The Southwest Kansas Newspaper of the Diocese of Dodge City Vol. XLVI, No. 8 • Sunday, July 3, 2011Register Bishop, Are you kidding me? Obedience?

+ Most Rev. John B. Brungardt Bishop of Dodge City

What’s this about a priest promising to obey his bishop? I’m a grown man, I don’t obey anyone! Well, I guess I follow the directions of a police officer if he asks me to do something, and I do comply with the IRS and pay my taxes. But just what is this “obedience” stuff?

ather Don Bedore, at his ordination to the Fpriesthood in May, answered “Yes” to my question, “Do you promise obedience to me and my successors?” What would motivate Father Don TheThe HarvestHarvest to make this radical promise? The verb “to obey” is from the Latin root audire Then he said to his disciples, Faithful invited to meaning “to listen”. My seminary professor de- scribed it: to obey is to raptly, carefully listen. A “The harvest is plentiful but attend one of three youth carefully listens to his parents, for example, the workers are few. Ask the to hear, “I love you and I want you to be safe” when vocations events a curfew is set. A husband and dad raptly listens to Lord of the harvest, therefore, his wife and hears “I love you, and I want you near in July -- Page 9 to me and the children” when she says, “Honey, to send out workers into his you are spending too much time at the office.” A priest carefully, raptly listens to his bishop. harvest field.” -- Mt. 9:37-38 For example, when a priest receives a new as- ‘Jesus Calls signment, he hears, “After discussion with you, consultation with others, and prayerful guidance Women!’ by the Holy Spirit, I am appointing you to another -- Page 6 ministry, for the good of the diocesan Church.” This takes a leap of faith in God, a trust in His Couple reflects on plan of a hierarchical Church, and a love for Jesus Christ, the High Priest who is the priest’s model. 72 years of marriage Jesus obeyed the Heavenly Father unreservedly, without counting the cost. We priests are called to do the same. Jesus “became the source of eternal -- Page 3 salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). Father Don embraced this amazing call from God at his ordination. Guys, let us carefully listen to -- let us obey -- our Gentle Jesus. Listen to his call to be a priest or a husband and dad, and follow. Jesus will tell you in your prayer. He loves you more than you can ask or imagine.

Cover photos by Tim Wenzl See these and more photos in color at www.dcdiocese.org/register Page 2 July 3, 2011 The Southwest Kansas Register Georgina Paz hired as bishop’s ‘Another Way’ administrative assistant heology is the study of God. We need not overdo Tour respect for those who do this work (they are rs. Georgina Paz is the new admin- only human, after all), nor need we underdo it (their Mistrative assistant to Bishop John work is of lasting value for the Church, for you and Brungardt. for me). Georgina’s primary duty is to assist Bishop What my generation often forgot, as did the genera- Brungardt with scheduling and coordination tion after me, was that Theology is meant to feed of administrative, parish and diocesan events prayer. Our ancestors used to find prayer in their and activities. theology books, in their catechisms, in their devotion- As administrative assistant to the bishop, al books. The formulas of those works led to their she will serve as the contact person for those fascination with God. The doctrines of those works wishing to communicate with the bishop. led to their devotion to God. But it has long been + Most Rev. “I will also assist the administrative staff hard for us to say dogma and devotion in the same Ronald M. Gilmore with planning and support functions,” she sentence. We no longer remember the connection. Bishop Emeritus said. “Given the fact that I’m bilingual, I will We no longer keep faith with those who thought, and of Dodge City also work with the staff and their ministries worked, and prayed before us. to help doing translations. How often does Pentecost Sunday lead us to ponder “Regardless of what position I have, I hope the coming of the Spirit as described in the Acts of Make a to help the Diocese of Dodge City with its the Apostles: to want to know more about the wind mission.” and the fire and the boldness that came from them? simple pact Georgina was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, How often does Trinity Sunday lead us to puzzle over to Jose and Emma Hernandez. She has two the mystery of three persons in one God: to want to with your- younger brothers, Leonardo and José. She Georgina Paz know more about the unearthly communion at the moved to Dodge City in 1993. She gradu- heart of God? self to read ated from Dodge City High School in 2003 been blessed because I have always been How often does Corpus Christi Sunday lead us to and married René Paz in 2007. In 2009, she surrounded by wonderful people that I love rest in the mystery of Christ’s saving presence in the the lessons obtained a degree in business administration dearly, and the people here at the chancery Eucharist: to want to know more about the Last Sup- from Colorado Technical University. are not the exception. per, the bread and the wine and the