father Pflumm’s presence does help Santa Marta’s chaplain, Msgr.

Ray Burger, who happens to be a seminary classmate of Father Pflumm’s.

“He takes my place on Thursdays so I can have a day off, and he helps me out whenever a conflict comes up,” said Msgr. Burger. “It’s definitely a relief to have him here.”

Surmaczewicz said the two priests work well together and Father Pflumm supports Msgr. Burger in his efforts to meet the spiritual needs of the residents, more than two-thirds of whom are Catholic.

Santa Marta offers daily Mass, and a Saturday Communion service.

Father Pflumm continues to help out at other churches in the archdiocese when they need him, although he doesn’t have the stamina he used to.

“I get pretty tired at my age at busy times like Lent and Advent,” he said.

And with nine nieces and nephews and about 35 first cousins, Father Pflumm’s services are in high demand within the family.

“Now I’m doing weddings for the great-nieces and nephews,” said Father Pflumm. “I’m baptizing greatgreats.”

Granted, “retirement” means something different in the vocabulary of a priest. But Father Pflumm tries always to reserve time for his spiritual reading, prayer, his fellow priests — and, of course, playing golf with his sisters.

But with his charismatic personality and genuine love of people, it appears he has quite a bit of ministry still ahead of him — at Santa Marta.

“He’s such a kind and gentle and caring person, and so helpful,” said Surmaczewicz. “We have great conversations about day-to-day things.

Our residents love him. He’s a very positive influence on the community.”

The 2013 Atchison/Topeka Serra Club has announced winners of its sixth-grade vocation essay contest.

There were 220 participants from 15 schools in the archdiocese. The subject was “What would I do if I were called to serve God as a priest or Sister?”

The winners in the boys division were: first, Alec Michaud, St. Matthew, Topeka; second, Blake Porting, St. Michael, Axtell; third, Charles Roeder, Christ the King, Topeka; fourth, Luke Johnson, Holy Trinity, Paola; fifth, Chayne Dessaso, Xavier, Leavenworth; sixth, Jack Ossello, Most Pure Heart, Topeka; seventh, Zach Wilper, St. Rose, Garnett; eighth, Luke Kramer, Holy Family, Topeka; ninth, David Draftz, Lawrence Virtual; tenth, Spencer Pabst, Christ the King.

The winners in the girls division were: first, Emma Mooradian, St. Maria Goretti Home School, Topeka; second, Anna Jirak, Mother Teresa’s Home School, Atchison; third, Marisol Marcelo, Holy Family School, Topeka; fourth, Tatum Ahring, St. Rose, Garnett; fifth, Amanda Meeks, Holy Trinity, Paola; sixth, Madelin Gates, Most Pure Heart, Topeka; seventh, Madelynn R. Redeker, St. Joseph, Olpe; eighth, Allison Williams, St. Mathew, Topeka; ninth, Robyn Kelley, Christ the King, Topeka; tenth, Grace Sanford, Xavier, Leavenworth.

The top five boys and girls received a cash prize, as did their schools. All top 10 boys and girls received a certificate.

Eighth-grade pro-life essays recognized The winners of the 20th annual 8thgrade archdiocesan pro-life forum essay contest have been announced. There were 408 essays submitted this year from 10 Johnson County parishes.

The winners are: first, Alexandra Frisch, Curé of Ars, Leawood ($100 prize); second, Helen Krause, Curé of Ars ($75 prize); and third, Liam Patrick Elder, St. Michael the Archangel, Leawood ($50 prize).

In addition, there were nine honorable mentions: Emily Brady, John Paul II, Overland Park; Bridget Doherty, Holy Trinity, Lenexa; Ross Fitzpatrick, Curé of Ars; Emily Goode, Curé of Ars; Quentin Jarrell, St. Michael the Archangel; Hannah Kouri, Good Shepherd, Shawnee; Anna Murrow, Holy Trinity; Abby Smith, Church of the Nativity, Leawood; and Emily Somerhalder, Good Shepherd.

Villa St. Francis to showcase renovations on May 15 OLATHE — Villa St. Francis here will host a community open house May 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. to showcase recent renovations of the skilled nursing facility and to celebrate National Nursing Home Week.

The public is invited to tour the facility, located at 16600 W. 126th St. For more information or to RSVP, contact (913) 747-0275 or dorothy@villasf. org.

local news 7

may 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

Visiting musician ‘brought forth the light’ at Topeka school n Michael James Mette offers inspirational music on Lenten tour

By Kelly Kelley Special to The Leaven

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opeka — I first experienced Michael James Mette’s unique musical blend of passionate ballads and bold rock resonance during a week of Catholic Heart Work Camp programs in St. Louis. Not only was his music wellreceived, we all enjoyed the fact that Mette interacted with the campers — allowing us to know a bit about his personal walk with God. When he contacted me to ask if Christ the King in Topeka would host him on his “40 Days of Praise Lenten Tour,” I expected Mette to easily connect with parishioners of all ages — including the students of Christ the King School. But when we gathered in the parish center on March 8 for a concert of music drawn from Mette’s second album, “Bring Forth the Light,” the unexpected joy was the light he brought forth from those in his company.

“I was truly inspired by the message he proclaimed through his gift of music,” said Christ the King principal Renee Reynoso. “The students were receiving a lifelong lesson while sing-

Photos by Kelly Kelley

Musician Michael James Mette played his biblically inspired original songs for the students of Christ the King School in Topeka on March 8. ing and dancing. This was an assembly they will all remember.”

As he introduced each of his original songs, Mette spoke of the Bible verses that inspired his words and described events in his life that had moved him from lessons to lyrics. So often we talk to our students about the gifts God has given them, but I don’t think that the message was ever as clear as when Mette described his efforts to remake himself into the basketball player he

believed his classmates could have accepted. He went on to say that nothing gave him more joy, however, than eventually discarding that mask to follow God’s gifts through music ministry — being the person that God intended him to be.

Mette also discussed the power of words. Our words can lead us down a path without us realizing it, he said.

He challenged us to think about those people in our daily lives who use their

words to lift us up, then asked us to pray silently for those people who keep us on a positive path.

As we left, the energy was high and the students excited. This is the exact hope that I had for them — that they would celebrate their faith together in a way that was fitting to their ages, and they would know that their teacher had once been a kid in a Catholic school, just like them.

Mette stayed on for an evening concert, where he talked about his family and the adventure that lies just around the bend for them. Though he had understood that God intended for him to share the word through music, he has not been able to share that time with his wife Michelle and their five children as much as they all would like.

So whenever Mette is not on the road, the family works toward their goal of readying an Airstream trailer to be the family’s home on wheels. Come May, the Mettes may be rolling through your town — together.

Mette is inspiring Catholics of all ages to understand that, though God already knows his plan for each of us, he will not force it on us. It will take courage to accept God’s plan for our lives and go forward to bring forth the light.

To listen to music by this artist and learn more about his ministry, log on to his website at: http://michaeljames mette.com.

Not your everyday high school swab story Bishop Ward kicks off effort to add young adults as bone marrow donors

By Jessica Langdon Leaven staff

A

nticipating all her future will hold, Bishop Ward High School senior Elexis Whitmore was crushed to hear a college student question how much of his future he will even live to see.

“We were really honored just to be a part of it, and especially because Bishop Ward was the first one,” said senior Kate Dorian, who is student council president.

“We really hope it can start to be a tradition in the future years so we can get more and more people donating,” she said.

The presentation promoting the drive explained to the students that blood cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the nation, and it claims more people under 20 than any other disease.

