The Tale of 20,000 Father Arano-Ponce Saw the Number As a Sign to Help Rebuild a Church in Chile Story by Kara Hansen
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www.theleaven.com | newspaper of the archdiocese of Kansas city in Kansas | vol. 32, no. 29 march 4, 2011 the taLe oF 20,000 Father arano-Ponce saw the number as a sign to help rebuild a church in Chile story by Kara hansen Father Jerry arano-Ponce concelebrated the first Mass in the rebuilt st. ignatius Church in empedrado, Chile. the original st. ignatius was destroyed during a tsunami and earthquake in Chile. Father arano-Ponce led an effort at st. agnes Parish in roeland Park to raise $20,000 for the reconstruction of the church. he Spirit is said to speak in “I had flashbacks of the Osawatomie flood tongues. (where he was pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish But in Father Jerry Arano- in 2007) and my heart ached,” he said. “I felt a Ponce’s experience, God is strong calling not just to be sad for the tsunami fluent in numbers, too. victims in Chile, but to do something for them.” 20,000 to be precise. Remembering a Chilean couple in his parish, It all started when the pas- Gonzalo and Monica Lagos, Father Arano-Ponce tor of St. Agnes Parish in Ro- asked them whether their family members in eland Park heard the news of the tsunami and Chile were safe. Tearthquake that devastated parts of Chile in turn to “ChurCh” on page 5 February 2010. Lenten reguLations all Catholics 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain from meat on ash Wednesday, March 9, and all Fridays of Lent. Catholics 18 to 59 years of age are obliged to fast on ash Wednesday and good Friday — a fast consisting of one normal meal and two lesser meals, with no eating in be- ConFession tween. it is also recommended that Catholics find new archdiocesan initiative opportunities throughout the Lenten season to makes confession available complement their fasts with prayer, reception of anywhere in the archdiocese the sacraments of reconciliation and the eucha- every Wednesday from 6-7 rist, and positive works of charity. 8-9 p.m. 2 archbishop THE LEAVEN • March 4, 2011 THE LEAVEN • March 4, 2011 SECOND FRONT PAGE 3 LIFE WILL BE VICTORIOUS Absence of mortal sin is no excuse for avoiding confession hen is a Catholic sacrament? This past Sunday, Jesus challenged Archbishop NAumANN’s Wobligated to go to his disciples that they could not serve weekly cAleNdAr both God and money. Our Lord ex- confession? horted them: “Seek first the kingdom March 4 The Catechism of the Catholic of God and his righteousness.” Have adoration and Benediction — st. James Church (CCC) states: “According to we given God lordship over our hearts academy, lenexa the Church’s command, after having or do we value some things or some attained the age of discretion, each “the catholic way” recording pleasures or some relationships more of the faithful is bound by an obliga- lives than we are? than God? tion faithfully to confess serious sins March 5 The problem is not that we do not As a bishop, when I examine my conference and mass for the sick and suf- at least once a year. Anyone who is have anything to confess; the problem conscience, I have to ask myself: Have fering — st. James academy aware of having committed a mortal is that we are unaware of our sin. This I placed the good of my flock — those sin must not receive Holy Communion, is truly a dangerous state. It is compa- entrusted into my pastoral care — over March 5-6 even if he experiences deep contri- pastoral visit — st. Boniface, scipio, and rable physically to suffering from an my own wants and desires? Am I will- tion, without having first received st. therese, richmond illness that is undiagnosed. A minor ing to lose my life in the service of my sacramental absolution, unless he has ailment left untreated can develop into people? grave reason for receiving Communion March 6 a serious health problem. Similarly, married couples, in mass for light of the world group — and there is no possibility of going to I have often thought that it would examining their consciences, cannot topeka confession”(CCC no. 1457). be good for a person who does not be content with being able to say that What is a mortal sin? “A grave in- believe that they have any “significant” they have not been physically unfaith- March 7 fraction of the law of God that destroys confirmation — st. pius X, mission sins to ask their spouse, their children, ful to their spouse. They have to ask the divine life in the soul of the sinner their parents, their co-workers, their the deeper questions: Have I placed (sanctifying grace), constituting a turn March 8 