intention of the of each Prior to starting with the Diocese of Dodge “I’m very excited to meet different people one who took them in his hands? City on May 31, Georgina served as a per- from across the diocese who have one com- We almost seem ashamed to remember that loving day’s Mass. sonal banker and bank teller at Landmark mon goal, and that is to spread the Catholic God begins with knowing God. We almost run, fran- National Bank for five years. faith.” tically, from trying to know God. Your pastor “I have been at the Catholic Chancery Georgina Paz can be contacted at (620) But what we are running from is not that hard. for three weeks now, and I really enjoy the 227-1531 or by emailing gpaz@dcdiocese. Make a simple pact with yourself to read the lessons won’t mind pleasant environment,” she said. “I have org. of each day’s Mass. Your pastor won’t mind if you borrow a missalette to take home with you. Make if you borrow a pact with yourself to read a page of two each day a missalette Rafting accident claims life of from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Blessed Cardinal Newman used the Catechism of the to take Council of Trent to feed his prayer and his preaching. former SMPC coach Frank Diskin He was never without it. home with Spend time with the revealed Word of God, and “He let players know that God, spend time with Tradition’s reflection on this Word of you. God. It is not hard. To know God. If you try. He’ll family and education were more do the rest. important than the sport they were playing....” -- Sister Diane Leary, CSJ Sister Frances Marie Heitz, OP, began CPR, the coroner’s office said. He long-time educator, dies in Great Bend died at the scene. A second person broke a leg, two others made it to an island in the ister Frances Ma- as secretary and assistant at river near Mishawaka and were rescued. Srie Heitz, 96, died the Art of Learning Center Those two rafters were not hurt. Friday, June 10, 2011, in Wichita. She retired at the News of Diskin’s death spread quickly in the Dominican Motherhouse in Great Bend through the SMPC alumni e-mail address Sisters’ convent in- in 2006. list. His impact and his loss is shared by firmary, Great Bend. Sister Frances Marie was many across this country. Born Oct. 5, 1914, in known to be always upbeat Frank Diskin “Coach Diskin was not only an admin- Ost, Kansas, as The- and joyous. The constant pain By Tim Wenzl istrator, a teacher and a coach, but more cla Rose Heitz, Sister that she felt did not dampen Southwest Kansas Register importantly, he was a man of principle,” Frances Marie was the her spirit, nor keep her from ormer St. Mary of the Plains coach and stated Sister Diane Leary, CSJ, who fol- daughter of the late doing what she enjoyed. Both Fathletic director, Frank Diskin, died lowed Diskin as athletic director at SMPC. Ben and Mary Robben as a Sister of the former Great June 23 in a rafting accident on the Poudre “He lived the values he professed and Heitz. She entered the Bend congregation, and then River near Fort Collins, Colo. He was on a passed them on to those with whom he came Dominican Sisters’ a Dominican Sister of Peace, family vacation with his wife, six children, in contact. Frank seemed very aware that Community May 27, she was very involved in spouses, and grandchildren. God was directing his life. He let players 1929, and pronounced Sister Frances Marie Heitz community life. An autopsy conducted June 24 ruled know that God, family and education were her first vows August Sister Frances Marie is that the cause of death was drowning with more important than the sport they were 22, 1932. She celebrated 75 years of reli- survived by her Dominican Sisters of Peace complications from heart disease, said playing; and in so many ways he truly made gious profession in 2007. religious community and nephews and Greg Fairman, investigator for the Larmier a difference in the lives of others. Coach Sister Frances Marie began her min- nieces: Karl and Eileen Petersen of Fredo- County Coroners office. Frank Diskin will definitely be missed by isterial career as a teacher in parochial nia, Kansas; Anita and Gorden Erickson of The sheriff’s department said Diskin was educators, particularly those associated elementary schools of Kansas in 1934. In Wichita; and Dale Petersen of Wichita. in a raft with several family members when with athletics. The Diskin family is held 1943 she became Director of Novices at Father Robert Schremmer presided at the the boat flipped in the Mishawask Falls in prayer.” the Motherhouse in Great Bend, a position funeral Mass, June 12. Memorials in honor area. Diskin was swept about one and a half Retired Alumni Director, Janet Kliesen, she held until 1966. Later she also worked of Sister Frances Marie may be sent to: miles downstream and was facedown in the had this to say about Coach Diskin. “Frank in religious education of adults by corre- Dominican Sisters of Peace, 2320 Airport water when bystanders pulled him out and -- Continued on Page 6 spondence courses for 10 years and finally Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. The Southwest Kansas Register July 3, 2011 Page 3 People of the Diocese of Dodge City Couple reflects on 72 years of marriage