01 18 19 Vol 40 No. 22

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 40, NO. 22 | JANUARY 18, 2019

LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

The Good Shepherd at Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee stands faithfully over his flock as the snow comes down.

St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, looks quite at home amid the snow at Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka.

St. Pius X Church in Mission saw heavy snow on Jan. 12. More than seven inches of the white stuff was reported.

LET IT SNOW

The first snow of the new year dumped several inches of the white stuff throughout the archdiocese. A few of our photographers braved the conditions to snap some photos of the winter wonderland.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

The Blessed Mother looks stunning against the snowy backdrop of the landscape of St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Matthew Schiffelbein, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Topeka, walks along 25th Street on his way to the church the morning of Jan. 12.

MENTORS

A new class of spiritual mentors has graduated from the Apostles of the Interior Life program.

Page 3

MOMS’ GROUP

A Holy Cross moms’ group offers support and fellowship to its members.

Page 5

THE MASS

The Leaven continues its series on the Mass, this week focusing on the introductory rites and Liturgy of the Word.

Pages 8-9

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

2

‘Ours is a movement . . . about love and mercy’ ••••• Editor’s note: Below appear excerpts from Archbishop Joseph Naumann’s homily for the Vigil Mass of the March for Life at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., Jan. 17, 2019. The homily can be found in its entirety at www.theleaven.org. Click on Columnists, then drag down to Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

“T

onight, we gather to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the tragic twin Supreme Court decisions (Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton) that legalized abortion — essentially for any reason — through all nine months of pregnancy. As a result, since 1973, there have been 61 million innocent American children killed in the wombs of their mothers.

“The Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton cases were based on deception. The late Norma McCorvey, Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade, lied about being gang-raped. After her pro-life conversion, Norma acknowledged that she was deceived by her attorneys about the reality of abortion. For the last 20 years of her life, Norma McCorvey labored tirelessly to overturn the Roe v Wade decision.

“Sandra Cano, the Jane Doe of the Doe v.

Bolton decision, never wanted an abortion. Her lawyers, whom she had engaged to assist with regaining the custody of her children, used her difficult circumstances

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN to advance their own ideological goal to legalize abortion. She actually fled the state of Georgia, when she feared that her lawyers and family members intended to pressure her to have an abortion.

“The late Dr. Bernard Nathanson, one of the founders of NARAL, originally the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws and now the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, admitted to inventing statistics about the number of illegal abortions. The claim of the Supreme Court that the United States Constitution contained a right to abortion is absurd.

“The late Justice Byron White in his dissent from the Roe and Doe decisions characterized them as “an exercise in raw judicial power.” The late Justice Antonin Scalia in his dissent on Planned Parenthood v Casey in 1992 said that he could say with certainty abortion is not protected by the Constitution “because of two simple facts: 1) the Constitution says nothing about it and 2) the longstanding traditions of American society have permitted it to be legally proscribed.”

“We assemble in 2019 with some new hope that the recent changes in the membership of the Supreme Court may result in a re-examination and an admission by the court of its tragic error 46 years ago. We pray that state legislatures and the people of this country will again have the ability to protect the lives of unborn children.”

••••• “Sometimes, our opponents criticize pro- lifers for only caring about the unborn. While in such a broad-based movement there are obviously some exceptions, in my experience of the pro-life community, this is simply not true.

“Millions of pro-life individuals volunteer and financially support the thousands of Birthrights, Crisis Pregnancy call centers and Pregnancy Resource centers that provide medical, financial and moral support to parents who often in the midst of difficult circumstances choose life for their child.

“These centers of love are committed to accompanying parents long after the birth of their child. They are committed not only to the survival of the baby, but to empowering mothers and families to thrive for a lifetime.”

“We are concerned about the life and dignity of the human person wherever it is threatened or diminished. We care about those harmed by economic poverty, by racism, by religious intolerance.

“We care about the plight of the refugee fleeing persecution and the immigrant seeking a better life for his or her family, of victims of violent crime as well as those imprisoned, of those with intellectual or physical disabilities and the frail elderly, of violence and disrespect against those in law enforcement as well as the victims of police brutality.

“Anyone whose life is threatened and anyone whose human dignity is disrespected have a claim on our hearts.

“For all Catholics, the last several months have been profoundly difficult.

We have been devastated by the scandal of sexual misconduct by clergy and of past instances of the failure of bishops to respond with compassion to victims of abuse and to protect adequately the members of their flock.

“The abuse of children or minors is a pro-life issue because it is a grave injustice and an egregious offense against the dignity of the human person.

Moreover, the failure to respond effectively to the abuse crisis undermines every other ministry within the church.”

••••• “If you want to know the value God places on every human life, just contemplate the image of our Crucified Lord. Tonight, we heard proclaimed a very small portion of St. Luke’s Passion narrative. Jesus

Archbishop Naumann Jan. 17-18 March for Life — Washington Jan. 19 Catholic Charities Snow Ball Jan. 20 Baptism of third or more children —Cathedral Jan. 22 Topeka Rally for Life March for Life and Mass Knights of Columbus dinner Jan. 22-23 Kansas Catholic Conference meeting

www.amosfamily.com

Vespers and dinner with priests ordained in the last five years Jan. 25 Support our Seminarians benefit dinner — Union Station Jan. 27 Pastoral visit — Holy Trinity, Lenexa Jan. 28 Mass — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park

advocates who verbally attack us and label us extremists; 5) mercy for those who wish to disqualify from public office members of the Knights of Columbus or anyone else in whom “the dogma lives loudly”; 6) mercy for abortion clinic workers, volunteers and, yes, even abortionists.”

•••••

“Ours is a movement that is all about love and mercy. We give thanks for amazing Paul-like conversions of abortion advocates, who have become the powerful prolife apologists. As we pray through this night and we march tomorrow, let us pray that we can be great and effective witnesses for life, witnesses for love, witnesses for mercy.”

“The Gospel is all about mercy. Our Lord’s mission is all about mercy. And we, His disciples, must also be about mercy. Our pro-life ministry is about mercy: 1) mercy for the innocent and defenseless child in the womb; 2) mercy for frightened and overwhelmed mothers in the midst of a crisis pregnancy; 3) mercy for post-abortive mothers or fathers who deeply regret authorizing the killing of their own child; 4) mercy for the abortion

FUNERAL HOME • CREMATORY • MEMORIAL CHAPELS

Gregg Amos

Jan. 24 Cure’ of Ars all-school Mass

entered fully into our human condition.

“Our Lord endured the greatest injustice in human history as a result of our sin. On Calvary, Our Lord does not lash out and curse those who have accused him falsely and plotted his cruel execution. Instead, Jesus begs the Father to forgive the soldiers who nailed him to the Cross.”

“Let us show you the many options available when you prearrange your funeral services.”

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Jan. 23 Red Mass and reception — Mater Dei, Topeka

•••••

••••• “Praise be Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life forever and ever!”

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JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

3

SPIRITUAL MENTORS

Mentorship program graduates 72 to ‘walk with others’

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — During one of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann’s infrequent trips to Rome in June 2009, he visited the Three Fountains — the traditional martyrdom site of St. Paul.

During the hot ride back on the Roman metro, one of his hosts asked him an important question.

“What would you like [the Apostles of the Interior Life] to do for our archdiocese and for you?” asked Sister Susan Pieper, AVI. “I want you Apostles to come up with a program that will form my people to do what you Apostles of the Interior Life do,” he said without hesitation.

It was the birth of what became the Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program.

Since the first cohort (or group) was certified in 2013, 248 people have completed the program the Apostles, in conjunction with the archdiocesanbased Holy Family School of Faith, designed for use in the archdiocese.

The most recent group of 72 received their certificates from Archbishop Naumann on Jan. 13 at a Mass at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Six more will graduate in May. The program runs over the course of two years, during which the students study from course materials, online lectures and attend four residential weeks. The courses include basic theology, spiritual formation, discernment, morality, prayer and practical application.

Once they are certified through the Holy Family School of Faith, the new mentors — all volunteers — are available to minister in their parish communities.

The only prerequisites are that the students be Catholic and have received the sacrament of confirmation. A wide variety of people have become mentors.

“We’ve had truck drivers, doctors, airline captains and numerous couples together,” said Sister Susan. “We’ve had one of only 11 priests in the world who are deaf. We have priests. We have loads of permanent deacons from all over the United States.”

And nobody feels the instructors are speaking over their heads — or under, said Sister Susan.

The students of this cohort had many reasons for wanting to become spiritual mentors.

“I’ve been working with a spiritual mentor for the past four years, and I’ve been very pleased with the growth I’ve experienced,” said Denny Dennihan, a member of the Church of the Nativity in Leawood. “My wife has already taken this program, and I decided to take it myself.”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY DOUG HESSE

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann blesses those who received their Catholic Spiritual Mentorship Program certificates on Jan. 13 at Savior Pastoral Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The certificates represent the conclusion of two years of work.

“

“DISCERNING IS LIKE TAKING AN INWARD LOOK AT WHO YOU ARE — WHAT’S INSIDE THE SOUL OF MARILYN. AND THAT’S DIFFICULT . . .”

Robin Snyder, a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood, decided to go through the program with his wife Magda.

“I’ve had a spiritual mentor for the past three years,” he said. “I saw there was a need for more spiritual mentors at St. Michael’s. So, my wife and I are going through this together, and we wanted to use it as an experience for the two of us, because we talked with others who had gone through the program together. And we thought it would help our spiritual growth together.”

Some people who’ve graduated have returned to help run the residential weekends.

“The need is tremendous for people to walk with others,” said Russ Engel, a member of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park who went through the program two years ago.

“As I have been involved in different men’s ministries in the area, I

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

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

could see that there is a need to help men with their faith and get deeper in their prayer life,” he said. “So, this program gives you the opportunity to learn how to pray and teach people how to pray.”

Katie Locus, consultant to the archdiocesan office of deaf ministry and a member of St. Paul Parish in Olathe, undertook the program because there are not enough spiritual mentors for the deaf. Despite some apprehension, Locus has found everyone very welcoming and the program top-notch.

“These past two years have been mind-blowing,” said Locus. “It’s been beyond my expectations. The theology they get into, and the chance to practice it, and the time for focusing on my spiritual inner life — I’ve already seen the fruits of what I’ve learned helping in my ministry.”

Even though they graduated in 2017, returning spiritual mentors Vicki and Dave Prather, from St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, found there is always more to learn.

“What’s great about it,” said Vicki, “ is we . . . are growing in our own formation as we sit in on the classes.”

But the schedule is demanding.

“You want to maximize your time here, so you feel like it’s a challenge to get a handle on all the things going on,” said Dave. “This is a lot more than study. It changes your heart and your own approach to life.”

The challenge for new spiritual mentor Marilyn Baker, a member of

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

Reporter Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

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Our Lady & St. Rose Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, was to learn a new dimension of prayer.

“The most challenging thing for me was not just to pray, but to actually listen to the Holy Spirit,” said Baker, who works for Archbishop Naumann.

“There’s a response that’s going to happen in prayer, and before, I did not have that in my life.”

Discernment, too, took some getting used to.

“Discerning is like taking an inward look at who you are — what’s inside the soul of Marilyn,” said Baker. “And that’s difficult because there are things you like and things you don’t like. And there’s a sense of nakedness about it.”

Demand for spiritual mentors has always outstripped supply. Fortunately, the program is taking applications for a new class that will begin on May 18.

Sister Susan urges those who want to apply to do so quickly, because the program usually fills up rapidly.

To apply, go to the Holy Family School of Faith website at: schoolof faith.com. Go to the top of the page and click on the button that says “Programs.” On the pull-down menu click on “Spiritual Mentorship.”

For information, you may contact the program director Cari Hillyer at (913) 310-0014, ext. 10, or by email at: spiritualmentorship@schooloffaith. com.