employees, their boss, if they could the good of my spouse above my own away from God. For a sin to be mor- administrative team meeting help them examine their conscience wants and desires? Is my relationship tal, three conditions must be present: and identify some sins. In the liturgical with my spouse the No. 1 priority in my priest personnel meeting grave matter, full knowledge of the evil readings for the past several Sundays, life or have I allowed other things or of the act, and full consent of the will” we have been reading Matthew’s ac- people to assume greater importance? confirmation — st. agnes, roeland park (CCC glossary). count of the Sermon on the Mount, in When examining our consciences, How frequently does the church March 9 which Jesus gives us a rather challeng- we should first begin by recalling God’s recommend that a Catholic receive the ash wednesday mass — cathedral of st. ing examination of conscience. blessings. We should allow ourselves sacrament of reconciliation/penance? peter, Kansas city, Kan. Some protest: “I haven’t killed to become as fully aware as possible of “Without being strictly necessary, anybody; I haven’t committed adultery; God’s abundant gifts. Only after having speak at the national association of confession of everyday faults (venial I get along well with my family and pondered God’s blessings, should we health insurers Underwriters sins) is nevertheless strongly recom- friends! Why do I need to go to confes- then ask ourselves: What have I done mended by the church. Indeed regular March 10 leaven photo by marc anderson sion?” The response of Jesus to such a with all that the Lord has entrusted to confession of our venial sins helps us mass and blessing of new chapel — our internationally known singer, songwriter and storyteller steve angrisano performed for a crowd of several hundred on Feb. 23 at Most Pure heart of Mary Church in topeka, the second stop on his winter question: “You have heard that it was me? Have I given him thanks by us- to form our consciences, fight against lady’s montessori school, Kansas city, tour of the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. angrisano has performed at six World youth Days and several national Catholic youth Conferences, including the one held in 2009 in Kansas City, Mo. the said to your ancestors, You shall not ing his blessings — life, health, time, evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed Kan. winter tour was sponsored by the archdiocese’s office of evangelization and Catholic formation of youth. kill; and whoever kills will be liable to talents, job opportunities, relationships by Christ and progress in the life of the judgment. But I say to you, whoever is — in ways that truly honor God? In confirmation — leavenworth parishes Spirit. By receiving more frequently angry with his brother will be liable to making our examination of conscience, through this sacrament the gift of the judgment” (Mt. 5: 21-22). “You have we should ask the Lord for the grace to March 12-13 Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be pastoral visit — sacred heart, Baileyville, heard it was said, you shall not commit recognize sin wherever it is present in merciful as he is merciful” (CCC no. and st. mary, st. Benedict adultery. But I say to you, everyone who our lives so that we can surrender our 1458). looks at a woman with lust has already sin to him in the sacrament and receive March 13 MagiCaL Mystery TOUR I have heard people rationalize that committed adultery with her in his his healing mercy. rite of christian initiation of adults — 3 they do not go to confession because heart” (Mt. 5: 27-28). “You have heard I have heard people say that they p.m. st. matthew, topeka they do not have anything, or anything Internationally known Catholic recording artist brings his music to the archdiocese that it was said, you shall love your do not go to confession because they that important, to confess. Praise God neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say do not want to bore the priest! First if we do not have any mortal sins to By Marc and Julie Anderson High School in Topeka as part of a tour ship and tough times, a theme that to you, love your enemies and pray for of all, we should not worry about the Archbishop keheler’s “At the heart of it, my confess! Yet, this does not mean that special to the leaven through the archdiocese. Angrisano can easily relate to. Jenni un- those who persecute you. For if you reaction of the priest, but we should be weekly cAleNdAr we should not be using the sacrament That tour included stops at St. James ministry is a call for all derwent several surgeries this past year.