03 20 20 Vol. 41 No. 31

THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 41, NO. 31 | MARCH 20, 2020

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

The specter of coronavirus kept Mass attendance March 15 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka light after Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann granted a dispensation of the Sunday Mass obligation on March 13. As coronavirus continues to spread, Masses throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas have been suspended until further notice.

CORONAVIRUS CAUSES T MASS DISRUPTIONS

A very special Leaven

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Policy changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic have brought daily and even hourly changes that people are struggling to adapt to, and the church is no exception.

Father Jeremy Heppler, OSB, was presiding over a funeral when he learned about the latest development at the cemetery.

He learned of the new directive, said Father Jeremy, pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, from Father Richard McDonald, “also at the funeral this morning [March 17].”

“He told me when we got out to the cemetery.”

On the morning of March 17, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and the bishops of Kansas announced the cancellation of all public Masses in Kansas.

Baptisms and funerals are still possible, but with the limit of no more than 50 people. Only those who are

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD

An elderly man at Holy Trinity Church in Lenexa protects himself with gloves at the 7:30 a.m.

Mass on March 15. not showing symptoms of illness may attend. Penance services are canceled, too, but the sacrament of reconciliation for individuals is still permitted.

Earlier, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas issued voluntary guidelines and a dispensation from attending Mass for certain persons.

A week ago, those became mandatory directives, which were modified yet again as the situation across the United States worsened.

Like all archdiocesan pastors, Father Jeremy had to adapt. >> See “CATHOLIC” on page 4

he Leaven has never published a paper like this before. Halfway through production, the coronavirus began scrambling all of our plans.

It was hard to guess what would still be useful by the time papers arrived in people’s mailboxes.

With the knowledge that soon many Catholics in the archdiocese might be homebound, we chose to prioritize an effort to get everyone online, so they could access spiritual resources from home, if necessary. Also, we knew we were going to need to get people important information between the regular weekly mailings of The Leaven.

Go to page 4 for step-by-step instructions on how to join Facebook, follow The Leaven online, access the archdiocesan website and other vital information.

You will not find comprehensive guidelines for sacramental ministry in this issue — things were changing too fast. Schools were closed for the rest of the school year less than an hour before this paper went to press. But you will find the latest online information on Masses, confessions, etc., at: www.archkck. com/coronavirus. Spanish-speakers can click on the flag at the top right of the page and pull down to the Spanish option.

If you have a story idea to send us, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email your ideas to: moira. cullings@theleaven.org. And let us know how you see the gospel of life being lived out in your community!

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ARCHBISHOP

T

2

Choose the good in this time of crisis

he coronavirus pandemic impact on our nation and community continues to change and evolve each day. For all of us, we are in uncharted waters. St. Mother Teresa said often: “If you wish to make God smile, tell him your plans.”

The archdiocese continues to abide by and support the requests of our national, Kansas and local community public ARCHBISHOP health officials.

JOSEPH F. NAUMANN Though we wish it could have happened in a different way, this epidemic has united all one in the community Americans in a common weather this storm. effort to limit the impact Events like this panof the virus — caring demic make us realize for those with the virus, how little control we minimizing the number have over our circumof those who contract stances and how radithe virus and assisting cally dependent we are those who are sufferupon God, motivating us ing economic hardship to be more prayerful, enbecause of some of the trusting our worries and necessary burdens to measures our loving taken God, who for the revealed Archbishop Joseph F. common his comNaumann’s video adgood. passion dress to all archdiocesan The through Catholics at: archkck. church Jesus. org, or on archkck.org/ is comHopecoronavirus. mitted fully, one to doing good that its part to protect the will come from this public health, care for health crisis is a spirituthe sick, comfort those al awakening for many who suffer the death of Americans. a loved one and to assist I have had to anthose who are suffering nounce the cancellation economically. of all Masses — both Please continue to weekend and daily — support prayerfully effective March 17, until and financially Cathofurther notice. At the lic Charities and their time this paper went to continued efforts to press, funeral Masses of assist the poor. The 50 or less — including economically disadvanministers — are still pertaged will be the hardest mitted. Funeral lunches hit because they do not are not. For details on have the same access to this, confessions and health care and because the restriction of other they are least able to activities, please go absorb the negative online to the following: financial impact to our www.archkck.com/ society. coronavirus.

We must do all that Please, as an act of we can to help everycharity for others, do

LOOK FOR . . .

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS not come to church for any reason (e.g., confessions, funerals, etc.) if you are sick. If your immune system is compromised or your health is vulnerable because of sickness or age, for your own protection you should not come to church.

If you are ill and in need of the anointing of the sick, please call your parish office. While it is not the same as actually attending Mass in church, I encourage everyone to view Mass on your television or online via EWTN, or by accessing the livestreaming of Masses that is offered by some parishes.

I encourage individuals and families to pray over and meditate on the Sunday readings.

Magnificat, a monthly publication that always provides the Sunday and daily readings as well as other meditations, is making its online version available free of charge during this crisis.

Lent is a wonderful time to read and meditate upon the Passion narratives in each of the four Gospels. This year on Palm Sunday, during the liturgy, we will hear St. Matthew’s account of the Passion and, on Good Friday, we always read the Passion from St. John’s Gospel.

Although all communal penance services are also canceled, our priests will try to con-

tinue to be available for confession during the regular times, as well as during the extended opportunities — e.g., Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. during Lent.

I have asked them to hear confessions only behind a screen to protect both confessor and penitent from unnecessary risk. We need to do all that we can to keep our priests healthy and try to protect them from unnecessarily being quarantined.

Many families are experiencing a full house during this time. Most colleges have suspended in-person classes, and now Kansas has closed schools for the rest of the school year.

With professional and college athletics shut down as well as concerts and most other forms of entertainment suspended, this is a great opportunity for families to spend time with each other.

It is a great time to pray together, to play games together and to read great books together.

Pre-coronavirus, many families found themselves stressed by attempting to accommodate the exhausting schedules of each family member.

With the many limitations on our usual activities, this is a moment to get off the treadmill of our overscheduled lives and to focus our undivided attention on those we love the most. This a great time to enjoy family meals — not just eating at the same table but having meaningful conversations.

Shakespeare advises: “It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” Certainly, none of us would choose the

coronavirus pandemic. I do not want to minimize the pain and suffering it is causing and will cause for many.

All of us are being inconvenienced by this national health crisis.

However, there are potentially some good things that can come from this adversity: 1) It is uniting our nation; 2) It is creating opportunities to help, care for and support the victims of this epidemic; 3) It can open our hearts to God more and make us more prayerful; 4) It can deepen our appreciation for privileges we can often take for granted — e.g., to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist; 5) It can strengthen families and friendships; 6) It can free us from some of our addictions to sports and other entertainment forms, allowing us to realize they are not necessary for our happiness.

We could respond to this national crisis by complaining about a loss of freedom because of the restrictions on our usual activities.

However, the Christian understanding of freedom is not the ability to do whatever I want whenever I want.

The freedom that Jesus models for us is the ability to choose the good — Christian freedom is the ability to choose the noble, to choose to love. The beauty of this Gospel freedom is that no one and nothing can prevent us from exercising it. The current crisis actually affords us more opportunities to exercise this authentic freedom.

The church is also impacted when fewer people attend Sunday Mass or when Masses must be suspended for a time. Your parish

“We are a locally owned family funeral home. We are not restricted by out of town corporate policies.

Our commitment is to the families we serve.”

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN March 25 Presbyteral Council meeting March 26 Catholic Education Foundation board meeting — Resurrection Catholic School March 28 Baptism of third or more children — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

priests will be working hard to provide for all of the increased pastoral and spiritual needs caused by this epidemic.

Please pray for our priests that they can be zealous, selfless and prudent in their service of God’s people.

Finally, I encourage you to relieve your pastor of some of the burden and anxiety that he carries by continuing your generous financial support of your parish.

If you are in a position to be more generous at this moment, that will help to make up for those who are simply unable to give at this time.

God is with us. We are not alone. Relying on his faithful compassion and committed to assisting each other, we will make it through this difficult time.

Be not afraid!

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MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CORONAVIRUS

3

Devastating days in Italy still leave room for hope

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

your mind from this and from the worries of it,” Haring explained.

“You have this feeling of being in crisis mode, when you know you have your regular work to do as well,” he said.

Although the announced lockdown and closures are officially due to end April 3, the Vatican announced March 15 it would not distribute tickets to the public for any Holy Week or Easter liturgies.

“I was thinking by Easter that we’d be out of this,” said Wooden, “and that we’d really be able to celebrate the Resurrection.

“I guess I’m going to have to rethink how I celebrate the Resurrection.”

R

OME — Every evening, the authorities here come on the news to announce “grim” statistics regarding the coronavirus’ impact on Italy, said Paul Haring, senior photographer for Catholic News Service (CNS).

“The last few days have just been devastating for Italy,” he said.

But right after the announcement, citizens in Rome step out onto their balconies to sing together.

“My neighborhood isn’t very good, and the first two songs weren’t very singable,” said Cindy Wooden, Rome Bureau Chief for CNS. “But tonight, we did OK,” she said with a laugh.

On March 16, The Leaven caught up with Haring and Wooden, who you might remember from a story we wrote about the pair’s book, “Pope Francis: A Guide to God’s Time,” in December 2014.

Haring has lived in Italy for 11 years and Wooden for 30.

Their lives have been turned upside down since the coronavirus outbreak prompted Giuseppe Conte, the prime minister of Italy, to order a lockdown throughout the country.

‘The last week at the Vatican’ Before the coronavirus outbreak, Wooden walked to work at a Vatican-owned building next to the Vatican press office after grabbing a cappuccino from her usual cafe.