Published weekly September through May, excepting the Friday the week after Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Christmas; biweekly June through August. Address communications to: The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Phone: (913) 721-1570; fax: (913) 721-5276; or e-mail at: sub@theleaven.com. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Leaven, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. For change of address, provide old and new address and parish. Subscriptions $21/year. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, KS 66109.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

4

No need for Google: Faith Walk searches better

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

L

EAWOOD — Reflections on the daily Mass readings, special Advent prayers, the Liturgy of the Hours, novenas, Marian devotions — the list of Catholic prayers and tools to deepen one’s spiritual life is as long as it is rich.

But with so many spiritual resources, how does one begin to find and access them?

Abby Upah of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood had the same question.

And in 2016, she and a group of individuals from the Kansas City area decided to do something about it. They created what many are calling the Catholic version of Google and what they call Faith Walk.

What’s Faith Walk?

Faith Walk is a Catholic website that makes more accessible the church’s copious spiritual resources by centralizing hundreds of prayers, podcasts, reflections and more — and it’s completely free.

Born of the desire of many Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) alumni, some of whom were involved in the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, Missouri, Faith Walk began as a simple website offering mostly Ignatian spirituality resources.

“There are so many resources out there,,” said Upah. “But if you don’t really know what you’re looking for, [they] are really hard to find.

“What we’ve done is brought those little resources together within a place that makes them easy to find.”

Quickly, the demand for more Faith Walk resources began to grow.

Upah and her team began emailing people they knew, asking what faithbased online resources they frequently used that could be drawn upon for the site.

“We got a ton of resource [ideas]; no one was sending us the same thing,” she said. “It was never our intention to have something this big, but we started realizing how many resources there were out there.”

Today, Faith Walk includes content from nearly 150 websites, each of which is reviewed by the Faith Walk board before being uploaded.

Faith Walk is a Catholic website that makes more accessible the church’s copious spiritual resources by centralizing hundreds of prayers, podcasts, reflections and more.

Faith Walk also boasts an Appleand Android-supported smartphone app — and its daily emails reach over 500 subscribers.

In addition to being one of the founding members of Faith Walk, Upah programmed and maintains the website and serves as a board member of the nonprofit Second Wind.

“Second Wind exists basically to help with Faith Walk . . . and the regional support team for CRHP,” explained Upah.

“Everyone who helps out with Faith Walk or Second Wind is a volunteer,” she added. “All donations that we receive go straight to ministry.”

Building community, deepening understanding Two years ago, Sacred Heart, Shawnee, parishioner David Saville started meeting once a week with a group of men who had completed CRHP. During their lunch hour, the men wanted to continue deepening their faith in the context of fraternal community.

“We went through a few weeks of using [Faith Walk] to help facilitate the lunches and ended up settling on it

Marriage Encounter weekend is in Lawrence next month

L

AWRENCE — A Marriage Encounter weekend is a special time for married couples to get away from all the distractions and concentrate on making their relationship richer, fuller and stronger. It can help turn a good marriage into a great marriage.

Most Marriage Encounter weekends involve an overnight stay, but a special nonresidential weekend has been organized in February and will be held at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence.

A Marriage Encounter weekend involves a series of presentations that help couples examine their behaviors

and attitudes, as well as their relationship with each other and God. There are times for private sharing between spouses. Additionally, there are opportunities to attend Mass.

The Lawrence event will begin on Feb. 2 with Mass at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. or sooner. It will start up the next day, Feb. 3, at 7:30 a.m. and conclude in the late afternoon after Mass.

For costs and to register, go to the website at: wwme4youandme.org.

as a resource that we would use every week,” said Saville.

Saville added that the group continues to use Faith Walk for a small group agenda most frequently. The resource includes the upcoming Sunday Mass readings, questions based on the readings and reflections that help guide conversation.

The father of four boys, Saville said Faith Walk particularly has helped him participate in the Mass while his wife directs the music at Our Lady of Unity Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Before Faith Walk, there’d be some times when Mass would end and I’d be wondering . . . [what] the readings were about,” he said. “Whereas with Faith Walk, I have already gone through the Mass readings for that week beforehand so, even if I’m getting distracted during Mass, I still have a really good context for the readings.”

“It especially helps me get a lot out of the homily,” he added. “It gives a deeper understanding.”

Monsignor Tom Tank of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park also has found Faith Walk to be a fruitful resource in his personal and pastoral life.

“I have found [the resources on liturgy, Scripture and spirituality] very

helpful in developing my own prayer life, as well as preparing for homilies and other presentations,” he said.

He appreciates that Faith Walk consolidates information, rather than creating its own content.

“There’s something for everyone,” said Upah.

From high school students’ small groups to parishioners well into their 80s, Upah has witnessed people from many eras and stages of life utilizing Faith Walk.

“As each of my boys progresses through their faith life,” said Saville, “[Faith Walk] also has resources in there for confirmation and reconciliation.

“Faith Walk just tends to get me where I want to go quicker.”

For Upah, working behind the scenes on Faith Walk has been a blessing and a challenge.

“It’s been an accountability thing for me because I have to practice what I’m preaching,” she said.

“It’s brought a lot of community to my life,” Upah concluded. “We’re in unity here, trying to learn and find resources to grow.

“Let’s do it together.”

REPORTING ABUSE If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you should make a report to the Kansas Department for Children and Families Protection Report Center by calling (800) 922-5330. If you or someone you know has been abused by a cleric, employee or volunteer of any archdiocesan parish, school or agency — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — call the archdiocesan confidential report line at (913) 6473051 or the victim assistance coordinator at (913) 298-9244, after calling local law enforcement. You can also make a report by utilizing the online reporting form at: www.archkck.org/reportabuse.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas places the protection of children as its first priority. Furthermore, the archdiocese respects the sincere concerns of all individuals who report misconduct and is thus committed to conducting thorough investigations of all such allegations.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

5

Catholic Wildcats offer acts of service, gifts of presence

By Lori Harlan Special to The Leaven

M

ANHATTAN — Saint Isidore’s Catholic Student Center here is usually a busy place during the last week of each semester. It is filled with final exams, extensive projects, long essays and hours of studying.

The center stays open 24 hours a day during that week, so students can use the building for studying, and nearly every meeting room is full of students hitting the books.

But during finals week this past December, there was a group of students doing another kind of project. The upstairs hallways were lined with gift bags and an assembly line of students dropped small items in each bag, one by one. The air was filled with Christmas music and punctuated by outbursts of laughter.

These students were creating care packages for people in the Manhattan community who were homeless or in need. The St. Isidore’s leadership team made it a priority to organize more service opportunities for students this year, and the fruits of these acts of service are evident at St. Isidore’s and in the larger Manhattan community.

The leadership team service chairs, Maggie Doll and Emily Sweat, led the charge for finding service opportunities for students.

Doll, a senior in social work from Salina, said she and Sweat had looked at past service projects, and while St. Isidore’s students had an overwhelming desire to serve, they didn’t know what opportunities existed within the Manhattan community.

“At the beginning of the semester, we asked many students what service they

K-State sophomore and Prince of Peace, Olathe, parishioner Emily Sweat helps fellow St. Isidore’s students assemble care packages for community members in need through the Common Table program. have done in the past or what kinds of service opportunities they would like to participate in,” said Doll. “We had a lot of ideas, but struggled putting them all into action.

“So we decided to focus on one thing — helping the impoverished in our community — and do it well.”

Doll and Sweat reached out to Common Table — an organization in Manhattan that provides free meals every evening, and breakfast and lunch three times a week. The meals are hosted, prepared and served by volunteers at several Manhattan churches.

“The Common Meal volunteers suggested that we volunteer by coming and

eating with those who come to have a meal. We have students come and eat twice a week with the guests of Common Table,” Doll said.

In addition to eating with people in need at Common Table meals, St. Isidore’s hosted a winter clothing drive for Common Table. St. Isidore’s students made several trips to the Common Table clothing closet to deliver donated items, but the donations kept rolling in.

So they reached out to the FIT closet in Manhattan, which is a store for USD 383 students and families who qualify for free and reduced lunches.

Sweat, a sophomore in architecture from Overland Park and a member of

Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, said the response and donations from students has been a blessing to see.

“My hope is that these acts of service will show the people we are serving that they are valued, loved and appreciated by all of us,” Sweat said.

St. Isidore’s students have also donated time to helping people in the community clean up their yard, and have assisted at the Manhattan Catholic schools auction.

The Christmas gift bag project was organized by Common Table.

“Each church who donates time to Common Table donated 100 of a certain item,” Sweat explained. “So, one church collected 100 sticks of deodorant, 100 toothbrushes, 100 socks and so on, and we took all of these items and wrapped them in gift bags that we delivered back to Common Table to distribute on Christmas Eve.” Doll said they are still making plans for the spring semester and hope to continue serving with Common Table.

“My hope is that the students’ hearts are opened to serve those in need in their own community,” Doll said. “I hope they realize that service does not always mean manual labor or having to travel across the world to search for opportunities to volunteer.”

Father Gale Hammerschmidt, chaplain of St. Isidore’s, said watching the students extend Christ’s love in the community has been a joy.

“I am very proud of our students and their initiative on this project,” said Father Hammerschmidt.

“As many know,” he added, “we are in the process of building a church here at St. Isidore’s, but I want to continually remind students that the building of our church is far more about acts of love than it is about placing stones upon one another.”

Holy Cross moms’ group builds bonds, provides support

By Susan Fotovich McCabe Special to The Leaven

O

VERLAND PARK — There’s something about shared joy and pain that brings people together.

Such was the case for a group of moms at Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park, who formed the St. Monica’s women’s group.

It was not only a shared love of their children and a desire for fellowship with other moms in their situation that led them to form the group.

For some, it was a place to draw support as they dealt with miscarriages and infertility.

Not every woman in the group struggled with these issues. But those who did credit that support — and a 54-day rosary novena — with their successful pregnancies.

“It’s been really great and a blessing that the group is spiritually focused.

We’re all young moms trying to raise our kids Catholic,” said Holy Cross parishioner Rebecca Heiman, who has three children.

“We help watch one another’s kids at times, pray for one another and just energize each other when someone has a need,” she said.

There are currently 12 to 15 moms in the core group. More come and go as time allows.

The moms meet formally once a month in the evening at church and informally with their children for playtime every Wednesday after the 9 a.m.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MATT MCCABE

Holy Cross, Overland Park, parishioner Rebecca Heiman chats with another member of the St. Monica’s moms’ group.

Mass. Some of the moms formed a home school co-op that meets on Wednesday morning as well.

The group pitches in with meals when someone has a new baby and is always ready to share advice about everything from toddler tantrums to potty training to sibling rivalry, Heiman said.

When Kristen Cillessen and her family moved to Overland Park in 2013 and joined Holy Cross, she prayed for the opportunity to meet more Christian friends, and specifically more Catholic moms.

As a stay-at-home mom, she was lonely and her family was “struggling to

feel at home in our new parish,” she said.

When she read a notice in the bulletin announcing the formation of a moms’ group, she was thrilled.

“These women are now like sisters to me,” Cillessen said. “We share the common bond of raising young children but, in addition, we share our faith stories and so much more.

“We attend Mass together, play together, meet monthly and pray the rosary together, support new moms with meal trains, and [do] seasonal activities (like a Nativity play and May crowning ceremony).”

Emily Schmitz and her family are

members of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. However, she was drawn to the Holy Cross moms’ group. She was one of the women who prayed the 54-day rosary novena for the special intention of getting pregnant.

“I had been trying for a year to get pregnant with our second child and many in the group knew that wanting another baby was heavy on my heart,” said Schmitz. “Rebecca texted Stephanie [Gramer] and me one day, offering to pray the 54-day rosary novena together, “She said, ‘Friendship without prayer isn’t much of a friendship at all, is it?’

That really stuck with me and I agreed to pray. About halfway through the novena, both Stephanie and I found out we were pregnant. It was so amazing! Mary truly hears our petitions and brings them to the feet of Jesus.”

Fellow Holy Cross parishioner Stephanie Gramer said the group is different than most groups designed for young moms. It’s the underlying faith that makes the difference.

