03 13 26 Vol. 47 No. 27

A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

Wyandotte County food pantry remodels, seeks volunteers

By Amy Reinhardt Special to The Leaven

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Food prices continue to climb.

In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index for food-athome skyrocketed 29.4% between 2020 and 2025.

This equates to a family of four spending more than $1,000 a month on groceries — an amount some families just don’t have.

Fortunately, one outreach of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is its seven brick-and-mortar food pantries throughout the archdiocese.

And they are seeing the increased need, said Amelia Reyes, chief program officer.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS

The Wyandotte County food pantry served 10,000 individuals in 2025, which was a 7% increase from the previous year.

Food pantry

• Front desk

M, T, W 8:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

Th 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

• Stocking and assistance

T, W, Th 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

M, W 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Clothing closet

M, W 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

M, W 1 - 4 p.m.

“With the cost of food rising, more people are visiting our food pantry and needing to use it as a supplemental way to make sure they have enough food to put on the table,” Reyes said.

The threestory building at 600 Minnesota Ave. was secured during the height of the pandemic. The space wasn’t the most conducive, said Reyes, but they made it work because its location helped them serve the community that needed them.

“We decided if we were going to remain here and be committed, we really needed to make this space more inviting and dignified for all our customers coming in to shop,” said Reyes.

The remodel added a large waiting area with plenty of seating and a large monitor to advertise Catholic Charities programs.

Kathleen Currie, volunteer engagement manager, praised the remodel. She described the revamped food pantry as open, bright, airy and accurately resembling a grocery store.

Catholic Charities uses a client-choice model for its food pantries. Reyes explained that a major benefit of that model is that it helps cut down on waste.

“We want them to feel like they’re having a grocery store experience and not visiting a pantry where they’re being handed whatever is available,” she said. “This way, they can shop for what they really need and want for themselves and their family.”

The Wyandotte County food pantry is open Monday through Thursday. Approximately 75 families visit the pantry on each of these days.

While staff members like Reyes and Currie are critical, it is volunteers who fuel the work of Catholic Charities.

Core volunteers fulfill a regular shift. Eighteen individuals contribute 200 volunteer hours per month at the Minnesota Ave. location.

“We see our volunteers as part of our workforce.

ARCHBISHOP MCKNIGHT

March 17

Confirmation Mass, St. Benedict Parish/Maur Hill-Mount Academy — St. Benedict Church, Atchison

March 18

Mass, synodal lunch, International Day Exhibits and tour — Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison

March 20

Tour of Jewish Community Center, Overland Park

March 21

Order of Malta anointing Mass and reception — St. Michael the Archangel Church, Leawood

Symposium on Transforming Culture vigil Mass, blessing and dinner — Benedictine College, Atchison

March 23

Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) executive committee meeting — conference call

March 24

Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) Scholarship parents Mass and dinner — Savior Pastoral Center, Kansas City, Kansas

March 25

Mass and lunch — St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Overland Park

CEF board meeting and tour of Resurrection School — Cathedral of St. Peter, Kansas City, Kansas

March 26

Mass and lunch — St. James Academy High School, Lenexa

Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) Deo Gratias Mass and dinner — Holy Trinity, Lenexa

ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS NAUMANN

March 21

Mass — Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca

March 24

Eucharistic adoration with Bishop Ward students — cathedral Mass and blessing for expectant parents — Holy Spirit, Overland Park

JUSTICE FOR ALL

Presentation brings Christians together on how to rethink

By John Sorce john.sorce@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — “To love God means you must love whomever God loves,” said Archbishop Shawn McKnight at the Rethinking Justice presentation at Savior Pastoral Center here the morning of Feb. 14.

“That is why the second commandment is like the first — to love your neighbor as yourself,” said the archbishop. “Because God loves everyone.”

The commandments are well-known to all Christians, particularly those first two.

Yet for some reason, we live in a world where poverty, doubt and injustice run rampant.

“Do we live in a world that God intended?” asked Ben MacConnell, Great Plains coordinator with the Direct Action & Research Training (DART) Center.

To be able to answer that question, he said we need to first take a step back and see what exactly the world as God intended it looks like.

We can find that answer, he continued, in Scripture.

What God intended

Much of what God intended for a just society can be traced back to the Book of Deuteronomy.

“When God chose the Jewish people and formed them into a nation, he wanted them to understand through Moses and the commandments what God’s vision for a just society would look like,” said Father Frank Coady of St. Thomas More Church in Manhattan and Central Kansas Justice Ministry.

“Israel was kind of God’s experiment in being one nation that could live justly,” he said.

God’s system of justice contains three basic systems: value shaping, economic and political.

All three are intended to work together to create a just society.

The value shaping system is the way that people learn the beliefs and values that society is built on.

Values are still taught today as they have been for centuries — through churches, synagogues and mosques. But there are also other ways now, such as through advertising, the internet and social media.

“Some are good, and some are not so good,” Father Coady said.

The political system was put in place to assure justice and serve people, while the economic system was intended to assure a fair distribution of God’s bounty.

That’s God’s bounty, not man’s.

“One of the temptations in human nature is to think we did this ourselves,” Father Coady said. “But the Bible is constantly reminding us that everything is

justice

a gift and belongs to God. Even we ourselves belong to God.

“This is not our wealth, but God’s. We are simply stewards of it.”

In God’s intentions for the world, poverty would never happen. All debts would be remitted every seven years, and immense wealth would never be able to be amassed (Dt 15:1-5).

“The economic system is designed by God to assure a fair distribution of God’s bounty,” Father Coady said. “The value shaping system is to bring us closer to God. The political system assures justice and serves people. And the prophets hold all these systems accountable to

God’s intentions.

“This is God’s vision for a just society and what he plans for the human race and the world.”

The presentation featured a triangle pointing upward, which symbolizes a system that is supposed to lead believers closer to God.

Instead, humanity has turned that triangle upside down.

What went wrong

Fast forward 700 years to after the Israelites entered the Promised Land and

ONE OF THE TEMPTATIONS IN HUMAN NATURE IS TO THINK WE DID THIS OURSELVES. . . . THIS IS NOT OUR WEALTH, BUT GOD’S. WE ARE SIMPLY STEWARDS OF IT.

FATHER FRANK COADY CENTRAL KANSAS JUSTICE MINISTRY

were being preached to by the prophet Ezekiel.

The Rev. Tony Carter of Churches United for Justice explained how the people during that time turned that triangle upside down.

“The political system became a system of oppression,” he said. “The poor and needy are preyed upon. The rich get richer at the expense of the poor. The value shaping system became a system of control. God judges the politicians if you will, the princes of the city, who are bent on shedding blood. They’re like wolves carrying their prey. They chase down their victims, take the ones who are weak and devour them.

“They destroy lives to get dishonest gain. We see it every day.”

Much of what went wrong during Ezekiel’s time is still wrong today, hence the presentation’s title: People

>> See “SPEAKER” on page 4

Records fall at 54th annual Scholarship Ball

By Steve Johnson Special to The Leaven

OVERLAND PARK — It was only fitting that records would fall and history would be made as Benedictine College honored a historic Raven couple at the 54th annual Scholarship Ball at the Overland Park Convention Center on Feb. 28. As the college feted Charlie (class of ’75) and Sheila Gartenmayer with the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict, the overall fundraising total came in at over $3 million, helping Benedictine College toward its “250 for 250” goal of establishing 250 new scholarships for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July 4.

Cade Bond and Anna Bartkoski (both class of 2026), the student Fund-A-Raven auctioneers, spearheaded the largest auction in history. And all told, the records included:

• A record-setting Fund-A-Raven drive that brought in over $1 million.

• Record-setting sponsorships totaling $444,000, shattering the previous all-time high by over $70,000.

• Record-setting total regular donations and sponsorships to the ball, which came to $2.175 million.

• Finally, the largest single scholarship donation in the ball’s history — a gift of $1 million to establish the Charlie and Sheila Gartenmayer Endowed Scholarship, pushing the night’s grand total to $3.2 million.

“We have announced a truly spectacular number!” said Benedictine College president Stephen D. Minnis. “I want to thank everyone in the room for making this night so special for Sheila and Charlie, and for Benedictine College and our students.”

Serving as cochairs for the 54th annual Scholarship Ball were Lené

Westerman (class of ’85) and Larry (class of ’72) and Janet Munro (class of ’81; graduate degree, ’02) Wilcox. Larry was the head Raven football coach, coaching for 42 years with Charlie.

The Gartenmayers were honored for their combined 90-plus years of dedicated service to education in Atchison and for their tireless dedication to Benedictine College.

Charlie has served for over 50 years in the athletics department at the college. Having played for the Raven football team, he joined the coaching staff in 1975 and coached for 48 years, rising to defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He also served as a teacher and administrator in Atchison public schools for 32 years. In 2007, he added the role of athletic director at Benedictine, a post he continues to hold today. He is the only person at any collegiate level to be named both Coach of the Year and Athletic Director of the Year.

An Atchison native, Sheila is a graduate of Mount St. Scholastica Academy, Atchison, and Emporia State University. She taught special education and served as a reading specialist in Atchison public schools for 40 years until her retirement in 2018. At that time, she began her next career as an adviser in the Student Success Center at Benedictine. She and Charlie are active members of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison, and parents of Kelly (class of ’06), Katie (class of ’09) and Bridget. They have two grandsons, Charlie and Jack.

“Charlie and I are very honored to accept the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict,” said Sheila. “Many years ago, my dad used to call Charlie quiet and bashful. Anyone who knows Charlie now, knows he is anything but quiet and bashful.”

Charlie added some personal thoughts as he addressed those in attendance.

“When we look around this room, we are reminded of something very simple,” he said. “No one arrives anywhere alone. Every one of us is the result of someone’s patience, someone’s sacrifice, someone’s belief and someone’s love.”

