05 03 24 Vol. 45 No. 36

HEADS IN THE CLOUDS

Forecast looks partly cloudy to young Lawrence scientists

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

LAWRENCE — Four students at Corpus Christi School here have spent the past three months researching how relative humidity affects cloud formation.

“When I presented [their research to a group of] NASA scientists, their jaws kind of dropped,” said teacher Humbelina Harper. “They were like, ‘What grade are your students in?’

“That’s when I think it became alive.”

Emery Bailey, Aurora Harper, Claire Miller and Brynna Whitmore are fifth graders at Corpus Christi.

They earned the chance to present their scientific findings to a group of NASA and national STEM scientists at the Southwest Student Symposium from May 3-4 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“They’ve been selected to do this,” said Harper, “and I think it’s a lifetime opportunity for them.”

Wonder and awe

Harper submitted her students’ research project to a funding committee

offering scholarships to support their trip to the Southwest Student Symposium, and it was accepted.

“They will be doing a poster presentation to a group of NASA scientists who will judge them on different criteria,” said Harper.

“If they score high enough with the other schools,” she continued, “their project could be picked to go present

[on an international scale in] New York later this summer.”

The students will also have the chance to participate in a night nature walk observation where they will help with data collection to further environmental knowledge.

Since becoming a teacher just two years ago after working professionally in medical lab science, Harper has

sought out ways to further her own education and enhance her students’ learning opportunities.

She applied for a GLOBE educator cohort program through NASA this school year and was one of 20 teachers in the United States who were accepted.

This past year, the cohort focused on learning NASA’s cloud protocol.

“What that means is scientists are able to research the same information throughout the world through very detailed procedures called protocols,” explained Harper.

Learning how to take the readings with that protocol took up much of her professional development time, which was done on her own time.

The work allowed her to incorporate the cloud protocol curriculum into her classrooms and teach her students how to become “citizen scientists.”

“This is something that they can do outside of school in their homes,” said Harper.

The students were taught how to make a valid scientific observation by recording and writing scientific nature notes. They then learned the process of

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Corpus Christi School, Lawrence, fifth graders (from left) Brynna Whitmore, Aurora Harper, Claire Miller and Emery Bailey with teacher Humbelina Harper study the color and opacity of the sky. They earned the chance to present their scientific research project to a group of NASA and national STEM scientists at the Southwest Student Symposium from May 3-4 in Fort Worth, Texas.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

From left, Emery Bailey, Brynna Whitmore, teacher Humbelina Harper, Aurora Harper and Claire Miller create a cloud in a jar.

Witnessing to the truth of the Gospel inspires others to do so as well

Recently at the Kansans for Life (KFL) annual banquet, I received an award for my efforts to protect women and children from the tragedy of abortion by surrounding them with a community of love. The featured speaker for the event was Seth Dillon, the CEO of the Babylon Bee — a pro-life, pro-family and pro-faith news satire site.

Dillon spoke about how large tech companies seek to censor free speech. However, he made the point that much more devastating than overt censorship is the effort to create an environment of fear intimidating individuals and organizations to self-censor.

To illustrate this point, Dillon cited the conformity experiments conducted more than 70 years ago by the American psychologist, Solomon Asch. Professor Asch was born in Poland in 1907 and emigrated in 1920 at age 13 to the United States. His conformity experiments attempted to measure peer pressure. The experiment consisted of an individual being part of a group of 8 to 10 persons. Everyone else in the group had been instructed to give an obviously incorrect answer to the same question posed to each member.

ARCHBISHOP

JOSEPH F. NAUMANN

LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS

others do not share our beliefs, then our silence contributes to the problem.

and even despair. The world becomes very dark and foreboding, when you diminish the importance of God or even deny the existence of a loving God.

ARCHBISHOP NAUMANN’S CALENDAR

May 4

BEHOLD KC — Kansas City, Missouri

May 5

Knights of Columbus state convention Mass — Topeka

May 6

Catholic Education Foundation school visit — Our Lady of Unity, Kansas City, Kansas

May 6

Confirmation — Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea

Since the vast majority of news and entertainment sources are victims of secular group think, the dominant culture may not be as dominant as it appears. If we self-censor our true convictions because we fear that

A significant number of individuals, who were the subject of the experiment, often echoed the objectively false answer rather than be a lone dissenter from the group. Professor Asch modified the experiment by selecting one other individual to give the correct answer. With the support of just one other individual giving the objectively true answer, a much higher percentage of the experiment’s subjects were empowered to answer correctly. In an increasingly secularized dominant culture, there is ramped up pressure on Catholics to be intimidated into silence about our own convictions regarding issues pertaining to faith and morals. I am not suggesting that it is wise for Catholics to be belligerent or argumentative about our beliefs. However, we should not be afraid to share, always with love, the truth and beauty of our Catholic faith. We should always be prepared to give a reason for our hope and joy.

At World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, Bishop Robert Barron delivered a powerful homily to the pilgrims from the United States. Bishop Barron proposed to the 25,000 WYD American young adults that they lived in a hyper safety- conscious culture that is very risk averse. Bishop Barron proposed to the young adults, when the principal symbol of our faith is a man nailed to a cross, safety cannot be the Christian’s highest priority.

Bishop Barron was not encouraging the young people to do foolish things by taking unnecessary physical risks. However, he did challenge them to be bold in giving to witness to their faith. Bishop Barron encouraged the pilgrims to not be afraid to share their belief in Jesus Christ and the truth of his Gospel with their peers.

Our public health officials have cited a pandemic among our young people. They are not speaking about COVID. The more serious epidemics among youth are loneliness, anxiety, depression

The love of God revealed in Jesus is the antidote to loneliness, anxiety and fear. We are created to be in communion with God. We live, arguably, in the most economically prosperous culture in human history. If material things or comforts could make us happy, we should be off the happiness charts.

Remember one of the findings of Asch’s conformity experiments: Just one other person standing for truth empowers others to acknowledge what is true, even if it is not popular.

During the concluding days of the Easter season, our eyes begin to focus on the great solemnity of Pentecost, the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church. Once the Holy Spirit came into the hearts of the apostles, who had been paralyzed by fear, they are transformed. The apostles run into the streets of Jerusalem and with boldness proclaim the truth of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

As the Easter season is drawing to a close, let us ask the Holy Spirit to pry open our hearts to welcome him and his gifts. May the Holy Spirit enkindle in our hearts the fire of his love, so that we can be witnesses of the truth of the Gospel! Our society desperately needs the peace, hope and joy that only

May 7

Catholic Community Healthcare board meeting and breakfast — Savior Pastoral Center

Meeting with the superior general of the Guadalupanas Benedictine Sisters — chancery

Administrative Team meeting — chancery

Ethics Council — chancery

May 8

Confirmation — St. Patrick, Kansas City, Kansas

May 9

City on the Hill update — chancery

May 10

Benedictine baccalaureate Mass — Benedictine College, Atchison

May 11

Mass for medical school grad students — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

Groundbreaking ceremony — St. Paul, Olathe

May 12

Mass of thanksgiving and blessing of renovations — Corpus Christi Church, Mooney Creek

May 13

“Shepherd’s Voice” recording — chancery

Pastoral Council meeting — chancery

May 14

Mass and retirement reception for Sharon Madrigal and Allison Carney — chancery

Confirmation for Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park, and St. Pius X, Mission, at Queen

friendship with Jesus can provide. This is not a time to allow fear to cause us to self-censor

— to fail to proclaim the joy of the Gospel of Jesus!

DIAPER DUTY Ascension School

sixth graders collect diapers and raise awareness

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

OVERLAND PARK — One out of every two families in the United States can’t afford enough diapers to keep their baby clean and dry, according to the data collected in 2023 by the National Diaper Bank Network.

As they learned about the need, Ascension School students in Overland Park were eager to do something about it.

Boxes of diapers lined the tops of bookshelves in the school’s library at Ascension on April 25.

They were collected by the school’s sixth graders as part of a STEM project and donated that day to Happy Bottoms, a nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Every month, they give families that need diapers 75 diapers per month,” said sixth grader Ellie Mullen. “Our job was to come to school and raise awareness of that and [collect] diapers.

“We succeeded.”

The sixth graders collected more than 7,000 diapers and $800 in donations from their school community.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Mullen.

“It was really rewarding to see we actually did it,” said Anna Henderson, “and we raised a lot of money and awareness in general for diaper need.”

Lucy Walsh agreed.

“It felt really good to see us giving back to people who need it more than us,” she said. “It was really rewarding to see how much stuff we got.”

The project was led by Ascension enrichment coordinator and STEM teacher Carrie Brun and technology teacher Tara Masek.

“For sixth grade, we wanted to give them something that was more of a leadership opportunity,” said Brun, and a way to “learn more about being a steward of Christ and helping in different ways, but also using real-world applications.”

This was the second year the sixth grade class took on this type of project.

The students created posters to place around school and produced videos for the school’s “Eagle Insider” morning broadcast.

IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO SEE US GIVING BACK TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MORE THAN US. IT WAS REALLY REWARDING TO SEE HOW MUCH STUFF WE GOT.

LUCY WALSH ASCENSION SIXTH GRADER

Members of the leadership team also crafted an email to let the school’s parents know about the project.

“We’d tell everybody to bring in

diapers,” said Lucy Wagner, and each grade was asked to bring a particular size.

The sixth graders also visited classrooms to spread the word and hosted a bake sale, which raised $818 for Happy Bottoms.

In the end, Ascension’s first grade class brought in the most diapers.

Brun said philanthropy is nothing new for the school community.

“But we wanted to do something a little bit different that the [parents] haven’t heard about,” said Brun, “because then, they’re going to be more apt to want to help.”

The students chose to support Happy Bottoms this year and, throughout the experience, learned more about the work the nonprofit does.

“I think that it taught us a lot about

the need of diapers and necessities in general,” said Jonah Winkler, “especially in the Kansas City area.”