By DAVID MYERS having to leave the farm and move to Wichita to find work. The couple have six children Southwest Kansas Register There, Gilbert sold Hoover vacuums before being hired by – three boys and three girls – 14 early 75 years ago, Barbara Conner was engaged to a Sears to work in the appliance section. grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, Nman who stood a towering six-foot-five. “I was to sell their electrical appliances; one was a re- and two great-great grandchildren. She was, that is, until one evening, a man slight of build frigerator,” Gilbert said. “At that time that was practically During World War II, Gilbert worked at Stearman’s Air- named Gilbert Knipp came with friends to stay with her a new thing. What I did was I drove around Wichita, and craft Manufacturing as a production engineer (Stearman’s family in Wichita. wherever I saw one of the old ice boxes sitting out on the later became Boeing Aircraft), a job so important to the war “That changed everything,” Barbara said, smiling as porch, I went up there and talked to that gal. I asked, How effort that it kept him housed firmly in Wichita. she sat among other St. Joseph pa- In 1959, the couple returned to Scott City rishioners at the church’s centennial where they continued to farm and where celebration (see Page 7) in Scott City Gilbert became a top-rated bowler, touring June 19. in cities such as St. Louis, Ft. Worth and It didn’t take long for the farmer’s Oklahoma City. The couple also began work son from Scott City to work his on a doll house, first bought as a kit while on charm on the cute Wichita beauti- vacation in Florida. Over the years they built cian. on to the house and bought and made pieces The Knipps have been married 72 of furniture and other items. Gilbert wired it years – which is hard to believe when for electricity and today it stands in the Scott talking with them; his child-like City Museum. eagerness for laughter and her joy at And it was in Scott City where Gilbert’s being by his side almost seem to belie father, Joe, and brother, Joe, Jr., decided to their ages of 97 and 95. open the city’s first liquor store. They were married in 1939 during A friend suggested to Gilbert that he open the Franklin Roosevelt administra- the store, but he was too busy with farming tion, just a few years prior to Amer- duties. ica’s entry into World War II. “So, I went to Dad and my brother, “My friend had just bought a and they said they’d apply for it but that new Chevy, and we were out riding I couldn’t be in on it -- you had to live in around,” Gilbert said. “I suggested the city. we go to Wichita to attend a ‘machine Barbara and Gilbert Knipp, seated, are pictured with longtime friends Bishop Norbert “So, they did and we had the first liquor show’.” Hermes and his sister, Lucilla Herman. Top and left photo by David Myers/SKR Photo store in Scott City. They paid it off in the After the show, the friends pulled first month.” the new Chevy up to the Conner’s house in Wichita (who much do you pay for your ice? And she told me how much, “Of course, the churches, some of them were against it, were related to the Winderlin family in Scott City), where and I said, Well, for $5, you can have the refrigerator de- and they came to his father with a whole big petition of Gilbert first set eyes on Barbara. livered to you. I sold quite a few that way, driving around names,” Barbara said. For their first date they attended a dance with a live band, where the ice boxes were. “Dad goes down the list, ‘Oh, good customer … another friends of Barbara. The dance has never ended for the cou- “I did a lot of crazy things,” he said with a mischievous good customer,” Barbara added, laughing. ple: They were married June 13, 1939 at the Cathedral of grin. “I married her!” When asked their secret for a happy marriage in a time the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, and with $5 in their After three years in Wichita, the couple hadn’t yet had when there are so many divorces, Gilbert responded, “I’d pocket, moved back to the family farm in Scott City. any children, and Barbara received the devastating news ask them why they got married in the first place. Then I’d “As soon as we got home, we went grocery shopping that she was unable to bear children. say, ‘Stay with it, boy!’” (with the $5) and had money left over,” Barbara said with “Then we decided we would adopt one,” Barbara said. “Be very polite to each other,” Barbara added. “That’s a laugh. “We adopted a 10-month-old.” one thing we’ve always done.” Together, the couple attended a little wooden church, the “Then, nine months later she had one of her own, and first St. Joseph’s. Unfortunately, a drought left them soon they just kept coming,” Gilbert added, laughing. ‘The harvest is plentiful’

arren Batman and his son, Zachary, har- Dvest wheat on their land south of Ingalls. The end of the harvest season depends in part on Mother Nature’s mood, and in part on the location of the wheat, since wheat ripens from south to north throughout the diocese. The prayers of the faithful are with the farm- ers across the heartland as they bring in a crop that will provide food for people not just in Kansas, but across the globe.