“We try to live the Gospel message daily. ‘Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another,’” he continued. “Don’t let a day go by without telling someone you love them.”

Speaker says organization is key to tackling larger issues

>> Continued from page 3

need to rethink how justice is being handled.

“We don’t treat each other humanely the way we should,” Carter said. “The value system has gotten out of whack. The political system has become a system of oppression. We use our authority to inflict harm and shed innocent blood.

“We got to get it fixed.”

According to the presentation, there are 18,000 people in Johnson County that are cost-burdened, needing to choose between basic things.

There are 4,000 kids and 24,000 adults in Douglas County who have experienced such traumatic childhood abuse that it is life-altering.

There are 2,000 homeless people in Wyandotte County.

“Read the book,” MacConnell said. “I’m talking about the Bible.

“This is not what God intended.”

What to do about it

MacConnell drew a diagram on the whiteboard with three circles to showcase the areas within which we all operate on a daily basis: personal, voluntary, necessity.

The inner circle represented our

personal lives, consisting of family and close friends.

The middle circle signified our voluntary activities, or things we choose to be a part of. This can be things like our church, neighborhood associations or service organizations.

We tend to have the capacity to handle these two circles, because we have a choice to leave if we don’t want

to be there.

The outer circle, however, we don’t have a choice. These are our necessities. Showing up to work every day, obeying the law and paying our bills are things we have to do.

Jesus wants us to show the same love in all three areas.

“I feel like a speck of sand on a beach — powerless,” MacConnell said. “But

the fact of the matter is your faith, God, is not so small that the only interest is your salvation and not the salvation of the world. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is supposed to be in all these arenas. That’s how powerful God is.

“The question is: How do you get the capacity to have your values injected out here in this outer arena?”

The answer usually lies in coming together to tackle the larger issues.

“We don’t have the capacity to act as individuals,” MacConnell said. “So, what we’ve got to do is organize. We need to pull congregations together, understand our common ground and marshal large numbers of people of faith in order to challenge any system that’s harming our neighbor or ourselves.”

Archbishop McKnight wants all Christians to keep the focus on the heart and the dignity of every human. That is the church’s top priority.

“In this effort of social justice, there’s a certain church way and political way of doing that,” the archbishop said. “This is not to minimize the political, which is necessary. But there’s an element that has not so much to do with what’s going on at the state Capitol or in Washington, D.C.

“It’s what’s going on in every heart, mind, home and local church. That’s what is really first and foremost for us.”

Local men drawn to Jesuits’ community life

By Jeanne Gorman Special to The Leaven

Three young men of diverse backgrounds, all with roots in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, followed Jesus’ call to “Come, follow me,” when they chose to join the Society of Jesus — the Jesuits. Each was uniquely touched by the archdiocese on his journey of vocational discernment.

Father Drew Kirschman, SJ, director of novices for the Jesuit Novitiate of the Central and Southern Province, said the connection between the archdiocese and the Jesuits runs deep. “KCK has had a long-standing relationship in the formation (and vocation promotion) of Jesuits in the province,” he said.

Val Lobatos

Valentin (Val) Lobatos grew up on 17th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, in the long shadow of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, which helped form his faith over the years. While attending Resurrection Catholic School at the Cathedral, Jesuit novices visiting from New Orleans regularly came into his classrooms for eight years. Through them, Lobatos became familiar with Ignatian spirituality and was drawn to communal life.

Lobatos did not fully appreciate his Catholic faith until attending Camp Tekakwitha in Williamsburg in middle school. During a moment of eucharistic adoration, he experienced what he calls a defining moment that “sparked a real relationship with Christ.” After that experience, he began attending daily Mass and grew close to then-rector of the cathedral, Father Harry Schneider.

While attending Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Lobatos became “super involved” in ReachKCK, a Catholic outreach ministry within the archdiocese that invites high school youth to develop their talents and faith. During that time, he felt a call to service, though he was unsure what form it would take.

He had long served Mass at the cathedral, where he looked up to Fathers Schneider and Anthony Saiki, and also began serving at the Community of the Lamb, where the Brothers’ way of life sparked an interest in becoming a religious Brother. After graduating from Miege, Lobatos worked at the cathedral for three years, coordinating religious education, starting a middle school youth ministry and serving as parish life coordinator, among other responsibilities.

Though priests he admired encouraged him to consider diocesan priesthood, Lobatos did not feel called in that direction. While working at the cathedral, he also lived and served for a year at the Catholic Worker House in northeast Kansas City, Missouri, cooking meals, praying and accompanying people living on the margins. That experience further shaped his vocation.

Lobatos eventually discerned a call to religious life as a Jesuit Brother.

“I see my vocation as a Brother, rather than a priest, as a humble way to serve Christ and his church,” he said. “I get to accompany other sheep following the priest.”

Now in his second year as a Jesuit novice, Lobatos is serving at Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries in Brownsville, Texas, ministering to migrants who are

stranded and in need of both material and spiritual support. God willing, he will take his first vows later this year and become a Brother of the Society of Jesus.

Taylr Bahr

Taylr Bahr grew up in Burlington where he attended public schools and was formed in his Catholic faith at St. Francis Xavier Parish through the parish’s religious education program, under the direction of Angela Myers. The first person to mention the possibility of priesthood to him, however, was his grandmother when he was 8 years old, though he did not give it much thought at the time.

Serious discernment began during high school, when it was Myers again who encouraged Bahr to attend a Steubenville youth conference. Sessions on religious life there gave him new perspective. After graduating, Bahr enrolled at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, a Jesuit institution. While at Creighton, Bahr encountered Jesuits through preaching, retreats and coursework on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He found that his prayer life aligned naturally with Ignatian spirituality and he was especially drawn to communal living.

After graduation, Bahr joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and spent a year in Scranton, Pennsylvania, working in community health and aging ministries.

“My work as a Jesuit Volunteer in Scranton, Pennsylvania, gave me time to — and helped me — discern my vocation,” Bahr said. “I had time to pray and contemplate the Jesuit spirit.”

During that year, he applied to the Society of Jesus and was accepted.

“I chose to become a Jesuit rather than a diocesan priest because I felt that was where God was calling me,” he said.

During his novitiate, Bahr taught in a K–8 school, participated in a silent retreat, served in Peru with the poor and worked in liturgical ministries. He also completed a 30-day pilgrimage late in his novitiate, an experience that further affirmed his vocation.

Tom Laughlin

Tom Laughlin spent his early years in Overland Park attending Holy Spirit School before his family moved to St. Louis, where he attended St. Louis University High School. Although he had always expected to marry, his vocational path changed following a serious illness after graduating from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

While receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Laughlin spent long periods confined to bed, listening to Word on Fire podcasts, reading about the saints and praying. The experience marked a deep conversion.

“I was a patient at the Mayo Clinic in 2018 . . . and then returned to Rochester in 2024 on my pilgrimage,” Laughlin said. “Because Word on Fire and the Mayo are both there, it is a spiritually charged place for me.”

After recovering, Laughlin returned to Johnson County and became increasingly active in parish life, attending daily Mass, spending time in eucharistic adoration and receiving spiritual direction. He became friends with Father Bill Bruning, pastor at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park, and the latter eventually invited Laughlin on an archdiocesan “Quo Vadis” retreat for men discerning the priesthood. Father Harry Schneider, who had been pastor at Holy Spirit when Laughlin was growing up there, participated in the retreat, as did Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann.

Laughlin found it to be a wonderful retreat — but did not believe he was called to be a parish priest. His desire for community life and ministry on the margins eventually led him to the Jesuits.

As a novice, Laughlin served with ex-prisoners, the homeless and migrants at the border, and made the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, which helped him form a close friendship with Christ. He is now a first-year scholastic at Saint Louis University, along with Taylr Bahr.

Formation and mission

Jesuit formation includes a two-year novitiate followed by years of philosophical study, ministry and theology before ordination, although the formation for the Brothers is shorter. All three men continue discerning their call within the Society of Jesus, guided by the Jesuit motto “Ad majorem Dei

— “For the greater glory of God.”

Feel like you’re failing this Lent? You’re in good company

At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the holy Communion line was down to its last person. Suddenly, a young woman hurried down the aisle just as the priest was turning back to the altar.

Obviously, a latecomer. And then, she briefly spoke to the priest. I couldn’t hear her words, but it was clear she was asking to receive ashes after Mass, having not arrived when they were distributed.

Ashes are very important to many Catholics. They’re a great witness, both for us and for those that see them on us.

Ashes are sacramentals, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church says are “sacred signs instituted by the Church” to prepare us to receive the fruit of the sacraments. They serve as reminders of our faith. I love sacramentals — candles, rosaries and what my husband laughingly says is my tendency to bring holy water home from every shrine we visit. Thank you, Our Lady of Knock.

But I’ve never understood why often more Catholics show up for ashes than attend the deeply moving and important liturgies of Holy Thursday and Good

Friday. Sacramentals are not the sacraments.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and if we have the choice between receiving the Eucharist or receiving ashes — well, that’s no choice at all.

Sometimes, I wonder if, now that Lent is moving along, we feel a bit disappointed in our Lent. Maybe on Ash Wednesday we’re determined to “do” Lent well, and as the days progress, we lose heart in our efforts. Were our ashes the big impetus for action, and by Holy Week we think we didn’t live up to our expectations?

Hopefully, that’s not the case, but if it is, we should never get discouraged. As a kid, I thought God was a

stern taskmaster, and Lent was somehow a punishment for my sins. As I grew in faith and understanding, I saw the God that Jesus showed us — the God who is love (1 Jn 4:8), the God who is the prodigal’s father, always waiting with open arms, the God who doesn’t impose suffering, but suffers with us.