“Because of our faith, we have confidence that we are all coming from the same place of love and trust each other with opinions and advice,” Gramer said.

“The women are so humble and not afraid to be themselves.

“It seems so basic — starting a meeting with a rosary or meeting after Mass to play. But basing our friendship on our faith has really strengthened us as friends.

“We’ve shown up and done the work, and the Holy Spirit has done the rest.”

JANUARY 11, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FAMILY LIFE

A

6

Divorce does not make unhappy people happy

t the family gatherings or office parties you attended over the holidays, you may have heard friends, colleagues or family members say that they are separating or contemplating divorce.

If you did, you may want to clip this article and send it to them.

The decision to divorce is always a difficult one, although in some cases, such as when there is abuse, a separation may be necessary. Regardless of circumstances, these decisions always carry consequences.

When I was in private practice as a marriage therapist, a young businessman came to my office and said: “I have a strange request.

I need your help getting a friendly divorce. I don’t want to hurt my wife, but I no longer want to continue our relationship.”

After probing, I learned that he and his wife had three young children and they had been married 10 years.

He explained, “I do not love her anymore. We argue all the time, and I have fallen in love with a co-worker. I plan to put my energies in the new relationship and make a new start.”

This client was honest about his feelings and intentions, and what he said told me that he and his wife needed help, not a divorce.

Studies have shown that although sometimes

JOHN BOSIO John Bosio is a former marriage and family therapist, director of religious education and diocesan family life coordinator. He is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.

divorce is necessary for the protection of the family, more than 50 percent of the time those who divorce regret their decision. But, by then, it is too late, and the damage is done.

A report published in the UK Daily Mail states that, after the fact, 54 percent of the time spouses experience second thoughts about whether they had made the right decision, with many missing or still in love with their exspouse.

A study published by the Institute for American Values found that two-thirds of unhappy married adults who stayed together instead of divorcing were happy five years later. They also found that those who divorced were no happier, on average, than those who stayed together.

It took my client a

while to realize that, before jumping ship, he should consider working on his relationship with his wife. What was shocking to him was learning about the possible impact of his divorce on his three children.

Divorce may make adults happy, but it always makes the children unhappy. Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher report in their book “The Case for Marriage” that there is a great deal of evidence about the fact that divorce causes problems for the children.

They write: “Children raised in single-parent households are, on average, more likely to be poor, to have health problems and psychological disorders, to commit crimes . . . and have somewhat poorer relationships with both family and peers.”

And the list goes on.

In the previously mentioned report issued by the Institute for American Values, those spouses who stayed together despite one of them feeling unhappy found that their marriage became fulfilling when they worked on it.

They did so by arranging dates, finding ways to spend more time together, helping each other with chores and seeking the advice from relatives, clergy, counselors.

Others just endured the difficulties and, with time, the situations that were causing stress in their lives changed, and they learned to live with some of their differences.

Who helped them?

The study found that what helped couples most was talking to family members, friends and clergy. The people

they talked to discouraged divorce and sometimes intervened to help spouses change the troubling behaviors.

Seeking counseling was also beneficial. Faith was an important factor that helped spouses avoid divorce. Practicing one’s faith inserts a couple into a community of believers who pray and support one another with positive encouragement and example.

Researchers are also finding that what motivates people to work on their marriage is their understanding of what marriage is. Here again is where our Catholic faith can help. We believe that marriage is a relationship with a purpose greater than all dreams spouses may have for themselves.

It is a special call from God, a mission to build a society of families

Questions for reflection: • What is it that keeps you and your spouse together?

• How do you nurture your relationship? that ensures the healthy growth of humanity.

Each family is part of something greater, to which we contribute through the love we nurture in our homes.

My client ended up not divorcing his wife.

He chose to invest time, effort and money in improving his relationship with his wife. He understood that this effort was not just for himself, but also for the sake of the children.

How one Catholic community is dealing with Alzheimer’s

By Jeff Bell Special to The Leaven

O

LATHE — An estimated 53,000 Kansans currently suffer from one of the most tragic diseases known to humankind — Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to grow by as much as 17 percent by 2025, always trending upward.

Kansans took pause last month to reflect on those impacted during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and senior care professionals say it’s of paramount importance that what’s being done today will ensure future challenges can be met.

Chet Surmaczewicz, executive director of Santa Marta, an Olathe retirement community sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City, in Kansas, says foresight has been an important tool in positioning his team to meet the needs of those impacted by the disease.

“We’ve expanded The Plaza, our health center, and continue to incorporate the latest trends and technologies that will help us combat the rise in diagnoses,” Surmaczewicz said. “We

More than five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. continue to hold out hope that a cure will one day be found but must forge ahead in the present reality.”

One technology the community has

incorporated is robotic in nature. She looks and moves like the real thing, but Santa Marta’s Paro Pet, a seal, is all robot.

The proven benefits of these Artificial Intelligence animals have been documented, which led the community down that path. Robotic pets have been shown to provide a sense of calm that’s critically important in the care of individuals who suffer from the anxiety that comes with Alzheimer’s.

Surmaczewicz says the recent expansion of The Plaza Health Center has also played a role in helping them stay ahead of the care curve.

“Our expansion has allowed us not only to better serve our residents, but also to serve the public,” he said.

“While Santa Marta offers everything from independent living to skilled nursing, you don’t have to be a resident to access our health services. We understand the need caused by terrible diseases like Alzheimer’s, and it’s our goal to provide care options to the region.”

There is good news and reason for optimism as treatment trends continue to evolve. While certain medications

have proven effective, experts are also learning more about nonmedical approaches to care. Agitation, depression and confusion are common symptoms, and the implementation of certain training and strategies has been successful.

Monitoring personal comfort, avoiding anything that might seem confrontational, creating a calm environment and redirecting attention whenever possible are all important components.

“Barring some breakthrough that leads to a cure, we know Alzheimer’s diagnoses will continue in Kansas and across the nation,” said Surmaczewicz.

“It’s a bleak picture, to be sure, but one not without hope.

“We saw the need on the horizon for quality care options when we first began planning our health services expansion. This leaves us well prepared to handle the wave of retiring Baby Boomers, some of whom will unfortunately be diagnosed with this terrible condition.”

More than five million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s. To learn more, visit the website at: www. alz.org.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

7

Parish celebrates 25 years of perpetual eucharistic adoration

By Marc and Julie Anderson mjanderson@theleaven.org

T

OPEKA — “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.”

Thus begins a line in a popular Christmas carol.

It’s something parishioners at Christ the King Parish in Topeka do daily.

That’s because for 25 years, more than 400 current, former and deceased parishioners have participated in perpetual eucharistic adoration, thus adoring Christ just like the three wise men who traveled for miles to be among the first to adore the Christ Child.

At the end of the 7:30 a.m. Mass on Jan. 6, the solemnity of the Epiphany, Father Matthew Schiffelbein, the parish’s pastor, honored all those involved in the adoration ministry.

Presenting a plaque to the ministry coordinators, Father Schiffelbein had the following to say: “As I mentioned in my homily, we celebrated on Nov. 7 the 25th anniversary of our perpetual eucharistic adoration chapel. We have a plaque marking that anniversary and recognizing all the volunteers that for the last 25 years have filled those hours, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we’re grateful for that.”

“There’s a number of folks who have done that for all these 25 years,” he continued. “Among those folks are Maxine and Stan Wiechert who have, in addition to filling hours, helped to manage the schedule to make certain all the

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MARC ANDERSON

Stan and Maxine Wiechert, eucharistic adoration ministry coordinators for Christ the King Parish in Topeka, accept a plaque from Father Matthew Schiffelbein, pastor, honoring all those involved in the adoration ministry which celebrated its 25th year at the parish this past year. hours are filled each day for the last 25 years.”

After a standing ovation for the Wiecherts, Father Schiffelbein invited anyone else involved in eucharistic adoration to stand and be recognized for

Receive, realize, respond: GIVEN KC conference for women approaches

By Olivia Martin olivia.martin@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Calling all young women: Registration is open for the 2019 GIVEN KC conference, inviting area women ages 18-35 to embrace their gifts and more fully live their authenticity.

The conference will take place on March 2 at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th St., Leawood, and will focus on helping women recognize and understand what St. John Paul II called “feminine genius.”

Starting with registration at 7:30 a.m., the day will include breakfast and lunch, speakers, moments of prayer and Mass. It will conclude at 3:30 pm.

Speakers this year will include Maura Preszler, founder of Made in His Image, an organization offering healing to victims of eating disorders and abuse; Teresa Hamilton, founder of the nonprofit Giving the Basics; Father Adam Johnson of the Diocese

of Kansas City-St. Joseph; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas; and Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Registration is $35 until Jan. 24; $45 from Jan. 25 to Feb. 21; and $55 from Feb. 22 to 26.

For more information, to register or learn about scholarship opportunities, visit the website at: www.givenkc.org.

Ignite March for Life youth rally set for Jan. 22

T

OPEKA — A local March for Life rally will be held on Jan. 22 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 S.E. 8th Ave. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The event begins at 9 a.m. There will be a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, Bishop John B. Brungardt of Dodge City, Bishop Carl A. Kemme of Wichita and Bishop Gerald L. Vincke of Salina.

Following Mass, participants will march to the Capitol steps for a rally

with Kansans for Life.

Wichita Adore Ministries will provide worship music and entertainment.

The keynote address will be delivered

by David Scotton, subject of the documentary “I Lived on Parker Avenue.”

He will share his story about adoption, forgiveness and hope.

For more information, contact the archdiocesan pro-life office by calling (913) 647-3059 or sending an email to: prolife@archkck.org. Online registration is available at: www.archkck.org/ ignite.

their commitment.

“Take a look around,” he said. “It’s a real testament to our parish’s love and dedication for the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist.”

Besides the Wiecherts, an additional

Mass at 9 a.m.

Feb. 2

MT. CALVARY, KCK Michael J. Aguilar Dolores Arnold Vivian Banks Delieca Beacham Margaret I. Brennan Eleazar Rivera Cano Mary Jo Carr Viola B. Cox Daniel Delagarza Robert J. Delich Antone L. Dusil Theresa M. Emerson Peggy Ann Ernst Shirley Fabac Alfred J. Gomez Dorothy A. Gragg James E. Grohusky Mary H. Grohusky Phyllis E. Hamilton Felix Hernandez Jr. Dawn Hruby Mary F. Lechliter Stella Lovitch Josephine Mance Luis Mejia Alexia Milestone Josephine Miller Grace Smith Momon Dorothy Paine Joseph P. Parra Pauline Rahija Leo J. Ratkey Anne Marie Rogers Maria A. Sarmiento Nada M. Skrljac James A. Slonka Zora K. Soptic Mary A. Stark Anita Suptic Mary A. Swan Joseph A. Swarts Jr. Ruth A. Taylor Jillian G. ValdovinoBlanchard Rosemary Vesel Helen M. Wells Thomas Woodward Frank Zager

Prince of Peace Chapel Resurrection Cemetery 83rd and Quivira Rd. Lenexa

RESURRECTION Truman Abram Nnedima G. Anya Mary Lorraine Baker Mary Anne Baldwin Sally Barancik Sarah J. Barelli Edward Basinger Sharon A. Beilharz Angela F. Bills William Bolton Dorothy Brennan Harold Brents L. Kenneth Britt Allyiah Marie Calvert Ernest Cerkey Glenna L. Dalton Emma Decaeny Joan Donnelly Lyle M. Doyle Carla Drescher D. Bernard Dugan John Eastland Lawrence D. Eilenberger Sandra Enderle Rosemary Erickson Stanton Fitch Wade J. Freeman John C. Gardner Elizabeth M. Glenn Ina D. Graham Christina Hampton Elizabeth Hendricks Kathleen Higley Bonita Holzer Roy Hruska Robert M. Jardes John Kern Robert F. Kuemmerlein Frank R. Lust Robert Maher Louis J. Malinowski William Mason Marianne McKean Johnathan Miliner Jo Ann Morgan Travis Morgan Alice V. Mueller June E. Mullen Paul Norstrud

90 parishioners started in the ministry 25 years ago. Many of them maintain the same hour. For example, Liz Bessette has an hour at 5 a.m. Wednesdays, a time she cherishes.