Around six staff members met in the morning to divide up responsibilities for the day — from reading Vatican documents to photographing Pope Francis.

Haring was typically out and about taking photos, editing them and ensuring CNS had adequate visual coverage for stories on the Vatican.

“As the crisis hit Italy and the Vatican started taking preventative measures, we had what I call the last week at the Vatican,” he said.

The staff actually began working from home on March 6 because the internet was down at their office.

“But we could still go out anywhere and everything was still open,” said Wooden.

On March 8, Wooden attended Mass and, at that point, the only thing different was that the seating was spread out.

“That was kind of weird

Finding light in the darkness Cindy Wooden, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service, has lived and worked in lockdown since March 9. She is pictured above in a selfie she took from her apartment.

At right, a man is pictured at the window of his apartment during a musical flash mob in Rome March 12. At 6 p.m., the same time that Italian authorities have been updating coronavirus statistics, people come to their windows to hear an uplifting song. The nationwide effort to lift spirits came as Italy entered a near total lockdown in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus. to be at Mass with all these people sitting one yard apart from each other,” said Wooden.

Little did she know, but that night, the government would ban all public gatherings, including baptisms, Masses, weddings and funerals.

A couple days later, people were encouraged to stay home.

Coffee bars and restaurants were allowed to remain open until the early evening, but that didn’t last long.

“The place where I get my morning cappuccino, they put tape on the floor in these one-meter grids [to help form the line],” said Wooden.

“Italians have a reputation for not knowing how to stand in line,” she explained. “It’s not a stereotype. It’s based on fact.”

While ordering her coffee at a distance, a woman stepped right in front of Wooden.

“It became very clear, very quickly that wasn’t working,” she said. “So that lasted only two days.”

Meanwhile, the Vatican began to shut down, too. But not right away, said Haring.

President Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Publication No. (ISSN0194-9799)

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus prayer was broadcast on television and online, but the pope would still come to the window to overlook St. Peter’s Square.

“There were these compromises early on,” said Haring.

“Now at the Vatican, pretty much everything has shut down.”

Life in lockdown Italian citizens are required by law to remain in their homes unless they need to travel to the grocery store, pharmacy or to pick up a newspaper.

Some exceptions are made for work. But citizens must carry a written declaration explaining where they’re going and why, in case they’re stopped by police, said Wooden. The police will ticket people if they are outside their homes without a good reason.

The restrictions impact almost every move they make, but Haring and Wooden are healthy. And they are safe.

Wooden is single and lives

alone in an apartment with a bedroom, dining room, kitchen and living room.

“It’s pretty big by Italian standards for one person,” she said. “But I quickly understood that I needed to create separate zones in the house.

“The living room is where I relax and watch TV. The dining room is where I’m working now. I need to change rooms throughout the day,” she said.

Staying physically healthy has been a challenge, so Wooden finds herself pacing a lot.

“I don’t know what the woman downstairs thinks about that,” she admitted with a laugh.

Haring, on the other hand, is married with children and lives with his family in a two-bedroom apartment.

“I would say one of the challenges is psychological,” he said. “It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the endless coverage that you see all around you in every news site.”

Because part of their work involves tracking local news, “sometimes it’s hard to free

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

Production Manager Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org

Advertising Coordinator Beth Blankenship beth.blankenship@theleaven.org

Managing Editor Anita McSorley anita.mcsorley@theleaven.org

Senior Reporter Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

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

During their time at home, both Haring and Wooden have found goodness and hope.

“I’ve been impressed with how compliant people have been with this order,” said Haring. “Italians are not known for following the rules and they’re not known for lines or having any sense of a line.

“Yet, we see people diligently following [the rules now], waiting in line for the supermarket. They’re letting four people in at a time in some supermarkets, and people are patiently waiting outside.”

The supermarkets in Rome are well-stocked with food and toilet paper. The only product missing, said Wooden, is hand sanitizer.

“People have a sense [that] we’re in this together,” said Haring.

For Wooden, singing together with her neighbors or chatting with them during the day has been a light in the darkness.

“It’s people I’ve never met before,” she said. “I’ve seen them around, but we’ve never [talked].

“The guy across the street the other day said we should introduce ourselves. I said, ‘Yeah, I’m Cindy.’ He told me his name.”

Haring and his family have prayed together more.

“It really calls you to lean on your faith,” he said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Although the lockdown “is a major challenge for the country and its people,” Haring sees how critical it is to hinder further damage from the coronavirus.

“Without the lockdown, we would be in a very dangerous situation here in Rome,” he said.

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

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Catholic Church adjusts to new restrictions >> Continued from page 1 “Obviously, it’s a work in progress,” said Father Jeremy. “We are still planning on having confessions available, and I even have some creative ideas on how to increase the times of confessions, especially as we get closer to Holy Week.

“I also hope to talk at lunch today with [St. Benedict’s] Abbey to see if there is some way we can work together on a [Mass] livestream.”

He also wants to place information on the parish Facebook page about how to make a Spiritual Communion and other prayers so people can pray at home when they can’t come to Mass.

“I have a lot of ideas, but we have nothing in practice at this point,” he said.

Streaming opportunities There were fewer parishioners at Masses on the weekend of March 14-15, but an increase of people who went to the parish website to view live-streamed Masses, said Msgr.

Thomas Tank, pastor of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

“We’ll be streaming a couple of the Masses for every weekend,” he said. “We’ll have one weekday Mass streamed every day for people who want to join in. We will allow the church to be open for perpetual adoration and personal prayer time.”

His own mindset is serene.

“My mantra is: ‘This, too, will pass,’” said Msgr. Tank. “This is not a time for panic or hysteria. But rather, it’s taking the necessary precautions and working our way through this. . . .

Things will go back to normal sometime in the future.”

He hopes that the pain of being deprived of the Eucharist will lead to a greater appreciation of what a wonderful gift it is.

During the weekend of the last public Masses March 14-15, Father Ric Halvorson, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park, made it clear that the parish would respond to those who contacted the parish by phone or email.

He had mixed experiences when trying to enter nursing homes to administer the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, however.

“When I got to [St. Luke’s South], there were men at the front door and they asked questions,” said Father Halvorson. “They took my temperature and they let me in.”

But when he went to another facility, the screeners at the front door wouldn’t let him in to anoint a parishioner who was feeling ill.

“They asked if it was a life-threatening situation and I said, ‘No, I don’t think so,’” said Father Halvorson. “They said unless it was a life-threatening situation, [I needed] to turn around and go home.”

The coronavirus crisis hit very close to home to Christ the King Parish in Kansas City, Kansas. An elderly man died in a care facility only blocks away. Nearby pastor Father Nick Blaha advised those who can’t go to Mass to simply pray. Pray as much as you can.

“Pray Psalm 91, make a Spiritual Communion, reach out to the isolated — especially the homebound and el-

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Get up to the minute news online

T

he coronavirus crisis has brought sudden, drastic changes to our daily routines.

People throughout the world are staying inside their homes, waiting for the worst to pass. Schools are closing, and those who can are working from home.

In this time of uncertainty and social distancing, it’s important our senior population and those who live alone do not feel isolated.

The internet, and particularly Facebook, is a resource people can use to access information, as well as connect with loved ones.

Facebook pages like The Leaven’s provide up-to-date information on the coronavirus.

If you don’t have a Facebook account but are interested in setting one up, follow the instructions below. If you have any trouble, send The Leaven an email at: moira.cullings@the leaven.org.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY TODD HABIGER

With Mass suspended in the archdiocese for the foreseeable future, some parishes may offer streaming opportunities to help fill the void. derly,” said Father Blaha, who is also pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady & St. Rose Parish.

Students from the parish school are on spring break, but they’ve been asked to make cards and letters that will be distributed with bulletins to the parish’s homebound to let them know they are not forgotten and feel connected.

“We’re all feeling isolated right now, so let us reach out,” said Father Blaha.

This is a time for parishioners to be reasonably cautious, but also to be more prayerful, more charitable and thoughtful of their neighbors.

“The idea of a Jubilee Year resonates with me,” he said. “It says go home to your family and forgive debts.

Let’s be renewed in the knowledge of our loving Creator who is close to us and has given us all that we have, to see our abundance rather than our shortage.”

The power of prayer unleashed Christ the King Parish in Topeka is relying heavily on social media to communicate with its parishioners.

“We’re working through our means of communication to get the word out so people know [the Mass cancellation] has taken place,” said pastor Father Matt Schiffelbein. “We use things like our parish website, Facebook page, Flocknote, and . . . word of mouth.

“We’re also exploring the possibility of livestreaming at least one Mass on Sunday and daily Mass, and Stations of the Cross on Fridays — things to stay connected as a parish. . . . We’re not quite sure what all we’ll be streaming, but these are possibilities.”

If people can’t view a live-streamed Mass, he suggested parishioners take time to pray and read the Scriptures as a family, make a Spiritual Communion, and invoke Our Lady Help of the Sick and St. Joseph to bring a speedy end to the crisis.

Some parish staff members are calling vulnerable, isolated people to make them feel less alone and see if they need help getting prescriptions or groceries picked up and delivered.

Across town, Father Tim Haberkorn, pastor of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, is also urging parishioners to turn to

Marian devotions: Our Lady Help of the Sick and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

He’s advising parishioners to view television Masses on EWTN and he’s offering parishioners’ intentions at private Masses.

In terms of outreach, parish volunteers are stepping up to meet increased demand at two sandwich ministries at Let’s Help and Corita’s Corner Sandwich Ministry.

All pastors are concerned to different degrees by the financial impact the crisis will have on parishes. About one-third of Father Haberkorn’s parishioners use Faith Direct, a direct deposit program.

“My people have always been generous and will continue to be so,” said Father Haberkorn. “I just encourage them to remember that bills and salaries still need to be paid, and to encourage them to give — whether that means mailing it in or by Faith Direct — but to be aware of that.