Lent is not punishment, it’s invitation: invitation to growth, to conversion, to Christ. The door remains open.

Discouraged with your Lent? Then begin again. And forget the trap I sometimes fall into — thinking of Lent as New Year’s resolutions on steroids, things I’ll “do,” sometimes with a nod toward my own goals — maybe losing a couple of pounds would be nice?

Sure, if giving up chocolate helps you remember Lent, then go for it. Pray, give alms, fast. But all those things should be with a focus on Christ.

I remember the

words of Pope Benedict XVI, “Christian faith is . . . above all a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an encounter with the Son of God that gives new energy to the whole of our existence.”

And when we are discouraged by our sinfulness? Julian of Norwich, the 14th century English mystic, said, “First the fall, and then the recovery from the fall, and both are the mercy of God.”

But how can a fall be the mercy of God?

As Franciscan Father

Richard Rohr explains it, it’s in falling down that we learn almost everything that matters spiritually. Our sin and failure offer us, if we let them, insight and potential for growth. So you’ve fallen? That’s the acknowledgement of Lent. We’re all sinners. But the biggest gift of Lent is God’s overwhelming and enduring love for us. So, welcome to the rest of Lent, which beckons with many graces.

‘We mobilize the laity . . . to be the hands

>> Continued from page 1

and feet of Jesus’

We mobilize the laity and provide them with the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need, as the Gospel instructs us,” said Camille Pickhinke, senior director of community engagement.

A volunteer shift lasts three hours. During a shift at the food pantry, a volunteer will either work the front desk to greet and sign in clients, or stock shelves and assist clients in their shopping experience.

Carol Hansen and Alfred Gutierrez are two Catholic Charities volunteers.

Hansen, a retired critical care nurse, began volunteering two years ago. She started in the food pantry, but when she saw a need in the clothing closet, she transitioned.

The clothing closet represents another facet of support for Wyandotte County residents.

Similar to the food pantry, the clothing closet is a client-choice experience. There is dignity in clean clothing as well as nutritious food, said Pickhinke.

Hansen remembers a few individuals she helped who were nervous about upcoming job interviews. She managed to help them find professional outfits that would give them the confidence they deserved.

The remodel benefited the clothing closet by getting all the items on racks.

The next step will be getting everything tagged with sizes.

Alfred Gutierrez became a volunteer three months ago. He felt a warm welcome from the staff and became passionate about the mission of Catholic Charities. He implores others to consider joining him and Hansen.

“I think when they get here, they’re going to see that not only are they helping, but that there’s a need,” he said. “Soon, they’re going to want to be here all the time.”

Currie’s primary job is seeking out volunteers in the community, including civic, parish and corporate groups.

“What I appreciate most about our volunteers is their willingness to share their story, be present in the moment with our clients and provide a dignified shopping experience,” she said.

If you’re interested in more information about the volunteer process, send an email to: ccnekvolunteers@catholic charitiesks.org or call (913) 433-2100 and ask to speak to a volunteer engagement team member.

“We really have a volunteer opportunity for everybody,” said Currie. “We encourage you to take a look at our website and figure out where your skills fit.”

The need is high right now in Wyandotte County. Becoming a volunteer is a unique opportunity to come and meet the need where it’s at, said Reyes.

Special guests at Mount St. Scholastica include WOMEN OF WORLD RENOWN

By Therese Horvat Special to The Leaven

ATCHISON — With hospitality a hallmark of their spirituality and lives, the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica here have welcomed countless guests across the years. March’s observance of Women’s History Month affords the opportunity to highlight six of those visitors who have had widespread and lasting impact for the good.

St. Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini

At the time of the 1946 canonization of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini as the first U.S. citizen named a saint, a news article recounted the Italian missionary’s visit to Mount St. Scholastica likely in 1902. In the article, Sister Barbara Schneider, OSB, recalled that she had served Mother Cabrini and her companion at table. Sister Barbara, who died in 1959, remembered the special guest as “reserved and kindly looking, with unforgettable eyes.”

Mother Cabrini was traveling by train from Chicago to Denver when she stopped in Atchison to seek funds from benefactors in support of her ministry. In the same article, another person commented on the “rare quality of Mother

Cabrini’s personality.”

Born in Italy in 1850, Mother Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880. She had hoped to serve in China. However, Pope Leo XIII urged her to serve Italian immigrants in the United States. Mother Cabrini arrived in New York in 1889. By her death in 1917, she had established 67 schools, orphanages and hospitals in the United States, Europe, and Central and South America. She is the patron of immigrants.

Dorothy Day

In early 1936, Dorothy Day spoke at Mount St. Scholastica College, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters later merged into Benedictine College. In her remarks, Day discussed the Catholic Worker movement and newspaper she had cofounded in New York with Peter Maurin. She also touched on Communism, labor and race issues.

A news account described Day as

“perhaps the most active exponent of present-day Catholic Action.” The article said efforts of the Catholic Worker movement aimed “to fulfill literally the doctrine of Christian brotherhood” by establishing hospitality houses for the poor and seeking to save destitute families from eviction. In her remarks, the “unassuming woman” talked rarely of herself but spoke staunchly against Communism.

Several years later, Sister Barbara McCracken, OSB, met Day over lunch at Shalom House, the Catholic Worker ministry in Kansas City, Kansas. Day impressed Sister Barbara as a strong person with deep commitment to the poor and homeless while working for and modeling nonviolent change.

Day died in 1980. In 2000, the cause of her sainthood was initiated and approved. She holds the title “servant of God.”

Catherine de Hueck Doherty

The founder of Friendship Houses serving the poor and the Madonna House Apostolate, Baroness Catherine de Hueck Doherty, visited the Atchison Benedictine community at least twice.

She and her husband Eddie Doherty, a journalist and author, addressed an assembly of Mount College students in 1948. A follow-up article reported: “That the Gospels can be lived in the modern world became the keynote for the baroness, aglow with the zeal of true Catholic Action.” (Russian-born de Hueck Doherty had married a baron at an early age.)

In 1975, de Hueck Doherty published “Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer.” The word “poustinia” means desert in Russian. Her book introduced readers to the Eastern Christian practice of retreating to encounter God.

In 1978, Mother Noreen Hurter,

OSB, invited de Hueck Doherty to a long-range planning session for the community. The prioress asked the speaker to reflect on religious life and the place of Benedictine traditions of community and prayer in view of new ministry needs in the church. An internal newsletter summarized that de Hueck Doherty shared her experience in helping those in need and fostering spiritual values.

The social justice advocate and spiritual leader died in 1985. Her cause for canonization was introduced in 2000. She holds the title “servant of God.”

Baroness Maria von Trapp

The hills of Atchison were alive when Baroness Maria von

spoke at the Mount College on Nov. 15, 1966.

She recapped her life and the development of the Trapp Family Singers as told in the 1959 musical and the 1965 film “The Sound of Music.” She said that her family’s story had been altered considerably for audience appeal. In her presentation, she also discussed her involvement with training native islanders in the South Pacific for lay missionary work.

Having been a candidate for the novitiate at a Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, von Trapp requested a visit with the women in the novitiate at the Mount. Sisters Rita Killackey, OSB, and Anne Shepard, OSB, were in that group. “She wanted to meet just with us,” Sister

Rita recalled. She remembers von Trapp as very lively.

Sister Anne, prioress of the Atchison monastery from 2005-17, said this personal visit to the novitiate by a guest was highly unusual due to the religious community’s restrictions at the time. She thought von Trapp wanted to compare notes with her own novitiate experience, which would have likely been more stringent.

St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata

While her layover in Atchison was intended for rest and not publicized in advance, Mother Teresa of Kolkata held audiences enthralled at two different presentations during her brief stay at the Mount monastery. Her simplicity, spirituality and mission to the poor deeply impressed those she met.

Sister Kathleen Egan, OSB, then college librarian and now deceased, was a friend of Mother Teresa and had coordinated her visit to Atchison.

Sister Kathleen’s sister, Eileen Egan, a prominent Catholic journalist and activist, had introduced Mother Teresa and Dorothy Day to one another.

Late in the evening of June 9, 1981, Mother Teresa addressed a large gathering of Sisters and Benedictine monks in Atchison. She called for deeper dedication to Jesus by serving the poor. She told of the life and spirituality of the Missionaries of Charity she had founded in 1948.

The next day, Mother Teresa spoke to 80 co-workers of the Missionaries of Charity, individuals who supported the mission of the religious community through prayer and good works. Sister Kathleen described Mother Teresa as a Beatitude Christian and someone who saw Christ in

She graduated in 1964 with a degree in biology and established the Green Belt Movement in 1977 in her native Kenya to address deforestation and soil erosion. That movement to plant trees spread around the world. Maathai’s contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace led to her Nobel Peace Prize recognition in 2004.

Sister Thomasita Homan, OSB, a longtime friend, was among those who nominated her. She and Sister Mary Collins, OSB, prioress at the time and now deceased, traveled to Oslo for the Nobel ceremony.

Upon hearing the radio announcement about the honor, Sister Rita Killackey, OSB, contacted Kansas City news outlets and shared Maathai’s connection with the Benedictine Sisters in Atchison. Sister Judith Sutera, OSB, communications director, was soon fielding calls from local and national media. She recalls, “All in a day’s work — just a day that doesn’t happen very often in one’s life.”

Three years later, Maathai returned to Atchison. At a Mass in her honor in the Mount chapel, the Sisters presented her with an icon of St. Scholastica. A large crowd attended the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s presentation and recognition on the campus of Benedictine College.

Maathai told guests that her experience and education at the Mount gave her the confidence and inspiration to make a difference in the world. Maathai died in 2011.

everyone. At the conclusion of her remarks, the future saint greeted each co-worker individually.