“They really were shocked about how many families need diapers,” said Masek. “They were not aware of how much need there is in our community.”

As their understanding grew, the students were even more excited to tackle the project.

“I thought it taught us a lot about awareness and people’s needs and how we can’t just always think of ourselves,” said Ava Stanley. “We have to think of the needs of others.”

The amount of success they had was the cherry on top.

“I think it feels good to help people who are in need of things,” said Claire Krenn. “It makes us feel more supportive of our community.”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Sixth graders at Ascension School in Overland Park take boxes of diapers that the school collected to a waiting van from Happy Bottoms, a nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15. The sixth grade students collected more than 7,000 diapers and $800 in donations from their school community.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Boxes of diapers collected by Ascension’s sixth grade class as part of a STEM project are taken from the school library where they had been stored to a van outside the school. The students spent weeks advertising the need for diapers around school. In the process, they learned about how great the need for diapers is across the country and the Kansas City community.

‘MAKE MY FAITH MY OWN’

Deacon Aaron Waldeck will be the archdiocese’s newest priest

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The idea of becoming a priest does not (usually) occur in the mind of a man like a cartoon lightbulb turning on.

Deacon Aaron Waldeck knows this.

“It was a very gradual experience, not a one-time thing,” said Deacon Waldeck.

“Archbishop Naumann always says, ‘More than I want you to become a priest, I want you to do God’s will,’ so it’s a very gradual process,” he added.

That very gradual process will end when Deacon Waldeck is ordained a priest by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on May 25 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas. He was ordained a deacon on May 20, 2023, by Archbishop Naumann at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Shawnee.

Deacon Waldeck is one of two children of Tobie and Carolyn Waldeck. He has one younger sister, Helene. His father is a retired public school principal and his mother is an occupational therapist.

He was baptized at St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, but when Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was moved from Bonner Springs to western Shawnee, the family joined that parish. Deacon Waldeck attended Sacred Heart of Jesus School. He graduated from St. James Academy in Lenexa in 2013.

It was while at St. James that the idea of becoming a priest first occurred to him.

“St. James was very important for me,” he said. “St. James made me want to make my faith my own. My faith became alive while I was there.”

But having a profound conversion experience, like he did at St. James, did not move him into the seminary. Deacon Waldeck put those thoughts on the back burner and entered the University of Kansas, where he graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in classical languages.

If St. James was the important start down the gradual road of considering the priesthood, then Deacon Waldeck’s years at the University of Kansas and involvement at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center were absolutely vital.

“It was at KU that I began to take the discernment of my vocation seriously,” he said.

The director of the St. Lawrence Center at the time, Father Steven Beseau, became a mentor and a friend. Then-archdiocesan vocation director Father Scott Wallisch, too, gave critical guidance. A Capuchin Franciscan, Father Curtis Carlson gave him spiritual direction.

Activities played a big role, too.

“One important [point] was when Father Beseau took a group of men from St. Lawrence Center on a trip to Clear Creek Monastery in Oklahoma,” he said. “We spent our spring break there. There were moments during the silent retreat when I could clearly hear God’s call inviting me to [the] seminary. That was a big one.

Deacon Aaron Waldeck prepares for eucharistic adoration at the Church of St. Catherine in Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 4, 2023, as part of the World Youth Day events for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

“And I attended a SEEK conference and some FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) conferences, where I began to hear God’s call as well.”

Deacon Waldeck enrolled in KenrickGlennon Seminary, St. Louis, in 2017.

The seminary, however, is not the end of discerning but rather the entering of a more intense stage.

“I thought it was a pretty steady journey until I did the 30-day silent retreat,” he said. “It was a powerful spiritual experience, and it turned my world upside down. It made me approach [the] seminary a lot different-

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

Name: Deacon Aaron Waldeck

Age at ordination: 28

City/town/location born: Shawnee

Parents: Tobie and Carolyn

Sibling: Helene

Hometown: Shawnee

Favorite movie: “The Great Escape”

Favorite music: NEEDTOBREATHE

One of the most inspirational Christians I’ve met: Sister Wilhelmina Favorite Seminary Class/Activity: class: Christology | activity: Fall and Spring Softball Game

Favorite devotion and why: St. Josemaria Escriva and his book “The Way.” It changed my life in high school and I return to it often.

Recommended book: “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken

Favorite food: Chipotle

Least favorite food: celery

Favorite childhood toy: baseball gear

Hobbies and interests: fishing, golf, reading

While I was growing up, I wanted to be: a football player.

Dream vacation: Spain

Worst job I ever had: door-to-door salesman

Best job I ever had: working at Mass Street Soda in Lawrence

My hidden talent/skill: impersonations

People who had a major influence on my vocation: Father Steven Beseau,

Msgr. Edmund Griesedieck, Father Joseph Carola, and many other friends and family along the way

Best advice I received while seeking my vocation: “Take it one day at a time.”

My advice to someone seeking their vocation or how to get the most out of the seminary: Discernment can and must take you a long way, but eventually you have to say yes to something.

Qualities I admire in other priests: theological wisdom, a pastoral and priestly heart, confidence in God, love of the priesthood

What I most look forward to in my priestly ministry: celebrating the sacraments and returning home to KCK

I want to be a priest because: God has invited me to do so and has marked out this path for my life. What could be better than saying yes to his invitation?

ly. That was during the summer of the pandemic when the world blew up and there were riots everywhere. I was in the middle of nowhere in rural Minnesota. It was wonderful.”

What advice would he give to men considering the priesthood? Three things.

First, discernment takes time. Take seminary formation one year at a time.

Second, at some point, you will have to make a decision.

Third, as St. Pope John Paul II said, “Do not be afraid.”

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Deacon Aaron Waldeck incenses the congregation at the Chrism Mass at Savior Pastoral Center. He will be ordained to the priesthood on May 25 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Chan elected provincial vicar

By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —

The Scalabrinians have chosen the director of Hispanic ministry here in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for an important role in the administration of a province.

Father Ramiro Sanchez Chan, CS, was elected provincial vicar by his religious confreres for the Province of St. John the Baptist, colloquially known as the Chicago province.

This province includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The election took place in December 2023, and he will serve until the next election in December 2026. Also elected were a new provincial superior, province counsel and members of the provincial council. By virtue of his office, Father Ramiro is part of the provincial council.

The Scalabrinians, founded in 1887 in Italy, is an international community of religious serving migrants and refugees of different cultures, religions and ethnicities in 35

countries and on five continents.

“It doesn’t affect, so far, the work I have in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas,” said Father Ramiro. “It is just that I was elected provincial vicar, that means I am part of the provincial council for the administration of our province.”

As provincial vicar, Father Ramiro will serve on the provincial council and represent the provincial superior when he is unable to attend meetings.

In short, said Father Ramiro simply, “It only means I have to attend more meetings!”

Students explore how science, God are intertwined

>> Continued from page 1

peer reviewing to validate each other’s information.

Miller proposed a research question about how relative humidity affects cloud formation, and her nature note stood out. She and her three peers ran with the research.

“They did readings, they learned about statistically significant variables, they collected their data, they’ve analyzed it, they’ve been making graphs, they created a cloud in the classroom,” said Harper.

It’s been a joy for the teacher to witness.

“I love seeing how far the kids can develop an idea within their scope of wonder,” she said.

It’s also been thrilling for Corpus Christi principal Kirsten Wondra.

“It’s a testament to their hard work, dedication and the support of their families and teachers,” said Wondra.

“Such opportunities for academic enrichment are invaluable in shaping their educational journeys and fostering a love for learning,” she added. “I especially love that it is a team of girls showing their skill and knowledge in a STEM field.”

I LOVE SEEING HOW FAR THE KIDS CAN DEVELOP AN IDEA WITHIN THEIR SCOPE OF WONDER.

HUMBELINA HARPER CORPUS CHRISTI, LAWRENCE,

TEACHER

Bright future

Harper is proof that life-changing discoveries can take place at any stage of life.

“Through COVID, I home schooled my four kids,” she said. “I fell in love with teaching, and I decided to pivot my career from the hospital lab to the classroom.

“I’ve just been enjoying showing them how much bigger this world can be.”

She also teaches eighth grade science and seventh grade religion and has helped the seventh graders prepare for the sacrament of confirmation.

Social justice advocate, Sister Marie de Paul Combo, dies

LEAVENWORTH — Sister Marie de Paul Combo, 99, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 75 years, died here on April 1.

Born Kathryn Cecelia Combo, she entered religious life on Aug. 19, 1948, and took the name Sister Marie de Paul when she received her habit.

Sister Marie de Paul attended Saint Mary College for two years before serving as a teacher and administrator in schools in Colorado, Kansas, California, Missouri and Oklahoma. She served as the archdiocesan supervisor of schools in Kansas City, Kansas. Sister Marie de Paul taught and served as associate dean at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver and taught at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas.

During all those ministries, she involved herself in social justice issues like fair housing and school integration. She was appointed the first Sisters of Charity Social Justice Network Facilitator in 1987, where she served for approximately 20 years. She was a charter member of NETWORK, the National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, and received its Woman of Justice award in 1997. From 1997 to 2013, she served as the Sisters’ liaison to the NGO Charity Federation and many other social justice organizations.

Sister Marie de Paul Combo will be remembered for her passion for social justice. Sister Mary Jo McDonald, SCL, said of her, “She always put social justice first, a woman who taught us all the meaning of social justice and taught us what we needed in our lives to make sure that we were following the tenets of Vincent de Paul working for the vulnerable and the poor.”

“They’re exploring how science and God are just totally intertwined with our faith,” said Harper, “and how the unseen — even though we can’t see it — doesn’t mean it’s not there.”

Harper emphasized the importance of creating hands-on learning opportunities through which students can explore both in and out of the classroom.