“What is helpful is knowing we’re not alone. . . . So many individuals, families and businesses are all going through it together.”

Father Jomon Palatty, MSFS, pastor of Annunciation Parish in Baldwin and St. Francis Parish in Lapeer, is keeping in touch with parishioners via email and phone calls. He’s staying in the rectory for the most part, but encourages people to call him directly.

“I am celebrating [private] Masses at the residence and pray for the good health and faith of all my parishioners,” he said. “I am reciting the rosary and asking them to do the same, and make a Spiritual Communion in their daily prayers.”

People need to respond with prayer in this crisis.

“During this time, we have to join together and pray,” said Father Jomon.

“Miracles can happen through our prayers. Human power is not able to overcome this virus. The ultimate power from almighty God is here.

When God hears the cries of our people, he will do miracles for us.

“So, let us pray together. Let us revive our spirits and pray to the Holy Spirit to clean our hearts so we can become aware of the presence of the all-powerful and almighty God.” Additional reporting by Moira Cullings.

To set up a Facebook account: 1. Open up your web browser of choice (Google, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and type “www. facebook.com” into the search bar.

2. Fill out your first name, last name and cellphone number or email address. Next, create a password; set your birthday and select your gender.

3. Click “Sign up.”

4. You will be sent a verification email or text to the email address or phone number you provided. (This may take a few minutes.) Open the email or text and click the link to activate your account.

5. Your account should now be set up, and you may follow any prompts Facebook offers to make your profile more personal.

To customize your account: 1. Add a profile picture by clicking “Update Profile Picture” and selecting a photo from your computer or phone (depending on which device you’re using).

2. Add a cover photo by clicking “Add Cover Photo” and use the same process as the step above to select a backdrop for your Facebook page.

3. In the search box, type in names of family members and friends one at a time. Once you find their accounts, click “Add Friend.” (This will allow you to see any content they post on Facebook and they can see yours.)

How to follow an account: 1. Make sure you are on the homepage of your Facebook page by clicking “Home” in the top right corner of the screen.

2. In Facebook’s search bar, type in the name of the organization you want to follow.

3. Press “Enter” and click on the account.

(You might have to scroll down until you find the correct one.)

4. Under the cover photo, click “Like” and “Follow.”

5. You should start to see content from the accounts you follow on your home page feed.

Accounts to follow: • Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas • The Leaven • Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann • Your parish (if it has a Facebook page)

Websites to bookmark: www.archkck.com/coronavirus www.theleaven.org www.archkck.org If you are not yet on the internet but have a computer and Wi-Fi: Call a family friend or relative to walk you through the process of getting online. Then follow the steps above.

If you have no one like that to help, call your parish. They might be able to refer you to someone who can assist you.

If you have to leave a message, be patient.

Assume that everyone is doing their best in this very trying time.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Juror’s choice: “He Loves,” by St. Thomas Aquinas junior Michael Befort.

Juror’s choice : “The Light of the World,” by St. James Academy junior Lucia Koehler.

Popular choice: “The Annunciation,” by St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore Abigail Rhodus.

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Juror’s choice: “Have Faith,” by Bishop Ward junior Julia Vazquez.

High school artists lauded for evangelizing with beauty

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Julie Flanagan had a powerful message for the Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibit participants here

on March 6.

“You artists are the future of our Catholic Church in the arts,” she said. “You have an incredible power over a lot of people by telling them, through your art, [of] the glory of God.” “And people who really aren’t sure how they feel about their faith, you have the power to change who they are and what they believe,” she added. “It’s an incredible power.”

Flanagan, a Catholic Fine Arts Council member, led an interactive art activity with the students and their teachers during the exhibit’s award reception held at Savior Pastoral Center.

The students present, representing all six archdiocesan high schools, had created art for the exhibit inspired by the theme “Enflame Our Hearts,” based on the October 2019 archdiocesan convocation sharing the same name.

Abigail Rhodus, a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, took home the Popular Choice award.

Her piece, titled “The Annunciation,” was inspired by Mary.

“She’s one of my favorite inspirations,” said Rhodus. “I think what I tried to capture was the moment the angel Gabriel came down to Mary. He told her you are with child.”

“I was trying to show how her heart was enflamed with the Holy Spirit,” she added.

Kansas City, Kansas, Bishop Ward High School junior Cameron Crumble, one of the Juror’s Choice winners, created a piece inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “At school, we had our own Black

Archbishop’s choice: “Vibrant Reflections of the Heart,” by Bishop Miege junior Kennedy Williams.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY MOIRA CULLINGS

Bishop Ward juniors Cameron Crumble and Julia Vazquez work on an interactive art activity during the Archbishop’s Invitational High School Art Exhibit awards reception at Savior Pastoral Center March 6.

History Month coming up [before the competition], so I thought of Dr. Martin Luther King because he enflamed a lot of people’s hearts,” said Crumble.

“One man alone can spread that much encouragement to a lot of people,” he added. “Out of all the drawings and art pieces I’ve done throughout my life, I’m very proud of making this one.”

The awards ceremony included an introduction by Lesle Knop, executive director of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, sponsor of the Catholic Fine Arts Council, which

hosts the exhibit.

Father Kent O’Connor, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee, shared his musical talents, performing songs set to a slideshow of the art included in the exhibit.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann shared his gratitude for the students’ efforts, telling them “it’s always a highlight for the staff around here to see the art on display.”

“One of the most powerful tools for evangelization is beauty,” he said.

“There’s so much in our culture and

Juror’s choice: “Enflaming Speech,” by Bishop Ward junior Cameron Crumble.

society and even in a lot of art today that reflects the nihilism in our world.”

“There’s a lot of darkness even in art,” he added. “And yet, beauty is something that people are naturally attracted to. Artists are those that are able to recognize beauty and capture it in different ways.”

The archbishop thanked the students for sharing their gifts in a positive way.

“We’re always excited about this day and an opportunity to shine a light on the gifts of our students in our Catholic high schools — and especially this gift of art,” he said.

Juror’s choice: “Blessed is She Who Believed,” by St. Thomas Aquinas sophomore Sophia Warrender.

Superintendent’s choice: “Joy of the World,” by Maur Hill-Mount Academy senior John Mulholland.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FAMILY LIFE

Challenges we face in following Jesus are real

By Deacon Tony Zimmerman Special to The Leaven

I

am an “Original Dotte.” I was born in Kansas City, Kansas. I was baptized, received my first holy Communion, made my first confession and received the sacrament of confirmation as a grade-schooler at Blessed Sacrament Church.

My memory regarding confirmation TOOLS FOR is a little FAMILIES unique.

Growing as Prior Disciples of to VatJesus ican II, the rite included a tap (not a slap) on the cheek given by the bishop as a reminder that to follow Christ sometimes meant we might experience suffering or persecution.

I was not bothered by this as we were instructed to expect this and told its purpose or meaning.

My 90-year-old greatgrandmother who was confirmed at the same time missed that part of the sacramental instruction.

She was shocked that the bishop would “strike” an elderly woman. She was insistent on finding the bishop and lodging her complaint.

I can still hear her saying, “How dare he?” Luckily, my

Because of the coronavirus, The Leaven staff will be working remotely. As such, all anniversaries must be emailed to: todd.habiger@theleaven.org.

Announcement dad calmed her down.

A little over a week ago, our granddaughter Chloe, who is a freshman in high school, was confirmed.

The bishop in that diocese spoke to the group about many things prior to their confirmation. He asked them to remember two things in the coming years if they wished to stay on the straight and narrow way: Go to Sunday Mass and receive reconciliation regularly.

I have quizzed her on these two things more than a couple of times since then.

She gives me a beautiful smile each time she answers.

What better guide could we as parents and grandparents give our children and grandchildren (or nieces and nephews) on how to stay close to Jesus?

The Mass and Communion allow us to keep on the narrow path with Jesus’ words to guide us and his body and blood to strengthen us and make us one with him.

Frequent reconciliation allows us to take our fears, loneliness and frustrations to Jesus in the presence of the priest.

Daily life throws us enough challenges as

adults. We know how much more challenging life is for our teens and young adults — their sense of isolation and the cultural assault on the values with which they have grown up.

While the tap on the cheek is no longer part of the rite of confirmation, the challenges we face in following Jesus are just as real now.

We can fulfill the reason for the tap on the cheek when we speak this wisdom to our children and support it with our example.

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Father Richard Storey, pastor of Curé of Ars Church in Leawood, announced to parishioners March 14 that he had asked Archbishop Naumann for some time away to devote to his “spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health.”

Father Storey has therefore been granted a three- to four-month leave for a spiritual and physical wellness and renewal program. Father Frank Burger has been assigned administrator of Curé of Ars in Father Storey’s absence.

Correction In the “Revamped Revs game ends in a thriller” article in March 13 issue of The Leaven, the name of the nun who tied the game at 45 was mis-identified. The nun was Sister M. Benedicta Bourke, the youth formation coordinator at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee. The Leaven regrets the error.

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MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

Funeral rites celebrated for Father Lawrence Albertson Assignments

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

L

AWRENCE — The priesthood was his life, and Father Lawrence D. Albertson, 81, served joyfully into retirement, until advancing ill health reduced his activities to prayer for others.

Father Larry Albertson — he preferred to be called “Larry” — died on March 9 in hospice care at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence.

He was born on Dec. 5, 1938, In Parsons, the oldest son of Orville and Frances (Giefer) Albertson.

Jerry was his only sibling. Growing up, he attended a succession of grade schools. For high school, he entered the Brunnerdale Minor Seminary in Canton, Ohio, run by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, then St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana.