Almost 71 years old at the time of her visit to Atchison, Mother Teresa had already worked for years with the poor in Calcutta and expanded her outreach worldwide. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, died in 1997 and was canonized in 2016.

Wangari Maathai

It was a grand homecoming in January 2007, when Mount St. Scholastica College alumna and Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai returned to Atchison.

Fellin Lecture Series

In addition to these special guests, a donation from a family associated with the Benedictine Sisters endowed an annual lecture series featuring distinguished women speakers. The Mary L. Fellin Lecture Series is open to Benedictine College students and the broader community.

Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, advocate against the death penalty, was the first speaker in 1997. Since its inception, the series has welcomed other justice advocates, environmentalists, scientists, and national and international scholars, including Atchison Benedictine Sisters.

Archbishop Caccia named U.S. ambassador

By Courtney Mares OSV News

R

OME (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV has named Archbishop Gabriele Caccia as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, selecting a seasoned diplomat to serve as a crucial liaison between Rome and the pope’s home country.

The Vatican announced the appointment of the new apostolic nuncio March 7, naming Archbishop Caccia, 68, to succeed Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who turned 80 in January and had served in the post since 2016.

A nuncio is a Vatican diplomatic representative with the rank of ambassador. He acts as both the Holy See’s ambassador to the government and its representative to the Catholic Church in the host country, maintaining ties between local bishops and Rome.

Archbishop Caccia, a native of Milan, already has significant experience in the United States, having served as the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York since 2020.

As papal nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Caccia will play a key role in the selection process for U.S. bishop appointments and will serve as a point of contact between the bishops and clergy in the United States and the pope, in addition to carrying out the diplomatic tasks of a foreign ambassador serving in the United States.

Like his predecessor, Archbishop Caccia will serve as the pope’s key contact with President Donald Trump’s administration at a time when the administration’s immigration policies have been increasingly met by resistance by the U.S. bishops.

Archbishop Caccia in a March 7 statement said he was “honored and deeply humbled by the decision of the Holy Father to appoint me as apostolic nuncio to the country and the church where he himself was born and raised.”

“I receive this mission with both joy and a sense of trepidation, conscious of the great trust placed in me and of my own limitations, yet confident in His Holiness’s prayerful

Diocesan delegations bring migrants’ voices to Capitol Hill

By Marietha Góngora V. Catholic Review, OSV News

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Catholics from a number of U.S. dioceses participated in an immigration advocacy day March 5 on Capitol Hill, giving voice to migrants’ worries and relatives desperate to find someone who can reach their detained family member or provide spiritual support.

“They ask for help, and all I can say is, ‘I hear you. I hear you,’” said Deacon Seigfried Presberry as he described the phone calls he receives from families after a loved one is detained by immigration authorities.

support and guidance,” the archbishop said.

During his years of service at the United Nations in New York, Archbishop Caccia said, he has experienced “warmth and openness” from the local church, the government and the people of the United States. “I trust that their generosity and collaboration will assist me in carrying out this new mission at the service of communion and peace.”

Archbishop Caccia invoked “the blessings of Almighty God” on all, “especially in this year that marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States of America.”

The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, welcomed the appointment on behalf of his brother bishops.

“I wish to extend our warmest welcome and our prayerful support to him as he carries out his responsibilities across the United States, and we look forward to working with him,” the archbishop said in a statement.

Archbishop Coakley also expressed his “sincere and prayerful appreciation” to Cardinal Pierre, noting his “many opportunities to work with Cardinal Pierre over the

Gregg Amos

years, particularly over the last four months through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,” since the Oklahoma prelate’s election in November as USCCB president.

“Thank you, Your Eminence, for your tireless service to the church in the United States, and on behalf of my brother bishops, I offer our heartfelt prayers and best wishes in your retirement,” Archbishop Coakley said.

Archbishop Caccia is a career Vatican diplomat trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology and a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University. His previous diplomatic posts include serving as apostolic nuncio to the Philippines and Lebanon, and earlier as an attaché in Tanzania. He also worked as assessor for general affairs in the Secretariat of State under St. John Paul II in Rome.

Cardinal Pierre, who spent nearly five decades in Vatican diplomatic service, earned widespread respect among U.S. bishops for identifying episcopal candidates who embodied Pope Francis’ priorities while avoiding polarization. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2023 and is expected to divide his retirement between his native France and Rome.

Deacon Presberry, the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s coordinator of prison ministry, shared those conversations with an aide to U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrook, D-Md., during meetings on Capitol Hill March 5.

During the meetings, the delegates shared personal experiences from their ministries and urged lawmakers to pursue comprehensive immigration reform that would provide pathways to lawful status and citizenship for unauthorized immigrants while keeping families together.

“The bishops have a long history of advocating for our community,” Lia García, director of Hispanic ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, told her archdiocesan news outlet Catholic Review, “and what we are asking Congress and our representatives is a path to legalization for our community.”

Catholic delegations also came from the archdioceses of Philadelphia and Washington and the dioceses of Camden, New Jersey, and Providence, Rhode Island.

The delegations later gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Christopher R. Cooke of Philadelphia and concelebrated by Bishop Joseph A. Williams of Camden.

Karen and Lindsay “Skip” Keller, members of Immaculate Conception Parish, St. Marys, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on March 19. The couple was married on March 19, 1966, at Holy Cross Church, Emmett. Their children are: Cindy Glynn, Mark Keller and Crystal Hurla. They also have 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Christians ‘most persecuted religious community in the world,’ Vatican tells U.N.

By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News

GENEVA (OSV News) —

The Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations called on governments and international organizations to strengthen religious freedom protections for persecuted Christians.

Addressing participants at a March 3 event, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See’s U.N. permanent observer in Geneva, said that nearly 400 million Christians around the world “face persecution or violence, making them the most persecuted religious community in the world.”

“This means that one in seven Christians is affected. Even worse, almost 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2025, which equates to an average of 13 per day,” he said.

According to a March 5 press release by the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians (OIDAC), the meeting, titled “Standing with Persecuted Christians — Defending the Faith and Christian Values,” was the first time “that a state-sponsored side event at the Human Rights Council specifically addressed persecution and discrimination against Christians.”

“The event, held during the 61st session of the council, brought together diplomats, experts and civil society representatives to raise awareness about global Christian persecution and religious freedom challenges in Western countries,” the OIDAC said.

The Vatican diplomat was among several panelists who addressed the event, including Anja Tang, director of OIDAC; Nazila Ghanea, U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Marie-Thérèse Pictet-Althann, ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta; and Márk Aurél Érszegi, special adviser for religion and diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

Archbishop Balestrero’s address echoed similar warnings by Open Doors International, a global advocacy organization for persecuted Christians, in its “World Watch List 2026” published in January.

The report, which measures the severity of Christian persecution in some 50 countries, stated that an estimated 388 million Christians worldwide experienced “high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.”

Citing Pope Leo XIV’s address in January to diplomats accredited to the Holy See, Archbishop Balestrero said the worrying figures showed that “religious freedom is considered in many contexts more as a ‘privilege’ or concession rather than a fundamental human right.”

“For Christians, those who were killed for their faith are ‘martyrs’ in the etymological sense of the word: ‘witnesses’ to their creed who embody values that challenge the

logic of power,” he said. “While from the perspective of international law, they are victims of outrageous human rights violations.”

Governments, he continued, have a “fundamental responsibility” to protect religious freedom and that authorities must prevent violations and protect believers before, during and after attacks.

However, the Vatican diplomat lamented that among the most serious issues surrounding religious persecution is the lack of accountability for those who commit violence against or persecute Christians.

“Impunity remains one of the most serious issues in the global landscape of religious persecution,” he said. “A state should promote freedom of religion or belief, first and above all, because it is a fundamental human right.”

The archbishop also highlighted data from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which reported that in 2024, an estimated 764 anti-Christian hate crimes, including assaults, vandalism and arson attacks against churches, were recorded in Europe.

However, he also warned that

Pope urges peace, warns about wider Middle East conflict

By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News

VATICAN CITY (OSV News)

— Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the war in Iran and warned that the conflict could drag more countries in the Middle East into instability.

Speaking to pilgrims after praying the Angelus prayer March 8, the pope said that developing news from Iran and from across the Middle East has caused “deep dismay.”

“Amid episodes of violence and devastation, and the widespread climate of hatred and fear, there is also the concern that the conflict may widen and that other countries in the region, including Lebanon, may once again sink into instability,” he said.

According to The Associated Press, Israeli forces struck an oil storage facility in Tehran, as well as targeted assaults in southern Lebanon against commanders of the Lebanese branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Iran has continued striking U.S. allies in the Gulf, including Bahrain, where it fired missiles at a desalination plant. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended the attack, arguing that the “U.S. set this precedent” after it struck a desalination plant in Iran, AP reported.

The pope’s concern for Lebanon came as government officials confirmed that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants resulted in the deaths of 394 people, including 83 children.

Since the start of the war Feb. 28, at least 1,230 people in Iran, about a dozen in Israel and six U.S. service members have been killed, AP said.

persecution is not always violent or easily measured. Christians, he explained, can face “a kind of ‘polite persecution’” that includes a “gradual marginalization and exclusion from political, social and professional life, even in traditionally Christian lands.”

He also warned that Christians in Europe have faced persecution for praying near abortion facilities, citing the Bible on social issues or expressing religious beliefs in regard to sexual ethics.

Archbishop Balestrero also warned that, if passed, a proposed euthanasia bill currently being discussed in France would force Christian hospitals and care homes to either provide such services or face fines, prison sentences and lose public funding.

“This threat could become a reality in a number of countries seeking to legalize euthanasia,” he said.

“These are not superficial acts. They are serious violations of the rights of Christians, perpetrated by the very authorities who are charged with the duty of respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of all. This contradiction must end,” the archbishop said.