“It’s so peaceful,” she said.

She added that spending time with Jesus has helped her in “getting closer to God and trying to understand more clearly what he expects of me in my life.”

Like Bessette, Fred Biesemeyer has an early morning hour — actually two, from 2 to 4 a.m.

“Of course, I have the good hours,” Biesemeyer said, adding those early morning hours are quiet, peaceful and without interruption.

It’s not something he planned on doing 25 years ago, but a parishioner invited him.

“It was just the right time in my formation,” he said.

The blessings he’s received from spending time with Jesus have just magnified in his life, and he feels spiritually renewed every time.

“It starts my day off right,” he said.

For Jane Proctor, another parishioner with an hour at 5 a.m., the time has brought her closer to God in a way she is not able to do at home.

There’s something to be said for praying with the real presence of Christ, she said.

“He’s right there,” she said. “It’s just you and him. It can’t get any better than this.”

Holy Redeemer Chapel Gate of Heaven Cemetery 126th and Parallel Kansas City, Kan.

Allegra Nunez Joseph L. O’Brien Carolyn Opitz John J. Pirotte Andrea Porras John Postlewait Willard E. Rexroat Frieda Robinson Marlene C. Rodman Sarah K. Sanders Sarah J. Scales Frances Schnabel Deidre Sechi Aristides M. Simoes Helen Slatinsky Baby Smith Frederick D. Staley Barbara Stobie Betty J. Sullivan Dixie J. Taylor Georgiann D. Thacker Barbara A. Thomas Viola Throckmorton Barbara Troughton Jesse Valdez Antonio Viveros Wayne Weber Rolande Wells Glenn Werth James F. Westhues Roy Wilcox June B. Williams Lucy Williamson Paul Wolford James R. Woods Patricia Zeleznak Eugene L. Zieha ST. JOSEPH Brett D. Blanchard Melissa Bongiovi Bob G. Byrd Anastasia M. C. Cerny Mary E. Crary Joseph Hirt Marilyn Nachbar Shawn O’Donnell Frances E. Sandt Teresa Surber Jean M. Vanhercke

Holy Trinity Mausoleum Mount Calvary Cemetery 801 SW Westchester Rd. Topeka

ST. JOHN, LENEXA Anne J. Gaulding Thomas Sloan Charles Wise MT. CALVARY, OLATHE Kathleen F. O’Connor GATE OF HEAVEN John P. Crilly Frances Miriyam Mikelle Jones John Jurcyk Patricia Kellner Raymond Radojevich Catherine Taylor Catherine Thomas Ka Pao Vang Nadine Wano Aurora Zarate MT. CALVARY, TOPEKA Alicia Avila Mary Beach Louise J. Bennett Frances Berry Lucille Birdsley Murty Blocker Robert E. Bohannon James E. Brooke Dorothy A. Burghart Lavonne Broxterman Gloria H. Byers Rachel Chavez Carole A. Childers James A. Clark Mary Custenborder Dennis Cutting Eugene N. Disidore Lucille C. Elliott Alexander Espinoza Sr. Barbara Farrell Donald Freking Mary Gauthier Richard L. Gutierrez Michael S. Gutowski Stephen D. Hamel Harold Hamilton Jacob Hecker Charles Henry

Stanley Hestand George W. Howell James J. Jokerst Anthony Kotich Daniel Llamas Clara H. Lemuz Debbie Lueke Maureen Lynch Donald E. Mader Odelia Mick Michiel A. Noyes Gabriel Ochoa Reynalda Ochoa Julia O’ Connor Jack Pinard Kathy Priddy John C. Ramirez Sandra Reed Robert Rodriguez Magdalen M. Rohleder Frances Rohr Richard A. Rosebaugh Col. Allen C. Rush Leander Schmidt Shirley Schmidt Carol Shaw Thomas Slattery Conrad J. Stattleman Sr. James Theis Charlotte M. Thompson Thomas Toelkes John E. Triggs Lois Wages Vicky Washer Francis Williams Dana Wright

The introductory rites A call to communion and community

By Mike Nelson Catholic News Service

T

he Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist comprise the lengthiest components of the Mass.

But neither can be fully effective — that is, capable of achieving full, conscious and active participation called for in “Sacrosanctum Concilium,” the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy — without a proper celebration of what precedes them.

That would be the introductory rites — the entrance, the greeting, the penitential act, the Kyrie, the Gloria and the collect — that taken together “have the character of a beginning, an introduction and a preparation,” states the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (46).

“Their purpose,” the instruction continues, “is to ensure that the faithful, who come together as one, establish themselves and dispose themselves properly to listen to the word of God and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.”

“The introductory rites are not simply a prelude to the liturgy,” said Capuchin Father Edward Foley, co-editor of “A Commentary on the General Instruction

CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

The Kyrie enables the faithful to acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy. of the Roman Missal.” “They are the key to all that follows, and the effectiveness of these opening rites sets the tone for the whole of the eucharistic liturgy.”

That starts with the entrance, including a hymn defined in the general instruction as “entrance chant.” Its purpose, says the instruction, is to “foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the priest and ministers.”

Indeed, while the choice of a seasonally and liturgically appropriate hymn is important, it is the act of singing communally that makes the entrance most effective — gathering worshipers, who come with all variety of cares, concerns, trials and tribulations, into one body in

the house of the Lord, setting the tone (as Father Foley suggests) for building unity and community.

Upon reaching the sanctuary, the celebrant reverences the altar, leads the assembly in the sign of the cross and offers a greeting in which he welcomes the faithful and briefly introduces them to the Mass of the day. Collectively, this procedure acknowledges the presence of Christ in both the altar, where the consecration of body and blood will occur, and in the gathered assembly, “as a celebrated mode of Christ’s presence,” says Father Foley.

The penitential act that follows takes the formula of a general confession and acknowledgment of sins, and may include the Confiteor (“I confess”) or a Kyrie chant preceded by a litany of tropes (e.g., “You were sent to heal the contrite of heart”). During the Easter Season, the penitential act is often omitted in favor of a sprinkling rite to remind Catholics of their baptism.

The act concludes with the priest’s absolution which, the general instruction stresses, lacks “the efficacy of the sacrament of penance” (51). This action, rather, is closely linked to Jesus’ invitation of forgiveness that radiates from the table, exemplified by his willingness to dine with sinners.

Unless it was already used in the penitential act, the Kyrie follows, enabling the

THE CATHOLIC MASS ANNIVERSARY submissions Need help explaining the Mass to a child, visitor or Protestant friend? Join The Leaven in this new series on how to understand why we do what we do when we gather each week to worship.

faithful to acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy (52). A responsorial chant sung by all, it focuses on the mercy of God through Christ.

In the Gloria, the church, “gathered in the Holy Spirit,” is called to glorify Father and Son (53). It is sung or recited on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent as well as on solemnities and feasts.

Concluding the introductory rites is the collect, sometimes called the opening prayer, introduced by the celebrant (“Let us pray . . .”). After a period of silence for all to be conscious of God’s presence and silently bring their concerns and needs to the liturgy, the celebrant expresses the character of the celebration in prayer to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

That celebration now continues with the Liturgy of the Word — ideally, amid a community well prepared by celebrating the introductory rites as one body in the Lord.

With a thankful heart The Liturgy of the Word

By Julianne Stanz Catholic News Service

C CNS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

Deacon Paul Chin raises the Book of the Gospels. During Mass, it is important to note that the Scriptures are read, not from the Bible, but from a Lectionary.

atholics have often been falsely accused of not being regularly exposed to the Scriptures.

While it has been true in the past that sprinkling conversation with the Scriptures has typically not been a part of Catholic culture, this has certainly changed over the years.

What many people do not realize, however, is that Catholics are deeply saturated in the word of God every time they attend Mass. Readings from Scripture are a sizable part of every Mass.

How much Scripture? Quite a lot in fact. As the liturgy section on the U.S. bishops’ website explains, “at least two readings, one always from the Gospels, (three on Sundays and solemnities) make up the Liturgy of the Word. In addition, a psalm or

canticle is sung.”

As a result of the Second Vatican Council’s greater emphasis on increasing greater literacy of the Scriptures, we now have a three-year cycle of readings built around readings from the three synoptic Gospels — Matthew, Mark and Luke. The start of a new liturgical year begins with the first Sunday of Advent and marks the transition from one Lectionary cycle (A, B or C) to the next.

During Mass, it is important to note that the Scriptures are read, not from the Bible but from a Lectionary. The USCCB website goes on to say that “a Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year” including Sundays, weekdays and special occasions.

These readings are divided by theme and arranged on a three-year cycle: “Year A is the year of Matthew, Year B is Mark and Year C is Luke,” David

Philippart explained in an article for U.S. Catholic on how the Mass readings are selected.

You might be asking, what of the Gospel of John? The Gospel of John is proclaimed at Christmas, Lent and Easter and to complete the rest of Year B since the Gospel of Mark is shorter than the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, Philippart said.

According to the USCCB website, “the Lectionary also provides readings for feasts of the saints, for common celebrations such as Marian feasts, for ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, etc.), for votive Masses and for various needs.”

The Liturgy of the Word begins with the first reading, which Philippart explained, is “chosen, usually from one of the books of the Old Testament, or from the Acts of the Apostles in Eastertime.” And “the second reading is chosen from a New Testament letter or, in Eastertime, the Book of Revelation,”

CNS PHOTO/KAREN KASMAUSKI

The entrance is part of the introductory rites of the Mass. The introductory rites are not simply a prelude to the liturgy. Their purpose is to ensure that the faithful, who come together as one, establish themselves and dispose themselves properly to listen to the word of God and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.

he added.

The first reading relates thematically to the Gospel. For example, “if the Gospel is about Jesus giving sight to the blind, the first reading will tell how the blind will see when the Messiah comes,” Philippart wrote.

During the Liturgy of the Word, we have an opportunity to hear the word of God proclaimed and reflect upon it, pray with it and assimilate it into our life.

Through the Liturgy of the Word, God speaks personally to each one of us. What a gift to us!

This gift invites a response and God invites our response to his word every day.

Each Mass, we hear the phrase, “The word of the Lord,” and pray the response, “Thanks be to God.” And yet, how many times do we say these words automatically, without thinking and without being truly grateful for the word of God in our lives?

Here are three tips to be more receptive to the word of God and to cultivate a joyful heart: • Prepare in advance. Take time to read and reflect upon the upcoming readings ahead of time. Spend some time alone and with your family reading the Scriptures together and making a note of any important points that come to mind.

One beautiful practice is to pray “lectio divina,” which is an ancient way of reading Scripture that moves the person from reading and studying the word to truly living the word of God. • Read the word of God every day. Want to know and love Christ better? Open the

Scriptures regularly! St. Jerome famously said that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” In sacred Scripture, we constantly find nourishment and strength. The word is welcomed, not as a human’s word but the word of God. It is in the Scriptures that the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet us, his children, and speaks to us. His word is freely available to us, not just at Mass but every day if we would take the time to open it.

• Live the word by responding with a thankful heart. The Scriptures are the voice of God the Father who loves us deeply and unconditionally. When we hear the phrase, “The word of the Lord,” we should not just think of “words” or text, but THE Word. God the Son, Jesus Christ, is known as the Word of God. The Gospel of John begins with this point, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). Intimacy with God’s word is intimacy with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord is intended for each one of us and is God’s gift to us. It is a fountain of joy and nourishment that gives us the strength to arise each day.

The next time you hear “The word of the Lord” proclaimed, respond with renewed confidence and faith as you say, “Thanks be to God.”

A cantor leads the congregation in song. The liturgy section on the U.S. bishops’ website explains that “at least two readings, one always from the Gospels (three on Sundays and solemnities), make up the Liturgy of the Word. In addition, a psalm or canticle is sung.”