This photo and cover photos by Tim Wenzl Page 4 July 3, 2011 Commentary The Southwest Kansas Register Happy (belated) Father’s Day! Blessed Omelian Kovch

By DAVID MYERS it; that’s really gross.’ After much giggling we did 9/20/1884 - 3/25/1944 Southwest Kansas Register as we were bide. … Bidden. … Boud. … We did ears ago, my dad’s brother, Clyde, a retired what she said.” melian Kovch, a Greek Catholic priest in Ycolonel in the U.S. Air Force, told me and my Another victim of the malady, Dad said, was Othe Ukraine, son of a priest, and father of brother and sisters that we were all distantly related “our great-great-Uncle Hector Myers, who met six children, was declared Blessed by Pope John to pop-singer Boy George. with an untimely end while fighting for the south Paul II on June 27, 2001. He was a victim of the I believed every word. I even announced it in one in the Civil War. Sadly, the family malady led him brutalities of the Hitler regime and died after a of my columns in the SKR. It was years later, after to believe that waking his regiment in the middle fruitful ministry among other prisoners. Clyde had died, that my brother told me my uncle of the night disguised as a Union soldier would He wrote to his family in 1943 from a prison had been joking. I am not related to Boy George. be ‘hilarious.’ camp: “I understand that you are trying to get me I want to take this opportunity to apologize for “Obviously, it wasn’t as funny as he had hoped, released. Yesterday they killed 50 people. If I am misleading you, and I apologize to Mr. George for and resulted not in a good laugh, but in several lead not here, who will help them to get through these the numerous letters requesting in a not-so-subtle pellets being propelled at a high rate of speed in sufferings? They would go their way to eternity manner that he share the wealth amongst his family. his general direction.” with all their sins and in the depths of unbelief, As I am actually not your fourth cousin on your The malady wasn’t restricted to the men of my which would take them to hell. But now they mother’s side, I will return the $16 you kindly sent family, Dad explained. “Our great-Aunt Margaret can go to death with their heads aloft, leaving all Holy Ones for my dog’s heart-worm pills. Schnabel was in her early 90s when she was ar- their sins behind them. And so they pass over to I thought of my uncle the other night during a rested for shoplifting Little Lulu comics from a the eternal city.” of Our conversation I had with my dad while chatting on Woolworths. She was later released after Lulu Omelian was born on Sept, 20, 1884, near the Time ooVoo (My Skype broke down. I now use ooVoo. (Moppet) Tompkins, the inspiration for Little Lulu, village of Kosiv in the beautiful region of West- It works just as well and it’s more fun to say.). flew in from Michigan with her husband, Tubby, ern Ukraine among the Carpathian mountains. By Sister Irene “Dad,” I said, staring at his face on the computer to speak on Aunt Margaret’s behalf.” His father was Father Gregory Kovch, a Greek Hartman, OP screen, “I’m aging, but I don’t seem to be growing I remembered seeing the news clippings in the Catholic priest, from a family of many priests. up. Most 47-year-olds don’t dance in their front family album. The whole event was covered by After he completed school in Lviv, Ukraine, Omelian studied theology yard (it just … felt right), or wear a ‘I’m Cuckoo Brenda Starr, girl reporter. at the Collegium Russicum in Rome from 1905 to 1911. At that time he for Cocoa Puffs’ T-shirt (the truth is the truth).” “Well, Dad,” I said, “you’ve talked about our married Maria-Anna Dobrians’ka and the next year was ordained a priest Dad paused for a moment, then said, “It’s about relatives, but what about me? And what about you, by the Bishop of Stanislaviv, Ukraine. time I tell you about a malady that has been part for that matter?” His ministries began in parish work, and then he volunteered to serve of our family for generations.” It’s hard to imagine Dad having such a malady. among the Ukranian émigrés in Bosnia. Father Omelian had a great gift for Malady? Generations? Been? See, when Dad was 20 -- an age at which I still “For most people, the part of the brain which thought girls had cooties -- he was leading a group causes you to say, laugh when you see someone of men in the North Pacific during World War II. “I understand that you chasing their hat down a sidewalk on a windy Later in life, he went on an expedition in Africa day, or to enjoy movies about superheroes while with his job where he met up with Dinka warriors are trying to get me re- eating Hot Tamales you snuck into the theater, is and listened to lions roar while sleeping in a tent leased. Yesterday they rendered dormant when you reach adulthood,” in the African bush. He once discovered an Indian Dad explained. kiva – unseen for hundreds of years -- while on killed 50 people. If I am “But for the Myers family and others like ours,” an expedition in Utah. He spent two decades with not here, who will help Dad said as I stared into my computer, glued to Hospice of Peace, visiting people who were in the his every word, “that part of the brain