In his appeal, Pope Leo called on Catholics to pray so that “the roar of bombs may cease, that the weapons may fall silent and that a space for dialogue may open in which the voice of the peoples can be heard.”

“I entrust this supplication to Mary, Queen of Peace,” the pope said. “May she intercede for those who suffer because of war and guide hearts along the paths of reconciliation and hope.”

Less than a day after the start of the war, the pope called for diplomacy to “regain its proper role” and that “the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld.”

At his Angelus address March 1, several hours after the U.S. and Israel revealed that Iran’s supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed, the pope expressed his concern, highlighting that “stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering and death, but only through reasonable, sincere and responsible dialogue.”

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” the pope warned.

EMPLOYMENT

Please note: The Leaven is no longer able to accept ad submissions over the phone. Please submit ads by email to: olivia.martin@theleaven.org.

Middle school math teacher - Holy Spirit School in Overland Park is seeking a certified middle school math teacher for the 2026-27 school year. The ideal candidate will support our mission of academic excellence and Catholic formation while engaging students in a rigorous and supportive math program. Interested candidates should submit a resume to Dr. Maureen Huppe: mhuppe@hscatholic.org.

Part-time horse groom and groundskeeper - Looking for part-time horse groom and groundskeeper on a small family farm just south of Spring Hill. Responsibilities include all areas of the farm, including cleaning, mucking stalls, mowing, gardening, weed eating, horse care, moving hay, painting, digging, fencing, etc. It’s hot and dirty in the summer and cold and dirty in the winter. Prior experience preferred but not required. Must have a willingness to work hard, be honest, be reliable and coachable. Must be able to lift heavy loads like hay, grain, etc. No smoking or any tobacco or alcohol on the premises, no exceptions. You must have your own transportation to and from work. Starting pay is $25 an hour, flexible hours and anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week. Text or call (913) 710-4428.

Mission outreach coordinator - Catholic Community Health is hiring a part-time, hourly, mostly remote mission outreach coordinator. This role builds and strengthens relationships with parishes and Catholic organizations to expand awareness of Catholic Community Health’s hospice, home care and services at Villa St. Francis. The position secures and coordinates outreach opportunities, delivers mission-centered presentations and cultivates referral partnerships. It tracks outreach activity and referral growth and provides reporting to inform strategy. The role collaborates closely with the director of mission outreach and development to support mission growth and community engagement. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with pastors, parish staff and Catholic ministry leaders; have a history of parish, ministry or diocesan communications; have proficiency with CRMs; experience with database management; and strong organization skills. Interested candidates should email: mnolan@ catholiccommunityhealth.org for more information or to apply.

Accountant III - The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has an immediate opening for an accountant III in the shared business services department within the chancery. The accountant III supports parish and other entity functions such as monthly accounting processing, accounts payable, payroll and reconciling balance sheet accounts. This position is full time and will average 40 hours per week. This position is on-site with work completed in the chancery office, and some remote work at the parish or school if needed. Please visit “Employment Opportunities” on the bottom of the archdiocesan website for more information or to apply.

ELA specialist - Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea School seeks an ELA specialist to support instruction and student growth. Please send resume to: info@ qhrwea.org or call (913) 533-2462.

Development and outreach specialist - The Catholic Education Foundation is growing and seeking a development and outreach specialist who is responsible for fundraising efforts for events, cultivating strategic relationships, securing sponsorships and table sales, and promoting CEF initiatives, including advocacy efforts. Working collaboratively across departments, the development and outreach specialist drives fundraising growth and expands community awareness and engagement. This position is full time, averaging 40 hours per week, with the opportunity for a flexible work schedule. This position is hybrid, with work completed in the office and remotely. For more details or to apply, please email Michela Marquez: mmarquez@archkck.org.

Executive assistant - The Catholic Education Foundation is growing and seeking an executive assistant responsible for managing the office, responding to inquiries and resolving issues, planning and coordinating events/meetings, and organizing calendars and event schedules. This position must be proactive, anticipating the needs of the executive director, meeting deadlines, facilitating communication and improving the efficiency of the office, and requires a high degree of confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail. This is a full-time, hybrid position (30-40 hours/week) with options for both in-office and remote work. For more details or to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/46xEDOF.

Director of justice, peace and integrity of creation

- The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) seek a Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) to provide strategic, mission-focused leadership for the congregation’s justice ministry. This full-time, onsite role leads long-term justice priorities, supervises the JPIC team, and represents the congregation in advocacy and partnership efforts. Resume and cover letter required. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred), at least seven years of experience in justice ministry, advocacy, community organizing, or similar mission-driven work, and strong strategic leadership, communication and relationship-building skills. To apply and view full details, please visit: https://www. scls.org/employees.

Principal - St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Junction City is seeking a faith-filled, mission-driven principal to lead its pre-K–12 Catholic school community. Guided by the mission, “Educating for eternity through faith and reason,” the school is fully accredited and committed to strong academics, virtuous character formation and vibrant Catholic spirituality. Send resume to: kim.hoelting@salinadiocese.org. Questions? Contact: Geoff Andrews, superintendent of schools, at: geoff.andrews@salinadiocese.org or (785) 643-4286.

Director of faith formation and youth ministry - St. Francis de Sales Church in Lansing is looking for a director of faith formation and youth ministry. This is a full-time position (some evening and weekend work required). This position reports directly to the pastor. Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with strong knowledge of Catholic doctrine. Must have excellent communication, organizational, leadership and record-keeping skills. The candidate will invite students and families into a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church and her teachings and participation in the mystical body of Christ. Provide leadership, training and supervision of all aspects of catechesis for youth in grades kindergarten through 12. Develop and conduct the ministry of catechesis, which fosters and enhances spiritual growth and formation for parish youth and families. Attend archdiocesan meetings and formation opportunities. Support broader parish efforts through participation in the pastoral council and regular staff meetings. Job description provided to candidates. If interested, call the parish office at (913) 727-3742 or email resume to: faithformation@ stfrancislansing.org.

Director of facilities - St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee, is seeking a full-time director of facilities to oversee and manage our parish campus. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the effective operation, maintenance, and safety of our 20-acre campus, which includes seven buildings, a football field, a track, and related facilities. A successful candidate should be Catholic, with strong relationship skills and the ability to work in a collaborative setting. Interested applicants should submit a resume to: mthomas@stjoeshawnee. org or call (913) 248-4562 for more information.

Caregivers needed - Daughters & 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 hours desired. Contact Gary or Laurie at (913) 341-2500 if you want to become part of an excellent caregiving team.

Preschool teacher - St. Joseph Catholic Early Education Center in Shawnee is seeking a full-time preschool teacher to provide a safe, nurturing and faith-filled classroom environment. The ideal candidate will support the spiritual, academic and social development of preschool-aged children while working collaboratively with staff and families. Interested applicants should submit a resume to: mthomas@ stjoeshawnee.org or call (913) 248-4562 for more information.

Small equipment cleaning/repair - A locally owned family business is currently seeking part-time candidates to provide cleaning and repair services on microscopes. Expenses paid, work done in the field and each day is different! No previous experience necessary, on-the-job training provided. Needs to be detail-oriented team player, with good time management and customer service skills. Some travel with the team is required. Please contact us at: techneeded23@gmail.com or call (913) 631-3000.

Administrative assistant - The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, a 501(c)3 organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is seeking an administrative assistant. This position provides administrative, clerical and operational support to CFNEK, working under the guidance and direction of the executive director and the management team to accomplish the mission of the foundation. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, in-office position. May occasionally work evenings and weekends as needed. Please visit the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas website for more information or to apply at: www.cfnek.org.

Executive director of resources - The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) seek an executive director of resources to provide strategic, mission-driven leadership for the congregation’s operational, financial and organizational resource management. This full-time, onsite position works closely with the SCL leadership team and collaborates with the executive directors of communal life and mission to steward the resources necessary to advance the SCL mission and implement the current chapter directional statement. Resume and cover letter required. The executive director oversees finance, facilities, campus operations, information technology, and selected human resources functions, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Catholic social teaching. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree (advanced degree strongly preferred), at least seven years of strategic leadership experience across operations or related disciplines, and a proven track record of team supervision and organizational management. To apply and view full details, please visit https://www. scls.org/employees.

Outreach manager - Do you have a passion for educating and advocating on social justice issues?

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is seeking a compassionate, joy-filled and motivated individual to serve as an outreach manager. Primary responsibilities include leading the outreach team in the areas of community and parish engagement, poverty education and federal food programming across the 21 counties of the archdiocese. To learn more or apply, visit: https://catholiccharitiesks.org/careers.

Catholic elementary school principal - Sacred Heart School in Emporia is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a passion for Catholic education. The principal will continue the school’s tradition of forming disciples, pursuing academic excellence and spiritual growth. The principal will lead by example and inspire a team of dedicated faculty and staff. Applicants must have or be eligible for Kansas licensure in educational leadership. Apply online at: archkckcs. org/apply. For more information, contact Vince Cascone at: vcascone@archkckcs.org.