But it did more than that. The April 10 event put a face on the disease for the potential young donors.

photo by Aubrey Rumore

Bishop Miege senior Alex Dennis, left, and Richard Sowders, right, fill out the paperwork as part of a bone marrow donor registration drive on April 26 at the Roeland Park high school.

Pressing need

“It broke my heart,” said Elexis.

Bishop Ward senior Elizabeth ConSo she joined other high school senor was struck by the youth of the four niors at Ward in Kansas City, Kan., and brothers the program featured, all of across the metropolitan area in a simple whom need bone marrow transplants. step they hope can change the life of that The high school seniors are at an age, young man — or someone else waiting explained the boys’ father Tim Murry for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. during his presentation, when “your Close to 30 18-year-old Ward seniors whole life is in front of you. It’s a blank filled out some basic sheet of paper, and paperwork and then it’s a time in your life swabbed the inside of when you can say, their mouths on April ‘What do I want to 10. do?’ ‘What do I want With those simple to be?’”

People between the ages of steps, their school For someone whose 18 and 55 may register as bone made history, holding very life depends marrow donors. the very first “18 and on finding a marrow They should weigh at least Swabbin’” bone mar110 pounds, have a body mass match, those quesrow donor registration index no greater than 40, and tions are much harder drive for high school be in good general health. to answer. students.

To learn more about blood Murry’s boys — cancer, registration and upWard administra22-year-old Sean, coming drives, visit the Delete tors, teachers and 18-year-old Patrick, Blood Cancer (DKMS) website students collaborated 12-year-old Danny and at: www.deletebloodcancer. on this new drive with nine-year-old Timorg.

Delete Blood Cancer my — were all born High schools interested in (DKMS), the world’s with an extremely holding an “18 and Swabbin’” largest bone marrow rare condition called drive may also contact Kathdonor center.

Diamond-Blackfan leen Murry Parker by emailing Its mission — anemia. her at: kparker1020@gmail. with the help of high Basically, their bone com. schools like Ward — is marrow doesn’t proto add young adults to duce red blood cells. the national registry as soon as they turn And for the older two boys, who have 18 and are eligible, in order to increase endured blood transfusions every few the chances of finding lifesaving matchweeks since they were born, the need for es. a match is particularly pressing because About 20 Catholic and public schools of the excess iron that builds up in their across Kansas City — including Bishop bodies.

Miege High School in Roeland Park, That iron eventually threatens their St. James Academy in Lenexa, and St. vital organs.

Thomas Aquinas High School in Over“They don’t know, in my boys’ case, land Park — are offering 18-year-old stuwhether they have a few years left. Five? dents the chance to register this spring.

Ten?” said Murry.

Organizers hope these drives will The family hopes bone marrow transsoon serve as a model for high schools plants for the four Murry boys would nationwide. “install” someone else’s blood system

Could you be a match?

Elexis Whitmore, left, a senior at Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., swabs the inside of her mouth as part of the national bone marrow donor registry process. Mary Spangler, right, with Ward’s development office, assists during this inaugural “18 and Swabbin’” drive, which was held at the high school on April 10. into their bodies and enable them to produce blood on their own.

And their family isn’t alone.

About 10,000 people in the United States are waiting for bone marrow transplants, John Murry told the students.

John is Tim’s father, grandfather of the boys, and former president of Bishop Ward’s neighbor, Donnelly College.

About 3,000 of the people who are waiting will likely die this year because they won’t find the “near-perfect match,” he said, of the 10 genetic markers needed to provide a potentially lifesaving transplant.

When a sibling isn’t a good candidate, “it’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” he said.

And yet only about two percent of the U.S. population is part of the national registry.

For more than a year, members of the large Murry clan — including the boys’ cousins here in the Kansas City area — have worked with Delete Blood Cancer and organized drives to register people in parishes, businesses, colleges and at other locations.

In fact, the inaugural event at Ward was a family reunion of sorts. John Murry’s wife, Mary Margaret, and two nieces — Ward graduates Heidi and Caitlyn Muder — assisted at the “18 and Swabbin’” event.

The family hopes that through the drives, they will find donors for their own boys while building up a database of matches for others.

Those drives have so far registered 11,500 potential donors, and about 50 matches have resulted from those registrations, mostly from a handful of colleges.

“That’s why stem cells from you young people are so, so important,” said John Murry.

So important, in fact, that his daughter came up with this idea to extend the registration opportunity to high school students as they hit 18.

Leaven photo by Jessica Langdon

Young, healthy, eager to help Kathleen Murry Parker, a member of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood, wanted to see as large of an impact as possible on the registry numbers.

Reaching out to students still in high school offers a chance to take the time to really educate people about why this is

Bone Marrow Statistics • 30 percent of patients who need a bone marrow transplant have a matching donor in their families.

• Only 2 percent of population is on the national registry.

• At least 1,000 people die each year because they cannot find a matching donor.

• Bone marrow donation requires less than five percent of marrow cells.

• Donating bone marrow is safe: More than 35,000 people have donated bone marrow to a stranger without a single donor death.

Source: www.ij.org

so vital, she said.

She realized the “18 and Swabbin’” events could not only add many people to the registry at one time, but keep these potential donors on it for the next 43 years, the longest time possible.

The registration window is open to healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 — and time is of the essence.

“There are people who will be diagnosed today who haven’t talked to their doctor yet,” said Tim Murry. “Maybe the appointment is this afternoon, and they’re going to be told today that they have blood cancer, and the clock is ticking and they need a donor right away. That’s the reality for some people’s future.”

Elexis was particularly touched when the classes watched a video featuring the Murry family.

Sean, who is a college student, shared on camera that it’s frustrating to work toward a degree and at the same time wonder if it’s all for nothing.

“Watching the video about the Murry boys and how important a transplant is for them in order to live meant a lot to me,” said Jon Roblez, a senior at Ward.

“They are my age, so it really hit home.”

Elizabeth was moved by the boys’ mother, Maggie Murry, who described in the video having to think about the possibility of outliving her children.

“It feels good knowing that you could help somebody else — and it’s easy,” said Elizabeth.

The video featured two men who had registered and actually received calls to donate.

John Murry explained that a small percentage of collections are still taken through the pelvic bone, but in the majority of donations, a synthetic protein bolsters the stem cells in the blood a few days ahead of time. Blood is then removed from one arm, filtered through a machine, and replaced in the donor’s other arm once the stem cells are collected.

“It is a very easy process to register and, from the presentation, I learned that being a donor does not hurt and recovery is easy,” said Jon. “So, there is really no reason that I could think of to not sign up.”

‘We can fix this’ Tim Murry was moved to see more than two dozen seniors stay after the presentation to register.

“They almost ran to the stage,” he said, adding that he’s so impressed with the way young people approach life with an attitude that says, “We can fix this.”

It took just a few minutes and two painless swabs of the inside of their mouths to collect cells to send to the registry.

That part felt a little weird, admitted Elexis, but it was nothing compared to the feeling she could one day make a difference in someone else’s life.

“I kind of got the shakes — like butterflies,” she said.

The whole time, she was thinking, “I’m really doing something.”

Angie Gregory, who is sponsor for Ward’s student council, was impressed — but not surprised — to see students from all walks of life volunteer to help.

“These kids are amazing,” she said.

“They are so giving.”

They’re examples to other grades and their teachers, she said.

“Cancer has affected my family. And if there’s anything I can do to help my family or anyone that I could be a match for, I will do it,” said senior Andrew Kump. “Having Dr. [John] Murry and his family come to Bishop Ward taught me a lot, especially about the donation process. I had no idea that it was such an uncomplicated procedure. I’m proud that our school is the first high school to participate, and I am glad I can help.”

Parker stressed, though, that one of the things that has helped this undertaking take off is the enthusiasm with which teachers are incorporating it into their science and health care lesson plans.