After deciding he did not want to continue in the Precious Blood order, he became an archdiocesan seminarian and studied philosophy at Cardinal Glennon College and then theology at Kenrick Seminary, both in St. Louis.

Father Albertson was ordained a priest of the archdiocese on May 29, 1965, at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas.

His first assignment was at Holy Name Parish in Topeka. He went on to several parishes over the years, even becoming the founding pastor of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park.

Father Albertson served the longest — 14 years — at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea-Bucyrus.

“He always said he wanted to be

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Father Lawrence D. Albertson, 81, died on March 9 in hospice care at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence. buried there in its peaceful little cemetery,” said Amy Albertson, wife of Father Albertson’s nephew Tim. Father Ron Livojevich, a retired priest living in Overland Park, was newly ordained when he met Father

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• 1965: Temporary assistant pastor of Holy Name Parish in Topeka • 1965: Assistant pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka • 1967: Assistant pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park • 1971: Associate pastor of St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village • 1976: Additional studies at Fordham University, New York City • 1977: Co-pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence • 1979: Director of the archdiocesan office of the liturgy • 1980: Assistant pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa • 1981: Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Topeka • 1991: Pastor of Ascension Parish in Overland Park • 2003: Pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Wea • 2016: Retired from parochial ministry

Albertson in 1970 at St. Agnes Parish in Roeland Park.

“I would describe his ministry to the sick as quietly legendary,” said Father Livojevich. “He would visit the sick 28 days out of 30. He was always visiting the sick and had a great love for that. He also brought holy Communion to people in jails, homes and institutions.”

Msgr. Vince Krische, retired but assisting at Corpus Christi Church in Lawrence, was part of a three-priest pastoral team in the late 1970s that included Father Albertson. “[Father Albertson] was interested in the diocesan priesthood and concerned about every aspect of the church,” said Msgr. Krische. “He loved his family and was interested in

religious education. . . . People loved him.”

Msgr. Greg Gier first met Father Albertson in 1967 through a mutual priest-friend. They all became part of a group of priests who would go on vacations occasionally.

“The priesthood was his whole life,” said Msgr. Gier, rector emeritus of Holy Family Cathedral in the Diocese of Tulsa. “He was very dedicated to his people.”

Paul and Marilyn Murray got to know Father Albertson during his final years at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Wea. Chronic health problems made his ministry increasingly difficult, and Marilyn was able to help with her skills as a nurse.

After 65 years in active ministry, Father Albertson retired on July 1, 2016, to Villa St. Francis in Olathe and then Silvercrest at Deer Creek Senior Living in Overland Park.

“Father Larry missed celebrating the Mass, so I said, ‘Let’s try having Mass here,’” said Marilyn.

“What started out as a very small, in-apartment Mass turned out to be Mass for 60 people every Saturday at 4 p.m. We had all the Holy Week services!”

For three years, he continued to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, and anoint the sick — so much so, that some of the residents and staff began calling it “St. Silvercrest Parish.”

The residents, who would either go without any sort of parish life or have to be bused to a nearby parish, deeply appreciated Father Albertson’s ministry.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 13 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish. Burial in the parish cemetery followed the Mass.

7

Pray in place when you can’t go to Mass

BY JOE BOLLIG

K

joe.bollig@theleaven.org

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Faithful Catholics take the Mass obligation seriously and often have to go to great effort to attend.

The Third Commandment admonishes us to “keep holy the Sabbath,” and the catechism tells us that “on Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.”

But there have been many times when Catholics have been unable to access the sacraments through no fault of their own.

The church has always taught that Catholics do not sin when they are unable to come to Mass for “grave cause” or “serious reason.” This includes illness, care of others, remoteness or unavailability of the Mass for a variety of reasons.

Such a “grave” and “serious” reason has arisen with the worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, also known as the coronavirus. Bishops have the power to dispense the faithful from the Mass obligation, and this is what Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann did on March 13.

“Effective immediately, and until further notice, I have dispensed the faithful of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.”

He then, on March 17, canceled all Masses in the archdiocese until further notice.

(To read Archbishop Naumann’s complete statements and other coronavirus-related information, go the archdiocesan website at: archkck.org/corona virus. Or go to The Leaven’s website at:

theleaven.org, or The Leaven’s Facebook page.)

No one should feel guilty for not attending Mass during these circumstances. But even with a free conscience, many Catholics feel a sadness that they cannot go to Mass and receive the Eucharist.

So, what do you do? You’ve got options when you must “pray in place.”

Make a Spiritual Communion You can make a Spiritual Communion individually or with a group. Here’s a method from the Archdiocese of Washington: • Gather with others in your household and begin with the sign of the cross.

• Read and reflect on the Sunday readings of the Mass.

• Share prayer intentions quietly or aloud.

• Pray the Our Father.

• Pray a prayer of Spiritual Communion, such as this: “My Jesus, I believe that you are

present in the most blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”

• Close with the sign of the cross.

Make a perfect Act of Contrition It is recommended that when Catholics have sinned but are unable to go to confession, they pray a “Perfect Act of Contrition.” This means: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins of it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism, 1452).

Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

One of our prayer offerings is the Prayer for Priests.

There are other, traditional devotional prayers that Catholics can pray if they are unable to leave their homes. These include the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, and other prayers listed here.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

Prayers of the rosary Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our

and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

Morning Offering O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

Prayer for the Sick Dear Jesus, divine physician and healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands.

We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servants to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your holy will and know that whatsoever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

. Keep in mind your parish priest as the church works its way though this crisis.

A Prayer for Priests O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests; for your unfaithful and tepid priests; for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for your tempted priests; for your lonely and desolate priests; for your young priests; for your dying priests; for the souls of your

priests in purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me your body and blood in holy Communion; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way.

O Jesus, keep them close to your heart,

Prayer for the Dying Most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray to you, by the agony of your most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of your immaculate Mother, to wash in your most precious blood the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.

death. Amen.

Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Fatima Prayer O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

(Our Lady at Fatima, July 13, 1917)

Hail, Holy Queen Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O most holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that meditating upon the mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

Online and other options Many area Catholics already had to avail themselves this past weekend of televised or live-streamed Masses when they learned at the last minute that their parish Masses were canceled. Here are just three options for live-streamed Masses via the Internet: • Ascension Parish in Overland Park: kcascension.org. (Check the parish website for days and times.)

• St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, Lawrence: 11 a.m. each Sunday on its Facebook page.

• Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri, will live stream daily Mass, lauds (morning prayer) and vespers (evening prayer). They will also place them on the abbey’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Also see them online at: conceptionabbey. org.

The schedule: Monday-Saturday, 7:15 a.m. lauds; 11:45 a.m. Mass; 5:15 p.m. vespers. Sunday, 7:45 a.m. lauds; 10:30 a.m.

Mass; 5:30 p.m. vespers.

• There is a live stream of the rosary from St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe at 8 p.m. Go to the parish Facebook page.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

ABUSE CRISIS RESPONSE

10

CNS PHOTO/RALPH ALSWANG, COURTESY LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE

Jonathan Lewis, the assistant secretary for pastoral ministry and social concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington, speaks during a panel discussion on young adult Catholic leaders during the 2020 Catholic Partnership Summit Feb. 29. The Catholic Leadership Roundtable was organized to respond to the clergy sexual abuse crisis through a new culture of leadership in the church.

Service launched for reporting allegations against a bishop

W

ASHINGTON (CNS) — A reporting system accepting sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. bishops and eparchs is in place.

Called the Catholic Bishops Abuse Reporting service, or CBAR, the system became operational March 16.

The mechanism incorporates a website and a toll-free telephone number through which individuals can file reports regarding a bishop.

The website is ReportBishopAbuse. org. Calls can be placed at (800) 2761562.

The nationwide system is being implemented by individual dioceses under the direction of each respective cardinal, archbishop or bishop. The information gathered will be protected through enhanced encryption.

Denver-based Convercent developed the reporting system under a two-year contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The company specializes in ethics and compliance management for businesses and organizations.

Under the system, the company gathers information and routs reports to the appropriate church authority consistent with canon law. It does not conduct any investigation.

Approved by the U.S. bishops in June at their spring general assembly, the reporting mechanism meets the requirements established by Pope Francis in his “motu proprio” “Vos Estis Lux Mundi” (“You are the light of the world”) to have a way of receiving reports of sexual misconduct by a bishop.

“Motu proprio” is a Latin phrase that means “on one’s own initiative.” Popes use it to signal a special personal interest in a subject.

The system works like this: • Calls initially will come into a central phone bank, where trained personnel will ask for information about the allegation being made including the name of the person making the report and his or her contact information. People also

Reporting abuse or misconduct of a Catholic bishop

I

f you suspect abuse of any kind, your first call should be to civil authorities (law enforcement and the Kansas Department of Children and Families).

To report sexual abuse or related misconduct by a Catholic bishop, we encourage you to contact law enforcement. To report such abuse or misconduct* to the church, you should contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting (CBAR) service. CBAR is a third-party reporting service that gathers and routes reports to the appropriate church authorities for investigation. Individuals may go online to: ReportBishopAbuse.org in order to make a report in English or Spanish.

Reports are also accepted via (800) 276-1562 in both languages.

You may also contact a layperson designated to receive reports of abuse or misconduct by a bishop: • To make a report about any bishop within the state of Kansas, including a deceased bishop, you may contact Jenifer Valenti, director of the office of child and youth protection for the archdiocese. Valenti may be reached directly at (913) 602-7717 or by email at: jvalenti@archkck.org.

• To make a report about Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann or one of his predecessors, you may contact Charles Befort, volunteer member of the Diocesan

will have the option of filing a report online if they do not want to call. People will not be required to give their name if they wish to remain anonymous.