Social worker/care manager - Part time (24 hrs/wk). At Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic in Overland Park, we believe in unexpected care — the kind that shows up with compassion, insight and love when someone needs it most. If you’re someone who thrives in a busy, meaningful environment — the kind of work that makes a tangible difference — this may be the opportunity you’ve been praying for. We’re currently seeking LBSW or LMSW to join our team. In this role, you’ll provide direct psychosocial support, education and care coordination for patients navigating pregnancy- related decisions and life circumstances. Working within an environment rooted in excellence, dignity and compassion, you’ll walk alongside women and families with empathy, clarity and professionalism. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring each client receives accurate information, emotional support, appropriate referrals and individualized care planning, while collaborating closely with the clinical team to support holistic patient care. Your impact matters. Whether you’re meeting one-on-one with a client, facilitating education or coordinating resources, your presence will help create moments of hope, stability and empowerment — one meaningful interaction at a time. Key responsibilities: Determine the nature of client’s situation through interviews, observations, questionnaires and on-site visits assessing medical, psychological, emotional, familial and social needs. Educate clients on available resources, options and next steps. Coordinate referrals and community services to support client needs. Collaborate with medical and support staff to ensure integrated, compassionate care. Maintain a peaceful, professional and welcoming environment. Uphold the values and mission of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic in every interaction. A bit about you: You’re an LBSW or LMSW in good standing. You’re organized, empathetic and steady in emotionally sensitive situations. You’re passionate about walking with women and families through tender, life-changing moments. You’re a person of faith who leads with humility, integrity and compassion. If you are interested in this position, please send resume and cover letter to: AndreaC@twolineskc.com.

Mission and development coordinator - Santa Marta, a premier Catholic life plan community in Olathe, is seeking a mission and development coordinator to advance our mission of service, compassion, and stewardship. This role leads meaningful service initiatives, volunteer engagement and fundraising efforts that strengthen connections among residents, families, associates and the wider community. Ideal candidates bring strong relationship-building skills, fundraising experience and a passion for serving older adults. Bachelor’s degree required; Catholic preferred. Visit: santamartaretirement.com, click “Careers,” then “View job postings” for more information or to apply.

Catholic elementary school principal - Holy Spirit in Overland Park stands at an exciting inflection point in its history. Energized by a growing hunger for greater depth, intellectual richness and a stronger metaphysical foundation rooted in the church’s tradition, the faculty is ready to carry this renewal into the bloodstream of the school. The momentum is real; what is needed now is a leader with the experience and vision to cultivate joyful intellectual rigor in both staff and students, translating formation into pedagogy and classroom culture. To learn more, see the full job description at: https://arcadiaed.com/careers or reach out to: edenton@arcadiaed.com with questions or interest.

Teachers - Nativity Parish School (Leawood) is seeking full-time teachers for the 2026-27 school year: fourth-grade, fifth-grade, middle school math, and middle school science. Interested applicants should email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kc nativity.org.

Parish manager - Good Shepherd in Shawnee is looking to hire a full-time parish manager to work with the church and school. This position involves executive level responsibilities, which include but are not limited to fiscal management, human resources, including payroll and staff management along with operations oversight. Qualified candidates will also be responsible for development and donor relations (stewardship). Familiarity and competence with current technology is necessary. Strong interpersonal and communication skills required. Spanish language skills would be a plus. A demonstrated commitment to the Catholic faith and mission is essential, along with a desire to work in and support a positive, faith-oriented environment. This full-time position is eligible for archdiocesan benefits. Please send cover letter and resume to: frkent@gsshawnee.org. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Business manager - St. Francis de Sales Church in Lansing is looking for a business manager. This is a full-time position that reports directly to the pastor (some evening and weekend work required). The business manager is an administrator in support of the pastor’s responsibilities to the parish. They are a steward of the physical, financial and personnel resources. The ideal candidate should have a college degree and/or equivalent business experience. Must have a working knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Office applications. Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, and with other staff/volunteers. Applicant must be a practicing Catholic. Benefits available, including 401(k) and health insurance. Full job description provided to candidates. For more information, email: businessmanager@ stfrancislansing.org or call the office at (913) 7273742.

Executive director of communal life - The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth seek an executive director of communal life to lead community life and support the well-being of Sisters across multiple residential settings. This role directs and oversees all functions, activities and staff involved in ongoing formation, communal well-being and individual health for Sisters living in neighborhood residences and on the main campus, including independent, assisted and skilled nursing care. Resume and cover letter required. Qualifications: Must be a member of the Roman Catholic Church in good standing. Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, spirituality, theology or related field. Minimum five (5) years of experience in a faith-based setting. 1-3 years supervisory experience. Apply and view the full job ad at: https://www. scls.org/employees.

Catholic financial planners - The Knights of Columbus Mahon Agency has openings throughout all of NE Kansas and western Missouri, including Kansas City, Topeka, Holton, Wamego, Lawrence, Gardner, Liberty and Chillicothe. We have much to offer professional, disciplined and determined men who would like to share needed life insurance, disability income, longterm care and annuity products with other Catholics. This is a full-time position with excellent, multi-tiered training and benefits, allowing the successful field agent to earn a professional level income. It’s an exciting career opportunity that may be the right fit at the right time for you, or someone you know. For more information, contact John Mahon at (785) 4088800, or john.mahon@kofc.org.

Manager assistant - Help St. Mary’s Food Kitchen serve the hungry in Kansas City, Kansas, as a manager assistant. St. Mary’s provides a lunch to the needy each day of the year. The manager assistant will support the volunteer crews, ensure policies and procedures are followed, supervise the cleaning of the kitchen and dining room, fill in for the manager when absent, fulfill other duties as assigned and treat each guest and volunteer with respect and compassion. This position is part-time, generally two days per week, but other days as needed but assigned through conversation and agreement with the manager. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but occasionally 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please contact David Alvey at: stmfoodkitchen@gmail.com. $20 per hour. Holidays time and a half.

Part-time kitchen assistant - Nativity School in Leawood is seeking a part-time kitchen assistant, 8 to 15 hours a week. Duties will include prepping food, serving food, setting up/breaking down food service line and garden bar, cleaning and washing dishes. Any candidate hired will need to pass a criminal background check and attend Virtus training as conditions of employment. Applicants should email principal Luke Jennison at: luke.jennison@kcnativity.org.

SERVICES

Father and Son Home Remodeling - We specialize in kitchen/bathroom and basement remodeling, from start to finish. We also do decks, covered decks, porches, sun-rooms and room additions! If you’re not sure we do it, just call. From my family to yours, thank you for supporting my small business. To contact me, call (913) 709-7230 and ask for Josh.

TOTAL HOME REPAIR

All aspects of interior home repairs. Retired master plumber. Professional interior painting, general repairs, tile work. Handyman services. Lifetime of experience. Army veteran. Ascension parishioner. (913) 488-4930

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.

A and X Cleaning Service - Keeping local businesses clean and healthy. Eco-friendly green cleaning products are used. Our hands-on approach ensures reliable service, consistent quality and attention to detail in every space we clean. Contact us for a free consultation at: anxcleaningllc@gmail.com.

Sacred Heart Counseling - Are you looking for mental health care that aligns with the Catholic faith? We have offices in Olathe, Leawood & Atchison, openings days, evenings & weekends. Book online at: SacredHeart CounselingKC.com, in-person or telehealth.

>> Continued on page 13

IRISH FEST

Evergy Plaza

630 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka

March 14

Sponsored by Mater Dei Parish in Topeka, the day starts with a 5k at 10 a.m. Throughout the day, enjoy traditional Irish food, beer, whiskey, Irish Cream, live music from Donknado and Flannigan’s Right Hook, vendor booths and a kids carnival. Check out our Facebook page “Topeka Irishfest” and website at: topekairishfest.com for more information and run sign-up.

ROSARY RALLY

Church of the Holy Cross  8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park

March 15 from 3 to 4:15 p.m.

Join us to honor our Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Fatima. We will pray the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries; Benediction and the opportunity to enroll in the brown scapular follow. For more information, go online to: rosaryrallieskc.org.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER

St. Patrick Church

33721 N.W. Crawford Rd., Emerald & Williamsburg

March 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be live music by Larry Lintner of Ottawa. A traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage with all the fixings will be served, Irish soda bread, homemade pies and more. The suggested donation is $20. Raffle tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5.

ORDER OF MALTA HEALING MASS

St. Michael the Archangel Church 14201 Nall Ave., Leawood

Mar. 21 at 10 a.m.

Celebrants will be Archbishop Shawn McKnight and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. The anointing of the sick in both dioceses will be administered to Catholics whose health is seriously impaired by illness or old age. All are invited to participate. The sacrament of reconciliation will be from 9 - 9:45 a.m. A reception will follow Mass. Send questions by email to: maltakc@yahoo. com.

WOMEN’S SALESIAN REFLECTION

Church of the Nativity (Magi Room)

3800 W. 119th St., Leawood

March 21 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Reflect with the Society of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales as we share meditations on “Salesian Balance” in the tradition of Salesian spirituality after 8:15 a.m. Mass. All materials are provided, and coffee and light refreshments will be served. To attend, contact Barbara at (816) 535-4531 or send an email to: willabird1960@gmail.com. For more info, go online to: sfdsassociation.org.

WILLS AND TRUSTS WORKSHOP

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

5501 Monticello Rd., Shawnee

March 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The speaker is Casey Connealy, of Gaughan & Connealy. Refreshments and social precede the wills and trusts presentation. Enter near the eucharistic adoration chapel doors on the north side of the church. Register online at: www. cfnek.org/events or contact Greg at (913) 647-0365 or by email at: galejos@arch kck.org.

2026 DEO GRATIAS DINNER

Holy Trinity Church

13615 W. 92nd St., Lenexa

March 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The evening starts with Mass with

Archbishop McKnight, followed by a dinner and program at the Father Quigley Faith Formation Center across the street. Register online at: cfnek.org/ events/deogratias.

WIDOW AND WIDOWERS POTLUCK

Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish (Culhane Room)

3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka

March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Christian Widows and Widowers Organization is hosting a potluck dinner. Bring a covered dish or dessert. There will be quarter bingo after dinner. There is no cost to attend. For information, text Gen at (785) 230-2473.