“We have to keep building their wonder right now,” she said, “because this is when you can captivate the kids.”

That style of teaching has been “a blessing” for Corpus Christi, said Wondra, who believes Harper “embodies our school’s mission of creating lifelong learners in a faith-filled environment who are prepared academically, socially and spiritually.”

Harper and her students are looking forward to attending the Southwest Student Symposium, where the teacher believes it’s just the beginning for the young scientists.

“They’ll be able to add this to their resumes for college apps and everything,” she said.

“A lot of the NASA scientists that are currently there were GLOBE students at one point in time or another,” she added, “so I think that’s really cool.”

Catholic content for parishes, families and individuals is just a tap away. Formed offers access to parish programs, audio content, movies, e-books and family-friendly programming.

— By Moira Cullings

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Father Ramiro Sanchez Chan, CS (head bowed), was elected provincial vicar by his religious confreres for the Province of St. John the Baptist, colloquially known as the Chicago province of the Scalabrinians.

Let’s cut graduates a break

By Sarah Robsdottir OSV News

Last year, my oldest son graduated from high school with flying colors. He received a great college scholarship and had a lot to be proud of. So, you’d think he wouldn’t look utterly fatigued each time an aunt, uncle, hairdresser, Sunday School teacher, the guy at the deli, our priest, the trashman — literally everyone — asked him: “What’s next in your life?”

I chalked up my firstborn’s conversational reticence to the fact that he’s quiet by nature, which is why I’m finding it curious that the exact same phenomenon is now happening with my second son who’s a total extrovert.

This graduate is following in his big brother’s footsteps. He has a great GPA and a few college scholarships lined up in the fall, and yet he grimaces at the “What’s next?” question, too.

“I just get sick of it,” he explained when the subject came up at the dinner table the other night. He had a few friends over and they chimed in as well.

“It’s nerve-racking,” one of the girls said. “I mean, I think I know what I’m doing after graduation, but that might change. Also, I

don’t want to go to college and lots of people find that disappointing.”

My oldest son, who was home for the weekend, added his voice to the mix: “All this focus on what we plan to do next gets old. I know everyone means well — they’re genuinely curious and just want to show they care. But, yeah, it gets old.”

The teens and my husband launched into a meaningful conversation about how as Christians we should

find our true value in who we are — children of God — not in what we do or how much (or how little) we accomplish. This dinnertime chat brought St. John Paul II’s wisdom to mind, specifically from times when he was addressing teens at World Youth Day.

“Only in Christ can [we] fully understand [our] dignity as persons created and loved by God,” he said at the 1993 gathering.

“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are

the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son,” he reminded young people in 2002.

I’d wager that this late, great pope would agree that we are not the sum of our successes either, but again, “we are the sum of the Father’s love for us.”

I’m certain my teens and their friends aren’t the only ones struggling with this issue of being questioned ad nauseam about their future plans by well-meaning

adults (who are not being rude or immoral in any way). I’ve heard the subject discussed among fellow parents and a little on social media.

But, in general, I don’t think there’s enough awareness of how we should be more sensitive to our graduates’ emotional needs.

So, how’s a genuinely curious, wellintended relative supposed to connect with that awesome grad in his or her life?

The teens at my

dinner table made the following suggestions:

“Just say, ‘It’s great to see you!’ Or, ‘You look good!’ Or, ‘How are you today?’”

“Focus on the here and now,” seemed to be the consensus, “Just say, ‘Congratulations!’ And don’t forget to give us money!”

There was a lot of laughter and even a few quirky ideas: “Ask grads about their favorite sugar cereal or video games for a change!”

Personally, my biggest takeaway is that even a highly accomplished graduate with great potential often feels unintended pressure by receiving such a high volume of questions about his future.

So, seize the opportunity to be an awesome aunt or a fun uncle and ask about something else instead. Say a prayer for the graduate and throw him some cash if you’re able. Go ahead and ask the grad’s mom about his plans if you’re dying to know. If she’s anything like me, she’ll be more than happy to fill you in!

Robsdottir is a Catholic convert and home schooling mom to seven sons. Her debut novel, “Brave Water,” is available at Voyage Publishing. Visit her online at: www.sarahrobsdottir. com.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/GREGORY A. SHEMITZ

Graduating seniors Samantha Grella and Justin Allen take a selfie after participating in commencement ceremonies at St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School in Manhasset, New York, on May 31, 2023.

Joyce and John Lewis “Lew” Alderman , members of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 9. The couple was married on May 9, 1964, at St. James Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Their children are: Aimee, Tom, Geoff, Kate and Colleen. They also have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A celebration will follow this summer.

Eleanor “Ellie” and Walter Zuk, members of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on May 12 with a family dinner. The couple was married on May 9, 1959, at St. John the Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Their children are: Alan Zuk, Stephen Zuk, Janice Brock and Laura Sales. They also have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Greg and Janine Frederick, members of Holy Family Parish, Alma, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March by taking their children and grandchildren on a cruise. The couple was married May 4, 1974, at Sacred Heart Church, Topeka, by Msgr. Vince Krische. Their children are Anthony “Tony” Frederick and Angela Pensick. They also have six grandchildren.

Rose Ann (Burdiek) and Rick Hladky, members of St. Matthew Parish, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 11. The couple was married on May 11, 1974, at St. James Church in Wetmore, by Father Alfred Koestner, OSB. They will celebrate with family and friends. They have a son, Nathan, and two grandchildren.

Fred and Paula (Fail) Mader, members of Church of the Annunciation, Baldwin, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on May 4.

The couple was married on May 4, 1974, at Holy Angels Church, Garnett, by Father Denis Pickert. Their children are: Lena Wiese, Matt Mader and Scott Mader. They also have 13 grandchildren.

Raffle proceeds to go to bell tower, parish hall

By Allen Ohlhaut Special to The Leaven

SCRANTON — It’s been many years since the peal of St. Patrick Church’s bells was heard over the rural community here. But soon, those joyful sounds will return.

Thanks, in part, to a motorcycle.

As part of the ongoing capital campaign to raise funds for a new bell tower and parish hall, the parish is raffling off a 1994 Honda Gold Wing Touring Motorcycle. An eye-catching piece, the $8,500 bike comes by way of a generous donor whose good friends, longtime

St. Patrick parishioners Gary and Sandi Pope, have led the charge for the campaign.

The motorcycle is donated in memory of Dr. Mark Penn, as Sandi explained.

“The Penns are very close friends of ours; they’re not members [of St. Patrick], but they knew how hard the parish was working to raise funds,” she said. “Mark’s widow Jeanyne met with Gary and me, and felt that a way to really make something positive was to donate the motorcycle for our raffle.

“We’re truly grateful for that donation to help support this second fundraising campaign.”

According to St. Patrick’s website, the Catholic community in Scranton traces its roots back to 19th-century pioneers, mostly of Irish and German descent. The church that was their home for most of the 1900s survived catastrophes that ranged from a gas leak explosion in 1964 to severe storm damage 10 years later.

A capital campaign kicked off in 2012 to build a new church, and the small but tight-knit community of St. Patrick raised $552,000 in five years.

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

consecrated the new church on Dec. 16, 2018, which is more handicap accessible, seats 150 and incorporates many items from the previous building.

The bell is not among them . . . yet. It’s waiting in storage for the second capital campaign, begun in 2020, to raise funds for a new bell tower.

“When we opened our time capsule [last] December,” Sandi said, “a lot of people in the community at that time said a few words, and that was one of the things they talked about — just remembering hearing that bell. It was important to them.”

The second goal of the campaign is to build a new parish hall, Gary explained, as their congregation has been missing a suitable space for communal gatherings.

“When we first started going [to St. Patrick], they always had doughnuts and coffee after church,” he said. “That’s how we got to know a lot of people in the community. We really don’t have a good place to do that right now. But with the new parish hall, we’ll go back to doing that!”

“And classrooms for our kids, of course,” added Sandi. “There’ll be space for that, and events that the

community can benefit from. It’ll be a nice resource for celebrations and gatherings — more community fellowship.”

It’s an exciting time as the people of St. Patrick inch closer to their goal, having raised funds through events including weekly farmers markets, a daddy-daughter dance, quilt raffles and more.

And now the motorcycle is doing its part, too.

“It’s a beautiful motorcycle,” said Sandi. “As soon as we get all 200 tickets sold, we’ll have the drawing.”

Organizers are asking for a donation of $50 for a chance at the classic bike.

“People don’t have to be present to win,” added Sandi.

Even as the cost of construction balloons, they look forward to the time when the bell will once more call them to prayer and fellowship, and the hall will provide a place for their families to grow closer together and dive deeper into the faith.

For details on how to purchase a ticket, raffle rules and drawing times, visit the parish website at: www.stpatrickchurches.org and click on “News & Events” in the menu bar at the top.

Christ the King School alumni invited to May 25 Mass

KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Students, parents, teachers and parishioners past and present will get a chance to say goodbye to Christ the King School here.

There will be a farewell Mass followed by a sloppy Joes feast at 4 p.m. on May 25 at the church.

On March 6, it was announced that Christ the King School would close at the end of the academic year.

The school has offered Catholic education in the archdiocese for 80 years but with dwindling enrollment and the financial burden to the parish, the decision was made to make this school year Christ the King’s last.

The school has 197 students in grades from prekindergarten to eighth grade, and a faculty and staff of 26.

For those who would like to attend the sloppy Joes feast, register online at: ctkkcks.org or call (913) 287-8823.

Scan QR code to purchase raffle ticket

COURTESY PHOTO

St. Patrick Parish in Scranton is raffling off a 1994 Honda Gold Wing Touring Motorcycle. The motorcycle is valued at $8,500.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann kicked off the 2023-24 school year in August with an allschool Mass at Christ the King School in Kansas City, Kansas. The archbishop will celebrate the school’s farewell Mass at 4 p.m. on May 25. The school will close at the end of this school year.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

Photos capture the busy faith lives of Catholics around the archdiocese

FOR HEALING

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann offers a blessing at the annual healing Mass on March 23 at Curé of Ars Church in Leawood. This was the 25th year that the healing Mass has been held. Bishop James V. Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph joined him. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick was administered to Catholics in both dioceses whose health is seriously impaired by illness or old age, and the rite followed the Lourdes pilgrimage format.