• The information gathered will be forwarded to the appropriate metropolitan, or archbishop, responsible for each diocese in a province. Allegations against a metropolitan will be forwarded to the senior suffragan bishop in the appropriate province. The U.S. has 32 metropolitans. Each province has one archdiocese and several dioceses.

• The information also will be for-

Review Board of the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas, directly at (620) 285-3219 or by email to: crbefort@cox.net.

Other ways to report abuse or misconduct by a bishop include: • Contacting the apostolic nuncio in Washington, D.C. — for any bishop within the United States — directly at (202) 333-7121 or via email at: nuntius usa@nuntiususa.org.

Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member or volunteer of the church within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas should be reported first to law enforcement, then to the archdiocese’s report investigator, Jan Saylor, at (913) 647-3051 or online at: www.archkck.org/reportabuse.

For complaints not related to abuse or misconduct — such as parish assignments, church closings or homily content within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas — please contact the office of the archbishop directly to share your concerns with Archbishop Naumann. * CBAR was designed to respond only to complaints against bishops for issues related to sexual misconduct. If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop — such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily content — please address those directly to your bishop instead.

warded to a layperson designated to assist the bishop in receiving allegations.

• After review, the metropolitan or senior suffragan will send the report to the apostolic nuncio in Washington.

• The nuncio is required to send the report and the metropolitan’s assessment to the Vatican, which has 30 days to determine if a formal investigation is warranted. If so, a bishop will be authorized to oversee an investigation.

• When an investigation is ordered, qualified experts, including laypeople,

will conduct it. An investigation is expected to be completed within 90 days and forwarded to the Vatican.

• Vatican officials will review the findings of the investigation and determine the appropriate process leading to a final judgment.

As each case is filed, the person reporting an incident will be given a case number and password which can be used to follow progress of their particular case.

Individuals who file a report also will be encouraged to contact local law enforcement if they believe they have been a victim of a crime.

Anthony Picarello, USCCB associate general secretary, told the bishops during their fall general assembly in November that the system is designed to filter complaints so that only those addressed in the “motu proprio” will be forwarded.

Under CBAR, people with complaints about any other actions of a bishop — such as diocesan assignments, church closings, liturgy or homily content — will be asked to contact the appropriate diocese or eparchy directly.

Allegations of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, religious, diocesan staff member or volunteer will be directed to the local diocesan or eparchial victim assistance coordinator under the process that has been in place under the 2002 “Charter for Protection of Children and Young People.”

Pope Francis released his “motu proprio” last May following a worldwide meeting of bishops’ conference leaders at the Vatican early in 2019 to discuss the church’s response to clergy sexual abuse. The document specifically addresses allegations of sexual misconduct and other accusations of actions or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil or church investigations of such misconduct by clergy.

The “motu proprio” requires dioceses and eparchies worldwide to establish “one or more public, stable and easily accessible systems for submission of reports” by May 31.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

FEATURE

CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING

An image of Jesus in death is seen behind a crown of thorns and a crucifix in a display on the Shroud of Turin in the Church of San Lorenzo in Turin, Italy. This Lent, seek new opportunities to remove old thorns from past wounds.

THE HEALING POWER OF FORGIVENESS

By Daniel S. Mulhall Catholic News Service

This story says a lot about the healing power of forgiveness. True healing can only occur when the hen I was 17 wound is cleaned completely, and years old, I the wound caused when someone bumped into a hurts us can only be healed by letbush and lodged ting go of the “tip of the thorn,” the a thorn in my grudge that we continue to bear elbow muscle. I pulled the thorn even after the offender says, “I’m out, cleaned the wound with alcosorry,” and we say, “You are forgivhol and bandaged it, thinking that en.” the wound would heal and everyAs long as we continue to carry thing would be around in our OK. hearts any anBut it imosity or ill wasn’t.

The feelings toward wound would the person who not heal comhas hurt us, our TO SAY “I’M SORRY” OR pletely. Over wound cannot time new skin heal. We can TO FORGIVE REQUIRES covered the say that we forwound, but gave, we can INTROSPECTION, THE it would still say that we are ABILITY TO EXAMINE o cc a s i o n a l ly OK, but if we hurt. continue to ONE’S CONSCIENCE AND Ten years bear any aniafter the origmosity toward EVALUATE ONE’S inal incident, the person, we I bumped my BEHAVIOR AND THE are not OK, we elbow, the have not forgivBEHAVIOR OF OTHERS. wound split en. open and a At my mothlittle piece of er’s funeral, thorn popped her children out, encased in pus. Finally, the were surprised to learn that she hurting stopped and the wound had been engaged to marry somehealed properly because the source one other than my father. When of the pain — the barbed end of the asked, Mom’s sister confirmed the thorn — was finally removed. story and told us more of the tale.

W

“

CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

Mercy Sister Natalie Rossi, a prison chaplain, prays with a Catholic inmate in solitary confinement at the State Correctional Institution for Women in Cambridge Springs, Pa. This Lent, let’s examine our lives (and consciences) to determine whether we should issue more apologies and seek more forgiveness.

Ending the story my aunt said, “Your mother never forgave him either. When he died a few months ago, she refused to even attend his funeral.”

Unlike my mother, I don’t think that I could go that long holding a grudge. I’ve tried over the years to reach out to people I’ve offended in some way to seek their forgiveness. Some of these people have seemed confused, not knowing why I owed them an apology, while others, thankfully, have assured me that all was forgiven.

As I grow older, I’m finding it more difficult to seek forgiveness, which concerns me. To say “I’m sorry” or to forgive requires introspection, the ability to examine one’s conscience and evaluate one’s behavior and the behavior of others.

Most of the apologies I’ve offered in the past 20 years were because I thought about something that happened or that I consciously did, and realized in retrospect that I was wrong, that I had treated people poorly. Now, I’m more likely to immediately blame the

other person for their behavior without considering my own. I pray that doesn’t become my usual behavior.

In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus forgives a “sinful woman.” When confronted about forgiving a sinner, Jesus makes it clear that sinners are just the ones who need forgiveness.

And, the larger our sinfulness, the more delight we will take at being forgiven.

“Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little,” Jesus said.

Like the woman in Luke 7, I too am a sinner seeking forgiveness, both from God and from those I have sinned against. While I believe that I have been forgiven by God, I know that there are still people who I’ve harmed.

This Lent, I will seek new opportunities to remove old thorns from my wounds. I will examine my life (and conscience) to determine whether I should issue more apologies and seek more forgiveness. Both are needed for healing.

11

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT Bus drivers - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality early childhood education in a safe, loving, Christian environment. With a balanced curriculum of preacademics and social-emotional development, children grow with us, build confidence, and a strong self-esteem. At Special Beginnings, we believe providing the right environment will give children the foundation to be successful in life. Special Beginnings Early Learning Center is seeking a part-time bus driver (15-20 hrs/week; no weekend hours) of a 15-passenger bus to drive children to school and/or pick them up after school. Duties include: safely transport children to and/or from school following ALL safety & security procedures; safely transport children to and from field trips and other off-site activities; follow a planned route on a time schedule; help children get on and off the bus; ensure children stay in their seat at all times; follow traffic laws and state and federal transit regulations; carefully navigate roads and watch for ice, debris or slippery spots; report accidents immediately; maintain “clean” driving record during off hours. We require the following: driver must be at least 25 years old (due to insurance requirements) with a “clean” driving record for at least 2 years; pass a background check; must maintain and practice safe driving and have a “clean” driving record; have patience and understanding when working with children ages 5-12 years old; enjoy working in a child friendly environment. Benefits: competitive benefit package; excellent support and training from an experienced leadership/management team; pay: $11-15/hour depending on experience.

Communications coordinator - Holy Cross in Overland Park is looking for a faith-filled person with a heart for serving others to join our team! The communications coordinator’s main focus is to consistently highlight and promote the mission of the parish through the various communication channels available today. The position also works with staff, ministry leaders and parishioners to communicate our vision and encourage engagement.

Demonstrated proficiency in creating online and printed media a plus. The position is part time and hours are flexible. Check out our website at: www.holycrossopks.org for a complete position description and an application form. Please submit application and resume online to Phil Thacker at: pthacker@holycrossopks.org.

Career opportunity – Due to the success and growth of the Knights of Columbus, we are adding a financial representative in the Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri metro areas, St. Joseph, Mo., and Maryville, Mo. 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 full-time position. For more information or an interview, please contact John A. Mahon, General Agent, 1275 S.W. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612; call (855) 356-4849; or email: mahonagencymail2@kofc.org.

We need your help! - Caring and reliable drivers needed to transport K - 12 students to and from school in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in company minivans. We offer competitive wages, flexible schedules and the ability to make a difference in your community by helping those in need. CDL not required. Retirees encouraged to apply. Call (913) 262-5190 or visit: AssistedTransportation.com to learn more and apply online. EEO. Administrative assistant - Looking for something new?

Use your administrative skills to help a developmental optometrist change people’s lives. The hours are: T/W/TH from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; summer hours vary. No health benefits. Need to know basic bookkeeping skills. Background needed in Work, Excel and QuickBooks. Customer service and medical office experience helpful. Send resume to: Dr. Beth Bazin, 13600 Washington, Kansas City, MO 64145 or send via email to: bbazin@visiondevelop.com.

Community live-in assistants - L’Arche Heartland of Overland Park serves adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in day program support services and in residential services. We are seeking assistants who are looking for a unique opportunity in a faith-based organization. We are in immediate need of live-in assistants and potential live-out assistants to work in our day program serving 30 adults. We have a recycling program and community activities. Our core members participate in distributing for Meals on Wheels and Rise Against Hunger. They also attend community events such as the library, movies, bowling and going to parks. We also have a need for live-in and live-out assistants in our five residential homes. If interested, contact Jamie Henderson, community leader, by email at: jamie@larcheks.org.