HOLY WEEK SILENT RETREAT

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

March 27 to 29

Enter Holy Week in profound silence and contemplate the passion of Christ through the witness of the Shroud of Turin. This retreat invites you to remain close to Jesus in his suffering, behold the mystery of redemption and open your heart to the transforming love revealed in his wounds. Cabins/courtyard rooms are $180; single: $270; couple or single guest rooms: $110 (meals included). Fill out the individual retreat form online at: ChristsPeace. com or call (913) 773-8255.

A CAPPELLA TENEBRAE

Holy Trinity Church (Stone Chapel)

9130 Pflumm Rd., Lenexa

SERVICE

March 31 at 7:30 p.m.

St. James Academy’s a cappella choir will offer its yearly candlelit Tenebrae Service that offers a series of readings, each followed by a musical selection for meditation, and is an excellent accompaniment to your Holy Week experience.

WIDOWED WOMEN OF FAITH LUNCH

Perkins Restaurant (back room)

1720 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka 3rd Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join us for lunch and companionship. No RSVP is needed, just come. Invite others. Questions? Email: Widowed WomenofFaith@gmail.com or call Julie at (913) 558-0191.

DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP

Holy Spirit Church

11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park 3rd Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

From “Called To Love Again”: Divorce isn’t the end of your story. Join us for formation and community to prepare you for what is next. Make new friends and get tips for healing and hope. Send questions to: katie@ thecall2love.com. For more information, go online to: https://www.the call2love.com/called-to-love-again.

SOLUTION

>> Continued from page 12

Landscaping Design or Renovate! Light tree trimming/gutters Fall cleanup/leaf removal Free estimates; local parishioners. Call Charles or Emily (913) 605-8145.

Rios 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.

GARAGE DOOR REPAIR EXPERTS New Garage Doors & Openers A Total Door, Inc. Since ’83. Leaven Discount buffy@atotaldoor.com or (913) 236-6440 www.atotaldoor.com

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.

Double A’s Lawn Service Mowing, Mulch, Gutters, Leaf Cleanup, Debris Removal & Brush Trimming Free Estimates & Insured

Alex Spoerre (913) 488-5195

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.

Bill Dean Mechanical LLC Heating, Cooling, Electrical, and Plumbing Furnace, AC and Water Heater Install and Service wmdean14@hotmail.com, billdeanmechanical.com JoCo lic. # 2026-0008446, text or call (913) 724-3294

Jack Harrison Heating & Air Conditioning - Proudly serving Johnson County, Kansas, parts of KCK and KCMO, we’re your trusted local experts in residential and light commercial HVAC. Whether you need a repair, seasonal tuneup or full system replacement, we’ve got you covered — with honest advice, quality work and friendly service. We’re a family-owned and operated company, rooted in the community as members of St. Paul Parish in Olathe. Call Jack Harrison Heating & Air today at (913) 308-3131 or visit: www. JackHarrisonAir.com to schedule online. Let our family take care of yours!

Two men and a brush - Refresh, repaint, renew your home with painting you can trust! Call for a free estimate on your house, deck or fence! Call John at (402) 763-7244.

Popcorn ceiling texture removal

Call Jerry at (913) 206-1144. 30 years’ experience. Interior painting specialist. Member St. Joseph Parish, Shawnee.

WANTED TO BUY

BUYING OIL & GAS ROYALTIES

Simplify your life. Paying 48 times average last 6 months income. Call Dan (913) 980-0946.

$$Paying Cash$$ - Antique Furniture, crocks, tin and cast iron toys, old tools, glassware, American coins, jewelry. Most anything old. Please call Patricia at (913) 515-2950. A member of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa. Wanted to buy

Do you have a spare 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 - PAYING CASH

Antiques & Collectibles: jewelry, military items, railroad items, sterling, OLD holiday/toys & more. Renee Maderak (913) 475-7393 St. Joseph, Shawnee.

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

CASH PAID FOR COIN COLLECTIONS! Silver dollar coins, half-dollars, quarters, dimes, old pennies. Cash in hand. Also paying cash for old paper currency. Cash in that old dusty box of coins! Call Kirk (913) 213-9843. Member of Holy Trinity Parish. Please sell to local people.

FOR SALE

For sale - Single crypt in Resurrection Cemetery, Prince of Peace mausoleum, Assumption patio, tier D, crypt 3B. $4,000 includes conveyance fee. Contact Tom at (913) 702-4472.

For sale - Resurrection Cemetery double lawn crypt. Faith lawn, section B, lot 12, plots 2A and 2B. Includes lots, vaults and markers. Original selling price is $12,752. Price negotiable. Call (913) 649-6571.

For sale - Looking for something special for first Communion? Selling handmade first Communion outfits for 18” or American Girl dolls. Includes dress, veil, tights, shoes and cross necklace for $40. Taking orders now. Email Patty at: Wwelch4@kc.rr.com or text (913) 620-4581. Home phone: (913) 345-9498. Please say when the first Communion will take place. 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 - 2 casket crypt for sale: St. John’s Corridor mausoleum at Gate of Heaven. Tier A, crypt 6, valued $15,885. Asking $11,000 (includes transfer fee). Contact Kristen (913) 645-3428.

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.

Paul O’Toole – Real Estate Agent (KS & MO) Weichert Realtors – Welch & Company (913) 489-1229 (mobile) | (913) 647-5700 (office)

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.

CAREGIVING

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.

PILGRIMAGE

European pilgrimage - June 22-30. Join Father Willliam Carey, Deacon Tom Doyle and Grace Legaspi on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and Zadar. Traverse the steps of millions who’ve climbed Apparition Hill. Meet one of the visionaries who continues to allegedly see Our Lady yearly. Celebrate Mass at the tomb of St. Simeon of the Presentation of Our Lord in Zadar. Email Grace at: mgracelegaspi@gmail.com for details.

Peru Pilgrimage: Evangelization of the Ancient Incas – July 19-30, 2026. Join us for an unforgettable 11-day journey from Lima to the Sacred Valley, exploring Machu Picchu, Cusco and the lives of saints like St. Rose of Lima. Experience the dramatic encounter between the ancient Incas and the flourishing Catholic baroque of Peru. Space is limited! Early bird pricing until Feb. 19. For details, email: olivia.stear@ viaheritagetravel.com.

DAILY READINGS

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

March 15

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

1 Sm 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a

Ps 23: 1-6

Eph 5: 8-14

Jn 9: 1-41

March 16

Monday

Is 65: 17-21

Ps 30: 2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b

Jn 4: 43-54

March 17

Patrick, bishop

Ez 47: 1-9, 12

Ps 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9

Jn 5: 1-16

March 18

Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, doctor of the church

Is 49: 8-15

Ps 145: 8-9, 13c-14, 17-18

Jn 5: 17-30

March 19

JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

2 Sm 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16

Ps 89: 2-5, 27, 29

Rom 4: 13, 16-18, 22

Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24a

March 20

Friday

Wis 2: 1a, 12-22

Ps 34: 17-21, 23

Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

March 21

Saturday

Jer 11: 18-20

Ps 7: 2-3, 9b-12

Jn 7: 40-53

JOAN OF FRANCE

1464-1505

Also known as Joan of Valois, this French foundress was the daughter of King Louis XI and the wife of King Louis XII, her father’s cousin. She was mistreated by both men, and reportedly was physically handicapped from birth, though she may have been merely undersized and plain. Her husband sought to have their marriage annulled so he could marry Joan’s sister-inlaw, who inherited Brittany; he succeeded in 1498. Thereafter, Joan lived in Bourges, where she devoted herself to prayer and good works, and established, under Franciscan direction, the Order of the Annunciation with 11 local schoolgirls. A year before her death, she renounced all her possessions, including her title as Duchess of Berry. She was canonized in 1950.

Acouple of weeks ago, something disturbing happened at the bowling alley. While talking to some friends on another team, a bowler behind us shouted at a woman who was leaving. These weren’t friendly words. At one point, the angry guy even threw his baseball cap, which landed behind us. We slowly moved away from him, our eyes wide and frightened.

Sadly, this was one more example that we’ve lost the art of being civil to one another. I’m shocked at the nastiness that is regularly seen both in texts and in online comments. And if we can’t be civil even in person, is it any wonder that kindness seems to be a lost art?

Each day, I get a quick, spiritual “hit” from a book published annually by The Christophers called “Three Minutes a Day.” The entry for March 8 was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Entitled “A Superhero in

Strive to be one of a kind

MARK MY WORDS

FATHER MARK GOLDASICH

Father

More Ways Than One,” the story concerned a boy named Brody, the 12-year-old son of Cassandra Cooper. He’d come home from school upset because hardly anyone signed his middle school yearbook. Here’s the story as reported by NJ.com: Cassandra wrote on social media: “My poor son . . . 2 teachers and a total of 2 students wrote in his yearbook. Despite Brody asking all kinds of kids to sign it. . . . My heart is shat-

tered. Teach your kids kindness.”

Actor Paul Rudd, who plays superhero Ant-Man in Marvel movies, heard about Brody’s story, called him via FaceTime, then sent him a follow-up letter stating, “It’s important to remember that even when life is tough that things get better. There are so many people that love you and think you’re the coolest kid there is — me being one of them!”

Brody and his mother were beyond excited that Rudd reached out to them. Brody told Rudd, “[You’re] my favorite superhero.” Rudd responded, “You’re mine.” (Story found in Volume 60.)

Bravo, Paul Rudd! The actor, who spent his formative years in Overland Park, is someone whose kind heart was surely molded here in the Heartland.

It cost Rudd nothing but a little time to reach out to this mom and boy who were hurting. But his interaction with them will always be treasured.

One of my favorite expressions is: “Be kind. You never know what someone else might be going through.” As we approach the midpoint of Lent, maybe this could be a way to practice almsgiving each day and remind people that they matter, that they have dignity, that we’re all children of God.