CNS PHOTO/ NANCY PHELAN WIECHEC

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

NATION

10

Brooklyn Diocese helps victims of Volcano of Fire in Guatemala

By Jorge I. Dominguez-Lopez Catholic News Service

B

ROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) — During a trip to Central America in December, Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros visited Guatemala and brought with him relief funds donated by Catholics of the U.S. diocese to help survivors of last June’s volcanic eruption.

The Diocese of Escuintla, in south central Guatemala, was devastated by the June 3 eruption of the Volcano of Fire (Volcan de Fuego). It destroyed entire villages, leaving more than 100 people dead and nearly 200 missing.

In an interview with The Tablet, Brooklyn’s diocesan newspaper, Bishop Cisneros said he made the trip as an envoy of Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio “to bring the monies collected by the generosity of the faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn” for relief efforts in Guatemala.

He presented Bishop Victor Hugo Palma of Escuintla with a check for $78,500.

“I was able to see ‘zona cero’ [ground zero] where so many died and homes were completely destroyed by the eruption,” Bishop Cisneros said.

“I also visited Albergue Papa Francisco [Pope Francis Shelter], a temporary shelter for over 100 families that have lost everything they owned.”

Caritas, the Catholic Church’s charitable aid agency, and the Escuintla Diocese have provided for these families since the catastrophe, according to Bishop Cisneros.

Each family in the shelter lives in a one-room wood cabin. Four Mexican religious sisters, members of the Missionaries of the Risen Christ, came to the Guatemala diocese to offer their services. Bishop Palma told Bishop Cisneros that they “have done a tremen-

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY BISHOP OCTAVIO CISNEROS

Auxiliary Bishop Octavio Cisneros of Brooklyn, N.Y., poses with a woman religious and children during a December 2018 visit to the Pope Francis Shelter in the Diocese of Escuintla, Guatemala. More than 100 families lost their homes during the eruption of the Volcano of Fire in June 2018 and now live in the shelter. dous work taking care of the people and organizing the relief efforts.”

“I learned to my amazement,” Bishop Cisneros told The Tablet, “that part of their charism is helping in time of national disasters. Two of the sisters are medical doctors! I could sense the love and respect the people have for

those sisters.”

The sisters in the shelter take care of the children while their parents are at work. Bishop Cisneros said that he could feel a sense of hope for the future even in the middle of such a difficult situation.

To find a permanent solution for the

families, Escuintla’s bishop bought a parcel of land and the diocese is building permanent homes for them. The new houses are being built with concrete cinder blocks and are farther from the dangerous zone near the volcano. According to Bishop Cisneros, the cost is about $12,000 per home.

Parish of teen who escaped abduction credits power of prayer

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — For nearly three months, parishioners at St. Peter Catholic Church in Cameron, Wisconsin, were praying for the safe return of one of their own — 13-year-old Jayme Closs.

When parishioners heard the news that she had escaped her abductor Jan. 10 and was safe, their prayers switched to gratitude.

The parish sign said, “Praise God Welcome Home Jayme,” after its Mass times listing. It joined dozens of messages that had sprung up in signs and storefronts across the Wisconsin town and neighboring towns cheering the teen’s safety.

“Our prayers have been answered and God is good,” parishioner JoAnn Trowbridge told the local NBC affiliate, WEAU, after Jan. 13 Mass at St. Peter. She also said she thinks their prayers may have been answered because “God got sick of us nagging him.”

St. Peter, in the Diocese of Superior, is where Jayme attended religious education classes and Mass with her parents, James and Denise, who were murdered Oct. 15, 2018. Their funeral Mass was celebrated at the church Oct. 27.

Superior Bishop James P. Powers

CNS PHOTO/FBI HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs is seen in this U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation missing person poster. She had been missing for nearly three months after being kidnapped, but she escaped her abductor Jan. 10 in Gordon, Wis. said in a Jan. 11 message to priests and parish leaders that he hoped all parishes would add a “thanksgiving petition to God” during Masses that Jayme was found alive and safe. He said that during her nearly three-month captivity, she had to endure “God knows what kind of physical and mental torture as we kept her in our prayers asking for her safe return.”

“We now want to keep her in our

prayers asking God’s healing touch on her body, mind and spirit,” he said in a message posted on the Facebook page of the Catholic Herald, Superior’s diocesan newspaper.

Jake Patterson, 21, has been charged with couple’s murder and with kidnapping Jayme, both of which he has confessed to, according to a criminal complaint released Jan. 14 by the Barron County District Attorney.

Jayme was found in the town of Gordon, about 70 miles from her home in Barron, when she escaped the cabin in the woods where she had been held for 88 days and met a woman walking a dog who took her to a nearby home and called police.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told reporters when he announced the teen’s return that she was back through the “hope and the prayers in this community and what everybody did.”

He also primarily praised the teen saying: “She took that first step. Taking that step was just unbelievable.” He said when people talk about this kind of situation with their kids they need to advise them: “Never give up hope, keep your prayers alive. When you get into a situation, you never give up.”

Jayme is currently staying with an aunt. Her grandfather told The Associated Press that she is “in exceptionally good spirits.”

St. Peter Church will hold a special service of Thanksgiving for her return Jan. 20. During the parish’s Jan. 13 Mass, parishioners prayed for Jayme and her family and for all who had searched for the teen while she was missing.

They said they want her to know of their support in the weeks, months and years ahead, particularly that she can “handle this and get her life back together,” as one parishioner put it.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

WORLD

Vatican leaps into the world of sports

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican announced its plans to take a leap of faith into the wide world of sports with the creation of its first ever sports association.

The Vatican Athletic sports association, which will fall under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for Culture and its “Culture and Sport” section, was presented during a briefing at the Vatican press office Jan. 10.

According to a press release by the association, the idea to establish a Vatican sports team began with Vatican employees who met for their daily morning runs along the Tiber River.

“The Secretariat of State allowed this ‘community’ of friends to be given a suitable and completely innovative legal form of Christian witness in the streets, literally ‘going out’ as Pope Francis asks, among the women and men who live the passion of sport,” the statement said.

Vatican Athletic, it continued, is not just concerned with competing with other athletes but also committed to giving a “concrete Christian witness with spiritual initiatives” in the world of sports.

The association currently is made up of 60 athletes, ranging from 19 to 62 years old, who work in various Vatican offices or serve with the Swiss Guard. It has also welcomed “honorary members,” including two young Muslim migrants and “several young people with disabilities.”

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the pontifical council, told journalists the Vatican Athletic group represents a much-needed

Sisters help Ugandans resist domestic violence

By Doreen Ajiambo Catholic News Service

K CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Members of the new Vatican Athletic sports association run during a photo opportunity outside St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Jan. 10. The Vatican announced the formation of the association, which includes athletes who work at the Vatican. message of peace and unity in sports, which can sometimes be divisive.

The establishment of an official Vatican sports association also could open the possibility of athletes from the world’s smallest state competing in future Olympic Games.

During the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a Vatican delegation, led by Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture and the president of Vatican Athletic, was invited to take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Games and attend its general meeting as an official observer.

While a Vatican delegation attended the opening of the Summer Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the South Korea games marked the first time the Vatican was invited

to attend an annual session of the Olympic committee.

Msgr. Sanchez, who is also a former modern pentathlete, said the Vatican would not field an Olympic team anytime soon, but there may be a glimmer of hope that the gold and white colors of the Holy See may be seen one day at the global sporting event.

“A Vatican team at the Olympics? Seeing the Vatican flag fly at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is not a short or medium-term goal, but we aren’t closing any doors,” Msgr. Sanchez said. First, though, “I would like to participate in sporting events of symbolic value such as the Games of the Small States of Europe and the Mediterranean Games.”

Pope visits cloistered Poor Clares in Umbria

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

V

ATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis left the Vatican Jan. 11 to visit a community of cloistered Poor Clare nuns in Umbria, the

Vatican said.

The pope made the “private visit” to encourage the sisters and to share the Eucharist, prayer and a meal with them, said Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Vatican press office.

In some ways, Pope Francis was repaying a visit. Members of the Poor Clares of Santa Maria di Vallegloria in Spello, about 100 miles north of Rome, had visited Pope Francis in August 2016 at his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

During the 2016 meeting, the pope personally gave the Poor Clares — and symbolically all contemplative women religious — in his document “Vultum Dei Quaerere” (Seeking the Face of God), which updated rules governing contemplative communities of women.

The Spello monastery traces its roots back to 560 when it was founded by several followers of St. Benedict; the community was re-formed in 1230 by two disciples of St. Clare of Assisi.

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CNS PHOTO/HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE

Pope Francis makes a private visit to a community of cloistered Poor Clare nuns Jan. 11. The Vatican press office said he visited the monastery of Santa Maria di Vallegloria in Spello, about 100 miles north of Rome, to encourage the sisters and to share prayer, the Eucharist and a meal with them.

After a major earthquake in 1997, which heavily damaged the Church of Santa Maria di Vallegloria and the monastery, the sisters maintained their

cloister by living in the garden first in tents then in portable homes. The church and monastery were reopened in 2011.

YENJOJO, Uganda (CNS) — Not all that long ago, family members and residents of this small town in western Uganda mourned the loss of Sarah Baguma, who was stabbed to death by her husband in a domestic wrangle.

Her cousin, Rachael Nabirye, told police that Baguma was stabbed six times in her abdomen and head.

“My cousin’s husband accused her of returning home late before he began beating her,” said Nabirye, who was staying with the couple at the time of the attack. “They had been fighting every time, and we had advised them to separate. It’s very unfortunate that she had to die.”

The killing highlighted how widespread domestic violence is in the East Africa nation. The situation is so serious that women religious of the Holy Cross Sisters have intervened by launching community discussions designed to increase awareness about the prevalence of family violence.

During discussions, women and other stakeholders are given the opportunity to share their experience and identify the causes and possibly solutions to the violence they face. Participants learn about their legal rights and are encouraged to report any form of violence meted against them to authorities.

Holy Cross Sister Semerita Mbambu said the order introduced the effort in the hope of reducing, even ending, violence against women and girls. Many women facing domestic violence in their marriages or relationships have been rescued, taken to various parishes and given funds to start a business to generate some income, she said.

“We have realized that the main cause of domestic violence in many families is poverty,” Sister Mbambu told Catholic News Service. “Men don’t want to work and support their wives.

They want to drink alcohol the whole day and leave all responsibilities to the women. They beat their wives if they refuse to give them money for drinking alcohol.”

Violence against women and girls is on the rise in Uganda despite stringent laws to protect victims and survivors. Gender-based violence increased from 38,651 incidents in 2015 to 40,258 in 2016, according to Ugandan police.

Domestic violence is more common in rural areas than in cities, a report from police said.

The Holy Cross Sisters have made it their mission to end violence against women, eliminate poverty and build communities of justice and love.

Recently, the Holy Cross Sisters joined other religious congregations in rescuing hundreds of women facing violence. Those rescued were helped with food and monetary donations and taught about their legal rights.

The sisters also conduct monthly meetings with other religious leaders to create awareness and seek solutions for the women living in dire circumstances.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT Drivers - Ready for the summers off? Join our school transportation division and live like a kid again! Our drivers have the opportunity to serve our community and still get those precious summer breaks. Assisted Transportation seeks caring and reliable drivers to transport K - 12 students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in our minivans. CDL not required. $12 per hour. Retirees encouraged to apply. Learn more or apply online at: assistedtransportation.com or call (913) 262-5190 for more information. EOE. DRIVERS NEEDED Seeking caring and reliable drivers. Work up to 40 hours per week. Transport elderly and disabled individuals to and from medical appointments.

CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply.