Director of formation in sacred music - Christ the King Church and School in Kansas City, Kansas, invites music educators to apply for the position of director of formation in sacred music. Educators who seek to shape students in both wisdom and virtue, and who share the belief that music and aesthetics play an integral part in the content of a Catholic education, should apply. Salary is commensurate with the qualifications of the applicant.

The director is an integral member of the school faculty with professional knowledge of music in the celebration of the sacred liturgy of the modern Roman rite. This ministry aims to create fluency in the language of beauty for the children of Christ the King School by instructing them in the fundamentals of reading music and singing technique with a goal toward training them for sung prayer. As a secondary role, the director provides formation in the planning, execution and celebration of Sunday and feast day parish liturgies. Contact Father Nick Blaha at: nblaha@archkck.org for application details.

Male services coordinator - Advice and Aid is seeking a part-time, 30 hours/week, male services coordinator.

He will oversee male client services, meet with male clients, oversee male aspects of education programs and oversee volunteer male mentors. The ideal candidate has organizing and prioritizing skills; health, counseling experience; social services, nonprofit or ministry experience; is an excellent communicator; available for some Tuesday/Thursday evenings; bilingual a plus. We are looking for a committed, pro-life Christian who can affirm our vision, mission and statement of faith. Send cover letter and resume to: deniser@adviceandaid.com

by March 16. No phone calls.

Elementary school principal - Holy Cross School in Overland Park is seeking an individual with demonstrated skill in spiritual, academic and advancement leadership for the 2020-21 school year. Holy Cross has approximately 240 students in K - 8th grades and 60 preschoolers taught by 37 teachers. Applicants for principal must by practicing Catholics, understand the mission of Catholic schools and be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership.

Apply online at: www.archkckcs.org and send resume and credentials to: Superintendent Dr. Vince Cascone, Catholic Schools Office, Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66109. Deadline for applications is April 3.

Social worker - Advice and Aid is seeking a part-time social worker, 25 hours/week. Will determine client needs and match to social services. Evaluate services and programs to maintain resource list. The ideal candidate has master’s degree in social work, LMSW or LSCSW and two to five years’ experience. Organizing and prioritizing skills and objectivity; nonprofit or ministry experience; excellent communicator; bilingual a plus. Looking for a committed, pro-life Christian who can affirm our vision, mission and statement of faith. Send cover letter and resume to: deniser@adviceandaid.com

by March 16. No phone calls.

Chief operating officer - The St. Lawrence Center at KU seeks a chief operating officer (COO) to align the internal working and external relations of the center to its mission. The COO manages key staff and oversees the fundraising plan and budget. The ideal candidate has experience with fundraising, staff development, human resources and business operations. The COO must be personally inspiring and able to sell the church’s mission to all constituents, especially benefactors. Find a full job description and inquiries online at: kucatholic.org.

Director of administrative services - Good Shepherd Parish in Shawnee has a June 1 full-time opening for the director of administrative services. Qualified applicants will have successful management experience with an emphasis in human resources, accounting and financial management. In addition, a demonstrated commitment to the Catholic faith and mission is essential. This position is responsible for managing the parish front office; managing all human resources responsibilities including the processing of payroll; managing all accounting functions; coordinating the parish/school finances with the parish accountant; and supervising a staff of one. Strong communications skills are essential, along with a desire to work in a positive faith-oriented environment. Competency with Microsoft Office programs, internet use and email required. This full-time position is eligible for parish and archdiocese benefits. Please submit cover letter and resume to: slemons@gsshawnee.org or to: frkent@ gsshawnee.org by April 6.

Teaching positions - Nativity Day School in Leawood is hiring full- and part-time preschool teachers for the 202021 school year. Must have experience working in primary education or preschool setting. Competitive pay, holidays, breaks and summers off. Please send resumes to Jami Huderski at: jami.huderski@kcnativity.org.

Welcoming new preschoolers - Prince of Peace Early Education Center, where children, faith and learning come first, has openings in full-time preschool for ages 2, 3 and 4, as well as part-time preschool for ages 3, 4 and 5. Come by for a tour today!. Contact Kate Potter, director, at: kpotter@popolathe.org or call (913) 829-2728.

Groundskeeping position - Catholic Cemeteries is seeking an individual for a full-time groundskeeping position, hours Monday through Saturday. Salary $30K. This position requires heavy lifting. Must be physically fit, experienced in operating construction equipment; being mechanically inclined would be a plus. Must be a fast learner and flexible on hours. Interested individuals should contact Chris Myers at (913) 461-2424 or send a resume to: cmyers@cathcemks.org.

Part-time accountant - The St. Lawrence Catholic Center at KU seeks a part-time accountant. The accountant inspires trust among staff, the board of directors and benefactors by accurately recording and communicating the financial transactions and position of the center. Find a full job description and inquiries online at: kucatholic.org.

Parish office receptionist - St. Michael the Archangel Parish is seeking a part-time receptionist to work three days per week from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. It is a job-share position with some flexibility. Duties include: taking and routing incoming calls; welcoming guests; scheduling Mass intentions; data entry; and other office duties. Applicants must be practicing Catholics, compassionate, possess excellent communication skills and be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with databases also preferred. This position is highly visible and represents St. Michael the Archangel to parishioners and guests. The receptionist reports to the parish administrator. Desired start date is on or about May 4. Pay will be based on skills and experience. Send resume and cover letter to: St. Michael the Archangel, attention: Denise Greene, 14251 Nall Ave., Leawood, KS 66223 or email to: denise.greene@ stmichaelcp.org.

HOME IMPROVEMENT STA (Sure Thing Always) Home Repair - Basement finish, bathrooms and kitchens; interior & exterior repairs: painting, roofing, siding, wood replacement and window glazing. Free estimates. Call (913) 579-1835.

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

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 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.

Local handyman - Painting int. and ext., wood rot, power washing, staining, masonry (chimney repair, patio’s) gutter cleaning, water heaters, junk removal, lawn mowing, window cleaning, honey - do list and more!!

Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913)927-4118.

The Drywall Doctor, Inc. – A unique solution to your drywall problems! We fix all types of ceiling and wall damage — from water stains and stress cracks to texture repairs and skim coating. We provide professional, timely repairs and leave the job site clean! Lead-certified and insured! Serving the metro since 1997. Call (913) 768-6655.

NELSON CREATIONS Affordable home remodeling: Kitchens, baths, basements and room additions.

All interior and exterior work.

Honest, dependable, experienced and family owned.

Licensed and insured. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

(913) 927-5240 or nelsport@everestkc.net Popcorn texture removed and apply knockdown texture.

Renew your walls with a fresh coat of quality paint!

Sheetrock and plaster repair Fully insured, serving Kansas for 27 years Call or text Jerry at (913) 206-1144.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace amped, 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.

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

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.benefits ofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

Caring companion - Certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of experience with stroke, Alzheimer and dementia patients. Can assist with personal care services as well as nonemergency medical transportation. Call (816) 986-7767 or (816) 786-1093.

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.

SERVICES 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.

Tutor - Available for K - 12 in various subjects and test preps. Tutor has 17 years of experience teaching and tutoring. Call Kathleen at (913) 206-2151 or email: Klmamuric@yahoo.com.

Handyman - Furloughed railroader trying to keep the bills paid for my family. I advertised here as Father and Son Home Exteriors and Remodeling for 13 years previously. I can do carpentry, windows, doors, trim, siding and decks. Also paint, sheetrock and tiling. No project too big or too small. Give me a call and ask for Josh at (913) 709-7230.

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Garage Door Repair New Garage Doors Platinum Amarr dealer, Elite Home Advisor top rating.

Call Joe, mention The Leaven discount.

A Total Door (913) 236-6440.

Doll dresses - First Communion dresses for American Girl dolls or any 18” dolls. To include dress, veil, shoes, tights, and cross necklace for $35. Call (913) 345-9498 or send an email to: wwelch4@kc.rr.com to order. The dress is on display at Trinity House, 6731 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS. 8 to Your Ideal Weight Get Real, Get Healthy, Get Empowered.

Release your weight and restore your power in 8 weeks! http://8toyouridealweight.com/coach/kathi/ 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.org or visit montemacedisability.org.

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

Memory quilts - Preserve your memories in a keepsake quality quilt, pillows, etc. Custom designed from your T-shirt collection, baby clothes, sports memorabilia, neckties . . . Quilted Memories. (913) 649-2704.

Speedy Guzman Moving and delivery Licensed and insured Anytime (816) 935-0176 Mike Hammer local moving - A full-service mover.

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

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.

REAL ESTATE 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) 599-5000.

Tree Trimming Licensed and insured Free estimates/10 years experience Call Tony at (913) 620-6063 WE SELL HOMES - Looking to sell? This is a seller’s market. Call for a free consultation detailing the steps to selling your home. Ask about our 39-day sales guarantee. Mention this ad for a special offer. Call Jim Blaufuss, Re/Max Realty Suburban, at (913) 226-7442.

Jimblaufuss@remax.net.

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.

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 - One plot at Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens, Kansas City, Kansas. Plot will hold 2 cremains, one cremain and a casket, or one casket. Asking for $1,150. Seller will pay the $150 transfer fee. Call 1 (719) 633-8292.

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

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 - Old cars or hot rods. Uncompleted project cars in any condition, with or without titles. Cash buyer. Call (913) 980-3559.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING The Leaven reaches approximately 50,000 subscribers.

Cost is $20 for the first five lines, $1.50 per line thereafter.

To purchase a Leaven classified ad, email The Leaven at: beth.blankenship@theleaven.org.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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Former administrator now popular retreat speaker

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Somebody has to help keep things running and, for 33 years, Susan Carroll helped three archbishops (and others) keep the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas chugging along.