“They are so excited about doing this and engaging the students in [promoting] and owning the process,” she said.

Students across town have been taking the lead.

“The kids get it,” she said, and they know how to market this issue to their peers.

A Ward student who won’t turn 18 until summer asked what she should do, and John Murry encouraged those students to celebrate their milestone birthday by visiting the Delete Blood Cancer (DKMS) website to arrange to register at: www.deletebloodcancer.org.

Kate and a few others plan to do just that.

Elexis hopes that she will one day get a call.

“I do pray and hope that I am a match to someone,” she said. “Hopefully, I can succeed in saving a life.”

10 local news Harold and Peg (O’Toole) Shields, members of Curé of Ars Parish, Leawood, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 2. The couple was married on May 2, 1953, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, Muskegon, Mich. They will celebrate with extended family at a reunion on July 4 in Muskegon. Their children and their spouses are: Sheryl Haase, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Mary Beth and Charlie Berry, McKinney, Texas; Peggy and Bill Newham, Leawood; Thomas and Annette Shields, Muskegon; Kevin and Deanna, Shields, Timonium, Md.; Lawrence and Diane Shields, Whitehall, Mich.; Kenneth and Karen Shields, Seaford, Va.; Joseph and Kristin Shields, Olathe; Dorothy Shields, Fairfax, Va.; Maureen Shields, Raleigh, N.C.; and Margaret Pitcel, DeForest, Wis. They also have 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Gloria M. (Sutherland) and James F. Zipf, members of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on May 8. The couple was married at St. Lucy Church in Chicago. Their children are: Fran, Rita, Cris, Jim, John, Mark, Ellen, Teresa and Bob. They also have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

theleaven.com | may 3, 2013

world

Teacher fosters lifelong learning >> Continued from page 1 she doesn’t know, they write it on a card and play a memory game. Then Bella creates sentences using the words.

Recently, they’ve been working on numbers and money.

In her nomination, Theresa DeBrevi, Bella’s mother, described those laughter-filled sessions as a highlight of Bella’s days.

“We applaud Mrs. Schneider for being a true advocate for Bella and always respecting her abilities and challenges,” said DeBrevi. “One of the reasons their partnership is so successful [is] because of the mutual respect they have for one another.”

Surprise honor Schneider didn’t suspect a thing when she was called to the front office on March 21 — World Down Syndrome Day — to receive the award.

She was stunned to be greeted by a group — including Bella and Theresa DeBrevi and her own daughter, fifth-grader Madeline — and presented with a certificate and flowers.

“It’s amazing to me that these individuals are so dedicated to their crafts,” said Amy Allison, executive director of the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City.

This year, the guild honored 24

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Networking BBQ lunch - 12:30-2:30 p.m.

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JD, Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P Rambo vs. Atticus Finch: In private practice, do nice guys still finish first?

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hen properly used, donor advised funds (DAFs) can provide your clients tremendous flexibility in their charitable giving. This one-hour session will explain the ABC’s of these funds, including determining the advisability of the strategy for your clients, how to establish them, and choosing permissible charitable donees. IRS Rulings will be discussed.

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JD, Lathrop & Gage, Overland Park, KS Recent Developments in Estate and Gift Tax Planning

T

World 11

May 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

his presentation will provide an overview of recent legislation, cases, and other developments affecting estate planning, including a discussion of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and the impact on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Among the topics covered will be wealth transfer planning and marital deduction planning under the current tax laws, and strategies for structuring and implementing gifts and other estate planning transfers, including the role of valuation discounts and defined value clauses. The presentation will also explore charitable planning techniques.

“community champions” for their commitment to “interact [with], include and enjoy” individuals with Down syndrome.

“Clearly, these individuals really believe in our children and challenge them to reach their full potential,” said Allison.

Holy Cross principal Allison Carney agreed.

“Jeanine is very committed to the students — all of her students — and goes above and beyond to make sure that she addresses their individual needs,” she said.

Schneider does her research and makes sure the data backs up her work, the principal continued.

She kicks up the creativity, too.

Schneider is working with one student to develop food-shopping and meal-preparation skills to meet that student’s needs, for instance.

She frequently schedules time after school and during the summer to help her reading students stay on top of their studies.

As for Bella, Schneider includes her in everything — right down to greeting people in the hallways, a social skill every child needs, said Carney.

One of Bella’s jobs at school this year has built on her reading skills, calling on her to deliver envelopes from the office to the different grades.

Bella has grown very independent in that job, as well as others. She also works with preschoolers and takes

Pope’s first encyclical might be out this year

her turn at safety patrol.

Lifelong learners Schneider strives to create as much independence in her students as she can.

And she encourages each to be the student she wasn’t.

“I wasn’t very motivated,” she said of her early years in school. She completed what she needed to, but didn’t really reach for bigger goals until college.

Hindsight is 20/20, said Schneider, and she hopes that her students will make every moment count now and see the value of loving to learn.

“I tell them, yeah, you might have a struggle, but it’s not something that can’t be overcome. You absolutely can positively learn from this and go on forward and be successful in whatever it is,” she said.

“Whatever you’re doing, you’re a successful individual and you have to have pride in that,” she tells them.

To the DeBrevis, Schneider is part of the family.

“She inspires kids to really be lifelong learners. And for us, that’s an important thing,” said DeBrevi. “It’s not about, ‘Do you have everything mastered today?’ — but, instead, enjoying learning, finding answers, seeking information, and growing and gaining skills.”

CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope Francis blesses a child as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican April 24. In an April 29 Mass, the pope spoke about the nature of confession, calling it “an encounter with Jesus.”

Pope: Confession is not like dry cleaners

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Going to confession isn’t like heading off to be tortured or punished, nor is it like going to the dry cleaners to get out a stain, Pope Francis said in a morning Mass homily.

“It’s an encounter with Jesus” who is patiently waiting “and takes us as we are,” offering penitents his tender mercy and forgiveness, he said April 29.

Members of the Vatican’s investment agency and a group of religious women joined the pope for the Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the pope lives.

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all,” the pope said, quoting from the First Letter of John.

While everyone experiences moments of darkness in life, the verse refers to the darkness of living in error, “being satisfied with oneself, being convinced of not needing salvation,” he said.

As John continues, the pope said, “If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive

ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

People have to start out with the humility of realizing “we are all sinners, all of us,” he said.

Even though it is embarrassing to admit to and tell the truth about one’s thoughts and deeds, embarrassment or “shame is a true Christian and human virtue” linked to the traditional virtue of humility.

“Humility and kindness are the framework of a Christian life,” the way a Christian must walk in life, he said.

“Oftentimes, we think that going to confession is like going to the dry cleaners” to get out a stain, but it isn’t, Pope Francis said.

“It’s an encounter with Jesus” who “waits for us to forgive us” and offers salvation, he said.

The pope said confession isn’t like “going to a torture session” where Jesus “is waiting to lambast me.”

Confession “is going to praise God, because I — the sinner — have been saved by him,” who always waits and always forgives “with tenderness.”

When the Lord forgives, he is performing an act of justice, the pope said, “because he came to save and forgive

us,” welcoming us with the affection of a father toward his children.

People need to believe that when they sin, Jesus will defend them because he is just and wants people to have “that peace that only he can give.”

However, people must go before the Lord with courage, even joy, “with our truth of being sinners,” he said.

“We must never disguise ourselves before God,” who “asks us to be humble and kind” and truthful.

In his homily April 27, the pope said Jesus invites Christians to go outside their comfort zone and proclaim the Gospel with joy.

Do not be afraid of the joy of the Holy Spirit, who opens the path “forward,” outside of oneself, he said.