Competitive wages and benefits. EOE. Learn more or apply online at: www.assistedtransportation.com (913) 262-5190 School office manager - Holy Spirit School is currently seeking a full-time temporary school office manager due to an upcoming maternity leave. This position would begin in January 2019. Hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. This position requires an extremely organized, friendly, flexible face/voice for our school office. The office manager provides complex and confidential administrative and clerical support for the principal and the school office; conveys information regarding school functions and procedures; ensures efficient operation of support functions; coordinates projects and site activities; and handles any and all other duties as assigned. A college degree is preferred, along with a good working knowledge of Excel, Word and strong keyboarding skills. Virtus training is required. If interested, submit your resume and cover letter to: mwatson@hscatholic.org.

School enrollment specialist - St. Patrick School at 1066 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kan., has an immediate opening for a school enrollment specialist in the school office. Duties include: confidential administrative support; oversight of all enrollment; tuition and payment plans; maintaining student records; employee attendance; reporting; phones; assist students; and other duties as assigned by the principal. Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. year-round; some summer flexibility. This position reports to the principal and is full time and benefit-eligible. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: AKERNAN@stpatrickkck. eduk12.net and FTORRES@stpatrickkck.eduk12.net.

Catholic elementary school principal – St. Benedict Elementary School in Atchison is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual and instructional leadership, as well as advancement in Catholic schools, for the 201920 school year. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics; understand the mission of Catholic schools; and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and mail resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or email to: kohara@archkckcs.org. Deadline for applications is Jan. 25.

Resource center teacher - Holy Spirit School is seeking a part-time teacher in our resource center, Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. This candidate’s primary function is teaching K – 6th-grade small groups reading and math instruction and will also take on other duties as assigned. A college degree is required and a Kansas teaching certification is preferred. Virtus training is required. If interested, submit resume and cover letter to: mwatson@ hscatholic.org.

Data entry position - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for a temporary data entry position. This individual will assist the campaign office for the capital campaign. The position would be two to three days per week beginning late January with approximate end date in May or June. Requires reliability, collaborative demeanor and demonstrated data entry skills. Qualified individuals should email cover letter, resume and application (available on the archdiocesan website at: archkck.org) to: jobs@archkck.org, title: Data Entry.

Position open until filled.

Career opportunity – Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Topeka and Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri metro areas. This is ideal for a determined, high-energy, high-expectation, professional, self-disciplined, independent individual, who desires to serve others yet earn a better-than-average income. We provide top-rated financial products to our members and their families, and will provide excellent benefits and training. This is a fulltime position. For more information or an interview, contact John A. Mahon, General Agent, 1275 S.W. Topeka Blvd.; Topeka KS 66612; call (785) 408-8806; or send an email to: john.mahon@kofc.org.

Parish secretary - Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2203 Parallel Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is seeking a parish secretary to work 20 - 25 hours a week. The desired candidate will have the ability to work in a diverse faith-filled setting and be bilingual in English and Spanish. Experience in Excel, Word, Publisher and database management is needed.

Call the parish office at (913) 321-1958 or send an email to: blessedsacramentkck@gmail.com for a job description and application.

Part-time assistant - The Knights of Columbus Insurance Agency is looking for a part-time assistant in our Topeka office. The hours are flexible, 10 - 20 per week. Duties include professional customer service, phone inquiries and general office assistance. If interested, call Stephanie at (785) 408-8800.

Holy Spirit extended day care assistant - Do you enjoy spending time with children? Holy Spirit School is seeking an enthusiastic person to be an assistant in our after-school care program. This well-established program runs from 3 5:45 p.m. each school day for our K - 8th grade students.

We are looking for a responsible and creative person who enjoys working with children. The ability to communicate clearly with children, colleagues, and parents is most important in order to foster positive relationships. Applicant must attend a Virtus training and be at least 16 years old.

If you are interested, contact Eileen Colling at (913) 4922582 or send an email to: ecolling@hscatholic.org for more information.

Caregiver - Needed for immediate job. Pay is $25 per hour for 4 - 5 hours daily for a father with dementia.

Applicants should email their resume and references to: talk2amanda75@gmail.com.

Director of music - Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee seeks a full-time director of music. The candidate should be an accomplished musician with an appreciation of and experience in a wide variety of liturgical music; have a deep knowledge of liturgy and the liturgical year; have a strong sense of appropriate music selections for various liturgies, including funerals and weddings. The position requires expertise in vocal technique and choral conducting experience. Proficiency with keyboard accompaniment is required as is the ability to work with and coordinate volunteer instrumentalists. A desire to work with the Hispanic community is essential; familiarity with Spanish is beneficial. The position is available beginning in January, but alternative start dates will be considered. For further consideration, email a cover letter and resume to Father Kent O’Connor at: frkent@gsshawnee.org. Video links to performances/celebrations where you are demonstrating your skills are appreciated.

Catholic elementary school principal – St. John School in Lawrence is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual and instructional leadership, as well as advancement in Catholic schools, for the 2019-20 school year. Applicants for principal must be practicing Catholics; understand the mission of Catholic schools; and have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and mail resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Kathleen A. O’Hara, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109, or email to: kohara@archkckcs.org. Deadline for applications is Feb. 1.

WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS - COME SEE WHY YOU WANT TO WORK HERE! - The Goddard School Olathe Northwest is looking for dynamic, energetic, professional teachers to add to our faculty. The Goddard School is a premiere preschool where children from 6 weeks to 6 years are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a nurturing environment, lovingly guided by our highly skilled, professional teachers. Our staff is comprised of loving and dedicated teachers who understand each child’s needs. They are highly qualified childhood educators who use their creativity and the Goddard developmental guidelines as the basis for unique lesson plans that are brought to life in a fun and imaginative way. Education and experience are required for lead teachers. We offer training and mentoring for assistant teachers with little or no experience. We are hiring for the following positions: full-time preschool teacher; full-time toddler teacher; school-age teacher from 3 - 6 p.m.; and an assistant teacher for multiple classrooms.

Executive director - Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic is currently seeking a full-time executive director to provide Christ-centered leadership for our clinic that has been open 12-plus years. The director will be under the supervision of the governing board and responsible for the day-to-day operations of the clinic, including: community networking; marketing; employee leadership and fiscal oversight. If you feel called to lead this ministry that is changing lives and saving lives, email your resume to: Dkelsey@wpcnetwork.org.

Director of Hispanic ministry - The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has an opening for a full-time director of Hispanic ministry. This position promotes the full participation and integration of Hispanics in the life of the church, and will collaborate with other chancery offices to provide consultation, expertise and support to parishes, schools and other apostolates. An undergraduate degree in theology or related field is required; graduate degree is preferred.

A minimum five years in Hispanic ministry or related field, with fluency (written and verbal) in Spanish and English, is also required. The diocese offers a comprehensive benefits program with generous paid time off and a defined benefit pension plan. Go online to: //kcsjcatholic.org/start/ job-opening/ to apply.

Sales position – Do you have sales experience? Are you well networked in the local community? J.S. Paluch Company, national publisher of church bulletins, has full- and part-time positions available. Excellent earning potential; medical benefits; 401(k); life and AD&D insurance available; excellent commission; compensation program. Interested? Call Kay Leane at (800) 621-5197, ext. 2823, or email resume to: Recruiting@jspaluch.com.

Social media specialist - The marketing team at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking a full-time social media specialist. This position is ideal for a recent graduate with 1 - 2 years of experience with existing social platforms and emerging social channels. The social media specialist works closely with the director of marketing to develop robust, integrated social media strategies that continue to build awareness and drive engagement for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. In addition, this position will provide general support to the marketing team; assist with copywriting, graphic design, photography and videography.

To apply, go online to: catholiccharitiesks.applicantpool. com/jobs.

HOME IMPROVEMENT Swalms organizing - downsizing - cleanout service - Reduce clutter – Any space organized. Shelving built on-site. Items hauled for recycling and donations. 20 years exp.; insured. Call Tillar at (913) 375-9115. WWW. SWALMSORGANIZING.COM. Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., staining, wood rot, power wash, decks, doors and windows, masonry, hardwood floors, gutter cleaning, water heaters, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, ceiling fans, mowing and more!! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

Ceilings only - Renew your old, yellowed ceilings with a fresh coat of white ceiling paint! No mess! Dependable, has 25 years of experience. 10% discount for seniors. Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

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

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA *Commercial & residential * Lawn renovation *Mowing * Clean-up and hauling * Dirt grading/installation * Landscape design * Free estimates Hablamos y escribimos Ingles!! www.elsolylatierra.com Call Lupe at (816) 935-0176 Rusty Dandy Painting, Inc. – We have been coloring your world for 40 years. Your home will be treated as if it were our own. Old cabinets will be made to look like new. Dingy walls and ceilings will be made beautiful. Woodwork will glow. Lead-certified and insured. Call (913) 341-9125.

DRC Construction We’ll get the job done right the first time.

Windows - Doors - Decks - Siding Repair or replace, we will work with you to solve your problems. Choose us for any window, door, siding or deck project and be glad you did.

Everything is guaranteed 100% (913) 461-4052 www.windowservicesoverlandpark.com drcconswindows@gmail.com Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footings, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371 or send an email to: dandeeconst@aol.com.

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.

NELSON CREATION’S L.L.C. Home makeovers, kitchen, bath. All interior and exterior remodeling and repairs.

Family owned, experienced, licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph, Shawnee. Kirk Nelson.

(913) 927-5240; nelsport@everestkc.net

SERVICES

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Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload and in-home moving. No job too small. Serving JoCo since 1987. St. Joseph, Shawnee, parishioner. Call Mike at (913) 927-4347 or send an email to: mike@mike hammermoving.com.

Tree Trimming Tree Trimming/Landscaping Insured/References Free Estimates/Local Parishioner Tony (913) 620-6063 Custom countertops - Laminates installed within five days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

Bankruptcy consultation - If debts are overwhelming you, seek hope and help from compassionate, experienced Catholic attorney, Teresa Kidd. For a free consultation, call (913) 422-0610; send an email to: tkidd@kc.rr.com; or visit the website at: www.teresakiddlawyer.com. Please do not wait until life seems hopeless before getting good quality legal advice that may solve your financial stress.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176

CAREGIVING Looking for assisted living at home? - Before you move, call us and explore our in-home care options. We specialize in helping families live safely at home while saving thousands of dollars per year. Call today for more information or to request a FREE home care planning guide. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www.benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Just like family - Let us care for your loved ones in their homes. Two ladies with over 50 years experience. Looking for night shift coverage, some days. Great price, great references. Both experienced with hospice care. Call Ophelia at (913) 579-7276 or Kara at (913) 343-1602.

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

Senior CNA - Has extensive nursing training. Will do private care, Johnson County area. Available Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (913) 701-6381. Fee negotiable.

FOR SALE Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC) For sale - Two spaces at Resurrection Cemetery in Mausoleum, St. John Corridor. Reasonable rate. Call (913) 8942448.

For sale - Two side-by-side crypts; tier B, 13 and 15, located in the St. Joseph Chapel at Mount Calvary Cemetery, the only two left in the chapel. Call (913) 269-6176 for pricing.

REAL ESTATE

Rodman Lawn Care Lawn mowing, aeration, verticutting, mulching, Hedge trimming, leaf removal, gutter cleaning Fully insured and free estimates John Rodman (913) 548-3002

Whole Estates Need to sell a home and everything in it?

We buy it all at once in as-is condition.

Call (816) 444-1950 or send an email to: www.wholeestates.com.

Piano Lessons Motivating and caring teacher 15 years’ experience, excellent references (913) 680-7018 musicmom57@hotmail.com

We buy houses and whole estates - We are local and family-owned, and will make you a fair cash offer. We buy houses in any condition. No fees or commissions and can close on the date of your choice. Selling your house as is never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 5995000.

Tutoring - K - 12 tutor has 10-plus years of experience.

Tutors in various subjects. For more information, email Kathleen at: Klmamuric@yahoo.com or call/text (913) 206-2151.

HARCO Exteriors LLC Your Kansas City fencing specialists Family owned and operated (913) 815-4817 www.harcoexteriorsllc.com Win disability benefits - Disabled and no longer able to work? Get help winning Social Security disability benefits.