Carroll began working for the archdiocese in 1975, after having worked at her home parish of the Cathedral of St. Peter Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.

“I always worked in the administrative area,” said Carroll. “I started out directing the office of Call to Share.”

After working in Call to Share for several years, she moved to assisting with property and management, and other projects as needed. She ended her career as director of administrative services and human resources.

Worker bee stuff — unheralded, but absolutely necessary.

“My head was there, but my heart has always been more in ministry,” said Carroll.

Even before she retired from the archdiocese in 2008, Carroll was already following her heart to more spiritual work, “ministry” work. It became her second career.

Today, Carroll is a sought-after retreat master for women’s retreats all over the archdiocese. And like many good things, it began with prayer and a friend.

“Jackie Corrigan, who was then director of the archdiocesan family life office, was a close, personal friend of mine,” said Carroll. “We visited a lot together those days in the chancery and prayed a lot together. She asked me to help her co-facilitate an annual retreat for women, and we called

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Susan Carroll, a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Kansas, worked for years in administration for the archdiocese. Today, she is a sought-after retreat master for women’s retreats. it ‘A Day of Boundless Joy.’ “That’s when I found more fulfillment in that role than I had ever experienced in those administrative positions.”

When she retired, Carroll’s greatest desire was to continue in ministry to women.

A few years later, a priest friend who led a parish near Topeka asked her to lead a day of reflection for women. Four years ago, another woman she knew asked her to be a keynote speaker for a women’s retreat at Camp Tekakwitha, near Williamsburg.

She’s been invited back annually.

“That was another powerful, life-changing experience,” said Carroll.

More invitations followed, and more women’s retreats and days of reflection at more parishes, including the Church of the Nativity in Leawood and St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village.

Carroll didn’t publicize or promote herself. It was all word of mouth. The offers kept coming. And they still do — from all over the archdiocese.

Usually, Catholic retreats and other such events are led or headlined by so-called “experts”: clerics, religious, academics, authors or even celebrities. Carroll’s great gift — and calling — is her ordinariness.

“One of the most sacred institutions in Catholic life is the family,” she said. “My husband, and myself, and my four children lived within a good, solid, Catholic family. I believe that the reason I can speak to women is because I believe so completely that God comes to us in the ordinary moments of our lives.

“I don’t consider myself to have any extraordinary gifts other than my gift of faith. And

for some reason, God gave me the ability to connect that with other women.

“We don’t have to be highly educated or credentialed or the most articulate, passionate speaker,” she continued. “But if we open up our hearts to God and the message he wants us to share with one another, it resonates with women.”

Carroll’s presentations and activities at retreats, with small groups and at days of reflection, certainly resonate with Kimberly Zubillaga, consultant with the archdiocesan office of evangelization. She’s also Carroll’s neighbor and has been in Bible studies and prayer groups with her.

“Susan is about as down-toearth as they come,” said Zubillaga. “She also is very deep and has rich life experiences.

Just about any story she tells reaches almost everyone in the room on a universal level

in some way. She has a way of touching the heart of the youngest girl in the room to the most mature woman.”

It seems like when Carroll talks, “you feel like you’ve found a friend just listening to her,” said Zubillaga. “You feel like she knows who you are.”

Carroll draws women of all ages and all kinds of life experiences. It’s obvious that she is a woman of prayer, wise and insightful, who knows the Lord well.

Every retreat that Carroll leads or speaks at has a theme.

Sometimes, the theme is provided by the group sponsoring the event, and sometimes it’s determined by the season of the liturgical year.

Every retreat is different because Carroll is different each time, and the participants are different — even annual events held at the same place.

Carroll mixes it up. Usually, her talks don’t exceed 20 minutes, because “after that I lose them,” she said. She structures “quiet time” at “prayer stations” (places to pray), and small groups so women can exchange their ideas of faith, their struggles, burdens and blessings. Often, there are opportunities for eucharistic adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation.

“Women . . . are very hungry for a deeper experience of prayer and connection and peace outside of the noise of their everyday lives,” said Carroll. “They’re seeking ways to pray, avenues to understand their faith in a deeper and more personal way.

“Their hearts are hungry for a more personal relationship with and understanding of God, their personal God.” Susan Carroll can be reached by email at: suscar1960@gmail. com.

Holy Trinity, Lenexa, Scouts earn the rank of Eagle

ENEXA — On March 1, the Holy Trinity Boy Scout Troop 181 here held its 2020 Eagle Scout Court of Honor and awarded the rank of Eagle to 10 young men.

The new Eagle Scouts are: • Justin Balling. For his Eagle project, Balling cleaned up the back side entrance to the stone chapel at Holy Trinity by tearing out shrubs, straightening a fence, replanting new shrubs, and adding edging and ground cover throughout the bed.

• Tyler Dickinson. For his Eagle project, he built 12 bookshelves for the first-grade classrooms at Holy Trinity School.

• Jason King. For his Eagle project, King restored the memorial gardens at St. James Academy in Lenexa for students that died while attending the school. He also refinished a wooden bench for visitors to sit while visiting the gardens.

• Peter King. For his Eagle project, he designed and constructed a storage shelf for the St. James performing arts department. It helped organize the props closet and provided ease of access for various props and set pieces during stage shows

The new Eagle Scouts of Holy Trinity, Lenexa, Boy Scout Troop 181 are: (front row, from left) Tyler Dickinson, Evan Smith, Jason King, Justin Balling and Evan Melchior; (back row, from left) Mike Whiteside, Ryan Pfeifer, Peter King, Paul Loughman and Chase Pickert. throughout the year.

• Paul Loughman. For his Eagle project, Loughman and his crew landscaped an area behind the main church at Holy

Trinity that was prone to flooding and built a protective cover over the air conditioning lines going into the church.

• Evan Melchior. For his Eagle project,

he installed outdoor Stations of the Cross at the Holy Trinity adoration chapel garden.

• Ryan Pfeifer. For his Eagle project, Pfeifer led Troop 181 Scouts as they installed a mound slide with decorative steps and shrubs at the Holy Trinity Early Education Center. The slide provides an age-appropriate activity for the younger children at the day care.

• Chase Pickert. For his Eagle project, he built a birdhouse tree for the new garden area of the Villa St. Joseph Catholic care center.

• Evan Smith. For his Eagle project, Smith created a wooden bench for Lazarus Ministries, an organization that provides meals and clothing for the homeless and hungry in Kansas City, Missouri. The bench will be used for those who wait in line to get items at their boutique shop.

• Mike Whiteside. For his Eagle project he led a group to fix and refurbish the scratched jazz band stands at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park to a bright gold with the Aquinas jazz logo.

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY FOURTH WEEK OF LENT March 22 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT 1 Sm 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a Ps 23: 1-6 Eph 5: 8-14 Jn 9: 1-41 March 23 Turibius of Mogrovejo, bishop Is 65: 17-21 Ps 30: 2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b Jn 4: 43-54 March 24 Ez 47: 1-9, 12 Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 Jn 5: 1-16 March 25 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Is 7: 10-14; 8-10 Ps 40: 7-11 Heb 10: 4-10 Lk 1: 26-38 March 26 Thursday Ex 32: 7-14 Ps 106: 19-23 Jn 5: 31-47 March 27 Friday Wis 2: 1a, 12-22 Ps 34: 17-21, 23 Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30 March 28 Saturday Jer 11: 18-20 Ps 7: 2-3, 9b-12 Jn 7: 40-53

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We’re given this crazy Lent, so make ‘Lenten-aid’

n email from a parishioner said it so well: I didn’t realize I was going to have to give this much up for Lent!

Amen, brother. I don’t think anyone could have imagined what Lent 2020 was going to be like. I keep going over this story from Joseph Stowell in “A Heart for the City”: The Chicago-based newspaper StreetWise is sold by homeless people who collect a portion of the proceeds. One day as I walked to work, I passed a StreetWise vendor. It was a bitterly cold January morning, and I’d already stopped

by Starbucks and paid more than a buck for a measly cup of coffee.

Feeling noble, I struggled to find my wallet, reached in and took out a dollar.

The homeless woman asked, “Do you really want the paper, or can I keep it to sell to someone else?”

“Keep the paper,” I replied. Then I asked, “How are you today?”

“I’m so cold,” she said.

“I hope the sun comes out, it warms up and you have a good

S

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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.

day,” I told her as I turned to go.

I continued on, with the cup of coffee warming my hand.

About half a block later, the conversation finally registered. I wrestled for a moment with what I should do, but I was late, so I kept walking. Ever since, I’ve regretted not giving her a cup of hot coffee in Christ’s name.

(From “1001 Illustrations That Connect,” edited by Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof) This Lent, our fasting has taken a drastic turn.

I’ve never witnessed a

time when there’s been a complete suspension of Masses. Even last weekend was odd with all of the necessary health directives.

It wasn’t just the absence of familiar things, like no holy water in the fonts, no offertory procession, no sign of peace or receiving Communion from the cup. No, what threw me the most was that most of the “family” was missing — the church family.

It’s said that you don’t appreciate something until it’s missing.

That was the sense last weekend and it will be even more acute now.

We’re a community of believers, and it’s so odd not to get together.

This is a particularly difficult fasting. It seems a lot easier to

fast from things than from people. But it’s a necessary fasting — one for the common good, one to keep the most vulnerable in our parishes and communities safer — a fasting in Christ’s name.

But we’re not helpless in all of this.

We’re called to use our creativity to “gather” in other ways. This issue of The Leaven has many suggestions, especially through live-streamed Masses offered by a number of parishes and organizations. We’re also encouraged to connect in other ways — through email or Facebook. (And if you’re new to Facebook, there’s a great “how-to” on page 4.) Use this time to get more familiar with texting or video calling on your phone.