Present for the Mass were workers from the Vatican post office and staff from Vatican’s St. Martha Dispensary, a maternal and pediatric clinic that serves mainly immigrants.

The pope warned against the formation of “little groups” of self-righteous whose hearts are closed “to the freshness of the Holy Spirit” and who “bargain with power” and try to solve problems alone, “among ourselves.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis may publish his first encyclical this year, the Vatican spokesman said. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said he “would not exclude” the possibility of the publication of the pope’s first encyclical “within this year,” Vatican Radio reported. The spokesman told reporters April 25 that retired Pope Benedict XVI had already “fleshed out material on the theme of faith” for an encyclical. Vatican officials had said Pope Benedict completed work in late 2012 on what would have been his fourth encyclical — a letter on the theological virtue of faith. Its release was expected in the first half of 2013, but the pope resigned Feb. 28 before its publication. It is not unusual for a pope to pick up work begun by his predecessor, make changes and publish it in his own name. The second part of Pope Benedict’s first encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God is Love”), was a discussion of Catholic charitable activity prepared under Blessed John Paul II. Nine months after Pope Benedict was elected, the document was released after the new pope reworked that section.

July trip to Brazil being tailored to new pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Visiting Rio de Janeiro, the chief organizer of papal trips confirmed Pope Francis will participate in the key events of World Youth Day July 23-28 and he said other parts of the papal trip are being tailor-made for the new pope. Alberto Gasbarri, the Vatican official who has worked on organizing papal trips since the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II, said, “We had a program fixed between October and November of last year, but a little detail changed — we have a new pope. We had a tunic made to measure for one pope, and now we need to make another. The program will be updated” to fit the ideas and style of Pope Francis, Gasbarri said in a statement released by the Brazilian bishops’ conference April 24. After discussing the plans with Pope Francis, Gasbarri arrived in Rio April 23 to meet with Brazilian church officials and the local World Youth Day organizing committee as well as local, state and national government officials to review the plans and discuss ideas.

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Co-director of youth ministry - Prince of Peace Church, Olathe, is seeking a dynamic, practicing Catholic with a mature spirituality and solid Catholic values to serve as the youth minister. The full-time position involves responsibility for helping plan and coordinate the high school youth ministry (Life Teen) and the junior high youth ministry (EDGE).

Additional responsibilities include: ability to recruit and train volunteers; fundraising; building up the community; overseeing retreats and summer activities. The position will work in conjunction with the existing youth ministry. The ideal candidate should demonstrate authenticity and maturity and have a sound vision and passion for leading teens closer to Christ. He/she should relate well to both youth and adults and possess the ability to articulately convey church teachings soundly and truthfully to young people.

The position will be filled by someone who has experience in working directly with youth in the past. Application deadline is May 21. Submit application to: Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Attn.: Father Bill Bruning, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, KS 66062.

School positions - Dickinson Catholic Schools, Dickinson, ND, invites applications for the positions of president, primary and secondary principals to assume duties July 1.

President qualifications: Candidates must show evidence of a strong commitment to and practice of the Catholic faith and a desire to promote deep Catholic identity within the school based on the teachings of the magisterium. A master’s degree in school administration and supervision, curriculum and instruction, or a similar field is preferred. A minimum of three years experience required. Minimum principal qualifications: Practicing Catholic who believes, professes, and follows the teaching of the magisterium. Master’s degree in education. North Dakota teaching certificate.

Three year provisional is offered by ND. Minimum of three years experience. Salary for all three positions is based on qualifications and experience but will be very competitive.

Applicants are requested to submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references to the president of the board of directors of Dickinson Catholic Schools by sending an email to: toodk7@gmail.com and frwaltz@me.com.

Hairstylist - Hope Hairstyling, 1225 N. 78th St., Kansas City, Kan. Family-friendly and Christian environment. Some clients furnished (back combing a must). A great opportunity for career-minded individual. Booth rental. Send an email with contact information to: hopehairstyling@gmail.com or call (913) 334-1611. Email is preferred.

Carpet cleaning technician - Love interacting with people and being part of a team? Have a passion to serve others and enjoy the benefits of some physical work? Then join one of the most respected, progressive service companies in Kansas City. Make top industry pay and be appreciated for a job well done. Bock’s Steam Star is accepting applications for two positions. $10 - $40K. Call (913) 438-7767 or visit the website at: www.steamstar.net.

Services Lawn mowing - Mowing, weedeating, cleanup afterwards, and reasonable pricing. Members of St. Joseph Parish and alumni of St. Thomas Aquinas. Call Bryan at (913) 636-3927.

MEDICATION SETUP & MANAGEMENT - RN support visits for filling weekly pill boxes & managing medication. Affordable and convenient. To learn more, call Home Connect Health Services at (913) 627-9222.

theleaven.com | May 3, 2013 Housecleaning - I love what I do and you can love it, too!

20-plus years experience. Excellent references. Southern JoCo area. Call (913) 548-8702.

Perfect Roof - Free estimates; roofing repairs if needed. Hail and wind damage inspections. Insured and reasonable. Call (816) 288-1693.

Lawn Mowing Spring Cleanups/Landscaping Local Parishioner Insured/References Free Estimates Call Tony (913) 620-6063

Spring is here! I do decks, fences, siding, windows, doors, roofing, exterior house painting and can cover all your landscaping needs. I bid and do the work, and am fully insured.

Serving the Leaven parishioners for 12 years. Call Joshua Doherty at (913)-709-7230.

Looking for high quality home care? - Whether you’re looking to introduce care for your family or simply looking to improve your current home care quality, we can help. Our unique approach to home care has earned us a 99% client satisfaction rating among the 1,000-plus families we have assisted. We are family-owned, with offices in Lenexa and Lawrence. Call Benefits of Home - Senior Care, Lenexa: (913) 422-1591 or Lawrence: (785) 727-1816 or visit our website at: www.benefitsofhome.com.

Electrician - Free estimates; reasonable rates. JoCo and south KC metro. Call Pat at (913) 963-9896.

Tim the Handyman - Small jobs, faucets, garbage disposals, toilets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, painting, wall ceiling repair, wood rot, siding, desks, doors, windows, and gutter cleaning. Call (913) 526-1844.

Caregiving - Catholic woman with 30 years experience is available to care for your loved one in their home. Spent the past 3 years exclusively caring for one client. Excellent references available. Prefer part time. Call (913) 579-8914.

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

Garage door and opener sales and service - 24-hour, 7-day-a-week service on all types of doors. Replace broken springs, cables, hinges, rollers, gate openers, entry and patio doors, and more. Over 32 years of experience. Call (913) 227-4902.

All your lawn and landscaping needs.

Commercial/residential mowing. Spring seeding. New planting and shrub trimming. Powerwashing, gutter cleaning, foundation dirt, retaining walls, and sprinkler repair.

(816) 509-0224 Tree service - Pruning trees for optimal growth and beauty and removal of hazardous limbs or problem trees. Free consultation and bid. Safe, insured, professional. Cristofer Estrada, Green Solutions of KC, (913) 378-5872. www.

GreenSolutionsKC.com.

Quality craftsmanship at a reasonable price! - Wood rot and house painting. Fiber cement siding/James Hardie. Window replace or repair, decks, basements and baths. Interior and exterior painting. Call Mike at (913) 991-3955.

Heating and cooling repair and replacement.

Call Joe with JB Design and Service. Licensed and insured with 20 years experience. Member of Divine Mercy Parish.

Call Joe at (913) 915-6887.

Agua Fina Irrigation and Landscape The one-stop location for your project!

Landscape and irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

Cleanup and grading services It’s time to repair your lawn. 20% discount on lawn renovations with mention of this ad.