MEETING OF THE MINDS

Sarah Smith (standing), USA director of Universal Chastity Education, meets with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann and Brad and Libby DuPont, consultants for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life, to explain her organization and its goals. The UCE’s mission is to promote, through Christian principles, abstinence and faithful marriage, particularly in countries in Africa.

SCOUTS HONORED

Archdiocesan Boy Scouts and American Heritage Girls gathered at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas out during the Mass.

DIVINE MERCY

Father Justin Hamilton, pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Rossville and Immaculate Conception Parish in St. Marys, celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7 at St. Stanislaus. Father Hamilton offered eucharistic adoration, Benediction, confessions and led the Divine Mercy chaplet.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

City, Kansas, on April 21 for the annual Scouting awards Mass. Several religious awards were handed ALL GATHERED

UNDER THE RAINBOWS

The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, or Scalabrinians, joined Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on April 10 for a Mass at Holy Cross Church in Overland Park as part of the order’s yearly provincial assembly. The

recently assumed the leadership

The order’s weeklong congress consisted of presentations, studies and reflections.

Scalabrinian priests

of Holy Cross Parish.

Yes, Dorothy, you’re still in Kansas. With storms pushing through Atchison on April 25, there was a moment with just enough light for a double rainbow to form. St. Benedict School music teacher Rebecca Parker was able to capture the beautiful moment.

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER

PHOTO BY REBECCA PARK

Summit calls for ‘whole-of-society’ approach to antisemitism

By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

Identified as the first-ever summit in the Kansas City region to address combating antisemitism, a recent daylong symposium focused on education and action to “drive out the darkness” perpetrated by this age-old prejudice against people who are Jewish.

Among recurring themes at the April 16 event was the belief that antisemitism is not a Jewish issue.

“It is an American issue that threatens the values of democracy and pluralism,” explained Gavriela Geller, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee Kansas City (JCRB|AJC), the agency that hosted the symposium.

Results of AJC’s annual State of Antisemitism in America Report released in February align with this perspective. Holly Huffnagle, U.S. director of combating antisemitism, AJC, noted that based on surveys conducted in fall 2023, 93% of American Jews think antisemitism is a problem today compared with 74% of the general public.

However, 95% of the Jewish U.S. population and 92% of the general public agree that antisemitism affects society as a whole and that everyone is responsible for combating it.

Ted Deutch, CEO, AJC on the national level, put it simply.

“When we [Jews] are at risk,” he said, “the country is at risk.”

Held at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, the summit to combat antisemitism drew approximately 400 participants from the Jewish community and the broader population. Opening, closing and breakout sessions featured national and local thought leaders and content experts.

Antisemitism on the rise

Another theme throughout the symposium was that antisemitism has increased at alarming rates, particularly since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, considered the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust. The detainment of Israeli hostages, the ensuing war and subsequent protests have heightened antisemitism.

According to the national survey, 63% of American Jews say the status of Jews in the U.S. is less secure compared to one year ago. Forty-six percent have changed behaviors out of fear of antisemitism, for example, avoiding wearing the Star of David Jewish symbol or attending Jewish events.

Geller said that the Kansas City region is not immune to this “explosion of antisemitism.” Since the October Hamas attack on Israel, JCRB|AJC Kansas City has seen a 500% increase in reports of antisemitic incidents in Kansas and western Missouri, including in local institutions of higher education.

“We must ensure that the terrible rise in antisemitism is not the story,” Geller urged, “but rather how we rose up to combat it, how we drove out the darkness.”

Oren Jacobson, executive director of Project Shema, a training and support organization, said it’s important to recognize Jews not only as a religious

Jyot Singh, associate director of the Center for Technology and Society with the Anti-Defamation League, speaks at the first-ever summit in the Kansas City region to address combating antisemitism. The daylong symposium was held April 16 at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and drew approximately 400 participants.

group, but as a people and a nation. He identified three undercurrents of antisemitism, including the use of antisemitism by people who seek power; the belief that Jews, Zionism and Israel are inherently evil; and the idea that Jews cannot be trusted.

“Jews and antisemitism have been used throughout history as a tool in fights for power. This is a problem and a trap,” Jacobson said.

Speaking from his experience as mayor when the Unite the Right rally occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, Mike Signer witnessed the “great replacement theory” in action. In this context, the theory incited far right organizations who believed the Jews were trying to replace them and thereby make America unsafe for white nationals. Signer, a Jew, author and attorney, said the rally and events surrounding it shone a light on antisemitism and spawned conspiracy theories. He believes that getting people and organizations to make choices and take actions against antisemitism are strategies that provide strength and support.

Also stoking antisemitism is the proliferation of information that is either mistakenly reported (misinformation) or intentionally dishonest (disinformation). Representing organizations that work to combat hate speech and encourage civility, panelists in a breakout session encouraged people of all ages to develop media literacy to help distinguish between accurate and fake information available across the wide range of news sources.

Panelists expressed heightened concern about the advent of artificial intelligence. They cited the need for technology guardrails to protect consumers from information shared for profit-driven motives and not aligned with the common good.

‘Whole-of-society’ approach to change

Seeking to surmount the challenges of incivility, conspiracy theories and distrust that feed antisemitism, symposium speakers advocated for

meaningful and supportive allyships, conscious choices to engage differently and personal conversations that allow for empathy and understanding. They proposed a “whole-of-society” approach in which Jews and others work together, form coalitions and build bridges.

Douglas Emhoff, Second Gentleman of the United States, discussed the rollout of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. Released in May 2003, the plan has over 100 discrete calls to action organized around four pillars: increased awareness and understanding of antisemitism, including its threat to America; improved safety and security for Jewish communities; reversal of the normalization of antisemitism and countering antisemitic discrimination; and development of solidarity and coalitions.

Over lunch at the symposium, participants reviewed actions of the national plan and brainstormed opportunities to combat antisemitism in the Kansas City region. Feedback will help inform development of the first plan to counter and dispel antisemitism in the Heartland.

Close to heart and home, the symposium occurred three days after the 10th anniversary of the deadly attack targeted toward Jews at two sites in Overland Park. Three persons — none of whom were Jewish — died. In the aftermath, Mindy Corporon, whose son and father were among the victims, committed to turning tragedy to hope with the founding of SevenDays. This initiative promotes kindness and understanding year-round and in a weeklong annual observance.

In her opening remarks at the symposium, Corporon explained that she felt the responsibility to let people know that “hate does not discriminate; neither does kindness. Bad things happen,” she said. “We have to collectively come together to say we are going to do something good and make a ripple to change the world.”

Wrapping up the symposium, Geller added urgency to this message.

“We stand against antisemitism, extremism and hatred of any kind,” he said. “We are standing for pluralism, democracy and keeping all people safe, free and equal.”

Youth take leadership role in combating hate

By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org

Three archdiocesan high school students are combating hatred with kindness through their role on the SevenDays Kindness Youth Leadership Team (KYLT). Team members of various ages and backgrounds meet monthly during the school year to plan events and activities for SevenDays and help run those events. Lola Kernell, a senior at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, was eager to get involved.

“I joined KYLT for two reasons,” she said. “One, because I’m all about peace and promoting kindness, and two, because I want to advocate for other people like me with diverse abilities.”

Kernell was asked to be on the team to represent the Down syndrome community, and she describes it as “an amazing experience.”

“KYLT has taught me to look for opportunities to be kind to people — even those whom I haven’t interacted with — [and] just be there for someone who wants people to listen, and embrace our differences,” she said.

Erica Strathman, a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, joined KYLT as a way to make a difference.

“Involvement in this project has taught me a better understanding of other people,” she said, “and how to make an impact — no matter how small — in my community.

“I have learned how my actions can affect others and how to have a better approach to kindness in my everyday life.”

Caroline Plumb, a senior at Aquinas, said KYLT “has given me a better understanding of where hatred comes from and how to properly combat it with kindness.”

Her experience with the group has taught her how connected people are, despite how it might seem on the surface.

“We are a group of students, of many different religions and backgrounds, who see love as something that should be freely given,” said Plumb.

“Even a small action can make a ripple of kindness that can reach others,” she added. “When people come together, you can see a common love for each other.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Like Venice, people are beautiful, fragile, pope says in city built on water

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service

VENICE, Italy (CNS) — Visiting a lagoon of tiny islands, canals and narrow walkways for one day, Pope Francis moved around Venice by boat, bridge and electric golf cart.

Tourists and residents, however, came to a standstill; many were marooned in small neighborhoods as security shut down entire streets and severely limited regular waterway traffic.

The pope’s early morning touchdown by helicopter from Rome April 28 brought him first to a women’s prison, then by wooden motorboat to the Basilica of St. Mary of Health, a 17th-century church built to honor Mary, invoking her protection and intercession to end a devastating plague that killed nearly one-third of the population in the 1630s.

About 1,500 young people were in front of the basilica singing and cheering to greet the pope as he arrived waving from the boat decorated with a small Vatican flag. He took his place on a chair near the steps looking out onto the turquoise-blue water.

“Arise and go!” he told them. “Open your heart to God, thank him and embrace the beauty that you are; fall in love with your life.”

“Walk together with others, color the world with your creativity and paint the streets of life with the Gospel,” he said.

Young people must resist inertia and discouragement, he said, “because we are made for heaven.” Tell God, “Here I am!” and recognize and welcome the gift of being made “precious and irreplaceable.”