Free consultation. Eight years’ experience. No fee unless you win. Call (785) 331-6452 or send an email to: montemace2000@yahoo.com or visit montemacedisability.com.

Faith-based counseling to cope with life concerns Kansas City area. Call Mary Vorsten, licensed clinical professional counselor, at (913) 909-2002.

8 to Your IdealWeight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered.

Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks!

Certified coach: kathioppold.8toyouridealweight.com.

Handyman/Remodeler - Quality service with references.

Kitchens, baths, tile, painting, garage doors and openers, decks and wood rot repair. Call Jeff at (913) 915-4738.

I NEED HOUSES! - We are members of Holy Trinity Parish and we pay cash for any real estate without any realtor commissions or fees. We buy houses in any condition, including bad foundations. If you would like an easy, no-hassle sale at a fair price, please call me. We have 15 years of experience. Mark Edmondson, (913) 980-4905.

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

Contact Tom at (913) 238-2473. Member of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawnee.

Wanted to buy - Antique/vintage jewelry, paintings, pottery, sterling, etc. Single pieces or estate. Renee Maderak, (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

PILGRIMAGE Retreat and pilgrimage - There will be a retreat given

by Father Sudac and a pilgrimage to Medjugorje from March 20 - April 3, 2019. The cost is $3100 per person.

For more information, call Grace at (913) 449-1806 or send an email to: mgracelegaspi@gmail.com.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CALENDAR EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT The Foundry Event Center 400 S.W. 33rd St., Topeka Jan. 19 from 6 - 11 p.m.

be given by David Scotten from “I Lived on Parker Avenue.” Go online to: www.archkck. org/ignite to register; contact the pro-life office at (913) 647-3059; send an email to: prolife@archkck.org for more information.

Holy Family School is hosting its annual Extravaganza to celebrate and support the school. The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. Holy Family students will be highlighted throughout the evening. Go online to the website at: holyfamilytopeka. net and scroll down to the Extravaganza icon to purchase sponsorships and tickets to the benefit event.

MUSIC BINGO Sacred Heart School (multipurpose center) 21801 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Jan. 19 from 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of dinner and music bingo (adults only). The cost is $15 per person and includes pizza, salad and drink. BYOB. If you love belting out your favorite songs and playing bingo, you will love this event!

streamed. Tony Melendez will be the emcee as Pope Francis is giving his address to young people. There will also be a time of eucharistic adoration, and the evening will end with a concert by the Mikey Needleman Band.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING COURSE Topeka Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.

A reasonable course fee is charged and online registration is required at: www.ccli. org. Call Dana or Eric Runnebaum at (785) 380-0062 for more information, including the class location and the availability of selfpaced, online classes. Learn more about the NFP class at: nfptopeka.blogspot.com.

POSTPARTUM NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS Class begins Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist School 1208 Kentucky St., Lawrence

For more information about this class or other self-paced online classes, call Shannon or John Rasmussen at (785) 749-1015.

Online registration is required at: www.ccli. org.

MEMORIAL LITURGY Curé of Ars Parish 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood Jan. 19 at 8 a.m.

There will be a memorial liturgy for deceased loved ones, followed by a grief support meeting in the Father Burak Room The topic will be: “New Beginnings.” For more information, Call (913) 649-2026.

HOLY TRINITY MAUSOLEUM OPEN HOUSE Mount Calvary Cemetery 801 S.W. Westchester Rd., Topeka Jan. 20 from 1 - 4 p.m.

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas is announcing the opening of this new mausoleum. Everyone is welcome to our open house to see the beautiful new building. For more information or to schedule a personal tour, contact Catholic Cemeteries at (913) 344-7527 or go online to: www.cathcemks. org.

GIVE ’N’ GET COAT AND SHOE EXCHANGE Prince of Peace School (Marian Room) 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe Jan. 21 from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Over 2000 items have been collected to be given away for FREE. Find your new size and style. Coats, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, purses and blankets would love new owners.

IGNITE YOUTH RALLY AND LOCAL MARCH FOR LIFE Topeka Performing Arts Center 214 S.E. 8th St., Topeka Jan. 22 at 9 a.m.

Events begin at 9 a.m. and Mass will be held at 11:15 a.m., celebrated by Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Brungardt. There will be a march to the Kansas Capitol steps and a Kansans for Life rally following Mass. Wichita Adore Ministries will provide music and entertainment. The keynote address will

SUDS, SALSA AND SCHOLARSHIPS Boulevard Brewery 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

See how the Boulevard throws a fiesta with food, drink and music. Food by Ricos Tacos Lupe, music by Stranded in the City and beverages by Boulevard Beer. Proceeds benefit Holy Name of Jesus, Kansas City, Kansas, scholarships. To purchase tickets or be a sponsor, go online to: holynamecatholic school.org.

‘SUPPORT OUR SEMINARIANS’ Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, Missouri Jan. 25 from 5:30 - 10 p.m.

The 26th annual “Support our Seminarians” dinner is dedicated to Our Lady of Ephesus. This event benefits seminarians from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese and Conception Seminary College. There will be great food, socializing and speakers. The reservation price is $175 per person. To make reservations, go online to: mmmhsos512@gmail. com. To donate to the marketplace or silent auction, contact Mary Quinn at (816) 6650380 or by email at: marydeeq@aol.com.

Check out the new website at: www.support ourseminarians.com.

PRO-LIFE CHILI & FIXIN’S DINNER Divine Mercy Parish (Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

There will be different kinds of chili including vegetarian, chili-mac and no-bean chili.

There will also be warm apple butter, fresh corn bread, salsa and chips, tea, coffee, water and adult drinks. The suggested donation is a freewill offering that will go to the Olathe Pregnancy Center. A play area will be provided for the kids.

WORLD YOUTH DAY - KC Sporting KC Event Center 1600 Village West Pkwy., Kansas City, Kansas Jan. 26 from 6 - 9 p.m.

World Youth Day in Panama will be live-

‘BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD: INVITATION TO PRAYER’ Marillac Center 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth Feb. 1 - 2

Experience different forms of prayer during this retreat, from the evening of Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. until Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Sessions will focus on praying our experiences, praying with Scripture and centering prayer. The cost is $50 (scholarships are available). Overnight accommodations are $55 per night. To register, send an email to: retreats@scls.org or visit the website at: www.marillaccenter.org.

RETROUVAILLE Kansas City Jan. 25 - 27

Sometimes the distance between a husband and wife can seem so wide that it cannot be repaired. Retrouvaille is a marriage program designed to bring couples closer together.

Take the time and conscious effort to learn about your spouse. For more information and to register, call (800) 470-2230 or visit the website at: helpourmarriage.org.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS Divine Mercy Parish (Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.

Learn how money doesn’t have to be stressful with a Financial Peace University class.

Get out of debt, win with money. This nineweek class will help you take control of your money, plan for your future and transform your life. Content can be viewed online if you miss a class. To enroll, email the parish office at: secretary@divinemercyks.org. Material cost is $90.

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BIEROCK SALE Sacred Heart Parish (hall) 106 Exchange St., Emporia Feb. 2 at 11 a.m.

Fresh bierocks will be sold for $4 each or 10 for $30. The sale will continue until bierocks are sold out. No pre-orders will be accepted.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE Christ the King Parish (Yadrich Hall) 5972 S.W. 25th St., Topeka Jan. 27 at 12:30 p.m.

The afternoon will begin with a rosary, followed by a business meeting and a social.

If anyone knows of a member or family in need of the circle’s prayers, call Theresa Smith-Lawton at (785) 640-1403. If you are interested in or would like more information about the Daughters of Isabella, call Cindy Keen at (785) 228-9063.

ST. MARY’S BEEF AND NOODLE DINNER Neosho Rapids Grade School (multipurpose room) 240 N. Commercial St., Neosho Rapids Jan. 27 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

A meal of homemade beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad, dessert and drink will be served. The cost is $8 for adults; and $4 for kids 10 and under. There will also be a drawing for many prizes. You may purchase tickets at the door.

TACO DINNER FUNDRAISER Divine Mercy Parish (Formation Center) 555 W. Main St., Gardner Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.

For the cost of a freewill donation, enjoy a taco dinner. All funds raised will help cover costs for students attending the Just5Days Catholic mission trip in June. Help support our young people to grow in faith while helping others.

SOUP-R-BOWL St. Mary Parish 9208 Main St., St. Benedict Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

St. Mary Parish will host its annual Soupr-bowl Sunday lunch of homemade chili, chicken noodle and vegetable beef soups, along with relishes and pie. The suggested donation is a freewill offering. Everyone is welcome.

MINI MARRIAGE RETREAT Church of the Ascension (parish hall) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Feb. 9 from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

CHILI & BINGO FAMILY DINNER ‘SUNDAY DINNER AT OUR HOUSE’ Church of the Ascension (parish hall) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park Jan. 27 from 6 - 8 p.m.

The Ascension Knights of Columbus will be hosting this dinner, complete with live bingo. The cost is: $9.50 for adults ages 12 and over; $5.50 for kids 5 - 11; and kids 4 and under eat for free. The cost of the meal includes chili (red or white), cornbread, hot dogs and libations (for a donation). Three bingo cards are included with the cost of the meal. Net proceeds go to support various Ascension and community charities.

Mike and Alicia Hernon of “The Messy Family Project” will present this retreat by sharing practical and encouraging insights on the topics of parenting as a team, creating a family culture and keeping love alive. The retreat will include Mass and vow renewal, inspirational and relatable talks with discussion time, breakfast and lunch, and free child care. The cost is $40 per couple. For more information or to register, go online to: kc ascension.org/messy-family.

CALENDAR submissions CALENDAR submissions DEADLINE: Noon, Thursday, 10 days before the desired publication date.

INCLUDE: time and date of event; street address; description of event.

SEND SUBMISSIONS TO: beth. blankenship@theleaven.org.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Oh, for the patience of a saint

SECOND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME Jan. 20 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Is 62: 1-5 Ps 96: 1-3, 7-10 1 Cor 12: 4-11 Jn 2: 1-11 Jan. 21 Agnes, virgin, martyr Heb 5: 1-10 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 2: 18-22 Jan. 22 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children Heb 6: 10-20 Ps 111: 1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c Mk 2: 23-28 Jan. 23 Vincent, deacon, martyr; Marianne Cope, virgin Heb 7: 1-2, 15-17 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 3: 1-6 Jan. 24 Francis de Sales, bishop, doctor of the church Heb 7: 25 - 8: 6 Ps 40: 7-10, 17 Mk 3: 7-12 Jan. 25 THE CONVERSION OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE Acts 22: 3-16 Ps 117: 1b-2 Mk 16: 15-18 Jan. 26 Timothy and Titus, bishops 2 Tm 1: 1-8 or Ti 1: 1-5 Ps 96: 1-3, 7-8a, 10 Mk 3: 20-21

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I

t might be a bit unusual asking St. Anthony of Padua for this, but I’ve lost something very valuable and can’t seem to recover it: my patience!

Things reached a head the other day as I was writing a book review online. Although I thought the book was well done, another reader rated it very low.

For some reason, that got my goat and I wrote: “Goodness gracious, this is a novel; it’s fiction!

Suspend your disbelief and let it take you for a ride. It’s a first novel as well, so cut the author some slack. And if you can do it better, get crackin’!”

I’ve never done something like that before online and, though my comments were not nasty, I felt they were uncalled for and unhelpful. So, I hit the delete button . . . a day later.

I felt frustrated that I couldn’t even make it through half of January before violating my personal mantra for this new year: Be kind.

As I mulled things over, this favorite story came to mind: One day, a kindergarten teacher saw a little boy struggling to put on

O

MARK MY WORDS

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

his boots before heading home on a snowy afternoon.

She went over to offer assistance. Although he was pulling and the teacher was pushing, the boots didn’t seem to want to go on.

Finally, after working up quite a sweat, they were successful.

Suddenly, though, the kid said, “Teacher, look!