Visit the website at: www.goaguafina.com Call (913) 530-7260 or (913) 530-5661 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: mikehammermoving @aol.com.

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.bankruptcylawinkansascity.com.

Rodman Lawn Care - Mowing, leaf removal, mulch and more. Call John Rodman, member of Holy Cross Parish, Overland Park, at (913) 548-3002 or send an email to him at: Rodman.Lawn@yahoo.com.

ALL AREA CATHOLICS WELCOME Christ the King Parish Federal Credit Union 5417 Leavenworth Rd., Kansas City, Kan. Good Car Loan and Share Loan Rates (913) 287-8448 or (913) 980-2192 Hours: 7 - 9 p.m., Mon., Wed., Fri.

Home Improvement Exterior painting, drywall projects, wood rot repair, bathroom and kitchen remodels, and tile work - Quality products. 20 years experience. References. Call (913) 206-4524.

Masonry work - Quality new or repair work. Brick, block and chimney/fireplace repair. Insured; secondgeneration bricklayer. Member of St. Paul Parish, Olathe. Call (913) 829-4336.

Brick mason - Available year-round; installation and repair of all types of masonry work — brick, stone, tile and flat work. 19 years of residential/commercial experience. Free quote – KC metro area – small and large jobs accepted. Call (913) 485-4307. Yes, we renovate kitchen/bathroom cabinets and install new floor tile.

Adept Home Improvements Where quality still counts!

Basement finishing, Kitchens and baths, Electrical and plumbing, Licensed and insured. (913) 599-7998 Swalms Organizing Service - Reducing Clutter - Enjoy an Organized Home! Basement, garage, attic, shop, storage rooms - any room organized! Belongings sorted, boxed and labeled, items hauled or taken for recycling, trash bagged.

For before and after photos, visit: www.swalmsorganizing. com. Over 20 years of organizing experience; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115.

Ceiling, wall crack and water stain repair Ceilings retextured or painted. Interior painting, no mess!

Serving Kansas City, Kan., and the Johnson County area for 23 years. Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days.

Cambria, granite, and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058.

Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

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) 491-5837 or (913) 579-1835.

Email: smokeycabin@hotmail.com. Member of Holy Trinity, Lenexa.

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.

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

Call Lupe at (816) 252-3376

Caregiving Caregiving - We provide personal assistance, companionship, care management, and transportation to the elderly and disabled in home, assisted living and nursing facilities.

We also provide respite care for main caregivers needing some personal time. Call Daughters & Company at (913) 341-2500 and speak with Laurie, Debbie or Gary.

vacation Mountain cabin in Winter Park, Colo. - 2 BR, 1 BA, fully furnished; sleeps four. View of Continental Divide from deck. Close to points of interest and activities. $95/night.

Call (913) 642-3027. For pictures, visit the website at: www. tillmancabin.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Home repair help available through Catholic Heart - Are you in the Kansas City, Kan., or Kansas City, Mo., area? Are you in need of some minor home repairs? Or just some general cleanup around home, or do you know of someone in need who may not see this article? Catholic HEART (Helping Everyone Attain Repairs Today) will be in your area, July 15 - 18. Catholic Heart provides the labor and some materials such as paint, tools, and wood. Requests for assistance must be submitted by June 14. If you miss the deadline, please send in your request anyway. Visit our website at: https://www.archkck.org/ministries--offices/ecat-youth/ ecat-youth---catholic--heart-work--camp for more information and to fill out the work order forms. For information, call Ernest Boehner at (913) 433-2085, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, or Rick Cheek in the youth office at (913) 284-1725.

TWA Clipped Wings - Will have a “Welcome Home” convention in KC, Oct. 3 - 5. TWA, American, and Ozark cabin attendants are invited to join Clipped Wings and reconnect with old friends. For information, contact Cheryl Molinaro at: molinarozc@hotmail.com or call (239) 498-6777.

for sale Residential lifts - Buy/sell/trade. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. Recycled and new equipment. Member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Leawood. Call Silver Cross KC at (913) 327-5557.

wanted to buy Antiques wanted I buy old pocket & wristwatches; sets of silverware; souvenir spoons; advertising signs; coins; and Native American turquoise jewelry, arrowheads & rugs. Call Chris at (913) 593-7507 or (913) 642-8269.

Will buy firearms and related accessories - One or a whole collection. Honest evaluation and top prices paid.

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee. *** Wanted to buy *** Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, prints, sterling, etc.

Renee Maderak (913) 631-7179 St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee

Buying a classified ad

Cost to advertise is: $17.50 for five lines or less; $1.50 each additional line; Email: julie@ theleaven.com; Phone: (913) 647-0327

Call Toll Free 888-246-1504

10901 Johnson Drive Shawnee, Kansas 66203 Telephone 913-631-5566 Fax 913-631-2236 Gregg Amos

www.amosfamily.com

May Alumni of St. Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park, will host an openmic and karaoke night on May 3 from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit the website at: www. facebook.com/stasaintsalumni.

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Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, will celebrate first Saturday Mass and devotions in honor of Our Blessed Mother on May 4. The rosary will be prayed at 7:05 a.m., followed by Mass at 7:30 a.m. A breakfast and presentation will follow. The celebrant and presenter will be Father Anthony Viviano from the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo. Father Viviano is a graduate of Benedictine University, and his topic will be “My Journey to the Priesthood at Age 49.” All are welcome.

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A Cinco de Mayo Mexican feast will be held on May 4 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. at St. Brigid Hall, 3095 6th St., Osage City.

The vocal ensemble Sursum Corda will present “Let Us Keep the Feast,” a joyful celebration of Easter Vespers, on May 4 at 7 p.m. at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood. A musical reflection on the presence of the risen Christ in the sacraments, featuring gems of English and Latin sacred Renaissance polyphony, will follow. The cost to attend is a freewill donation to support Sursum Corda, a nonprofit group of dedicated musicians drawn from across the archdiocese.

Holy Trinity School, Lenexa, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special Mass with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at 4 p.m. on May 4, followed by a historic video presentation. After Mass, all are welcome to a barbecue and potluck dinner in the school parking lot. A special invitation goes out to all former Holy Trinity students and faculty to attend this celebration. For more information, contact the parish office at (913) 888-2770.

The Knights of Columbus 4th-Degree Lt. Wm. T. Fitzsimons Assembly 280 will host a taco dinner in St. Mary - St. Anthony Church basement, 615 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan., on May 4 from 5 - 7 p.m. The cost to attend is a suggested donation of $6 and $1 for additional tacos. Proceeds will benefit many charitable activities.

The Ladies of Charity will host a private showing of this year’s Designer Showhouse on May 6 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The historic home is at 1032 W. 55th St., Kansas City, Mo. The home is known as the Bent-Ward House, located east of Ward Parkway, and is one of the most prominent houses in the history of Kansas City. Lunch is included. The event benefits nonprofit groups for the underprivileged and uninsured, including Duchesne Clinic, Seton Center and Villa St. Francis. For more information, contact Laura at (913) 766-1119. For reservations, send a $30 check by April 29 to Sandy Mayer, 11640 W. 143rd Terr., Olathe, KS 66062.

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The St. Agnes music department, 5250 Mission Rd., Roeland Park, will host the William Baker Festival Singers of Kansas City in a concert on May 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The WBFS is a 50-voice semiprofessional chorus specializing in sacred a cappella classics and spirituals. The membership is comprised of some of the finest professional and amateur singers in the Heartland region. All are welcome. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

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The regular meeting of the KCK Serra Club will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5th and Minnesota, Kansas City, Kan., at noon on May 8. Jan Lewis, executive director for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, will be the guest speaker.