No one is ugly, and everyone carries a priceless treasure inside that is meant to be shared with others, he said. “This is not self-esteem, it is reality! Recognizing this is the first step we should take in the morning when we wake up: get out of bed and accept yourself as a gift.”

“Remember that for God, you are not a digital profile,” he added, but “a child of heaven.”

But, just like Venice, the pope said, people are beautiful and fragile at the same time. Take care of these fragilities and recognize that God always extends a hand — not to blame or punish, but to heal and lift people back up.

Never get isolated, even when one’s friends are stuck at home behind screens and video games, he told the young people.

This is not easy, he said, but take advice from Venetian wisdom that says one can only go far by consistently and

steadily rowing. It is tiring, he said, especially when one must go against the tide, but perseverance brings rewards, and it is better done together and with God’s guidance.

Accompanied by a delegation of young people, Pope Francis then went by electric golf cart to St. Mark’s Square by crossing a “bridge of boats,” a floating pontoon bridge that is a traditional Venetian way of temporarily connecting opposite shores. Guests, some still in

bathrobes, staying at a waterfront hotel peered out their large balcony windows to see the unusual sight.

More than 10,000 people packed the huge square for Mass and to pray the “Regina Coeli.” In his homily, the pope said Jesus’ metaphor of being the grapevine while believers are the branches “expresses God’s loving care for us; it also warns us that if we sever this connection with the Lord, we cannot produce fruits of good life and risk

becoming dry branches, which will be cast aside.”

“This is what matters: to remain in the Lord, to dwell in him,” which does not mean standing still or being passive. “Indeed, it invites us to move, because to remain in the Lord means to grow in relationship with him.”

“As we gaze upon this city of Venice today, we admire its enchanting beauty. Yet, we are also concerned about the many issues that threaten it: climate change, which impacts the waters of the lagoon and the land,” he said.

He highlighted the problems facing the city’s architecture, cultural heritage and people, noting “the difficulty of creating an environment that is fit for human beings through adequate tourism management.”

Christians must remain united to Christ so “we can bring the fruits of the Gospel into the reality we inhabit: fruits of justice and peace, fruits of solidarity and mutual care; carefully made choices to preserve our environmental and human heritage,” he said.

“We need our Christian communities, neighborhoods and cities to become welcoming, inclusive and hospitable places,” he continued.

After Mass and the “Regina Coeli” prayer, the pope greeted the faithful in the square and went into St. Mark’s Basilica to venerate the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist.

CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA

Pope Francis greets female detainees in the courtyard of the Giudecca women’s prison in Venice April 28.

CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ

Pope Francis waves as he arrives by boat from Giudecca Island to the Basilica of St. Mary of Health in Venice April 28 to meet with young people.

CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ

Around 10,500 people gather in St. Mark’s Square in Venice to attend Mass with Pope Francis.

EMPLOYMENT

Behaviorist position - Ascension and St. Michael the Archangel schools are looking for a full-time behaviorist to be shared between the two locations. Responsibilities include: implementing behavioral interventions; writing student behavior plans, supporting classroom teachers; providing teacher training; and collecting and analyzing behavioral data. Experience working with children is necessary and BCBA credentials are preferred. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Becky Wright at: bwright@acseagles.org and/ or Diana Tate at: diana.tate@stmichaelcp.org.

New student director - St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence, Kansas, is seeking to hire a fulltime new student director to join the team under the supervision of the director. Responsibilities include recruiting new and current students at KU to participate at the center; managing metrics and marketing new student events; planning belonging events for students; planning and overseeing our yearly back-to-school barbecue; and building relationships with students on campus. For more information, go online to: kucatholic. org/jobs and scroll down to “The New Student Director authentically connects new Jayhawks to the Catholic mission at KU.” A complete job description is here and click on the word HERE to apply and also send a resume and cover letter to: frmitchel@kucatholic.org.

Scientific equipment technician - Would you like to make a difference in a small growing company? Seeking individuals looking for flexible part-time work maintaining and preparing small equipment for our family company which has been in the local area for over 40 years. Service is completed at customers’ locations locally and within a four-state area. Dependable transportation is a must. Positive attitude, dependability, time-management and self-motivation skills, as well as being quality- and customer-oriented are required. Mostly on-the-job training. Electrical knowledge a plus. Please send resume to: Yourcareer101@gmail.com.

Administrative assistant - St. Joseph Early Education Center in Shawnee is seeking a full-time administrative assistant. Interested individuals should email cover letter and resume to Kristan Mora at: KMora@stjoeshawnee. org. For more information, call (913) 631-0004.

Kitchen manager - St. Joseph School in Shawnee is seeking a full-time kitchen manager. This position prepares menus, meals, orders necessities and manages kitchen staff for the grade school. State guidelines and regulations are to be followed. To learn more about this position or to apply, please send cover letter and resume to Kelcy McCauley at: kmccauley@stjoeshawnee. org or call (913) 631-7730.

Case management specialist - Do you have experience in a social service-related field? Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking a case manager with HUD programming and/or HMIS experience. Opening in Olathe Family Support Center. Interested applicants should apply online at: catholiccharitiesks.org/careers, scroll down to “View All Opportunities,” click on “View All,” scroll down to and click on “Case manager, Family Support Center.”

Maintenance staff member - Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa is seeking a maintenance staff member. This staff member will have primary responsibility for daily cleaning and light maintenance of the church building. This person will assist with other maintenance responsibilities on the Holy Trinity campus as needed. This position is approximately 35 hours per week and qualifies for archdiocesan benefits. A full position description and application can be found at: htlenexa. org/job-openings. Interested applicants should return a completed application to: dleikam@htlexexa.org or 9150 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS 66215.

Early childhood educators - With multiple locations in Johnson County, Special Beginnings Early Learning Center provides high quality child care in a safe, loving, Christian environment. Our classrooms are full and we are looking to add to our amazing team. We are looking for both full-time and part-time teachers for all ages of children. If you have an excellent work ethic, a heart for children and a willingness to learn more about early childhood education, we would love to meet you. For more information or to apply, call Anne at (913) 8940131, ext. 102.

Retreat and spirituality center director - The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth are currently seeking a director for the Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center. The director is responsible for leading the center, drawing on our mission and char-ism to serve the critical spiritual needs of God’s people today by providing an environment of prayer, peace, hope and transformation. As St. Vincent, St. Louise and Mother Xavier taught us, the Marillac Center is a place of encounter for the poor and marginalized and all those who serve them. The ideal candidate will possess a master’s degree in theology, spirituality or related field; knowledge of or willingness to embrace the mission and values of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth and the Vincentian charism; and previous experience working in a space focused on hospitality, rest or spirituality. To view the full job announcement, please visit our website at: www.scls.org. If you possess the desired qualifications and would like to work for a truly wonderful and outstanding religious community, please email a cover letter with salary requirements and your resume to: recruiting@scls.org.

Accounting assistant - Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, is seeking an accounting assistant. This person will assist the parish accountant with maintaining the financial, tithing, payroll, and employee benefits records and systems for the parish, including the school and early education center. An associates or bachelor’s degree in accounting is preferred. The position requires a working knowledge of QuickBooks (or similar general ledger accounting system), Excel, accounts payable processing, journal entry recording and bank reconciliations. Experience in payroll processing and budgeting would be a plus. Position is 20 hours per week. A full position description can be found at: https://htlenexa. org/job-openings. Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to: skutney@htlenexa.org.

Middle school math teacher - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking a middle school math teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and click on “Apply” then click on “Teachers.” Also, email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.

Communication coordinator – St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a full-time communications coordinator. The communications coordinator will coordinate and support the St. Joseph Campus with communication projects. This position will work closely with the school principal, EEC director and parish office to develop and implement communications strategies, media relations, social and digital media, article writing, video production, advertising/marketing initiatives and other communication support as needed. A successful candidate should be Catholic, with strong relationship skills and the ability to work in a collaborative setting. The overall goal for this position is to promote St. Joseph Catholic Campus as the go-to source for relevant, reliable, evidenced-based information. Interested applicants should email resumes and cover letter to Father Scott Wallisch: frscott@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 631-5983 for more information.

Nonmedical caregivers - Saint Rita Home Care is hiring nonmedical caregivers for seniors. Seeking compassionate individuals to fill all shifts. We serve people in Johnson, Douglas, Miami, Franklin and Leavenworth counties. Kansas state licensed, nonmedical home care agency. Call or text Renee Margush at (913) 229-4267, or rmargush@saintritahc. com. Member of Prince of Peace Parish, Olathe. Victim care advocate - The office of protection and care is seeking to hire one full-time victim care advocate, who would be responsible for providing support and resources to victims and their families. For more information and to apply, go online to: archkck.org/jobs, scroll down to “Current Job Openings” and scroll down to “Openings in our archdiocese” then scroll down and click on “Victim Care Advocate.”

First grade teacher - Nativity Parish School in Leawood is seeking a first grade teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs.org and email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennision@kcnativity.org, click on “Discover Careers” and scroll down to “Quick Links” then click on “Job Openings” then fill out the information requested on “Archkck Catholic Schools Job Board.”

Principal - Holy Cross School in Overland Park is seeking a dynamic, faith-filled school leader for the2024-25 school year. This individual will lead a team to serve 2000 students in preschool through eighth grade. Students come from 39 zip codes. The student body is diverse, with 27 countries and 4 languages represented. For more information, contact Martha Beisser, secretary, at: mbeisser@holycrosscatholicschool.com. To complete an online application, go online to: arch kckcs.org/apply.

After-school care lead teacher - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking an after-school care lead teacher for our day school and K - 5th grades. Applicants should be at least 18 and have a previous teaching or assistant teaching position in a licensed early childhood program. Must be Virtus-trained and CPR/first- aid certified. Hours are Monday - Friday from 3 - 6 p.m. with one Tuesday per month from 1:45 - 6 p.m. Please contact: Katie.King@kcnativity.org.