actually last months of their lives. And he raised four kids them to get through these increases in potency the older we become. (which made dealing with Dinka warriors “not that “For us,” Dad continued, “seeing some poor big of a deal”). sufferings?” soul chasing their hat down the sidewalk elicits the Could he, possibly, also have this malady, some- -- Blessed Omelian Kovch same response that looking at some great piece of one who has done and accomplished things that I architecture does for others. Or say, going to the can only imagine? opera. Or finding a rare fossil.” “Well, sometimes the malady skips a genera- preaching, consoling, and converting many back to the faith. From 1919 to This was how my uncle, a colonel who had flown tion,” Dad explained. “But, fortunately, we’ve got 1921, he served as a military chaplain in the Ukranian army fighting against missions during World War II and in Korea, and it and good.” Poland, during a multi-sided war where seven different nations or fractions later had the grim duty of picking up dead soldiers “Fortunately? What do you mean?” had taken to the battlefield. “I know that the soldier on the battlefield feels amid the horrors of Vietnam, was able to happily “How could Clyde have ever looked at life with better when he sees a doctor and the priest also there. You know, lads, that but with a straight face tell us that we were related a smile, a wink, and a sparkle in his eye after the I am consecrated, and a bullet doesn’t take a consecrated man easily.” to a cross-dressing pop-star. horrors he experienced? To retain that certain child- Father Omelian was captured and released, and then appointed pastor “That’s right,” Dad said. “But Clyde wasn’t the like sense of humor, the ability to smile when the of a small village that was home to three nations: Ukranians, Jews, and first. This malady was first recorded as having heart is aching, that desire for joy -- even if it’s Polish people. As a pastor, he organized Eucharistic congresses and cared occurred in our ancestor, Gov. William Bradford, in convincing his family that we’re cousin to the for the material needs and spiritual needs of his people. He bought shoes who, though in his 60s when aboard the Mayflower, karma chameleon himself -- isn’t really a malady and books for the poor and supported the Ukranian independence move- often took to holding burping contests with the at all, it’s a gift ... a gift from God.” ment. This did not endear him to the Polish administration and he was younger passengers.” It occurred to me then that “acting one’s age” punished by having his house searched; he was fined and imprisoned in a “You didn’t just say ‘burping contests.’” makes absolutely no sense. After all, how does an Studite monastery. Here he was able to offer shelter to Polish widows and “Indeed,” Dad said, nodding his head. 86-year-old act 86? I realized with a smile that if I orphaned children. Always hoping that Hitler would liberate his people Dad explained that in Bradford’s book, “Of asked my Dad, I’m sure he wouldn’t have a clue. from the Bolshevik occupiers, he urged the youth to avoid criminal deeds Plymouth Plantation,” Bradford wrote, “And thus Happy Father’s Day, Dad, and thanks for passing and to resist anti-Semitism. He publicly denounced the Fascist regime we gathered after victuals and therein we did com- onto me the family malady. By the way, how did which treated the Slavs as sub-humans. mence to belch until Mary Winslow bid us, ‘Stop Mom catch it? On one occasion, he heard that the Nazis had driven a group of Jews into the synagogue with the intent killing them with firebombs. Father Omelian hurried to the synagogue and stopped the Nazis from further Official Newspaper Published Semi-Monthly by the Diocese of Dodge City cruelty. However, many Jews were already dying in the burning build- All material in this newspaper credited to Catholic News Service (CNS) is copyrighted 2011. ing. Jews by the thousands came asking for Baptism and Father Omelian Bishop John B. Brungardt...... President quickly catechized them and gave them the sacrament. This was a serious Mrs. Margaret Klenke...... Editor Emerita infraction of the rule of the Nazis and they sought retaliation. He admitted David Myers...... Editor he had baptized thousands and said he would baptize more Jews if given Tim Wenzl...... Advertising Manager the opportunity. Daniel Stremel, CPA...... Business Manager Imprisoned again, Father Omelian brought consolation to many fellow prisoners of all races and confessions. He celebrated Mass, heard con- Service of Editors The Southwest Kansas Register fessions, and distributed the Eucharist. After Christmas of 1943, Father P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801 Msgr. A.J. Felling 1966-1971 Omelian fell ill and was placed in the dreaded camp hospital. In the spring Phone: (620) 227-1519 Byron Hull 1971-1974 Facsimile: (620) 227-1570 of 1944, he disappeared. It was only in 1972, that his daughters managed Margaret Klenke 1974-1990 e.mail: [email protected] to get his death certificate which said that he had died on March 25, 1944, website: www.dcdiocese.org/register Tim Wenzl 1990-2001 of a gangrenous right leg.