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Keeler Women’s Center, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan., will offer “Holy Woman: St. Anne” on May 9 from 1 - 3 p.m.

The program is part of a regular monthly series and offers time for presentation, prayer, reflection and sharing. To register, call (913) 906-8990.

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St. Joseph - St. Lawrence, Easton, will host a spring fling on May 11 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the St. Lawrence hall. A Mexican dinner will be served, with bingo to follow. The raffle includes a queen-size hand-quilted quilt.

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The vocal ensemble Sursum Corda will present “Let Us Keep the Feast,” a joyful celebration of Easter Vespers, on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd., Lawrence. A musical reflection on the presence of the risen Christ in the sacraments, featuring

gems of English and Latin sacred Renaissance polyphony, will follow. The cost to attend is a freewill donation.

Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 44 N. Mill St., Kansas City, Kan., will host a social club taco dinner at their hall on May 11 from 2 6 p.m. The cost to attend is $6.50 for adults; $3 for children under the age of 12.

Keeler Women’s Center hosts a monthly book club for women to read and discuss literature by and about women. The group ordinarily meets every second Tuesday, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Space is limited. To register, call (913) 906-8990. The book, “The Exact Place” by Margie Haack, will be discussed this month on May 14. A limited number of copies are available for group members.

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Villa St. Francis, 16600 W. 126th St., Olathe, will host a community open house on May 15 from 3 - 6 p.m. to showcase recent renovations of the archdiocesan skilled-nursing facility and to celebrate National Nursing Home Week. See the new chapel, rehabilitation services and activities areas, and the renovated areas for resident living, family and guest reception, and admissions. Enjoy tours, refreshments, and music. For more information and to RSVP, contact (913) 7470275 or send an email to: dorothy@villasf. org.

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“Professional Etiquette and Life Skills for Job Readiness” is a workshop designed to help women assess their skills, set goals, and prepare for the interview and the job.

Participants will leave better prepared for an interview and more confident in their ability to find a job that matches their interest and skills. The workshop will be held on May 15 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Keeler Women’s Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Lunch is included. Space is limited and reservations are required.

A course in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning begins at St. Paul Parish, 900 S. Honeysuckle, Olathe, on May 17 at 7 p.m. A reasonable course fee covers all three sessions. Call Kate or Gavin Essenburg at (913) 713-5707 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Online registration is required by visiting the website at: www. ccli.org.

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Christ’s Peace House of Prayer in Easton will host a contemplative prayer retreat day from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on May 18. Instruction will be provided on request. Full- or half-day options are available, with a noon meal included. The cost is $25 per participant. The retreat may be extended for an overnight stay. For information or to register, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: info@shantivanam.com.

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A class in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning during the postpartum period will take place on May 19 at 3 p.m. at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Online registration is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org.

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A class in the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning during the postpartum period will take place on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist School, 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 or the Couple to Couple League of Kansas City at (913) 894-3558 for more information. Online registration is required by visiting the website at: www.ccli.org.

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June The Kansas City Catholic Homeschool Conference will be held 7-8 on June 7 - 8 at St. James Academy, Lenexa. Preregistration will conclude on May 10. For more information, visit the website at: www.kccatholic homeschooler.org.

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer, will host a weekend re7-9 Easton, treat from June 7 - 9 entitled “The Three Stages of Prayer: a practical guide to deepen your interior life.” The format will be a series of conferences and discussions, eucharistic adoration, Mass, prayer and time left free for walking in the woods. Check-in is Friday night between 5 and 7 p.m. The cost is $140 for individuals and $210 for couples. For more information, call (913) 773-8255 or send an email to: directorcp@hotmail.com.

Concrete Work

Any type of repair and new work Driveways, Walks, Patios Member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish

Harvey M. Kascht (913) 262-1555

Wagner’s Mud-Jacking Co.

“I am proud to continue the legacy of service my grandfather and father began in 1946.”

Funeral home • crematory • Memorial chapels

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may 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

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

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theleaven.com | may 3, 2013

Seeking Christ’s Heart

mark my words Scripture Readings sixth WEEK OF EASTER May 5 sixth SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29 Ps 67: 2-3, 5-6, 8 Rv 21: 10-14, 22-23 Jn 14: 23-29 May 6 Monday Acts 16: 11-15 Ps 149: 1-6a, 9b Jn 15:26 – 16:4a May 7 Tuesday Acts 16: 22-34 Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8 Jn 16: 5-11 May 8 Wednesday Acts 17:15, 22 – 18:1 Ps 148: 1-2, 11-14 Jn 16: 12-15 May 9 Thursday Acts 18: 1-8 Ps 98: 1-4 Jn 16: 16-20 May 10 Damien de Veuster, priest Acts 18: 9-18 Ps 47: 2-7 Jn 16: 20-23 May 11 Saturday Acts 18: 23-28 Ps 47: 2-3, 8-10 Jn 16: 23b-28

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G

This month, do something old school

ee, it’s already May, a month chock-full of celebrations.

Tucked among the better-known ones of Mother’s Day, graduations and Memorial Day is one that doesn’t have a particular date.

It honors older Americans and is celebrated all month long.

Because some people think that all senior citizens are senile, here’s a story to ponder: An elderly couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They were childhood sweethearts and moved back to their old neighborhood after retiring.

Holding hands one May evening, they walked back to their old grade school. As it was not locked, they entered, peeked into an old storeroom and found the desk they’d once shared, where Andy had carved “I love you, Sally.”

On their way back home, their pleasant memories and conversation were interrupted when a bag of money fell out of an armored car, practically landing at their feet. Not sure exactly what to do with it, they picked it up and took it home. Sally counted the money: $50,000!

Andy said, “Sally, we’ve got

Father Mark Goldasich Father Mark Goldasich is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tonganoxie. He has been editor of The Leaven since 1989. to give it back.”

Sally said, “Uh-uh. Finders keepers!” and hid the money in the attic.

The next day, two FBI agents were canvassing the neighborhood, looking for the lost money. When Andy answered the door, an agent said, “Pardon me, folks, but did either of you find a bag of money that fell out of an armored car yesterday?”

Without missing a beat, Sally said, “No.” Flabbergasted, Andy said, “She’s lying!

She hid it up in the attic.”

Sally replied, “Don’t believe him, Agent. He’s getting senile.”

The agents turned to Andy and said, “OK, sir. Please just tell us the story from the beginning.”

Andy said, “Well, when

Sally and I were walking home from grade school yesterday . . .”

The first FBI guy glanced at his partner and Sally, shook his head and said, “We’re outta here.”

Sorry, I couldn’t resist telling that one. You’ve got to love that Sally.

Older Americans Month reminds us to love the elderly around us. And one of the best ways we can express that love is by giving these seniors three of the greatest gifts possible: our respect, our time and our attention.

I get the sense that older folks sometimes feel useless or a burden to others. Since they’re not able to do the things they did when they were younger and healthier, they feel that they’re not so valuable. In a society that judges people by what they produce, it’s hard to convince folks that we’re human “beings” first, not human “doings.”

In an effort to honor the older Americans among us, we might try some of the following: • Visit the elderly, especially those in nursing homes or those not able to leave their homes. Spend time with them; don’t be in a hurry to

leave as soon as you arrive.

• Create a “timeline of accomplishments” together with the older person. Talk about all that he or she has done in life: schools attended, jobs held, families raised, trips taken, service rendered, etc.

• Pick their brains for a firsthand account of all of the history that they’ve experienced. If it’s a relative, explore your family’s history.

Consider recording or videotaping these recollections.

• Help them to explore new things. Take in an iPad or smartphone and show them all that these gadgets can do. Watch a favorite movie, browse through old pictures, let them travel “virtually” to exotic places, help them to Skype with out-of-town relatives or send an email to a grandchild.