Hand-bell choir director - Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa is seeking a part-time, hourly, hand-bell choir director. Average 16 hours per month or 4 hours per week. The director will conduct the parish hand-bell choir at weekly rehearsals on Mondays from 7 - 9 p.m. and an average of one Mass per month, mid-August to midJune. Conduction proficiency, knowledge of liturgical worship and the Christian year required. Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. Job description available at: www.htlenexa.org/holytrinitymusic. Application, including three references, may be emailed to Dr. Chole Stodt, director of music, at: cstodt@htlenexa.org. Position open until filled.

Full-time youth minister - Church of the Nativity, Leawood, is seeking a full-time youth minister to join the Christian formation team. This position will oversee ministry to middle school and high school parishioners, as well as young adults. Qualified applicants should have at least two years’ experience in youth ministry or qualifying degree and have or be willing to receive Virtus training and a background check. Send a resume and cover letter to: jobapplication@kcnativity.org.

Youth and young adult minister - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a full-time youth and young adult minister. The candidate would be responsible for nurturing and guiding teens and young adults, have an evangelism strategy that provides vision, skills and community. The successful candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills. Interested applicants should email resume and cover letter to Veronica Quinn at: vquinn@stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 244-3909 for more information.

Bookkeeper/accountant - Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea is seeking a full-time bookkeeper/accountant. Three years’ experience with QuickBooks and advanced experience with Excel as well as hands-on experience with payroll and benefit software systems desired. Please contact: mpetz@qhrwea.org for complete job description and application. Compensation commensurate with experience.

Faculty and adjunct faculty job openings - Donnelly College, Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, is a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served. Faculty job openings - no current openings. Adjunct faculty job openings - adjunct instructor for Nursing. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Now hiring - drivers and aides - Assisted Transportation is hiring safe drivers and aides to transport students in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, in company vans. Drivers earn $14 - $16 per hour. Part-time and full-time schedules available. CDL not required. Retirees are encouraged to apply. Make a difference in your community by helping those in need! Call (913) 262-5190 or visit www. assistedtransportation.com for more information. EEO.

Caregivers needed - Daughter & Company is looking for compassionate caregivers to provide assistance to seniors in their home, assisted living or in a skilled nursing facility. We provide sitter services, light housekeeping and light meal preparation, organizational assistance, care management and occasional transportation for our clients. We need caregivers with reliable transportation and a cellphone for communication. We typically employ on a part-time basis, but will strive to match up hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Middle school science teacher - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a middle school science teacher for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants should apply online through the archdiocesan website at: archkckcs. org and email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison @kcnativity.org.

Maintenance technician - Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood is looking for a full-time, 40 hours per week, maintenance technician with a strong work ethic. We prefer a candidate with knowledge in landscape maintenance. This individual will also have general maintenance skills, including basic electrical and plumbing. This position also includes setting up for events. A maintenance technician is a thorough professional with attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and responsibly. The candidate needs to be able to lift 50 pounds and work off a ladder or lift. All employees are required to be Virtus-trained and background-checked. This position may include some weekend and evenings as needed. Competitive pay, including benefits, vacation/sick time and 401(k) with match. Interested candidates should send a resume to the facilities director at: matt.rocca@cureofars.com.

Catholic school elementary principal for Resurrection School - Are you a passionate and visionary leader looking to make a difference in the lives of young learners? Do you thrive in diverse, culturally rich environments? Resurrection Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking a joyfully Catholic school leader with demonstrated skill in the academic and spiritual formation of students. With a board of trustees, the principal will lead a team to advance the school’s academic licensure in educational leadership. Ideal candidates will be fluent in English and Spanish, but Spanish-speaking not required. Apply online at: archkckcs.org/apply and scroll down and click on “Principals.” For more information, contact Dr. Vince Cascone, superintendent, at: vcascone@archkckcs.org.

Staff job openings - Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas, a Catholic college offering higher education for those who may not otherwise be served, has the following staff job openings available: front desk receptionist, director of development, part-time front desk receptionist and admissions counselor. Find job descriptions and details at: www.donnelly.edu/careers.

Community and family ministry leader - St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee is seeking a part-time community and family ministry (CFM) leader. This leader would be responsible for nurturing and guiding a ministry and evangelism strategy that provides vision, skills and community for single, engaged and married people. The leader will lead a ministry task force responsible for executing this initiative to invite and move church and community through outreach and ongoing engagements into Growth Journeys where relationship skills content is delivered/transformed. The leader will also serve as St. Joseph’s chief liaison with our Communio church strategist. Interested applicants should email resumes to Veronica Quinn at: vquinn@stjoeshawnee. org or call (913) 244-3909.

SERVICES

KC creative photography - Quinceañera, weddings, family and videography. We offer great results and can build a package for your budget. Contact: www. kc-creativephotography.com. Spanish - (816) 2251330, ask for Yeny; English - (816) 509-6024, ask for Sebastian. Text or call.

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.

MIKE HAMMER MOVING - A full-service mover. Local and long-distance moving. Packing, pianos, rental truck load/unload, storage container load/unload. In-home moving and office moves. No job too small. Serving the KC metro since 1987. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, parishioner. Call the office at (913) 927-4347 or email: mike@mikehammermoving.com.

Quality work - Quality painting, remodeling and minor electrical repairs. Call Rob at (913) 206-4524.

Concrete construction - Tear out and replace stamped, stained or colored patios and drives. Retaining walls, footing, poured-in-place safe rooms, excavation and hauling. Asphalt drives and lots. Fully insured; references. Call Dan at (913) 207-4371, or email: dandeeconst@ aol.com.

Ros painting - Transforming your home one paint coat at a time. Over 20 years of residential and commercial interior and exterior painting. Reliable, professional and affordable. Insured. Call or text Ramiro today for a free estimate. (913) 579-5016.

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.

Custom countertops - Laminates installed within 5 days. Cambria, granite and solid surface. Competitive prices, dependable work. Call the Top Shop, Inc., at (913) 962-5058. Members of St. Joseph, Shawnee.

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.

EL SOL Y LA TIERRA

*COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

*LAWN RENOVATION *MOWING *CLEANUP AND HAULING

*DIRT GRADING/INSTALLATION

*LANDSCAPE DESIGN* FREE ESTIMATES HABLAMOS Y ESCRIBIMOS INGLES!! CALL LUPE AT (816) 252-1391

Local handyman - Painting, int. and ext., wood rot, mason repair, gutter cleaning (gutter covers), dryer vent cleaning, sump pump (replace, add new), windows, doors (interior and exterior), honey-do list, window cleaning and more! Member of Holy Angels Parish, Basehor. Call Billy at (913) 927-4118.

REAL ESTATE

We are local people who can buy your house - Big companies from all over the nation come here buying houses, but that’s not us. We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish and we enjoy giving you personalized service. We can offer you a fair price and are flexible to your needs. If I can help, call me, Mark Edmondson, at (913) 980-4905.

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 has never felt so good. Jon & Stacy Bichelmeyer (913) 599-5000.

WANTED TO BUY

Cash paid - for old tools, old jewelry, old furniture, military items, fishing lures, hunting items, old crocks, arrowheads and old signs. I buy all kinds of older things — house or barn contents, an estate or just one item. Call Patricia any time at (913) 515-2950. Parishioner at Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa.

Wanted to buy

Do you have a car or truck that you need to get rid of? If you do, CALL ME! I’m a cash buyer. We’re Holy Trinity parishioners. My name is Mark. (913) 980-4905.

Wanted to buy - Antique & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad, sterling, OLD holiday/toys and more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393. St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

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CATHOLIC ADVISORS NETWORK

KANSAS CITY

Church of the Nativity

3800 W. 119th St., Leawood

May 8 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Calling all attorneys, accountants, tax professionals, financial planners, wealth managers and insurance advisers! Looking to network with fellow Catholic professionals and obtain continuing education credits? Join us for a free lunch and a presentation by Steve Bahr of Polsinelli. Share with a colleague, coworker or friend who could benefit from this networking and learning opportunity. Continuing education hours are offered. Register online at: www.cfnek.org/events/catholicadvisors-network-kansas-city.

SPIRITUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

Corpus Christi Parish

6001 Billing Parkway, Lawrence

May 9 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the church. It is an ancient meditative dialogue, rooted in the psalms, that can be a source of spiritual nourishment. As we strengthen our spirituality with greater consistent prayer, we will also strengthen and support our mind, body and soul. Join us to learn more.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Tomahawk Hills Golf Course

17501 Midland Dr., Shawnee

May 10 at 8 a.m.

All are welcome to the Church of the Holy Cross Knights of Columbus annual golf tournament. The cost is $125 per player; $500 for a foursome. Price includes coffee, donuts, beverages, the award reception and a luncheon. Questions? Contact Rick Guinn by email at: rgksmolaw. com or call (913) 424-9084.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA

LITTLE FLOWER CIRCLE 503

Mater Dei-Holy Name (chapel)

1114 S.W. Tenth Ave., Topeka

May 11 at 10 a.m.

We will participate in Mary’s Holy Hour and May crowning. If anyone knows of a member or family member of Daughters of Isabella in need of the circle’s prayers, call Shirley Gustafson at (785) 230-2473.

BREAKFAST WITH THE KNIGHTS

Divine Mercy Parish

555 W. Main St., Gardner

May 12 from 8:30 - 10 a.m.

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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 - I buy coin collections, military items, pocket watches, jewelry, class rings, old toys, holiday items and more. Cash in hand. Call Kirk at (913) 213-9843.

FOR SALE

Residential lifts - New and recycled. Stair lifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts and elevators. St. Michael’s parishioners. KC Lift & Elevator at (913) 327-5557. (Formerly Silver Cross - KC).

For sale - Two plots at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Located in section 3 Old, lot 126, plots 6 and 10. Flat markers only. Contact Ann at (913) 620-5687.