They’re on the wrong feet!” Sure enough, he was right.

Pulling those boots off was no easier, but the teacher kept at it.

She managed to keep her cool as she and the

boy worked to get the boots on the right feet this time.

Just as the teacher sighed with relief, the little boy announced, “These aren’t my boots!”

She wanted to scream, but instead took a deep breath and struggled with the boots.

Once they were off, the kid announced, “They’re really my brother’s boots, but Mom made me wear them anyway!”

By now, the teacher didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. To her credit, she mustered up patience as she wrestled the boots, yet one more time, onto the boy’s feet.

Pleased that her impossible mission had finally succeeded, she asked the little boy, “OK, now where are your mittens?”

“Oh, I stuffed them in

the toes of my boots,” said the boy . . . and the poor teacher fainted.

OK, if you got a laugh out of that story, you’ve discovered one way to foster patience: Develop a good sense of humor.

Judging from confessions I’ve heard over the years, most of us struggle with patience in our day-to-day lives.

“Patience” comes from the Latin root “pati,” which means “suffering.” Webster’s Dictionary explains that patience “implies the bearing of suffering, provocation, delay, tediousness, etc., with calmness and self-control.”

Reading that makes it clear why I need the heavenly intercession of good St. Anthony.

If your patience can use some refurbishing in 2019, perhaps some of the following strategies will do the trick: • Try the old reliable: Take deep, slow breaths and count to 10.

• Slow down. Leave earlier for appointments, for example, so you don’t have to drive like a maniac to reach your destination on time.

• Put things into perspective; see the big picture. When you’re

getting upset, ask yourself if this situation will matter in the next year, the next month, the next week or even the next few minutes.

• Be conscious of what triggers your impatience. If reading the letters to the editor drives you up the wall, stop reading them! Insulate yourself as much as you can from the stressors.

I know that’s not always possible. A few weeks ago, while heading to the dentist, I got trapped in a huge traffic backup on I-435.

Realizing my patience was about to fly out the window, I reached for my rosary, instead of honking the horn.

Granted, it took two rosaries before I was free of the traffic jam, but you can’t beat prayer. It’s impossible to be impatient and say the Hail Mary at the same time.

I’ll close now with this “prayer”: “Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom to understand others, love to forgive them and patience for their moods. Because, Lord, if I pray for strength, I’ll just end up slapping them silly.”

Amen!

Heaven is wedded to earth in Jesus Christ

ur society often favors couples, whether married or

not.

For example, restaurants frequently offer meal deals where two eat for the price of one.

A hotel room costs the same, whether two stay in it or just one. Going as a couple makes good sense. Society encourages us to double up.

The same apparently held true in the ancient world. Society looked upon couples as the norm. This principle operated even in the field of religion.

For example, in Greek mythology, the god Zeus was married to the goddess Hera. The goddess Aphrodite had a boyfriend Ares, the god of war.

IN THE BEGINNING

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

This followed the usual pattern in the ancient world. For the most part, each pagan deity had a sexual partner.

In contrast to this, the ancient Israelites did not believe that their God had a consort. They did not picture God in terms of a human body with sexuality.

Consequently, they also avoided any metaphor that might imply a human nature, such as God being married.

That is why Sunday’s reading, Isaiah 62:1-5, comes as such a surprise.

It tells Israel: “The Lord delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.”

We might remember that this prophecy comes rather late in Israel’s history. At this point, Israel was fairly secure in its understanding of God as a spiritual being, without a body.

Consequently, it could restrict this talk about God’s marriage to pure metaphor, and not imagine it to be a reality.

Notice also that the prophecy points to a future state of affairs, not a current reality. It does not give a timetable as to when this wonderful event would take place.

But as Christians, we see the birth of Jesus Christ as fulfilling this prophecy. In Christ, human nature has been joined to divine nature.

Heaven is wedded to earth. God is married to humanity through Jesus Christ.

It is no longer metaphor, but fact.

In the prophecy, blessings are brought to those who are joined to God in marriage. God’s spouse will be covered in glory.

The prophecy assures us: “Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory . . . You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God.” It is a happy marriage.

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POPE FRANCIS

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Generously caring for the sick and the marginalized is the best way to combat a culture of waste and indifference that seeks to control and manipulate life, Pope Francis said.

In his message for the World Day of the Sick, celebrated Feb. 11, the pope said that life is “a gift from God” that is “best suited to challenging today’s individualism and social fragmentation. Precisely because it is a gift, human life cannot be reduced to a personal possession

or private property, especially in the light of medical and biotechnological advances that could tempt us to manipulate the ‘tree of life,’” the pope wrote in his message, which the Vatican released Jan. 8.

The main Catholic celebration of the World Day of the Sick 2019 was scheduled for Kolkata, India, where Mother Teresa — ­ who was canonized in 2016 — began her ministry serving the poor and the sick.

St. Teresa of Kolkata, the pope said, “is a model of charity” whose service to the sick and the marginalized “remains for us today an eloquent witness to God’s closeness to the poorest of the poor.”

— CNS

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Look for ‘come and you will see’ moments for your child

ohn was standing with two of his disciples and, as he watched Jesus walk by, said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

That passage from the Gospel of John was read on the feast of St.

DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU

RICK CHEEK Rick Cheek is the associate consultant for the office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth.

Elizabeth Ann Seton Jan. 4. St. Elizabeth was the first native-born American to be canonized a saint. She also established the first Catholic school in Baltimore in 1808.

In his homily that day,

Msgr. Charles McGlinn talked about how we as Catholics need to be more inviting to those who have fallen away from their faith, especially in our own families.

We are always going to have conflicts when it comes to being committed to raising our children in the faith.

Providing “come and you will see” moments gets us to our end goal, which is heaven.

Despite the many struggles and suffering St. Elizabeth’s family went through due to her husband’s long illness, after he died, it was her desire to provide for chil-

dren an encounter with Jesus in the Catholic faith that led her to become a saint. St. Elizabeth did it; “we can too.”

Last November on a Teens Encounter Christ weekend, I was having a conversation with a couple of candidates about how they ended up on the weekend.

Both of them told me that their mom woke them up for school on Friday morning and told them to pack enough clothes for three days.

Not knowing what to expect, Brenda and Patricia had an amazing “come and you will see” experience, all because

Mom and/or Dad wanted their daughter to have an encounter with Jesus.

As we continue this new year, there are many opportunities for “come and you will see” moments for your children here in the archdiocese and in your parishes.

With Camp Tekakwitha in the summer, Teens Encounters Christ being offered three times a year, Junior High Rally in February and the National Catholic Youth Conference in November, pray about where you can plug your son or daughter in to help them grow in their faith and love for Jesus Christ.

Parish life grounds us in the love of God

W

e have a routine on Sunday mornings. He wakes first and takes the dog out. I make coffee. He eats breakfast while I get dressed.

While driving in our truck from our home in the country to our parish in town for early morning Mass, everything is the same.

Last week, however, bouncing along, my husband broke our contented silence saying, “I love going to Mass. I love going to Mass — with you.”

I love going to Mass with him, too, and not because I know what it is like to go to Mass alone.

SIMPLY STEWARDSHIP

LESLE KNOP Lesle Knop is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email her at: lknop@archkck.org.

I remember when my husband was a “Christeaster” — a

Christmas and Easter Christian. That was before he converted to Catholicism not long after we were married, moved to the country and put down roots in parish life.

When young people ask, “Why do I give to the church?” I want to respond, “Why not?” In

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the short time we have to live on this earth, it is a blessing that my husband and I have come to know many friends from our parish, and they have come to know us.

We are the church. We are the people of faith seeking communion with God. Christ commanded us to love God and to love our neighbor. By going to church, we live this commandment, spiritually and physically.

Within the simple beauty of our humble parish church, we are reminded of the saints and their examples of extraordinary goodness.

The homilies given by our pastor from the ambo every Sunday often help us to deal with

mundane problems.

During Mass, we are connected to the past, to the present and to the future. We pray for the souls of our departed loved ones, pray for each other, are contrite in our confessions, seek forgiveness and celebrate the promises given to us

by Jesus Christ.

With babies crying behind us, musicians sharing their talents from the choir loft, the liturgies before us, the saints above us, we are surrounded by life. Each weekly parish bulletin provides examples of good works being done by the people of our parish, at our parish school and in our archdiocese.

This year, the Archbishop’s Call to Share, our annual appeal that benefits more than 43 different ministries, bears the theme: “Never Alone, Always Loved.” Giving to the appeal is an opportunity to do something “beautiful for God” that will help saints and sinners alike.

I am convinced that God loves each of us.

There is something very special in the relationship between faith in God and the religious practices that bring us joy.

I understand why my husband said he loves going to Mass with me.

Mass reminds us of how much we are loved. Every Mass brings us closer to God.

JANUARY 18, 2019 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Messy Family Project helps couples transform their family life

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

O

VERLAND PARK — Enough already with the annual Christmas “brag letters” and the perfect Facebook family facades.

Mike and Alicia Hernon want you to know that all families are messy — and that’s a good thing.

The Hernons are the co-creators of “The Messy Family Project,” a ministry devoted to coaching parents on how to strengthen their marriages, transform their parenting and develop a supportive family culture.

All this despite not having a pictureperfect family.

The Hernons will bring their “messy” message to a mini marriage retreat for couples from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park. (See below for more information.)

The Hernons, from Steubenville, Ohio, have been married for 25 years and have 10 children between the ages of 6 and 24. Mike and Alicia are graduates of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and Mike was, until recently, a university vice president.

Their ministry began as a simple podcast in 2015 and grew until it became a full-time endeavor in November 2018.

“We’ve always had a real heart for families,” said Mike. “We’ve gone through many ups and downs in our lives and realized there is a great need for encouragement and support for families.

“We’re not perfect, and that’s where we got the name ‘Messy Family.’ We also think that identifies a bit the families we speak to, too. We’re not aiming to reach the families that have it all figured out.”

“Because they don’t exist,” said Alicia.

God speaks to, works through and blesses messy families, the Hernons believe. The messiness is the crucible in which God pours his grace. Don’t reject the messiness — embrace it. This is empowering.

“Part of our message to parents is that they have the grace that they need to figure out how they are to parent

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HERNONS

Alicia and Mike Hernon are co-creators of “The Messy Family Project,” a ministry devoted to coaching parents on how to strengthen their marriages, transform their parenting and develop a supportive family culture.

“

“WE’RE NOT PERFECT, AND THAT’S WHERE WE GOT THE NAME ‘MESSY FAMILY.’ WE ALSO THINK THAT IDENTIFIES A BIT THE FAMILIES WE SPEAK TO, TOO.

their children,” said Alicia. “We are there to encourage a conversation happening between spouses, and to encourage them that God is faithful, and he is going to be there for them and

have grace available through the sacraments.”

There is no silver bullet, no secret formula, no “three easy steps to having perfect kids and a perfect marriage.”

“We’re more like, ‘Hey, look at each other, have a conversation, here are some topics you need to come together [over],’” said Alicia.

Sometimes, parents can feel overwhelmed by the powerful gravitational pull of popular culture. How can a parent compete with all these powerful forces?

Parents have a secret weapon: family culture.

“It is a powerful way to influence your children that goes beyond even your relationship with them, where you create this unspoken system of values, expectations and beliefs that really motivate your family,” said Mike.

“It’s what binds your family together,” he continued, “and creates a peer pressure or culture in your home, a powerful force to leave a legacy bigger than yourself and your individual parenting.”

During the retreat, the Hernons will focus on three topics: “Messy parenting one-on-one,” “Cultivating a family culture” and ‘Keeping your love alive.”

The format of the day will consist of discussions following the Hernons’ presentations and breakout times for couples. The retreat will include Mass, breakfast and lunch, and a renewal of vows.

The cost of the retreat is $40 per couple. For information or to register, go online to: kcascension.org/messy-family or contact Sarah Streitweiser at: sstreit wieser@kcascension.org. The registration deadline is Feb. 3.

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