• With those suffering from dementia or debilitating diseases, patiently listen to them or sit with them and hold their hands, or pray familiar prayers, like the rosary.

These can bring a tremendous sense of comfort and reassurance.

Appreciating the legacy of our elders — while they are still here with us — is something that never gets old.

In the beginning

We act, not in isolation, but in consultation with the Spirit

W

hen a parish makes a major decision, whether it is establishing a new ministry or embarking upon a building project, it does not make it alone. It proceeds under the supervision of the archdiocese.

It may also consult with other parishes to solicit their advice, especially if they have experience in the area.

All that reminds us that our parishes do not operate as autonomous units. We are one church.

The incident described in Sunday’s first reading — Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 — also illustrates the catholic nature of the church in an example drawn from the first century of Christianity. A controversy has arisen among the Christians in Asia Minor. To what extent should converts

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May 3, 2013 | theleaven.com

Father Mike Stubbs Father Mike Stubbs is the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park and has a degree in Scripture from Harvard University. of Gentile origin follow the Law of Moses? “Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”’ Not all the Christians, including Paul, agreed with this approach.

Accordingly, “it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the

apostles and elders about this question.” As a result, the apostles issue a compromise statement. It provides that Christians of Gentile origin should not have to observe the Law of Moses, apart from four specific requirements: They should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols; they should not consume blood; they should not eat meat of strangled animals; and they should not contract an unlawful marriage.

Of these four requirements, only the last one appears relevant to Christians living in our modern age. (However, we should note that Jehovah’s Witnesses point to the prohibition against consuming blood as their reason for opposing blood transfusions. But this is an exception.) The issues we face have changed.

At the same time, the

THE PRACTICAL CATHOLIC How would you like to learn a simple method to accumulate — or dump — 1,378 items over the course of a year?

I first saw this as a Facebook post toward the end of last year, presented as an uncomplicated way to save $1,378. You don’t need to be a financial whiz to do it, either.

Start this coming Sunday; consider it Week 1. Put $1 away in an envelope, labeled “Savings.” OK, you’re done for this week. Next week

principle that guided Paul and the other early Christians remains the same. They did not act in isolation. They recognized that we belong to one church. That is what we affirm in the Nicene Creed, where we acknowledge “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.”

In issuing their statement, the apostles preface it with the words: “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.”

By those words, the apostles recognize the importance not only of consulting with others to arrive at a decision but, above all, of seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

That guidance is important for us as individuals. It is even more important for us as a church. That is why meetings that will involve decision making always begin with prayer. We seek to include God.

— Week 2 — put $2 in the envelope. Done. See where this is going?

By the time you get to Week 52, you’ll pop $52 into the envelope . . . and that will give you $1,378.

The same method works to reduce your clutter. During Week 1, toss, donate or recycle just one item. During Week 2, it’s two items. To help you keep track or to get ideas on where to declutter each week, download a free calendar guide at: www.JamieNovak.com.

Hurry up, I’m already on Week 4!

— M.G.

Use this summer to grow closer as a family — and to the Lord

S

ummer can be a time of great adventure and excitement.

Families get opportunities to draw nearer to each other.

What is your summer mission statement? Vacations, day trips, pool time, trips to the lake, no school and long sunny days are all ways for families to get closer. If our summer mission statement has spiritual adventures built in it as well, our families can grow nearer to each other and Christ.

Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, uses the Spanish word, “cercania” to describe Mary’s action in the visitation toward Elizabeth as creating “nearness”;

“catch” or pass on the faith.

I was very close to both sets of my grandparents. I wrote this poem a couple of days after my Grandma Nearmyer died.

Deacon Dana Nearmyer Deacon Dana Nearmyer is the lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. we are called to shorten the distance between each other.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that we as parents and grandparents are primary teachers of the faith.

Pope Francis says that when our lives are closer to each other, we are more likely to

Amethyst Morning 4:11 a.m. Grandma stopped breathing; Grandpa’s purple trembling hands could not help.

11º and all I can remember is: Tree climbing, Hide-and-seek, Downtown shopping at Woolworths, Cokes from Sonic, Lightning bugs in fruit jars, And Kool-Aid days now a memory.

I felt like those great adventures were all in the past.

But with the help of Jesus, we can facilitate new great adventures for ourselves and the next generation. Family Camp is offered through Camp Tekakwitha. Family Camp is full of faith and adventures for families.

But you do not need to go farther than your own backyard to climb trees and catch lightning bugs. Share adventures as a family. Go to Mass in interesting parishes on vacation. My son Max, who recently celebrated his first Communion, is helping to plan out these adventures for our family. Google the churches of your travel destinations; integrate Mass into the journey and pass on the faith. Create memories and family traditions that close the distance.

Have a summer planning meeting. Ask your family members what their favorite parts of summer are, so you can plan to make this summer full of lasting memories. If you go to the pool each day, consider reading a saint story together each day before swimming. Or maybe pray for the people that you care about or all of the kids who won’t eat today, much less get to go swimming.

Over the next year, the youth ministry page — on www.archkck.org — is launching a large section to support parents. Send us your family adventure photos, traditions and tips for creating faithfilled, fun families at: youth@ archkck.org. Your family is precious to God. Celebrate your family. The clock is ticking.

family matters

Take time to express your love to your spouse and children

S

ome years ago Father Chuck Gallagher, SJ, was presenting a retreat to married couples and priests.

Before he began his talks, he would look out over those present, smile, and say, “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

This opening line of a song by the same name which Father Chuck spoke each time was no gimmick.

The look in his eyes, the smile on his face as he gazed on those present, already conveyed what he would

Deacon Tony Zimmerman Deacon Tony Zimmerman is the lead archdiocesan consultant for the office of marriage and family life. next say in words. He loved these people who were part of the body of Christ to whom he gave his life as a priest.

How often do we, as husbands or wives, take time each day to say these words

to one another? When we were dating and first married, we couldn’t wait for time to be together. We looked for ways to express the love and joy we found just being in one another’s presence.

Deacon James Keating in his book, “Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness,” wrote: “The lifelong commitment of marriage can actually undermine the choice to pay attention to your spouse: ‘He will be around later; I will pay attention then.’ The actual knowledge we hold that our spouse will be with us ‘until death do us part’ may unwittingly play a role in taking our spouse for granted. This attitude must

be resisted.”

What if today were to be the last day with your beloved? What would you do?

What should you say?

What about our children?

Remember the long months of waiting for their birth?

What would they look like?

What name would we give them?

With our jobs, and all the activities that are part of our children’s lives today, it is hard to find time just to gaze on them, listen to their excitement and laughter, and dream about their future.

They grow up so quickly.

Jump on each opportunity to affirm their goodness and marvel at the great gift that God has given us in each

day and stage of their life.

Take time each evening in prayer as husband and wife.

Hold hands; look in one another’s eyes; raise in prayer to God one quality of his love you have experienced through your beloved this day and thank God for the gift of your spouse. Share this goodness with your spouse.

As Mom and Dad, repeat this time of prayer with each child. Affirm the joy you have at being their parent.

Try this for a short time and maybe, as you look at your loved ones over breakfast, you will find yourself saying: Have I told you lately that I love you?

cef centered

CEF schools provide ‘home away from home’ for some kids

I

was set to share quotes from brilliant people talking about the importance of Catholic education as this school year comes to a close.

This thought process was in an effort to establish priority thinking for the 2013-14 school year — then I received an inspiring phone call.