For sale - One/two plot/s for sale at Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Single or double deep. Currently $3100. Asking $2300. Call Gary at (913) 220-1335.

CAREGIVING

Family member with dementia or need help at home? - We specialize in helping seniors live SAFELY at home, where they want to live! We also offer free dementia training and resources for families and caregivers. Benefits of Home - Senior Care, www. Benefitsofhome.com or call (913) 422-1591.

The breakfast will include eggs, sausage and gravy, pancakes and drinks. Join us for great fellowship. The cost is $6 for those over the age of 13 and free for ages 12 and under. Proceeds are used for charitable works, such as scholarships and other giving throughout the year.

ROSARY RALLY

Holy Spirit Parish

11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park May 12 from 3 - 4:15 p.m.

Please join us to honor Our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of the rosary followed by Benediction and the opportunity for attendees to enroll in the brown scapular. For driving instructions or future dates for the Kansas City monthly rosary rallies, visit the website at: www.rosaryrallieskc.org.

ST. ISIDORE FEAST DAY: MASS AND BLESSING OF SEEDS AND SOIL

Christ’s Peace House of Prayer 22131 Meagher Rd., Easton

May 15 at 10 a.m.

Join us for a day in honor of St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers, on his feast day. The day will begin with Mass, followed by a rosary procession to the St. Isidore Shrine. Bring seeds and soil in a small, decorated basket to be placed at the altar for blessing. The day will end with lunch and a time of fellowship. A freewill offering will be taken up to support the center. To attend, send an email to: info@christspeace.com or call (913) 773-8255 to let us know how many will be attending.

‘IN THE SCHOOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’ Christ’s Peace House of Prayer

22131 Meagher Rd., Easton

May 17 - 19

The Holy Spirit is essential to our Christian life and his help is needed for us to progress on the path on which God leads us. Join us as we use Jacques Philippe’s book, “In the School of the Holy Spirit” as a guide to help get to know the Sanctifier of our souls. Learn to be more attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in your life. When we follow his promptings, we become holy like Mary was, by always saying yes to God. There are conferences, spiritual direction, eucharistic adoration, Mass, confessions, and time for a private prayer, reflection and walking. Cabins/ courtyard rooms: $170 single/$250 couple or single guest rooms: $100 (meals included). To attend, fill out the individual retreat form at: ChristsPeace.com or call (913) 773-8255.

CNA - Can provide home care for those needing assistance. Available Monday - Friday, days or nights. Serving Shawnee, Lenexa and Overland Park. 20 years experience. Call Serena at (913) 526-0797.

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.

Home-care - Available Monday - Friday days or nights. Serving Shawnee Mission, Gladstone and Overland Park. Background check and references available. Call (913) 999-4340.

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimages - May 14-22, 2024; June 16-28, 2024 (Poland and Medjugorje); Aug. 9-17, 2024; and Dec. 27 - Jan. 4, 2025. Are you being called? Hosted by visionary Mirjana Soldo. Call Grace Legaspi for details at (913) 449-1806.

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: beth. blankenship@theleaven.org

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND BINGO

St. Patrick Parish (center)

1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas May 18 at 6 p.m.

Dinner will include spaghetti with a meatball and Italian sausage, bread-stick, salad, dressing, and tea or lemonade. The cost is $12 for adults and $7 for kids. Bingo will be $12 for 10 games. The average prize is $75 per game and average blackout (last game of the night) is $250. For more information, call Fritz at (913) 515-0621.

DAUGHTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

DE SALES ASSOCIATION

Church of the Nativity

3800 W. 119th St., Leawood May 18 from 9 - 11 a.m.

The Daughters of St. Francis de Sales have been inviting women to practice virtues and holiness in everyday life for over 150 years. Come reflect with us as we share meditations on the Acts of the Apostles in the tradition of Salesian spirituality after Mass. All materials are provided, and coffee and light refreshments will be served. To attend, contact Ruth Owens by email at: rowens4853@gmail.com or Barbara McClung by email at: willabird1960@ gmail.com or call (816) 535-4531. For additional information, visit the website at: www.sfdsassociation.org.

CHRIST THE KING FAMILY REUNION Christ the King Parish and School

3027 N. 54th St., Kansas City, Kansas May 25 at 4 p.m.

Join us as we give glory to God for the decades of faithful service to the body of Christ in the work of education and formation. As our school concludes its final year, alumni, families, teachers past and present, and all other friends of Christ the King School are welcome to join us for Mass followed by our final sloppy Joes feast — picnic style. Bring your own drinks and a side to share. Please purchase dinner tickets in advance: $5 per person or $15 per family. Register online at: ctkkcks.org or call (913) 287-8823.

WILLS AND TRUSTS: CREATING YOUR LEGACY Church of the Ascension (St. Mark Room) 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park June 5 at 5:30 p.m.

What is the difference between a will and a trust? How can I avoid probate, and what exactly is probate? How can I leave money or

assets to my church, school, archdiocese or a favorite charitable organization? The presenter will be Casey Connealy. There will be a light snack/social gathering from 5:30 - 6 p.m. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

SUMMER THEATER AND CHOIR CAMPS

Bishop Ward High School

708 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas

June 10 - 14 (theater grades 3-5)

June 17 - 21 (theater grades 6-8)

June 24 - 28 (choir grades 6-8) From 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Come join Bishop Ward’s summer theater and choir camps. For our theater camps, students going into grades 3 - 5 can join us June 10 - 14 and students going into grades 6 - 8 can join us June 17 - 21. Students will play theater games and learn a one-act play. For our choir camp, grades 6 - 8 can also join us June 24 - 28 from 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost is $150 and includes a T-shirt, breakfast and lunch daily, and a free ticket to Bishop Ward’s fall musical. To register and for more information, go online to: www. wardhigh.org/page/youth-summer-camps.

BISHOP MIEGE 50TH REUNION

Class of ’74

Looking for the class of 1974 Bishop Miege alumni. If you know someone who graduated from Miege in 1974, give them this information. Plans are underway for the reunion. We are looking for contact information (bios, photos and reunion registration fees) for some of our classmates. For up-to-date information, go online to: www.facebook.com/BMHS1974Reunion. Organizers’ emails are as follows: Janet Hostly Schlake at: jschlake55@gmail.com (reunion organizer); Maureen Reintjes at: deskside2@yahoo.com (send contact information to Maureen); and Steve Faltermeier at: steve.faltermeier@gmail.com (golf tournament).

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SUMMER CAMPS

St. Thomas Aquinas High School 11411 Pflumm Rd., Overland Park May - August

Our summer camps give students entering grades K - 8 the chance to discover their potential in both sports and other activities: STEM camp, art, baking, cheer and more! Camps fill up fast, so register today online at: www.stasaints.net/athletics/summer-camps. For questions call the student life office at (913) 319-2416 or send an email to: btriggs@ stasaints.net.

DAILY

READINGS

SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER

May 5

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Ps 98: 1-4

1 Jn 4: 7-10

Jn 15: 9-17

May 6

Monday

Acts 16: 11-15

Ps 149: 1b-6a, 9b

Jn 15:26 – 16:4a

May 7

Tuesday

Acts 16: 22-34

Ps 138: 1-3, 7c-8

Jn 16: 5-11

May 8

Wednesday

Acts 17:15, 22 – 18:1

Ps 148: 1-2, 11-14

Jn 16: 12-15

May 9

Thursday

Acts 18: 1-8

Ps 98: 1-4

Jn 16: 16-20

May 10

Friday

John of Ávila, priest, doctor of the church; Damien de Veuster, priest

Acts 18: 9-18

Ps 47: 2-7

Jn 16: 20-23a

May 11

Saturday

Acts 18: 23-28

Ps 47: 2-3, 8-10

Jn 16: 23b-28

TIt can be a blessing to be starry-eyed

he sciences and I didn’t get along well in high school. In biology class, I was a wimp when it came to dissecting a frog, and taking care of the live rats in the classroom gave me the heebie-jeebies. I fared no better in chemistry class as very few of my experiments ever worked. That was due to my tendency to not measure things exactly and my failure to master the intricacies of using a slide rule. (Do they even make those anymore?)

This presented a real problem when I went to college and knew that I had to take one science to graduate. Little did I suspect that the one I chose would not only fascinate me then, but continue to do so even to this day.

Our front page story this week about students from Corpus Christi School in Lawrence and their study of clouds rekindled some collegiate memories. Although I didn’t study meteorology, I did take astronomy as my sci-

BENEDICT THE MOOR

1526-1589

Born near Messina, on the Italian island of Sicily, Benedict was the son of African slaves who, as their eldest son, was given his freedom. Growing up, he was nicknamed “il moro sante” (“the holy Moor”) for his piety and good works. He became a hermit and then the community’s superior; but, after the pope ordered them to disband in 1562, Benedict became a Franciscan lay brother. He served as cook, but drew many visitors and supplicants with his reputation for holiness and miracles. Despite his illiteracy, Benedict was chosen as superior and also as novice master, before being allowed to return to his kitchen refuge. He is a patron saint of Palermo, Sicily, and of Blacks in the United States.

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

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

ence requirement.

That course opened a new vocabulary for me: black holes, pulsars, quasars, light-years, galaxy clusters, red giants and yellow dwarf stars (like the sun). I learned to gaze into the night sky and chart different constellations like Orion, Cassiopeia and Ursa Major (the Big Dipper). My mind was blown hearing that the Milky Way is composed of approximately 100 billion stars and that there are

IMARK MY WORDS

millions and millions of other galaxies as well. When I lived in Kenya for a summer as a deacon, I was privileged each night to stare in awe at a magnificent night sky, free from any interference from city lights. Being south of the equator, I marveled at the Southern Cross constellation and Alpha Centauri, the third brightest star in the sky. I bring this up because I think that many of us can relate to this story:

There was a man whose one consuming passion was to go to heaven. Finally, he died and did go there. An angel took him by the hand and showed him the beautiful sights —

majestic mountains, lovely flowers, gorgeous sunsets, luminous night skies, little children playing in the streets.