The website happify. com suggests these simple, easy-to-do ways to practice kindness:

• Use your manners by saying “please” and “thank you,” especially to those whose service we take for granted.

• Smile, especially at strangers. Watch as both of your faces light up.

• Use your coins for change. Fill those Lenten Rice Bowls to overflowing.

• Forego texting (at least occasionally) and call someone instead. Savor hearing the voice of a relative or friend.

• Help someone in a small way by holding a door open, letting someone ahead of you in line or sharing an umbrella.

• Be lavish with compliments; stingy with criticism.

• Get on the ARK. Make doing Acts of Random Kindness a habit. It’s even more fun if the recipient doesn’t know who is doing the kindness.

• Be kind to yourself by getting enough rest, eating healthier, exercising and talking to yourself with gentleness.

The Christophers’ motto is: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” May our kindness to one another start to light up the world. I think I’ll begin by packing a few candles in my bowling bag.

Blind man miracle unique for telling ‘rest of the story’

“Now you know the rest of the story.”

For years, the broadcaster Paul Harvey signed off his daily radio show with that phrase. He would spend several minutes relating a true story that may have seemed, at the time, obscure.

Sometimes, it was about a person from the news or from history or some seemingly insignificant event that, as we’d find out at the end, was really something monumental.

“Now,” Harvey would say, “you know the rest of the story.”

We might say that about this Sunday’s Gospel.

DEACON GREG KANDRA

Deacon Greg Kandra is an award-winning author and journalist, and creator of the blog “The Deacon’s Bench.” He serves in the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York.

It’s really one of the more unusual miracles we hear about, and it shows us a side of Jesus’ ministry that we don’t

often consider — the realization that even an astounding healing can come at a cost.

Scholars tell us that this account about how Jesus healed a man “blind from birth” is the only time the Gospels mention a disease or a condition that a person was born with. Not only that: It’s a story with an abundance of characters — from the blind man to his parents to the Pharisees. What occurs sends ripples through the community.

And there is more — what comes after the healing, the rest of the story. There are aftershocks, consequences, questions.

With most of these kinds of encounters,

Jesus simply performed the miracle — helping the blind to see, the lame to walk, the lepers to be cleansed and then moved on. The person who was healed disappears and is never heard from again.

But this time, it’s different. We learn reactions; the man is summoned, interrogated, ridiculed. This encounter with Christ even prompted people to question just what Jesus had done and what sort of man he might be; after all, he had dared to perform a miracle on the sabbath!

All that prompted an extraordinary response from Jesus. As he did so often, Jesus went in search of someone who was rejected, the scorned, the marginalized. He didn’t abandon him or leave him alone. He had one more miracle to perform: bringing the fullness of light, of understanding, to the one who had been in darkness. Christ sought the man who had received sight — to help him see even more clearly what had happened and just who had healed him. “I came into this world,” Jesus told him, “so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

It is a powerful proclamation and it stands before us right now as a challenging meditation for these last weeks of Lent.

Church is holy by Christ’s presence, not human perfection, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church is both a community made up of fragile and limited human beings and a divine reality, Pope Leo XIV said at his weekly general audience.

The pope continued his series on the Second Vatican Council March 4 in St. Peter’s Square, emphasizing one of its principal documents,

the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”) which examines the nature and identity of the church.

He said the church is “a community of men and women who share the joy and struggle of being Christians, with their strengths and weaknesses, proclaiming the Gospel and becoming a sign of the

presence of Christ who accompanies us on our journey through life.” However, he added, it also has a “divine dimension.”

Its divine nature “does not consist in an ideal perfection or spiritual superiority of its members, but in the fact that the church is generated by God’s plan for humanity, realized in Christ,” he said.

Super seeks out the experts when he visits the schools

So far this school year, I have had formal visits at 36 of our 42 schools throughout the archdiocese.

One of the main aspects of my visits this year is meeting with a group of students at each school. These groups usually consist of about eight students from grades three and up. My one request to the principals is to choose students who are not afraid to speak up and share their thoughts. Let me assure you that the students do not disappoint in this regard.

After gathering around a table and

FROM THE SUPER

Cascone

explaining to the children that I am the superintendent, I tell them it is important for me to know as much as

OI can about each school. I then tell them I need to speak with the most important people in the school in order to learn about their school.

When I ask them who the most important people in the school are, the students always mention

their teachers and the principal.

It always warms my heart when they start to mention specific adults in the building who have helped them through struggles.

One boy shared his ongoing challenge to learn to read as he transferred from a public school and the teacher who worked with him and encouraged him. One girl in eighth grade mentioned how she was struggling with personal problems and that the school counselor worked with her and her parents to support her through it. There have been many

more stories just like this.

As I ask them who else they think is very important for me to talk to in the school, it is usually an upper grade student who says confidently and unabashedly, “The students are the most important.” Of course, this is what I was getting at the entire time. I explain how so many people throughout the archdiocese are helping to make sure they have the best school possible.

One question I ask them is: “If parents are looking for a school to send their children, why would you say

they should send them to your school?” The most common responses from across the schools in the archdiocese are:

“We learn about Jesus.”

“We go to Mass together.”

“Our community is awesome. We are like a family. The other students are like my brothers and sisters.”

“I learn so much from my teachers and I want to keep learning.”

Let me just say it has been edifying for me to hear from so many students how their faith has grown and how they have learned so much.

One faith, many paths: A weekend at Savior Pastoral Center

ne weekend in February, Savior Pastoral and Retreat Center offered a beautiful glimpse of the church in action.

Within our walls, three very different groups gathered at the same time: teens preparing for confirmation, couples participating in a Marriage Encounter weekend and leaders attending a social justice conference. Three diverse communities. Three distinct purposes. One shared faith.

From the outside, it may have seemed like a logistical puzzle. Schedules overlapped. Meeting rooms were filled. The chapel lights

AT THE HEART OF HOSPITALITY

GREG MIES

Greg Mies is the director of Savior Pastoral and Retreat Center. He can be reached by email at: gmies@archkck.org.

seemed to glow from early morning until late evening. Laughter echoed down one hallway while quiet prayer filled another.

Yet what unfolded was not chaos — it was communion.

Our confirmation retreat brought together a large group of young people eager, and perhaps a little nervous, to take the next step in their faith journey. Their energy was unmistakable. They asked thoughtful

questions, leaned into small group discussions and approached the sacrament of reconciliation in such numbers that we found ourselves adjusting plans.

One of the priests attending the social justice conference was graciously pulled from his session to help hear confessions. It was a powerful moment: A priest who had been speaking about justice and service stepping directly into the ministry of mercy for our young church.

Meanwhile, in another part of the building, married couples were rediscovering the sacramental grace of their vocation. Through conversation

and reflection, they strengthened promises once made before God. Down the hall, social justice leaders were discerning how to better serve the vulnerable and advocate for the dignity of every human person. Different ages. Different callings. Different conversations.

And yet, at the heart of all of it stood the same center: our eucharistic chapel.

The tabernacle was the quiet anchor of the weekend. Whether teens preparing for confirmation, couples renewing their commitment or leaders discerning works of justice, all roads led back to Christ present

in the Eucharist. In the stillness of the chapel, the distinctions faded. We were simply members of one Body. This is the beauty of the church. We are not uniform, but we are united. Our ministries may differ, our stages of life may vary, our focuses may shift — but our source and summit remain the same. The Eucharist draws us together. Our Catholic faith binds us in communion. That February weekend was a reminder that when Christ is at the center, diversity becomes harmony. At Savior Pastoral Center, we witnessed not just three events, but one living church.

Kids’ Kids’

CHRONICLE CHRONICLE

Lazarus dies, and Jesus raises him from the dead

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic Courier

Three of Jesus’ dear friends — the siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus — lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem.

One day, Lazarus became ill. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, who was traveling with the apostles.

“This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it,” Jesus said upon receiving the news.

Jesus stayed in the place he was for two more days. When it came time to leave, he told the apostles that Lazarus had died.

“And I am glad for you that I was not there, that you may believe. Let us go to him,” he said.

When Jesus and the apostles arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.

Martha heard that Jesus was coming and went to the outskirts of the village to greet him.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” she said. “But even now, I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus asked Martha.

“Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world,” she replied.

Martha went home to get her sister, who was being comforted by some Jews. She secretly told Mary that Jesus was just outside the village.

Mary went out of the house quickly, and the Jews who were with her followed.

When Mary saw Jesus, she fell to his feet and wept, saying that Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there.

“Where have you laid him?” Jesus asked.

Mary and Martha took Jesus to Lazarus’ tomb. He ordered the stone to be taken away, and then he began talking to God.

“Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that you always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that you sent me,” Jesus said. He then cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus, who was tied with burial bands and had a cloth wrapped around his face, came out of the tomb.

“Untie him and let him go,” Jesus said.

1. Who became ill and died?

2. What did Jesus cry out in a loud voice?

Bible accent

n John 12, we can read about a time that Jesus dined at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

Beginning in Verse 1, we learn that Jesus visited his friends six days before Passover. Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus while Martha served them.

Mary, meanwhile, took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed Jesus’ feet. She then dried his feet with her hair.

One of the apostles, Judas, who would betray Jesus, complained about what Mary had done.

“Why was this oil not sold for 300 days’ wages and given to the poor?” he asked.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus said. “Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

A large crowd of the Jews found out that Jesus was at Mary, Martha and Lazarus’ house and came there — not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

St. Magdalen Canossa

SHer

Magdalen chose religious life over marriage. She joined the Carmelites but left because their strict rules would have kept her from performing charitable works.

In 1799, she founded the Canossian Daughters of Charity when she brought two poor girls into her home. She also helped to found an order of priests and a third order for laypeople. To this day, Canossians minister in Italy, the Philippines and Latin America.

died in 1835 and was canonized in 1988. We remember her on April 10.