It was a little after eleven when my cell rang. The call was from a CEF school

Michael morrisey Michael Morrisey is the executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation. You can reach him at (913) 647-0383 or send an email to him at: mmorrisey@archkck.org. mom. I would characterize her as distraught. She has three children in one of our CEF schools. She is a single mom currently without a job and struggling to make her school payments. The dad

does not provide assistance and, per the mom, is a negative influence on the family.

There is a happy ending to this story, so don’t fret. But I want to share with you why she thinks it is important for her kids to be in our school.

She started with her oldest daughter who is just now feeling comfortable with her peers and teachers.

The daughter comes home almost every day jabbering away (her words) about the day and how cool it is to sing in church. Her daughter has friends that do not go to the same school and are in and out of trouble with the authorities. She recognizes that the Catholic school will

help her daughter find the right way.

The eight-year-old is also a girl, who has aspirations to be a teacher. She has chosen this profession because she wants to be able to help kids just like her. The mom calls our CEF school a “home away from home,” where she knows her kids are safe.

The third child is a boy.

Understand that he is only seven, but he wants to be president of the United States. He does not make very good grades and oftentimes struggles to comprehend. His favorite class is religion because he gets to learn about God and the saints.

The mom was adamant that her kids need to be in our Catholic school because it is the best way for them to get to heaven!

In closing, I have to share one brilliant quote with you.

It comes from one of our CEF founding fathers, Tom Zarda, speaking at a recent St. Thomas Aquinas Hall of Fame dinner: “If Catholic education is only for the rich, then we have failed!”

And yes, we figured out a way to keep her kids in our CEF Catholic school.

For more information on how to help provide scholarships for children in need, go to the website at: www.cefks.org.

16 Local news

theleaven.com | may 3, 2013

Star search While reaching for the stars, seminarian finds God

By Joe Bollig joe@theleaven.com

K

Personally Speaking

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The vocation stories of many priests begin with their families, where they were nurtured in the faith and early on considered that they, too, might stand at the altar someday.

Not Deacon Nathan Haverland.

“I never thought about being a priest while I was growing up,” he said. “I didn’t know what a priest was.”

Both his mother and stepfather had been raised Catholic, but fell away from the faith early, so Deacon Haverland and his older sister didn’t have any religious upbringing. Sunday was just another day of the weekend.

Ah, but God cannot be denied.

French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote: “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.”

Deacon Haverland was not immune to the pull of that vacuum.

“Everybody has that natural desire to know God, so I think I had that as well,” he said. “I remember asking and thinking questions about stuff like that, but I never had a means to learn.”

His path took a fateful turn when he decided to enroll in a small Catholic college in Atchison — Benedictine.

“They had a nice little physics and astronomy department, which is what I wanted to study,” said Deacon Haverland. “There are only two places in Kansas where you can study physics and astronomy. One was the University of Kansas, and the other was Benedictine.”

“I didn’t know anything about Benedictine, but I had a nice campus visit,” he continued. “I really liked their small department. It was a beautiful place, with beautiful people” Deacon Haverland enrolled. But in the process of reaching for the stars, he discovered something better: theology.

Theology courses were a required part of the college curriculum.

Thanks to great teachers, he said, he began to learn about the Scriptures and Christ. It all made sense. Gradually, his knowledge began to change him. He underwent a slow conversion of mind and heart.

“It was more of a gradual process, more than anything,” he said. “It wasn’t until after my sophomore year that I was having a conversation with someone, and I had to admit I wasn’t Catholic, and I was just kind of sad about it. That was the beginning of me starting to join the church.”

That summer, he resolved to enroll in a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults class as soon as possible. That fall, he was walking down a hallway and saw a sign on the wall announcing RCIA classes.

“

Photo courtesy of Nathan Haverland

Seminarian, Deacon Nathan Haverland spent five weeks in a Spanish-language immersion program called Curso Hispanidad. On a weekend break from that, he visited the Aztec ruins near the town of Malinalco, Mexico.

“I took the sign down, ran back to my room and read it over a million times, and took that first leap of faith and tried the RCIA class,” he said.

He was a born-again Catholic at age 20, in his junior year of college.

After graduation from Benedictine in 2005 with a bachelor’s of science in astronomy and physics, Deacon Haver-

“It wasn’t until after my sophomore year that I was having a conversation with someone, and I had to admit I wasn’t Catholic, and I was just kind of sad about it. That was the beginning of me starting to join the church.”

Nathan Haverland land went to the University of Michigan to study nuclear engineering.

“I began attending daily Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and started to get involved in the young adults group there,” he said.

“Realizing that nuclear engineering would never satisfy the deepest desires of my heart, I began to discern a

religious vocation,” he continued. “The pastor at the time asked me if I would help start a men’s house of discernment and, with the help of the Knights of Columbus, [I] and three men began the Father McGivney House.”

There, he prayed, visited a spiritual director, and eventually visited various religious orders and seminaries. Although he wasn’t 100 percent certain, he decided to try the seminary — at least for a little while.

“Nobody in my family quite understood what was going on,” said Deacon Haverland. “They just wanted me to be happy, and they accepted it. Over the years, my family became very proud of me.”

Happily, one fruit of his vocation was that he inspired his mother to return to the practice of the Catholic faith. Sadly, she would not live to see him ordained.

Deacon Haverland is looking forward to finally getting out of the classroom and getting on with his vocational mission. He looks forward to the joy of celebrating the Mass and being a spiritual father to others, and helping them to grow in the knowledge of the love of God, the way he had.

“I never imagined [growing up] that I’d become a priest. It baffles me as well,” he said. “It is an unusual path to take. I’ve just kind of enjoyed the ride.

“I’m taking it as the Lord gives, and

Name: Deacon Nathan Haverland Age: 29 Raised: Edwardsville Parents: Janice Rogers (mother, deceased) and Martin Rogers (stepfather, deceased); Phil Haverland (father) and Charlotte Haverland (stepmother, deceased) Siblings: Niki Rahe (older sister) Current home parish: St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kan. Education: Bonner Springs High School, 1997 to 2001; Benedictine College 2001 to 2005, bachelor’s of science in astronomy and physics; University of Michigan 2005 to 2007, master’s of science in nuclear engineering Seminary: Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis Favorite websites: www.newadvent. org Favorite musical group/person: I like a wide range of music. Currently, I have been listening a lot to The City Harmonic and Audrey Assad.

The most inspirational Christians I’ve met: Religious Sisters always inspire me to be a holier person.

Favorite saint and why: St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I wrote my master’s thesis on her and have found her writings to be of tremendous benefit in my spiritual life.

Favorite devotion and why: Stations of the Cross. The mystery of the Cross is rich and inexhaustible.

Books now reading: “My Sisters the Saints” by Colleen Carroll Campbell and “History of the Catholic Church”

by James Hitchcock Favorite food: I never turn down an opportunity to make a trip to Chipotle.

Dream vacation: I have always thought it would be nice to go to the Alps.

Worst job I’ve ever had: Summer spent working for a moving company. It just wasn’t my vocation.

Best job I’ve ever had: Summer spent doing research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory Hobbies/things I like to do: Reading, praying, and traveling If I were sent on a difficult missionary journey, the saint I’d take with me would be: Any of the North American martyrs.

Qualities I admire in priests I know: Integrity and prayerfulness Best advice I received: The seminarian that you are now is the priest that you will be in the future.

My advice for someone seeking their vocation: Turn to the sacraments for strength and a spiritual director for advice.

What I’m looking forward to as a priest: Walking with the people of God through the pilgrimage of this life and standing at the altar while I pray for them in the celebration of Mass.

enjoying it all the way. I have no idea what the Lord is calling me to in the future, but he has given me tremendous gifts so far.”

Deacon Haverland will be ordained to the priesthood at 10:30 a.m. on May 25 at St. Matthew Parish in Topeka.