The man exclaimed, “Wow, isn’t heaven beautiful?”

But the angel said, “This isn’t heaven. This is the world in which you lived but never saw.” (Story adapted from “Heaven,” found in Paul J. Wharton’s “Stories and Parables for Preachers and Teachers.”)

Every night, we have a miracle right over our heads. Don’t let this beauty go unnoticed.

We’ll be celebrating National Astronomy Day on May 18 this year. It began small with California astronomer Doug Berger in 1973. He set up telescopes on busy street corners, parks and malls to bring this science “to the people.” It has since spread globally.

There are several ways to celebrate this “holiday”:

• Gaze into the night sky using a telescope or high-powered binoculars.

• Visit an observatory such as Powell Observatory in Louisburg (www.askc.org).

• Attend an event at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri (planetarium. unionstation.org).

• Use an app — like SkyView®Lite, Star Tracker or Sky Safari — to help spot constellations, planets and stars.

Admiring this complex and spectacular created world should lead to a deeper faith in the loving Creator behind it all. May we pray with the psalmist:

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor” (Ps 8:4-5).

Lord, as we marvel at this universe you’ve created, we award you a gold star!

As disciples of Jesus, we’re called to reflect his divine love

n a digital culture dominated by social media and technological means of communication, the idea of friendship can often be reduced to superficial exchanges.

Friendship is measured by numbers of followers and instant “likes” on social media posts. Sunday’s Gospel offers a deeper notion of friendship in the invitation to love one another as God loves us.

So how do we know of God’s love?

God creates each one of us in love for love. This is a great mystery of Christian faith and the good news the church never

of the other, a definition of love offered by St. Thomas Aquinas.

The eternal community of the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the original circle of divine friendship that overflows into the world. God’s desire for friendship with all of creation is fulfilled perfectly in the sending of his own beloved son Jesus who, by his suffering, death and resurrection, reconciles humanity to God.

ceases to proclaim to the world. On the path of friendship with God in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn to will the good

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to reflect the same divine love in which we were created. So, Jesus says, “This is my commandment: Love one another as I love you. No one has

greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Jesus goes on to say, “I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends.” This promise of Jesus of his friendship with each one of us is deeply personal and reassuring.

To be a friend of Jesus is to recognize the primacy of divine grace in our lives. For examples we look to those friends of God, the saints of the church who radiate into the world the fruit of their friendship with God, deepened over a lifetime of prayer, nurtured by the church’s

sacraments, and formed by virtues of faith, hope and charity. In the sacraments, Jesus’ invitation to friendship continues into the present day. The sacraments initiate, restore, heal and lead to true happiness as “God shows forth his almighty power by converting us from our sins and restoring us to his friendship by grace” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 277). May this Easter season be a time to rediscover in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit the true meaning of friendship with God as missionary disciples of Jesus to whom we pray, “Speak to me, Lord.”

Faith, hope and love are antidote to pride, pope says at audience

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance are the marks of a righteous individual, the virtues of faith, hope and love emphasize a connection to other people fueled by belief in God and reliance on prayer, Pope Francis said.

“The Christian is never alone. He or she does good not because of a titanic effort of personal commitment, but because, as a humble disciple, he or

she walks behind the master Jesus,” the pope said April 24 at his weekly general audience.

Pope Francis continued his audience talks about virtue, distinguishing between the “cardinal” — meaning “hinge” — virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, which are essential for living a righteous life, and the “theological” or New Testament virtues of faith, hope and charity.

The cardinal virtues were espoused and promoted by ancient philosophers well before the development of Christianity, the pope said.

“Honesty was preached as a civic duty, wisdom as the rule for actions, courage as the fundamental ingredient for a life that tends toward the good, and moderation as the necessary measure not to be overwhelmed by excesses.” Christianity, he said, did not replace that ethical heritage, but “enhanced, purified and integrated” it with the teachings of Jesus about faith, hope and love.

JEM SULLIVAN

Sullivan is a professor at The Catholic University of America.

IVF leaves hundreds of thousands of embryos abandoned

By John Rziha Special to The Leaven

Last week, Part 1 of this series explained how in vitro fertilization (IVF) causes the baby in the embryonic stage to be treated as a product and not a person created in the image of God. As a consequence, these tiny persons are treated like property, manipulated and even destroyed to fulfill another’s desires and discarded if they no longer serve their function.

Hence, millions of embryos are killed each year, and thousands more are frozen. Hundreds of thousands of these frozen embryos are further abandoned with very little chance of living a happy life.

For a variety of reasons, very few people have understood the carnage that accompanies the IVF process. Hence, there are many devout Christians who have participated in IVF, not knowing it was wrong.

I want to affirm that those who have participated in IVF in the past without knowing it was wrong are often people that love human life and God a great deal.

Furthermore, those who were conceived through the IVF process are also truly loved by God and their parents. Their parents went through a lot of pain, expense and trouble to bring them into the world, and the immorality of the process does not remove and diminish their goodness as children of God.

However, what if IVF is done so that embryos are not killed and abandoned? Would it still be wrong?

In other words, what if the

sperm was directly injected into the egg, only one or two embryos were created at a time, and then they were directly implanted into the fallopian tube? Furthermore, the mother would agree not to have a selective abortion if she was pregnant with twins. Would IVF still be wrong if extra embryos were not created, discarded, frozen or aborted? The answer is that it would still be wrong.

God created an ordered world where everything has a purpose, and because God is loving, when we perform actions that fulfill our purpose, we are fulfilled and truly happy.

Hence, to determine the morality of IVF, we must ask the question: “What is the purpose of the sexual act?” The wisdom of the church teaches

that the purposes of the sexual act are procreation (having and raising virtuous children) and unity (communion of the spouses from a complete gift of self). The sexual act must always be ordered to both of these purposes, which work together for the benefit of the couple and possible children.

Hence, the Ethical and Religious Directives state that reproductive technology can assist the sexual act but “not substitute for the marital act itself.” If reproductive technology replaces the sexual act, the procreative purpose of the sexual act is separated from the unitive purpose.

Based on this principle — that the marital act can be assisted but not replaced — we can judge that many uses of reproductive technology are allowed, but many are not.

Actions like the use of fertility drugs and use of Napro technology that assist the marital act are allowed. Actions like surrogacy, heterologous artificial insemination and IVF are not allowed because they replace the sexual act with a technical procedure that violates the dignity of the sexual act and treats the embryo as a product.

It is not wrong to use technology to help attain pregnancy; what is wrong is the use of technology in a way that violates the purpose of the sexual act and thus disrespects the dignity of couples and children.

The Catholic Church recognizes the extreme suffering of infertile couples and encourages them to use technology to obtain pregnancy. However, technology can only be used to

the extent that it corresponds with God’s purpose imprinted on human nature. As in all cases of using technology, the first question is not “What is technologically possible?” or “What means can accomplish my deepest desires?” but, rather, “What does it mean to be a human person created by God, and how can we use technology to fulfill our purpose of loving God and others more effectively?”

Replacing the marital act with a technological procedure does not correspond with our purpose. The next article in this series will talk about how to accompany infertile couples.

John Rziha, Ph.D., is a professor of moral theology at Benedictine College in Atchison.

A medical worker puts a test tube with a frozen embryo into cryostorage. Thousands of embryos are frozen each year.

Kids’ Kids’

CHRONICLE CHRONICLE

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus tells of the Spirit’s coming

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic Courier

fter he resurrected, Jesus appeared to his apostles and other followers during a period of 40 days.

He spoke to Mary of Magdala at his empty tomb. He twice appeared in a locked room in Jerusalem where the apostles were staying. He walked with two followers who were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus. And he waited on the shore of a lake while several of his friends were out fishing in their boat.

Bible accent A A

Whenever Jesus appeared to his friends, he talked to them about the kingdom of God.

He also told the apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

At the end of the 40 days, Jesus and the apostles gathered at the mount called Olivet. It was there that his friends asked him a question.

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” they wanted to know.

“It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority,” Jesus replied. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

As Jesus finished speaking to his friends, he was lifted up upon a cloud that took him from their sight.

They strained their eyes and craned their necks to get a better look at the sky where they last saw Jesus. As they did so, two men dressed in white suddenly appeared next to them.

“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” the men asked. “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

The apostles began walking back to Jerusalem. They returned to the upper room where they had been staying, and they prayed there with some of the other followers of Jesus.

Q&A

1. Why did Jesus want his friends to remain in Jerusalem?

2. How was Jesus taken up to heaven?

fter Jesus returned to heaven — which is called the Ascension — his followers decided they needed to choose a replacement for Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus.

Beginning in Acts 1:15, we read that about 120 of Jesus’ followers, including the apostles, were gathered together.

Peter stood up to speak. He reminded everyone how Judas had betrayed Jesus for money, and that Judas had died after using that money to purchase a piece of property.

Since it was written in the Book of Psalms, “May another take his office,” Peter said that Judas needed to be replaced.

“Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection,” Peter said.

Two men were suggested — Matthias and Joseph, called Barsabbas, who also was known as Justus.

After those gathered had prayed for guidance to make the right choice, the two men were given lots. The lot fell on Matthias, who was chosen as Judas’ replacement and was counted as an apostle with the other eleven.

St. Eugene de Mazenod was born in France in 1782. He and his family fled to Italy during the French Revolution. Eugene returned 11 years later and decided to become a priest when he saw the disastrous state of the French church.

After ordination, he ministered to needy people in Aix-en-Provence. In 1816, he founded and was superior general of an order that eventually became known as the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate.

In 1837, he became bishop of Marseilles, where he was a reformer and built new churches for those immigrating to France. Eugene died in 1861, and we honor him on May 21. St. Eugene de

Mazenod