Our strange Lent is an opportunity to do what many wish they had more time for: praying or connecting with God. There are scads of resources. Magnificat, which has the daily Mass readings and other meditations, is offering online access for free at: us.magnificat.net, during this time when folks can’t physically attend Mass. Also, sites

like Dynamic Catholic and Loyola Press have loads of Lenten offerings.

If you’re not into reading, try a service like Audible, which will give you a 30-day free trial. Type in “Lent” and a good number of audiobooks will pop up on that topic. Also, many libraries have loads of materials to check out online.

If you need a break from the news, there’s beauty to be found online as well. There are any number of virtual tours of famous Catholic churches, like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Google will open up a whole new world.

Also, a good number of museums, like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, have online tours where you can view many of its holdings.

And please don’t forget to wash your hands! Make a prayer of it by singing the refrain from “On Eagles Wings” that begins, “And he will raise you up.”

It lasts about 20 seconds and will remind you that God will, indeed, “hold you in the palm of his hand.”

May we see with not man’s eyes but God’s

unday’s first reading — 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a — presents us with the Old Testament version of a primary election.

Under instructions from God, the prophet Samuel visits Jesse in the city of Bethlehem.

Samuel is there to pick out the future king of Israel from among Jesse’s sons.

While Samuel does not know the identity of the chosen one, he is confident that God will reveal it to him.

Samuel’s reputation precedes him: “When he entered Bethlehem, the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and inquired, “Is your visit peaceful, O seer?”

Samuel is known for his ability to see as God sees. That is why he was

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.

called a seer: “In former times in Israel, anyone who went to consult God used to say, ‘Come, let us go to the seer.’ For he who is

POPE FRANCIS

now called prophet was formerly called seer” (1 Sm 9:9). (See also 1 Sm 9:18-19). Perhaps the seer would receive insights through a vision, rather than hearing an audible message from God. In any case, Samuel is able to look beyond the comparative advantages of the seven sons of Jesse, to instead focus upon the youngest, and

Pope Francis entrusted to Jesus’ mother the suffering and anguish of millions of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a video message broadcast March 11, the pope prayed before a portrait of Our Lady of Divine Love, beseeching her to “not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial” but to “deliver us from every danger. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm,” the pope prayed.

“You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need,” he continued, “and we are sure you will provide

apparently insignificant, son David.

Jesse had not even bothered at first to send for David when Samuel asked to see his sons.

Jesse had considered David not all that important.

Nonetheless, Samuel picks David as the future king of Israel. It is the classic Cinderella story.

Despite all appearances to the contrary, David will be up to the task. This is confirmed in a later story about the young David.

Armed with only a slingshot, David engages in combat with the giant Goliath, who is protected by armor and wielding a sword.

Despite Goliath’s superior might, David defeats him. By looking at him, no one could have foreseen David’s victory.

In this instance as well, God’s words to Samuel are borne out, where it is said: “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart.”

We might say that appearances are deceiving.

The refusal to recognize that can lead to spiritual blindness. When we focus on the superficial, we fail to see what is deeper.

We might overlook what is most important.

That is why we open up our hearts to God. We want to see as God sees.

That is why, in the early church, the sacrament of baptism was sometimes called “Enlightenment.”

Through that sacrament, the light of Christ is shared with us.

so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.”

The pope’s video message was aired on TV2000, the television channel of the Italian bishops’ conference, and the Diocese of Rome’s Facebook page. Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar of Rome, celebrated a Mass at Rome’s Shrine of Divine Love that was aired live after the pope’s message.

The Mass, according to the Diocese of Rome, capped a day of prayer and fasting for the city and for Italy, which has been under a government-mandated lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

— CNS

MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

COMMENTARY

Minister takes youth catechism to video

S

ometimes on the news, we see an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter translating the words of a governor who is warning the public about a crisis or impending weather disaster.

Why? Because, just like you and me, people who are deaf must have access to accurate and timely information so that they, too, can be aware of the impending danger and take necessary steps to prepare in order to keep themselves and their families safe from possible devastation.

To do otherwise, to ignore them, to not get the message to them, to not consider them a

I

15

REACHING OUT

TOM RACUNAS Tom Racunas is the lead consultant for the archdiocesan special-needs ministry. He can be reached by email at: tracunas@archkck.org.

part of the community in which they live and work, would be a great injustice.

As members of the mystical body of Christ, our deaf brothers and sisters need access to the good news of the Gospel in order to keep their souls and the souls of their families safe.

Yet, we know that 96% of the deaf community is unchurched because they don’t have access.

For over 25 years, thanks to your continued generous contributions to the Archbishop’s Call to Share, our archdiocese has been blessed with a ministry dedicated to outreach and support of deaf Catholics.

Five parishes have an interpreted Mass almost every Sunday of the month. A signed Mass is offered in two parishes once a month.

Katie Locus, the consultant for deaf archdiocesan ministry, works tirelessly to provide faith formation and sacramental preparation to the deaf community.

However, two documents of the church fundamental to our growth and understand-

ing of the faith — the holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church ­­— are not easily accessible because, for a person who has never heard the spoken word, reading and comprehension are very difficult.

Katie is on a mission to change that! She had the idea to translate the Youth Catechism (YOUCAT), which is written in simpler language, into ASL. In doing so, she put together a team that is creating an amazing tool that can better equip all of us to understand and explain our faith to others.

You may recall the article in the July 19 Leaven titled “Archdiocese hosts national team translating the

youth catechism.” At the time of the article, the team was beginning to film and edit the first few of the 527 questions of the catechism.

Eight video segments (each about five minutes long) are now on YouTube! Each video is voiced, captioned and signed. Each answer is profound in its simplicity.

I encourage you to go to the website at: www.archkck.org/ deaf and click on the “YouCat” link. You will be captivated, blessed, renewed.

You will want to reach out to others and encourage them to watch.

You will look forward to the remaining 509 questions!

Help make your parish a refuge for moms in need

magine a day when a woman who is expecting a child under challenging circumstances understands the value of her own life and that of her preborn child and knows that she can walk through the doors of any Catholic Church and have an army of people ready to help her.

Of course, many of us believe that this scenario is likely true today in the vast majority of our churches. But is it? Does she know and believe it?

In a sense, answering these questions is what the “Walking With Moms in Need: A Year of Service” effort is all about.

On March 25, in honor of the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II’s papal

LIFE MATTERS

DEBRA NIESEN Debra Niesen is the archdiocesan consultant for the pro-life office.

encyclical “The Gospel of Life,” we will embark on a year of assessing and improving our outreach to expecting and parenting women in need.

The fact is, pregnant women who are facing a wide array of immense challenges are in our communities and parishes. Because they feel alone, desperate and often pressured, they turn to abortion clinics without ever knowing all who want to help them choose life.

While parishes are not being asked to become pregnancy centers, they should first and foremost be the voice and hands of Jesus saying, “You can do this and we are here to help.” Everyone in a parish should know where to refer a woman for help.

We are fortunate to have an archbishop who makes pregnancy resources a priority in the diocese. Many of our parishes have knowledgeable pro-life coordinators, committees and Knights who are ready to assist. And our Gabriel Project Ministry is building a team of “Angel” volunteers who are trained to accompany women during their pregnancy and connect

them to the resources they need.

In addition, Catholic Charities offers pregnancy counseling and adoption services that help women choose life and bless other families.

We also have many community organizations doing great work for expecting and parenting women. There are wonderful pregnancy centers in Emporia, Overland Park, Shawnee, Leavenworth, Topeka, Ottawa, Lawrence, Kansas City and Olathe.

Not only do these centers provide free counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and maternity/baby items and supplies, but many offer parenting classes, ongoing support groups

and even Bible studies.

Alexandra’s House in Kansas City, Missouri, provides help and hope for women and families facing an adverse fetal diagnosis, St. Joseph Adoption Ministry is a licensed adoption agency, and Nativity House offers residential shelter for young unwed mothers.

Join or start a pro-life committee in your parish to help improve our outreach and communication to women in need through the Walking With Moms initiative.

Help our parishes be, as Pope Francis says, “islands of mercy in a sea of indifference.”

For more information, visit the website at: www.archkck.org/pro life-walkingwithmoms.

Call or stop by to learn about the options of advanced planning, and pick up your FREE Personal Arrangement guide.

We Guarantee your services at today’s prices.

Helen Skradski

Steve Pierce

913-371-1404

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MARCH 20, 2020 | THELEAVEN.ORG

LOCAL NEWS

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LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Hand sanitizer was set up at the front of Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka before Mass on March 15 to help protect the spread of coronavirus.

Doug Leikam of Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa sprays down the pews with disinfectant after the 7:30 a.m. Mass on March 15.

THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT

W

ith

the

navirus

coroquick-

ly becoming a pandemic, measures were taken

across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas to ensure the safety of parishioners.

While churches in Lawrence had to cancel Masses because of a Douglas County Public Health announcement prohibiting any gatherings of more than 250 people, for most of the archdiocese Masses went ahead as planned, even though Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

As recommended by Archbishop Naumann, hand sanitizers were provided at all entrances, physical contact was avoided, distribution of the precious Blood was suspended, distribution of the Eucharist was limited to the hand and churches were sanitized before and after Mass by volunteers.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Above, Father Tim Haberkorn, pastor of Sacred HeartSt. Joseph Parish in Topeka, distributes gloves to volunteers who stayed behind after Mass at St. Joseph to help sanitize the church.

Left, volunteers Luke Haug and Hailey Engelke carefully wipe down pews along with a team of other volunteers following Mass at St. Joseph Church in Topeka.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JOE BOLLIG

Father Jomon Palatty, MSFS, parochial administrator at Annunciation Parish in Baldwin, sanitizes his hands after Mass.